Patents by Inventor Martin McNestry
Martin McNestry has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8890915Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises a print head drive mechanism that is configured to reciprocally move a print head parallel to movement of a carrier ribbon past the print head. A controller is configured to control the print head drive mechanism to move the print head in a first direction along the carrier ribbon to transfer ink material from the carrier ribbon to a substrate to print a first portion of an image on a first area of the substrate. The controller is also configured to control movement of the print head in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the carrier ribbon and substrate are also moved in the second direction to position the print head relative to the carrier ribbon so that a second portion of the image is printed on a second are of the substrate adjacent to the first area of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Philip Hart
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Publication number: 20140267534Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, George Borkey YUNDT
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Patent number: 8789923Abstract: A print head includes an ink cavity, a nozzle in fluid communication with the ink cavity, and at least one valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a stopper positioned adjacent the nozzle and adapted to control flow of ink through the nozzle and an arm supporting the stopper. The arm is configured to pivotally move the stopper with respect to the nozzle to control the flow of ink through the nozzle. An electromagnet is positioned adjacent the arm and configured to move the arm toward the electromagnet to open the nozzle. A biasing member biases the arm away from the electromagnet to close the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventor: Martin McNestry
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Patent number: 8770874Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, George Borkey Yundt
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Publication number: 20140118438Abstract: A capping device for an ink jet print head, includes a base, the base configured to receive an ink jet print head comprising nozzles for ejecting ink in a print direction, and a cap assembly attached to the base and configured for movement between a closed position when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from the nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support configured for generally planar movement with respect to the base in a direction perpendicular to the print direction and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the planar movement in the direction perpendicular to the print direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventors: John Wall, Thomas E. Kimerling, Casey Robertson, Martin McNestry, Julio Naveira, David Doornink, Kevin Kuester, Anthony Selmeczy, Mark Waterman, Stephen Cooke, Graham Thomas
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Patent number: 8672445Abstract: A capping device for an ink jet print head includes a base configured to receive an ink jet print head and a cap assembly attached to the base. The cap assembly is configured for sliding movement with respect to the base to provide a closed position of the cap assembly when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the sliding direction. The cover includes a rigid mating surface configured to engage a surface of the print head adjacent the nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Videojet Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John Wall, Thomas Kimerling, Casey Robertson, Martin McNestry
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Publication number: 20140063171Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Keith Buxton, Philip Hart
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Publication number: 20140002568Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises a print head drive mechanism that is configured to reciprocally move a print head parallel to movement of a carrier ribbon past the print head. A controller is configured to control the print head drive mechanism to move the print head in a first direction along the carrier ribbon to transfer ink material from the carrier ribbon to a substrate to print a first portion of an image on a first area of the substrate. The controller is also configured to control movement of the print head in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the carrier ribbon and substrate are also moved in the second direction to position the print head relative to the carrier ribbon so that a second portion of the image is printed on a second are of the substrate adjacent to the first area of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES (NOTTINGHAM) LIMITEDInventors: Martin McNestry, Philip Hart
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Patent number: 8591127Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Keith Buxton, Philip Hart
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Publication number: 20130286138Abstract: A ribbon includes a substrate film, wherein the film comprises a tensionable material; and an ink disposed on the ribbon. A length of the ribbon includes portions that have been tensioned to provide a code readable from the ribbon by measuring the tension over the length of the ribbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 8547408Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises a print head drive mechanism that is configured to reciprocally move a print head parallel to movement of a carrier ribbon past the print head. A controller is configured to control the print head drive mechanism to move the print head in a first direction along the carrier ribbon to transfer ink material from the carrier ribbon to a substrate to print a first portion of an image on a first area of the substrate. The controller is also configured to control movement of the print head in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the carrier ribbon and substrate are also moved in the second direction to position the print head relative to the carrier ribbon so that a second portion of the image is printed on a second are of the substrate adjacent to the first area of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Philip Hart
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Publication number: 20130242007Abstract: A print head includes an ink cavity, a nozzle in fluid communication with the ink cavity, and at least one valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a stopper positioned adjacent the nozzle and adapted to control flow of ink through the nozzle and an arm supporting the stopper. The arm is configured to pivotally move the stopper with respect to the nozzle to control the flow of ink through the nozzle. An electromagnet is positioned adjacent the arm and configured to move the arm toward the electromagnet to open the nozzle. A biasing member biases the arm away from the electromagnet to close the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Martin McNestry
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Publication number: 20130215210Abstract: A thermal transfer printer, including first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first support to the second spool support; a printhead for selectively transferring ink from the ribbon to a substrate; an electromagnetic sensor arranged to sense electromagnetic radiation and to generate data indicative of a property of the ribbon based upon sensed electromagnetic radiation; and a controller for processing data generated by the electromagnetic sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventors: Martin McNestry, Steven Buckby
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Patent number: 8454126Abstract: A print head includes a fluid cavity and nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. A stopper is positioned adjacent the nozzle and adapted to control flow of fluid through the nozzle. An arm supports the stopper and is configured to pivotally move the stopper with respect to the nozzle. An electromagnet is positioned adjacent the arm and configured to move the arm toward the electromagnet to open the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Inventor: Martin McNestry
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Publication number: 20130063519Abstract: A capping device for an ink jet print head includes a base configured to receive an ink jet print head and a cap assembly attached to the base. The cap assembly is configured for sliding movement with respect to the base to provide a closed position of the cap assembly when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the sliding direction. The cover includes a rigid mating surface configured to engage a surface of the print head adjacent the nozzles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: John Wall, Thomas Kimerling, Casey Robertson, Martin McNestry
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Patent number: 8328441Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Keith Buxton, Philip Hart
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Patent number: 8317421Abstract: A tape drive comprising two motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of the motors, and a controller. The controller controls the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is configured to store a plurality of motor control data items, each data item being associated with a respective tension value. The controller is operative to monitor tension in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports; read a motor control data item based upon the monitored tension; generate a motor control signal based upon the read motor control data item; and apply the motor control signal to at least one of the motors.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventor: Martin McNestry
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Patent number: 8221009Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Zipher LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Keith Buxton, Philip Hart
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Patent number: 8221010Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Zipher LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Keith Buxton, Phillip Hart
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Publication number: 20120139996Abstract: A print head includes a fluid cavity and nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. A stopper is positioned adjacent the nozzle and adapted to control flow of fluid through the nozzle. An arm supports the stopper and is configured to pivotally move the stopper with respect to the nozzle. An electromagnet is positioned adjacent the arm and configured to move the arm toward the electromagnet to open the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventor: Martin McNestry