Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of printing an image onto a substrate including the steps of providing a substrate, a print head, and a carrier between the print head and the substrate; providing a backing roller; urging the print head towards the roller so as to urge the print head against the carrier, the carrier against the substrate, and the substrate against the roller; then selectively energizing print head heating elements while moving the print head in a first direction so as to move the print head along the substrate and transfer print medium from the carrier to the substrate to print a portion of the image on a respective area of the substrate; and after printing image portion, if there is at least one further image portion to be printed, moving the head, substrate, and carrier in a second direction, opposite to the first, in preparation for printing the next portion in a series of portions.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A labelling machine comprising a supply spool support (12) adapted to receive a supply spool (28), a takeup spool support (14) adapted to form a takeup spool (32) of web (30) from which at least some labels (74) have been removed, a motor (40) arranged to turn the takeup spool, and a controller to control operation of the motor. A web path (16) is defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and the controller is arranged to control the motor to turn the take-up spool so as to cause controlled predetermined linear movement of a web along the web path and onto the take-up spool, furthermore comprising a sensor (50) operable to sense linear displacement of the web and/or displacement of the web in a direction other than the direction of the web, a printer (34) movable between a first position and a second position, and a separator surface (24) comprising a first portion inclined relative to the web path.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an inkjet printer printhead in a working state, the printer defining an array of orifices from which in use jets of ink are projected. The apparatus may have a means for applying a pressure pulse to ink with the printhead sufficient to discharge ink from each orifice when not in use to project ink. The pressure pulse may have a relatively rapidly rising leading edge and a relatively slow falling trailing edge.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A liquid supply system comprising a liquid reservoir and a liquid container for supplying liquid to the reservoir. Connection means connects the reservoir to a position within the container that is immersed in the contained liquid. Means for alternately pressurising and depressurising the reservoir are provided. The arrangement is such that when the reservoir is pressurised gas is forced into the container through the connection means and accumulates above the liquid in the container. When the reservoir is depressurised accumulated gas in the container forces liquid through the connection means to the reservoir.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A tape drive comprising first and second motors, the first motor being a torque-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller operable to control the energization of the motors such that tape may be transported in first and second directions between spools mounted on the spool supports. Each spool support is coupled to a respective motor by means of a drive coupling providing at least one fixed transmission ratio. When tape is moved in said first direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in a first rotational direction, when tape is moved in said second direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in said first rotational direction for a part of said movement and a second opposite rotational direction for another part of said movement.

Abstract: A tape drive comprising first and second motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, a sensor for sensing tape motion between the spools, and a controller. The controller is adapted to receive a first signal indicating demanded tape motion, provide a first control signal to at least one of the motors, the first control signal being based upon said demanded tape motion and being configured to cause tape to be transported between spools mounted on the spool supports, receive a second signal from said sensor indicating actual tape motion in response to said first control signal, and provide a second control signal to at least one of the motors, the second control signal being based upon said first and second signals.