Abstract: A pre-feed system and method for a liner-less label printer includes a drive roller that is configured to peel liner-less labels from a reel and pass print stock comprising the labels to an in-line label printer at a consistent rate. An idler roller disposed in proximity to the drive roller creates a nip for pulling labels from the reel. Label stock is fed to one or more print heads while supported by a support plate comprising projections extending from a planar surface, contacting an adhesive side of the labels. The projections are aligned in rows substantially perpendicular to a travel direction of the moving print stock and in a plurality of columns substantially parallel to the travel direction of the moving print stock, with projections on alternate rows offset from projections on adjacent rows and projections on alternate columns offset from projections on adjacent columns.

Abstract: An indirect thermal transfer printer applies images to label stock with the use of heat activated transfer ribbon. Once an image is printed, a negative of the printed image remains on the exposed transfer ribbon. Heat is applied to the exposed transfer ribbon as it is spooled to obliterate the negative, fuse the ribbon to previously exposed and spooled ribbon, or both.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) system functions such that while label paper is moving into position, ribbon motors have power applied to maintain tension in the ribbon to avoid any contact with the adhesive. Once the label paper stops and is in position the power to the ribbon motors are cut to allow slack in the ribbon and a printhead solenoid actuates at full power to lift. Once lifted the solenoid cuts back to partial power to hold position and the ribbon motors are powered again. Thus, ribbon motor power is adjusted to allow the solenoid to lift without additional resistance.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced speed thermal printing has a drive roller for contacting thermochromic medal to a thermal printhead. The drive roller includes a cam which causes the drive roller to decelerate as it approaches the printhead such that contact with the thermal printhead and the thermochromic media is at a highest force point. The drive roller accelerates as it is pulled back from the printhead prior to a next printing cycle.

Abstract: A pre-feed system and method for a liner-less label printer includes a drive roller that is configured to peel liner-less labels from a reel and pass print stock comprising the labels to an in-line label printer at a consistent rate. An idler roller disposed in proximity to the drive roller creates a nip for pulling labels from the reel. Label stock is fed to one or more print heads while supported by a support plate comprising projections extending from a planar surface, contacting an adhesive side of the labels. The projections are aligned in rows substantially perpendicular to a travel direction of the moving print stock and in a plurality of columns substantially parallel to the travel direction of the moving print stock, with projections on alternate rows offset from projections on adjacent rows and projections on alternate columns offset from projections on adjacent columns.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a first roller, a second roller, and a controller. The first roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction for sheet conveyance along a sheet conveying direction. The second roller is disposed downstream with respect to the first roller in the sheet conveying direction and configured to rotate in a forward direction along the sheet conveying direction and in a reverse direction. The controller is configured to control the second roller to rotate in the reverse direction at a timing when a leading end of a sheet that is nipped and conveyed by the first roller reaches a nip of the second roller.

Abstract: A system and method for advancing sticky media through printers includes one or more feed rollers comprised of a grit roller. The grit roller contacts an adhesive side of liner-less label stock removed from a roll or stack for printing. The grit roller works cooperatively with an opposing, counter-rotating roller to remove the label stock from the roll and feed it to a printer.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling booklets in document finishers such as saddle staplers includes first and second opposed rollers configured to receive an edge of a stapled crease of a stack of printed documents. The rollers apply both heat and pressure to the crease to form a tight fold. A second set of rollers provides further heat and pressure to the fold to increase tightness even further. Pressure and temperature of one or both roller sets is controllable to accommodate paper stacks having different numbers of pages or different paper characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for feeding a ribbon of un-lined label stock to a printer includes first and second, abutting rollers that cooperatively remove label stock from a roll. An optical sensor is disposed in a ribbon path between the rollers and the printer. The optical sensor determines a slackness level of the ribbon between rollers and the printer. Speed of a drive roller drive motor is increased when the slackness level is below a prescribed threshold. Speed of the drive roller motor is decreased when the slackness level is above a prescribed threshold.

Abstract: A finisher assembly of a multifunction peripheral includes a vertically oriented stapler and a paper transport motor. When the paper transport motor rotates in the forward direction, printed pages from the print engine of the multifunction peripheral are received via a paper chute and a feed assist roller urges the printed pages into a vertical paper accumulation cache basin. Rotation of the paper transport motor also opens a biasing plate allowing the pages to freely enter the cache basin. Once all of the pages of the print job are in the cache basin, the paper transport motor rotates in the reverse direction causing the biasing plate to bias the printed pages, in the cache basin, against a registration surface of the vertically oriented stapler unit. The pages of the print job are stapled together the stapled print job is moved to the paper tray for collection by a user.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling booklets in document finishers such as saddle staplers includes first and second opposed rollers configured to receive an edge of a stapled crease of a stack of printed documents. The rollers apply both heat and pressure to the crease to form a tight fold. A second set of rollers provides further heat and pressure to the fold to increase tightness even further. Pressure and temperature of one or both roller sets is controllable to accommodate paper stacks having different numbers of pages or different paper characteristics.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a first roller, a second roller, and a controller. The first roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction for sheet conveyance along a sheet conveying direction. The second roller is disposed downstream with respect to the first roller in the sheet conveying direction and configured to rotate in a forward direction along the sheet conveying direction and in a reverse direction. The controller is configured to control the second roller to rotate in the reverse direction at a timing when a leading end of a sheet that is nipped and conveyed by the first roller reaches a nip of the second roller.

Abstract: A system and method for determining print cartridge authenticity in a printer includes an electrostatic process unit with a photoconductive drum configured to selectively generate a toner pattern from an associated toner cartridge based at least in part on electronic data associated with the toner cartridge. A transfer belt receives the toner pattern from the photoconductive drum and a sensor sensing the toner pattern on the transfer belt. A processor compares the toner pattern with a sensed toner pattern and generates an error condition when the toner pattern does not substantially match the sensed toner pattern. The toner includes an infrared reflective additive or an ultraviolet fluorescing additive and the sensor is configured to sense in the infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. The processor is configured to generate an error condition when the additive is not sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for urging stray toner away from sealing areas on rotating shafts in electrostatic process units includes a shaft that is associated with a rotating component of the electrostatic process unit such as a toner mixer, a waste auger, a developer, or a photoconductive drum. The shaft includes sealing areas at either end of the shaft that are configured to prevent toner leakage through the sealing areas, and protruding ridges in the sealing areas that encircle the shaft. The protruding ridges are angled relative to the axis of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the protruding ridges to urge stray toner away from the sealing areas. The protruding ridges substantially reduce toner leakage through the sealing areas of rotating shafts of electrostatic process units.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting transfer parameters in electrostatic-based printers includes a sensor proximate to a paper path before a toner transfer area. A sensor comprised of opposing conductive plates determines a paper property, such as its capacitance, as it passes through an air gap between the conductive plates. A transfer roller receives an electric charge for transferring toner from an associated transfer belt to the paper with a voltage of the electric charge being adjusted based on a transfer parameter corresponding to the sensor data.

Abstract: An open jam-door sensor having a peripheral device such as a printer including a substantially C-shaped feed path, the C-shaped feed path defining an inner guide and an outer guide, the outer guide being connected to the peripheral device. A media sensor for detecting type of media in the device is disposed on one of said guide opposite a reflective portion disposed on the other of said guides. The media sensor also being used to detect when the outer guide is in an open position and causing a processor to inhibit device operations, such as printing.

Abstract: A media feedpath having a feed assist roller, comprises a media feedpath having a C-shaped portion, a media input and a feed roll nip, an input roller feeding media from the media input, a feed assist roller downstream of the C-shaped portion of the media feedpath, the feed assist roller assisting media indexing through the media feedpath on a single side and without an opposed pinch roller, the feed roll nip having a driven roller and a feed roll pinch roll opposite the driven roll, the feed assist roller being driven by a toggle gear transmission from the driven roller of the feed roll nip, the gear train adapted for toggling to operably engage or disengage the feed assist roller depending on a driving direction of the driven roller of the feed roll nip.

Abstract: A media feedpath having a feed assist roller, comprises a media feedpath having a C-shaped portion, a media input and a feed roll nip, an input roller feeding media from the media input, a feed assist roller downstream of the C-shaped portion of the media feedpath, the feed assist roller assisting media indexing through the media feedpath on a single side and without an opposed pinch roller, the feed roll nip having a driven roller and a feed roll pinch roll opposite the driven roll, the feed assist roller being driven by a toggle gear transmission from the driven roller of the feed roll nip, the gear train adapted for toggling to operably engage or disengage the feed assist roller depending on a driving direction of the driven roller of the feed roll nip.

Abstract: A pick mechanism, having a clutch mechanism, for picking media sheets from an input tray and introducing them into a paper path of an image forming apparatus. The clutch mechanism comprises a plurality of balls positioned between an inner race and an outer race. Angular backlash between the inner race and the outer race may result in variations in the timing of the media sheets. An algorithm is further included to estimate the pick timing of the media sheets. The algorithm calculates an estimated pick time for a subsequent media sheet that incorporates the known engagement variations of the ball clutch pick mechanism.

Abstract: A small or special media guide-in tray including a media tray, an aperture disposed in the media tray, first and second opposed guide arms extending through the aperture and biased to a first position. The first and second opposed guide arms are pivotally mounted and are synchronously movable when small media is inserted. The opposed guide arms and biasing are used to automatically center the small media as it is inserted between the guide arms. The guide-in tray may be utilized with media handling devices having an L-path media feed wherein the guide-in media tray is incorporated in an input tray or in a C-path media feed wherein the guide-in media tray is incorporated in an exit tray.