Abstract: Line head thermal printing apparatus including a plurality of printing heating elements (2) designed to print, under the control of individual activation elements (7, 8) and by means of memory points (6; 46) of a printing register (5; 45), successive lines of points on a medium to be printed which is driven in advance against the head (1), which apparatus includes elements (10; 40) for individual write addressing of the memory points (6; 46).

Abstract: A cartridge (1) for loading a thermal transfer printing ribbon (10) into a thermal transfer printer is disclosed. The cartridge (1) is adapted to receive and detachably hold a ribbon pay-out roll (5) and a ribbon take-up roll (6) in their operating positions relative to each other. Each cartridge is provided with means (8, 9) for fixing the cartridge (1) to the printer while leaving the fixing means (8, 9) exposed.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a light source, generally a laser diode, providing beam that is modulated by an input signal and is controlled for scanning, at a rate fixed by a clock, along a generatrix line of a photosensitive drum which is rotated by a motor; it further includes a memory for storing input data representing successive pixels of all lines in a page which were scanned for transmission, and a computer for determining the length to be reproduced of the transmitted document, and for determining the width, necessary to avoid truncating the infor mation contained in any of the scan lines, in the width direction. The computer calculates the minimum vertical reduction ratio Rv and the minimum horizontal reduction ratio Rh that should be adopted in order to enable the useful information to be reproduced in length and width and selects the smaller ratios.

Abstract: A cassette for thermal-transfer printing ribbon (2), designed to be fitted in a printer comprising a printing head (21) in front of which sheets of paper (30) are intended to pass and comprising a housing (3; 103) for accommodating a delivery spool (4; 104), a housing (5; 105) for accommodating a take-up spool (6; 106), means (8; 108) designed to be driven in rotation and drive the take-up spool (6; 106), a window (9; 109) being made between the two housings (3, 5; 103, 105) and designed to allow interaction of the printing head (21) and the ribbon (2) extending between the two housings (3, 5; 103, 105).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening a holding member (6) for the springs (4) that apply pressure to the counter-rolls (3) for driving sheets of paper on the frame (2) of a machine, such as a facsimile machine, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of:1) pressing the holding members against the springs so as to compress the springs against the rollers;2) positioning the holding members (8, 11, 12) relative to locator tabs and ribs of the frame;3) causing and maintaining the aforementioned positive placement by the force of compression of the aforementioned elastic springs.

Abstract: An electro-photographic printing device has a development location where toner is transferred onto a drum in proportion to the amount of light charges on the drum and a transfer location where toner is transferred from the drum to a sheet of paper. A heater unit for fixing the toner by heating it to a predetermined temperature has a heater and a blower for heat removal. Responsive to a call for printing, data to be printed are stored in a memory. The heater is energized until a set temperature is obtained. Printing is initiated as soon as the set temperature is obtained. The blower is stopped after heating has been discontinued, after printing has been completed, until there is a new call.

Abstract: A device for separating a stack of sheets in an office machine such as a simile machine, comprising an extractor roller (18), a presser member (14) pressed resiliently in the direction of the roller, and a stop (5) limiting the maximum distance between the extractor roller and the presser member. The stop is mounted so as to slide inside a supporting part (1) in the direction of the presser member. A spring pushes the stop toward the presser member, and a locking collar (11, 12) limits its sliding distance. The presser member is mounted on the supporting part so as to provide an integral device, improving reliability and reducing assembly time.

Abstract: A series type thermal writing head for printers is provided including, on a rigid wafer, ceramic supporting resistive elements with their conductors, a double face printed circuit forming connection support, a flexible connection film printed on a single face, with conducting tracks connecting together the conductors of the resistive elements and the conductors of the printed circuit, those of the face turned towards the wafer by metallized holes.

Abstract: A thermal series type printing head is controlled on-the-fly, during a succession of cycles of a duration at most equal to the time for printing the points, so as to be heated independently during the first half and during the second half of each cycle. Thus an offset dot can be printed of half a length of a a normal dot, or an extended dot, one and half times as long as the normal dot, for improving the definition of printing without reducing the writing speed. The invention applies to printing systems, particularly for printers connected to word processing devices.

Abstract: Writing device with heating elements for printing by thermal action on a ting support, mounted on a base and comprising a heating elements support bearing the heating elements and first electrical contacts connected directly to said heating elements, an intermediate support to support mechanically and removably the support, a connecting part provided with second electrical contacts adapted to cooperate with the first contacts of the support and attached respectively to the base. A fixing device fasten the support and the part to the base so as to permit, between the heating elements support and the base, the relative movements necessary for the progress of the writing process. A device for positioning of the heating elements support on the intermediate support, and locking device to make fast mechanically and removably the heating elements support to the intermediate support are also included.