Patents by Inventor Petrica Dorinel Balcan

Petrica Dorinel Balcan 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).

  • Publication number: 20240051320
    Abstract: A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Patent number: 11794503
    Abstract: A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Publication number: 20210178792
    Abstract: A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Patent number: 10953677
    Abstract: A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing configured to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge having a second spool housing that is configured to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge having a first frame member that extends between the first spool housing and the second spool housing. The ribbon cartridge having a first locking feature defining a locked position and an unlocked position, the first locking feature adapted to lock the ribbon cartridge within a ribbon positioning assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Publication number: 20190126653
    Abstract: A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing configured to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge having a second spool housing that is configured to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge having a first frame member that extends between the first spool housing and the second spool housing. The ribbon cartridge having a first locking feature defining a locked position and an unlocked position, the first locking feature adapted to lock the ribbon cartridge within a ribbon positioning assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Patent number: 10265983
    Abstract: A disclosed media processing device includes a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a platen roller to form a first nip with a printhead, wherein media having a backing is to travel through the first nip; a modular peeler configured to remove the backing from the media downstream from the first nip, the modular peeler including a peel roller to form a second nip with the platen roller, wherein the backing is to travel through the second nip after being removed from the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Chris Colagiovanni, Hsinghan Tsai, Randal Wong Mun Hon
  • Patent number: 10196224
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to a media transport assembly for printers, such as a kiosk printer. The media transport assembly may comprise a biased guide roller structured to dampen media tension shocks, discontinuities, or variations. Other embodiments of the present invention may also provide a media transport assembly configured to allow increased flexibility in media supply roll mounting and for easy loading and threading of the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, David Garbe, Alexander Peter
  • Patent number: 9919540
    Abstract: A media processing device includes a cavity configured to receive a supply of media; a media exit; a fixed media guide configured to guide the media along a media feed path from the cavity to the media exit; a platen roller configured to move the media along the media feed path from the supply toward the media exit; and a movable media guide extending laterally across the media feed path at a position between the platen roller and the cavity. The movable media guide is biased toward the media feed path and is configured to apply a force to the media. The movable media guide is convexly curved toward the media feed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Randal Wong Mun Hon, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Kuan-Ying Lu, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe
  • Publication number: 20180065391
    Abstract: A disclosed media processing device includes a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a platen roller to form a first nip with a printhead, wherein media having a backing is to travel through the first nip; a modular peeler configured to remove the backing from the media downstream from the first nip, the modular peeler including a peel roller to form a second nip with the platen roller, wherein the backing is to travel through the second nip after being removed from the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Chris Colagiovanni, Hsinghan Tsai, Randal Wong Mun Hon
  • Patent number: 9844962
    Abstract: A disclosed ribbon cartridge includes a first spool housing configured to receive a first spool; a second spool housing configured to receive a second spool; a first frame member extending between the first and second spools; and a second frame member extending between the first spool and the second spool; wherein a printhead assembly opening is defined and bounded by the first spool housing, the second spool housing, the first frame member, and the second frame member, wherein the first frame member defines a first channel adjacent to the printhead assembly opening, wherein the second frame member defines a second channel adjacent to the printhead assembly opening, and wherein the first channel and the second channel each comprise a drive surface, wherein the drive surface is configured to be engaged by a printhead assembly to drive the ribbon cartridge to an installed position within the media processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Publication number: 20170217235
    Abstract: A disclosed ribbon cartridge includes a first spool housing configured to receive a first spool; a second spool housing configured to receive a second spool; a first frame member extending between the first and second spools; and a second frame member extending between the first spool and the second spool; wherein a printhead assembly opening is defined and bounded by the first spool housing, the second spool housing, the first frame member, and the second frame member, wherein the first frame member defines a first channel adjacent to the printhead assembly opening, wherein the second frame member defines a second channel adjacent to the printhead assembly opening, and wherein the first channel and the second channel each comprise a drive surface, wherein the drive surface is configured to be engaged by a printhead assembly to drive the ribbon cartridge to an installed position within the media processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Patent number: 9662899
    Abstract: An example media processing device includes a base; a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a printhead assembly attached to the lid; and a ribbon positioning assembly disposed within the cavity that is pivotably attached to at least one of the lid or the base wherein the ribbon positioning assembly is configured to move between a printing position when the lid is in the closed position, and an accessible position when the lid is in the open position, wherein the ribbon positioning assembly comprises: at least one cartridge channel configured to receive therein a ribbon cartridge; and at least one printhead assembly channel configured to guide the printhead assembly along the printhead assembly channel in response to the lid being moved between the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Randal Wong Mun Hon, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Shu-Hsun Chiang, Kuan-Ying Lu, Chia-Wen Chang
  • Publication number: 20170087871
    Abstract: An example media processing device includes a base; a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a printhead assembly attached to the lid; and a ribbon positioning assembly disposed within the cavity that is pivotably attached to at least one of the lid or the base wherein the ribbon positioning assembly is configured to move between a printing position when the lid is in the closed position, and an accessible position when the lid is in the open position, wherein the ribbon positioning assembly comprises: at least one cartridge channel configured to receive therein a ribbon cartridge; and at least one printhead assembly channel configured to guide the printhead assembly along the printhead assembly channel in response to the lid being moved between the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Randal Wong Mun Hon, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Shu-Hsun Chiang, Kuan-Ying Lu, Chia-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 9550380
    Abstract: A device for processing media may include a system and method for loading and unloading consumable supplies of a media processing device, and more particularly, a system and method for providing a compact form factor media processing device which provides convenient access to the replaceable components of the media processing device. A media processing device may include a base and a lid hingedly attached to the base, moveable between a closed position in which the lid is secured to the base, and an open position. A cavity may be defined between the lid and the base, where the cavity is inaccessible when the lid is in the closed position and the cavity is accessible when the lid is in the open position. The media processing device may include a ribbon positioning assembly disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kuan-Ying Lu
  • Patent number: 9211705
    Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chen, Lawrence E. Smolenski, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Jung Ethan Hoon Lee, Randal Wong
  • Patent number: D893410
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Botsai, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Arvind Chari
  • Patent number: D893591
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Smolenski, Kurt Botsai, Petrica Dorinel Balcan
  • Patent number: D900211
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kurt Botsai, Kuan-Ying Lu, Petrica Dorinel Balcan
  • Patent number: D939432
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Botsai, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Arvind Chari
  • Patent number: D994765
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Randal Wong Mun Hon, Kurt Botsai, Kuan-Ying Lu, Petrica Dorinel Balcan