Abstract: A printer for printing information onto articles such as histology specimen slides and cassettes having a print zone. One embodiment of the printer includes an ink receiving structure to receive an ink source such as a print ribbon, a collection receiving structure to receive a collection medium such as paper or polymer web, a printing area including a printhead, a rubber-like laminator, and a control system. The control system is responsive to print data and causes the printhead to transfer a first color and first format image, such as a negative image, away from the ink source and onto the collection medium to form a first color and second format image, such as a positive image, on the ink source, and causes the laminator to transfer the second format image from the ink source to the print zones of the articles.

Abstract: A label finishing station receives a web carrying printed images for labels arranged so there are a plurality of images formed in rows or ranks across the width of the web. The images are also arranged in longitudinal columns along the length of the web. A cutting station carries a plurality of cutter heads to cut out the plurality of labels forming each row or rank simultaneously. The web, with the label peripheries cut out, may be slit longitudinally and formed into finished rolls of labels.

Abstract: A reverse transfer printer and method for printing information onto histological specimen containers such as slides and cassettes. One embodiment of the method includes printing an ink specimen information image onto a transfer medium, and transferring the transfer medium with the specimen information image onto a print zone of the specimen container, with the transfer medium covering the ink.

Abstract: A label finishing station receives a web carrying printed images for labels arranged so there are a plurality of images formed in rows or ranks across the width of the web. The images are also arranged in longitudinal columns along the length of the web. A cutting station carries a plurality of cutter heads to cut out the plurality of labels forming each row or rank simultaneously. The web, with the label peripheries cut out, may be slit longitudinally and formed into finished rolls of labels.

Abstract: A cartridge for histological specimen slides includes a generally enclosed body and a slide holder. The body is configured for removable insertion into a specimen slide printer, and includes a slide holder receiving opening and a slide feed opening. The slide holder holds a plurality of specimen slides and is configured to be positioned within and removed from the body through the slide holder receiving opening. When loaded in the body the slide holder positions and presents the slides to the slide feed opening in the body. A memory chip for storing information relating to the slides can be mounted to the holder, and is located adjacent an access opening in the body when the holder is positioned in the body.

Abstract: A color printer for histological specimen containers such as slides and cassettes includes a specimen container receiving structure to receive histological specimen containers having a print zone, an ink receiving structure to receive a multi-colored ink source, a printhead, a drive mechanism to drive specimen containers received by the container receiving structure with respect to the print head, and a control system. The control system is responsive to specimen data representative of histological specimens and controls the drive mechanism and the printhead, including causing the print head to transfer multiple colors of ink from the ink source and print specimen information in color on the print zones of specimen containers. In one embodiment of the invention the specimen data includes color data representative of a color that identifies specimen information, and the control system causes the printhead to print the specimen information in color as a function of the color data.

Abstract: A label finishing station receives a web carrying printed images for labels arranged so there are a plurality of images formed in rows or ranks across the width of the web. The images are also arranged in longitudinal columns along the length of the web. A cutting station carries a plurality of cutter heads to cut out the plurality of labels forming each row or rank simultaneously. The web, with the label peripheries cut out, may be slit longitudinally and formed into finished rolls of labels.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A processor, such as a laminator for laminating a film onto a disc, such as a CD, DVD or the like has a tray for holding a disc for movement from a loading position to a processing position. The tray has a recess for receiving the disc, when the disc is properly positioned for processing. A sensor is provided to sense when a disc is not properly located in the recess, or when more than one disc, a warped disc or some other anomaly is present that may damage the processor. As shown, the processor is a laminator for laminating a film onto an upper surface of a disc.

Abstract: A CD or DVD disc processor, as shown, a recorder or duplicator (it could be a printer) has a pivoting picker mechanism having only one degree of freedom when driven for handling the discs for recording and stacking recorded discs. The picker mechanism picks the disc from the top of a supply stack of blank discs and places the disc on a loading tray of a recorder. The disc is moved into the recorder drive and removed after recording. The picker mechanism then picks the disc from the tray apparatus, the tray is retracted into the recorder, and the picker mechanism pivots beyond the tray to deposit the completed discs on a completed stack storage space below the tray level.

Abstract: A CD transporter includes a CD gripper for gripping a top CD off a vertical stack of CD's is provided. The CD gripper includes an actuatable gripping member and at least one stationary gripping member, each of which includes a hub engaging surface. The actuatable gripping member also includes a CD separating protrusion for separating the top CD from the CD immediately therebelow.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A printer is arranged to be self propelled for movement on a surface of a sheet on which printing is to take place. The printer is independently driven, while the sheet is held stationary, and does not have to be fed the sheet. The sheet can be oriented in a home position and indexed relative to a frame carrying the printer so that the printhead on the printer will print a line at a time perpendicular to the direction of travel of the frame.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A rotating handler arm is mounted on an upright column, and has electrical components thereon, which require powering. The power is carried to the rotating arm by a multi conductor flat cable that is supported on a platform adjacent to the rotating arm in a coil. The cable clamped to the platform as well as to the rotating member. The coil is made of a sufficient number of individual coil sections so that the coil will tighten as the rotating arm rotates in a first direction, and loosen as the rotating arm rotates in a second direction to avoid the need for slip rings or other complex electrical transmission elements.

Abstract: A printer is arranged to be self propelled for movement on a surface of a sheet on which printing is to take place. The printer is independently driven, while the sheet is held stationary, and does not have to be fed the sheet. The sheet can be oriented in a home position and indexed relative to a frame carrying the printer so that the printhead on the printer will print a line at a time perpendicular to the direction of travel of the frame.

Abstract: A CD transporter includes a CD gripper for gripping a top CD off a vertical stack of CD's is provided. The CD gripper includes an actuatable gripping member and at least one stationary gripping member, each of which includes a hub engaging surface. The actuatable gripping member also includes a CD separating protrusion for separating the top CD from the CD immediately therebelow.