Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a spacing between a printhead and a print medium in a printer is provided. The printhead is mounted in a carriage which is slidable along a guiding rod. The apparatus includes a first and second assembly for adjusting a position of a first and second portion of the carriage, respectively. The second assembly includes a camshaft attached to and slidable with respect to the carriage, one or more cams attached to the camshaft, and a bushing member. A first surface of the bushing member abuts a predefined profile of the cam, and a second surface of the bushing member abuts the guiding rod. The sliding of the camshaft with respect to the carriage causes a distance between the bushing member and the camshaft to vary according to the predefined profile of the cam. Accordingly, the spacing between the printhead and the print medium is adjusted.

Abstract: A system for batch conversion of RFID tag onto a label in a liner, to produce a RFID label, the system having at least a RFID tag dispenser having a plurality of RFID tags, a liner having a plurality of labels, each label spaced apart and marked with pitch marks, a bar code printer and electrical motor to move the liner forward. The system has additionally, a pitch mark sensor and a PLC controller. The pitch mark sensor detects the position of the pitch marks of a label, then sends a signal to the RFID tag dispenser to issue a RFID tag, moving the plurality of RFID tags along towards the liner, causing the RFID tag to be embedded onto the label to produce the RFID label. The system can include a further sensor at the RFID tag dispenser. A method for embedding the RFID tag using the system is also proposed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a mechanism for controlling at least one ink transmission module, which controls a supply of ink using received control rotation. The mechanism includes an input, to receive control rotation. The mechanism also includes an output, to selectively transfer the control rotation to the ink transmission module. A control system is also provided to control the selective transfer of the output. The mechanism is moveable into a disengaged configuration by the control system, in which the output does not transfer rotation of the input to the ink transmission module, by a first predetermined sequence of rotations of the input, and into an engaged configuration, in which the output transfers rotation of the input to the ink transmission module, by a second predetermined sequence of rotations of the input.

Abstract: A sheet separator comprises an advancing roller driven to rotate to move a sheet forwards along a sheet path, and a reversing roller driven to rotate to move a sheet backwards along the path. The reversing roller and advancing roller are mounted adjacently and are relatively moveable between a pinched position and a separated position. The reversing roller has a torque limiter for allowing the reversing roller to slip and counter-rotate with the advancing roller when friction applied by the advancing roller on the pinched reversing roller exceeds a preset value. Overriding means mounted therein allows a sheet to pass over a roller when the rollers are separated and to remain idle when the rollers are pinched.

Abstract: A kicker system comprises a rotatable roller for advancing media along a media path toward a print zone. A kicker is mounted on the roller for pivotal movement transverse to the rotational axis of the roller. A cam surface configured to engage the kicker during a portion of a rotation of the roller to thereby pivotably retract the kicker out of the media path. The kicker can be selectively actuated by controlling the relative rotation of the roller and the cam surface.

Abstract: A mechanism for sensing the status of a media stack tray which dispenses media to a printing device, the media stack tray being associated with a dispensing device which dispenses media from the media stack tray. The mechanism includes a probe having at least two positions such that the probe is located in a first position when the media stack tray has an empty status and is located in a second position when the media stack tray has a loaded status. The probe is mounted relative to the media stack tray so that when the media stack tray has a loaded status the media is normally located between the probe and the dispensing device. The mechanism also includes a detector for detecting the position of the probe.