Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: An example disclosed output hopper includes a cavity to receive media units from an output of a media processing device, the cavity to cause the media units to form a stack in a first direction; a first door pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position, wherein the first door is configured to pivot on a first axis substantially parallel to the first direction; wherein: the first door includes a first cutout at a first top edge of the first door; and the first cutout allow the media units to spill over the first and second top edges when a capacity of the cavity is exceeded.

Abstract: An example disclosed output hopper includes a cavity to receive media units from an output of a media processing device, the cavity to cause the media units to form a stack in a first direction; a first door pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position, wherein the first door is configured to pivot on a first axis substantially parallel to the first direction; wherein: the first door includes a first cutout at a first top edge of the first door; and the first cutout allow the media units to spill over the first and second top edges when a capacity of the cavity is exceeded.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a platen roller configured to move a media unit along a media processing path to traverse a printhead adjacent to the platen roller; an upstream drive assembly including (i) an upstream stationary roller disposed along the media processing path on a first side of the platen roller; and (ii) an upstream movable roller adjacent to the upstream stationary roller; a downstream drive assembly including (i) a downstream stationary roller disposed along the media processing path on a second side of the platen roller; and (ii) a downstream movable roller adjacent to the downstream stationary roller; a controller configured to control a motor to move, according to a predefined sequence, the upstream movable roller and the movable roller between respective engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: An example disclosed output hopper includes a cavity to receive media units from an output of a media processing device, the cavity to cause the media units to form a stack in a first direction; a first door pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position, wherein the first door is configured to pivot on a first axis substantially parallel to the first direction; wherein: the first door includes a first cutout at a first top edge of the first door; and the first cutout allow the media units to spill over the first and second top edges when a capacity of the cavity is exceeded.

Abstract: An example disclosed output hopper includes a cavity to receive media units from an output of a media processing device, the cavity to cause the media units to form a stack in a first direction; a first door pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position; a second door movable between the closed position and the open position, the second door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position; wherein the first door is configured to pivot on a first axis substantially parallel to the first direction; and the second door is configured to pivot on a second axis substantially parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper for supporting a stack of media units (e.g. cards), the hopper including (i) a gate wall configured to abut leading edges of the media units and (ii) an outlet defined at an end of the gate wall; a pick roller at the outlet for engaging an outer one of the media units in the stack and dispensing the outer media unit from the hopper to a media processing path; the gate wall including a flexible gate at the outlet, the flexible gate configured to deflect toward the media processing path responsive to the outer media unit being driven into the flexible gate by the pick roller, wherein the outer media unit deflects when passing by the flexible gate, permitting the outer media unit to be dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper supporting media units (e.g. cards), and a biasing assembly biasing the cards toward a hopper outlet; an input roller for accepting a single card at a hopper slot inlet; a pick roller at the outlet for dispensing a card from the hopper to a media processing path; a motor having an output shaft; a primary drivetrain segment connecting the output shaft with the pick roller; an auxiliary output selector connected to the primary drivetrain segment and switchable between first and second output configurations; first and second auxiliary drivetrain segments connecting the output selector, respectively, with the input roller and a release member for disengaging the biasing assembly; and a selector input movable to switch the output selector between the first output configuration, coupling the primary and first auxiliary drivetrain segments, and the second output configuration, coupling the primary and second auxiliary drivetrain segments.

Abstract: An example disclosed output hopper includes a cavity to receive media units from an output of a media processing device, the cavity to cause the media units to form a stack in a first direction; a first door pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position; a second door movable between the closed position and the open position, the second door to retain the media units in the cavity when in the closed position; wherein the first door is configured to pivot on a first axis substantially parallel to the first direction; and the second door is configured to pivot on a second axis substantially parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a transport assembly to guide a media unit from a source past a processing head in an outbound direction, and past the processing head in a return direction toward an output; and a redirector to receive the media unit in the outbound direction, flip the media unit, and expel the media unit in the return direction. The redirector includes: a motor having an output shaft; a carriage rotatably supported by a housing; a roller supported by the carriage for engaging with the media unit; and a selector connected between the output shaft and the roller. The selector, for a first output shaft drive direction, rotates relative to the carriage and drives the roller for receiving or expelling the media unit, and for a second output shaft drive direction, engages the carriage and rotates the carriage relative to the housing for flipping the media unit.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a hopper supporting media units (e.g. cards), and a biasing assembly biasing the cards toward a hopper outlet; an input roller for accepting a single card at a hopper slot inlet; a pick roller at the outlet for dispensing a card from the hopper to a media processing path; a motor having an output shaft; a primary drivetrain segment connecting the output shaft with the pick roller; an auxiliary output selector connected to the primary drivetrain segment and switchable between first and second output configurations; first and second auxiliary drivetrain segments connecting the output selector, respectively, with the input roller and a release member for disengaging the biasing assembly; and a selector input movable to switch the output selector between the first output configuration, coupling the primary and first auxiliary drivetrain segments, and the second output configuration, coupling the primary and second auxiliary drivetrain segments.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a platen roller configured to move a media unit along a media processing path to traverse a printhead adjacent to the platen roller; an upstream drive assembly including (i) an upstream stationary roller disposed along the media processing path on a first side of the platen roller; and (ii) an upstream movable roller adjacent to the upstream stationary roller; a downstream drive assembly including (i) a downstream stationary roller disposed along the media processing path on a second side of the platen roller; and (ii) a downstream movable roller adjacent to the downstream stationary roller; a controller configured to control a motor to move, according to a predefined sequence, the upstream movable roller and the movable roller between respective engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A card-cleaning assembly for printers is provided. The assembly can be used in any suitable card printing apparatus, particularly thermal dye printers. Such card printers are used to print driver's licenses, employee badges, student cards, and the like. The assembly includes a card-cleaning roller and an adhesive tape cartridge. The cleaning roller contacts the card and removes dust and dirt particles and other debris from the surface of the card. The tape cartridge is attached to a pivoting arm on the printer which pivots so that the adhesive tape engages the cleaning roller and removes the debris from the roller as the roller rotates.