Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of are provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a gloss difference reducing unit that reduces a difference between gloss of an first image that is formed without using transparent toner in a first mode and gloss of a region, which does not use transparent toner, of a second image that is formed using transparent toner on part of an image in a second mode, the first mode being set for forming the first image onto a medium in one fixing operation, and a second mode being set for forming the second image by implementing a second fixing step that fixes transparent toner to part of an intermediate image, after a first fixing step that fixes the intermediate image that has been formed by toner other than transparent toner on the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a fixing part for fixing a toner image on a transfer material to the transfer material, a conveying part provided on the downstream side of the fixing part, a correcting member provided in a conveyance path leading from the fixing part to the conveying part, for correcting a curl of the transfer material, and a control part for controlling an upstream-side conveyance speed which is a conveyance speed at which the fixing part provided on the upstream side of the correcting member conveys the transfer material and a downstream-side conveyance speed which is a conveyance speed at which the conveying part provided on the downstream side of the correcting member conveys the transfer material. In printing of a first surface in a double-sided printing mode, the control part sets the downstream-side conveyance speed to be larger than the upstream-side conveyance speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeding controller for controlling feeding of the recording material, wherein when a size of the recording material is smaller than a reference size, the feeding controller expands a feeding interval between a precedent recording material and a subsequent recording material gradually, and wherein when image formation on a plurality of recording materials which are smaller than a reference size is started, at timing at which an elapsed time from an end of a last image formation exceeds predetermined time, the feeding control means sets an initial value of the feeding interval to a predetermined minimum value, and wherein when image formation on a plurality of recording materials smaller than the reference size is started, at the timing at which the elapsed time is shorter than the predetermined time, the feeding control means sets the initial value of the feeding interval in accordance with the elapsed time and a last feeding interval at the time of an image formation of t

Abstract: In a fixing device, having a sheet portion and an inter-sheet portion, heats and fixes the toner image onto each of sheets by rotationally bringing the sheet portion into contact with each sheet. A heating unit heats the fixing unit. A sensing unit senses a temperature of the fixing unit. A control unit controls a duty ratio of on/off of the heating unit based on a sensing output of the sensing unit, determines whether the sensing unit is sensing the temperature of the sheet portion or the temperature of the inter-sheet portion in a rotation cycle, and controls the temperature of the heating unit by using the adjustment value corresponding to the sheet portion or the inter-sheet portion depending on a determination result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image carrier for carrying toner. A charger charges the surface of the image carrier and an exposure part then forms an electrostatic latent image thereon. A developer uses toner to develop the electrostatic latent image and a transfer part transfers a toner image from the image carrier to a recording medium. A cleaning roller has a circumferential surface that contacts with the surface of the image carrier and removes deposits therefrom by using toner that the circumferential surface carries. A carrier driver drives the image carrier and a power detector detects power consumption of the carrier driver. A roller controller determines, based on the detected power consumption whether a removal capacity of the cleaning roller to remove the deposits needs to be increased, and then controls rotation of the cleaning roller in response to a result of the determination.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a forming unit that forms an image on an image holder that is a rotating body holding an image; a measuring unit that measures a rotation amount of the image holder with reference to a certain position on the image holder; a determining unit that: identifies a position on the image holder from which an image is to be formed by the forming unit, according to the rotation amount measured by the measuring unit; if, while a plurality of images are successively formed on the image holder, an image for density correction is to be formed, postpones forming of the image for density correction until a timing arrives at which one image of the plurality of images is to be formed from a predetermined position on the image holder, and when the timing arrives at which the one image of the plurality of images is to be formed from the predetermined position on the image holder, determines to start forming of the image for density correction from the predetermined position, instead of form

Abstract: This invention provides an image forming apparatus which performs sleep control for a shift to the sleep mode for each function and provides a user-friendly operation system, and a method of controlling the same. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus sets a shift time until a power state of the image forming apparatus shifts to the low-power state after execution of image formation; and performs control to shift the power state of the image forming apparatus to the low-power state, when the shift time is not more than the predetermined time, before an elapse of the shift time after execution of image formation by the printing function, while shifting the power state of the image forming apparatus to the low-power state, in response to an elapse of the shift time after execution of image formation by the copying function.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus that controls a DC motor includes a detection unit configured to detect angular speed of the DC motor, a driven member configured to be driven by the DC motor, and a control unit configured to increase, when starting to drive the DC motor, a control value for controlling driving of the DC motor from a first control value to a second control value at a predetermined increase rate, wherein the control unit detects a start-up characteristic of the DC motor based on a detection result of the detection unit, and corrects the first control value or the increase rate according to a result of comparing a detected start-up characteristic and a predetermined start-up characteristic such that the start-up characteristic of the DC motor becomes closer to the predetermined start-up characteristic.

Abstract: This disclosure provides power supply control methods and apparatus. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a power supply operatively connected to a developer unit associated with a printing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes generating a modified output control signal as a function of stored gain and offset values associated with the power supply to generate a desired output voltage to drive the developer unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a fixing part for fixing a toner image formed on a transfer material to the transfer material, a fan provided on the downstream side of the fixing part, for blowing air to the transfer material having passed through the fixing part, and an airflow control part for controlling the amount of air to be blown from the fan. When the basis weight of the transfer material is larger than a first threshold value, the airflow control part sets the amount of air to be blown to a value smaller than that in a case where the basis weight of the transfer material is smaller than the first threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a cleaner for cleaning a surface of a dust-proof glass disposed on a housing of a laser scanning unit for irradiating a photosensitive member with a laser modulated in accordance with image data. The cleaner is supported by a frame of the image forming apparatus body such that the cleaner is movable while keeping in contact with the dust-proof glass and such that the cleaner stays in a stand-by position while keeping out of contact with the dust-proof glass and the housing of the laser scanning unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, an imaging device, a top cover, a moving device, and a state holding device. The housing has a top opening formed on a top face of the housing and a side opening formed on a side face of the housing. The imaging device is housed in the housing and includes a photosensitive body, an exposure device which exposes the photosensitive body to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body, and a developing device which develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer on the photosensitive body. The top cover is movable between an open state opening the top opening and a close state closing the top opening, the exposure device being attached to an inner face of the top cover.

Abstract: In an apparatus including a fixing device configured to be rotated by receiving a driving force from a main body of the apparatus and a drawer configured to draw out of the main body while holding the fixing device, a storage position of the drawer is adjusted to adjust an alignment between a transfer unit and a fixing nip. With the alignment so adjusted, meshing of gears that transmit force to rotate a fixing roller from a driving source of the main body of the apparatus may deteriorate, thus causing a rotational unevenness of the fixing roller. Therefore, an alignment unit configured to adjust an alignment is provided between a fixing support member configured to support a fixing unit and a fixing driving unit driving the fixing unit and a transfer support member configured to support a support member supporting the fixing support member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover configured to open/close with respect to an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, a pullout unit, a locking member configured to lock the pullout unit according to an operation of inserting the pullout unit into the apparatus main body, and an abutting member movable between a position where the abutting member regulates the closure of the cover by abutting against the cover and a position where the abutting member does not regulate the closure of the cover. When the locking member does not lock the pullout unit, the abutting member is positioned at the position where the abutting member regulates the closure of the cover.

Abstract: A fitting structure for process cartridges and an image forming apparatus body of an image forming apparatus capable of fitting the process cartridges for plural colors thereto, the fitting structure including: an incompatible member with its cross-sectional shape in an axial direction being rotationally symmetrical, the incompatible member having at least one attaching projection and one displaying hole or one displaying notched portion formed on a position different from a rotational shaft of the rotationally symmetrical shape; an attached portion of the process cartridge capable of holding the incompatible member, having identification display portions for identifying the plural colors arranged on the position corresponding to the displaying hole or the displaying notched portion; and an acceptance portion of the image forming apparatus body having an acceptance concave portion for accepting the at least one attaching projection of the incompatible member.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes first and second rotatable main assembly drive transmission members. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum coupling member, provided on one axial end of the drum, for engaging the first m transmission member and transmitting a first rotational driving force to the drum, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and a shaft coupler provided on one axial end of the developing roller, for transmitting a second rotational driving force with a deviation permitted between an axis of the second transmission member and an axis of the developing roller. The shaft coupler includes an engaging portion for engaging the second transmission member and receiving the second rotational driving force, when the cartridge is mounted to the main.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming cartridges removably mounted to an apparatus body one above the other is disclosed. Structural members each partition off a space between nearby image forming cartridges mounted to the apparatus body. The apparatus is capable of obviating banding ascribable to the vibration of the cartridges.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a first guide and a second guide. The second is movable with respect to the developing frame between a first position where the second guide is in continuous with the first guide and a second position where a continuous state of the second guide with the first guide is interrupted. The developer cartridge includes a developer frame that accommodates a developer and a first guided member movable with respect to the developer frame. The first guide and the second guide at the first position guide the first guided member in the course of attaching the developer cartridge to the developing unit. When an attachment of the developer cartridge to the developing unit completes, the first guide receives the first guided member, and the second guide is at the second position.

Abstract: A developing unit is pivotally supported by a pivot pin so as to be swingable, and a forcing lever forces a developing roller towards a photosensitive drum so that an outer circumferential surface of a DS roller makes contact with an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. This maintains, at a specified value, a developing gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. A sympathetic vibration prevention member in which an elastic member is provided on an upper surface of the base member is inserted between a lower portion of a housing of the developing unit and a guide rail provided under the lower portion. This prevents the developing unit from vibrating in sympathetic with vibration during the transportation of the image forming apparatus, which prevents the toner from spilling out.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes an input gear which receives an external driving force; a developing roller which carries developer; a supply roller that is in contact with the developing roller and supplies the developer to the developing roller; a supply roller gear that is meshed with the input gear to drive the supply roller using a driving force transmitted from the input gear; and a developing roller gear that drives the developing roller with a driving force transmitted from the supply roller gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet, a first door that can make the conveyance unit accessible, a rotation shaft configured to rotatably support the first door, and a second door which is provided to the first door in an openable/closable manner, wherein the second door can make the conveyance unit near the rotation shaft accessible.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a feed unit, a door, an in-body sheet feed section and a disposable unit. The feed unit has a component of a sheet path for single-side printing and a component of a sheet path for double-side printing. The door has a component of the sheet path for double-side printing. The in-body sheet feed section has a component of the sheet path for single-side printing, and the disposable unit includes a part of the in-body sheet feed section. The feed unit and the door are capable of pivoting on respective pivot shafts. When the door is closed, the door, the feed unit and the in-body sheet feed section form the sheet path for single-side printing and the sheet path for double-side printing.

Abstract: The adjustment method aligns printing engines in a print assembly that is capable of printing on a receiver to form one or more final prints and includes corrections for cross-track misregistration. These adjustments are made in one embodiment by aligning two or more printing engines in an x and y direction relative to a paper path cross track reference and then aligning each printing engines in a cross track direction (z direction) relative to the paper path cross track reference based on measurements in the cross track direction (z direction) relative to the paper path cross track reference.

Abstract: The adjustment method aligns printing engines in a print assembly that is capable of printing on a receiver to form one or more final prints and includes corrections for cross-track misregistration. These adjustments are made in one embodiment by aligning two or more printing engines in an x and y direction relative to a receiver reference and then aligning each printing engines in a cross track direction (z direction) relative to the receiver reference based on measurements in the cross track direction (z direction).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member having a photosensitive layer and the surface including concave portions having a concave diameter of from 5 to 200 ?m, an irradiation device that irradiates the surface of the image bearing member with light to form a latent electrostatic image thereon, a development device that develops the latent electrostatic image with a development agent containing toner to obtain a visualized image, a transfer device that transfers the visualized image to a transfer medium, a first cleaning brush to which a bias is applied with a polarity reverse to that of the toner remaining on the surface of the image bearing member after the visualized image is transferred, and a second cleaning brush to which a bias is applied with the same polarity as that of the toner remaining on the surface of the image bearing member.

Abstract: A calibration procedure for the synchronization of photoreceptor belt seams of tandem marking devices at system cycle-up. The procedure allows for images projected upon equivalent image panels relative to the belt seams of the tandem engines to be printed on the same sheet. The successive image panels on each belt are of relatively equal distance from the respective belt seams. Thus there is less frequency of the need to skip pitches in the printing operation to avoid either imaging on a belt seam or having the sheet arrive outside the input timing window for second engine sheet registration.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a plurality of light sources, at least two securing units provided for each of the light sources, and a substrate for driving the light sources. The components are arranged such that the direction “A” in which the light sources are arranged has an upward slant with respect to a lateral direction (i.e. X direction) of the substrate, and the direction “B” in which the at least two securing units provided for each of the light sources are arranged has a downward slant with respect to the lateral direction of the substrate. Accordingly, a compact optical scanning device can be provided.

Abstract: A line head, includes: a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses having a magnification whose absolute value is below 1 are arranged in a main scanning direction of a surface-to-be-scanned, and a plurality of luminous element groups which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the respective plurality of microlenses, wherein in each of the plurality of luminous element groups, a plurality of luminous elements are arranged at mutually different main-scanning-direction positions in the main scanning direction, the plurality of luminous elements are respectively caused to emit lights at timings in conformity with a movement of the surface-to-be-scanned in a sub scanning direction, and light beams emitted from the plurality of luminous elements are imaged on the surface-to-be-scanned at mutually different main-scanning-direction positions in the main scanning direction to form a plurality of spots side by side on the surface-to-be-scanned in the main scanning direction, and in each of the pl

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a surface emitting laser including a surface relief structure provided on laminated semiconductor layers, including the steps of transferring, to a first dielectric film, a first pattern for defining a mesa structure and a second pattern for defining the surface relief structure in the same process; and forming a second dielectric film on the first dielectric film and a surface of the laminated semiconductor layers to which the first pattern and the second pattern have been transferred. Accordingly, a center position of the surface relief structure can be aligned with a center position of a current confinement structure at high precision.

Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a casing, which accommodates a developer and is formed with an opening through which the developer is discharged. A shutter is movable between a first position to close the opening and a second position to open the opening. A first engaging part is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. The first engaging part at the advance position allows the shutter to move between the first and second positions, and the first engaging part at the retracted position prevents the shutter from moving between the first and second positions. A maintaining member maintains the first engaging part at the retracted position in a condition where the shutter is at the first position.

Abstract: A developer cartridge is provided with a cartridge main body with a supply port for supplying developer to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, a shutter member displaceable between an opening position for opening the supply port and a closing position for closing the supply port, an operation lever arranged to face the opening cover and adapted to displace the shutter member between the opening position and the closing position, and a biasing member for biasing the operation lever toward the closing posture. The operation lever is displaceable between an opening posture corresponding to the opening position and a closing posture corresponding to the closing position. The operation lever is displaced from the closing posture to the opening posture against a biasing force of the biasing member due to interference with a part of the opening cover when the opening cover is closed.

Abstract: The developing device includes a developer charging member configured to charge a toner serving as a one developer; and a developer bearing member configured to bear and feed the charged toner while forming an electric field so that the toner hops. The developer bearing member includes an insulating substrate; plural electrodes arranged on the insulating substrate in a developer feeding direction to form the electric field; and an outermost layer covering the plural electrodes. The toner has a softening point of from 115 to 130° C.

Abstract: A developing device develops an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing body, and includes first, second and third rollers, a developing belt and a developer supply member. The developing belt, which is entrained about the first, second and third rollers, is opposed to the image bearing body between the first and second rollers, and is in contact with the developer supply member between the first and third rollers. The developer supply member supplies a developer to the developing belt.

Abstract: A belt device is provided with an endless belt, a plurality of rollers on which the belt is mounted and including a drive roller connected to a specified drive source and rotating the belt and a belt meandering correction roller correcting the meandering of the belt in a width direction of the belt, a sensor detecting the position of an end surface of the belt in a sensor detection area divided into a plurality of zones adjacent in the belt width direction, a roller position adjusting mechanism adjusting the position of the belt meandering correction roller to correct the meandering of the belt, and a controller controlling the roller position adjusting mechanism based on the position detection of the belt end surface by the sensor, the controller controlling the roller position adjusting mechanism to keep the belt end surface in a specific one of the plurality of zones.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductive polyimide resin belt that exhibits electrical properties, including the ability to achieve accurate image transfer in a color image-forming unit, and the ability to prevent variations in resistance due to the transfer voltage, enabling high-quality transfer images to be stably produced over an extended period of time; and physical properties, including resistance to deterioration in flatness due to plastic deformation caused by loads applied in the width direction of the belt, excellent durability, and stable operation even after extended use; and more particularly, to provide an intermediate transfer belt made of the semiconductive polyimide resin belt. The semiconductive polyimide resin belt comprises carbon black and a polyimide resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusing a heat curable toner to a carrier sheet having said toner thereon. In the method, the toner is sandwiched between said carrier sheet and a movable fuser belt and heated to a first temperature by a first means, which first temperature is above a first glass transformation temperature of the toner. The toner is kept at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time by a second means, which elevated temperature is above the first glass transformation temperature, thereby raising the glass transformation temperature of the toner to a second glass transformation temperature. The apparatus has at least a first endless fuser belt, first heating means for heating the toner to a first temperature, second heating means located downstream of said first heating means for keeping the toner at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time and control means for controlling the first and second heating means.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of treating marking material on media are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful for printing includes a roll including a first outer surface; a continuous belt including an inner surface and a second outer surface forming a nip by contact with the first outer surface, the belt being driven to rotate by rotation of the roll; a heater disposed inside of the belt and comprising a first heating surface contacting the inner surface of the belt at the nip; and a heating fin in thermal contact with the heater, the heating fin including a second heating surface extending circumferentially in contact with a pre-nip portion of the inner surface of the belt. Thermal energy is conducted from the heater to the heating fin. The second heating surface pre-heats the pre-nip portion of the belt before the pre-nip portion is rotated to the nip, and the first heating surface of the heater heats the pre-heated, pre-nip portion at the nip.

Abstract: The invention provides an image fixing device containing a tubular formed first rotating body rotatable in a circumferential direction, a second rotating body that is arranged so that an outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the first rotating body, a heating unit that heats the first rotating body; and a heating auxiliary member that is arranged to be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first rotating body, at least a surface of the heating auxiliary member that is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first rotating body being made of a porous metal.

Abstract: A sheet punching device includes a first blade, a first die into which the first blade is fitted from a first surface of a sheet to form a punch hole in the sheet, a second blade, and a second die into which the second blade is fitted. The second blade is inserted into the punch hole formed by the first blade from a second surface of the sheet and fitted into the second die.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving registering of side 1 and side 2 images includes sensing marks on both sides of a web with a single IOWA sensor and relying on light transmission through paper to sense side 1 marks. Side 1, the side not facing the IOWA sensor utilizes increased contrast (black toner), mark width, and repeats in order to make effective image “show through.” The image of the marks on both sides of the sheet is compared with respect to each other and adjustments to some combination of position, timing, and image magnification are made as required.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus may include a main body including a reference protrusion having a reference surface on one side and a pressing member on the other side, and a photosensitive member unit configured to move between an operational position and an outer position. The photosensitive member unit stops at a particular position located between the outer position and the operational position. The reference surface of the main body may contact the photosensitive member unit located in the operational position. The pressing device of the main body may be configured to press the photosensitive member unit toward the reference surface when the photosensitive member unit is located in the particular position and in the operational position.

Abstract: A sheet supplying device, including a sheet accommodating section which accommodates recording sheets, and is removable from a main body of the sheet supplying device, a locking section which locks the sheet accommodating section within the main body, not to draw out the sheet accommodating section from the main body, a suction conveying section which vacuums the recording sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating section and conveys the recording sheet, and a suction detecting section which detects the recording sheet vacuumed by the suction conveying section, wherein when the suction conveying section has supplied the recording sheet, if the suction detecting sensor detects the recording sheet, the locking section locks the sheet accommodating section within the main body of the sheet supplying device, and if it does not detect the recording sheet, the locking section releases the sheet accommodating section from the main body.

Abstract: A sheet length measuring apparatus that includes: a rotating body that rotates in contact with a sheet delivered through a delivery path; detecting units that are located upstream and downstream of the rotating body respectively, and detect a position of the sheet delivered through the delivery path; a delivery unit that is located in at least one of positions between the detecting unit located upstream and the rotating body, and between the detecting unit located downstream and the rotating body, and delivers the sheet on the delivery path; and a rotation amount detecting unit that detects a rotation amount of the rotating body with using a period when the sheet is detected by the detecting units respectively located upstream and downstream of the rotating body as a measurement period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a speed detection device comprising: a detected body that includes a plurality of marks arranged along a first direction with intervals therebetween; a detection section that detects intervals of times of appearance of the marks when the detected body relatively moves in the first direction; and a calculation section that calculates a speed of relative movement of the detection section and the detected body on the basis of results of measuring displacements from a reference plane in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction, of locations of the detected body along the first direction and the detected intervals of times of appearance of the marks.

Abstract: A conveying path switching structure includes a cover unit and a conveying path switch unit. The cover unit is attached to an image forming apparatus main body so as to be movable between a close state and an open state in which a fixing unit is exposed. The conveying path switch unit is rotatably attached to the cover unit and that switches a conveying path of a record medium between a discharge conveying path and a double-side conveying path. The discharge conveying path is a path where the record medium is conveyed from a discharge part of the fixing unit to a discharge unit that discharges the record medium to outside of the image forming apparatus main body in a close state. The double-side conveying path is a path where the record medium is conveyed again to an image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a switch-back conveying portion to convey a sheet conveyed through either a first conveying path or a second conveying path as being switched-back, a mode in which a sheet passed through the first conveying path is conveyed to the second conveying path as being switched-back by the switch-back conveying portion and a mode in which a sheet passed through the second conveying path is conveyed to the first conveying path as being switched-back by the switch-back conveying portion are selectively performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit; a first conveying path, along which a recording medium accommodated in a paper feeding cassette is conveyed to the image forming unit; and a second conveying path, along which a recording medium inserted into a manual paper feeding port is conveyed to the image forming unit; wherein the manual paper feeding port is formed at a front side of the image forming apparatus on an upper surface of an apparatus main body and wherein an inclined path obliquely extending from the manual paper feeding port to below and toward a rear of the apparatus main body is also formed, wherein the second conveying path is structured so that a recording medium inserted into the manual paper feeding port can fall into the inclined path due to the weight of the recording medium.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a pair of side surfaces, a tape that is a print medium housed in the housing, a tape exit that discharges, from the housing, the tape guided in the housing along a predetermined feed path, at least a part of the feed path extending parallel to the front surface, and a type indicator portion provided adjacent to the tape exit and in a specified area of the front surface on an upstream side of the tape exit in a feed direction of the tape, the type indicator portion indicating a type of the tape and including vertical information sections and a protrusion formed in at least one of the vertical information sections, the vertical information sections being strip-shaped sections extending along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction.

Abstract: A printing device (100,101) has a first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703), a second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705), and a buffer device (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) disposed between the first (103, 303, 603, 703) and second print engines (105, 305, 605, 705). The buffer (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) is configured to store a variable amount of web substrate (106, 301, 713) received from the first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703) and feed the substrate (106, 301, 713) to the second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705).