Abstract: A method for monitoring a characteristic of a printed image of a thermal transfer printer. The method comprises providing a ribbon and a substrate at a printing location of the thermal transfer printer. The method further comprises printing an image on the substrate at the printing location by transferring ink from a region of the ribbon in a printing operation, a negative image being formed on the region of ribbon. The method further comprises transporting the region of ribbon, by a ribbon transport system, from the printing location towards an imaging location along a ribbon transport path. The method further comprises when a characteristic of the ribbon transport meets a predetermined criterion, obtaining, by an image capture system, a ribbon image of the negative image. The method further comprises processing said ribbon image to generate data indicative of the characteristic of the printed image.

Abstract: A dust removal device for continuous paper improves operability and usability for a user. The continuous paper is continuously supplied in a rightward direction, then through guide rollers, the direction of the continuous paper is reversed leftward. A downward front surface of the continuous paper is cleaned with a first dust removal device. Further, a direction of the continuous paper is reversed with a guide roller rightward. A downward back surface of the continuous paper is cleaned with a second dust removal device, and is guided to the downstream side. The two dust removal devices are provided in a vertical positional relationship in space. Dust removed with a dust removing member falls to a dust receiving member and is stored in the dust receiving member. It is possible to easily dispose the dust by pulling out the dust removal device from a cleaning position to an outside detachment position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method may involve obtaining information indicative of a number of printing passes of a print head to print a swath on a printable medium. The method may comprise determining that the print head is to perform a particular printing pass which is one of: a printing pass during which an amount of print agent to be deposited from nozzles of the print head differs, by an amount that exceeds a defined threshold, from an amount of print agent to be deposited from the nozzles during a printing pass immediately preceding said particular printing pass; and a printing pass to print a swath which is the first of a plurality of adjacent swaths in which each swath has an area coverage exceeding a defined threshold. The method may comprise preparing, based on said obtained information, a schedule for a nozzle spitting procedure to commence before the print head performs the particular printing pass.

Abstract: In some examples, a fluid ejection device includes a communication interface comprising a plurality of communication channel circuits capable of communicating over respective communication channels, and a configuration controller, responsive to an input, to selectively activate at least one communication channel circuit of the plurality of communication channel circuits, wherein different inputs to the configuration controller are to cause selective activation of different numbers of the plurality of communication channel circuits. The fluid ejection device further includes a nozzle controller responsive to data received through the activated at least one communication channel circuit to cause activation of at least one corresponding nozzle to eject fluid.

Abstract: The controller controls ejection of liquid such that the first and second nozzles eject liquid at the same timing and the first and third nozzles eject liquid at different timings.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer including a printing part that is provided with a plurality of printing heads and a distribution tank, a buffer tank, a heat exchanger, a manifold, a main flow pipe that successively connects the buffer tank, the heat exchanger and the manifold to one another, a sub-flow pipe that connects the manifold and the buffer tank with each other, a supply flow pipe for connecting the manifold and the printing part with each other, a collection flow pipe for connecting the printing part and the buffer tank with each other, and pumps respectively installed on the sub-flow pipe, the supply flow pipe and the collection flow pipe. The main flow pipe and the sub-flow pipe constitute a first circulation flow passage for circulating ink, and the main flow pipe, the supply flow pipe and the collection flow pipe constitute a second circulation flow passage for circulating the ink.

Abstract: A fluidic die that includes at least one temperature sensor coupled to at least one zone of the fluidic die, a setpoint register to receive a target temperature setpoint for the fluidic die wherein a detected temperature presented by the at least one temperature sensor is compared to the target temperature setpoint using a comparator module to get a firing pulse adjustment value, and a firing pulse used to convey an amount of fluid within the die is adjusted using the firing pulse adjustment value.

Abstract: An integrated circuit to drive a plurality of fluid actuation devices includes a contact pad and a programmable pulldown device. The programmable pulldown device is electrically coupled to the contact pad. The programmable pulldown device is settable to any one of a plurality of resistances.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a pressure chamber that allows a first liquid and a second liquid to flow inside, a pressure generation element that applies pressure to the first liquid and an ejection port that ejects the second liquid. In a state where the first liquid flows in a direction, crossing a direction of ejection of the second liquid from the ejection port, while being in contact with the pressure generation element and the second liquid flows in the crossing direction along the first liquid in the pressure chamber, the second liquid is ejected from the ejection port by causing the pressure generation element to apply a pressure to the first liquid.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an ejection device for a fluid. The ejection device includes a first semiconductor wafer, housing, on a first side thereof, a piezoelectric actuator and an outlet channel for the fluid alongside the piezoelectric actuator; a second semiconductor wafer having, on a first side thereof, a recess and, on a second side thereof opposite to the first side, at least one inlet channel for said fluid fluidically coupled to the recess; and a dry-film coupled to a second side, opposite to the first side, of the first wafer. The first and the second wafers are coupled together so that the piezoelectric actuator and the outlet channel are set directly facing, and completely contained in, the recess that forms a reservoir for the fluid. The dry-film has an ejection nozzle.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: a first substrate including a pressure chamber; and a second substrate. The first substrate has a first surface in which a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber is opened and a second surface positioned at an opposite side of the first surface and in which a communication hole communicating with the pressure chamber is opened. The second substrate is joined to the second surface of the first substrate and has a channel communicating with the pressure chamber via the communication hole. The pressure chamber has a first end in a first direction and a center portion in the first direction. The communication hole communicates with the first end of the pressure chamber, and the first end of the pressure chamber is greater than the center portion of the pressure chamber in length in a second direction which intersects with the first direction.

Abstract: A width of the first nozzle channel in the first direction is larger than a width of the first communication channel in the second direction and a width of the first nozzle channel in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is smaller than a width of the first communication channel in the third direction.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a pressure chamber substrate provided with a plurality of pressure chambers, a piezoelectric element row in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements that are provided to correspond to the plurality of pressure chambers respectively and that generate a pressure for discharging a liquid are arranged in a predetermined direction, and a protection portion positioned opposite to the plurality of pressure chambers with respect to the piezoelectric element row, and forming a space common to the plurality of piezoelectric elements, in which in regard to a first portion of the protection portion and a second portion of the protection portion having a position different from the first portion in the predetermined direction, a rigidity of the first portion is higher than a rigidity of the second portion.

Abstract: A printer includes a head having a nozzle face which ejects ink toward an object, a driving mechanism which moves the head in a first direction and a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction, a nozzle cap movable between a first position where the nozzle face is capped and a second position where the nozzle face is uncapped, and a lock mechanism which regulates movement of the head in the first direction and the second direction in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including a transporting portion that transports a medium along a transport path, a liquid ejecting head that performs recording by ejecting, through a nozzle, a liquid onto the medium that is being transported, a mounting portion in which a liquid storage portion that stores the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is mounted, and a heating portion that heats the medium on which the recording has been performed. The transport path includes an upper path positioned above the mounting portion in a vertical direction. After transporting and passing the medium, on which the recording has been performed, through the upper path, the transporting portion discharges the medium through a discharge port. The heating portion is provided above the mounting portion in the vertical direction and heats the medium transported through the upper path.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a gear comprising a gear hub; a swing-arm rotationally engaged with the gear hub; and a spring circumferentially engaged with the gear hub and the swing-arm to apply a radial clamping force between the swing-arm and the gear hub. Torque is frictionally coupled from the gear hub to the swing-arm to lock a capped print head assembly (PHA) in a non-printing location.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head comprises a plurality of ejection orifices for ejecting liquid, a liquid supply flow path for supplying liquid to the plurality of ejection orifices and a plurality of branch flow paths branched from the liquid supply flow path each being held in communication with corresponding one of the plurality of ejection orifices. The plurality of ejection orifices form a first row and a second row each extending in parallel with each other. The first and second rows of ejection orifices are partially overlapping with each other as viewed in the direction orthogonal relative to the extending direction. The flow rate in the branch flow paths held in communication with the ejection orifices located in the overlapping part is made greater than the flow rate in the branch flow paths held in communication with the ejection orifices located in the non-overlapping part.

Abstract: A liquid circulation device includes a circulation passage, a liquid feeding device, a pressure sensor, and control circuitry. Through the circulation passage, liquid circulates to be supplied to and collected from a circulatory liquid discharge head. The liquid feeding device is configured to circulate the liquid through the circulation passage. The pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure of the circulation passage. The control circuitry configured to acquire a characteristic indicating a relationship among a drive amount of the liquid feeding device, discharge information of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head, and a pressure detection value of the circulation passage; and change, based on the characteristic acquired, at least one of a control parameter and a calculation expression used to control the liquid feeding device.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device may include a first channel having a first end and a second end, a first drop ejector along the first channel, a second channel having a first end and a second end, a second drop ejector along the second channel, a third channel extending between and connecting the first end of the first channel and the first end of the second channel, a fourth channel extending between and connecting the second end of the firs channel and the second end of the second channel and a fifth channel extending between and connecting the third channel and the fourth channel.

Abstract: In some examples, a controller is to receive sensor data from a sensor associated with a fluid delivery system that delivers fluid from a fluid reservoir to a fluid conduit, determine, based on the sensor data, presence or integrity of a gas purger that is to be fluidically coupled to the fluid conduit, and issue an alert to indicate a gas purger anomaly condition based on the determining.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir (100) includes a circuit (105) extending in the fluid reservoir to be at least partially in contact with fluid (120) inside the fluid reservoir during use, at least a first impedance sensor (110) and second impedance sensor (115) coupled to the circuit, wherein the at least first and second impedance sensors are to output impedance values indicative of a degree of particle separation in the fluid.

Abstract: A printer includes a print engine and a controller configured to, when a particular condition is satisfied, control the print engine to perform first partial printing to form first dots corresponding to a first portion of a target image without forming second dots corresponding to a second portion of the target image, perform sub scanning over a first distance after the first partial printing and before second partial printing, and perform the second partial printing to form the second dots without forming the first dots, and when the particular condition is not satisfied, control the print engine to perform the first partial printing to form at least a part of the first dots, perform the sub scanning over a second distance different from the first distance after the first partial printing and before second partial printing, and perform the second partial printing to form the second dots.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device includes: an ejecting section group that includes a plurality of ejecting sections that receive a drive signal and eject a liquid; an ejection state check section that checks a state of a check target ejecting section that is an ejecting section among the plurality of ejecting sections; and a check target designation data management section that manages check target designation data that designates the check target ejecting section, the check target designation data management section including a first data-holding section and a second data-holding section, and having a first management mode in which the check target designation data management section updates data held by the first data-holding section and data held by the second data-holding section, and a second management mode in which the check target designation data management section updates the data held by the second data-holding section without updating the data held by the first data-holding section.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print unit configured to perform printing on the print medium held by a holding unit, the holding unit being capable of holding multiple types of print medium, a detecting unit capable of detecting the print medium and the holding unit, and a movement unit capable of relatively moving the detecting unit and the holding unit in a first direction and in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In addition, a control unit controls the detecting unit and the movement unit in a case where a first print medium is held by the holding unit, to obtain position information of the first print medium before the print unit performs printing and, in a case where a second print medium different from the first print medium is held by the holding unit, not to obtain position information of the second print medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveyance portion, a recording portion, a sheet detection portion, and a control portion. In a duplex printing including a first and a second process of printing on a first surface and a second surface of the sheet, in the first process, the control portion calculates a center position of the sheet based on an edge position of the sheet on one side in the width direction and size information of the sheet, prints a first image on the first surface such that the first image is centered on the center position calculated, and prints a reference marker on the first surface. In the second process, the control portion calculates a correction magnification ratio based on a difference between a reading position and the printing position of the reference marker, and corrects a size and a printing position of a second image.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus is provided that includes a transport unit configured to transport a medium, a discharge unit configured to discharge a liquid onto the medium, a housing including therein the discharge unit, a humidifying unit configured to humidify an interior of the housing, and a humidity detection unit configured to detect a humidity. When the humidity detection unit detected a humidity less than a lower limit value (one example of a first predetermined value) (positive determination in step S12), the interior of the housing is humidified by the humidifying unit during transport by the transport unit or during discharge by the discharge unit (step S16).

Abstract: In some examples, a conditioner system for a media printed by a printing system includes a media conditioning assembly comprising a heater, the media conditioning assembly to receive the media printed by the printing system after the media has been heated by a dryer in the printing system after printing has occurred on the media. Responsive to a determined moisture content of the media, the heater of the media conditioning assembly controls a temperature of the media, and the media conditioning assembly controls a speed of the media through the media conditioning assembly.

Abstract: A heating device includes a support member including a support face, a first heating unit heating the support face, a second heating unit heating the support face, and a control unit independently controlling an output of the first heating unit and an output of the second heating unit. A second heated region is positioned adjacent to a first heated region. The first heating unit and the second heating unit are arranged, in order, from a center, in the width direction, of the support face toward an end thereof. A second detection unit detecting a temperature of the support face is provided in the second heated region, at a location further to an opposite side from the first heating unit than a center, in the width direction, of the second heated region. The control unit controls an output of the second heating unit based on detection of the second detection unit.

Abstract: A system to direct print onto print substrates has a print head, at least one optical image sensor arranged adjacent a print substrate, wherein the print substrate will move in a process direction past the print head, at least one telecentric lens arranged between the print substrate and the at least one optical image sensor, and control circuitry electrically connected to the optical at least one image sensor and the print head, the control circuitry to generate dot clocks to cause the print head to print onto the substrate based upon data from the at least one optical image sensor identifying a position of the print substrate.

Abstract: A holder assembly includes a base, a drive assembly coupled to the base, a motive source connected to the drive assembly, a vertical force applicator connected to the drive assembly along a connection edge thereof, and a gripping member coupled to the base, the gripping member having a contact surface coupled to a vacuum source, wherein the drive assembly has a first position with the flattening member engaged with the contact surface and a second position with the flattening member positioned away from the contact surface.

Abstract: A printing system for printing images onto a medium supplied as feed-stock, said system comprising a printer, a control computer and data inputting means, a printer head, a cutter, at least one rewinder and a taper; the print head for printing individual work-pieces onto the medium; the cutter for cutting the medium into individual work-pieces, and the at least one rewinder for rewinding the work-pieces into coreless-rolls, and the taper comprising a tape dispenser and printer for printing identifying data onto a piece of tape applied to fasten each coreless roll closed wherein the cutter and the printing of the tape is controlled by the control computer, wherein the cutter is configured to section the work-piece from the feedstock after it has started to be fed into the rewinder.

Abstract: The present subject matter discloses detection of positions of print medium for driving the print medium for printing in a printing system, in an example implementation, a motor is operated for driving the print medium, at a first specific speed, along a media-path in the printing system. After a first specific number of rotations of the motor, it is detected, based on identification of a torque change event, that the print medium at a de-skew position in the media-path. At the de-skew position a leading edge of the print medium is at a de-skew unit of the printing system and the torque change event is indicative of a deviation in a current operating torque of the motor from a standard operating torque of the motor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a set section on which a printing medium is set, a winding unit configured to wind, the printing medium transported from the set section, a head configured to discharge an ink onto an image forming surface of the printing medium being transported, thereby forming an image, and a drying chamber formed downstream of the head in a transport direction and downward of the head, the drying chamber being configured to dry the ink discharged to the printing medium, wherein the drying chamber is provided with an endless belt made of metal and configured to transport the printing medium while being in contact with an image non-forming surface on an opposite side of the printing medium from the image forming surface, and a plurality of rollers over which the endless belt is stretched, the plurality of rollers being configured to cause the endless belt to rotate.

Abstract: In some examples, a fluid dispensing assembly removably mountable in a fluid dispensing system includes a body and a fluidic die attached to the body. A vent is arranged on the body to direct cooling airflow generated by an external airflow generator that is external of and separate from the fluid dispensing assembly into an inner portion of the fluid dispensing assembly, the inner portion being within the body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stamp pad unit (1), in particular for a self-inking stamp, which comprises two ink pads (2a, 2b) being arranged within a frame (3), abutting against opposing surfaces (4a, 4b) of a separating plate (5) and being separated thereby from each other, wherein the frame (3) consists of two separate frame parts (3a, 3b) which are connected with each other and within which the ink pads (2a, 2b) are accommodated, wherein at least one frame part (3a, 3b), preferably each of the frame parts (3a, 3b), comprises at least one inwardly directed retaining projection (6a, 6b) engaged with an ink pad (2a, 2b) for holding the ink pad (2a, 2b).

Abstract: An ink pad container is detachably disposed on a fixing seat of a stamp and has a body. The body has a chamber formed in the body, a bottom surface, two opposite side surfaces, a front surface, an opening formed in the bottom surface of the body and communicating with the chamber, two positioning portions formed in the two opposite side surfaces of the body respectively, a front recess formed in the front surface of the body, a front stopper formed across the front recess of the body, and a front guiding groove formed between the front stopper and the front recess. The replacement of the ink pad container is made convenient and stable by the front stopper with single-point forcing.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mechanical handwriting system linked to a user input system to generate a plotted document, such as a greeting card, note card or document, using a conveyor belt unit to support and move the document, a plotter, and a series of rollers to position and constrain movement of the greeting card, which is optionally and preferably linked to a paper feeder system in an assembly line format, where the rollers are optionally and preferably adjustable in position to accommodate varying paper sizes and to allow movement of the document during a plotting period to avoid positional overlap constraints of the rollers and a plotter head of the plotter in a process of plotting the document/card in sections.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for decorating natural leather with a decorative image includes applying on a crusted leather a base coat containing a pigment for providing a chromatic colour or an achromatic colour different from black, inkjet printing a colour image on the base coat using one or more pigmented UV curable inkjet inks, optionally applying a protective top coat on the image, and optionally applying a heat pressing or embossing step, wherein the chromatic colour or the achromatic colour different from black of the base coat and the inkjet printed colour image are used in combination to provide the decorative image.

Abstract: A fabric printable medium comprising a fabric base substrate, with an image-side and a back-side, having a water proofing treatment including a water-repellant agent applied thereto; an adhesion promoting layer, applied to the image-side of the fabric base substrate, comprising a polymeric compound and a physical networking component; an ink-receiving coating layer over the adhesion promoting layer, comprising a first and a second crosslinked polymeric network; and a barrier layer applied to the back-side of the fabric base substrate, comprising polymeric binders and filler particles with flame retardancy properties. Also disclosed are the method for making such fabric print medium and the method for producing printed images using said material.

Abstract: A stable, low-weight wheel which is particularly suitable for high system-weight bicycles, such as electrically powered bicycles and cargo bikes, includes a hub, at least three solid-body spokes disposed rotationally symmetrical to the wheel axis, and a rim. The body of the hub, spokes and rim is made in one piece by injection molding of a glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic. The spokes have an S-shaped cross-section with an opening angle which increases in the direction of the rim, taper from the rim towards the hub in a central cross-section of the wheel, and taper from the hub towards the rim in a wheel cross-section running through the center of least one spoke. A method for producing the wheel is also provided.

Abstract: A wheel speed sensor assembly includes a sensor having a housing configured to be received within a bore in a mounting block such that the sensor is spaced from, and faces, an exciter ring and senses rotation of the exciter ring. The housing extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a key on a radially outer surface having first and second portions having different heights. The first portion is configured to be received within a first keyway that is formed in the mounting block and is in communication with the bore in the mounting block. A clamping sleeve is configured to secure the sensor within the bore in the mounting block. The clamping sleeve defines a bore configured to receive the housing of the sensor and a second keyway in communication with the bore in the clamping sleeve. The second portion of the key is received within the second keyway.

Abstract: An interchangeable hub system for a bicycle having an internal component holding a wheel cassette and a hub shell having wheel (spokes, tires) built thereon. The hub system allows for the internal component with the cassette to be interchanged between hub shells allowing for cassettes to be interchanged between wheels sets without a number of specialized tools.

Abstract: A portal-axle of bogies for light rail vehicles, such as for example trams or light rail metros with street running, is described, the light rail vehicles being characterized by a floor, i.e. a walking surface, lowered with respect to the rails. The portal-axle comprises two shoulders equipped with spindles for mounting wheels and with a central portion for structurally connecting the shoulders. Unlike conventional solutions, the central portion is not made by casting or forging, but advantageously is simply defined by at least two bars coupled thereto during the assembly. The bars are easily available on the market at low cost, have lower weight with respect to a traditional forged/cast component and allow modularity and versatility in dimensioning the portal-axle to be obtained.

Abstract: A system and method herein relate to vehicle control by adjusting a torque distribution of the vehicle. The system includes a first motor configured to provide a torque to a first wheel, and a delivery system configured to controllably apply a traction control compound to a route on which the first wheel is configured to travel. The system also includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to control the delivery system to apply the traction control compound to the route based on a monitored temperature of the first motor.

Abstract: An inner tube comprising a unitary tube segmented into a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers interconnected therebetween. A plurality of interconnections may be respectively configured between the plurality of chambers wherein the plurality of interconnections may be operable to control airflow between adjacent ones of the plurality of chambers. A valve coupled to the unitary tube, the valve operable to allow introduction of air into the plurality of chambers through the plurality of interconnections.

Abstract: A spoke (100) for a wheel (10) attaching an outer tread (200) to a hub (20), the spoke having a first (142) and second (144) spoke elements joined by a joint body (130) comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element to a second spoke element.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes: a plurality of shoulder blocks that are provided in a side portion, defined by a shoulder main groove extending in a tire circumferential direction and a shoulder lateral groove extending in a tire width direction, and disposed side by side in the tire circumferential direction; a rib that is provided in the side portion, and extends in the tire circumferential direction along the shoulder blocks; and a projection that is provided in the side portion, and extends from the rib toward the shoulder blocks.

Abstract: A shear-controlled tire tread includes a plurality of narrow channels disposed generally perpendicular to a rolling direction. Each narrow channel includes a heel side, a toe side, and a valley connecting the heel side and the toe side, and a first plurality of ridges disposed on a heel side and a second plurality of ridges disposed on a toe side. The first plurality of ridges disposed on a heel side and the second plurality of ridges disposed on a toe side are offset and form interacting friction surfaces when a heel side of collapses toward a toe side or a toe side collapses toward a heel side.

Abstract: A tire includes a tread having main grooves linearly continuously extending in tire circumferential direction, and a first land portion formed between the main grooves. The first land portion has first transverse grooves such that each first transverse groove is extending inclined in first direction with respect to tire axial direction and completely across the first land portion, and first blocks formed between the first transverse grooves such that one or more first blocks have a first slot extending from first side surface of the first block on one side in the tire axial direction, a second slot extending from second side surface of the first block on the opposite side in the tire axial direction, a first sipe extending from the first slot and terminating within the first block, and a second sipe extending from the second slot and terminating within the first block without intersecting the first sipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire with main kerfs and sub-kerfs, and more particularly, to a tire with main kerfs and sub-kerfs, which maintains drainage performance and running and braking performance by additionally including an auxiliary groove and improves a flow of air and drainage performance by including an auxiliary flow tube.