Abstract: A mobile cart that moves through a three-dimensional object printing system includes a first member having a pair of surface that slide along a pair of tracks, a receiver mounted to the first member that moves the cart along the tracks, and a planar member that has a surface for forming a three-dimensional object, and that is connected to the first member. The planar member and the first member are configured to enable an ejector head positioned opposite the track to pass between the planar member and the first member as the cart moves along the track.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus a print bar assembly is provided with multiple print bars, a designed space being present between the print bars and a recording medium. A climate control has a feed channel running parallel to a length of the recording medium. Openings lead from the feed channel to the print bars to introduce a conditioned gas flow of predetermined temperature and moisture to the print bars such that a laminar gas flow is generated in the designed space between nozzle plates of the print bars and the recording medium. A barrier is arranged at an intake of the print bar assembly which blocks an air boundary layer entrained with the moving recording medium before the print bar assembly.

Abstract: The sheet conveying apparatus includes a conveying belt including a placement area having a suction hole, and configured to convey a sheet with a vacuum force from the suction hole, a sheet supply unit capable of supplying a sheet to a supply position of the sheet with respect to the conveying belt; and a control unit configured to control the conveying belt so as to further move the conveying belt after the conveying belt conveys a last sheet to be conveyed. The control unit causes the conveying belt to wait after moving the placement area to a predetermined position in an area from a position in an upstream direction with respect to the moving direction of the conveying belt to the supply position in a conveying amount of the conveying belt corresponding to a time required for the sheet supply unit to convey a next first sheet to the supply position.

Abstract: An image recording device includes a recording unit, a feeding mechanism, a guide member, and a lock portion. The feeding mechanism is configured to feed a first feeding object along a feeding path. The feeding path has a straight path and a curved path. The recording unit faces the straight path. The guide member defines the curved path and is rotatable between an exposed position and a closed position. The lock portion is movable between a locked position at which the guide member is locked in the closed position and an unlocked position at which the lock is released. The guide member has a recess formed therein and the feeding mechanism further feeds a second feeding object to the recess along the straight path. When the second feeding object is disposed in the recess, the lock portion is disposed at the locked position.

Abstract: An inkjet printer system includes a porous printing table and thereunder a vacuum chamber that may be divided into sub-vacuum chambers by a movable vacuum divider and a brush attached to prevent contamination and vacuum leakages in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method includes advancing, by a controller device comprising a processing resource, a media from a roll into a printer via rollers before a printing process begins, wherein a leading edge of the media comprises a curl due to the roll. The method also includes guiding, by the controller device, the media through the printer to engage a substrate in a predetermined zone spaced downstream a predetermined distance from a roller pinch point. The method also includes holding, by the controller device, the media against the substrate in the predetermined zone to force the leading edge of the media to bend in a direction opposite the curl of the leading edge to counteract the curl of the leading edge.

Abstract: An inkjet printer has a mechanism to counter change in the tension of the recording medium to convey the recording medium with more precision. Such printer has a media conveyance mechanism that conveys a recording medium; an inkjet printhead that prints on the conveyed medium when the printhead is located at a position opposed to the media conveyance mechanism; a media supply mechanism that supplies the medium to the media conveyance mechanism; a lever that is positioned between the media conveyance and media supply mechanisms and that moves to compensate and thus counter internal tension changes in the recording medium resulting from operation of these mechanisms; a detector that detects the movement or position of the lever; and a control unit that controls the media supply operation based on output from the detector so that the lever is urged back to or maintained in a home position.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path.

Abstract: An aqueous inkjet printer is configured to reduce condensation of vapor on printhead faces. The printer includes air directing members between adjacent printheads in a process direction and an air mover pneumatically connected to the air directing members. The air mover is operated selectively to remove vapor in the air between adjacent printheads as an ink image is formed on an image receiving surface moves past the adjacent printheads.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, an end of a destaticization section in a definition direction is positioned further on an outer side than an end of a transport belt in the definition direction. In addition, the printing apparatus is provided with an operation mechanism section that changes a location of the destaticization section that comes into contact with a sheet of paper, which is electrostatically adsorbed to the transport belt, by operating the destaticization section.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a housing portion that forms an internal space, a transportation mechanism that transports a medium so as to cause the medium to pass through the internal space, a liquid discharging head that is installed in the internal space and discharges ink onto the medium, and a first gas feeding mechanism that ejects gas onto the medium through an ejection port at a downstream side in a transportation direction of the medium when seen from the internal space.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a medium support portion that applies suction to a printing medium and supports the printing medium, a printing unit that prints onto the printing medium supported on the medium support portion, and a transport unit that transports the printing medium supported on the medium support portion. A recessed portion is formed in the medium support portion, and a first suction opening that that applies suction to the printing medium is formed in the recessed portion on a downstream side thereof in a transport direction.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a substrate, comprises a movable intermediate transfer member in the form of a flexible, substantially inextensible, belt guided to follow a closed path, an image forming station for depositing droplets of a liquid ink onto an outer surface of the belt to form an ink image, a drying station for drying the ink image on the belt to leave an ink residue film on the outer surface of the belt, first and second impression stations spaced from one another in the direction of movement of the belt, each impression station comprising an impression cylinder for supporting and transporting the substrate and a pressure cylinder carrying a compressible blanket for urging the belt against the substrate supported on the impression cylinder, and a transport system for transporting the substrate from the first impression station to the second impression station.

Abstract: A liquid application apparatus comprises: a pair of conveyor rollers including two rollers configured to rotate while pinching a recording medium thereby to convey the recording medium in a first direction; a liquid applicator configured to apply a liquid; and a controller configured to control driving of the pair of conveyor rollers and to control the liquid applicator. The controller executes a calculation process of calculating an estimated value of an amount of extraneous matter attached to the pair of conveyor rollers taking into account weighting data indicating a weighting given, based on an amount of paper dust, to each of areas on the recording medium which areas are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including a recording head, a carriage being movable with the recording head along a scanning direction, a corrugation mechanism to form a corrugated shape having alternately formed protrusive points and recessed points in the sheet along the scanning direction, and a controller is provided. The controller executes steps including a discharged ink amount calculating step, a timing information obtaining step, a discharging timing correcting step, and a discharging step.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided that includes a first operating portion which operates for the first regions at both outsides further than the discharging portion in the opening width direction of the discharged paper to be positioned on the lower side (first direction side) further than the pinched position which is pinched by the discharge driving roller and the discharge driven roller, in the recording surface intersecting direction (vertical direction) intersecting with surfaces which become the recording surface, and a second operating portion which operates for the second regions on each outside of the first region in the opening width direction of the discharged paper to be positioned on the upper side (second direction side) further than the first region.

Abstract: There is provided with a method of manufacturing an electrostatic adsorptive belt. A portion for forming an electrode pattern on a first resin layer is irradiated with an ultraviolet laser beam. A region including the portion for forming the electrode pattern on the first resin layer is oxidated. The electrode pattern if formed on the first region layer by plating. A second resin layer is formed on a surface of the first resin layer on which the electrode pattern is formed.

Abstract: The recording device includes a recording unit, a conveying unit, an ejection unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to urge a driven roller of the ejection unit toward a drive roller of the ejection unit by a first load to eject a recording medium while the recording is performed on the recording medium of which a rear end has left the conveying unit, determine whether or not the recording is finished while the driven roller is urged toward the drive roller by the first load, switch the first load to a second load, which is less than the first load, to eject the recording medium on which the recording is finished in response to determining that the recording is finished, and urge the driven roller toward the drive roller by the second load while ejecting the recording medium on which the recording is finished.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording section which is provided over a transport passage for transporting a sheet in a transport direction and which has nozzles for discharging an ink onto the sheet; a platen which is provided under the recording section with the transport passage intervening therebetween and which has a plurality of ribs provided to support the sheet while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction, the respective ribs protruding upwardly and extending in the transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are provided to be positioned between the plurality of ribs in the widthwise direction of the transport passage over the platen on an upstream side in the transport direction from the nozzles and which abut against an upper surface of the sheet and press the sheet toward the platen.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, including: a first unit; a second unit; and a pair of first hinges spaced apart from each other in a first direction, the first and second units being coupled through the hinges, wherein the first unit includes a supporter for supporting a recording medium and a first conveyor including a supply roller and configured such that, in a state in which recording media are set on the supporter, the first conveyor conveys the media one by one by the supply roller toward a downstream side in a conveyance direction, wherein the supporter is configured to be pivotally movable between a housed position and a use position about an axis extending, on a specific side of the first unit, in a direction parallel to the first direction, and wherein the supporter is disposed between the first hinges at least when located at the housed position.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first printing head that performs a first printing operation by discharging ink onto the printing medium, a second printing head positioned downstream from the first printing head in a transport direction and performing a second printing operation by discharging ink onto the printing medium, and a preliminary discharge controller that causes the second printing head to perform a preliminary discharging operation that does not contribute to the second printing operation, wherein the preliminary discharge controller causes an ink discharge amount of the preliminary discharging operation of the second printing head to be smaller when an ink discharge amount of the first printing operation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value than when the ink discharge amount of the first printing operation is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device having: a conveying mechanism that pulls and conveys a recording medium onto which liquid drops have been applied; and a suction plate that is provided with a plurality of suction holes that suck the recording medium conveyed by the conveying mechanism, and at which, when the suction holes are projected in a conveying direction of the recording medium, the suction holes are disposed such that any one of the suction holes exists in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium, and the suction holes are disposed so as to overlap one another.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a conveyance section, and a negative pressure applying section. The recording head ejects ink onto a recording medium. The conveyance section conveys the recording medium placed on a conveying surface thereof to the recording head. The negative pressure applying section includes an airflow chamber and causes the recording medium to be sucked onto the conveying surface by negative pressure through holes in an upper wall of the airflow chamber and holes in the conveying surface. Negative pressure applied through first holes in a first region is greater than that applied through second holes in a second region. The first region is located upstream of a head facing region in a conveyance direction of the recording medium. The second region is located downstream of the first region in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and includes the head facing region.

Abstract: A first roller is supported by the lid portion such that it can rotate. A second roller is provided such that it peels a label off of a release paper by nipping the release paper against the first roller. An elastic member is provided such that it switches a peeling mechanism from a first state to a second state. A moving portion is provided such that it switches the peeling mechanism from a second state to a third state by separating from a projecting portion in an open state and coming into contact with the projecting portion in a closed state. A first restricting portion is provided such that, when the peeling mechanism is in a fourth state, by coming into contact with the projecting portion and restricting the projecting portion from moving, it restricts the peeling mechanism from switching from the fourth state to the third state.

Abstract: A conveyor device includes a guide member with through holes therein. The guide member has a surface with grooves therein. The through holes are located inside of the grooves. The through holes include a first through hole and a second through hole. The first through hole is located opposite to an ejection region of a recording head. The second through hole is located opposite to a non-ejection region of the recording head. The grooves include a first groove and a second groove. The first through hole is located inside of the first groove. The second through hole is located inside of the second groove. The second groove is longer than the first groove.

Abstract: There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a transporting roller; a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller, while moving in an approaching-departing direction based on a thickness of the recording medium; a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller; a platen; a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles; and a cooperative portion moving along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departing direction to move the platen.

Abstract: A first chamber has a plurality of first ventilation holes of a same size arranged on extended lines of a plurality of head arrays respectively. A second chamber faces the first chamber across the plurality of head arrays and has a plurality of second ventilation holes of a same size facing the plurality of first ventilation holes. Cross-sectional areas of an internal air flow passage in the first chamber at positions of the first ventilation holes decrease with an increase in a distance of the first ventilation holes from a first end of the first chamber. Cross-sectional areas of an internal air flow passage in the second chamber at positions of the second ventilation holes decrease with an increase in a distance of the second ventilation holes from a second end of the second chamber on the same side of the first end.

Abstract: A method for accurately controlling a medium displacement in an inkjet printer is provided by accurately determining a relation between an actuation signal for a drive motor and a medium displacement. The method comprises the steps of establishing a set of calibration actuation signals each corresponding to a nominal calibration step and determining an achieved medium displacement step for each calibration actuation signal in the set. The set comprises at least one calibration actuation signal for actuating the drive motor to make one full revolution and at least one calibration actuation signal for actuating the drive motor to make a rotation larger than one full revolution, but smaller than two full revolutions. Both a cyclic deviation and a local deviation of the nominal displacement relation is determined based on a finite series of basis functions.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer according to the present invention includes a printing section that thermally transfers an ink of an ink sheet to printing paper for performing printing and a slitter section that cuts, in a paper transport direction, the printing paper after the printing by the printing section. The printing section includes a thermal head and a platen roller pressed against the thermal head. The slitter section is capable of adjusting a cutting position for cutting the printing paper.

Abstract: A sheet feeder including a motor, a shaft configured to be driven to rotate by a driving force from the motor, the shaft being spaced apart from the motor in an axial direction of the shaft, the shaft being disposed to overlap in a view in the axial direction of the shaft, and a roller supported by the shaft and rotatable along with the shaft, the roller being configured to convey the sheet downstream in a sheet conveyance direction along a sheet conveyance path.

Abstract: A control device may specify a target transportation pathway to be used for transporting a target print medium, select one type of printing control in accordance with the specified target transportation pathway, and control a print performing unit in accordance with the selected one type of printing control. In each of a first type of printing control and a second type of printing control, when a central image is to be printed, the target print medium is transported by a first transportation amount. In the first type of printing control, when an edge image is to be printed, the target print medium is not transported by a transportation amount greater than the first transportation amount. In the second type of printing control, when the edge image is to be printed, the target print medium is transported by a second transportation amount greater than the first transportation amount.

Abstract: A control device may create and supply print data. The print data may include first edge print data and first central print data. The first edge print data may include data for causing a print performing unit to perform printing which satisfies: a print medium is transported along a first direction by a first transportation amount; a first type of main-scanning action is performed; a number of nozzles of a usage nozzle group is maintained to n; and the usage nozzle group is shifted toward an upstream side along the first direction. The first central print data may include data for causing the print performing unit to perform printing which satisfies: the print medium is transported along the first direction by a second transportation amount; a second type of main-scanning action is performed; and the number of nozzles of the usage nozzle group is maintained to n.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a vacuum assembly positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The vacuum assembly has an arcuate surface including three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The arcuate surface includes an extremum in the second section. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The three sections of the vacuum assembly correspond to the three sections of the roller such that the contour of the arcuate surface causes the print media, after leaving the vacuum assembly, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: Upon a misfeeding of any of second and subsequent sheets in paper feeding by a paper feeding unit during duplex printing, a controller drives the paper feeding unit to perform a paper feeding retry at one or more of paper feeding timings in a paper feeding schedule for duplex printing. The paper feeding schedule for duplex printing specifies the paper feeding timings by the paper feeding unit and paper refeeding timings by a paper refeeding unit for a case other than the misfeeding of any of the second and subsequent sheets in the paper feeding by the paper feeding unit such that the sheet refed from the paper refeeding unit and the sheet fed from the paper feeding unit are alternately conveyed to a printing unit.

Abstract: A discharged sheet reception tray is displaced between a most protruded position which protrudes most and an accommodation position which is accommodated inside an apparatus. Since a control unit switches the positions of the discharged sheet reception tray depending on a length of a sheet to be discharged, taking the sheet from the discharged sheet reception tray is easily improved. Specifically, since a drive unit driving the discharged sheet reception tray is controlled so that a leading edge of the discharged sheet protrudes by a predetermined amount from the discharged sheet reception tray, it is possible to easily take the sheet from the discharged sheet reception tray by picking up the leading edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A plurality of first contact portions is arranged to face a second supporting member between a nipping position and nozzles in a conveying direction. The first contact portions are spaced away from each other in a width direction, and contact a sheet from a first side. A second contact portion is provided at least between two of the first contact portions in the width direction, and contacts the sheet from a second side. A regulating member is provided at a first supporting member. The regulating member extends to provide an extending end portion that is located at a position closer to a second supporting member than the nozzle surface is in a perpendicular direction. The extending end portion locates the first contact portions at a regulating position that is closer to the second supporting member than the nozzle surface is in the perpendicular direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to operate in a first power state and a second power state that uses less power than the first power state, in which error information for identifying processing that resolves an error detected during initialization processing is associated and registered in a storage unit, and processing for resolving the detected error is executed based on the error information registered in the storage unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that minimizes the amount of ink mist adhering to a rectifying member is provided. A rectifying member can be toggled between a rectifying state for rectification and a retracted state in which the rectifying member is retracted from the rectifying state, and the rectifying member can be kept in the retracted state while the carriage is moving. The rectifying member is toggled to the rectifying state or to the retracted state while the carriage is moving, according to at least one condition from among the distance between the print head and a sheet, and the movement speed of the carriage.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which includes at least a first tray and a second tray as a tray which accommodates a printing sheet, and can be mounted with a sheet supply unit which supplies the printing sheet by being switched to any one of the first tray and the second tray.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a transport member positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The transport member has an operative surface with an arcuate profile, forming an air gap between the operative surface and the print media. An air clamp controls air flow in the air gap. The transport member includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section and corresponding to the sections of the transport member. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The transport member causes the print media, after leaving the transport member, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A printing position and cutting position adjusting method includes: printing a correction value deriving image on a medium, the correction value deriving image is used to calculate a value of correction of an ink-jet head in a sub scanning direction relative to image data of an image, during the image is printed on the medium by the ink-jet head that discharges an ink on the medium for printing; calculating a ratio, in the sub scanning direction, of the image printed on the medium to the image data based on the correction value deriving image; and printing the image on the medium using the ink-jet head and cutting the medium using a cutting head based on the image data. The cutting head, during cutting the medium based on the image data, cuts the medium at a cutting position in the sub scanning direction corrected based on the value of correction.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus may include a corrugate mechanism configured to form a sheet into a corrugated shape. The inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive sheets of various sizes and shapes. Accordingly, in some examples, the inkjet recording apparatus may include differently configured portions to handle sheets of different sizes or shapes. According to one arrangement, the inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive passage of sheets of a first size through multiple ones of the differently configured portions while receiving passage of sheets of a second size though limited ones of the differently configured portions.

Abstract: A inkjet printer has a mechanism to counter change in the tension of the recording medium to convey the recording medium with more precision. In a method, the position or movement of a movable member is detected by a detector, and the recording medium is conveyed based on output from the detector so that the movable member is maintained in or urged back to a set position. Also, one or more operations are stopped when the movable member moves outside of an allowable movement range. Which operation(s) is or are stopped depends on whether the movable member moves outside its allowable range in a direction that increases or decreases the tension in the recording medium.

Abstract: A second roller is configured to move between a clamping position and a released position and to rotate in a forward rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction. An energizing portion is configured to move between a contact position and a separated position. A coupled portion protrudes from the second roller. A restricting portion is configured to move between a restricting position and a permitting position. A actuating portion is configured to cause the second roller to move from the released position to the clamping position, then to cause the energizing portion to move from the separated position to the contact position, and then to cause the restricting portion to move from the restricting position to the permitting position. A clutch is configured to permit the second roller to rotate in the forward rotation direction and to restrict the second roller from rotating in the reverse rotation direction.

Abstract: System and methods for cleaning printheads and printhead wipers. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a belt configured to rotate in a loop, and a wiper attached to the belt configured to wipe ink from a printhead. The apparatus also includes a tank configured as a reservoir for a cleaning solution, and a controller configured to drive the belt so that an end of the wiper drags across the printhead when in an upper portion of the loop and submerges in the cleaning solution of the tank when in a lower portion of the loop.

Abstract: A printing device, including: a print data creator creating print data to print on a medium; a head printing on the medium on a line basis based on the print data; a drive motor conveying the medium as the print data are printed on the medium; a printing control data creator creating printing control data controlling the head and drive motor, the printing control data including control data to pause printing on the medium by the head; and a backward rotation controller determining based on state of the print data or the printing control data whether to rotate the drive motor in the opposite direction to before the printing on the medium by the head is paused while the printing on the medium by the head is paused.

Abstract: To suppress cleaning fluid from remaining on a conveyor belt and dirtying of a medium to be recorded by the cleaning fluid when applying the cleaning fluid to clean the conveyor belt. This is equipped with a conveyor belt 2 configured to support a medium to be recorded P on a support surface S and conveying it, and wiper blades 13 and 16 abuttable with the conveyor belt 2. The wiper blades 13 and 16 are more hydrophilic than the support surface S. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the cleaning fluid from remaining on the conveyor belt and dirtying the medium to be recorded with the cleaning fluid when applying the cleaning fluid to clean the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A printer mechanism includes a printhead to print on a print medium, and a platen located generally adjacent the printhead such that the platen and the printhead define a print zone therebetween. The platen includes a plurality of elongate ribs that project from an upper surface of the platen in a spaced relationship and positioned to contact a lower surface of the print medium such that the print medium bends downwardly between the ribs to provide an undulated section of the print medium with hills and valleys in the print zone. At least one shape control mechanism transforms each of the hills in the print zone into a corresponding valley in an output path adjacent to the print zone and transforms each of the valleys in the print zone into a corresponding hill in the output path.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording portion, a transport mechanism, and a liquid holding portion. The recording portion has a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are formed. The transport mechanism is arranged to face the recording portion and transports a paper sheet along the recording portion. The liquid holding portion is provided on an upstream side of the recording portion in a transport direction of the paper sheet, and holds liquid in a state where liquid surface of the liquid faces the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a transportation unit that transports a recording medium having flexibility; a head unit that has a liquid droplet ejection head which ejects an ink onto the recording medium transported by operation of the transportation unit, and a carriage which supports the liquid droplet ejection head; a movement unit that moves the head unit in a direction orthogonal to a transportation direction of the recording medium with respect to the recording medium; and a warpage straightening member that straightens a warpage to disappear when the warpage in a degree to interfere with the head unit which is moved by operation of the movement unit, occurs in the recording medium.