Continuous (e.g., Roll, Fanfold) Patents (Class 399/384)
-
Patent number: 6934503Abstract: A printer prints on two sides of a sheet of paper having continuous pages, and discharges the paper to a postprocessor for disconnecting the paper in page units and storing the disconnected sheets of paper in a stack. Depending on whether the postprocessor has an inversion mechanism that inverts front and back sides of the paper, sides of the paper on which data for the front side of the paper and data for the back side of the paper are printed are switched. With this arrangement, even when the postprocessor does not have the inversion mechanism, the front side data is printed on the back side, and the back side data is printed on the front side thereby enabling the postprocessor to stack the disconnected sheets of paper in page units in the order of page numbers.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Tsuchiya, Katsuhiko Funaki
-
Patent number: 6905269Abstract: A system for continuous printing is disclosed. The system includes an unwind storing a roll of print media; a cutter which receives the print media and which cuts the print media into sheets of variable length; a sheet printer which receives the sheets of print media from said cutter, prints a design on each of the sheets and outputs printed-on sheets; an edge sensor which detects a leading edge of each of the printed-on sheets when output from said sheet printer; a rewind which receives the printed-on sheets output from said sheet printer; and a controller which receives an output signal from said edge sensor indicating the detection of the leading edge and synchronizes said rewind and the received printed-on sheets to cause a trailing edge and the leading edge of each successive printed-on sheet received by said rewind to be butted one to the other on the rewind.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Oki Data Americas, Inc.Inventor: Edward Michael Hansburg
-
Patent number: 6795683Abstract: A first printing device forms position alignment marks on a front surface of a web in addition to front-surface images. Information on interval of the printed alignment marks is transmitted to a second printing device, which is for forming rear-surface images on a rear surface of the web. The second printing device detects the position alignment marks. A controller controls a transport speed of the web in the second printing device such that the rear-surface images will be formed in position alignment with the front-surface images based on ideal detection timing and actual detection timing of the position alignment marks.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Souichi Nakazawa, Atsushi Miyamoto
-
Publication number: 20040175213Abstract: A paper transporting apparatus transporting continuous paper to a paper processing part that performs designated processing on the continuous paper includes a drive roller that transports the continuous paper in a forward direction with respect to the paper processing part and a direction opposite to the forward direction by a frictional force, a pre-centering mechanism, disposed upstream of the drive roller with respect to the forward direction, that regulates a position of the continuous paper with respect to the forward direction and a direction orthogonal to the forward direction by abutting against the continuous paper, and a tension increasing mechanism, disposed upstream of the pre-centering mechanism with respect to the forward direction, that increases tension on the continuous paper.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Masato Matsuzuki, Shigeo Ishida
-
Patent number: 6778806Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, scuff rollers to move a continuous recording paper along a transfer path, a tractor disposed upstream from the scuff rollers, back tension rollers disposed upstream from the tractor to exert a tension on the recording paper, a speed controller to adjust the transfer speed of the recording paper, and a pressure controller to adjust the pressure acting on the recording paper. The speed controller adjusts the circumferential speed of the back-tension rollers and/or scuff rollers and the pressure controller adjusts the pressure of the back-tension rollers and/or scuff rollers in order to reduce positional deviation of the recording paper.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Fuji Xerox, Ltd.Inventor: Kiyoshi Chinzei
-
Publication number: 20040131406Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, in which liable to produce remaining curl, highly effective curl correction is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicants: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD., FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasushi Ohki, Yoshio Kanesawa, Yutaka Nogami, Yoshisada Nakamura, Tadakazu Edure
-
Publication number: 20040105711Abstract: Disclosed is a device for inserting a continuous tape. A system comprises a first module (60) and a second module (62). Two traction means (66, 68) can be connected to one another on the intersection (64) and can be detached again. A gripper device (78) transports a continuous tape from the input section (70) of the first module (60) to the output section (72) of the second module (62) when the traction means (66, 68) are connected. The invention also relates to a combined monitoring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Werner Fuchs, Keil Wolfram, Stephan Schalke, Ursula Schaler
-
Patent number: 6741830Abstract: When initially routing a continuous web along a path, the web walks across the width of the path, and uneven tension occurs causing the web to break in some cases when printing tension is applied thereto. Further, uneven web tension is produced on the right and left of the web by excessive walk control resulting from an excessive deviation of the web from the target position of a walk controller, with the result that the web is crumpled and broken. These problems are solved by maintaining a web tension that is lower than the printing tension until the web position converges on the target position of the walk controller after loading of the web, thereby reducing the amount of correction by the walk controller and the amount of web lost in the preparatory phase before printing, with the result that excellent image quality free from crumple or breakdown is ensured.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Kinoshita, Kazutaka Sato, Shigeru Obata, Akitomo Kuwabara, Tetsuya Ooba
-
Patent number: 6728497Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member for transferring a toner image to a recording medium, a first fusing unit, and a second fusing unit located upstream of the first fusing unit for preheating the recording medium to a prescribed temperature before fusing by the first fusing unit. A heating member heats the recording medium and a detector detects the temperature of the recording medium. A controller controls the output of the heating member and the second fusing unit based on the temperature of the recording medium. In addition, the a recording medium conveyance controller will move the recording medium forward and backward in the recording medium conveyance direction when the temperature of the recording medium detected by the temperature detector exceeds or reaches a prescribed temperature at the end of printing.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiki Masuda, Kanehisa Kodan
-
Patent number: 6718150Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a continuous medium, the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum is controlled within a proper range. The apparatus comprises a toner image forming unit forms a toner image on a rotating image forming drum, a transfer unit that transfers, to the continuous medium, the toner image on the image forming drum by a transfer current, and a control unit that monitors the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum and controls the transfer current at the transfer area, based on the results of this monitoring. Alternatively, the apparatus increases the minimum printing ratio by adding additional data to the print data.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masato Matsuduki
-
Patent number: 6714758Abstract: A second print device prints images on a rear surface of a web with no sprockets after a first print device prints images on a front surface of the web. A CPF-OFF signal is generated at a time of when an irradiating unit of the second print device completes irradiating for a last page. The second print device calculates, based on a web transport speed at the generation timing of the CPF-OFF signal, a time duration required for the web to reach a predetermined waiting position after the CPF-OFF signal was generated, and starts counting a clock when the time duration elapses from when the CPF-OFF signal was generated. After a last-page image is completely transferred from a photosensitive drum onto the web, the web is transported in a reverse direction by a distance corresponding to the count value, thereby positioning the web at a predetermined waiting position.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Miyamoto, Souichi Nakazawa, Masahiro Mizuno
-
Publication number: 20040057070Abstract: A printing device includes a first printer and a second printer which continuously print one or plural pieces of printing data onto a printing medium. In the printing device, the second printer includes a reading sensor, the first printer first prints the one or plural pieces of printing data onto the printing medium by forming a mark indicating a page of the printing medium or each of the plural pieces of the printing data, the reading sensor in the second printer subsequently reads the mark and matches printing surfaces of the printing medium to be printed by the first and second printers, and the second printer thereafter prints the printing data onto the printing medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiichi Hanazato
-
Patent number: 6694114Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a continuous medium, the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum is controlled within a proper range. The apparatus comprises a toner image forming unit forms a toner image on a rotating image forming drum, a transfer unit that transfers, to the continuous medium, the toner image on the image forming drum by a transfer current, and a control unit that monitors the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum and controls the transfer current at the transfer area, based on the results of this monitoring. Alternatively, the apparatus increases the minimum printing ratio by adding additional data to the print data.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu, LimitedInventor: Masato Matsuduki
-
Patent number: 6684051Abstract: A print system having a first printer and a second printer being placed at the stage following the first printer, the first printer having a mark formation section for forming a register mark at a predetermined location of a web and the second printer having mark detector for detecting the register mark and a buffer plate being placed so that it can be advanced to and retreated from a web transport passage for giving a constant tension to the web comprises a controller for setting the buffer plate to a predetermined position during the period until the register mark is transported at a constant distance after passing through the mark detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Miyamoto, Souichi Nakazawa, Masahiro Mizuno
-
Publication number: 20030228182Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a continuous medium, the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum is controlled within a proper range. The apparatus comprises a toner image forming unit forms a toner image on a rotating image forming drum, a transfer unit that transfers, to the continuous medium, the toner image on the image forming drum by a transfer current, and a control unit that monitors the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum and controls the transfer current at the transfer area, based on the results of this monitoring. Alternatively, the apparatus increases the minimum printing ratio by adding additional data to the print data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Masato Matsuduki
-
Publication number: 20030228181Abstract: A. common polarity duplexing electrostatographic reproduction machine is provided and includes (i) a first plurality of toner image producing electrostatographic modules that each include a first image forming surface, image forming devices, and charged toner particles having a first polarity, (ii) a second plurality of toner image producing electrostatographic modules that each have a second image forming surface, image forming devices, including charged toner particles having a polarity common with the first polarity, (iii) a charged toner polarity reversing device mounted against each module of the second plurality of toner image producing electrostatographic modules for reversing a polarity of toner particles forming the second set of toner images from the first polarity to a second an opposite polarity; and (iv) a transfer device for transferring the second set of toner images having the second polarity onto a second side of the web of recording media.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2002Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventor: Gerald M. Fletcher
-
Patent number: 6661984Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is generally made up of a sheet storing unit and an image forming unit removably mounted on the top of the sheet storing unit when in use. The sheet storing unit accommodates a sheet tray loaded with sheets and selectively movable into the sheet storing unit to an operative position or out of the same to an inoperative position. A locking mechanism inhibits the sheet tray from being moved to the inoperative position. An unlocking device unlocks the locking mechanism when the image forming unit is mounted to the sheet storing unit. When the image forming unit is removed from the sheet storing unit, the sheet storing unit is prevented from falling down due to a moment ascribable to the pull-out of the sheet tray.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Shinichi Kojima
-
Patent number: 6654587Abstract: Drive canceling devices are included in the paper supply and conveyance system, and when the leading edge of the continuous paper reaches the fusing device, the driving of the tractor and the conveyance rollers is stopped by the drive canceling devices such that the tractor and the conveyance rollers become passively driven, and the continuous paper is thereafter conveyed by the fusing device. In addition, the amount of movement of the continuous paper is detected by detection means that detects the amount of movement of the continuous paper, and the initial image printing position is controlled based on the detected amount of movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsuhiko Shimoyama
-
Publication number: 20030215273Abstract: An image forming apparatus characterized by the minimum image deterioration. The surface of a feed roller immediately after a fixing unit is covered with a mold release member to improve the mold release property of molten toner, and cooling means for forcible cooling of a web and a feed roller to improve the coagulation of molten toner, whereby high temperature offset is avoided. Further, a heat insulating member is arranged inside the mold release member of the feed roller, thereby increasing the thermal time constant, ensuring a quick cooling cycle and reducing the thermal expansion of the feed roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Yasushi Kinoshita, Shigeru Obata, Kazutaka Sato, Isao Nakajima, Akitomo Kuwabara
-
Patent number: 6650864Abstract: A printing system has a first printer apparatus for forming an image on a first plane of a web having no feed holes and a second printer apparatus provided at a post stage following the first printer apparatus for forming an image on a second plane of said web. The first printer apparatus (P1) is operable to form a position-alignment mark (Rm) at a predesignated position on each page of a web. This position-alignment mark is detected by mark detection means of the second printer apparatus (P2). Control means is provided for controlling the web transport speed so that both the generation timing of a web feed control signal (CPF-N signal) being generated with preset cyclic periods and the generation timing of a mark detection signal issued from the mark detection means through detection of the position-alignment mark are kept constant in phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Miyamoto, Masahiro Mizuno, Soushi Kikuchi, Souichi Nakazawa, Toru Kikuchi, Satoshi Aita, Shuho Yokokawa
-
Patent number: 6633740Abstract: The present invention is an improved compact media web electrophotographic printer including photographic full-color, and an automatic web feeding and cutting registration apparatus and method for media web and closely spaced short printouts. This apparatus comprises an improved media web-handling unit for feeding from a recording roll, and an improved sensing system for sensing a buckle and for precisely cutting the short printout at a desired controlled length, and includes an automatic setup prior to each print cycle. In addition a color serial printer having equiangularly arranged process cartridge units movable along guide rails and which is parallel to a common transfer roll which is also seperately movable along guide rails is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Inventor: David Allen Estabrooks
-
Publication number: 20030185608Abstract: A second print device prints images on a rear surface of a web with no sprockets after a first print device prints images on a front surface of the web. A CPF-OFF signal is generated at a time of when an irradiating unit of the second print device completes irradiating for a last page. The second print device calculates, based on a web transport speed at the generation timing of the CPF-OFF signal, a time duration required for the web to reach a predetermined waiting position after the CPF-OFF signal was generated, and starts counting a clock when the time duration elapses from when the CPF-OFF signal was generated. After a last-page image is completely transferred from a photosensitive drum onto the web, the web is transported in a reverse direction by a distance corresponding to the count value, thereby positioning the web at a predetermined waiting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Atsushi Miyamoto, Souichi Nakazawa, Masahiro Mizuno
-
Publication number: 20030165349Abstract: A second printing unit includes a mark detection means for detecting a positioning mark that a first printing unit has formed on a front surface of a web. A control means controls web-transport speed in the second printing unit so that a time difference between a generation timing of a CPF-N signal and a detection timing of the positioning mark becomes constant, and also stores the web-transport speed into a memory. During a subsequent printing operation, a web-transport speed is controlled to be the same as the web-transport speed stored in the memory for a period until a positioning mark is first detected after the printing is started.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventor: Souichi Nakazawa
-
Patent number: 6599040Abstract: In a print position setting method, a sequence of the following operations of printing a toner mark 4 by the obverse side printer, of detecting the toner mark 4 by a mark sensor 9, and feeding a printing sheet a distance ranging from a toner mark detecting position 12 to a page leading edge position 6 when the printing operation starts, is automated.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Souichi Nakazawa, Atsushi Miyamoto, Masahiro Mizuno
-
Publication number: 20030133731Abstract: A first printing device forms position alignment marks on a front surface of a web in addition to front-surface images. Information on interval of the printed alignment marks is transmitted to a second printing device, which is for forming rear-surface images on a rear surface of the web. The second printing device detects the position alignment marks. A controller controls a transport speed of the web in the second printing device such that the rear-surface images will be formed in position alignment with the front-surface images based on ideal detection timing and actual detection timing of the position alignment marks.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2003Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Souichi Nakazawa, Atsushi Miyamoto
-
Publication number: 20030113128Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a continuous medium, the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum is controlled within a proper range. The apparatus comprises a toner image forming unit forms a toner image on a rotating image forming drum, a transfer unit that transfers, to the continuous medium, the toner image on the image forming drum by a transfer current, and a control unit that monitors the tension force applied to the continuous medium by the image forming drum and controls the transfer current at the transfer area, based on the results of this monitoring. Alternatively, the apparatus increases the minimum printing ratio by adding additional data to the print data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Masato Matsuduki
-
Publication number: 20030095821Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, scuff rollers to move recording paper along a transfer path, a tractor disposed upstream from the scuff rollers, back-tension rollers disposed upstream from the tractor to exert a tension on the recording paper, and a speed controller to adjust the transfer speed of the recording paper. The speed controller makes greater the circumferential speed of the back-tension rollers than the transfer speed by the tractor during a period after the recording paper is started to move along the transfer path and before image-printing is begun.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Kiyoshi Chinzei
-
Patent number: 6567621Abstract: When a jam happens at the second printer in a tandem printer system, the printing operation is terminated at the first and second printers. The continuous sheet after establishment of the primary page images at the first printer is reserved between the first and second printers. The first recovery page for the second printer is determined based on the primary page images on the continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers. Accordingly, it is not necessary to remove the entire continuous sheet remaining between the first and second printers when the printing operation should be recovered. It is possible to minimize the loss of the continuous sheet reserved between first and second printers even when a jam happens at the second printer.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Miyoshi, Shinichi Takahashi
-
Patent number: 6553206Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided in which a misregistration of an image forming-position due to a tension, acting on a continuous recording medium, and a fluctuation thereof, is corrected with a low-cost construction to provide an image of high quality. A pair of recording medium speed detection devices are provided upstream and downstream of an image forming section, respectively, and a misregistration correction amount is calculated from a detected recording medium feed speed so as to correct the image forming position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Asuwa, Kazutaka Sato, Shigeru Obata, Yasushi Kinoshita, Akitomo Kuwabara, Tetsuya Ooba
-
Patent number: 6546227Abstract: A continuous-medium-box feeding device feeds a continuous-medium box to a printing device printing on a continuous medium fed from the continuous-medium box containing the continuous medium. The continuous-medium-box feeding device includes a set table capable of sliding between a first position and a second position adjacent to the first position, and a stand-by table capable of sliding between the first position and a third position adjacent to the second position. At the first position, the continuous medium can be fed from the continuous-medium box to the printing device. At the second position, the continuous-medium box can be removed from the set table. At the second and third positions, a continuous-medium box containing a continuous medium to be printed on next can be placed on the stand-by table. In the continuous-medium-box feeding device, the stand-by table can feed the continuous-medium box on the set table positioned at the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kunio Miyakoshi, Masatoshi Kobayashi
-
Publication number: 20030053833Abstract: According to the conventional technique, a web walks across the width in paper routing, and uneven tension occurs to break the web in some cases when printing tension is applied. Further, uneven web tension is produced on the right and left by excessive functioning of walk control resulting from an excessive difference from the target position of a walk controller, with the result that the web is crumpled and broken. These problems are solved by the present invention wherein web tension is kept lower than printing tension until the web position across the width converges on the target position of a walk controller after loading of the web, thereby reducing the amount of correction by the walk controller and the amount of web lost in the preparatory phase before printing, with the result that excellent image quality free from crumple or breakdown is ensured.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Yasushi Kinoshita, Kazutaka Sato, Shigeru Obata, Akitomo Kuwabara, Tetsuya Ooba
-
Patent number: 6532356Abstract: An exemplified object of the present invention is to provide a guide mechanism, paper feed control method, and image-forming device that can prevent a jam or image degradation from occurring. The guide mechanism of the present invention includes a guide part that guides continuous paper from a paper feeder part storing the continuous paper to a conveyor part while regulating a conveyance route of the continuous paper, and a driving part that drives the guide part and the paper feeder part to move relatively and automatically according to a storage amount of the continuous paper in the paper feeder part.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Yoshiyuki Taguchi
-
Publication number: 20030039497Abstract: Drive canceling devices are included in the paper supply and conveyance system, and when the leading edge of the continuous paper reaches the fusing device, the driving of the tractor and the conveyance rollers is stopped by the drive canceling devices such that the tractor and the conveyance rollers become passively driven, and the continuous paper is thereafter conveyed by the fusing device. In addition, the amount of movement of the continuous paper is detected by detection means that detects the amount of movement of the continuous paper, and the initial image printing position is controlled based on the detected amount of movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsuhiko Shimoyama
-
Publication number: 20030039496Abstract: A print system having a first printer and a second printer being placed at the stage following the first printer, the first printer having a mark formation section for forming a register mark at a predetermined location of a web and the second printer having mark detector for detecting the register mark and a buffer plate being placed so that it can be advanced to and retreated from a web transport passage for giving a constant tension to the web comprises a controller for setting the buffer plate to a predetermined position during the period until the register mark is transported at a constant distance after passing through the mark detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Miyamoto, Souichi Nakazawa, Masahiro Mizuno
-
Patent number: 6526239Abstract: In an imaging apparatus for forming an image on a continuous recording sheet, in accordance with an electrophotographic imaging process, and fixing the image on the continuous recording sheet by applying heat and pressure using a pair of fixing rollers including a heat roller and a pressure roller, when a printing operation is finished, the printing portion of the recording sheet is discharged from the printer and the heat roller is moved from an operable position, where it is press-contacted with a pressure roller, to a retracted position, where it is spaced from the pressure roller by a predetermined amount. When the heat roller is moved toward the retracted position, it is once stopped at an intermediate position for a predetermined period of time, and then, moved further to the retracted position. Another printing operation is started, the recording sheet is pulled back so that images are formed thereon.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Pentax CorporationInventor: Tomoyuki Shiiya
-
Publication number: 20030035671Abstract: The present invention is an improved compact media web electrophotographic printer including photographic full-color, and an automatic web feeding and cutting registration apparatus and method for media web and closely spaced printouts. This apparatus comprises an improved media web-handling unit for feeding from a recording roll, and an improved sensing system for precisely cutting the printout at a desired controlled length.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventor: David Allen Estabrooks
-
Publication number: 20030035670Abstract: A continuous-medium-box feeding device feeds a continuous-medium box to a printing device printing on a continuous medium fed from the continuous-medium box containing the continuous medium. The continuous-medium-box feeding device comprises a set table capable of sliding between a first position and a second position adjacent to the first position, and a stand-by table capable of sliding between the first position and a third position adjacent to the second position. At the first position, the continuous medium can be fed from the continuous-medium box to the printing device. At the second position, the continuous-medium box can be removed from the set table. At the second and third positions, a continuous-medium box containing a continuous medium to be printed on next can be placed on the stand-by table. In the continuous-medium-box feeding device, the stand-by table can feed the continuous-medium box on the set table positioned at the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kunio Miyakoshi, Masatoshi Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 6519441Abstract: When a roll paper unit 200 is incorporated into an image formation apparatus, a second outlet guide member 92 is turned around a pivot 92a in the direction of an arrow G, i.e., moved from a position of solid lines to a position of two-dot chain lines, a rear end portion 92b of this second outlet guide member 92 pressing down a front end portion 80c of a guide member 80 to cause the guide member 80 to be turned around a central shaft 80d in the direction of an arrow H, i.e., moved from a position of solid lines to a position of two-dot chain line. Consequently, a path extending in the direction of an arrow C is closed, while a path extending in the direction of an arrow F is opened, the roll paper 72 being transferred in the paper feed direction. When the roll paper unit 200 is drawn out, the second outlet guide member 92 and the guide member 80 are turned in the directions opposite to those mentioned above.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Copyer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasushi Sawada
-
Patent number: 6519442Abstract: An apparatus for printing continuous paper wherein, when a paper uppermost portion sensor produces an unstable output due to the position of the paper in controlling the operation for raising or lowering a table for stacking the continuous paper, the output value is invalidated and the operation for raising or lowering the table is continued. The sensor detects the uppermost position of the paper on the paper table on which the continuous paper carried through a printer unit is folded by a guide member and is stacked, and a control unit controls a moving mechanism relying upon the sensor output to change the distance between the paper table and the guide member. When the sensor is producing an unstable output due to the position of the paper being stacked, the control unit works to continue the operation of the moving mechanism even when the sensor has detected the paper.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Masato Matsuzuki
-
Publication number: 20030016975Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is generally made up of a sheet storing unit and an image forming unit removably mounted on the top of the sheet storing unit when in use. The sheet storing unit accommodates a sheet tray loaded with sheets and selectively movable into the sheet storing unit to an operative position or out of the same to an inoperative position. A locking mechanism inhibits the sheet tray from being moved to the inoperative position. An unlocking device unlocks the locking mechanism when the image forming unit is mounted to the sheet storing unit. When the image forming unit is removed from the sheet storing unit, the sheet storing unit is prevented from falling down due to a moment ascribable to the pull-out of the sheet tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventor: Shinichi Kojima
-
Patent number: 6498909Abstract: In a method and apparatus for adjusting an electrographic printing or copying process, information to be printed is generated as a toner intermediate image on a support for intermediate images and is subsequently transmitted from a reprinting surface to a recording medium at a transfer printing zone. A toner mark is produced on an electrographic support for intermediate images. The toner mark is at least partially scanned on the support for intermediate images and is then removed from the support for intermediate images. The toner Ad concentration is adjusted in a developing station by means of a measured value based on scanning the toner mark. Transfer of the toner intermediate image from the reprinting surface to the recording medium at the transfer printing zone is at least temporarily prevented in the period between the production and the removal of the toner mark.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Oce Printing Systems GmbHInventor: Heiner Reihl
-
Patent number: 6493098Abstract: A printing apparatus has a desk-top printer housing having a paper input port, a paper output port and a data input port. A digital processor is disposed in the housing and is operatively connected to the data input port. The processor is programmed to detect odd pages and even pages in an electronically encoded document arriving via the data input port and to separate odd pages of the document from even pages thereof. A paper moving engine including rollers is disposed in the housing for moving a paper sheet through the printer housing from the paper input port to the paper output port along a predetermined path. A first laser printing assembly is disposed in the housing along one side of the path for printing an odd-numbered page of the document along one side of the paper sheet. A second laser printing assembly is disposed in the housing along an opposite side of the path for printing an even-numbered page of the document along an opposite side of the paper sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: John S. Cornell
-
Publication number: 20020168212Abstract: Improved label printing and applying apparatus (10) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a rotatable impression drum (18) presenting an outer surface (20), as well as at least one digital print head (22) adjacent the drum outer surface (20). The overall apparatus (10) also includes a downstream label cutting and application assembly (14) having an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and a label applying device (96). In use, a web (16) traverses the drum (18) with essentially no relative movement between the web (16) and drum surface (20), and the print head(s) (22) are actuated to form images on the web (16), which may be identical or varied. Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied, the individual images are laser cut, and the labels are thereupon applied to products (54).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Greydon W. Nedblake, Lawrence E. Johnson, Jules P. Farkas
-
Patent number: 6476923Abstract: A printing assembly comprises a first printer for printing documents encoded in computer generated signals and a second printer for printing documents encoded in computer generated signals, the documents including alphanumeric characters, charts and graphics. The printers are disposed one above the other and are connected in tandem to one another via a multiple-page continuous web of paper extending along a U- or C-shaped path from a paper output port of the first printer to a paper feed port of the second printer. A computer for generating a signal encoding a multiple page document is coupled via connection componentry to the printers for transmitting odd pages in encoded form to one of the printers and even pages to the other printer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Inventor: John S. Cornell
-
Patent number: 6466761Abstract: An apparatus including: a transfer station adapted to receive a continuous web feed, wherein situated on both sides of the continuous web are transferable paired printed images, and the station is further adapted to thereafter simultaneously transfer the paired printed images from the continuous web to respective substrates.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Marc B. Rene, David C. Robinson
-
Patent number: 6454476Abstract: An apparatus and method for picking and feeding a single sheet from a stack. A pick roller and a retard roller are held together in a pick assembly, and positioned so that the pick roller is in contact with the top surface of the top sheet and adjacent a leading edge of the top sheet. The pick roller is driven to pick a sheet from the stack, pulling the sheet into the nip between the pick roller and the retard roller. The retard roller applies a retard force to the retard roller tending to resist the rotation of the retard roller as print media is driven into the nip during a pick operation. The retard force is less than a feed force applied to the top sheet by the pick roller as the top sheet is passed into the nip, the retard force being greater than a sheet-to-sheet frictional drag force between the top sheet and an adjacent sheet, thereby separating an adjacent sheet from the top sheet to prevent multiple sheet picks.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Matias Negatu, Szymon Morawski
-
Publication number: 20020106228Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided in which a misregistration of an image forming-position due to a tension, acting on a continuous recording medium, and a fluctuation thereof, is corrected with a low-cost construction to provide an image of high quality. A pair of recording medium speed detection devices are provided upstream and downstream of an image forming section, respectively, and a misregistration correction amount is calculated from a detected recording medium feed speed so as to correct the image forming position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Kenji Asuwa, Kazutaka Sato, Shigeru Obata, Yasushi Kinoshita, Akitomo Kuwabara, Tetsuya Ooba
-
Patent number: 6430381Abstract: In a thermal fixing system for fixing toner images on the front side of a recording medium in an electrographic printer or copier device, the back side of the recording medium can already have a fixed toner image. The thermal fixing means contains a heat transfer fixing station that fixes the toner images on the recording medium, and contains a pre-heating saddle that precedes the heat transfer fixing station in a running direction of the recording medium. A sliding surface that accepts the recording medium over its back side is allocated to the pre-heating saddle. The sliding surface is constructed of a toner-repellant material at least in a contact region with the recording medium. The preheating saddle is designed as a low temperature saddle with the largest possible constructional length, so that a temperature difference between recording substrate and saddle surface is as small as possible. The preheating saddle has, in the recording substrate running direction, a plurality of heating zones.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1997Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Océ Printing Systems AGInventor: Walter Kopp
-
Publication number: 20020085869Abstract: An apparatus for printing continuous paper wherein, when a paper uppermost portion sensor produces an unstable output due to the position of the paper in controlling the operation for raising or lowering a table for stacking the continuous paper, the output value is invalidated and the operation for raising or lowering the table is continued. The sensor detects the uppermost position of the paper on the paper table on which the continuous paper carried through a printer unit is folded by a guide member and is stacked, and a control unit controls a moving mechanism relying upon the sensor output to change the distance between the paper table and the guide member. When the sensor is producing an unstable output due to the position of the paper being stacked, the control unit works to continue the operation of the moving mechanism even when the sensor has detected the paper.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Masato Matsuzuki
-
Publication number: 20020081132Abstract: A printing system having a first printer apparatus for forming an image on a first plane of a web having no feed holes and a second printer apparatus provided at a post stage of the first printer apparatus for forming an image on a second plane of said web. The first printer apparatus (P1) is operable to form a position-alignment mark (Rm) at a predesignated position on each page of a web (W). This position-alignment mark (Rm) is detected by mark detection means (16) of the second printer apparatus (P2). Control means (17) is provided for controlling an appropriate web transport speed so that both the generation timing of a web feed control signal (CPF-N signal) being generated with preset cyclic periods and the generation timing of a mark detection signal as issued from the mark detection means through detection of the position-alignment mark (Rm) are kept constant in phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Atsushi Miyamoto, Masahiro Mizuno, Soushi Kikuchi, Souichi Nakazawa, Toru Kikuchi, Satoshi Aita, Shuho Yokokawa