Abstract: Disclosed is a label printer for printing labels wound onto a roll that are applied to a carrier tape or that are linerless endless tape labels, having a housing in which a cartridge compartment is formed; a tape cartridge which at least comprises an unwinding mandrel, in which a label roll can be received, and which can be manually inserted into and removed from the cartridge compartment; and a printhead and a driven print roller, wherein the label tape of the label roll can be led between the printhead and the print roller. A spring device and a movable latching holder, which is preloaded into a latching position by a spring force of the spring device, allows the tape cartridge to be latched into the latching holder against the spring force on the insertion and to be unlatched from the latching holder against the spring force on the removal.

Abstract: A sensor support, as well as a platen and printer for use with the sensor support. The sensor support comprising a first section and a second section. The first section is capable of receiving a sensor. The first section and the second section are associated together such that there is at least a degree of freedom of movement of the first section relative to the second section. The sensor support further comprises biasing means to urge the first section away from the second section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carriage for a direct to garment inkjet printing machine. The machine has a frame having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a pair of opposed lateral edges. A first row of slots is positioned on the leading edge and a second row of slots is positioned on the trailing edge. The second row of slots is spaced from the first row of slots by a gelling gap. A shelf on the frame supports tanks of white ink and tanks of color ink and a first plurality of tubing connects a tank of white ink positioned on the shelf with a print head in the first row of slots. A second plurality of tubing is for connecting a tank of color ink positioned on the shelf with a print head in the second row of slots. A pair of side heaters attached to opposed lateral edges of the first frame.

Abstract: A printer includes: a body with a set of interior walls defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media cartridge, and a latch recess in one of the interior walls, including a retaining surface, and a ramp surface; a lid rotatably coupled to the body and movable between open and closed positions; and a latch movably supported by the lid between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch including: a bias member biasing the latch towards the locked position, a hook surface configured to engage the retaining surface when the lid is closed and the latch is in the locked position, and a cam surface configured via the bias member, when the lid is closed and the latch is released to the unlocked position, to slide against the ramp surface and lift the lid to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A printer device includes a main housing including a print media cassette receiving slot. A first drive assembly of the main housing includes a motor operatively coupled to rotate a drive gear. A print media cassette is removably inserted into the print media cassette receiving slot, and includes a second drive assembly having a driven gear that is engaged with the drive gear. One of the drive gear or the driven gear is mounted for movement such that at least one of (i) a position of an axis of the drive gear is movable relative to the main housing or (ii) a position of an axis of the driven gear is movable relative to the printer cassette. A retaining mechanism includes a portion movable into a gear train coupling position in which the drive gear and the driven gear are held in driving contact with each other.

Abstract: A label printer includes a print head configured to perform printing on a label sheet, a transporting roller configured to transport the label sheet downstream, a peeling roller configured to transport a backing sheet in a direction different from a travelling direction of a label to peel the label from the backing sheet, and a control unit configured to control rotation of the transporting roller and rotation of the peeling roller, wherein a maximum friction force between the transporting roller and the label sheet are set such that the maximum friction force between the peeling roller and the backing sheet is not greater than a transport force of the peeling roller so as to make a transport error of the label sheet by the transporting roller within an acceptable value.

Abstract: A label printer includes a print head, a transporting roller, a peeling roller, and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls a current value to be supplied to a peeling motor configured to rotate the peeling roller such that a transport force of the peeling roller for transporting the backing sheet is equal to or greater than a minimum force required for peeling the label and is greater than a maximum friction force between the peeling roller and the backing sheet, and the maximum friction force and a maximum friction force between the transporting roller and the label sheet are set such that the maximum friction force between the peeling roller and the backing sheet is equal to or smaller than a transport force of the peeling roller that sets a transport error of the label sheet by the transporting roller to be within an acceptable value.

Abstract: A driving device includes: a first motor that transmits power to a rotation shaft of a conveyance roller for conveying a paper sheet; a second motor that transmits power to the rotation shaft of the conveyance roller; and a motor controller that controls rotational speeds of the first and second motors by changing a control value, wherein the motor controller controls the control value of the first motor at multiple steps at a time of acceleration or deceleration and changes the control value of the second motor according to a change range of the control value of the first motor in synchronization with a timing when the control value of the first motor is changed.

Abstract: A thermal printer comprises a base part, a holding member, a printing device and a platen roller. When an uneven pressing force is applied to the printing device by the recording paper sheet, the printing device is capable of swinging about the support pin serving as a fulcrum in order to even out the pressing force. The deformable mechanism is capable of being plastically deformed to keep the position of the printing device. An elastic element is disposed between the holding member and the base part, and due to the elastic element, both the printing device and the platen roller are in close contact with the recording paper sheet when the recording paper sheet is clamped between the printing device and the platen roller. The printing force of the printing device acting on the printing paper sheet can be distributed more even to achieve clearer printing.

Abstract: An example thermal printhead apparatus includes a top end; a bottom end located opposite the top end; an electrical interface positioned proximate to the bottom end; a first distal end; a second distal end located opposite the first distal end; a printing face defined by the top end, the bottom end, the first distal end and the second distal end, the printing face includes a thermal element; a mounting face that is opposite the printing face, the mounting face defined by the top end, the bottom end, the first distal end and the second distal end, the mounting face including at least two mounting components, comprising: one or more holes configured to mount the printhead apparatus to a printer; and one or more grooves configured to mount the printhead apparatus to a printer, the one or more grooves extending substantially parallel to the top end and the bottom end.

Abstract: A head device includes a head and a holder. The head has a discharge port to discharge droplets to a medium. The holder is configured to hold the head and be rotatable about a first rotation shaft extending in a discharge direction of the droplets and rotatable about a second rotation shaft extending in a longitudinal direction of the head.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a secure identity for a printing device at the time of manufacturing is provided. The method includes obtaining a first private key for use with a first operation of the printing device and obtaining a second private key for use with a second operation of the printing device. The method also includes loading the first private key into a secure memory portion of the printing device during manufacturing of the printing device, and loading the second private key into the secure memory portion of the printing device during manufacturing of the printing device.

Abstract: A thermal-transfer printer, having a case, an ink ribbon supporting member, a movable member, a head holder, and an arm, is provided. When the movable member is at a first position, a first engageable portion in the head holder and a second engageable portion in the arm are separated. When the movable member is in transition from a first position to a second position, the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other, and the arm moves in conjunction with the movable member from a third position to a fourth position. A minimum distance between the first engageable portion and the movable member when the arm is at the fourth position is shorter than a minimum distance between those when the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other while the movable member is in transition from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a switching mechanism which switches a motive force transmission state from a motive force source, includes a sun gear which is driven by the motive force source, a planet gear which performs planetary motion around the sun gear, a rotational movement member which causes the planet gear to perform planetary motion by rotationally moving, and a regulating member which engages with a regulated portion which is provided in the rotational movement member to restrict the rotational movement of the rotational movement member.

Abstract: A print media holder device has first and second grip members. Permanent magnets are attached to the first and second grip members. An electromagnet is disposed between the first and second grip members, where when the electromagnet is selectively energized the permanent magnets attached to the first and second grip members are repelled in a manner that increases the outer dimension of the print media holder device to grip a media core.

Abstract: A tape cartridge which can be positioned near a print head is provided. A tape cartridge is loaded in a tape printing device including a print head, a head support frame causing the print head to swivel, and a protrusion provided on the head support frame, and has a print tape. The tape cartridge includes a platen roller which receives a pressing force of the print head; a cartridge case having a platen support section which supports the platen roller; and a receiving section which is provided on the side of the print head, of the platen support section, and receives the protrusion.

Abstract: This invention has been made to cause a printing apparatus for conveying roll paper and performing printing to simultaneously attain a stable conveyance accuracy and prevent skewed conveyance independently of LF roller driving conditions and disturbance conditions that variously change as the roll paper state changes. For this purpose, a feed motor is used as a load generator for the roll paper. A section from a conveyance operation by the LF roller to the next conveyance operation is divided into a plurality of sub-sections. A feed mechanism is controlled by switching between a feeder load generation section and a feeder load zero section for each sub-section.

Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.

Abstract: In connection with a printer, a platen roller is configured to rotate in a first direction and to transport a recording medium. A print head facing the platen roller includes a head body portion having a printing portion to perform printing on the recording medium when the platen roller transports such medium. A supporting mechanism supports the head body portion, presses the head body portion against the platen roller, and moves the head body portion by rotation of the platen roller. An urging unit urges the head body portion toward the platen roller. When the platen roller rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the supporting mechanism moves the head body portion by the rotation of the platen roller, and a contact position of the head body portion with respect to the platen roller is shifted while maintaining the head body portion pressed against the platen roller.

Abstract: A printer includes a printer main body, a lid part including a lid main body, a block unit, and a first rotation shaft providing a connection between the lid main body and the block unit, the block unit being rotatable around the axis of the first rotation shaft, a print head attached to one of the printer main body and the block unit, a platen roller attached to the other one thereof, and a second rotation shaft situated on one of two opposite side faces of the printer main body and the lid part, the second rotation shaft providing a connection between the printer main body and the lid part, and lid part being rotatable around the axis of the second rotation shaft, wherein the first rotation shaft is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the print head, and the second rotation shaft is perpendicular to the first rotation shaft.

Abstract: A printer includes a conveying path for conveying a printing medium therealong. The printer also includes a thickness detecting unit configured to detect change in thickness of the printing medium along the conveying direction, which is conveyed along the conveying path. The printer also includes a first print unit configured to print information on one surface of the printing medium whose thickness change is detected by the thickness detecting unit, and a second print unit configured to print information on another surface of the printing medium. The printer also includes a pressure mechanism configured to press the print head against the platen of each of the first and second print units, and a control unit configured to reduce pressure applied to the print head by the pressure mechanism if the thickness of the printing medium detected by the thickness detecting unit is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A printer device having a detachable thermal head, the thermal head being precisely positioned relative to a platen, whereby the printer device is capable of printing characters or the like, of a stable quality, on printing paper having different thickness'. A head module of the printer an attachment member detachably attached to a main frame; a movable support member movable relative to the attachment member; and a thermal head fixedly supported by the movable support member. The movable support member is connected to the attachment member via a plurality of head springs, and has a head positioning protruding portion configured to engage with a head positioning recess portion of the attachment member. The recess portion is formed as a groove which is generally straight, whereby the movable support member and the thermal head 44 may be straightly displaced relative to the attachment member only in the extending direction of the groove.

Abstract: This image generating apparatus comprises a chassis including a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion and a print head including a first arm and a second arm rotatably mounted on the first mounting portion and said second mounting portion respectively. The first arm and the second arm of the print head are provided with a first stop portion and a second stop portion regulating movement of the print head in the direction of a rotation axis respectively, while a first angular range in which the first arm is mountable on/dismountable from the first mounting portion is different from a second angular range in which the second arm is mountable on/dismountable from the second mounting portion.

Abstract: A printing apparatus configured to carry out printing on paper with a printing head, while holding the paper between the printing head and a platen roller, includes: a paper guide block guiding the paper in between the printing head and the platen roller, and holding the platen roller; and a force applying member applying a force to any one of the paper guide block and the printing head in such a manner as to press the any one of the paper guide block and the printing head.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printer includes a thermal head, a platen roller, and an urging mechanism configured to urge the thermal head against the platen roller. The printer further includes a first separation mechanism configured to move the thermal head from a proximal position where the thermal head is placed adjacent to the platen roller, to a first separation position where the thermal head is placed farther away from the platen roller than the proximal position, and a second separation mechanism configured to move the thermal head from the proximal position to a second separation position where the thermal head is placed farther away from the platen roller than the proximal position and placed closer to the platen roller than the first separation position. The printer further includes an electric-powered actuator having a movable member configured to reciprocate along a lengthwise direction of the printing medium.

Abstract: A recording paper transportation path structure suppresses sagging of the recording paper fed from the nipping part of a pair of rollers to the platen surface of a vacuum platen, and can prevent a drop in paper feed precision. In a roll paper printer 1, the recording paper fed through the nipping part 52 of a paper feed roller 22 and a paper pressure roller 23 is fed along the contact plane P2 of the outside surface of the rollers 22 and 23 toward the platen surface 8a of the vacuum platen 8 at a slightly lower position. An inclined surface part 12b that slopes along the contact plane P2, an up-lifting surface part 12c that slopes down, and a protruding surface part 12d are formed contiguously to the upstream side at the upstream end part 8b of the platen surface 8a.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette is inserted into and removed from a thermal transfer printer in the longitudinal direction of the thermal head. The thermal head is provided with a lifting member, while the ink ribbon cassette is provided with a contact element. The lifting member and the contact element of the ink ribbon cassette are configured to be in contact with each other during insertion and removal of the ink ribbon cassette, and thereby lift the thermal head to widen the space for the ink sheet to pass through.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus includes a print portion printing a paper, a platen roller arranged so as to be opposed to the print portion, a heat radiating member mounted on the print portion, radiating heat generated in the print portion, integrally provided with a plate-like support shaft as an axis of rotation and rotatable in a direction for coming into pressure contact with or separating from the platen roller, a regulating member regulating movement of the print portion in a printing direction of the paper, a chassis having a hole-shaped bearing receiving the plate-like support shaft, and a side plate mounted on the chassis.

Abstract: A printer which enables both of position adjustment and attachment/detachment of a printing head.

Abstract: In this image generating apparatus, a driving gear portion is so formed that the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of a first toothless portion is smaller than the tip diameter of a first toothed portion, and so arranged that the first toothless portion thereof slides on a second toothed portion of a driven gear portion of a print head rotating member in the vicinity of a position where a print head presses a platen roller with a pressing portion.

Abstract: A printer assembly for printing on a supply of media traveling in a media direction. The printer generally includes a platen assembly, a print head assembly and a pivot member. The pivot member provides for pivoting of the print head assembly relative to the platen assembly to adjust for variations in the media as it passes therebetween. Advantageously, the pivot member may be supported directly by the platen assembly, such as by bearing supports of the platen assembly, to reduce positioning error from intervening components. Preferably, the pivot member is positioned upstream of the print head assembly. Also, a pair of pivot members may each be supported at the ends of an angulation arm which is coupled to the print head assembly for angulation in the media direction but is uncoupled in the cross-media direction.

Abstract: An improved print head assembly is disclosed that provides even pressure over the width of a print face across a platen roller. Accordingly, the print head assembly can perform edge-justified printing operations without portions of the print being faint or skewing due to uneven pressure across the print head.

Abstract: A cover operation member (41) is movably attached to the base frame to selectively latch and unlatch a platen (21) attached on the cover frame. The cover operation member (41) is in contact with the head bracket (32) so that the thermal head (31) is separated from the platen (21).

Abstract: A card printer comprises a print platen, a first support, a printhead, and a biasing component. The first support is moveable, relative to the platen, between print and withdrawn positions. The printhead is moveably mounted to the first support for movement between a forward position and a floating position relative to the first support. The biasing component is configured to apply a biasing force to bias the printhead toward the forward position.

Abstract: Provided is a head support structure including: a thermal head (11) for heating a sheet material (5); a platen roller (12) for transporting the sheet material (5) being pressed by the thermal head (11); a head support member (13) for supporting the thermal head (11), which is capable of moving in a direction in which the head support member (13) is brought into close contact with or moved away from the platen roller (12); and a head biasing member (14) for biasing the head support member (13) to a side of the platen roller (12). Further, the head biasing member (14) is formed of an elastic material and includes a pressing part (14a) for pressing the head support member (13) against the side of the platen roller (12) and holding parts (14b) provided at each end of the pressing part (14a), for holding the platen roller (12). Accordingly, a structure of the head support structure is simplified and an entire apparatus to which the head support structure is mounted can be downsized.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a printer body, a cover attached to the printer body so as to be rockable between closed and open states, a platen roller provided on the printer body or cover, a thermal head provided on the cover or printer body and configured to be opposed to and press the platen roller when the cover is in the closed state, a first cutter provided on the printer body or cover and configured to cut a recording medium being transported on the downstream side of the printer body with respect to the thermal head, a second cutter provided on the cover or printer body and opposed to the first cutter when in the closed state, and a retraction mechanism configured to retract one of the first and second cutters from the other in association with a motion of the cover when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A lottery ticket printer comprising a base with an opening, a feeding mechanism, a worm gear set, a cam, an actuator and a thermal printer head. The feeding mechanism, the worm gear set and the actuator are disposed in the base. When a lottery ticket is placed at the opening, the feeding mechanism can automatically feed the lottery ticket into the base. The cam is attached to the worm gear set. The actuator is connected to the worm gear set. The thermal printer head is disposed under the cam. When the lottery ticket is inserted into the opening and stops under the thermal printer head, the actuator actuates the worm gear set to rotate, so as to drive the cam to press the thermal printer head down. After printing, the actuator actuates the worm gear set to rotate the cam, so as to lift the thermal printer head upward.

Abstract: A thermal activation device includes a platen lock mechanism for locking a platen roller of a platen unit and a heating unit or printing unit into press contact with each other. The platen lock mechanism has a lock arm mounted to undergo rotation about a rotational axis, a shaft member provided in one of the platen unit and the lock arm, an engagement recess for engagingly receiving the shaft member and provided in the other of the platen unit and the lock arm, and an urging member for urging the lock arm in a direction for bringing the shaft member into engagement with the engagement recess. In a state in which the heating unit or printing unit is in press contact with the platen roller, a distance between the rotational axis of the lock arm and an axis of the shaft member is greater than a distance between the rotational axis of the lock arm and the rotational axis of the platen roller.

Abstract: A toolless thermal print head mounting apparatus including; a print head mounting bracket including a front face and a rear face, a plurality of print head mounting stud holes and a plurality of cable clamp mounting slots formed in the print head mounting bracket, each of the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots including a side slot and a vertical slot, a capture latch operatively connected to the print head mounting bracket, a plurality of key-slots formed in the capture latch and aligned with the plurality of mounting stud holes, and a floating cable clamp including a plurality of shoulder pins disposed on a rear face thereof, each of the plurality of shoulder pins including a neck configured to pass through the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots and a head configured to be larger than a width of the vertical slot of the cable clamp mounting slots.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floating print head assembly and an associated method. According to one embodiment, the floating print head assembly includes a head bracket and a print head attached to the bracket such that the print head is suspended above the printing substrate. The assembly also includes an alignment mechanism disposed within the head bracket, where the alignment mechanism is operable to pivot such that the print head is capable of pivoting to apply substantially uniform print pressure across a substrate.

Abstract: A downsizable image generating apparatus capable of reducing the number of components is obtained. This thermal transfer printer (image generating apparatus) comprises a drive gear arranged on a first end of a support rod for rotating a head portion by transmitting driving force of a motor to a head portion pressing member. The head portion pressing member is provided with a gear portion meshing with the drive gear and a protrusion. The head portion is provided with a notch engaging with the protrusion of the head portion pressing member upon upward rotation of the head portion pressing member.

Abstract: A printer having a platen roller and a module that are engagable with each other for printing on paper is disclosed. The printer includes a status detecting mechanism including a detecting part having a detection function for detecting a status of the printer, a restricting part for restricting the detection function of the detecting part, and a function restriction releasing part for releasing the restricted function of the detecting part. The engagement of the platen roller and the module displaces the function restriction releasing part. The displacement causes the function restriction releasing part to release the restricted function of the detecting part.

Abstract: A printer apparatus is disclosed. The printer includes: a thermal head having heat generating elements arranged in the form of a line extending longer than the width of a printing medium in the width direction of the printing medium substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction thereof; and a platen disposed opposite to the thermal head with a conveying path for the printing medium interposed between them so as to cooperate with the platen to sandwich the printing medium beyond the width of the printing medium with an ink ribbon interposed. The platen is put in contact with an end portion of the thermal head located beyond the width of the printing medium.

Abstract: A card printer comprises a print platen, a first support, a printhead, and a biasing component. The first support is moveable, relative to the platen, between print and withdrawn positions. The printhead is moveably mounted to the first support for movement between a forward position and a floating position relative to the first support. The biasing component is configured to apply a biasing force to bias the printhead toward the forward position.

Abstract: A printer avoids scratching or damaging the platen and print defects caused by adhesive. The printer 1 prints to thermal paper S that has an adhesive area 150 formed on one side with the edges of the paper adhesive-free, and color layers formed on the other side of the paper. The thermal paper S is wound sequentially into a roll so that the other side is on the outside without applying a liner protecting the adhesive area 150 on the one side. The printer 1 has a platen 18, a heating element unit 43, and a guide incline 45. The platen 18 is disposed to a main cover, rotates in the thermal paper S transportation direction, and applies pressure to the thermal paper S from the one side. The heating element unit 43 selectively heats the other side of the paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided and includes a platen roller and a thermal printing head. The thermal printing head is elastically biased toward the platen roller and rotates about a pivot of the platen roller for moving between first and second positions to faces first and second surfaces of a medium. A transfer portion has driving and driven rollers which are rotatably engageable with each other to transfer the media. A guiding unit reduces a difference of media transfer force of the transfer portion when the thermal printing head is respectively located in the first and second positions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a chassis, a head portion, a platen roller a plurality of elastically deformable support rods, a U-shaped rotary member and a drive mechanism. The head portion is pivotally supported on the chassis. The platen roller is rotatably supported on the chassis opposite the head portion. The support rods are supported on the chassis. The rotary member is pivotally supported to the chassis by unrotatably engaging the support rods. A second side arm of the rotary member is configured to press the head portion against the platen roller with an urging force of the support rods. The drive mechanism is engaged with a first side arm of the rotary member to pivot the rotary member around the support rods. With the image forming apparatus. the head portion can be pressed on with a sufficient amount of pressure.

Abstract: A head unit (200) and a sensor unit (300) are freely Rotatably mounted in a printer main body (100). A rod-shaped portion (320) is projectingly provided to the tip portion of the sensor unit (300), and a first catching portion is provided to the rod-shaped portion (320). Furthermore, a first fixing member (220) is provided to the tip portion of the head unit (200), and the first fixing member (220) is freely detachably fitted to the first catching portion.

Abstract: A thermal printing mechanism comprises a frame accommodating a motor for driving a print tape, a thermal printing head, a carrying roller and electronic control means. The frame is provided with a metal stiffening plate substantially extending along the length thereof, acting as a support for the motor, on which plate it is fixed by means of welding in order to form means for dissipating the heat. Said plate is also used as a support for pushing the spring for the printing head towards the carrying roller. The mechanism is electronically controlled by means of a flexible connector which is connected to remote control means for said mechanism and which is used to evacuate electrostatic charges.

Abstract: A toolless thermal print head mounting apparatus including; a print head mounting bracket including a front face and a rear face, a plurality of print head mounting stud holes and a plurality of cable clamp mounting slots formed in the print head mounting bracket, each of the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots including a side slot and a vertical slot, a capture latch operatively connected to the print head mounting bracket, a plurality of key-slots formed in the capture latch and aligned with the plurality of mounting stud holes, and a floating cable clamp including a plurality of shoulder pins disposed on a rear face thereof, each of the plurality of shoulder pins including a neck configured to pass through the plurality of cable clamp mounting slots and a head configured to be larger than a width of the vertical slot of the cable clamp mounting slots.