Adjustable Patents (Class 400/120.17)
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Patent number: 10981399Abstract: In an example, a media guide assembly includes a support structure, a first media guide, and a second media guide moveably coupled to the support structure. In that example, the second media guide includes a surface that generates a wedge effect to move the second media guide to a level when contacted by a force. In another example, an example print apparatus includes a support structure, a first media guide, and a second media guide substantially parallel to the first media guide with respect to a media advance direction. In that example, the second media guide includes a position control mechanism to place force on a media path surface of the second media guide towards a rest position where the media path surface of the second media guide is substantially parallel to the media path surface of the first media guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Xiaoxi Huang
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Patent number: 10005300Abstract: A printer apparatus includes a print head, a platen roller, a recording paper guide configured to guide recording paper placed between the print head and the platen roller, and a spring configured to press the print head toward a direction of the platen roller, wherein the spring has a first part and a second part, the first part being in contact with the recording paper guide, the second part having a head contact at an end thereof that is in contact with the print head, the spring exerting a restoring force in such a direction as to narrow a space between the first part and the second part.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITEDInventors: Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Sumio Watanabe, Yukihiro Mori, Masahiro Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 9809041Abstract: An inkjet printer which is finely adjustable as to elevation above a printing medium includes an inkjet head and an adjustment module. The adjustment module includes a magnetic track, a platen, and two electromagnetic elements. The platen supports the printing medium and the two electromagnetic elements are coupled to a power source. The two electromagnetic elements can slide in the magnetic track, and are moveable relative to the magnetic track in a direction perpendicular to the printing medium, to adjust a distance between the inkjet head and the printing medium. A printing system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Hui-Huang Lin
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Patent number: 8985730Abstract: A device for processing media may include a printhead pressure adjustment assembly including a barrel and a biasing element configured to apply a biasing force to the printhead, where the biasing force may be adjustable in response to the barrel being rotated about its axis. The printhead pressure adjustment assembly may further include a threaded insert received within the barrel and configured to move axially within the barrel in response to the barrel being rotated. The printhead pressure adjustment assembly may further include a cup received within the barrel and attached to the biasing element. The adjustment assembly may include a spring disposed between the threaded insert and the cup, where the spring is compressed in response to the barrel being rotated in a first direction and the spring is decompressed in response to the spring being rotated in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventor: Robert P. Gotschewski
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Patent number: 8870483Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR CorporationInventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
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Patent number: 8870482Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR CorporationInventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
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Patent number: 8848011Abstract: An apparatus for printing using an inkjet cartridge includes a fixed top portion and first and second fixed side portions coupled to the top portion. The apparatus also includes a third side portion disposed adjacent to the first fixed side portion and adapted to receive a printhead cartridge in a fixed relation thereto. The apparatus also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of third side portion relative to the fixed side portions.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: R.R. Donnelley & Sons CompanyInventors: John R. Soltysiak, Anthony V. Moscato, Theodore F. Cyman, Jr., Mark J. Muranyi
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Patent number: 8803930Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Rikuo Yamada
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Patent number: 8783980Abstract: A portable printer having improved ergonomic and operational characteristics. The printer includes an asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism having first and second media support members moveable along a common longitudinal axis and configured to grasp roll media. The media support members are coupled to a reciprocal movement mechanism configured to translate a longitudinal movement of the first media support member into a corresponding opposite longitudinal movement of the second media support member. A pivoting arm is coupled to the reciprocal movement mechanism. The pivoting arm pivots to a first position when the first and second media support members are moved closer to each other, which causes a damping gear to engage the reciprocal movement mechanism, thereby damping the grasping motion of the media support members and providing an improved user experience.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Datamax-O'Neil CorporationInventors: Naoki Kokawa, Guy M Heaton, Chad M Gundlach
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Patent number: 8708588Abstract: A horizontal adjustment device of upper base of barcode printer includes a barcode printer chassis formed with at least one threaded hole. A printing-device upper base is mourned to a chassis side wall of the barcode printer, and having a through bore. At least one adjustment bolt has an end received through the through bore, and is rotatably coupled with an end of the through bore. The adjustment bolt has an opposite end forming at least one screwing engagement section. The screwing engagement section engages with the threaded hole, and another end of the adjustment bolt is rotatably received in the opposite end of the through bore. At least one adjustment threaded fastener engages the adjustment bolt so that the printing-device upper base is adjusted to move horizontally by rotating the adjustment threaded fastener and the adjustment bolt.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei Lun Chen, Sheng Chia Chen
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Patent number: 8696225Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR CorporationInventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
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Patent number: 8529142Abstract: A cartridge includes a tag tape roll around which a tag tape is wound, said tag tape having a plurality of RFID circuit elements aligned in a safety area, which is located at an end on one side in the width direction of said tag tape, and including a print area on the other side in the width direction with respect to said RFID circuit elements. A tag label producing device performs predetermined printing on said print area by a print head while paying out said tag tape from said tag tape roll, and produces a tag label by using said tag tape on which printing has been performed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsugi Tanaka
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Patent number: 8491208Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Eoka
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Patent number: 8477164Abstract: Embodiments described herein are related to a printer including a thermal head, a platen roller, a plurality of biasing members, and an urging force adjustment mechanism. The urging force adjustment mechanism includes a base member, an action member movable in the widthwise direction with respect to the base member and configured to expand or compress the plurality of biasing members, and a plurality of contact members configured to contact the action member and supported by the base member such that contact positions of the contact members on the action member can be varied in the expansion or compression direction of the biasing members, wherein the amount of expansion or compression of the biasing members varies according to the variation of the contact positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuji Kawamorita
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Patent number: 8434953Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2007Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunio Sawai
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Patent number: 8282295Abstract: A label sheet positioning device is provided for a barcode printer, including a pressure regulation seat having two pressure adjusting knobs and at least one universal adjusting knob mounted to a top thereof. The pressure adjusting knobs serve to adjust pressure for positioning in the upward-downward direction of a label sheet of the barcode printer. The universal adjusting knob functions to realize fine adjustment of pressure for positioning in a universal adjustable manner that the pressure regulation seat applies to the label sheet. At least one universal adjusting mechanism is coupled to bottom of the pressure regulation seat for effecting adjustment of inclination direction by the universal adjustment realized by the universal adjusting knob.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ching-Wen Chen
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Patent number: 8231291Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR CorporationInventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
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Patent number: 7918618Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Thomas Michael Zevin, Bob M. Brashear
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Patent number: 7914218Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR CorporationInventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
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Patent number: 7889218Abstract: A head mechanism of a thermal printer includes a platen roller rotatably supported by a housing, and a thermal head arranged at a front end of a head bearing member the front end of which is adapted to be rotatable about a rear end supported by the housing, and arranged to face the platen roller, and is constructed such that, during recording, a sheet provided for recording is sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head, and an electric current is selectively applied to heat-generating elements arranged in the thermal head, thereby obtaining desired recording. The thermal head and the platen roller are arranged to form a gap with a dimension smaller than the thickness of the sheet provided for recording during non-recording.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7861935Abstract: A label sheet out-feeding detection device is provided for a barcode printer and includes a guide member coupled to a front enclosure of the barcode printer. The guide member forms at least one pair of opposing rails. Two casing members are combined to each other to form a combined casing movably received between the rails of the guide member for conducting up and down movement. The combined casing has a top portion forming a detection channel. A guide rail is formed inside the casing. A least a pair of photo-electric detection elements is respectively mounted on wall portions of the casing respectively above and below the detection channel for detecting out-feeding of a label sheet passing through the detection channel. At least one resilient device has an end coupled to the guide member and an oppose end engaging a bottom portion of the casing.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ching-Wen Chen
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Patent number: 7717632Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: HID Global CorporationInventors: Brent D. Lien, Thomas G. Gale, Jr., Ted M. Hoffman, John P. Skoglund, Andy A. Vander Woude
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Patent number: 7659916Abstract: A heating unit is disclosed that heats a heat-sensitive medium. The heating unit includes a heat generating body that converts electric energy into heat energy; a fixed member to which the heat generating body is fixed; and a holding member that directly holds the fixed member while contacting at least a part of the fixed member.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Wedg Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Sakurai, Tadafumi Tatewaki, Satoshi Arai, Naoki Yoshida
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Patent number: 7611299Abstract: A thermal print head has a row of heating elements arranged in a printing position in which the heating elements row abuts against a platen via a paper guide path. The thermal print head is held so as to be displaceable in an adjusting direction substantially orthogonal to a rectilinear direction between the heating elements row and the platen. Positioning pins projecting from both sides of the thermal print head are fitted in positioning grooves so as to be movable in the adjusting direction The position of the positioning pins in the positioning grooves is displaced in the adjusting direction by displacement of movable pieces each adapted to project selectively from opposite sides of each of the positioning grooves, thereby making the position of the heating elements row adjustable in the adjusting direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Teruyuki Ochiai, Hiroyasu Ishii
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Patent number: 7576761Abstract: In a printer of the invention, a plurality of head units each including a line thermal head having heat-generating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a recording paper are arranged in the conveying direction of the recording paper. The head unit has an angle-adjusting mechanism that adjusts the angle between the conveying direction of the recording paper, and the arranging direction of the heat-generating elements, and a position-adjusting mechanism that slidingly moves thermal head in the arranging direction of the heat-generating elements. An angle-adjusting screw of the angle-adjusting mechanism and a position-adjusting screw of the position-adjusting mechanism are disposed at an external surface of the head unit, which is orthogonal to the line thermal head.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazutaka Suzuki, Hiroyuki Murayama
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Patent number: 7537402Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Masanori Takahashi, Hiroyuki Kohira, Yoshinori Sato, Minoru Hoshino, Tatsuya Obuchi
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Patent number: 7427132Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunio Sawai
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Patent number: 7420579Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiko Ueda, Seiji Morita, Yoshinobu Nagasaki
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Patent number: 7344324Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes the print unit pivotably supported by the chassis, and the pivoting member rotatably supported by the support rod. The print unit has arm portions and the print head element. One of the arm portions has a downward facing portion. The pivoting member has a first side part configured to receive driving force from the motor in first and second rotational directions, and a second side part relatively unrotatably coupled to the first side part. The first side part is integrally provided with a lifting projection, which is configured to engage the downward facing portion of the print unit from below and move the print unit in a direction away from the platen roller while the pivoting member is pivoted in the first rotational direction. It is possible to reduce the number of members for moving the print unit away from the platen roller.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunio Sawai
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Publication number: 20080038036Abstract: Card printer having a horizontal platform and an angle-fixing platform allows for adjusting the angle-fixing platform's horizontal location on the horizontal platform. An inclined plane on the angle-fixing platform can fix a printhead of the printer for providing heaters on the printhead a best contact angle with a ribbon and a card. The printhead assembly of the card printer requires only the adjustment of the horizontal location of the printhead and it realizes quality control for printing with single parameter on a card printer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventor: Sheng-Chih Lin
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Patent number: 7300219Abstract: An image forming apparatus that uses a thermal printing head (TPH) is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a platen roller. A TPH unit faces the platen roller and pivots to contact or separate from the platen roller. A first elastic member elastically biases the TPH unit toward the platen roller. A pair of cam levers are provided on both sides of the TPH unit. A pair of rotation cams contact the pair of cam levers and allow the TPH unit to pivot according to a rotation angle of the rotation cams.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-duk Lee
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Patent number: 7283147Abstract: A roll sheet is unwound and fed with its side edge being positioned in a reference point of the thermal head, and then subjected to printing by the thermal head. Coil springs are placed at positions respectively dividing substantially equally a length from a center to each end of the thermal head. A distribution of loads on the thermal head by each coil spring is determined so that a load exerted on the thermal head on the reference point side is larger than a load exerted on the thermal head on the opposite side. A position of a resultant force of the coil springs acts on the thermal head at a position displaced by a distance obtained by multiplying an entire length of the thermal head by a coefficient, from a center of the thermal head in the longitudinal direction toward the reference point.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Sago, Keiji Seo, Teruo Imamaki, Takashi Higashi
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Patent number: 7273323Abstract: A printing apparatus (10) has at a printing station (11), a print head (12) with an array (13) of heating elements individually selectable by a computer controller (15), a feed path (16) for feeding carrier ribbon (18) through the printing satation (11), the carrier ribbon (18) carrying a layer of thermally sensitive print medium, pixels of the thermally sensitive print medium being in use deposited on a print area of a substrate (20), by selectively energizing the heating elements, as the substrate (20) and print head (12) are relatively moved, the apparatus (10) including a backing member (22) and the substrate (20) being position in use between the backing member (22) and the carrier ribbon (1.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Markem Technologies LimitedInventor: David Anthony Troman
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Patent number: 7256808Abstract: The invention relates to a printing device for printing sheet elements (1) that are serially fed to the printing device, in particular product labels made of temperature-sensitive paper or paper substitute materials, comprising a feed device for feeding the sheet elements to a print head which acts on the sheet element, wherein the print head comprises a thermal slat (3) which is supported flexibly by a carrier device (8) such that between the thermal slat (3) and the deflection device (4) a counterpressure surface is formed at a predefined surface pressure on the sheet element (1) to be printed. The thermal slat (3) is associated with an adaptor means (7) that is exchangeable together with the thermal slat (3).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Espera-Werke GmbHInventor: Winfried Vicktorius
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Patent number: 7198419Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming an image on a medium having first and second surfaces wherein an image is formed on the first surface of the medium using a printing unit. After the image formation on the first surface of the medium is completed, the medium is returned to the printing start location, and a location change unit is used to move the printing unit from a first position to a second position facing a second surface of the medium, then an image is formed on the second surface of the medium using the printing unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-duk Lee
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Patent number: 7192206Abstract: A thermal printer includes a main frame having side plates, a platen roller rotatably supported in the main frame, a print head unit supported in the main unit so as to be pivotable between an image-forming state and a non-image forming state, a sheet case adapted to accommodate a sheet, and a contact portion that is attached to the print head unit so as to pivot together with the print head unit. The print head unit is pressed against the platen roller to convey a sheet therebetween when the print head unit is in the image-forming state. The sheet case is mounted in the main frame through an insertion part formed in one of the side plates. The contact portion contacts the sheet case from a second side plate side when the print head unit is in the image-forming state. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of printing defects.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunio Sawai
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Patent number: 7179002Abstract: A thermal image forming apparatus is provided adapted to form images on both sides of a recording medium. The thermal image forming apparatus includes an image forming part having a recording head for forming an image on the recording medium and a support member facing the recording head and supporting the recording medium with respect to the recording head. The recording medium has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. A position changing unit rotates the recording head around a shaft of the support member to move the recording head to first and second locations respectively facing the first and second sides of the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-duk Lee, Heon-soo Park, Jong-sung Jung, Dong-Hun Han
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Patent number: 7175356Abstract: A head support base for a thermal printer to provide for movement of a thermal head relative to a printer paper drive roll and control the location of the thermal head relative to the paper drive roll including first and second spaced support plates, the first spaced support plate is a lower plate and is provided with support a posterior fin, anterior fins 3, three anterior ledges, a posterior ledge, and four springs, one placed onto each ledge. The first support plate is centrally provided with an opening into which a hook is inserted for connection with its other end to an upper or second spaced support plate to carry the thermal head and place the springs in compression or expansion and to limit their movement while permitting relative mobility of the first or lower support plate relative to the spaced second or upper support plate and consequently of the thermal head connected with the second or upper support plate to permit movement of the thermal head in all directions relative to the paper drive roll.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Custom Engineering SpAInventor: Alberto Campanini
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Patent number: 7172353Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a chassis; a print head unit pivotably supported by the chassis; a platen roller rotatably supported by the chassis to perform printing with the print head unit; a metal feed roller rotatably supported by the chassis to convey paper; a metal press roller rotatably supported to the chassis so as to be pressed against the feed roller to convey paper; and feed roller bearings mounted to the chassis for rotatably supporting the feed roller. The feed roller bearings have contact parts that project toward the print head unit, such that the contact parts are pressed into contact with the print head unit when the print head unit is pressed against the platen roller during printing. The precision with which paper is fed and printing is performed can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunio Sawai
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Patent number: 7131778Abstract: A direct thermal barcode printer including a print assembly is provided. The print assembly is movably positioned relative to a print media for adjusting printing characteristics of an attached print head.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Datamax CorporationInventors: Dwayne Tobin, William M. Bouverie, Kenneth Colonel, Paul Plasschaert, Kim Wilson
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Patent number: 7121748Abstract: The image forming device includes a chassis; a thermal head unit pivotably supported by the chassis for executing printing; a platen roller supported by the chassis opposite the thermal head unit; a pressing member that is pivotably supported by the chassis and configured to press the thermal head unit against the platen roller by pushing against a top portion of the thermal head unit; a protruding part that is provided on the top portion of the thermal head unit and configured to engage the pressing member in a horizontal direction as the pressing member is pivoted to press the thermal head unit against the platen roller; and a positioning member configured to engage the thermal head unit as the thermal head unit is pushed in the horizontal direction due to the engagement of the protruding part with the pressing member in the horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kunio Sawai
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Patent number: 7092320Abstract: A compact disc processing system allows for more efficient processing of compact discs. The system included a transporter mechanism that can grip and transport more than one compact disc at a time. As such, a second disc can be gripped while a first disc is being processed. This eliminates the need to wait for processing operations, such as recording or printing, to be completed prior to transporting the second disc. The system includes a gripping head with at least two vacuum controlled mechanisms for selectively gripping the discs. A disc organizer can be provided which includes trays that can be used to store discs for selective retrieval. The organizer eliminates the difficulty encountered in locating a processed disc from a large stack of discs.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Rimage CorporationInventors: John S. Lee, David J. Suden, Westin W. Nelson, Phillip C. Salisbury, Darrin William Piekkola
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Patent number: 7073962Abstract: The thermal-transfer printer includes: a pair of head attaching arms 12 having fitting holes 12c respectively inserted with support shafts 9 and having center lines inclined to axis lines of the supporting shafts 9 by a predetermined inclination angle; and supporting shaft attaching portions 12b being bent by bending lines 12d that intersects with a line connecting the fitting holes 12c and a printing position of a thermal head 11 relative to a sheet 100. The fitting hole 12c of respective supporting shaft attaching portion 12b are attached to the supporting shafts 9 in a state of being elastically bent in directions opposed to each other such that predetermined inclination angles of the supporting shafts 9 of center lines of the fitting hole 12c of the supporting shaft attaching portion 12b relative to axis lines of the supporting shafts 9 are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Funai Electric Co.Inventor: Kunio Sawai
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Patent number: 7014376Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal printer in which, even if a pair of head supporting members for supporting a thermal head composed of a line head has a positional error, the thermal head can be automatically adjusted to uniformly pressure-contact with a platen roller. A rotation supporting portion of a head supporting member is formed in a hole shape elongated in a direction parallel to a direction where a thermal head contacts with or separates from a platen roller. One end of each of the head supporting members is supported by a main body case so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the direction where the thermal head contacts with or separates from the platen roller.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahito Maruyama, Takashi Onozato
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Patent number: 6937260Abstract: A device and method for the alignment, in up to six degrees of freedom, of printheads in a printer is disclosed. The device has a support, wherein the printhead is secured to a substantially center location of the support. The device further has a fixed plate biased against the support by plurality of first screws extending substantially in a Z direction, a plurality of a second screws extending substantially in a Y direction, and a third screw extending substantially in an X direction. The fixed plate, and thus the printhead, may be translated in each of the X, Y and Z directions and may be rotated about each of the X, Y, and Z axes by manipulation of the screws to achieve possible alignment in all six degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Antonio L. Williams, Clifford L. George
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Patent number: 6789966Abstract: In a printer, in which printing is performed on a recording medium which is transported in a first direction, a carriage is reciprocately moved in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A print head is mounted on the carriage, and provided with a head face. A frame is placed in a first side of the print head. A guide plate extends in the second direction. The guide plate includes a first portion provided as a part of the frame so as to extend in a third direction which is orthogonal to both of the first direction and the second direction, a second portion continued from the first portion so as to extend in the first direction. The second portion supports the carriage so as to define a distance between the head face and the recording medium. The guide plate further includes a third portion continued from the second portion so as to extend in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kazuo Tanaka, Kazuhiro Hashii, Hiromu Iida, Atsuhiko Takeuchi, Masaaki Kumasaka, Akira Sugino
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Patent number: 6769825Abstract: A thermal printer with a printing head is described for the printing of differently thick print media, especially label course or the like, in which opposite the printing head constructed as a pressure beam there lies at least one transport roller, and the medium to be printed is led through the input gap between printing head and transport roller. So that differently thick print media, especially label courses, can be printed with little wear on the printing head, the invention provides that the pressure beam is made liftable and lowerable.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Hengstler GmbHInventors: Heinz Strohdiek, Hermann Klein
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Patent number: 6609845Abstract: A printing apparatus, which performs printing by using a full-line type printhead, prints an image in accordance with an attachment angle of the printhead, and automatically performs registration adjustment when using plural printheads. In the apparatus, an angle of the printhead relative to a transfer direction of a print medium is detected, image data received in raster format is divided into plural pixel blocks, the divided pixel blocks are stored into a memory, the order of reading the pixel blocks from the memory is determined based on the detected relative angle, and the read data is transmitted to the printhead and used for printing.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takayuki Ninomiya
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Patent number: 6505981Abstract: Setting plain paper in a printer which can print on plain paper and a label paper is facilitated using a printer capable of printing a recording medium including a base sheet and at least one label sheet detachably adhered thereon. The printer includes a print head and platen opposing to each other for printing the recording medium. A first printer housing houses the platen, and a second printer housing movably connected to the first housing houses the print head. The printer also includes an ejection port, defined at the border of the first and second printer housings, from which the recording medium is ejected after printed by the print head and platen, and a separator for curving the base sheet ejected from the ejection port to separate the leading edge of the label sheet from the base sheet.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toru Takami, Toshihiro Tsukada
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Patent number: 6406200Abstract: A printer assembly with lateral and longitudinal self-alignment. The printer assembly has a frame, a door which swings open, a motor-driven platen disposed on the door, a print head movably disposed on the frame so as to engage the platen, and a spring coupled to the print head so as to produce both backward force to urge the print head against the platen when the door is closed and torque to rotate the print head upwardly when the door is opened. The frame is provided with a semi-cylindrical paper well and a generally triangular shape for ease of access to the paper well.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Inovise Medical, Inc.Inventor: Steven A. Mahoney