Plural Type-heads Mounted For Selective Individual Type-head-imprinting Movement Patents (Class 400/149)
  • Patent number: 11110723
    Abstract: A print apparatus includes a first printing device arranged to print a first image on a first side of a print target; and a second printing device arranged to print a second image on a second side of the print target, wherein the printing capability of the print apparatus on the first side of the print target is different to the printing capability of the print apparatus on the second side of the print target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc Bautista, Oriol Moliner, Josep M Aymerich
  • Patent number: 10876292
    Abstract: A panel and a method for manufacturing of such a panel with a carrier plate, comprising a front side and a back side, and wherein the carrier plate comprises a layer system at least at the front side that is built from various polymer layers with different hardness values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Xylo Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dieter Döhring
  • Patent number: 10870989
    Abstract: A panel and a method for manufacturing of such a panel with a carrier plate, comprising a front side and a back side, and wherein the carrier plate comprises a layer system at least at the front side that is built from various polymer layers with different hardness values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Xylo Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dieter Döhring
  • Patent number: 10583673
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a frame; a platen roller configured to be rotated; a movable body supported by the frame, to be movable in a first direction and a second direction; an AC motor provided on the frame; a transmission device provided on the frame, transmitting driving force of the AC motor to the movable body, moving the movable body in the first direction in accordance with rotation of the AC motor toward one side, and including at least an electromagnetic clutch; an encoder outputting a rotation signal in accordance with a rotation amount of the platen roller; and a controller. The controller starts the rotation of the AC motor toward the one side, determines whether the rotation amount of the platen roller in accordance with the rotation signal is not more than a predetermined value, and allows the electromagnetic clutch to be in a connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Inoue, Kazuma Hojo, Ryohei Nakagawa, Takuya Kanda
  • Patent number: 10202768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a panel (10) and to a method for manufacturing of such a panel with a carrier plate (11), comprising a front side and a back side, and wherein the carrier plate (11) comprises a layer system at least at the front side that is built from various polymer layers with different hardness values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KRONOPLUS TECHNICAL AG
    Inventor: Dieter Doehring
  • Patent number: 8783982
    Abstract: A media processing device and control method for a media processing device enable accurately setting and detecting the home position of a carriage without using a dedicated sensor. Scales 56, 62 having a plurality of wide slits 65 formed at equal intervals and a narrow slit 66 at one end 56A, 62A are disposed parallel to carriage shafts 53, 60. Carriage sensors 55, 61 scan the scales 56, 62 while the carriages 52, 58 move bidirectionally, and detect the wide slits 65 and the narrow slits 66. To initialize the carriages 52, 58, the carriages 52, 58 are moved specific distance L away from the one end 56A, 62A, and the carriages 52, 58 are then reversed and moved until the carriage sensors 55, 61 detect the narrow slits 66. The home position HP is set based on where the narrow slit 66 is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiki Ushiyama
  • Patent number: 8616792
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8534940
    Abstract: A printer has a platen gap adjustment mechanism that can hold the platen gaps of two print heads substantially constant. A check processing device has a front print head unit on which are disposed a front print head, a first media transportation roller, and a back platen; a platen lever unit on which a second media transportation roller and front platen are disposed, and which can move toward and away from the first media transportation roller; a lever tension spring that urges the platen lever unit toward the first media transportation roller, and presses the second media transportation roller to the first media transportation roller; a back print head unit on which a back print head is disposed, and which can move toward and away from the first media transportation roller; and an unit tension spring that presses the back print head unit to the platen lever unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Nagata
  • Patent number: 8529143
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8506187
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8506189
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8506188
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8485745
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with one side of a paper, a second thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with the other side of the paper, and a controller. The first thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on one side of the paper. The second thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on the other side of the paper. The controller is configured to shift the energization times between the first thermal head and second thermal head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumiharu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8454251
    Abstract: A bracket for a printer includes a frame with first and second side supports. A print area is defined in part by the side supports. A plurality of web support members laterally extends between the first and second side supports. The plurality of web support members include a top web support member disposed adjacent a top portion of the print area and a bottom web support member disposed adjacent a bottom portion of the print area. A printer support is configured for supporting a printer adjacent the print area. A window assembly is hingedly attached to the frame adjacent the print area. The window assembly includes a platen support member extending laterally between the first and second side supports. The window assembly is movable to provide access to the print area. At least one platen is disposed on the platen support member, the platen adapted for lateral positioning along the platen support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Chandrakant Bhatia, David Haas, Carlos Medina
  • Patent number: 8382388
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with one side of a paper, a second thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with the other side of the paper, and a controller. The first thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on one side of the paper. The second thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on the other side of the paper. The controller is configured to shift the energization times between the first thermal head and second thermal head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiharu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8313258
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8253961
    Abstract: A thermal printer and a control method for a thermal printer enable increasing throughput before a printing process starts by starting a duplex printing process without waiting to convert all print data into the front print buffer and back print buffer, enable executing a duplex printing process on a print medium without using a front print buffer and a separate back print buffer, and enable switching between simplex printing and duplex printing according to a specific command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Inada, Akihiro Ikeda, Masanori Zama
  • Patent number: 8206046
    Abstract: A recording device that records images on both sides of a recording medium using two recording heads suppresses slack in the recording medium and conveys the recording medium reliably. A first recording unit 21 holds and conveys the roll paper 20 between a first recording head 22 that records images to one side of the roll paper 20 and a first platen roller 27. A second recording unit 41 located downstream from the first recording unit 21 holds and conveys the roll paper 20 between a second recording head 42 that records images to the other side of the roll paper 20 and a second platen roller 47. The first platen roller drive unit turns so that the circumferential speed of the second platen roller 47 is faster than the circumferential speed of the first platen roller 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Koyabu
  • Patent number: 8192097
    Abstract: A printer apparatus includes a first device and a second device. The first device includes a first carriage movable in a scanning direction along a guide rail and a first working device to perform a first predetermined work on an object medium. The second device includes a second carriage movable in the scanning direction along the guide rail and a second working device to perform a second predetermined work on the object medium. A first device holding mechanism is capable of holding the first device. A second device holding mechanism is capable of holding the second device. A vertically retreat mechanism is configured to move the second device holding mechanism and the second device along a vertical direction to be located below a medium supporter to support the object medium when the first working device is moved in the scanning direction to perform the first predetermined work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Ikeda, Masaru Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 7950860
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with one side of a paper, a second thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with the other side of the paper, and a controller. The first thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on one side of the paper. The second thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on the other side of the paper. The controller is configured to shift the energization times between the first thermal head and second thermal head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiharu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7914213
    Abstract: A printing device (11) for printing receipts (12), each bearing constant data (41a) that render the receipt (12) identifiable, and variable data (41b), indicating the operations to be documented on the receipt in question, comprising: a roll (16) of thermal paper suitable for feeding a continuous ribbon (16a) of thermal paper a first ink jet printhead (22), and a second thermal printhead (23), in which the first ink jet printhead (22) is provided for printing on the thermal paper ribbon (16a) the constant data (41a) due to figure on a new receipt (12), independently from and prior to the relative variable data (41b) becoming available, and in which the second thermal printhead (23) is provided for subsequently printing the variable data (41b), once available, so as to complete printing of the new receipt (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Telecom Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianrico Scarton
  • Patent number: 7891893
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100232859
    Abstract: A printing arrangement includes a driving station for driving print media along a path, the driving station comprising a pair of opposed pinch rollers between which print media is pinched when driven; a printing station for printing upon print media, the printing station comprising a pair of opposed printheads on opposite sides of the path and between which print media passes; an adhesive application station for applying adhesive to print media, the adhesive application station comprising a pair of applicators on opposite sides of the path and configured to apply respective parts of a two-part adhesive to opposite sides of print media; and a binding station for collecting printed media in a stack, the binding station including a tray, and a press having a plurality of spaced semicircular disks mounted to a common pivotal shaft. The tray defines a plurality of vertical slots through which respective semicircular disks pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7766567
    Abstract: Provided is a method of printing with a print assembly having first and second print engines arranged in an opposing in-line sequential configuration along a paper path. The method includes the steps of drawing a sheet of paper into the first print engine, printing image data onto the sheet via the first and second print engines, printing fixative onto the paper to aid drying of ink, and binding the printed sheet into a document using a binding assembly of the print assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7736075
    Abstract: A printing arrangement includes a driving station configured to drive print media along a path. The driving station includes a pair of opposed pinch rollers between which the print media can be pinched when driven. A printing station is configured to print upon the print media. The printing station includes a pair of opposed printheads on opposite sides of the path and between which the print media can pass to be printed on opposite sides. An adhesive application station is configured to apply adhesive to the print media. The adhesive application station includes a pair of applicators on opposite sides of the path and is configured to apply respective parts of a two-part adhesive to opposite sides of the print media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7712984
    Abstract: A printing device comprising a casing having a first part housing a first printing mechanism which comprises a printhead and a platen located at a print zone, and a holder for holding a roll of precut label stock in a position to pass through the print zone, and a second part housing a second printing mechanism which comprises a printhead and a platen located at a print zone and means for receiving a cassette housing image receiving tape in a position to pass through the print zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sanford L.P.
    Inventors: David Block, James Craig
  • Patent number: 7645020
    Abstract: A printing device adapted to print upon a printing media. The printing device has a printing media inserter, a media path, and a plurality of printheads, positioned serially in the media path. Each of the printheads is adapted to print upon the printing media moving along the media path. The printing media inserter transfers the printing media to a printing media buffer or into the media path. A piece of the printing media traveling along the media path is sequentially printed upon by each of the printheads. The plurality of printheads are controlled to combine print from the plurality of printheads on the piece of printing media and form a resultant combined print image with a resolution different than at least one print of at least one of the plurality of printheads on the piece of printing media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: NEOPOST Technologies
    Inventor: James M. Mattern
  • Patent number: 7591603
    Abstract: Method for printing pages within a booklet to improve the appearance of images on opposing pages includes sequencing images such that opposing pages are printed with the same print engine and/or fused the same number of times. Booklets include opposing pages having images fused the same number of times and/or printed with the same print engine as the image on the opposing page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Lofthus, Thomas M. Baretsky, Dusan Lysy
  • Publication number: 20090022535
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method is provided. The method comprises printing a return address on a mail piece, and printing a destination address on the mail piece. A first print head assembly prints the return address and a second print head assembly prints the destination address. At least part of the return address is printed simultaneously with at least part of the destination address. The first print head assembly prints in a first direction and the second print head assembly prints in a second direction, where the first direction is opposite of the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Edward F. Hampton
  • Patent number: 7401989
    Abstract: A printing arrangement includes a driving station configured to drive print media along a path. The driving station includes a pair of opposed pinch rollers between which the print media can be pinched when driven. A printing station is operatively arranged with respect to the path to print upon the print media. The printing station includes a pair of opposed printheads between which the print media can pass to be printed on opposite sides. An adhesive application station is operatively arranged with respect to the path to apply adhesive to the print media. A binding station is operatively arranged with respect to the path to collect the printed media in a stack and press the stack to facilitate adhering of the printed media together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7390133
    Abstract: After the front surface of a web is printed by a first-side printing unit, the web is shifted in the direction of its width by a direction-changing unit, flipped over by rollers, and transported to a second-side printing unit, where the back surface of the web is printed. A sensor detects a displacement between the second-side printing unit and the web or marks printed on the web. According to the amount and direction of displacement detected by the sensor, a printing unit body is shifted in the direction of the web width, and the web traveling as opposed to the first-side printing unit is shifted in the direction of its width by an edge guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumihiro Hatayama
  • Publication number: 20080003040
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
  • Publication number: 20080003038
    Abstract: A thermal printer has a main body, a cover body, a hinge mechanism, a first locating mechanism, and a second locating mechanism. At the time of a shift from a second state where the cover body is opened with respect to the main body to a first state where the cover body covers the main body, the first locating mechanism locates a first platen roller of the cover body with respect to a first thermal head of the main body, and arranges a second thermal head of the cover body in the vicinity of a second platen roller of the main body. The second locating mechanism locates the second thermal head arranged in the vicinity of the second platen roller by the first locating mechanism with respect to the second platen roller of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Nihashi, Kenji Eoka, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080003039
    Abstract: A printer comprising a main unit, a cover, a first print head provided in the cover, a second print head provided in the main unit, and a hinge mechanism. The cover can rotate around the hinge mechanism, between a first state and a second state in which the cover is opened and closed, respectively, with respect to the main unit. The first print head and the second print head can rotate along the locus of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080003041
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kenji Eoka, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Tsuyoshi Sanada, Akira Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20070280767
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with one side of a paper, a second thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with the other side of the paper, and a controller. The first thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on one side of the paper. The second thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on the other side of the paper. The controller is configured to shift the energization times between the first thermal head and second thermal head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumiharu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7275881
    Abstract: A printing system comprising: a printing device having first and second similar printing mechanisms; first and second similar holding means for holding respective first and second rolls of label stock in a position to pass the first and second printing mechanisms respectively; and a local processor connected to supply print data to a selected one of said first and second printing mechanisms and comprising means for receiving print data and a command for supplying said print data to the selected one of said first and second printing mechanisms to print an image on a label of the respective associated one of said first and second rolls of label stock, based on said command; and a host computer connected to the printing system and arranged to execute a common printer driver for supplying said print data and command to the printing device, regardless of which printing mechanism is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sanford, L.P.
    Inventors: David Block, James Craig, Patrick R. Reitz
  • Patent number: 7258500
    Abstract: The media processing apparatus has a first transportation path for guiding the check, a second transportation path and a third transportation path that diverge from the first transportation path, a front scanner that is rendered along the first transportation path for imaging the first side of the check, a back scanner that is rendered along the third transportation path for imaging the second side of the check, and a path switching guide that guides a check from the first transportation path into the second transportation path or third transportation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furihata, Katsuyuki Endo, Sadao Murata
  • Patent number: 6616357
    Abstract: A dot line printer having printing heads of uniform characteristics, and reducing the steps number of adjustment for uniform printing quality. A dot line printer having a printing head assembly includes a plurality of spring-charged type printing heads which are linearly arrayed. The printer comprises a plurality of impact pulse generators for generating impact pulses to be applied to said printing heads; and a plurality of drive circuits, each of which is electrically connected to corresponding said impact pulse generator and to corresponding group of divided printing heads for controlling the driving of the printing heads in response to the impact pulses generated in said impact pulse generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20030081975
    Abstract: Banding at swath boundaries in inkjet printer output is reduced by staggering the pens in the printer so that that the swath produced by each pen overlaps with, but is not coincident with, the swath produced by any other pen in the printer. This may be achieved by physically staggering the pens in the printer, or by selecting a subset of ink nozzles to create a virtual pen that is offset from the subset of ink nozzles selected for each other virtual pen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen W. Bauer
  • Patent number: 6543946
    Abstract: A combination printer is described. The combination printer includes a thermal head and an ink printing head, such as a thermal transfer printing head. The thermal head thermally prints on thermal paper by heating. The thermal transfer printing head prints ink on the thermal paper by thermally transferring ink from an ink film to the thermal paper. The thermal transfer head is preferably positioned downstream relative to the first head along a paper flow path of the thermal paper. The printer further includes a first platen that serves as a back support for the thermal head, and a second platen that serves as a back support for the thermal transfer printing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihisa Hori, Tsuyoshi Miyano, Masahiko Mori
  • Publication number: 20030016983
    Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided. The printer includes a body, a printhead assembly disposed at least partially within the body, and a media advance system disposed at least partially within the body for advancing a media sheet within the printer. The printhead assembly includes a first printhead and a second printhead, the first and second printheads being configured to simultaneously deposit ink on the media sheet when the media sheet is positioned adjacent the printhead assembly, and to move across the media sheet in an opposed manner relative to one another during printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Baldwin-Garcia
  • Publication number: 20010043829
    Abstract: A dot line printer having printing heads of uniform characteristics, and reducing the steps number of adjustment for uniform printing quality. A dot line printer having a printing head assembly includes a plurality of spring-charged type printing heads which are linearly arrayed. The printer comprises a plurality of impact pulse generators for generating impact pulses to be applied to said printing heads; and a plurality of drive circuits, each of which is electrically connected to corresponding said impact pulse generator and to corresponding group of divided printing heads for controlling the driving of the printing heads in response to the impact pulses generated in said impact pulse generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Hideaki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6296405
    Abstract: A printer for printing on both sides of a document includes first printing document guides, through which a document is driven for printing on a first side of the document, second printing document guides, through which the document is driven for printing on a second side of the document, and transfer document guides, into which the document is driven between motions within the first and second printing document guides, with a deflector determining the printing document guide into which a document is driven from the transfer document guides. A print head is pivotally mounted between the printing document guides, being pivoted between a position adjacent the first printing document guides and a position adjacent the second printing document guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Stacy Leigh Bongrazio, Richard Hunter Harris, Jeff David Thomas
  • Publication number: 20010021331
    Abstract: A printer for printing on both sides of a document includes first printing document guides, through which a document is driven for printing on a first side of the document, second printing document guides, through which the document is driven for printing on a second side of the document, and transfer document guides, into which the document is driven between motions within the first and second printing document guides, with a deflector determining the printing document guide into which a document is driven from the transfer document guides. A print head is pivotally mounted between the printing document guides, being pivoted between a position adjacent the first printing document guides and a position adjacent the second printing document guides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Stacy Leigh Bongrazio, Richard Hunter Harris, Jeff David Thomas
  • Patent number: 6283649
    Abstract: A plurality of thermal heads for different colors, are disposed in parallel in a line-printing direction, being offset with respect to each other in a transport direction along which an image-forming sheet is moved via a conveyer path. The image forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet or a temperature-sensitive sheet. The thermal heads are moved in the line-printing direction. Adjacent-opposing ends of adjacent thermal heads are separated in the line-printing direction, and overlap in the transport direction. The thermal heads are controlled so as to simultaneously generate image-pixels on the image-forming sheet. The printing speed is high due to a plurality of colors being simultaneously printed. The thermal heads are used as part of pressure applying unit. The pressure applying unit is provided for selectively applying predetermined pressure to the micro-capsules, when the image-forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Hiroshi Orita, Hiroyuki Saito, Katsuyoshi Suzuki, Koichi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 6267518
    Abstract: A first printing unit for forming a front image on one surface and a second printing unit forming a back image on the other surface are respectively constructed with two stages of printing heads. With respect to the image formed on one surface of a printing medium by the first printing unit, the image formed on the other surface of the printing medium by the second printing unit is formed as a mirror image of bilateral symmetry about an axis in a transporting direction so that the image on the other surface is consistent with the image on one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junkichi Abe
  • Patent number: 6106173
    Abstract: A plurality of thermal heads for different colors, are disposed in parallel in a line-printing direction, being offset with respect to each other in a transport direction along which an image-forming sheet is moved via a conveyer path. The image forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet or a temperature-sensitive sheet. The thermal heads are moved in the line-printing direction. Adjacent-opposing ends of adjacent thermal heads are separated in the line-printing direction, and overlap in the transport direction. The thermal heads are controlled so as to simultaneously generate image-pixels on the image-forming sheet. The printing speed is high due to a plurality of colors being simultaneously printed. The thermal heads are used as part of pressure applying unit. The pressure applying unit is provided for selectively applying predetermined pressure to the micro-capsules, when the image-forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Hiroshi Orita, Hiroyuki Saito, Katsuyoshi Suzuki, Koichi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 6050733
    Abstract: Two typing units are disposed in a photographic printer, facing a back face of an exposed color paper. The typing unit comprises a typing head and an ink ribbon cassette which is endless type and is removable. As for 135-type photographic film, one-line typing mode is selected. In this case, one of the typing units is actuated to type information concerning a frame number of the photographic film, an exposure correction value and so forth for the back face of the color paper in one line. In this one-line typing mode, the typing unit being used is changed whenever the typing relative to one photographic film is over so that ink ribbons of the typing units are prevented from being unequally consumed. As for IX240-type photographic film, two-line typing mode is selected. In this mode, both of the typing units are actuated to type various information in two lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5964540
    Abstract: A recording apparatus having a memory for storing recording data, and an address counter for controlling addresses in the memory in the direction of the columns or rows. The address counter controls a read start address for starting a process of reading the memory, thereby compensating for deviations in the longitudinal or widthwise direction of recording paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Shiina, Tetsuo Suzuki, Tetsuzo Mori, Kunitaka Ozawa, Katsunori Hatanaka, Masakazu Ozawa