Means Auxiliary To Ribbon Mechanism (e.g., Shield, Guide, Etc.) Patents (Class 400/247)
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Patent number: 12030090Abstract: A wiping member to wipe a nozzle surface of a liquid discharging head includes a first layer configured to be brought into contact with the nozzle surface and one or more other layers, wherein the following relation is satisfied: t1<t2, where t1 represents the thickness of the first layer and t2 represents the thickness of the one or more other layers, wherein the porosity of the first layer is smaller than the porosity of at least one of the one or more other layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takumi Atake, Akira Izutani, Yohta Sakon, Hiroko Ohkura, Yuusuke Fujita
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Patent number: 10011132Abstract: A printer includes a body, a lid, a hook, and an engaging part. The body includes a holder configured to accommodate recording paper. The lid is attached to the body to be opened and closed relative to the body. The hook is attached to one of the body and the lid. The engaging part is attached to the other of the body and the lid. The engaging part is accommodated in a recess formed in the hook when the lid is closed relative to the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITEDInventors: Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Sumio Watanabe, Masahiro Tsuchiya, Yuji Yada, Tatsuya Oguchi
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Patent number: 9802776Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus including a transmission unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave toward a sheet and a reception unit that receives the ultrasonic wave includes a change unit that changes a distance of a conveyance path of the sheet according to sheet information about the sheet to be conveyed.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tetsuro Fukusaka
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Patent number: 9415618Abstract: Disclosed is a ribbon cassette for a label printing device, comprising a ribbon cassette case that contains a printing tape (18), a medium tape (17), and a carrier tape (20). The label printing device is provided with a determining region (5) for determining feature information of the ribbon cassette, the determining region is provided with a plurality of determining columns (XY) with planar distribution. The ribbon cassette further comprises a detecting portion (10) corresponding to the determining region, the detecting portion is detecting column(s) (11) corresponding to the determining columns. The number, position, or a combination of the number and the position of the detecting column characterizes the feature of the ribbon cassette.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: ZHUHAI NINESTAR MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Jianxin Cao, Shengyu Wei
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Patent number: 9174476Abstract: A tape cassette includes a first guide member provided between a feed portion and a discharge slot, and positioned on or immediately before the discharge slot, on an upstream side in a travel direction of a ink ribbon, wherein the first guide member bends and guides travel of the ink ribbon in the predetermined direction while making contact with a reverse side of a inked surface of the ink ribbon and a second guide member provided between the feed portion and the discharge slot, and positioned on an upstream side in the travel direction of the ink ribbon with respect to the first guide member, wherein the second guide member bends and guides the travel of the ink ribbon in the predetermined direction while making contact with the reverse side of the inked surface of the ink ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomohiko Sugino, Yasuhiro Shibata, Takashi Horiuchi, Tsutomu Kato
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Patent number: 8172471Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for a printer. The ribbon cartridge including a simple mechanism that prevents an ink ribbon from being twisted or excessively drawn out in mounting thereof. Provided is a ribbon cartridge for printing, which includes: an ink ribbon; a cartridge main body which stores the ink ribbon so as to expose a part of the ink ribbon; a ribbon guide which is engaged with the exposed part of the ink ribbon so as to guide the exposed part; and a guide tape which forms a loop so as to support the ribbon guide while having one end in its longitudinal direction fixed to a first position on the ribbon guide and having the other end fixed to a second position on the ribbon guide and which is disposed so that a surface of the guide tape can face a surface of the exposed part of the ink ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Yoshito Honda
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Patent number: 8092105Abstract: An image generating apparatus capable of properly feeding papers in the body thereof and reliably suppressing wrinkling easily caused on cross-directional ends of an ink sheet is obtained. This image generating apparatus includes a print head, including a print portion pressing an ink sheet, capable of printing an image on a paper, a paper guide member guiding a transport direction for the paper when feeding the paper and an ink sheet guide member, having a central portion convexed toward a take-up direction for the ink sheet with respect to the print head in plan view, for guiding transportation of the ink sheet in printing, while a region of the paper guide member corresponding to a cross-directional end of the ink sheet integrally includes an ink sheet contact portion so shaped as to apply tension to the cross-directional end of the ink sheet.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaki Nakatani
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Patent number: 7942594Abstract: A ribbon guide includes a pair of upper and lower plates for limiting upper and lower ends of an ink ribbon. A ribbon guide plate is disposed between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a non-transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Ribbon press bars are suspended between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Cutouts through which the ink ribbon is inserted are formed at the lower plate so as to surround lower end portions of the ribbon press bars.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masayuki Kumazaki, Shinji Sato, Takumi Kawamura
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Patent number: 7824119Abstract: A printer that can be configured either as a dot matrix/impact printer or an inkjet printer. A printer frame mounts a carriage mechanism for reciprocally moving a head carrier. An adapter secures a printhead to the carrier; the adapter being configured to accept a predetermined type of printhead. A compensator/feeder assembly is pivotally movable between a printing position and a printer open position at which a slot for receiving a form is defined. The compensator/feeder assembly mounts a printer bar which is positioned in a confronting relationship with the printhead when the assembly is in the printing position. A compensator drive arrangement is fixed to a base and effects movement in the feeder assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2005Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Pertech Resources, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Kershisnik, Donna Norton, Eric Wolfe, David Selvig, Jon Walker, Douglas Etsinger, Jeff Cooper
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Patent number: 7726892Abstract: A cartridge is provided with a supply housing having at least one exterior surface defining a supply area adapted to receive a donor ribbon of predetermined width and a take-up housing having a main wall that defines a take-up area for receiving donor ribbon of predetermined width. A take-up projection on the take-up housing and the main wall jointly define a take-up window therebetween through which donor ribbon passes into the take-up area. The take-up projection includes at least one tensioning feature so as to pre-load the take-up projection such that the take-up projection is inhibited from warping toward towards the main wall.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Paul A. Lysiak, Kevin H. Blakely
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Patent number: 7651287Abstract: A printer device is disclosed. The printer device includes: a base chassis that accepts therein and ejects therefrom the printing medium; a top chassis that is disposed to be able to freely open and close in a direction vertical to the basis chassis; an ink ribbon cartridge holder that is disposed between the top chassis and the base chassis, and is attached with an ink ribbon cartridge including therein the ink ribbon; and a thermal head that prints an image to the printing medium by heating the ink ribbon in the ink ribbon cartridge attached to the ink ribbon cartridge holder.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Koichi Numata, Kazuyoshi Murata, Hiroshi Katsuno, Sunao Kushiro, Atsushi Yanbe, Shuichi Ota, Hideki Yoneoka
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Publication number: 20100006640Abstract: In the processing of mass-produced items that include a three-dimensional code formed therein, a system is provided for automating certain post-manufacturing processing steps. The system includes a printing mechanism that applies ink to the three-dimensional code to form an optically-readable code; a code-reading mechanism that reads the optically readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the code to a database that may be employed for tracking the processed items; and a transport mechanism that moves the items from the printing mechanism to the code-reading mechanism. In one embodiment, the system also includes a liquid agent application mechanism that applies a liquid agent to the items after the optically-readable code is formed. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of pallets on which the items are placed for processing, and that is operable to move the pallets sequentially to the several processing mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Steven Shifman
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Publication number: 20080159798Abstract: In the processing of mass-produced items that include a three-dimensional code formed therein, a system is provided for automating certain post-manufacturing processing steps. The system includes a printing mechanism that applies ink to the three-dimensional code to form an optically-readable code; a code-reading mechanism that reads the optically readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the code to a database that may be employed for tracking the processed items; and a transport mechanism that moves the items from the printing mechanism to the code-reading mechanism. In one embodiment, the system also includes a liquid agent application mechanism that applies a liquid agent to the items after the optically-readable code is formed. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of pallets on which the items are placed for processing, and that is operable to move the pallets sequentially to the several processing mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Steven Shifman
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Publication number: 20080152415Abstract: Date can be printed on a business card in a business card case by realizing a business card case with a printing function. The business card case with a printing function includes an upper case (1) provided with a pressing rubber (12) and a pressing block (13) of a printing hammer, a lower case (2) connected to the upper case (1) so as to be freely opened and closed, a card containing section (3) formed in the case, a typing device in which a plurality of date printing type units coupled so as to move up and down among a plurality of type blocks each having a type formed on the upper surface are fixed to a type case (4), and a printing ribbon (5) for printing the date. The date is printed by pressing the print hammer and pressing the business card (34) against the type with the printing ribbon (5) interposed therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventor: Hiroyuki Hayashi
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Patent number: 7324124Abstract: Thermal printers and methods for operating a thermal printer that applies donor material from donor patches on a donor ribbon to a received medium, the donor material being organized into sets, each set including at least one colored donor material patch and a protective material donor patch. A non-visible light is applied to a location on the donor ribbon, and a portion of the non-visible light that is not absorbed by the donor ribbon is sensed. The sensed non-visible light determines whether the portion of the donor ribbon to which the non-visible light has been applied has unused protective donor material thereon.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Walter H. Isaac, Robert F. Mindler, Christine J. Landry-Coltrain, Sharon P. Markel
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Patent number: 7223032Abstract: A ribbon roller is fixed in a ribbon cartridge via a fixing element. The fixing element includes an accommodation means and a fastening element. The accommodation means fixes a tab of the ribbon roller, and the fastening element engages the ribbon cartridge. When transporting the ribbon cartridge, the fixing element is capable of preventing the ribbon roller from rotating so as to prevent the ribbon from wrinkling and affecting printing quality.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Hi-Touch Imaging Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jung-Chi Liu, Yu-Feng Lin
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Patent number: 7128483Abstract: A ribbon cassette includes a ribbon supply spool, and a ribbon take up spool that takes up an ink ribbon from the ribbon supply spool by rotating in a first rotation direction. The ribbon take up spool is provided with an engaging portion including first and second walls arranged in the second rotation direction in this order. The first wall is defined along a plane including a rotation axis of the ribbon take up spool. The second wall is inclined to face outside the ribbon take up spool. The ribbon cassette further includes an engaging member. The engaging member resiliently engages with the engaging portion by dropping into a space defined between the first and second walls and thereby prevents the ribbon take up spool from rotating in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The engaging member, however, comes off from the engaging portion when the ribbon take up spool rotates in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hironori Harada, Takashi Horiuchi
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Patent number: 7077587Abstract: A tape printing apparatus uses a tape cassette having two guide holes, the tape printing apparatus has a tape cassette holder including at least first and second guide members; the first guide member having a height that is shorter than a height of the second guide member; such that the second guide member is inserted into a second guide hole on the tape cassette before the first guide member is inserted into a first guide hole of the tape cassette.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsugi Tanaka
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Patent number: 6975343Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in a dye transfer area of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Robert F. Mindler, Zhanjun Gao, Po-Jen Shih
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Patent number: 6874725Abstract: An improved detectable spool for use with a ribbon includes an improved hub which includes a core and an indication member. The indication member is a generally planar metallic member that is substantially embedded in or is otherwise mounted to the core, with the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs. In at least one embodiment the indication member is a monolithically formed single-piece member, while in another embodiment the indication member is a multi-component member.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corporation of AmericaInventors: Ernest L Woosley, Doug Jackson, John A. Pomfret, Richard Crooks
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Patent number: 6814830Abstract: A hot-stamping foil tape cassette comprises a hot-stamping foil tape transferred by pressure application together with a value-added medium to the value-added medium and a windup reel for winding up the hot-stamping foil tape. The reel on which the hot-stamping foil tape is wound is stored in a cassette case. A shutter is included which at the time of hot-stamping transfer is in a protective position that protects the hot-stamping foil tape. The shutter at the time of hot-stamping transfer withdraws to a withdrawal position that does not interfere with action of the hot-stamping transfer. After hot-stamping, by the shutter, the hot-stamping foil tape can be peeled from the value-added medium. A foil-peeling mechanism for a hot-stamping device, a peeling method for a hot-stamping foil and a control method for a hot-stamping foil tape cassette are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuo Yokozawa, Kiyotsugu Takasawa, Yukio Kuroiwa, Fumito Komatsu
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Patent number: 6768503Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in a dye transfer area of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Po-Jen Shih, Zhanjun J. Gao, Robert F. Mindler
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Patent number: 6762783Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in a dye transfer area of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Zhanjun J. Gao, John F. Corman, Robert F. Mindler
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Patent number: 6734888Abstract: A method for determining a mismatch involving the availability of a dye donor supply and a dye receiver supply in a thermal printer when a particular print size and print quantity are selected, comprises: comparing a remaining number of similar-size donor patches available on the dye donor supply with a remaining number of like-size donor patches required for the selected print size and print quantity, and should the former number be less than the latter number providing a warning; and comparing a remaining length of dye receiver available on the dye receiver supply with a remaining length of dye receiver required for the selected print size and print quantity, and should the former length be less than the latter length providing a warning.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Robert F. Mindler, Theodore J. Skomsky
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Patent number: 6715946Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge has a belt shaped sheet body, and is wound around a pair of tubes. Spools are detachably mounted at each end of the tube bodies. An ink ribbon cartridge has a supply side and takeup side covers, each cover having a side segment at each end. A pair of connection ribs, a connection rib of the pair of connection ribs extends between the side segment on corresponding ends of each of the supply side and takeup side covers. A projection extends from a lower side of each connection rib proximate the joining of the connection rib and the side segment at each end of the supply cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shingo Ito
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Patent number: 6709179Abstract: A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori
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Patent number: 6695496Abstract: A dot printer not using any type, nor requiring any ink ribbon has an ink roller 1, a platen 2 having an outer surface coated with ink by contacting the ink roller 1, and a printing head 3 facing the platen 2 in an appropriately spaced apart relation thereto. The printing head 3 is a dot impact type printing head having a plurality of printing wires caused to project selectively to form letters, and a recording medium 6 is conveyed between the platen 2 and the printing head 3 to have printing made thereon by the printing head 3. A protective film 8 is employed between the printing head 3 and the recording medium 6.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.Inventors: Yuji Nakagaki, Mitsuharu Shishido
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Patent number: 6666598Abstract: A ribbon protector is attached to a ribbon cartridge to prevent an ink ribbon from being soiled. The ribbon protector includes mounting portions, a protecting portion, and a paper guide. The ribbon protector is mounted to the ribbon cartridge by means of the mounting portions. The protecting section opposes an ink ribbon such that the ink ribbon is between the protecting section and the ribbon cartridge when the mounting portions have been mounted to the ribbon cartridge. The paper guide projects from the protecting section to incline toward the ribbon cartridge. The mounting portion may have a first base portion continuous to the protector and the paper guide has a second base portion continuous to the protecting section. The first base portion is thicker than other portions of the first projecting portion and the second base portion is thicker than other portions of the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventors: Akihiro Moriyama, Masakazu Yamagata, Yoshifumi Igari
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Publication number: 20030156877Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ribbon wiper that is disposed within a ribbon cartridge. The ribbon cartridge can contain a ribbon and be employed by a thermal printer. The ribbon wiper is capable of removing debris and other contaminants from a printhead surface of the ribbon. The printhead surface of the ribbon is that surface that faces the printhead, and opposes the ink surface of the ribbon, during printing. Debris disposed on the printhead surface of the ribbon can hinder or obstruct thermal contact between one or more thermal elements on the thermal printhead. In such cases, the thermal element can lack the ability to properly produce a dot on a media as instructed by the thermal printer. Further, debris disposed on the printhead surface of the ribbon can accumulate on the printhead proximate thermal elements and prevent generation of multiple or consecutive dots.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventor: William D. Tischer
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Patent number: 6595710Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body has a pair of side plates, a partitioning plate, and a cover segment together defining a frame shape with an central open space. When the ink sheet cartridge is accommodated to a facsimile device, a thermal head and a platen are positioned at the central open space. Also, the partitioning plate serves as a lower transport chute defining a transport path with upper chute members, so that a recording sheet is transported along the transport path.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeyuki Hayashi
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Patent number: 6520697Abstract: There is provided an ink ribbon cassette which prevents damage and pollution of a part of an ink ribbon exposed outside of a cassette case housing the ink ribbon. In the ink ribbon cassette in which the part of the ink ribbon housed in the cassette case is exposed outside of the cassette case, a detachably attached cover body for covering the part of the ink ribbon exposed outside of the cassette case is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masato Yamaguchi, Seiichi Morikawa
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Patent number: 6520696Abstract: A tape supply cartridge for use in a printer of the type having a fixed print head, a movable platen roller and a pair of tape advancement rollers, one in the cartridge and one in the printer.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Brother Industries, Ltd.Inventors: James F. Huss, David N. Fronek
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Patent number: 6503007Abstract: A motion detector comprising a rotator member having at least one radially positioned member and being mounted for rotation from at least a first position to at least a second position; a detector member, preferably a Hall Effect sensor; and a magnet producing a magnetic field; wherein, the radially positioned member is characterized by altering the magnetic flux of the magnetic field when it moves into and out of proximity to the magnet; and wherein the detector member detects the alteration of the magnetic flux. The motion detector is preferably used to detect the speed, type, position, presence, and absence of a printer ribbon cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Genicom, LLCInventors: Edward D. Furrow, Paul W. Snyder, Gerald A. Bradfield
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Patent number: 6428222Abstract: A reflective type light sensitive sensor assembly is used for sensing the position of marks on a surface moving past the sensor. A typical showing is in relation to sensing marks on a ribbon used during printing operations, or lamination operations. The sensor assembly includes a LED light source that has a central axis, and a light sensitive transistor or sensor mounted in a single housing, with the housing oriented so that the axis of the light from the LED is inclined at an acute angle relative to the surface of the ribbon. The axis is at an angle other than perpendicular or near perpendicular to the surface. The marks used for identification are light diffusing marks, such as white marks or strips that will provide adequate reflection of light back to the light sensitive transistor or sensor forming part of the sensor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Matthew K. Dunham
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Publication number: 20020048479Abstract: A system for dissipating electrostatic charge build-up in printers comprises a ribbon frame made of statically dissipative material and adapted to support a printhead bracket on which a thermal printhead is mounted proximate to a rotating platen. The statically dissipative ribbon frame may be grounded to the printer power supply which in turn is grounded to the main printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of the printer which is connected to earth ground. The electrostatically dissipative material in the ribbon frame automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded ribbon frame during printer operation. The printhead bracket may also be made of statically dissipative material and grounded to the PCBA. The electrostatically dissipative material in the printhead bracket automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded printhead bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Caleb Bryant, Philip Alan Mastinick, Lawrence E. Smolenski
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Publication number: 20020048478Abstract: A ribbon for a thermal printer has a series of frames of different colors in a sequence that are correlated to the position of cards to be printed. The ribbon has indexing marks for each frame and also indicators for each repeating sequence of frames. The index marks are arranged in a line across the ribbon and the marks can be coded to individually indicate the color or other characteristic of the frame associated with the line of index mark. This information is received by a controller to control various printer functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Gary M. Klinefelter, Gary A. Lenz
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Patent number: 6352380Abstract: A cassette, particularly for a printing mechanism provided with a thermal printing head, with a ribbon reel and a ribbon take-up reel, includes a housing composed of two wall portions which are spaced apart from each other, wherein the wall portions have grooves, integrally formed indentations or slots, wherein outer portions of the ribbon reel or take-up reel are supported in the grooves or indentations or slots so as to be slidable essentially transversely of the axis of the respective reel.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Frama AGInventor: Werner Haug
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Patent number: 6290408Abstract: A friction mechanism exerts a frictional force on a feed pinch roller to apply a proper tensile load to an ink ribbon when the ink ribbon is fed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideki Yorozu
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Patent number: 6152625Abstract: A sensor hub for a print ribbon supply roll includes a sleeve shaped to attach to the roll core of the print ribbon supply roll, a pin-receiving plate secured to the sleeve and including a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of pins permanently secured in selected ones of the apertures. The pins are arranged in the apertures according to a print ribbon type to thereby identify the print ribbon type. The sleeve, pin-receiving plate and pins are preferably molded in a single step operation, thereby decreasing manufacturing time and reducing manufacturing costs. By molding the sleeve and pin-receiving plate around the pins, the pins can be permanently secured in the apertures of the pin-receiving plate, and the mold cavity can be constructed so as to eliminate susceptibility to human error.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Michael S. Oliverio
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Patent number: 6089769Abstract: A line printer having a hammerbank for printing on media with print hammers to impact a ribbon to form a dot matrix array having printing tips and permanent magnets for magnetically retaining the hammers. Coils release the hammers by overcoming the magnetism to impact a platen against which the hammer printing tips can strike a ribbon and the underlying media. A cover overlies the hammers having an elongated ridge, and is secured to the hammerbank by threaded members. A print ribbon mask is threadably secured to the cover with openings indexed to openings of the cover to allow the passage of the printing tips.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Printronix, Inc.Inventor: Norman E. Farb
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Patent number: 6089767Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon and tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. Ink particles are removed by a wiper from the ribbon prior to printing.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Axiohm Transaction Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Phillip M. Martinez, Scott J. Longrod
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Patent number: 6059469Abstract: A printer device, and method, is disclosed which is used in conjunction with an ink ribbon assembly. The ink ribbon assembly includes an ink ribbon and a support. A storage device is integrated with the support. Data relating to the ink ribbon characteristics is stored in the storage device. The printer reads the data in the storage device and modifies the supplied print information ascending to the data stored in the ink ribbon assembly. Ink ribbon characteristic data can include production variance, ribbon type, and remaining ribbon data.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Yasushi Hirumi
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Patent number: 6023284Abstract: A method and apparatus for maximizing print quality in a thermal printer uses a ribbon condition monitor to detect the condition of a multipass thermal ribbon. Data related to the condition of the thermal ribbon at each individual pixel is used to determine a custom energization signal for each thermal print element. In one embodiment, the system utilizes a history memory to track the prior heating history of each thermal print element and an ink memory to track the prior use of each location on the thermal print ribbon corresponding to the thermal print elements. The data from the history memory and the ink memory are combined to form an index to a table memory containing data corresponding to a plurality of energization signal levels for a particular print medium. The data in the table memory provides the custom energization signal for each of the thermal print elements. In an alternative embodiment, a light source and detector are used to determine the thickness of ink remaining on the thermal ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Intermec IP CorporationInventors: Thomas A. Rogers, Joel A. Schoen, Christopher A. Wiklof
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Patent number: 5988901Abstract: A ribbon cassette which allows a precise recording operation to be achieved as a result of stably running an ink ribbon by preventing tilting or rattling of cores caused by tension produced in the ink ribbon during ink ribbon winding in order to stably rotate the cores; and a pancake which allows stable supply of ink ribbon by rotation of the cores. In the pancake, the cores have shaft-inserting holes, for inserting therein the supporting shafts which protrude beyond the carriage, formed in the central portion thereof, and annular grooves for fitting thereto driving power transmitting portions for transmitting rotational driving power of a take-up mechanism. The driving power transmitting portions are formed so as to protrude at the outer peripheral side of the corresponding supporting shafts.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takanobu Matsuura
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Patent number: RE41354Abstract: A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori
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Patent number: RE43022Abstract: A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori
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Patent number: RE43133Abstract: A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori
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Patent number: RE43164Abstract: A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori
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Patent number: RE43185Abstract: A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori
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Patent number: RE43228Abstract: A tape cassette is used in a printing device with a drive shaft. The tape cassette includes a cassette casing which houses a printing tape and defines a feed path through which the tape moves in a feeding direction. The cassette casing includes a head recess adapted to receive a print head of the printing device. The cassette casing forms a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by four corners, but also includes a recess for receiving the drive shaft adjacent a first corner of the four corner of the cassette casing downstream of, and spaced from, the head recess in the feed direction. The cassette casing defines a first positioning hole adjacent the drive shaft and a second positioning hole spaced from the drive shaft, the first and second positioning holes each communicating with a corresponding pin of the printing device to ensure a proper positioning of the cassette casing within the printing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori