Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and a lift mechanism for reciprocally lowering and raising the supply assembly towards and away from the printhead, the lift mechanism having a single actuator handle positioned at the first end of the cradle. Movement of the actuator handle causes engagement or disengagement between the printhead and the supply assembly via sliding movement of the supply module relative to the cradle.

Abstract: A developer cartridge comprises a first gear. The first gear may be rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The first gear may include a first surface rotatable with the first gear, and a second surface rotatable with the first gear. The first surface may extend in a circumferential direction of the first gear. The second surface may extend in the circumferential direction. The second surface may be separated from the first surface in the circumferential direction. A length of the second surface in the circumferential direction may be greater than a length of the first surface in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A developer cartridge comprises a first gear. The first gear may include a first protrusion extending in a radial direction of the first gear. The first protrusion may be positioned at a circumference of a column of the first gear. The first protrusion may be spaced apart from a second end face opposite to a first end face facing an exterior surface of a casing configured to accommodate developer therein. The first protrusion may be further from the second end face than a large-diameter gear in an axial direction. A rotational circumference of the first protrusion defined by rotation of the first protrusion and a portion of the large-diameter gear are aligned in the axial direction.

Abstract: A line segment detection apparatus includes a head that supports a sensor configured to detect light reflected by a surface of a cutting target medium, a driving unit configured to move the head in two-dimensional directions relatively to the medium, and a processing unit configured to drive the driving unit and perform arithmetic processing on an output of the sensor. The processing unit includes a region detection unit configured to detect a region different in reflectance from surroundings based on a change of a signal output from the sensor when the sensor was moved in a first direction, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the region is a line segment, based on the change of the signal output from the sensor when the sensor passed a point in the region and was moved in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus and method of operation are disclosed. One such apparatus includes a carriage configured to support a recording head that is configured to eject ink from nozzles onto a recording medium to be conveyed, and a first support member supporting the carriage. The carriage is movable in a scanning direction orthogonal to a transporting direction of the recording medium. The apparatus further includes a second support member configured to support the first support member and a transporting roller extending in the scanning direction and rotatable to transport the recording medium in the transporting direction. The apparatus also includes a bearing disposed at the second support member and supporting the transporting roller rotatably, the bearing comprising a contact portion that contacts the first support member.

Abstract: A mobile printing system includes a mobile printing apparatus including: a chassis; a first wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis; a second wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis; a first motor for rotating the first wheel; a second motor for rotating the second wheel; a first encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the first wheel; a second encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the second wheel; a photosensor array; and an array of marking elements disposed proximate the photosensor array; a printing region for the mobile printing apparatus; a home base including a cap configured to surround the array of marking elements; and a controller for controlling the operation of the mobile printing apparatus.

Abstract: A carriage support member for an inkjet printer printhead carriage includes a bar shaped structure with a first contact area and a second contact area. A pivotable carriage attachment is located between the first contact area and the second contact area. The first contact area and the second contact area slide or roll along the secondary guide rail. The carriage is attached to the carriage attachment. The bar shaped structure pivots relative to the carriage by the carriage attachment.

Abstract: A fixing structure for print head carriage rod and a fixing method thereof. The fixing structure is simplified and is able to minimize the flexure of the print head carriage rod. The fixing structure includes a frame body disposed in a printing machine, and a carriage rod mounted on the frame body for a print head carriage to reciprocally travel on the carriage rod for printing operation. The frame body has sidewalls and support sections formed on the sidewalls for supporting two ends of the carriage rod. The fixing structure further includes retainers for securing the carriage rod to the frame body. The retainers are positioned on two sides of the support sections of the sidewalls to together with the support sections prevent the carriage rod from being flexed so as to avoid deterioration of printing quality.

Abstract: A carriage printer includes a printhead; a carriage guide disposed along a carriage scan direction, the carriage guide including a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a carriage for transporting the printhead along the carriage scan direction across the print region, the carriage including a bearing surface that is configured to contact the carriage guide as the carriage transports the printhead; a plurality of carriage guide supports each including a support surface, the plurality of carriage guide supports including a first carriage guide support disposed proximate the first end; a second carriage guide support disposed proximate the second end; and a third carriage guide support disposed between the first carriage guide support and the second carriage guide support; a first biasing force applied in a bias direction proximate the first end; and a second biasing force applied in the bias direction proximate the second end.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an assembly includes: a print bar; first and second guide rods oriented parallel to one another; a first bracket slidable along the first guide rod and connected loosely to one end of the print bar; and a second bracket slidable along the second guide rod and connected loosely to the other end of the print bar. In another embodiment, a method includes: directly constraining a print bar in Z and theta Y at a first connection; indirectly constraining the print bar in theta Y at a second connection; and neutralizing the theta Y constraint at the second connection through a third connection between the first connection and the second connection.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a platen that guides a sheet, restraining members disposed on the platen at respective side edges of the sheet to restrain the side edges of the sheet from being raised, a sheet width detector that detects the width of the sheet, and a restraining member detector that detects the positions of the restraining members. At least one of the restraining members is moved in accordance with the information obtained by the sheet width detector regarding the positions of the side edges of the sheet and the information obtained by the restraining position detector regarding the positions of the restraining members.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a jetting head having a jetting surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed for jetting liquid droplets; a carriage carrying the jetting head and moving reciprocatingly in a first direction along a surface parallel to the jetting surface; and a guide member having a guide surface perpendicular to the jetting surface and extending in the first direction to guide the carriage along the guide surface. The carriage is provided with a fixed slide member fixed to the carriage to slide along the guide surface; a movable slide member arranged apart from the fixed slide member in the first direction to slide along the guide surface and configured to be movable with respect to the carriage in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and an angle change mechanism for changing an angle of the carriage relative to the first direction.

Abstract: A cartridge which may include a housing, a driving input member provided at the housing wherein the driving input member is configured to be rotated by an externally supplied rotation driving force, and a rotational member configured to receive the rotation driving force, which is transmitted from the driving input member, and be rotated thereby. The cartridge may also include a detection protrusion provided at a position away from a rotational center of the rotational member. The detection protrusion may include a main body protruding from the rotational member away from the housing and a pivot part configured to pivot relative to the main body. The detection protrusion may be configured to be changeable between an extended state and a collapsed state with respect to the rotational member.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products for the display of product information in or about a store. In particular, systems and methods are provided that use information from an in-store communication network to display product information on a rewritable paper at designated points within or about a store including product displays. A system and method for communicating through the in-store communication network printing and erasing instructions from a system controller to a printer located on a product display for printing and erasing the product information on the rewritable paper positioned about a display surface of the product display.

Abstract: An image printing device and a method of controlling the image printing device are provided. One embodiment of an image printing device includes a load unit that loads a plurality of overlapped printing media, a printing unit that performs a printing process for the printing media transported from the load unit, a moving unit that is movable in a predetermined main scanning direction, a printing medium detecting unit that is mounted to the moving unit and detects a signal relating to a presence of a printing medium, a position detecting unit that detects a position of the moving unit, and a control unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an assembly includes: a print bar; first and second guide rods oriented parallel to one another; a first bracket slidable along the first guide rod and connected loosely to one end of the print bar; and a second bracket slidable along the second guide rod and connected loosely to the other end of the print bar. In another embodiment, a method includes: directly constraining a print bar in Z and theta Y at a first connection; indirectly constraining the print bar in theta Y at a second connection; and neutralizing the theta Y constraint at the second connection through a third connection between the first connection and the second connection.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that selectively couples a device to a printer carriage is provided. The printing apparatus includes a printer carriage and an intervening mechanism. The printer carriage is movable back and forth to selectively retrieve the device from and return the device to a position where the device can be parked detached from the carriage. The carriage is arranged to selectively move back and forth relative to the device while the device is detached from the carriage and in unison with the device while the device is attached to the carriage. The intervening mechanism and the carriage have respective surfaces that engage as they meet each other to allow the carriage to move past the intervening mechanism.

Abstract: A printer includes a supporting device, a cantilevered first guide arm, a second guide arm, and a printer head. The supporting device is configured to support a material to be printed. The cantilevered first guide arm has a longitudinal direction. The second guide arm is connected to the first guide arm to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the first guide. The second guide arm extends along a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The printer head is configured to print on the material supported by the supporting device and provided on the second guide arm to be movable along the lateral direction.

Abstract: A printer includes a carriage and a channel for guiding the carriage along a path. The carriage includes a protrusion extending from the carriage. The channel includes a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are opposed to each other. The protrusion of the carriage extends between the first wall and the second wall. A first portion of the protrusion is in contact with the first wall and a second portion of the protrusion is in contact with the second wall.

Abstract: A multifunction apparatus includes a belt drive mechanism configured to move a carriage reciprocally placed on guide rails. The belt drive mechanism is comprised of a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a timing belt, which is stretched between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The carriage includes a belt holder, which is configured to hold the timing belt, and a torsion coil spring, which is configured to urge elastically the belt holder to the carriage. The belt holder is disposed in a position to urge the carriage to one of the guide rail, and movable toward the guide rail relative to the carriage.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printhead carrier for mounting a printhead cartridge. The printhead carrier includes a carrier back wall having an upper portion. A back portion of a printhead cartridge cradle is connected to the carrier back wall. A first proximal end of a latch lever is pivotably attached to a front portion of the printhead cartridge cradle. The latch lever has at least one cam follower, with each cam follower being located near the first distal end of the latch lever. A second proximal end of a carrier lid is pivotably attached to the upper portion of the carrier back wall. Each cam of the carrier lid is formed near a second distal end of the carrier lid, and each cam is positioned for progressive engagement by a corresponding cam follower as the latch lever is moved from an open position toward a latched position.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a body housing a print engine. The print engine is configured to transport and print upon print media. A retractable cover is pivotally mounted relative to the body and is able to be pivoted to form a guide which can guide print media to the print engine for printing. A support is configured to support the print media guided to the print engine. The support is pivotally mounted relative to the cover so that the support can be retracted between the cover and the body.

Abstract: A print head carriage for holding a print head in a printing system includes a print head carriage framework having a plurality of print head positioning references for defining a position of the print head onto the print head carriage framework, and a cooling channel in thermal contact with the print head carriage framework for controlling the temperature of the print head carriage framework such that the positional stability of the plurality of print head positioning references on the print head carriage framework is preserved.

Abstract: A carriage system for a printing apparatus is disclosed. The carriage system includes a movable carriage for carrying at least one ink pen, a carriage rod on which the carriage is rotatably mounted, an anti-rotation rail that is adjacent to one end of the carriage to prevent the rotation of the carriage in one direction, and a spring-loaded preloader coupled to an underside of the carriage to prevent the rotation of the carriage in the opposite direction and to urge the carriage against the anti-rotation rail. The preloader includes a preloader body made of a nonmetallic material, a roller operable to roll along a surface below the carriage, and a resilient spring.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printhead carrier for mounting a printhead cartridge. The printhead carrier includes a carrier back wall having an upper portion. A back portion of a printhead cartridge cradle is connected to the carrier back wall. A first proximal end of a latch lever is pivotably attached to a front portion of the printhead cartridge cradle. The latch lever has at least one cam follower, with each cam follower being located near the first distal end of the latch lever. A second proximal end of a carrier lid is pivotably attached to the upper portion of the carrier back wall. Each cam of the carrier lid is formed near a second distal end of the carrier lid, and each cam is positioned for progressive engagement by a corresponding cam follower as the latch lever is moved from an open position toward a latched position.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a first guide member having a first sliding surface; a second guide member having another first sliding surface; and a carriage being supported by the first sliding surfaces of the first and second guide members. The carriage includes first sliding convex parts protruding from a lower surface side thereof and coming in contact with the first sliding surfaces of the first and second guide members, and a coming-out preventing pawl disposed to hold at least one of the first and second guide members in cooperation with the first sliding convex part. At least one of the first and second guide members includes a notch part at a specified position, and the carriage is detachable from the first and second guide members by causing the coming-out preventing pawl to pass through the notch part.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a mid-frame for supporting the sheet of print media. A unitary carrier support frame is positioned above the mid-frame. The unitary carrier support frame defines a first guide member and a second guide member, wherein a longitudinal extent of each of the first guide member and the second guide member is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet feed direction. A printhead carrier is provided having a first bearing member for engaging the first guide member, and a second bearing member for engaging the second guide member.

Abstract: An inkjet printer with a cutting head comprises a linear motion rail, and a linear motion block slidably provided on the linear motion rail. An inkjet head carriage holding an inkjet head and a cutting head carriage holding a cutting head are fixed to the linear motion block through respective mounting parts and moved along the linear motion rail.

Abstract: A scanning system for use in inspecting or writing on a substrate minimizes vibrations by applying movement-actuating forces directly between a carriage and a countermass which are both free to move along parallel tracks. Forces for decelerating and accelerating the scanning carriage are preferably applied along a minor part of a length of movement of the carriage. The carriage is then isolated from forces applied parallel to the track while moving along a major part of its length of movement. As a result, the carriage travels smoothly with approximately uniform speed during it's operative pass, without suffering from vibrations introduced by direct closed-loop feedback control.

Abstract: A carriage including a printing component support and a pair of bushings having an inner region with at least three spaced rail contact regions separated by respective non-contact regions.

Abstract: An apparatus provided with a carriage is guided and supported by at least two guide members, a guide shaft and a guide rail, arranged to be parallel to each other to enable the carriage to reciprocate. The guide members are arranged apart from each other substantially in the vertical direction, and the horizontal distance L1 between each guide member and the gravitational center of the carriage is arranged to be larger than the vertical interval L2 between the contact portions of the carriage and each guide member. With the structure thus arranged, it is possible to maximize the reduction of the swinging or vibration of a carriage so that the apparatus provided with the carriage can effect reciprocal scanning exactly and stably, thus realizing a small and high-performance apparatus that records images in high precision or reads highly precise images.

Abstract: A compliant belt attach assembly for use in a printer includes a belt attach and a drive belt having a drive lug. The belt attach defines a lug chamber for containing the drive lug of the drive belt. First and second drive bars are configured to contact the first and second sides of the drive lug to allow drive lug deformation in response to vibration transmitted by the drive belt.

Abstract: An arrangement for guiding a printhead fixed on a carriage, said carriage provided with plain bearings which are in sliding contact with a set of substantially parallel guide rods, wherein a first plain bearing is in contact with a first guide rod and a second plain bearing is in contact with a second guide rod, the second plain bearing being movably fixed to the carriage by means of a resilient element, wherein he resilient element allows substantially no movement of the second plain bearing with respect to the carriage in a direction parallel to the guide rods.

Abstract: A print head transport mechanism of a postage meter for printing postal indicia which are of greater height than a printing height of a print head comprises a carriage to traverse the print head in a first direction over a band of a print receiving area and a guide to displace the print head from a home position to an index position during a second traverse of the print head in a reverse direction whereby the print head traverses over a second band, adjacent the first band, of the print receiving area during the second traverse.

Abstract: A scanning device such as a printer has a trapezoidal carriage support beam which permits a compact juxtaposition of the carriage slider rod, the printhead, a drive belt and an encoder device. A second slider mounting for the printer carriage includes a bushing incorporating a part-spherical portion and an arm which engage with corresponding parts of the carriage.

Abstract: A print carriage assembly for an ink jet printer. The print carriage assembly includes a print carriage slidably supported on a printer slider rod, and a sub-carriage that is separate from the printer carriage and slidably supported on the printer slider rod for pushing the printer carriage.

Abstract: A carriage including a printing component support and a pair of bushings having an inner region with at least three spaced rail contact regions separated by respective non-contact regions.

Abstract: A carriage slider rod is mounted on a steel beam by means of brass support elements. The support elements are first riveted to the beam and then have precisely aligned V-shape grooves machined therein to provide accurate location for the slider rod. The slider rod is screwed to the beam using central bores passing through the support elements. To fix the support elements to the beam, they are first located in respective apertures and then deformed by a clenching tool, one jaw of which passes through an adjacent aperture in the bottom wall of the beam.

Abstract: A positioning system for a carriage in a printing system includes a support plate having a groove along a length of the plate, and a rail positioned along the groove. A first adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the position of the rail in a first direction, and a second adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the position of the rail in a second direction that is substantially normal to the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the field of ink-jet printers used for color printing of large format articles This invention is used for improving quality and for increasing the yield of printers and comprises successively applying primary colors, suppressing color aberrations when printing a semi-transparent material on both sides, precisely positioning the head when printing an image on the substrate and eliminating the lines connecting the carriage to the systems supplying control signals, air and inks. To this end, the carriage with the jet heads is moved in one direction along a closed guiding rail which is fitted with a hatched ruler for precise positioning, wherein the heads will thus bypass the substrate on both sides while information is transmitted from the device control unit to the carriage using a radio transceiver. The printer can further be equipped with two independent and parallel substrate feeding systems for performing a one-sided printing on two substrates at the same time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is cutting assembly for use with a label printer. The cutting assembly includes: a cutting assembly frame; a plotter cutter for plotter cutting a label media, the plotter cutter connected to the cutting assembly frame; an end cutter for end cutting the label media, the end cutter connected to the cutting assembly frame; and a drive mechanism connected to the plotter cutter and the end cutter. During end cutting, the plotter cutter is coupled to the end cutter such that both the plotter cutter and end cutter are driven by the drive mechanism. During plotter cutting, the plotter cutter is uncoupled from the end cutter such that only the plotter cutter is driven by the drive mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the spacing in a printer between a printhead and the travel path for print media which moves through the printer. The printhead is borne by a carriage which is rotatably mounted adjacent an elongate bearing rail wherein the rotated condition of the carriage relative to that rail establishes the desired spacing. First and second relative moveable bearing structures mounted on the carriage include bearing surfaces which can alternatively adjust the bearing structures so that one or the other, but not both, determine the rotated condition of the carriage.

Abstract: An assembly including a carriage for driving a marking apparatus on at least one guide member wherein the carriage is secured to a bearing allowing the carriage to slide on the guide member. The carriage includes at least one opening made with transverse dimensions substantially greater than those of the guide member so that when the carriage is placed in position, an intermediate space is defined between the walls of the opening and an opposite outer periphery of the guide member which space is filled with a polymerizable resin which forms a bearing sleeve between the walls of the opening and at least a part of the outer periphery of the guide member.

Abstract: A printer carriage has a bushing liner arranged to slide on a rod, the liner including a metal body with plastic inserts having, on their inside surfaces, ribs, which constitute the bearings of the bushing liner. The inserts are located in grooves of the metallic body by means of an injection moulding process. The external surface of the bushing liner comprises a plurality of flat and curved sections arranged asymmetrically to permit firm and accurate location in an aperture of the carriage.

Abstract: A carriage including a printing component support and a pair of bushings having an inner region with at least three spaced rail contact regions separated by respective non-contact regions.

Abstract: A printhead carrier assembly in an ink jet printer includes a carrier moving along a linear path. At least one rotatable bearing is attached to the carrier. The at least one rotatable bearing has at least one axis of rotation. A rotatable shaft has a surface in contact with the at least one bearing such that the shaft is nonparallel to the at least one axis of rotation of the at least one rotatable bearing. The shaft is substantially parallel to the linear path of the carrier. Rotation of the shaft causes the at least one rotatable bearing to roll along a helical path on the surface of the shaft to thereby carry the carrier along the linear path.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including a print carriage and a latching assembly for latching print cartridges in the print carriage. The print cartridge includes a latch feature on a top wall of the cartridge body, and the latching assembly includes a latch arm hingeably attached to a cartridge receiving chute of the print carriage, a clamp structure supported by the latch arm for applying a first clamp force and a second clamp force to the cartridge latch feature generally along respective orthogonal axes and independently of each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved wide format color digital print engine, and in particular to a drum-based large format digital ink jet print engine having a vertically articulated carriage portion which carries both the print heads and an imaging array, adjustable saber angles for print heads, a novel service station, and an extremely robust weight-bearing carriage architecture. In particular, the present invention provides a highly manufacturable print engine benefiting from a discrete few controlled mounting locations so that accurate mounting of the cooperating sub-assemblies allow a very stable carriage assembly for driving said carriage laterally with respect to a printing medium coupled to the exterior of a drum.

Abstract: A carriage assembly of a printer employing a movable print head is disclosed. In the carriage assembly, bosses provided with respective bearing supporting holes each inner circumferential surface of which has a predetermined radius of curvature are formed at a side of a carriage, and bearing bushings each of which has an outer circumferential surface having a different predetermined radius of curvature corresponding to that of the bearing supporting hole, and makes a spherical pair with the bearing supporting hole. A shaft through-hole through which a guiding rod is inserted slidably is formed through each bearing bush. The bearing bushing can rotate freely in the bearing supporting hole, and therefore, the axes of the carriage assembly and the guiding rod can be aligned automatically.

Abstract: A carriage including a printing component support and a pair of bushings having an inner region with at least three spaced rail contact regions separated by respective non-contact regions.