Abstract: A centrifugal blower includes a centrifugal fan having a fan wheel that is configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The centrifugal blower includes a blower housing having a first side panel, a second side panel, and a wall extending about the rotational axis and between the first and second side panels. The centrifugal blower also includes a cutoff plate that is configured to extend about the rotational axis, where the cutoff plate includes a first end with a flange having a camber geometry and a second end that is configured to overlap with the wall such that an amount of overlap between the second end and the wall is adjustable to adjust a position of the flange relative to the fan wheel. The centrifugal blower further includes an exhaust port defined by the first side panel, the second side panel, the wall, and the flange.

Abstract: A printer carriage comprises a sensor to be actuated when an actuation member coupled to the sensor contacts a raised portion in a printing target. A vertical position of the actuation member may be adjusted with respect to the printer carriage.

Abstract: A medium conveyance device includes a first loading base that has a first loading surface formed thereon and is movably supported on a main body, a second loading base that has a second loading surface formed thereon and is movably supported on the first loading base so that the second loading surface is positioned next to with the first loading surface and so that the second loading surface overlaps with the first loading surface, a mechanism that converts motion of the first loading base into motion of the second loading base so that the second loading base is arranged in a position corresponding to a position in which the first loading base is arranged, and an elastic member that is elastically deformed when the second loading base is not arranged in a position corresponding to a position in which the first loading base is arranged.

Abstract: Measuring the thickness of a print media supported by a platen or belt by: moving a measurement bar to a first position to contact a surface of the platen or belt, moving the measurement bar to a second position to contact a surface of the print media when supported by the platen or belt, and determining the spatial difference between the first and second positions such as to measure the thickness of the print media. The measurement bar is arranged to cover a width of the print media when supported by the platen or belt.

Abstract: A carriage device includes a first guide member and a second guide member for supporting a carriage with a head mounted thereon at two separate positions and guiding reciprocation of the carriage, a first adjustment unit configured to adjust a height of the carriage relative to the first guide member through movement of the carriage, and a second adjustment unit configured to adjust a height of the carriage relative to the second guide member through the movement of the carriage. The carriage device can sequentially perform a first operation of changing the height of the carriage by the first adjustment unit and a second operation of changing the height of the carriage by the second adjustment unit.

Abstract: A printer includes a printhead, a platen, a carriage, a carriage moving mechanism configured to move the carriage between an opposing position at which the printhead faces the platen and a standby position at which the printhead does not face the platen, a head moving mechanism configured to move the printhead between a first head position and a second head position when the carriage is at the opposing position, and a sensor. A first gap between the printhead and the platen when the printhead is at the first head position is smaller than a second gap between the printhead and the platen when the printhead is at the second head position. The sensor is configured to detect whether the carriage is at the opposing position and the printhead is at the second head position, or not.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit that ejects an ink from a nozzle to a sheet transported, an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height position of the liquid ejecting unit by moving the liquid ejecting unit, a cap capable of tightly closing a space that the nozzle faces, and a moving mechanism that moves the cap between a tightly closing position and a non-tightly closing position. The adjustment mechanism includes a pivot shaft provided along a width direction, a plurality of cams that moves the liquid ejecting unit by pivoting together with the pivot shaft and contacting the liquid ejecting unit, and an engaging portion capable of pivoting together with the pivot shaft and engaging with an engaged portion that is provided on the liquid ejecting apparatus.

Abstract: A printer includes a carriage mounted with a head including a nozzle that discharges ink onto a recording medium, a lever including a first end that contacts a surface of the recording medium. The lever is disposed such that an inclination of the lever relative to a vertical direction of the surface changes based on a thickness of the recording medium. The printer further includes a cam that changes an orientation of the carriage based on the inclination of the lever.

Abstract: A method is described for making a partially transparent thin film solar panel based on transparent glass or plastic substrates by creating an array of small light transmitting apertures through all the opaque layers by using an ink jet print head to apply droplets of an etching fluid to the top electrode layer to form apertures in the electrode layer. These apertures may then be used as a contact mask for etching holes though the underlying active layer (if this is opaque). In this second stage, the etchant may be applied using an ink jet print head or by spraying or the panel may be immersed in the etchant.

Abstract: An inkjet printing head prints an image on a printing medium located at a printing position facing the printing head, by a printing operation in which the printing head ejects ink onto the printing medium, and the printing head is capable of resuming the printing operation after suspension of the printing operation. A supporting unit supports the printing medium on which the image is printed by the printing head, and an adjusting unit is capable of adjusting a facing distance between the printing head and the supporting unit. A control unit controls the adjusting unit so that the facing distance is greater than that during the printing of a printed image, in case the printing operation is resumed and the printed image moves relative to the printing position. The control unit controls the adjusting unit based on the time elapsed between the suspension of the printing operation and the resumption of the printing operation, so that the facing distance is greater as the elapsed time is longer.

Abstract: A sensing method and system to protect printer print heads from substrate media contact comprising a trip wire sensor to detect and signal a printer control system that substrate media carried by transport media is positioned to strike or contact the print head. The trip wire sensor is located upstream of the print heads, a controlled distance above the transport media in the direction normal to the plane of the media, and comprises a trip wire operatively connected to at least one transducer. Substrate media exceeding the height requirements associated with the print heads contact the trip wire sensor causing the generation of an electrical signal which is received by the printer control system which then takes corrective action to prevent damage to the print heads, for example, by raising the print heads further away from the transport media and allowing the non-conforming substrate media to pass through and be purged.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a handheld device comprising an input/output (I/O) module configured to at least one of print and scan images on a surface adjacent to the handheld device, a position module operatively coupled with the I/O module to determine at least one of a position and a velocity of the handheld device, and a filter coupled to the I/O module to regulate a rate of deposition of a printing substance by the I/O module.

Abstract: An item handling system includes a transport system defining a transport plane, a printer assembly defining a printer plane, and a printer alignment system supporting the printer assembly. The printer alignment system includes a plurality of drive elements configured to move the printer assembly. A method of aligning a printer in the item handling system includes moving the printer assembly to a limit position of the printer alignment system distal from the transport system using the drive elements, moving the printer assembly to a limit position of the printer alignment system proximate to the transport system using the drive elements, and driving each of the drive elements at a respective predetermined level to place the printer plane in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the transport plane.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printhead, a carriage, one or more guide members, and a positioning mechanism. The printhead is mounted on the carriage. The one or more guide members support the carriage. The positioning mechanism includes an eccentric bearing and a rotation restrictor. The eccentric bearing is connected to each guide member and rotatable around a rotational axis offset from a guide member longitudinal axis to move the guide member relative to a substantially horizontal plane. The rotation restrictor defines a first point of contact with the eccentric bearing when the carriage is in a first operational position, and a second point of contact with the eccentric bearing when the carriage is in a second operational position. At least one of the first and second points of contact is displaceable with respect to the bearing rotational axis to modify the corresponding operational position of the carriage.

Abstract: An inkjet printer prevents the paper from lifting away from the platen when the suction action of the platen is stopped, and thereby prevents paper jams and other printing problems. The printer 1 conveys the printing paper 12a while holding the paper 12a to the surface of the platen 19 by a suction mechanism 50. After the automatic paper cutting operation is completed, the leading end part 12b of the printing paper 12a is retracted from the cutting position B to the printing start position A on the platen 19, and the printer 1 waits for the next print job with the printing paper 12a held against the platen 19. When a power conservation mode or power off mode is entered, the control unit 61 of the printer 1 advances the leading end part 12b of the printing paper 12a from the printing start position A to the cutting position B so that the paper is held by the downstream-side paper feed roller 34 and pressure roller 35, and then stops the power supply to the suction mechanism 50 of the platen 19.

Abstract: An inkjet printer with a frame and a printhead module further includes an adjusting piece and a pair of adjusting units, for adjusting a distance between the printhead module and a printing medium. An indicating portion and a scale portion are further disposed on the adjusting unit to indicate up-and-down moving amplitude of the adjusting piece. Thereby, the up-and-down moving amplitude of the printhead module is quantized, and the adjustment of the distance between the printhead module and the printing medium is precisely controlled.

Abstract: A printer having one roller of a transportation roller pair attached to cover renders the mechanism pressing the transportation roller pair together and the damping mechanism used when opening the cover using few parts, compactly, and at low cost. A damper spring 27 prevents the cover unit 3 of the printer 1 from opening suddenly and forcefully. A roller support lever 38 having the first follower roller 33b disposed to the distal end thereof is attached rotatably and movably to the cover unit 3. The roller support lever 38 is urged by the damper spring 27, and the first follower roller 33b on the distal end thereof is pressed to the first transportation roller 33a on the printer frame 11 side. The damper spring 27 functions as the damping mechanism when the cover unit 3 opens, and as the pressure mechanism of the first transportation roller pair 33 when the cover unit 3 is closed.

Abstract: A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention is a printer which transports a recording medium, provided with a plurality of laminated sheets, along a predetermined transport path including a curved portion. The printer is provided with a dot head for printing the recording medium, a platen roller which faces the dot head with the recording medium therebetween, and a feed guide which is located on the downstream side of the dot head and the platen roller with respect to the direction of transport and guides the recording medium in a manner such that the recording medium is bent in a direction opposite to that in which the curved portion is bent.

Abstract: A docking arrangement for establishing a gap between a first component and a second component comprises an adjustable spacer moveably positioned on the first component. The spacer defines a transverse channel and a cross pin extends through the transverse channel. The cross pin including a plurality of opposing surfaces with each of the opposing surfaces separated by a different distance. The cross pin further includes indicia representative of the different distances between the opposing surfaces. In at least one embodiment, the docking arrangement is configured for use in a printing machine with the spacer determining a gap between a print head mount and an imaging drum mount based on a selected set of the plurality of opposing surfaces.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes guide rails that each control the posture of a carriage at an arbitrary recording position by being in contact with the carriage. The guide rails are disposed on respective sides of a guide shaft in a direction in which a recording medium is conveyed. The length of a gap between the recording medium and the carriage is selectable between a case where the carriage is in contact with one of the guide rails and a case where the carriage is in contact with the other guide rail. Such a configuration provides a compact and low-cost recording apparatus capable of performing recording on recording media having various thicknesses by appropriately adjusting the gap between the carriage and any of the recording medium while maintaining the parallelism therebetween.

Abstract: A media processing device moves a first printhead in a direction away from a first platen and sets the gap L therebetween to a wide second gap until the magnetic ink character printing area of the recording medium passes the reading position. When this printing area on the recording medium passes the reading position A, the first printhead moves in the direction approaching the first platen, and the gap L therebetween is reset to a first gap that is narrower than the second gap. Because the gap L is wide during the magnetic ink character reading operation, the leading end of the recording medium when conveyed to a position passed the first printhead will not catch on the second printhead 19, and conveying the recording medium at a constant speed will not be impeded. The magnetic ink characters can therefore be accurately read.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide an apparatus and method for adjusting a gap in a printer. The apparatus includes the printer that has a print head transport shaft. The print head is slidably coupled to the transport shaft. The apparatus includes an adjusting plate comprising a groove. The adjusting plate is located at a first side of the printer. The adjusting plate is slidably coupled to the transport shaft via the groove. Moving the adjusting plate along a first axis changes a first position of the print head on the first side of the printer to form the gap. The first axis is perpendicular to the transport shaft. The apparatus also includes a spring. The spring biases the adjusting plate such that the groove is biased toward the transport shaft.

Abstract: A wide/super wide digital printer comprising a printer head box that reciprocates from left to right across a wide or super wide printing table having a length of up to 20 cm that is supported by a fixed support, and a feed roller and a guiding roller that are moveably coupled to the fixed support, wherein the wide/super wide digital printer is configurable as a roll to roll printer by lowering the feed roller and the guiding roller to a lowered configuration wherein uppermost parts of the feed roller and the guiding roller are below upper surface of printing table, or as a discontinuous sheet printer by raising the feed roller and the guiding roller to a raised configuration wherein the uppermost parts of the feed roller and the guiding roller are collinear with the upper surface of the printing table.

Abstract: A printing table for a flatbed printing machine, for example, a large format digital flatbed printing machine, has a printing table base and a printing table plate disposed on the printing table base. The printing table base is connected by several connecting elements to the printing table plate. The connecting elements permit movement of the printing table plate relative to the printing table base, in particular movement caused by thermal expansion, only in a direction parallel to the printing table surface and only proceeding from a certain area of the printing table plate, the area having a point or line form and being fixed relative to the printing table base.

Abstract: A method and a printer device capable of correctly processing a printing operation even when a user feeds particular paper, of which a front/back surface (printing surface) and a top/bottom direction (printing direction) are fixed, in a incorrect direction, by determining whether a current feeding direction of the paper is correct and rotating a printing direction by 180° before performing the printing operation if the feeding direction is incorrect.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is advantageous in miniaturization even though a mechanism for adjusting a head gap is included. The recording apparatus includes a carriage for detachably holding a cartridge, a platen for supporting one surface of a recording medium, and a conveying roller and an eject roller for conveying the recording medium. The platen is constructed so that it is rockable with an axis of the eject roller as a rotation center and is switchable between at least two positions.

Abstract: A dynamic registration device for a mailing system that reduces the problems of dust generation, ink smearing, and print head contact is provided. The biasing force normally applied to the back panel of a mail piece, such that the front panel maintains contact with a registration plate, is controlled by an actuator such that the force can be removed when the printing module is not performing the actual printing process. Thus, the biasing force can be applied only when the print head is actually printing and the biasing force can be removed once printing has been completed. In other embodiments utilizing multiple printing modules, when one of the printing modules is inactivated, the biasing force can be removed, and the mail pieces pass through the inactive printing module without being registered against the top registration plate.

Abstract: A platen gap adjustment assembly for a printing apparatus including a printer using the platen gap adjustment assembly to adjust the platen gap between a platen and a print head when printing on a print medium transported between the platen and the print head. The platen gap adjustment assembly includes a guide shaft, which slidably supports a carriage carrying the print head and a pair of mounting members each supporting the guide shaft. The mounting members have positioning engagement parts for holding or maintaining the position of an eccentric shaft in a given position which controls the position of the positioning engagement parts relative to the mounting members. An urging member urges one of the mounting members with the guide shaft fit therein in the direction for causing the positioning engagement parts into one of a given set of positions.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a jetting assembly including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets on a substrate moving relative to the jetting assembly, a mechanism for increasing the displacement of the jetting assembly relative to the substrate, and a sensor configured to activate the mechanism for increasing the displacement of the jetting assembly upon detecting a predetermined dimension of the substrate surface relative to the jetting assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a driving roller for transporting a medium; a follower roller disposed to face the driving roller for transporting the medium; a guide member for guiding the medium to change a transport direction thereof by an angle greater than 30°; and a rotational member disposed to be freely rotatable at a position corresponding to a side edge of the medium. Accordingly, after the driving roller and the follower roller transport the medium, when the medium contacts with the guide member, side edges of the medium contact with the guide member at an angle smaller than that of a center portion of the medium contacting with the guide member.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head for printing on a print medium and a platen which supports the print medium, and is located opposite to the print head. The print head is linearly moved along the print medium. The platen includes first and second end portions and an intermediate portion, and is formed of material having stiffness. The first and second end portions are located at respective ends of the platen in the moving direction of the print head, and the intermediate portion is located between the first and second end portions. The first and second end portions are supported by respective spring members, such that they can be elastically displaced in a direction toward or away from the print head. The intermediate portion is formed to be more easily warped than the first and second end portions.

Abstract: Methods for setting the print gap in a printer are disclosed. The printer has an eccentric platen wherein rotation of the platen changes the print gap distance. A driver controls the eccentric platen rotation, and a sensor may be used to determine the position of the motor and platen. The configuration of an eccentric platen and a driver having a position sensor enables measuring the thickness of a form at one or more locations to create a representative thickness profile of the form, which may be saved to the printer's computer memory and repeated when printing similar forms in the future, thus obviating the need to measure the thickness of every individual form.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for presenting a substrate/print media having favorable surface conditions and optimum spatial orientation for printing purposes. The apparatus/method includes a mechanism for maintaining the substrate/print media in a substantially orthogonal spatial orientation relative to the direction of ink deposition, and a pressurization device for developing a pressure differential across a face surface of the substrate/print media such that positive pressure is applied to a surface opposing the face surface. The pressurization device provides a cushion of air to support the substrate/print media during ink deposition. The apparatus/method may further include a system for transporting the substrate/print media beneath or across a print head assembly for in-line printing on a mailpiece.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (10) includes a carrier ribbon supply tool (12) and a carrier ribbon take-up spool (16), a print head (22) having a plurality of heating elements which are individually addressable and energizable selectively to remove pixels of marking medium from the carrier ribbon (14) during a printing operation, a first motor (13) which when the printing apparatus (10) is operated in a first configuration, moves the print head (22) during a printing operation relative to a substrate (15) on which an image is to be printed and when the (10) is operated in a second configuration, the first motor (13) moving the carrier ribbon (14) relative to the print head (22) during a printing operation, and there being a second motor (25) which is operative when the printing apparatus (10) is operated in the first and second configurations to advance carrier ribbon (14) from which pixels of marking medium have been removed in a previous printing operation, onto the carrier ribbon take-up spool (16), the printing ap

Abstract: A printer apparatus for printing data on paper traveling through the printer apparatus in a paper conveying direction. The printer apparatus includes a paper conveying portion including a driving roller and a driven roller, the driving roller and driven roller being moveable with respect to one another between an engaged position at which the driving roller and the driven roller are pressed together and a disengaged position at which the driving roller and the driven roller are separated; wherein the paper conveying portion is situated downstream, with respect to the paper conveying direction, from the location at which the data is printed on the paper; and wherein the driving roller and the driven roller are operative to pressingly sandwich the paper therebetween when the driving roller and the driven roller are in the engaged position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an upper part cover for covering the upper part of the body; a paper feeding portion disposed rearward of the upper part cover, into which paper is supplied; and a medium sensor disposed opposite the paper feeding portion, which judges the quality of paper; wherein a supporting portion molded integrally with the upper part cover for rotatably supporting the medium sensor is provided, and the medium sensor is provided with the first turning center supported on the supporting portion and the second turning center for rotatably holding the tip end portion at the free end side.

Abstract: There is described a roller assembly which may be utilized in a linear or serial printer. The roller assembly includes a platen roller including a central axle being exposed at opposing ends of the roller and a frame for mounting the platen at both exposed axle ends.

Abstract: A reliable detection of optically detecting the type of recording media is achieved. A part of a support member for supporting an optical sensor is pushed against the surface of a sheet by a spring so as to maintain the gap between the sensor and the sheet surface. With this arrangement, a recording apparatus which is free from wrong detection is achieved regardless of a gap-varying factor, that is, the remaining amount of sheets. Also, by arranging a part of a light-shielding hood so as to abut against the sheet, wrong detection due to disturbance light can be prevented.

Abstract: Provided is an ink-jet printer comprising a carriage, which is rotatably installed on a guide shaft and includes a stacking portion on which an ink cartridge is stacked, and a balancing portion installed on a side opposite to the stacking portion, so as to move in a straight reciprocating motion along the guide shaft; and a head gap adjusting apparatus, which is rotatably installed in the balancing portion and adjusts a head gap by rotating the carriage centering on the guide shaft according to a thickness of a printing medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus of a low-cost and simple construction which can detect with high reliability a gap between a print medium and a print head mounted on a carriage. The ink jet printing apparatus, which reciprocally moves in a predetermined scan direction the carriage holding the print head for ejecting ink onto the print medium, includes a gap changing mechanism for changing the gap between the print head held in the carriage and the print medium and a control unit for controlling a driving of the gap changing mechanism and a reciprocal movement of the carriage, wherein the control unit drives the gap changing mechanism and reciprocally moves the carriage to check the operation state of the gap changing mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus of a low-cost and simple construction which can detect with high reliability a gap between a print medium and a print head mounted on a carriage. The ink jet printing apparatus, which reciprocally moves in a predetermined scan direction the carriage holding the print head for ejecting ink onto the print medium, includes a gap changing mechanism for changing the gap between the print head held in the carriage and the print medium and a control unit for controlling a driving of the gap changing mechanism and a reciprocal movement of the carriage, wherein the control unit drives the gap changing mechanism and reciprocally moves the carriage to check the operation state of the gap changing mechanism.

Abstract: In a platen gap adjustment device, a stable area detection device for a platen gap formed between ahead and an upper surface of a platen, wherein the carriage guide shaft is moved relatively to the platen so that the platen gap is adjusted by driving the drive motor to rotate the gap adjuster cam, the gap adjuster cam is configured so as to provide a plurality of stable areas and a plurality transition areas; and wherein a stable area detection sensor is provided so as to face to a rotational member which rotates synchronously with the gap adjuster cam, and a detection object in correspondence with the stable areas of the platen gap is provided on the rotational member.

Abstract: A portable label printing system for printing on a variety of materials is disclosed. A retractable platen roller cooperates with a self-aligning print head in three planes cooperates for proper label printing registration. A display screen allows the user to view precisely what the actual label and associated indicia will look like when printed on a selected label. In addition, the printing system includes an optical sensor positioned to sense data marks on the backside of a label, located on a label supply roll, allowing the printing system to identify the label specifications and make necessary adjustments to affect print quality. Reverse feed of the label supply roll is possible. The label printing system further comprises a communication port for cooperation with various devices, such as online databases and computers.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which can eliminate the necessity of issuing a head-sheet gap setting command from a digital camera even during camera direct printing, and can positively prevent a recording medium from being rubbed by a recording head and becoming tainted. A head-sheet gap adjusting device carries out adjustment of the head-sheet gap between the recording head and the recording medium according to a command from an information processing apparatus. A CPU receives a temporary command effective for one printing and a setting command which stores a setting status of the printing apparatus. When the head-sheet gap is set by the setting command, the CPU causes the head-sheet gap adjusting device to carry out the adjustment according to the head-sheet gap set by the setting command, and performs printing, while ignoring the head-sheet gap designated by the temporary command.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lightweight portable printer having a frame or housing with a print head and a cooperable platen roll mounted in the housing. The housing pivotally mounts a subassembly. The subassembly mounts an electric motor and gearing driven by the motor for driving the platen roll. The subassembly is resiliently urged to press the print head against the platen roll. The printer has a front door which provides access to the inside of the housing. The front door mounts the platen roll, a label delaminator, a pressure roll, a holder for mounting a supply roll of labels or tags, and a latch for latching the door to the housing and for camming the pressure roll into and out of cooperation with the platen roll.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal printer in which, even if a pair of head supporting members for supporting a thermal head composed of a line head has a positional error, the thermal head can be automatically adjusted to uniformly pressure-contact with a platen roller. A rotation supporting portion of a head supporting member is formed in a hole shape elongated in a direction parallel to a direction where a thermal head contacts with or separates from a platen roller. One end of each of the head supporting members is supported by a main body case so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the direction where the thermal head contacts with or separates from the platen roller.

Abstract: A printer unit comprises a first positioning mechanism and a second positioning mechanism for positioning a platen with respect to a print head when a cover frame is closed. The first positioning mechanism is constituted to restrict a change in the position of the platen to a rotation around a first positioning fulcrum, such as a lock pin. The second positioning mechanism is constituted to restrict the rotation of the platen around a first positioning fulcrum by abutment on a second positioning fulcrum, such as a lock lever spindle.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a disc tray which is contained in the recording device and on which a DVD disc is to be placed, a select switch for switching between a protruding state and an accommodated state of the disc tray, and a sheet feed tray on which recording sheets are placed and which are disposed substantially parallel to the disc tray, wherein the select switch, the sheet feed tray and the disc tray are operated on the front side of the ink jet recording apparatus. Further, a disc tray is movable in a printing direction and a tray discharge direction. When the disc tray is loaded into or unloaded from the recording device, the disc tray is transported in the tray discharge direction to move to outside an ink jet recording device. In other cases than the above case, the disc tray is accommodated in the ink jet recording device. Thus, the disc tray is transported into two directions.

Abstract: A dynamic registration device for a mailing system that reduces the problems of dust generation, ink smearing, and print head contact is provided. The biasing force normally applied to the back panel of a mail piece, such that the front panel maintains contact with a registration plate, is controlled by an actuator such that the force can be removed when the printing module is not performing the actual printing process. Thus, the biasing force can be applied only when the print head is actually printing and the biasing force can be removed once printing has been completed. In other embodiments utilizing multiple printing modules, when one of the printing modules is inactivated, the biasing force can be removed, and the mail pieces pass through the inactive printing module without being registered against the top registration plate.

Abstract: A printing zone arrangement for an inkjet printer of the type having an inkjet type printing mechanism comprising at least one nozzle for printing ink onto at least one surface of print media is provided. The printing zone arrangement comprises first and second sets of opposed rollers that engage opposite sides of print media to define a printing zone therebetween. The print media is engaged by the rollers so that it is tensioned and unsupported through the printing zone. The printing zone is arranged adjacent the printing mechanism of the printer so that the nozzle of the printing mechanism is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm from the respective print media surface.