Abstract: Example implementations relate to a printer comprising at least one printhead, carried by a carriage, to print onto a substrate, a surface to support the substrate; the surface comprising a plurality of platens associated with an elongate member; each platen having an upper planar surface forming part of the surface for supporting the medium and being adjustable to vary a characteristic of the upper planar surface to influence a distance between the upper planar surface and the at least one printhead.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing unit to eject a liquid to an object to be printed in a first direction to perform printing, a placement unit on which the object is placed, and a detection unit capable of detecting a position of the object in the first direction in a noncontact manner. A control unit performs a first detection which changes relative positions of the placement unit and the detection unit in the first direction and on a plane intersecting the first direction before the printing on the object to detect, by the detection unit, the object placed on the placement unit, and the control unit performs a second detection which changes the relative positions of the placement unit and the detection unit on the plane during the printing on the object to detect, by the detection unit, the object placed on the placement unit.

Abstract: A table device and a printing apparatus are provided. The table device includes a X-shaped link member in which two long members are turnably coupled in an X-shape, an expansion/contraction mechanism that expands/contracts with at least a pair of X-shaped link members arranged facing each other, a table that is disposed on one end side of the expansion/contraction mechanism and moves in the expansion/contraction direction of the expansion/contraction mechanism, a support member disposed on the other end side of the expansion/contraction mechanism, a coupling member that couples the opposing long members of the long members forming the expansion/contraction mechanism and moves with the expansion/contraction of the expansion/contraction mechanism, and a regulating member that regulates a fluctuation of the coupling member that moves when the expansion/contraction mechanism expands/contracts.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a moving body provided with a liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid from nozzles; a guide frame which guides the moving body in a moving direction; an urging member which urges the guide frame toward a side opposite to gravity direction; and a base frame which is provided with a first support unit which supports the guide frame, in which the first support unit regulates a displacement of the guide frame in the antigravity direction due to the urging member using abutment, and the guide frame is supported by the base frame in a state in which the guide frame can be displaced toward a gravity direction side with a gap between the base frame and the guide frame.

Abstract: A conveying device includes: opposed first and second rollers disposed to a first path; a roller holder supporting the second roller and movable between a first position where the second roller contacts the first roller and a second position where the second roller is spaced apart from the first roller; and opposed first and second guide members defining a second path merged with the first path. The first guide member is movable between a third position where the first guide member is spaced apart from the second guide member at a predetermined distance and a fourth position where their distance is less than the predetermined distance. The first guide member includes a guide portion for contacting and moving the roller holder from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the first guide member from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: A device for adjusting gap between platen and print head includes a base, a printing unit, a platen and a pair of adjusting elements. The printing unit is located on the base and includes a print head. The platen is located between the printing unit and the base, in which the platen has a platen-portion and a pair of adjusting-portions, the adjusting-portions are disposed at opposite sides of the platen-portion, and each of the adjusting-portions has a step-guiding-surface. The adjusting elements are disposed beside the platen and correspondingly contact the step-guiding-surfaces of the adjusting-portions, in which the distance between the platen and the print head is varied with positions of the adjusting elements relative to the step-guiding-surfaces.

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: An image recording apparatus including: a first convey path; a support member which supports a first recording medium, a second recording medium, and a tray; a second convey path connected to the first convey path; a first guide member partly defining the second convey path; and a posture change mechanism which changes the support member and the first guide member between (a) a first posture in which the first convey path has a height allowing the first recording medium to pass therethrough, and the second convey path has a height allowing the first recording medium to pass therethrough and (b) a second posture in which the first convey path has a height larger than the first height and allowing the second recording medium or the tray to pass therethrough, and the second convey path has a height smaller than the second height.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: a first convey path; a support member which supports a first recording medium, a second recording medium, and a tray; a second convey path connected to the first convey path; a first guide member partly defining the second convey path; and a posture change mechanism which changes the support member and the first guide member between (a) a first posture in which the first convey path has a height allowing the first recording medium to pass therethrough, and the second convey path has a height allowing the first recording medium to pass therethrough and (b) a second posture in which the first convey path has a height larger than the first height and allowing the second recording medium or the tray to pass therethrough, and the second convey path has a height smaller than the second height.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the spacing between a portion of a printhead and a portion of a media support in a printing system. The spacing is easily adjustable at least at the time of manufacture for locking a printhead at a selected distance from the media support. A rotatable variable spacer is abutted against an anti-rotation rail to lock into place the printhead at the selected distance.

Abstract: A method for printing information on a print medium, such as a mailpiece, that includes determining a thickness of the medium while it is being transported toward a print head, such as an ink jet print head, causing the distance between the top surface of the medium the print head when the medium is located below the print head to be within a specified range based on the determined thickness, and printing the information on the print medium. Also, an apparatus includes a printing station having a print head, a transport mechanism for transporting the medium toward the printing station, and a thickness measuring mechanism. The apparatus is structured to cause the distance between the top surface of the medium and a portion of the print head when the medium is located below the print head to be within a specified distance range based on the thickness of the medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods which employ a movable platen and associated print head which travel in a same direction to interact with a same surface of an item to be printed upon are shown. The movable platen according to embodiments includes a printing orifice through which the print head may interact with a surface of an item for printing. The movable platen preferably engages the surface of the item and applies a pressure thereto sufficient to substantially flatten the surface. Embodiments implement a print head platen which engages the surface of the item to be printed to provide flattening of the surface localized to the print head. A printer assembly of embodiments may not employ a lower platen or other structure to support an item to be printed, thereby facilitating the use of the printer with respect to any size of item.

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: An image forming device includes a recording head including a nozzle face, in which the recording head is configured to dispense ink onto a recording medium to form an image thereon. The device also includes a supporting member which faces the nozzle face and is configured to support the recording medium, and an ink receiving portion which is positioned on the supporting member and faces the nozzle face. The ink receiving portion includes a first plurality guides, and a second plurality of guides. Each of the first plurality of guides and each of the second plurality of guides includes a guide face and is configured to guide the ink dispensed from the recording head. Moreover, the guide face includes a first portion and a second portion, and a first distance between the first portion and the nozzle face is less than a second distance between the second portion and the nozzle face.

Abstract: A holding member is provided in a gap between a plurality of elements of a unit in a non-usage state to maintain a relative position between the plurality of elements, and is removed from the gap to put the unit into a usage state. The holding member includes an attaching portion, a filament, a panel, and a block. The attaching portion is inserted in the gap between the plurality of elements. The attaching portion includes a first parallel portion, a second parallel portion, and a connecting portion to connect one end of the first parallel portion with one end of the second parallel portion. One end of the filament is attached to the attaching portion. The panel is attached to another end of the filament. The block connects another end of the first parallel portion with another end of the second parallel portion.

Abstract: A credential production device is disclosed. The credential production device includes a frame and a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a support member, a pivotable coupling, a printhead and an actuation mechanism. The support member has a first end and a second end. The pivotable coupling attaches the first end of the support member to the frame. The printhead is coupled to the second end of the support member. The actuation mechanism is coupled to the support member between the first end and the second end. The actuation mechanism is configured to pivot the support member about the frame to move the printhead form an idle position to a print position.

Abstract: A print engine assembly includes an elongate chassis. A pair of bearing moldings is operatively mounted to either end of the chassis. A printhead assembly is mounted within the chassis. The printhead assembly includes an elongate printhead having a plurality of ink printing integrated circuits (IC's) each disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. Each IC overlaps adjacent IC's to enable continuous printing of ink along the printhead. A feed mechanism is mounted to the bearing moldings, and is configured to feed print media beneath the printhead during printing and then through the slot.

Abstract: In a printer, page thickness is compensated for by measuring a displacement between a printhead and a print media support surface. A sensor flag engages a surface of said print media and provides an indication to an optical sensor of the displacement. The print media support surface may be a platen having a non-constant radius such that rotation of the platen adjusts the displacement between a contact surface of the platen and a the printhead.

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: The platen bearings 52a, 52b attached to the shaft end parts 51a, 51b of the removable platen roller 5 are pressed by lock levers 8a, 8b to bearing insertion slots 7a, 7b that are formed in the main frame 3 of the thermal printer 1 so that the positions of the platen bearings 52a, 52b are determined by two points A, B on the main frame and one point C on the lock lever.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage for reciprocal movement while carrying a recording head for effecting recording by ejecting ink; a platen for supporting recording material at a position opposed to the recording head; a changing member for changing a distance between the recording head and the platen; a detecting member, provided on the carriage, for detecting recording positional deviation by reading a pattern recorded on a recording material by the recording head; a member to be detected that is movable with an operation of the changing member; and a discriminating unit for discriminating a distance between the recording head and the platen by detecting a state of the member to be detected by the detecting member.

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: A printer is provided comprising an elongate printhead for printing across the pagewidth of print media, a rotatable, elongate platen arranged to support the print media being printed on by the printhead, a sensor for sensing a thickness of the print media, and a controller arranged to rotate the platen. The platen can support the print media at a plurality of predetermined distances from the printhead with the rotation of the platen providing selection of the plurality of predetermined distances. The controller rotates the platen in response to the sensed print media thickness so as to select a predetermined distance of the plurality of predetermined distances which accommodates the print media.

Abstract: A pagewidth drop on demand printer includes a printhead having an array of fixed printing nozzles thereon. A platen (14) having a platen surface upon which a sheet rides to receive ink from the printing nozzles is situated alongside the nozzles. A sensor (88) is provided to measure an offset of the print surface of the sheet with respect to the printing nozzles and means is provided effecting movement of the platen to alter the offset. This is typically done by making a compensatory rotation of the platen.

Abstract: A printer for printing between a print roller and a print head having a print head alignment system is provided. The print head alignment system includes a print roller assembly, a print head support assembly and an actuating assembly. The print roller assembly includes at least one stop and a print roller mounted thereto. The print head support assembly includes a print head mounted thereto and at least one detent, a surface of the detent engaging a surface of the stop to maintain alignment of the print head with the print roller. The actuating assembly is associated with one of the print head support assembly and the print roller assembly to separate the detent and the stop before moving one the print head and print roller to provide an access space between the print head and the print roller for allowing print media to be removed and inserted.

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: 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 pagewidth drop on demand printer includes a printhead having an array of fixed printing nozzles thereon. A platen having a platen surface upon which a sheet rides to receive ink from the printing nozzles is situated alongside the nozzles. A sensor is provided to measure an offset of the print surface of the sheet with respect to the printing nozzles and means is provided effecting movement of the platen to alter the offset. This is typically done by making a compensatory rotation of the platen.

Abstract: A document feeder device is disclosed. The document feeder device includes a frame, a first roller shaft coupled to the frame, and a second roller shaft coupled to the frame. The first shaft is cantilevered. The document feeder device further includes a bearing coupled to the first roller shaft. The bearing has an eccentric shape and the eccentric shape allows the bearing to be rotated such that the position of the first roller shaft stays parallel to a second roller shaft. As a result, rollers attached to the first and second roller shafts are kept aligned so that they reliably feed documents through a printer. The document feeder device decreases production costs by eliminating the need for additional frame hardware and/or more rigid frame hardware.

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: The present invention provides a printer having a platen, a chassis sidewall and an attachment portion connecting the platen to the chassis sidewall. The attachment portion biases the platen toward the chassis sidewall.

Abstract: A head gap adjusting apparatus used with an ink-jet printer, in which there are provided a pair of carrier shaft lifting parts disposed upon a chassis to adjust the head gap between a paper and a print head by converting a force of horizontal motion to a force of vertical motion and transmit the converted force to a carrier shaft. Each of the carrier shaft lifting parts includes the following elements. A vertical opening is formed in the chassis to guide the end of the carrier shaft to be movable up and down. An elastic supporting member elastically supporting the carrier shaft within the vertical opening to prevent the carrier shaft from being freely moved during movements of the carrier for carrying out a printing. A horizontal moving device is for enabling an end of the carrier shaft to move up and down within the vertical opening against the elastic forces of the elastic supporting member during the horizontal movements thereof.

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 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: A pagewidth drop on demand printer includes a printhead having an array of fixed printing nozzles thereon. A platen having a platen surface upon which a sheet rides to receive ink from the printing nozzles is situated alongside the nozzles. A sensor is provided to measure an offset of the print surface of the sheet with respect to the printing nozzles and means is provided effecting movement of the platen to alter the offset. This is typically done by making a compensatory rotation of the platen.

Abstract: A print head is provided in a casing of a printing apparatus having a housing section which houses continuous paper therein, to perform printing on the continuous paper. A platen roller has a platen shaft rotatably supported on a cover of the printing apparatus which is pivotably supported on the casing to open or close the housing section. The platen roller being abutted against the print head through the continuous paper situated therebetween and rotating to feed the continuous paper, when the cover is closed. A head support member is disposed in the casing and has a head shaft which pivotably supports the print head so as to vary a distance with respect to the platen roller. A lock lever is pivotable about the platen shaft. The lock lever is engaged with the head shaft to determine a position of the platen roller with respect to the print head when the cover is closed.

Abstract: Ridges and grooves are alternately formed on a platen in the direction of transporting sheets. Wave holding spurs are rotatably supported by torsion springs downstream of a recording area, and pressed against the grooves. Sheet discharge roller pairs are disposed generally downstream from the grooves. Recording sheets exhibit cockling which rises up toward a recording head due to swelling from ink, but a substantial amount of the swelling is contained in the grooves, so the cockling does not come into contact with the recording head, and further, the peak-to-peak distance of the wave shapes of the recording sheets can be reduced. Following the leading edge of a recording sheet passing the sheet discharge roller pairs, the crests of the cockling are collapsed by transporting spurs and divided between wave holding spurs and the transporting spurs, and thus the peak-to-peak distance is further reduced, consequently preventing off-target landing of ink droplets.

Abstract: In a stamp apparatus, a paper-sheet object is conveyed in the arrow direction between a presser roller and an impress hub having a predetermined character/symbol string. Since a cam is rotated in the arrow direction by a rotary solenoid, it makes the presser roller approach the impress hub via a roller and an arm. A separating lever is rotated in the arrow direction by a rotary solenoid from an initial position (position shown in the drawing) to a siding position. When the paper-sheet object is conveyed to between the presser roller and the impress hub, a stamp bonded on the bottom surface of the paper-sheet object is canceled with a postmark. A presser mechanism suppresses a rebound produced when the presser roller starts to urge the paper-sheet object, and also maintains a predetermined urging pressure of the presser roller relative to the paper-sheet object having a predetermined thickness or less.

Abstract: The invention is a thermal printhead mechanism having a stationary spring channel, a top bracket supported by the spring channel, and a printhead mounted to the top bracket. Additionally, the invention may include a cam, a bottom bracket, and a front mounting plate.

Abstract: A printer including a printing head for performing printing while moving over a printing medium, a gap roller capable of rolling along a direction of moving of the printing head, and a platen bar placed so as to face the printing head and the gap roller. The printer further includes a controller for controlling a pressing force of the platen bar applied to the gap roller according to a printing end position of the printing head on the printing medium.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which can make a correction such that paper will not be fed in a tilted state without a need for any special mechanism. A moving mechanism C1 is driven to move a printing head 41 toward a platen and to urge the printing head against paper, and gap adjusting means C2 is driven using said position as a reference to space the printing head from the platen a predetermined amount, thereby adjusting a gap between the printing head and the platen. The direction and amount of a tilt of the paper are detected based on signals output by paper detecting sensors E when the paper is fed. When said amount of the tilt exceeds a predetermined range, head driving means A and the moving mechanism C1 are driven to sandwich an edge of the paper in the direction of the width thereof between the printing head and the platen, and the sandwiched state is adjusted by the gap adjusting means C2.

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: A serial printing device, comprising a fixed structure, a printing carriage on one side of the fixed structure able to slide along a printing line, and a contrasting element disposed on the other side of the fixed structure. A printing element is disposed on the printing carriage and is associated with a reference element able to contact the surface of the printing support. First elastic elements are disposed between the printing element and the printing carriage and second elastic elements are disposed between the contrasting element and the fixed structure.

Abstract: There are provided an ink jet printing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, an ink jet printing method and an image reading method capable of saving electric power, reducing noise and improving the reliability by specifying a timing of the adjustment of a paper gap. To achieve the object, in a printing mode for printing an image on a print medium, a function for adjusting a gap between a print head and a print medium is limited during the non-printing motion in which no ink is ejected from the print head. Also, in a reading mode for reading an image printed on a print medium, a function for adjusting a gap between a scanner and a print medium is limited during the non-reading motion in which the scanner does not read the image.

Abstract: An ink jet printer jets ink onto a section of a front side of a print medium. The ink jet printer includes an ink jetting printhead facing the front side of the print medium. A media support apparatus opposes the printhead. The media support apparatus includes a substantially flexible body having an outer surface engaging a back side of the print medium such that the section of the print medium receiving the ink is substantially flat. A substantially rigid elongate element engages the body and has a length direction substantially perpendicular to a feed direction of the print medium. The elongate element provides at least a portion of the outer surface of the body with a predetermined degree of straightness.

Abstract: This invention is related to a printer and printing method that prints on recording media with water soluble ink by using an ink jet printer. It is related to the printing method that can create printed images with supreme durability especially on recording media or stiff panels of different thickness with water absorbent surfaces, like wood boards, porous plastic boards, and the like, and on a recording media with water resistant surfaces, like plastic boards, glass or metal plates and the like, to which an emulsion adhesive layer is applied for a printing layer. The printer of the invention has features enabling movement past the print head of media of different thickness and formed as panels while the image surfaces of the panels are vertically properly spaced from the print head for printing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method technique to secure a smooth transporting of a recording medium in a printing device of the type in which a gap between the print head and the platen is included in a transport path for another purpose, e.g., reading of magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) characters on the recording medium, through use of a platen which is rotatable between two positions: a support position and a guide position, and which minimizes the gap adjacent the platen in the guide position.

Abstract: The printer and the printer assembly of the present invention has a line thermal head extending in the paper width direction; a non-roller type platen disposed so as to face the line thermal head for printing a thermal paper between the line thermal head and the platen; and a paper extracting device disposed on the paper ejection side of the line thermal head and the platen for feeding a thermal paper between a first and a second roller. The non-roller type platen can press the thermal paper with uniform pressure and without distortion even if it is thin. Moreover, it is possible to prevent distortion of the rollers of the extracting device even with small diameters by supporting middle parts of each shaft of respective rollers. Therefore, a thin and compact printer assemblies and printers are provided.