For Feeding Web Record-medium Patents (Class 400/611)
  • Patent number: 8845216
    Abstract: A printer includes a roll paper body driving mechanism that transports a medium by rotating a roll paper body on which the medium is wound, a first transport mechanism provided downstream of the roll paper body to transport the medium, a print head provided downstream of the first transport mechanism to carry out printing on the medium, a second transport mechanism provided between the roll paper body and the first transport mechanism to transport the medium, and a controller carries out control so that, in a range in which a velocity at which the first transport mechanism transports the media changes, the absolute value of a difference in an amount by which the medium is transported between transport mechanisms is larger between the roll paper body driving mechanism and the second transport mechanism than between the second transport mechanism and the first transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8845219
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses an adhesive tape printer comprising a housing, a first storage part configured to receive a first roll provided to one side of the housing in the first horizontal direction, a feeding roller, a printing head, a second storage part configured to store a second roll wherein the adhesive tape with print is wound around an axis line in the second horizontal direction, provided to the other side of the housing in the first horizontal direction, a feeding motor provided further on the other side than the first storage part and further on the one side than the second storage part so that an axis direction of an output shaft matches the second horizontal direction, a first opening/closing cover provided to an upper part on the one side, and a second opening/closing cover provided to an upper part on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsugi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8821048
    Abstract: An image recording device includes: a conveyor unit for conveying a recording medium; a drum for rotating under force of friction against the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit, the recording medium being wound around the drum; and a recording unit for recording an image onto a portion, wound around the drum, of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit; the conveyor unit starting the conveyance of the recording medium in a state where a first tension has been applied to the recording medium, but executing a switching operation for switching the tension applied to the recording medium after the conveyance of the recording medium has been started, to a second tension that is lower than the first tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Imamura, Yujiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 8813646
    Abstract: Provided is a label printer that includes a conveyance unit that conveys a label paper on which a label is attached and a printing unit that prints on the label. The label printer also includes a peeling unit that includes one pair of members separated in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the label paper and peels the label from a backing paper. The label printer also includes a backing paper conveyance unit that conveys the backing paper and a moving unit that moves the peeling members towards a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the backing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8814452
    Abstract: An ejection assembly for a printer is provided, the ejection assembly being disposed downstream of a print head in order to receive web from the print head. The ejection assembly can include an ejection roller and a door having a closed configuration and an open configuration. The door can be biased toward the closed configuration and toward the ejection roller. Upon rotation of the ejection roller, the ejection roller can force the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and can eject web past the door from the printer. In some embodiments, the ejection roller is rotated one full cycle, the ejection roller permits accumulation of web received from the print head and subsequently forces the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and ejects the accumulated web past the door from the printer. Also provided are a corresponding printer and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventor: Karl Tommy Wincent
  • Patent number: 8807855
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a cutting head for cutting two-dimensional information out of a recording medium. The cutting head includes a motor, a tool base for retaining a first cutter, the tool base supporting the first cutter to be freely displaceable along a first axis, wherein the first cutter is displaced toward or away from a recording medium along the first axis; a fixed base for slidably supporting displacement of the tool base along the first axis; a displacing mechanism for displacing a link member along the first axis to displace the tool base along the first axis, the displacing mechanism driven by the motor; a first elastic member for coupling the link member with the tool base; and a second elastic member for coupling the tool base with the fixed base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140227017
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a printer comprises a feeder, a printing head, a detecting de The feeder feeds a print-receiving tape comprising a plurality of print-receiving porti wherein each of the print-receiving portions comprises a detected element, for each of a plur of printed matter. The printing head forms a desired print on the print-receiving tape. detecting device detects the detected element, provided on an upstream side than the prin head by a predetermined distance X. A first reference generating portion generates a positioning reference when the detecting device detects the detected element of a print-receiving portion. A first print control portion controls the printing head when the detec device detects the detected element of the first print-receiving portion, and perform the formation on a second print-receiving portion preceding the first print-receiving portion facing the printing head, using the first positioning reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kanda, Satoru Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8794856
    Abstract: In a method or device to sample a web movement, an incremental encoder translates the web movement into two phase-offset output signals. A quadrature decoder generates first and second digital output signals with two respective signal levels. The first output signal is designated as a forward signal and the second output signal is designated as a backward signal. An evaluation circuit outputs a control signal and has a first counter that counts a signal change of the forward signal and subtracts from the count a signal change of the backward signal. A second counter counts a signal change of the control signal. A comparator compares values of the first and the second counters. A disabling device enables the forward signal if values of both the first and second counters are the same so that the forward signal is output, and disables the forward signal if values of the two counters are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Thiemann, Stephan Pilsl
  • Patent number: 8790027
    Abstract: There is disclosed a printer having a print head and a high frequency magnetic coupler to magnetically couple with high frequency RFID transponders in a web at or near the print head. The coupler couples magnetically to only one transponder at a time that is generally aligned with one or more inductors, and magnetic radiation from the inductor(s) may be at least partly shielded from upstream transponders, and a ground conductor in the upstream side of the coupler diminishes radiation to upstream transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Lance D. Neuhard
  • Patent number: 8783980
    Abstract: A portable printer having improved ergonomic and operational characteristics. The printer includes an asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism having first and second media support members moveable along a common longitudinal axis and configured to grasp roll media. The media support members are coupled to a reciprocal movement mechanism configured to translate a longitudinal movement of the first media support member into a corresponding opposite longitudinal movement of the second media support member. A pivoting arm is coupled to the reciprocal movement mechanism. The pivoting arm pivots to a first position when the first and second media support members are moved closer to each other, which causes a damping gear to engage the reciprocal movement mechanism, thereby damping the grasping motion of the media support members and providing an improved user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kokawa, Guy M Heaton, Chad M Gundlach
  • Publication number: 20140186086
    Abstract: The roll paper supporting device includes a shaft member that is inserted into a roll paper along an axis of the roll paper; and a flange that includes an insertion hole that allows the shaft member to be inserted and an engagement section engageable with the shaft member, the flange being configured to support the roll paper in an axis direction of the shaft member. The shaft member includes, in a state that the shaft member is inserted into the insertion hole, a fourth engagement groove and a sixth engagement groove that position the flange in the axis direction by engaging the engagement section, and a fifth engagement groove that positions the flange in the axis direction by engaging the engagement section at a position different from the fourth engagement groove and the sixth engagement groove both in the axis direction and in a circumferential direction of the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiichi Yato
  • Patent number: 8767248
    Abstract: A label data processing apparatus including: a label data storage unit configured to store one or more label data for printing a label; and a display unit configured to switch and display, per label, an editing screen including at least a portion of text data included in each label data, as a selection candidate for the label data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kurashina
  • Patent number: 8764327
    Abstract: A roll paper supply mechanism reliably prevents roll paper from rising from a desired position. The roll paper supply mechanism 3 of a roll paper printer 1 has an urging member 41 that urges the round end surface of the roll paper 2 to the roll paper guide 33 defining one side of the roll paper storage unit 31. The urging surface 41a of the urging member 41 is inclined to the inside in the pulling direction A of the recording paper 2a that is pulled from the roll paper 2. When seen from the side of the width of the roll paper storage unit 31, the urging surface 41a is disposed between a vertical line V through the center of gravity G of the roll paper and the recording paper pulling position D, and urges an outside edge part 2d of the roll paper 2 at a position above the recording paper pulling position D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Yamada, Nobuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8764322
    Abstract: A recording device has a recording unit that records on a recording medium, a transportation unit that conveys and discharges from an discharge opening the recording medium recorded by the recording unit, a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium recorded by the recording unit at a predetermined position on the transportation path of the transportation unit, and a control unit that causes a ticket to be output by causing the recording unit to record on the recording medium while causing the transportation unit to convey the recording medium only a specified ticket length and causing the cutting unit to cut. When a next ticket is not output after a ticket is output, the control unit causes the output ticket to be recorded and conveyed the specified ticket length, advanced a preset additional transportation distance, and then cut by the cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohisa Kano, Atsushi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8757906
    Abstract: A recording device has a recording unit that records on a recording medium, a transportation unit that conveys and discharges from an discharge opening the recording medium recorded by the recording unit, a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium recorded by the recording unit at a predetermined position on the transportation path of the transportation unit, and a control unit that causes a ticket to be output by causing the recording unit to record on the recording medium while causing the transportation unit to convey the recording medium only a specified ticket length and causing the cutting unit to cut. When a next ticket is not output after a ticket is output, the control unit causes the output ticket to be recorded and conveyed the specified ticket length, advanced a preset additional transportation distance, and then cut by the cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohisa Kano, Atsushi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8747000
    Abstract: A printer has two separate movable blades, a stationary blade, and a movable blade drive mechanism for driving the movable blades against the stationary blade. Such mechanism may link and drive the movable blades to cut the roll paper against the stationary blade such that one movable blade leads and the other follows. The printer may further include a main frame with a roll paper compartment and a printing mechanism for printing on the roll paper, a cover frame movably connected to the main frame and having an openable cover for the roll paper compartment, a movable blade frame disposed to the main frame for supporting the movable blades with the blade tips in opposition, and a stationary blade frame disposed to the cover frame for supporting the stationary blade in a position substantially transverse to the paper transportation path during cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8727649
    Abstract: The roll paper loading mechanism of a roll paper printer has a left side panel rendered in unison with a roll paper holder. The roll paper holder pivots to the front of the printer in conjunction with the operation opening an access cover. When the access cover is opened completely, the left side panel protrudes through an opening formed in the printer case to the front of the printer. A right side panel disposed to hold the roll paper between it and the left side panel is stationary inside the printer case. A roll paper guide tab that projects to the front of the printer and extends away from the left side panel is formed on the front end of the right side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8714847
    Abstract: A tape printer which prints an inputted character string on a tape includes: an input unit receiving input of the character string; a detecting unit detecting a keyword which contains a first character string expressing a number from the character string received by the input unit; and a printing unit performing sequential number printing which repeats printing while sequentially changing the first character string when the detecting unit detects the keyword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akinori Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8714729
    Abstract: A modular roll bar assembly for use in a continuous web imaging device includes a plurality of roll bars, a support frame configured to operatively support the plurality of roll bars such that the plurality of roll bars define a web path having a non-linear shape with an entrance end and an exit end, the entrance end being configured to receive a substantially continuous web of substrate material, the plurality of roll bars being configured to guide the continuous web past the exit end, and a temperature control system having a source of thermally controlled air that is configured to supply air at a predetermined temperature and velocity, and a plenum positioned in the support frame that is configured to guide the thermally controlled air from the source to the plurality of roll bars to heat or cool the plurality of roll bars to a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Spence, Matthew Ryan McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 8714851
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. The circuit boards of a device can each be dedicated to different types of functionality and be installed into the device without the use of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Richard J. Preliasco, Roy P. Lyman, David F. Beck, Craig A. Horrocks, Patrick J. Hegarty
  • Patent number: 8702329
    Abstract: A label printer for performing printing on a label temporarily adhered to a pasteboard of a sheet roll includes a main body on which a platen roller and a peeling bar are mounted, an installing part configured to have the sheet roll installed therein, an installing cover configured to close when the sheet roll is installed in the installing part, and a printing head and a peeling roller mounted to the installing cover. The peeling roller is configured to move along a groove formed in the installing cover and contact the platen roller when the installing cover is closed. The peeling bar is configured to peel the label from the pasteboard by bending the pasteboard after the pasteboard is wrapped around the peeling bar and is conveyed between the peeling roller and the platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Yoshinari Takabatake, Yukihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 8690461
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a printing press including a plurality of print units and, optionally, a folder. Each print unit has one or more cylinders, a motor for driving the cylinders; an encoder for providing a cylinder position signal, a controller coupled to the encoder, the motor, a bus which interconnects each of the controllers and an input port for designating the controller as either master or slave. Any one of the controllers is selectively set as a master controller and the remaining controllers are set as slave controllers. The master controller generates a control signal based on a signal from the input port and outputs the control signal to the motor via the output port and to the slave controllers via the bus. Each of the slave controllers outputs a signal on the respective output port based on the received control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: John Sheridan Richards
  • Patent number: 8678688
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printing device may include first and second printers respectively having first and second controllers. The first and second printers may be configured to share a common paper path with each other. The first controller in the first printer may enable the first printer to operate if the common paper path is not in use by the second printer. In this case, the first controller may inform the second printer that the common paper path is in use by the first printer. On the other hand, the second controller in the second printer may enable the second printer to operate if the common paper path is not in use by the first printer. In this case, the second controller may inform the first printer that the common paper path is in use by the second printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norihisa Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8678687
    Abstract: A method for automatically adapting a write cycle to a movement of a web-shaped medium in a digital printing machine, as a function of the thickness of the web-shaped medium guided around first and second transport or guide rollers, includes providing the first and second transport or guide rollers having a known diameters, the diameter of the second being different from the diameter of the first. A rotational speed ratio N(T) between the first and second transport or guide rollers (9, 11) is determined while the printing material (6) is guided around the transport or guide rollers (9, 11). The write cycle is determined at least with the use of the previously determined rotational speed ratio N(T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Karlheinz Peter
  • Patent number: 8672567
    Abstract: A printing apparatus 100 includes a detecting unit, which detects that a core part at a center portion of a recording medium 202, in a rolled state, has reached a predetermined position accompanying the consumption of the recording medium 202 in a recording medium accommodating unit 301 accommodating the recording medium 202, when the printer apparatus 100 is in an installed state; and further includes a moving mechanism that moves the detecting unit to a position whereby the detecting function of the detecting unit is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tsugaru, Katsutoshi Mukaijima, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Gen Matsushima
  • Patent number: 8662772
    Abstract: An edge guide is provided. A structure includes curved surface over which a print media can travel. The print media includes a first edge and a second edge that is opposite the first edge. A first media guide is contactable with the first edge of the print media. A second media guide is contactable with the second edge of the print media. The second media guide is spaced apart from the first media guide. A relative spacing between the second media guide and the first media guide is adjustable such that a distance between the first media guide and the second media guide is variable. The second media guide includes a mechanism that applies a nesting force to the second edge of the print media to cause the first edge of the print media to move toward and contact the first media guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Muir, Randy E. Armbruster, Ruth H. Parker
  • Patent number: 8641307
    Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead assembly having a carrier frame, a pagewidth printhead with a corresponding pagewidth print zone defined by a plane adjacent the printhead assembly mounted at a base of the carrier frame, an approach guide mounted to the carrier frame on a first side of the printhead and an exit guide mounted to the carrier frame on a second side of the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The web is unsupported in the print zone and is guided therethrough by the guides. The approach guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate upstream with a leading angular edge abutting with the web such that the natural path of the web is deflected downwards and around the approach guide, and the exit guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Nagesh Ramachandra, Jan Waszczuk
  • Patent number: 8641305
    Abstract: A print control apparatus having a decision unit, a print control unit, and a determination unit. The decision unit decides a print order for duplex printing on a continuous sheet. The print control unit causes the print unit to execute a continuous print of first face images on a first face and second face images on a second face after completion of the print on the first face in accordance with the decided print order. In a case where the determination unit determines that an interruption factor occurs before the completion of the print on the first face, the print control unit performs switches to a print on the second face and to cause the print unit to execute a print of any second face image that is predetermined to be arranged on the second face relative to any first face image already printed on the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Yasuzaki
  • Patent number: 8641304
    Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a pair of side surfaces, a tape that is a print medium housed in the housing, a tape exit that discharges, from the housing, the tape guided in the housing along a predetermined feed path, at least a part of the feed path extending parallel to the front surface, and a type indicator portion provided adjacent to the tape exit and in a specified area of the front surface on an upstream side of the tape exit in a feed direction of the tape, the type indicator portion indicating a type of the tape and including vertical information sections and a protrusion formed in at least one of the vertical information sections, the vertical information sections being strip-shaped sections extending along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Teruo Imamaki
  • Patent number: 8594554
    Abstract: A system that avoids any stopping or reversing of the web direction in a continuous feed printer, instead maintaining consistent process speed, only requiring a slowing and speeding up of the web to cycle through the PR belt seam. This is done by forming a web loop and then immediately flattening the loop after passage of the seam through the transfer zone that includes two transfer BTR rolls with alternating transfer operations, but simultaneous transfer for short periods. Two vacuum assist rolls, one located between the two bias transfer rolls controls the formation of the web loop. A pair of nip forming rolls upstream of the first transfer station and a second vacuum assist roll downstream of the second transfer station control the size of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Frank A Porter, Kenneth P Moore, Bruce A Thompson, Todd M Uthman, Ron E Dufort, Venkata B Chivukula, Roger G. Leighton
  • Patent number: 8585304
    Abstract: A label printer enables drop-in loading of linerless label paper rolls and prevents print defects caused by variation in the label paper transportation and the readhesion of chaff to the label paper. A pair of roll guiding members 37 and 38 limit the position of the outside of the label paper roll 5 to a position separated a predetermined distance from the label paper entrance 11 by contacting the outside of the label paper roll 5 inside the roll paper compartment 7 of the label printer 31 at a position offset from the label paper entrance 11 toward the center of the roll paper compartment 7. The roll guiding members 37 and 38 are members with low friction resistance when in contact with the outside of the label paper roll 5, and thus reduce the friction that can cause inconsistent paper transportation and chaff from wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8573869
    Abstract: A label sheet conveyance device is provided to more accurately automatically detect seams between label sheets in a label printer. Using a first threshold value that is set according to the mode of sensor output values for detecting the sheet portion between labels, and a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value for detecting holes in the label sheet, a label printer determines a sheet position where the sensor output value is equal to each threshold value. If a sheet position equal to the second threshold value is detected, the center of that sheet position is identified as the seam position. If a sheet position equal to the second threshold value is not identified and a sheet position equal to the first threshold value is identified, the center of that sheet position is identified as the seam position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Momose, Satoshi Omoto
  • Patent number: 8573871
    Abstract: A printer has a main frame with a roll paper compartment for storing roll paper and a printing mechanism for printing on the roll paper; a cover frame movably connected to the main frame and having an openable cover for the roll paper compartment; a movable blade frame disposed to the main frame for supporting first and second movable blades with the blade tips in opposition; a stationary blade frame disposed to the cover frame for supporting a stationary blade in a position substantially transverse to the paper transportation path during cutting; and a movable blade drive mechanism for linking and driving the first and second movable blades to cut the roll paper in a scissor action against the stationary blade and such that one movable blade leads and the other movable blade follows, with the movable blades disposed such that the paths of the tips overlap during cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8568046
    Abstract: There is disclosed a printer including a print head and a mounting assembly for a web roll having a core. The mounting assembly can center-justify the roll with respect to the print head. The roll can be loaded simply by pushing the roll slidably onto the mounting assembly and unloaded by pulling the roll or its core slidably off the mounting assembly using one hand. In some embodiments, there is no need separately to undo any latch or to free the roll or its core from any latch other than by pushing or pulling on the roll or the core. In another embodiment, one of the stops is pivoted either to trap the core between the one stop and another stop or to enable the core to be slid onto the support to a position between the stops or to be slid off the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Campbell, Donald J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8564795
    Abstract: Disclosed is a printer including a transverse tension sensor for detecting that a sheet being discharged has deviated in a paper width direction orthogonal to a discharging direction. The conveyance of the sheet is stopped based on a detection signal of the transverse tension sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventors: Shou Yazawa, Yukio Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8562228
    Abstract: A tape printer includes a tape cassette including a housing, a cassette housing portion, a feeding device, a printing device, a plurality of detecting switches that protrude toward a side surface of the housing of the tape cassette installed in the cassette housing portion, a first determining device that, if a part of the detecting switches is pressed, determines that the tape cassette is installed, and a second determining device that, if a specific detecting switch among the detecting switches is pressed, determines that the tape cassette is not installed at a proper position. The tape cassette includes a first pressing portion that, if the tape cassette is installed at the proper position, presses a part of the detecting switches, and a second pressing portion that, if the tape cassette is not installed at the proper position, presses the specific detecting switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Masato Kato, Teruo Imamaki, Takashi Horiuchi, Akira Sago, Yasuhiro Iriyama, Yasuhiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 8540442
    Abstract: An adjustable print media path system and method are disclosed. In one form, the print media path system incorporates a frame and a guide member that is moveably coupled to the frame between a cartridge position and an external media position. Inserting print media into the receptacle moves the guide member between the external media position and the cartridge position, thereby adjusting the print media path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaw Horng Yap, Soon Ling Tan, Shao Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 8534938
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a printer includes a motor and a roller turned by the motor to discharge a backing sheet-attached label from a roll wound with the backing sheet-attached label, or a liner-less label from a roll wound with the liner-less label with an adhesive surface on one side of the liner-less label. The printer further includes a print unit to perform printing on the backing sheet-attached label or the liner-less label discharged from the roll, a switching unit to switch the printer to a standard mode in which the print unit performs printing on the backing sheet-attached label or a liner-less mode in which the print unit performs printing on the liner-less label, and a control unit to control the operation of the motor in response to the switching of the printer to the standard mode or the liner-less mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaname Iga
  • Publication number: 20130209154
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a label producing apparatus. The label producing apparatus includes a cartridge holder, a feeder, a movable blade, a driving roller configured to contact and discharge the label tape, a driven roller provided so that it can advance and retreat between a contact position and a separated position, a motor configured to rotate in a single direction only and generate a driving force of the movable blade, and a rotational movement of the driving roller, a gear mechanism configured to transmit the driving force to the driving roller, and an advancing and retreating adjustment device configured to adjust an movement of the driven roller and the movable blade, associated with a rotation of the motor, the adjustment device advancing and retreating the driven roller and the movable blade so that the driven roller is in the contact position for a predetermined time period after cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130195535
    Abstract: A medium feeder includes a first rotation body; a second rotation body which engages with the first rotation body while overlapping with the first rotation body, and disengages from the first rotation body in response to the presence of the feed target medium nipped between the first and second rotation bodies; a rotation body support member which supports the second rotation body, and is configured to be movable between an advancing position where the second rotation body engages with the first rotation body and a retreating position where the second rotation body disengages from the first rotation body; and a detection unit which detects migration of the rotation body support member to the retreating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiko Epson Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130169711
    Abstract: A modular roll bar assembly for use in a continuous web imaging device includes a plurality of roll bars, a support frame configured to operatively support the plurality of roll bars such that the plurality of roll bars define a web path having a non-linear shape with an entrance end and an exit end, the entrance end being configured to receive a substantially continuous web of substrate material, the plurality of roll bars being configured to guide the continuous web past the exit end, and a temperature control system having a source of thermally controlled air that is configured to supply air at a predetermined temperature and velocity, and a plenum positioned in the support frame that is configured to guide the thermally controlled air from the source to the plurality of roll bars to heat or cool the plurality of roll bars to a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Xerox Corporation
  • Patent number: 8469616
    Abstract: A printing device has a print head, a platen roller, a main body frame supporting one of the print head and the platen roller, and a main body unit incorporating the main body frame. A sheet cutting device includes a first blade undergoing sliding movement relative to a second blade in a direction substantially orthogonal to a sheet material to be cut. A first frame slidably supports the first blade and undergoes movement in a direction orthogonal to a sliding direction of the first blade from a first position at which the first blade frame is incorporated to the main body frame to a second position at which the first blade frame is separated from the main body frame. A second frame supports the second blade and undergoes movement in the sliding direction of the first blade from a first position at which the second blade frame is mounted to the main body unit to a second position at which the second blade frame is detached from the main body unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kouji Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8469617
    Abstract: A platen support mechanism of a printer moves a platen unit of the printer. When moving the platen unit from a closed position to an open position, the platen support mechanism of the printer first moves the platen unit along a straight first path, and then moves the platen unit along a curved second path. A posture of the platen unit is held constant during this time by a six joint linkage mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsugo Ishida
  • Patent number: 8459886
    Abstract: A first cutter 130 (cutting unit) is provided between a color recording unit 120 (the first printing unit) and an overcoat recording unit 140 (the second printing unit). A portion whereon color printing is completed by the color recording unit 120 of a recording paper 200 (printing medium) is cut off by the first cutter 130 and detached. An overcoat recording unit 140 performs an overcoat process on the detached recording paper (printing medium strip). In parallel with this, the color recording unit 120 performs next color printing on the recording paper 200. This makes it possible to reduce a printing time in a printing device including a plurality of printing processes without deteriorating printing quality. Further, an useless paper feeding is eliminated by optimally arranging the color recording unit 120, the first cutter 130, the overcoat recording unit 140, and the second cutter 160, etc. in accordance with a size of a printing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ichirou Furuki, Takaaki Kase, Keiki Yamada, Hisashi Yamada, Makoto Sakuwa, Yoshihito Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8454251
    Abstract: A bracket for a printer includes a frame with first and second side supports. A print area is defined in part by the side supports. A plurality of web support members laterally extends between the first and second side supports. The plurality of web support members include a top web support member disposed adjacent a top portion of the print area and a bottom web support member disposed adjacent a bottom portion of the print area. A printer support is configured for supporting a printer adjacent the print area. A window assembly is hingedly attached to the frame adjacent the print area. The window assembly includes a platen support member extending laterally between the first and second side supports. The window assembly is movable to provide access to the print area. At least one platen is disposed on the platen support member, the platen adapted for lateral positioning along the platen support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Chandrakant Bhatia, David Haas, Carlos Medina
  • Publication number: 20130121742
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit that performs recording on a recording medium wound on a roll, the roll including a first flange that is attached to one end and has a shaft hole and a first receiving portion, and a second flange that is attached to the other end and has a shaft hole; a first holder movable along a rotation axis of the roll, the first holder including a first shaft insertable into the shaft hole in the first flange, and a first flange-support surface that is in contact with an outer periphery of the first flange to support the first flange when the first shaft is not fitted in the shaft hole in the first flange and that has a first engaging portion; a second holder including a second shaft insertable into the shaft hole in the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8439584
    Abstract: A paper cutting device for cutting sheet material from the lengthwise edges of the material toward the middle comprising a stationary blade and first and second movable blades with the sheet material placed between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades. The paper cutting device enables the spacing between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades to be opened by moving the stationary blade frame and the movable blade frame relative to each other. The first movable blade and second movable blade are supported on a first stud and second stud, respectively, near the distal ends of the edge of the blade part of the stationary blade so that the paths of the blade tips overlap when cutting the sheet material. The movable blade drive mechanism drives the first movable blade and second movable blade with the first movable blade leading and the second movable blade following.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20130114987
    Abstract: A web press and method of printing is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian L. Helterline, Mike M. Morrow, Karsten N. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130108346
    Abstract: A device for printing on media disposed on a backing may include a printer with a housing including a media cover, a media cover release actuator, and a peeler assembly actuator. The media cover release actuator and the peeler assembly actuator may each be accessible for actuation by a user when the media cover is in a closed position. The media cover release actuator may be configured to release the media cover from the closed position in response to actuation by a user. The peeler assembly may at least partially be enclosed by the housing and it may be engagable between a peeling position, where the printer is configured to peel the media from the backing, and a non-peeling position, where the printer is not configured to peel the media from the backing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: ZIH CORP.
    Inventor: ZIH Corp.
  • Patent number: 8425131
    Abstract: A roll paper holding apparatus includes a pull-out unit which can be pulled out and housed through an opening formed in a printing apparatus main body, a paper holding section which is provided in the pull-out unit and rotatably holds a roll paper in which a paper is wound into a roll shape, a contact body which is provided in the pull-out unit, and is openable and closable to the paper holding section according to a pull-out operation and a housing operation of the pull-out unit with respect to the printing apparatus main body, and an urging section which is provided in the pull-out unit, and urges the contact body opened to the paper holding section in a direction of contacting with a frame forming the opening of the printing apparatus main body when the pull-out unit is pulled out from the printing apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norifumi Shishido