Abstract: In a printing system capable of selectively performing duplex printing and simplex printing, a switching unit switches a sheet travel path between a first path and a second path parallel to each other, and reverses the sides of a sheet that passes along the first path. In the duplex printing, a sheet is printed on a first side by a first printing apparatus, reversed by the switching unit, and printed on a second side reverse of the first side by a second printing apparatus. In the simplex printing, only one side of a sheet is printed by the first printing apparatus and/or second printing apparatus. First and second input units introduce sheets into the first and second paths, respectively; and first and second output units receive printed sheets that have traveled along the first and/or second paths.

Abstract: In a printing system capable of selectively performing duplex printing and simplex printing, a first input unit and a second input unit are adjacent to each other. A first output unit and a second output unit are adjacent to each other. In duplex printing, a sheet supplied from the first input unit is printed on a first side thereof in a first printing apparatus and the traveling direction thereof is changed at a changing unit while the sheet is reversed, and then the sheet is printed on a second side thereof in a second printing apparatus and output to the second output unit. In simplex printing, a sheet supplied from the first or second input unit is printed on one side thereof and the traveling direction thereof is changed at the changing unit, and then the sheet is output to the first or second output unit.

Abstract: The transport control section controls, at the time of cutting of the long sheet by the cutting unit, the motor for pinching such that a downstream portion in the transport direction, which is cut from the sheet, remains pinched by the first roller and the second roller at the point of time of completion of cutting, and controls, after the completion of cutting, the motor for discharge such that the downstream portion is discharged downstream in the transport direction by rotation of the respective rollers which pinch the downstream portion.

Abstract: A continuous web inversion system for use in a continuous web imaging device includes a first turn bar positioned to receive a substantially continuous web moving in a first direction with a first surface facing in a printing direction and to flip the web and direct it in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A second turn bar is positioned to receive the continuous web from the first turn bar to flip the web and direct it in a third direction opposite the first direction. A third turn bar is positioned to receive the continuous web from the second turn bar to flip the web and direct it in the first direction with a second surface of the web facing in the printing direction. The second and the third turn bars are coupled together and supported for translation along an axis perpendicular to the first direction. A sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a lateral position of the continuous web exiting the third turn bar.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer includes a print media supply station for storing print media. The printer further includes a print engine station arranged to receive print media from the print media supply and to print on the print media. A binding assembly station is also included which is configured to apply adhesive along an edge of each sheet of print media after printed upon, and to compile the print media into a bound stack. A receptacle station receives the bound stack. The print media supply station, the print engine station, the binding assembly station and the receptacle station are arranged vertically.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer includes a print media supply station for storing print media. The printer further includes a print engine station arranged to receive print media from the print media supply and to print on the print media. A binding assembly station is also included which is configured to apply adhesive along an edge of each sheet of print media after printed upon, and to compile the print media into a bound stack. A receptacle station receives the bound stack. The print media supply station, the print engine station, the binding assembly station and the receptacle station are arranged vertically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printer with a gravity-fed print media path. The printer includes a print media supply station for storing print media. A print engine station includes a pair of print engines, and is arranged to receive print media from the print media supply so that duplex printing by the print engines can be effected upon the received print media. A binding assembly station is configured to apply adhesive along an edge of each sheet of printed print media and compile the print media into a bound stack. A receptacle station is configured to receive the bound stack. The printer can be oriented so that the print media sequentially travels between the stations with the force of gravity.

Abstract: Each of a cluster of computing balls (1) contains within its housing (3) a photosensitive device (51) for receiving light from a light source (5) and converting it into energy to power a processing chip (2). There is thus wireless transmission of power to the computing balls (1), which also carry out wireless communication of data with one another. The computing balls (1) may be poured at random into a container (6), and intercommunicate to form a computing device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a linerless label web roll wherein the label web has a patterned coating of pressure sensitive adhesive on its underside between marginal side edges and at marginal side edges of the label web. The adhesive is provided in longitudinally extending laterally spaced stripes of adhesive with intervening adhesive-free zones. The label web can be supported and/or guided by support or guide elements which contact the adhesive-free zones in a suitable utilization device such as a printer or label applicator.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a thermal transfer recording web roll having a bore and obtained by rolling a thermal transfer web. The segment of the thermal transfer recording web forming the innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll is fixed to a part of a segment of the same forming the second innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll. A holding device is inserted in the bore of the thermal transfer recording web roll to hold the thermal transfer recording web roll. The thermal transfer recording web roll and the holding device rotate in a unit to feed the thermal transfer recording web to a thermal transfer recording unit that forms images on the thermal transfer recording web. The thermal transfer recording web roll can be prepared at a low cost without requiring much time and effort.

Abstract: An inkjet printer, and method of assembling the printer, for printing an image on a first receiver of a first size and on a second receiver of a second size. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first receiver is fed in a first direction and the second receiver is fed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The printer includes an ink jet print head movable in the first direction to print the image on the first receiver in one printing pass and movable to-and-fro in the first direction for printing the image on the second receiver in at least one printing swath. Thus, printing on differently sized receivers is obtained without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head to a different size print head.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of paper cockle by stretching the paper as it progresses along the paper path through the wet colorant printing station of a hard copy apparatus. The hard copy apparatus uses a paper feed belt system as a paper platen in which the belt or set of belts is splayed along the paper path. Firmly adhering a sheet of print media to the belt, or belts, system, such as by use of a vacuum force, as it travels through the apparatus printing zone, stretches the media orthogonally and particularly in an orientation perpendicular to the paper path.

Abstract: A label printer, or a printer in general, can have a processor which can be connected to a data storage medium as well as to data input and data output connections for external devices. Such a printer could include a thermal printer for printing labels on self-adhesive materials. To expand the usability of such a printer, and to increase the printing speed, a common interface can be provided, which interface can be activated by the processor and can be configured in a manner such that both the storage medium and the data input and data output connections for external devices can be connected thereto.

Abstract: A label tape printer has a more-or-less conventional label tape cassette gear train mechanism except that the main motor has a clutching means that can disengage the motor when the motor is not on and turning. This allows the motor loads to turn the gear trains without any tendency of the motor to hold the gear train frozen by its advantage through the gear reduction. Therefore a pull on the label tape end will result in the entire gear train turning and thereby preventing the ink ribbon from forming a loose loop that can get sucked into an adhesive tape sandwich (with catastrophic results). The label tape cassette is provided with a guide roller having deep grooves, giving the appearance of a piece of machine screw threaded stock, that is positioned to keep the adhesive tape from sticking to the inside walls if the tape reels loosen. The adhesive tape has a reduced surface area on the guide roller to become stuck on it also.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a platen roller on which a recording sheet is wound in such a manner that the recording sheet is laid over a part of the cylindrical wall of the platen roller. A thermal head is pushed against the platen roller to heat heating points selected for transferring ink from an ink sheet onto the recording sheet. A sheet pulling means pulls the recording sheet in a predetermined direction. A pinch roller on the sheet supplying side pushes the recording sheet against the platen roller with a predetermined force of depression so that the recording sheet is wound on the platen roller. A pinch roller rotating means is provided at at least one end of the pinch roller for rotating the pinch roller at a peripheral speed lower than that of the platen roller.

Abstract: A marking machine for marking and engraving upon a work surface. The machine comprises a rotary marking wheel having marking characters upon the periphery of the wheel and an engraving tool or stylus. The engraving tool may be employed as part of the printing wheel or as a separate attachment providing one or more different types of engraving tool. The engraving tool may be employed for scratch engraving or rotary power may be used for a printed sharp edge cutting and engraving. A work surface such as a tag or the like is supported upon a worktable formed of an upper table member carried upon a lower table member. Separate motor means are provided for each of the table members for moving the upper table toward both the front and rear of the lower table laterally to provide a simultaneous X-Y movement.

Abstract: Automatic card embossing apparatus includes a rotatable embossing wheel carrying about its periphery punch and die pairs for all characters available for embossing. Each character position of the wheel defines an address and the wheel is controlled for rotation to a desired address for embossing the character there-located. Data identifying all embossable characters is processed to derive three control numbers for each character, the first control number identifying the corresponding wheel address for the corresponding punch and die pair, the second number identifying the horizontal position on the card where the character is to be embossed, and the third control number identifying the line number on the card. The data is sorted into ascending order of wheel addresses. In operation, a card is transported to a reference position relative to the embossing wheel and the embossing wheel is rotated to the address of the first control number.