Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling airflow along sheet edges on a vacuum transport assembly including a platen including one or more holes arranged in rows in a cross process direction, and a belt displaceable with respect to the platen in a process direction, the valve assembly including a flexible plate, including a first end, a second end, a first top surface, and a first bottom surface, and a first actuator connected to the second end and operatively arranged to displace the flexible plate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printing media holder and an image forming apparatus including the same. The printing media holder includes an printing media alignment unit capable of moving bidirectionally toward and away from the printing media loaded on the printing media holder, and includes a release mechanism that releases the printing media alignment unit, to allow the printing media alignment unit to move its position for aligning of print media of different sizes, in response to a force received thereto in any of the bidirectional directions.

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes: a placement portion on which a medium is placed; a feeding unit which feeds the fed medium placed on the placement portion in a feeding direction; an edge guide which makes contact with the medium placed on the placement portion at a side edge in a width direction so as to determine a position of the medium in the width direction; and an adjustment unit which displaces at least a part of the edge guide such that a contact portion of the edge guide with the medium is placed on a line along the feeding direction so as to adjust a posture of the medium with respect to the feeding direction.

Abstract: According to the present invention, skew feeding of a sheet is corrected while conveying the sheet, positioning of a side edge of the sheet in the width direction is carried out, and an image is formed on the sheet by an image forming portion 90. Two steering mechanisms 120a and 120b are disposed upstream of the image forming portion along the conveying direction, and the steering mechanisms 120a and 120b can feed a sheet on the skew in any direction with respect to the sheet conveying direction. Two CISs 100a and 100b are disposed along the sheet conveying direction corresponding to the steering mechanisms. A skew feeding angle and a skew feeding velocity of each of the steering mechanisms is changed according to differential value between a side edge position detected by the CISs 100a and 100b and a target position of a side edge of a sheet.

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.

Abstract: Hybrid printer feeder mechanism, using a commercial printer of any type, such as LED, ink jet, thermal or dot matrix, allowing both single sheet fed input and alternately, continuous and variable width printable medium feedstock, including automated feed and cutting control, with minimal integration of the print engine and feeder.

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a moving roller capable of axial movement; a medium end position detecting section for detection in the main scanning direction; and a control section for calculating the amount of misalignment of the medium from the detected end position; wherein the control section obtains the correction amount of the image forming position of the medium according to the amount of misalignment of the medium having been calculated, or the amount of misalignment of the medium and information of moving position of the roller, and provides control such that the medium or another medium coming later than the medium by a predetermined number of pages is moved by the moving roller by the difference between the correction amount of the image forming position and the amount of misalignment of the target medium, and the image forming position is corrected according to the correction amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for contacting a flexible sheet to a first element with improved lateral alignment. The method includes a step of measuring a first lateral misalignment after establishing a first contact between the flexible sheet and either of the first element and a sheet parking surface called anchor in the first stage. If the 5 misalignment exceeds a predetermined threshold the flexible sheet is parked at the anchor such that it is not in contact with the first element, and the relative position of the first element and the anchor is altered during the second stage for correcting the mismatch during a contact between the flexible sheet and the first element to be established within the next step of the method. During the steps of shifting the contact point to obtain the second stage 10 the contacting process is more accurate and reproducible than the process for establishing the initial contact.

Abstract: A media edge guide assembly for use in an imaging apparatus having a media supply source includes a first edge guide portion and a second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are arranged to have an axis of rotation passing through the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are laterally interconnected to facilitate movement as a unit in a lateral direction along the axis of rotation, and the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are configured to be rotationally disconnected with respect to the axis of rotation to permit the first edge guide portion to rotate around the axis of rotation independent of the second edge guide portion.

Abstract: A removable media input tray for holding a stack of media sheets is provided. The input tray is configured so that it can be fitted into a chassis of a printing apparatus. The input tray includes a reference guide wall and at least two datum members movably attached to the reference guide wall. The reference side wall is formed with at least two openings through which portions of the datum members extend. The input tray also includes a width adjuster, which is configured to bias the stack of media sheets against the datum members. The datum members are brought into contact with a side wall of the chassis when the input tray is inserted into the chassis, thereby causing the datum members to be aligned to the same side wall.

Abstract: A versatile paper feeding device of an image forming apparatus includes a pick-up roller, a paper support tray under the pick-up roller to stack paper on, a paper support expansion tray to be able to freely slide toward or away from the paper support tray to support the trailing edge of the paper, a forward positioned paper alignment guide on the paper support tray to align a leading end portion of the paper, and a second paper alignment member formed on the paper support expansion tray to align a following end portion of the paper. When the versatile paper feeding device is used to print images on paper of various sizes, the paper can be properly positioned and straightly fed without skewing.

Abstract: A method for reducing banding during printing with an imaging apparatus includes establishing a current original move length; determining a current original absolute position; calculating a current adjusted absolute position based on the current original absolute position; determining a current difference between the current original absolute position and the current adjusted absolute position; determining a current move-to-move adjustment amount by subtracting the current difference from a previous difference between a previous original absolute position and a previous adjusted absolute position; and generating an adjusted move length for a next move by adding the current move-to-move adjustment amount to the current original move length.

Abstract: A recording start position is obtained effectively with high precision and in a short time.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion print media guide system comprises two racks which are operatively coupled for reciprocal movement relative to each other by way of a central gear cluster instead of a single central gear (pinion) to expand the maximum media capture range. The gear cluster comprises first and second pinions and at least one center idler gear which is operatively coupled between the pinions with each rack skipping the center idler gear during operation.

Abstract: One embodiment of a positioning system for positioning a sheet of print media within a print media handling mechanism comprises a drive shaft that rotates about a drive shaft axis of rotation; and a drive roller mounted on the drive shaft, the drive roller driven by the drive shaft to rotate about an axis of rotation different from the drive shaft axis of rotation.

Abstract: A register cam and a printing press incorporating the register cam are disclosed. The register cam permits the selection of alternative configurations that permit the alteration of parameters of the registration without the removal of the register cam from the printing press. The register cam can have one or more arms movably connected to and extending from the body. The one or more arms include at least two faces with each face having a distinct profile such that when an arm is in a first orientation a first face is presented to contact a gripper arm of the printing press and in a second orientation a second face is presented to contact the gripper arm of the printing press.

Abstract: To stably transport an elongated web-like print paper so as not to move in the widthwise direction of the print paper, a first sensor is disposed at a first position in a paper conveying path and a second sensor at a second position downstream of the first position with respect to the paper conveying direction. Both the first and second sensors detect a position of a side edge or the print paper. A difference between the outputs from the first and second sensors is computed while taking a travel time of the edge detected by the first sensor to reach the second sensor into account. A main controller generates a drive signal based on the difference computed and controls a mechanism for moving the print paper in the widthwise direction in accordance with the drive signal.

Abstract: A method and a device for aligning sheets. The device includes a first and a second supporting stop for supporting the sheet against gravity in a first non-aligned position of the sheet. The device further includes two alignment stops and an actuator for moving the sheet from the first non-aligned position to a second aligned position. In the second aligned position, a substantially straight edge of the sheet contacts the two alignment stops and the first supporting stop supports the sheet while the second supporting stop does not support the sheet.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body has a pair of side plates, a partitioning plate, and a cover segment together defining a frame shape with an central open space. When the ink sheet cartridge is accommodated to a facsimile device, a thermal head and a platen are positioned at the central open space. Also, the partitioning plate serves as a lower transport chute defining a transport path with upper chute members, so that a recording sheet is transported along the transport path.

Abstract: A register cam and a printing press incorporating the register cam are disclosed. The register cam permits the selection of alternative configurations that permit the alteration of parameters of the registration without the removal of the register cam from the printing press. The register cam can have one or more arms movably connected to and extending from the body. The one or more arms include at least two faces with each face having a distinct profile such that when an arm is in a first orientation a first face is presented to contact a gripper arm of the printing press and in a second orientation a second face is presented to contact the gripper arm of the printing press.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a path size switching plate (10) between a recording paper roll and an aligning device (15) for aligning a recording paper with a paper transport path. The path size switching plate limits the paper transport path in a direction of thickness of the recording paper while the recording paper is being conveyed in a paper supply direction, preventing the recording paper from getting jammed. While the recording paper stops and the aligning device pushes opposite side edges of the recording paper for alignment, the path size switching plate widen the paper transport path in the direction of thickness of the recording paper, so as to make a loop for absorbing torsion applied to the recording paper between the recording paper roll and the aligning device as a result of alignment.

Abstract: A printer with a media transport has a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlies the platen and moves along a feed axis. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen so that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A manifold underlies the platen and has a number of separate chambers open to the platen, so that the suction device is connected to each of the chambers. A controller operates to selectably prevent communication between the suction device and at least some of the chambers.

Abstract: An aligning device is provided in a paper transport path in a printer, for correcting a recording paper to be parallel to the paper transport path. The aligning device has a pair of guide members (17, 18) that are shifted in a lateral direction to the paper transport path by a drive mechanism (21), to push side edges of the recording paper, and a stopping plate (19) for stopping the guide members at an aligning position. The drive mechanism is constituted of a cam shaft (28) rotated by an aligning motor, a pair of swing levers (29, 30) for converting rotational movement of the cam shaft into swinging movement, and a pair of sliding levers (31, 32) that slide in the lateral direction with the swinging movement of the swing levers. The guide members are mounted on pivot pins (31d, 32d) of the sliding levers, so the guide members may incline relative to the parallel direction to the paper transport path.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for detecting error in loading print media in a printing device are disclosed. An apparatus embodiment includes a width adjuster position sensor that determines a position of a print medium width adjuster, a width sensor that measures a width of a print medium, and a computing device that compares the width adjuster position with the print medium width, and verifies that the width adjuster is properly positioned for the print medium width. Another embodiment includes a length adjuster position sensor that determines a position of a print medium length adjuster, a length sensor that measures a length of the print medium, and a computing device that compares the length adjuster position with the print medium length, and verifies that the length adjuster is properly positioned for the print medium length.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a media tracking guide mechanism for guiding the transport of printing media in a printing apparatus. The media tracking guide mechanism is designed to provide positive tracking to print media of various types passing through the guide as the print media is supplied to a printing apparatus. The print media tracking guide preferably includes a guide housing configured and dimensioned for mounting along a hub portion of a printing apparatus and an armature rotatably coupled to the guide housing. The guide housing includes a core member having a print media transport path along an outer peripheral portion thereof and an overhang support positioned in a spaced relationship from the core member. The overhang support includes a slotted area for receiving a lever component. The core member and overhang support are rigidly coupled to a flange portion along a common side thereof.

Abstract: An imagesetting or platesetting system and method for transporting one or more sheets of media having varying stiffness and thickness includes the steps of: transporting the sheets through the system in a first direction (A); recording an image onto the sheets; and redirecting one or more of the sheets in a transverse direction (B) relative to the first direction (A). Preferably, this is accomplished using: a transport mechanism for transporting the sheets of media through the system in the first direction (A); an imager for recording the image onto the sheets; and a jogging mechanism for redirecting the sheets in the transverse direction (B). The jogging mechanism can be integrated or modular to the system. Moreover, the jogging mechanism can be used in both internal and external drum imagers.

Abstract: A sheet to be fed by a sheet feed roller is loaded on a sheet feed tray, and a side regulating member is disposed so as to be movable in accordance with the sheet size in order to regulate the position of the loaded sheet in the direction of the sheet width. The side regulating member extends downstream from the sheet feed roller in the sheet feeding direction in order to regulate the position of the sheet in the direction of the sheet width, thereby preventing oblique movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A paper discharge section for a printer having a printer body includes first and second support portions mounted on the printer body. At least one of the support portions is slidable towards and away from the other support portion. A paper pushing down portion is mounted on the printer body and positioned intermediate the support portions. The first support portion can rotate between at least a first position at which the first support portion supports a first bottom side portion of the sheet of paper and at least a second position in which the first support portion does not support the first bottom side portion of a sheet of paper. A slidable edge guide for guiding a first side edge of a sheet of paper is provided and slidable towards the other edge guide. A linkage mechanism links the slidable edge guide to the first support portion to cause the first edge guide and first support portion to slide together.

Abstract: In a thermal printer for performing printing on the printing surface of a tag which is drawn out from a tag roll and then held and conveyed by a platen and a line thermal head, the thermal printer comprises a thread sweeping means for sweeping away the threads which get on the printing surface of the tag and a tag guide means disposed downstream the conveying direction of the tag for bringing into contact with the side edge of the tag which is opposite to the other side edge thereof to which the threads are attached so that the threads which get on the printing surface of the tag are swept away by the thread sweeping means and the tag is conveyed in the manner that the threads do not contact the tag guide, which eventually prevents the threads from being caught by parts on the conveying route or prevents the tag from being printed on the printing surface thereof while the threads remain getting on the printing surface.

Abstract: A laptop computer has a base housing and an associated printer (2'), an input keyboard (320, 328) and a screen (306,304). The base housing has a transport channel (3') for a printing medium which runs towards the rear from the operating side and extends essentially over the whole width of the base housing so that printing media of corresponding width (e.g. A4 format) can be printed. The printer (2) is designed as a flat-bed printer and preferably has a dot matrix printing head which can be moved in the lower housing part (4') transversely to the direction of motion (8) of the printing medium (line direction).

Abstract: A movable plate (7) of a paper lateral ends positioning mechanism (5) is located on the side of a home position (HP), and a fixed plate (6) of the paper lateral ends positioning mechanism (5) is located on the other side opposite to the home position (HP) side. A paper width detecting device (10) is so designed as to detect a width (W1, W2) of a printing paper (P) by subtracting from a known distance (C1) a quantity of movement (X) of a carrier (3) from the home position (HP) at the time when a lateral end of the printing paper (P) on the home position (HP) side is detected by a paper lateral end sensor (11).

Abstract: A recording apparatus for effecting recording on a recording medium has a recording head for effecting recording on the recording medium, conveying rollers for conveying the recording medium, a first and a second case for covering the recording head and the conveying means, and a mechanism for effecting relative movement of the first case and the second case.

Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for ensuring that an image receiving sheet, which has only one major surface thereof coated with an image receiving coating, is properly oriented prior to an image being printed thereon. The image receiving sheet has a concave or convex irregularity (e.g., a notch, arc, etc.) formed in at least one nominally straight edge of the sheet. In a first embodiment, a mechanical or optical sensing means detects whether or not the image receiving sheet is stacked correctly in a loading tray by sensing whether or not the edge irregularities are properly positioned. In a second embodiment, an edge and a notch sensing means detect whether or not the image receiving sheet is oriented properly while being fed into the printer. An improperly loaded image receiving sheet is either not fed into the printer, or transits the printer without causing the printer to attempt to print the image thereon.

Abstract: A system for embossing a plurality of lines and recording encoded tracks of digitally encoded characters for credit cards is disclosed. The system has an improved recording station for recording digitally encoded characters, indent embossing unit, card transporting unit, process for verifying the accuracy of recording the tracks; and stacker.

Abstract: A printer includes improved paper feeding mechanism. A manual paper guide plate below an automatic paper feeding device can guide a thick piece of paper into a printing position on the platen without bending it hard around the platen. A pin tractor below the manual paper guide plate can feed a continuous web substantially straight into the printing position. A print head below the platen prints out on the lower surface of printing paper, whereby the printed individual cut sheets of paper being piled up one after another with the printed surface facing downward in a proper paper order. A paper tray for holding the printed paper can alternatively change its position to reverse the discharge direction of the printed continuous web. The printed and reversed paper can be stacked on the upper surface of the manual paper guide plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a paper guide, a feed roller and a pinch roller for feeding and guiding a recording medium. The pinch roller is biased to normally be pressed agaisnt the feed roller and can be separated from the feed roller so that the recording medium can be introduced between them. The paper guide comprises two guide members that contact respective side edges of the recording medium when the pinch roller is separated from the feed roller.

Abstract: A feeder device for feeding tags, cards, nameplates and the like to a rotary printer or marking machine. The feeder device is comprised of a chute for receiving a stack of tags. A reciprocatory pusher plate or shuttle is adapted to push a bottom-most tag through a narrow slot in a side wall of the chute onto a table of the printer. The table has a pair of guard rails spaced from one another and disposed in a converging relationship. The tags are pushed into a wide portion between the rails and advance into a tag engaging restricted portion between the rails where one of the rails is biasedly engageable against an edge of the tag. The tag is guided in a controlled manner as it is pushed underneath a printing wheel where the desired printing information is printed upon it.

Abstract: A document feeder for feeding a document sheet in a document feeding path downstream to a registered copying position on the platen of a copier, with deskewing and edge registration (document registration transverse the direction of the document feeding path to the platen) upstream of the platen, with a skewed roller edge registration system for feeding the document transversely as well as downstream, and wherein a large radius non-skewed arcuate document guide path provides an arcuate document deforming portion of the document feeding path, the improvement wherein an arcuate document edge confinement and control is provided along the edge of the arcuate document guide path, preferably by a document edge guide having a narrow and smooth-bottomed arcuate slot adapted to receive, confine closely, and edge register the document therein, sliding it along the bottom of the slot, and the skewed rollers are mounted in and intermediately of the arcuate document guide path for providing both edge registration and desk

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for use in a printer is capable of feeding both continuous computer or fan-fold paper having holes in the peripheral edges thereof and single sheets of paper such as letter paper. The paper feeding apparatus includes a frame having a platen rotatably supported thereon and a guide shaft supported on the frame. First and second paper feeding members are disposed on the guide shaft and spaced apart for feeding a fan-fold paper along the peripheral edges thereof by means of the holes therealong. First and second guide members are disposed intermediate the first and second paper feeding members. The first and second paper guide members each have a first portion for guiding a continuous fan-fold paper fed by the first and second paper feeding members, a second portion for guiding a single sheet of paper while being inserted and fed into the printer and a third surface for guiding a single sheet of paper while it is being fed out of the printer, past the platen.