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: An inkjet printing mechanism includes an elongate chassis that spans a printing zone. A printhead assembly is mounted on the elongate chassis. The printhead assembly includes an ink distribution assembly and an array of printhead integrated circuits mounted on the ink distribution assembly to span the printing zone. An elongate platen assembly is mounted on the chassis such that the platen assembly spans the print area. The platen assembly includes an elongate body that defines a longitudinal platen surface for supporting a print medium during a printing operation carried out on the print medium. At least one of an elongate ink blotting member and a capping assembly is arranged on the body. A displacement mechanism displaces either the platen surface or said at least one of the ink blotting member and the capping assembly into operative alignment with the array of printhead integrated circuits.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus provides a machine frame including a first side frame and a second side frame. A first plurality of platen mounting members is provided which are spaced apart and extend from the first side frame. A second plurality of platen mounting members is provided which are spaced apart and extend from the second side frame. A platen is positioned to extend between the first side frame and the second side frame. The platen has a first end including a first plurality of engagement members and has a second end including a second plurality of engagement members. A biasing assembly is coupled to the machine frame, wherein the biasing assembly applies a biasing force to the platen to move the first plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with the first plurality of platen mounting members and to move the second plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with the second plurality of platen mounting members.

Abstract: A platen assembly for a printer includes a chassis to which there is mounted a printhead and a pair of bearing moldings supported by the chassis and movable toward and away from the printhead. A platen body is rotatably mounted between the bearing moldings and includes a platen surface extending therealong, a capping device extending therealong and a blotting device also extending therealong. Each device is selectively aligned with the printhead upon rotation of the body between respective angular orientation. The body includes end caps having cam surfaces engageable with a projection affixed to the chassis to cause movement of the bearing members toward and away from the printhead during rotation of the body so that the body does not damage the printhead.

Abstract: A lettering apparatus adapted for receiving a replaceable tape supply cartridge comprising a pair of spaced apart, parallel frame members defining a cartridge receiving cavity and a print bar pivotally supported between the frame members. The apparatus also includes an improved force resisting arm.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen supporting or carrying assembly which is pivotable to move the platen toward the print head. A first cam member is rotated to engage with and to swing the platen supporting assembly into printing position and a second cam member is connected with the first cam member and rotated thereby to maintain the assembly in printing position.

Abstract: A color printer, including a guide shaft, a printing head slidably mounted on the guide shaft; a control shaft having a center axis and being parallel to the guide shaft, and a platen slidably mounted on the control shaft so as to be arranged opposite to the printing head, and having a central axis oriented vertically to the control shaft and the guide shaft, and being turnable in a plane vertical to the control shaft, and rotatable around the vertically oriented central axis, the platen also having a plurality of layers respectively containing ink of different color, the layers being adjacently and coaxially arranged on the central axis of the platen so as to form an outer working surface, the outer working surface being oriented in a plane defined by a circular arc having a predetermined radius centered at the center axis of the control shaft so that any one selected layer of the plurality of layers is positionable to directly confront the printing head with a constant predetermined spacing therebetween.