Abstract: A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.

Abstract: A printing device includes a medium holding portion a medium holding portion on which a medium is placed, a discharge unit, a holding portion, a first displacement mechanism, a second displacement mechanism, and a contacting portion of the medium holding portion. The discharge unit is configured to discharge an object to the medium placed on the medium holding portion. The holding portion is configured to hold the discharge unit. The first displacement mechanism is configured to displace a relative position of the medium and the discharge unit along a placement surface of the medium. The second displacement mechanism is configured to displace the medium holding portion along a height direction. The contacting portion configured to come in contact with a contacted portion located at a surface of the medium holding portion, the medium placed on the surface.

Abstract: A printer is provided that can convey recording paper at a constant transportation speed and transportation amount passed a printing position by means of the transportation force of a single transportation roller pair located on the upstream side of the printing position. A roll paper printer has a vacuum type platen member opposite the ink nozzle surface of an inkjet head, and an upstream guide surface and a platen surface that defines the printing position are formed on the guide surface of the platen member. The upstream guide surface extends to a position near the nipping part of the single transportation roller pair on its upstream side. Because the recording paper fed from the nipping part toward the printing position is guided while being constrained by air suction to the upstream guide surface, deflection in the out-of-plane direction is suppressed and the recording paper is held flat.

Abstract: A printing device for printing sheet elements (2) that are serially fed to the printing device, in particular product labels made of temperature-sensitive paper or paper substitute materials, comprises at least two separate feed devices (3a, . . . , 3f) for each liner strip (1) comprising the sheet elements (2), wherein each feed device (3a, . . . , 3f) comprises a peeling-off device (4a, . . . , 4f) for peeling the sheet elements (2) from the liner strip (1), and wherein the feed devices (3a, . . . , 3f) are associated with a print head (5a, . . . , 5f) with a thermal slat (6a, . . . , 6f) for printing a sheet element supported by a counterpressure surface (7a, . . . , 7f), and comprising an application device (8) for removing the printed sheet element from the print head (5a, . . . , 5f) and for applying the printed sheet element to a product.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer, a plurality of transport belts are disposed at a predetermined interval in a direction intersecting a transport direction of a printing medium, the printing medium is absorbed on the transport belts to be transported, and an ink jet head ejects an ink droplet on the printing medium transported by the transport belts to perform a printing operation, and a support member that gradually lifts the end portions of the transported printing medium in the direction intersecting the transport direction up to the height of circumferential surfaces of the transport belts is disposed between the plurality of transport belts and below the circumferential surfaces of the transport belts.

Abstract: A printing table for a flatbed printing machine, for example, a large format digital flatbed printing machine, has a printing table base and a printing table plate disposed on the printing table base. The printing table base is connected by several connecting elements to the printing table plate. The connecting elements permit movement of the printing table plate relative to the printing table base, in particular movement caused by thermal expansion, only in a direction parallel to the printing table surface and only proceeding from a certain area of the printing table plate, the area having a point or line form and being fixed relative to the printing table base.

Abstract: A trough support rib for improved edge-to-edge printing having a media feedpath extending in a first direction, a printhead reciprocally movable in a second direction, the second direction defining a print zone, an ink trough, at least one support rib beneath the print zone within the ink trough, the at least one support rib having an upper angled edge for engaging print media defined by two beveled surfaces, the rib further including a notch for removal of overspray ink to the ink trough.

Abstract: A platen for supporting a reverse surface of a recording medium under a recording head capable of performing image recording with ink droplets on the recording medium, which is conveyed along a specified direction in a main body of an inkjet recording apparatus. The platen comprises an ink receiving portion which receives ink and an ink guiding portion. The ink guiding portion guides the ink received by the ink receiving portion to an ink absorbing member. Specifically, the ink guiding portion guides the ink to an ink guide groove provided in an upper surface of a placement portion, on which the ink absorbing member is placed.

Abstract: A structure has an edge configured to contact an underside of a medium along a media path. The edge extends path across a majority of a width of the media path.

Abstract: A platen plate for supporting an ejection object for liquid droplets ejected from each nozzle on the bottom surface of a liquid ejection head can secure the flatness of the ejection object so as to appropriately eject ink as well as can prevent the contamination of the bottom surface of the ejection object.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head for printing on a print medium and a platen which supports the print medium, and is located opposite to the print head. The print head is linearly moved along the print medium. The platen includes first and second end portions and an intermediate portion, and is formed of material having stiffness. The first and second end portions are located at respective ends of the platen in the moving direction of the print head, and the intermediate portion is located between the first and second end portions. The first and second end portions are supported by respective spring members, such that they can be elastically displaced in a direction toward or away from the print head. The intermediate portion is formed to be more easily warped than the first and second end portions.

Abstract: There are provided a sucking unit having a recording medium transportation surface including a plurality of sucking holes, a decompression chamber communicating with the sucking holes and a sucking device for sucking air in the decompression chamber, and a delivering device for sucking a recording medium supplied onto the recording medium transportation surface of the sucking unit onto the recording medium transportation surface through the sucking hole by the sucking device, and delivering the recording medium from an upstream side of the sucking unit to a downstream side thereof. Each sucking hole of the sucking unit is formed by a through hole section communicating with the decompression chamber and a sucking chamber having a larger area of a sucking surface opposed to the recording medium than a sectional area of the through hole section.

Abstract: There is provided a platen and a printer pressed to printing elements with a uniform pressure, decreasing in size, reducing a force for transporting a printing medium, and smoothly transporting the printing medium. The platen includes a plurality of printing elements disposed parallel to a thermal head and a fixed platen disposed to be opposed to the printing elements. A convex portion that has a semicircular section is disposed in the portion of the platen pressed to printing elements so as to be opposed to the pressed portion in a linear shape.

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

Abstract: To prevent cockling occurring in a fixed material in a liquid fixing apparatus more effectively and make a paper gap small thereby to improve print quality. On a fixed material transporting surface, a through hole corresponding to a sucking hole is formed, further a recess functioning as a suction chamber is formed, and a through hole is formed in this recess. When intake is performed by the suction unit, and a fixed material is transported on a fixed material transporting surface, the fixed material is sucked and supported on the transporting surface. Sequentially, when the fixed material is fixed, cockling of the fixed material is sucked into the recess by the sucking hole of the suction chamber that is the recess, so that paper rising is prevented.

Abstract: There are provided a suction unit which sucks a recording medium, and a unit which changes sucking force of the suction unit according to the property of the recording medium. Hereby, since the sucking force of the suction unit can be set according to a state of the recording medium. Therefore, for example, even if the recording medium is greatly curled, since its recording medium can be surely sucked on the transporting surface of the recording medium by the suction unit. Further, even if the recording medium has little rigidity and is thin, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stuck on the transporting surface of the recording medium by the suction unit.

Abstract: A sheet feed table has a plurality of ribs formed on a surface thereof. The ribs extend in a sheet feeding direction and are disposed at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. An air duct is provided between the adjacent ribs. An ink passage opening is formed in an image forming region where a print head moves to form an image. Disposed below the ink passage opening is an ink receiving chamber in which an ink absorber is disposed. A suction opening that communicates with the air duct is disposed upstream and downstream of the image forming region in the sheet feeding direction. A suction device is connected such that the air is sucked through the suction openings into a negative pressure chamber provided on an underside of the sheet feed table. The negative pressure chamber and the ink receiving chamber are separated from each other.

Abstract: A platesetting system and method comprising a pair of dual capstan rollers that receives a recording medium and records an image on the received medium as the medium is transported through the system. The system and method advantageously enable at least a portion of the image to extend from a leading edge of the medium to a trailing edge of the medium.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus, when a printing is performed by generating the reacting so that, on the printing sheet, permeation of an ink solvent is delayed to prevent that the fixing time is prolonged thereby. A printing sheet is sucked by the comparatively weak suction force in a degree in which the sheet is tightly contacted with the pore of the platen. Hereby, insolubilized or coagulated coloring matters and the ink solvent except the reactive radical component or water on the sheet are sucked together into the sheet, and then the forcible permeation condition is formed. As a result, the fixing time is shorter than in a case where there is no suction, and the fixing by the reactive system ink-set can be accelerated.

Abstract: A platesetting system and method comprising a pair of dual capstan rollers that receives a recording medium and records an image on the received medium as the medium is transported through the system. The system and method advantageously enable at least a portion of the image to extend from a leading edge of the medium to a trailing edge of the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a platen, a feeding device, and a suction device. The paper carrier includes first protrusions, recesses, second protrusions, and two suction ports in each recesses. The first protrusions extend in parallel with a feed direction and are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction. The recesses are defined between adjacent ones of the first protrusions and extend in the feed direction. The second protrusions are provided on downstream and upstream sides, respectively, in the feed direction with respect to an image forming region and extend in the direction perpendicular to the feed direction. The two suction ports are defined on the downstream and upstream sides, respectively, in the feed direction with respect to the image forming region in each of the recesses. The suction ports communicate with the suction device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal print head platen which includes a pair of support members separated by a gap wherein the support members are adapted to be oriented to press media against a thermal print head for printing purposes with the gap approximately aligned with a heating element located within the print head. There are also described a thermal printer which includes at least one thermal print head in conjunction with a thermal print head platen to pressure print media against the thermal print head for printing purposes and a thermal printing method utilizing such a thermal printer.

Abstract: A paper guide used in an ink-jet printer. The paper guide for the ink-jet printer includes a plurality of first guide ribs which protrude on the paper guide to face a front-half swath of a printhead and forms a predetermined interval therebetween, and a plurality of second guide ribs which protrude on the paper guide to face a rear half-swath of the printhead and forms an interval therebetween to be wider than the interval between the first guide ribs.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes a carrier. An ink supply assembly is mounted on the carrier and defines a plurality of printhead chip receiving formations that are each dimensioned to engage a printhead chip and a plurality of ink supply conduits that terminate at the formations to supply ink to printhead chips engaged with the formations. A plurality of inkjet printhead chips is engaged with respective said formations to receive the ink via passages defined by the printhead chips in fluid communication with respective ink supply conduits. A rotary platen assembly is mounted on the carrier. The rotary platen assembly includes a platen body that is mounted on a shaft and defines a platen surface for supporting sheets of a print medium as the printhead chips carry out a printing operation on the sheets. The shaft is rotatable to bring the platen surface into and out of alignment with the printhead chips.

Abstract: A flat platen is provided in an image forming apparatus having a side edge detector that detects a side edge of a recording medium to be fed in a predetermined direction. The flat platen has a surface on which the recording medium to be fed is supported and is disposed facing the side edge detector. The side edge detector has a light emitting device and a light receiving device, which are disposed such as to face the recording medium. The side edge detector detects a side edge of the recording sheet while moving in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction to emit light from the light emitting device. In such a flat platen, an anti-reflective treatment, which reduces or prevents light led to the light receiving device from the light emitting device through the reflection on the surface, is applied to the surface of which corresponds to at least a vicinity of a side edge of a standard-size recording medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing recording on the full surface of a recording sheet without any complication, enlargement or cost increases, and without any need to execute secondary processing after the end of recording. Platen ribs for guiding and supporting the recording sheet are provided in parallel within the ink discharge nozzle row length of a recording head, and each rib constituting one platen rib row is disposed in a position between the adjacent ribs of another platen rib row. When recording is performed on the leading end or the rear end of the recording sheet, recording data is divided into data according to a platen rib array, and one-line recording data is recorded by a plurality of scanning operations.

Abstract: A carriage rod and media support system in a printing mechanism comprises a platen including a carriage rod support and a print media support.

Abstract: A printing system that includes a web guide having a preprinting section which guides a substrate into the printing system, and a postprinting section which maintains tension in the substrate as the substrate moves through the printing system. A printing section is positioned between the preprinting section and the postprinting section. The printing section includes a removable platen to provide a gap in the printing section to prevent excess ink which is deposited onto the substrate from accumulating underneath the substrate.

Abstract: A printer vacuum guide member of plastics material, attached to a printer chassis of metal so as to allow thermal movements, has flexible limbs which extend from walls near the ends of the member to attachment points for receiving fixing screws. The member is fixedly attached to the chassis at points at a central location. To further reduce the effects of thermal expansion, the guide member may be sub-divided into separate component parts along its length.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus an inkjet printhead has a plurality of inkjet nozzles which eject ink onto media located within a print-zone. A drive shaft is located upstream of the printhead and is incrementally rotated to advance the media. The drive shaft has a longitudinal axis, a first radius over a central length and a second radius less than the first radius at a first recess and a second recess, each said recess being peripheral to the central length. A plurality of pinch devices stabilize the media against the drive shaft. A first guide is aligned with the first recess and is spaced from an axis of the drive shaft by a first distance which is less than the first radius. A second guide is aligned with the second recess and is spaced from the axis by a second distance less than the first radius.

Abstract: A media advancing device for a hardcopy apparatus includes at least one roller having an outer surface and being rotatable for advancing media, and a negative pressure mechanism. The outer surface further comprises a plurality of openings and a contact region for engaging the media, wherein the negative pressure mechanism is capable of creating negative pressure through at least a portion of the openings in the contact region.

Abstract: A printing device includes a print media advancement subsystem for providing accurate and timely print media advancement in the printing device. The print media advancement subsystem includes a vacuum chamber for generating a vacuum force through a platen for holding a print media stationary. In response to receiving a print media advance signal from a controller in the printing device, a sealing plate forming a side of the vacuum chamber is removed from the vacuum chamber. When the sealing plate is removed, the vacuum chamber is substantially open to the atmosphere, causing the vacuum chamber to pressurize. The pressurization of the vacuum chamber results in removal of the vacuum force from the print media, allowing the print media to advance along the top surface of the platen with minimal friction.

Abstract: A platen (115) of the flat type for an impact printer comprising a metal body (220) for support and a plastics body (222) for protection and absorption of vibrations, in which the metal body (220) is completely embedded in the plastic body (222).

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting print medium through a printzone of a printing device. The apparatus including a print media movement mechanism configured to advance a first portion of a print medium through the printzone and a reciprocally translating vacuum platen downstream of the print media movement mechanism. The vacuum platen receives the print medium and conveys a remaining portion of the print medium through the printzone so that a printing mechanism can print at a bottom margin of the print medium.

Abstract: A narrow-width modular printing mechanism for a printer includes an integrated platen/service station assembly positioned within the printer. The integrated platen/service station assembly includes a platen member and a service station mechanically coupled together. The service station includes a bottom portion, at least one cap, at least one wiper and a mechanism for displacing the caps and the wipers relative to the bottom portion. The platen member is formed with apertures which are positioned and sized to facilitate displacement of the caps and the wipers through the platen member. In a preferred embodiment, the integrated platen/service station assembly is configured to accommodate a front-in, front-out paper path of the printer. In a preferred embodiment, the platen/service station assembly includes an actuator fork assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the platen/service station assembly includes a self-aligning cap sled.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention thus increases the precision for controlling the movement of a printing media through an improved set of vacuum apertures formed in the platen surface, a discrete set of compartments inside the platen each fluidly coupled to a unique set of improved vacuum apertures, and vapor/dust recovery apertures fluidly coupled to a storage, collection, or other disposal vessel. In a preferred embodiment the present invention comprises at least four exhaust fans each fluidly coupled to a discrete compartment within the platen and at least one said compartment connects to each end of the platen surface adjacent to the printing zone and is adapted to evacuate the entire interior space of a large format printing engine. In each of these embodiments, at least some of the improved vacuum apertures located near the edges of the printing zone extend to a recess, or grooved, segment of the platen surface.

Abstract: Predetermined geometric constructs reduce heat loss in a vacuum platen and assist in the reduction of paper cockle in ink-jet printing. A vacuum platen for supporting media during printing is provided with a plurality of heating elements and surfaces interspersed with vacuum ports. The heater elements are laid into surface channels of the platen such that an insulative gap separates the heaters from the main platen support structure. In an alternative embodiment, an insulative gasket is provided for the gap.

Abstract: A platen has an impact surface positioned to oppose a printhead so that a part of a printhead strikes paper loaded on the impact surface. The platen includes a first impact surface having a curved surface, a second impact surface having a curved surface, and an opening formed between the first and second impact surfaces. The platen is rotatable about an axis such that the first and second impact surfaces are selectively positioned to oppose the printhead. Paper advances into the platen and passes through the opening from an inside of the platen to outside of the platen so that the paper extends to cover the first impact surface, and another paper advances to the second impact surface. The impact surfaces may have different curvatures with respect to the axis. A projection may be formed on the impact surface and extends transversely of the paper advancement. The projection is substantially configured to the flection of the paper.

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 thermal printer has a thermal head for image recording to a thermosensitive recording sheet while applying pressure to the recording sheet. A plate-shaped platen supports the recording sheet during the pressure application of the thermal head to the recording sheet. The platen includes first, second and third plates serially laid on one another and secured to one another. The first plate is rigid. The second plate is resilient. The third plate has higher rigidity than the second plate, and has a smooth surface contacting the recording sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is a low-height, narrow-width printer. The printer includes a removable input tray for storing input media and at least two printheads to print on the input media. The removable input tray includes an integrated platen and at least two capping stations preferably located at the center of the platen. The removable input tray also contains a motor to move the integrated capping stations up to cap the printheads during periods of non-use and down during use.

Abstract: Predetermined geometric constructs reduce heat loss in a vacuum platen and assist in the reduction of paper cockle in ink-jet printing. A vacuum platen for supporting media during printing is provided with a plurality of heating elements and surfaces interspersed with vacuum ports. The heater elements are laid into surface channels of the platen such that an insulative gap separates the heaters from the main platen support structure. In an alternative embodiment, an insulative gasket is provided for the gap.

Abstract: At least both sides of the recording medium (10) are sandwiched by means of the drive roller (14) and the pinch roller (34), and the recording medium (10) is carried onto the drafting member (12) by the rotation of the drive roller (14). The recording head (22) reciprocatingly shifts in a direction perpendicular to the carrying direction of the recording medium (10) on the drafting position of the drafting member (12). The suction force is generated by the suction device (36) in a predetermined range of the drafting member and surrounding the drafting member (12), and the recording medium (10) is attracted to the drafting member (12). The unevenness guide unit (19) having the suction holes is formed on the drafting member (12), and the recording medium (10) is adsorbed to the unevenness guide unit (19) by means of the suction force of the suction device (36).

Abstract: A platen has an impact surface positioned to oppose a printhead so that a part of a printhead strikes paper loaded on the impact surface. The platen includes a first impact surface having a curved surface, a second impact surface having a curved surface, and an opening formed between the first and second impact surfaces. The platen is rotatable about an axis such that the first and second impact surfaces are selectively positioned to oppose the printhead. Paper advances into the platen and passes through the opening from an inside of the platen to outside of the platen so that the paper extends to cover the first impact surface, and another paper advances to the second impact surface. The impact surfaces may have different curvatures with respect to the axis. A projection may be formed on the impact surface and extends transversely of the paper advancement. The projection is substantially configured to the flection of the paper.

Abstract: A clamshell printer having a base and a cover pivotally mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position, wherein the open position provides unhindered access to a media path and a print head in the printer. The printer may include a platen formed integrally therein or a platen rollingly supported in the printer. A media supply, such as a continuous sheet of linerless thermal media in the form of a roll may be quickly and efficiently drop-loaded into the printer, with no threading of the media required. Unhindered access to the print head is also provided. The printer may or may not include a drive mechanism for advancing the media through the printer. The print head is controlled by a microprocessor mounted to a circuit board in the printer. The circuit board may be spring-biased to urge the print head toward a printing position, which is located at an effective printing distance from the media and the platen. A window may be formed in the printer for observing the media supply.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a plastic platen and a structural member extending upward from the base of the printer. The printing surface is supported by the upper surface of the structural member. This surface is held flat to within very tight tolerances. The bottom of the platen printing surface is retained against this surface so that it conforms to the shape of this surface structural member to create a substantially flat printing surface.

Abstract: An impact printer (30) comprises a printhead (31) traversing along a guide for printing a line on a document (32) of thickness S, and is provided with contrast means for supporting the document (32) against the head (31) and for contrasting the impact force exerted by the latter against the document. The printhead (31) bears a spacing roller (34) which causes the contrast means to yield in order to compensate for thickness S, which varies according to the document (32), and thus maintain the distance D between the head (31) and the document (32) constant. The contrast means comprise a flexible platen (33) attached yieldingly at the ends, of length at least equal to or greater than that of the print line and having a variable section frame so that the pressure generated between the platen (33) and the roller (34) is substantially constant all along the print line.

Abstract: In a sprocket-driven plotter, a pair of drive sprockets are spaced apart from each other and keyed to a common sprocket shaft, and a drive motor is drivingly connected to the shaft to rotatably drive the sprockets, and in turn move the sheets engaged by the sprockets relative to a tool carriage for plotting by drawing lines, cutting or performing a variety of other operations on the sheets. A sheet support defines an arcuate support surface fixedly secured to the apparatus, and extending in its elongated direction between the sprockets for conformably contacting the laterally-extending section of each sheet engaged by the sprockets. The arcuate support surface defines a plurality of relatively raised or outermost surface areas, and each raised surface area is defined by an arcuate surface segment extending in the axial direction of the support for contacting and supporting the sheets.

Abstract: A printer including a paper guide auxiliary member for guiding recording paper to the vicinity of the lower end of a printing area in which a print head performs printing, a paper side regulating member formed of elastic material for guiding both sides outside of the printing area of recording paper transferred from the paper guide auxiliary member towards the exit of the recording paper, and a gap forming member located outside of recording paper path and pressed between the paper side regulating member and platen. The recording paper is guided along the platen by the paper side regulating member while being transferred in the predetermined gap formed between the paper side regulating member and platen without frictional force, thereby avoiding the need for a mask plate which often causes problems.

Abstract: In the present invention, the platen bar is compositely formed of three materials. For a sole layer, a material is used which has high hardness and strength, and has a property that the repulsion against the impact of the print wires is large. For an elastic layer, a material is used which transmits less vibration to the platen base in the print operation and absorbs the impact when the wires of a printhead strike the sole layer. For platen bases, a material is used which has a very high hardness, a high molding precision, and less dimensional change due to temperature change or change with time. The elastic layer is exposed on the surface and a gap roller is positioned at the exposure location. With this, the occurrence of the dent by the gap roller can be prevented when the printing on a copy form is performed.