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: 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 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 line printer with a hammerbank having print hammers with printing tips and a ribbon supported for impact by the tips for printing on media and a metal platen for supporting the media. An elastomer on the metal platen supports the media and has a layer of material harder than the elastomer extending inwardly from its surface which receives the impacts of the hammer tips. The harder material can be particles extending inwardly randomly from the surface of the elastomer of a ceramic having a sphericity exceeding 0.50 up to 35 percent of the thickness of the elastomer, and in the range of 20 microns to 400 microns in size.

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: A recording system uses a laser beam for imaging the surface of a photographic film which is held in a curved arrangement to allow light to be focused in precise position in a circular light path on the film. The film is maintained in the curved arrangement by resilient means associated with a film holding curved platen.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus including a print station, a transport mechanism for positioning a record medium at the print station, an arcuately-shaped platen, and a line of printing elements. Relative movement between the platen and the printing elements is effected from a common center point. Printing in a variety of styles of fonts like E-13B is possible on documents like checks or deposit slips, for example.

Abstract: This invention provides improved means for automatically retracting the styli away from the paper when the rotational speed of the rotor drops below a predetermined minimum level. Improved means also are provided for stably holding and accurately positioning the styli during printing. In addition, simple means are provided for adjusting the axial position of the styli to ensure proper character spacing. A snap-on housing protects the rotor and the retracted styli and allows the rotor and styli to be removed easily from the rotary printer as a single enclosed unit. An improved latch is provided for locking the rotor in one place on the drive shaft, but allowing the rotor to be removed relatively easily. The platen has a slight inclined area or ramp at the leading edge of the recording paper. The ramp smooths the travel of the styli on to the paper and increases the area of the paper which can be used for printing.