Abstract

A print head includes a fluid cavity and nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. A stopper is positioned adjacent the nozzle and adapted to control flow of fluid through the nozzle. An arm supports the stopper and is configured to pivotally move the stopper with respect to the nozzle. An electromagnet is positioned adjacent the arm and configured to move the arm toward the electromagnet to open the nozzle.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 2/14 - Structure thereof

Abstract

A labelling machine comprising a supply spool support (12) adapted to receive a supply spool (28), a takeup spool support (14) adapted to form a takeup spool (32) of web (30) from which at least some labels (74) have been removed, a motor (40) arranged to turn the takeup spool, and a controller to control operation of the motor. A web path (16) is defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and the controller is arranged to control the motor to turn the take-up spool so as to cause controlled predetermined linear movement of a web along the web path and onto the take-up spool, furthermore comprising a sensor (50) operable to sense linear displacement of the web and/or displacement of the web in a direction other than the direction of the web, a printer (34) movable between a first position and a second position, and a separator surface (24) comprising a first portion inclined relative to the web path.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65C 9/18 - Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
• B65C 9/42 - Label feed control

Abstract

An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 2/195 - Ink jet characterised by ink handling for monitoring ink quality
• B41J 2/175 - Ink supply systems
• B41J 23/00 - Power drives for actions or mechanisms

Abstract

A printing apparatus configured to carryout a plurality of printing operations. The apparatus comprises a tape drive comprising two motors (12, 13), two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller (14) for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is configured to: receive a signal indicative of a value of a characteristic of said tape, the characteristic being affected by operation of the tape drive, determine whether said value satisfies a predetermined criterion, and if said value does not satisfy said predetermined criterion, to provide a predetermined control signal, said predetermined control signal being configured to affect said characteristic of said tape.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole
• B41J 17/10 - Feed independent of the record-paper feed electromagnetically controlled

Abstract

A tape drive comprising two motors (12, 13), two tape spool supports on which, spools (3, 4) of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller (14) for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is configured to store a plurality of motor control data items, each data item being associated with a respective tension value. The controller is operative to monitor tension.in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports, read a motor control data item based upon said monitored tension, generate a motor control signal based upon said read motor control data item, and apply said motor control signal to at least one of the motors.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole
• G11B 15/43 - Control or regulation of mechanical tension of record carrier, e.g. tape tension

Abstract

A tape drive comprising two motors (12, 13) at least a first of which is an open loop position- controlled motor arranged to provide a controllable torque, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape (3, 4) may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller (14) for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape (6) may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to provide a control signal to the first motor to set the tape tension.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole

Abstract

A tape drive comprising two tape spool supports on which spools (3, 4) of tape may be mounted, at least one spool being drivable by a respective motor (12, 13), a controller (14) for controlling the energisation of said at least one motor such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports, and a sensor (19) configured to obtain signals indicative of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the tape, wherein means are provided to process two signals obtained by said sensor and to generate an output signal indicative of movement of said tape based on said signals.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole
• G11B 15/43 - Control or regulation of mechanical tension of record carrier, e.g. tape tension

Abstract

A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque- controlled motor (12) and a second position-controlled motor (13), two tape spool supports (3, 4) on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller (14) for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction (15, 16) between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole

Abstract

A tape drive comprising first and second motors (12, 13), the first motor being a torque-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller (14) operable to control the energisation of the motors such that tape may be transported in first and second directions between spools mounted on the spool supports. Each spool support is coupled to a respective motor by means of a drive coupling providing at least one fixed transmission ratio. When tape is moved in said first direction, said torque- controlled motor is energised in a first rotational direction, when tape is moved in said second direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in said first rotational direction for a part of said movement and a second opposite rotational direction for another part of said movement.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole
• B41J 35/08 - Ink-ribbon guides with tensioning arrangements

Abstract

A tape drive comprising two position-controlled motors (12, 13), at least one of which is a closed-loop position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools (3, 4) of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller (14) for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is operative to energise both motors to drive the spools of tape in the direction of tape transport, to monitor tension in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports and to control the motors to maintain the monitored -tension between predetermined limits.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole

Abstract

A tape drive comprising first and second motors (12, 13), two tape spool supports on which spools of tape (3, 4) may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, a sensor (19) for sensing tape motion between the spools, and a controller (14). The controller is adapted to receive a first signal indicating demanded tape motion, provide a first control signal to at least one of the motors, the first control signal being based upon said demanded tape motion and being configured to cause tape to be transported between spools mounted on the spool supports, receive a second signal from said sensor indicating actual tape motion in response to said first control signal, and provide a second control signal to at least one of the motors, the second control signal being based upon said first and second signals.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/34 - Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms driven by motors independently of the machine as a whole

Abstract

A method of printing an image onto a substrate including the steps of providing a substrate, a print head, and a carrier between the print head and the substrate; providing a backing roller; urging the print head towards the roller so as to urge the print head against the carrier, the carrier against the substrate, and the substrate against the roller; then selectively energizing print head heating elements while moving the print head in a first direction so as to move the print head along the substrate and transfer print medium from the carrier to the substrate to print a portion of the image on a respective area of the substrate; and after printing image portion, if there is at least one further image portion to be printed, moving the head, substrate, and carrier in a second direction, opposite to the first, in preparation for printing the next portion in a series of portions.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 2/325 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet