Esselte N.v.

Esselte Dymo N.v.

The Technology Partnership, Plc.

Esselte Corporation

Tagtec Limited

Charles Robert Sims

Robert Charles Lewis Day

Andrew R Halket

Michael Andrew Beadman

Geert Heyse

Michel Woodman

Adrian Michael Woodward

Lawrence Archard

Jonathan Kemp

Martin Gibbs

Robert Charles Day

Chris McCleve

Andrew Buchanan Halket

Mathew Richard Palmer

Sam Cockerill

Costa Panayi

Victor Carey Humberstone

Graham Scott Gutsell

Adrian M Woodward

Richard William Ware

Chris McCleave

Howard William Whitesmith

Mathew Palmer

Nicholas John Bowman

Kenneth John Lang

Richard Lew Davies

Andrew Jon Fell

James A Hayman

Stephen Russell Taylor

Martin Henry Turff

An RFID tag () and similar control/sensing unit () for a communications system are described. The control/sensing unit has a control element () having one or more states, and include an antenna () as well as an electrical circuit (-) generating a pulse control signal for controlling transmission from the antenna and varying a parameter of the pulse control signal in dependence on the state of the control element (). Also disclosed is a receiving communication unit in the form of a base unit or system controller for such a communications system, the unit including a receiver () for receiving a pulsed RF signal and an electrical circuit (-) for detecting a parameter of the pulsed RF signal. An output circuit () then produces an output control signal dependent on the detected parameter of the pulsed RF signal.

Wireless communication system

The present invention relates to a refillable tape cassette for accomodating a supply of printable tape. In order to avoid the need for different tape cassettes for different tape widths the tape cassette is capable of selectively housing supplies of tapes of different widths. Alternatively or additionally, the tape cassette can have a housing comprising a base on which the tape supply can be releasably fixed, and a lid fixed to the base, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the base by means of a hinge, Further, according to the invention, the windings of refill tape units are held together by means of a strip of adhesive or by means of wax on the axial ends of the units, or by scuffing the backing layer of an image receiving tape which is broader than the image receiving layer.

Refillable tape cassette

A tape printing apparatus having a thermal print head for printing an image on an image receiving tape, the print head having a first mode of operation for printing on an image receiving tape with an ink ribbon, and a second mode of operation for printing on thermally sensitive image receiving tape. A detector detects whether ink ribbon is present or absent in a receiving mechanism and provides a signal to a control mechanism indicative of the presence or absence of ink ribbon, the control mechanism being arranged to control the print head to have the first mode of operation when ink ribbon is present and the second mode of operation when no ink ribbon is present. When the ink ribbon is mounted on a rotatable member, the detector may detect the ink ribbon movement, or detect the location of the rotatable member where the location is different whether an ink ribbon is present or absent, or detect the speed of rotation of the rotatable support member where the rotatable member rotates at different speeds depending on whether ink ribbon is present or absent.

Tape printing apparatus

A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Printer with failsafe features

A portable printer is provided which provides active cooperation between a computer and the portable printer unit. A number of different features are introduced into the printing unit which allow greater responsiveness from the computer responsive to actions taken at the printer unit.

Printer system

The invention relates to a tape holding case housing a supply of image receiving tape and includes an angled surface to bend the surface of the tape approximately 90&deg;, the angled surface being provided upstream of the printing position of the tape. The tape holding case also includes a casing that is designed to attach the tape holding case to an identically shaped tape holding case.

Tape printing apparatus and tape holding cases

A blade assembly particularly for preforming a tab cut in a label. The blade assembly comprises a blade received in an injection molded plastics holder. The holder has shoulders on either side of the blade to assist in locating it and spacing it from a label to be cut. During manufacture, the blade is located within the mold for accurate injection molding.

Tape cutting apparatus

Tape printing apparatus and tape holding case having cooperative surface

There is described a blade assembly particularly for performing a tab cut in a label. The blade assembly comprises a blade received in an injection moulded plastics holder. The holder has shoulders on either side of the blade to assist in locating it and spacing it from a label to be cut. During manufacture, the blade is located within the mould for accurate injection moulding.

Method for making tape cutting apparatus

A printing device includes a portable body having support means within which is defined a print face. The support means is capable of abutment against a surface on which an image is to be printed so that the print face is exposed to the surface and defines a region over which print is to be distributable without relative movement of the print face and said surface. The support means is arranged to support spaced from the surface to be printed an ink jet print head for distributing said print, and the ink jet print head is selectively operable at a plurality of locations within the print face to print an image onto the surface to be printed. The device has an electronic control device including a buffer for holding data defining at least part of the image and print actuating means controlled by the control device for operating the ink jet print head to print an image.

Printing device

A cutting system for a printing device comprises a cutting blade (58) which has a cutting surface wherein there is defined a notch (58a). The cutting system also has an anvil (60) on which a printing medium such as heat shrink material is supported during cutting. The cutting surface of the blade (58) cuts through the printing medium leaving an uncut area at the notch (58a).

Cutting system for a printing apparatus including a single notched blade

A thermal printing device is capable of printing labels in a plurality of colours. When printing in a particular colour has been completed, further movement of image receiving tape is prevented so that an image transfer ribbon of a different colour can be exchanged for the first image transfer ribbon. In this way, multiple colour labels can be printed in a simple and efficient manner.

Thermal printing device

Growing community of inventors

Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Charles Robert Sims