Astro-med, Inc.

Atlan-tol Industries, Inc.

David M Gaskill

Zachery J Schartner

Michael J Sullivan

Albert W Ondis

Everett V Pizzuti

Rudolph F D'Agostino

Scott J Cerullo

Paul V Iannucci

An apparatus for applying images to opposite first and second sides of a continuous strip includes a back plate, and first, second, and third printing stations each being cooperatively actuatable for applying first, second, and third images to a continuous strip. The first, second, and third printing stations have a predetermined equal distance therebetween. The third printing station is positioned at a slightly higher elevation on the back plate than the second printing station and the second printing station is positioned at a slightly higher elevation on the back plate than the first printing station. The apparatus further includes first and second guide rollers, the first guide roller being positioned between the first and second printing stations adjacent the first printing station along a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the first printing station, and the second guide roller being positioned between the second and third printing stations adjacent the second printing station along a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the second printing station. A drive assembly having a rotatable drive roller longitudinally advances the strip so that it passes through the first, second, and third printing stations. Further embodiments of the apparatus are also contemplated.

Two-sided color printing apparatus

Thermal printing apparatus is operable for applying images to opposite first and second sides of a continuous strip. The apparatus includes first, second, third and fourth thermal printing assemblies actuatable for applying first, second, third and fourth images to the continuous strip at first, second, third and fourth printing stations. The first and third thermal printing assemblies are mounted on reversible mounting assemblies capable of mounting the respective thermal printing assembly in a first position wherein the printing assembly is actuable for applying an image to a first side of the strip, and a second position wherein the printing assembly is actuable for applying an image to a second side of the strip. The apparatus further includes a drive assembly including a rotatable drive roller for longitudinally advancing said strip so that passes through the printing assemblies, a stepping motor rotatable at a predetermined fixed rate of stepped rotational increments per revolution for rotating the drive roller to advance said strip, and a controller responsive to a predetermined number of stepped rotational increments of the stepping motor corresponding to a predetermined distance between the printing assemblies for actuating the printing assemblies to apply images to the first and second sides of the strip.

Two-sided color printing apparatus and reversible print head mounting

A printing apparatus is operative for applying images to the opposite sides of continuous strips at first and second printing stations. The apparatus includes a feed assembly driven by a stepping motor for advancing a continuous strip from the first reprinting station to the second printing station and a controller which is responsive to a predetermined number of stepped rotational increments of the stepping motor for coordinating the printing operation at the second printing station with the printing operation at the first printing station. The preferred form of the apparatus is operative with thermal print heads, and it includes head mounting assemblies which are operative with toggle-like actions between actuated and unactuated positions.

Printing apparatus and print head mounting assembly therefor

A chart recorder includes a chart drive assembly including a drive platen, first and second print heads, a slave controller for energizing the second print head, a master controller for energizing the first print head and for actuating the slave controller and a host computer for controlling the master and slave controllers and for supplying data thereto. The master controller controls the chart drive assembly to coordinate it with the energizations of the print heads, and it actuates the slave controller to synchronize the energizations of the print heads. The print heads are independently mounted in end-to-end relation and independently biased toward the chart and the platen at a printing station to enable them to compensate for deflections in the print head and/or the platen, as well as distortions in the heads due to thermal expansion.

Chart recorded having multiple thermal print heads

A chart paper package for chart recording devices and the like includes a stack of paper comprising an elongated paper strip folded in a zigzag configuration, and an elongated flexible wrapper, which is of normally closed loop configuration and snugly received on the stack, but which is separable to an open configuration to provide access to the paper. The package can be installed in a recorder with the wrapper on the stack and thereafter the wrapper can be separated to provide access to the paper, whereby the risk of having the paper become inadvertently unfolded during the installation thereof in the recorder is avoided.

Z-Fold chart paper package

A limited rotation motor having means for simultaneously positioning the fixed magnet and moving coil thereof with respect both to each other and a fixed stator. A pair of bridges transversely extend across the front and rear stator faces spanning the central opening defined thereby. A first pair of transversely spaced pins inwardly extend from each of the bridges in such a manner so as to contact opposite surfaces of the magnet in side-to-side contact so as to position the magnet with respect to the stator in first horizontal position. A second pair of pins located transversely between the first pair thereof also longitudinally inwardly extend from the respective rear surfaces of the bridges and contact the open face of a slot disposed in the end faces of the magnet so as to position the magnet in a second, i.e. vertical, direction with respect to the stator.

Positioning means for limited rotation motor

A stylus for the thermal recording of information on a heat sensitive recording medium which includes an electrically insulated member of low thermal conductivity which supports a pair of electrical conductor strips on the sides thereof so as to dispose such strips in opposed spaced relationship to each other. The conductor strips run along the length of the member and terminate at the lower end thereof. That end is also coated with an electrically resistive film which contacts the lower spaced ends of the conductor strips so as to form a current path therebetween. Electrical connections are attached to the upper ends of the strips for connecting the current path to a power source such that current passing through the path produces localized heat at the stylus tip.

Stylus construction

A recording device which utilizes a closed loop servo system including a limited rotation motor, i.e. a moving coil galvanometer wherein the moving coil is activated by an input signal such that the rotational movement of a shaft supporting such coil may be translated into a graphic display for recording of the input signal. The device has specific utility in the recording of medical information wherein the input signal is created by the patient's body functions but has widespread alternate utility. The device further includes a transducer construction utilizing a rotational resistance mechanism including a rotating hub to which a contact arm is attached that creates a signal proportional to the position of the coil shaft and utilizes this signal for comparison with the input signal such that the coil position and thus that of the shaft may be corrected. Any mechanical or electrical vibration in the resistance element is prevented or reduced by the use of a viscous dampening material disposed between the hub and contact arm of the rotational resistance mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Providence, RI, United States of America

David M Gaskill