Kroy LLC

Check Technology Corporation

Michael M Richardson

Jay R Peterson

Eugene G Weiss

Kent Gorham

Gary Thomas Schultze

Chris J Vetter

Allan C Brittle, Jr

Frank A Borgeson

Douglas A Schaffer

Lee B Fiedler

Geoff Ringle

Thomas J McDonough

Ronald F Tuckner

Edwin L Swartout

Joseph M Sega

In one embodiment of the present invention, a modular printing system has a plurality of modules for processing sheets. One module is a collator module configured to retain the sheets. The collator module has a collator controller and sensors linked to the collator controller. The sensors are arranged to detect erroneously processed sheets. The collator controller is configured to generate an error signal in response to detection of an error. The collator module also includes a feed assembly for presenting the sheets. A printer module is configured to receive sheets presented by the feed assembly. The printer module includes a printer controller and sensors linked to the printer controller. The sensors are arranged to detect erroneously processed sheets and to generate an error signal in response to detection of an error. The module printing system also includes a system controller linked to the collator controller and the printer controller. The system controller is configured to generate and transmit scheduling signals thereby scheduling operation of the printing system for processing sheets. The system controller is further configured to generate error-recovery signals in response to error signals generated by the collator and printer controllers, thereby causing the modular printing system to automatically recover from printer and collator errors.

Printing system

Sheet registration system

The document handling apparatus provides support structure and a plurality of retainers supported by the support structure. Each retainer includes a tray that is configured to hold a stack of sheets. A feed assembly is supported by the support structure and is substantially vertical and has a mid-section. The feed assembly defines an output port configured to output the sheets. The output port is approximate the mid-section so that the average distance from the retainers to the output port is substantially minimized. The apparatus further includes a plurality of pick mechanisms. Each pick mechanism is configured and arranged to pick sheets from one of the retainers and feed the pick sheet into the feed assembly. The apparatus can include an adjustable edge guide pivotally supported by the support structure. The adjustable edge guide is arranged and configured to control the side edge of the stack. The apparatus further includes a recirculating mechanism for picking sheets from the retainers and for sensing the level of a top sheet in the stack. An elevator raises or lowers the tray, thereby adjusting the level of the top sheet in the stack.

Error recovery in a printing system

Sheet stacking apparatus

A document (or medium) collating/printing system provides automated error detection and error recovery in a high-volume printing application. The system includes a media transporter for transporting the print media, a collator having a plurality of retainers for holding groups of document types, and a printer arrangement that receives and processes presented sheets of the print media from the media transporter. The printer arrangement and the media transporter are configured and arranged to form a substantially planer path for transporting the print media from the media transporter toward the printer device for printing on the print media. Further, a programmed controller controls the presentation of the print media to the media transporter and verifies that the presented sheet of print medium is correctly processed by the printer arrangement. Error detection and recovery are provided using selectively located sensors and diverters controlled by the controller.

A tape supply including a replaceable tape supply cartridge for a portable, hand held thermal printing or transfer device having a receiving pocket, a supply of tape, a tape pathway aligned with the printhead and the mechanism for sensing relative movement between the device and the substrate and a structure to facilitate manual advancement of tape by pulling the tape past the printhead. The invention also relates to a thermal device having a self contained tape supply cartridge wherein the tape is advanced by manually pulling the tape past the printhead.

Tape supply cartridge for portable thermal printer

Keyboard

Thermal printer

Thermal printer tape ribbon cartridge

A thermal printing device or the like and a tape or tape-ribbon supply cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device includes a print station for forming a selected image onto a tape and a replaceable tape or tape-ribbon cartridge having a tape cut-off mechanism embodied within the cartridge and actuated by a cut-off actuator arm within the machine. The cartridge of the present invention includes a self-contained, internal tape cut-off mechanism comprising a pair of cut-off blades positioned in side by side shearing relationship and actuated by an actuator arm extending into the cartridge from the machine.

Thermal printing device and tape supply cartridge embodying a tape

A tape-ribbon alignment and delivery system for a thermal transfer device or the like of the type having a device housing and a transfer station including a printhead and a platen for transferring a selected image from a ribbon to a tape. The system further includes a replaceable tape-ribbon cartridge, a cartridge receiving tray connected with the device housing, a cam mechanism associated with the receiving tray for moving the cartridge into transfer alignment with the transfer station and a retaining member for retaining the cartridge in the transfer alignment position.

Tape-ribbon cartridge and receiver tray with pivoted cover and cam

A thermal transfer device or the like and a tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device includes a transfer station for transfering a selected image from a ribbon to a tape and a replaceable tape-ribbon cartridge having a tape cut-off mechanism embodied within the cartridge and actuated by a cut-off actuator arm within the machine. The cartridge of the present invention includes a self-contained, internal tape cut-off mechanism comprising a pair of cut-off blades positioned in side by side shearing relationship and actuated by an actuator arm extending into the cartridge from the machine.

Thermal printer and tape-ribbon cartridge with cut-off mechanism

A lettering apparatus having an improved interface feature including a printer portion, a data input portion and an interface assembly for connecting the printer with the keyboard comprising an electrical interface, a font motor interface and an initial alignment interface. The interface assembly facilitates quick, uncomplicated and inexpensive conversion of a manual lettering system to an automated lettering system.

Growing community of inventors

Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Michael M Richardson