A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a head unit that has a plurality of nozzles that discharge a column-shaped liquid; a liquid droplet generating unit that applies cyclically changing energy to positions of the column-shaped liquids discharged from the plurality of nozzles, respectively, which are separated from the plurality of nozzles, respectively, and that generates liquid droplets; and a direction changing unit that changes a flying direction of at least some liquid droplets of the generated liquid droplets.

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a head unit that discharges a liquid from each of a plurality of nozzles and causes a liquid column to extend downwardly; a liquid droplet generating unit that irradiates the liquid column with a laser beam from a position separated from the plurality of nozzles and separates liquid droplets from the liquid column; and a direction changing unit that applies energy to the liquid droplets and changes a flying direction of the liquid droplets.

A printing apparatus includes a plasma treatment unit that performs plasma treatment on a surface of a treatment object to acidify at least the surface of the treatment object; and a recording unit that performs inkjet recording on the surface of the plasma treatment subjected to the plasma treatment by the plasma treatment unit.

A method for controlling a print device by generating a firing encoder signal from varying one or more characteristics of a reference signal where, the one or more characteristics are varied based on at least the position of a print medium at a reference time. The firing encoder signal is used to synchronize firing of at least one print head of the print device after the reference time.

A thermal printer includes a thermal head; a platen roller opposed to the thermal head; a platen frame configured to support the platen roller; and a housing for receiving the thermal head, the platen roller, and the platen frame, wherein the platen frame includes: an opposing surface formed below the platen roller in a gravitational direction in an assumed carriage posture, the opposing surface being opposed to the platen roller; and a liquid absorbing sheet arranged on the opposing surface.

An elastic roller includes: a roller shaft; and an elastic member. The elastic roller includes an inner layer side elastic member, and a coating layer. The inner layer side elastic member has a rubber hardness of 30 to 80 degrees that is measured by a durometer type A in accordance with the standard of JIS K 6253. The inner layer side elastic member has a tear strength of 25 N/mm or more that is measured using an unnicked angle-shaped test piece in accordance with JIS K 6252. The coating layer is made of silicone resin, and has a thickness of 10 to 100 μm. The silicone resin has hardness of 20 degrees or less that is measured using a spring-based Asker C type in accordance with SRIS 0101 standard. The inner layer side elastic member has a plurality of internal grooves along a circumferential direction. Each of the internal grooves has a width of 25 to 1,300 μm, and has a depth of 25 to 500 μm. Each of the internal grooves has a V-shaped in cross section and has a groove angle of 50 to 120 degrees.

A printer includes a controller configured to execute a printed matter producing process including printing page images on a medium in a first position on a conveyance path while conveying the medium along the conveyance path, storing a cut target position for each page image and cutting the medium in a second position downstream of the first position in a conveyance direction when the cut target position reaches the second position, an interrupting process including interrupting the printed matter producing process and storing an uncut position as a cut target position located between the first and second positions when the printed matter producing process is interrupted, when an error occurs during the printed matter producing process, and a resuming process including resuming the printed matter producing process when the error is settled during the interruption of the printed matter producing process, and cutting the medium based on the uncut position.

A printer includes a controller configured to execute a printing process including sequentially printing a plurality of page images on a print medium based on print data while conveying the print medium in a conveyance direction, execute a first interruption process including, when a next cut distance is equal to or less than a printable distance, interrupting the printing process and stopping the print medium such that the next cut position coincides with a cutter position, and cutting the print medium, and execute a second interruption process including, when the next cut distance is more than the printable distance, interrupting the printing process and stopping the print medium such that the next cut position coincides with a position that is located an offset upstream of the cutter position in the conveyance direction.

A recording paper cutting device enables cutting of a boundary between a first area of a recording paper and a second area of the recording paper placed at an upstream side of the first area, so that the first area is separately discharged from the second area after the first area is printed. The recording paper cutting device includes first and second cutting parts. The first cutting part of the second cutting parts moves in an approaching or departing direction so that the boundary is cut. The first cutting part includes a first cutting surface inclined by a first angle in the departing direction from the second cutting part and a second cutting surface that extends from the first cutting surface and is inclined by a second angle, which is smaller than the first angle, in the departing direction from the second cutting part.

Apparatuses and embodiments related to compensated laser cutting of labels. A computer system receives an image of a label, and rasterizes the image. The computer system determines how much of each type of printer ink of a label printer to deposit at each pixel location of the image. The computer system determines which pixels intersect a cut line, and determines the characteristics of the ink of the pixels, such as the quantity or thickness of the ink at the pixel locations. The computer system determines laser data including power, cut speed, and/or frequency of a laser that is tuned to accurately cut through the ink that forms the image, the material(s) of the label, and the adhesive that removably adheres the label to base material(s), but to not excessively damage the base material(s). A laser cutting system uses the laser data to control a laser.

A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit configured to unwind a portion of a rolled sheet and convey the unwound sheet, a ribbon conveying unit configured to convey a ribbon having thereon a coloring layer that is not visible up to a predetermined temperature and becomes visible above the predetermined temperature, a thermal head configured to transfer the coloring layer on the ribbon to a portion of the unwound sheet, and a cutter configured to cut off a portion of the unwound sheet.

A printing device includes a roller; a stepper motor; a head; and a controller, The roller is for conveying a printing medium in a conveying direction. The stepper motor is configured to rotate in synchronization with a pulse signal and rotate the roller. The head is configured to perform printing on the printing medium conveyed by the roller. The controller is configured to perform: decelerating the stepper motor from a first speed to a second speed; identifying a rotational speed of the stepper motor during deceleration of the stepper motor; performing synchronous printing in which the head is driven at timing in synchronization with the pulse signal when the rotational speed is greater than or equal to a prescribed speed; and performing timer printing in which the head is driven at a prescribed period when the rotational speed is less than the prescribed speed.

A thermal transfer printer includes a label feeding roller driving unit, a ribbon roll-up driving unit, a ribbon feeding roller, a ribbon feeding roller driving unit, and a controller. The ribbon feeding roller has an adhesive layer on its surface and is rotated to feed the ink ribbon while holding the ink ribbon on the adhesive layer.

Disclosed is a device for encoding information written on a readable surface, the device including a device housing containing at least one ink reservoir, an ink dispensing tip in communication with said at least one ink reservoir; and ink stored in the at least one ink reservoir and configured to flow from the ink dispensing tip, the ink being encodable to include supplemental encoded information, the supplemental encoded information being detectable by at least one detecting sensor when dispensed on the readable surface, wherein the readable surface is any surface that will accept the ink.

An assembly of a large format media handling system, including a planar longitudinal cross structure; and a support structure, the support structure including two side supports comprising a number of fixed references and at least one adjustable reference, wherein the side supports are supported by the longitudinal cross structure at said references; wherein the at least one adjustable reference is formed by a wedge element slidably attached to the support structure; and the side supports are fixed to the planar longitudinal cross structure wherein the cross structure is in contact with all of the references.

An assembly of a large format media handling system comprises a planar cross structure, and a support structure, the support structure including two side supports, wherein the two side supports extend perpendicularly to the cross structure and are connected to the cross structure at respective side edges of the side supports. A tensioning component is associated with each of the side supports, wherein the tensioning component transmits a tensioning force between the cross structure and the side edges of the side supports in a direction parallel to the side supports.

Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are described herein. An example disclosed printing device includes a printer body; a cradle engagement surface configured to interface with a cradle, the cradle engagement surface defining a first recess and a second recess disposed proximate a first side of a battery compartment; and a bumper attachment extending from the printer body and disposed proximate a front side of the printer body, the bumper attachment defining at least two capture cavities structured to slideably receive reciprocally structured first and second printer capture flanges extending from the cradle.

A first score line camera captures an image of one sides of a plurality of tablets being conveyed by a conveyor drum. During transfer from the conveyor drum to a first conveyor belt, all the tablets are turned upside down while their directional properties are maintained. A second score line camera captures an image of opposite side of the tablets being conveyed by the first conveyor belt. Based on image data about both the front sides and back sides of the tablets acquired by the first and second score line cameras, a first ink-jet head performs front-side printing process on a front side of a tablet to conform to a predetermined direction relative to a score line in this front side. The second ink-jet head performs back-side printing process on a back side of a tablet to conform to a direction on the back side same as the predetermined direction.

A RIP device which receives image data and print media designation from a PC performs a data generating process by adopting a process parameter corresponding to the designated print media among process parameters stored in a loop-up table (LUT). A printer performs a printing process by adopting a printing parameter corresponding to the designated print media among the printing parameters stored in the LUT. The process parameter and the printing parameter are associated by a media number which is applied by a management server.

The print management device includes a print management information acquisition unit that acquires print management information including first information indicating quality of a printed material printed in a print job during execution and second information indicating an evaluation index of the printed material, different from the first information, in the print job during execution, a print management request acquisition unit that acquires request information indicating a request relating to print management of the printed material in the print job, a request evaluation unit that evaluates the degree of satisfaction of the printed material printed in the print job for the request relating to the print management indicated by the request information, based on the print management information, using one or more evaluation references, and a printing condition change determination unit that determines whether change in printing conditions in the print job during execution is necessary, based on an evaluation result.

In accordance with an embodiment, a thermal printer comprises a first thermal head, a first sensor and a control section. The first thermal head prints a first mark on a first surface of an image receiving medium. The first sensor detects a printing density of the first mark. The control section determines whether or not the printing density of the first mark is in a predetermined range, and adjusts the printing density by the first thermal head in the predetermined range in response to determining that the printing density of the first mark is out of the predetermined range.

An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to control a first image former to form a first test pattern on a recording medium, the first test pattern including figures arranged in a first direction on a two-dimensional lattice defined with an X-axis direction intersecting a Y-axis direction parallel to a conveyance direction, the first direction being inclined relative to the X-axis direction, control a conveyor to convey the recording medium in the conveyance direction, and in response to the recording medium being conveyed to a position where a second test pattern intersects or is in proximity to the first test pattern, control a second image former to form the second test pattern on the recording medium, the second test pattern including figures arranged in a second direction on the two-dimensional lattice, the second direction being inclined relative to each of the X-axis direction and the first direction.

The image recording method includes the following steps (a) to (c): (a) forming a barrier layer on a recording medium by using a solution which contains an acidic group-containing polymer in a nonaqueous medium;(b) forming an organic acid-containing layer on the barrier layer; and(c) forming an image by jetting an aqueous ink onto the organic acid-containing layer by an ink jet method.

Disclosed is a device for encoding information written on a readable surface, the device including a device housing containing at least one ink reservoir, an ink dispensing tip in communication with said at least one ink reservoir; and ink stored in the at least one ink reservoir and configured to flow from the ink dispensing tip, the ink being encodable to include supplemental encoded information, the supplemental encoded information being detectable by at least one detecting sensor when dispensed on the readable surface, wherein the readable surface is any surface that will accept the ink.

The present disclosure is drawn to a pigment-based inkjet ink and methods. The inkjet ink includes water; from 2 wt % to 9 wt % pigment solids; from 0.05 wt % to 2 wt % of an acetylenic diol non-ionic surfactant; from 0.05 wt % to 2 wt % of a second surfactant. The second surfactant can be a polysorbate having at least 50% lipophilic oleic acid groups and having an HLB value of less than 15, or a C12-C18 polyoxyethylene glycol ether having an ethylene oxide number less than 20, or a perfluoropolyether including a polyethylene glycol primary alcohol or diol. The inkjet ink also includes from 5 wt % to 50 wt % of an organic solvent system comprising triethylene glycol and a cyclic amide.

A carboxylated polyurethane useful as milling and dispersing agent for ceramic inkjet inks and a method for decorating glass substrates and green or fired ceramic bodies by the use of inkjet printing.

An aqueous ink for ink jet containing a self-dispersible pigment, a compound represented by General Formula (I): where in General Formula (I) each R1 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.

An aqueous ink for ink jet containing a self-dispersible pigment, an aromatic sulfinic acid or a salt thereof and an aromatic sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

An aqueous ink containing a self-dispersible pigment for use in an ink jet recording method using a recording head that ejects an ink by an action of thermal energy. The aqueous ink contains a compound represented by General Formula (I): where in General Formula (I) R1's are independently of each other, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group or a phosphonic acid group, R2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and n is an integer of 1 to 5.

Provided is a cleaning solution used for cleaning an ink containing a resin in an amount of 5 percent by mass or greater, the cleaning solution including a mixture solvent containing water and a solvent, wherein a hydrogen bond term of a Hansen solubility parameter of the mixture solvent is 7.0 (cal/cm3)1/2 or less.

A method for marking references on a flat article includes providing a model having at least a through-opening and exhibiting the same peripheral profile as a flat article to be marked; detecting the peripheral profile of the model and storing that profile in a memory; detecting a profile of the through-opening and the relative positioning with respect to a reference system; detecting a peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating the peripheral profile of the model so as to superpose it on the peripheral profile of the flat article; replicating also the profile of the through-opening of the detected model, taking account of the relative positioning with respect to the reference system and of the positioning of the peripheral profile of the model with respect to the peripheral profile of the flat article. Contactless marking of at least a reference on the flat article is made at the profile of the through-opening which has been replicated.

A judgment device includes a residual capacity acquisition section adapted to obtain a remaining battery power of a battery as a power source of a printer, an arithmetic section adapted to calculate a predicted consuming capacity of the battery consumed by execution of a print job, and a judgment section adapted to judge whether or not the battery has the remaining battery power, with which the printer can complete the print job, based on the remaining battery power and the predicted consuming capacity.

An exposure device includes: a board on which light emitting elements are arranged; an optical system disposed opposite to the board; a support member which supports the board and the optical system; and a cured body disposed on the support member and including a board contact surface to come into contact with the board, wherein the cured body is formed by curing a deformable material.

A piezoelectric element includes: a titanium-containing adhesion layer, a lower electrode, a PZT-based piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, which are sequentially provided on a silicon substrate, in which the lower electrode includes a columnar structure film consisting of a large number of columnar crystals which are grown from a surface of the titanium-containing adhesion layer and have a platinum group element as a primary component, and an adhesion layer component diffused from the titanium containing adhesion layer and oxygen diffused from the piezoelectric film side, which are present in the columnar structure film, and a main column diameter of the columnar crystal of the columnar structure film is 50 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

In one or more embodiments, a control unit reads image data and date information of a main image from a memory card into a RAM. When a watermark printing is set, the control unit combines characters of the date information having a high gradation value with overcoat layer data having a mixture pattern in which pixels having a high gradation value and pixels having a low gradation value are located randomly or alternately in rows and columns to generate overcoat layer print data and stores the data in an overcoat layer data storage area. The control unit generates CMY print data from the image data of the main image to print it on image-receiving paper by using a print processing section. After printing of the main image, the control unit prints the overcoat layer print data so that it is superimposed on the main image on the image-receiving paper.

An image processing apparatus for a printing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a recording position acquiring device for acquiring recording positions of a reference image printed by a reference print head and a target image printed by a target print head, a positional deviation amount calculating device for calculating a deviation amount due to a skew with respect to the recording positions of the reference image and the target image, and a positional deviation interpolation image converting device, when there is a remainder of the deviation amount and the predetermined intervals, for adding a weight based on the remainder, and adding a smaller weight than the weight to the reference image or the target image without a remainder and adjoining the reference image or the target image with the remainder, thereby converting the image into a width direction positional deviation interpolation image.

A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.

A strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon. The strap handle includes a strap, and apparatus for having the strap handle added onto the piece of luggage. The apparatus sits within the piece of luggage. The strap engages into the apparatus.

The invention provides a new method for the safe storage and drying of a helmet and related accessories (spare helmet face shield, sunglasses, goggles, primary gloves, secondary gloves, chin curtain, breath deflector/guard, helmet screws, neck brace, knee pads, elbow pads, chest protector, keys, and remote control gate/garage openers) employed in activities in which a helmet is utilized. The device is suspended utilizing various length interchangeable hanging straps possessing varied attachment methods to accommodate various hanging locations. The side connected hanging straps attach at an angle to the front opening so that the front opening is directed at an upward facing angle off of the vertical plane and a center angle adjustment and interlocking strap is utilized to set a preferred angle and interlink multiple devices hung vertically one under another. The angled orientation enables the device to be bumped or swung without concern that the helmet or other items stored therein will fall out. The shape and flexible nature of the device allows the sides to close in toward the helmet under the weight of a resting helmet. The device employs multiple attachment points and pockets to accommodate the related accessories and their related locations are such that they provide for the easy access to storage and removal based on frequency of use and order in which stored and removed.

A foldable chair, operable between a seating configuration and a rolling transport configuration, the foldable chair comprising a plurality of legs with a roller secured to the distal end of each leg and the proximal end of each leg secured to a column base. Extending from the column base is a column with a first and second end, the column first end secured to the column base and the second end of the column secured to a first platform or seat cushion. A second platform extends downwardly from the first platform for attaching a carrying case. Also included is a backrest rotatably secured to the first platform such that when the backrest is perpendicular to the first platform two roller elements are fully shrouded. When the backrest is rotated 90 degrees and disposed substantially parallel to the seat cushion the roller elements are exposed for rolling contact with the ground surface.

A fast detachable side wheel device, comprising: a first wheel cover, a second wheel cover, a wheel body, and a movable component. Firstly, wheel body is fixed in first receiving groove of second wheel cover as a replaceable component. Through positioning of a dovetail groove of first wheel cover and a dovetail tenon of second wheel cover, thus vibration, collision, or detachment of wheel body due to outside force can be avoided. Then, the movable component is used to control the positioning or detaching states between first wheel cover and second wheel cover, thus achieving fast and labor saving assembly and detachment of side wheels.

An ultralight suitcase comprises a case framework, case material, pull rods, wheels and supporting legs. The case framework comprises upper connectors, lower connectors, upper corner connectors and lower corner connectors; the bottom parts of the lower corner connectors are connected with the supporting legs; the upper connectors and the lower connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper corner connectors and the lower corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the lower connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the lower corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the whole framework of the case is firmer through the buckling connection between the upper corner connectors and the upper connectors and between the lower corner connectors and the lower connectors, and the total weight of the suitcase remains unchanged.

Luggage, duffel bags, travel bags and travel covers including travel covers for sporting goods such as, but not limited to, golf bags, skis, snowboards, baseball equipment, soccer equipment, and tennis equipment, and travel covers for tradeshow or conference displays or graphics, product samples, tents (collectively, “travel covers”), for example, are commonly used for conveniently transporting and protecting large objects during travel by walking, car, train and/or airplane. The travel covers may have a handle that my rotate or swivel to adjust to an ergonomic position for pulling or pushing the travel cover.

A carrying case with a first enclosure ad at least one additional enclosure which includes a substantially rigid, and selectively removable protective compartment which must be oriented at a predetermined position for both insertion and selective removal. The selectively removable protective compartment may be adapted for isolated and secure storing of delicate or fragile items.

The instant disclosure relates to a customizable vacuum molding method for forming personalized luggage bags utilizing a customizable vacuum molding device having a main mold body (1) and a personalized pattern module (2) customized to suit a customer preference. The vacuum molding method comprising the steps of: 1) placing the personalized pattern module on a molding surface of the main mold body at a predetermined location; 2) placing a plastic luggage bag substrate onto the molding surface of the vacuum molding device and soften the substrate by heating; and 3) generating negative pressure in the vacuum molding device and stretching the plastic substrate onto the personalized pattern module on the molding surface of the main mold body while cooling the plastic substrate to form a personalized pattern. The instantly disclosed vacuuforming method provides a simple yet cost effective solution for manufacturing luggage bags having personalized patterns of a customer's choice.

The disclosure is related to systems and devices for securing accessories, such as a strap cover. A strap cover may be used with shoulder straps or other carrying straps for backpacks, duffel bags, golf bags, or other containers. A strap cover may be an open sheet with opposite edges that secure to one another around an object, such as a strap, or may be a flattened tubular sleeve that can be passed over an object. A device for securing accessories may have a resilient display panel with a series of accessory attachments or attachment passages. The accessories may comprise any practicable form, with certain accessories having posts with wide flanges extending therefrom that are pushed through the resilient material for capture by the accessory attachment passages.

The sports bag with chair device provides a rigid front connected to a pliable rear, a top spaced apart from a bottom, and a pair of spaced apart sides, a top handle disposed within the top pliable rear, a pair of spaced apart wheels disposed on the rigid front bottom, the wheels extended forwardly from the front, an upper compartment disposed within the pliable rear top, a lower compartment disposed rearwardly and downwardly within the pliable rear, a closure selectively closing each compartment, a recess disposed about midway within the rigid front, a pivoted chair disposed within the recess, the pivoted chair selectively positioned within and without the recess, and a pair of spaced apart telescopic legs pivotally affixed forwardly and downwardly on the pivoted chair.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an expandable suitcase comprises: a front portion; a back portion; a plurality of side panels, each side panel aligning with one of a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side of the suitcase, and each side panel having a primary board, at least a first side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge therewith, and a first side flap rotatably connected to the first side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; and a plurality of hinges disposed at an intersection of two side panels, each hinge comprising a first hinge panel attached to one of the side panels and a second hinge panel connected to the other side panel, wherein the hinge remains in a substantially planar position in a rested state.

An apparatus for containing sports equipment includes: a wall defining an enclosure and a closeable opening in the enclosure, the wall being see-through at the closeable opening; and divider members configurable to an expanded configuration defining compartments within the enclosure and configurable to a substantially planar collapsed configuration, each compartment being dimensioned for receiving sports equipment, the divider members being removably insertable into the enclosure when in the expanded configuration and in the collapsed configuration. The sports equipment includes soccer balls or other types of balls, marker cones, a first aid kit, cooler for ice and pinnies. A lower section of the apparatus has a see-through front cover and a drain. An upper section may be watertight. The apparatus may include a rigid cylindrical compartment for containing marker cones. A kit may include the apparatus and sports equipment contained within the apparatus.

A sports equipment bag assembly having a removable bag enclosure for heating bats using sunlight. The removable bag enclosure has a transparent outer panel and a solar reflective inner panel. The reflective surface both insulates and reflects the solar light to heat the bats. The removable bag enclosure is removably fastened to a larger bag assembly by a fastener such as a zipper. The removable bag enclosure and the larger bag assembly have hooks that enable them to be hung upon a fence or similar structure. The sports equipment bag assembly further provides a shoulder strap to facilitate carrying.