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EP0055614A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Improvements in or relating to computer matrix printers

Assignee: Integrex Ltd
•
Filing: 1981-12-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-12-24
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Abstract

Abstract A computer matrix printer has a ribbon carrier (26) pivotally supporting a body (12) of a printing head (14). Solenoid arrangements (32, 34) connect between the body (12) and the carrier (26) and are controlled by electronic means including a microprocessor, whereby the printing head (14) can be moved in opposite directions from a central position, Movement of the printing head (14) is therefore relative to the ribbon (16) held by the carrier (26) and enables printing in any one of three parallel discrete areas on the ribbon (16) holding different coloured inks. The microprocessor can also enable printing in further colours by over-printing one of the discrete colours with another, the over-printing being carried out when the first ink applied to the print-out (18) is still wet. Thus a plurality of colours can be provided with no registration problems and this is particularly suitable for a colour display on a video display unit. Further discrete colours may be included on the ribbon with suitable modification of the arrangement controlling movement of the printing head (14).

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert Terence Portus
  • 👤 Anthony John Haywood

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 18:16
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J35/00; B41J35/04; B41J35/10; B41J35/12; B41J35/14

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 117 words
Printing apparatus comprising means for supporting material receiving a print-out, meons retaining ink in discrete colours, printing means adapted to engage the ink retaining means against the print-out material, and means for moving the printing means and the ink retaining means relative to one another, characterised in that the moving means (26) is adapted to enable engagement of the printing means (14) selectively with one of the areas of discrete colours, or with a plurality of the areas of discrete colours sequentially against the some location on the print-out material (18) before the inks supplied to the material dry thereon, whereby one of the discrete colours or a further colour is produced on the print-out material (18).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 117 words
Printing apparatus comprising means for supporting material receiving a print-out, meons retaining ink in discrete colours, printing means adapted to engage the ink retaining means against the print-out material, and means for moving the printing means and the ink retaining means relative to one another, characterised in that the moving means (26) is adapted to enable engagement of the printing means (14) selectively with one of the areas of discrete colours, or with a plurality of the areas of discrete colours sequentially against the some location on the print-out material (18) before the inks supplied to the material dry thereon, whereby one of the discrete colours or a further colour is produced on the print-out material (18).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that means are provided for programming the apparatus to automatically print the discrete colours and the further colours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the programming means comprises an electronic control in the form of an integrated circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that means are provided for programming the apparatus to automatically print the discrete colours and receive instructions for printing the further colours.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the moving means comprises a carrier (26) for the ink retaining means (16), said carrier (26) being pivotally arranged relative to the printing means (14).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 53 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the moving means (26) includes a first solenoid (32) for moving the carrier means (26) in one direction relative to the printing means (14), and a further solenoid (34) for moving the carrier means (26) in the opposite direction relative to the printing means (14).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that centring means (38) is provided to automatically return the carrier means (26) to a position centrally of the distance between limits of movement in the said directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 40 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the centring means comprises a V-spring (38) operatively connected between the carrier means (26) and the printing means (14), whereby movement of the carrier means (26) effects compression of the spring (38).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 29 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ink retaining means comprises an inked ribbon (16) having three parallel discrete areas holding different coloured inks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 75 words
Printing apparatus comprising means for supporting material receiving a print-out, and means for printing discrete colours of ink on the print-out, charocterised in that means are provided for programming the oppar- tus to selectively print the discrete colours or the discrete colours sequentially against the same location on the print-out material before the inks supplied to the material dry thereon, whereby one of the discrete colours or further colour is produced on the print-out material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 75 words
Printing apparatus comprising means for supporting material receiving a print-out, and means for printing discrete colours of ink on the print-out, charocterised in that means are provided for programming the oppar- tus to selectively print the discrete colours or the discrete colours sequentially against the same location on the print-out material before the inks supplied to the material dry thereon, whereby one of the discrete colours or further colour is produced on the print-out material.

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