Patent Application
20150103130
The present invention relates generally to signage, and more particularly to easy load printer media spindles for automatic label and sign makers.
Before automated sign makers, permanent adhesive labels and signs were created and printed by either a print/sign shop or by connecting a label printer to a personal computer that employed a design software application and printer drivers which are specific to the PC operating system. Print/sign shops are expensive, have long leads that can take three to ten business days, and often require large minimum orders. PC connected printer devices are difficult to use and have multiple software, firmware, and hardware points of failure. The only other portable standalone printing devices can print up to a maximum 2-inch wide labels and signs which cannot be used for many applications that require larger text, symbols, and sizing such as pipe marking and OSHA/ANSI safety signs.
Currently available sign makers, and specifically, center justified thermal transfer printers for continuous tape or die cut labels, only operate properly if their media is properly loaded and centered. Existing drop in spindles are expensive and increase the product cost. Slide on spindles are prone to error in centering the media, leading to frequent off-set prints and printing errors. Further, existing media spindles also limit the length of the media creating shorter length rolls, leading to more frequent reloading.
Embodiments of the present invention address the problems in the prior art by providing an easy load printer media spindle allowing both precise centering of the printer media on the spindle and adaptability to different media sizes.
Some embodiments are directed toward an easy load printer media spindle. In particular, in one embodiment of the invention, a printer media holder comprises an inner spindle and at least two spindle walls; wherein a first spindle wall is snap fit on a first end of the inner spindle in a first location, a media roll mounts on the inner spindle such that a first side of the media roll contacts the spindle wall, and a second spindle wall is snap fit on a second end of the inner spindle in a second location such that the second spindle wall contacts a second side of the media roll and secures the media roll laterally in place on the inner spindle, allowing the roll to freely rotate around the inner spindle. In this embodiment, the spindle walls can mount in multiple locations along the inner spindle, enabling the media holder to securely center varying sizes of media rolls.
In another embodiment of the invention, two parallel vertical tabs are molded on each side of the inner spindle, enabling the inner spindle to securely fit into parallel vertical receiving slots on printer cavity mounts bonded to an inner cavity of a label printer. In other embodiments of the invention, an inner adapter with notched ends fits in the center of the inner spindle such that its notched ends protrude from either side of the inner adapter, enabling mounting of the media holder on legacy label printers which are configured to accept media holders with only one notched tab on each end.
Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached hereto.
The present invention, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention.
These figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward an easy load printer media holder. According to some embodiments of the invention, the media holder comprises an inner spindle and at least two spindle walls wherein the spindle walls are snap fit in place on the inner spindle, securing a media roll laterally in place but allowing rotation of the media roll around the inner spindle.
In some embodiments of the invention, the inner spindle 130 and spindle walls 140 are molded out of plastic through an injection molding process. In other embodiments of the invention, the inner spindle 130 and/or spindle walls 140 may be molded out of metal, composite materials, or other moldable materials. Alternatively, in some embodiments of the invention, the inner spindle 130 and/or spindle walls 140 may be die cut out of plastic, metal, or composite material.
In one embodiment of the invention, each spindle wall 140 includes a lever release tab bonded to tab 146 such that, when the spindle wall 140 is snap fit in place on the inner spindle 142, pressure can be applied to the lever release tab to unseat tab 146 from slot 134. This enables the spindle wall to rotate out of its locked position so it can be removed.
In some embodiments of the invention, the spindle walls 140 may be press fit or snap fit on the inner spindle 130. In other embodiments, one or both of the spindle walls 140 may be bonded in place on inner spindle 130. Further embodiments of the invention include spring mechanism to auto-fit the spindle walls to the size of the media roll.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.
Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in a single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed in multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
