Patent Application
20250091366
This application relates generally to a printer feed mechanism for printing a web stock, such as lined or liner-less labels. The application relates more particularly to a media feed system with platen rollers that can easily be replaced by end users without involving a repair technician.
In-line printers function to print on a continuous web of print stock, such as label stock. Label printers typically print indicia, such as mailing addresses, onto a label that has adhesive on one side. More recently, liner-less label printing stock is being used.
In-line printing may be accomplished by ink or toner deposition. Direct or indirect thermal printing, as well as impact printing, may also be used. Printing is done on one side for lined adhesive label stock. More recently, printing can be done on both sides using unlined label stock. Dual sided printing uses upper and lower print heads and requires web movement by use of one or more platen roll assembly, such as a top assembly and a bottom assembly.
In-line printers are complex devices with mechanical components that are subject to wear and tear. This is particularly true in high throughput printing operations, such as those used in printing commercial labels. Over time, components may need to be replaced, typically by a qualified technician. This process adds to repair expense, as well as inconvenient downtime until repair is completed.
One component subject to period replacement is a platen roller. A platen roller is a fundamental component found in various types of printers, including dot matrix, impact, thermal, and label printers. Its primary role is to aid in paper or label handling and ensure accurate paper positioning during the printing process.
The platen roller serves several essential functions. Firstly, it assists in feeding paper or labels through the printer by rotating and advancing them past the printhead or printing mechanism. Secondly, it helps maintain the right amount of tension on the paper or label, preventing paper jams and ensuring consistent printing. Additionally, the platen roller plays a critical role in positioning the paper accurately in relation to the printhead, ensuring precise text and graphics placement on the printed material.
In impact printers like dot matrix printers, the platen roller provides a solid surface against which the printhead strikes, enabling the transfer of ink or impact force onto the paper to create characters and images. In thermal printers, the platen roller may include a heating element. When thermal paper passes over the heated platen, it activates chemicals on the paper, resulting in the production of images and text.
Overall, the platen roller is essential for ensuring the smooth and accurate operation of a printer by facilitating paper or label movement, maintaining tension, and assisting in precise printing. It serves as a critical component in various printing technologies, both impact and non-impact.
Replacing the platen roll often involves disassembling parts of the printer, including removing the printer cover, access panels, and other components. Often times specific tools are required to complete the operation. Technicians know the correct order and method for disassembly and replacement to avoid damage to the printer or injury.
Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
While example embodiments herein are directed replacement of platen rollers in dual inline printers, it is understood that the structure and methods described herein can be applied to any replaceable roller in any printer type.
In accordance with the subject application,
The drive roller 104 and idler roller 106 pass the liner-less labels 110 to the in-line printer 120. The liner-less labels 110 are pulled into dual sided, in-line printer 120 at a consistent rate, indicia are printed on one or both sides of the liner-less labels 110, and the label is cut to size by an associated finisher in the in-line printer 120. In-line printer 120 is comprised of a lower printing assembly 122 for printing on a bottom surface of label stock and upper printing assembly 124 for printing on a bottom surface of label stock. Lower printing assembly 122 is secured to wall 126 so as to form a support chassis with support 128. Upper printing assembly 124 is secured to wall 126 to form a support chassis with support 132. Operation of print system 100 is suitably controlled by one or more intelligent controllers, such as intelligent controller 136.
The liner-less labels 110 can include a printable top surface configured to accept address indicia associated with a shipping label and a bottom surface that includes adhesive. In embodiments, the adhesive is disposed over only a certain portion of the bottom surface, for example around the edges, leaving a second printable area for accepting additional printed indicia such as invoice information for the end customer. In these embodiments, the consumer can remove the label from a received shipment to view the printed indicia on the bottom surface of a liner-less label 110.
Included is lower platen roll assembly 200 that includes support shaft 204 having distal end 208 and a distal end 212. Distal end 208 is placed into an inner race 216 of bearing 220. Bearing 220 nests in an interior of flange 222. Distal end 212 is rotatably connected to bearing 220 in its inner race. Bearing 220 is nested into an interior of flange 222. Shaft 204 supports radially extending, cylindrical printer platen roll 224. Flange 222 is pressed into a suitably sized and shaped notch 228, which can be a crescent notch. While example embodiments herein may refer to a standard bearing seated in a flange neck, it is to be understood that a bearing having a flange integrated into its outer race is also suitably used.
Crescent notch, as used herein, is directed to a notch or opening in a wall or any other barrier that allows something of a smaller diameter to pass through while preventing something of a larger diameter from doing so. In this context, the term may refers to a shape of the opening, which resembles a crescent moon, and its specific function as a selective or restrictive passageway. Latch 232 selectively contacts lip 236 of flange 222 to prevent or allow axial movement of flange 222 relative to notch 228.
In example embodiments, platen roll assembly 300 may be sold as a replacement unit comprised of the shaft and platen roller, with a flange nesting a bearing affixed to one end. In other example embodiments, the flange or bearing may be reusable.
A platen roller replacement installation commences at block 1028 where a user place an end of a replacement platen roll shaft into the fixed bearing. The other end of the shaft is passed into the notch via its gap at block 1032. The bearing assembly is then moved axially to place its flange neck into the notch at block 1036. The replacement assembly is then latched at block 1040 so that printing with the new platen roll can occur at block 1044. The process ends at block 1048.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.
