The present disclosure relates to modular printers that are capable of simplex and duplex printing. Embodiments described herein relate to modular simplex printers with multiple print transport paths for transferring print media from one modular printer to a second modular printer to enable duplex printing.
Duplex printing is a method of printing on both sides of a print medium instead of a single side performed by simplex printer units. The nature of modern printers with dedicated duplex printing results in a number of disadvantages due to their design. These duplex printers can be large and complex resulting in being expensive to both purchase and maintain. The complexity of duplex printers also requires specialized training for operation and maintenance.
Further, duplex printers require a print media change to convert from duplex to simplex printing. Additionally, when duplex printing is used for photo albuming applications, seasonal demand can result in underutilization of a dedicated duplex printer. Simplex printing with a duplex printer also results in additional thermal print heads which are unused during simplex printing. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a modular printing system capable of alternating between simplex and duplex printing.
Described herein are embodiments of modular stacking thermal printers for simplex and duplex printing. One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of operating a modular dye-sublimation thermal printing system. In some embodiments, two or more printer units can be mechanically and electrically connected. In embodiments, each unit can be a simplex printer with a computer processor, communication means, print media diverter, alternative print media path, and lateral receiver media cutter.
In some embodiments, a duplex print mode can be selected with at least two vertically stacked and connected units. A first side of a duplex print can be printed on duplex receiver media in the lower modular printer in some embodiments. A diverter can then be positioned to convey the print media to the upper modular print unit by an alternative receiver transport path. The print media can be cut by the lower print unit at this time.
In other embodiments, the second side of the duplex print can be printed by the upper modular printing unit. The diverter can then be positioned such that the media is transferred through the exit slot of the upper unit.
In some embodiments, alphanumeric human readable code, machine readable code, or an RFID chip can be present in the receiver media to identify the type of media. In these embodiments, the media type can be identified by an RFID chip reader, media type sensor, or by user input. In some embodiments, the media sensor is an optoelectrical, electrical resistance, or acoustic sensor.
In certain embodiments, the system can be automatically configured for duplex and simplex printing when duplex print media is identified in the lower printer and simplex print media is identified in the upper printer. In other embodiments, the system can be automatically configured for parallel simplex printing when simplex print media is identified in both the lower and upper printers. Alternatively, an error can be presented when duplex print media is identified in the upper printer.
In some embodiments, the printers can be connected through projections and cavities on the surfaces of the individual units. These projections and cavities can be accessed through covers or doors. In other embodiments, the internals of the printers can be access through sliding doors or removable panels. These can be used for maintenance, repair, jam clearing, and loading dye donors and receiver medias.
In some embodiments, the diverter and alternative media path can be low friction surfaces. In other embodiments, these can also include optoelectrical, electrical resistance, or acoustic receiver media position sensors. The diverter can selectively redirect the print media to a media supply path, alternative print media path, or print media exit slot. In some embodiments, the print output options, workflows, and user interface can be modified based on the dye donors and receiver print media types loaded into the modules.
A second embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of operating a dye-sublimation thermal printer system. The system can include three or more vertically stacked printer units that are mechanically and electrically connected. Each unit can include a computer processor, communication means, print media diverter, alternative print media path, lateral receiver media cutter, and processing logic. The system can automatically configure the system and output options based on the number of stacked units and types of donor and receiver medias installed in each unit.
In some embodiments, the print receiver media can be simplex, duplex, adhesive backed, magnetic backed, in-line pre-scored, in-line pre-perforated, foil-backed, or pre-printed. In other embodiments, the donor types can be different patch size formats and configurations, four color patch (cyan, magenta, yellow, and clear overcoat), two patch (monochrome dye and clear overcoat), and metal foil.
The present technology will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and examining the accompanying drawings, which are summarized as follows.
Aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of embodiments and accompanying drawings. In describing embodiments of the technology, including particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. The embodiments of the present technology, however, are not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term can include equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. To the extent features of the present technology are depicted in the drawings in different embodiments, it should be understood that features from different embodiments can be combined to achieve the full functionality described herein unless expressly disclaimed otherwise.
The print media 102 can include a means of identifying the type of media in the roll. This can be through the inclusion of alphanumeric human or machine-readable code within the print media 102. An RFID chip may also be associated with the print media 102 for identifying the type of media. The printing module 100 can have an associated means to receive the media type information. This can include through manual entry, a sensor or scanner, or an RFID chip reader. The sensors can be an optoelectrical sensor, electrical resistance sensor, or acoustic detection sensor.
The module can further include a print media diverter 108 and multiple media paths. This can include an exit slot 110, a media supply path 112, and an alternative print media path 114. The print media diverter 108 can move the print media between the paths based on the desired simplex or duplex printing. Lateral receiver media cutter 116 can also be provided for dividing finished products. The print media diverter 108, media supply path 112, and alternative print media path 114 can be made of low friction materials. This can prevent scratches on the print media when it is being transported through the module. The print media diverter 108, media supply path 112, and alternative print media path 114 can also include sensors for monitoring media position. These sensors can include optoelectrical sensors, electrical resistance sensors, or acoustic sensors.
The printer module 100 can further include a computer processor 118. The computer processor 118 can include any appropriate means of communication for receiving print instructions. The processor 118 can be connected to a user interface for receiving printing instructions and providing printing configurations.
In the embodiment, the media supply path 112 of the first module can align with the alternative print media path 314 of the second module. This can allow print media from the second module 300 to be passed to the first module 100 by the print media diverter 308 of the second module.
The first and second printing modules can further be electronically connected such that the computer processor 118 of the first printing module 100 can communicate with the computer processor 318 of the second printing module 300. When connected, the modules can be configured to automatically allow both duplex and simplex printing. When disconnected, the modules can be configured to produce only simplex prints. The modules can be connected by the presence of projections and cavities on the top and bottom surfaces of the modules where the top surface can complement the shape of the bottom surface. The projections and cavities can further be accessed by removing covers or moving hinged or sliding doors such that the projections and cavities may not be accessible when the modules are not connected.
The module can have access points on the vertical side of the module for accessing the internal printer components. These can allow for maintenance, repair, jam clearing, donor material replacement, and media replacement even in the shown stacked configuration. The access points can be sliding drawers, doors, or removable panels.
After the duplex printing is complete, the print media can be reversed out of the first print module and through the exit slot 110 due to the first print media diverter 108 being in the first position. The finished product can be cut by the lateral receiver media cutter 316 before this occurs. After the finished product is discharged from the first module 100, additional print media can be fed into the first module 100 by the second module 300.
In this configuration, duplex printing media can be placed in the second module 300 while simplex printing media can be placed in the first module 100. The system can further be configured to provide an error if duplex print media is placed in the upper module, which would be the first module 100 of the present embodiment.
The modules can be configured to modify a user interface based on the configuration of the system. This can include offering only certain print output options or workflows. This can be based on the type of print media and donor material loaded into each module and the configuration of the overall system.
The system can further be configured to support additional modules as shown in
This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63/399,050, filed on Aug. 18, 2022. All publications, patents, patent applications, databases and other references cited in this application, all related applications referenced herein, and all references cited therein, are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if restated here in full and as if each individual publication, patent, patent application, database or other reference were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63399050 | Aug 2022 | US |