Claims
- 1. A multi-media thermal printer, comprising:
- a media supply adapted to carry a roll of print media comprising alternatively one of a conventional media type having an inert release liner covering an adhesive surface and a linerless media type having an exposed adhesive surface;
- means for transporting said roll of print media from said media supply through a print region of the printer, said transporting means further comprising a platen roller alternatively disposed in contact with said release liner of said conventional media type and said exposed adhesive surface of said linerless media type, and a media guide defining a transport path for said print media from said media supply to said print region; and
- a coating disposed on selected portions of said transporting means including said media guide, said coating comprising an epoxy resin mixed with powder to provide a textured surface having sufficient friction and non-stick characteristics to effectively transport alternatively said conventional print media type and said linerless print media type.
- 2. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 1, wherein said powder further comprises at least one of titanium dioxide, silica, and calcium sulfate.
- 3. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 1, wherein said selected portions of said transporting means further comprise means for separating printed portions of said print media.
- 4. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 3, wherein said separating means further comprises a tear bar disposed downstream of said print region having a cutting edge adapted to be brought into contact with said print media.
- 5. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 1, wherein said selected portions of said transporting means further comprise a media rest disposed downstream of said print region having a rounded surface to provide a resting point for separated portions of said print media.
- 6. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 1, wherein said coating further comprises a film thickness ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mils.
- 7. In a thermal printer including a platen and a media guide path for transporting a print media to a print region of the printer, an improvement comprising:
- a coating, having a film thickness ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mils, provided on selected portions of said guide path, said coating comprising an epoxy resin mixed with a powder to provide a textured surface;
- wherein said textured surface provides sufficient friction and non-stick characteristics to effectively transport alternatively said conventional print media type and said linerless print media type.
- 8. The improvement of claim 7, wherein said powder further comprises at least one of titanium dioxide, silica, and calcium sulfate.
- 9. A thermal printer adapted for printing information onto multiple types of print media, including a conventional print media and a linerless print media, comprising:
- means for transporting said print media through a print region of said printer, said print region comprising a thermal print head and a rotatable platen disposed with said print media therebetween, said thermal print head further comprising a plurality of print head elements adapted to selectively activate portions of said print media as said print media is transported through said print region; and
- a coating disposed on selected portions of said transporting means, said coating comprising an epoxy resin mixed with a powder to provide a textured surface having sufficient friction and non-stick characteristics to effectively transport alternatively said conventional print media and said linerless print media.
- 10. The printer of claim 9, wherein said selected portions of said transporting means further comprise a media guide defining a transport path for said print media to said print region.
- 11. The printer of claim 10, wherein said selected portions of said transporting means further comprise a tear bar disposed downstream of said print region having an edge to provide for separation of printed portions of said print media.
- 12. The printer of claim 11, wherein said powder further comprises at least one of titanium dioxide, silica, and calcium sulfate.
- 13. The printer of claim 9, wherein said selected portions of said transporting means further comprise a media rest disposed downstream of said print region having a rounded surface to provide a resting point for separated portions of said print media.
- 14. The printer of claim 9, wherein said coating further comprises a film thickness ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mils.
- 15. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 1, wherein said powder has a particle size of approximately 20% to 40% through 325 mesh.
- 16. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 2, wherein said powder has a particle size of approximately 20% to 40% through 325 mesh.
- 17. The multi-media thermal printer of claim 15, wherein said coating further comprises a film thickness ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mils.
- 18. The improvement of claim 7, wherein said powder has a particle size of approximately 20% to 40% through 325 mesh.
- 19. The printer of claim 9, wherein said powder has a particle size of approximately 20% to 40% through 325 mesh.
- 20. The printer of claim 14 wherein said powder has a particle size of approximately 20% to 40% through 325 mesh.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/722,745 Oct. 1, 1996 for U -MEDIA THERMAL PRINTER.
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
722745 |
Oct 1996 |
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