Typewriting machines – Including interposed inking device for record-medium – Ribbon spool or mount therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-08
2001-08-21
Yan, Ren (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Including interposed inking device for record-medium
Ribbon spool or mount therefor
C400S246000, C400S208100, C242S571400, C242S596000, C242S596700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276849
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a printer spool, and more particularly to a thermal printer spool for holding a core with labeling media or ink ribbon disposed thereon, and engaging a printer spool drive subassembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
There are a number of U.S. patents that disclose electronic apparatus for printing indicia on labels, some of which are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,440,248, Teraoka; 4,501,224, Shibayama; 4,630,538, Cushing; and 4,655,129, Wirth et al.
The electronic machines for printing labels of the type disclosed above all include the same general combination of elements, a print head, means for feeding labeling media to be printed past the print head, a microprocessor, a read only memory programmed with appropriate instructions to operate the microprocessor, a random access memory, a keyboard with letter, number, and function keys for the entry of alphanumeric information concerning the indicia to be printed, and a visual display such as a LED/LCD unit to assist the operator in using the machine.
The labeling media comprises a roll of pressure sensitive tape (continuous media or die cut labels)that is attached to a continuous roll of release liner. The labeling media is fed through the printer and legends are printed on the tape. Labels are formed using the continuous tape by cutting the media after the legends are printed thereon. The labels are then removed from the release liner and attached to the objects needing identification. As there are many types of label applications, there are many combinations of tape and release liners that provide labels of varying sizes, colors, formats, and environmental resistance.
A particular type of print head employs thermal transfer printing technology. Thermal transfer printing uses a heat generating print head to transfer a colored coating containing wax, carbon black, or the like, from a thermal transfer ribbon to a labeling media. By using digital technology, characters are formed by energizing a sequence of pixels on the print head which in turn melt the coating on the ribbon transferring the image to the labeling media.
In a known thermal transfer printer such as a label printer, labeling media is fed by a platen roller simultaneously with a ribbon feed roller feeding an ink transfer ribbon. While the labeling media driven by the platen roller runs between the print head and the rotating platen roller, the transfer ribbon is passed between the print head and the platen roller by rotating the ribbon feed roller. As a result, the labeling media and the transfer ribbon pass together in overlay relationship between the print head and the platen roller.
The labeling media is fed past the print head from a supply spool driven by a labeling media drive subassembly. The labeling media drive subassembly has a drive side driving the roller, and a free wheel side which is not driven. Typically, the labeling media is justified to the drive side within the printer, and the free wheel side is adjusted to the width of the media. Justifying the labeling media to one side within the printer causes the labeling media to be off center to that of the print head. This causes an upset at the printer dot line, and an uneven pressure loading of the print head resulting in poor print quality.
One solution to justifying the labeling media to one side is to adjust the drive side and the free wheel side such that the labeling media is centered on the print head. However, an adjustable drive mechanism is expensive.
Furthermore, typical printer spools require a locking mechanism to ensure proper drive system engagement. This complicates engaging and disengaging the spool from the printer drive systems. These drive systems are also subject to slipping (i.e., torque out) which can cause the printer to jam. Therefore, a need exists for an improved printer drive system and spool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a thermal transfer printer including a chassis having opposing side frame members. A pair of cones are each rotatably mounted to one of the opposing side frame members. At least one of the cones has a convex surface with at least one tooth formed therein. A spool is supported between the pair of cones, wherein the cone teeth engage an end of the spool for rotatably driving the spool.
The present invention accomplishes the general objective of providing a spool drive system which positively engages the spool to reduce torque out. This objective is accomplished by providing a drive cone having a convex surface and teeth formed thereon to rotatably drive the spool.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a printer spool which positively engages the printer cones. This objective is accomplished by providing a spool which includes an elongated member with opposing ends, and a sprocket disposed on at least one end for engaging the cone.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a spool having a sprocket which fully engages a toothed cone when the spool and cone are initially misaligned. This objective is accomplished by providing the cone or spool sprocket with rounded teeth with radially extending tips, each tip having a rounded radial surface, which slip into place for full engagement once a rotational force is applied either manually or by the stepping motor.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a printer spool for use with labeling media or ink ribbon which properly locates the labeling media or ink ribbon in the printer. This objective is accomplished by providing a spool with crush ribs which hold the labeling media or ink ribbon on the spool.
These and still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description which follows. In the detailed description below, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Rather the invention may be employed in other embodiments. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3955770 (1976-05-01), Offermann
patent: 4178094 (1979-12-01), Silverberg
patent: 4440248 (1984-04-01), Teraoka
patent: 4501224 (1985-02-01), Shibayama et al.
patent: 4625902 (1986-12-01), Billberg
patent: 4630538 (1986-12-01), Cushman
patent: 4655129 (1987-04-01), Wirth et al.
patent: 4673304 (1987-06-01), Liu et al.
patent: 4697756 (1987-10-01), Kofler
patent: 4768039 (1988-08-01), Akutagawa et al.
patent: 5174667 (1992-12-01), Sugimoto et al.
patent: 5496121 (1996-03-01), Gunderson
patent: 5727883 (1998-03-01), Kusano et al.
Feitel Mark A.
Milton Scott C.
Brady Worldwide Inc.
Grohusky Leslie J.
Quarles & Brady LLP
Yan Ren
LandOfFree
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