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US 12,351,410 B2Granted
Printer with linerless media wrap removal mechanism and associated methods
AssigneeZebra Technologies Corporation
InventorsDaniel P. Lanigan, Edward C. Thomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A printer is disclosed that includes a platen roller assembly, a frame, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is operatively coupled to a first mating structure at a proximal end of an axle of the platen roller assembly to automatically rotate the axle via the proximal end of the axle during a printing operation. The axle is manually rotated in situ via a second mating structure at a distal end during an operation to remove linerless media wrapped around the platen roller assembly.
Claims20
A printer, the printer comprising:
- a platen roller assembly comprising:
- an axle having a cylindrical outer surface and extending from a proximal end to a distal end,
- a first bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the proximal end,
- a second bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the distal end of the axle, and
- an outer core disposed circumferentially about the axle between the first and second platen bearings,
- the proximal end of the axle including a first mating structure having at least one project extending radially from the axle,
- the distal end of the axle having a second mating structure integrally formed at the distal end;
- a frame supporting the platen roller assembly;
- and
- a drive assembly operatively coupled to the first mating structure at the proximal end of the axle,
- the axle of the platen roller assembly being automatically rotated via the drive assembly coupled to the first mating structure at the proximal end during a printing operation and being manually rotated in situ via the second mating structure at the distal end during an operation to remove linerless media wrapped around the outer core.
8 more elements
A platen roller assembly for a printer, the platen roller assembly comprising:
- an axle having a cylindrical outer surface and extending from a proximal end to a distal end;
- a first bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the proximal end;
- a second bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the distal end of the axle;
- an outer core disposed circumferentially about the axle between the first and second platen bearings;
- and
- a clip disposed circumferentially about the axle between the distal end and the second bearing to retain the second bearing on the axle,
- the proximal end of the axle includes a first mating structure configured and dimensioned to engage a drive assembly of the printer and the distal end of the axle includes a second mating structure integrally formed therein that is configured and dimensioned to receive an operable end of a tool.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- receiving, by a frame in an internal cavity a printer, a platen roller assembly, the platen roller assembly including an axle having a cylindrical outer surface and extending from a proximal end to a distal end that includes a amating structure integrally formed therein, a first bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the proximal end, a second bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the distal end of the axle, an outer core disposed circumferentially about the axle between the first and second platen bearings, and a clip disposed circumferentially about the axle between the distal end and the second bearing to retain the second bearing on the axle;
- engaging a drive assembly with the proximal end of the axle;
- driving the drive assembly to automatically rotate the axle of the platen roller assembly via the proximal end during a printing operation;
- and
- receiving an operable end of a tool via the mating structure at the distal end to manually rotate the axle in situ during an operation to remove linerless media wrapped around the outer core.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.