Printer cassette with movable tensioning roller and associated printer
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsMichael A. WHITBY, Randall L. REDMAN, Austin M. KNOBLAUCH
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for holding label stock includes a body including a base and a roll holding area with a roll holding support extending from the base for receiving a roll of label stock. A plurality of rollers are located along a label stock feed path from the roll holding area to a label stock exit zone of the body. The plurality of rollers include a tensioning roller that is movable relative to the base to dissipate tension loads on label stock during label stock movement.
Claims19
A printing apparatus or cassette apparatus, comprising:
- a body including a base and a roll holding area with a roll holding support extending from the base for receiving a roll of label stock;
- a plurality of rollers located along a label stock feed path from the roll holding area to a label stock exit zone of the body, the plurality of rollers including a tensioning roller that is movable relative to the base to dissipate tension loads on label stock during label stock movement.
A cassette for holding label stock, the cassette comprising:
- a cassette body including a base and a roll holding area with a roll holding support extending from the base for receiving a roll of label stock, the roll holding support defining a rotational axis for the roll of label stock, wherein the cassette body defines a cassette footprint as viewed in a direction along the rotational axis;
- a plurality of rollers located along a label stock feed path from the roll holding area to a label stock exit zone of the cassette body, the plurality of rollers including a tensioning roller that is movable relative to the base between an operating position within the cassette footprint and a loading position external of the cassette footprint.
A method of loading label stock into a cassette, comprising:
- mounting a label stock roll into a roll holding area of a cassette body;
- moving a tensioning roller from an operating position within the cassette body to a loading position external of the cassette body;
- feeding label stock of the roll along a path between the cassette body and the tensioning roller while the tensioning roller is in the loading position;
- and
- moving the tensioning roller from the loading position back into the operating position such that a portion of the label stock is pulled into the cassette body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.