US 6,267,521 B1 · Computer driven printer with a stripper roller and latching assembly

Abstract

Apparatus for maintaining tension on a ribbon in a printer used for transferring an image, e.g., thermally, from a print head through the ribbon to a print medium. By maintaining ribbon tension and thus keeping the ribbon essentially without wrinkles, print quality is enhanced. This tension maintenance apparatus uses a pair of torqued reel subassemblies with the ribbon extending between and is of particular significance when used in conjunction with a label stock as a printer medium when the printer mechanism bidirectionally moves the label stock to assist removal of labels from its backing. These torqued reel assemblies are sufficiently loaded such that ribbon tension is maintained between these reel assemblies despite this bidirectional movement.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A printer for transferring an image to a print medium, said printer comprising:

first and second subassemblies rotatlibly coupled at a first end;
the first and second subassembly comprising a print head;
the second subassembly comprising a drive roller and a stripper roller;
and
a latching assembly for detachably coupling said subassemblies at a second end, said subassemblies being adapted to press a print medium between said drive roller and said print head when said latching assembly is in a latched position, said latching assembly further comprising means for separating said print head from drive said drive roller and means for separating said stripper roller from said drive roller when said latching assembly is in an unlatched position.

2 more elements

A printer for transferring an image to a print medium, said printer comprising:

first and second subassemblies rotatably coupled at a first end;
said first subassembly comprising a print head and a ribbon supply apparatus for moving ribbon along a ribbon path;
said second subassembly comprising a print medium supply apparatus for providing print medium along a print medium path to selectively receive ink from a ribbon;
a drive roller for driving a print medium;
a latching assembly for detachably coupling said subassemblies at a second end,
wherein said subassemblies comprise means for pressing a print medium and a ribbon between said drive roller and said print head when said latching assembly is in a latched position and means for separating said print bead from said drive roller when said latching assembly is in an unlatched positions;
a stripper roller driven by said drive mechanism;
and,
said subassemblies further comprising means for separating said stripper roller from said drive roller to facilitate loading of a print medium between said stripper roller and said drive roller when said latching assembly is in an unlatched position.

6 more elements

A printer for transferring an image to a print medium, said printer comprising:

first and second subassemblies;
a stripper bar coupled to at least one of said subassemblies;
a first subassembly comprising;
a print head;
and
a ribbon supply apparatus for moving ribbon along a ribbon path;
a second subassembly comprising;
a drive rollers;
a stripper roller;
a drive mechanism for rotating said drive roller;
and
a print medium supply apparatus defining a print medium path extending past said drive roller, around said stripper bar, and between said drive roller and said stripper roller;
means mounting said first subassembly to said second subassembly at a first end for relative rotation with respect to said second subassembly, said relative rotation being between an open inoperative condition and a closed operative condition;
and
a latching assembly coupled to said subassemblies at a second end, said latching assembly being adapted to unlatch said subassemblies for said open inoperative position and to latch said subassemblies for said closed operative condition,
said subassemblies being adapted to press a ribbon and a print medium between said drive roller and said print head when said latching assembly is in a latched position and to separate said print head from sad drive roller when said latching assembly is in an unlatched position, said latching assembly further being adapted to position said stripper roller in spaced relationship to said drive roller when said latching assembly is in said unlatched position and to position said stripper roller in contact with said drive roller when said latching assembly is in said latched position.

13 more elements

A printer for transferring an image to a print medium, said printer comprising:

a first subassembly;
a second subassembly;
means for mounting said first subassembly to said second subassembly at a first end for relative rotation with respect to the second subassembly about a pivot axis, said relative rotation being between an open inoperative position and a closed operative position;
a print head;
a drive roller;
a stripper roller;
and
a latching assembly coupled to said subassemblies at a second end, said latching assembly being adapted to unlatch said subassemblies for said open inoperative position and to latch said subassemblies for said closed operative condition,
said subassemblies being adapted to press a print medium between said rive roller and said print head when said latching assembly is in a latched position and to separate said print head from said drive roller when said latching assembly is in an unlatched position, said latching assembly further being adapted to position said stripper roller in spaced relationship to said drive roller when said latching assembly is in said unlatched position and to position said stripper roller in contact with said drive roller when said latching assembly is in said latched position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computer driven printer with a stripper roller and latching assembly

Life of this patent

Computer driven printer with a stripper roller and latching assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18