Print media roll holder with multi-diameter core adapter
AssigneeZIH Corp.
InventorsThomas Michael Zevin, Joe Dufrain Rodriguez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A print media roll holder includes a multi-diameter core adapter for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes. The roll holder comprises a ring-shaped frame having a base portion provided with a guide rack which is used for positional adjustment. The multi-diameter core adapter is pivotally mounted inside the ring-shaped frame on two opposing lateral pins inserted through the frame and through the core adapter for 180 degree rotation in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction depending on the size of core being used. The guide rack is part of a rack and pinion gear system used to vary the spacing between the roll holders in a reciprocal linear fashion.
Claims11
A print media roll holder adapted for use with print media rolls of different core sizes, comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- a core adapter pivotally coupled within said frame for rotational movement about a central axis, said core adapter having a first side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a first inner core diameter and a second side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a second inner core diameter.
An apparatus for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes, said apparatus comprising:
- a first print media roll holder having a frame;
- a second print media roll holder having a frame and disposed opposite said first print media roll holder for accommodating print media rolls of different core sizes between said first and second print media roll holders, each of said first and second print media roll holders including a core adapter pivotally coupled within a respective frame for rotational movement about a central axis, each said core adapter having a first side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a first inner core diameter and a second side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a second inner core diameter;
- and
- means for adjusting the position of said first and second print media roll holders in a reciprocal linear fashion.
A method for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes on a pair of oppositely displaced roll holder frames with each frame having a core adapter pivotally connected to the frame and adapted for rotation about a central frame axis within the frame, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) rotating the core adapters about their respective central axes to select a frame side adapted for coupling to a desired core size of a print media roll;
- and
- (b) coupling each selected frame side to a respective end of the print media core to support the print media roll thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.