Hand-held portable printer

#The present subject matter relates to portable printers, portable data entry devices, labelers and/or accessories therefor.

#A wide variety of different portable printers are known in the art. Often, such printers are incorporated into hand-held labelers that can directly print one or more labels from a wound roll of blank labels carried on or in the device.

#Numerous features and functions have also been incorporated in such devices. For example, optical scanners such as used for reading barcodes and the like, radio-based communication provisions, microprocessor-based computing capabilities, and sophisticated operator interfaces are now typically available in hand-held labeling devices.

#FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hand-held portable labeler/printer in accordance with aspect of the present inventive subject matter.

#FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the labeler/printer illustrated in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the labeler/printer of FIG. 1.

#Generally, the present specification describes an ergonomic, user-friendly hand-held printer or labeler device with onboard optical scanning, programmable operation, and power provisions. The device is particularly adapted for use as a hand-held labeler and its embodiments are described herein as such. The printer or labeler devices include a multitude of features and functions, all of which are described in detail herein. For convenience, the devices are typically referred to herein as labelers and/or printers, although the devices are not limited to the printing of labels, but instead can be used for printing other materials, media and feedstocks or used in applications exclusive of printing such as in scanning operations.

#FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a labeler and/or printer 10 in accordance with aspect of the present inventive subject matter. The labeler/printer 10 comprises a housing 20 having an upper main body 28, a lower battery enclosure 32, and a handle 24 extending therebetween. The handle 24 includes a trigger or actuator (not shown), the operation of which is described in greater detail herein. The main body 28 includes a front nose end 42 and an opposite rear end 46. A sloping front face 40 extends generally upwardly and rearwardly from the front nose end 42. A sloping rear face 44 extends generally upwardly and frontwardly from the rear end 46. The front face 40 and the rear face 44 meet along a raised central region 45 of the housing 20. The housing 20 of the labeler/printer 10 further defines a first or right hand side 48 of the labeler/printer 10 extending between corresponding regions of the nose end 42, the front face 40, the rear face 44, and the rear end 46. The housing 20 also defines an oppositely directed second or left hand side 52 of the labeler/printer 10 extending between corresponding regions of the nose end 42, the front face 40, the rear face 44, and the rear end 46. The labeler/printer 10 also comprises an operator interface 60 generally accessible along the rear face 44 of the main body 28. The operator interface 60 includes a monitor 62, one or more selection buttons 64, and one or more optical indicators 66. The labeler/printer 10 also comprises a scanner 70 and a print engine 80 generally enclosed within the main body 28 of the housing 20, however accessible along the front face 40 of the main body 28. Each of these components and additional details of the labeler/printer 10 are described herein.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the labeler/printer 10. In this exploded view, the housing 20 is sectioned into opposing lower half sections 20a and 20b. It will be appreciated however, that the housing 20 can be provided in numerous configurations besides that depicted in the referenced figures. The labeler/printer 10 comprises an electronic module assembly 150 and a print module assembly 200. The electronic module assembly 150 generally includes the noted operator interface 60 and is incorporated along the rear face 44 of the labeler/printer 10. And the print module assembly 200 is incorporated along and in certain embodiments generally constitutes the front face 40 of the labeler/printer 10. The print module assembly 200 includes a printhead (not shown) and an associated mounting assembly (not shown). The labeler/printer 10 also comprises a drive module assembly 300. The drive module assembly 300 is generally enclosed within the main body 28 of the housing 20 and particularly, between the half sections 20a and 20b and under the print module assembly 200.