# US 8,783,981 B2 · Collapsable core for printer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,981 B2 - Document ID: US8783981B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/212,667 - Filed: 2011-08-18 - Published: 2012-02-23 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-20 - Assignees: Avery Dennison Corporation - Applicants: Jan Watson; Thomas P. Keller - Inventors: Jan Watson; Thomas P. Keller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783981B2 ## CPC - B41J 15/02: Web rolls or spindles; Attaching webs to cores or spindles - B41J 15/042: {for loading rolled-up continuous copy material into printers, e.g. for replacing a used-up paper roll; Point-of-sale printers with openable casings allowing access to the rolled-up continuous copy material} - B41J 33/16: with drive applied to spool or spool spindle - B65H 19/123: {with cantilever supporting arrangements} - B65H 75/30: Arrangements to facilitate driving or braking - B65H 2405/45: Shafts for winding/unwinding - B65H 2601/324: Removability or inter-changeability of machine parts, e.g. for maintenance - B65H 2801/12: Single-function printing machines, typically table-top machines - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract The present invention provides a reusable and collapsible take-up core for a printer. The core is generally a hollow member having an interior bored mated to fit over a spindle. The core comprises a wall having an interior and exterior surface, at least one axially extending ridge formed on the interior surface of the wall of the core, and an axially extending relief groove formed on the exterior surface of the wall of the core. The take-up core of the present invention provides a more efficient, less time consuming, less messy method and device for unrolling the used or spent material off the core. A method for discarding spent material (i.e. release liner) from a core of a take-up assembly of a printer is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reusable and collapsible core for a printer, comprising: a core that-includes a hollow member that has a bore that fits over a spindle, the core has a first end and a second end and a circumference wherein the core is formed of a deformable resilient material and is deformable along the at least one axially extending groove; a wall formed on the hollow member, the wall having an interior and exterior surface; at least one axially extending ridge formed on the interior surface of the wall of the core; at least one gap formed in the wall and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface of the hollow member and extending axially from the first end to the second end of the core; and at least one axially extending relief groove formed on the exterior surface of the wall of the core wherein the at least one gap and the at least one axially extending relief groove are disposed substantially equally around the circumference of the core such that there is about equal space between each the gap and at least one groove. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The core of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove extends an entire length of the core. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The core of claim 1, wherein the core is provided with two axially extending relief grooves and the grooves and the gap are disposed at regular intervals around the circumference of the core. ### Claim 4 A printer, comprising: a frame having a vertical wall and a floor; a housing pivotally joined at hinges; a roll of print media held by a media supply roll mounting assembly and mounted on the vertical wall of the frame; a printhead assembly; a take-up assembly having a spent liner take-up spindle and a collapsible core, the core includes a hollow member having a bore and has a circumference wherein the core is formed of a deformable resilient material and is deformable along the at least one axially extending groove, a wall having an interior and exterior surface and a at least one gap formed in the wall and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface of the wall, at least one axially extending ridge formed on the interior surface of the wall of the core, and at least one axially extending relief groove formed on the exterior surface of the wall of the core wherein the at least one gap and the at least one axially extending relief groove are disposed substantially equally around the circumference of the core such that there is about equal space between each the gap and at least one groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The printer of claim 4, wherein the gap and the at least one groove extend a length of the wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The printer of claim 4, wherein the media supply roll mounting assembly is selectively pivotable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The printer of claim 4, wherein the housing comprises two pieces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The printer of claim 4, wherein the print media is label stock which includes a series of individual labels or record members releaseably adhered to a continuous web of material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The printer of claim 4, wherein the take-up assembly is mounted to the vertical wall of the frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The printer of claim 4, further comprising an ink ribbon supply spindle and an ink ribbon take-up spindle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The printer of claim 4, wherein the printer further comprises a detector to measure or monitor an amount of material wound onto the core. ### Claim 12 A method of discarding spent material from a core of a take-up assembly of a printer, comprising the steps of: providing a printer having a collapsible core, the core having a circumference an outer circumference and includes at least one gap and a groove each extending along the outer circumference of the core and the gap extends from an outer surface of the core to an inner surface of the core wherein the at least one gap and the at least one axially extending relief groove are disposed substantially equally around the circumference of the core such that there is about equal space between each the gap and at least one groove; separating spent material wound on the core from any remaining portion of print material in the printer; taking the core off of a spindle; applying force to a portion of the circumference of the core; compressing the gap to reduce a diameter of the core which includes expanding the groove; removing the spent material from the core and releasing the force from the core; and replacing the core back on the spindle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising re-engaging the material with the take-up assembly and resuming operation of the printer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the material is used ink ribbon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the material is spent release liner.