Media processing device and associated system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10144234-B2
Application number	US-201615132736-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2016
Priority date	Nov 15, 2010
Publication date	Dec 4, 2018
Grant date	Dec 4, 2018

Abstract

An example disclosed media processing device includes a consumable support assembly including a consumable support body, the consumable support body configured for manipulation between a first open position and a first closed position; a printhead assembly movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the printhead assembly positioned between a consumable supply spool and a consumable take-up spool in response to the consumable support body being in the closed position; and a lid movable between a second open position and a second closed position, wherein the lid is configured to, when in the closed position: engage the consumable support assembly in the first closed position; and preclude the consumable support assembly from being moved to the first open position.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A media processing device comprising:
a consumable support assembly including a consumable support body, the consumable support body configured for manipulation between a first open position and a first closed position, wherein the consumable support body defines an exterior surface of the media processing device when the consumable support assembly is in the first closed position;
a printhead assembly movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the printhead assembly positioned between a consumable supply spool and a consumable take-up spool in response to the consumable support body being in the closed position; and
a lid movable between a second open position and a second closed position, wherein the lid is configured to:
engage the consumable support assembly in the first closed position to preclude the consumable support assembly from being moved to the first open position;
drive the printhead assembly toward the engaged position when transitioning from the second open position to the second closed position; and
separate from the printhead assembly when transitioning from the second closed position to the second open position.

2. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the printhead assembly is biased in the disengaged position.

3. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the lid is configured to drive the printhead assembly toward the engaged position via a protrusion extending from an interior surface of the lid.

4. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the consumable support assembly comprises an air flow channel.

5. A media processing device as defined in claim 4 , further comprising an air flow device configured to drive air flow over the printhead assembly and through the air flow channel.

6. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a guide extension extending from the consumable support body that is structured to guide the consumable support body relative to the media processing device as the consumable support body is manipulated between the first open position and the first closed position.

7. A media processing device as defined in claim 6 , wherein the guide extension defines a latch feature that is configurable between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein:
in the latched position the consumable support assembly is precluded from being detached from the media processing device; and
in the unlatched position the consumable support assembly is able to be detached from the media processing device.

8. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element structured to apply tension to a consumable web passing between a consumable supply spool and a consumable take-up spool.

9. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a bull-nose feature configured to engage a drive surface of the printhead assembly to drive the printhead assembly toward the engaged position.

10. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the lid defines a clam-shell structure.

11. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the consumable support assembly is adapted to simultaneously load a consumable supply spool along a first axis and a consumable take-up spool along a second axis.

12. A media processing device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the printhead assembly comprises a latch configurable between a latched position, wherein a printhead is maintained in the engaged position, and an unlatched position, wherein the printhead is free to move to the disengaged position.

13. A media processing device as defined in claim 12 , wherein the latch is biased toward the latched position.

14. A media processing device as defined in claim 12 , wherein the lid comprises a release button, and wherein in response to the release button being depressed, the latch is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Assignees

• Zih Corp

Inventors

• Perry Daniel E
• Ijams Stephen L
• Irizarry Keath Jason Lawson
• Hunter Robert D
• Bryant Caleb J

Classifications

• B41J17/24

  Webs supplied from reels or spools attached to the machine · CPC title

• B41J29/02 Primary

  Framework · CPC title

• B41J15/042 Primary

  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 · CPC title

• B41J15/00 Primary

  Devices or arrangements {of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers,} specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in continuous form, e.g. webs · CPC title

• B41J2/32

  using thermal heads · CPC title