Media Processing Device and Associated System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016229207-A1
Application number	US-201615132736-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 19, 2016
Priority date	Nov 15, 2010
Publication date	Aug 11, 2016
Grant date	—

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; 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.

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 from the disengaged position to the engaged position in response to the lid being moved from the second open position to the second closed position.

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 , wherein the consumable support body defines an exterior surface of the media processing device.

7 . 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.

8 . A media processing device as defined in claim 7 , 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.

9 . 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.

10 . 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.

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

12 . 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.

13 . 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.

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

15 . A media processing device as defined in claim 13 , 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.

16 . An apparatus comprising:
a consumable support assembly; a printing station housing; and a lid coupled to the print station housing, the lid including a tab configured to engage the consumable support assembly when the lid is closed and the consumable support assembly is closed, wherein the tab precludes opening of the consumable support assembly while the lid is closed.

17 . An apparatus as defined in claim 16 , wherein the lid includes a protrusion configured to engage a drive surface of a printhead assembly.

18 . An apparatus as defined in claim 17 , wherein the protrusion is configured to drive the printhead assembly against a force applied by a biasing mechanism.

19 . An apparatus as defined in claim 16 , wherein the lid is secured in a closed position by a latch.

20 . An apparatus as defined in claim 19 , further comprising a release button configured to release the lid from the closed position.

Assignees

• Zih Corp

Inventors

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

Classifications

• 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

• B41J17/24

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

• B41J2/32

  using thermal heads · CPC title