Label peeling, universal printheads and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9975360-B2
Application number	US-201615211615-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 15, 2016
Priority date	Apr 12, 2010
Publication date	May 22, 2018
Grant date	May 22, 2018

Abstract

An example disclosed printer configured to peel media from a backing includes a peeler assembly that is engageable between a peeling position, wherein the printer is configured to peel the media from the backing, and a non-peeling position, wherein the printer is not configured to peel the media from the backing; a sensor configured to send a signal corresponding to a position of the peeler assembly; and a printer controller configured to receive the position of the peeler assembly from the sensor and configured to adjust at least one print setting in response to receiving the signal corresponding to the position of the peeler assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A printer configured to peel media from a backing, the printer comprising:
a peeler assembly that is engageable between a peeling position, wherein the printer is configured to peel the media from the backing, and a non-peeling position, wherein the printer is not configured to peel the media from the backing;
a sensor configured to send a signal indicative of a position of the peeler assembly; and
a printer controller configured to receive the signal from the sensor and configured to set a value of a drive motor torque parameter according to the position of the peeler assembly.

2. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the printer controller is configured to set at least one of print speed, printhead temperature, or printhead position according to the position of the peeler assembly.

3. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a binary switch operable to detect the peeling position of the peeler assembly or the non-peeling position of the peeler assembly.

4. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

5. The printer of claim 1 , further comprising a media cover, wherein the sensor is carried by the media cover.

6. The printer of claim 1 , further comprising memory storing a table, the table including different values of parameters based on the position of the peeler assembly.

7. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the printer controller is to:
set the drive motor torque parameter to a first value when the peeler assembly is in the peeling position; and
set the drive motor torque parameter to a second value different that the first value when the peeler assembly is in the non-peeling position.

8. A method for use in a printer configured to peel media from a backing, the method comprising:
detecting, via a sensor of the printer, a position of a peeler assembly that is engageable between a peeling position and a non-peeling position;
setting, via a printer controller, a drive motor torque parameter according to the detected position of the peeler assembly; and
generating indicia on the media according to the drive motor torque parameter.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the drive motor torque parameter is configured to control an amount of electrical current fed to a drive motor.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein setting the drive moor torque parameter according to the detected position of the peeler assembly comprises:
setting the drive motor torque parameter to a first value when the peeler assembly is in the peeling position; and
setting the drive motor torque parameter to a second value different that the first value when the peeler assembly is in the non-peeling position.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein setting the drive motor torque parameter according to the detected position of the peeler assembly comprises referencing a table including different values for the drive motor torque parameter based on the position of the peeler assembly.

12. A non-transitory machine-readable storage device comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a printer to at least:
determine a position of a peeler assembly that is engageable between a peeling position and a non-peeling position;
set a drive motor torque parameter according to the detected position of the peeler assembly; and
generate indicia on the media according to the drive motor torque setting.

13. The machine-readable storage device of claim 12 , wherein the drive motor torque drive motor torque parameter is configured to control an amount of electrical current fed to a drive motor.

14. The machine-readable storage device of claim 12 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the printer to set the drive motor torque parameter according to the detected position of the peeler assembly by:
setting the drive motor torque parameter to a first value when the peeler assembly is in the peeling position; and
setting the drive motor torque parameter to a second value different that the first value when the peeler assembly is in the non-peeling position.

15. The machine-readable storage device of claim 12 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the printer to set the print parameter according to the detected position of the peeler assembly by referencing a table including different values for the print parameter based on the position of the peeler assembly.

Assignees

• Zih Corp

Inventors

• Preliasco Richard J
• Lyman Roy P
• Beck David F
• Horrocks Craig A
• Hegarty Patrick J

Classifications

• B41J3/4075

  Tape printers; Label printers · CPC title

• B41J15/04 Primary

  Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles · CPC title

• B41J29/13

  Cases or covers · CPC title

• B41J29/393

  Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine {; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns} · CPC title

• B41J3/36 Primary

  for portability {, i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers (B41J3/4075 takes precedence)} · CPC title