Thermal printer
First Claim
1. A printer subassembly, comprising:
- a platen having an axis of rotation;
a pressure plate for aligning a printer head mountable thereon with the platen axis, the pressure plate including an actuation mechanism and being movable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the platen axis between a closed position substantially parallel to the platen axis and an open position;
a roller having an axis substantially parallel with the platen axis, the roller translatable between a first position in contact with the platen and a second position spaced from the platen; and
a follower, coupled to the roller, for cooperating with the actuation mechanism as the pressure plate is moved between the closed and open positions to cause translation of the roller between the first and second positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal label printer includes an actuation mechanism and follower for facilitating loading of stock (e.g., label stock). A pivotable printer head pressure plate includes the actuation mechanism which cooperates with the follower coupled to a peeler roller. As the pressure plate is moved from a closed position proximate a platen to an open position for loading of stock or for cleaning the printer head, the peeler roller is automatically translated from the platen. The resulting roller gap and displaced printer head provide unrestricted access for threading of the printer. The printer also includes a programmable device in the printer electronics for reconfiguring the printer to accommodate a variety of thermal print mechanisms.
30 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A printer subassembly, comprising:
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a platen having an axis of rotation;
a pressure plate for aligning a printer head mountable thereon with the platen axis, the pressure plate including an actuation mechanism and being movable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the platen axis between a closed position substantially parallel to the platen axis and an open position;
a roller having an axis substantially parallel with the platen axis, the roller translatable between a first position in contact with the platen and a second position spaced from the platen; and
a follower, coupled to the roller, for cooperating with the actuation mechanism as the pressure plate is moved between the closed and open positions to cause translation of the roller between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Printer electronics, comprising:
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memory for storing information including configuration information;
a programmable device for coupling to a selected one of a plurality of print mechanisms; and
a microprocessor, coupled to the memory and the programmable device, for;
reading the configuration information from the memory; and
programming the programmable device with the configuration information to configure the programmable device to allow print data received by the microprocessor to pass through the programmable device and be printed by the selected print mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for printing in a thermal printer comprising the steps of:
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sensing presence or absence of a thermal ribbon; and
adjusting print mechanism activation time based, at least in part, thereon.
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Specification