De-curling print media in a digital instant printing camera

• US 6,196,541 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Bollinger, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/112,740
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 271/188, 271/209, 271/161, 347/3, 347/4, 347/104, 396/562, 399/384, 399/406
• US Class Current: 271/188
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00647 Decurling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

This patent describes a method of de-curling print media when utilised in cameras or printers. The decurling occurs by providing a series anti-curling rollers to de-curl print media exiting from a print roll.

Claims

1. A media handling arrangement for a camera system for providing instant images on demand, including an internal ink jet printer, the arrangement including

a cartridge with a media ejection slot defined in a wall portion of the cartridge;

a print roll of ink jet printing media on a tightly wound former; and

a series of anti-curling rollers rotatably arranged in the cartridge between the former and the slot to de-curl the print media exiting from the cartridge through the slot as the print media is unwound from the former.

2. A media handling arrangement according to claim 1, where the series of anti-curling rollers comprise a first roller, and a second roller and third roller which press against the first roller to de-curl the print media by trapping it against that part of the circumference of the first roller between the second and the third rollers.

3. A media handling arrangement according to claim 2 where the diameters of the second and third rollers are smaller than the diameter of the first roller.

4. A media handling arrangement according to claim 3, where the diameters of the second and third rollers are the same.

5. A media handling arrangement according to claim 2, where the second and third rollers are spaced apart along the circumference of the first roller by more than 90 degrees.

6. A camera system which includes:

a media handling arrangement according to claim 1; and

an opposed pair of pinch rollers arranged downstream of the series of anti-curling rollers to receive the print media exiting the anti-curling rollers.

7. A camera system according to claim 6 in which the pinch rollers are arranged outwardly of the cartridge, downstream of the ejection slot of the cartridge.