Print roll core with internal ink storage

• US 7,357,497 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US11/540,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 347/101, 347/103, 347/104, 347/108
• US Class Current: 347/86
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/044 Cassettes or cartridges containing continuous copy material, tape, for setting into printing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• 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: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• 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 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• 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

A print roll unit includes an elongate core defining a plurality of elongate ink chambers for each storing a respective type of ink. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A housing includes a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to house the roll of print media.

Claims

1. A print roll unit comprising:

an elongate core defining a plurality of elongate ink chambers, each for storing a respective type of ink;

a roll of print media comprising a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former; and

a housing comprising a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to house the roll of print media.

2. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded covers define complementary formations to enable the molded covers to be snap-fitted together.

3. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the molded covers defines an elongate slot through which the print media can exit the print roll unit.

4. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a triplet of pinch rollers which are each rotationally mounted to the housing and are arranged to de-curl the print media as it is unwound from the roll.

5. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the triplet comprises a single drive roller and a pair of passive rollers.

6. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drive roller is mounted to a first one of the covers and the passive rollers are mounted to the other one of the covers.

7. A print roll unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the passive rollers are snap fitted to formations defined by the housing.

8. A camera comprising a print roll unit as claimed in claim 1 and a printer in fluid communication with the core and configured to print captured images on the print media with ink stored in the core.