Platen Unit For A Disposable Camera Having A Printer

• US 20080117403A1
• Filed: 01/30/2008
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,469,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 355/72
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17506 Refilling of the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/60 for printing on both faces of the printing material
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/58 Baseboards, masking frames, or other holders for the sensitive material G03B27/53 takes precedence ; for electrophotographic copiers G03G15/65
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 9/40 Double plate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0018 of images captured using a loaned, rented or limited-use still digital camera, e.g. recyclable or disposable camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/193 using electrically scanned linear arrays , e.g. linear CCD arrays
• 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 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

The invention relates to a platen unit for a disposable camera. The platen unit is configured for guiding print media under a printhead of an ink supply mechanism of the camera. The platen unit includes a platen base, a pinch roller attached to said base, and a cutting mechanism mounted to the base, the cutting mechanism having a cutting wheel operatively running on a threaded rod to cut media from a roll of print media housed in the camera.

Claims

1. A platen unit for a disposable camera, the platen unit configured for guiding print media under a printhead of an ink supply mechanism of the camera, said platen unit comprising:

a platen base;

a pinch roller attached to said base; and

a cutting mechanism mounted to the base, the cutting mechanism having a cutting wheel operatively running on a threaded rod to cut media from a roll of print media housed in the camera.

2. The platen unit of claim 1, which includes a recapping mechanism for capping the printhead, said mechanism mounted to the base and having a solenoid with a turn coil of insulated wire.

3. The platen unit of claim 2, wherein the coil is turned around a first stationery solenoid arm which is mounted on a bottom surface of the platen base and includes a post portion to magnify effectiveness of operation of said arm.

4. The platen unit of claim 3, wherein the recapping mechanism includes a second moveable solenoid arm having a sponge portion surrounded by an elastomeric strip of a generally arcuate cross-section acting as a leaf spring against a surface of the ink supply mechanism cartridge to provide a seal against that surface.

5. The platen unit of claim 4, wherein the recapping mechanism includes an elastomeric spring unit to deform the elastomeric strip against the surface of the ink supply mechanism.

6. The platen unit of claim 1, wherein the threaded rod mounts a block which includes the cutting wheel fastened via a fastener, the block also having a dial mechanism actuator for rotating a dial mechanism of the camera indicative of an amount of print media remaining on the print roll.

7. The platen unit of claim 1, wherein the cutting mechanism includes a shear strip to assist in cutting media from the print roll.