Patent ID: 6224280
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B41J,G07B,Y10T

Abstract:
A tape storing and feeding mechanism for an inkjet printer having at least one ink jet print head having an array of ink jet nozzles in a lower surface thereof for printing an image on discrete portions of a web of tape stored in said printer tape storing and feeding mechanism comprising:a. means mounted in said printer for storing said web of tape;b. an elongated tape feeding and supporting means having an essentially flat upper surface, mounted in said printer in axial juxtaposition with said tape storing means and in vertical juxtaposition with said print head for feeding said web along said upper surface so that said web is disposed beneath and moves past said print head; said upper surface is formed by a plurality of ribs projecting upwardly from a lower surface of said tape supporting means and extending substantially from one end of said supporting means to the other; said plurality of ribs including a pair of opposed side ribs forming opposite outer edges of said tape supporting means, said side ribs include latching means and said tape storing and feeding mechanism further comprises a cover having an interior surface spaced from and substantially parallel to said upper surface of said tape supporting element, said interior surface having an opening proximate to said printer and side flanges for releasable engaging said latching means to position said interior surface with a predetermined clearance above said upper surface, said clearance being selected to hold said tape between said upper surface and said interior surface as said tape moves over said tape supporting element; and,c. upstream and downstream tape feeding means mounted at opposite ends of said tape supporting means for feeding discrete portions along said tape supporting means, whereby said tape feeding and supporting means supports said discrete portions of said tape in uniform juxtaposition over the length of said discrete portions of said tape between upper surfaces of said discrete portions of said tape and said print head.