Abstract:
A device for mounting a delivery spool ( 3 ) having a wound band strip, in particular a labeling delivery spool, is described, which has a mandrel-like mounting core ( 15 ), a holding device, by means of which the delivery spool is releasably arrestable and/or is releasably clamped on the mounting core, and a device for axial alignment of the delivery spool. In order to make possible the attachment as well as the adjustment of a delivery spool in a comfortable manner, it is provided that the holding device that secures the delivery spool and the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool can be actuated through a common drive ( 30, 16 ). The actuation preferably takes place automatically.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Application No. 101 25 761.9, filed May 17, 2001. Applicant also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §365 of PCT/EP02/04563, filed Apr. 25, 2002. The International application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device for mounting a delivery spool having a wound band strip, in particular a label delivery spool, with a mounting core, a holding device, by means of which the delivery spool is releasably arrestable and/or releasably clamped on the mounting core, and a device for axial adjustment of the delivery spool. In particular, the invention relates to a device for printing of a band strip or of labels adhered to a band strip, in which the band strip is unwound from a delivery roll and is supplied to a printing mechanism, whereby the delivery spool is held by a mounting device of the above-described type. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Such a mounting device is described in the previously unpublished German patent application 101 09 882.0 originating from the Applicant. 
     Printers, such as those typically used in the area of price signs, include among other things a mounting device for the delivery spool, which is a band strip with or without labels, a printing mechanism, and a paper winding device, as well as components for use of thermo-transfer foils. In order to make the insertion of the respective spool most simple, the printing mechanism is typically provided with an opening mechanism. The state of the art is that the printing mechanism is opened by operation of an actor, in order to install or replace the spool with or without labels. For loading the spool, it is placed on an associated mounting device and there, likewise secured. A determined initial length of the band strip forming the spool is lead through the printing mechanism, and likewise secured on a winding device. The winding device can contain a mechanism, which simplifies the removal of the band strip. Before the printing process can start, the printing mechanism must be closed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to produce a device of the above-described type, in which the attachment as well as the alignment of a delivery spool is possible in a comfortable manner. 
     This object is achieved through a device with the features of the invention. Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention are provided in the invention. 
     The invention essentially comprises in that the holding device that fixes the delivery spool and the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool are operable through a common drive. 
     With the inventive device, therefore, a band strip wound on a delivery spool can be secured and aligned simply and comfortably. 
     Preferably the holding device and the device for axial alignment are automatically operated. 
     A signal, which causes the automatic operation of the holding device and the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool, can be produced in various ways. According to one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that this signal is produced by means of a measuring device, which detects the mounting of a new delivery spool on the mandrel-like mounting core and/or the placement or threading of a band strip beginning into a guide associated with the band strip. This measuring device can comprise a switch, a scanning element, a magnetic sensor and/or a light barrier. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment, the signal, which causes the automatic operation of the holding device and the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool, also can be produced by means of a sensor, switch, or scanning element associated with a winding device. 
     A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises that at least the mounting core is formed to be interchangeable. This construction makes possible the use of various mounting cores with different outer diameters, so that according to the core diameter of the respective delivery spool, a mounting core adapted thereto can be used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Next, the invention will be described with reference to several embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings show: 
         FIG. 1  a schematic illustration of a device for printing of a band strip; 
         FIG. 2  a schematic sectional illustration of a mounting device for mounting a delivery spool; 
         FIG. 3  an enlarged representation of a section of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a holding device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a holding device according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the holding device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIG. 1 , a printer for printing labels  2  adhered on a carrier band strip is illustrated. The band strip  1  is unwound from a delivery spool  3  and supplied to a printing mechanism  4 . The printing mechanism  4  is made up of a printing head  5  and a printing roller  6 . The printing head  5  presses the labels with a sufficient force against the printing roller  6  and prints them, for example, in a thermo- or in a thermo-transfer method. Alternatively, it is also possible to movably mount the printing roller  6  such that it can be moved towards the printing head  5  and away from the latter and presses, in its position adjusted to the printing head  5 , the labels  2  against the printing head  5  with sufficient force. The printing roller  6  can be driven by means of step motor (not shown). In the strip running behind the printing mechanisms, a relative sharp deflection in the form of a dispensing edge  7  is provided, on which the printing labels are released in a known manner from the carrier band strip  1  and can be taken through an opening in the housing of the printer and attached to an object to mark or designate. Instead of the dispensing edge  7 , also a deflection spool with a small diameter can be used. The carrier band strip  1  is unwound after the deflection on the dispensing edge  7  from a winding device  9  driven by a step motor  8 . 
     The printing head  5  of the printing mechanism  4  is attached to a moveably mounted plate  10 , on which spiral springs  11  supported on fixed bearings engage on sides of the printing head  5 . On the other side of the plate  10  rests an eccentrically mounted circular disk  12 , which is rotatably by a step motor  13 . Based on the spring action, the printing head  5  upon rotation of the eccentrically mounted circular disk  12  is moved away from the printing roller  6 , so that the printing head  5  takes in a sufficiently large distance relative to the printing roller  6 , in order to be able to move easily the band strip  1  with the labels  2  adhered thereon through the printing mechanism  4 . 
     The delivery spool  3  is slipped on a mounting device  14 , which has a mandrel-like mounting core, a holding device, by means of which the delivery spool  3  is releasably held and/or releasably clamped on the mounting core, and device for axial alignment of the delivery spool  3 . A possible embodiment of the mounting device is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The delivery spool  3  is designated partially in dotted lines. It is slipped on a mandrel-like mounting core  15 , which is rotatably mounted on an axially moveable actuating axis  16 . The actuating axis  16  is supported in a sleeve-shaped friction bearing  17 , which is non-rotatably held in a recess of a base plate  18 . The sleeve-shaped friction bearing  17  has a diameter-reduced section  19 , on which a support  20  in the form of a rotationally symmetric body is rotatably mounted. The rotationally symmetric support  20  is arranged with axial play in respect to the base plate  18 . The support  20  is further provided with a ring-shaped contact disk  21 , which serves for axially guiding or alignment of the delivery spool  3 . 
     The support  20  has a sleeve-shaped section  22 , on which a stop element  23  is axially-adjustably mounted, the stop element being non-rotatably but axially-releasably connected with the mounting core  15 . The stop element  23  is embodied in the illustrated embodiment in a ring-shaped disk and is non-rotatably connected with the mounting core  15  by an feather key  48 . The stop element  23  and the mounting core  15  fixedly connected therewith are supported on the rotatably supported support  20  by means of elastic springs  24 . 
     Several openings are formed in the mounting core  15 , the openings being uniformly distributed around the periphery of the mounting core  15 , in which, respectively, at least one radially displaceable holding element  25  is inserted, each of which is elastically biased by means of coil springs  26  to the interior of the mounting core  15 . The holding elements  25  have oblique inner sides  27 , which rest on a conical sleeve  29  that is rotatably mounted on the actuating axis  16  by means of roller bearings  28 . 
     The mounting core  15 , including elements  25  placed therein as well as the coil springs  26  connected therewith, can be exchange with another mounting core with a smaller or larger outer diameter. In the mounting core  15 , the holding elements  25  are secured by a corresponding profiling against falling out. 
     The mounting core  15  can be retracted together with the holding elements  25  supported therein and the springs  26  from the conical sleeve  29 . In doing so, the holding elements are pressed outwardly radially over the conical sleeve  29  against the spring force of the spring  26 . 
     The remounting takes place in the reverse manner, since the holding elements  25  have an insertion bevel or slant. Upon remounting, it is merely to be taken care that the feather key  48  of the stop element  23  is engaged again in the mounting core  15 . 
     The axially moveable actuating axis  16  is part of a common drive of the holding device that secures the delivery spool  3  on the mounting core  15  as well as the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool  3  in its specified position. In the illustrated embodiment, a schematically represented linear drive  30  is provided for axial displacement of the actuating axis  16 . Instead of this type of linear drive, also other suitable drives can be used. For example, the actuating axis  16  can be provided with a gear rack section, in which a gear driven by an electric motor engages. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide the actuating axis  16  with a screw-thread section, or spiral-threaded section, which engages a fixedly arranged, rotatably mounted inner- and outer-toothed gear, which is in engagement on its outer toothing with a gear driven by an electric motor. A further advantageous possibility is that on an end of the actuating axis  16 , a spindle nut is attached, which engages a spindle directly attached to a motor shaft. 
     The holding device, by means of which the delivery spool  3  is releasably clamped on the mounting core  15 , and the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool  3  in its specified position are operated automatically as a function of a signal. The signal, which causes the automatic operation of the holding device as well as the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool  3 , is produced in the illustrated embodiment by means of a measurement and control device  31  that detects the beginning of the band strip  1  (compare  FIG. 1 ). The measurement and control device  31 , in this connection, has a light barrier, which includes a light-emitting sender diode  32  and a receiver diode  33  associated therewith. If the beginning of the carrier band strip  1  passes the region of the light barrier, the receiver diode  33  no longer captures the light emitted from the sender diode  32 , whereby a control signal is provided in the measurement and control device  31 , which is lead to the step motor  13  associated with the eccentrically mounted circular disk  12  as well as to the common drive of the holding device and the device for axial adjustment of the delivery spool  3  via signal lines  34 ,  35 . 
     This control signal causes the drive that is connected with the actuating axis  16  to be axially displaced, so that the conical sleeve  29  rotatably mounted thereon is shifted in the direction of the fixed base plate  18  at a small amount of millimeters. In this manner, first the holding elements  25  on the conical sleeve.  29  are shifted radially outward, so that the delivery spool  3  is clamped on the mounting core  15 . As soon as the delivery spool  3  opposes the displacement of the holding elements  25  with a known resistance, the delivery spool  3  is drawn with forward-carrying axial displacement of the actuating axis  16  in the direction of the base plate  18  in its specified position and thereby, axially aligned. The displacement of the actuating axis  16  is then terminated. This can take place by means of the contact disk  21  and/or interruption switches (not shown) associated with the stop element  23 , which cause a current cutoff. Alternatively, the displacement of the actuating axis can be terminated in an advantageous manner also by means of a time control. 
     In addition, with the measurement and control device  31 , also the end of the band strip  1  wound on the delivery spool  3  is detected. If the end of the carrier band strip  1  passes the region of the light barrier, the receiver diode  33  captures the light emitted from the sender diode  32 , whereby in the measurement and control device  31 , a control signal is produced, which via the signal lines  34 ,  35  is lead to the step motor  13  and the holding device as well as the device for axial adjustment of the delivery spool  3 . This control signal causes the printing head  5  to be opened and the actuating axis  16  with the conical sleeve  29  is shifted away at a determined amount from the base plate  18 . Based on the operation of the operation of the springs  24 ,  26 , the mounting core  15  is axially shifted relative to the contact disk  21  and the holding elements  25  arranged in the mounting core  15  move radially inward, so that the empty spool core  36  of the deliver spool  3  is no longer braced with the mounting core  15  and therefore, can be taken off of this without a problem. 
     Alternatively, the automatic operation of the holding device and the device for axial alignment of the delivery spool  3  can take place also in the following manner. After the full delivery spool  3  is arranged on the mounting core  15 , the band strip  1  is moved through the opened printing mechanism  4  and subsequently is threaded in the winding device  9 . Then, a mechanism (not shown) for a simple release of the later wound band strip  1  is reset in its initial position, whereby in the end position, a sensor associated with the winding device  9  is operated. The signal of the sensor causes the full delivery roll  3  to automatically tension and axially aligned. Next, the printing mechanism  4  likewise is automatically closed and subsequently, the band strip  1  is transported up to the point where the first label  2  is in the print position. 
     In order to avoid that labels  2  are pre-spent with this transport process, it is recommendable to previously removed the labels from the band strip  1  along the length from the printing head  5  to the winding device  9 . A marking on the printing mechanisms  4 , or the printer housing, makes this clear to the operator. 
     The invention is not limited in its construction to the previously described embodiments. In addition, other different variations are contemplated, which are to be included in the inventive idea of the claims. So, for example, the holding elements  25  also can be formed differently and can be moved radially outwardly by other means than a conical sleeve. In  FIG. 4 , one embodiment is shown, in which several holding elements  25  are provided, respectively, with a pin  49  or rod, whereby the pin  49  or rod engages in curved grooves  50  or openings, which are formed to be essentially uniformly distributed in a spiral manner in a rotatably mounted circular disk  51 . The holding elements  25  respectively are associated with radial guides (not shown). By rotation of the circular disk  51 , the holding elements  25  are moved radially outward, or with a reverse rotation, radially inward. 
     Alternatively, it is also possible that the holding elements  25  are formed according to type of toggle or elbow lever  52  ( FIG. 5 ), or to attached them to two diametrically opposite joints or hinges of a pivoting joint  53  ( FIG. 6 ), in order to tension them with a spool mounted on the mounting core. 
     The features provided in the specification and in the patent claims, as well as visible in the drawings, can be essential to the realization of the present invention both singly or in various combinations. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMBER LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 band strip 
               
               
                 2 
                 labels 
               
               
                 3 
                 delivery spool 
               
               
                 4 
                 printing mechanism 
               
               
                 5 
                 printing head 
               
               
                 6 
                 printing roller 
               
               
                 7 
                 deflecting edge 
               
               
                 8 
                 step motor 
               
               
                 9 
                 winding device 
               
               
                 10 
                 plate 
               
               
                 11 
                 coil springs 
               
               
                 12 
                 circular disk 
               
               
                 13 
                 step motor 
               
               
                 14 
                 mounting device 
               
               
                 15 
                 mounting core 
               
               
                 16 
                 actuating axis 
               
               
                 17 
                 friction bearing 
               
               
                 18 
                 base plate 
               
               
                 19 
                 friction bearing section 
               
               
                 20 
                 support 
               
               
                 21 
                 contact disk 
               
               
                 22 
                 sleeve-shaped section 
               
               
                 23 
                 stop element 
               
               
                 24 
                 coil spring 
               
               
                 25 
                 holding element 
               
               
                 26 
                 coil spring 
               
               
                 27 
                 oblique holding element side 
               
               
                 28 
                 roller bearing 
               
               
                 29 
                 conical sleeve 
               
               
                 30 
                 linear drive 
               
               
                 31 
                 measuring and control device 
               
               
                 32 
                 sender diode 
               
               
                 33 
                 receiving diode 
               
               
                 34 
                 signal line 
               
               
                 35 
                 signal line 
               
               
                 36 
                 spool core 
               
               
                 47 
                 signal line 
               
               
                 48 
                 feather key 
               
               
                 49 
                 pin 
               
               
                 50 
                 groove 
               
               
                 51 
                 circular disk 
               
               
                 52 
                 elbow lever 
               
               
                 53 
                 scissor-like joint