Patent Publication Number: US-9409424-B2

Title: Printing apparatus

Description:
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus. More particularly the present invention relates to a printing apparatus comprising a cutter. 
     Known label printing apparatuses are disclosed in EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919 (Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha) and EP-A-267890 (Varitronic). The label printing apparatuses each include a cassette receiving bay for receiving a cassette or tape holding case. In EP-A-267890, the tape holding case houses an ink ribbon and a substrate tape, the latter comprising an upper image receiving layer secured to a backing layer by an adhesive. In EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919, the tape holding case houses an ink ribbon, a transparent image receiving tape and a double sided adhesive tape which is secured at one of its adhesive coated sides to the image tape after printing and which has a backing layer peelable from its other adhesive coated side. With both these apparatus, the image transfer medium (ink ribbon) and the image receiving tape (substrate) are in the same cassette. 
     It has also been proposed by the present applicants in, for example, EP-A-578372 to house the ink ribbon and the substrate tape in separate cassettes. 
     In all of these cases, the image receiving tape passes in overlap with the ink ribbon to a print zone consisting of a fixed print head and a platen against which the print head can be pressed to cause an image to transfer from the ink ribbon to the image receiving tape. There are many ways of doing this, including dry lettering or dry film impression, but the most usual way currently is by thermal printing where the print head is heated and the heat causes ink from the ink ribbon to be transferred to the image receiving tape. 
     In other known tape printing apparatuses, so-called direct thermal tapes are used, in which an image is created directly onto the direct thermal tape without the interposition of an ink ribbon cassette. Elements of a print head are heated, and the heat causes chemicals within the direct thermal tape to react and produce an image in or on the tape. 
     The apparatuses of the type described above are provided with a keyboard which enables a user to enter characters, symbols and the like to form an image to be printed by the tape printer. The keyboard usually has text character keys and number keys for entering letters and numbers respectively, plus some function keys which, among other things, operate menus and allow printing attributes to be set. Some apparatuses of the type described may also comprise a cutting mechanism for cutting the tape after a printing operation. 
     “Stand-alone” label printers can be distinguished from “label printer systems”, which comprise a printer connected to a PC or other computing device. In such label printer systems, a user creates or edits a label for printing using a PC, and then sends print data to a printer to cause the printer to print the print data onto a label medium. In such label printer systems, the user will view a display of the PC to create a label, rather than a display of the printer. Also, the label-editing software used for creating the label will be stored and run on the PC, rather than the printer. 
     In contrast, stand-alone label printers are operable independently of a PC or other computer to create and print a label. Although some stand-alone printers are connectable to a PC or other computer to receive some data, they are nevertheless operable independently of the PC or other computer to create a label for printing, since label-editing software used for creating the label is stored and run on the label printer itself. Stand-alone label printers thus usually include an integral display via which the user can view an interface of the label-editing software. 
     In a first aspect there is provided a printing device comprising: a housing; a printing mechanism; a receiving portion for receiving a supply of image receiving medium; a cutting mechanism for cutting the image receiving medium; a drive mechanism for driving the cutting mechanism during a cutting operation; wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a blade holder removably attachable in the printing device; and said drive mechanism comprises at least one of a drive member or engaging portion for engaging with a respective other of at least one drive member or engaging portion of said blade holder; wherein said drive member is configured to be received in said engaging portion when said blade holder is in the printing device; and wherein said drive member and engaging portion are configured to permit said blade holder to be inserted in said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of insertion, and to permit said blade holder to be removed from said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of removal. 
     Preferably one of said engaging portion and drive member comprises a channel. 
     Preferably said channel extends in a direction parallel to a direction in which the blade holder is configured to be inserted in said printing device. 
     Preferably said blade holder comprises a holder, a fixed blade and a movable blade. 
     Preferably the drive member is configured to project into said engaging portion in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the movable blade is configured to be driven. 
     Preferably said movable blade comprises one of said drive member and said engaging portion. 
     Preferably said one of said drive member and said engaging portion is located on a face of said movable blade. 
     Preferably said engaging portion comprises a profiled surface for locating said drive member in said engaging portion. 
     Preferably said drive mechanism comprises a gear train. 
     Preferably one of said drive member and said engaging portion is located on a gear of said gear train. 
     Preferably a second drive member or engaging portion is located on a second gear of said gear train. 
     Preferably said blade holder comprises a projection for facilitating removal of said blade holder from said printing device. 
     Preferably said projection is positioned on said blade holder such that said projection projects outwardly from said receiving portion of said printing device when said blade holder is attached in said printing device. 
     Preferably said projection is positioned substantially above said engaging portion. 
     Preferably said blade holder is a snap-fit in said printing device. 
     Preferably said snap-fit is provided by a snap-fitting mechanism provided proximate to said projection of said blade holder. 
     Preferably said module comprises a locking mechanism for locking the movable blade. 
     Preferably said printing device comprises a detector for detecting the presence of the blade holder in the printing device. 
     Preferably said drive mechanism comprises said at least one drive member and said blade holder comprises said at least one engaging portion. 
     In a second aspect there is provided a blade holder for a printing apparatus comprising: a casing; at least one of a fixed blade and a movable blade; at least one of an engaging portion or a drive member for engaging with a respective other of at least one of an engaging portion or drive member of a printing device; wherein said engaging portion is configured to receive said drive member when said blade holder is in the printing device; and said at least one of an engaging portion or drive member of the blade holder is configured to permit said blade holder to be inserted in said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of insertion, and to permit said blade holder to be removed from said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of removal. 
     Preferably one of said engaging portion and drive member comprises a channel. 
     Preferably said channel extends in a direction parallel to a direction in which the blade holder is configured to be inserted in said printing device. 
     Preferably said blade holder comprises a holder, a fixed blade and a movable blade. 
     Preferably said channel extends in a direction parallel to a knife surface of the fixed blade. 
     Preferably the drive member is configured to project into said engaging portion in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the movable blade is configured to be driven. 
     Preferably said movable blade comprises one of said drive member and said engaging portion. 
     Preferably said one of said drive member and said engaging portion is located on a face of said movable blade. 
     Preferably said engaging portion comprises a profiled surface for locating said drive member in said engaging portion. 
     Preferably said blade holder comprises a projection for facilitating removal of said blade holder from said printing device. 
     Preferably said projection is positioned on said blade holder such that said projection projects outwardly from a receiving portion of said printing device when said blade holder is attached in said printing device. 
     Preferably said projection is positioned substantially above said engaging portion. 
     Preferably said blade holder is configured to be a snap-fit in said printing device. 
     Preferably said snap-fit is provided by a snap-fitting mechanism provided proximate to said projection of said blade holder. 
     Preferably said blade holder comprises a locking mechanism for locking the movable blade. 
     In a third aspect there is provided a printing device comprising: a housing; printing means; receiving means for receiving a supply of image receiving medium; cutting means for cutting the image receiving medium; drive means for driving the cutting means during a cutting operation; wherein the cutting means comprises a blade holder removably attachable in the printing device; and said drive means comprises at least one of a drive member or engaging means for engaging with a respective other of at least one drive member or engaging means of said blade holder; wherein said drive member is configured to be received in said engaging means when said blade holder is in the printing device, and wherein said drive member and engaging portion are configured to permit said blade holder to be inserted in said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of insertion, and to permit said blade holder to be removed from said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of removal. 
     In a fourth aspect there is provided a blade holder for a printing device comprising: a casing; at least one of a fixed blade and a movable blade; at least one of an engaging means or a drive member for engaging with a respective other of at least one of an engaging means or drive member of the printing device when received therein; wherein said engaging portion is configured to receive said drive member when said blade holder is in the printing device; and said at least one of an engaging means or drive member of the blade holder is configured to permit said blade holder to be inserted in said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of insertion, and to permit said blade holder to be removed from said printing device when said blade holder is moved in a direction of removal. 
    
    
     
       Some embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows certain parts of one type of label printer; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of basic circuitry of a label printer; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view showing certain parts of a label printer; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged version of a portion of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a blade holder; 
         FIG. 6  is a reverse view of the blade holder of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a portion of a cutter module for receiving the blade holder; 
         FIG. 8  shows a gear train of a motorised cutter including the blade module; 
         FIG. 9  shows the blade module in the motorised cutter from a reverse angle to  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows in plan view certain parts of a first label printer which has two cassettes arranged therein. Typically, this label printer  1  is powered by batteries at least part of the time. Alternatively the label printer may be mains powered. 
     The first cassette  2  is located in a first cassette receiving portion  26  and contains a supply of image receiving tape  4  which passes through a print zone  3  of the label printer  1  to an outlet  5  of the label printer  1 . The image receiving tape  4  comprises an upper layer for receiving a printed image on its upper surface and has its other surface coated with an adhesive layer to which is secured a releasable backing layer. The first cassette  2  has a recess for accommodating a platen  8  of the label printer  1 , and guide portions  22  and  24  for guiding the tape through a print zone  3 . The platen  8  is mounted for rotation within a case moulding  10 . Alternatively the platen could be mounted for rotation on a pin. 
     The second cassette  11  is located in the second cassette receiving portion  28  and contains a thermal transfer ribbon  12  which extends from the supply spool  30  to a take-up spool  32  within the cassette  11 . The thermal transfer ribbon  12  extends through the print zone  3  in overlap with the image receiving tape  4 . The cassette  11  has recess  14  for receiving a print head  18  of the label printer  1  and guide portions  34  and  36  for guiding the thermal transfer ribbon  12  through the print zone  3 . Print head  18  is moveable between an operative position shown in  FIG. 1 , in which it is in contact with the platen  8  and holds the thermal transfer ribbon  12  and the image receiving tape  4  in overlap between a print head  18  and the platen  8  in an inoperative position in which it is moved away from the platen  8  to release thermal transfer ribbon  12  and image receiving tape  4 . In the operative position, the platen  8  is rotated to cause the image receiving tape  12  to be driven past print head  18  and the print head  18  is controlled to print an image on the image receiving tape  4  by thermal transfer of ink from the ribbon  12 . Each of the printing elements on the print head  18  is activatable separately and is activated in accordance with the desired image to be printed. 
     A DC motor drives the platen  8 . The platen is arranged to drive the image receiving tape  4  through the print zone  3  by the actuation of its own rotation. In other embodiments, transport of the image receiving tape across the print head can be done by other means, such as by a separate driven roller of the printer or of the cassette, or by a pair of cooperating rollers positioned on opposite sides of the tape, or by other means. 
     The image is printed by the print head  18  on the image receiving tape on a column by column basis with the columns being adjacent one another in the direction of movement of the tape  4 . 
     In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the label printer  1  may comprise a one-cassette system. In such a system the cassette comprises a supply of thermally activatable image receiving medium which reacts when heated by the thermal printhead to provide a printed image. In such a system there is therefore no need for a separate ink-ribbon cassette. 
     Basic circuitry for controlling the label printer  1  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 2 . There is a controller or “control means” (such as a micro controller unit (MCU) or processor)  600 , a non-volatile memory  602  which is for example a read only memory (ROM) or a flash type of memory. The flash type of memory may be used in place of, or in addition to the read only memory. A volatile memory comprising a random access memory RAM  604  and/or display RAM is also provided. The MCU  600  is connected to receive label data input to it from a data input device such as a hardware keyboard  608  including any one or more of plural keys, a mouse, a digital pen or tracker ball, or any other means for enabling a user to send commands to the controller  600 . The MCU  600  outputs data to drive the display  610  to display a label to be printed (or a part thereof) and/or a message for the user. Additionally, the MCU  600  also outputs data to drive the print head  18  so that the label data is printed onto the image receiving tape to form a label. Finally, the MCU  600  also controls the motor  7  for driving the platen. 
     It should also be understood that where the label printer is connected to an external apparatus such as a PC, then the PC also contains similar components such as at least one memory and at least one processor to enable the PC to carry out the operations of creating a label to be printed. Such a PC will also be connected to a display means such as a monitor. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of part of a label printing apparatus according to one embodiment. It should be appreciated that the features of the label printer shown schematically in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be combined with the features of the label printer of  FIG. 3  in any way. The label printer  300  comprises a housing  302 . The housing  302  comprises a cassette receiving bay  304  for receiving a cassette of image receiving tape. Such a cassette may also comprise a supply of ink ribbon, as discussed above. The cassette receiving bay comprises a printhead holder  306  and a platen  308 , which together form a print zone for printing onto image receiving tape. The cassette receiving bay  304  also comprises drive spools  310  and  312  extending from a floor of the cassette receiving bay. The drive spools  310  and  312  are used for driving the image receiving tape through the cassette and/or for driving an ink ribbon take up spool. After the image receiving tape has passed through the print zone during a printing operation it may exit the printing apparatus  300  via outlet  314 . The label printer housing  302  also comprises indented regions  316  and  318  which enable a user to easily grip a cassette with their fingers such that it can be inserted and/or removed from the label printer  301 . Also visible in  FIG. 3  is removable blade holder  320 . This blade holder comprises a blade arrangement which enables cutting of the image receiving tape following a printing operation, such that a label can be removed from the label printing apparatus  300 . The blade holder  320  is discussed in more detail below. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of detail A of  FIG. 3 . In this Figure the numbered components can be seen more clearly. 
     The blade holder  320  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 5 . The blade holder  320  comprises a casing  322  to which a fixed blade  324  is attached with screws  326 ,  328  and  330 . The blade holder  320  also comprises a movable blade  332 . The movable blade is attached to a carriage with screws  336 ,  338  and  340 . The carriage can slide within module  320  towards and away from fixed blade  324 . 
     The fixed blade  324  comprises a knife portion  342  and movable blade  332  comprises knife portion  344  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ). As the knife portion  344  of the movable blade is moved over knife portion  342  of fixed blade  324 , any image receiving medium located therebetween is cut. The blade holder  320  also comprises an aperture  346  which is configured to align with outlet  314  of the label printing apparatus, when the blade holder  320  is inserted in the label printing apparatus  300 . Thus any cut image receiving tape can be removed from the label printing apparatus  300  via aperture  346  and outlet  314 . 
     The blade holder  320  also comprises a projection  348 . The projection  348  enables a user to hold the blade holder  320  so that it can be easily pulled out of the label printer  300 . In particular the rib portion  349  makes it easy for a user to grip and pull the blade holder  320  out of the label printer  300 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the reverse side of the blade holder  320 . Visible in this Figure is engaging portion  350  which is fixed to a rear face of movable blade  332 . Accordingly movement of the engaging portion  350  results in a corresponding movement of movable blade  332 . The engaging portion  350  is configured to receive a drive member of the cutter module so as to drive the engaging portion  350  and consequently the movable blade  332  towards the fixed blade  324  during a cutting operation. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6  the engaging portion  350  comprises a channel  352  located between a first wall  354  and a second wall  356 . An entrance to the channel  352  comprises a chamfer  358  on first wall  354 , and a chamfer  360  on second wall  356 . These chamfered portions facilitate receipt of a drive member of the label printing apparatus upon insertion of the blade holder  320  into the label printing apparatus  301 . This is explained in more detail below. The first wall  354  also comprises raised portions  362  and  364 , between which is a trough portion  366 . The trough portion  366  provides a region for locating the drive member of the label printing apparatus. Under the action of the driver member the engaging portion  350  and consequently the movable blade  332  are movable in the blade holder casing in the direction of arrow A to bring the movable blade  332  towards the fixed blade  324 , and the movable blade  332  may also move in the opposite direction (in the direction of arrow B) away from the fixed blade  324 . 
     The blade holder casing  322  also comprises ramped projections  368  and  370  which are configured to snap fit into corresponding slot  402  (see  FIG. 7 ) in label printer  301 , so that the blade holder  320  is securely held in the label printing apparatus  301 . The blade holder  320  also comprises a release button  372  which can be pressed by a user to release the ramped projections  368  and  370  from the slot  402  in the label printer  301 . A rib  373  on the button  372  makes it easy for a user to press button  372 . The blade holder can then be slid out of the label printing apparatus  301 . The combination of the ribs  373  and  349  facilitate gripping of the blade holder so that it can be easily pulled by a user. 
     It should be appreciated that the snap-fitting mechanism is positioned proximate to the projection  348 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the projection  348  projects outwardly of cassette receiving bay  304  when the blade holder  320  is installed. Accordingly a user can easily access the snap-fitting mechanism to facilitate unlocking of the blade holder  320  from the printing apparatus  300 . 
     Preferably the projection  348  is positioned above, or approximately above, channel  352  so that minimal forces are required to pull the blade holder  320  out of the label printer  300 . 
       FIG. 6  also shows a locking mechanism for locking the movable blade  332  and the engaging portion  350  before insertion into the label printing apparatus  300 . The locking mechanism comprises resilient arms  351  and  353  which respectively engage with ramps  355  and  357  to hold the engaging portion  350  and movable blade  332  in place. This ensures that the engaging portion is correctly aligned with the drive members of the label printing apparatus as the blade holder is inserted into the label printing apparatus. The force of the drive members (as discussed below) is sufficient to overcome the engaging force of the resilient arms  351  and  353  with the ramps  355  and  357 , so that during a cutting operation the resilient arms  351  and  353  are lifted over their respective ramp such that a cutting operation can take place. 
       FIG. 7  shows a portion  374  of the cutter mechanism for receiving the blade holder  320 . The portion  374  comprises a receiving area  376  for receiving the blade holder  320 . The receiving area  376  has channel portion  378  and  380  for holding ends  382  and  384  respectively of blade holder  320  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The blade holder  320  is inserted into the portion  374  in the direction of arrow C, and is removed in the direction of arrow D. 
     The receiving portion  376  also comprises a detection switch  386  which is connected to the circuitry of the label printer  300 . The detection switch  386  is used so that the label printer circuitry can detect whether or not the blade holder  320  is present in the label printing apparatus. 
     The portion  374  also comprises an aperture  388 , through which gears  392  and  394  of gear train  390  are visible (see also  FIG. 8 ). Gear  392  comprises a drive member  396  and gear  394  comprises a driver member  398 . The drive members  396  and  398  are configured to engage with the engaging portion  350  of the blade holder  320 . That is as the blade holder is inserted into the label printing apparatus  300  the drive members  396  and  398  enter channel  352  of the engaging portion  350 . When the blade holder  320  is fully inserted in the label printer  300  then the drive members  396  and  398  are located in trough portion  366  of engaging portion  350 . 
     It can be appreciated from viewing  FIG. 7  in combination with  FIG. 6  how the cutting mechanism works. As the gears  392  and  394  are rotated from their position shown in  FIG. 7 , then the drive members  396  and  398  press against wall  354  of engaging portion  350 . This causes the engaging portion  350  and the movable blade  332  to move in the direction of arrow A when viewing  FIG. 6 . Following a cutting operation the gears  392  and  394  can either continue to rotate back to their position shown in  FIG. 7 , or can be reversed to reassume the position of  FIG. 7 . This reverse or return movement causes the drive members  396  and  398  to act upon second wall  356  of engaging portion  350  so as to move the engaging portion  350  and the movable blade  332  in the direction of arrow B when viewing  FIG. 6  (i.e. in the direction away from the fixed blade  324 ). 
     The label printer  300  may be configured to return the gears  392  and  394 , and consequently the drive members  396  and  398  to the position shown in  FIG. 7  at the end of each cutting operation. This separates the fixed blade  324  from the movable blade  332 . This also ensures that the drive members  396  and  398  are in the correct position to receive engaging portion  350 , if the blade holder  320  is to be inserted. 
     Since the drive members  396  and  398  slot into the engagement portion  350  of the blade holder  320  as it is inserted, it can be appreciated that the operation of inserting and removing the blade holder  320  is relatively simple and does not require any specialist knowledge or tools on the part of the user to connect the blade holder  320  to the drive mechanism of the cutter module. 
     Portion  374  of label printer  300  also comprises aperture  400 . The aperture  400  is configured to align with the aperture  446  of the blade holder  320 , and the outlet  314  of the label printing apparatus  301 . 
     Also visible in  FIG. 7  is slot  402 . The slot  402  is configured to receive ramped projections  368  and  370  of blade holder  320 , such that the blade holder  320  can snap fit into the label printer  300  when it is inserted. 
     The gear train  390  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 8 . The gear train  390  is driven by DC motor  404 . The DC motor  404  drives worm gear  406  which in turn drives gear  408 . Drive is then transferred via gears  410 ,  412 ,  414  and  416  to gears  392  and  394 . Ultimately this drives drive members  396  and  398  so as to transfer movement to movable blade  332 , as discussed above. 
       FIG. 9  shows the portion  374  of the label printer  300  (see  FIG. 7 ), but with the blade holder  320  inserted.  FIG. 9  clearly shows the fixed blade  324 , and movable blade  332 . The gear train  390  is partially visible behind the movable blade  332 . The aperture  400  for receiving the image receiving tape is also clearly visible. The projection  348  for facilitating removal of the blade holder  320  from the label printer  300  is also shown. 
     It can be appreciated that embodiments provide a blade holder that can be easily removed and replaced in a label printing apparatus. A user may wish to remove the blade holder so as to perform maintenance and/or cleaning on the blades. Such cleaning may be required as a result of build-up of adhesive from image receiving tape. As discussed above the blade holder can also be easily removed and replaced from the drive mechanism of the label printing apparatus without any specialist knowledge or tools. Some embodiments of the present invention therefore enhance the user friendliness of the label printer.