Patent Publication Number: US-2011052298-A1

Title: Apparatus for feeding, taking up and duplexing

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Printing devices that print on media rolls may utilize a reel or another take-up device to collect the media after printing. Such a printing device may be adapted to allow for the loading of multiple media types and sizes by adding a separate multi-roll feeding accessory. A media roll printing device may also be adapted to allow for printing on both sides of media (“duplexing”) by adding a separate duplexer accessory. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a printing device that incorporates an embodiment of an apparatus for feeding, taking up and duplexing. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section diagram of the printing device and apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for feeding, taking up and duplexing, with one drum end partially removed to display the spindles. 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating detail of a drum end, a drum actuator, and a spindle actuator. 
         FIG. 5  is cutaway diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating additional detail of a spindle actuator and a first spindle motor. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a spindle in a loading/unloading position. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a media path. 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a cutter. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a drum motor interface, a first spindle motor interface, and a second spindle motor interface. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for feeding, taking up and duplexing. 
     
    
    
     The same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Adding accessories to provide take up, multi-roll feeding and duplexing function in a printing device may not be a viable option for many users due to space limitations and expense. Embodiments of the apparatus for feeding, taking up and duplexing were developed in an effort to provide a single device that provides multi-roll feeding, taking up and duplexing functionality in a printing device, and to thereby reduce the expense and space limitations previously associated with such functionality. Embodiments are described with reference to a printing device. The embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below, however, are non-limiting examples. Other embodiments are possible and nothing in the accompanying drawings or in this Detailed Description of Embodiments should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined in the Claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a printing device that incorporates an embodiment of an apparatus for feeding, taking up and duplexing.  FIG. 2  is a cross section diagram of the printing device and the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . The exemplary printing device  2  includes a thermal system inkjet printhead  4  that attaches to a carriage  6 , which carriage  6  can travel back and forth on a scan axis  8 . In the exemplary embodiment the printhead  4 , the carriage  6  and the scan axis  8  are positioned at the top of the printing device  2 , and media  61  ( FIG. 7 ) is moved from a media roll  10  ( FIG. 3 ) through a media path  12  ( FIG. 7 ) so as to pass under the printhead  4 . As the printhead  4  travels back and forth over the media  61  beneath it, the printhead  4  can eject ink drops in precise patterns so as to print an image onto the side of the media  61  facing the printhead  4 . Printed-upon media  63  ( FIG. 7 ) is moved along the media path  12  away from the printhead  4  to be taken up on a reel  14  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In an exemplary embodiment an apparatus for feeding, taking up and duplexing the media includes a drum  16  that connects to a drum axis  18 , the drum  16  for rotating around the drum axis  18 . The drum axis  18  connects to the chassis  20  of the printing device  2  and may be mounted at an approximately horizontal orientation. The exemplary drum  16  includes two drum ends  22 , and three bails  24  that separate the interior of the drum  16  into three bays  26 . 
     In an embodiment each of the three bays  26  includes a spindle  28  that connects to one end of the drum  16 , with each of the three spindles  28  positioned on the drum  16  approximately equidistant from the drum axis  18  and approximately equidistant from adjacent spindles  28 . Each spindle  28  is configured to removably hold a media roll  10  containing media  61  that may be fed through a media path  12  to the printhead  4 . Each spindle  28  is also configured to removably hold a reel  14  that can take up printed-upon media  63  from the media path  12  after printing, or to be used to feed media  61  in a duplexing operation. 
     In the exemplary embodiment in each bay  26 , connecting to the opposite end of the drum  16 , there is a rotating member  30 . The rotating member removably connects to and holds a media roll  10  or a reel  14 , and is driven by the media roll  10  or reel  14  so that the rotating member  30  rotates in concert with the spindle  28 . As used in this specification and the appended claims, “holding” includes supporting, positioning, and assisting in supporting or positioning. For example a spindle  28  is said to be “holding” a media roll  10  or a reel  14  in the case where a spindle  28  and a rotating member  30  are working together to support or position a media roll  10  or a reel  14 . 
     In another embodiment, a spindle may include a left and right end for removably holding the ends of a media roll  10  or reel  14 , with each end of the spindle connecting to one of two drum ends  22 . In such an embodiment the spindle may include a connecting structure that extends along the length of a bay  26  and connects the spindle&#39;s left end and right end. A media roll  10  or reel  14  might rotate around the connecting structure. In such an embodiment, a rotating member would not be incorporated as the spindle structure spans the length of the bay  26  and the spindle provides two anchor points for a media roll  10  or reel  14 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cutaway diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for feeding, taking up and duplexing, with one drum end partially removed to display the spindles. In the exemplary embodiment the apparatus includes a drum  16 , the drum  16  including a drum end  22  that holds three spindles  28 .  FIG. 3  illustrates three spindles, one holding a media roll  10 , one holding a reel  14 , and one not holding a media roll  14  or reel  10 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the apparatus also includes three complementary rotating members  30 , each connecting to a drum end  22  opposite of the drum end  22  that connects to the three spindles  28  (the drum end  22  that connects to the three spindles  28  is not shown in  FIG. 3 ). Each of the three complementary rotating members  30  can removably connect to and hold a media roll  10  or a reel  14  that is being held by an associated spindle  28 . When a spindle  28  holds a media roll  10  or reel  14  and is rotated by a spindle actuator  46  ( FIG. 5 ), the associated complementary rotating member  30  rotates in concert with the spindle  28 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cutaway diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating detail of a drum end, a drum actuator, and a spindle actuator.  FIG. 5  is cutaway diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating additional detail of a spindle actuator and a first spindle motor. In an embodiment a drum actuator  36  may include a circular rack  38  that attaches to the drum end  22 , a pinion  40  that engages the circular rack  38 , and a drum motor  42  that attaches to the chassis  20  ( FIG. 1 ) and engages the pinion  40 . Movement of the drum actuator  36  may be controlled by one or more controllers  44  ( FIG. 9 ) that electronically connect to the drum motor  42 . In an embodiment, the drum actuator  36  can rotate the drum  16  in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. 
     In an embodiment, three spindle actuators  46  (one for each of three spindles  28 ) attach one of the two drum ends  22 . Each spindle actuator  46  includes a circular rack  48  that attaches to the end of the spindle  28 , and a pinion  50  that engages the circular rack  48 . A first spindle motor  52  is attached to the chassis  20  such that the first spindle motor  52  can engage any of the three spindle actuators  46  when the spindle  28  that connects to that spindle actuator  46  is in a feeding position  54  ( FIG. 2 ). As used in this specification and the appended claims, “feeding position” means a spindle position for moving media off of a media roll and through a media path for printing. Likewise, a second spindle motor  56  ( FIG. 9 ) is attached to the chassis  20  such that the second spindle motor  56  can engage any of the three spindle actuators  46  when the spindle  28  that connects to that spindle actuator  46  is in a take-up position  58  ( FIG. 2 ). As used in this specification and the appended claims, “take-up position” means a spindle position for moving media onto a reel after printing. The drum end  22  to which the spindle actuators  46  attach includes three apertures, one for each spindle actuator  46 . Each aperture allows a pinion  50  to extend through the drum end  22 , in order that the pinion  50  may simultaneously engage a circular rack  48  that is inside the drum  16  and a first spindle motor  52  or second spindle motor  56  that is outside the drum end  22  and mounted to the chassis  20 . 
     In another embodiment, each spindle actuator  46  may include a dedicated motor that engages the pinion  50  of that spindle  28 . In such an embodiment, a dedicated motor might be used to actuate the spindle  28  when such spindle  28  is in a feeding position  54  or a take-up position  58 . 
     Movements of the spindle actuators  46  are controlled by one or more controllers  44  ( FIG. 9 ) that electronically connect to the first spindle motor  52  and the second spindle motor  56 . In an embodiment, the first spindle motor  52  and the second spindle motor  56 , working in concert with the spindle actuators  46 , can rotate the spindles  28  in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. The controller  44  may control the first spindle motor  52  in a manner such that the first spindle motor  52  provides mechanical resistance to a spindle  28  in the feeding position  54 , and thereby control the speed of the spindle  28  and the feeding of media  61  ( FIG. 7 ) through a media path  12 . The first spindle motor  52  may also be used to advance media  61  through the media path  12  to a driving wheel  62  ( FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-section diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a spindle in a loading/unloading position. In the exemplary embodiment a first spindle  32  holds a media roll  10  ( FIG. 3 ), and the drum  16  is positioned such that the first spindle  32  is in a loading/unloading position  60 . As used in this specification and the appended claims, “loading/unloading position” means a spindle position for inserting or removing a media roll or a reel from a drum. When the first spindle  32  is in a loading/unloading position  60 , a user can access and remove a media roll  10  or reel  14  ( FIG. 3 ) that is being held by the first spindle  32 , and replace the removed media roll  10  or reel  14  with a new media roll  10  or reel  14  ( FIG. 3 ). In an embodiment, the drum  16  includes a removable cover that remains closed during printing operations, and is opened during loading and unloading operations to provide a user with access to a media roll  10  or reel  14 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-section diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a media path  12 . In the exemplary embodiment the printhead  4 , the carriage  6  and the scan axis  8  are positioned at the top of the printing device  2 . Three spindles  28  attach to the drum  16 , each spindle  28  capable of holding a media roll  10  ( FIG. 3 ) containing different types of media, or a reel  14  ( FIG. 3 ). By precisely rotating the drum  16 , a user can position a particular spindle  28  in a feeding position  54  or a take-up position  58  and enables many printing combinations. A driving wheel  62 , attached to the chassis  20 , engages media  61  and moves media  61  off a media roll  10  that is held by a spindle  28  in a feeding position  54  and through a media path  12  so as to pass under the printhead  4  for printing. A driving wheel motor  78  ( FIG. 9 ) that is attached to the chassis  20  causes movement of the driving wheel  62 . In an embodiment three pinch rollers  64  attach to the drum  16 , each pinch roller  64  associated with a different spindle  28 , for holding media  61  taut in a media path  12  when the associated spindle  28  is in the feeding position  54 . 
     For example, a user might elect to place a media roll  10  containing plain paper media onto the first spindle  32 , a reel  14  onto a spindle two  34 , and a media roll  10  of glossy paper media onto a third spindle  66 . The user could elect via a user interface to print on plain paper media from a media roll  10  that is held by the first spindle  32 . A controller  44  would move the first spindle  32  into a feeding position  54 , and take up the printed-upon media  63  onto the reel  14  that is held by the second spindle  34  that is in a take-up position  58 . In an embodiment, the first spindle  32  rotates in a counterclockwise direction  68  as it feeds media  61  through the media path  12 , and the second spindle  34  takes-up the printed-upon media  63  from the media path  12  by rotating in a clockwise direction  70 . The user might then choose to switch to printing on glossy media by taking the following steps: cutting the plain paper media that is in the media path  12  by operation of a cutter  72  ( FIG. 8 ) that is attached to the carriage  6 , moving the first spindle  32  to a loading/unloading position  60  ( FIG. 6 ) in which the plain paper roll can be removed and replaced with a reel  14 , and then rotating the drum  16  such that the first spindle  32  (at this point holding a reel  14 ) moves to the take-up position  58  and the third spindle  66  (at this point holding a roll of glossy media) moves to the feeding position  54 . At this point the printing device is ready for printing on the glossy media. 
     As another example, a user might elect to place a roll of banner paper media onto the first spindle  32 , a reel  14  onto the second spindle  34 , and a second reel onto the third spindle  66 . The user could select via a user interface to duplex print, and the controller  44  would move the first spindle  32  into a feeding position  54 , and take up the printed-upon media  63  onto the reel  14  that is held by the second spindle  34  that is in a take-up position  58 . At the end of the first-side printing operation, second-side printing would be enabled via the following steps: cutting the banner media that is in the media path  12  by operation of a cutter  72  ( FIG. 8 ) that is attached to the carriage  6 , discharging the printed upon media  63  from the media path  63  by rotating clockwise the second spindle  34 , discharging the media  61  from the media path  12  by rotating clockwise the first spindle  32 , rotating the drum  16  so that the second spindle  34  (which at this point holds the reel  14  that holds the printed-upon banner media) is in a feeding position  54  and the third spindle  66  (which holds an empty reel  14  ( FIG. 3 )) is in a take-up position  58 . At this point the printing device is ready for reverse-side printing on the banner media. During the reverse-side printing process media  61  would be fed by the second spindle through the media path  12  and beneath the printhead  4 , and then collected onto a reel  14  held by the third spindle  66 . 
     Many other configurations and combinations are possible, to be chosen by the user depending upon the priorities of the project at hand (e.g. speed, minimizing movement of rolls of media  10 , immediate need to retrieve printed-upon media  63 , etc.). 
       FIG. 8  is a cutaway diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a cutter  72 . In an embodiment a cutter  72  is attached to the carriage  6 , the cutter  72  including a blade that is in a retracted state during printing and other operations not involving cutting and is in an extended state during a cutting operation. During a cutting operation the cutter&#39;s blade extends to a degree that the blade engages the media  61  ( FIG. 7 ). A carriage motor  74  ( FIG. 9 ) that is attached to the chassis  20  may move the carriage  6  and cutter  72  along the scan axis  8  in a direction parallel to the long axis of the media roll  10  ( FIG. 3 ), and cause the extended blade to engage and cut media  61 . 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 . In this example a single controller  44  electronically connects with a drum motor  42 , a first spindle motor  52 , a second spindle motor  56 , a driving wheel motor  78 , and a carriage motor  74 . The controller  44  includes a processor  80  and a memory  82 . The exemplary controller  44  may represent one or multiple controllers  44 , with each controller  44  having one or multiple processors and one or multiple memories. The controller  44  may include a number of software components that are stored in a computer-readable medium, such as memory  82 , and are executable by a processor  80 . As used in this specification and the appended claims, “memory” includes an electronic storage location for instructions and data. As used in this specification and the appended claims, “processor” includes logic circuitry that responds to and processes instructions so as to control a system. In this respect, the term “executable” includes a program file that is in a form that can be directly (e.g. machine code) or indirectly (e.g. source code that is to be compiled) performed by a processor. An executable program may be stored in any portion or component of memory  82 . 
     In an embodiment the controller  44  electronically connects to an optical sensor  84 . The optical sensor  84  is configured to capture images and measure distances so as to detect the position of media  61  ( FIG. 7 ), and convey the positional information to the controller  44 . As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “optical sensor” includes a device that captures a digital image of a target, which may be physical characteristic or other reference point on the media. In an embodiment the controller  44  is configured to determine the precise motion of the media  61  from images received from the optical sensor  84 . This information is used by the controller  44  to control movement of the spindles  28  via the first spindle motor  52  and the second spindle motor  56  during feeding, taking up and duplexing operations. During a duplexing operation, the controller  44  may also utilize the positional information to control movement of the media  61  via a driving wheel motor  78 , so as to precisely align the image to be printed on the reverse side of the media  61  relative to the image previously printed on the front side of the media  61 . In an embodiment an optical sensor  84  may be configured to capture images and measure distances so as to detect the position of printed-upon media  63  ( FIG. 7 ), and convey the positional information to the controller  44 . 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a drum motor interface, a first spindle motor interface and a second spindle motor interface. In this example a single controller  44  electronically connects, indirectly via a drum motor interface  86 , with a drum motor  42 . The controller  44  electronically connects, indirectly via a first spindle motor interface  88 , with a first spindle motor  52 . The controller  44  electronically connects, indirectly via a second spindle motor interface  90 , with a second spindle motor  56 . The controller  44  connects directly with a driving wheel motor  78  and a carriage motor  74 . As used in this specification and the appended claims, “interface” suggests architecture used to connect two or more hardware elements, including connections to pass electrical signals between such elements. In an example, the drum motor interface  86 , the first spindle motor interface  88  and the second spindle motor interface  90  may be of the plug and socket design such that the hardware elements may be separated. 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for feeding, taking up and duplexing. The method begins at block  91 , in which the user of a printing device that prints on roll media is provided with a choice of whether or not to duplex print. In an embodiment the user is provided a choice regarding duplexing, and designates his or her choice, via a printing device user interface or, or via a connected computer, for example by operation of a printing device driver. The information regarding the user&#39;s choice regarding duplexing is sent from the user interface to the controller, and may be stored in memory. 
     The method continues at block  92 , in which a drum that holds a first spindle, a second spindle and a third spindle is rotated along a drum axis to position the first spindle at a feeding position and the second spindle at a take-up position. Rotation of the drum can be controlled by operation of a drum motor and a controller that electronically connects to the drum motor. 
     The method continues at block  93 , in which media is fed from a media roll held by the first spindle through a media path to print on a first side of the media. Rotation of the first spindle can be controlled by operation of a first spindle motor and a controller that electronically connects to the first spindle motor. 
     The method continues at block  94 , in which media is taken up upon a first reel held by the second spindle. Rotation of the second spindle can be controlled by operation of a second spindle motor and a controller that electronically connects to the second spindle motor. 
     The method continues at block  95 . The controller may access memory to retrieve the user&#39;s choice regarding duplexing. If the user chose not to duplex, the method ends at block  96  as first side printing is complete. If the user chose to duplex, the following steps occur: a) media in the media path is cut at a cutting point (block  97 ); b) the first reel rotates to take up media from the media path on a first side of the cutting point, and the media roll rotates to take up the media from the media path on a second side of the cutting point (block  98 ); c) the drum is rotated along the drum axis to position the second spindle at the feeding position and the third spindle at the take-up position (block  99 ); d) media from the first reel is fed through the media path to print on a second side of the media (block  100 ); and e) the media (at this point with printed images on both the first and second sides) is taken-up on a second reel (block  101 ) that is held by the third spindle. In an embodiment the controller may at this point send a signal to the drum motor to cause the drum to rotate to move the third spindle to a loading/unloading position and prompt the user to unload the second reel holding the duplexed media. In an embodiment there may be additional steps, including detecting the position of media during duplexing by operation of an optical sensor. 
     The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe embodiments and examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.