Patent Publication Number: US-11642900-B1

Title: Printer adapters for holding fanfolds of media and systems and methods thereof

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to printer adapters and printers that print onto fanfolds of media as well as systems and methods utilizing printer adapters and printers that print onto fanfolds of media. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Businesses, groups and organizations use compact and desktop printers to print onto media, such as stock media. Stock media can include blank paper, cardboard, or blank stickers as well as paper, cardboard or stickers that include markings (such as templated media or media marked with serial numbers). 
     For some printers, the stock media can be arranged as a roll of media or fanfold of media. A continuous feed printer is a type of printer configured to print onto a roll of media or a fanfold of media. A roll of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and can be unrolled by a printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer. A fanfold of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and is folded like a fan lengthwise at the corresponding edges. A fanfold of media can be unfolded by a printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer. 
     Businesses, groups and organizations can utilize compact or desktop continuous feed printers, using rolls or fanfolds of media, to print out negotiable instruments (such as checks and money orders), labels, receipts, tags (such as shelf tags or name tags), tickets, ticket stubs, stickers (such as price stickers), and the like. Because of the wide use of such printers, there is always a need to improve upon the technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof that include technologies for converting a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto rolls of media to a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto fanfolds of media. Also, with the novel features described herein, media within a roll printer can be locked and secured within the printer and the printer can be fastened to the countertop and converted to hold fanfolds of media within a footprint almost as small as the footprint of the printer itself. 
     In some embodiments, the novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof include a lid configured to fit onto a roll printer when the adapter is fitted onto the roll printer and has converted the roll printer into a fanfold printer. And, the lid is configured to cover adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer. 
     In some embodiments, the novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof include a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid to the printer when the lid is fitted onto the printer. The locking mechanism is also configured to secure the adapter from manual tampering of the adapter or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer and the lid is locked onto the printer. 
     In some embodiments, the novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof include a mount to attach the printer to a surface, such as a top surface of a counter, a table or a desk. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism is also configured to lock, via the mount, the printer to the surface. In such examples, the locking mechanism is also configured to secure the printer to the surface via the mount in addition to preventing manual tampering of the adapter or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer and the lid is locked onto the printer. 
     These and other important aspects of the invention are described more fully in the detailed description below. The invention is not limited to the particular assemblies, apparatuses, methods and systems described herein. Other embodiments can be used and changes to the described embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the claims that follow the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a front perspective view of a system including a roller-based continuous feed printer converted to a fanfold-based continuous feed printer with a lid and a mount attached to the printer, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a front perspective view of a system including the printer shown in  FIG.  1    and the lid shown in  FIG.  1    and including another example mount attached to the printer, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In  FIG.  2   , the lid is shown as partially transparent so that the adapter that converts the printer from a roll printer to a fanfold printer is shown. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates back perspective view of the system shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In  FIG.  3   , the backside of the system is shown. 
         FIG.  4   , illustrates a front perspective view of the adapter shown in  FIG.  2   , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5   , illustrates another front perspective view of the adapter shown in  FIG.  2   , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6   , illustrates a back perspective view of the adapter shown in  FIG.  2   , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7   , illustrates a back perspective view of the mount shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Details of example embodiments of the invention are described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings. Although the detailed description provides reference to example embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed herein is not limited to such example embodiments. But to the contrary, the invention disclosed herein includes numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description and other parts of this disclosure. 
     Described herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof that include techniques and structures for converting a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto rolls of media into a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto fanfolds of media. In other words, described herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof for converting a roll printer to a fanfold printer. 
     For example,  FIGS.  1  and  2    show front perspective views of systems  100  and  200 , respectively, each including a roller-based continuous feed printer converted to a fanfold-based continuous feed printer, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, each of the systems  100  and  200  include a continuous feed printer  102 , a lid  104  and a respective bracket mount attached to the continuous feed printer (e.g., see bracket mounts  106  and  206 ). In  FIGS.  1 ,  3 , and  7   , a bracket mount  106  is depicted. Also, in  FIG.  3   , screws  107  are shown, which can be inserted or screwed in through respective holes of the bracket mount  106  to screw into a surface (such as a top surface) of a piece of furniture (such as a table, counter, or desk). In  FIG.  2   , the bracket mount  206  is depicted and the lid  104  is shown as partially transparent so that an adapter  108  that converts the continuous feed printer  102  from a roll printer to a fanfold printer is shown. Also, see  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  6    for perspective views of the adapter  108  that converts a continuous feed printer  102  from a roll printer to a fanfold printer.  FIG.  3    also shows the backside of the system  100  as well as the backside of the continuous feed printer  102 , the backside of the lid  104 , and the backside of the adapter  108 . 
     In some embodiments, a lid (such as lid  104 ) is designed to increase security and accommodate a small footprint. In some examples of the lid, features include: a raised lid to accommodate holding blank stock inside the printer (e.g., see the raised portion  110  of the lid  104  shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  3   ), a locking mechanism (e.g., see a part of a locking mechanism  112  shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  3   ) to ensure the inside of the printer cannot be accessed without a key. 
     In some embodiments, a magazine or an adapter (such as adapter  108  shown in  FIGS.  1  to  6   ) is designed to hold stock media (such as fanfold stock media) inside the printer. The magazine or the adapter allows the stock media to be locked inside the printer and accommodates fanfold stock media when the printer is designed originally for roll stock media. 
     For purposes of the description herein, it is to be understood that media or stock media described herein can be any type of media or stock media, respectively, unless specified otherwise. It is also to be understood that the media or stock media described herein can be arranged as a roll of media or a fanfold of media (also known as roll media and fanfold media). Media and stock media described herein can include paper, cardboard, stickers, plastics-based media, and the like. The media and stock media described herein can include blank media as well as media that includes markings (such as templated media or media marked with serial numbers). It is also to be understood that a roll of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and can be unrolled by a continuous feed printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer. A fanfold of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and is folded like a fan lengthwise at the corresponding edges. A fanfold of media can be unfolded by a continuous feed printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer. 
     For purposes of the description herein, it is to be understood that a continuous feed printer, which can be part of some embodiments described herein, is a type of printer configured to print onto a roll of media or a fanfold of media. It is also to be understood that the output of the printer can include negotiable instruments (such as checks, certified checks, and money orders), labels, receipts, tags (such as shelf tags or name tags), tickets, ticket stubs, stickers (such as price stickers), and the like. And, it is to be understood that the adapter and the printer or a system or method thereof can be configured to accommodate negotiable instruments (such as checks, certified checks, and money orders), labels, receipts, tags (such as shelf tags or name tags), tickets, ticket stubs, stickers (such as price stickers), and the like. 
     In some embodiments, a mount, e.g., a bracket mount (such as the bracket mounts  106  and  206 ), is designed to secure the entire printer assembly to a piece of furniture (such as a table, a counter, or a desk). The mount (e.g., bracket mount) completes the security aspects of the printer to ensure the printer or stock media cannot easily be stolen, in some implementations. The locking mechanism can include combined locking of the lid and the mount to the printer, which can secure the stock media within the casing formed by the printer and the lid. 
     In some embodiments, the printer and the system, including the adapter, can be used to print money orders or other types of negotiable instruments and other fan folded media such as fanfolds of paper or cardboard stock for tickets. The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein allow a fanfold of blank media (or media with markings) to be held inside the printer in place of the typical roll stock media. The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein can also allow the printer to be locked and fastened to the countertop or desk in order to provide more security for organizations using the printer. 
     In some embodiments, the magazine or adapter is designed to fit into roll stock holding arms. This allows the printer to hold fan-folded media inside the printer. The magazine or adapter is designed to be able to reload media without having to remove the magazine or adapter from a locked location in the printer, in some embodiments. 
     Embodiments described herein can be lockable. For instance, embodiments can include a keyed lock to the printer via the lid. And, in some examples, embodiments can include a keyed lock to the printer via the lid and the mount. This is beneficial in that media in the printer can be stored securely. Also, in such embodiments and others a secure casing or the mount as well as the entire assembly of the printer, the lid, and adapter can have a small footprint (such as a footprint that is slightly beyond the width of the printer originally before it is combined with the other parts to form the assembly). Some example embodiments can use a roll stock bracket to hold a magazine that holds fan folded media, such that the media resides in cavity formed by the lid and printer. Also, in some examples, an embodiment can have an anti-theft mounting bracket to prevent theft of the printer. Such mounts can include arms that block a feed button or an output button of the printer. This can prevent a user from manually outputting media stored within the casing of the printer and lid combination by pressing an output button or a feed button that may have a reverse feed function. 
     Referring back to the embodiments in the figures and other possible embodiments, some examples include an apparatus (such as the adapter  108 ) that includes an inner portion (such as inner portion  402  shown in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 ,  6   ) configured to receive and hold a fanfold of media. The apparatus also includes an outer portion (such as outer portion  404  shown in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 ,  6   ) configured to be received and held by a roll printer (such as the printer  102 ). Originally, the roll printer is configured to print onto a roll of media. The roll printer includes a first support member and a second support member configured to support the roll of media held therebetween. For example, the printer  102  includes a first support member  114   a  and a second support member  114   b  configured to support the roll of media held therebetween. The outer portion of the apparatus includes a first receiving member and second receiving member, configured to fit onto the first and second support members of the roll printer respectively. For example, the outer portion  404  of the adapter  108  includes a first receiving member  406   a  and second receiving member  406   b , configured to fit onto the first support member  114   a  and the second support member  114   b  of the printer  102 , respectively. Also, depicted in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  6   , the first receiving member  406   a  has a top part  408   a  and a bottom part  409   a  which eases manual insertion of a first support member  114   a  of the printer into a cavity  412   a  formed by the top and bottom part of the first receiving member. Likewise, the second the second receiving member  406   b  has a top part  408   b  and a bottom part  409   b  which eases manual insertion of a second support member  114   b  of the printer into a cavity  412   b  formed by the top and bottom part of the second receiving member. Also, depicted in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  6   , a first lower support member  410   a  and a second lower support member  410   b  on the outer portion  404  of the adapter  108 , which further support the adapter when it is inserted onto the printer  102 . The lower support members  410   a  and  410   b  are below and behind the first and second receiving members  406   a  and  406   b , respectively. 
     Also, in such examples, such as the embodiments depicted in figures, the roll printer (e.g., printer  102 ) is configured to print onto the fanfold of media instead of the roll of media (which is held by the apparatus, such as adapter  108 ) when the inner portion of the apparatus (e.g., inner portion  402 ) is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members (e.g., first and second receiving members  406   a  and  406   b ) are fitted onto the first and second support members (e.g., first and second support members  114   a  and  114   b ).  FIG.  3    partially shows how the first and second receiving members  406   a  and  406   b  of the adapter  108  are fitted onto the first and second support members  114   a  and  114   b  of the printer  102 , since, in  FIG.  3   , only the top parts  480   a  and  408   b  of the first and second receiving members  406   a  and  406   b  are depicted and portions of the first and second support members  114   a  and  114   b  are not depicted (which are portions of the support members of the printer that are inserted into the respective cavities formed by the top and bottom parts of the receiving members of the adapter). 
     In such example embodiments, the apparatus can further include a first side wall including an outer portion that includes the first receiving member. For instance, the adapter  108  can include a first side wall  414   a  including an outer portion  416   a  that includes the first receiving member  406   a . Also, the apparatus can further include a second side wall including an outer portion that includes the second receiving member. For instance, the adapter  108  can include a second side wall  414   b  including an outer portion  416   b  that includes the second receiving member  406   b . Also, the apparatus can include a back wall and a floor. For example, the adapter  108  can include a back wall  418  and a floor  420 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the floor  420  includes teeth  421  that are configured to interface a part of the fanfold of media to attach the fanfold to the adapter  108 . Also, like the apparatus as a whole, the first and second side walls, the back wall, and the floor include respective inner portions. This in shown in the figures as well. For instance, the first and second side walls  414   a  and  414   b , the back wall  418 , and the floor  420  include respective inner portions (e.g., see inner portions  424   a ,  424   b , and  424   c ,  424   d ). In such examples, the respective inner portions form the inner portion of the apparatus configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as form an opening of the apparatus to receive the fanfold of media. For example, the inner portions  424   a ,  424   b , and  424   c ,  424   d  form the inner portion  402  of the adapter  108  configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as form an opening of the adapter to receive the fanfold of media. 
     In such example embodiments, the apparatus can further include a lid configured to fit onto the roll printer when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer and configured to cover the opening of the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer. For instance, the adapter  108  is further used with the lid  104  that is configured to fit onto the printer  102  when the adapter  108  is fitted onto the printer and configured to cover the opening of the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer. 
     In such example embodiments, the apparatus can further include a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid to the roll printer when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer and configured to secure the apparatus from manual tampering of the apparatus or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer and the lid is locked onto the roll printer. For instance, the adapter  108  further be used with a locking mechanism (e.g., see the part of the locking mechanism  112 ) configured to lock the lid  104  to the printer  102  when the lid is fitted onto the printer and configured to secure the adapter  108  from manual tampering of the adapter or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer and the lid is locked onto the printer. 
     In some embodiments, a top portion of the lid includes a slit that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion of the apparatus or a fanfold being held by the inner portion of the apparatus. For instance, as illustrated by  FIG.  2   , a top portion  116  of the raised portion  110  of the lid  104  includes a slit  118  that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion  402  of the of the adapter  108  or a fanfold being held by the inner portion of the adapter. 
     In some example embodiments (such as the ones mentioned above), the apparatus can further include a mount that includes a first side support member and a second side support member. The mount is configured to support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members and configured to attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface. The surface can be a top surface of a piece of furniture (such as a top surface of a table, a counter, or a desk). As shown in the  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  7   , the adapter is further used with the mount  106  or the mount  206 . Mount  106  includes a first side support member  160   a  and a second side support member  160   b . The mount  106  is configured to support the printer  102  held between the first and second side support members  160   a  and  160   b  and configured to attach to a surface to mount the printer  102  to the surface. Mount  206  includes a first side support member  260  and a second side support member (not depicted). The mount  206  is configured to support the printer  102  held between the first and second side support members  260   a  and  260   b  and configured to attach to a surface to mount the printer  102  to the surface. 
     In some example embodiments (such as the ones mentioned above), the lid includes first and second side receiving portions configured to fit over the first and second side support members of the mount respectively when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer. For instance,  FIGS.  1  and  2    show a receiving portion  170  of two receiving portions of the lid  104 , in which the receiving portion  170  is configured to fit over the first side support member of a mount (e.g., see first side support members  160   a  and  260 ) when the lid is fitted onto the printer. Also shown, each one of the first side support members  160   a  and  260  as well as the second side support members (e.g., see second side support member  160   b ) includes a main portion  180  adjacent to a short horizontal extension  182  that is between a short vertical extension  184  and the main portion  180 . The short horizontal extension  182  and the short vertical extension  184  is surrounded by a receiving portion of the lid  104  (e.g., see receiving portion  170 ) and an adjacent portion of the printer  102  when the lid is fitted onto the printer, and the aforesaid combination of parts supports the attachment of the mount  106  or the mount  206  to the printer. The locking mechanism (e.g., see the part of a locking mechanism  112 ) is configured to lock the attachment of the mount  106  or the mount  206  to the printer  102  after the extensions of the support members of either mount have been received by the receiving portions of the lid  104 . 
     In some example embodiments (such as the ones mentioned above), the mount includes a front support member that is configured to further support the roll printer such that printer is held between the first and second side support members and the front support member. For instance,  FIGS.  1  and  7    show the mount  106  including front support members  165   a  and  165   b  that are each configured to further support the printer  102  such that printer is held between the first and second side support members  160   a  and  160   b  and the front support members  165   a  and  165   b . Also, for example,  FIG.  2    shows the mount  206  including a front support member  265  that is configured to further support the printer  102  such that printer is held between the first and second side support members (e.g., see the side support member  260 ) and the front support member  265 . Such front support members can be configured to block access to a feed button or an output button of the printer to prevent manual outputting of stock media from the printer and lid assembly. In embodiments arranged for money orders, this, for example, can prevent a person from stealing blank money orders from pressing a feed or output button on the printer. 
     In some embodiments, for example, the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments, and the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments. In some embodiments, for example, the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed tickets, and the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed tickets. 
     In some embodiments, a system includes a roll printer (e.g., see printer  102 ), configured to print onto a roll of media as well as first and second support members of the roll printer, configured to support the roll of media held between the first and second support members. Such a system also includes a holder (e.g., see adapter  108 ), configured to hold a fanfold of media, and including first and second receiving members that are configured to fit onto the first and second support members, respectively. In such embodiments, the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of media instead of the roll of media when the holder is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members are fitted onto the first and second support members. In some embodiments, the holder is manually insertable into the roll printer. In some embodiments, the holder includes an inner portion configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as an outer portion including the first and second support members. In some embodiments, the holder includes a first side wall including an outer portion that includes the first receiving member as well as a second side wall including an outer portion that includes the second receiving member. The holder also includes a back wall and a floor. The first and second side walls, the back wall, and the floor include respective inner portions. And, the respective inner portions form the inner portion of the holder configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as form an opening of the holder to receive the fanfold of media. In some embodiments, the system includes a lid configured to fit onto the roll printer when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer and configured to cover the opening of the holder when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer. In some embodiments, the system includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid to the roll printer when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer as well as secure the holder from manual tampering of the holder or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the holder when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer and the lid is locked onto the roll printer. In some embodiments, a top portion of the lid includes a slit that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion of the holder or the fanfold being held by the inner portion of the holder. In some embodiments, the system includes a mount, including first and second side support members, and configured to support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members as well as attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface. The lid includes first and second side receiving portions configured to fit over the first and second side support members of the mount respectively when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer. In some embodiments, the mount includes a front support member that is configured to further support the roll printer such that printer is held between the first and second side support members and the front support member. 
     In some embodiments, a system includes a roll printer (e.g., see printer  102 ), configured to print onto a roll of partially printed negotiable instruments, as well as first and second support members of the roll printer, configured to support the roll of partially printed negotiable instruments held between the first and second support members. Such embodiments of the system also include a holder (e.g., see adapter  108 ), configured to hold a fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments, and including first and second receiving members that are configured to fit onto the first and second support members, respectively. The roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments instead of the roll of partially printed negotiable instruments when the holder is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members are fitted onto the first and second support members. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments described herein, it is evident that many alternatives, combinations, modifications and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the example embodiments of the invention, as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.