Patent ID: 8773485

Claim:
A system for the quick coupling of reels to a rotating shaft for the unwinding or winding in reels of a consumable for thermal transfer printing or direct thermal printing machines, comprising: a rotating shaft provided with a plurality of housings, distributed along a length of the shaft, each of the housings configured for the firm but removable coupling of a rod and such that one end of said rod protrudes from an outer surface of the shaft, the rod being able to be selectively coupled in any one of the housings; and a set of reels, each having a different width, each reel provided with a respective tubular support body for the winding of the consumable, each reel provided with at least one slot suitable for a bayonet connection with the shaft through the rod coupled in said shaft, and the arrangement of the housings in the shaft, as well as a length of each slot, being such that it is always possible to couple any of the reels in such a way that said reels are centred with respect to a same plane transverse to the shaft.