Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope thereof and method of providing same
US5885014A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J32/00
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope thereof and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen, a print head and a take-up spool are disposed in the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent to the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent to the print head. The neck portion is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor supply spool. The take-up spool disposed in the housing allows the neck portion to be inserted through the clearance so that the neck portion does not create an interference with the print head. In this manner, the cartridge may be loaded through the aperture in the front sidewall rather than by opening a top panel of the printer, so that the exterior envelope …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.