Thermal printer using a split rotary platen to print on different widths of paper
US6398360B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/04
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermal printing station includes a split rotary platen, which is driven in rotation to move a paper web across a thermal print head held against the split rotary platen. The split rotary platen includes a motor-driven shaft, a main platen roll driven by the shaft, and a platen roll extension, which is slidable along the shaft between a first position, in which the platen roll extension is engaged with to turn with the main platen roll, and a second position, in which the platen roll extension is disengaged from the main platen roll, being allowed to remain stationary due to friction forces arising from contact with the thermal print head. The first position is used for printing on a wide paper web, while the second position is used for printing on a narrow paper web, which extends only along the main platen roll. A clip is attached to the shaft to hold the platen roll extension in the first or second position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.