EP1155867A1 - Thermodrucker - Google Patents

Thermodrucker Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1155867A1
EP1155867A1 EP01460034A EP01460034A EP1155867A1 EP 1155867 A1 EP1155867 A1 EP 1155867A1 EP 01460034 A EP01460034 A EP 01460034A EP 01460034 A EP01460034 A EP 01460034A EP 1155867 A1 EP1155867 A1 EP 1155867A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
roller
drive roller
axis
printer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01460034A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
M. Etienne Warrin
M. Eric Fontes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Printherm
Original Assignee
Printherm
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Printherm filed Critical Printherm
Publication of EP1155867A1 publication Critical patent/EP1155867A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/20—Platen adjustments for varying the strength of impression, for a varying number of papers, for wear or for alignment, or for print gap adjustment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
    • B41J13/12—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of thermal printers, whether by direct thermal printing or by thermal transfer. More in particular, the invention relates to thermal printers intended for printing on flat objects such as plastic or cardboard, for example example, loyalty cards or smart cards, cards magnetic or any other similar support.
  • Thermal printers may work in two ways different principles: direct thermal printing and thermal transfer.
  • direct thermal printing the print head is put directly in contact with the support to to print. It is specially coated so that the heat input causes a structural change at its surface, resulting in generally by a change in color.
  • thermal transfer a film carrying ink is interposed between the head the object to be printed, the heat supply causing the transfer of film ink on the object.
  • the print head has a line of local heating points, an electronic control selecting the points to to print.
  • the print head can be vertical, flat or called “corner edge” (technology according to which the line of heating elements located in a corner of the print head, the latter then being inclined by vertical).
  • the thickness of the cards to be printed varies between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm.
  • a user of a card printing machine for example a trader, can therefore have several batches of cards, the thickness of the cards varying from batch to batch.
  • a user can choose a certain card thickness, while another will opt for a different thickness.
  • Patent document EP-0 557 405 describes a printer comprising a print head mounted on a mobile carriage which allows it to be lifted or lower it perpendicular to the surface of the card.
  • the carriage is mounted on a worm screw rotated by a motor.
  • the print head is in additionally pivotally mounted to apply correctly over its entire length against the card.
  • Another type of known solution consists in using a roller system presser, bending the card in the direction of the print head, motor rollers arranged on either side of the print head ensuring scrolling of the card under the print head.
  • Some machines incorporate mobile print heads in vertical translation, thanks to a system of guidance and motorization of the head.
  • the invention particularly aims to overcome these drawbacks of prior art.
  • the invention aims in particular to provide a printer capable of efficiently performing print jobs on flat objects of different thicknesses.
  • the invention aims to provide the same machine for users having to print objects, for example cards, not having the same thickness, without the need to make adjustments on the machine.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a printer tolerant of slight variations in thickness on the same object to be printed.
  • the invention also aims to provide such a printer putting using less complex mechanical assemblies whose maintenance can be assured simply.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a printer which or a reduced size compared to the machines of the prior art.
  • the invention also aims to provide such a printer which either inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
  • a thermal printer of the type comprising at least one head printer and a motor roller capable of driving a flat object to print under said print head.
  • the printer comprises a motor roller movable relative to said print head, along an axis substantially vertical, so that the spacing between said driving roller and said printhead may vary depending on the thickness of said object to print.
  • the roller thus performs a double function: it drives the card under the print head so that the head has line-by-line inscriptions on it, and it changes its position according to the thickness of the card.
  • said head printing is fixed, at least in vertical translation. No settings or special adjustment is therefore not necessary. Very motorized devices precise coupled to different distance or limit switches, generally very expensive are thus avoided.
  • the axis of rotation of said roller motor is located substantially vertical to the line of heating elements carried by said print head. This avoids multiplying the organs card drive on either side of the print head. In this configuration, a single motorized roller is sufficient.
  • the bearings supporting said roller motor are coupled to elastic return means.
  • said bearings are integral with a plate of introduction.
  • This plate can be useful in particular to facilitate the guiding and inserting the object between the drive roller and the print head.
  • the printer comprises means for ensuring a predetermined spacing between said roller and said print head.
  • This vacuum spacing favors the pinching of the card between the motor roller rotated and the print head. In the case of transfer machines thermal, this spacing also avoids the vacuum carrying the film the ink.
  • said means ensuring a predetermined spacing comprise at least one stop integral with said bearings or the axis of said drive roller.
  • the bearings dimensioned so appropriate, can in this case fulfill a double function consisting on the one hand to support the axis of the drive roller, and, on the other hand, come to bear against the print head support when there is no object being printed.
  • the general principle of the invention is therefore based on a simple technique and efficient, consisting in making a motorized roller whose generator active is located substantially vertical to the line of heated heating points by the print head.
  • FIGS 1a and 1b there is shown a first embodiment of a printer according to the invention, respectively seen from the front and from the side in the direction of travel of an object to be printed.
  • This printer comprises a frame or chassis 11, on which is secured a support 12, on which the print head 13 is attached and fixed.
  • the head line carries a line 131 of controlled elementary heating points electronically.
  • the print head is vertical. It may however be preferred a head so-called “flat” or “corner edge” printing, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the axis 141 of the drive roller 14 is supported at each of its ends by bearings 151 provided for this purpose in an introduction plate 15.
  • the insertion plate 15 forms a support facilitating the guiding of the object, substantially horizontally, towards the drive roller 14 and the head 13. The operator just has to push the object resting on the plate introduction 15.
  • the bearings and the introductory plate are placed so that the active generator of the drive roller (i.e. the generator capable of being in contact with an object to be printed to impose a following displacement on it the Y axis) and the line 131 of elementary heating points are substantially parallel to the X axis and perpendicular to the Z axis.
  • the active generator of the drive roller i.e. the generator capable of being in contact with an object to be printed to impose a following displacement on it the Y axis
  • the line 131 of elementary heating points are substantially parallel to the X axis and perpendicular to the Z axis.
  • the drive roller 14 thus positioned is sufficient in itself to impose a displacement to an object so that the object scrolls along its entire length under the print head 13.
  • the introduction plate 15 is guided in vertical translation on the chassis 11 by means known per se such as slides or any other similar means.
  • Elastic return means 16 such as springs with helical coils not contiguous, are interposed between the introduction plate 15 and the frame 11, the axis of the springs being substantially coincident with the axis Z according to the view of the Figure 1b.
  • These elastic return means are chosen to allow a stroke of the plate 15 on the chassis 11 at least equal to the range of thicknesses of the objects likely to be printed.
  • At least one stop, and preferably two stops 17, are mounted on the axis 141, on either side of the drive roller 14. In the absence of an object to print, these stops 17 come to bear on the support 12 of the head maintaining a minimum distance between the active generator of the motor roller 14 and line 13 of elementary heating points, of the order of 0.15 mm.
  • This spacing is chosen so as to be slightly less than the thickness the smallest of the objects likely to be printed. It allows pinching necessary for driving the object between the drive roller 14 and the head 13. Without this spacing, depending on the thickness of the object, it could come up against the roller 14 and the print head 13, and force the operator to force its introduction somewhat.
  • the motor means (not shown), ensuring the rotation of the motor roller 14, are integral with the introduction plate 15.
  • the printer of the invention easily and efficiently accepts flat objects, such as loyalty cards or others, of different thicknesses.
  • the object is inserted between roller 14 and the print head while the plate 15 moves vertically as much as necessary in depending on the thickness of the object.
  • the return means exert a pressure of the object against the print head 13, and bring the plate back to the standby position at the end of printing, the stops 17 coming to bear on the support 12 of the head printing.
  • the drive roller 14 is supported by a cradle 21, the uprights 211 of which have bearings receiving axis 141.
  • the uprights 211 include means for being guided in vertical translation, along slides, or any other similar means, formed in the frame 11.
  • the amounts are sized to support, in the absence of objects to be printed, on the support 12 of the print head and maintain the spacing between the active generator of the drive roller 14 and the line 13 of elementary heating points, as mentioned previously.
  • the springs 16 are interposed between the cradle 21 and the chassis 11, the axis springs being substantially coincident with the axis Z according to the view of the figure 2b.
  • the introductory plate 15 of the first embodiment is removed from this second embodiment, which makes it possible to achieve the reduction objective of space.
  • the driving means (not shown), ensuring the rotation of the drive roller 14, are here integral with the cradle 21.
  • Figure 3 shows the printer in the standby position.
  • the stops 17 are pressed against the support 12 of the print head 13, under the action of springs 16 slightly compressed.
  • the drive roller 14 is stopped.
  • FIG 4 there is shown an object to be printed 30, such as a card plasticized for example, placed on the introductory plate 15.
  • Means motors are triggered to drive the roller 14 in rotation, either by the operator having a command to do this, either by a signal from of a device detecting the object 30 on the plate 15.
  • the object 30 is pushed onto the surface of the plate 15 until it comes into contact with the drive roller 14 and the head 13.
  • the object 30 Under the joint action of the operator's push on the object 30 and the rotation of the drive roller 14, the object 30 is introduced between the roller 14 and the print head, the roller 14, and therefore the plate which supports it, moving following arrow F (indicated in figure 6) as much as necessary depending on the thickness of the object 30.
  • the stops 17 therefore deviate from the support 12.
  • the springs 16 are therefore compressed a little more, and exert a thrust under the plate 15, so that the object is kept in pressure against the head 13.
  • the object 30 is then moved along the arrow F 'under the print head 13 under the action of the drive roller 14, the rotation of the roller being of the step-by-step type so that the printing is carried out line by line.
  • the object 30 is in a position which precedes an end of printing cycle. The object is then ejected from the printing area under the action of the roller 14.
  • Such a printer can therefore admit objects successively of different thicknesses without any particular intervention on the part of the user.
  • the invention finds particular application in particular interesting for loyalty cards whose thicknesses can vary, depending on the material and the required stiffness, between 0.2 and 1.5 mm.
  • the invention therefore proposes a solution fulfilling a new function. with simple mechanisms that allow, in addition to the performance of the machine, reduce the manufacturing costs of such printers compared to the state of the art.

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  • Common Mechanisms (AREA)
EP01460034A 2000-05-15 2001-05-11 Thermodrucker Withdrawn EP1155867A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0006174 2000-05-15
FR0006174A FR2808729A1 (fr) 2000-05-15 2000-05-15 Imprimante thermique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1155867A1 true EP1155867A1 (de) 2001-11-21

Family

ID=8850239

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01460034A Withdrawn EP1155867A1 (de) 2000-05-15 2001-05-11 Thermodrucker

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP1155867A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2808729A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113910787B (zh) * 2021-11-08 2024-05-24 北京中馨智信科技有限公司 具有阵列式多通量保持装置的打印机装置

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57152976A (en) * 1981-03-19 1982-09-21 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Printer device
JPS60214979A (ja) * 1984-04-11 1985-10-28 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 感熱記録装置
US5212499A (en) * 1991-03-29 1993-05-18 Kanzaki Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd. Pressing mechanism for thermal printer
EP0557405A1 (de) 1990-11-16 1993-09-01 Gemplus Card Int Vorrichtung zur personifizierung von chipkarten.
US5648811A (en) * 1992-08-28 1997-07-15 Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Postage meter
EP0854049A2 (de) * 1997-01-13 1998-07-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Bildaufzeichnungsgerät

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57152976A (en) * 1981-03-19 1982-09-21 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Printer device
JPS60214979A (ja) * 1984-04-11 1985-10-28 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 感熱記録装置
EP0557405A1 (de) 1990-11-16 1993-09-01 Gemplus Card Int Vorrichtung zur personifizierung von chipkarten.
US5212499A (en) * 1991-03-29 1993-05-18 Kanzaki Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd. Pressing mechanism for thermal printer
US5648811A (en) * 1992-08-28 1997-07-15 Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Postage meter
EP0854049A2 (de) * 1997-01-13 1998-07-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Bildaufzeichnungsgerät

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ARCHER: "low-cost single-line printer", IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, vol. 27, no. 1b, June 1984 (1984-06-01), pages 637 - 638, XP002149520 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 10, no. 70 (M - 462)<2127> 19 March 1986 (1986-03-19) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 6, no. 260 (M - 180)<1138> 18 December 1982 (1982-12-18) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2808729A1 (fr) 2001-11-16

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