EP1476310B1 - Printing module for mounting in shop scales - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing module for mounting in shop scales. Said printing module comprises a base plate ( 1 ) having mounting areas for two printing groups ( 6, 6 ') and two print roll unwinding bearings ( 4, 17 ). Said printing module can be used to simultaneously operate the scales in an operating mode in which goods sold are logged on a paper strip, and in a display mode in which goods display labels are printed on a label strip.

Description

The invention relates to a printer assembly for installation in a retail scale, with a base plate which has a mounting space for a first unwinding bearing for receiving a first supply roll of a strip-shaped medium to be printed and a Assembly site for a first printing unit with a rotary drive having a transport roller and one of the transport roller opposite printhead.

In printing retail scales, two different modes are known in the hereinafter referred to as "operation mode" and "markup mode". In the former Operating mode, a sales person sets the goods purchased by a customer on the scales, and it will be a log of the sales process, for example stating the weight, price and type of goods purchased. In this case if the strip-shaped medium to be printed is an endless strip made of paper, on which this information in text mode in a given font be printed out. The printed strip sections, depending on the scope of the sales process have different lengths are, after completion of the printing process demolished from the endless strip and handed over to the customer. In the second mentioned Markup mode, the scale is used to print self-adhesive labels that are designed for Labeling of goods, in particular fruits or vegetables, glued to the goods become. In this case, printing is done pixel by pixel in the graphics mode given bitmaps. The strip-shaped medium to be printed is a label strip, where either the labels on a carrier strip from which they after the Printing process are liable to stick or a contiguous contiguous Form label strips from which the individual labels after printing to predetermined Separation points are separated.

To have the same retail scales for both the operating mode and the pricing mode Conventionally, two separate printers are used provided, one of which is operated for the operating mode in text mode and its Supply roll is a wound continuous strip of paper and the other in graphic mode is operated and whose supply roll is a label roll.

Opposite scales that alone for the operating mode or alone for the award mode are therefore conventional for balances, which for both modes are determined, a housing with a suitable for receiving the two separate printers Installation space necessary. This necessitates different housing constructions, which also lead to deviant outer appearances of the different scales. In addition, the manufacture and installation of the two separate printers are expensive.

The invention is based on the object, a printer assembly of the aforementioned To create kind, particularly appropriate to the various operating needs adapted from retail scales.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the base plate a Assembly space for a second unwinding bearing for receiving a second supply roll of a to be printed strip-shaped medium and a mounting space for a second Printing unit with a rotary drive having a transport roller and one of Transport roller opposite printhead has.

In the printer assembly according to the invention are therefore on a single base plate Assembly places for two printing units and two unwinding bearings provided. For the Installation in retail scales with only one application mode can be on the base plate only a single printing unit and a single unwinding be mounted. Unless the retail scale equipped for both the operation mode and the markup mode should be the two corresponding assembly stations with printing units and the two corresponding assembly stations equipped with Abwickellagern. On the first Abwickellager can then the first supply roll formed by a continuous paper strip to be ordered. The continuous paper strip increases from the first supply roll passed the first printing unit and passed between the transport roller and printhead and can thereby during transport through the transport roller in the Text mode to be printed. The label roll required for the markup mode is placed as a second supply roll on the second unwinding. From there, the Label strips passed to the second printing unit and between the printhead and whose transport roller passed. In this way, the labels can during their transport through the transport roller from the opposite printhead in Graphic mode to be printed.

Even if the retail scale is only designed for one mode, it certainly can It would be expedient to choose both designated assembly stations with printing units. If a malfunction occurs in a printing unit, the strip-shaped one used can be used Medium taken out of the faulty printing unit and into the other Printing unit are inserted, which then allows a very fast continuation of operation.

With regard to the usability of labels arranged on a carrier tape are, it is expedient in a further embodiment of the invention that the base plate having a mounting space for a rotary drive having a take-up reel. The with the labels provided carrier tape is after its passage through the appropriate Printing unit sharply deflected in a known manner and guided to the take-up reel, where it is wound up. At the sharp deflection dissolve in a known manner the printed labels due to their inherent rigidity from the carrier tape and can be easily removed for application on the goods.

In the expedient embodiment according to claim 4 On the one hand, the necessary implementations can be achieved between the speeds of the electric motors and the required speeds cause the drive shafts and at the same time the spatial distances between the Electric motors and driven by them transport rollers and the take-up reel in an optimal way for the space utilization on the base plate.

In the structure according to claim 5, the side of the base plate on which the strip-shaped Between their respective unwind stores and print shops, kept free of the gear transmissions with the result that the latter the running paths of the strip-like media do not stand in the way.

In the context of the invention it is also provided that for the two printing units a common control electronics is provided. The printheads are primarily around strip-shaped thermal printing heads, which are transverse to the path of the strip-shaped Media, so perpendicular to the base plate, extend. Point in this direction the thermal print heads on a number of individually controllable thermocouples, each of which generates a pixel when excited. For the common control electronics is enough a single microprocessor. The control electronics agrees the transport movement the transport rollers and the actuation of the thermocouples of the thermal print head in known way from each other so that by the thermal print head to the bedrukkende Surface of the strip-like medium during its passage between printed on the thermal print head and the transport roller with the desired content becomes.

In terms of optimal use of space, it is advantageous in this context, that the control electronics on a parallel to the base plate extending board is arranged.

Fig. 1

eine Aufsicht auf eine ohne Gehäuse freiliegende Druckerbaugruppe, und

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ladenwaage, in welche die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Druckerbaugruppe eingebaut ist.

In the following description, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Herein show:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a housing uncovered printer assembly, and

Fig. 2

a perspective view of a retail scale, in which the printer assembly shown in Fig. 1 is installed.

Fig. 1 shows a vertical plan view of a lying in the plane of the drawing Base plate 1 of a printer assembly. The base plate 1 is of two opposite, mutually parallel edge portions 2, 2 'limited to their in the Drawing left and right ends in each case by a semicircular curved edge portion 3, 3 'are interconnected.

Near the area bounded by the right circular edge portion 3 ' Base plate 1 is centered between the two edge portions 2, 2 'on the base plate. 1 a mounting space provided on which a first unwinding 4 is mounted. The latter is formed in the form of a fixed to the base plate 1 stud, located in the figure extends perpendicular to the base plate 1 to the viewer. On this Abwickellager 4 is a first supply roll 5 loosely placed by the unwinding 4 by a central recess of the supply roll 5 extends therethrough. In the supply roll 5 is For example, a wound label strip whose adhesive labels on a carrier tape are arranged.

At the area bounded by the left circular edge portion 3 Base plate 1 are assembly stations for a first printing unit 6 and a second printing unit 6 ' educated. Each of these printing units has on the pointing to the viewer side of the Base plate 1, a transport roller 7, 7 ', whose axial drive shafts perpendicular to Base plate 1 are aligned and extend with an end portion therethrough. On the pressure plate 1 passing through the end portion of the respective drive shaft is rotationally fixed to a driven gear 8, 8 'of a gear transmission whose gear train Further, an intermediate gear 9 and 9 'and a thus meshing drive gear 10 and 10 '. The drive wheels 10, 10 'mesh with a pinion 11, 11', which rotatably on an extending through the base plate 1 through the output shaft on the observer facing side of the base plate 1 arranged electric motor 12, 12 ' is fixed. The viewer facing ends of the drive shafts of the transport rollers 7, 7 'are spaced apart in a transport roller width of the base plate 1 Retaining plate 13 and 13 'stored. These holding plates 13, 13 'are perpendicular by itself to the base plate 1 extending spacer bolts 14 attached to the latter.

Between the holding plates 13, 13 'is in a distance from the base plate. 1 corresponding distance above the base plate, a holding plate 15 is arranged, which is as well as the holding plates 13, 13 'extends parallel to the base plate 1 and with respect to this is supported by extending perpendicular thereto spacer bolt 14. Between the holding plate 15 and the base plate 1 are at their to the two transport rollers 7, 7 'facing areas each have a thermal print head 16, 16' mounted, the strip-shaped extend perpendicular to the base plate 1 and at the respective transport roller 7, 7 'in Be held investment.

At a distance from the below the holding plates 13, 13 'and 15 extending Area of the base plate 1 is at the latter a mounting location for a second Abwickellager 17 provided. The unwinding bearing 17 is in the form of a fixed to the base plate 1 Stud formed, which extends from the base plate 1 to the viewer. On this second Abwickellager 17 a second supply roll 18 is loosely placed, by the stud bolt through a central recess of the second supply roll 18th extends through. The second supply roll 18 consists for example of a wound-up Endless strips of paper.

In which extending between the first printing unit 6 and the first unwinding 4 Area of the printing plate 1 is a mounting space for a take-up reel 19 and the rotary drive 20 is provided. The take-up reel 19 has a perpendicular to the base plate 1 aligned drive shaft 22, extending with one end through the base plate 1 extends therethrough. On the protruding through the base plate 1 end is rotationally fixed arranged a driven gear of a gear transmission, which also on the Viewer side facing away from the base plate 1 mounted intermediate gears 23 geared is coupled to a drive gear 24 which is connected to a on one of the Base plate 1 protruding output shaft seated pinion 25 on the one the viewer facing side of the base plate 1 arranged electric motor 26 meshes.

In the illustrated embodiment, in which all corresponding assembly sites with unwind bearings 4, 17, printing units 6, 6 'and the take-up reel 19 are equipped, For example, the continuous paper strip from the second supply roll 18 to the second printing unit 6 'guided and there during the passage between the transport roller 7' and its thermal print head 16 'are printed in the operating mode. The transport route of the continuous paper strip from the second supply roll 18 to the second printing unit 6 ' drawn in Fig. 1 for the two limiting cases that the supply roll 18 completely empty or is completely full, so the smallest or the largest supply roll diameter occupies. in the Course of the consumption of the supply roll 18, the actual transport path is always between the two marked borderline cases. In addition, the label strip of the first supply roll 5 is guided to the first printing unit 6 and there during the passage between its thermal print head 16 and its transport roller 7 in the Auszeichnungsmodus be printed. For this purpose, the transport routes are shown in Fig. 1, the label strip assumes in the two border cases that the first supply roll 5 is full, ie has its largest diameter, or is empty, so has its smallest diameter. Again, the actual transport path is in all operating states between these two marked borderline cases. That after passing through the first Printing unit 6 sharply redirected and freed from the labels blank carrier tape becomes the take-up reel 19 continued, where it wound up in the form of a carrier tape roll 21 becomes. In the figure, the maximum circumferential lines of the first supply roll 5 and the carrier roll of tape 21 drawn. These maximum circumferential lines overlap. Indeed but remains the growing radius of the winding carrier roll 21 roll and the decreasing radius of the unwinding first supply roll 5 always in one Area that excludes a mutual obstruction of these two roles.

In the present in the illustrated embodiment spatial relationships Above all, the stripe-shaped medium drawn off from the first supply roll can be used alternatively process by the first printing unit 6. Further, it is more suitable by the arrangement Tape guides (not shown) possible, the strip-shaped medium of the first supply roll 5 to the second printing unit 6 'to steer and process there. at a minimal assembly of the base plate 1 with only the first or only the second Abwickellager 4 and 17 and only one of the printing units 6, 6 'is the assembly as a pure paper strip printer usable for the operating mode. If the base plate 1 in addition to the take-up reel 19 is fitted, it is usable as a label printer.

On the side facing away from the viewer of the base plate 1 is about spacers attached to a parallel to the base plate 1 extending rectangular board 27, which the drive electronics for the printing units 6, 6 'and also the rotary drive 20 of the take-up reel 19 carries. This control electronics controls the excitation of the thermocouples the thermal print heads 16, 16 'and all rotary actuators in the sense of generating the desired print images on the strip-shaped media.

From the drawing it is also apparent that in the base plate 1 mounting and Positionierausnehmungen and mounting holes are formed, some of which designated by the reference numerals 28 and 29, respectively. These elements are intended for installation in a uniform receiving space of the balance housing.

2, the printer assembly shown in FIG. 1 is enclosed by a housing 28, the two mutually parallel, the shape of the base plate 1 corresponding level End faces 29, 29 'which in one of the base plate 1 vertical height the assembly shown in Fig. 1 are arranged spaced from one another. In the two end faces 29, 29 'at the edges connecting lateral surface 30 of the housing 28 is respectively in juxtaposition to those within the housing 28 assembly sites for the first and second printing unit 6 and 6 'a slot-shaped Outlet opening 31 or 31 'for the printed by the respective printing unit strip-shaped Medium 32 or 32 'formed.

The housing 28 is arranged on the base 33 of a retail scale in an orientation, in which its to the edge portions 2, 2 'of the base plate 1 parallel side edges extend vertically. It takes the area of the housing 28, with the Substructure 33 is in contact, approximately that part of the lateral surface 30, which in Fig. 2 facing the viewer and corresponding to the curved edge portion 3 'in FIG. 1 following shown base plate 1 is curved. From there, the straight extends Edge sections 3, 3 'of the base plate 1 corresponding shaped portion of the housing 28 freely up to the corresponding to the left in Fig. 1 edge portion 3 curved Housing area. There is at the end face 29 'an input keyboard 34 such arranged so that it freely protrudes from the end face 29 'and thereby in a vertical Distance above a supported on the base 33 weighing platform 35 is located. The input keyboard 34 is formed substantially in the shape of a flat rectangle, the with two parallel side edges 36, 36 'parallel to the plane of the weighing plate 35 and with the perpendicular side edges 37, 37 'at an angle to the plane of the Weighing platform 35 extends. The inclination angle is chosen such that the lower side edge 36 'of the input keyboard 34 is closer to the user than the upper side edge 36th

On the upper side edge 36 of the input keyboard 34 is vertically a visual display 38th supported, on which weighing data are displayed.

By this arrangement, the with the printer assembly and the housing 28th provided retail scales not only a particularly appealing appearance, but is designed ergonomically advantageous in terms of their operation. The input keyboard 34 can be conveniently operated when placed on the weighing plate 35 load. The weighing data can be read clearly visible from the display 38. The of the printer assembly through the outlet ports 31 and 31 'printed output Sections of the strip media can be conveniently removed.

List of reference numbers

1

baseplate

2, 2 '

edge sections

3, 3 '

edge sections

4

first unwinding warehouse

5

first supply roll

6

first printing unit

6 '

second printing unit

7, 7 '

transport rollers

8, 8 '

Output gears

9.9 '

Intermediate gears

10.10 '

drive gear

11, 11 '

pinion

12.12 '

electric motor

13.13 '

Retaining plate

14

Standoffs

15

Retaining plate

16.16 '

Thermal printhead

17

second unwinding warehouse

18

second supply roll

19

up reel

20

rotary drive

21

Backing tape roll

22

drive shaft

23

Intermediate gears

24

drive gear

25

pinion

26

electric motor

27

circuit board

28

casing

29, 29 '

face

30

lateral surface

31, 31 '

outlet

32, 32 '

strip-shaped medium

33

substructure

34

input keyboard

35

Weighing platform

36.36 '

side edges

37, 37 '

side edges

38

display

Claims (12)

1. Printer module for incorporation in shop scales, said module having a base plate (1) which has a mounting location for a first reeling-off bearing (4) for receiving a first storage roll (5) of a strip-form medium which is to be printed on, and a mounting location for a first printing mechanism (6) with a conveying roller (7) having a rotating drive, and with a printing head (16) facing said conveying roller (7), characterised in that the base plate (1) has a mounting location for a second reeling-off bearing (17) for receiving a second storage roll (18) of a strip-form medium which is to be printed on, and a mounting location for a second printing mechanism (6') with a conveying roller (7') having a rotating drive, and with a printing head (16') facing said conveying roller (7').
2. Printer module according to claim 1, characterised in that the base plate (1) has a mounting location for a winding-on reel (19) having a rotating drive.
3. Printer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one of the two reeling-off bearings (4, 17) of the mounting locations fitted therewith is disposed in a position from which the strip-form medium can be selectively conveyed both to the first printing mechanism (6) of the mounting location fitted therewith and also to the second printing mechanism (6') of the mounting location fitted therewith.
4. Printer module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each rotating drive of each printing mechanism of each mounting location fitted therewith has an electric motor (12, 12', 26) with a driven shaft extending perpendicularly to the base plate (1), and has a gear unit whose driving gear (10, 10', 24) meshes with a pinion (11, 11', 25) seated on the driven shaft of said electric motor (12, 12', 26) and whose driven gear (8, 8') is connected in a torsion-proof manner to a driving shaft of the conveying roller (7, 7') or of the winding-on reel (19) of the mounting location fitted therewith, which driving shaft extends perpendicularly to the base plate (1).
5. Printer module according to claim 4, characterised in that the electric motors (12, 12', 26), the reeling-off bearings (4, 17), the printing mechanisms (6, 6') and the winding-on reel (19) of the mounting locations fitted therewith, are disposed on one side of the base plate (1), and the gear units are disposed on the other side of said base plate (1).
6. Printer module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a common electronic activating unit is provided for the two printing mechanisms (6, 6') of the two mounting locations fitted therewith.
7. Printer module according to claim 6, characterised in that the electronic activating unit is disposed on a board (27) extending parallel to the base plate (1).
8. Printer module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised by a housing (28) which encloses the module and in which there is constructed, for each printing mechanism of the mounting location fitted therewith, an outlet aperture (31, 31') for the strip-form medium (32, 32') printed on by the printing mechanism in question of the mounting location fitted therewith.
9. Printer module according to claim 8, characterised in that the housing (28) is disposed on a substructure (33) of shop scales, which substructure serves to support a weighing platform (35).
10. Printer module according to claim 9, characterised in that an input keyboard (34) is disposed on the housing (38) at a distance from the weighing platform (35).
11. Printer module according to claim 10, characterised in that each outlet aperture (31, 31') is disposed in a region of the housing (28) which is close to the input keyboard (34).
12. Printer module according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that a visual display apparatus (38) is disposed on the input keyboard (34).

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