WO2000054978A1

WO2000054978A1 - Paper feed system for a printer

Info

Publication number: WO2000054978A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/000895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Anthony Cowley; Anthony Karl Swain
Original assignee: Cas Equipment Limited
Priority date: 1999-03-15
Filing date: 2000-03-10
Publication date: 2000-09-21
Also published as: GB2363374A; GB2363374B; AU3176300A; GB0119891D0; GB9905838D0

Abstract

A paper supply (10) is fitted to a stand (12) of a known printer having a printer head section (14). The paper supply system (10) comprises a paper roll (16) rotably mounted on an axle (18) and brackets (20/22). Paper (24) from the paper roll is fed over a first friction surface (26), a second friction surface (38) and into the printer head section (14).

Description

PAPERFEED SYSTEM FORAPRINTER

This invention relates to a paper feed system for a printer and to a method of feeding paper to a printer. The invention also relates to a paper supply kit for attachment to an existing printer.

Various types of computer printers print on paper which is supplied from a roll stored in a paper store of the printer. Disadvantages arise with this type of printer in that the maximum size of paper roll is limited to the internal dimensions of the paper store. Consequently, the supply of paper is soon exhausted. Computer printers are often also referred to as plotters. In the following the word printer and plotter can be used interchangeably. A printer head section is the portion of a plotter/printer which delivers ink or toner to the paper.

A solution to this problem is to place a larger roll of paper outside the existing paper store, so that a larger paper roll can be used. Problems arise with this solution however because simply placing the roll outside the housing results in poor take up of the paper, which results in the paper feeding incorrectly into the printer.

It is an objection of the present invention to address the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention a paper feed system for a printer comprises a paper supply section arranged to be spaced in use from a printer head section of a printer, and paper guiding means, which guiding means provide at least one friction surface over which paper being fed to a printer head section is arranged, in use, to pass.

The guiding means advantageously acts to slow the movement of the paper, and leads to less undesirable lateral movement of the paper.

The paper supply section may be arranged, in use, to be external to a printer. The paper supply section may be a printer store.

Preferably, the feed system comprises at least first and second friction surfaces over which paper is arranged to pass. Preferably, the friction surfaces are substantially opposed, preferably by facing in substantially opposite directions. A first friction surface may face substantially rearwards. A second friction surface may face substantially forwards. The second friction surface may be part of a printer to which the feed system is arranged to be fitted. The second friction surface may be a cover portion of a printer.

Preferably, the printer is a computer printer.

The first friction surface may be a part of a first friction portion. The paper guiding means may include a first friction portion and may include a second friction portion, having the first and second friction surfaces respectively. Each friction surface may form a substantially curved section of the first or second portion. The curvature and/or length of the curved section may be chosen according to a printer to which the feed system is arranged to be fitted. A more compact printer may require a more curved friction surface. Fixing portions may be provided, which may be located according to the type of printer.

The curved section may have a radius of curvature approximately in the range 80 mm to 140 mm, preferably approximately in the range of 100 mm to 120 mm.

The first portion may be secured to support means, which may be support means of a printer. The support means may be a printer stand. The first portion may be secured at each end to the support means. Alternatively, the first portion may be secured to a printed paper receiving portion of a printer.

The first and/or second portions may be located, in use, between the paper store and a printer head section to which paper is to be fed. The paper store and first and/or second portions may be located, in use, substantially one above the other. The paper store may be located lowermost of the parts of the feed system.

In use, paper from the paper store may be arranged to extend upwards, and preferably rearwards, to the first friction surface, then upwards, and preferably forwards, to the second friction surface, and then preferably rearwardly into a printer head section of a printer.

The system is preferably arranged for use with a continuous piece of paper, which may be in the form of a roll. The paper store may comprise a roll of paper, which roll is mounted for rotation. The paper roll may be mounted on a spindle, which spindle may be mounted on support means, which may be support means of a printer.

The paper store may include laterally adjustable locking plates, which may be operable to secure the roll of paper in a desired position on the spindle.

The paper store may include mounting means for mounting the paper store on the support means. The mounting means may comprise twin plates which are securable to clamp against the support means. The mounting means may include a spindle receiving portion, which comprises a recess in an upwardly projecting portion of the mounting means. Mounting means may be provided at each end of the spindle.

The invention extends to a printer including the paper feed system described herein.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of feeding paper to a printer head section of a printer comprises storing paper in a paper supply section spaced from a printer head section, and feeding the paper over at least one friction surface and into a printer head section of a printer.

Preferably, the paper is fed over at least two, most preferably two, friction surfaces.

The friction surfaces are preferably substantially opposed.

All of the features disclosed herein may be combined with the above aspects, in any combination.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a paper feed system fitted to an existing printer;

Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the system and printer shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of friction plate for a paper feed system; and Figure 4 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of friction plate; and

Figures 5a to 5c are schematic end, side and bottom views respectively of a spindle support plate of the paper feed system.

A paper supply system 10 is fitted to a stand 12 of a known printer having a printer head section 14. The paper supply system 10 comprises a paper roll 16 rotatably mounted on an axle 18 and brackets 20 and 22. Paper 24 from the paper roll 16 is fed over a first friction surface 26, a second friction surface 28 and into the printer head section 14.

In more detail, the stand 12 comprises two horizontal supports 30 and 32, each of which is mounted on castors 34.

The brackets 20 and 22 each comprise a vertically orientated plate 36, which is aligned with the corresponding horizontal support 30 or 32 of the stand 12. Each vertically orientated plate 36 is secured, for instance by welding, to a first horizontal plate 38, which is laid on top of the horizontal support 30 or 32 and secured to a second horizontal plate 40 which is located beneath a corresponding horizontal support 30 or 32 of the stand 12. The first and second horizontal plates 38 and 40 are secured together by nuts and bolts.

The vertical plates 36 have a semi-circular cut away section in which an end of the axle 18 rests.

Figures 5a to 5c show a further embodiment of vertical plate 36 having a cut away section 70, webbing strengthening parts 72 and openings 74 to receive fixings from the second plate 40.

The length of the axle 18 is chosen so that nylon bushes (not shown) at each end of the axle 18 can rest in the semi-circular cut away sections 42 of the two vertical plates 36 (see Figure 2). The axle 18 may comprise an aluminium tube having the nylon bushes mounted on the ends thereof. Locking plates 44 and 46 are mounted on the axle 18 to either side of the paper roll 16. The locking plates 44 and 46 are secured in position by means of grub screws which extend through to the axle 18 and bear against the surface thereof. The locking plates 44 and 46 allow the paper roll 16 to be maintained in position.

The axle 18 can rotate freely because there is minimal friction between the nylon bushes on the ends thereof and the semi-circular cut away sections 42 in the vertical plates 36.

The paper roll 16 has a pivotable dust cover 17 to protect the paper. The dust cover

17 lies over the top of the paper roll 16.

The paper is arranged to extend upwards from the paper roll 16 towards a first friction surface 26, which is an arcuate portion of first friction plate 48. The first friction plate 48 is secured to a printed-paper receiving basket 47 which receives paper that has been printed from the printer head section 14. The first fiiction plate 48 has a lower flat portion 45 which has a horizontal orientation and extends from a lower end of the arcuate first friction surface 26 (see Figure 3). An upper end 43 of the first fiiction surface 26 is curled downwards to a vertical orientation to create an apex 50. The downward turn ensures that an edge of the first friction plate 48 is separated from the paper 24 to prevent contact with the printer paper basket 47, and to cause friction against the movement of the paper.

The first friction surface 26 faces rearwardly of the printer head section 14, and paper 24 from the paper roll 16 extends rearwardly to pass over the first fiiction surface 26. The paper 24 then passes forwards and upwards to the second friction surface 28, which faces forwards. It will be appreciated that the first and second friction surfaces 26 and 28 respectively face in opposite directions and consequently provide opposing friction surfaces.

The second friction surface 28 is a portion of a second friction plate 52, which friction plate 52 is an existing cover section of the printer head section 14. The second friction plate 52 can pivot to allow access to the printer. The second friction surface 28 has an arcuate shape. From the upper edge of the second friction plate 52 the path of the paper 24 through the printer is the same as the path in prior art devices.

Figure 4 shows an alternative shape of first friction plate 50. The plate has a larger radius of curvature (110 mm rather that 97 mm in the plate shown in Figure 3) and also has a flat upper section 51 to allow attachment to a different type of printer/plotter, to that which the Figure 3 embodiment is suited. Many types of plotter are available and the curvature is chosen to suit a specific model. It will be appreciated that the radius of curvature and length of curved surface can be chosen to give sufficient friction to the paper for a given printer type. Also the attachment of a friction plate to the printer will vary depending on the particular printer. The geometry is chosen to prevent lateral movement of paper being fed to the printer and to account for the different angles at which the paper approaches and leaves the friction plate on different types of printer. In particular the curvature is especially dependent on the angle made between the paper extending from the paper roll and the first friction plate.

In use, a much larger paper roll 16 can be used than would previously have been possible, given the limited space within the printer 14. The paper 24 is fed from the paper roll 16, it then extends rearwardly and passes over the first friction surface 26, the paper 24 then passes forwards and upwards towards the second friction surface 28 over which the paper 24 passes into the printer head section 14 for printing, then out and down into the basket 47.

The first and second fiiction surfaces, over which the paper 24 moves, act to restrict lateral movement of the paper 24, because of the fiictional forces from the friction surfaces preventing that lateral movement. In the absence of the friction surfaces, the paper would be free to move laterally, which results in the paper 24 mis-feeding into the printer, with consequent disadvantages.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A paper feed system for a printer comprises a paper supply section arranged to be spaced in use, from a printer head section of a printer, and paper guiding means, which guiding means provide at least one fiiction surface over which paper being fed to a printer head section is arranged, in use, to pass.

2. A paper feed system as claimed in claim 1, in which the paper supply section is arranged, in use, to be external to a printer.

3. A paper feed system as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 which comprises at least first and second fiiction surfaces over which paper is arranged, in use, to pass.

4. A paper feed system as claimed in claim 3, in which the friction surfaces are substantially opposed by facing in substantially opposite directions

5. A paper feed system as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, in which the second friction surface is part of a printer to which the feed system is aπanged to be fitted.

6. A paper feed system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the second friction surface is a cover portion of a printer.

7. A paper feed system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the printer is a computer printer.

8. A paper feed system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the first friction surface is part of a first friction portion, which first friction surface forms a substantially curved section of the first friction portion.

9. A paper feed system as claimed in claim 8, in which the curvature and/or length of the curved section is chosen according to a printer to which the feed system is arranged to be fitted.

10. A paper feed system as claimed in either claim 8 or claim 9, in which the first fiiction portion is secured to support means of a printer.

11. A paper feed system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which the first friction portion is located, in use, between the paper store and a printer head section to which paper is to be fed.

12. A paper feed system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 , in which the paper store and the first friction portion are located, in use, substantially one above the other.

13. A paper feed system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 12, in which, in use, paper from the paper store is arranged to extend upwards, and rearwards to the first fiiction surface, upwards and forwards to the second friction surface and then rearwardly into a printer head section of a printer.

14. A paper feed system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the system is arranged for use with a continuous piece of paper.

15. A printer including a paper feed system as described in relation to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method of feeding paper to printer head section of a printer comprises storing paper is a paper supply section spaced from a printer head section of the printer, and feeding the paper over at least one friction surface and into the printer head section of the printer.