IP Library Granted Patent US 12,109,827
Granted Patent B2
US 12,109,827 · App. 18/383,003 · Granted Oct 8, 2024

Media processing device with enhanced media and ribbon loading and unloading features

Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan (Thousand Oaks, CA); Randal Wong Mun Hon (Singapore, SG); Kuan-Ying Lu (Taichung, TW)
Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
B41J33/34B41J2/325B41J15/00B41J15/044B41J32/00B41J33/00B41J33/02B41J35/04B41J35/28B41J15/02B41J15/14B41J33/003B41J33/06B41J33/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,109,827
App. No.
18/383,003
Granted
Oct 8, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A described example includes a ribbon cartridge having a first spool housing to receive a first spool. The ribbon cartridge further having a second spool housing to receive a second spool. The ribbon cartridge further having at least one frame member extending between the first spool housing and the second spool housing and a spool lock, wherein the spool lock is configured to engage at least one of the first spool or the second spool in response to the ribbon cartridge not being received within a ribbon positioning assembly.

Claims (16)

1. A media processing device, comprising:

a base;

a lid rotatable coupled to the base by a hinge, the lid movable between an open position and a closed position;

a cavity defined between the base and the lid, the cavity including a media receiving area, the cavity being inaccessible when the lid is in the closed position and being accessible when the lid is in the open position;

a pair of media supply holders that are opposingly spaced from each other and configured to engage a spool of media between the pair of media supply holders, the media supply holders are biased towards each other and are movable towards or away from each other;

an inner limit stop that holds the pair of media supply holders a set distance apart from each other.

2. The media processing device of claim 1 , wherein the inner limit stop is configured to be a width of the media to be held by the media supply holders.

3. The media processing device of claim 1 , wherein the inner limit stop is configured to be set to a point slightly narrower than a width of the media to be held by the pair of media supply holders.

4. The media processing device of claim 1 , wherein the media supply holders are precluded from being biased to a point where the pair of media supply holders prevent installation of media between the pair of media supply holders.

5. The media processing device of claim 1 , wherein the inner limit stop is adjustable to specify the set distance.

6. The media processing device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an actuator disposed in the cavity and operatively coupled to the pair of media supply holders, the actuator configured to adjust a position of the pair of media supply holders.

7. The media processing device of claim 6 , wherein the actuator comprises a thumbwheel.

8. The media processing device of claim 7 , wherein, in response to the thumbwheel being turned in a first direction, the pair of media supply holders move outwardly away from each other.

9. The media processing device of claim 8 , wherein, in response to the thumbwheel being turned in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, the pair of media supply holders move inwardly towards each other.

10. The media processing device of claim 6 , wherein the thumbwheel includes a texture which provides a gripping surface and a visual indication of a direction of movement.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2023
From: BALCAN, PETRICA DORINEL; MUN HON, RANDAL WONG; LU, KUAN-YING
To: ZIH CORP.
Reel/Frame 065514/0421 →
MERGER Recorded Nov 9, 2023
From: ZIH CORP.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065514/0479 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 17167524 · Feb 4, 2021
Continuation 16220919 · Dec 14, 2018
Continuation 15812547 · Nov 14, 2017
Continuation 15491577 · Apr 19, 2017
Continuation 15375376 · Dec 12, 2016
Division 14571955 · Dec 16, 2014
Continuation In Part 14107574 · Dec 16, 2013
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