US20050280202A1 - Printer having media bin and method for operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A printer having a printing unit, a structure that supports the printing unit, and a device coupled to the printer that receives media provided as an output from the printer is provided. The device coupled to the printer is a bin having at least one arm connecting the bin to the structure, wherein the arm is capable of pivotal movement with respect to said structure to allow movement of the bin from a position substantially beneath the printing unit to a media-receiving position is provided. A device having a bin and a bin moving mechanism that is operative to move the bin between a stored position and a media-receiving position in which the bin is capable of receiving media output from the printer is provided. A method of positioning a bin for receiving media from a printer by moving the bin between the stored and a media-receiving position is provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to a printer having a media bin and a method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Large format printing machines demand large amounts of floor space and are optimally placed against a wall. Media bins connected to the front of the printing machines further enhance the volume that is occupied. Although, users can move the bins, they are often difficult to move, store and properly reposition once they have been moved. Also, the bins obstruct access to components at the front of the printers that require maintenance such as roll modules, printer rolls, and print heads. As opposed to moving the bins, users are relegated to placing the printers towards the center of the room to provide access to the back of the machines, to perform routine maintenance on the components.
• Solutions to printer bin design have not been successful. The designs do not enable the bins to be easily positioned and hung. Additionally, solutions do not decrease the effective size of the printer and the bin. Further, the solutions often require a large amount of force to lift and position the bin. Ultimately, the bins are not operational and either compromise or prevent hanging of the bin and result in the printed sheets falling on the floor.
• Thus, there exists a continuing need to provide a printer having a media bin that is easily movable and positionable to provide full access to the front of the printing machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A printer having a printing unit, a structure that supports the printing unit, and a device coupled to the printer that receives media provided as an output from the printer is provided. The device coupled to the printer is a bin that provides for at least one arm connecting the bin to the structure. The arm is capable of pivotal movement with respect to the structure to allow movement of the bin from a position substantially beneath the printing unit to a media-receiving position.
• A device for use with a printer having a bin is provided. A bin moving mechanism that is operative to move the bin between a stored position in which the bin is located substantially beneath the printer and a media-receiving position in which said bin is capable of receiving media output from the printer is provided.
• A method of positioning a bin for receiving media from a printer is provided. The method provides for moving the bin between a stored position in which the bin is located substantially beneath the printer and a media-receiving position in which the bin receives media output from the printer.
• The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer and media bin in a first position according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the printer and media bin in a media-receiving position, according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the printer and media bin in a stored position, according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is a side view of the printer and the media bin as it moves from the stored position to the media-receiving position, according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printer and media bin in which the bin is in a media-receiving position, according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the printer and the media bin in which the bin is in a stored position, according to the second embodiment.
• FIG. 7 is a right side view of the printer and the media bin in which the bin is in the stored position, according to the second embodiment.
• FIG. 8 is a right side view of the printer and media bin in which the bin is in the media-receiving position, according to the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring to FIGS.1 to3, aprinter10 of the present invention includes aprinting unit15, amedia release unit20, aroller module25, and amedia rolls30.Printer10 also has abase35 and a pair of front printer leg supports40 and a pair of back printer leg supports42, which together constitute the main printer body. Front printer leg supports40 and backprinter leg supports42 are all mounted in parallel onbase35. Alternatively, a single support could be used as opposed to front and rear supports.
• Printing unit15 includes a carriage (not shown), a print head (not shown) mounted on the carriage, and apaper feed roller30 for feeding print media towardsprinting unit15.Printing unit15 prints on the media that is fed from one of twomedia rolls30. Attached to the front face ofprinting unit15 are an ink cartridge carriage and an ink cartridge (neither of which are shown) in which ink is retained and is supplied to the print head mounted in cartridge case.
• Media from one ofmedia rolls30 is fed up toprinter unit15 fromroller module25. Media refers to any roll or print sheets of any suitable sizes and types, such as coated bond, glossy, vellum, transparencies or any other such material used in large-format printers.Roller module25 is easily accessed from the front ofprinter10 to load and replace media. The printing process is performed on media that is cut prior to being released frommedia release unit20.
• After printing, the print media is released frommedia release unit20, and travels obliquely downward toward the front ofprinter10. A cutter (not shown) is provided betweenprint unit15 and media release unit20 (used especially for media rolls30). A print sheet that has been printed is cut by the cutter to provide a desired length that is thereafter released.
• InFIG. 1, a first embodiment ofprinter10 and abin45 is shown. Bin45 is located in front ofprinter10 for receiving printed media fromprinter unit15. This position ofbin45 is hereinafter referred to as the “media-receiving position”. InFIG. 3,bin45 is shown at a position entirely beneath printer10 (hereinafter referred to as the “stored position”).
• Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2,bin45 is in the media receiving-position to accept media frommedia rolls30 as it is released bymedia release unit20. Bin45 is a rigid rack-like element having a width to accommodate media plots and prints of any suitable size, such as any size from A4 to A0, including size A1 or B1. Bin45 is preferably made of a rigid plastic or metal, such as aluminum or any other such material that is strong, light weight and capable of supporting the weight of several sheets frommedia roll30 or single sheets inputted into the printer.
• Bin45 includes at a least onetrough70 to receive media sheets frommedia release unit20, alower portion48, anupper portion49 and ahandle50. Handle50 is located at the mid-point ofbin45 to provide even weight distribution asbin45 is lifted from the stored position to the media-receiving position.Handle50 has a rectangular shape and is made of plastic or metal, such as aluminum, or any other such material capable of lifting the weight ofbin45.
• Handle50 is slidable relative tobin45 and is held in place by abar85 located onbin45. Whenbin45 is in either the stored position beneath theprinter10 or in the media-receiving position, handle50 lies in the plane ofbin45. When a user moves bin45 from either the stored position or the media-receiving position, handle50 slides out of the plane of the bin and is in an optimal orientation forpositioning bin45 as it is positioned.Bin45 also includes a V-shaped stop55 that collides with the front ofroller module25 to alert the user thatbin45 is in a proper position to releasehandle50 for proper hanging ofbin45 againstroller module25.
• Further in reference toFIGS. 1 and 2,bin45 includes a pair ofarms65 disposed on opposite sides ofbin45, that connectbin45 to printer front supports40 to allow for rotational movement. Each of thearms65 is pivotally connected to a different one of the printer supports40. As shown inFIG. 2,arm65 has afirst pivot connection80 to provide rotation ofbin45 andarms65 relative toprinter10 front supports40 during installation and storage.Arms65 include asecond pivot connection75 to allowbin45 to rotate relative toarms65 during installation. Alternatively, a single arm could be used.
• Referring toFIG. 3,bin45 is shown in its stored position. In the stored position,bin45 is stored substantially or entirely beneathprinter10 to allow complete accessibility toroller module25, media rolls30,printer unit15 and other printer components. Complete access to these components from the front ofprinter10 facilitates ease of maintenance and allowsprinter10 to be placed against a wall during use. Additionally, placingbin45 entirely beneathprinter10 reduces the overall volume or footprint thatprinter10 occupies.Bin45 can also be also provided withwheels60 to minimize friction against the floor during storage and installation ofbin45.
• The operation ofbin45 of the first embodiment will be described in reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4 shows the path ofbin45 from the storage position A, to an intermediate position B, to the media-receiving position C. Initially,bin45 is substantially or entirely beneathprinter10. As soon as the user lifts handle50 in position A, handle50 slides out of the plane ofbin45. The new relative position ofhandle50 with respect tobin45 allowsbin45 to rotate because of its own weight, aboutpivot connection75. The relative position of thehandle50 ensures that binlower portion48 is closer tobin45 during installation than binupper portion49.
• Additionally, the geometry ofhandle50 out of the plane ofbin45, allows the user to liftbin45 with a pre-determined orientation with respect tomedia roll module25. The orientation and the rotation allowed byhandle50 andarms65 allow proper positioning ofbin45 onroller module25 in the media-receiving position. As the user liftsbin45 past intermediate position B to the media-receiving position C,bin45 is properly oriented for positioning againstroller module25. Once the user senses stop55 abutting or colliding withroller module25,bin45 is properly positioned for hanging onroller module25 and will remain stationary due to friction betweenstop55 androller module25. After the user releases handle50 andbin45 falls againstroller module25, stop55 preventsbin45 from slipping from the roller module. In this position,bin45 is properly and easily placed for receiving media sheets frommedia release unit20.
• Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment ofprinter10 is identical to the first embodiment, except forbin45, and elements designated by the same reference numerals have the same function. InFIG. 5,bin45 is shown in the stored position in which the bin is located substantially or entirely beneath theprinter10. InFIG. 6,bin45 is shown in the second media receiving position to receive printed media frommedia release unit20.
• Bin45 includes at least onetrough47 to receive media sheets after they are released frommedia release unit20.Handle50 is located at the mid-point ofbin45 to provide even weight distribution as the bin is lifted from the stored position to the media-receiving position.Handle50 has a cylindrical shape and is made of a plastic or metal, such as aluminum, or any other such material capable of lifting the weight ofbin45.
• Handle50 is fixed relative tobin45 and therefore allows the entire bin to be lifted with the handle. Whenbin45 is in either the stored position beneath theprinter10 or in the media-receiving position, handle50 has a fixed angle with respect tobin45.Bin45 includes astop55 that collides with the front ofroller module25 to alert the user thatbin45 is in a proper position to release handle50 for the proper hanging and receipt of printed media.
• According to the second embodiment, and in reference toFIGS. 5 and 6,bin45 has a pair ofarms65 that provide apivot connection80 to front supports40. Each of the pair ofarms65 are connected to one of the pair of front printer supports40.Arms65 andbin45 rotate together aboutpivot connection80 to movebin45 andarms65 relative printer supports40 during installation and storage.
• Referring toFIG. 7,bin45 is shown in its stored position. In the stored position,bin45 is stored substantially or entirely beneathprinter10 to allow complete accessibility toroller module25, media rolls30,printer unit15 and other printer components. Complete access to these components from the front ofprinter10 facilitates ease of maintenance and allows the printer to be placed against a wall during use. Additionally, placingbin45 beneathprinter10 reduces the overall volume that the printer occupies.Bin45 can be provided withwheels60 to minimize friction against the floor during storage and installation of the bin.
• The operation ofbin45 of the second embodiment will be described in reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. Initially,bin45 is beneathprinter10. As soon as the user lifts handle50,bin45 andarms65 together rotate aboutpivot connection80. The positioning ofhandle50 with respect tobin45 keepslower portion48 closer to the printer thanupper portion49. Further, this orientation and the rotation allowed byarms65, provide proper positioning ofbin45 onroller module25 in the media-receiving position. As the user liftsbin45 and senses stop55 abuttingroller module25,bin45 is properly positioned. The user releases handle50 and the weight ofbin45 and stop55 preventbin45 from slipping fromroller module25. In this position,bin45 is properly and easily placed for receiving media sheets frommedia release unit20.
• While the instant disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (45)

1. A printer comprising:

a printing unit;

a structure that supports said printing unit;

a device coupled to said printer that receives media provided as an output from said printer comprising:

a bin; and

at least one arm connecting said bin to said structure, wherein said arm is capable of pivotal movement with respect to said structure to allow movement of said bin from a position substantially beneath said printing unit to a media-receiving position.

2. The printer according toclaim 1, further comprising a stop that alerts a user that said bin is in said media-receiving position.

3. The printer according toclaim 1, wherein said bin further comprises an additional arm and where both of said arms are pivotally connected to said structure.

4. The printer according toclaim 1, wherein said device further comprises a handle that is slidably connected to said bin.

5. The printer according toclaim 4, wherein as said bin is lifted from said stored position to said media-receiving position, said handle slides from a first position to a second position.

6. The printer according toclaim 5, wherein said handle is out of a plane of said bin in said second position.

7. The printer according toclaim 1, wherein said device further comprises a stop that collides with said structure when said bin is proximate said media-receiving position.

8. The printer according to claim75, wherein when said bin is in said media-receiving position, said handle is in said first position.

9. The printer according toclaim 2, wherein said arm and said bin are rigidly connected.

10. The printer according toclaim 9, wherein said handle has a pre-determined orientation with respect to said bin.

11. The printer according toclaim 10, wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.

12. The printer according toclaim 1, wherein said structure comprises at least one leg.

13. The printer according toclaim 1, further comprising wheels connected to said bin to facilitate movement.

14. A device for use with a printer, said device comprising:

a bin; and

a bin moving mechanism that is operative to move said bin between a stored position in which said bin is located substantially beneath the printer and a media-receiving position in which said bin is capable of receiving media output from the printer.

15. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising a handle connected to said bin.

16. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising at least one arm that is pivotally connectable to the printer.

17. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising a stop that rests against the printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.

18. The device according toclaim 16, wherein said arm includes a pivot connection on said bin.

19. The device according toclaim 15, wherein said handle is slidably connected to said bin.

20. The device according toclaim 19, wherein as said bin is lifted from said stored position to said media-receiving position, said handle slides from a first position to a second position.

21. The device according toclaim 20, wherein said handle is out of a plane of said bin in said second position.

22. The device according toclaim 17, wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is proximate said media-receiving position.

23. The device according to claim2320, wherein when said bin is in said media-receiving position, said handle is in said first position.

24. The device according toclaim 15, wherein said handle is fixedly connected to said bin.

25. The device according toclaim 24, wherein said handle has a pre-determined orientation with respect to said bin.

26. The device according toclaim 17, wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.

27. The device according toclaim 16, wherein said arm and said bin are rigidly connected.

28. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising wheels to facilitate movement.

29. A method of positioning a bin for receiving media from a printer comprising:

moving said bin between a stored position in which said bin is located substantially beneath the printer and a media-receiving position in which said bin receives media output from said printer.

30. The method according toclaim 29, further comprising abutting a portion of said bin against the printer.

31. The method according toclaim 29, further comprising releasing said bin to secure said bin against said printer in said media receiving-position.

32. The method according toclaim 29, wherein said moving is performed with a handle connected to said bin.

33. The method according toclaim 29, wherein said bin is pivotally connectable to the printer by at least one arm.

34. The method according toclaim 29, wherein a stop rests against the printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.

35. The method according toclaim 33, wherein said arm includes a pivot connection on said bin.

36. The method according toclaim 32, wherein said handle is slidably connected to said bin.

37. The method according toclaim 36, wherein as said bin is lifted from said stored position to said media-receiving position, said handle slides from a first position to a second position.

38. The method according toclaim 37, wherein said handle is out of a plane of said bin in said second position.

39. The method according toclaim 34, wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is proximate said media-receiving position.

40. The method according to claim3237, wherein when said bin is in said media-receiving position, said handle is in said first position.

41. The method according toclaim 32, wherein said handle is fixedly connected to said bin.

42. The method according toclaim 41, wherein said handle has a pre-determined orientation with respect to said bin.

43. The method according toclaim 34, wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.

44. The method according toclaim 33, wherein said arm and said bin are rigidly connected.

45. The method according toclaim 29, further comprising wheels to facilitate movement of said bin.

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