US 12,351,410 B2
Printer with linerless media wrap removal mechanism and associated methods
Daniel P. Lanigan, Elgin, IL (US); and Edward C. Thomas, Gurnee, IL (US)
Assigned to Zebra Technologies Corporation, Lincolnshire, IL (US)
Filed by ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Lincolnshire, IL (US)
Filed on May 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/203,972.
Prior Publication US 2024/0400328 A1, Dec. 5, 2024
Int. Cl. B41J 11/04 (2006.01); B65H 16/02 (2006.01); B65H 16/06 (2006.01); B65H 16/10 (2006.01); B65H 27/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 16/028 (2013.01) [B65H 16/06 (2013.01); B65H 16/106 (2013.01); B65H 27/00 (2013.01); B65H 2402/442 (2013.01); B65H 2801/12 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A printer, the printer comprising:
a platen roller assembly comprising:
an axle having a cylindrical outer surface and extending from a proximal end to a distal end,
a first bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the proximal end,
a second bearing disposed circumferentially about the axle proximate to the distal end of the axle, and
an outer core disposed circumferentially about the axle between the first and second platen bearings,
the proximal end of the axle including a first mating structure having at least one project extending radially from the axle,
the distal end of the axle having a second mating structure integrally formed at the distal end;
a frame supporting the platen roller assembly; and
a drive assembly operatively coupled to the first mating structure at the proximal end of the axle,
the axle of the platen roller assembly being automatically rotated via the drive assembly coupled to the first mating structure at the proximal end during a printing operation and being manually rotated in situ via the second mating structure at the distal end during an operation to remove linerless media wrapped around the outer core.