Abstract: A portable thermal printer, configured to be stand-alone or integrated in a handheld multifunction device, includes a printing mechanism having a paper pressing roller positioned in proximity to a paper output opening or slot with reversible constraint member, and a mechanism for the release of the paper pressing roller, the reversible constraint member being configured to engage a rotation pin of the paper pressing roller. The insertion/extraction of the rotation pin in/from the constraint member is performed by translating the paper pressing roller in an exit direction lying on an exit plane, and the release mechanism is configured to exert a force on the paper pressing roller in a direction parallel to the exit direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a label printer in which noise is less likely to be generated when a thermal head comes into contact with a backing sheet between a label and a label. In a label printer that prints, using a thermal head including a linear heating element, on a label sheet in which labels are attached on a strip-shaped backing sheet at a predetermined interval, the thermal head is configured to swing with respect to a platen roller configured to support the label sheet at a printing position, and a guide portion includes an edge portion that is substantially parallel to a surface of the thermal head having the heating element provided thereon and that is inclined with respect to the heating element is integrally provided downstream of the thermal head in a sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a printing unit which performs printing on a medium, a main body; a conveyer which conveys the medium; a post-processing unit which performs a post-processing for the medium on which the printing has been performed by the printing unit; a first cover rotatably supported by the main body and in which at least the post-processing part is installed; a second cover arranged to be adjacent to the first cover and supported by the main body such that the second cover is rotatable coaxially with the first cover; and an engaging mechanism which changes a state of the first cover and the second cover between an engaged state and a non-engaged state.

Abstract: A transport device unwinds a medium from a roll body to which a shaft member is mounted and transports the medium. The transport device includes an accommodation portion configured to accommodate the roll body, a main body portion to which the accommodation portion is mounted, and a roller pair configured to nip the medium. The accommodation portion and the main body portion are relatively movable. The main body portion includes a rack configured to engage with a gear of the shaft member. The rack is engaged with the gear when the accommodation portion moves relative to the main body portion to be pulled out of the main body portion.

Abstract: A document scanner includes a casing and a document cover disposed above the casing. The casing includes a document glass and houses an image scanner. The document cover has one end portion and the other end portion opposite to the first end portion in a first direction and is configured to pivotally move about the one end portion between a closed position in which the other end portion covers the document glass and an open position in which the other end portion uncovers the document glass. The other end portion has an end surface that intersects, when the document cover is at the closed position, with an upper surface of the document glass. The end surface has an indication indicating a location to which an external device is to be brought into proximity to establish short-range wireless communication between the document scanner and the external device.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head configured to perform printing on recording paper; a platen roller, which is arranged at a position opposed to the thermal head, and is configured to convey the recording paper by nipping the recording paper between the thermal head and the platen roller; a head support plate having conductivity, which has the thermal head to be fixed thereto; a frame, which is configured to support the head support plate, and includes a shaft support portion configured to rotatably support the platen roller about an axis; and a conductive member having conductivity, which is provided between a side surface of the shaft support portion and the head support plate.

Abstract: A printer includes a printer housing, which includes a plurality of outer surfaces including a bottom surface opposed to an installation surface, and has a recording paper receiving portion configured to receive recording paper through an opening portion; a printer cover, which is coupled to the printer housing, and is configured to openably cover the opening portion; a printer display device, which is removably mounted to the outer surface, of the plurality of outer surfaces, other than the bottom surface, and is configured to display predetermined information; and a connection cable, which is connected between the printer housing and the printer display device, and is configured to communicate at least data related to the predetermined information. The printer display device has a cable groove in which the connection cable is fitted and received.

Abstract: A printer includes a printer housing, which includes a plurality of outer surfaces including a bottom surface opposed to an installation surface, and has a recording paper receiving portion configured to receive recording paper through an opening portion; a printer cover, which is coupled to the printer housing, and is configured to openably cover the opening portion; a printer display device, which is removably mounted to the outer surface, of the plurality of outer surfaces, other than the bottom surface, and is configured to display predetermined information; and a connection cable, which is connected between the printer housing and the printer display device, and is configured to communicate at least data related to the predetermined information.

Abstract: A reading device includes an imaging sensor that reads a document; a document-transporting unit that transports the document to a position facing the imaging sensor; a control unit that controls the imaging sensor and the document-transporting unit; a housing that covers the imaging sensor, the document-transporting unit, and the control unit; and a power switch electrically connected to the control unit; where a recessed portion is formed in the housing and the power switch is disposed in the recessed portion.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a pillar shape includes a printing mechanism, a motor, and a gear box. The printing mechanism includes a print head configured to perform printing on a recording sheet and a platen roller configured to convey the recording sheet. The gear box is configured to transmit the rotation of the motor to the platen roller. The printing mechanism, the gear box, and the motor are arranged in order from a first side of the printing apparatus toward a second side of the printing apparatus in a longitudinal direction of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: An example braking system is described including a support structure which is pivotable about a first axis and a braking mechanism including a gear engagement mechanism which is fixed with respect to the first axis. The gear engagement mechanism may have a first and a second toothed portion, a first gear wheel rotatable about a second axis, and a second gear wheel rotatable about a third axis. The first gear may be connected to a first damping mechanism to damp pivoting of the support structure in a first direction when the first gear wheel is engaged with the first toothed portion. The second gear wheel may be connected to a second damping mechanism to damp pivoting of the support structure in a second direction when the second gear wheel is engaged with the second toothed portion. A print target holder system and a printer system are also described.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a power unit that accommodates a battery; a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external device; and a printer unit that prints print data obtained by the communication unit on a recording paper, wherein an outer appearance of the electronic device is a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing part, an accommodating portion, a cover, a shaft portion, and an engaging portion. The cover is movable between a first position to close the accommodating portion and a second position to open the accommodating portion. The shaft portion extends in a first direction. The holding portion includes a first rotating member connected to the shaft portion and configured to rotate between a third position and a fourth position about the shaft portion. The first rotating member has a first part including a restricting portion configured to restrict the rotation of the first rotating member. The first rotating member has a second part having a thickness in the first direction greater than that of the first part.

Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features is disclosed. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a ribbon guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes: a housing having a roll sheet receiving portion; a thermal head printing on a recording paper drawn out from the roll sheet; a platen roller feeding the recording paper and held in abutment against the thermal head; a delivery slot through which the recording paper having been subjected to printing by the thermal head is delivered to an outside of the housing, the delivery slot being formed in the housing; a retaining portion for retaining liquid having entered the housing in an assumed carriage posture assumed as a posture during carriage, the retaining portion being formed below the delivery slot in a gravitational direction; and a flow path for guiding the liquid having entered the housing to the retaining portion.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing part, an accommodating portion, a cover, a shaft portion, and an engaging portion. The cover is movable between a first position to close the accommodating portion and a second position to open the accommodating portion. The shaft portion extends in a first direction. The holding portion includes a first rotating member connected to the shaft portion and configured to rotate between a third position and a fourth position about the shaft portion. The first rotating member has a first part including a restricting portion configured to restrict the rotation of the first rotating member. The first rotating member has a second part having a thickness in the first direction greater than that of the first part.

Abstract: A tape cartridge detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a first shaft and a second shaft on the cartridge installation portion. The tape cartridge includes a printing tape wound on a tape core, two grasping portions that allow the tape cartridge to be grasped when the tape cartridge is installed to or detached from a tape printing apparatus and are disposed at two opposite places on a side surface of the tape cartridge, a platen that has a first reception portion in which the first shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed and a second reception portion into which the second shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. The first reception portion is disposed on an opposite side of the tape core to the second reception portion.

Abstract: A printing unit comprises: a main body frame; a platen roller removably mounted to the main body frame; a lock mechanism pivotably supported by the main body frame between a lock position at which the platen roller is rotatably held by the main body frame and an unlock position at which the platen roller is removable from the main body frame; a thermal head to be brought into pressure contact with an outer circumferential surface of the platen roller; a head support body configured to support the thermal head, the head support body being pivotably supported by the main body frame in such directions that the thermal head and the platen roller are brought closer to and away from each other; an urging member interposed between the lock mechanism and the head support body, the urging member being configured to urge the lock mechanism toward the lock position and urge the head support body in such a direction that the thermal head is brought closer to the platen roller; and a head pressing member configured to pre

Abstract: The invention is related to a portable electronic printing device equipped with a microprocessor, comprising a data processing module and a touch display designed for the user to communicate with the device and a printer module electronically connected and integrated in a single housing with the touch display equipped with a paper tray and an opening for paper output from the printer, characterised in that the opening designed for paper output from the printer (5) extends in parallel to the edge of the touch display (3) and is a located at a distance of not more than 80 mm from this edge, more preferably not more than 5 mm from this edge, and most preferably it is adjacent to this edge, wherein the housing of the said device has a back plane located opposite the touch display (3), the said plane being parallel to the surface of the touch display (3) at least in the part comprising the housing of the data processing module (2).

Abstract: A cutter blade drive mechanism reliably returns a cutter blade from a forward position to a retracted position. A rotation transfer mechanism 34, which transfers rotation of a drive motor 31 to a drive gear 32, has a cutter blade return gear 50 that meshes with the drive gear 32, a compound gear 40 to which rotation from the drive motor 31 is transferred, and a transfer gear 51 that meshes with the compound gear 40 and the cutter blade return gear 50. While an intermittent teeth part 43a of the compound gear 40 and the transfer gear 51 are meshed, the cutter blade 21 moves to the forward position 21A.

Abstract: A printer includes a main body case in which a sheet roll is installed, a sheet discharge port from which a printed sheet of paper is discharged, an opening/closing cover that opens and closes with respect to the main body case, a cutter that is attached to the opening/closing cover and configured to cut the printed sheet of paper from the sheet roll, and a cutter protection mechanism configured to move in correspondence with an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening/closing cover. The cutter protection mechanism is configured to expose the cutter at the sheet discharge port when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state and conceal the cutter when the opening/closing cover is in an open state.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a printer apparatus comprises a main body section configured to include a first printer cover; an opening and closing unit configured to include a second printer cover which is fixed to be rotatable with respect to the main body section; a print head configured to be held by the main body section; a platen roller configured to be held by the opening and closing unit and arranged at a position opposite to the print head in a closing state of the second printer cover; and a platen roller moving mechanism configured to move the platen roller away from the position opposite to the print head in an opening state of the second printer cover.

Abstract: A printer includes a platen unit having a platen roller for advancing recording paper and a head unit detachably combined with the platen unit and having a thermal head with heating elements. A fixed blade is provided in the platen unit and a movable blade is provided in the head unit for undergoing sliding movement relative to the fixed blade to cut the recording paper. A detected member provided to the platen unit is positioned at a predetermined position of the head unit when the head unit is combined with the platen unit. The detected member engages the movable blade for movement therewith as the movable blade slides. A sensor is provided at the predetermined position of the head unit for detecting the detected member to detect that the movable blade is at an initial position and to detect a combined state between the head unit and the platen unit.

Abstract: A contactless plastic-card encoding module (2) mounted on the frame of a plastic-card printer (1), the module comprising: an electronic card (23) that fulfills the function of plastic-card encoding, a hollow support (21) comprising fixations (211) for fixing the support to the frame of the printer, a piece (22) absorbing any reliefs on the electronic card, the piece (22) being positioned at the bottom of the hollow support (21) and receiving the electronic card (23), and a holder (24) for holding the electronic card in position on the piece.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a handheld printer comprising a battery power supply, a platen roller configured to feed the print-receiving paper, a thermal line head configured to perform desired printing on the print-receiving paper fed by the platen roller, a device main body comprising a battery storage chamber configured to store the battery power supply, and a battery chamber cover detachably configured to be mounted on the battery storage chamber.

Abstract: A label printer is provided with a printer body that includes a paper roll holder; a label printing unit that includes a print head; a platen roller that sends the paper strip in a first direction after the paper strip passes through the print head; a cover that opens or closes the paper roll holder; and a removal unit that peels off the label from the paper strip. One end of the cover is pivotally supported on the printer body via a first rotation shaft that is parallel to a central axis of the paper roll. One end of a longitudinal side of the removal unit is pivotally supported on the cover via a second rotation shaft that is perpendicular to the first rotation shaft. A locking mechanism that engages with the cover is provided at the other end of the longitudinal side of the removal unit.

Abstract: A system for enabling the sequential loading of a plurality of products to be printed on a printing machine. The system comprises a printer machine frame supported conveyor belt with a gantry supported printer head arranged transversely thereover. The system includes a loading system for enabling a plurality of parts to be printed, to be aligned in a print orientation at the loading end of the conveyor belt, wherein the loading system comprises a pair of spaced-apart, vertically displaceable lift members arranged across from one another at the loading and of the conveyor belt, and a product-receiving template adjustably supported between the vertically displaceable lift members at the loading end of the conveyor belt so as to enable temporary support and alignment of products on the conveyor belt to be printed, prior to their being printed by the printer head beneath the gantry.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a handheld printer comprising a battery power supply, a platen roller configured to feed the print-receiving paper, a thermal line head configured to perform desired printing on the print-receiving paper fed by the platen roller, a device main body comprising a battery storage chamber configured to store the battery power supply, and a battery chamber cover detachably configured to be mounted on the battery storage chamber.

Abstract: A printer includes a frame that includes a frame back part, an arm that includes a rotation shaft and is supported by the frame to rotate around the rotation shaft relative to the frame, a platen roller that is rotatably supported by the frame or the arm, a print head that is disposed between the frame back part and the platen roller and performs printing on a recording sheet placed between the platen roller and the print head, and a first bias spring that is disposed between the frame back part and the print head and biases the print head toward the platen roller relative to the frame back part.

Abstract: A mobile printer comprising a printer body and a printer door is provided. The printer body typically has a recessed area that is sized to receive a media roll. The media roll typically has a void interior portion that is sized to receive one or more batteries that provide power to the mobile printer. Further, the printer door is operatively coupled to the printer body. When in an open position, the printer door typically allows for placement of a media roll from a side of the mobile printer into the recessed area. When closed, however, the media roll is typically retained in place relative to the printer body and the media from the media roll is captured for printing.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an electronic device comprising an opening/closing cover. One of the opening/closing cover and a housing includes a shaft portion, and the other thereof includes a bearing hole portion. The shaft portion includes a first protruding portion. The bearing hole portion includes a second protruding portion. The first and the second protruding portions are configured, to be separated away from each other when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state, to become closer to each other along with rotation from the closed state, to be in contact with each other when the opening/closing cover arrives at a first rotation position, and configured to release an engagement of the shaft portion and the bearing hole portion by the manner that one of the first and second protruding portions overrides the other thereof to overlap each other when the opening/closing cover arrives at a second rotation position.

Abstract: A printer, particularly for thermal paper is provided. Such printer includes those having a support structure which is fixed in use, and in which there is formed a receptacle for receiving a roll of paper tape which is unwound in use by rotation about an axis, a cover which is hinged to the structure about an axis which is substantially parallel to the unwinding axis of the roll, and which can be oscillated between a closed position and an open position in which it covers and uncovers the receptacle, respectively, a printing device carried by the support structure, and a transport roller for the paper tape unwound from the roll, interacting with the printing device; the roller being carried by the cover in such a way that it can be coupled to or uncoupled from the printing device as a result of the closing or opening of the cover.

Abstract: A printer comprising: a housing having an accommodating portion that accommodates recording paper and opens in a direction crossing the direction of gravity; a cover coupled to the housing in an openable and closable manner, and closing the accommodating portion; a control unit provided on the cover and having a circuit board; an lever provided in the housing at a position above the control unit in the direction of gravity and opening the cover; and a discharge path provided on the cover outside the control unit and leading liquid having entered through between the lever and the control unit toward an area below the control unit in the direction of gravity, wherein the discharge path including an upstream side end disposed on the cover below the lever in the direction of gravity.

Abstract: A printer comprising: a housing having an accommodating portion that accommodates recording paper and opens in a direction crossing the direction of gravity; a cover coupled to the housing in an openable and closable manner, and closing the accommodating portion; a control unit provided on the cover and having a circuit board; an lever provided in the housing at a position above the control unit in the direction of gravity and opening the cover; and a discharge path provided on the cover outside the control unit and leading liquid having entered through between the lever and the control unit toward an area below the control unit in the direction of gravity, wherein the discharge path including an upstream side end disposed on the cover below the lever in the direction of gravity.

Abstract: A printer apparatus includes a frame, a printer head, a platen roller that is supported by the frame, a biasing member that is provided between the frame and the printer head and configured to exert force toward the platen roller, and an opening/closing arm supported by the frame to rotate and move about an arm rotation shaft. A contact part between the opening/closing arm and a platen bearing of the platen roller is positioned opposite from a side in which the printer head is provided with respect to a line that connects a center of the arm rotation shaft and a center of the platen bearing.

Abstract: A platen roller assembly for a printer includes a platen roller, a retaining clip, a plurality of bearings, and a pulley assembly. The platen roller defines a longitudinal axis. The retaining clip mounts to a support body of the printer and is positioned to retain the platen roller relative to the support body. The plurality of bearings is operably coupled to the platen roller. Each of the bearings permits rotational movement of the platen roller about the longitudinal axis thereof. The pulley assembly is mounted to the support body and is operably associated with one or more of the bearings. The pulley assembly includes a pulley and a belt. The belt is operably coupled to the pulley such that the platen roller rotates in response to rotational movement of the belt. The platen roller may be selectively coupled and uncoupled to/from the support body independent of the pulley assembly.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus, comprising: a recording device; a cassette; a discharge tray; a conveying path; a conveyor; an electrical power supply; a cooling air flow path; an air blower to apply a wind-force to air; a casing; and an additional cassette device attached to a lower portion of the casing, and in this configuration, the additional cassette device comprises: an additional cassette and an additional conveying path. A relay path is provided between the additional conveying path and the conveying path. The electrical power supply and the cooling air flow path are arranged under the cassette. The electrical power supply is arranged to overlap with the cassette when viewed along the vertical direction, and the cooling air flow path is formed not to intersect with the relay path.

Abstract: A label printing apparatus, comprising a cassette-receiving bay adapted to receive a cassette, said cassette-receiving bay having a base, an opening opposite the base, and side walls extending between the base and the opening; a cassette locking mechanism comprising at least one locking element having a locking position for engagement with a cassette inserted into said cassette-receiving bay; and cassette detection means operable to determine whether said at least one locking element is engaged with a cassette inserted into the cassette-receiving bay.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a casing, a thermal head module and a guiding component. The thermal head module is detachably installed inside the casing, and the thermal head module includes a bracket, a thermal head and a pivoting component. The thermal head is installed on the bracket, and the pivoting component is disposed on an end of the bracket. The pivoting component is pivotally engaged with the casing. The guiding component is rotatably installed inside the casing and for guiding a printing medium. The guiding component includes a holding portion for holding the pivoting component of the thermal head module as the guiding component rotates in a first rotating direction relative to the casing, so as to drive the pivoting component to separate from the casing, so that the thermal head module is detached from the casing.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an electronic device comprising a battery accommodating portion. The battery accommodating portion is configured to alternatively accommodate a plural of cylindrical dry batteries or a cuboid rechargeable battery. The battery accommodating portion, when a plurality of the dry batteries are arranged by being stacked in two tiers or more into a heaped bale structure when the dry batteries are accommodated, comprises a plurality of support recess portions configured to support a plurality of the dry batteries in a bottom tier, respectively. An interval between axes of the support recess portions adjacent to each other is larger than an outer diameter of each of the dry batteries and is smaller than twice of the outer diameter of each of the dry batteries.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.

Abstract: A device for processing media may include a front panel, a rear panel, a side panel, a support surface, and an access door assembly. The access door assembly may be pivotally coupled to the support surface and may include a major door pivotally coupled to a minor door. The minor door may be movable from an operational position to a minor support position and the major door may be movable from the operational position to a major support position in which the major door is positioned against and supported by the support surface. The side panel may define an imaginary plane that extends upward beyond the support surface and the access door assembly may be sized to be supported on the support surface without crossing the imaginary plane.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a circuit portion having a connector to which an interface cable is connected, a case for accommodating the circuit portion and having a wiring route for the interface cable leading from the connector to an external space and a connection opening for exposing the wiring route, and a cover for opening or closing the connection opening.

Abstract: A mobile printer comprising a printer body and a printer door is provided. The printer body typically has a recessed area that is sized to receive a media roll. The media roll typically has a void interior portion that is sized to receive one or more batteries that provide power to the mobile printer. Further, the printer door is operatively coupled to the printer body. When in an open position, the printer door typically allows for placement of a media roll from a side of the mobile printer into the recessed area. When closed, however, the media roll is typically retained in place relative to the printer body and the media from the media roll is captured for printing.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an electronic device comprising a battery accommodating portion. The battery accommodating portion is configured to alternatively accommodate a plural of cylindrical dry batteries or a cuboid rechargeable battery. The battery accommodating portion, when a plurality of the dry batteries are arranged by being stacked in two tiers or more into a heaped bale structure when the dry batteries are accommodated, comprises a plurality of support recess portions configured to support a plurality of the dry batteries in a bottom tier, respectively. An interval between axes of the support recess portions adjacent to each other is larger than an outer diameter of each of the dry batteries and is smaller than twice of the outer diameter of each of the dry batteries.

Abstract: A printer including: a fixed part; a movable part that is connected to the fixed part rotatably around a rotation center such that one of an open state and a closed state is selectable; a cylindrical body configured to transfer a print medium; a holding part configured to hold the cylindrical body; and a restraint part configured to restrain the holding part to the movable part such that the movable part can slide in a radial direction of the rotation center; wherein the restraint part includes: an engaging part that forms a part of one of the holding part and the movable part; and an engaged part that forms a part of another one that is engaged to the engaging part, and the fixed part includes a storing part configured to store spindles of the transfer cylindrical body.

Abstract: A printer includes a lid part, a body part, a control part provided in the body part, a mark detecting part provided on the lid part and configured to output a mark detection signal in response to detecting a mark added to paper, a transmission part configured to transmit the mark detection signal from the mark detecting part to the control part and having a slack part configured to extend and contract, and a housing part configured to house the slack part of the transmission part and to extend and contract in directions in which the slack part is configured to extend and contract. The slack part is housed in the housing part, and a length of the slack part is greater than or equal to a length of the housing part.

Abstract: This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint.

Abstract: A system for the quick coupling of reels to a rotating shaft especially suitable for the unwinding or winding in reels of a consumable of thermal transfer printing or direct thermal printing machines, including a rotating shaft provided with a plurality of housings each of which is suitable for the firm but removable coupling of a rod, a single rod being able to be selectively coupled in any one of the mentioned housings; and a set of reels of a different width, provided with respective tubular bodies for the winding of the consumable provided with at least one respective slot suitable for the bayonet mount thereof with the shaft through the rod coupled in said shaft. The arrangement of the housings and of the slots are such that it is possible to couple any of the reels in such a way that said reels are centered with respect to a same plane transverse to the shaft.