PRINTER ADAPTERS FOR HOLDING FANFOLDS OF MEDIA AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF
Described herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof that include techniques and structures for converting a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto rolls of media into a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto fanfolds of media. In other words, described herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof for converting a roll printer to a fanfold printer.
The present disclosure relates to printer adapters and printers that print onto fanfolds of media as well as systems and methods utilizing printer adapters and printers that print onto fanfolds of media.
BACKGROUNDBusinesses, groups and organizations use compact and desktop printers to print onto media, such as stock media. Stock media can include blank paper, cardboard, or blank stickers as well as paper, cardboard or stickers that include markings (such as templated media or media marked with serial numbers).
For some printers, the stock media can be arranged as a roll of media or fanfold of media. A continuous feed printer is a type of printer configured to print onto a roll of media or a fanfold of media. A roll of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and can be unrolled by a printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer. A fanfold of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and is folded like a fan lengthwise at the corresponding edges. A fanfold of media can be unfolded by a printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer.
Businesses, groups and organizations can utilize compact or desktop continuous feed printers, using rolls or fanfolds of media, to print out negotiable instruments (such as checks and money orders), labels, receipts, tags (such as shelf tags or name tags), tickets, ticket stubs, stickers (such as price stickers), and the like. Because of the wide use of such printers, there is always a need to improve upon the technology.
SUMMARYDescribed herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof that include technologies for converting a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto rolls of media to a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto fanfolds of media. Also, with the novel features described herein, media within a roll printer can be locked and secured within the printer and the printer can be fastened to the countertop and converted to hold fanfolds of media within a footprint almost as small as the footprint of the printer itself.
In some embodiments, the novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof include a lid configured to fit onto a roll printer when the adapter is fitted onto the roll printer and has converted the roll printer into a fanfold printer. And, the lid is configured to cover adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer.
In some embodiments, the novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof include a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid to the printer when the lid is fitted onto the printer. The locking mechanism is also configured to secure the adapter from manual tampering of the adapter or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer and the lid is locked onto the printer.
In some embodiments, the novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof include a mount to attach the printer to a surface, such as a top surface of a counter, a table or a desk. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism is also configured to lock, via the mount, the printer to the surface. In such examples, the locking mechanism is also configured to secure the printer to the surface via the mount in addition to preventing manual tampering of the adapter or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer and the lid is locked onto the printer.
These and other important aspects of the invention are described more fully in the detailed description below. The invention is not limited to the particular assemblies, apparatuses, methods and systems described herein. Other embodiments can be used and changes to the described embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the claims that follow the detailed description.
The present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure.
Details of example embodiments of the invention are described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings. Although the detailed description provides reference to example embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed herein is not limited to such example embodiments. But to the contrary, the invention disclosed herein includes numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description and other parts of this disclosure.
Described herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof that include techniques and structures for converting a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto rolls of media into a desktop or compact printer configured to print onto fanfolds of media. In other words, described herein are novel printer adapters and systems and methods thereof for converting a roll printer to a fanfold printer.
For example,
In some embodiments, a lid (such as lid 104) is designed to increase security and accommodate a small footprint. In some examples of the lid, features include: a raised lid to accommodate holding blank stock inside the printer (e.g., see the raised portion 110 of the lid 104 shown in
In some embodiments, a magazine or an adapter (such as adapter 108 shown in
For purposes of the description herein, it is to be understood that media or stock media described herein can be any type of media or stock media, respectively, unless specified otherwise. It is also to be understood that the media or stock media described herein can be arranged as a roll of media or a fanfold of media (also known as roll media and fanfold media). Media and stock media described herein can include paper, cardboard, stickers, plastics-based media, and the like. The media and stock media described herein can include blank media as well as media that includes markings (such as templated media or media marked with serial numbers). It is also to be understood that a roll of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and can be unrolled by a continuous feed printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer. A fanfold of media can include individual media units combined at corresponding edges thereof and is folded like a fan lengthwise at the corresponding edges. A fanfold of media can be unfolded by a continuous feed printer to be printed onto and outputted by the printer.
For purposes of the description herein, it is to be understood that a continuous feed printer, which can be part of some embodiments described herein, is a type of printer configured to print onto a roll of media or a fanfold of media. It is also to be understood that the output of the printer can include negotiable instruments (such as checks, certified checks, and money orders), labels, receipts, tags (such as shelf tags or name tags), tickets, ticket stubs, stickers (such as price stickers), and the like. And, it is to be understood that the adapter and the printer or a system or method thereof can be configured to accommodate negotiable instruments (such as checks, certified checks, and money orders), labels, receipts, tags (such as shelf tags or name tags), tickets, ticket stubs, stickers (such as price stickers), and the like.
In some embodiments, a mount, e.g., a bracket mount (such as the bracket mounts 106 and 206), is designed to secure the entire printer assembly to a piece of furniture (such as a table, a counter, or a desk). The mount (e.g., bracket mount) completes the security aspects of the printer to ensure the printer or stock media cannot easily be stolen, in some implementations. The locking mechanism can include combined locking of the lid and the mount to the printer, which can secure the stock media within the casing formed by the printer and the lid.
In some embodiments, the printer and the system, including the adapter, can be used to print money orders or other types of negotiable instruments and other fan folded media such as fanfolds of paper or cardboard stock for tickets. The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein allow a fanfold of blank media (or media with markings) to be held inside the printer in place of the typical roll stock media. The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein can also allow the printer to be locked and fastened to the countertop or desk in order to provide more security for organizations using the printer.
In some embodiments, the magazine or adapter is designed to fit into roll stock holding arms. This allows the printer to hold fan-folded media inside the printer. The magazine or adapter is designed to be able to reload media without having to remove the magazine or adapter from a locked location in the printer, in some embodiments.
Embodiments described herein can be lockable. For instance, embodiments can include a keyed lock to the printer via the lid. And, in some examples, embodiments can include a keyed lock to the printer via the lid and the mount. This is beneficial in that media in the printer can be stored securely. Also, in such embodiments and others a secure casing or the mount as well as the entire assembly of the printer, the lid, and adapter can have a small footprint (such as a footprint that is slightly beyond the width of the printer originally before it is combined with the other parts to form the assembly). Some example embodiments can use a roll stock bracket to hold a magazine that holds fan folded media, such that the media resides in cavity formed by the lid and printer. Also, in some examples, an embodiment can have an anti-theft mounting bracket to prevent theft of the printer. Such mounts can include arms that block a feed button or an output button of the printer. This can prevent a user from manually outputting media stored within the casing of the printer and lid combination by pressing an output button or a feed button that may have a reverse feed function.
Referring back to the embodiments in the figures and other possible embodiments, some examples include an apparatus (such as the adapter 108) that includes an inner portion (such as inner portion 402 shown in
Also, in such examples, such as the embodiments depicted in figures, the roll printer (e.g., printer 102) is configured to print onto the fanfold of media instead of the roll of media (which is held by the apparatus, such as adapter 108) when the inner portion of the apparatus (e.g., inner portion 402) is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members (e.g., first and second receiving members 406a and 406b) are fitted onto the first and second support members (e.g., first and second support members 114a and 114b).
In such example embodiments, the apparatus can further include a first side wall including an outer portion that includes the first receiving member. For instance, the adapter 108 can include a first side wall 414a including an outer portion 416a that includes the first receiving member 406a. Also, the apparatus can further include a second side wall including an outer portion that includes the second receiving member. For instance, the adapter 108 can include a second side wall 414b including an outer portion 416b that includes the second receiving member 406b. Also, the apparatus can include a back wall and a floor. For example, the adapter 108 can include a back wall 418 and a floor 420. As shown in
In such example embodiments, the apparatus can further include a lid configured to fit onto the roll printer when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer and configured to cover the opening of the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer. For instance, the adapter 108 is further used with the lid 104 that is configured to fit onto the printer 102 when the adapter 108 is fitted onto the printer and configured to cover the opening of the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer.
In such example embodiments, the apparatus can further include a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid to the roll printer when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer and configured to secure the apparatus from manual tampering of the apparatus or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer and the lid is locked onto the roll printer. For instance, the adapter 108 further be used with a locking mechanism (e.g., see the part of the locking mechanism 112) configured to lock the lid 104 to the printer 102 when the lid is fitted onto the printer and configured to secure the adapter 108 from manual tampering of the adapter or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the adapter when the adapter is fitted onto the printer and the lid is locked onto the printer.
In some embodiments, a top portion of the lid includes a slit that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion of the apparatus or a fanfold being held by the inner portion of the apparatus. For instance, as illustrated by
In some example embodiments (such as the ones mentioned above), the apparatus can further include a mount that includes a first side support member and a second side support member. The mount is configured to support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members and configured to attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface. The surface can be a top surface of a piece of furniture (such as a top surface of a table, a counter, or a desk). As shown in the
In some example embodiments (such as the ones mentioned above), the lid includes first and second side receiving portions configured to fit over the first and second side support members of the mount respectively when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer. For instance,
In some example embodiments (such as the ones mentioned above), the mount includes a front support member that is configured to further support the roll printer such that printer is held between the first and second side support members and the front support member. For instance,
In some embodiments, for example, the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments, and the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments. In some embodiments, for example, the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed tickets, and the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed tickets.
In some embodiments, a system includes a roll printer (e.g., see printer 102), configured to print onto a roll of media as well as first and second support members of the roll printer, configured to support the roll of media held between the first and second support members. Such a system also includes a holder (e.g., see adapter 108), configured to hold a fanfold of media, and including first and second receiving members that are configured to fit onto the first and second support members, respectively. In such embodiments, the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of media instead of the roll of media when the holder is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members are fitted onto the first and second support members. In some embodiments, the holder is manually insertable into the roll printer. In some embodiments, the holder includes an inner portion configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as an outer portion including the first and second support members. In some embodiments, the holder includes a first side wall including an outer portion that includes the first receiving member as well as a second side wall including an outer portion that includes the second receiving member. The holder also includes a back wall and a floor. The first and second side walls, the back wall, and the floor include respective inner portions. And, the respective inner portions form the inner portion of the holder configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as form an opening of the holder to receive the fanfold of media. In some embodiments, the system includes a lid configured to fit onto the roll printer when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer and configured to cover the opening of the holder when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer. In some embodiments, the system includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid to the roll printer when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer as well as secure the holder from manual tampering of the holder or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the holder when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer and the lid is locked onto the roll printer. In some embodiments, a top portion of the lid includes a slit that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion of the holder or the fanfold being held by the inner portion of the holder. In some embodiments, the system includes a mount, including first and second side support members, and configured to support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members as well as attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface. The lid includes first and second side receiving portions configured to fit over the first and second side support members of the mount respectively when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer. In some embodiments, the mount includes a front support member that is configured to further support the roll printer such that printer is held between the first and second side support members and the front support member.
In some embodiments, a system includes a roll printer (e.g., see printer 102), configured to print onto a roll of partially printed negotiable instruments, as well as first and second support members of the roll printer, configured to support the roll of partially printed negotiable instruments held between the first and second support members. Such embodiments of the system also include a holder (e.g., see adapter 108), configured to hold a fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments, and including first and second receiving members that are configured to fit onto the first and second support members, respectively. The roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments instead of the roll of partially printed negotiable instruments when the holder is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members are fitted onto the first and second support members.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments described herein, it is evident that many alternatives, combinations, modifications and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the example embodiments of the invention, as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an inner portion configured to receive and hold a fanfold of media;
- an outer portion configured to be received and held by a roll printer, wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto a roll of media, wherein the roll printer comprises first and second support members configured to support the roll of media held therebetween, wherein the outer portion of the apparatus comprises first and second receiving members, configured to fit onto the first and second support members of the roll printer respectively, and wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of media instead of the roll of media when the inner portion of the apparatus is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members are fitted onto the first and second support members;
- a first side wall comprising an outer portion that comprises the first receiving member;
- a second side wall comprising an outer portion that comprises the second receiving member;
- a back wall;
- a floor, wherein the first and second side walls, the back wall, and the floor comprise respective inner portions, and wherein the respective inner portions form the inner portion of the apparatus configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as form an opening of the apparatus to receive the fanfold of media;
- a lid configured to: fit onto the roll printer when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer; and cover the opening of the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer; and
- a locking mechanism configured to: lock the lid to the roll printer when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer; and secure the apparatus from manual tampering of the apparatus or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer and the lid is locked onto the roll printer.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the lid comprises a slit that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion of the apparatus or the fanfold being held by the inner portion of the apparatus.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a mount, comprising first and second side support members, and configured to:
- support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members; and
- attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lid comprises first and second side receiving portions configured to fit over the first and second side support members of the mount respectively when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mount comprises a front support member that is configured to further support the roll printer such that printer is held between the first and second side support members and the front support member.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments, and wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed tickets, and wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed tickets.
11. A system, comprising:
- a roll printer, configured to print onto a roll of media;
- first and second support members of the roll printer, configured to support the roll of media held between the first and second support members;
- a holder, configured to hold a fanfold of media, and comprising first and second receiving members that are configured to fit onto the first and second support members respectively, and wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of media instead of the roll of media when the holder is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members are fitted onto the first and second support members; and wherein the holder comprises: an inner portion configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media; an outer portion comprising the first and second support members; a first side wall comprising an outer portion that comprises the first receiving member; a second side wall comprising an outer portion that comprises the second receiving member; a back wall; and a floor, wherein the first and second side walls, the back wall, and the floor comprise respective inner portions, and wherein the respective inner portions form the inner portion of the holder configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as form an opening of the holder to receive the fanfold of media;
- a lid configured to: fit onto the roll printer when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer; and cover the opening of the holder when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer; and
- a locking mechanism configured to: lock the lid to the roll printer when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer; and secure the holder from manual tampering of the holder or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the holder when the holder is fitted onto the roll printer and the lid is locked onto the roll printer.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the holder is manually insertable into the roll printer.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. The system of claim 11, wherein a top portion of the lid comprises a slit that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion of the holder or the fanfold being held by the inner portion of the holder.
18. The system of claim 11, comprising a mount, comprising first and second side support members, and configured to:
- support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members; and
- attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface, and
- wherein the lid comprises first and second side receiving portions configured to fit over the first and second side support members of the mount respectively when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the mount comprises a front support member that is configured to further support the roll printer such that printer is held between the first and second side support members and the front support member.
20. (canceled)
21. An apparatus, comprising:
- an inner portion configured to receive and hold a fanfold of media;
- an outer portion configured to be received and held by a roll printer, wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto a roll of media, wherein the roll printer comprises first and second support members configured to support the roll of media held therebetween, wherein the outer portion of the apparatus comprises first and second receiving members, configured to fit onto the first and second support members of the roll printer respectively, and wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of media instead of the roll of media when the inner portion of the apparatus is holding the fanfold and the first and second receiving members are fitted onto the first and second support members;
- a first side wall comprising an outer portion that comprises the first receiving member;
- a second side wall comprising an outer portion that comprises the second receiving member;
- a back wall;
- a floor, wherein the first and second side walls, the back wall, and the floor comprise respective inner portions, and wherein the respective inner portions form the inner portion of the apparatus configured to receive and hold the fanfold of media as well as form an opening of the apparatus to receive the fanfold of media;
- a lid configured to: fit onto the roll printer when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer; and cover the opening of the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer; and
- a locking mechanism configured to: lock the lid to the roll printer when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer; and secure the apparatus from manual tampering of the apparatus or manual tampering of the fanfold being held by the apparatus when the apparatus is fitted onto the roll printer and the lid is locked onto the roll printer; and
- wherein a top portion of the lid comprises a slit that is configured to provide a view of the inner portion of the apparatus or the fanfold being held by the inner portion of the apparatus.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, comprising a mount, comprising first and second side support members, and configured to:
- support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members; and
- attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the lid comprises first and second side receiving portions configured to fit over the first and second side support members of the mount respectively when the lid is fitted onto the roll printer.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the mount comprises a front support member that is configured to further support the roll printer such that printer is held between the first and second side support members and the front support member.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments, and wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed negotiable instruments.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the inner portion of the apparatus is configured to receive and hold a fanfold of partially printed tickets, and wherein the roll printer is configured to print onto the fanfold of partially printed tickets.
27. The apparatus of claim 21, comprising a mount, comprising first and second side support members, and configured to support the roll printer held between the first and second side support members.
28. The apparatus of claim 21, comprising a mount, comprising first and second side support members, and configured to attach to a surface to mount the roll printer to the surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2021
Publication Date: Apr 27, 2023
Inventors: Christian Custer (Oak Grove, MN), Patrick Anderson (Maple Grove, MN), Todd Gagerman (Northbrook, IL)
Application Number: 17/510,663