Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises supports for holding a roll of print media during printing, said supports being accessible from one side of the printer to insert a roll of print media, and an auxiliary media tray suitable for holding in a stable position a roll of print media placed with its outer surface resting on the tray, said auxiliary tray being attached to the printer on the same side of the printer from where the supports for the roll of print media are accessible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transmission device for plotters characterized in that it comprises at least a freely rotating first wheel (2) arranged between the motor tube (5) and the winder tube (6) of a plotter, such that the rotation of the motor tube (5) is transmitted to said winder tube (6) through said freely rotating first wheel (2). It may also comprise a pair of freely rotating wheels (3) that are constrained to rotate together by contact, arranged between said motor tube (5) and said winder tube (6), one wheel of said pair of wheels (3) being in contact with said motor tube (5) and the other wheel of said pair of wheels (3) being in contact with said winder tube (6). It facilitates the change from direct to inverse transmission without having to use tools, and it achieves a clutch effect as the result of the sliding of the wheels with respect to the tubes.

Abstract: A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the withdrawal of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support that maintains an inverted cam surface and a spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. A braking mechanism includes a brake drum rotatable with the spindle assembly, a friction band adapted to engage the brake drum and a rocker arm that engages the cam surface. When the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force, the cam roller engages the cam surface and causes the friction band to generate a braking force on the brake drum. Withdrawal of the filamentary material at a regular rate occurs when the biasing force is balanced with the tension force.

Abstract: A dispenser having a start-assist for starting rotation of a coil for dispensing flexible material from the coil includes a frame, a support, a shaft mounted to the support for supporting the coil and configured for rotation with the coil and an arm mounted about the shaft by a one-way element. The arm is connected to the shaft for rotation such that when the arm rotates in a first direction the one-way element engages the shaft to rotate the shaft and when the arm rotates in a second, opposite direction the one-way element is disengaged from the shaft to permit the shaft to freely rotate. When the flexible material is pulled from the coil the arm is rotated in the first direction to begin rotation of the coil by tension in the flexible material.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for dispensing elongated material, such as tape, from a spool of such material are disclosed. In one embodiment, a dispenser includes a rotatable spindle for supporting a first spool of material and a feedback mechanism for providing a controlled braking force to the spindle in response to changes in tension in the material being dispensed. The dispenser also can include another spindle for supporting a second spool of material. The trailing end portion of material from the first spool can be spliced to the leading end portion of material from the second spool to provide a continuous feed of material between the spools.

Abstract: An apparatus to package a tape spool that can be also used to unwind the tape spool.

Abstract: A multiple coil dispenser supports a pair of coils for dispensing a flexible material from one of the coils. The dispenser includes a frame and at least one coil support for supporting the coils for rotation. A fixed arm is mounted to the frame and includes a plurality of rollers positioned longitudinally therealong. A movable arm is pivotally mounted to the frame for movement toward and away from the fixed arm. The movable arm has a plurality of rollers positioned longitudinally therealong and is biased away from the fixed arm. A bifurcated chute directs the strapping material from one of the coils to the arms. A brake assembly is operably connected to the movable arm between an engaged position when the movable arm is moved away from the fixed arm and a disengaged position when the movable arm is moved toward the fixed arm. A space between the fixed arm and the movable arm defines an accumulation region that varies in size as the movable arm moves toward and away from the fixed arm.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for restricting the pay out of line wound on a rotatable spool. The article comprises an elongated thin narrow strip of pliant material having first and second ends and having an aperture centrally located intermediate the first and second ends. Proximate the first and second ends of the band is at least one circular hole, each being sized and adapted to receive a spindle that rotatably supports the spool. The centrally-located aperture is sized and adapted to receive the line which is trained through the aperture.

Abstract: A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the payout of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support and a spindle assembly pivotably mounted to the fixed support, wherein the spindle assembly rotatably carries the spool of filamentary material. A pull-off force imparted by the filamentary material causes angular movement of the spindle assembly and rotation of the spool. A braking assembly mounted to the fixed support and coupled to the spindle assembly applies a braking force corresponding to an angular position of the spindle assembly.

Abstract: A coupling between a spool and a brake drum includes: a metallic base having a first axial opening formed therein for extension of a spindle therethrough; a metallic rim disposed about the first axial opening and integral with and extending in a generally axial direction from the base, with the rim including an edge having a discontinuous planar surface disposed substantially orthogonal to the axial direction; and a magnet integral with the base that magnetizes the discontinuous planar surface of the rim of the magnetic chuck. The edge has a stepped profile resembling a rectangular wave; the rim is circular and coaxial with the axial opening in the base; and the magnet includes a second opening formed in register with the first opening in the base for extension of the spindle therethrough. The magnetic chuck is disposed on the spindle between the spool and the brake drum. The magnetic chuck is secured by fasteners to the brake drum for rotation therewith about an axis of the spindle.