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Patent application title:

Document Binder

Publication number:

US20100150637A1

Publication date:

2010-06-17

Application number:

12/710,345

Filed date:

2010-02-22

Abstract:

A binder assembly integrated with a printer comprises a powered spike wheel assembly for transferring a sheet of paper from the printer; an angled platen for receiving the sheet of paper from the spike wheel assembly, the angled platen provided vertically below the printer, and receiving the sheet of paper in a substantially upright portrait configuration; a binding platen provided opposite the angled platen; and a cable winder mechanism including a cable winder shaft, a system of wheels, and a steel cable attached to the cable winder shaft and arranged around the system of wheels. The cable winder mechanism is engaged with the binding platen and adapted to propel the binding platen towards the angled platen.

Inventors:

Kia Silverbrook 4,210 🇦🇺 Balmain, Australia

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Classification:

G06F3/03545 » CPC main

Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements; Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer; Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form; Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks ; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks Pens or stylus

B41J2/17503 » CPC further

Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material; Ink jet characterised by ink handling; Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor Ink cartridges

B41J2/17513 » CPC further

B41J2/17526 » CPC further

B41J2/17553 » CPC further

B41J2/17556 » CPC further

B41J2/17563 » CPC further

B41J2/2114 » CPC further

Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material; Ink jet for multi-colour printing characterised by the ink properties Ejecting transparent or white coloured liquids, e.g. processing liquids

B41J3/60 » CPC further

Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers, thermal printers characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing on both faces of the printing material

B41J13/103 » CPC further

Devices or arrangements specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets; Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides , or stationary guides for the sheet feeding section

B41J13/106 » CPC further

B41J29/02 » CPC further

Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for Framework

B41J29/13 » CPC further

Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for; Guards, shields or dust excluders Cases or covers

B42C9/0006 » CPC further

Applying glue or adhesive peculiar to bookbinding by applying adhesive to a stack of sheets

B42C9/0081 » CPC further

Applying glue or adhesive peculiar to bookbinding applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together

B42C19/02 » CPC further

Multi-step processes for making books starting with single sheets

B43K7/005 » CPC further

Ball-point pens Pen barrels

B43K7/02 » CPC further

Ball-point pens Ink reservoirs; Ink cartridges

B43K23/008 » CPC further

Holders or connectors for writing implements; Means for protecting the writing-points Holders comprising finger grips

B43K24/06 » CPC further

Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by turning means

B43K25/02 » CPC further

Clips

B43K29/00 » CPC further

Combinations of writing implements with other articles

B43K29/003 » CPC further

Combinations of writing implements with other articles with optical equipment, e.g. magnifier, viewer

B43K29/004 » CPC further

Combinations of writing implements with other articles with more than one object

B43K29/08 » CPC further

Combinations of writing implements with other articles with measuring, computing or indicating devices

B43K29/093 » CPC further

Combinations of writing implements with other articles with measuring, computing or indicating devices with calculators

B43K29/10 » CPC further

Combinations of writing implements with other articles with illuminating devices

B65H29/34 » CPC further

Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by dropping the articles from supports slid from under the articles

B65H37/04 » CPC further

Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating devices for performing specified auxiliary operations for securing together articles or webs, e.g. by adhesive, stitching or stapling

C09D11/50 » CPC further

Inks Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks

G06F3/0321 » CPC further

Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements; Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer; Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form; Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet

G06F3/04883 » CPC further

Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements; Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer; Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

G06F3/1204 » CPC further

Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements; Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer; Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect; Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data

G06F3/1265 » CPC further

Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements; Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer; Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique; Print job management Printing by reference, e.g. retrieving document/image data for a job from a source mentioned in the job

G06F3/1285 » CPC further

Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements; Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer; Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server

G06F16/4393 » CPC further

Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data; Querying; Presentation of query results by the use of playlists Multimedia presentations, e.g. slide shows, multimedia albums

G06F16/93 » CPC further

Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor; Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types Document management systems

G06F16/955 » CPC further

Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor; Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types; Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]

G06F40/174 » CPC further

Handling natural language data; Text processing; Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting Form filling; Merging

G06K17/00 » CPC further

Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups - , e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations

G06Q20/3821 » CPC further

Payment architectures, schemes or protocols; Payment protocols; Details thereof insuring higher security of transaction Electronic credentials

G06Q20/3829 » CPC further

Payment architectures, schemes or protocols; Payment protocols; Details thereof insuring higher security of transaction involving key management

G06Q20/401 » CPC further

Payment architectures, schemes or protocols; Payment protocols; Details thereof; Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists Transaction verification

G06Q30/02 » CPC further

Commerce, e.g. shopping or e-commerce Marketing, e.g. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards; Price estimation or determination

G06Q30/0207 » CPC further

Commerce, e.g. shopping or e-commerce; Marketing, e.g. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards; Price estimation or determination Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons, rebates, offers or upsales

G06Q30/0241 » CPC further

G07D7/005 » CPC further

Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations

G07D7/128 » CPC further

Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using wave or particle radiation; Visible light, infra-red or ultraviolet radiation Viewing devices

H04N1/00204 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server

H04N1/00244 » CPC further

H04N1/00278 » CPC further

H04N1/00326 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus

H04N1/00355 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; User-machine interface; Control console; Input means Mark-sheet input

H04N1/00358 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; User-machine interface; Control console; Input means; Mark-sheet input Type of the scanned marks

H04N1/00376 » CPC further

H04N1/00567 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking

H04N1/00968 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software by scanning marks on a sheet

H04N1/107 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or using flat picture-bearing surfaces with manual scanning

H04N1/32101 » CPC further

H04N1/32122 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title separate from the image data, e.g. in a different computer file in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data

H04N1/32128 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image

H04N1/32133 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header

H04N1/32771 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Initiating, continuing or ending a single-mode communication; Handshaking therefor; Initiating a communication in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document

H04N1/32776 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Initiating, continuing or ending a single-mode communication; Handshaking therefor; Initiating a communication in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document using an interactive, user-operated device, e.g. a computer terminal, mobile telephone

H04N1/32778 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Initiating, continuing or ending a single-mode communication; Handshaking therefor; Initiating a communication in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request

H04W88/04 » CPC further

Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices; Terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

B42P2261/04 » CPC further

Manufacturing; Forming Producing books by printing sheets in following order, e.g. for ordering via the Internet

G06F2203/0337 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to -; Indexing scheme relating to Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or the user

H04N1/00127 » CPC further

Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture

H04N1/00206 » CPC further

H04N2201/001 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus

H04N2201/0055 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus; Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface; Type of connection By radio

H04N2201/0082 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Types of the still picture apparatus Image hardcopy reproducer

H04N2201/3205 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to a user, sender, addressee, machine or electronic recording medium of identification information, e.g. name or ID code

H04N2201/3226 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to an image, a page or a document of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image

H04N2201/3243 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to an image, a page or a document of type information, e.g. handwritten or text document

H04N2201/3247 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to an image, a page or a document Data linking a set of images to one another, e.g. sequence, burst or continuous capture mode

H04N2201/3249 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of data relating to an image, a page or a document data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink

H04N2201/3264 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of multimedia information, e.g. a sound signal of sound signals

H04N2201/3266 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of multimedia information, e.g. a sound signal of text or character information, e.g. text accompanying an image

H04N2201/3267 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of multimedia information, e.g. a sound signal of motion picture signals, e.g. video clip

H04N2201/3269 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs

H04N2201/327 » CPC further

Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof; Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device; Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes

H04N2201/3278 » CPC further

H04W4/18 » CPC further

Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals

Y02D10/00 » CPC further

Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Y02D10/00 » CPC further

Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Y10S707/99942 » CPC further

Data processing: database and file management or data structures; Database schema or data structure Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Y10T156/1798 » CPC further

Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture; Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means with liquid adhesive or adhesive activator applying means

G03G15/00 IPC

Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern

B42B5/00 IPC

Permanently attaching together sheets, quires or signatures otherwise than by stitching

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/117,590 filed May 8, 2008, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/006,787 filed on Dec. 8, 2004, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,134, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/202,021 filed on Jul. 25, 2002, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,918, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/575,164, filed on May 23, 2000, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,155 all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ink jet printers and in particular, consumable cartridges for ink jet printers.

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present invention are disclosed in the following co-pending applications/granted patents filed by the applicant or assignee of the present invention with the present application:


6,428,133	6,526,658	6,315,399	6,338,548	6,540,319
6,328,431	6,328,425	6,991,320	6,383,833	6,464,332
6,439,693	6,390,591	7,018,016	6,328,417	09/575,197
7,079,712	6,825,945	7,330,974	6,813,039	6,987,506
7,038,797	6,980,318	6,816,274	7,102,772	7,350,236
6,681,045	6,728,000	7,173,722	7,088,459	09/575,181
7,068,382	7,062,651	6,789,194	6,789,191	6,644,642
6,502,614	6,622,999	6,669,385	6,549,935	6,987,573
6,727,996	6,591,884	6,439,706	6,760,119	7,295,332
6,290,349	6,428,155	6,785,016	6,870,966	6,822,639
6,737,591	7,055,739	7,233,320	6,830,196	6,832,717
6,957,768	7,456,820	7,170,499	7,106,888	7,123,239
6,409,323	6,281,912	6,604,810	6,318,920	6,488,422
6,795,215	7,154,638	6,859,289

The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated herein by cross-reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the advent of the Internet has come the opportunity for the print media industry to publish “on-line” rather than producing and distributing traditional paper based publications. On-line publishing has a number of advantages. From the consumer's point of view, information is available on demand, information can be navigated via hypertext links, information can be searched, and information can be automatically personalized. From the publisher's point of view, the costs of printing and physical distribution are eliminated and the publication becomes more attractive to advertisers as it can be targeted to specific demographics and linked to product sites.

On-line publication also has disadvantages. Computer screens are inferior to paper. At the same quality as a magazine page, a SVGA computer screen displays only about a fifth as much information. Both CRT's (Cathode Ray Tubes) and LCD's (Liquid Crystal Displays) have brightness and contrast problems, particularly, when ambient light is strong. Ink on paper, being reflective rather than emissive is both bright and sharp in ambient light. Accordingly, people have a natural preference to read newspapers, magazines, catalogues, brochures and other publications in a bound paper based format.

Printers that incorporate a binding means may be connected to the Internet for the on-line publication of the bound documents. However, if the paper based document is to be interactive in the same manner as a Web page, then the page will need to carry information in a form that can be read by an optical reader linked to the network. If this information is printed in a colorant that is visible to the human eye, then it is likely to obscure text or images printed on the page. Accordingly, the information to be read by the optical reader is printed in a colorant that is invisible to the human eye but visible to the optical reader device used.

The invisible colorant is an additional consumable that must be supplied to the printer. This adds to the number of interruptions to printer operation because of the need to periodically replenish each of the consumable materials as they deplete.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a binder assembly integrated with a wall mounted printer comprises a powered spike wheel assembly for transferring a sheet of paper from the printer; an angled platen for receiving the sheet of paper from the spike wheel assembly, the angled platen provided vertically below the printer, and receiving the sheet of paper in a substantially upright portrait configuration; a binding platen provided opposite the angled platen; and a cable winder mechanism including a cable winder shaft, a system of wheels, and a steel cable attached to the cable winder shaft and arranged around the system of wheels. The cable winder mechanism is engaged with the binding platen and adapted to propel the binding platen towards the angled platen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front three-quarter view of the wallprinter;

FIG. 2 shows a section through the length of the wallprinter;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 2 showing a section of the duplexed print engines;

FIG. 3 shows a simple exploded view of the wallprinter;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 5 shows three-quarter views of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 6 shows a three-quarter view of a single ink bladder;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show lateral and longitudinal sections of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 8 shows a front three-quarter view of the open media tray;

FIG. 9 shows the ink, air and adhesive supply hoses to the print engines;

FIG. 10 shows a front three-quarter view of the electrical system of the printer;

FIG. 11 shows a rear three-quarter view of the electrical system;

FIG. 12 shows a front three-quarter view of the wallprinter with the lower front cover removed;

FIG. 13 shows a section through the binder assembly;

FIG. 14 shows a rear three-quarter view of the open glue wheel assembly;

FIG. 15 shows a section through the binding assembly and the exit hatch;

FIG. 16 shows a three-dimensional view of an interface module;

FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of an interface module;

FIG. 18 shows a top three-quarter view of the media tray; and

FIG. 19 shows a section through the top part of the printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Note: Memjet™ is the trade mark of Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd, Australia.

In the preferred embodiment, the invention is configured to work with the netpage system, an overview of which follows. The system is described in this specification to reduce the need for external reference when attempting to understand the context in which the preferred embodiments and aspects of the present invention operate.

In its preferred form, the netpage system relies on the production of, and human interaction with, netpages. These are pages of text, graphics and images printed on ordinary paper, but which work like interactive Web pages. Information is encoded on each page using ink, which is substantially invisible to the unaided human eye. The ink, however, and thereby the encoded information, can be sensed by an optically imaging pen (the netpage pen) and transmitted to the netpage system.

In the preferred form, active buttons and hyperlinks on each page can be clicked with the netpage pen to request information from the network or to signal preferences to a network server. In one embodiment, text written by hand on a netpage is automatically recognized via the pen, allowing forms to be filled in. In other embodiments, signatures recorded on a netpage are automatically verified, allowing e-commerce transactions to be securely authorized.

The netpage pen works in conjunction with a netpage printer, an Internet-connected printing appliance for home, office or mobile use. The pen is wireless and communicates securely with the netpage printer via a short-range radio link.

The netpage printer delivers, periodically or on demand, personalized newspapers, magazines, catalogs, brochures and other publications, all printed at high quality as interactive netpages. Unlike a personal computer, the netpage printer is an appliance which can be, for example, wall-mounted adjacent an area where the morning news is first consumed, such as in a user's kitchen, near a breakfast table, or at the household's point of departure for the day. It also comes in tabletop, desktop, portable and miniature versions.

Netpages printed at their point of consumption combine the ease-of-use of paper with the timeliness and interactivity of an interactive medium.

The netpage system is made considerably more convenient because of the functional superiority of the netpage printers. At the heart of these printers are high-speed microelectromechanical system (MEMS) based inkjet (Memjet™) printheads described in various co-pending and co-filed applications from the list above. In the preferred form of this technology, relatively high-speed and high-quality printing is made more affordable to consumers. In its preferred form, a netpage publication has the physical characteristics of a traditional newsmagazine, such as a set of letter-size glossy pages printed in full color on both sides, bound together for easy navigation and comfortable handling.

A netpage printer prints pages of photographic-quality images and magazine quality text at a rate of over 30 double sided sheets per minute (that is, more than 60 pages per minute). They come in a variety of forms, including wall-mounted versions, tabletop versions, portable versions, and pocket versions. Given the nature of the netpage system, it is envisaged that one of the most commercially relevant forms of netpage printer will be the wall mounted version referred to as wallprinter. For convenience, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to this specific version shown in the accompanying drawings.

The vertically-mounted netpage wallprinter 601 is shown fully assembled in FIGS. 1 and 2. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 2a and 19, it prints Netpages on A4 sized media using duplexed 8½″ Memjet™ print engines 602 and 603. It uses a straight paper path with the paper 604 passing through duplexed print engines 602 and 603 which print both sides of a sheet simultaneously, in full color and with full bleed. A multi-DSP raster image processor (RIP) rasterizes pages to internal memory, and a pair of custom print engine controllers expand, dither and print page images to the duplexed printheads in real time.

An integral binding assembly 605 applies a strip of glue along one edge of each printed sheet, allowing it to adhere to the previous sheet when pressed against it. This creates a final bound document 618 which can range in thickness from one sheet to several hundred sheets. The binding assembly will be considered in close detail below with particular reference to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, the wallprinter 601 consists of a main chassis 606, which accommodates all major components and assemblies. As best shown in FIG. 8, it has a pivoting media tray 607 on the front upper portion, which is covered by a front molding 608 and handle molding 609. The front molding 608, handle molding 609 and lower front molding 610 can vary in color, texture and finish to make the product more appealing to consumers. They simply clip onto the front of the wallprinter 601.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the wallprinter electrical system in isolation. A flexible printed circuit board (flex PCB) 611 runs from the media tray 607 to the main PCB 612. It includes four different color LEDs 613, 614, 615 and 616 and a push button 617. The LEDs show through the front molding and indicate “on” 613, “ink out” 614, “paper out” 615, and “error” 616. The push button 617 elicits printed “help” in the form of usage instructions, printer and consumable status information, and a directory of resources on the netpage network.

Printed, bound documents 618 exit through the base of the wallprinter 601 into a clear, plastic, removable collection tray 619. This is discussed in greater detail below with specific reference to FIG. 15.

The wallprinter 601 is powered by an internal 110V/220V power supply 620 and has a metal mounting plate 621 that is secured to a wall or stable vertical surface by four screws. Plunged keyhole slot details 622 in the metal plate 621 allow for four spigots mounted on the rear of the printer to hook onto the plate. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 19, the wallprinter 601 is prevented from being lifted off by a screw, which locates the chassis molding 606 to the plate 621 at one position behind the media tray 607.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the side of the wallprinter 601 includes a module bay 624 which accommodates a network interface module 625 which allows the printer to be connected to the netpage network and to a local computer or network. The interface module 625 can be selected and installed in the factory or in the field to provide the interfaces required by the user. The modules may have common connector options, such as: IEEE 1394 (Firewire) connection, standard Centronics printer port connection or a combined USB2 649 and Ethernet 650 connection. This allows the consumer to connect the wallprinter 601 to a computer or use it as a network printer. FIG. 17 shows the exploded assembly of the module 625. The interface module PCB 651, (with gold contact edge strips) plugs directly into the main wallprinter PCB 612 via an edge connector 654. The different connector configurations are accommodated in the module design by use of a tool insert 652. Finger recesses 653 on either side of the module 625 allow for easy manual insertion or removal.

Turning to FIG. 19, the main PCB 612 is attached to the rear of the chassis 606. The board 612 interfaces through the chassis molding 606 to the interface module 625. The PCB 612 also carries the necessary peripheral electronics to the Memjet™ printheads 705. This includes a main CPU with two 32 MB DRAMs, flash memory, IEEE 1394 interface chip, six motor controllers, various sensor connectors, interface module PCB edge connector, power management, internal/external data connectors and a QA chip.

FIG. 8 shows the front hatch access to the paper 604 and the ink cartridge 627. Referring to FIG. 18, paper 604 is placed into a hinged top tray 607 and pressed down onto a sprung platen 666. The tray 607 is mounted to the chassis 606 via hinges. Each hinge has a base, a hinge lever and a hinge side. Pivots on the base and paper/media tray 607 engage the lever and side such that the paper/media tray 607 rotates in a manner that avoids kinking the supply hoses 646.

The paper 604 is positioned under edge guides 667 before being closed and is automatically registered to one side of the tray 607 by action of a metal spring part 668. An ink cartridge 627 connects into a pivoting ink connector molding 628 via a series of self-sealing connectors 629. The connectors 629 transmit ink, air and glue to their separate locations. The ink connector molding 628 contains a sensor, which detects a QA chip on the ink cartridge and verifies identification prior to printing. When the front hatch is sensed closed, a release mechanism allows the sprung platen 666 to push the paper 604 against a motorized media pick-up roller assembly 626.

FIG. 4, shows the complete assembly of the replaceable ink cartridge 627. It has bladders or chambers for storing fixative 644, adhesive 630, and cyan 631, magenta 632, yellow 633, black 634 and infrared 635 inks. The cartridge 627 also contains a micro air filter 636 in a base molding 637. As shown in FIG. 9, the micro air filter 636 interfaces with an air pump 638 inside the printer via a hose 639. This provides filtered air to the printheads 705 to prevent ingress of micro particles into the Memjet™ printheads 705 which may clog the nozzles. By incorporating the air filter 636 within the cartridge 627, the operational life of the filter is effectively linked to the life of the cartridge. This ensures that the filter is replaced together with the cartridge rather than relying on the user to clean or replace the filter at the required intervals. Furthermore, the adhesive and infrared ink are replenished together with the visible inks and air filter thereby reducing how frequently the printer operation is interrupted because of the depletion of a consumable material.

The cartridge 627 has a thin wall casing 640. The ink bladders 631 to 635 and fixative bladder 644 are suspended within the casing by a pin 645 which hooks the cartridge together. The single glue bladder 630 is accommodated in the base molding 637. This is a fully recyclable product with a capacity for printing and gluing 3000 pages (1500 sheets).

The base molding 637 defines a plurality of vents 699 for receiving the connectors 629 and for equalizing air pressure inside and outside the casing 640.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 2a, 10, 11 and 19, the motorized media pick-up roller assembly 626 pushes the top sheet directly from the media tray 607 past a paper sensor (not shown) on the first print engine 602 into the duplexed Memjet™ printhead assembly.

Two Memjet™ print engines 602 and 603 are mounted in an opposing in-line sequential configuration along the straight paper path. The paper 604 is drawn into the first print engine 602 by integral, powered pick-up rollers 626. The position and size of the paper 604 is sensed and full bleed printing commences.

Fixative is printed simultaneously to aid drying in the shortest possible time.

As best shown in FIG. 2a, the Memjet™ print engines 602 and 603 include a rotary capping, blotting and platen device 669. The capping device seals the Memjet™ printheads 705 when not in use. It uncaps and rotates to produce an integral blotter, which is used for absorbing ink fired from the printheads 705 during routine printer startup maintenance. It simultaneously moves an internal capping device inside the Memjet™ printhead 705 that allows air to flow into the protective nozzle shield area. The third rotation of the device moves a platen surface into place, which supports one side of the sheet 604 during printing.

The paper exits the first Memjet™ print engine 602 through a set of powered exit spike wheels (aligned along the straight paper path), which acts against a rubberized roller. These spike wheels contact the ‘wet’ printed surface and continue to feed the sheet 604 into the second Memjet™ print engine 603.

This second print engine 603 is mounted the opposite way up to the first in order to print the underside of the sheet 604.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 2a, 9, 13 and 14, the paper 604 passes from the duplexed print engines 602 and 603, into the binder assembly 605. The printed page passes between a powered spike wheel axle 670 with a fibrous support roller and another movable axle with spike wheels and a momentary action glue wheel 673. The movable axle/glue assembly 673 is mounted to a metal support bracket and it is transported forward to interface with the powered axle 670 by action of a camshaft 642. A separate motor powers 675 this camshaft. Both motors 676 are controlled by the Memjet™ printheads.

The glue wheel assembly 673 consists of a partially hollow axle 679 with a rotating coupling 680 for the glue supply hose 641 from the ink cartridge 627. This axle 679 connects to a glue wheel 681, which absorbs adhesive by capillary action through radial holes. A molded housing surrounds the glue wheel 681, with an opening at the front. Pivoting side moldings 683 and sprung outer doors 684 are attached to the metal support bracket and hinge out sideways when the rest of the assembly 673 is thrust forward. This action exposes the glue wheel 681 through the front of the molded housing. Tension springs 685 close the assembly and effectively caps the glue wheel 681 during periods of inactivity.

As the sheet 604 passes into the glue wheel assembly 673, adhesive is applied to one vertical edge on the front side (apart from the first sheet of a document) as it is transported down into the binding assembly 605. It will be appreciated that this arrangement applies adhesive to each page during printing so that the paper movement through the printer is not interrupted or stopped at a separate gluing station. This increases the printer speed, however, it requires that the pages move through the printer in “portrait” configuration (that is, in a direction parallel to the long edges). This in turn requires the paper tray, binding station and collection station to be in a portrait configuration. This may make the overall length of the printer too great to conveniently fit into areas having limited space. In these situations, the media tray, binding station and collection station can be arranged in a “landscape” orientation (short sides parallel to paper movement) to shorten the length of the printer. However, the gluing assembly must still be able to apply glue along the long side of the pages. In this version of wallprinter (not shown), the adhesive is applied to the longitudinal edge of each page with a reciprocating glue strip.

The “portrait” binder assembly 605 is best shown in FIG. 13. It has a metal support chassis 686, a sprung molded binding platen 687 that runs on four traverser rods, a molded angled platen 689 which supports the document 618 after the sheet 604 has been moved across, and an exit hatch 690 with support bracket 691. The printed page 604 is fed in until it rests on the exit hatch 690. The binding platen 687 is propelled forward at high speed via a looped system of wheels 692 and a sprung steel cable 693 that attaches to a powered cable winder shaft 694. As the cable winder shaft 694 is rotated, the cable loop 693 shortens and transports the binding platen 687 forward. This powered shaft 694 has a slip clutch mechanism and provides the necessary speed to push the sheet 604 forward onto the rear of a previous sheet, glue/bind it then return under the action of return springs 699 to the home position to accept the next printed sheet. A single operating cycle of the reciprocating platen takes less than 2 seconds.

The binding assembly 605 binds pages one by one into a bound document, thereby producing bound documents without significantly adding to the time taken to print the separate pages of the document. Furthermore it applies the adhesive directly prior to pressing it against the previous page. This is more effective than applying adhesive to the rear of each page and sequentially pressing each page to the subsequent page because any interruption in the printing process such as replenishing the paper supply may allow the adhesive applied to the last adhered page to deteriorate and become less effective.

The cable 693 is sprung to allow for positive pressure to be applied to the previous sheet to aid binding. Furthermore, the angled platen 689 is shallower at the top than at the base in order to support the document 618 in an over axis configuration.

A sensor (not shown) operatively connected to the control of the stepper motor, may be used to determine the position of the last page bound to the document to allow the platen to accurately adhere the next page to it.

A paper tapper 643 knocks the sheet 604 to one side of the binder 605 as it is transported across to the angled platen 689. The main PCB 612 controls motors 695, 696 and 697 for the cable winder shaft 694, the tapper 643 and the exit hatch 690 respectively.

When a document 618 is bound and finished, the powered exit hatch 690 opens. A tamper sensor (not shown) is provided to detect document jams or other interference acting to prevent the exit hatch 690 from closing. The tapper 643 also tap aligns the printed document 618 during ejection out of the binder 605 into the collection tray 619. Plastic foils 698 on the lower front molding 610 work together with the hatch 690 to direct the finished document 618 to the back of the collection tray 619 and feed any further documents into the tray without hitting existing ones. A plurality the flexible foils may be provided, each having different lengths to accommodate documents having different page sizes. The collection tray 619 is molded in clear plastic and pulls out of its socket under a certain loading. Access for removing documents is provided on three sides.

The invention has been described herein with reference to the specific examples only. Skilled workers in this field will readily recognize many variations and modifications, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the broad inventive concept.

Claims

I/We claim:

1. A binder assembly integrated with a printer, the binder assembly comprising:

a powered spike wheel assembly for transferring a sheet of paper from the printer;

an angled platen for receiving the sheet of paper from the spike wheel assembly, the angled platen provided vertically below the printer, and receiving the sheet of paper in a substantially upright portrait configuration;

a binding platen provided opposite the angled platen; and

a cable winder mechanism including a cable winder shaft, a system of wheels, and a steel cable attached to the cable winder shaft and arranged around the system of wheels, the cable winder mechanism engaged with the binding platen and adapted to propel the binding platen towards the angled platen.

2. The binder assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable winder mechanism further includes a slip clutch mechanism.

3. The binder assembly of claim 1, further comprising a paper tapper for knocking the sheet of paper to one side of the angled platen.

4. The binder assembly of claim 1, wherein the binding platen is guided on four traverser rods towards the angled platen.

5. The binder assembly of claim 1, further comprising an exit hatch provided below the angled platen, the exit hatch facilitating removal of bound sheets from the binder assembly.

6. The binder assembly of claim 5, further comprising a collection tray provided below the exit hatch, the collection tray for receiving the bound sheets from the vender assembly.

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