SWIVEL CUTTING DEVICE

Abstract

Pivoting cutters are described herein. An example of a pivoting cutter includes a printing device, including a frame; a printing assembly including a print head and a platen roller; and a cutting assembly including a cutting blade and a media scraper, the cutting assembly is disposed on a mounting apparatus that is coupled to the frame by a hinge and has an engaged position and a disengaged position, in the engaged position, the cutting assembly is immediately proximate the printing assembly, such that the media scraper is configured to guide a printed media off the platen roller and toward the cutting blade, and in the disengaged position, the mounting apparatus rotates about the hinge and a distance between the cutting assembly and the printing assembly is increased. Figure: 1

Description

Title of the invention: PIVOTING CUTTING DEVICE Context

[0001] Linerless labels were developed to reduce the amount of waste produced when printing labels using conventional liner-based labels. Linerless labels are labels that are printed and used without conventional release liners or backing papers. Backing papers are typically used to support pressure-sensitive adhesive labels as they travel through a printer. Backing papers protect the label's adhesive surface from environmental contaminants and reduce the incidence of printer sticking or jamming.

[0002] One problem with using linerless labels is that the exposed adhesive surface of the linerless label stock may undesirably adhere or stick to printer components, thereby complicating printer operation. For example, the adhesive surface of the linerless label stock may adhere to and may wrap around the printer's platen roller, thereby jamming (and possibly damaging) the platen roller and / or other printer components. Adhesion of the linerless label stock to the platen roller may result from normal use and / or may be exacerbated by certain operating conditions, such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, other environmental conditions, adhesive buildup, extended breaks in operation, and the like. Summary

[0003] In this embodiment, a printing device is described comprising: a frame; a printing assembly comprising a print head and a platen roller; and a cutting assembly comprising a cutting blade and a media scraper, the cutting assembly being disposed on a mounting apparatus which is coupled to the frame by a hinge and has an engaged position and a disengaged position, in the engaged position, the cutting assembly is immediately proximate to the printing assembly, such that the media scraper is configured to guide a printed media off the platen roller and toward the cutting blade and in the disengaged position, the mounting apparatus rotates about the hinge, and a distance between the cutting assembly and the printing assembly is increased, thereby increasing a defined gap between the platen roller and the media scraper.

[0004] In a variation of this embodiment, the distance between the cutting assembly and the printing assembly is increased in a direction that is substantially collinear with a direction of a processing path of the printed medium defined between the printing assembly and the cutting assembly.

[0005] In a variation of this embodiment, the cutting blade and support scraper of the cutting assembly are operatively coupled to an end of the mounting apparatus opposite the hinge.

[0006] In a variant of this embodiment, an axis of rotation of the platen roller and an axis of rotation of the hinge are parallel.

[0007] In a variant of this embodiment, an axis of rotation of the platen roller and an axis of rotation of the hinge are inclined and not orthogonal.

[0008] In a variation of this embodiment, the printing device further comprises a lock configured to secure the mounting apparatus when in the engaged position.

[0009] In a variation of this embodiment, the lock is further configured to release the mounting apparatus to move into the disengaged position.

[0010] In a variation of this embodiment, the printed medium comprises an adhesive surface.

[0011] In a variation of this embodiment, the mounting apparatus includes a sensor, such that the printing device cannot actuate the cutting blade when the cutting assembly is in the disengaged position.

[0012] In a variation of this embodiment, rotation of the mounting apparatus about the hinge is biased by one or more springs joining the mounting apparatus and the frame.

[0013] In a variation of this embodiment, a range of rotation of the mounting apparatus about the hinge is biased by one or more linked members connecting the mounting apparatus and the frame.

[0014] In a variation of this embodiment, the upper limit of a rotation range of the mounting apparatus about the hinge is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees.

[0015] In a variation of this embodiment, an upper limit of a rotation range of the mounting apparatus about the hinge is between 10 degrees and 25 degrees.

[0016] In a variation of this embodiment, the hinge is selected from a door hinge, a spring hinge, a knife hinge, a barrel hinge, a block hinge and combinations thereof.

[0017] In another embodiment, a cutting device is described herein comprising: a hinge; an actuatable cutting blade; a support scraper disposed adjacent to the actuable cutting blade; a first mounting apparatus disposed on a first side of the hinge, the actuable cutting blade and the support scraper are disposed on the first mounting apparatus; and a second mounting apparatus disposed on a second side of the hinge, the second mounting apparatus being configured to be coupled to a printer, the first mounting apparatus and the second mounting apparatus rotating relative to each other about the hinge between an engaged position, in which the actuable cutting blade is configured to be operable, and a disengaged position, in which the actuable cutting blade is configured to be non-operative.

[0018] In a variation of this embodiment, the cutting device is configured to interface with a locking mechanism of the printing device, such that the cutting device is secured and prevented from rotating about the hinge, when in the engaged position.

[0019] In a variation of this embodiment, the cutting device further comprises a sensor and a control circuit, configured so that the cutting device is prevented from actuating the actuable cutting blade, when it is in the disengaged position.

[0020] In a variant of this embodiment, the rotation of the cutting device around the hinge is biased by one or more springs assembling the cutting device and the printing device.

[0021] In a variant of this embodiment, the rotation of the cutting device about the hinge is biased by one or more linked elements connecting the cutting device and the printing device.

[0022] In a variant of this embodiment, the upper limit of a rotation range of the cutting device about the hinge is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees.

[0023] In a variant of this embodiment, the upper limit of a rotation range of the cutting device around the hinge is between 10 degrees and 25 degrees.

[0024] In a variation of this embodiment, the hinge is selected from a door hinge, a spring hinge, a knife hinge, a barrel hinge, a block hinge and combinations thereof.

[0025] In yet another embodiment, a method for loading media into a printing device is described herein, comprising the steps of: installing a media supply on a hanger; inserting a portion of media from the media supply proximate a printhead assembly, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a media processing path defined by the printing device; passing the portion of media through a printhead assembly; platen roller assembly, in a direction substantially collinear with the media processing path; passing the portion of the media through a cutter assembly, in a direction substantially collinear with the media processing path; moving the printhead assembly into an engaged position; moving the cutter assembly into an engaged position by rotating the cutter assembly about a hinge such that the cutter assembly is adjacent the platen roller assembly.

[0026] In yet another embodiment, a method for clearing a media jam from a printing device is described herein, comprising the steps of moving a cutter assembly of the printing device to a disengaged position by rotating the cutter assembly about a hinge, increasing a distance between a media scraper of the cutter assembly and a platen roller assembly, removing media forming the jam from the platen roller assembly.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a printer is described herein, comprising the steps of: installing a printhead assembly including a platen roller in a frame; installing a cutter including an actuatable blade, a media scraper, and a mounting apparatus in the frame via a hinge, such that the actuatable blade and the media scraper are operatively coupled to an end of the mounting apparatus opposite the hinge, and rotating the cutter about the hinge changes a distance between the media scraper and the platen roller in a direction substantially collinear with a media processing path of the printer.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, a printing device is described herein comprising: a cutting assembly driven by a motor, the cutting assembly configured to be moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position; a sensor configured to detect whether the cutting assembly is in the engaged position or the disengaged position; and a processor configured to: deactivate the cutting assembly in response to a sensor result indicating that the cutting assembly is in the disengaged position; and activate the cutting assembly in response to the sensor result indicating that the cutting assembly is in the engaged position.

[0029] In a variation of this embodiment, the printing device further comprises a second sensor configured to detect whether a faceplate of the cutting assembly is coupled to the cutting assembly, wherein the processor is configured to deactivate the cutting assembly in response to a result of the second sensor indicating that the faceplate has been removed from the cutting assembly and activate the cutting assembly in response to the sensor result indicating that the cutting assembly is in the engaged position. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] The accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same or functionally similar elements in all separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of the concepts which comprise the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments.

[0031] [Fig.l] illustrates a printing device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate components of the printing device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a cutting assembly of a printing device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] [Fig.4] illustrates a platen roller assembly and a latch assembly of a printing device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate configurations of a cutting assembly relative to a platen roller assembly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] [Fig. 6] illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary control circuit for a printing device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] [Fig.7] illustrates a flowchart of a method of loading media into a printing device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] [Fig.8] illustrates a flowchart of a method for clearing a media jam from a printing device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] [Fig.9] illustrates a flowchart of a method for forming a printer, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help enhance understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] The components of the apparatus and method have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, representing only those specific details which are relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details which will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description. Detailed Description

[0042] Embodiments of the media processing devices, such as printers, of the present disclosure may process (e.g., print, encode, etc.) the media by extracting the media from the media source and conveying the media to various processing components (e.g., the print head, an RFID reader / encoder, a magnetic stripe reader / encoder, etc.). Processing the media from the media source may facilitate continuous or batch media processing. For example, embodiments of the media processing devices of the present disclosure may be configured to print and / or encode media extracted from a media source, such as a roll, a reel, or a fanfold. Such media may include a continuous web such as a reel of media.The continuous web of media is coated, on one surface, with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and includes a printable surface on the opposite surface. For thermal transfer printing, the printable surface of the media is configured to receive a pigment (e.g., ink, resin, wax-resin, etc.) that is transferred from a ribbon. For direct thermal printing, a thermal printhead of the printer directly contacts the printable surface, triggering a chemical and / or physical change in a heat-sensitive colorant covering and / or embedded in at least a portion of the printable surface of the media.

[0043] The media web is fed along a supply path from the media supply to a print position positioned adjacent to the printhead (e.g., a thermal printhead). The continuous web of media is pulled through the supply path by a driven platen roller. For linerless media, the supply roller is configured to contact the adhesive surface of the linerless media as it pulls the linerless media through the supply path. The printhead is generally configured to form a nip with the platen roller to nip the linerless media between the printhead and the platen roller.This pinching or compression force ensures adequate print quality, and in some applications, ensures that sufficient tension is maintained along the continuous web of linerless media. Once printed, the printed portion of the linerless label media is advanced outward from the printer through an exit. of support through the platen roller, where it can be cut and / or torn to separate the printed label from the support stock.

[0044] As the media is passed past a platen roller, the adhesive of the linerless media may cause the linerless media to adhere to the platen roller as the platen roller assembly rotates. Because of this, the media may adhere to and / or wrap around the platen roller and / or jam at the platen roller. Removing the media wrapped on the platen roller may be difficult because access to the platen roller, in situ, is limited due to operational and structural constraints of the media processing device (e.g., the printer). For example, the components of the media processing device are typically positioned in close proximity to each other in an internal cavity of a housing having limited space.For example, the media outlet or exit is typically too narrow for the user to access the platen roll through the media outlet, and when a door assembly of the media handler is in the open position, exposing an internal cavity, a printhead assembly and / or a cutter assembly may be positioned such that it makes it difficult to reach the platen roll and remove the wound media from the platen roll. For example, in an engaged position, the printhead is positioned adjacent to the platen roll, typically leaving just enough space for the media thickness to pass through. In a disengaged position, the printhead may be moved away from the platen roll. However, the movement of the printhead assembly is also limited such that there is typically less than about one inch between the printhead and the platen roll.As another example, the cutting assembly may be positioned between the platen roller and the media outlet and may further prevent access to the platen roller. As another example, the non-driven or distal end of the platen roller is typically retained in a frame, and in some cases, extends only a small distance (e.g., less than one hundredth of an inch) such that manipulation of the distal end of the platen roller is typically impossible or impractical.

[0045] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the media processing device, such as a printer, comprises a cutting assembly, the cutting assembly comprising a motor, an actuatable cutting blade, a media scraper, a mounting apparatus and a hinge. The cutting assembly is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position by rotating about a rotational axis of the hinge. The actuatable cutting blade and the media scraper are operatively disposed at a first end of the mounting apparatus (e.g., a frame, a console, a chassis or a plate), opposite the hinge, disposed at the second end of the mounting apparatus. The hinge includes mating surfaces by which the hinge is secured, on a first side, to the mounting apparatus, and on the second side, secured to the frame (e.g., the chassis, structural members and / or a base plate) of the printer. In the engaged position, the scraper is immediately proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the platen roller, and the cutting assembly is secured to the printer at a second contact point by a locking mechanism (e.g., a latch, a clip, a magnet and / or a detent).When the locking mechanism is disengaged (e.g., selectively by a user), the cutter assembly is operable to rotate about the hinge, thereby increasing the distance between the wiper and the platen roller, which may facilitate access to the platen roller for the user (e.g., from the front and / or side of the printer) to clear a jam or blockage.

[0046] [Fig.l] illustrates a device 100 (e.g., the printer, the media processing device, the printing device), according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 100 includes a housing (not shown), a frame 104 (e.g., structural member(s), such as a base and / or a chassis configured to support at least some of the internal components in the device 100, a mounting apparatus). The frame 104 may generally refer to the various support and structural members disposed around this device 100, parts of which may be considered part of the constituent assemblies in the device 100. The housing may include a front panel, a rear panel, a side panel, a support surface, an access door assembly, and a user interface.The frame 104 supports a hanger or support spindle 108, a ribbon supply spindle 110 (e.g., in thermal transfer embodiments), a ribbon take-up spindle 112 (e.g., in thermal transfer embodiments), a cutter assembly 130 (see Figures 2A-B, 3A-B, 5A-B), a printhead assembly 150 including a printhead 152 (see Figure 2), a platen assembly 140 including a platen roller 142 (see Figures 2, 4), and electronic and drive components behind the frame 104 (in the orientation shown in [Fig.l]).The electronic and / or drive components may be operatively coupled to the hanger or media spindle 108, the ribbon supply spindle 110, the ribbon take-up spindle 112, the printhead 152 of the printhead assembly 150, and / or the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140 (see Figures 2, 4) to control the hanger or media spindle 108, the ribbon supply spindle 110, the ribbon take-up spindle 112, the printhead of the head assembly. print head 150 (see Figure 2) and / or the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140 (see Figures 2, 4) (e.g., to rotate the hanger arrangement or support spindle 108, the ribbon supply spindle 110, the ribbon take-up spindle 112, the print head of the print head assembly 150 (see Figure 2) and / or the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140). [Fig.l] defines region A, shown in more detail in Figures 2A-2B.

[0047] Figures 2A-2B illustrate views of certain components of region A of the device 100, including the cutting assembly 130 (see Figures 3A-3B), a hinge 120, the platen assembly 140 (see [Fig. 4]), and the printhead assembly 150. The cutting assembly 130 is coupled to the frame 104 (a portion of which is shown) of the device 100 by the hinge 120 and secured at a secondary point by a latch (see [Fig. 4]).The cutting assembly 130 includes an actuatable cutting blade 320 (e.g., the cutting blade, the blade) and a media scraper 310 (e.g., the media scraper, the scraping mechanism) (see Figures 3A-3B) operatively disposed proximate a first end of the cutting assembly 130, proximate (e.g., adjacent) the printhead 152 of the printhead assembly 150 and the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140, and opposite the second end of the cutting assembly at the hinge 120.

[0048] The printhead assembly 150 may transition between a disengaged position in which the printhead 152 is positioned opposite the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140, such that the printhead 152 is not positioned to print on the media, and an engaged position, in which the printhead 152 is adjacent to and forms a nip with the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140 and the printhead 152 is positioned to print on the media (e.g., the continuous web of media without backing paper with the adhesive backing). After the printhead 152 has printed on the media (e.g., via ribbon or direct thermal printing), the media may be cut by the actuatable cutting blade 320 of the cutting assembly 130 and dispensed from the device 100 via a media outlet 324 (see [Fig. 3A]).

[0049] In some examples, the printhead assembly 150 and the platen assembly 140 may be jointly considered to be a printing assembly.

[0050] The cutting assembly 130 is movable between an engaged position ([Fig. 2A]) and the disengaged position ([Fig. 2B]) via the hinge 120. As shown in [Fig. 2A], the engaged position orients the first end of the cutting assembly 130 proximate the platen assembly 140 and the printhead assembly 150, such that the actuatable cutting blade 320 and the media scraper 310 of the cutting assembly are disposed proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the printhead. 152 and the platen roller 142. In the engaged position, the device 100 may engage in routine printing operations, in which the printhead assembly 150 may print the media, and then expel the media via the platen assembly 140 to the cutter assembly 130, where the media may be cut and ejected from the device 100. In some embodiments, as the cutter assembly 130 rotates between the engaged and disengaged positions, the components of the cutter assembly 130 (e.g., the actuatable cutter blade 320, the media scraper 310, the faceplate, the motor, the mounting plate and / or the printed circuit board and / or the electronics) may rotate in unison.

[0051] As shown in [Fig. 2B], the disengaged position orients the first end of the cutter assembly 130 away from the platen assembly 140 and the printhead assembly 150, relative to the positions of the same components in the engaged position. Because the tolerance between the media scraper 310 of the cutter assembly 130 and the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140, which may be less than 0.25 inches in the engaged position, access to the platen assembly 140 is significantly limited when the cutter assembly is in the engaged position. When in the disengaged position, the distance between the media scraper and the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140 may be greater than 1 inch.The increased distance between the cutting assembly 130 and the platen assembly 140 may facilitate a user's access to the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly 140 to clear a blockage or jam (e.g., due to media sticking to and / or wrapping on the platen roller 142).

[0052] In some examples, as the cutter assembly 130 transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the distance between the media scraper and the platen assembly 140 increases in a direction that is substantially collinear or directionally similar to the direction of the media processing path between the same components. That is, the gap between the media scraper 310 and the platen roller 142 that increases as the cutter assembly 130 transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position increases in a similar direction in which printed media is ejected from the printhead assembly 150 via the platen assembly 140 to the cutter assembly 130.

[0053] Figures 3A-3B illustrate views of the cutting assembly 130 of the device 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The cutting assembly 130 includes a faceplate 322, defining the media outlet 324 which may be configured to expel the media through a slot after it has been processed. For example, the perimeter of the slot of the media outlet 324 may be completely surrounded by the faceplate. The faceplate 322 may be configured to visually integrate with the housing of the device 100, so that various features edge of both the faceplate 322 and the housing are constructed of the same material, and their edges abut in a manner that appears to be substantially visually continuous. In some embodiments, the faceplate includes structures by which a tray may be secured to the faceplate 322, in order to retain portions of the media cut by the cutting assembly 130 and expelled therefrom in an organized manner.

[0054] As shown in [Fig.3B], the cutting assembly 130 further includes the support scraper 310, the actuatable cutting blade 320, a motor 340 configured to actuate the actuatable blade, and a mounting apparatus 330, and the hinge 120. In some embodiments, the hinge 120 may be considered integrated into the cutting assembly 130. Alternatively, the hinge 120 may be considered a separate component in other embodiments.

[0055] The components of the cutting assembly 130 are attached to the mounting apparatus 330, which may be considered a frame, a system of holding elements or a mounting plate. The support scraper 310 and the actuatable cutting blade 320 are operatively disposed (e.g., coupled) proximate a first end of the mounting apparatus 330, opposite the hinge 120. The hinge 120 is attached at the second end of the cutting assembly 130 to the mounting apparatus 330 by assembly methods, which may include various fasteners such as screws, bolts, pins, rivets, welds. The hinge 120 may be disposed below / under the media outlet 324 when the cutting assembly 130 is mounted or included on a media processing device.In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, latch holes 334 are also provided on the mounting apparatus 330 and secured thereto by fasteners. In other embodiments, the latch holes 334 are an integral feature of the mounting apparatus 330 or the faceplate 322.

[0056] The operable cutting blade 320 may be configured to completely separate (cut) a portion of the backing from the backing tape or to communicate a line of weakness to the backing tape, so that a portion of the backing can be easily removed, the line of weakness defining an edge of the portion to be removed. The motor 340 may connect to an assembly comprising various conventional structures such as gears, racks, pinions, axles, transmissions, slots, spindles and the like, for example included in the cutting assembly 130, with which the mechanical force of the motor 340 is transferred to the operable cutting blade 320.

[0057] The hinge 120 includes hinge plates 122 having fixing holes, as well as a hinge pin forming an axle 124, the separated portions of the hinge plates 122 of which are bent to form a barrel. The hinge plates 122 are configured to mutually rotate about a hinge axis of rotation defined by the axis (e.g., the axis of rotation extends in an axial direction relative to the axis), limited by the positions in which the two hinge plates abut each other (e.g., when the cutting assembly is in the engaged position). In one example, the hinge axis of rotation extends orthogonally to the path that the platen assembly carrier 140 follows to the cutting assembly 130. The first hinge plate 122 is attached to the mounting apparatus 330 of the cutting assembly 130, and the second hinge plate 122 is attached to the housing 104 of the device 100, and thus the cutting assembly 130 is operable to rotate about the hinge axis, relative to the device 100.According to some embodiments, the hinge 120 may be one of a door hinge, a spring hinge, a knife hinge, a barrel hinge, a block hinge, combinations thereof, and the like.

[0058] [Fig. 4] illustrates the platen assembly 140 and a latch assembly 410, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The platen assembly 140 includes the platen roller 142, platen bearings 146, and a platen shaft 144. The illustrated platen roller 142 defines a cylindrical body having an outer core circumferentially disposed around and fixed relative to the platen shaft 144. The outer core is adapted to drive the media firmly and uniformly against the printhead assembly 150. In various embodiments, the outer core of the platen roller 142 may be made from a rubber or other similar material that is adapted to grip and compress the media against a printhead 152 during printing operations.The illustrated platen shaft 144 may be a unitary structure and / or may extend the entire length of the platen assembly 140, through the platen roller 142 and the platen bearings 142. The illustrated platen bearings 146 are structured to allow the platen shaft 144 (and platen roller 142) to rotate about a platen rotation axis, which extends axially relative to the platen shaft 144, while being fixedly secured in situ to the frame 104.

[0059] [Fig. 4] further illustrates the latch assembly 410, including latch pins 412, a latch shaft 418, a lever 414, and a spring 416. The latch pins 412 are attached to the latch shaft 418, which is tensioned by the spring 416, and the lever 414 is attached to the latch shaft 418. The latch pins 412 are configured to interface with latch holes disposed on the cutter assembly, which may be disposed in the mounting apparatus 330 or in a portion of the faceplate 322. The latch assembly 410 is used to secure the cutter assembly 130 to the device 100 at a second contact point (the first being the hinge 120). The latch assembly 410 may be disengaged by depressing the lever 414, which provides sufficient force to overcome the retaining force applied to the latch shaft 418 by the spring 416. The latch shaft 418 rotates (about a latch rotation axis that extends axially relative to the latch shaft 418), and the latch pins 412 no longer engage the latch holes 334 of the cutter assembly 130, and the cutter assembly 130 is free to rotate about the rotation axis of the hinge 120. The latch shaft 418 may extend to be parallel to the platen axis 144, and the rotation axes of the latch shaft 418 and the platen axis 144 are parallel to each other (e.g., within tolerances).The latch assembly may be reengaged by returning the cutting assembly 130 to the engaged position, the process of which biases the latch pins 412 along its inclined surface, forcing a rotation of the latch assembly, facilitating the latch pins 412 to reengage the latch holes 334 of the cutting assembly 130.

[0060] [Fig.5A] illustrates the interaction between the cutting assembly 130 and the platen assembly 140 in the engaged position, with certain components of the device 100 concealed, so that certain features are more easily seen, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] In some embodiments, the rotational axis of the platen roller 142 and the rotational axis of the hinge 120 are parallel (e.g., within tolerances). That is, when the cutting assembly 130 transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the rotational axis of the hinge 120 about which the cutting assembly 130 rotates is parallel to the rotational axis about which the platen roller 142 rotates. Both the rotational axis of the platen roller 142 and the rotational axis of the hinge 120 are substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the media is expelled from the platen assembly 140. In other embodiments, the rotational axis of the platen roller 142 and the rotational axis of the hinge 120 are inclined and not orthogonal.

[0062] In some embodiments, the axis of rotation of the latch shaft 418 and the axis of rotation of the hinge 120 are parallel. That is, when the cutting assembly 130 transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the axis of rotation of the hinge 120 about which the cutting assembly 130 rotates is parallel to the axis of rotation about which the latch shaft 418 rotates (e.g., within tolerances). Both the axis of rotation of the latch shaft 418 and the axis of rotation of the hinge 120 are substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the media is expelled from the platen assembly 140. In other embodiments, the axis of rotation of the platen roller 142 and the axis of rotation of the hinge 120 are inclined and not orthogonal.

[0063] [Fig.5B] illustrates the interaction between the cutting assembly 130 and the platen assembly 140 in the disengaged position, with certain components of the device 100 concealed, so that certain features are more easily seen, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] In some examples, the range of rotation of the cutting assembly 130 about the hinge 120 relative to the device 100 is biased (e.g., limited) by internal components, such as the motor 340, which may rotate in contact with the other internal components such as the frame 104 or the platen assembly 140. In other examples, the range of rotation of the cutting assembly 130 about the hinge 120 relative to the device 100 is biased (e.g., limited) by biasing members, such as pin or sliding links, springs, and other components capable of limiting the rotation of the cutting assembly 130 about the hinge 120, which may join the device frame 100 and the cutting assembly 130 at a secondary or tertiary location.

[0065] In some examples, the rotational range of the cutting assembly 130 about the hinge 120 relative to the device 100 is in a range of 0 degrees (e.g., the engaged position) to 45 degrees. According to various embodiments, the upper limit of the rotational range of the cutting assembly 130 about the hinge 120, relative to the engaged position which is 0 degrees, is about 15 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 35 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 45 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 55 degrees, or about 60 degrees.

[0066] In some examples, the disengaged position may refer to any of the positions of the cutting assembly 130 that is not the engaged position. That is, the cutting assembly, at any rotation index greater than 0 degrees (the engaged position being at 0 degrees), may be considered to be in the disengaged position, regardless of the upper limit of the rotation range of the cutting assembly 130.

[0067] Some embodiments include sensors configured to detect whether the cutting assembly is in the engaged position and / or whether the faceplate 322 is attached to the cutting assembly 130 (e.g., of the mounting apparatus 330). The sensors may take various forms, and may be disposed in the device 100 or in the cutting assembly 130 or in a combination of both. The sensors may be magnetic sensors, optical sensors, or other types of proximity, interruption, transmission, or reflection sensors. The sensors may work in conjunction with a control circuit or processor, such that when the sensors detect that the cutting assembly 130 is in the disengaged position or that the faceplate 322 is detached from the cutting assembly 130 (e.g., of the mounting apparatus 330), the processor does not provide power to and / or drive the motor 340 responsible for actuating the actuable cutting blade 320, such that the cutting function of the cutting assembly is inoperative. When the sensors detect that the cutting assembly 130 is in the engaged position and the faceplate 322 is secured to the cutting assembly 130, the processor may provide power to and / or drive the motor 340, provided that other operational parameters are satisfied.

[0068] [Fig. 6] is a representative block diagram of an exemplary logic circuit capable of implementing, for example, one or more components of the device 100 of Figures 1-5B. The circuit may be included in the cutting assembly, the device 100, or a combination of both. The exemplary logic circuit of [Fig. 6] is a processing platform 600 capable of executing instructions, for example, to implement operations of the exemplary methods described herein, as may be represented by the flowcharts in the drawings accompanying this disclosure. Other exemplary logic circuits capable of, for example, implementing operations of the exemplary methods described herein include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0069] The exemplary processing platform 600 of [Fig. 6] includes a processor 602, such as, for example, one or more microprocessors, controllers, and / or any suitable type of processor. The exemplary processing platform 600 of [Fig. 6] includes a memory 604 (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory) accessible by the processor 602 (e.g., via a memory controller). The exemplary processor 602 interacts with the memory 604 to obtain, for example, machine-readable instructions stored in the memory 604 corresponding, for example, to the operations depicted by the flowcharts of the present disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the machine-readable instructions corresponding to the exemplary operations described herein may be stored in one or more removable media (e.g., a CD, a DVD, removable flash memory, etc.) which may be coupled to the processing platform 600 to provide access to machine-readable instructions stored thereon.

[0070] The processing platform 600 receives inputs from the sensors 620A-620B (generally or collectively, the sensor(s) 620). The sensors 620 are illustrated in [Fig. 6] as in copy, but the platform 600 may connect to as many as fifty sensors 620. The sensors 620 may be configured to detect whether the cutting assembly 130 of the device 100 is in the engaged position or the disengaged position. The sensors 620 may be configured to detect whether the faceplate 322 of the cutting assembly has been removed. The sensors 620 may be configured to detect whether the printhead assembly 150 is in the engaged position or the disengaged position. The processing platform receives the sensor result, and based on the value of the result, may execute a command to stop driving and / or delivering power to the motor 340 (e.g., deactivating the cutting assembly) or to actuate or drive the motor 340, thereby actuating the actuatable cutting blade 320 (e.g., activating the cutting assembly). If the sensor detects that the cutter assembly is in the disengaged position, the platform 600 may disable and / or cease driving the motor 340. If the print head 152 is in the disengaged position, the platform 600 may disable and / or cease driving the motor 340. If the faceplate 322 has been removed from the cutter assembly, the platform 600 may disable and / or cease driving the motor 640.

[0071] In some embodiments, the platform 600 may be used in conjunction with other printer control circuitry and programming, and other conditions may be necessary to fully enable the device 100 to process the media.

[0072] The above description refers to a block diagram of the accompanying drawings. Alternative implementations of the example represented by the block diagram include one or more additional or alternative elements, processes, and / or devices. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the example frames of the diagram may be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. The components represented by the frames of the diagram are implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. In some examples, at least one of the components represented by the frames is implemented by a logic circuit.As used herein, the term "logic circuit" is expressly defined as a physical device comprising at least one hardware component configured (e.g., by operation according to a predetermined configuration and / or by execution of machine-readable instructions) to control one or more machines and / or carry out the operations of the one or more machines. Examples of a logic circuit include one or more sensors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontrollers (MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more special-purpose computer chips, and one or more system-on-chip (SoC) devices.Some examples of logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs, are hardware specifically configured for . perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if present). Some example logic circuits are hardware that executes machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if present). Some exemplary logic circuits include a combination of specifically configured hardware and hardware that executes the machine-readable instructions. The above description refers to the various operations described herein and to the flowcharts that may be attached thereto to illustrate the flow of these operations. These flowcharts are representative of the exemplary methods described herein.In some examples, the methods represented by the flowcharts implement the apparatus represented by the block diagrams. Alternative implementations of the example methods described herein may include additional or alternative operations. Further, the operations of the alternative implementations of the methods described herein may be combined, divided, rearranged, or omitted. In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g., the processor(s)). In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by one or more configurations of one or more specifically designed logic circuits (e.g., ASICs).In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by a combination of specifically designed logic circuit(s) and machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by logic circuit(s).

[0073] As used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a tray of a hard disk drive, a DVD, a CD, flash memory, read-only memory, random access memory, etc.) on which machine-readable instructions (e.g., program code in the form of, for example, software and / or firmware) are stored for any suitable duration (e.g., permanently, for an extended period of time (e.g., while a program associated with the machine-readable instructions is being executed), and / or a short period of time (e.g., while the machine-readable instructions are cached and / or during a buffering process)). Further, as used herein, each of the The terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" are expressly defined to exclude propagation signals. That is, as used in any of the claims of this patent, none of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" can be read to be implemented by a propagation signal.

[0074] [Fig.7] illustrates a flowchart 700 for a method of loading media into a printer, such as device 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] In the method 710, access to the internal cavity of a printing device, such as the device 100, is provided to a user. In various examples, this may be achieved via an access door disposed in a housing around the printing device, or by moving the housing or a portion thereof.

[0076] In the method 720, the cutting assembly (e.g., the cutting assembly 130 of the device 100) transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position, which, in various embodiments, may be achieved in response to receiving an actuation of a lever that disengages a latch (e.g., the latch assembly 410), facilitating release of the cutting assembly from a secondary contact point, such that the cutting device rotates about a hinge joining the cutting assembly and the printing device to a primary contact point. When the latch mechanism is disengaged, the cutting assembly may be actuated to rotate about the hinge, thereby increasing the distance between the doctor blade (e.g., the media doctor blade) and the platen roller (e.g., the platen roller 142).The printhead assembly (e.g., printhead assembly 150) may also transition into a disengaged position, in which the printhead (e.g., printhead 152) of the printhead assembly is moved away from the platen roller.

[0077] In the method 730, a supply of media is received in the printing device. The supply of media may be in the form of a roll, a spool, or an accordion stack. Such media may comprise a continuous web such as a roll of media without backing paper. In some examples, the supply of media may be disposed on a media hanger or spindle (e.g., the media hanger or spindle 108).

[0078] In the method 740, a portion of the media is conveyed between the printhead assembly and the platen roller assembly, which can be achieved by receiving the portion of the media strip below the printhead and above the platen roller in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the processing path of the device and / or in an axial direction relative to the platen axis. In some examples, the frame 740 may require other maneuvers to properly insert the media into the processing path, such as wrapping the media around rollers or other components in the printing device. For example, in some examples, the platen assembly includes auxiliary structures such as a frame and media guides, which require that the media be fed through the platen assembly in the same direction as the media processing path.

[0079] In method 750, a terminal end of the media strip is fed through the media outlet of the cutter assembly while the cutter assembly is in the disengaged position to provide space for navigating the terminal end of the media through the slot of the media outlet. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the media cannot be inserted into the cutter assembly or the media outlet laterally from one side of the printer. Thus, allowing the cutter assembly 130 to rotate into the disengaged position provides the additional space for threading the terminal end of the media through the cutter assembly and the media outlet in a direction that generally corresponds to a media path that the media travels from the platen roller to the media outlet.

[0080] In method 760, the cutting assembly transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position, for example in response to rotation of the cutting assembly about the hinge toward the device 100, until the latch is reengaged, and the cutting assembly is secured at the primary and secondary contact points. In the engaged position, the support scraper and / or the cutting blade are immediately proximate (adjacent) to the platen roller

[0081] In frame 770 of the method, the printhead assembly transitions into the engaged position. In the engaged position, the printhead is generally configured to form a nip with the platen roller to nip the media between the printhead and the platen roller. After frame 770, the media is loaded into the printer, the printer is ready for operation, and the method can be completed.

[0082] With respect to [Fig. 7], the method illustrated by the flowchart 700 may be carried out, in certain cases, in an order different from the order presented, and may omit certain steps or include other steps not described.

[0083] [Fig. 8] illustrates a flowchart 800 for a method of clearing a media jam from a printing device (e.g., device 100) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] In the method 810, the cutting assembly (e.g., the cutting assembly 130 of the device 100) transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position, which, in various embodiments, may be achieved in response to actuation of a lever that disengages a latch (e.g., the latch assembly 410), facilitating release of the cutting assembly from a secondary contact point, such that the cutting device rotates about a hinge joining the cutting assembly and the printing device to a primary contact point. When the latch mechanism is disengaged, the cutting assembly may operate to rotate about the hinge, thereby increasing the distance between the doctor blade (e.g., the media doctor blade) and the platen roller (e.g., the platen roller 142).When the cutter assembly is in the disengaged position, there is room to access the platen roller from the front of the printing device and / or from one side of the printing device.

[0085] In frame 820, with the cutter assembly in the disengaged position, access to the platen roller is provided to facilitate removal of the media jam by the platen roller without removing the platen roller from the platen assembly and the printing device. Removal of the media jam may be facilitated by manually articulating the platen roller, in the event that media adheres thereto, and / or detaching the media from the platen roller. In some examples, the media that has jammed in the printing device may be a strip of media without backing paper, the adhesive surface of which has adhered to the platen roller.

[0086] In frame 830, a terminal end of the media strip may be received and / or rerouted by the platen assembly and the printhead assembly and by the cutter assembly and the media outlet of the cutter assembly.

[0087] In method 840, the cutting assembly transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position by rotating the cutting assembly about the hinge toward the device 100 until the latch is reengaged and the cutting assembly is secured at the primary and secondary contact points. In the engaged position, the media scraper and / or the cutting assembly are immediately proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the platen roller. In some embodiments, the terminal end of the media strip may be fed through the media outlet of the cutting assembly as the cutting assembly transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position. After the frame 830, the media jam is removed, the media is re-fed by the printing device, and the process can be completed.

[0088] Regarding [Fig. 8], the method illustrated by the flowchart 800 may be carried out, in certain cases, in an order different from the order presented, and may omit certain steps or include other steps not described.

[0089] [Fig.9] illustrates a flowchart 900 of a method for forming a printer (e.g., device 100), according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0090] Within the frame 910 of the method, a frame (e.g., frame 104) or chassis is provided. The frame may be configured to facilitate attachment of various printer components to the frame, via fasteners or other attachment methods.

[0091] Within the method 920, various printer components are installed, such as hangers or support pins (e.g., hanger or support pin 108), drive assemblies, a platen assembly (e.g., platen assembly 140), a printhead assembly (e.g., printhead assembly 150), the ribbon supply spindle (e.g., ribbon supply spindle 110), a ribbon take-up spindle (e.g., ribbon take-up spindle 112), a housing, and the like.

[0092] In method 930, a cutting assembly (e.g., cutting assembly 130) is mounted to the frame of the printing device. The cutting assembly includes an actuatable cutting blade (e.g., actuatable cutting blade 320) and a media scraper (e.g., media scraper 310) operatively disposed proximate a first end of the cutting assembly 130, proximate (e.g., adjacent) the printhead (e.g., printhead 152) of the printhead assembly and the platen roller of the platen roller assembly, and opposite the second end of the cutting assembly at a hinge (e.g., hinge 120). The cutting assembly can be locked in an engaged position and can move between the engaged position and a disengaged position via the hinge and based on operation of the lock.The engaged position orients the first end of the cutter assembly proximally relative to the platen roller assembly and the printhead assembly. The disengaged position orients the first end of the cutter assembly away from the platen assembly and the printhead assembly, relative to the positions of the same components in the engaged position. Because the tolerance between the cutter assembly support scraper 130 and the platen roller 142 of the platen assembly may be less than 0.25 inches in the engaged position, access to the platen assembly 140 is significantly limited. When it . is in the disengaged position, the distance between the support scraper and the platen assembly 140 may be greater than 1 inch.

[0093] In some examples, as the cutter assembly 130 transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the distance between the media scraper and the platen assembly 140 increases in a direction that is substantially collinear, or directionally similar to the direction of the media processing path between the same components. That is, the gap between the media scraper and the platen roller 142 that increases as the cutter assembly 130 transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position increases in a similar direction in which printed media is ejected from the printhead assembly 150 via the platen assembly 140 to the cutter assembly 130.

[0094] In frame 940 of the method, the control circuit (e.g., platform 600) is connected between the cutting assembly and the printing device. After frame 940, the method can be concluded.

[0095] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present teachings. Furthermore, the described embodiments / exemplary implementations are not to be construed as mutually exclusive and are, instead, to be understood as potentially combinable, if such combinations are permissive in any way.In other words, any feature described in any of the previously mentioned embodiments / examples / implementations may be included in any of the other previously mentioned embodiments / examples / implementations.

[0096] Benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element that may cause a benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. The claimed invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0097] Additionally, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying an actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "includes," " comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes”, “including”, “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or apparatus which comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises ... a”, “has ... a”, “includes ... a”, “contains ... a” shall not, without further constraint, exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or apparatus which comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more, unless explicitly stated otherwise.The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," or any other version thereof, are defined to be close to what is understood by those skilled in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined to be connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least one way but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0098] The abstract of the disclosure is intended to enable the reader to quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not to be interpreted or limited in scope or meaning by the claims. Furthermore, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped in different embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Instead, as the following claims reflect, the subject matter may lie in less than all of the features of a single disclosed embodiment.Accordingly, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim deemed valid as separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

Claims

1. A printing device comprising: a frame; a printing assembly comprising a print head and a platen roller; and a cutting assembly comprising a cutting blade and a media scraper, the cutting assembly being disposed on a mounting apparatus which is coupled to the frame by a hinge and has an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein: in the engaged position, the cutting assembly is immediately proximate the printing assembly, such that the media scraper is configured to guide a printed medium off the platen roller and toward the cutting blade, and in the disengaged position, the mounting apparatus is rotated about the hinge, and a distance between the cutting assembly and the printing assembly is increased, thereby increasing a defined gap between the platen roller and the media scraper.

2. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the distance between the cutting assembly and the printing assembly is increased in a direction that is substantially collinear with a direction of a processing path of the printed medium defined between the printing assembly and the cutting assembly.

3. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the cutting blade and the support scraper of the cutting assembly are operatively coupled to an end of the mounting apparatus opposite the hinge.

4. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation axis of the platen roller and a rotation axis of the hinge are parallel.

5. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein a rotation axis of the platen roller and a rotation axis of the hinge are inclined and not orthogonal.

6. The printing device of claim 1, further comprising a latch, configured to secure the mounting apparatus, when in the engaged position.

7. The printing device of claim 6, wherein the latch is further configured to release the mounting apparatus to move into the disengaged position.

8. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printed medium comprises an adhesive surface.

9. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises a sensor, such that the printing device cannot actuate the cutting blade when the cutting assembly is in the disengaged position.

10. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the mounting apparatus about the hinge is biased by one or more springs connecting the mounting apparatus and the frame.

11. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein a rotational range of the mounting apparatus about the hinge is biased by one or more linked members connecting the mounting apparatus and the frame.

12. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein an upper limit of a rotation range of the mounting apparatus around the hinge is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees.

13. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein an upper limit of a rotation range of the mounting apparatus around the hinge is between 10 degrees and 25 degrees.

14. A printing device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is selected from a door hinge, a spring hinge, a knife hinge, a barrel hinge, a block hinge and a combination of these hinges.

15. A cutting device comprising: a hinge; an actuatable cutting blade; a support scraper disposed adjacent to the actuatable cutting blade; a first mounting apparatus disposed on a first side of the hinge, the actuatable cutting blade and the support scraper are disposed on the first mounting apparatus; and a second mounting apparatus disposed on a second side of the hinge, the second mounting apparatus being configured to be coupled to a printer, the first mounting apparatus and the second mounting apparatus rotate relative to each other about the hinge between an engaged position in which the actuable cutting blade is configured to be operative and a disengaged position in which the actuable cutting blade is configured to be non-operative.

16. The cutting device of claim 15, wherein the hinge is configured to facilitate contacting the cutting device with a printing device and separating the cutting device from the printing device, the hinge defining an engaged position and a disengaged position of the cutting device relative to the printing device, such that in the engaged position, the media scraper is immediately proximate a platen roller of the printing device and the media scraper is configured to guide printed media from the platen roller to the actuatable cutting blade, and in the disengaged position, the first mounting apparatus is rotated about the hinge, such that a distance between the media scraper and the platen roller is increased in a direction substantially collinear with a direction of a portion of a media processing path.

17. The cutting device of claim 16, further configured to interface with a locking mechanism of the printing device, such that the cutting device is secured and prevented from rotating about the hinge, when in the engaged position.

18. The cutting device of claim 16, further comprising a sensor and a control circuit, configured such that the cutting device is prevented from actuating the actuable cutting blade, when in the disengaged position.

19. A cutting device according to claim 16, wherein rotation of the cutting device about the hinge is biased by one or more springs connecting the cutting device and the printing device.

20. A cutting device according to claim 16, wherein rotation of the cutting device about the hinge is biased by one or more linked members connecting the cutting device and the printing device.

21. A cutting device according to claim 16, wherein an upper limit of a rotation range of the cutting device about the hinge is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees.

22. A cutting device according to claim 16, wherein an upper limit of a rotation range of the cutting device about the hinge is between 10 degrees and 25 degrees.

23. A cutting device according to claim 16, wherein the hinge is selected from a door hinge, a spring hinge, a knife hinge, a barrel hinge, a block hinge and combinations thereof.

24. A method for loading a medium into a printing device comprising the steps of: - installing a medium supply on a suspension device; - inserting a portion of the medium from the medium supply proximate a printhead assembly, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a medium processing path defined by the printing device; - passing the portion of the medium through a platen roller assembly, in a direction substantially collinear with the medium processing path; - passing the portion of the medium through a cutter assembly, in a direction substantially collinear with the medium processing path; - passing the printhead assembly into an engaged position;and moving the cutting assembly into an engaged position by rotating the cutting assembly about a hinge such that the cutting assembly is adjacent the platen roller assembly.;

25. A method for removing a media jam from a printing device, comprising the steps of: moving a cutter assembly of the printing device to a disengaged position by rotating the cutter assembly about a hinge, increasing a distance between a media scraper of the cutter assembly and a platen roller assembly; and removing the media jam from the platen roller assembly.

26. A method of manufacturing a printer, comprising the steps of: installing a printhead assembly including a platen roller on a frame; and installing a cutter including an actuatable blade, a media scraper, and a mounting apparatus on the frame via a hinge, such that the actuatable blade and the media scraper are operably coupled to an end of the mounting apparatus opposite the hinge and rotating the cutter about the hinge changes a distance between the media scraper and the platen roller in a direction substantially collinear with a media processing path of the printer.

27. ​​A printing device comprising: a cutting assembly driven by a motor, the cutting assembly being configured to be moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position; a sensor configured to detect whether the cutting assembly is in the engaged position or the disengaged position; and a processor configured to: -deactivate the cutting assembly in response to a sensor result indicating that the cutting assembly is in the disengaged position; and -activate the cutting assembly in response to the sensor result indicating that the cutting assembly is in the engaged position.

28. The printing device of claim 27, further comprising a second sensor configured to detect whether a faceplate of the cutting assembly is coupled to the cutting assembly, wherein the processor is configured to deactivate the cutting assembly in response to a result of the second sensor indicating that the faceplate has been removed from the cutting assembly and activate the cutting assembly in response to the result of the sensor indicating that the cutting assembly is in the engaged position.

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