PRINTER WASTE DIVIDERS

Abstract

This document describes a mechanism for directing waste from guillotines and cutters in a direction that allows for more efficient use of the waste collection container's volume. The waste drive mechanism includes at least one armature that propels the waste in the desired direction. The armature is made of a flexible material and has a curved shape to allow for pre-loaded force against a contact surface of the waste collection container. This pre-loaded, flexible armature provides sufficient force to direct the waste in the desired direction, thus enabling more consistent use of the container's volume.

Description

PRINTER WASTE DIVIDERS ML / a / ZUZÓ / UU4 i uu RELATED APPLICATION This application is not provisional and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 087,587, filed on October 5, 2020. All publications, patents, patent applications, databases, and other references cited in this application, all related applications referenced herein, and all references cited therein, are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if restated herein in their entirety and as if each individual publication, patent, patent application, database, or other reference were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While a white margin surrounding the printed material is desirable in certain applications, other applications, such as photographs, are expected to have an image that extends to the edges of the material. To achieve this, printers, such as thermal printers, can use guillotine and cutter mechanisms to remove excess printing media. Guillotines cut the printing media perpendicular to the print head, and cutters cut it parallel to the print head. This provides users with a wider range of print sizes without requiring numerous pre-cut sizes of printing media. Guillotines, cutters, and related components are generally known in the prior art, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,312,798 and 7,163,287, which are incorporated herein by reference. Guillotine and cutter waste is typically deposited into a waste collection container to prevent it from being ejected with the printed media. Waste disposal is primarily gravity-fed. Guillotine waste varies widely depending on the desired print size. For example, 6-inch-wide print media (such as thermal paper) can be cut using either 4-inch or 1-inch-wide guillotines, depending on the user's preference. While cutter waste is generally determined by the printer's logic and remains constant regardless of the print size, cutter waste can also vary in certain applications. Therefore, numerous waste sizes can be generated.Relying on gravity to deposit waste into a waste collection container often results in inconsistent and inefficient disposal, especially when the size of the waste varies. This can lead to problems and inconveniences for the user, such as paper jams or the need to empty the waste collection containers more frequently. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The inventions described herein solve the problems described above and provide apparatus and methods for efficiently depositing waste into one or more printer waste collection containers. Specifically, waste diversion mechanisms are described for directing waste into an efficient configuration within one or more waste collection containers. This allows for more advantageous use of the waste collection container volume and prevents problems such as paper jams. Waste diversion mechanisms can be manufactured from any flexible material, such as plastic. These mechanisms can be made with a curved shape to allow a pre-loaded force to be applied against a contact surface of the collection container, which has a predetermined volume. This allows the pre-loaded flexible armature to provide sufficient force to guide the waste in the desired direction. In at least one mode, one or more waste diversion mechanisms can be used to direct guillotine waste in a direction parallel to the print head. In at least one modality, guillotine waste and cutter waste can be deposited in the same separate collection container with a predetermined volume. In at least one modality, guillotine waste and cutter waste can be deposited in separate collection containers with predetermined volumes. In at least one mode, a threshold can be set to alert the user that one or more waste collection containers are full or at a specific capacity. This threshold can be detected using at least one or more predictive, mechanical, electrical, optical, or other means. In at least one embodiment, one or more waste collection containers may be connected to a mechanism for shredding, compacting, or reducing the volume of, or disposing of, the waste. For example, a vacuum cleaner or a hopper may be used for waste disposal. Shredding mechanisms known in the prior art, such as those described in US Patent No. 2011 / 0293351, which is incorporated by reference, may also be used. ML / a / ZUZÓ / UU4 I uu BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Several modalities will be described in accordance with this disclosure with reference to the drawings, in which: FIGURE 1A illustrates a sample image printed on a portion of a printed medium. FIGURE 1B illustrates an example of how to cut off excess printing medium. FIGURE 2A illustrates an example of inefficient waste stacking in a waste collection container. FIGURE 2B illustrates an example of efficient waste stacking in a waste collection container. FIGURE 3 illustrates an example of a waste diverter attached to a guillotine assembly on a guillotine drive belt. FIGURE 4 illustrates an example of a waste diverter coupled to a drive belt. FIGURE 5 illustrates an example of a waste diverter coupled to a guillotine drive belt. FIGURE 6 illustrates an example of a waste diverter in a waste collection container, with side and front views. FIGURE 7A-7D illustrates the use of an example of a waste diverter to direct waste, with side and front views. FIGURE 7E illustrates an example of efficient stacking resulting from the process shown in FIGURE 7A-7D, with side and front views. FIGURE 8 illustrates an example of a passive waste diverter in a waste collection container. FIGURE 9A-9C illustrates the use of an example of a passive waste diverter to direct waste, with side and front views. FIGURE 9D illustrates an example of efficient stacking resulting from the process shown in FIGURE 9A-9C, with side and front views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description will outline several modalities. For explanatory purposes, specific configurations and details are provided to offer a thorough understanding of the modalities. However, it will also be evident to someone skilled in the field that the modalities can be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified to avoid obscuring the modality being described. Systems and methods in accordance with various modalities of this disclosure may overcome one or more of the deficiencies mentioned above and other deficiencies experienced in conventional approaches to collecting printer waste. The following describes and suggests other functions and advantages that can be provided according to the various modalities. Figure 1A illustrates an example of image 120 printed on a portion of the printing medium 100 by the thermal printhead 110 in the receiver 150 transport direction. While a thermal printhead is generally associated with a thermal printer, any suitable printer may be used in accordance with the procedures described herein. Similarly, the printing medium 100 may consist of thermal paper or other media suitable for the printer used. Image content 120 can be printed in such a way as to use all of print media 100, or only a subset of it. If not all of print media 100 is used for printing, there will be excess blank space on one or more sides of print media 100. Print media 100 may include excess receiver 130 in the width direction on one or both sides, which can be trimmed by one or more guillotines in the guillotine direction 160. For example, if print media 100 is 6 inches wide and image content 120 is 4 inches wide, a guillotine can trim the 2-inch excess. The print medium 100 may also include the overbleed area 140 in the length direction on one or both sides, which can be cut with one or more cutters in the cutting direction 170. For example, if the print medium 100 is 8 inches long and the image content 120 is 6 inches.5 inches long, a cutter can trim off the excess 1.5 inches. Guillotines, cutters, and related components known in the prior art, as described above, may be used. It should be understood that the arrangement of components depicted in FIGURE 1A and elsewhere is not the only arrangement contemplated. Other arrangements are possible and would be obvious to a person skilled in the art based on this disclosure. Figure 1B illustrates an example of excess printing medium trimming from printing medium 100. As printing medium 100 travels in the transport direction of receiver 150, the excess receiver 130 can be cut with a guillotine to form guillotine waste 135. Similarly, the overbleed area 140 can be cut with a cutter to form cutter waste 145. The guillotine waste 135 and cutter waste 145 can be deposited into the waste collection container 190, or into one or more waste collection containers. As described above, there can be an excess receiver 130 and an overbleed area 140 on both sides of printing medium 100. Therefore, the guillotine waste and the overbleed waste ML / a / ZUZÓ / UU4 i uu cutters can be created from both sides. After cutting the excess print medium from the print medium 100, the image content 120 is ejected into the print collection tray 180. Figure 2A illustrates an example of inefficient stacking of waste 210 in the waste collection container 200, without the benefits of the invention described herein. The waste 210 may consist of guillotine waste, cutter waste, or other waste, such as hole punch waste. In this configuration, the waste 210 is placed vertically in the waste collection container 200, resulting in inefficient use of space. This can lead to problems such as paper jams or overflowing of the waste container. Figure 2B illustrates an example of efficient stacking of waste 210 in the waste collection container 200, using one or more embodiments of the invention described herein. The waste 210 may consist of guillotine waste, cutter waste, or other waste, such as drill waste. In this configuration, the waste 210 is placed horizontally and flat to make more efficient use of the space in the waste collection container 200. Figure 3 illustrates an example of waste diverter 310 attached to the guillotine assembly 340 on a guillotine drive belt 320. Waste diverter 310 is attached to the guillotine drive belt 320 using belt clamp 330 and screw 350. Note, however, that waste diverter 310 can be attached to other drive belts and can be attached in any way. For example, waste diverter 310 can be attached to the drive belt 320 using a rivet or other fastener. In the configuration shown in Figure 3, the waste diverter 310 mirrors the location of the guillotine due to its attachment. In this way, the waste diverter 310 can easily direct the waste from the guillotine through the movement of the guillotine drive belt 320. An example of this waste direction is described in FIGURE 7A-7D, which is discussed below. Figure 4 illustrates an example of waste diverter 410 connected to drive belt 420. Waste diverter 410 is attached to drive belt 420 using belt clamp 430, bracket 440, and screw 450. In this configuration, waste diverter 410 can be connected to a belt that is not connected to any other component or other drive belts of the printer, such as guillotine or cutter drive belts. In this way, waste diverter 410 can easily direct waste through the movement of drive belt 420. As mentioned earlier, waste diverter 410 can be connected to drive belt 420 in any way. Ó / UU4 I uu Figure 5 illustrates an example of a waste diverter 510 attached to the cutter drive belt 520. The waste diverter 510 is attached to the cutter drive belt 520 using the belt clamp 530, bracket 540, and screw 550. The cutter 570 can also be connected to the cutter drive belt 520. The drive belt 520 can be moved using a cutter drive belt assembly 560. In the configuration shown in Figure 5, the waste diverter 510 has a fixed position on the cutter drive belt 520 relative to the cutter 570. In this way, the waste diverter 510 can easily direct the guillotine or cutter waste through the movement of the cutter drive belt 520. As mentioned previously, the 510 waste diverter can be connected to the mower's 520 drive belt in either way. Figure 6 illustrates an example of a waste diverter 610 pre-loaded into a waste collection container 600. The dashed lines show the natural position of the waste diverter 610 without any force being applied. As described earlier, the waste diverter 610 can be made of a flexible material such as plastic. When the waste diverter 610 is pre-loaded into the waste collection container 600, it will bend and position itself so that it touches the wall of the waste collection container 600. Therefore, when waste is deposited into the waste collection container 600 against that same wall, the waste diverter 610 can direct the waste in a particular direction by moving in a specific direction. This movement can be accomplished using drive belts such as those shown and described in relation to Figures 3-5.An example of this is described in FIGURE 7A-7D, which is discussed below. Figures 7A-7D illustrate the use of an example of a waste diverter 710 to direct waste 720 to a desirable and efficient location in the waste collection container 700. As shown in Figure 7A, after being cut from the printing medium 100, waste 720 can fall vertically into the waste collection container 700. As mentioned earlier, this is inefficient and undesirable. To alleviate this problem, the diverter 710 can be positioned so that waste 720 falls alongside the waste diverter 710, as shown in the front view of Figure 7A. The waste diverter 710 can then move and direct the waste 720 in the desired direction. In FIGURE 7B, the waste diverter 710 is shown moving in direction 730 to direct the waste 720 to fall in direction 740.FIGURE 7C shows the waste 720 after it falls to a horizontal position at the bottom of the waste collection container 700. After moving in direction 730, the waste diverter 710 moves in direction 750 back to its original position or another position. ML / a / ZUZÓ / UU4 I desired uu. FIGURE 7D shows the residue 720 falling naturally by gravity in the direction 760 to a flat horizontal position at the bottom of the waste collection container 700. Figure 7E illustrates the efficient stacking of residue 720 resulting from the process shown in Figure 7A-7D according to one or more embodiments of the invention. The residue 720 is stacked and placed flat in a horizontal position at the bottom of the waste collection container 700, providing the most efficient use of space. In another embodiment, FIGURE 8 illustrates an example of a passive waste diverter 810 in the waste collection container 800. This is unlike the mobile waste diverters discussed earlier. The passive waste diverter 810 is shown connected to the waste collection container 800 by means of a screw 820. Note, however, that the passive waste diverter 810 can be connected to the waste collection container 800 in any way. Figures 9A-9C illustrate the use of an example of a passive waste diverter 910 to direct waste 920 to a desirable and efficient location in the waste collection container 900. As shown in Figure 9A, after being cut from the printing medium 100, waste 920 can fall vertically into the waste collection container 900. As mentioned earlier, this is inefficient and undesirable. To alleviate this problem, the passive diverter 910 can be positioned so that waste 920 falls above it, as shown in the front view of Figure 9A. The passive waste diverter 910 can then direct the waste 920 in the desired direction. In Figure 9B, the passive waste diverter 910 is shown directing waste 920 to a horizontal position.FIGURE 9C shows the residue 920 after it falls naturally by gravity in direction 930 to a flat horizontal position at the bottom of the waste collection container 900. Figure 9D illustrates the efficient stacking of residue 920 resulting from the process shown in Figure 9A-9C according to one or more embodiments of the invention. The residue 920 is stacked and placed flat in a horizontal position at the bottom of the waste collection container 900, providing the most efficient use of space. It will be evident to persons skilled in the art that other configurations are possible through this disclosure. For example, one or more active or passive waste diverters may be used for guillotine waste, cutter waste, other waste, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the description and drawings should be regarded in an illustrative and not restrictive sense. It will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to them without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A thermal printer, comprising: at least one guillotine mechanism; at least one cutting mechanism; at least one waste collection container; and at least one waste diverter, wherein at least one waste diverter is substantially within at least one waste collection container.

2. The thermal printer of claim 1, further comprising: a guillotine drive belt, wherein the guillotine drive belt is attached to at least one guillotine mechanism and at least one waste diverter.

3. The thermal printer of claim 1, further comprising: a drive belt, wherein the drive belt is attached to said at least one waste diverter.

4. The thermal printer of claim 1, further comprising: a cutter drive belt, wherein the cutter drive belt is attached to at least one cutter mechanism and at least one waste diverter.

5. The thermal printer of claim 1, wherein the at least one waste diverter is made of a flexible material.

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