Sticky Note Mount with Guide Image for Curl-Free Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional print execution devices lack the capability to perform printing on sticky notes without a dedicated construction for handling and printing on such notes.

Innovation Solution

A print execution device with a print head, holding member, and head driving device, controlled by programs that manage the printing process to handle sticky notes by acquiring object data, generating printing data, and conveying the sticky notes in a way that allows printing without curling, using a mount with guide images for proper sticking positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a print execution device uses conventional printing construction without dedicated sticky note handling, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot properly execute printing on sticky notes due to curling and positioning issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to print on sticky notesVSAvoidprinting accuracy on sticky notes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mount is designed with a guide image that indicates the sticking position in advance. The sticky note is stuck on the mount at the position indicated by the guide image before printing. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the print head executes the main scanning operation, the sticky note is held at the correct position and does not curl, enabling reliable printing without dedicated sticky note handling construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the print head executes main scanning operation without holding member support, then the printing process is simple, but the sticky note curls and cannot be printed properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process simplicityVSAvoidprinting quality on sticky note

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mount serves as an intermediary carrier that holds the sticky note in place during the printing process. The guide image on the mount indicates the correct sticking position. When the sticky note is stuck on the mount at the indicated position, the mount structure provides support to prevent curling during the main scanning operation, enabling the print head to execute printing with simple construction while maintaining printing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sticky note is stuck at arbitrary position, then the mounting process is flexible, but the main scanning operation cannot be executed properly for printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesticking position flexibilityVSAvoidprinting execution capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide image on the mount uses visual indication (analogous to color changes or visual markers) to show the correct sticking position. The sticky note is stuck at the position indicated by the guide image, which ensures proper alignment with the print head's main scanning operation. This visual guidance system maintains sticking position flexibility while enabling proper printing execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables printing on sticky notes without an exclusively usable construction, ensuring ink discharge onto the notes without curling, thus allowing appropriate printing even in devices not specifically designed for sticky notes.

Implementation Method 1

an operation for causing the print head to discharge an ink toward the printing medium while moving the print head in a main scanning direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInk discharge:

Implementation Method 2

a holding member which holds a part of a printing medium conveyed from an upstream side toward a downstream side in the sub scanning direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical holding:

Implementation Method 3

a sticky note (post-it note) printer for executing printing on a sticky note... feeding the sticky note while peeling off a paste portion of the sticky note

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10507673B2Mount for sticking sticky note thereto and medium storing program executable by controller

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing programs executable by a controller that causes a print execution device to execute printing is provided. The print execution device includes: a print head provided with nozzles aligned in a sub scanning direction; a holding member which holds a part of a printing medium conveyed in the sub scanning direction; and a head driving device which causes the print head to execute a main scanning operation. The programs cause the controller to execute: a first acquiring process for acquiring first object data which represents a first object image to be printed on a first sticky note; a generating process for generating printing data for the print execution device to execute the printing of the first object image on the first sticky note by utilizing the first object data; and a supply process for supplying the printing data to the print execution device.