LOADING STATION FOR PRINT MEDIA ROLLS

Abstract

 The loading of print media rolls (R1, R2) for web printers (40) is a cumbersome process, which requires the insertion of a roll core support (28C) through the media roll (28, 30). During these operations, the media can become contaminated or damaged. The present invention provides a loading station (60) for temporarily holding a media roll (28, 30). The loading station comprises a roll stopper (63A-63H) which prevents movement of the media roll (cf. fig. 4) while inserting the roll core support (28C). Sometimes a foil (28D) needs to be removed from the media roll (28, 30). The loading station (60) may theerfore also be used to keep the media roll in a suspended position (cf. fig. 5) by comprising lifting devices (63A-63H) ; lifting devices can then be selectively lowered to facilitate easy removal of the foil (28D) from the media roll. Roll loading can thus be easily performed by a single operator.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally pertains to a loading station for print media rolls, a web printer comprising said loading station, and a method for loading a print media roll in a web printer.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In wide format web printing, media rolls are provided as web media wound around a hollow core. The roll's length is generally 1 meter or more, making the roll difficult to handle. To load the media roll into a web printer, the media roll is provided on a roll core support, which is slid through the hollow core of the media roll. The roll core support comprises means for engaging and driving the media roll during operation. The media roll and roll core support assembly is then placed in the printer. In practice, the loading operation is cumbersome and difficult to perform by a single operator. The media roll may in some cases be over a meter long and weigh over 20 kilos. The media roll is first retrieved from storage. Then, the roll core support is loaded, wherein in general the operator supports the media roll on the floor, thereby contaminating or even damaging the web medium. The roll core support is then inserted, often causing the media roll to slide over the floor. This leads to contamination of the web medium. The web medium may even be damaged media leading to additional operational costs. Further, the web medium may become skewed on the roll core, resulting in lateral movement of the web as it is unwound. All these factors may contribute to print artifacts in the printed images. The loading operation is further complicated when the media roll has been coated with a protective foil. A disadvantage of the known web printers is therefore the relatively complex media roll loading operation, which is prone to damage or contamination of the web medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and/or method which simplifies the media roll loading operation and reduces the risk of damaging and/or contaminating the web medium.

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, a loading station for print media rolls is provided. The loading station comprises:

• a longitudinal support structure for supporting a print media roll in a first stationary position wherein said media roll extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support structure;
• a roll stopper positionable at a longitudinal end of the support structure, which stopper when in use extends away from the support structure for limiting a longitudinal movement of the media roll as a roll core support is being slid through the print media roll.

[0005] When the media rolls rests on the longitudinal support structure, it is positioned such that it abuts the roll stopper. The roll core support is then slid into the hollow core of the media roll from the end of the media roll opposite to the roll stopper. The pushing forces for sliding in the roll core support are countered by the roll stopper, preventing movement of the media roll and allowing the operator to easily slide the roll core support into the media roll. The dedicated support structure prevents contamination as it may be reserved for roll support functions only.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the roll core stopper is moveably mounted on the support structure. The roll core stopper is configured to raise itself above the support surface of the support structure. The roll stopper is moveable between a first position wherein the roll stopper is positioned below or aligned with the support surface of the support structure and a second position wherein the roll stopper protrudes upwards from the support surface of the support structure. Preferably, the roll stopper is provided with an actuator for raising and lowering the roll stopper, for example a drive such as an electric motor or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder system. This allows for easy application of the roll stopper.

[0007] In another embodiment, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of lifting devices spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the support structure, wherein each lifting device comprises:

• an actuator for moving the lifting device in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support structure between a raised positioned and a lowered position. The lifting devices are divided over the length of the support structure. The actuators raise the lifting devices above the support structure, such that the media roll can be suspended above the support structure on two or more lifting devices. In this raised position the media roll is easily accessible to an operator, for example for removing a foil.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the loading station according to the present invention comprises at least four spaced apart lifting devices. Preferably at least two lifting devices are positioned on one side of the center of the support structure while at least two more lifting devices are positioned on the opposite side of the center of the support structure. Using at least four lifting devices prevents the media roll from tilting when at least one of the lifting devices is lowered. The media roll is then supported on at least three raised lifting devices, preferably on either side of the media rolls center of gravity. This is particularly advantageous when an operator stepwise lowers one or more of the raised lifting device from one end of the media roll to the other end to remove a foil from said media roll.

[0009] In an embodiment, each lifting device comprises a roll holder having a cross-section with two oppositely inclined side support faces when viewed along the longitudinal axis. The roll holder's cross-section thus comprises a downward funnel shape in which the media roll is stabilized or at least laterally confined. The funnel or partial V-shape prevents the media roll from rolling out of the roll holder. Thereby, the media roll is held in place when the media roll has been raised by the lifting devices. Preferably, the support structure comprises similar oppositely inclined side support faces for similar pu rposes.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a web printer, comprising a slideable drawer or tray with therein at least one roll core support holder and an actuator for driving the print media roll, wherein the drawer is provided with a loading station according to the present invention inside the drawer for temporarily supporting the print media roll during loading. The drawer or tray slides away from the printer to allow access to an operator. When a media roll in the drawer requires replacement, the drawer is slid open, giving the operator access to the roll supports and the loading station. The loading station provides a convenient temporary placeholder for a new media roll, wherein the operator can insert the roll core support into the media roll on the loading station utilizing the roll stopper. Further, by raising the media roll up by means of the lifting devices and selectively lowering one or more lifting devices while maintaining the media roll in the raised position, the operator can conveniently remove a foil from the media roll.

[0011] In an embodiment, the drawer is provided with a front facing panel, and the loading station is mounted between the front facing panel and the at least one roll core support holder. The roll core support holder comprises driving means for rotating the roll core support when positioned on the roll core support holder. The loading station is conveniently placed in between the one or more roll core support holders and the front panel, when viewed from above. This allows for easy access to the loading station when media roll replacement is required. During operation, the loading station is conveniently hidden from sight, not taking up additional space on the work floor.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the support structure comprises a plurality of lifting devices spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the support structure, wherein each lifting device comprises:

• an actuator for moving the lifting device in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support structure between a raised positioned and a lowered position; and wherein the roll stopper is formed by an longitudinally outer one of the lifting devices. The one of the lifting devices can conveniently be used as the roll stopper, simply by raising only a single lifting device and positioning the media roll on the support structure with an end abutted against the raised lifting device.

[0013] In another embodiment, the web printer according to the present invention further comprises a controller for selectively lowering at least one of the lifting devices to the lowered position, while other lifting devices are in the raised position for supporting a print media roll above the support structure. The controller controls the lifting devices to be positioned in their raised positions, wherein they support the print media roll. The media roll is suspended above the support structure, giving the operator access to the lower side of the media roll. In order to peel a foil from the media, the controller stepwise lowers the lifting devices starting from one end of the media roll to the other. The controller thereby is configured to again raise lowered lifting devices to maintain the stability of the suspended media roll. Lowering one or more lifting devices creates a free space between the bottom of the media roll and the support structure. The controller is configured to raise and lower the lifting devices such that this free space stepwise moves from one end of the media roll to the other. The operator may thereby easily remove the foil from the media roll.

[0014] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for loading a print media roll in a web printer, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting a roll stopper on the loading station;
• positioning the print media roll on a loading station;
• moving the print media roll and the roll stopper against one another;
• sliding a roll core support through the print media roll positioned against the roll stopper.

[0015] As explained above, this allows for easy loading of the media roll. The same method may be applied when unloading a media roll to help in removing the roll core support from the print media roll. Preferably, the method according to the present invention further comprises the step of:

• loading the print media roll with the roll core support from the loading station into a roll core support holder.

[0016] In another embodiment, the method according to the present invention further comprises the steps of:

• a plurality of spaced apart lifting devices lifting the print media roll on the loading station; followed by:
• lowering at least one of the lifting devices.

[0017] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying schematical drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1A shows a schematic perspective view of a wide format inkjet printer;

Fig. 1B shows a schematic perspective view of the inkjet print assembly of the printer in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a wide format inkjet printer according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a loading station according to the present invention;

Fig. 4A-C show schematic side views of the loading station in Fig. 3 during the steps of positioning a media roll on the loading station (4A), mounting the roll stopper (4B), and inserting the roll core support (4C); and

Fig. 5A-C show schematic side views of the loading station in Fig. 3 during the steps of positioning a media roll on the raised lifting devices (5A), lowering a first one of the lifting devices for foil removal (5B), and lowering a second one of the lifting devices for continued foil removal (5C).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.

[0020] Fig. 1A shows an image forming apparatus 36, wherein printing is achieved using a wide format inkjet printer. The wide-format image forming apparatus 36 comprises a housing 26, wherein the printing assembly, for example the ink jet printing assembly shown in Fig. 1B is placed. The image forming apparatus 36 also comprises a storage means for storing image receiving member 28, 30, a delivery station to collect the image receiving member 28, 30 after printing and storage means for marking material 20. In Fig. 1A, the delivery station is embodied as a delivery tray 32. Optionally, the delivery station may comprise processing means for processing the image receiving member 28, 30 after printing, e.g. a folder or a puncher. The wide-format image forming apparatus 36 furthermore comprises means for receiving print jobs and optionally means for manipulating print jobs. These means may include a user interface unit 24 and/or a control unit 34, for example a computer.

[0021] Images are printed on an image receiving member, for example paper, supplied by a roll 28, 30. The roll 28 is supported on the roll core support holder R1, while the roll 30 is supported on the roll support R2. The medium is transferred to a receiving take-up roller, or alternatively cut into sheets, which printed sheets of the image receiving member, cut off from the roll 28, 30, are deposited in the delivery tray 32.

[0022] Each one of the marking materials for use in the printing assembly are stored in four containers 20 arranged in fluid connection with the respective print heads for supplying marking material to said print heads.

[0023] The local user interface unit 24 is integrated to the print engine and may comprise a display unit and a control panel. Alternatively, the control panel may be integrated in the display unit, for example in the form of a touch-screen control panel. The local user interface unit 24 is connected to a control unit 34 placed inside the printing apparatus 36. The control unit 34, for example a computer, comprises a processor adapted to issue commands to the print engine, for example for controlling the print process. The image forming apparatus 36 may optionally be connected to a network N. The connection to the network N is diagrammatically shown in the form of a cable 22, but nevertheless, the connection could be wireless. The image forming apparatus 36 may receive printing jobs via the network. Further, optionally, the controller of the printer may be provided with a USB port, so printing jobs may be sent to the printer via this USB port.

[0024] Fig. 1B shows an ink jet printing assembly 3. The ink jet printing assembly 3 comprises supporting means for supporting an image receiving member 2. The supporting means are shown in Fig. 1B as a platen 1, but alternatively, the supporting means may be a flat surface. The platen 1, as depicted in Fig. 1B, is a rotatable drum, which is rotatable about its axis as indicated by arrow A. The supporting means may be optionally provided with suction holes for holding the image receiving member in a fixed position with respect to the supporting means. The ink jet printing assembly 3 comprises print heads 4a - 4d, mounted on a scanning print carriage 5. The scanning print carriage 5 is guided by suitable guiding means 6, 7 to move in reciprocation in the main scanning direction B. Each print head 4a - 4d comprises an orifice surface 9, which orifice surface 9 is provided with at least one orifice 8. The print heads 4a - 4d are configured to eject droplets of marking material onto the image receiving member 2. The platen 1, the carriage 5 and the print heads 4a - 4d are controlled by suitable controlling means 10a, 10b and 10c, respectively.

[0025] The image receiving member 2 may be a medium in web and may be composed of e.g. paper, cardboard, label stock, coated paper, plastic or textile. Alternatively, the image receiving member 2 may also be an intermediate member, endless or not. Examples of endless members, which may be moved cyclically, are a belt or a drum. The image receiving member 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction A by the platen 1 along four print heads 4a - 4d provided with a fluid marking material.

[0026] A scanning print carriage 5 carries the four print heads 4a - 4d and may be moved in reciprocation in the main scanning direction B parallel to the platen 1, such as to enable scanning of the image receiving member 2 in the main scanning direction B. Only four print heads 4a - 4d are depicted for demonstrating the invention. In practice an arbitrary number of print heads may be employed. In any case, at least one print head 4a - 4d per color of marking material is placed on the scanning print carriage 5. For example, for a black-and-white printer, at least one print head 4a - 4d, usually containing black marking material is present. Alternatively, a black-and-white printer may comprise a white marking material, which is to be applied on a black image-receiving member 2. For a full-color printer, containing multiple colors, at least one print head 4a - 4d for each of the colors, usually black, cyan, magenta and yellow is present. On or more print heads 4a - 4d may further be applied to deposit primer or varnish instead of in addition to ink. Often, in a full-color printer, black marking material is used more frequently in comparison to differently colored marking material. Therefore, more print heads 4a - 4d containing black marking material may be provided on the scanning print carriage 5 compared to print heads 4a - 4d containing marking material in any of the other colors. Alternatively, the print head 4a - 4d containing black marking material may be larger than any of the print heads 4a - 4d, containing a differently colored marking material.

[0027] The carriage 5 is guided by guiding means 6, 7. These guiding means 6, 7 may be rods as depicted in Fig. 1B. The rods may be driven by suitable driving means (not shown). Alternatively, the carriage 5 may be guided by other guiding means, such as an arm being able to move the carriage 5. Another alternative is to move the image receiving material 2 in the main scanning direction B.

[0028] Each print head 4a - 4d comprises an orifice surface 9 having at least one orifice 8, in fluid communication with a pressure chamber containing fluid marking material provided in the print head 4a - 4d. On the orifice surface 9, a number of orifices 8 is arranged in a single linear array parallel to the sub-scanning direction A. Eight orifices 8 per print head 4a - 4d are depicted in Fig. 1B, however obviously in a practical embodiment several hundreds of orifices 8 may be provided per print head 4a - 4d, optionally arranged in multiple arrays. As depicted in Fig. 1B, the respective print heads 4a - 4d are placed parallel to each other such that corresponding orifices 8 of the respective print heads 4a - 4d are positioned in-line in the main scanning direction B. This means that a line of image dots in the main scanning direction B may be formed by selectively activating up to four orifices 8, each of them being part of a different print head 4a - 4d. This parallel positioning of the print heads 4a - 4d with corresponding in-line placement of the orifices 8 is advantageous to increase productivity and/or improve print quality. Alternatively multiple print heads 4a - 4d may be placed on the print carriage adjacent to each other such that the orifices 8 of the respective print heads 4a - 4d are positioned in a staggered configuration instead of in-line. For instance, this may be done to increase the print resolution or to enlarge the effective print area, which may be addressed in a single scan in the main scanning direction. The image dots are formed by ejecting droplets of marking material from the orifices 8.

[0029] Upon ejection of the marking material, some marking material may be spilled and stay on the orifice surface 9 of the print head 4a - 4d. The ink present on the orifice surface 9, may negatively influence the ejection of droplets and the placement of these droplets on the image receiving member 2. Therefore, it may be advantageous to remove excess of ink from the orifice surface 9. The excess of ink may be removed for example by wiping with a wiper and/or by application of a suitable anti-wetting property of the surface, e.g. provided by a coating.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of the printer 40 according to the present invention. The printer 40 is a wide format roll-to-roll or roll-to-sheet printer 40, comprising at least one roll core support holder R1-R4 for holding and driving a to be printed print media roll 28, 30. In the embodiment shown the printer 40 comprises a pair of drawers or trays 50, 50'. The drawers 50, 50' comprise the roll core support holders R1, R2. The drawers 50, 50' are provided with sliders 51 for sliding the drawers 50. 50' between an open loading position indicated by the upper drawer 50 in Fig. 2 and a closed position indicated by the lower drawer 50' in Fig. 2. In the loading position the roll core support holders R1, R2 in the drawer 50, 50' are accessible to an operator for loading a new roll 28, 30 onto the roll core support holder R1, R2. After loading, the drawer 50, 50' is closed and web medium 2 is transported from the drawer 50, 50' via the transport path P along the inkjet marking assembly 3 to the take-up roller R5. Within the present invention, the take-up roller R5 may also be a tray 32 for receiving sheets cut from a roll 28, 30. The present invention is further applicable to any web printer having at least one roll core support holder R1, R2.

[0031] Fig. 2 further illustrates the loading station 60 positioned within the tray 50. Within the present invention, the loading station 60 may be provided as an individual unit separate from the printer 40. The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 however illustrates a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, wherein a compact and easy to operate printer 40 is provided.

[0032] The print media roll loading station 60 in Fig. 2 comprises a roll loading support 61. The roll loading support 61 comprises a media roll support surface, preferably formed by two oppositely inclined side faces 62, 63. The side faces 62, 63 form a downward funnel shape wherein the media roll 28, 30 is stabilized or confined, preventing the roll 28, 30 from rolling out of the loading station 60. Lifting devices 65 are provided in the loading station 60 for raising and lowering segments of the roll loading support 61.

[0033] The drawer 50 comprises a front panel 52 on the side of the drawer 50 facing away from the printer 40. The loading station 60 is positioned inside the drawer 50 directly behind the front panel 52. In another embodiment, the loading station 60 may be integrated into the front panel 52 to achieve an even compacter embodiment. By positioning the loading station 60 inside the circumference of the tray 50, a compact and aesthetically pleasing device 40 may be achieved with the loading station's functionality readily present when a drawer or tray 50 is opened for roll (re)placement.

[0034] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the loading station 60. The roll loading support 61 is divided into segments along its longitudinal axis or direction LA. Stationary sections of the roll loading support 61 are alternated by moveable segments 63A-63H. In a first, lower position, the moveable segments 63A-63H are aligned with the stationary surfaces 61, 62, 63 of the roll loading support 61. Each segment 63A-63H is provided with an actuator 65H to raise the segment 63A-63H above the surface of the roll loading support 61. This second raised position is indicated by segment 63H. Like the roll loading support 61, the segment 63H comprises two oppositely inclined support surfaces formed by side faces 68H and 69H to stabilize the media roll 28, 30. The bottom surface of laterally extending bridge element 67H connects the side faces 68H, 69H together as well as to the actuator 65H. The actuator 65H may an electric motor, pneumatic cylinder, or any other type of suitable raising and lowering device. Both the actuator 65H as well the segment 63H are configured sufficiently strong for raising and supporting a part of the media roll 28, 30. All segments 63A-63H are preferably configured similarly to the above described segment 63H. The assembly of an actuator 65A-65H and its respective moveable segment 63A-65H thus forms a lifting device for raising and suspending a section of the media roll 28, 30 above the support structure 61.

[0035] Figs. 4A illustrates a side view of the loading station 60 with all moveable segments 63A-63H in the first, lower position. The roll loading support 61 in Fig. 4a defines a single media support plane to support a media roll 28 in the first lower position.

[0036] Fig. 4B illustrates a media roll 28 placed on the roll loading support 61. The longitudinal media roll 28 comprises a hollow roll core 28A, generally in the form of a cardboard or plastic cylinder around which the web has been wound. To load the media roll 28 in the printer 40, a longitudinal roll core support (28C in Fig. 4C) is slid through the hollow core 28A. The roll core support 28C comprises means for engaging and holding the core 28A of the media roll 28 as well as a drive element, such as a gear at an end of the roll core support 28C. Thereby, when a rotation actuator drives the roll core support 28C via the drive element, the media roll 28 is rotated as well.

[0037] In practice, media rolls 28 are generally kept in a separate storage unit and then transported to the printer 40. To slide the roll core support 28C into the media roll 28, an operator places the media roll 28 on e.g. the ground or other available surface. This may result in contamination of the print medium on the 28. This contamination could then be transported to the printer 40 when the medium is passed through the printer 40. This results in contamination to the printer 40, for example pollution of the print heads or the transport rollers. This latter contamination then becomes visible as artifacts on the printed medium, such as stripes, smudges, etc. The operator may resolve this by cutting the outer layer of web medium from the media roll 28, but this leads to waste of sometimes expensive print media. Further, during the sliding in of the roll support core 28C, the media roll 28 may be moved over the underlying surface. This further contributes to the contamination of the roll 28 as well as increases the risk of damaging the web medium. Further, the winding of the web on the roll core 28A may become disturbed due to the longitudinal push forces on the roll core 28A. The web is then wound slightly skewed on the roll core 28A. As the skewed web is unwound, its lateral position changes due to skewing, which could result in visible print artifacts.

[0038] The present invention provides an easy means to resolve the above issues by providing a roll stopper 63B in the form of one of the moveable segments 63A-63H. As shown in Fig. 4B, the segment or roll stopper 63B has in a first step of the method according to the present invention been raised to its second position above the stationary remainder of the roll loading support structure 61. The roll stopper 63B then protrudes above the roll loading support structure 61 and forms an abutment against which the media roll 28, in a second step, is positioned. The media roll 28 rests on the roll loading support structure 61. All segments 63C-63G below the media roll 28 are in their first, lowered position. The roll stopper 63B in its second, raised position prevents the media roll 28 from moving in the longitudinal direction D.

[0039] In a subsequent step of the present invention, the roll core support 28C is slid through the hollow core 28A of the media roll 28 on the roll loading support 61 in the direction D. Movement of the media roll 28 in the direction D is thereby prevented by the roll stopper 63B, while lateral movement of the media roll 28 is prevented by the side faces 62, 63. As such, the roll core support 28C may be easily slid through the core 28A without the risk of contaminating, disturbing, and/or contaminating the media roll 28.

[0040] Fig. 5A illustrates a side view of the loading station 60. Figs. 5A-5C illustrate an advantageous method to aid in the removal of foil 28D from a media roll 28. In practice most media rolls 28 are supplied in coated form: a foil 28D surrounds the outer surface of the media roll 28. The foil 28D is generally made of plastics and may be thick or thin, dependent on the level of protection desired. In practice, foil removal 28D is cumbersome. Cutting into the foil 28D comprises the risk of cutting into the web medium. Peeling off the foil 28D requires the media roll 28 to be suspended, e.g. by two operators for longer rolls. The media rolls are generally over a meter wide and may weigh over 20 kilos, so this presents a burden to the operator.

[0041] The present invention resolves the above issues, by in a first step, supporting the foil 28D coated media roll 28 on a plurality of raised segments 63B-63G. The raised segments 63B-63G are in their second position above the roll loading support 61. Thereby, space is formed between the media roll 28 and the roll loading support 61, which allows an operator to easily access the full circumference of the media roll 28.

[0042] To remove a first section of the foil 28D, a segment 63G below an outer end of the media roll 28 is lowered into its first position, as shown in Fig. 5B. This enables full access to the circumference of the respective outer end of the media roll 28. The foil 28D at said end is then slid along the media roll 28 towards the adjacent raised segment 63F. The raised segment 63F however prevents further sliding or removal of foil 28D beyond said segment 63F.

[0043] In Fig. 5C, the segment 63F has been lowered to allow the operator to access the circumference of the media roll 28 above said segment 63F. Preferably, the segment 63G has been raised first to provide additional stability to the media roll 28. The foil may then be slid or removed further up to the next raised segment 63E. The process may thus be repeated until the foil 28D is fully removed. Advantageously, the present invention allows for re-use of the foil, which may be applied again on the printed and rewound media roll 28.

[0044] For foil 28D removal, the media roll 28 is at all times supported by at least two raised segments 63A-63H. Preferably, the loading station 60 comprises multiple conveniently positioned segments 63A-63H to support media roll 28 of different lengths during foil removal.

[0045] Preferably, the printer 40 comprises a user interface 24 by means of which an operator may input a loading command which raises a segment 63A-63H to be used as a roll stopper. Other segments 63A-63H remain in their lowered positions. Further, the controller 34 may receive from the user interface 24 a foil removal command input by the operator, which prompts the controller 24 to raise the media roll 28 by raising the segments 63A-63H. Next, the controller 24 controls the subsequent lowering of the raised segments 63A-63H to move the free space from left to right (or vice versa) below the media roll 28. The operator need then only be concerned with removing the foil 28D.

[0046] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In particular, features presented and described in separate dependent claims may be applied in combination and any advantageous combination of such claims are herewith disclosed.

[0047] Further, it is contemplated that structural elements may be generated by application of three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques. Therefore, any reference to a structural element is intended to encompass any computer executable instructions that instruct a computer to generate such a structural element by three-dimensional printing techniques or similar computer controlled manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, such a reference to a structural element encompasses a computer readable medium carrying such computer executable instructions.

[0048] Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly.

[0049] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Loading station (60) for print media rolls (28, 30), comprising:

- a longitudinal support structure (61) for supporting a print media roll (28, 30) in a first stationary position wherein said media roll (28, 30) extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (LA) of the support structure (61);

- a roll stopper (63A-63H) positionable at a longitudinal end of the support structure (61), which roll stopper (63A-63H) when in use extends away from the support structure (61) for limiting a longitudinal movement of the media roll (28, 30) while a roll core support (28C) is being slid through the media roll (28, 30).

2. Loading station (60) according to claim 1, wherein the roll stopper (63A-63H) is moveably mounted on the support structure (61).

3. Loading station (60) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support structure (61) comprises a plurality of lifting devices (63A-63H) spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the support structure (61), wherein each lifting device (63A-63H) comprises:

- an actuator (65A-65H) for moving the lifting device (63A-63H) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the support structure (61) between a raised positioned and a lowered position.

4. Loading station (60) according to claim 3, comprising at least four spaced apart lifting devices (63A-63H).

5. Loading station (60) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each lifting device (63A-63H) comprises a roll holder (67H) having a cross-section with two oppositely inclined side support faces (68H, 69H) when viewed along the longitudinal axis (LA).

6. Loading station (60) according to claim 5, wherein the cross-section comprises a V-shape.

7. Web printer (40), comprising a slideable drawer (50, 50') with therein at least one roll core support holder (R1, R2) and an actuator for driving the print media roll, wherein the drawer (50, 50') is provided with a loading station (60) according to any of the previous claims inside the drawer for temporarily supporting the print media roll during loading.

8. Web printer (40) according to claim 7, wherein the drawer (50, 50') is provided with a front facing panel (52), and wherein the loading station (60) is mounted between the front facing panel (52) and the at least one roll core support holder (R1, R2).

9. Web printer (40) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the loading station (60) comprises a plurality of lifting devices (63A-63H) spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the support structure (61), wherein each lifting device (63A-63H) comprises:

- an actuator (65A-65H)for moving the lifting device (63A-63H) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the support structure (61) between a raised positioned and a lowered position; and

wherein the roll stopper (63A-63H) is formed by a longitudinally outer one of the lifting devices (63A-63H).

10. Web printer (40) according to claim 9, further comprising a controller for selectively lowering at least one of the lifting device (63A-63H) to the lowered position, while other lifting devices (63A-63H) are in the raised position for supporting a print media roll (28, 30).

11. Method for loading and/or unloading a print media roll (28, 30) in a web printer (40), the method comprising the steps of:

- mounting a roll stopper (63A-63H) on a loading station (60);

- positioning the print media roll (28, 30) on the loading station (60);

- moving the print media roll (28, 30) and the roll stopper (63A-63H) against one another;

- sliding a roll core support (28C) through the print media roll (28, 30) positioned against the roll stopper (63A-63H).

12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:

- loading the print media roll (28, 30) with the roll core support (28C) from the loading station (60) into a roll core support holder (R1, R2).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the steps of:

- a plurality of spaced apart lifting devices (63A-63H) lifting the print media roll (28, 30) above a support structure (61) of the loading station (60); followed by:

- lower at least one of the lifting devices (63A-63H) while maintaining the media roll (28, 30) in its raised position above the support structure (61).

Drawing