Portable printer

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for a portable printer are provided. Personnel utilize features of the printer to manage products, store information on labels, and aid in shipping. A low battery shut-off feature shuts down the printer at a set battery power percentage; a battery charge control feature controls battery charging to stay within a set range of state of charge values to ensure longer battery life; a ribbon cartridge insertion feature allows for easy replacement of the ribbon cartridge; ribbon cartridge locating features lock the ribbon cartridge into place for printing; a ribbon guiding feature adjusts the ribbon during printing to reduce wrinkles; an RFID coupler mounting feature mounts and shields an RFID coupler inside the printer; a media guide locking feature fixes the media position to prevent misalignment; and a media alignment feature allows the user to properly align the media with the printhead during installation.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A ribbon cartridge comprising:
 a supply spool;   a take-up spool; and   a cartridge frame comprising:
 a first portion structured to support the supply spool, 
 a second portion structured to support the take-up spool, wherein the second portion extends from the first portion such that a retrieval assist angle is defined between the first portion and the second portion. 
   
     
     
         3 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion and the second portion each define an inner surface and an exterior surface, wherein the retrieval assist angle is defined between the interior surface of the first portion and the interior surface of the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the retrieval assist angle is between about 50 degrees and about 150 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 4 , wherein the retrieval assist angle is between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 2 , further comprising a gripping portion defined proximate an vertex of the retrieval assist angle. 
     
     
         7 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein the gripping portion comprises ridges defined in the cartridge frame that facilitates grasping of the ribbon cartridge by a user. 
     
     
         8 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein the ribbon cartridge is adapted to be received in a printer, and wherein the gripping portion is exposed for grasping by a user when the ribbon cartridge is disposed in an accessible position, and not exposed for grasping by the user when the ribbon cartridge is disposed in an installed position. 
     
     
         9 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion is configured to be held fixed relative to the second portion after installation into the printer. 
     
     
         10 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge frame further comprises at least one ribbon cartridge locating feature configured to engage a complementary locating feature of the printer. 
     
     
         11 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 10 , wherein at least a part of the second portion defines a circular shape adapted to be received by a complementary ribbon retaining feature. 
     
     
         12 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge frame comprises a notch, wherein the notch is configured to be engaged by an alignment feature of a media cover of the printer. 
     
     
         13 . A ribbon cartridge comprising:
 a supply spool;   a take-up spool; and   a cartridge frame comprising:
 a first portion structured to support the supply spool, 
 a second portion structured to support the take-up spool, wherein a retrieval angle is defined between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the retrieval angle is between about 50 degrees and about 150 degrees, and 
 a gripping portion disposed proximate a vertex of the retrieval angle. 
   
     
     
         14 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 13 , wherein the angle is between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 13 , wherein the first portion defines a notch configured to receive an alignment feature of a media cover of the printer. 
     
     
         16 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 15 , further comprising a protrusion extending from the second portion, wherein the protrusion is configured to be received in a locating feature of the printer. 
     
     
         17 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 16 , further comprising a tab disposed on the first portion, wherein the tab is configured to engage an alignment surface of the printer. 
     
     
         18 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 13 , wherein the gripping portion is accessible to a user when the ribbon cartridge is in a retrieval position within the printer. 
     
     
         19 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 18 , wherein the gripping portion comprises a region of a non-smooth texture configured to improve grip. 
     
     
         20 . The ribbon cartridge of  claim 13 , wherein the take-up spool defines an radio frequency identification tag configured to hold information regarding the ribbon cartridge, wherein the information regarding the ribbon cartridge comprises at least one of: ribbon cartridge type, manufacturer, or date of manufacture. 
     
     
         21 . A printer comprising:
 a housing defining a ribbon receiving area;   a ribbon cartridge configured to be received within the ribbon receiving area, the ribbon cartridge comprising:
 a supply spool; 
 a take-up spool; and 
 a cartridge frame comprising a first portion structured to support the supply spool, a second portion configured to support the take-up spool, and at least one gripping portion defined proximate a vertex between an angle defined between the first portion and the second portion; and 
   a ribbon cover configured to be moved between an closed ribbon position and an opened ribbon position,   wherein the gripping portion of the ribbon cartridge is configured to be moved from an accessible position to an inaccessible position in response to the ribbon cover moving from an opened ribbon position to a closed ribbon position.