Cartridge stabilization system and method

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a cartridge stabilization system for printable media such as a roll containing a plurality of wristbands. The cartridge stabilization system includes a cartridge housing including a first extension member and a spool, a roll of material retained on the spool and configured to be dispensed from the cartridge housing via the first extension member, and a nipper positioned on the first extension member. The roll of material passes between the nipper and the first extension member as the roll of material is dispensed from the cartridge housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge stabilization system, comprising:
 a cartridge housing including a first extension member and a spool;   a roll of material retained on the spool and configured to be dispensed from the cartridge housing via the first extension member; and   a nipper positioned on the first extension member, wherein the roll of material passes between the nipper and the first extension member as the roll of material is dispensed from the cartridge housing.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge housing is provided in the form of a first cartridge housing portion including one or more protrusions and a second cartridge housing portion including one or more receiving members, and wherein the first cartridge housing portion and the second cartridge housing portion are configured to be releasably coupled together via engagement between the one or more protrusions and the one or more receiving members. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 2 , wherein the first cartridge housing portion includes the spool, and the second cartridge housing portion includes a spool coupling structure configured to be releasably coupled to the spool. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the nipper is movable between a closed position and an open position. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 4 , wherein the nipper engages the roll of material when the nipper is in the closed position, and wherein the nipper does not engage the roll of material when the nipper is in the open position. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 4 , wherein the nipper includes an elastically deformable living hinge that biases the nipper toward the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 4 , wherein the cartridge stabilization system is configured to be installed in a printing device, and wherein, when the cartridge stabilization system is installed, the printing device engages at least a portion of the nipper and moves the nipper from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock member configured to be removably coupled to the cartridge housing, the lock member including a lock member insert portion, a lock member cover portion, and a lock member sidewall extending between the lock member insert portion and the lock member cover portion. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 8 , wherein the lock member insert portion is configured to be releasably coupled to the cartridge housing via the spool, wherein the lock member cover portion is configured to at least partially enclose the nipper and/or a portion of the roll of material, and wherein the lock member sidewall extends at least partially along the first extension member. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge stabilization system of  claim 8 , wherein the lock member is configured to couple the cartridge housing of the cartridge stabilization system to a cartridge housing of another cartridge stabilization system. 
     
     
         11 . A nipper for use in a cartridge stabilization system including a cartridge housing retaining a roll of material, the nipper comprising:
 a body defined by a front end and a rear end;   a cross brace positioned at the rear end of the body;   a front brace positioned at the front end of the body; and   a living hinge extending between the cross brace and the front brace, the living hinge biased toward a default position, wherein the living hinge is movable between the default position, a closed position in which the nipper is configured to engage the roll of material, and an open position in which the nipper is configured not to engage the roll of material.   
     
     
         12 . The nipper of  claim 11 , wherein the living hinge includes a first portion coupled to the cross brace and a second portion extending between the first portion and the front brace, and wherein the first portion is imparted with a curvature and the second portion is substantially planar. 
     
     
         13 . The nipper of  claim 11 , wherein the living hinge includes a lower surface having a living hinge rib positioned thereon, and wherein the lower surface and/or the living hinge rib are configured to engage the roll of material when the living hinge is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The nipper of  claim 11 , wherein the living hinge is oriented at a downward angle with respect to a horizontal plane when the living hinge is in the default position, wherein the living hinge is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane when the living hinge is in the closed position, and wherein the living hinge is oriented at an upward angle with respect to the horizontal plane when the living hinge is in the open position. 
     
     
         15 . The nipper of  claim 11 , wherein the front brace includes two guide tabs positioned at opposing ends thereof, the guide tabs configured to maintain the roll of material in a desired position or orientation as the roll of material is dispensed from the cartridge housing. 
     
     
         16 . The nipper of  claim 15 , wherein the front brace further includes one or more intermediate tabs positioned between the guide tabs, the intermediate tabs configured to reduce a rate of wear of the nipper. 
     
     
         17 . The nipper of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one flexible member coupled to the cross brace and extending rearwardly therefrom, the at least one flexible member configured to facilitate coupling between the nipper and the cartridge housing. 
     
     
         18 . The nipper of  claim 11 , further comprising two arms coupled to opposing ends of the cross brace and extending outwardly therefrom toward the front end of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The nipper of  claim 18 , further comprising a hook member coupled to each of the arms, wherein the hook members are configured to receive or to be received by a portion of the cartridge housing. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling a cartridge stabilization system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a cartridge housing including a first portion having a spool and a second portion configured to be releasably coupled to the first portion;   positioning a nipper on the cartridge housing;   positioning a roll of material on the cartridge housing;   coupling the second portion to the first portion such that the nipper and the roll of material are each retained between the first portion and the second portion;   feeding a portion of the roll of material between the nipper and the cartridge housing such that the portion of the roll of material is retained between the nipper and the cartridge housing;   providing a lock member including an insert portion and a cover portion; and   installing the lock member on the cartridge housing such that the insert portion is at least partially received within the spool and the cover portion at least partially encloses the nipper and/or the portion of the roll of material.