Printer and paper transport device

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of easily setting a paper sheet even if stored continuous paper is front-wound continuous paper or back-wound continuous paper, and a paper sheet conveyance device.SOLUTION: A printer comprises a storage part capable of storing therein front-wound continuous paper of which a printing surface comes to a front side and back-wound continuous paper of which a printing surface comes to a back side. The printer comprises: a main body; a cover which can be opened / closed with respect to the main body; a print head which performs printing on the printing surfaces of the front-wound continuous paper and the back-wound continuous paper drawn from the storage part; a damper for back-winding which is provided in the main body and can be energized in a direction abutting to a non-printing surface of the back-wound continuous paper drawn from the storage part; and a damper for front-winding which is provided in the cover and can be energized in a direction abutting to the printing surface of the front-wound continuous paper drawn from the storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a printer and a paper conveyance device.

Background Art

[0002] In printers and the like that convey and print paper such as labels and receipts, continuous paper wound in a roll is stored. For example, when the set paper is conveyed for printing, the tension between the conveyed paper and the continuous paper may increase due to the paper being rapidly pulled, and an impact may occur between the pulled-out paper. In the case of a printer, the generated impact may affect the print quality. Therefore, a damper having a biasing force is disposed in the printing path, and the damper absorbs the tension generated when the pulled-out paper abuts against the damper, thereby alleviating the impact.

[0003] By the way, in the continuous paper, there are an outer-wound continuous paper with the printing surface (the surface that contacts the print head) facing the outer side of the wound paper and an inner-wound continuous paper with the printing surface facing the inner side of the wound paper. Therefore, an outer-wound damper that abuts against the outer-wound continuous paper and an inner-wound damper that abuts against the inner-wound continuous paper are provided respectively.

[0004] However, when mounting the paper pulled out from the outer-wound continuous paper and the inner-wound continuous paper to the device, in both cases, it is necessary to pass between the outer-wound damper and the inner-wound damper, so it has taken time to set the paper.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer and a paper conveyance device capable of easily setting paper regardless of whether the stored continuous paper is outer-wound continuous paper or inner-wound continuous paper.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The printer of the embodiment is a printer equipped with a storage compartment capable of storing front-wound continuous paper with the printing surface on the front side and back-wound continuous paper with the printing surface on the back side, comprising: a main body; a cover that can be opened and closed relative to the main body; a print head for printing on the printing surfaces of the front-wound continuous paper and the back-wound continuous paper pulled out from the storage compartment; a back-wound damper provided on the main body that can bias the back-wound continuous paper pulled out from the storage compartment in a direction that contacts the non-printing surface; and a front-wound damper provided on the cover that can bias the front-wound continuous paper pulled out from the storage compartment in a direction that contacts the printing surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the printer of this embodiment with the top cover open. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a reverse-wound continuous paper. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a continuous paper roll. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view diagram illustrating the printer with its top cover open. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the front winding damper and the back winding damper. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view diagram of a printer equipped with reverse-wound continuous paper. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a side view diagram of a printer equipped with continuous paper rolls. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the shock mitigation provided by the back-winding damper 15. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the mitigation of impact by the front winding damper 22. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment, a thermal printer will be described as an example of a printer. In addition, a long sheet of receipt paper made of thermal paper and a long sheet of label paper with multiple thermal labels attached to a backing sheet will be described as examples of continuous paper. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0009] A thermal printer is, for example, a receipt printer connected to a POS terminal that prints on a roll of continuous paper (thermal paper) stored inside. A thermal printer is also a label printer that prints on multiple labels (thermal paper) arranged on a roll of continuous paper (backing paper) stored inside. A thermal printer has a thermal head and a platen. The platen rotates to pull out the continuous paper, and the thermal head prints on the printing surface. The printed continuous paper is discharged from the output slot by the rotation of the platen. The device that transports the pulled-out continuous paper is called a paper transport device. The paper transport device may be the thermal printer itself, or it may be a device that supplies paper to the thermal printer without having a thermal head.

[0010] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the thermal printer 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the thermal printer 1 has a main body 10 and a cover 20. The cover 20 is attached to the main body 10 so as to be openable and closable. Specifically, the cover 20 is pivotally supported on one side of the main body 10 and is rotatable around this axis in an opening direction and a closing direction relative to the main body 10. When the cover 20 is rotated in the opening direction (i.e., the cover 20 is opened relative to the main body 10), the inside of the thermal printer 1 is exposed, allowing continuous paper to be stored and set. When the continuous paper is stored and set and the cover 20 is rotated in the closing direction (i.e., the cover 20 is closed relative to the main body 10), the thermal printer 1 can print characters, figures, etc. on the set continuous paper.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the thermal printer 1 with the cover 20 open relative to the main body 10. The main body 10 is a roughly rectangular housing with an open top. The main body 10 includes a hinge part 11, a holding part 12, a storage part 13, a platen 14, a reverse winding damper 15, a guide part 16, etc.

[0012] The hinge portion 11 is located at the rear of the main body 10 and is a pivot shaft that rotatably attaches the cover 20 to the upper part of the main body 10. The cover 20 attached to the hinge portion 11 is rotatable between an open position and a closed position, with the hinge portion 11 as the pivot point. The position in Figure 1 is the open position, and the position where it is closed relative to the main body 10 is the closed position.

[0013] The holding section 12 pivotally supports the continuous paper. The storage section 13 is the area for storing the continuous paper. The holding section 12 pivotally supports the continuous paper while it is stored in the storage section 13. The continuous paper pivotally supported by the holding section 12 can rotate around the holding section 12 while stored in the storage section 13. Alternatively, the continuous paper may be a drop-in type that is not pivotally supported by the holding section 12. In this case, the holding section 12 is unnecessary, and the continuous paper is stored in the storage section 13 without pivotal support.

[0014] The platen 14 is, for example, a cylindrical shape made of rubber and is positioned opposite the print head 21, which will be described later. The platen 14 rotates to transport the continuous paper from the storage unit 13 toward the print head 21. The guide unit 16 is a plate-shaped member that forms a transport path that guides the continuous paper stored in the storage unit 13 toward the platen 14 and the print head 21.

[0015] The reverse winding damper 15 is rotatably attached to the main body 10. The reverse winding damper 15 is located between the storage section 13 and the platen 14.

[0016] The back-roll damper 15 is biased by a torque spring (not shown). The back-roll damper 15 rotates by the biasing force and abuts against the back-roll continuous paper Pa (details will be described later in FIG. 2) drawn out from the storage portion 13. Then, the back-roll damper 15 presses the back-roll continuous paper Pa until it stops at a position where the biasing force and the tension of the back-roll continuous paper Pa in contact are balanced. When the back-roll continuous paper Pa is conveyed by the platen 14, an impact occurs due to an increase in the tension of the back-roll continuous paper Pa. However, the back-roll damper 15 rotates (moves) in the opposite direction (anti-biasing direction) to the biasing direction against the biasing force by the increased tension, thereby absorbing and mitigating the generated impact.

[0017] The cover 20 is substantially square-shaped and is a cover with an open bottom that closes the opening of the main body 10 in a closed state. The cover 20 is attached to the upper part of the rear portion of the main body 10 by a hinge portion 11. The cover 20 is rotatable about the hinge portion 11 as a fulcrum. When the cover 20 is opened with respect to the main body 10, the opening of the main body 10 is exposed, and when the cover 20 is closed with respect to the main body 10, the opening of the main body 10 is closed.

[0018] The cover 20 includes a printing head 21 and a front-roll damper 22. The printing head 21 is, for example, a thermal head in which heating elements are arranged linearly in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the continuous paper (the direction of arrow Ya (see FIG. 4)). The printing head 21 is located at a position facing the platen 14 and abuts against the platen 14 when the cover 20 is closed with respect to the main body 10. When paper is set, the printing head 21 and the platen 14 sandwich the paper. The printing head 21 performs printing on the printing surface of the paper that is rotated and conveyed by the platen 14 by causing the heating elements to generate heat according to data.

[0019] The front-roll damper 22 is rotatably attached to the cover 20. The front-roll damper 22 is located between the storage portion 13 and the printing head 21 when the cover 20 is closed.

[0020] The front-roll damper 22 is biased by a torque spring (not shown). The front-roll damper 22 rotates by the biasing force and abuts against the front-roll continuous paper Pb (details will be described later in FIG. 3) drawn out from the storage portion 13. Then, the front-roll damper 22 presses the front-roll continuous paper Pb until it stops at a position where the biasing force and the tension of the front-roll continuous paper Pb in contact are balanced. When the front-roll continuous paper Pb is conveyed by the platen 14, an impact occurs due to an increase in the tension of the front-roll continuous paper Pb. However, the front-roll damper 22 rotates (moves) in the opposite direction (anti-biasing direction) to the biasing direction against the biasing force by the increased tension, thereby absorbing and mitigating the generated impact.

[0021] Hereinafter, the continuous paper will be described. The continuous paper is a roll-shaped paper obtained by winding a long paper. There are a back-roll continuous paper Pa and a front-roll continuous paper Pb in the continuous paper. The back-roll continuous paper Pa refers to a continuous paper whose back side (inner side) of the wound paper is the printing surface (the surface against which the printing head 21 abuts for printing). The front-roll continuous paper Pb refers to a continuous paper whose front side (outer side) of the wound paper is the printing surface.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the back-roll continuous paper Pa. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a view showing the back-roll continuous paper Pa and the paper Paa drawn out from the outermost periphery of the back-roll continuous paper Pa. As shown in FIG. 2, the back-roll continuous paper Pa has a printing surface (that is, the printing surface is on the back side of the paper Paa) where the back surface Pab (the inner surface of the back-roll continuous paper Pa) of the paper Paa is coated with thermal ink, and the front surface Pac (the outer surface of the back-roll continuous paper Pa) of the paper Paa is a non-printing surface. A cylindrical hole Pad penetrating in the width direction of the paper is formed in the center of the back-roll continuous paper Pa. The paper Paa is drawn out and set until it is sandwiched between the platen 14 and the printing head 21.

[0023] Figure 3 shows the front-wound continuous paper Pb. Specifically, Figure 3 shows the front-wound continuous paper Pb and the paper Pba pulled out from the outermost periphery of the front-wound continuous paper Pb. As shown in Figure 3, the front-wound continuous paper Pb has a surface Pbb (outer surface of the front-wound continuous paper Pb) on which thermal ink is applied as the printing surface (i.e., the printing surface is the front side of the paper Pba), and a back surface Pbc (inner surface of the front-wound continuous paper Pb) is the non-printing surface. The front-wound continuous paper Pb has a cylindrical hole Pbd formed in the center that penetrates in the width direction of the paper. The paper Pba is pulled out and set until it is sandwiched between the platen 14 and the print head 21.

[0024] Hereafter, when referring to both reverse-wound continuous paper Pa and front-wound continuous paper Pb, or when either reverse-wound continuous paper Pa or front-wound continuous paper Pb is acceptable, the term "continuous paper P" will be used.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the thermal printer 1 with the cover 20 open from the main body 10. In Figure 4, the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa is installed in the storage section 13. In Figure 4, the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa is pivotally supported by the holding section 12 through the support shaft 121 in the hole Pad. In this state, the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa is rotatably attached to the holding section 12 within the storage section 13. In Figure 4, the paper Paa has not yet been pulled out. The front-wound continuous paper Pb is similarly rotatably attached to the holding section 12.

[0026] The main body 10 is also equipped with a drive motor 19. The drive motor 19 is, for example, a stepping motor. The drive motor 19 is a motor that serves as a driving source for rotating the platen 14. In other words, the drive motor 19 is a transport motor that transports the continuous paper P.

[0027] The cover 20 is fitted with a print head 21, a front winding damper 22, and a paper detection sensor 23. The paper detection sensor 23 detects the presence or absence of continuous paper P. Specifically, the paper detection sensor 23 detects the presence or absence of paper (Paa and Pba) that has been pulled out from the continuous paper P and set in place when the cover 20 is closed to the main body 10.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, when the cover 20 is opened from the main body 10, the top of the main body 10 is open. A reverse winding damper 15 is attached to the main body 10 side, and a front winding damper 22 is attached to the cover 20 side. As the cover 20 is opened, the front winding damper 22 moves upward and separates from the reverse winding damper 15, opening the storage section 13. Therefore, the continuous paper P can be easily stored in the storage section 13 and attached to the holding section 12. In addition, as the front winding damper 22 moves upward when the cover 20 is opened, the front winding damper 22 and the reverse winding damper 15 are separated. As a result, the paper (Paa or Pba) can be pulled out from the continuous paper P attached to the holding section 12 and set in the position of the platen 14 by passing it between the separated reverse winding damper 15 and front winding damper 22. Therefore, whether the continuous paper P attached to the holding unit 12 is front-wound continuous paper Pb or back-wound continuous paper Pa, the continuous paper P can be easily set. When the cover 20 is closed, the set paper (Paa or Pba) is held between the platen 14 and the print head 21, printed on by the print head 21, and transported in the direction of arrow Ya as the platen 14 rotates.

[0029] Next, we will explain the configuration of the reverse winding damper 15 and the front winding damper 22. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the reverse winding damper 15 and the front winding damper 22.

[0030] The reverse winding damper 15 is attached to the main body 10. The reverse winding damper 15 has a pair of support shafts 151 (first support shaft), a pair of arms 152, and a contact portion 153. The support shafts 151 are rotatably attached to both sides of the guide portion 16 of the main body 10 relative to the main body 10.

[0031] The arm portion 152 is an arm that extends from both support shaft portions 151 toward the storage portion 13. The contact portion 153 is formed to connect both arm portions 152 at their extended ends and has a curved surface. The curved surface of the contact portion 153 contacts the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa. The length of the contact portion 153 in the width direction of the paper is longer than the width of the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa being transported in the direction of arrow Ya.

[0032] A torque spring (not shown) is built into the support shaft portion 151. The torque spring biases the arm portion 152 and the contact portion 153 to rotate in the direction of arrow Yb. That is, the reverse winding damper 15 is biased in the direction of arrow Yb by the torque spring. The direction of arrow Yb is the direction in which the damper contacts the surface Pac (non-printing surface) of the paper Paa when the paper Paa is pulled out from the reverse winding continuous paper Pa attached to the holding portion 12 and set, and it is the direction in which the contacting surface Pac (non-printing surface) is pushed toward the reverse side Pab (printing surface). In Figure 5, the direction of arrow Yb is the direction in which the damper contacts the surface Pac (non-printing surface) of the paper Paa from below. That is, the reverse winding damper 15 is biased upward from the bottom of the main body 10 so that it can contact the non-printing surface of the paper Paa, and it biases the contacting paper Paa from the non-printing surface side toward the printing surface side.

[0033] The front winding damper 22 is attached to the cover 20. The front winding damper 22 has a pair of support shafts 221 (second support shaft), a pair of arms 222, and a contact portion 223. The support shafts 221 are rotatably attached to both sides of the cover 20 relative to the cover 20.

[0034] The arm portion 222 is an arm that extends from both support shaft portions 221 toward the storage portion 13. The contact portion 223 is formed to connect the extended ends of both arm portions 222 and has a curved surface. The curved surface of the contact portion 223 contacts the front-rolled continuous paper Pb. The length of the contact portion 223 in the width direction of the paper is longer than the width of the front-rolled continuous paper Pb being transported in the direction of arrow Ya.

[0035] A torque spring (not shown) is built into the support shaft portion 221. The torque spring biases the arm portion 222 and the contact portion 223 to rotate in the direction of arrow Yc. That is, the front winding damper 22 is biased in the direction of arrow Yc by the torque spring. The direction of arrow Yc is the direction in which the damper contacts the surface Pbb (printing surface) of the paper Pba when the paper Pba is pulled out and set from the front winding continuous paper Pb attached to the holding portion 12, and the direction in which the contacted surface Pbb (printing surface) is pushed toward the back surface Pbc. In Figure 5, the direction of arrow Yc is the direction in which the damper contacts the surface Pbb (printing surface) of the paper Pba from above. That is, the front winding damper 22 is biased from the cover 20 side toward the main body 10 so that it can contact the printing surface of the paper Pba, and biases the contacted paper Pba from the printing surface side toward the non-printing surface side.

[0036] Furthermore, it is desirable that the distance from the contact portion 153 to the platen 14 and the distance from the contact portion 223 to the platen 14 be as similar as possible. With this configuration, the degree of shock mitigation by the reverse winding damper 15 and the degree of shock mitigation by the front winding damper 22 are approximately the same. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the same level of print quality whether using reverse-wound continuous paper Pa or front-wound continuous paper Pb.

[0037] Figure 6 is a side view of the inside of the thermal printer 1 with the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa attached to the holding section 12 and the cover 220 closed to the main body 10. As shown in Figure 6, the reverse-wound damper 15 is installed so as to be positioned close to the outlet 17 that pulls out the paper Paa from the storage section 13 that stores the continuous paper P. Therefore, the space around the outlet 17, which was previously dead space, can be effectively utilized.

[0038] In Figure 6, the reverse winding damper 15 is biased by a torque spring and rotates in the direction of arrow Yb in Figure 5. When the reverse winding continuous paper Pa is held in the holding part 12 and the paper Paa is pulled out and set, the contact part 153 of the reverse winding damper 15 comes into contact with the surface Pac of the paper Paa (the outer surface (non-printing surface) of the reverse winding continuous paper Pa). The contact part 153 (i.e., the reverse winding damper 15) is then pushed back to a position where the tension of the paper Paa and the biasing force of the reverse winding damper 15 are balanced.

[0039] Figure 8 shows the state in which the reverse winding damper 15 is positioned where the biasing force of the reverse winding damper 15 and the tension of the paper Paa are balanced. The paper Paa is bent to the position shown by the solid line due to the biasing force of the reverse winding damper 15.

[0040] In this state, when the platen 14 rotates and begins transporting the set paper Paa, the tension in the paper Paa increases. However, the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa is still stationary. If left as is, the increased tension could cause the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa to be pulled suddenly, potentially causing an impact. As shown in Figure 8, in response to the increased tension, the reverse-wound damper 15 moves in the direction of arrow Yd, resisting the biasing force. As the reverse-wound damper 15 moves in the direction of arrow Yd to the position of the dotted line (or close to the position of the dotted line), the tension increased by the transport of the paper Paa is absorbed to some extent and is not directly transmitted to the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa. Therefore, the impact caused by the transport of the paper Paa can be mitigated. The tension caused by the transport of the paper Paa is transmitted to the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa while the impact is mitigated by the reverse-wound damper 15, so the reverse-wound continuous paper Pa begins to rotate in conjunction with the transport of the paper Paa.

[0041] Figure 7 is a side view diagram of the inside of the thermal printer 1 with the front-wound continuous paper Pb attached to the holding section 12 and the cover 220 closed to the main body 10. As shown in Figure 7, the front-wound damper 22 is installed so as to be positioned close to the outlet 18 that pulls the paper Pba out from the storage section 13 that stores the continuous paper P. Therefore, the space around the outlet 18, which was previously dead space, can be effectively utilized.

[0042] In Figure 7, the front winding damper 22 is biased by a torque spring and rotates in the direction of arrow Yc in Figure 5. When the front winding continuous paper Pb is held in the holding part 12 and the paper Pba is pulled out and set, the contact part 223 of the front winding damper 22 comes into contact with the surface Pbb of the paper Pba (the outer surface (printing surface) of the front winding continuous paper Pb). The contact part 223 (i.e., the front winding damper 22) is then pushed back to a position where the tension of the paper Pba and the biasing force of the front winding damper 22 are balanced.

[0043] Figure 9 shows the state in which the front-winding damper 22 is positioned where the biasing force of the front-winding damper 22 and the tension of the paper Pba are balanced. The paper Pba is bent to the position shown by the solid line due to the biasing force of the front-winding damper 22.

[0044] In this state, when the platen 14 rotates and begins transporting the set paper Pba, the tension in the paper Pba increases. However, the front-wound continuous paper Pb is still stationary. If left as is, the increased tension could cause the front-wound continuous paper Pb to be pulled suddenly, potentially generating an impact. As shown in Figure 9, in response to the increased tension, the front-wound damper 22 moves in the direction of arrow Ye, resisting the biasing force. As the front-wound damper 22 moves in the direction of arrow Ye to the position of the dotted line (or close to the position of the dotted line), the tension increased by the transport of the paper Pba is absorbed to some extent and not directly transmitted to the front-wound continuous paper Pb. Therefore, the impact caused by the transport of the paper Pba can be mitigated. The tension caused by the transport of the paper Pba is transmitted to the front-wound continuous paper Pb while the impact is mitigated by the front-wound damper 22, so the front-wound continuous paper Pb begins to rotate in conjunction with the transport of the paper Pba.

[0045] As described above, the thermal printer 1 of the first embodiment is a thermal printer 1 equipped with a storage section 13 capable of storing front-wound continuous paper Pb with the printing surface on the front side and back-wound continuous paper Pa with the printing surface on the back side, comprising a main body 10, a cover 20 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 10, a print head 21 that prints on the printing surfaces of the front-wound continuous paper Pb and back-wound continuous paper Pa pulled out from the storage section 13, a back-wound damper 15 provided on the main body 10 that can bias in a direction to contact the surface Pac of the back-wound continuous paper Pa pulled out from the storage section 13, and a front-wound damper 22 provided on the cover 20 that can bias in a direction to contact the surface Pbb of the front-wound continuous paper Pb pulled out from the storage section 13.

[0046] According to this first embodiment of the thermal printer 1, when the cover 20 is opened from the main body 10, the reverse winding damper 15 and the front winding damper 22 are separated, making it possible to easily set the paper (paper Paa and paper Pba) regardless of whether the continuous paper P stored is front-winding continuous paper Pb or reverse-winding continuous paper Pa.

[0047] Furthermore, the paper transport device of the first embodiment is a paper transport device equipped with a storage section 13 capable of storing front-wound continuous paper Pb with the printing surface facing outwards and back-wound continuous paper Pa with the printing surface facing inwards, and comprises a main body 10, a cover 20 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 10, a back-wound damper 15 provided on the main body 10 that can bias in a direction to contact the surface Pac of the back-wound continuous paper Pa pulled out from the storage section 13, and a front-wound damper 22 provided on the cover 20 that can bias in a direction to contact the surface Pbb of the front-wound continuous paper Pb pulled out from the storage section 13.

[0048] According to this first embodiment of the paper transport device, when the cover 20 is opened from the main body 10, the reverse winding damper 15 and the front winding damper 22 are separated, making it possible to easily set the paper (paper Paa and paper Pba) regardless of whether the continuous paper P to be stored is front-winding continuous paper Pb or reverse-winding continuous paper Pa.

[0049] (Second Embodiment) Next, we will describe the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the thermal printer 1 has the print head 21 and platen 14 reversed compared to the thermal printer 1 of the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the print head 21 is attached to the main body 10 and the platen 14 is attached to the cover 20. The print head 21 is attached in the position of the platen 14 in the first embodiment, and the platen 14 is attached in the position of the print head 21 in the first embodiment.

[0050] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the reverse winding damper 15 of the first embodiment is read as the front winding damper 15. Also, the front winding damper 22 of the first embodiment is read as the reverse winding damper 22. That is, the front winding damper 15 is attached to the main body 10, and the reverse winding damper 22 is attached to the cover 20. The structure of the front winding damper 15 and the reverse winding damper 22 is the same as in the first embodiment. The front winding damper 15 contacts the surface Pbb of the front winding continuous paper Pb. The reverse winding damper 22 contacts the surface Pac of the reverse winding continuous paper Pa. The method of mitigating impact by the front winding damper 15 and the reverse winding damper 22 is the same as shown in Figures 7 and 9. Furthermore, the other configurations of the thermal printer 1 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the thermal printer 1 of the first embodiment.

[0051] The thermal printer 1 of this second embodiment is a thermal printer 1 equipped with a storage section 13 capable of storing front-wound continuous paper Pb with the printing surface on the front side and back-wound continuous paper Pa with the printing surface on the back side, and comprises a main body 10, a cover 20 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 10, a print head 21 that prints on the printing surfaces of the front-wound continuous paper Pb and back-wound continuous paper Pa pulled out from the storage section 13, a back-wound damper 22 provided on the cover 20 that can bias in a direction to contact the surface Pac of the back-wound continuous paper Pa pulled out from the storage section 13, and a front-wound damper 15 provided on the main body 10 that can bias in a direction to contact the surface Pbb of the front-wound continuous paper Pb pulled out from the storage section 13.

[0052] In the thermal printer 1 of this second embodiment, the front winding damper 15 contacts the surface Pbb of the front winding continuous paper Pb. The back winding damper 22 contacts the surface Pac of the back winding continuous paper Pa.

[0053] According to this second embodiment of the paper transport device, when the cover 20 is opened from the main body 10, the front winding damper 15 and the back winding damper 22 are separated, making it possible to easily set the paper (paper Paa and paper Pba) regardless of whether the continuous paper P to be stored is front winding continuous paper Pb or back winding continuous paper Pa.

[0054] Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0055] For example, in this embodiment, the printer was described as a thermal printer 1 using a thermal head. However, the printer is not limited to this, and may be any other type of printer that uses continuous paper P, such as an inkjet printer or a wire dot printer.

[0056] In this embodiment, the platen 14 is rotated to transport the paper. However, the invention is not limited to this, and a mechanism for transporting paper other than the platen 14 may also be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Thermal printer 10 Main Unit 12 Holding part 13 Storage compartment 14 Platen 15 Reverse winding damper 16 Information Department 17 Drawer 18 Drawer 20 Covers 21 Print head 22 Front winding damper 121 Spindle 151 Support shaft 152 Arm 153 Contact part 220 Cover 221 Support shaft 222 Arm 223 Contact part P Continuous Paper Pa Reverse-wound Continuous Paper Paa paper Pab back side Pac surface Pb continuous paper PBA paper Pbb surface Pbc back side [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0058] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-123630

Claims

1. A printer equipped with a storage compartment capable of storing continuous paper with the printing surface facing outwards and continuous paper with the printing surface facing inwards, The main unit and The main body is provided with an openable and closable cover, A print head that prints on the printing surface of the front-rolled continuous paper and the back-rolled continuous paper pulled out from the storage section, A reverse winding damper provided on the main body is capable of biasing the reverse-winding continuous paper pulled out from the storage section in a direction that contacts the non-printing surface, A front-winding damper provided in the cover is capable of biasing the front-winding continuous paper, which has been pulled out from the storage section, in a direction that contacts the printing surface, A printer equipped with [a specific feature / ability].

2. The reverse winding damper is rotatable around a first support shaft provided on the main body, and the front winding damper is rotatable around a second support shaft provided on the cover. The printer according to claim 1.

3. The reverse winding damper is provided close to the outlet for the reverse-winding continuous paper in the storage section, and the front winding damper is provided close to the outlet for the front-winding continuous paper in the storage section when the cover is closed. The printer according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes a guide section that guides the reverse-wound continuous paper, biased by the reverse-wound damper, and the front-wound continuous paper, biased by the front-wound damper, to the print head. The printer according to claim 1.

5. A paper transport device equipped with a storage section capable of storing continuous paper with the printing surface facing outwards and continuous paper with the printing surface facing inwards, The main unit and The main body is provided with an openable and closable cover, A reverse winding damper provided on the main body is capable of biasing the reverse-winding continuous paper pulled out from the storage section in a direction that contacts the non-printing surface, A front-winding damper provided in the cover is capable of biasing the front-winding continuous paper, which has been pulled out from the storage section, in a direction that contacts the printing surface, A paper transport device equipped with a paper transport mechanism.

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