Printer

Abstract

A printer includes a cutting section, first and second protruding sections. A paper discharge port is provided on a housing to discharge a paper sheet that has passed through a printing section upward. The cutting section is arranged between the printing section and the paper discharge port to cut the paper sheet in either of a method of cutting the entire area in a width direction of the paper sheet and a method of cutting a center portion in the width direction of the paper sheet. The first and second protruding sections are provided at a plurality of positions along the width direction of the paper sheet, protruding from an inner periphery of the paper discharge port. The first protruding section opposes a first surface of the paper sheet, and the second protruding section opposes a second surface of a back surface of the first surface of the paper sheet. The first and second protruding sections are arranged at positions that are offset in the width direction of the paper sheet, and are arranged to cause the paper sheet to be bent in a serpentine shape in the width direction between the first and second protruding sections. In addition, a protruding height of at least one of the first protruding section and the second protruding section in the center portion in the width direction of the paper sheet is lower than a protruding height of the first protruding section and the second protruding section in other areas.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese application No. JP2021-182092, filed on November 8, 2021, and incorporates the contents of the aforementioned application in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a printer. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, there are printers that print while simultaneously feeding a strip of paper. Examples of such printers include receipt printers. Furthermore, there are printers capable of both full cutting (completely cutting the discharged paper in the width direction) and partial cutting (cutting only a portion of the remaining width direction, such as the center). Also, there are printers that feed and discharge the paper upwards.

[0004] In the printers that discharge paper upwards as described above, there are printers that prevent fully cut paper from falling below the cut position by using ribs (rib plates) provided at the paper discharge port to press the paper alternately from the inside to the outside, thereby holding the paper in place.

[0005] Here, the structure described above for holding fully cut paper is not the same as the structure for discharging partially cut paper. In the case of full cutting, because the paper being conveyed next overlaps the cut paper held by ribs, friction is generated between the papers. As a result, the cut paper moves between the ribs along with the next paper. However, because the partially cut paper does not overlap with the next paper in the thickness direction, the paper is not conveyed based on the friction between the papers as described above. In the case of partial cutting, the conveying force from the back paper to the front paper is only transmitted at the connecting joint, so when the paper holding force of the ribs is too strong, the paper folds at the connecting joint of the front and back papers, causing paper jams. In addition, when simply lowering the ribs or reducing the number of ribs in an attempt to weaken the paper holding force of the ribs, the intended function of holding fully cut paper cannot be achieved, depending on the degree. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer with a structure that can maintain fully cut paper ejected upwards and is less likely to cause paper jams due to partial paper cutting.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the printer of the present invention includes a printing section for printing on a strip of paper, a built-in paper, and the printing section, a housing for discharging paper upward through the printing section, a cutting section disposed between the printing section and the paper discharge port for cutting the paper by either a first method or a second method for cutting the paper at the center of the width direction, the cutting section being a first method for cutting the entire area of ​​the paper in the width direction, or a second method for cutting the paper at the center of the width direction, the cutting section being a first protrusion protruding from the inner periphery of the paper discharge port and disposed at multiple locations along the width direction of the paper, opposite to a first surface of the paper that is the side to be printed, and a second protrusion protruding from the inner periphery of the paper discharge port and disposed at multiple locations along the width direction of the paper, offset from the first protrusion in the width direction, opposite to a second surface of the paper that is the back side of the first surface, and bending the paper into a meandering shape in the width direction between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, wherein the protrusion height of at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion in a predetermined area at the center of the width direction of the paper is lower than the protrusion height of the first protrusion and the second protrusion in other areas.

[0008] Based on the printer described above, a printer can be provided with a structure that can hold fully cut paper that is ejected upwards and is less likely to cause paper jams from partially cut paper.

[0009] In the printer described above, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are positioned at a location offset from each other in the paper transport direction.

[0010] The printer described above can be configured to have an S-shaped, meandering paper transport path as seen in the paper width direction. Fully cut paper is less likely to fall to the cutting section.

[0011] In the printer described above, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are plate-shaped and are arranged side by side in the paper width direction with the plate thickness direction facing the paper width direction. They have a mountain-shaped shape formed by a sloping side that slopes upward from the upstream side to the downstream side of the paper conveying direction and from the inner peripheral surface of the paper discharge port to the top, and a side that slopes downward from the top to the inner peripheral surface.

[0012] The printer described above can further prevent fully cut paper from falling into the cutting section.

[0013] In the printer described above, the edge portion of the first protrusion on the downstream side of the paper transport direction extends in a direction intersecting the paper transport direction and the paper width direction.

[0014] The printer described above can retain fully cut paper.

[0015] In the printer described above, the protrusion with the lower protrusion height in the first protrusion and the second protrusion at the center of the width direction of the paper has a trapezoidal shape that is removed along the inner circumferential surface from the top to a predetermined height.

[0016] The printer described above can reduce the burden on the partially cut connecting parts.

[0017] In the printer described above, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured such that their edges face each other via a gap when viewed from the width direction of the paper.

[0018] The printer described above can eliminate problems caused by paper being held too tightly.

[0019] In the printer described above, the printing section includes a print head and a paper pressure roller, which pulls the rolled paper out toward the side having the second protrusion.

[0020] According to the printer described above, the rear end of the ejected paper is easily oriented toward the first protrusion and is easily held by the first protrusion.

[0021] In the printer described above, the first protrusion has an inner first protrusion located at the center of the paper in the width direction, a middle first protrusion disposed at a position separated from the inner first protrusion, and an outer first protrusion disposed at a position separated from the inner first protrusion and the middle first protrusion. The second protrusion has an inner second protrusion located at the center of the paper in the width direction and an outer second protrusion disposed at a position separated from the inner second protrusion.

[0022] The printer described above is able to discharge paper evenly and well in the width direction of the paper.

[0023] In the printer described above, the first protrusion and the second protrusion have the same thickness in the paper width direction.

[0024] According to the printer described above, because the first protrusion and the second protrusion have the same thickness, the holding force is easy to adjust and the forming is easy. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the printer involved in the embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of a printer;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a plan view showing an example of the appearance of the paper outlet;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a plan view of the paper outlet, showing an example of the curved state of the discharged paper.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing an example of the shape of the first protrusion;

[0030] Figure 6-1 It is a diagram showing a portion of the paper's path through the paper outlet in cross-section;

[0031] Figure 6-2 It is a diagram showing a portion of the paper's path through the paper outlet in cross-section;

[0032] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the arrangement and stacking of fully cut paper.

[0033] Figure 8-1 It is a cross-sectional view of part of the paper being cut and discharged;

[0034] Figure 8-2 It is a cross-sectional view of part of the paper being cut and discharged;

[0035] Figure 8-3 It is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the paper being cut and discharged; and

[0036] Figure 9 It is a realistic depiction of partially cut paper and its connecting parts.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0038] 1. Printer

[0039] 2. Shell 21. Main body 22. Cover

[0040] 3. Storage Department

[0041] 4. Paper feed outlet

[0042] 5 Printing section 51 Print head 52 Paper pressure roller

[0043] 6 Cutting section 61 Fixed blade 62 Movable blade

[0044] 7 (71~76) First protrusion 751 Top 752 Sloping side 753 Edge

[0045] 8 (81~83) Second protrusion 831 Top 832 Sloping side 833 Edge

[0046] 9. Roll paper; 91. Paper; 92. Paper; 93. Connecting part; 94. Part (partially cut paper). Detailed Implementation

[0047] The embodiments are described using the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of printer 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the internal structure of printer 1.

[0048] Printer 1 is a thermal printer that prints information such as text or graphics on paper. Printer 1 is connected to a POS (Point of Sales) terminal (not shown), for example, to receive product information, sales information, etc. related to goods sold to customers in the store from the POS terminal, prints them on paper, and issues them as receipts (dispenses paper, ejects paper).

[0049] The printer 1 includes a housing 2, a storage section 3, a paper output port 4, a printing section 5, and a cutting section 6.

[0050] The housing 2 includes a main body 21 and a cover 22. The main body 21 is a container with an opening on one side, and has a storage section 3 inside for storing a roll of paper (paper roll) 9. The cover 22 is rotatably supported near the edge of the opening of the main body 21. As the cover 22 rotates, the opening of the main body 21 is opened and closed, thereby opening and closing the storage section 3. The roll of paper 9 is taken out and placed into the main body 21 with the cover 22 open.

[0051] The roll of paper 9 is formed by winding a strip of paper (such as thermal paper) 91, and the paper 91 is pulled out from the outer periphery where the winding ends. The outer diameter of the roll of paper 9 gradually decreases as the paper 91 is pulled out.

[0052] Printer 1 prints information on the paper 91 pulled out from the roll of paper 9 stored in the storage section 3, and discharges the paper 91 that has passed through the printing section 5 from the paper discharge port 4.

[0053] Paper discharge port 4 is formed between the end opposite to the rotating end of the cover portion 22 and the main body portion 21. Paper discharge port 4 is a gap (slit) between the surface 41 opposite to the printing surface of the paper 91 and the surface 42 opposite to the back side of the printing surface of the paper 91. Surface 41 is part of the main body portion 21, and surface 42 is part of the cover portion 22. Paper discharge port 4 opens upward, and the printer 1 discharges the paper 91 that has passed through the printing section 5 upward.

[0054] The printing unit 5 includes a print head 51 and a paper pressure roller 52.

[0055] The printhead 51 is located approximately midway between the storage section 3 and the paper discharge port 4 within the main body 21, and is positioned along the transport path of the paper 91 pulled from the roll paper 9. The printhead 51 is a thermal line printhead with multiple heating elements arranged in rows. The printhead 51 heats the paper 91 by driving and heating the heating elements that correspond to the printed pattern arranged in a row, thereby printing information. The printed paper 91 is then discharged from the paper discharge port 4 out of the housing 2.

[0056] The pressure roller 52 is a cylindrical roller formed from a flexible material, at least with a surface, and is rotatably mounted on the cover 22. When the cover 22 closes the opening of the main body 21, the pressure roller 52 is positioned opposite the print head 51 and presses down on the print head 51. In this state, the paper 91 pulled from the roll paper 9 is held between the print head 51 and the pressure roller 52. The pressure roller 52 rotates by the driving force of a motor (not shown), pulling the paper 91 from the roll paper 9 and conveying it to the paper outlet 4. Furthermore, the printing unit 5 pulls the paper 91 from the roll paper 9 with the front end of the discharged paper 91 facing the cover 22 side. Specifically, the discharged paper 91 is pulled from the bottom side of the receiving section with the surface 42 (the surface where the second protrusion 8 is provided, described later) forming the inner peripheral surface of the paper outlet 4. As a result, the rear end of the discharged paper 91 is easily held by the first protrusion 41, which will be described later.

[0057] The cutting section 6 is disposed between the printing section 5 and the paper discharge port 4, and cuts the paper 91 along the width direction of the paper 91. In addition, the paper width direction, the paper thickness direction and the paper transport direction are mutually orthogonal.

[0058] The cutting section 6 can be driven by either of the following two methods as the cutting method. The first method is a full cut method, which cuts off the entire area of ​​the paper 91 in the width direction. The second method is a partial cut method, which leaves the center of the paper 91 in the width direction.

[0059] The cutting section 6 includes, for example, a fixed blade 61 with a straight cutting blade and a movable blade 62 with a V-shaped central recess. The movable blade 62 is driven by a drive unit such as an electric motor (not shown), so that its own cutting blade moves in a direction approaching or away from the cutting blade of the fixed blade 61. The direction of movement of the movable blade 62 is, for example, approximately in the paper thickness direction. In this configuration, depending on the distance the movable blade 62 moves relative to the fixed blade 61, it is possible to distinguish between full cutting and partial cutting. That is, by stopping the movement of the movable blade 62 to a point where it separates slightly from the cutting blade of the fixed blade 61, the center portion of the paper 91 is partially cut in the width direction.

[0060] Figure 3 This is a plan view showing an example of the appearance of the paper outlet 4. The printer 1 also includes a first protrusion 7 (71-76) and a second protrusion 8 (81-83) inside the paper outlet 4.

[0061] The first protrusion 7 (71-76) protrudes from the surface 41 of the inner peripheral surface constituting the paper outlet 4 and is provided at multiple locations along the width direction of the paper 91, opposite to the printing side surface (printing surface, first surface) of the paper 91. Similarly, the second protrusion 8 (81-83) protrudes from the surface 42 of the inner peripheral surface constituting the paper outlet 4 and is provided at multiple locations along the width direction of the paper 91, opposite to the back side (second surface) of the printing surface of the paper 91.

[0062] Each of the protrusions 71-76 and 81-83 is plate-shaped, with its thickness direction facing the width direction of the paper 91, and multiple protrusions are arranged side by side in the width direction of the paper 91. Furthermore, each of the protrusions 71-76 and 81-83 has the same thickness in the width direction of the paper. The number of protrusions constituting the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 is determined and shaped considering the holding force of the paper 91 at the paper exit 4. When the thickness of each protrusion is the same, adjusting the holding force becomes easier, and shaping becomes easier.

[0063] Furthermore, the protruding direction of each protrusion 7, 8 is, for example, along the thickness direction of the paper 91 being conveyed to each position. Thus, each protrusion 7, 8 causes the moving direction of the conveyed paper 91 to change in its thickness direction.

[0064] The first protrusion 7 is composed of protrusions 71 and 72 (inner first protrusions) located at the center of the paper 91 in the width direction, protrusions 73 and 74 (middle first protrusions) positioned across from protrusions 71 and 72 in the width direction, and protrusions 75 and 76 (outer first protrusions) further positioned across from these protrusions 71 to 74 in the width direction. The second protrusion 8 is composed of protrusion 81 (inner second protrusion) located at the center of the paper 91 in the width direction, and protrusions 82 and 83 (outer second protrusions) positioned across from protrusion 81 in the width direction. This allows for a balanced and efficient paper feed in the width direction.

[0065] Furthermore, the second protrusion 8 is positioned offset from the first protrusion 7 in the width direction of the paper 91. Thus, the protrusions 7 and 8 are arranged alternately in the width direction of the paper in the following order: first protrusion 75, second protrusion 83, first protrusions 73 and 71, second protrusion 81, first protrusions 72 and 74, second protrusion 82, and first protrusion 76. That is, the outer first protrusion, outer second protrusion, middle first protrusion, inner first protrusion, and inner second protrusion are arranged from the outer side in the width direction. Additionally, this causes the paper 91 to bend into a meandering shape (waveform) in the width direction between the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8. Figure 4 This is a plan view of the paper outlet, showing an example of the bent state of the discharged paper 91. The paper 91 is held in place by the protrusions 7 and 8 by the force of its own bending (the elastic force that restores it to a straight line from a bent state) and by the friction generated between the protrusions 7 and 8.

[0066] In this embodiment, the protrusions 71 and 72 at the center of the paper width direction are set to have a lower (smaller, shorter) protrusion height than the other protrusions 73 to 76. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusions 73 to 76 have a certain protrusion height. Additionally, the protrusions 81 to 83 also have a certain protrusion height in this embodiment. Therefore, in a defined area at the center of the paper 91 in the width direction, the distance between the top of the first protrusion 7 and the top of the second protrusion is wider (larger) than in other areas.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the heights of each protrusion 71-76 and 81-83 are set as described above, according to the implementation, the protrusion height of at least one of the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 in a specified area of ​​the center portion of the width direction of the paper 91 can be set to be lower than the protrusion heights of the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 in other areas.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing an example of the shape of the first protrusions 71-73. Furthermore, in Figure 5 The first protrusions 74-76 (not shown) have the same shape as the first protrusion 73. (As shown...) Figure 5 As shown, the first protrusion 73 has a mountain-shaped form, and the first protrusions 71 and 72 have trapezoidal shapes. For more details, please refer to 6-1 and... Figure 6-2 Please provide an explanation.

[0069] Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2 It is a diagram showing a portion of the path of the paper 91 through the paper outlet 4 in cross section. Figure 6-1 yes Figure 3 Section AA in the middle, Figure 6-2 yes Figure 3 The BB section in the middle. Furthermore... Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2 This is a view taken from the width of the paper (91 cm).

[0070] like Figure 6-1 As shown, the first protrusion 75 of the mountain shape has a top 751, a sloping side 752 that slopes upward from the upstream side to the downstream side of the paper conveying direction and from the surface 41 of the inner peripheral surface of the paper discharge port 4 to the top 751, and an edge 753 that slopes downward from the top 751 to the surface 41 of the inner peripheral surface.

[0071] Edge 753 is the downstream edge of the first protrusion 75 in the paper transport direction. Edge 753 extends in a direction that intersects the paper transport direction and the paper width direction. Because such edge 753 is not parallel to the lower edge of the fully cut paper 91, the fully cut paper 91 can be retained.

[0072] Furthermore, the second protrusion 83 (and the second protrusions 81 and 82 are the same) has the same mountain-shaped shape as the first protrusions 73-76. That is, the second protrusion 83 has a top 831, an inclined edge 832 that slopes upward from the inner peripheral surface 42 of the paper feed outlet 4 to the top 831, and an edge 833 that slopes downward from the top 831 to the inner peripheral surface 42.

[0073] Next, as Figure 6-2 As shown, the first protrusion 71 (and the first protrusion 72 are the same) at the center of the paper's width direction, which has a lower protrusion height than the other first protrusions 73-76, has a trapezoidal shape. More specifically, the first protrusions 71 and 72 are formed by removing a shape that is roughly parallel to the surface 41 from the same mountain-shaped shape as the first protrusion 75 to a predetermined height including the top 751. Thus, the first protrusions 71 and 72 have short bevels 752 and edges 753. This reduces the need for the partially cut connecting portion 93 ( Figure 9 The burden of ).

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 are positioned offset from each other in the paper transport direction. Therefore, the shape of the paper transport path as seen from the paper width direction is as follows: Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2 As shown, it contains a meandering S-shaped form that is not a straight line.

[0075] More specifically, the first protrusion 7 is configured to be located above the second protrusion 8 (i.e., downstream in the paper transport direction). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of first protrusions 7 (71-76) is greater than the number of second protrusions 8 (81-83), resulting in a narrower spacing between them. Therefore, the first protrusions 7 are preferably used as a location for stacking (packing) fully cut sheets of paper 91.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 are arranged such that, when viewed from the paper width direction, the inclined edge 752 and the edge 833 are opposite each other via a gap. Thus, when viewed from the paper width direction, the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 do not overlap. This structure and the aforementioned S-shaped, meandering paper transport path shape enable proper retention of the paper 91 in the paper outlet 4 of this embodiment. Proper retention here means that the fully cut paper 91 can be held between the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8, and that during the partial cutting operation of the cutting section 6, no paper jam occurs between the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8.

[0077] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing part of the arrangement and stacking of fully cut paper 92. When the cutting section 6 cuts the paper 91 printed by the printing section 5, in the case of a full cut, the cut paper 92 is held between the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 by applying a rotational force in the paper width direction. This prevents the paper 92 from falling between the fixed blade 61 and the movable blade 62 and being cut a second time.

[0078] In the aforementioned state, when the next sheet of paper 91 is conveyed, it partially overlaps the already cut sheet of paper 92 in the thickness direction between the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8. As the sheet of paper 91 is conveyed further, friction is generated on the contact surfaces of the sheet of paper 91 and the sheet of paper 92, causing the sheet of paper 92 to be conveyed together with the sheet of paper 91. Subsequently, the sheet of paper 92 that has passed the top 751 is stacked on the edge 753 of the first protrusion 7.

[0079] Figures 8-1 to 8-3 This is a cross-sectional view of part of the paper 91 being cut and discharged. Figure 8-1The paper 91 shown is in its state before being cut by the cutting portion 6. When the paper 91 is partially cut by the cutting portion 6, it is... Figure 8-2 The state shown. In Figure 8-2 In the diagram, symbol 93 indicates the part where the two ends are cut off and the center is joined (connection part) 93. Additionally, symbol 94 indicates the portion further downstream of the connection part 93 (partially cut paper) 94.

[0080] here, Figure 9 This is a realistic depiction of partially cut paper 94 and its connecting portion 93. (As shown...) Figure 9 As shown, the connecting portion 93 between the partially cut paper 94 and the partially cut paper 94, although not actually of the length shown in the figure when viewed from the width direction of the paper, is shown for ease of explanation. Figure 8-2 and Figure 8-3 The middle part is represented by a dashed line.

[0081] like Figure 8-2 As shown, the lower ends of both ends of the partially cut paper 94 on the downstream side of the connecting portion 93 in the width direction are curled on the movable blade 62 side according to the winding direction of the roll paper 9. In this state, the partially cut paper 94 on the downstream side of the connecting portion 93 is held between the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 in the same way as the fully cut paper 92.

[0082] In the case of partial cutting, since the conveyed paper 91 and the partially cut paper 94 do not overlap in the thickness direction, the paper 91 only presses against the partially cut paper 94 with the connecting portion 93. Therefore, if the holding of the partially cut paper 94 based on the protrusions 7 and 8 is too strong, a paper jam will occur. As a countermeasure, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, firstly, the interval between the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 at the center of the paper width direction is made wider than in other areas (the two ends in the paper width direction). As a result, the load involved in the connecting portion 93 and its surrounding portion is smaller than in other areas.

[0083] Furthermore, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 are configured to face each other via a gap when viewed from the paper width direction, and do not overlap when viewed from the paper width direction. According to this embodiment, the undesirable situation caused by the paper 91 being held too tightly can be eliminated.

[0084] Furthermore, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 are positioned offset from each other in the paper transport direction, thereby creating an S-shaped meandering paper transport path when viewed from the paper width direction. This further reduces the likelihood of the fully cut paper 92 falling into the cutting section 6, preventing the paper 92 from being cut a second time by the cutting section 6.

[0085] Depend on Figure 8-2 The paper 91 is fed in its current state and then printed, and when it is subsequently partially cut, it is... Figure 8-3 The state shown. (As indicated) Figure 8-2 and Figure 8-3 As shown, the partially cut paper 94 of the paper 91 is curled according to the winding direction of the roll paper 9, or with a curvature corresponding to the residual diameter of the roll paper 9. As a countermeasure against paper jams caused by this curling, the protrusions 7 and 8 in this embodiment are configured to achieve a paper transport path that is not opposite to the curling direction of the partially cut paper 94 (preferably a paper transport path that bends towards the curling direction of the partially cut paper 94). According to such an embodiment, it is assumed that even if the curling of the paper 91 is strong, paper jams are not likely to occur.

[0086] Thus, according to this embodiment, a printer 1 can be provided with a structure that can hold the fully cut paper 92 ejected upwards and is less likely to cause paper jams in partially cut paper 94.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusions 7 and 8 are formed to have the same thickness in the paper width direction. In addition, the protrusions 7 and 8 have a rib-like shape, and the holding force of the paper 91 at the paper outlet 4 is adjusted according to the number of ribs. However, depending on the implementation, the protrusions 7 and 8 may also be formed by, for example, a mixture of thick and thin protrusions in the paper width direction.

[0088] While several 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, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and their variations are all included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A printer characterized by comprising: The printer includes: a printing section that prints on a paper sheet in a strip shape; a housing that houses the paper sheet and the printing section, and is provided with a paper discharge port that discharges the paper sheet that has passed through the printing section upward; a cutting section that is arranged between the printing section and the paper discharge port, and cuts the paper sheet in either of a first method that cuts the entire area in the width direction of the paper sheet and a second method that cuts the center portion in the width direction of the paper sheet that remains; a first protruding section that protrudes from the inner periphery of the paper discharge port, is provided at a plurality of positions along the width direction of the paper sheet, and faces a first surface that is the printed side of the paper sheet; and a second protruding section that protrudes from the inner periphery of the paper discharge port, is provided at a plurality of positions along the width direction of the paper sheet and at positions that are staggered in the width direction of the paper sheet from the first protruding section, faces a second surface that is the back surface of the first surface of the paper sheet, and causes the paper sheet to be bent in a meandering shape in the width direction between the first protruding section and the second protruding section, wherein the protruding height of at least either of the first protruding section and the second protruding section in a prescribed area in the center portion in the width direction of the paper sheet is lower than the protruding height of the first protruding section and the second protruding section in other areas.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first protruding section and the second protruding section are provided at positions that are staggered in the paper sheet conveying direction.

3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the first protruding section and the second protruding section are plate-shaped, are arranged side by side in the paper sheet width direction with the plate thickness direction oriented in the paper sheet width direction, and have a gable shape formed by a slope that slopes upward from the inner peripheral surface of the paper discharge port to a top portion from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the paper sheet conveying direction and a side that descends from the top portion toward the inner peripheral surface.

4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein an edge portion of the first protruding section on the downstream side in the paper sheet conveying direction extends in a direction that intersects the paper sheet conveying direction and the paper sheet width direction.

5. The printer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the protruding section of the first protruding section and the second protruding section in the center portion in the width direction of the paper sheet that has a low protruding height has a trapezoidal shape in which a portion from the top portion to a prescribed height is removed along the inner peripheral surface.

6. The printer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first protruding section and the second protruding section are arranged so that the edges of the first protruding section and the second protruding section face each other via a gap in a state viewed in the paper sheet width direction.

7. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the first protruding section and the second protruding section are arranged so that the edges of the first protruding section and the second protruding section face each other via a gap in a state viewed in the paper sheet width direction.

8. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing section includes a print head and a platen roller that pulls out the curled paper sheet after discharge toward the side having the second protruding section.

9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein ​ The first protrusions have an inner first protrusion located at a widthwise center portion of the paper, an intermediate first protrusion provided at a position across the inner first protrusion, and an outer first protrusion provided at a position across the inner first protrusion and the intermediate first protrusion. The second protrusions have an inner second protrusion located at a widthwise center portion of the paper and an outer second protrusion provided at a position across the inner second protrusion.

10. The printer according to claim 1, wherein The first protrusions and the second protrusions have the same thickness in the paper width direction.

Images