Printing device

Abstract

A printing device includes a conveyance roller that conveys a recording paper toward a conveyance direction; a head that performs printing on the recording paper; a cutter that has a second blade located at a position opposed to an opening located downstream of the conveyance direction of the head and the conveyance roller, and a first blade that is movable toward the second blade from the opening and is capable of cutting the recording paper together with the second blade; and a shutter that has a gate capable of opening and closing the opening and is movable between a first position and a second position, the shutter being moved from the first position toward the second position when the first blade is moved toward the second blade from the opening, the gate opening the opening, the shutter being moved from the second position toward the first position when the first blade is moved away from the second blade, and the gate closing the opening.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, as shown in Patent Literature 1, there is known a device provided with a gate that opens and closes an opening through which a movable blade of a cutter advances and retreats, and the movable blade and the gate abut to open the opening.

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-38974

[0004] The movable blade of the above device abuts against the gate, and thus there is a possibility that the movable blade is damaged. SUMMARY

[0005] A printing device includes a conveyance roller that conveys a recording paper toward a conveyance direction, a head that performs printing on the recording paper, a cutter that has a second blade located at a position opposite to an opening located downstream of the head and the conveyance roller in the conveyance direction, and a first blade that is movable toward the second blade from the opening and is capable of cutting the recording paper together with the second blade, and a baffle that has a gate capable of opening and closing the opening and is movable between a first position and a second position, the baffle moves from the first position toward the second position when the first blade moves toward the second blade from the opening, the gate opens the opening, the baffle moves from the second position toward the first position when the first blade moves away from the second blade, and the gate closes the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a sectional view showing a structure of a printing device.

[0007] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a baffle showing a first position in which an opening is closed by a gate.

[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a baffle showing a second position in which an opening is opened by a gate.

[0009] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a gate viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] 1. First Embodiment

[0011] 1-1. Structure of a printing device

[0012] Hereinafter, referring to Figures 1 to 4The printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Furthermore, the directions in the figures will be explained using a three-dimensional coordinate system. For ease of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as "up" or simply "up," and the negative direction will be referred to as "down" or simply "down." The positive direction of the X-axis will be referred to as "right" or simply "right," and the negative direction will be referred to as "left" or simply "left." The positive direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as "back" or simply "back," and the negative direction will be referred to as "forward" or simply "forward."

[0013] The printing apparatus 1 involved in the implementation method is used, for example, in a POS (Point of Sale) system. A POS system is a system used in retail businesses such as shopping malls, department stores, convenience stores, and mobile sales outlets, or in food and beverage businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and bars. A POS system has the function of printing receipts, coupons, tickets, labels, etc., based on goods or services. Hereinafter, receipts, coupons, tickets, labels, etc., will be referred to as printed materials.

[0014] The user operates the POS system, sending printing data from the computer to the printing device 1, which then prints the printed material and delivers it to the customer or affixes it to the merchandise.

[0015] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1 is composed of a conveyor roller 4, a head 3, a shear 5 having a first blade 5a and a second blade 5b, and a baffle 10 having a gate 10a and a protrusion 10b.

[0016] A hinge portion 14 is provided below and in front of the housing 12. The cover 13 is rotatably mounted around the hinge portion 14.

[0017] The housing 12 is equipped with a head 3, a second blade 5b of the shearer 5, and a storage section 15 (described later). On the other hand, the cover 13 is equipped with a conveyor roller 4, a first blade 5a of the shearer 5, a baffle 10, a first guide 7 (described later), and a second guide 8 (described later).

[0018] The recording paper 2 is, for example, a long strip of thermal paper. Alternatively, the recording paper 2 can also be a backing paper (table paper) with multiple labels of a fixed shape pasted on its surface, known as die-cut label paper. Alternatively, the recording paper 2 can also be a long strip of continuous label without a backing paper, known as unbacked label paper. In the case of unbacked labels, the surface of the conveyor roller 4 undergoes a non-adhesive process such as silicone processing without adhesive paste.

[0019] The roll of paper R with the recording paper 2 wound on it can be stored in the storage part 15, which is disposed in the lower part of the housing 12.

[0020] The cover 13 can open and close the storage section 15. The user can access the storage section 15 by opening the cover 13 forward.

[0021] If the user opens the cover 13 and stores the roll of paper R in the storage section 15, pulls out the recording paper 2 from the roll of paper R and closes the cover 13, the recording paper 2 can be placed in the printing device 1.

[0022] When the cover 13 is closed, the conveyor roller 4 mounted on the cover 13 is positioned opposite the head 3 mounted on the housing 12, separated by the recording paper 2. As a result, the conveyor roller 4 can convey the recording paper 2, and the head 3 can print on the recording paper 2. In addition, the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 mounted on the cover 13 is positioned opposite the second blade 5b mounted on the housing 12, separated by the recording paper 2, and can cut the recording paper 2.

[0023] Additionally, if the cover 13 is closed, a rectangular outlet 16 is formed at the boundary between the cover 13 and the housing 12.

[0024] Head 3 is, for example, a linear thermal head with multiple heating elements arranged side by side. The multiple heating elements of head 3 selectively heat up according to the printing data, and print images on the recording paper 2, which serves as thermal paper.

[0025] The conveyor roller 4 is rotated clockwise by a motor via a conveyor roller (not shown). The conveyor roller 4 pulls the recording paper 2 out of the roll paper R of the storage section 15 and conveys it in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow from the beginning 3 toward the cutter 5.

[0026] The conveyor roller 4, located opposite the head 3 and separated from the recording paper 2, is also called the pressure roller.

[0027] In addition, the printing apparatus 1 may also have a pressing mechanism that presses the head 3 toward the conveyor roller 4.

[0028] The recording paper 2 is pressed at a predetermined pressure by a pressing mechanism between the head 3 and the conveyor roller 4. In this state, a predetermined frictional force is generated between the conveyor roller 4 and the recording paper 2 by the rotation of the conveyor roller 4, thereby conveying the recording paper 2.

[0029] The shearer 5 is positioned downstream of the head 3 and the conveyor roller 4 in the conveying direction. The shearer 5 includes a first blade 5a and a second blade 5b located opposite each other. The recording paper 2 is conveyed by the conveyor roller 4 in a manner passing between the first blade 5a and the second blade 5b. Figure 1 As shown, a second cutter 5b is disposed above the recording paper 2, and a first cutter 5a is disposed below the recording paper 2.

[0030] The first blade 5a moves toward the second blade 5b via a motor through a shearer (not shown), with their blade tips crossing each other, thereby cutting the recording paper 2 located between the first blade 5a and the second blade 5b.

[0031] The first guide 7 is disposed upstream of the cutter 5 and downstream of the head 3 and the conveyance roller 4 in the conveyance direction. The second guide 8 is disposed upstream of the discharge port 16 and downstream of the cutter 5 in the conveyance direction. Thus, the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 are located between the head 3 and the conveyance roller 4 and the discharge port 16.

[0032] The first guide 7 and the second guide 8 support the recording paper 2 conveyed by the conveyance roller 4 from below.

[0033] An opening 11 is formed between the first guide 7 and the second guide 8. Since the first guide 7 is located downstream of the head 3 and the conveyance roller 4, the opening 11 is located downstream of the head 3 and the conveyance roller 4 in the conveyance direction.

[0034] In addition, since the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 are located between the head 3 and the conveyance roller 4 and the discharge port 16, the opening 11 is also located between the head 3 and the conveyance roller 4 and the discharge port 16.

[0035] The second blade 5b of the cutter 5 is located above the opening 11 and opposite the opening 11. The first blade 5a of the cutter 5 is capable of advancing and retreating from the opening 11. The first blade 5a retreats to a position below the opening 11 and behind the opening 11 when the recording paper 2 is not cut. Hereinafter, the position of the first blade 5a at this time is referred to as a retreat position.

[0036] The first blade 5a advances upward from the opening 11 and moves toward the second blade 5b when the recording paper 2 is cut, and cuts the recording paper 2 together with the second blade 5b. Hereinafter, the position of the first blade 5a at this time is referred to as a cutting position. After cutting the recording paper 2, the first blade 5a moves away from the second blade 5b and returns to the retreat position.

[0037] The cutter 5 is provided with a holder 6 that is capable of moving together with the first blade 5a and supporting the first blade 5a.

[0038] The holder 6 is connected to a transmission mechanism that transmits power of a cutter motor. Since the first blade 5a is thin, if it is directly connected to the transmission mechanism, there is a concern that the first blade 5a is deformed or damaged by the force applied thereto. Therefore, the first blade 5a is configured so as to be connected to the transmission mechanism via the holder 6.

[0039] Further, the transmission mechanism includes a gear or the like that converts the rotational motion of the cutter motor into linear motion to move the first blade 5a and the holder 6 up and down.

[0040] The baffle 10 includes a gate 10a that can open and close the opening 11, a protrusion 10b that abuts against the holder 6 of the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 and moves, and a shaft 10c that supports the baffle 10 so as to be rotatable.

[0041] One end of the baffle 10 is rotatably fixed to the cover 13 by a shaft 10c, and a gate 10a is formed at the other end. A protrusion 10b is formed between the shaft 10c and the gate 10a. One end of the baffle 10 is fixed, and is called a fixed end. The other end of the baffle 10 is movable, and is called a free end.

[0042] As described below, the baffle 10 is movable between a first position and a second position. Figure 1 A state in which the baffle 10 is positioned at the first position is shown.

[0043] A resilient member 9 is attached between the second guide 8 and the baffle 10. The resilient member 9 is, for example, a spring or rubber, or the like. The resilient member 9 presses the protrusion 10b of the baffle 10 toward the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 and the holder 6.

[0044] Use Figure 2 And Figure 3 The baffle 10 is described in detail. First, the positions of the respective parts of the baffle 10 are described.

[0045] The shaft 10c is positioned at a position downstream of the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 and the holder 6 in the conveyance direction and upstream of the second guide 8. The protrusion 10b protrudes toward the first blade 5a and the holder 6. The gate 10a extends toward the upstream in the conveyance direction in a manner so as to cover the opening 11.

[0046] The baffle 10 is positioned downstream of the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 in the conveyance direction, and thus the distance between the head 3 and the conveyance roller 4 and the cutter 5 can be reduced.

[0047] After a receipt or the like is printed to the recording paper 2 by the head 3, the recording paper 2 can be immediately cut by the cutter 5, and thus waste of the recording paper 2 can be suppressed. It is necessary to cut the recording paper 2 at a position of the rear end on which the receipt or the like is printed by the cutter 5. Therefore, it is necessary to convey the recording paper 2 by the conveyance roller 4 so that the rear end after printing of the recording paper 2 exceeds the position of the cutter 5, but the distance is short.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the first position of the baffle 10 is a position in which the gate 10a closes the opening 11. Hereinafter, the position of the gate 10a at this time is called a closed position. Figure 2 By closing the opening 11 by the gate 10a, the front end of the recording paper 2 conveyed by the conveyance roller 4 is suppressed from entering the opening 11. In addition, the rear end of the recording paper 2 cut by the cutter 5 is also suppressed from entering the opening 11. At this time, the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 is positioned at a retracted position.

[0049] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the second position of the baffle 10 is a position in which the gate 10a opens the opening 11. Hereinafter, the position of the gate 10a at this time is called an open position.

[0050] Figure 3 ​As shown, the second position of the baffle 10 is the position where the gate 10a opens to the opening 11. Hereinafter, the position of the gate 10a at this time will be referred to as the open position.

[0051] By opening the opening 11 through the gate 10a, the first blade 5a of the shearer 5 can move upward through the opening 11, thereby cutting the recording paper 2.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, when the baffle 10 is in the first position, the protrusion 10b is located off the retainer 6 of the first blade 5a of the shearer 5 and does not abut against the retainer 6.

[0053] The baffle 10 is held in a position where the protrusion 10b abuts against the surface of the first blade 5a due to the pressing force of the elastic member 9. As a result, the gate 10a is also held in the closed position. Furthermore, the baffle 10 is made of resin such as plastic resin, which can suppress wear on the first blade 5a even when the protrusion 10b abuts against the surface of the first blade 5a.

[0054] Here, the action of the gate 10a of the baffle 10 opening the opening 11 when the first blade 5a moves from the opening 11 toward the second blade 5b when the recording paper 2 needs to be cut, that is, when the first blade 5a moves from the retraction position toward the cutting position, will be explained.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the baffle 10 is in the first position, and the gate 10a closes the opening 11. Assume that the first blade 5a of the shearer 5 in the retracted position is facing the direction of the opening 11 and the second blade 5b begins to move.

[0056] If the first cutter 5a moves toward the opening 11, the retainer 6 supporting the shearer 5 also moves along with it. Then, the retainer 6 reaches a position just before it comes into contact with the protrusion 10b of the baffle 10.

[0057] The portion of the cage 6 that abuts against the protrusion 10b has a gentle slope. Additionally, the portion of the protrusion 10b that abuts against the cage 6 also has a gentle slope. The ends of the slopes of the cage 6 and the protrusion 10b abut against each other.

[0058] Furthermore, if the retainer 6 moves, the retainer 6 and the protrusion 10b slide on their respective inclined surfaces. The elastic member 9 presses down with the baffle 10 toward the first position. The retainer 6 resists the pressing force of the elastic member 9 and pushes the protrusion 10b upward toward the front of the printing device 1.

[0059] At this time, the baffle 10 rotates and moves clockwise around the axis 10c by the protrusion 10b that is pushed forward and upward. As the baffle 10 moves, the gate 10a moves from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction, opening the closed opening 11.

[0060] The protrusion 10b jumps from the inclined plane of the cage 6 to the plane, resulting in the cessation of movement of the protrusion 10b and the cessation of movement of the baffle 10.

[0061] Furthermore, even after the baffle 10 stops moving, the first blade 5a will move to the cutting position, so the retainer 6 abuts against the protrusion 10b with its plane and moves.

[0062] The result is, as Figure 3 As shown, the first blade 5a moves to the cutting position and cuts the recording paper 2 together with the second blade 5b. The baffle 10 moves to... Figure 3 The second position shown.

[0063] In this way, if the first blade 5a moves from the opening 11 toward the second blade 5b, the retainer 6 of the first blade 5a abuts against the protrusion 10b, causing the baffle 10 to move from the first position toward the second position, and the gate 10a moves in such a way that the opening 11 is opened.

[0064] That is, when the first blade 5a of the shearer 5 moves from the retracted position to the cutting position, the retainer 6 supporting the first blade 5a abuts against the protrusion 10b of the baffle 10, causing the baffle 10 to move from the first position to the second position, and causing the gate 10a of the baffle 10 to move from the closed position to the open position.

[0065] Next, the action of the gate 10a of the baffle 10 closing the opening 11 when the first cutter 5a moves away from the second cutter 5b after the recording paper 2 is cut, that is, when the first cutter 5a moves to return from the cutting position to the retraction position, will be explained.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, the baffle 10 is in the second position, and the gate 10a opens the opening 11. Assume that the first blade 5a of the shearer 5 in the cutting position begins to move in a direction away from the second blade 5b and back to the retracted position.

[0067] If the first blade 5a moves away from the second blade 5b, the retainer 6 supporting the shearer 5 also moves.

[0068] The retainer 6 abuts against the protrusion 10b of the baffle 10 with its flat surface and moves. Then, the retainer 6 reaches the position before it is about to deviate from the protrusion 10b.

[0069] If the retainer 6 moves further, the retainer 6 and the protrusion 10b slide on each other's inclined surfaces. The retainer 6 pushes the protrusion 10b toward the rear of the printing device 1 due to the pressing force of the elastic member 9.

[0070] At this time, the shutter 10 is rotated and moved in a counterclockwise direction around the shaft 10c by the protrusion 10b pushed rearward. With the movement of the shutter 10, the gate 10a is moved from the downstream in the conveying direction toward the upstream, closing the opening 11.

[0071] If the protrusion 10b deviates from the slope of the holder 6 and comes into abutment with the face of the first blade 5a, the movement of the protrusion 10b is stopped, and the shutter 10 also stops moving.

[0072] Further, even after the shutter 10 stops moving, the first blade 5a is moved to the retreat position, and thus the first blade 5a comes into abutment with the protrusion 10b with its face and moves.

[0073] As a result, as shown in Figure 2 , the first blade 5a returns to the retreat position, and the shutter 10 returns to the first position.

[0074] In this way, if the first blade 5a is moved away from the second blade 5b, the holder 6 deviates from the protrusion 10b of the shutter 10, causing the shutter 10 to move from the second position toward the first position, and the gate 10a of the shutter 10 to close the opening 11.

[0075] That is, when the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 is moved from the cutting position toward the retreat position, the abutment between the holder 6 supporting the first blade 5a and the protrusion 10b of the shutter 10 deviates, causing the shutter 10 to move from the second position toward the first position, and the gate 10a of the shutter 10 to move from the open position toward the closed position.

[0076] However, the gate 10a of the shutter 10 is configured in a manner that prevents interference with surrounding parts when the gate 10a of the shutter 10 is moved between the closed position shown in Figure 2 and the open position shown in Figure 3 . Thus, a slight gap is sometimes generated between the gate 10a in the closed position and the first guide 7 and the second guide 8. In addition, a slight step is sometimes generated between the gate 10a and the first guide 7 and the second guide 8.

[0077] In particular, when the corners at both ends of the leading end of the conveyed recording paper 2 come into abutment with these gaps or steps, there is a concern of hooking. As a result, there is a concern that the recording paper 2 is caught around the gate 10a or the like.

[0078] The printing device 1 is capable of handling a plurality of paper widths of the recording paper 2. For example, two kinds of paper widths of the recording paper 2 that the printing device 1 is capable of handling are shown in Figure 4 . Further, the gate 10a is in the closed position, closing the opening 11 in the conveying direction.

[0079] Figure 4The width of the recording paper 2 shown at the top is the length between position A and position C, for example, 80 mm. The two ends of the recording paper 2 in the width direction are located at position A and position C. Figure 4 The lower part shows that the width of the recording paper 2 is the length between position A and position B, for example, 58 mm. The two ends of the recording paper 2 in the width direction are located at position A and position B.

[0080] In addition, the structure is configured such that multiple paper rolls R can be positioned, and a divider can be provided in the storage section 15 according to each paper width.

[0081] like Figure 4 As shown, the baffle 10 has multiple gates 10a arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording paper 2 indicated by the arrow and in the paper width direction of the recording paper 2. Multiple gates 10a are provided at multiple positions A, B, and C that avoid the ends of the two types of recording paper 2 in the paper width direction.

[0082] In other words, at positions A, B, and C, which are the ends of the two types of recording paper 2 that the printing device 1 can process, there are no gates 10a. Therefore, there are no gaps or steps between the gates 10a and the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 at these positions.

[0083] As a result, it is possible to suppress gaps or steps caused by the corner hooks of the conveyed recording paper 2 getting caught between the gate 10a and the first guide 7 and the second guide 8. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the recording paper 2 from getting stuck around the gate 10a.

[0084] Furthermore, the front end of the recording paper 2, excluding the corners, abuts against multiple gates 10a and is calibrated in a manner parallel to the gates 10a, moving towards the conveying direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the corners of the recording paper 2 from entering the opening 11.

[0085] Furthermore, in the second guide 8, at positions A, B, and C corresponding to the ends of the two types of recording paper 2 in the paper width direction, protrusions 8a extend from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction. The plurality of gates 10a and the plurality of protrusions 8a are staggered relative to each other in the paper width direction of the recording paper 2.

[0086] With this configuration, for example, even if the conveyed recording paper 2 is tilted, the corner of the recording paper 2 will be prevented from abutting against the protrusion 8a or the gate 10a and entering the opening 11. Moreover, the front end of the recording paper 2, excluding the corner, abuts against the multiple gates 10a and is corrected in a manner parallel to the gates 10a, moving towards the conveying direction.

[0087] As a result, it is possible to prevent the recording paper 2 from entering the opening 11, thereby preventing the recording paper 2 from getting stuck.

[0088] According to the printing device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the shutter 10 is moved with the movement of the first blade 5a of the movable blade of the cutter 5 that advances and retreats from the opening 11, thereby moving the gate 10a of the shutter 10.

[0089] As a result, the first blade 5a of the printing device 1 does not abut against the gate 10a, and there is no concern that the first blade 5a will malfunction.

[0090] The above-described embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific structure is not limited to the embodiments, and can be changed, replaced, deleted, and the like, as long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated.

[0091] In the above, the head 3 is described taking a thermal head as an example, but it is a head of a printing method. For example, the head 3 can also be an inkjet head. In this case, since the inkjet head cannot be in contact with the conveyance roller 4 to hold the recording paper 2, as long as a driven roller that opposes the conveyance roller 4 and holds the recording paper 2 is mounted to the housing 12.

[0092] In addition, in the above, the case where the holder 6 of the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 is used to move the gate 10a of the shutter 10 is described as an example. It can also be configured in such a manner that, instead of the holder 6, any one of a link mechanism, a cam mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, or the like, or a combination thereof, using rotation of a gear of a transmission mechanism of the cutter 5, moves the gate 10a of the shutter 10 between the open position and the closed position.

[0093] In addition, in the above, the case where the recording paper 2 conveyed by the conveyance roller 4 is placed by the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 is described as an example. As long as the gate 10a of the shutter 10 can be used to place the recording paper 2, one or both of the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 can also not be provided.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The conveyor rollers transport the recording paper in the conveying direction. The head is printed on the recording paper; A shear has a second blade and a first blade, the second blade being positioned opposite an opening located downstream of the head and the conveying direction of the conveying roller, the first blade being movable from the opening toward the second blade and capable of cutting the recording paper together with the second blade; as well as The baffle has a gate capable of opening and closing the opening, and is movable between a first position and a second position. As the first blade moves from the opening toward the second blade, the baffle moves from the first position toward the second position, and the gate opens the opening. As the first blade moves away from the second blade, the baffle moves from the second position toward the first position, and the gate closes the opening. The printing apparatus includes a holder that is movable together with the first blade and supports the first blade. The baffle has a protrusion that can abut against the cage. If the first blade moves from the opening toward the second blade, the retainer abuts against the protrusion, causing the baffle to move from the first position toward the second position, and the gate opens the opening. If the first blade moves away from the second blade, the retainer deviates from the protrusion of the baffle, causing the baffle to move from the second position toward the first position, and the gate closes the opening.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, As the baffle moves from the second position toward the first position, the gate moves from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction, closing the opening.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle is movable between the first position and the second position about an axis, and is pressed towards the first position by an elastic member.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple gates are provided at multiple locations at the ends of the recording paper that are away from the paper width direction in a direction intersecting the conveying direction.

Images