Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer, which can smoothly convey a medium, while facilitating work for holding a roll paper.SOLUTION: A printer 10 is provided with a roll paper holder 70 that holds a roll paper 6 having a belt-like medium 5 cylindrically wound therearound, and a support base 55 for supporting the medium 5 pulled out backward from the roll paper holder 70. The roll paper holder 70 has a rotary shaft member 71 that extends in a lateral direction Y to be inserted into the roll paper 6, and a flange member 72 provided at one end part of the rotary shaft member 71. A central shaft 71a of the rotary shaft member 71 is arranged closer to a rear side than a front end 64F of the support base 55. A front end 72F of the flange member 72 is arranged closer to a front side than the front end 64F of the support base 55.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device that includes a main body, a platen that is supported by the main body and supports a recording medium, and an apron arranged in front of the platen. In this recording device, a holding device that holds roll paper on which the recording medium is wound in a roll is provided at the front of the main body. The recording medium unfolded from the roll paper held by the holding device passes through the rear of the main body, reaches the platen from the rear, and is supported by the platen. The recording medium supported by the platen passes over the apron and is transported to the front of the apron.

[0003] In the recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a holding device for holding the roll paper is provided at the front of the main body, so that an operator can manually place the roll paper in the holding device from the front of the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-110708 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the front end of the roll paper held by the holding device is disposed behind the front end of the apron. From the viewpoint of facilitating the work of the operator to hold the roll paper in the holding device, it is preferable that the roll paper held by the holding device is disposed as far forward as possible. However, if the roll paper is disposed too far forward, the recording medium transported forward from the apron will enter behind the roll paper when the roll paper held by the holding device rotates. As a result, the recording medium transported forward from the apron may accumulate in the space behind the roll paper, which may cause the recording medium to be damaged. In addition, if the recording medium accumulates in the space behind the roll paper, the recording medium may not be transported smoothly.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its object is to provide a printer that can smoothly transport media unfolded from the roll paper while facilitating the task of holding the roll paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printer according to the present invention includes a roll paper holder that holds roll paper, which is a strip of medium wound into a cylindrical shape, and a support base that supports the medium pulled rearward from the roll paper holder. The roll paper holder extends in the left-right direction and has a rotating shaft member that is inserted into the roll paper, and a flange member provided at one end of the rotating shaft member. The central axis of the rotating shaft member is located rearward of the front end of the support base. The front end of the flange member is located forward of the front end of the support base.

[0008] For example, when a medium supported by the support stand is transported forward, it moves downward in front of the support stand. Here, by arranging the central axis of the rotating shaft member behind the front end of the support stand, it is possible to make it difficult for the medium transported forward of the support stand to slip between the support stand and the flange member and behind the rotating shaft member. Therefore, it is difficult for the medium to get behind the rotating shaft member and accumulate, and it is difficult for the medium to be damaged. Therefore, the medium can be transported smoothly. Furthermore, according to the printer, since the front end of the flange member is arranged forward of the front end of the support stand, it is possible to arrange the roll paper holder as far forward as possible. Therefore, the work of making the roll paper holder hold the roll paper from the front of the roll paper holder can be easily performed. Therefore, the work of making the roll paper holder hold the roll paper from the front of the roll paper holder can be easily performed while smoothly transporting the medium. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that can facilitate the task of holding roll paper and can smoothly transport a medium unfolded from the roll paper. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the inkjet head and the cutting head. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing the printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the roll paper holder. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a view equivalent to FIG. 4 and shows a state in which the medium has been pulled back. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in particular. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same function, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the printer 10 according to an embodiment. In the following description, left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom as seen from a user in front of the printer 10. The side of the printer 10 approaching the user is the front, and the side away from the user is the rear. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X in the drawings indicates the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction X intersects (more specifically, is perpendicular to) the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-rear direction. The sub-scanning direction X is an example of a conveying direction. The symbol Z in the drawings indicates the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the up-down direction Z is perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. However, these directions are merely set for convenience and should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to this embodiment is a print-and-cut machine capable of printing and cutting a strip-shaped medium 5. However, the printer 10 may have a printing function but not a cutting function. The printer 10 is a so-called inkjet type printer, and is an inkjet printer. However, the printing method of the printer 10 is not limited to the inkjet type, and may be, for example, a dot impact type printer, a laser printer, or a thermal printer.

[0014] In this embodiment, the medium 5 is, for example, a recording paper. However, the medium 5 is not limited to a recording paper. For example, the medium 5 may be a sheet formed of a resin material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyester, or a seal material consisting of a mount and a release paper laminated on the mount and coated with an adhesive. In this specification, "cutting" and "cutting" include a case where the entire thickness direction of the medium 5 is cut (for example, a case where both the mount and the release paper of the seal material are cut) and a case where a part of the thickness direction of the medium 5 is cut (for example, a case where only the release paper is cut without cutting the mount of the seal material). In this embodiment, the strip-shaped medium 5 is held in the printer 10 in a state where it is wound into a cylindrical shape. Hereinafter, the strip-shaped medium 5 wound into a cylindrical shape is referred to as roll paper 6.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a printer body 10a formed in a box shape. An internal space 12S is formed in the printer body 10a. The printer body 10a includes a front cover 23. Here, the front cover 23 is supported by the printer body 10a so as to be rotatable about an axis at its upper end. By rotating the front cover 23 upward, the internal space 12S of the printer body 10a is communicated with the external space. The internal space 12S is a space where printing is performed on the medium 5 by an inkjet head 21 (see FIG. 2) described later, and where the medium 5 is cut by a cutting head 31 (see FIG. 2) described later. In this way, since the internal space 12S is covered by the front cover 23, it is difficult for external dust and dirt to enter the internal space 12S during printing, etc.

[0016] 1, a window 23A is provided in the lower part of the front cover 23. The window 23A is formed, for example, from a transparent or semi-transparent acrylic plate. The window 23A is treated so that light from the outside (for example, ultraviolet light) is unlikely to reach the internal space 12S. A user can view the inside of the printer main body 10a (here, the internal space 12S) through the window 23A.

[0017] Next, the internal configuration of the printer 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the inkjet head 21 and the cutting head 31. Fig. 4 is a right side cross-sectional view showing the printer 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the printer 10 includes a support table 55. The support table 55 supports the medium 5. Here, the support table 55 includes a platen 60, an upstream apron 62, and a downstream apron 64.

[0018] The platen 60 supports the medium 5 when printing on the medium 5 and when cutting the medium 5. The platen 60 has a support surface 61 that supports the medium 5. The support surface 61 forms the upper surface of the platen 60, and is a flat surface that extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the medium 5 is placed on the support surface 61. Printing on the medium 5 and cutting of the medium 5 are performed on the support surface 61.

[0019] In this embodiment, the medium 5 is transported on the platen 60 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction X during printing. Here, the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction X refers to the rear side of the platen 60. The downstream side in the transport direction X refers to the front side of the platen 60. Here, the medium 5 is transported from the rear to the front with respect to the platen 60 during printing.

[0020] The upstream apron 62 is disposed on the upstream side of the platen 60 in the sub-scanning direction X, here, behind the platen 60. The upstream apron 62 is formed, for example, in a circular arc shape in cross section. The upstream apron 62 has an upstream curved surface 63 that curves downward as it moves away from the platen 60 rearward. The upstream curved surface 63 constitutes the upper surface of the upstream apron 62. The downstream apron 64 is disposed on the downstream side of the platen 60 in the sub-scanning direction X, here, in front of the platen 60. The downstream apron 64 is formed, for example, in a circular arc shape in cross section. The downstream apron 64 is an example of an apron of the present invention. The downstream apron 64 has a downstream curved surface 65 that curves downward as it moves away from the platen 60 forward. The downstream curved surface 65 constitutes the upper surface of the downstream apron 64. In this embodiment, at least the front end portion of the downstream apron 64 protrudes outward (forward here) from the internal space 12S (see FIG. 1).

[0021] 2, the printer 10 includes a guide rail 15, a carriage 17, an inkjet head 21, a cutting head 31, a head moving mechanism 40, a transport mechanism 50, a roll paper holder 70, and a support holder 80. The guide rail 15 is disposed above the platen 60 and the downstream apron 64. Although not shown, the guide rail 15 is disposed above the upstream apron 62. The guide rail 15 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The guide rail 15 is fixed to a main body frame 19 that extends in the main scanning direction Y within the printer main body 10a, for example.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 17 is supported by the guide rail 15 and configured to be slidable in the main scanning direction Y relative to the guide rail 15. Here, the carriage 17 is disposed directly above the platen 60 and at a position overlapping with the platen 60 in the sub-scanning direction X in a plan view. Here, the carriage 17 has an ink head carriage 20 and a cutting carriage 30. The ink head carriage 20 is provided with an ink jet head 21. The cutting carriage 30 is provided with a cutting head 31. Here, when the carriage 17 moves in the main scanning direction Y, the ink jet head 21 and the cutting head 31 move in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the cutting carriage 30 is disposed to the left of the ink head carriage 20, but may be disposed to the right of the ink head carriage 20. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink head carriage 20 and the cutting carriage 30 are connected to each other via a connecting member 29. Therefore, the ink head carriage 20 and the cutting carriage 30 move in the main scanning direction Y at the same time.

[0023] The inkjet head 21 prints on the medium 5 supported by the platen 60. The inkjet head 21 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y. The inkjet head 21 has a recording head 22 having a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that eject ink. The number of recording heads 22 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the number of recording heads 22 is five, and the five recording heads 22 are supported by the ink head carriage 20. The five recording heads 22 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. The five recording heads 22 eject ink of different colors from each other. Here, each recording head 22 ejects ink of any color among process color inks such as cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, and special color inks different from the process color inks such as clear ink and white ink.

[0024] The cutting head 31 cuts the medium 5 supported by the platen 60. The cutting head 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting head 31 includes a solenoid 32 and a cutter 33. The cutter 33 is attached to the cutting carriage 30 via the solenoid 32. Here, when the solenoid 32 is turned ON / OFF, the cutter 33 moves in the vertical direction Z to come into contact with the medium 5 or move away from the medium 5. In this embodiment, the cutter 33 cuts the medium 5 based on, for example, cutting data, and is capable of cutting the medium 5 in a curved shape as well as a straight shape.

[0025] The head moving mechanism 40 moves the carriage 17 (in other words, the inkjet head 21 and the cutting head 31) in the main scanning direction Y relative to the medium 5 supported by the platen 60. The head moving mechanism 40 moves the carriage 17 in the main scanning direction Y. The configuration of the head moving mechanism 40 is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 2, the head moving mechanism 40 includes left and right pulleys 41 and 42, a belt 43, and a carriage motor 44. The left pulley 41 is provided around the left end of the guide rail 15. The right pulley 42 is provided around the right end of the guide rail 15. The belt 43 is, for example, endless, and is wound around the left and right pulleys 41 and 42. The belt 43 is fixed to the upper part of the rear surface of the carriage 17. Here, the carriage motor 44 is connected to the left pulley 41. In this embodiment, the carriage motor 44 is driven to rotate the left pulley 41, causing the belt 43 to run between the left and right pulleys 41, 42. This causes the carriage 17 to move in the main scanning direction Y. As the carriage 17 moves in the main scanning direction Y, the ink head carriage 20 and the cutting carriage 30 move in the main scanning direction Y, and the inkjet heads 21 (here, five recording heads 22) and the cutting head 31 (here, the cutter 33) move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0026] The transport mechanism 50 moves the medium 5 supported by the platen 60 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the carriage 17. Here, the transport mechanism 50 moves the medium 5 supported by the platen 60 in the sub-scanning direction X. The configuration of the transport mechanism 50 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the transport mechanism 50 includes a grit roller 51, a pinch roller 52, and a feed motor 53. The grit roller 51 is provided on the platen 60. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the grit roller 51 is embedded in the platen 60 so that the upper portion of the grit roller 51 is exposed to the outside. As shown in FIG. 2, the grit rollers 51 are arranged in parallel in the main scanning direction Y. The number of the grit rollers 51 is not particularly limited. The pinch roller 52 is disposed above the grit roller 51. The pinch roller 52, together with the grit roller 51, pinches the medium 5 and presses down the medium 5. The feed motor 53 is connected to the grit roller 51. Here, with the medium 5 sandwiched between the grit roller 51 and the pinch roller 52, the feed motor 53 is driven to rotate the grit roller 51. As the grit roller 51 rotates, the medium 5 supported by the platen 60 is transported in the transport direction X. The medium 5 supported by the platen 60 is transported by the transport mechanism 50 from the front to the rear or from the rear to the front with respect to the platen 60.

[0027] Next, the roll paper holder 70 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the roll paper holder 70 holds roll paper 6, which is a strip-shaped medium 5 wound into a cylindrical shape. After the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70 is unrolled, the medium 5 is supplied to the support table 55. The support table 55 is configured to support the medium 5 that is pulled rearward from the roll paper holder 70.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the roll paper holder 70 is located at the front and bottom of the printer body 10a. The roll paper holder 70 is located below the platen 60, upstream apron 62, and downstream apron 64. At least a portion of the roll paper holder 70 is located forward of the platen 60 and downstream apron 64, and the entire roll paper holder 70 is located forward of the upstream apron 62. Furthermore, at least a portion of the roll paper holder 70 is located forward of the inkjet head 21 and cutting head 31. In this case, an operator can place the roll paper 6 in the roll paper holder 70 from the front of the printer 10.

[0029] The medium 5 unfolded from the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70 passes through the printer body 10a (passes below the platen 60), passes over the upstream curved surface 63 at the upstream apron 62, and is supported by the platen 60 (placed on the support surface 61). The medium 5 supported by the platen 60 is transported towards the downstream apron 64, passes over the downstream curved surface 65 at the downstream apron 64, and is then transported in front of the downstream apron 64.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a front view of the roll paper holder 70. The roll paper 6 has been omitted from FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the roll paper holder 70 includes a rotating shaft member 71, a flange member 72, and a positioning flange member 76. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating shaft member 71 extends in the main scanning direction Y and is inserted into the roll paper 6. The rotating shaft member 71 is a part that is supported by the support holder 80. The length of the rotating shaft member 71 in the main scanning direction Y is longer than the length of the platen 60 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The roll paper 6 is rotatable around the central axis 71a when the rotating shaft member 71 is inserted.

[0031] The flange member 72 is provided at one end of the rotating shaft member 71, and one end of the roll paper 6 in the main scanning direction Y can abut against the flange member 72. In this embodiment, there are two flange members 72, provided at both the left and right ends of the rotating shaft member 71. However, there may be only one flange member 72, or it may be provided on either the left or right side of the rotating shaft member 71. Here, the flange member 72 has a right flange member 72R provided at the right end of the rotating shaft member 71 and against which the right end 6R of the roll paper 6 can abut, and a left flange member 72L provided at the left end of the rotating shaft member 71 and against which the left end 6L of the roll paper 6 can abut.

[0032] The right flange member 72R is fixed to the rotating shaft member 71. The right flange member 72R is a member that restricts the roll paper 6 from moving to the right. As shown in FIG. 4, the right flange member 72R is formed in a disk shape. In this embodiment, the right flange member 72R is formed with a through hole 72RH that penetrates in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the right flange member 72R is formed with three through holes 72RH along the circumferential direction of the right flange member 72R. The through holes 72RH are arranged at equal intervals. The through holes 72RH are formed in an oval shape that extends in the circumferential direction of the right flange member 72R.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a right holding portion 73R is provided to the left of the right flange member 72R. A right cylindrical portion 74R is provided to the right of the right flange member 72R. Here, the right flange member 72R, the right holding portion 73R, and the right cylindrical portion 74R are integrally formed. The right holding portion 73R holds the right end portion 6R (see FIG. 2) of the roll paper 6. Here, the right holding portion 73R is inserted into and fitted into the right end portion 6R of the roll paper 6. The right holding portion 73R is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the right holding portion 73R is smaller than the diameter of the right flange member 72R. A fixing pin 75 is inserted into the right cylindrical portion 74R from the circumferential direction. The right cylindrical portion 74R is fixed to the rotating shaft member 71 by this fixing pin 75. The right cylindrical portion 74R is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the right cylindrical portion 74R is smaller than the diameter of the right holding portion 73R.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the left flange member 72L is provided at the left end of the rotating shaft member 71. Here, the left flange member 72L is provided so as to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the rotating shaft member 71. The left flange member 72L is not fixed to the rotating shaft member 71. The left flange member 72L is a member that restricts the roll paper 6 from moving leftward. The left flange member 72L is formed in a disk shape. Although not shown in the figure, the left flange member 72L has a through hole formed therein similar to that of the right flange member 72R. In this embodiment, the diameter of the left flange member 72L is the same as the diameter of the right flange member 72R.

[0035] In this embodiment, a left holding portion 73L is provided to the right of the left flange member 72L. A left cylindrical portion 74L is provided to the left of the left flange member 72L. Here, the left flange member 72L, the left holding portion 73L, and the left cylindrical portion 74L are integrally formed. The left holding portion 73L holds the left end portion 6L (see FIG. 2) of the roll paper 6. Here, the left holding portion 73L is inserted into and fitted into the left end portion 6L of the roll paper 6. The left holding portion 73L is formed in a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the left holding portion 73L is smaller than the diameter of the left flange member 72L. The diameter of the left holding portion 73L is the same as the diameter of the right holding portion 73R. The left cylindrical portion 74L is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the left cylindrical portion 74L is smaller than the diameter of the left holding portion 73L.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning flange member 76 is disposed to the right of the right flange member 72R. The positioning flange member 76 is fixed to the rotating shaft member 71. Here, the relative positional relationship between the positioning flange member 76 and the right flange member 72R does not change. The positioning flange member 76 is formed in a disk shape. Here, the diameter of the positioning flange member 76 is smaller than the diameter of the right flange member 72R and smaller than the diameter of the left flange member 72L. The positioning flange member 76 is accommodated in a positioning determining member 83, which will be described later.

[0037] The support holder 80 detachably and rotatably supports the roll paper holder 70. The support holder 80 is provided in the printer body 10a. Although not shown, the support holder 80 is positioned below the platen 60, the upstream apron 62, and the downstream apron 64. The support holder 80 is positioned forward of the platen 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the support holder 80 includes a left support member 81L, a right support member 81R, and a positioning member 83.

[0038] The left support member 81L and the right support member 81R support the rotating shaft member 71 detachably and rotatably. The left support member 81L and the right support member 81R are provided in the printer body 10a. As shown in FIG. 2, the left support member 81L and the right support member 81R are provided below the platen 60. Here, the left support member 81L is provided to the left of the platen 60, and the right support member 81R is provided to the right of the platen 60. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the right support member 81R is formed with a right recess 82R recessed diagonally downward toward the rear. The left support member 81L is formed with a left recess 82L recessed diagonally downward toward the rear. The rotating shaft member 71 is rotatably disposed in the left recess 82L and the right recess 82R. Here, the rotating shaft member 71 can be disposed in the left recess 82L and the right recess 82R from the front of the left recess 82L and the right recess 82R.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning determining member 83 is provided on the right support member 81R. The positioning determining member 83 is disposed to the left of the right support member 81R. The positioning determining member 83 accommodates a portion of the positioning flange member 76 when the rotating shaft member 71 is supported by the left support member 81L and the right support member 81R. The positioning determining member 83 determines the position of the positioning flange member 76 in the main scanning direction Y. That is, by accommodating a portion of the positioning flange member 76 in the positioning determining member 83, the position of the roll paper holder 70 relative to the support holder 80 is uniquely determined. In this embodiment, an insertion hole 83H is formed in the positioning determining member 83. The insertion hole 83H is formed from the top surface of the positioning determining member 83 downward, and a portion of the positioning flange member 76 is inserted into the insertion hole 83H. In this way, by inserting a portion of the positioning flange member 76 into the insertion hole 83H, the position of the roll paper holder 70 relative to the support holder 80 is determined.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the printer body 10a is formed with a transport path 90 through which the medium 5 supplied from the roll paper holder 70 (i.e., the medium 5 unfolded from the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70) passes. The transport path 90 is formed from the roll paper holder 70 to the rear of the platen 60. More specifically, the transport path 90 extends rearward from the roll paper holder 70 and also extends diagonally upward and rearward toward the rear end of the upstream apron 62. The transport path 90 then passes over the upstream curved surface 63 of the upstream apron 62 to reach the rear of the platen 60.

[0041] In this embodiment, the printer body 10a is provided with a guide member 91 that guides a part of the transport path 90. The guide member 91 is a plate-like shape that is spaced apart from the upstream curved surface 63 above the upstream apron 62 and follows the upstream curved surface 63. In this embodiment, the guide member 91 has a first guide portion 91a that extends obliquely downward and forward above the upstream apron 62, a second guide portion 91b that extends obliquely downward and rearward from the lower end of the first guide portion 91a, a third guide portion 91c that extends downward from the lower end of the second guide portion 91b, and a fourth guide portion 91d that extends obliquely downward and rearward from the lower end of the third guide portion 91c. Here, the third guide portion 91c is disposed behind the upstream apron 62 so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from the upstream apron 62. In this manner, the gap between the guide member 91 and the upstream curved surface 63 of the upstream apron 62 forms part of the conveying path 90 .

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, during printing, the medium 5 is transported in the transport direction X from the rear to the front of the platen 60 through the transport path 90. FIG. 6 is a view equivalent to FIG. 4, showing the state in which the medium 5 is pulled back. On the other hand, when cutting the medium 5, the medium 5 is transported from the rear to the front of the platen 60, or pulled back from the front of the platen 60 to the rear as shown in FIG. 6. When the medium 5 is pulled back during cutting, the medium 5 is transported from the platen 60 to the upstream apron 62, and then transported downward from the rear end of the upstream apron 62. In this embodiment, the printer main body 10a is formed with a pullback path 95 through which the pulled back medium 5 passes when the medium 5 supported by the support base 55 (e.g., the platen 60) is pulled back to the rear. A part of this pullback path 95 overlaps with the transport path 90. Here, the return path 95 extends from the rear of the platen 60 along the upstream curved surface 63 of the upstream apron 62, and then extends downward from the rear end of the upstream apron 62. The return path 95 then extends diagonally downward and forward, and passes below the roll paper holder 70.

[0043] In this embodiment, the printer body 10a is provided with a return guide member 96 that guides a portion of the return path 95. The return guide member 96 is a plate-shaped member. The return guide member 96 forms at least a portion of the return path 95 (here, along the lower edge of the return path 95 that extends diagonally downward to the front). The return guide member 96 is disposed behind the roll paper holder 70 and below the support base 55, and is inclined downward toward the gap between the portion of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 and the floor surface F1. The return guide member 96 is disposed behind the roll paper holder 70 and below the platen 60 and the upstream apron 62. The return guide member 96 is inclined diagonally downward to the front. In this embodiment, the lower end of the return guide member 96 is located below the roll paper holder 70 (specifically, the flange member 72 in a side view).

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, an operator manually performs a series of operations, which include pulling the medium 5 backward from the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70, passing it through the transport path 90, and supporting it on the platen 60. Thus, in a front view, a work space 100 is formed above the roll paper holder 70 for the operator to perform the series of operations described above. Here, a partition wall 101 is provided between the roll paper holder 70 and the support base 55 (e.g., the platen 60). The partition wall 101 is a plate-like member extending in the primary scanning direction Y and the secondary scanning direction X. In a side view, the work space 100 is a space formed between the flange member 72 and the partition wall 101. The work space 100 communicates with the transport path 90. Therefore, an operator can reach into the work space 100 from the front to reach the transport path 90.

[0045] Next, the position of the roll paper holder 70 will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the roll paper holder 70 is located at the front of the printer body 10a. Here, in the roll paper holder 70, the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71 is located behind the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64. The front end of the rotating shaft member 71 is located behind the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64. Here, the distance D11 in the sub-scanning direction X (here, the front-to-rear direction) from the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64 to the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71 is 45 mm or more. Also, in this embodiment, in the roll paper holder 70, the front ends 72F of the flange members 72 (here, the left flange member 72L and the right flange member 72R) are located forward of the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64. That is, in a side view, the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64 is located between the front end 72F of the flange member 72 and the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71. Also, here, when the rolled paper 6 held by the rolled paper holder 70 is at its maximum diameter (i.e., when the rolled paper 6 is new and unused), the front end of the rolled paper 6 is located forward of the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64. Note that in this embodiment, the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64 has the same meaning as the front end 64F of the support stand 55.

[0046] As described above, the work space 100 is a space between the partition wall 101 and the flange member 72 in a front view. Here, the vertical space length L11 in the vertical direction Z in the work space 100 from the partition wall 101 to the highest position of the flange member 72 in the vertical direction Z is a length that allows a worker to insert his / her hand. Here, the vertical space length L11 in the work space 100 is longer than 1 / 2 the length of the flange member 72 in the vertical direction Z (in other words, the radius L21 of the flange member 72). Here, the flange member 72 refers to the left flange member 72L and also the right flange member 72R. For example, the vertical space length L11 in the work space 100 is 90 mm or more. In addition, the vertical space length L11 in the work space 100 is shorter than the length of the flange member 72 in the vertical direction Z (in other words, the diameter L22 of the flange member 72). The vertical space length L11 in the work space 100 here refers to the size of the front opening of the work space 100 in the vertical direction Z.

[0047] In this embodiment, the printer body 10a is placed on the floor surface F1. The roll paper holder 70 is disposed so as to be spaced upward from the floor surface F1. Here, the distance in the vertical direction Z from the floor surface F1 to the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 (for example, the lower end of the flange member 72) is referred to as the distance D12. Here, the distance D12 in the vertical direction Z from the floor surface F1 to the flange member 72 is shorter than the vertical space length L11 of the working space 100. In addition, the distance D12 in the vertical direction Z from the floor surface F1 to the flange member 72 is longer than the distance D11 in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction X) from the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64 to the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71. For example, the distance D12 in the vertical direction Z from the floor surface F1 to the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 is 65 mm or more.

[0048] 2, the roll paper holder 70 with the roll paper 6 inserted into the rotating shaft member 71 is supported by the support holder 80. At this time, both left and right ends of the rotating shaft member 71 are placed in the left recess 82L of the left support member 81L and the right recess 82R of the right support member 81R of the support holder 80, and part of the positioning flange member 76 is inserted into the insertion hole 83H of the positioning member 83. This allows the roll paper holder 70 to be supported by the support holder 80.

[0049] Next, the operator supports the medium 5 unfolded from the roll paper 6 on the platen 60. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the medium 5 is unfolded backward from the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70. At this time, the operator, with his / her hand in the working space 100, grasps the medium 5 unfolded from the roll paper 6 from the front of the printer body 10a. After that, the operator inserts the medium 5 grasped by hand into the conveying path 90 formed between the upstream curved surface 63 of the upstream apron 62 and the guide member 91. The medium 5 inserted into the conveying path 90 between the upstream apron 62 and the guide member 91 moves along the guide member 91 to the platen 60 and is supported by the platen 60 on the support surface 61 of the platen 60. After that, the medium 5 is sandwiched between the grit roller 51 and the pinch roller 52 on the support surface 61 of the platen 60, so that the medium 5 can be conveyed.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the printer 10 includes a roll paper holder 70 that holds the roll paper 6 in which the strip-shaped medium 5 is wound into a cylindrical shape, and a support table 55 that supports the medium 5 pulled rearward from the roll paper holder 70. As shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper holder 70 extends in the main scanning direction Y and includes a rotating shaft member 71 that is inserted into the roll paper 6, and a flange member 72 that is provided at one end of the rotating shaft member 71. As shown in FIG. 4, the center axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71 is disposed rearward of the front end 64F of the support table 55 (here, the downstream apron 64). The front end 72F of the flange member 72 is disposed forward of the front end 64F of the support table 55 (here, the downstream apron 64). According to this embodiment, for example, when the medium 5 supported by the downstream apron 64 is transported forward, it moves downward in front of the downstream apron 64, i.e., above the flange member 72. Here, since the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71 is disposed behind the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64, it is possible to prevent the medium 5 transported forward of the downstream apron 64 from slipping between the downstream apron 64 and the flange member 72 (or the rolled paper 6) behind the rotating shaft member 71. Therefore, the medium 5 is less likely to slip between the downstream apron 64 and the flange member 72 (or the rolled paper 6) behind the rotating shaft member 71, and to accumulate in the space behind the rolled paper 6, and is less likely to be damaged. This allows the medium 5 to be transported smoothly. Also, in this embodiment, since the front end 72F of the flange member 72 is disposed forward of the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64, it is possible to position the rolled paper holder 70 as far forward as possible. Therefore, when grasping the flange member 72 from the front of the printer 10 to have the roll paper holder 70 hold the roll paper 6, the roll paper 6 can be easily held in the roll paper holder 70 from the front of the roll paper holder 70 without interfering with the downstream apron 64. Therefore, the roll paper 6 can be easily held in the roll paper holder 70 from the front of the roll paper holder 70 while the medium 5 is transported smoothly.

[0051] 4, in this embodiment, the distance D11 in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction X) from the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64 to the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71 is 45 mm or more. By making the distance D11 45 mm or more in this manner, the central axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71 can be positioned further rearward. This makes it difficult for the medium 5 that has been transported forward of the downstream apron 64 to slip between the downstream apron 64 and the flange member 72 (or the rolled paper 6) and behind the rotating shaft member 71.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the roll paper holder 70 is disposed below the support base 55. The printer 10 is provided with a partition wall 101 disposed between the roll paper holder 70 and the support base 55 and extending in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction X). In a side view, a work space 100 communicating with the transport path 90 is formed between the partition wall 101 and the flange member 72. Here, the vertical space length L11 in the vertical direction Z in the work space 100 from the partition wall 101 to the highest position of the flange member 72 in the vertical direction Z is longer than 1 / 2 the length of the flange member 72 in the vertical direction Z (in other words, the radius L21 of the flange member 72). This makes it possible to lengthen the vertical space length L11 in the work space 100. This makes it easier for an operator to reach into the work space 100 from the front and have the platen 60 support the medium 5 unfolded from the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70.

[0053] In this embodiment, the vertical space length L11 in the work space 100 is 90 mm or more. This allows the worker to easily reach into the work space 100 from the front. This makes it easier for the worker to reach into the work space 100 from the front and have the platen 60 support the medium 5 unfolded from the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70.

[0054] In this embodiment, the vertical space length L11 in the work space 100 is shorter than the length of the flange member 72 in the vertical direction Z (in other words, the diameter L22 of the flange member 72). This makes it possible to prevent the vertical space length L11 in the work space 100 from being made too large. This makes it easier for an operator to support the medium 5, which is unrolled from the roll paper 6 held in the roll paper holder 70, on the platen 60 while preventing the printer 10 from becoming too large.

[0055] In this embodiment, the transport mechanism 50 transports the medium 5 supported by the support base 55 from the upstream side to the downstream side or from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction (here, the sub-scanning direction X). The printer body 10a is placed on the floor surface F1 and supports the roll paper holder 70 and the support base 55 (here, the platen 60, the upstream apron 62, and the downstream apron 64). The distance D12 in the up-down direction Z from the floor surface F1 to the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 is longer than the distance D11 in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction X) from the front end 64F of the downstream apron 64 to the center axis 71a of the rotating shaft member 71. Therefore, the distance D12 in the up-down direction Z from the floor surface F1 to the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 can be lengthened. For example, the medium 5 supported by the platen 60 may be pulled back backward. The medium 5 pulled back from the platen 60 may get caught between the floor surface F1 and the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 in a side view. If the distance between the floor surface F1 and the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 is not sufficient in a side view, the medium 5 held by the roll paper holder 70 and wound up may bend and hang down to the floor surface F1 when the medium 5 is pulled back. Then, the medium 5 pulled back from the support base 55 may be caught between the floor surface F1 and the medium 5 hanging down to the floor surface F1, causing a paper jam. In this embodiment, the distance D12 in the vertical direction Z between the floor surface F1 and the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 can be lengthened, so that the pulled back medium 5 can easily pass through the gap between the floor surface F1 and the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1, making it difficult for the medium 5 to get jammed.

[0056] In this embodiment, the distance D12 in the vertical direction Z from the floor surface F1 to the flange member 72 is 65 mm or more. This ensures a sufficient size of the gap between the floor surface F1 and the flange member 72, making it more difficult for the pulled-back medium 5 to become clogged in the gap between the floor surface F1 and the flange member 72.

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the printer 10 includes a return path 95 through which the medium 5 supported by the support base 55 passes when the medium 5 is returned backward, and a return guide member 96 that forms at least a part of the return path 95, is disposed behind the roll paper holder 70 and below the support base 55, and is inclined downward toward between the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 and the floor surface F1. When the medium 5 supported by the support base 55 is returned backward, the medium 5 returned backward passes through the return path 95 and moves along the return guide member 96 that forms at least a part of the return path 95 and is inclined downward toward between the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1 and the floor surface F1. Therefore, the returned medium 5 is easily guided from the rear of the support base 55 along the return guide member 96 into the gap between the floor surface F1 and the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1. Here, a gap is secured between the floor surface F1 and the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1, so that even if the pulled back medium 5 is easily led into the gap, it is possible to prevent the medium 5 from becoming clogged in the gap between the floor surface F1 and the part of the flange member 72 closest to the floor surface F1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 5 Medium 6 Roll paper 10 Printers 10a Printer body 55 Support stand 60 Platen 64 Downstream Apron (Apron) 64F Front end of downstream apron 70 Roll paper holder 71 Rotating shaft member 71a Center axis 72 Flange member 72F Front end of flange part 72L Left flange part 72R Right flange part 90 Transport Route 91 Guide member 95 Return Route 96 Retraction guide member 100 workspace 101 Bulkhead

Claims

1. a roll paper holder for holding roll paper in which a strip-shaped medium is wound into a cylindrical shape; a support base that supports the medium pulled rearward from the roll paper holder, The roll paper holder includes: a rotary shaft member extending in the left-right direction and inserted into the roll paper; a flange member provided at one end of the rotating shaft member; having The central axis of the rotating shaft member is disposed rearward of the front end of the support base, A front end of the flange member is disposed forward of a front end of the support base.

2. a partition wall disposed between the roll paper holder and the support base and extending in a front-rear direction; When viewed from a side, a working space is formed between the partition wall and the flange member, 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a vertical space length in the working space from the partition wall to a vertically highest position of the flange member is longer than half the vertical length of the flange member.

3. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the vertical length of the working space is shorter than the vertical length of the flange member.

4. a conveying mechanism that conveys the medium supported by the support table from an upstream side to a downstream side or from the downstream side to the upstream side in a conveying direction; a printer body that is placed on a floor surface and supports the roll paper holder and the support table; Equipped with 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a vertical distance from the floor surface to a portion of the flange member closest to the floor surface is longer than a front-rear distance from a front end of the support table to the central axis of the rotating shaft member.

5. a return path through which the medium passes when the medium supported by the support base is returned backward; a return guide member that forms at least a portion of the return path, that is disposed behind the roll paper holder and below the support base, and that slopes downward between the floor surface and a portion of the flange member that is closest to the floor surface; 5. The printer of claim 4, comprising:

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