Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing device that can easily eliminate jamming of a medium to be cut such as label paper.SOLUTION: A movable blade 189 and a fixed blade 33 are oppositely arranged at a cutting position at which label paper R is cut. The movable blade 189 is attached to a movable blade unit (a rotationally moving mechanism) 180 that turns with a pivotally supported part 165 as a center. The fixed blade 33 is attached to a separating part (a linearly moving mechanism) 20 that linearly moves. When the separating part 20 attached with the fixed blade 33 moves from the cutting position, the movable blade unit 180 attached with the movable blade 189 can move from the cutting position. The separating part 20 moves linearly together with a roll housing part 29 that houses a label roll 27 of the label paper R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus suitable for use in a cutter mechanism or the like of a label printer.

Background Art

[0002] A label printer is configured to cut the printed label paper by a cutting mechanism after printing on the label paper drawn out from a label roll. Here, the printing apparatus of the label printer drives the platen roller while sandwiching the label paper between, for example, the platen roller and the printing head, and thereby transfers the label paper toward the label discharge port while simultaneously performing printing by the printing head. Further, the cutting mechanism is configured such that, for example, a fixed blade and a movable blade are installed to face each other slightly downstream of the printing means (its label discharge port), the printed label paper is passed between them, and the printed label is cut by a shearing action by moving the movable blade in the direction of the fixed blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the label printer provided with the above-described conventional cutting mechanism, when the movable blade moves in the direction of the fixed blade, the label paper may be caught and the label paper may be clogged in the cutting mechanism.

[0005] When such paper jams occur, conventionally, the movable blade is moved in a direction to separate it from the fixed blade by manually driving a maintenance movable blade drive mechanism provided in advance near the movable blade, increasing the gap between the movable blade and the fixed blade to remove the causative label paper and restore it.

[0006] However, the operation of restoring the paper jam of the label paper by the above conventional method takes time and causes a decrease in printing efficiency.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of easily eliminating paper jams of a medium to be cut such as label paper.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, a pair of blade bodies are installed to face each other at a cuttable position for cutting a medium to be cut, and the pair of blade bodies are respectively attached to different moving mechanisms. When the linear movement mechanism to which one of the blade bodies is attached linearly moves from the cuttable position, the rotational movement mechanism to which the other blade body is attached becomes rotatable from the cuttable position. The linear movement mechanism is characterized by linearly moving together with a storage unit for storing the medium to be cut. According to the present invention, by simply moving one of the blade bodies from the cuttable position, the other blade body can also be moved from the cuttable position. Therefore, the gap between the two blade bodies can be easily widened, and thus problems occurring in the cutting mechanism such as paper jams can be easily eliminated. In addition, by moving one of the blade bodies away from the cuttable position in a linear direction, the other blade body can be moved away from the cuttable position in a rotational direction. Therefore, the gap between the two blade bodies can be widened by a large distance in a short distance.

[0009] In addition to the above features, the present invention is characterized in that, among the pair of blade bodies, a fixed blade is provided in the linear movement mechanism, and a first biasing portion for biasing the fixed blade in the conveyance direction of the medium to be printed is provided.

[0010] In addition to the above features, the present invention is characterized in that, among the pair of blade bodies, the movable blade is provided with the rotational movement mechanism, and a second biasing portion that biases the movable blade in the conveyance direction of the medium to be cut is provided.

[0011] In addition to the above features, the present invention is characterized in that the linear movement mechanism includes a restricting portion that restricts the rotational movement of the rotational movement mechanism.

[0012] Note that, for example, roll paper may be used as the medium to be cut, and as the printing means, for example, a structure in which roll paper is sandwiched between a printing head and a platen roller and printed while feeding out the roll paper may be used. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and other media to be cut and printing means having various configurations may be used.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, by simply moving one of the blade bodies from the cutting position, the other blade body is also configured to be movable from the cutting position. Therefore, even if problems such as paper jams occur in the medium to be cut, the pair of blade bodies can be easily separated by the movement of both, and the above problems such as paper jams can be quickly eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label printer (weighing and labeling machine, product data processing device) 1 configured using a printing device equipped with a cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This label printer 1 is a weighing label printer, for example, installed in the backyard of a store, and is a device that issues labels to be attached to various products or product containers. As shown in the figure, the label printer 1 has a display means 5 and a key operation unit 7 installed on the upper surface of the base portion 3, and a printing device 10 arranged on the front surface of the base portion 3. Further, a weighing unit 9 for weighing products is connected by a cable (wireless is also possible). After making a desired setting (for example, setting the processing date, expiration date, etc.) using the display means 5 and the key operation unit 7, the weighed products after processing, packing, and packaging are placed on the weighing unit 9 for weighing, the price, etc. are calculated, and the content volume, price, etc. are displayed on the display means 5. When this weighing is completed, by pressing the printing key of the key operation unit 7 or the like, a label (linerless label in this example) that has been subjected to desired printing and cut to a predetermined length is issued (discharged) from the label issuing port 11 of the printing device 10.

[0016] The printing device 10 has a label issuing port 11 and is provided with a lock release lever 13 at its lower part for pulling out the separation part 20 of the printing device 10 forward. When replacing the following label roll 27 for label printing or when the following cutting mechanism gets clogged and needs to be restored, by lifting the lock release lever 13 upward to unlock it and pulling the separation part 20 forward, the separation part 20 can be pulled out linearly to the front side. After finishing the replacement of the label roll or the restoration of paper jamming, etc., when the separation part 20 is pushed in, the lock release lever 13 is locked and returns to the state shown in the original FIG. 1. In the following description, the direction of pulling out the separation part 20 is expressed as forward (front), and the direction of pushing it in is expressed as backward (rear).

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printing device 10, FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printing device 10 with the separation part 20 pulled out, and FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the printing device 10 with the separation part 20 pulled out. As shown in these figures, the printing device 10 is configured to include a separation part 20 located below and a device main body side member 100 located above. The printing device 10 is configured by housing and installing the separation part 20 and the device main body side member 100 in a recess (its inner peripheral wall) formed on the front surface of the base part 3 of the label printer 1. Hereinafter, the recess (its inner peripheral wall) formed on the front surface of the base part 3 is called a member (fixed side member) on the device main body side of the printing device 10 (or the label printer 1).

[0018] The separation part 20 is installed on a plate-shaped attachment body 21 attached to the member on the device main body side via a slider mechanism 23. The slider mechanism 23 is a mechanism that enables the separation part 20 to move (slide) linearly (in the horizontal direction in this example) over a predetermined distance with respect to the attachment body 21.

[0019] The separating unit 20 is provided with a roll storage unit 29 for storing a label roll 27 around which a strip-shaped and long label is wound, at the upper rear part of a substantially rectangular frame body 25. On the upper front part of one side of the frame body 25, a platen roller 31 and a blade body (hereinafter referred to as "fixed blade") 33 are installed. The platen roller 31 is rotatably supported by left and right side plates 35 and 37 that form part of the frame body 25, and is configured to be rotatable by a drive mechanism (not shown). The fixed blade 33 is configured with a blade 41 provided on its upper side, and is installed on the front side (the discharge side and the downstream side of the label paper R described below) of the platen roller 31. The blade 41 is linear (horizontal) and is installed along the longitudinal direction of the platen roller 31. Further, a fixed blade movement restriction hole 67 for inserting a movement restriction part 39 of the fixed blade 33 described below is provided penetrating through one of the side plates 35. The fixed blade movement restriction hole 67 is a substantially fan-shaped through hole, and the front side edge serves as a contact part 69. Further, protruding parts 36, 36 protrude from the front parts of the upper sides of both side plates 35, 37, and their rear vertical sides are used as guide parts 32, 32.

[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fixed blade unit 30 composed of a fixed blade 33 and a support body 43 that supports it. As shown in the figure, the fixed blade 33 is made of metal and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and a blade 41 is provided on its upper side. Further, a small protrusion-shaped movement restriction part 39 protrudes from one of the left and right side edges of the fixed blade 33. On the other hand, the support body 43 includes a fixed blade holder 45 for attaching the fixed blade 33 (the rear surface thereof), a mounting base 49 for rotatably supporting the fixed blade holder 45, and a biasing means 51 for elastically urging the fixed blade holder 45 forward.

[0021] The fixed blade holder 45 is formed by forming synthetic resin into a substantially plate shape, and shaft parts 47 formed of a pair of protrusions protrude from the left and right side edges near the lower side thereof. The fixed blade 33 is fixed to the front side surface of the fixed blade holder 45 by fixing means such as screws 53. At this time, the blade 41 of the fixed blade 33 protrudes upward from the upper side of the fixed blade holder 45.

[0022] The mounting base 49 is formed by molding a synthetic resin into a substantially plate shape. A pair of shaft support protrusions 57 project from the upper surfaces of both left and right sides thereof, and circular concave shaft support portions 59 (only the shaft support portion 59 on the front side is shown in FIG. 5) are provided on each of the shaft support protrusions 57. Further, a pair of spring end locking portions 61 in the shape of a groove for locking the left and right spring end portions 64 of the biasing means 51 described below are provided at the center of the upper surface of the mounting base 49.

[0023] The biasing means 51 includes two coil portions 63, a spring central portion 65 formed by bending the connecting portion at the center of both coil portions 63 into a U shape and projecting radially outward, and a pair of spring end portions 64 formed by projecting the outer end portions of both coil portions 63 radially outward.

[0024] Then, both shaft portions 47 of the fixed blade holder 45 to which the fixed blade 33 is attached are rotatably engaged with both shaft support portions 59 of the mounting base 49, and a pair of spring end portions 64 of the biasing means 51 are locked to the spring end locking portions 61 of the mounting base 49. Thereby, the fixed blade 33 is pivotally supported so as to be swingable about the shaft portion 47, and is biased forward (in the direction in which the separating portion 20 moves away) by the biasing means 51.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed blade unit 30 is attached to the upper surface (between the both side plates 35 and 37) of the frame body 25 in front of the platen roller 31 by fixing means (not shown). At that time, by inserting the movement restricting portion 39 of the fixed blade 33 into the fixed blade movement restricting hole 67 provided in one side plate 35 of the frame body 25, the fixed blade 33 can be moved (swung) in the moving direction of the separating portion 20 within a predetermined range. Further, the fixed blade 33 is elastically contacted with the contact portion 69 of the fixed blade movement restricting hole 67 by the biasing force of the biasing means 51, that is, the front surface of the movement restricting portion 39 on the front side. In other words, the fixed blade 33 is restricted from moving forward by the restricting means constituted by the contact portion 69 of the fixed blade movement restricting hole 67 and the movement restricting portion 39.

[0026] On the side member 100 of the apparatus main body, a movable blade unit 180 is attached by a pair of supports 160 in front of a plate-shaped attachment body 110 attached to the apparatus main body side, and a printing unit 220 is attached below one attachment body 110. Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the side member 100 of the apparatus main body, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the side member 100 of the apparatus main body viewed from another angle (description of the printing unit 220 is omitted), and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the side member 100 of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 7.

[0027] As shown in these figures, the attachment body 110 is configured by bending the four sides of a plate body made of metal in a substantially flat plate rectangular shape downward to form side walls 111, 113, 115, and 117. A rectangular opening 119 is provided in the front side wall 111, and a locking portion 121 protrudes upward at the center of the lower side of its inner circumference. A rectangular opening 123 is provided at the lower center of the rear side wall 113. These locking portion 121 and opening 123 are formed for locking the printing unit 220. On the left and right of the upper surface of the attachment body 110, a pair of rectangular openings 127 are provided, and a tongue-shaped spring receiving portion 129 protruding from the front side of the inner circumference thereof is bent at the root portion so as to face downward and further obliquely forward. On the left and right outer sides of both openings 127, a first support locking portion 131 and a second support locking portion 133 are formed. The first support locking portion 131 and the second support locking portion 133 are formed on the same straight line (the linear movement direction of the separation portion 20). The first support locking portion 131 is substantially convex, and a support support portion 137 having a narrow width extending in the linear direction is connected to the front side of a spring insertion portion 135 having a wide width extending in the linear direction. The second support locking portion 133 is substantially convex, and a support support portion 141 having a narrow width extending in the linear direction is connected to the front side of an insertion portion 139 having a wide width with one end reaching the outer peripheral edge of the attachment body 110. The width dimensions of the spring insertion portion 135 and the insertion portion 139 are formed to be the same, and the width dimensions of both support support portions 137 and 141 are formed to be the same.

[0028] The movable blade unit 180 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape, and a pair of supports 160 are rotatably attached to both side surface portions thereof. The support 160 is a molded product of synthetic resin and is molded in a substantially L shape as shown in FIG. 8. The front side portion is a movable blade side support portion 161, and the rear side portion is a device main body side support portion 163. The movable blade side support portion 161 is plate-shaped, and its upper portion is rotatably attached to the shaft support portions 165 at the upper parts of the left and right side surfaces of the movable blade unit 180. The device main body side support portion 163 is substantially rod-shaped and is installed horizontally, and a pair of support holding portions 167 and 169 project from its upper surface. A concave spring insertion portion 164 is provided between the pair of support holding portions 167 and 169 on the upper surface of the device main body side support portion 163. The front support holding portion 167 is T-shaped and is configured by providing a large-width retaining portion 173 on the upper portion of a narrow guide insertion portion 171. The width dimension of the guide insertion portion 171 is formed to be a width dimension that can be inserted into the support support portion 137 of the first support locking portion 131, and the width dimension of the retaining portion 173 is formed to be a width dimension that can be inserted into the spring insertion portion 135 of the first support locking portion 131. A spring support portion 175 formed of a protrusion is provided on the rear surface side of the guide insertion portion 171. The rear support holding portion 169 is also T-shaped and is configured by providing a large-width retaining portion 179 on the upper portion of a narrow guide insertion portion 177. The width dimension of the guide insertion portion 177 is formed to be a width dimension that can be inserted into the support support portion 141 of the second support locking portion 133, and the width dimension of the retaining portion 179 is formed to be a width dimension that can be inserted into the insertion portion 139 of the second support locking portion 133. The portion that protrudes on the opposite surface side of the pair of movable blade side support portions 161 at the end surface of the device main body side support portion 163 on the movable blade unit 180 side serves as the movable blade unit contact portion 166.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4 for example, the movable blade unit 180 is configured by attaching a substantially U-shaped mounting plate 183 to the rear surface of a substantially rectangular box-shaped drive mechanism portion 181. A part of the movable blade drive motor 185 housed inside the drive mechanism portion 181 is exposed on its front surface, and a part of the manual operation knob 187 of the maintenance movable blade drive mechanism housed inside is exposed on its front surface. A single blade body (hereinafter referred to as "movable blade") 189 protrudes from the lower surface of the drive mechanism portion 181 along its longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 9 described below, the movable blade 189 is attached to a movable blade holding member 191 protruding from the lower surface of the drive mechanism portion 181 by screws 192 and moves up and down by driving the movable blade drive motor 185. The lower end side of the movable blade 189 is formed in a straight line that is obliquely inclined as shown in FIG. 4, and a blade 193 is formed on this lower end side. A blade guide portion 195 in the shape of a small protrusion that extends downward and curves forward is provided at one end portion (the end portion that protrudes most downward) of the blade 193. The mounting plate 183 is configured by providing side surface portions 197 by bending the left and right side portions of a substantially rectangular metal plate forward. The lower portion of the mounting plate 183 protrudes below the drive mechanism portion 181, and the inner portions of the side surface portions 197 on the left and right sides of the lower part of its front surface are guiding portions 199 that come into contact with the guiding portion 32 of the separating portion 20.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 for example, the printing unit 220 is configured by attaching a printing head (hereinafter referred to as “thermal head”) 223 and the like to the lower surface of the mounting plate 221. Actually, various components necessary for printing other than the thermal head 223 are also mounted, but their description is omitted for the sake of explanation. The mounting plate 221 is formed by bending the left and right sides of a substantially flat plate-shaped metal plate downward to form side walls 225 (only the front side wall 215 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 6). At approximately the center of the outer peripheral edge on the front side of the mounting plate 221, a locking piece 227 bent upward in an inverted L shape is provided. On the left and right sides of the locking piece 227, a pair of spring receiving pieces 229 bent obliquely forward and upward are provided. The locking piece 227 is formed in a shape and dimension that can be inserted into the opening 119 of the mounting body 110, and an opening (not shown) for locking the locking portion 121 of the mounting body 110 is formed inside it. Also, at approximately the center of the outer peripheral edge on the rear side of the mounting plate 221, a locking portion 231 protruding in a convex shape and inserted and locked into the opening 123 of the mounting body 110 is formed. The thermal head 223 is substantially rod-shaped (block-shaped), has a length extending over substantially the entire length of the platen roller 31, and its lower surface serves as the thermal head portion.

[0031] Next, the method of assembling the apparatus main body side member 100 will be described. First, the apparatus main body side support portions 163 of the pair of supports 160 shown in FIG. 8 are arranged on the lower surface side of the mounting body 110. At this time, the respective retaining portions 173, 179 of the support 160 are inserted into the spring insertion portion 135 and the insertion portion 139 of the mounting body 110, and then the support 160 is slid forward to insert the respective guide insertion portions 171, 177 of the support 160 into the respective support support portions 137, 141 of the support 160. Then, a coil spring 240, which is a biasing means, is inserted into each spring insertion portion 135 of the mounting body 110 (and the spring insertion portion 164 of the support 160), and one end portion is inserted into and supported by each spring support portion 175. This results in the state shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the pair of coil springs 240 elastically bounce in a direction separating between one end surface of the support holding portion 167 and the rear side edge of the spring insertion portion 135, so that the pair of supports 160 and the movable blade unit 180 are biased forward with respect to the mounting body 110.

[0032] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the pair of spring receiving portions 129 of the mounting body 110 are respectively inserted into and fixed to one ends of a pair of coil springs 250 which are biasing members. Then, a printing unit 220 is disposed at the lower portion of the mounting body 110. A locking piece 227 of the printing unit 220 is inserted into an opening 119 of the mounting body 110, and a locking portion 121 is locked to an opening (not shown) of the locking piece 227. Also, a locking portion 231 of the printing unit 220 is locked to an opening 123 of the mounting body 110. At this time, the other end of the coil spring 250 elastically contacts a spring receiving piece 229. Thereby, the printing unit 220 is biased obliquely downward forward with respect to the mounting body 110. Thereby, the assembly of the apparatus main body side member 100 is completed. It goes without saying that the above assembly procedure is an example, and it may be assembled using various other different assembly procedures.

[0033] Then, the mounting body 21 attached to the lower portion of the separating portion 20 is fixed to the inner peripheral lower surface of a recess provided on the front surface of the base portion 3 of the label printer 1, and the mounting body 110 of the apparatus main body side member 100 is fixed to the inner peripheral upper surface of the recess, whereby the printing apparatus 10 is configured. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the separating portion 20 is housed and closed in the recess of the label printer 1, that is, a printable state. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a state in which the separating portion 20 is pulled out from the recess of the label printer 1, that is, a state when replacing the label roll 27, a state when the cutting mechanism constituted by a fixed blade 33, a movable blade 189, etc. is clogged and its restoration is performed, and the like.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a schematic enlarged side view of the main part in the vicinity of the movable blade 189 and the fixed blade 33 in the printable state of FIG. 2 (however, the description of the printing unit 220 is omitted). At this time, the movable blade 189 and the fixed blade 33 are at a cuttable position for cutting the label paper. As shown in the figure, the rear surface of the mounting plate 183 of the movable blade unit 180 abuts against the movable blade unit contact portion 166 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of the support 160, thereby restricting the backward rotation of the movable blade unit 180. At the same time, the pair of left and right guiding portions 32 of the separating portion 20 abut against the pair of left and right guided portions 199 of the mounting plate 183, thereby restricting the forward rotation of the movable blade unit 180 and moving the movable blade unit 180 and the support 160 slightly backward with respect to the mounting body 110 against the biasing force of the coil spring 240. That is, the movable blade unit 180 and the support 160 (i.e., the movable blade 189) are pressed by the coil spring 240. And by this pressing, even if the relative position of the separating portion 20 with respect to the device main body side member 100 cannot be accurately positioned, the relative position of the movable blade 189 with respect to the separating portion 20 can be accurately positioned. On the other hand, as described above, the fixed blade 33 is elastically abutted by the biasing means 51 such that its movement restricting portion 39 abuts against the abutting portion 69 of the fixed blade movement restricting hole 67. That is, since the fixed blade 33 is always biased to a position where it abuts against the abutting portion 69 of the fixed blade movement restricting hole 67, the position of the fixed blade 33 in the separating portion 20 can be accurately installed at the same position. By these, the accurate positioning between the pair of blade bodies (between the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189) is performed. Also at this time, the thermal head portion on the lower surface of the thermal head 223 (not shown in FIG. 9) abuts against the platen roller 31 (elastically abuts by the biasing force of the coil spring 250).

[0035] In this state, the label paper drawn from the label roll 27 stored in the roll storage section 29 of the separation section 20 is passed between the platen roller 31 and the thermal head 223, printing is performed by the thermal head 223 while rotating the platen roller 31, it is passed between the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189, and the printed label paper is discharged. The discharged label paper is cut by the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189. That is, at least the platen roller 31 and the thermal head 223 constitute a printing means for printing on the label paper, and at least the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189 constitute a cutting mechanism for cutting the printed label paper.

[0036] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic enlarged views of the main parts of the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189. Figure 10 shows the state when the movable blade 189 is not driven (when it is raised), and Figure 11 shows the state when the movable blade 189 is driven (when it is lowered). In both figures, both blade bodies 33 and 189 are in a position where they can cut. That is, as shown in Figure 10, when the movable blade 189 is not driven, a gap S through which the label paper R passes is formed between the blade 41 of the fixed blade 33 and the blade 193 of the movable blade 189. Then, by driving the movable blade drive motor 185, if the movable blade 189 shown in Figure 10 is linearly lowered downward, the fixed blade 33 rotates against the biasing means 51 by the blade guide portion 195 provided at one end of the lower end side of the movable blade 189, and as shown in Figure 11, the label paper R is cut by the blade 193 and the blade 41. At this time, since the clamping pressure between the blade 193 and the blade 41 that clamps the label paper R can be kept constant by the biasing means 51, even if temporal changes such as wear of the blades occur, it is possible to always maintain the cutting of the label paper R by a constant and good shearing action.

[0037] Next, when paper jams occur during the above printing, lift the unlocking lever 13 shown in FIG. 1 upward to unlock it, and pull out the separating portion 20 linearly in the forward direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, since the guiding portion 32 of the separating portion 20 separates from the guided portion 199 of the mounting plate 183, the movable blade unit 180 can rotate forward as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12. For this reason, the movable blade 189 can be easily and largely separated from the fixed blade 33, and thus problems occurring in the cutting mechanism such as paper jams can be easily eliminated. In particular, for example, when the movable blade 189 cannot return to its original position from the position shown in FIG. 11 due to a paper jam, if the movable blade 189 cannot be moved, the separating portion 20 cannot be pulled out due to the engagement between the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189. However, according to the mechanism of this embodiment, since the movable blade 189 can move in the moving direction of the separating portion 20, the separating portion 20 can be easily pulled out even in such a case, and the paper jam can be eliminated.

[0038] In the case of this embodiment, the fixed blade 33 performs linear movement by the separating portion 20 which is its movement mechanism (linear movement mechanism), and the movable blade 189 performs rotational movement by the movable blade unit 180 which is its movement mechanism (rotational movement mechanism). Therefore, by simply moving the fixed blade 33 linearly away from the cutting possible position, the movable blade 189 moves away from the cutting possible position in the rotational direction, and the gap between the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189 can be largely separated in a short distance, and the elimination of paper jams and the like can be performed more easily.

[0039] After eliminating paper jams or replacing the label roll 27, push the separation unit 20 toward the apparatus main body side to return it to the cuttable position shown in Fig. 2, and lock the unlocking lever 13. At this time, as shown in Fig. 9, the guiding portion 32 of the separation unit 20 engages with the guided portion 199 of the movable blade unit 180 to guide and fix the movable blade unit 180 to the cuttable position. That is, by simply returning the separation unit 20 to the cuttable position, the movable blade unit 180 can be automatically guided and fixed to the cuttable position in conjunction with the movement of the separation unit 20. When the guiding portion 32 abuts on and engages with the guided portion 199, the movable blade unit 180 and the support 160 are positioned at their original positions, which are slightly rearward with respect to the mounting body 110 against the biasing force of the coil spring 240. That is, as described above, the movable blade unit 180 and the support 160 are biased by the coil spring 240, and the relative position of the movable blade 189 with respect to the separation unit 20 is accurately positioned by this biasing.

[0040] Incidentally, a cuttable position detecting means is installed in the above-described cutting mechanism. When at least one of the separation unit 20 and the movable blade unit 180 is not in the cuttable position by this cuttable position detecting means, control is performed to return the movable blade 189 to the initial position. Specifically, this cuttable position detecting means includes a separation unit position detecting sensor S1-1 and a detecting portion S1-2 (which together constitute the first cuttable position detecting means) shown by dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and a movable blade unit position detecting sensor S2-1 and a detecting portion S2-2 (which together constitute the second cuttable position detecting means) shown by dotted lines in Figs. 9 and 12. Although not shown, a sensor for the movable blade for detecting whether the movable blade 189 is in the cutting position where it protrudes or in the initial position where it is retracted is built in the drive mechanism portion 181 of the movable blade unit 180.

[0041] The separation unit position detection sensor S1-1 is composed of, for example, a photo interrupter (a sensor that has a light emitting part and a light receiving part facing each other, and detects the position (presence or absence) of the detection part S1-2 by the light receiving part detecting that the light from the light emitting part is blocked by the detection part S1-2). It is attached to a member on the device body side not shown in the figure. As shown in Fig. 2, when the detection part S1-2 is detected by the separation unit position detection sensor S1-1, it detects that the separation unit 20 is in the cuttable position shown in Fig. 2. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, when the detection part S1-2 is not detected by the separation unit position detection sensor S1-1, it detects that the separation unit 20 has moved (moved away) from the cuttable position.

[0042] The movable blade unit position detection sensor S2-1 is also composed of, for example, a photo interrupter. It is attached to a member on the movable blade unit 180 side (for example, a cover that covers the front surface of the movable blade unit 180 and moves (swings) together with the movable blade unit 180, a decorative panel). When the detection part S2-2 attached to the member on the device body side is detected by the separation unit position detection sensor S2-1, it detects that the movable blade unit 180 is in the cuttable position shown in Fig. 9 (the description of the sensor is omitted in Fig. 9). As shown in Fig. 12, when the detection part S2-2 is not detected by the separation unit position detection sensor S2-1, it detects that the movable blade unit 180 has moved (moved away) from the cuttable position.

[0043] And the control means for controlling each of these sensors and the movable blade drive motor 185 determines whether the separation unit 20 or the movable blade unit 180 is in a cuttable position. If it is determined that the separation unit 20 or the movable blade unit 180 is not in a cuttable position, and if the movable blade sensor determines that the movable blade 189 is not in the initial position, the movable blade drive motor 185 is driven to control the movable blade 189 to return to the initial position. That is, for example, during maintenance such as when the label paper R jams between the fixed blade 33 and the movable blade 189 or when the label paper R is replaced, as described above, the separation unit 20 and the movable blade unit 180 are moved so as to be pulled away from the cuttable position. At this time, in this cutting mechanism (printing apparatus 10), the positions of the separation unit 20 and the movable blade unit 180 are detected. When either one of them is moving away from the cuttable position, the movable blade 189 is automatically returned to the initial position, thereby eliminating the need for operations such as separately manually driving the movable blade 189, shortening the working time and effort, and making maintenance work and the like easier to perform. In addition, by using the movable blade sensor built in the movable blade unit 180, when it is determined that the movable blade 189 is not in the initial position when the printing apparatus 10 is powered on, even if the separation unit 20 or the movable blade unit 180 is in the cuttable position, control may be performed to return the movable blade 189 to the initial position.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, the specification, and the drawings. Even for any shape, structure, or material not directly described in the specification and the drawings, as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, it is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the above example, the fixed blade is installed on the separation unit side and the movable blade is installed on the member side of the apparatus body, but the two blade bodies may be installed on the opposite sides. Also, as a pair of blade bodies, instead of a movable blade and a fixed blade, both may be movable blades.

[0045] In the above example, label paper, which is a printing medium, is used as the medium to be cut. However, it may also be a printing medium used for other purposes or various media to be cut other than printing media, such as tapes and films. In short, any medium that is cut and used is acceptable. Also, the medium to be cut does not have to be pulled out from a roll.

[0046] In the above example, a linear movement mechanism and a rotational movement mechanism are used as different movement mechanisms. However, both can be linear movement mechanisms, or both can be rotational movement mechanisms, or a movement mechanism other than linear and rotational can also be used. In short, as long as it is a cutting mechanism configured such that when one movement mechanism with one blade body attached moves from the cutting position, the other movement mechanism with the other blade body attached can move from the cutting position, any configuration of the cutting mechanism is acceptable. In the above embodiment, as described above, one movement mechanism is a linear movement mechanism and the other movement mechanism is a rotational movement mechanism, and thereby the gap between the two blade bodies is largely separated at a short distance. However, even when both movement mechanisms are rotational movement mechanisms, the gap between the two blade bodies can be largely separated at a short distance. However, since it is possible to smoothly perform operations such as replacing the label roll when a linear movement mechanism is provided, in the above embodiment, considering convenience, one of the movement mechanisms is a linear movement mechanism that allows for smooth storage of the label roll and the like.

[0047] Further, the movable blade unit (rotational movement mechanism) may further include a biasing member that biases the movable blade unit in a direction away from the cutting position. With this configuration, when the separating part (one blade body) moves, the movable blade unit (the other blade body) can also be automatically and easily moved by this biasing member. For example, when the separating part is moved in a linear direction away from the cutting position, the movable blade unit is automatically separated by the biasing member in a direction above the linear movement direction, so there is no risk of the other blade body interfering with the linear movement of one blade body. Also, the biasing means (coil spring) was installed on the back side of one blade body attached to the apparatus main body side when viewed from the operator side in the above embodiment. However, instead, it may be installed on the front side of this one blade body.

[0048] In the above example, a label printer with a weighing function was used as the printing device for illustration. However, it can be similarly installed in various other devices, such as POS registers, kitchen printers, ticket vending machines, etc. Also, in the above example, photo-interrupters were used as the position detection sensors S1-1 and S2-1. However, other various position detection sensors, such as optical sensors or magnetic sensors with other structures, may also be used.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0049] 1 Label printer (weighing and pricing machine, product data processing device) 3 Base part 5 Display means 7 Key operation part 9 Weighing part 10 Printing device 11 Label issuing port 13 Lock release lever 20 Separation part (linear movement mechanism, movement mechanism) 21 Mounting body 23 Slider mechanism 25 Frame body 27 Label roll 29 Roll storage part 30 Fixed blade unit 31 Platen roller (printing means) 32 Guide part 33 Fixed blade (blade body, cutting mechanism) 35, 37 Side plates 36 Protrusion 39 Movement restricting part 41 Blade 43 Support body 45 Fixed blade holder 47 Shaft part 49 Mounting base 51 Biasing means 53 Screw 57 Protrusion for shaft support 59 Shaft support part 61 Spring end locking part 63 Coil part 64 Spring end part 65 Spring central part 67 Fixed blade movement restricting hole 69 Contact part 100 Device main body side member 110 Mounting body 111, 113, 115, 117 Side walls 119 Opening 121 Locking part 123 Opening 125 Locking part 127 Opening 129 Spring receiving part 131 First support body locking part 133 Second support body locking part 135 Spring insertion part 137 Support body support part 139 Insertion part 141 Support body support part 160 Support body 161 Movable blade side support part 163 Device body side support part 164 Spring insertion part 165 Shaft support part 166 Movable blade unit contact part 167,169 Support body holding part 171 Guide insertion part 173 Retaining part 175 Spring support part 177 Guide insertion part 179 Retaining part 180 Movable blade unit (rotation movement mechanism, movement mechanism) 181 Driving mechanism part 183 Mounting plate 185 Movable blade driving motor 187 Driving knob 189 Movable blade (blade body, cutting mechanism) 191 Movable blade holding member 192 Screw 193 Blade 195 Blade guide part 197 Side part 199 Induced part 215,225 Side wall 220 Printing unit 221 Mounting plate 223 Thermal head (printing head, printing means) 227 Locking piece 229 Spring receiving piece 231 Locking part 240 Coil spring 250 Coil spring R Label paper (printing medium, medium to be cut) S Gap S1-1 Separation part position detection sensor (cutting possible position detection means) S1-2 Detection part (cutting possible position detection means) S2-1 Movable blade unit position detection sensor (cutting possible position detection means) S2-2 Detection part (cutting possible position detection means)

Claims

1. A pair of blade bodies are installed opposite to each other at a cutting position for cutting a medium to be cut, the pair of blade bodies are respectively attached to different moving mechanisms, when the linear moving mechanism to which one of the blade bodies is attached linearly moves from the cutting position, the rotary moving mechanism to which the other blade body is attached becomes rotatable from the cutting position, and the linear moving mechanism linearly moves together with a storage unit for storing the medium to be cut. A printing apparatus characterized by this.

2. Among the pair of blade bodies, a fixed blade is provided in the linear moving mechanism, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first biasing portion that biases the fixed blade in the conveyance direction of the medium to be printed.

3. Among the pair of blade bodies, a movable blade is provided in the rotary moving mechanism, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a second biasing portion that biases the movable blade in the conveyance direction of the medium to be cut.

4. The linear moving mechanism includes a restricting portion that restricts the rotational movement of the rotary moving mechanism. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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