Paper feeding unit and printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a paper feeding unit capable of easily winding roll paper on a winding body to a desired state.SOLUTION: A paper feeding unit includes: a paper feeding tray capable of accommodating a winding body for roll paper; an operation unit for receiving an operation; and a rotation unit for rotating the winding body in a reverse rotation direction opposite to a forward rotation direction, which is a rotation direction of the winding body when the roll paper is drawn out from the winding body, according to the operation received by the operation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a paper feed unit and a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Research and development is ongoing into printing devices that print images on print media.

[0003] In this regard, a paper feed unit is known that includes a paper feed tray that can accommodate a roll of roll paper and a housing that detachably supports the paper feed tray, and that includes a rotation mechanism that directly rotates the roll so that a portion of the roll paper pulled out from the roll is wound onto the roll in conjunction with the action of moving the paper feed tray in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the roll and removing the paper feed tray from the housing (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-054614 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the paper feed unit described in Patent Document 1, even if you try to rewind all of the roll paper pulled out from the reel back onto the reel in conjunction with the operation of removing the paper feed tray from the housing, there are cases where the rewinding does not go smoothly. This is because the paper feed unit is equipped with a rotation mechanism for the purpose of winding part of the roll paper pulled out from the reel back onto the reel. This leads to a decrease in user convenience and is undesirable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present disclosure is a paper feed unit that includes a paper feed tray that can accommodate a roll of roll paper, an operation unit that accepts operations, and a rotation unit that rotates the roll in a reverse rotation direction that is opposite to the forward rotation direction, which is the rotation direction of the roll when the roll paper is pulled out from the roll, in accordance with the operation accepted by the operation unit.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device comprising the paper feed unit described above and a printing unit that prints an image onto the roll paper pulled out from the roll stored in the paper feed tray. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printing device 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a paper feed unit 10. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the paper feed unit 10 shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the paper feed tray TR is locked to the housing BX by the locking part LK. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the locking of the sheet feed tray TR to the housing BX by the locking part LK shown in FIG. 4 is released. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a rotating part RT. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of the rotating part RT shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a rotating part RT2 according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective view of the rotating part RT2 shown in FIG. 8, seen from another direction. [Figure 10] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of each of a reverse conveyance section RC and a rotation section RT3 according to a second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 2A and 2B are perspective views showing examples of an operation unit CN1 and a rotation unit RT4 included in the paper feed unit 20. [Figure 12] 12 is a top view of the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4 shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operating unit CN2, which is a lever, provided on a paper feed tray TR. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a rotating part RT5 in a state where an operating part CN2, which is a lever, is located at the uppermost position in the paper feed tray TR. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a rotating part RT5 in a state where an operating part CN2, which is a lever, is positioned at the lowest position in the paper feed tray TR. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a paper feed unit 20 equipped with an operation unit CN3. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a rotating part RT6. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a front cross-sectional view of the rotating part RT6 shown in FIG. [Figure 19] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of an operation unit CN4 and a rotation unit RT7 included in the paper feed unit 20. [Figure 20] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of an operation unit CN4 and a rotation unit RT8 included in the paper feed unit 20. [Figure 21] 21 is a perspective view of the operation unit CN4 and the rotation unit RT8 shown in FIG. 20, viewed from different directions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Outline of the printing device according to the first embodiment> First, an overview of the printing device according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0011] The printing device according to the first embodiment includes a paper feed unit and a printing unit. The paper feed unit includes a paper feed tray and a rotating unit. The paper feed tray is supported by the housing so that it can slide parallel to a predetermined pull-out direction between a predetermined mounted position and a pull-out position, and can accommodate a roll of roll paper. The rotating unit rotates the roll in response to a pull-out operation that moves the paper feed tray from the mounted position to the pull-out position. The mounted position is the position within the housing where the paper feed tray can slide, and where the printing device pulls the roll paper from the paper feed tray. The pull-out position is the position within the housing where the paper feed tray can slide, and is a predetermined distance from the mounted position in the pull-out direction. The rotating unit rotates the roll in a reverse direction, which is opposite to the forward rotation direction in which the roll paper rotates when it is pulled out of the roll, thereby winding a portion of the roll paper pulled out of the roll onto the roll. The printing unit prints images on roll paper or cut paper pulled out from a roll housed in a paper feed tray, which prevents the roll paper from sagging when the roll paper is wound onto the roll house in response to a pull-out operation.

[0012] The configuration of the printing device according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0013] <Configuration of the printing device according to the first embodiment> The configuration of a printing device according to the first embodiment will be described below using the printing device 1 as an example. Note that in the first embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a user of the printing device 1 will be simply referred to as a user.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Herein, in this specification, the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system that indicates directions in a drawing in which the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is drawn. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the X-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the X-axis. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the Y-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Y-axis. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the Z-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Z-axis. Hereinafter, as an example, a case will be described in which the negative direction of the Z-axis coincides with the direction of gravity. Therefore, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the upward direction or simply "up," and the negative direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the downward direction or simply "down."

[0016] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the surface of the printing device 1 on the positive side of the X axis will be referred to as the front surface of the printing device 1, and the surface of the printing device 1 on the negative side of the X axis will be referred to as the rear surface of the printing device 1. Furthermore, the case where an object is viewed from a certain direction will be referred to as the case where the object is viewed from that direction.

[0017] The printing device 1 prints an image on roll paper RP pulled out from a roll RB on which the roll paper RP is wound, or on cut print media. The print media may be any medium as long as it is a cut sheet-like medium, such as cut printing paper or a sticker mount. For ease of explanation, cut print media will be referred to below simply as cut paper CP.

[0018] The printing device 1 includes a paper feed unit 10 and a printing section PR. Note that the printing device 1 may include other members, other devices, etc. in addition to the paper feed unit 10 and the printing section PR. In addition, in FIG. 1, the printing section PR is depicted as a rectangular parallelepiped object to simplify the illustration.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the paper feed unit 10. Fig. 3 is a side view of the paper feed unit 10 shown in Fig. 2. However, unlike Fig. 2, the paper feed unit 10 in Fig. 3 contains a plurality of cut sheets CP together with a roll RB.

[0020] The paper feed unit 10 includes a paper feed tray TR and a locking part LK.

[0021] In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the paper feed tray TR is a box-shaped tray with a recessed portion that opens upward. The shape of the paper feed tray TR may be other than the shape shown in FIG. 2. The space SP in the recess of the paper feed tray TR is a space that can accommodate the wound sheet RB. That is, the paper feed tray TR is a tray that can accommodate the wound sheet RB. The space SP may be a space that can accommodate one or more cut sheets CP together with the wound sheet RB, or a space that can accommodate the wound sheet RB but cannot accommodate one or more cut sheets CP. The space SP may be capable of accommodating the wound sheet RB when it does not accommodate one or more cut sheets CP, and may be capable of accommodating one or more cut sheets CP when it does not accommodate the wound sheet RB. That is, the area in the space SP where the wound sheet RB is arranged may overlap at least a portion of the area in the space SP where one or more cut sheets CP are arranged, or may not overlap the area in the space SP where one or more cut sheets CP are arranged. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the space SP is a space capable of accommodating one or more cut sheets CP together with the roll RB. That is, in this example, the paper feed tray TR can accommodate one or more cut sheets CP together with the roll RB. This allows the printing device 1 to select either the roll paper RP or the cut sheets CP accommodated in the paper feed tray TR for printing, thereby improving usability.

[0022] The paper feed tray TR is supported by the housing BX so as to be slidable parallel to a predetermined pull-out direction between a predetermined mounted position and a pulled-out position. The following description assumes, as an example, that the pull-out direction coincides with the positive direction of the X axis. The housing BX may be configured separately from the printing device 1 or may be configured integrally with the printing device 1. The following description assumes, as an example, that the housing BX is configured integrally with the printing device 1, as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the mounted position is the position within the housing BX at which the paper feed tray TR can slide, where the printer 1 pulls out the roll paper RP from the paper feed tray TR. The pulled-out position is the position within the housing BX at which the paper feed tray TR can slide, a predetermined distance from the mounted position in the pull-out direction. The predetermined distance may be any distance. For example, the pulled-out position is the position within the housing BX at which the paper feed tray TR can slide, which is furthest from the mounted position in the pull-out direction. Furthermore, the paper feed tray TR may be detachable from the housing BX, or may not be detachable from the housing BX. Furthermore, if the housing BX is configured separately from the printing device 1, the housing BX may be configured to be included in the paper feed unit 10.

[0023] When the paper feed tray TR is attached to the printing device 1, the surface of the paper feed tray TR on the positive side of the X axis forms part of the front surface of the printing device 1. Therefore, for the sake of convenience, the surface of the paper feed tray TR on the positive side of the X axis will be referred to as the front surface of the paper feed tray TR in the following description.

[0024] Here, the wound body RB is accommodated in the paper feed tray TR so as to be located closer to the front of the paper feed tray TR than one or more cut sheets CP. The wound body RB is accommodated in the paper feed tray TR so that the rotation axis of the wound body RB is parallel to the front of the paper feed tray TR. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , within the space SP, the wound body RB is supported by a portion of the bottom surface of the paper feed tray TR and a member 11 provided above the bottom surface of the paper feed tray TR. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the connection portion between the lowest surface forming the space SP and the surface forming the space SP closest to the front of the paper feed tray TR is curved to follow the outer peripheral surface of the wound body RB in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body RB. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, this connection portion will be referred to as the target connection portion.

[0025] The member 11 has a wound body support region 11A and a cut-paper support region 11B. The wound body support region 11A is a region of the member 11 that has a curved surface that curves along the outer peripheral surface of the wound body RB in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body RB. Therefore, the wound body RB is rotatably supported within the space SP by the target connection portion and the curved surface. The cut-paper support region 11B is a plate-shaped region of the member 11 that has a placement surface on which one or more cut sheets CP are placed. Furthermore, the underside of the wound body support region 11A and the underside of the cut-paper support region 11B are connected so that there is no step.

[0026] Furthermore, member 11 is spaced above the lowest surface that defines space SP. That is, there is a gap between this surface and member 11 in paper feed tray TR. This gap functions as a roll paper passage PP along which roll paper RP passes as it is pulled from roll RB into the interior of printer 1. Note that Figure 3 shows roll paper RP being pulled into printer 1 through roll paper passage PP.

[0027] One or more cut sheets CP stored in a paper feed tray TR attached to the printing device 1 are transported one by one into the interior of the printing device 1 by a paper feed roller R1 provided in the printing device 1. The rotation axis of the paper feed roller R1 is parallel to the rotation axis of the roll RB. The paper feed roller R1 is located above and on the front side of the paper feed roller R1, and is provided in the printing device 1 so as to be swingable around a rotation axis AX1 that is parallel to the rotation axis of the roll RB.

[0028] The paper feed roller R1 also transports roll paper RP pulled from a roll RB housed in a paper feed tray TR attached to the printing device 1 into the interior of the printing device 1. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, a flap FL is provided in the cut-paper support region 11B. The flap FL is a member that opens and closes an opening that penetrates the cut-paper support region 11B from top to bottom. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the opening is closed by the flap FL. When the opening is open with the flap FL and no cut paper CP is housed in the paper feed tray TR, the paper feed roller R1 comes into contact with the roll paper RP, which has been pulled from the roll RB by the user to the roll paper passage PP, through the opening. This allows the paper feed roller R1 to transport the roll paper RP into the interior of the printing device 1.

[0029] The roll paper RP transported by the paper feed roller R1 is transported into the printing device 1 along the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the roll paper RP transported in this way passes between the print head C2 supported by the carriage C1 of the printing device 1 and the platen C3 of the printing device 1, whereby an image is printed. The carriage C1, print head C2, and platen C3 each make up the printing unit PR in the printing device 1. Of the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB, the roll paper RP after an image has been printed by the printing unit PR is separated by a cutting unit CT, which cuts the roll paper RP, from the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB before an image has been printed by the printing unit PR. For this reason, in the printing device 1, the cutting unit CT is located upstream of the printing unit PR on the transport path of the roll paper RP. In other words, the printing device 1 is equipped with a cutting unit CT.

[0030] A knob NB is provided on the front surface of the paper feed tray TR. The knob NB is a member that allows the user to operate the locking member LK and is a member that the user grasps with their hand when pulling the paper feed tray TR out of the housing BX. The knob NB is provided on the front surface so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis that is parallel to the front surface. The user can operate the locking member LK by rotating the knob NB.

[0031] When the paper feed tray TR is located in the mounting position, the locking unit LK locks the paper feed tray TR to the housing BX so that it does not move in the mounting position. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the paper feed tray TR locked to the housing BX by the locking unit LK. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the paper feed tray TR unlocked from the housing BX by the locking unit LK shown in FIG. 4. The locking unit LK is connected to a knob NB provided on the paper feed tray TR via an engaging member LK1 that engages with a protrusion BX1 provided on the housing BX and a rod-shaped link LK2. That is, the locking unit LK has an engaging member LK1 and a link LK2. The engaging member LK1 is rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis AX2 in response to the movement of the link LK2. This rotation allows the engaging member LK1 to switch between a state in which it is engaged with the protrusion BX1 and a state in which it is not engaged with the protrusion BX1. The user can rotate the engagement member LK1 by rotating the knob NB. When the user rotates the knob NB by pulling it toward the pull-out direction, the engagement member LK1 and the protrusion BX1 are disengaged, and the locking portion LK releases the lock of the paper feed tray TR to the housing BX. On the other hand, when the user rotates the knob NB by pushing it toward the installation direction, the engagement member LK1 engages with the protrusion BX1, and the locking portion LK locks the paper feed tray TR to the housing BX. Here, the installation direction refers to the direction opposite to the pull-out direction. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking portion LK has a biasing portion SG that biases the engagement member LK1 in a direction in which the engagement member LK1 engages with the protrusion BX1. This allows the locking portion LK to lock the paper feed tray TR to the housing BX when the user releases their hand from the knob NB. The biasing portion SG is, for example, a coil spring, but is not limited thereto. The locking portion LK may not necessarily have the biasing portion SG.

[0032] The printing unit PR prints images on roll paper RP or cut paper CP pulled out from a roll RB housed in the paper feed tray TR. As described above, the printing unit PR is composed of the carriage C1, print head C2, and platen C3 shown in FIG. 3. The printing unit PR may be configured to print images on roll paper RP pulled out from a roll RB housed in the paper feed tray TR, but not print images on cut paper CP. In this case, the paper feed tray TR houses the roll RB, but does not house one or more cut sheets CP.

[0033] In a printing device 1 configured as described above, the leading edge of the roll paper RP after it has been cut by the cutting unit CT, but before an image is printed on it, is located between the exit of the roll paper path PP and the cutting unit CT. In such a case, when a user moves the paper feed tray TR from the installed position to the extended position, the roll paper RP being pulled out from the roll RB can become deformed by contact with surrounding components in the housing BX. This leads to a decrease in print quality, which is undesirable.

[0034] A known mechanism to solve this problem is a return mechanism that feeds the roll paper RP pulled from the roll RB toward the roll RB in conjunction with the movement of the paper feed tray TR from the installed position to the pulled-out position. However, the return mechanism is a roller that nips the roll paper RP pulled from the roll RB. Therefore, while the return mechanism can return the pulled-out roll paper RP, it cannot rotate the roll RB, and the returned roll paper RP sometimes sags and is not wound onto the roll RB.

[0035] Therefore, the paper feed unit 10 further includes a rotation unit RT that rotates the roll RB in response to a user's pull-out operation on the paper feed tray TR to move the paper feed tray TR from the installed position to the pulled-out position. This causes the paper feed tray TR to wind up a portion of the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB onto the roll RB. As a result, the paper feed unit 10 can prevent the roll paper from sagging when the roll paper is wound onto the roll in response to the pull-out operation.

[0036] <Configuration of rotating part> The configuration of the rotating part RT will be described below. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the rotating part RT. Fig. 7 is a top view of the rotating part RT shown in Fig. 6.

[0037] The rotating part RT has a rotating body RX1, a jig JG, a rack RC1, a meshing gear PN1, a transmission part TP1, and a biasing part SG2.

[0038] The rotating body RX1 is a cylindrical object, such as a roller, that rotates while abutting against one of the ends of the wound body RB in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body RB, thereby rotating the wound body RB in the reverse rotation direction. The rotating body RX1 is supported by a shaft SH1 supported by a jig JG so as to be rotatable around the shaft SH1. For ease of explanation, one of the ends of the wound body RB in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body RB will be referred to as the first end of the wound body RB. For ease of explanation, the other of the ends will be referred to as the second end of the wound body RB. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the rotating body RX1 can abut against a surface of the first end that is located below the rotation axis of the wound body. For ease of explanation, this surface will be referred to as the first abutment surface. By abutting the rotating body RX1 against the first abutment surface in this manner, the rolled body RB can be rotated without causing the roll paper RP located on the surface of the rolled body RB to slip relative to the rolled body RB. In other words, the paper feed unit 10 can prevent the rolled body RB from failing to rotate due to the rotating body RX1 abutting against the first abutment surface.

[0039] Furthermore, the rotating body RX1 is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber or elastomer. This prevents the paper feed unit 10 from failing to rotate the wound body RB by the rotating body RX1. Note that the rotating body RX1 may be configured such that only at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body RX1 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating body RX1 is made of the material with a high coefficient of friction. The rotating body RX1 according to the first embodiment is an example of a first rotating body.

[0040] The jig JG supports the shaft body SH1. That is, the jig JG supports the rotor RX1 rotatably around the shaft body SH1 via the shaft body SH1. The jig JG is also supported rotatably around the shaft body SH2 by the shaft SH2, which is supported by the transmission part TP1 described later. The jig JG can abut the rotor RX1 it supports against the first abutment surface in response to rotation around the shaft body SH2. The jig JG can also move the rotor RX1 it supports away from the first abutment surface in response to rotation around the shaft body SH2. Therefore, the shaft body SH2 is parallel to the shaft body SH1 and is spaced apart from the shaft body SH1.

[0041] The rack RC1 is provided on either the paper feed tray TR or the housing BX. The following describes, as an example, a case where the rack RC1 is provided on the housing BX. In this case, the rack RC1 meshes with the meshing gear PN1 and rotates the meshing gear PN1 when the user moves the paper feed tray TR from the installed position to the pulled-out position. The rotation of the meshing gear PN1 is transmitted to the rotating body RX1 by the transmission unit TP1. Therefore, by rotating the meshing gear PN1, the rack RC1 can rotate the rotating body RX1 via the transmission unit TP1. As a result, the rack RC1 can rotate the wound body RB in the reverse rotation direction. For this reason, the rack RC1 is provided at a position where it can mesh with the meshing gear PN1 during this process. The rack RC1 is provided so as not to mesh with the meshing gear PN1 when the paper feed tray TR is located at the installed position. This is because, in this case, if the rack RC1 meshes with the meshing gear PN1, the rotating body RX1 would interfere with the pulling out of the rolled paper RP from the rolled body RB. In other words, this allows the rack RC1 to prevent the rotating body RX1 from interfering with the pulling out of the rolled paper RP from the rolled body RB. This is useful because it reduces the load on the rolled body RB and, as a result, prevents a decrease in paper feeding accuracy.

[0042] The meshing gear PN1 is a pinion that can mesh with the rack RC1. The meshing gear PN1 is provided on the other of the paper feed tray TR and the housing BX. Therefore, in this example, the meshing gear PN1 is provided on the paper feed tray TR.

[0043] The transmission unit TP1 transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN1 to the rotating body RX1, causing the rotating body RX1 to rotate. The transmission unit TP1 may have, for example, multiple gears, and transmit the rotation of the meshing gear PN1 to the rotating body RX1 using these multiple gears. Note that the transmission unit TP1 may instead be configured to transmit the rotation of the meshing gear PN1 to the rotating body RX1 using other members, devices, mechanisms, etc. Also, a part or all of the transmission unit TP1 may be configured to be provided in the housing BX. Here, if the rotating body RX1 of the transmission unit TP1 is provided in the housing BX, the user can also rotate the wound body RB by the frictional force generated between the rotating body RX1 and the wound body RB when moving the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction. However, it can also be said that providing the rotating body RX1 of the transmission unit TP1 in the paper feed tray TR can suppress unnecessary friction between the rotating body RX1 and the wound body RB.

[0044] In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the transmission unit TP1 has four gears, gear G1 to gear G4. Note that in FIG. 7, gear G4 is hidden behind the rotating body RX1 and is not visible. Gear G1 meshes with each of meshing gears PN1 and G2, and transmits the rotation of meshing gear PN1 to gear G2. Gear G2 meshes with each of gears G1 and G3, and transmits the rotation of gear G1 to gear G3. Gear G3 meshes with each of gears G2 and G4, and transmits the rotation of gear G2 to gear G4. Gear G4 is connected to rotating body RX1 by shaft SH1 so as to rotate in conjunction with rotating body RX1. More specifically, shaft SH1 connects gear G4 to rotating body RX1 so as to overlap the rotation axis of gear G4 and the rotation axis of rotating body RX1. Therefore, rotating body RX1 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of gear G4. In this way, the transmission part TP1 transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN1 to the rotating body RX1 by the four gears, thereby rotating the rotating body RX1. The transmission part TP1 is an example of a first transmission part.

[0045] 6 and 7, the shaft SH2 is connected to the gear G2 so as to overlap with the rotation axis of the gear G2. However, the shaft SH2 is connected to the gear G2 so as not to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the gear G2. This can be achieved, for example, by connecting the shaft SH2 and the gear G2 via a bearing.

[0046] The transmission unit TP1 may also include a forward rotation prevention mechanism that transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN1 to the rotating body RX1 when the paper feed tray TR moves in the pull-out direction, but does not transmit the rotation of the meshing gear PN1 to the rotating body RX1 when the paper feed tray TR moves in the installation direction. The forward rotation prevention mechanism may be, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. When the forward rotation prevention mechanism is a one-way clutch mechanism, the forward rotation prevention mechanism may be provided on at least one of the rotating body RX1, gears G1 to G4, and meshing gear PN1. This prevents the paper feed unit 10 from rotating the roll RB when moving in the installation direction, i.e., prevents the paper roll RP from being unwound from the roll RB when moving in the installation direction. This also allows the paper feed unit 10 to turn the rotating body RX1 into a driven roller when the paper roll RP is unwound from the roll RB, thereby reducing the load on the roll RB. This is useful because it helps prevent a decrease in paper feeding accuracy.

[0047] The biasing unit SG2 biases the rotating body RX1 toward the roll RB. Therefore, when a user places the roll RB in the paper feed tray TR, for example, the user places the roll RB in the paper feed tray TR while moving the rotating body RX1 against the biasing force of the biasing unit SG2. The biasing unit SG2 is, for example, a torsion spring, but is not limited to this. By providing the biasing unit SG2 on the rotating unit RT2 of the paper feed unit 10, the frictional force between the roll RB and the rotating body RX1 can be increased, preventing the rotating body RX1 from failing to rotate the roll RB. Furthermore, by providing the biasing unit SG2 on the rotating unit RT2 of the paper feed unit 10, the roll RB can be pressed from the first contact surface, thereby preventing the widthwise movement of the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB. This is useful because it helps prevent misalignment of the printing position performed by the printing unit PR.

[0048] As described above, the paper feed unit 10 rotates the roll RB in response to the user's pull-out operation on the paper feed tray TR to move the paper feed tray TR from the installed position to the pulled-out position. This causes the paper feed unit 10 to rotate the roll RB in the reverse direction when feeding the roll paper RP from the roll RB, thereby winding up a portion of the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB onto the roll RB. As a result, the paper feed unit 10 can prevent the roll paper RP from sagging when winding the roll paper RP onto the roll RB in response to the pull-out operation.

[0049] The sheet feed unit 10 may be configured such that the rotating part RT is provided on both the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the positive side of the Y axis and the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the negative side of the Y axis. Alternatively, the sheet feed unit 10 may be configured such that the rotating part RT is not provided on the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the positive side of the Y axis, but is provided on the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the negative side of the Y axis.

[0050] <Modification 1 of the First Embodiment> The following describes Modification 1 of the first embodiment. In Modification 1 of the first embodiment, the pull-out operation is performed by operating the knob NB rather than by moving the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction. Therefore, in Modification 1 of the first embodiment, the paper feed tray TR has a rotation part RT2 instead of the rotation part RT.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a rotating part RT2 according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the rotating part RT2 shown in Fig. 8 as seen from another direction.

[0052] The rotating part RT2 includes, for example, a rotating body RX1, a jig JG, a rack RC2, a meshing gear PN2, a transmission part TP2, and a biasing part SG2. The rotating body RX1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment is an example of a second rotating body.

[0053] The rack RC2 is a rack attached to the knob NB. When a user operates the knob NB to unlock the locking member LK of the paper feed tray TR, the rack RC2 engages with the meshing gear PN2 and rotates the meshing gear PN2. To move the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction, the user must operate the knob NB to unlock the paper feed tray TR from the locking member LK. Therefore, the operation performed by the user on the knob NB to unlock the paper feed tray TR from the locking member LK is an example of a pull-out operation. During this pull-out operation, the knob NB rotates around its rotation axis. The rack RC2 rotates the meshing gear PN2 in conjunction with the rotation of the knob NB. Therefore, the rack RC2 is a curved rack, as shown in FIG. 8 . The rotation of the meshing gear PN2 is transmitted to the rotating body RX1 by the transmission member TP2. Therefore, the rack RC2 can rotate the rotating body RX1 via the transmission member TP2 by rotating the meshing gear PN2. As a result, the rack RC2 can rotate the roll RB in the reverse direction. Therefore, the rack RC2 is positioned so that it can mesh with the meshing gear PN2 during this process. Note that the rack RC2 is positioned so that it does not mesh with the meshing gear PN2 when the paper feed tray TR is locked by the locking member LK, i.e., when no pull-out operation is being performed. This is because, if the rack RC2 meshes with the meshing gear PN2 in this case, the rotating body RX1 may obstruct the pull-out of the roll paper RP from the roll RB. In other words, the rack RC2 can prevent the rotating body RX1 from obstructing the pull-out of the roll paper RP from the roll RB in this case. This is useful because it reduces the load on the roll RB and, as a result, prevents a decrease in paper feeding accuracy.

[0054] The meshing gear PN2 is a pinion that can mesh with the rack RC2. The meshing gear PN2 is provided at a position where it meshes with the rack RC2 when the user operates the knob NB to unlock the paper feed tray TR by the locking portion LK.

[0055] The transmission unit TP2 transmits the operation of the knob NB, which has been operated, to the rotating body RX1, causing the rotating body RX1 to rotate. The transmission unit TP2 has, for example, a plurality of gears, and transmits the operation of the knob NB to the rotating body RX1 using these gears. In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the transmission unit TP2 has ten gears, gears G1 to G10, and a shaft body SH3. The gear G5 meshes with the gear G1 and transmits the rotation of the gear G5 to the gear G1. The gear G5 is provided with a gear G6 that rotates together with the gear G5. Therefore, the rotation axis of the gear G5 overlaps with the rotation axis of the gear G6. The gear G6 is a bevel gear. The gear G6 meshes with the gear G7 and transmits the rotation of the gear G7 to the gear G5 that rotates together with the gear G6. The gear G7 is a bevel gear. Due to the meshing of gears G6 and G7, the rotation of gear G7 around a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis is converted into rotation of gear G6 around a rotation axis parallel to the Z axis. The outer periphery of gear G7 around the rotation axis is formed as a gear that meshes with gear G8. Therefore, gear G7 meshes with gears G6 and G8, respectively, and transmits the rotation of gear G8 to gear G6. Gear G8 meshes with gears G7 and G9, respectively, and transmits the rotation of gear G9 to gear G7. Gear G9 meshes with gears G10 and G8, respectively, and transmits the rotation of gear G10 to gear G8. Gear G10 meshes with gear G9. Gear G10 is also connected to meshing gear PN2 via shaft SH3. Shaft SH3 connects gear G10 and meshing gear PN2 so that the rotation axis of gear G10 overlaps with the rotation axis of meshing gear PN2. Therefore, gear G10 rotates in conjunction with meshing gear PN2. That is, gear G10 transmits the rotation of meshing gear PN2 to gear G9. With this configuration, transmission unit TP2 transmits the rotation of meshing gear PN2 to rotating body RX1 via the ten gears, causing rotating body RX1 to rotate.

[0056] The transmission unit TP2 may also include a forward rotation prevention mechanism that transmits the operation of the knob NB, which has received an operation to release the locking unit LK, to the rotating body RX1, but does not transmit the operation of the knob NB opposite to the operation of the knob NB to release the locking unit LK to the rotating body RX1. The forward rotation prevention mechanism may be, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. When the forward rotation prevention mechanism is a one-way clutch mechanism, the forward rotation prevention mechanism may be provided on at least a portion of the rotating body RX1, gears G1 to G10, and meshing gear PN2. This prevents the paper feed unit 10 from rotating the roll RB when the knob NB receives an operation opposite to the operation to release the locking unit LK, i.e., prevents the roll paper RP from being unwound from the roll RB when this operation is received. This also allows the paper feed unit 10 to turn the rotating body RX1 into a driven roller when the roll paper RP is unwound from the roll RB, thereby reducing the load on the roll RB. The transmission unit TP2 is an example of a second transmission unit.

[0057] As described above, the paper feed unit 10 can rotate the roll RB in response to a user's pull-out operation of the paper feed tray TR, even if the pull-out operation is performed by operating the knob NB rather than by moving the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction. As a result, the paper feed unit 10 can prevent the roll RP from bending when winding the roll RP onto the roll RB in response to the pull-out operation. Furthermore, in this case, the paper feed unit 10 can rotate the roll RB without moving the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction. This is useful because it prevents the roll RP being pulled out of the roll RB from coming into contact with the housing BX or the like and becoming deformed when the paper feed tray TR moves in the pull-out direction.

[0058] <Modification 2 of the First Embodiment> The following describes Modification 2 of the first embodiment. In Modification 2 of the first embodiment, the pull-out operation is an operation of moving the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction. In Modification 2 of the first embodiment, the paper feed unit 10 includes a reverse conveyance unit RC and a rotation unit RT3 instead of the rotation unit RT2.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of each of the reverse conveyance section RC and the rotation section RT3 according to the second modification of the first embodiment.

[0060] The reverse conveyance unit RC conveys the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB toward the roll RB in conjunction with the movement of the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction. The reverse conveyance unit RC has a roller R2, a meshing gear PN3, and a rack RC3.

[0061] Roller R2 is rotatably supported on paper feed tray TR. Roller R2 contacts roll paper RP pulled out from roll RB. Roller R2 also contacts roller R3 attached to meshing gear PN3. As a result, roller R2 rotates in conjunction with meshing gear PN3.

[0062] The meshing gear PN3 transmits rotational force to the roller R2. As described above, the meshing gear PN3 is provided with the roller R3 so that its rotation axis overlaps with that of the roller R3. Therefore, the roller R3 rotates together with the meshing gear PN3. The meshing gear PN3 also meshes with the rack RC3 as the paper feed tray TR moves from the installed position to the pulled-out position. Therefore, the meshing gear PN3 rotates in response to the movement of the paper feed tray TR in the pull-out direction, thereby rotating the rollers R2 and R3. This rotation of the rollers R2 and R3 feeds the roll paper RP sandwiched between the rollers R2 and R3 toward the roll RB. The meshing gear PN3 is an example of a first pinion. The rack RC3 is an example of a first rack.

[0063] When the reverse transport unit RC sends the roll paper RP toward the roll RB, the roll paper RP tries to wrap around the roll RB. However, if the roll RB does not rotate in the reverse direction in synchronization with the reverse transport unit RC sending the roll paper RP to the roll RB, the roll paper RP may sag around the roll RB. To prevent this sagging, the paper feed unit 10 includes a rotation unit RT3 in addition to the reverse transport unit RC.

[0064] The rotating part RT3 has, for example, a roller R4, a roller R5, a gear G11, a gear G12, a rack RC4, and a meshing gear PN4.

[0065] Here, in Modification 2 of the first embodiment, instead of the configuration in which the wound body RB is supported by the target connection portion and wound body support portion 11A described above, the wound body RB is supported by two rollers, roller R4 and roller R5. The rotation axes of these two rollers are parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body RB. Therefore, the wound body RB rotates in conjunction with the rotation of these two rollers. In other words, these two rollers rotate while abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the wound body RB in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body RB, thereby rotating the wound body RB. Therefore, each of these two rollers is an example of a third rotating body.

[0066] The roller R4 is attached to the gear G13 so that the rotation axis of the roller R4 overlaps with the rotation axis of the gear G13. Therefore, the roller R4 rotates together with the gear G13. The gear G13 meshes with the gear G11 and transmits the rotation of the gear G11 to the roller R4. That is, the roller R4 transmits the rotation of the gear G11 to the wound body RB.

[0067] Roller R5 is attached to gear G14 so that the rotation axis of roller R5 overlaps with the rotation axis of gear G14. Therefore, roller R5 rotates together with gear G14. Gear G14 meshes with gear G12 and transmits the rotation of gear G12 to roller R5. That is, roller R5 transmits the rotation of gear G12 to wound body RB.

[0068] The gear G11 meshes with the meshing gear PN4 and transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN4 to the roller R4. The gear G12 also meshes with the meshing gear PN4 and transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN4 to the roller R5.

[0069] The meshing gear PN4 transmits rotation to each of the gears G11 and G12. The meshing gear PN4 also meshes with the rack RC4 as the paper feed tray TR moves from the installed position to the pulled-out position. When the meshing gear PN4 meshes with the rack RC4, the meshing gear PN3 also meshes with the rack RC3. That is, in the paper feed tray TR, the rack RC4 is provided so that the meshing timing between the meshing gear PN4 and the rack RC4 coincides or nearly coincides with the meshing timing between the meshing gear PN3 and the rack RC3. These timings may be offset as long as the roll paper RP sent by the reverse conveyance unit RC toward the roll RB does not bend without being wound onto the roll RB. Therefore, in the paper feed tray TR, the rack RC4 may be provided so that the meshing timing between the meshing gear PN4 and the rack RC4 coincides or nearly coincides with the meshing timing between the meshing gear PN3 and the rack RC3. During this process, the gears G11 and G12 rotate as the meshing gear PN4 meshes with the rack RC4, transmitting the rotation of the meshing gear PN4 to the roll RB. This causes the roll RB to rotate in the reverse direction. In the paper feed tray TR, the meshing timing between the meshing gear PN4 and the rack RC4 coincides or nearly coincides with the meshing timing between the meshing gear PN3 and the rack RC3. Therefore, the roll paper RP sent toward the roll RB by the reverse conveyance unit RC is wound onto the roll RB as the roll RB rotates in the reverse direction. This allows the paper feed unit 10 to prevent the roll paper from bending when it is wound onto the roll in response to a pull-out operation. The meshing gear PN4 is an example of a second pinion. The rack RC4 is an example of a second rack.

[0070] The paper feed unit 10 may be configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis of roller R2, and the rotation of roller R2 may be transmitted to a roller that rotates at a position away from the rotation axis, thereby rotating the roll RB. In this case, the roller contacts the roll RB from above downward. The paper feed unit 10 also includes a mechanism that transmits the rotation of roller R2 to the roller. In this case, the rotation unit RT3 is composed of the roller and the mechanism. Even in this case, the timing at which the roll RB starts to rotate in the reverse direction and the timing at which the reverse conveyance unit RC starts to feed the roll paper RP toward the roll RB are the same or approximately the same. This is because the rotation of roller R2 causes the roll RB to rotate in the reverse direction and the reverse conveyance unit RC to start feeding the roll paper RP toward the roll RB. This can also be interpreted as the rack RC3 and the rack RC4 being integrally configured, and the meshing gears PN3 and PN4 being integrally configured, which can be said to simplify the configuration of the paper feed unit 10. The roller is an example of a fourth rotating body. In this case, the paper feed unit 10 may be configured with a pressing portion that abuts against the outer surface of the wound body RB in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body RB and presses the wound body RB against the roller. In this case, the paper feed unit 10 can increase the frictional force between the roller and the wound body RB, making it easier for the roller to rotate the wound body RB. In other words, in this case, the paper feed unit 10 can prevent the roller from failing to rotate the wound body RB. In the paper feed unit 10 shown in FIG. 10, the rack RC3 may be integrally configured with the rack RC4.

[0071] As described above, even when the paper feed unit 10 includes the reverse transport unit RC and the rotation unit RT3 instead of the rotation unit RT2, it is possible to prevent the roll paper RP from bending when the roll paper RP is wound onto the roll RB in response to a pull-out operation. Furthermore, the reverse transport unit RC may be combined with the rotation unit RT of the first embodiment, or with the rotation unit RT2 of the first modified example of the first embodiment. In other words, the reverse transport unit RC may be added to the first embodiment, or may be added to the first modified example of the first embodiment.

[0072] Note that the rotating units RT, RT2, and RT3 described above are each provided on the paper feed tray TR so as not to come into contact with any of the one or more cut sheets CP in the paper feed tray TR. This is because, in addition to eliminating the need to pull back the cut sheets CP, it is also possible to prevent the alignment of the one or more cut sheets CP contained in the paper feed tray TR from being impaired.

[0073] As described above, in each of the first embodiment, Variation 1 of the first embodiment, and Variation 2 of the first embodiment, the paper feed unit 10 can rewind a portion of the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB onto the roll RB in response to a pull-out operation. However, this also means that the paper feed unit 10 cannot rewind all of the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB onto the roll RB through a pull-out operation. Therefore, a user attempting to remove the roll RB from the paper feed unit 10 must manually rewind the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB after performing the pull-out operation and then removing the roll RB from the paper feed unit 10. This hinders user convenience and may be considered undesirable. Therefore, the printing device 2 described in the second embodiment has a configuration that allows the roll paper RP to be easily rewound onto the roll RB to the desired state. The second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0074] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0075] <Outline of the printing device according to the second embodiment> First, an overview of the printing device according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0076] The printing device according to the second embodiment includes a paper feed unit and a printing unit. The paper feed unit includes a paper feed tray, an operation unit, and a rotation unit. The paper feed tray is a tray that can accommodate a roll of roll paper. The operation unit accepts operations. In response to the operations accepted by the operation unit, the rotation unit rotates the roll in a reverse direction, opposite to the forward rotation direction in which the roll rotates when the roll paper is pulled out from the roll. The printing unit then prints an image on the roll paper pulled out from the roll housed in the paper feed tray. This allows the printing device to easily wind the roll paper onto the roll to the desired length.

[0077] The configuration of the printing device according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0078] <Configuration of printing device according to the second embodiment> The configuration of a printing device according to the second embodiment will be described below using printing device 2 as an example. However, printing device 2 has the same configuration as printing device 1, except that printing device 2 is equipped with paper feed unit 20 instead of paper feed unit 10. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the configuration of paper feed unit 20 will be described in detail. For the sake of convenience, in the second embodiment, a user of printing device 2 will be simply referred to as a user. Also, in the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0079] The sheet feed unit 20 includes a sheet feed tray TR, a lock unit LK, an operation unit CN1, and a rotation unit RT4. Here, the sheet feed unit 20 has the same configuration as the sheet feed unit 10, except that the sheet feed unit 20 includes the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4 instead of the rotation unit RT. Therefore, in the second embodiment, detailed description of the configuration of the sheet feed unit 20 other than the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4 will be omitted.

[0080] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4 included in the paper feed unit 20. Fig. 12 is a top view of the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4 shown in Fig. 11.

[0081] The operation unit CN1 may be any member that accepts an operation. In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the operation unit CN1 is a dial. Therefore, in this example, the operation unit CN1 is rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis. Also, in this example, the operation unit CN1 is provided with a gear having a rotation axis that overlaps with the rotation axis of the operation unit CN1. Therefore, the gear rotates together with the operation unit CN1. Note that, as an example, the following description will be given of a case where the rotation axis is an axis parallel to the Z axis, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0082] Furthermore, the operation unit CN1 is provided at the front lower portion of the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the positive side of the Y axis so as to be able to receive operations from the user. For this reason, for example, an opening is formed in the housing BX so that the user can insert their hand to operate the operation unit CN1. This opening may or may not be covered by an openable / closable cover or the like. Note that the operation unit CN1 may also be provided at another position on the sheet feed tray TR where it can receive operations from the user.

[0083] The rotation unit RT4 rotates the roll RB in the reverse direction in response to an operation received by the operation unit CN1. More specifically, when the operation unit CN1 receives an operation to rotate the operation unit CN1 around its rotation axis in a predetermined first rotation direction, the rotation unit RT4 rotates the roll RB in the reverse direction. In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first rotation direction is the counterclockwise direction in which the operation unit CN1 rotates when viewed from below. This allows the user to manually operate the operation unit CN1 to wind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired length.

[0084] The rotating part RT4 has a rotating body RX1, a jig JG, a transmitting part TP3, and a biasing part SG2.

[0085] The transmission unit TP3 transmits the operation of the operating unit CN1, which has received an operation, to the rotating body RX1, causing the rotating body RX1 to rotate. The transmission unit TP3 has, for example, multiple gears, and transmits the operation of the operating unit CN1 to the rotating body RX1 using these multiple gears. In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the transmission unit TP3 has four gears, gears G1 to G4. That is, in the second embodiment, these four gears constitute the transmission unit TP3. Furthermore, the gear G1, which meshed with the meshing gear PN1 in the first embodiment, meshes with a gear provided on the operating unit CN1 instead of the meshing gear PN1 in the second embodiment, and transmits the operation of the operating unit CN1, i.e., the rotation of the operating unit CN1, to the gear G2. Therefore, the rotating body RX1 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating unit CN1. In this way, the transmission unit TP3 transmits the operation of the operating unit CN1 to the rotating body RX1 using these four gears, causing the rotating body RX1 to rotate. Therefore, by operating the operation unit CN1, the user can rotate the roll RB in the reverse direction, causing the roll RB to take up part or all of the roll paper RP pulled out from the roll RB. In other words, the paper feed unit 10 can easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state. The transmission unit TP3 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0086] The transmission unit TP3 may also include a forward rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the roll RB from rotating in the forward direction in response to the operation of the operation unit CN1. The forward rotation prevention mechanism may be, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. When the forward rotation prevention mechanism is a one-way clutch mechanism, the forward rotation prevention mechanism may be provided on at least one of the rotating body RX1, gears G1 to G4, and operation unit CN1. This prevents the paper feed unit 20 from accidentally rotating the roll RB in the forward direction, i.e., from accidentally unwinding the paper roll RP from the roll RB. This also allows the paper feed unit 20 to turn the rotating body RX1 into a driven roller when the paper roll RP is being unwound from the roll RB, thereby reducing the load on the roll RB. This is useful because it helps prevent a decrease in paper feeding accuracy.

[0087] As described above, the paper feed unit 20 rotates the roll RB in the reverse direction in response to the operation received by the operation unit CN1, which allows the paper feed unit 20 to easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state.

[0088] The sheet feed unit 20 may be configured such that the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4 are provided on both the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the positive side of the Y axis and the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the negative side of the Y axis. The sheet feed unit 10 may be configured such that the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4 are not provided on the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the positive side of the Y axis, but are provided on the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the negative side of the Y axis.

[0089] <Modification 1 of the Second Embodiment> The following describes Modification 1 of the second embodiment. In Modification 1 of the second embodiment, instead of operation unit CN1 which is a dial, operation unit CN2 is provided as a lever at the bottom front of paper feed tray TR.

[0090] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operating unit CN2, which is a lever, provided on the paper feed tray TR. In the paper feed unit 20 according to the first modified example of the second embodiment, the user can rotate the roll RB in the reverse rotation direction by moving the operating unit CN2 shown in Fig. 13 up and down. Moving the operating unit CN2 up and down means moving the operating unit CN2 parallel to the vertical direction.

[0091] In the first modification of the second embodiment, the paper feed unit 20 includes a paper feed tray TR, a locking part LK, an operating part CN2, and a rotating part RT5.

[0092] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of the rotating part RT5 when the lever CN2 is in the uppermost position on the paper feed tray TR, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of the rotating part RT5 when the lever CN2 is in the lowermost position on the paper feed tray TR.

[0093] 14 and 15, the operating unit CN2 is a lever that can be moved up and down, as described above. Also, in this example, the operating unit CN2 is provided with a rack RC5 that moves up and down together with the operating unit CN2.

[0094] 14 and 15, the operation unit CN2 is provided at the lower front surface of the paper feed tray TR as described above. However, this is just one example, and the operation unit CN2 may be provided on another surface of the paper feed tray TR, at another position on the paper feed tray TR, etc.

[0095] The rotation unit RT5 rotates the wound body RB in the reverse direction in response to an operation received by the operation unit CN2. More specifically, when the operation unit CN2 receives an operation to move the operation unit CN2 from top to bottom, the rotation unit RT5 rotates the wound body RB in the reverse direction. This operation is, in other words, an operation to move the operation unit CN2 in the vertical direction.

[0096] The rotating part RT5 has a rotating body RX2, a rack RC5, a meshing gear PN5, and a transmission part TP4.

[0097] The rotator RX2 is a cylindrical object, such as a roller, that rotates while in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wound body RB in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body RB, thereby rotating the wound body RB in the reverse direction. In the example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the rotator RX2 rotates while in contact with the front lower part of the wound body RB. Therefore, the rotator RX2 is provided in the paper feed tray TR so as to abut on the front lower part of the wound body RB. In other words, the rotator RX2 is provided in the symmetrical connection portion so as to abut on the front lower part of the wound body RB. Therefore, the rotator RX2 is supported in the symmetrical connection portion of the paper feed tray TR so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body RB. In this case, the wound body RB is supported in the space SP by the rotator RX2 and the wound body support portion 11A.

[0098] Furthermore, the rotator RX2 is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber or elastomer. This prevents the rotator RX2 from failing to rotate the wound body RB in the paper feed unit 20. Note that the rotator RX2 may be configured such that only at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotator RX2 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotator RX2 is made of the material with a high coefficient of friction.

[0099] The rack RC5 is mounted on the operating unit CN2 so as to move up and down along with the operating unit CN2. The rack RC5 rotates the meshing gear PN5 by engaging with the meshing gear PN5 as the user moves the operating unit CN2 from top to bottom. The rotation of the meshing gear PN5 is transmitted to the rotating body RX2 by the transmission unit TP4. Therefore, by rotating the meshing gear PN5, the rack RC5 can rotate the rotating body RX2 via the transmission unit TP4. As a result, the rack RC5 can rotate the roll RB in the reverse rotation direction. Therefore, the rack RC5 is positioned so that it can mesh with the meshing gear PN5 during this process. The rack RC5 is positioned so that it does not mesh with the meshing gear PN5 when the operating unit CN2 is at its uppermost position. This is because if the rack RC5 meshed with the meshing gear PN5 in this case, the rotating body RX2 would prevent the roll RP from being pulled out of the roll RB. That is, in this case, the rack RC5 can prevent the rotating body RX2 from interfering with the pulling out of the roll paper RP from the wound body RB.

[0100] The meshing gear PN5 is a pinion that can mesh with the rack RC5. The meshing gear PN5 is provided on the paper feed tray TR.

[0101] The transmission unit TP4 transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN5 to the rotating body RX2, causing the rotating body RX2 to rotate. The transmission unit TP4, for example, has a plurality of gears, and transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN5 to the rotating body RX2 through these gears. In the example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the transmission unit TP4 has three gears, gears G13 to G15. Gear G13 meshes with both the meshing gear PN5 and gear G14, and transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN5 to gear G14. Gear G14 meshes with both gears G13 and G15, and transmits the rotation of gear G13 to gear G15. Gear G15 is provided with a roller having a rotation axis that overlaps with the rotation axis of gear G15. Therefore, the roller rotates together with gear G15. The roller abuts against the rotating body RX2, and transmits the rotation of gear G15 to rotating body RX2. Therefore, the rotating body RX2 rotates in conjunction with the up and down movement of the operating unit CN2. In this way, the transmission unit TP4 transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN5 to the rotating body RX2 by the three gears, causing the rotating body RX2 to rotate.

[0102] The transmission unit TP4 may have a forward rotation prevention mechanism that transmits the rotation of the meshing gear PN5 to the rotating body RX2 when the operation unit CN2 moves from top to bottom, but does not transmit the rotation of the meshing gear PN5 to the rotating body RX2 when the operation unit CN2 moves from bottom to top. The forward rotation prevention mechanism may be, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. When the forward rotation prevention mechanism is a one-way clutch mechanism, the forward rotation prevention mechanism may be provided on at least one of the rotating body RX2, gears G13 to G15, and meshing gear PN5. This prevents the paper feed unit 20 from rotating the roll RB when the operation unit CN2 moves from bottom to top, i.e., prevents the roll paper RP from being unwound from the roll RB when the operation unit CN2 moves from bottom to top. This also allows the paper feed unit 20 to use the rotating body RX2 as a driven roller when the roll paper RP is unwound from the roll RB, thereby reducing the load on the roll RB. This is useful as it helps prevent a decrease in paper feeding accuracy.

[0103] As described above, even when the paper feed unit 20 has the operation unit CN2 instead of the operation unit CN1, the paper feed unit 20 can rotate the roll RB in response to the operation received by the operation unit CN2. This allows the paper feed unit 20 to easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state.

[0104] <Modification 2 of the Second Embodiment> The following describes Variation 2 of the second embodiment. In Variation 2 of the second embodiment, the paper feed unit 20 includes the rotation unit RT2 described in Variation 1 of the first embodiment, instead of the rotation unit RT5. However, in Variation 2 of the second embodiment, the transmission unit TP2 of the rotation unit RT2 has a forward rotation prevention mechanism that transmits the operation of the knob NB, which has received an operation to unlock the paper feed tray TR by the lock unit LK, to the rotating body RX1, but does not transmit the operation of the knob NB, which has received an operation opposite to the operation to unlock the paper feed tray TR by the lock unit LK, to the rotating body RX1. As described above, the forward rotation prevention mechanism is, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. Because the transmission unit TP2 has the forward rotation prevention mechanism, the user can easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state by repeatedly operating the knob NB. In other words, the paper feed unit 20 according to Variation 2 of the second embodiment can easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state. This allows the user to unlock the paper feed tray TR with the locking member LK and wind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB in one action. This is useful and improves usability. The configuration of the rotating member RT2 is shown in Figure 8, so it is not shown here again.

[0105] As described above, the paper feed unit 20 can easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state by providing a forward rotation prevention mechanism such as a one-way clutch mechanism together with the rotating part RT2.

[0106] <Modification 3 of the Second Embodiment> The following describes Modification 3 of the second embodiment. In Modification 3 of the second embodiment, the paper feed unit 20 includes an operation unit CN3 instead of the operation unit CN1.

[0107] Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of paper feed unit 20 including operation unit CN3. As shown in Fig. 16, operation unit CN3 is a dial, similar to operation unit CN1. However, in the example shown in Fig. 16, operation unit CN3 is a dial that can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of wound body RB, unlike operation unit CN1, which is a dial that can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the Z axis.

[0108] Furthermore, the operation unit CN3 is provided at the front lower portion of the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the positive side of the Y axis so as to be able to receive operations from the user. For this reason, for example, an opening is formed in the housing BX so that the user can insert their hand to operate the operation unit CN3. This opening may or may not be covered by an openable / closable cover or the like. Note that the operation unit CN3 may also be provided at another position on the sheet feed tray TR where it can receive operations from the user.

[0109] When the paper feed unit 20 includes the operation unit CN3, the paper feed unit 20 includes a rotation unit RT6 instead of the rotation unit RT2.

[0110] Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the rotating part RT6, and Fig. 18 is a front cross-sectional view of the rotating part RT6 shown in Fig. 17.

[0111] The rotating unit RT6 includes, for example, a rotating body RX1, a jig JG, and a biasing unit SG2. However, as shown in FIG. 18 , the rotating body RX1 of the rotating unit RT6 abuts against the upper part of the surface of the operating unit CN3 that faces the rotating body RX1, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating unit CN3 around its rotation axis. At least one of the operating unit CN3 and the rotating body RX1 has a forward rotation prevention mechanism that transmits the rotation of the operating unit CN3 to the rotating body RX1 when the operating unit CN3 rotates in the reverse direction to rotate the wound body RB, but does not transmit the rotation of the operating unit CN3 to the rotating body RX1 when the operating unit CN3 rotates in the forward direction to rotate the wound body RB. The forward rotation prevention mechanism is, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. This prevents the paper feed unit 20 from rotating the operation unit CN3 due to the rotation of the roll RB when the roll RP is pulled out from the roll RB, and also prevents the roll RB from rotating in the forward direction due to an operation on the operation unit CN3. In this case, the user can easily rewind the roll RP onto the roll RB to the desired state by repeatedly operating the operation unit CN3. In other words, the paper feed unit 20 according to the third modification of the second embodiment can easily rewind the roll RP onto the roll RB to the desired state. Note that in the rotating unit RT6 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the rotation axis of the rotating body RX1 does not have to be parallel to the Y axis; instead, it may be non-parallel to the Y axis, as long as the rotating body RX1 can abut against the first contact surface.

[0112] As described above, even when the paper feed unit 20 includes the rotating unit RT6 instead of the rotating unit RT2, it can easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the wound body RB to the desired state. In the rotating unit RT6, the rotating unit RX1 and the operating unit CN3 may be configured as a single unit. In this case, the operating unit CN3 can rotate the wound body RB in the reverse direction while in contact with the wound body RB in response to the received operation. This simplifies the configuration of the rotating unit RT6, which in turn helps to reduce the size of the paper feed unit 20, which is useful.

[0113] <Fourth Modification of the Second Embodiment> The following describes Modification 4 of the second embodiment. In Modification 4 of the second embodiment, the paper feed unit 20 includes an operation unit CN4 and a rotation unit RT7 instead of the operation unit CN1 and the rotation unit RT4.

[0114] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of each of the operation unit CN4 and the rotation unit RT7 included in the paper feed unit 20. As shown in FIG.

[0115] Like the operation unit CN3, the operation unit CN4 is a dial that can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body RB. However, unlike the operation unit CN3, the operation unit CN4 is provided with a gear having a rotation axis that overlaps with the rotation axis of the operation unit CN4. In other words, the gear rotates together with the operation unit CN4.

[0116] Furthermore, the operation unit CN4 is provided at the front lower portion of the surface of the sheet feed tray TR on the positive side of the Y axis so as to be able to receive operations from the user. For this reason, for example, an opening is formed in the housing BX so that the user can insert their hand to operate the operation unit CN4. This opening may or may not be covered by an openable / closable cover or the like. Note that the operation unit CN4 may also be provided at another position on the sheet feed tray TR where it can receive operations from the user.

[0117] The rotating part RT7 has a roller R8, a roller R9, and a transmission part TP5.

[0118] The two rollers, roller R8 and roller R9, are supported at the symmetrical connection portion so as to be rotatable parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body RB, and support the wound body RB. That is, these two rollers abut against the outer peripheral surface of the wound body RB in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body RB. Therefore, the wound body RB, which is supported by these two rollers, rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the two rollers. Note that the rotating unit RT7 may be configured to include, in addition to these two rollers, one or more rollers that rotate together with these two rollers. In this case, the one or more rollers abut against the outer peripheral surface together with these two rollers and support the wound body RB. Furthermore, these two rollers may be configured integrally as a single roller. In this case, the single roller is a long roller extending parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body RB.

[0119] The transmission part TP5 has a shaft SH4 and a gear G16.

[0120] The shaft SH4 connects the rollers R8, R9, and gear G16. Specifically, the shaft SH4 connects the rollers R8, R9, and gear G16 so that the shaft SH4 overlaps with the rotational axis of the rollers R8, R9, and gear G16, respectively. As a result, the rollers R8, R9, and gear G16 rotate in conjunction with one another.

[0121] Gear G16 meshes with a gear provided on operating unit CN4 and transmits the rotation of operating unit CN4 to rollers R8 and R9, respectively. Therefore, the user can rotate wound body RB by rotating operating unit CN4.

[0122] Here, the transmission unit TP5 may be configured to have a forward rotation prevention mechanism that transmits the rotation of the operation unit CN4 to rollers R8 and R9 when the operation unit CN4 rotates to rotate the roll RB in the reverse direction, but does not transmit the rotation of the operation unit CN4 to rollers R8 and R9 when the operation unit CN4 rotates to rotate the roll RB in the forward direction. The forward rotation prevention mechanism may be, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. When the forward rotation prevention mechanism is a one-way clutch mechanism, for example, the forward rotation prevention mechanism is provided in at least one of the operation unit CN4, gear G16, and the combination of rollers R8 and R9. This prevents the paper feed unit 20 from rotating the operation unit CN4 due to the rotation of the roll RB when the roll paper RP is pulled out from the roll RB, and also prevents the roll RB from rotating in the forward direction due to operation of the operation unit CN4. In this case, the user can easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state by repeatedly operating the operation unit CN4. That is, the paper feed unit 20 according to the fourth modification of the second embodiment can easily rewind the roll paper RP onto the roll RB to the desired state. Furthermore, in the paper feed unit 20 according to the fourth modification of the second embodiment, the rollers R8 and R9 can rotate the roll RB on both the positive and negative sides of the Y-axis of the outer circumferential surface of the roll RB in response to operations on the operation unit CN4. Therefore, the paper feed unit 20 according to the fourth modification of the second embodiment can rotate the entire outer circumferential surface of the roll RB more reliably than when rotating the roll RB on one side of the outer circumferential surface of the roll RB.

[0123] <Fifth Modification of the Second Embodiment> The following describes Modification 5 of the second embodiment. In Modification 5 of the second embodiment, the paper feed unit 20 includes an operation unit CN4 and a rotation unit RT8 instead of the operation unit CN1.

[0124] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of each of the operation unit CN4 and the rotation unit RT8 included in the paper feed unit 20. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of each of the operation unit CN4 and the rotation unit RT8 shown in Fig. 20, seen from a different direction.

[0125] The rotating part RT8 has a rotating body RX1, a rotating body RX3, and a transmission part TP6.

[0126] The rotating body RX3 is a cylindrical object, such as a roller, that rotates while in contact with the second end of the wound body RB, thereby rotating the wound body RB in the reverse direction. The rotating body RX3 is rotatably supported by a shaft SH6 that is supported by the jig JG2. In the example shown in FIG. 21 , the rotating body RX3 can contact a surface of the second end that is located below the rotation axis of the wound body RB. For ease of explanation, this surface will be referred to as the second contact surface below.

[0127] Furthermore, the rotator RX3 is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber or elastomer. This prevents the rotator RX3 from failing to rotate the wound body RB in the paper feed unit 20. Note that the rotator RX3 may be configured such that only at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotator RX1 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotator RX3 is made of the material with a high coefficient of friction.

[0128] The transmission part TP6 has eleven gears, namely gears G16 to G26, and a shaft SH5.

[0129] Gear G17 meshes with gear G16 and gear G18, respectively, and transmits the rotation of gear G16 to gear G18. Gear G18 meshes with gear G17 and gear G19, respectively, and transmits the rotation of gear G17 to gear G19. Gear G19 meshes with gear G18 and gear G20, respectively, and transmits the rotation of gear G18 to gear G20. Therefore, the rotation of operation unit CN4 is transmitted to gear G20 via gears G16 to G19. Here, gears G16 to G20 are each provided on the surface of sheet feed tray TR that is on the positive side of the Y axis. Meanwhile, gears G21 to G26 are each provided on the surface of sheet feed tray TR that is on the negative side of the Y axis. Gears G20 and G21 are connected by shaft SH5 so that they rotate in conjunction with each other. That is, the shaft SH5 connects the gear G20 and the gear G21 so as to overlap the rotation axis of the gear G20 and the rotation axis of the gear G21.

[0130] Gear G21 meshes with gear G22. Gear G22 meshes with both gear G21 and gear G23, transmitting the rotation of gear G21 to gear G23. Gear G23 meshes with both gear G22 and gear G24, transmitting the rotation of gear G22 to gear G24. Gear G24 meshes with both gear G23 and gear G25, transmitting the rotation of gear G23 to gear G25. Gear G25 meshes with both gear G24 and gear G26, transmitting the rotation of gear G24 to gear G26. An upper portion of the surface of gear G26 facing the rotating body RX3 abuts against rotating body RX3 in a manner similar to the manner in which operation unit CN3 abuts against rotating body RX1 shown in FIG. 18. As a result, the rotation of gear G21 is transmitted to rotating body RX3 via each of gears G22 to G26. That is, the rotation of operation unit CN4 is transmitted to rotating body RX3 via gears G16 to G26 and shaft body SH5, so that the user can rotate wound body RB by rotating operation unit CN4.

[0131] Here, the transmission unit TP6 may be configured to have a forward rotation prevention mechanism that transmits the rotation of the operation unit CN4 to each of the rotating bodies RX1 and RX3 when the operation unit CN4 rotates to rotate the wound body RB in the reverse rotation direction, and does not transmit the rotation of the operation unit CN4 to each of the rotating bodies RX1 and RX3 when the operation unit CN4 rotates to rotate the wound body RB in the forward rotation direction. The forward rotation prevention mechanism is, for example, a one-way clutch mechanism, but is not limited to this. When the forward rotation prevention mechanism is a one-way clutch mechanism, for example, the forward rotation prevention mechanism is provided in at least one of the rotating body RX1, the operation unit CN4, and gears G16 to G20, and in at least one of the gears G21 to G26 and rotating body RX3. This prevents the paper feed unit 20 from rotating the operation unit CN4 due to the rotation of the rolled paper RB when the rolled paper RP is pulled out from the rolled paper RB, and also prevents the rolled paper RB from being rotated in the forward direction by operating the operation unit CN4. In this case, the user can easily rewind the rolled paper RP onto the rolled paper RB to the desired state by repeatedly operating the operation unit CN4. That is, the paper feed unit 20 according to the fifth modification of the second embodiment can easily rewind the rolled paper RP onto the rolled paper RB to the desired state. Furthermore, the paper feed unit 20 according to the fifth modification of the second embodiment rotates the rolled paper RB from each of the first and second ends of the rolled paper RB in response to operations on the operation unit CN4. This makes it easier to rotate the entire rolled paper RB than when the rolled paper RB is rotated from either the first or second end of the rolled paper RB. Furthermore, the paper feed unit 20 according to variant 5 of the second embodiment rotates the wound body RB from each of the first and second ends of the wound body RB in response to an operation on the operating section CN4, and therefore can more reliably prevent deflection of the roll paper RP wound onto the wound body RB due to rotational fluctuations of the wound body RB, compared to when the wound body RB is rotated from either the first or second end of the wound body RB.

[0132] The above-described items may be combined in any manner.

[0133] Furthermore, each of the rotating bodies RX1 to RX3 described above may be made up of a plurality of rollers, or may be made up of a single roller.

[0134] Furthermore, each of the operation units CN1, CN3, and CN4 described above may be operable by a member such as a dial provided on the housing BX. In this case, the housing BX has a mechanism that is connected to each of the operation units CN1, CN3, and CN4 when the paper feed unit 20 is attached to the housing BX, and also has a mechanism that transmits the operation of the corresponding member to each of the operation units CN1, CN3, and CN4.

[0135] Furthermore, each of the operation units CN1, CN3, and CN4 described above may be configured to be rotated by an actuator. In this case, the paper feed unit 20 or the housing BX is provided with a button or the like for operating the actuator.

[0136] The paper feed unit 20 described above may also be configured to include a detector that detects when the entire roll of paper RP that has been pulled out from the roll RB has been wound onto the roll RB. In this case, the paper feed unit 20 or the housing BX is provided with an alarm that notifies the user that the entire roll of paper RP has been wound onto the roll RB using the detector. The alarm is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but is not limited to this. The detector may be, for example, a contact sensor that detects contact with the roll of paper RP, or another sensor.

[0137] Furthermore, the paper feed unit 20 described above may be configured to include a mechanism that rotates the wound body RB in the reverse direction regardless of how each of the operation units CN1 to CN4 is operated. The mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that switches meshing gears depending on the rotation direction of the operation unit CN1, but is not limited to this.

[0138] Furthermore, in the paper feed units 10 and 20 described above, when storing the wound body RB in the paper feed tray TR, the user manually moves the rotating body aside before placing the wound body RB in the paper feed tray TR. However, the paper feed units 10 and 20 described above may be configured such that, in the paper feed tray TR when the wound body RB is not stored, the rotating body is separated from the area where the wound body RB is stored, and, in the paper feed tray TR when the wound body RB is stored, the rotating body is brought into contact with the wound body RB.

[0139] <Appendix 1> [1] A paper feed unit comprising: a paper feed tray capable of accommodating a roll of roll paper; an operation unit that accepts operations; and a rotation unit that rotates the roll in a reverse direction opposite to the forward rotation direction, which is the direction of rotation of the roll when the roll paper is pulled out from the roll, in accordance with the operation accepted by the operation unit. [2] The paper feed unit described in [1], wherein the operating unit is rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis, and the rotating unit rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction in response to rotation of the operating unit in a first rotation direction. [3] [1] The paper feed unit is provided with a locking unit that locks the paper feed tray located at the installation position relative to a housing that supports the paper feed tray slidably between a predetermined installation position and a predetermined withdrawal direction, the installation position being a position within the housing at which the paper feed tray can slide and at which the roll paper is withdrawn from the paper feed tray by a printing device, and the withdrawal position being a position within the housing at which the paper feed tray can slide and that is a predetermined distance away from the installation position in the withdrawal direction, the operation unit being a knob that accepts an operation to release the locking unit from the housing, and the rotating unit rotating the roll in the reverse rotation direction when the knob accepts an operation to release the locking unit from the housing. [4] The paper feed unit described in [1], wherein the operating unit includes a lever that can move parallel to a predetermined first direction, and the rotating unit rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction when the operating unit receives an operation to move the lever in the first direction. [5] The paper feed unit described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the rotating unit has one or more rotating bodies that rotate the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while in contact with the wound body in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the operation of the operating unit to the one or more rotating bodies. [6] The paper feed unit described in [5], wherein the one or more rotating bodies rotate the winding body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against the outer surface of the winding body in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the winding body. [7] The paper feed unit described in [5], wherein the one or more rotating bodies include a first roller that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against a first end of both ends of the wound body in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body. [8] The one or more rotating bodies include a second roller that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against a second end of the two ends, and the transmission unit transmits the operation of the operating unit to each of the first roller and the second roller. [7] A paper feeding unit described in. [9] The operation unit is configured integrally with the rotating unit, and rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while in contact with the wound body in accordance with the received operation. [1] or [2] A paper feed unit as described in.

[10] The paper feed unit described in any one of [1] to [9], wherein the rotating unit is provided with a forward rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the winding body from rotating in the forward rotation direction in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit.

[11] The paper feed unit according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the paper feed tray is capable of holding one or more cut sheets of paper.

[12]

[11] The paper feed unit according to

[11] , wherein an area in the paper feed tray where the wound body is arranged overlaps with at least a portion of an area in the paper feed tray where the one or more cut sheets are arranged.

[13] A printing device comprising: a paper feed unit according to any one of [1] to

[12] ; and a printing unit that prints an image on the roll paper pulled out from the roll stored in the paper feed tray.

[14] The printing device described in

[13] is provided with a cutting unit that cuts the roll paper.

[0140] <Appendix 2> [1] a paper feed unit comprising: a paper feed tray supported by a housing so as to be slidable parallel to a predetermined pull-out direction between a predetermined mounting position and a pull-out position, and capable of containing a roll of roll paper; and a rotating unit that rotates the roll in response to a pull-out operation that moves the paper feed tray from the mounting position to the pull-out position, wherein the mounting position is a position within the housing at which the paper feed tray can slide and at which the roll paper is pulled out from the paper feed tray by a printing device, and the pull-out position is a position within the housing at which the paper feed tray can slide and that is a predetermined distance from the mounting position in the pull-out direction, and the rotating unit rotates the roll in a reverse direction that is opposite to the forward rotation direction that is the direction of rotation of the roll when the roll paper is pulled out from the roll, thereby causing a portion of the roll paper being pulled out from the roll to be wound onto the roll. [2] The paper feed unit according to [1], wherein the rotating portion is capable of contacting a first end of the wound body in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body. [3] The paper feed unit described in [2], wherein the rotating section has a first rotating body that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against the first end, a rack provided on one of the paper feed tray and the housing, a meshing gear that is provided on the other of the paper feed tray and the housing and can mesh with the rack, and a first transmission section that transmits the rotation of the meshing gear to the first rotating body and rotates the first rotating body. [4] The paper feed unit according to [3], wherein the rack is provided in the housing, and the first rotating body and the meshing gear are provided in the paper feed tray. [5] The paper feed unit described in [3] or [4], wherein the first transmission unit transmits the rotation of the meshing gear to the first rotating body when the paper feed tray moves in the pull-out direction, and has a forward rotation prevention mechanism that does not transmit the rotation of the meshing gear to the first rotating body when the paper feed tray moves in the installation direction opposite to the pull-out direction. [6] A paper feed unit according to any one of [3] to [5], wherein the rack is not engaged with the meshing gear when the paper feed tray is positioned at the mounting position. [7] The paper feed unit according to any one of [3] to [6], wherein the rotating portion has a biasing portion that biases the first rotating body toward the winding body. [8] A paper feed unit as described in [2], comprising a locking section that locks the paper feed tray located at the installation position to the housing, and a knob that accepts an operation to release the lock on the housing by the locking section, wherein the rotating section has a second rotating body that rotates the winding body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against the first end, and a second transmission section that transmits the operation of the knob that has accepted the operation to the second rotating body and rotates the second rotating body. [9] The paper feed unit described in [8], wherein the second transmission unit transmits the movement of the knob that has received the operation to release the lock to the second rotating body, and has a forward rotation prevention mechanism that does not transmit the movement of the knob opposite to the movement of the knob in the operation to release the lock to the second rotating body.

[10] The paper feed unit according to [8] or [9], wherein the rotating portion has a biasing portion that biases the second rotating body toward the winding body.

[11] The paper feed unit described in [1] is provided with a reverse conveying section that feeds the roll paper pulled out from the reel toward the reel in conjunction with the movement of the paper feed tray in the pull-out direction, and the rotating section begins rotating the reel in the reverse rotation direction at or approximately the same time as the reverse conveying section begins feeding the roll paper.

[12] The paper feed unit described in

[11] , wherein the reverse transport section has a roller rotatably supported on the paper feed tray and contacting the roll paper pulled out from the reel, a first pinion that transmits rotational force to the roller, and a first rack that is provided on the housing and engages with the first pinion in response to movement of the paper feed tray in the pulling-out direction, causing the first pinion to rotate.

[13] The paper feed unit described in

[11] or

[12] , wherein the rotating portion includes a third rotating body that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the wound body in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body, a second pinion that is provided in the paper feed tray and transmits a rotational force to the third rotating body, and a second rack that is provided in the housing and engages with the second pinion in response to movement of the paper feed tray in the pull-out direction, thereby rotating the second pinion.

[14] The rotating section includes a third rotating body that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the wound body in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body, a second pinion that is provided in the paper feed tray and transmits a rotational force to the third rotating body, and a second rack that is provided in the housing and engages with the second pinion in response to movement of the paper feed tray in the pull-out direction, thereby rotating the second pinion, and the second pinion engages with the second rack when the first pinion and the first rack engage.

[12] A paper feed unit described in.

[15] The rotating section includes a fourth rotating body that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the wound body in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body, a second pinion that is provided in the paper feed tray and transmits a rotational force to the fourth rotating body, and a second rack that is provided in the housing and engages with the second pinion in response to movement of the paper feed tray in the pull-out direction, thereby rotating the second pinion, and the second rack is configured integrally with the first rack.

[12] A paper feed unit described in.

[16] A paper feed unit according to any one of

[13] to

[15] , comprising a pressing portion that abuts against the outer surface of the wound body in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wound body and presses the wound body against the third rotating body.

[17] A printing device comprising a paper feed unit according to any one of [1] to

[12] and a printing unit, wherein the paper feed tray is capable of accommodating both the roll and one or more cut sheets, and the printing unit prints an image on the roll paper or the cut sheets pulled out from the roll accommodated in the paper feed tray.

[18]

[17] The printing device according to

[17] , wherein the rotating part does not come into contact with any of the one or more cut sheets.

[19] A printing device according to

[17] or

[18] , comprising a cutting unit that cuts the roll paper.

[0141] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and may be changed, substituted, deleted, etc. as long as it does not deviate from the gist of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1, 2...printing device, 10...paper feed unit, 11...member, 11A...roll body support portion, 11B...cut paper support portion, 20...paper feed unit, AX1, AX2...rotating shaft, BX...housing, BX1...protrusion, CN1, CN2, CN3, CN4...operation portion, CP...cut paper, CT...cutting portion, FL...flap, JG, JG2...jig, LK...lock portion, LK1...engagement member, LK2...link, NB...knob, PN1, PN2, PN3, PN4, PN5...meshing gears, PR...printing unit, R1...paper feed roller, R2, R3, R4, R5, R8, R9...roller, RB...winding body, RC...reverse transport unit, RC1, RC2, RC3, RC4, RC5...rack, RP...roll paper, RT, RT2, RT3, RT4, RT5, RT6, RT7, RT8...rotating unit, RX1, RX2, RX3...rotating body, SG, SG2...urging unit, TC...three-dimensional coordinate system, TP1, TP2, TP3, TP4, TP5, TP6...transmission unit, TR...paper feed tray

Claims

1. a paper feed tray capable of accommodating a roll of paper; an operation unit that accepts operations; a rotation unit that rotates the wound body in a reverse rotation direction opposite to the forward rotation direction that is the rotation direction of the wound body when the roll paper is pulled out from the wound body, in response to an operation received by the operation unit; A paper feed unit comprising:

2. the operating unit is rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis, the rotating unit rotates the winding body in the reverse rotation direction in response to rotation of the operating unit in the first rotation direction. The paper feed unit according to claim 1 .

3. a locking unit that locks the paper feed tray located at a predetermined mounting position relative to a housing that supports the paper feed tray slidably in parallel with a predetermined pulling-out direction between a predetermined mounting position and a pulling-out position, the mounting position is a position within the housing where the paper feed tray can slide and where the roll paper is pulled out from the paper feed tray by the printing device; the pulled-out position is a position in the housing where the paper feed tray can slide, the position being a predetermined distance away from the attached position in the pulling-out direction; the operation unit is a knob that accepts an operation to release the lock on the housing by the lock unit, the rotating unit rotates the winding body in the reverse rotation direction when the knob receives an operation to release the lock on the housing by the locking unit. The paper feed unit according to claim 1 .

4. the operating unit includes a lever that is movable parallel to a predetermined first direction, the rotating unit rotates the winding body in the reverse rotation direction when the operating unit receives an operation to move the lever in the first direction. The paper feed unit according to claim 1 .

5. The rotating part is one or more rotating bodies that rotate the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while being in contact with the wound body in response to an operation of the operating unit; a transmission unit that transmits the operation of the operation unit to the one or more rotating bodies; having The paper feed unit according to claim 1 .

6. the one or more rotating bodies rotate the winding body in the reverse rotation direction while being in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the winding body in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the winding body; The paper feed unit according to claim 5 .

7. the one or more rotating bodies include a first roller that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while contacting a first end of the wound body in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wound body, The paper feed unit according to claim 5 .

8. the one or more rotating bodies include a second roller that rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while contacting a second end of the both ends, The transmission unit transmits the operation of the operation unit to each of the first roller and the second roller. The paper feed unit according to claim 7.

9. the operating unit is integral with the rotating unit, and in response to a received operation, rotates the wound body in the reverse rotation direction while being in contact with the wound body; The paper feed unit according to claim 1 .

10. The rotating unit includes a forward rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the winding body from rotating in the forward rotation direction in response to the operation of the operating unit. The paper feed unit according to claim 1 .

11. The paper feed tray is capable of accommodating one or more cut sheets of paper. The paper feed unit according to claim 1 .

12. an area in the paper feed tray where the wound body is arranged overlaps with at least a part of an area in the paper feed tray where the one or more cut sheets are arranged; The paper feed unit according to claim 11.

13. A paper feed unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a printing unit that prints an image on the roll paper that is pulled out from the roll stored in the paper feed tray; A printing device comprising:

14. a cutting unit that cuts the roll paper; The printing device of claim 13.

Images