printer

Abstract

We provide a printer that supports both modes: one that imparts tackiness to re-moisturized paper and one that does not. [Solution] The printer 1 according to the present invention comprises a printer body 10 that prints on the surface of paper 2 which is continuously fed from a roll of paper and has a re-moistened adhesive applied to the back surface, and a water application device 30 that applies water to the back surface of the printed paper 2 to impart tackiness. The water application device 30 includes a switching mechanism 30M that allows movement between a water application position and a retracted position, and a locking mechanism 38 that fixes the water application device 30 when it is positioned at the water application position.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer that prints on paper with a rewet paste applied to the back surface, and particularly to a printer provided with a wetting device that applies water to the back surface of the paper.

Background Art

[0002] Printers that print and issue receipts, tickets, etc. are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer having a presenter function that temporarily stores paper in the apparatus until printing and cutting of the paper are completed, and exposes the leading end of the paper after cutting from the discharge port.

[0003] It is necessary to attach a printed label describing necessary matters to food packages and logistics deliveries, and in such situations, label seals are often used. Conventionally, when using a label seal, information is printed on the surface of the label seal, and then the label seal is peeled off from the backing paper and attached to the object. However, the label seal requires a backing paper to protect the adhesive surface, and the operation of peeling the label seal from the backing paper is necessary. Furthermore, since the backing paper after peeling off the label seal is unnecessary, there is a problem of lacking consideration for the environment.

[0004]

[0005] Regarding the technology of imparting adhesiveness to paper, for example, Patent Document 2 describes a sticker that prevents curling due to elongation of printing paper by applying a rewetting adhesive to one side of the printing paper and applying a surface treatment agent for performing various prints such as characters or figures to the other side. In addition, Patent Document 3 describes a dispenser for an aqueous paste tape that supplies moisture to an aqueous paste pre-applied to the adhesive surface of an adhesive tape. Patent Document 4 describes a wetting device that can uniformly attach water to the back surface (paste surface) of a gum tape.

Prior Art Documents

[0006]

Patent Documents

[0007] As described above, paper with re-moistened adhesive applied to the back does not require a backing sheet, making it advantageous in terms of workability and environmental friendliness. When used as printer paper, tackiness can be added by applying water to the back of the printed paper.

[0008] However, if the water-soaking device is permanently installed at the paper output port, the printed paper will inevitably pass through the device, resulting in the problem that water will always be applied to the back of the paper. In other words, it is impossible to provide paper that is not coated with water.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can support both modes: one that imparts tackiness to re-moisturized paper and one that does not. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the printer according to the present invention comprises a printer body that prints on the surface of paper that is continuously fed from a roll of paper and has a re-moistened adhesive applied to the back surface, and a water application device that applies water to the back surface of the printed paper to impart tackiness, wherein the water application device includes a switching mechanism that allows it to move between a water application position and a retracted position, and a locking mechanism that fixes the water application device when it is positioned at the water application position.

[0011] According to the present invention, by installing the water application device at the water application position, water can be applied to the back of the printed paper, thereby imparting tackiness to the back of the paper. Furthermore, by moving the water application device to the retracted position, the system can be switched to a mode where no water is applied. Therefore, for example, it becomes possible to apply water to the paper immediately before it is attached to an object.

[0012] In the present invention, the water application device preferably includes a brush section for applying water to the back surface of the printed paper, a water tank for storing water supplied to the brush section, and a tank that is detachably configured from the water tank and supplies water to the water tank. In this case, it is preferable that one end of the water tank in the width direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction is pivotally supported on a rotating shaft, and the water tank moves to the retracted position by rotating 90 degrees or more around the rotating shaft from the water application position. With this configuration, it is possible to easily switch between a mode in which water is applied to the paper and a mode in which water is not applied simply by rotating the water tank.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the water inlet of the tank is located on the rotating shaft, and it is even more preferable that the tank is cylindrical. With this configuration, the arrangement of the tank does not change even when the water supply device is switched from the water supply position to the retracted position, so it is possible to prevent the external dimensions of the printer from changing.

[0014] In the present invention, the locking mechanism is preferably a leaf spring member that engages with the other end of the water tank in the width direction. According to the present invention, the locking mechanism of the water supply device can be easily constructed.

[0015] In the present invention, the watering device further includes a lid member that closes the upper opening of the water tank, and it is preferable that the lid member has a waterproof structure that prevents water leakage from the gap between it and the water tank. In this case, it is preferable that a step is provided at the upper end of the side wall of the water tank, and the lid member has a first contact portion that makes surface contact with the lower surface of the step when it is attached to the water tank, and a second contact portion that makes surface contact with the side wall surface of the step when it is attached to the water tank. According to the present invention, when moving the watering device from one of the watering position and the retracted position to the other, it is possible to prevent water leakage from the gap between the water tank and the lid member.

[0016] In the present invention, the printer body preferably includes a paper ejection unit that controls the ejection of the printed paper, and the water application device preferably applies water to the back surface of the paper ejected from the paper ejection unit. With this configuration, the paper can be ejected at a paper feeding speed suitable for uniform application of water, and water can be applied uniformly to the back surface of the paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that can support both a mode that imparts tackiness to re-moisturized paper and a mode that does not impart tackiness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a substantially side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a roughly lateral cross-sectional view showing the main components of the printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the water supply device. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) to 4(d) are approximate front cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the water tank and lid member, where (a) shows the lid member removed from the water tank, (b) shows the lid member attached to the water tank, (c) is an enlarged view of the left side of (b), and (d) is an enlarged view of the right side of (b). [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the watering device 30, showing the case where the watering device is in the watering position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the watering device 30, showing the case where the watering device is in the retracted position. **Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention**

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the printer of FIG. 1.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 1 includes a printer main body 10 that prints on a sheet 2, and a watering device 30 that applies water to the back surface of the sheet 2 discharged from the printer main body 10. The printer main body 10 performs operations such as printing, cutting, discharging, and temporarily holding the sheet 2 in accordance with instructions from a control unit (not shown).

[0022] The printer main body 10 is, for example, a thermal printer, and includes a roll paper support portion 11 that rotatably supports a roll paper 3 (thermal roll paper) that continuously supplies a sheet 2 such as thermal paper, a printing portion 12 that prints information such as characters and graphics on the sheet 2 fed out from the roll paper 3, a cutting portion 16 that cuts the printed sheet 2, and a sheet discharging portion 20 that controls the discharging operation of the sheet 2 cut by the cutting portion 16. The printing portion 12, the cutting portion 16, and the sheet discharging portion 20 are housed in a housing 10a, and the roll paper support portion 11 is provided outside the housing 10a.

[0023] The printing portion 12 includes a printing head 13 that faces the front surface (thermal surface) of the sheet 2, a platen roller 14 that contacts the back surface opposite to the thermal surface of the sheet 2 to feed out the sheet 2, and a drive motor 15 that drives the platen roller 14. The printing portion 12 performs a printing operation in accordance with an instruction from the control unit.

[0024] The cutting unit 16 includes a fixed blade 17, a movable blade 18 facing the fixed blade 17 across the paper transport path, and a movable blade drive mechanism 19 that drives the movable blade 18 forward and backward. The cutting unit 16 is driven by a different drive source than the printing unit 12 and performs the cutting operation of the paper 2 according to instructions from the control unit.

[0025] The paper 2 supplied from the roll paper 3 is fed into the printer body 10 through the paper inlet 10b of the housing 10a. The paper 2 is printed on by the print head 13 and then fed out in the paper discharge direction by the platen roller 14. When printing on the paper 2 is finished, the printer body 10 temporarily stops the paper feeding operation by the platen roller 14 and the paper 2 is cut by the cutting unit 16. After that, the cut paper 2 is transported by the transport mechanism on the paper discharge unit 20 side.

[0026] The paper discharge unit 20 has the function of either sending out and discharging the paper 2 printed by the printing unit 12, or temporarily holding it within the device. Therefore, the paper discharge unit 20 includes a temporary holding unit 21 that constitutes a temporary holding space for the received paper 2, and a paper transport unit 22 that transports the paper 2 along the discharge path 23 or the recovery path 24.

[0027] The temporary holding section 21 is a paper storage space that extends below the discharge path 23 leading from the printing section 12 to the paper transport section 22 of the paper discharge section 20, and also serves as a collection path 24 leading from the discharge path 23 to the paper collection port 10c. The paper collection port 10c is provided at the bottom of the temporary holding section 21, and the paper 2 discharged from the paper collection port 10c is sent to a paper collection container (not shown) located below the paper discharge section 20.

[0028] The paper transport unit 22 includes a transport roller 25, a tension roller 26 facing the transport roller 25 across the discharge path 23, a transport belt 27 that rotates together with the transport roller 25 to assist the transport operation by the transport roller 25, and a drive mechanism (not shown) including a drive motor that drives the transport roller 25.

[0029] The conveyor roller 25 is positioned below the discharge path 23, with its upper end facing the discharge path 23. The tension roller 26 is positioned above the discharge path 23, with its lower end facing the discharge path 23. While the conveyor roller 25 is a driven roller, the tension roller 26 is a driven roller that rotates along with the conveyor roller 25 and is pressed against the conveyor roller 25 by pinch pressure.

[0030] The transport roller 25 is connected to the drive motor via a rotational transmission mechanism (paper ejection sliding mechanism) including a clutch gear, and the rotational force from the drive motor is transmitted to the transport roller 25 via the clutch gear. If a load resistance force exceeding a reference level is applied when the transport roller 25 is driven, the clutch gear releases the transmission of the drive force, and rotational force is not transmitted to the transport roller 25, thereby preventing paper jams caused by the transport roller 25 forcibly transporting the paper 2.

[0031] The conveyor belt 27 is an endless belt and is stretched between a first pulley 29a, which is pivotally supported on the rotation axis of the conveyor roller 25, and a second pulley 29b (driven pulley) located near the paper collection port 10c. Therefore, one end of the conveyor belt 27 faces the discharge path 23 together with the conveyor roller 25, and the other end of the conveyor belt 27 is located near the paper collection port 10c. The conveyor belt 27 is adjacent to the discharge path 23 and the temporary holding section 21, and its longitudinal direction extends in the depth direction of the temporary holding section 21 formed below the discharge path 23. As a result, the conveyor belt 27 feeds the paper 2 to the paper collection port 10c along the collection path 24 and also serves as a side wall that partitions the temporary holding section 21.

[0032] The paper discharge unit 20 is equipped with multiple detection sensors to detect whether or not paper 2 is present in the discharge path 23 or the temporary holding unit 21. The paper discharge unit 20 also includes a rotation detection sensor (rotary encoder) to detect whether or not the transport roller 25 is rotating and the rotation speed. The control unit can obtain the rotation speed of the transport roller 25 and measure the amount of paper fed. The control unit can also transport the paper 2 by driving the drive motor in an appropriate direction and speed of rotation.

[0033] The water application device 30 is located downstream of the paper transport path from the paper discharge unit 20 and is provided to apply water to the back surface of the paper 2 discharged from the printer body 10. By uniformly wetting the back surface of the printed paper 2, uniform tackiness can be imparted to the paper 2, allowing it to be easily attached to food packaging or the packaging surface of delivered goods.

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the watering device 30.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the water application device 30 according to this embodiment includes a brush section 31 for applying water to the back surface of the paper 2 discharged from the paper discharge section 20, a water tank 32 for storing water supplied to the brush section 31, a lid member 33 for closing the upper opening of the water tank 32, a height adjustment stand 34 for adjusting the height position of the brush section 31, a tank 35 for storing water supplied to the water tank 32, a paper pressing member 36 positioned on the opposite side of the paper transport path from the brush section 31 (the front surface side of the paper 2) to ensure the paper 2 is in close contact with the brush section 31, and a paper feeding mechanism 37 for assisting in feeding out the water-coated paper 2.

[0036] The brush section 31 is installed in the water tank 32, and the base end of the brush section 31 is immersed in the water in the water tank 32. The bundle of numerous bristles that make up the brush section 31 extends diagonally upward from the inside of the water tank 32, and the tips of the bristles protrude above the water tank 32 and reach the paper holding member 36. The water in the water tank 32 rises through the gaps between the bristles by capillary action and wets the tips of the bristles, so that the tip of the brush section 31 can be kept constantly moist and water can be applied to the paper 2 that comes into contact with the brush section 31.

[0037] A height adjustment stand 34 is provided inside the water tank 32 for adjusting the height of the brush section 31, and the brush section 31 is placed on the height adjustment stand 34. By adjusting the height of the height adjustment stand 34, the height (protrusion amount) of the brush section 31 can be adjusted.

[0038] The paper discharge port 30a of the water application device 30 is provided with a paper feeding mechanism 37 that assists in feeding out the water-coated paper 2. The paper feeding mechanism 37 according to this embodiment is located on the lower side of the paper transport path and consists of a plurality of driven rollers 39b that are rotatably supported on a shaft 39a. By providing the driven rollers 39b downstream of the brush section 31 in the paper feeding direction, the influence of the adhesive force on the back of the paper 2 can be suppressed and the paper 2 can be fed out easily.

[0039] Figures 4(a) to 4(d) are approximate front cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the water tank 32 and the lid member 33, where (a) shows the lid member 33 removed from the water tank 32, (b) shows the lid member 33 attached to the water tank 32, (c) is an enlarged view of the left side of (b), and (d) is an enlarged view of the right side of (b).

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4(a) to 4(d), the upper opening 32a of the water tank 32 is closed by a lid member 33. The lid member 33 is detachable from the water tank 32, and the brush part 31 can be installed inside the water tank 32 after removing the lid member 33. The lid member 33 is provided with an opening 33a for tank connection, and the tank 35 is connected to the water tank 32 through this opening 33a. The lid member 33 is also provided with an opening 33b for exposing the brush part, and the tip of the brush part 31 protrudes above the lid member 33 through this opening 33b, so that water can be applied to the back surface of the paper 2 as it passes over the water tank 32.

[0041] The lid member 33 has a waterproof structure to prevent water leakage from the water tank 32. Specifically, the lid member 33 has a first contact portion 33d that makes surface contact with the lower surface 32d of a step 32c formed on the upper end portion 32b of the side wall of the water tank 32 when the upper opening 32a of the water tank 32 is closed, and a second contact portion 33e that makes surface contact with the side wall surface 32e of the step 32c, and is configured to contact both the lower surface 32d and the side wall surface 32e of the step 32c when it is attached to the water tank 32. The second contact portion 33e is a wall portion that extends upward when the first contact portion 33d is bent at a 90-degree angle, and the height of the second contact portion 33e is greater than the thickness of the first contact portion 33d, preferably more than twice the thickness of the first contact portion 33d.

[0042] If the lid member 33 is simply placed on the upper surface of the water tank 32, water is likely to leak from between the lid member 33 and the water tank 32 when the water tank 32 is tilted, shaken, or when there is a large amount of water in the water tank 32. However, in this embodiment, since the lid member 33 is in contact with both the lower surface 32d and the side wall surface 32e of the step 32c formed on the upper end 32b of the side wall of the water tank 32, the effect of preventing water leakage from the gap between the lid member 33 and the water tank 32 can be enhanced.

[0043] The water application device 30 is installed on the front of the printer body 10 via a support plate 39. The support plate 39 is a roughly L-shaped fixing bracket, with its side plate portion 39a fixed to the front of the housing 10a, and the water application device 30 resting on the flat plate portion 39b of the support plate 39.

[0044] The watering device 30 is configured to move between a watering position, which is the paper ejection position of the printer body 10, and a retracted position, which is away from the paper ejection position. Therefore, the watering device 30 has a switching mechanism 30M that can move between the watering position and the retracted position. The switching mechanism 30M according to this embodiment consists of a rotating shaft 30z provided at one end of the width direction of the water tank 32, which is perpendicular to the paper ejection direction, and the rotating shaft 30z is fitted into a shaft hole 39c provided in the flat plate portion 39b of the support plate 39. The rotating shaft 30z protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the water tank 32 and is integrally formed with the water tank 32. Therefore, the watering device 30 is configured to be rotatable on the support plate 39, and the watering device 30 can be moved to the retracted position by rotating the water tank 32 in the watering position by 90 degrees or more. The rotation angle of the watering device 30 (water tank 32) is preferably 95 degrees or more and 130 degrees or less.

[0045] The shaft hole 39c is connected to a slit (not shown), and it is preferable that the slit extends to the edge of the flat plate portion 39b. By attaching the rotating shaft 30z to the shaft hole 39c through the slit, the watering device 30 can be easily installed on the support plate 39.

[0046] A locking mechanism 38 is provided at the other end in the width direction of the watering device 30, which is positioned at the watering position P1. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 38 is a metal leaf spring member, and the watering device 30 is fixed at the watering position when a hook provided at the tip of the leaf spring member engages with the other end of the water tank 32. The lock is released by releasing the engagement of the hook at the tip of the leaf spring member, allowing the watering device 30 to rotate.

[0047] In this embodiment, the tank 35 is a substantially cylindrical PET container and is configured to be detachably attached to the water tank 32. The water inlet 35a of the tank 35 is located above the rotation axis 30z, and the central axis of the tank 35 coincides with the rotation axis 30z of the water supply device 30. Therefore, even if the tank 35 rotates together with the water tank 32, the position and shape of the tank 35 do not change. Thus, it is possible to prevent the external dimensions of the printer 1 from changing due to the rotation of the tank 35.

[0048] Figures 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the water supply device 30, where Figure 5 shows the water supply device 30 in the water supply position and Figure 6 shows the water supply device 30 in the retracted position.

[0049] In the normal usage mode, where water is applied to the back of the paper 2, the water application device 30 is positioned at the water application position P1 on the paper 2 discharge path, as shown in Figure 5. The brush portion 31 of the water application device 30 is installed so as to cross the discharge path. Since the paper 2 discharged from the paper discharge section 20 always passes through the water application device 30, water can be applied to the back of the paper 2.

[0050] In the usage mode where water is not applied to the back of the paper 2, the water application device 30 is moved to a retracted position P2 away from the paper 2 discharge path, as shown in Figure 6. At this time, the lock mechanism 38 that fixes the position of the water application device 30 on the discharge path is released, making the water application device 30 rotatable. Subsequently, by rotating the water application device 30 by 90 degrees or more, the water application device 30 can be moved to the retracted position P2. Since the paper 2 discharged from the paper discharge section 20 does not pass through the water application device 30, the application of water to the back of the paper 2 can be omitted.

[0051] As described above, the printer 1 according to this embodiment includes a printer body 10 that prints on the surface of paper 2 which is continuously fed from a roll of paper 3 and has re-moistened adhesive pre-applied to its back surface, and a water application device 30 that applies water to the back surface of the printed paper 2 to impart tackiness. The water application device 30 has a switching mechanism 30M that allows it to move between a water application position P1 and a retracted position P2. Therefore, the water application to the printed paper 2 can be omitted with a simple switching operation without completely removing the water application device 30 from the printer body 10. When the task of attaching to an object is performed far away from the printer's installation location, it is preferable to apply water immediately before attachment, and the switching mechanism 30M according to the present invention is very convenient.

[0052] Furthermore, the printer 1 according to this embodiment has a waterproof structure in which the lid member 33 that closes the upper opening 32a of the water tank 32 prevents water from leaking from the water tank 32. In particular, when the lid member 33 is attached to the water tank 32, it has a first contact portion 33d that makes surface contact with the lower surface 32d of the step 32c provided on the upper end 32b of the side wall of the water tank 32, and a second contact portion 33e that makes surface contact with the side wall surface 32e of the step 32c, so that water can be prevented from leaking from the gap between the water tank 32 and the lid member 33.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0054] For example, in the above embodiment, the printer body 10 includes a paper output unit 20, and the case was given where water is applied to the back surface of the paper 2 ejected from the paper output unit 20. However, it is also possible to omit the paper output unit 20 and apply water to the back surface of the paper 2 ejected from the printer body 10.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the watering device 30 is moved from the watering position to the retracted position by rotating it. However, the switching mechanism 30M is not limited to a rotating mechanism, and can also be implemented by a sliding mechanism that slides the watering device 30 in the left-right or up-down direction. In this case as well, the installation position of the watering device 30 can be switched with simple operation without completely removing the watering device 30 from the printer body 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1. Printer 2 sheets 3 rolls of paper 10 Printer body 10a enclosure 10b Paper feed slot 10c Paper collection slot 11. Roll paper support section 12 Printing Department 13 Print head 14 Platen Roller 15 Drive motor 16 Cut section 17 Fixed blade 18 Movable blade 19. Movable blade drive mechanism 20 Paper output section 21 Temporary Holding Department 22 Paper transport section 23 Emissions routes 24. Recovery Route 25 Conveyor rollers 26 Tension Roller 27 Conveyor belt 29a First pulley 29b Second pulley 30 Watering device 30a Paper outlet 30M switching mechanism 30z rotation axis 31 Brush section 32 aquariums 32a Top opening 32b Upper end of side wall 32c step 32d lower surface 32e Side wall 33 Lid component 33a Opening for tank connection 33b Brush part exposure opening 33d First contact area 33e 2nd contact part 34 Height-adjustable stand 35 tanks 35a Water inlet for the tank 36 Paper holding member 37. Paper feeding mechanism 38 Locking mechanism 39 Support plate 39a Side plate part 39b Flat plate part 39c shaft hole P1 Water application position P2 Evacuation position

Claims

1. A printer that prints on paper that has re-moistened adhesive applied to the back side beforehand, A printer body that prints on the surface of the aforementioned paper continuously fed from a roll of paper, The system includes a water application device that applies water to the back of the printed paper to impart adhesive properties, The aforementioned watering device is A switching mechanism that allows movement between a water-filling position and a retracted position, A printer characterized by including a locking mechanism for fixing the water application device positioned at the water application location.

2. The aforementioned watering device is A brush for applying water to the back of the printed paper, A water tank for storing water supplied to the brush section, The printer according to claim 1, comprising a tank that is detachably configured from the water tank and supplies water to the water tank.

3. One end of the water tank in the width direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the water tank moves to the retracted position by rotating 90 degrees or more around the rotation axis from the water immersion position.

4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the water inlet of the tank is provided on the rotating shaft.

5. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism is a leaf spring member that engages with the other end of the water tank in the width direction.

6. The watering device further includes a lid member that closes the upper opening of the water tank. The printer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the lid member has a waterproof structure that prevents water leakage from the gap between it and the water tank.

7. A step is provided at the upper end of the side wall of the aforementioned water tank. The aforementioned lid member is A first contact portion that makes surface contact with the lower surface of the step when installed in the water tank, The printer according to claim 6, further comprising a second contact portion that makes surface contact with the side wall surface of the step when mounted in the water tank.

8. The printer body includes a paper ejection unit that controls the ejection of the printed paper, The printer according to claim 1, wherein the water application device applies water to the back surface of the paper discharged from the paper discharge section.

Images