printer

Abstract

The present invention provides a printer capable of uniformly applying water to re-moisturizing paper. [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 brush section 31 that applies water to the back surface of the paper and a water tank 32 that stores the water supplied to the brush section 31. The brush section 31 has a plurality of bristles, which are made of twisted yarn formed by twisting a plurality of single threads together, and the tip of the bristles is provided with a loosening section in which the twist of the single threads has been unraveled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer for printing on paper coated with re-wetting paste on the back surface, and particularly to a printer provided with a water application device for applying water to the back surface of the paper.

Background Art

[0002] Printers for printing and issuing 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 delivery items in logistics, and in such situations, label seals are often used. Conventionally, when using a label seal, after printing information on the surface of the label seal, 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] Regarding the technology for imparting adhesiveness to paper, for example, Patent Document 2 describes an adhesive paper that prevents curling due to elongation of the printing paper by applying a re-wetting adhesive to one side of the printing paper and a surface treatment agent for performing various prints such as characters or figures on the other side.

[0005] 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 water application device that can uniformly attach water to the back surface (paste surface) of a gum tape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-273260 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-231256 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-089012 [Patent Document 4] Utility Model Registration No. 3212950 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[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] When applying water with a brush, each individual bristle needs to have a certain degree of stiffness. However, if the bristles are too stiff, it becomes difficult for the tips of the bristles to make even contact with the paper surface, which can easily lead to uneven water application.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of uniformly applying water to re-moisturizing paper. [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 brush section that applies water to the back surface of the paper discharged from the printer body, and a water tank that stores the water supplied to the brush section, wherein the brush section has a plurality of bristles, the bristles are made of twisted yarn formed by twisting a plurality of single threads together, and the tip of the bristles is provided with a loosening section in which the twist of the single threads is unraveled.

[0011] According to the present invention, an appropriate amount of water can be applied evenly and uniformly to the back surface of the printed paper. Therefore, it is possible to prevent paper distortion due to uneven water application and peeling of the paper after it has been attached.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the effective length of the bristles is 10 to 30 mm, the thickness of the bristles is 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the single filaments is 0.027 mm to 0.06 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that the number of single filaments contained in the bristles is 84 to 420. With this configuration, water can be uniformly applied to the back surface of the paper.

[0013] In the present invention, the length of the fraying portion is preferably 2 to 10 mm. This configuration allows the tips of the bristles to make uniform contact with the paper surface.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bristles are made of nylon. This makes it possible to realize a brush that is inexpensive, highly durable, and capable of uniform application to the paper surface.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the water application device further comprises a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height position of the brush portion. In this case, it is preferable that the height adjustment mechanism has a height adjustment stand that supports the brush portion in the water tank and at least one adjustment screw provided on the height adjustment stand, and the height position of the brush portion is adjusted by adjusting the amount the adjustment screw is screwed into the height adjustment stand. With this configuration, the height position of the brush portion can be easily fine-tuned. Therefore, water can be applied uniformly to the back of the paper.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that the adjustment screw is provided at only one location in the center of the width direction of the height adjustment stand. With this configuration, the height adjustment mechanism for the brush can be realized with a simple structure, and the adjustment work is easy because only one location needs to be adjusted.

[0017] In the present invention, it is also preferable that the adjustment screws are provided at one end and the other end in the width direction of the height adjustment stand. With this configuration, not only the height position but also the tilt of the brush can be finely adjusted.

[0018] 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.

[0019] In the present invention, the watering device preferably includes a paper feeding mechanism that assists in feeding the water-coated paper, the paper feeding mechanism preferably has at least one feeding unit, and the feeding unit preferably includes a shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction and a plurality of rollers rotatably supported on the shaft.

[0020] When water is applied to the back of the paper, depending on the length and curl of the paper, there is a risk that the paper may stick to unintended surfaces in the surrounding area, such as the surface of the printer casing, making it difficult to handle the paper after it has been wet. However, if a paper feeding mechanism is provided to assist in feeding the paper after it has been wet, the paper, which has been made sticky by the application of water, can be smoothly transported and discharged.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the roller be made of nylon resin. By using nylon resin as the material for the roller, it is possible to realize a roller that is resistant to adhesive adhesion, easy to process, lightweight, inexpensive, and highly durable.

[0022] In the present invention, it is preferable that the paper feeding mechanism has a plurality of the feeding units, and the plurality of feeding units are provided in multiple stages in the paper feeding direction. Thereby, even if the paper to which adhesiveness is imparted by applying water is long, it can be smoothly conveyed and discharged.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that the paper feeding mechanism includes a first conveying unit provided near the paper discharge port of the water application device, and a second conveying unit provided in front of the first conveying unit in the paper feeding direction and configured to be detachable from the water application device. Thereby, a paper feeding mechanism having an appropriate length can be provided according to the length of the paper.

[0024] In the present invention, it is preferable that the second conveying unit includes a plurality of roller units provided in multiple stages in the paper feeding direction, and each roller unit includes a shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, a plurality of rollers rotatably supported on the shaft, and a resin frame on which the shaft and the plurality of rollers are mounted. Thereby, a paper feeding mechanism having an appropriate length can be easily constructed according to the length of the paper.

Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, a printer capable of uniformly applying water to rewettable paper can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the printer of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the water application device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the brush part. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the bristles 31b. [Figure 6] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the brush part according to the present invention in comparison with the conventional one, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of the conventional brush part and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the brush part according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the brush height adjustment mechanism and the paper feeding mechanism. [Figure 8] Figures 8(a) and (b) are approximate side cross-sectional views showing the operation of the brush height adjustment mechanism. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of a brush height adjustment mechanism. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a modified version of the paper feeding mechanism, in which an additional feeding unit is attached to the water-soaking device. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a modified version of the paper feeding mechanism, in which the additional feeding unit has been removed from the water-filling device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0028] 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 is a substantially side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main parts of the printer in Figure 1.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printer 1 comprises a printer body 10 that prints on paper 2 and a water application device 30 that applies water to the back of the paper 2 ejected from the printer body 10. The printer body 10 performs operations such as printing, cutting, ejecting, and temporarily holding the paper 2 in response to instructions from a control unit (not shown).

[0030] The printer body 10 is, for example, a thermal printer and includes a roll paper support unit 11 that rotatably supports a roll paper 3 (thermal roll paper) that continuously supplies paper 2 such as thermal paper, a printing unit 12 that prints information such as characters and figures on the paper 2 fed from the roll paper 3, a cutting unit 16 that cuts the printed paper 2, and a paper discharge unit 20 that controls the ejection operation of the paper 2 cut by the cutting unit 16. The printing unit 12, the cutting unit 16, and the paper discharge unit 20 are housed inside the casing 10a, and the roll paper support unit 11 is provided on the outside of the casing 10a.

[0031] The printing unit 12 includes a print head 13 facing the surface (thermal surface) of the paper 2, a platen roller 14 that contacts the back surface of the paper 2 opposite to the thermal surface to feed the paper 2, and a drive motor 15 that drives the platen roller 14. The printing unit 12 performs printing operations according to instructions from the control unit.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the watering device 30.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the brush section 31.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the brush section 31 consists of a base 31a and numerous bristles 31b planted on the base 31a. The base 31a has an elongated shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction, and the bristles 31b are planted continuously and uniformly along the entire length of the base 31a in the longitudinal direction. That is, the bristles 31b are arranged in the width direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction.

[0048] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the bristles 31b.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the bristles 31b are made of synthetic fibers such as nylon, and are particularly made of twisted yarn formed by twisting together multiple single threads 31d. The effective length of the bristles 31b, excluding the portion fixed to the base 31a, is preferably 10 to 30 mm, and particularly preferably 15 to 25 mm. The thickness D of the bristles 31b is preferably 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, and particularly preferably 0.5 to 1.0 mm. If the bristles 31b are too thin, the stiffness of the brush will be weak, making it difficult to apply water uniformly to the paper surface. If the bristles 31b are too thick, it will also be difficult to make uniform contact with the paper surface.

[0050] The wool material 31b in this embodiment is made of multi-nylon (multifilament), and is constructed by twisting together two strands of a twisted yarn made by twisting together 210 strands of 6-denier (0.027 mm) nylon single yarn. In this case, the total number of single yarns in the wool material 31b is 420, and the thickness of the wool material 31b is 2850 denier (0.61 mm). Alternatively, the multi-nylon may be constructed by twisting together three strands of a twisted yarn made by twisting together 28 strands of 30-denier (0.06 mm) nylon single yarn. In this case as well, the total number of single yarns in the wool material 31b is 84, and the thickness of the wool material 31b is 2850 denier (0.61 mm). Thus, the thickness of the single yarn 31d is preferably 0.027 mm to 0.06 mm, and the number of single yarns 31d contained in one wool material 31b is preferably 84 to 420.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the tip of the bristles 31b is provided with a loosened portion 31c where the twist of the single yarn has been unraveled. The length L of the loosened portion 31c is preferably 2 to 12 mm. If the length of the loosened portion 31c is shorter than 2 mm, the effect of uniformly contacting the bristles 31b with the paper surface and uniformly applying water cannot be obtained. Also, if the length of the loosened portion 31c is longer than 12 mm, the stiffness of the bristles 31b weakens, making it difficult to uniformly apply water to the paper surface.

[0052] The loosened portion 31c of the bristles 31b of the brush portion 31 can be formed by using a rotating roller brush to separate the twists of the single filaments 31d at the tips of the bristles. When using a rotating roller brush, the length of the loosened portion 31c is preferably about 2 to 3 mm. If the loosened portion 31c is made too long, the rotating roller brush will get tangled in the bristles, making it difficult to properly and safely loosen the tips of the bristles 31b.

[0053] The tip of the bristles 31b may be loosened manually using a loosening comb. When using a loosening comb, the length of the loosened portion 31c can be made 10 mm or more.

[0054] Ideally, the loosened section 31c should have the twisted yarn completely unraveled so that each individual single yarn 31d is completely independent. However, in reality, this is difficult to achieve, and there are many places where the single yarns are entangled with each other. Therefore, the loosened section 31c should be intentionally loosened in such a way that the twist of the single yarns 31d is separated.

[0055] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the brush portion 31 according to the present invention in comparison with the conventional one, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of the conventional brush portion 31 and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the brush portion 31 according to the present invention.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6(a), when using a conventional brush section 31 that does not have a loosening section 31c, the tip of the brush section 31 is stiff, so the tip corner 31L of the brush section 31 becomes almost a right angle, resulting in poor contact with the paper.

[0057] However, as shown in Figure 6(b), when using the brush portion 31 according to the present invention, which has a loosening portion 31c formed thereon, the tip of the brush portion 31 becomes flexible and the tip corner portion 31L of the brush portion 31 becomes rounded, thus improving contact with the paper. Therefore, the uniformity when applying water to the back surface of the paper can be improved.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, a height adjustment stand 34 is installed inside the water tank 32, and the brush part 31 is installed on the height adjustment stand 34. The tip of the brush part 31 protrudes above the upper surface of the water tank 32, but the lower part of the brush part 31 is located inside the water tank 32 and is immersed in the water inside the water tank 32. An engaging part 34a is provided in the center of the width direction of the height adjustment stand 34, and the engaging part 34a is fixed to the upper end of the water tank 32 with screws. As shown in the figure, the height adjustment stand 34 is installed at an angle in the direction of paper discharge, and the brush part 31 is also installed at an angle.

[0059] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the height adjustment mechanism of the brush section 31 and the paper feeding mechanism 37.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, an adjustment screw 34b for adjusting the height of the height adjustment stand 34 is attached to the engagement portion 34a of the height adjustment stand 34 located outside the water tank 32. In this embodiment, the adjustment screw 34b is provided at only one location in the center of the height adjustment stand 34 in the width direction. By adjusting the amount the adjustment screw 34b is screwed in, the height of the height adjustment stand 34 inside the water tank 32 can be finely adjusted.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7, the paper feeding mechanism 37 consists of a plurality of rollers 37a provided near the paper discharge port 30a of the watering device 30. In this embodiment, eight rollers 37a are discretely arranged in the width direction of the transport path perpendicular to the paper feeding direction, and are particularly arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the transport path in the width direction. The plurality of rollers 37a are rotatably supported on a shaft 37b extending in the width direction of the transport path, and the shaft 37b is fixed to the housing surface of the watering device 30. In this way, the plurality of rollers 37a in this embodiment constitute a predetermined feeding unit provided in advance in the watering device 30.

[0062] The material of roller 37a is not particularly limited, but nylon resin is preferred. The width of roller 37a is preferably 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, and particularly preferably 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm. If the width of roller 37a is less than 0.3 mm, the rigidity will be insufficient and paper transport will not be possible, and if the width of roller 37a is greater than 1.0 mm, it will cause the adhesive surface of the paper to peel off.

[0063] The diameter of the roller 37a is preferably 5mm to 10mm, more preferably 5mm to 8mm, and particularly preferably 5mm to 7mm. This is because if the diameter of the roller 37a is smaller than 5mm, it will affect the conveying path, and if the diameter of the roller 37a is larger than 10mm, it will also affect the conveying path.

[0064] The outer end surface of the roller 37a is preferably curved. When the outer end surface of the roller 37a is curved, the contact area between the outer end surface of the roller 37a and the back surface of the paper can be minimized, and the paper can be fed stably while suppressing the influence of the adhesive force on the back surface of the paper 2.

[0065] If the paper feeding mechanism 37 is not provided at the paper discharge port 30a of the water application device 30, depending on the length and curl of the paper 2, the paper may stick to the surface of surrounding objects such as the housing surface of the water application device 30, making it difficult to handle the paper after application. However, as in this embodiment, if the paper feeding mechanism 37 is provided at the paper discharge port 30a, the paper 2, which has been made tacky by the application of water, can be fed out smoothly, and the situation in which the paper 2 sticks to surrounding objects can be avoided.

[0066] Figures 8(a) and (b) are approximate side cross-sectional views showing the operation of the height adjustment mechanism of the brush section 31.

[0067] As shown in Figure 8(a), the height adjustment base 34 is biased upward by the spring 34c. Therefore, when the adjustment screw 34b is screwed in a larger amount, the adjustment screw 34b is inserted deeper into the engagement portion 34a, causing the height adjustment base 34 to be lifted diagonally upward by that amount, and a gap G is created below the engagement portion 34a. In this way, by screwing in the adjustment screw 34b a larger amount, the height position of the height adjustment base 34 in the water tank 32 can be raised, thereby raising the height position of the brush portion 31.

[0068] As shown in Figure 8(b), when the amount the adjustment screw 34b is screwed in is reduced, the insertion of the adjustment screw 34b into the engaging portion 34a becomes shallower, causing the height adjustment base 34 to drop diagonally downwards, and a gap G is created above the engaging portion 34a. In this way, by reducing the amount the adjustment screw 34b is screwed in, the height position of the height adjustment base 34 in the water tank 32 can be lowered, thereby lowering the height position of the brush portion 31.

[0069] If the height of the brush part 31 is fixed, there is a problem in that the wettability of one type of paper (thin or thick) will be poor depending on whether thin or thick paper is used. However, if the height of the brush part 31 is adjustable, it is possible to flexibly accommodate differences in paper thickness, thereby allowing water to be applied evenly and uniformly to the back of the paper 2. When using thin paper, it is desirable to set the height of the brush part 31 lower because the paper is less stiff. Conversely, when using thick paper, it is desirable to set the height of the brush part 31 higher because the paper is more stiff.

[0070] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the height adjustment mechanism for the brush section 31.

[0071] As shown in Figure 9, the height adjustment mechanism for the brush section 31 according to this embodiment includes a first adjustment screw 34b at one end of the brush section 31 in the width direction and the other end of the brush section 31. L and second adjustment screw 34b R Each of these is provided. The other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment. According to this embodiment, not only the height position of the brush part 31 but also the angle can be finely adjusted.

[0072] Figures 10 and 11 show modified versions of the paper feeding mechanism 37, with Figure 10 showing the state in which an additional feeding unit is attached to the watering device 30, and Figure 11 showing the state in which the additional feeding unit is removed from the watering device 30.

[0073] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the paper feeding mechanism 37 according to this embodiment consists of a combination of a predetermined feeding unit (first transport unit 37P1) pre-installed in the watering device 30 and an additional feeding unit (second transport unit 37P2) retrofitted to the watering device 30, and has a configuration in which a roller row consisting of a plurality of rollers 37a pivotally supported on a shaft 37b is provided in multiple stages in the paper feeding direction.

[0074] As shown in Figure 7, the first conveying section 37P1 consists of a plurality of rollers 37a supported on a shaft 37b, and the shaft 37b is fixed to the housing surface of the watering device 30.

[0075] The second transport unit 37P2 has a configuration in which multiple roller units 37U are arranged in multiple stages in the paper feeding direction. The number of stages of the roller units 37U is not particularly limited and may be one stage. When the roller rows are arranged in multiple stages in the paper feeding direction in this way, even if the paper 2 discharged from the watering device 30 is long, the paper 2 can be fed smoothly, and the situation in which the long, adhesive paper 2 sticks to surrounding objects can be avoided.

[0076] The roller unit 37U is a unit formed by mounting multiple rollers 37a, which are pivotally supported on a shaft 37b, onto a resin frame 37c. The multiple rollers 37a are positioned at predetermined locations on the resin frame 37c, and simply by installing the roller unit 37U in the appropriate position, the multiple rollers 37a are also positioned in the appropriate locations. Therefore, any number of roller rows can be easily constructed. The layout of the multiple rollers 37a on the roller unit 37U may be the same as or different from the layout of the multiple rollers 37a in the first conveying unit 37P1.

[0077] One or more roller units 37U are fixed on a metal frame 37d, and the metal frame 37d is connected to a connector 30c (see Figure 9) provided on the housing surface of the watering device 30 on the paper discharge side. In other words, the second transport unit 37P2 is configured to be detachably attached to the watering device 30.

[0078] As described above, the printer 1 according to this embodiment comprises a printer body 10 that prints on the surface of paper 2 which is continuously fed from a roll of paper 3 and has a re-moistened adhesive 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 includes a brush section 31 that applies water to the back surface of the paper 2. The brush section 31b consists of a twisted yarn made by twisting together a plurality of single threads 31d, and the tip of the bristles 31b is provided with a loosening section 31c where the twist of the single threads 31d has been untwisted. As a result, an appropriate amount of water can be applied evenly and uniformly to the back surface of the printed paper 2. Therefore, distortion of the paper 2 due to uneven water application and peeling of the paper 2 after application can be prevented.

[0079] Furthermore, the printer 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a height adjustment stand 34 for adjusting the height of the brush part 31 of the water application device 30, so it can flexibly accommodate the thickness of the paper 2 used and can apply water evenly and smoothly to the back of the paper 2.

[0080] Furthermore, the printer 1 according to this embodiment includes a paper feeding mechanism 37 that assists in feeding out the water-coated paper 2. The paper feeding mechanism 37 includes a plurality of transport rollers that are rotatably supported on a shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction. This allows for smooth transport and discharge of paper that has been given adhesive properties by applying water, and enables paper transport while minimizing the reduction in adhesiveness.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] In the above embodiment, a height adjustment stand 34 is used as a height adjustment mechanism for the brush section 31 inside the water tank 32, and the height of the height adjustment stand 34 is adjusted by adjusting the amount of screwing in the adjustment screw 34b that is screwed into the engagement portion 34a of the height adjustment stand 34. However, the height adjustment mechanism is not limited to this, and various mechanisms can be adopted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 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 30c connector 31 Brush section 31a Base 31b Hair material 31c Relaxation section 31d single yarn 32 aquariums 32 Brush section 33 Lid component 34 Height-adjustable stand 34a Engagement part 34b Adjustment screw 34c spring 35 tanks 36 Paper holding member 37. Paper feeding mechanism 37a Laura 37b shaft 37c resin frame 37d Metal frame 37P1 First Conveyor Unit 37P2 Second Conveyor Unit 37U Roller Unit G Gap

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 brush unit for applying water to the back of the paper ejected from the printer body, It includes a water tank for storing the water supplied to the brush section, The aforementioned brush section has multiple bristles, The aforementioned wool material consists of a twisted yarn made by twisting together multiple single threads. A printer characterized in that the tip of the bristles is provided with a loosened portion formed by untwisting the single yarn.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the bristles are made of nylon.

3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the watering device further comprises a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height position of the brush portion.

4. The height adjustment mechanism is, The water tank includes a height adjustment stand for supporting the brush section, and the height adjustment stand has at least one adjustment screw. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the height position of the brush portion is adjusted by adjusting the amount the adjustment screw is screwed into the height adjustment stand.

5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment screw is provided at only one location in the center of the width direction of the height adjustment stand.

6. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment screws are provided at one end and the other end of the height adjustment stand in the width direction.

7. 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.

8. The aforementioned watering device is Includes a paper feeding mechanism that assists in feeding the paper coated with the aforementioned water, The aforementioned paper feeding mechanism is Having at least one dispensing unit, The aforementioned dispensing unit is, The printer according to claim 1, comprising a shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction, and a plurality of rollers rotatably supported on the shaft.

9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein the roller is made of nylon resin.

10. The paper feeding mechanism has a plurality of the feeding units, The printer according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of feeding units are arranged in multiple stages in the direction of paper feeding.

11. The aforementioned paper feeding mechanism is A first transport unit is provided near the paper discharge port of the aforementioned watering device, The printer according to claim 8, further comprising a second transport unit provided in front of the first transport unit in the paper feeding direction and configured to be detachably attached to the watering device.

12. The printer according to claim 11, wherein the second transport unit includes a plurality of roller units arranged in multiple stages toward the paper feeding direction, and each roller unit includes a shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction, a plurality of rollers rotatably supported on the shaft, and a resin frame on which the shaft and the plurality of rollers are mounted.

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