Label printer

Abstract

To provide a label printer which can easily perform maintenance of a cutter unit.SOLUTION: A label printer 1 comprises: a label cassette CA for holding a label roll LR on which a mountless label L is wound; a printing part 10 which prints on a printing surface of the mountless label L delivered from the label roll LR; a cutter unit 20 for cutting the printed mountless label L; a lock mechanism 50 which is capable of switching between a fixation state that the cutter unit 20 is fixed at a cutting position where the mountless label L is cut and a fixation release state that the afore-said fixation is released; and a movement mechanism 60 which can slidably move the cutter unit 20 while supporting the cutting unit 20 when the lock mechanism 50 is in the fixation release state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a label printer equipped with a label cassette that holds a label roll on which linerless labels are wound, a printing unit that prints on the printing surface of the linerless label unwound from the label roll, and a cutter unit that cuts the printed linerless label.As an example of this type of technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a label cutting device that includes a cutter unit that cuts the issued label, a label receiving unit that receives the label cut by the cutting unit, and a holding unit that holds the label receiving unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-177278 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a label printer as described above, when performing maintenance (for example, cleaning) on ​​the cutter unit, it may be difficult for an operator to access the cutter unit, making the maintenance difficult.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a label printer that allows easy maintenance of the cutter unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A label printer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a label cassette that holds a label roll on which linerless labels are wound, a printing unit that prints on the printing surface of the linerless label unwound from the label roll, a cutter unit that cuts the printed linerless label, a locking mechanism that can switch between a fixed state in which the cutter unit is fixed to the cutting position where the linerless label is cut and an released state in which the fixation is released, and a moving mechanism that supports the cutter unit and allows the cutter unit to move in a sliding manner while supporting it when the cutter unit is in the released state by the locking mechanism.

[0007] In this label printer, by releasing the cutter unit using the locking mechanism, the cutter unit can be slid out using the movement mechanism, making it easier for workers to access the cutter unit and perform maintenance on it.

[0008] In the label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the movement mechanism may be capable of sliding the cutter unit to a pull-out position where an operator can access the fixed blade and the movable blade of the cutter unit during maintenance, thereby making it easier to perform maintenance of the cutter unit.

[0009] In the label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the movement mechanism may include a rail portion provided on a holding frame that holds the cutter unit and extending in the sliding direction of the cutter unit, and a sliding portion provided on the cutter unit and capable of sliding along the rail portion. In this case, a configuration that allows the cutter unit to move in a sliding manner can be specifically realized.

[0010] In a label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the holding frame includes a first plate and a second plate detachably attached to the first plate, the rail portion is constituted by a slit provided in the first plate and the second plate, the slit extends along the sliding direction, has an opening at one end through which the sliding portion can be inserted, and the second plate may be overlapped on the first plate so that the slit width at one end in the sliding direction of the slit narrows to the point where the sliding portion inserted in the slit cannot slip out from the one end of the slit, or so as to close the one end of the slit. This makes it possible to remove the cutter unit from the holding frame by, for example, removing the second plate and removing the sliding portion from the opening of the slit.

[0011] In a label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the locking mechanism may include an engaged part provided on a holding frame that holds the cutter unit, an engaging part provided on the cutter unit and engaged with the engaged part so as to prevent the cutter unit from moving, a support part that supports the moving engaging part or engaged part when switching occurs between an engaged state in which the engaged part and the engaging part are engaged and a disengaged state in which the engagement is released, and a biasing part that biases the engaging part or engaged part so that the engaging part and the engaged part are in an engaged state. In the locking mechanism configured in this manner, the engagement part engages with the engaged part to prevent the cutter unit from moving and the locking mechanism is established. In the locked state, for example, an operator applies force to the engaged part against the biasing part to move the engaged part to a position in the unlocked state, thereby establishing the unlocked state. Furthermore, the application of the force is stopped, and the engaged part returns to the position in the engaged state due to the biasing part, thereby returning to the locked state.

[0012] In a label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the engaged portion may be a shaft portion of a guide roller that guides the cut linerless label when it is discharged, and the engaging portion may be a claw portion that can engage with the shaft portion. In this case, the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be configured using other parts.

[0013] In a label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the shaft, which is the engaged part, moves while being supported by the support part, thereby switching between an engaged state and a disengaged state, the support part that movably supports the shaft is a long hole through which the shaft is inserted and formed so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the direction of movement of the shaft, and the biasing part may be a spring that biases the shaft to move along the longitudinal direction of the long hole to a position where the engaged state is achieved. In this case, the configuration can be simplified.

[0014] In the label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the locking mechanism may be capable of switching from a fixed state to an unlocked state without separating the cutter unit from a holding frame that holds the cutter unit. This eliminates the need to remove the cutter unit from the holding frame when switching the cutter unit from the fixed state to the unlocked state, thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

[0015] In the label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the movement mechanism may be capable of rotating the cutter unit about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the cutter unit, thereby allowing the cutter unit to be rotated so that an operator can easily access the cutter unit.

[0016] In the label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the movement mechanism may include a stopper that abuts against the cutter unit to restrict rotation of the cutter unit so that the cutter unit does not rotate beyond a certain angle from the cutting position. This makes it possible to prevent the cutter unit from rotating beyond the certain angle from the cutting position.

[0017] In a label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the cutter unit may include a fixed blade and a movable blade arranged along a predetermined plane, and the stopper may abut against the cutter unit to restrict rotation of the cutter unit at a rotation position where the predetermined plane is aligned in the sliding direction of the cutter unit. This allows the cutter unit to be rotated and slid so that an operator can easily access the fixed blade and the movable blade of the cutter unit.

[0018] In the label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, a resin sheet may be provided on an outer surface of the cutter unit, and the stopper may abut against the resin sheet. In this way, when the cutter unit slides with the stopper abutting against the cutter unit, the stopper and the cutter unit can be protected by the resin sheet.

[0019] In the label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the moving mechanism may be capable of moving the cutter unit so as to slide while rotating the cutter unit about the rotation shaft, which makes it even easier to perform maintenance of the cutter unit.

[0020] In a label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the sliding direction of the cutter unit may be a direction inclined at 30° to 60° with respect to the horizontal direction. In this case, the cutter unit can be slid by utilizing its own weight. If the direction in which the sliding direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "inclined direction") is less than 30°, the sliding is slow, whereas if the inclination of the sliding direction is more than 60°, the sliding is steep. Therefore, the sliding can be achieved at an appropriate speed.

[0021] In a label printer according to one aspect of the present invention, a label cassette is pulled out to the front by an operator, the label cassette includes a wall portion disposed on the front side, a path through which the linerless labels pass exists on the rear side of the wall portion, and the wall portion may be provided so as to be movable in a direction away from the path when the linerless labels are passed through the path. With this configuration, when the linerless labels are passed through the path, the wall portion of the label cassette does not interfere with the path and get in the way, and the operator can easily pass the linerless labels through the path. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a label printer that allows easy maintenance of the cutter unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic scale equipped with a label printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic scale of FIG. 1 with the label cassette pulled out. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of the label printer of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the main part of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the main part of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cutter unit of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a main part of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the cutter unit has been moved to the pulled-out position in the main part of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cutter unit has been moved to a pulled-out position in the main part of the label printer of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the main part of the label printer in FIG. 1 when the cutter unit is removed. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the label cassette of FIG. 2 with the handle in a closed state. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view showing the label cassette of FIG. 2 with the handle in an open state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0025] In the following description, the words "upper" and "lower" correspond to the vertical direction. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description. For convenience of explanation, the side on which the store clerk display unit D1 is arranged will be referred to as the "front", the side opposite the side on which the store clerk display unit D1 is arranged will be referred to as the "rear", the side to the left when looking at the electronic scale 100 from the front will be referred to as the "left", and the side to the right when looking at the electronic scale 100 from the front will be referred to as the "right", but this does not limit the configuration of the present invention.

[0026] 1 and 2, electronic scales 100 comprises a main case B, a label printer 1 incorporated therein, a weighing section W installed on the top surface of the main case B, a control section C that controls the label printer 1 and the weighing section W, and a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power to the label printer 1 and the control section C. In electronic scales 100, a touch panel type store clerk side display section D1 and fixed keys D2 are provided on the front side of the main case B. In electronic scales 100, a customer side display section D3 is provided on the rear side of the main case B.

[0027] The label printer 1 is stored on the right side inside the main case B. The opening and closing door G is provided on the front side of the main case B. By flipping up the case of the store clerk side display unit D1 provided in front of the opening and closing door G, the opening and closing door G can be opened downward as shown in FIG. 2. When the opening and closing door G is opened, the label cassette CA can be removed from inside. A handle is attached to the front of the label cassette CA, and by pulling this toward you, the label cassette CA can be withdrawn from the main case B.

[0028] The label printer 1 includes a label cassette CA that stores a label roll LR, a platen roller 12 provided at the top of the leading end of the label cassette CA, a print head 11 provided on the back side of the opening and closing door G, and a cutter unit 20 provided at the top of the front end of the main body case B. As shown in FIG. 2, a roll support part R is supported in a cantilevered state on the left side wall CA1 of the label cassette CA. The label roll LR, which is a paper core on which a strip of linerless labels L is wound, is attached to the roll support part R. Such a label cassette CA holds the label roll LR on which the linerless labels L are wound. The label cassette CA is pulled forward by an operator. The linerless labels L of the label roll LR are delivered to the platen roller 12 at the top of the leading end.

[0029] The linerless label L has an adhesive layer laminated on the back surface of the paper substrate, a heat-sensitive agent that changes color when heated laminated on the front surface of the substrate, and a silicone resin layer coated on the heat-sensitive agent as a release agent. The label roll LR is wound around a paper tube with the back surface of the linerless label L facing inward, and is attached to the roll support R so that the back surface of the label roll LR comes into contact with the platen roller 12.

[0030] The print head 11 provided on the back surface of the opening / closing door G is composed of a thermal print head. The heating lines of the print head 11 are positioned so as to come into contact with the platen roller 12 of the stored label cassette CA when the opening / closing door G is closed. The print head 11 and the platen roller 12 constitute a printing unit 10 that prints on the printing surface of the linerless label L paid out from the label roll LR. A gear mechanism that drives the platen roller 12 is incorporated in the side wall CA1 of the label cassette CA. When the label cassette CA is attached to the main body case B, the gear mechanism is connected to a drive motor in the main body case B to rotate the platen roller 12.

[0031] A cutter unit 20 equipped with a fixed blade 21 and a movable blade 22 is attached above the platen roller 12. The cutter unit 20 cuts the printed linerless label L. The movable blade 22 of the cutter unit 20 is connected to a crank mechanism inside the cutter unit 20, and reciprocates between the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 in the horizontal direction at high speed.

[0032] The weighing unit W comprises a load cell of known configuration that converts mechanical strain into an electrical signal, a signal processing circuit that amplifies the electrical signal output from the load cell and converts it into a digital signal, a communication module that wirelessly transmits the digital signal to a control unit C in the main body case B, and a battery unit that supplies power to these. Inside the main body case B are housed the communication module that receives the digital signal transmitted from the weighing unit W, the control unit C that converts the received digital signal into mass, multiplies the mass by a set unit price per unit mass to calculate a price, and displays the calculated price on the clerk-side display unit D1 and the customer-side display unit D3, and the label printer 1 and a power supply unit that supplies power to these.

[0033] The clerk side display D1 is a touch panel type liquid crystal display, and the necessary operation screen is displayed under the control of the control unit C. The fixed keys D2 include a unit price key, a fixed amount key, a tare key, and a call key D21 for weighing, and a print key D22 for issuing a linerless label L, and these are arranged together with the numeric keys. The customer side display D3 is a liquid crystal display, and displays weight, price, and advertising messages regarding the products.

[0034] Next, the main parts of the label printer 1 will be described.

[0035] 3, 4, and 5, the label printer 1 of this embodiment includes a cutter unit 20, a guide unit 30, a holding frame 40, a locking mechanism 50, and a moving mechanism 60. As shown in Fig. 3 and 8, the cutter unit 20 includes a fixed blade 21, a movable blade 22, a unit body 23, a unit front portion 24, a unit side plate 25, and a pin 26.

[0036] The fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 are arranged along a predetermined plane parallel to the left-right direction. A guide portion 30 is arranged above the space between the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22. The fixed blade 21 is arranged on the adhesive side of the linerless label L, and the movable blade 22 is arranged on the print side of the linerless label L. The unit body 23 includes a drive device that drives the movable blade 22 and has a rectangular box shape. The unit body 23 is movable at its front side in a direction that moves the movable blade 22 toward and away from the fixed blade 21.

[0037] The unit front part 24 is a frame body provided on the front side of the unit body 23. The fixed blade 21 is fixed to the unit front part 24. The unit side plates 25 are plate-like members provided on the left and right sides of the unit body 23. The unit side plates 25 are flat and perpendicular to the left-right direction. The left and right unit side plates 25 are provided at their front ends with claws 28 that can engage with the shafts 32A of the second guide rollers 32.

[0038] The pins 26 are provided on the left and right unit side plates 25 so as to protrude outward. The pair of pins 26 have an axial direction in the left-right direction and are arranged so that their axes coincide with each other (arranged coaxially). The pin 26 includes a screw and a cylindrical collar. The pin 26 is configured such that the tip portion of the screw is fixed to the unit side plate 25 and a collar is arranged between the head of the screw and the tip portion so as to surround the screw. The pin 26 is arranged in a position biased rearward from the center of the cutter unit 20 in the front-rear direction.

[0039] A resin sheet 27 is provided on the outer surface of the cutter unit 20. The resin sheet 27 is adhered to the upper surface of the unit body 23 in a contact area with a stopper 63 described below. The resin sheet 27 is interposed between the cutter unit 20 and the stopper 63 described below, and suppresses direct contact therebetween and thus damage caused by the contact. The shape and material of the resin sheet 27 are not particularly limited, and various known resin sheets can be used.

[0040] As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the guide unit 30 has a first guide roller 31 and a second guide roller (guide roller) 32. The first guide roller 31 and the second guide roller 32 guide the cut linerless label L for ejection. The first guide roller 31 and the second guide roller 32 extend in the left-right direction as their axial direction. The first guide roller 31 and the second guide roller 32 have uneven surfaces to reduce the contact area with the linerless label L. The shaft portion 31A of the first guide roller 31 is rotatably supported at both ends by the holding frame 40. The shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32 is rotatably supported at both ends by the holding frame 40.

[0041] The holding frame 40 is a frame body that supports the pins 26, the first guide roller 31, and the second guide roller 32, and holds the cutter unit 20 and the guide part 30. The holding frame 40 is attached to the main body case B (see FIG. 1) via a bracket 41. The holding frame 40 has a first plate 42 and a pair of second plates 45.

[0042] The first plate 42 includes a pair of side plate portions 43 located on the left and right sides of the cutter unit 20, respectively, and an upper plate portion 44 provided to bridge the upper sides of the pair of side plate portions 43. The side plate portion 43 is plate-shaped with a thickness direction in the left-right direction. The side plate portion 43 rotatably supports both ends of the shaft portion 31A of the first guide roller 31. The side plate portion 43 is formed with a long hole 46 that is long in the front-rear direction and through which the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32 can be inserted. The side plate portion 43 rotatably supports both ends of the shaft portion 32A through the long hole 46. The side plate portion 43 is formed with a slit 64 through which the pin 26 of the cutter unit 20 can be inserted, as described later. The side plate portion 43 supports the pin 26 through the slit 64. The second plate 45 is a plate member with a thickness direction in the left-right direction. The second plates 45 are detachably provided with screws N on the outer sides of the pair of side plate portions 43 in the left-right direction.

[0043] 3 and 6, the locking mechanism 50 is a mechanism that can switch between a fixed state (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "fixed state") in which the cutter unit 20 is fixed to a cutting position where the linerless label L (see FIG. 2) is cut, and a released state (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "released state") in which the fixation is released. The locking mechanism 50 can switch from the fixed state to the released state without separating the cutter unit 20 from the holding frame 40 that holds the cutter unit 20.

[0044] The lock mechanism 50 includes the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32, the claw portion 28 of the cutter unit 20, the long hole 46 of the first plate 42, and a spring 53. The shaft portion 32A constitutes an engaged portion provided on the holding frame 40. A front frame 51 is connected to both ends of the shaft portion 32A, the front frame 51 being located in front of the second guide roller 32 and extending across the both ends. The claw portion 28 constitutes an engaging portion provided on the cutter unit 20. The claw portion 28 engages with the shaft portion 32A at least in the vertical direction so as to prevent the cutter unit 20 from moving (see FIG. 7; details will be described later).

[0045] The shaft 32A can be inserted into the long hole 46. The long hole 46 rotatably supports the shaft 32A while allowing the shaft 32A to move in the front-rear direction. The long hole 46 is long in the moving direction of the shaft 32A. In other words, the long hole 46 is formed so that its longitudinal direction is along the moving direction of the shaft 32A, which is the engaged part. The position of the shaft 32A when the shaft 32A is moved to the rear end in the front-rear range of the long hole 46 is a position of an engaged state (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an "engaged state") in which the shaft 32A engages with the claw 28 (see FIG. 6). The position of the shaft 32A when the shaft 32A is moved forward from the rear end in the front-rear range of the long hole 46 is a position of a disengaged state (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a "disengaged state") in which the engagement between the shaft 32A and the claw 28 is released. In other words, the long hole 46 supports the moving shaft portion 32A when switching between an engaged state and a disengaged state occurs. The shaft portion 32A, which is the engaged portion, moves while being supported by the long hole 46, thereby switching between the engaged state and the disengaged state. The long hole 46 constitutes a support portion.

[0046] The spring 53 constitutes a biasing portion that biases the engaging portion or the engaged portion so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion are in an engaged state. The spring 53 biases the shaft portion 32A to move along the longitudinal direction of the long hole 46 to a position where the engaging portion is in an engaged state. One end of the spring 53 is connected to a pin 52 provided on the front frame 51, and the other end of the spring 53 is connected to a pin 47 of the second plate 45 of the holding frame 40. The pin 52 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the front frame 51 so as to protrude outward. The pair of pins 52 are axially aligned in the left-right direction and are arranged so that their axes coincide with each other. The pin 47 is provided on each of the pair of second plates 45 so as to protrude outward. The pair of pins 47 are axially aligned in the left-right direction and are arranged so that their axes coincide with each other.

[0047] The pins 52 and 47 each include a screw and a cylindrical collar. The pin 52 is configured such that the tip of the screw is fixed to the front frame 51, and a collar is disposed between the head of the screw and the tip so as to surround the screw. The pin 47 is configured such that the tip of the screw is fixed to the second plate 45, and a collar is disposed between the head of the screw and the tip so as to surround the screw. The spring 53 urges the front frame 51 rearward against the holding frame 40 by the elastic force of tension, and presses the shaft portion 32A toward the rear end of the long hole 46 (urges the shaft portion 32A so as to be in an engaged state).

[0048] 3, 9, 10 and 11, when the cutter unit 20 is in the unlocked state by the locking mechanism 50, the movement mechanism 60 supports the cutter unit 20 and enables the cutter unit 20 to be moved so as to slide. The movement mechanism 60 enables the cutter unit 20 to slide to a drawn-out position where an operator can access the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 of the cutter unit 20 during maintenance. The movement mechanism 60 has a rail portion 61 and a sliding portion 62.

[0049] The rail portion 61 is provided on the holding frame 40. The rail portion 61 has a function of guiding the slide of the cutter unit 20. The rail portion 61 extends in the sliding direction of the cutter unit 20. The rail portion 61 is composed of a slit 64 provided on the side plate portion 43 and the second plate 45. The slit 64 extends along the sliding direction and opens at its front end side. The slit 64 extends so as to incline downward as it approaches the front side. The sliding portion 62 can be inserted into the slit 64. The second plate 45 is overlapped on the side plate portion 43 and fixed by the screw N so that the slit width on the front end side of the slit 64 narrows until the sliding portion 62 inserted into the slit 64 cannot be removed from the front end side of the slit 64. For example, by loosening the fastening of the screw N, the second plate 45 can be rotated around the screw N as a base axis so that the slot width on the front end side of the slit 64 widens.

[0050] The sliding direction in which the cutter unit 20 slides on the rail portion 61 (the extension direction of the slits 64) is a direction inclined at an angle of 30° to 60° with respect to the horizontal direction, specifically, the sliding direction is a direction inclined downward toward the front at an inclination angle of 30° to 60° with respect to the horizontal direction. The sliding portion 62 is a portion provided on the cutter unit 20 and is slidable along the rail portion 61. The sliding portion 62 in this embodiment is constituted by the pin 26 of the cutter unit 20.

[0051] When the moving mechanism 60 is in the unlocked state by the locking mechanism 50, in addition to sliding in the sliding direction, the moving mechanism 60 is capable of rotating the cutter unit 20 about the pin 26 (sliding portion 62) of the cutter unit 20 as a base axis. The pin 26 constitutes a rotation axis (rotation fulcrum) extending along the left-right direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the cutter unit 20. In other words, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism 60 is capable of moving the cutter unit 20 so as to slide while rotating about the pin 26 as a base axis.

[0052] The moving mechanism 60 has a stopper 63. The stopper 63 abuts against the cutter unit 20 to restrict the rotation of the cutter unit 20 so that the cutter unit 20 does not rotate beyond a certain angle from the cutting position. When the cutter unit 20 is rotated around the pin 26 by the moving mechanism 60, the stopper 63 abuts against the resin sheet 27 on the upper surface of the unit body 23 to prevent further rotation. The stopper 63 is provided so that a part of the rear side of the upper plate portion 44 protrudes rearward and downward. The certain angle is the rotation angle of the cutter unit 20 when a predetermined plane on which the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 are arranged is aligned with the sliding direction. In other words, the stopper 63 abuts against the cutter unit 20 at a rotation position where the predetermined plane is aligned with the sliding direction to restrict the rotation of the cutter unit.

[0053] Next, an example of maintenance of the cutter unit 20 in the label printer 1 will be described.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9, in the label printer 1 in the normal state (at the start of maintenance), the cutter unit 20 is located at the cutting position. The cutting position is a position where the cutter unit 20 can cut the printed linerless label L. The cutting position is the position of the cutter unit 20 when the predetermined plane on which the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 are arranged is located on a horizontal plane. The cutting position is the position of the cutter unit 20 when the pin 26 is located at the rear end of the slit 64. In the label printer 1 in the normal state, the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32 is located at an engagement state position where it engages with the claw portion 28 (i.e., the rear end within the long hole 46), and is locked in a fixed state by the lock mechanism 50 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, in the fixed state, the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32 is located below the claw portion 28 of the cutter unit 20. Therefore, the claw portion 28 of the cutter unit 20 hangs (gets caught) on the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32, and the downward movement of (the front side of) the cutter unit 20 is restricted by the shaft portion 32A. As a result, the movement of the pin 26 of the cutter unit 20 sliding down in the sliding direction along the slit 64 (movement toward the front and downward) and the movement of the cutter unit 20 rotating downward around the pin 26 as the center of rotation are restricted.

[0055] With the label printer 1 in such a normal state, the front frame 51 is pulled forward against the elastic force (against the biasing force) of the spring 53. This moves the shaft 32A connected to the front frame 51 to a front position within the long hole 46, disengaging the shaft 32A from the claw 28 to a disengaged state, and unlocks the locking mechanism 50 from the fixed state to the released state.

[0056] Therefore, the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32 is no longer positioned below the claw portion 28. As a result, the movement of the pin 26 of the cutter unit 20 sliding down in the sliding direction along the slit 64 and the movement of the cutter unit 20 rotating downward around the pin 26 as the center of rotation are no longer restricted. As a result, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cutter unit 20 rotates around the pin 26 as an axis due to its own weight so that the unit front part 24 side opens downward. In addition, while the pin 26 is supported via the slit 64 of the rail portion 61, the pin 26 slides down in the sliding direction along the slit 64 due to its own weight, and the cutter unit 20 slides so as to protrude forward and downward along the sliding direction.

[0057] When the cutter unit 20 has rotated a certain angle, the stopper 63 comes into contact with the upper surface of the unit body 23 of the cutter unit 20 via the resin sheet 27, restricting further rotation of the cutter unit 20. Also, when the cutter unit 20 has slid a certain distance in the sliding direction, the pin 26 reaches the front end of the slit 64 and comes into contact with the second plate 45 of the rail portion 61, restricting further sliding of the cutter unit 20.

[0058] As a result, the cutter unit 20 rotates and slides forward to open to a pull-out position where the operator can access the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22. The operator can easily remove dirt adhering to the tip surfaces, front surface and back surface of the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22, for example, by using a cleaner. When the tension on the front frame 51 is released after the lock mechanism 50 is unlocked, the front frame 51 moves back to the rear side due to the elastic force of the spring 53, and the shaft portion 32A returns to the rear end within the long hole 46.

[0059] When returning the cutter unit 20 from the pulled-out position to the cutting position after cleaning, the operator first slides the pin 26 up along the slit 64 in the sliding direction, and slides the cutter unit 20 so that it retracts to the rear and upper side along the sliding direction. At the same time, the operator rotates the cutter unit 20 around the pin 26 as an axis so that the unit front part 24 closes upward.

[0060] During the rotation of the cutter unit 20, the tapered surface 28X of the claw portion 28 abuts against the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32, and the shaft portion 32A shifts forward in the long hole 46 against the elastic force of the spring 53. Then, when the shaft portion 32A overcomes the claw portion 28 (the shaft portion 32A is positioned below the claw portion 28) and the cutter unit 20 rotates back to a position where the predetermined plane on which the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 are arranged is aligned with the horizontal plane, the shaft portion 32A returns to the engaged position (i.e., the rear end in the long hole 46) by the elastic force of the spring 53, and is relocked to the fixed state by the lock mechanism 50. At this time, the cutter unit 20 (the claw portion 28) is pressed backward by the shaft portion 32A biased backward. Therefore, the cutter unit 20 receives a force pushing it back toward the rear side (more precisely, toward the upper and rear side, which is combined with the force that the pin 26 receives from the contact surface of the slit 64) by the shaft portion 32A, thereby supporting the pin 26 of the cutter unit 20 so that it does not slide down along the slit 64.

[0061] As described above, in the label printer 1, by releasing the cutter unit 20 in the locking mechanism 50, the cutter unit 20 can be slid out by the moving mechanism 60. This makes it easier for an operator to access the cutter unit 20, and makes it easier to maintain the cutter unit 20.

[0062] In the label printer 1, the movement mechanism 60 enables the cutter unit 20 to slide to a pull-out position where an operator can access the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 of the cutter unit during maintenance. This makes it easier to maintain the cutter unit 20.

[0063] In the label printer 1, the movement mechanism 60 includes a rail portion 61 provided on the holding frame 40, and a pin 26 provided on the cutter unit 20 and slidable along the rail portion 61. In this case, a configuration that allows the cutter unit 20 to move in a sliding manner can be specifically realized.

[0064] In the label printer 1, the holding frame 40 includes a first plate 42 and a second plate 45 detachably provided on the first plate 42. The rail portion 61 is composed of a slit 64 provided on the first plate 42 and the second plate 45. The slit 64 extends along the sliding direction, has an open end, and the pin 26 can be inserted therethrough. The second plate 45 is overlapped on the first plate 42 so that the slit width on one end side of the slit 64 in the sliding direction narrows to the point where the pin 26 inserted in the slit 64 cannot slip out from the one end side of the slit 64.

[0065] Thereby, for example, by loosening the fastening of the screw N, the second plate 45 can be rotated about the screw N as a base axis so that the slot width on the front end side of the slit 64 increases. As a result, as shown in Fig. 12, by moving the cutter unit 20 toward the front side along the sliding direction, the pin 26 can be removed from the opening of the slit 64, and the cutter unit 20 can be removed from the holding frame 40. Note that here, instead of loosening the fastening of the screw N to rotate the second plate 45, the screw N may be removed to remove the second plate 45 from the first plate 42.

[0066] In the label printer 1, the lock mechanism 50 includes the shaft 32A of the second guide roller 32 supported by the holding frame 40, the claw 28 provided on the cutter unit 20 and engaging with the shaft 32A, the long hole 46 supporting the shaft 32A that moves when switching between the engaged state and the disengaged state occurs, and the spring 53 that biases the shaft 32A to the engaged state. In the lock mechanism 50 configured in this manner, the claw 28 engages with the shaft 32A to prevent the cutter unit 20 from moving and to the fixed state. In the fixed state, for example, the operator applies force against the bias of the spring 53 to the shaft 32A to move the shaft 32A to the disengaged state position, thereby to the fixed state. Furthermore, the application of the force is stopped, and the bias of the spring 53 causes the shaft 32A to return to the engaged state position and to the fixed state.

[0067] The label printer 1 includes, as an engaged portion, the shaft portion 32A of the second guide roller 32 that guides the discharge of the cut linerless label L, and includes, as an engaging portion, the claw portion 28 that can engage with the shaft portion 32A. In this case, the engaging portion and the engaged portion of the locking mechanism 50 can be configured using other parts.

[0068] In the label printer 1, the shaft 32A, which is the engaged part, moves while being supported by the long hole 46, thereby switching between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The long hole 46, which movably supports the shaft 32A, is formed so that the shaft 32A is inserted therethrough and its longitudinal direction is aligned with the direction of movement of the shaft 32A. The spring 53 biases the shaft 32A to move along the longitudinal direction of the long hole 46 to a position where the shaft 32A is in the engaged state. In this case, the configuration of the locking mechanism 50 can be simplified.

[0069] In the label printer 1, the locking mechanism 50 can be switched from a fixed state to an unlocked state without separating the cutter unit 20 from the holding frame 40. This eliminates the need to remove the cutter unit 20 from the holding frame 40 when switching the cutter unit 20 from the fixed state to the unlocked state, reducing the burden on the operator.

[0070] In the label printer 1, the movement mechanism 60 is capable of rotating the cutter unit 20 about the pin 26 extending in the left-right direction as a base axis. This allows the cutter unit 20 to be rotated so that the operator can easily access the cutter unit 20.

[0071] In the label printer 1, the movement mechanism 60 includes a stopper 63 that abuts against the cutter unit 20 to restrict the rotation of the cutter unit 20 so that the cutter unit does not rotate beyond a certain angle from the cutting position. This makes it possible to prevent the cutter unit 20 from rotating beyond a certain angle from the cutting position.

[0072] In the label printer 1, the stopper 63 comes into contact with the cutter unit 20 to restrict the rotation of the cutter unit 20 at a rotation position where a predetermined plane on which the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 are arranged is aligned with the sliding direction of the cutter unit 20. This allows the cutter unit 20 to rotate and slide so that the fixed blade 21 and the movable blade 22 are easily accessible to an operator.

[0073] In the label printer 1, a resin sheet 27 is provided on the outer surface of the cutter unit 20, and the stopper 63 abuts against the resin sheet 27. In this way, when the cutter unit 20 slides with the stopper 63 abutting against the cutter unit 20, the stopper 63 and the cutter unit 20 can be protected by the resin sheet 27.

[0074] In the label printer 1, the movement mechanism 60 is capable of moving the cutter unit 20 so as to slide while rotating it about the pin 26. This allows the cutter unit 20 to be maintained even more easily.

[0075] In the label printer 1, the sliding direction of the cutter unit 20 is a direction inclined at 30° to 60° with respect to the horizontal direction. In this case, the weight of the cutter unit 20 can be effectively used to slide the cutter unit 20. If the inclination direction as the sliding direction is less than 30°, the sliding is slow, whereas if the inclination direction as the sliding direction is more than 60°, the sliding is steep. Therefore, the sliding can be achieved at an appropriate speed.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the label cassette CA with the handle 71 in a closed state. FIG. 14 is a side view showing the label cassette CA with the handle 71 in an open state. As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the label cassette CA has a bottom 81 and a wall 70 arranged in front of the bottom 81. Behind the wall 70, there is a path 91 through which the linerless label L passes. The wall 70 includes a handle 71. The handle 71 is attached to the bottom 81 so as to be openable (rotatable) via a rotating shaft 72 whose axial direction is the left-right direction. When the linerless label L passes through the path 91, the handle 71 can rotate around the rotating shaft 72 so as to open toward the front. That is, the wall 70 is provided so as to be movable in a direction away from the path 91 when the linerless label L passes through the path 91.

[0077] In this way, by making the handle 71 of the label cassette CA movable and opening the handle 71 when setting the linerless label L, the path 91 inside the label cassette CA widens, making it easier to set the label. In other words, when passing the linerless label L through the path 91, the wall 70 does not interfere with the path 91 and get in the way, so the worker can easily pass the linerless label L through the path 91.

[0078] Although the embodiments have been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the moving mechanism 60 moves the cutter unit 20 so as to slide while rotating about the pin 26 as a base axis, but is not limited to this. The moving mechanism 60 may move the cutter unit 20 so as to rotate and then slide, or may move the cutter unit 20 so as to slide and then rotate. The moving mechanism 60 may move the cutter unit 20 so as to slide without rotating.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the spring 53 is used as the biasing portion, but the biasing portion is not particularly limited. Any known means may be used as long as it is a means for biasing the engaging portion or the engaged portion to be in an engaged state. In the above embodiment, the second plate 45 is overlapped with the first plate 42 so that the slit width on one end side of the slit 64 is narrowed, but the second plate 45 may be overlapped with the first plate 42 so as to close the one end side of the slit 64.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the engaged state and disengaged state may be realized by configuring the claw portion 28 to be movable and the shaft portion 32A to be fixed, and may be configured as follows, for example. That is, the claw portion 28 may be configured to be movable with respect to the unit side plate 25. The claw portion 28 may be provided with a convex portion (projection) that is inserted into the long hole 46 and moves along the longitudinal direction of the long hole 46. The support portion may be a long hole opened in the unit side plate 25. The biasing portion may be a spring that presses the claw portion 28 forward (see Figs. 8 and 9). The shaft portion 32A (front frame 51) may be fixed. When the claw portion 28 is pressed backward (see Figs. 8 and 9), the disengaged state is established, and the cutter unit 20 may be rotatable.

[0082] The respective configurations in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples are not limited to the above-mentioned materials and shapes, and various materials and shapes can be applied. The respective configurations in the above-mentioned embodiment or modified examples can be arbitrarily applied to the respective configurations in other embodiments or modified examples. A part of each configuration in the above-mentioned embodiment or modified example can be appropriately omitted within the scope of the gist of one aspect of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...label printer, 10...printing section, 20...cutter unit, 21...fixed blade, 22...movable blade, 26...pin (sliding section, rotating shaft), 27...resin sheet, 28...claw section (engaging section), 32...second guide roller (guide roller), 32A...shaft section (engaged section), 40...holding frame, 42...first plate, 45...second plate, 46...long hole (support section), 50...locking mechanism, 53...spring (urging section), 60...moving mechanism, 61...rail section, 62...sliding section, 63...stopper, 64...slit, 70...wall section, 91...path, CA...label cassette, L...linerless label, LR...label roll.

Claims

1. a label cassette for holding a label roll on which linerless labels are wound; a printing unit that prints on a printing surface of the linerless label unwound from the label roll; a cutter unit that cuts the printed linerless label by moving a movable blade in a direction intersecting a printing surface of the printed linerless label; a lock mechanism that can switch between a fixed state in which the cutter unit is fixed to a cutting position where the linerless label is cut and a released state in which the fixed state is released; a movement mechanism that supports the cutter unit and enables the cutter unit to slide in the movement direction of the movable blade when the cutter unit is in the released state by the locking mechanism.

2. The label printer according to claim 1 , wherein the movement mechanism enables the cutter unit to slide to a drawn-out position where an operator can access a fixed blade and a movable blade of the cutter unit during maintenance.

3. The moving mechanism includes: a rail portion provided on a holding frame that holds the cutter unit and extends in a sliding direction of the cutter unit; The label printer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a sliding portion provided on the cutter unit and slidable along the rail portion.

4. the holding frame includes a first plate and a second plate detachably provided to the first plate, the rail portion is formed by a slit provided in the first plate and the second plate, The slit extends along the sliding direction, has an open end, and the sliding portion can be inserted therethrough.

4. The label printer according to claim 3, wherein the second plate is overlapped on the first plate so that a slit width at one end of the slit in the sliding direction is narrowed to the extent that the sliding portion inserted into the slit cannot slip out from the one end of the slit, or so that the second plate closes the one end of the slit.

5. The locking mechanism includes: an engaged portion provided on a holding frame that holds the cutter unit; an engaging portion provided on the cutter unit and engaging with the engaged portion so as to prevent movement of the cutter unit; a support portion that supports the moving engaging portion or the engaged portion when switching occurs between an engaged state in which the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged with each other and a disengaged state in which the engagement is released; 4. The label printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a biasing portion that biases the engaging portion or the engaged portion so that the engaging portion and the engaged portion are in the engaged state.

6. the engaged portion is a shaft portion of a guide roller that guides the cut linerless label sheet when it is discharged, The label printer according to claim 5 , wherein the engaging portion is a claw portion that is engageable with the shaft portion.

7. the shaft portion, which is the engaged portion, moves while being supported by the support portion, thereby switching between the engaged state and the disengaged state; The support portion that movably supports the shaft portion is a long hole through which the shaft portion is inserted and is formed so as to have a longitudinal direction along a moving direction of the shaft portion, The label printer according to claim 6 , wherein the biasing portion is a spring that biases the shaft portion along the longitudinal direction of the long hole to a position where the engaged state is achieved.

8. The label printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locking mechanism is switchable from the fixed state to the unlocked state without separating the cutter unit from a holding frame that holds the cutter unit.

9. The label printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the movement mechanism is capable of rotating the cutter unit about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to a sliding direction of the cutter unit.

10. The label printer according to claim 9 , wherein the movement mechanism includes a stopper that abuts against the cutter unit to restrict rotation of the cutter unit so that the cutter unit does not rotate beyond a certain angle from the cutting position.

11. The cutter unit includes a fixed blade and a movable blade arranged along a predetermined plane, The label printer according to claim 10 , wherein the stopper comes into contact with the cutter unit at a rotation position along which the predetermined plane lies in a sliding direction of the cutter unit, thereby restricting rotation of the cutter unit.

12. A resin sheet is provided on an outer surface of the cutter unit, The label printer according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the stopper abuts against the resin sheet.

13. The label printer according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the movement mechanism is capable of moving the cutter unit so as to slide while rotating the cutter unit about the rotation shaft as a base axis.

14. The label printer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the sliding direction of the cutter unit is inclined at an angle of 30° to 60° with respect to the horizontal direction.

15. The label cassette is pulled out to the front by an operator, the label cassette includes a wall disposed on a front side thereof; a path through which the linerless label passes is provided on the rear side of the wall portion, The label printer according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the wall portion is provided so as to be movable in a direction away from the path when the linerless label is passed through the path.

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