Printing device

Abstract

To solve a problem in that a first blade, which is a movable blade, comes into contact with a shutter.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a conveying roller that conveys recording paper in a conveying direction; a head that prints on the recording paper; a cutter having a second blade located opposite to an opening located downstream of the head and the conveying roller in the conveying direction, and a first blade movable toward the second blade from the opening and capable of cutting the recording paper together with the second blade; and a flap having a shutter capable of opening / closing the opening and movable between a first position and a second position; wherein when the first blade moves from the opening toward the second blade, the flap moves from the first position to the second position, and the shutter opens the opening; and wherein when the first blade moves away from the second blade, the flap moves from the second position to the first position, and the shutter closes the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a device is known that includes a shutter that opens and closes an opening through which a movable blade of a cutter advances and retreats, and the movable blade abuts against the shutter to open the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-38974 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described device, the movable blade comes into contact with the shutter, which may cause malfunction of the movable blade. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printing device comprises a transport roller that transports recording paper in a transport direction, a head that prints on the recording paper, a second blade located opposite an opening located downstream of the head and the transport roller in the transport direction, a cutter that is movable from the opening toward the second blade and has a first blade that can cut the recording paper together with the second blade, and a flap that has a shutter that can open and close the opening and is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the first blade moves from the opening toward the second blade, the flap moves from the first position to the second position and the shutter opens the opening, and when the first blade moves away from the second blade, the flap moves from the second position to the first position and the shutter closes the opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a printing apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the flap in a first position where the shutter closes the opening. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the flap in a second position where the shutter opens the opening. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the shutter seen from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] 1. First embodiment 1-1. Printer configuration A printing device 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Directions in the drawings will be described using a three-dimensional coordinate system. For ease of explanation, the positive direction of the Z axis will be referred to as the upward direction or simply "up," and the negative direction will be referred to as the downward direction or simply "down," the positive direction of the X axis will be referred to as the rightward direction or simply "right," and the negative direction will be referred to as the leftward direction or simply "left," and the positive direction of the Y axis will be referred to as the backward direction or simply "backward," and the negative direction will be referred to as the forward direction or simply "front."

[0008] The printing device 1 according to the embodiment is used, for example, in a POS (Point of Sale) system. POS systems are used in retail businesses such as shopping centers, department stores, convenience stores, and in-train sales, as well as food and beverage businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, and izakayas. POS systems have functions such as printing receipts, coupons, tickets, labels, and the like according to products and services. Hereinafter, receipts, coupons, tickets, labels, and the like will be referred to as printed materials. A user operates the POS system, sends print data from a computer to the printer 1, and uses the printer 1 to print out a printed matter, which is then handed to a customer or attached to a product.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 includes a transport roller 4, a head 3, a cutter 5 having a first blade 5a and a second blade 5b, and a flap 10 having a shutter 10a and a protrusion 10b. A hinge 14 is provided at a position facing downward and forward on the case 12. The cover 13 is mounted so as to be rotatable about the hinge 14. The case 12 houses the head 3, the second blade 5b of the cutter 5, and a storage section 15, which will be described later. On the other hand, the cover 13 houses the transport roller 4, the first blade 5a of the cutter 5, a flap 10, and a first guide 7 and a second guide 8, which will be described later.

[0010] The recording paper 2 is, for example, a long sheet of thermal paper. The recording paper 2 may also be what is called a die-cut label, in which multiple standard-sized labels are attached to a backing sheet. The recording paper 2 may also be what is called a linerless label, in which a long, continuous label does not have a backing sheet. In the case of a linerless label, the surface of the transport roller 4 is treated with a non-adhesive coating such as silicone resin to prevent glue from adhering to it.

[0011] The roll paper R around which the recording paper 2 is wound can be stored in a storage section 15 located in the lower part of the case 12. The cover 13 can open and close the storage section 15. A user can access the storage section 15 by opening the cover 13 toward the front. The user can load the recording paper 2 into the printer 1 by opening the cover 13 , storing the roll paper R in the storage section 15 , pulling out the recording paper 2 from the roll paper R, and closing the cover 13 .

[0012] When the cover 13 is closed, the transport roller 4 mounted on the cover 13 is positioned opposite the head 3 mounted on the case 12 with the recording paper 2 sandwiched between them. As a result, the transport roller 4 is able to transport the recording paper 2, and the head 3 is able to print on the recording paper 2. In addition, the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 mounted on the cover 13 is positioned opposite the second blade 5b mounted on the case 12 with the recording paper 2 in between, and is able to cut the recording paper 2. When the cover 13 is closed, a rectangular outlet 16 is formed at the boundary between the cover 13 and the case 12 .

[0013] The head 3 is, for example, a line-type thermal head with multiple heating elements lined up on the left and right. The multiple heating elements of the head 3 are selected based on the print data and generate heat to print an image on the recording paper 2, which is thermal paper. The transport roller 4 is rotated clockwise as indicated by the arrow by a transport roller motor (not shown). The transport roller 4 pulls out the recording paper 2 from the roll paper R in the storage unit 15 and transports it in the transport direction indicated by the arrow from the head 3 to the cutter 5. The transport roller 4, which is positioned opposite the head 3 across the recording paper 2, is also called a platen roller.

[0014] The printing device 1 may be provided with a pressing mechanism that presses the head 3 against the transport roller 4. The recording paper 2 is pressed with a predetermined pressure by a pressing mechanism between the head 3 and the transport roller 4. In this state, as the transport roller 4 rotates, a predetermined frictional force is generated between the recording paper 2 and the recording paper 2, causing it to be transported.

[0015] The cutter 5 is located downstream in the conveying direction from the positions of the head 3 and the conveying roller 4. The cutter 5 has a first blade 5a and a second blade 5b that are positioned opposite each other. The recording paper 2 is conveyed by the conveying roller 4 so that it passes between the first blade 5a and the second blade 5b. As shown in FIG. 1, the second blade 5b is located above the recording paper 2, and the first blade 5a is located below the recording paper 2. The first blade 5a is moved toward the second blade 5b by a cutter motor (not shown), and the cutting edges of the first blade 5a and second blade 5b intersect to cut the recording paper 2 between them.

[0016] The first guide 7 is disposed upstream of the cutter 5 in the conveying direction and downstream of the head 3 and conveying roller 4. The second guide 8 is disposed upstream of the discharge opening 16 in the conveying direction and downstream of the cutter 5. Therefore, the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 are located between the head 3 and conveying roller 4 and the discharge opening 16. The first guide 7 and the second guide 8 can support the recording paper 2 transported by the transport roller 4 from below, allowing the recording paper 2 to be placed thereon.

[0017] An opening 11 is formed between the first guide 7 and the second guide 8. Since the first guide 7 is located downstream of the head 3 and the transport roller 4, the opening 11 is located downstream of the head 3 and the transport roller 4 in the transport direction. Furthermore, since the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 are located between the head 3 and the transport roller 4 and the discharge outlet 16, the opening 11 is also located between the head 3 and the transport roller 4 and the discharge outlet 16.

[0018] The second blade 5b of the cutter 5 is above the opening 11 and is positioned opposite the opening 11. The first blade 5a of the cutter 5 is movable forward and backward from the opening 11. When not cutting the recording paper 2, the first blade 5a is retracted to a position below the opening 11 and retracted from the opening 11. Hereinafter, the position of the first blade 5a at this time will be referred to as the retracted position. When cutting the recording paper 2, the first blade 5a advances upward from the opening 11, moves toward the second blade 5b, and together with the second blade 5b, cuts the recording paper 2. Hereinafter, the position of the first blade 5a at this time will be referred to as the cutting position. After cutting the recording paper 2, the first blade 5a moves away from the second blade 5b and returns to the retracted position.

[0019] The cutter 5 is movable together with the first blade 5a and includes a holder 6 that supports the first blade 5a. The holder 6 is connected to a transmission mechanism that transmits power from the cutter motor. Because the first blade 5a is thin, if it were directly connected to the transmission mechanism, it could be deformed or damaged by the applied force. For this reason, the first blade 5a is configured to be connected to the transmission mechanism via the holder 6. The transmission mechanism includes gears and the like, and converts the rotational movement of the cutter motor into linear movement so that the first blade 5a and the holder 6 move up and down.

[0020] The flap 10 includes a shutter 10a that can open and close the opening 11, a protrusion 10b that moves while coming into contact with the holder 6 of the first blade 5a of the cutter 5, and a shaft 10c that rotatably supports the flap 10. One end of the flap 10 is rotatably fixed to the cover 13 by a shaft 10c, and a shutter 10a is formed at the other end. A protrusion 10b is formed between the shaft 10c and the shutter 10a. One end of the flap 10 is fixed and is the so-called fixed end. The other end of the flap 10 is movable and is the so-called free end. The flap 10 is movable between a first position and a second position, as will be described below. Figure 1 shows the flap 10 in the first position. The elastic member 9 is mounted between the second guide 8 and the flap 10. The elastic member 9 is, for example, a spring or rubber. The elastic member 9 presses the protrusion 10b of the flap 10 toward the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 and the holder 6.

[0021] The flap 10 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. First, the position of each part of the flap 10 will be described. The shaft 10c is located downstream of the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 and the holder 6 in the conveying direction, and upstream of the second guide 8. The protrusion 10b protrudes toward the first blade 5a and the holder 6. The shutter 10a extends upstream in the conveying direction so as to cover the opening 11.

[0022] Since the flap 10 is located downstream of the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 in the conveying direction, the distance between the head 3 and the conveying roller 4 and the cutter 5 can be shortened. After the head 3 prints a receipt or the like on the recording paper 2, it can be cut immediately by the cutter 5, reducing the waste of the recording paper 2. The cutter 5 needs to cut the recording paper 2 at the rear end position where the receipt or the like has been printed on the recording paper 2. For this reason, the transport roller 4 needs to transport the recording paper 2 until the rear end after printing passes the position of the cutter 5, but this distance can be made short.

[0023] 2, the first position of the flap 10 is a position where the shutter 10a closes the opening 11. Hereinafter, the position of the shutter 10a at this time will be referred to as the closed position. By closing the opening 11 with the shutter 10a, the leading edge of the recording paper 2 conveyed by the conveyance roller 4 is prevented from entering the opening 11. In addition, the trailing edge of the recording paper 2 cut by the cutter 5 is also prevented from entering the opening 11. At this time, the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 is in the retracted position.

[0024] 3, the second position of the flap 10 is a position where the shutter 10a opens the opening 11. Hereinafter, the position of the shutter 10a at this time will be referred to as the open position. When the shutter 10a opens the opening 11, the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 can advance upward through the opening 11 and cut the recording paper 2.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, when the flap 10 is in the first position, the protrusion 10 b is in a position displaced from the holder 6 of the first blade 5 a of the cutter 5 and is not in contact with the holder 6 . The pressing force of the elastic member 9 holds the flap 10 in a position where the protrusion 10b abuts against the surface of the first blade 5a. As a result, the shutter 10a is also held in the closed position. The flap 10 is made of a resin such as plastic resin, so that even if the protrusion 10b abuts against the surface of the first blade 5a, wear on the first blade 5a can be suppressed.

[0026] Here, we will explain the operation of the shutter 10a of the flap 10 to open the opening 11 when the first blade 5a moves from the opening 11 toward the second blade 5b to cut the recording paper 2, that is, when the first blade 5a moves from the retracted position to the cutting position. 2, the flap 10 is in the first position, and the shutter 10a closes the opening 11. Let us assume that the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 in the retracted position starts to move in a direction toward the opening 11, that is, in a direction toward the second blade 5b.

[0027] When the first blade 5a moves toward the opening 11, the holder 6 supporting the cutter 5 also moves together with the first blade 5a. Then, the holder 6 reaches a position immediately before it comes into contact with the protrusion 10b of the flap 10. The end portion of the holder 6 where it abuts against the protrusion 10b is gently inclined. In addition, the end portion of the protrusion 10b where it abuts against the holder 6 is also gently inclined. The ends of the inclined surfaces of the holder 6 and the protrusion 10b abut against each other.

[0028] As the holder 6 moves further, the holder 6 and the protrusion 10b slide along each other's slopes. The elastic member 9 pushes the flap 10 toward the first position. The holder 6 pushes the protrusion 10b toward the front of the printing device 1 against the pushing force of the elastic member 9. At this time, the protrusion 10b being pushed forward causes the flap 10 to rotate and move clockwise around the shaft 10c. As the flap 10 moves, the shutter 10a moves from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction, opening the opening 11 that was closed.

[0029] When the protrusion 10b moves from the inclined surface of the holder 6 onto a flat surface, the movement of the protrusion 10b stops, and the movement of the flap 10 also stops. Even after the flap 10 stops moving, the first blade 5a continues to move to the cutting position, and the holder 6 continues to move while its flat surface abuts against the protrusion 10b.

[0030] As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, the first blade 5a moves to the cutting position and, together with the second blade 5b, cuts the recording paper 2. The flap 10 moves to the second position shown in Fig. 3. In this way, when the first blade 5a moves from the opening 11 toward the second blade 5b, the holder 6 of the first blade 5a abuts against the protrusion 10b, moving the flap 10 from the first position to the second position, and the shutter 10a moves to open the opening 11. That is, when the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 moves from the retracted position toward the cutting position, the holder 6 supporting the first blade 5a abuts against the protrusion 10b of the flap 10, moving the flap 10 from the first position to the second position and moving the shutter 10a of the flap 10 from the closed position to the open position.

[0031] Next, we will explain the operation of the shutter 10a of the flap 10 closing the opening 11 when the first blade 5a moves away from the second blade 5b after cutting the recording paper 2, that is, when the first blade 5a moves from the cutting position to return to the retracted position. 3, the flap 10 is in the second position, and the shutter 10a opens the opening 11. Let us assume that the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 at the cutting position starts to move away from the second blade 5b and back to the retracted position.

[0032] When the first blade 5a moves in a direction away from the second blade 5b, the holder 6 supporting the cutter 5 also moves together. The holder 6 moves along the flat surface while abutting against the protrusion 10b of the flap 10. Then, the holder 6 reaches a position immediately before it comes off the protrusion 10b.

[0033] As the holder 6 moves further, the holder 6 and the protrusion 10b slide along each other's slopes. The pressing force of the elastic member 9 causes the holder 6 to push the protrusion 10b downward toward the rear of the printing device 1. At this time, the protrusion 10b being pushed backward causes the flap 10 to rotate and move counterclockwise around the shaft 10c. As the flap 10 moves, the shutter 10a moves from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction, closing the opening 11.

[0034] When the protrusion 10b comes off the inclined surface of the holder 6 and comes into contact with the surface of the first blade 5a, the movement of the protrusion 10b stops, and the movement of the flap 10 also stops. Even after the flap 10 stops moving, the first blade 5a continues to move to the retracted position, and therefore the first blade 5a continues to move while its flat surface abuts against the protrusion 10b.

[0035] As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the first blade 5a returns to the retracted position, and the flap 10 returns to the first position. In this way, when the first blade 5a moves away from the second blade 5b, the holder 6 disengages from the protrusion 10b of the flap 10, moving the flap 10 from the second position to the first position, and the shutter 10a closes the opening 11. That is, when the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 moves from the cutting position toward the retracted position, the holder 6 supporting the first blade 5a disengages from the protrusion 10b of the flap 10, moving the flap 10 from the second position to the first position and moving the shutter 10a of the flap 10 from the open position to the closed position.

[0036] The shutter 10a of the flap 10 is configured not to interfere with surrounding components when moving between the closed position shown in Fig. 2 and the open position shown in Fig. 3. For this reason, a small gap may be formed between the shutter 10a in the closed position and the first guide 7 and the second guide 8. Also, a small step may be formed between the shutter 10a and the first guide 7 and the second guide 8. In particular, when the corners at both ends of the leading edge of the conveyed recording paper 2 come into contact with these gaps or steps, they may become caught, which may result in the recording paper 2 becoming jammed around the shutter 10a, etc.

[0037] The printing device 1 can accommodate recording paper 2 of multiple paper widths. For example, Figure 4 shows two different paper widths of recording paper 2 that can be accommodated by the printing device 1. The shutter 10a is in the closed position, closing the opening 11 in the conveyance direction. The paper width of the recording paper 2 shown in the upper part of Figure 4 is the length from position A to position C, and is, for example, 80 mm. The two ends of this recording paper 2 in the paper width direction are at position A and position C. The paper width of the recording paper 2 shown in the lower part of Figure 4 is the length from position A to position B, and is, for example, 58 mm. The two ends of this recording paper 2 in the paper width direction are at position A and position B. Furthermore, the storage section 15 is configured so that partition plates can be installed to fit each paper width, allowing roll paper R of a variety of paper widths to be positioned.

[0038] 4, the multiple shutters 10a of the flap 10 are aligned in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording paper 2 indicated by the arrow, in the paper width direction of the recording paper 2. The multiple shutters 10a are provided at multiple positions avoiding positions A, B, and C, which are the ends of the two types of recording paper 2 in the paper width direction. In other words, the shutter 10a is not positioned at positions A, B, and C, which are the paper width-wise ends of the two types of recording paper 2 that the printing device 1 can handle, so there are no gaps or steps between the shutter 10a and the first guide 7 and second guide 8 at these positions.

[0039] As a result, it is possible to prevent the corners of the transported recording paper 2 from getting caught in gaps or steps that occur between the shutter 10a and the first guide 7 and second guide 8. It is also possible to prevent the recording paper 2 from getting jammed around the shutter 10a, etc. The leading edge of the recording paper 2, excluding the corners, comes into contact with the shutters 10a and is corrected to be parallel as it advances in the conveying direction. This prevents the corners of the recording paper 2 from getting into the opening 11.

[0040] Additionally, protrusions 8a extend from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction at positions on the second guide 8 that correspond to positions A, B, and C, which are the paper width directional ends of the two types of recording paper 2. The multiple shutters 10a and multiple protrusions 8a are arranged alternately in the paper width directional direction of the recording paper 2.

[0041] With this configuration, even if the conveyed recording paper 2 is at an angle, the corners of the recording paper 2 come into contact with the protrusions 8a or the shutters 10a, preventing it from entering the opening 11. After that, the leading edge of the recording paper 2, excluding the corners, comes into contact with the multiple shutters 10a and is corrected to be parallel as it moves forward in the conveyance direction. As a result, the recording paper 2 can be prevented from entering the opening 11, and the recording paper 2 can be prevented from becoming jammed.

[0042] According to the printing device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the flap 10 is moved in accordance with the movement of the first blade 5a, which is the movable blade of the cutter 5, advancing and retracting from the opening 11, and the shutter 10a of the flap 10 is moved. As a result, in the printing device 1, the first blade 5a does not come into contact with the shutter 10a, and there is no risk of malfunction of the first blade 5a.

[0043] These embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0044] In the above description, the head 3 is described as a thermal head, but the printing method is not limited thereto. For example, the head 3 may be an inkjet head. In this case, since the inkjet head cannot come into contact with the transport roller 4 to sandwich the recording paper 2, a driven roller that faces the transport roller 4 and sandwiches the recording paper 2 can be mounted in the case 12.

[0045] In the above description, an example has been given in which the holder 6 for the first blade 5a of the cutter 5 is used to move the shutter 10a of the flap 10. Instead of the holder 6, the shutter 10a of the flap 10 may be configured to move between the open position and the closed position using any one of a link mechanism, a cam mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, or a combination thereof, that uses the rotation of the gears in the transmission mechanism of the cutter 5.

[0046] In the above description, the recording paper 2 transported by the transport roller 4 is placed on the first guide 7 and the second guide 8. If the recording paper 2 can be placed using the shutter 10a of the flap 10, one or both of the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...printing device, 2...recording paper, 3...head, 4...conveyor roller, 5...cutter, 5a...first blade, 5b...second blade, 6...holder, 10...flap, 10a...shutter, 10b...protrusion, 10c...shaft, 11...opening

Claims

1. a transport roller that transports the recording paper in a transport direction; a head for printing on the recording paper; a position facing an opening located downstream of the head and the transport roller in the transport direction; and a second blade located at the opening, the second blade being movable from the opening toward the second blade and a cutter having a first blade capable of cutting the recording paper; a holder that is movable together with the first blade and supports the first blade; a shutter that can open and close the opening and that is movable between a first position and a second position; a flap; the flap has a protrusion that can come into contact with the holder, When the first blade moves from the opening toward the second blade, the holder contacts the protrusion. to move the flap from the first position to the second position, and opens the opening, When the first blade moves away from the second blade, the holder disengaging the protrusion to move the flap from the second position to the first position; a shutter closing the opening.

2. When the flap moves from the second position to the first position, the shutter The mark according to claim 1 , which moves from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction to close the opening. Printing equipment.

3. The flap is resiliently movable about an axis between the first position and the second position.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is urged toward the first position by a flexible member. Printing device.

4. The shutters are plural, and the direction intersects with the conveying direction and the width direction of the recording paper.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of positions are provided at positions avoiding the opposite ends of the device.

1. The printing device according to claim 1.

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