Paper storage device

Abstract

To provide a paper storage device which can accurately detect the near-end of stored roll paper.SOLUTION: A paper storage device of the embodiment includes a storage part for storing roll paper in which long paper is wound, a near-end detection part that detects the near-end when the diameter of the roll paper stored in the storage part becomes smaller and a pressing part that presses the roll paper stored in the storage part toward the near-end detection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a paper storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a paper storage device used as, for example, a printer stores roll paper (long paper wound into a roll) (Patent Document 1), and prints by pulling out paper from the roll paper.

[0003] For convenience, drop-in rolls, which do not support the roll paper on a shaft, are sometimes used. In these cases, the reaction of pulling out the wound, long sheet of paper can cause the roll paper stored inside the paper storage device to bounce in various directions (hereafter referred to as "roll paper movement"). This movement is more likely to occur as the roll paper diameter decreases, as the roll paper becomes lighter.

[0004] The paper storage device detects the near-end of the roll paper using a near-end sensor, but it can be difficult to accurately detect the near-end of the roll paper if the roll paper moves unsteadily. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a paper storage device that can accurately detect the near-end of a stored roll of paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The paper storage device of the embodiment is a housing; and a sensor provided in the housing.a storage section that stores roll paper with long paper wound around it; a transport section that pulls out the roll paper from the storage section in one direction and transports it; a near-end detection section that detects the near-end of the roll paper stored in the storage section when the diameter of the roll paper becomes smaller; and a pressing section that presses the roll paper stored in the storage section toward the near-end detection section, At an acute angle The roll paper has a pair of walls that contact the outer periphery of the roll paper to support the roll paper, and guides the roll paper, which is being pulled out in the one direction and whose diameter is decreasing, in a direction substantially opposite to the one direction, toward the near-end detector. The pressing unit has a first pressing member that is journaled within the housing, and a second pressing member that is rotatably mounted on the first pressing member, and when the diameter of the roll paper becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the second pressing member presses the roll paper in the substantially opposite direction toward the near-end detection unit, and the near-end detection unit is configured to be able to detect when the roll paper is near its end. . [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printer according to the embodiment with the cover closed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer according to the embodiment in a state where the diameter of the roll paper is reduced. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the printer according to the embodiment with the cover open. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the printer according to the embodiment is set at an angle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the printer according to the embodiment is set upright. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a paper storage device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment described below, a printer will be described as an example of a paper storage device. Note that the embodiment described below does not limit the configuration or specifications of the paper storage device.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. Printer 1 is, for example, a thermal printer that pulls out roll paper (for example, thermal paper, see FIG. 2) stored inside and prints information such as characters and figures on the surface of the paper. Printer 1 is connected to, for example, a Point of Sales (POS) terminal (not shown), and receives product information and sales information related to products sold to customers in a store from the POS terminal and prints the information on the paper.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, printer 1 comprises a housing 2 and a lid 3. Housing 2 is hollow and box-shaped, and can store roll paper inside. Lid 3 is pivotally supported on housing 2, and can rotate around the fulcrum, allowing printer 1 to be opened and closed. Lid 3 has an opening / closing section 5, and operating opening / closing section 5 allows lid 3 to be opened and closed relative to housing 2. With lid 3 open, roll paper is stored (dropped into) inside housing 2. Printer 1 pulls out the stored roll paper, prints information, and issues a receipt from issuing port 4.

[0011] 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the printer 1 according to the embodiment with the lid 3 closed. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1 according to the embodiment with the lid 3 closed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1 according to the embodiment with the roll paper diameter small. Note that in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer 1 is placed flat. In FIG. 2, the housing 2 is provided with a storage section 21 inside. The storage section 21 has a space capable of storing roll paper P. The storage section 21 is opened and closed by opening and closing the lid 3 relative to the housing 2.

[0012] The roll paper P is a generally cylindrical sheet of long thermal paper wound up, with the paper being pulled out from the outer periphery at the end of the roll. The diameter of the roll paper P gradually decreases as the paper is pulled out.

[0013] The storage section 21 stores the roll paper P when the lid 3 is open. The roll paper P stored in the storage section 21 is not fixed by a shaft support or the like within the storage section 21 (a so-called drop-in type), and can move (move) freely within the space within the storage section 21.

[0014] Storage section 21 has wall section 25 and wall section 26. Wall section 25 has surface 251. Wall section 26 has surface 261. Wall section 25 and wall section 26 are disposed opposite each other so that surfaces 251 and 261 form an acute angle with each other. Wall section 25 and wall section 26 support roll paper P stored in storage section 21 by having surfaces 251 and 261 abut against the outer peripheral surface G of roll paper P.

[0015] The housing 2 is also provided with a pressing unit 32. The pressing unit 32 has a shaft 33 supported by the housing 2 and is rotatable around the shaft 33 relative to the housing 2. The pressing unit 32 has a flapper 34 extending from the shaft 33, and a roller 35 made of metal with a predetermined weight that is attached to the tip of the flapper 34 and functions as a weight. The flapper 34 has a curve that follows the outer surface G of the large-diameter roll paper P that has just been stored in the storage unit 21, and is positioned along the outer surface G of the roll paper P. The roller 35 is rotatable relative to the flapper 34.

[0016] Because the roller 35 has a certain weight, the pressing unit 32 rotates around the shaft 33 under its own weight toward the roll paper P (toward the bottom in Figure 2) when the cover 3 is closed (or it may rotate toward the roll paper P by being urged toward the roll paper P by the cover 3). Therefore, the flapper 34 of the pressing unit 32 abuts against the outer surface G of the roll paper P, which has a large diameter. The roller 35 does not abut against the outer surface G of the roll paper P while the diameter of the roll paper P is large. However, once the diameter of the roll paper P becomes smaller than a certain value, the roller 35 abuts against the outer surface G of the roll paper P. In this state, the flapper 34 does not abut against the outer surface G of the roll paper P. Furthermore, when the diameter of the roll paper P becomes smaller than a certain value, the roller 35 functions to help separate the paper when it is pulled out from the roll paper P, and also functions as a guide to transport the pulled paper toward the print head 23.

[0017] A print head 23 is also provided inside the housing 2. The print head 23 is located approximately midway between the storage section 21 and the paper outlet 4, in the middle of the transport path for paper pulled out from the roll paper P. The print head 23 is a line thermal head with many heating elements arranged in a line. A platen 31 is also provided on the lid 3.

[0018] The platen 31 has a rubber-like cylindrical shape and is rotatably attached to the cover 3. When the cover 3 is closed relative to the housing 2, the platen 31 is positioned opposite the print head 23 and presses against it. Paper drawn from the roll paper P is sandwiched between the print head 23 and the platen 31, and the platen 31 is rotated by a drive unit (not shown), drawing the paper from the roll paper P and transporting the sandwiched paper toward the issuing port 4. The print head 23 applies heat to the paper as it is transported by selectively generating heat from heating elements aligned in a line, printing information on the paper as it is transported. The printed paper is then ejected from the issuing port 4 to the outside. As the paper is drawn from the roll paper P, printed, and ejected from the issuing port 4 to the outside, the diameter of the roll paper P gradually decreases.

[0019] When the cover 3 is opened, the platen 31 moves away from the print head 23, thereby opening the paper transport path. Therefore, by opening the cover 3, paper can be easily pulled out from the roll paper P stored in the storage section 21 and set between the print head 23 and the platen 31.

[0020] The storage unit 21 is also provided with a near-end detector 24. The near-end detector 24 is configured, for example, with a transmissive optical sensor that outputs differently depending on whether it receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit. The near-end detector 24 is provided so that it can detect the roll paper P located in the deepest part 211 of the storage unit 21. The deepest part 211 refers to the deepest position in the storage unit 21 in the direction of gravity. The near-end detector 24 detects the outer periphery S of the roll paper P located in the deepest part 211, thereby detecting a near-end, which indicates that there is little paper remaining wound around the roll paper P.

[0021] The extension of the surface 251 of the wall 25 and the extension of the surface 261 of the wall 26 both extend toward the near-end detector 24. That is, the near-end detector 24 is located approximately in the extension direction of the surface 251, and the near-end detector 24 is located approximately in the extension direction of the surface 261. Preferably, the surfaces 251 and 261 form an acute angle less than 90°. The near-end detector 24 is located near the intersection of the extension of the surface 251 and the extension of the surface 261. Therefore, as the diameter of the roll paper P decreases, the roll paper P gradually moves along the surfaces 251 and 261, approaching the near-end detector 24, as shown in FIG. 3 . That is, as the diameter of the roll paper P decreases, the roll paper P moves toward the deepest part 211. The outer periphery S of the moved roll paper P is eventually detected by the near-end detector 24. The near-end detection unit 24 detects the near-end of the roll paper P by detecting the outer periphery S of the roll paper P. In other words, when the outer periphery S of the roll paper P is detected by the near-end detection unit 24, it indicates that the diameter of the roll paper P has become significantly smaller and that there is little paper remaining wound around the roll paper P.

[0022] The pressing unit 32 also presses the roll paper P toward the near-end detector 24. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, while the diameter of the roll paper P is large, the pressing unit 32 presses the roll paper P toward the near-end detector 24 by having the flapper 34 come into contact with the outer surface G of the roll paper P. Therefore, even if the roll paper P is a drop-in type and can move within the storage unit 21, and the roll paper P tries to move around when being pulled out from the roll paper P, the pressing unit 32 presses the roll paper P toward the near-end detector 24, preventing the roll paper P from moving around. This allows the roll paper P to be pulled out smoothly.

[0023] 3, as the diameter of the roll paper P decreases, the roll paper P is pressed by its own weight and the flapper 34, and is guided by surfaces 251 and 261, gradually moving toward the deepest part 211 of the storage section 21, i.e., toward the near-end detection unit 24. Furthermore, when the diameter of the roll paper P becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the roller 35 comes into contact with the outer surface G of the roll paper P, pressing the roll paper P toward the near-end detection unit 24. Therefore, even if the roll paper P is a drop-in type and can move freely within the storage section 21, and the roll paper P tries to move wildly when it is pulled out from the roll paper P, the pressing unit 32 (roller 35) presses the roll paper P toward the near-end detection unit 24, preventing the roll paper P from moving wildly. This allows the near-end detection unit 24 to accurately detect the roll paper P, improving the accuracy of the near-end detection of the roll paper P by the near-end detection unit 24.

[0024] Figure 4 shows the printer 1 of the paper storage device of this embodiment with the lid 3 rotated upward from the housing 2 to open the opening 22 of the housing 2. Figure 4 shows the lid 3 rotated approximately 90 degrees. When the lid 3 is opened, the pressing portion 32 provided on the housing 2 rotates upward as the lid 3 is opened. That is, when the lid 3 is opened upward, the opening of the lid 3 abuts against the pressing portion 32 near the shaft 33, and the pressing portion 32 rotates upward around the shaft 33 in response to the upward opening of the lid 3. As a result, the pressing portion 32 (specifically, the flapper 34 or roller 35) moves away from the outer periphery S of the roll paper P.

[0025] Furthermore, as the cover 3 is opened, the platen 31 moves upward and away from the print head 23. In this state, the pressing unit 32 does not press against the roll paper P. When replacing or refilling the roll paper P, new roll paper P is thrown in through the opening 22. The thrown-in roll paper P is positioned with its outer surface G abutting against the surface 251 of the wall 25 and the surface 261 of the wall 26. Paper is then pulled out from the roll paper P and set between the print head 23 and the platen 31. When the cover 3 is then closed, the paper is sandwiched between the print head 23 and the platen 31. Furthermore, the flapper 34 of the pressing unit 32 presses the roll paper P in the direction of the near-end detector 24.

[0026] Next, we will explain the installation position of the near-end detection unit 24 and the deepest part 211. As shown in Figure 3, when the printer 1 is placed flat, the deepest part 211 is the lowest position in the storage unit 21 where roll paper P, whose diameter has decreased, moves while being guided by surfaces 251 and 261. The near-end detection unit 24 is installed near the deepest part 211. Therefore, the near-end detection unit 24 detects roll paper P that has moved to the deepest part 211.

[0027] Depending on the environment in which the printer 1 is used, it may be installed at an angle. FIG. 5 shows the printer 1 installed on a table tilted at approximately 45 degrees. In this state, all components of the printer 1 are tilted at 45 degrees from the flat state (the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). However, even when the printer 1 is tilted at 45 degrees, the near-end detector 24 is still located near the deepest part 211 of the storage section 21. Therefore, even in this state, the roll paper P, whose diameter has decreased, is guided by surfaces 251 and 261 and moved to the deepest part 211 of the storage section 21 by its own weight and pressure from the roller 35. Therefore, even when the printer 1 is installed at an angle of 45 degrees, the near-end detector 24 can detect the roll paper P that has moved to the deepest part 211. Furthermore, even when paper is pulled from the roll paper P located at the deepest part 211, the roll paper P can be prevented from moving uncontrollably. This allows the near-end detector 24 to accurately detect the near-end of the roll paper P.

[0028] Depending on the environment in which the printer 1 is used, it may be installed vertically. FIG. 6 shows the printer 1 installed, for example, by hanging it on a wall tilted by 90 degrees (vertical installation). In this state, all components of the printer 1 are tilted 90 degrees from the flat state (the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). However, even when the printer 1 is tilted 90 degrees, the near-end detector 24 is still located near the deepest part 211 of the storage section 21. Therefore, even in this state, the roll paper P, whose diameter has decreased, is guided by surfaces 251 and 261 and moved to the deepest part 211 of the storage section 21 by its own weight and pressure from the roller 35. Therefore, even when the printer 1 is installed at a 90-degree angle, the near-end detector 24 can detect the roll paper P that has moved to the deepest part 211. Furthermore, even when paper is pulled from the roll paper P located at the deepest part 211, the roll paper P can be prevented from moving uncontrollably. This allows the near-end detector 24 to accurately detect the near-end of the roll paper P.

[0029] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0030] For example, in the above embodiment, the printer 1 is described as being placed at 0° (flat), tilted at 45°, and tilted vertically at 90°, but the printer 1 may be placed at any angle between 0° and 90°.

[0031] In addition, in the embodiment, the printer 1 has been described as an example of a paper storage device. However, the paper storage device is not limited to this, and may be a device other than the printer 1. For example, the paper storage device may be a device built into the printer 1, or may be a device attached to the printer 1. Furthermore, the paper storage device may be a device attached to a device other than the printer 1.

[0032] In the embodiment, the surface 251 of the wall portion 25 and the surface 261 of the wall portion 26 are described as being provided so as to form an acute angle with each other. However, this is not limiting, and the surface 251 of the wall portion 25 and the surface 261 of the wall portion 26 may be arranged to face each other at an angle smaller than 180°.

[0033] In addition, in the embodiment, a transmissive optical sensor is used as the near-end detector 24. However, the near-end detector 24 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a reflective optical sensor or a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the outer periphery of the approaching roll paper P by physically contacting the outer periphery. The near-end detector 24 may also be a sensor that detects the core tube of the approaching roll paper P. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Printer 2. Case 3 Lid 4 Issuance outlet 5. Opening and closing section 21 Storage area 22 Opening 23 Print head 24 Near-end detector 25 Wall 26 Wall 31 Platen 32 Pressing section 33 axes 34 Flapper 35 Laura 211 Deepest 251 sides 261 sides G Outer surface P Roll paper S outer circumference [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0035] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-295436

Claims

1. A housing, a storage section provided within the housing for storing roll paper on which long sheets of paper are wound; a conveying unit that draws out the roll paper from the storage unit in one direction and conveys it; a near-end detector that detects a near-end when the diameter of the roll paper stored in the storage unit decreases; a pressing section that presses the roll paper stored in the storage section toward the near-end detection section; Equipped with the storage section has a pair of walls that are provided at an acute angle toward the near-end detection section, the walls abut against the outer periphery of the roll paper to support the roll paper, and guide the roll paper, which is being pulled out in the one direction and whose diameter is decreasing, toward the near-end detection section in a direction substantially opposite to the one direction; the pressing portion has a first pressing member pivotally supported within the housing and a second pressing member rotatably provided on the first pressing member, When the diameter of the roll paper becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the second pressing member presses the roll paper in the substantially opposite direction toward the near-end detector, the near-end detector is provided to be able to detect when the roll paper is near the end; Paper storage device.

2. The first pressing member presses the roll paper in the approximately opposite direction toward the near-end detection unit when the diameter of the roll paper is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The paper storage device according to claim 1 .

3. The storage section has a deepest part in the direction of gravity regardless of the installation angle of the housing, the near-end detector is provided to be able to detect the near-end of the roll paper located at the deepest part; The paper storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a cover that opens and closes the storage section, and the pressing portion moves away from the roll paper when the cover is opened; The paper storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the near-end detector detects the near-end of the roll paper by detecting the outer periphery of the roll paper; The paper storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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