printer

Abstract

To provide a technique that can reduce paper jamming.SOLUTION: A printer, which forms an image on paper, is provided with: a movable blade 243 that moves closer to a fixed blade 14 so that at least a tip thereof runs on the fixed blade 14, so as to cut off paper positioned between the fixed blade 14 and the movable blade; an enclosure 241 having an opening 245 through which the movable blade 243 can be inserted, which stores the movable blade 243; and a blocking guide 26 that blocks a gap between the movable blade 243 and the blocking guide in the opening 245 and when the tip of the movable blade 243 rides on the fixed blade 14, keeps on blocking the gap by following the riding-on.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, printers that form images on continuous paper, such as plain paper or thermal paper, transport the continuous paper after image formation to a predetermined length and then cut it into the desired shape using a built-in cutter device. The cutter device has a fixed blade and a movable blade, which are spaced apart to allow the continuous paper to pass through. With the continuous paper positioned between them, the movable blade moves toward the fixed blade to cut the continuous paper.

[0003] Such cutter devices are positioned so that a gap is formed between them and surrounding components such as the printer housing and cover. As a result, the leading edge of the cut paper may get caught in the gap after cutting the continuous paper. If the movable blade returns to its original position while the leading edge of the paper is caught in the gap, the paper may get caught inside the cutter device, causing a paper jam. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-305732 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce paper jams. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment is a printer that forms an image on paper, and includes a movable blade that approaches a fixed blade and cuts the paper located between it and the fixed blade by having at least its tip ride up on the fixed blade, a storage section that has an opening through which the movable blade can be inserted and that stores the movable blade, and a blocking guide that blocks the gap between the movable blade and the opening and, when the tip of the movable blade rides up on the fixed blade, follows the ride up to continue the blocking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a printer that stores roll paper according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cover of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cover of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the cutter unit with the movable blade in a standby state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 10 is a plan view showing the cutter unit in a state in which the movable blade has advanced and is in contact with the fixed blade. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a plan view showing the cutter unit in a state in which the movable blade has further advanced and is beginning to ride over the fixed blade. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 10 is a plan view showing the cutter unit in a state in which the movable blade has further advanced and is riding on the fixed blade further. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0009] (Printer configuration) The configuration of a printer according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a printer that stores roll paper according to this embodiment. Figs. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a plan view showing a cover of the printer according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 3.

[0010] The printer 1 according to this embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 4, is configured as a thermal printer that prints using a direct thermal recording printing method using continuous paper (paper) S, which is direct color-developing paper such as thermal paper. The printer 1 comprises a housing 10 that houses roll paper R, which is continuous paper S wound in a roll, and a cover 20 that can be opened and closed relative to the housing 10, with an outlet 30 formed on the top surface through which the continuous paper S is discharged after being cut. In the following description, the diagonally lower right side of the printer 1 shown in Figure 1 will be referred to as the front of the printer 1, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear.

[0011] The housing 10 is formed in a roughly box shape that defines a storage space that stores the roll paper R. The front side of the housing 10 protrudes upward compared to the rear side, and this portion forms part of the top surface of the printer 1.

[0012] The cover 20 is formed so as to be able to cover the upper rear surface of the housing 10. The cover 20 has a pair of support shafts 201, shown in Fig. 2, provided at one end thereof, which are rotatably supported within the housing 10. The cover 20 rotates about the pair of support shafts 201 to open and close the storage space of the housing 10.

[0013] The discharge outlet 30 is formed across the top surface of the housing 10 and the front surface of the cover 20. Specifically, it is formed by a cutout portion formed on the rear side of the top surface of the housing 10 and a cutout portion formed on the front side of the top surface of the cover 20. The discharge outlet 30 is formed as a recess by being recessed downward. A fixed blade 14 and a cutter unit 24, which will be described in detail later, are provided within the discharge outlet 30. The continuous paper S is cut by the fixed blade 14 and the cutter unit 24, allowing the user to obtain the cut continuous paper S from the discharge outlet 30.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, a frame 101 that is roughly C-shaped in plan view and open at the rear is provided within the housing 10. A print head 12 is attached to the top of the frame 101, i.e., near the discharge port 30. The print head 12 has multiple heating elements that are adjacent to each other in the width direction (left-right direction) of the continuous paper S. The print head 12 forms an image on the continuous paper S by causing the multiple heating elements to generate heat in response to input pulse waves.

[0015] The upper surface of the frame 101 forms part of the bottom surface of the above-mentioned discharge port 30. A fixed blade 14 that cuts the continuous paper S in cooperation with a movable blade 243 of the cutter unit 24, which will be described later, is attached to the upper surface of the frame 101 using a fastener such as a screw. The fixed blade 14 is a plate-like member that extends in the left-right direction, and its rear end forms a blade portion that cuts the continuous paper S between itself and the movable blade 243.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the cover 20 is formed with an inclined surface 202 that slopes downward toward the front within the discharge port 30. Two guide covers 203 are formed at the front end of the inclined surface 202, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and curved to protrude upward from the inclined surface. Details of the guide covers 203 will be described later. As shown in Fig. 4, below the inclined surface 202 and the guide covers 203, the platen roller 22 and the cutter unit 24 are provided and fixed to the cover 20.

[0017] The platen roller 22 is a feed roller that is rotatably supported within the cover 20 at a position opposite the print head 12 so as to press the continuous paper S against the print head 12 from the back side. The platen roller 22 is driven to rotate by a rotating device such as a motor, and transports the continuous paper S unwound from the roll paper R so that it is discharged from the discharge opening 30.

[0018] The cutter unit 24 is located above the platen roller 22, in other words, downstream in the transport direction of the continuous paper S. The cutter unit 24 has a generally box-shaped housing 241 that is long in the left-right direction. A movable blade 243 is provided within the housing 241. The movable blade 243 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction, and its tip forms a blade portion that cuts the continuous paper S between itself and the fixed blade 14. The movable blade 243 is configured to be movable forward and backward in the front-rear direction by a drive device (not shown), such as a solenoid. The drive device is driven and controlled by a control device built into the printer 1. The movable blade 243 is installed on the bottom surface of the housing 241, inserted into an opening 245 that extends in the left-right direction and is formed in the lower part of the front side wall of the housing 241.

[0019] The opening 245 is formed with a predetermined length in the vertical direction so as to define a gap between it and the movable blade 243, specifically above the movable blade 243. The fixed blade 14 is provided in front of the opening 245 so as to face it. Hereinafter, this gap will be referred to as the opening gap. The movable blade 243 inserted in the opening 245 advances and retreats toward the fixed blade 14. The movable blade 243 comes into contact with the fixed blade 14 to cut the continuous paper S interposed therebetween. Note that in Figures 2 to 4, the cutter unit 24 is in a cutting state in which a portion of the movable blade 243 rides on the fixed blade 14 and is positioned at the most forward position.

[0020] Both left and right ends 247 of the front end of the movable blade 243 are bent upward at an acute angle (for example, 45°) as shown in Fig. 2. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the movable blade 243 is shaped to be recessed inward from both ends 247 toward the center in the left and right direction. In other words, both ends 247 protrude toward the fixed blade 14 more than the center in the left and right direction.

[0021] 2 to 4, a blocking guide 26 for blocking the opening 245 is disposed between the cutter unit 24 and the guide cover 203. The blocking guide 26 is a flexible plate-like member that extends in the left-right direction and bends in a generally L-shape in side view so as to contact the front upper surface and front face of the housing 241 and cover these surfaces. Such a blocking guide 26 is preferably configured as a molded product manufactured by, for example, resin molding. Alternatively, the blocking guide 26 may be configured from an elastic body such as rubber, and the material and manufacturing method are not limited as long as it is flexible and can block the opening 245.

[0022] The blocking guide 26 closes the opening 245 while leaving a path of movement for the movable blade 243 by constantly abutting its tip, i.e., its front lower end, against the upper surface of the movable blade 243. Specifically, the blocking guide 26 abuts against the upper surface of the movable blade 243 so as to block the gap between the edge of the opening 245 and the upper surface of the movable blade 243. The blocking guide 26 abuts against the upper surface of the housing 241 and the lower surface of the guide cover 203 so that its rear side is sandwiched between them. The front side of the blocking guide 26 is separated from the tip of the guide cover 203 in a standby state (see FIG. 6 ) in which the movable blade 243 is not moving forward. On the other hand, the front side of the blocking guide 26 abuts against the tip of the guide cover 203 in a cutting state, as will be described later.

[0023] The closing guide 26 is formed integrally with a sensor cover 28, which is located approximately in the center in the left-right direction. The sensor cover 28 is formed in a box shape that houses a paper sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of continuous paper S, and its bottom surface is integrated with the closing guide 26. An opening for the paper sensor is formed in the front of the sensor cover 28 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The sensor cover 28 is fixed to the cover 20 at its rear side. Therefore, the closing guide 26 is fixed to the cover 20 via the sensor cover 28.

[0024] The continuous paper S is transported to a certain extent into the discharge opening 30 before being cut by the fixed blade 14 and the cutter unit 24. For this reason, the blocking guide 26 and the sensor cover 28 each have a plurality of protrusions extending vertically and projecting forward, arranged in a row in the left-right direction, at least on the front wall surface. These protrusions can reduce the contact area between the blocking guide 26 and an adhesive layer applied or provided on the back surface of the continuous paper S, for example, when the roll paper R is a linerless type.

[0025] (Operation of cutter unit 24) Next, the operation of the cutter unit 24 and the blocking guide 26 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the cutter unit with the movable blade in a standby state, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the cutter unit with the movable blade having advanced and come into contact with the fixed blade, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the cutter unit with the movable blade having further advanced and beginning to ride up onto the fixed blade, and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the cutter unit with the movable blade having further advanced and riding up onto the fixed blade to a greater extent. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE shown in Fig. 11.

[0026] 5 and 6, when the cutter unit 24 is in a standby state, the vicinity of both ends 247 of the movable blade 243 protrudes from the opening 245 to the outside of the housing 241. In other words, both ends 247 of the movable blade 243 are exposed inside the discharge port 30. At this time, as described above, the gap between the opening 245 formed above the movable blade 243 and the movable blade 243 is blocked by the blocking guide 26. In addition, the blocking guide 26 is spaced apart so as to define a gap between it and the tip of the guide cover 203. Hereinafter, this gap will be referred to as the guide gap in the following description.

[0027] The printer 1 is in a standby state, for example, when the power is turned off or immediately after the power is turned on, when an image is formed on the continuous paper S, or when the continuous paper S is being ejected after image formation. In the standby state, the continuous paper S is interposed between the movable blade 243 and the fixed blade 14. For example, when setting roll paper R in the printer 1, the roll paper R is first set in the storage space of the housing 10 with the continuous paper S somewhat unwound. After setting, the cover 20 is closed so that the unwound continuous paper S is sandwiched between the platen roller 22 and the print head 12. When closed, the continuous paper S is interposed between the movable blade 243 and the fixed blade 14 of the cutter unit 24.

[0028] After the roll paper R is set or after printing, and a predetermined amount of continuous paper S is transported into the discharge port 30, the movable blade 243 is advanced as shown in Figures 7 and 8. As the movable blade 243 advances, it approaches the fixed blade 14. Even during this advance, the closure guide 26 continues to close the opening gap. As the advance continues, first both ends 247 of the movable blade 243 come into contact with the fixed blade 14.

[0029] 9 and 10, when the movable blade 243 advances further, the fixed blade 14 slides over the underside of the inclined ends 247, causing the ends 247 to ride up onto the fixed blade 14. At this time, the continuous paper S begins to be cut from both ends in the width direction by the movable blade 243 and the fixed blade 14.

[0030] When the movable blade 243 rides over the fixed blade 14, both ends 247 of the movable blade 243 move upward by the thickness of the fixed blade 14. Therefore, the movable blade 243 is inclined so that it rises upward as it moves forward in the front-to-rear direction. This upward movement of the movable blade 243 is permitted by the opening gap defined above the movable blade 243, as described above. Therefore, it is preferable that the vertical length of the opening gap be equal to or greater than the upward movement distance caused by the movable blade 243 riding over the fixed blade 14.

[0031] When the movable blade 243 moves upward, the blocking guide 26, whose tip abuts against the movable blade 243, is also biased in the same direction. Because the blocking guide 26 is flexible as described above, it is displaced so as to bend in response to the movement of the movable blade 243. This displacement causes the tip of the blocking guide 26 to move upward in an arc. By displacing the blocking guide 26 in this way, it is possible to allow the movable blade 243 to move upward while maintaining a state in which the opening gap is closed.

[0032] This displacement of the blocking guide 26 is permitted because a guide gap is defined between the blocking guide 26 and the guide cover 203, as described above. The vertical length of this guide gap is preferably equal to or greater than the upward movement (displacement) distance of the blocking guide 26. In particular, it is preferable to set the vertical length of the guide gap equal to the above-mentioned movement distance, since this allows the guide gap to be completely closed. If the guide gap can be closed, it is possible to prevent not only the opening gap but also the continuous paper S from entering the guide gap. Note that even if the guide gap is set to be less than the above-mentioned movement distance, the blocking guide 26 is flexible, so the upward movement of the tip of the blocking guide 26 and the movable blade 243 is not hindered. However, in this case, a high load will be applied to the blocking guide 26.

[0033] 11 and 12, when the movable blade 243 advances further after riding on the paper, the rear portions of both ends 247 also move on the fixed blade 14. At this time, the state of riding on the fixed blade 14 and the closure of the opening gap by the closure guide 26 are maintained. As the movable blade 243 advances, the continuous paper S is cut by the movable blade 243 and the fixed blade 14 from both ends in the width direction to the center.

[0034] As the movable blade 243 advances further, it reaches the most forward position as shown in Figures 2 to 4. When the movable blade 243 reaches the most forward position, the cutter unit 24 enters a cutting state in which it completes cutting the continuous paper S in the width direction. After cutting the continuous paper S, the movable blade 243 retreats until it enters a standby state, and the biasing force on the blocking guide 26 is released accordingly, causing the blocking guide 26 to return to its original state. Even during this transition from the cutting state to the standby state, the blocking of the opening gap by the blocking guide 26 is maintained.

[0035] According to the present embodiment described above, the closing guide 26 can be made to follow the movement of the movable blade 243, thereby maintaining the opening gap closed. In particular, because the roll paper R is made of wound continuous paper S, the curl that occurs in the continuous paper S becomes stronger as the continuous paper S is used. Therefore, if the opening gap is not closed, there is a high probability that the cut continuous paper S will bend toward the opening gap and become inserted into the opening gap. If the movable blade 243 is retracted in this state, a paper jam will occur due to the cut continuous paper S. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the opening gap can be maintained closed, thereby reliably preventing paper jams caused by the cut continuous paper S getting caught in the opening gap.

[0036] Furthermore, because the blocking guide 26 is flexible, the blocking guide 26 is elastically deformed so as to be lifted when the movable blade 243 rides up onto the fixed blade 14. Therefore, no high force is applied to the movable blade 243, and the forward movement of the movable blade 243 is not hindered.

[0037] In this embodiment, the printer 1 is described as printing using a direct thermal recording printing method, but other methods may also be used. Furthermore, the roll paper R does not have to be thermal paper. The continuous paper S may be a label sheet with multiple labels attached continuously at intervals, or may have a liner. In other words, the continuous paper S may be in sheet form.

[0038] Furthermore, the sensor cover 28, which is formed integrally with the blocking guide 26, may be pivotally supported within the cover 20 so as to be able to swing up and down. In this case, the blocking guide 26 does not need to be flexible. This is because the blocking guide 26 and the sensor cover 28 can swing upward integrally as a unit with the upward movement of the movable blade 243.

[0039] Similarly, the blocking guide 26 does not need to be flexible as long as the blocking guide 26 can move upward in response to the upward movement of the movable blade 243. For example, if there is a sufficient distance between the blocking guide 26 and the guide cover 203, the blocking guide 26 can move upward in response to the upward movement of the movable blade 243.

[0040] The blocking guide 26 and the sensor cover 28 may also be configured as separate bodies. In this case, it is preferable that the blocking guide 26 be supported or locked between the cutter unit 24 and the cover 20 so as not to fall out of the guide gap. Alternatively, the blocking guide 26 may be partially flexible by forming only the tip of the blocking guide 26 from an elastic material using two-color molding or the like.

[0041] Furthermore, although the blocking guide 26 has been described as a plate-like member that is roughly L-shaped in a side view, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the blocking guide 26, two or more rod-like members extending in the vertical direction can be arranged between the cutter unit 24 and the guide cover 203, spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. If the two rod-like members are configured so that their tip ends abut the movable blade 243 and are connected to each other at their rear ends, the opening gap can be blocked with a line rather than a surface, and the continuous paper S can be prevented from entering.

[0042] Also, although the blocking guide 26 has been described as contacting the upper surface of the movable blade 243, it may be in close proximity without contacting. In this case, if most of the opening gap can be blocked, the intrusion of the continuous paper S into the opening gap can be reduced, thereby reducing paper jams.

[0043] Although an embodiment of the invention has been described, 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 and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. Printer 14 Fixed blade 203 Guide cover 241 Housing (container) 243 Movable blade 245 Opening (Opening) 26 Occlusion Guide S continuous paper

Claims

1. A printer for forming an image on paper, a movable blade that approaches a fixed blade and cuts the paper positioned between the fixed blade and the movable blade by having at least a tip thereof ride on the fixed blade; a housing portion having an opening through which the movable blade can be inserted and housing the movable blade; a closing guide that closes a gap between the movable blade and the opening and, when a tip of the movable blade runs onto the fixed blade, follows the run-up to continue the closing; Equipped with the blocking guide abuts against the fixed blade side of the upper surface of the storage section and a front surface facing the fixed blade side, and is disposed in a space between the storage section and a guide cover that covers the blocking guide so as to cover the front surface and the fixed blade side of the upper surface, A gap is defined between the blocking guide and the tip of the guide cover, The vertical length of the gap is approximately the same as the upward movement distance of the blocking guide caused by the tip of the movable blade running onto the fixed blade. A printer characterized by:

2. The closing guide performs the closing by contacting a tip end of the movable blade with one surface.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. When the tip of the movable blade rides up on the fixed blade, at least a portion of the closure guide is displaced to follow the ride-up and continue the closure.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

4. The blocking guide has flexibility so that it can follow the tip of the movable blade when the tip of the movable blade runs over the fixed blade.

4. The printer according to claim 3.

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