Thermal printer

Abstract

To provide a thermal printer which is configured to efficiently accumulate glue in a groove formed in a blade, so as to be able to reduce loads of maintenance, such as reducing work for cleaning the glue until the end of a service life of the printer.SOLUTION: A thermal printer 1 performs printing on a linerless label L provided with a gluing surface having glue S made to adhere to a rear surface thereof. The thermal printer 1 comprises a cutter unit 4 which has: a stationary blade 100; and a movable blade 200 that reciprocates between a first position opposing to the stationary blade 100 across the linerless label L and a second position where at least a portion the blade overlaps with the stationary blade 100 to make a cut in the linerless label L. The movable blade 200 comprises a groove 300 that has an edge on a sliding surface which slides with the stationary blade 100 at the second position. The edge has a glued edge part 321 formed on the sliding surface and a glue-removing edge part 322 intersecting with an advancing direction B and formed on the sliding surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , ,

[0003] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal printer.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a thermal printer that rotates a platen roller while sandwiching a recording paper between the platen roller and a thermal head, and performs printing on the printing surface of the recording paper by the thermal head while conveying the recording paper. By the way, for food POS labels, various display labels, etc., so-called linerless labels may be used for the recording paper for the purpose of reducing environmental impact and improving convenience. A linerless label is a recording paper having an adhesive paste on the surface opposite to the printing surface and not provided with a backing paper covering the paste. This paste adheres to the fixed blade and the movable blade for cutting during cutting, and becomes a load during cutting. Therefore, there is known a printer provided with a movable blade that forms a groove along the cutting edge of the fixed blade or the movable blade and drops the paste into the groove. Since the groove formed parallel to the cutting edge of the fixed blade or the movable blade accumulates paste in a part of the groove, a printer is devised in which a notch portion that can be contacted from the outside with respect to the cutting edge portion is provided in the housing as shown in Patent Document 1 and the cutting edge can be cleaned.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, the blades need to be cleaned regularly, and when the housing lid (opening / closing cover) is opened for cleaning or other reasons, the fixed and movable blades attached to the housing lid are exposed, which could cause injury if touched. In addition, the user had to visually check the adhesive accumulating on the blades and clean them at an appropriate time, making maintenance work difficult.

[0005] This invention was made with these circumstances in mind, and aims to reduce the maintenance burden by efficiently accumulating glue in grooves provided on the blade, thereby reducing the amount of work required to clean the glue throughout the lifespan of the printer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, this invention proposes the following means. A thermal printer according to a first aspect of the present invention is a thermal printer for printing on a linerless label having an adhesive surface on its back side, and comprises a cutter unit having a fixed blade provided on the back side of the linerless label, and a movable blade that reciprocates between a first position facing the fixed blade with the linerless label in between, and a second position where at least a portion overlaps the fixed blade and cuts the linerless label, wherein the movable blade has a first cutting edge that cuts the linerless label, and a groove with an edge on a sliding surface that slides with the fixed blade at the second position, and the edge has an adhesive-stopping edge portion formed on the sliding surface along the direction of travel, and an adhesive-scraping edge portion formed on the sliding surface intersecting the direction of travel.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the thermal printer according to the first aspect, the first cutting edge is formed in a V-shape toward the center of the movable blade toward the second position side in the direction of travel.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the thermal printer according to the first or second aspect has at least three or more adhesive-fastening edge portions formed in the groove.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a thermal printer according to any of the first to third aspects, the adhesive-cutting edge portion of the groove is formed on the sliding surface so as to be parallel to the first cutting edge.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a thermal printer according to any of the first to third aspects, the adhesive-cutting edge portion of the groove is formed on the sliding surface intersecting the direction of travel.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer according to any of the first to fifth aspects is wherein the movable blade has at least one groove on the sliding surface, and the grooves are arranged symmetrically with respect to a symmetric axis parallel to the direction of travel.

[0012] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer according to any of the first to sixth aspects is wherein the movable blade has a plurality of grooves on the sliding surface, and adjacent grooves are arranged to overlap in the direction of travel.

[0013] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer according to any one of the first to seventh aspects has, in the direction of travel, a region on the sliding surface delimited by the width of the linerless label having at least one groove over the entire width direction perpendicular to the direction of travel on the sliding surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the thermal printer of the present invention, adhesive can be efficiently stored in grooves provided on the blade, reducing the maintenance burden by decreasing the amount of work required to clean the adhesive throughout the lifespan of the printer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1]It is a perspective view of a thermal printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view showing the internal configuration of the thermal printer along the A-A cross section of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the movable blade of the thermal printer. [Figure 4] It is a diagram explaining a series of flows in which glue adheres to the cutter unit and a glue lump portion is formed due to the reciprocating movement of the movable blade of the thermal printer. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the state when the movable blade of the thermal printer approaches the fixed blade and reaches the second position P2. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the state when the movable blade of the thermal printer separates from the fixed blade and reaches the first position P1. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the cutter unit of the thermal printer according to the above embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the cutter unit of the thermal printer according to the above embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the cutter unit of the thermal printer according to the above embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the cutter unit of the thermal printer according to the above embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining a modification example of the cutter unit of the thermal printer according to the above embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the embodiments and modification examples described below, corresponding configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements such as "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "coaxial", etc. not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent states in which they are relatively displaced with tolerances and angles and distances that can obtain the same function.

[0017] [Thermal Printer 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the thermal printer 1. Further, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the same thermal printer 1 along the A-A cross-section side of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the thermal printer 1 includes a casing 2, a printing unit 3, a cutter unit 4, and a linerless label L. The thermal printer 1 is installed on an installation surface G. In the following description of the casing 2 and the printing unit 3, the direction perpendicular to the installation surface G is defined as the vertical direction (arrow UP is upward), and the two directions orthogonal to the vertical direction are defined as the front-back direction (arrow FR is forward) and the left-right direction (arrow LH is leftward).

[0018] [Casing 2] The casing 2 is formed in a box shape. Specifically, the casing 2 includes a housing 20 and an upper cover 21.

[0019] The housing 20 is formed in a box shape having an upper end opening 20a at the upper side and is installed on the installation surface G. The housing 20 has a size such that a platen roller 30 of the printing unit 3, the cutter unit 4, and the linerless label L, which will be described later, can be accommodated therein.

[0020] The upper cover 21 opens and closes the upper end opening 20a of the housing 20. Specifically, the upper cover 21 is formed in a box shape that opens downward and has a shape equivalent to that of the housing 20 in plan view. The upper cover 21 is overlapped with the housing 20 from above in the closed position to close the upper end opening 20a of the housing 20. At this time, a discharge port 23 is formed between the housing 20 and the upper cover 21, which communicates the inside and outside of the casing 2 and is formed in a slit shape extending in the left-right direction. The discharge port 23 discharges the linerless label L printed by the printing unit 3 forward. On the other hand, in the open position, the upper cover 21 retreats from above the housing 20 to open the upper end opening 20a of the housing 20.

[0021] [Printing Unit 3] As shown in Figure 2, the printing unit 3 includes a platen roller 30 and a thermal head 31.

[0022] The platen roller 30 is a rubber roller that extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller 30 is located at the front end of the housing 20 (the part located closer to the discharge port 23). The platen roller 30 is rotatable around an axis O1 that runs along the left-right direction, and rotates in accordance with the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) when conveying the linerless label L.

[0023] The thermal head 31 is located inside the upper cover 21, near the exhaust port 23. The thermal head 31 is equipped with multiple heating elements arranged in a straight line along the left-right direction. The thermal head 31 is fixed to the front end of the upper cover 21 with the heating elements facing downwards.

[0024] The platen roller 30 and the thermal head 31 face each other in the vertical direction, with the linerless label L in between. The thermal head 31 is in close contact with the platen roller 30 when the upper cover 21 is in the closed position. The linerless label L passes between the platen roller 30 and the thermal head 31 in accordance with the rotation of the platen roller 30. The heating pattern of the heating element of the thermal head 31 is controlled based on a signal output from a control board (not shown). The heat from the heating element is transferred to the printing surface L1 of the linerless label L, and information (characters, figures, etc.) corresponding to the heating pattern is printed on the printing surface L1.

[0025] [Cutter Unit 4] As shown in Figure 2, the cutter unit 4 comprises a fixed blade 100, a movable blade 200, and a moving mechanism (not shown). The cutter unit 4 uses the moving mechanism (not shown) to move the movable blade 200 back and forth relative to the linerless label L, and cuts the linerless label L by sandwiching it between the movable blade 200 and the fixed blade 100.

[0026] In the following description of the cutter unit 4 and linerless label L, the direction in which the linerless label L is transported is referred to as the transport direction A. In the transport direction A, the direction in which the linerless label L is transported is referred to as the destination side (downstream side) A1, and the direction opposite to the destination side A1 is referred to as the source side (upstream side) A2. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction A, in which the movable blade 200 moves and cuts the linerless label L with the fixed blade 100 and the movable blade 200, is referred to as the travel direction B. In the travel direction B, the direction in which the movable blade 200 moves away from the fixed blade 100 is referred to as the away side B1, and the direction in which the movable blade 200 approaches the fixed blade 100 and makes a cut in the linerless label L is referred to as the cutting side B2. In addition, the paper width direction of the linerless label L perpendicular to the transport direction A and the travel direction B is referred to as the width direction C.

[0027] In this embodiment, the transport direction A is approximately the same as the front-to-back direction. The travel direction B is approximately the same as the up-and-down direction. The width direction C is approximately the same as the left-to-right direction. However, the transport direction A does not have to be the same as the front-to-back direction. The travel direction B does not have to be the same as the up-and-down direction. The width direction C does not have to be the same as the left-to-right direction.

[0028] The fixed blade 100 is located within the housing 20, between the platen roller 30 and the discharge port 23, and is positioned on the adhesive surface L2 side, which is the back surface of the linerless label L. The fixed blade 100 is formed in a plate shape extending in the width direction C. The fixed blade 100 is fixed by a predetermined means by a support part (not shown) provided within the housing 20. The fixed blade 100 also includes a second cutting edge 110 and a fixed blade back clearance surface 120.

[0029] The second cutting edge 110 is the cutting edge of the fixed blade 100, which is located on the detached side B1 in the direction of travel B. The back clearance surface 120 of the fixed blade is a plane located on the transport destination side A1 in the transport direction A, and is the surface that faces the movable blade 200 in the transport direction A when the linerless label L is cut by the fixed blade 100 and the movable blade 200.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the movable blade 200 is located inside the upper cover 21, between the thermal head 31 and the discharge port 23, and is positioned on the printing surface L1 side, which is the surface of the linerless label L. The movable blade 200 is formed in a plate shape extending in the width direction C. The movable blade 200 is fixed by a support part (not shown) provided inside the housing 20 by predetermined means. Furthermore, the movable blade 200 reciprocates in the direction of travel B by a moving mechanism (not shown). As shown in Figure 3, the movable blade 200 includes a first cutting edge 210, a movable blade backing surface 220, and an adhesive reservoir groove 300 (groove).

[0031] The moving mechanism (not shown) supports the movable blade 200 and moves the movable blade 200 back and forth between a first position P1 and a second position P2. The first position P1 is the position of the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200 when the movable blade 200 is moved away from the fixed blade 100 to the furthest point B1 in the direction of travel B. The second position P2 is the position of the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200 when the movable blade 200 is moved to the cutting side B2 in the direction of travel B. When the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200 is in the second position P2, the fixed blade 100 and the movable blade 200 overlap when viewed from the transport direction A (see Figure 5). In the direction of travel B, the region on the back surface 220 of the movable blade 200, which is sandwiched between the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200 at the second position P2 and the second cutting edge 110 of the fixed blade 100, is defined as "region T".

[0032] The first cutting edge 210 is the cutting edge of the movable blade 200 that makes a cut in the linerless label L. The first cutting edge 210 is located on the cutting side B2 of the movable blade 200 in the direction of travel B. The cutter unit 4 moves the movable blade 200 toward the second position P2 by a moving mechanism (not shown) and slides it while overlapping it with the fixed blade 100, thereby cutting the linerless label L between the first cutting edge 210 and the second cutting edge 110.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200 is formed in a V-shape that extends toward the away side (first direction side) B1 in the direction of travel B, from both ends in the width direction C toward the central part 211. A recess 212 is formed in the central part 211 in the width direction C of the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200, recessed toward the away side (first direction side) B1 relative to the first cutting edge 210. The bottom of the recess 212 is configured not to come into contact with the linerless label L when the cutter unit 4 cuts the linerless label L. As a result, when the cutter unit 4 cuts the linerless label L, a portion of the linerless label L that faces the recess 212 is left uncut (so-called partial cut). In this embodiment, a configuration in which one recess 212 is formed, resulting in one portion of the remaining material being left uncut (single point remaining), is described, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, multiple recesses 212 may be provided to form multiple portions of the remaining material (multiple portions remaining). Note that the recess 212 is not an essential component.

[0034] The movable blade back clearance surface 220 is located on the transport source side A2 of the movable blade 200 in the transport direction A, and is the surface facing the fixed blade 100. The movable blade back clearance surface 220 also has a sliding surface 230 in part. Here, the central axis O2 is defined as an axis on the movable blade back clearance surface 220 that passes through the central part 211 of the first cutting edge 210 and is horizontal to the direction of travel B. Furthermore, in the width direction C, the surface of the movable blade back clearance surface 220 from the central axis O2 to the first end side C1 is defined as the first surface 221. Also, the surface of the movable blade back clearance surface 220 from the central axis O2 to the second end side C2 is defined as the second surface 222. Note that the central axis O2 does not necessarily have to be an axis that passes through the central part 211. The central axis O2 should be an axis of symmetry such that the adhesive reservoir groove 300 of the first surface 221 and the adhesive reservoir groove 300 of the second surface 222 are symmetrical.

[0035] The sliding surface 230 is the portion of the movable blade back clearance surface 220 that overlaps with the area T when viewed from the conveying direction A.

[0036] The adhesive reservoir groove 300 is a circumferential groove that does not penetrate to the non-movable blade back clearance side (not shown) of the movable blade 200, and is formed on the movable blade back clearance surface 220. The adhesive reservoir groove 300 has a groove opening 310 on the movable blade back clearance surface 220 and forms an edge portion 320 at its periphery. The depth of the adhesive reservoir groove 300 can be appropriately set within a range that does not penetrate to the non-movable blade back clearance side. Furthermore, it is desirable that the adhesive reservoir groove 300 be large enough to accumulate the adhesive mass portion SA described later until the end of the thermal printer 1's lifespan.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the edge portion 320 is the peripheral edge of the adhesive reservoir groove 300. The edge portion 320 comprises an adhesive-stopping edge portion 321 and an adhesive-removing edge portion 322.

[0038] The adhesive-stopping edge portion 321 is the edge of the adhesive reservoir groove 300 formed along the direction of travel B. The adhesive-stopping edge portion 321 includes an edge extending parallel to the direction of travel B and an edge extending in a direction that is not parallel to the direction of travel B but intersects with the direction of travel B at an angle of approximately 45 degrees or less. The adhesive-stopping edge portion 321 further includes a first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a and a second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b.

[0039] The first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a is an edge on both ends of the movable blade 200 that forms a groove opening 310, and it prevents the adhesive mass portion SA, which will be described later, from moving toward the central axis O2.

[0040] The second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b is an edge on the side of the central axis O2 where the groove opening 310 is located, and it prevents the adhesive mass portion SA from moving from the central axis O2 toward both ends of the movable blade 200 in the width direction C.

[0041] The first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a is provided on the first surface 221 of the first end side C1 of the movable blade 200, relative to the central axis O2. By forming the first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a on the sliding surface 230, it is possible to prevent the adhesive mass SA from moving toward the central axis O2 due to the action of the cutter unit 4 of the thermal printer 1, which will be described later. Note that it is sufficient to have at least one first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a on the sliding surface 230. Furthermore, the adhesive-stopping edge portion 321 can be appropriately set according to the shape of the blade tip and the location of movement of the adhesive mass SA. In addition, there may be multiple adhesive-stopping edge portions 321 in the adhesive reservoir groove 300.

[0042] The adhesive-removing edge portion 322 is an edge that intersects with the direction of travel B and is formed in the adhesive reservoir groove 300. The adhesive-removing edge portion 322 includes an edge that extends parallel to the width direction C and an edge that extends in a direction that is not parallel to the width direction C but intersects with the width direction C at an angle of approximately 45 degrees or less. The adhesive-removing edge portion 322 further includes a first adhesive-removing edge portion 322a and a second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b.

[0043] The first adhesive-scraping edge portion 322a is an edge in the direction of travel B where the cutting side B2 becomes a groove opening 310, and has the function of scraping off the adhesive S that has adhered to the movable blade 200 when the movable blade 200 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0044] The second adhesive scraping edge portion 322b is an edge whose detached side B1 in the direction of travel B becomes a groove opening 310, and has the function of scraping off the adhesive S fixed to the movable blade 200 when the movable blade 200 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2. On the first surface 221, at least one first adhesive scraping edge portion 322a is provided on the sliding surface 230. Note that there may be multiple adhesive scraping edge portions 322 in the adhesive reservoir groove 300.

[0045] Each adhesive reservoir groove 300 comprises one first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a, one second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, one first adhesive-removing edge portion 322a, and one second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b. The first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a, the second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, the first adhesive-removing edge portion 322a, and the second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b are connected to each other. Three adhesive reservoir grooves 300 of approximately the same size are provided on the first surface 221, and in the following description, they will be distinguished as the first adhesive reservoir groove 300a, the second adhesive reservoir groove 300b, and the third adhesive reservoir groove 300c, respectively. Note that the adhesive reservoir grooves 300 formed on the second surface 222 from the central axis O2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis O2 with respect to the adhesive reservoir grooves 300 formed on the first surface 221, so their description will be omitted.

[0046] On the first surface 221, the first adhesive reservoir groove 300a is formed on the side of the central axis O2. The third adhesive reservoir groove 300c is formed on the first end side C1 of the first surface 221 of the movable blade 200. The second adhesive reservoir groove 300b is formed between the first adhesive reservoir groove 300a and the third adhesive reservoir groove 300c. The adhesive reservoir grooves 300 are evenly arranged in the width direction C on the first surface 221. The number and size of the first adhesive reservoir groove 300a, the second adhesive reservoir groove 300b, and the third adhesive reservoir groove 300c are not particularly limited and are appropriately selected according to the type of thermal printer 1 and the size of the movable blade 200.

[0047] [Linerless Label L] As shown in Figure 2, the linerless label L is a recording paper used for printing by the thermal printer 1. The linerless label L has a print surface L1 on its front surface and an adhesive surface L2 on the back surface of the cutting side B2, which is coated with adhesive S. The print surface L1 is covered with a release layer (for example, a silicone coating). In the direction of travel B, the linerless label L is wound around a cylindrical core material R1 with the print surface L1 facing the separation side B1 and the adhesive surface L2 facing the cutting side B2, thereby forming a roll section R. Note that the roll section R may also be configured without a core material R1. The leading end LA of the linerless label L is pulled out to the transport destination side A1 and inserted between the thermal head 31 and the platen roller 30. The roll section R is located on the transport source side A2 inside the housing 20 and is inserted and removed through the upper end opening 20a of the housing 20 when the upper cover 21 is in the open position.

[0048] The adhesive S is formed when the adhesive S applied to the adhesive surface L2 of the linerless label L is separated by the reciprocating motion of the movable blade 200 of the cutter unit 4 and adheres to the cutter unit 4, thereby forming an adhesive mass SA.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the adhesive mass SA is formed when the adhesive S adheres to the cutter unit 4 due to the reciprocating motion of the movable blade 200 of the cutter unit 4. First, in Figure 4(a), the movable blade 200 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 along the direction of travel B. Then, the movable blade 200 makes a cut in the linerless label L between itself and the fixed blade 100, and moves the adhesive S on the adhesive surface L2 of the linerless label L, causing it to separate from the linerless label L. The adhesive S that has separated from the linerless label L adheres to the movable blade 200 and the fixed blade 100, forming the adhesive mass SA. Next, in Figure 4(b), the movable blade 200 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1 along the direction of travel B, and reciprocates between the first position P1 and the second position P2 (first reciprocation). The adhesive mass SA formed at this time is moved by the movable blade 200 to the vicinity of the second cutting edge 110 of the fixed blade 100. Next, in Figure 4(c), the movable blade 200 moves again along the direction of travel B from the first position P1 to the second position P2. As a result, the adhesive mass SA that has adhered to the vicinity of the second cutting edge 110 of the fixed blade 100 adheres to the approaching movable blade 200 and moves along with it. Next, in Figure 4(d), the movable blade 200 moves along the direction of travel B from the second position P2 to the first position P1, and reciprocates between the first position P1 and the second position P2 (second reciprocation). The adhesive mass SA that has adhered to the movable blade 200 is pushed onto the movable blade 200 as the movable blade 200 and the fixed blade 100 slide against each other. As the series of first and second reciprocations by the movable blade 200 are performed a predetermined number of times, the adhesive mass SA is deformed, multiple masses are formed, and it gradually adheres to and accumulates on the movable blade 200.

[0050] [Effect] Next, the operation of the cutter unit 4 of the thermal printer 1 described above will be explained in Figures 5 and 6.

[0051] Figure 5 shows the moment when the movable blade 200 of the thermal printer 1 approaches the fixed blade 100 and reaches the second position P2. As described above, in Figure 4, the adhesive mass SA is fixed to the movable blade 200 by a series of first and second reciprocating movements performed by the movable blade 200 multiple times. When the movable blade 200 approaches the fixed blade 100 and moves toward the second position P2, the adhesive mass SA fixed to the movable blade 200 is scraped off by the first adhesive scraping edge portions 322a or each second adhesive scraping edge portion 322b of the first adhesive reservoir groove 300a, second adhesive reservoir groove 300b, and third adhesive reservoir groove 300c, and dropped into each adhesive reservoir groove 300. At this time, frictional force is applied to the adhesive mass SA in a direction along the adhesive scraping edge portion 322 which is formed to be substantially parallel to the cutting side B2 and the first cutting edge 210. When force is applied to the adhesive mass SA on the cutting side B2, a force is also applied to move it toward the central axis O2 within the adhesive reservoir groove 300 along the adhesive scraping edge 322. Each first adhesive scraping edge 322a restrains the movement of the adhesive mass SA in the direction of travel B once it has fallen into the adhesive reservoir groove 300. In addition, each first adhesive stopping edge 321a restrains the adhesive mass SA from moving toward the central axis O2. As shown in Figure 5, the adhesive mass SA accumulates within the adhesive reservoir groove 300 on the cutting side B2 of the adhesive reservoir groove 300, toward the central axis O2.

[0052] Figure 6 shows the moment when the movable blade 200 of the thermal printer 1 separates from the fixed blade 100 and reaches the first position P1. In Figure 6, the glue mass SA that has been dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300 slides against the back surface 120 of the fixed blade 100 as the movable blade 200 separates from the fixed blade 100 and moves toward the first position P1. At this time, frictional force is applied to the glue mass SA in the direction along the second glue scraping edge portion 322b, which is formed to be approximately parallel to the separation side B1 and the first cutting edge 210. A force is applied to the glue mass SA on the separation side B1, and a force is also applied to move it toward the first end side C1 within the glue reservoir groove 300 along the second glue scraping edge portion 322b. Each second glue scraping edge portion 322b restrains the movement of the glue mass SA in the direction of travel B as it is dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300. Furthermore, each second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b restrains the adhesive mass portion SA from moving toward the first end C1 of the movable blade 200.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, when the glue mass SA is scraped off, it is pushed into the glue reservoir groove 300 towards the transport destination side A1 in the transport direction A. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the movable blade 200 separates from the fixed blade 100 and reaches the first position P1, the glue mass SA that has been dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300 does not move from the position shown in Figure 5, even if force is applied to the separation side B1 and the first end side C1. However, the position of the glue mass SA is not particularly limited. The glue mass SA may move in the direction to which the force is applied.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first adhesive reservoir groove 300a, the second adhesive reservoir groove 300b, and the third adhesive reservoir groove 300c provided on the sliding surface 230 each have a first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a and a second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, respectively. This prevents the adhesive mass SA from moving toward the central axis O2 side or the first end side C1, and allows it to accumulate in the adhesive reservoir groove 300.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each first adhesive scraping edge 322a or each second adhesive scraping edge 322b scrapes off the adhesive clumps SA that are fixed to the fixed blade 100 and the movable blade 200 into the adhesive reservoir groove 300. This eliminates cutting defects in the cutter unit 4 caused by the adhesion of the adhesive clumps SA and reduces the sliding load on the blades.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the adhesive clumps SA can be evenly accumulated in the grooves for a long period of time, thus reducing maintenance work without having to check the amount of adhesive clumps SA that have accumulated.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is no need to clean the glue clump SA, and the risk of cutting one's hands with the blades of the cutter unit can be eliminated.

[0058] As described above, the thermal printer 1 according to this embodiment efficiently accumulates adhesive in grooves provided on the blade, reducing the need to clean the adhesive for the lifespan of the printer.

[0059] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the embodiment include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that fall within the so-called equivalent range. Moreover, the components disclosed in the embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0060] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the components shown in the above-described embodiment and the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0061] (modified version) Modified examples of the adhesive reservoir groove 300 of the movable blade 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 11. In the modified examples of the adhesive reservoir groove 300 shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, the adhesive reservoir groove 300 formed on the second surface 222 is symmetrical with respect to the first surface 221 with respect to the central axis O2, so its description will be omitted.

[0062] (Variation 1) As shown in Figure 7, the adhesive reservoir grooves 300A of the movable blade 200A are provided on the first surface 221 from the central axis O2, with multiple grooves of approximately the same size and evenly arranged in the width direction C. Similar to this embodiment, the adhesive reservoir groove 300A connects a first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a, a second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, and further, a first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a and a second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b formed along the width direction C perpendicular to the direction of travel B, to form a groove opening 310A. Each second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b is provided on the sliding surface 230. Each second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b becomes the lower end of each adhesive reservoir groove 300A and is arranged in a straight line along the width direction C. The first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a becomes the upper end of each adhesive reservoir groove 300A and is arranged in a straight line in the width direction C.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4, when the movable blade 200A moves back and forth, the glue mass SA is scraped off from the movable blade 200A by the second glue scraping edge 322b provided on the sliding surface 230 and dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300A. Since the first glue scraping edge 322a and the second glue scraping edge 322b are formed along the width direction C perpendicular to the direction of travel B, the glue mass SA is subjected to force only on the away side B1 by friction. The first glue scraping edge 322a and the second glue scraping edge 322b can restrain the movement of the glue mass SA in the direction of travel B once it has been dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300A. Even in this case, each glue reservoir groove 300A can evenly accumulate the glue mass SA in its respective glue reservoir groove 300A.

[0064] (Modification 2) Next, as shown in Figure 8, the adhesive reservoir grooves 300B of the movable blade 200B are provided in multiple locations on the first surface 221 from the central axis O2, varying in size and evenly arranged in the width direction C. Similar to this embodiment, the adhesive reservoir grooves 300B connect the first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a, the second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, the first adhesive-removing edge portion 322a, and the second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b to form a groove opening 310B. Each first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a and each second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b are provided on the sliding surface 230. Each second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b becomes the lower end of each adhesive reservoir groove 300B and is arranged substantially parallel to the cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200B. The first adhesive-removing edge portion 322a becomes the upper end of each adhesive reservoir groove 300B and is arranged in a straight line along the width direction C.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4, when the movable blade 200B moves back and forth, the glue mass SA is scraped off from the movable blade 200B by the second glue scraping edge 322b provided on the sliding surface 230 and dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300B. Since the second glue scraping edge 322b is formed to be substantially parallel to the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200B, a frictional force is applied to the cutting side B2 of the glue mass SA, and a force is applied to move it toward the central axis O2 along the second glue scraping edge 322b within the glue reservoir groove 300B. Each first glue scraping edge 322a restrains the movement of the glue mass SA in the direction of travel B once it has been dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300B. In addition, each first glue-stopping edge 321a restrains the glue mass SA from moving toward the central axis O2. Even in this case, each adhesive reservoir groove 300B can evenly accumulate the adhesive mass SA into its respective adhesive reservoir groove 300B.

[0066] (Variation 3) Next, as shown in Figure 9, the movable blade 200C is provided with adhesive reservoir grooves 300Ca and 300Cb of different sizes on the first surface 221 from the central axis O2, and is arranged in the width direction C. The adhesive reservoir groove 300Ca, located on the side of the central axis O2, connects the first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a, the second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, the first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a, and the second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b, forming a groove opening 310C. The first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a of the adhesive reservoir groove 300Ca extends in the width direction C along the first cutting edge 210 to near the center of the first surface 221, and has a bent portion F along the way. The second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b is formed in a manner that follows the aforementioned first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a. In the glue reservoir groove 300Cb, which is formed in multiple locations on the first surface 221 of the movable blade 200C rather than the glue reservoir groove 300Ca, each first glue-stopping edge portion 321a is positioned on the cutting side B2 of the glue reservoir groove 300Cb, in a straight line approximately parallel to the cutting edge of the movable blade 200C. In addition, each second glue-scraping edge portion 322b is positioned on the away side B1 of the glue reservoir groove 300Cb, in a straight line parallel to the width direction C. Furthermore, the first glue-scraping edge portion 322a and the second glue-scraping edge portion 322b are formed at an angle that is symmetrical in the width direction C with respect to the angle of the cutting edge. Each first glue-stopping edge portion 321a of the glue reservoir groove 300Ca and glue reservoir groove 300Cb is provided on the sliding surface 230. At least a portion of the first adhesive-cutting edge portions 322a of the adhesive reservoir grooves 300Ca and 300Cb is also provided on the sliding surface 230. Furthermore, in the direction of travel B, adjacent adhesive reservoir grooves 300Ca or adhesive reservoir grooves 300Cb are arranged on the same straight line when the movable blade 200C moves back and forth. In addition, along the direction of travel B, in a region 230B which is a part of the sliding surface 230 delimited by the width of the linerless label L, adhesive reservoir grooves 300Ca or adhesive reservoir grooves 300Cb are formed over the entire width direction C on the sliding surface 230.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, when the movable blade 200C moves back and forth, the glue mass SA is scraped off from the movable blade 200C by the second glue scraping edge 322b provided on the sliding surface 230 and dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300Ca or glue reservoir groove 300Cb. In addition, each first glue scraping edge 322a and the second glue scraping edge 322b restrains the movement of the glue mass SA in the direction of travel B once it has been dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300Ca or glue reservoir groove 300Cb. Furthermore, each first glue-stopping edge 321a restrains the glue mass SA from moving toward the central axis O2. Even in this case, as shown in Figure 9, the glue reservoir groove 300Ca or glue reservoir groove 300Cb can evenly accumulate the glue mass SA. Furthermore, in the direction of travel B, when the movable blade 200C moves back and forth, the adjacent adhesive reservoir grooves 300Ca or 300Cb are formed in region 230B, either within the adhesive reservoir groove 300Ca or the adhesive reservoir groove 300Cb, allowing the adhesive mass SA to be efficiently scraped off from the cutter unit 4.

[0068] (Modification 4) Next, as shown in Figure 10, one adhesive reservoir groove 300D of the movable blade 200D is provided on the first surface 221 from the central axis O2. Similar to this embodiment, the adhesive reservoir groove 300D connects the first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a, the second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, the first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a, and the second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b to form a groove opening 310D. Each first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a and each second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b is provided on the sliding surface 230. At least three first adhesive-stopping edge portions 321a and second adhesive-stopping edge portions 321b are provided on the sliding surface 230 of the adhesive reservoir groove 300D. Each first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a and second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200D.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4, when the movable blade 200D moves back and forth, the glue mass SA is scraped off from the movable blade 200D by the second glue scraping edge 322b and dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300D. Since the first glue scraping edge 322a and the second glue scraping edge 322b are formed to be substantially parallel to the first cutting edge 210 of the movable blade 200D, a frictional force is applied to the glue mass SA on the cutting side B2, and a force is also applied along the second scraping edge 322b that moves it toward the central axis O2 within the glue reservoir groove 300D. Each first glue scraping edge 322a restrains the movement of the glue mass SA in the direction of travel B once it has been dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300D. In addition, each first glue stopping edge 321a restrains the glue mass SA from moving toward the central axis O2. Even in this case, each adhesive reservoir groove 300D can evenly accumulate the adhesive mass SA into its respective adhesive reservoir groove 300D.

[0070] (Variation 5) Next, as shown in Figure 11, the movable blade 200E has one adhesive reservoir groove 300E on the back surface 220 of the movable blade. Similar to this embodiment, the adhesive reservoir groove 300E connects the first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a, the second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b, the first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a, and the second adhesive-cutting edge portion 322b to form a groove opening 310E. In addition, along the direction of travel B, a portion of the sliding surface 230 provided on the cutting side B2 in the direction of travel B is divided by the width of the linerless label L and is designated as region 230B. The adhesive reservoir groove 300E overlaps with region 230B and is formed over the entire width direction C on the sliding surface 230. The first adhesive-cutting edge portion 322a is the upper end of the adhesive reservoir groove 300E and is arranged in a straight line along the width direction C. The second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b is the lower end of the adhesive reservoir groove 300E and is arranged in a straight line along the width direction C. The second adhesive-removing edge portion 322b overlaps with the area 230B on the sliding surface 230. The first adhesive-stopping edge portion 321a and the second adhesive-stopping edge portion 321b do not necessarily have to be provided on the sliding surface 230.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4, when the movable blade 200E moves back and forth, the glue mass SA is scraped off the movable blade 200E by the second glue scraping edge 322b and dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300E. Since the first glue scraping edge 322a and the second glue scraping edge 322b are formed along the width direction C perpendicular to the direction of travel B, the glue mass SA is subjected to frictional force only on the side away from it B1. The first glue scraping edge 322a and the second glue scraping edge 322b can restrain the movement of the glue mass SA in the direction of travel B once it has been dropped into the glue reservoir groove 300E. Furthermore, since the glue reservoir groove 300E is formed in region 230B, the glue mass SA can be efficiently scraped off the cutter unit 4. In this case as well, the glue reservoir groove 300E can evenly accumulate the glue mass SA within the groove 300E.

[0072] In any of the above embodiments, the thermal printer according to the present invention can efficiently accumulate adhesive in grooves provided on the blades, thereby reducing the maintenance burden by decreasing the need to clean the adhesive throughout the lifespan of the printer. [Industrial applicability]

[0073] The thermal printer according to the present invention can efficiently accumulate adhesive in grooves provided on the blades, reducing the maintenance burden by decreasing the need to clean the adhesive throughout the lifespan of the printer, making it suitable for industrial use. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1. Thermal printer 2 Casing 3 Printing Units 30 Platen Rollers 31 Thermal Head 4 Cutter Unit 100 fixed blade 110 Second cutting edge 120 Fixed blade back surface 200 movable blade 210 First cutting edge 220 Movable blade back surface 230 Sliding surface 230B area 300 Glue accumulation groove (groove) 321 Adhesive-fastened edge 322 Glue-removed edge A Conveying direction B Direction of travel C Width direction L Linerless Label L1 printing side L2 Adhesive surface (back side) O1 axis O2 center axis P1 first position P2 2nd position

Claims

1. A thermal printer for printing on linerless labels having an adhesive surface with adhesive on the back, A fixed blade provided on the back side of the linerless label, A movable blade that reciprocates between a first position facing the fixed blade with the linerless label in between, and a second position where at least a portion overlaps the fixed blade and cuts the linerless label, Equipped with a cutter unit having, The movable blade has a first cutting edge that makes the cut in the linerless label, and a plurality of grooves having edges on the sliding surface that slides with the fixed blade at the second position. The aforementioned edge, A glue-stopping edge portion formed on the sliding surface along the direction of travel of the movable blade, A glue-scraping edge portion is formed on the sliding surface, intersecting the direction of travel of the movable blade, Having, Thermal printer.

2. The first cutting edge is formed in a V-shape toward the center of the movable blade on the second position side in the direction of travel. The thermal printer according to claim 1.

3. At least three or more adhesive-retaining edge portions are formed in the groove. A thermal printer according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The glue-cutting edge portion of the groove is formed on the sliding surface parallel to the first cutting edge. A thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The glue-cutting edge portion of the groove is formed on the sliding surface intersecting the direction of travel. A thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The movable blade has the groove on the sliding surface, The grooves are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the direction of travel. A thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The movable blade has the groove on the sliding surface, The adjacent grooves are arranged to overlap in the direction of travel. A thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. In the region on the sliding surface delimited by the width of the linerless label, the groove is formed over the entire width of the sliding surface perpendicular to the direction of travel. A thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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