printer

Abstract

To reduce an occupied space of a printer performing printing on a fan-fold paper, in comparison with constitution in which a housing portion, a transportation path and a printing portion are arranged in parallel in a straight line along a transportation direction.SOLUTION: A printer 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a casing 20 in which a delivery port 21b is formed at a front panel 21 pointing to one side; a housing tray 30 which is arranged inside the casing 20 and houses a fan-fold paper PF; a guide plate 40 which turns the fan-fold paper PF pulled out from the housing tray 30 to the opposite side of the delivery port 21b and guides the paper to a transportation path 50 arranged between a bottom surface of the housing tray 30 and a bottom surface of the casing 20; a transportation roller 60 which transports toward the delivery port 21b, the fan-fold paper PF guided by the guide plate 40 to the transportation path 50; and a printing portion 70 which performs printing on the fan-fold paper PF being transported by the transportation roller 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer.

Background Art

[0002] As one of the printing media printed by a printer, fan-fold paper is known. Fan-fold paper is a long sheet of paper extending in one direction, and is a paper that is alternately folded in a Z shape from perforations provided on the paper at intervals defined in the paper length direction and extending in the paper width direction and stacked. And as a printer for printing on fan-fold paper, the printer described in Patent Document 1 is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a printer prints on fan-fold paper, it is necessary to unfold the fan-fold paper before printing. In a configuration in which the fan-fold paper is drawn out from the storage unit along a virtual straight line connecting the storage unit for storing the folded fan-fold paper and the printing unit and conveyed to the printing unit, the printer unfolds the fan-fold paper through a conveyance path formed along the virtual straight line. Therefore, the occupied space of the printer having this configuration is such that the respective occupied spaces corresponding to at least the storage unit, the conveyance path, and the printing unit are arranged linearly along the conveyance direction.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer with a smaller occupied space compared to a configuration in which a storage unit, a conveyance path, and a printing unit are arranged linearly along the conveyance direction in a printer for printing on fan-fold paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is A housing having an outlet formed on one side, The enclosure is located inside the housing and includes a storage section for housing fanfold paper, A guide unit that redirects the fanfold paper pulled out from the storage unit on the opposite side of the discharge port and guides it to a transport path provided between the bottom surface of the storage unit and the bottom surface of the housing, A conveying roller that conveys the fanfold paper guided from the guide section to the conveying path toward the discharge port, A printing unit that prints on fanfold paper conveyed by the aforementioned transport roller, This is a printer equipped with [features / equipment]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a printer that prints on fanfold paper, the space occupied by the printer can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the storage unit, transport path, and printing unit are arranged in a straight line along the transport direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic layout diagram showing the internal structure of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic layout diagram showing the internal structure of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic layout diagram showing the internal structure of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic layout diagram showing the internal structure of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic layout diagram showing a modified example of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic layout diagram showing a modified example of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The forms described below are not limited to those shown in the brief description of the drawings.

[0010] A first aspect of one aspect of the present invention is a printer comprising: a housing having an outlet formed on one side; a storage section disposed inside the housing for storing fanfold paper; a guide section for guiding the fanfold paper, which has been pulled out from the storage section to the side opposite the outlet, to a transport path provided between the bottom surface of the storage section and the bottom surface of the housing; a transport roller for transporting the fanfold paper, which has been guided from the guide section to the transport path, toward the outlet; and a printing section for printing on the fanfold paper transported by the transport roller.

[0011] According to a first aspect of a certain embodiment of the present invention, the occupied space can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the storage unit, transport path, and printing unit are arranged in a straight line along the transport direction.

[0012] A second aspect of a certain embodiment of the present invention is the printer according to the first embodiment, wherein the housing has an outlet from which fanfold paper pulled out from the housing is sent to the outside of the housing, and an inlet from which fanfold paper sent to the outside of the housing is sent to the transport path.

[0013] According to a second aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, the space occupied by the housing can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the fanfold paper in the housing is guided to the transport path only through the inside of the housing.

[0014] A third aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that the guide part has a protruding part that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the housing between the outlet and the inlet, and the protruding part has a curved part that contacts the fan-fold paper so as to follow the fan-fold paper outside the housing. The printer according to the second aspect.

[0015] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, when the fan-fold paper is conveyed to the conveyance path via the outside of the housing, it can be smoothly conveyed.

[0016] A fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that the housing covers at least one of the outlet and the inlet, and includes a cover that opens at least one of the outlet and the inlet during operation. The printer according to the second or third aspect.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the intrusion of foreign matter into the inside of the housing during non-operation is suppressed.

[0018] A fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that the guide part includes one or a plurality of rod-shaped members extending in the paper width direction of the fan-fold paper inside the housing, and at least one end of the rod-shaped member is supported by the housing. The printer according to the first aspect.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, when the fan-fold paper is conveyed to the conveyance path via only the inside of the housing, it can be smoothly conveyed.

[0020] A sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that there are a plurality of the rod-shaped members, the guide part has a connecting member that connects two of the plurality of rod-shaped members, and the connecting member is the Detention area from Pulled out The printer according to the fifth aspect, which has a curved part that contacts the fan-fold paper so as to follow the fan-fold paper heading for the conveyance path.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of a certain embodiment of the present invention, when fanfold paper is transported to the transport path only through the inside of the housing, it can be transported even more smoothly. A seventh aspect of a certain embodiment of the present invention is the printer according to the third embodiment, wherein the position at which the fanfold paper in contact with the curved portion intersects the outer surface of the housing is higher than the position at which the uppermost surface of the fanfold paper folded in the housing intersects the outer surface when that uppermost surface is virtually extended to the outer surface of the housing. According to a seventh aspect of a certain embodiment of the present invention, compared to a configuration in which the position of the upper end of the curved portion and the position of the uppermost surface of the fanfold paper in the storage portion overlap in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the bending of the paper surface when the fanfold paper is pulled out.

[0022] An eighth aspect of a certain embodiment of the present invention is a printer according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the housing is detachable from the housing, the printing unit is capable of printing on roll paper, and the housing is capable of being fitted with a holding unit for holding the central axis of the roll paper when the housing is removed from the housing.

[0023] According to an eighth aspect of a certain embodiment of the present invention, printing can be done on roll paper instead of fanfold paper.

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0025] The printer according to the present invention prints information such as characters, symbols, figures, or barcodes on fanfold paper PF, which is an example of a printing medium, and discharges it to the outside of the housing through an output port provided on one side of the housing. In the following explanation, the side of the casing where the output port is located is considered the front, and the width direction (left-right), up-down direction (height), and depth direction (front-back) when viewing the printer from the front are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. Furthermore, when it is necessary to distinguish between one side and the other in the width direction, up-down direction, and depth direction, the right side when viewing the printer from the front will be referred to as the +X side, the left side as the -X side, the top side as the +Y side, the bottom side as the -Y side, the back side as the -Z side, and the front side as the +Z side.

[0026] (1) First Embodiment A printer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a housing 20, a storage tray 30, a guide plate 40, a transport roller 60, and a printing unit 70. The housing 20 has the function of covering the inside of the printer 10. The storage tray 30 is located inside the housing 20, on the opposite side of the output port 21b, with the transport roller 60 (described later) in between, and has the function of storing fanfold paper PF in a folded state. The storage tray 30 is an example of a storage unit. The storage tray 30 stores the fanfold paper PF so that the paper width direction of the fanfold paper PF is aligned with the left-right direction relative to the front of the printer. The guide plate 40 is located on the rear outside of the housing 20 when viewed from the front of the printer. Details of the housing 20, the storage tray 30, and the guide plate 40 will be described later.

[0027] The transport roller 60 has the function of gripping the unfolded fanfold paper PF with the printing unit 70 (described later) and transporting it toward the discharge port 21b. The printing unit 70 has the function of printing on the side of the fanfold paper PF that is being transported by the transport roller 60 that is opposite to the transport roller 60. The area where the fanfold paper PF is gripped by the transport roller 60 and the printing unit 70 is called the nip area NP.

[0028] Furthermore, the transport roller 60 can transport long sheets of paper other than fanfold paper PF. Specifically, the transport roller 60 can transport paper drawn from roll paper PR (see Figure 3), which is formed by winding a long sheet of paper extending in one direction into a roll. In addition, the printing unit 70 can print on the surface of the paper drawn from roll paper PR.

[0029] The printer 10 further includes a control unit (not shown) that controls various parts of the printer 10.

[0030] The storage tray 30 and the guide plate 40 have a structure that allows them to be attached to and detached from the housing 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the printer 10 has a structure that allows the holding part 80, which holds the central axis of the roll paper PR, to be attached to the housing 20 when the storage tray 30 is removed from the housing 20. In the following description, first, the configuration in which the storage tray 30 and the guide plate 40 are attached to the housing 20 will be described, and then the configuration in which the storage tray 30 is removed from the housing 20 and the holding part 80 is attached will be described.

[0031] (Configuration showing the storage tray 30 and guide plate 40 attached to the housing 20) <Enclosure 20> As shown in Figure 1, the housing 20 comprises a front panel 21, an operation panel 21a, a bottom panel 25, a rear panel 24, a side panel 23, and a top panel 22, with these panels covering a portion of the inside of the printer 10. The front panel 21 is a component that faces forward. The front panel 21 has an outlet 21b formed therein that ejects the unfolded fanfold paper PF in an upward position. The operation panel 21a is located to the left of the front panel 21 and is a component that faces forward. The operation panel 21a includes a display panel that accepts user input. The bottom panel 25 faces downward and is a component that forms the bottom surface of the housing 20. The rear panel 24 is located on the opposite side of the bottom panel 25 from the front panel 21 and the operation panel 21a and is a component that faces backward. The rear panel 24 is a component formed to overlap the front panel 21 and the control panel 21a when viewed from the front of the printer. The height of the right portion of the rear panel 24 that overlaps with the front panel 21 when viewed from the front of the printer is lower than the height of the front panel 21, creating a step. The side panel 23 is provided so as to span from the left edge of the control panel 21a to the left edge of the rear panel 24 when viewed from the front of the printer, and is a component that faces left when viewed from the front of the printer. The ceiling panel 22 is formed to span from the upper edge of the control panel 21a to the upper edge of the rear panel 24, and is a component that faces upward.

[0032] The casing 20 further includes a movable panel 27. The movable panel 27 is a component formed to the right of the top panel 22 when viewed from the front of the printer. The movable panel 27 comprises a top section 28 and a side section 26. The top section 28 is provided so as to span from the upper edge of the front panel 21 to the upper edge of the rear panel 24 and faces upward. The side section 26 is formed so as to extend downward from the right edge of the top section 28 and extends to the bottom panel 25, and faces to the right when viewed from the front of the printer. The top section 28 is divided into a front section 28a, which is the front part, and a rear section 29, which is the rear part. The front section 28a and the rear section 29 are connected by a hinge section 27a having a rotation axis about the X axis. Furthermore, the front section 28a is connected to the ceiling panel 22 by a hinge section 22a having a rotation axis around the Z axis, and is pivotable around the hinge section 22a. By pivoting the movable panel 27 towards the outer surface of the ceiling panel 22 around the hinge section 22a, the housing 20 is opened to a first open state, which exposes the inside of the printer 10. Note that the state in which the movable panel 27 is closed so as not to expose the inside of the printer 10, as shown in Figure 1, is called the closed state. The printer 10 is, in principle, in the closed state when not in operation.

[0033] The rear portion 29 of the movable panel 27 is pivotable around the hinge portion 27a when the movable panel 27 is in the closed position. The rear portion 29 pivots around the hinge portion 27a as shown in Figure 2. ni F By pivoting the front section 28a toward the outer surface, the housing 20 is moved to a second open state, which exposes the inside of the printer 10.

[0034] The open portion of the housing 20 in the second open state is the opening 20a. The opening 20a is formed in the housing 20 when it is in the second open state, and also when it is in the first open state. That is, the housing 20 has an opening 20a that allows the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 to be fed out to the outside of the housing 20 in the first open state or the second open state when the printer 10 is in operation. In other words, the opening 20a is formed when the movable panel 27 swings toward the outer surface of the ceiling panel 22 when the printer 10 is in operation. Also, the opening 20a is formed when the rear part 29 swings toward the outer surface of the front part 28a when the printer 10 is in operation. The rear part 29 is an example of a cover. The opening 20a is an example of an exit for the fanfold paper PF. The fanfold paper PF can be inserted and removed through the opening 20a. Specifically, in the printer 10, when it is in the first open state, the folded fanfold paper PF can be replenished into the storage tray 30 from the outside of the housing 20 through the opening 20a. Also, in the printer 10, when it is in the first open state, the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 can be unfolded and pulled out from the opening 20a toward the back of the rear panel 24. Furthermore, when the printer 10 is in the second open state, the folded fanfold paper PF can be replenished into the storage tray 30 (described later) from the outside of the housing 20 through the opening 20a. Also, when the printer 10 is in the second open state, the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 can be unfolded and pulled out from the opening 20a toward the back of the rear panel 24.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the rear section 29 covers the opening 20a when the housing 20 is in the closed position.

[0036] The rear panel 24 of the housing 20 has an inlet 20c formed therein, which allows the fanfold paper PF, which has been unfolded and sent out from the opening 20a to the outside of the housing 20, to be fed into the inside of the housing 20. The inlet 20c is positioned so that, when viewed from the front (front side) of the printer, its left-right position coincides with the output port 21b.

[0037] In the printer 10, when in the first open state, the leading edge of the fanfold paper PF, which is unfolded and fed out from the opening 20a to the outside of the housing 20 and fed into the inside of the housing 20 from the entrance 20c, can be inserted into the nip section NP via the transport path 50, which will be described later.

[0038] An inner frame (not shown) is provided inside the housing 20, extending in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The space inside the housing 20 is divided into two spaces aligned horizontally by this inner frame.

[0039] <Storage tray 30> As shown in Figure 2, the storage tray 30 is a tray located inside the housing 20 on the opposite side of the discharge port 21b, with the transport roller 60 (described later) in between.

[0040] The storage tray 30 comprises a bottom plate 31 and a stopper 32. The bottom plate 31 forms the bottom surface of the storage tray 30, on which the folded fanfold paper PF is placed. The stopper 32 contacts the rear edge of the fanfold paper PF placed on the bottom plate 31, as viewed from the front of the printer, and restricts its position in the depth direction. The storage tray 30 also contacts the edge of the fanfold paper PF in the paper width direction to restrict its position in the width direction, and may also be equipped with an adjustment means that allows adjustment of the width-direction restriction position to accommodate fanfold paper PF of different paper widths. The adjustment means of the storage tray 30 can be realized, for example, by a sliding mechanism that can slide left and right as viewed from the front of the printer. The storage tray 30 has an opening 33 on its upper side, and the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 can be pulled out rearward through the opening 33.

[0041] In this embodiment, the storage tray 30 is supported by a support part (not shown) that is detachably attached to the inner frame (not shown) of the housing 20, at a position spaced above the bottom panel 25. Therefore, a transport path 50 is formed between the bottom plate 31 of the storage tray 30 and the bottom panel 25. The transport path 50 is connected to the inlet 20c and the outlet 21b, and can pass through along the front-to-back direction when viewed from the front of the printer, with the fanfold paper PF unfolded and facing upwards. In other words, the transport path 50 is provided between the bottom surface of the storage tray 30 and the bottom surface of the housing 20. The storage tray 30 may also be detachably attached to the side panel 23.

[0042] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the bottom plate 31 of the storage tray 30 is inclined so that it becomes higher towards the front. As a result, even when the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 is continuously pulled out from the storage tray 30, the position in the front-to-back direction is maintained to be restricted by the stopper 32. This inclined arrangement of the storage tray 30 is also effective from the viewpoint of saving space. It is more preferable that the bottom plate 31 of the storage tray 30 is inclined at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees relative to the bottom panel 25 when viewed from the side of the printer. Furthermore, it is even more preferable that the bottom plate 31 of the storage tray 30 is inclined at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees relative to the bottom panel 25 when viewed from the side of the printer. Furthermore, if the inclination angle of the bottom plate 31 of the storage tray 30 relative to the bottom panel 25 exceeds 10 degrees, it increases the force with which the fanfold paper PF is pulled out from the opening 33 of the storage tray 30, which can lead to paper jams.

[0043] In this embodiment, the stopper 32 is preferably formed of a plate-shaped member that rises from the rear edge of the bottom plate 31 when viewed from the front of the printer and curves toward the rear. This prevents the fanfold paper PF being pulled out from the storage tray 30 from getting caught on the stopper 32 and allows it to be pulled out smoothly toward the rear. Furthermore, it is preferable that the upper end of the stopper 32 is located below the upper right edge of the rear panel 24.

[0044] <Information board 40> As shown in Figure 2, the guide plate 40 is a plate-shaped member that is located above the entrance 20c, extends vertically, and stands outward from the rear panel 24. For example, two guide plates 40 are provided side by side in the width direction, but the number of guide plates 40 can be set arbitrarily. The guide plate 40 has a semicircular portion 41 that, when viewed from the side of the printer, protrudes outward from the outer surface of the housing 20 from the rear panel 24. The upper end 41a of the semicircular portion 41 protrudes above the upper end of the stopper 32. The end 41a of the semicircular portion 41 protrudes above the upper end of the rear panel 24. The end 41a of the semicircular portion 41 partially overlaps with the rear portion 29 of the movable panel 27 in the closed state in the vertical direction. Thus, when viewed from the side of the printer, the semicircular portion 41 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the housing 20 between the opening 20a and the entrance 20c. The semicircular portion 41 is an example of a protruding part. The position where the fanfold paper PF, which is in contact with the end portion 41a of the semicircular portion 41, intersects with the back panel 24 is preferably higher than the position where the virtual plane KH, which is aligned with the top surface TS of the fanfold paper PF folded in the storage tray 30, intersects with the back panel 24. The virtual plane KH is a virtual plane that virtually extends the top surface TS of the fanfold paper PF to the back panel 24.

[0045] The guide board 40 is positioned in the paper width direction inward from the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the storage tray 30. The fanfold paper PF, which is stored in the storage tray 30 in a folded state, is first pulled out while making contact with the end 41a of the guide plate 40. As a result, the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 is pulled out in a direction that is inclined so that it becomes higher towards the back relative to the top surface TS in the folded state. The fanfold paper PF, pulled out from the storage tray 30 and sent out to the outside of the housing 20 through the opening 20a, is guided to the entrance 20c while in an unfolded state, in contact with the semicircular portion 41 of the guide plate 40. At this time, the fanfold paper PF is curved to conform to the curved edge of the semicircular portion 41. In other words, the semicircular portion 41 contacts the fanfold paper PF so as to conform to the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the opening 33 of the storage tray 30 and heading towards the transport path 50. The semicircular portion 41 is an example of a curved portion. The fanfold paper PF, guided to the entrance 20c by the guide plate 40, is then sent from the entrance 20c into the transport path 50 inside the housing 20. That is, the guide plate 40 redirects the fanfold paper pulled out from the storage tray 30 on the opposite side of the discharge port 21b at the rear of the storage tray 30 and guides it to the transport path 50. The guide plate 40 is an example of a guide.

[0046] Preferably, at least one of the two guide plates 40 has an adjustment means (not shown) that can adjust its position in the left-right direction to match the width of the fanfold paper PF. The adjustment means for the guide plate 40 can be realized, for example, by a sliding mechanism that can slide in the width direction of the fanfold paper PF. However, the adjustment means for the guide plate 40 is not limited to a sliding mechanism, and can also be realized, for example, by holes or grooves formed in the back panel 24 in a row in the left-right direction that engage with the guide plate 40.

[0047] Preferably, the two guide plates 40 have a structure that allows them to be attached to and detached from the housing 20 by engaging parts (not shown).

[0048] <Other> The transport roller 60 is rotatably supported by a support portion 62 located inside the housing 20 at the bottom on the discharge port 21b side. The support portion 62 has a damper 62a that applies tension to the fanfold paper PF, which is fed from the inlet 20c into the transport path 50 and heads toward the nip portion NP, and guides it toward the nip portion NP in a predetermined position. The transport roller 60 is connected to a drive means (not shown) which includes, for example, a gear and a motor. The drive means is controlled by a control unit and can drive the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 is rotated while the fanfold paper PF is held between the printing portion 70 and the nip portion NP, and transports the fanfold paper PF toward the discharge port 21b.

[0049] The printing unit 70 includes a thermal head 72 and an ink ribbon unit 74. The thermal head 72 is positioned above the transport roller 60 and is capable of gripping the fanfold paper PF with the transport roller 60. The ink ribbon unit 74 is positioned above the thermal head 72. The thermal head 72 is composed of multiple heating elements (not shown) arranged in a row in the left-right direction (i.e., the width direction of the fanfold paper PF). The ink ribbon unit 74 includes a ribbon supply unit 75 and a ribbon recovery unit 76. The ribbon supply unit 75 holds an ink ribbon RB coated with printing ink and supplies the ink ribbon RB between the thermal head 72 and the fanfold paper PF in the nip unit NP. The ribbon recovery unit 76 winds up and recovers the ink ribbon RB from the nip unit NP.

[0050] In the nip section NP, the printing unit 70 holds the fanfold paper PF between the transport roller 60, the ink ribbon RB, and the thermal head 72, and heats the heating element of the thermal head 72 to thermally transfer the printing ink from the ink ribbon RB onto the paper surface. At this time, the printing unit 70 prints the information by thermally transferring it to the fanfold paper PF with printing ink through the control unit, which selectively heats multiple heating elements in accordance with the printing information.

[0051] (Configuration showing the retaining part 80 attached to the housing 20) Next, we will describe the configuration in which the storage tray 30 has been removed from the housing 20 and the holding part 80 that holds the central axis of the roll paper PR is attached.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the holding part 80 comprises a support shaft 82 and a restricting part 84. The support shaft 82 is a rod-shaped member that extends along the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the printer. As shown in Figure 3, the support shaft 82 is detachably attached at its left end by an engaging means (not shown) to the inner frame (not shown) of the housing 20, in a state where the storage tray 30 and a support part (not shown) have been removed. The support shaft 82 rotatably supports the central axis of the roll paper PR. The restricting part 84 is a plate-shaped member that contacts the edge of the roll paper PR in the paper width direction and restricts the position of the roll paper PR in the width direction.

[0053] When the housing 20 is in the first open state, the storage tray 30 and the support parts (not shown) that support the storage tray 30 can be attached and detached. Also, when the housing 20 is in the first open state, the retaining part 80 can be attached and detached from the inner frame (not shown) of the housing 20. Therefore, when attaching the retaining part 80 to the housing 20 in order to store the roll paper PR, the following procedure is performed. That is, the housing 20 is opened to the first open state, the storage tray 30 and the support parts (not shown) that support the storage tray 30 are removed, and then the retaining part 80 is attached to the inner frame.

[0054] The paper, pulled out and unfolded from the roll paper PR supported by the holding unit 80, is guided via the damper 62a to the nip section NP between the transport roller 60 and the printing unit 70. The roll paper PR guided to the nip section NP has printing information printed on it by the printing unit 70 and is then transported by the transport roller 60 towards the discharge port 21b.

[0055] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0056] In the printer 10, the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 is unfolded and pulled out of the storage tray 30, and guided to the nip section NP via the guide plate 40 and the transport path 50. That is, within the housing 20, the fanfold paper PF is first pulled out to the rear, and then guided to the nip section NP along the transport path 50 in a transport path that moves forward. The fanfold paper PF guided to the nip section NP is printed on by the printing unit 70, transported by the transport roller 60, and discharged to the outside of the housing 20 from the discharge port 21b. In other words, by providing the storage tray 30 and the guide plate 40, the printer 10 can print on the fanfold paper PF while it is stored inside the housing 20. Furthermore, the printer 10 can save space by having the above transport path. In other words, compared to a printer that prints on fanfold paper (PF) where the storage unit, transport path, and printing unit are arranged in a straight line along the transport direction, the printer can occupy a smaller space.

[0057] The housing 20 has an opening 20a and an entrance 20c when it is in the first or second open state, allowing the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the opening 33 to be unfolded outside the housing 20. On the other hand, if the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the storage tray 30 were unfolded inside the housing, the size of the housing would increase by the amount of space required to unfold the fanfold paper PF. Therefore, the printer 10 can reduce the space occupied by the housing 20 compared to a configuration in which the fanfold paper PF in the storage tray 30 is guided to the transport path 50 only through the inside of the housing.

[0058] The guide plate 40 has a semicircular portion 41 that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the housing 20 between the opening 20a and the entrance 20c. The semicircular portion 41 also contacts the fanfold paper PF so as to follow the fanfold paper PF as it is pulled out from the opening 33 of the storage tray 30 toward the transport path 50. At this time, the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the opening 20a toward the outside of the housing 20 is guided toward the entrance 20c while being prevented from folding due to falling from the opening 20a by contact with the semicircular portion 41. Therefore, the printer 10 can smoothly transport the fanfold paper PF toward the transport path 50 via the outside of the housing 20.

[0059] The housing 20 covers the opening 20a when not in operation and has a rear section 29 that opens the opening 20a when in operation. Therefore, the printer 10 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 20 through the opening 20a when not in operation. Referring to Figure 2, the position where the fanfold paper PF in contact with the semicircular portion 41 intersects with the rear panel 24 is higher than the position where the top surface TS of the fanfold paper PF in the storage tray 30 intersects with the rear panel 24 when the top surface TS is virtually extended to the rear panel 24. At this time, in the printer 10, the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 30 is pulled out in a direction that is inclined so that it becomes higher towards the back relative to the top surface TS in its folded state. As a comparative configuration to this printer 10, consider a printer in which the position of the upper end 41a of the semicircular portion 41 and the position of the top surface TS of the fanfold paper PF in the storage tray 30 overlap in the vertical direction. In this comparative configuration, the fanfold paper PF, which is folded in the storage tray 30, is pulled out in a direction along the top surface TS. At this time, when viewed from the side of the printer, the direction in which the fanfold paper PF is pulled out is approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the fanfold paper PF is unfolded, so the fanfold paper PF near the fold is pulled out under load. Therefore, the fanfold paper PF, which is folded in the storage tray 30 in the comparative configuration, may bend when pulled out and unfolded. In particular, if the fanfold paper PF is a label paper with multiple labels placed along the longitudinal direction of the backing sheet, the backing sheet may bend as the fanfold paper PF is pulled out, which may cause the labels to peel off. On the other hand, in printer 10, when the folded fanfold paper PF is pulled out in a direction inclined with respect to the top surface TS when viewed from the side of the printer, the pulling direction is inclined in a direction that is not perpendicular to the direction in which the fanfold paper PF is unfolded. Therefore, the load on the fanfold paper PF near the fold when it is pulled out in printer 10 is smaller than the load in the comparative configuration. Thus, printer 10 can suppress the bending of the paper surface when the fanfold paper PF is pulled out, compared to a configuration in which the position of the upper end 41a of the semicircular portion 41 and the position of the top surface TS of the fanfold paper PF overlap in the vertical direction. In particular, when the fanfold paper PF is label paper, the printer 10 can suppress bending of the backing paper and peeling of the label when the fanfold paper PF is pulled out, compared to the comparative configuration.

[0060] The housing 20 can accommodate a holding part 80 for holding the central axis of the roll paper PR when the storage tray 30 is removed from the housing 20. Therefore, the printer 10 can print on roll paper PR instead of fanfold paper PF.

[0061] (2) Second embodiment Next, a printer 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, when using parts similar to those used in the printer 10 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals and names of those parts will be used. In the following description, redundant explanations of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4, the printer 110 includes a storage tray 130 in place of the storage tray 30 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the printer 110 includes a guide section 140 in place of the guide plate 40 in the first embodiment.

[0063] The printer 110 has a structure in which the storage tray 130 and the guide section 140 can be attached to and detached from the housing 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the printer 110 has a structure in which a holding section 80 for holding the central axis of the roll paper PR can be attached to the housing 20 when the storage tray 130 and the guide section 140 are removed from the housing 20.

[0064] <Storage tray 130> The storage tray 130 is a tray located inside the housing 20 on the opposite side of the discharge port 21b, with the transport roller 60 in between.

[0065] The storage tray 130 has a bottom plate 131 that is shorter in the longitudinal direction than the bottom plate 31 of the storage tray 30 in the first embodiment. A space S is formed between the storage tray 130 and the closed rear section 29 and rear panel 24. The space S allows the fanfold paper PF, which has been pulled out from the storage tray 130 to the rear (i.e., the side opposite the discharge port 21b), to pass through in an unfolded state.

[0066] A transport path 150 is formed between the bottom plate 131 and the bottom panel 25 of the storage tray 130. The transport path 150 is connected to the space S and the discharge port 21b, and can pass through in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the front of the printer, with the fanfold paper PF unfolded and facing upwards.

[0067] <Information Department 140> The guide section 140 guides the fanfold paper pulled out from the opening of the storage tray 130 to the transport path 150. The guide section 140 consists of two winding sections 142 and two guide plates 144.

[0068] The winding section 142 is a cylindrical member located in space S and extending in the left-right direction (i.e., the width direction of the fanfold paper PF) when viewed from the front of the printer. The winding section 142 is an example of a rod-shaped member. Two winding sections 142 are arranged side by side along the vertical direction. Of the two winding sections 142, the upper winding section 142 is preferably located at a higher position than the stopper 32. Of the two winding sections 142, the lower winding section 142 is preferably located at a height similar to that of the transport path 150.

[0069] The ends of the two winding sections 142 on the side panel 23 side are supported in a state where they are detachably attached to the inner frame (not shown) of the housing 20. When the winding sections 142 are attached to the inner frame, it is preferable that the ends on the side portion 26 side protrude further toward the side portion 26 than the fanfold paper PF stored in the storage tray 130. That is, it is preferable that the length of the winding section 142 in the longitudinal direction is greater than the paper width of the fanfold paper PF. This ensures that the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the storage tray 130 is wound around the winding section 142 over its entire width.

[0070] The fanfold paper PF, pulled out from the storage tray 130, is guided through space S to the transport path 150 while being wrapped around the upper and lower winding sections 142 in an unfolded state.

[0071] The two guide plates 144 each connect two winding sections 142 and are plate-shaped members facing the side of the printer. Any known method can be used to connect the guide plates 144 to the two winding sections 142, for example, by adhesive. The guide plate 144 is an example of a connecting member. The two guide plates 144 each have a roughly elliptical shape, extending from one winding section 142 to the other when viewed from the side of the printer, and are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The guide plates 144 are designed so that the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the storage tray 130 can be wound onto the winding sections 142 connected by the guide plates 144, with both ends in the longitudinal direction narrowing towards the front when viewed from the side of the printer.

[0072] The guide plate 144 is positioned inward in the paper width direction from the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the storage tray 130. The fanfold paper PF, pulled out from the storage tray 130 and wound onto the upper winding section 142, passes through the space S while in contact with the edge 144a facing the back panel 24 of the guide plate 144 in its unfolded state, and is wound onto the lower winding section 142 and guided to the transport path 150. At this time, the fanfold paper PF is curved to conform to the shape of the edge 144a. In other words, the edge 144a of the guide plate 144, which has a roughly elliptical shape, contacts the fanfold paper PF in such a way that it conforms to the fanfold paper PF as it is pulled out from the opening of the storage tray 130 and heads towards the transport path 150. The edge 144a is an example of a curved section.

[0073] Preferably, at least one of the two guide plates 144 has an adjustment means (not shown) that can adjust its position in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the printer to match the width of the fanfold paper PF. The adjustment means for the guide plate 144 can be realized, for example, by a sliding mechanism that can slide in the width direction of the fanfold paper PF.

[0074] Preferably, the two guide plates 144 have a structure that allows them to be attached to and detached from the winding portion 142 by engaging portions (not shown).

[0075] When the housing 20 is in the first open state, the storage tray 130, the support part that supports the storage tray 130, and the guide part 140 can be attached and detached. Also, when the housing 20 is in the first open state, the retaining part 80 can be attached and detached from the inner frame (not shown) of the housing 20. Therefore, when attaching the retaining part 80 to the housing 20 in order to store the roll paper PR, the following procedure is performed. That is, the housing 20 is opened to the first open state, and the storage tray 130, the support part that supports the storage tray 130, and the guide part 140 are removed, and then the retaining part 80 is attached to the inner frame.

[0076] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of the second embodiment will be described.

[0077] The guide section 140 includes two winding sections 142. The printer 110 can guide the fanfold paper PF, pulled out from the storage tray 130, through the space S while winding it onto the upper winding section 142 and the lower winding section 142 in its unfolded state, and guide it to the transport path 150. Therefore, the printer 110 can smoothly transport the fanfold paper PF when transporting it through the inside of the housing 20 to the transport path 150.

[0078] The guide section 140 includes a guide plate 144 that connects the two winding sections 142. The guide plate 144 also has an edge portion 144a that contacts the fanfold paper PF so as to follow the fanfold paper PF as it is pulled out from the opening of the storage tray 130 and heads toward the transport path 150. The printer 110 can then guide the fanfold paper PF toward the transport path 150 in a gentle trajectory by bringing the fanfold paper PF pulled out from the storage tray 130 into contact with the edge portion 144a of the guide plate 144. Therefore, when the printer 110 transports the fanfold paper PF toward the transport path 150 via the inside of the housing 20, it can transport the fanfold paper PF more smoothly than when there is no guide plate 144.

[0079] As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been explained as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0080] For example, in the first embodiment, the storage tray 30 is supported by a support (not shown) attached to the inner frame (not shown) of the housing 20. However, the storage unit is not limited to being supported by a support (not shown) attached to the inner frame, as long as a transport path is formed between the bottom surface of the storage unit and the bottom surface of the housing. For example, the storage unit may be detachably attached to the inside of the bottom panel of the housing and supported from below by a cylindrical member having a hollow portion that extends in the front-to-back direction of the printer and has open ends. In this case, the hollow portion of the cylindrical member forms a transport path.

[0081] In the first embodiment, a guide plate 40, which is a plate-shaped member, was used as an example of the guide portion. However, in a configuration in which fanfold paper PF is fed out from the opening 20a to the outside of the housing 20 and fed into the transport path 50 from the entrance 20c, the guide portion is not limited to a plate-shaped member. In this configuration, the guide portion may be, for example, a rod-shaped member supported on the outside of the housing 20 and extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the printer, or a roller-shaped member that is supported to rotate freely.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the rear portion 29, which is an example of a cover, covers the opening 20a when the housing 20 is in a closed state. However, as shown in Figure 6, the rear portion 29 may have an extension portion 29d that extends downward from the rear portion 29 to the entrance 20c when in a closed state. A printer in which the rear portion 29 has an extension portion 29d is in a closed state when not in operation, and by covering the entrance 20c with the extension portion 29d, it prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 20 from the entrance 20c when not in operation. Also, in the first embodiment, the housing 20 may have another cover that covers the entrance 20c when the printer 10 is not in operation and opens the entrance 20c when the printer 10 is in operation.

[0083] In the first embodiment, a semicircular portion 41, which is approximately semicircular when viewed from the side of the printer, was given as an example of a protruding portion and a curved portion. However, the protruding portion and curved portion in the first embodiment are not limited to being approximately semicircular. The protruding portion and curved portion in the first embodiment may be egg-shaped or teardrop-shaped when viewed from the side of the printer. Furthermore, the guide portion in the first embodiment does not need to have a curved portion as long as it has a protruding portion.

[0084] In the second embodiment, the guide section 140 is configured to include two winding sections 142, which are examples of rod-shaped members. However, in the second embodiment, the rod-shaped members constituting the guide section are not limited to two. The rod-shaped members constituting the guide section may be one, three or more. The number of winding sections 142, and / or the position of the winding sections 142 as viewed from the printer side, can be appropriately set to facilitate smoother transport of the fanfold paper PF.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the guide portion 140 is configured to include a guide plate 144, which is an example of a connecting member. However, in the second embodiment, the guide portion 140 may be configured without a connecting member, as shown in Figure 7.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the winding portion 142 is a cylindrical member. However, the rod-shaped member in the present invention is not limited to a cylindrical member. The winding portion 142 may have a polygonal cross-section, or a polygonal cross-section with rounded corners. Furthermore, the winding portion 142 may be a roller-shaped member that is supported to rotate freely.

[0087] In the second embodiment, one end of the winding portion 142 is supported by the inner frame (not shown) of the housing 20. However, both ends of the winding portion 142 may be supported by the inner frame and the side portion 26. Alternatively, the winding portion 142 may be supported by the rear panel 24 of the housing 20.

[0088] The printing unit 70 is provided with an ink ribbon unit 74. However, the printing unit 70 is not limited to being provided with an ink ribbon unit 74. For example, if the fanfold paper PF and / or roll paper PR is thermal paper, the printing unit 70 does not need to be provided with an ink ribbon unit 74. In this case, when the thermal head 72 of the printing unit 70 holds the paper between the transport roller 60 and selectively heats the heating element (not shown) in accordance with the printing information, the thermal paper reacts to the heating element and changes color, thereby printing the printing information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 10: Printer 20: Cabinet 20a: opening 20c: Entrance 21: Front Panel 21a: Control panel 21b: Outlet 22: Ceiling panel 22a: Hinge section 23: Side Panel 24: Rear panel 25: Bottom panel 26: Side part 27: Movable panel 27a: Hinge section 28: Ceiling 28a: Front section 29: Rear section 29d: Extension part 30: Storage tray 31: Bottom plate 32: Stopper 33:Aperture 40: Information board 41: Semicircular section 41a: End 50: Conveyor path 60: Conveyor roller 62: Support part 62a: Damper 70: Printing section 72: Thermal head 74: Ink ribbon section 75: Ribbon supply unit 76: Ribbon Collection Department 80: Holding part 82: Support shaft 84: Regulatory Department 110: Printer 130: Storage Tray 131: Bottom plate 140: Information department 142: Winding section 144: Information board 144a :Edge 150: Conveyor path KH: Virtual Plane NP: Nipple part PF: Fanfold paper PR: Roll paper RB: Ink Ribbon S: Space TS: Top surface of the fanfold paper in its folded state

Claims

1. A housing having an outlet formed on one side, The enclosure is located inside the housing and includes a storage section for housing fanfold paper, A guide section that redirects the fanfold paper pulled out from the storage section to the opposite side of the discharge port and guides it to a transport path provided between the bottom surface of the storage section and the bottom surface of the housing, A conveying roller that conveys the fanfold paper guided from the guide section to the conveying path toward the discharge port, A printing unit that prints on fanfold paper conveyed by the aforementioned transport roller, A printer equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an outlet from which the fanfold paper pulled out from the storage section is sent to the outside of the housing, and an inlet from which the fanfold paper sent to the outside of the housing is sent into the transport path.

3. The guide portion has a projection that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the housing between the outlet and the inlet, The printer according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion has a curved portion that contacts the fanfold paper so as to conform to the fanfold paper located on the outside of the housing.

4. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the housing covers at least one of the outlet and the inlet, and includes a cover that opens at least one of the outlet and the inlet when in operation.

5. The guide portion includes one or more rod-shaped members extending in the width direction of the fanfold paper inside the housing, The printer according to claim 1, wherein at least one end of the rod-shaped member is supported by the housing.

6. The aforementioned rod-shaped members are multiple in number, The guide portion has a connecting member that connects two of the multiple rod-shaped members, The printer according to claim 5, wherein the connecting member has a curved portion that contacts the fanfold paper so as to conform to the fanfold paper as it is pulled out from the storage section and heads toward the transport path.

7. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the position where the fanfold paper in contact with the curved portion intersects the outer surface of the housing is higher than the position where the uppermost surface of the fanfold paper folded in the housing intersects the outer surface when that uppermost surface is virtually extended to the outer surface of the housing.

8. The housing is detachable from the housing, The printing unit is capable of printing on roll paper, The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing is capable of having a holding part attached to hold the central axis of the roll paper when the housing part is removed from the housing.

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