Duplex Receipt Printer Gap Management via Preliminary Store Printing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing double-sided receipt printers create paper waste due to white space at the leading end of receipts caused by the gap between the cutter and printheads, which cannot be effectively addressed without reversing the paper, a process that is time-consuming and prone to mechanical issues.

Innovation Solution

A double-sided receipt printing method where the transaction information is divided between two printheads with a gap, and the store information is printed by the upstream printhead after transaction information, allowing the paper to be cut between the printed areas without reversing, thus eliminating white space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cutter and printheads are disposed with a specific gap therebetween, then the printing and cutting functions can be performed, but white space is formed at the leading end of the receipt causing paper waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting and cutting functionVSAvoidpaper waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The upstream printhead prints store information at the leading end of the paper before transaction information is printed by the downstream printhead. This preliminary printing action fills the gap space between the cutter and printheads, eliminating white space waste without requiring paper reversal or changing the physical gap distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If the paper is reversed in the conveyance direction to reduce white space, then paper waste is reduced, but time is required to move the paper and mechanical means to prevent paper jams are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper wasteVSAvoidtime to move paper

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reversing the paper after printing to eliminate white space, the invention performs preliminary printing of store information at the leading end by the upstream printhead. This eliminates the need for paper reversal entirely, saving time and avoiding mechanical complexity for paper jam prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of substance

If the paper is reversed in the conveyance direction to reduce white space, then paper waste is reduced, but mechanical means to prevent paper jams are needed increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper wasteVSAvoidmechanical means for preventing paper jams

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses the upstream printhead to print store information at the leading end of the paper before the downstream printhead prints transaction information. This preliminary action fills the gap space without requiring paper reversal, thereby eliminating the need for complex mechanical means to prevent paper jams during reversal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If transaction information is printed by the downstream printhead only, then printing is simplified, but white space is formed at the leading end reducing paper efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting processVSAvoidpaper waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The printing function is segmented between two printheads: the upstream printhead prints store information at the leading end, while the downstream printhead prints transaction information. This segmentation allows efficient use of the gap space between cutter and printheads without overcomplicating the overall printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upstream printhead performs preliminary printing of store information at the leading end of the paper. This preliminary action utilizes the gap space that would otherwise be wasted, improving paper efficiency while keeping the downstream printhead's transaction information printing simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8823756B2Double-sided receipt printing method and double-sided receipt printer

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A first printhead that prints on one side of the paper, a second printhead that prints on the other side of the paper, and a cutter are disposed to the paper conveyance path with a specific gap therebetween approaching the paper exit for the paper, and a conveyance unit that conveys the paper through the conveyance path in a device that prints duplex receipts. Based on reception of a transaction end statement, the printer prints part of the transaction information by the first printhead; prints the remaining part of the transaction information by the second printhead; prints store information, the length of which fits between the cutter and the first printhead, by the first printhead after printing the transaction information; and then cuts the paper by the cutter at a position between the area where the transaction information was printed and the area where the store information was printed.