Abstract: A printer is configured to perform printing on a continuous sheet and a cut sheet. The printer includes a container case that includes an upper cover configured to open and close and that contains the continuous sheet, and a body case that contains a print unit and that includes an insertion opening into which the cut sheet is to be inserted. The upper cover includes a first guide surface that guides the cut sheet to be inserted into- the insertion opening. The body case includes a second guide surface that guides the cut sheet to be inserted into the insertion opening. In a closed state of the upper cover, the first guide surface is disposed side by side with the second guide surface in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the cut sheet.
[0001]The present invention relates to a printer. [Background Art] [0002]There has hitherto been known a printer in which a cover included in a case containing a continuous sheet guides feeding of a cut sheet (for example, see PTL 1). PTL 1 discloses an apparatus including a case body and a printer body. The case body contains roll paper, which is a continuous sheet. The printer body is capable of performing printing on roll paper and a cut sheet. The apparatus is configured to feed a cut sheet into the sheet insertion opening of the printer body along the front surface of the lid of the case body. [Citation List] [Patent Literature] [0003]
[PTL 1] JP-A-10-157885 [Summary of Invention] [Technical Problem] [0004]
However, the apparatus described in PTL 1 is configured on the premise that the cover included in the case containing a continuous sheet guides a cut sheet. Thus, it
is difficult to appropriately feed a cut sheet having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of a continuous sheet from the insertion opening, and it is not easy to perform printing on a cut sheet having such a sheet width.
An object of the invention is to enable printing on even a cut sheet having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of a continuous sheet. [Solution to Problem] [0005]
A printer according to an embodiment is configured to perform printing on a continuous sheet and a cut sheet. The printer includes a case that includes a cover configured to open and close and that contains the continuous sheet, and a housing containing a print unit and including an insertion opening into which the cut sheet is to be inserted. The cover includes a first guide surface that guides the cut sheet to be inserted into the insertion opening. The housing includes a second guide surface that guides the cut sheet to be inserted into the insertion opening. In a closed state of the cover, the first guide surface is disposed side by side with the second guide surface in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the cut sheet.
[0006]
In the printer according to the embodiment, in the
closed state of the cover, the first guide surface and the second guide surface may be positioned on an identical imaginary plane.
[0007]
In the printer according to the embodiment, the print unit may include a transport roller that transports the continuous sheet and the cut sheet, and in a direction along a rotating shaft of the transport roller, a length between an end of the first guide surface positioned on a first end side of the rotating shaft and an end of the second guide surface positioned on a second end side of the rotating shaft may be larger than a sheet width of the continuous sheet.
[0008]
In the printer according to the embodiment, the print unit may include a transport roller that transports the continuous sheet and the cut sheet, and in a direction along a rotating shaft of the transport roller, a sum of a width of the first guide surface and a width of the second guide surface may be larger than a sheet width of the continuous sheet containable in the case.
[0009]
In the printer according to the embodiment, a recess extending in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the continuous sheet may be formed in the first guide
surface.
[0010]
In the printer according to the embodiment, the cover may be opened and closed by pivoting around a shaft and may include a lock mechanism with which the cover is locked in the closed state, and the lock mechanism may be provided between the first guide surface and the shaft.
[0011]
The printer according to the embodiment may further include a detection unit that detects a state in which the cover is locked with the lock mechanism. The detection unit may be disposed on an inner-surface side of the second guide surface.
[0012]
In the printer according to the embodiment, in the closed state of the cover, a height from a bottom of the case to an upper end of the first guide surface may be identical to a height from a bottom of the housing to an upper end of the second guide surface. [Brief Description of Drawings]
[0013] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which the front of a printer is viewed from an upper-surface side.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which the rear of the printer is viewed from the upper-surface side.
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[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the printer and is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a first guide surface and a second guide surface.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which the front of a container case is viewed from an upper-surface side.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which the front of a printer according to a modification is viewed from an upper-surface side. [Description of Embodiments] [0014]
A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims. In addition, not all the configurations described below are indispensable constituent features of the invention. [0015]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which the front of a printer 1 in an installed state is viewed from an upper-surface side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which the rear of the printer 1 in the installed state is viewed from the upper-surface side. [0016]
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The printer 1 is a dot-impact printer that prints, for example, a character or an image onto a continuous sheet Si or a cut sheet S2 by protruding wires of a print head 200 and adhering ink and forming dots on the continuous sheet SI or the cut sheet S2 via an ink ribbon (not illustrated). Examples of the continuous sheet Si include roll paper and fanfold paper. The embodiment exemplifies a print medium both end portions of which in a sheet-width direction have sprocket holes. In the embodiment, the term "sheet width" refers to a width of a print medium in the width direction of the printer 1. The cut sheet S2 is a print medium that is cut to a certain length.
[0017]
The printer 1 includes a body case 10 and a container case 20, which contains the continuous sheet SI rolled into a roll- shape. The body case 10 corresponds to "housing" of the invention. The container case 20 corresponds to "case" of the invention. The container case 20 is detachably attached to the rear of the body case 10.
[0018]
The body case 10 contains a platen roller 300 extending in the width direction of the body case 10, and a print unit 1000 including the print head 200 composed of a serial impact dot matrix print head. The platen roller 300 corresponds to "transport roller" of the invention. The
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print head 20 0 is mounted on a carriage 210 and forms dots by protruding wires in conjunction with scanning of the carriage 210 and adhering ink on the continuous sheet SI or the cut sheet S2 via an ink ribbon (not illustrated). The scanning direction of the carriage 210 on which the print head 2 00 is mounted is a direction intersecting the transport direction of the continuous sheet Si, a direction intersecting the transport direction of the cut sheet S2, and the width directions of the printer 1, the body case 10, and the container case 20. [0019]
An upper surface 100 of the body case 10 is composed of a first upper surface 110 and a second upper surface 120 which is positioned closer to the rear of the printer 1 than the first upper surface 110 and whose position is lower than that of the first upper surface 110 when the printer 1 is in an installed state. [0020]
An upper-surface cover 11 is detachably attached to the first upper surface 110 of the body case 10. In a state in which the upper-surface cover 11 is detached from the body case 10, the print unit 1000 contained in the body case 10 is exposed to the outside. A lock 12 is provided on the right of the upper-surface cover 11. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a state in which a key is inserted into the
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keyhole of the lock 12. The upper-surface cover 11 is locked so as not to be detached from the body case 10 or unlocked so as to be detached by operating the key inserted into the keyhole of the lock 12. [0021]
A first outlet 13, which discharges the continuous sheet Si to the outside of the printer 1, is formed in the first upper surface 110 of the body case 10 so as to extend in the width direction of the body case 10. The first outlet 13 has a length, in the width direction of the body case 10, in which the continuous sheet SI containable in at least the container case 2 0 can be discharged. In addition, a second outlet 14, which discharges the cut sheet S2 to the outside of the printer 1, is formed at a position, in the first upper surface 110 of the body case 10, closer to the rear of the printer 1 than the first outlet 13 so as to extend in the width direction of the body case 10. The second outlet 14 has a length larger than that of the first outlet 13 in the width direction of the body case 10. [0022]
An insertion opening 15 for inserting the cut sheet S2 into the printer 1 is formed in the second upper surface 120 of the body case 10 so as to extend in the width direction of the body case 10. The insertion opening 15 has the same length as the second outlet 14 in the width direction of the
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body case 10.
[0023]
A side case 16 is provided at a position, in the second upper surface 120 of the body case 10, closer to the right of the printer 1 than the container case 2 0 attached to the body case 10 and at a position closer to the rear of the printer 1 than the insertion opening 15. The side case 16 is provided on the second upper surface 12 0 such that the left side surface thereof is close to the right side surface of the container case 20 attached to the body case 10. [0024]
A second guide surface 16A, which guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15, is provided on the front of the side case 16. The second guide surface 16A is a surface that inclines above at a certain angle toward the rear of the printer 1 and that extends in a direction along the width direction of the printer 1. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the side case 16 contains a detection unit 160, which detects a state In which an upper cover 22 is locked with a lock 2 3 provided in the upper cover 22 of the container case 20. That is, the detection unit 160 is disposed on the inner-surface side of the second guide surface 16A. The inner surface of the second guide surface 16A is the surface, which faces the rear of the printer 1, of the second guide surface 16A. The
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upper cover 22 corresponds to "cover" of the invention, and the lock 23 corresponds to "lock mechanism" of the invention.
[0025]
The container case 2 0 includes a case body 21 and the upper cover 22, which covers the upper portion of the case body 21.
[0026]
The upper cover 22 is attached to the case body 21 so as to pivot around a shaft 24 toward the rear of the printer 1. The upper cover 22 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the case body 21 by being pivoted by a user. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the closed state of the upper cover 22. In the closed state of the upper cover 22, a continuous-sheet container 2000, which is formed in the container case 20 and contains the continuous sheet SI, is not exposed to the outside. On the other hand, in the open state of the upper cover 22," the continuous-sheet container 2 000 is exposed to the outside.
[0027]
A first guide surface 22A, which guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15, is provided on the front of the upper cover 22. The first guide surface 22A inclines above at a certain angle toward the rear of the printer 1. When the container case 20 is attached to the body case 10 in the closed state of the upper cover 22, the
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first guide surface 22A is a surface extending in the direction along the width direction of the printer 1.
[0028]
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the container case 2 0 is attached to the body case 10 in the closed state of the upper cover 22, the first guide surface 22A is disposed side by side with the second guide surface 16A of the side case 16 in the width direction of the printer 1. The configuration of the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enables the guide surface that guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15 of the printer 1 to be widened in the width direction of the printer 1, and the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si can be stably guided. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable even the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI to be appropriately fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15.
[0029]
In particular, when the container case 20 is attached to the body case 10 in the closed state of the upper cover 22, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A are disposed so as to be positioned on the same imaginary plane. That is, when the container case 20 is
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attached to the body case 10 in the closed state of the upper cover 22, the first guide surface 22A is disposed so as to be flush with the second guide surface 16A. The configuration of the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enables the cut sheet S2 to be guided in an appropriate condition for inserting the cut sheet S2 into the insertion opening 15 such that the sheet-width direction of the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15 is the direction in which the insertion opening 15 extends. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable even the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si to be appropriately fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the printer 1 and is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.
[0031]
The printer 1 includes a transport path Pi, along which the continuous sheet Si is transported to the first outlet 13 from a tractor unit 400 provided closer to the rear of the printer 1 than the platen roller 300 through under the platen roller 300. In addition, the printer 1 includes a transport path P2, along which the cut sheet S2 is
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transported to the second outlet 14 from the insertion opening 15 through under the platen roller 300.
[0032]
The tractor unit 400, a guide member 500, a regulating member 600, the platen roller 300, and counter rollers 310 and 320, which are disposed at a position opposed to the platen roller 300, are provided along the transport path Pi. The guide member 500 and the regulating member 600 are disposed downstream of the tractor unit 400 in the transport direction of the continuous sheet Si, which is indicated by arrow Yl. In addition, the platen roller 300 and the counter rollers 310 and 32 0 are disposed downstream of the guide member 50 0 and the regulating member 60 0 in the transport direction of the continuous sheet Si, which is indicated by arrow Yl.
[0033]
The tractor unit 400 includes a tractor support shaft 410 and a tractor drive shaft 42 0, which extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the platen roller 300 extends, and a tractor 430 supported by the tractor support shaft 410 and the tractor drive shaft 420. The tractor 430 includes a tractor belt 440, which is an endless belt and is circulated by rotating the tractor drive shaft 420, a plurality of pins 450 intermittently disposed in the circumferential direction of the tractor belt 440,
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and a tractor cover 4 60, which covers the tractor belt 44 0 from above.
The continuous sheet Si unreeled from the continuous-sheet container 2000 is set on the tractor belt 440 in a state in which some of the pins 450 are fitted in sprocket holes pierced in both end portions of the continuous sheet Si in the sheet-width direction. The state in which some of the pins 450 are fitted in sprocket holes of the continuous sheet SI is maintained by covering the set continuous sheet Si with the tractor cover 4 60 from above. The continuous sheet Si is transported in the transport direction indicated by arrow Yl in the transport path PI by driving the tractor belt 440 in the maintained state.
[0034]
The continuous sheet Si transported by the tractor unit 400 is transported to a position between the guide member 500 and the regulating member 600. The guide member 500 is a component that guides the continuous sheet Si to a position under the platen roller 300. The regulating member 600 is a component that controls the continuous sheet Si so as not to be transported to the transport path P2. The continuous sheet SI is guided to the position under the platen roller 300 by the guide member 500 while being controlled so as not to be transported to the transport path P2 by the regulating member 600. The continuous sheet SI
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transported to the position under the platen roller 300 is held between the platen roller 300 and the counter rollers 310 and 320. The continuous sheet Si is then printed by the print head 2 00 while being transported upward in accordance with rotation of the platen roller 300 and is discharged from the first outlet 13.
[0035]
A guide member 700, the regulating member 600, the platen roller 300, and the counter rollers 310 and 320 are provided along the transport path P2. The platen roller 300 and the counter rollers 310 and 320 are disposed downstream of the guide member 700 and the regulating member 600 in the transport direction of the cut sheet S2, which is indicated by arrow Y2.
[0036]
The guide member 700 is a component that guides the cut sheet S2 to a position under the platen roller 300 by preventing the cut sheet S2 to be inserted from the insertion opening 15 from deviating from the transport path P2 so as not to be in contact with the upper portion of the platen roller 300. The cut sheet S2 inserted from the insertion opening 15 is guided to the position under the platen roller 300 through between the guide member 7 00 and the regulating member 600. The cut sheet S2 guided to the position under the platen roller 300 is held between the
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platen roller 300 and the counter rollers 310 and 32 0. Printing is then performed on the cut sheet S2 by the print head 200 while the cut sheet S2 is transported upward in accordance with rotation of the platen roller 300 and the cut sheet S2 is discharged from the second outlet 14.
[0037]
Separating members 800, which separate the continuous sheet Si and the cut sheet S2 for each to be transported toward the corresponding outlet, are provided on both sides of the first outlet 13 in the width direction of the printer 1 on the inner-surface side of the upper-surface cover 11. The inner surface of the upper-surface cover 11 is the surface facing the print unit 1000 of the upper-surface cover 11 in a state in which the upper-surface cover 11 is attached to the body case 10. FIG. 3 illustrates the separating member 8 00 provided on the left of the first outlet 13. The separating members 800 are configured to guide, to the second outlet 14, a print medium having a sheet width larger than the length of the first outlet 13 in the width direction of the printer 1. When a print medium transported by the platen roller 300 is the continuous sheet SI, the continuous sheet SI is not guided to the second outlet 14 by the separating members 800 because the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si is equal to or smaller than the length of the first outlet 13. Thus, the continuous
- 18 -
sheet SI is discharged from the first outlet 13 due to the continuous sheet Si being curly as a result of the rolled state of the continuous sheet SI contained in the continuous-sheet container 2000. On the other hand, when a print medium transported by the platen roller 300 is the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI, the cut sheet S2 is guided to the second outlet 14 by the separating members 800 provided on both sides of the first outlet 13. Thus, the cut sheet S2 is discharged from the second outlet 14.
[0038]
In this manner, the printer 1 performs printing on the continuous sheet Si or the cut sheet S2 and discharges the continuous sheet SI or the cut sheet S2 after printing from the corresponding outlet. As described above, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable even the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI to be appropriately fed from the insertion opening 15. Thus, the printer 1 is configured to perform printing even when a print medium for the printer 1 is the cut sheet S2 having such a sheet width.
[0039]
The first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A will be next described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the first guide
- 19 -
surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A and a perspective view in which the front of the printer 1 in the installed state is viewed from the upper-surface side.
[0040]
The configurations required for the description of FIG. 4 of the configurations in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference signs as those in FIG. 1. In the description of FIG. 4, the configurations having the same reference signs as those in FIG. 1 are not described in detail. For convenience of description, FIG. 4 illustrates the platen roller 300 included in the print unit 1000 contained in the body case 10 by using dotted lines.
[0041]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sum of a width HBl of the first guide surface 22A and a width HB2 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the length of the first outlet 13 in a direction along a rotating shaft 300a of the platen roller 300. That is, the sum is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si containable in the container case 2 0. The expression "direction along the rotating shaft 300a of the platen roller 300" refers to the width direction of the printer 1 and the direction in which the rotating shaft 300a extends. In FIG. 4, the width HBl of the first guide surface 22A is the same as the width of the upper cover 22, and the width HB2 of the second guide surface 16A is the
- 20 -
same as the width of the side case 16. [0042]
As described above, since the sum of the width HB1 of the first guide surface 22A and the width HB2 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI containable in the container case 20, the width of the guide surface that guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15 may be wider than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI. Accordingly, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si to be stably guided to the insertion opening 15. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI to be appropriately fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15.
[0043]
FIG. 4 illustrates the printer 1 in which the sum of the width HBl of the first guide surface 22A and the width HB2 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si containable in the container case 20. In the printer 1, however, the sum does not necessarily have to be larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si provided that the length between a
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left end 22A1 of the first guide surface 22A and a right end 16A1 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si containable in the container case 20.
[0044]
The left end 22A1 of the first guide surface 22A is the end of the first guide surface 22A positioned on the side of a left end 30A1 of the rotating shaft 300a in a direction along the rotating shaft 300a of the platen roller 300. The left end 22A1 of the first guide surface 22A includes the left side surface of the upper cover 22. The left end 30A1 of the rotating shaft 300a corresponds to "first end" of the invention. The right end 16A1 of the second guide surface 16A is the end of the second guide surface 16A positioned on the side of a right end 30A2 of the rotating shaft 300a in the direction along the rotating shaft 300a of the platen roller 300. The right end 16A1 of the second guide surface 16A includes the right side surface of the side case 16. The right end 30A2 of the rotating shaft 300a corresponds to "second end" of the invention.
[0045]
As described above, since the length between the left end 22A1 of the first guide surface 22A and the right end 16A1 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI containable in the
- 22 -
container case 20, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si to be guided such that both ends in the sheet-width direction of the cut sheet S2 are at least inserted into the insertion opening 15. The configuration of the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enables the cut sheet S2 having such a sheet width to be guided in an appropriate condition for inserting the cut sheet S2 into the insertion opening 15. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having such a sheet width to be appropriately fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15.
[0046]
In addition, when the container case 20 is attached to the body case 10 in the closed state of the upper cover 22, the height of the first guide surface 22A and the height of the second guide surface 16A are set to have the following relationship with each other. That is, a height Tl from a bottom 10A1 of the body case 10 to an upper end 16A2 of the second guide surface 16A is the same as a height T2 from a bottom 20A1 of the container case 2 0 to an upper end 22A2 of the first guide surface 22A. In FIG. 4, the upper end 16A2 of the second guide surface 16A is the upper surface of the side case 16, and the upper end 22A2 of the first guide
- 23 -
surface 22A is the upper surface of the upper cover 22.
With such a relationship in terms of height, when the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A guide the cut sheet S2, there is no level difference in the upper portion, which is positioned above the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A, of the cut sheet S2 in the sheet-width direction. The configuration of the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A can restrain the cut sheet S2 from floating therefrom and from being skewed due to such floating. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si to be more appropriately fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15.
[0047]
As described above, the side case 16 contains the detection unit 160, which detects the state in which the upper cover 22 is locked with the lock 23 provided in the upper cover 22 of the container case 20.
[0048]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which the front of the container case 20 detached from the body case 10 is viewed from the upper-surface side.
[0049]
An opening 2 5 is formed, below the lock 23, in the
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right side surface of the upper cover 22. The lock 23 causes a latch member (not illustrated) to protrude from the right side surface of the upper cover 22 through the opening 25 or to be drawn into the upper cover 22 through the opening 25 by operating the key inserted into the keyhole of the lock 23.
[0050]
The opening 25 is formed in the right side surface of the upper cover 22 so as to be opposed, when the container case 20 is attached to the body case 10, to the left side surface of the side case 16 in the width direction of the printer 1. The latch member protruding from the right side surface of the upper cover 22 through the opening 25 enters the side case 16 from the left side surface of the side case 16. In this manner, the lock 2 3 enables the upper cover 22 to be locked in a closed state. The detection unit 160 to be contained in the side case 16 detects whether the upper cover 22 is locked in the closed state by detecting whether the latch member has entered the side case 16. The detection unit 160 includes a sensor that detects the latch member entering the side case 16. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the detection unit 160 is contained in the side case 16. That is, the side case 16 has two functions: detection of a state in which the upper cover 22 is locked; and guiding of the cut sheet S2. Thus, the printer 1 does not have to
- 25 -
include two components having the two functions individually, and accordingly it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the printer 1.
[0051]
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lock 23 is provided in the upper surface of the upper cover 22. That is, the lock 23 is provided between the first guide surface 22A and the shaft 24 in the depth direction of the container case 20. This configuration enables unevenness of the first guide surface 22A to be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the lock 23 is provided in the first guide surface 22A, and thus the cut sheet S2 can be stably guided. In addition, since the lock 23 is provided in the upper surface of the upper cover 22, a user easily operates the lock 23.
[0052]
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a recess 22B extending in the width direction of the container case 20 is formed in the first guide surface 22A. The recess 22B functions as a grip for gripping the upper cover 22 when a user causes the upper cover 22 to pivot. In this manner, since the recess 22B is formed in the first guide surface 22A, a grip for pivoting the upper cover 22 does not have to be provided so as to protrude from the upper cover 22, and it is possible to reduce the size of the container case 20 and thus also the size of the printer 1.
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[0053]
As described above, the printer 1 is configured to perform printing on the continuous sheet Si and the cut sheet S2. The printer 1 includes the container case 20, which includes the upper cover 22 configured to open and close and contains the continuous sheet Si, and the body case 10, which contains the print unit 1000 and includes the insertion opening 15 into which the cut sheet S2 is to be inserted. The upper cover 22 includes the first guide surface 22A, which guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15. The body case 10 includes the second guide surface 16A, which guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15. In the closed state of the upper cover 22, the first guide surface 22A is disposed side by side with the second guide surface 16A in the direction intersecting the transport direction of the cut sheet S2. [0054]
With this configuration of the printer 1, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the guide surface that guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15 to be widened in the direction intersecting the transport direction of the cut sheet S2, and the cut sheet S2 can be stably guided to the insertion opening 15. Thus, the printer 1 enables even the
- 27 -
cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si to be appropriately fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15 and is configured to perform printing even on the cut sheet S2 having such a sheet width.
[0055]
In the closed state of the upper cover 22, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A are positioned on the same imaginary plane.
[0056]
With this configuration, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 to be guided in an appropriate condition for inserting the cut sheet S2 into the insertion opening 15 such that the sheet-width direction of the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15 is an appropriate direction for inserting the cut sheet S2 into the insertion opening 15. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable even the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si to be appropriately fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15.
[0057]
The print unit 10 00 includes the platen roller 300, which transports the continuous sheet Si and the cut sheet
- 28 -
S2. In the direction along the rotating shaft 300a of the platen roller 300, the length between the left end 22A1 of the first guide surface 22A and the right end 16A1 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si.
[0058]
With this configuration, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si to be guided such that both ends in the sheet-width direction of the cut sheet S2 are at least inserted into the insertion opening 15. Accordingly, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having such a sheet width to be guided in an appropriate condition for inserting the cut sheet S2 into the insertion opening 15. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having such a sheet width to be appropriately fed from the insertion opening 15.
[0059]
In the direction along the rotating shaft 300a of the platen roller 300, the sum of the width HB1 of the first guide surface 22A and the width HB2 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI containable in the container case 20.
- 29 -
[0060]
With this configuration, since the sum of the width HBl of the first guide surface 22A and the width HB2 of the second guide surface 16A is larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet Si, the width of the guide surface that guides the cut sheet S2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 15 may be wider than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI. Accordingly, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI to be stably guided to the insertion opening 15. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 having a sheet width larger than the sheet width of the continuous sheet SI to be appropriately fed from the insertion opening 15.
[0061]
The recess 22B extending in the direction intersecting the transport direction of the continuous sheet SI is formed in the first guide surface 22A. [0062]
With this configuration, a grip for pivoting the upper cover 22 does not have to be provided so as to protrude from the upper cover 22, and accordingly it is possible to reduce the size of the container case 2 0 and thus also the size of
- 30 -
the printer 1.
[0063]
The upper cover 22 is opened and closed by pivoting around the shaft 24 and includes the lock 23, with which the upper cover 22 is locked in a closed state. The lock 23 is provided between the first guide surface 22A and the shaft 24.
[0064]
With this configuration, the first guide surface 22A can be flatter than that in the configuration in which the lock 23 is provided in the first guide surface 22A, and thus the cut sheet S2 can be stably guided.
[0065]
The printer 1 includes the detection unit 160, which detects the state in which the upper cover 22 is locked with the lock 23. The detection unit 160 is disposed on the inner-surface side of the second guide surface 16A.
[0066]
With this configuration, the side case 16 included in the printer 1 has two functions: detection of the state in which the upper cover 22 is locked; and guiding of the cut sheet S2. Thus, the printer 1 does not have to include two components having the two functions individually, and accordingly it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the printer 1.
- 31 -
[0067]
In the closed state of the upper cover 22, the height T2 from the bottom 20A1 of the container case 20 to the upper end 22A2 of the first guide surface 22A is the same as the height Tl from the bottom 10A1 of the body case 10 to the upper end 16A2 of the second guide surface 16A.
[0068]
With this configuration, when the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A guide the cut sheet S2, there is no level difference in the upper portion, which is positioned above the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A, of the cut sheet S2 in the sheet-width direction. This configuration can restrain the cut sheet S2 from floating from the first guide surface 22A or the second guide surface 16A and from being skewed due to such floating. Thus, the first guide surface 22A and the second guide surface 16A enable the cut sheet S2 to be stably fed into the printer 1 from the insertion opening 15.
[0069]
A modification will be next described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which the front of the printer 1 according to the modification is viewed from the upper-surface side. In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates the printer 1 in the installed state.
[0070]
- 32 -
In FIG. 6, the configurations of the main portions of the configurations similar to those in FIG. 1 are assigned with the same reference signs as those in FIG. 1. The configurations similar to those in FIG. 1 are not described in detail below.
[0071] As is clear from the result of a comparison between FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the printer 1 according to the modification includes a movable member 30 provided on the upper surface of the upper cover 22 of the container case 20. The movable member 30 is a component configured to pivot around a shaft 31 toward the front or rear of the printer 1. The movable member 30 is configured to be fixed on the upper surface of the upper cover 22 at any angle.
[0072]
When the movable member 30 is fixed on the upper surface of the upper cover 22 at the same angle as the first guide surface 2 2 A, the guide surface that guides the cut sheet S2 can be widened above the printer 1. Thus, the printer 1 enables even the cut sheet S2 having a long length in a direction intersecting the sheet-width direction to be stably fed from the insertion opening 15 and is configured to easily perform printing on the cut sheet S2 having such a long length.
[0073]
- 33 -
The movable member 30 has a length larger than the distance from the first upper surface 110 to the upper surface of the container case 20 in a direction intersecting the width direction of the printer 1. The movable member 30 can cover a portion of the insertion opening 15 from above by pivoting toward the front of the printer 1. Thus, the movable member 30 can restrain, for example, dust from entering from the insertion opening 15. The movable member 30 may be configured to slide toward the front of the printer 1 with respect to the upper cover 22. This configuration also has a similar effect.
[0074]
The above embodiment and modification merely illustrate an aspect of the invention and can be appropriately modified and applied within the scope of the invention.
[0075]
For example, although the above embodiment and modification illustrate the printer 1 as a dot-impact printer, any printing method is used provided that a printer is configured to perform printing on the continuous sheet SI to be contained in the container case 2 0 and the cut sheet S2 to be inserted from the insertion opening 15. [Reference Signs List]
[0076]
1 printer
_ 34 -
10 body case (housing)
10A1 bottom (bottom of housing)
11 upper-surface cover
12 lock
13 first outlet
14 second outlet
15 insertion opening
16 side case
16A second guide surface
16A1 right end (end of second guide surface)
16A2 upper end (upper end of second guide surface)
20 container case (case) 20A1 bottom (bottom of case)
21 case body
22 upper cover (cover) 22A first guide surface 22B recess
22A1 left end (end of first guide surface)
22A2 upper end (upper end of first guide surface)
23 lock (lock mechanism)
24 shaft
10 0 upper surface 110 first upper surface 12 0 second upper surface 160 detection unit
300 platen roller (transport roller)
300a rotating shaft
30A1 left end (first end)
30A2 right end (second end)
1000 print unit
HB1, HB2 width
51 continuous sheet
52 cut sheet Tl, T2 height
We claim:
A printer configured to perform printing on a continuous sheet and a cut sheet, the printer comprising:
a case that includes a cover configured to open and close and that contains the continuous sheet; and
a housing containing a print unit and including an insertion opening into which the cut sheet is to be inserted, wherein
the cover includes a first guide surface that guides the cut sheet to be inserted into the insertion opening,
the housing includes a second guide surface that guides the cut sheet to be inserted into the insertion opening, and
in a closed state of the cover, the first guide surface is disposed side by side with the second guide surface in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the cut sheet. [Claim 2]
The printer according to claim 1, wherein
in the closed state of the cover, the first guide surface and the second guide surface are positioned on an identical imaginary plane. [Claim 3]
The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the print unit includes a transport roller that
transports the continuous sheet and the cut sheet, and
in a direction along a rotating shaft of the transport roller, a length between an end of the first guide surface positioned on a first end side of the rotating shaft and an end of the second guide surface positioned on a second end side of the rotating shaft is larger than a sheet width of the continuous sheet. [Claim 4]
The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the print unit includes a transport roller that transports the continuous sheet and the cut sheet, and
in a direction along a rotating shaft of the transport roller, a sum of a width of the first guide surface and a width of the second guide surface is larger than a sheet width of the continuous sheet containable in the case. [Claim 5]
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
a recess extending in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the continuous sheet is formed in the first guide surface. [Claim 6]
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the cover is opened and closed by pivoting around a
shaft and includes a lock mechanism with which the cover is locked in the closed state; and
the lock mechanism is provided between the first guide surface and the shaft. [Claim 7]
The'printer according to claim 6, further comprising a detection unit that detects a state in which the cover is locked with the lock mechanism, wherein
the detection unit is disposed on an inner-surface side of the second guide surface. [Claim 8]
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
in the closed state of the cover, a height from a bottom of the case to an upper end of the first guide surface is identical to a height from a bottom of the housing to an upper end of the second guide surface.
| # | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 201914016423-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [25-04-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-04-25 |
| 2 | 201914016423-REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION (FORM-18) [25-04-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-04-25 |
| 3 | 201914016423-FORM 18 [25-04-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-04-25 |
| 4 | 201914016423-FORM 1 [25-04-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-04-25 |
| 5 | 201914016423-DRAWINGS [25-04-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-04-25 |
| 6 | 201914016423-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [25-04-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-04-25 |
| 7 | 201914016423-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [25-04-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-04-25 |
| 8 | abstract.jpg | 2019-06-07 |
| 9 | 201914016423-Verified English translation (MANDATORY) [24-07-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-07-24 |
| 10 | 201914016423-Proof of Right (MANDATORY) [24-07-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-07-24 |
| 11 | 201914016423-FORM-26 [24-07-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-07-24 |
| 12 | 201914016423-Certified Copy of Priority Document (MANDATORY) [24-07-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-07-24 |
| 13 | 201914016423-Power of Attorney-260719.pdf | 2019-08-08 |
| 14 | 201914016423-OTHERS-260719.pdf | 2019-08-08 |
| 15 | 201914016423-OTHERS-260719-1.pdf | 2019-08-08 |
| 16 | 201914016423-OTHERS-260719-.pdf | 2019-08-08 |
| 17 | 201914016423-Correspondence-260719.pdf | 2019-08-08 |
| 18 | 201914016423-Correspondence-260719-1.pdf | 2019-08-08 |
| 19 | 201914016423-Correspondence-260719-.pdf | 2019-08-08 |
| 20 | 201914016423-FORM 3 [13-04-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-04-13 |
| 21 | 201914016423-FER_SER_REPLY [13-04-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-04-13 |
| 22 | 201914016423-CLAIMS [13-04-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-04-13 |
| 23 | 201914016423-FER.pdf | 2021-10-18 |
| 24 | 201914016423-PatentCertificate22-12-2023.pdf | 2023-12-22 |
| 25 | 201914016423-IntimationOfGrant22-12-2023.pdf | 2023-12-22 |
| 1 | 2020-07-2415-17-18E_24-07-2020.pdf |