EP0401036B1 - Printing machine for thermal print roll paper - Google Patents
Printing machine for thermal print roll paper Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0401036B1 EP0401036B1 EP90305997A EP90305997A EP0401036B1 EP 0401036 B1 EP0401036 B1 EP 0401036B1 EP 90305997 A EP90305997 A EP 90305997A EP 90305997 A EP90305997 A EP 90305997A EP 0401036 B1 EP0401036 B1 EP 0401036B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- spool
- roll paper
- printing machine
- flanges
- paper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/18—Constructional details
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J15/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in continuous form, e.g. webs
- B41J15/02—Web rolls or spindles; Attaching webs to cores or spindles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/18—Constructional details
- B65H75/182—Identification means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/41—Winding, unwinding
- B65H2301/415—Unwinding
- B65H2301/4152—Finishing unwinding process
- B65H2301/41522—Detecting residual amount of web
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2402/00—Constructional details of the handling apparatus
- B65H2402/60—Coupling, adapter or locking means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
- B65H2553/51—Encoders, e.g. linear
Definitions
- the invention relates to a printing machine for thermal print roll paper, which receives spools on which thermal print roll paper is rolled.
- Such thermal print roll paper is generally surface treated on at least one of the opposite faces thereof so as to accept printing images thereon and has one of a plurality of gradient recording characteristics.
- print paper can be roughly classified into roll paper type and cutform type based on the form of use.
- Roll paper is normally provided in such a condition that it is wound on a spool formed as a substantially cylindrical tube made of thick paper. Such roll paper is loaded in a printer such that the spool thereof is supported for rotation at a predetermined roll paper loading station provided in the printer.
- Print paper for use with a printer is processed in most cases by a predetermined method so that only one of the opposite faces thereof will accept printing or good printing image, and particularly roll paper for a thermal printer has applied to only one of the opposite faces thereof a recording material which develops an image when it is heated. Accordingly, roll paper for a thermal printer must necessarily be loaded in a printer in such a predetermined orientation that the processed face thereof, that is, a printing surface thereof, will be opposed to a thermal head in a paper feeding path.
- thermosensible paper which is used to print for the two value (white/black) recording and thermosensible paper that is used for gradient recording printing as described above are prepared, and use of various types of roll paper having various image developing characteristics is increasing for printers having the same recording system.
- roll paper of a different type to those specified for a printer may be loaded or roll paper which is not suitable for a set mode of a printer may be loaded, resulting in a printout in which a printed image is low in gradient reproducibility.
- Patent Specification US-A-4 171 781 discloses a roll holder having end flanges with journal pins of different profile so as to prevent erroneous way round insertion into guides which receive the journal pins.
- JP-A-62113570 discloses a thermal recording paper in roller form in a casing wherein the casing is provided with a projection to be detected by a detector which, upon making such a detection, changes the characteristics of the machine to suit the paper on the roll.
- a printing machine for thermal printing on two different kinds of thermal print roll paper, the thermal print roll paper being wound on spools wherein each spool containing thermal print roll paper, comprises a main hub portion on which the printing paper is rolled; a pair of flanges integrally formed with the main hub portion by moulding synthetic resin; a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on respective ones of the flanges and to be engaged with a pair of engaging members provided in a printing machine, the shapes of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion being different from each other so as to prevent erroneous installation of the spool of thermal print roll paper into the printing machine; characterised in that an axially outer end face of one of the flanges of each of the spools is provided with either a first kind of mark located at a radially outer position on said one of the flanges or a second kind of mark located at a radially inner position on said one of the flanges, and the printing machine is provided with
- the mark and said another kind of mark may be provided on the same surface of one of the edge portions.
- said one of the flanges of the spool can have the function of detecting a remaining amount of thermal print roll paper on the spool in addition to functions of identification of a recording characteristic of roll paper and prevention of erroneous loading of roll paper. Accordingly, an erroneous printout which might be caused by a gradient recording characteristic of roll paper loaded not being compatible with a set mode of the printer, or another erroneous printout which might be caused by printing on a face of roll paper which is not a printing surface or by an erroneous forecast of a remaining amount of roll paper, can be prevented. Since the marks can be formed in an integral relationship with the main hub portion of the spool from a synthetic resin material, the number of parts need not be increased nor need the cost be increased significantly.
- each of the spools 2 and 3 includes a spool main portion 6 which includes a core shaft 4 having a substantially cylindrical configuration and a pair of flanges 5 and 5' extending radially in planes perpendicular to the core shaft 4 from the opposite ends of the core shaft 4.
- the flange 5 has four small projections 7 a or 7 b formed on and extending axially from an outer end face of the flange 5.
- the spool main portion 6 and the projections 7 a or 7 b are formed in an integral relationship from a synthetic resin material.
- the core shaft 4 has an insertion hole 8 formed at the centre thereof and extending along the axis therethrough.
- the insertion hole 8 has a circular cross section and has such a tapered configuration that the diameter of the circular cross section thereof gradually increases from an end 8 a thereof adjacent the flange 5 toward the other end 8 b thereof adjacent the other flange 5'.
- the projections 7 a on the spool 2 of the paper roll 1A are disposed in an angularly spaced relationship by about 90 degrees from each other with respect to the axis of the spool 2 adjacent an outer peripheral edge of the flange 5 while the projections 7 b on the spool 3 of the other paper roll 1B are disposed in an angularly spaced relationship by about 90 degrees from each other with respect to the axis of the spool 3 at substantially radially intermediate locations of the flange 5 between the outer peripheral edge of the flange 5 and the insertion hole 8.
- Thermal print roll paper 9 and 10 has a recording material of the thermally image developing type applied to a face 9 a or 10 a thereof.
- the thermal roll paper 9 and the other thermal roll paper 10 have different gradient recording characteristics from each other.
- the thermal roll paper 9 is wound on the core shaft 4 of the spool 2 while the thermal roll paper 10 is wound on the core shaft 4 of the spool 3 such that the face 9 a or 10 a , that is, the printing surface of each of them may be directed away from the core shaft 4 side and it may be wound in the clockwise direction as viewed from the flange 5 side on which the projections 7 a or 7 b are provided.
- the paper roll 1A is constituted from the spool 2 and the thermal roll paper 9 wound on the spool 2 while the other paper roll 1B is constituted from the spool 3 and the thermal roll paper 10 wound on the spool 3, and the two paper rolls 1A and 1B are different in structure from each other in that the projections 7 a and 7 b are spaced by different distances from the centre axes of the spools 2 and 3 from each other.
- the paper rolls 1A and 1B are selectively used on a printing machine comprising a thermal printer 11.
- the thermal printer 11 includes an outer housing 12, a platen 13 provided for rotation in the outer housing 12, and a thermal head 14 disposed behind and in an opposing relationship to the platen 13.
- the thermal head 14 includes a circuit board member 15 on which a head driving circuit (not shown) is provided and a head support member 16 secured to a front end face of the circuit board member 15.
- a plurality of heat generating resistor members are disposed on a portion of an outer periphery of the head support member 16 which is opposed to the platen 13 such that amounts of heat to be generated by the heat generating members may be individually controlled for each set printing mode in accordance with a pattern of picture elements for a print line of print data supplied to the thermal printer 11.
- the thermal head 14 having such a construction as described just above is moved, only when a printing operation is to be performed, to an advanced position at which the heat generating face thereof contacts the platen 13 as indicated in solid lines in Figure 2, but in any other case, it is held at a standby position at which it is spaced by a small distance rearwardly away from the platen 13 as indicated in broken lines in Figure 2.
- a paper guide 17 is disposed on the inside of a paper outlet opening 12 a of the outer housing 12 in an opposing relationship to and in the neighbourhood of the paper outlet opening 12 a .
- a pair of paper feed rollers 18 are disposed between the platen 13 and the paper guide 17 while a cutter mechanism 19 is disposed between the paper guide 17 and the paper outlet opening 12 a of the outer housing 12.
- a roll paper loading station 20 removably to receive the paper roll 1A or 1B thereon is disposed in the outer housing 12.
- the roll paper loading station 20 includes a pair of support members 21 and 22 provided spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the axial length of the paper rolls 1A and 1B.
- the support members 21 and 22 have cylindrical fitting projections 23 and 24 formed on opposing faces 21 a and 22 a thereof.
- the fitting projection 23 has a diameter a little smaller than the inner diameter of the end 8 a of the insertion hole 8 of the spool 2 or 3 while the other fitting projection 24 has a diameter a little smaller than the inner diameter of the other end 8 b of the insertion hole 8.
- the support member 22 is secured to a frame member (not shown) of the thermal printer 11 while the support member 21 is supported for sliding movement on the frame member so as to allow adjustment of the distance thereof from the support member 22 and the support member 21 is normally urged toward the support member 22 by a resilient member (not shown).
- the paper roll 1A or 1B is loaded at the roll paper loading station 20 in the following manner.
- the fitting projection 24 of the support member 22 is inserted into the end 8 b of the insertion hole 8 of the spool 2 or 3.
- the insertion hole 8 is different in diameter at the opposite ends 8 a and 8 b thereof, it is impossible to fit the fitting projection 24 into the other end 8 a of the fitting hole 8 if the paper roll 1A or 1B is in the reverse orientation.
- the thermal roll paper 9 or 10 is threaded along the feed path such that the print face 9 a or 10 a thereof is opposed to the thermal head 14.
- a detecting device 25 is provided to identify a gradient recording characteristic and to detect a remaining amount of the thermal roll paper 9 or 10 of the paper roll 1A or 1B loaded at the roll paper loading station 20.
- the detecting device 25 includes a pair of contact fingers 26 and 27 each formed from a resilient member such as, for example, a leaf spring.
- the contact fingers 26 and 27 are disposed in an opposing relationship to the projections 7 a and 7 b , respectively, provided on the flanges 5 of the paper roll 1A or 1B when the roll paper 1A or 1B is loaded at the roll paper loading station 20.
- the contact finger 26 is positioned to be engaged successively by the projections 7 a when one of the spools 2 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20 is rotated around its axis. Each time the contact finger 26 is engaged by a projection 7 a , the contact of a switch 28 is closed.
- the contact finger 27 is positioned to be engaged successively by the projections 7 b when one of the spools 3 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20 is rotated around its axis. Each time the contact finger 27 is engaged by a projection 7 b , the contact of a switch 29 is closed.
- the contact fingers 26 and 27 have bent portions 26 a and 27 a formed at portions adjacent the free ends thereof, respectively, while they are mounted at the other end portions thereof on a switch mounting plate 30.
- the switches 28 and 29 are also mounted on the switch mounting plate 30.
- an indication of the recording characteristic of thermal print roll paper on the spool 2 or 3 loaded at the paper roll loading station 20 can be obtained by noting which one of the switches 28 and 29 generates a pulse signal.
- the speed of rotation of the paper roll 1A or 1B rises as the diameter of the paper roll 1A or 1B decreases, that is, as the remaining amount of the roll paper 9 or 10 decreases, and in accordance with such rise of the speed of rotation, the number of pulses per fixed period of time gradually increases. From such variation in number of pulses, the amount remaining of the thermal roll paper 9 or 10 can be detected and consequently can be displayed.
- rotation of the spool 2 or 3 stops when the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper 9 or 10 is reduced to zero, the number of pulses of the pulse signal per fixed period of time is reduced to zero. Accordingly, when such condition is detected, it can be indicated or notified, for example by warning sounds, that the paper has been used up.
- Figures 5 and 6 show modifications to the spools described above.
- the modified spools are substantially similar to those of the spools 2 and 3 described above and only different therefrom in the structure of detecting portions thereof which are provided for the detection of a gradient recording characteristic and a remaining amount of roll paper.
- description will be given below only of such differences, and those elements which have like structure or like functions to those shown in Figures 1A to 4B are denoted by like reference numerals. This also applies to the second and third embodiments described hereinbelow.
- the flange 5 has a groove 33 a or 33 b formed on an outer end face thereof and extending in a circumferential direction around an axis of the spool 31 or 32.
- the groove 33 a of the spool 31 is located substantially at a mid position between an outer circumferential edge of the flange 5 and the insertion hole 8 of the spool 31 while the groove 33 b of the other spool 32 is located adjacent the insertion hole 8.
- the detecting device 25 includes the pair of contact fingers 26 and 27 having bent portions 26 a and 27 a formed adjacent the free ends thereof in an opposing relationship to the grooves 33 a and 33 b of the spools 31 and 32, respectively.
- the bent portion 26 a of the contact finger 26 is engaged with the groove 33 a of the flange 5 of the spool 31, and accordingly, the contact of the switch 28 provided corresponding to the contact finger 26 remains in an open state.
- the contact finger 27 is engaged at the bent portion 27 a thereof with the outer end face of the flange 5 and deflected by the latter toward the switch 29 to close the contact of the switch 29.
- the bent portion 27 a of the contact finger 27 is engaged with the groove 33 b of the flange of the spool 32, and consequently, the contact of the switch 29 remains in an open state. Meanwhile, the bent portion 26 a of the contact finger 26 is engaged and deflected by the outer end face of the flange 5 toward the switch 28 to close the contact of the switch 28.
- a pattern 34 for the generation of a frequency signal is provided on the flange 5 of each of the spools 31 and 32.
- the pattern 34 includes a large number of detecting elements 34 a disposed in a predetermined circumferentially spaced relationship on the end face adjacent the outer periphery of the flange 5.
- the detecting elements 34 a have a reflection factor different from that of the end face of the flange 5.
- the detecting elements 34 a may be formed in an integral relationship with the spool main portion 6 of the spool 31 or 32, for example, by so-called double colour moulding.
- a photo-sensor 35 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) secured to the outer housing 12 and includes a light emitting element 35 a and a light receiving element 35b.
- the photo-sensor 35 is disposed in an opposing relationship to the outer circumferential portion of the end face of the flange 5 of the spool 31 or 32 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20.
- the frequency signal generating pattern 34 rotates upon rotation of the spool 31 or 32, the light receiving element 35 b develops an output signal in the form of pulses, and since the speed of rotation of the spool increases as the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper wound on the spool decreases, the amount remaining of the thermal roll paper can be detected by measuring the frequency of the output pulse signal of the light receiving element 35 b .
- spools for print roll paper are denoted by reference numerals 36 and 37 and include each a pair of flanges 5 and 5'.
- a support projection 38 having a circular cross section is provided at the centre of the outer face of the flange 5 of each of the spools 36 and 37 while another support projection 39 having a cross section of a substantially equilateral triangle is provided at the centre of the outer face of the other flange 5'.
- four metal pieces 40 a or 40 b made of a material having a high electric conductivity are provided on the flange 5 of each of the spools 36 and 37.
- the metal pieces 40 a or 40 b are each embedded in the flange 5 such that one face thereof is positioned flush with the outer face of the flange 5 and the pieces are disposed in a circumferentially spaced relationship by an angle substantially equal to 90 degrees around the axis of the flange 5.
- the metal pieces 40 a of the spool 36 are provided on the outer end face adjacent an outer periphery of the flange 5 while the metal pieces 40 b of the other spool 37 are provided substantially at mid locations of the outer end face of the spool 5 between the outer periphery of the flange 5 and the support projection 38 on the flange 5.
- the support projections 38 and 39 are formed from a synthetic resin material in an integral relationship with a spool main portion 6 which includes the flanges 5, 5' and a core shaft 4 and the metal pieces 40 a and 40 b are formed in an integral relationship with the spool main portion 6 by insert moulding with the flanges 5.
- a support member 22' is secured to an outer housing (not shown) and has a substantially C-shaped recess 22' a formed therein such that an end portion thereof is opened obliquely upwardly so that the support projection 38 provided on the flange 5 of the spool 36 or 37 may be received into the recess 22' a .
- a support wall 41 is disposed on the opposite side of the roll paper loading station 20 to the support member 22'.
- the support wall 41 has a cylindrical support projection or hub portion 41 a formed at a portion of an inner face thereof opposing a lower portion of the recess 22' a of the support member 22', and a spool supporting shaft 42 is supported for axial movement within a predetermined fixed range in the cylindrical support projection 41 a of the support wall 41.
- the spool supporting shaft 42 is formed as a unitary member having a shaft portion 42 a in the form of a circular section rod, a spring receiving flange 42 b connected to an axial end of the shaft portion 42 a adjacent the support member 22', and a support portion 42 c extending from the spring receiving flange 42 b towards the support member 22'.
- a fitting hole 42 d is formed in the support portion 42 c of the spool supporting shaft 42 such that it is open to the support member 22' side.
- the fitting hole 42 d is so shaped and dimensioned that the support projection 39 provided on the spool 36 or 37 may fit substantially neatly therein, and accordingly, the fitting hole 42 d has a triangular cross section.
- the spool supporting shaft 42 of such construction is inserted at the shaft portion 42 a thereof for sliding movement in the cylindrical support projection 41 a of the support wall 41 and has a knob 43 secured to an end of the shaft portion 42 a thereof remote from the support portion 42 c .
- a coil spring 44 is interposed in a compressed condition between the support wall 41 and the spring receiving flange 42 b of the spool supporting shaft 42.
- the cylindrical support projection 38 thereon is inserted into the recess 22' a of the support member 22', and then the other triangular support projection 39 is inserted into the fitting hole 42 d of the spool supporting shaft 42.
- a pair of detecting devices 45 and 46 are provided, and each of the detecting devices 45 and 46 has a pair of leaf-shaped contact fingers 47 a or 47 b .
- the contact fingers 47 a of the detecting device 45 are disposed such that they may be successively engaged resiliently and lightly with the metal pieces 40 a of the spool 36 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20 when the spool 36 rotates while the contact fingers 47 b of the detecting device 46 are disposed such that they may be successively contacted resiliently and lightly with the metal pieces 40 b of the spool 37 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20 when the spool 37 rotates.
- the contact fingers 47 of the detecting device 45 are intermittently short-circuited by the metal pieces 40 a of the spool 36, and consequently, the detecting device 45 develops a predetermined pulse signal.
- the contact fingers 47 b of the detecting device 47 are intermittently short-circuited by the metal pieces 40 b of the spool 37, and consequently, another predetermined pulse signal is developed from the detection device 46. Accordingly, a recording characteristic of thermal roll paper can be identified depending upon from which one of the detection devices 45 and 46 a pulse signal is developed. Further, the remaining amount of thermal print roll paper can be detected by measuring a frequency of the pulse signal.
- FIGS 11(A) to 12(B) there are shown modifications to the spools 36 and 37 shown in Figures 7(A) to 10(B).
- the modified spools denoted at 48 and 49 are different from the spools 36 and 37 in that detection of a gradient recording characteristic and detection of the remaining amount of thermal roll paper are effected using magnetic means.
- a flange 5 has four magnetized portions 50 a or 50 b which are spaced by an angular distance equal to about 90 degrees in a circumferential direction around the centre of the flange 5.
- the magnetized portions 50 a on the spool 48 are provided on an outer end face adjacent an outer periphery of the flange 5 while the magnetized portions 50 b on the other spool 49 are provided at substantially mid locations on the outer end face of the spool 5 between the outer periphery of the spool 5 and the support projection 38.
- a detecting coil 51 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of the magnetized portions 50 a of the spool 48 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20 and a detecting coil 52 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of the magnetized portions 50 b of the spool 49 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20.
- the magnetized portions 50 a thereof are intermittently opposed to the detecting coil 51, and consequently, a voltage is induced in the detecting coil 51.
- the magnetized portions 50 b thereon are intermittently opposed to the other detecting coil 52 so that a voltage is induced in the detecting coil 52. Accordingly, a recording characteristic of thermal roll paper can be identified depending upon from which one of the detecting coils 51 and 52 a signal is detected. Further, the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper can be detected by detecting a frequency of the pulse voltage or current of the signal developed from the detecting coil 51 or 52.
- spools 53, 54 for print roll paper wherein, in each of the spools 53 and 54, the flange 5 at one end has a support hole 55 of circular cross section formed at the centre thereof while the flange 5' at the other end has a support hole 56 of a cross section of a substantially equilateral triangle formed at the centre thereof.
- the flange 5 of each of the spools 53 and 54 is treated at an outer end face thereof such that it may have a comparatively high reflection factor.
- the flange 5 has four transparent portions 57 a or 57 b disposed in a circumferentially spaced relationship by an angular distance of about 90 degrees around the centre thereof.
- the transparent portions 57 a and 57 b may be made of a transparent synthetic resin material.
- the transparent portions 57 a of the spool 53 are provided adjacent an outer periphery of the flange 5 while the transparent portions 57 b of the other spool 54 are provided at substantially mid locations between the outer periphery of the flange 5 and the support hole 55.
- the spool main portion 6 and the transparent portions 57 a or 57 b may be formed in an integral relationship by double colour moulding of a synthetic resin material.
- a fitting projection 58 a in the form of a round post extends inwardly from an inner face of the support wall 58.
- the fitting projection 58 a has substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the support hole 55.
- a cylindrical support tube 59 a is formed on and extends inwardly from an inner face of the support wall 59 in an opposing relationship to the fitting projection 58 a of the support wall 58.
- a spool supporting shaft 60 having substantially the same structure as that of the spool supporting shaft 42 described hereinabove is mounted on the support wall 59.
- the spool supporting shaft 60 has a shaft portion 60 a which is supported for sliding movement in the support tube 59 a of the support wall 59.
- the spool shaft 60 further has a spring receiving flange 60 b and a fitting projection 60 c extending from the spring receiving flange 60 b toward the support wall 58.
- the fitting projection 60 c of the spool shaft 60 has a triangular cross section which is a complementary cross section to that of the support hole 56 of the spool 53 or 54.
- the fitting projection 58 a provided on the support wall 58 is inserted into the support hole 55 of the spool 53 or 54, and then the fitting projection 60 c of the spool supporting shaft 60 on the other support wall 59 is inserted into the other support hole 56 of the spool 53 or 54.
- a pair of photo-sensors 61 and 62 are provided and include each a light emitting element 61 a or 62 a and a light receiving element 61 b or 62 b .
- the photo-sensor 61 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of the transparent portions 57 a of the spool 53 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20 while the other photo-sensor 62 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of the transparent portions 57 b of the other spool 54 loaded at the roll paper loading station 20.
- the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 61 b decreases each time a transparent portion 57 a of the spool 53 is opposed to the optical sensor 61. Consequently, a predetermined pulse signal is produced from the photo-sensor 61. Meanwhile, a signal of a substantially fixed level is produced from the other photo-sensor 62.
- the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 62 b decreases each time a transparent portion 57 b of the spool 54 is opposed to the photo-sensor 61. Consequently, a predetermined pulse signal is produced from the photo-sensor 62 while a signal of a substantially fixed level is produced from the photo-sensor 61. Accordingly, a recording characteristic of thermal roll paper can be identified depending upon from which one of the photo-sensors 61 and 62 a pulse signal is developed.
- the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper can be detected by detecting the frequency of such pulse signal.
- the transparent portions 57 a and 57 b could be replaced by recesses or holes which could be optically detected by the photo-sensors 61 and 62 or like optical elements.
- detecting means for the detection of a recording characteristic serves also as detecting means for the detection of a remaining amount of roll paper in most of the embodiments and modifications described hereinabove, such construction can be effective to prevent the structure of a spool from being complicated.
Landscapes
- Unwinding Webs (AREA)
- Handling Of Continuous Sheets Of Paper (AREA)
- Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
- Electronic Switches (AREA)
- Controlling Rewinding, Feeding, Winding, Or Abnormalities Of Webs (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to a printing machine for thermal print roll paper, which receives spools on which thermal print roll paper is rolled.
- Such thermal print roll paper is generally surface treated on at least one of the opposite faces thereof so as to accept printing images thereon and has one of a plurality of gradient recording characteristics.
- Generally, print paper can be roughly classified into roll paper type and cutform type based on the form of use. Roll paper is normally provided in such a condition that it is wound on a spool formed as a substantially cylindrical tube made of thick paper. Such roll paper is loaded in a printer such that the spool thereof is supported for rotation at a predetermined roll paper loading station provided in the printer.
- Print paper for use with a printer is processed in most cases by a predetermined method so that only one of the opposite faces thereof will accept printing or good printing image, and particularly roll paper for a thermal printer has applied to only one of the opposite faces thereof a recording material which develops an image when it is heated. Accordingly, roll paper for a thermal printer must necessarily be loaded in a printer in such a predetermined orientation that the processed face thereof, that is, a printing surface thereof, will be opposed to a thermal head in a paper feeding path.
- Some recent thermal printers can be printed with a gradient (variable density/half tone) reproducibility. For a thermal printer having such a function, both conventional thermosensible paper which is used to print for the two value (white/black) recording and thermosensible paper that is used for gradient recording printing as described above are prepared, and use of various types of roll paper having various image developing characteristics is increasing for printers having the same recording system.
- As the number of types of roll paper increases as described above, identification of them relying on human judgement will result in an increase of the possibility that roll paper may be loaded in error. That is, roll paper of a different type to those specified for a printer may be loaded or roll paper which is not suitable for a set mode of a printer may be loaded, resulting in a printout in which a printed image is low in gradient reproducibility. Further, since a coupling portion of a conventional spool for roll paper to a spool loading station of a printer body is common in structure at the opposite ends of the spool, the orientation of the spool loaded on the spool loading station is not restricted decisively, and accordingly, there is a problem that a face of the roll paper which is not a printing surface may possibly be opposed to a thermal head of the printer.
- Patent Specification US-A-4 171 781 discloses a roll holder having end flanges with journal pins of different profile so as to prevent erroneous way round insertion into guides which receive the journal pins.
- Patent Abstracts of Japan vol.11 no. 330 (JP-A-62113570) discloses a thermal recording paper in roller form in a casing wherein the casing is provided with a projection to be detected by a detector which, upon making such a detection, changes the characteristics of the machine to suit the paper on the roll.
- According to the invention there is provided a printing machine for thermal printing on two different kinds of thermal print roll paper, the thermal print roll paper being wound on spools wherein each spool containing thermal print roll paper, comprises a main hub portion on which the printing paper is rolled;
a pair of flanges integrally formed with the main hub portion by moulding synthetic resin;
a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on respective ones of the flanges and to be engaged with a pair of engaging members provided in a printing machine, the shapes of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion being different from each other so as to prevent erroneous installation of the spool of thermal print roll paper into the printing machine;
characterised in that an axially outer end face of one of the flanges of each of the spools is provided with either a first kind of mark located at a radially outer position on said one of the flanges or a second kind of mark located at a radially inner position on said one of the flanges, and the printing machine is provided with a first detector to detect the first kind of mark and a second detector to detect the second kind of mark, the first and second detectors being mounted side by side at a position adjacent the location of the axially outer face of said one of the flanges of a spool loaded into the printing machine whereby the characteristics of the thermal print roll paper wound on a spool loaded into the printing machine can reliably be determined. - The mark and said another kind of mark may be provided on the same surface of one of the edge portions.
- Thus said one of the flanges of the spool can have the function of detecting a remaining amount of thermal print roll paper on the spool in addition to functions of identification of a recording characteristic of roll paper and prevention of erroneous loading of roll paper. Accordingly, an erroneous printout which might be caused by a gradient recording characteristic of roll paper loaded not being compatible with a set mode of the printer, or another erroneous printout which might be caused by printing on a face of roll paper which is not a printing surface or by an erroneous forecast of a remaining amount of roll paper, can be prevented. Since the marks can be formed in an integral relationship with the main hub portion of the spool from a synthetic resin material, the number of parts need not be increased nor need the cost be increased significantly.
- The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
- Figures 1(A) and 1(B) are perspective views of two paper rolls, comprising different types of print roll paper wound on different spools for use with a thermal printer with different gradient recording characteristics, according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of a printing machine of a thermal printer type according to the invention in which the paper rolls shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) are used;
- Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing part of the printing machine of a thermal printer type shown in Figure 2;
- Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are partial plan views of part of a roll paper loading station at which the paper rolls shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) are loaded, respectively;
- Figures 5(A) and 5(B) are perspective views showing modifications to the spools shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), respectively;
- Figures 6(A) and 6(B) are enlarged partial plan views, partly in section, showing a roll paper loading station at which the modified spools shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B) are loaded, respectively;
- Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are perspective views of two spools for print roll paper for use in a printing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 8 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a roll paper loading station for the spools shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B);
- Figure 9 is a perspective view showing part of the roll paper loading station shown in Figure 8;
- Figures 10(A) and 10(B) are side elevational views showing part of the roll paper loading station at which the spools shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are loaded, respectively;
- Figures 11(A) and 11(B) are perspective views showing modifications to the spools shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), respectively;
- Figures 12(A) and 12(B) are partial plan views, partly in section, showing the modified spools of Figures 11(A) and 11(B) in a loaded condition;
- Figures 13(A) and 13(B) are perspective views of two spools for print roll paper for use in a printing machine according to a third embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 14 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a roll paper loading station for the spools shown in Figures 13(A) and 13(B);
- Figure 15 is a perspective view showing part of the roll paper loading station shown in Figure 14; and
- Figures 16(A) and 16(B) are partial plan views, partly in section, showing the roll paper loading station of Figure 14 at which the spools shown in Figures 13(A) and 13(B) are loaded, respectively.
- Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figures 1(A) and 1(B), there are shown paper rolls wherein thermal print roll paper of two types is respectively mounted on different spools.
- In particular, the paper rolls shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) are denoted at 1A and 1B, respectively, and include each a
spool spools main portion 6 which includes acore shaft 4 having a substantially cylindrical configuration and a pair offlanges 5 and 5' extending radially in planes perpendicular to thecore shaft 4 from the opposite ends of thecore shaft 4. Theflange 5 has foursmall projections flange 5. The spoolmain portion 6 and theprojections core shaft 4 has aninsertion hole 8 formed at the centre thereof and extending along the axis therethrough. Theinsertion hole 8 has a circular cross section and has such a tapered configuration that the diameter of the circular cross section thereof gradually increases from anend 8a thereof adjacent theflange 5 toward theother end 8b thereof adjacent the other flange 5'. Theprojections 7a on thespool 2 of thepaper roll 1A are disposed in an angularly spaced relationship by about 90 degrees from each other with respect to the axis of thespool 2 adjacent an outer peripheral edge of theflange 5 while theprojections 7b on thespool 3 of theother paper roll 1B are disposed in an angularly spaced relationship by about 90 degrees from each other with respect to the axis of thespool 3 at substantially radially intermediate locations of theflange 5 between the outer peripheral edge of theflange 5 and theinsertion hole 8. - Thermal
print roll paper face thermal roll paper 9 and the otherthermal roll paper 10 have different gradient recording characteristics from each other. - The
thermal roll paper 9 is wound on thecore shaft 4 of thespool 2 while thethermal roll paper 10 is wound on thecore shaft 4 of thespool 3 such that theface core shaft 4 side and it may be wound in the clockwise direction as viewed from theflange 5 side on which theprojections - Thus, the
paper roll 1A is constituted from thespool 2 and thethermal roll paper 9 wound on thespool 2 while theother paper roll 1B is constituted from thespool 3 and thethermal roll paper 10 wound on thespool 3, and the twopaper rolls projections spools - Referring now to Figures 2 to 4(B), the
paper rolls - The thermal printer 11 includes an
outer housing 12, aplaten 13 provided for rotation in theouter housing 12, and athermal head 14 disposed behind and in an opposing relationship to theplaten 13. Thethermal head 14 includes acircuit board member 15 on which a head driving circuit (not shown) is provided and ahead support member 16 secured to a front end face of thecircuit board member 15. A plurality of heat generating resistor members (not shown) are disposed on a portion of an outer periphery of thehead support member 16 which is opposed to theplaten 13 such that amounts of heat to be generated by the heat generating members may be individually controlled for each set printing mode in accordance with a pattern of picture elements for a print line of print data supplied to the thermal printer 11. - It is to be noted that the
thermal head 14 having such a construction as described just above is moved, only when a printing operation is to be performed, to an advanced position at which the heat generating face thereof contacts theplaten 13 as indicated in solid lines in Figure 2, but in any other case, it is held at a standby position at which it is spaced by a small distance rearwardly away from theplaten 13 as indicated in broken lines in Figure 2. - A
paper guide 17 is disposed on the inside of a paper outlet opening 12a of theouter housing 12 in an opposing relationship to and in the neighbourhood of the paper outlet opening 12a. A pair ofpaper feed rollers 18 are disposed between theplaten 13 and thepaper guide 17 while acutter mechanism 19 is disposed between thepaper guide 17 and the paper outlet opening 12a of theouter housing 12. - A roll
paper loading station 20 removably to receive thepaper roll outer housing 12. The rollpaper loading station 20 includes a pair ofsupport members paper rolls support members cylindrical fitting projections faces fitting projection 23 has a diameter a little smaller than the inner diameter of theend 8a of theinsertion hole 8 of thespool other fitting projection 24 has a diameter a little smaller than the inner diameter of theother end 8b of theinsertion hole 8. - The
support member 22 is secured to a frame member (not shown) of the thermal printer 11 while thesupport member 21 is supported for sliding movement on the frame member so as to allow adjustment of the distance thereof from thesupport member 22 and thesupport member 21 is normally urged toward thesupport member 22 by a resilient member (not shown). - The
paper roll paper loading station 20 in the following manner. - Firstly, the
fitting projection 24 of thesupport member 22 is inserted into theend 8b of theinsertion hole 8 of thespool insertion hole 8 is different in diameter at the opposite ends 8a and 8b thereof, it is impossible to fit thefitting projection 24 into theother end 8a of thefitting hole 8 if thepaper roll - Then, while the
support member 21 is held moved away from thesupport member 22, thefitting projection 23 thereon is inserted into thecorresponding end 8a of theinsertion hole 8. - Consequently, the end faces of the
flanges 5 and 5' are engaged with the opposing faces 21a and 22a of thesupport members spool support members support member 22 by thesupport member 21 under the urging force of the resilient member mentioned hereinabove. - Setting of the
thermal roll paper paper loading station 20 to a position on a feeding path thereof is performed in that a lead portion of thethermal roll paper platen 13 and then threaded between thepaper feed rollers 18 as can be seen in Figure 2. - In this instance, the
thermal roll paper print face thermal head 14. - A detecting
device 25 is provided to identify a gradient recording characteristic and to detect a remaining amount of thethermal roll paper paper roll paper loading station 20. - The detecting
device 25 includes a pair ofcontact fingers contact fingers projections flanges 5 of thepaper roll roll paper paper loading station 20. - In particular, the
contact finger 26 is positioned to be engaged successively by theprojections 7a when one of thespools 2 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20 is rotated around its axis. Each time thecontact finger 26 is engaged by aprojection 7a, the contact of aswitch 28 is closed. - The
contact finger 27 is positioned to be engaged successively by theprojections 7b when one of thespools 3 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20 is rotated around its axis. Each time thecontact finger 27 is engaged by aprojection 7b, the contact of aswitch 29 is closed. - The
contact fingers portions switch mounting plate 30. Theswitches switch mounting plate 30. - Thus, an indication of the recording characteristic of thermal print roll paper on the
spool roll loading station 20 can be obtained by noting which one of theswitches - Since the
roll paper paper feed rollers 18, the speed of rotation of thepaper roll paper roll roll paper thermal roll paper spool thermal roll paper - Figures 5 and 6 show modifications to the spools described above.
- The modified spools are substantially similar to those of the
spools - In each of the modified spools denoted at 31 and 32, the
flange 5 has agroove spool groove 33a of thespool 31 is located substantially at a mid position between an outer circumferential edge of theflange 5 and theinsertion hole 8 of thespool 31 while thegroove 33b of theother spool 32 is located adjacent theinsertion hole 8. - The detecting
device 25 includes the pair ofcontact fingers bent portions grooves spools spool 31 is loaded at a paperroll loading station 20, thebent portion 26a of thecontact finger 26 is engaged with thegroove 33a of theflange 5 of thespool 31, and accordingly, the contact of theswitch 28 provided corresponding to thecontact finger 26 remains in an open state. Thecontact finger 27 is engaged at thebent portion 27a thereof with the outer end face of theflange 5 and deflected by the latter toward theswitch 29 to close the contact of theswitch 29. On the other hand, when thespool 32 is loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20, thebent portion 27a of thecontact finger 27 is engaged with thegroove 33b of the flange of thespool 32, and consequently, the contact of theswitch 29 remains in an open state. Meanwhile, thebent portion 26a of thecontact finger 26 is engaged and deflected by the outer end face of theflange 5 toward theswitch 28 to close the contact of theswitch 28. - A
pattern 34 for the generation of a frequency signal is provided on theflange 5 of each of thespools pattern 34 includes a large number of detectingelements 34a disposed in a predetermined circumferentially spaced relationship on the end face adjacent the outer periphery of theflange 5. The detectingelements 34a have a reflection factor different from that of the end face of theflange 5. The detectingelements 34a may be formed in an integral relationship with the spoolmain portion 6 of thespool - A photo-
sensor 35 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) secured to theouter housing 12 and includes alight emitting element 35a and alight receiving element 35b. The photo-sensor 35 is disposed in an opposing relationship to the outer circumferential portion of the end face of theflange 5 of thespool paper loading station 20. - Thus, it is possible to determine when a spool loaded on the roll
paper loading station 20 rotates, which one of theswitches - Also, since the frequency
signal generating pattern 34 rotates upon rotation of thespool light receiving element 35b develops an output signal in the form of pulses, and since the speed of rotation of the spool increases as the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper wound on the spool decreases, the amount remaining of the thermal roll paper can be detected by measuring the frequency of the output pulse signal of thelight receiving element 35b. - Referring now to Figures 7(A) to 10(B), spools for print roll paper are denoted by
reference numerals flanges 5 and 5'. Asupport projection 38 having a circular cross section is provided at the centre of the outer face of theflange 5 of each of thespools support projection 39 having a cross section of a substantially equilateral triangle is provided at the centre of the outer face of the other flange 5'. Further, fourmetal pieces flange 5 of each of thespools metal pieces flange 5 such that one face thereof is positioned flush with the outer face of theflange 5 and the pieces are disposed in a circumferentially spaced relationship by an angle substantially equal to 90 degrees around the axis of theflange 5. Themetal pieces 40a of thespool 36 are provided on the outer end face adjacent an outer periphery of theflange 5 while themetal pieces 40b of theother spool 37 are provided substantially at mid locations of the outer end face of thespool 5 between the outer periphery of theflange 5 and thesupport projection 38 on theflange 5. - It is to be noted that the
support projections main portion 6 which includes theflanges 5, 5' and acore shaft 4 and themetal pieces main portion 6 by insert moulding with theflanges 5. - Referring to Figures 8 and 9, a support member 22' is secured to an outer housing (not shown) and has a substantially C-shaped recess 22'a formed therein such that an end portion thereof is opened obliquely upwardly so that the
support projection 38 provided on theflange 5 of thespool - A
support wall 41 is disposed on the opposite side of the rollpaper loading station 20 to the support member 22'. Thesupport wall 41 has a cylindrical support projection orhub portion 41a formed at a portion of an inner face thereof opposing a lower portion of the recess 22'a of the support member 22', and aspool supporting shaft 42 is supported for axial movement within a predetermined fixed range in thecylindrical support projection 41a of thesupport wall 41. Thespool supporting shaft 42 is formed as a unitary member having ashaft portion 42a in the form of a circular section rod, aspring receiving flange 42b connected to an axial end of theshaft portion 42a adjacent the support member 22', and asupport portion 42c extending from thespring receiving flange 42b towards the support member 22'. Afitting hole 42d is formed in thesupport portion 42c of thespool supporting shaft 42 such that it is open to the support member 22' side. Thefitting hole 42d is so shaped and dimensioned that thesupport projection 39 provided on thespool fitting hole 42d has a triangular cross section. Thespool supporting shaft 42 of such construction is inserted at theshaft portion 42a thereof for sliding movement in thecylindrical support projection 41a of thesupport wall 41 and has aknob 43 secured to an end of theshaft portion 42a thereof remote from thesupport portion 42c. Acoil spring 44 is interposed in a compressed condition between thesupport wall 41 and thespring receiving flange 42b of thespool supporting shaft 42. - In loading the
spool paper loading station 20, thecylindrical support projection 38 thereon is inserted into the recess 22'a of the support member 22', and then the othertriangular support projection 39 is inserted into thefitting hole 42d of thespool supporting shaft 42. - It is to be noted that, even if it is attempted to insert the
support projection 38 into thefitting hole 42d of thespool supporting shaft 42, such attempt will result in failure because they have different cross sections from each other. Accordingly, thespool - A pair of detecting
devices devices contact fingers contact fingers 47a of the detectingdevice 45 are disposed such that they may be successively engaged resiliently and lightly with themetal pieces 40a of thespool 36 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20 when thespool 36 rotates while thecontact fingers 47b of the detectingdevice 46 are disposed such that they may be successively contacted resiliently and lightly with themetal pieces 40b of thespool 37 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20 when thespool 37 rotates. - Accordingly, when the
spool 36 is loaded and rotated, the contact fingers 47 of the detectingdevice 45 are intermittently short-circuited by themetal pieces 40a of thespool 36, and consequently, the detectingdevice 45 develops a predetermined pulse signal. On the other hand, when theother spool 37 is loaded and rotated, then thecontact fingers 47b of the detecting device 47 are intermittently short-circuited by themetal pieces 40b of thespool 37, and consequently, another predetermined pulse signal is developed from thedetection device 46. Accordingly, a recording characteristic of thermal roll paper can be identified depending upon from which one of thedetection devices 45 and 46 a pulse signal is developed. Further, the remaining amount of thermal print roll paper can be detected by measuring a frequency of the pulse signal. - Referring now to Figures 11(A) to 12(B), there are shown modifications to the
spools spools - In each of the modified spools 48 and 49, a
flange 5 has fourmagnetized portions flange 5. Themagnetized portions 50a on thespool 48 are provided on an outer end face adjacent an outer periphery of theflange 5 while themagnetized portions 50b on theother spool 49 are provided at substantially mid locations on the outer end face of thespool 5 between the outer periphery of thespool 5 and thesupport projection 38. - A detecting
coil 51 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of themagnetized portions 50a of thespool 48 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20 and a detectingcoil 52 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of themagnetized portions 50b of thespool 49 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20. - When the
spool 48 is loaded and rotated, themagnetized portions 50a thereof are intermittently opposed to the detectingcoil 51, and consequently, a voltage is induced in the detectingcoil 51. On the other hand, when thespool 49 is loaded and rotated, themagnetized portions 50b thereon are intermittently opposed to the other detectingcoil 52 so that a voltage is induced in the detectingcoil 52. Accordingly, a recording characteristic of thermal roll paper can be identified depending upon from which one of the detectingcoils 51 and 52 a signal is detected. Further, the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper can be detected by detecting a frequency of the pulse voltage or current of the signal developed from the detectingcoil - Referring now to Figures 13(A) to 16(B), there are shown
spools spools flange 5 at one end has asupport hole 55 of circular cross section formed at the centre thereof while the flange 5' at the other end has asupport hole 56 of a cross section of a substantially equilateral triangle formed at the centre thereof. - The
flange 5 of each of thespools flange 5 has fourtransparent portions transparent portions transparent portions 57a of thespool 53 are provided adjacent an outer periphery of theflange 5 while thetransparent portions 57b of theother spool 54 are provided at substantially mid locations between the outer periphery of theflange 5 and thesupport hole 55. - It is to be noted that the spool
main portion 6 and thetransparent portions - Referring particularly to Figures 14 and 15, a pair of
support walls fitting projection 58a in the form of a round post extends inwardly from an inner face of thesupport wall 58. Thefitting projection 58a has substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of thesupport hole 55. Acylindrical support tube 59a is formed on and extends inwardly from an inner face of thesupport wall 59 in an opposing relationship to thefitting projection 58a of thesupport wall 58. - A
spool supporting shaft 60 having substantially the same structure as that of thespool supporting shaft 42 described hereinabove is mounted on thesupport wall 59. Thespool supporting shaft 60 has ashaft portion 60a which is supported for sliding movement in thesupport tube 59a of thesupport wall 59. Thespool shaft 60 further has aspring receiving flange 60b and afitting projection 60c extending from thespring receiving flange 60b toward thesupport wall 58. Thefitting projection 60c of thespool shaft 60 has a triangular cross section which is a complementary cross section to that of thesupport hole 56 of thespool - In loading the
spool paper loading station 20, thefitting projection 58a provided on thesupport wall 58 is inserted into thesupport hole 55 of thespool fitting projection 60c of thespool supporting shaft 60 on theother support wall 59 is inserted into theother support hole 56 of thespool - It is to be noted that, even if it is attempted to insert the right-hand side
fitting projection 60c into thesupport hole 55 of thespool fitting projection 58a into thesupport hole 56 of thespool fitting projections spool - A pair of photo-
sensors light emitting element 61a or 62a and a light receiving element 61b or 62b. The photo-sensor 61 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of thetransparent portions 57a of thespool 53 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20 while the other photo-sensor 62 is disposed in the proximity of and in an opposing relationship to a locus of rotation of thetransparent portions 57b of theother spool 54 loaded at the rollpaper loading station 20. - When the
spool 53 is loaded and rotated, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 61b decreases each time atransparent portion 57a of thespool 53 is opposed to theoptical sensor 61. Consequently, a predetermined pulse signal is produced from the photo-sensor 61. Meanwhile, a signal of a substantially fixed level is produced from the other photo-sensor 62. - On the other hand, when the
spool 54 is loaded and rotated, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 62b decreases each time atransparent portion 57b of thespool 54 is opposed to the photo-sensor 61. Consequently, a predetermined pulse signal is produced from the photo-sensor 62 while a signal of a substantially fixed level is produced from the photo-sensor 61. Accordingly, a recording characteristic of thermal roll paper can be identified depending upon from which one of the photo-sensors - Further, the remaining amount of the thermal roll paper can be detected by detecting the frequency of such pulse signal.
- It is to be noted that the
transparent portions sensors - It is also to be noted that, while detecting means for the detection of a recording characteristic serves also as detecting means for the detection of a remaining amount of roll paper in most of the embodiments and modifications described hereinabove, such construction can be effective to prevent the structure of a spool from being complicated.
Claims (2)
- A printing machine for thermal printing on two different kinds of thermal print roll paper, the thermal print roll paper being wound on spools wherein each spool (2, 3, 31, 32, 36, 37, 48, 49, 53, 54) containing thermal print roll paper (9, 10), comprises a main hub portion (4) on which the printing paper is rolled;
a pair of flanges (5, 5') integrally formed with the main hub portion (4) by moulding synthetic resin;
a first engaging portion (8a, 38, 55) and a second engaging portion (8b, 39, 56) formed on respective ones of the flanges (5, 5') and to be engaged with a pair of engaging members provided in a printing machine, the shapes of the first engaging portion (8a, 38, 55) and the second engaging portion (8b, 39, 56) being different from each other so as to prevent erroneous installation of the spool of thermal print roll paper into the printing machine;
characterised in that an axially outer end face of one of the flanges of each of the spools is provided with either a first kind of mark (7a, 33a, 34, 40a, 50a, 57a) located at a radially outer position on said one (5) of the flanges or a second kind of mark (7b, 33b, 40b, 50b, 57b) located at a radially inner position on said one (5) of the flanges, and the printing machine is provided with a first detector (26, 47a, 51, 61) to detect the first kind of mark (7a, 33a, 34, 40a, 50a, 57a) and a second detector (27, 47b, 52, 62) to detect the second kind of mark (7b, 33b, 40b, 50b, 57b), the first and second detectors being mounted side by side at a position adjacent the location of the axially outer face of said one of the flanges of a spool loaded into the printing machine whereby the characteristics of the thermal print roll paper wound on a spool loaded into the printing machine can reliably be determined. - A printing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first and second marks comprise substantially transparent portions (57a, 57b) of the flange (5) of the spool (53, 54) and the detectors comprise a pair of photosensors (61,62) each including a light emitting element (61a, 62a) and a light receiving element (61b, 62b) so disposed that upon rotation of the spool (53) whichever of the first and second marks (57a or 57b) is provided causes intensity of light received by the respective light receiving element (61b or 62b) to be decreased upon passing the detector (61 or 62).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP1141412A JPH035178A (en) | 1989-06-02 | 1989-06-02 | Spool of roll paper for printing |
JP141412/89 | 1989-06-02 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0401036A1 EP0401036A1 (en) | 1990-12-05 |
EP0401036B1 true EP0401036B1 (en) | 1995-05-03 |
Family
ID=15291404
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90305997A Expired - Lifetime EP0401036B1 (en) | 1989-06-02 | 1990-06-01 | Printing machine for thermal print roll paper |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0401036B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH035178A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69019064T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2677580B1 (en) * | 1991-06-11 | 1993-09-24 | Sextant Avionique | ERGONOMIC PRINTER THAT CAN BE USED ON BOARD AN AERODYNE'S PILOTAGE STATION. |
DE9107857U1 (en) * | 1991-06-26 | 1991-09-12 | Stewing Kunststoffbetrieb GmbH Dorsten i.K., 46282 Dorsten | Cable drum |
US5513920A (en) * | 1992-10-29 | 1996-05-07 | Eastman Kodak Company | Dye donor web loading apparatus for a thermal printer |
EP0750994B1 (en) * | 1995-06-27 | 2003-05-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Printing device |
CA2316140C (en) * | 1996-09-20 | 2003-12-30 | Itsuo Yasunaga | Core pipe based magnetic sensing system for adjusting tension in rolls of winding sheet material |
DE19757900A1 (en) * | 1997-12-24 | 1999-07-01 | Eastman Kodak Co | Spool for filament-like or ribbon-shaped winding material |
US6315235B1 (en) * | 1998-11-03 | 2001-11-13 | Zih Corp. | Roll tensioner |
ES2330915T3 (en) * | 1999-01-25 | 2009-12-17 | Fargo Electronics, Inc. | METHOD AND APPLIANCE FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A PRINTER OR A PLASTIFIER AND ITS SUPPLIES. |
EP1033684A1 (en) * | 1999-03-01 | 2000-09-06 | Wayfarer Transit Systems Ltd | Paper dispenser |
US6663211B2 (en) | 1999-04-26 | 2003-12-16 | Shuichi Aratsu | Printing device and roll paper |
JP2000351509A (en) * | 1999-06-08 | 2000-12-19 | Sony Corp | Roll-form photographing paper, image printer using this paper, and method for detecting amount of remaining photographing paper |
US6414701B2 (en) | 1999-08-09 | 2002-07-02 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Drum type hard copy apparatus |
FR2872806B1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2006-09-15 | Georgia Pacific France Soc En | ROLLER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF CONDUCTIVE CHUCK PAPERS |
JP2009274830A (en) * | 2008-05-15 | 2009-11-26 | Noritsu Koki Co Ltd | Printer |
JP2012051703A (en) * | 2010-09-02 | 2012-03-15 | Sony Corp | Thermal paper roll, image forming apparatus and method, and program |
JP6244619B2 (en) * | 2012-11-26 | 2017-12-13 | 株式会社寺岡精工 | Ticketing machine with roll paper and roll paper |
CN104418143A (en) * | 2013-08-20 | 2015-03-18 | 芯发威达电子(上海)有限公司 | Paper rolling device with paper roll usage detecting function |
CN113022027B (en) * | 2021-03-15 | 2022-11-04 | 鹤岗市赢源米业有限公司 | Firecracker paper tube processing device |
CN114889343A (en) * | 2022-03-30 | 2022-08-12 | 厦门顶尖电子有限公司 | Paper roll identification method and device, label paper roll and label printer |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1774049A1 (en) * | 1968-03-26 | 1970-08-13 | Walter Friedrich Gmbh | Coil made of injection or molding material |
JPS6036951B2 (en) * | 1976-03-29 | 1985-08-23 | 東洋インキ製造株式会社 | How to print cardboard |
DE2717461A1 (en) * | 1977-04-20 | 1978-11-02 | Eisbein Develop | ARRANGEMENT OF A ROLL OF PAPER IN A COPIER |
US4699034A (en) * | 1983-03-04 | 1987-10-13 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Roll paper handling apparatus |
-
1989
- 1989-06-02 JP JP1141412A patent/JPH035178A/en active Pending
-
1990
- 1990-06-01 DE DE69019064T patent/DE69019064T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-06-01 EP EP90305997A patent/EP0401036B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 11, No. 330 (M-636)(2777), 28 October 1987; & JP-A-62113570 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 7, No. 59 (M-199)(1204), 11 March 1983; & JP-A-57203577 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 9, No. 231 (M-414)(1954), 18 September 1985; & JP-A-6087158 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0401036A1 (en) | 1990-12-05 |
DE69019064T2 (en) | 1995-08-31 |
JPH035178A (en) | 1991-01-10 |
DE69019064D1 (en) | 1995-06-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0401036B1 (en) | Printing machine for thermal print roll paper | |
US6295422B1 (en) | Encoded wheel for a toner cartridge | |
EP0790536B1 (en) | Toner cartridge for an electrophotographic machine and method of determining characteristics of such cartridge | |
US5995772A (en) | Imaging apparatus cartridge including an encoded device | |
US7232268B2 (en) | Roll sheet holder and tape printer | |
US5587770A (en) | Device for detecting remaining level of toner | |
EP0782053A2 (en) | Image output device having function for judging installation of genuine cartridge and method for determining authenticity of the cartridge | |
USRE42088E1 (en) | Printer | |
US6100993A (en) | Apparatus for detecting amount of paper remaining in paper cassette of printer | |
US6324350B1 (en) | Reusable unit displaying a specific pattern and an image forming apparatus using the reusable unit when the specific pattern is displayed and rendering the specific pattern illegible when the reusable unit is exhausted | |
EP0476123B1 (en) | A pulse generating mechanism for a web-roll | |
US5572630A (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
US4612446A (en) | Web terminal detecting device | |
US4939528A (en) | Equipment requiring external cartridge to be assembled therein | |
JP2002046916A (en) | Method and device for reading information code | |
KR100233119B1 (en) | Apparatus for detecting paper of printer | |
JPH06214455A (en) | Developing device | |
JPH0714268Y2 (en) | Paper cassette type detection device | |
KR100472467B1 (en) | Apparatus for detecting shortage of recording paper of printer | |
KR0159891B1 (en) | Automatic setting device of paper | |
JP2000355446A (en) | Recording medium detection device and method, and recording device | |
JPH0717288B2 (en) | Sheet feeding device | |
KR20000032921A (en) | Apparatus for multi-discriminating developer in electrophtography system | |
JPS58195827A (en) | Camera having discriminator for film | |
JPH0912160A (en) | Paper size detection device of paper feed cassette |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19910313 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19920706 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69019064 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19950608 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20010528 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20010530 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20010611 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020601 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20030101 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20020601 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20030228 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |