EP1872957A2 - Printer - Google Patents
Printer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1872957A2 EP1872957A2 EP07109059A EP07109059A EP1872957A2 EP 1872957 A2 EP1872957 A2 EP 1872957A2 EP 07109059 A EP07109059 A EP 07109059A EP 07109059 A EP07109059 A EP 07109059A EP 1872957 A2 EP1872957 A2 EP 1872957A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- paper
- thermal
- main unit
- cover
- head
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/60—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing on both faces of the printing material
-
- 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
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/36—Blanking or long feeds; Feeding to a particular line, e.g. by rotation of platen or feed roller
- B41J11/42—Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering
- B41J11/46—Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering by marks or formations on the paper being fed
-
- 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
- B41J15/04—Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles
- B41J15/042—Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles for loading rolled-up continuous copy material into printers, e.g. for replacing a used-up paper roll; Point-of-sale printers with openable casings allowing access to the rolled-up continuous copy material
-
- 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
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
- B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
-
- 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
- B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
- B41J2202/30—Embodiments of or processes related to thermal heads
- B41J2202/31—Thermal printer with head or platen movable
Definitions
- the cover may be closed while the first thermal head and the second thermal head remain displaced by the predetermined strokes.
- the first thermal head and the second thermal head may interfere with any other components, possibly damaging the components.
- timing marks such as black dots are printed, indicating the position where the paper should be cut.
- the timing marks are printed beforehand on the reverse side (i.e., the side that has no thermosensible layers).
- the conventional double-side thermal printer cannot utilize the timing marks when this single-sided thermal paper is used.
- the conventional double-side thermal printer should therefore be improved to enhance its versatility.
- the first printing unit comprises a first thermal head, i.e., print head, and a first platen roller that is opposed to the first thermal head across the paper-feeding path and is configured to transport a paper.
- the second unit comprises a second thermal head, i.e., print head, and a second platen roller that is opposed to the second thermal head across the paper-feeding path and is configured to transport the paper.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal printer that can use not only double-sided thermal papers and single-sided thermal papers, but also thermal papers having timing marks.
- a still another object of the present invention is to provide a printer in which the distance between the printing-start position of the first printing unit and that of the second printing unit can be reduced, without impairing the printing performance of the second printing unit.
- a thermal printer is designed to print data on a thermal paper having a thermosensible layer on at least one side.
- This printer comprises: a first thermal head which is arranged to contact the one side of the thermal paper and to print data on the one side of the thermal paper; a first platen roller which is opposed to the first thermal head across the thermal paper; a cutter mechanism which is arranged downstream with respect to the first thermal head, in a direction of feeding the thermal paper, and which is configured to cut the thermal paper; a second thermal head which is arranged upstream with respect to the first thermal head, in the direction of feeding the thermal paper, to contact the another side of the thermal paper; a second platen roller which is opposed to the second thermal head across the thermal paper; a motor; a drive-force transmitting mechanism which is configured to transmit rotation of the motor to the first platen roller and the second platen roller; a first paper sensor which is arranged upstream with respect to the second thermal head, in the direction of feeding the thermal paper and which is configured
- the thermal printer 101 which is one type of a printer, comprises a main unit 103, a cover 105, a hinge mechanism 106, and a paper-ejecting unit 107.
- the main unit 103 has a second thermal head 102 that is a print head.
- the cover 105 has a first thermal head 104, i.e., print head, and covers the main unit 103.
- the hinge mechanism 106 is positioned between the main unit 103 and the cover 105.
- the paper-ejecting unit 107 is opposed to the hinge mechanism 106 and located between the main unit 103 and the cover 105.
- the hinge mechanism 106 supports the cover 105, allowing the same to rotate. That is, the cover 105 can be rotated between a first state P1 and a second state P2, in which it is opened and closed, respectively, with respect to the main unit 103.
- the thermal printer 101 further comprises a second printing unit 122, and a first printing unit 123 arranged between the second printing unit 122 and the thermal paper supplying unit 121.
- the first printing unit 123 has the first thermal head 104, a first platen roller 112, and a first harness 132.
- the first thermal head 104 is arranged to print data on the first side 108A of the rolled paper 108 being fed through a paper-feeding path 125.
- the first platen roller 112 is opposed to the first thermal head 104 across the paper-feeding path 125.
- the first harness 132 is secured to the first thermal head 104.
- the first thermal head 104 is arranged such that the first harness 132 projects away from the paper-feeding path 125.
- the paper-ejecting unit 107 has an ejection port that is provided between the main unit 103 and the cover 105.
- the paper-ejecting unit 107 can ejects outside a part of the rolled paper 108, which has been printed by the first thermal head 104 and the second thermal head 102.
- the main unit 103 comprises a housing 111, the second thermal head 102, the first platen roller 112, a part of a cutter mechanism 113.
- the housing 111 contains the rolled paper 108.
- the second thermal head 102 is designed to print data on the rolled paper 108.
- the first platen roller 112 is provided in the main unit 103, is opposed to the first thermal head 104 provided in the cover 105 and can be rotated.
- the part of a cutter mechanism 113 is located downstream with respect to the first platen roller 112.
- the rolled paper 108 is a so-called double-sided thermal paper.
- the rolled paper 108 has a first side 108A and a second side 108B that is opposite to the first side 108A.
- the first thermal head 104 provided in the cover 105 is pushed with a prescribed force onto the first platen roller 112. More specifically, the first shaft 104B of the first thermal head 104 moves downwards. As the first shaft 104B moves so, the first thermal-head main unit 104A moves in contact with the first platen roller 112 and, at the same time, rotates in direction T1, or along the rotation locus S of the cover 105. The first spring 104C is thereby compressed because it is located between the spring seat 117 and the first thermal-head main unit 104A. The reaction of the spring 104C presses the first thermal-head main unit 104A onto the first platen roller 112 with a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolled paper 108 jointly with the first platen roller 112.
- the second platen roller 114 provided in the cover 105 is pushed onto the second thermal head 102 of the main unit 103 as the cover 105 is rotated.
- the second thermal head 102 rotates around the second shaft 102B, in direction T2, or along the rotation locus S of the cover 105.
- the second spring 102C is thereby compressed between the second thermal-head main unit 102A and the spring seat 116 of the main unit 103.
- the reaction of the second spring 102C presses the second thermal-head main unit 102A onto the second platen roller 114 with a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolled paper 108 jointly with the second platen roller 114.
- FIG. 8 schematically shows the internal structure of a thermal printer 201 according to the third embodiment.
- This thermal printer 201 can simultaneously print data on both sides of a double-sided thermal paper 302.
- the printer 201 can be used in, for example, cash registers for use in retail shops.
- the double-sided thermal paper 202 (hereinafter called "thermal paper") has a base paper 203 and two thermosensible layers 204 and 205.
- the layers 204 and 205 are formed on the obverse and reverse sides of the base paper 203, respectively. More precisely, the first thermosensible layer 204 is formed on one side (e.g., obverse side) of the base paper 203, and the second thermosensible layer 205 is formed on other side (e.g., reverse side) of the base paper 203.
- These layers 204 and 205 are made of material that attains a desired color, such as black or red, when it is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
- the thermal paper 202 is rolled, forming a roll, with the first thermosensible layer 204 turned inwards.
- a first platen roller 231 is arranged and opposed to the first thermal head 221.
- the first platen roller 231 faces the first thermal head 221, clamping the thermal paper 202 jointly with the first thermal head 221, while the cover 212 remains closed as shown in FIG. 8.
- the printer main unit 211 incorporates a motor 261.
- An example of the motor 261 is a pulse motor that can rotate in both the forward direction and reverse direction. The angle through which it rotates (i.e., rotation angle) can be accurately controlled in accordance with the number of pulses output from a controller 272, which will be described later.
- One idler gear 267 is arranged in the cover 212, and the other idler gear 268 is arranged in the printer main unit 211.
- the idler gears 267 and 268 mesh with each other as long as the cover 212 remains closed. When the cover 212 is opened, the idler gears 267 and 268 are disengaged from each other.
- One idler gears 267 meshes with the first platen gear 241 at all times.
- the other gear 268 meshes with the second platen gear 253 at all times.
- a first paper sensor 271 is arranged upstream with respect to the second thermal head 242, in the direction of feeding the thermal paper 202, in order to detect the thermal paper 202.
- the first paper sensor 271 is electrically connected to the controller 272.
- the controller 272 is an example of a control unit that uses a microprocessor or the like.
- the sensing unit 171a of the first paper sensor 271 may contact the thermal paper 202 from below. In this case, the first paper sensor 271 detects the thermal paper 202. When the first paper sensor 271 detects the thermal paper 202, it outputs a signal indicating that the thermal paper 202 has been detected. The signal is supplied to the controller 272.
- a second paper sensor 273 is arranged between the first thermal head 221 and the second thermal head 242.
- the second paper sensor 273 is a reflection-type sensor that can optically detects the distal end of the thermal paper 202 and comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element.
- the second paper sensor 273 can detect timing marks 274 (see FIG. 10) that are printed on the thermal paper 202.
- the second paper sensor 273 detects the distal end of the thermal paper 202, it generates a signal indicating that the distal end has been detected. This signal is supplied to the controller 272.
- the timing marks 274 are marks that can be optically read.
- An example of a timing mark 274 is a black mark (e.g., black dot) that indicates the position where the thermal paper 202 should be cut.
- the thermal paper 202 is a double-sided thermal paper and has two thermosensible layers 204 and 205 on the obverse and reverse sides, respectively. Therefore, the first thermal head 221 can print the timing marks 274 on the first thermosensible layer 204, or the second thermal head 242 can print the marks 274 on the second thermosensible layer 205. To enable the second paper sensor 273 to detect the timing marks 274, however, the second thermal head 242 prints the timing marks 274. This is because the second thermal head 242 is arranged upstream with respect to the sensor 273 in the direction of feeding the thermal paper 202.
- the thermal paper 202 may be replaced by a single-sided thermal paper having only one thermosensible layer. If this is the case, the timing marks 274 are printed on the reverse side of the thermal paper (i.e., the side on which no thermosensible layers are provided). That is, the second paper sensor 273 of this embodiment can detect the timing marks 274 printed on the double-sided thermal paper 202 and the timing marks printed on a single-sided thermal paper.
- the cover 212 When the cover 212 is opened to replenish the thermal paper 202, the first platen roller 231 moves away from the first thermal head 221. At the same time, the second thermal head 242 moves away from the second platen roller 251. Further, the one idler gear 267 is disengaged from the other idler gear 268. The top of the printer main unit 211 is therefore opened. As a result, the first thermal head 221 and the second platen roller 251 are fully exposed to the outside.
- the first biasing means 234 keeps pushing the first thermal head 221 toward the first platen roller 231
- the second biasing means 254 keeps pushing the second thermal head 243 toward the second platen roller 251.
- the idler gears 267 and 268 come into mesh with each other.
- the thermal paper 202 is set in the paper receptacle 213, and the distal end of the paper 202 is led to the second thermal head 242. Then, the first paper sensor 271 detects the thermal paper 202, and the controller 272 outputs pulses. These pulses drive the motor 261 by the prescribed angle in the direction of arrow R shown in FIG. 8. The second platen roller 251 is thereby rotated in the direction of arrow R2. The thermal paper 202 is therefore fed toward the first thermal head 221.
- the rotation of the shaft 262 of the motor 261 is transmitted via the drive-force transmitting mechanism 264 to the first platen roller 231 and the second platen roller 251.
- the first platen roller 231 and the second platen roller 251 therefore rotate in the direction of arrow R1 and the direction of arrow R2, respectively.
- the second paper sensor 273 detects the thermal paper 202.
- the controller 272 When the second paper sensor 273 detects the distal end of the thermal paper 202, the controller 272 outputs pulses. The pulses drive the motor 261 further, by the prescribed angle. Then, the thermal paper 202 is stopped at a preset printing position, with its distal end clamped between the first thermal head 221 and the first platen roller 231.
- the controller 272 When the controller 272 outputs a signal to the motor 261, instructing that data be printed, the motor 261 rotates the first platen roller 231 and the second platen roller 251 in the directions of arrows R1 and R2, respectively. At this time, the first thermal head 221 prints data on the first thermosensible layer 204 of the thermal paper 202. At the same time, the second thermal head 242 can print data on the second thermosensible layer 205 of the thermal paper 202. If necessary, the second thermal head 242 can print, on the desired parts of the second thermosensible layer 205, timing marks 274 that indicate the position where the paper 202 should be cut.
- the thermal paper 202 is fed toward the cutter mechanism 233. While the thermal paper 202 is being fed so, the second paper sensor 273 detects the timing marks 274. Thereafter, the paper 202 is further fed in accordance with the number of pulses output from controller 272, until that part of the thermal paper 202, at which the paper 202 is to be cut, reaches the cutter mechanism 233. Then, the cutter mechanism 233 operates, cutting the thermal paper 202.
- the thermal printer 201 has a paper-reversing function of driving the motor 261 in the reverse direction in order to move the distal end of the thermal paper 202 cut by the cutter mechanism 233, back to a position near the first thermal head 221. Since the paper-reversing function can return the distal end of the paper 202 to a position near the first thermal head 221, the paper 202 can be prevented from having an unprintable region, i.e., blank region. Thus, the thermal paper 202 will not be wasted.
- the thermal paper 202 can be cut, without using timing marks 274. If no timing marks 274 are used, the pulses output from the controller 272 drive the motor 261 by the prescribed angle, thereby feeding the paper 202 until the part of the paper 202, which is to be cut, reaches the cutter mechanism 233. Then, the cutter mechanism 233 operates, cutting the thermal paper 202.
- Timing marks may be already printed on the reverse side of a single-sided thermal paper (i.e., the side on which no thermosensible layers are provided).
- the position at which to cut the paper can be designated if the second paper sensor 273 detects the timing marks printed on the single-sided thermal paper.
- the thermal printer 201 according to this embodiment can use not only double-sided thermal papers, but also single-sided thermal papers.
- the components of the invention such as the first and second thermal heads, first and second platen rollers, cutter mechanism, drive-force transmitting mechanism, first paper sensor and second paper sensor, can of course be modified as needed.
- the marks printed on the thermal paper are not limited to timing marks. Any other optically readable marks may be printed, instead.
- FIG. 11 shows a printer that is the fourth embodiment.
- reference number 301 designates the main unit of the printer.
- the main unit 301 incorporates a reel unit 303 from which a paper 302 is supplied.
- One side of the paper 302 is a thermosensible side 302a.
- the other side of the paper 302 is a thermosensible side 302b.
- the paper 302 is fed along the paper-feeding path 304.
- First and second printing units 306 and 307 are arranged in the paper-feeding path 304.
- the first printing unit 306 is arranged downstream with respect to the second printing unit 307, in the direction of feeding the paper.
- the first printing unit 306 has a first thermal head 310, which is used as first print head.
- P1 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of the head 310 is provided.
- a platen roller 311 is arranged and used as first platen. The platen roller 311 can be rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown), in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 11.
- the second printing unit 307 has a second thermal head 320 that is used as second print head.
- P2 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of the head 320 is provided.
- a second platen roller 321 is arranged and fixed in place, facing the second thermal head 320 across the paper-feeding path 304,
- the distal-end part of the paper 302 is pulled from the reel unit 303 and stretched from the second printing unit 307 to the first printing unit 306.
- the distal-end part of the paper 302 is clamped between the first and second thermal heads 310 and 320, on the one hand, and the first platen rollers 311a and second platen 321, on the other hand.
- the platen roller 311 of the first printing unit 306 may be rotated in the direction of the arrow, by a drive mechanism (not shown).
- the paper 302 is thereby fed.
- the first thermal head 310 prints data Ja on one side 302a of the paper 302 as shown in FIG. 12.
- the second thermal head 320 prints data Jb on the other side 302b of the paper 302 as shown in FIG. 13.
- the second platen 321 is fixed in place in the present embodiment, and the width of the second platen 321, as measured in the direction of feeding the paper, is smaller than the diameter of the platen roller 311. Therefore, the heat-generating element P2 of the second thermal head 320 can be closer to the heat-generating element P1 of the first thermal head 310 than otherwise. Hence, the unprintable region S, in which no data can be printed, can be decreased. The paper 302 can therefore be less wasted. Further, an appropriate friction can be applied to the paper 302 being fed, because the second platen 321 is fixed in place. A proper tension can therefore be exerted on the paper 302. This can prevent printing errors and jamming of the paper being fed.
- the second platen 321 Since the surface of the second platen 321 is covered with a low-friction member, the friction between the arced surface 321a and the paper 302 is low. Therefore, the second platen 321 would not prevent the feeding of the paper 302.
- the first printing unit 403 has a first thermal head 407, i.e., first print head, and a first platen roller 408, i.e., first platen.
- P1 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of the first thermal head 407 is provided.
- the first platen roller 408 is shaped like a circular column. The roller 408 is opposed to the first thermal head 407, clamping the paper 302 jointly with the first thermal head 407.
- the second printing unit 404 has a second thermal head 411, i.e., second print head, and a second platen roller 412, i.e., second platen.
- P2 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of the second thermal head 411 is provided.
- the second platen roller 412 has the same shape as the first platen roller 408.
- the second platen roller 412 is opposed to the second thermal head 411, clamping the paper 302 jointly with the second thermal head 408.
- the second platen roller 412 has a roller body 412a and a one-way clutch 412b.
- the one-way clutch 412b is incorporated in the roller body 412b.
- the drive unit 402 can drive reduction gears (not shown), thereby to rotate the first platen roller 408 and the second platen roller 412.
- the rotational speed V1 of the first platen roller 408 is higher than the rotational speed V2 of the second platen roller 412.
- the one-way clutch 412b can make the roller body 412a run idle if the paper 302 is fed at a speed higher than the rotational speed V2 of the second platen roller 412. In this case, the second platen roller 412 acts as brake on the paper 302 through the one-way clutch 412b.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a printer that can print data on both sides of a paper.
- As disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
11-286147 - In this double-side printing mechanism, the first thermal head prints data on a thermal paper and then the second thermal head prints data on the thermal paper, thereby printing data on both sides of the thermal paper.
- The configuration of the double-side printing mechanism described above can be applied to a thermal printer having a cover that can be opened and closed. The main unit of this thermal printer incorporates, for example, only the first platen roller and the second thermal head. The first thermal head and the second platen roller are arranged in the cover.
- In order to ensure a predetermined pressure, the thermal printer is so configured that the first thermal head and the second thermal head are pushed onto the platen rollers by compression springs. Further, the thermal printer is so designed that the first thermal head and the second thermal head are rotated by predetermined strokes.
- In the thermal printer so configured as described above, the cover may be closed while the first thermal head and the second thermal head remain displaced by the predetermined strokes. In this case, the first thermal head and the second thermal head may interfere with any other components, possibly damaging the components.
- Of single-sided thermal papers, one is known on which timing marks such as black dots are printed, indicating the position where the paper should be cut. The timing marks are printed beforehand on the reverse side (i.e., the side that has no thermosensible layers). The conventional double-side thermal printer cannot utilize the timing marks when this single-sided thermal paper is used. The conventional double-side thermal printer should therefore be improved to enhance its versatility.
-
U.S. Patent No. 6,784,906 discloses a printer of this type. In this printer, the first printing unit and the second printing unit are provided in the paper-feeding path, positioned downstream and upstream, respectively, with respect to the direction in which a paper is being transported, and print data on both sides of a paper at the same time while the paper. - The first printing unit comprises a first thermal head, i.e., print head, and a first platen roller that is opposed to the first thermal head across the paper-feeding path and is configured to transport a paper. The second unit comprises a second thermal head, i.e., print head, and a second platen roller that is opposed to the second thermal head across the paper-feeding path and is configured to transport the paper.
- The printer starts printing data on a paper when the paper is wrapped is stretched between the first and second printing units. Since the positions where the first and second printing units start printing, respectively, are deviated from each other. Inevitably, the second printing unit cannot print data on that region of the paper which lies between its printing-start position and the printing-start position of the first printing unit.
- Here arises a problem. The first and second printing units have a platen roller each. Therefore, the distance between the printing-start position of the first printing unit and that of the second printing unit cannot be shorter than the diameter of the platen rollers. A region of the paper, which cannot be printed by the second printing unit, is inevitably large. (Hereinafter, this region will be referred to as "unprintable region.") That is, a large part of the thermal paper is wasted.
- If the diameter of the platen roller of the second printing unit is reduced, the distance between the printing-start position of the first printing unit and that of the second printing unit can be indeed decreased. In this case, however, the nip between the platen roller and thermal head of each printing unit cannot be wide enough to accomplish high-quality printing.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a printer in which the printer heads are prevented from interfering with any other components when the cover is closed.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal printer that can use not only double-sided thermal papers and single-sided thermal papers, but also thermal papers having timing marks.
- A still another object of the present invention is to provide a printer in which the distance between the printing-start position of the first printing unit and that of the second printing unit can be reduced, without impairing the printing performance of the second printing unit.
- To achieve these objects, a printer according to an aspect of the invention comprises: a main unit which is configured to hold a rolled paper; a cover which covers the main unit; a hinge mechanism which is located between the main unit and the cover and which supports the cover, allowing the cover to rotate between a first state in which the cover is opened with respect to the main unit and the rolled paper is therefore able to be set in and removed from the main unit, and a second state in which the cover is closed with respect to the main unit; a first print head which is provided in the cover to print data on a first side of the rolled paper; and a second print head which is provided in the main unit to print data on a second side of the rolled paper. The first print head and the second print head are able to rotate along a rotation locus of the cover.
- To attain the objects described above, a thermal printer according another aspect of this invention is designed to print data on a thermal paper having a thermosensible layer on at least one side. This printer comprises: a first thermal head which is arranged to contact the one side of the thermal paper and to print data on the one side of the thermal paper; a first platen roller which is opposed to the first thermal head across the thermal paper; a cutter mechanism which is arranged downstream with respect to the first thermal head, in a direction of feeding the thermal paper, and which is configured to cut the thermal paper; a second thermal head which is arranged upstream with respect to the first thermal head, in the direction of feeding the thermal paper, to contact the another side of the thermal paper; a second platen roller which is opposed to the second thermal head across the thermal paper; a motor; a drive-force transmitting mechanism which is configured to transmit rotation of the motor to the first platen roller and the second platen roller; a first paper sensor which is arranged upstream with respect to the second thermal head, in the direction of feeding the thermal paper and which is configured to detect the thermal paper; and a second paper sensor which is arranged between the first thermal head and the second thermal head and which is configured to detect a distal end of the thermal paper and to read optically marks printed on the thermal paper.
- To achieve the objects described above, a printer according to still another aspect of this invention has a first print head and a first platen that are opposed to a second print head and a second platen, respectively, across a paper-feeding path. Data is printed on both sides of a paper at the same time. In this printer, the first platen is a platen roller which rotates to feed the paper, and the second platen is fixed in place, has an arced surface opposed to the second print head and having a radius of curvature almost equal to a radius of curvature of the first platen, and has a width as measured in the direction of feeding the paper, which is smaller than a diameter of the first platen.
- In the present invention, the first print head and the second print head can rotate along the locus of the cover. The first print head and the second print head can therefore be prevented from interfering with the any other components provided in the main unit when the cover is opened or closed.
- Further, in this invention, the second paper sensor can detect the distal end of the thermal paper and can timing marks such as black dots. The timing marks may be beforehand printed on a single-sided thermal paper. They may be printed a double-sided thermal paper, by using the second thermal head. The thermal printer according to this invention can use both a double-sided thermal paper and a single-sided thermal paper. In addition, the thermal printer can use thermal papers having timing marks. Thus, the thermal print has high versatility
- Moreover, the present invention can reduce the unprintable region of a paper, without impairing the printing performance, and can therefore avoid wasting of paper.
- The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a thermal printer according to a first embodiment, schematically showing the second state in which the cover is closed;
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the thermal printer of FIG. 1, schematically showing the first state in which the cover is opened;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the thermal printer according to a second embodiment, showing the second state in which the cover is closed;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the thermal printer of FIG. 3, showing the first state in which the cover is opened;
- FIG. 5 is a magnified sectional view of the thermal printer of FIG. 3, showing the major components of the thermal printer;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the thermal printer of FIG. 5, illustrating how the first thermal head is moved;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the thermal printer of FIG. 5, illustrating how the second thermal head is moved;
- FIG. 8 is a side view of a thermal printer according to a third embodiment, schematically showing the internal structure of the thermal printer;
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a double-sided thermal paper;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of a thermal paper having timing marks;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a printer that is a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a paper, explaining how data is printed on one side by the printer of FIG. 11;
- FIG. 13 is a diagram the paper, explaining how data is printed on the other side by the printer of FIG. 11; and
- FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a printer that is a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the embodiments are mechanisms, each using thermal heads.
- A printer according to the first embodiment will be described, with reference to FIG. 1 and 2. As FIG. 1 shows, the
thermal printer 101, which is one type of a printer, comprises amain unit 103, acover 105, ahinge mechanism 106, and a paper-ejectingunit 107. Themain unit 103 has a secondthermal head 102 that is a print head. Thecover 105 has a firstthermal head 104, i.e., print head, and covers themain unit 103. Thehinge mechanism 106 is positioned between themain unit 103 and thecover 105. The paper-ejectingunit 107 is opposed to thehinge mechanism 106 and located between themain unit 103 and thecover 105. Thehinge mechanism 106 supports thecover 105, allowing the same to rotate. That is, thecover 105 can be rotated between a first state P1 and a second state P2, in which it is opened and closed, respectively, with respect to themain unit 103. - The
thermal printer 101 further comprises asecond printing unit 122, and afirst printing unit 123 arranged between thesecond printing unit 122 and the thermalpaper supplying unit 121. - The
first printing unit 123 has the firstthermal head 104, afirst platen roller 112, and afirst harness 132. The firstthermal head 104 is arranged to print data on thefirst side 108A of the rolledpaper 108 being fed through a paper-feedingpath 125. Thefirst platen roller 112 is opposed to the firstthermal head 104 across the paper-feedingpath 125. Thefirst harness 132 is secured to the firstthermal head 104. The firstthermal head 104 is arranged such that thefirst harness 132 projects away from the paper-feedingpath 125. - The
second printing unit 122 has the secondthermal head 102, asecond platen 114, and asecond harness 131. The secondthermal head 102 is arranged to print data on thesecond side 108B of the rolledpaper 108 being fed through a paper-feedingpath 125. Thesecond platen roller 114 is opposed to the secondthermal head 102 across the paper-feedingpath 125. Thesecond harness 131 is secured to the secondthermal head 102. The secondthermal head 102 is arranged such that thesecond harness 131 projects away from the paper-feedingpath 125. - The paper-ejecting
unit 107 has an ejection port that is provided between themain unit 103 and thecover 105. The paper-ejectingunit 107 can ejects outside a part of the rolledpaper 108, which has been printed by the firstthermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102. - As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
main unit 103 comprises ahousing 111, the secondthermal head 102, thefirst platen roller 112, a part of acutter mechanism 113. Thehousing 111 contains the rolledpaper 108. The secondthermal head 102 is designed to print data on the rolledpaper 108. Thefirst platen roller 112 is provided in themain unit 103, is opposed to the firstthermal head 104 provided in thecover 105 and can be rotated. The part of acutter mechanism 113 is located downstream with respect to thefirst platen roller 112. The rolledpaper 108 is a so-called double-sided thermal paper. The rolledpaper 108 has afirst side 108A and asecond side 108B that is opposite to thefirst side 108A. The rolledpaper 108 is contained in the thermalpaper supplying unit 121, i.e., a recess provided in thehousing 111. The rolledpaper 108 can be rotated in the supplyingunit 121. The secondthermal head 102 can print data on thesecond side 108B of the rolledpaper 108. - The supplying
unit 121 has aholding section 124 and afeed mechanism 126. The holdingunit 124 holds apaper roll 108C. Thefeed mechanism 126 is configured to feed the rolledpaper 108 from thepaper roll 108C along the paper-feedingpath 125 and has adamper 127. Thedamper 127 has the function of applying a predetermined tension on the rolledpaper 108. - The
first platen roller 112 is supported at both ends by, for example, thehousing 111 and can be rotated. The secondthermal head 102 is arranged downstream with respect to thefirst platen roller 112, in the direction of feeding the rolledpaper 108. Themain unit 103 further comprises adrive section 109 that achieves the feeding of the rolledpaper 108. Thedrive section 109 has a steppingmotor 109A and a plurality of reduction gears. The steppingmotor 109A generates a rotational force. The reduction gears transmit the rotational force to some of the components of thethermal printer 101. The reduction gears are not shown. - The
main unit 103 includes a firstmain unit half 103A and a secondmain unit half 103B. Thehinge mechanism 106 is secured to the firstmain unit half 103A. The paper-ejectingunit 107 is secured to the secondmain unit half 103B and located remote from the firstmain unit half 103A. The secondthermal head 102 is arranged in the second 103B of themain unit 103. The rolledpaper 108 is contained in the firstmain unit half 103A of themain body 103. The rolledpaper 108 has thepaper roll 108C and anend part 108D fed from thepaper roll 108C. That is, the rolledpaper 108 is attached to themain unit 103, with theend part 108D fed from thepaper roll 108C. Theend part 108D overlaps, in part, the paper-ejectingunit 107. - The
cover 105 comprises an upper frame (not shown), the firstthermal head 104, thesecond platen roller 114, and a part of thecutter mechanism 113. The firstthermal head 104 is provided to print data on thefirst side 108A of the rolledpaper 108. The upper frame holds thesecond platen roller 114 in such a manner that theplaten roller 114 corresponds in position to the secondthermal head 102, and allows theroller 114 to rotate. The upper frame is fastened, at one end, to thehinge mechanism 106. The firstthermal head 104 is fastened to the upper frame. The firstthermal head 104 is located upstream with respect to thesecond platen roller 114, in the direction of feeding the rolledpaper 108. - As FIG. 1 shows, the
cover 105 includes afirst cover half 105A and asecond cover half 105B. Thehinge mechanism 106 is secured to thehalf 105A. The paper-ejectingunit 107 is secured to theother half 105B and located remote from thehalf 105A. The firstthermal head 104 is arranged in theother half 105B. - As FIG. 1 shows, too, the first
thermal head 104 has a first thermal-headmain unit 104A, afirst shaft 104B, and afirst spring 104C. Thefirst shaft 104B supports the first thermal-headmain unit 104A, allowing the same to rotate. Thefirst spring 104C is arranged between the first thermal-headmain unit 104A and the upper frame. Thefirst shaft 104B is provided on the upper frame. Thefirst spring 104C is arranged and compressed between the first thermal-headmain unit 104A and aspring seat 117. Thefirst spring 104C pushes the first thermal-headmain unit 104A to thefirst platen roller 112 at a predetermined pressure. Thus, the rolledpaper 108 is clamped between the first thermal-headmain unit 104A and thefirst platen roller 112. - The second
thermal head 102 has a second thermal-headmain unit 102A, asecond shaft 102B, and asecond spring 102C. Thesecond shaft 102B supports the second thermal-headmain unit 102A, allowing the same to rotate. Thesecond spring 102C is arranged between the second thermal-headmain unit 102A and aspring seat 116. Thesecond shaft 102B is provided on thehousing 111. Thesecond spring 102C is arranged and compressed between the second thermal-headmain unit 102A and thespring seat 116. Thesecond spring 102C pushes the second thermal-headmain unit 102A to thesecond platen roller 114 at a predetermined pressure. Thus, the rolledpaper 108 is clamped between the second thermal-headmain unit 102A and thesecond platen roller 114. - How the
thermal printer 101 operates to print data will be explained, with reference to FIG. 1. When the steppingmotor 109A drives the reduction gears, thefirst platen roller 112,second platen roller 114 andfeed mechanism 126 are rotated. As therollers mechanism 126 are rotated, the rolledpaper 108 is fed toward the paper-ejectingunit 107 in the paper-feeding direction. Thus, thefeed mechanism 126 feeds the rolledpaper 108 from the holdingunit 124 along the paper-feedingpath 125. The rolledpaper 108, thus fed by thefeed mechanism 126 is clamped by the firstthermal head 104 and thefirst platen roller 112. At the same time, the firstthermal head 104 prints data on thefirst side 108A of the rolledpaper 108 in accordance a signal input through thefirst harness 132. - The rolled
paper 108 is then fed from thefirst printing unit 123 to thesecond printing unit 122 and clamped between the secondthermal head 102 and thesecond platen roller 114. The secondthermal head 102 of thesecond printing unit 122 heats the secondthermal head 102 in accordance with a signal input through thesecond harness 131. Thus, the secondthermal head 102 prints data on thesecond side 108B of the rolledpaper 108. Finally, thecutter mechanism 113 cuts the rolledpaper 108, forming a paper having a predetermined length. Thethermal printer 101 thus completes the printing. - If the distance between the
first printing unit 123 and thesecond printing unit 122 is long, the unprintable region of thepaper 108 will expands. Conversely, if this distance is short, thesecond harness 131 and thefirst platen roller 112 will more likely interfere with each other. In thethermal printer 101, the firstthermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102 are incline at an angle to the paper-feedingpath 125. Thesecond harness 131 is therefore shifted to the left in FIG. 1 and thefirst platen roller 112 is shifted to the right in FIG. 1, in the direction thefeeding path 125 extends. As a result, the distance between the secondthermal head 102 and thefirst platen roller 112 can be shortened. - The distance between the
first printing unit 123 and thesecond printing unit 122 can thus be shortened. Therefore, the unprintable region can be minimized. Since the unprintable region is narrowed, the distance the unprintable region is fed decreases. This helps to raise the printing speed. - According to the present invention, the
first platen roller 112 and thesecond harness 131 can be prevented from interfering with each other even if the distance between the two thermal heads is shortened in order to minimize the unprintable region. - How the first
thermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102 operate when thecover 105 is opened or closed with respect to themain unit 103 will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 and 2. To change the state of thethermal printer 101 from the first state P1 shown in FIG. 2 to the second state P2 shown in FIG. 1, thecover 105 is rotated around thehinge mechanism 106. - As the
cover 105 is rotated to the closed position, the firstthermal head 104 provided in thecover 105 is pushed with a prescribed force onto thefirst platen roller 112. More specifically, thefirst shaft 104B of the firstthermal head 104 moves downwards. As thefirst shaft 104B moves so, the first thermal-headmain unit 104A moves in contact with thefirst platen roller 112 and, at the same time, rotates in direction T1, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 105. Thefirst spring 104C is thereby compressed because it is located between thespring seat 117 and the first thermal-headmain unit 104A. The reaction of thespring 104C presses the first thermal-headmain unit 104A onto thefirst platen roller 112 with a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolledpaper 108 jointly with thefirst platen roller 112. - Similarly, the
second platen roller 114 provided in thecover 105 is pushed onto the secondthermal head 102 of themain unit 103 as thecover 105 is rotated. As thesecond platen roller 114 moves so, the secondthermal head 102 rotates around thesecond shaft 102B, in direction T2, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 105. Thesecond spring 102C is thereby compressed between the second thermal-headmain unit 102A and thespring seat 116 of themain unit 103. The reaction of thesecond spring 102C presses the second thermal-headmain unit 102A onto thesecond platen roller 114 with a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolledpaper 108 jointly with thesecond platen roller 114. - Thus far described is the
thermal printer 101 according to the present embodiment. In thethermal printer 101 according to the present embodiment, the firstthermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102 can be rotated in directions T1 and T2, respectively, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 105. Hence, neither the motion of the firstthermal head 104 nor the motion of the secondthermal head 102 interfere with thecover 105 when thecover 105 is opened or closed with respect to themain unit 103. The firstthermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102 are therefore prevented from colliding with any other components of thethermal printer 101. Thus, the other components can be protected from damages. Further, thecover 105 can be smoothly opened and closed. Still further, since the firstthermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102 can be rotated in directions T1 and T2, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 105, their installation space can be small. Thethermal printer 101 can therefore be small. - In present embodiment, the paper-ejecting
unit 107 is arranged between themain unit 103 and thecover 105 and located remote from thehinge mechanism 106. Since the paper-ejectingunit 107 is arranged on the side opposite to the side where thehinge mechanism 106 is provided, an access to the paper-ejectingunit 107 can be easy. Therefore, to place the rolledpaper 108 in themain unit 103, it suffices to set thepaper roll 108C in thefirst half 103A of themain body 103 and to lay theend part 108D of thepaper 108 on the paper-ejectingunit 107. Thus, the rolledpaper 108 can be easily placed in themain unit 103. - In this embodiment, the first
thermal head 104 is arranged in the half 105B of thecover 105, in which the paper-ejectingunit 107 is arranged. Therefore, the firstthermal head 104 can be positioned near the paper-ejectingunit 107. This helps to render thethermal printer 101 small. - In this embodiment, the second
thermal head 102 is arranged in the half 103B of themain unit 103, in which the paper-ejectingunit 107 is arranged. Therefore, the secondthermal head 102 can be positioned near the firstthermal head 104 and the paper-ejectingunit 107. Thus, the firstthermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102 can be arranged in the vicinity of the paper-ejectingunit 107. This can make thethermal printer 101 small and can prevent the secondthermal head 102 from hindering the placing or removal of the rolledpaper 108. - The rolled
paper 108 is arranged in thefirst half 103A of themain unit 103, in which thehinge mechanism 106 is provided. The rolledpaper 108 can therefore be arranged remote from the paper-ejectingunit 107 at which the firstthermal head 104 and the secondthermal head 102 are provided. Hence, the firstthermal head 104 provided in thecover 105 and the components adjacent to thehead 104, such as thesecond platen roller 114, do not interfere with the rolledpaper 108 while the rolledpaper 108 is being replaced with a new one. The rolledpaper 108 can therefore be smoothly replaced with a new one. - A printer according to the second embodiment of the invention will be described, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. As FIG. 3 shows, a
thermal printer 11, i.e., printer according to the second embodiment, comprises amain unit 12, acover 13, and ahinge mechanism 16. Themain unit 12 has a secondthermal head 15 that is a print head. Thecover 13 covers themain unit 12 and has a firstthermal head 14 that is a print head. Thehinge mechanism 16 is positioned between themain unit 12 and thecover 13. That is, thehinge mechanism 16 enables thecover 13 to rotate between a first state P1 (FIG. 4) and a second state P2 (FIG. 3), in which it is opened and closed, respectively, with respect to themain unit 12. - As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
main unit 12 comprises ahousing 21, the secondthermal head 15, thefirst platen roller 22, acutter mechanism 23. Thehousing 21 contains a rolledpaper 17. The secondthermal head 15 is designed to print data on the rolledpaper 17. Thefirst platen roller 22 is provided in themain unit 12, is opposed to the firstthermal head 14 provided in thecover 13 and can be rotated. The part of acutter mechanism 23 is located downstream with respect to thefirst platen roller 22. The rolled paper 7 is a so-called double-sided thermal paper. The rolledpaper 17 has afirst side 17A and asecond side 17B that is opposite to thefirst side 17A. The rolledpaper 17 is contained in a recess (not shown) provided in thehousing 21 and can be rotated. The secondthermal head 15 can print data on thesecond side 17B of the rolledpaper 17. - The
first platen roller 22 is supported at both ends by, for example, thehousing 21 and can be rotated. The secondthermal head 15 is arranged upstream with respect to thefirst platen roller 22, in the direction of feeding the rolledpaper 17. Themain unit 12 further comprises adrive section 24, a plurality of reduction gears 26, and aguide roller 27. Thedrive section 24 achieves the feeding of the rolledpaper 17. The reduction gears 26 transmit a drive force from thedrive section 24 to thefirst platen roller 22 and thesecond platen roller 25. Theguide roller 27 is located upstream with respect to the secondthermal head 15. Thedrive section 24 is constituted by, for example, a stepping motor. - The
main unit 12 includes a firstmain unit half 12A and a secondmain unit half 12B. Thehinge mechanism 16 is secured to thefirst half 12A. Thesecond half 12B lies besides thefirst half 12A. The secondthermal head 15 is arranged in thefirst half 12A of themain unit 12. The rolledpaper 17 is attached to thesecond half 12B of themain unit 12. - The
cover 13 comprises anupper frame 31, the firstthermal head 14, thesecond platen roller 25, and anejection port 32. The firstthermal head 14 is provided to print data on thefirst side 17A of the rolledpaper 17. Thesecond platen roller 25 is supported by theupper frame 31 in such a manner as to correspond in position to the secondthermal head 15, and can be rotated. Through theejection port 32, the rolledpaper 17 can be ejected outside. Theupper frame 31 is secured at one end to thehinge mechanism 16. The firstthermal head 14 is attached to theupper frame 31. Thesecond platen roller 25 is supported at both ends by theupper frame 31. The firstthermal head 14 is arranged downstream with respect to thesecond platen roller 25, in the direction of feeding the rolledpaper 17. - As FIG. 3 shows, the
cover 13 includes afirst cover half 13A and asecond cover half 13B. Thehinge mechanism 16 is secured to thehalf 13A. Theother half 13B lies besides thehalf 13A. The firstthermal head 14 is arranged in the half 13A of thecover 13. - As FIG. 5 shows, the first
thermal head 14 has a first thermal-headmain unit 41, afirst shaft 42, afirst adjustment screw 43, and afirst spring 44. Thefirst shaft 42 supports the first thermal-headmain unit 41, allowing the same to rotate around it. Thefirst adjustment screw 43 is secured to the firstthermal head 41. Thefirst spring 44 is arranged between the first thermal-headmain unit 41 and theupper frame 31. Thefirst shaft 42 is secured to theupper frame 31. The first thermal-headmain unit 41 is pushed onto thefirst platen roller 22 by thefirst spring 44 at a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolledpaper 17 jointly with thefirst platen roller 22. The angle through which the first thermal-headmain unit 41 can rotate can be adjusted by turning thefirst adjustment screw 43. - The second
thermal head 15 has a second thermal-headmain unit 51, asecond shaft 52, asecond adjustment screw 53, and asecond spring 55. Thesecond shaft 52 supports the second thermal-headmain unit 51, allowing the same to rotate around it. Thesecond adjustment screw 53 is secured to the secondthermal head 51. Thesecond spring 55 is arranged between the second thermal-headmain unit 51 and theframe 54 of thehousing 21. Thesecond shaft 52 is secured to thehousing 21. The second thermal-headmain unit 51 is pushed onto thesecond platen roller 25 by thesecond spring 55 at a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolledpaper 17 jointly with thesecond platen roller 25. The maximum angle through which the second thermal-headmain unit 51 can rotate can be adjusted by turning thesecond adjustment screw 53. - How the
thermal printer 11 operates to print data will be explained, with reference to FIG. 3. When the reduction gears 26 are driven, thefirst platen roller 22 and thesecond platen roller 25 rotate. As these rollers rotate, the rolledpaper 17 is fed toward theejection port 32, in the paper-feeding direction. The secondthermal head 15 prints data on thesecond side 17B of the rolledpaper 17. The firstthermal head 14 then prints data on thefirst side 17A of the rolledpaper 17. Finally, thecutter mechanism 23 cuts the rolledpaper 17, forming a paper slip having a predetermine length. Thethermal printer 11 thus completes the printing. - How the first
thermal head 14 and the secondthermal head 15 operate when thecover 13 is opened or closed with respect to themain unit 12 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. To change the state of thethermal printer 11 from the first state P1 shown in FIG. 4 to the second state P2 shown in FIG. 3, thecover 13 is rotated around thehinge mechanism 16. - As the
cover 13 is rotated to the closed position, the firstthermal head 14 provided in thecover 13 is pushed with a prescribed force onto thefirst platen roller 22, as illustrated in FIG. 6. More specifically, thefirst shaft 42 of the firstthermal head 14 moves downwards. As thefirst shaft 42 so moves, the first thermal-headmain unit 41 moves in contact with thefirst platen roller 22 and rotates in direction T1, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 13. Thefirst spring 44, which is provided between theupper frame 31 and the first thermal-headmain unit 41, is thereby compressed. The reaction of thespring 44 presses the first thermal-headmain unit 41 onto thefirst platen roller 22 with a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolledpaper 17 jointly with thefirst platen roller 22. - Similarly, the
second platen roller 25 provided in thecover 13 is pushed onto the secondthermal head 15 provided in themain unit 12 as thecover 13 is rotated, as illustrated in FIG. 7. As thesecond platen roller 25 moves so, the secondthermal head 15 rotates in direction T2, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 13. At the same time, thesecond spring 55 is compressed between the second thermal-headmain unit 51 and theframe 54 of themain unit 12. The reaction of thesecond spring 55 presses the second thermal-headmain unit 51 onto thesecond platen roller 25 with a predetermined pressure, clamping the rolledpaper 17 jointly with thesecond platen roller 25. - Thus far described is the
thermal printer 11 according to the present embodiment. In thethermal printer 11 according to the present embodiment, the firstthermal head 14 and the secondthermal head 15 can be rotated in directions T1 and T2, respectively, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 13. Hence, neither the motion of the firstthermal head 14 nor the motion of the secondthermal head 15 interfere with thecover 13 when thecover 13 is opened or closed with respect to themain unit 12. The firstthermal head 14 and the secondthermal head 15 are therefore prevented from colliding with any other components of thethermal printer 11. Thus, the other components can be protected from damages. Further, thecover 13 can be smoothly opened and closed. Still further, since the firstthermal head 14 and the secondthermal head 15 can be rotated in directions T1 and T2, or along the rotation locus S of thecover 13, their installation space can be small. Thethermal printer 11 can therefore be small. - The first
thermal head 14 is arranged in the half 13A of thecover 13, in which thehinge mechanism 16 is fixed and secured. Thus, the firstthermal head 14 can be arranged in the vicinity of thehinge mechanism 16. This can make thethermal printer 11 small. If the firstthermal head 14 is arranged near thehinge mechanism 16, it will not project outside when thecover 13 is opened. Hence, the firstthermal head 14 does not hinder the replacing the rolledpaper 17 with a new one. - The second
thermal head 15 is arranged in thefirst half 12A of themain unit 12, in which hingemechanism 16 is secured. Therefore, the secondthermal head 15 can be arranged near the firstthermal head 14 and thehinge mechanism 16. The firstthermal head 14 and the secondthermal head 15 are thereby located close to each other. This helps to render thethermal printer 11 small. Further, this can prevent the secondthermal head 15 from hindering the placing or removal of the rolledpaper 17. - The rolled
paper 17 is arranged in thesecond half 12B of themain unit 12, in which thehinge mechanism 16 is provided. The rolledpaper 17 can therefore be arranged remote from thehinge mechanism 16 at which the firstthermal head 14 and the secondthermal head 15 are provided. Thus, thecover 13 in the opened position, the firstthermal head 14 provided in thecover 13 and the components adjacent to thehead 14, such as thesecond platen roller 25, do not interfere with the rolledpaper 17 while the rolledpaper 17 is being replaced with a new one. The rolledpaper 17 can therefore be smoothly replaced with a new one. - Both printers according to the first and second embodiments are thermal printers. Nevertheless, the present invention can be applied to other types of recording systems. For example, the
first head thermal head - Thermal printers according to this invention are not limited to the embodiments described above. In the embodiments described above, the rolled paper is a double-sided thermal paper. The rolled paper may be an ordinary paper. In this case, an ink ribbon may be used to print data on both sides of the rolled paper. Moreover, various changes and modifications can be made, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
- A thermal printer according to the third embodiment of this invention will be described, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.
- FIG. 8 schematically shows the internal structure of a
thermal printer 201 according to the third embodiment. Thisthermal printer 201 can simultaneously print data on both sides of a double-sidedthermal paper 302. Theprinter 201 can be used in, for example, cash registers for use in retail shops. - As shown in FIG. 9, the double-sided thermal paper 202 (hereinafter called "thermal paper") has a
base paper 203 and twothermosensible layers layers base paper 203, respectively. More precisely, thefirst thermosensible layer 204 is formed on one side (e.g., obverse side) of thebase paper 203, and thesecond thermosensible layer 205 is formed on other side (e.g., reverse side) of thebase paper 203. Theselayers thermal paper 202 is rolled, forming a roll, with thefirst thermosensible layer 204 turned inwards. - The
thermal printer 201 has a printermain unit 211 and acover 212. Thecover 121 can be opened and closed. The printermain unit 211 has apaper receptacle 213, in which the rolledthermal paper 202 is placed. Thecover 212 can be rotated up and down, around theshaft 215 of ahinge unit 214 provided on the printermain unit 211. When thecover 212 opened, the printermain unit 211 is opened at the top. FIG. 8 shows thecover 212 in the closed state. - A first
thermal head 221 is provided in the printermain unit 211. The firstthermal head 221 is arranged in the printermain unit 211 an can contact one side of thethermal paper 202, more precisely thefirst thermosensible layer 204. The firstthermal head 221 is secured to aheat sink 222 that is a heat-radiating member. The firstthermal head 221 and theheat sink 222 can rotate around ashaft 223. - In the
cover 212, afirst platen roller 231 is arranged and opposed to the firstthermal head 221. Thefirst platen roller 231 faces the firstthermal head 221, clamping thethermal paper 202 jointly with the firstthermal head 221, while thecover 212 remains closed as shown in FIG. 8. - The
first platen roller 231 is made of elastic material having a coefficient of friction greater than that of metal, such as nitrilebutadiene rubber (NBR). Thefirst platen roller 231 is shaped like a circular column and can rotate together with afirst platen shaft 232 that extend in horizontal direction. Acutter mechanism 233 is located downstream with respect to the firstthermal head 221 in the direction of feeding the thermal paper. Thecutter mechanism 233 is used to cut thethermal paper 202. Thecutter mechanism 233 is provided in, for example, thecover 212. - As FIG. 8 shows, the first
thermal head 221 is set in a horizontal position, below thefirst platen roller 231. The distal-end part of thethermal paper 202 rolled and contained in thepaper receptacle 213 passes through the nip between the firstthermal head 221 and thefirst platen roller 231 and then through thecutter mechanism 233 and is ejected in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 8. - At the back of the first
thermal head 221, a first biasing means 234 is provided. An example of the first biasing means 234 is a spring member such as a compression spring or a torsion spring. The first biasing means 234 is arranged between theheat sink 222 and aspring seat 235 that is provided in the printermain unit 211. The first biasing means 234 pushes the firstthermal head 221 toward thefirst platen roller 231 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 8. - A
first platen gear 241 is mounted on thefirst platen shaft 232. Thefirst platen gear 241 rotates together with thefirst platen roller 231. Thefirst platen shaft 232 is supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in thecover 212 and can rotate. - A second
thermal head 242 is provided in thecover 212. The secondthermal head 242 is arranged upstream with respect to the firstthermal head 221, in the direction of feeding thethermal paper 202. The secondthermal head 242 is arranged in thecover 212 to contact the other side of thethermal paper 202, i.e., thesecond thermosensible layer 205. The secondthermal head 242 is secured to aheat sink 243 that is a heat-radiating member. The secondthermal head 242 can rotate around ashaft 244. - A
second platen roller 251 is provided in the printermain unit 211 and is opposed to the secondthermal head 242. Thesecond platen roller 251 faces the secondthermal head 242, clamping thethermal paper 202 jointly with the secondthermal head 242, while thecover 212 remains closed as is illustrated in FIG. 8. - As FIG. 8 shows, the second
thermal head 242 is arranged above thesecond platen roller 251 and inclined downward. The distal end part of thethermal paper 202, which is rolled and contained in thepaper receptacle 213, passes through the nip between the secondthermal head 242 and thesecond platen roller 251 and is fed toward the firstthermal head 221. - The
second platen roller 251 is made of elastic material having a coefficient of friction greater than that of metal, such as NBR. Thesecond platen roller 251 is shaped like a circular column and is mounted on asecond platen shaft 252 that extend in horizontal direction. Asecond platen gear 253 is mounted on thesecond platen shaft 252. Thesecond platen gear 253 rotates together with thesecond platen roller 251. Thesecond platen shaft 252 is supported by a pair of bearings (not shown), i.e., left and right bearings provided in the printermain unit 211. Thesecond platen shaft 252 can therefore rotate. - At the back of the second
thermal head 242, a second biasing means 254 is provided. An example of the second biasing means 254 is a spring member such as a compression spring or a torsion spring. The second biasing means 254 is arranged between theheat sink 243 and aspring seat 255 that is provided in thecover 212. The second biasing means 254 pushes the secondthermal head 242 toward thesecond platen roller 251 in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 8. - The printer
main unit 211 incorporates amotor 261. An example of themotor 261 is a pulse motor that can rotate in both the forward direction and reverse direction. The angle through which it rotates (i.e., rotation angle) can be accurately controlled in accordance with the number of pulses output from acontroller 272, which will be described later. - An
output gear 263 is mounted on theshaft 262 of themotor 261. The rotation of theshaft 262 of the motor 261 (hence, the rotation of the output gear 263) is transmitted via a drive-force transmitting mechanism 264 to thefirst platen roller 231 and thesecond platen roller 251. The drive-force transmitting mechanism 264 includes areduction gear 265, adrive gear 266, the above-mentionedsecond platen gear 253, a pair of idler gears 267 and 268, and the above-mentionedfirst platen gear 241. Thereduction gear 265 is set in mesh with theoutput gear 263. Thedrive gear 266 rotates together with thereduction gear 265. Thesecond platen gear 253 is set in mesh with thedrive gear 266. Thefirst platen gear 241 is set in mesh with theidler gear 267. - One
idler gear 267 is arranged in thecover 212, and theother idler gear 268 is arranged in the printermain unit 211. The idler gears 267 and 268 mesh with each other as long as thecover 212 remains closed. When thecover 212 is opened, the idler gears 267 and 268 are disengaged from each other. One idler gears 267 meshes with thefirst platen gear 241 at all times. Theother gear 268 meshes with thesecond platen gear 253 at all times. - A
first paper sensor 271 is arranged upstream with respect to the secondthermal head 242, in the direction of feeding thethermal paper 202, in order to detect thethermal paper 202. Thefirst paper sensor 271 is electrically connected to thecontroller 272. Thecontroller 272 is an example of a control unit that uses a microprocessor or the like. - While the
thermal paper 202 remains between thepaper receptacle 213 and the secondthermal paper 242, the sensing unit 171a of thefirst paper sensor 271 may contact thethermal paper 202 from below. In this case, thefirst paper sensor 271 detects thethermal paper 202. When thefirst paper sensor 271 detects thethermal paper 202, it outputs a signal indicating that thethermal paper 202 has been detected. The signal is supplied to thecontroller 272. - A
second paper sensor 273 is arranged between the firstthermal head 221 and the secondthermal head 242. Thesecond paper sensor 273 is a reflection-type sensor that can optically detects the distal end of thethermal paper 202 and comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. Thesecond paper sensor 273 can detect timing marks 274 (see FIG. 10) that are printed on thethermal paper 202. When thesecond paper sensor 273 detects the distal end of thethermal paper 202, it generates a signal indicating that the distal end has been detected. This signal is supplied to thecontroller 272. - The timing marks 274 are marks that can be optically read. An example of a
timing mark 274 is a black mark (e.g., black dot) that indicates the position where thethermal paper 202 should be cut. - As described above, the
thermal paper 202 is a double-sided thermal paper and has twothermosensible layers thermal head 221 can print the timing marks 274 on thefirst thermosensible layer 204, or the secondthermal head 242 can print themarks 274 on thesecond thermosensible layer 205. To enable thesecond paper sensor 273 to detect the timing marks 274, however, the secondthermal head 242 prints the timing marks 274. This is because the secondthermal head 242 is arranged upstream with respect to thesensor 273 in the direction of feeding thethermal paper 202. - The
thermal paper 202 may be replaced by a single-sided thermal paper having only one thermosensible layer. If this is the case, the timing marks 274 are printed on the reverse side of the thermal paper (i.e., the side on which no thermosensible layers are provided). That is, thesecond paper sensor 273 of this embodiment can detect the timing marks 274 printed on the double-sidedthermal paper 202 and the timing marks printed on a single-sided thermal paper. - To control the position where to cut the
thermal paper 202, by using the timing marks 274, thecontroller 272 outputs pulses to themotor 261 when the timing marks 274, in number that corresponds to the distance for which thepaper 202 has been fed. On the bases of the number of pulses received, themotor 261 is driven by a prescribed angle. That part of thethermal paper 202, which is to be cut, therefore reaches thecutter mechanism 233. - How the
thermal printer 201 according to this embodiment operates will be explained below. - When the
cover 212 is opened to replenish thethermal paper 202, thefirst platen roller 231 moves away from the firstthermal head 221. At the same time, the secondthermal head 242 moves away from thesecond platen roller 251. Further, the oneidler gear 267 is disengaged from theother idler gear 268. The top of the printermain unit 211 is therefore opened. As a result, the firstthermal head 221 and thesecond platen roller 251 are fully exposed to the outside. - While the
cover 212 remains closed as shown in FIG. 8, the first biasing means 234 keeps pushing the firstthermal head 221 toward thefirst platen roller 231, and the second biasing means 254 keeps pushing the secondthermal head 243 toward thesecond platen roller 251. Moreover, the idler gears 267 and 268 come into mesh with each other. - The
thermal paper 202 is set in thepaper receptacle 213, and the distal end of thepaper 202 is led to the secondthermal head 242. Then, thefirst paper sensor 271 detects thethermal paper 202, and thecontroller 272 outputs pulses. These pulses drive themotor 261 by the prescribed angle in the direction of arrow R shown in FIG. 8. Thesecond platen roller 251 is thereby rotated in the direction of arrow R2. Thethermal paper 202 is therefore fed toward the firstthermal head 221. - The rotation of the
shaft 262 of themotor 261 is transmitted via the drive-force transmitting mechanism 264 to thefirst platen roller 231 and thesecond platen roller 251. Thefirst platen roller 231 and thesecond platen roller 251 therefore rotate in the direction of arrow R1 and the direction of arrow R2, respectively. While thethermal paper 202 nipped between the secondthermal head 242 and thesecond platen roller 251 is moving toward the firstthermal head 221, thesecond paper sensor 273 detects thethermal paper 202. - When the
second paper sensor 273 detects the distal end of thethermal paper 202, thecontroller 272 outputs pulses. The pulses drive themotor 261 further, by the prescribed angle. Then, thethermal paper 202 is stopped at a preset printing position, with its distal end clamped between the firstthermal head 221 and thefirst platen roller 231. - When the
controller 272 outputs a signal to themotor 261, instructing that data be printed, themotor 261 rotates thefirst platen roller 231 and thesecond platen roller 251 in the directions of arrows R1 and R2, respectively. At this time, the firstthermal head 221 prints data on thefirst thermosensible layer 204 of thethermal paper 202. At the same time, the secondthermal head 242 can print data on thesecond thermosensible layer 205 of thethermal paper 202. If necessary, the secondthermal head 242 can print, on the desired parts of thesecond thermosensible layer 205, timing marks 274 that indicate the position where thepaper 202 should be cut. - After the printing is thus performed, the
thermal paper 202 is fed toward thecutter mechanism 233. While thethermal paper 202 is being fed so, thesecond paper sensor 273 detects the timing marks 274. Thereafter, thepaper 202 is further fed in accordance with the number of pulses output fromcontroller 272, until that part of thethermal paper 202, at which thepaper 202 is to be cut, reaches thecutter mechanism 233. Then, thecutter mechanism 233 operates, cutting thethermal paper 202. - The
thermal printer 201 according to the present embodiment has a paper-reversing function of driving themotor 261 in the reverse direction in order to move the distal end of thethermal paper 202 cut by thecutter mechanism 233, back to a position near the firstthermal head 221. Since the paper-reversing function can return the distal end of thepaper 202 to a position near the firstthermal head 221, thepaper 202 can be prevented from having an unprintable region, i.e., blank region. Thus, thethermal paper 202 will not be wasted. - In the
thermal printer 201 according to this embodiment, thethermal paper 202 can be cut, without using timing marks 274. If no timing marks 274 are used, the pulses output from thecontroller 272 drive themotor 261 by the prescribed angle, thereby feeding thepaper 202 until the part of thepaper 202, which is to be cut, reaches thecutter mechanism 233. Then, thecutter mechanism 233 operates, cutting thethermal paper 202. - Timing marks may be already printed on the reverse side of a single-sided thermal paper (i.e., the side on which no thermosensible layers are provided). In this case, the position at which to cut the paper can be designated if the
second paper sensor 273 detects the timing marks printed on the single-sided thermal paper. Thus, thethermal printer 201 according to this embodiment can use not only double-sided thermal papers, but also single-sided thermal papers. - In reducing this invention to practice, the components of the invention, such as the first and second thermal heads, first and second platen rollers, cutter mechanism, drive-force transmitting mechanism, first paper sensor and second paper sensor, can of course be modified as needed. Moreover, the marks printed on the thermal paper are not limited to timing marks. Any other optically readable marks may be printed, instead.
- A printer according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail.
- FIG. 11 shows a printer that is the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 11,
reference number 301 designates the main unit of the printer. Themain unit 301 incorporates areel unit 303 from which apaper 302 is supplied. One side of thepaper 302 is athermosensible side 302a. The other side of thepaper 302 is athermosensible side 302b. Thepaper 302 is fed along the paper-feedingpath 304. First andsecond printing units path 304. Thefirst printing unit 306 is arranged downstream with respect to thesecond printing unit 307, in the direction of feeding the paper. - The
first printing unit 306 has a firstthermal head 310, which is used as first print head. P1 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of thehead 310 is provided. Above the firstthermal head 310, aplaten roller 311 is arranged and used as first platen. Theplaten roller 311 can be rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown), in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 11. - The
second printing unit 307 has a secondthermal head 320 that is used as second print head. P2 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of thehead 320 is provided. Below the secondthermal head 320, asecond platen roller 321 is arranged and fixed in place, facing the secondthermal head 320 across the paper-feedingpath 304, - The width of the
second platen 321, as measured in the direction of feeding the paper, is smaller than the diameter of theplaten roller 311. The heat-generating element P2 of the secondthermal head 320 can be arranged closer to the heat-generating element P1 of the firstthermal head 310 than otherwise. The surface of thesecond platen 321 is covered with a low-friction member and opposed to the secondthermal head 320. The surface of thesecond platen 321 is an arcedsurface 321a having a radius of curvature that is almost equal to the radius of curvature of thefirst platen 311. - How the printer thus configured operates to print data will be explained.
- First, the distal-end part of the
paper 302 is pulled from thereel unit 303 and stretched from thesecond printing unit 307 to thefirst printing unit 306. The distal-end part of thepaper 302 is clamped between the first and secondthermal heads second platen 321, on the other hand. - In this state, the
platen roller 311 of thefirst printing unit 306 may be rotated in the direction of the arrow, by a drive mechanism (not shown). Thepaper 302 is thereby fed. The firstthermal head 310 prints data Ja on oneside 302a of thepaper 302 as shown in FIG. 12. At the same time, the secondthermal head 320 prints data Jb on theother side 302b of thepaper 302 as shown in FIG. 13. - As described above, the
second platen 321 is fixed in place in the present embodiment, and the width of thesecond platen 321, as measured in the direction of feeding the paper, is smaller than the diameter of theplaten roller 311. Therefore, the heat-generating element P2 of the secondthermal head 320 can be closer to the heat-generating element P1 of the firstthermal head 310 than otherwise. Hence, the unprintable region S, in which no data can be printed, can be decreased. Thepaper 302 can therefore be less wasted. Further, an appropriate friction can be applied to thepaper 302 being fed, because thesecond platen 321 is fixed in place. A proper tension can therefore be exerted on thepaper 302. This can prevent printing errors and jamming of the paper being fed. - As indicated above, the
second platen 321 has an arcedsurface 321a that faces the secondthermal head 320 and has a radius of curvature almost equal to the radius of curvature of thefirst platen 311. Thus, the nip between the secondthermal head 320 and thesecond platen 321 can be sufficiently broad, though the width of thesecond platen 321 is small as measured in the direction of feeding thepaper 302. Thus, the printing performance would not be impaired. - Since the surface of the
second platen 321 is covered with a low-friction member, the friction between thearced surface 321a and thepaper 302 is low. Therefore, thesecond platen 321 would not prevent the feeding of thepaper 302. - In the present embodiment, the surface of the
second platen 321 is covered with a low-friction member. Instead, the surface of thesecond platen 321 may be coated with low-friction material. Alternatively, thesecond platen 321 may be made of low-friction material. - A printer according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. This
printer 401 has adrive unit 402, afirst printing unit 403, asecond printing unit 404, a paper-feedingpath 405, and areel unit 406. The paper-feedingpath 405 is designed to feed apaper 302. Thepaper 302 is fed from thereel unit 406. Thefirst printing unit 403 is arranged downstream with respect to thesecond printing unit 404, in the direction of feeding thepaper 302. Thepaper 302 has afirst side 302a and asecond side 302b. Thepaper 302 is pulled along the paper-feedingpath 405. - The
first printing unit 403 has a firstthermal head 407, i.e., first print head, and afirst platen roller 408, i.e., first platen. In FIG. 14, P1 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of the firstthermal head 407 is provided. Thefirst platen roller 408 is shaped like a circular column. Theroller 408 is opposed to the firstthermal head 407, clamping thepaper 302 jointly with the firstthermal head 407. - The
second printing unit 404 has a secondthermal head 411, i.e., second print head, and asecond platen roller 412, i.e., second platen. In FIG. 14, P2 indicates the position (printing start position) at which the heat-generating element of the secondthermal head 411 is provided. Thesecond platen roller 412 has the same shape as thefirst platen roller 408. Thesecond platen roller 412 is opposed to the secondthermal head 411, clamping thepaper 302 jointly with the secondthermal head 408. Thesecond platen roller 412 has aroller body 412a and a one-way clutch 412b. The one-way clutch 412b is incorporated in theroller body 412b. - The
drive unit 402 can drive reduction gears (not shown), thereby to rotate thefirst platen roller 408 and thesecond platen roller 412. In the fifth embodiment, the rotational speed V1 of thefirst platen roller 408 is higher than the rotational speed V2 of thesecond platen roller 412. The one-way clutch 412b can make theroller body 412a run idle if thepaper 302 is fed at a speed higher than the rotational speed V2 of thesecond platen roller 412. In this case, thesecond platen roller 412 acts as brake on thepaper 302 through the one-way clutch 412b. - In the fifth embodiment, the
second platen roller 412 acts as brake on thepaper 302, applying a tension on thepaper 302. Thepaper 302 is therefore prevented from slackening. This can prevent printing errors and jamming of the paper being fed. - The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The components of any embodiment can be modified in various manners in reducing the invention to practice, without departing from the sprit or scope of the invention. Further, the components of any embodiment described above may be combined, if necessary, in various ways to make different inventions. For example, some of the component of any embodiment may not be used. Moreover, the components of the different embodiments may be combined in any desired fashion.
Claims (18)
- A printer characterized by comprising:a main unit (103) which is configured to hold rolled paper (108);a cover (105) which covers the main unit (103);a hinge mechanism (106) which is located between the main unit (103) and the cover (105) and which supports the cover (105), allowing the cover (105) to rotate between a first state (P1) in which the cover (105) is opened with respect to the main unit (103) and the rolled paper (108) is therefore able to be set in and removed from the main unit (103), and a second state (P2) in which the cover (105) is closed with respect to the main unit (103);a first print head (104) which is provided in the cover (105) to print data on a first side (108A) of the rolled paper (108); anda second print head (102) which is provided in the main unit (103) to print data on a second side (108B) of the rolled paper (108),wherein the first print head (104) and the second print head (102) are able to rotate along a rotation locus of the cover (105).
- The printer according to claim 1, which further comprises a paper-ejecting unit (107) which is configured to eject the rolled paper (108) printed by the first print head (104) and the second print head (102), and in which the paper-ejecting unit (107) is located between the main unit (103) and the cover (105) and at a side opposite to the hinge mechanism (106).
- The printer according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover (105) includes a first cover half (105A) in which the hinge mechanism (106) is arranged and a second cover half (105B) in which the paper-ejecting unit (107) is arranged, and the first print head (104) is arranged in the second cover half (105B) of the cover (105).
- The printer according to claim 3, characterized in that the main unit (103) includes a first main unit half (103A) in which the hinge mechanism (106) is arranged and a second main unit half (103B) in which the paper-ejecting unit (107) is arranged, and the second print head (102) is arranged in the second main unit half (103B) of the main unit (103).
- The printer according to claim 4, characterized in that the rolled paper (108) is held in the first main unit half (103A) of the main unit (103).
- The printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (13) includes a first cover half (13A) in which the hinge mechanism (16) is arranged and a second cover half (13B) provided on a side opposite to the first cover half (13A), and the first print head (14) is arranged in the first cover half (13A) of the cover (13).
- The printer according to claim 6, characterized in that the main unit (12) includes a first main unit half (12A) in which the hinge mechanism (16) is arranged and a second main unit half (12B) which is provided on a side opposite to the first main unit half (12A), and the second print head (15) is arranged in the first main unit half (12A) of the main unit (12).
- The printer according to claim 7, characterized in that the rolled paper (17) is held in the second main unit half (12B) of the main unit (12).
- The printer according to claim 1, which characterized by comprising;
a feeding mechanism (126) which feeds the rolled paper (108) along a feeding path (125);
the second print head (102) which is provided on the paper-feeding path (125) and opposed to a second side of the feeding path (125);
a second harness (131) which projects from the second print head (102) toward the feeding mechanism (126);
a second platen (114) which is opposed to the second print head (102) across the feeding path (125);
the first print head (104) which extends along the feeding path (125), is provided between the second print head (102) and the feeding mechanism (126) and is opposed to a first side of the feeding path (125);
a first harness (132) which projects from the first print head (104) toward the feeding mechanism(126); and
a first platen (112) which is opposed to the first print head (104) across the feeding path (125),
wherein the first print head (104) is arranged with respect to the feeding path (125) such that the first harness (132) projects away from the feeding path (126), and the second print head (102) is arranged with respect to the feeding path (125) such that the second harness (131) projects away from the feeding path (125). - A printer designed to print data on a thermal paper (202) having a thermosensible layer (204) on at least one side, said printer characterized by comprising:a first thermal head (221) which is arranged to contact said one side of the thermal paper (202) and to print data on said one side of the thermal paper (202);a first platen (231) which is opposed to the first thermal head (221) across the thermal paper (202);a second thermal head (242) which is arranged upstream with respect to the first thermal head (221), in the direction of feeding the thermal paper (202), to contact the another side of the thermal paper (202);a second platen (251) which is opposed to the second thermal head (242) across the thermal paper (202) ;a first paper sensor (271) which is arranged upstream with respect to the second thermal head (242), in the direction of feeding the thermal paper (202) and which is configured to detect the thermal paper (202); anda second paper sensor (273) which is arranged between the first thermal head (221) and the second thermal head (242) and which is configured to detect the thermal paper (202) and to read optically marks printed on the thermal paper (202).
- The printer according to claim 10, characterized in that the marks are timing marks (274) indicating a position where the thermal paper (202) is to be cut, and the second paper sensor (273) is a reflection-type sensor that is able to detect optically the timing marks (274).
- The printer according to claim 11, characterized in that the thermal paper (202) is a double-sided thermal paper having thermosensible layers (204, 205) on both sides, and the second paper sensor (273) is configured to detect the timing marks (274) that the second thermal head (242) has printed on the other side of the thermal paper (202).
- The printer according to claim 11, characterized in that the thermal paper is a single-sided thermal paper having a thermosensible layer on one side only or a double-sided thermal paper (202) having thermosensible layers (204,205) on both sides, and the second paper sensor (273) is configured to detect timing marks (274) already printed on the other side of the single-sided thermal paper and to detect the timing marks (274) that the second thermal head (242) has printed on the other side of the double-sided thermal paper (202).
- A printer in which a first print head (310) and a first platen (311) are opposed to a second print head (320) and a second platen (321), respectively, across a paper-feeding path (304), and data is printed on both sides of a paper (302),
characterized in that the first platen (311) is a platen roller which rotates to feed the paper (302), and the second platen (321) is fixed in place, has an arced surface (321a) opposed to the second print head (320) and having a radius of curvature almost equal to a radius of curvature of the first platen (311), and has a width as measured in the direction of feeding the paper (302), which is smaller than a diameter of the first platen (311). - The printer according to claim 14, characterized in that at least the arced surface (321a) of the second platen (321) is covered with a low-friction member.
- The printer according to claim 14, characterized in that the second platen (321) is made of low-friction material.
- The printer according to claim 14, characterized in that the second platen (321) is located upstream with respect to the first platen (311), and the second platen (321) has a surface less frictional than a surface of the first platen (311).
- The printer according to claim 14, characterized in that the first and second print heads (310, 320) are thermal heads.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09159315A EP2085229B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
EP09159318A EP2085230B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006178946 | 2006-06-29 | ||
JP2006178945A JP2008006673A (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2006-06-29 | Thermal printer |
JP2006178956 | 2006-06-29 | ||
JP2006178951A JP2008006678A (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2006-06-29 | Double-sided printing thermal printer |
JP2007016593A JP4177872B2 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-01-26 | Printing device |
JP2007016592A JP2008030437A (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-01-26 | Printer |
Related Child Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09159318A Division EP2085230B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
EP09159315A Division EP2085229B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
EP09159318.6 Division-Into | 2009-05-04 | ||
EP09159315.2 Division-Into | 2009-05-04 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1872957A2 true EP1872957A2 (en) | 2008-01-02 |
EP1872957A3 EP1872957A3 (en) | 2008-11-05 |
EP1872957B1 EP1872957B1 (en) | 2010-12-15 |
Family
ID=38535416
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09159315A Active EP2085229B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
EP09159318A Active EP2085230B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
EP07109059A Active EP1872957B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09159315A Active EP2085229B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
EP09159318A Active EP2085230B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-05-29 | Printer |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (3) | EP2085229B1 (en) |
CN (3) | CN101648464B (en) |
AT (2) | ATE552119T1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE602007011158D1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2012065512A1 (en) * | 2010-11-19 | 2012-05-24 | 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司 | Printhead assembly and printer having the same |
EP2368717A3 (en) * | 2010-03-24 | 2014-04-30 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Printer |
CN110194000A (en) * | 2019-04-26 | 2019-09-03 | 深圳市普实科技有限公司 | A kind of squash type printing mechanism and its printer |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101830125A (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2010-09-15 | 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司 | Double-sided printer and control method thereof |
JP5828583B2 (en) * | 2011-03-29 | 2015-12-09 | 株式会社ミヤコシ | Duplex printing device |
JP6118153B2 (en) * | 2013-03-26 | 2017-04-19 | サトーホールディングス株式会社 | printer |
JP6287930B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2018-03-07 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Printing device |
CN109414939B (en) * | 2016-10-05 | 2021-07-16 | 佐藤控股株式会社 | Printer with a movable platen |
CN107749132B (en) * | 2017-11-15 | 2023-05-12 | 湖南长城医疗科技有限公司 | Card inserting preventing mechanism for paper outlet of paper strip |
CN110271298B (en) * | 2019-07-26 | 2021-05-04 | 广西叶道网络科技有限公司 | Energy-concerving and environment-protective wall-hanging thermal printer |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4750006A (en) * | 1983-11-29 | 1988-06-07 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Platen for recording device |
EP0376404A1 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1990-07-04 | Océ Graphics France S.A. | A wide thermal printer |
US5868069A (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1999-02-09 | Escher-Grad Technologies Inc. | Method of generating proofs of print signatures |
EP0947340A2 (en) * | 1998-04-02 | 1999-10-06 | Nec Corporation | Both faces print station |
EP1120265A2 (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2001-08-01 | Oki Data Corporation | Platen and printing apparatus |
US20020067386A1 (en) * | 1997-08-06 | 2002-06-06 | Seiko Epson Corporation. | Method and apparatus for processing recording media having embedded information |
US20030112318A1 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | John Long | Direct thermal printer |
EP1862322A1 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-05 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Dual-side printing apparatus |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5452959A (en) * | 1994-08-26 | 1995-09-26 | Ko-Pack Corporation | Apparatus for printing characters onto both surfaces of a sheet material |
JP3545830B2 (en) * | 1995-04-27 | 2004-07-21 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Label printer |
CN2378193Y (en) * | 1999-06-21 | 2000-05-17 | 威海北洋电气集团股份有限公司 | Portable thermosensitive printer |
JP3687912B2 (en) * | 2002-08-29 | 2005-08-24 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Printer unit |
-
2007
- 2007-05-29 AT AT09159315T patent/ATE552119T1/en active
- 2007-05-29 EP EP09159315A patent/EP2085229B1/en active Active
- 2007-05-29 EP EP09159318A patent/EP2085230B1/en active Active
- 2007-05-29 DE DE602007011158T patent/DE602007011158D1/en active Active
- 2007-05-29 DE DE602007014250T patent/DE602007014250D1/en active Active
- 2007-05-29 AT AT09159318T patent/ATE507082T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2007-05-29 EP EP07109059A patent/EP1872957B1/en active Active
- 2007-06-28 CN CN2009101589243A patent/CN101648464B/en active Active
- 2007-06-28 CN CN2007101275406A patent/CN101096155B/en active Active
- 2007-06-28 CN CN2009101589258A patent/CN101633274B/en active Active
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4750006A (en) * | 1983-11-29 | 1988-06-07 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Platen for recording device |
EP0376404A1 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1990-07-04 | Océ Graphics France S.A. | A wide thermal printer |
US5868069A (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1999-02-09 | Escher-Grad Technologies Inc. | Method of generating proofs of print signatures |
US20020067386A1 (en) * | 1997-08-06 | 2002-06-06 | Seiko Epson Corporation. | Method and apparatus for processing recording media having embedded information |
EP0947340A2 (en) * | 1998-04-02 | 1999-10-06 | Nec Corporation | Both faces print station |
JPH11286147A (en) * | 1998-04-02 | 1999-10-19 | Nec Yonezawa Ltd | Perfecting mechanism |
EP1120265A2 (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2001-08-01 | Oki Data Corporation | Platen and printing apparatus |
US20030112318A1 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | John Long | Direct thermal printer |
EP1862322A1 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-05 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Dual-side printing apparatus |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2368717A3 (en) * | 2010-03-24 | 2014-04-30 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Printer |
WO2012065512A1 (en) * | 2010-11-19 | 2012-05-24 | 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司 | Printhead assembly and printer having the same |
US8786649B2 (en) | 2010-11-19 | 2014-07-22 | Shangdong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., Ltd. | Print head assembly and printer using the same |
CN110194000A (en) * | 2019-04-26 | 2019-09-03 | 深圳市普实科技有限公司 | A kind of squash type printing mechanism and its printer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1872957A3 (en) | 2008-11-05 |
ATE507082T1 (en) | 2011-05-15 |
CN101096155B (en) | 2010-06-02 |
DE602007014250D1 (en) | 2011-06-09 |
CN101648464A (en) | 2010-02-17 |
EP2085230A1 (en) | 2009-08-05 |
EP2085229A1 (en) | 2009-08-05 |
EP2085229B1 (en) | 2012-04-04 |
CN101633274B (en) | 2012-08-08 |
EP2085230B1 (en) | 2011-04-27 |
DE602007011158D1 (en) | 2011-01-27 |
CN101648464B (en) | 2011-09-21 |
CN101096155A (en) | 2008-01-02 |
CN101633274A (en) | 2010-01-27 |
ATE552119T1 (en) | 2012-04-15 |
EP1872957B1 (en) | 2010-12-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20080003039A1 (en) | Printer | |
EP1872957B1 (en) | Printer | |
JP4023538B2 (en) | High resolution donor / direct thermal printer | |
EP2535198B1 (en) | Platen gap adjustment mechanism and printer | |
TW201221462A (en) | Paper conveyance device and printer | |
US7173643B2 (en) | Printing apparatus | |
JP4752869B2 (en) | Head moving mechanism and image forming apparatus | |
JP2005262877A (en) | Printer and recording paper cutting method | |
EP1705022B1 (en) | image forming apparatus | |
JP3640443B2 (en) | Video printer feeder | |
JP4619693B2 (en) | Passbook printing apparatus and printing method | |
JP2964868B2 (en) | Thermal transfer card printer | |
KR100421973B1 (en) | Apparatus for releasing drive-roller for ink-jet printer | |
JP5160251B2 (en) | Thermal printer | |
JP4544108B2 (en) | Printing device | |
JP4848713B2 (en) | Printing device | |
JP4395788B2 (en) | Cutter device and recording apparatus provided with the cutter device | |
JP6966243B2 (en) | Printer | |
KR20050005793A (en) | Paper transfering device | |
JPH08142443A (en) | Thermal transfer printer | |
JP3779607B2 (en) | Thermal transfer printer | |
JP2008210097A (en) | Receipt printing and issuing apparatus | |
JP2006240256A (en) | Thermal transfer printer | |
JP2002113912A (en) | Line type dot printer | |
JP2006305852A (en) | Thermal transfer printer |
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 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20070529 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: NCR CORPORATION Owner name: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
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 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602007011158 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20110127 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
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 |
Effective date: 20110916 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602007011158 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20110916 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230411 Year of fee payment: 17 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230404 Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230406 Year of fee payment: 17 |