JP2001031308A - Line thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent generation of slippage between paper sheets which is easy to generate during printing using a thermal head for multi-sheet paper formed by being overlapped a plurality of heat sensitive color sheets. SOLUTION: This printer is formed so that the traveling passage 12a of multi-sheet paper conveyed by a platen 14 and passing through a nip part 16 between the platen 14 and a thermal head 15 may be bent to the platen 14 by a regulating member 19 disposed near the more downstream side of a paper passage 12 than the nip part 16. As a result, the multi-sheet paper is curled to the thermal head 15 by a thermal effect caused by heat generation of a heater of the thermal head 15, so that a phenomenon that heat sensitive color sheet on the platen is easy to travel ahead of heat sensitive color sheet on the thermal head 15 side can be avoided, thus it is possible to prevent generation of slippage between paper sheets in the multi-sheet paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a line thermal printer capable of printing on multi-sheet paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing on a thermosensitive coloring paper using a thermal head, a printing operation is generally performed on one thermosensitive coloring paper. In other words, it has been considered that a thermal printer using a thermal head is not suitable for overlap copy printing in which printing is performed on a plurality of superimposed sheets as performed using an impact dot head.

On the other hand, a thermal printer has excellent characteristics such as low noise and easy downsizing of an apparatus as compared with an impact dot printer using an impact dot head. Thus, in recent years, attention has been paid to the characteristics of such a thermal printer, and there has been a demand for overprinting printing using the thermal printer. this is,
This is because, for example, with the background of development and diversification of information devices in recent years, for example, mobile devices and the like that are convenient if overprinting and printing can be performed in practical use have been put to practical use. In other words, while mobile devices are required to be small and light, characteristics of mobile devices that are required to be small and light include superimposed copying and printing. Attention has been paid to thermal printers, which have the characteristic of being easily miniaturized.

[0004] Against this background, in recent years, a so-called multi-part paper in which a plurality of thermosensitive coloring papers are superimposed has been developed.
Techniques for printing using a thermal head have been studied. One example of the results of such research is the invention of multi-part paper. That is,
In a multi-part paper, an invention has been made in which a layer having excellent thermal conductivity, for example, a wax layer, is provided between each thermosensitive coloring paper. Thus, by providing a wax layer between the heat-sensitive coloring papers, the heat from the heating element of the thermal head is transmitted well to each heat-sensitive coloring paper, and for example, it is possible to perform overprint printing on three or more heat-sensitive coloring papers. is there.

[0005]

Generally, multi-sheet paper is usually stopped by gluing or the like so that each sheet does not separate from one side only. As an example of the reason, for example, assuming that multi-sheet paper is used for printing a slip, the slip after printing is issued may need to be quickly separated. Measures. Therefore, when printing on such a multi-sheet paper, it is necessary to pay attention so that no deviation occurs between the respective sheets.

However, when printing is performed on multi-sheet paper using a thermal printer, there is a problem that misalignment between the thermosensitive coloring papers is likely to occur. In particular, in a configuration in which the multi-sheet paper that has passed through the nip portion between the platen and the thermal head is conveyed only depending on the conveyance force due to the rotation of the platen, the gap between the heat-sensitive coloring papers may be reduced. Notable.

[0007] The reason is considered that the frictional resistance between the heat-sensitive coloring papers hardly becomes an ideal relation. That is, the resistance between the thermal head and the thermosensitive coloring paper: F1 The resistance between the thermosensitive coloring papers: F2 The resistance between the platen and the thermosensitive coloring paper: F3 If F1 <F2 <F3, then In theory, no misalignment should occur between sheets. However, as described above, the multi-part paper used in the thermal printer has a wax layer provided between the heat-sensitive coloring papers, so that the relationship of F1 <F2 is hardly established due to its structure. That is, F2 <
It is easy to have a relationship of F1 <F3. This is,
This is one of the reasons that the misalignment is likely to occur between the thermosensitive coloring papers.

However, even if the relationship of F2 <F1 <F3 is satisfied, it is considered that a sheet gap does not necessarily occur depending on the degree of F2 <F1. However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the traveling path 104 of the multi-sheet paper (not shown) passing through the nip 103 between the platen 101 and the line type thermal head 102 is warped toward the thermal head 102. turn into. This is due to the influence of heat due to the heat generated by a heating element (not shown) of the thermal head 102 and the slight shift between the thermosensitive coloring paper on the platen 101 side and the thermosensitive coloring paper on the thermal head 102 side. This is because the paper is likely to curl toward the thermal head 102. When the multi-part paper curls toward the thermal head 102 as described above, in the multi-part paper in which the wax layer is provided between the respective thermo-sensitive coloring papers as described above, the respective thermo-sensitive coloring papers are more likely to be connected to each other. It becomes slippery. The reason will be considered in comparison between a case where the multi-sheet paper advances straight without curling toward the thermal head 102 and a case where the multi-sheet paper curls toward the thermal head 102 and advances.

First, when the multi-part paper advances straight without curling toward the thermal head 102, the heat-sensitive coloring paper on the platen 101 side has a strong stiffness. Another thermosensitive coloring paper fixed to the coloring paper by gluing or the like on the leading end side easily advances following the thermosensitive coloring paper on the platen 101 side. On the other hand, when the multi-sheet paper curls toward the thermal head 102 and proceeds,
Since the heat-sensitive coloring paper itself on the side of the platen 101 is curled, there is no stiffness in the heat-sensitive coloring paper. Therefore, even if the leading end of each heat-sensitive coloring paper is fixed by gluing or the like, the platen 101 is not fixed. The heat-sensitive coloring paper on the side of the side cannot generate a following force with respect to other heat-sensitive coloring papers. For this reason, slippage occurs between the heat-sensitive coloring papers that are likely to slip under the influence of the wax layer, and the heat-sensitive coloring paper on the side of the platen 101 tends to advance earlier than other heat-sensitive coloring papers. It is presumed that due to the gradual addition of such actions, a sheet gap occurs.

As a result of experiments by the inventors of the present invention, when printing is performed on multi-sheet paper of B6 size using a thermal printer as illustrated in FIG. 5, a gap between sheets of 1 mm or more may occur at the maximum. Was confirmed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to prevent misalignment between sheets which is likely to occur when printing on multi-sheet paper using a thermal head.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a line thermal printer in which a cylindrical platen which is driven to rotate is brought into contact with the platen via a paper path, and the platen is rotated by rotation of the platen. A line-type thermal head that performs a line-type printing operation on multi-sheet paper guided and conveyed along a paper path, and near a downstream side of the paper path from a nip portion between the platen and the thermal head. Position, the multi-part paper passing through the nip between the platen and the thermal head interferes with a virtual traveling path that is conveyed without restriction from the thermal head side of the traveling path with respect to the virtual traveling path. A regulating member that bends the traveling path of the multi-part paper toward the platen.

Therefore, the multi-sheet paper that has passed through the nip between the platen and the thermal head is bent in the direction of the platen by the interference of the regulating member, and advances in the bent direction. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon in which the thermosensitive coloring paper on the platen side advances more easily than the thermosensitive coloring paper on the thermal head side, thereby preventing misalignment of the multi-part paper. Here, in the invention according to claim 1, the "near" in "the vicinity of the nip portion between the platen and the thermal head on the downstream side of the paper path" where the regulating member is located is defined as:
It means that it is close enough to avoid the phenomenon that the heat-sensitive coloring paper on the platen side easily advances ahead of the heat-sensitive coloring paper on the side of the thermal head due to the regulation of the traveling direction of the multi-part paper by the regulating member. I do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the line thermal printer according to the first aspect, wherein the platen and the thermal head are housed and held, and the multi-portion which has passed through a nip portion between the platen and the thermal head is provided. A housing having a paper discharge port for discharging paper is provided, and the regulating member is provided in the paper discharge port.

Therefore, when the multi-part paper printed by the thermal head is discharged from the paper discharge port, the traveling direction is regulated by the regulating member, and the multi-part paper proceeds in the direction bent toward the platen. The invention according to claim 2 is particularly suitable for a small and thin line thermal printer in which multi-sheets printed by the thermal head are immediately discharged from the paper discharge port. Even in the case of a line thermal printer, since the regulating member is provided at the paper discharge port, the traveling direction of the multi-sheet paper after printing is reliably regulated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the line thermal printer according to the first or second aspect, the regulating member is a sheet-like elastic member.

Therefore, the multi-part paper after printing by the thermal head is restricted by the elastic member in the traveling direction having elasticity.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the line thermal printer according to the second aspect, the restricting member is a rib formed on the housing so as to be positioned at the discharge port.

Therefore, the traveling direction of the multi-part paper after printing by the thermal head is regulated by the ribs. In this case, since the rib can be easily formed integrally with the housing, the regulating member is easily formed.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1, 2, and 3.
In the line thermal printer according to the fourth aspect, the regulating member is disposed at a position outside a printing area by the thermal head.

Therefore, for example, the regulating member does not hinder the visibility of the printed content of the multi-part sheet after printing discharged from the sheet discharging port according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0022]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
A description will be given based on FIG.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portable information terminal driven by a battery (not shown), and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a printing section in cross section. This embodiment is an example of application to a portable information terminal 1. The information terminal 1 incorporates a line thermal printer 3 inside a flat housing 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), performs printing on a single sheet of paper, and uses, for example, multi-part paper. Performs printing and issuance of slips.

As shown in FIG. 1, a power switch 4, a numeric keypad 5, keys 6 having various functions, and a liquid crystal display 8 having a touch panel 7 on the upper surface thereof are provided on the upper surface of the housing 2.
And so on. Further, on both sides of the upper surface of the housing 2, gripping portions 9 are arranged at positions gripped by the operator.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a line thermal printer 3 is built in the rear of the housing 2. That is, a paper path 12 is provided from a paper supply port 10 located at the rear part of the housing 2 to a paper discharge port 11 located at the upper surface of the housing 2.
Inside, a printing unit 13 is arranged. The paper path 12 is
It is largely bent at the position of the printing section 13 and has a substantially U-shape. The printing unit 13 includes a cylindrical platen 14 that is rotatably supported and driven to rotate by a driving source such as a motor (not shown), and a line-type thermal head 15 that contacts the platen 14 via the paper path 12. It is a major component.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the printing section 13 in an enlarged manner. The thermal head 15 has a structure in which a number of heating elements (not shown) are arranged in a line in the vicinity of the leading edge of the bottom surface.
And is urged toward and held by the platen 14 so as to be pressed against the platen 14 via. Examples of the structure for applying the urging force to the thermal head 15 include a structure using a torsion force of a coil spring (not shown) wound around a support shaft (not shown) of the thermal head 15, and a plate spring (not shown) on the upper surface side of the thermal head 15. A structure or the like in which the restoring force acts is applicable. The thermal head 15 has a structure in which a number of heating elements (not shown) are arranged in a line in the vicinity of the leading edge of the bottom surface, and a number of heating elements are provided at an edge portion where the leading surface and the bottom surface intersect. It is also possible to use a so-called edge-type thermal head arranged in a line or a thermal head having many structures thereof.

Line thermal printer 3 of the present embodiment
Has a structure in which the paper path 12 is largely bent at the platen 14. Therefore, plain paper and multi-part paper guided along the paper path 12 are wound around the platen 14 on the upstream side to the nip 16 between the platen 14 and the thermal head 15, and after passing through the nip 16, the discharge port 1
Each part is configured to travel in the direction of 1. More specifically, the paper path 12 is arranged in a straight line from the paper feed port 10 and extends below the platen 14, and passes between the pinch roller 17 and the platen 14 that abuts on the platen 14 at this portion. It is arranged so as to be wound around and reaches a nip portion 16 between the thermal head 15 and the platen 14, and from the nip portion 16, it is configured to linearly reach the paper discharge port 11.

Here, the housing 2 is composed of a lower housing 2a and an upper housing 2b, each of which is a resin molded integrated product. Paper feed port 10 is formed between lower housing 2a and upper housing 2b,
The paper discharge port 11 is formed in the upper housing 2b. The paper outlet 11 is provided with a cutter unit 18 integrally formed with the upper housing 2b. The cutter section 18 is located at the edge of the upper housing 2b forming the sheet discharge port 11, and the platen 14 and the thermal head 15
Is disposed on the side of the thermal head 15 with reference to the paper path 12 after passing through the nip portion 16 between.

Further, the line thermal printer 3 of the present embodiment is provided with a regulating member 19 made of a sheet-like elastic member, which is located on both sides of the sheet discharge port 11.
These restricting members 19 are formed, for example, by sticking a PET film to both sides of the paper discharge port 11. The sticking position is on the side where the cutter portion 18 is formed in the paper discharge port 11. The regulating member 19 provided in this manner is positioned closer to the downstream side of the paper path 12 than the nip portion 16 between the platen 14 and the thermal head 15, and
Virtual traveling path 1 in which plain paper and multi-part paper passing through the nip 16 between the paper and the thermal head 15 are conveyed without restriction
The virtual travel path 12v interferes with the thermal head 15 more than the virtual travel path 12v, and the actual travel path 12a of plain paper or multi-part paper is bent toward the platen 14. Here, the virtual traveling route 12v is shown in FIG.
As described above, the plain paper and the multi-sheet paper curl toward the thermal head 15 under the influence of heat generated by the heat generating element of the thermal head 15.
5 is warped. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the regulating member 19 is disposed at a position outside the printing area PA by the thermal head 15.

The information terminal 1 of the present embodiment has a battery, a control board, a motor and the like built in the housing 2 (all are not shown), and is mounted on the control board by supplying power from the battery. The executed microcomputer executes various processes according to the control program. Thus, for example, the rotation of the platen 14 by the motor is executed, and information input from the touch panel 7 or the like is permitted. For example, in the line thermal printer 3 of the present embodiment, the reflection type sensor 20 that is located near the paper feed port 10 in the paper path 12 and detects plain paper and multi-sheet paper inserted into the paper feed port 10 is provided. This reflection type sensor 2
0 transmits a detection signal to a microcomputer mounted on a control board. Therefore, when the microcomputer receives a signal indicating that the reflective sensor 20 has detected plain paper or multi-sheet paper, the microcomputer starts the motor and continues the operation for a predetermined period of time such that the paper can be set. As a result, the platen 14 is driven to rotate, and the plain paper and the multi-sheet paper inserted into the paper feed port 10 are automatically loaded, and the leading ends of the paper and the thermal head 15
And held between them. In this state, when the key 6 to which the print execution designation is assigned is pressed, the motor is driven again and the platen 14 is driven to rotate, and the thermal head 15 is driven and controlled in synchronism therewith. A printing operation is performed based on print data stored in a mounted memory (not shown).

In such a configuration, during execution of the printing operation, plain paper and multi-part paper are guided and conveyed along the paper path 12 by receiving the conveying force of the platen 14. In the process, the plain paper or the multi-sheet paper that has passed through the nip portion 16 between the platen 14 and the thermal head 15 has its traveling direction bent toward the platen 14 due to the interference of the regulating member 19, and is thus bent. Proceed in the direction. That is, for the plain paper and the multi-part paper that have passed through the nip portion 16, the virtual traveling path 12v through which the plain paper and the multi-part paper are conveyed without restriction is more thermal than the virtual traveling path 12v. Head 15
The restricting member 19 interferes from the side, so that the plain paper or the multi-part paper travels on the actual traveling path 12a shown in FIG. For this reason, in multi-sheet paper, the platen 14
The phenomenon that the heat-sensitive coloring paper on the side of the heat-sensitive coloring paper tends to advance ahead of the heat-sensitive coloring paper on the side of the thermal head 15 is avoided, and the misalignment of the multi-sheet paper is prevented. Hereinafter, the reason will be described in detail.

The cause of the misalignment of the multi-sheet paper when printing is performed using the thermal head 15 is as described above. That is, the multi-part paper is affected by the influence of heat generated by the heating element (not shown) of the thermal head 15 and the slight shift between the thermal coloring paper on the platen 14 side and the thermal coloring paper on the thermal head 15 side. Tends to curl toward the thermal head 15. Therefore, the multi-sheet paper conveyed without restriction by the restriction member 19 travels on the virtual traveling path 12v. Then, since the thermosensitive coloring paper itself on the side of the platen 14 is curled, stiffness is not generated in the thermosensitive coloring paper, and as a result, the leading end of each thermosensitive coloring paper is fixed by gluing or the like. However, the thermosensitive coloring paper on the platen 14 side cannot generate a following force with respect to other thermosensitive coloring papers. For this reason, a wax layer is provided between the thermosensitive coloring papers so that each thermosensitive coloring paper has the above-mentioned F2 <F1.
In the multi-part paper having the relationship of F3, since the slip is likely to occur between the heat-sensitive coloring papers due to the effect of the wax layer, the slip occurs between the heat-sensitive coloring papers, and the heat-sensitive coloring paper on the platen 14 side is formed. However, it becomes easier to proceed before other thermosensitive coloring papers. It is presumed that due to the gradual addition of such actions, a sheet gap occurs. F1, F2, and F3 are F1: resistance between the thermal head and the thermal coloring paper, F2: resistance between the thermal coloring papers, and F3: resistance between the platen and the thermal coloring paper.

On the other hand, in the line thermal printer 3 of the present embodiment, the regulating action of the regulating member 19 causes
The multi-sheet paper travels on the actual traveling path 12a shown in FIG. The actual traveling path 12a is
The path is such that the multi-part paper is slightly bent toward the side. For this reason, in the multi-part paper, the thermal coloring paper located on the side of the thermal head 15 or in the middle of the thermal coloring paper on the platen 14 side covers the thermal coloring paper. The color paper and the other heat-sensitive color paper whose leading end is fixed by gluing or the like follow the heat-sensitive color paper on the platen 14 side and advance. Under such an operation, the phenomenon that the thermosensitive coloring paper on the platen 14 side advances more easily than the thermosensitive coloring paper located on the side of the thermal head 15 or the intermediate portion does not occur, and the gap between the sheets in the multi-sheet paper does not occur. Is prevented.

Such a phenomenon can be easily understood by superposing two sheets of paper, curling them in one direction, and shifting one of the sheets. In this case, the paper to be shifted corresponds to the thermosensitive coloring paper on the platen 14 side.
First, two sheets are curled such that the sheet to be shifted is outside the curl while the virtual traveling path 12v is in a state corresponding to the situation in which the multi-sheet paper advances. If the user shifts the sheet to be shifted in this state, it can be realized that the two sheets are easily shifted. On the other hand, the actual traveling path 12a is set to a state corresponding to the situation in which the multi-sheet paper advances, and the two sheets are curled so that the sheet to be shifted is inside the curl. In this state, when the user shifts the sheet to be shifted, it is possible to realize that the two sheets cannot be easily removed.

In the line thermal printer 3 of the present embodiment, since the regulating member 19 is located at a position outside the printing area PA by the thermal head 15,
The visibility of the printed content of plain paper or multi-part paper after printing discharged from the paper discharge port 11 is not hindered by the regulating member 19. However, at the time of implementation, the regulating member 19 is not necessarily the printing area P by the thermal head 15.
It is not necessary to be arranged at a position outside A, for example,
It may be provided entirely along the paper discharge port 11.

Further, in the line thermal printer 3 of the present embodiment, the regulating member 19 is formed of a sheet-like elastic member such as a PET film. For this reason, the operation of cutting the plain paper made of continuous paper having both ends overlapping with the regulating member 19 by the cutter 18 is restricted by the regulating member 19.
Does not hinder its operation.

In this embodiment, the example in which the regulating member 19 is disposed at the paper discharge port 11 has been described.
9 is not limited to this position, but rather than the nip portion 16 between the platen 14 and the thermal head 15,
It suffices if it is near the downstream side of 2. In this case, the term “near” means that the thermosensitive coloring paper on the platen 14 side easily advances ahead of the thermosensitive coloring paper on the thermal head 15 side due to the regulation of the traveling direction of the multi-sheet paper by the regulating member 19. What is necessary is just to be close enough to avoid the phenomenon.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the printing unit 13 in an enlarged manner. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, in the line thermal printer 3, the regulating member 31 is formed by a rib positioned at the sheet discharge port 11 and integrally molded with the upper housing 2b. In this case, even if a plurality of the regulating members 31 by the ribs are formed at regular intervals along the discharge port 11, the regulating members 1 of the first embodiment may be used.
As in the case of No. 9, the configuration may be such that it is disposed only on both sides of the paper discharge port 11 outside the print area PA by the thermal head 15, or any one may be used. The restricting member 31 provided by the ribs provided in this manner is also positioned closer to the downstream side of the paper path 12 than the nip portion 16 between the platen 14 and the thermal head 15. A virtual traveling path 12v in which plain paper or multi-part paper passing through the nip portion 16 between them is conveyed without restriction interferes from the thermal head 15 side with respect to the virtual traveling path 12v. The paper travel path 12 a is configured to bend toward the platen 14.

In such a configuration, the multi-part paper after printing by the thermal head 15 is used as the regulating member 19 by the rib.
The direction of travel is regulated by this. In this case, since the regulating member 19 formed by the ribs is integrally molded with the upper housing 19b, the moldability is extremely easy.

When the restricting member 31 by the rib is formed only at a position outside the printing area PA by the thermal head 15, it is discharged from the paper discharge port 11 as in the first embodiment. The visibility of the printed contents of plain paper or multi-part paper after printing is not hindered by the regulating member 19.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a line thermal printer comprising: a cylindrical platen which is driven to rotate;
A line-type thermal head that abuts on the platen via a paper path and performs a line-type printing operation on multi-part paper guided and conveyed on the paper path by rotation of the platen; The multi-part paper passing through the nip portion between the platen and the thermal head is conveyed without restriction by being located closer to the downstream side of the paper path than the nip portion between the thermal head and the nip portion. A regulating member that interferes with the traveling path of the thermal head from the thermal head side with respect to the traveling path and bends the traveling path of the multi-sheet paper toward the platen. Can be bent toward the platen due to the interference between the paper and the regulating member, and therefore, the heat generation on the platen side can be prevented. Paper can be prevented between sheets shift in the multi-part paper by preventing the occurrence of phenomena such as tends to proceed than thermosensitive coloring paper side of the thermal head.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the line thermal printer according to the first aspect, wherein the platen and the thermal head are housed and held, and the multi-portion having passed through a nip portion between the platen and the thermal head is provided. A housing having a paper discharge port for discharging paper is provided, and the regulating member is provided in the paper discharge port. Therefore, when the multi-part paper after printing is discharged from the paper discharge port, the traveling direction of the multi-part paper is changed. It can be regulated by the regulating member, so even if it is applied to a small and thin line thermal printer where multi-sheets printed by the thermal head are immediately discharged from the paper exit, In this case, the traveling direction of the multi-sheet paper can be reliably restricted, and the degree of freedom of the structure of the line thermal printer to be applied can be increased.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the line thermal printer according to the first or second aspect, since the regulating member is a sheet-like elastic member, the traveling direction of the multi-part paper after printing is changed to the sheet-like shape. It can be elastically regulated by the elastic member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the line thermal printer according to the second aspect, the regulating member is a rib formed on the housing so as to be located at the paper discharge port. The advancing direction of the multi-part paper after printing can be regulated by the easily formed ribs, and therefore, the regulating member can be easily provided.

The fifth aspect of the present invention provides the first, second, and third aspects.
5. The line thermal printer according to claim 4, wherein the restricting member is disposed at a position outside a printing area of the thermal head. It is possible to prevent the visibility of the printed content of the copy sheet from being hindered by the restricting member, and therefore, it is possible to maintain a good usability of the line thermal printer to which the invention of claim 5 is applied. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portable information terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a printing section in cross section.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal side view showing a printing unit.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a printing portion in an enlarged manner as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view showing an example of a conventional line thermal printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Housing 11 Paper discharge port 12 Paper path 12a Travel path 12v Virtual travel path 14 Platen 15 Thermal head 16 Nip section 19 Restriction member (sheet-like elastic member) 31 Restriction member (rib) PA Print area

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A rotary plate-shaped platen, which is in contact with the platen via a paper path, and which is in a line system with respect to a multi-part sheet guided and conveyed along the paper path by rotation of the platen. A line-type thermal head that performs a printing operation; and a nip between the platen and the thermal head, which is located closer to a downstream side of the paper path than a nip portion between the platen and the thermal head. In this case, the thermal head side interferes with a virtual traveling path through which the multi-part sheet is conveyed without restriction, and the traveling path of the multi-part sheet is bent toward the platen. A line thermal printer comprising a regulating member. 2. A housing for accommodating and holding the platen and the thermal head, and having a paper discharge port for discharging the multi-part paper that has passed through the nip between the platen and the thermal head, wherein the regulation is provided. 2. The line thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein a member is provided at the paper discharge port. 3. The line thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is a sheet-like elastic member. 4. The line thermal printer according to claim 2, wherein the restricting member is a rib formed on the housing so as to be located at the discharge port. 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting member is disposed at a position outside a printing area of the thermal head.
The line thermal printer according to 2, 3, or 4.