JP2001072260A - Image printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the jamming of the sent-back fed-out paper and the disordering of the fed-out recording paper, also reduce the cost and improve the reliability even in a minimized device by mounting a cover capable of acting as an opening and closing paper feeding-out tray in unloading a paper cassette, and mounting a stopper member on the cover for preventing the disordering of the recording paper. SOLUTION: The recording paper 1 loaded on a paper cassette 14 is fed out one by one by a paper supplying roller 6, and passed through between a capstan roller 8 and a pinch roller 9. Here, when a paper detecting sensor 13 detects a rear end of the recording paper 1, a thermal head 3 is downwardly rotated to be pressed to a platen roller, and the thermal transfer recording is executed onto the recording paper 1. Then the recording paper 1 is fed out onto a paper feeding-out port by a paper feeding-out roller 11, and stacked on a cover 15 of the paper cassette 14 acting as a paper feeding-out tray. Here, a stopper member 20 mounted on a rear end of the cover 15 can stop the recording paper 1 even though the recording paper 1 is apt to be pushed out by the trailing recording paper 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image printer for thermally transferring and recording an image on a recording sheet using an ink sheet and a recording sheet, such as a video printer.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image printers, high-quality and high-quality recording has been pursued on special recording paper as seen in a thermal sublimation recording type video printer, and the size and cost of the apparatus have been reduced. Things to pursue have come to be seen. Hereinafter, a conventional image printer will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 shows a conventional image printer. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional image printer. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 4 denotes an image printer apparatus main body, 1 denotes a sheet-like recording paper, 2 denotes an ink sheet obtained by applying ink to a thin band-like film, 3 denotes a thermal head, and 5 denotes a rotatable rubber roller. The ink sheet 2, the thermal head 3, and the platen roller 5 constitute a recording unit that performs recording on the recording paper 1. Reference numeral 8 denotes a capstan roller, and reference numeral 9 denotes a pinch roller, which is a paper conveying means for nipping and conveying the recording paper 1 after feeding. Reference numeral 14 denotes a recording paper cassette which is detachable from the apparatus main body 4 for loading the recording paper 1 at a predetermined position. Reference numeral 15 denotes a cover which is located above the recording paper cassette 14 and which can be rotated and opened and closed at the time of removal, and also serves as a paper discharge tray at the time of mounting. Reference numeral 16 denotes a paper push-up lever for lifting the recording paper 1 in the recording paper cassette 14, reference numeral 6 denotes a paper feed roller which is a rotatable rubber roller, and reference numeral 7 denotes one or more recording papers 1 pressed by the paper supply roller into one. It is a friction pad to handle,
The paper feed roller 6 and the friction pad 7 constitute paper feeding means. 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a switching guide as switching means for switching the path of the recording paper 1, and reference numeral 13 denotes a paper detection sensor as paper detection means for detecting the recording paper 1. Reference numeral 17 denotes a paper discharge unit that is a space where the discharged recording paper 1 is discharged, 10 denotes a paper discharge roller that is a rotatable rubber roller, and 11 denotes a paper discharge guide member that winds the recording paper 1 around the paper discharge roller 10. The paper discharge roller 10 and the paper discharge guide member 11 constitute paper discharge means. The operation of the conventional image printer configured as described above will be described below. First, in FIG. 5, a recording paper cassette 14 in which a plurality of recording papers 1 are stacked is mounted on the apparatus main body 4 along a cassette guide portion (not shown) of the apparatus main body 4. At the time of paper feeding, the paper lifting lever 16 is raised to press the recording paper 1 against the paper feeding roller 6, and a plurality of recording papers 1 are conveyed by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 6. Here, since the friction pad 7 is pressed against the paper feed roller 6 immediately after the downstream side in the paper transport direction, only one sheet of recording paper 1 is separated and transported into the apparatus. One transported recording paper 1 is
The switching guide 12 pressed downward is lifted and passed, and reaches the paper detection sensor 13 where the paper edge is detected. When the paper has passed between the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9, the paper feeding operation is completed. The recording paper 1 is conveyed in the direction A by the pressing and rotating of the stun roller 8 and the pinch roller 9. At this time, the thermal head 3 is retracted upward,
When the paper detection sensor 13 detects the end of the recording paper 1, the capstan roller 8 reverses, the thermal head 3 rotates downward and is pressed by the platen roller 5, and the thermal head 3 and the platen roller 5. Ink sheet 2
The thermal transfer recording is performed on the recording paper 1 by the recording section composed of. After passing through the switching guide 12, the recording paper 1
The paper is conveyed with the path switched in the direction F toward 7, and after the recording in the recording unit is completed, it is returned to the writing start position again. In the case of an image printer, since there are three to four colors of ink, the printing operation is performed three to four times, and when the printing is completely completed, the pressing of the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 is released, and thereafter, the paper is discharged. The recording paper 1 is discharged in the F direction toward the paper discharge unit 17 by the conveyance force generated by the recording paper 1 being wound around the paper discharge guide 11 by the rotation of the roller 10, and the lid of the recording paper cassette 14 also serving as a paper discharge tray. 15 are stacked.

However, in the above configuration, if the space of the paper discharge section is made thinner in order to reduce the size and cost of the apparatus, the discharged and stacked recording paper is newly added. By sticking electrostatically to the leading edge of the discharged recording paper and sticking it, it is pushed out from the lid also serving as a paper output tray and is scattered around the recording paper cassette and scattered. There has been a problem that the discharged recording paper is taken into the apparatus during the paper pull-in operation, which causes a clogging of the discharged paper. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and provides a low-cost, highly reliable, high-quality image printer which does not cause a paper discharge reverse feed, that is, a paper discharge recording sheet, even if the apparatus is downsized. The purpose is to:

In order to achieve this object, an image printer according to the present invention feeds sheet-like recording paper from the lower front part of the apparatus main body to the inside of the apparatus, and forms an image on the upper front part of the apparatus main body. An image printer that discharges paper, a recording paper cassette that stacks recording paper at a predetermined position and is detachable from the apparatus main body, and a paper feeding unit that separates and feeds the recording paper into the apparatus into one sheet; Paper transport means for transporting the recording paper after the paper is fed, switching means between the paper supply means and the paper transport means for switching the transport path of the recording paper, and paper detection between the switching means and the paper transport means for detecting the recording paper Means, a thermal head for performing thermal transfer recording on recording paper, a recording means comprising an ink sheet and a platen, a paper discharging means for discharging the recording paper to a paper discharging unit after recording, and a recording paper for laminating the discharged recording paper Open when removing the cassette A lid also serving as a sheet discharge tray possible, the lid has a than the position that is the paper discharge stacking of recording paper provided with a stopper member for restricting the protrusion of the recording sheet on the downstream side configuration. Further, it is rotatably supported on the shaft of the paper discharge roller and is rotatable around a wall separating the paper discharge space and the apparatus main body, but is always fixed to the paper stop even when the paper discharge roller shaft is rotated. The lower side of the horizontal axis of the recording paper protrudes downstream from the wall in the paper discharging direction, the upper part has a tapered surface which is acute to the paper discharging direction but forms an angle θ of 45 ° or more, and the lower part has a flat surface and the recording paper reverse feed. It has a configuration provided with a prevention member. With this configuration, a low-cost, high-reliability, high-quality image printer can be obtained that does not cause reverse paper discharge, that is, no variation in the discharged recording paper even if the apparatus is downsized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the first aspect of the present invention, sheet-like recording paper is fed from a lower front portion of an apparatus main body toward the inside of the apparatus, and is discharged to an upper front portion of the apparatus main body. An image printer, a recording paper cassette in which recording paper is stacked at a predetermined position and which is detachable from the apparatus main body, a paper feeding means for separating and feeding the recording paper into a single sheet, and a recording paper supply Paper transport means for transporting after the paper, switching means for switching the transport path of the recording paper between the paper supply means and the paper transport means,
Paper detecting means between the switching means and the paper transporting means for detecting the recording paper, a thermal head for performing thermal transfer recording on the recording paper, a recording means comprising an ink sheet and a platen, and discharging the recording paper to a paper discharge section after recording And a lid which also functions as a paper discharge tray that can be opened and closed when a recording paper cassette for laminating the discharged recording paper is stacked, and the lid records downstream of the position where the recording paper is discharged and stacked. It is characterized by providing a stopper member for limiting the protrusion of the paper,
When the space of the paper output unit is configured to be thin for the purpose of miniaturization and cost reduction of the device, the discharged and stacked recording paper is electrostatically adhered to the leading end of the newly discharged recording paper and adhered to it. Even if the newly ejected recording paper moves to eject the already ejected recording paper from the lid that also serves as the paper ejection tray in the paper ejection direction, the ejection of the recording paper is stopped by hitting the stopper member and the lid is stopped. It is possible to stack the discharged recording paper on the upper part of the recording paper cassette, and to prevent the recording paper from scattering around the recording paper cassette and being scattered. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image printer which feeds sheet-like recording paper from the lower front part of the apparatus main body toward the inside of the apparatus and discharges the recording paper to the upper front part of the apparatus main body. A recording paper cassette that can be loaded and removed from the main body of the apparatus, a paper feeding unit that separates and feeds recording paper into the apparatus, a paper conveying unit that conveys the recording paper after feeding, Switching means for switching the transport path of the recording paper between the paper means and the paper transport means, paper detecting means for detecting the recording paper between the switching means and the paper transport means, a thermal head for performing thermal transfer recording on the recording paper, and ink A cover that also functions as a recording unit including a sheet and a platen, a discharge unit that discharges the recording paper to a discharge unit after recording, and a discharge tray that can be opened and closed when a recording paper cassette for stacking the discharged recording paper is removed. Equipped, on the axis of the discharge roller It is pivotally supported and is rotatable around the wall separating the paper output unit space and the apparatus main body, but is always fixed to the rotation stop even when the paper discharge roller shaft rotates, and the lower side of the horizontal axis of the paper discharge roller is discharged from the wall. The recording paper is provided with a recording paper back-feed preventing member which protrudes downstream in the paper direction, has a tapered surface formed at an upper portion which is at an acute angle to the paper discharge direction but forms an angle θ of 45 ° or more, and a lower portion which has a flat surface. Things,
If the space of the paper output section is configured to be thin in order to reduce the size and cost of the device, even if the discharged and stacked recording paper is electrostatically adhered to the leading end of the recording paper that is pulled back during recording, Since the rear end on the upstream side in the paper discharge direction abuts against and is blocked by the flat surface below the recording paper back-feed preventing member, the rear end of the part that is partially adhered does not completely adhere, but eventually hits the wall. The part that stuck was also separated,
There is an effect that the recording paper already ejected into the apparatus by the operation of pulling back the recording paper can be prevented from being reversed without being reversed. After the recording is completed, the newly ejected recording paper slides without remaining after the trailing edge of the recording paper reverse-feed prevention member has a tapered surface after the trailing end of the recording paper has passed through the ejection rollers. The flat surface prevents the rear end from sticking even if the recording paper that is subsequently ejected falls to the bottom surface and the recording paper that is discharged next partially adheres, and has the effect of preventing repeated feeding back. . Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image printer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording paper cassette. 1 and 2, the same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. 1 and 2, reference numeral 4 denotes an apparatus main body of an image printer, 1 denotes a sheet-like recording paper, 2 denotes an ink sheet obtained by applying ink to a thin band-like film, 3 denotes a thermal head, and 5 denotes a rotatable rubber roller. The ink sheet 2, the thermal head 3, and the platen roller 5 constitute recording means for recording on the recording paper 1. 8
Is a capstan roller, and 9 is a pinch roller, which is a paper conveying means for nipping and conveying the recording paper 1 after feeding. Reference numeral 14 denotes a recording paper cassette which is detachable from the apparatus main body 4 for loading the recording paper 1 at a predetermined position. 15 is a recording paper cassette 14
It is a lid which is located at the upper part of the printer and can be opened and closed by rotating at the time of extraction, and also serves as a paper discharge tray at the time of mounting. Reference numeral 20 denotes a stopper member provided downstream of the position where the recording paper is discharged and stacked on the lid 15 and which restricts the overflow of the recording paper, and is a wall-shaped guide provided integrally with the lid 15. Reference numeral 16 denotes a paper lifting lever for lifting the recording paper 1 in the recording paper cassette 14,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a paper feed roller which is a rotatable rubber roller. Reference numeral 7 denotes a friction pad which is pressed by the paper feed roller and separates one or more sheets of recording paper 1 into one sheet. Constitute. Reference numeral 12 denotes a switching guide as switching means for switching the path of the recording paper 1, and reference numeral 13 denotes a paper detection sensor for detecting the recording paper 1. Reference numeral 17 denotes a paper discharge unit that is a space where the discharged recording paper 1 is discharged, 10 denotes a paper discharge roller that is a rotatable rubber roller, and 11 denotes a paper discharge guide member that winds the recording paper 1 around the paper discharge roller 10. The paper discharge roller 10 and the paper discharge guide member 11 constitute paper discharge means. The operation of the image printer configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIGS. 1 and 2, a recording paper cassette 14 in which a plurality of recording papers 1 are stacked is mounted on the apparatus main body 4 along a cassette guide portion (not shown) of the apparatus main body 4. At the time of paper feeding, the paper lifting lever 16 is raised to press the recording paper 1 against the paper feeding roller 6, and a plurality of recording papers 1 are conveyed by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 6.
Here, since the friction pad 7 is pressed against the paper feed roller 6 immediately after the downstream side in the paper transport direction, only one sheet of recording paper 1 is separated and transported into the apparatus. The conveyed recording sheet 1 lifts and passes the switching guide 12 pressed downward, advances to the sheet detection sensor 13, detects the end of the sheet, and passes between the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9. At this point, the paper feeding operation is completed, and thereafter, the recording paper 1 is conveyed in the direction A by pressing and rotating the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9. At this time, the thermal head 3 is retracted upward, and when the end of the recording paper 1 is detected by the paper detection sensor 13, the capstan roller 8 reverses, the thermal head 3 rotates downward, and the platen Pressed by the roller 5,
From here, thermal transfer recording is performed on the recording paper 1 by the recording unit including the thermal head 3, the platen roller 5, and the ink sheet 2. After passing through the switching guide 12, the recording paper 1 is conveyed with the path switched in the F direction toward the paper discharge unit 17, and after the recording in the recording unit is completed, it is pulled back to the writing start position. The recording operation is performed three to four times. When the recording is completed, the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 are moved.
Is released, and thereafter, the recording paper 1 is discharged toward the paper discharge unit 17 by a conveying force generated by winding the recording paper 1 around the paper discharge guide 11 by the rotation of the paper discharge roller 10, and the recording paper cassette also serves as a paper discharge tray. Recording paper 1 on cover 15 of 14
Are stacked. At this time, the discharged and stacked recording paper 1
Is adhered to the leading end of the newly discharged recording paper 1 by electrostatic adhesion, and the newly discharged recording paper 1 is transferred from the cover 15 which also serves as a discharge tray in the discharge direction. Even when the recording paper 1 is pushed out, the recording paper 1 is stopped by being hit by the stopper member 20 so that the discharged recording paper 1 can be stacked on the upper part of the lid 15. It can be prevented from scattering and scattering. As described above, according to the first embodiment, the lid is provided which also serves as a discharge tray which can be opened and closed when the recording paper cassette for laminating the discharged recording papers is pulled out. By providing a stopper member that restricts the overflow of the recording paper further downstream, it is possible to prevent occurrence of scattering and scattering of the discharged recording paper with a simple configuration. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image printer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back-feed prevention member. 3 and 4, the same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
3 and 4, reference numeral 4 denotes an apparatus main body of the image printer, 1 denotes a sheet-like recording paper, 2 denotes an ink sheet obtained by applying ink to a thin band-like film, 3 denotes a thermal head, and 5 denotes a thermal head.
Is a platen roller that is a rotatable rubber roller,
Ink sheet 2, thermal head 3, platen roller 5
Constitutes recording means for performing recording on the recording paper 1. Reference numeral 8 denotes a capstan roller, and reference numeral 9 denotes a pinch roller, which is a paper conveying means for nipping and conveying the recording paper 1 after feeding. Reference numeral 14 denotes a recording paper cassette which is detachable from the apparatus main body 4 for loading the recording paper 1 at a predetermined position. Reference numeral 15 denotes a cover which is located above the recording paper cassette 14 and which can be rotated and opened and closed at the time of removal, and also serves as a paper discharge tray at the time of mounting. 16 is a recording paper cassette 14
Reference numeral 6 denotes a paper feed roller which is a rotatable rubber roller. Reference numeral 7 denotes a friction pad which is pressed by the paper feed roller to separate one or more recording papers 1 into one. The paper feed roller 6 and the friction pad 7 constitute paper feeding means. Reference numeral 12 denotes a switching guide as switching means for switching the path of the recording paper 1, and reference numeral 13 denotes a paper detection sensor for detecting the recording paper 1. Reference numeral 17 denotes a paper discharge unit that is a space where the discharged recording paper 1 is discharged, 10 denotes a paper discharge roller that is a rotatable rubber roller, and 11 denotes a paper discharge guide member that winds the recording paper 1 around the paper discharge roller 10. And constitutes the paper discharging means. Reference numeral 19 denotes a wall which is rotatably supported on the axis of the paper discharge roller 10 and which keeps the wall 18 separating the paper discharge unit 17 and the apparatus main body 4 from rotating. Position, and the lower side of the horizontal axis of the paper discharge roller 10 projects downstream from the wall in the paper discharge direction,
The upper part is an acute angle to the paper discharge direction, but the angle θ is 45 degrees or more.
The lower portion is a recording paper back-feed prevention member having a flat surface. In FIG. 4, the recording paper back-feed prevention member 19 is configured so that a part of the bearing portion is cut out so as to be easily mounted on the shaft of the paper discharge roller 10, and is elastically mountable. Further, on the opposite side of the taper surface of the recording paper reverse feed prevention member 19, a guide portion for sandwiching a rib provided on the wall 18 is provided, and also has a lateral position regulation. FIG. 3 shows the image printer according to the second embodiment configured as described above.
The operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, FIG.
In FIG. 4, a recording paper cassette 14 in which a plurality of recording papers 1 are stacked is mounted on the apparatus main body 4 along a cassette guide portion (not shown) of the apparatus main body 4. At the time of paper feeding, the paper lifting lever 16 is raised to press the recording paper 1 against the paper feeding roller 6, and a plurality of recording papers 1 are conveyed by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 6. Here, since the friction pad 7 is pressed against the paper feed roller 6 immediately after the downstream side in the paper transport direction, only one sheet of recording paper 1 is separated and transported into the apparatus. The conveyed recording sheet 1 lifts and passes the switching guide 12 pressed downward, advances to the sheet detection sensor 13, detects the end of the sheet, and passes between the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9. At this point, the paper feeding operation is completed, and thereafter, the recording paper 1 is conveyed in the direction A by pressing and rotating the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9. At this time, the thermal head 3 is retracted upward, and when the end of the recording paper 1 is detected by the paper detection sensor 13, the capstan roller 8 reverses, the thermal head 3 rotates downward, and the platen The recording paper 1 is pressed by the roller 5 and a thermal transfer recording is performed on the recording paper 1 by a recording unit including the thermal head 3, the platen roller 5, and the ink sheet 2. After passing through the switching guide 12, the recording paper 1 is conveyed with the path switched in the F direction toward the paper discharge unit 17, and after the recording in the recording unit is completed, it is pulled back to the writing start position. The recording operation is performed three to four times. When the recording is completely completed, the pressing of the capstan roller 8 and the pinch roller 9 is released, and thereafter the recording paper 1 is wound around the discharge guide 11 by the rotation of the discharge roller 10. The recording paper 1 is discharged toward the paper discharge unit 17 by the conveyance force generated by the discharge, and the cover 15 of the recording paper cassette 14 also serving as a paper discharge tray.
The recording paper 1 is laminated thereon. Here, even if the ejected and stacked recording paper 1 is electrostatically adhered to the leading end of the recording paper 1 to be pulled back during recording when the paper is pulled back in the middle of recording, the lower part of the recording paper reverse feed prevention member 19 can be used. The rear end in the paper discharge direction abuts against and is blocked by the flat surface, so that the rear end of the part that is partially adhered does not completely adhere,
Eventually, the part that has stuck against and adhered to the wall 18 is also separated, and the recording paper 1 already ejected into the apparatus by the pulling-back operation of the recording paper 1 is not taken back and can be prevented from being reversed. . Further, the recording paper 1 newly discharged after the end of recording has its rear end portion passed through the discharge roller 10 and the upper portion of the reverse feed prevention member 19 has a smooth tapered surface.
The flat surface prevents the rear end of the recording paper 1 from sticking even if the recording paper 1 to be ejected next partially adheres to the lid 15 without slipping and remaining on the lid, and is repeatedly turned upside down. Prevents sending. As described above, according to the second embodiment, the sheet is rotatably supported on the shaft of the sheet discharge roller, and is rotatable around the wall separating the sheet discharge unit space and the apparatus main body. It is always fixed to the rotation stop, and the lower side of the horizontal axis of the paper discharge roller projects downstream from the wall in the paper discharge direction, and the upper part has a taper surface that forms an acute angle to the paper discharge direction but forms an angle θ of 45 degrees or more. The lower portion is provided with a recording paper back-feed preventing member having a flat surface, so that the occurrence of paper discharge back-feeding can be prevented by adding a simple member. In the above description, the recording paper back-feed prevention member is provided with a notch. However, the same effect can be obtained by using a type in which a shaft-supported portion is a round hole and is incorporated in advance at the time of roller assembly. In this case, the parts have a simpler shape, and the cost can be further reduced.

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the apparatus is miniaturized, a simple structure which does not disperse the discharge reverse feeding, that is, the discharge recording paper, that is, has low cost, high reliability and high quality. An excellent effect that an image printer can be provided is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an image printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording paper cassette according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the image printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a recording paper reverse feed prevention member according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a conventional image printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording paper 2 ink sheet 3 thermal head 4 apparatus main body 5 platen roller 6 paper feed roller 7 friction pad 8 capstan roller 9 pinch roller 10 paper discharge roller 11 paper discharge guide 12 switching guide 13 paper detection sensor 14 recording paper cassette 15 lid Reference Signs List 16 paper lifting lever 17 paper discharge part 18 wall 19 recording paper reverse feed prevention member 20 stopper member

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takayuki Koike 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.F-term (reference) AD03 BA02 BA06 CA02 CC04 CD05 3F343 FA02 FB04 FC01 GA03 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA14 HB03 HC10 HD18 JA01 JD03 JD08 KA04 KA06 KA13 KA16 MA03 MA15 MA33

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image printer for feeding sheet-like recording paper from the lower front part of the apparatus body toward the inside of the apparatus and discharging the recording paper to the upper part of the front part of the apparatus body, wherein the recording sheet is placed at a predetermined position. A recording paper cassette which is loaded on the main body and detachable from the apparatus main body, a paper feeding means for separating and feeding the recording paper into one sheet inside the apparatus, and a paper conveying means for conveying the recording paper after feeding the paper, Switching means for switching the transport path of the recording paper between the paper feeding means and the paper transporting means; paper detecting means for detecting the recording paper between the switching means and the paper transporting means; A recording unit including a thermal head for performing thermal transfer recording, an ink sheet, and a platen; a discharge unit that discharges the recording paper to a discharge unit that is a discharge space after recording; and the stacking the discharged recording paper. Recording paper cassette A lid also serving as a discharge tray that can be opened and closed at the time of extraction, wherein the lid is provided with a stopper member that restricts protrusion of the recording paper in a discharge direction downstream of a position where the recording paper is discharged and stacked. An image printer characterized by the following. 2. An image printer which feeds sheet-shaped recording paper from a lower front part of an apparatus main body to the inside of the apparatus and discharges the recording paper to an upper part of the front part of the apparatus main body, wherein the recording paper is placed at a predetermined position. A recording paper cassette which is loaded on the main body and detachable from the apparatus main body, a paper feeding means for separating and feeding the recording paper into one sheet inside the apparatus, and a paper conveying means for conveying the recording paper after feeding the paper, Switching means for switching the transport path of the recording paper between the paper feeding means and the paper transporting means; paper detecting means for detecting the recording paper between the switching means and the paper transporting means; A recording unit including a thermal head for performing thermal transfer recording, an ink sheet, and a platen; a discharge unit that discharges the recording paper to a discharge unit that is a discharge space after recording; and the stacking the discharged recording paper. Recording paper cassette A cover which also functions as a paper discharge tray that can be opened and closed when the paper is extracted, is rotatably supported on the shaft of the paper discharge roller, and the paper discharge roller shaft rotates around a wall separating the paper discharge unit space and the apparatus main body. However, the paper is always fixed at a fixed position by rotation, and the lower side of the horizontal axis of the paper discharge roller protrudes downstream from the wall in the paper discharge direction, and the upper part is at an acute angle to the paper discharge direction, but is 45 degrees or more. An image printer characterized in that a recording paper reverse feed prevention member having a tapered surface having an angle θ and a flat surface at a lower portion is provided.