JP2007160854A - Printing position check device of continuous paper printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to visually check whether or not practically printed characters and images are present at intended positions of a sheet of paper of a printing device where printed positions can not be checked because the cover of a printing device body can not be checked in a small printing device or for the reason of safety in a continuous paper printing device. <P>SOLUTION: In the printing device, a printing position check window is arranged in a place where the path of sheet of paper can be seen of the inside of the printing device for checking the printing position on the sheet of paper and a light source for illuminating the print on the sheet of paper is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a continuous paper printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing position confirmation apparatus for a printing apparatus in which a printing path is covered with a cover or the like and it is difficult to confirm a printing position on a sheet.

  Printing apparatuses that use continuous paper are often used for forms such as preprinted paper that require printing position accuracy. Since printing of forms often requires high-precision printing positions such as slips and invoices, it is necessary to confirm whether the printing positions are normal before actually printing forms. Therefore, in order to check the printing position in a normal continuous paper printing device, the actual printing is performed and the printing position is checked with the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit outside the printing device, or a cover is provided so that a part of the paper path is exposed. Was opened and the cover was opened during printing to check the printing position on the paper.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the printed paper is fed in the A direction 10 and the paper is taken out of the printing apparatus to confirm the printing result. In this case, if the paper whose printing position has been confirmed is cut out or used as a printing result, the paper is returned to the B direction 9 and printing is continued. For this reason, it is necessary to repeat the method of printing to match the printing position, conveying the paper and confirming the printing position, and then cutting the paper or returning to the B direction 9 and printing again to confirm the printing position.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-23567

  In the continuous paper printing apparatus, if the position of the sheet can be confirmed at the start of printing, the position does not shift until the sheet runs out and the sheet is replaced. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the printing position by performing test printing or actual printing before starting printing. In this case, in a large printing apparatus, a method of opening a cover and confirming characters and images printed on paper is taken. However, in a small continuous paper printing apparatus, an optical unit, a photosensitive drum, and a fixing device that form an image are densely arranged, so that it is not possible to secure a space where the printed material can be viewed by opening the cover. Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 1, in a small printing apparatus, printed paper is conveyed, and a printing result is output to the outside of the printing apparatus and visually confirmed.

  If this method is performed with a laser continuous paper printer, unfixed parts transferred onto the paper will also move during transport, so unfixed toner will adhere to the transport path in the printer and stains will occur after printing is confirmed. It may come out. Also, if the cover is opened near the paper running section to check the printing position, the operator cuts his hand at the end face of the running continuous paper during printing, or is caught or caught in the operating mechanism. Therefore, it is difficult to make it easy to confirm the printing position and to ensure safety.

  Further, in the method shown in FIG. 3, the operator's operation becomes complicated, and when the paper is fed back into the printing apparatus in the reverse direction, the printing apparatus is used to return the paper even though unfixed toner is attached to the paper. The paper travel path is soiled with toner, and as a result, the printing paper is easily soiled with toner.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that a character printed on the paper of a small printing apparatus or a printing apparatus whose safety cannot be confirmed because the cover cannot be opened on the printing apparatus main body and the printing position cannot be confirmed. It is to be able to visually confirm whether the image is at the intended position.

  The present invention is characterized in that a window is provided at a position where characters and images printed on the paper conveyance path can be seen, and a light source for illuminating the printed material is provided so that the operator can easily see the printed result.

  According to the present invention, by opening the printing position confirmation window, it is possible to easily confirm the printing position of printing that requires printing position accuracy like a form. In addition, by providing a light source for illumination inside the printing device, the opening can be made smaller, so the operator can cut the hand at the edge of the paper while touching the paper being printed, or open the cover to open the continuous paper. It is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum in the printing apparatus from being exposed to light and deteriorating the photosensitive member, or the printed material to be fogged due to light being applied to the photosensitive member, and the printing paper and the printing apparatus to be stained.

  With the aim of making it possible to visually check whether the printed characters and images are at the intended position, the continuous paper printer's print position confirmation function with the minimum number of parts, without sacrificing safety and print quality during printing It was realized.

  FIG. 1 shows a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a continuous paper printing paper, 2 is a photosensitive drum, 3 is an optical unit for irradiating the photosensitive drum 2 with a laser to form a latent image, 4 is a fan for discharging heat inside the printer, and 5 is attached to the paper A fixing device 6 for fixing the toner to the continuous paper printing paper 1 with heat and pressure, and 6 is a printing position confirmation window. 7 is a light source attached inside the printing apparatus, and 8 is a switch for lighting the light source 7.

  In order to confirm the print position, printing for confirming the print position is performed. The continuous paper printing paper 1 is transferred to the continuous paper printing paper 1 from the point where the printing result contacts the photosensitive drum 2. Therefore, the printing position confirmation window 6 is provided at a position near the photosensitive drum 2 where the image on the continuous paper printing paper 1 can be seen so that the printing position can be confirmed even when printing only one page. However, in the case of a small continuous paper printing apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 2, the optical unit 3, the fan 4, and the fixing device 5 are disposed close to the paper path in the paper path. And the fixing device 5 are dark and it is difficult to confirm the printing result on the continuous paper 1. When the switch 8 is pressed, the light source 7 is turned on and the printing result on the continuous paper 1 can be confirmed from the printing position confirmation window 6.

  Since the photosensitive drum 2 is affected by the surface potential depending on the wavelength of light, the print quality may deteriorate or the life of the OPC itself may be shortened. Therefore, the light source 7 can emit light only when printing is stopped. By setting so that the light cannot be emitted even when the switch 8 is pressed, the light source 7 does not emit light during the printing operation, and the influence on the photosensitive drum 2 is minimized even if the switch 8 is accidentally kept pressed during printing. Is also possible. The photosensitive drum 2 has a wavelength at which fogging is likely to occur depending on the material of the photosensitive member, and it is also effective to select a light source 7 having a wavelength that does not affect the photosensitive drum 2.

  FIG. 2 shows a printing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the printing unit confirmation window 6 is installed on the upper surface of the printing apparatus by shifting the optical unit 3 with respect to the first embodiment. For this reason, it becomes almost perpendicular to the printing surface of the continuous paper printing paper 1, and the printing position can be easily confirmed. Further, since the printing position confirmation window 6 is located on the upper surface of the printing apparatus, if the printing position confirmation window 6 is large with a large amount of light entering the apparatus, the printing position may be confirmed without the light source 7 or the switch 8.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the printing position confirmation apparatus of the continuous paper printing apparatus. Example 1 It is explanatory drawing which showed the printing position confirmation apparatus of the continuous paper printing apparatus. (Example 2) It is explanatory drawing which showed the printing position confirmation method of the conventional continuous paper printing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 is a continuous paper printing paper, 2 is a photosensitive drum, 3 is an optical unit, 4 is a fan, 5 is a fixing device, 6 is a printing position confirmation window, 7 is a light source, and 8 is a switch.

Claims (2)

  A printing position confirmation apparatus for a continuous paper printing apparatus, wherein a printing position confirmation window is provided at a position where a paper path inside the printing apparatus can be seen to confirm a printing position on a sheet. 2. A printing position confirmation apparatus for a continuous paper printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light source for irradiating printing on the paper.

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