JP2016185837A - Sheet feeder, printer and sheet separation method in sheet feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet feeder which can separate a sheet at a perforation position with a small number of components, and discharge the sheet on the downstream side of the separated sheets from a discharge port.SOLUTION: A sheet feeder comprises: a feeding section 2 which feeds a fan-fold sheet 100 provided with a perforation 101; a discharge port 12 which is provided on the downstream end of a feeding path in which the fan-fold sheet 100 is fed; a pulling section 5 which is provided on the feeding upstream side with respect to the discharge port 12, and pulls the fan-fold sheet 100 toward the discharge port 12; and a bending member 6 which is provided between the feeding section 2 and the pulling section 5, and bends the fan-fold sheet 100. The feeding section 2 holds the sheet pulled by the pulling section 5. The pulling section 5 separates the fan-fold sheet 100 at the position of the perforation 101 by pulling the fan-fold sheet 100 in the state where the fan-fold sheet 100 is bent at the position of the perforation 101 by the bending member 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeding device, a printing device, and a paper separation method in a paper feeding device for feeding paper with perforations.

  Conventionally, a continuous paper provided with a perforation is transported in a direction perpendicular to the perforation and temporarily stopped.At the time of the stop, the continuous paper is pressed and held on both sides of the perforation by pressing means, and a blunt-shaped cutting member is There is known a continuous paper cutting device that reliably cuts continuous paper at the perforation even when the perforation is misaligned due to a transport error or the like by lowering the continuous paper. Yes. In this continuous paper cutting device, after the continuous paper is cut, the cutting member is lifted, the pressing and holding of the continuous paper by the pressing means is released, and further the paper discharge means is operated to cut the downstream cut paper. Is discharged from a paper discharge port (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-042597

The inventor has found the following problems.
In the conventional continuous paper cutting device, it is necessary to provide a driving source for the cutting member separately from the driving source for the paper discharge means, which increases the number of parts.

  The present invention is a paper feeding device, a printing device, and a paper feeding device that can separate paper at the position of the perforation with a small number of parts, and that can discharge the downstream paper out of the separated paper from the discharge port. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet separation method in an apparatus.

  The sheet feeding device of the present invention includes a feeding unit that feeds a sheet having a perforation, a discharge port provided at a downstream end of a feeding path through which the sheet is fed, and a upstream side of the discharge port. A tension part that pulls toward the discharge port, a holding part that is provided upstream of the tension part and that holds the paper pulled by the tension part, and is provided between the holding part and the tension part. A tension member that separates the paper at the position of the perforation by pulling the paper in a state where the paper is bent at the position of the perforation by the bending member.

  According to this configuration, when the sheet is pulled by the pulling unit, a shearing force is generated on the sheet held by the holding unit at the bending portion of the sheet by the bending member, that is, at the position of the perforation. For this reason, the sheet is separated at the position of the perforation without moving the bending member. Therefore, it is not necessary for the sheet feeding device to include a bending member drive source separately from the tension source drive source. Further, among the separated sheets, the downstream sheet that is the sheet on the downstream side of the feeding is discharged from the discharge port by the pulling unit. Therefore, the sheet feeding device can separate the sheet at the position of the perforation with a small number of parts, and can discharge the downstream sheet from the discharge port.

  In this case, it is preferable that the pulling unit continues to operate until the downstream side paper, which is the paper on the downstream side of the paper separated at the position of the perforation, is discharged from the discharge port.

  According to this configuration, the downstream side sheet is sent toward the discharge port by continuing the operation of the tension unit. Therefore, after the sheet is separated, the downstream sheet is immediately discharged from the discharge port.

  In this case, the bending member is in contact with one of the width ends of the paper when the paper is pulled by the pulling portion, or is ahead of the other width end with respect to one width end. It is preferable to touch.

  According to this configuration, when the paper is pulled, a shearing force is generated intensively at the end corresponding to one width end of the paper among the both ends of the perforation. Disconnected. Then, when one end of the perforation is cut, the cutting easily proceeds from one end of the perforation to the other end. Therefore, the paper is separated at the position of the perforation only by pulling the paper with a relatively weak force by the pulling portion.

  In this case, it is preferable to further include a cut forming portion that forms a cut at the end of the perforation before the sheet is separated at the position of the perforation.

  According to this configuration, the cutting easily proceeds from the end portion of the perforation in which the cut is formed toward the other end portion of the perforation. Therefore, the paper is separated at the position of the perforation only by pulling the paper with a relatively weak force by the pulling portion.

  In this case, the feeding unit also serves as a holding unit, and the feeding unit can take a first operating state in which paper is fed downstream and a stopped state in which the operation is stopped and functions as a holding unit. The paper is fed by taking the first operating state so that the paper is bent at the perforation position by the bending member, and then the paper pulled by the pulling portion is held by taking the stop state It is preferable to do.

  According to this configuration, after the sheet is fed by the feeding unit taking the first operation state, the sheet is held by the feeding unit taking the stop state. For this reason, it is not necessary to operate the means for holding the paper after the paper is fed, and the paper is held quickly.

  In this case, the feeding unit can further take a second operation state in which the sheet pulled by the pulling unit is pulled toward the upstream side of the feed, and the paper not pulled by the pulling unit is fed toward the upstream side of the feed. It is preferable to hold the paper pulled by the tension portion by taking the second operating state instead of the stopped state.

  According to this configuration, the paper is held by pulling the paper pulled downstream by the pulling portion to the upstream side by the feeding portion.

  In this case, the feeding unit performs the second operation until the upstream sheet, which is the sheet on the upstream side of the sheet separated at the position of the perforation, is fed to the feeding start position on the upstream side of the bending member. It is preferable to take a state.

  According to this configuration, among the sheets separated by the feeding unit taking the second operating state, the upstream side sheet is sent to the feeding start position by the feeding unit that continues to take the second operating state. Therefore, after the paper is separated, the upstream side paper is quickly sent to the feed start position as compared with the case where the feeding unit takes the second operation state.

  In this case, it is preferable that the feeding unit and the holding unit are provided separately.

  According to this configuration, the paper pulled by the pulling unit can be firmly held by the holding unit.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described sheet feeding device and a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet.

  According to this configuration, since the printing apparatus includes the sheet feeding device, the sheet can be separated at the position of the perforation with a small number of parts, and the downstream sheet can be discharged from the discharge port. .

  The sheet separating method for the sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention includes a feeding unit that feeds a sheet having a perforation, a discharge port provided at a downstream end of a feeding path through which the sheet is fed, and an upstream side of the discharge port. Between the holding portion and the tension portion, and a tension portion that pulls the paper toward the discharge port, a holding portion that is provided upstream of the tension portion and holds the paper pulled by the tension portion, and the tension portion. In a paper feeding device provided with a bending member for bending the paper, after the step of feeding the paper by the feeding unit and the step of feeding the paper so that the paper is bent at the perforation by the bending member And the step of separating the paper at the position of the perforation by pulling the paper with the pulling unit.

  According to this configuration, when the sheet is pulled by the pulling unit, a shearing force is generated on the sheet held by the holding unit at the bending portion of the sheet by the bending member, that is, at the position of the perforation. For this reason, the sheet is separated at the position of the perforation without moving the bending member. Therefore, it is not necessary for the sheet feeding device to include a bending member drive source separately from the tension source drive source. Further, among the separated sheets, the downstream sheet that is the sheet on the downstream side of the feeding is discharged from the discharge port by the pulling unit. Therefore, according to the sheet separating method, the sheet can be separated at the position of the perforation with a small number of parts, and the downstream sheet can be discharged from the discharge port.

  In this case, following the step of separating the paper, the step of operating the tension unit until the downstream paper, which is the paper on the downstream side of the paper separated at the position of the perforation, is discharged from the discharge port. It is preferable to further execute.

  According to this configuration, the downstream side sheet is sent toward the discharge port by continuing the operation of the tension unit. Therefore, after the sheet is separated, the downstream sheet is immediately discharged from the discharge port.

  In this case, the feeding unit also serves as the holding unit, and the feeding unit can take the first operating state in which the paper is fed downstream and the stopped state in which the paper is stopped and functions as the holding unit, and feeds the paper. In the step, when the feeding unit takes the first operating state, the paper is fed to the downstream side, and in the step of separating the paper, the feeding unit takes the stopped state to hold the paper pulled by the pulling unit. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, after the sheet is fed by the feeding unit taking the first operation state, the sheet is held by the feeding unit taking the stop state. For this reason, it is not necessary to operate the means for holding the paper after the paper is fed, and the paper is held quickly.

  In this case, the feeding unit can further take a second operation state in which the sheet pulled by the pulling unit is pulled toward the upstream side of the feed, and the paper not pulled by the pulling unit is fed toward the upstream side. In the step of separating, it is preferable to hold the sheet pulled by the pulling unit by taking the second operating state instead of the stopped state.

  According to this configuration, the paper is held by pulling the paper pulled downstream by the pulling portion to the upstream side by the feeding portion.

  In this case, following the step of separating the paper, among the paper separated at the position of the perforation, the upstream paper which is the paper on the upstream side of the feed is sent to the feed start position on the upstream side of the bending member. It is preferable to further execute the step in which the feeding unit takes the second operating state.

  According to this configuration, among the sheets separated by taking the second operating state, the upstream side sheet is sent to the feeding start position by the feeding unit that continues to take the second operating state. Therefore, after the paper is separated, the upstream side paper is quickly sent to the feed start position as compared with the case where the feeding unit takes the second operation state.

It is a figure which shows the fanfold paper provided to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows the bending member with which the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is equipped, (b) is a figure which shows the modification of a bending member, (c) is a figure which shows the notch formation part provided with the bending member. . FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a printing process executed by the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing process which the printing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing process which the printing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention performs.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus A according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing apparatus A performs printing on the fanfold paper 100 by an inkjet method. In the following drawings, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is displayed as necessary in order to clarify the arrangement relationship of each part of the apparatus.

  The fanfold paper 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The fanfold paper 100 is a continuous belt-like paper as a whole, and is provided with a plurality of perforations 101. Each perforation 101 extends in the width direction of the fanfold paper 100, and a plurality of perforations 101 are provided at substantially equal intervals in the length direction of the fanfold paper 100. Here, a section between the perforations 101 is called a section 102. The fanfold paper 100 is alternately folded along the perforations 101 so that a plurality of sections 102 form a layer. The sections 102 can be separated along the perforation 101, and the separated sections 102 are used as a cut sheet. In addition, a plurality of sprocket holes 104 are provided at substantially equal intervals along the length direction of the fanfold paper 100 at each end in the width direction of the fanfold paper 100 (hereinafter referred to as “width end 103”). ing.

  The printing apparatus A will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus A includes an apparatus case 1, a feeding unit 2, a platen 3, a printing unit 4, a pulling unit 5, a bending member 6, a discharge tray 7, and a control unit 8.

  The apparatus case 1 accommodates a feeding unit 2, a platen 3, a printing unit 4, a pulling unit 5, a bending member 6, and a control unit 8. A supply port 11 is provided on the −X side of the device case 1, and a discharge port 12 is provided on the + X side of the device case 1. The fanfold paper 100 is taken into the device case 1 from the supply port 11 and discharged from the discharge port 12. In other words, the supply port 11 is provided at the upstream end of the feed path of the fanfold paper 100, and the discharge port 12 is provided at the downstream end of the feed path. Although not shown, the apparatus case 1 is provided with members that form a feed path, such as guide plates and guide rollers.

  The feeding unit 2 feeds the fanfold paper 100 toward the discharge port 12, that is, toward the + X side. Further, the feeding unit 2 can also reversely feed the fanfold paper 100 toward the supply port 11, that is, toward the −X side. In the following description, “feeding upstream side” and “feeding downstream side” are based on the feeding direction when the fanfold paper 100 is fed toward the discharge port 12. That is, the feed upstream side is the −X side, and the feed downstream side is the + X side.

  The feed unit 2 includes two tractors 21 (only one is shown in FIG. 2), an upstream feed roller pair 22, and a downstream feed roller pair 23 in order from the feed upstream side (−X side). . Further, the feed unit 2 includes a feed motor 24 and a power transmission mechanism 25.

  The two tractors 21 are provided on the inner side (+ X side) of the supply port 11. The two tractors 21 are provided side by side in the Y direction. Each tractor 21 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the width ends 103 of the fanfold paper 100. The tractor 21 includes a drive sprocket 211, a driven sprocket 212, and a tractor belt 213. The drive sprocket 211 is rotated by the power transmitted from the feed motor 24 via the power transmission mechanism 25. The tractor belt 213 is stretched between the drive sprocket 211 and the driven sprocket 212. A plurality of tractor pins 214 are provided at substantially equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the tractor belt 213. The tractor pin 214 engages with the sprocket hole 104 of the fanfold paper 100. When the tractor belt 213 travels with the tractor pin 214 engaged with the sprocket hole 104, the fanfold paper 100 is fed.

  The upstream side feed roller pair 22 is provided on the −X side of the ink discharge unit 41 described later. The upstream feed roller pair 22 rotates and feeds the pinched fanfold paper 100. The upstream feed roller pair 22 includes an upstream drive roller 221 and an upstream driven roller 222 provided on the + Z side with respect to the upstream drive roller 221. The upstream drive roller 221 rotates when the power from the feed motor 24 is transmitted through the power transmission mechanism 25. The upstream driven roller 222 rotates following the upstream drive roller 221. The upstream drive roller 221 has a plurality of minute protrusions formed on the outer peripheral surface by thermal spraying or the like. The upstream driven roller 222 is biased toward the upstream drive roller 221 (−Z side) by a spring or the like, and sandwiches the fanfold paper 100 with the upstream drive roller 221. Accordingly, a frictional force between the upstream drive roller 221 and the fanfold paper 100 is ensured, and the fanfold paper 100 is fed with high accuracy by the upstream drive roller 221.

  The downstream side feed roller pair 23 is provided on the + X side of the ink discharge portion 41. The downstream feed roller pair 23 rotationally feeds the pinched fanfold paper 100. The downstream feed roller pair 23 includes a downstream drive roller 231 and a downstream driven roller 232 provided on the + Z side with respect to the downstream drive roller 231. The downstream drive roller 231 rotates when the power from the feed motor 24 is transmitted through the power transmission mechanism 25. The downstream driven roller 232 rotates following the downstream drive roller 231. As the downstream side driven roller 232, for example, a serrated roller obtained by processing a metal plate into a star shape is used. Therefore, the pinching force of the fanfold paper 100 by the downstream feed roller pair 23 is considerably smaller than the pinching force of the fanfold paper 100 by the upstream feed roller pair 22.

The feed motor 24 is a drive source for the tractor 21, the upstream feed roller pair 22, and the downstream feed roller pair 23.
The power transmission mechanism 25 includes a drive pulley 251, a tractor side driven pulley 252, a roller side driven pulley 253, a feed timing belt 254, and a clutch 255. The drive pulley 251 is fixed to the motor shaft of the feed motor 24. The tractor side driven pulley 252 is fixed to the shaft portion 256 together with the clutch 255. The roller side driven pulley 253 is fixed to the roller shaft of the upstream drive roller 221. The feed timing belt 254 is stretched between the drive pulley 251, the tractor side driven pulley 252, and the roller side driven pulley 253. The clutch 255 is constituted by a planetary gear mechanism, and switches the rotation direction of the drive sprocket 211 in accordance with the rotation direction of the tractor side driven pulley 252. The power of the feed motor 24 input to the roller-side driven pulley 253 is transmitted to the downstream drive roller 231 via a gear train or the like.

  The feed unit 2 configured as described above can take a first operation state, a second operation state, and a stop state.

  When the feed unit 2 is in the first operating state, the feed motor 24 rotates forward and backward, and the drive pulley 251, the tractor side driven pulley 252 and the roller side driven pulley 253 rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. As a result, the tractor belt 213 travels counterclockwise, and the upstream drive roller 221 and the downstream drive roller 231 rotate counterclockwise. As a result, the feeding unit 2 that has taken the first operating state feeds the fanfold paper 100 toward the downstream side.

  When the feed section 2 takes the second operating state, the feed motor 24 rotates in the forward and reverse directions, and the drive pulley 251, the tractor side driven pulley 252 and the roller side driven pulley 253 rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing. As a result, the tractor belt 213 travels clockwise, and the upstream drive roller 221 and the downstream drive roller 231 rotate clockwise. As a result, the feeding unit 2 taking the second operating state pulls the fanfold paper 100 pulled by the pulling unit 5 toward the upstream side of the feeding, as will be described later. As a result, the fanfold paper 100 is held. Further, the feeding unit 2 that has taken the second operating state feeds the fanfold paper 100 that is not pulled by the pulling unit 5 toward the upstream side of feeding.

  When the feed unit 2 is stopped, the feed motor 24 stops rotating. At this time, even if an external force acts on the tractor belt 213, the upstream drive roller 221 or the downstream drive roller 231, they do not travel or rotate. For this reason, even if the fanfold paper 100 is pulled by the pulling unit 5 when the feeding unit 2 is stopped, the fanfold paper 100 that is engaged with the tractor 21 and is sandwiched between the upstream feed roller pair 22 is , It is not sent downstream. As a result, the feeding unit 2 that has been stopped holds the fanfold paper 100 pulled by the pulling unit 5.

The platen 3 is provided between the upstream feed roller pair 22 and the downstream feed roller pair 23. The platen 3 supports the fanfold paper 100.
The printing unit 4 includes an ink ejection unit 41, a carriage 42, and a carriage moving mechanism 43. The ink ejection part 41 is provided on the + Z side of the platen 3 so as to face the platen 3. The ink ejection unit 41 includes a plurality of inkjet heads 411 corresponding to, for example, four colors of CMYK inks. The carriage 42 has a plurality of inkjet heads 411 mounted thereon. The carriage moving mechanism 43 reciprocates the carriage 42 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the feeding direction of the fanfold paper 100, that is, in the Y direction. The carriage moving mechanism 43 includes a carriage motor 431 and a printing side timing belt 432. The carriage motor 431 serves as a driving source for driving the printing side timing belt 432. A carriage 42 is fixed to the printing side timing belt 432.

  The tension unit 5 includes a tension roller pair 51 and a tension motor 52 serving as a drive source for the tension roller pair 51. The tension roller pair 51 is provided on the inner side of the discharge port 12, that is, on the upstream side of the discharge port 12 (−X side). The tension roller pair 51 pulls the sandwiched fanfold paper 100 toward the discharge port 12. The tension roller pair 51 includes a tension driving roller 511 and a tension driven roller 512 provided on the + Z side with respect to the tension driving roller 511. The tension drive roller 511 is rotated by receiving power from the tension motor 52 via a gear train or the like. The tension driven roller 512 rotates following the tension driving roller 511.

  The bending member 6 is provided between the feeding part 2 and the tension part 5. The bending member 6 is formed from a line connecting the nip portion of the downstream feed roller pair 23 and the nip portion of the tension roller pair 51 so that the fanfold paper 100 is bent in a substantially “V” shape at the position of the bending member 6. Is also located on the −Z side. The bending member 6 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the Y direction when viewed from the X direction. The material of the bending member 6 is not particularly limited, but preferably has a certain degree of rigidity so that an appropriate shearing force can be applied to the fanfold paper 100 as described later. A metal plate or the like can be used.

  The long side on the −Z side of the bending member 6 is referred to as an edge portion 61. The length of the edge portion 61 is longer than the paper width of the fanfold paper 100. The edge portion 61 is formed at an acute angle pointed toward the −Z side when viewed from the Y direction. The fanfold paper 100 is fed from the downstream feed roller pair 23 toward the tension roller pair 51 so as to pass through the −Z side of the edge portion 61.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the edge portion 61 has a Y-axis so that the + Y side end (edge end 61a) is closer to the −Z side than the −Y side end (edge end 61b). It is provided with an inclination. On the other hand, each roller of the downstream feed roller pair 23 and the pulling roller pair 51 is provided such that the rotation axis thereof is parallel to the Y axis. Therefore, the fanfold paper 100 is located between the downstream feed roller pair 23 and the pulling roller pair 51 in the Z-direction position of the + Y-side width end 103a and the −Y-side width end 103b in the Z-direction. Are sent to be equal. Therefore, as will be described later, when the fanfold paper 100 is pulled by the tension portion 5, the edge portion 61 of the bending member 6 has a width end 103 a on the + Y side of the width ends 103 of the fanfold paper 100. On the other hand, it contacts the width end 103b on the -Y side.

Returning to FIG. 2, the discharge tray 7 is provided outside (+ X side) the discharge port 12. The discharge tray 7 supports the fanfold paper 100 discharged from the discharge port 12.
The control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various memories. The control unit 8 controls each unit of the printing apparatus A.

  A printing process executed by the printing apparatus A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows a standby state before the printing process. In the standby state, the fanfold paper 100 is located at the feed start position P on the upstream side (−X side) of feeding from the ink discharge unit 41. Note that the fanfold paper 100 is positioned at the feed start position P means that the front end (end of the feed downstream side) of the fanfold paper 100 is coincident with the feed start position P.

  When the printing apparatus A receives a print execution instruction and starts the printing process, the printing apparatus A performs a printing operation as shown in FIG. That is, the printing apparatus A ejects ink to the fanfold paper 100 by the ink ejection unit 41 while feeding the fanfold paper 100 toward the discharge port 12 by the feeding unit 2 taking the first operation state. Then, printing is performed on one section 102 of the fanfold paper 100. In FIG. 4, the printed portion of the fanfold paper 100 is represented by a thick line, and the unprinted portion is represented by a thin line.

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus A performs a feeding operation as shown in FIG. That is, the printing apparatus A is configured so that the fanfold paper 100 bends at the position of the perforation 101 between the printed section 102 and the unprinted section 102, that is, the perforation 101 of the bending member 6. Until the position of the edge portion 61 is reached, the fanfold paper 100 is fed toward the discharge port 12 while the feeding portion 2 is in the first operating state. In other words, the feeding unit 2 feeds the fanfold paper 100 by a distance corresponding to the sum of the dimension between the feeding start position P and the bending member 6 and the length of one section 102 of the fanfold paper 100. When the perforation 101 comes to the position of the edge portion 61 of the bending member 6, the feeding portion 2 switches to a stopped state and stops feeding the fanfold paper 100. At this time, the leading end of the fanfold paper 100 is fed downstream from the tension portion 5.

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus A performs a separation operation as shown in FIG. That is, the printing apparatus A pulls the fanfold paper 100 toward the discharge port 12 by the pulling unit 5. At this time, the feeding unit 2 is in a stopped state and holds the fanfold paper 100 pulled by the pulling unit 5 as described above. As a result, the longitudinal tension acts on the fanfold paper 100. This tension is received by the bending member 6, and due to the reaction force, a shearing force is generated on the fanfold paper 100 at the bent portion of the fanfold paper 100 by the bending member 6, that is, at the position of the perforation 101.

  More specifically, as described above, when the fanfold paper 100 is pulled by the tension portion 5, the edge portion 61 of the bending member 6 is located on the + Y side of the both width ends 103 of the fanfold paper 100. Since the width edge 103a is in contact with the width edge 103b on the -Y side, the edge on the side corresponding to the width edge 103a on the + Y side of the fanfold paper 100 among the both ends of the perforation 101, That is, since a shearing force is concentrated on the + Y side end portion, the + Y side end portion is first cut. When the + Y side end of the perforation 101 is cut, the cutting easily proceeds from the + Y side end of the perforation 101 toward the −Y side end. As a result, the fanfold paper 100 is separated into two at the position of the perforation 101, that is, the upstream side and the downstream side. That is, the printed section 102 is separated from the unprinted section 102. Of the fanfold paper 100, the upstream fanfold paper 100 is referred to as upstream paper 100a, and the downstream downstream fanfold paper 100 is referred to as downstream paper 100b.

  By the way, when the perforation 101 of the fanfold paper 100 is cut by a cutter provided in the feed path, the cutter is in the vicinity of the perforation 101 (for example, due to a feed error or a dimensional error between the perforations 101). When the sheet is cut while facing the perforation 101 (a position shifted forward or backward), the fanfold paper 100 is cut at a position shifted from the perforation 101. In this case, the appearance of the fanfold paper 100 after cutting is deteriorated, and the unfolded portion of the fanfold paper 100 causes jamming.

  On the other hand, in the printing apparatus A according to the present embodiment, when the fanfold paper 100 is pulled by the tension unit 5, the fanfold paper 100 is caused by the feeding error, the dimensional error between the perforations 101, and the like. Even in a state where the fanfold paper 100 is bent at the position of the perforation 101 even in a state where the fanfold paper 100 is bent near the perforation 101 (for example, a position shifted several millimeters forward or backward from the perforation 101), The paper 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101. Thereby, the deterioration of the appearance of the fanfold paper 100 and the occurrence of jamming are suppressed. As described above, the state in which the fanfold paper 100 is bent at the position of the perforation 101 by the bending member 6 means that the fanfold paper 100 has the perforation 101 as long as the fanfold paper 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101. It is a concept that includes a bent state in the vicinity.

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus A performs a discharging operation as shown in FIG. That is, even after the fanfold paper 100 is separated, the tension unit 5 continues to operate until at least a part of the downstream paper 100b is exposed outward from the discharge port 12. As a result, the downstream sheet 100b, that is, the printed section 102 is discharged from the discharge port 12. The downstream side paper 100b exposed from the discharge port 12 is extracted from the discharge port 12 by the user.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4F, the printing apparatus A performs a cueing operation in preparation for the next printing process. That is, the upstream side paper 100a is fed to the upstream side until the upstream side paper 100a is positioned at the feeding start position P by the feeding unit 2 taking the second operation state. After the cueing operation, the printing apparatus A ends a series of printing processes. Here, a case has been described in which printing is performed on one section 102 of the fanfold paper 100 and one printed section 102 is separated. However, printing is performed on a plurality of sections 102 and a plurality of printed sections are printed. The compartments 102 may be separated together.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus A of the present embodiment, when the fanfold paper 100 is pulled by the tension unit 5, the fanfold paper 100 by the bending member 6 is compared with the fanfold paper 100 held by the feeding unit 2. A shearing force is generated at the bent portion, that is, at the position of the perforation 101. For this reason, the fanfold paper 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101 without moving the bending member 6. Therefore, the printing apparatus A does not need to include a drive source for the bending member 6 separately from the tension motor 52 that is a drive source for the tension unit 5. Further, the downstream side paper 100 b is discharged from the discharge port 12 by the pulling portion 5. Therefore, the printing apparatus A can separate the fanfold paper 100 at the position of the perforation 101 with a small number of parts, and can discharge the downstream paper 100b from the discharge port 12.

  According to the printing apparatus A of the present embodiment, the downstream side paper 100b is sent toward the discharge port 12 by the pulling unit 5 continuing to operate even after the fanfold paper 100 is separated. Therefore, after the fanfold paper 100 is separated, the downstream paper 100b is immediately discharged from the discharge port 12 subsequently. As a result, the throughput of the printing process is improved.

  According to the printing apparatus A of the present embodiment, the edge portion 61 of the bending member 6 is greater than the + Y side width end 103a of the both width ends 103 of the fanfold paper 100 than the −Y side width end 103b. Therefore, the end portion on the + Y side is first cut, and the cutting easily proceeds from the + Y side end portion of the perforation 101 toward the −Y side end portion. Thus, the fanfold paper 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101 only by pulling the fanfold paper 100 with a relatively weak force by the pulling portion 5. For this reason, even when the strength of the fanfold paper 100 is low, the fanfold paper 100 is prevented from being broken at a place other than the perforation 101.

  According to the printing apparatus A of the present embodiment, after the fanfold paper 100 is fed by the feeding unit 2 taking the first operating state, the fanfold paper 100 is held by the feeding unit 2 taking the stop state. The For this reason, after the fanfold paper 100 is sent, it is not necessary to operate a mechanism for holding the fanfold paper 100, and the fanfold paper 100 is quickly held. As a result, the throughput of the printing process is improved.

  A printing apparatus B according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus B is configured in substantially the same manner as the printing apparatus A according to the first embodiment, but is different from the printing apparatus A in that the holding unit 9 is provided. The holding portion 9 is provided between the downstream feed roller pair 23 and the bending member 6. The holding unit 9 includes a pressing member 91 and a receiving member 92 provided on the −Z side of the pressing member 91. The holding member 91 moves in the Z direction between a separated position separated from the receiving member 92 and a holding position for holding the fanfold paper 100 between the receiving member 92 by a moving mechanism (not shown).

  In the printing apparatus B, as shown in FIG. 5A, the presser member 91 is located at the separation position in the standby state of the printing process. As shown in FIGS. 5B to 5C, the printing apparatus B performs a printing operation and a feeding operation in the same manner as the printing apparatus A. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the printing apparatus B moves the pressing member 91 to the clamping position, and clamps the fanfold paper 100 between the pressing member 91 and the receiving member 92. Subsequently, the printing apparatus B performs a separation operation as shown in FIG. That is, the printing apparatus B pulls the fanfold paper 100 toward the discharge port 12 by the pulling unit 5. At this time, since the fanfold paper 100 is sandwiched between the pressing member 91 and the receiving member 92, the fanfold paper 100 is not sent toward the discharge port 12. That is, the holding unit 9 holds the fanfold paper 100 pulled by the pulling unit 5 in the same manner as the feeding unit 2 that has stopped in the printing apparatus A. As a result, the fanfold paper 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101. Subsequently, the printing apparatus B performs a discharging operation in the same manner as the printing apparatus A, as shown in FIG. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 5G, the printing apparatus B moves the pressing member 91 to the separation position, and releases the pinching of the fanfold paper 100 by the pressing member 91 and the receiving member 92. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5H, the printing apparatus B performs a cueing operation in the same manner as the printing apparatus A, and then ends a series of printing processes.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus A of the second embodiment, the fanfold paper 100 pulled by the pulling unit 5 is firmly held by separately providing the feeding unit 2 and the holding unit 9. Can do.

  A printing apparatus C according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus C is configured in substantially the same manner as the printing apparatus A according to the first embodiment, but printing is performed in that the feeding unit 2 takes the second operating state instead of the stopped state during the separation operation. It is different from the device A.

  In the printing process, the printing apparatus C performs the printing operation and the feeding operation from the standby state in the same manner as the printing apparatus A, as shown in FIGS. Subsequently, the printing apparatus C performs a separation operation as shown in FIG. That is, the printing apparatus C pulls the fanfold paper 100 toward the discharge port 12 by the pulling unit 5 and switches the feeding unit 2 to the second operating state, so that the feeding unit 2 taking the second operating state becomes the fanfold. The fanfold paper 100 is held by pulling the paper 100 toward the upstream side. As a result, the fanfold paper 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 6E, the printing apparatus C performs the discharge operation and the cueing operation in parallel. That is, even after the fanfold paper 100 is separated, the tension unit 5 continues to operate until at least a part of the downstream paper 100b is exposed outward from the discharge port 12, thereby discharging the downstream paper 100b. Discharge from outlet 12. In parallel with this, the feeding unit 2 performs the cueing of the fanfold paper 100 by continuing the second operation state until the upstream paper 100a is fed to the feeding start position P. After performing the discharging operation and the cueing operation, the printing apparatus C ends the series of printing processes.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus B of the third embodiment, when the feeding unit 2 takes the second operation state, the fanfold paper 100 is held in a form pulled on the upstream side of the feeding, and the fanfold paper. 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101. Then, among the separated fanfold paper 100, the upstream paper 100a is sent to the feed start position P as it is by the feed unit 2 that continues to take the second operating state. Therefore, after the fanfold paper 100 is separated, the upstream paper 100a is sent to the feed start position P more quickly than when the feeding unit 2 takes the second operating state. As a result, the throughput of the printing process is improved.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, and various configurations can be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the first to third embodiments can be changed to the following forms.

Regarding the bending member 6, the edge portion 61 may be in contact with only one of the width ends 103 of the fanfold paper 100 (for example, the + Y side width end 103 a). Also in this case, as described above, when the fanfold paper 100 is pulled by the tension portion 5, the end on the side corresponding to the + Y side width end 103 a in contact with the edge portion 61 among the both ends of the perforation 101. One end portion is first cut because a shearing force is generated intensively on the end portion, that is, the end portion on the + Y side.
As for the bending member 6, as shown in FIG. 3B, the edge portion 61 may be provided in parallel to the Y axis. In this case, the edge portion 61 of the bending member 6 is in contact with both width ends 103 of the fanfold paper 100 substantially simultaneously.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the printing apparatus A may include a cut forming unit 62. The notch forming part 62 is provided on the −Z side of the bending member 6, and with respect to one end portion (for example, the + Y side end portion) of the perforation 101 sent to the position of the bending member 6 by the feeding operation. Forming a notch. As the notch formation part 62, a slide-type cutter can be used, for example. Thereby, cutting | disconnection advances easily from the edge part of the + Y side of the perforation 101 in which the cut was formed toward the edge part of the perforation 101 on the -Y side. Therefore, the fanfold paper 100 is separated at the position of the perforation 101 only by pulling the fanfold paper 100 with a relatively weak force by the pulling portion 5.

The paper used in the printing apparatus A is not limited to the fanfold paper 100, and for example, other continuous paper such as roll paper can be used.
The printing method of the printing unit 4 is not particularly limited, and for example, a thermal method, an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used.
The present invention is also applicable to a sheet feeding device that does not include the printing unit 4.

2: Feeding part 5: Tensile part 6: Bending member 12: Discharge port 100: Fanfold paper 101: Perforation A: Printing device

Claims (14)

A feeding section for feeding paper with perforations;
A discharge port provided at a downstream end of a feed path through which the paper is fed;
A tension part provided upstream of the discharge port and pulling the paper toward the discharge port;
A holding unit that is provided upstream of the pulling unit and holds the sheet pulled by the pulling unit;
A bending member provided between the holding part and the tension part and for bending the paper;
The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the tension unit separates the paper at the perforation position by pulling the paper in a state where the paper is bent at the perforation by the bending member.   The pulling unit continues to operate until the downstream sheet, which is the sheet on the downstream side of the sheet separated at the position of the perforation, is discharged from the discharge port. Item 2. The sheet feeding device according to Item 1.   When the sheet is pulled by the pulling portion, the bending member is in contact with one of the two width ends of the sheet, or with respect to one width end than the other width end. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the paper feeding device contacts the head first.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notch forming portion that forms a notch at an end portion of the perforation before the sheet is separated at the position of the perforation. 5. The paper feeding device described. The feeding part also serves as the holding part,
The feeding unit can take a first operating state for feeding the paper to the downstream side, and a stopped state for stopping the operation and functioning as the holding unit,
The feeding unit feeds the paper to the downstream side by taking the first operating state so that the paper is bent at the perforation by the bending member, and then takes the stop state. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet pulled by the pulling unit is held. The feeding unit may further take a second operating state in which the sheet pulled by the pulling unit is pulled toward the feeding upstream side, and the sheet that is not pulled by the pulling unit is fed toward the feeding upstream side,
The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the feeding unit holds the sheet pulled by the pulling unit by taking the second operation state instead of the stopped state.   The feeding unit is configured such that, among the papers separated at the position of the perforation, the upstream paper that is the paper on the upstream side of feeding is sent to the feeding start position on the upstream side of feeding relative to the bending member. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the sheet feeding device is in a second operation state.   The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding unit and the holding unit are provided separately. A paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A printing unit for printing on the paper;
A printing apparatus comprising: A feeding section for feeding paper with perforations;
A discharge port provided at a downstream end of a feed path through which the paper is fed;
A tension part provided upstream of the discharge port and pulling the paper toward the discharge port;
A holding unit that is provided upstream of the pulling unit and holds the sheet pulled by the pulling unit;
In a paper feeding device provided between the holding portion and the tension portion, and a bending member for bending the paper,
Feeding the paper by the feeding section so that the paper is bent at the perforation by the bending member;
After feeding the paper, separating the paper at the perforation position by pulling the paper by the pulling portion;
A sheet separating method in a sheet feeding apparatus, wherein   Subsequent to the step of separating the paper, the pulling portion is moved until the downstream paper that is the paper on the downstream side of the paper separated at the position of the perforation is discharged from the discharge port. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of operating. The feeding part also serves as the holding part,
The feeding unit can take a first operating state for feeding the paper to the downstream side, and a stopped state for stopping the operation and functioning as the holding unit,
In the step of feeding the paper, the feeding unit feeds the paper to the downstream side by taking the first operating state,
12. The sheet separation in the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in the step of separating the sheet, the sheet pulled by the pulling unit is held by the feeding unit taking the stop state. Method. The feeding unit may further take a second operating state in which the sheet pulled by the pulling unit is pulled toward the feeding upstream side, and the sheet that is not pulled by the pulling unit is fed toward the feeding upstream side,
13. The step of separating the paper, wherein the feeding unit holds the paper pulled by the pulling unit by taking the second operating state instead of the stopped state. Separation method in the paper feeder of the present invention.   Following the step of separating the paper, among the paper separated at the position of the perforation, the upstream paper that is the paper on the upstream side of the feed is at the feed start position on the upstream side of the bending member. The sheet separating method in the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising the step of the feeding unit taking the second operation state until the feeding unit is fed.

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