JP2018187903A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of easily cutting a sheet without inccurring an increased cost relative to a conventional printer having a manual cutter function.SOLUTION: A receipt printer (a printer) carries a receipt sheet (a sheet) printed via a thermal head (a printing unit) to a receipt issuance port (a paper discharge port) through a carrying unit. The carrying unit has a bent part which is bent by substantially 90 degrees. A cutting edge unit (a sheet cutting part) having an edge is provided inside the bent part in a direction substantially orthogonal to the carrying direction of the receipt sheet along the width direction of the receipt sheet, and the receipt sheet is cut by the edge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a printer apparatus.

  Conventionally, ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines), POS (Point Of Sales) terminals, and the like print customer transaction results on receipt paper by receipt printers. Such a receipt printer has a manual cutter function for cutting a receipt sheet after printing by a store clerk or a customer, and an auto cutter function for automatically cutting a receipt sheet after printing (for example, Patent Document 1). .

  In a conventional receipt printer having a manual cutter function, a receipt paper (paper) is cut (manually cut) by a cutting means called a tear bar. The tear bar is generally installed at a deep position in the printer housing so that the hands of store clerk and customers are not touched directly. The tear bar presses and cuts the printed paper against the tear bar by the tension generated by the clerk or customer pulling the paper. And the position where the tear bar touches is different. Therefore, there is a possibility that a difference in force required for cutting may occur depending on the pulling position, and thus it may be felt that the paper is difficult to cut.

  In a receipt printer having an auto cutter function, the paper can be easily and reliably cut, but the number of parts may increase and the cost of the printer may increase. Therefore, it has been desired to realize a printer device that can easily cut a sheet with a simple configuration.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer apparatus that can easily cut a sheet without increasing the cost with respect to a conventional printer apparatus having a manual cutter function.

  The printer apparatus according to the embodiment includes a printing unit, a paper discharge unit, a transport unit, and a paper cutting unit. The printing unit prints on paper. The paper discharge unit discharges the paper printed by the printing unit. The conveyance unit has a bent portion bent by approximately 90 degrees, and conveys the paper printed by the printing unit to the paper discharge unit. The paper cutting portion is provided inside the bent portion, and has a cutting edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper transport direction along the paper width direction.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a self-checkout apparatus in which a printer apparatus according to the first embodiment is installed. FIG. 2 is an external view showing the internal structure of the receipt issuing port. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the receipt printer. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the detailed structure of the printing unit, the conveyance unit, and the paper discharge unit of the receipt printer. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the cutting blade unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view from the direction of the arrow A of the cutting blade unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a B arrow view of the cutting blade unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the back side of the cutting blade unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the receipt paper is cut by pulling the tip of the receipt paper discharged from the receipt issuing port in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an external view showing the shape of the cutting blade according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the receipt paper is cut by pulling the tip of the receipt paper discharged from the receipt issuing port in the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Description of the overall configuration of the self-checkout device)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a self-checkout apparatus 10 in which a printer apparatus according to the first embodiment is installed. As shown in FIG. 1, the self-checkout device 10 includes a main body 80, a display 81 provided with a touch panel, a barcode reader 83, a warning lamp 84, a card insertion slot 85, a receipt issuing slot 86, and a bill. A deposit / withdrawal port 87, a coin insertion port 88, and a coin removal port 89 are provided. The self-checkout device 10 includes product mounting tables 70a and 70b.

  The main body 80 includes a display 81 at the top, and includes a card insertion slot 85, a receipt issuing slot 86, a banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 87, a coin slot 88, and a coin withdrawal slot 89 on the front.

  The display 81 is a liquid crystal display in which touch panels are arranged on the screen in a stacked state. The display 81 displays a selection screen for selecting a product to be registered, an accounting screen for confirming the total price of the product, a deposit amount, a change amount, and the like. The touch panel receives an input operation corresponding to the display content of the display 81.

  The bar code reader 83 is disposed on the front right side of the main body 80. The barcode reader 83 reads the barcode attached to the product.

  The warning lamp 84 is provided on an upper portion of a pole 78 erected on the top plate of the main body 80. The warning lamp 84 is turned on when there is an abnormality in the operation of the self-checkout device 10 or when a store clerk is called.

  The card insertion slot 85 is provided at the center of the main body 80. The card insertion slot 85 is a part of a card R / W (Reader / Writer) (not shown) built in the main body 80 and accepts insertion of a point card or a credit card.

  The receipt issuing port 86 is provided on the left side of the card insertion port 85. The receipt issuing port 86 discharges a receipt printed by a receipt printer 96 (see FIG. 2) which is an example of a printer device built in the main body 80.

  The banknote deposit / withdrawal port 87 is provided in the middle part of the main body 80 and accepts deposit of banknotes for settlement and pays out fishing banknotes. The coin slot 88 accepts the insertion of coins at the time of payment. The coin outlet 89 receives the paid fishing coin.

  The product placing table 70a is a table that is provided on the front right side of the main body 80 and temporarily places a shopping basket (not shown) containing unsettled products. The product placement table 70b is provided on the front left side of the main body 80, and is a table for placing a product that has been settled. On the product mounting table 70b, a mounting tray 74 having an outer edge extending upward is placed in order to prevent dropping of the placed product. Above the product placement table 70b, a temporary placement table 71 is provided for temporarily placing commodities such as scraps, which are not suitable for placement on the placement tray 74, out of the already settled products.

  A weighing machine 75 is installed on the product mounting table 70b to measure the weight of the products placed on the product mounting table 70b and the temporary mounting table 71.

(Description of schematic configuration of receipt printer)
FIG. 2 is an external view showing the internal structure of the receipt issuing port 86 described above. The receipt issuing port 86 is an example of a paper discharge unit. The receipt issuing port 86 discharges the receipt paper 40, which is an example of paper, from the housing 95 constituting the receipt printer 96 in the arrow Q direction. A cutting blade unit 94 is installed in the receipt issuing port 86. For the following explanation, for convenience, the direction along the receipt issuing port 86 of the receipt printer 96 is the X axis, the direction going upstream from the receipt issuing port 86 of the receipt printer 96 is the Y axis, and from the bottom of the receipt printer 96. The direction toward the upper surface is taken as the Z axis. That is, the receipt paper 40 is conveyed in the negative direction of the Y axis with the width direction along the X axis.

  The cutting blade unit 94 cuts the receipt paper 40 when a salesclerk or a customer pulls the leading end of the printed receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86. The cutting blade unit 94 is detachably fixed to the housing 95 by two screws 97a and 97b. When the cutting blade 92 becomes worn and it becomes difficult to cut the receipt paper 40, the screws 97a and 97b can be removed to remove the cutting blade unit 94 and replace it with a new cutting blade unit 94. Note that only the cutting blade 92 may be replaced without replacing the entire cutting blade unit 94. The specific structure and operation of the cutting blade unit 94 will be described later.

  On the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the receipt paper 40 (Y-axis positive direction side), a storage unit 25 is provided for storing a roll 42 (see FIG. 3) obtained by winding the receipt paper 40 in a roll shape. The receipt paper 40 is pulled out from the roll 42 and conveyed toward the receipt issue port 86 as the platen roller 14 (see FIG. 3) described later rotates.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the receipt printer 96. The receipt printer 96 includes a thermal head 12, a platen roller 14, a cutting blade unit 94, and a storage unit 25 inside.

  The accommodating portion 25 accommodates a roll 42 obtained by winding the receipt paper 40 in a roll shape. The roll 42 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 25 with a roll core 42a being rotatably supported. The receipt paper 40 is sandwiched between the thermal head 12 and the platen roller 14 and pulled in the direction of arrow Q as the platen roller 14 rotates in the direction of arrow P. The

  The thermal head 12 is an example of a printing unit, and performs printing on the printing surface F of the receipt paper 40 sandwiched between the thermal head 12 and the platen roller 14. The platen roller 14 rotates in the direction of the arrow P when a driving force of a stepping motor (not shown) is transmitted, and the receipt paper 40 sandwiched between the thermal head 12 and the back surface R of the receipt paper 40 is raised. (Z-axis positive direction side), the sheet is conveyed in the arrow Q direction from the receiving portion 25 on the upstream side toward the receipt issuing port 86 on the downstream side.

  The cutting blade unit 94 is an example of a paper cutting unit. The outer surface of the cutting blade unit 94 on the Z-axis negative direction side is installed to face the housing 95 of the receipt printer 96. Then, a first conveyance path 91 a and a second conveyance path 91 b are formed in the gap between the outer surface of the cutting blade unit 94 and the surface of the housing 95 of the receipt printer 96 in order from the upstream side of the receipt paper 40. A bent portion 90 is formed at a boundary portion between the first conveyance path 91a and the second conveyance path 91b. The bent portion 90 is a portion that is smoothly connected to the second transport path 91b by changing the direction of the first transport path 91a by approximately 90 degrees. The platen roller 14, the first conveyance path 91a, the second conveyance path 91b, and the bent portion 90 are examples of the conveyance unit.

  The cutting blade unit 94 is installed on the inner side (corner portion) of the bent portion 90. Then, at the position where the cutting blade unit 94 faces the first conveyance path 91a, cutting that cuts the receipt paper 40 in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the receipt paper 40. A blade 92 is provided.

  The cutting blade (tier bar) 92 is a so-called manual cutting that cuts the receipt paper 40 at the position of the cutting blade 92 by pulling one end of the receipt paper 40 discharged to the receipt issuing port 86 by a store clerk or a customer. Do. The detailed structure of the cutting blade 92 will be described later.

(Description of the structure of the transport portion of the receipt printer)
Next, the structure of the conveyance unit of the receipt printer 96 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the detailed structure of the printing unit, the conveyance unit, and the paper discharge unit of the receipt printer 96.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first conveyance path 91 a is formed between the outer surface 94 b of the cutting blade unit 94 and the housing 95. The first transport path 91 a transports the receipt paper 40 printed by the thermal head 12 to the position of the cutting blade 92 by the rotational driving force of the platen roller 14.

  The second transport path 91 b is formed between the outer surface 94 c of the cutting blade unit 94 and the housing 95. The second conveyance path 91 b conveys the receipt paper 40 from the position of the cutting blade 92 to the receipt issue port 86 by the rotational driving force of the platen roller 14. The first transport path 91a and the second transport path 91b are smoothly connected with the bent portion 90 interposed therebetween. Then, the bending portion 90 changes the conveyance direction of the receipt paper 40 from the first conveyance path 91a to the second conveyance path 92b by approximately 90 degrees. Since the first transport path 91a and the second transport path 92b are smoothly connected, the resistance during transport of the receipt paper 40 can be kept small.

(Description of the structure of the cutting blade unit)
Next, the structure of the cutting blade unit 94 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the cutting blade unit 94.

  The cutting blade unit 94 includes a housing 94 a, a cutting blade 92, and a rib 93. The casing 94a is positioned on the casing 95 of the receipt printer 96 by the positioning member 94d and the positioning member 94e, and is screwed by the two screws 97a and 97b (see FIG. 2).

  The cutting blade 92 is attached to the outer surface 94c (refer FIG. 6) of the housing | casing 94a, and is provided with the blade edge | tip 92a at the front-end | tip. The blade edge 92a is a saw blade in which fine blades are regularly arranged. In the present embodiment, the blade edge 92a is high at the center portion and the left and right end portions of the cutting blade 92 (the position of the blade edge 92a is high in the negative direction of the Z axis), and between the center portion and the left and right end portions. It has a low M shape (the position of the blade edge 92a is low in the Z-axis negative direction). The operation of the cutting blade 92 will be described later.

  Ribs 93 (93a, 93b, 93c,...), Which are examples of guide members, are installed on the outer surface 94b of the housing 94a. A plurality of ribs 93 are provided at substantially equal intervals along the outer surface 94b of the housing 94a. The lower end portion of the rib 93 is in contact with the cutting blade 92. The rib 93 guides the receipt paper 40 toward the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 when the receipt paper 40 is conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a. When guiding the receipt paper 40, it is desirable to minimize the contact resistance when the receipt paper 40 contacts the guide member. For this purpose, it is desirable to make the contact area between the receipt paper 40 and the guide member as small as possible. In this embodiment, the guide member is formed by a plurality of plate-like ribs 93 (93a, 93b, 93c,...). This reduces the contact area between the receipt paper 40 and the guide member.

(Description of cutting blade structure and action)
Next, the structure and operation of the cutting blade 92 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a view (A arrow view) of the cutting blade unit 94 viewed from the X axis positive direction side. FIG. 7 is a diagram (viewed in the direction of arrow B) of the cutting blade unit 94 viewed from the Y axis positive direction side. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the rear surface side (Z-axis negative direction side) of the cutting blade unit 94.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cutting blade 92 is installed on the outer surface 94c of the housing 94a along the X axis. The direction D of the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 is directed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first conveyance path 91a along the width direction of the receipt paper 40 conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a. Furthermore, the direction D of the blade edge 92a is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the second conveyance path 91b.

  The upstream side of the first conveyance path 91 a of the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86 is a fixed end by being sandwiched between the platen roller 14 and the thermal head 12. Accordingly, when one end of the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86 is pulled, a tension corresponding to the pulling force is generated on the receipt paper 40. The receipt paper 40 is pressed against the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 by this tension. At that time, the direction D of the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 is directed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first transport path 91a and in a direction substantially parallel to the second transport path 91b as described above. Therefore, the receipt paper 40 is pressed against the cutting blade 92 from a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting blade 92. Therefore, the receipt paper 40 can be easily cut with a small pulling force.

  The lower end of the rib 93 is in contact with the cutting blade 92 having an M shape. And as shown in FIG. 6, the lower end position of each rib 93a, 93b, 93c, ... is set so that it may be located in the vicinity of the blade edge 92a. That is, the lower end positions of the ribs 93a, 93b, 93c,... Are placed at positions corresponding to the length L (x) of the cutting blade 92 at the position x in the X-axis direction of the ribs 93a, 93b, 93c,. Specifically, as the length L (x) of the cutting blade 92 is longer, the lower end of the rib 93 is placed at a lower position (higher in the Z-axis negative direction side). Then, the lower the length L (x) of the cutting blade 92, the lower the lower end of the rib 93 is placed at a higher position (lower in the Z-axis negative direction side). By arranging the lower end position of the rib 93 in this way, the receipt paper 40 conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a can be reliably guided toward the position of the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the ribs 93a, 93b, 93c,. Therefore, since the contact resistance of the receipt paper 40 conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a is uniform in the width direction of the receipt paper 40, the receipt paper 40 can be smoothly conveyed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the position (height) of the cutting edge 92 a of the cutting blade 92 varies depending on the position in the X-axis direction, that is, the position in the width direction of the receipt paper 40. Therefore, when one end of the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86 is pulled, the receipt paper 40 is first at a position where the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 is high (high in the negative Z-axis direction). It presses against the cutting blade 92. Then, cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started by the cutting edge 92a biting into the receipt paper 40 at the pressed position. When the receipt paper 40 is further pulled, the cutting edge 92a adjacent to the left and right (X-axis direction) of the cutting start position presses against the receipt paper 40, so that the cutting position is propagated to the left and right. Thereafter, the receipt paper 40 is cut in the same manner as the cut portion propagates left and right.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an outer surface 94c of the housing 94a is formed on the back surface side (Z-axis negative direction side) of the cutting blade unit 94. The outer surface 94c is formed as a smooth surface without unevenness, and the second conveyance path 91b (see FIG. 4) described above is formed between the outer surface 94c and the casing 95 of the cutting blade unit 94. . The receipt paper 40 is transported through the second transport path 91 b toward the receipt issuing port 86. Since the outer surface 94c is formed as a smooth surface, the contact resistance of the receipt paper 40 is small and it is smoothly conveyed. As shown in FIG. 8, the cutting blade 92 is installed in a direction substantially parallel to the outer surface 94c, and the cutting blade 92 itself also forms a part of the second transport path 91b.

(Explanation of cutting function regardless of receipt paper pull position)
Next, the cutting function independent of the pulling position of the receipt paper 40 provided in the receipt printer 96 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the receipt paper 40 is cut by pulling the tip of the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issue port 86 of the receipt printer 96.

  When a store clerk or customer pulls out the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86, the pulling position differs depending on the person. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the central portion 98p of the receipt paper 40 is held and pulled by the hand 99. FIG. In this case, when the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the tension generated according to the pulling force is concentrated at the position of the cutting blade 92 closest to the central portion 98p of the receipt paper 40, that is, the central portion of the receipt paper 40. . Therefore, the pulled receipt paper 40 presses against the peak portion 92p of the blade edge 92a formed at the substantially central portion of the cutting blade 92. Then, cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started at the peak portion 92p of the blade edge 92a. Thereafter, the cutting position propagates left and right, and the receipt paper 40 is cut.

  FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the left end portion 98q of the receipt paper 40 is grasped and pulled by the hand 99. In this case, when the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the tension generated according to the pulling force is closest to the left end portion 98q of the receipt paper 40 at the position of the cutting blade 92, that is, the position where the receipt paper 40 is pulled. Concentrate on the same side end. Accordingly, the pulled receipt paper 40 is pressed against the crest 92q of the blade edge 92a at the position of the cutting blade 92. Then, the cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started at the peak portion 92q of the blade edge 92a. Thereafter, the cutting position propagates to the opposite side of the crest 92q of the cutting edge 92a, and the receipt paper 40 is cut.

  FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a state where the right end portion 98r of the receipt paper 40 is held and pulled by the hand 99. FIG. In this case, when the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the tension generated according to the pulling force is closest to the right end portion 98r of the receipt paper 40 at the position of the cutting blade 92, that is, the position where the receipt paper 40 is pulled. Concentrate on the same side end. Accordingly, the pulled receipt paper 40 is pressed against the crest 92r of the blade edge 92a at the position of the cutting blade 92. Then, cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started at the peak portion 92r of the blade edge 92a. Thereafter, the cutting position propagates to the opposite side of the crest 92r of the cutting edge 92a, and the receipt paper 40 is cut.

  In this way, by forming the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 in an M shape, the receipt paper 40 can be easily cut regardless of the pulling position of the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86. .

  As described above, according to the receipt printer 96 (printer apparatus) according to the first embodiment, the receipt printer 96 transfers the receipt paper 40 (paper) printed by the thermal head 12 (printing unit) to the transport unit. Then, it is conveyed to the receipt issuing port 86 (paper discharge unit). The transport unit has a bent portion 90 bent approximately 90 degrees. Inside the bent portion 90, a cutting blade unit 94 (paper cutting portion) having a blade edge 92a in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the receipt paper 40 along the width direction of the receipt paper 40 is provided. Then, the receipt paper 40 is cut by the cutting edge 92a. Therefore, it is possible to provide a receipt printer 96 that can easily cut the receipt paper 40 without increasing the cost with respect to a conventional receipt printer having a tear bar having a manual cutter function.

  Further, according to the receipt printer 96, the transport unit includes the first transport path 91a and the second transport path 91b that are connected to each other with the bent portion 90 bent by approximately 90 degrees. And the bending part 90 connects the 1st conveyance path 91a and the 2nd conveyance path 91b smoothly. Therefore, the receipt paper 40 can be conveyed with a small resistance.

  According to the receipt printer 96, the blade edge 92a is substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the receipt paper 40 along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the receipt paper 40 conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a. The paper is installed in the direction that is substantially parallel to the receipt paper 40 that is conveyed through the second conveyance path 91b. Accordingly, when the end of the receipt paper 40 discharged to the receipt issuing port 86 is pulled, the receipt paper 40 is pressed from the direction substantially perpendicular to the blade edge 92a at the position of the blade edge 92a, and therefore, with a small pulling force. The receipt paper 40 can be cut.

  Further, according to the receipt printer 96, the position of the blade edge 92a is high at a position where it is pressed against the center portion in the width direction of the receipt paper 40 and a position where it is pressed against the left and right end portions in the width direction of the receipt paper 40. And a low M-shape between the left and right end portions. Therefore, when the receipt paper 40 discharged to the receipt issuing port 86 is pulled, the receipt paper 40 can be easily cut regardless of the pulling position.

  Further, according to the receipt printer 96, the cutting blade unit 94 moves from the upstream side of the first conveyance path 91a to the cutting blade 92 in the direction parallel to the first conveyance path 91a on the first conveyance path 91a side. Ribs 93 (guide members) that extend toward and guide the receipt paper 40 conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a toward the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 are provided. Therefore, the receipt paper 40 conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a can be reliably guided toward the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92. In particular, in the embodiment, since a plurality of plate-like ribs 93 are provided as guide members, the contact area between the receipt paper 40 and the ribs 93 can be reduced, thereby reducing the contact resistance during conveyance. Therefore, the receipt paper 40 can be smoothly guided to the position of the blade edge 92a along the first conveyance path 91a.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the printer device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The second embodiment is an example of a receipt printer 96a (printer device) (not shown) provided with a cutting blade 82 (see FIG. 10) having a cutting edge shape different from the cutting blade 92 described in the first embodiment. It is. The overall configuration and operation of the receipt printer 96a are the same as those of the receipt printer 96 described in the first embodiment, and only the shape of the cutting blade 82 is different. Therefore, only the structure and operation of the cutting blade 82 will be described below.
(Description of cutting blade structure and action)
The structure and operation of the cutting blade 82 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an external view showing the shape of the cutting blade 82 according to the second embodiment.

  The cutting blade 82 shown in FIG. 10 is installed on the outer surface 94c of the housing 94a in the same manner as the cutting blade 92 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6). The cutting edge 82a of the cutting blade 82 is disposed in a direction along the X axis as shown in FIG. The cutting edge 82a of the cutting blade 82 is, like the cutting blade 92, the first conveyance path along the width direction of the receipt paper 40 conveyed through the first conveyance path 91a described in the first embodiment. The direction is substantially orthogonal to 91a. Further, the cutting edge 82a faces in a direction substantially parallel to the second conveyance path 91b (see FIG. 6).

  The cutting edge 82a of the cutting blade 82 is a saw blade in which fine blades are regularly arranged as shown in FIG. The cutting edge 82a is high at one end L and the other end M of the cutting blade 82 (the position of the cutting edge 82a is high in the negative direction of the Z axis), and low at the intermediate portion N between the one end L and the other end M. It has a V shape (the position of the cutting edge 82a is low in the negative Z-axis direction). That is, the height of the cutting edge 82a gradually decreases from the one end L to the intermediate portion N. Further, the height of the cutting edge 82a gradually decreases from the other end M to the intermediate portion N. For the following description, a portion between the one end L and the intermediate portion N of the blade edge 82a is referred to as a blade edge 82s. A portion between the other end M and the intermediate portion N is referred to as a cutting edge 82t.

  The cutting blade 82 has a height h1 at one end L. The cutting blade 82 has a height h2 at the other end M. The intermediate portion N is provided at a position offset toward the one end portion L side from the center of the cutting blade 82. The cutting blade 82 has a height h3 at the intermediate portion N. The direction in which the intermediate portion N is offset is not limited to the one end L side, and may be offset to the other end M side. The reason for offsetting the intermediate portion N will be described later.

The schematic shape of the cutting blade 82 is expressed by (Expression 1) and (Expression 2).
h1 = h3 + d1 * sin θ1 (Formula 1)
h2 = h3 + d2 * sin θ2 (Formula 2)
As shown in FIG. 10, the distance d1 is a distance along the X axis of the cutting edge 82s, and the distance d2 is a distance along the X axis of the cutting edge 82t.

  The angle θ1 indicates the inclination angle of the cutting edge 82s. Further, the angle θ2 indicates the inclination angle of the cutting edge 82t. It is desirable that the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 have substantially the same value. This is because, when the inclination angle is different between the cutting edge 82s and the cutting edge 82t, the force required to cut the receipt paper 40 when cutting the receipt paper 40 with the cutting edge 82s and when cutting with the cutting edge 82t. This is because there is a possibility that a difference will occur. That is, in order to make the force pulling the receipt paper 40 as uniform as possible when cutting the receipt paper 40 with the cutting edge 82s and when cutting with the cutting edge 82t, the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 are set to be substantially equal values. desirable.

When the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 are substantially equal, an offset is provided at the position of the intermediate portion N, so that the height h1 of the one end L of the cutting blade 82 and the height h2 of the other end M are In the meantime, the relationship of (Formula 3) is established.
h1 / h2 = d1 / d2 (Formula 3)
That is, of the distance d1 and the distance d2, the height of the cutting blade 82 is higher at the end portion having the larger value.

(Explanation of cutting function regardless of receipt paper pull position)
Next, a cutting function independent of the pulling position of the receipt paper 40 provided in the receipt printer 96a (not shown) of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the receipt paper 40 is cut by pulling the leading end of the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86.

  When a store clerk or customer pulls out the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86, the pulling position differs depending on the person. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a state in which the central portion 98p of the receipt paper 40 is held and pulled by the hand 99. FIG. In this case, when the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the tension generated according to the pulling force is uniformly transmitted at the position of the cutting blade 82 regardless of the width direction of the receipt paper 40. Therefore, the receipt paper 40 pulled is pressed against the other end M having the highest cutting edge 82a. The receipt paper 40 is cut at a location where it is pressed against the other end M. The cut propagates along the cutting edge 82t and reaches the intermediate portion N. Further, the receipt paper 40 is cut between the intermediate portion N and the one end portion L by pressing against the cutting blade 82s.

  FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a state where the left end portion 98q of the receipt paper 40 is grasped and pulled by the hand 99. FIG. In this case, when the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the tension generated according to the pulling force is closest to the left end portion 98q of the receipt paper 40 at the position of the cutting blade 82, that is, the position where the receipt paper 40 is pulled. Concentrate on one end L on the same side. Accordingly, the pulled receipt paper 40 is pressed against the cutting edge 82a (82s) at one end L. The receipt paper 40 is cut at a location where it is pressed against the one end L. The cut propagates along the cutting edge 82s and reaches the intermediate portion N. Further, the receipt paper 40 is cut by being pressed against the cutting edge 82t between the intermediate portion N and the other end portion M.

  FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the right end portion 98r of the receipt paper 40 is held and pulled by the hand 99. In this case, when the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the tension generated according to the pulling force is closest to the right end portion 98r of the receipt paper 40 at the position of the cutting blade 82, that is, the position where the receipt paper 40 is pulled. Concentrate on the other end M on the same side. Accordingly, the pulled receipt paper 40 is pressed against the cutting edge 82a (82t) at the other end M. The receipt paper 40 is cut at a location where it is pressed against the other end M. The cut propagates along the cutting edge 82t and reaches the intermediate portion N. Further, the receipt paper 40 is cut by being pressed against the cutting edge 82s between the intermediate portion N and the one end portion L.

  Thus, in the receipt printer 96a, the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86 can be easily cut regardless of the position where the receipt paper 40 is pulled. At this time, it is desirable that the receipt paper 40 can be cut with the same pulling force as much as possible. For this purpose, it is desirable to make the blade edge (the blade edge 82s or the blade edge 82t) connected to the end (one end L or the other end M) of the cutting blade 82 where the pulled receipt paper 40 first strikes as long as possible. That is, it is desirable that the position of the intermediate portion N is offset to the side opposite to the end portion of the cutting blade 82 where the receipt paper 40 first strikes.

  Such an offset setting is effective when, for example, the positional relationship between the POS terminal incorporating the receipt printer 96a and the printed receipt paper 40, for example, a store clerk is limited. That is, when the clerk reaches out to the receipt issuing port 86 in order to cut the receipt paper 40, if the hand is likely to reach the right end side of the receipt issuing port 86, the intermediate portion N of the cutting blade 82 is issued. It is desirable to be offset to the left end side of the mouth 86. This is because when the right end portion 98r of the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the receipt paper 40 first presses against the cutting edge 82t on the other end M side of the cutting blade 82, and cutting of the receipt paper 40 starts from that position. It is to be done. At this time, in order to cut the receipt paper 40 with as uniform pulling force as possible, it is desirable that the cutting edge 82t on the side where the cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started is made as long as possible among the V-shaped cutting edges 82s and 82t. .

  On the other hand, when the store clerk reaches out to the receipt issuing port 86 to cut the receipt paper 40, if the hand easily reaches the left end side of the receipt issuing port 86, the intermediate portion N of the cutting blade 82 is issued. It is desirable to be offset to the right end side of the mouth 86. This is because when the left end portion 98q of the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the receipt paper 40 first presses against the cutting edge 82s on the one end L side of the cutting blade 82, and the cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started from that position. Because. At this time, in order to cut the receipt paper 40 with as uniform a pulling force as possible, it is desirable that the cutting edge 82s on the side where the cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started is made as long as possible among the V-shaped cutting edges 82s and 82t. .

  As described above, according to the receipt printer 96a (printer apparatus) according to the second embodiment, the positions of the cutting edge 82a of the cutting blade 82 are the one end L and the other end in the width direction of the receipt paper 40 (paper). It is high at the position where it presses against part M. Then, it gradually decreases from one end L and the other end M toward the position where it presses against the central portion of the receipt paper 40 in the width direction, and is lowest at a point N between the one end M and the other end L. It has a V shape. Therefore, when the receipt paper 40 discharged from the receipt issuing port 86 is pulled, the receipt paper 40 can be easily cut from the left end portion 98q side or the right end portion 98r side.

  Further, according to the receipt printer 96a, the position of the cutting edge 82a of the cutting blade 82 has different heights h1 and h2 at the positions where the left and right end portions in the width direction of the receipt paper 40 abut each other. Therefore, the angle θ1 that is the inclination angle of the cutting edge 82s and the angle θ2 that is the inclination angle of the cutting edge 82t can be set to be substantially equal. Accordingly, when cutting the receipt paper 40 from the left end portion 98q side or the right end portion 98r side, the cutting by the blade edge 82s and the cutting by the blade edge 82t can be performed with a uniform tensile force as much as possible.

  According to the receipt printer 96a, the lowest position (intermediate portion N) of the cutting edge 82a of the cutting blade 82 is offset from the center (intermediate portion N) in the width direction of the receipt paper 40. Therefore, since the distance from the position (one end L or the other end M) where the cutting of the receipt paper 40 is started to the intermediate portion N can be made as long as possible, the receipt paper 40 is pulled uniformly over the longest possible distance. Can be cut with force.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first transport path 91a and the second transport path 91b have directions different from each other by approximately 90 °. However, the difference between the two directions is limited to 90 °. It is not a thing. That is, if the difference in direction between the first conveyance path 91a and the second conveyance path 91b is designed to be an angle smaller than 90 °, that is, an acute angle, the receipt sheet discharged to the receipt issuing port 86 is received. Since the cutting blade 92 presses from the direction orthogonal to the receipt paper 40 at a position where the conveyance direction of the receipt paper 40 changes to an acute angle when the end portion of the receipt paper 40 is pulled, the receipt paper 40 can be easily and reliably secured. Can be cut into pieces.

  Further, the shape of the cutting blade 92 is not limited to the above-described M shape and V shape. That is, the cutting blade 92 may have a mountain shape with a high central portion only. In particular, when the distance between the receipt issuing port 86 and the cutting blade 92 is sufficiently long relative to the width of the receipt paper 40, the pulling position of the receipt paper 40 and the position where the cutting blade 92 and the receipt paper 40 are in contact with each other. Can be regarded as being substantially equal regardless of the pulling position of the receipt paper 40. That is, even when the end portion of the receipt paper 40 is pulled (see FIGS. 9B and 9C), the tension generated according to the pulling force is generated at the position of the cutting blade 92. It is applied almost evenly across the width direction of the paper 40. Therefore, by forming the cutting blade 92 in a chevron shape, the receipt paper 40 can be pressed against the chevron portion of the cutting blade 92 regardless of the pulling position of the receipt paper 40 to create a trigger for cutting. . Therefore, the receipt paper 40 can be easily cut.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the cutting edge 92a of the cutting blade 92 is a saw blade has been described, but the shape of the cutting edge 92a is not limited to a saw blade. That is, the same effect as described above can be obtained even with a uniform blade having the shape of an envelope connecting the tips of the saw blades. In addition, when the end of the receipt paper 40 discharged to the receipt issuing port 86 is pulled, only the position where it first presses against the receipt paper 40 is the blade edge 92a as a saw blade, and the range adjacent to the saw blade is one. Various blades may be used. According to this, in the position where it first presses against the receipt paper 40, the trigger for cutting is easily generated by the saw blade, and thereafter, the cutting range can be easily expanded by the uniform blade.

10 Self-checkout device 12 Thermal head (printing part)
14 Platen roller (conveyance unit)
25 Storage 40 Receipt paper (paper)
42 Roll 86 Receipt issuing slot (paper output section)
90 Bent part 91a 1st conveyance path (conveyance part)
91b Second transport path (transport section)
82, 92 Cutting blades 82a, 82s, 82t, 92a Cutting edges 92p, 92q, 92r Mountain portions 93, 93a, 93b, 93c Ribs (guide members)
94 Cutting blade unit (paper cutting part)
94b, 94c Outer surface 95 Housing 96, 96a Receipt printer (printer device)

JP 2006-76166 A

Claims (8)

A printing section for printing on paper,
A paper discharge unit for discharging the paper printed by the printing unit;
A conveyance unit having a bent portion bent by approximately 90 degrees, and conveying the paper printed by the printing unit to the paper discharge unit;
A paper cutting unit that is provided inside the bent portion, has a cutting edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper, along the width direction of the paper, and cuts the paper with the cutting edge;
A printer apparatus comprising: The transport unit includes a first transport path for transporting the paper printed by the printing unit, and a second transport path toward the paper discharge unit having a direction that is approximately 90 degrees different from the first transport path. And
The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the bent portion smoothly connects the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path. The cutting edge is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper transport direction along the width direction of the paper transported through the first transport path,
The printer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printer apparatus is installed in a direction substantially parallel to the sheet conveyed through the second conveyance path. The position of the blade edge is high at a position where it presses against the left and right end portions in the width direction of the paper, and gradually decreases from the left and right end portions toward a position where it presses against the center portion in the width direction of the paper, 4. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer apparatus has a V-shape that is lowest between the two. 5. The printer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position of the blade edge has different heights at left and right end portions in the width direction of the sheet. The printer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the position at which the cutting edge is lowest is a position offset from a center in the width direction of the sheet. The position of the blade edge is high at a position where it is pressed against the central portion in the width direction of the paper and at a position where it is pressed against the left and right ends in the width direction of the paper, and is low between the central portion and the left and right ends The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer apparatus has a character shape. Extending from the upstream side of the first conveyance path toward the cutting edge on the first conveyance path side of the paper cutting unit in a direction substantially parallel to the first conveyance path, 8. The printer device according to claim 2, further comprising a guide member that guides the sheet conveyed along a conveyance path toward the blade edge. 9.

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