JP4613775B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing object such as a data-recordable recording medium.

  Conventionally, there is a printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-72155 as a printer that prints characters such as a title on a disk-shaped recording medium such as a CD-R that is a print target. The printing apparatus includes a tray on which a recording medium is placed. The tray is provided so as to be movable with respect to the apparatus main body. The tray is pulled out of the apparatus main body to place the recording medium, and the tray is attached to the apparatus main body. And printing on the recording medium by a printing mechanism in the apparatus main body. The printing mechanism of this printing apparatus prints a predetermined range of a recording medium on the tray by moving a carriage mounted with a thermal head on a tray accommodated in the apparatus main body.

  However, since the conventional printing apparatus includes a tray on which a recording medium is placed and moved with respect to the apparatus main body, and a printing mechanism that moves a carriage having a thermal head within the apparatus main body, the configuration of the apparatus is not necessarily limited. It is not easy. Therefore, the inventor of the present application has developed a printing apparatus for a recording medium that is further improved. The printing apparatus employs a printing mechanism of a tape printing apparatus that performs printing on a conventional printing tape described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-225746, and is improved and recorded together with printing on the printing tape. Printing on a medium is also possible.

  That is, the printing apparatus includes a printing mechanism in which a thermal head and a platen roller are opposed to each other at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body, and a loading provided at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body to supply an ink ribbon to the printing mechanism. A ribbon cassette (consumables used for printing) containing an ink ribbon can be loaded in the unit. By driving the printing mechanism, the recording medium set in an upright state is moved in the left-right direction of the apparatus main body together with the ink ribbon. The thermal transfer printing is performed on the label surface (printing surface) of the recording medium while being conveyed. In this printing apparatus, similarly to the conventional tape printing apparatus, when a tape cassette containing a printing tape and an ink ribbon is loaded in the loading section, thermal transfer printing is performed on the printing tape.

  On the other hand, when a ribbon cassette containing a recording medium and an ink ribbon is loaded in the loading section, printing is performed on the recording medium. This printing apparatus has a height dimension compared to the width and depth dimensions of the apparatus body. Has a small flat box shape, and the height of the apparatus main body is smaller than the diameter of the disk-shaped recording medium. Therefore, in order to be able to perform printing while loading the recording medium upright in the apparatus main body and transporting it in the upright state, an opening / closing cover that covers the loading portion disposed above the conveyance path of the recording medium is openable and closable. A slit-shaped insertion port through which the recording medium is inserted is formed along the conveyance path.

  In this printing apparatus, the opening / closing cover is opened, the ribbon cassette is loaded into the loading section, and after the opening / closing cover is closed, the recording medium brought into an upright state is loaded through the insertion opening and loaded into the set position in the apparatus main body. In this state, the recording medium is inserted in the insertion opening of the opening / closing cover, the intermediate portion of the standing state is inserted, the lower half is loaded in the apparatus main body, and the upper half is exposed to the outside from the opening / closing cover. When the operation of the printing mechanism is started, the recording medium and the ink ribbon are sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen roller, and are conveyed toward the downstream side along the conveyance path by the rotationally driven platen roller. The ink ribbon is moved upright in the slit-shaped insertion port, and the ink on the ink ribbon is transferred to the label surface of the recording medium by the heat generated by the thermal head during the movement.

  This recording medium printing apparatus is configured based on the conventional tape printing apparatus. In this type of printing apparatus, there are various types of information input and printing control to be printed on the front front side of the upper surface of the apparatus main body. There is a keyboard with keys for setting and instructing, a liquid crystal display unit displaying information to be printed and information necessary for printing on the back side of the front, and a loading unit in which the tape cassette is loaded in a replaceable manner An arrangement structure is widely adopted that is arranged side by side and provided with an opening / closing cover that covers the display unit and the loading unit.

  In such a printing apparatus, when the cassette is attached / detached to / from the loading unit, the loading unit is opened wide so that the attaching / detaching operation can be easily performed, and the opened / closed cover does not interfere with the cassette replacement operation. An opening / closing cover that covers the loading section is pivotally attached to the apparatus main body by a hinge provided on the back surface of the apparatus main body. When the opening / closing cover is opened, the opening / closing cover is at least 90 ° from the closed state to the rear side of the apparatus main body. It is made to turn and stand on the back of the apparatus main body.

In general, the opening / closing cover and the apparatus main body are provided with a locking mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the opening / closing cover, and an operation button or the like for releasing the locking of the opening / closing cover when the opening / closing cover is opened is provided on the apparatus main body. It is provided on the upper surface. When the opening / closing cover is closed, the locking mechanism works by closing the opening / closing cover. When the opening / closing cover is opened, the locking mechanism is released by operating the operation button, and then the opening / closing cover is lifted. Move to release. In the printing apparatus, a printing mechanism provided in the apparatus main body conveys a recording medium as a print target in either the left or right direction of the apparatus main body and discharges the recording medium to the side portion.
JP 2003-72155 A JP 2000-225746 A

  By the way, in such a printing apparatus, when a recording medium is loaded into the apparatus main body at the start of printing and the ribbon cassette is not installed or when it is desired to replace the ribbon cassette of an ink ribbon of a different color, an opening / closing cover is provided. If you open the open / close cover carelessly while the recording medium is set, the edge of the insertion slot will hit the label surface of the recording medium and damage it there. There is a risk of attaching.

  That is, in such a printing apparatus, it is set in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, the arrangement direction of the insertion opening of the opening / closing cover, and the apparatus main body with respect to the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the opening / closing opening / closing cover that covers the loading section. The label surfaces of the recording media are parallel to each other, and when the opening / closing cover is rotated in the opening direction around the rotation axis, the edge of the insertion port hits the label surface of the recording media and hits the recording medium. It will cause scratches. If the opening / closing cover is opened and closed with the recording medium loaded in the apparatus body in this way, the recording medium may be damaged. Therefore, when replacing the ribbon cassette, the opening / closing cover is once opened and loaded in the apparatus body. After the recording medium is taken out of the apparatus and the ribbon cassette is replaced, it is necessary to reload the recording medium into the apparatus main body, which is troublesome.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an open / close cover provided on the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable for exchanging consumables used for printing by the printing mechanism is provided at the insertion opening of the open / close cover. Even if the print object loaded in the main body is opened and closed to replace the consumable, the inconvenience of damaging the print object loaded in the apparatus main body can be prevented, and the print object is interfered. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of easily exchanging consumables used for printing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism for printing information on an object to be printed, an opening for containing the printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism, and replacing the consumable. And an opening / closing cover provided on the apparatus body so as to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable. In addition, an insertion port is provided in a predetermined direction for allowing the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body to pass therethrough and a part of the printing object protrudes to the outside of the apparatus main body, and the opening / closing cover is provided for the printing loaded in the apparatus main body. In order to move the insertion opening along the printing surface of the object, the insertion opening is hingedly connected to the apparatus main body by being rotatably supported around a rotation axis orthogonal to the predetermined direction in which the insertion opening is provided. do it The Rukoto, movably provided in a position to open the position to cover the opening, said printing mechanism, said printing object to be loaded in the apparatus main body, said insertion opening and said insertion in a standing state A transport mechanism that transports a transport path provided in the apparatus main body along the mouth toward the discharge unit, and a print head that performs printing on the print object transported by the transport mechanism. The opening / closing cover is characterized in that a hinge coupling side with respect to the apparatus main body is positioned on the upstream side of the transport path, and a release end side is positioned on the discharge portion side .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism for printing information on an object to be printed, a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism and the printing mechanism, and an opening for exchanging the consumable. And an opening / closing cover provided on the apparatus body so as to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable. In addition, an insertion port is provided in a predetermined direction for allowing the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body to pass therethrough and a part of the printing object protrudes to the outside of the apparatus main body, and the opening / closing cover is provided for the printing loaded in the apparatus main body. Positions for covering and opening the opening by moving in parallel on the apparatus main body along the predetermined direction in which the insertion opening is provided so that the insertion opening moves along the printing surface of the object. The printing mechanism discharges the print object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion opening and the conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body along the insertion opening. And a print head for printing on the print object conveyed by the conveyance mechanism, and the opening / closing cover is connected to the discharge unit when the opening is opened. Is configured to move to the upstream side of the conveyance path on the opposite side .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism for printing information on an object to be printed, a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism and the printing mechanism, and an opening for exchanging the consumable. It has a part, comprising: a device body in which the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded, and a cover provided on the apparatus main body so as to cover the opening to be opened and closed, the main assembly of the apparatus The opening / closing cover is formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a position straddling the apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover, and is loaded into the apparatus main body with a printing surface in a predetermined direction by the notch. An insertion port is formed for inserting the print object and projecting a part of the object to the outside of the apparatus main body. The opening / closing cover includes a cutout portion provided on the opening / closing cover side. A hinge is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided so as to move along the printing surface of the printed object. By being coupled to each other, the printing mechanism is provided so as to be movable between a position for covering the opening and a position for opening the opening, and the printing mechanism allows the printing object to be loaded in the apparatus body to stand up in the insertion opening. And a transport mechanism that transports a transport path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge portion along the insertion opening, and a print head that performs printing on the print object transported by the transport mechanism. Further, the open / close cover is characterized in that a hinge coupling side with respect to the apparatus main body is positioned on the upstream side of the transport path, and a release end side is positioned on the discharge portion side .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism for printing information on an object to be printed, an opening for containing the printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism, and exchanging the consumable. An apparatus main body on which the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded, and an opening / closing cover provided on the apparatus main body to cover the opening in an openable / closable manner. The opening / closing cover is formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a position straddling the apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover, and is loaded into the apparatus main body with a printing surface in a predetermined direction by the notch. An insertion port is formed for inserting the print object and projecting a part of the object to the outside of the apparatus main body. The opening / closing cover includes a cutout portion provided on the opening / closing cover side. A position for covering and opening the opening by moving in parallel on the apparatus main body along the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided in order to move along the printing surface of the printed object to be printed The printing mechanism is configured to move the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion opening and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body along the insertion opening. A transport mechanism for transporting toward the discharge section; and a print head for printing on the print object transported by the transport mechanism; and the opening and closing cover is configured to open the discharge section when the opening is opened. It is characterized by being configured to move to the upstream side of the conveying path on the opposite side.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism for printing information on an object to be printed, an opening for accommodating the printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism, and replacing the consumable. An apparatus main body on which the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded, and an opening / closing cover provided on the apparatus main body to cover the opening in an openable / closable manner. Alternatively, one of the opening / closing covers is formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a boundary portion between the apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover, and the notch and the opening / closing cover facing the notch The boundary portion constitutes an insertion port through which the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body is inserted with a printing surface in a predetermined direction and a part thereof protrudes to the outside of the apparatus main body. -The printing object in which the notch provided in the opening / closing cover or the boundary portion facing the notch provided in the apparatus main body is loaded in the apparatus main body with the printing surface facing the opening / closing cover side. In order to move along the printing surface of the object, it is pivotally supported in a direction around a rotation axis orthogonal to the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided, and is hinged to the apparatus main body. The printing mechanism is provided movably between a position for covering the opening and a position for opening the opening, and the printing mechanism places the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body into the insertion port and the insertion port in an upright state. A transport mechanism that transports a transport path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge unit, and a print head that performs printing on the print object transported by the transport mechanism. Open / close cover The hinged side relative to the apparatus main body is positioned on the upstream side of the transport path, it is characterized in that positions the open end side to the discharge side.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism for printing information on an object to be printed, an opening for accommodating the printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism, and exchanging the consumable. An apparatus main body on which the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded, and an opening / closing cover provided on the apparatus main body to cover the opening in an openable / closable manner. Alternatively, one of the opening / closing covers is formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a boundary portion between the apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover, and the notch and the opening / closing cover facing the notch The boundary portion constitutes an insertion port through which the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body is inserted with a printing surface in a predetermined direction and a part thereof protrudes to the outside of the apparatus main body. -The printing object in which the notch provided in the opening / closing cover or the boundary portion facing the notch provided in the apparatus main body is loaded in the apparatus main body with the printing surface facing the opening / closing cover side. In order to move along the printing surface of the object, it can be moved in parallel with the apparatus body along the predetermined direction in which the insertion opening is provided, so that it can move between a position for covering the opening and a position for opening the opening. The printing mechanism is provided with the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state with the insertion port and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body along the insertion port directed toward the discharge unit. A transport mechanism for transporting, and a print head for performing printing on the print object transported by the transport means, and the opening / closing cover is disposed on a side opposite to the discharge section when the opening is opened. The transport path It is characterized by being configured to move to the upstream side.

The insertion port is formed in a slit shape having a predetermined width corresponding to the thickness of the printing object, as in the invention of claim 7 , and the inner edge of the slit-shaped insertion port is harder than the printing object. It is also possible to dispose a small member.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the print object is a recording medium having a recording surface on which data can be recorded and a printing surface on which printing is performed by the printing mechanism.

According to the printing apparatus of the first, third, and fifth aspects of the invention, when the opening / closing cover is opened and closed in a state where the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body is inserted in order to replace the consumables used for printing. The insertion opening of the opening / closing cover, or the notch for the insertion opening of the opening / closing cover, or the edge of the notch for inserting the printing object provided in the opening / closing cover or the insertion of the printing object provided in the apparatus main body A boundary portion of the opening / closing cover facing the notch portion of the apparatus main body moves along the printing surface of the printing object, and the edge of the insertion opening, the edge of the notch, or the edge of the notch Since the boundary portion does not hit the printing surface of the printing object, there is no risk of scratching the printing surface, and it is easy to replace the consumables used for printing without interfering with the printing object. It can be carried out. If the hinge for connecting the opening / closing cover to the apparatus main body is provided on the discharge section side of the conveyance path, the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated. However, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified by providing it on the opposite side. In addition, the opening / closing cover pivots and opens to the upstream side opposite to the discharge part of the conveying path, so opening the opening / closing cover greatly opens the conveying path to the discharge port and is consumed without being interrupted by the opening / closing cover. The product can be exchanged.

According to the printing apparatus of the second, fourth and sixth inventions, when the opening / closing cover is opened and closed with the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body inserted in order to replace the consumables used for printing. The insertion opening of the opening / closing cover, or the notch for the insertion opening of the opening / closing cover, or the edge of the notch for inserting the printing object provided in the opening / closing cover or the insertion of the printing object provided in the apparatus main body A boundary portion of the opening / closing cover facing the notch portion of the apparatus main body moves along the printing surface of the printing object, and the edge of the insertion opening, the edge of the notch, or the edge of the notch Since the boundary portion does not hit the printing surface of the printing object, there is no risk of scratching the printing surface, and it is easy to replace the consumables used for printing without interfering with the printing object. It can be carried out. The printing apparatus can be configured with a simple structure in which an opening / closing cover is provided on the apparatus main body so as to be movable in parallel. Furthermore , since the opening / closing cover is moved to the upstream side of the conveyance path opposite to the discharge portion and opened, the opening of the opening / closing cover greatly opens the conveyance path to the discharge port and is consumed without being obstructed by the opening / closing cover. The product can be exchanged.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 is an overall perspective view of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the opening / closing cover closed, FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the printing apparatus with the opening / closing cover opened, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which a recording medium that is a printing target is loaded in the printing apparatus and an opening / closing cover is opened. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the loading unit of the printing apparatus.

  The printing apparatus 1 can directly print on a label surface (printing surface) of a disk-shaped recording medium (optical disk) capable of recording data, such as a CD-R or DVD-R, which is an object to be printed, and a tape. It is also possible to print on a print medium (printing tape).

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a flat box-shaped apparatus main body 2 that is smaller in height than width and depth dimensions. A key input unit 3 and a display unit 4 are provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. It has been. The key input unit 3 includes a character key for inputting character string data to be printed, a print key for instructing start of printing, a cursor key for moving the cursor on the display screen of the display unit 4, and editing of the input character string. Various control keys necessary for processing, various setting processing, printing processing, and the like are provided. The display unit 4 is a liquid crystal display device and displays necessary information such as input data and processing contents.

  The apparatus main body 2 has a loading unit 6 for accommodating the cassette and the optical disk D, and an opening 6 a for exchanging the cassette on the upper surface of the loading unit 6 is opened and closed by the opening / closing cover 5. In the loading unit 6, as a consumable used for printing, a tape cassette 70 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and a ribbon cassette 85 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are selectively used. Be contained. The tape cassette 70 holds a printing tape 71 and an ink ribbon 72 in a cassette case 73, and the ribbon cassette 85 holds an ink ribbon 87 in a cassette case 88.

  When printing on the printing tape 71, the tape cassette 70 is accommodated in the loading section 6 as shown in FIG. 7, and when printing is performed on the label surface of the optical disk D, the loading section as shown in FIG. 6 accommodates the ribbon cassette 85 and the optical disk D. The tape cassette 70 and the ribbon cassette 85 have substantially the same outer diameter. When the optical disk D is accommodated in the loading unit 6, the optical disk D is erected as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and inserted into the apparatus main body 2 in the erected state. In FIG. 3, the opening / closing cover 5 is open. However, when the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2, the opening / closing cover 5 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the loading unit 6 is provided with a platen roller 7 and a thermal head 8 as a printing head so as to face each other, and a ribbon take-up shaft 9. When the tape cassette 70 is accommodated in the loading unit 6, the platen roller 7 rotates in the direction around the rotation shaft 7 a, and the printing tape 71 and the ink ribbon 72 of the tape cassette 70 are overlapped to overlap the thermal head 8. And when the ribbon cassette 85 and the optical disk D are accommodated in the loading unit 6, the ink ribbon 87 and the optical disk D are overlapped with the thermal head 8. It functions as a transport mechanism that transports the apparatus main body 2 to the downstream side on the right side of the apparatus body 2. The thermal head 8 is rotatably provided in the head cover 8 a, and prints on the printing tape 71 via the ink ribbon 72 when the tape cassette 70 is accommodated in the loading unit 6. When the ribbon cassette 85 is accommodated, printing is performed on the optical disk D via the ink ribbon 87, and the thermal head 8 and the transport mechanism constitute a printing mechanism.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration viewed from the front of the loading unit 6, and the thermal heads 8 provided in the loading unit 6 are arranged in a line along the width direction of the printing tape 71 and the ink ribbons 72 and 87. A plurality of heating elements are provided, and the plurality of heating elements are selectively driven to generate heat based on the print data.

  The ribbon take-up shaft 9 takes up and collects the ink ribbon 72 of the tape cassette 70 and the ink ribbon 87 of the ribbon cassette 85 used for printing in the respective cassette cases 73 and 88. The loading section 6 is provided with a plurality of support bases 10a, 10b, 10c and an engaging section 10e for engaging with the tape cassette 70 and the ribbon cassette 85 and supporting them at predetermined positions. The loading unit 6 accommodates a plurality of tape cassette detection switches 11 a and 11 b and a ribbon cassette 85 for determining whether or not the tape cassette 70 is accommodated and the type of the tape size of the accommodated tape cassette 70. A ribbon cassette detection switch 12 for detecting the presence or absence of the disk and a disk detection sensor 13 for detecting that the optical disk D is accommodated in a predetermined set position in the apparatus main body 2 are provided.

  A conveyance path for guiding an optical disc D that is accommodated in a standing state in the loading unit 6 and is nipped between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8 and is conveyed in the inner bottom portion of the rear end portion of the loading unit 6. 15 is provided. The conveyance path 15 has a concave groove shape, and is formed linearly along the left-right direction of the apparatus main body 2 so as to communicate from the inside of the apparatus main body 2 to the outside. The bottom surface of the transport path 15 is a guide surface 15a, and the optical disk D transported by being sandwiched between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8 is transported with the lower end thereof in contact with the guide surface 15a. Will be guided along.

  In the conveyance path 15, the inner side of the apparatus main body 2 is an upstream side of conveyance, and the outer side of the apparatus main body 2 is a downstream side. The platen roller 7 and the thermal head 8 are arranged at a predetermined position in the length direction of the transport path 15 so as to face each other with the transport path 15 therebetween, and this position becomes the printing position. Yes. A part of the transport path 15, that is, a section downstream from the vicinity of the printing position of the transport path 15 of the optical disc D is also a transport path of the printing tape 71.

  The downstream end of the conveyance path 15 communicates with the outside through an insertion / removal unit 16 formed on the side of the apparatus main body 2, and the printing tape 71 and the optical disk D printed inside the apparatus main body 2 are this. It is conveyed toward the insertion / removal unit 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a cutting mechanism 17 for cutting the printed portion on the leading end side of the printed printing tape 71 in the vicinity of the insertion / removal unit 16. The cutting mechanism 17 includes a fixed blade 17a and a movable blade 17b, and the fixed blade 17a and the movable blade 17b are provided to face each other with a conveyance path of the printing tape 71 therebetween. The fixed blade 17a is fixed to the apparatus main body 2, and the movable blade 17b is provided so as to be movable in a direction in which the fixed blade 17a is in contact with or separated from the fixed blade 17a. When the tape cassette 70 is accommodated in the loading unit 6 and the printing tape 71 is discharged from the tape cassette 70 through the insertion / removal unit 16, the movable blade 17b is driven by the cutter motor and the fixed blade 17a. In this direction, the printing tape 71 is sandwiched and cut between the fixed blade 17a and the movable blade 17b. After cutting, the movable blade 17b moves away from the fixed blade 17a and stops at the standby position.

  The upstream end of the conveyance path 15 provided in the apparatus main body 2 receives the outer peripheral end on the insertion side of the optical disk D that is inserted from the insertion / removal section 16 and is accommodated in the apparatus main body 2, and holds the optical disk D in a predetermined manner. The positioning portion 15b is positioned at the set position. Further, the downstream end portion of the transport path 15 is a discharge portion 15 c that is adjacent to the insertion / removal portion 16 and is a position where the printed optical disk D is discharged. The disc detection sensor 13 for detecting that the optical disc D is accommodated in a predetermined set position is a transmission type optical sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and is transported through the lowermost end portion of the optical disc D in a standing state. 15 is detected at a predetermined position in 15 to detect that the optical disk D is set at a predetermined set position in the loading unit 6.

  The opening / closing cover 5 provided on the apparatus main body 2 is rotatably coupled to the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 by a hinge 25 provided on one side portion of the apparatus main body 2. Transparent windows 20 and 21 are provided at positions corresponding to the loading unit 6. The opening / closing cover 5 is formed with a slit-like insertion port 23 having a predetermined width corresponding to the thickness of the optical disc D. The insertion opening 23 extends linearly from a position near the one end (hinge coupling side) of the opening / closing cover 5 toward the other end (opening end), and the other end of the opening / closing cover 5 is at the end of the opening / closing cover 5. The end is open to the outside. The insertion port 23 is disposed so as to be positioned above the conveyance path 15 in the vertical direction of the opening / closing cover 5 and to face the conveyance path 15. The opening / closing cover 5 rotates about a rotation shaft 25a of the hinge 25, and the rotation shaft 25a is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the insertion port 23 and the direction of the transport path 15. .

  When the optical disk D is inserted upright from the insertion / removal unit 16 in the closed state of the opening / closing cover 5, the optical disk D moves along the transport path 15 and the insertion port 23 and reaches the set position of the loading unit 6. . At this time, the upper half of the optical disk D protrudes from the insertion port 23 to the upper side of the apparatus main body 2. At the time of printing, the optical disk D is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side through the insertion port 23 and the conveyance path 15 provided along the insertion port 23 in a state of being inserted into the insertion port 23, and is transferred to the optical disk D during the conveyance. On the other hand, printing is performed. Then, the optical disk D is transported to the position of the discharge portion 15c at the downstream end of the transport path 15, and the printing operation is completed. The user raises the printed optical disk D, which is placed on the discharge portion 15c in a standing state and is stopped in a state where a part of the downstream side in the transport direction protrudes outside the apparatus main body 2, and lifts the apparatus main body 2 upward. Take out from.

  An area indicated by a symbol P in FIG. 9B indicates a print area that is printed on the lower half of the optical disc D by a printing operation. This printing region P has a width (height) of W and a length of L. The width W corresponds to the dimension of the arrangement length of the heat generating elements of the thermal head 8, and the length L is the length at the time of printing. This corresponds to the relative movement distance of the thermal head 8 relative to the optical disc D.

  On the opening / closing cover 5, an elongated plate-like insertion port cover 24 is provided along the length direction of the insertion port 23. This insertion port cover 24 is attached so that one side edge of the key input part 3 side along the length direction of the insertion port 23 can be pivoted to the opening / closing cover 5 via the shaft 22, and normally falls under its own weight. Thus, the insertion opening 23 is covered.

  When the optical disc D is inserted from the insertion / removal portion 16 so as to be along the conveyance path 15, the insertion-side end portion of the optical disc D abuts the edge of the insertion port cover 24, and the insertion port cover 24 is responded to this end. Is pushed by the optical disk D and is turned upward about the shaft 22 to stand up.

  The insertion port cover 24 normally lies down and covers the insertion port 23, so that the optical disk D cannot be inserted into the device main body 2 through the insertion port 23 in the vertical direction from above the device main body 2. When the tape cassette 70 and the ribbon cassette 85 are accommodated in the loading unit 6 in the apparatus main body 2, the length directions of the ink ribbons 72 and 87 of the tape cassette 70 and the ribbon cassette 85 are directed in the horizontal direction. When the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from above the apparatus main body 2 through the insertion port 23, the insertion direction and the length direction of the ink ribbons 72 and 87 are orthogonal to each other. As D is inserted, the ink ribbons 72 and 87 may be twisted or damaged.

  For this reason, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the optical disk D can be inserted into the apparatus main body 2 only from the horizontal direction along the length direction of the ink ribbons 72 and 87 and orthogonal to the ink ribbons 72 and 87. The insertion from the direction is prevented by the insertion port cover 24.

  The insertion port cover 24 is formed of a transparent material, and when the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 in a standing state from the insertion / removal unit 16 with the label surface facing the front side, the optical disk D is inserted through the insertion port cover 24. It is possible to see through the label surface.

  Then, when the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 and set at a predetermined setting position, the optical disk D is rotated, and pre-printing such as a product name printed in advance on the label surface of the optical disk D By adjusting the portion so as to be parallel to the edge portion of the insertion opening cover 24 that faces in the horizontal direction, the direction of the character string to be printed by the printing apparatus 1 can be aligned in parallel with the pre-printed portion. It has become.

  Next, the tape cassette 70 and the ribbon cassette 85 loaded in the loading unit 6 will be further described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the tape cassette 70 includes a cassette case 73. Inside the cassette case 73, a tape core 74 around which a printing tape 71 is wound and an unused ink ribbon 72 are provided. A wound ribbon supply core 75 and a ribbon take-up core 76 for taking up the used portion of the ink ribbon 72 used for printing are housed. Further, the cassette case 73 is provided with a head insertion portion 77 into which a thermal head 8 formed by forming a part of the outer wall into a concave shape is inserted, and for printing from the inside of the cassette case 73 in the head insertion portion 77. The tape 71 and the ink ribbon 72 are fed out, and the ink ribbon 72 used for printing is wound around the take-up core 76 and returned to the cassette case 73.

  At the corner portion of the cassette case 73, supported portions 78, 79, 80 corresponding to the support bases 10a, 10b, 10c of the loading portion 6 are provided. Corresponding to the tape cassette detection switches 11a and 11b, the supported portion 78 has notches 81 and 82 indicated by broken lines shown in FIG. Is provided. Here, there are three types: one provided with any one of the notches 81 and 82 and one not provided at all. The supported portion 80 is provided with a notch 83 corresponding to the ribbon cassette detection switch 12.

  The ribbon cassette 85 includes a cassette case 88 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. A ribbon supply core 90 around which an unused ink ribbon 87 is wound is used for printing. Ribbon take-up cores 91 for taking up the used ink ribbons 87 are accommodated. Further, the cassette case 88 is provided with a head insertion portion 92 into which a thermal head 8 formed by forming a part of the outer wall into a concave shape is inserted, and an ink ribbon is inserted into the head insertion portion 92 from the inside of the cassette case 88. 87 is fed out, and the ink ribbon 87 used for printing is wound around the winding core 91 and is returned to the cassette case 88.

  At the corner portion of the cassette case 88, supported portions 93, 94, 95 corresponding to the support bases 10a, 10b, 10c are provided. Corresponding to the tape cassette detection switches 11a and 11b, the supported portion 93 is provided with a notch 96 to turn off these switches. Further, the supported portion 95 corresponding to the ribbon cassette detection switch 12 is not provided with a notch, and the switch is turned on.

  In such a configuration, when the tape cassette 70 is loaded into the loading unit 6 of the printing apparatus 1, the thermal head 8 is disposed in the head insertion unit 77 of the cassette case 73 and the ribbon take-up shaft 9 is ribbon-wound. Fit into the take-up core 76. When the ribbon cassette 85 is loaded into the loading unit 6 of the printing apparatus 1, the thermal head 8 is disposed in the head insertion unit 92 of the cassette case 88 and the ribbon winding shaft 9 is attached to the ribbon winding core 91. Insert.

  Next, an operation procedure for printing information such as the title on the label surface of the optical disc D will be described. First, a hand is put on the opening / closing cover 5 from the state shown in FIG. 1, and the opening / closing cover 5 is pivoted upward with the hinge 25 as a fulcrum to open the opening 6a of the loading portion 6 of the apparatus body 2 as shown in FIG. Is released. Then, the ribbon cassette 85 is loaded into the loading unit 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2, and after this loading, the opening / closing cover 5 is closed again on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2.

  Next, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 1, the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 in a standing state with the label surface facing the front side of the printing apparatus 1, and further along the conveyance path 15. To be accommodated in the loading unit 6. At this time, the optical disc D is guided by the transport path 15 and the insertion opening 23 in a state where the lower end of the optical disc D is inserted into the transport path 15 and the substantially middle portion in the vertical direction is inserted into the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5. Moving. Further, when the optical disc D is inserted into the insertion opening 23, the insertion opening cover 24 is turned upward by being pushed by the optical disc D and is erected.

  When the optical disk D is inserted into the loading unit 6, the side edge on the moving destination side comes into contact with the positioning unit 15b of the transport path 15 and the lower end comes into contact with the guide surface 15a as shown in FIG. 9A. The optical disc D is set at a predetermined set position, and the optical disc D is detected by the disc detection sensor 13.

  When the optical disk D is set at a predetermined setting position of the loading unit 6, since the substantially upper half of the optical disk D protrudes above the opening / closing cover 5, the optical disk D is then rotated by hand, and the optical disk Adjustment is made so that the direction of pre-printing preprinted on the label surface of D and the length direction of the insertion port cover 24 are aligned in parallel.

  Thereafter, a predetermined key of the key input unit 3 is operated to input print information, and a predetermined key is further operated to instruct the start of printing. In response to this operation, the thermal head 8 rotates, and the optical disk D is sandwiched between the thermal head 8 and the platen roller 7 and restrained. Then, the rotation of the platen roller 7 conveys the optical disc D toward the discharge portion 15c so as to move along the conveyance path 15. During the conveyance, predetermined information such as the title on the label surface of the optical disc D is transferred to the thermal head. 8 is printed. At the end of printing, the optical disk D is transported to the discharge portion 15c, the thermal head 8 rotates, the sandwiching of the optical disk D by the thermal head 8 and the platen roller 7 is released, and the restriction of the optical disk D is released. In this state, the optical disk D is pulled up and taken out.

  By the way, when the optical disc D is inserted into the conveyance path 15 of the apparatus main body 2 and the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5 and set at a predetermined setting position to start printing, the ribbon cassette 85 is not mounted. Alternatively, when it is desired to replace the ribbon cassette 85 of a different color ink ribbon, the opening / closing cover 5 is opened with the optical disc D set, the ribbon cassette 85 is mounted or replaced, and the opening / closing cover 5 is closed again. Become.

  At this time, the opening / closing cover 5 is rotated around the rotation axis 25a with the hinge 25 as a fulcrum, and the rotation axis 25a of the hinge 25 corresponds to the length direction of the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover 5 rotates, the edge of the insertion opening 23 moves along the label surface of the optical disc D, and the edge of the insertion opening 23 hits the label surface. There is no such thing. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the label surface, and the ribbon cassette 85 can be easily replaced without interfering with the optical disk D. Further, if the hinge 25 for coupling the opening / closing cover 5 to the apparatus main body 2 is provided on the discharge portion 15c side of the transport path 15, the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated. However, by providing it on the opposite side, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. . Further, since the opening / closing cover 5 is pivoted and opened to the upstream side of the conveying path 15 opposite to the discharge portion 15c, the opening / closing cover 5 is opened to largely open the conveying path 15 reaching the discharge port 15c. The ribbon cassette 85 can be exchanged without being obstructed by 5.

  The printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment stores the tape cassette 70 shown in FIG. 5 in the loading unit 6 and prints predetermined information on the printing tape 71 of the tape cassette 70 via the ink ribbon 72. You can also.

  Further, as shown as a modified example in FIG. 10, a support portion 26 for holding the optical disc D can be provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover 5. The support portion 26 has a U-shape and is provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover 5 and at the position of the end of the insertion port 23 on the depth side. Then, the open / close cover 5 is closed, and the optical disc D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 in an upright state, moved along the conveyance path 15 and the insertion port 23, and set at a predetermined set position in the loading unit 6. When this occurs, the leading end of the optical disk D on the insertion side enters the support portion 26. An elastic member 27 such as rubber or sponge is affixed to the inner surface of the support portion 26, and the distal end portion on the insertion side of the optical disc D entering the support portion 26 is lightly sandwiched between the elastic members 27. .

  In such a configuration, the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 in an upright state, moved along the transport path 15 and the insertion port 23, and set at a predetermined set position in the loading unit 6. At this time, the distal end portion of the optical disc D on the insertion side enters the support portion 26, and the optical disc D is held on the support portion 26 by the elastic member 27. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover 5 is opened after the optical disk D is set, the optical disk D is moved integrally with the opening / closing cover 5 to the upper side of the apparatus main body 2. For this reason, the edge of the insertion opening 23 does not hit the label surface of the optical disc D, and there is no possibility of damaging the label surface. Further, when the opening / closing cover 5 is opened, the optical disk D moves integrally with the opening / closing cover 5 to the upper side of the apparatus main body 2 so that the optical disk D is detached from the loading unit 6. The replacement work is easy.

  When the open / close cover 5 is closed, the optical disc D moves integrally with the open / close cover 5 and is inserted into the loading unit 6 and set at a predetermined set position. Then, the optical disc D is transported toward the discharge portion 15 c so as to be detached from the support portion 26 and move along the transport path 15 in accordance with the start of printing.

  FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the insertion opening 23 is constituted by the notches 30 and 31 formed in the opening / closing cover 5 and the apparatus main body 2. The notches 30 and 31 are arranged such that one side edge of the opening / closing cover 5 and the one side edge of the device body 2 are opposed to each other at a position straddling the opening / closing cover 5 and the device body 2 under the closed state of the opening / closing cover 5. It is formed to extend along the width direction (left-right direction) of the apparatus main body 2. The notches 30 and 31 are opposed to each other when the opening / closing cover 5 is closed, and an insertion opening 23 through which the optical disk is inserted is formed by this facing.

  The opening / closing cover 5 is rotatably coupled to the apparatus body 2 via a hinge 25 provided on one side of the apparatus body 2, and a rotation shaft 25 a of the hinge 25 is formed on the opening / closing cover 5. Further, it faces in the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the notch 30.

  When printing information such as the title on the label surface of the optical disc, a ribbon cassette is loaded in the loading section 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2, and the opening / closing cover 5 is closed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 after loading. Next, the optical disk is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 with the label surface facing the front side of the printing apparatus 1 and moved along the insertion opening 23 and the conveyance path 15 to load the loading unit 6. In this state, printing is started, and predetermined information is printed in a predetermined area on the label surface of the optical disk.

  On the other hand, after the optical disk is inserted into the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5 and set at a predetermined setting position, the ribbon cassette is not attached to the loading unit 6 or is replaced with a ribbon cassette of an ink ribbon of a different color. In such a case, the opening / closing cover 5 is opened with the optical disc set, and the ribbon cassette is mounted or replaced.

  At this time, the opening / closing cover 5 is rotated about the rotation axis 25 a around the hinge 25 as a fulcrum, and the rotation axis 25 a of the hinge 25 is used for an insertion port structure formed in the opening / closing cover 5. This is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the cutout portion 30. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover 5 is rotated, the cutout portion 30 moves along the label surface of the optical disc, and the cutout portion 30 projects against the label surface. There is no risk of hitting the label surface. Further, even when the printing operation is started after the optical disc is set and the open / close cover 5 is in an incompletely closed state, the rotation direction of the open / close cover 5 is the direction along the label surface of the optical disc D. There is no risk of scratching the label surface.

  FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a notch 33 is formed in the apparatus main body 2, and the notch 33 is opened and closed in a closed state facing the notch 33. An insertion port 23 is constituted by a boundary portion between the cover 5 and the apparatus main body 2. The notch 33 is formed so as to extend along the length direction of the opening / closing cover 5 at a position that becomes a boundary with the opening / closing cover 5 under the closed state of the opening / closing cover 5.

  The opening / closing cover 5 is rotatably coupled to the apparatus main body 2 via a hinge 25 provided on one side of the apparatus main body 2, and the rotation shaft 25 a of the hinge 25 is the length of the opening / closing cover 5. The direction is perpendicular to the direction.

  When printing information such as the title on the label surface of the optical disc, a ribbon cassette is loaded in the loading section 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2, and the opening / closing cover 5 is closed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 after loading. Next, the optical disk is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 with the label surface facing the front side of the printing apparatus 1 and moved along the insertion opening 23 and the conveyance path 15 to load the loading unit 6. In this state, printing is started, and predetermined information is printed in a predetermined area on the label surface of the optical disk.

  On the other hand, after the optical disk is inserted into the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5 and set at a predetermined setting position, the ribbon cassette is not attached to the loading unit 6 or is replaced with a ribbon cassette of an ink ribbon of a different color. In such a case, the opening / closing cover 5 is opened with the optical disc set, and the ribbon cassette is mounted or replaced.

  At this time, the opening / closing cover 5 is rotated about the rotation axis 25 a around the hinge 25, but the rotation axis 25 a of the hinge 25 is in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the opening / closing cover 5. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover 5 rotates, the edge of the opening / closing cover 5 moves along the label surface of the optical disc, and the edge of the opening / closing cover 5 does not hit the label surface. . Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the label surface, and the ribbon cassette 85 can be easily replaced without interfering with the optical disk D.

  In the third embodiment, the notch 33 is formed in the apparatus main body 2, and the insertion opening 23 is formed by the boundary part between the notch 33 and the apparatus main body 2 of the opening / closing cover 5 in the closed state facing the notch 33. The notch portion is provided on the opening / closing cover 5 side, the notch portion provided on the opening / closing cover 5 side, and the opening / closing cover 5 of the apparatus main body 2 facing the notch portion in the closed state of the opening / closing cover 5. You may make it comprise an insertion port by the boundary part. The cutout portion formed in the opening / closing cover 5 is the open side of the opening / closing cover 5 in the same manner as the cutout portion 30 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 so that the optical disk can be inserted into and removed from the insertion / removal portion 16. Form to the end. Thus, even when the cutout portion is formed only on the opening / closing cover 5 side for inserting the optical disc, the same effect as in the case of the third embodiment in which the cutout portion 33 is formed only on the apparatus main body 2 side is obtained. Obtainable.

  FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an opening / closing cover 5 is slidably provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. Note that the structure of the main parts such as the printing mechanism and the transport mechanism of the apparatus main body 2 of the fourth embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. The same applies to fifth and sixth embodiments described later. In the printing apparatus of this embodiment, the opening / closing cover 5 slides in parallel with the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 along the left-right direction of the apparatus main body 2, and the opening 6 a of the loading unit 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 by the sliding operation. Open and close. A slit-shaped insertion opening 23 is formed in the opening / closing cover 5 so as to extend along the moving direction of the opening / closing cover 5. The insertion opening 23 extends linearly from a position near one end of the opening / closing cover 5 toward the other end, and an end on the other side is open outward from the end of the opening / closing cover 5.

  In the case of this embodiment, when information such as the title is printed on the label surface of the optical disc D, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid leftward in FIG. 13 (the direction opposite to the discharge portion 15c and the insertion / removal portion 16). Then, the loading unit 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 is opened, and the ribbon cassette 85 is loaded into the loading unit 6. After this loading, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid rightward to close the loading unit 6. Next, the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 with the label surface facing the front side of the printing apparatus 1 and is moved along the insertion port 23 to be accommodated in the loading unit 6. In this state, printing is started, and predetermined information is printed in a predetermined area on the label surface of the optical disc D.

  On the other hand, after the optical disk D is inserted into the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5 and set at a predetermined setting position, the ribbon cassette 85 is not attached to the loading portion 6 or the ribbon cassette of the ink ribbon of different colors. When it is desired to change to 85, the open / close cover 5 is slid leftward with the optical disc D set, the loading unit 6 is opened, and the ribbon cassette 85 is mounted or replaced.

  At this time, the insertion opening 23 formed in the opening / closing cover 5 extends in a direction along the moving direction of the opening / closing cover 5, so that when the opening / closing cover 5 slides, the edge of the insertion opening 23 becomes the optical disc D. Therefore, the edge of the insertion port 23 does not hit the label surface. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the label surface, and the ribbon cassette 85 can be easily replaced without interfering with the optical disk D. Since the opening / closing cover 5 is moved to the upstream side of the conveying path 15 on the side opposite to the discharge portion 15c, the opening / closing cover 5 is opened to largely open the conveying path 15 reaching the discharge port 15c. The ribbon cassette 85 can be exchanged without being obstructed by 5.

  FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and an opening / closing cover 5 is slidably provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 as in the case of the third embodiment. The opening / closing cover 5 slides in parallel with the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 along the left-right direction of the apparatus main body 2, and opens and closes the opening 6 a of the loading unit 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 by the sliding operation. . And in this 5th Embodiment, the notch parts 35 and 36 are formed in the opening-and-closing cover 5 and the apparatus main body 2, and when these notch parts 35 and 36 mutually oppose, the insertion port 23 is comprised and it becomes a structure. Yes. The notches 35 and 36 are arranged such that one side edge of the opening / closing cover 5 and the one side edge of the device body 2 are opposed to each other at a position straddling the opening / closing cover 5 and the device body 2 under the closed state of the opening / closing cover 5. The opening / closing cover 5 is formed along the moving direction of the opening / closing cover 5.

  When printing information such as the title on the label surface of the optical disk D, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid leftward in FIG. 14 to open the loading unit 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus body 2, and the ribbon cassette 85 is placed in the loading unit 6. After this loading, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid rightward to close the loading unit 6. Next, the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 with the label surface facing the front side of the printing apparatus 1 and is moved along the insertion port 23 to be accommodated in the loading unit 6. In this state, printing is started, and predetermined information is printed in a predetermined area on the label surface of the optical disc D.

  On the other hand, after the optical disk D is inserted into the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5 and set at a predetermined setting position, the ribbon cassette 85 is not attached to the loading portion 6 or the ribbon cassette of the ink ribbon of different colors. If the optical disk D is set, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid leftward (in the direction opposite to the discharge unit 15c and the insertion / removal unit 16) to open the loading unit 6 and the ribbon cassette 85. Install or replace.

  At this time, the notch 35 for the insertion opening structure formed in the opening / closing cover 5 extends in a direction along the moving direction of the opening / closing cover 5, and therefore, when the opening / closing cover 5 slides, The edge portion does not move along the label surface of the optical disc D, and the edge portion of the notch 35 does not hit the label surface. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the label surface, and the ribbon cassette 85 can be easily replaced without interfering with the optical disk D.

  FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and an opening / closing cover 5 is slidably provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 as in the case of the fourth embodiment. The opening / closing cover 5 slides in parallel with the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 along the left-right direction of the apparatus main body 2, and opens and closes the opening 6 a of the loading unit 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 by the sliding operation. . In the sixth embodiment, a notch 38 is formed in the apparatus main body 2, and the insertion opening is formed by a boundary portion between the notch 38 and the apparatus main body 2 of the opening / closing cover 5 in the closed state facing the notch 38. 23 is configured. The notch 38 is formed so as to extend along the moving direction of the opening / closing cover 5 at a boundary position between the opening / closing cover 5 and the apparatus main body 2 under the closed state of the opening / closing cover 5.

  When printing information such as the title on the label surface of the optical disc D, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid leftward in FIG. 15 to open the loading unit 6 on the upper surface of the apparatus body 2, and the ribbon cassette 85 is placed in the loading unit 6. After this loading, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid rightward to close the loading unit 6. Next, the optical disk D is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion / removal unit 16 with the label surface facing the front side of the printing apparatus 1 and is moved along the insertion port 23 to be accommodated in the loading unit 6. In this state, printing is started, and predetermined information is printed in a predetermined area on the label surface of the optical disc D.

  On the other hand, after the optical disk D is inserted into the insertion opening 23 of the opening / closing cover 5 and set at a predetermined setting position, the ribbon cassette 85 is not attached to the loading portion 6 or the ribbon cassette of the ink ribbon of different colors. If the optical disk D is set, the opening / closing cover 5 is slid leftward (in the direction opposite to the discharge unit 15c and the insertion / removal unit 16) to open the loading unit 6 and the ribbon cassette 85. Install or replace.

  At this time, the insertion opening 23 extends in a direction along the moving direction of the opening / closing cover 5, so that when the opening / closing cover 5 slides, the edge of the insertion opening 23 moves along the label surface of the optical disc D. The edge of the insertion opening 23 does not hit the label surface. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the label surface, and the ribbon cassette 85 can be easily replaced without interfering with the optical disk D.

  In the sixth embodiment, the notch 38 is formed in the apparatus body 2, and the insertion opening 23 is formed by the boundary between the notch 38 and the notch 38 in the closed state facing the notch 38. The notch portion is provided on the opening / closing cover 5 side, the notch portion provided on the opening / closing cover 5 side, and the opening / closing cover 5 of the apparatus main body 2 facing the notch portion in the closed state of the opening / closing cover 5. You may make it comprise an insertion port by the boundary part. In addition, the notch part formed in the opening / closing cover 5 is the same as the notch part 35 of 5th Embodiment shown in FIG. 14 so that the optical disk can be inserted / removed from the insertion / removal part 16. It forms to the edge part on the part 16 side. Thus, even when the cutout portion is formed only on the opening / closing cover 5 side for inserting the optical disk, the same effect as in the case of the sixth embodiment in which the cutout portion 33 is formed only on the apparatus main body 2 side is obtained. Obtainable.

  By the way, it is possible to provide a member such as rubber or sponge, which is smaller in hardness than the optical disc D, at the inner edge portion of the insertion opening 23 in each of the above-described embodiments. In the case of such a configuration, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of scratching the optical disk D inserted through the insertion port 23.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a printing apparatus capable of printing on a tape-shaped printing medium has been described as an example. However, the printing apparatus is not limited to such a printing apparatus, and has a printing function only for a recording medium such as an optical disk D. The present invention can be adopted even with a printing apparatus having the same. Furthermore, although the printing apparatus having the thermal transfer type printing mechanism has been described, it can also be adopted in a printing apparatus having an inkjet type printing mechanism.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall appearance of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the state which opened the open / close cover of the printing apparatus. The perspective view which shows the state which loaded the optical disk which is a printing target in the printing apparatus, and opened the opening-and-closing cover. The top view which shows the structure of the loading part of the printing apparatus. The figure which shows the tape cassette used for the printing apparatus. The figure which shows the ribbon cassette used for the printing apparatus. The top view which shows a state when a tape cassette is accommodated in the loading part of the printing apparatus. The top view which shows a state when a ribbon cassette is accommodated in the loading part of the printing apparatus. The figure which shows the structure seen from the front side of the loading part of the printing apparatus. The perspective view which shows the modification of the printing apparatus. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the whole printing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the whole printing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the whole printing apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the whole printing apparatus which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the whole printing apparatus which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus 2 ... Apparatus main body 5 ... Opening / closing cover 6 ... Loading part 6a ... Opening part 7 ... Platen roller 8 ... Thermal head 15 ... Conveyance path 23 ... Insertion port 24 ... Insertion port cover 25 ... Hinge 25a ... Rotating shaft 26 ... support part 27 ... elastic member 30.31.33.35.36.38 ... notch part 70 ... tape cassette 71 ... printing tape 72 ... ink ribbon 85 ... ribbon cassette 87 ... ink ribbon

Claims (8)

A printing mechanism for printing information on a print object;
The printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism are accommodated, and an opening for exchanging the consumable is provided, and the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded. The device body,
An opening / closing cover provided in the apparatus main body to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable,
In the opening / closing cover, an insertion port is provided in a predetermined direction for allowing the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body to pass therethrough and projecting a part thereof to the outside of the apparatus main body
The opening / closing cover has a rotational axis direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided so that the insertion port moves along the printing surface of the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body. It is provided so as to be movable between a position that covers the opening and a position that opens ,
The printing mechanism conveys the print object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion port and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge unit along the insertion port. A mechanism, and a print head that performs printing on the print object conveyed by the conveyance mechanism,
Furthermore, the opening / closing cover has a hinge coupling side with respect to the apparatus main body positioned on the upstream side of the conveyance path, and a release end side positioned on the discharge portion side . A printing mechanism for printing information on a print object;
The printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism are accommodated, and an opening for exchanging the consumable is provided, and the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded. The device body,
An opening / closing cover provided in the apparatus main body to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable,
In the opening / closing cover, an insertion port is provided in a predetermined direction for allowing the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body to pass therethrough and projecting a part thereof to the outside of the apparatus main body.
The opening / closing cover moves in parallel on the apparatus main body along the predetermined direction in which the insertion opening is provided so that the insertion opening moves along the printing surface of the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body. And is provided movably between a position covering the opening and a position opening.
The printing mechanism conveys the print object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion port and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge unit along the insertion port. A mechanism, and a print head that performs printing on the print object conveyed by the conveyance mechanism,
Furthermore, the opening / closing cover is configured to move to the upstream side of the conveyance path opposite to the discharge portion when the opening portion is opened. A printing mechanism for printing information on a print object;
The printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism are accommodated, and an opening for exchanging the consumable is provided, and the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded. The device body,
An opening / closing cover provided in the apparatus main body to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable,
The apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover are each formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a position straddling the apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover. Forming an insertion port through which the printing object to be loaded is inserted and projecting a part thereof to the outside of the apparatus main body;
The opening / closing cover has the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided so that the cutout portion provided on the opening / closing cover side moves along the printing surface of the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body. Is pivotally supported in the direction around the orthogonal rotation axis and hinged to the apparatus main body, so that it can be moved between a position covering the opening and a position opening.
The printing mechanism conveys the print object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion port and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge unit along the insertion port. A mechanism, and a print head that performs printing on the print object conveyed by the conveyance mechanism,
Furthermore, the opening / closing cover has a hinge coupling side with respect to the apparatus main body positioned on the upstream side of the conveyance path, and a release end side positioned on the discharge portion side . A printing mechanism for printing information on a print object;
The printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism are accommodated, and an opening for exchanging the consumable is provided, and the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded. The device body,
An opening / closing cover provided in the apparatus main body to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable,
The apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover are each formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a position straddling the apparatus main body and the opening / closing cover, and these notches have a printing surface in a predetermined direction on the apparatus main body. Forming an insertion port through which the printing object to be loaded is inserted and projecting a part thereof to the outside of the apparatus main body;
The opening / closing cover is provided in the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided so that the cutout portion provided on the opening / closing cover side moves along the printing surface of the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body. Along the main body of the apparatus along the apparatus body so as to be movable between a position for covering the opening and a position for opening the opening.
The printing mechanism conveys the print object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion port and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge unit along the insertion port. A mechanism, and a print head that performs printing on the print object conveyed by the conveyance mechanism,
Furthermore, the opening / closing cover is configured to move to the upstream side of the conveyance path opposite to the discharge portion when the opening portion is opened. A printing mechanism for printing information on a print object;
The printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism are accommodated, and an opening for exchanging the consumable is provided, and the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded. The device body,
An opening / closing cover provided in the apparatus main body to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable,
One of the device main body and the opening / closing cover is formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a boundary portion between the device main body and the opening / closing cover, and the device main body facing the notch or the notch The boundary portion of the opening / closing cover constitutes an insertion port through which the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body is inserted with a printing surface in a predetermined direction and a part thereof protrudes to the outside of the apparatus main body,
The opening / closing cover is loaded in the apparatus main body with the notch provided in the opening / closing cover or the boundary portion facing the notch provided in the apparatus main body facing the printing surface toward the opening / closing cover. In order to move along the printing surface of the printing object, it is rotatably supported about a rotation axis orthogonal to the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided, and is hinged to the apparatus main body. By being present, it is provided so as to be movable between a position that covers the opening and a position that opens.
The printing mechanism conveys the print object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion port and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge unit along the insertion port. A mechanism, and a print head that performs printing on the print object conveyed by the conveyance mechanism,
Furthermore, the opening / closing cover has a hinge coupling side with respect to the apparatus main body positioned on the upstream side of the conveyance path, and a release end side positioned on the discharge unit side. A printing mechanism for printing information on a print object;
The printing mechanism and a consumable used for printing by the printing mechanism are accommodated, and an opening for exchanging the consumable is provided, and the printing object to be printed by the printing mechanism is loaded. The device body,
An opening / closing cover provided in the apparatus main body to cover the opening so as to be openable and closable,
One of the device main body and the opening / closing cover is formed with a notch extending in a predetermined direction at a boundary portion between the device main body and the opening / closing cover, and the device main body facing the notch or the notch The boundary portion of the opening / closing cover constitutes an insertion port through which the printing object loaded in the apparatus main body is inserted with a printing surface in a predetermined direction and a part thereof protrudes to the outside of the apparatus main body,
The opening / closing cover is loaded in the apparatus main body with the notch provided in the opening / closing cover or the boundary portion facing the notch provided in the apparatus main body facing the printing surface toward the opening / closing cover. In order to move along the printing surface of the printing object, the device moves in parallel on the apparatus main body along the predetermined direction in which the insertion port is provided, and moves to a position where the opening is covered and a position where the opening is opened. Is possible,
The printing mechanism conveys the print object loaded in the apparatus main body in an upright state along the insertion port and a conveyance path provided in the apparatus main body toward the discharge unit along the insertion port. A mechanism, and a print head that performs printing on the printing object conveyed by the conveying means,
Furthermore, the opening / closing cover is configured to move to the upstream side of the conveyance path opposite to the discharge portion when the opening portion is opened. The insertion port has a slit shape having a predetermined width corresponding to the thickness of the print object,
The inner edge of the slit, the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that are arranged a small member hardness than the object to be printed. Said print object, the data has a recording surface capable of recording, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that printed by the printing mechanism is a recording medium having a printing surface to be performed printed apparatus.

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