JP5139819B2 - Cartridges and printers - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer for printing image data and a cartridge mounted on the printer.

  In recent years, printers that take in image data acquired by an imaging device such as a digital camera and print it on a recording medium such as photographic paper have been widely used in general households.

  In such a home printer, as long as an ink ribbon and photographic paper are set in advance, it is possible to easily print high-quality photographs simply by capturing image data and giving a print instruction. it can. For this reason, recently, an increasing number of people enjoy photo printing at home.

  In such a home printer, it is required to simplify the preparatory work (setting an ink ribbon, photographic paper, capturing image data, etc.) as much as possible, and the operability in the preparatory work has been improved. The proposal for the purpose is made.

As an example, there is a printer including a cartridge in which an ink ribbon and photographic paper are integrated. If the cartridge is used, the two operations of setting the ink ribbon and setting of the photographic paper, which have been performed so far, need only be performed by one operation of mounting the cartridge, and the preparation operation can be simplified. .
JP 2000-108442 A

  Here, until now, the cartridge integrated as described above generally uses cut paper as photographic paper. However, the photographic paper disposed in the cartridge is not limited to cut paper, and roll paper obtained by winding a belt-like photographic paper around a roller may be used.

  This is because when roll paper is used as the photographic paper, a large amount of photographic paper can be held in a space-saving cartridge, and the conveyance mechanism can be shared for cartridges having different print sizes.

  Further, when printing is performed using cut paper, it is necessary to prepare cut paper having a size larger than the print area in order to hold the paper during printing. Then, after printing, the user has to cut a part larger than the print area for holding paper. On the other hand, in the case of roll paper, a cutter for cutting photographic paper is arranged in the printer, and the photographic paper is cut in the printer, so only the print area is cut out and provided to the user. be able to.

  Here, when the photographic paper stored in the cartridge is a roll paper, the roll paper operates as follows in the printer at the time of printing.

  First, the roll paper wound around the roller is drawn out of the cartridge, and is inserted together with the ink ribbon between the thermal head and the platen roller by the transport roller. Thereafter, the printing area is reciprocally conveyed in the state where the ink ribbon is superimposed before and after the thermal head, whereby ink of each color is added. The roll paper to which the ink is added is discharged after being cut at the cutting position. Thus, the printing is completed, and after the printing is completed, the drawn roll paper is rewound and stored in the cartridge to return to the state before starting printing.

  Here, when the roll paper is rewound after printing is completed, if the leading end of the roll paper is completely rewound into the cartridge, the roll paper cannot be pulled out of the cartridge again.

  Therefore, when the drawn roll paper is rewound after the printing is completed, it is necessary to perform control so that the roll paper is stopped with the leading end of the roll paper left outside the cartridge. However, in this case, since the roll paper comes out of the cartridge, the roll paper may be damaged when the cartridge is attached or detached.

  On the other hand, it is possible to provide a roller inside the cartridge so that the roll paper stored up to the inside of the cartridge can be sent out to the outside of the cartridge again. However, in this case, the cartridge has a complicated structure.

  Further, when the cartridge is removed from the printer after the printing is completed and the coupling between the roller of the cartridge and the rotation mechanism of the printer is released, the roller of the cartridge becomes rotatable. For this reason, if the roller rotates and the leading end of the roll paper is rewound, it may be impossible to pull out the leading end of the roll paper from the cartridge.

  For this reason, it is desirable that the cartridge in which the roll paper is stored be configured so that the roll paper can be reliably pulled out of the cartridge so that printing can be performed smoothly when the cartridge is remounted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a cartridge in which roll paper is stored, even when the roll paper is returned to the cartridge after printing is completed, printing can be resumed smoothly at the next printing. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, a cartridge according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A cartridge that is detachable from a printer that prints an image on roll paper,
Roll paper wound on rollers,
A flange made of an elastic member, provided at an end of the roller, for holding roll paper wound around the roller;
A separation member for sending the roll paper out of the cartridge,
When the roller is rotated in the direction of feeding out the roll paper, the roll paper is sent out of the cartridge by contacting the separation member,
When the roller is rotated in the direction of rewinding the roll paper, the roll paper that has been sent to the outside of the cartridge is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the flange, thereby being rewound inside the cartridge. And

In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A printer that prints images on roll paper,
A roll paper wound around a roller, a flange provided at an end of the roller and configured to hold the roll paper wound around the roller, and made of an elastic member; and for feeding the roll paper out of the cartridge A mounting portion for mounting a cartridge having a separating member;
A rotation driving unit for rotating the roller included in the cartridge mounted on the mounting unit, and
When the roller is rotated in the direction of feeding out the roll paper, the roll paper is sent out of the cartridge by contacting the separation member,
When the roller is rotated in the direction of rewinding the roll paper, the roll paper that has been fed out of the cartridge is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the flange, thereby being rewound inside the cartridge. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, in a cartridge in which roll paper is stored, even when roll paper is returned into the cartridge after printing is completed, printing can be smoothly resumed at the next printing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, “printing” refers to a series of overall operations from performing printing based on a printing instruction from the user, cutting the roll paper to a predetermined size, and discharging the roll paper. Also, “printing” refers to an operation of recording an image on a roll paper by performing a thermal transfer of the ink applied to the ink ribbon on the roll paper in a printing operation.

[First Embodiment]
1. External configuration diagram of a printer and the cartridge 1 is a diagram illustrating the external configuration of the cartridge 110 used in the printer 100 and the printer 100 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes a housing 101 having a mounting portion whose side surface is opened and closed and a cartridge 110 is detachable (mountable / removable) in the direction of an arrow 120. A display unit 102 and an operation unit 103 are disposed on the upper portion of the housing 101.

  The display unit 102 includes a display screen such as an LCD, and displays image data to be printed and a menu for inputting setting data necessary for printing.

  The operation unit 103 includes a power switch 104 for instructing power ON / OFF of the printer, and a selection switch 105 for selecting various menus displayed on the display unit 102. Further, a left / right key 106 and an up / down key 107 for moving the cursor displayed on the display unit 102 to a desired position are arranged around the selection switch 105.

  The cartridge 110 contains an ink ribbon to which ink is applied and roll paper (a belt-like recording medium wound around a roller) as photographic paper. Further, in a state before the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100, the roll paper is sealed by the housing 111, and the user cannot directly touch the roll paper. At the time of printing, the roll paper is pulled out from the cartridge 110, and printing is performed by transferring the ink applied to the ink ribbon onto the roll paper by the thermal head of the printer.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a rotating shaft of a roller around which roll paper is wound. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100, the rotating shaft 112 is coupled to a rotation mechanism of a paper feed motor included in the printer 100. The rotation is controlled by.

  Reference numerals 113 and 114 denote rotation axes of the ink ribbon supply roller and the take-up roller, respectively. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100, the take-up roller rotation shaft 114 is coupled to the rotation mechanism of the ink ribbon take-up motor included in the printer 100, and the rotation is controlled by the printer 100.

2. Functional block diagram 2 of a printer is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printer 100. A main controller 201 controls the entire printer 100.

  A ROM 202 is connected to the main controller 201 and stores a control program and the like. The main controller 201 operates according to the control program stored in the ROM 202. The RAM 203 is used as a work memory for arithmetic processing of the main controller, and various setting data input via the operation unit 103 are also temporarily stored.

  Reference numerals 224Y, 224M, and 224C denote image buffers for storing image data received via the image data input unit 229. 224Y is a yellow image buffer that temporarily stores yellow image data, and 224M and 224C are image buffers that temporarily store magenta and cyan image data, respectively.

  Reference numeral 227 denotes a thermal head. When the built-in heating element generates heat, the ink applied to the ink ribbon is sublimated and printed on the roll paper.

  Reference numeral 226 denotes a head drive circuit that drives a heating element (not shown) built in the thermal head 227. Printing is performed by the driver controller 225 connected to the main controller 201 controlling the head driving circuit 226 using the image data recorded in the bitmap format in the image buffers 224Y to 224C.

  Reference numeral 211 denotes a roll paper transport motor driver for driving the drive motors 212 and 213. The drive motors 212 and 213 (rotation drive unit) are coupled to a decurling roller, a grip roller, a paper discharge roller, a paper discharge kick roller, and the like, which will be described later, through a rotation mechanism, and drive these rollers. Transport roll paper.

  Reference numeral 214 denotes a paper feed motor driver that controls the rotation of the paper feed motor 215. In a state where the cartridge 110 is mounted, the paper feed motor 215 is coupled to the roller around which the roll paper is wound through a rotation mechanism, and the paper feed motor driver 214 controls the rotation of the roller.

  An ink ribbon take-up motor driver 216 controls the rotation of the ink ribbon take-up motor 217. In a state where the cartridge 110 is mounted, the ink ribbon take-up roller and the ink ribbon take-up motor 217 are coupled via a rotation mechanism, and the ink ribbon take-up motor driver 216 controls the take-up of the ink ribbon.

  Reference numeral 218 denotes a head up / down motor driver. The driver 218 controls the rotation of the head up / down motor 219 that moves the thermal head 227 up and down, so that the thermal head 227 operates between the printing position and the retracted position.

  Reference numeral 220 denotes a cutter motor driver. The cutter motor driver 220 controls the cutter blades constituting the cutter unit and the cutter motor 221 that drives the cutter receiving blade, whereby the roll paper is cut.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes an end detection sensor, which is arranged in the roller of the cartridge 110, and when the roll paper wound around the roller is consumed and the remaining amount of the roll paper wound around the roller becomes less than one roll This is detected. When the end is detected, a message that the remaining amount of roll paper is low is displayed on the display unit 102.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a roll paper detection sensor, which detects that the roll paper arranged in the cartridge 110 has been sent out and that the leading end has been discharged from the cartridge outlet. The roll paper detection sensor is provided in the vicinity of the cartridge outlet in the width direction of the roll paper, and detects both ends (right end and left end) in the width direction of the roll paper discharged from the cartridge outlet. . Based on the difference in detection timing of the roll paper detection sensor 205, the printer 100 can recognize the inclination in the width direction of the roll paper pushed out from the cartridge outlet.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a roll paper cueing sensor, which is arranged behind a platen roller provided to face the thermal head 227, and the leading end of the roll paper pulled out from the cartridge 110 has passed behind the platen roller at the start of printing. Detect that.

  Reference numeral 207 denotes a ribbon cueing sensor that detects an identification band applied to the tip of each color of the ink ribbon. The winding operation of the ink ribbon by the ink ribbon winding motor 217 is controlled based on the detection result of the ribbon cueing sensor 207.

  An environmental temperature sensor 208 detects the ambient temperature of the environment where the printer 100 is placed. The input energy input to the thermal head 227 by the head drive circuit 226 is controlled based on the detection result of the environmental temperature sensor 208.

  A head pressure detection sensor 209 detects the head pressure when the thermal head 227 descends to the printing position and presses the ink ribbon and roll paper with the platen roller during printing.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a printing range identification sensor, which is arranged in the vicinity of the cutter unit and identifies a printed range.

  A display control unit 222 controls the display unit 102 to display a menu for inputting image data to be printed and setting data necessary for printing.

  An IC read / write unit 230 reads information from a cartridge information chip (IC) arranged in the cartridge 110 and writes information to the IC. Information read from the IC includes, for example, roll paper size (width, thickness, length), roll paper characteristics, roller diameter, ink ribbon manufacturing information, ink ribbon characteristic information, and ink ribbon take-up roller. And the diameter of the ink ribbon supply roller. Examples of information written in the IC include information on the number of printed sheets, information on the number of printed sheets, information on cause of printing errors, and the like.

3. Detailed Configuration of Cartridge Next , the detailed configuration of the cartridge 110 will be described. FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the cartridge 110.

  As described above, when the cartridge 110 is detached from the printer 100, the roll paper is accommodated in the housing 111 so that the user cannot directly touch the roll paper from the outside. With such a configuration, mixing of foreign matters and the like into the cartridge 110 is avoided.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes a contact for transmitting the output of the end detection sensor 204 arranged in the roller to the printer 100. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100, it is combined with a contact (not shown) on the printer 100 side, and the output of the end detection sensor 204 is transmitted to the printer 100.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cartridge 110. The internal configuration of the cartridge 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes an upper housing that covers the upper portion of the ink ribbon unit 402 (a first storage portion that stores an ink ribbon wound around a supply roller, and an ink after the ink is transferred to a recording medium). It functions as a second storage portion for storing the ribbon). An ink ribbon unit 402 includes a supply roller 402-2 around which the ink ribbon 402-1 before use is wound, and a take-up roller 402-3 around which the used ink ribbon 402-1 is wound up. The supply roller 402-2 and the take-up roller 402-3 are rotatably supported by the housing 111.

  Reference numeral 403 denotes a guide roller that defines a transport path of the ink ribbon 402-1 when the take-up roller 402-3 winds the used ink ribbon 402-1. The guide roller 403 is rotatably supported by the housing 111.

  A roll paper unit 404 includes a roller 404-1, a roll paper 404-2 wound around the roller 404-1, and a flange 404-3. The roller 404-1 is rotatably supported by the side housing 405 and the housing 111. Details of the roll paper unit 404 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The side housing 405 covers the side surface of the roll paper unit 404 and pivotally supports the roller 404-1. Moreover, the separation member 406 for peeling off the front-end | tip part of the roll paper 404-2 wound by the roller 404-1 from the wound part (roller 404-1) is provided.

  13A is a perspective view in which the roll paper unit 404 and the side housing 405 are combined, and shows a state of the side housing 405 as viewed from the separation member 406 side (the separation member 406 is illustrated in detail). )

  As shown in (a) of FIG. 13A, the separating member 406 is configured to discharge the roll paper 404-2 moving in the arrow 506 ′ direction to the outside of the cartridge 110 when the roller 404-1 rotates in the arrow 506 direction. And a guide plate 510 for guiding the cartridge toward the cartridge outlet. The roll paper 404-2 proceeding in the direction of the arrow 506 'is successively peeled off from the roller 404-1 at the end 511 of the guide plate 510.

  That is, the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off from the roller 404-1 by the separating member 406 only by rotating the roller 404-1 in the direction of the arrow 506 by the rotation mechanism of the printer, and is discharged from the cartridge by further rotating. The Then, the roll paper 404-2 is sent to the paper transport path of the printer. Then, the roll paper 404-2 is sent out to a conveyance path in the printer.

  Therefore, the roll paper 404-2 can be easily discharged from the cartridge 110 without providing the cartridge 110 with a dedicated roller or the like for feeding the roll paper.

  Here, when the peeled roll paper 404-2 is guided toward the cartridge outlet, the roll paper 404-2 is not directly in contact with the guide plate 510, and is provided at both ends of the guide plate 510. The slanted members 512 and 513 are supported.

  FIG. 13A (b) is a diagram illustrating a state where the peeled roll paper 404-2 is supported by the oblique members 512 and 513 when being guided toward the cartridge outlet.

  As shown in FIG. 13A (b), the oblique members 512 and 513 are arranged on both ends of the guide plate 510 in accordance with the width dimension of the roll paper 404-2, and the respective inclined surfaces 512A and 513A are rolls. Both ends 507 and 508 in the width direction of the paper 404-2 are supported. As a result, the stamp screen 509 of the roll paper 404-2 is transported without contacting the guide plate 510.

  As described above, by supporting the roll paper 404-2 at both ends in the width direction, the roll paper 404-2 is stabilized in the cartridge outlet direction without pinching the marking screen 509 of the roll paper 404-2. Can be guided.

  FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the peeled roll paper 404-2 is guided to the cartridge exit direction.

  Next, details of the roll paper unit 404 will be described with reference to FIG. An elastic member flange 404-3 is provided at both ends of the roller 404-1. This flange can prevent the roll paper 404-2 from shifting in the width direction.

  Further, the flange 404-3 has a cylindrical holding portion 503, and the holding portion 503 prevents the roll paper 404-2 from spreading in the outer diameter direction of the flange 404-3 due to its rigidity. It is out. The holding portion 503 is formed with notches 501 for gripping both ends of the leading end of the roll paper.

  The roll paper unit 404 is rotated by rotating the roller 404-1. As described above, when the roll paper unit 404 rotates, the state shown in FIG. 13B is obtained, and the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off from the roll paper unit 404 by the separation member 406 and guided toward the outlet of the cartridge. It is burned.

  Here, since the flange 404-3 is made of an elastic member, when the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off by the separation member 406, the roll paper 404-2 is spread and curved in the width direction. When the flange 404-3 is curved, the roll paper 404-2 is pulled off from the roll paper unit 404 over the holding portion 503 of the flange 404-3.

  Next, the notch 501 will be described in detail. The notch 501 has a shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 16B corresponds to the state of FIG. 13A (a), and FIG. 16C corresponds to the state of FIG. 13B.

  By rotating the roll paper unit 404 from the state of FIG. 16B in the direction of feeding the roll paper, the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off by the separation member 406, and the flange 404-3 is curved. And it will be in the state of FIG.16 (c) which the holding | maintenance part 503 of the flange 404-3 hold | maintained both ends of the roll paper 404-2. When the roll paper unit 404 is further rotated, the roll paper 404-2 is further peeled off, and the portion where both ends of the roll paper 404-2 are held by the flange 404-3 moves.

  At this time, since the flange 404-3 is curved and spreads in the roll paper width direction, the roll paper 404-2 receives an elastic force from the flange 404-3 and is urged toward the center in the width direction. This urging force causes the roll paper 404-2 to swell at the center in the width direction, thereby reducing curling of the roll paper 404-2 and imparting rigidity to the roll paper 404-2 in the longitudinal direction.

  As a result, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of the roll paper 404-2 is reliably brought into contact with the separation member 406, and the roll paper 404-2 can be stably pulled out from the cartridge 110. Further, since the central portion swells, only the end surface in the width direction of the roll paper 404-2 can come into contact with the housing of the conveyance path until the cartridge 110 is discharged and the member forming the conveyance path. This makes it possible to avoid scratching the stamp screen.

  By rotating the roll paper unit 404 from the state of FIG. 16C in the roll paper rewind direction, a force is applied to the roll paper 404-2 in the direction of winding around the roller 404-1. Then, the roll paper that has been fed to the outside of the roll paper unit 404 is gradually drawn into the roll paper unit 404 from the portion where both ends are held by the flange 404-3.

  Therefore, by holding both ends of the roll paper 404-2, the portion where the flange 404-3 is curved moves in the direction of feeding the roll paper 404-2. By rotating the roll paper unit 404 in the roll paper winding direction, the portion of the flange 404-3 holding both ends of the roll paper 404-2 moves to the notch 501 of the flange 404-3. As a result, both ends of the roll paper 404-2 are gripped by the notch portion 501. In this case, even if the roll paper unit 404 is rotated in the roll paper rewinding direction, the roll paper 404-2 is not drawn into the roll paper unit 404, and the scraping portion 501 holds both ends of the roll paper 404-2. Maintain the state. As a result, the roll paper 404-2 is wound around the outer diameter side (outer peripheral portion) of the holding portion 503 of the flange 404-3 starting from the notch portion 501.

  As described above, the roll paper unit 404 always holds both ends of the roll paper 404-2 at the notch portion 501 when the roll paper 404-2 is rewound onto the roll paper unit 404. Therefore, the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 is always outside the roll paper unit 404, and the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off from the roll paper unit 404 by the separation member 406 when the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out again. Is possible.

  Further, the roll paper unit 404 is configured to rotate only when the printer is mounted so as not to rotate inadvertently inside the cartridge 110. The mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a state where the cartridge 110 is not attached to the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  At one end of the roll paper unit 404, a concave engaging portion 404-4 for preventing rotation is provided. Further, a convex engaging member 111-1 that can be engaged with the engaging portion 404-4 is provided inside the housing of the cartridge 110.

  Further, a one-sided spring 111-2 is provided on the other end side of the roll paper unit 404, and the one-sided spring 111-2 biases the roll paper unit 404 toward the engaging member 111-1. Therefore, in a state where the cartridge 110 is not attached to the printer, the engaging portion 404-4 and the uneven shape of the engaging member 111-1 are fitted. As a result, the roll paper unit 404 is fixed inside the cartridge and cannot be rotated.

  FIG. 15 shows a state where the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100. When the cartridge 110 is mounted, the rotation shaft of the roller 404-1 and the rotation shaft of the printer 100 are fitted. Due to the fitting of the roller 404-1 with the rotating shaft, the roll paper unit 404 is urged toward the side spring 111-2 and moves. By moving the roll paper unit 404, the engagement portion 404-4 and the engagement member 111-1 are disengaged, and the roll paper unit 404 can be rotated.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the roll paper unit 404 from rotating only when the cartridge 110 is attached to the printer 100 and to prevent the roll paper unit 404 from rotating when the cartridge 110 is removed from the printer 100.

4). Configuration of the printer interior in a state in which the cartridge is set Figure 6, a state in which the cartridge 110 is mounted in the printer 100 is a cross-sectional view when viewed from the side of the printer 100. The configuration of each unit that operates when the printer 100 performs print processing will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the above description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the components already described, and the description is omitted here.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a conveyance path through which the roll paper 404-2 included in the cartridge 110 passes when being drawn to the printing position 611 at the time of printing. Reference numeral 602 denotes a cartridge outlet. The roll paper 404-2 that has been wound around the roller 404-1 is pulled off by the separation member 406, thereby being drawn out of the cartridge 110 from the cartridge outlet 602 and passing through the conveyance path 601.

  Reference numerals 603-1 and 603-2 denote a decurling roller and a decurling driven roller, which correct the curl of the roll paper 404-2. Reference numerals 604-1 and 604-2 denote a grip roller and a pinch roller, which are arranged at positions facing each other via the roll paper 404-2 and sandwich the front and back surfaces of the roll paper 404-2. When the pair of rollers rotate forward (the grip roller 604-1 rotates counterclockwise toward the paper surface), the roll paper 404-2 pulled out from the cartridge 110 moves toward the printing position 611. Be transported.

  When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100, the housing of the cartridge 110 that has covered the ink ribbon 402-1 at a position corresponding to the printing position 611 is removed. The ink ribbon 402-1 is exposed to the outside of the cartridge 110.

  Reference numeral 605 denotes a platen roller, which maintains the state in which the ink ribbon 402-1 and the roll paper 404-2 are overlapped with the thermal head 227 at the printing position 611.

  A paper discharge roller 606 conveys the roll paper 404-2 in the paper discharge direction. Reference numeral 607 denotes a paper discharge kick roller, which has a concavo-convex portion and kicks the printed and cut roll paper 404-2 into a paper discharge box (not shown). The paper discharge roller 606 and the paper discharge kick roller 607 are arranged at positions facing each other via the roll paper 404-2, and sandwich the front and back surfaces of the roll paper 404-2.

  Reference numeral 608 denotes a gear train that transmits the operation of the cutter motor 221 to the cutter unit. Reference numerals 609 and 610 denote a cutter blade and a cutter receiving blade constituting the cutter unit, which are arranged at positions facing each other across the conveyance path of the roll paper 404-2. The cutter blade 609 and the cutter receiving blade 610 are driven by a gear train 608, and the upper and lower blades are rubbed together in a scissors shape to cut the roll paper 404-2.

  In FIG. 6, the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off by the separation member 406 and remains in the transport path 601. However, in the printer 100, the state is not realized immediately after the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100.

  Therefore, hereinafter, the roll paper unit from when the cartridge 110 is mounted until the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off by the separation member 406 and remains in the conveyance path 601 (state shown in FIG. 6). The operation 404 will be briefly described.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of the roll paper unit 404 immediately after the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100, the rotation axis of the roller 404-1 is coupled with the rotation mechanism of the printer 100, so that the rotation of the roller 404-1 is controlled by the printer 100.

  FIG. 17A shows a state immediately after the cartridge 110 is mounted. When the cartridge 110 is loaded and the roll paper transport operation is started, a rotation driving force is applied to the roller 404-1 by the rotation mechanism of the printer 110, and the roll paper unit 404 rotates (FIG. 17A). → (b)). When the roll paper unit 404 is rotated, the state shown in FIG. 17C in which the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 is in contact with the separation member 406 is obtained. Then, the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off from the roll paper unit 404 by the separation member 406, and the roll paper 404-2 is guided toward the cartridge outlet (FIG. 17D).

  In this manner, the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out from the roll paper unit 404 and the cartridge 110. In the state of FIG. 17D, when the rotation of the roller 404-1 is stopped, the leading end portion of the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off and remains in the conveyance path 601. That is, the state of FIG. 6 is realized.

  In this state, by rotating the roll paper unit 404, the roll paper 404-2 can be conveyed in the roll paper feeding direction.

5. Overall Flow of Print Processing Next, the overall flow of print processing in the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of printing processing in the printer 100. After the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100 and the power is turned on, the state of FIG. 6 is realized, while reading of the information of the IC arranged in the cartridge 110 is completed and the image data to be printed is captured. When is completed, the process shown in FIG. 8 is started.

  In step S <b> 801, information regarding image data selected as a print target by the user from the image data displayed on the display unit 102 is received via the operation unit 103. Note that the number of image data that can be selected as a print target is not limited to one, and may be plural.

  In step S <b> 802, it is determined whether there is a print instruction from the user via the operation unit 103. If it is determined in step S802 that there is a print instruction, the process advances to step S803.

  In step S803, it is determined whether printing is possible. Here, it is determined based on the remaining amount of roll paper 404-2 whether all the image data selected in step S801 can be printed. It is assumed that the remaining amount of roll paper 404-2 is calculated based on the detection result of the end detection sensor 204.

  If it is determined in step S803 that printing is not possible, a message indicating that printing is not possible is displayed on the display unit 102, and the process proceeds to step S806.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S803 that printing is possible, the process proceeds to step S804, and print data (drawing data) for each color is generated based on the selected image data.

  In step S805, printing processing is performed using the generated print data. Details of the printing process will be described later.

  In step S806, it is determined whether there is the next image data selected as a print target. If it is determined in step S806 that there is the next image data selected as a print target, the process returns to step S803 and the above processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S806 that there is no next image data selected as a print target, or if it is determined in step S803 that printing is not possible, the process proceeds to step S807.

  In step S807, end processing is performed to return to the state of FIG. Specifically, the thermal head 227 is returned to the retracted position, and the roll paper 404-2 is wound so that the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 comes to the transport path 601.

6). Operation during Print Processing Next , the operation of the printer 100 during the print processing in step S805 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

6.1 Pulling out Roll Paper In the state shown in FIG. 6, when the roller 404-1 that rotates integrally with the roll paper 404-2 is driven (clockwise counterclockwise), the roll paper 404-2 is rotated. When the roll paper 404-2 is rotated, the roll paper 404-2 wound around the roller 404-1 is peeled off one after another by the separation member 406 and sent out to the conveyance path 601. As a result, the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 is discharged from the cartridge outlet 602.

  In the vicinity of the cartridge outlet 602, there is a roll paper detection sensor 205 (not shown in FIG. 6), which is provided facing the width of the roll paper 404-2 with a sufficient distance.

  Accordingly, when the roll paper 404-2 is discharged from the cartridge outlet 602, it is determined how much the roll paper 404-2 is discharged based on the difference in detection timing of the roll paper detection sensor 205. it can.

  Here, if the determined inclination is equal to or larger than the allowable amount, the pulling-out operation is stopped and a warning is displayed on the display unit 102. When the roll paper 404-2 is drawn obliquely, the inclination at that time is promoted while being conveyed through the printer 100. As a result, accurate printing cannot be performed, and in the worst case, the width of the roll paper 404-2 that can be conveyed within the printer 100 is deviated.

6.2 The roll paper 404-2 drawn out from the roll paper decurling cartridge outlet 602 is guided to the curl removing roller 603-1 and the curl is removed.

  The curl removing roller 603-1 is made of soft rubber, and presses against a hard curl driven roller 603-2 disposed at an opposing position to deform the roll paper 404-2, thereby causing the roll paper 404- Bend the traveling direction of 2 by about 90 degrees.

  With such a configuration, the curl caused by being wound around the roller 404-1 by squeezing on the side opposite to the winding direction around the roller 404-1 is eliminated. Needless to say, curl removal is not realized only by such a configuration, but may be realized by other configurations. For example, the curling may be performed by passing a hard wall-shaped member, or the curling may be performed by passing a plurality of curling rollers through a zigzag.

  The curl removing roller 603-1 is separated from the curl driven roller 603-2 when the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out. The roll paper 404-2 is pressed against the curl driven roller 603-2 at the timing when the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out to the position of the curl removal roller 603-1, and the roll paper 404-2 is sandwiched.

6.3 The roll paper 404-2 after the curling of the roll paper has been decurled is conveyed by the curl removing roller 603-1 and reaches the grip roller section.

  The grip roller unit includes a grip roller 604-1 and a pinch roller 604-2. Until the roll paper 404-2 reaches the grip roller section, the grip roller 604-1 is separated from the pinch roller 604-2. Then, at the timing when the roll paper 404-2 is conveyed to the position of the grip roller portion, the roll paper 404-2 is pressed against the pinch roller 604-2, and the roll paper 404-2 is held.

  Fine protrusion-like claws are formed on the surface of the grip roller 604-1, and the claws grip the roll paper 404-2 by biting into the back surface of the roll paper 404-2.

  The roll paper 404-2 gripped by the grip roller section is further transported and passes between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605 arranged to face the thermal head 227 (see FIG. 9).

  A roll paper cueing sensor 206 (not shown in FIG. 9) is arranged behind the platen roller 605. When the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 passes between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605, the roll paper cueing sensor 206 is arranged. The paper cueing sensor 206 is turned on.

  When the main controller 201 receives the ON signal of the roll paper cueing sensor 206, the main controller 201 calculates how far the roll paper 404-2 should be conveyed. The roll paper 404-2 is conveyed by a grip roller 604-1 controlled based on the calculation result, and stops when it reaches a predetermined position (printing start position) (the cueing of the roll paper 404-2 is completed). In this manner, after the roll paper necessary for printing one image is pulled out from the cartridge 110, the apparatus waits at the print start position.

6.4 Printing Operation 6.4.1 Head Down When the cueing of the roll paper 404-2 is completed, the ink ribbon 402-1 stored in the cartridge 110 is taken up. The ink ribbon 402-1 is taken up via a ribbon take-up motor 217 provided in the printer 100 and a gear train connected to the motor.

  An identification band is applied in a band shape in the width direction of the ink ribbon 402-1 at the cueing position of each surface of the Y, M, C, and overcoat layers on the ink ribbon 402-1. In particular, an identification band of a different color is applied to the leading portion of the first Y surface that is a reference for printing.

  In the present embodiment, two identification bands are applied to the head portion of the Y surface, and are distinguished from the head portions of other colors having one identification band. These distinctions are identified by the ribbon cue sensor 207, and the identification result is transmitted to the main controller 201 so that the main controller 201 can recognize that it is the first surface of the print.

  When the ribbon cue sensor 207 identifies that two identification bands are applied, the main controller 201 stops the ink ribbon take-up motor 217. At the same time, a head up / down motor 219 for moving the thermal head 227 up and down is driven to rotate the thermal head 227 to the printing position 611.

  The thermal head 227 is rotatably arranged on the base of the printer 100 via a head lever 612, and the head up / down motor 219 drives the head lever 612 to rotate the thermal head 227 to the printing position 611 ( (See FIG. 10).

  The base of the printer 100 has a support portion that supports the rotation center of the head lever 612, the rotation center of the grip roller portion, and the rotation center of the platen roller 605. These components are configured as a unit. . The correlation between the dimensions of these parts greatly affects the printing performance. By configuring the parts as described above, the head touch is stabilized as compared with the case where these parts are configured separately.

6.4.2 Curling removal OFF
When the thermal head 227 is rotated to a predetermined printing position 611, the curl removing roller 603-1 is detached from the curl driven roller 603-2, and curling is turned off. This is to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the roll paper 404-2 during the printing operation.

6.4.3 Printing When the thermal head 227 reaches the printing position 611, reciprocating conveyance of the roll paper is started by the grip roller 604-1, and printing is started.

  Here, when the roll paper 404-2 wound around the roller 404-1 is conveyed in the opposite direction by the grip roller 604-1, the roll paper 404-2 returns to the inside of the cartridge 110. At this time, the paper feed motor 215 operates to rotate the roll paper unit 404 in the opposite direction (reverse conveyance direction) to the rotation direction when the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out before the start of printing. The operation of the roll paper unit 404 inside the cartridge 110 and the roll paper 404-2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Before the start of printing, the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out from the cartridge 110 by rotating the roll paper unit 404 in the transport direction as shown in FIG.

  When winding the roll paper 404-2 in the cartridge, first, as shown in FIG. 18B, the roll paper unit 404 is rotated in a winding direction opposite to the conveying direction. When the roll paper is rotated in the rewind direction, the roll paper 404-2 pulled out from the roll paper unit 404 is wound inside the roll paper unit while deforming the holding portion 503 of the flange as described above. .

  When the roll paper 404-2 held by the holding unit 503 reaches the notch 501 in the state shown in FIG. 18B, the roll paper 404-2 is gripped by the notch 501 and the roll paper unit. 404 will not be drawn inside.

  In other words, when the roll paper 404-2 is rewound, the roll paper 404-2 is wound inside the roll paper unit 404 until the state shown in FIG. However, at this point, a sufficiently long roll paper 404-2 has already been pulled out of the cartridge 110. That is, the roll paper 404-2 having a distance longer than the outer periphery of the roll paper unit 404 is pulled out from the cartridge 110.

  Therefore, the roll paper 404-2 is not completely drawn into the roll paper unit 404. When rewinding, it may be controlled to rewind after confirming that the roll paper 404-2 having a longer distance than the outer periphery of the roll paper unit 404 has been pulled out of the cartridge 110.

  When the roll paper unit 404 is further rotated from the state of FIG. 18B, the roll paper 404-2 is wound around the outer diameter side (outer peripheral portion) of the holding portion 503 of the flange 404-3 starting from the notch portion 501. (FIG. 18 (c) → FIG. 18 (d)). Since the roll paper 404-3 is wound up using the outer diameter of the flange 404-3, the roll paper 404-2 can be stably conveyed.

  Further, when the cartridge 110 is removed from the printer 100, even if the roll paper unit 404 rotates within the cartridge 110, the roll paper 404-2 rotates while being wound around the holding portion 503 of the flange 404-3. For this reason, the leading edge of the roll paper 404-2 is not drawn into the roll paper unit 404.

  When the first color (Y) printing is completed and the second color (M) printing is started, the roller 404-1 and the flange 404-3 are rotated in the forward direction, and the roll paper 404-2 wound around the holding unit 503 is removed. The cartridge 110 is discharged again. Such roll paper transport operation is performed for each color (Y, M, C, overcoat).

  The paper feed motor 215 has a clutch mechanism having a sliding torque. When operating in the direction in which the roll paper 404-2 is sent out with this configuration, all the force from the paper feed motor 215 is transmitted, and when operating in the rewinding direction, it operates with a predetermined slip torque.

  With such a configuration, when the roll paper 404-2 is rewound during the printing operation, the roll paper 404-2 can be rewound without applying excessive stress to the portion pulled out by the grip roller unit.

  The winding length of the ink ribbon 402-1 at the time of printing, the rewinding length of the roll paper 404-2, and the transport distance of the roll paper 404-2 by the grip roller unit are applied to the ink ribbon 402-1. The detection timing of the identification band is controlled as a print start reference.

  For example, when the postcard size cartridge 110 is mounted, about 150 mm, and when the L size cartridge 110 is mounted, about 127 mm is printed. Control. As a result, printing is performed in a range corresponding to the size.

  Note that the type of the mounted cartridge can be recognized by the IC read / write unit 230 reading information on the IC arranged in the cartridge 110.

6.4.4 Improving image quality for writing During printing operation, the manufacturing information (for example, density information) of the ink ribbon 402-1 read from the IC arranged in the cartridge 110 is used to adjust the energy applied to the thermal head 227. .

  Further, the main controller 201 acquires the ambient temperature of the usage environment from the ambient temperature sensor 208 provided in the printer 100, and calculates the optimum input energy from the ambient temperature and the manufacturing information of the ink ribbon 402-1. To do. Then, the energy applied to the thermal head 227 is adjusted based on the calculation result.

  More specifically, when the ambient temperature is low, the thermal head 227 does not sufficiently increase the temperature of the thermal head 227 particularly immediately after the start of printing, and therefore, in the vicinity of the printing start position on the roll paper 404-2. There is a tendency that the printing result becomes thin. For this reason, the image quality of the roll paper 404-2 immediately after the start of printing becomes uneven in the vicinity of the end (the end on the side cut by the cutter unit).

  In order to avoid such a situation, the printer 100 according to the present embodiment performs an operation of storing the residual heat immediately before the start of printing, or inputs thermal energy in consideration of temperature characteristic information of the ink ribbon 402-1. Therefore, the image quality near the cut surface is improved.

6.4.5 Print end operation Immediately after the print end (that is, the leading end of the roll paper 404-2) has passed through the heating element of the thermal head 227, the print operation (heating operation) continues.

  For this reason, the thermal head 227 falls from the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 together with the head lever 612 and comes into contact with the platen roller 605 that is a rubber member, so that the platen roller 605 may be deformed or melted. It can be.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the thermal head 227 is configured not to move more than the thickness of the roll paper 404-2 in the pressing direction of the platen roller 605. However, the method for avoiding the deformation of the platen roller 605 is not limited to this. For example, the head pressure detection sensor 209 is configured to stop the input of energy to the thermal head 227 by detecting a pressure change that occurs when the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 is removed from the thermal head 227. Also good.

6.4.6 Print completion When the printing operation is executed for a predetermined length from the printing start reference, the winding operation of the ink ribbon 402-1 and the rewinding operation of the roll paper 404-2 are stopped, and the grip The conveyance of the roll paper 404-2 by the roller 604-1 is stopped.

6.4.7 Sending in the paper discharge direction When printing on the roll paper 404-2 is completed, the head up / down motor 219 is driven to rotate the head lever 612, and is fixed integrally with the head lever 612. The thermal head 227 is retracted to a predetermined retract position. At this time, a minute amount of the ink ribbon 402-1 is wound up to take up the slack of the ink ribbon 402-1.

  Next, the roll paper 404-2 is conveyed to the printing start position. The conveyance at this time is performed for the conveyance distance at the time of printing.

  When the print start position is reached, the same print operation is started for M ink. Further, after the printing operation for M ink, the same processing is performed for C ink and overcoat. That is, one complete image is generated by four reciprocating conveyances of Y, M, C, and overcoat.

6.5 Cut and paper discharge operation 6.5.1 Conveyance to cutting position When the overcoat process is completed, the roll paper 404-2 is conveyed to the cutting position. In the present embodiment, a printing range identification sensor 210 (not shown in FIG. 10) is disposed in the vicinity of the cutter unit in order to make the cutting position with the cutter unit more accurate. Then, the printed range is determined based on the output signal from the print range identification sensor 210, and the conveyance amount of the roll paper 404-2 is corrected based on the determined print range.

6.5.2 Operation of paper discharge roller When the roll paper 404-2 reaches the cutting position of the cutter unit, the paper discharge roller 606 is driven to grip the roll paper 404-2 (see FIG. 11).

6.5.3 Cutting process In addition to the cutter blade 609, the cutter motor 221 having a gear train 608 for driving the cutter blade 609 and the cutter receiving blade 610 disposed facing the cutter blade 609 are integrated in the cutter unit. It is structured. The cutter unit is detachably attached to the printer 100 from the outside.

  This is because the cutter unit 609 may lack the cutter blade 609 due to its structure, and the replacement work may occur. Therefore, the replacement work can be easily performed.

  When the cutter motor 221 of the cutter unit is driven, the roll paper 404-2 is cut. In the present embodiment, the cutting method using the cutter blade 609 is described as a method of scissoring the upper and lower blades and sequentially cutting in the width direction of the roll paper 404-2. However, the present invention is particularly limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, a cutting method of traveling while rotating a circular rotary blade may be used, or a method of cutting at a stroke by moving the cutter blade vertically in the vertical direction may be used.

6.5.4 Paper Discharge The remainder of the roll paper 404-2 whose tip has been cut by the cutting process is gripped by the paper discharge roller 606.

  From this state, the paper discharge roller 606 is driven, and the roll paper 404-2 is conveyed in the paper discharge direction. Here, the paper discharge roller 606 is provided with a paper discharge kick roller 607 at an opposing position. When the printed roll paper 404-2 is conveyed in the paper discharge direction, the paper discharge kick roller 607 is provided. The end portion of the printed roll paper 404-2 is engaged with the uneven portion. As a result, the printed roll paper 404-2 is kicked to a paper discharge box (not shown).

  At this time, the kicking auxiliary lever arranged coaxially with the rotation shaft of the paper discharge roller 606 urges the printed screen of the roll paper 404-2 printed in the direction of the paper discharge box. Printed roll paper can be stored in the paper box. The paper discharge roller 606 stops after being driven for a predetermined time.

6.5.5 Roll paper rewind To prevent the roll paper from being damaged when the cartridge is replaced, the roll paper is reversely conveyed until the tip of the roll paper 404-2 is stored inside the cartridge as shown in FIG. Let In addition, it may be reversely conveyed at the end of the printing operation, or may be reversely conveyed and rewinded when a cartridge replacement instruction is given.

  With the above operation, the printing process (step S805) is completed.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, the roll paper is sent out of the cartridge by rotating the roller in the direction of feeding the roll paper and bringing the roll paper into contact with the separation member. As a result, the roll paper stored in the cartridge can be easily sent out of the cartridge without providing a complicated structure such as a roller in the cartridge.

  Further, when the roll paper is stored in the cartridge, the roll paper is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the flange so that the roll paper is surely brought into contact with the separation member when the roll paper is later sent out from the cartridge. As a result, the roll paper can be reliably sent out from the cartridge only by rotating the roller in the direction in which the roll paper is sent out.

  That is, even when the roller rotates when the cartridge is removed, the leading end of the roll paper can be easily peeled off when the cartridge is remounted. As a result, printing can be resumed smoothly.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The cartridge of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the roll paper drawing and rewinding method in the roll paper unit. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the longitudinal end of the roll paper 404-2 can be held by the notch 501 by being biased in the direction of the arrow 502 by the flange 404-3. it can.

  On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, when pulling out the roll paper 404-2 from the roll paper unit 404, the flange 404-3 is fixed and the urging of the flange 404-3 is released. Then, only the roller 404-1 rotates and the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out from the roll paper unit 404.

  Further, when the roll paper 404-2 once pulled out of the cartridge 110 is rewound into the cartridge 110 again during printing, the flange 404-3 rotates together with the roller 404-1. As a result, the roll paper once drawn is wound again on the holding unit 503.

  As described above, the roller 404-1 may rotate together with the flange 404-3, and the roller 404-1 may be fixed while the flange 404-3 is fixed. Therefore, the flange 404-3 is connected to the roller 404-1, so that the rotation of the flange 404-3 can be regulated regardless of the rotation of the roller 404-1. Further, the printer 100 and the cartridge 110 are provided with a regulating member for regulating the rotation of the flange 404-3 when the roller 404-1 is rotated. Thereby, when pulling out the roll paper 404-2, the flange 404-3 can be fixed by the restriction member.

  The processing when pulling out the roll paper 404-2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of the roll paper unit 404 immediately after the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100, the rotation axis of the roller 404-1 is coupled with the rotation mechanism of the printer 100, so that the rotation of the roller 404-1 is restricted by the printer 100.

  FIG. 7A shows a state immediately after the cartridge 110 is mounted. When the cartridge 110 is mounted and the roll paper transport operation is started, the roller 404-1 and the flange 404-3 are rotated by the rotation mechanism of the printer 100 (FIG. 7A → FIG. 7B). When the roller 404-1 and the flange 404-3 rotate and the notch 501 comes to the position of FIG. 7C, the rotation of the roller 404-1 and the flange 404-3 stops. At this time, the end portion of the roll paper 404-2 is in contact with the separation member 406 and heads toward the cartridge outlet in order to be discharged out of the cartridge 110.

  Next, the flange 404-3 is fixed and only the roller 404-1 is rotated. Then, the roll paper 404-2 also rotates together with the roller 404-1, and the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out from the roll paper unit 404 to the cartridge outlet (FIG. 7D).

  In this way, the roll paper is pulled out from the cartridge 110. In the state of FIG. 7D, the rotation of the roller 404-1 stops, so that the leading end of the roll paper 404-2 is peeled off and stays in the conveyance path 601.

  Next, a process for rewinding the roll paper 404-2 during printing will be described with reference to FIG. When the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out from the cartridge 110 before the start of printing, the flange 404-3 is fixed, only the roller 404-1 is rotated, and the roll paper 404-2 is pulled out (FIG. 12A). ).

  However, when the roll paper 404-2 is conveyed in the printing direction during the printing operation and the roll paper 404-2 is stored again in the cartridge 110, both the roller 404-2 and the flange 404-3 are rotated. (FIG. 12B). Then, the roll paper 404-2 is wound on the holding portion 503 of the flange 404-3 (FIGS. 12C and 12D). In this manner, the roll paper 404-2 once pulled out from the cartridge 110 is again stored in the cartridge 110 while being conveyed in the printing direction.

  Here, even if the remaining amount of the roll paper 404-2 wound around the roller 404-2 changes and the diameter of the roll paper 404-2 changes, the diameter of the flange 404-3 is constant. For this reason, the conveyance distance of the roll paper 404-2 at the time of rewinding can be controlled accurately.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even when applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply.

  Moreover, you may adapt combining several said embodiment.

  Needless to say, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. In this case, the above functions are realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. Is also included. That is, after the program code is written in the memory, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and is realized by the processing. This is also included.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a printer 100 and a cartridge 110 used in the printer 100. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer 100. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a cartridge 110. 3 is an exploded view of the cartridge 110. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining details of a roll paper unit 404. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printer 100 as viewed from the side of the printer 100. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of a roll paper unit 404 of the cartridge 110. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of print processing in the printer. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer 100 during print processing. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer 100 during print processing. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer 100 during print processing. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of a roll paper unit 404 of the cartridge 110. 4 is a perspective view of a roll paper unit 404 and a side housing 405. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roll paper unit 404 and a side housing 405. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a roll paper unit 404. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a roll paper unit 404. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roll paper unit 404. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of a roll paper unit 404 of the cartridge 110. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of a roll paper unit 404 of the cartridge 110.

Claims (9)

A cartridge that is detachable from a printer that prints an image on roll paper,
Roll paper wound on rollers,
A flange made of an elastic member, provided at an end of the roller, for holding roll paper wound around the roller;
A separation member for sending the roll paper out of the cartridge,
When the roller is rotated in the direction of feeding out the roll paper, the roll paper is sent out of the cartridge by contacting the separation member,
When the roller is rotated in the direction of rewinding the roll paper, the roll paper that has been sent to the outside of the cartridge is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the flange, thereby being rewound inside the cartridge. Cartridge.   A cylindrical holding portion for winding the roll paper is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the flange, and the roll paper is held when the roller is rotated in the direction of feeding the roll paper. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the holding portion when the portion is deformed.   The holding part is provided with a notch, and the notch is drawn into the holding part when the roller is rotated in a direction to rewind the roll paper. 3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge is prevented.   The roll paper is wound around the outside of the holding portion starting from a notch portion of the holding portion when the roller is rotated in a direction to rewind the roll paper. Cartridge.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the separation member has inclined surfaces for supporting the roll paper contacting the separation member at both ends in the width direction of the roll paper. A printer that prints images on roll paper,
Roll paper wound around a roller, a flange provided at an end of the roller for holding the roll paper wound around the roller, and a separation made of an elastic member, and separation for feeding the roll paper out of the cartridge A mounting portion for mounting a cartridge having a member;
A rotation driving unit for rotating the roller included in the cartridge mounted on the mounting unit, and
When the roller is rotated in the direction of feeding out the roll paper, the roll paper is sent out of the cartridge by contacting the separation member,
When the roller is rotated in the direction of rewinding the roll paper, the roll paper that has been fed out of the cartridge is rewound into the cartridge by being wound around the outer periphery of the flange. Printer characterized by.   A cylindrical holding portion for winding the roll paper is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the flange, and the roll paper is held when the roller is rotated in the direction of feeding the roll paper. The printer according to claim 6, wherein when the portion is deformed, the holding portion is pulled out from the inside to the outside.   The holding part is provided with a notch part, and the notch part is drawn into the inside of the holding part when the roller is rotated in a direction to rewind the roll paper. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the printer is prevented.   The printer according to claim 6, wherein the separation member has inclined surfaces for supporting the roll paper contacting the separation member at both ends in the width direction of the roll paper.

Images