JP6722796B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer, for example, a label printer having a function of printing desired information such as characters, symbols, figures or barcodes on a label temporarily attached to a mount, and the label is temporarily attached to the mount. The present invention relates to a label printer capable of switching between a normal issuance state in which the label is issued as it is and a peeling issue state in which the label is peeled from the backing sheet and issued.

The label printer is, for example, a plurality of labels that are temporarily attached to a long-sized mount forming a label continuum in the middle of feeding and transporting a roll continuous label continuum (continuous paper) into a sheet form. Is a printer that prints desired information on each of the above.

This type of label printer includes a dual-purpose label printer that can switch between a normal issuing state and a peeling issuing state. Normal issuance is a method in which a label is issued while it is temporarily attached to a mount, and peeling issuance is a method in which a label is peeled from a mount and issued. In the case of normal issuance, the mount with the required number of labels is created by cutting, and the label can be peeled off from the mount and attached at the site, so the target to attach the label is separated from the printer. Suitable when in place. On the other hand, in the case of the peeling issue, the labels are discharged one by one in a state of being peeled off from the mount, and thus it is suitable when the object to which the label is attached is near the operator.
In the case of a dual-purpose label printer, one printer can handle two situations, which is convenient and economical (see Patent Documents 1 to 4, for example).

JP, 2001-232875, A JP, 2006-181773, A JP 2012-176498 A JP 2002-19219A

However, in a dual-purpose label printer, the work of switching between the normal issuing state and the peeling issuing state may be troublesome. In particular, in the case of a small label printer such as a portable label printer, since each part is small, it may be difficult to handle during the switching work. Therefore, in the dual-purpose label printer, how to easily and comfortably perform the switching work between the normal printing and the peeling printing is a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical background, and provides a technique capable of improving the workability of switching the issuing state of a printer capable of switching between the normal issuing state and the peeling issuing state. To aim.

An aspect of the present invention is a printer that prints and issues a label continuum in which labels are temporarily attached at intervals on a mount, a main body case, an opening/closing cover that opens and closes with respect to the main body case, and information on the label. A print head, a platen roller provided on the opening/closing cover for conveying the label continuum by sandwiching the thermal head, a first engaging claw and a nip roller, and A peeling unit for peeling from the mount, and when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state, the peeling unit is such that the nip roller is located at a first position inside an outer edge of the printer when viewed in a side view, A first state in which the nip roller is separated from the platen roller, and the nip roller is located in a second position lower than the first position in response to a pressing operation with respect to the peeling unit. and a second state to sandwich the base sheet is configured such that one of these states, the second engagement claw for fixing the first engaging claws engaged with said nip roller to said second position In the printer, when the nip roller moves from the first position to the second position in response to the pressing operation, the first engaging claw engages with the second engaging claw .

According to an aspect of the present invention , the normal issuing mode and the peeling issuing mode are switched by simply performing a simple operation in which the operator changes the position of the leading end of the label continuum prior to the start of printing. Is possible.

It is a perspective view showing an appearance of a label printer. It is a schematic diagram showing the composition of the principal part of a label printer. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which an opening/closing cover of the label printer is opened. It is a perspective view of the label continuum used for a label printer. FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view showing an opening/closing cover of the label printer. FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view showing an opening/closing cover of the label printer. It is a side view of the front-end|tip part of an opening/closing cover. It is a side view of the front-end|tip part of an opening/closing cover. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a peeling unit provided at the tip of the open/close cover. (A) is a perspective view showing a state where a part of the peeling unit is removed from the opening/closing cover, and (b) is a front view showing a state where a part of the peeling unit is removed from the opening/closing cover. It is a schematic diagram showing the composition of the principal part of a label printer at the time of the start of normal printing mode setting. (A) is a perspective view of the head bracket as seen from the front side thereof, and (b) is a perspective view of the head bracket as seen from the rear side thereof. (A) is a perspective view showing the operation of the open/close cover and the head bracket when the normal issue mode is set, and (b) is a side view showing the operation of the open/close cover and the head bracket when the normal issue mode is set. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the operations of the opening/closing cover and the head bracket when the normal issuing mode is set. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the operations of the opening/closing cover and the head bracket when the normal issuing mode is set. It is a schematic diagram showing the composition of the principal part of a label printer at the time of setting up normal printing mode. It is a schematic diagram showing the composition of the principal part of a label printer at the time of the start of setting of peeling issue mode. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the operations of the open/close cover and the head bracket when the peeling issue mode is set. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the operations of the open/close cover and the head bracket when the peeling issue mode is set. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the operations of the open/close cover and the head bracket when the peeling issue mode is set. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of main parts of an opening/closing cover and a peeling unit when the peeling issue mode is set. It is a schematic diagram showing the composition of the principal part of a label printer at the time of the start of setting of peeling issue mode.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings for describing the embodiments, the same components are denoted by the same reference symbols in principle, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

First, a schematic configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the printer of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the main part of this printer, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing the state in which the open/close cover of this printer is opened.

The printer according to the present embodiment is a portable label printer 1, and includes a main body case (housing) 2 as shown in FIG. 1, an opening/closing cover 3, and a peeling unit incorporated in a part of the opening/closing cover 3. A (peeling mechanism) 4 and a front cover 5 are provided. This label printer 1 has a simple issuing mode in which the label 26 is issued without peeling the label 26 from the mount 25 of the label continuum P described later, and a peeling issue mode in which the label 26 is peeled from the mount 25 one by one and issued. 1 to 3 show a state when the normal issue mode is set.

As shown in FIG. 2, the opening/closing cover 3 of the label printer 1 has a rear end portion (right end portion in FIG. 2).
Is pivotally supported by the main body case 2 by a hinge mechanism, and is rotated in a direction toward and away from the main body case 2. The open/close cover 3 is biased in a direction away from the main body case 2 by the elasticity of the torsion spring 6 attached to the rear end thereof.

A peeling unit 4 is incorporated at the tip of the opening/closing cover 3. In FIG. 2, among the members constituting the peeling unit 4, the peeling bar 31, the nip roller 32, and the lock member 33 are schematically shown. The specific configuration of the peeling unit 4 including the peeling bar 31, the nip roller 32, and the lock member 33 will be described in detail later.

The latter half of the inside of the main body case 2 is a paper storage unit for storing the label continuum (print medium) P, and a pair of disk-shaped paper guides 7 are installed in this paper storage unit. (Only one of them is shown in FIG. 2). These paper guides 7 come into contact with both axial end faces of the label continuum P loaded in the paper accommodating portion, rotatably support the label continuum P, and guide conveyance of the label continuum P. Further, these paper guides 7 are installed slidably in the width direction of the label continuum P via a rack and pinion mechanism or the like so that the position can be changed according to the width of the label continuum P. ..

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the label continuum P used in the label printer 1 of the present embodiment. The label continuum P has a long mount 25 and a large number of labels 26 temporarily attached to the surface (labeling surface) at predetermined intervals, and is illustrated in a state of being wound in a roll shape. The label printer 1 shown in FIG. Also, on the back surface of the mount 25, the label 2
Position detection marks 27 for detecting the positions of 6 are formed at predetermined intervals. Although not shown, the surface of the mount 25 to which the label is attached is coated with a release agent such as silicone so that the label 26 can be easily released. The surface (printing surface) of the label 26 is coated with a thermosensitive coloring layer that develops color when reaching a predetermined temperature range.

In the main body case 2 of the label printer 1, an area adjacent to the sheet storage section is a printing section. The printing unit is a functional unit that prints on the label continuum P fed from the paper storage unit, and includes a head bracket (opening/closing cover support mechanism) 11, a thermal head (printing head) 12, a coil spring 13, and a platen shown in FIG. It is composed of rollers 30 and the like. The head bracket 11, the thermal head 12, and the coil spring 13 are attached to the main body case 2 among these members forming the printing portion. On the other hand, the platen roller 30 is attached to the tip of the open/close cover 3.

The head bracket 11 attached to the main body case 2 is a member that maintains the open/close cover 3 in the closed state (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). When the open/close cover 3 is in the closed state, the open/close cover 3 is provided. It is arranged at a position facing the platen roller 30 attached to. The head bracket 11 is constantly urged by the elasticity of the coil spring 13 in a direction (close to the right in FIG. 2) approaching the platen roller 30.

The thermal head 12 is means for printing information such as characters, symbols, figures, and bar codes on the label continuum P, and is mounted on the head bracket 11 while being mounted on the circuit board 14 that transmits a print signal to the thermal head 12. It is installed. The print surface of the thermal head 12 is arranged to face the platen roller 30 when the open/close cover 3 is in the closed state. When the label printer 1 performs printing, in both the normal issuing mode and the peeling issuing mode, the label continuum P fed out from the paper storage unit is between the printing surface of the thermal head 12 and the platen roller 30. It is conveyed while being sandwiched between. Although not shown,
On the printed surface of the thermal head 12, a plurality of heating resistors (heating elements) that generate heat when energized
Is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front cover 5 is fixed to the main body case 2 so as to cover the upper portion of the main body case 2. Further, the front cover 5 is provided with an opening 5a for accommodating the opening/closing cover 3 and the peeling unit 4 in the main body case 2, and the opening 5a.
An operation panel 15 and a cover open button 20 are attached to the front side (front side of the label printer 1) of the.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 15 includes a display unit 16 for displaying operation commands and various messages of the label printer 1, operation buttons 17, 18 for operating the operation of the label printer 1,
A power button 19 for turning on/off the power of the label printer 1 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover open button 20 has a head bracket 11 at its lower end.
Is located close to. Then, when the operator pushes the cover open button 20 downward with a finger, the lower end portion thereof contacts the head bracket 11 and applies a downward force to the head bracket 11, and the closed state of the opening/closing cover 3 is released by a mechanism described later. To be done. The cover open button 20 is always urged upward by the elasticity of a spring (not shown).

Below the cover open button 20, a stepping motor 21 for driving the platen roller 30 of the printing unit is attached. The stepping motor 21 is used when the open/close cover 3 changes from the open state to the closed state, that is, the open/close cover 3 and the peeling unit 4.
When is accommodated in the main body case 2, it is engaged with the rotating shaft of the platen roller 30 via a gear, a timing belt, etc. not shown.

The gap between the front end of the open/close cover 3 and the front cover 5 shown in FIG. 2 is the issuing port 8 through which the label continuum P printed by the printing unit is ejected during normal issuing. A cutter 9 for manually cutting the mount 25 (see FIG. 4) of the label continuum P discharged from the issuing port 8 by an operator is attached to a part of the issuing port 8. On the other hand, at the time of peeling and issuing, the label 26 (see FIG. 4) peeled from the mount 25 by the peeling unit 4 is discharged from the issuing port 8, and the unnecessary mount 25 is discharged into the discharge guide 3a of the opening/closing cover 3 shown in FIG. And is discharged from behind the peeling unit 4.

At the tip of the open/close cover 3 shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting element 10a is attached below the platen roller 30. Further, inside the main body case 2, the light emitting element 10a
A light receiving element 10b is attached to a portion facing. The light emitting element 10a and the light receiving element 10b are paired to form a transmissive sensor.

The transmissive sensor irradiates the gap between the light emitting element 10a and the light receiving element 10b (the conveyance path of the label continuum P conveyed from the sheet storage section to the printing section) with the light of the light emission element 10a, and the label passing through this conveyance path. The sensor detects the label position of the label continuum P by detecting the light transmitted through the continuum P with the light receiving element 10b. Although not shown, the opening/closing cover 3
A reflective sensor is attached below the platen roller 30 at the tip of the device, along with the light emitting element 10a. The reflective sensor is used, for example, to detect whether or not the label continuum P is passing through the above-described transport path.

Below the operation panel 15, a control unit for controlling the print timing and the like based on the information detected by these sensors is provided, but its illustration is omitted. At the time of printing, the thermal head 1 according to the print signal transmitted from the control unit to the thermal head 12.
The second heating resistor selectively generates heat, and desired information is printed on the label 26 of the label continuum P shown in FIG.

A battery case 22 is provided below the body case 2 shown in FIG. A battery 23, which is a drive power source for the label printer 1 and is made of a lithium ion secondary battery, is detachably accommodated in the battery case 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a battery cover 22 a that covers the battery insertion opening of the battery case 22 is attached to one side surface of the main body case 2.

The label printer 1 according to the present embodiment can be used not only in a horizontal state (the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) with the opening 5a of the front cover 5 facing upward, but also, for example, on the bottom surface of the main body case 2 with a belt hook. It can also be used in a vertically installed state by attaching the belt hook and hanging the belt hook on the belt by a worker who is standing.

Next, the configuration of the peeling unit 4 provided at the tip of the opening/closing cover 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given with reference to 0.

5 and 6 are overall perspective views of the opening/closing cover 3, FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views of the tip of the opening/closing cover 3, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the peeling unit 4 provided at the tip of the opening/closing cover 3. 10 shows a part of the peeling unit 4 (nip roller 32, lock member 33, etc.) removed from the opening/closing cover 3, FIG. 10A is a perspective view, and FIG. 10B is a front view. In order to make the configuration of the peeling unit 4 easier to see, the side cover 39 is not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side cover 39 and the lock member 33 are not shown in FIG. 8, and in FIG. Illustration of the open/close cover 3 and the side cover 39 is omitted. The arrangement of each component of the peeling unit 4 shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 is the arrangement when the label printer 1 is in the normal issuing mode.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a platen roller 30, which is a transporting means for the label continuum P, is attached to the tip of the opening/closing cover 3 in a state of being rotatable in forward and reverse directions. That is, an under cover 34 that covers the lower portion and both side surfaces of the platen roller 30 is attached to the front end portion of the opening/closing cover 3, and the platen roller 30 has sidewalls of the under cover 34 near both ends of the platen roller shaft 35. The open/close cover 3 is sandwiched between the open/close cover 3 and the side wall of the open/close cover 3.
It is attached to the tip of the. The under cover 34 is attached to the opening/closing cover 3 via screws 36.
The light emitting element 10a of the transmission type sensor and the reflection type sensor shown in FIG. 2 are attached to the inside thereof.

A gear 40 is pivotally supported on one end of the platen roller shaft 35. The gear 40 is mechanically connected to the stepping motor 21 (see FIG. 2) of the main body case 2 via a gear, a timing belt, etc. (not shown) when the opening/closing cover 3 is in the closed state. Is transmitted to the platen roller shaft 35.

A peeling bar 31 having a diameter smaller than that of the platen roller 30 is attached near the platen roller 30 along the extending direction of the platen roller 30. The peeling bar 31 is a member that mechanically peels the printed label 26 from the mount 25 of the label continuum P shown in FIG. 4 when the label printer 1 performs printing in the peeling issue mode. The peeling bar 31 is attached to the front end of the open/close cover 3 with both ends thereof inserted into the side walls of the under cover 34.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, a nip roller 32 is attached diagonally above the platen roller 30 along the extending direction of the platen roller 30. The nip roller 32 is a member that cooperates with the peeling bar 31 to peel the printed label 26 from the mount 25 of the label continuum P when the label printer 1 performs printing in the peeling issue mode. The nip roller 32 is retracted to a position separated from the platen roller 30 (obliquely above the platen roller 30) as shown in the drawing when the label printer 1 is in the normal issuing mode.

As shown in FIG. 10, the nip roller 32 is pivotally supported by the nip roller shaft 37 in a state of being rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. Further, lock members 33 are attached to both ends of the nip roller shaft 37. Further, a nip roller cover 38 is attached to the upper part of the nip roller 32. That is, the nip roller 32, the nip roller shaft 37, the lock member 33, and the nip roller cover 38 are integrally attached to the tip of the open/close cover 3. The lock member 33 and the nip roller cover 38 are axially supported by the nip roller shaft 37 like the nip roller 32, but the nip roller shaft 3 does not rotate in the forward and reverse directions.
It is fixed at 7.

The nip roller cover 38 arranged above the nip roller 32 is a member that moves the nip roller 32 to the vicinity of the platen roller 30 when the label printer 1 is switched from the normal printing mode to the peeling printing mode, but has a function of protecting the nip roller 32. It also has. The lock members 33 attached to both ends of the nip roller shaft 37 are members that position the nip roller 32 near the platen roller 30 when the label printer 1 is switched from the normal printing mode to the peeling printing mode.

An elongated hole 33b having a diameter of a midway portion larger than the diameters of the upper and lower end portions is formed in the substantially central portion of the lock member 33.
Is provided. In addition, an engaging claw (first engaging claw) 33a having a distal end protruding laterally is provided at the lower end of the lock member 33. As will be described later, by engaging the engaging claw 33a with the head bracket 11 (see FIG. 2) of the main body case 2, the closed state of the opening/closing cover 3 (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is maintained. It On the other hand, when the engagement between the engaging claw 33a and the head bracket 11 is released, the open/close cover 3 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 3).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (a view in which the lock member 33 is removed from FIG. 7), the side wall of the opening/closing cover 3 is provided with an opening 3b through which the nip roller shaft 37 is inserted. Although not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a similar opening 3b is also provided in the other side wall of the opening/closing cover 3. These openings 3b provided on the side wall of the opening/closing cover 3 allow the nip roller shaft 37 attached to the tip of the opening/closing cover 3 to move in the vertical direction of the opening/closing cover 3.
It is wider than the diameter of the nip roller shaft 37 and has an elongated shape extending in the vertical direction.

Of the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller 32 pivotally supported by the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the lock member 33, the both ends of the nip roller shaft 37 are arranged outside the side wall of the opening/closing cover 3 through the openings 3b. Locking members 33 are attached to the both ends. On the other hand, the central portion of the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller 32, and the nip roller cover 38 are arranged inside the side wall of the open/close cover 3.

Further, on both side walls of the opening/closing cover 3, a torsion spring (peeling mechanism urging member) 42 that is arranged outside the both side walls through the opening 3b and supports the tip of the nip roller shaft 37 is attached. As shown in FIG. 8, one end of the torsion spring 42 is in contact with the lower surface of the nip roller shaft 37, and the elasticity thereof urges the nip roller shaft 37 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure.

Further, leaf springs (rotating members) 43 that support the lock members 33 attached to both ends of the nip roller shaft 37 are attached to both side walls of the opening/closing cover 3. As shown in FIG. 7, one end (lower end) of the leaf spring 43 abuts the side surface of the lock member 33, and the elasticity thereof urges the lock member 33 in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. ..

As described above, the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller 32 pivotally supported by the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the lock member 33 are opened and closed while being biased upward by the elasticity of the torsion spring 42 and the leaf spring 43. It is attached to the tip of No. 3. That is, the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller 32 pivotally supported by the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the lock member 33 are attached to the tip of the open/close cover 3 in a state of being vertically movable relative to the open/close cover 3. It is installed.

Further, cylindrical stopper members 3c are attached to both side walls of the opening/closing cover 3. The stopper member 3c is fixed to the opening/closing cover 3 by inserting one end thereof into a side wall of the opening/closing cover 3. Further, the other end portion (tip portion) of the stopper member 3c is inserted into an elongated hole 33b provided in the lock member 33. The stopper member 3c is a member that regulates the range in which the lock member 33 moves in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the stopper member 3c is provided on the side wall of the opening/closing cover 3 so that the leading end of the stopper member 3c is located at the lower end of the elongated hole 33b of the lock member 33 when the label printer 1 is in the normal issuing mode. Is attached to.

Therefore, when the operator pushes the upper surface of the nip roller cover 38 downward with a finger, the nip roller cover 38, the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller 32, and the lock member 33 work together while resisting the elasticity of the torsion spring 42 and the leaf spring 43. Move down. Then, when the upper end of the elongated hole 33b of the lock member 33 comes into contact with the stopper member 3c, the downward movement is stopped. On the other hand, in this state, when the operator removes his/her finger from the upper surface of the nip roller cover 38, the nip roller cover 38, the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller 32, and the lock member 33 are moved upward by the elasticity of the torsion spring 42 and the leaf spring 43. Move and lock member 33
When the lower end of the long hole 33b comes into contact with the stopper member 3c, the upward movement is stopped and the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the actual label printer 1 covers the torsion spring 42 and the leaf spring 43 with the side cover 39 so that the operator does not carelessly touch the torsion spring 42 and the leaf spring 43. However, in other drawings except FIG. 5, the side cover 39 is not shown in order to make the arrangement of each component of the peeling unit 4 easy to see.

Next, the operation of the peeling unit 4 in the normal issuing mode and the peeling issuing mode of the label printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, when printing is performed in the normal issuing mode, as shown in FIG. 11, after the open/close cover 3 is changed from the closed state to the open state, the leading end portion of the label continuum P loaded in the sheet storage unit of the main body case 2 is shown. Is manually pulled out by the operator to expose it from the issuing port 8 of the front cover 5. A method for changing the open/close cover 3 from the closed state to the open state will be described below.

Next, in this state, the operator presses the front end portion of the opening/closing cover 3 against the main body case 2 side to return the opening/closing cover 3 from the open state to the original closed state. The operation of the tip portion of the open/close cover 3 and the head bracket 11 of the main body case 2 at this time will be described with reference to FIGS.

12(a) and 12(b) show the head bracket 11 viewed from opposite directions.
FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the head bracket 11 has a pair of side walls that are bent toward the tip of the open/close cover 3, and the direction of the end of the open/close cover 3 is near the center in the height direction of each side wall. Engaging claws (second engaging claws) 51 that project to the right are provided. The tip end portions of the pair of engagement claws 51 are provided with inclined surfaces that approach the tip end portion of the opening/closing cover 3 as they go downward. Here, the surface of the head bracket 11 facing the open/close cover 3 is referred to as the front surface of the head bracket 11, and the surface opposite to the front surface, that is, the surface in contact with the coil spring 13 is referred to as the back surface of the head bracket 11. To do.

The upper end of each side wall of the head bracket 11 is provided with a rotating claw 52 having an inclined surface that approaches the tip of the opening/closing cover 3 as it goes downward, like the engaging claw 51. The rotating claw 52 has a shorter length in the direction (lateral direction) closer to the tip of the opening/closing cover 3 than the engaging claw 51.

Further, on each side wall, the opening/closing cover 3 is provided between the engaging claw 51 and the rotating claw 52 above the engaging claw 51.
A substantially semicircular fitting groove 53 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the end portion of the platen roller shaft 35 attached to is provided.

Further, near the lower end portion of each side wall of the head bracket 11, there is provided a hole portion 54 through which a rotation shaft (not shown) attached to the body case 2 is inserted. Head bracket 11
Is attached to the main body case 2 in a state of being rotatable about the rotation shaft inserted in the holes 54.

At the center upper end of the head bracket 11, there is provided a turning lever 55 bent to the back side. The cover open button 20 attached to the front cover 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a lower end portion arranged in the vicinity of the upper surface of the rotating lever 55, and an operator pushes the cover open button 20 downward with a finger. When pushed, the lower end of the cover open button 20 comes into contact with the upper surface of the turning lever 55, and a downward force is applied to the turning lever 55.

When the front end of the open/close cover 3 shown in FIG. 11 is housed in the main body case 2 through the opening 5a of the front cover 5, first, as shown in FIGS. Both ends of the platen roller shaft 35 attached to the head bracket 11 come into contact with the inclined surfaces of the pair of rotating claws 52 provided on the upper ends of the side walls of the head bracket 11. FIG. 13 shows the platen roller shaft 35.
Only one end of the head bracket 11 is shown, but the other end is also the turning claw 5 of the head bracket 11.
It contacts with the inclined surface of 2.

Then, when the opening/closing cover 3 is further pressed toward the main body case 2, a force toward the back surface of the head bracket 11 is applied to the inclined surface of the rotating claw 52 that is in contact with the platen roller shaft 35. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the head bracket 11 has a coil spring 13
While resisting the elasticity of the hole 54, it rotates about the hole 54 in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure (counterclockwise direction). As a result, the rotating claw 52 that was in contact with the platen roller shaft 35 moves toward the back surface of the head bracket 11, so that the platen roller shaft 35 moves below the rotating claw 52.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the head bracket 11 in which the force toward the back direction is no longer applied is rotated in the direction (clockwise direction) indicated by the arrow in FIG. The platen roller shaft 35 is moved back to the fitting groove 5 below the turning claw 52.
Fit in 3.

As a result, the open/close cover 3 is closed, and as shown in FIG. 16, the label continuum P fed from the paper storage unit is sandwiched between the thermal head 12 of the printing unit and the platen roller 30. Then, the label printer 1 is set to the normal issuing mode. That is, the opening/closing cover 3 is biased by the elasticity of the torsion spring 6 (see FIG. 2) attached to the rear end of the opening/closing cover 3 in a direction away from the main body case 2, but the platen roller shaft 35 is fitted to the head bracket 11. Since it fits in the mating groove 53, it does not protrude from the opening 5a of the main body case 2.

After that, the operator turns on the power button 19 of the operation panel 15 provided on the front cover 5 shown in FIG. 1 and inputs a predetermined operation command to start printing in the normal issuing mode.

Next, a method of performing printing by switching from the above-described normal issuing mode to the peeling issuing mode will be described.

In this case, first, the operator depresses the cover open button 20 of the front cover 5 to release the closed state of the open/close cover 3. The mechanism for releasing the closed state of the opening/closing cover 3 can be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 referred to above.

That is, if the cover open button 20 of the front cover 5 is pushed down while the label printer 1 is set in the normal printing mode (the state shown in FIGS. 15 and 16), as described above, the lower end portion of the cover open button 20 is pressed. Is the head bracket 11 shown in FIG.
The upper surface of the rotating lever 55 is brought into contact with the rotating lever 55, and a downward force of the head bracket 11 is applied to the rotating lever 55. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the head bracket 11 rotates around the hole 54 in the direction indicated by the arrow (counterclockwise direction) while resisting the elasticity of the coil spring 13.

As a result, the rotating claw 52 provided on the upper end of the side wall of the head bracket 11 moves toward the back surface of the head bracket 11, and the platen roller shaft 35 fitted in the fitting groove 53 of the head bracket 11 is fitted. Since it is removed from the mating groove 53, the opening/closing cover 3 is separated from the main body case 2 by the elasticity of the torsion spring 6 (see FIG. 2) attached to the rear end portion.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the operator manually pulls out the leading end of the label continuum P and inserts it between the platen roller 30 and the nip roller 32 attached to the leading end of the opening/closing cover 3.

Next, in this state, the operator presses the front end portion of the open/close cover 3 against the main body case 2 side to return the open/close cover 3 from the open state to the original closed state. At this time, the operation of the front end portion of the opening/closing cover 3 and the head bracket 11 of the main body case 2 is the same as the operation at the time of normal issuing described above with reference to FIGS. To do.

As described above, the operations of the opening/closing cover 3 and the head bracket 11 when the opening/closing cover 3 is switched from the open state to the closed state are the same in both the normal issuing mode and the peeling issuing mode, but the normal issuing mode is set. Sometimes, as shown in FIG. 11, the label continuum P
The leading end of the label continuous body P is exposed from the issuing port 8 of the front cover 5 in advance when the peeling issuing mode is set, as shown in FIG. The difference is that it is inserted between.

The operation of the open/close cover 3 and the head bracket 11 after the open/close cover 3 is closed in this way and before the label printer 1 is switched to the peeling issue mode will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the open/close cover 3 is returned to the closed state with the tip of the label continuum P inserted between the platen roller 30 and the nip roller 32 (the state shown in FIG. 17), the open/close cover 3 and the head bracket 11 are engaged. The state is the same as the engaged state shown in FIG. That is, the open/close cover 3 is locked by the head bracket 11 because the platen roller shaft 35 of the platen roller 30 attached to the tip end of the open/close cover 3 fits into the fitting groove 53 of the head bracket 11.

Next, when the operator pushes down the nip roller cover 38 attached to the tip of the opening/closing cover 3 with a finger, the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller 32, and the lock member 33 resist the urging force of the torsion spring 42 and the leaf spring 43. , And moves downward together with the nip roller cover 38, and as shown in FIG. 18, the engaging claw 33a at the lower end of the lock member 33 comes into contact with the engaging claw 51 provided on the side wall of the head bracket 11. At this time, the opening/closing cover 3
Since the head bracket 11 is locked, the head bracket 11 does not move downward in conjunction with the nip roller cover 38, and stays at the normal issuing position (the position shown in FIG. 15).

At this time, one end of the leaf spring 43 attached to the side wall of the opening/closing cover 3 contacts the side surface of the lock member 33 below the nip roller shaft 37 and urges the nip roller shaft 37 to the right in FIG. There is. Further, the upper surface of the tip portion of the engaging claw 51 of the head bracket 11 (the lock member 3
The surface that is in contact with the engaging claw 33a of 3) is an inclined surface (an inclined surface that descends from the left side to the right side in FIG. 18).

Therefore, further depress the nip roller cover 38 in this state, as shown in FIG. 19, rotates in the direction (counterclockwise direction) indicated locking member 3 3 around the nip roller shaft 37 by the arrows in the figure, The engaging claw 33a of the lock member 33 moves in a direction away from the engaging claw 51 of the head bracket 11. As described above, since the elongated hole 33b having the diameter of the middle portion larger than the diameters of the upper and lower end portions is provided at the substantially central portion of the lock member 33, the lock member 33 is prevented from such rotation. It will be possible.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the lock member 33 (and the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the nip roller 32) descends until the engaging claw 33 a is located below the engaging claw 51 of the head bracket 11. However, at this time, the upper end portion of the elongated hole 33b of the lock member 33 contacts the stopper member 3c of the opening/closing cover 3, so that the lock member 33 (and the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the nip roller 32) is located farther than this position. The downward movement is restricted.

At this time, since one end of the plate spring 43 attached to the side wall of the open-close cover 3 abuts against the lock member 33 at the upper (top end portion of the locking member 33) than the nip roller shaft 37, the lock member 3 3, The nip roller shaft 37 is rotated about the nip roller shaft 37 in a direction (clockwise direction) indicated by an arrow in the figure, and the engaging claw 33a of the lock member 33 enters the lower side of the rotating claw 52 of the head bracket 11.

The lock member 33 (and the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the nip roller 32) is biased upward by the elasticity of the torsion spring 42 and the leaf spring 43, but the engaging claw 33 a is the engaging claw 51 of the head bracket 11. By entering the lower side, the upward movement is restricted. Further, the lock member 33 (and the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the nip roller 32) is also prevented from moving downward when the upper end portion of the elongated hole 33b contacts the stopper member 3c of the opening/closing cover 3. That is, the lock member 33
(And the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the nip roller 32) are fixed to the opening/closing cover 3 at a position where the engaging claw 33a of the lock member 33 enters below the engaging claw 51 of the head bracket 11.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, the nip roller 32 disposed above the platen roller 30 at the time of normal issuance moves to the vicinity of the platen roller 30 and, as shown in FIG. Since the continuous label P is sandwiched between the thermal head 12 of the printing section and the platen roller 30, the label printer 1 is set in the peeling issue mode. After that, the operator operates the operation panel 1 provided on the front cover 5 shown in FIG.
By turning on the power button 19 of 5 and inputting a predetermined operation command, printing in the peeling issue mode is started.

As shown in FIG. 22, when printing is performed in the peeling issue mode, the label continuum P in which desired information is printed on the label 26 in the printing unit is bent at a steep angle by the peeling bar 31 and the nip roller 32 to open and close the cover. 3 is pulled toward the rear end. As a result, the labels 26 temporarily attached to the mount 25 of the label continuum P are mechanically peeled from the mount 25 and discharged one by one from the issuing port 8. On the other hand, the mount 25 that has become unnecessary after the label 26 is peeled off is discharged from the rear of the peeling unit 4 through the discharge guide 3 a of the opening/closing cover 3.

Next, when printing is performed by switching from the peeling issue mode to the normal issue mode described above, first, the operator pushes down the cover open button 20 of the front cover 5 so that the operation shown in FIG.
The rotation lever 55 of the head bracket 11 in the state shown in 0 is pushed down. Then, the head bracket 11 rotates around the hole 54, and the engaging claw 51 moves in a direction away from the engaging claw 33a of the lock member 33 (leftward in FIG. 20).

As a result, the engagement between the engagement claw 51 of the head bracket 11 and the engagement claw 33a of the lock member 33 is released, so that the lock member 33 (and the nip roller shaft 37, the nip roller cover 38, and the nip roller 32) is connected to the torsion spring. Due to the elasticity of 42 and the leaf spring 43, it moves upward and returns to the position at the time of normal issuance (the position shown in FIG. 15).

When the head bracket 11 rotates in the above-described direction, the rotating claw 52 of the head bracket 11 also moves in the direction away from the platen roller shaft 35 (leftward in FIG. 20).
The platen roller shaft 35 fitted in the fitting groove 53 of the head bracket 11 is disengaged from the fitting groove 53. As a result, the opening/closing cover 3 is separated from the main body case 2 by the elasticity of the torsion spring 6 (see FIG. 2) attached to the rear end portion. That is, the opening/closing cover 3 is opened.

After that, the operator may manually move the leading end of the label continuum P to the position for normal printing, and set the label printer 1 in the normal printing mode according to the procedure described above.

As described above in detail, according to the label printer 1 of the present embodiment, the operator simply performs a simple operation of changing the position of the leading end of the label continuum P prior to the start of printing. It is possible to switch between the normal issuing mode and the peeling issuing mode.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the embodiment disclosed in the present specification is an example in all respects, and is limited to the disclosed technology. Not a thing. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limitedly interpreted based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be interpreted according to the description of the claims, and the scope of the claims All modifications are included without departing from the scope of the claims and the technology equivalent to the described technology.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a label continuum in which a plurality of labels are temporarily attached to the mount is used as the print medium has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, one surface may have an adhesive surface. A continuous label (a label without a mount), a continuous sheet (adhesive sheet) having no adhesive surface, or a paper that can be printed by a thermal head, etc., can be used as the print medium. A label without a mount, a continuous sheet or a film can be provided with a position detection mark. Further, when a label without a mount having an exposed adhesive is conveyed, the conveying path can be covered with a non-adhesive and a roller containing silicone can be provided.

1 Label printer 2 Body case
3 Open/close cover 3a Ejection guide 3b Opening 3c Stopper member 4 Peeling unit (peeling mechanism)
5 Front Cover 5a Opening 6 Torsion Spring 7 Paper Guide 8 Issue Port 9 Cutter 10a Light-Emitting Element 10b Light-Receiving Element 11 Head Bracket (Open/Close Cover Support Mechanism)
12 Thermal head (print head)
13 coil spring 14 circuit board 15 operation panel 16 display section 17, 18 operation button 19 power button 20 cover open button 21 stepping motor 22 battery case 22a battery cover 23 battery 25 mount 26 label 27 position detection mark 30 platen roller 31 peel bar 32 nip roller 33 lock member 33a engaging claw (first engaging claw)
33b oblong hole 34 under cover 35 platen roller shaft 36 screw 37 nip roller shaft 38 nip roller cover 39 side cover 42 torsion spring (peeling mechanism urging member)
43 Leaf spring (rotating member)
51 Engaging Claw (Second Engaging Claw)
52 turning claw 53 fitting groove 54 hole 55 turning lever P label continuum (print medium)

Claims (3)

A printer for printing and issuing a label continuum in which labels are temporarily attached at intervals on a mount,
Body case,
An opening and closing cover that opens and closes with respect to the main body case,
A thermal head for printing information on the label,
A platen roller which is provided on the opening/closing cover and which conveys the label continuum by sandwiching it with the thermal head;
A peeling unit that has a first engaging claw and a nip roller, and that peels the printed label from the mount,
When the opening/closing cover is in the closed state, in the peeling unit, the nip roller is located at a first position inside the outer edge of the printer and the nip roller is separated from the platen roller when seen in a side view. a first state, and the second position lower than said first position said nip rollers in response to depressing operation to the separation unit, by the platen roller and the nip roller and the second state of sandwiching the mount, the Is configured to be in either state ,
A second engagement claw that engages with the first engagement claw and fixes the nip roller to the second position is provided, and the nip roller moves from the first position to the second position in response to the pressing operation. Then, the printer in which the first engagement claw engages with the second engagement claw . The printer according to claim 1, wherein the nip roller is located above the platen roller when the peeling unit is in the first state. The nip rollers have an operating portion for releasing the state of being fixed to the second position, the printer according to claim 1 or 2.