JPH0516476A - Roll paper cartridge and recording apparatus equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correct the curl of a recording medium and to prevent the scattering of the paper powder from the recording medium by providing a curl correcting means forming a feed path having a curvature opposite to that of the circumferential surface of the roll-shaped recording medium in the state brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the recording medium under pressure and providing a paper powder receiving part under the curl correcting means. CONSTITUTION:Roll paper 1 wound in a roll shape is received in the cassette 31 of the roll paper cartridge 30 mounted on a recording apparatus in a freely detachable manner and supported in a rotatable manner by a roll paper support means 32. The leading end part 1A of the roll paper 1 is delivered to the outside from the opening 33 provided to the cassette 31. In this case, a feed path (guide) 34 having a curvature in the direction opposite to that of the circumferential surface of the roll paper 1 is provided in the vicinity of the opening 33 of the cassette 31 so as to be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper 1 and this guide 34 is allowed to function as a curl correcting means. Further, a paper powder receiving part 35 for collecting the paper powder generated by the squeezing at the time of the correction of a curl is provided under the feed path 34.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a roll paper cartridge for accommodating a roll-shaped recording medium and a recording apparatus equipped with the roll paper cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite electronic device including a computer, a word processor, etc. An image is recorded on a recording medium (recording material) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, etc., depending on the recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, the recording medium is set at a predetermined recording position and then along the recording medium. The image is recorded (main scanning) by the recording means mounted on the moving carriage, and after the recording for one line is completed, the paper is fed by a predetermined amount (pitch conveyance), and then the recording medium is stopped again. Then, by repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row, the entire recording medium is recorded. On the other hand, in a line type printing apparatus that prints only by sub-scanning in the conveyance direction of the print medium, the print medium is set at a predetermined print position, one line of print is performed at a time, and then a predetermined amount of paper is printed. The entire recording medium is recorded by repeating the operation of feeding (pitch feeding) and then collectively recording the next row.

Among the above-mentioned recording apparatuses, the ink-jet recording apparatus (ink-jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording unit (recording head) onto a recording medium, and it is easy to make the recording unit compact. And
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without any special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method produces less noise and multicolor images. It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line type apparatus using a line type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy
Is a high-density liquid channel arrangement (discharging) by forming the electrothermal converter, electrodes, liquid channel wall, top plate, etc. formed on the substrate through semiconductor manufacturing processes such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering. Those having an outlet arrangement) can be easily manufactured, and further downsizing can be achieved.
On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording medium, and in recent years, paper and resin thin plate (O
In addition to HP, etc., it has been required to use thin paper or processed paper (paper with punched holes for filing, paper with perforations, paper of arbitrary shape, etc.).

By the way, in the above-mentioned recording apparatus, particularly the ink jet recording apparatus, even if the recording means is small, the apparatus is used when setting a cut sheet (recording medium such as recording paper) of A3 size or A4 size. The main body becomes large. On the other hand, if roll paper is used, it is possible to record 200 or more sheets of A3 size with a roll diameter of 70 mm, and the size of the recording device is significantly reduced (for example, about 350 mm). be able to. As a result, the width of the recording device can be reduced to less than half that of the cut sheet cassette system.

[0007]

On the other hand, when roll paper is used as the recording medium, the handling (handling) of the recording medium becomes complicated and the curl (curved shape) which is a roll habit of the recording medium. However, there is a problem in that there is a problem, and it is required to solve them. The former can be solved by accommodating the roll paper in a cartridge (cassette) that can be easily attached / detached and automatically feeding the recording medium from the leading end.
However, various problems remain to be solved regarding the latter.

In a recording apparatus, particularly an ink jet recording apparatus, a small gap between the ejection port forming surface of the recording head and the recording medium is required and high accuracy is required. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the curl in the recording section. As a method of correcting this, it is effective to provide a conveying path having a curl opposite to the curl direction and squeeze the recording medium in the conveying path to pass the sheet. However, in such a straightening method, paper dust from the recording medium is generated due to squeezing, which scatters inside the device and stains the inside of the device, causes clogging of the ink discharge port, and ink. In the case of a recording apparatus using a ribbon, various defects may occur, such as paper powder adhering to the ink ribbon and imperfect transfer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to reliably correct curl of a recording medium and to prevent paper dust from the recording medium from being stored in the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a roll paper cartridge and a recording apparatus that can prevent the ink from being scattered to the outside and can maintain a good recording state by eliminating clogging of the ink ejection port and transfer failure of the ink ribbon.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A roll paper cartridge of the present invention comprises roll paper support means for rotatably supporting a roll recording medium, and a circumference of the roll recording medium which is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the roll recording medium. By providing a curl correction unit that forms a conveyance path having a curvature opposite to the surface and a paper dust receiving unit that is arranged below the curl correction unit,
The above object is achieved.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a roll paper cartridge for accommodating a roll-shaped recording medium, a conveying means for conveying the recording medium to a recording section, and a recording medium for the recording medium based on recording information. In a recording apparatus having recording means for recording, the roll paper cartridge comprises a roll paper support means for rotatably supporting a roll recording medium, and a roll paper recording medium which is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the roll recording medium. To achieve the above object by providing a curl correction unit that forms a conveyance path having a curvature opposite to that of the circumferential surface and a paper dust receiving unit that is arranged below the curl correction unit. Is.

[0012]

1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus equipped with a roll paper cartridge to which the present invention is applied. The recording apparatus P of the present embodiment is configured to perform recording based on the image signal transferred from the host machine, and also to record according to the image signal from the reading apparatus R that reads a document or the like. In FIG. 1, a roll paper cartridge 30 accommodating a roll-shaped recording medium 1 is detachably mounted at the bottom of the recording device P. The recording medium 1 is first conveyed while being pulled out by a first conveying roller 2 including a pair of rollers and a second conveying roller 3 including a pair of rollers. Then, after passing through the recording medium cutting means 4 such as a cutter, it reaches the sub-scanning roller 5 including a pair of rollers and the pulling roller 6 including a pair of rollers.

Recording on the recording medium 1 (image formation)
This is performed by the recording unit 20 provided between the sub-scanning roller 5 and the pulling roller 6. The recording unit 20 is provided with recording means (recording head) 21 for forming an image on the recording medium 1. Recorded recording medium 1
Is a discharge roller 7 composed of a pair of rollers,
It is discharged from the discharge port 8 to the outside of the apparatus. The recording means 21 is mounted on a carriage 24, and the carriage 24 is guided and supported by a pair of guide rails 9 and 10 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the width direction of the recording medium 1 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface). .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording unit 20 of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 as seen from the front. This embodiment shows a case where the present invention is applied to an inkjet type recording apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus). In FIG. 2, recording means (recording heads) 21 mounted on the carriage 24 are four recording means (recording heads) 21 that use different inks, respectively.
It is composed of C, 21M, 21Y and 21B. In the case of color recording, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors are used as ink colors of these recording means. Each recording unit (recording head) 21 includes an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. Further, the recording unit 21 ejects ink from the ejection port based on a change in the state of the ink including generation of bubbles due to film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording means (recording head) 21.
In FIG. 3, the recording material 1 and a predetermined gap (for example,
A plurality of ejection openings 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection opening surfaces 51 facing each other at about 0.5 to 1.5 mm), and each of the common liquid chambers 53 communicates with each ejection opening 52. Liquid path 5
An electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ejecting ink is disposed along the wall surface of No. 4. In the recording apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each recording unit (recording head) 21 is
In a positional relationship such that the plurality of ejection ports 52 are arranged in a direction intersecting with the main scanning direction (moving direction) of the carriage 24,
It is mounted on the carriage 24. In this way, the corresponding electrothermal converter 55 is based on the image signal or the ejection signal.
The recording means (recording head) 21 is configured to drive (energize) to cause the ink in the liquid path 54 to boil and to eject the ink from the ejection port 52 by the pressure generated at that time.

In FIG. 2, an ink tank (for example, an ink cartridge) 11 for supplying ink to the recording means 21 is mounted on a carriage 23 that moves in the main scanning direction in synchronization with the carriage 24. The ink tank 11 has four recording means 21 corresponding to four recording means 21.
Each of the ink tanks 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11B is configured to contain ink of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Then, the ink in each ink tank 11 is supplied to each of the tubes 22C and 22C by a pump (not shown).
It is supplied to each recording means 21 through M, 22Y and 22B.

In FIG. 2, the carriage 24 on which the recording means 21 is mounted is driven by the motor 12 to drive the pulley 1.
3, it is reciprocally driven in the direction of arrow B via the driven pulley 14 and the belt 15. The motor 12 has a recording means 21.
Is for regulating the main scan (the recording position in the width direction of the recording medium 1). Further, the carriage 23 on which the ink tank 11 is mounted is also reciprocally driven by the motor 16 in the direction of arrow B in synchronization with the carriage 24 of the recording means via the drive pulley 17, the driven pulley 18, and the belt 19. . The sub-scanning roller 5 and the pulling roller 6 are connected to a motor (not shown) so that they can be synchronously driven, and in order to maintain the flatness of the recording medium 1, the pulling roller 6 is driven at a peripheral speed slightly higher than that of the sub-scanning roller 5. It Further, the recording medium 1 is regulated so that the gap between the recording medium 1 and the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 21 becomes constant by bringing the back surface of the recording medium 1 into close contact with the platen 29. The platen 29 can be configured to attract the recording medium 1 by electrostatic attraction or air suction, for example.

Then, the recording by the recording means 21 is started from the left side in FIG. 2 to the recording medium 1 which is stopped, the image recording of the recording width H is performed to the right side, and the recording for one line is completed. . When the recording for one line is completed, each carriage 23, 24 is returned to a predetermined position on the left side (carriage return). By driving the sub-scanning roller 5 and the pulling roller 6 by a predetermined amount during the return movement of the carriages 23, 24, the recording medium 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow A (conveying direction) by a predetermined amount (usually one line width). Paper is fed by the corresponding amount). After finishing the paper feeding, the recording of the next line is started. Recording is performed on the entire area of the recording medium 1 by repeating the same operation thereafter. In this embodiment, by using the four recording means 21,
A full-color image can be formed. Further, in this embodiment, the recording medium 1 can be cut into a desired length in advance by the cutter 4 shown in FIG. When recording is completed, the recording material 1 is ejected from the ejection port 8 to the outside of the machine by the ejection roller 7 composed of a pair of rollers.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the roll paper cartridge 30 which is removably (removably) mounted on the recording apparatus P. As shown in FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 4, a continuous paper (recording medium) 1 wound in a roll shape is stored in a cassette case 31 of a roll paper cartridge 30. The roll-shaped recording medium 1 has a cassette case 31.
The recording medium 1 is rotatably supported by a roll paper supporting means 32 provided therein, and one end 1A of the recording medium 1 extends to the outside from an opening 33 formed in the cassette case 31. Therefore, the recording medium 1 can be continuously pulled out by pulling the one end portion 1A.

In FIGS. 1 and 4, in the vicinity of the opening 33 inside the cassette case 31, the roll-shaped recording medium 1 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface thereof and has a curvature in a direction opposite to the circumferential surface of the recording medium 1. A conveyance path (guide) 34 for passing a sheet is provided. The conveyance path 34 constitutes a curl correction means for correcting the curl of the recording medium 1 which has a roll tendency. Further, below the curl correcting means (conveyance path) 34, a container-shaped paper dust receiving portion 35 for collecting paper dust generated by the ironing of the recording medium 1 by the curl correcting means is provided. .

According to the embodiment described above, the curl correcting means 34 for eliminating the roll tendency is provided inside the roll paper cartridge 30 which is detachably mounted, and the curl correcting means 34 causes the curl correcting means to squeeze. Since the paper dust receiving portion 35 for repairing the paper dust is provided, it is possible to surely correct the curl of the recording medium 1 pulled out from the roll, and also to prevent the scattering of the paper dust generated during the curl correction. However, this can be collected and easily processed when the cartridge is replaced. Therefore, the recording failure and the paper jam due to the curl of the recording medium 1 can be eliminated, and the paper dust inside the recording apparatus and the paper dust at the discharge port can be prevented. It has become possible to prevent a recording defect due to the adhesion. In the case of a recording apparatus using an ink ribbon, the problem of ink transfer failure due to paper dust adhering to the ink ribbon could be solved.

In the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the ink jet recording apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is applicable to the thermal transfer recording apparatus, thermal recording apparatus, wire dot recording apparatus, laser beam recording. The present invention can be similarly applied to a recording apparatus of another recording method such as an apparatus, and the same effect can be achieved. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the serial type recording apparatus in which the recording unit (recording head) 21 is mounted on the carriage 24 and the main scanning is performed along the recording medium 1 has been described as an example.
The present invention can be similarly applied to the case of a line type recording apparatus using a line type recording means corresponding to the whole or a part of the recording width of the recording medium, and the same effect can be achieved.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads for recording with the inks of different colors has been described as an example. However, the present invention records by one recording head. The same application is possible regardless of the number of recording devices (recording heads) such as a device or a recording device for gradation recording that uses a plurality of recording heads that perform recording with the same color but different densities. The effect of can be achieved. Further, as the recording means, a cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) in which a recording head and an ink tank or the like are integrated, or a structure in which the recording head and the ink tank or the like are separately provided,
The same can be applied to other recording heads and recording devices having ink tank configurations.
The same effect can be obtained.

When the recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means of a type that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
This is preferably done using the basic principles disclosed in 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but particularly in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. Since the electrothermal converter generates heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. It is valid.

Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface
If the conditions described in the specification of No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a structure based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a structure in which the discharge section is associated with the discharge section. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed. In addition, even with the serial type as in the above example, it is possible to electrically connect to the device body and supply ink from the device body by mounting it on the recording head fixed to the device body or the device body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided in the present invention as a configuration of the recording apparatus, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, and ejection different from recording are applied to the recording head. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for stable recording.

Regarding the type and the number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. And a plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode only for mainstream colors such as black,
The recording head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads may be used, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of a mixed color of different colors or a full color by mixing colors.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet. In the method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form. in addition,
Whether the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies when left standing for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink is used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying the thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink that has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one that has already started to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is described in JP-A-54-
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which it is held as a liquid or a solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, besides the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. And the like may be used.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the roll paper cartridge of the present invention, the roll paper supporting means for rotatably supporting the roll recording medium and the outer peripheral surface of the roll recording medium are pressed against each other. Since the curl correcting means for forming a conveying path having a curvature opposite to the circumferential surface of the recording medium and the paper dust receiving portion arranged below the curl correcting means are provided, the recording medium Curl can be reliably corrected, paper dust from the recording medium can be prevented from scattering into the device, and clogging of the ink discharge port and transfer failure of the ink ribbon can be eliminated, resulting in a good recording condition. There is provided a roll paper cartridge capable of maintaining the following.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a roll paper cartridge for accommodating a roll-shaped recording medium, a conveying means for conveying the recording medium to the recording section, and a recording medium for the recording medium based on recording information. In a recording apparatus having recording means for recording, the roll paper cartridge comprises a roll paper support means for rotatably supporting a roll recording medium, and a roll paper recording medium which is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the roll recording medium. Since the curl correcting means for forming a conveying path having a curvature opposite to that of the circumferential surface and the paper dust receiving portion arranged below the curl correcting means are provided, the curling of the recording medium is surely performed. In addition to being able to correct it, it is possible to prevent paper dust from the recording medium from scattering into the device, and to eliminate clogging of the ink ejection port and transfer failure of the ink ribbon, and to obtain a good recording condition. Recording apparatus capable of maintaining is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus provided with a roll paper cartridge to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing a configuration of a recording unit in FIG.

3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means (recording head) in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an internal configuration of the roll paper cartridge in FIG. 1 as seen through.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Recording medium (roll paper) 2 First transport roller 3 Second transport roller 4 Recording medium cutting means (cutter) 5 Sub-scanning roller 6 pulling roller 7 discharge roller 11 ink tank 20 recording section 21 recording means (recording head) 23 carriage 24 carriage 29 Platen 30 roll paper cartridge 31 cassette case 32 roll paper support means 34 Curl correction means 35 Paper dust receiving part 51 Discharge port forming surface 52 Discharge port 55 Electrothermal converter

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G06K 15/16 2116-5L

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A roll paper support means for rotatably supporting a roll-shaped recording medium, and a conveyance path that is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the roll-shaped recording medium and has a curvature opposite to the circumferential surface of the recording medium. A roll paper cartridge, comprising: a curl correction means for controlling the curl correction means; and a paper dust receiving portion arranged below the curl correction means. 2. A roll paper cartridge for accommodating a roll-shaped recording medium, a conveying means for conveying the recording medium to a recording section, and a recording means for recording on the recording medium based on recording information. In the recording apparatus having the above, the roll paper cartridge includes a roll paper supporting unit that rotatably supports a roll recording medium, and a roll paper cartridge that is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roll recording medium and is opposite to the circumferential surface of the recording medium. A recording apparatus comprising: a curl correcting unit that forms a conveyance path having a curvature; and a paper dust receiving unit that is arranged below the curl correcting unit. 3. The ink jet recording means, wherein the recording means comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink.
Recording device. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. .