JPH1029356A - Paper feed magazine for thermal recording paper roll - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sustain an uniform humidity up to the forward end part of a thermal recording paper roll. SOLUTION: An endless belt 55 is entrained movably about a drive roller 52 disposed closely to a draw-out port 8, an urging roller 53 disposed closely to the corner of a lower case 4, and a driven roller disposed closely to the inside of a coupling part 5. The endless belt 55 is applied with a constant tension by the urging roller 53 charged with a spring 57 so that the endless belt 55 is fitted tightly to a part of the outer circumference of a thermal recording paper roll 12 even if the winding diameter thereof is varied. Upon finishing the printing, the endless belt 55 turns reversely to entrain the forward end of a color thermal recording paper into the magazine body 1. The forward end of the color thermal recording paper is pushed by the endless belt 55 and fitted tightly to the outer circumference of the roll.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat-sensitive recording paper roll feed magazine for accommodating a heat-sensitive recording paper roll formed by rolling a long heat-sensitive recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a color thermal printer, a color thermal recording paper is used, and a full-color image is sequentially recorded in three color planes. In this color thermosensitive recording paper, a cyan thermosensitive coloring layer, a magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, and a yellow thermosensitive coloring layer are sequentially provided on a base using resin-coated paper. The sensitivity is the highest, and the thermal sensitivity of the cyan thermosensitive coloring layer, which is the lowermost layer, is the lowest. Each thermosensitive coloring layer is recorded in order from the uppermost layer. However, when recording the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, the recording is performed after the yellow image is recorded so that uncolored components in the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer do not develop color.
Light fixation is performed by irradiating near ultraviolet rays of 20 nm. Similarly, after recording the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer is light-fixed by irradiating 365 nm ultraviolet rays.

A personal thermal printer with a small number of prints uses cut paper that has been cut to a predetermined size in advance, while a commercial thermal printer with a large number of prints uses color thermal recording paper in the form of a roll. There has been proposed a method of separating sheets after recording.

[0004]

In the case of a color thermal printer using color thermal recording paper in the form of a roll, the amount of recording sheets that can be cut from one roll of thermal recording paper is very large, so that a large number of prints can be made. It is possible to eliminate the need to replenish the thermosensitive recording paper roll over a period of time. However, if the thermal recording paper roll removed from the moisture-proof bag or the like is set in the color thermal printer for a long period of time, the color development characteristics change due to the influence of humidity in the color thermal printer, and the color is developed to a desired density. You will not be able to do it. Further, when ultraviolet rays from a fluorescent lamp or the like enter, the coloring characteristics change.

For this reason, the thermosensitive recording paper roll is stored in a paper feed magazine, and after the printing is completed, the color thermosensitive recording paper fed into the color thermal printer is pulled back into the paper feed magazine and the drawer is closed. It is desirable to protect from moisture and ultraviolet rays.

[0006] By using the above-mentioned paper feed magazine, the influence of ultraviolet rays can be removed, but it is difficult to completely seal the paper feed magazine, so that some outside air enters the paper feed magazine. Of course, the drawer is open during printing, so outside air enters during printing. If the color thermal recording paper is put in the paper feed magazine for a long time, the humidity of the color thermal recording paper gradually changes due to the invading outside air, but the roll part and the leading end part away from the roll part , The effect of moisture will be different.

That is, in the roll portion, the color developing surface of the color thermosensitive recording paper is in close contact with the back surface of the color thermosensitive recording paper around the inner circumference, and is less susceptible to the moisture in the outside air that has entered. However, the leading end portion away from the roll portion is exposed to the coloring surface in the paper feed magazine, and is greatly affected by moisture in the paper feed magazine. Then, when printing is performed using the color thermosensitive recording paper in such a state, the coloring density differs between the leading end area that is greatly affected by moisture and the area that is fed out from the roll part that is not easily affected by moisture. I will.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat-sensitive recording paper roll feed magazine capable of maintaining uniform humidity up to the leading end of the heat-sensitive recording paper roll.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll, wherein the thermal recording paper roll is rotated after printing so that the leading end of the thermal recording paper is rotated. Pulling back means for returning to the inside of the magazine body,
An adhesion means is provided to keep the leading end of the thermosensitive recording paper in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll. In claim 2, the pull-back means and the close contact means are constituted by the same member.
The contact means may be a roller which is in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the heat-sensitive recording paper roll is biased in the direction of the roller so that the roller is in close contact with the outer periphery of the heat-sensitive recording paper roll regardless of the size of the winding diameter of the heat-sensitive recording paper roll. That is, an urging means is provided.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the adhesion unit is a sheet-like member that adheres to a part of the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll. In a sixth aspect, the sheet-like member is an endless belt hung on at least two or more rollers.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the number of the rollers is three, two of which are arranged on a straight line crossing the thermosensitive recording paper roll, and the other one is located between the two rollers. , Which can be moved in a direction away from the thermosensitive recording paper roll. In claim 8, the endless belt is moved by rotating at least one of the rollers, and the thermosensitive recording paper roll that is in close contact with the belt is rotated to feed out the thermosensitive recording paper from the outlet,
By reversing the roller, the endless belt is used as a pull-back means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the endless belt is fixed so as not to rotate, and a part of the endless belt which is not in contact with the outer circumference of the thermosensitive recording paper roll is provided with a winding diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll. Regardless, an urging means for interposing the sheet-shaped member in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll while keeping the sheet-shaped member in tension is interposed.
According to a tenth aspect, one end and the other end of the belt are connected by using a spring as the urging means. Claim 11
In the above, a shutter for closing a drawer light-tightly is provided on the magazine body so as to be freely opened and closed. In the twelfth aspect, the magazine body includes a lower case accommodating the thermal recording paper roll, and an upper case hinged to the lower case to close the lower case in a light-tight manner.

[0013]

After the printing is completed, the leading end of the thermosensitive recording paper is returned into the magazine body, wound around the recording paper roll and pressed, so that there is no change in humidity at the leading end. Also,
Even if the outlet is left open, the tip is protected from the effects of moisture and ultraviolet rays.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll embodying the present invention, and FIG.
Is a sectional view of the same. A substantially rectangular magazine body 1
Comprises an upper case 3 and a lower case 4 each formed of a light-shielding resin, and are hinged to each other at a connecting portion 5 so as to be freely rotatable. A packing 6 is provided at a contact portion between the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 and at the connecting portion 5.
The packing 6 keeps the inside of the main body 1 light-tight and prevents moisture and ultraviolet rays from entering the inside of the main body 1.

In the vicinity of the center of the paper feed magazine 2, a supply shaft 7 is provided.
Is detachably provided. A core 12a of a thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 in which a long color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is rolled is inserted through the supply shaft 7, and the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12
Is rotatably held inside the paper feed magazine 2. As is well known, the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is a recording paper in which a cyan thermosensitive coloring layer, a magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, and a yellow thermosensitive coloring layer having different thermal sensitivities are sequentially formed. , 420 nm, the coloring ability disappears, and the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer loses the coloring ability by 365 nm ultraviolet light.

A drawer 8 is provided below the paper feed magazine 2 for drawing out the color thermal recording paper 11 and supplying it to the color thermal printer. A shutter unit 9 that closes the outlet 8 in a light-tight manner is provided outside the outlet 8. The shutter unit 9
A shutter 15 that can be moved up and down,
And a spring 17 for urging the shutter 15 downward, and a packing 18 provided between the outer surface of the drawer 8 and the shutter 15.

The shutter 15 has an L-shape with its lower side bent, and a closed position for covering the front surface of the drawer 8 light-tightly.
It retreats upward and moves along the holding frame 16 between the open position where the drawer opening 8 is exposed. The packing 18
When the shutter 15 is in the closed position, external light and moisture enter the paper feed magazine 2 from the gap between the outlet 8 and the shutter 15 by being in close contact with the edge of the outlet 8 and the inner surface of the shutter 15. To prevent The shutter 15 is opened and closed by a shutter opening and closing device provided in a color thermal printer described later.

From the vicinity of the outlet 8 inside the paper feed magazine 2 to the vicinity of the inside of the connecting portion 5, the heat-sensitive recording paper roll 12
Is provided along the contact conveyance device 51. The contact transporting device 51 is used to bring the color thermal recording paper 11 into close contact with the outer periphery of the thermal recording paper roll 12 up to the leading end portion, and also to feed the color thermal recording paper 11 to the thermal printer via the drawer 8 from the thermal recording paper roll 12. And a function of rewinding the leading end into the magazine body after printing. The contact conveyance device 51 includes a driving roller 52 disposed near the drawer opening 8, an urging roller 53 disposed near a corner of the lower case 4, and a driven roller 54 disposed near the inside of the connecting portion 5. , And an endless belt 55 movably stretched between these three rollers 52 to 54.

One end of the mounting shaft 52a of the driving roller 52 penetrates the lower case 4 and reaches the outside. The driven gear 22 is fixed to the outside of the lower case 4. The driven gear 22 meshes with the drive gear 28 when the paper feed magazine 12 is mounted on the color thermal printer. The drive gear 28 is rotated by a motor 34 for feeding paper in a color thermal printer via a clutch 35.
The urging roller 53 is provided with a groove 5 provided inside the lower case 4.
6, and is urged by a spring 57 in the angular direction of the lower case 4 to put the endless belt 55 in a tensioned state. As a result, even if the diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 changes, the endless belt 55 always adheres to a part of the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12, as shown by the dashed line in FIG.

When the driving roller 52 rotates, the endless belt 55 rotates between the three rollers 52-54.
For example, when the endless belt 55 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2, the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 whose part of the outer periphery is in close contact with the endless belt 55 rotates clockwise, and the color thermosensitive recording paper from its leading end. 11 feeds out of the paper feed magazine 2 through the drawer port. Endless belt 5
When the roll 5 rotates in the reverse direction, the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 rotates clockwise to wind the leading end into the magazine body 1 and
It is kept pressed against the thermal recording paper roll 12.

A shutter opening / closing device 27 shown in FIG. 2 includes an operating rod 31 for moving the shutter 15 up and down, a cam plate 32 for moving the operating rod 31, and a motor 3 for rotating the cam plate 32.
And 3. The operating rod 31 has a first node 15a in contact with the shutter 15 and a second node 15b in contact with the cam plate 32 rotatably connected by a connecting shaft 15c.
b is rotatably mounted on the magazine loading portion 26 by a shaft mounting portion 15d.

When the shutter 15 is opened, the motor 33 is driven, and the cam plate 32 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The rotation of the cam plate 32 causes the second bar 1 of the operating rod 31 to move.
5b is rotated clockwise about the connection shaft 15c, and the first node 15a is raised. The shutter 15 is pushed up from the lower surface against the bias of the spring 17, moves to the open position, and the drawer 8 is exposed (see FIG. 4A). On the other hand, shutter 1
When the motor 5 is closed, the motor 33 rotates in a direction opposite to that at the time of opening,
The shutter 15 is pushed down by the bias of the spring 17 and moves to the closed position to cover the drawer port 8, and the drawer port 8 is closed light-tight (see FIG. 4B).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a color thermal printer. The paper feed magazine 2 is set in the magazine loading unit 26 on the paper feed side of the color thermal printer 25.
The magazine loading unit 26 includes a shutter opening / closing device 27,
And a drive gear 28 are provided.

A loop forming section 46 is formed on the downstream side of the magazine loading section 26, and when the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is pulled back by the conveying roller pair 36, the returned portion is stored in a loop shape. In this embodiment, for example, the dancer roller 48 urged upward by the spring 47 is
6 and as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
The color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is pushed up to absorb the slack. The endless belt 55 prevents the recording paper roll 12 from rotating due to the tension of the dancer roller 48.
Is given an appropriate rotational load.

A cutter 37 for cutting the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is disposed downstream of the loop forming section 46.
The cutter 37 has an upper blade movable and a lower blade fixed. After recording the full-color image, the upper blade of the cutter 37 is operated, and the recorded portion of the color thermal recording paper 11 is cut into sheets by the upper blade and the lower blade.

On the downstream side of the cutter 37, a pair of transport rollers 3 is provided.
A color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is conveyed by nipping the thermosensitive recording paper 11 drawn out from the drawer opening 8. The upper side of the pair of transport rollers 36 is a capstan roller 36a, and the lower side is a vertically movable pinch roller 36b. A sensor 38 for detecting the leading end of the color thermosensitive recording paper 13 is provided beside the transport roller pair 36.

A platen roller 39 made of hard rubber is rotatably provided downstream of the transport roller pair 36. A thermal head 41 is rotatably provided facing the platen roller 39. The thermal head 41 is provided on the color thermal recording paper 11 on the platen roller 39.
Is pressed and heated to record a full-color image in three color planes sequentially. As is well known, the thermal head 41 has a large number of heating elements formed in a line in the axial direction of the platen roller 39.

Downstream of the thermal head 41, the optical fixing device 4
2 are arranged. This optical fixing device 42 has a wavelength of 420 nm.
And a magenta fixing ultraviolet lamp 42b that emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 365 nm. The yellow fixing ultraviolet lamp 42a irradiates ultraviolet rays in a wavelength range of 420 nm to thereby form a color thermosensitive recording paper 11.
And the magenta fixing ultraviolet lamp 42b irradiates ultraviolet rays in a wavelength region of 365 nm, thereby causing the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer to lose its coloring ability.

Downstream of the optical fixing device 42, a pair of discharge rollers 4
When the full-color printing is completed, the print sheet cut into a sheet is nipped and discharged from the discharge port 44. Reference numeral 45 denotes a guide plate that forms a transport path for the color thermosensitive recording paper 11.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
The paper feed magazine 2 is set in a magazine loading unit 26. In this state, the driven gear 22 exposed to the outside of the paper feed magazine 2 meshes with the drive gear 28.

At the time of printing, a main switch (not shown) of the color thermal printer 25 is turned on. When the main switch is turned on, the motor 33 is driven to rotate the cam plate 32 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 to rotate the second joint 15b of the operating rod 31 clockwise about the connection shaft 15c. . The first node 15a is raised, the shutter 15 is pushed up from the lower surface against the bias of the spring 17, moves to the open position, and the outlet 8 is exposed (see FIG. 4A).

After capturing the image data to be printed,
When a print instruction is given by operating an operation unit (not shown),
Paper feeding is started. During this paper feeding, the motor 34 starts rotating, and the driven gear 22 rotates via the drive gear 28 via the clutch 35. When the driven gear 22 rotates, the driving roller 52 provided coaxially rotates, and the endless belt 55 starts to rotate between the three rollers 52 to 54 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.

When the endless belt 55 is rotated, the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12, a part of which is in close contact with the endless belt 55, rotates clockwise together with the endless belt 55. Then, the leading end of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is conveyed to the outlet 8 on the moving endless belt 55. When the endless belt 55 further rotates, the leading end of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is
The light reaches the sensor 38 via the cutter 6 and the cutter 37. When the sensor 38 detects the tip, it sends a signal to a controller (not shown). When the controller receives the leading edge detection signal, the transport roller pair 36 enters a nip state, and transports the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 toward the thermal head 41.
Further, the counting operation is started from the time when the leading edge is detected, and the amount of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 sent out is measured.

While the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is being fed, the thermal head 41 is separated from the platen roller 39, and is conveyed to the optical fixing device 42 between them. The output amount of the color thermal recording paper 11 is measured by a counter, and when it is determined from the measurement that the scheduled cutting position of the color thermal recording paper 11 has reached the upstream end of the optical fixing device 42, the contact conveyance is performed. The operation of the apparatus 51 and the pair of transport rollers 36 is stopped, and the feeding of the color thermal recording paper 11 is stopped.

Next, the controller (not shown) rotates the motor 34 in the reverse direction, and starts the first pull-back of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 nipped by the transport roller pair 36. The retracted color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is stored in the loop forming section 46 by moving the dancer roller 48 upward according to the amount of the pulled back. At the time of retraction during printing, the endless belt 55 is stopped because the clutch 35 is disconnected. Endless belt 55
When the color thermal recording paper 11 is pulled by the rotation load of the dancer roller 48 and the recording paper roll 12
Will not rotate with it.

When the rear end of the recording area of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 approaches the thermal head 41, the thermal head 4
1 swings and presses the color thermosensitive recording paper 11. When the thermal head 41 faces the rear end of the recording area of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11, a print control unit (not shown) drives the thermal head 41 according to yellow image data of image data to be printed, and Is recorded line by line. When the yellow image is recorded in the recording area of the color thermal recording paper 11 and the leading end of the color thermal recording paper 11 is detected by the sensor 38, the reverse conveyance of the color thermal recording paper 11 is stopped. At the same time, the thermal head 41 retracts to a position where the thermal recording paper 11 is not pressed.

When the thermal head 41 is retracted, the controller rotates the transport roller pair 36 forward again and lowers the dancer roller 48 to feed out a predetermined amount of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 stored in a loop. Also in this case, the clutch 35 is disengaged and the endless belt 5
5 remains stopped. At this time, the yellow fixing ultraviolet lamp 42a of the optical fixing device 42 is turned on, the recording area of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is irradiated with a predetermined amount of ultraviolet rays of 420 nm, and the color forming ability of the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is reduced. Lost.

Next, when the second pull-back is started and the rear end of the recording area reaches the thermal head 41 again, the thermal head 41 descends and presses the color thermosensitive recording paper 13 again. , The thermal head 41 is driven, and a magenta image is recorded on the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 line by line. In the recording of the magenta image, the thermal head 41 generates a larger amount of thermal energy than the recording of the yellow image.

After recording the magenta image, the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is fed out by a predetermined amount as described above, and the magenta fixing ultraviolet lamp 42b is turned on.
The recording area No. 1 is irradiated with a predetermined amount of 365 nm ultraviolet rays, and a magenta image is fixed.

During the third pullback, the thermal head 4
Numeral 1 generates the largest thermal energy according to the cyan image data, and records the cyan image line by line in the recording area of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11. After recording the cyan image,
The thermal head 41 retracts from the color thermosensitive recording paper 11. When the recording of the cyan image is completed, a full-color image is formed on the color thermosensitive recording paper 11.

The tip of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is the sensor 3
When the detection is made in step 8, the third pullback is completed, and the color thermosensitive recording paper 13 is sent out again. When the cut position of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 reaches the position of the cutter 37, the conveyance of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is temporarily stopped.
The cutter 37 is operated to cut the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 at the scheduled cutting position and cut it into sheet prints.

The leading end of the cut sheet-shaped print reaches the sheet discharge roller pair 43. The paper discharge roller pair 43 nips and rotates the sheet-shaped print after cutting, and discharges the sheet-shaped print from the paper discharge port 44 to a tray or the like. Then, one full color print is completed.

When the necessary number of full-color prints are performed in the above-described procedure, the diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 in the paper feed magazine 2 decreases. Then, the urging roller 53 of the contact conveyance device 51 is pulled by the spring 57, and in response to the decrease in the winding diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12,
It moves in the corner direction of the lower case 4 along the groove 56. As a result, the entire endless belt 55 is pulled, and the space between the drive roller 52 and the driven roller 54 of the endless belt 55 is always in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 (see the dashed line in FIG. 2).

When the necessary full-color printing is completed, the user turns off the main switch of the color thermal printer 25.
Then, the power supply circuit of the color thermal printer 25 is not cut off immediately,
1 is started. That is, the motor 34 rotates in the reverse direction and the endless belt 55
Is rotated in the retraction direction, and the thermal recording paper roll 12 is
Rotate counterclockwise inside.

When the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 rotates in the reverse direction, the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 that has been drawn into the color thermosensitive printer 25 is pulled back into the color thermosensitive printer 25 from the outlet 8. Then, when the leading end portion of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is pulled back to a position where it is completely in contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12, the contact conveyance device 51 stops. In this state, the leading end of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is completely adhered to the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 held by the endless belt 55. The entire color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is kept at a uniform humidity.

After the recording paper 11 is wound, the motor 33 rotates in the reverse direction to rotate the cam plate 32 clockwise in FIG. The cam plate 32 is the second section 15b of the operating rod 31.
Is rotated counterclockwise about the connection shaft 15c,
When the node 15a descends, the shutter 15 is pushed down by the bias of the spring 17, moves to the closed position, and covers the outlet 8. As a result, the outlet 8 is closed, so that entry of outside air or ultraviolet rays is prevented (see FIG. 4B).
Then, after the shutter 15 moves to the closed position, the power supply circuit of the color thermal printer 25 is cut off, and all operations of the color thermal printer 25 stop.

On the other hand, the thermosensitive recording paper 11 set in the paper feed magazine 2 disappears, and a new thermosensitive recording paper roll 1 is used.
2 is loaded, the supply shaft 7 is detached and penetrated through the core 12a of a new thermal recording paper roll 12, and the supply shaft 7 is pressed while pressing the thermal recording paper roll 12 against the biased endless belt 55. May be set in the paper feed magazine 2 again.

In the above-described embodiment, the endless belt has two functions of rewinding the color thermosensitive recording paper and bringing the end portion into close contact with the outer periphery of the roll.
For example, a rewinding device may be provided separately from the contact device as in a paper feed magazine shown in FIG.

The paper feed magazine 61 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a contact device 60 composed of three rollers 62 to 64 and a belt 66 whose one end and the other end are pulled together by a spring 65. Since a part of the belt 66 is fixed by the metal fitting 59, the belt 66 does not rotate, but each end is pulled by a spring 65, and the three belt rollers 62 to
Between 64, the belt 66 can move by the slack. The belt 66 is always in close contact with a part of the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 by the bias of the spring 65 regardless of the winding diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12.

Two magazine rollers 6 are located near the outlet 8.
A magazine roller pair 69 including 9a and 69b is provided. The driven gear 2 is attached to one end of the magazine roller 69b.
2 are provided. The driven gear 22 meshes with the drive gear 28 when the paper feed magazine 61 is set. Also,
The supply shaft 68 holding the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 is rotated by the motor 34 via the clutch 35. The other components, the shutter opening / closing device 9 for opening and closing the drawer 8 and the configuration of the magazine body 1 are the same as those of the previous embodiment.

When the thermal printer starts printing, first, the shutter 15 of the shutter opening / closing device 9 moves to open the drawer opening 8, and then the supply shaft 68 is rotated by the motor 34. Then, the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 is rotated clockwise in FIG. As a result, the color thermosensitive recording paper 11, whose leading end has been in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 69 by the belt 66, is fed in the direction of the outlet 8 while sliding on the belt 66. When the leading end of the color thermal recording paper 11 reaches the rotating magazine roller pair 69, it is nipped. The color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is rotated by rotation of the supply shaft 68 and a pair of magazine rollers 69.
Is fed from the drawer 8 to the thermal printer.

When the required number of prints are completed, the supply shaft 68 and the magazine roller pair 69 start rotating in the reverse direction, and the color thermal recording paper 11 drawn into the thermal printer is pulled back into the paper feed magazine 61. When the leading end of the color thermal recording paper 11 slides on the belt 66 and reaches a portion where the belt 66 and the outer periphery of the thermal recording paper roll 12 are in close contact, the motor 34 stops. Thereafter, the shutter 15 is closed and the drawer 8 is closed. Also in this embodiment, the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 up to the leading end.

It should be noted that the magazine roller pair 69 may be omitted, and the feeding and rewinding of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 may be performed only by the rotation of the supply shaft 68. In this case, it is preferable to form a guide path for heat-sensitive recording paper near the drawer of the paper feed magazine. Further, four or more rollers for holding the endless belt may be provided, or two or more rollers may be provided.

Further, one end of the quadrangular sheet may be fixed and the other end may be moved toward the core, thereby holding down the leading end.

In addition to the above-described two embodiments, for example, a roller that also serves as a contact device and a rewinding device may be provided. In the paper feed magazine 71 shown in FIG. 6, the heat-sensitive recording paper roll 12 is moved up and down by being engaged with a roller 72 serving also as a close contact device and a rewinding device, and with the winding core 12a of the heat-sensitive recording paper roll 12. There is provided a groove 73 for enabling the thermal recording paper roll 12 and a biasing means 74 for biasing the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 in the direction of the roller 72.

At the start of printing by the thermal printer, the paper feed magazine 71 moves the shutter 15 to open the drawer opening 8 as shown in FIG. 6A, and comes into close contact with the outer periphery of the thermal recording paper roll 12. The roller 72 is rotated clockwise in FIG. And thermal recording paper 1
1 is fed out of the outlet 8 through the paper feed path 76 and fed to the thermal printer.

As the required number of prints are made, the diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 decreases by the amount of the thermosensitive recording paper 11 pulled out from the paper feed magazine 71. Then
The thermal recording paper roll 12 is moved downward along the groove 73 by the urging of the urging means 74 (see FIG. 6B). For this reason, the roller 72 is always in close contact with a part of the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12, and the thermosensitive recording paper 11 is reliably sent out.

When the required number of prints is completed, the roller 7
2 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, and the thermosensitive recording paper 11 that has been drawn out from the outlet 8 is drawn into the paper feed magazine 71. Then, when the leading end of the thermal recording paper 11 is pulled back to the position of the roller 72, the rotation of the roller 72 stops, and at the same time, the shutter 15 is closed (FIG. 6).
(B)). This detection of the position of the thermal recording paper 11
This is performed by a sensor (not shown) provided near the roller 72. Also in this embodiment, the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 up to the leading end. In this state, the leading end of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is completely adhered to the outer circumference of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 by the roller 72.
The entire color thermosensitive recording paper 11 including the leading end is kept at a uniform humidity.

In any of the above embodiments, the opening and closing of the shutter may be performed every time one sheet is printed. Further, opening and closing of the shutter is performed by turning on the main switch,
The shutter may be automatically closed after the specified number of prints have been printed, other than when the print is turned off or every single print. A switch for opening and closing the shutter may be provided, and the shutter may be opened and closed arbitrarily (only when printing is performed). In this case, the opening and closing of the shutter is detected by a sensor or the like, and printing can be started only when the shutter is open, and the shutter can be closed only when the thermosensitive recording paper is completely wound into the paper feed magazine to the leading end. It is desirable to do.

In the above-described embodiment, the color thermosensitive recording paper is taken as the recording paper. However, in addition to this, for example, when photosensitive photographic printing paper is supplied to a photographic printer, light shielding and moisture proofing are required. Can be used to supply various types of recording paper that require the above.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, after the printing is completed, the leading end of the thermal recording paper is rewound into the magazine body, and the leading end is pressed against the thermal recording paper roll by a sheet member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the change in humidity as compared with the case where the tip portion is expanded and stored.
Accordingly, the entirety of the thermosensitive recording paper can be maintained at a substantially constant humidity, so that the occurrence of density unevenness due to a difference in humidity can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a color thermal printer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of a paper feed magazine for a thermosensitive recording paper roll.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of a paper feed magazine for heat-sensitive recording paper rolls of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a third embodiment of a paper feed magazine for heat-sensitive recording paper rolls of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Feeding magazine 3 Upper case 4 Lower case 8 Pull-out opening 11 Color thermosensitive recording paper 12 Thermal recording paper roll 15 Shutter 22 Follower gear 25 Color thermosensitive printer 27 Shutter opening / closing device 51 Close contact conveyance device 52 Driving roller 53 Energizing roller 54 Driven roller 55 endless belt

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A heat-sensitive recording paper roll feeder magazine, in which a roll of heat-sensitive recording paper having thermal coloring and ultraviolet fixing properties is housed in a magazine body, and the heat-sensitive recording paper pulled out from an outlet is supplied to a heat-sensitive printer. A pull-back means for rotating the roll of thermal recording paper after printing to return the leading end of the thermal recording paper into the magazine body; and a contacting means for keeping the leading end of the thermal recording paper in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermal recording paper roll. A paper feed magazine for thermal recording paper rolls, characterized in that it is provided. 2. A paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 1, wherein said pull-back means and said contact means are formed of the same member. 3. A paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 1, wherein said contact means is a roller which is in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermal recording paper roll. 4. An urging means for urging the thermosensitive recording paper roll in the direction of the roller such that the roller is in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll irrespective of the winding diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll. 4. A paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 1, wherein said contacting means is a sheet-like member which is in close contact with a part of an outer periphery of said thermal recording paper roll. 6. The paper feed magazine according to claim 5, wherein said sheet-shaped member is an endless belt and is hung on at least two rollers. 7. The heat-sensitive recording paper roll comprises three rollers, two of which are arranged on a straight line crossing the heat-sensitive recording paper roll, and the other one positioned between the two rollers. 7. The paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 6, wherein the paper feed magazine is movable in a direction away from the paper roll. 8. An endless belt is moved by rotating at least one of the rollers, and a thermosensitive recording paper roll in close contact with the endless belt is rotated to feed out the thermosensitive recording paper from a draw-out opening, and the roller is rotated in a reverse direction. 8. A paper feed magazine according to claim 7, wherein the endless belt is used as a pull-back means. 9. The endless belt is provided with an endless belt at a portion not in contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll so as to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll regardless of the winding diameter of the thermosensitive recording paper roll. 7. A paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 6, wherein an urging means for tensioning the belt is interposed, and the endless belt is fixed so as not to rotate. 10. The paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 9, wherein said urging means is a spring. 11. A paper feed magazine for a thermosensitive recording paper roll according to claim 1, wherein a shutter for closing the drawer light-tightly is provided on the magazine body so as to be openable and closable. 12. The magazine body according to claim 1, comprising a lower case in which a thermosensitive recording paper roll is stored, and an upper case hinged to the lower case to close the lower case in a light-tight manner. 12. A paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to any one of 1 to 11.