JPH1044547A - Paper feed magazine for heat-sensitive recording paper roll - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feed magazine for a heat-sensitive recording paper roll which makes it possible to set the heat-sensitive recording paper roll in a usable state at any time in a thermal printer. SOLUTION: A take-out opening 8 is formed at a lower part of a paper feed magazine 2. A shutter unit 9 consisting of a light-shutting lid 15, a holding frame 16, a spring and a packing and tightly shutting the take-out opening 8 to light is disposed at the outside of the opening 8. The shutting lid 15 moves along the holding frame 16 between a close position where the lid shuts a front face of the opening 8 tightly with respect to light and an open position where the lid opens and exposes the opening 8. A pair of magazine rollers 21 are axially fitted in a rotatable state inside the paper feed magazine to nip a leading end of a color heat-sensitive recording paper 11. One end of a fitting shaft of a magazine roller 21a penetrates a lower case 4 to reach outside, where an operation gear 22 is fixed. The operation gear 22 is meshed with an interlocking gear of a color thermal printer.

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 paper feed magazine for storing a heat-sensitive recording paper roll made of long heat-sensitive recording paper in a light-tight manner.

[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. The yellow thermosensitive coloring layer, which is the uppermost layer, has the highest thermal sensitivity and the lowermost layer. Is the lowest heat sensitivity of the cyan thermosensitive coloring layer. Each thermosensitive coloring layer is recorded in order from the top layer, but when recording the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer,
After the yellow image is recorded, near-ultraviolet light of 420 nm is irradiated to fix the light so that the uncolored component in the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer does not develop color. Similarly, after recording the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer is light-fixed by irradiating 365 nm ultraviolet rays.

This thermal printer uses cut paper cut into a predetermined size in advance for individuals with a small number of prints, but uses a roll-type color thermal recording paper for commercial thermal printers with a large number of prints. Then, a method of separating the sheet after recording is proposed. For example, in a color thermal printer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-79893, a pinch roller and a thermal head are arranged on the outer periphery of a platen roller. After being folded back in the time shape, it is sent to the optical fixing device. This optical fixing device
It is composed of a UV lamp for yellow which emits near-ultraviolet light of 420 nm and a UV lamp for magenta which emits UV light of 365 nm, which are arranged side by side across the color thermosensitive recording paper. Are located.

This color thermal printer prints a full-color image sequentially in three color planes by alternately sending and pulling back color thermal recording paper. First, after a predetermined amount of the color thermosensitive recording paper is fed from the thermosensitive recording paper roll, the first retraction is performed by rotating the platen roller and the thermosensitive recording paper roll in reverse. At the time of the first retraction, the color thermal recording paper is pressed and heated by the thermal head to record a yellow image line by line in the recording area.

The color thermosensitive recording paper is sent out again from the thermosensitive recording paper roll, and the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer is fixed by turning on the yellow ultraviolet lamp. A magenta image is recorded by the thermal head at the time of the second pullback of the color thermosensitive recording paper. Thereafter, when the color thermosensitive recording paper is pulled out from the thermosensitive recording paper roll, the magenta ultraviolet lamp is turned on to fix the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer. At the time of the third pullback, a cyan image is recorded line by line on the cyan thermosensitive coloring layer. After the recording of the cyan image, the color thermosensitive recording paper is pulled out from the thermosensitive recording paper roll, cut into sheets by a cutter and discharged, and the thermal recording for one sheet is completed.

[0006]

In the case of a color thermal printer using color thermal recording paper in the form of a roll as described above, the amount of recording sheets that can be cut from one roll of thermal recording paper is very large. It is possible to eliminate the need for replenishing the thermal recording paper roll over a large number of prints. However, if the thermal recording paper roll removed from the light-shielding bag or the like is set in the color thermal printer for a long period of time, the thermal recording paper roll is exposed to natural light or fluorescent light coming into the color thermal printer. In some cases, the coloring ability was reduced. In addition, the coloring characteristics change due to the influence of humidity, and it becomes impossible to develop coloring to a desired density.

However, in order to prevent such a decrease in color developing ability, it is very difficult to take out the remaining thermal recording paper roll from the color thermal printer and store it in a storage bag or box every time printing is completed. This requires time and effort, and not only forces the user to perform extra work, but also causes the user to be exposed to external light or the like during the storage process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat-sensitive recording paper roll paper feed magazine which enables a heat-sensitive recording paper roll to be set in a thermal printer at any time. .

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll, which contains a thermal recording paper roll having thermal coloring and ultraviolet fixing properties. In order to form the main body of the paper feed magazine for the thermal recording paper roll detachably mounted on the thermal printer from a light-shielding material, and to provide a drawer for drawing out the thermal recording paper, and to close this drawer light tightly Are provided so as to be freely opened and closed. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to prevent the inside of the main body from being damp, a packing is arranged so as to surround the outlet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the main body of the paper feed magazine is constituted by a lower case in which a thermal recording paper roll is stored, and an upper case for closing the lower case in a light-tight manner. In claim 4, the upper case and the lower case are hingedly connected. In claim 5,
A packing is arranged at a contact portion between the lower case and the upper case. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a paper supply means for feeding the thermal recording paper from the thermal recording paper roll to the thermal printer via the drawer while rewinding the thermal recording paper from the roll is provided in the main body. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the sheet feeding means is a pair of magazine rollers or a belt or a roller arranged near the drawer outlet for nipping and sending out the thermal recording paper.

According to the present invention, the driving force of the thermal printer is transmitted to the magazine roller pair, and the magazine roller pair or the belt or the roller is rotated in conjunction with the printing operation. In the ninth aspect, the magazine roller pair or the belt or the roller is reversed after printing to return the thermal recording paper to a state where the leading end of the thermal recording paper is nipped, and closes the light-shielding lid and closes the drawer opening. It is. In claim 10, when the light-shielding lid is set in the thermal printer with the paper feed magazine,
The drawer is opened by being pushed by a member on the thermal printer side.

[0012]

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. The main body 1 of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped paper feed magazine 2 includes an upper case 3 and a lower case 4 each formed of a light-shielding resin, and is hinged to each other at a connecting portion 5 so as to be rotatable with each other. A packing 6 for preventing light from entering from outside of the paper feed magazine 2 and keeping the inside of the main body 1 light-tight is provided at the hinge connection portion and the connection portion 5 of the upper case 3 and the lower case 4. Is provided. The packing 6 keeps the inside of the main body 1 light-tight, prevents moisture from entering the inside of the main body 1 when the external humidity rises, and keeps the inside of the paper feed magazine 2 as constant as possible. I do.

A detachable supply shaft 7 is mounted near the center of the paper feed magazine 2. A shaft bar 12a of a thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 formed by rolling a long color thermosensitive recording paper 11 through the supply shaft 7 penetrates 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 for closing the outlet 8 in a light-tight manner is provided on the outer surface side of the outlet 8. Shutter unit 9
Is a light-shielding lid 15 movable in the vertical direction,
, A spring 17 for urging the light-shielding lid 15 downward, and an outer surface of the drawer 8 and the light-shielding lid 1.
5 comprises a packing 18 provided therebetween.

The light-shielding lid 15 is L-shaped with its lower side bent, between a closed position where the front surface of the outlet 8 is light-tightly closed and an open position where it is retracted upward and the outlet 8 is exposed. Is moved along the holding frame 16. When the light-shielding lid 15 is in the closed position, the packing 18 comes into close contact with the edge of the outlet 8 and the inner surface of the light-shielding lid 15, so that the outlet 8 is closed.
External light and moisture are prevented from entering the paper feed magazine 2 for heat-sensitive recording paper rolls from the gap between the paper and the light-shielding cover 15. The light shielding cover 15 is opened and closed by a shutter opening and closing device provided in a color thermal printer described later.

A pair of magazine rollers 21 composed of two magazine rollers 21a and 21b is rotatably mounted near the drawer opening 8 inside the paper feed magazine 2. The magazine rollers 21a and 21b are in contact with each other, and the space between the magazine rollers 21a and 21b is
The color thermosensitive recording paper 11 fed from 2 passes through the drawing port 8 and is sent to the color thermosensitive printer. One end of the mounting shaft of the magazine roller 21a penetrates the lower case 4 and reaches the outside. An operation gear 22 is fixed to the outside of the lower case 4. The operation gear 22 meshes with an interlock gear provided in a color thermal printer described later. Then, the magazine roller pair 21 rotates in conjunction with the paper feed in the color thermal printer.

In the lower part of the inside of the main body 1 of the paper feed magazine 2, a looped back portion of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 when the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is pulled back in the process of printing by the color thermosensitive printer. A certain space is formed so as to be able to be stored in a shape.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an outline of a color thermal printer to which a paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll as described above can be mounted. The feed magazine 2 having the above-described configuration is set in the magazine loading unit 26 on the feed side of the color thermal printer 25. The magazine loading unit 26 includes a shutter opening / closing device 27 and an interlocking gear 28.
Is provided. The shutter opening / closing device 27 shown in FIG. 2 includes an operation rod 31 for moving the light shielding cover 15 up and down, a cam plate 32 for moving the operation 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 light shielding cover 15 and a second node 15b in contact with the cam plate 32 rotatably connected by a connection shaft 15c.
Is rotatably mounted on the magazine loading portion 26 by a shaft mounting portion 15d.

With this configuration, the shutter opening / closing device 27 drives the motor 33 to rotate the cam plate 32 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 when the light shielding cover 15 is opened. Thus, the cam plate 32 rotates the second joint 15b of the operation rod 31 clockwise about the connection shaft 15c. Then, the first node 15a rises, and the light-shielding lid 15 is pushed up from the lower surface against the bias of the spring 17, moves to the open position, and
Are exposed (see FIG. 4A).

On the other hand, when the light shielding cover 15 is closed, the motor 3
The cam plate 32 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. As a result, the cam plate 32 rotates the second joint 15b of the operating rod 31 counterclockwise about the connection shaft 15c, and the first joint 15a descends. Then, the shading lid 1
5 is pushed down by the bias of the spring 17 and moves to the closed position to cover the drawer 8. Thus, the outlet 8 is closed light-tightly (see FIG. 4B).

The interlock gear 28 rotates the pair of magazine rollers 21 of the paper feed magazine 2 in conjunction with the paper feed of the color thermal printer 25. When the paper feed magazine 2 is mounted on the magazine loading section 26, the interlocking gear 28 meshes with the operation gear 22 exposed outside the paper feed magazine 2.
The interlocking gear 28 is connected to a friction clutch 35, and is connected via the friction clutch 35 to a motor 34 for rotating the magazine roller pair 21.

The friction clutch 35 feeds the leading end of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 from the drawer opening 8 of the paper feed magazine 2 at the start of printing and the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 fed out after printing is completed. When the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is not pulled back, the paper feed speed of the color thermal recording paper 11 is adjusted to the conveying roller pair 36 described later to prevent the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 from being pulled between the conveying roller pair 36 and the magazine roller pair 21. This is a well-known friction clutch mechanism for preventing this. By the friction clutch 35, the thermal recording on the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 and the paper transport at the time of fixing are performed at the transport timing by the rotation of the transport roller pair 36.

The color thermal recording paper 1 is located downstream of the drawer 8 of the paper feed magazine 2 set in the magazine loading section 26.
Cutter 3 via a guide plate 45 forming a first conveyance path
7 are arranged. The cutter 37 has an upper blade movable and a lower blade fixed. After recording the full-color image, the cutter 37 operates to cut the recorded portion into sheets.

On the downstream side of the cutter 37, a pair of transport rollers 3 is provided.
The color thermosensitive recording paper 11 fed from the drawer opening 8 by the magazine roller pair 21 is nipped, and the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is conveyed. The transport roller pair 36 has a capstan roller 36a having a fixed axial position on the upper side of the pair of rollers, and a pinch roller 36b having a lower axial position on the lower side, and the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is transported. Nip state when 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.

The optical fixing device 4 is located downstream of the thermal head 41.
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.
Color thermal recording paper 11 using color thermal printer 25
When a full-color image is to be recorded in the printer, first, the paper feed magazine 2 for the thermal recording paper roll already loaded with the thermal recording paper roll 12 is set in the magazine loading unit 26. When the paper feed magazine 2 is mounted on the magazine loading unit 26, the operation gear 22 exposed outside the paper feed magazine 2
Meshes with the interlocking gear 28.

Then, the main switch (not shown) of the color thermal printer 25 is turned on. When the main switch is turned on, the shutter opening / closing device 27 operates in conjunction with this. 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. Then, the first
The node 15a rises, the light-shielding lid 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). Note that the leading end of the thermal recording paper roll 12 has already been nipped by the pair of magazine rollers 21 when the thermal recording paper roll 12 is loaded into the paper feed magazine 2.

After capturing the image data to be printed,
When a print instruction is given by operating an operation unit (not shown),
The motor 34 starts rotating, and the operation gear 22 rotates via the friction clutch 35 and the interlocking gear 28. When the magazine roller 21a to which the operation gear 22 is fixed rotates in the feeding direction, the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is fed out from the leading end of the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 through the guide plate 45 to the transport roller 36. I will go.

The tip of the color thermal recording paper 11 is the sensor 3
At the time of reaching 8, the sensor 38 sends a tip detection 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 to 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.

During the delivery of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11, the thermal head 41 is separated from the platen roller 39,
The paper is conveyed toward the optical fixing device 42 through these spaces.
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 cut position of the color thermal recording paper 11 has reached the upstream end of the optical fixing device 42, the color thermal recording paper 11 is determined. The conveyance of the recording paper 11 stops.

Next, the controller (not shown) rotates the conveying roller pair 36 in the reverse direction to start the first retraction of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11. The color thermosensitive recording paper 11 that has been pulled back is loosely stored in a loop shape at the lower portion inside the paper feed magazine 2 for thermosensitive recording paper rolls. When the rear end of the recording area of the color thermal recording paper 11 approaches the thermal head 41, the thermal head 41 swings and presses the color thermal recording paper 11.

The thermal head 41 is a color thermal recording paper 1
When facing the rear end of one recording area, the print control unit (not shown) drives the thermal head 41 according to the yellow image data of the image data to be printed, and records the yellow image 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 and the magazine roller pair 21 forward again to remove the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 stored in the lower part inside the paper feed magazine 2 in a loop form. Send out.
At the time of the second sending, the yellow fixing ultraviolet lamp 42a of the optical fixing device 42 is turned on, and the recording area of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is irradiated with a predetermined amount of ultraviolet rays of 420 nm. Loses its coloring ability.

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, and this time the magenta image data is read. , 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 the recording of 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 retraction, 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 thermal recording paper 11 is the sensor 3
When the detection is made at step 8, the third retraction is completed, and the color thermosensitive recording paper 13 is sent out. 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 pair of discharge rollers 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.

With the above operation, the necessary full-color printing is completed, and when the user turns off the main switch of the color thermal printer 25, the color thermal printer 2
The power supply circuit of No. 5 is not cut off immediately, and the pair of magazine rollers 21 starts reverse rotation. Finally, the sheet-like print is cut off and becomes a new leading end, and the cutter 37
Is returned to the paper feed magazine 2 for the thermal recording paper roll.

When the color heat-sensitive recording paper 11 is pulled back into the paper feed magazine 2 for the heat-sensitive recording paper roll and its leading end reaches the magazine roller pair 21, the magazine roller pair 21 nips the leading end of the color heat-sensitive recording paper 11. Stop in state. The color thermosensitive recording paper 11 that has been pulled back is loosely stored in a loop shape at the lower portion inside the paper feed magazine 2 for thermosensitive recording paper rolls.

When the pair of magazine rollers 21 stops while nipping the leading end of the color thermal recording paper 11, the motor 33
Rotate in the reverse direction to rotate the cam plate 32 clockwise in FIG. The cam plate 32 rotates the second joint 15b of the operating rod 31 counterclockwise about the connecting shaft 15c, and when the first joint 15a descends, the light-shielding lid 15 is pushed down by the bias of the spring 17 and closed. Move to the position to cover the outlet 8. Thus, the outlet 8 is closed light-tightly (see FIG. 4B). Then, after the light-shielding lid 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.

After the color thermal printer 25 has been used, if a part of the color thermal recording paper 11 is fed out of the paper feed magazine 2 and is left in the color thermal printer 25, the inside of the color thermal printer 25 is completely Since the light is not shaded, the color developing ability of the color thermal recording paper 11 kept fed into the color thermal printer 25 is reduced or lost due to the ultraviolet light contained in the indoor fluorescent lamp or natural light. Sometimes.

However, as described above, after the use of the color thermal printer 25, the color thermal recording paper 11 fed out of the paper feed magazine 2 into the color thermal printer 25 is used.
Is completely pulled back into the paper feed magazine 2, and the drawer opening 8 is light-tightly closed by the light-shielding cover 15, so that the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 is stored to the leading end in the main body 1 of the paper feed magazine 2 completely shielded from light. You. Further, since the connecting portion between the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 and the connecting portion 5 and the like are completely sealed by the packing 6, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the paper feed magazine 2 from the outside, and The inside of 2 is kept constant humidity.
Therefore, a clear full-color image free from color unevenness or the like can be always recorded from the leading end of the color thermal recording paper 11 at the next printing without using the color thermal printer 25 for a long time.

On the other hand, the thermal recording paper 11 set in the paper feed magazine 2 disappears, and a new thermal recording paper roll 1
When loading 2, the supply shaft 7 is removed and penetrated through the shaft rod 12a of the new thermal recording paper roll 12, and the supply shaft 7 together with the thermal recording paper roll 12 is attached to the paper feed magazine 2 again. Then, after the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 is set, the leading end of the color thermosensitive recording paper 11 may be inserted into the magazine roller pair 21 by a predetermined amount and nipped.

By preparing a plurality of such paper feed magazines 2, even if the paper runs out during use of the color thermal printer 25, it can be quickly replaced. Further, since the inside of the main body 1 of the paper feed magazine 2 is completely shielded from light as described above, moisture does not enter and the thermosensitive recording paper roll 12 does not get wet.
It is possible to keep it for a long time while it is loaded in

In the above-described embodiment, the opening and closing of the drawer by the light-shielding lid of the paper feed magazine are performed in conjunction with the ON / OFF of the main switch of the color thermal printer. The light-shielding lid may be opened and closed by attachment and detachment to the unit. For example, a paper feed magazine 41 for a thermal recording paper roll 40 shown in FIG.
When the printer is set in the magazine loading section 42 of the color thermal printer, the light-shielding lid 45 of the shutter unit 44 is opened by the opening / closing member 43 protruding from the magazine loading section 42.

A shutter unit 44 having the same configuration as in the previous embodiment is provided on the front surface of a drawer 47 for pulling out the thermal recording paper 46 from the paper feed magazine 41. The shutter unit 44 is provided with a light shielding cover 45 movably up and down, and the light shielding cover 45 is urged by a spring 48 toward the closed position. Accordingly, when the paper feed magazine 41 is not set in a thermal printer (not shown), the drawer 47 is closed by the light-shielding lid 45, the inside of the paper feed magazine 41 is kept light-tight, and Does not enter (see FIG. 5A). Therefore, there is no possibility that the desired color density cannot be obtained due to the photosensitive recording paper roll 40 being exposed to light or humid.

When the paper supply magazine 41 is loaded in the magazine loading section 42 of the thermal printer, the opening / closing member 43 protruding from the magazine loading section 42 comes into contact with the lower portion of the light shielding cover 45, and the light shielding lid 45 is moved from the closed position to the spring 48. (See FIG. 5 (B)). As a result, the outlet 47 is exposed, and the thermal recording paper 46 can be pulled out to perform thermal recording. When the paper feed magazine 41 is removed from the magazine loading section 42 again, the light-shielding lid 45 is no longer pressed by the opening / closing member 43, and is lowered to the closed position by the bias of the spring 48 to close the drawer 47.

In the second embodiment as described above, as the mechanism for opening and closing the light shielding cover 45, only the opening and closing member 43 for pushing the light shielding cover 45 is provided in the magazine loading section 42. It can be configured simply and at low cost, and the light shielding cover 45 can be reliably opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the paper feed magazine 41.

In addition to the above-described first and second embodiments, for example, opening and closing of the light shielding cover may be performed every time one sheet is printed. In this case, at the start of printing, the light-shielding cover of the paper feed magazine is opened, the thermosensitive recording paper is fed out by the paper feeding means, and printing is performed. After being cut into a sheet and one print is discharged, the thermal printer is used. The heat-sensitive recording paper fed out is wound into a paper feed magazine by paper feed means. By closing the light-shielding lid, even if the paper supply magazine is set in the thermal printer, the heat-sensitive recording paper roll in the paper supply magazine is not exposed to light or becomes moist, so that the color development characteristics do not deteriorate.

The opening and closing of the light shielding cover can be performed by turning on the main switch,
After the number of prints has been input or the number of prints has been input in advance, the light-shielding cover is opened to pull out the thermal recording paper, and after a predetermined number of prints have been printed, the printout is fed into the thermal printer. The heat-sensitive recording paper may be wound into a paper feed magazine, and the light-shielding cover may be closed. Also,
A switch for opening and closing the light-shielding lid may be provided, and the light-shielding lid may be opened and closed arbitrarily (only when printing is performed). in this case,
Open / close of the light-shielding lid is detected by a sensor, etc., and printing can be started only when the light-shielding lid is open, and the light-shielding lid 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.

The opening and closing of the light shielding cover is performed by the motor,
Instead of using a cam or the like to automatically open and close, the light-blocking lid may be opened and closed by manually operating an opening and closing operation lever and the like. In this case, it is necessary to confirm that the thermal recording paper has been completely rolled up in the paper feed magazine and then close the light-shielding cover manually.However, when the thermal paper is pulled out of the paper feed magazine, Open and close the light-shielding cover and pull out the heat-sensitive recording paper so that the thermal cover is not accidentally closed and the thermal recording paper is pinched, or printing is started even if the light-shielding lid is closed. It is good to display that it is doing.

The attachment of the light-shielding cover for exposing and opening and closing the drawer to the feed magazine may be performed, for example, above or below the drawer, in addition to moving up and down along the mounting groove as in the above-described embodiment. The drawer opening may be exposed and closed by pivotally mounting a light-shielding lid on the front of the paper feed magazine and rotating the light-shielding lid on the front or inside of the paper feed magazine. Further, the light-shielding lid may be divided into two parts, and the light-shielding lid may be moved in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction of the drawer to expose and close the drawer.

The paper supply means for pulling out the thermal recording paper from the paper supply magazine or for pulling the thermal recording paper into the paper supply magazine to the leading end thereof, as in the above-described embodiment, nips and transports the thermal recording paper. In addition to one set of magazine rollers, for example, a feed roller in contact with the outermost periphery of the thermosensitive recording paper roll may be used. In such an embodiment, regardless of the remaining amount of the thermal recording paper roll, the feed roller is urged toward the thermal recording paper roll by a spring or the like so as to always contact the outermost periphery of the thermal recording paper roll. When printing is not to be performed, the thermal recording paper pulled out of the thermal printer is wound into the paper feed magazine by the feed roller, the drawer is closed with a light-shielding lid, and the leading end of the thermal recording paper is fed to the feed roller. And wrap it so that it touches the thermosensitive recording paper roll.

Then, at the time of printing, the light-shielding cover is opened and the feed roller is rotated in the feed-out direction, and the thermosensitive recording paper is fed out from the drawer. As described above, the recording surface of the thermosensitive recording paper is heated to the leading edge by winding the thermosensitive recording paper to the leading edge of the thermosensitive recording paper roll by the feed roller urged in the direction of the thermosensitive recording paper roll except during printing. It is in contact with the back surface of the paper, so that the light-shielding property in the paper feed magazine and the coloring of the leading end portion of the thermal recording paper can be more reliably maintained.

The rotation of the pair of magazine rollers and the feed roller is performed by rotating the pair of feed rollers from the outside of the magazine by means of a gear connected to a motor provided in a magazine loading section of the thermal printer. A motor for rotating a pair or a feed roller may be provided, and the thermal recording paper may be pulled out of the paper supply magazine or wound into the paper supply magazine in electrical interlock with the paper feed in the thermal printer. The paper feeding means is not limited to these magazine roller pairs and feed rollers.

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

[0060]

As described above, in the paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll of the present invention, the main body of the paper feed magazine is formed of a light-shielding material, and a draw-out opening for drawing out the thermal recording paper is provided. The light-shielding lid that closes the drawer light-tightly is provided so that it can be opened and closed, so that external light can enter the paper supply magazine even if the paper supply magazine containing the thermal recording paper roll is set in the thermal printer. Thus, the heat-sensitive recording paper is not exposed to light and the color-developing properties are not deteriorated. Further, there is no need to remove the paper feed magazine from the thermal printer after printing is completed.

In the paper feed magazine of the present invention, since the packing is arranged so as to surround the drawer, moisture enters the feed magazine from the gap between the light-shielding lid and the drawer, and the heat-sensitive recording paper becomes moist and develops color. The characteristics do not decrease,
It is possible to always keep the humidity in the paper feed magazine constant. Therefore, there is no need to take out the thermosensitive recording paper roll from the paper feed magazine after printing and store it in a moisture-proof bag or the like.

In the paper feed magazine according to the third aspect, the main body of the paper feed magazine is composed of a lower case in which a thermosensitive recording paper roll is stored and an upper case which closes the lower case in a light-tight manner. It is easy to load the thermal recording paper roll into the magazine. In the paper feed magazine according to the fifth aspect, since packing is arranged at a contact portion between the lower case and the upper case, light leakage from the contact portion between the lower case and the upper case into the paper feed magazine can be reliably prevented, Moisture can be prevented from entering from the contact portion. For this reason, the light-shielding property and the moisture-proof property in the paper feed magazine are enhanced, and the color development characteristics of the stored thermosensitive recording paper roll are reliably maintained.

In the paper supply magazine according to the present invention, a paper supply means for feeding the thermal recording paper from the thermal recording paper roll to the thermal printer through the draw-out opening while rewinding the thermal recording paper from the thermal recording paper roll is provided in the main body of the paper supply magazine. Therefore, when starting printing on the thermal recording paper, pull out the thermal recording paper from the paper feed magazine,
At the end of printing, the thermal recording paper that has been pulled out of the thermal printer can be easily pulled into the paper feed magazine, and the thermal recording paper is not exposed to external light during paper feeding.

In the paper feed magazine according to the present invention, the paper feed means is a pair of magazine rollers arranged near the drawer and for nipping and feeding out the thermal recording paper. Drawer and drawer into the paper feed magazine. Then, since the leading end of the thermal recording paper is nipped by the pair of magazine rollers after being drawn into the paper feed magazine, it becomes possible to quickly pull out the thermal recording paper from the paper supply magazine at the next printing.

In the paper feed magazine of the present invention, the driving force of the thermal printer is transmitted to the pair of magazine rollers, and the pair of magazine rollers is rotated in conjunction with the printing operation. Since there is no need to provide a rotating means or the like for rotating the pair, the paper feed magazine can be made compact. Further, by transmitting the driving force of the thermal printer, it becomes easy to link the rotation of the magazine roller pair with the paper feed in the thermal printer.

In the paper feed magazine according to the ninth aspect, the pair of magazine rollers is reversed after printing to return the thermosensitive recording paper to a state where the leading end of the thermosensitive recording paper is nipped, and the light-shielding cover is closed to close the drawer. Therefore, the heat-sensitive recording paper can be reliably placed in the light-shielded and moisture-proof state with the paper feed magazine set in the heat-sensitive printer to the leading end, and can be stored for a long time without deteriorating the coloring characteristics.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the light-shielding lid is set in the thermal printer when the light-shielding lid is set in the thermal printer, the drawer opening is opened by being pushed by the member on the thermal printer side. Can be configured extremely simply and at low cost, and the light-shielding lid can be reliably opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the paper feed magazine, so that the light-shielding and moisture-proof inside the paper feed magazine are reliably maintained.

[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 an explanatory view showing a simple configuration of a color thermal printer using a paper feed magazine for thermal recording paper rolls of the present invention.

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.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Feeding magazine 3 Upper case 4 Lower case 5 Connecting part 6 Packing 8 Pull-out opening 9 Shutter unit 11 Color thermal recording paper 12 Thermal recording paper roll 15 Light-shielding lid 18 Packing 21 Magazine roller pair 22 Operation gear 25 Color thermal printer 27 Shutter opening and closing device

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A heat-sensitive recording paper roll feeder magazine which accommodates a thermosensitive recording paper roll having thermal coloring and ultraviolet fixing properties and is detachably mounted on a thermal printer, wherein the main body of the feeder magazine is shielded from light. Paper for a thermosensitive recording paper roll, characterized in that the thermosensitive recording paper roll is formed of a conductive material, a drawer opening for drawing out the thermosensitive recording paper is provided, and a light shielding cover for closing the drawer light-tightly is provided. magazine. 2. A paper feed magazine for a thermosensitive recording paper roll according to claim 1, wherein a packing is disposed so as to surround said draw-out opening so as to prevent moisture in said main body. 3. The thermosensitive recording paper roll according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a lower case in which the thermosensitive recording paper roll is stored, and an upper case that closes the lower case in a light-tight manner. Paper feed magazine. 4. The paper feed magazine according to claim 3, wherein the upper case and the lower case are hingedly connected to each other. 5. The paper feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to claim 3, wherein a packing is disposed at a contact portion between the lower case and the upper case. 6. A thermosensitive recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main body is provided with paper feeding means for feeding thermosensitive recording paper from a thermosensitive recording paper roll to a thermal printer through a draw-out opening. Paper feed magazine for paper rolls. 7. The thermosensitive recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the paper feeding means is a pair of magazine rollers, a belt or a roller for nipping and feeding out the thermosensitive recording paper, which is arranged near a drawer opening. Paper feed magazine for paper rolls. 8. The thermal recording paper according to claim 7, wherein a driving force of the thermal printer is transmitted to the magazine roller pair, and the magazine roller pair or a belt or a roller rotates in conjunction with a printing operation. Paper feed magazine for rolls. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magazine roller pair or the belt or the roller is reversed after printing to return the thermal recording paper to a state where the leading end of the thermal recording paper is nipped, and then close the light shielding cover to close the drawer. 9. The paper feed magazine for a thermosensitive recording paper roll according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The light-shielding lid is pushed by a member of the thermal printer when the paper feed magazine is set in the thermal printer, and the drawer opening is opened.
10. A feed magazine for a thermal recording paper roll according to any one of claims 9 to 9.