US20080018041A1

US20080018041A1 - Paper Feed Apparatus, Stack of Paper Printer, and Stack of Paper Printing System

Info

Publication number: US20080018041A1
Application number: US11/697,180
Authority: US
Inventors: Hideki Nakano
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2006-07-21
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2008-01-24
Also published as: CN101108560A; CN100572084C; JP2008024440A; JP4179353B2

Abstract

A paper feed device peels and feeds the uppermost paper of stacks of paper, whose one end is attached to the next so as to be peeled, one by one. The paper feed device includes a stack of paper case in which the stacks of paper having substantially the same length and the same width or different width are received to be parallel to each other in a width direction, a plurality of placing stages which are received in the stack of paper case and on which the stacks of paper are placed, respectively, a stack of paper transfer unit that separately and manually transfers the stacks of paper at a position between a peeling position and a stand-by position by using the plurality of placing stages, and a paper feed unit that peels and feeds the uppermost paper of the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position.

Description

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-199028, filed Jul. 21, 2006, is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a paper feed device, a stack of paper printer, and a stack of paper printing system that peel and feed the uppermost paper of stacks of paper one by one.
2. Related Art
In the related art, a sticky note printer, which includes a sticky note case in which stacks of sticky note having different widths are received and a plurality of placing stages received in the sticky note case, has been known as a sticky note printer including such a paper feed device (see JP-A-2003-81455). While peeling the uppermost sticky note of the stacks of sticky note at a peeling position by a pick-up roller serving as a platen roller, the sticky note printer performs printing. The placing stages pushes up the stacks of sticky note to the peeling position by a pressure spring, and the position of the upper surface (the uppermost sticky note) of the stacks of sticky note received in the sticky note case is regulated to the peeling position by a pair of position regulators 37 that is provided to the sticky note case. Further, a stack of sticky note having a small width (minimum width) is set on one placing stage, and a stack of sticky note having a large width is set on a plurality of placing stages. For this reason, if the stacks of sticky note are set on the plurality of placing stages, the stacks of sticky note always approach the peeling position.
However, the sticky note case of the sticky note printer in the related art has a structure in which one stack of sticky note having a different width is set, and does not have a structure in which several stacks of sticky note are set. Accordingly, even though the several stacks of sticky note are placed on the plurality of placing stages, all of the several stacks of sticky note placed on the stages approach the peeling position. For this reason, there has been a problem in that it is not possible to peel and feed a sticky note of the only desired stack of sticky note. In addition, when printing is performed on stacks of sticky note having different widths or stacks of sticky note having different colors, there have been problems in that the stacks of sticky note should be replaced and the replacing the stacks of sticky note is troublesome.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a paper feed device, a stack of paper printer, and a stack of paper printing system that can set several stacks of paper therein and peel and feed paper from one or more desired stacks of paper one by one.
According to an aspect of the invention, a paper feed device peels and feeds the uppermost paper of stacks of paper, whose one end is attached to the next so as to be peeled, one by one. The paper feed device includes a stack of paper case in which the stacks of paper having substantially the same length and the same width or different width are received to be parallel to each other in a width direction, a plurality of placing stages which are received in the stack of paper case and on which the stacks of paper are placed, respectively, a stack of paper transfer unit that separately and manually transfers the stacks of paper at a position between a peeling position and a stand-by position by using the plurality of placing stages, and a paper feed unit that peels and feeds the uppermost paper of the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position.
In addition, according to another aspect of the invention, a paper feed device peels and feeds the uppermost paper of stacks of paper, whose one end is attached to the next so as to be peeled, one by one. The paper feed device may include a stack of paper case in which the stacks of paper having substantially the same length and the same width or different width are received to be parallel to each other in a width direction, a plurality of placing stages which are received in the stack of paper case and on which the stacks of paper are placed, respectively, a stack of paper transfer unit that separately transfers the stacks of paper at a position between a peeling position and a stand-by position by using the plurality of placing stages, and a paper feed unit that peels and feeds the uppermost paper of the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position.
According to the above-mentioned structure, the stacks of paper are set so that the stacks of paper are placed on the placing stages, and the only desired stack of paper is transferred to the peeling position by the stack of paper transfer unit. Accordingly, paper is not fed from unintended stacks of paper, and it is possible to peel and feed paper of the desired stacks of paper by the paper feed unit. As a result, if several desired stacks of paper are set, the stacks of paper do not need to be changed. Further, since it is possible to separately transfer the plurality of placing stages, it is possible to allow desired stacks of paper to approach the peeling position. In addition, stacks of sticky note or memo pads may be used as the stacks of paper. Further, the placing stages may be translated, and may be transferred while being inclined. Furthermore, a case when stacks of paper having the same width are set corresponds to a case when the stacks of paper having the same width and different ground colors are set.
In the former structure, the stack of paper transfer unit may include a plurality of transfer links that is provided corresponding to the plurality of placing stages and transfers the placing stages, and a plurality of manual operation levers that is connected to the transfer links, respectively.
According to the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to transfer each of the placing stages at a position between the peeling position and the stand-by position through the operation of the manual operation levers. Further, it is preferable that the manual operation levers or the transfer links include lock and unlock mechanisms for maintaining the stacks of paper (placing stages) transferred to the peeling position.
In the latter structure, the stack of paper transfer unit may transfer one or more selected from the stacks of paper by using the plurality of placing stages.
According to the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to simultaneously transfer the entire stacks of paper or desired stacks of paper to the peeling position.
In this case, the stack of paper transfer unit may include a plurality of solenoids that is provided corresponding to the plurality of placing stages and transfers the placing stages.
According to the above-mentioned structure, the plurality of solenoids is selected or a desired solenoid is driven, so that it is possible to transfer a desired placing stage. Further, it is possible to make the structure of the device simple.
In this case, the stack of paper transfer unit may include a plurality of plate cams that is provided corresponding to the plurality of placing stages and transfers the placing stages, a rotary body that is provided with the plurality of plate cams on the periphery thereof, and an actuator that rotates the rotary body.
According to the above-mentioned structure, the rotary body is rotated by the actuator, so that it is possible to transfer to each placing stage by each of the plate cams.
In this case, the paper feed device may further include a selection data obtaining unit that obtains selection data used to transfer the selected placing stage, and the stack of paper transfer unit may transfer the placing stage on the basis of the selection data obtained by the selection data obtaining unit.
According to the above-mentioned structure, a user selects a desired placing stage, so that the stack of paper transfer unit can transfer the placing stage selected by the user.
In this case, the paper feed device may further include a detecting unit that detects the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position.
According to the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to detect that the stack of paper approaches the peeling position, and it is possible to drive the paper feed device on the basis of the results detected by the detecting unit.
In this case, the paper feed device may further include a case and an indicating unit. The stack of paper case, the plurality of placing stages, the stack of paper transfer unit, and the paper feed unit are received in the case, and the indicating indicates the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position at positions corresponding to the placing stages of the case on the basis of the results detected by the detecting unit.
According to the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to indicate that the stack of paper is transferred to the peeling position, and to notify a user that the stack of paper is transferred to the peeling position. Further, since the user confirms the notification, it is possible to suppress user's operational errors.
In this case, the width of each stack of paper may be an integral multiple of the minimum width of each stack of paper, and each of the placing stages may have a width corresponding to the stack of paper having a minimum width.
According to the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to place the stack of paper having the minimum width on one placing stage, and to place the stack of paper having a width corresponding to an integral multiple of the minimum width on the plurality of placing stages.
According to another aspect of the invention, a stack of paper printer includes the above-mentioned paper feed device, and a printing unit that performs printing on the paper fed by the paper feed unit.
According to the above-mentioned structure, even though several stacks of paper are received in the stack of paper case, it is possible to transfer a desired stack of paper to the peeling position and to perform printing on the paper of the only desired stack of paper.
According to another aspect of the invention, a stack of paper printing system includes the stack of paper printer, and a computer that is connected to the stack of paper printer and controls the stack of paper printer.
According to the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to print the paper of the only desired stack of paper by using an input unit, a display unit, a CPU and the like of the computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a sticky note printing system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sticky note printer according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the inner structure of the sticky note printer according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a sticky note holder.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the sticky note holder, taken along a line VA-VA, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the sticky note holder, taken along a line VB-VB.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the sticky note printing system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a stacks of sticky note transfer unit and a display unit.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the inner structure of a sticky note printer according to a first modification of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the inner structure of a sticky note printer according to a second modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a sticky note printer (stack of paper printer) including a paper feed unit according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. The sticky note printer is one of units forming a sticky note printing system (a paper printing system). The sticky note printer rolls up the uppermost sticky note of a stack of sticky note (stack of papers) to be set. After that, while peeling the rolled-up sticky note, the sticky note printer performs printing on the basis of print data edited on a personal computer and then discharges the printed sticky note. First, a sticky note printing system will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a sticky note printing system 1 includes a sticky note printer 2 in which stacks of sticky note H of sticky note (see FIG. 3) are set, and a personal computer 3 connected to the sticky note printer 2 through an USB (USB cable) 4. By means of the personal computer 3, print data used to print sticky note H1 (see FIG. 2) are created and edited, and various operations of the sticky note printer 2 are controlled.
The personal computer 3 includes a personal computer body 5, a keyboard 6 and a mouse 7 that are connected to the personal computer body 5 and are used to input data, and a display 8 for displaying the result of input. A CD-ROM 9 in which data relating to the sticky note printer 2 such as application software (program) or a device driver is stored is detachably provided in the personal computer body 5. When various detection signals, various orders, or various data are input from the keyboard 6, the personal computer 3 processes various data in accordance with the program stored in the CD-ROM 9 so as to control the sticky note printer 2.
As a matte of course, the sticky note printer 2 may have a function of creating and editing print data and a function of controlling each unit so as to be independently used to print the sticky note H1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the outer shape of the sticky note printer 2 is formed by a printer case 15, and the printer case 15 has the structure in which three stacks of sticky note H of sticky note having a minimum width are set. Further, the sticky note printer 2 prints desired character lines, which are created by the personal computer 3, on the sticky note H1 peeled from the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note one by one. Then, the printer 2 discharges the sticky note H1 through a paper outlet 16 that is formed in the printer case 15.
The printer case 15 is formed to have a small size as a whole, and a sticky note inlet 17 through which a sticky note holder 20 to be described below passes to enter the printer case in a lateral direction is formed on the side surface of the printer case 15. Further, a slit-shaped paper outlet 16 through which printed sticky note H1 are discharged to the outside of the printer case is formed at the central portion on the front surface of the printer case 15. The paper outlet 16 has a width corresponding to the width of the sticky note holder 20 so that the three sticky note H1 having a minimum width are discharged while being parallel in a width direction. In addition, an open-close lid 18, which includes a ribbon cartridge C (see FIG. 3) receiving an ink ribbon R (see FIG. 3) and is used for maintenance of the printer, is provided on the upper surface of the printer case 15.
The stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are composed of a plurality of sticky note H1 of which fixed ends 91 each partially have an adhesive on the lower surface. That is, the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note include a plurality of sticky note H1, which has the same shape (rectangular shape) and size and is stacked while fixed ends 91 of sticky note each partially have an adhesive on the lower surface. The sticky note H1 can be peeled from the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note one by one and be re-adhered to an object such as a notebook after peeling. Further, a stack of sticky note H of sticky note having a minimum width, and a stack of sticky note having a width different from a width corresponding to an integral multiple of the minimum width are used as the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note in this embodiment. The stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are formed to have substantially the same length in a longitudinal direction. In addition, stacks of sticky note H of sticky note having different colors (three colors in this embodiment) are used as the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note. For this reason, a case where three kinds of sticky note H1 that have a minimum width and different colors are used will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 3, the sticky note printer 2 includes a sticky note holder 20 in which three stacks of sticky note H of sticky note having a minimum width can be received in a width direction, a sticky note transfer unit (paper transfer unit) 21 that transfers the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note to a position between a pick-up position (peeling position) 48 to be described below and a stand-by position 47, a sticky note feed unit (paper feed unit) 22 that rolls up the uppermost sticky note H1 of a stack of sticky note approaching the pick-up position 48 to feed the uppermost sticky note to a holding position 55 and then discharges the uppermost sticky note to the outside of the printer, a printing unit 23 that prints the sticky note H1 approaching the holding position 55, a detecting unit 24 that detects the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note approaching the pick-up position 48, and an indicating unit 25 that indicates the approaching of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note to the pick-up position 48 by turning on or on and off indicator lamps 82 on the basis of the results detected by the detecting unit 24. The units are received in the printer case 15.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the sticky note holder 20 can support three stacks of sticky note H of sticky note having a minimum width so that the three stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are parallel to each other in a width direction. The sticky note holder 20 includes a sticky note case 30 that has a box shape with an open upper surface, and three placing stages 31 that is received in the sticky note case 30 and the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are horizontally placed thereon, respectively. In addition, the sticky note holder 20 is provided in the sticky note printer 2 so as to be attached or detached through the sticky note inlet 17. When the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are exchanged or replaced, the sticky note holder 20 is drawn and the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are set in the sticky note holder.
The sticky note case 30 includes a guide 36 and a pair of position regulators 37, which are integrally formed. The guide 36 is formed in a frame shape having four sides, and guides the three placing stages 31 so that the three placing stages 31 are horizontally transferred up and down. The pair of position regulators 37 protrude from the front and rear upper ends of the guide 36, respectively, to press free ends 90 of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note to be rolled up and the fixed ends 91 each having an adhesive. An opening 38 through which a push-up portion 76 to be described below passes is formed at a position close to the free ends of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note on the bottom surface of the sticky note case 30, and a detection opening 39 corresponding to the detecting unit 24 is formed at a position close to the fixed ends on the bottom surface of the sticky note case 30.
Each of the placing stages 31 includes a plate-shaped upper stage 43 on which a stack of sticky note H of sticky note is placed, a plate-shaped lower stage 44 coming in contact with the bottom surface of the sticky note case 30, and a coil spring 45 provided between the upper stage 43 and the lower stage 44. The placing surface of the upper stage 43 is formed to have the same length and width as the stack of sticky note H of sticky note, which is to be placed, having a minimum width, and the lower stage 44 is formed to also have the same size as the upper stage 43. Further, the push-up portion 76 comes in contact with the upper surface of the lower stage 44 through the opening 38, and the detecting unit 24 comes in contact with the lower stage 44 through the detection opening 39.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, for example, when three stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are set in the sticky note holder 20 from the upper side of the sticky note case 30, the three stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are placed on the three placing stages 31 with a gap between the pair of position regulators 37. In this case, a position where the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are set is referred to as a stand-by position 47.
When each of the placing stages 31 ascends by the sticky note transfer unit 21, each of the placing stages 31 is horizontally transferred while being guided by the guide 36. Then, the free ends 90 and fixed ends 91 of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note come in contact with the pair of position regulators 37, and are positioned while being pushed up by the coil spring 45. For this reason, even though sticky note H1 are fed one by one and the number of sticky note is decreased, the height level of the uppermost sticky note H1 of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note is not changed. In this case, a position where the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is regulated by the pair of position regulators 37 is referred to as a pick-up position 48.
Meanwhile, when a stack of sticky note H of sticky note having a width two times as large as the minimum width is set, the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is placed on the two placing stages 31. Further, when a stack of sticky note H of sticky note having a width three times as large as the minimum width is set, the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is placed on the three placing stages 31. Stacks of sticky note H of sticky note having different widths can be placed on the stages as described above. Accordingly, if the width of the placing stage 31 is fitted to the minimum width of the stack of sticky note H of sticky note, even though the width of the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is multiplied several times, the stack of sticky note H of sticky note can be placed on the placing stages 31.
A sticky note feed unit 22 is formed to roll up the uppermost sticky note H1 of the stack of sticky note H of sticky note fed to the pick-up position 48. The sticky note feed unit 22 includes a feed roller 51, a driving motor 52, a reduction gear train 53, and a roller transfer 54. The feed roller 51 comes in contact with the uppermost sticky note H1 so as to roll up the uppermost sticky note H1 while being rotated, and holds the rolled-up sticky note H1 between a thermal head 50 to be described below and itself so as to feed the sticky note H1 while being rotated. The driving motor 52 is used as a driving source of the feed roller 51, and the reduction gear train 53 transmits the driving force of the driving motor 52 to the feed roller 51. The roller transfer 54 transfers the feed roller 51 to a position between the pick-up position 48 where a sticky note H1 is rolled up and the holding position 55 where a sticky note H1 is held between the thermal head 50 and the roller transfer 54.
The feed roller 51 is provided corresponding to substantially the same width as the sticky note holder 20, that is, corresponding to the three placing stages 31 in a width direction. The feed roller 51 comes in contact with the free ends 90 of all stacks of sticky note H of sticky note approaching the pick-up position 48 while being rotated. The feed roller 51 includes a roller body 58 that comes in direct contact with the sticky note H1 while being rotated, and a roller driving shaft 59 that serves as a central shaft used to rotate the roller body 58. Both ends of the roller driving shaft 59 are rotatably supported by the roller transfer 54, and the roller driving shaft 59 is rotated due to the driving force of the driving motor 52 transmitted through the reduction gear train 53. In addition, feed roller 51 has a function coming in contact with the sticky note H1 while being rotated so as to roll up the sticky note H1, and a function as a platen roller to be described below cooperating with the thermal head 50.
The roller driving shaft 59 is rotatably supported at one end of the roller transfer 54, and the roller transfer 54 includes a pair of rotary arms 60 that is rotatably supported at the other end of the roller transfer. For example, the roller transfer 54 uses one rotary arm 60 as a carrier, and includes a planetary gear mechanism using gears included in the reduction gear train 53 and a cam mechanism for rotating the rotary arm 60 by the torque of the gears. That is, the circular motion performed by the planetary gear mechanism is converted into the rotational reciprocating motion of the rotary arm 60. Due to the rotational reciprocating motion of the rotary arm 60, the feed roller 51 is transferred to a position between the pick-up position 48 and the holding position 55 while being rotated.
The printing unit 23 includes a thermal head 50 that is disposed in the vicinity of the paper outlet 16 and has substantially the same width as the feed roller 51, and a ribbon winding mechanism (not shown) for winding the ink ribbon R of the ribbon cartridge C to be mounted. The ribbon cartridge C includes a ribbon unwinding reel 61 on which the ink ribbon R is wound so as to be freely unwound, a ribbon winding reel 62 for winding the ink ribbon R thereon, and a cartridge case (not shown) in which the ribbon unwinding reel and the ribbon winding reel are rotatably received. Further, when the feed roller 51 is transferred to the holding position 55, the ribbon winding mechanism is connected to the reduction gear train 53 so that power is supplied from the driving motor 52 to the ribbon winding mechanism, and the ribbon winding mechanism feeds the sticky note H1 and begins to wind (feed) the ink ribbon R.
While the thermal head 50 and the driving motor 52 are controlled on the basis of control signals from the personal computer 3, the printing unit 23 having the above-mentioned structure prints the sticky note H1. That is, the sticky note H1 and the ink ribbon R are held between the thermal head 50 and the feed roller 51 transferred to the holding position 55. Then, while the sticky note H1 and the ink ribbon R are fed together with each other, printing is performed on the surface of the sticky note H1 by the heating the thermal head 50.
The sticky note transfer unit 21 separately transfers the three placing stages 31 up and down, so that the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note approach the pick-up position 48 or the stand-by position 47. The sticky note transfer unit 21 includes three push-up members 70 that come in contact with the lower stages 44 of the placing stages 31 and each have an L shape, and a rotary spindle 71 by which the three push-up members 70 are rotatably and coaxially supported, and three solenoids 72 for transferring the placing stages 31 up and down through the three push-up members 70.
Each of the push-up members 70 includes a long side portion 75 and a push-up portion 76, which are integrally formed with each other. The long side portion 75 is rotated about the rotary spindle 71, and the push-up portion 76 is formed to protrude upward from one end of the long side portion 75. A seat 77 on which a plunger 73 of the corresponding solenoid 72 is seated is formed on the other end of the long side portion 75. The push-up portion 76 comes in contact with the lower stage 44 of the placing stage 31.
The solenoids 72 are provided on the front side of the sticky note holder 20. The plungers 73 of the solenoids 72 protrude downward when the solenoids 72 are driven. When the driving of each solenoid 72 is stopped, the tip of the plunger 73 comes in contact with the seat 77 of the each push-up member 70. When each of the solenoids 72 is magnetized and the plunger 73 protrudes downward, the plunger 73 pushes down the seat 77. Then, the long side portion 75 is rotated about the rotary spindle 71 and pushes up the push-up portion 76, so that the lower stage 44 is pushed up. As a result, the placing plates 31 ascend and the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note approach the pick-up position 48. For this reason, all of the placing stages 31 can ascend by the three solenoids 72, and one or more of the placing stages 31 can also ascend. In contrast, when each of the solenoids 72 is demagnetized, each of the push-up members 70 goes down by a return spring (not shown), so that the lower stages 44 descend. As a result, the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are transferred to the stand-by position 47.
The detecting unit 24 includes three detection sensors 80 so as to correspond to the placing stages 31, and each of the detection sensors 80 is provided below the sticky note case 30. The tip of each detection sensor 80 corresponds to the detection opening 39. While the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note is in the stand-by position 47, the tip of each detection sensor 80 comes in contact with the lower stage 44. Meanwhile, while the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note is in the pick-up position 48, the tip of each detection sensor 80 is separated from the lower stage 44. The tips of the detection sensors 80 are separated form the lower stages 44 when the lower stages 11 ascend by the sticky note transfer unit 21, which allow the detection sensors to detect that the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are transferred to the pick-up position 48. In addition, it is preferable that the printing unit be driven while the detection sensors 80 detect the approaching of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note to the pick-up position 48.
The indicating unit 25 includes three indicator lamps 82 provided on the front side of the printer case 15, and the three indicator lamps 82 are provided in a horizontal direction at positions that correspond to the three placing stages 31 (see FIG. 2). In addition, each of the indicator lamps 82 is turned on or on and off on the basis of the results detected by the corresponding detection sensors 80.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when printing is performed on the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note placed on the three placing stages 31, first, the sticky note transfer unit 21 allows a desired stack of sticky note H of sticky note to approach the pick-up position 48. The stack of sticky note H of sticky note approaching the pick-up position 48 comes in contact with the feed roller 51 that approaches the pick-up position 48, and the feed roller 51 is rotated at this time. The feed roller 51 comes in contact with the surface of the free end of the uppermost sticky note H1 while being rotated, so that the middle portion of the sticky note in the longitudinal direction is bent upward and rolled up.
Directly after the end of the rolled-up sticky note H1 passes through the lower side of the feed roller 51, the feed roller 51 is transferred to the upper side so as to be separated from the stack of sticky note H of sticky note while being rotated. Accordingly, the sticky note H1 is raised up to the upper side of the feed roller 51 due to the rotational force of the feed roller 51, so that the free end 90 rides on the feed end 51. Subsequently, the feed roller 51 on which the sticky note H1 90 rides is transferred to the holding position 55 by the roller transfer 54 while being rotated. When the feed roller 51 approaches the holding position and 55 so that the sticky note H1 is held between the thermal head 50 and the feed roller, the ink ribbon R begins to be fed.
The feed roller 51 comes in contact with the surface of the sticky note H1 while being rotated, so as to peel the sticky note from the stack of sticky note H of sticky note. The feed roller 51 is rotated to feed the free end to the paper outlet 16, and serves as a platen roller. That is, while the adhesive portion is peeled, the thermal head 50 and the feed roller 51 coordinate to perform printing on the surface of the sticky note H1 from the free end. Then, when the printing is completed, the feed roller 51 is transferred from the holding position 55 to the pick-up position 48 and the sticky note transfer unit 21 allows the stack of sticky note H of sticky note to approach the stand-by position 47, so that the stand-by state for printing is prepared. Further, when a stack of sticky note H of sticky note having a width two times as large as the minimum width approaches the pick-up position 48, two placing stages 31 on which the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is placed are transferred. Furthermore, when a stack of sticky note H of sticky note having a width three times as large as the minimum width approaches the pick-up position 48, all of three placing stages 31 on which the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is placed are transferred.
Hereinafter, a control system of the sticky note printing system will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The sticky note printing system 1 controls various operations of the sticky note printer 2 by using the personal computer 3. The sticky note printer 2 includes a printing unit 101, a transfer unit 102, a feed unit 104, a detection unit 105, and an indicating unit 106. The printing unit 101 performs printing by using the thermal head 50. The feed unit 104 peels a sticky note H1 from a stack of sticky note H of sticky note by using the driving motor 52, and feeds the peeled sticky note H1 to the outside of the printer. The transfer unit 102 transfers the placing stages 31 to a position between the pick-up position 48 and the stand-by position 47, by using the solenoids 72 and a selection data obtaining unit 103. The detection unit 105 detects that the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is transferred to the pick-up position 48 and the stand-by position 47, by using the detection sensors 80. The indicating unit 106 indicates that the stack of sticky note H of sticky note approaches the pick-up position 48, by the indicator lamp 82. Meanwhile, the personal computer 3 includes an operational unit 107 and a control unit 108. The operational unit 107 serves as an interface with a user, which is used to input data through the keyboard 6 and mouse 7 and to display various information on the display 108. The control unit 108 controls the operational unit 107 and various units of the sticky note printer 2. Further, the control unit 108 controls the entire sticky note printing system 1.
The control unit 108 includes a CPU 110, a ROM 111, a RAM 112, a CD-ROM 9, and an input output controller (IOC) 113, which are connected with each other through buses 114. When various signals and data are input from various units of the sticky note printing system 1 to the control unit through the IOC 113, the CPU processes various data stored in the RAM 112 by using control programs stored in the CD-ROM 9 on the basis of input various signals and data, and outputs various signals and data to various units of the sticky note printing system 1 through the IOC 113. Accordingly, for example, selection data used to transfer a selected stage 31 is created on the basis of a stage selecting program 115 that is stored in the CD-ROM 9 and used to select a predetermined placing stage 31 from the three placing stages 31 by using the keyboard 6, and is transmitted to the selection data obtaining unit 103. As a result, it is possible to transfer the desired placing stage 31.
Hereinafter, a control flow relating to the selection and driving of the placing stages 31 of the sticky note printer 2, and a control flow relating to the lamp indication corresponding to the selected placing stage 31 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
When the stage selecting program 115 stored in the CD-ROM 9 is executed and a user selects a desired placing stage 31 by using the keyboard 6, the stage selecting program 115 creates selection data on the basis of the selection result (S1). Then, the personal computer 3 transmits the created selection data to the selection data obtaining unit 103 of the sticky note printer 2 (S2). After that, the sticky note printer 2 magnetizes a solenoid 72 corresponding to the selected placing stage 31 (S4) on the basis of the obtained selection data (S3).
The magnetized solenoid 72 allows the placing stage 31 to ascend by the push-up member 70 so that the stack of sticky note H of sticky note approaches the pick-up position. Then, since the lower stage 44 is separated from the tip of the detection sensor 80, the detection sensor 80 detects that the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is transferred to the pick-up position 48 (S5). Subsequently, the control unit 108 turns on (on and off) an indicator lamp 82 corresponding to the detection sensor 80 on the basis of the detection results (S6). As a result, the control unit 108 notifies a user that the desired placing stage 31 ascends, that is, the stack of sticky note H of sticky note approaches the pick-up position 48.
When the stack of sticky note H of sticky note approaches the pick-up position 48, printing is performed using the sticky note feed unit 22 and the printing unit 23. Then, when the printing is completed, the solenoid 72 is demagnetized so that the placing stage 31 descends (S7). When the placing stage 31 descends, the lower stage 44 comes in contact with the detection sensor 80. Accordingly, it is possible to detect that the stack of sticky note H of sticky note is transferred to the stand-by position 47 (S8). Then, the indicator lamp 82 corresponding to the placing stage 31 is turned off (S9). As a result, the control unit notifies a user that the placing stage 31 descends, that is, the stack of sticky note H of sticky note approaches the stand-by position 47. Therefore, when a user selects a desired placing stage 31 on the personal computer 3, the sticky note printer 2 can transfer the placing stage 31 that is selected by the user.
According to the above-mentioned structure, for example, three stacks of sticky note H of sticky note having a minimum width are placed on the placing stages 31, and the only desired sticky note H1 approaches the pick-up position 48 by the sticky note transfer unit 21. Accordingly, it is possible to peel a sticky note from a desired stack of sticky note H of sticky note and to print the sticky note. For this reason, since the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note do not need to be changed as in the related art, it is possible to improve working efficiency. Meanwhile, stack of sticky note H of sticky note have been used in the invention, but memo pads each having an adhesive at the fixed end face may be used instead of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note. Further, the placing stages 31 have been translated in the invention, but the only free ends may be transferred to the pick-up position 48 while the fixed ends 91 of the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are regulated at the stand-by position 47. In addition, the indicator lamps 82 have been provided in the sticky note printer 2, but a notification image indicating that the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note are transferred may be displayed on the display 8 of the personal computer 3, instead of the indicator lamps. Further, a desired placing stage 31 has been selected in the personal computer 3, but selection button may be provided in the sticky note printer 2 so as to select the stage.
Next, a first modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Three plate cams 130 coming in contact with seats 77 of three push-up members 70, a cylindrical rotary body 131 including the three plate cams 130 on the periphery thereof, and a driving motor (actuator) 132 for rotating the rotary body 131 are used to transfer placing stages 31 in a sticky note printer 2, instead of the three solenoids 72 of the first embodiment.
The three plate cams 130 are provided at a regular interval (with phase difference) in a circumferential direction of the rotary body 131. The plate cams 130 are provided at different positions in a width direction so as to come in contact with the push-up members 70. For this reason, the sticky note printer 2 has a structure in which one stage 31 of three placing stages 31 is transferred. Further, although not shown in drawings, it is preferable that the printer include detection sensors for detect that each of the plate cams 130 comes in contact with the push-up members 70 and control the driving motor 132 on the basis of the results detected by the detection sensors.
When a user selects one placing stage 31 from the three placing stages 31 through the personal computer 3, a control unit 108 drives the driving motor 132 so that a desired placing stage 31 is transferred. When the rotary body 131 is rotated by the driving motor 132, the plate cam 130 corresponding to the selected placing stage 31 comes in contact with the push-up member 70. Accordingly, the placing stage 31 ascends by the push-up member 70, and the stack of sticky note H of sticky note approaches the pick-up position 48. One stage is transferred even in the above-mentioned structure. However, a desired placing stage 31 of the three placing stages 31 is transferred, so that it is possible to allow a desired stack of sticky note H of sticky note to approach the pick-up position 48.
Next, a second modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. A sticky note printer 2 has a structure placing stages 31 are manually transferred. The second modification does not include three solenoids 72 of the first embodiment, and three manual operation levers 150, which extend to the outside of the printer, instead of the seat 77 of each push-up member 70. That is, one end of the long side portion 75 of each push-up member 70 is exposed to the outside of the printer through a paper outlet 16 formed in a printer case 15, and an operational holder 151 is provided at the end of the long side portion 75 of each push-up member 70.
When printing is performed on a desired stack of sticky note H of sticky note, a desired manual operation lever 150 of the three manual operation levers 150 is pushed down so that the placing stage 31 ascends. Then, printing is performed while the placing stage 31 ascends. After the printing is completed, the manual operation lever 150 returns back. A desired placing stage 31 is transferred even in the above-mentioned structure, so that it is possible to allow a desired stack of sticky note H of sticky note to approach the pick-up position 48. Further, in this case, it is preferable that the printer include lock and unlock mechanisms for maintaining the stacks of sticky note H of sticky note approaching the pick-up position 48.

Claims

1. A paper feed device for peeling and feeding the uppermost paper of stacks of paper, whose one end is attached to the next so as to be peeled, one by one, the device comprising:

a stack of paper case in which the stacks of paper are received to be parallel to each other in a width direction, the stacks of paper having substantially the same length and the same width or different width;

a plurality of placing stages on which the stacks of paper are placed, respectively, the placing stages being received in the paper case;

a stack of paper transfer unit that separately and manually transfers the stacks of paper at a position between a peeling position and a stand-by position by using the plurality of placing stages; and

a paper feed unit that peels and feeds the uppermost paper of the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position.

2. The paper feed device according to claim 1,

wherein the stack of paper transfer unit includes a plurality of transfer links that is provided corresponding to the plurality of placing stages and transfers the placing stages, and a plurality of manual operation levers that is connected to the transfer links, respectively.

3. A paper feed device for peeling and feeding the uppermost paper of stacks of paper, whose one end is attached to the next so as to be peeled, one by one, the device comprising:

a plurality of placing stages on which the stacks of paper are placed, respectively, the placing stages being received in the stack of paper case;

a stack of paper transfer unit that separately transfers the stacks of paper at a position between a peeling position and a stand-by position by using the plurality of placing stages; and

4. The paper feed device according to claim 3,

wherein the stack of paper transfer unit transfers one or more selected from the stacks of paper by using the plurality of placing stages.

5. The paper feed device according to claim 3,

wherein the stack of paper transfer unit includes a plurality of solenoids that are provided corresponding to the plurality of placing stages and transfer the placing stages.

6. The paper feed device according to claim 3,

wherein the stack of paper transfer unit includes a plurality of plate cams that are provided corresponding to the plurality of placing stages and transfer the placing stages, a rotary body that is provided with the plurality of plate cams on the periphery thereof, and an actuator that rotates the rotary body.

7. The paper feed device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a selection data obtaining unit that obtains selection data used to transfer the desired selected placing stage,

wherein the stack of paper transfer unit transfers the placing stage on the basis of the selection data obtained by the selection data obtaining unit.

8. The paper feed device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a detecting unit that detects the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position.

9. The paper feed device according to claim 8, further comprising:

a case in which the stack of paper case, the plurality of placing stages, the stack of paper transfer unit, and the paper feed unit are housed; and

an indicating unit that indicates in a certain manner on the stacks of paper transferred to the peeling position at positions corresponding to the placing stages of the case on the basis of the results detected by the detecting unit.

10. The paper feed device according to claim 1,

wherein a stack of paper having a minimum width, and a stack of paper having a width corresponding to an integral multiple of the minimum width are used as the stacks of paper, and

each of the placing stages has a width corresponding to the stack of paper having a minimum width.

11. A stack of paper printer, comprising:

the paper feed device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and

a printing unit that performs printing on paper fed by the paper feed unit.

12. A stack of paper printing system, comprising:

the stack of paper printer according to claim 11; and

a computer that is connected to the stack of paper printer and controls the stack of paper printer.