JP2014108578A - Roll paper storage cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control roll paper spreading until the cover is closed without impairing the operability, and to prevent extra force from being applied to the roll paper after the cover is closed. The purpose is to provide a cassette.
In a roll paper storage cassette, a storage case that stores roll paper, a cover that opens and closes the opening of the storage case by rotating with respect to the storage case, and protrudes from the inner surface of the storage case. A regulating member that regulates the roll paper by contacting the outer diameter of the roll paper stored in the storage case and is movable in the radial direction of the roll paper, and the cover is closed The restricting member moves in a direction of retreating from the roll paper stored in the storage case.

Description

  The present invention relates to a roll paper storage cassette that stores roll paper.

  Printers that use roll paper are widely used for business purposes, and some home printers also support roll paper.

  Advantages of using roll paper include speeding up continuous printing and reducing margins in printed materials.

  When performing continuous printing, unlike the supply of strip paper, the paper can be continuously supplied, so that the next paper supply operation can be completed in a relatively short time. For this reason, when performing continuous printing in large quantities, the roll paper is more suitable for higher speed.

  Since the sublimation printer transports the paper and the ink ribbon in a state where they are pressed against each other with a strong force in the printing unit, the paper transport load during printing is large. Further, when printing a color image, since the paper is reciprocally conveyed to superimpose a plurality of colors, it is necessary to convey the sheet with high accuracy so that the color is not shifted and the print quality is not deteriorated. The paper is gripped and transported by a grip roller with many protrusions on the outer periphery of the roller for high-precision transport. However, because the design requires a certain distance between the grip roller and the thermal head, the grip roller from the print writing position is used. The distance up to is an area that cannot be printed. This non-printable area is the margin of the printed material. In the roll paper system, the portion gripped by the grip roller at the start of printing can be used in the next printing, and therefore no margin is generated and waste is reduced.

  As other advantages, in general, the roll form can be produced at a relatively low cost compared to the strip paper, and the paper as a consumable can be provided to the user at a low price. In addition, since there is a degree of freedom in print length and cutting is performed after printing, it is possible to cope with printing with a free aspect ratio.

  In addition, a conventional sublimation printer using strip paper has a plurality of types of paper, and the paper and ink ribbon can be replaced even when they are not used up. Even when the roll paper method is adopted, it is desirable to support a plurality of paper sizes having different widths and to allow the papers to be replaced midway.

  There is Patent Document 1 as a technology of a roll paper storage cassette in which a user inserts a shaft into roll paper and puts it in a cassette. In Patent Document 1, roll paper is stored in a cassette in order to eliminate the need for setting the leading edge of the roll paper, which requires the user to work carefully when loading the roll paper, improving usability and feeding reliability. Improvements are being made. However, in Patent Document 1, roll spreading of the roll paper is not regulated until the cassette lid 3 is closed, and roll roll spreading occurs before the cassette lid 3 is closed.

  As a roll paper roll regulation method, there is a technique that regulates roll paper roll spread by pressing a roller against the outer circumference of the roll paper and keeping the roller in contact (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-306511 A JP 2011-046476 A

  In order to regulate the roll spread of the roll paper, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, the user presses the roll regulation roller on the outer circumference of the roll paper after the roll paper is loaded with the cover of the roll paper storage unit open. I have to work. Therefore, there is a possibility that the roll paper spreads before being pressed. Further, when printing is performed with the cover closed, since the roller is always pressed against the roll paper, an extra resistance is applied to the roll paper during the printing operation, which may affect the printing operation. It is also conceivable that the force required to transport the roll paper increases due to the force applied to the roll paper.

  Therefore, the present invention can regulate the roll paper spread until the cover is closed without impairing the operability, and can prevent an excessive force from being applied to the roll paper after the cover is closed. An object is to provide a roll paper storage cassette.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a roll paper storage cassette according to the present invention includes a storage case that stores roll paper, a cover that opens and closes the opening of the storage case by rotating with respect to the storage case, A regulation member that projects from the inner surface of the storage case and contacts the outer diameter of the roll paper stored in the storage case to regulate the roll paper, and is movable in the radial direction of the roll paper, and When the cover is closed, the restricting member moves in a retracting direction from the roll paper stored in the storage case.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a roll paper storage cassette that regulates the roll paper spread until the cover is closed without impairing the operability and reduces the influence on the roll paper after the cover is closed. Can do.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the printer and cassette of a present Example. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the roll paper storage cassette of a 1st Example. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing for demonstrating the outer diameter control member of a 1st Example. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of roll paper loading of a 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the direction of force when there is no leaf | plate spring contact part of a 1st Example. It is sectional drawing for showing the operation | movement at the time of printing. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing for demonstrating the outer diameter control member of a 2nd Example. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of roll paper loading of a 2nd Example. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing for demonstrating the outer diameter control member of a 3rd Example. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of roll paper loading of a 3rd Example. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement at the time of the cover closing of 3rd Example. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a layout example of a printer. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of a roll paper storage cassette. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the pressurization operation | movement of a roll paper storage cassette cover. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the rolled roll paper, and the state in which the cover was closed in the state.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Here, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a layout for making the printer compact. FIG. 12A shows a standby state, and FIG. 12B shows a state during paper feeding.

  FIG. 12 particularly shows the layout of the roll paper storage cassette 8, ribbon cassette 902, paper feed roller 903, grip roller pair 904, thermal head 905, platen roller 906, and cutter 907.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, in the standby state, the paper feed roller 903 is in the retracted position, and the roll paper storage cassette 8 is attached to the main body. The reason why the paper feed roller 902 is retracted is to slide the roll paper storage cassette 8 in the longitudinal direction of the roll paper shaft 901 in the same manner as the ribbon cassette 902 insertion / extraction direction. It is made smaller and inserted in the longitudinal direction to improve operability.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the projected area of the printer increases in accordance with the retraction space of the paper feed roller 903 at the retreat position. Therefore, the rubber diameter of the paper feed roller 903 is also reduced in order to make the printer body as small as possible. The diameter is small.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, when feeding paper, the paper feed roller 903 provided in the printer main body rises, applies driving force to the outer periphery of the roll paper 909, picks up the front end of the roll paper from the roll paper storage cassette 8, and feeds it. Rotate the roll paper in the direction to turn.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the state in which the roll paper storage cassette 8 shown in FIG. 12 is opened, and shows the roll paper R into which the roll paper shaft 801 is inserted. The configuration of the roll paper storage cassette 8 will be described with reference to this figure.

  The roll paper storage cassette 8 is a cassette for storing roll paper, and is detachable from the printer main body. The roll paper storage cassette 8 includes a cover 801 and a lower case 802, and ribs 801a and 802a are provided on the inner surface to reduce conveyance resistance. The lower case 802 functions as a storage case that stores roll paper. The cover 801 is configured to be able to open and close an opening for loading the roll paper of the lower case 802, and is configured to be rotatable with respect to the lower case 802. The lower case 802 is provided with a groove 802b for guiding the roll paper shaft 4 passed through the roll paper R. The cover 801 has a pressure spring 806 for biasing the roll paper shaft 901 and a biasing direction. A slidable pressure guide 807 is attached. The pressure spring 806 and the pressure guide 807 are assembled on the left and right sides of the cover 801 so that both end portions 901a of the roll paper shaft 901 can be uniformly urged. The pressure spring 806 is configured to press the roll paper shaft 901 to the side of the paper feed roller provided in the printer main body in order to feed the roll paper. Since the roll paper storage cassette 8 is detachable, the pressure spring 806 presses the roll paper shaft 901 toward the side where the paper feed roller is located when the roll paper storage cassette is mounted on the printer.

  A pair of rollers 809 are provided on the cover 801 so as to protrude from the ribs 801a, and are urged by a biasing spring 810 from the back surface.

  Also, the walls 802c on both sides of the lower case 802 are walls that regulate the width direction of the roll paper R, and serve to reduce meandering and positional deviation in the width direction. On one side surface of the lower case 802, a one-side guide 808 for biasing the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roll paper R is provided, and the one-side guide 808 is slidable in the roll paper width direction. By pushing the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roll paper R, the one-side guide 808 helps to prevent the roll paper R from rattling and skewing in the width direction.

  A pickup guide 811 for picking up the leading edge of the roll paper R is assembled at the outlet of the leading edge of the roll paper, and the pickup guide 811 is always urged in the roll paper direction by a spring (not shown). The leading end of the pickup guide 811 is along the outermost periphery of the roll paper so that the leading end of the roll paper at the time of feeding can be reliably picked up.

  The operation of the pressure mechanism for the roll paper shaft when the roll paper storage cassette cover is closed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the roll paper storage cassette 8. 14A shows a state in which the cover is open, FIG. 14B shows a state in which the cover is closed and the pressure mechanism is in contact with the roll paper shaft, and FIG. 14C shows a state in which the cover is pushed and the pressure spring is compressed. FIG. 14D shows a state where the cover is completely closed.

  FIG. 14A shows a state in which the roll paper R is loaded in the lower case 802 and the cover 801 is open. A roll paper shaft 901 is inserted into the roll paper R, and both ends 901a of the roll paper shaft enter the U groove 802b of the lower case 802 and are held so as to be movable only in the vertical direction. The pressure spring 806 and the pressure guide 807 assembled to the cover 801 are completely separated from the roll paper shaft 901. The pressure guide 807 is fitted in a box-shaped portion 801 b provided on the cover 801, and is held so as to be slidable by a certain amount in the compression direction of the pressure spring 806. When the cover is open, the roll paper shaft is not pressurized, and the roll paper is in its own weight and rests on the roll paper storage cassette floor.

  FIG. 14B shows a state in which the pressure guide 807 is in contact with the roll paper shaft 901a during the process of closing the cover 801. When the cover 801 is further closed from this state, the pressure spring 806 is contracted and the pressure guide 807 is slid to the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14D shows a state where the cover 801 is completely closed. The pressure spring 806 compresses and presses the roll paper shaft 901 through the pressure guide 807. The roll paper R is sandwiched between the roll paper shaft 901 and the floor surface of the lower case 802, and the paper on the outermost periphery of the roll paper is prevented from moving by being sandwiched.

  There is a problem of roll paper spreading when a small roll outer diameter is set small for compactness while setting a large number of printable sheets per roll paper roll.

  In particular, a paper for a sublimation printer has a tendency that the thickness and stiffness of the paper are strong because the paper is composed of a plurality of layers in order to achieve both the conveyance performance and the quality as a printed matter.

  Since a roll having a large curvature is wound to a small diameter when manufacturing the roll, the roll paper roll is always in a state where a restoring force is applied in the winding spread direction. After making a small roll, a method is generally used in which a tape is attached to the tip of the roll paper and peeled off at the time of use in order to prevent the roll from spreading.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the roll paper R rolled up when a roll paper having a strong restoring force is loaded into the roll paper storage cassette 8. FIG. 15A shows a state where the cover 802 is opened and the roll paper R is rolled up. FIG. 15B shows a state in which the cover 801 is forcibly closed from FIG. 15A where the roll paper R is rolled up.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, when the cover 801 of the roll paper storage cassette 8 is opened and a vibration or the like is applied in a state where the force of the pressure spring 806 is not applied, the roll paper storage cassette floor 802d is rolled. The paper R floats, the paper around the roll paper R becomes free, and the roll paper R rolls up.

  When the cover 801 is forcibly closed with the roll paper R rolled up as shown in FIG. 15B, the roll paper portion that has jumped out of the roll paper storage cassette opening 802e due to the roll-up is stored in the roll paper by the cover 801. It is pushed into the cassette 8. A plurality of sheets on the outer periphery of the roll paper are deformed by being pushed in, and are in a state of being in strong contact with the guide rib 802a of the roll paper storage cassette lower case 802 and the paper guide rib 801a of the cover 801.

  If the roll paper storage cassette 8 in the state shown in FIG. 15B is loaded in the main body, there is a possibility that a paper feed failure occurs or the drawn roll paper cannot be wound into the roll paper storage cassette and a paper jam occurs.

  Therefore, the roll paper cassette of the present invention has a configuration as described below.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a roll paper storage cassette 1 and an ink ribbon cassette 2 for storing the roll paper of this embodiment, and a printer main body 3 on which these can be mounted.

  When performing printing, after loading the ink ribbon cassette 2 and the roll paper storage cassette 1 for storing and holding the roll paper R into the printer main body 3, an image is selected by the operation unit 301 such as a touch panel of the printer main body 3. Start printing.

  The configuration of the ink ribbon cassette 2 includes an ink ribbon, a shaft around which the ink ribbon is wound, and a case for housing them, and the shaft includes a supply shaft around which an unused ink ribbon is wound and a winding shaft around which the ink ribbon is wound up.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the roll paper storage cassette 1 is opened. The configuration of the roll paper storage cassette 1 will be described with reference to this figure.

  The roll paper storage cassette 1 includes a cover 101 and a lower case 102, and a plurality of ribs 101a and 102a are provided on the inner peripheral surface to reduce conveyance resistance. The lower case 101 is provided with a U groove 102b for guiding the roll paper shaft 4 that is inserted into the inner diameter of the roll paper and pressurizes the roll paper. A pressure spring 106 for urging the roll paper shaft 4 and a pressure guide 107 slidable in the urging direction are attached to the cover 101. The pressure spring 106 and the pressure guide 107 are provided on the left and right sides of the cover 101, and urge both ends 4a of the roll paper shaft 4 when the cover 101 is closed. Further, a pair of guide rollers 109 are provided on the cover 101 so as to protrude from the ribs 101a, and the guide rollers 109 are urged by a biasing spring 110 from the back. A guide roller 109 is provided to regulate the amount of roll paper spread when a strong vibration or strong impact is applied in the storage state in which the roll paper R is loaded in the roll paper storage cassette 1.

  An open lever 103 is attached to the cover 101, and a slide member 104 is attached to the lower case 102. The open lever 103 is a lock mechanism for preventing the cover 101 and the lower case 102 from opening. The protrusion 103a provided on the open lever 103 is locked by being engaged with a predetermined hole of the lower case 102. When the cover 101 is opened, when the finger engagement portion 103b of the open lever 103 is pushed in, the protrusion 103a is retracted and locked. It becomes a release state.

  A slide member 104 is provided to prevent the roll paper R from being pushed out when the roll paper storage cassette 1 is carelessly held and the open lever 103 is pushed. The slide member 104 is in a position to block the finger engaging portion 103b of the open lever, and needs to be slid when the finger engaging portion 103b is pushed in.

  Further, the walls 102c on both sides of the lower case 102 are walls that regulate the width direction of the roll paper R. On one side surface of the lower case 102 is provided a one-side guide 108 for urging the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roll paper R. When the one-side guide 108 presses the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roll paper R, the width of the roll paper R is increased. Regulate direction backlash.

  There is a paper outlet at the bottom of the roll paper storage cassette 1, and a pickup guide 111 for picking up the front end of the paper at the outermost periphery of the roll paper R is provided in the vicinity of the outlet.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first roll paper outer diameter regulating roller 5 is provided, and the diameter at the time of spreading can be regulated by being provided near the outer periphery of the roll paper loaded in the lower case 102. . Even if one roll paper is provided at the center of the width of the roll paper, the contact pressure with the outer periphery of the roll paper is dispersed by providing a plurality of roll papers. Increases nature.

  The structure of the 1st outer diameter control mechanism 5 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a state of being attached to the lower case 102, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the roll paper R is completely stored in the lower case 102.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the first outer diameter regulating mechanism 5 includes a roller 501 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper R stored in the lower case 102, and a leaf spring 502 that rotatably holds the roller 501. Since the first outer diameter regulating mechanism 5 is formed by a leaf spring 502 that is an elastic member, the first outer diameter regulating mechanism 5 is movable. The shape of the leaf spring 502 is shaped so that the roller 501 is positioned in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper R that has not been unwound in an unloaded state, and the roll paper R stored in the lower case 102 is rolled up. In a state where no contact is made, almost no contact pressure is applied. When the roll paper R is loaded, the roller 501 is in a position where it interferes with the roll paper R to be loaded, so that the leaf spring 502 is elastically deformed so that the roller 501 is retracted so that the roll paper R can be loaded. Further, an extension 502a is provided at the tip of the leaf spring 502, and the extension 502a comes into contact as a roll paper guide surface before the roller 501 when the roll paper is loaded.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the roll paper R loaded in the lower case 102 is placed and held on the lower case floor surface 102d. Both ends 4 a of the roll paper shaft 4 are held by the lower case U groove 102 b, and the play in the rolling direction of the roll paper R is regulated via the roll paper shaft 4. Regarding the regulation on the loading port portion 102e side, when the roller 501 of the first outer diameter regulating mechanism 5 is in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roll paper and the cover 101 is open, vibration is applied and the roll paper R tries to roll up. The maximum diameter of the roll spread is regulated by the roller 501. In addition, since the roller 501 protrudes from the ribs 101a and 102a and the inner surface of the roll paper storage cassette, it is desirable that the roller 501 rotate smoothly so as not to cause conveyance resistance.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the first outer diameter regulating mechanism 5 in the process of loading the roll paper, and the roll paper is removed in the order of FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), and 4 (c). It shows how it is loaded. In the present embodiment, the roll paper R is loaded in the direction indicated by the arrow A inclined by about 20 degrees from the vertical direction due to restrictions on the orientation of the loading port 102e of the roll paper storage cassette 1.

  FIG. 4A shows a state where the outer periphery of the roll paper R and the leaf spring extension 502a are in contact with each other, and the outer periphery of the roll paper R and the roller 501 are not in contact with each other. When the roll paper R is further pushed in, the leaf spring extension 502a is pushed on the outer periphery of the roll paper R, the leaf spring 502 is elastically deformed, and the roller 501 starts to move in the direction indicated by the arrow B. In this way, in the process of loading the roll paper R, the roller 501 is configured to be able to contact the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper R, so that it is possible to prevent the roll paper from being spread during loading.

  When the roll paper R roller 501 first comes into contact with the roll paper when loading, in order to make the relationship between the direction of the force in the roll paper loading direction and the direction of the force for elastically deforming the leaf spring 502 efficient, A spring extension 502a is provided. The spring extension portion 502a is a tip portion where the roll paper R first comes into contact with the leaf spring 502 at the start of roll paper loading, and is a portion having a shape bent from the leaf spring 502 so as to easily come into contact with the roll paper R.

Here, the direction of the force when there is no leaf spring extension will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the roll paper R is in contact with the roller 501 without the leaf spring extension 502a.
The force in the roll paper loading direction is F1, the force that the roll paper R applies to the roller 501 is F2, the force that the roller 501 applies to the leaf spring 502 is F3, the angle formed by F1 and F2 is θ1, and the angle formed by F2 and F3 is θ2. Then F2 = F1cos (θ1)
F3 = F2cos (θ2)
Therefore, the relationship between F3 and F1 is expressed by the following equation.
F3 = F1 cos (θ1) cos (θ2)
In this embodiment, θ1 = 46 ° and θ2 = 65 °, so that F3 is 0.29 times F1, which is not efficient. Furthermore, since the loading direction of the roll paper R is inclined by about 20 ° from the vertical direction, a slight loss occurs when the roll paper R is loaded with its own weight. For this reason, the leaf spring extension 502a is effective in order to make it easy to load the roll paper R while securing the roll paper R pressing amount only by the roller 501.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the leaf spring extension 502a hits the outer periphery of the roll paper R before the roller 501, and after the leaf spring 502 is deformed to some extent, the roller 501 and the outer periphery of the roll paper R come into contact with each other. The roll paper R can be inserted without being caught.

  When the roll paper R is further pushed in, the roller 501 and the outer periphery of the roll paper R come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 4B, and the outer periphery of the roll paper R presses the roller 501, whereby the leaf spring 501 is further elastically deformed. Further, it moves in the direction indicated by arrow C.

  FIG. 4C shows a state in which the loading has further progressed from FIG. 4B and the roller 501 has been retracted most. After the roll paper diameter portion passes this position, the sheet is loaded without receiving the resistance of the leaf spring 502. can do.

  The operation during printing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the printer body 3 showing a state in which the roll paper storage cassette 1 and the ink ribbon cassette 2 are set in the printer body 3.

  By transmitting power from a motor (not shown), the paper feed roller 311 is rotated, and the loaded roll paper R is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing. The leading end of the roll paper on the outermost periphery of the rotated roll paper R is picked up by the pickup guide 111 and sent out toward the cassette outlet.

  The roll paper fed out from the roll paper storage cassette 1 is guided by a paper guide 317 and changed in its traveling direction, and then pinched between a grip roller 313 and a driven roller that are driven to rotate at the same peripheral speed as the paper feed roller 311. It is conveyed between the rollers 314. The pinch roller 314 is pressed against the grip roller 313 by a pressure mechanism (not shown). By pinching the pinch roller 314 and the grip roller 313, the protrusion of the grip roller 313 is stuck in the back surface of the roll paper, and the accuracy is high. Transport the paper.

  When the ink ribbon cassette 2 is loaded in the main body 3, the supply side bobbin 201 and the take-up side bobbin 202 are engaged with and held by the rotation shafts provided in the main body 3. The supply-side bobbin 201 is a driven side, and is given a certain rotational resistance in order to apply an appropriate tension to the ribbon. The winding-side bobbin 202 is driven to rotate at the time of printing and the cueing of the ink ribbon. At the time of printing, the winding-side bobbin 202 is driven to rotate at a constant winding torque by a torque limiter.

  In the printer of this embodiment, the paper feeding direction at the time of printing is the direction indicated by the arrow D, and a sheet of a length necessary for printing is drawn out in advance at the time of paper feeding. Then, the thermal head 315 is pressed against the platen roller 316, and printing is performed while the grip roller 313 is transported to the roll paper storage cassette 1 side. The roll paper R and the ink ribbon 203 are conveyed in close contact with each other by the thermal head 315 and the platen roller 316. While being conveyed in this state, the heating element provided on the line on the thermal head 315 generates heat according to the image data, whereby the ink on the ink ribbon 203 is transferred to the roll paper R, and an image is formed on the roll paper. The

  Since the printer of this embodiment is a sublimation type printer, in the case of color printing such as a photograph, it is necessary to overlap the colors with yellow, magenta, and cyan. For this reason, when the yellow printing of the first color is completed, the sheet is conveyed again to the printing start position, and then magenta printing is performed. The reciprocating conveyance of the roll paper is performed for the number of layers, and when printing of all the layers is completed, the printed portion or the blank portion is cut from the leading end of the roll paper R and discharged to the outside of the printer main body. If there is a next image to be printed, it is transported to the print start position and printing operation is started. When there is no next image, the paper feed roller 311 is rotated in the direction opposite to that during paper feed to roll the roll paper R into the roll paper storage cassette 1 and the roll paper R is completely stored in the roll paper storage cassette 1. After that, the paper feed roller 311 is lowered to the retracted position and enters a standby state. The roller 501 of the first outer diameter regulating mechanism 5 is set such that the amount of protrusion from the guide ribs 101a and 102a in the cassette and the inner surface of the cassette does not get caught, and even if the remaining amount of the roll paper R decreases, the roller 501 The position of does not change. For this reason, even when paper is fed again, the leading edge of the roll paper can be conveyed without being caught in the cassette.

  In this embodiment, the roller 501 is held by a leaf spring. However, a resin member corresponding to the bearing member or the extension 502a may be separately provided on the leaf spring. Further, the same effect can be obtained by replacing the leaf spring portion with a rotatable resin member and urging the resin member to the roll paper side with a separate wire spring.

  Further, it is possible to improve the ease of loading the roll paper R by changing the restriction positions of the diameter of the roller 501 and the outer diameter of the roll paper. If it can be allowed to be slightly larger, the diameter of the roller 501 can be increased to improve the ease of inviting the roll paper at the time of loading. If it is acceptable to reduce the regulation range of the outer diameter of the roll paper, the roll paper R can be loaded by reducing the amount of protrusion from the guide rib 101a102a or the inner surface of the roll paper storage cassette without changing the diameter of the roller 501. Ease can be improved.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the roll spread diameter of the roll paper R is regulated by one roller 501 has been described. However, in order to maintain the ease of loading the roll paper R when the roll paper is loaded, a shape for guiding the roll paper indicated by the leaf spring extension 502a is required. In the second embodiment, an example in which roll paper R can be easily inserted by using two rollers will be described.

  In this embodiment, the configuration of a roll paper storage cassette 1 for storing roll paper, an ink ribbon cassette 2 and a printer main body 3 to which these can be mounted are the same as those in the first embodiment. The configuration of the roll paper outer diameter regulating mechanism provided is different.

  The configuration of the second outer diameter regulating roller unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state of being attached to the lower case 102, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the roll paper R is loaded in the lower case 102.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the second outer diameter regulating roller unit has rollers 601 and 602 that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rolled-up roll paper R, and a holder 603 that rotatably holds the rollers 601 and 602. Further, a plate spring 605 formed of an elastic member that rotatably holds the holder 603 and a torsion spring 604 that urges the rotation of the holder 603 in the direction of arrow G. The holder 603 is provided with a convex shape 603 a, and the amount of rotation of the holder 603 biased by the spring 604 is restricted when the convex shape 603 a hits the leaf spring 605.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the roll paper R loaded in the lower case 102 is placed and held on the lower case floor surface 102d. Both ends 4 a of the roll paper shaft 4 are held by the lower case U groove 102 b, and the play in the rolling direction of the roll paper R is regulated via the roll paper shaft 4. Regarding the regulation on the loading port portion 102e side, the rollers 601 and 602 of the second outer diameter regulating roller unit 6 are in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roll paper. When the roll paper R tries to roll up when vibration is applied in a state where the cover 101 is open, the maximum roll roll diameter of the roll paper is regulated by these rollers 601 and 602. Further, since the rollers 601 and 602 are in a state slightly more than the guide rib 101a of the cover 101, it is desirable that the rollers 601 and 602 rotate smoothly so as not to cause conveyance resistance.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the second outer diameter regulating roller unit 6 in the process of loading the roll paper. The roll paper is in the order of FIG. 8 (a), FIG. 8 (b), and FIG. 8 (c). It shows how it is loaded. In the present embodiment, the roll paper R is loaded in the direction indicated by the arrow A inclined by about 20 degrees from the vertical direction due to restrictions on the orientation of the loading port 102e of the roll paper storage cassette 1.

  FIG. 8A shows a state in which the roll paper R starts to come into contact with the roller 602, and the posture of the holder 603 at this time is the state shown from the start of the roll paper loading. The holder 603 is urged by the spring 604 and rotates to the position shown in FIG. 8A, and faces the direction in which the roll paper R can be easily drawn.

  When the roll paper outer periphery and the roller 602 come into contact with each other, and the roll paper R is further pushed in and the roller 602 is pushed, the holder 603 rotates, and the two rollers 601 and 602 come into contact with the outer circumference of the roll paper R. .

  When the roll paper R is further loaded, the state shown in FIG. 8B is reached, and the loading force is transmitted from the outer periphery of the roll paper R to the plate spring 605 via the two rollers 601 and 602 and the holder 603, and the plate spring. 605 is elastically deformed, and the holder 603 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow H.

  At the start of roll paper loading, in the case of the first embodiment, the position of the retracting force received by the leaf spring 605 changes by transmitting it through the holder 603 rather than elastically deforming the roll paper loading direction and the leaf spring, and the two rollers It has been improved to invite roll paper.

  FIG. 8C shows a state in which the holder 603 is most retracted after further loading from FIG. 8B, and after the roll paper diameter portion passes this position, it is loaded without receiving the resistance of the leaf spring 605. can do.

  The fully loaded state is the state shown in FIG. 7B, and when the cover 101 is closed, the rotation of the holder 603 is restricted by engaging a part of the cover 101 with the convex shape 603a of the holder 603. Even when the remaining amount of paper is reduced, the angle shown in FIG. 7B is maintained. As in the first embodiment, the rollers 601 and 602 of the second outer diameter regulating roller unit are set so that the amount of protrusion from the guide ribs 101a and 102a in the cassette and the inner surface of the cassette does not occur. Since the position does not change even if the remaining amount of the roll paper R decreases, the roll paper R can be transported without being caught even when the front edge of the roll paper passes during paper feeding.

  Further, when roll paper with a small remaining amount and a small winding diameter is loaded, the roller 601 is pressed when the cover is closed so that the angle shown in FIG.

  From the above, this embodiment can provide a roll paper storage cassette that regulates the roll spread of the roll paper, which is easier to load and has improved transport resistance than the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
In the second embodiment, it is necessary to maintain the posture of the holder 603 when the roll paper is loaded and after the roll paper is loaded, and the biasing spring 604 for rotating the holder 603 and the mechanism for regulating the angle of the holder 603. Shaped parts are required. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which three rollers are used, and roll paper loading and reliability are improved with a simpler configuration.

  The basic configuration of the roll paper storage cassette 1 for storing the roll paper of this embodiment, the ink ribbon cassette 2 and the printer main body 3 to which the ink ribbon cassette 2 can be mounted is the same as that of the first embodiment. The configuration of the roll paper outer diameter regulating mechanism is different.

  The configuration of the third outer diameter regulating roller unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a state of being attached to the lower case 102, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the roll paper R is loaded in the lower case 102.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the third outer diameter regulating roller unit includes rollers 701, 702, and 703 that contact the outer peripheral surface of the rolled roll paper, and a holder 704 that rotatably holds the rollers 701, 702, and 703. It consists of a leaf spring 705 that holds the holder 704 rotatably. The holder 704 holds each roller so that the rollers 701, 702, and 703 can be rotated on the same circumference. The leaf spring 705 is a support member for instructing the holder 704, and is configured by an elastic member. Unlike the second embodiment, the holder 704 is not biased in the turning direction, and the holder 704 can freely rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the roll paper R loaded in the lower case 102 is placed and held on the lower case floor surface 102d. Both ends 4 a of the roll paper shaft 4 are held by the lower case U groove 102 b, and the play in the rolling direction of the roll paper R is regulated via the roll paper shaft 4. The roller 701 or 702, 703 of the third outer diameter regulating roller unit 7 is in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the roll paper R with respect to the loading port portion 102e side. When the roll paper R tries to roll up when vibration is applied with the cover 101 open, the maximum roll-up diameter of the roll paper is regulated by these rollers. Further, since the rollers 701, 702, and 703 protrude slightly from the guide ribs 101a and 102a and the inner surface of the cassette, it is desirable that the rollers rotate smoothly so as not to cause conveyance resistance.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the third outer diameter regulating roller unit 7 in the process of loading the roll paper. The roll paper is in the order of FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), and 10 (c). It shows how it is loaded. In the present embodiment, the roll paper R is loaded in the direction indicated by the arrow A inclined by about 20 degrees from the vertical direction due to restrictions on the orientation of the loading port 102e of the roll paper storage cassette 1.

  FIG. 10A shows a state in which the roll paper starts to come into contact with the roller 702. Since the holder 704 at this time is freely rotatable, there is no phase of the posture at the time of loading. Assuming that the roller 702 that first comes into contact with the roll paper at the start of loading is 702, the roller 702 is first pushed against the outer periphery of the roll paper R, and the holder 704 rotates. In a state in which the roll paper R is loaded up to the position shown in FIG. 10A, the roll paper can be loaded without load only by the rotation of the holder 704. When the roll paper R is further loaded, in addition to the roller 702, the two rollers 701 are in contact with the outer periphery of the roll paper R.

  When the roll paper R is further loaded, the state shown in FIG. 10B is reached, and the pushing force of the roll paper R is transmitted to the plate spring 705 via the two rollers 701 and 702 and the holder 704, and the plate spring 705 is elastic. The holder 704 is deformed and moves in the direction indicated by the arrow J.

  At the start of loading the roll paper, in the case of the first embodiment, rather than elastically deforming the roll paper loading direction and the leaf spring, the retraction received by the leaf spring 705 by being transmitted through the holder 704 as in the second embodiment. The position of the force has changed, and it has been improved so as to invite the roll paper with two rollers.

  FIG. 10 (c) shows a state where the paper is further loaded from FIG. 10 (b) and the holder 704 is most retracted. After the roll paper diameter portion passes this position, the paper 705 is loaded without receiving the resistance of the leaf spring 705. can do.

  The fully loaded state is the state shown in FIG. 9B, and the holder 704 is not biased in the rotational direction, so that the holder is rotated when the cover 101 is closed as in the second embodiment. There is no need to regulate this. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the amount of protrusion of the rollers 701, 702 and 703 of the third outer diameter regulating roller unit from the inner surface of the cassette is set to a height that does not cause a catch. Since the position does not change even if the remaining amount of the roll paper R decreases, the roll paper R can be transported without being caught even when the front edge of the roll paper passes during paper feeding.

  Further, even when roll paper with a small winding diameter is loaded, the roller can be restricted to the angle shown in FIG. .

  Further, a means for reducing the conveyance resistance when the outer diameter of the roll paper is in contact with the roll-up regulating member will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing how the cover 101 is closed after the roll paper is loaded in the lower case 102. 11A shows a state immediately after the roll paper is loaded, and FIG. 11B shows a state after the cover 101 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the outer diameter of the roll paper R is rolled up to the regulation position immediately after loading, the paper on the outermost circumference of the roll paper R is in pressure contact with the rollers 701 and 702 due to the stiffness of the paper. If the sheet is conveyed in this state, it will be subjected to conveyance resistance due to pressure contact, so that the rollers 701 and 702 are retracted in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover 101. A protrusion shape 101b for pressing the leaf spring 705 is provided at the tip of the guide rib 101a of the cover 101, and the protrusion shape 101b approaches the leaf spring 705 when the cover 101 is closed.

  When the cover 101 is completely closed as shown in FIG. 11B, the protruding shape 101b pushes the urging portion 705a provided on the leaf spring 705. When the urging portion 705a is pushed, the leaf spring 705 is elastically deformed, the holder 704 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow K, and the amount of protrusion of the rollers 701 and 702 from the cassette inner surface portions 101a and 102a decreases. As a result, an effect of generating a gap or reducing the contact pressure with respect to the outer periphery of the rolled roll paper R can be obtained, and the conveyance resistance can be reduced.

  In the above description, the state where the roller 702 is in contact is described. However, since there is no phase of the three rollers, the same operation can be performed when any of the three rollers is in contact.

  From the above, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to regulate the phase of the roller, and the contact pressure is not applied to the outer periphery of the roll paper more than necessary. Therefore, the reliability is further improved from the second embodiment. A roll paper outer diameter regulating mechanism can be provided.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. A part of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined.

Claims (11)

A storage case for storing roll paper;
A cover that opens and closes an opening of the storage case by rotating with respect to the storage case;
A rolling member that regulates the roll spread of the roll paper by projecting from the inner surface of the storage case and coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper stored in the storage case;
When the cover is closed, the regulating member moves in a retracting direction from the roll paper stored in the storage case.   The roll paper storage cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a pressurizing unit that pressurizes a shaft inserted into an inner diameter of the roll paper stored in the storage case when the cover is closed.   3. The roll paper storage cassette according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is provided at a position capable of contacting the roll paper in a process in which the roll paper is stored in the storage case.   When the roll paper comes into contact with the roll paper in the process of being stored in the storage case, the restricting member moves in a direction of retreating from the roll paper by being pushed by the roll paper stored. The roll paper storage cassette according to claim 3. The regulating member has a roller held rotatably,
5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the roller is configured to come into contact with the roll paper stored in the storage case in a process in which the roll paper is stored in the storage case. Roll paper storage cassette described in 1.   6. The restriction member includes a plurality of rollers, a holder that rotatably holds the plurality of rollers on the same circumference, and a support member that rotatably supports the holder. Roll paper storage cassette.   The roll paper storage cassette according to claim 6, wherein the holder is configured not to rotate when the cover is closed.   The roll paper storage cassette according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support member is formed of an elastic member.   The roll paper storage cassette according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is biased toward a roll paper stored in the storage case.   The roll paper storage cassette according to claim 2, wherein the pressurizing unit pressurizes the roll paper toward a paper feed roller for feeding the roll paper. The roll paper storage cassette is detachable from the printer,
The pressurizing unit pressurizes the roll paper to a side where the paper feed roller provided in the printer is positioned when the roll paper storage cassette is mounted on the printer. The roll paper cassette described.

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