PAPER CREASING DEVICE AND PRINTER

To prevent or suppress cutting of paper with a simple configuration in a creasing device (100), the creasing device (100) includes a receiving member (120) including a groove (124) extending in a width direction (Y) of paper (300), a rotary blade (135) that is movable at a constant height along the groove (124), and a movement mechanism (180) configured to move the rotary blade (135) along the groove (124). The groove in an outside range (124a) in the width direction (Y) is wider than the groove in an inside range (124b) in the width direction (Y). The outside range (124a) in the width direction (Y) corresponds to at least one of the first and second edges (302, 303) of the paper (300) in the width direction (Y) that is located on a side where the rotary blade (135) starts contacting the paper (300) when the rotary blade (135) moves along the groove (124).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-203273, filed with the Japan Patent Office on Dec. 15, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is completely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a paper creasing device and a printer.

BACKGROUND ART

A paper creasing device or a creaser is known as a post-processing device for printing. The creasing device is configured to form creases or folds on paper having stiffness (high rigidity), such as relatively thick paper. When binding a plurality of sheets of the paper having stiffness described above, each of the pages is not sufficiently open if an attempt is made to turn the paper and open each page and the spreadability of the book becomes poor.

Further, for example, a resin layer (a receiving layer) that receives dye is formed on each side of the paper which serves as a core, a photograph or the like is printed on each of the resin layers. Then, a plurality of sheets of the printed paper are bound to form a photo book. In such a photo book, the spreadability of the book may become poor similar to the paper described above.

Given the above, a crease is formed near the bound portion in advance by using a creasing device. The formed crease serves as a fold so that the sheet of the bounded paper can be sufficiently opened at the time of opening the book. As a result, the spreadability can be improved.

Furthermore, some greeting cards are finished such that a person who has received a card opens the card that has been folded in the center. In such a case, a crease is formed in a portion to be folded in the center of the paper, and this prevents a fold from opening due to the stiffness of the paper, and the card with a satisfactory finish can be obtained.

The creasing device sandwiches paper between a groove that extends in a predetermined direction and a blade that is fitted into the groove to form a crease. Here, an example of the creasing device is a rotary creasing device that uses a rotary blade that rotates along a groove (see, for example, Patent Literature 1: JP 2014-111496 A).

In the rotary creasing device, paper is placed on a receiving member including the groove, and the rotary creasing device presses the rotary blade against a portion that corresponds to the groove of the paper and rotates and moves the rotary blade along the groove to form a crease along the groove.

SUMMARY

The rotary creasing device creates a shearing force applied to the paper between the rotary blade and the groove of the receiving member. When the rotary blade starts contacting an edge of the paper where a crease is beginning to be formed, the stress is concentrated at a contact point and the paper is likely to be cut.

In view of this, it is conceivable that the height of the rotary blade is changed at the edge of the paper such that the rotary blade is slightly moved away from the groove, thereby reducing the shearing applied to the edge of the paper and preventing the paper from being cut.

However, changing the height of the rotary blade requires a configuration that changes the shape of a track of the rotary blade or supports the rotary blade with an elastic body, resulting in a complicated structure and an increase in manufacturing cost.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the circumstances described above. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a paper creasing device that can prevent paper from being cut with a simple configuration and a printer that includes the paper creasing device.

A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a paper creasing device, the paper creasing device including a receiving member that comprises a groove extending in a fixed direction; a rotary blade that is movable along the groove; and a movement mechanism that is configured to move the rotary blade along the groove at a fixed height in a range between first and second edges of the paper in a width direction. The paper is placed on an upper surface of the receiving member. The receiving member is formed to have shearing forces applied to the paper sandwiched between the rotary blade and the groove in an outside range and an inside range in the width direction of the receiving member. The outside range corresponds to at least one of the first and second edges of the paper that is located on a side where the rotary blade starts contacting the paper when the rotary blade moves along the groove. The shearing force in the outside range is smaller than the shearing force in the inside range.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a printer that includes the paper creasing device according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a paper creasing device and a printer that includes the paper creasing device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of Printer)FIG.1is a schematic view illustrating a photo printer200that includes a creasing device100of paper300(hereinafter referred to as a creasing device or paper creasing device100).

The photo printer200(hereinafter simply referred to as a printer200) is a dye sublimation thermal transfer printer. The printer200is configured to perform printing by applying heat to an ink ribbon231with a thermal head232to diffuse and transfer sublimation dye applied to the ink ribbon231onto the paper300that has been crimped onto the ink ribbon231by the thermal head232and a platen roller233.

For example, the paper300includes core paper serving as a core including front and back surfaces to which a plurality of resin layers (receiving layers) is applied or attached. Accordingly, the paper300has a certain degree of rigidity. The paper300has a thickness of, for example, 200 [μm]. However, the thickness of the paper300is not limited to 200 [μm].

The sublimation dye of the ink ribbon231described above is diffused and transferred onto the resin layer of the uppermost surface of the paper300. The printer200is a sheet-fed printing press that performs printing on both sides of the paper300. The paper300is a flat paper cut into a rectangle.

The printer200is an embodiment of the printer according to the present disclosure. The printer200includes, within an outer case210, a paper storage portion220, a printing portion230, a conveyor portion240, a creasing device100, a cutter260, and a controller250as illustrated inFIG.1.

The outer case210has an outer shape that is substantially rectangular parallelepipedal. The paper storage portion220is a space for storing the paper300on which the photo printer200will perform printing. The paper storage portion220stores a plurality of sheets of the paper300, which is a flat sheet, in a stacked state in a thickness direction.

The printing portion230includes the ink ribbon231, the thermal head232, and the platen roller233. The ink ribbon231is coated with ink. The thermal head232performs printing by applying heat to the ink ribbon231and diffusing and transferring the sublimation dye of the ink ribbon231onto the resin layer of the paper300disposed to face the ink ribbon231. The platen roller233crimps the paper300onto the ink ribbon231together with the thermal head232.

The conveyor portion240is configured to convey the paper300within the paper storage portion220to the printing portion230, to convey the paper300on which printing has been performed by the printing portion230to the creasing device100, which is described later, and to discharge the paper300to an outside of the printer200after the cutter260cuts an end of the paper300which has been creased by the creasing device100.

The conveyor portion240includes a conveying path, a conveyor roller and a power transmission mechanism, a sensor, and a motor. The conveyor roller and the power transmission mechanism move the paper300along the conveying path. The sensor is provided on the conveying path to detect the paper300. The motor applies conveying force to the power transmission mechanism. The sensor is an optical sensor such as a photo reflector or a photo interrupter. However, the sensor may be a mechanical sensor that uses a contactor.

The controller250is configured to control operations of the printing portion230, the conveyor portion240, the cutter260, and the creasing device100, respectively. The controller250controls the operation of the motor based on the detection result of the paper300by the sensor in the conveyor portion240, for example.

Furthermore, the controller250controls the conveyor portion240and the printing portion230based on printing data stored before printing to print, on the paper300, the content (for example, a visible image such as a landscape photograph or a snapshot) that corresponds to the printing data.

Moreover, the controller250controls the conveyor portion240and the creasing device100in accordance with an operation command set in advance for the printed paper300to form a linear crease in a specified position such as the vicinity of the end of the paper300or the center of the paper300.

(Configuration of Creasing Device)FIG.2is a schematic view illustrating a crease310formed in a width direction Y of the paper300. As illustrated inFIG.2, the creasing device100forms the crease310near a front edge301in the conveying direction X in the paper300on which printing has been performed by the printing portion230. The crease310extends straight parallel to the width direction Y (a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction X of the conveyor portion240) of the paper300. This crease310is a recess that induces a fold habit. The recess of the crease310is formed by placing the paper300on a receiving member120including a groove124and pressing a blade from the top of the paper300onto the paper300.

The creasing device100is an embodiment of the creasing device according to the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the creasing device100includes the receiving member120, a rotary blade unit130, and a movement mechanism180. The receiving member120, the rotary blade unit130, and the movement mechanism180described above are provided in a frame110, which is a skeletal structure made of metal plate, modularized, and then incorporated into the printer200.

The frame110includes a vertical plate111that extends in a vertical direction including the width direction Y of the paper300. The vertical plate111includes a long hole112extending in the width direction Y so that the paper300passes through the long hole112as a flat sheet. The vertical plate111also includes a guide hole113above the long hole112. The guide hole113is longer in the width direction Y than the long hole112. The frame110also includes a guide rail114on the front side of the vertical plate111above the guide hole113. The guide rail114extends parallel to the long hole112and the guide hole113.

FIG.3is a perspective view illustrating the modularized creasing device100as viewed from the front side in the conveying direction.FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating the creasing device100illustrated inFIG.3as viewed from the rear side in the conveying direction X.FIG.5is a perspective view illustrating the receiving member120.FIG.6is a plan view illustrating the groove124formed on an upper surface121of the receiving member120.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the receiving member120is integrally fixed to the paper guide member129, which is described later, in a lower portion of the frame110on the front side in the conveying direction X such that the upper surface121of the receiving member120extends along a lower edge of the long hole112. As illustrated inFIGS.5and6, the receiving member120is formed into a quadrangular prism shape that extends longitudinally in the width direction Y of the paper300. A length in the longitudinal direction (width direction Y) of the receiving member120is slightly longer than the width of the paper300.

The paper300is placed on the upper surface121of the receiving member120, which is one of the surfaces of the quadrangular prism. The upper surface121includes the groove124extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of the receiving member120. Details of the groove124will be described later.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the paper guide member129is fixed to the front surface in the conveying direction X of the receiving member120. The length of the paper guide member129is the same as that of the receiving member120. The paper guide member129has a substantially inverted L-shaped cross-section on a vertical plane including the conveying direction X. In addition, the paper guide member129includes a vertical plate corresponding to a vertical portion of the L-shape and a horizontal plate corresponding to a horizontal portion of the L-shape. The paper guide member129is disposed such that the vertical plate is fixed to the front surface of the receiving member120and the horizontal plate projects forward in the conveying direction X.

An upper surface129aof the horizontal plate of the paper guide member129is set in a position that is as high as the upper surface121of the receiving member120. The paper300passes through the long hole112in the frame110and is delivered from the upper surface121of the receiving member120to the upper surface129aof the paper guide member129. When the paper300advances from the upper surface121of the receiving member120to the upper surface129aof the paper guide member129, the upper surface129aguides the bottom side of the paper300so that the front edge301(seeFIG.2) of the paper300smoothly moves onto the upper surface129awithout being caught by the vertical wall of the paper guide member129.

FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating the rotary blade unit130. As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the rotary blade unit130is disposed on the front surface of the vertical plate111of the frame110in the conveying direction X. As illustrated inFIGS.3,4, and7, the rotary blade unit130integrally includes a guided member131, an engaging plate132, a holding plate133, a collar134, a rotary blade135, and a support shaft136.

The guided member131slidably engages with the guide rail114to be movable in the longitudinal direction (the width direction Y) of the guide rail114without rattling. The guide rail114and the guided member131function as a linear guide that linearly guides the rotary blade unit130at a predetermined height in the width direction Y.

The holding plate133is fixed to the front surface in the conveying direction X of the guided member131. The holding plate133is longer than the guided member131in an upward/downward direction to extend downward from the guided member131. In addition, the support shaft136that extends to a rear side in the conveying direction X is press-fitted and fixed to a portion of the holding plate133extending downward.

The collar134is disposed in a portion of the support shaft136that projects to a rear side in the conveying direction X from the holding plate133. The collar134penetrates the support shaft136. The rotary blade135is fixed to a rear side portion of the collar134to be rotatable about the support shaft136.

The rotary blade135is configured with a radial bearing that is integrally provided with a flange135c. Specifically, the support shaft136is fitted into an inner ring135aof the radial bearing, and an outer ring135bof the radial bearing is rotatable about the support shaft136. In addition, the flange135cis integrally formed with the outer ring135bof the radial bearing. The flange135coutwardly projects in a radial direction of the radial bearing and has an annular shape.

The flange135cmoves along the groove124of the receiving member120when being moved in the width direction Y by the linear guide described above. In other words, the function of a blade is performed in the creasing device100, in which an outer peripheral portion of the flange135centers the groove124. The flange135chas a thickness (a blade thickness) W3in the conveying direction X that is smaller than a width W1(a groove width W1) of the groove124(i.e., W3<W1).

The blade thickness W3is 0.6 [mm], for example. However, a numerical value specifically applied to the blade thickness W3is not limited to 0.6 [mm]. The flange135cis set such that the center of the blade thickness moves along the center of the groove width of the groove124.

The lowermost surface of the flange135cis positioned to be lower than the upper surface121of the receiving member120by, for example, 0.2 [mm]. Specifically, the rotary blade135moves along the groove124in a state where the lowermost surface of the flange135centers the groove124by 0.2 [mm] when the rotary blade135moves in the width direction Y.

The engaging plate132is fixed to the holding plate133. The engaging plate132is formed to have a substantially inverted L-shaped cross-section on a vertical plane including the conveying direction X. The engaging plate132includes a vertical plate portion corresponding to a vertical portion of the L-shape and a horizontal plate portion corresponding to a horizontal portion of the L-shape. The vertical plate portion is fixed to the holding plate133, and the horizontal plate portion is provided with an engaging piece132athat projects to the rear side in the conveying direction X.

The engaging piece132apasses through the guide hole113formed in the vertical plate111of the frame110and projects to the rear side of the vertical plate111to be fixed to a timing belt185with a fixing member132bas illustrated inFIG.4. The timing belt185is displaced along an outer peripheral portion of the guide hole113.

This configuration allows the rotary blade unit130to move in the width direction Y in accordance with the displacement of the timing belt185. The rotary blade unit130moves while maintaining a horizontal state. The flange135cfunctioning as the blade of the rotary blade135is movable along the groove124of the receiving member120without changing a position in a height direction relative to the groove124.

The movement mechanism180is configured to move the rotary blade135along the groove124. As illustrated inFIG.4, the movement mechanism180is disposed on the rear side of the vertical plate111of the frame110. The movement mechanism180includes a DC motor181, a pinion gear182that is fixed to a shaft of the DC motor181, an intermediate gear183that meshes with the pinion gear182, a driving gear184that is provided coaxially with the intermediate gear183, and the timing belt185that includes a linear gear that meshes with the driving gear184on an inner peripheral surface.

The timing belt185is disposed outside the contour of the guide hole113. The fixing member132bis fixed to the linear gear. The fixing member132bengages with the engaging piece132athat passes through the guide hole113and projects to the rear side in the conveying direction X.

The timing belt185rotates by the rotation of the DC motor181, and the rotary blade unit130that is fixed to the timing belt185horizontally moves in the width direction Y at a fixed height. The moving range of the rotary blade135by the movement mechanism180is set between a first position outside of a first end surface122of the receiving member120and a second position outside of a second end surface123of the receiving member120in the width direction Y.

The movement mechanism180switches the rotating direction of the DC motor to switch the moving range of the rotary blade135from the second position outside of the second end surface123of the receiving member120to the first position outside of the first end surface122in the width direction Y, which allows the rotary blade135to reciprocally move at a fixed height in the width direction Y.

It is sufficient that the moving range of the rotary blade135at a fixed height is at least between the first side edge302and the second side edge303of the paper300(i.e., range of creasing the paper300). The height of the rotary blade135may be changed outside the first side edge302or the second side edge303of the paper300in the width direction Y.

Next, the groove124in the receiving member will be described. The paper300that has passed through the long hole112is placed on the upper surface121of the receiving member120, as illustrated inFIG.6. At this time, the paper300is positioned in the width direction Y such that the entire region in the width direction Y of the paper300is placed on the upper surface121.

Specifically, the first side edge302(edge302in the width direction Y) of the paper300is placed inside the first end surface122of the receiving member120in the width direction Y, and the second side edge303(edge303in the width direction Y) of the paper300is placed inside the second end surface123of the receiving member120in the width direction Y.

The groove124includes ranges each having a predetermined length, i.e., outside ranges124aand an inside range124bin the width direction Y. The outside range124aincludes a starting portion corresponding to the edge302of the paper300disposed on the groove124. The edge302is located on a side in the width direction Y that the rotary blade135starts contacting when the rotary blade135moves from the first end surface122side to the second end surface123side along the groove124. The width W of the groove124is wider in the outside range124athan in the inside range124b.

Also, the outside range124aincludes a starting portion corresponding to the edge303of the paper300disposed on the groove124. The edge303is located on a side in the width direction Y that the rotary blade135starts contacting when the rotary blade135moves from the second end surface123side to the first end surface122side along the groove124. The width W of the groove124is also wider in the outside range124athan in the inside range124b.

Specifically, the groove124has a fixed width W1in the inside range124bin the width direction Y of the paper300in a state where the paper300is placed on the groove124. The fixed width W1is, for example, 1.2 [mm]. However, the fixed width W1is not limited to 1.2 [mm].

Furthermore, the groove124has a fixed groove width W2in each of the outside ranges124aamong ranges between ends including the first and second side edges302,303in the width direction Y of the paper300. The outside ranges124aextend across the first and second side edge302,303of the paper300, respectively. Each of the outside ranges124ahas a predetermined length from each of the first and second end surfaces122,123of the receiving member120. The fixed groove width W2is greater than the groove width in the inside range124b(>W1).

The outside range124aof the groove124includes a portion where the rotary blade135starts contacting the edge302or303of the paper300when the rotary blade135moves along the groove124.

The fixed groove width W2is, for an example, 4.0 [mm]. However, the fixed groove width W2is not limited to 4.0 [mm].

The center in the groove width direction (the conveying direction X) of the groove124in the outside range124ais coincident with the center in the groove width direction (the conveying direction X) of the groove124in the inside range124b.

Furthermore, a connection range124cis provided between the outside range124aand the inside range124bof the groove124. The connection range124chas a groove width W gradually decreasing from the groove width W2of the outside range124ato the groove width W1of the inside range124b. For example, the groove width W of the connection range124cchanges from the groove width W2of the outside range124ato the groove width W1of the inside range124bin the longitudinal direction (direction Y) of the receiving member120from the outside range124ato the inside range124b. In other words, the groove124in the connection range124chas a contour linearly inclined relative to the longitudinal direction.

In the creasing device100configured as described above, the crease310is formed as a trace of the movement of the flange135cof the rotary blade135on the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove124when the rotary blade135moves in the width direction Y from the side of the first end surface122to the side of the second end surface123of the receiving member120in the range where the rotary blade135is moved by the movement mechanism180in a state where the paper300is placed on the upper surface121of the receiving member120.

FIG.8is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section on a plane along line A-A (corresponding to the outside range124a) inFIG.6.FIG.9is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section on a plane along line B-B (corresponding to the inside range124b) inFIG.6.

The flange135cof the rotary blade135starts contacting with the edge302of the paper300in the outside range124ahaving the wider groove width W2illustrated inFIG.6.

In addition, as illustrated in the cross-section ofFIG.8, in the outside range124a, the groove width W2of the groove124relative to the blade thickness W3of the flange135cfunctions as the blade is wider than the groove width W1of the groove124relative to the blade thickness W3of the flange135c. Specifically, the groove width W2is about three times wider than the groove width W1.

On the other hand, it is the inside range124bhaving the narrower groove width W1as illustrated inFIG.6in a state where the flange135cof the rotary blade135is in contact with the range inside the end of the paper300in the width direction Y.

In addition, as illustrated in the cross-section ofFIG.9, in the inside range124b, the groove width W1of the groove124relative to the blade thickness W3of the flange135cfunctioning as the blade is narrower than the groove width W2of the groove124relative to the blade thickness W3of the flange135c.

Accordingly, a shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove124in the inside range124bis greater than a shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove124in the outside range124a. As a result, a crease310is formed with a clear linear contour in the inside range of the paper300in the width direction Y.

On the other hand, the shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove124in the outside range124ais smaller than the shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove124in the inside range124b. As a result, the crease310formed at the end including the edge302of the paper300has a contour that is vaguer than the contour of the crease310formed in the range in the paper300corresponding to the inside range124b.

If the groove width W2of the outside range124acorresponding to the edge302of the paper300is formed to be as narrow as the groove width W1of the inside range124b(i.e., W2=W1), a relatively strong shearing force acts on the edge302and thus the paper300may be cut when the flange135cof the rotary blade135starts contacting the edge302of the paper300.

Specifically, the paper300is planarly continuous in the moving direction of the rotary blade135in a region inside the edge302of the paper300. A portion of the paper300through which the rotary blade135passes sandwiched between the groove124and the rotary blade135plastically deforms in a crease shape. Since the paper300is planarly continuous, a portion that the rotary blade135has not yet reached locally receives an influence to be pulled by the plastically deformed portion and starts deforming in the crease shape.

On the other hand, the edge302of the paper300is sandwiched between the groove124and the rotary blade135from the state of no plastic deformation, and instantly plastically deforms. Therefore, the edge302of the paper300receives the shearing force stronger than the shearing force of a region inside the edge302and is more likely to be cut than in the region inside the edge302.

In contrast, the creasing device100according to the present embodiment is formed such that the groove width W2of the outside range124acorresponding to the edge302of the paper300is wider than the groove width W1of the inside range124b. Accordingly, when the flange135cof the rotary blade135starts contacting the edge302of the paper300, the shearing force applied to the edge302is reduced, thereby preventing the paper300from being cut.

As described above, the creasing device100according to the present embodiment can prevent the paper300from being cut with a simple configuration where the groove width W2of the outside range124aof the groove124is formed to be wider than the groove width W1of the inside range124b.

Furthermore, the creasing device100according to the present embodiment includes the connection range124cthat gradually decreases in the groove width W from the wider groove width W2to the narrower groove width W1between the outside range124ahaving the wider fixed groove width W2and the inside range124bhaving the fixed narrower groove width W1.

Here, if the creasing device includes a groove in which the outside range having the groove width W2and the inside range124bhaving the groove width W1are adjacent to each other without the connection range124cand a difference in level is formed such that the groove width W discretely changes, a shearing force applied to the paper300suddenly changes in a portion of the paper300that corresponds to the difference in level of the groove width W, which applies stress to the paper300in this portion.

However, the creasing device100according to the present embodiment includes the connection range124cdescribed above, and therefore, the shearing force gradually changes between the outside range124ahaving the wider groove width W2and the inside range124bhaving the narrower groove width W1, thereby preventing the stress from being applied to the paper due to a sudden change in the shearing force.

Furthermore, in the creasing device100according to the present embodiment, the center in the groove width direction of the groove124in the outside range124ais coincident with the center in the groove width direction of the groove124in the inside range124b. Thereby, the crease310can be formed such that the center of the blade thickness of the flange135cof the rotary blade135does not deviate from the centers in the groove width direction of the groove124in both the outside range124aand the inside range124b.

As a result, the stress applied to both edges in the width direction of the crease310can be uniform, thereby preventing the tearing of the paper300that could occur in a case where the stress is only applied to one of the edges.

In the creasing device100according to the present embodiment, the rotary blade135consists of the radial bearing in which the inner ring135aand the outer ring135bare combined, and the flange135cis formed integrally with the outer ring135b. Therefore, in the creasing device100according to the present embodiment, the rotary blade135can precisely move along the groove124with the simple configuration.

(Variations)FIG.10is a perspective view illustrating a receiving member420that is different from the receiving member120inFIG.5in the creasing device100according to the first embodiment described above.FIG.11is a front view illustrating the receiving member420.FIG.12is a view illustrating a portion A inFIG.11.

In a variation of the creasing device100, the receiving member420is used instead of the receiving member120in the creasing device100according to the embodiment.

The receiving member420is fixed integrally with the paper guide member129such that an upper surface421extends along a lower edge of the long hole112in a lower portion on the front side in the conveying direction X of the frame110. As illustrated inFIGS.10and11, the receiving member420has a quadrangular prism shape that extends longitudinally in the width direction Y of the paper300. The length of the receiving member420in a longitudinal direction (width direction Y) is slightly longer than the width of the paper300.

The paper300is placed on the upper surface421which is one of the surfaces of the quadrangular prism of the receiving member420. The upper surface421includes a groove424that linearly extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving member420.

In contrast to the groove124according to the first embodiment described above, the groove424on the upper surface421of the receiving member420has a fixed groove width W1having a constant width in ranges including a range having a predetermined length including a starting portion corresponding to the edge302in the width direction Y on a side that the rotary blade135starts contacting when the rotary blade135moves from a side of a first end surface422to a side of a second end surface423of the receiving member420along the groove424(the same as the outside range124aof the first embodiment), a range having a predetermined length including a starting portion corresponding to the edge303in the width direction Y on a side that the rotary blade135starts contacting when the rotary blade135moves from the side of the second end surface423to the side of the first end surface422of the receiving member420along the groove424(the same as the outside range124aof the first embodiment), and an inside range (same as the inside range124bof the first embodiment) in the width direction Y which is a second portion.

Here, as illustrated inFIGS.10,11, and12, the upper surface421includes ranges (outside ranges421a) and an inside range421b. One of the ranges (outside range421a) has a predetermined length including a starting portion corresponding to the edge302of the paper300placed on the upper surface421having the groove424. The edge302is located on a side in the width direction Y where the rotary blade135starts contacting when the rotary blade135moves from the side of the first end surface422to the side of the second end surface423along the groove424. The range (outside range421a) has a height h2. The height h2is smaller than the height h1of the inside range421bin the width direction Y which is the second portion (h2<h1).

Also, another range (outside range421a) has a predetermined length including a starting portion corresponding to the edge303of the paper300placed on the upper surface421having the groove424. The edge303is located on a side in the width direction Y where the rotary blade135starts contacting when the rotary blade135moves from the side of the second end surface423to the side of the first end surface422along the groove424. This range (outside range421a) also has a height h2. The height h2is smaller than the height h1of the inside range421bin the width direction Y which is the second portion (h2<h1).

Specifically, the outside range421aof the upper surface421is lower than the inside range421b, for example, by 0.2 [mm].

Here, in a case where the thickness of the paper300is, for example, 0.2 [mm], and a lower end of the rotary blade135that moves at a fixed height position is set to be lower than the upper surface421in the inside range421bby 0.2 [mm], the lower end of the rotary blade135presses the upper surface of the paper300placed on the inside range421bdownward by 0.4 [mm]. On the other hand, the lower end of the rotary blade135presses the upper surface of the paper300placed on the outside range421adownward by 0.2 [mm].

Accordingly, the shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove424in the inside range421bis greater than the shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove424in the outside range421a. As a result, the crease310can be formed with a clear linear contour in a range corresponding to the inside range421bin the width direction Y in the paper300.

On the other hand, the shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove424in the outside range421ais smaller than the shearing force applied to the paper300sandwiched between the flange135cand the groove424in the inside range421b. As a result, the crease310formed at an end including the edge302of the paper300(a range corresponding to the outside range421a) has a contour that is vaguer than the contour of the crease310formed in the range corresponding to the inside range421bin the paper300.

Accordingly, when the flange135cof the rotary blade135starts contacting the edge302of the paper300, the shearing force applied to the edge302becomes smaller than the shearing force of the inside range421b. Therefore, the paper300can be prevented from being cut.

As described above, the creasing device100according to the variation can prevent the paper300from being cut with a simple configuration where the upper surface421in the outside range421ais positioned to be lower than that in the inside range421b, in comparison with a configuration where the height of the moving rotary blade135is changed.

Furthermore, in the creasing device100according to the variation, a connection range421cis formed between the outside range421ahaving the fixed height, and the inside range421bhaving the fixed height. The connection range421cgradually increases in height from the side of the outside range421ato the side of the inside range421b.

As a result, the shearing force gradually changes between the outside range421aand the inside range421b, and stress can be prevented from being applied to the paper300due to a sudden change in the shearing force.

The creasing devices100according to the embodiment and the variation described above are modulated and incorporated into the printer200, and the movement mechanism180operates under the control of the controller250of the printer200.

However, the creasing device100can be configured as a single creasing device that is independent of the printer200, by using a configuration including an outer case that covers the entirety, and a portion relating to an operation of the movement mechanism180of the controller250.

Specifically, in the creasing device100according to the embodiment, each of the outside ranges124aat each end in the width direction Y has the wider groove width W2, and in the creasing device100according to the variation, each of the outside ranges421aat each end in the width direction Y is formed to have the lower height h2. However, only the outside range124aor421aat one end in the width direction Y may have the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2.

In this case, when creasing the paper300, the rotary blade135moves from the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) of the paper300that is located in the outside range124aor421aon a side having the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2to the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) on another side in the width direction Y to crease the paper300. Then, the rotary blade135is stopped in a position where the rotary blade135passes through the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300located in the outside range124aor421aon a side where the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2is not formed.

From this state, the rotary blade135may be moved from outside of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300in the width direction Y to the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) without moving the paper300in the conveying direction X and may be stopped in a position where the rotary blade135has passed through the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) of the paper300to form the crease in a superimposed manner.

In this case, the rotary blade135is moved from a starting point on the side of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300located in the outside range124aor421awhere the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2are not provided. The rotary blade135moves along the crease that has already been formed on the paper300, and therefore, a relatively great shearing force is not generated on the side of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) where the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2are not provided compared to the case where the crease has not been formed.

Furthermore, it is sufficient if the range where the rotary blade135is moved at the fixed height is at least a range between the side edges302and303of the paper300(a range where the paper300is creased). The height of the rotary blade135may be changed on the outsides of the first and second side edges302,303of the paper300in the width direction Y. For example, a mechanism for raising the rotary blade135in a direction away from the paper300by a fixed height may be provided on at least one of the outside of the first side edge302in the width direction Y of and the outside of the second side edge303in the width direction Y.

Thereby, when creasing the paper300, the rotary blade135is moved in the width direction Y from the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) of the paper300at the fixed height to crease the paper300. Then, in a position where the rotary blade135has passed through the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300and reached the outside in the width direction Y, the rotary blade135is raised by the fixed height from the creasing state and moved to the side of the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) without contacting the paper300in the raised state. Then, the rotary blade135is lowered to the height of the creasing state on the outside in the width direction Y where the rotary blade135has passed through the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) of the paper300.

Then, the next paper300is creased at the fixed height in a state where the height of the rotary blade135has been lowered to the original height for creasing.

Note that the mechanism for raising the rotary blade135on the outside of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300may increase the height of the rotary blade135gradually or in a stepwise manner (discretely) or continuously and smoothly.

Thus, the device for changing the height of the rotary blade135on the outside of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300has a simpler structure compared to a device for changing the height of the rotary blade between the side edges302and303of the paper300.

Specifically, the device for changing the height of the rotary blade between the side edges302and303of the paper300changes the height while moving the rotary blade in the width direction Y in contact with the paper300to change the shearing force, and therefore, an error of the shearing force easily increase. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the mechanism for changing the height of the rotary blade to reduce an error of the shearing force.

However, in the case of the device for changing the height of the rotary blade135on the outside of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300, the height of the rotary blade135is fixed in a range where the creasing is performed between the side edges302and303of the paper300(shearing force is changed by the structure of the receiving member120or420).

In addition, the height of the rotary blade135is changed on the outside of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300. Therefore, there is no shear effect on the paper300even if the height of the rotary blade135is changed on the outside of the first side edge302(or the second side edge303). Accordingly, the rigidity of a mechanism for changing the height of the rotary blade does not need to be increased, and a complicated structure is unnecessary.

Furthermore, even in a case where only the outside range124aor421aof one end in the width direction Y has the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2, the height of the rotary blade135may be changed on the outside of the range between the side edges302and303of the paper300.

In this case, when creasing the paper300, the rotary blade135moves at the fixed height from the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) of the paper300located in the outside range124aor421aon the side where the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2is formed to the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) in the width direction Y to crease the paper300. Then, the rotary blade135is raised by the fixed height from the creasing state in a position where the rotary blade135has passed through the first side edge302(or the second side edge303) of the paper300located in the outside range124aor421aon the side without the wider groove width W2or the lower height h2and reached the outside in the width direction Y.

Then, the rotary blade135is moved to the side of the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) in the raised state without contacting the paper300and lowered to the original height for the creasing state on the outside in the width direction Y where the rotary blade135has passed through the second side edge303(or the first side edge302) of the paper300to crease the next paper300at the fixed height.

(Another Example of Arrangement of Creasing Device in Printer)FIG.13is a vertically cross-sectional view illustrating another photo printer200′ (hereinafter referred to as a printer200′) including the creasing device100and illustrates an arrangement example of the creasing device100in the printer. The printer200′ is another embodiment of the printer according to the present disclosure.

In the printer200illustrated inFIG.1, the creasing device100is disposed in a position close to the cutter260provided near a discharge port of the paper300in the printer200, that is, on the upper side on the front side of the printer200.

On the other hand, in the printer200′ illustrated inFIG.13, the creasing device100is disposed in a lower portion of the printer200′ and vicinity of the center of the printer200′ in the forward/backward direction (a conveying direction X). Here, the printer200′ is a sublimation-type thermal transfer printer similar to the printer200. The printer200′ can select paper300to be printed from a flat sheet306which is cut paper and a rolled paper307which is formed into a roll by rolling a single long sheet of paper into a belt shape.

The printer200′ includes an outer case210, a flat sheet storage portion221, a rolled paper storage portion222, a printing portion230, a cutter260, a creasing device100, a conveyor portion240including conveying means241and a conveying path242, and a controller250. The printing portion230, the cutter260, and the controller250in the printer200′ are respectively disposed in positions similar to the positions of the printing portion230, the cutter260, and the controller250in the printer200.

The flat sheet storage portion221is a paper storage portion that stores a large number of flat sheets306stacked in a thickness direction. The flat sheet storage portion221is disposed in the lowermost portion of the printer200′ similar to the paper storage portion220in the printer200illustrated inFIG.1. The rolled paper storage portion222is a paper storage portion (or space) that stores the rolled paper307. The rolled paper storage portion222is disposed in a position in front of the printing portion230and above the flat sheet storage portion221in the printer200′.

The printer200′ includes a front discharge port242aand an upper discharge port242b. The front discharge port242ais configured to discharge the flat sheet306or the rolled paper307after being printed by the printing portion230forward to the outside. The upper discharge port242bis configured to discharge the flat sheet306or the rolled paper307rearward onto a discharge tray. The front discharge port242ais provided on the front side and the upper portion of the printer200′. The upper discharge port242bis provided in an upper portion of the printer200′ to open in a rearward direction. The controller250alternatively switches the front discharge port242aand the upper discharge port242bto discharge the flat sheet306or the rolled paper307to the outside in front of the printer200′ or onto the discharge tray in the upper portion of the printer200′.

As illustrated inFIG.13, the creasing device100is disposed in the vicinity of the center in the forward/backward direction (the conveying direction X) of the printer200′ and on a rear side in the forward/backward direction of the rolled paper storage portion22. Furthermore, with regard to the height direction (a vertical direction) H of the printer200′, the creasing device100is disposed in a position above the flat sheet storage portion221provided in the lowermost portion of the printer200′ and below the printing portion230provided with the ink ribbon231or the thermal head232.

The position where the creasing device100is disposed is a region that is likely to be a dead space in the printer200′. Accordingly, the creasing device100can be added without increasing in size in the forward/backward direction of the printer200′, and a space in the printer200′ can be effectively used.

Furthermore, the creasing device100is disposed in the vicinity of the center of the printer200′ in the forward/backward direction. Therefore, the crease310can be formed near one end of the flat sheet306in the conveying direction X that passes through a creasing path extending to the rear side in the forward/backward direction below the rolled paper storage portion222in the conveying path242. Also, the crease310can be formed in the center of the flat sheet306in the conveying direction X.

The creasing device100forms the crease310near the end of the flat sheet306in the conveying direction X. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of printed flat sheets306is bundled to form a photo book, the spreadability of each of the flat sheets306can be improved. Furthermore, the crease310is formed near the center of the flat sheet306in the conveying direction X. Therefore, a fold can be formed at the center of a card such as a greeting card formed by using a single flat sheet306, for example.