Printer apparatus

A printer apparatus includes a printer main body having a platen roller and a print head to print on recording paper, a cutter unit configured to cut the recording paper, and a presenter unit connected to the cutter unit, wherein the recording paper on which the print head has printed enters the presenter unit through the cutter unit, and comes out from a discharge slot of the presenter unit, wherein the presenter unit includes a first roller and a second roller configured to convey the recording paper placed therebetween, and a flapper disposed along a transportation path of the recording paper between the cutter unit and both the first roller and the second roller, and configured to be flipped open to an outside of the presenter unit to expose the transportation path, wherein an angle at which the flapper is open is selectively set to one of a plurality of different angles.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosures herein relate to a printer apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Printers for producing sales receipts or the like are widely used in cash registers used in stores, ATMs (automatic teller machines) or CDs (cash dispensers) installed in banks, etc. In a printer for producing sales receipts or the like, a print head prints on thermal paper serving as recording paper while the recording paper is advanced. After the recording paper is advanced a predetermined length, a predetermined length of the recording paper is cut from the rest of the paper. A cutter has a fixed blade and a movable blade. The movable blade is moved toward the fixed blade to cut recording paper that is placed between the fixed blade and the movable blade. Such a printer may be provided with a presenter connected thereto for the purpose of allowing a printed recording sheet to be removed.

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the case of printed recording sheets having respective different usages or the like, the printer apparatus is required to be capable of sorting and storing the recording sheets according to their usages or the like. Such printer apparatuses capable of sorting and storing printed recording sheets are mostly bulky. Accordingly, there is a need for a small-sized, low-cost printer apparatus capable of sorting and storing printed recording sheets.

Means to Solve the Problem

According to one aspect of a present embodiment, a printer apparatus includes a printer main body having a platen roller and a print head to print on recording paper, a cutter unit configured to cut the recording paper, and a presenter unit connected to the cutter unit, wherein the recording paper on which the print head has printed enters the presenter unit through the cutter unit, and comes out from a discharge slot of the presenter unit, wherein the presenter unit includes a first roller and a second roller configured to convey the recording paper placed therebetween, and a flapper disposed along a transportation path of the recording paper between the cutter unit and both the first roller and the second roller, and configured to be flipped open to an outside of the presenter unit to expose the transportation path, wherein an angle at which the flapper is open is selectively set to one of a plurality of different angles.

Advantage of the Invention

According to at least one embodiment, a small-sized, low-cost printer apparatus capable of sorting and storing printed recording sheets is provided.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments for implementing the invention will be described. The same members or the like are referred to by the same numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted

A printer apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1throughFIG. 7.FIG. 1is a schematic view illustrating the structure of the printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.FIG. 2is an enlarged view of a main portion of the printer apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is an axonometric view of the printer apparatus.FIG. 4is a top view of the printer apparatus.FIG. 5is a front view of the printer apparatus.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the printer apparatus taken along the doted and dashed line4A-4B inFIG. 4.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of the printer apparatus taken along the doted and dashed line4C-4D inFIG. 4.FIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 6illustrate recording paper10for the purpose of providing a clear view of a transport path of the recording paper.

The printer apparatus of the present embodiment prints on the recording paper10from a paper roll. The printer apparatus includes a printer main body20, a cutter unit30, and a presenter unit40. In the present embodiment, the printer main body20and the cutter unit30are connected to each other, and the cutter unit30and the presenter unit40are connected to each other.

In general, the presenter unit40receives the recording paper10printed by a thermal head21through the cutter unit30. The recording paper10cut at a predetermined length by the cutter unit30is partially exposed from a discharge slot46such that the user can remove the exposed sheet from the presenter unit40. Upon the recording paper10in this state being removed by the user, the print operation by the printer apparatus comes to completion. If a predetermined time length passes in this state without the recording paper10being removed by the user, a retract operation is performed such that the printed recording sheet10is retracted into the presenter unit40. The printer apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with the function to sort and store the printed recording paper10in the presenter unit40.

The printer main body20includes a thermal head21serving as a print head for printing on the recording paper10, a platen roller22, and a transport motor23for conveying the recording paper10. The recording paper10is fed into the printer main body20through a transport slot that is not illustrated. The cutter unit30includes a fixed blade31, a movable blade32, a movable-blade motor33for driving the movable blade32, and gears and the like (not shown) for transmitting the driving force generated by the rotation of the movable-blade motor33to the movable blade32.

In the printer main body20, the transport motor23rotates the platen, roller22while the recording paper10is placed between the thermal head21and the platen roller22, thereby conveying the recording paper10. The thermal head21prints on the recording paper10being conveyed by the rotation of the platen roller22.

The printed recording paper10is then cut by the cutter unit30. Specifically, upon the recording paper10being moved to a predetermined location, the movable-blade motor33rotates to drive the movable blade32and to move the movable blade32toward the fixed blade31, thereby cutting the recording paper10between the fixed blade31and the movable blade32.

The presenter unit40includes a first roller41, a second roller42, a third roller43, a fourth roller44, a transport motor45, a flapper50, and a recording paper transport guide60, which are provided for the purpose of conveying printed recording paper. The first roller41and the second roller42are disposed to face each other, and the third roller43and the fourth roller44are disposed to face each other. The first roller41and the third roller43are rotated by the rotation of the transport motor45through the operation of gears (not shown). The second roller42in contact with the first roller41rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the first roller41, and the fourth roller44in contact with the third roller43rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the third roller43. With this arrangement, the recording paper10placed between the first roller41and the second roller42and placed between the third roller43and the fourth roller44is conveyed inside the presenter unit40.

The length of the recording paper10upon being cut is dependent on the usage thereof or the like, so that the position at which the recording paper10is cut also varies. Since the length of the transport path of the recording paper10inside the presenter unit40is a fixed length, the recording paper10needs to be cut after creating a slack in the recording paper10in the presenter unit40in the case in which a longer length of the recording paper10than the length of the transport path needs to be cut. In the present embodiment, as illustrated by dotted lines inFIG. 7, the flapper50of the presenter unit40is flipped open to the outside of the presenter unit40in the direction illustrated by an arrow, thereby providing a slack in the printed recording paper10extending to the outside of the presenter unit40. With this arrangement, the recording paper10can be cut to have a desired length even if the length of the recording paper10to be discharged is longer than the entire length of the transport path inside the presenter unit40.

The flapper50is connected to the presenter unit40such as to be rotatable around a rotation axis50a. A flapper drive motor52disposed inside the presenter unit40rotates to flip open and close the flapper50. Specifically, a first gear53, a second gear54, a third gear55, and a fourth gear56are provided in the presenter unit40. The first gear53is connected to a gear52aof the flapper drive motor52. Accordingly, rotation of the flapper drive motor52causes the gear52aof the flapper drive motor52, the first gear53, the second gear54, the third gear55, and the fourth gear56to rotate, thereby causing the flapper50to rotate around the rotation axis50ato flip open.

In the printer apparatus of the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, for example, the recording paper transport guide60is provided in the presenter unit40. The recording paper transport guide60, which is situated further toward the inside than the flapper50in the presenter unit40, is supported by the flapper50when the flapper50is in the closed position. The recording paper transport guide60is disposed to face the flapper50across the transport path of the recording paper10. Namely, the recording paper transport guide60is situated further toward the inside than the transport path of the recording paper10, and the flapper50is situated further toward the outside than the transport path of the recording paper10. The support by the flapper50is removed as the flapper50opens, resulting in the recording paper transport guide60being also flipped outward (i.e., moving toward the outside). When the flapper50is closed and the recording paper10is situated between the flapper50and the recording paper transport guide60, the recording paper transport guide60is supported by the flapper50via the recording paper10.

In the present embodiment, a recording paper sensor51is provided between the first roller41and the third roller43in order to detect whether the recording paper10is present in the transport path between the first roller41and the third roller43.

The recording paper transport guide60may be flipped to the outside due to its own weight. Alternatively, a member exerting a restorative force such as a spring may be provided, and the recording paper transport guide60may be flipped to the outside by the restorative force of the spring or the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the recording paper transport guide60is connected in a rotatable manner to a mount member61, which is provided to attach the recording paper transport guide60to the presenter unit40. Specifically, the recording paper transport guide60has a guide unit60afor guiding the recording paper10, and rotates around a rotation axis60bprovided for the recording paper transport guide60so as to change the direction of the guide unit60a. With this arrangement, the downward movement of the guide unit60acauses the recording paper transport guide60inFIG. 2to flip outward (i.e., moves toward the outside) to intrude into the transport path, thereby being able to change the transport direction of the recording paper10toward the outside of the presenter unit40.

In the present embodiment, a recording paper guiding member70is provided that operates in conjunction with the flapper50when the flapper50is flipped open as illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9B. The recording paper guiding member70is installed in the presenter unit40. The printed recording paper10is conveyed by passing between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70. Namely, when the flapper50is closed in the present embodiment, the printed recording paper10passes through the transport path between the recording paper guiding member70and the flapper50in the closed position. The recording paper guiding member70is disposed on the opposite side to the flapper50across the printed recording paper10. Accordingly, when the flapper50is in the open position, the printed recording paper10passes between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70to be conveyed to one of the plurality of collection boxes, as will be described later.FIG. 9Bis an enlarged view of a portion enclosed by a dotted and dashed line9A inFIG. 9A.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of collection boxes for sorting and storing the printed recording paper10, i.e., a first collection box81, a second collection box82, and a third collection box83, are provided as illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B. In the case of collecting the recording paper10, the printed recording paper10upon being cut by the cutter unit30passes between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70to be stored in one of the first collection box81, the second collection box82, and the third collection box83. Each of the collection boxes has a sensor for detecting the position of the flapper50. The sensor may be a reflective optical sensor. The first collection box81is provided with a first collection-position detecting sensor81a. The second collection box82is provided with a second collection-position detecting sensor82a. The third collection box83is provided with a third collection-position detecting sensor83a. These collection-position detecting sensors81athrough83adetect the position of the flapper50. The operation of the flapper drive motor52is then controlled in response to the resultant detected position, so that the open angle of the flapper50is adjusted to orient the flapper50to the position of the desired collection box.

In the present embodiment, the angle at which the flapper50opens is changed to store the recording paper10to be collected in the desired collection box, i.e., one of the first collection box81, the second collection box82, and the third collection box83. In order to store the recording paper10in the desired collection box, the transport motor45is rotated in the reverse direction to convey the recording paper10through the transport path of the presenter unit40in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction toward the collection box.

In the case of the flapper50being at the largest open angle, the reverse rotation of the transport motor45causes the printed recording paper10in the transport path of the presenter unit40to be conveyed from the presenter unit40to the first collection box81through the flapper50as illustrated inFIG. 11. In this case, the adjusted angle of the open flapper50is such that the recording paper10enters the first collection box81. Because of this, the recording paper10is stored in the first collection box81upon being conveyed through the path between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70. It may be noted that the first collection box81or the like has the first collection-position detecting sensor81afor detecting whether the flapper50is in the open state that allows the printed recording paper10to be conveyed into the first collection box81.

When the open angle of the flapper50is smaller as illustrated inFIG. 12than in the case ofFIG. 11, the reverse rotation of the transport motor45causes the printed recording paper10to be conveyed from the presenter unit40to the second collection box82through the flapper50. In this case, the adjusted angle of the open flapper50is such that the printed recording paper10enters the second collection box82. Because of this, the printed recording paper10is stored in the second collection box82upon being conveyed through the path between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70. It may be noted that the second collection box82or the like has the second collection-position detecting sensor82afor detecting whether the flapper50is in the open state that allows the printed recording paper10to be conveyed into the second collection box82.

When the open angle of the flapper50is smaller as illustrated inFIG. 13than in the case ofFIG. 12, the reverse rotation of the transport motor45causes the printed recording paper10to be conveyed from the presenter unit40to the third collection box83through the flapper50. In this case, the adjusted angle of the open flapper50is such that the printed recording paper10enters the third collection box83. Because of this, the printed recording paper10is stored in the third collection box83upon being conveyed through the path between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70. It may be noted that the third collection box83or the like has the third collection-position detecting sensor83afor detecting whether the flapper50is in the open state that allows the printed recording paper10to be conveyed into the third collection box83.

In the manner as described above, the printer apparatus of the present embodiment is operable to sort and store the printed recording paper10in one of the first collection box81, the second collection box82, and the third collection box83according to the usage thereof or the like. It may be noted that in the present embodiment, the flapper50disposed in the presenter unit40is used to sort the recording paper10, so that the recording paper10can be sorted and stored even when the length of the printed recording paper10is long.

The recording paper guiding member70is pressed by a spring or the like toward the position of the flapper50so as to move with the flapper50when the flapper50flips open. As illustrated inFIG. 14, provision may be made such that the recording paper guiding member70is pressed by the restorative force of a coil spring71toward to the position of the flapper50. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 15, provision may be made such that the recording paper guiding member70is pressed by the restorative force of a torsion coil spring72toward to the position of the flapper50. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 16, provision may be made such that the recording paper guiding member70is pressed by the restorative force of a plate spring73toward to the position of the flapper50. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 17, a recording paper guiding member75may be formed of such a material having spring property as metal. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 18, the flapper50may be provided with a recording paper guide70aserving as a recording paper guiding member. In the case ofFIG. 18, the recording paper10is conveyed through a path inside the recording paper guide70aprovided as part of the flapper50, or through the path between the flapper50and the recording paper guide70a.

In the following, a description will be given of the transport of the recording paper10in the printer apparatus of the present embodiment. It may be noted that the operations of the printer apparatus of the present embodiment (e.g., the transport of the recording paper10and the opening and closing movement of the flapper50) are performed under the control of a control unit100(seeFIG. 1). InFIGS. 19A and 19BthroughFIG. 24, the first collection box81, the second collection box82, and the third collection box83are omitted from illustration for the sake of convenience.

As illustrated inFIGS. 19A and 19B, the recording paper10on which the thermal head21has printed passes through the cutter unit30first, and then enters the transport path situated inside the presenter unit40. As this happens, the recording paper10is conveyed while placed between the first roller41and the second roller42inside the presenter unit40. In the state illustrated inFIGS. 19A and 19B, the flapper50is in the closed position, so that the recording paper transport guide60is also in the closed position. The flapper50is situated under the transport path inside the presenter unit40, and the recording paper transport guide60is situated over the transport path of the recording paper10. The recording paper10passes through the gap between the flapper50and the recording paper transport guide60. In the state illustrated inFIGS. 19A and 19B, the recording paper sensor51disposed between the first roller41and the third roller43has not yet detected the recording paper10, so that the flapper50remains to be closed, and the first roller41and the second roller42are rotating.FIG. 19Bis an enlarged view of a portion enclosed by a dotted and dashed line19A inFIG. 19A.

Subsequently, the recording paper20is further conveyed by the first roller41and the second roller42from the state illustrated inFIGS. 19A and 19Bto the state as illustrated inFIGS. 20A and 20B, in which the recording paper10has advanced to the position at which the recording paper sensor51is disposed. The recording paper sensor51thus detects the recording paper10. As the recording paper sensor51detects the recording paper10, the rotation of the first roller41is suspended to refrain from conveying the recording paper10through the transport path beyond the first roller41, and, also, the flapper50is flipped open. The flapper50being flipped open toward the outside of the presenter unit40causes the transport path to be exposed to the outside of the presenter unit40. In the state illustrated inFIGS. 20A and 20B, the head end of the recording paper10is placed between and gripped by the first roller41and the second roller42.FIG. 20Bis an enlarged view of a portion enclosed by a dotted and dashed line20A inFIG. 20A.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 21A and 21B, with the rotation of the second roller41being stopped and the flapper50being in the open state, the recording paper10printed by the thermal head21is conveyed further into the presenter unit40after passing through the cutter unit30. Namely, the rotation of the platen roller22causes the recording paper10to be conveyed toward the presenter unit40. Since the first roller41is not rotating, the recording paper10will produce a slack that extends to the outside of the presenter unit40through the space provided by the opened flapper50as illustrated inFIGS. 21A and 21B.FIG. 21Bis an enlarged view of a portion enclosed by a dotted and dashed line21A inFIG. 21A.

In the present embodiment, the flapper50of the presenter unit40is flipped open, and, together therewith, the recording paper transport guide60is flipped outward, so that the guide unit60aof the recording paper transport guide60is directed downward (i.e., moves outwardly to intrude into the transport path). As a result, the downwardly directed guide unit60aguides the recording paper10such that the travel direction of the recording paper10is directed to the outside of the presenter unit40. This creates a desired slack in the recording paper10without causing the recording paper10to be folded despite the presence of strong curl in the recording paper10.

Subsequently, with the rotation of the first roller41being in the suspended state and the flapper50being in the open state, the recording paper10printed by the thermal head21is advanced further from the state illustrated inFIGS. 21A and 21Binto the presenter unit40as illustrated inFIGS. 22A and 22Bafter passing through the cutter unit30. Namely, the rotation of the platen roller22causes the printed recording paper10to be further conveyed toward the presenter unit40. In this state, the first roller41is not rotating, and the flapper50is open, so that the recording paper10printed by the thermal head21travels toward the outside of the presenter unit40due the open-position flapper50after passing through the inside of the cutter unit30. As a result, the slack of the recording paper10extending to the outside of the presenter unit40grows.FIG. 22Bis an enlarged view of a portion enclosed by a dotted and dashed line22A inFIG. 22A.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 23A and 23B, the cutter unit30uses the fixed blade31and the movable blade32to cut a desired length of the printed recording paper10. A portion of the printed recording paper10extends to the outside of the presenter unit40through the space provided by the open flapper50, which makes it possible for a desired length of the recording paper10to be cut even when such a desired length of the recording paper10is longer than the length of the transport path.FIG. 23Bis an enlarged view of a portion enclosed by a dotted and dashed line23A inFIG. 23A.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG. 24, the first roller41and the third roller43are rotated to advance the printed recording paper10a predetermined distance toward the discharge slot46. As this happens, a portion of the recording paper10is situated in the transport path between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70. In this state, the head end of the printed recording paper10is exposed from the discharge slot46to allow a user to remove the recording paper. The tail end of the recording paper10is exposed to the outside from the open flapper50.

Subsequently, the flapper50is flipped open at a proper angle as illustrated inFIG. 25, such that the printed recording paper10can enter a desired collection box among the first collection box81, the second collection box82, and the third collection box83. Specifically, the flapper drive motor52is rotated to flip open the flapper50, so that the angle of the flapper50is adjusted such as to enable collection in a desired collection box among the first collection box81, the second collection box82, and the third collection box83.FIG. 25illustrates the case in which the open state of the flapper50allows the printed recording paper10to enter the first collection box81. In this state, the tail end of the recording paper10situated alongside the flapper50is pointed at the opening (i.e., collection slot) of the first collection box81.

As illustrated inFIGS. 26A and 26B, then, the recording paper10is advanced into the desired collection box. Specifically, the reverse rotation of the transport motor45causes the first roller41and the third roller43to be rotated in the reverse direction to convey the recording paper10in the reverse direction through the transport path. Consequently, the recording paper10having been conveyed in the reverse direction through the transport path inside the presenter unit40enters one of the first collection box81, the second collection box82, and the third collection box83through the space provided by the open flapper50. In the state illustrated inFIG. 26, the open flapper50is at such an angle as to put the recording paper10in the first collection box81. The recording paper10passes through the gap between the flapper50and the recording paper guiding member70to be conveyed and stored in the first collection box81.FIG. 26Bis an enlarged view of a portion enclosed by a dotted and dashed line26A inFIG. 26A.

In order to sort and store the printed recording paper10in a desired collection box, the printer apparatus of the present embodiment may be first placed in the state illustrated inFIG. 25, and may then make a transition to the state illustrated inFIGS. 26A and 26B. Alternatively, collection may be performed as illustrated inFIGS. 26A and 26Bin response to the situation in which the printed recording paper10is not removed by a user after the state illustrated inFIG. 25.

Subsequently, the flapper drive motor52is rotated in the reverse direction to close the flapper50. In conjunction with this, the recording paper transport guide60is also closed to return to the state illustrated inFIGS. 19A and 19B. Reverse rotation of the flapper drive motor52at this instant is performed after the recording paper sensor51or the like confirms the nonexistence of the recording paper10in the transport path, i.e., confirms the discharge of the recording paper10from the transport path.

When next printing is thereafter performed on the recording paper10, the same or similar operations as described heretofore will be performed.

Further, although a description has been given with respect to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the contents of such a description do not limit the scope of the invention.

The present application claims foreign priority to Japanese priority application No. 2014-167894 filed on Aug. 20, 2014, with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

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