Sheet bundle printer and sheet bundle printing system

A sheet bundle printer peeling off and performing printing on an uppermost sheet of a peelably adhered sheet bundle includes a print head performing printing on the sheet, a platen roller, at a print position, cooperating with the print head to feed both the sheet and an ink ribbon, pinched therebetween, and a platen moving mechanism moving the platen roller between the print position and a non-print position. The platen moving mechanism includes a manual operation device manually moving the platen roller from the print to non-print positions and a press roller that made to contact or moved away from the platen roller by the manual operation device to move the platen roller from the print to non-print positions while pressing it when the press roller contacts it. At the non-print position, the sheet is allowed to pass between the press roller and the platen roller.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-232744, filed Aug. 29, 2006, is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sheet bundle printing system for printing on a piece of sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as “a sheet”) to be peeled off out of a sheet bundle such as a sticky note bundle (i.e., a bundle of sticky notes temporarily held together by partially and removably adhering them together for use by peeling off one by one) and the like, and also relates to a sheet bundle printer.

2. Related Art

In the known art, there is a sticky note printer (a sheet bundle printer) of this type, which pulls up an uppermost sticky note of a sticky note bundle that is set in the printer, pinches the pulled-up sticky note together with an ink ribbon between a thermal head and a platen roller, and then performs printing on the sticky note while feeding the sheet so as to peel it off, which is, for example, described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-212367.

Meanwhile, a blank sticky note may possibly be used, for example, when people use the sticky note to write a note or when people use it to mark magazines, or the like. Then, the sticky note printer needs to eject a blank sticky note (white sticky note) without performing printing on the sheet. However, in the above known sticky note printer, when a sticky note is fed without performing printing on it (when a blank sticky note is fed), it is conceivable that the platen roller and the thermal head pinch and feed the sticky note while the thermal head is not being driven (or is being driven with no printing data). In this case, it is preferable that the feeding of the ink ribbon is stopped in order to suppress a waste of ink ribbon. However, when the printer is operated in such a way, because the sticky note is fed as it slides on the ink ribbon, there is a problem that ink of the ink ribbon is rubbed to smudge the sticky note or the ink ribbon is also fed with the feeding of the sticky note (jamming of ink ribbon).

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a sheet bundle printer and sheet bundle printing system that are capable of suppressing a waste of ink ribbon while it smoothly feeds a blank sheet of sheet toward a sheet ejecting slot.

A first aspect of the invention provides a sheet bundle printer that peels off an uppermost sheet out of a sheet bundle that is formed by stacking a multiplicity of sheets releasably adhered together at one end respectively, each having one end that is peelably adhered to that of another sheet, and that performs printing on the sheet while transporting the sheet toward a sheet ejecting slot. The sheet bundle printer includes a print head, a platen roller, and a platen moving mechanism. The print head performs printing on the sheet. The platen roller, when located at a print position where the platen roller contacts the print head, cooperates with the print head to feed both the sheet and an ink ribbon, which are pinched between the print head and the platen roller. The platen moving mechanism moves the platen roller between the print position and a non-print position where the sheet is passed toward the sheet ejecting slot in a state where the sheet is located away from the print head. The platen moving mechanism includes a manual operation device and a press roller. The manual operation device is used for manually moving the platen roller from the print position to the non-print position. The press roller is made to contact or moved away from the platen roller by means of the manual operation device and moves the platen roller from the print position to the non-print position while pressing the platen roller in a state where the press roller is in contact with the platen roller. At the non-print position, the sheet is allowed to pass between the press roller and the platen roller.

A second aspect of the invention provides a sheet bundle printer that peels off an uppermost sheet out of a sheet bundle that is formed by stacking a multiplicity of sheets, each having one end that is peelably adhered to that of another sheet, and that performs printing on the sheet while transporting the sheet toward a sheet ejecting slot. The sheet bundle printer includes a print head, a platen roller, and a platen moving mechanism. The print head performs printing on the sheet. The platen roller, when located at a print position where the platen roller contacts the print head, cooperates with the print head to feed both the sheet and an ink ribbon, which are pinched between the print head and the platen roller. The platen moving mechanism moves the platen roller between the print position and a non-print position where the sheet is passed toward the sheet ejecting slot in a state where the sheet is located away from the print head. The platen moving mechanism includes a roller moving device and a press roller. The roller moving device is used for moving the platen roller from the print position to the non-print position. The press roller is made to contact or moved away from the platen roller by means of the roller moving device and moves the platen roller from the print position to the non-print position while pressing the platen roller in a state where the press roller is in contact with the platen roller. At the non-print position, the sheet is allowed to pass between the press roller and the platen roller.

According to the above structure, it is possible to move the platen roller to the non-print position using the manual operation device or the roller moving device through the press roller. Thus, when a blank sheet is fed, the platen roller is moved to the non-print position in advance to make a space between the print head and the platen roller, so that the print head and the platen roller do not pinch the sheet and the ink ribbon together. In this manner, the sheet, while being fed, does not slide on the ink ribbon, so that ink of the ink ribbon is not rubbed to smudge the sheet and the ink ribbon is not fed with the feeding of the sheet. Meanwhile, as the platen roller is moved to the non-print position, the platen roller contacts the press roller. Then, because the sheet is fed while it is being pinched between the platen roller and the press roller, it is possible to appropriately transport the sheet toward the sheet ejecting slot. Note that, in this case, it is preferable that the press roller that has moved the platen roller to the non-print position cooperates with the platen roller to transport the sheet. In addition, a sticky note bundle, a memo pad, or the like, may be employed as the sheet bundle.

In the above first aspect, the manual operation device may include a manual operation lever that is manipulated for moving the press roller and a moving rod that moves the press roller by manipulating the manual operation lever.

According to this structure, by manipulating the manual operation lever, it is possible to arbitrarily move the platen roller through the press roller to the print position and to the non-print position.

In this case, the sheet bundle printer may further include a reset device and a locking/unlocking device. The reset device resets the platen roller, that has moved to the non-print position, to the print position in response to releasing of the press roller pressing the platen roller. The locking/unlocking device includes a locking device and a lock releasing device. The locking device holds a state where the platen roller is moved to the non-print position by manipulating the manual operation lever through the press roller. The lock releasing device, after transporting of the sheet by the press roller and the platen roller is completed, moves the platen roller, using the reset device, to the print position.

According to this structure, by manipulating the manual operation lever, the platen roller is locked at the non-print position by the locking/unlocking device, so that it is unnecessary for a user to continue manipulating the manual operation lever during transporting of the sheet. On the other hand, as the transporting of the sheet is completed, the locking is released in response to this completion. The platen roller is then moved to the print position by the reset device, so that it is unnecessary for a user to return the platen roller by manipulating the manual operation lever. In this manner, it is possible to improve operability of the manual operation lever.

In the above second aspect, the roller moving device may include a solenoid that is used for moving the press roller and a moving rod that moves the press roller by driving of the solenoid.

According to this structure, by energizing or de-energizing the solenoid, it is possible to move the press roller with a simple structure.

In this case, the roller moving device may include an actuator that is used for moving the press roller, a plate cam that is made to rotate by driving of the actuator, and a moving rod that moves the press roller on the basis of a state where the plate cam contacts the moving rod.

According to this structure, by rotating the plate cam with the actuator, it is possible to move the press roller with a low-cost structure.

In the above aspects, the sheet bundle printer may include a detection device and a control device. The detection device detects whether the platen roller is moved to the non-print position by the press roller. The control device controls the print head, the platen roller and the platen moving mechanism. The control device controls feeding of the sheet toward the sheet ejecting slot on the basis of a result detected by the detection device.

According to this structure, by using a detection by the detection device as a trigger, it is possible to initiate to feed a blank sheet. For this reason, as far as the platen roller is not moved to the non-print position, the blank sheet is not fed.

In this case, the sheet bundle printer may further include a reset device that resets the platen roller, that has moved to the non-print position, to the print position by releasing the press roller pressing the platen roller and a bearing portion that pivotally supports the platen roller so as to slide between the print position and the non-print position. The reset device has an urging member that is in contact with a rotary shaft portion of the platen roller and that urges the platen roller toward the print position while the platen roller is being guided by the bearing portion.

According to this structure, it is possible to move the platen roller to the non-print position against an urging force of the urging member by pressing the platen roller with the press roller. On the other hand, when the pressing of the press roller is released, it is possible to move the platen roller to the print position by the urging force of the urging member. In this manner, it is possible to move the platen roller that has moved to the non-print position, to the print position with a simple structure.

In this case, the platen roller may double as a roller for pulling up and peeling off the sheet, and the sheet bundle printer may further include a roller arm, a folded mechanism, and a return spring. The roller arm holds the platen roller at its distal end and allows the platen roller to reciprocally move between a pull up position where the sheet is pulled up and the print position, having the non-print position located in a path of the reciprocal movement. The folded mechanism is provided in the roller arm and holds the roller arm to be foldable only when the platen roller is moved from the pull up position toward the print position. The return spring returns the roller arm, when being folded, to an original attitude. The return spring doubles as the reset device.

According to this structure, as the press roller is moved in order to restrict the position of the platen roller at the non-print position and the platen roller is moved toward the print position by the roller arm, the roller arm is folded by means of the folded mechanism in a state where the position of the platen roller is restricted by the press roller at the non-print position. On the other hand, as the platen roller is moved to the pull up position by the roller arm, the roller arm is returned from the folded attitude to the original attitude by the return spring. That is, when the pressing of the platen roller by the press roller is released, it is possible for the roller arm to appropriately move the platen roller to the print position. For this reason, without any change in reciprocal movement of the roller arm, it is possible to restrict the position of the platen roller at the non-print position owing to the folded mechanism, and it is also possible to appropriately move the platen roller to the print position by the roller arm by returning the folded attitude of the roller arm to the original attitude by the return spring.

In this case, the platen roller may double as a roller for pulling up and peeling off the sheet, and the sheet bundle printer may further include a roller arm, a shaft portion, a pivotal device, and a torque limiter. The roller arm holds the platen roller at its distal end. The shaft portion is provided at the proximal end of the roller arm and supports the roller arm. The pivotal device pivots the roller arm through the shaft portion so as to move the platen roller between a pull up position where the sheet is pulled up and the print position, having the non-print position located in a path of the reciprocal movement. The torque limiter is provided between the shaft portion and the pivotal device. The pivotal device doubles as the reset device.

According to this structure, the press roller is moved in order to restrict the position of the platen roller at the non-print position, and the platen roller is moved toward the print position by the roller arm. Then, at the time when the position of the platen roller is restricted at the non-print position by the press roller, the pivotal movement of the roller arm is slipped by the torque limiter, so that it is possible to maintain a state where the position of the platen roller is maintained at the non-print position. On the other hand, when the pressing of the platen roller by the press roller is released, it is possible for the roller arm to appropriately move the platen roller to the print position.

In this case, the sheet bundle printer may further includes a ribbon feed device and a ribbon feed stopping device. The ribbon feed device feeds the ink ribbon side by side with the sheet when the sheet is printed. The ribbon feed stopping device stops the ribbon feed device feeding the ink ribbon in response to movement of the platen roller to the non-print position by the platen moving mechanism.

According to this structure, as the platen roller is moved to the non-print position by the platen moving mechanism, the ribbon feed stopping device stops feeding of the ink ribbon. In this state, when the sheet is transported, the sheet passes through a space between the print head and the platen roller and is fed toward the sheet ejecting slot; however, the ink ribbon is not fed together. In this manner, it is possible to feed a blank sheet without a waste of ink ribbon.

A third aspect of the invention provides a sheet bundle printing system. The sheet bundle printing system includes the above described sheet bundle printer and a computer that is connected to the sheet bundle printer and that controls the sheet bundle printer. The sheet bundle printer includes a detection device that detects whether the platen roller is moved to the non-print position by the press roller. The computer includes a control device that controls the print head, the platen roller and the platen moving mechanism. The control device controls feeding of the sheet toward the sheet ejecting slot without performing printing on the sheet on the basis of a result detected by the detection device.

According to this structure, the sheet bundle printer is controlled using the computer and it is possible to feed the sheet in a state where the platen roller is located a distance away from the print head when a blank sheet is fed, so that it is possible to smoothly feed a blank sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a sticky note printing system in which a sheet bundle printer according to the invention is installed will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The sticky note printing system, on the basis of print data edited with a personal computer, using a sticky note printer, pulls up an uppermost sticky note from a sticky note bundle (a sheet bundle) that is set in the sticky note printer and performs printing while peeling off the sticky note that has been pulled up, and then ejects the printed sticky note to outside the system.

As shown inFIG. 1, the sticky note printing system1includes a sticky note printer2and a personal computer (controller)3. A sticky note bundle H is set in the sticky note printer2. The personal computer3is connected to the sticky note printer2through a USB cable4, or the like. The personal computer3creates and/or edits print data to be printed on a sticky note H1and controls driving of various portions of the sticky note printer2.

The personal computer3includes a personal computer body5, a keyboard6, a mouse7, and a display8, which are connected to the personal computer body5. The keyboard6and the mouse7are used for inputting data. The display8displays input results, or the like. The personal computer body5has set application software (program) relating to the sticky note printer2and also has detachably set a CD-ROM9in which data, such as a device driver, are stored. When various detection signals, various commands, various data, or the like, are input using the keyboard6, or the like, the personal computer3, in accordance with a program stored in the CD-ROM9, processes such various data and then controls the sticky note printer2.

Needless to say, it is also applicable that the stand-alone sticky note printer2, which is provided with a function of creating and/or editing print data and a function of controlling the portions of the printer, performs printing on the sticky note H1.

As shown inFIG. 2, the sticky note printer2has a printer case15, forming an outer case, and a sticky note bundle H is set inside the printer case15. The sticky note printer2prints desired lines of characters, created with the personal computer3, onto the sticky note H1that has peeled off from the set sticky note bundle H and then ejects the printed sticky note H1through a sheet ejecting portion13formed in the printer case15.

The size of the printer case15is small as a whole. A sticky note setting opening17is formed in the front lower portion of the printer case15and is used for setting a pullout sticky note holder20, which will be described later, into the case from the front. The sheet ejecting portion13is provided in the front middle portion of the printer and has a horizontal slit-like sheet ejecting slot16that ejects a printed sticky note H1to outside the case and a receiving portion14that extends from the inside of the case via the sheet ejecting slot16to the outside of the case and that receives the peeled-off and printed sticky note H1. In addition, a ribbon cartridge C that contains an ink ribbon R is installed on the upper surface of the printer case15and an openable cover18is provided on the upper surface of the printer case15for allowing maintenance. Further, an operation opening19, through which a manual operation lever84, which will be described later, projects, is formed in the left upper portion of the openable cover18. The operation opening19allows the manual operation lever to move upward and downward.

As shown inFIG. 3, the sticky note bundle H is formed of a plurality of sticky notes H1whose proximal ends Hk of the back faces are partially adhered to that of another sheet. In other words, the sticky note bundle H is formed so that a plurality of sticky notes H1, each having the same shape (rectangular shape) and the same size, are stacked by partially adhering the proximal ends Hk of the back faces of the sticky notes H1to one another. The sticky notes H1can be each peeled off sheet by sheet by peeling off its adhesive free end from the sticky note bundle H and, after the peeling, is re-stickable on a handbook, or the like, by means of the adhesive portion (with adhesive agent) of the proximal portion Hk.

The sticky note printer2includes the sticky note holder20, a sticky note transport unit22, a thermal head (print head)70, and a platen roller51. The sticky note bundle H is set in the sticky note holder20. The sticky note transport unit22, after pulling up an uppermost sticky note H1of the set sticky note bundle H, peels off the sticky note H1and transports the note H1toward the sheet ejecting slot16. The sticky note printer2further includes a printing unit23, a ribbon feeding unit24, a platen moving mechanism25, and a ribbon feed stopping unit26. The printing unit23performs printing on a sticky note H1that is transported by the sticky note transport unit22. The ribbon feeding unit24feeds an ink ribbon R used for printing. The platen moving mechanism25allows the platen roller51to approach and move away from the thermal head70. The ribbon feed stopping unit26stops feeding the ink ribbon R at the same time when the platen roller51is moved. These components are contained in the above printer case15. In addition, the sticky note printer2yet further includes a detection sensor (a detection unit)27and a locking/unlocking unit28(seeFIG. 5). The detection sensor27detects whether the platen roller51is moved away from the thermal head70. The locking/unlocking unit28holds a state where the platen roller51is located a distance from the thermal head70by the platen moving mechanism25and also releases this holding state. Although the details will be described later, the platen roller51doubles as a feeding roller of the sticky note transport unit22.

The sticky note holder20includes a sticky note bundle case29and a mounting stage30. The sticky note bundle case29is formed in a box shape with its top opened. The mounting stage30is contained in the sticky note bundle case29and mounts the sticky note bundle H horizontally. Four coil springs (two of them shown in the drawing)32are interposed between the mounting stage30and the bottom surface of the sticky note bundle case29and urge the mounting stage30upward. In addition, the sticky note holder20is provided so that it may be pulled out from the printer case15and is detachably mounted through the sticky note setting opening17. Thus, when the sticky note bundle H is charged or replaced, the whole sticky note holder20is removed and the sticky note bundle H is then set.

The sticky note bundle case29includes a box-shaped case body33and a pair of position regulating portions34, which are integrally formed with each other. The case body33slidably guides the mounting stage30. The pair of position regulating portions34are provided at both upper ends of the case body33and project inward so as to hold the free end Hs and proximal end Hk of the sticky note bundle H.

The mounting stage30is formed in a plate-like shape and is urged upward by the four coil springs32. When the sticky note bundle H is set on the mounting stage30, the pair of position regulating portions34maintain the level of the uppermost sticky note H1at a constant height even when the sticky notes H1are fed sheet by sheet and reduced in number. Then, the position where the sticky note bundle H is set corresponds to a pull up position48where the sticky note transport unit22pulls up a sticky note H1.

When the sticky note bundle H is set onto the mounting stage30of the sticky note holder20through the upper opening of the sticky note bundle case29, the sticky note bundle H is urged upward by the coil springs32and the distal end Hs and proximal end Hk of the sticky note bundle H are positioned at the pull up position48so that the pair of position regulating portions34maintain the sticky note bundle H being mounted horizontally.

The sticky note transport unit22is configured to pull up the uppermost sticky note H1of the sticky note bundle H, located at the pull up position48. The sticky note transport unit22includes the platen roller51, a pair of roller arms52, a drive motor53, and a reduction gear train (power transmitting gear train)54. The platen roller51rolls on and contacts the uppermost sticky note H1, pulls up the sticky note H1and then peels off the pulled-up sticky note H1. The roller arms52move (rotate) the platen roller51in a range between the pull up position48and a print position49where the sticky note H1is pinched with the thermal head70. The drive motor53is a drive source (power source) of the platen roller51and the pair of roller arms52. The reduction gear train54transmits the driving force of the drive motor53to the platen roller51and the pair of roller arms52.

The platen roller51rolls on and contacts the back surface of the free end of pulled-up sticky note H1and rotates to feed the sticky note H1while peeling it off. The platen roller51includes a roller body58and a roller drive shaft (rotary shaft portion)59. The roller body58directly rolls on and contacts the sticky note H1. The roller drive shaft (rotary shaft portion)59serves as a rotary shaft of the roller body58. Both ends of the roller drive shaft59are rotatably held by the pair of roller arms52. The roller drive shaft59rotates with the power of the drive motor53transmitted through the reduction gear train54(which will be described later).

Each of the roller arms52includes an arm body60, a bearing portion61and a pivotal shaft portion (shaft portion)62. The bearing portion61is provided at the distal end of each arm body60and is formed in an oblong shape so as to movably and pivotally support the platen roller51that is moved by the platen moving mechanism25. The pivotal shaft portion62is provided at the proximal end of each roller arm52for inputting power of the drive motor53through the reduction gear train54. For this reason, the pair of roller arms52are configured to pivot (swing) the platen roller51reciprocally about the pivotal shaft portion62, provided at the distal end thereof, between the pull up position48and the print position49. In addition, a releasing boss63(seeFIG. 5) is formed on the side face of one of the pair of roller arms52. The releasing boss63contacts a contact piece115, which will be described later. This releasing boss63allows the locking/unlocking unit28to release a locking state (the details of which will be described later).

Each of the bearing portions61has an oblong hole formed to extend along a circumferential direction about the pivotal shaft portion62when the movement of the platen roller51is restricted by the platen moving mechanism25, which will be described later, the roller drive shaft59slides relatively along the pair of bearing portions61, thus allowing the pivotal movement of the pair of roller arms52. Hence, without any change in pivotal movement of the pair of roller arms52, it is possible for the platen moving mechanism25to restrict the movement of the platen roller51. Although the details will be described later, an urging spring (urging member)64is provided near the bearing portion61of each arm body60so as to contact the roller drive shaft59and urge the platen roller51toward the print position49. This urging springs64serve as reset units of the platen moving mechanism25.

The printing unit23includes the thermal head70and the platen roller51. The thermal head70performs printing on the sticky note H1that is fed by the sticky note transport unit22. The platen roller51is located at the print position49and is opposite the thermal head70. The platen roller51is configured to rotate while moving toward the print position49. The platen roller51performs printing by means of the thermal head70while feeding the peeled-off sticky note H1. Further, the platen roller51is moved by the platen moving mechanism25, which will be described later, between the print position49where printing is performed by pinching the sticky note H1and the ink ribbon R together with the thermal head70and a non-print position where the platen roller51is located a distance away from the thermal head70to enter a released state. The thus configured printing unit23performs a print and feed operation on the sticky note H1while the thermal head70and the drive motor53are being controlled on the basis of control signals sent from the personal computer3.

The ribbon feeding unit24includes the ribbon cartridge C and a ribbon take up shaft75. The ribbon take up shaft75winds the ink ribbon R of the set ribbon cartridge C. The ribbon take up shaft75is configured so that, as the platen roller51is moved to the print position49, the ribbon take up shaft75is coupled to the reduction gear train54and is rotated by the power input from the drive motor53. The ribbon cartridge C includes a ribbon pay out reel76, a ribbon take up reel77, and a cartridge case (not shown). The ribbon pay out reel76winds the ink ribbon R so that the ink ribbon R may be paid out. The ribbon take up reel77takes up the ink ribbon R. The cartridge case contains these components so as to be rotatable.

When the ribbon cartridge C is set by opening the openable cover18, the ink ribbon R is located between the thermal head70and the platen roller51, and the ribbon take up reel77is pivotally supported by the ribbon take up shaft75. Then, as the printing operation is initiated by the personal computer3, the ribbon take up shaft75is configured to start taking up (feeding) the ink ribbon R, following the feeding of the sticky note HI.

The platen moving mechanism25includes a press roller80, a manual operation unit81, and an urging member64. The press roller80is located adjacent to the sheet ejecting slot16. The press roller80slides and contacts on the platen roller51and restricts the platen roller51being positioned at a non-print position50. The manual operation unit81manually makes the press roller80contact the platen roller51or moves it away therefrom. The urging spring (reset unit)64returns the platen roller51, whose position has been restricted at the non-print position50, to an original state. That is, the movement in which the platen roller51is made to contact or move away from the thermal head70is performed by the manual operation unit81through the press roller80.

The press roller80is a rotary roller which is arranged downstream of the thermal head70in the direction in which the sticky note is fed. Note that, when the sticky note H1is being fed while printing, that is, when the press roller80is located a distance away from the platen roller51, the press roller80may serve as a guide for the sticky note H1that is fed toward the sheet ejecting slot16by the platen roller51and the thermal head70. Although the details will be described later, the press roller80, when the blank sticky note H1is fed, serves as a driven roller relative to the platen roller51, which is a drive roller.

The manual operation unit81is configured to place the press roller80in the path of movement of the platen roller51that reciprocally moves between the pull up position48and the print position49. The manual operation unit81includes a manual operation lever84and a moving rod85. The press roller80is operatively moved with the manual operation lever84. The moving rod85supports the press roller80and also moves the press roller80with the operation of the manual operation lever84. Therefore, as the press roller80is located in the path along which the platen roller51moves and the platen roller51is moved from the pull up position48to the print position49, the movement of the platen roller51is restricted and positioned at the non-print position50.

The moving rod85is configured, by means of operation of the manual operation lever84, to reciprocally move the press roller80between a pressing position87where the press roller80is located in the path along which the platen roller51moves and a press releasing position88where the press roller80is located outside the path along which the platen roller51moves. The moving rod85is connected to the manual operation lever84and supports the press roller80. The moving rod85is pulled up by a return spring90(seeFIG. 5) so that the press roller80is located at the press releasing position88. A roller shaft portion91is formed on the side face of the moving rod85to extend in the width direction of the sticky note H1and rotatably support the press roller80. In addition, above the roller shaft portion91, a detection protrusion92that switching a detection sensor27is formed to extend perpendicularly to the roller shaft portion91.

The manual operation lever84includes a lever body94and an operation button95. The lever body94is connected to the distal end of the moving rod85and is formed to extend upward. The operation button95is provided on the upper end of the lever body94. As a user presses down the operation button95, the press roller80is moved from the press releasing position88to the pressing position87against the return spring90.

Here, the above reduction gear train will be described with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B. The reduction gear train54transmits the power of the drive motor53to the platen roller51, the pair of roller arms52and the ribbon take up shaft75, and has planetary gears assembled therein where appropriate. The reduction gear train54includes a sun gear100, a first planet gear101, a first intermediate gear102, a second intermediate gear103and a third intermediate gear104. The sun gear100is formed to have the largest diameter and is rotated with the power of the drive motor53. The first planet gear101is engaged with the sun gear100. The first intermediate gear102is engaged with or disengaged from the first planet gear101. The second intermediate gear103is engaged with the first intermediate gear102. The third intermediate gear104is engaged with the second intermediate gear103.

The shaft portion of the sun gear100is provided coaxially with the pivotal shaft portion62of the pair of roller arms52. The first planet gear101outputs the power to the platen roller51provided coaxially therewith. In addition, the pair of roller arms52serve as a carrier of the first planet gear101and have an axis that is coaxial with that of the sun gear100. That is, a position where the first planet gear101engages with the first intermediate gear102corresponds to the print position49where the platen roller51contacts the thermal head70, and a position where the first planet gear101moves away from the first intermediate gear102and the roller arms52are oriented substantially horizontally corresponds to the pull up position48. Thus, as the pair of roller arms52are pivoted between the pull up position48and the print position49, the platen roller51is moved while being rotated. Note that the pivotal movement of the pair of roller arms52is performed by an end cam (not shown) which is driven by the drive motor53as a power source.

The power transmitted through the first planet gear101to the first intermediate gear102is transmitted through the second intermediate gear103to the third intermediate gear104. The third intermediate gear104outputs the power to the ribbon take up shaft75provided coaxially therewith. That is, the ribbon take up shaft75is supplied with power input indirectly from the first intermediate gear102. Note that, because the second intermediate gear103adjusts a rotational direction, the ribbon take up shaft75is not limited to the above configuration, it is applicable that the power is directly input from the first intermediate gear102, that is, the ribbon take up shaft75is provided coaxially with the first intermediate gear102.

As the drive motor53is rotated in a state where the platen roller51is located at the pull up position48, the platen roller51is moved to the print position49by the roller arms52while it is being rotated. As the platen roller51is located at the print position49, the first planet gear101is coupled to the first intermediate gear102, and the power of the drive motor53is then transmitted through the second intermediate gear103, the third intermediate gear104to the ribbon take up shaft75.

On the other hand, in a state where the press roller80restricts the platen roller51being positioned at the non-print position50, the first planet gear101is moved away from the first intermediate gear102, so that the transmission of power to the ribbon take up shaft75is blocked. For this reason, as the platen roller51is moved away from the print position49, the take up of the ink ribbon R by the ribbon feeding unit24is stopped. When the blank sticky note H1is fed, there is no waste of ink ribbon R. In addition, because the drive motor53may be shared and there are many commonly used components, it is possible to simplify the structure. Accordingly, it is also possible to simplify the structure of the platen moving mechanism25and the structure around the ribbon feed stopping unit26. Note that the ribbon feed stopping unit26corresponds to the first planet gear101.

As shown inFIG. 5, the locking/unlocking unit28includes the releasing boss63, a first engaging pawl110, a second engaging pawl111, an extension spring112, and the return spring90. The releasing boss63is provided on the side face of one of the pair of roller arms52. The first engaging pawl110is formed to extend downward from the lower end of the moving rod85. The second engaging pawl111is formed to have an L-shape in cross section and has an engaging portion114that engages with the first engaging pawl110and a contact piece115that contacts the releasing boss63. The extension spring112pulls back the second engaging pawl111toward the moving rod85.

The first engaging pawl110is configured to move in the top-and-bottom direction in response to operation of the manual operation lever84. When the first engaging pawl110is positioned upward and disengaged from the second engaging pawl111, the platen roller51is movable to the print position49. When the first engaging pawl110is positioned downward to be engaged with the second engaging pawl111, that is, when in a locked state, the press roller80restricts the platen roller51being positioned at the non-print position50.

The second engaging pawl111has a bending portion that is pivotally supported and, hence, the second engaging pawl111is moved between a locked position120where the second engaging pawl111engages with the first engaging pawl110and a lock released position121where the second engaging pawl111is disengaged from the first engaging pawl110. The engaging portion114engages with the first engaging pawl110, and the engaging portion114is pulled by the extension spring112so that the engaging portion114is located at the locked position120. The contact piece115has a fixed piece124that is connected to the engaging portion114and a movable piece125provided at the distal end side of the fixed piece124. The movable piece125is provided so that the releasing boss63contacts the movable piece125by the pivotal movement of the roller arm52. As the releasing boss63is moved from the print position49to the pull up position48with the roller arm52, the movable piece125is pivoted downward about the bending portion together with the fixed piece124in order for the engaging portion114to be moved to the lock released position121. On the other hand, as the releasing boss63is moved from the pull up position48to the print position49, only the movable piece125is pivoted upward about a portion at which the movable piece125is connected to the fixed piece124so as to move the releasing boss63in order to maintain a state where the engaging portion114is located at the locked position120.

When a user presses down the manual operation lever84, the first engaging pawl110is moved downward against the return spring90and temporarily pushes away the second engaging pawl111, located at the locked position120, toward the lock released position121and then engages with the second engaging pawl111, thus locking the press roller80at the pressing position87. Thereafter, as the roller arms52move the platen roller51from the pull up position48toward the print position49, the releasing boss63of the roller arm52is allowed to move by the movable piece125, thus maintaining the locked state of the second engaging pawl111. Then, as the roller arm52is returned from the print position49to the pull up position48, the releasing boss63contacts the movable piece125and pulls down the second engaging pawl111to the lock released position121. After that, the first engaging pawl110is pulled upward through the moving rod85by the return spring90, the press roller80is moved to the press releasing position88.

In this manner, the locking/unlocking unit28locks the press roller80at the pressing position87by manipulating the manual operation lever84, so that it is possible to hold a state where the position of the platen roller51is restricted at the non-print position50through the press roller80. Hence, when the sticky note H1is being transported, a user need not to continue manipulating the manual operation lever84. On the other hand, as the sticky note transport unit22completes transporting, the locked state is released in response to this completion. The press roller80is then moved to the press releasing position88by the return spring90, so that a user need not to return the press roller80by manipulating the manual operation lever84. For the above reasons, the manual operation lever84has a high operability.

The detection sensor27is provided below the detection protrusion92that extends from the moving rod85and is formed by a micro switch. As the moving rod85is moved downward using the manual operation lever84in order for the platen roller51to be located at the non-print position50, the detection protrusion92contacts the distal end of the detection sensor27, thus detecting the press roller80being moved to the pressing position87. In addition, the personal computer3, when it detects whether the press roller80is moved to the pressing position87by the detection sensor27, does not drive the printing unit23but drives the sticky note transport unit22only. Hence, the sticky note H1that has been peeled off by the sticky note transport unit22is not subject to printing but is transported. Accordingly, unless the press roller80is located at the pressing position87, the blank sticky note H1is not fed. Note that the detection sensor27is not limited to a micro switch, but it may be an optical sensor, such as a photo interrupter.

Here, a series of operations for feeding a blank sticky note H1will be described with reference toFIGS. 6A to 6G. In a print stand-by state, the platen roller51is located at the pull up position48and rolls on and contacts the surface of the uppermost sticky note H1of the sticky note bundle H that is set in the sticky note holder20(seeFIG. 6A). On the other hand, the press roller80is located at the press releasing position88and is located at a distance away from the platen roller51.

When a user presses down the manual operation lever84to move the press roller80to the pressing position87, the detection protrusion92turns on the detection sensor27, so that the personal computer3detects whether the press roller80is moved to the pressing position87. Then, the personal computer3, using the result detected by the detection sensor27as a trigger, initiates to pull up the sticky note H1by rotating the platen roller51. The rotated platen roller51rolls on and contacts the free end of the uppermost sticky note H1, so that the middle portion of the sticky note H1in the longitudinal direction is bent so as to be gradually curved upward. In response to the pressing down of the manual operation lever84, the locking/unlocking unit28locks the manual operation lever84and maintains a state where the press roller80is located at the pressing position87(seeFIG. 6B).

When the platen roller51is further rotated after the distal end of the sticky note H1, being pulled upward, passes below the platen roller51, the sticky note H1is turned by the platen roller51and the distal end portion of the sticky note H1runs onto the platen roller51(seeFIG. 6C).

The platen roller51, on which the sticky note H1is mounted, is subsequently moved (orbited) upward toward the print position49while being rotated (self-rotated) (seeFIG. 6D). Then, the platen roller51contacts the press roller80that has moved to the pressing position87, and the position of the platen roller51is then restricted at the non-print position50. As the platen roller51reaches the non-print position50to pinch the sticky note H1between the platen roller51and the press roller80, the platen roller51peels off the pulled-up sticky note H1from the sticky note bundle H and transports the sticky note H1toward the sheet ejecting slot16(seeFIG. 6E).

When the proximal end (adhesive portion) Hk of the sticky note H1reaches the platen roller51(seeFIG. 6F), the platen roller51is moved downward from the non-print position50toward the pull up position48. Thus, the fed blank sticky note H1is passed to the receiving portion14provided at the sheet ejecting portion13, and the locking/unlocking unit28releases a locked state by means of the releasing boss63of the roller arm52and moves the press roller80to the press releasing position88(seeFIG. 6G). Thereafter, a user takes away the sticky note H1that has ejected to the sheet ejecting portion13, so that it is possible to obtain the blank sticky note H1.

According to the above structure, by moving the platen roller51to the non-print position50when a blank sticky note is fed, it enters an opened state where the platen roller51is located a distance away from the thermal head70, so that the sticky note H1and the ink ribbon R are not pinched together between the thermal head70and the platen roller51. In this manner, because the sticky note H1, while being fed, does not slide on the ink ribbon R, ink of the ink ribbon R does not stick on the sticky note H1to smudge the sticky note H1as it is rubbed by the sticky note H1, and the ink ribbon R is not fed with the sticky note H1being fed. Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately transport the blank sticky note H1toward the sheet ejecting slot16by the platen roller51and the press roller80.

Note that the sticky note bundle H is used in the present embodiment; however, in place of the sticky note bundle H, it is possible to use a note bundle, or the like, whose fixed end surface is adhered. In addition, in the present embodiment, the platen roller51is moved toward the press roller80, that has moved to the pressing position87, by the roller arms52, and the position of the platen roller51is thereby restricted at the non-print position50. However, it is applicable that, after the platen roller51is moved to the print position49, the platen roller51is pressed and moved to the non-print position50by the press roller80.

A first alternative embodiment of the sticky note printing system1will be described with reference toFIG. 7. The sticky note printing system1includes a first roller moving unit130in place of the manual operation unit81of the sticky note printer2according to the first embodiment. The sticky note printing system1specifically includes, in place of the manual operation lever84, a plate cam131that presses the upper end face of the moving rod85downward and a motor132that rotates the plate cam131. The motor132is controlled by the personal computer3.

When the motor132is driven by the personal computer3in order to feed a blank sticky note H1, the plate cam131rotates and the protruding portion thereof presses the upper end face of the moving rod85downward to have the press roller80located at the pressing position87, and the driving of the motor132is then stopped in that state. As the feeding of the blank sticky note H1is completed, the motor132is driven again and the protruding portion of the plate cam131is moved upward, and the press roller80is then returned to the press releasing position88by the return spring90. With this structure as well, it is possible to enter an opened state where, when the blank sticky note H1is being fed, the platen roller51is located a distance away from the thermal head70.

A second alternative embodiment of the sticky note printing system1will be described with reference toFIG. 8. The sticky note printing system1includes a second roller moving unit135in place of the manual operation unit81of the sticky note printer2according to the first embodiment. The sticky note printing system1specifically includes, in place of the manual operation lever84, a solenoid136that presses the upper end face of the moving rod85downward, and the solenoid136is controlled by the personal computer3.

As the solenoid136is energized by the personal computer3in order to feed a blank sticky note H1, the plunger of the solenoid136presses the upper end face of the moving rod85downward to have the press roller80located at the pressing position87. As the feeding of the blank sticky note H1is completed, the solenoid136is de-energized, and the press roller80is returned to the press releasing position88by the return spring90. With this structure as well, it is possible to enter an opened state where, when the blank sticky note H1is being fed, the platen roller51is located a distance away from the thermal head70.

A second embodiment of the sticky note printing system1will be described with reference toFIG. 9. Note that, for the purpose of avoiding duplicate description, the portions different from those of the first embodiment will be described only. The sticky note printing system1includes no urging spring64as in the case of the sticky note printer2of the first embodiment but includes the bearing portion61that is provided at the distal end portion of each roller arm52and that rotatably holds the platen roller51. The middle portion of the arm body60of each roller arm52has a folded mechanism140that allows the distal end side of the arm body60to be bend toward the pull up position48and a reset spring (return spring)141that returns the bent arm body60to the original attitude.

The folded mechanism140is configured so that the roller arms52are bent only when the press roller80is located at the pressing position87and the platen roller51is moved from the pull up position48toward the print position49. When the press roller80is located at the press releasing position88, the roller arms52do not bend but move the platen roller51to the print position49appropriately.

As the press roller80is moved to the pressing position87and the platen roller51is moved toward the print position49by the roller arms52in order to feed the blank sticky note H1, the roller arms52bend using the folded mechanism140in a state where the position of the platen roller51is restricted at the non-print position50by the press roller80. On the other hand, as the platen roller51is moved from the non-print position50to the pull up position48by the roller arms52, the roller arms52return their bent attitude to the original attitude by the reset spring141. With this structure as well, the reciprocal movements of the roller arms52are not changed, but it is still possible to restrict the position of the platen roller51at the non-print position50using the folded mechanism140. Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately move the platen roller51to the print position49by the roller arms52by returning the bent attitude of the roller arms52to the original attitude by the reset springs141.

A third embodiment of the sticky note printing system will be described without reference to any drawings. Note that, in this case as well, the portions different from those of the first embodiment will be described only. The sticky note printing system includes no urging spring64as in the case of the sticky note printer of the first embodiment but includes the bearing portion that is provided at the distal end portion of each roller arm and that rotatably holds the platen roller. A torque limiter is interposed between the pivotal shaft portions of the roller arms and the output shaft that outputs the power through the reduction gear train to the pivotal shaft portions.

As the press roller is moved to the pressing position and the platen roller is moved toward the print position by the roller arms in order to feed a blank sticky note, the rotations of the roller arms are slipped by the torque limiter at the time when the position of the platen roller is restricted at the non-print position by the press roller. Therefore, it is possible to hold a state where the position of the platen roller is restricted at the non-print position. On the other hand, in a state where the pressing is released by the press roller, the roller arms may appropriately move the platen roller to the print position.