Patent Publication Number: US-9427978-B1

Title: Printing device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-060667 filed on Mar. 24, 2015, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a printing device. 
     A printing device is known that is able to switch between two different operating modes, hereinafter called the normal mode and the peel-off mode. The normal mode is an operating mode in which a printed label is discharged in a state in which it is affixed to a release paper. The peel-off mode is an operating mode in which the printed label is discharged in a state in which it has been peeled off of the release paper. With this sort of device, it is desirable for the operation that switches between the normal mode and the peel-off mode to be simple. For example, a label printer is known that is able to switch from the normal mode to the peel-off mode just by sliding a peeling unit. The peeling unit is provided with a slide portion, a peeling unit anchoring mechanism that locks the sliding operation of the slide portion, and a peeling roller. When switching from the normal mode to the peel-off mode, a user slides the peeling unit with a specified force. That releases the locking by the peeling unit anchoring mechanism. The user also slides the peeling unit to a peeling unit anchored position. The peeling unit is thus anchored by the peeling unit anchoring mechanism. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the label printer that is described above, when switching the operating mode from the normal mode to the peel-off mode, the peeling unit must be slid to the peeling unit anchored position by a manual operation. 
     Various embodiments of the general principles described herein provide a printing device that can easily switch from the normal mode to the peel-off mode. 
     Embodiments herein provide a printing device configured to perform printing on a label affixed to a release paper. The printing device is provided with a body portion, a lid portion, a first roller, a peeling mechanism, and a guide portion. The body portion is provided with a storing portion. The storing portion is configured to accommodate the release paper to which the label is affixed. The lid portion is supported by the body portion and is able to open and close the storing portion. The first roller is supported by the lid portion such that the first roller can rotate. The peeling mechanism is provided with a second roller and a projecting portion and is supported by the body portion such that a position of the second roller in relation to the first roller changes as the projecting portion moves. The second roller is provided such that it peels the label off of the release paper by nipping the release paper against the first roller. The projecting portion is provided such that it projects toward an outside. The guide portion is provided in the lid portion and is provided with a moving portion and a first restricting portion. The moving portion is configured such that it moves the projecting portion by coming into contact with the projecting portion in a closing process by which the lid portion changes from an open state to a closed state. The first restricting portion is configured such that it restricts the projecting portion from moving when the first restricting portion is in contact with the projecting portion in the closed state. 
     The peeling mechanism is configured such that it can be set selectively to a first state, a second state, a third state, and a fourth state. The first state is a state in which the second roller is separated from the first roller and the projecting portion is unable to come into contact with the moving portion in the closing process. The second state is a state in which the second roller is separated from the first roller and the projecting portion is able to come into contact with the moving portion in the closing process. The third state is a state in which a distance between the first roller and the second roller is shorter than the distance between the first roller and the second roller in the first state and the second state. The fourth state is a state in which the distance between the first roller and the second roller is shorter than the distance between the first roller and the second roller in the third state. The peeling mechanism is further provided with an elastic member. The elastic member is provided such that it energizes the second roller in a direction to switch the peeling mechanism from the first state to the second state. The moving portion is provided such that it switches the peeling mechanism from the second state to the third state by separating from the projecting portion in the open state and coming into contact with the projecting portion in the closed state. The first restricting portion is configured to restrict the peeling mechanism from switching from the fourth state to the third state, by coming into contact with the projecting portion and restricting the projecting portion from moving when the peeling mechanism is in the fourth state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a printing device in a closed state; 
         FIG. 2  is an oblique view of the printing device in an open state; 
         FIG. 3  is an oblique view of a lid portion; 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique view of a peeling mechanism in which a support member is in a stored position, as seen from above; 
         FIG. 5  is an oblique view of the peeling mechanism in which the support member is in the stored position, as seen from below; 
         FIG. 6  is an oblique view of the peeling mechanism in which the support member is in a protruding position, as seen from above; 
         FIG. 7  is an oblique view of the peeling mechanism in which the support member is in the protruding position, as seen from below; 
         FIG. 8  is an oblique view that shows an internal configuration of the printing device; 
         FIG. 9  is an oblique view that shows the internal configuration of the printing device; 
         FIG. 10  is an oblique view that shows the internal configuration of the printing device; 
         FIG. 11  is a section view along a line XI-XI in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an oblique view that shows the internal configuration of the printing device; 
         FIG. 13  is a section view along a line XIII-XIII in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an oblique view of the printing device in a first state; 
         FIG. 15  is an oblique view of the printing device in a third state; 
         FIG. 16  is an oblique view of the printing device in a fourth state; and 
         FIG. 17  is an oblique view of the peeling mechanism in a modified example, as seen from below. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The drawings that are hereinafter referenced are used for explaining technological features that the present disclosure can utilize. Device configurations and the like that are shown in the drawings are merely explanatory examples and do not serve to restrict the present disclosure to those configurations and the like. In the explanation that follows, the top side, the bottom side, the upper left side, the lower right side, the lower left side, and the upper right side in  FIG. 1  respectively define the top side, the bottom side, the left side, the right side, the front side, and the rear side of a printing device  1 . 
     An overview of the printing device  1  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The printing device  1  can be connected to an external terminal (not shown in the drawings) through a USB (registered trademark) cable. The printing device  1  is capable of printing text characters, graphics, and the like on a label that is a printing medium, based on printing data that the printing device  1  has received from the external terminal. The label may be a heat-sensitive label, for example. The external terminal is a general-purpose personal computer (PC). 
     The printing device  1  is provided with a body  2 , a lid portion  3 , a peeling mechanism  5 , and the like. In the body  2 , a display portion  21  and switches  22  are provided on an inclined portion  2 A toward the front of the top side. The display portion  21  displays various types of information. A user operates the printing device  1  by pressing the switches  22 . 
     On its right side, the body  2  is provided with an electric power supply portion  12 , an interface (I/F)  13 , a mounting portion  25 , a lever  23 , and the like. The electric power supply portion  12  is a terminal for inserting a plug of an AC adaptor. The I/F  13  includes a plurality of terminals for inserting connectors of the USB (registered trademark) cable. The printing device  1  can communicate with the external terminal through the I/F  13 . Note that in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the electric power supply portion  12  and the I/F  13  are covered by rubber lids. A battery is mounted in the mounting portion  25 . The printing device  1  is driven by a power supplied by the power supplying portion  12  or a power supplied by the battery that has been mounted in the mounting portion  25 . Note that in  FIG. 2  the mounting portion  25  is covered by a lid. The lever  23  will be described later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a control portion (not shown in the drawings), a drive portion (not shown in the drawings), a storing portion  24 , and the like are provided in the interior of the body  2 . The control portion includes a CPU that controls the entire printing device  1 . The drive portion is a motor for conveying a release paper to which the heat-sensitive label is affixed. 
     The storing portion  24  is a space that is able to accommodate a roll (not shown in the drawings) around which is wound the release paper to which the heat-sensitive label is affixed. Hereinafter, the release paper to which the heat-sensitive label is affixed will be called a tape. The left and right sides and the top side of the storing portion  24  are open. A paper holder  9  is fixed in place inside the storing portion  24 . The paper holder  9  holds the roll. A cutting portion  26 A is provided on the upper edge of a wall on the front side of the storing portion  24 . The cutting portion  26 A is a cutting edge that is able to cut away the printed portion of the tape. A printing portion  26 B is provided below the cutting portion  26 A. The printing portion  26 B is a line thermal head that is able to perform printing on the heat-sensitive label. The cutting portion  26 A and the printing portion  26 B extend in the left-right direction. 
     The lid portion  3  is supported by the body  2  through a support shaft  29  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) that is provided on the rear edge of the storing portion  24 , such that the lid portion  3  can pivot around the support shaft  29 . The lid portion  3  can pivot between a position where it covers the storing portion  24  from above and from the right side and the left side (refer to  FIG. 1 ) and a position where it does not cover the storing portion  24  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). Energizing portions  29 A, which are springs, are wound around the support shaft  29  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). The energizing portions  29 A energize the lid portion  3  from the position where it covers the storing portion  24  toward the position where it does not cover the storing portion  24 . Hereinafter, the state in which the lid portion  3  covers the storing portion  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , will be called a closed state. The state in which the lid portion  3  does not cover the storing portion  24 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , will be called an open state. The process of changing from the open state to the closed state will be called a closing process. 
     The edge of the lid portion  3  that is on the opposite side from the edge that is supported by the support shaft  29  supports a first roller  32  such that the first roller  32  can rotate. A rotating shaft of the first roller  32  extends in the left-right direction. A pair of engaged portions  321  extend outward to the left and the right from the left and right ends, respectively, of the rotating shaft of the first roller  32 . Each one of the pair of the engaged portions  321  has a circular cylindrical shape. A gear  36  is provided on the left side of the engaged portion  321  on the left side. 
     The peeling mechanism  5  is supported by the body  2  on the rear side of the inclined portion  2 A, such that the peeling mechanism  5  can pivot. In the closed state, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the printing portion  26 B (refer to  FIG. 2 ) and the first roller  32  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) are close to one another, so a discharge outlet  26 C is formed between the peeling mechanism  5  and the first roller  32 . The tape is discharged from the discharge outlet  26 C. The peeling mechanism  5  will be described in detail later. 
     The lid portion  3  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . The lid portion  3  is provided with a first member  3 A, a second member  3 B, and a pair of third members  3 C. The plate-shaped first member  3 A extends in a curved shape from a portion that is supported by the support shaft  29  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). In a section view, the plate-shaped second member  3 B extends in a straight line toward the front in the closed state from one side of the first member  3 A that is opposite side of the other side supported by the support shaft  29 . The pair of the third members  3 C are plate-shaped and are provided opposite one another on the left and right edges of the first member  3 A and the second member  3 B. In the closed state, the first member  3 A and the second member  3 B cover the top side of the storing portion  24  of the body  2 . In the closed state, the pair of the third members  3 C cover the left and right sides of the storing portion  24  of the body  2 . 
     The explanation that follows will use the closed state as an example. The pair of the third members  3 C support the first roller  32  from the left and the right at the front side of the second member  3 B. Each one of the pair of the third members  3 C is provided with a first guide portion  331  close to the portion that supports the first roller  32 . Hereinafter, the first guide portion  331  that is provided on the third member  3 C on the left side will be explained. The first guide portion  331  is provided with a moving member  331 A, a first restricting member  331 B, and a first energizing portion  331 C. The bar-shaped moving member  331 A extends in a straight line in the front-rear direction above the left end of the first roller  32 . The first restricting member  331 B extends downward in a straight line from the rear end of the moving member  331 A. A projecting portion that projects slightly toward the front is provided on the lower end of the first restricting member  331 B. The tip of the projecting portion of the first restricting member  331 B is coming close to the rear edge of an extending portion  332 A of a second guide portion  332  (described later) from the rear. The moving member  331 A and the first restricting member  331 B of the first guide portion  331  are able to move toward the front and the rear as a single unit. The first energizing portion  331 C is provided on the rear side of the first restricting member  331 B. The first energizing portion  331 C is a compression spring that energizes the moving member  331 A and the first restricting member  331 B of the first guide portion  331  toward the front. The moving member  331 A and the first restricting member  331 B of the first guide portion  331  are connected to a lever  31  that is provided on the left face of the third member  3 C on the left side. When the lever  31  is moved toward the rear, the moving member  331 A and the first restricting member  331 B of the first guide portion  331  move toward the rear against the energizing force of the first energizing portion  331 C. The lower end of the first restricting member  331 B thus moves away from the extending portion  332 A of the second guide portion  332 . Note that the first guide portion  331  that is provided in the third member  3 C on the right side has the same shape as the first guide portion  331  that is described above, although it will not be described in detail. 
     The second guide portions  332  are provided at the left and right ends of the first roller  32 . The second guide portions  332  are disposed close to the corresponding third members  3 C. Hereinafter, the second guide portion  332  that is provided at the left end of the first roller  32  will be explained. The second guide portion  332  includes the extending portion  332 A and an anchoring portion  332 B. The anchoring portion  332 B is provided to the left of the left end of the first roller  32 . The anchoring portion  332 B has a circular cylindrical shape whose cross-sectional shape is substantially the same as that of the first roller  32 . The axial center of the anchoring portion  332 B extends in the same direction as the rotational axis of the first roller  32 . The extending portion  332 A is a plate-shaped member that extends toward the upper front and the lower rear from a position between the top edge and the rear edge of a circumferential wall of the anchoring portion  332 B. The rear edge of the extending portion  332 A on the opposite side from the anchoring portion  332 B slopes downward from the front toward the rear and is close to the lower edge of the first restricting member  331 B. Note that the second guide portion  332  that is provided at the right end of the first roller  32  has the same shape as the second guide portion  332  that is described above, although it will not be described in detail. 
     The peeling mechanism  5  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 7 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the peeling mechanism  5  is provided with a frame  52  and a support member  54 . The frame  52  has a plate-shaped first member  521 , a pair of second members  522 , and a third member  525  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The shape of the first member  521  is a rectangle whose longitudinal axis extends in the left-right direction. The pair of the second members  522  extend downward from the left and right ends, respectively, of the first member  521 . Circular cylindrical shaft portions  523  that protrude outward to the left and right are provided at the front ends of the pair of the second members  522 . The shaft portions  523  support the peeling mechanism  5  on the body  2  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) such that the peeling mechanism  5  can pivot. The explanation that follows uses a case in which the peeling mechanism  5  has pivoted to a state in which the plane of the first member  521  is horizontal (refer to  FIG. 1 ) as an example. Each one of the pair of the second members  522  is provided with a long hole  524  that passes through the second member  522  in the left-right direction. The long holes  524  extend in the front-rear direction from near the front edges to near the rear edges of the second members  522 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the third member  525  is provided below the first member  521 . The third member  525  includes a pair of anchoring portions  57  and a pair of spring holding portions  58 . The pair of the anchoring portions  57  project downward from positions that are slightly outward, to the left and the right, from the left-right center of the third member  525 . The pair of the spring holding portions  58  are wall portions that extend toward the rear from the left and right end portions of the third member  525 . Each one of the pair of the spring holding portions  58  restricts the up-down movement of one of a pair of elastic members  55  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), which are described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pair of the elastic members  55  are provided close to the left and right ends of the bottom side of the first member  521 . In the present embodiment, each one of the pair of the elastic members  55  is a coil spring. Each one of the pair of the elastic members  55  extends from the third member  525  to a fourth member  544  of the support member  54 , which is described below. The pair of the elastic members  55  energize a second roller  51 , which is described below, toward the rear by energizing the fourth member  544  toward the rear. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the support member  54  is provided with a first member  541 , a pair of second members  542 , a third member  543 , and the fourth member  544  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The first member  541  extends in the left-right direction. The length of the first member  541  in the left-right direction is slightly shorter than the length of the first member  521  in the left-right direction. Below the first member  541  a space is formed that extends in the left-right direction and is open on its bottom side. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the second roller  51  is provided below the first member  541 . The second roller  51  is a circular cylinder, and it extends in the left-right direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pair of the second members  542  are plate-shaped members that extend toward the front from the left and right ends of the first member  541 . The lengths of the pair of the second members  542  in the front-rear direction are substantially the same as the lengths of the pair of the second members  522  of the frame  52  in the front-rear direction. The left and right ends of the second roller  51  are supported by the rear portions of the corresponding ones of the pair of the second members  542  such that the second roller  51  is able to rotate. A projecting portion (not shown in the drawings) that projects toward the outside in the left-right direction is provided in the front edge portion of the outer side face, facing outside in the left-right direction, of each one of the pair of the second members  542 . Each one of the two projecting portions is able to move toward the front and the rear along the corresponding long hole  524 . The support member  54  is thus able to move between a stored position in which it is disposed within a space that is enclosed by the first member  521  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and the pair of the second members  522  (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and a protruding position in which it is disposed to the rear of that space (refer to  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). A projecting portion  53  that projects toward the outside is provided in a rear edge portion of the outer side face, facing outside in the left-right direction, of each one of the pair of the second members  542 . The projecting portions  53  will be described later. 
     The third member  543  is bridged between portions, located on the front side from the centers in the front-rear direction, of the pair of the second members  542 . The first member  541 , the pair of the second members  542 , and the third member  543  form an opening on the inner side of the support member  54 . The fourth member  544  is provided on the rear edge of the third member  543 . The fourth member  544  is a plate-shaped member that extends from the left end to the right end of the third member  543 . 
     A holding mechanism  7  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 13 . The holding mechanism  7  holds the peeling mechanism  5  such that the peeling mechanism  5  can move. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the holding mechanism  7  is provided with a pair of shaft support portions  71 , a pair of second restricting members  73 , a pair of support portions  74 , and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the pair of the shaft support portions  71  are provided at the left and right ends of the peeling mechanism  5 . Each one of the pair of the shaft support portions  71  has a groove  71 A that extends in the front-rear direction on the inner side of the shaft support portion  71  in the left-right direction. The shaft portion  523  that is provided on the left side of the frame  52  of the peeling mechanism  5  is inserted into the groove  71 A of the shaft support portion  71  on the left side. The shaft portion  523  that is provided on the right side of the frame  52  of the peeling mechanism  5  is inserted into the groove  71 A of the shaft support portion  71  on the right side. The movement of the shaft portions  523  along the grooves  71 A of the pair of the shaft support portions  71  makes it possible for the peeling mechanism  5  to move toward the front and the rear. Furthermore, the grooves  71 A of the pair of the shaft support portions  71  support the shaft portions  523  such that the shaft portions  523  can rotate, making it possible for the rear side of the peeling mechanism  5  to pivot, with the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  serving as the pivot point. Note that, as will be described in detail later, when the rear side of the peeling mechanism  5  pivots, a sufficient space is required in front of the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  for the front edge to rotate freely. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the pair of the second restricting members  73  and the pair of the support portions  74  are provided below the peeling mechanism  5 . The pair of the second restricting members  73  are plate-shaped. The second restricting member  73  on the left side extends obliquely upward toward the rear from the right side of the support portion  74  on the left side, then bends downward at its uppermost point and extends downward toward the rear. The second restricting member  73  on the right side extends obliquely upward toward the rear from the left side of the support portion  74  on the right side, then bends downward at its uppermost point and extends downward toward the rear. Each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  can be elastically deformed downward. 
     Each one of the pair of the support portions  74  has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a flat portion and a curved portion on its top face. The support portion  74  on the left side is provided to the left of the second restricting member  73  on the left side. The support portion  74  on the right side is provided to the right of the second restricting member  73  on the right side. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the top face of the each one of the pair of the support portions  74  is to be in contact with the front edge portion of the bottom face of the third member  525 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in a case where the peeling mechanism  5  has been moved toward the front, the upper end of each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  is disposed on the rear side of the corresponding one of the pair of the anchoring portions  57  and is in contact, from the rear, with the corresponding one of the pair of the anchoring portions  57  and with the fourth member  544 . Each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  restricts the movement of the corresponding one of the pair of the anchoring portions  57  toward the rear. Each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  restricts the fourth member  544  from being moved toward the rear by the energizing force of the pair of the elastic members  55 . The peeling mechanism  5  is held in a state (refer to  FIG. 1 ) in which it has moved until the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  is in contact with the rear edge of the inclined portion  2 A (refer to  FIG. 1 ). Because the peeling mechanism  5  is held in the state in which the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  is in contact with the rear edge of the inclined portion  2 A, the sufficient space is not formed between the inclined portion  2 A and the peeling mechanism  5 . Rotation of the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  is therefore inhibited, so the peeling mechanism  5  is held in a state in which the first member  521  is horizontal. Hereinafter, the position of the peeling mechanism  5  in which the rotation of the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  is inhibited, as shown in  FIG. 1 , will be called a first position. The state in which the peeling mechanism  5  has moved toward the front, that is, the state of the peeling mechanism  5  in which the support member  54  is in the stored position, the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  is in contact with the rear edge of the inclined portion  2 A (refer to  FIG. 1 ), and the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  are separated will be called a first state. 
     On the other hand, the elastic deformation of each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  toward the lower side, as shown in  FIG. 12 , makes it possible for the peeling mechanism  5  to move in the front-rear direction. In that case, the rearward energizing force of the pair of the elastic members  55  on the fourth member  544  ceases to be restricted, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The fourth member  544  is therefore moved toward the rear by the energizing force of the pair of the elastic members  55 . In other words, the support member  54  is switched from the stored position to the protruding position. As shown in  FIG. 12 , in a case where the peeling mechanism  5  has been moved toward the rear, each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  comes into contact, from the front, with the corresponding one of the pair of the anchoring portions  57 . Each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  restricts the movement of the corresponding one of the pair of the anchoring portions  57  toward the front. The peeling mechanism  5  is held in a state in which the sufficient space has been formed between the rear edge of the inclined portion  2 A (refer to  FIG. 1 ) and the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5 . That is, the peeling mechanism  5  is put into a state in which its front edge is able to rotate, unlike in the first state. Hereinafter, the position of the peeling mechanism  5  in which the front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  is able to rotate, as shown in  FIG. 12 , will be called a second position. As shown in  FIG. 13 , when the peeling mechanism  5  is in the second position, the rear edge of the peeling mechanism  5  pivots upward, with the front edge serving as the pivot point. In a case where the peeling mechanism  5  pivots, corners on the bottom front side of the peeling mechanism  5  move from the front toward the rear along the curved portions of the top faces of the pair of the support portions  74 . Hereinafter, the state of the peeling mechanism  5  in which the support member  54  is in the protruding position, the rear edge of the peeling mechanism  5  has pivoted upward, and the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  are separated, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , will be called a second state. 
     According to the configuration described above, when the peeling mechanism  5  is in the first position, it cannot be switched from the first state to the second state. When the peeling mechanism  5  is in the second position, it can be switched from the first state to the second state. The peeling mechanism  5  is moved from the first position to the second position by canceling the restriction on the rearward movement of the pair of the anchoring portions  57  by the pair of the second restricting members  73 . 
     The procedure for operating the printing device  1  in a normal mode with the peeling mechanism  5  in the second state (refer to  FIG. 2 ) will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the user pivots the rear edge of the peeling mechanism  5  downward while moving the support member  54  to the stored position by pressing the support member  54  toward the frame  52 . With the first member  521  in a horizontal state, the user moves the peeling mechanism  5  toward the front. The front edge of the peeling mechanism  5  comes into contact with the rear edge of the inclined portion  2 A. The pair of the second restricting members  73  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) come into contact, from the rear, with the corresponding ones of the pair of the anchoring portions  57  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) and with the fourth member  544  (refer to  FIG. 11 ). The pair of the second restricting members  73  hold the peeling mechanism  5  in the first position and hold the support member  54  in the stored position. 
     The user closes the lid portion  3  in a state in which the release paper in the leading edge portion of the tape that extends off of the roll is disposed to the rear of the cutting portion  26 A and the printing portion  26 B. In the closing process, the projecting portions  53  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) do not come into contact with the first guide portions  331  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The peeling mechanism  5  is therefore not moved by the moving members  331 A. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the printing device  1  is held in the closed state by the engaging of engaging portions  241  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) with the engaged portions  321  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). Note that, in the first state, the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  are separated (refer to  FIG. 5 ). 
     The user starts the printing with the printing device  1  in the first state and the closed state. The first roller  32  discharges from the discharge outlet  26 C the tape that contains the printed heat-sensitive label. Note that the second roller  51  does not come into contact with the discharged tape, so the tape is discharged upward in an extended state. The printed heat-sensitive label is therefore discharged in the state in which it is affixed to the release paper. 
     The procedure for operating the printing device  1  in a peel-off mode will be explained. The user moves the peeling mechanism  5 , which is in the first state, toward the rear. Each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  (refer to  FIG. 12 ) to be deformed elastically. Then the relative position of the each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  with respect to the corresponding one of the pair of the anchoring portions  57  (refer to  FIG. 12 ) changes from the front side to the rear side. Each one of the pair of the second restricting members  73  comes into contact with the front side of the corresponding one of the pair of the anchoring portions  57 . The peeling mechanism  5  moves from the first position to the second position, and the support member  54  moves from the stored position to the protruding position. The user pivots the rear edge of the peeling mechanism  5  upward, with the shaft portions  523  on the front edge serving as pivot points. Next, the user takes the release paper in the leading edge portion of the tape that extends off of the roll and positions it below the second roller  51 . 
     The user closes the lid portion  3 . In the closing process, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the projecting portions  53  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) come into contact with the bottom sides of the moving members  331 A (refer to  FIG. 3 ). As the lid portion  3  is gradually closed, the projecting portions  53  move toward the rear along the bottom sides of the moving members  331 A. That causes the rear edge of the peeling mechanism  5  to pivot downward, with the shaft portions  523  on the front edge serving as pivot points. The second roller  51  moves downward and gradually approaches the first roller  32  from above. 
     The printing device  1  is held in the closed state, by the engagement of the engaging portions  241  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) with the engaged portions  321  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The peeling mechanism  5  is held in a state in which the first member  521  is inclined slightly upward from the horizontal plane toward the rear. The support member  54  enters a state in which it protrudes toward the rear from the frame  52 . The second roller  51  is disposed obliquely above and to the rear of the first roller  32 . The first roller  32  and the second roller  51  are close to one another in a state in which a small gap is provided between them. Hereinafter, the state of the peeling mechanism  5  when the printing device  1  is in the closed state, the support member  54  is in the protruding position, and the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  are close to one another, as shown in  FIG. 15 , will be called a third state. The distance between the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  in the third state is shorter than the distance between the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  in the first state and the second state. 
     In the third state, the user presses downward the support member  54 . Each one of the pair of the projecting portions  53  comes into contact with the corresponding one of the pair of the extending portions  332 A (refer to  FIG. 3 ) from above. The projecting portions  53  move obliquely downward and toward the rear along the edges of the extending portions  332 A. Each one of the projecting portions  53  moves to a position where it comes into contact with the corresponding first restricting member  331 B (refer to  FIG. 3 ) and presses the first restricting member  331 B toward the rear. The first guide portions  331  move toward the rear against the energizing force of the first energizing portions  331 C. Each one of the projecting portions  53  moves to a position where it is lower than the corresponding first restricting member  331 B. In a case where, after moving, each one of the projecting portions  53  has separated from the corresponding first restricting member  331 B, the corresponding first guide portion  331  is moved toward the front by the energizing force of the corresponding first energizing portion  331 C. The bottom end of the corresponding first restricting portion  331 B comes into contact with each one of the projecting portions  53  from above then restricts the upward movement of the peeling mechanism  5 . 
     In the state in which each one of the projecting portions  53  has moved lower than the corresponding first restricting portion  331 B, the second roller  51  faces the first roller  32  obliquely from above and the rear, with the release paper in the leading edge portion of the tape that extends off of the roll being disposed between the first roller  32  and the second roller  51 . Hereinafter, the state of the peeling mechanism  5  when the printing device  1  is in the closed state, the support member  54  is in the protruding position, and the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  face one another, as shown in  FIG. 16 , will be called a fourth state. The distance between the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  in the fourth state is shorter than the distance between the first roller  32  and the second roller  51  in the third state. 
     The user starts the printing with the peeling mechanism  5  in the fourth state. The printing is performed with the heat-sensitive label in a state of being affixed to the release paper. The release paper is nipped between the second roller  51  and the first roller  32 , so the release paper is bent toward the rear and discharged toward the rear. The printed heat-sensitive label is thus peeled off of the release paper and discharged upward from the discharge outlet  26 C. 
     The procedure for opening the lid portion  3  of the printing device  1  when it can operate in the peel-off mode will be explained. The user moves the lever  31  toward the rear. In accordance with the movement of the lever  31 , the first guide portions  331  move toward the rear. The first restricting portions  331 B move away from the projecting portions  53 . The peeling mechanism  5  becomes able to pivot in the direction in which its rear edge moves upward. In accordance with the movement of the lever  31  toward the rear, the peeling mechanism  5  pivots in the direction in which its rear edge moves upward. The projecting portions  53  come into contact with the moving members  331 A. The restricting of the movement of the projecting portions  53  by the moving members  331 A stops the pivoting of the peeling mechanism  5 . The peeling mechanism  5  is switched from the fourth state to the third state and is held in the third state. 
     The user presses the lever  23  downward, causing the pair of the engaging portions  241  to pivot such that their upper ends move toward the rear. The pair of the engaged portions  321  are thus released from the pair of the engaging portions  241 . Note that the energizing portions  29 A (refer to  FIG. 8 ) cause energizing forces to act to move the lid portion  3  from the closed state to the open state. The lid portion  3  therefore changes from the closed state to the open state in accordance with the downward pressing of the lever  23 . In accordance with the opening of the lid portion  3 , the moving members  331 A move away from the projecting portions  53 . The peeling mechanism  5  pivots in the direction in which the rear edge moves upward, switching the peeling mechanism  5  from the third state to the second state. 
     As explained above, according to the present embodiment, the energizing of the second roller  51  toward the rear by the elastic members  55  is able to switch the peeling mechanism  5  from the first state to the second state. Therefore, in a case where the user switches the peeling mechanism  5  from the first state to the second state, there is no need to move the second roller  51  to a specified position by a manual operation. Furthermore, the peeling mechanism  5  is switched from the second state to the third state by the closing of the lid portion  3 . Therefore, by performing an operation that closes the lid portion  3 , the user can put the peeling mechanism  5  into a state in which it can be easily switched from the third state to the fourth state. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the printing device  1  can be switched easily from the normal mode to the peel-off mode. Furthermore, the switching of the peeling mechanism  5  from the fourth state to the third state can be inhibited by the first restricting members  331 B. The printing device  1  is therefore able to use the peeling mechanism  5  in the fourth state to peel the heat-sensitive label off of the release paper properly. 
     The printing device  1  is provided with the frame  52 , the support member  54 , and the pair of the elastic members  55 . The printing device  1  can therefore utilize the energizing force of the elastic members  55  in switching the support member  54  easily between the stored position and the protruding position. The elastic members  55  energize the support member  54  such that it moves from the stored position to the protruding position. Therefore, by switching the support member  54  to the protruding position and putting the peeling mechanism  5  into the fourth state, the printing device  1  is able to operate in a stable manner in the peel-off mode. By switching the support member  54  to the stored position and putting the peeling mechanism  5  into the first state, the printing device  1  is able to operate in a stable manner in the normal mode. 
     The printing device  1  is provided with the pair of the second restricting members  73 . The pair of the second restricting members  73  restrict the support member  54  from being moved from the stored position to the protruding position by the energizing force of the pair of the elastic members  55 . Therefore, in the normal mode, the peeling mechanism  5  is held in the first state. That is, the pair of the second restricting members  73  are able to hold the second roller  51  in a position where it is not in contact with the first roller  32 . Therefore, the printing device  1  is able to operate in a stable manner in the normal mode. In restricting the support member  54  from being moved from the stored position to the protruding position by the elastic members  55 , the pair of the second restricting members  73  also restrict the peeling mechanism  5  from being moved from the first position to the second position. In other words, the pair of the second restricting members  73  restrict two movement mechanisms. Therefore, in order to switch the peeling mechanism  5  from the first state to the second state, it is sufficient simply to cancel the restricting by the pair of the second restricting members  73 . It is therefore easy to switch the peeling mechanism  5  from the first state to the second state. Because only the pair of the second restricting members  73  need to be provided, the printing device  1  can be made more compact. 
     The pair of the elastic members  55  are coil springs. The coil spring elastic members  55  energize the peeling mechanism  5  in the direction that switches it from the first state to the second state. The printing device  1  is able to use the pair of the coil spring elastic members  55  to switch the peeling mechanism  5  in a stable manner from the first state to the second state. 
     The printing device  1  is provided with the pair of the elastic members  55  close to the left and right ends of the bottom side of the first member  521 . The positioning of the elastic members  55  close to the left and right ends of the bottom side of the first member  521  of the peeling mechanism  5  stabilizes the action of the energizing force of the elastic members  55  on the second roller  51 . The printing device  1  is therefore able to switch the peeling mechanism  5  in a stable manner from the first state to the second state. Furthermore, when switching the peeling mechanism  5  from the second state to the first state, the user must move the support member  54  from the protruding position to the stored position by a manual operation. At this time, because the action of the energizing force of the elastic members  55  on the second roller  51  is stable, the printing device  1  is able to switch the peeling mechanism  5  in a stable manner from the second state to the first state. 
     Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment that is described above, and various types of modifications can be made. For example, the printing device  1  may also be provided with a pair of rod members  59 . The rod members  59  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 17 . Except for the presence of the rod members  59 , the configuration of the peeling mechanism  5  in the present modified example is the same as in the embodiment that is described above, so the same reference numerals are assigned to the same structural elements as in the embodiment that is described above, and explanations of those elements will be omitted. One of the circular cylindrical rod members  59  is inserted into each one of the pair of the elastic members  55 , which are coil springs. The rod members  59  extend toward the rear from the third member  525 . The outside diameters of the rod members  59  are smaller than the inside diameters of the pair of the elastic members  55 . The lengths of the rod members  59  in the front-rear direction are approximately half the length of the frame  52  in the front-rear direction. 
     When the rod members  59  are inserted into the elastic members  55 , the rod members  59  inhibit the deformation of the elastic members  55  in directions that are orthogonal to the axial direction. The deflection of the pair of the elastic members  55  is therefore stable, so the printing device  1  is able to switch the peeling mechanism  5  in a stable manner from the first state to the second state. Furthermore, because the rod members  59  have been inserted into the pair of the elastic members  55 , when the peeling mechanism  5  is switched from the second state to the first state, forces in the axial direction are transmitted more easily to the pair of the elastic members  55  than would be the case if the rod members  59  were not inserted into the pair of the elastic members  55 . The printing device  1  is therefore able to switch the peeling mechanism  5  in a stable manner from the second state to the first state. 
     In the embodiment that is described above, the pair of the second restricting members  73  restrict the support member  54  from being moved from the stored position to the protruding position by the pair of the elastic members  55 , and they also restrict the peeling mechanism  5  from being moved from the first position to the second position. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the members that restrict the support member  54  from being moved from the stored position to the protruding position and the members that restrict the peeling mechanism  5  from being moved from the first position to the second position may also be separate members. 
     The elastic members  55  are not limited to being coil springs, and various types of modified shapes, such as flat springs or the like, can also be used. It is also acceptable for the printing device  1  to be provided with at least one elastic member instead of with the pair of the elastic members  55 . 
     The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.