Abstract:
A printer including a printing part which prints on a recording paper; a cutter part which cuts the recording paper; and a conveying part which includes a conveying route having a curving shape and through which the recording paper conveyed through the cutter part is conveyed; a conveying route cover which is attached to the conveying part and covers a portion of the conveying route; and a flapper which is provided at a curved portion of the conveying route, has a curved shape, and is rotatably attached to the conveying route cover so as to rotatably open or close relative to a main body of the printer, wherein the conveying route cover and the flapper are movable together so as to separate from or contact the main body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation application of and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 to patent application Ser. No. 14/043,924 filed on Oct. 2, 2013, which is based upon and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-241055 filed on Oct. 31, 2012. The entire contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a printer apparatus. 
       2. Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    A printer issuing a receipt or the like may be widely used for a cash register in a shop or the like, and an automated teller machine (ATM), a cash dispenser (CD) or the like in a bank or the like. Such a printer issuing the receipt or the like prints on a recording paper using a thermal head or the like while conveying a thermal paper as a recording paper. After conveying the recording paper for a predetermined length, the recording paper having the predetermined length is cut by a cutter. 
         [0004]    A presenter for conveying the recording paper cut by the cutter may be provided in printers issuing the receipt or the like. By providing the presenter, printed recording paper enters into the presenter is cut inside the presenter, and is ejected through the presenter. Thus, the ejected and printed recording paper is extracted. 
         [0005]    Besides the function as the presenter, the presenter may have the function as a retractor provided to retrieve the recording paper in order to prevent the receipt of the like from being used by somebody else when the ejected recording paper is forgotten to be taken. 
       [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2003-19845 
     [Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-130842 
       [0006]    [Patent Document 3] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H-1052956 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to an aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a printer including a printing part which prints on a recording paper; a cutter part which cuts the recording paper; and a conveying part which includes a conveying route having a curving shape and through which the recording paper conveyed through the cutter part is conveyed; a conveying route cover which is attached to the conveying part and covers a portion of the conveying route; and a flapper which is provided at a curved portion of the conveying route, has a curved shape, and is rotatably attached to the conveying route cover so as to rotatably open or close relative to a main body of the printer, wherein the conveying route cover and the flapper are movable together so as to separate from or contact the main body. 
         [0008]    Additional objects and advantages of the embodiments are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a part of an exemplary printer apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a structure of a printer apparatus of a first embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a structure of a recording paper; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a structure of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates the structure of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates the structure of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates the structure of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a flapper of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate the flapper of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the flapper of the printer apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates a structure of a printer apparatus of a second embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate the flapper of the printer apparatus of the second embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate the flapper of the printer apparatus of the second embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrates the flapper of the printer apparatus of the second embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  illustrates the structure of the printer apparatus of the second embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate the flapper of the printer apparatus of the second embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate a mechanical sensor; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  illustrates a structure of a printer apparatus of a third embodiment; and 
           [0027]      FIGS. 19A and 19B  illustrate the structure of the printer apparatus of the third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    In a printer apparatus provided with a presenter, the printer apparatus is enlarged by the size of the presenter. Especially, when the presenter cuts a recording paper for each long length, the size of the presenter is large in conformity with the length of the recording paper to be cut. Therefore, the size of the printer apparatus becomes very large. 
         [0029]    An exemplary printer apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a printing part  920 , a cutter  930 , and a presenter  940 . In the printer apparatus, the printing part  920  includes a thermal head  921  and a platen roller  922 . The cutter  930  includes a fixed blade  931  and a movable blade  932  for cutting the recording paper  910 . The presenter  940  includes rollers  941  for conveying the recording paper  910 . In this printer apparatus, depending on the length of the recording paper  910  to be cut, it is necessary to elongate the conveying route length of the recording paper  910  in the presenter  940 . Along with this, the size of the presenter  940  is enlarged. Therefore, the size of the printer apparatus becomes large. 
         [0030]    A description of embodiments of the present invention is given below. Where the same reference symbols are attached to the same parts, repeated description of the parts is omitted. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0031]    The structure of a printer apparatus of a first embodiment is described. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the printer apparatus of the first embodiment includes a printing part  20  for printing characters or the like on the recording paper  10 , a cutter part  30  for cutting the recording paper  10 , and a conveying part  40  for conveying the recording paper  10  ejected from the cutter part  30 . 
         [0032]    The printing part  20  includes a thermal head  21  and a platen roller  22 . Characters or the like are printed on the recording paper  10  by the thermal head  21  while the recording paper  10  is sandwiched between the thermal head  21  and the platen roller  22 . Because the recording paper  10  is ejected from the printer while the printing surface faces upward, the thermal head  21  is positioned above the recording paper  10 . 
         [0033]    The cutter part  30  includes a fixed blade  31  and a movable blade  32  for cutting the printed recording paper  10 . The recording paper  10  passing through the fixed blade  31  and the movable blade  32  is cut by the fixed blade  31  and the movable blade  32  to have a predetermined length. A motor  33  is provided to upward and downward drive the movable blade  32 . 
         [0034]    The conveying part  40  is installed in the latter stage of the cutter part  30  and conveys the recording paper  10 . The conveying part  10  includes rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  for conveying the recording paper  10 . By driving a motor  45 , the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  are rotated to convey the recording paper  10 . A flapper  50  is provided in the conveying part  40 , between the cutter part  30  and the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 . The flapper  50  is a lid which can be opened or closed. The flapper  50  is attached to the conveying part  40  so as to rotate around a rotary shaft (not illustrated). The flapper  50  is opened or closed by rotating around the rotary shaft. In the printer apparatus of the first embodiment, the flapper  50  forms a conveying route of the recording paper  10 . When the flapper  50  is opened, a part of the conveying route of the recording paper  10  is opened. 
         [0035]    In the printer apparatus of the first embodiment, when the flapper  50  is opened, the recording paper  10  conveyed in the conveying part  40  can be extracted so as to slack downward toward the outside of the conveying part  40 . Since the recording paper  10  can be extracted so as to slack downward toward the outside of the conveying part  40 , it is possible to cut the recording paper  10  so as to have a long length without using a presenter having a long conveying route. Therefore, even though the body size of the printer apparatus is small, the long recording paper  10  can be ejected. 
         [0036]    Ordinarily, the recording paper  10  used for a thermal printer is a thermal paper colored with heat applied by the thermal head  21 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the thermo-sensitive layer  12  is formed on the surface of a paper  11 . When the recording paper  10  is conveyed under a state that a printed surface faces upward, namely the thermo-sensitive layer  12  is directed upward, the thermal head  21  is provided on an upper side facing the side of the recording paper  10  where the thermo-sensitive layer  12  is formed. In the first embodiment, the surface of the recording paper  10  where the thermo-sensitive layer  12  is formed is referred to as a “first surface” and the back surface of the recording paper  10  is referred to as a “second surface”. 
         [0037]    In the first embodiment, because the recording paper  10  is downward slackened, the thermo-sensitive layer  12  of the recording paper  10  does not contact components of the conveying part  40 . Therefore, the thermo-sensitive layer  12  does not contact components of the conveying part  40  and does not rub against the components of the conveying part  40 . Thus, the thermo-sensitive layer  12  is not colored by the rub. 
       (Method of Printing on Recording Paper) 
       [0038]    A method of printing on a recording paper with a printer apparatus of the first embodiment is described next. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a case where the recording paper  10  ejected from the printer apparatus is short is explained. In this case, the recording paper  10  is cut by the cutter part  30  for a short length. Therefore, the recording paper  10  is conveyed while the flapper  50  of the conveying part  40  is closed. At this time, the flapper  50  has a function as a guide to convey the recording paper  10  and prevents the recording paper from jamming or folding. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a case where the recording paper  10  ejected from the printer apparatus is long is explained. In this case, as the recording paper  10  is cut for the long length by the cutter part  30 , the recording paper  10  is moved to an outside of the conveying part  40  and slacks downward while the flapper  50  of the conveying part  40  is opened. Because the recording paper  10  moves outside the conveying part  40  and slacks, the recording paper  10  can be cut for the long length. The flapper  50  may be opened by the weight of the recording paper  10  or may be opened by a motor or the like (not illustrated). 
       (Retracting) 
       [0040]    Next, a case where a retracting operation is performed in the printer apparatus of the first embodiment is described. The recording paper  10  is conveyed to the conveying part  40  after the thermal printer  21  of the printing part  20  prints on the recording paper  10 . After the recording paper  10  is conveyed towards the conveying part  40 , the recording paper  10  is cut for a predetermined length by the fixed blade  31  and the movable blade  32 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the cut recording paper  10  is conveyed toward a recording paper ejecting port  46  of the conveying part  40  by the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 . A series of printing operations is completed when a person extracts the recording paper  10  conveyed to the recording paper ejecting port  46  in a direction indicated by an arrow  6 A. However, if a person does not extract the recording paper  10  conveyed to the recording paper ejecting port  46 , the recording paper  10  is retrieved to prevent another person from extracting the recording paper  10 . 
         [0041]    In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  of the conveying part  40  are inversely rotated. At this time, the flapper  50  is opened so that the recording paper  10  is conveyed in the direction indicated by an arrow  7 A to retrieve the recording paper  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the flapper  50  may be opened by a motor or the like (not illustrated). 
       (Flapper) 
       [0042]    Next, the flapper  50  is described in detail.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a condition where the flapper  50  is closed, and  FIG. 8B  illustrates a condition where the flapper is opened. The flapper  50  may be formed by an elastic material such as a film made of a resin material. In a case where the recording paper  10  is cut for a long length, the recording paper  10  is slackened between the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  and the cutter part  30 , as the flapper  50  is pushed by the weight of the recording paper  10 . Referring to  FIG. 8B , the flapper  50  opens to slacken the recording paper  10 . After the recording paper  10  is ejected from the printer, because the recording paper  10  pushing the flapper  50  with the weight of the recording paper  10  disappears, the flapper  50  is automatically closed. The flapper  50  is closed in  FIG. 8A , and the flapper gear is opened in  FIG. 8B . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a helical spring  61  as an elastic body may be provided at a portion where the flapper  50  is connected with the conveying part  40 . In a case where the recording paper  10  is cut for the long length, the recording paper  10  is slackened between the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  and the cutter part  30 . The flapper  50  is pushed by the weight of the recording paper  10  against a restoring force of the helical spring  61 . Referring to  FIG. 9B , the flapper  50  opens to slacken the recording paper  10 . After the recording paper  10  is ejected, because the recording paper  10  pushing the flapper  50  with its weight disappears, the flapper  50  is closed by the restoring force of the helical spring  61 .  FIG. 9A  illustrates the flapper  50  closed, and  FIG. 9B  illustrates the flapper opened. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a leaf spring  62  as an elastic body may be provided at a portion where the flapper  50  is connected with the conveying part  40 . In a case where the recording paper  10  is cut for the long length, the recording paper  10  is slackened between the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  and the cutter part  30 . The flapper  50  is pushed by the weight of the recording paper  10  against a restoring force of the leaf spring  62 . Referring to  FIG. 10B , the flapper  50  opens to slacken the recording paper  10 . After the recording paper  10  is ejected, because the recording paper  10  pushing the flapper  50  with the weight of the recording paper  10  disappears, the flapper  50  is closed by the restoring force of the leaf spring  62 . The flapper  50  is closed in  FIG. 10A , and the flapper is opened in  FIG. 10B . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0045]    The structure of a printer apparatus of a second embodiment is described next. The printer apparatus of the second embodiment detects an opening and closing state of the flapper  50 . Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the flapper  50  is attached to a conveying route cover  47  of the conveying part  40  so as to be rotatable around the rotary shaft  50   a . Further, a protrusion  51  is provided in the flapper  50 , and an optical sensor  52  is provided in the vicinity of the protrusion  51 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12A, 123, 13A and 13B , the optical sensor  52  includes a light emitting portion  52   a  and a light receiving portion  52   b . Depending on whether the light emitted by the light emitting portion  52   a  is received by the light receiving portion  52   b , whether the protrusion  51  of the flapper  50  exists as a shielding object exists or not is detected. Thus, it is possible to detect the opening and closing state of the flapper  50 . 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , under a closing state where the flapper  50  is closed, the protrusion  51  of the flapper  50  exists between the light emitting portion  52   a  and the light receiving portion  52   b . Therefore, light emitted by the light emitting portion  52   a  is shielded by the protrusion  51  and is not received by the light receiving portion  52   b . In a case where the light emitted by the light emitting portion  52   a  is not received by the light receiving portion  52   b , the flapper  50  is determined to be closed. 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , under an opening state where the flapper  50  is opened, the protrusion  51  of the flapper  50  does not exist between the light emitting portion  52   a  and the light receiving portion  52   b . Therefore, light emitted by the light emitting portion  52   a  is received by the light receiving portion  52   b . In a case where the light emitted by the light emitting portion  52   a  is received by the light receiving portion  52   b , the flapper  50  is determined to be open. 
         [0048]    Further, in the second embodiment, it is also possible to detect an opening and closing state of the conveying route cover  47  of the conveying part  40  by the optical sensor  52 . When the conveying route cover  47  is opened, the recording paper  10  can not conveyed by the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 . After detecting that the conveying route cover  47  is closed, the printer apparatus is controlled to start printing operation. 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 11, 14A, and 14B , when the flapper  50  is closed and the conveying route cover  47  is closed, the protrusion  51  of the flapper  50  exists between the light emitting portion  52   a  and the light receiving portion  52   b . Therefore, light emitted by the light emitting portion  52   a  is shielded by the protrusion  51  and is not received by the light receiving portion  52   b . Therefore, in this case, the conveying route cover  47  is determined to be closed. 
         [0050]    On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15, 16A, and 16B , when the flapper  50  is closed but the conveying route cover  47  is opened, the protrusion  51  of the flapper  50  does not exist between the light emitting portion  52   a  and the light receiving portion  52   b . Therefore, light emitted by the light emitting portion  52   a  is received by the light receiving portion  52   b . Therefore, in this case, the conveying route cover  47  is determined to be open. 
         [0051]    In the second embodiment, a mechanical sensor may be used instead of the optical sensor  52 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , a mechanical sensor  152  using a mechanical switch is provided. The mechanical sensor  152  is pushed by the protrusion  51  of the flapper  50 . The flapper  50  is closed and the mechanical sensor  152  is pushed in  FIG. 17A , and the flapper  50  is opened and the mechanical sensor  152  is released from pushing in  FIG. 17B . 
         [0052]    The other portions of the second embodiment are similar to those described in the first embodiment. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0053]    A printer of a third embodiment is described next. In the third embodiment, the flapper  50  is opened or closed by a motor  45 . Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , gears including a first gear  53  and a second gear  54  are provided between the motor  45  and the rotary shaft  50   a  of the flapper  50 . The first gear  53  is engaged with a gear provided to a rotary shaft of the motor (not illustrated in  FIG. 18 ). The first gear  53  is engaged with the second gear  54 . The second gear  54  is engaged with a gear provided to the rotary shaft  50   a  of the flapper  50  (not illustrated in  FIG. 18 ). Therefore, the flapper  50  is opened or closed around the rotary shaft  50   a  through the first gear  53  and the second gear  54  by rotating the motor  45 . 
         [0054]    In the printer apparatus of the third embodiment, by moving the position of the second gear  54 , the opening and closing operations of the flapper  50  or a conveying operation of the recording paper by the rotation of the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  can be switched over while using the single motor  45 . 
         [0055]    Specifically, in a case where the flapper  50  is opened or closed as illustrated in (a) of FIG. A, the second gear  54  is moved to a position so that the second gear  54  is engaged with the flapper  45 . Under this state, a motor  45   a  provided to the rotary shaft of the motor  45  is engaged with the first gear  53 , the first gear  53  is engaged with the second gear  54 , and the second gear  54  is engaged with the flapper  45  provided to the rotary shaft  50   a  of the flapper  50 . By rotating the motor  45  in the condition illustrated in  FIG. 19A , the motor  45   a , the first gear  53 , the second gear  54 , and the flapper  45  are rotated. Thus, the flapper  50  is rotated around the rotary shaft  50   a  and the flapper  50  is opened or closed. 
         [0056]    As illustrated in  FIG. 19B , in a case where the recording paper  10  is conveyed, the second gear  54  is moved to a position so that the second gear  54  is engaged with the roller gear  56 . The roller gear  56  is provided to rotate the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  (not illustrated in  FIG. 19B ). Another gear may be provided between the roller gear  56  and the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 . Under this state, the motor  45   a  provided to the rotary shaft of the motor  45  is engaged with the first gear  53 , the first gear  53  is engaged with the second gear  54 , and the second gear  54  is engaged with the roller gear  56  provided to rotate the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 . The motor  45   a , the first gear  53 , the second gear  54 , and the roller gear  56  are rotated by rotating the motor  45 . Thus, the rollers  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  are rotated and the recording paper  10  is conveyed by the rollers. 
         [0057]    The other portions of the third embodiment are similar to those described in the first and second embodiments. 
         [0058]    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the printer apparatus by which the recording paper is cut for the long length. 
         [0059]    All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the embodiments and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of superiority or inferiority of the embodiments. Although the printer apparatus have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.