Patent ID: 12187028

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings. The referenced drawings are merely used to describe the technical features that may be employed in the present disclosure. The configuration, the control, and the like of the apparatus described below are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to these configurations, control, and the like.

An overview of a printing device1will be described. The printing device1can be connected to an external terminal (not illustrated) through wired communication using a USB cable, for example, or wireless communication such as a Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, and the like. The printing device1is configured to print, on a printing medium, characters such as letters, figures, and the like on the basis of print data received from the external terminal. “USB” is a registered Japanese trademark of USB Implementers Forum, Inc. “Wi-Fi” is a registered Japanese trademark of Wi-Fi alliance. “Bluetooth” is a registered Japanese trademark of Bluetooth Special Interested Group, Inc.

The printing medium is configured of an elongated heat-sensitive label and is a non-adhesive tape. That is, an adhesive agent is not adhered to the heat-sensitive label. Alternatively, the printing medium may be an adhesive tape whose heat-sensitive label has one side surface to which an adhesive agent is attached and a release paper is adhered to the one side surface, or may be a linerless tape to which an adhesive agent is adhered to one side surface of the heat-sensitive label but a release paper is not adhered thereto. The printing medium is provided in a form of a roll shape formed by winding the printing medium about a core medium, or in a folded paper shape formed by folding the printing medium. The external terminal is a general-purpose personal computer (PC).

The printing device1can be assembled to an external housing100(seeFIG.9) for use with in same. The external housing100has various types according to various services provided using the printing device1. The printing device1includes outer covers11,12, and21. A plurality of insert nuts for fixing the printing device1to the external housing100are provided in the outer covers11,12, and21. Specifically, insert nuts10A are provided in the outer covers11and12, and insert nuts20A are provided in the outer cover21. With this configuration, a user can select appropriate orientations for assembling the printing device1to the external housing100depending on the use of the external housing100.

Next, a configuration of the printing device1will be described with reference toFIGS.1to4. Hereinafter, the lower-left side, the upper-right side, the upper-left side, the lower-right side, the upper side, and the lower side inFIG.1will be defined as a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, an upper side, and a lower side of the printing device1, respectively.

The printing device1has a generally rectangular parallelepiped (box-like) shape elongated in a left-right direction. The printing device1includes a main body unit10, and a platen unit20. The main body unit10includes a printing head3. The platen unit20includes a platen roller2. The platen unit20constitutes a lower-front portion of the printing device1, and the main body unit10constitutes an upper-front portion and a rear portion of the printing device1. The main body unit10and the platen unit20can be assembled to each other as a single unit (seeFIG.1), and can be separated from each other as completely separate components (seeFIG.3).

The main body unit10includes the outer covers11and12, an operating portion14, the printing head3, a driving mechanism (not illustrated), and a control board16. The outer cover11constitutes an upper-front portion of an outer shell of the printing device1, and has a front surface11A, an upper surface11B, a left surface11C, and a right surface11D. The front surface11A constitutes an upper portion of a front surface of the printing device1, and the upper surface11B constitutes a front portion of an upper surface of the printing device1. The left surface11C constitutes an upper-front portion of a left surface of the printing device1. The right surface11D constitutes an upper-front portion of a right surface of the printing device1.

The outer cover12constitutes a rear portion of the outer shell of the printing device1, and has an upper surface12B, a left surface12C, a right surface12D, a rear surface12E, and a bottom surface12F. The upper surface12B constitutes a rear portion of the upper surface of the printing device1. The left surface12C constitutes a rear portion of the left surface of the printing device1, and the right surface12D constitutes a rear portion of the right surface of the printing device1. The rear surface12E constitutes a rear surface of the printing device1, and the bottom surface12F constitutes a rear portion of a bottom surface of the printing device1.

At left-front and right-front corner portions of an upper portion of the outer cover11, the insert nuts10A are embedded in corresponding surfaces of the front surface11A, the upper surface11B, the left surface11C, and the right surface11D. Also, at upper-left, lower-left, upper-right, and lower-right corner portions of a rear portion of the outer cover12, the insert nuts10A are embedded in corresponding surfaces of the upper surface12B, the left surface12C, the right surface12D, the rear surface12E, and the bottom surface12F. The insert nuts10A are provided so as to be spaced apart from the corresponding corner portions of the main body unit10by distances the same as each other. Bolts9(described later) used to fix the main body unit10to the external housing100can be fastened to the insert nuts10A, respectively, whereby the printing device1is assembled to the external housing100.

The operating portion14is provided at the front surface11A of the outer cover11. The operating portion14includes an input portion and a display portion. The input portion is configured to receive operations such as input of various types of information and turning on and off of the printing device1. The display portion is configured to display various information thereon. A discharge opening7is formed on the front surface of the printing device1at a position below the operating portion14. More specifically, the discharge opening7is formed between the main body unit10and the platen unit20in a state where the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other. The printing medium having an image printed thereon is discharged out of the printing device1through the discharge opening7.

The front surface11A of the outer cover11has a lower end portion forming a part of the discharge opening7. The front surface11A has a portion inclined diagonally rearward and downward as approaching an internal space of the discharge opening7. The main body unit10further includes a cutting blade15provided near the discharge opening7and configured to cut the printing medium after printing operation has been performed thereon. The cutting blade15extends in the left-right direction. The cutting blade15cuts the printing medium when the printed printing medium is pulled upward, i.e., toward the main body unit10.

The printing head3is disposed rearward of the cutting blade15. The printing head3includes a plurality of heating elements at a lower portion thereof. The plurality of heating elements are arrayed in line in the left-right direction. The printing head3is configured to heat the printing medium using the plurality of heating elements in order to print characters on the heat-sensitive label. A heat sink4is provided above the printing head3. The printing head3and the heat sink4are fixed integrally to each other, and are urged downward due to an urging force of a spring5.

The main body unit10has a lower-front portion serving as an attachment-detachment portion18to which the platen unit20is attachable and from which the platen unit20is detachable. The platen unit20can be assembled to the main body unit10as a single unit at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10, and the platen unit20can be separated from the main body unit10at the attachment-detachment portion18as completely separated units. That is, the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled as a single unit when the platen unit20is attached to the attachment-detachment portion18, and are separated as separate units when the platen unit20is detached from the attachment-detachment portion18. In a state where the platen unit20is separated from the main body unit10, the printing head3is exposed to an outside at the attachment-detachment portion18.

The driving mechanism is a motor (not illustrated) provided at a right portion inside the main body unit10, and is connected to a main body gear (not illustrated) provided at a lower-front portion of the right portion of the main body unit10via a plurality of the gears. In a state where the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled together, the main body gear is in meshing engagement with a platen gear24coupled to a right end of the platen roller2of the platen unit20. As such, a rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the platen roller2via the main body gear and the platen gear24to rotate the platen roller2.

The control board16is disposed upward and rearward of the printing head3. A CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like are mounted on the control board16. The control board16is configured to control driving of the printing device1. The printing device1is driven by electrical power supplied from an external power source in the present embodiment. However, the printing device1has a rear portion configured to receive a battery, and may be driven by electrical power supplied from a battery attached thereto.

The printing device1is formed with a supply opening8at a bottom portion thereof. Specifically, the supply opening8is provided on the bottom surface of the printing device1at a portion between the main body unit10and the platen unit20assembled together. A portion of the outer cover12having the bottom surface12F is provided as a separate component than another portion of the outer cover12, and serves as a guide member13.

The guide member13extends frontward from a rear-lower corner portion of the printing device1, bends toward the supply opening8(toward an internal space of the printing device1), and further extends diagonally frontward and upward to a portion near the printing head3. The guide member13is configured to guide the printing medium inserted through the supply opening8to the printing head3. In a state where the platen unit20is separated from the main body unit10, the guide member13is exposed to the outside at the attachment-detachment portion18.

The main body unit10further includes a lever17at a left portion thereof. The user operates the lever17in order to separate the platen unit20assembled to the main body unit10from the main body unit10. The lever17causes a pair of engagement portions19of the attachment-detachment portion18to be moved when operated by the user. The engagement portions19are provided at a left-front portion and a right-front portion in the lower portion of the main body unit10, respectively. That is, the engagement portions19are provided outward of the discharge opening7in the left-right direction. The engagement portions19are configured to engage with a shaft2A (described later) of the platen roller2of the platen unit20when the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other.

In a state where the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other and the lever17is not operated by the user, the engagement portions19are in engagement with the shaft2A to position the platen roller2. A spring (not illustrated) is provided on each of the engagement portions19. In a state where the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other and the lever17is not operated by the user, the engagement portions19are maintained at a state where the engagement portions19are engaged with the shaft2A due to an urging force generated by the springs. When the lever17is operated by the user, the engagement portions19become disengaged from the shaft2A against the urging force generated by the springs, and therefore the platen unit20can be separated from the main body unit10at the attachment-detachment portion18.

The platen unit20includes the outer cover21, the platen roller2, and a guide roller22. The outer cover21constitutes a lower-front portion of the outer shell of the printing device1, and has a front surface21A, a left surface21C, a right surface21D, and a bottom surface21F. The front surface21A constitutes a lower portion of the front surface of the printing device1. The left surface21C constitutes a lower-front portion of the left surface of the printing device1. The right surface21D constitutes a lower-front portion of the right surface of the printing device1. The bottom surface21F constitutes a front portion of the bottom surface of the printing device1.

At left-front and right-front corner portions of a lower portion of the outer cover21, the insert nuts20A are embedded in respective surfaces of the front surface21A, the left surface21C, the right surface21D, and the bottom surface21F. The insert nuts20A are provided so as to be spaced apart from the corresponding corner portions of the platen unit20by distances the same as each other. The distances between the insert nuts20A and the corner portions corresponding thereto are equal to the distances between the insert nuts10A and the corner portions corresponding thereto. Bolts9used to fix the platen unit20to the external housing100to which the printing device1is assembled can be fastened to the respective insert nuts20A.

The front surface21A of the outer cover21has an upper end portion forming a part of the discharge opening7. The front surface21A has a portion inclined diagonally rearward and upward toward the discharge opening7. The platen unit20further includes a cutting blade25provided near the discharge opening7. The cutting blade25is configured to cut the printing medium having an image printed thereon. The cutting blade25extends in the left-right direction, and is used to cut the printing medium when the printing medium is pulled downward, i.e., toward the platen unit20.

The platen roller2has a solid cylindrical shape and extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller2includes the shaft2A extending in the left-right direction. The shaft2A has left and right ends protruding outward of the platen roller2. The left and right ends of the shaft2A are supported rotatably at an upper portion inside the platen unit20. When the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other, the platen roller2is positioned close to the plurality of heating elements of the printing head3. In a case where the printing medium is placed between the printing head3and the platen roller2, the printing head3presses the printing medium against the platen roller2due to the urging force of the spring5. Accordingly, the platen roller2can nip the printing medium in cooperation with the printing head3and convey the same by rotation thereof.

The platen gear24(seeFIG.3) is coupled to the right end of the shaft2A. When the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other, the platen gear24is in meshing engagement with the main body gear of the main body unit10. The platen roller2is configured to convey the printing medium nipped between the platen roller2and the printing head3by rotating due to a driving force of the motor of the main body unit10.

The guide roller22is provided at a position rearward and downward of the platen roller2. The guide roller22is a roller including a plurality of circular-shaped flange portions arranged in the left-right direction. The guide roller22is disposed such that the guide roller22is positioned close to an approximate center portion in the up-down direction of the guide member13of the main body unit10with a gap between the guide roller22and the guide member13when the platen unit20and the main body unit10are assembled to each other. The guide roller22forms a path (a conveying path T described later) between the guide roller22and the guide member13such that the printing medium inserted through the supply opening8is guided by the guide member13of the main body unit10toward the printing head3.

Of the outer cover21of the platen unit20, a portion having the bottom surface21F is provided as a separate component than another portion of the outer cover21, and functions as a guide member23. The guide member23extends rearward from a lower-front corner portion of the outer cover21and bends toward the supply opening8, and further extends rearward and upward toward the guide roller22. The guide member23is configured to guide the printing medium toward the guide roller22such that the printing medium that have reached the guide roller22is guided to the printing head3by the guide member13of the main body unit10.

As illustrated inFIG.2, in a state where the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other, the platen roller2is in contact with the printing head3from below. Hereinafter, the position at which the platen roller2is in contact with the printing head3will be referred to as “printing position P”. The printing position P is a position at which an image is formed on the heat-sensitive label when the plurality of heating elements generates heat while the printing medium is nipped between the platen roller2and the printing head3.

The printing medium is guided by the guide member13, the guide member23, and the guide roller22to be conveyed toward the printing head3through the supply opening8. The conveying path T along which the printing medium is conveyed extends diagonally frontward and upward from the supply opening8. Furthermore, the conveying path T is bended frontward at a position near a rear portion of the printing head3, passes through the printing position P, and extends frontward toward the discharge opening7. The platen roller2is positioned on the conveying path T at the printing position P. As illustrated inFIG.4, in a state where the platen unit20is separated from the main body unit10, the conveying path T of the printing medium is exposed to the outside at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10.

In place of the platen unit20, another platen unit including the platen roller2described above can be assembled to and can be separated from the main body unit10. The other platen unit has additional functions according to the intended use thereof.

A cutter unit50as an example of the other platen unit will be described with reference toFIGS.5and6. The cutter unit50includes a conveying unit50A functioning to convey the printing medium similar to the platen unit20, and a cutting unit50B functioning to cut the printed printing medium. The conveying unit50A includes the platen roller2and the guide roller22similar to the platen unit20. When the cutter unit50is assembled to the main body unit10to constitute a printing device101, the engagement portions19and the shaft2A of the platen roller2are brought into engagement with each other at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10, whereby the conveying unit50A is attached to the attachment-detachment portion18.

The cutting unit50B is disposed frontward of the conveying unit50A. The cutting unit50B has a box-like shape, and extends downward from a position frontward of the operating portion14when the cutter unit50is assembled to the main body unit10. The cutting unit50B includes a fixed blade51, a movable blade52, and a drive motor53. The fixed blade51and the movable blade52are disposed frontward of the discharge opening7when the cutter unit50is assembled to the main body unit10. The fixed blade51is positioned upward of a conveying path T along which the printed medium to be discharged through the discharge opening7is conveyed, while the movable blade52is positioned downward of the conveying path T. The drive motor53is positioned downward and frontward of the movable blade52, and configured to drive the movable blade52to be moved in the up-down direction. The fixed blade51and the movable blade52are configured to cut the printing medium interposed therebetween after printing has been performed on the printing medium.

The cutter unit50also includes an outer cover54constituting an outer shell of the cutter unit50. The outer cover54covers an upper portion, a lower portion, a front portion, a left portion, and a right portion of the cutting unit50B, and a left portion and a right portion of the conveying unit50A. The outer cover54is formed with a discharge opening55through which the printing medium is discharged after the printing medium is cut. The discharge opening55is open on an upper surface and a front surface of the outer cover54. When the cutter unit50and the main body unit10are assembled to each other, the discharge opening55is positioned frontward of the discharge opening7of the main body unit10, and the fixed blade51and the movable blade52are positioned between the discharge opening55and the discharge opening7.

The outer cover54also has a left surface and a right surface. A pair of insert nuts56arranged in the up-down direction are embedded in each of the left surface and the right surface of the outer cover54. Bolts9can be fastened to the respective insert nuts56to fix the cutter unit50to the external housing100, whereby the printing device101can be assembled to the external housing100.

Next, a release unit70will be described with reference toFIGS.7and8. The release unit70can also be assembled to the main body unit10and can be separated from the main body unit10instead of the platen unit20or the cutter unit50. The release unit70includes a conveying unit70A configured to convey the printing medium similar to the platen unit20, and a releasing unit70B configured to release a release paper from the printed printing medium. In a case where the release unit70is assembled to the main body unit10to constitute a printing device201, an adhesive tape is employed as the printing medium. The adhesive tape has a front surface on which printing is to be performed, and a back surface opposite the front surface. The back surface of the adhesive tape has a release paper adhered thereto through an adhesive agent.

The conveying unit70A includes the platen roller2and the guide roller22those are also employed in the platen unit20. When the release unit70is assembled to the main body unit10, the shaft2A of the platen roller2is brought into engagement with the engagement portions19(seeFIG.4) at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10, thereby enabling the conveying unit70A to be attached to the attachment-detachment portion18. Accordingly, assembly of the release unit70to the main body unit10is completed.

The releasing unit70B is provided frontward of the conveying unit70A. The releasing unit70B has a box-like shape, and extends downward from a position frontward of the discharge opening7when the release unit70is assembled to the main body unit10. The releasing unit70B includes a releasing pawl73, a feeding roller77, and is formed with a discharge opening72. The releasing pawl73is positioned diagonally frontward and downward of the platen roller2. The releasing pawl73is configured to separate a mount (i.e., the release paper) from the back surface of the printing medium that has passed through the printing position P, i.e., the printing medium having an image printed on the front surface thereof. The feeding roller77is disposed downward of the releasing pawl73and configured to convey the mount separated from the printing medium downward inside the releasing unit70B. The discharge opening72is formed at a lower portion of the releasing unit70B to allow the mount separated from the printing medium and conveyed by the feeding roller77to be discharged frontward therethrough.

The release unit70also includes an outer cover74covering an upper portion, a lower portion, a front portion, a left portion, and a right portion of the releasing unit70B, and a left portion and a right portion of the conveying unit70A. The outer cover74has an upper surface formed with an opening serving as a discharge opening71. The discharge opening71allows the printed printing medium to be discharged therethrough after the mount is separated from the printing medium.

The outer cover74has a front surface serving as a lid78movable between an open position and a closed position. The lid78has a shaft at a lower end portion thereof, and the lid78is pivotally movable about the shaft so that an upper end portion of the lid78is moved frontward and downward. The releasing pawl73is provided on the lid78. When the lid78is in the open position, a mount path U through which the mount separated from the printing medium is guided toward the discharge opening72is exposed to an outside. When assembling the release unit70to the main body unit10, the user moves the lid78to the open position, arranges the mount released from the printing medium to be positioned in the mount path U through the discharge opening72, and then moves the lid78to the closed position.

The outer cover74further has a left surface and a right surface. A pair of insert nuts76arranged in the up-down direction are embedded in each of the left surface and the right surface of the outer cover74. Bolts9for fixing the release unit70to the external housing100can be fastened to the respective insert nuts76in the outer cover74.

Next, examples of assembly of the printing device1to the external housing100will be described. The printing device1including the main body unit10and the platen unit20can be assembled to various kinds of the external housing100to be used in the same. The external housing100illustrated inFIG.9includes an upper housing110and a lower housing120each having a parallelepiped (box-like) shape. The upper housing110and the lower housing120can be separated in the up-down direction. The upper housing110has a lower portion formed with an opening, and the main body unit10can be assembled to an internal space of the upper housing110. The internal space of the upper housing110has a dimension in the left-right direction the same as a dimension in the left-right direction of the main body unit10.

The upper housing110has a front surface whose lower end portion is formed with a notch portion111extending in the left-right direction. An opening112is also formed in the front surface of the upper housing110at a position above the notch portion111. The upper housing110also has a left surface and a right surface. A pair of screw holes is formed at an upper-front portion of each of the left surface and the right surface of the upper housing110.

In this example, the main body unit10is inserted into the internal space of the upper housing110, and the bolts9are inserted through the screw holes formed in the upper housing110and fastened to the insert nuts10A at upper portions of the left surface11C, the right surface11D, the left surface12C, and the right surface12D, respectively. As a result, the main body unit10is assembled to the upper housing110, the operating portion14is exposed to an outside of the external housing100through the opening112, and a portion of the main body unit10constituting the discharge opening7is arranged at a position at which the notch portion111is formed.

The lower housing120has an upper portion formed with an opening, and the platen unit20can be assembled to an internal space of the lower housing120. A dimension in the left-right direction of the internal space of the lower housing120is the same as a dimension in the left-right direction of the platen unit20. The lower housing120is formed with a notch portion121extending in the left-right direction similar to the upper housing110. The notch portion121is formed on an upper end portion of a front surface of the lower housing120. The lower housing120has a left surface and a right surface, and a screw hole is formed in an upper-front portion of each of the left surface and the right surface.

The platen unit20is arranged in the internal space of the lower housing120, and the bolts9inserted through the screw holes formed in the left surface and the right surface of the lower housing120are fastened to the insert nuts20A of the left surface21C and the right surface21D, respectively. In this way, the platen unit20is assembled to the internal space of the lower housing120, and a portion of the platen unit20constituting the discharge opening7is arranged at a position at which the notch portion121is formed.

Since the lower housing120has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction, the lower housing120can accommodate a roll M formed by winding the printing medium in a rear end portion thereof. The printing medium paid out of the roll M is drawn out of the lower housing120through the notch portion121, and is arranged on a portion of the conveying path T (seeFIG.2) constituted by the platen unit20so as to cover the platen unit20. In this state, the upper housing110is moved to be placed above the lower housing120such that the platen unit20is positioned at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10. Accordingly, the shaft2A of the platen roller2and the engagement portions19are brought into engagement with each other, and the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other.

At this time, the upper housing110is arranged on the lower housing120. The notch portion111of the upper housing110and the notch portion121of the lower housing120form an opening portion of the external housing100, and therefore the discharge opening7of the printing device1is exposed to the outside through the opening portion. In this way, the user can be provided with a service using the external housing100to which the printing device1is assembled and having the front surface allowing the printing medium having an image printed thereon is discharged therethrough.

Next, an external housing200will be described with reference toFIG.10. The printing device101including the main body unit10and the cutter unit50can be assembled to the external housing200. The external housing200includes an upper housing210and a lower housing220that can separate from each other in the up-down direction. The upper housing210has a configuration approximately the same as that of the upper housing110of the external housing100. Specifically, the upper housing210has a front surface formed with an opening portion212through which the operating portion14of the main body unit10is to be exposed, and a notch portion211through which the discharge opening7is to be exposed.

The upper housing210further has a left surface and a right surface each formed with a pair of screw holes. Bolts9are inserted through the respective screw holes formed in the upper housing210and are fastened to the corresponding insert nuts10A embedded in the upper portions of the left surface11C, the right surface11D, the left surface12C, and the right surface12D of the main body unit10. Accordingly, the main body unit10is assembled to the upper housing210, and the operating portion14is exposed to an outside through the opening portion212. When the upper housing210and the lower housing220are assembled to each other, a portion of the cutter unit50constituting the discharge opening55is positioned at the notch portion211.

The lower housing220has an upper end portion formed with an opening, and an inner space for accommodating therein the cutter unit50. The lower housing220has a configuration substantially the same as that of the lower housing120of the external housing100. Specifically, the lower housing220has a front surface whose upper end portion is formed with a notch portion221extending in the left-right direction, and has a left surface and a right surface each formed with a pair of screw holes. Bolts9are inserted through the respective screw holes formed in the left surface and the right surface of the lower housing220, and are fastened to the corresponding insert nuts56of the left surface and the right surface of the cutter unit50. As a result, the cutter unit50is assembled to the inner space of the lower housing220, and a portion of the cutter unit50forming the discharge opening55is positioned at the notch portion221.

The lower housing220has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction to allow a roll M formed by winding the tape-like printing medium to be accommodated in a rear portion of the lower housing220. The printing medium paid out of the roll M is drawn out of the lower housing220through the discharge opening55of the cutter unit50and the notch portion221of the lower housing220, and is positioned on a conveying path T (seeFIG.6) configured by the conveying unit50A of the cutter unit50.

Then, the upper housing210is moved to be disposed on the lower housing220such that the conveying unit50A of the cutter unit50is positioned at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10. At this time, the engagement portions19are brought into engagement with the shaft2A of the platen roller2, whereby the main body unit10and the cutter unit50are assembled to each other. The upper housing210is positioned on the lower housing220, and the notch portion211of the upper housing210and the notch portion221of the lower housing220form an opening portion of the external housing200to expose the discharge opening55of the cutter unit50therethrough. By assembling the printing device101to the external housing200in this way, the user can be provided with a service using the external housing200accommodating therein the printing device101that discharges the printed printing medium frontward through the discharge opening55and cuts the printed printing medium.

Next, an external housing300will be described with reference toFIG.11. The printing device201including the main body unit10and the release unit70can be assembled to the external housing300. The external housing300includes an upper housing310and a lower housing320that can separate from each other in the up-down direction. Each of the upper housing310and the lower housing320has a box-like shape.

The upper housing310has a configuration approximately the same as that of the upper housing110of the external housing100, and has a front surface formed with an opening portion312and a notch portion311. When the printing device201is assembled to the external housing300, the operating portion14is exposed to the outside through the opening portion312, and a portion of the main body unit10constituting the discharge opening7is disposed at the notch portion311.

The upper housing310also has a left surface and a right surface, each of which is formed with a pair of screw holes. Bolts9are inserted through the respective screw holes formed in the upper housing310to be fastened to the corresponding insert nuts10A of the upper portions of the left surface11C, the right surface11D, the left surface12C, and the right surface12D of the main body unit10. Accordingly, the main body unit10is assembled to an inner space of the upper housing310, and the operating portion14is exposed to an outside of the external housing300through the opening portion312. The discharge opening71formed in the release unit70is to be positioned at the notch portion311when the upper housing310is assembled to the lower housing320accommodating therein the release unit70.

The lower housing320has an upper portion formed with an opening, and the release unit70can be accommodated in an inner space thereof. The lower housing320has a configuration approximately the same as that of the lower housing120of the external housing100, and has a front surface formed with a notch portion321extending in the left-right direction at an upper portion thereof. The notch portion321has a dimension in the up-down direction greater than a dimension in the up-down direction of the notch portion121.

Also, the lower housing320has a left surface and a right surface each formed with a pair of screw holes. Bolts9are inserted through the respective screw holes formed in the lower housing320and are fastened to the corresponding insert nuts76of the left surface and the right surface of the release unit70. As a result, the release unit70is assembled to the lower housing320, and the discharge openings71and72of the release unit70are positioned at the notch portion321.

The lower housing320is elongated in the front-rear direction for accommodating a roll M formed by winding the tape-like printing medium in a rear portion thereof. The printing medium paid out of the roll M is drawn out of the lower housing320through the discharge opening71of the release unit70and the notch portion321of the lower housing320, and positioned on the conveying path T (seeFIG.8) in the conveying unit70A of the release unit70. Further, the lid78of the release unit70is moved to the open position and a mount released from the printing medium in advance is positioned in the mount path U (seeFIG.8). The mount is drawn out of the lower housing320through the discharge opening72and the notch portion321. In this state, the lid78is moved back to the closed position.

Thereafter, the upper housing310is moved and placed on the lower housing320such that the conveying unit70A of the release unit70is positioned at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10. The engagement portions19are brought into engagement with the shaft2A of the platen roller2, thereby completing assembly of the main body unit10and the release unit70to each other. At this time, the upper housing310is arranged on the lower housing320. The notch portion311of the upper housing310and the notch portion321of the lower housing320form an opening portion of the external housing300, and the discharge openings71and72of the release unit70are exposed to the outside through the opening portion of the external housing300. Consequently, by assembling the printing device201to the external housing300as described above, the user can enjoy a service using the external housing300accommodating therein the printing device201configured to discharge the printed printing medium through the front surface thereof and to release the mount from the printed printing medium.

Next, an external housing400will be described with reference toFIG.12. The external housing400has a substantially tray-like shape, for example, and has an upper portion formed with an opening. The external housing400is elongated in the front-rear direction and has an inner space that can accommodate the main body unit10in a rear portion thereof. The inner space of the external housing400has a dimension in the left-right direction equal to that in the left-right direction of the main body unit10.

The external housing400has a right surface and a left surface. Each of the left surface and the right surface has a pair of screw holes at a rear portion thereof. In order to assemble the printing device1to the external housing400, the main body unit10is disposed inside the external housing400while the rear surface12E of the main body unit10is directed downward, and four of the bolts9are inserted through the corresponding screw holes formed in the external housing400and fastened to the corresponding insert nuts10A of the left surface12C and the right surface12D of the main body unit10. Thus, the main body unit10is accommodated in and assembled to the external housing400while the discharge opening7faces upward. The platen unit20is exposed outside of the external housing400.

The printing medium can be placed in the external housing400at a position frontward of the printing device1(i.e., a front portion of the external housing400). For example, the printing medium is a fanfold paper N formed by folding a heat-sensitive label having an elongated shape. In a state where the platen unit20is separated from the main body unit10, the user arranges the printing medium paid out of the fanfold paper N on a portion of the conveying path T constituted by the main body unit10(seeFIG.2).

In this state, the platen unit20is placed at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10. The shaft2A of the platen roller2is brought engagement with the engagement portions19, whereby the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other. The discharge opening7is positioned above the external housing400. In this way, the user can be provided with a service using the external housing400to which the printing device1is assembled and through which the printing medium having an image printed thereon is discharged upward. Accordingly, the user can easily visually recognize the printing result on the printed printing medium.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, an upper cover having a tray-like shape may be employed for use with the external housing400. When placed on the external housing400, the upper cover can cover the printing device1as a whole. The platen unit20may be assembled to the upper cover. The upper cover has an opening portion that allows the operating portion14and the discharge opening7to the outside therethrough. With this configuration, when the main body unit10and the platen unit20are assembled to each other, the printing device1can be covered with the external housing400and the upper cover.

Further, although not illustrated in the drawings, the main body unit10may be assembled to the external housing400while one of the cutter unit50and the release unit70is assembled to the main body unit10instead of the platen unit20. In a case where the cutter unit50is assembled to the main body unit10, the user can be provided with a service in which the printed printing medium is discharged upward of the external housing400and the printing medium can be appropriately cut. In a case where the release unit70is assembled to the main body unit10, a service in which the printed printing medium is discharged upward of the external housing400can be provided to the user. Further, in the latter case, the user can adhere the printed printing medium to a desired place instantly since the mount has already been released from the printed printing medium.

As described above, since the main body unit10and the platen unit20, the main body unit10and the cutter unit50, and the main body unit10and the release unit70can be separated from each other at the attachment-detachment portion18, the printing medium can be easily placed between the printing head3and the platen roller2. Accordingly, replacement of the printing medium can be facilitated.

Further, since the cutter unit50includes the conveying unit50A functioning the same as the platen unit20and the cutting unit50B, the platen roller2and the cutting unit50B can be separated away from the printing head3when the printing medium is replaced such that the cutter unit50does not hinder the replacement of the printing medium.

Further, since the release unit70includes the conveying unit70A functioning the same as the platen unit20as well as the releasing unit70B, the platen roller2and the releasing unit70B can be placed away from the printing head3when the printing medium is replaced, and therefore the release unit70does not hinder the replacement of the printing medium.

As described above, selected one of the platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70can be assembled to the main body unit10to configure the printing devices1,101, and201according to the intended use thereof.

When the selected one of the platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70is assembled to the main body unit10, the engagement portions19are engaged with the shaft2A of the platen roller2, thereby positioning of the platen roller2relative to the printing head3can be ensured.

The insert nuts10A for fixing the printing devices1,101, and201to the external housing are provided in the main body unit10, and the insert nuts20A,56, and76having the same functions as the insert nuts10A are provided in the platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70, respectively. With this configuration, according to the use of the external housing, components in the printing devices1,101, and201(that is, the main body unit10, the platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70) can be properly fixed to the external housing.

Further, since the main body unit10and the selected one of the platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70can be completely separated from each other at the attachment-detachment portion18of the main body unit10, the main body unit10and the selected one of the platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70can be detached from the external housing when replacing the printing medium. Consequently, the printing medium can be easily disposed between the printing head3and the platen roller2, thereby facilitating the replacement of the printing medium.

Modifications

While the invention has been described in conjunction with various example structures outlined above and illustrated in the figures, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example embodiments of the disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative of the invention, and not limiting the invention. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to embrace all known or later developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents. Some specific examples of potential alternatives, modifications, or variations in the described invention are provided below:

For example, a unit other than the platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70described above may be employed as a platen unit including the platen roller2. Specifically, in a case where a unit including a linerless platen roller is employed as the platen unit, the linerless platen roller is hard to be adhered to a linerless tape, that is, suitable for use with a linerless tape. Alternatively, a platen unit including the conveying unit50A, the cutting unit50B, and the releasing unit70B may be employed. An external housing to which the printing devices1,101, and201can be assembled may have a shape other than that described above (i.e., a box-like rectangular parallelepiped shape). The fixed blade51and the movable blade52of the cutting unit50B may perform a partial cut, that is, may cut the printed printing medium partially such that a portion which is not cut by the fixed blade51and the movable blade52remains in the printed printing medium.

REMARKS

The printing devices1,101, and201are examples of the printing device. The platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70are examples of the platen unit. The platen roller2is an example of the platen roller. The roll M and the fanfold paper N are examples of the printing medium. The main body unit10is an example of the main body unit. The printing head3is an example of the printing head. The attachment-detachment portion18is an example of the attachment-detachment portion. The cutting blade25is an example of the cutter. The fixed blade51and the movable blade52are also an example of the cutter. The front surface of the printing medium is an example of the first surface of the printing medium. The back surface of the printing medium is an example of the second surface of the printing medium. The releasing unit70B is an example of the separator. The platen unit20, the cutter unit50, and the release unit70are also examples of the another platen unit. The shaft2A is an example of the shaft of the platen roller. The engagement portions19are an example of the engagement portion. The front surface11A, the upper surface11B, the left surface11C, the right surface11D, the upper surface12B, the left surface12C, the right surface12D, the rear surface12E, and the bottom surface12F are examples of the outer surfaces of the main body unit. The surfaces of the outer cover54and the surfaces of the outer cover74are also examples of the outer surfaces of the main body unit. The front surface21A, the left surface21C, the right surface21D, and the bottom surface21F are examples of the outer surfaces of the platen unit. The insert nuts10A are an example of the first fixing member. The insert nuts20A,56, and76are examples of the second fixing member. The external housings100,200,300, and400are examples of the external housing.