Patent ID: 8068127

Claim:
A printer, comprising: a first unit including a paper holder; a second unit adapted to open and close pivotably relative to the first unit; a paper path which extends from the paper holder to an exterior; a printing section configured to execute a print operation on paper conveyed from the paper holder along the paper path; a sensor unit which: (i) comprises a lower sensor holder which includes one of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and an upper sensor holder which includes other one of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and (ii) is attached to the first unit so that the paper path passes between the lower sensor holder and the upper sensor holder; and a damper mechanism attached to the sensor unit and disposed between the sensor unit and the paper holder, the damper mechanism having a paper abutment portion and a spring, the spring pressing the paper abutment portion against the paper conveyed along the paper path and applying tension to the paper.