Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6814515
-
Patent Number
6,814,515
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, July 2, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 9, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 400 611
- 400 613
- 400 621
- 400 635
- 235 379
- 902 12
- 902 18
-
International Classifications
- B41J1170
- B41J1502
- B41J1308
-
Abstract
A printing apparatus includes: a paper roll containing part containing a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with the paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece off the pulled paper on which piece the information is printed; and a presenter unit. The presenter unit includes a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from the printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings. The presenter unit is provided below the paper roll containing part and the printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to printing apparatuses and terminal apparatuses, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that is incorporated into bank automated teller machines (ATMs), cash dispensers, and kiosk terminal apparatuses and used to issue receipts and tickets and a terminal apparatus including such a printing apparatus.
A printing apparatus issuing receipts employs heat-sensitive roll paper as paper for printing. Especially, in the case of being incorporated into an unmanned ATM, the receipt-issuing printing apparatus is provided with a presenter unit collecting a receipt left behind inadvertently by a customer so that the next customer can not see the left-behind receipt.
Downsizing is a requirement for the ATMs in terms of space for installation. Accordingly, the receipt-issuing printing apparatus incorporated into the ATMs is required to become smaller in size.
The receipt-issuing printing apparatus has a receipt preparation mode for preparing a receipt by performing printing on paper and finally cutting off the printed part of the paper, a receipt ejection mode for ejecting the receipt for a customer, and a receipt collection mode for collecting the receipt left behind in case the customer forgets to take the receipt. If the receipt is ejected with printing being performed, the customer may pull the receipt while printing is still being performed, thereby causing a problem. Therefore, the receipt ejection mode is started after printing is completed.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1
is a diagram showing a conventional receipt-issuing printing apparatus
10
. X
1
-X
2
represents the directions of length and Z
1
-Z
2
represents the directions of height. In the printing apparatus
10
, a paper roll containing part
11
, a printer unit
12
having a printer part and a cutter part, and a presenter unit
13
are arranged in the X
1
direction from the X
2
side. The presenter unit
13
has an opening
14
on the X
2
side and a receipt ejection slot
15
on the X
1
side. The opening
14
serves to receive and discharge receipts.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the receipt-issuing printing apparatus
10
is incorporated into an ATM main body
20
. The receipt ejection slot
15
opposes a receipt issuance slot
21
. A receipt collection box
22
is provided in a position to receive the receipt ejected from the opening
14
. A paper roll
30
is set in the paper roll containing part
11
.
The printing apparatus
10
operates in the following manner.
Receipt Preparation Mode
The printer unit
12
performs printing on paper
31
while pulling the paper
31
from the paper roll
30
, and cuts the paper
31
when completing printing, thereby preparing a receipt
35
. In the process of preparation, the receipt
35
has its leading edge first entering the presenter unit
13
through the opening
14
and is delivered toward the receipt ejection slot
15
. During printing, the presenter unit
13
operates at a low speed and delivers the paper
31
sent out from the printer unit
12
toward the X
1
direction without pulling the paper,
31
that is, without affecting the printer unit
12
.
Receipt Ejection Mode
When printing is completed, the presenter unit
13
operates at a given speed and conveys the receipt
35
in the X
1
direction. Then, as shown in
FIG. 1
, the presenter unit
13
causes the receipt
35
to protrude, except for its trailing edge part, from the receipt ejection slot
15
and the receipt issuance slot
21
, thereby completing ejection.
Receipt Collection Mode
If a customer forgets to pick up the receipt
35
so that the receipt
35
remains protruding from the receipt issuance slot
21
even after a given period of time passes since the completion of ejection, the presenter unit
13
operates in the reverse direction and conveys the receipt
35
toward the X
2
direction back into the receipt issuance slot
21
. The conveyed receipt
35
is ejected from the opening
14
and collected into the receipt collection box
22
.
In the printing apparatus
10
, the paper roll containing part
11
, the printer unit
12
, and the presenter unit
13
are arranged from the X
2
side toward the X
1
direction. Therefore, the height H
1
of the printing apparatus
10
is small, but the length L
1
thereof is large.
Since the presenter unit
13
is arranged side by side with the printer unit
12
, the length of the issued receipt
35
is determined by the length L
2
of the presenter unit
13
. That is, the maximum length of the issued receipt
35
corresponds to the length L
2
of the presenter unit
13
. In order to enlarge the maximum length of the issued receipt
35
, it is necessary to enlarge the length L
2
of the presenter unit
13
. However, if the length L
2
of the presenter unit
13
is enlarged, the length L
1
of the printing apparatus
10
becomes larger so that the printing apparatus
10
becomes bulky.
Further, when the printing apparatus
10
is incorporated into an ATM, the position of the printing apparatus
10
is limited to that shown in
FIG. 1
without any degree of freedom. When the printing apparatus
10
is incorporated into an ATM in the position shown in
FIG. 1
, the dimension L
3
of the ATM main body
20
also becomes larger.
In addition, the paper roll containing part
11
receives the paper roll
30
from above. Therefore, a top plate
22
of the ATM main body
20
is opened before the paper roll
30
is set inside the paper roll containing part
11
from above. Accordingly, a space S for performing operations necessary for setting the paper roll
30
is required above the ATM main body
20
. If the ATM main body
20
includes the space S, the height of the ATM main body
20
becomes large.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus in which the above-described disadvantages are eliminated and a terminal apparatus including such a printing apparatus.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a downsized printing apparatus having more latitude in being incorporated into a terminal apparatus and therefore providing more freedom in designing the terminal apparatus.
Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide a terminal apparatus employing such a printing apparatus.
The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a printing apparatus including: a paper roll containing part containing a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with the paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece off the pulled paper on which piece the information is printed; and a presenter unit, the presenter unit including a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from the printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below said paper roll containing part and the printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening.
According to the above-described printing apparatus, the reception opening receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from the printer unit is formed on the upper side of the presenter unit. Therefore, the presenter unit is allowed to be provided below the paper roll containing part and the printer unit. Accordingly, compared with a configuration where the paper roll containing part, the printer unit, and the presenter unit are linearly arranged side by side, the printing apparatus is increased in height but reduced in length so as to be reduced in overall size. Further, the length of the cut piece of paper is not restricted by the length of the presenter unit. Therefore, the cut piece of paper may be issued with a length irrespective of the length of the presenter unit.
Further, since the presenter unit is provided below the paper roll containing part and the printer unit arranged side by side, one of the first and second ejection openings may be used for ejecting the cut piece of paper outside and the other of the first and second ejection openings may be used as an opening for ejecting the cut piece of paper to a collection box. Therefore, the printing apparatus may be incorporated into a terminal apparatus in two different positions, thus providing more freedom in designing the terminal apparatus.
The above objects of the present invention are also achieved by a terminal apparatus including a printing apparatus that includes: a paper roll containing part containing a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with the paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece off the pulled paper on which piece the information is printed; and a presenter unit including a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from the printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below the paper roll containing part and the printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening.
The above-described terminal apparatus including the printing apparatus according to the present invention is reduced in size compared with the conventional terminal apparatus, and is provided with more design freedom.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a diagram showing a conventional receipt-issuing printing apparatus;
FIG. 2
is a diagram showing a receipt-issuing line thermal printer according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram showing the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 5
is a diagram showing a presenter unit of the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
;
FIGS. 6A and 6B
are diagrams showing a receipt guide switching mechanism of the presenter unit of
FIG. 5
;
FIGS. 7A through 7C
are diagrams showing positions in which the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
is incorporated in ATMs;
FIGS. 8A through 8D
are diagrams for illustrating operations of the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 9
is a timing chart showing a relationship between an operation of a motor and an operation of a plunger when the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
is in operation;
FIG. 10
is a diagram showing a structure of a paper roll containing part of the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
;
FIGS. 11A through 11C
are diagrams showing a configuration and operations of a roll paper pull-in load reducing mechanism of the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
; and
FIG. 12
is a table showing a receipt ejection and collection setting of a control setting circuit of the receipt-issuing line thermal printer of
FIG. 2
for each of the incorporated positions thereof shown in
FIGS. 7A through 7C
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A description will now be given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 through 4
are diagrams showing a receipt-issuing line thermal printer
40
according to the embodiment of the present invention. X
1
-X
2
represents the directions of length, Y
1
-Y
2
represents the directions of width, and Z
1
-Z
2
represents the directions of height. A paper roll containing part
50
and a printer unit
60
are arranged side by side along the X
1
-X
2
axis. A presenter unit
80
is provided below the paper roll containing part
50
and the printer unit
60
to extend along the X
1
-X
2
axis with a receipt (cut piece of paper) reception opening
81
thereof opposing a receipt discharging opening
68
of the printer unit
60
. Frames
41
and
42
provided respectively to the Y
2
and Y
1
sides of the printer
40
as shown in
FIG. 3
hold the paper roll containing part
50
, the printer unit
60
, and the presenter unit
80
in the above-described respective positions.
The paper roll containing part
50
includes a horizontal paper roll supporting shaft
51
fixed to the frame
42
. A heat-sensitive paper roll
130
is set by being fitted to the paper roll supporting shaft
51
from the Y
2
side as shown in FIG.
3
.
The printer unit
60
includes a printer part
61
and a cutter part
65
provided under the printer part
61
. The printer part
61
has a roll paper reception opening
61
a
formed on the upper surface thereof. Further, the printer part
61
has a platen roller
62
, a thermal head
63
, and a paper feed motor
64
provided therein. The cutter part
65
includes a cutter blade
66
and a motor
67
moving the cutter blade
66
. The receipt discharging opening
68
is formed on the lower surface of the cutter part
65
.
A roll paper pull-in load reducing mechanism
69
is provided between the paper roll containing part
50
and the printer unit
60
.
As also shown in
FIG. 5
, the presenter unit
80
includes the receipt reception opening
81
and first through third receipt ejection openings
82
through
84
. The first through third receipt ejection openings
82
through
84
provided on the X
1
, X
2
, and Z
2
sides, respectively.
The receipt reception opening
81
is formed in the proximity of the X
1
end on the upper surface of the presenter unit
80
. A receipt guide part
85
extends from the receipt reception opening
81
, sloping downward toward a direction between the Z
2
and X
2
directions.
The first receipt ejection opening
82
is provided to the X
1
end. The second receipt ejection opening
83
is provided to the X
2
end. The third receipt ejection opening
84
is provided in the proximity of the X
1
end on the lower surface of the presenter unit
80
. The first and third receipt ejection openings
82
and
84
are close to each other.
A first receipt-conveying belt
86
is provided between the receipt guide part
85
and the second receipt ejection opening
83
, engaging a driving roller
88
driven by a motor
87
and a roller
89
to have a long loop in the X
1
and X
2
directions. A center roller
90
and a tension roller
91
are also provided.
A second receipt-conveying belt
95
is provided between the driving roller
88
and the first receipt ejection opening
82
, engaging a roller
96
gear-driven by the driving roller
88
and a roller
97
. The second receipt-conveying belt
95
extends further in the X
1
direction from the X
1
end of the first receipt-conveying belt
86
. The second receipt-conveying belt
95
opposes an exit
85
a
of the receipt guide part
85
.
A receipt guide
100
extends along a path
86
a
on the lower side of the first receipt-conveying belt
86
and a path on the upper side of the second receipt-conveying belt
95
between the first receipt ejection opening
82
and the second receipt ejection opening
83
.
A roller
101
is positioned above the roller
97
and contacts the second receipt-conveying belt
95
. The roller
101
and the second receipt-conveying belt
95
around the roller
97
form a receipt holding part
102
holding a receipt ejected from the first receipt ejection opening
82
or the third receipt ejection opening
84
by its trailing edge part.
A roller
103
is positioned below the roller
89
and contacts the first receipt-conveying belt
86
. The roller
103
and the first receipt-conveying belt
86
form a receipt holding part
104
holding a receipt ejected from the second receipt ejection opening
83
by its trailing edge part.
A roller
105
is positioned below the center roller
90
and contacts the first receipt-conveying belt
86
guided by the center roller
90
.
Optical receipt detection sensors
106
through
108
are provided to the receipt holding part
102
, on the X
1
side of the receipt holding part
104
, and on the X
2
side of the driving roller
88
, respectively.
The first receipt-conveying belt
86
, the second receipt-conveying belt
95
, the receipt guide
100
, and a later-described receipt guide switching mechanism
110
form a receipt-conveying mechanism.
The receipt guide switching mechanism
110
shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B
is provided close to where the first and third receipt ejection openings
82
and
84
are provided so as to guide the receipt to the first or third receipt ejection opening
82
or
84
.
The receipt guide switching mechanism
110
is composed of a shaft
111
, a guide member
112
supported turnably about the shaft
111
, and a plunger
113
turning the guide member
112
. The guide member
112
includes a substantially flat guide surface
112
a
and a concave arc-like guide surface
112
b.
When the plunger
113
is switched OFF, a rod
114
is caused to project by a spring (not shown in the drawing) to turn the guide member
112
clockwise so that the first receipt ejection opening
82
is closed by the guide member
112
with the third receipt ejection member
84
being open as shown in FIG.
6
A. The guide surface
112
b
is in a state to guide the receipt.
When the plunger
113
is switched ON, the rod
114
is retracted to turn the guide member
112
counterclockwise so that the third receipt ejection opening
84
is closed by the guide member
112
with the first receipt ejection opening
82
being open as shown in FIG.
6
B. The guide surface
112
a
is in a state to guide the receipt.
If the plunger
113
has a failure, the receipt guide switching mechanism
110
is in the same state as when the plunger
113
is switched OFF, and the receipt is prevented from being ejected from the first receipt ejection opening
82
even if a later-described receipt ejection operation is performed.
The receipt-issuing printer
40
has the above-described configuration
In the receipt-issuing printer
40
, the paper roll containing part
50
and the printer unit
60
are arranged side by side along the X
1
-X
2
axis, and the presenter unit
80
is provided to extend, along the X
1
-X
2
axis below the paper roll containing part
50
and the printer unit
60
. Further, as shown in
FIG. 4
, the length L
10
of the presenter unit
80
is substantially equal to the length L
11
of the paper roll containing part
50
and the printer unit
60
combined. Therefore, while the height H
10
of the printer
40
is slightly larger than the height H
1
of the conventional printing apparatus
10
shown in
FIG. 1
, the length L
20
is approximately half of the length L
1
of the printing apparatus
10
. Thus, the printer
40
is smaller in size than the conventional printing apparatus
10
shown in FIG.
1
. Accordingly, the length L
30
along the X
1
-X
2
axis of an ATM main body
120
in which the receipt-issuing printer
40
is incorporated is smaller than the length L
3
of the ATM main body
20
shown in FIG.
1
.
Since the presenter unit
80
is provided below the paper roll containing part
50
and the printer unit
60
, the length of a receipt to be issued is not restricted by the length of the presenter unit
80
.
In the receipt-issuing printer
40
, the three receipt ejection openings
82
through
84
are provided on the X
1
, X
2
, and Z
2
sides, respectively. Therefore, the mode of incorporating the receipt-issuing printer
40
into the ATM main body
120
can be selected from three modes shown in
FIGS. 7A through 7C
.
FIG. 7A
shows the first mode. According to the first mode, the receipt-issuing printer
40
is incorporated in the ATM main body
120
in the position shown in
FIGS. 2 through 4
so that the first receipt ejection opening
82
opposes a receipt issuance opening
121
of the ATM main body
120
.
Inside the ATM main body
120
, a receipt collection box
122
is provided at a position corresponding to the second receipt ejection opening
83
so as to receive the receipt ejected therefrom, and a receipt collection box
123
is provided at a position corresponding to the third receipt ejection opening
84
so as to receive the receipt ejected therefrom.
The control setting circuit of the receipt-issuing printer
40
is set so that the first receipt ejection opening
82
is used for receipt ejection, the second receipt ejection opening
83
is used basically for receipt collection, and the third receipt ejection opening
84
is used basically for receipt collection as indicated by (a) in FIG.
12
. The second and third receipt ejection openings
83
and
84
may be set to be used for receipt ejection. In some cases, the second receipt ejection opening
83
and/or the third receipt ejection opening
84
may be set to be used for neither receipt ejection nor receipt collection.
Therefore, the receipt-issuing printer
40
may have six setting patterns as indicated by (a) in FIG.
12
.
FIG. 7B
shows the second mode. According to the second mode, the receipt-issuing printer
40
is incorporated in an ATM main body
120
A in the position reverse to that of the first mode with respect to the X
1
-X
2
axis so that the second receipt ejection opening
83
opposes a receipt issuance opening
121
A of the ATM main body
120
A.
Inside the ATM main body
120
A, a receipt collection box
124
is provided at a position corresponding to the first receipt ejection opening
82
so as to receive the receipt ejected therefrom, and a receipt collection box
125
is provided at a position corresponding to the third receipt ejection opening
84
so as to receive the receipt ejected therefrom.
In this case, the control setting circuit of the receipt-issuing printer
40
is set so that the second receipt ejection opening
83
is used for receipt ejection, the first receipt ejection opening
82
is used basically for receipt collection, and the third receipt ejection opening
84
is used basically for receipt collection as indicated by (b) in FIG.
12
. The first and third receipt ejection openings
82
and
84
may be set to be used for receipt ejection. In some cases, the first receipt ejection opening
82
and/or the third receipt ejection opening
84
may be set to be used for neither receipt ejection nor receipt collection.
Accordingly, the receipt-issuing printer
40
may have six setting patterns as indicated by (b) in FIG.
12
.
FIG. 7C
shows the third mode. According to the third mode, the receipt-issuing printer
40
is incorporated into an ATM main body
120
B in a standing position with the X
1
side in
FIGS. 2 through 4
being the upper side so that the third receipt ejection opening
83
opposes a receipt issuance opening
121
B of the ATM main body
120
B.
Inside the ATM main body
120
B, a receipt collection box
126
is provided at a position corresponding to the second receipt ejection opening
83
so as to receive the receipt ejected therefrom, and a receipt collection box
127
is provided at a position corresponding to the first receipt ejection opening
82
so as to receive the receipt ejected therefrom.
In this case, the control setting circuit of the receipt-issuing printer
40
is set so that the third receipt ejection opening
84
is used for receipt ejection, the first receipt ejection opening
82
is used basically for receipt collection, and the second receipt ejection opening
83
is used basically for receipt collection as indicated by (c) in FIG.
12
. The first and second receipt ejection openings
82
and
83
may be set to be used for receipt ejection. In some cases, the first receipt ejection opening
82
and/or the second receipt ejection opening
83
may be set to be used for neither receipt ejection nor receipt collection.
Accordingly, the receipt-issuing printer
40
may have six setting patterns as indicated by (c) in FIG.
12
.
As described above, the receipt-issuing printer
40
is incorporated into the ATM main body in a suitable way for the external form thereof. Accordingly, the ATM is easier to design with more design freedom.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to
FIGS. 8A through 8D
and
9
, of an operation of the printer
40
when the printer
40
is incorporated in the ATM main body
120
in the first mode shown in FIG.
7
A.
With the paper roll
130
being set in the paper roll containing part
50
, the printer
40
operates in the following manner. The heat-sensitive side of the paper roll
130
faces outward.
Receipt Preparation Mode
This mode is illustrated in FIG.
8
A. The printer part
61
performs printing on heat-sensitive (roll) paper
131
while pulling the paper
131
from the paper roll
130
. When printing is completed, the cutter part
65
operates to cut the paper
131
Thereby, a receipt
135
is prepared. The receipt
135
and a later-described ticket may be referred to as a cut piece of paper. In the process of preparation, the receipt
135
has a leading edge
135
a
thereof first entering the presenter unit
80
through the receipt reception opening
81
. Then, the receipt
135
is delivered obliquely downward with respect to the X
2
direction inside the receipt guide
85
to be placed on the second receipt-conveying belt
95
.
At this point, the motor
87
is driven at a low speed in the forward rotational direction so that the first and second conveying belts
86
and
95
run to move the receipt
135
in the X
2
direction. The receipt
135
is delivered first by the second receipt-conveying belt
95
and next by the first receipt-conveying belt
86
on the receipt guide
100
at a low speed in the X
2
direction without the paper
131
sent out from the printer unit
60
being pulled. That is, the receipt
135
is delivered in the X
2
direction without affecting the printer unit
60
. The leading edge
135
a
of the receipt
135
is ejected from the second receipt ejection opening
83
and fed into the receipt collection box
122
to remain therein, so that the receipt
135
is contained in the receipt collection box
122
, becoming folded back and forth in an undulating or zigzag manner. Accordingly, it does not matter how far the leading edge
135
a
of the receipt
135
goes, and the receipt
135
is issued without a limit to the number of lines printed thereon.
The plunger
113
is switched OFF, so that the receipt guide switching mechanism
110
is in the state shown in
FIG. 6A
to close the first receipt ejection opening
82
.
Receipt Conveyance Mode
This mode is illustrated in FIG.
8
B. When printing is completed and the paper
131
is cut, the motor
87
is driven at a normal speed in the forward rotational direction, so that the receipt
135
is conveyed inside the presenter unit
80
in the X
2
direction with a print-side surface
135
c
thereof facing upward. The receipt
135
is conveyed until a trailing edge
135
a
thereof is detected by the receipt detection sensor
107
.
Receipt Ejection Mode
This mode is illustrated in FIG.
8
C. The plunger
113
is switched ON, so that the receipt guide switching mechanism
110
is in the state shown in
FIG. 6B
to open the first receipt ejection opening
82
. The third receipt ejection opening
84
is closed.
The motor
87
is driven at the normal speed in the reverse rotational direction so that the first and second receipt-conveying belts
86
and
95
run to move the receipt
135
in the X
1
direction.
The receipt
135
is conveyed first by the first receipt-conveying belt
86
and next by the second receipt-conveying belt
95
on the receipt guide
100
in the X
1
direction so as to protrude, first from its trailing edge
135
b
, from the receipt issuance opening
121
through the first receipt ejection opening
82
. When the receipt detection sensor
106
detects the leading edge
135
a
of the receipt
135
, the motor
87
is stopped.
The receipt
135
is ejected, protruding from the receipt issuance opening
121
with its leading edge part being held by the receipt holding part
102
. As shown in
FIG. 3
, the receipt
135
is ejected in a position with a printed part
136
thereof facing upward so that a customer is allowed to see the printed contents on the receipt
135
. This position of the receipt
135
is referred to as a normal state.
Receipt Collection Mode
This mode is illustrated in FIG.
8
D. If the customer forgets to pick up the receipt
135
so that the receipt
135
is left behind at the first receipt ejection opening
82
even after a given period of time T
1
passes since the completion of ejection, the motor
87
is started to be driven at the normal speed in the forward rotational direction so that the first and second receipt-conveying belts
86
and
95
operate in the reverse direction. Thereby, the receipt
135
is conveyed in the X
1
direction to be pulled into the receipt issuance opening
121
. Thereafter, the receipt
135
is ejected from the second receipt ejection opening
83
to be delivered and collected into the receipt collection box
122
.
When the receipt collection box
122
is filled up with collected receipts, the motor
87
is started to be driven first in the forward rotational direction temporarily and then in the reverse rotational direction. The plunger
113
is switched OFF so that the receipt guide switching mechanism
110
is in the state shown in
FIG. 6A
to close the first receipt ejection opening
82
and open the third receipt ejection opening
84
. Thereby, after being pulled into the receipt issuance opening
121
, the receipt
135
is ejected through the third receipt ejection opening
84
to be collected into the receipt collection box
123
.
A relationship between the operation of the motor
87
and the operation of the plunger
113
through the receipt preparation mode, the receipt conveyance mode, the receipt ejection mode, and the receipt collection mode is shown in FIG.
9
.
In the case of being incorporated into the ATM main body as shown in
FIG. 7B
or
7
C, the receipt-issuing printer
40
also operates in the order of the receipt preparation mode, the receipt conveyance mode, the receipt ejection mode, and the receipt collection mode as described above.
In the receipt conveyance mode in the ATM shown in
FIG. 7B
, the receipt
135
is conveyed to be ejected from the first receipt ejection opening
82
or the third receipt ejection opening
84
. From the receipt conveyance mode to the receipt ejection mode, the receipt
135
is conveyed to be ejected from the second receipt ejection opening
83
. In the receipt collection mode, the receipt
135
is ejected from the first receipt ejection opening
82
to be collected into the receipt collection box
124
, or ejected from the third receipt ejection opening
84
to be collected into the receipt collection box
125
.
In the receipt conveyance mode in the ATM shown in
FIG. 7C
, the receipt
135
is conveyed to be ejected from the second receipt ejection opening
83
. From the receipt conveyance mode to the receipt ejection mode, the receipt
135
is conveyed to be ejected from the third receipt ejection opening
84
. In the receipt collection mode, the receipt
135
is ejected from the second receipt ejection opening
83
to be collected into the receipt collection box
126
, or ejected from the first receipt ejection opening
82
to be collected into the receipt collection box
127
. In the case of issuing tickets instead of receipts, ticket ejection and collection operations are equal to those described above. The cut piece of paper is a concept including a receipt and a ticket.
Next, a description will be given of parts of the receipt-issuing printer
40
other than those described above.
Paper Roll Containing Part
50
As shown in
FIGS. 2
,
3
, and
10
, the paper roll containing part
50
includes the horizontal paper roll supporting shaft
51
fixed to the frame
42
by a screw
53
and a support arm
54
hinged to the frame
42
with a shaft
55
. The paper roll supporting shaft
51
, which is detachable and reattachable, has a pin part
51
a
on its tip. The support arm
54
is rotated about the shaft
55
to a horizontal position along the Y
1
-Y
2
axis as shown in
FIG. 10
when the paper roll
130
is set in the paper roll containing part
50
.
The paper roll
130
is set in the paper roll containing part
50
in the following manner. First, the paper roll
130
is moved from the Y
2
side to the Y
1
side of the paper roll containing part
50
so that the paper roll supporting shaft
51
is fitted into a center hole
130
a
of the paper roll
130
. Thereby, the paper roll
130
is contained in a paper roll containing space
56
. Then, the support arm
54
is rotated up so that the pin part
51
a
of the roll paper supporting shaft
51
is fitted into a hole
54
a
of the support arm
54
. Thereby, the tip of the paper roll supporting shaft
51
is supported, and the paper roll containing space
56
is partially closed on the Y
2
side. The paper roll support shaft
51
is in a stable condition with both its ends being supported, so that the paper roll
130
is stably supported.
In the case of using a paper roll
140
of a smaller diameter, the paper roll supporting shaft
51
is detached from the frame
42
and reattached thereto at a lower position as indicated by a double-dot chain line in FIG.
10
. In this state, the paper roll
140
is set in the paper roll containing part
50
in the same way as described above. The pin part
51
a
is fitted into a hole
54
b
of the support arm
54
.
Since each of the paper rolls
130
and
140
is set in the paper roll containing part
50
from the Y
2
side (side surface side), no space for performing operations necessary for setting the paper roll
130
or
140
is required above the paper roll containing part
50
.
The external dimensions of the ATM are determined in consideration of work space for setting a paper roll. In the case of setting the paper roll from above, the ATM is vertically larger in size, which is not desirable. On the other hand, in the case of setting the paper roll from the side, the ATM is horizontally larger but vertically smaller in size, which is preferable. This is because the ATM generally has more space in the sideward direction than in the upward direction when installed inside buildings.
Relationship between Paper Roll Containing Part
50
and Printer Part
61
The paper
131
is pulled obliquely upward from the lower side of the paper roll
130
and guided by the roll paper pull-in load reducing mechanism
69
. Thereafter, the paper
131
is directed downward into the printer part
61
and enters between the platen roller
62
and the thermal head
63
.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, a leading edge
131
a
of the paper
131
curls counterclockwise with respect to the paper roll
130
.
The heat-sensitive side of the paper roll
130
faces outward, and the platen roller
62
and the thermal head
63
are arranged on the X
2
side and the X
1
side, respectively, of the paper
131
in the printer part
61
.
When the paper
131
enters the printer part
61
from the upper side, the leading edge
131
a
thereof curls in a direction away from the thermal head
63
. Therefore, compared with a case where the leading edge
131
a
of the paper
131
curls in a direction toward the surface of the thermal head
63
, the paper
131
smoothly enters between the platen roller
62
and the thermal head
63
.
If the paper
131
is pulled obliquely downward from the upper side of the paper roll
130
, space
150
shown in
FIG. 2
is required for the paper
131
to reach the printer part
61
from the paper roll
130
.
According to this embodiment, however, the paper
131
is pulled obliquely upward from the lower side of the paper roll
130
, and thereafter, is directed downward into the printer part
61
. Therefore, unlike the case where the paper
131
is pulled obliquely downward from the upper side of the paper roll
130
, the space
150
is unused, so that the receipt-issuing printer
40
becomes smaller by the volume of the unused space
150
.
Roll Paper Pull-in Load Reducing Mechanism
69
p
FIGS. 11A through 11C
are diagrams showing a configuration and operations of the roll paper pull-in load reducing mechanism
69
. An arm
160
, which is rotatably supported on the printer unit
60
by a shaft
161
, has a roller
162
on its tip. At the time of setting the roll paper
130
, the arm
160
is rotated counterclockwise by a spring
163
to the position shown in FIG.
11
A. The roller guides the paper
131
pulled obliquely upward from the lower side of the paper roll
130
so that the paper
131
passes points P
1
, P
2
, and P
3
, thereby forming an inverted V-shaped path
170
. When the arm
160
is rotated clockwise so that the roller
162
is moved in the X
1
direction at the time of starting printing, the path
170
is reduced in length, changing position as marked by the points P
1
and P
3
and a point P
2
a
in FIG.
11
B.
The strength of the spring
163
is determined so that the arm
160
is rotated clockwise as shown in
FIG. 11B
when printing is started so that the printer unit
60
pulls in the paper
131
and then counterclockwise as shown in
FIG. 11C
when the printing is completed so that the printer unit
60
stops pulling in the paper
131
.
When printing is started and the printer unit
60
starts pulling in the paper
131
, the arm
160
is rotated clockwise against the force of the spring
163
. The roller
162
is moved in the X
1
direction so that the path
170
becomes shorter in length. Accordingly, at the start of printing, the path
170
is reduced in length with the paper roll
130
at rest so that the paper
131
forming the path
170
is pulled into the printer unit
60
. Therefore, a reduced load is imposed on the paper feed motor
64
at the time of starting the paper feed motor
64
so that the paper feed motor
64
is smoothly started. The arm
160
is rotatable clockwise up to the position shown in FIG.
11
B.
After the arm
160
is rotated up to the position shown in
FIG. 11B
, the paper
131
is delivered into the printer unit
60
while the paper roll
130
is rotated counterclockwise. At this point, the paper feed motor
64
is driven rotationally, and even if the load is increased, the paper feed motor
64
stably continues rotating so that the paper
131
is stably delivered.
Therefore, printing on the paper
131
is stably performed with a given pitch.
When the printing is completed so that the printer unit
60
stops pulling in the paper
131
, the arm
160
is rotated counterclockwise by the spring
163
as shown in
FIG. 11C
so as to pull the paper
131
up from the paper roll
130
a short distance. The paper roll
130
is thus slightly rotated so that the path
170
becomes slack as shown in FIG.
11
C.
As shown in
FIG. 11A
, the paper
131
pulled obliquely upward from the lower side of the paper roll
130
reaches the roller
162
at an angle θ
1
to an axis
160
a
of the arm
160
.
The paper roll
140
smaller in diameter is fixed to the lower position so that the position P
10
from which paper
141
is pulled tangentially from the paper roll
140
is close to the point P
1
, from which the paper
131
is pulled tangentially from the paper roll
130
. Therefore, the paper
141
pulled obliquely upward from the lower side of the paper roll
140
reaches the roller
162
at an angle θ
2
, which approximates the angle θ
1
, to the axis
160
a
of the arm
160
.
Accordingly, in the case of using the paper roll
140
smaller in diameter, the roll paper pull-in load reducing mechanism
69
operates in the same way as in the case of using the paper roll
130
larger in diameter. Therefore, the paper is fed stably so that printing is stably performed on the paper
141
.
Further, since the angle θ
2
approximates the angle θ
1
, it is unnecessary to change the attachment position of the arm
160
in the case of using the paper roll
140
smaller in diameter, thus saving time and trouble.
The present invention is applicable not only to thermal printers but also to printers of other types.
The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, but variations and modifications may be made without departing form the scope of the present invention.
The present application is based on Japanese priority application No. 2001-208083 filed on Jul. 9, 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
- 1. A printing apparatus, comprising:a paper roll containing part adapted to contain a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with said paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed; and a presenter unit, the presenter unit comprising: a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from said printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below said paper roll containing part and said printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening and a longitudinal dimension of said presenter unit is substantially equal to or less than a combined longitudinal dimension of said paper roll containing part and said printer unit.
- 2. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printer unit comprises:a printer part printing the information on the paper pulled from the paper roll; and a cutter part cutting the piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed.
- 3. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pull-in load reducing mechanism provided between said paper roll containing part and said printer unit, the pull-in load reducing mechanism reducing a load in pulling the paper from the paper roll into said printer unit by guiding the paper from the paper roll to said printer unit so that a path of the paper from the paper roll is reduced in a length thereof.
- 4. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said paper roll containing part contains the paper roll in a position vertically adjustable in accordance with a diameter of the paper roll so that the paper is pulled from a lower side of the paper roll at a constant position irrespective of a diameter of the paper roll.
- 5. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pull-in load reducing mechanism comprises a rotatable arm part with a roller, the rotatable arm part being rotated from a first position in a direction opposite to a direction in which the paper roll is rotated to a second position when the paper is pulled from the paper roll into said printer unit so that the path of the paper from the paper roll is reduced in a length thereof.
- 6. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rotatable arm part is rotated back from the second position to the first position by a spring when said printer unit stops pulling in the paper from the paper roll.
- 7. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said paper roll containing part comprises a horizontal support shaft supporting the paper roll, the horizontal support shaft having one end fixed to a frame of said paper roll containing part and another end free so that a center hole of the paper roll is fitted to the horizontal support shaft from a free-end side to be contained in said paper roll containing part.
- 8. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the horizontal support shaft is detachable from a first position on the frame of said paper roll containing part and reattachable to a second position on the frame thereof so that the paper roll is contained in said paper roll containing part in a vertically adjustable manner.
- 9. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the paper roll is a roll of heat-sensitive paper having heat-sensitive side thereof facing outward: said paper roll containing part contains the paper roll so that the paper is pulled from a lower side of the paper roll; and said printer unit comprises a printer part printing the information on the paper pulled from the paper roll, the printer part comprising; a thermal head opposing the heat-sensitive side of the paper, and a platen roller contacting a side of the paper opposite to the heat-sensitive side thereof.
- 10. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal dimension of said presenter unit is less than the combined longitudinal dimension of said paper roll containing part and said printer unit.
- 11. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said presenter unit is provided opposite said paper roll containing part and said printer unit.
- 12. A printing apparatus, comprising:a paper roll containing part adapted to contain a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with said paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed; and a presenter unit, said presenter unit comprising: a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from said printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below said paper roll containing part and said printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening, and a third ejection opening formed on a lower side thereof and ejecting the cut piece of paper, wherein the conveying mechanism of said presenter unit comprises a guide switching mechanism that is switched to guide the cut piece of paper to the third ejection opening.
- 13. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the guide switching mechanism has a plunger switched off to close the first ejection opening so that the cut piece of paper is guided to the third ejection opening.
- 14. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the guide switching mechanism has a plunger switched on to close the third ejection opening so that the cut piece of paper is guided to the first ejection opening.
- 15. A printing apparatus, comprising:a paper roll containing part adapted to contain a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with said paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed; and a presenter unit, the presenter unit comprising: a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from said printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below said paper roll containing part and said printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening, wherein said paper roll containing part comprises: a horizontal support shaft supporting the paper roll, the horizontal support shaft having one end fixed to a frame of said paper roll containing part and another end free so that a center hole of the paper roll is fitted to the horizontal support shaft from a free-end side to be contained in said paper roll containing part, and an arm part rotatably attached to the frame, the arm part rotating to fit to and support the free end of the horizontal support shaft.
- 16. A terminal apparatus, comprising:a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a paper roll containing part adapted to contain a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with said paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed; and a presenter unit, the presenter unit comprising: a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from said printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below said paper roll containing part and said printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening and a longitudinal dimension of said presenter unit is substantially equal to or less than a combined longitudinal dimension of said paper roll containing part and said printer unit.
- 17. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said printer unit comprises:a printer part printing the information on the paper pulled from the paper roll; and a cutter part cutting the piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed.
- 18. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said printing apparatus comprises a pull-in load reducing mechanism provided between said paper roll containing part and said printer unit, the pull-in load reducing mechanism reducing a load in pulling the paper from the paper roll into said printer unit by guiding the paper from the paper roll to said printer unit so that a path of the paper from the paper roll is reduced in a length thereof.
- 19. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said paper roll containing part contains the paper roll in a position vertically adjustable in accordance with a diameter of the paper roll so that the paper is pulled from a lower side of the paper roll at a constant position irrespective of the diameter of the paper roll.
- 20. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said pull-in load reducing mechanism comprises a rotatable arm part with a roller, the rotatable arm part being rotated from a first position in a direction opposite to a direction in which the paper roll is rotated to a second position when the paper is pulled from the paper roll into said printer unit so that the path of the paper from the paper roll is reduced a in length thereof.
- 21. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the rotatable arm part is rotated back from the second position to the first position by a spring when said printer unit stops pulling in the paper from the paper roll.
- 22. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said paper roll containing part comprises a horizontal support shaft supporting the paper roll, the horizontal support shaft having one end fixed to a frame of said paper roll containing part and another end free so that a center hole of the paper roll is fitted to the horizontal support shaft from a free-end side to be contained in said paper roll containing part.
- 23. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the horizontal support shaft is detachable from a first position on the frame of said paper roll containing part and reattachable to a second position on the frame thereof so that the paper roll is contained in said paper roll containing part in a vertically adjustable manner.
- 24. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein:the paper roll is a roll of heat-sensitive paper having heat-sensitive side thereof facing outward; said paper roll containing part contains the paper roll so that the paper is pulled from a lower side of the paper roll; and said printer unit comprises a printer part printing the information on the paper pulled from the paper roll, the printer part comprising: a thermal head opposing the heat-sensitive side of the paper, and a platen roller contacting a side of the paper opposite to the heat-sensitive side thereof.
- 25. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the longitudinal dimension of said presenter unit is less than the combined longitudinal dimension of said paper roll containing part and said printer unit.
- 26. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said presenter unit is provided opposite said paper roll containing part and said printer unit.
- 27. A terminal apparatus, comprising:a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a paper roll containing part adapted to contain a paper roll, a printer unit provided side by side with said paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece off the pulled paper on which said piece the information is printed, and a presenter unit, said presenter unit comprising: a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from said printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below said paper roll containing part and said printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening, and a third ejection opening formed on a lower side thereof and ejecting the cut piece of paper, wherein the conveying mechanism of said presenter unit comprises a guide switching mechanism that is switched to guide the cut piece of paper to the third ejection opening.
- 28. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the guide switching mechanism has a plunger switched off to close the first ejection opening so that the cut piece of paper is guided to the third ejection opening.
- 29. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the guide switching mechanism has a plunger switched on to close the third ejection opening so that the cut piece of paper is guided to the first ejection opening.
- 30. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 27, further comprising:an opening formed at a position corresponding to the first ejection opening of said presenter unit so that the cut piece of paper ejected from the first ejection opening is ejected outside of the terminal apparatus through the opening; and boxes to collect the cut piece of paper, the boxes being provided at positions corresponding to the second and third ejection openings.
- 31. A terminal apparatus, comprising:a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a paper roll containing part adapted to contain a paper roll, a printer unit provided side by side with said paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed, and a presenter unit having first and second opposite sides, the presenter unit comprising: a reception opening formed on the first side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from said printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein said presenter unit is provided in a position opposite said paper roll containing part and said printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening, and a third ejection opening formed on the second side thereof and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and wherein: the conveying mechanism of said presenter unit comprises a guide switching mechanism that is switched to guide the cut piece of paper to the third ejection opening; an opening is formed in the terminal apparatus at a position corresponding to the third ejection opening of said presenter unit so that the cut piece of paper ejected from the third ejection opening is ejected outside of the terminal apparatus through the opening; and boxes to collect the cut piece of paper are provided in the terminal apparatus at positions corresponding to the first and second ejection openings.
- 32. A terminal apparatus, comprising:a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a paper roll containing part adapted to contain a paper roll, a printer unit provided side by side with said paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece of paper off the pulled paper on which said cut piece of paper the information is printed, and a presenter unit, the presenter unit comprising: a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from said printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings, wherein the presenter unit is provided below said paper roll containing part and said printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening, wherein said paper roll containing part comprises: a horizontal support shaft supporting the paper roll, the horizontal support shaft having one end fixed to a frame of said paper roll containing part and another end free so that a center hole of the paper roll is fitted to the horizontal support shaft from a free-end side to be contained in said paper roll containing part, and an arm part rotatably attached to the frame, the arm part rotating to fit to and support the free end of the horizontal support shaft.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2001-208083 |
Jul 2001 |
JP |
|
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A |
5706729 |
Tai et al. |
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A |
6302604 |
Bryant et al. |
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04323157 |
Nov 1992 |
JP |
9-234930 |
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JP |
2002128347 |
May 2002 |
JP |