Sticky Note Printer and Method of Controlling the Same

Abstract

In a sticky note printer, a sticky note is peeled off and fed one by one from a bundle of notes set in position. In empty-feed motion, the sticky note is fed in a normal direction from a peel-off position through a sticky note ejecting slot to a pull-out position in which the sticky note protrudes outside the sticky note printer. In feed-back motion, the sticky note is fed in a reverse direction from the pull-out position to a retracted position in which printing can be performed. In feed-again motion, the sticky note is fed in the normal direction from the retracted position to the pull-out position. The empty-feed motion is made when the sticky note has been pulled away from the pull-out position. The feed-back motion or the feed-again motion is made, when an instruction for printing is given, in a manner synchronized with the printing operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic arrangement showing the sticky note printing system.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a sticky note printer according to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram partly shown in section of the sticky note printer.

FIGS. 4A to 4H are schematic side views showing a series of operations of the sticky note printer.

Claims

1. A sticky note printer comprising: a printing device for printing on a sticky note which is peeled off and fed one by one from a bundle of sticky notes set in position;a feeding device for performing: an empty-feed motion in which the sticky note is fed in a normal direction from a peel-off position through a sticky note ejecting slot to a pull-out position in which the sticky note protrudes outside the sticky note printer; a feed-back motion in which the sticky note is fed in a reverse direction from the pull-out position to a retracted position in which printing can be performed by the printing device; and a feed-again motion in which the sticky note is fed in the normal direction from the retracted position to the pull-out position;an instructing device for giving an instruction for printing on the sticky note;a detecting device for detecting presence or absence of the sticky note in the pull-out position; anda control device for controlling the printing device and the feeding device,wherein the control device performs in a state in which the sticky note is fed to the pull-out position: the empty-feed motion upon detection of absence of the sticky note by the detecting device on condition of no instruction from the printing device; the feed-back motion and the feed-again motion upon receipt of the instruction from the printing device on condition of detection of presence of the sticky note by the detecting device; and a printing motion by driving the printing device in a manner synchronized with one of the feed-back motion and the feed-again motion.

2. The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the state in which the sticky note has been fed to the pull-out position is an ordinary state at least under a condition in which the sticky note printer is powered on.

3. The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device feeds the sticky note with a free end thereof at a head of moving direction in the empty-feed motion and the feed-again motion.

4. The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device comprises a roller for feeding the sticky note in the normal direction and in the reverse direction by coming into rotating contact with that side of the sticky note which has a glued portion, and wherein a circumferential length of the roller is greater than the length of the sticky note as seen in the feeding direction thereof.

5. The sticky note printer according to claim 4, wherein the roller is disposed near the sticky note ejecting slot, and wherein, in the pull-out position, the glued portion of the sticky note is in contact with the roller.

6. The sticky note printer according to claim 4, wherein the printing device comprises a thermal head, and wherein the roller serves a dual purpose of a platen which lies opposite to the thermal head.

7. The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing device comprises a ribbon feeding mechanism for feeding an ink ribbon along with the sticky note in a manner synchronized with driving of the printing device only at the time of driving the printing device.

8. A method of controlling a sticky note printer, the sticky note printer comprising: a printing device for printing on a sticky note which is peeled off and fed one by one from a bundle of sticky notes set in position; a feeding device for performing: an empty-feed motion in which the sticky note is fed in a normal direction from a peel-off position through a sticky note ejecting slot to a pull-out position in which the sticky note protrudes outside the sticky note printer; a feed-back motion in which the sticky note is fed in a reverse direction from the pull-out position to a retracted position in which printing can be performed by the printing device; and a feed-again motion in which the sticky note is fed in the normal direction from the retracted position to the pull-out position; the method comprising:performing the empty-feed motion when the sticky note is pulled out of position from a state in which the sticky note is fed to the pull-out position;performing the feed-back motion and feed-again motion when an instruction for printing is given; andperforming a printing motion by driving the printing device in a manner synchronized with one of the feed-back motion and the feed-again motion.