U.S. patent application number 09/752529 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-13 for supply magazine for recording material roll and having code reader.
Invention is credited to Inana, Katsuya, Inui, Fuyuki.
Application Number | 20010050320 09/752529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27341996 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010050320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inana, Katsuya ; et
al. |
December 13, 2001 |
Supply magazine for recording material roll and having code
reader
Abstract
A recording paper roll includes a tubular spool shaft having
first and second end faces. Thermosensitive recording paper is
wound about the tubular spool shaft in a roll form. A code is
formed in the first end face. For use with the recording paper
roll, a supply magazine includes two roll holders secured to the
spool shaft. First and second support plates are arranged in an
axial direction of the roll holder, and support the roll holder in
a rotatable manner. Guide cutouts are formed in the first and
second support plates, receive first and second ends of the roll
holder, and move the roll holder in a predetermined direction
according to a decrease in a diameter of the recording material
roll in use of the recording material. A code sensor reads the code
from the first end face. A sensor shifter constituted by a
depression portion moves the code sensor in the predetermined
direction with the two roll holders.
Inventors: |
Inana, Katsuya; (Saitama,
JP) ; Inui, Fuyuki; (Saitama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE, MION, ZINN, MACPEAK & SEAS
2100 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington
DC
20037
US
|
Family ID: |
27341996 |
Appl. No.: |
09/752529 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/348.4 ;
242/357; 242/564.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 16/02 20130101;
B65H 16/10 20130101; B65H 2511/142 20130101; G03B 27/588 20130101;
B65H 2511/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/348.4 ;
242/357; 242/564.5 |
International
Class: |
G03B 027/00; B65H
016/02; B65H 016/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2000 |
JP |
2000-005227 |
Jan 7, 2000 |
JP |
2000-001927 |
Sep 26, 2000 |
JP |
2000-292607 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A supply magazine for containing a recording material roll
including a tubular spool shaft having first and second end faces,
continuous recording material wound about said tubular spool shaft
in a roll form, and a code formed in at least said first end face,
said supply magazine comprising: at least one roll holder for being
secured to said spool shaft; first and second support plates for
supporting said roll holder, and for setting said roll holder
movable in a first direction according to a decrease in a diameter
of said recording material roll in use of said recording material;
a code sensor for reading said code from said first end face; and a
sensor shifter for moving said code sensor in said first direction
with said roll holder, to oppose said code sensor to said first end
face irrespective of said diameter.
2. A supply magazine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
supply roller for rotating in unwinding and winding directions and
for receiving an outside of said recording material roll moving in
said first direction, to feed said recording material.
3. A supply magazine as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least
one roll holder comprises first and second roll holders each of
which includes: a holder core for being fitted in each of said
openings in said first and second end faces; and a bearing portion
for securing of said holder core thereto in a rotatable manner.
4. A supply magazine as defined in claim 3, wherein said first and
second support plates include first and second guide cutouts for
extending in said first direction, to receive insertion of said
first and second bearing portions in a manner slidable and
rotationally stationary.
5. A supply magazine as defined in claim 3, wherein said sensor
shifter includes: a sensor holder for supporting said code sensor;
and a depression portion, formed with said first roll holder, for
moving said sensor holder in said first direction.
6. A supply magazine as defined in claim 5, wherein said sensor
shifter further includes a guide shaft for extending in said first
direction, and for keeping said sensor holder slidable thereon.
7. A supply magazine as defined in claim 6, further comprising: a
first spring member for biasing said sensor holder in reverse to
said first direction; and a push mechanism for pushing respectively
said first and second roll holders in said first direction in a
stronger manner than said first spring member.
8. A supply magazine as defined in claim 7, further comprising: a
magazine body provided with said first and second support plates
secured thereto; a magazine lid for openably closing said magazine
body; wherein said pushing mechanism discontinues pushing said
first and second roll holders when said magazine lid is open.
9. A supply magazine as defined in claim 8, wherein said guide
shaft is secured to said first support plate.
10. A supply magazine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
position regulator for keeping said code sensor at a predetermined
distance from said first end face.
11. A supply magazine as defined in claim 10, wherein said position
regulator includes: a guide roller or ball for contacting said
first end face or one end face of said recording material roll; a
sliding member, secured to said sensor holder in a slidable manner,
for supporting said code sensor, said sliding member having an end
for securing of said guide roller or ball thereto.
12. A supply magazine as defined in claim 11, wherein said position
regulator further includes a spring member for biasing said sliding
member toward said first end face.
13. A supply magazine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a
position detector for measuring a shifted position of said sensor
holder or said first roll holder with reference to said first
direction; and an information generator for generating information
of a remaining amount of said recording material according to said
shifted position.
14. A supply magazine as defined in claim 13, wherein said position
detector includes a potentiometer.
15. A supply magazine as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least
one roll holder comprises first and second roll holders each of
which includes: a holder core for being fitted in each of said
openings in said first and second end faces; and a bearing portion
for securing of said holder core thereto in a rotatable manner;
further comprising a first flange, formed to project from at least
said holder core of said first roll holder, opposed to said first
end face, for preventing said tubular spool shaft from offsetting
in said axial direction; wherein said first flange includes an
inclined face for avoiding interference with reading of said code
sensor.
16. A supply magazine as defined in claim 15, wherein said inclined
face is so inclined as to decrease a flange diameter according to
closeness to said first end face.
17. A supply magazine for containing a recording material roll
including a tubular spool shaft having first and second end faces,
continuous recording material wound about said tubular spool shaft
in a roll form, and a code formed in at least said first end face,
said supply magazine comprising: first and second roll holders,
including first and second holder cores and first and second
bearing portions, said first and second holder cores being fitted
partially in each of said openings in said first and second end
faces, said first and second bearing portions adapted to securing
of said first and second holder cores thereto in a rotatable
manner; first and second flanges, formed to project from said first
and second roll holders, opposed to said first and second end
faces, for preventing said tubular spool shaft from offsetting in
an axial direction; a code sensor for reading said code from said
first end face; and an inclined face, formed in said first flange,
for avoiding interference with reading of said code sensor.
18. A supply magazine as defined in claim 17, wherein said inclined
face is so inclined as to decrease a flange diameter according to
closeness to said first end face.
19. A supply magazine as defined in claim 18, further comprising: a
magazine body, having a magazine opening, for accommodating said
recording material roll, said first and second roll holders and
said code sensor; a magazine lid for openably closing said magazine
opening.
20. A supply magazine as defined in claim 19, further comprising:
first and second support plates disposed inside said magazine body;
first and second guide cutouts, formed in said first and second
support plates, for extending in a first direction, for sliding
said first and second bearing portions according to a decrease in a
diameter of said recording material roll in use of said recording
material; and a sensor shifter for moving said code sensor in said
first direction in sliding of said first and second bearing
portions in said first and second guide cutouts, to set said code
sensor opposed to said first end face.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a supply magazine for
containing a recording material roll. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a supply magazine which are used with
a recording material roll with a code represent information, and in
which the code can be read reliably.
[0003] 2. Description Related to the Prior Art
[0004] A photographic printer or thermal printer is used with a
recording paper roll, which include a tubular spool shaft and such
recording paper wound about the tubular spool shaft as photographic
paper or thermosensitive recording paper of a great length. After
the printer operation, the recording paper is cut into each piece
of a predetermined size. The recording paper has photosensitivity
or thermosensitivity. A supply magazine is used with the recording
paper, and has characteristics of shielding moisture and light. A
printer is loaded with the recording paper roll by setting the
supply magazine in the printer.
[0005] To set the recording paper roll into the supply magazine,
two roll holders are mounted to respectively ends of the tubular
spool shaft. Each of the roll holders includes a holder core and a
bearing member. The holder core has a cylindrical shape and
insertable into the shaft end. The bearing member is engageable
with a guide member in the supply magazine. A flange is formed with
an edge of the holder core, contacts an end face of the tubular
spool shaft, and prevents the roll holders from entry into an inner
position of the tubular spool shaft.
[0006] The supply magazine includes a magazine body and a magazine
lid. The magazine body is formed from material with characteristics
of shielding moisture and light. The magazine lid is openable for
inserting the recording paper roll into the magazine body. A supply
roller is disposed in the magazine body. An outermost turn of the
recording paper roll is pressed against the supply roller. When the
supply roller is rotated by the printer, the recording paper roll
is rotated, to exit the recording paper through a slot of the
magazine body toward a recording position defined in the
printer.
[0007] The recording paper changes in recording density according
to sensitivity. Furthermore, an image to be recorded to an ordinary
type of the recording paper is generally different from that to be
recorded to a sticker type of the recording paper. Thus, there is a
suggested system in which a code is predetermined for the recording
paper and prerecorded on an end face of the tubular spool shaft of
the recording paper roll to represent information of a type,
thermosensitivity, manufacturer's name of the recording paper. A
code reader is incorporated in the printer, and reads the code. As
the printer is loaded with the recording paper roll by use of the
supply magazine, the code reader is disposed inside the supply
magazine.
[0008] There are various known devices for detecting a remaining
amount of the recording paper roll. JP-A 07-228417 discloses
detection of an amount of shifting of a member shiftable in contact
with the outermost turn of the recording paper roll. JP-B 2823979
discloses a use of a sensing lever changeable in the angle
according to the diameter of the recording paper roll.
[0009] In the supply magazine described above, the outer turn of
the recording paper roll contacts the supply roller. When a
diameter of the recording paper roll decreases by use of the
recording paper, the tubular spool shaft moves toward the supply
roller. Although the code can be read directly after inserting the
recording paper roll into the supply magazine, the code cannot be
read from the recording paper roll when the tubular spool shaft is
moved by the decrease in the diameter of the recording paper
roll.
[0010] If the recording paper roll is inserted in the supply
magazine obliquely, there occurs a change in the distance between
the end face of the tubular spool shaft and a sensor in the code
reader in the course of rotation of the recording paper roll. If a
length of the tubular spool shaft is irregular, the sensor distance
changes according to a set state of the recording paper roll. An
output level from the sensor increases or decreases to cause an
error in the reading.
[0011] The remainder detecting device according to the prior art
measures the shifted amount of the member in contact with the
recording paper roll. If there is looseness in the recording paper
roll, there occurs an error in the detected remaining amount of the
recording paper roll
[0012] To set the recording paper roll into the supply magazine,
the roll holders are mounted on the ends of the tubular spool shaft
of the recording paper roll. However, it is likely that a flange of
the roll holders covers the code, and that the code cannot be read
successfully. It is conceivable that the flange may be eliminated
from the roll holders in the code reader for the purpose of reading
the code. However, the tubular spool shaft moves in an unwanted
manner. The recording paper is fed in a manner offset in the width
direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present
invention is to provide a recording material supply magazine which
is used with a recording material roll with a code represent
information, and in which the code can be read reliably
irrespective of a state of the roll.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
recording material supply magazine in which the code can be read
reliably by easy access to the end face having the code.
[0015] In order to achieve the above and other objects and
advantages of this invention, a supply magazine contains a
recording material roll including a tubular spool shaft having
first and second end faces, recording material wound about the
tubular spool shaft in a roll form, and a code formed in at least
the first end face. At least one roll holder is secured to the
spool shaft. First and second support plates are arranged in an
axial direction of the roll holder, for supporting the roll holder
in a rotatable manner. A guide mechanism is formed with the first
and second support plates, for receiving first and second ends of
the roll holder, and for moving the roll holder in a predetermined
direction according to a decrease in a diameter of the recording
material roll in use of the recording material. A code sensor reads
the code from the first end face. A sensor shifter moves the code
sensor in the predetermined direction with the roll holder.
[0016] Furthermore, a supply roller is disposed in a position
defined in the predetermined direction from the first and second
support plates, for rotating in unwinding and winding directions in
contact with an outside of the recording material roll, to feed the
recording material.
[0017] The at least one roll holder comprises first and second roll
holders for being fitted partially in openings in respectively the
first and second end faces. The guide mechanism further includes
first and second guide cutouts, formed in respectively the first
and second support plates, for extending toward the supply roller,
to receive insertion of the first and second roll holders in a
slidable manner.
[0018] Each of the first and second roll holders includes a holder
core for being fitted in each of the openings in the first and
second end faces. A bearing member is secured to the holder core,
and inserted in each of the first and second guide cutouts.
[0019] The sensor shifter includes a sensor holder for supporting
the code sensor. A depression portion is formed with the first roll
holder, for moving the sensor holder in the predetermined
direction.
[0020] The sensor shifter further includes a guide shaft for
extending in the predetermined direction, and for keeping the
sensor holder slidable thereon.
[0021] Furthermore, a sensor bias mechanism biases the sensor
holder in reverse to the predetermined direction. First and second
core retention levers push respectively the first and second roll
holders in the predetermined direction against the sensor bias
mechanism.
[0022] The guide shaft is secured to the first support plate.
[0023] Furthermore, a position regulator keeps the code sensor at a
predetermined distance from the first end face.
[0024] The position regulator includes a sliding member, secured to
the sensor holder, slidable toward and away from the tubular spool
shaft, for supporting the code sensor. A guide roller or ball is
secured to the sliding member in a rotatable manner, for contacting
the first end face or one end face of the recording material
roll.
[0025] The position regulator further includes a bias mechanism for
biasing the sliding member toward the first end face.
[0026] The position regulator further includes a slide guide
mechanism for keeping the sliding member slidable on the sensor
holder.
[0027] The slide guide mechanism includes a tubular portion formed
with the sensor holder. The sliding member is a sliding rod
inserted in the tubular portion in a slidable manner.
[0028] The bias mechanism is a coil spring disposed in the tubular
portion.
[0029] Furthermore, a position detector is secured to the sensor
holder or the first roll holder, for measuring a shifted position
of the recording material roll with reference to the predetermined
direction. An information generator generates information of a
remaining amount of the recording material according to the shifted
position.
[0030] The position detector includes a potentiometer.
[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, a supply
magazine for containing a recording material roll includes first
and second roll holders for being fitted partially in openings in
respectively the first and second end faces. A first flange is
formed to project from at least the first roll holder, opposed to
the first end face, for preventing the tubular spool shaft from
offsetting in an axial direction. A code sensor reads the code from
the first end face. An inclined face is formed in the first flange,
for facilitating an access of the code sensor to the first end
face.
[0032] The inclined face is opposed to the first end face and
inclined away from the first end face with reference to a radial
direction of the first flange.
[0033] Furthermore, a second flange is formed with the second roll
holder, opposed to the second end face, for preventing the tubular
spool shaft from offsetting in the axial direction.
[0034] Furthermore, a magazine body has a magazine opening, for
accommodating the recording material roll, the first and second
roll holders and the code sensor. A magazine lid openably closes
the magazine opening.
[0035] According to still another aspect of the invention, a roll
holder for supporting a recording material roll includes a holder
core for being fitted partially in an opening in the first end
face. A flange is formed to project from at least the holder core,
opposed to the first end face, for preventing the tubular spool
shaft from offsetting in an axial direction. An inclined face is
formed in the flange, for facilitating an access to the first end
face for reading the code.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating a recording paper
supply magazine;
[0038] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective illustrating the supply
magazine with a recording paper roll on a roll holder;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a vertical section illustrating the recording
paper roll and the roll holders;
[0040] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view in elevation and section,
illustrating a reading sensor and the recording paper roll;
[0041] FIG. 5A is an explanatory view in elevation illustrating a
first roll holder with a roll end face and portions of the supply
magazine;
[0042] FIG. 5B is an explanatory view in elevation illustrating the
same as FIG. 5A but in which a diameter of the recording paper roll
has decreased;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective illustrating the reading sensor and
a tubular spool shaft;
[0044] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view in elevation and diagram,
illustrating the same as FIG. 5A and also relevant circuits for
measuring remaining recording paper;
[0045] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view in elevation, illustrating a
structure for keeping the reading sensor positioned at an unchanged
distance;
[0046] FIG. 9 is a perspective illustrating the structure of FIG.
8;
[0047] FIG. 10 is a perspective illustrating another preferred
position keeping structure with pins and a slot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0048] In FIG. 1, appearance of a supply magazine 3 is illustrated.
The supply magazine 3 includes a magazine body 5 and a magazine lid
6 for closing the magazine body 5 in an openable manner. The
magazine body 5 has nearly a semi-cylindrical shape. Both the
magazine body 5 and the magazine lid 6 are formed from plastic
material having characteristics of being moisture-proof and
shielding light. A handle 7 is secured to the magazine lid 6 and
grasped in loading a printer with the supply magazine 3.
[0049] In FIG. 2, a hinge 8 connects the magazine lid 6 to the
magazine body 5 in pivotally movable manner for closing. A pair of
locks 10 are disposed on a front edge of an upper opening of the
magazine body 5. A ridge 6a is formed with the magazine lid 6. When
the magazine lid 6 is closed as illustrated in FIG. 1, the locks 10
are engaged with the ridge 6a to keep the magazine lid 6 closed and
prevent it from opening accidentally.
[0050] A recording paper roll 12 as recording material roll
includes a tubular spool shaft 14 and color thermosensitive
recording paper 15 as continuous recording material. The tubular
spool shaft 14 is formed from paper, cardboard, plastic material,
or the like. The recording paper 15 has a continuous form or strip
form. A first roll holder 19 and a second roll holder 18 are
secured to ends of the tubular spool shaft 14 before setting the
recording paper roll 12 into the supply magazine 3.
[0051] In FIG. 3, the first and second roll holders 19 and 18 are
depicted. The second roll holder 18 includes a holder core 18a and
a bearing member 18b. The holder core 18a is fitted in one end of
the tubular spool shaft 14. The bearing member 18b is rotatable on
the holder core 18a, and protrudes toward a position on the side of
the recording paper roll 12. Similarly, the first roll holder 19
includes a holder core 19a and a bearing member 19b. The handles 21
and 22 are secured to the bearing members 18b and 19b in a
rotatable manner, and grasped at the time of setting the recording
paper roll 12 into the supply magazine 3.
[0052] The holder cores 18a and 19a have a shape of which a
diameter increases in a direction toward the bearing members 18b
and 19b to come up to a diameter of an inner surface of the tubular
spool shaft 14. A columnar projection 51 is formed with a central
portion of the holder core 19a. A sleeve 52 is formed with a
central portion of the holder core 18a to receive the columnar
projection 51. A groove 51a is formed in a peripheral surface of
the columnar projection 51 in a circular manner. A pair of latch
claw portions 53 and 54 are disposed inside the holder core 18a and
engageable with the groove 51a. Holes 52a and 52b are formed in the
wall of the sleeve 52. Springs are associated with the latch claw
portions 53 and 54 and bias those to protrude toward the inside of
the sleeve 52 through the holes 52a and 52b.
[0053] When the holder cores 18a and 19a are inserted into the ends
of the tubular spool shaft 14, the columnar projection 51 of the
holder core 19a becomes inserted in the sleeve 52 of the holder
core 18a. The latch claw portions 53 and 54 are engaged with the
groove 51a of the columnar projection 51 to couple the holder cores
18a and 19a with each other. A first flange 56 and a second flange
55 are formed with respectively the holder cores 19a and 18a. The
second flange 55 is disposed close to the bearing member 18b,
extends from the cylindrical portion of the holder core 18a, and
contacts a second end face 14a of the tubular spool shaft 14. The
first flange 56 is disposed close to the bearing member 19b, and
contacts an edge line of a first end face 14b of the tubular spool
shaft 14. Therefore, the holder cores 18a and 19a are firmly
secured to the tubular spool shaft 14.
[0054] In FIG. 4, an inclined surface 56a is formed with the first
flange 56 and causes the first end face 14b of the tubular spool
shaft 14 not be blocked. A code 50 is disposed in the first end
face 14b. A code sensor 35 or reader of a reflection type is
enabled by the inclined surface 56a to access the code 50 and read
it in a reliable manner. See FIG. 6.
[0055] The magazine body 5 has lateral walls 5b and 5a, inside
which a first support plate 26 and a second support plate 25 are
disposed. First and second guide cutouts or grooves 26a and 25a are
formed in the first and second support plates 26 and 25 for
receiving small-diameter portions 19c and 18c of the bearing
members 19b and 18b. See FIGS. 5A, 5B and 3. Each of the first and
second guide cutouts 26a and 25a has upper and lower sections. The
upper section is defined by substantially vertical edges with
reference to the lower surface of the magazine body 5. The lower
section is defined by edges inclined at 45 degrees. First and
second core retention levers 29 and 28 or connection levers are
secured to outer surfaces of the first and second support plates 26
and 25 in a rotatable manner.
[0056] There is a coil spring 30 included in a pair of coil
springs, which bias the first and second core retention levers 29
and 28 toward a lower wall of the magazine body 5. Levers 32b and
32a are connected with the first and second core retention levers
29 and 28. Also, levers 31a and 31b are connected with the levers
32a and 32b, and disposed inside the magazine lid 6. The mechanism
in combination with those levers shifts the first and second core
retention levers 29 and 28 in an upper position when the magazine
lid 6 is open, and shifts the first and second core retention
levers 29 and 28 in a lower position when the magazine lid 6 is
closed. The first and second core retention levers 29 and 28, when
in the upper position, release the bearing members 19b and 18b from
retention, and when in the lower position, retain the bearing
members 19b and 18b.
[0057] A guide shaft 34 is secured to an inner surface of the first
support plate 26 directed to the magazine center and extends in
parallel to the inclined edges of the first guide cutout 26a. A
sensor holder 36 in a sensor shifter is supported on the guide
shaft 34 in a slidable manner, and holds the code sensor 35. A
sensor bias coil spring 38 as sensor bias mechanism is disposed
along a lower part of the guide shaft 34, and biases the sensor
holder 36 upwards. A stopper ring 39 is so disposed that the sensor
bias coil spring 38 is between the stopper ring 39 and the sensor
holder 36. See FIGS. 5A and 5B. Note that the force of bias of the
sensor bias coil spring 38 is lower than that of the coil spring
30.
[0058] In FIGS. 5A and 5B, a relationship between the recording
paper roll 12 and the sensor holder 36 in the magazine body 5 is
depicted. A printed circuit board 33 is fixedly secured to the
sensor holder 36, and provided with the code sensor 35. A
connection cable 37 is a line from the printed circuit board 33 to
a connector 23. The printed circuit board 33 is electrically
connected by the connection cable 37 and the connector 23 to a
control unit in the printer when the supply magazine 3 is set in a
chamber in the printer.
[0059] The small-diameter portion 19c in the bearing member 19b is
insertable into the first guide cutout 26a, and has such a shape as
viewed in section that there are a lower corner at a right angle,
two side lines both parallel with inclined edges of the first guide
cutout 26a, and an arc disposed opposite to the lower corner. Thus,
the small-diameter portion 19c is moved down into an open end of
the first guide cutout 26a substantially in a vertical direction at
first, and then is moved through an inclined section of the first
guide cutout 26a straight without turning with reference to the
first guide cutout 26a. Note that a combination of the
small-diameter portion 18c and the second guide cutout 25a is
structurally the same as that of the small-diameter portion 19c and
the first guide cutout 26a. Also, the sensor holder 36 has a driven
projection 36a. A depression portion 40 in the sensor shifter is
formed with a portion of the bearing member 19b close to the holder
core 19a. A claw 40a projects from the depression portion 40, and
engageable with the driven projection 36a.
[0060] A supply roller 45 is disposed close to a lower wall of the
magazine body 5 and in an extension of the inclined edges of he
first guide cutout 26a, and is covered by a rubber tube. The
outermost turn of the recording paper roll 12 inserted in the
magazine body 5 is contacted by the supply roller 45. One axial end
of the supply roller 45 protrudes to the outside of the magazine
body 5. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a gear 46 is fixed to the outer end. When
the chamber in the printer is loaded with the supply magazine 3,
the gear 46 is meshed with a drive mechanism of the printer and
rotated for feeding the recording paper 15.
[0061] A separator claw 47 is disposed on the inside of a lower
portion of the magazine body 5, and separates a front edge of the
recording paper 15 from the recording paper roll 12. An ejection
slot 48 is formed through a lower wall of the magazine body 5, and
exits the recording paper 15. A lower lid 49 is disposed outside
the lower wall of the magazine body 5, openably closes the ejection
slot 48, and is biased by a spring in a direction to close the
ejection slot 48.
[0062] As the bearing member 19b is pushed down with an inclination
by the first core retention lever 29, the claw 40a of the
depression portion 40 at the bearing member 19b pushes down the
driven projection 36a of the sensor holder 36 along the inclined
section of the first guide cutout 26a. In the meantime, the sensor
holder 36 is biased by the sensor bias coil spring 38 upward with
an inclination along the guide shaft 34. The driven projection 36a
of the sensor holder 36 is kept in contact with the claw 40a of the
depression portion 40. Thus, the bearing member 19b and the sensor
holder 36 are moved together along the first guide cutout 26a. As
the force of bias of the coil spring 30 is higher than that of the
sensor bias coil spring 38, the outermost turn of the recording
paper roll 12 is pushed on the supply roller 45 no matter how the
diameter of the recording paper roll 12 decreases in advancing the
recording paper 15. The sensor holder 36 is moved by following the
movement of the tubular spool shaft 14 toward the supply roller 45.
The code sensor 35, therefore, is maintained at a predetermined
distance to the first end face 14b of the tubular spool shaft 14 in
a manner irrespective of the diameter of the recording paper roll
12.
[0063] In FIG. 6, a relationship between the tubular spool shaft 14
and the code sensor 35 is illustrated. The first end face 14b of
the tubular spool shaft 14 is provided with the code 50
representing information of a type, thermosensitivity,
manufacturer's name, or the like of the recording paper 15. The
code 50 has a form of a rotary bar code, and includes circular
white regions 50a and a black region 50b. The circular white
regions 50a have a high factor of reflection as white bars. The
black region 50b has a low factor of reflection as black bars. The
code sensor 35 is the reflection type including a light projector
and a light receiver, and reads the code 50 while the recording
paper roll 12 rotates.
[0064] Operation of the construction above is described now. To use
the supply magazine 3, the holder cores 19a and 18a of the first
and second roll holders 19 and 18 are initially inserted into ends
of the tubular spool shaft 14 of the recording paper roll 12. The
columnar projection 51 of the holder core 19a is inserted in the
sleeve 52 of the holder core 18a. The latch claw portions 53 and 54
become engaged with the groove 51a, to connect the holder core 18a
to the holder core 19a. Then the second flange 55 of the holder
core 18a comes in contact with the second end face 14a of the
tubular spool shaft 14. The first flange 56 of the holder core 19a
comes in contact with the first end face 14b of the tubular spool
shaft 14. Therefore, the first and second roll holders 19 and 18
are fixedly secured to the tubular spool shaft 14 without
offsetting in the axial direction.
[0065] The magazine lid 6 is swung open next. The first and second
core retention levers 29 and 28 are raised to the upper position by
means of the levers 31a and 32a and the levers 31b and 32b. Upper
ends of the first and second guide cutouts 26a and 25a become open.
The handles 21 and 22 are grasped by both hands of a user, who
inserts the recording paper roll 12 and the magazine body 5 in a
vertical direction in dropping the small-diameter portions 19c and
18c of the bearing members 19b and 18b into the first and second
guide cutouts 26a and 25a. Thus, the small-diameter portions 19c
and 18c move down from the vertical section of the first and second
guide cutouts 26a and 25a to their inclined section. The peripheral
surface of the recording paper roll 12 comes in contact with the
supply roller 45.
[0066] After this, the magazine lid 6 is swung and closed. The
locks 10 are engaged with the ridge 6a to keep the magazine lid 6
locked on the magazine body 5. The first and second core retention
levers 29 and 28 are moved down by the coil spring 30 and engaged
with the bearing members 19b and 18b to press those against the
supply roller 45. While the bearing members 18b and 19b are biased,
the claw 40a of the depression portion 40 pushes the driven
projection 36a of the sensor holder 36 toward the supply roller 45.
As the sensor holder 36 is biased by the sensor bias coil spring 38
away from the supply roller 45, the bearing members 18b and 19b
come to move together with the sensor holder 36. The first end face
14b of the tubular spool shaft 14 moves together with the code
sensor 35. The code sensor 35 is kept opposed to the first end face
14b of the tubular spool shaft 14 irrespective of the diameter of
the recording paper roll 12.
[0067] As the first flange 56 has the inclined surface 56a, the
first flange 56 does not cover the code 50 on the first end face
14b in the tubular spool shaft 14. This is effective in reliable
reading of the code 50 with the code sensor 35.
[0068] When the supply magazine 3 with the recording paper roll 12
is inserted in the roll chamber of the printer, the gear 46 comes
in mesh with a drive mechanism of the printer. The connector 23 is
connected with a connector of a control unit of the printer. Upon a
start of the printing, the drive mechanism causes the gear 46 to
rotate the supply roller 45 in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 5A
and 5B. The recording paper roll 12 rotates counterclockwise.
During the rotation, the code sensor 35 reads the code 50 from the
first end face 14b of the tubular spool shaft 14. A sensor signal
from the code sensor 35 is sent through the printed circuit board
33, the connection cable 37, the connector 23 and to the control
unit of the printer, and used for control of driving of the thermal
head. If the recording paper roll 12 is judged as unacceptable to
the printer according to the sensor signal, then the printer
generates a warning signal, discontinues the printing operation,
and indicates information of requiring renewal of the recording
paper roll 12.
[0069] Rotation of the recording paper roll 12 causes the separator
claw 47 to separate the front end of the recording paper 15 from
the recording paper roll 12, so the front end is moved toward the
ejection slot 48. The front end of the recording paper 15 pushes
open the lower lid 49, and moves through the ejection slot 48 and
toward a printing station in the printer. In the course of using
the recording paper 15, the diameter of the recording paper roll 12
decreases. However, the recording paper roll 12 is moved toward the
supply roller 45 along the first and second guide cutouts 26a and
25a because the force of the coil spring 30 is higher than that of
the sensor bias coil spring 38. The outermost turn of the recording
paper roll 12 is pressed against the supply roller 45
constantly.
[0070] According to movement of the recording paper roll 12 to the
supply roller 45, the sensor holder 36 also moves. This keeps the
code sensor 35 opposed to the first end face 14b of the tubular
spool shaft 14. Therefore, the code 50 can be read without errors
even after the supply magazine 3 with the recording paper roll 12
is removed from and then reinserted into the chamber in the
printer. Note that the code sensor 35 reads the code 50 at each
time that a printing operation is started.
[0071] Note that, at the time of renewing the recording paper roll
12, the bearing members 18b and 19b are grasped by hands and drawn
away from each other. The latch claw portions 53 and 54 are
disengaged from the groove 51a to remove the first and second roll
holders 19 and 18 from the tubular spool shaft 14.
[0072] If the recording paper roll 12 is set in an inclined state,
a distance between the tubular spool shaft 14 and the code sensor
35 changes while the recording paper roll 12 rotates, to change an
output level of the code sensor 35. Errors may occur in the
reading. If there are variations in the length of the tubular spool
shaft 14, there occur changes in the distance between the tubular
spool shaft 14 and the code sensor 35. Also, the sensor distance
changes when the first end face 14b of the tubular spool shaft 14
is curved.
[0073] In FIGS. 7-9, a preferred supply magazine in which a sensor
is settable at an unchanged distance from the end face of the
tubular spool shaft. Elements similar to those of the above
embodiment are designated with identical reference numerals. A
sensor holder 57 is provided in the supply magazine to constitute
the sensor shifter. A tubular portion 60 is formed with the sensor
holder 57 to extend vertically, and has a closed rear end. A
sliding rod 61 as a position regulator has a rear end that is
inserted in the tubular portion 60. A guide roller 62 in the
position regulator is disposed to an end of the sliding rod 61, and
rotatable in contact with the first end face 14b of the tubular
spool shaft 14. A coil spring 63 as bias mechanism is disposed
inside the tubular portion 60, biases the rear end of the sliding
rod 61, and keeps the guide roller 62 in contact with the first end
face 14b no matter how the first end face 14b is deformed and
offset from a regular level. An air hole 60b is formed in the
tubular portion 60.
[0074] An arm 61a is formed with the sliding rod 61. A slot 60a is
formed in the tubular portion 60 for protrusion of the arm 61a, to
which the code sensor 35 is secured. The code sensor 35 is
constituted by a light projector 35a and a light receiver 35b.
[0075] A potentiometer 73 as position detector is secured to the
first support plate 26 for detecting a shifted position of the
sensor holder 57. A sensing pin 74 of the potentiometer 73 has an
end contacting an upper end of the sensor holder 57. As the sensing
pin 74 is shifted by movement of the sensor holder 57, an output
level of the potentiometer 73 changes according to a remaining
amount of the recording paper 15. It is to be noted that the end of
the sensing pin 74 may be set in contact with the first or second
roll holder 19 or 18 to detect the position of those for measuring
the remaining amount of the recording paper 15. Furthermore, a
distance sensor of an optical type may be used instead of the
potentiometer 73.
[0076] There is a printed circuit board 58, to which a connection
cable 75 connects the potentiometer 73. The printed circuit board
58 includes a circuit for processing an output from the code sensor
35. Also, an A/D converter 76 is included in the printed circuit
board 58 for digitally converting the output from the code sensor
35. The printed circuit board 58 is connected to the connector 23
by the connection cable 37.
[0077] There is a connector 77 in a roll chamber in the printer.
The connector 23 is connected with the connector 77 upon insertion
of the supply magazine 3 into the roll chamber. A system controller
80 for overall control of the printer is connected with the
connector 77. A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 82 is connected
with the system controller 80 by means of an LCD driver 81. Also, a
thermal head 84 is controllable by the system controller 80 by
means of a printing control unit 83. The printer body accommodates
the system controller 80, the LCD driver 81, the printing control
unit 83 and the thermal head 84. The LCD panel 82 is disposed in an
outer wall of the printer body in an observable manner.
[0078] The operation of the present embodiment is described now.
When the recording paper roll 12 is inserted in the magazine body
5, the guide roller 62 is kept by the coil spring 63 in contact
with the first end face 14b of the tubular spool shaft 14. The code
sensor 35 is kept at the unchanged distance from the first end face
14b by means of the arm 61a. When the supply magazine 3 with the
recording paper roll 12 is loaded in the chamber in the printer,
the connector 23 becomes connected with the connector 77.
[0079] Upon a start of printing, the drive mechanism in the printer
causes the supply roller 45 to make clockwise rotations as viewed
in FIG. 7. The recording paper roll 12 rotates in the
counterclockwise direction. During the rotation, the code sensor 35
reads the code 50 at the first end face 14b in the tubular spool
shaft 14 as depicted in FIG. 6. Even if the recording paper roll 12
is set obliquely or if the tubular spool shaft 14 has an irregular
length, the reading operation can be stable because of the
unchanged distance between the first end face 14b and the code
sensor 35. The sensor signal is sent through the printed circuit
board 58, the connection cable 37, the connectors 23 and 77 to the
system controller 80 in the printer, and is used by the printing
control unit 83 to control driving of the thermal head 84.
[0080] Furthermore, an output from the potentiometer 73 is
converted by the A/D converter 76 into a digital signal,
transmitted by the connection cable 37 and the connectors 23 and
77, and sent to the system controller 80. In response to the output
from the potentiometer 73 in the digitalized form, the system
controller 80 causes the LCD driver 81 to drive the LCD panel 82,
in which an amount of the remainder of the recording paper 15 is
indicated. For this indication, the amount is expressed in the
length, or the a numerically expressed form of which the unit is,
for example, a size of a single print of the A4 size or postcard
size. When the remainder of the recording paper 15 comes down to
zero, then letters of "no paper" or the like are indicated in the
LCD panel 82 in a blinking manner. Also, the thermal head 84 is
inhibited from being driven.
[0081] In FIG. 10, another preferred embodiment is depicted, in
which a sliding plate 90 or lever as a position regulator is
movable toward and away from the sensor holder 57. A guide slot 90a
included in a guide mechanism is formed in the sliding plate 90.
Guide pins 57a and 57b included in the guide mechanism projects
from the sensor holder 57, and are inserted in the guide slot 90a.
A guide roller 91 included in the position regulator is rotatable
at an end of the sliding plate 90. An arm 90b is formed with a side
of the sliding plate 90, is oriented perpendicularly to a moving
direction of the sliding plate 90, and supports the code sensor 35.
A coil spring 92 as bias mechanism biases the sliding plate 90
toward the first end face 14b for contact of the guide roller 91 to
the first end face 14b.
[0082] This being so, the sliding plate 90 is kept movable by the
guide pins 57a and 57b in a direction that is perpendicular to the
first end face 14b. The sliding plate 90 is biased by the coil
spring 92 toward the first end face 14b to press the guide roller
91 against the first end face 14b. The sliding plate 90 can move
according to a state of the first end face 14b, for example, its
inclination or curvature in a concave or convex manner. The
distance of the code sensor 35 to the first end face 14b is kept
unchanged.
[0083] In the above embodiments, the supply roller 45 is disposed
in the supply magazine 3 to rotate in contact with the recording
paper roll 12 for supply of the recording paper 15 toward the
outside of the supply magazine 3. Alternatively, a printer may have
the supply roller 45 instead of disposing the supply roller 45 in
the supply magazine 3. For such a construction, an opening is
formed in the supply magazine 3 for receiving the supply roller 45.
It is preferable that a shutter mechanism is disposed at the
opening, for shutting the opening before inserting the supply
magazine 3 into the roll chamber in the printer, and for being
actuated to open the opening after the insertion or in response to
the insertion.
[0084] In the above embodiments, the code 50 in the first end face
14b of the tubular spool shaft 14 is a type of a train of small
circles arranged on an arc. Alternatively, the code 50 may be a
rotary bar code in which bars are extended radially relative to the
center of the tubular spool shaft 14 and arranged on an arc defined
about the center. Also, the recording paper roll 12 can be rotated
backwards shortly before operation of supply the recording paper 15
for the purpose of absorbing looseness of the recording paper roll
12, and then can be rotated forwards to supply the recording paper
15. It is possible that the code 50 is read while the recording
paper roll 12 is rotated backwards. In the above embodiments, the
code 50 is read at each time of printing operation. Alternatively,
it is possible to read the code 50 at each time that the supply
magazine 3 is removed and then reinserted in the printer.
[0085] In the above embodiment, the guide roller 62, 91 is used for
contact with the first end face 14b in the tubular spool shaft 14
in a rotatable manner. However, a ball may be used, and supported
in a rotatable manner. Furthermore, the guide roller 62, 91 or the
ball may contact the end face of the recording paper roll 12 in
addition to the first end face 14b.
[0086] In the above embodiments, the inclined surface 56a is formed
to extend from a point on the cylindrical surface of the holder
core 19a to a point at an end of the first flange 56, so there is
no area in which the first flange 56 contact the first end face
14b. Alternatively, the first flange 56 may have first and second
flange portions. The first flange portion may erect flatly from the
cylindrical surface of the holder core 19a, and contact the first
end face 14b of the tubular spool shaft 14 with a small area. The
second flange portion may extend from the first flange portion, and
may be inclined away from the first end face 14b in a radial
direction so as to facilitate reading of the code 50.
[0087] In the above embodiments, the first and second roll holders
19 and 18 are engaged with each other within the tubular spool
shaft 14. Furthermore, the first and second roll holders 19 and 18
may be not engaged with each other, and may be simply inserted in
first and second ends of the tubular spool shaft 14. The first roll
holder 19 in this combination of the first and second roll holders
19 and 18 still has the inclined surface 56a at the first flange
56. In the above embodiments, only the first roll holder 19 has the
inclined surface 56a. However, it is possible for both the first
and second roll holders 19 and 18 to have flanges with inclined
surfaces.
[0088] In the above embodiments, the holder cores 18a and 19a are
connected together by coupling the latch claw portions 53 and 54
with the groove 51a. However, at least one ball may be used instead
of the latch claw portions 53 and 54, and may be biased by a spring
for tight engagement with the groove 51a. Also, instead of the
latch claw portions 53 and 54 and the groove 51a, it is possible to
use a mechanism for raising friction of an inner surface of the
tubular spool shaft 14 upon insertion of the holder cores 18a and
19a into the tubular spool shaft 14, so as to secure the holder
cores 18a and 19a tightly to the tubular spool shaft 14 without a
drop. An example of such a mechanism is a push member, disposed in
one of the holder cores 18a and 19a, biased by a spring toward the
inner surface of the tubular spool shaft 14, for pushing the
tubular spool shaft 14 with friction. Also, a surface of the push
member may be finished with corrugation for high friction.
[0089] In the above embodiments, the holder cores 18a and 19a are
secured to the bearing members 18b and 19b in a rotatable manner.
The bearing members 18b and 19b are secured to the guide cutouts
25a and 26a in a slidable manner. Alternatively, the bearing member
18b may be formed with the holder core 18a as one piece, and the
bearing member 19b may be formed with the holder core 19a as one
piece. The bearing members 18b and 19b may be both slidable and
rotatable in the guide cutouts 25a and 26a. In this structure, it
is preferable that the handles 21 and 22 should be eliminated.
[0090] In the above embodiments, the guide cutouts 25a and 26a come
through the support plates 25 and 26. However, the guide cutouts
25a and 26a may be simple recesses formed in inner surfaces of the
support plates 25 and 26.
[0091] Also, the recording paper 15 in the recording paper roll 12
for being contained in the supply magazine 3 of the invention may
be a recording sheet or film of a continuous shape or strip shape.
For example, the recording paper 15 may be photographic paper to be
used in a photographic printer.
[0092] Although the present invention has been fully described by
way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be
apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless
otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of
the present invention, they should be construed as included
therein.
* * * * *