U.S. patent application number 12/002213 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for sheet package.
Invention is credited to Takashi Horiuchi, Yasunori Nakamura, Yoshikatsu Suito.
Application Number | 20080149525 12/002213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39121871 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080149525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Horiuchi; Takashi ; et
al. |
June 26, 2008 |
Sheet package
Abstract
This disclosure provides a sheet package which prevents sheets
taken out from the sheet package from being inserted into the sheet
package again and which also prevents sheets from dropping out of
the sheet package. The sheet package is made up of a package
material folded into a rectangular parallelepiped thin box. Ear
portions which serve as a sheet intrusion blocking member are
located in a space sandwiched by a bottom face and a first sheath
portion and side ends of the ear portions make contact with end
portions of sheets in an insertion direction so that the end
portions of the sheets cannot reach a side wall portion. Thus, the
sheets cannot be restored to their original storage positions in
the sheet package completely and part of the sheets project from
the sheet package. Thus, dropped sheets cannot be restored to the
sheet package through an opening portion, and sheets to which
either dust or dirt has adhered are thus prevented from being
reused.
Inventors: |
Horiuchi; Takashi;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; Nakamura; Yasunori;
(Shinshiro-shi, JP) ; Suito; Yoshikatsu;
(Kitanagoya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAY PITNEY LLP
7 TIMES SQUARE
NEW YORK
NY
10036-7311
US
|
Family ID: |
39121871 |
Appl. No.: |
12/002213 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/555 ;
206/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/10 20130101; B41J
13/0081 20130101; B65D 5/5002 20130101; B65H 1/26 20130101; B65H
2405/311 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/555 ;
206/449 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/00 20060101
B65D001/00; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2006 |
JP |
2006-338833 |
Nov 29, 2007 |
JP |
2007-309189 |
Claims
1. A sheet package comprising: stacked sheets accommodated in the
sheet package, as printing object mediums for a printer unit and a
package material that covers the outer sides of the stacked sheets
and having; a first portion that is rectangular and covers a
surface on one side in a stacking direction of the stacked sheets;
a second portion that covers a surface on another side in a
stacking direction of the stacked sheets opposite to the first
portion; a third portion that is connected to both the first
portion and to the second portion for covering a side face of the
stacked sheets in parallel to a conveyance direction of the sheets;
a fourth portion that covers the side face of the stacked sheets in
parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheets and that is
opposite to the third portion across the stacked sheets; a fifth
portion that is connected to one of the first portion and the
second portion and that covers the side face of the stacked sheets
on an upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheets; an
opening portion that exposes part of the sheets from the package
material; and sheet intrusion blocking members that prevent any
sheets discharged through the opening portion from being inserted
once again through the opening portion and pressed against their
original storage positions, the sheet intrusion blocking members
being provided in the interior after assembly of the sheet package,
wherein the sheet package being structured so as to be capable of
being set in the printer unit together with the package material
with part of the sheets exposed.
2. The sheet package according to claim 1, further comprising a
sixth portion that is connected to the fifth portion and that
overlaps with the one of the first and second portions not
connected with the fifth portion wherein the sheet intrusion
blocking members are provided on the sixth portion and block the
sheets discharged through the opening portion from making contact
once again with the fifth portion through the opening portion.
3. The sheet package according to claim 2, wherein the sheet
intrusion blocking members are ear portions provided on the sixth
portion and extended in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance
direction of the sheet along fold lines and the ear portions are
elastically restored along the fold line due to elasticity of the
package material so that the front ends of the ear portions are
located away from the sixth portion in a space sandwiched by the
first portion and the second portion in a space between the second
portion and the stacked sheets when the fifth portion is connected
to the first portion, or in a space between the first portion and
the stacked sheets when the fifth portion is connected to the
second portion whereby, side ends of the ear portion butting
against the sheets inserted to make contact with the fifth portion
through the opening portion so as to prevent the sheets from making
contact with the fifth portion.
4. The sheet package according to claim 3, wherein an indentation
portion is provided on an inner side of a fold line between the
first portion and fifth portion when the fifth portion is connected
to the first portion or, an inner side of a fold line between the
second portion and fifth portion when the fifth portion is
connected to the second portion.
5. The sheet package according to claim 4, wherein the indentation
portion is formed with one of perforations, half-cuts or pit-like
indentation
6. The sheet package according to claim 1, wherein the sheet
intrusion blocking members are provided on the first portion in
such a way that the sheets discharged through the opening portion
are prevented from making contact once again with the fifth portion
through the opening portion.
7. The sheet package according to claim 6, wherein the sheet
intrusion blocking members are ear portions provided on the first
portion and extended in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance
direction of the sheet along a fold line; and the ear portions are
elastically restored along the fold line due to elasticity of the
package material so that the front ends of the ear portions are
located away from the first portion in a space sandwiched by the
first portion and the second portion or in a space between the
first portion and the stacked sheets whereby, side ends of the ear
portion butting against the sheets inserted to make contact with
the fifth portion through the opening portion so as to prevent the
sheets from making contact with the fifth portion.
8. The sheet package according to claim 7, wherein an indentation
portion is provided respectively on an inner side of a fold line
between the second portion and third portion, an inner side of a
fold line between the second portion and fourth portion when the
fourth portion is connected to the second portion, and an inner
side of a fold line between the second portion and fifth portion
when the fifth portion is connected to the second portion.
9. The sheet package according to claim 8, wherein the indentation
portion is formed with one of perforations, half-cuts or pit-like
indentation.
10. The sheet package according to claim 1, wherein the sheet
intrusion blocking members are ear portions provided on the first
portion and extended in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance
direction of the sheet along a fold line; and the ear portions are
elastically restored along the fold line due to elasticity of the
package material so that the front ends of the ear portions are
located away from the first portion in a space sandwiched by the
first portion and the second portion or in a space between the
first portion and the stacked sheets whereby, side ends of the ear
portion butting against the sheets inserted to make contact with
the fifth portion through the opening portion so as to prevent the
sheets from making contact with the fifth portion.
11. The sheet package according to claim 10, wherein an indentation
portion is provided respectively on an inner side of a fold line
between the second portion and third portion, an inner side of a
fold line between the second portion and fourth portion when the
fourth portion is connected to the second portion, and an inner
side of a fold line between the second portion and fifth portion
when the fifth portion is connected to the second portion.
12. The sheet package according to claim 11, wherein the
indentation portion is formed with one of perforations, half-cuts
or pit-like indentation.
13. A sheet package comprising: a package material that covers the
outer sides of stacked sheets and having; a first portion that is
rectangular and covers a surface on one side in a stacking
direction of the stacked sheets; a second portion that covers a
surface on another side in a stacking direction of the stacked
sheets opposite to the first portion; a third portion that is
connected to both the first portion and to the second portion for
covering a side face of the stacked sheets in parallel to a
conveyance direction of the sheets; a fourth portion that covers
the side face of the stacked sheets in parallel to the conveyance
direction of the sheets and that is opposite to the third portion;
a fifth portion that is connected to the first portion or the
second portion and that covers the side face of the stacked sheets
on an upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheets; an
opening portion that exposes part of the sheets from the package
material; and sheet intrusion blocking members that prevent the
sheets discharged through the opening portion from being inserted
once again through the opening portion and pressed against their
original storage positions, the sheet intrusion blocking members
being provided in the interior after assembly of the sheet package,
wherein the sheet package being structured so as to be capable of
being set in the printer unit together with the package material
with part of the sheets exposed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from JP2006-338833, filed
on Dec. 15, 2006 and JP 2007-309189 filed on Nov. 29, 2007, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
there.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a sheet package. More
particularly to a sheet package that protects the outside of a
stack of sheets with its package member and that can be set in a
printer unit together with a package material.
[0003] Conventionally, there has been known a sheet package which
accommodates a stack of sheets in its box-like package member and
which, when the sheets are used for printing can be set in a
printer unit by opening the lid portion of the package member and
by folding it back to the opposite side (see, for example, Japanese
Patent Application Publication No. 2003-285939). Because this sheet
package can handle a plurality of sheets in units of a package,
convenience of usage thereof is improved. And because the package
member can protect sheets inside by covering, this sheet package is
effective in adopting heat sensitive sheets that are susceptible to
light or heat as paper sheets for the printer unit.
SUMMARY
[0004] However, in the case of a conventional sheet package, when
at a time of usage a part of the sheets is exposed, as a result of
the opening of the lid portion, sometimes sheets stored inside the
sheet package can drop out of the sheet package. In such
circumstances, if printing is executed by setting a sheet package
in which the dropped sheets are inserted because the dropped sheets
can be brought back into the sheet package easily through an
opening portion, impurities such as dust and dirt which adhere to
the sheet have tended to damage a printing head of the printer
unit.
[0005] Further, because the conventional sheet package has no
pressing means for supporting sheets contained in the interior,
when the opening portion of a sheet package is directed in a
downward direction during the handling of a sheet package, sheets
can drop out.
[0006] The present disclosure has been accomplished to solve the
above-described problems and a first object of the disclosure is to
prevent sheets taken out from the sheet package temporarily from
being inserted back into their original storage position within the
sheet package. Further, a second object of the disclosure is to
achieve a sheet package out of which sheets never drop.
[0007] In order to achieve the above-described objects, according
to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a sheet
package comprising: sheets that are accommodated in the sheet
package, as printing object mediums for a printer unit and a
package material that covers the outer sides of the stacked sheets
and having; a first portion that is rectangular and covers a
surface on one side in a stacking direction of the stacked sheets;
a second portion that covers a surface on another side in a
stacking direction of the stacked sheets opposite to the first
portion; a third portion that is connected to both the first
portion and to the second portion for covering a side face of the
stacked sheets in parallel to a conveyance direction of the sheets;
a fourth portion that covers the side face of the stacked sheets in
parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheets and that is
opposite to the third portion across the stacked sheets; a fifth
portion that is connected to the first portion or the second
portion and that covers the side face of the stacked sheets on an
upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheets; an opening
portion that exposes part of the sheets from the package material;
and sheet intrusion blocking members that prevent the sheets
discharged through the opening portion from being inserted once
again through the opening portion and pressed against their
original storage positions, the sheet intrusion blocking members
being provided in the interior after assembly of the sheet package,
wherein the sheet package being structured so as to be capable of
being set in the printer unit together with the package material
with part of the sheets exposed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described
below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer unit;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I in FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a condition in which a sheet
package is set in a sheet storage portion;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the details of
a sheet-separating portion and a printing mechanism portion;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sheet package;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sheet package with the lid
portion folded back to the rear side;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom face view of the sheet package;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the package according to a
first embodiment as seen from the exterior;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exploded condition as
seen from the interior of the package member;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a process of
manufacturing the sheet package;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a process of
manufacturing the sheet package;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a process of
manufacturing the sheet package;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a process of
manufacturing the sheet package;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a process of
manufacturing the sheet package;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an opening action at a
time that a sheet package is used;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an opening action at a
time that a sheet package is used;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a side view diagram showing a loading action of
loading the sheet package to a printer unit;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in
FIG. 16 of the sheet package;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of
the sheet package in FIG. 16 when sheets are consumed so that the
quantity of the accommodated sheets is decreased;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of
the sheet package in FIG. 16 when no sheet exists in the
interior;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a condition in which
sheets are inserted into the sheet package;
[0030] FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sheet package
when the sheets are inserted through an opening portion in the
sheet package;
[0031] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a sheet package according to
a second embodiment as seen from the exterior of the package
material;
[0032] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a halfway condition of
assembly of the sheet package according to the second
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the sheet package according
to a third embodiment as seen from the exterior of the package
material; and
[0034] FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the sheet package according
to a fourth embodiment as seen from the exterior of the package
material.
[0035] FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the sheet package according
to a fifth embodiment as seen from the interior of the package
material.
[0036] FIG. 28 is a partial enlarged view of the sheet package
according to a sixth embodiment as seen from the interior of the
package material.
[0037] FIG. 29 is a partial enlarged view of the sheet package
according to a seventh embodiment as seen from the interior of the
package material.
[0038] FIG. 30 is a pattern diagram of vertical sectional view of
the fold line processing adjacent to the bottom portion, side wall
portion and boundary line of the sheet package according to a fifth
embodiment of the conventional package material.
[0039] FIG. 31 is a pattern diagram of vertical sectional view of
the fold line processing adjacent to the bottom portion, side wall
portion and boundary line of the sheet package according to a fifth
embodiment of the package material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Hereinafter, the structure of a printer unit on which a
sheet package 9 is to be loaded according to a first embodiment of
the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.
1-4.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 1 is formed into a flat
type rectangular parallelpiped configuration approximately 2 cm in
thickness, while its rectangular shape as seen in a plan view is
slightly larger than A6 size. A main body case 2 which constitutes
a casing of the printer unit 1 is comprised of a frame body 3, a
lower cover 4, an upper cover 5, a lid body 10 and the like. The
frame body 3 constitutes a frame of the printer unit 1, presenting
a rectangular shape as seen in its plan view. The lower cover 4
covers the bottom face of the frame body 3, presenting a
rectangular shape as seen in its plan view. The upper cover 5
covers part of the top face of the frame body 3. The lid body 10 is
structured so as to be capable of being opened and closed.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a printing mechanism portion 14
is incorporated inside an end portion (upper side in FIGS. 2 and 3)
of the printer unit 1 and a rectangular top cover 5 as seen in its
plan view is provided in such a way as to cover its top face. A
sheet storage portion 6 is formed in the remaining portion of the
top face of the frame body 3 that excludes the portion covered by
the top cover 5. The top of the sheet storage portion 6 is covered
by a rectangular lid body 10 as seen in its plan view. The lid body
10 can be opened and closed freely as shown in FIG. 2.
[0043] The sheet storage portion 6 can accommodate a sheet package
9 in which a plurality of sheets 7, for example A6 or A7 sized
cut-sheet type heat sensitive papers, can be stored inside a
package material 8, as shown in FIG. 3. The main body case 2 is
equipped with a locking mechanism (not shown), and when a sheet
package 9 set in the sheet storage portion 6, a lid body 10 can be
closed and locked as shown in FIG. 3.
[0044] A pickup roller 12, a separation block 13 and the like are
disposed as a sheet-separating portion 11 at an end portion on the
printing mechanism portion 14 side of the sheet storage portion 6.
A thermal head 15, a platen roller 16 and a paper guide 17 are
disposed as a printing mechanism portion 14 below the top cover
5.
[0045] The paper separation portion 11 will next be described with
reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the pickup roller 12 and
the separation block 13 are provided at an end portion on a side
close to the printing mechanism portion 14 of the sheet storage
portion 6. At such an inner face of the lid body 10 as to face the
sheet storage portion 6, a pressing plate 18 is supported in
condition where it can swing. A coil-like urging spring 19 is
interposed between the pressing plate 18 and the lid body 10 so as
to apply constantly to the pressing plate 18 an urging force in a
direction of the rotation of the pressing plate 18 in a downward
direction.
[0046] The sheet package 9 is loaded on to the sheet storage
portion 6 with a bottom face of a sheet located on the bottommost
position of sheets 7 stored in the sheet package 9 in a stacked
condition with the printing object faces of the sheets 7 directed
in a downward direction, and in a state in which they are exposed
partly from the package material 8. Then, when the lid body 10 is
closed and locked, the pressing plate 18 urged by an urging spring
19 in a downward direction presses the exposed portion of the sheet
7 against the pickup roller 12 through the package material 8 so
that the bottom face of the sheet 7 is brought into contact with
the pickup roller 12.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the separation block 13 which
constitutes the sheet-separating portion 11 is provided such that
it is located in the vicinity of and opposes the pickup roller 12.
The separation block 13 has a separation guide face 13a which is
inclined with respect to a direction of feeding sheets by the
pickup roller 12. In a sheet-separating portion 11 having such a
structure, the pickup roller 12 is driven so that a frictional
transportation force is applied to the sheet 7 that is located on
the bottommost layer and that is in contact with the pickup roller
12. Then, only the sheet 7 located on the bottommost layer is
separated and fed by the separating action of the separation guide
face 13a of the separation block 13 in tandem with the frictional
transportation force.
[0048] Next, the printing mechanism portion 14 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the platen roller 16 is provided being driven
rotatably by a motor (not shown) on the opposite side to the pickup
roller 12 across the separation block 13, and a paper guide 17 is
disposed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral face of the platen
roller 16. The paper guide 17 has a concavely curved sliding
contact face 17a that possesses a substantially U-shaped section as
seen in a lateral direction, and the paper guide 17 is provided so
as to extend along the outer peripheral face of the cylindrical
platen roller 16. A pressing coil spring 20 is provided between the
paper guide 17 and the main body case 2 so as to urge the sliding
contact face 17a toward the outer peripheral face of the platen
roller 16.
[0049] In a printer unit 1 having such a structure, a sheet 7
separated by the sheet-separating portion 11 is conveyed by the
pickup roller 12 and passes between the bottom end of the
separation block 13 and a guide plate 21 that guides the sheet in
the direction of the platen roller 16. The sheet 7 is guided by the
guide plate 21 and guided from the bottom side of the platen roller
16 to a portion between the platen roller 16 and the paper guide
17. The sheet 7 is held between the outer peripheral face of the
platen roller 16 and the sliding contact face 17a of the paper
guide 17 and conveyed in a state in which it is inverted into a U
shape as seen in a lateral direction by a rotation of the platen
roller 16. The sheet accordingly reaches the top side of the platen
roller 16 with its printing object face facing an upward
direction.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, a thermal head 15 that is located above
the platen roller 16 has a heat-generating body portion 15a. The
thermal head 15 is provided rotatably around a rotation shaft 15b,
and the heat generating portion 15a is configured in such a way as
to be capable of making contact with, and moving away from, the top
face of the platen roller 16. The reason why the thermal head 15 is
configured in such a way as to be rotatable is that in removing a
jammed paper when a sheet 7 is jammed between the platen roller 16
and the paper guide 17, the thermal head 15 is in this way
prevented from becoming an impediment to that removal work.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, an end of a torsion coil spring type
spring 22 is attached to the thermal head 15 so as to always apply
an urging force constantly in a direction in which the
heat-generating body portion 15a of the thermal head 15 is made to
approach the top face of the platen roller 16. With this
configuration, the heat-generating body portion 15a of the thermal
head 15 makes contact with the top face of a sheet 7 conveyed by
the platen roller 16 with its printing object face directed in an
upward direction and, the sheet 7 is then printed at the position
where contact is made.
[0052] The thermal head 15 is of a line head type and can
accordingly print any character or image on each individual line
extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction
of the sheet 7 on the conveyed heat sensitive type sheet 7. A
printing width at the time that printing is performed on a single
line is set so as to substantially equal to the width of the paper
7 which is a printing object. Because the thermal head 15 is used
as a printing head, a heat sensitive paper is used as a printing
object medium and thus, consumables such as ink and ink ribbon are
reduced unnecessary. Further, a mechanism for supplying ink can be
curtailed, thereby resulting in a compact structure of the printer
unit 1. As the heat sensitive paper, heat sensitive coloring type
having a coloring layer which generates color when heated by the
thermal head 15, and a heat sensitive boring type in which a boring
layer is overlaid on a base material layer and in which, the boring
layer being bored when heated and other types are available.
[0053] A sheet discharge guide face 13b, which is inclined with
respect to a sheet-feeding direction of the platen roller 16, is
formed on the separation block 13. With this structure, a sheet 7
after printed by the heat-generating body portion 15a of the
thermal head 15 is guided by the sheet discharge guide face 13b and
discharged to the top of the lid body 10 through a slit defined by
the upper cover 5 of the main body case 2 and the lid body 10 as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0054] Next, a sheet package 9 of the first embodiment of the
present disclosure to be set in the printer unit 1 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 5-14.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet package 9 is made up of a
package material 8 which is folded into a rectangular
parallelepiped thin box. The sheet package 9 contains a plurality
of sheets (recording object mediums) 7 composed of, for example,
A6-A7 size cut-sheet like heat sensitive papers in a stacked
condition. Users purchase sheet packages 9 that are put on sale in
a box type condition shown in FIG. 5. And as shown in FIGS. 6 and
7, a lid portion 44 is opened and folded back to the rear side. An
insert section 44d of the lid portion 44 is inserted into a third
slit 45 in a bottom portion 40, which will be described later so as
to expose sheets 7 located on the inside. Then, the user sets the
sheets together with the package material 8 in the sheet storage
portion 6 of the printer unit 1 and uses.
[0056] Next, the structure of the package material 8 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIGS. 8 and
9, the package material 8 is formed by punching out a flat thick
paper. A rectangular bottom portion 40, for covering one face in a
stack direction of the stacked sheets 7 is provided in the central
portion of the package material 8. For convenience for explanation,
the lid side in a discharge direction of the sheet 7 in the sheet
package 9, that is, right side of the package material 8 is defined
to be front side and the left side on opposite side is defined to
be rear side. A side wall portion 41, which is rectangular, and is
extended from one of a pair of side end portions of the bottom
portion 40 while a rectangular side wall portion 42, is extended
from the other side end portion and a rectangular side wall portion
43, is extended from the rear end portion of the bottom portion 40.
The side wall portion 43 receives the bottom end portion of the
sheets 7 when the sheet package 9 is assembled. The heights of the
side wall portions 41-43 (width in short side direction) are all
the same and larger than the stack height of the sheets 7 stored in
the sheet package 9.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lid portion 44 is extended
from the front end side of the bottom portion 40. The lid portion
44 is comprised of a lid base portion 44a, a lid side wall portion
44b, a lid front end portion 44c and an insertion portion 44d. The
lid base portion 44a is formed in a rectangular shape. The lid side
wall portion 44b is formed in a rectangular shape and is extended
from the lid base portion 44a, having the same height (width in a
short side direction) as the heights of the side wall portions 41
to 43. The lid front end portion 44c is extended from the lid side
wall portion 44b and a width thereof is smaller than that of the
lid side wall portion 44b. The insertion portion 44d is extended
from the lid front end portion 44c and a width thereof is smaller
than the lid front end portion 44c. A pair of inclined sides is
provided at the front end of the insertion portion 44d. A shape
that is formed by a combination of the bottom portion 40 and the
lid base portion 44a is substantially the same shape as a sheet
7.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a rectangular first sheath
portion 50, for covering the sheets 7 in such a way that it opposes
the bottom portion 40 after assembly is extended from the side wall
portion 41 of the bottom portion 40. The first sheath portion 50
has a first slit 51 in which the insert section 44d of the lid
portion 44 is inserted and a second slit 52 in which an insert
section 61 of a second sheath portion 60 is inserted. A square
cutout portion 53 for detecting the presence/absence of a sheet 7
is provided in a side end portion on the lid base portion 44a side
of the first sheath portion 50. The printer unit 1 detects the
presence/absence of a sheet 7 with the use of the cutout portion
53. In other words, the sheet package 9 is loaded on the sheet
storage portion 6 of the printer unit 1 in the state shown in FIG.
6, and the printer unit 1 is provided with a reflection type
optical sensor 80 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) at a position opposite to the
cutout portion 53. Thus, when any sheets 7 are present in the sheet
package 9, the reflection type optical sensor detects reflection of
light from the sheets 7 and if no sheet 7 is present, the
reflection type optical sensor detects reflection light from a
synthetic resin which constitutes the rear face of the lid body 10.
Therefore, if as the color of the synthetic resin which constitutes
the sheet storage portion 6, a color having a low reflectance ratio
is set, the presence/absence of a sheet can be easily detected.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, three sensor marks 46 which indicate the
type and size of sheets 7 stored in the sheet package 9 are printed
on an end portion on the first sheath portion 50 side of the bottom
portion 40 on the front side (outer side) of the package material
8. These sensor marks 46 are read by a reflection type optical
sensor (a sensor (not shown) that is different from the reflection
type optical sensor 80), and that is provided on the printer unit
1. For example, if the sensor mark 46 is printed, it is regarded as
"1", and the sensor mark 46 is not printed, it is regarded as "0",
then the absence of a sheet and seven different types of sheets 7
can be identified with the combination of presence or absence of
the three sensor marks 46. The bottom portion 40 is provided with a
third slit 45 in which the insert section 44d of a folded back lid
portion 44 is to be inserted. Further, a cut-in portion 54 which is
cut to a predetermined length from the cutout portion 53 side is
provided between the side wall portion 41 and the first sheath
portion 50. The cut-in portion 54 facilitates deflection of the
first sheath portion 50 when the first sheath portion 50 is pressed
if the sheet package 9 is loaded on the sheet storage portion
6.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a second sheath portion 60 for
fixing the first sheath 50 for covering the sheets 7 in such a way
that it opposes the bottom portion 40 after assembly is provided so
as to extend as far as side wall portion 42 of the bottom portion
40. The width of the second sheath portion 60 is smaller than that
of the first sheath portion 50 and the insert section 61 is formed
on a side end portion of the second sheath portion 60. When the
sheet package 9 is assembled, the insert section 61 is inserted
into the second slit 52 in the first sheath portion 50 so as to fix
the first sheath portion 50 opposing to the bottom portion 40.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a tongue portion 70, which is
rectangular, is extended from the side wall portion 43 of the
bottom portion 40. Rectangular ear portions 71 and 72 are provided
on both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the tongue
portion 70. When the ear portions 71 and 72 are fold, they perform
as sheet intrusion blocking members. A portion indicated with
two-dot and chain line in both FIGS. 8 and 9 is a portion that is
subjected to fold line processing and the fold line facilitates
folding of a thick paper for convenience of assembly.
[0062] Next, a manufacturing process of the sheet package 9 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. As shown in FIG. 10,
the ear portions 71 and 72 on both end portions in the longitudinal
direction of the tongue portion 70 are folded back and the stacked
sheets 7 are loaded on the bottom portion 40. Next, as shown in
FIG. 11, the tongue portion 70 of the package material 8 is fold
over. Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the first sheath portion 50 is
folded in such a way that it overlaps with the top of the tongue
portion 70 and as shown in FIG. 13, the second sheath portion 60 is
folded over the first sheath portion 50. Next, the insert section
61 of the second sheath portion 60 is inserted into the second slit
52 in the first sheath portion 50.
[0063] Finally, as shown in FIG. 14, the lid portion 44 is folded
over the first sheath portion 50, the insert section 44d of the lid
portion 44 is inserted into the first slit 51 in the first sheath
portion 50, and the sheet package is thus completed. Sheet packages
9 are sold in this condition. Because this condition allows the ear
portions 71 and 72 to seek to be elastically restored within the
sheet package 9, they press against the surface of the stacked
sheets 7.
[0064] Next, a method of using the sheet package 9 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16 and 17. When a
sheet package 9 is used, the lid portion 44 of the sheet package 9
in the state shown in FIG. 5 is erected as shown in FIG. 15 and
folded back to the rear side along the line II-II in FIG. 16. Then,
as shown in FIG. 7, the insert section 44d of the lid front end
portion 44c of the lid portion 44 is inserted into the third slit
45 of the bottom portion 40 and the lid portion 44 is fixed to the
bottom portion 40. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet
package 9 reverts to a state in which the front end portion of the
sheets 7 is exposed. The sheet package 9 in this state is stored in
the sheet storage portion 6 of the printer unit 1 as shown in FIG.
3. When the lid body 10 is closed, the first sheath portion 50 of
the sheet package 9 is pressed by the pressing plate 18 and the
sheet that is located on the bottommost layer of the stacked sheets
7 is pressed against the pickup roller 12.
[0065] At this time, the reflection type optical sensor 80 that is
provided on the printer unit 1 opposes the cutout portion 53
provided in the first sheath portion 50 of the sheet package 9 (see
FIGS. 3, 4). Therefore, when any sheets 7 are present in the sheet
package 9, the reflection type optical sensor 80 detects reflection
light from a sheet 7 and when no sheet 7 is present, it detects
reflection light from a synthetic resin which constitutes the rear
face of the lid body 10.
[0066] Next, an action of a sheet intrusion blocking member (ear
portions 71 and 72) of the present disclosure will be described
with reference to FIGS. 6, 16 to 22.
[0067] When the lid portion 44 of the sheet package 9 is folded
back as shown in FIGS. 6 and 16, in the sheet package 9, the ear
portions 71 and 72 that are folded back from both end portions of
the tongue portion 70 press against the surface of the sheet 7
stored in the sheet package 9 as shown in FIG. 18. The pressing
force of the ear portions 71 and 72 is generated when the ear
portions 71 and 72 seek to become elastically restored by means of
elasticity of the package material 8. When the quantity of sheets
stored in the sheet package 9 is small, the ear portions 71 and 72
are elastically restored so as to press against the surface of a
sheet 7 as shown in FIG. 19. Therefore, when the lid portion 44 of
the sheet package 9 is folded back, sheets 7 can be prevented from
dropping out of the sheet package 9.
[0068] In circumstances such as when all sheets 7 have been pulled
out from the sheet package 9 by a user, or when a user swings the
sheet package 9 with the opening portion 49 facing downwards with
folding back the lid portion 44, all the sheets 7 might drop out
from the sheet package 9. In such circumstances, the ear portions
71 and 72 are elastically restored by means of the elasticity of
the package 8 along the fold line as shown in FIG. 20, so that the
front ends of the ear portions 71 and 72 make contact with the
bottom portion 40. In this state, if sheets 7 are inserted into the
sheet package 9 through the opening portion 49 as shown in FIG. 21,
the ear portions 71 and 72 are located in space sandwiched by the
bottom portion 40 (the first portion) and the first sheath portion
50 (the second portion) as shown in FIG. 22 and the side ends of
the ear portions 71 and 72 make contact with the end portions of
the sheets 7 in an insertion direction, and the end portions of the
sheets 7 are consequently unable to contact with the side wall
portion 43. Therefore, the sheets 7 cannot be restored to their
original positions in the sheet package 9 as shown in FIG. 22 and
consequently, part of the sheets 7 project from the sheet package
9. Thus, the dropped sheets 7 cannot be restored to their normal
storage positions in the sheet package 9 through opening portion
49, thereby preventing sheets 7 to which dust or dirt has adhered
from being used again.
[0069] Next, a second embodiment of the sheet package 9 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.
[0070] Because substantially every configuration of the package
material 8 of the sheet package 9 of the second embodiment is
identical to the package material of the first embodiment as shown
in FIG. 23, only different portions will be described. As shown in
FIG. 23, the package material 8 of the sheet package 9 of the
second embodiment is provided with a tongue portion 70 which is
rectangular. The ear portions 73 and 74 which are rectangular, are
provided in a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the
tongue portion 70 with a cut line (straight) and a fold line
(two-dot and chain line). When the ear portions 73 and 74 are
folded back, they perform identical functions to those of the ear
portions 71 and 72 of the first embodiment. According to the second
embodiment, if the tongue portion 70 is raised and folded and the
ear portions 73 and 74 are folded as shown in FIG. 24, the ear
portions 73 and 74 press against the sheets 7, thereby producing
identical operations and effects to those in the first
embodiment.
[0071] A third embodiment of the sheet package 9 will now be
described with reference to FIG. 25.
[0072] Because substantially every configuration of the package
material 8 of the sheet package 9 of the third embodiment is
identical to the package material of the first embodiment as shown
in FIG. 25, only different portions will be described. Although as
shown in FIG. 25, the package material 8 of the sheet package 9 of
the third embodiment is provided with a tongue portion 70 which is
rectangular, ear portions are not provided on the tongue portion
70. According to the third embodiment, the ear portions 47 and 48
which is rectangular are provided on the bottom portion 40 with a
cut line (straight) and a fold line (two-dot and chain line).
Therefore, before the sheets 7 are loaded on the bottom portion 40,
the ear portions 47 and 48 of the bottom portion 40 are raised and
folded back and then sheets 7 are loaded thereon. Consequently, the
ear portions 47 and 48 press the sheets 7, thereby producing
identical operations and effects to those of the first
embodiment.
[0073] Next, a fourth embodiment of the sheet package 9 will be
described with reference to FIG. 26.
[0074] Because substantially every configuration of the package
material 8 of the sheet package 9 of the fourth embodiment is
identical to the package material of the third embodiment as shown
in FIG. 26, only different portions will be explained. Although the
package material 8 of the sheet package 9 of the fourth embodiment
is provided with the tongue portion 70 which is rectangular as
shown in FIG. 26, the ear portion is not provided on the tongue
portion 70. According to the fourth embodiment, the ear portions 57
and 58 which are rectangular, are provided on the first sheath
portion 50 with a cut line (straight) and a fold line (two-dot and
chain line) provided. Therefore, sheets 7 are loaded on the bottom
portion 40, and before the first sheath portion 50 is folded back,
the ear portions 57 and 58 are raised and folded back. When the
first sheath portion 50 is folded, the ear portions 57 and 58 press
against the sheets 7, thereby producing identical operations and
effects to those in the first embodiment.
[0075] Next, a fifth embodiment of the sheet package 9 will be
described with reference to FIG. 27. Substantially every
configuration of the package material 8 of the sheet package 9 of
the fifth embodiment is identical to the package material 8 of the
first embodiment as shown in FIG. 8. The different point is that
the boundary line 401 between the bottom portion 40 and the side
wall portion 41, the boundary line 402 between the bottom portion
40 and the side wall portion 42, and the boundary line 403 between
the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 43 are
perforated.
[0076] Ordinarily, the fold line processing with half-round shape
embossing is processed on the boundary line in the package material
8. The fold line processing with half-round shape embossing is
performed from the outer side to the inner side in assembling the
package material 8. The boundary line is facilitated to fold by the
fold line processing. When the boundary line processed with the
fold line processing by embossing is fold, the embossment portion
410 is formed on the inner side of the fold line along the fold
line (See FIG. 30). The boundary line 401 between the bottom
portion 40 and the side wall portion 41, the boundary line 402
between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 42, and the
boundary line 403 between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall
portion 43 are processed with the ordinary fold line processing
with half-round shape embossing. When each of the boundary lines
401, 402 and 403 is folded, the embossment portion 410 is formed on
the inner side of the fold line along the fold line (See FIG. 30).
That is because the inner part of the fold line is compressed when
the boundary line is folded, and the inner part need the releasing
portion of the compression to bulge. Some fiber of the package
material 8 is unraveled within the embossment portion, and the
fiber density is slightly less than other portions. The bottom
portion 40 is situated next to the embossment portion 410 formed on
the boundary line 401. The space 411 is formed between the bottom
portion 40 and the embossment portion 410. The sheet 7 can be
wedged in the space 411. The same goes for the space formed between
the bottom portion 40 and the boundary line 402, and the space
between the bottom portion 40 and the boundary line 403. If the
sheet is wedged in the space once, the wedged sheet may not be
ejected by operating the printer unit 1. The sheet that may be
wedged is only the sheet 7 located on the bottommost layer of the
stacked sheets opposing to the bottom portion 40. As described
before, a face provided in the package material 8 to wedge the
sheet 7 and the embossment portion adjacent to the face are needed
for wedging the sheet 7. The sheet 7 is wedged easily if the sheet
7 contacts the face in parallel. The sheet 7 can be wedged easily
if the edge of the sheet 7 contacts parallel with the linear
embossment portion. In that respect, the size of the sheet storage
portion 6 in present embodiment as seen in a plan view is almost
the same as that of the sheet 7 stored in it. Because the each edge
of the sheet 7 is regulated by the inner wall of the sheet storage
portion 6 or by the side wall of the package material 8, the edge
of the sheet 7 contacts the linear embossment portion easily in
parallel with the linear embossment portion. Since the sheet 7
located on the bottommost layer is pressed to the bottom portion 40
by the effect of gravitation, the effect of urging the sheet 7 in a
downward direction by the ear portions 71 and 72 at the upstream of
conveyance direction of the sheet, and the effect of urging the
sheet 7 in a downward direction by the urging spring 19 at the
downstream of conveyance direction of the sheet, the sheet 7 is
wedged easily. Even in the bottommost sheet 7, the part urged in a
downward direction is more inclined to be wedged than the part not
urged in a downward direction.
[0077] However, the sheet package 9 provides the lid base portion
44a which is folded back to the rear side when the sheet package 9
is loaded to the sheet storage portion 6. The length of the lid
base portion 44a in conveyance direction is approximately one-third
of the length of the sheet package 9 in conveyance direction. Sine
the bottom portion 40 is formed shortly for the length of the lid
base portion 44a, and the side walls are formed in some part of the
bottom portion 40, there is no fold line parallel to the conveyance
direction of the sheet and is no the embossment portion in the
one-third length portion from the end of the downstream to the
upstream side in conveyance direction on the bottom face in the
sheet package 9. The urging spring 19 is structured so as to urge
the sheet 7 strongly in a downward direction at the end of the
downstream of conveyance direction in the sheet package 9 and urge
the sheet 7 weakly as toward to the upstream. Therefore, the
potential that the sheet 7 can be wedged due to urging the sheet 7
in a downward direction by the urging spring 19 at the downstream
of conveyance direction of the sheet is smaller than the potential
that the sheet 7 can be wedged due to urging the sheet 7 in a
downward direction by the ear portions 71 and 72 at the upstream of
conveyance direction of the sheet.
[0078] Compared with the package material 8 processed with the
ordinary fold line processing, the package material 8 in the
present embodiment provides the perforated lines on the boundary
line 401 between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion
41, the boundary line 402 between the bottom portion 40 and the
side wall portion 42, and the boundary line 403 between the bottom
portion 40 and the side wall portion 43, as described before. For
example, as shown in FIG. 31, the perforated line 412 facilitates
folding of the side wall 41 to the bottom portion 40, and the
embossment portion is not formed on the inner side of the fold line
folded at the boundary line processed with the perforated line. The
perforated line 412 facilitates folding of the side walls 42 and 43
to the bottom portion 40, and the embossment portion is not formed
on the inner side of the fold line folded at the boundary line
processed with the perforated line, as the same as above. As a
result, unlike the sheet package 9 with the ordinary fold line
processing, the sheet package 9 in the present embodiment can
prevent the sheet 7 located on the bottommost layer of the stacked
sheets opposing to the bottom portion 40 from being wedged in the
boundary line between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall
portion 41, the boundary line between the bottom portion 40 and the
side wall portion 42, or the boundary line between the bottom
portion 40 and the side wall portion 43. In the package material 8
in the fifth embodiment, the boundary line 404 between the first
sheath portion 50 and the side wall portion 41, the boundary line
405 between the second sheath portion 60 and the side wall portion
42, and the boundary line 406 between the tongue portion 70 and the
side wall portion 43 are processed with the ordinary fold line
processing with half-round shape embossing.
[0079] In the sheet package 9 of the present embodiment, the
perforated lines are provided on the boundary line 401 between the
bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 41, the boundary line
402 between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 42, and
the boundary line 403 between the bottom portion 40 and the side
wall portion 43. The perforated lines may be provided on only the
boundary line 403 that is the border with the bottom portion 40
opposing the ear portions 71 and 72 through the sheet 7 and where
the sheet 7 is urged strongly by the ear portions 71 and 72 in a
downward direction. On that occasion, in addition, the perforated
lines may be provided on only the portion where the border with the
bottom portion 40 opposing the ear portions 71 and 72 through the
sheet 7 and that is adjacent to the ear portions 71 and 72 in the
boundary line 403. The perforated lines may be provided on the
portion that is the end of the upstream of conveyance direction of
the sheet 7 in the boundary line 402 with the bottom portion 40
opposing the ear portion 71 through the sheet 7 and that is
adjacent to the ear portion 71 in the boundary line 402, the
portion that is the end of the upstream of conveyance direction of
the sheet 7 in the boundary line 401 and that is adjacent to the
ear portion 72 in the boundary line 401 with the bottom portion 40
opposing the ear portion 72 through the sheet 7, and the boundary
line 403.
[0080] Next, a sixth embodiment of the sheet package 9 will be
described with reference to FIG. 28. The object of the sheet
package 9 in the present embodiment is to prevent the sheet 7
located on the bottommost layer of the stacked sheets opposing to
the bottom portion 40 from being wedged in the boundary line
between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 41, the
boundary line between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall
portion 42, and the boundary line between the bottom portion 40 and
the side wall portion 43, as the same as the sheet package 9 in the
fifth embodiment. Substantially every configuration of the package
material 8 of the sheet package 9 of the sixth embodiment is
identical to the package material 8 of the first embodiment as
shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 28, the different point is that
the boundary line 401 between the bottom portion 40 and the side
wall portion 41, the boundary line 402 between the bottom portion
40 and the side wall portion 42, and the boundary line 403 between
the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 43 are processed
with half-cut processing on each inner side of the boundary line
401, 402 and 403 so that the side wall portions 41, 42 and 43 can
be folded easily. The half-cut processing is processing to make
incisions with the depth of half-thickness of the package material
8. With the half-cut processing, the side wall portions 41, 42 and
43 can be folded to the bottom portion 40 easily and the sheet 7
located on the bottommost layer of the stacked sheets opposing to
the bottom portion 40 is prevented from being wedged in the
boundary line 401 between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall
portion 41, the boundary line 402 between the bottom portion 40 and
the side wall portion 42, and the boundary line 403 between the
bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 43 because the boundary
lines between the side wall portions 41, 42 and 43 and the bottom
portion 40 are folded closely to the bottom portion 40. In the
package material 8 of the sixth embodiment, the boundary line 404
between the first sheath portion 50 and the side wall portion 41,
the boundary line 405 between the second sheath portion 60 and the
side wall portion 42, and the boundary line 406 between the tongue
portion 70 and the side wall portion 43 are processed with the
ordinary fold line processing with half-round shape embossing.
[0081] Next, a seventh embodiment of the sheet package 9 will be
described with reference to FIG. 29. The object of the sheet
package 9 in the present embodiment is to prevent the sheet 7
located on the bottommost layer of the stacked sheets opposing to
the bottom portion 40 from being wedged in the boundary line
between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 41, the
boundary line between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall
portion 42, and the boundary line between the bottom portion 40 and
the side wall portion 43, as the same as the sheet package 9 in the
fifth embodiment. Substantially every configuration of the package
material 8 of the sheet package 9 of the seventh embodiment is
identical to the package material 8 of the first embodiment as
shown in FIG. 8. The different point is that the pit-like
indentations with predetermined depth is provided in line on the
boundary line 401 between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall
portion 41, the boundary line 402 between the bottom portion 40 and
the side wall portion 42, and the boundary line 403 between the
bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 43, as shown in FIG.
29. By the fold line processing with pits, the side wall portions
41, 42 and 43 can be folded to the bottom portion 40 easily and the
sheet 7 located on the bottommost layer of the stacked sheets
opposing to the bottom portion 40 is prevented from being wedged in
the boundary line 401 between the bottom portion 40 and the side
wall portion 41, the boundary line 402 between the bottom portion
40 and the side wall portion 42, and the boundary line 403 between
the bottom portion 40 and the side wall portion 43. In the package
material 8 of the seventh embodiment, the boundary line 404 between
the first sheath portion 50 and the side wall portion 41, the
boundary line 405 between the second sheath portion 60 and the side
wall portion 42, and the boundary line 406 between the tongue
portion 70 and the side wall portion 43 are processed with the
ordinary fold line processing with half-round shape embossing.
Above described term "perforated line", "half-cut processing" and
"pit-like indentation" correspond to the indentation portion.
[0082] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described
embodiments but may be modified in various ways. For example, a
single ear portion is permitted instead of a pair of ear portions
on the right and left sides. The shape of the ear portion is not
limited to a rectangular one but may be of any shape such as
trapezoid. Although, according to the embodiments, the side wall
portion 42 is extended from the bottom portion 40, the side wall
portion 42 may also be extended from the first sheath portion 50,
while the second sheath portion 60 may be extended from the side
wall portion 42. Although according to the embodiments, the side
wall portion 43 is extended from the bottom portion 40, the side
wall portion 43 may also be extended from the first sheath portion
50, while the tongue portion 70 may be extended from the side wall
portion 43. The term "perforated line", "half-cut processing" and
"pit-like indentation" are not necessary to be provided on whole of
the boundary line 401 between the 40 and the 41, the boundary line
402 between the 40 and the 42, and the boundary line 403 between
the 40 and the 43. For example, they may be provided on only the
portion where the sheet 7 is wedged easily and other portions may
be processed with the ordinary fold processing with half-round
shape embossing. As portions where the sheet 7 is wedged easily are
the boundary line between the bottom portion 40 and the side wall
portion 41, the boundary between line the bottom portion 40 and the
side wall portion 42 which opposes to front side of the first
sheath portion 50 pressed by the pressing plate 18 of the printer
unit 1, and the boundary line between some side wall portion and
the bottom portion 40 where is adjacent to the portion urged the
sheet 7 by ear portion, for example.
[0083] The printer unit 1 described in the above embodiment
discharges the sheet 7 through the slit between the upper cover 5
of the main body case 2 and the lid body 10. The printer unit 1 is
available, even if the side of the printer unit 1 is set down or
the upper cover 5 of the printer unit 1 is set down, unless the
slit is blocked. Needless to say, the sheet package 9 loaded in the
printer unit 1 also stands or is reversed corresponding to each
occasion.
* * * * *