Print-medium transport unit

#This invention relates to a transport unit for transporting print medium, and in particular to a transport unit placed in a paper discharge section of a printer for handling long print paper.

#A printer contained in an apparatus installed in an environment with no humans in attendance or an environment in which the operator cannot frequently replace paper, such as an ATM (automated-teller machine) or a POS (point-of-sale) cash resister is known. Printers of this type typically print on continuous paper, such as rolled paper, and then cut the paper with a cutter mechanism, after which the cut paper is discharged. These printers are widely used for the purpose of reducing, as much as possible, the frequency of paper replacement.

#In this kind of printer, discharge control of paper is important. In a normal printer, the leading end of paper—after print termination or during a printing operation—is discharged through an outlet to the outside of the cabinet by the paper feed operation accompanying the printing operation. However, if the user attempts to pull on the paper being discharged from the outlet before the paper is cut by the cutter mechanism, it causes a print failure or a paper jam to occur.

#The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of a printer having a paper discharge unit according to a first embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an essential part in FIG. 1, and shows the paper discharge unit;

#Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there are shown preferred embodiments of the invention.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of a printer comprising a transport unit according to a first embodiment of the invention. A printer 10 is a printer for printing receipts, installed in an ATM, etc., and stores rolled paper R as continuous paper. A print section 12 is placed in the printer 10, and a paper discharge unit 14 is installed adjacent to and downstream of the print section 12. A paper end r, drawn out from the rolled paper R, is passed through a transport path that extends through the print section 12 and the paper discharge unit 14, whereby the paper end r is discharged through an outlet 16 to the outside of a cabinet.

#Although not shown, the paper discharge unit 14 is attached to the printer so that it can be guided in a guide groove of a base frame through a guide pin to expose the print section 12, thereby enhancing ease of maintenance in the print section 12 and the paper discharge unit 14.