# US 7,744,297 B2 · Sticky note printer and method of controlling the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,297 B2 - Document ID: US7744297B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/621,963 - Filed: 2007-01-10 - Published: 2007-08-09 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2006-02-06 - Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation - Inventors: Kenichi Nakajima - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744297B2 ## CPC - B41J 3/4075: {Tape printers; Label printers} - B41J 13/0045: {concerning sheet refeed sections of automatic paper handling systems, e.g. intermediate stackers (printing on both faces B41J3/60)} - B65C 9/12: Removing separate labels from stacks (for printing B41F; separating articles from piles in general B65H)({multi-step processes for making labels or tags B31D1/02}; for printing B41F) - B65C 11/0289: {using electrical or electro-mechanical means (B65C11/0205 takes precedence)} - B65H 3/0623: {acting at least during a part of each separation cycle on the articles in a direction opposite to the final separating direction} - B41J 11/0095: {Detecting means for copy material, e.g. for detecting or sensing presence of copy material or its leading or trailing end} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - B65C: LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES (nailing or stapling in general B25C, B27F; applying labels for packaging purposes B65B; labels, name-plates G09F ){(series-printing machines B41L; containers for the storage or transport of packages B65D)} - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract In a sticky note printer, a sticky note is peeled off and fed one by one from a bundle of notes set in position. In empty-feed motion, the sticky note is fed in a normal direction from a peel-off position through a sticky note ejecting slot to a pull-out position in which the sticky note protrudes outside the sticky note printer. In feed-back motion, the sticky note is fed in a reverse direction from the pull-out position to a retracted position in which printing can be performed. In feed-again motion, the sticky note is fed in the normal direction from the retracted position to the pull-out position. The empty-feed motion is made when the sticky note has been pulled away from the pull-out position. The feed-back motion or the feed-again motion is made, when an instruction for printing is given, in a manner synchronized with the printing operation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sticky note printer comprising: a printing device for printing on a sticky note which is peeled off and fed one by one from a bundle of sticky notes set in position; a feeding device for performing: an empty-feed motion in which the sticky note is fed in a normal direction from a peel-off position through a sticky note ejecting slot to a pull-out position in which the sticky note protrudes outside the sticky note printer; a feed-back motion in which the sticky note is fed in a reverse direction from the pull-out position to a retracted position in which printing can be performed by the printing device; and a feed-again motion in which the sticky note is fed in the normal direction from the retracted position to the pull-out position; an instructing device for giving an instruction for printing on the sticky note; a detecting device for detecting presence or absence of the sticky note in the pull-out position; and a control device for controlling the printing device and the feeding device, wherein the control device performs in a state in which the sticky note is fed to the pull-out position: the empty-feed motion upon detection of absence of the sticky note by the detecting device on condition of no instruction from the printing device; the feed-back motion and the feed-again motion upon receipt of the instruction from the printing device on condition of detection of presence of the sticky note by the detecting device; and a printing motion by driving the printing device in a manner synchronized with one of the feed-back motion and the feed-again motion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the state in which the sticky note has been fed to the pull-out position is an ordinary state at least under a condition in which the sticky note printer is powered on. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device feeds the sticky note with a free end thereof at a head of moving direction in the empty-feed motion and the feed-again motion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the feeding device comprises a roller for feeding the sticky note in the normal direction and in the reverse direction by coming into rotating contact with that side of the sticky note which has a glued portion, and wherein a circumferential length of the roller is greater than the length of the sticky note as seen in the feeding direction thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sticky note printer according to claim 4, wherein the roller is disposed near the sticky note ejecting slot, and wherein, in the pull-out position, the glued portion of the sticky note is in contact with the roller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The sticky note printer according to claim 4, wherein the printing device comprises a thermal head, and wherein the roller serves a dual purpose of a platen which lies opposite to the thermal head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sticky note printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing device comprises a ribbon feeding mechanism for feeding an ink ribbon along with the sticky note in a manner synchronized with driving of the printing device only at the time of driving the printing device. ### Claim 8 A method of controlling a sticky note printer, the sticky note printer comprising: a printing device for printing on a sticky note which is peeled off and fed one by one from a bundle of sticky notes set in position; a feeding device for performing: an empty-feed motion in which the sticky note is fed in a normal direction from a peel-off position through a sticky note ejecting slot to a pull-out position in which the sticky note protrudes outside the sticky note printer; a feed-back motion in which the sticky note is fed in a reverse direction from the pull-out position to a retracted position in which printing can be performed by the printing device; and a feed-again motion in which the sticky note is fed in the normal direction from the retracted position to the pull-out position; the method comprising: performing the empty-feed motion when the sticky note is pulled out of position from a state in which the sticky note is fed to the pull-out position; performing the feed-back motion and feed-again motion when an instruction for printing is given; and performing a printing motion by driving the printing device in a manner synchronized with one of the feed-back motion and the feed-again motion.