JPH06312876A - Paper roll holder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] In a paper roll holder equipped with a near-end sensor, the structure is simplified and the near-end is reliably detected. [Structure] While the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 is large, the supporting plate 50 is substantially perpendicular to the supporting portion 32. In the vicinity of the near end, the flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32 become substantially parallel to each other, and the upper opening 66 is made smaller than the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 by the protrusion 52. Therefore, even if the paper roll 18 is moved as the paper is pulled out, the paper roll 18 is prevented from coming out of the upper opening 66. At the near end, the support plate 50 is rotated to the set position by the urging force of the spring 24, which is detected by the limit switch 22. In this way, the support plate 5 whose near end is the support member for the paper roll 18
Since the detection is performed by using the rotation of 0, the movable member dedicated to the detection is not required, and the structure can be simplified accordingly. Moreover, the near end is surely detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper roll holder, and more particularly to a paper roll holder equipped with a near end sensor for detecting the near end of a paper roll.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Paper used for a cash register or the like is in a roll shape and accommodated in a paper roll holder. Further, a paper roll holder including a near-end sensor for detecting that the amount of remaining paper of the paper roll is low is known. A paper roll holder provided with this conventional near-end sensor will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, 200 is a paper roll holder body, and 202 is a near-end detection device. The holder main body 200 includes a bottom wall 208 and a side wall 210. The bottom wall 208 has a V-shaped cross section, and a roll accommodating chamber 214 is defined by the first inclined surface 211 and the second inclined surface 212. Roll accommodating chamber 21
The paper roll 216 is accommodated in the sheet 4. The paper roll 216 is formed by winding paper around a paper tube 218, and is arranged with the outer peripheral surface of the paper roll 216 circumscribing the first and second inclined surfaces 211 and 212 of the bottom wall 208. -ing Also, paper roll 2
Paper 16 is pulled out in the direction of arrow P in FIG. 6 via a guide member (not shown). When the outer diameter of the paper roll 216 becomes smaller, the paper roll 216 moves downward along the first and second inclined surfaces 211 and 212, and the paper tube 21
The center position of 8 descends on the center line L of the roll accommodating chamber 214.

A sensor support member 222 is fixed to the side wall 210 by a bolt 224, and the sensor support member 222 is attached to the side wall 210.
A sensor 225 such as a limit switch is fixed to. The sensor support member 222 is a T-shaped member in cross section, and includes a long plate portion 226 and a projecting plate portion 227. A lever 228 is rotatably engaged with an intermediate portion of the long plate portion 226, and a sensor 225 is fixed to the projecting plate portion 227. The lever 228 is generally L-shaped and includes a longitudinal portion 234 and a protrusion 236. Lever 228
A spring 240 is stretched between an intermediate portion of the longitudinal portion 234 and the long plate portion 226 of the sensor support member 222, and urges the lever 228 so that the protrusion 236 approaches the paper roll 216. The protrusion 236 is formed so that it can be fitted into the through hole 246 of the paper tube 218.

On the other hand, an elongated hole 254 is formed in the upper portion of the sensor support member 222 so that the fixing position with respect to the side wall 210 can be adjusted. By adjusting the fixed position of the sensor support member 222, the remaining amount of paper at the time when the near end is detected can be adjusted.

The near-end detection of the paper roll 216 in the conventional paper roll holder configured as described above will be described. When the outer diameter of the paper roll 216 is large, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip of the protrusion 236 is in contact with the end surface of the paper roll 216 below the paper tube 218. The lever 228 is rotated clockwise against the urging force of the spring 240 and is separated from the sensor 225. As the outer diameter of the paper roll 216 becomes smaller, the paper tube 218 descends, and when the outer diameter reaches a set value (near end), the paper tube 218 becomes the projection 2 as shown in FIG.
36, and the projection 236 is moved to the through hole 246.
And the lever 228 is rotated counterclockwise by the urging force of the spring 240. As a result, the lever 228 contacts the sensor 225, and the near end of the paper roll is detected.

As described above, in the paper roll holder, the near end of the paper roll 216 is detected by detecting that the protrusion 236 of the lever 228 is fitted into the paper tube 218 by the sensor 225.

[0008]

However, the conventional paper roll holder has a problem that its structure is complicated. This is because the near-end detection device 202 detects that the lever 228 has been rotated to the set position by the sensor 225, so that a movable member dedicated to near-end detection like the lever 228 is required.

Further, there is a problem that the near end is not reliably detected. In the conventional paper roll holder, the near end is not detected when the center position of the paper tube 218 deviates from the center line L of the roll accommodating chamber 214. Paper roll 21
When the weight of 6 is reduced, the paper roll 216 is easily moved in the P direction or the vertical direction as the paper is pulled out. Therefore, the lever 228 is disengaged from the end surface of the paper roll 216, and is rotated counterclockwise even if it has not reached the near end, and the near end may be erroneously detected. Further, even if it reaches the near end, the end surface of the paper roll 216 may hit the tip of the protrusion 236 of the lever 228, and the near end may not be detected.

An object of the present invention is to make the structure of the paper holder simple so that the near end can be reliably detected in view of the above circumstances.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, a paper roll holder according to the present invention is (1) a holder main body having a flat plate-shaped first roll supporting member extending in the vertical direction, and (2) A second roll support member that is attached to the holder main body so as to be able to approach and separate from the first roll support member, and defines a roll accommodating groove that opens upward between the first roll support member, and (3) Includes a biasing unit that biases the second roll support member in the direction in which the roll accommodating groove becomes narrow, and (4) a sensor that detects that the second roll support member has been moved to the set position by the biasing unit. A flat plate portion that is substantially parallel to the first roll supporting member and the first roll supporting member from the flat plate portion when the second roll supporting member is at least close to the first roll supporting member to the set position. Protruding towards And a projecting portion for narrowing the upper opening of the roll accommodating groove.

[0012]

In the paper holder of the present invention, the roll accommodating groove is defined by the first roll supporting member and the second roll supporting member, and the second roll supporting member approaches the first roll supporting member by the biasing means, that is, , Is biased in a direction to narrow the roll accommodating groove. Therefore, when the outer diameter of the paper roll accommodated in the roll accommodating groove reaches the set value (near end), the second roll support member is moved to the set position by the biasing means, and this is detected by the sensor. That is, the detection device detects that the second roll support member has been moved to the set position, and that the lever for detection is rotated to the set position, as in the conventional paper roll holder. Is not detected.

The roll accommodating groove defined by the first roll supporting member and the second roll supporting member may accommodate a part of the paper roll or the entire roll. Further, the first roll supporting member and the second roll supporting member may support the paper roll at a fixed position or may allow some movement to support the paper roll.

When the second roll support member is at least close to the set position, the flat plate portion of the second roll support member is substantially parallel to the flat plate-shaped first roll support member extending in the vertical direction. Then, the protrusion provided toward the first roll support member narrows the upper opening of the roll accommodating groove. When the paper roll nears the near end and becomes lighter in weight, the second roll support member approaches the set position.However, in this state, the paper roll in the roll accommodating groove is light, so it is difficult to pull out the paper. It is easily moved along with it, and there is a risk that it will slip out of the upper opening. However, in the paper roll holder of the present invention, even if the paper roll is moved upward in the roll accommodating groove, the upper opening is narrowed by the protrusion, so that the paper roll holder is prevented from coming out of the upper opening. . Also, even if the paper roll moves along the first roll support member, the second roll support member is in a state substantially parallel to the first roll support member. It is not moved against the urging force of the urging means. Therefore, widening of the roll accommodating groove is favorably avoided, and also from this point, the paper roll is prevented from slipping out.

The flat plate portion of the second roll support member and the first roll support member need to be substantially parallel to each other at least when the second roll support member is close to the set position for detecting the near end. However, in other cases, they may be parallel, and the parallel state may always be maintained. Further, the first roll support member does not necessarily have to extend vertically upward and may be inclined to some extent. It is sufficient that at least the paper roll extends in the vertical direction so that the paper roll is housed in the roll housing groove by its own weight. Further, the protrusion may have a size that can prevent the paper roll from coming out of the upper opening when the paper roll is near the near end.

Further, in the state where the paper roll reaches the near end as described above, the position of the second roll supporting member is almost constant regardless of the position of the paper roll in the roll accommodating groove, so that the position of the near end is almost constant. The detection timing does not depend on the position of the paper roll in the roll accommodating groove. Moreover, although the second roll support member may be separated from the first roll support member as the paper roll moves, it is prevented by the paper roll itself from approaching a position smaller than the diameter of the paper roll. Is
Further, when the movement of the paper roll is stopped, the second roll support member is reliably moved to the position where the paper roll is sandwiched between the paper roll and the first roll support member by the urging means.

[0017]

As described above, in the paper roll holder of the present invention, unlike the conventional paper roll holder, the movable member dedicated to the near end detection is unnecessary,
Therefore, the structure can be simplified. Even if the paper roll is near the near end and the weight of the paper roll becomes lighter and the paper roll becomes easier to move as the paper is pulled out, it is possible to prevent the paper roll from slipping out of the roll accommodating groove. Can be detected. Further, the position of the second roll supporting member is substantially constant regardless of the position of the paper roll in the roll accommodating groove, and the second roll supporting member moves to the set position until the paper roll reaches the near end. Since it always moves to the set position when reaching the near end, it is possible to reliably detect the near end, and it is possible to reduce variations in the remaining amount of paper at the time of detecting the near end.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A paper roll holder as an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, 10 is a holder body, which is generally box-shaped. The inside of the holder body 10 is partitioned by a wall 12 into two spaces, a first space 14 and a second space 16.
The first space 14 is a space for accommodating the paper roll 18, and the second space 16 is provided with a limit switch 22 as a sensor, a spring 24, and the like. First space 1
4, a guide roller 30 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the wall 28 orthogonal to the wall 12. The guide roller 30 extends in the longitudinal direction along the wall 28 and constitutes a support portion 32 together with the wall 28. The paper roll 18 is accommodated between the wall 12 and the wall 34 facing it. The paper roll 18 is formed by winding paper around the paper tube 38. Further, the height of the wall 40 connecting the wall 12 and the wall 34 is set lower than the height of the wall 28 so that the paper roll 18 having a large outer diameter can be accommodated.

A support plate 50 is rotatably attached to a substantially central portion of the bottom plate 48 of the first space 14 so that the support plate 50 can approach and separate from the guide roller 30. The support plate 50 is
A main body 5 including a generally rectangular flat plate portion 51 and a protrusion 52.
3 and an L-shaped protrusion 54, the main body 53
In the first space 14, and the protrusion 54 in the second space 16. One end portion of the flat plate portion 51 has a small width, and as shown in FIG. 3, both side portions are each formed as an ear piece 56 which is bent at a right angle. On the other hand, openings 58, 59 (see FIG. 2) are formed in the bottom plate 48, and the two ear pieces 56 are inserted into the openings 58, 59, and are rotatably attached by the pins 60.

The first space 14 is divided into two spaces by a support plate 50, and a space between the support plate 50 and the support portion 32 serves as a receiving groove 64. The support plate 50 is rotatable from a state substantially parallel to the bottom plate 48 to a state substantially vertical,
Moreover, since the wall 28 is provided perpendicularly to the bottom plate 48, the accommodation groove 64 has an upwardly opened shape, and the support plate 5
With the rotation of 0, the upper opening 66 is also narrowed. The paper roll 18 described above is used in the accommodation groove 6 of the first space 14.
4, and the paper is pulled out in the direction of arrow Q from the side of the supporting portion 32. The width of the support plate 50 is about 40 mm, whereas the width of the roll is about 45 mm. When the paper roll 18 is near the near end, the support plate 50 moves to the bottom plate 48.
The support plate 50 is rotated until it becomes substantially vertical to the support plate 50.
The flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32 are substantially parallel to each other.

The other end of the flat plate portion 51 of the support plate 50 is bent in a mountain shape to form a protrusion 52. Protrusion 52
Has a vertical surface 68 that projects substantially perpendicularly to the flat plate portion 51, and is formed on the side facing the support portion 32 of the support plate 50, that is, in a posture in which the upper opening 66 is narrowed. The size of the protrusion 52 (width of the vertical surface 68) is
In the case where the flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32 are in parallel with each other, it is about a degree covering one third of the opening area of the upper opening 66 of the accommodation groove 64. The upper opening 66 is smaller than the outer diameter of the paper roll 18, and the paper roll 18 is prevented from slipping out of the upper opening 66 when the paper is pulled out.
The protrusion 52 includes the flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32, as described later.
Even when and are not parallel, the movement limit of the paper roll 18 is defined, and the roll receiving groove 64 of the paper roll 18 is defined.
Prevent from getting out.

When the remaining amount of paper becomes small and the weight of the paper roll 18 becomes light, the support plate 50 is rotated,
The flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32 are substantially parallel to each other. In that case, the paper roll 18 is easily moved as the paper is pulled out, and the paper roll 18 may be moved vigorously. . If the flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32 are not parallel to each other and the flat plate portion 51 is inclined in the direction of narrowing the upper opening 66, the paper roll 18 accommodated in the accommodation groove 64 is vigorously moved upward. When it is moved, the support plate 50 moves the spring 2 with the movement.
There is a possibility that the housing groove 64 may be opened by being rotated against the biasing force of No. 4. The same may occur when the protrusion 52 is formed to be inclined with respect to the flat plate portion 51.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32 are parallel to each other and the protrusion 52 has the vertical surface 68, even if the paper roll 1
Even if 8 is moved vigorously, there is no fear that the accommodation groove 64 will be expanded, and the roll accommodation groove 6 of the paper roll 18 will not be opened.
Good escape from 4

The projection 54 of the support plate 50 penetrates the fan-shaped opening 70 formed in the wall 12 and projects into the second space 16. In addition, a hole 72 is formed in the portion of the protrusion 54 on the first space 14 side.
On the other hand, an engaging protrusion 76 is provided in the lower portion of the wall 12, and a spring 24 as a biasing means is stretched between the hole 72 and the engaging protrusion 76. The spring 24 biases the support plate 50 in a direction to narrow the accommodation groove 64.

The limit switch 22 is fixed to the upper portion of a wall 80 parallel to the wall 12 via a mounting plate 84.
As will be described later, the near end of the paper roll 18 is detected by the protrusion 54 contacting the limit switch 22. When the near end is detected, the flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32 are parallel to each other as described above. Also, the wall 8
0 has an elongated hole 81 formed in the upper part of
The fixed position relative to is adjustable. Mounting plate 84
If the fixed position is set to the left in FIG. 1, the time when the near end is detected is delayed, the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 at the time of detection becomes small, and the remaining amount of paper becomes small. If it is set to the right, the time when the near end is detected is advanced, and the remaining amount of paper at the time of detection is increased. Strictly speaking, when the fixed position of the mounting plate 84 is moved, the support portion 32 and the flat plate portion 51 are no longer parallel when the near end is detected, but there is no problem if the movement amount is small.
Further, since the second space 16 in which the limit switch 22 and the like are arranged is separated from the first space 14 in which the paper roll 18 is accommodated, the limit switch 22 is protected from dust and the like generated when the paper is pulled out. .

The near end detection of the paper roll in the paper holder constructed as described above will be described.
When the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 is large, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper roll 18 stored in the storage groove 64 is
It is supported by the support plate 50 and the guide roller 30. The support plate 50 is rotated by the paper roll 18 against the biasing force of the spring 24 until it comes into contact with the bottom plate 48. Further, the protrusion 52 engages with the outer peripheral surface of the paper roll 18, thereby defining the rolling limit of the paper roll 18 to the right in FIG. 1 when the paper is pulled out. The support plate 50 is at the position farthest from the support portion 32, and the accommodation groove 64 is in the widest state. Protrusion 54
Is far away from the limit switch 22.

When the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 becomes smaller,
The support plate 50 is rotated by the urging force of the spring 24, but is not necessarily rotated from the beginning with the reduction of the outer diameter of the paper roll 18. In the present embodiment, since the biasing force of the spring 24 is not so large, the support plate 50 is in the position shown in FIG. 1 even if the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 becomes slightly smaller. Therefore, the accommodating groove 64 becomes wider than the outer diameter of the paper roll 18, and the paper roll 18 is allowed to roll within the range defined by the support portion 32 and the protrusion 52 of the support plate 50. Supported. As described above, even if the paper roll 18 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 64 in a state where it can move within the above range, it can be said that the paper roll 18 is in a state of being supported by the support portion 32 and the support plate 50. . Also,
Even if the paper roll 18 rolls within the above range, the paper can be pulled out smoothly.

When the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 becomes smaller and the weight becomes lighter, the support plate 50 starts to rotate. This is because the moment due to the biasing force of the spring 24 acting on the support plate 50 becomes larger than the moment due to the weight of the paper roll 18. The support plate 50 is rotated as the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 is reduced.

When the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 approaches the set value (near end), the flat plate portion 51 of the support plate 50 and the support portion 3 are formed.
2 are substantially parallel to each other, and the protrusion 52 has an upper opening 66.
Will be covered. Therefore, even if the paper roll 18 accommodated in the accommodating groove 64 is vigorously moved as the paper is pulled out, the paper roll 18 is discharged from the upper opening 66 or
The accommodation groove 64 is prevented from expanding and coming out of the upper opening 66. Further, since the protrusion 52 has a chevron shape, it is prevented from being deformed even when a large force is applied to the protrusion 52.

When reaching the near end, as shown in FIG. 4, the support plate 50 is rotated to the set position by the urging force of the spring 24, and the projection 54 is moved to the limit switch 2.
Abutting on 2, the near end is detected. Further, the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 at the time of detecting the near end is defined by the flat plate portion 51 and the support portion 32.

As described above, in this embodiment, the supporting portion 32 functions as the first roll supporting member, and the supporting plate 50
Functions as a second roll support member. The set value of the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 at the time when the near end is detected is determined by the relative position between the support portion 32 and the support plate 50, and the set position of the support plate 50 is such that the protrusion 54 of the support plate 50 is the limit switch. This is the position where it abuts 22.

In this embodiment, the near end is detected by rotating the support plate 50 as the second roll supporting member to the set position, and the near end of the lever or the like required in the conventional paper holder is detected. Since a movable member dedicated to detection is not needed, the structure is simplified accordingly. Further, even if the remaining amount of paper becomes small and the paper roll 18 is easily moved as the paper is pulled out, the paper roll 18 is prevented from slipping out of the roll accommodating groove 64, so that the near end can be reliably detected. . Further, it is possible to reduce variations in the remaining amount of paper at the time of detecting the near end.

In the above embodiment, the projection 52 is sized to cover about 1/3 of the upper opening 66 when the support plate 50 and the support 32 are substantially parallel to each other. The size should cover at least about 1/8, preferably 1/6 or more, more preferably 1/4 or more. In any case, it is sufficient to prevent the paper roll 18 from slipping out. In addition, it is not essential that the protrusion 52 has the vertical surface 68, and it may be an inclined surface. However, when the inclination angle is small, the support plate 50 is easily rotated against the biasing force of the spring 24, and the accommodation groove 64 is easily opened. In order to avoid this, it is better to increase the tilt angle and make it close to vertical.

That is, the shape (size, inclination angle) of the protrusion may be determined so as to prevent the paper roll 18 from coming out of the upper opening 66. Theoretically, if the angle formed by the tangent line at the contact point between the protrusion and the paper roll and the line connecting the center of rotation of the support plate 50 and the contact point is set to be equal to or greater than the friction angle, the paper roll 18 Although it is possible to prevent the paper roll 18 from coming out, in practice, the paper roll 18 can be moved not only in the upward direction but also in the left and right directions. .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, by adjusting the tension position and the elastic coefficient of the spring 24, the support plate 50 can be rotated from the beginning as the outer diameter of the paper roll 18 is reduced. it can. In that case, the paper roll 18 is supported by the support portion 32 and the support plate 50 at a substantially fixed position, and rolling of the paper roll 18 in the paper feeding direction is prevented.

In the above embodiment, the support plate 50 is used.
Was rotatably attached to the holder body 10, but may be slidably attached. Further, instead of the guide roller 30, a fixed partial cylindrical surface may be provided on the wall 28. Providing the guide roller 30 and the partial cylindrical portion can reduce the friction when the paper is pulled out, and the paper can be pulled out smoothly, but it is also possible to omit it.

Further, in the above embodiment, when adjusting the remaining amount of paper at the time of detecting the near end, the fixing position of the mounting plate 84 to which the limit switch 22 is fixed is adjusted. You may make it adjust the fixed position of 84, and adjust the rotation center position of the support plate 50 simultaneously. The support plate 50 is removed from the holder body 10 and the mounting position of the rotation center shaft (pin 60) is moved. Even if the fixing position of the mounting plate 84 is moved, the flat plate portion at the time of detecting the near end is performed. The parallelism between 51 and the support portion 32 is maintained.

Further, in the above embodiment, the flat plate portion 51 of the supporting plate 50 as the second roll supporting member has a plate shape, but it may have a frame shape or a grid shape. If the outer frame is smaller than the width of the paper roll, the paper roll 1
This is the same as supporting 8 substantially by a flat plate, and it can be said that the frame-shaped or lattice-shaped portion is also a flat plate portion. Similarly, the wall 28 of the support portion 32 serving as the first support member may also have a frame shape or a grid shape.

Further, the shape of the protrusion 52 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but may be another shape. Further, the paper pulling-out direction is not necessarily Q when the supporting portion 32 side is located.
It does not have to be the direction.

Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention can be carried out in variously modified and improved modes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a paper roll holder, which is an embodiment of the present invention, with a part thereof cut away.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the paper roll holder.

FIG. 3 is a BB cross-sectional view of the paper roll holder.

FIG. 4 is a front view (partially cutaway) showing an operating state of the paper roll holder different from that in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a conventional paper roll holder.

FIG. 6 is a view on arrow A of the paper roll holder.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state different from that of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Holder Main Body 22 Limit Switch 24 Spring 28 Wall 30 Guide Roller 50 Support Plate 51 Flat Plate Part 52 Projection 56 Ear Piece 54 Projection 64 Storage Groove

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A holder main body having a flat plate-shaped first roll supporting member extending in the up-down direction, and a first roll supporting member attached to the holder main body so as to be able to approach and separate from the first roll supporting member. A second roll supporting member that defines a roll accommodating groove that is opened upward between the second roll supporting member, a biasing unit that biases the second roll supporting member in a direction to narrow the roll accommodating groove, and a second roll supporting member. A first roll support member including a detection device that detects that the second roll support member is moved to a set position by a biasing means, and the second roll support member is at least close to the first roll support member to the set position. A flat part that is substantially parallel to the member, and a projection that projects from the flat part toward the first roll support member and that narrows the upper opening of the roll accommodating groove. Paper roll holder.