Printing apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10336105-B2
Application number	US-201715446034-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 1, 2017
Priority date	Mar 1, 2016
Publication date	Jul 2, 2019
Grant date	Jul 2, 2019

Abstract

A printing apparatus includes a printing unit that prints on a medium, and a downstream side support unit that is disposed on a downstream side in a transport direction of the medium with respect to the printing unit and includes a heater which heats the medium and suction holes which is communicated with suction mechanisms. In a case of cutting the medium, the suction mechanisms are driven so that the medium is sucked and supported by the downstream side support unit via the suction holes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A printing apparatus comprising:
a printing unit that prints on a medium
a medium support unit that is disposed on a downstream side in a transport direction of the medium with respect to the printing unit, and includes an opening portion which is communicated with a suction mechanism and a cutter guide portion upstream of the opening portion, the cutter guide portion defining a cutting position for the medium;
a winding portion that is disposed on a downstream side with respect to the medium support unit, and that is configured to wind up the medium;
and a controller configured to drive the suction mechanism,
wherein in a case of cutting the medium at the cutter guide portion, the suction mechanism is driven so that the cut medium is sucked and supported by the medium support unit via the opening portion,
wherein, when the cut medium is wound up around the winding portion, the suction mechanism is driven so that the medium is sucked and supported by the medium support unit via the opening portion, and
wherein the opening portion penetrates the medium support unit, and is a groove that extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:
a tension applying unit that is disposed between the medium support unit and the winding portion,
wherein the tension applying unit includes a tension bar that applies tension to the medium, and
wherein, when the medium is cut, the tension bar is moved so that tension applied from the tension bar is reduced.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a heater that heats the medium, wherein the opening portion is disposed on an upstream side in the transport direction of the medium with respect to a region for heating in the medium support unit, the medium being heated by the heater in the region for heating.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a heater that heats the medium, wherein the opening portion is disposed on the downstream side with respect to a region for heating in the medium support unit, the medium being heated by the heater in the region for heating.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a heater that heats the medium,
wherein the cut medium is sucked so that the cut medium is on a region for heating in the medium support unit, the medium being heated by the heater in the region for heating.

6. A control method for a printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints on a medium, a medium support unit including an opening portion that communicates with a suction mechanism and a cutter guide portion, and a winding portion, the method comprising:
printing on the medium by the printing unit;
cutting the medium after printing on the medium;
winding up the cut medium around the winding portion; and
driving the suction mechanism so that the cut medium is sucked via the opening portion and supported by the medium support unit when the cut medium is being wound up.

Assignees

• Seiko Epson Corp

Inventors

• Sakai Mayu
• Kato Junya

Classifications

• B41J15/046

  for the guidance of continuous copy material, e.g. for preventing skewed conveyance of the continuous copy material · CPC title

• B65H19/265

  using a cutting member moving linearly in a plane parallel to the surface of the web and along a direction crossing the web · CPC title

• B41J11/70 Primary

  cutting perpendicular to the direction of paper feed · CPC title

• B41J11/0085

  Using suction for maintaining printing material flat (on rotatable drums B41J13/226) · CPC title

• B41J15/16

  Means for tensioning or winding the web · CPC title