(19)
(11) EP 0 823 330 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
09.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/23

(43) Date of publication A2:
11.02.1998 Bulletin 1998/07

(21) Application number: 97305992.6

(22) Date of filing: 06.08.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: B41J 19/78
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 06.08.1996 JP 207305/96

(71) Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
Chiba-shi, Chiba 261 (JP)

(72) Inventor:
  • Imai, Saburo, c/o Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)

(74) Representative: Sturt, Clifford Mark et al
J. MILLER & CO. 34 Bedford Row, Holborn
London WC1R 4JH
London WC1R 4JH (GB)

   


(54) Printer apparatus


(57) A mechanism for feeding recording paper is simplified in a printer apparatus. The printer apparatus is provided with a platen 1 disposed along a direction of the width of recording paper 2 and a thermal head 3 which is pressed against the platen 1 with the recording paper 2 therebetween to carry out the operation for printing information every one line. A linear type ultrasonic motor 5 is used as means for feeding the recording paper 2. The ultrasonic motor 5 feeds the recording paper 2 while being synchronised with the printing operation along a paper feeding direction F from a paper inserting side toward a paper ejecting side of the platen. The ultrasonic motor 5 includes an ultrasonic wave applying portion 5a and a pressure applying portion 5b. The ultrasonic wave applying portion 5a is brought into contact with the recording paper 2 on the paper ejecting side to apply the ultrasonic vibration. The pressure applying portion 5b presses the recording paper 2 against the ultrasonic wave applying portion 5a and converts the ultrasonic vibration into frictional force to draw out the recording paper in the paper feeding direction F.






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