摘要 |
<p>The present invention features a cutting mechanism for a receipt-printing machine, which has paper dispensed from a paper-supply roll. The cutting mechanism has a "v"-shaped, guillotine blade that is held in a blade holder. The blade is driven via the blade holder against a stationary blade and into cutting contact with a paper web containing receipt indicia. The paper web is dispensed from a paper-supply roll located within the printer. A displaceable cover is provided to allow for convenient paper loading and, occasionally, paper jam clearing. There is a blade guide which has side mountings for guiding at least one end tab of the guillotine blade into perpendicular contact with the paper web. The guillotine blade is driven through the blade guide into cutting contact with the paper by a drive cam. The drive cam rotatively engages the blade holder, providing the blade with a forward thrust. The cam is driven by a motor-driven gear train that has a timing gear. The rotating timing gear activates a switch after every complete rotation, which terminates power to the motor, thus allowing a single rotation for the drive cam and, hence, a single cutting cycle. The guillotine retracts from the blade guide under the influence of spring biasing, and is then ready for the next cutting cycle. The guillotine blade is retracted to a remote position within the printer.</p> |