JPH03110185A - Printer terminal unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent accumulation of errors by a method wherein a continuous from a printed paper is cut into pieces each having a unit length, and a continuous film is cut and thermally adhered on the printed parts. CONSTITUTION:When the slack of a laminated film 20 between feed rollers 22 and a guide roller 24 gradually increases, feed rollers 21 and 22 are stopped after a specified time period, and a film cutter 23 is put into action to cut the laminated film 20. The feed rollers 21 and 22 are driven again after the cutting, so the slack the laminated film 20 after the cutting increases further. And when the cut end of the laminated film 20b reaches the feed rollers 22, feed rollers 21 and 22 are stopped. Transfer rollers 15, 16 and 17, an over-laying roller 18b, and thermal-adhesion rollers 25a and 25b are driven to convey a label sheet 2 by a specified distance. When it is detected that the label sheet 2 is conveyed further by a distance A2, the guide rollers 24 is driven to lay the laminated film 20b over the specified position on the label sheet 2, and the laminated film 20b is adhered on the label sheet 2.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Chestnuts! The present invention relates to a printing terminal device, and more particularly to a printing terminal device that prints on continuous paper to be used as cards, labels, etc., cuts it into unit lengths, and laminates the printed portions of the cut paper.

Various devices have been known that laminate printed paper, but these devices print data on continuous paper and print data on the printed part while it is continuous. It is configured to be laminated by heat-bonding the film.

Therefore, conventionally, by subjecting continuous paper to a lamination process that involves heating, a problem arises in that the continuous paper expands and contracts due to the heat during the lamination process. If characters, etc. are displayed on the laminated film and it is necessary to laminate the displayed part so that it corresponds to a predetermined part of the continuous paper, the amount of expansion and contraction is accumulated (and Furthermore, if a jam occurs in the laminating means, since the paper is continuous paper, it will also affect the printing means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a print terminal device that eliminates such inconveniences.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, the printing terminal device of the present invention includes a printing means for printing data on a predetermined position of continuous paper, a cutting means for cutting the printed continuous paper into unit lengths, and a cutting means for cutting the printed continuous paper into unit lengths. A laminating means is provided for cutting a continuous film onto at least the printed portion of the printed paper and then heat-bonding the film.

Data is printed on continuous paper to be used as cards, labels, etc., and after this printed continuous paper is cut into unit lengths, the cut films are laminated by heat-bonding. Therefore, even if the paper expands and contracts due to heating during lamination, this expansion and contraction remains on the paper and does not accumulate.
Even if a jam occurs, it will not affect the printing means.

JLJL Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, Fig. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the printing terminal and device, Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view showing the relationship between one of the overlapping rollers of the laminating section and the guide roller, and Fig. 3 is a series of control operations and a label. An explanatory diagram that schematically shows the relationship with the paper feed amount. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the operation of adhering the laminate film to the label paper cut after printing. Fig. 5 also shows the adhesion operation. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the laminated label paper, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the overlapping roller and the guide roller.

First, the label paper created by the printing terminal device will be explained based on FIG.
It consists of a label piece 29 divided into two pieces at 8. Then, predetermined data is printed by the printing terminal device for each divided portion of the label piece 29, and the laminated film 20a is printed with predetermined data.
, 20b are bonded and covered.

Next, the print terminal device will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, the continuous label paper 2 wound around the label roller L is guided by the guide roller 3, and is thermally transferred by a transfer roller (not shown) rotationally driven by a stepping motor 10. It is configured to be guided to a printing means P having a head 4. The thermal transfer head 4 receives data sent from the host computer 30 from a print data control unit 31 that includes a storage unit that stores data to be printed, such as character information and barcode information, and a control unit that performs various control operations. This control signal controls the printer to print data stored in the storage section described above via a printer CPU 32, which will be described later.

The configuration of this printing means P will also be explained based on FIG. head 4
The tape is guided so as to come into contact with the tape, and after use, it is wound into a ribbon and wound around a take-up roller 9. The ribbon 5 is transported in synchronization with the transport of the label paper 2 by a stamping motor 10 that rotationally drives each roller 1, 6, 9. Label paper detection sensors lla and llb are provided upstream of the guide roller 7 to detect the leading edge of the label paper 2, and the presence of the label paper 2 is detected during the transport process to the thermal transfer head 4.

This detection signal is sent to the printer CPU 32 and further sent to the laminator CPU 33, so that the speed control of the stamping motor IO and various controls for the label paper 2 and the laminate film 20 are performed by control signals from the printer CPU 32 or the laminator CPU 33. Everything will be done.

This control will be explained in more detail based on FIG. By counting the number of pulses, the amount of rotation of the stepping motor 10 is detected, and thereby the amount of feed of the label paper 2 is detected. Then, based on the detected feed amount of the label paper 2, the timing at which the thermal transfer head 4 starts printing on the label paper 2 is controlled, while the label paper 2 is sent to the laminator CPU 33, and is sent to a guide roller 24 and each overlapping roller 18a, which will be described later. The start timings of the overlapping operation of the laminate film 20 and the label paper 2 by the laminate film 18b and the start of the reading operation of the print contents by the mechanical reading device W26 are controlled respectively. Further, based on the detected feed amount of the label paper 2, the printer CPU 32 is configured to control the timing at which the rotary cutter 12, which will be described later, starts cutting the label paper 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of upper and lower discharge rollers 14 are provided following the guide roller 8 to discharge the printed label paper 2 from the printing means P. Following the printing means P, there is provided a cutting means C consisting of a rotary cutter 12 and a fixed blade 13 for cutting the continuous printed label paper 2 into unit lengths at predetermined positions.

As described above, the cutting timing of the rotary cutter 12 is determined by the label paper detection sensor 11a.

It is controlled by a control signal of the printer CPU 32 based on a detection signal from the printer 11b.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1, a laminating means is provided following the cutting means C, and the printed label paper 2 cut into unit lengths discharged by the discharge roller 14 is transferred to three pairs of upper and lower transport rollers. 15°16.17, and is guided to a pair of upper and lower overlapping rollers 18a and 18b.

The one overlapping roller 18a also serves as a guide roller for the laminate film 20, and is supported in a free state, and a guide roller 24 is provided so as to be in contact with it. The overlapping rollers 18a, 18b
A laminate roller 19 on which a continuous laminate film 20 is wound is provided above, and the laminate film 20 is passed between each pair of supply rollers 21 and 22 arranged vertically at a predetermined distance from each other. is pulled downward. A film canter 23 is provided between these supply rollers 21,22.

Note that the rotation axis of the guide roller 24 is set below the rotation axis of the overlapping roller 18a which also serves as a guide roller, and is set so as not to contact the transport surface of the label paper 2.
The diameter of the guide roller 24 is set smaller than the diameter of the roller 18a. For this reason, each of the rollers 18
The tangent at the contact point a, 24 is as shown in Figure 2,
Since the laminate film 20 is stretched to the left of the vertical line, the laminate film 20 cut into a predetermined length and guided between the rollers 182 and 24 is guided in the tangential direction and stretched between the pair of overlapping rollers 18a and 18b. You will be guided to. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the rollers 24.
18a and 18b are divided into a plurality of parts in the axial direction, and the guide roller 24 and the overlapping roller 18b are configured to contact the overlapping roller 18a at alternate divided parts.

By the pair of overlapping rollers 18a and 18b,
The laminate film 20 is superimposed in a predetermined state on the label paper 2 transferred by each transfer roller 15, 16, 17, and transferred to a pair of upper and lower heat bonding rollers 25a, 25b. The upper roller 25a is a heating iron arm with a built-in heater, and the lower roller 25b is a hard silicone rubber roller with excellent durability.
a.

25b, a predetermined amount of heat and pressure is applied to adhere the laminate film 20 onto the label paper 2.

In addition, each transfer roller 15, 16, 17 and heat bonding roller 2
5a, 25b, each supply roller 21, 22, and guide roller 24 are connected to three separate drive systems to drive the laminator CP.
The drive is controlled by the control signal of U33, and the cutting timing of the laminate film 20 by the film cutter 23 is also all controlled by the laminator CPU33. Although not shown in FIG. 3, all of these controls are performed based on detection signals from the label paper detection sensors lla and llb.

A mechanical reading device 26 is provided subsequent to the laminating means described above, and is configured to mechanically read the printed portion of the laminated label paper 2 and output a reading signal to the print data control section 31.

If the mechanical reading device 26 cannot read the data, or if the read content is different from the stored content in the storage unit, the same data is sent to the thermal transfer head 4 by a control signal from the print data control unit 31. control is performed so that proper data is printed on a new label paper 2 again. As described above, this mechanical reading device 26 is also controlled based on the detection signals from the label paper detection sensors 11a and 11b.

Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be explained.

In advance, with the end of the label paper 2 shown in FIG. 6 as a reference, the length A from this point to the adhesion start end of the first laminate film 20a 11 The length BI to the first print start end BI + I2O3 of the laminate film 20b Length to adhesive start end A8. Length B to second print start edge
Input the length to the other end of the label paper 2, that is, the unit length, into the memory section of the printer CPU 32 (
.

Subsequently, the stamping motor IO is rotated, and as shown in FIG. A detection signal is sent, and while the ribbon 5 is transported in synchronization with the label paper 2, the counter 34 of the printer CPU 32 is activated. This force is applied to the stamping motor 10 by the counter 34.
The feed amount signal of the label paper 2, which is obtained by counting the pulses from the printer CPU 32, is transmitted from the printer CPU 32 to the laminator CPU 33.
The following various controls are performed based on the feed amount signal.

When this feed amount signal reaches a predetermined amount and is further sent by a length B, as shown in FIG.
The first data on the printer from the host computer 30, which has been stored in advance in the first storage section, is printed at a predetermined position on the label paper 2 by the thermal transfer head 4. #IE, after the feed amount signal reaches the predetermined amount, when the feed signal is further fed for a length of B8, as shown in FIG. The print data is printed at a predetermined position on the label paper 2 by the thermal transfer head 4.

The printed label paper 2 is delivered by the ejection roller 14.
It is sent from the printing means P via the cutting means C to the transport rollers 15.16.17 of the laminating means. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, when the printed label paper 2 is transported a predetermined distance and further transported by a unit length, the ejection roller 14 and each transport roller 15, 16 .17 is stopped (at time t8 in Figure 5),
Subsequently, the label paper 2 is cut by the rotary cutter 12.
is cut into unit lengths at predetermined positions. During this time, the laminate film 20 is in a standby state as shown in FIG. 4 1al.

After cutting the label paper 2, each of the transport rollers 15.1
6.17 is driven, and the printed unit length label paper 2 is stacked on the overlapping roller 18a.

18b, and the overlapping roller 18a
, 18b and enters a standby state (time t2 in FIG. 5). At Vt, the film cutter 23 is activated and the laminate film 20 is cut to a predetermined length, and then the respective supply rollers 21, 22 The guide roller 24 is driven, and the cut laminate film 20a and the laminate film 20 are transported downward.

At this time, since the transport speed of each of the supply rollers 21 and 22 is faster than the transport speed of the guide roller 24 and the overlapping roller 18a that is in contact with the guide roller 24, the laminated film 20a is moved as shown in FIG. Each of the rollers 2
2.24.18a gradually slackens, and the cut end of the laminate film 20a touches the supply roller 22.
In response to this, the driving of each of the supply rollers 21 and 22 and the guide roller 24 is stopped (time t5 in FIG. 5).

Next, each of the transport rollers 15, 16, 17, the overlapping roller 18b on the f side, and the heat bonding rollers 2a, 25b are driven again, and the label paper 2 is transported a predetermined distance V, and is further transported a length A1. When the label paper 2 is removed, the guide row t24 is driven to transport the cut laminate film J20a, and the laminate film 20a is superposed on the label paper 2 at a predetermined position ( (see Figure 4 tc+) and each of the rollers 24°18
b, 15.16.1? , 25a, 25b are stopped (at time t4 in Fig. 5), and then each transfer roller 1 is moved again.
5.16.17, one of the overlapping rollers tab and the heat bonding rollers 25a, 25b are driven to ensure that the superimposed laminate film 20a and label paper 2 pass through the heat bonding rollers 25a, 25b. The necessary heat and pressure is applied to bond the label paper 2, and the label paper 2 is
A laminate film 20a is adhered to each roller 1.
5, 16. The driving of 17, 18b, 25a, and 25b is stopped (at time t5 in FIG. 5).
is on standby with the laminate film 20a adhered to one divided portion of the label piece 29.

Subsequently, each of the supply rollers 21 and 22 and the guide roller 24 are driven, and the laminate film 20 in the state shown in FIG. Aligning roller 18
The driving of the guide roller 24 is stopped at the time when the guide roller 24 is held between the guide rollers 24a and 24a. On the other hand, since each of the supply rollers 21 and 22 is still being driven, the amount of slack in the laminate film 20 between the supply roller 22 and the guide roller 24 gradually increases, and after a predetermined time, the supply roller 21 and 22 are also stopped (at time t6 in FIG. 5).

Here, the film cutter 23 is operated to cut the laminate film 20 (see FIG. 4(d)).

After this cutting, each supply roller 21, 22 is driven, and the cut laminate film 20b is transferred to the supply roller 22.
When the cut end of the laminate film 20b corresponds to the supply roller 22, the amount of slack increases further between the laminate film 20b and the guide roller 24 (see FIG. 4 (el)).
The driving of each of the supply rollers 21 and 22 is stopped (fifth
Figure t1).

Simultaneously with this drive stop, each transfer roller 1516, I
T, one of the overlapping rollers 18b and the heat bonding roller 25
a and 25b are driven. And as shown in Figure 3,
When it is detected that the label paper 2 has been transported a predetermined distance and has been further transported by a length A2, the guide roller 24 is driven and the laminate film 20b is superimposed on the label paper 2 at a predetermined position (see FIG. 4). f)), each of the rollers 24.18b, 15.16.17.25a, 25
The drive of roller b is stopped (time t1 in FIG. 5), and then each of the transfer rollers 15, 16, 17, one of the overlapping rollers 18b, and the heat-adhering roller 25a are moved again.

25b is driven, and the heat bonding roller 25a,
25b, heat and pressure necessary for reliable adhesion are applied, and the laminate film 20b is adhered to the label paper 2, and each of the rollers 18b, 15.16
．． 1? , 25a.

The drive of 25b is stopped (at time t9 in FIG. 5).

Then again each supply roller 21, 22 and each transfer roller 1
5,16.1? , the overlapping roller 18b and the heat bonding rollers 25a, 25b are driven, and the laminated film 2
0 is in the standby 4R state as shown in FIG. 4(a), while the label paper 2 to which the laminate films 20a and 20b are adhered is further transported, and as shown in FIG. and B, the respective first and second printed portions of the laminated label paper 2 are mechanically read by the machine reading device 26 at the respective times. This read signal is output to the print data control unit 31, and if the machine reading device 26 cannot read the signal or the read content is different from the stored content in the storage unit, the print data control unit 31 controls the print data 118. In response to the signal, the print cPU 32 causes the thermal transfer head 4 to print the same proper data on a new label sheet 2 in a standby state.

After this reprint or the machine reading device 2
If the reading by No. 6 is correct, the above-described operations are repeated.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and for example, the guide roller 24 does not necessarily have a diameter smaller than that of the overlapping roller 18a, and does not necessarily need to have its rotation axis set downward. Furthermore, the laminate film 20 may be configured to be adhered not only to one side of the label paper 2 but also to both sides, and the number of laminate films 20 to be adhered to the - side is not limited to two, but may be - or three or more. , the machine reading device 26 does not necessarily need to be provided.

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the printed continuous paper is cut into unit lengths, and the similarly cut laminate films are overlapped and glued together, so there is no difference in the amount of error. This has the effect that the laminating film can always be adhered to the correct position on the paper, and even if a jam occurs during lamination, the print means will not be affected by it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the printing terminal device, Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view showing the relationship between one of the overlapping rollers and the guide roller of the laminating section, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view showing the relationship between one of the overlapping rollers and the guide roller. The figure is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the relationship between a series of control operations and the feed amount of label paper, Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the operation of adhering the laminate film to printed label paper, and Fig. 5 6 is a plan view showing the laminated label paper, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the overlapping roller and the guide roller. 2...Label paper 4...Thermal transfer head
5... Ribbon 11a, 11b... Label paper detection sensor 12... Rotary cutter 1
3...Fixed blade 14...Discharge roller 15
, 16.17...Transfer roller 1lla, 18b
...Overlapping rollers 20, 20a, 20b・
- Laminating film 21.22... Supply roller - 23... Film cutter 24.
...Guide rollers 25a, 25b...Heating rollers 30...Host computer 31...Print data control section 32...Printer CPυ
33...Laminator CU

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printing device that prints data at a predetermined position on continuous paper, a cutting device that cuts the printed continuous paper into unit lengths, and a continuous film that is cut and heat-bonded to at least the printed portion of the cut paper. A printing terminal device characterized by comprising a laminating means.