EA000140B1 - Cutting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A cutting mechanism for performing cutting operations on a multi-layer tape, the cutting mechanism comprising first and second cutting blades, the first cutting blade being arranged to cut through all layers of the multi-layer tape and the second cutting blade being arranged to cut through one or more layers of the multi-layer tape, but leaving at least one layer intact and spaced at a location lengthwise of the tape with respect to the first cutting blade; and an anvil holder carrying first and second anvils arranged to cooperate respectively with said first and second cutting blades and to be mounted for rolling motion so that as said rolling motion widthwise of the tape occurs the cutting operations are carried out. 2. A cutting mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second cutting blades are mounted on a common blade holder. 3. A cutting mechanism according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein both or each anvil is provided with a circumferential slot aligned with its respective blade. 4. A cutting mechanism according to any preceding Claim which includes a motor for driving said rolling motion. 5. A cutting mechanism according to any preceding Claim wherein the anvil holder is mounted for rotation with respect to a carriage, the carriage being mounted for linear movement in the direction widthwise of the tape. 6. A cutting mechanism according to Claim 5 wherein the carriage is mounted on a lead screw, rotation of the lead screw causing said linear motion of the carriage. 7. A cutting mechanism according to any preceding Claim wherein the anvil holder is biased relative to the first and second cutting blades. 8. A cutting mechanism according to Claim 5 or 6 wherein a hinged portion of the carriage carries the anvil holder and is biased with respect to a body portion of the carriage. 9. A cutting mechanism according to any preceding Claim wherein the first cutting blade can be selectively disengaged. 10. A cutting mechanism according to Claim 9 wherein said selective disengagement of the first cutting blade is responsive to the distance over which the anvil holder has moved. 11. A printing device characterized in that it comprises an input device for entering user-defined information; a printing mechanism comprising a printhead and platen for performing printing operations at a printing location; means for feeding the tape through the printing location; a cutting mechanism according to any preceding Claim; and a controller for controlling printing and cutting operations.

Description

The invention relates to a cutting mechanism used mainly, but not exclusively, in a printing device for cutting printed tape.

Known electronic printing devices, which use a supply of multi-layer tape, which is contained in the cassette located in the printing device. A multilayer tape consists of an image receiving layer and a reverse layer glued to the image receiving layer using an adhesive layer. After the image is printed onto the image receiving layer, the reverse layer is removed, and the image receiving layer is adhered to the object using an adhesive layer. In such printers, there is a cutting mechanism so that after printing the image onto the image receiving layer, a cut is cut from the tape, so that this piece of tape can be used as a label. For this purpose, the cutting mechanism is equipped with a blade in order to cut all the layers of the multi-layer tape. There are also printers whose cutting mechanism is equipped with a blade for a so-called snip (Tab cut). This blade cuts only one layer of a multi-layer tape, namely, either the image receiving layer or the reverse layer; that is, one layer remains intact. So, for example, the applicant launches a printing device under the name DYMO 6000, which has an incision blade, which cuts the upper image-receiving layer, while the reverse layer remains intact. Thanks to the resulting incision, it is possible to easily remove the image receiving layer from the reverse layer.

In the DYMO 6000 printing device, the notch blade is made in the form of a ceramic blade inserted into the blade holder by

In the DYMO 6000 printing device, the notch blade is made in the form of a ceramic blade inserted into the blade holder by injection molding, and it protrudes from the holder to 100 cm. During the cut, forces are applied to the blade holder, so that the blade cuts the image receiving layer, and the tape rests on the flat surface of the mating part. The height at which the notch blade protrudes from the holder is precisely set, thus ensuring an exact notch of the tape, at which the blade always cuts the image receiving layer, leaving the reverse layer of the tape intact.

This device is inconvenient because the force on the holder must be high, especially when cutting the tape with a large width. Ribbons 6, 12 and 19 mm wide can be used in such printers. To cut a tape with a width of 19 mm, a force of up to 100 N is required. For small printing devices, it is difficult to produce the required effort.

This problem is solved in the cutting mechanism described in European Patent Application No. 0711637, which was published later than the priority of this application. Reference is made to the content of this application, which is included in this application. In this cutting mechanism, the mating part is installed in such a way that it rolls down against the blade during the cutting process, while gradually cutting across the width of the tape. Thus, the tape is not cut in one stroke, so that the effort required to implement the cutting process is much less.

In the cutting mechanism described in European Patent Application No. 0711637, the incision is carried out using a rolling mating part, and the full length of a piece of tape is carried out using another cutting mechanism mechanically connected with the rolling mating part. The present invention is an improvement to this solution.

One aspect of the invention provides a cutting mechanism for performing cutting processes on a multi-layer tape, wherein the cutting mechanism is equipped with a first and second blades, and the first blade is set so that it cuts all the layers of the multi-layer tape, and the second blade is set so that it cuts one or more layers of tape, leaving a single, at least one layer, and it is in the longitudinal distance from the first blade; and the holder of mating parts, in which the first and second mating parts are located, respectively interacting with the first and second blades and positioned in such a way that they can roll along the width of the belt, while carrying out the necessary cutting processes.

The first and second blades are preferably in the same holder.

Using such a simple cutting mechanism, it is possible to cut the tape or complete a part of the tape. This cutting mechanism is particularly useful for use in the above-described printing devices. The present invention thus also relates to a printing device in which the above-described cutting mechanism is applied. Such a printing device may be provided with an input device in the form of a keyboard, etc., in order to enter user-defined information such as printable characters, length and label format, etc. In such a printing device, there is a printing mechanism which, for performing the printing process, consists of a printing head and a backpressure roll. In such printing devices, the receiving image of the tape covered with heat transfer tape is pulled through the printing mechanism, and the receiving image tape is a multilayer tape. The tape is pulled through the print zone with an engine, which drives the back pressure roll or a set of tape rollers in order to pull the tapes through the print zone. These printers are equipped with a microprocessor control, which controls the moment of printing in relation to the movement of the tape and in accordance with the data entered by the user through the input device. The thermal printhead has a column of printing elements, so that the image is printed onto the ribbon along the columns when it is pulled through the printing mechanism.

In such printing devices, the label is usually compiled, printed, and then cut off the tape, which is a label. But it may be advisable to adjust the cutting mechanism in such a way that only tape cuts are carried out, whereby the cuts along the length of the tape are at a certain distance from each other, thereby determining the labels to be composed. Labels can then be removed from the general reverse layer of the tape that was not cut. This is achieved in a preferred embodiment of the invention due to the element contained in the cutting mechanism, with which the first blade can be removed from action. This process can be controlled depending on the path traveled by the holder of the mated parts.

The mating part (mating parts) preferably has (have) a circular slit directed toward the corresponding blade, so the blade does not contact the surface of the mating part. This has the following advantages: due to the fact that there is no direct contact of the blade with the mating part, problems associated with damage and wear are eliminated; the height at which the blade protrudes from the holder should not be so clearly established as in the device described in European patent application No. 0711637. This implies that the requirements for the straightness of the blade during production should not be so high.

If the mating parts have gaps, the difference between the cutting blade and the cutting blade is the height at which the corresponding blade protrudes from the blade holder. Thus, one blade holder is sufficient.

The principle of operation of the present invention and its practical application are explained by examples using the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the cutting mechanism inside the printing device with the cassette inserted, top view;

in fig. 2 shows section II-II in FIG. 1, while the rolling mating part is in its original position;

in fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the elements of the proposed cutting mechanism.

in fig. 4a - another arrangement of the cassette, side view, 4c - top view;

in fig. 5a - view of the proposed cutting mechanism;

in fig. 5b - sled, cut.

in fig. 5c is a schematic representation of a slide after their manufacture by injection molding;

in fig. 6 - elements of the cutting mechanism, with which you can, if necessary, withdraw from the action of the blade for cutting off part of the tape;

in fig. 7a to 7c show the cutting mechanism of FIG. 6, front views;

in fig. 8 - possible positions of the holder of mating parts, a schematic diagram;

in fig. 9 — drive elements and sensitive elements of the cutting mechanism of FIG. 6;

in fig. 10 are the signals emitted by the sensing element of FIG. 9;

in fig. 11 is a control block diagram; in fig. 1 2 is a flow chart of control operations;

in fig. 1 3 - diagram of the sequence of operations in the manufacture of a sequence of labels, separated from each other only by cuts (score cut labels);

in fig. 1 4 is a flow chart for indications of possible modes selected by the user;

in fig. 1 5 - all possible indications on the display in a special mode;

in fig. 1 6 - all possible indications on the display in installation mode.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the cutting mechanism described in our European patent application published under No. 0711637, located in a printing device equipped with a printing mechanism and in which a cassette is inserted. The number 2 refers to the body of the printing device in which the cassette camera is located. Inside the case there is a base 4 with a protrusion on which a return spring 8 is fixed. The printing mechanism consists of a print head and a backpressure roll 1 2, which interacts with the print head in order to print an image on the image receiving tape T. Printhead 1 0 and a backpressure roll 1 2 lean on the base 4 inside the case. FIG. 1 printhead is in working position; from this position it can be brought into a neutral position, in which it is located at a certain distance from the backpressure roll 1 2, thus it is possible to easily remove and insert the cassette. The number 14 refers to the inserted cassette. In the cassette 14 is a supply of ink ribbon and the image receiving tape, which, covering each other, pass between the back pressure roller and the print head. The ink ribbon is then rewound back to the cassette 14, and the image receiving tape protrudes from the printing device. The number 16 refers to the area of printing, which pass the image receiving tape and ink ribbon, and the figure 18 refers to the area in which the tape comes out of the printing device. Between zones 16 and 18 is the zone in which the cutting process described below takes place.

The cutting mechanism consists of two main parts. The first part consists of the cutting body 20, on which the blade 22 is fastened. The blade 22 cuts the tape T through the entire thickness, while it enters the slot 24, which is located in the cassette 14 at the first cutting place C1. The cutting body rests on the supports 56, 58. On the surface adjacent to the tape, the cutting body has a clamp that during the cutting process presses the tape T to the support surface of the cassette 1 4. The number 26 refers to one of two springs related to the respective supports 56, 58 The mode of action of this part of the cutting mechanism is described in our European patent application published under No. 0634275. Reference is made to the content of this application, which is included in this application.

With the help of the second part of the cutting device at the second cutting place C2, located at a distance from the fixed first cutting place, the so-called tape cutting is carried out. The tape consists of several layers, at least of the upper layer, the adhesive layer and the reverse layer, which can be removed from the adhesive layer, so that the upper layer can be glued to the object using the adhesive layer. An image or information is printed on the top layer of the tape. FIG. 1 top layer of ribbon T is on the right side next to the print head. The second part of the cutting mechanism is equipped with a blade holder 30, in which the cutting blade is located. The cutting blade is placed in an elastic body 34, which in turn is installed with an overload on the support 36 of the printing device. In this part of the cutting mechanism is also the so-called mating part 38. The mating part 38 rolls down against the notch blade, while gradually cutting across the width of the belt. And at the same time, the cutting depth is controlled in such a way that only the top layer is cut, and the reverse layer remains intact.

The rolling mating part 38 is more clearly depicted in FIG. 2, which is a section II-II in FIG. 1. The rolling mating part 38 has an arcuate surface 3 and a drive part 38a. FIG. 1 and 2 rolling mating part 38 is depicted in its original position. Rolling mating part 38 moves in two guides, namely in the first guide 40, located in the side of the housing 2 of the printing device, and in the second guide 42, located inside the housing in the side of the camera cassette. Guides are equipped with tracks in order to control the movement of the rolling mating part 38. The rolling mating part 38 has two protrusions for the same purpose, for example, in the form of balls or fingers located near the respective end portions of the arcuate surface 3. The fingers are not visible in FIG. 2, because they are not shown in FIG. 1 and 2 of the side of the rolling mating part 38. And the fingers interacting with the track of the guide 40, which are on the visible side of the rolling mating part 38, are not shown so as not to overload FIG. 2. Of course, there is no need for the mating part to move on both sides in guides with a positive fit. One guide on one side may be enough. The driving pin 38 for the cutting body also rests on the rolling mating part 38. This finger is located on a not shown in FIG. 2 side mating parts. The cutting body 20 is provided with the one shown in FIG. 2 of the guide 50, in which the driving pin 48 fixed to the mating parts is moved. The angle of the guide 50 to the surface of the belt 38 is also shown in FIG. 2

The function of the cutting device described in European Patent Application No. 0711637 is described. FIG. 2 shows the starting position. In this position, the return spring 8 is not pressed. The spring is located between the protrusion 6 and the driving finger 48, with what it is conducted around the guide roller 52. The driving fingers are located in the upper part of the guide. The cutting body 20 is in a position in which it provides the position of the blade 22 at a certain distance from the belt T. In order to carry out the cutting of the belt, the drive part 38a of the rolling mating part 38 moves in the direction of arrow A (Fig. 2). The movement of the rolling mating part 38 is controlled by the movement of the driving fingers in the guides. The movement is controlled in such a way that the arcuate surface of the rolling mating part 38 rolls along the surface of the blade holder for notching 30, while cutting is carried out on the tape passing by the cutting point C2. The fingers and guides are placed in such a way that ensures accurate, repeatable rolling movement is achieved.

The movement of the rolling mating part 38 causes the finger to move the cutting body along the guide 50 in the cutting body. Thus, the cutting body moves to the right (Fig. 2). Moving the finger down also leads to stretching of the return spring 8, which is thus tensioned. When moving the cutting body 20 to the right, the blade 22, located in the cutting body 20, performs a full cut of the part of the tape at the cutting site C1 (Fig. 2).

FIG. 3 shows the practical implementation of the cutting mechanism according to one possible embodiment of the present invention. This cutting mechanism is used in such printing devices in which the cassette 14 shown in FIG. 1 does not have a surface with a slot for supporting the tape, but instead has a guide part behind the printing point as the end part. The cutting mechanism is thus located outside the cassette where the tape protrudes from the cassette. It is also not necessary that the cassette is equipped with an image receiving tape and a heat transfer tape. The heat transfer tape may be in a different cassette or may be completely absent.

Such an establishment is depicted in FIG. 4a and 4c. In order not to overload FIG. 4c the base is not shown, but it is, of course, located in the chamber of the cassette of the printing device. The printing device, as described above, consists of a print head 21 0 and a backpressure roller 212. In FIG. 4B depicts a cassette 214 in which there is a supply of ink ribbon or heat transfer tape, and a substrate cassette 216 in which there is a supply of image receiving tape. For the implementation of the printing process, the image receiving tape and ink ribbon, covering each other, are pulled through the print head 21 0 and the backpressure roll 212. The ink ribbon is then rewound back into the cassette, and the image receiving tape on which the image is now printed, due to the rotation of the back pressure shaft 21 2 extends to the left of the printing area (Fig. 4c). At the place where the ribbon leaves the printing device EL, the substrate cassette is equipped with a guiding element 218. The cutting mechanism 220 described below is located at the point where the ribbon leaves the printing device. FIG. 4A is a side view of FIG. 4B in the direction of arrow IV. It can thus be seen that the cartridge of the ink ribbon 214 and the substrate cartridge 216 are supported on the base 222 of the printing device. FIG. 4A also shows how the tape T protrudes from the device. The cutting mechanism itself works as follows.

FIG. 3 shows the blade holder 1 00 in which the blade for the full length of the part from the tape 1 02 and the blade for notching the tape 103 are located; the first blade cuts all the layers of the multi-layer tape across the entire thickness, and the second blade cuts only one layer or several layers of multilayer tape, leaving a whole reverse layer. The cutting mechanism is also equipped with a holder in which there are two rolling mating parts 106, 108. The first rolling mating part 1 06 interacts with the blade for the 1 02 pieces, and the second rolling mate part 1 08 interacts with the cutting blade 103. The holder of the rolling mating parts 1 04 is made in the form of a central shaft rotated along the axis AA. Each of the rolling mating parts is equipped with a narrow circular slit 106a and 108a. The slots are opposite the corresponding blade, thus ensuring that the blade is not in contact with the rolling mating part. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the T-tape: it protrudes from the cassette and is pulled toward the cutting mechanism in the direction of the arrow B. As in FIG. 1 cutting places are located at a certain distance from each other in order to cut a part of the tape at one place C1 and notch at another place C2, while the necessary cutting mode is selected as follows.

FIG. 5a shows a view of the end part of the cutting mechanism. This is a view of the tape T on the way from the cassette. Thus, the blade holder 1 00 can be seen in the section, here the blade for length 102 is shown. The width of the tape is indicated by the letter w. This value depends on the width of the inserted tape. The holder of the rolling mating parts 1 04 is fixed on the slide 110, and due to the action of the spring, it is installed with tension against the holder of the blades 100. The force exerted by this is constant. A downward force is indicated by an arrow F. The sled moves across the width of the tape T with the motor-driven guide screw 114. Moving the slide with the screw rotates the rolling mating parts 106 and 108, and thus on the tape T at the cutting points C1 and C2 blades are carried out cutting processes.

FIG. 5c shows the section 110 of the slide. Here you can clearly see how the sled works. The guide screw 114 is in the hole 115 in the slide, it is fixed to the ends of the hole with nuts with a thread 117. Rotation of the guide screw 114 thus leads to reciprocating movement of the slide (Fig. 5c).

The sled 110 consists of a main part 110a and a rotatable part 110b. The rotatable part is provided with a recess 119, on which the holder (shaft) 104 of the rolling mating part rests. The rotating part 110b is connected to the main part 110a by means of a hinge 110c. The spring between the main part and the rotary part acts in such a way that it exerts a force F down, as described in the description of FIG. 5a.

To simplify production, the sled consists of only one part, with the rotary part 110b open to the main part. This is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 5c. By the fact that the slide consists of only one part, it is possible to attach the spring to the slide and rotate the rotatable part 110b in the direction of the arrow Y, thus simplifying production.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible to actuate or deactivate the blade for cutting, so that a cutting is made along with a cutting or only a cutting. Such a cutting mechanism is depicted in FIG. 6, which is similar to FIG. 3 view of the cutting mechanism, while the rolling mating parts are fixed in the holder 104. The cutting blade rests on the finger 116, which moves by moving the valve 118. The valve 118 is basically a flat, long part that moves in the groove 120 located in the blade holder 100. In FIG. 7a depicts a cutting mechanism — front view, with valve 118 shown in more detail. FIG. 7a, the valve is in the rear position. The right side of the valve 118 is made in the form of a cam to which the finger of the blade 116 adjoins. The left side of the valve 118 is the drive part 1 24, which protrudes from the long flat part. On the drive part 1 24 there is a starting element 1 26, which is pulled in the longitudinal direction, that is, in the direction in which the slide 110 moves. At its end is the stop 128. The stop is as follows.

FIG. 7a shows the holder of rolling mating parts in the initial position, it is located at the extreme left end of its path (Fig. 7a). In this position, it ensures that the drive part 1 24 of the valve 118 is in such a position that the cam-shaped part 1 22 holds the finger 116 down, while the blade for cutting is removed from the action. If the holder of the rolling mating parts 1 04 rolls from the starting position to the right in the direction of the arrow C (FIG. 7A), then only an incision is made. The holder of the rolling mating parts may be in two positions of impact, in the internal position of impact, shown in FIG. 7c, and in the external position of the impact shown in FIG. 7c. In the internal position of the impact, the shaft of the holder of rolling mating parts is adjacent directly to the stop 1 28 of the drive element 1 26 and thus does not move the valve 118. The blade for cutting off part of the tape is thus not actuated, and when the holder of the rolling mating parts during reverse The stroke moves from the internal position of the strike to the initial position; also, there is no strip cut from the tape.

If the holder of the rolling mating parts 1 04 rolls, however, to the outer position of the impact, as shown in FIG. 7c, then it rolls towards the stop 1 28 of the starting element 1 26 and thereby tightens the valve to the right. The cam-shaped part 1 22 unlocks the finger 116, so that the blade for the cuts again moves to the cutting position. During the return stroke of the holder of the rolling mating parts, that is, when it moves back to its original position, a part of the tape is cut. When cut off during the final phase of the return stroke, the blade holder moves the starting part 1 24 of the valve to the left when the holder of the mating parts reaches the starting position. Thus, the valve 118 with the cam-shaped part 1 22 ensures that the finger moves downwards and the cutting blade is removed from the action. When the holder of rolling mating parts again moves from the starting position to the stop, no cuts are made. In other words, on the proposed device, a portion of the tape is cut only during the return stroke of the holder of the rolling mating parts 1 04.

FIG. 8 shows the starting position, the internal strike position and the external strike position with respect to the maximum width of the belt. Thus, the user can select the cutting mode - it is possible to make a cut with an incision or only an incision. This can occur automatically using the device shown in FIG. 9. The blade holder is not depicted in FIG. 9, but the slide 110 is shown with a rolling mating part 1 06. As already said in connection with the description of FIG. 5a, the slide 110 moves on the guide screw 114. The figure 200 refers to a DC motor. The motor 200 drives the guide screw with a pair of gearboxes 202. The device is also equipped with a first spring switch 204, which records the initial position of the mating parts holder. Recognition of the internal and external positions of the impact is ensured by the second spring switch 206, which registers the rotation of the second gear of the gearbox of the pair of gearboxes 202. This can be done, for example, by means of an end cam on the second gearbox wheel. Each rotation of the guide screw 114 produces a pulse at the second spring switch, thus forming a simple incremental speed sensor. FIG. 10, signals emitted by the spring switches 204 and 206 are depicted. The spring switches 204 and 206 are referred to herein as diagnostic switches.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus having the characteristics described above. FIG. 11 depicts a central control of a 300 printing device equipped with a microprocessor with a permanent memory of the ROM 302 and a random access memory of the RAM 304. The control 300 is connected to the LCD driver 309, with which it controls the display 308 of the printing device. As shown by the jagged line between the control 300 and the LCD driver 309, these components can be installed separately from the printing device. The control 300 is also connected to a keyboard or other input device 306 in order to obtain information about the printed data, cutting processes, etc. For this purpose, many keys are provided, which as an example are depicted as keys 320, 310, 312 and 316 As indicated by the jagged line between control 300 and the input device, the input device can be installed separately from the printing device. The control 300 is also connected to the print head 210 and to the engine 307, which drives the backpressure roll so that it transports the belt from the printing device. Driven by control, the print head and the motor in a known manner carry out the processes of printing and transporting the tape. The control is also connected to a two-way control switch for the engine 317, which below controls the motor 200, which actuates the blades.

The control 300 obtains information from those shown in FIG. The 9 diagnostic switches 204, 206. The control 300 is also connected to the diagnostic switches of the cassette 301, which are located in the camera chamber of the printing device and tell the control the necessary characteristics of the cassette, for example, the type of tape, the width of the tape, etc.

The principle of operation of the control 300, which ensures the implementation of the cutting process described above, is described using FIG. 12. In short, control 300 receives the necessary signals from diagnostic switches 204, 206, with the help of these signals it can determine the position of the sled 110. It can thus rotate the direction of movement of the holder of the mating parts either at the internal position of the impact or at the external position of the impact .

FIG. 12 is a detailed depiction of the above. The number 400 indicates the beginning of the cutting process. The cutting process can be initiated by the user pressing the corresponding key on the keyboard or automatically by the device itself after typing a label of a certain length. The management then checks the need for a full length of the tape (step 402). This must be specified by the user either during the formatting of the label or during the start of the cutting process. Depending on the result of the test, the number N is determined, which corresponds to the number of pulses emitted by the diagnostic spring switch 206. For carrying out, the segments N are equal to N2, and if only an incision is to be made, then N equals N1. N1 is naturally less than N2, since for making an incision, the path of the sled 110 is shorter forwards than for making cuts on the return stroke.

Starting the engine 200 causes the slide to move to the stop (step 404). The diagnostic switch registers when the slide has passed its original position, this is shown in FIG. 12 transition 405. This transition is registered in step 406 and control 300 then counts the incremental pulses emitted by diagnostic switch 206. If N corresponds to a predetermined number (N1 or N2 in accordance with steps 403a and 403b), the direction of rotation of the engine rotates, and skid most moved back. When the initial position is issued, the process is completed (step 409). Diagnostic spring switch 204 (see Fig. 9) is used to turn off the DC motor when the holder of mated parts 1 04 returns to its original position. This is not done directly, but using management software 300.

Using the interface, the user can determine the cutting mode. It is also possible to produce a sequence of labels that are separated from each other only by cuts, while the management can control the cutting mechanism in such a way that after the last label, along with the notch, cut this part of the tape from the printing device (score cut labels). The way labels are produced in this mode is described in our European patent application published under No. 0578373. Reference is made to the content of this application, which is included in this application.

FIG. 1 3 is a flow chart showing how such a sequence of labels can be produced, with the ribbon being cut from the printing device after printing the last label. The user gives an order to print a sequence of labels consisting of p labels (the starting point of the diagram in Fig. 1 3), while a separate label is separated from the adjacent label by a notch, and all labels remain on the joint reverse layer of the tape (step 500).

Before printing the first label, the processor determines that p is 0 (step 502). The processor then signals the first label to be printed from the sequence of labels (step 504). After that, p is increased by 1 (step 506) and compared with P (step 507). It is clear that p when printing the first label is not equal to P, and therefore the blade for the segments is removed from the action, as explained above. Thus, only an incision is made (step 510).

When p = P, the cut-off blade is triggered, so the next step cuts the part of the tape on which the label sequence is located, while also cutting the last label (step 512). FIG. 14 is also a flow chart. This diagram shows how the user can select the appropriate mode of operation using the user interface. As described in our patent application GB No. 9614144.5 called Printing apparatus, the printing device has an interface, equipped with a display and input keys. The input keys include the print key (PRINT), the function keys (FUNCTION), the select key (SELECT), and the data entry keys (DATA INPUT). The function keys include the SET UP key and the SPECIAL key, with which the user can select the cutting modes described in this application. By pressing the PRINT key, the user starts the workflow. After pressing the special SPECIAL key, a menu appears on the display to select the printing mode, as shown in FIG. 15. Using the cursor keys, the user can select one of the following options shown on the display:

^Co py

Inc. copies color preview inverse serial

Using the data entry keys, the user can also download a number, which is then visible in block 601 next to the selected mode of operation. The processor then registers whether the user wants one copy or several copies (step 602). With the order to print only one label, it is printed (step 604), and the subsequent cutting process consists of notching the label as well as cutting the label from the tape.

Using the function keys in installation mode, the user sees on the display shown in FIG. 1 6 menus, with the following cutting modes:

tab only cut tab

The processor is recognized if the user selected only an incision (step 608). If the user chooses to cut, the sequence of labels is printed and they are cut off from the tape separately as shown in steps 61 0, 61 2 and 614.

If the user selects only a tape cut, the program sequence is processed, as shown in detail in FIG. 13 and at block 616 in FIG. 14.

When printing a sequence of labels separated from each other by cuts, the processor, in contrast to the cut mode, must also record the length of that part of the label that does not print (lead length). This process is described in European Patent Application No. 578372.

As stated above, it is possible to print multiple copies of a single label. The printing device counts the number of copies, and, if desired, can give this number to the display. The display shows how many labels were printed, and how many labels still need to be printed. In addition, it is possible to adjust the printing device so that it makes the so-called incremental copies. This means that the printing device prints a sequence of labels in which each label has a number, and subsequent labels include that number + 1. The user can also select the number of labels that are printed in one incremental number. So he can, for example, choose three copies of labels that have the same incremental number.

There is also another possibility to reduce the length of the part of the label that does not print; this is done by starting the printing process in such a way that part of the label is printed, then the printing process is stopped in order to make an incision after the tape has been stretched for a certain length and Then the label is printed completely. In this way, shorter labels can be produced, thereby reducing tape consumption.

Claims (11)

one . The cutting mechanism for cutting processes on a multilayer tape (T), while the cutting mechanism is equipped with a first blade (102) and a second blade (103), and the first blade (1 02) is installed so that it cuts all layers of the multilayer tape, and the second the blade (103) is installed so that it cuts one layer or several layers of the multilayer tape (T), leaving at least one layer whole and that it is in a longitudinal distance from the first blade (102); characterized in that it is equipped with a mating part holder (104), in which there are a first mating part (106) and a second mating part (108), which are installed so that they respectively interact with the first blade (102) and the second blade (103) , and that they, when rolling across the width of the multilayer tape (T), carry out cutting processes. 2. The cutting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the first blade (102) and the second blade (103) are on the same blade holder (1 00). 3. The cutting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mating part / mating parts (106, 108) has / have a round slot that is opposite the corresponding blade (102, 103). 4. The cutting mechanism according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that it is equipped with an engine (200) providing rolling motion. 5. The cutting mechanism according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the blade holder rotates in relation to the slide (11 0), and the slide is installed so that they perform a reciprocating movement across the width of the tape (T). 6. The cutting mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the slide (110) is located on the guide screw (114), and the rotational movement of the guide screw (11 4) is converted into a reciprocating motion of the slide (110). 7. The cutting mechanism according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the blade holder (1 04) is installed with an interference fit in relation to the first blade (1 02) and the second blade (103). 8. The cutting mechanism according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the blade holder (104) is located in the rotary part of the slide attached to the main part of the slide on the hinges (110b) and that this rotary part is tightened in relation to the main part ( 110a) slide (11 0). 9. The cutting mechanism according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the first blade (102) can be taken out of action. 10. The cutting mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that the possible removal from the action of the first blade (102) depends on the length of the path passed by the holder of the mating parts (1 04). 11. A printing device, characterized in that it is equipped with a device for inputting information necessary for a user, a printing mechanism consisting of a printhead (1 0, 21 0) and a back pressure roll (12, 212) for performing printing processes in the printing area (16 ), elements for pulling the ribbon (T) through the printing zone (1 6), a cutting mechanism according to the previous paragraphs, a control device (300) for controlling the printing and cutting processes.