JP2000219331A - Tag printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tag printer capable of easily positioning a weight. SOLUTION: One end of a weight 90 placed on a tag 12 stored in a storage part 16 is connected to a head end part of a rod 96. The rod 96 is fitted in a guide hole 104 formed on a head end part of an arm 94 and supported free to slide. The rod 96 can be rotated against the arm 94 by fitting a diametrically contracted part 96a formed near its head end part in the guide hole 104, and the weight 90 is inversed and varies its setting position by half-rotating the rod 96. Consequently, it is possible to change the position of the weight selectively in accordance with size of the tag 12 and to easily position the weight 90 at a proper position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tag printer and, more particularly, to a tag printer for printing print data such as a bar code on a threaded single leaf tag such as a price tag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A tag printer is a device that prints print data such as a bar code on the surface of a tag used as a price tag for clothing or decorative articles. This tag printer is
Generally, the tags stored in the storage section in a stacked state are taken out one by one from the lower side by a supply mechanism and supplied to the printing section, and the printing section prints predetermined print data on the surface of the tag. It is configured to be. In general, a suction pad is used for the supply mechanism, and the lower surface of the tag stored in the storage section is suction-held by the suction pad, and the suction pad is slid in the lateral direction to store the tag in the storage section. I try to draw from.

By the way, since one tag is thin and light, it is necessary to apply a load from above so that the suction pad can be easily suctioned when the suction pad is sucked from the lower surface. For this reason, usually, a weight is placed on the tag stored in the storage section, and the tag is pressed downward.

[0004]

However, since the conventional weight is simply supported so as to be movable only in the vertical direction, the position cannot be adjusted. On the other hand, there are various sizes of tags, and the position of the weight needs to be changed in accordance with the size of the tags in order to make the tags easily sucked by the suction pads. On the other hand, it is necessary that anyone can easily perform the positioning work.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tag printer capable of easily positioning a weight.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention supplies a tag having a weight placed on an upper portion one by one from the lower side while being stored in a storage portion in a stacked state. It is taken out horizontally by the mechanism and supplied to the printing unit,
In the tag printer which prints predetermined print data on the surface by the printing unit, the weight support mechanism includes an arm horizontally supported on an upper portion of the storage unit, and a guide hole formed at a tip of the arm. The arm is fitted into the guide hole and slidably supported in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the arm, and a reduced diameter portion formed in a part thereof is fitted into the guide hole, whereby the arm is The weight is mounted on a tag housed in the housing part with one end connected to the tip of the rod, and the rod is connected to the reduced diameter part. It is characterized in that the installation position is changed by being turned half a turn to change the installation position.

According to the present invention, the weight is rotatably supported by fitting the reduced diameter portion formed on the rod into the guide hole formed on the arm. By rotating the rod a half turn in this state, the weight is inverted and the installation position is changed. Thus, the position of the weight can be selectively changed according to the size of the tag, and the weight can be easily positioned at an appropriate position.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a tag printer according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a tag printer according to the present invention. As shown in the figure,
The tag printer 10 of the present embodiment mainly includes a tag 12
A printing unit 14 for printing predetermined print data on the surface of the storage unit, a storage unit 16 for storing the tag 12, and a tag supply unit 18 for supplying the tag 12 stored in the storage unit 16 to the printing unit
And a weight portion 20 for placing a weight on the tag 12 stored in the storage portion 16.

The printing section 14 has a thermal print head 21 and a platen roller 22. A thermal transfer carbon ribbon (not shown) is used on the surface of the tag 12 supplied between the thermal print head 21 and the platen roller 22. To print predetermined print data (if the tag 12 is of a heating color type, the thermal transfer carbon ribbon is unnecessary).

The printing section 14 prints the tag 12 by sending the tag 12 in a direction perpendicular to the supply direction of the tag 12. As a result, the tag 12 supplied from the horizontal direction (right to left) in FIG. 2 is fed out in the front direction while being printed by the printing unit 14.

The storage section 16 is arranged in parallel with the printing section 14, and stores a large number of tags 12 in a stacked state. The storage section 16 has a stage 24 on which the tag 12 is placed.

The stage 24 is made of an elastic body (for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or nylon 6, or a metal such as stainless steel or copper) in a plate shape (formed in a so-called leaf spring shape) and has one end ( The right end in FIG. 2 is fixed on the base plate 46. Also, as shown in FIG. 3,
A suction pad 50 described later along the supply direction of the tag 12,
50, 50 passages 24A, 24A, 24A and slits 24B are formed. Since the stage 24 is formed of an elastic body as described above, the stage 24 can flexibly bend around the support portion.

The stage 2 is located between the front side and the back side of the apparatus.
The reason why the lengths 4 are different is that the double feed prevention plate 30 is provided on the front side of the apparatus, as described later, so that the double feed prevention plate 30 does not contact the stage 24.

A side plate 26 is erected vertically on the left side of the stage 24. The side edge of the tag 12 is pressed against the side plate 26 to position the tag 12 in the horizontal direction.

A gate 28 through which the tag 12 passes is formed at a lower portion of the side plate 26 as shown in FIG. A rubber double feed prevention plate 30 is attached to the upper part of the gate 28, and when the double feed prevention plate 30 contacts the upper surface of the tag 12 passing through the gate 28,
Double feed is prevented.

On the other hand, a tag guide 32 is provided on the right side of the stage 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tag guide 32 includes a horizontal position adjusting table 34, a height adjusting frame 36, a horizontal width adjusting plate 38, an auxiliary stage 40, a tip positioning plate 42, and a vertical width adjusting plate 44. ing.

The horizontal position adjusting table 34 includes a base plate 46.
It is slidably provided on the upper side and moves in the lateral direction to adjust the position. A pair of guide rods 48, 48 are erected vertically on the horizontal position adjustment table 34, and the height adjustment frame 36 is slidably provided on the guide rods 48, 48.

The height adjustment frame 36 includes the guide rod 4
A pair of sliders 36A slidably provided at 8, 48;
36A, and a pair of guide bars 36B, 36B (only one is shown) connecting the pair of sliders 36A, 36A, and fixing screws 36C, 36C provided on the sliders 36A, 36A. It can be fixed to the guide rods 48 by tightening.

The width adjusting plate 38 is provided with a height adjusting frame 36.
The tag 12 is housed between the lateral width adjusting plate 38 and the side plate 26. The distance between the lateral width adjusting plate 38 and the side plate 26 can be changed by sliding the lateral position adjusting table 34 in the lateral direction.

The auxiliary stage 40 is attached to the lower part of the width adjusting plate 38, and the right side of the tag 12 is placed thereon. The auxiliary stage 40 is provided with the height adjustment frame 3
6 is moved up and down by moving it up and down along the guide rods 48 and 48.

The leading end positioning plate 42 is formed by bending the leading end of the lateral width adjusting plate 38 vertically, and the leading end edge of the tag 12 is pressed against the leading end positioning plate 42 so that the longitudinal direction of the tag 12 is Positioning is performed.

A vertical width adjusting plate 44 is provided on a pair of guide bars 36B, 36B of the height adjusting frame 36 with sliders 44A.
Is slidably provided via the. This vertical width adjustment plate 4
4 slides along the guide bar 36B to move back and forth with respect to the tip positioning plate 42,
Can be fixed at any position by tightening the fixing screws 44B, 44B. Tag 12
Is stored between the vertical width adjusting plate 44 and the tip positioning plate 42.

In the storage section 16 configured as described above, the tags 12 are stored in a state of being stacked in the space defined by the side plate 26 and the width adjustment plate 38 and the tip positioning plate 42 and the length adjustment plate 44. You.

The tag supply unit 18 includes a suction pad 50 for pulling out the tags 12 stored in the storage unit 16 one by one from below.
And a pair of upper and lower feed rollers 54, 56 for supplying the tag 12 pulled out by the suction pads 50, 50, 50 to the printing unit 14.

The pair of feed rollers 54 and 56 are disposed between the printing unit 14 and the storage unit 16. A motor (not shown) is connected to the upper feed roller 54 (hereinafter, referred to as “drive feed roller 54”), and the drive feed roller 54 rotates by driving this motor. On the other hand, a motor is not connected to the lower feed roller 56 (hereinafter, referred to as “follower feed roller 56”), and the shaft 56 </ b> A is inserted into long holes 62, 62 formed at the tip of the base frame 60.
Are fitted at both ends. Thus, the lower feed roller 56 is rotatably supported and vertically supported.

The suction pad 50 includes a slide frame 64
It is provided on the upper side and is arranged in series in a direction orthogonal to the supply direction of the tag 12. A vacuum pump (not shown) is connected to the suction pad 50. By driving the vacuum pump, the lower surface of the tag 12 is vacuum-sucked.

The three suction pads 50, 50,
50 can be selectively driven and used according to the size of the tag 12. That is, for example, when the length of the tag 12 is short, the two suction pads 50, 5 and
0 only, and three long suction pads 50, 5
Use all 0,50.

The slide frame 64 provided with the suction pad 50 has a pair of left and right cam followers 6 on both sides thereof.
6, 68 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. The cam followers 66 and 68 are attached to the base frame 6
0, cam grooves 70 formed on both side wall surfaces 60A, 60A,
72.

Here, each of the cam grooves 70 and 72 in which the cam followers 66 and 68 are fitted has a horizontal portion formed from the front end toward the rear end side, and a predetermined inclined portion formed at the rear end portion. Have been. Therefore, when sliding from right to left in FIG. 2, the slide frame 64 once slides obliquely downward and then slides horizontally.

A motor 74 is provided on the base frame 60, and a drive gear 76 is fixed to a spindle of the motor 74. The driving gear 76 meshes with a driven gear 78, and the driven gear 78 is rotatably supported by a bearing 80 provided on the base frame 60. On the upper surface of the driven gear 78, as shown in FIG. 4, a cam follower 82 is erected at a position eccentric from the center of rotation.
The cam groove 84 is formed in the cam groove 84.

When the motor 74 is driven, a driving gear 76 is driven.
The rotation of the drive gear 76 is transmitted to the driven gear 78, and the cam follower 82 rotates eccentrically. The slide frame 64 moves back and forth by the action of the cam follower 82 and the cam groove 84 that rotate eccentrically. At this time, as described above, when sliding from right to left in FIG. 2, the slide frame 64 once slides obliquely downward and then slides horizontally.

When the slide frame 64 slides, the suction pad 50 moves from the suction position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3 to the supply position indicated by the two-dot broken line in FIG. At this time, the suction pad 50 slides once obliquely downward like the slide frame 64 and then slides horizontally (when moving from the suction position to the supply position).

When the slide frame 64 slides, the driven feed roller 56 rises and comes into contact with the drive feed roller 54. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a tapered portion 64A is formed at the tip of the slide frame 64,
Of the driven feed roller 56, the shaft 56A of the driven feed roller 56 is pushed up, and the driven feed roller 56 is raised. The tag 12 pulled out of the storage section 16 by the suction pad 50 is supplied between the raised driven feed roller 56 and the drive feed roller 54, and is sandwiched between the pair of feed rollers 54, 56. After the suction by the pad 50 is released, the held tag 12 is supplied to the printing unit 14 by driving the drive feed roller 54 by a motor (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 5, the weight portion 20 is a weight 90 placed on the tag 12 stored in the storage portion 16.
And a weight support mechanism 92 that supports the weight 90.

The weight support mechanism 92 includes a swingable arm 94.
And a rod 96 slidably provided at the tip of the arm 94.

The arm 94 is disposed above the storage section 16. The base end of the arm 94 is rotatably supported on the upper part of the side plate 26 via a pin 98. The first stopper 100 and the second stopper 100 are provided near the base end of the arm 94.
A stopper 102 is provided, and the arm 94 swings vertically between the first stopper 100 and the second stopper 102. Then, it is held horizontally by being locked by the first stopper 100, and is held in a raised state by being locked by the second stopper 102.

The rod 96 is formed in a rod shape having a square cross section, and has a reduced diameter portion 96a having a circular cross section in the vicinity of the tip. The rod 96 is slidably supported by being fitted into a guide hole 104 formed at the tip of the arm 94. Here, the cross section of the guide hole 104 is formed in the same square shape as the cross section of the rod 96, whereby the rod 96 slides in the guide hole 104 without rotating.

However, when the rod 96 is slid to fit the reduced diameter portion 96a formed near the distal end into the guide hole 104, the reduced diameter portion 96a rotates in the guide hole 104,
As a result, the rod 96 can rotate with respect to the arm 94.

The weight 90 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
One end is connected to the tip of the rod 96 via a pin 106. Here, the rod 96 is inserted into a connection hole 90a formed at one end of the upper surface of the weight 90 and is connected by a pin 106. The connection hole 90a is formed in a rectangular shape along the longitudinal direction of the weight 90. (The horizontal width is almost the same length as the rod 96, and the vertical width is formed slightly longer than the rod 96.) For this reason, the weight 90 can swing around the pin 106 within a small angle range. This is for the following reason. That is, when the tag with a thread is stored in a stacked state in the storage section 16, the side with the thread rises and inclines, so that the weight 90 can be placed flexibly in response to this inclination. In this case, the weight 90 is swingably supported in a minute angle range.

The operation of the tag printer 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above is as follows.

First, the operator places the tag 1 in the storage section 16.
Set 2 That is, the side plate 26 and the width adjustment plate 3
8, and the tags 12 are stored in a space defined by the tip positioning plate 42 and the vertical width adjusting plate 44 in a stacked state.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the weight 90 is located in the storage section 16, the weight 90 is pulled up and the tag 12 is stored. That is, first, the rod 96 is pulled up along the guide hole 104. Next, arm 9
4 is lifted, tilted to the rear side of the apparatus, and locked by the second stopper 102. Thereby, the weight 90 is retracted from the storage section 16.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the operator
The tag 12 is stored in the storage section 16 in which the weight 90 has retreated. When the tag 12 is stored, the operator adjusts the position of the width adjustment plate 38 so that the left edge of the tag 12 (the left edge in FIG. 3) abuts the side plate 26, and the tip of the tag 12 is The position of the vertical width adjusting plate 44 is adjusted so as to abut the tip positioning plate 42.

After the tag 12 is stored in the storage section 16, the operator tilts the arm 94 to the front side of the apparatus (the left side in FIG. 6) and locks the first stopper 100. This allows
The arm 94 is held horizontally. Next, the rod 96 is lowered along the guide hole 104. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (c), the weight 90 is placed on the tag 12 stored in the storage unit 16. At this time, when the tag 12 is inclined by the thickness of the thread, the weight 90 is inclined along the inclination of the tag 12, and the lower surface of the weight 90 is in close contact with the surface of the tag 12, and the tag 12 is pressed uniformly. I do.

6A to 6C show a case in which the size of the tag 12 is small. In this case, only two suction pads 50 on the front side of the apparatus are used. I do. The weight 90 is located on the front side of the apparatus, and is located substantially at the center of the tag 12.

On the other hand, when the size of the tag 12 is large, that is, when all three suction pads 50 are used, the weight 90 is placed as follows.

First, the direction of the weight 90 is changed. This is performed as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the rod 96 is pulled up along the guide hole 104,
The arm 94 is lifted, lowered to the rear side of the apparatus, and locked by the second stopper 102.

Next, by sliding the rod 96 along the guide hole 104, the reduced diameter portion 96a formed near the rod tip is fitted into the guide hole 104. This allows the rod 96 to rotate with respect to the arm 94.

Next, the rod 96 is rotated by 180 °.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7B, the direction of the weight 90 is reversed.

Next, the arm 94 is lowered toward the front side of the apparatus, and is locked by the first stopper 100. Thereby, the arm 9
4 is held horizontally.

Next, the corner of the rod 96 is inserted into the guide hole 104.
And descend along the guide hole 104. As a result, as shown in FIG.
6 is placed on the tag 12 stored in the tag 6.

Thus, even if the tag 12 has a large size, the weight 90 can be placed almost at the center of the tag 12.

As described above, when the tag 12 is stored and the weight 90 is mounted, the apparatus is operated. At this time, the suction pad 50 is located at a suction position indicated by a solid line in FIG. Then, in this state, each suction pad 5
0 is in contact with the lower surface of the lowermost tag 12.

First, a vacuum pump (not shown) is operated. As a result, the lower surface of the tip of the lowermost tag 12 is vacuum-sucked to the suction pad 50.

Next, the motor 74 is driven, and the suction pad 50 holding the tag 12 by suction is advanced toward the printing unit 14. Here, the suction pad 50 slides obliquely downward to pull out the tag 12 from the gate 28. At this time, the stage 24 on which the tag 12 is mounted is formed of an elastic body.
2 can be bent in response to the bending. As a result, the tag 12 can be smoothly pulled out from the gate 28, and it is possible to prevent the supply failure and the bending of the tag 12 from occurring.

As described above, by pulling out the tag 12 obliquely downward, a gap is forcibly formed between the tag 12 sucked and held by the suction pad 50 and the tag 12 thereon. Only the tag 12 sucked and held at 50 can be reliably pulled out from the storage section 16 through the gate 28.

The suction pad 50 that has passed through the gate 28
It slides horizontally and moves to the supply position shown by the two-dot broken line in FIG. When the suction pad 50 moves to this supply position, the tag 12 is supplied between the driving feed roller 54 and the driven feed roller 56, and the tag 12 is supplied between the driving feed roller 54 and the driven feed roller 56. Is pinched. That is, when the suction pad 50 moves forward, the tip of the tag 12 suction-held by the suction pad 50 is moved to the drive feed roller 54.
And between the driven feed roller 56 and the driven feed roller 56.
Rises to pinch the tip of the supplied tag 12.

When the suction pad 50 moves to the supply position and the tip of the tag 12 held by the suction pad 50 is held between the feed rollers 54 and 56, the driving of the vacuum pump (not shown) is stopped. You. Thereby, the suction of the tag 12 by the suction pad 50 is released.

Next, a motor (not shown) connected to the drive feed roller 54 is driven. Thereby, tag 1
2 is supplied between the thermal print head 21 of the printing unit 14 and the platen roller 22. Thermal print head 21
And the tag 12 supplied between the platen roller 22 and
Predetermined print data is printed on the surface by the thermal print head 21 and is fed out to the front side.

On the other hand, the tag 1 is attached to the feed rollers 54 and 56.
The suction pad 50 that has received the second hand returns to the suction position and stands by while holding the tag 12 to be printed next. Then, after the printing of the tag 12 supplied previously is completed, the tag 12 is moved to the supply position again and the tag 12 is supplied to the feed rollers 54 and 56.

Thereafter, the same operation is sequentially repeated, and predetermined print data is printed on all the tags 12, 12,... Stored in the storage section 16 and processed.

As described above, in the tag printer 10 of the present embodiment, since the position of the weight 90 can be changed according to the size of the tag 12, the weight 90 can always be positioned at an appropriate position.

In addition, there are only two places where the weight 90 is installed.
The weight 90 can be positioned by a simple operation of only inverting the weight 90 without requiring complicated positioning. Accordingly, anyone can easily and accurately position the weight 90, and the device can be easily handled.

When only two suction pads 50 are used (when the tag size is small), the weight 90 is located in front of the apparatus, and when all the suction pads 50 are used (when the tag size is large). ) Is located at the back of the device. Thereby, the setting position of the weight 90 becomes clear, and handling becomes easier.

[0066]

As described above, according to the tag printer of the present invention, the weight can be selectively changed in position according to the size of the tag, and the weight can be easily positioned at an appropriate position. be able to. This facilitates handling of the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a tag printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the tag printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a storage unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a tag supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a weight portion.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the tag printer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the tag printer according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Tag printer 12 ... Tag 14 ... Printing part 16 ... Storage part 18 ... Tag supply part 20 ... Weight part 50 ... Suction pad 54 ... Drive feed roller 56 ... Driven feed roller 90 ... Weight 92 ... Weight support mechanism 94 ... Arm 96 … Rod 96a… Diameter part 104… Guide hole

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 2C059 AA06 AA23 AA76 2C062 RA04 3E075 AA05 BA84 CA01 DA23 DA32 DE23 3F343 FA01 FA14 FB04 GA01 GB02 GC02 GD04 HD09 HD16 JB02 LA04 LA14 LA15 LA16 LC02

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tag which is accommodated in a storage portion in a stacked state and has a weight placed on an upper portion is taken out one by one from a lower side in a lateral direction by a supply mechanism and supplied to a printing portion.
In a tag printer that prints predetermined print data on a surface by the printing unit, the weight support mechanism includes an arm horizontally supported on an upper portion of the storage unit, and a guide hole formed at a tip end of the arm. By being fitted into the guide hole and slidably supported in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the arm, a reduced diameter portion formed in a part is fitted into the guide hole, so that The weight is mounted on a tag housed in the housing part with one end connected to the tip of the rod, and the rod is connected to the reduced diameter part. A tag printer characterized in that the installation position is changed by being rotated half a turn to change the installation position. 2. The tag printer according to claim 1, wherein said arm is swingably supported in a vertical direction and is locked by a stopper at a horizontal position. 3. The tag printer according to claim 1, wherein the weight is swingably supported on the rod by a small angle around a connecting portion.