JP2002104354A - Article information printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article information printing device capable of easily printing different information at each label whereon a measured result at each article is reflected on the each label using a plurality of print heads. SOLUTION: An article information printing device 1 is provided with a measuring part which measures weight of the each article, and a print mechanism part PM which includes the plurality of the print heads for printing the information at the each article on the each label on a pasteboard. In a controlling part of the article information printing device 1, after a predetermined label on the pasteboard which is transferred in an arrow direction AR5 by using a thermal transfer head 22 on the downstream side following a thermal head 21 on the upstream side is subjected to printing process, feed back is conducted and the next label is shifted to a printing position whereat printing by the thermal head 21 on the upstream side is possible. Then, the next label is started to print on condition that both the measuring and the feed back on the next article are completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product information printing apparatus for printing product information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a product information printing device for printing product information, for example, a label printer that prints information for each product on each label continuously attached to a mount and a label printer such as this are applied. There are automatic weighing and packaging pricing devices and the like.

In such a product information printing device,
In some cases, a price determined by multiplying a unit price per 100 g (gram) by a weighing result of the product is included in the printed content of the label. In this case, the print content of each label is determined based on the weighing result of the product, so the content printed on each label differs depending on the product to which the label is to be attached.

[0004] Such a product information printing apparatus prints information for each product using one head. Specifically, there is a case where a single color printing is performed using one heat-sensitive printing head. Furthermore, using a single thermal printing head to selectively change the heating temperature and print on thermal paper that develops two colors (for example, black and red) depending on the temperature, etc. To perform two-color printing.

[0005] The interval between a plurality of labels affixed to the mount is small. This is based on label manufacturing requirements. Specifically, in manufacturing each label by cutting off a part of the label member stuck over the entire surface of the mount, it is preferable to reduce the cut portion from the viewpoint of cost reduction and the like.

[0006]

By the way, in recent years, in a label printer for printing such a label as described above, in order to enhance the expressiveness of the label, printing using more colors is required. In order to print more colors, it is necessary to perform printing using a plurality of print heads.

However, when printing is performed on a label continuously attached to a mount using a plurality of print heads provided along the label transport path, each label moves with the printing operation. . Therefore, at the end of printing of a predetermined label, the leading position of the label next to the predetermined label has passed the printing position of the print head that will perform printing from now on. Cannot be printed.

In order to avoid this and respond to the above-described demand for multi-color printing, it is necessary to determine the printing contents early in order to continuously print on adjacent labels. Since the print content of the next label is determined based on the weighing result of the next product, it is difficult to determine the print content of the next label earlier than the time when the printing of the predetermined label is completed.

Alternatively, to avoid the above situation,
It is conceivable that a plurality of print heads are arranged within the interval between the labels, but as described above, the interval between the labels attached to the mount is small, so There is a problem that it is difficult to arrange a plurality of print heads at a small interval between the print heads.

As described above, there is a problem that various difficulties exist when using a plurality of print heads in order to meet the demand for multicolor printing.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is to easily print different information for each label, which is generated based on the weighing value of each product, on each label using a plurality of print heads. It is an object of the present invention to provide a product information printing device capable of performing the following.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of prints provided on a label continuously attached to a backing sheet along a transport path of the label are provided. By using the head sequentially from the upstream side,
A product information printing device that prints product information, which is information on a product, on a label, a unit that weighs the product, and a unit that generates the product information based on a measured value of the product,
Means for back-feeding the label next to the label after the printing of the label by the print head provided on the downstream side to the printing position of the print head provided on the upstream side of the print head. The printing of the next label is started on condition that both the weighing of the next product and the back feed are completed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise information printing apparatus according to the first aspect, there is further provided a means for detecting that the printed label has been peeled off from the backing paper. When the completion is detected, the back feed is started.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise information printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the label transport speed when the label is back-fed is lower than the label transport speed when the label is printed. Is also set to be large.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the commodity information printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of print heads include a plurality of thermal print heads. I do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the product information printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of print heads include a plurality of thermal transfer print heads. I do.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise information printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of print heads are at least one thermosensitive print head and at least one thermal transfer head. And a print head.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise information printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the plurality of print heads are a heat-sensitive print head arranged on an upstream side and a thermal transfer head arranged on a downstream side. And a thermal printing head is not printed on a portion of the printing surface of the label where printing is performed by the thermal transfer printing head.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise information printing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the merchandise information has a different format according to the type of the merchandise or the sales information. It is characterized by.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <1. Overall Configuration> FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a product information printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the product information printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram. Here, as an example of the product information printing device 1, an automatic weighing and packaging pricing device will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the merchandise information printing apparatus 1 includes a weighing unit 10 for weighing each merchandise,
A plurality of print heads 20 that prints information for each product on each label reflecting the measurement result of the label, and a label transport unit 30 that transports each label on a transport path in which the plurality of print heads 20 are arranged; And a control unit 40 for controlling label printing processing by the plurality of print heads and label transport processing by the label transport unit. A mechanism including the print head 20 and the label transport unit 30 is also referred to as a print mechanism (or label printer) PM. The print mechanism PM will be described later in detail. Further, the control unit 40 includes a product master that stores data (product name, price, etc.) of each product for each product,
Weighing result receiving unit 41 that receives data of the weighing result (weighing value) from weighing unit 10, and product information that generates product information to be printed on each label based on the weighing result (weighing value) and product data It has a generation unit 42 and a print processing control unit 43 that controls a print process using the product information.

The merchandise information printing apparatus 1 includes a print mechanism P
Using M, information (product information) for each product is printed on each label continuously attached to the mount. A weighing unit 10 is incorporated in the product supply unit 2 (the center left side in FIG. 2) of the product information printing device 1. Then, the merchandise supplied to the merchandise information printing apparatus 1 is weighed, and merchandise information including a price according to the weighing result can be printed on the label. For example, a price determined by multiplying the unit price per 100 g (gram) by the measurement result of the product can be included as the print content of the label.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a printed label. In FIG. 3, the unit price (580 yen) per 100 g (gram) is the measured value of the product (390 grams).
Is included as the display content. However, here, "1980" yen after the discount is added as the final price. In order to attract shoppers' attention, "1980" representing the product price in the upper column is printed as red characters R1 with a black shadow, and the surrounding area R2 is displayed.
Is colored yellow.

The product information printing apparatus 1 includes a packaging unit 50 (see FIG. 2) for wrapping each product in an unwrapped state, and a label attaching device for attaching a label on which information for each product is printed to each product. A part 60 is further provided. Further, the control unit 40 includes a packaging process control unit 45 that controls the packaging process by the packaging unit 50 and a label pasting process control unit 46 that controls the label pasting process by the label pasting unit 60.

Here, the packaging section 50 has a packaging function of packaging products such as meat placed on a container such as a tray using various packaging films. As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging unit 50 includes a transfer mechanism 51, a pair of left and right folding plates 52, a rear folding plate 53, and a pusher 54.
And a heat welding conveyor 55. This packaging part 5
The packaging function of No. 0 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

The tray T supplied to the commodity supply unit 2 is moved rightward in FIG. 1, placed on the lifter LF, and then moved upward by the lifter LF. Also,
Prior to the raising operation, the film F is supplied in a stretched state above the tray T by the transfer mechanism 51 in advance. Then, as a result of the lifting operation by the lifter LF, the film F comes into close contact with the upper surface of the product placed on the tray T or the peripheral portion of the tray T. Furthermore, tray T
With the film F covering the upper surface of the left and right folding plates 52,
After folding the four sides of the film F to the bottom (lower) side of the tray T using the rear folding plate 53 and the pusher 54, each side of the film F folded to the bottom side of the tray T by the heat welding conveyor 55. By fusing the edges together, a packaging process can be realized.

The label sticking section 60 peels off each label on which printing has been completed from the backing paper and sticks it on a product (more specifically, a film F). As the label attaching section 60, for example, a type that adsorbs the label LB by vacuum adsorption can be employed.

As described above, this automatic weighing / packaging / pricing apparatus has a wrapping function and a label attaching function (pricing function) in addition to a weighing function and a printing function.

<2. Print Mechanism PM> Next, the print mechanism PM including the print head 20 and the label transport section 30 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an outline of the printing mechanism PM. As shown in FIG. 4, the print mechanism PM has two print heads 21 and 22 as a plurality of print heads 20.

The print head 21 is a thermal print head, and the print head 22 is a thermal transfer print head. Hereinafter, both print heads 21 and 22 are also referred to as a thermal head 21 and a thermal transfer head 22, respectively.

The thermal head 21 is a print head capable of coloring the label printing surface by selectively heating the printing surface of the label for thermal recording. Also,
The thermal head 21 is a print head corresponding to a label capable of developing two colors, and can be selectively heated to different temperatures on a label printing surface. Thereby, the printing surface of the label can be colored in different colors (for example, black and red) according to the difference in the heating temperature.

On the other hand, the thermal transfer head 22 is a print head that selectively heats the solid ink or the like applied to the thermal transfer ribbon TR and transfers it to the label printing surface. For example, if a yellow ribbon is used as the thermal transfer ribbon TR, yellow printing can be performed on the label printing surface. Similarly, by exchanging ribbons of each color such as green, blue, and red, it is possible to print each color on the label printing surface.

The print mechanism PM has a ribbon supply section 26, a ribbon take-up section 27, and a ribbon roller 28 for guiding, and appropriately supplies the thermal transfer ribbon TR to the thermal transfer head 22. can do. Specifically, when the ribbon take-up unit 27 rotates in the direction of the arrow AR1 (clockwise) in the figure, the thermal transfer ribbon TR wound around the ribbon supply unit 26 moves to the arrow A in the figure.
Proceed in the direction of R2. Thus, a new thermal transfer ribbon TR is supplied to the thermal transfer head 22. Then, by selectively heating the thermal transfer ribbon TR directly below the thermal transfer head 22, the solid ink or the like applied to the thermal transfer ribbon TR is transferred to the label LB. The used thermal transfer ribbon TR is wound up by the ribbon winding unit 27.

Further, the print mechanism PM has a label transport section 30. The label transport unit 30 includes a label-attached paper supply unit 31, a paper-sheet winding unit 32, a guide roller 33, platens 34a and 34b, a label sensor 35, a peeling member 36, and a label-receiving roller 37.
And a peeling sensor 38 for detecting completion of peeling. Further, motors M34a and M3 are provided on the platens 34a and 34b and the mount winding portion 32, respectively.
4b, M32, and platens 34a, 34
b and the mount winding unit 32 can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions. Thereby, each label LB continuously attached to the mount PB can be transported in two directions, the direction of the arrow AR5 and the direction of the arrow AR6. Here, an example is shown in which the direction of label conveyance is changed by appropriately rotating the platens 34a, 34b and the mount winding unit 32 forward and backward using three motors M34a, M34b, M32. The present invention is not limited to this. By using one or two motors in combination with gears and clutches, the platen 34a, 34b and the mount winding unit 32 are rotated in the normal and reverse directions, thereby changing the direction of label conveyance. May be.

A long backing sheet PB (FIG. 5) to which a plurality of labels LB are continuously attached is fixed at one end to a backing label supply section 31 and at the other end to a backing sheet winding section 32. The portion is in a state of being guided by a plurality of guide rollers 33 and the like. When the platen 34a (and the platen 34b when printing is performed by the head 22) also rotates the mount winding unit 32 in the direction of the arrow AR3, the new label wound around the mount-attached label supply unit 31 becomes an arrow. It is transported while traveling in the direction of AR5, and is supplied to the thermal head 21 and the thermal transfer head 22. The thermal head 21 and the thermal transfer head 22 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the label transport path. The platen 34
a and 34b function as support members for the label LB in the printing process by the thermal head 21 and the thermal transfer head 22, respectively.

Thermal head 21 and thermal transfer head 2
The label on which printing by No. 2 is completed starts to be peeled from the backing paper by the peeling member 36. This is because when the label affixed to the mount is suddenly changing its traveling direction at the peeling member 36, the label cannot be adapted to the sudden change in the angle and is peeled off from the mount at the edge of the label. It takes advantage of the nature of

FIG. 5 shows the vicinity of the peeling member 36.
It is a figure showing the state where label LB is peeling. In FIG. 5, the thermal head 21 and the thermal transfer head 22 are shown in a simplified manner, and other members are omitted as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 5, the peeling label is held while being supported by the rollers 37. The surface of the roller 37 is preferably made of a material having excellent releasability, similarly to the mount PB.

However, the label is not completely peeled off from the backing sheet by only the peeling member 36, but the end of the label is attached to the backing sheet by the adhesive on the back surface of the label. Specifically, when the label further advances from the state of FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow AR5, as shown in the uppermost part of FIG. 7, one end of the peeling label is left on the backing paper, and It is held while being supported by the rollers 37.

Here, such a state of the label cannot be said to be a state “peeled” from the backing paper.
In this specification, the state in which the label is completely peeled off from the backing and the contact between the label and the backing is lost is referred to as a "peeled" state. Here, a case will be described in which each label is set in a state of “peeled” from the mount using the label attaching section 60 as described below.

Thereafter, the labels LB on which printing has been completed are completely peeled off from the backing paper PB by using the above-mentioned label attaching section 60. Specifically, the label LB can be peeled off from the backing sheet PB by lifting the label LB in a state where the label LB is sucked by the suction means of the label sticking section 60. Further, the peeling of the label LB from the mount PB can be detected by the peeling sensor 38 (see FIG. 4). The peel sensor 38 is located at a position P1 (FIG. 4).
Since it is possible to determine whether or not a label exists in the above, it is detected that the label LB that was present at the predetermined position P1 in a state where the peeling has not been completed is no longer present at the predetermined position P1. The label LB
It can be detected that the peeling has been completed. Thereafter, the label attaching section 60 attaches the label LB completely peeled off from the mount PB to the product. Instead of using the label attaching section 60, a label conveyor (not shown) may be provided between the label receiving roller 37 and the label attaching section 60 to peel off the label.

As described above, the platens 34a and 34b and the mount winding unit 32 can reverse the rotation direction, and the label LB affixed to the mount PB is turned in the reverse direction on the transport path. (The direction of the arrow AR6). According to the back feed operation, the label LB remaining on the mount PB can be returned to a predetermined position. The label sensor 35 is a transmissive optical sensor having a light projecting part and a light receiving part. Based on the difference in transmissivity, the label sensor 35 separates a part where the label LB is peeled off from the mount PB and a part where the label LB is not peeled off. It is possible to identify. By using the label sensor 35, it is possible to return the head position of the unused label to the printing start position by the thermal head 21.

<3. Operation> FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the operation in the product information printing apparatus. For details,
FIG. 6 is a time chart relating to the printing operation and the transport operation. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the labels LB0, LB at each time t.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between B1, LB2,... And print heads 21 and 22; In FIG. 7, the positional relationship between the two (the label and the print head) at each time t is sequentially shown over time from the uppermost stage to the lowermost stage as time elapses. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the printing process for each label will be described.

In the invention according to this embodiment, a label printing process next to a predetermined label among a plurality of continuous labels is performed.
Products to which the next label should be attached (in short, "next product")
The operation is started on the condition that both the weighing and the backfeed have been completed (for example, both the weighing complete signal S2 and the backfeed complete signal S6 described below are on). One of
Hereinafter, this operation will be described.

Here, either the weighing of the next product or the back feed may be completed first. Hereinafter, first, a case where the weighing completion signal S2 is turned on after the backfeed completion signal S6, that is, a case where the weighing of the next product is completed after the backfeed will be described.

<3.1 Until Printing of Label LB1 Starts>
In the uppermost stage of FIG. 7, the printing by the print heads (the thermal head 21 and the thermal transfer head 22) on the label LB0 has already been completed along with the conveyance in the direction of the arrow AR5, and the separation of the label LB0 from the mount PB has been completed. A state in which the roller 37 is supported by the roller 37 in a state where it is not performed is shown.

When the label LB0 is peeled off from the backing sheet PB, the control unit 40 sets the motors M34a, M34
b, M32 is reversed, and the next label LB1 is moved to the arrow AR6.
The label LB1 is fed back to a position where the label LB1 can be printed by the thermal head 21 (printing position of the thermal head 21). In this state, the back feed completion signal S6 indicating that the back feed has been completed is turned on (ON).
It becomes a state (FIG. 6, time t7). At this time (time t7), the weighing completion signal S2 has not been turned on yet.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, at time t8, the weighing unit 1 for the product to which the label LB1 is to be affixed.
When the measurement by 0 (FIG. 2) is completed, the measurement completion signal S2 indicating that the measurement is completed is turned on (ON). The weighing completion signal S2 is a signal that is turned on when the weighing signal S1 from the weighing section is stabilized and the weighing is completed.

Also, in response to the completion of the weighing signal S1 and the completion of the weighing (or the weighing completion signal S2), the data of the weighing result is transferred to the control unit 40 (FIG. 2). Further, a print image is developed on the label LB1 based on the transferred measurement result (weighing value), and the label L
Print data (product information) for B1 is generated.
Such product information is generated by the product information generation unit 42 (FIG. 2). When the generation of the product information is completed, the product information generation completion signal S4 is turned on.
At this time, both the weighing completion signal S2 and the back feed completion signal S6 are in a state in which both signals are on (that is, both signals are on).

At this time (time t10), the control unit 40 controls the motors M34a, M34b, M32
Is rotated forward at a predetermined speed, thereby transporting the label LB1 in the direction of the arrow AR5 (FIG. 7) and starting the printing process on the label LB1 using the thermal head 21.

In this manner, the printing of the label LB1 next to the predetermined label LB0 of the plurality of continuous labels is performed.
Both the weighing completion signal S2 indicating that the weighing by the weighing unit 10 of the product (next product) to which the next label LB1 is to be affixed and the backfeeding completion signal S6 indicating that the backfeeding has been completed are prepared ( That is, both signals S2,
S6 is on).

<3.2 After Printing of Label LB1 Starts>
Next, a case where the weighing of the next product is completed before the back feed, that is, a case where the weighing completion signal S2 is turned on before the back feed completion signal S6 will be described.

More specifically, a description will be given of the process from the start of the printing process on the label LB1 by the thermal head 21 at the time t10 to the start of the printing process on the next label LB2.

As described above, at time t10, the control unit 40 sends a normal rotation command of a predetermined speed to the motors M34a, M34b, and M32 as the transport control signal S5, and the arrow AR5 of the label LB1 (FIG. 7). The printing process for the label LB1 is started by sending the print control signal S7 to the thermal head 21 at the same time as starting the conveyance of the label LB1. At this point, the weighing completion signal S2, the product information generation completion signal S4, and the back feed completion signal S6 are reset to the off state.

After the printing process by the thermal head 21 on the label LB1 started at the time t10 is completed at the time t11, the label LB1 is moved in the direction of the arrow AR5.
When the label LB1 reaches the printing position of the thermal transfer head 22 (FIG. 7), the control unit 40 sends a print control signal S8 to the thermal transfer head 22 so that the printing process by the thermal transfer head 22 is performed. LB
1 (time t12). Then, after a predetermined period, the printing process by the thermal transfer head 22 ends at time t15.

As described above, the predetermined label LB1 of the plurality of labels continuously affixed to the mount is moved in the direction of the arrow AR5 along the transport path by using the label transport unit 30 with the label affixed to the mount. While transporting, a plurality of print heads 2 arranged from upstream to downstream in this transport path
Print head (thermal head) on the upstream side of 1, 22
The printing process for a predetermined label LB1 is performed by sequentially using the print head (thermal transfer head) 22 from 21.

After the printing process by the thermal transfer head 22 is completed at time t15, the transport of the label LB1 is continued for a predetermined period, and the transport control signal S5 is turned off at time t16, whereby the label L1 is turned off.
The transport of B1 stops. This state is a state where the peeling of the label LB1 is not completed (see FIG. 5). Further, in accordance with the progress of the label LB1 in the direction of the arrow AR5, the label LB1 has already reached the position P1 immediately above the peeling sensor 38 at time t14, and the time t, which is the arrival time,
From 14 the output signal S9 of the peeling sensor 38 is in the ON state.

Thereafter, at time t17, when the label LB1 is peeled off from the backing paper by the label attaching section 60, the output signal S9 of the peeling sensor 38 is turned off. Then, in response to the “fall” of the output signal S9 of the peeling sensor 38, the peeling signal S10 indicating that the label LB1 has peeled is turned on. In other words, the peeling signal S10 is a signal that is turned on when the peeling process by the label attaching unit 60 for the predetermined label is completed. Thereafter, the peeled label LB1 is affixed by the label affixing unit 60 to a product that has been weighed on the assumption that the label should be affixed.

Further, in response to the peeling signal S10,
The control unit 40 sends a transport control signal S5 to the motors M34a, M34b, and M32 to perform reverse rotation at a predetermined speed. Thus, the mount PB to which the labels LB2, LB3,... Are attached is transported in the direction of the arrow AR6.
As a result, back feed is performed to return to the printing position of the thermal head 21 for the next label LB2. In this state, the back feed completion signal S6 indicating that the back feed has been completed is in the on state (FIG. 6, time t18).

As described above, the control unit 40 controls the predetermined label LB using the print head (thermal transfer head) 22 on the downstream side.
After the printing process for No. 1 is completed (specifically, after the label LB1 is further peeled off), a predetermined label LB1
The next label LB2 is moved to the printing position of the print head (thermal head) 21 on the more upstream side by performing a back feed in which the next label LB2 is transported by the label transport unit 30 in the direction of the arrow AR6.

On the other hand, the weighing section 10 turns on the weighing completion signal S2 at time t13 before the time when the back feed is completed (time t18), and in response, the product information generation completion signal S4 is also turned on. It has become. More specifically, at time t13, in response to the weighing signal S1 stabilizing and the weighing being completed (or the weighing completion signal S2), the data of the weighing result is transferred to the control unit 40 (FIG. 2). Further, a print image for the label LB2 is developed based on the transferred measurement result, and print data for the label LB2 is generated. And
In response to the completion of the generation of the print data, the product information generation completion signal S4 is on.

Then, the control unit 40 outputs the weighing completion signal S2
In addition to the fact that the product information generation completion signal S4 has already been turned on, and that the back feed completion signal S6 has been turned on at time t18,
At time t20, a normal rotation command at a predetermined speed is sent to the motors M34a, M34b, and M32 as the transport control signal S5, and the transport of the label LB1 in the direction of the arrow AR5 (FIG. 7) is started. Is sent out. Thereby, the label LB
The printing process for No. 1 is started.

As described above, the control unit 40 sets the label L next to the predetermined label LB1 out of a plurality of continuous labels.
In the printing process of B2, both the weighing completion signal S2 indicating that the weighing of the product to which the next label LB2 is to be affixed by the weighing unit 10 and the backfeeding completion signal S6 indicating that the backfeeding has been completed are aligned. (That is, both signals S2 and S6 are on).

Similarly, the above-described process involving back feed is repeated for each subsequent label on the backing paper PB, whereby the printing process for each label is performed.

Here, according to the above embodiment, the back feed operation as described above is performed, and the printing of the next label is started on condition that both the weighing of the next product and the back feed are completed. Therefore, different product information generated for each label based on the weighing value of each product can be easily printed on each label using a plurality of print heads.

The control unit 40 starts backfeeding of the next label LB2 when the label attaching unit 60 completes the peeling process for a predetermined label (for example, label LB1). Since the printing process of the label LB2 is started on condition that both the signal S6 and the weighing completion signal S2 are ready, the printing process for the next label LB2 is started after the peeling process for the predetermined label LB1 is surely completed. be able to.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the label transport speed in the direction of arrow AR6 when the label is fed back is set to be higher than the label transport speed in the direction of arrow AR5 when printing on the label. . According to this, since the back feed is performed at a relatively high label transport speed, it is possible to improve the number of labels that can be printed per unit time, and it is also possible to perform a normal printing process at a relatively low label transport speed. Is performed, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect on print quality (that is, a decrease in print quality).

In the above description, labels for a single type of product are printed, but labels for a plurality of different types of products may be printed. That is,
The information printed on each label may have a different format according to the type of product or sales information.
Here, the format includes at least the layout and the colors of the individual items laid out. FIG.
FIG. 8A shows an example of printing labels having different formats for different products or sales information.
8 shows a label for the special sale of the product "Tarabagani", FIG. 8B shows a label for the product "Pumpkin boiled", and FIG. 8C shows a label for the normal sale of the product "Tarabagani". Show. Also in this case, it is possible to easily print different information for each label on each label using a plurality of print heads.

Further, the thermal transfer head 22 of the printing surface of each label is formed by using a thermal head 21 arranged upstream for performing thermal printing and a thermal transfer head 22 arranged downstream for performing thermal transfer printing. It is preferable to generate print data so that thermal printing by the thermal head 21 is not performed in a portion where thermal transfer printing is performed. When performing thermal printing on the thermal layer of the label LB and thermal printing using the thermal transfer ribbon TR on the printing surface of the label LB, if the thermal transfer ribbon TR is further transferred on the heated portion, the thermal transfer ribbon This is because the transfer of the TR ink or the like is difficult to be performed satisfactorily, and the print quality may deteriorate. On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, in a portion of the printing surface of each label where thermal transfer printing is performed by the downstream thermal transfer head 22, printing is performed in advance so that thermal printing is not performed by the upstream thermal head 21. By generating the data, it is possible to prevent print quality from deteriorating in a portion where thermal transfer printing is performed by the thermal transfer head 22.

<4. Modification> In the above embodiment,
Although the case where the back feed for the next label is started at the time when the peeling processing for the predetermined label is completed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the next label is not peeled off without performing the peeling of the predetermined label. May be started. However, in this case, in order to ensure that each label that has been printed sequentially is peeled off from the backing sheet and securely attached to the product to be affixed, the association between the printed label and the product to be affixed must be made. You will take steps to get it right. On the other hand, according to the method of the above embodiment, accurate association can be easily realized.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the plurality of print heads 20, one thermal print head 21 and one thermal print head 21 are provided.
Although the case of including one thermal transfer print head 22 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as the plurality of print heads 20,
It may have one thermal print head and a plurality of thermal transfer print heads. More specifically, it has a plurality of print heads for printing the thermal transfer ribbon TR of each color (for example, two print heads of a green thermal transfer ribbon TR and a blue thermal transfer ribbon TR). You may. According to this, it is possible to reduce the number of times of replacement of the thermal transfer ribbon TR (ideally, it is not necessary to replace the thermal transfer ribbon TR) when printing a plurality of colors by the thermal transfer method.

Conversely, the plurality of print heads 20 may include one thermal transfer print head and a plurality of thermal print heads.

Further, printing may be performed using only a plurality of thermal transfer type print heads without using a thermal type print head. According to this, it is not necessary to use heat-sensitive paper as a label, and printing can be performed on a label using various types of paper. Alternatively, printing may be performed using only a plurality of heat-sensitive print heads without using a thermal transfer print head.

In the above embodiment, the printed label is attached to the upper side of the product, but the printed label is attached to the bottom of the product (more specifically, the lower side of the tray on which the product is placed). You may make it. Specifically, it is possible to provide the print mechanism PM on the lower side of the tray, peel off the label printed by the print mechanism PM from the backing paper, and then stick the label on the lower surface of the tray.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where various films are wound around the tray to perform the packaging process is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a packaging process may be performed in which the film is welded and / or blown off at the periphery of the tray at a high temperature using a heat roller to cover the film only on the upper surface of the tray. Further, a product information printing device having no packaging function may be used. Specifically, as shown in the schematic perspective view of FIG. 9, by placing a product on the weighing unit 10B, the product is weighed, and a label LB is printed according to the measured value. The information printing device 1B may be used. In this case, the packaging of the product is performed by an operator or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the printed label is automatically peeled off by the label affixing section 60 and is affixed to each product has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be manually peeled off from the backing by an operator of the product information printing apparatus, and the peeled label may be attached to each product. That is, the printed label may be attached to each product by “hand application”. Even in this case, the same processing as described above can be performed. Note that the product information printing device 1B in FIG. 9 is an example of such a “hand pasted” device.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to secure the positional stability of the label to be peeled, a portion in contact with the backing sheet is left on the backing sheet slightly more (for example, one end of the label). With a few mm on the side on the backing paper)
Hold the label to be peeled. The operator can peel the label from the backing paper by pulling the held label toward the user, and attach the peeled label to each product.

Further, in the above embodiment, after the printing process by the most downstream print head (thermal transfer head 22) is completed, the most upstream print head (thermal head 2) is used.
Although the case where the back feed is performed to the position where printing is possible according to 1) has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when four print heads 21, 22, 23, and 24 are provided on the transport path of the label LB,
After the print processing by the print head 24 disposed at the most downstream position is completed, two of the three print heads disposed at the upstream side of the print head 24 at the most downstream position other than the print head 21 disposed at the most upstream position Print heads (specifically, the print heads 23, 2 arranged at the second and third positions from the most downstream
The next label may be back-fed to a position (print position) where printing by any of 2) is possible. It goes without saying that the next label may be fed back to the printing position by the print head 21 arranged at the uppermost stream. Such a change in the back feed position can be determined by the control unit 40 described above.

The print head 24 located at the most downstream position
After the printing process by the other print head is completed, the next label may be back-fed to the print position of the print head arranged upstream from the print head. More specifically, after the print processing by the print head 23 disposed second from the most downstream is completed, the next label is backed up to the print position of the print head 22 disposed upstream of the print head. You may feed it.

[0081]

As described above, claims 1 to 8 are as described above.
According to the product information printing device described in, the printing of the next label is started on the condition that both the weighing of the next product and the back feed have been completed, so that the product is generated based on the weighing value for each product. It is possible to easily print different product information for each label on each label using a plurality of print heads.

In particular, according to the commodity information printing apparatus according to the second aspect, when it is detected that the label has been peeled off, the back feed is started, and thereafter both the weighing of the next commodity and the back feed are completed. Since the printing of the next label is started on the condition that the printing is performed, the printing on the next label can be started after the peeling of the predetermined label is completely completed.

According to the product information printing apparatus of the third aspect, the label transport speed at the time of back-feeding the label is set higher than the label transport speed at the time of printing on the label. It is possible to improve the number of labels that can be printed per unit time while preventing the adverse effect on the label.

According to the merchandise information printing apparatus of the seventh aspect, the printing by the thermal printing head is not performed on the portion of the printing surface of each label where printing is performed by the thermal transfer printing head. In addition, it is possible to maintain the smoothness of the print surface of the label at the portion where printing is performed by the thermal transfer print head. Therefore, an adverse effect on print quality can be prevented.

According to the merchandise information printing apparatus of the eighth aspect, even when the merchandise information printed on each label has a different format according to the type of merchandise or sales information, the label is different for each label. Information can be easily printed on each label using a plurality of print heads.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an internal configuration of a product information printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the product information printing device 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a label to be printed.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an outline of a print mechanism unit PM.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where a label is being peeled in the vicinity of a peeling member;

FIG. 6 is a time chart relating to a printing operation and a transport operation.

FIG. 7 shows each label and each print head 21 at each time.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship with the control unit 22.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of printing labels having different formats for different products.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a product information printing device according to a modification.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a part of a print mechanism of a product information printing apparatus according to a modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1B Commodity information printing device 10, 10B Measuring unit 20 to 24 Print head 21 Thermal head (thermal print head) 22 Thermal transfer head (thermal transfer print head) 30 Label transport unit 31 Mount supply unit 32 Mount winding unit 34a, 34b Platen 35 Label sensor 38 Peeling sensor 50 Packaging part 60 Label sticking part F Film LB, LB0-LB3 Label PB Backing paper PM Printing mechanism T Tray

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B41J 5/30 B65H 41/00 C 3E095 15/00 B41J 3/20 109C 3F108 B65H 41/00 117C (72) Inventor Norio Kawanishi 959 Shimogaku, Ritsuto-cho, Kurita-gun, Shiga Prefecture F-term in Ishida Shiga Plant (reference) 2C055 CC01 KK00 KK05 KK06 2C060 AA04 2C065 AB01 AB03 AC01 AD02 CC01 CC24 CC33 DC04 DC25 DC26 DC07 2C08A BD57 DA16 2C187 AC05 AD05 AE11 3E095 AA19 BA03 CA02 CA03 DA03 DA22 DA32 DA42 DA62 DA76 EA02 EA09 EA13 EA22 EA26 EA33 FA17 3F108 JA03

Claims (8)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A label continuously attached to a mount,
A product information printing device that prints product information, which is information on a product, on a label by sequentially using a plurality of print heads provided along the label transport path from an upstream side, and a unit that weighs the product. Means for generating the product information based on the weighed value of the product; and after printing of the label by the print head provided on the downstream side is completed, the next label of the label is placed on the upstream side of the print head. Means for back-feeding to the printing position of the print head provided in the printer, wherein the printing of the next label is started on condition that both the weighing of the next product and the back-feed have been completed. Characteristic product information printing device. 2. The commodity information printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for detecting that the printed label has been peeled off from the backing paper. The product information printing device, wherein the back feed is started. 3. The merchandise information printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a label transport speed when back-feeding the label is set to be higher than a label transport speed when printing on the label. Characteristic product information printing device. 4. The merchandise information printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print heads include a plurality of thermosensitive print heads. 5. The product information printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print heads include a plurality of thermal transfer print heads. 6. The merchandise information printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print heads include at least one heat-sensitive print head and at least one thermal transfer print head. Product information printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The commodity information printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of print heads include a thermal print head arranged on an upstream side and a thermal transfer print head arranged on a downstream side. A product information printing apparatus, wherein printing is not performed by a thermal printing head on a portion of a printing surface of a label where printing is performed by a thermal transfer printing head. 8. The merchandise information printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the merchandise information has a different format according to a kind of the merchandise or sales information. apparatus.