JP2002240812A - Label making apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability by a user and minimize generation of wastes of a recording medium by automatically making a margin for connection or a margin for supplying to a die cutter. SOLUTION: A label printer 102 comprises carrying means 301 and 302 for carrying the recording medium 106, a label printing means 303 for printing an image of a label based on print data generated by a print data generation means on the recording medium carried by the carrying means, and a control means for controlling the carrying means and the label printing means. When printing the image of the label, the carrying means and the label printing means are controlled, based on the print data, to generate margins for connection for connecting an end of the printing medium with another recording medium or an elongate member or margins for supplying paper for supplying into the die cutter.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label manufacturing apparatus for automatically manufacturing various kinds of labels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to automatically manufacture various kinds of labels, a label manufacturing apparatus generates a host computer for generating various data on the shape of a label to be manufactured, and a label for the label generated by the host computer. (Hereinafter referred to as a label printer) for printing labels on a recording medium that is a long continuous paper based on the various data described above, and laminating or labeling a recording medium on which a label image is printed. The apparatus was provided with a laminating die-cutting device (hereinafter, referred to as a die cutter) for performing processing such as die-cutting (die-cutting).

In such a label manufacturing apparatus, when the recording medium is to be replaced when the end of the recording medium (so-called out of paper) is approaching, the recording medium immediately before the end is completely removed from the inside of the die cutter. If the leading edge of a new recording medium is spread in the transport path of the die cutter (hereinafter referred to as “paper passing”), the work efficiency is deteriorated. By attaching the leading end of a new recording medium with a tape or the like and connecting it, the recording medium is exchanged without passing the leading end of the new recording medium through the die cutter. Further, there is a case where a so-called dummy member dedicated to paper passing such as loading paper is connected between the recording medium just before the end and a new recording medium to perform a replacement operation of the recording medium.

Conventionally, if a label printer normally prints a label in such a connection state between the rear end of the recording medium and the front end of a new recording medium just before the end,
Since the label at the connection portion is wasted, it is necessary for the user to manually transport the recording medium in advance and secure a connection margin, and then print the label with a label printer. Further, when a recording medium is passed through the conveyance path of the die cutter, the paper is passed through a margin or the like, and after the completion of the paper passing, printing is performed by a label printer.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional label manufacturing apparatus, when connecting to a previous sheet, such as when exchanging a recording medium or connecting to a loading paper, a portion necessary for connection is required. Has to be performed by a user's operation to secure the space as a margin portion, so that the work efficiency at the time of label production is poor.

In addition, when the paper is passed through the die cutter, the user sets a margin on the recording medium and passes the paper. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to determine an appropriate amount of the length of the margin. A lot of waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to automatically generate a margin for connection or a margin for paper passing to a die cutter, thereby improving workability of a user and minimizing waste of a recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label manufacturing apparatus which can be minimized.

[0008]

The main components of the label manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention are: setting input means for setting and inputting various kinds of information on the label; and printing of the label based on the setting by the setting input means. A print data generating means for generating data, a label printer for printing a label image based on the print data generated by the print data generating means, and a die cutter having a cutter blade for die cutting the label printed by the label printer. A label printer, a transport unit that transports a recording medium, and a label printing unit that prints an image of a label on a recording medium that is transported by the transport unit, based on the print data generated by the print data generation unit. Control means for controlling the transport means and the label printing means, the control means of the label printer,
With the printing of the label image, based on the print data,
Conveying means and label printing means so as to generate a connection margin for connecting the end of the recording medium to another elongated member, or a paper passage margin for passing paper inside the die cutter. Is controlled.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of a label manufacturing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. First, referring mainly to FIG.
A schematic configuration of a label manufacturing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described.

A label manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a host computer 101 as print data generating means for generating print data for a label, and a label printer 102 for performing label printing based on the print data generated by the host computer 101. And a die cutter 103 as die cutting means.
The label printer 102 is connected to the label printer 102 by a cable 104, so that data can be mutually transmitted and received. The label printer 102 and the die cutter 103 are connected by a cable 105 so that data can be transmitted and received by serial communication.

In this label manufacturing apparatus, a long, plain continuous paper is used as the recording medium 106 on which the label is printed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the recording medium 106 has a mount 107 and a plain label print sheet 108 which is releasably adhered to the entire mount 107.
The recording medium 106 is wound into a roll and stored in the label printer 102, and a label image based on print data generated by the host computer 101 is recorded (printed) on the label printing paper 108 by the label printer 102. Subsequently, a die cut for each label is performed by the die cutter 103, so that a die-cut label is formed on the mount 107.

(Configuration of Host Computer) The configuration of the host computer 101 will be described below with reference to FIG.

The host computer 101 includes a keyboard 201 and a mouse 202 as setting input means operated by a user, a layout of an image such as a shape and a color of a label to be manufactured (hereinafter referred to as a label image), and the setting input means. A CRT 204 as display means for displaying items to be set, a transmitting / receiving unit (not shown) for transmitting / receiving various data to / from the label printer 102 via the cable 104 in FIG. 1, and various information based on input information from the setting input means A control unit (not shown) that performs processing and controls each unit is provided.

In the host computer 101, various setting screens for label images, which will be described later, are displayed on the screen of the CRT 204 as shown in FIG.
By operating the mouse 01 and the mouse 202 as a pointing device to perform various settings, setting input for various items of the label image is performed.

A control unit of the host computer 101 controls the CRT 204 so as to display a label image based on an input signal from a setting input unit using a keyboard 201 or a mouse 202, and controls a label printed by the label printer 102. Of the label printer 102, and processes the generated print data and various setting information set by the setting input means.
The transmission / reception unit is controlled so as to transmit the data. When the transmission / reception unit receives the data transmitted from the label printer 102, the control unit of the host computer 101 performs a process based on the received data and controls each unit.

Prior to the generation of print data, the control unit of the host computer 101 displays on the screen of the CRT 204
The CRT 204 is controlled to display setting screens such as the label image display unit 203, label size input unit 205, and print number designation unit 211 shown in FIG.

Here, the keyboard 201 or the mouse 20
Label size input unit 20 displayed on CRT 204 in step 2
5, the label image of the input size is displayed in full color on the label image display unit 203 of the CRT 204, and a rectangle 206 and a line 20 are displayed in the label image display unit 203.
7, character 208, bar code 209, image data 2
By specifying 10 or the like, a label layout can be created, and the size, angle, color, and the like can be specified by operating the mouse 202, respectively. Also, CRT 204
By inputting the number of prints into the number-of-prints designation section 211 displayed in the section (2), the number of prints of the label for the created layout is set.

Further, a variable information designating section (not shown) is displayed on the CRT 204, and information on a partial data change of the created label layout is input to the variable information designating section, thereby obtaining information on the change. Is the host computer 101 as part of the print data.
To the label printer 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, a blank page setting section 212 is displayed on the CRT 204. This blank page setting unit 21
2 is displayed for setting, for each job, the position and size of a blank space generated by the label printer 102 on the recording medium 106 during label printing, which will be described later.
From the top, a setting column for the presence / absence and size of a connection margin for the leading end (the beginning of the job), a setting column for the presence / absence and size of a connection margin for the trailing end (the end of the job), and A setting column is provided for the presence or absence of generation of a margin portion for passing paper. It should be noted that only one of the setting of the connection margin and the paper passage margin at the leading end can be generated.

Here, one job means from the beginning to the end of a series of label printing recorded on the recording medium 106 in the same format.

The connection margin portion is a margin portion (blank portion) generated by the label printer 102 in order to connect to another recording medium or loading paper described later when the recording medium 106 is exchanged. The paper passing margin is a margin (blank paper) generated by the label printer 102 to pass the recording medium 106 through the transport path of the die cutter 103. Is generated in a predetermined size from the beginning (the front end).

In FIG. 2, a connection margin of 120 mm is set at the leading end of the recording medium 106, and
5 shows a setting example in the blank sheet setting unit 212 when a connection margin of 50 mm is set on the rear end side and a connection margin is provided only on the front end side during actual label printing.

Each information set by the blank sheet setting unit 212 is
The data is transmitted from the host computer 101 to the label printer 102 as a part of the print data.

The control unit of the host computer 101
The full-color label image represented on the label image display unit 203 of the RT 204 is divided into print data for each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and transferred to the label printer 102.

FIG. 12 shows various kinds of information transmitted and received among the host computer 101, the label printer 102, and the die cutter 103 in manufacturing a label. When the label image is created by the host computer 101, as shown in FIG. 12, various information such as the label size set on the screen of the CRT 204, the number of printed labels, and the above-described print data are transmitted from the host computer 101 to the label. Sent to printer 102.

(Configuration of Label Printer) Next, FIG.
The configuration of the label printer 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

The label printer 102 has a recording medium 1
06, a transport unit 302 disposed downstream of the paper feed unit 301 and including a transport belt that transports the recording medium 106, and continuously print labels on the recording medium 106 in full color. And a recording unit 303 for performing the recording.
The paper feed unit 301 and the transport unit 302 transport the recording medium 106 along a transport path by a drive motor (not shown) serving as a transport unit.

Although not shown, the label printer 10
2 is a host computer 101 and a die cutter 103
And a memory for temporarily storing print data received from the host computer 101, a CPU as control means for controlling each unit of the label printer 102, and the like. I have.

The label printer 102 performs operations such as start and stop of label printing based on an operation on an operation panel 407 of the die cutter 103 described later (see FIG. 12).

The recording unit 303 of the label printer 102
Four inkjet heads 303a, b, which eject ink of each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow,
Each of the inkjet heads is provided with nozzles for ejecting ink droplets so that recording can be performed over the entire width of the recording medium 106. Then, the recording unit 303 ejects ink from the inkjet heads 303a to 303d onto the label printing paper 108 of the recording medium 106 conveyed based on the print data for each color transmitted from the host computer 101. Prints the label in full color. The print data supplied from the host computer 101 is stored in the recording medium 106.
Is temporarily stored in the memory of the label printer 102 until label printing on the label printer 102 is completed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the label printer 102 sends various kinds of status information relating to the operation of the label printer 102 and information such as the size of printed labels and the number of labels to the die cutter 103 via a transmission / reception unit. Send.

On the other hand, when the status information of the die cutter 103 transmitted from the die cutter 103 is received via the transmitting / receiving unit, the CPU of the label printer 102
The state of the die cutter 103 is determined, and each unit is controlled based on the determination result as follows.

That is, the CPU of the label printer 102
If it is determined that the die cutter 103 is operating or operable, the label printer 102 determines that label printing is possible and the host computer 10
The feeder 301 sends the print data to the recording medium 106 so that the label is printed on the recording medium 106 on the condition that the print data from No. 1 is stored in the memory and other conditions under which the label can be printed are met. The control unit 302 controls the recording unit 303 and the like.

Further, if the operation of the die cutter 103 stops or becomes inoperable during label printing by the label printer 102, the C
The PU temporarily suspends label printing (see FIG. 12), and resumes label printing after the die cutter 103 is in an operable state.
02 is controlled.

The above-described recording medium 106 is wound into a roll and stored in the paper feed unit 301 of the label printer 102. The recording medium 106 is fed into the main body of the label printer 102 by the paper supply unit 301 and is conveyed by the conveyance unit 302, while being conveyed by the recording unit 303, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. After the label and mark 605 are continuously recorded (printed) on
The label is discharged out of the label printer 102.

FIG. 8A shows the state of the recording medium 106 before printing the label, and FIG. 8B shows the state of the recording medium 1 on which the label is continuously printed by the label printer 102.
06 is shown. As can be seen from FIG. 8B, in this embodiment, the label printer 102 prints the mark 605 for each label. This mark 605 is used for setting the timing of die cutting in the die cutter 103 described later.

Then, the label printer 102 executes the CPU based on the various settings of the CRT 204 in the host computer 101 in the blank sheet setting section 212 described with reference to FIG.
By controlling each part of the label printer 102,
As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, a connection margin S in a blank state where no label is printed is generated at the beginning, end, or both of the job.

Here, FIGS. 9A and 9B show the case where the connection margin S is generated at the leading end of the recording medium 106, and FIG. The case
FIG. 9D shows the case where the connection margin S is generated at both the rear end of the preceding recording medium 106 and the front end of the new recording medium 106.

By generating such a connection margin S in the recording medium 106, in this embodiment, when the recording medium 106 is exchanged, as shown in FIG. The connection margins S in FIG.
By connecting the loading paper R shown in (b) and (c) to the connection margin S of the recording medium 106, it is possible to promptly carry out paper feeding to the die cutter 103, restarting operation of the die cutter 103, and the like. It becomes possible.

The loading paper R is a long dummy member having substantially the same width as the recording medium 106.
When the die cutter 103 is not used, the recording medium 10
Instead of the sheet 6, the sheet is passed through the die cutter 103 as a so-called dummy. And die cutter 103
Is used again, the rear end of the loading paper R and the connection margin S at the front end of the recording medium 106 are connected to operate the die cutter 103 as shown in FIG. The recording medium 10 in the die cutter 103
6 can be omitted every time, and the recording medium 106 can be prevented from being wasted.

Then, the recording medium 10 on which the label is printed
3 is sent to the inside of the die cutter 103 while forming a slack between the discharge port side of the label printer 102 and the carry-in side of the die cutter 103 as shown in FIG. Is processed.

A description will be given later of the paper passing margin generated by the label printer 102.

(Structure of Die Cutter) Next, the structure of the die cutter 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS.

The die cutter 103 is used for the label printer 1
02, the recording medium 106 on which the label has been printed is subjected to lamination processing, die-cutting (die cutting) is performed for each label, and the die-cut recording medium 10
6 is a device that separates the label body into a necessary part and the waste part of the label printing paper 108 as an unnecessary part.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the die cutter 103, an adhesive portion 402 as a laminating means is disposed on the upstream side of the transport path, and a die cut portion 403 as a die cutting means is disposed downstream of the adhesive portion 402. A peeling section 404 as a separating means is disposed at a stage subsequent to the die cut section 403. These units are operated based on the setting operation of the operation panel 407 operated by the user.
It operates under the control of a control unit (not shown) in the die cutter 103. Also, die cutter 103
Is connected to the label printer 10 via the cable 105 of FIG.
2 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication device 2. The transmission / reception unit of the die cutter 103 is connected to the label printer 10 by the host computer 101.
2 are also received via the label printer 102.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bonding portion 402 of the die cutter 103 has a pair of pressure rollers 402a,
And a laminating film 401 wound in a roll shape above the pressure roller 402a.
Is rotatably mounted. Laminated film 40
1 has substantially the same width as the recording medium 106. The bonding portion 402 of the die cutter 103 is attached to the label printer 10.
The recording medium 106 on which the label printing has been performed in step 2 and the laminate film 401 are passed through a pair of pressure roller pairs 402a and 402b, so that these two members are pressed and conveyed. As shown in FIG. 4, the recording medium 106 that has been subjected to the laminating process forms a slack between the pair of conveying rollers 402c and 402d disposed downstream of the pair of pressure bonding rollers 402a and 402b, and Sent.

The die cutting section 403 of the die cutter 103
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, a die cut roll 403a having a cutter blade 403d attached thereto, and an anvil roll 403b pressed against the die cut roll 403a.
A sensor 403 c for detecting the mark 605 printed on the recording medium 106 by the label printer 102 to detect the die cut timing, and a pair of conveying rollers 403 e and 40 for conveying the recording medium 106 to the peeling section 404 on the downstream side.
3f and the like.

In the die cutting section 403, the cutter blade 40
3d is detachable from the die cut roll 403a, and can be die cut in correspondence with a plurality of types of labels by exchanging it with another type of cutter blade. In the die cutting unit 403, the detection signal of the sensor 403c is input to the control unit of the die cutter 103, and the control unit controls the rotation of the die cut roll 403a and the anvil roll 403b as follows.

That is, when the sensor 403c detects the mark 605 added for each label on the label printing paper 108 of the recording medium 106, the control unit controls the die cut roll based on the detection signal of the sensor 403c. The die cut roll 403a and the anvil roll 403b are driven to rotate while adjusting the rotational position of 403a.

Thus, in the die cutting section 403, the recording medium 106 is held while being conveyed by the die cut roll 403a and the anvil roll 403b.
06 and the recording medium 106
The label portion other than the backing sheet 107 is cut into the shape of the cutter blade 403d of the die cutting portion 403, and the label is die-cut (die cutting process) as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. FIG. 8B shows the state of the recording medium 106 before die cutting, and FIG. 8C shows the state of the recording medium 106 after die cutting.

The die cut unit 403 detects the time of detecting the mark 605 printed for each label as the die cut timing. By detecting this mark 605 for each label, the position of the label printed by the label printer 102 is determined. And the die cut position are kept constant.

The die cut unit 403 compares the label size information transmitted from the label printer 102 with the detection timing of the mark 605 printed for each label, thereby detecting a transport abnormality of the recording medium 106. Detected.

The control unit of the die cutting unit 403
By comparing the information on the number of printed labels transmitted from the label printer 102 with the number of times of die cutting, controlling the rotation of the die cut roll 403a to be stopped at the point of time when die cutting for the number of printed labels is performed,
Prevents accidental die cutting.

The recording medium 106 that has been subjected to the die-cutting process in the die-cutting section 403 is transported by conveying rollers 403e and 403.
It is conveyed to the peeling unit 404 via f. Again, as shown in FIG.
e, 403f and the peeling section 404 are conveyed with a certain slack.

The peeling portion 404 of the die cutter 103 is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the die-cut recording medium 1.
A pair of peeling rollers 404a and 404b for peeling the sheet No. 06 into a necessary portion (label side) and an unnecessary portion (scrap side), a scrap winding portion 406 disposed on the upper stream downstream of the pair of peeling rollers 404a and 404b, and a peeling roller Pairs 404a, 404b
And a label take-up section 405 arranged on the lower side of the downstream side.

The recording medium 106 with the laminated film 401 die-cut in the die-cut section 403 is separated by a pair of peeling rollers 404 a and 404 b of a peeling section 404.
The laminating film 401 and the label portion of the label printing paper 108 and the backing sheet 107 (hereinafter, referred to as a label with a mounting sheet) as necessary parts, and the scrap portion of the laminating film 401 and the label printing paper 108 are peeled off. Here, the mark 605 printed for each label serves as a scrap portion, as shown in FIGS.
The paper is wound by the waste take-up unit 406 via c. FIG. 8D shows a state in which the scrap portion of the recording medium 106 has been removed by the peeling unit 404, and the label with a mount, which is a product, remains. The label with the mount and the waste portion are respectively attached to the label winding section 40.
5 and the scrap take-up unit 406.

As shown in FIG. 12, the die cutter 103 transmits data such as status information of the die cutter 103 to the label printer 102 by the transmitting / receiving section.
Also, the label printer 10 sends the label printer 10
2 and information such as a label size to be printed and the number of labels to be printed are received, and an operation is performed based on the information.

Specifically, when an operation start is instructed by operating the operation panel 407, the die cutter 103 transmits status information indicating whether or not operation is possible to the label printer 102. The label printer 102 that has received the status information indicating that it is operable
Starts label printing on the recording medium 106 based on the print data sent from the host computer 101, and sends status information indicating that printing is in progress to the die cutter 103. Then, the die cutter 10 receiving the printing status information from the label printer 102
3 starts the above-described die cutting operation on the recording medium 106.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 13, an explanation will be given on the operation and the operation of the user when manufacturing a label for one job in the first embodiment. When manufacturing a label for one job, the label printer and the mark 605 are printed by the label printer 102 by the number of sheets for one job set by the number-of-prints designation unit 211 in FIG.
When the connection margin is generated based on the setting, the operation of the label printer 102 is stopped, and the status information indicating the end of printing is transmitted from the label printer 102 as shown in FIG. The die cutter 103 that has received the status information stops the die cutting operation at the stage when the die is cut halfway through the label for one job, and transmits status information indicating that the printing is stopped to the label printer 102.

Subsequently, the user operates the label printer 102
The recording medium 106 is cut at the exit (recording medium discharge section), the leading end of the loading paper is connected to the connection margin, and the operation panel 407 is operated to operate only the die cutter 103, thereby causing one job. By performing die cutting on the remaining labels, labels for one job are manufactured.

Further, for the label of the next job,
The user only has to connect the rear end of the loading paper to the front end of the recording medium 106 at the outlet of the label printer 102 and operate the operation panel 407, thereby facilitating the user's work between jobs.

During the production of a label for one job, the operation of the operation panel 407 causes the die cutter 1 to operate.
03 operation stop command, or die cutter 1
In the case of an emergency stop due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the inside of the printer 03, the die cutter 103 transmits the operation stop status information to the label printer 102 as shown in FIG. The label printer 10 that has received the operation stop status information
Reference numeral 2 denotes a state in which the label printing on the recording medium 106 is interrupted, and the status information of the conveyance stop is transmitted to the die cutter 10.
Send to 3. As a result, the operations of both the die cutter 103 and the label printer 102 stop.

(Paper processing to die cutter, etc.)
With reference to FIG. 0 and FIG. 11, a paper passing margin generated by the label printer 102 on the recording medium 106, a paper passing process of the recording medium 106 to the die cutter 103, and the like will be described.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams for comparing the conventional example and the present embodiment with respect to the processing when the recording medium 106 is passed through the die cutter. FIG. 10 shows the case of the conventional example. 11 shows the case of the present embodiment.
For convenience of explanation, in the conventional example of FIG. 10, the same parts as those of the present embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

Conventionally, the recording medium 106 is
When the label is passed through the recording medium 106, the label printer 102 passes the label through the inside of the die cutter 103 before printing the label on the recording medium 106. As shown in FIG. Label take-up part 4
From the position A1 of 05 to the position A2 from the discharge section of the label printer 102, the blank state where no label is printed was obtained. Conventionally, label printing is started by the label printer after the recording medium 106 is in such a state, and die cutting is performed by the die cutter 103. Therefore, the range from the position A1 to the position A2 on the recording medium 106 is wasted. It was paper.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, based on the setting of the blank page setting unit 212 displayed on the CRT 204 of the host computer 101, the label printer 102 transmits the sheet to the recording medium 106 as follows. Generate a margin for use. That is, the label printer 1 of the present embodiment
02, when performing label printing, as shown in FIG.
With respect to the recording medium 106, a paper passing margin T is generated from the leading end of the recording medium 106 by the length from the position B <b> 1 of the label winding unit 405 of the die cutter 103 to the position B <b> 2 of the die cutting unit 403. The CPU causes the label printer 10 to print the label after the margin T is generated.
2 are controlled.

Then, the recording medium 106 is transferred to the die cutter 1.
When the paper is passed through the sheet No. 03, as shown in FIG.
7 is fixed to the label take-up unit 405 and the tip of the label printing paper 108 is fixed to the waste take-up unit 406, so that the first label is located at the die cut unit 403. It is possible to greatly reduce waste paper at the start of processing.

As described above, in the label manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the layout of the label is
By printing the label by the label printer 102 and die-cutting the label by the die cutter 103 on the spot prepared in step 01, the required number of labels can be manufactured in a short time.

In the present embodiment, the label printer 102 automatically generates the connection margin S or the paper passing margin T on the recording medium 106 at the beginning, end, or both of the job. Therefore, when a new recording medium or loading paper R is connected to the recording medium 106, it is not necessary for the user to operate and generate a necessary part, and the label can be manufactured without bothering the user. Is improved. Further, in the present embodiment, the connection margin S can be designated by specifying the amount of the margin and the position of the margin (different from the leading end and the trailing end). When connecting to the loading paper R or the like, wasteful paper when connecting to the old recording medium 106 can be omitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the label printer 102 can automatically generate a paper passage margin T having a length necessary for paper passage into the die cutter 103. It is now possible to minimize waste paper when passing paper through.

(Second Embodiment) Next, with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The following description focuses on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, whether or not the cutter blade of the die cutter has been replaced is automatically detected, and based on the detection result, the above-described connection margin S Is automatically generated by the label printer 102.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, in the die cutter 103A according to the second embodiment, a bar code 1202 indicating the information of the cutter blade is attached to the die cut roll 403a of the die cut unit 403. Blade 40
3 g are attached. Here, the barcode 1202 includes the vertical size, the horizontal size, the serial number, and the like of the cutter blade 403d as information on the cutter blade.

In the second embodiment, the sensor 1201 having a bar code reader for reading the bar code 1202 of the cutter blade 403g is provided by the die cut roll 4.
03a. This sensor 1201 is
When the die cut roll 403a rotates, the cutter blade 40
The 3d barcode 1202 is read, and information on the cutter blade is supplied to the control unit of the die cutter 103A.

In the second embodiment, the control unit of the die cutter 103A constantly monitors the detection signal of the sensor 1201 and determines whether or not the detection signal of the sensor 1201 has changed, that is, information on the cutter blade. It is determined whether the information is different from the previous information. If it is determined that the information of the cutter blade is different from the previous information, the control unit of the die cutter 103A considers that the cutter blade has been replaced and labels the status information indicating that the cutter blade has been replaced with a label. The transmission / reception unit is controlled so as to transmit to the printer 102.

The CPU of the label printer 102
When the status information is received via the transmission / reception unit, the connection margin S is stored in the recording medium 1 prior to label printing.
06, the paper feed unit 301 and the transport unit 30
2. Control the recording unit 303 and other units.

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of the second embodiment.
An operation example in the case where the cutter blade of the die cutter 103A is replaced after the end of the job is shown. This second
In the embodiment, when the label printer 102 starts label printing, the die cutter 103A outputs status information of the label printer 102, a label size to be printed,
When information such as the number of labels is received from the label printer 102, the bar code 1202 of the cutter blade 403d is read by the sensor 1201 by rotating and driving the die cut roll 403a as an initialization operation, and each information on the cutter blade is controlled by the control unit. Supplied to At the start of label production, the control unit of the die cutter 103A does not have previous information on the cutter blade, so that the read information on the cutter blade and the label printer 10
2 is compared with the label size information from the label printer, and if they differ, it is considered that the cutter blade has been replaced (loading paper has been passed), and status information indicating that the cutter blade has been replaced is output to the label printer. Send to 102. After the start of label production, the die cutter 1
As described above, the control unit of 03A determines whether the information on the cutter blade is different from the previous information.

In the second embodiment having such a configuration, the connection margin S is automatically generated by the label printer 102 each time the cutter blade of the die cutter 103A is replaced. 101
Even when the margin setting at the front end is not performed by the (automatic setting unit 212 of the CRT 204), the connection margin S can be automatically generated. Therefore, the second embodiment is effective when performing the operation of passing the loading paper R into the die cutter 103 for each job.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 16, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the label printer 102 automatically generates the above-mentioned connection margin S for the recording medium 106 based on the label size information transmitted from the host computer 101. .

More specifically, in the third embodiment, the CPU of the label printer 102
The information on the label size in the print data transmitted from the printer is constantly monitored to determine whether the label size has changed, ie, whether the information on the label size to be printed on the recording medium 106 is different from the previous information. Is determined. If the information on the label size is different from the previous information, the CPU of the label printer 102 sets the connection margin S before the label printing based on the setting in the blank sheet setting unit 212 in FIG. The paper supply unit 301, the transport unit 302, the recording unit 303,
Other parts are controlled.

In the third embodiment having such a configuration, each time information about a new label size is transmitted from the host computer 101, the label printer 10
2 automatically generates the connection margin S, so that the user can set the host computer 101 (automatic setting unit 2 of the CRT 204).
According to 12), it is possible to automatically generate the connection margin S even when the margin at the front end is not set. Therefore, the third embodiment is effective when the operation of passing the loading paper R into the die cutter 103 for each job is performed.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The following description focuses on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the label printer 1
During the stop of the printing operation 02, it is possible to detect whether or not the recording medium 106 has been cut, and to generate a connection margin based on the detection result.

More specifically, in the label printer 102 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, a cutter 1401 serving as a cutting unit for cutting the recording medium 106 that has passed through the recording unit 303. Is provided in the discharge unit, and when the operation of the label printer 102 is stopped, the user can use the recording medium 106 with the cutter 1401.
Can be cut.

Further, before and after the transport unit 302 and the recording unit 303 in the apparatus main body of the label printer 102,
A sensor 1402 and a sensor 1403 as medium presence detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium 106 are provided. In the fourth embodiment, each sensor 1
The detection signals of 402 and 1403 are input to the CPU of the label printer 102, and the CPU which has input the detection signals of the sensors 1402 and 1403 determines the presence or absence of the recording medium 106 and performs processing corresponding to each state. Has become.

More specifically, the CP of the label printer 102
In the case where U stops printing the label, FIG.
As shown in (b), recording is performed when the rear end of the final label E printed by the recording unit 303 is located downstream of the cutting position of the cutter 1401 by the length L0 of the connection margin S. The paper feeding unit 3 is configured to stop the conveyance of the medium 106.
01 and the transport unit 302 are controlled. With this control, when the label printing operation is stopped, the user can select whether or not to cut the recording medium 106 with the cutter 1401, as shown in FIG. When the line 106 is cut, as shown in FIG. 17D, the connection margin S is generated from the rear end of the final label E.

Thereafter, when restarting the label printing operation, the CPU of the label printer 102 sets the sheet feeding unit so that the recording medium 106 is reversely conveyed by the length of the predetermined reverse conveyance specified amount L1. The control unit 301 and the transport unit 302 are controlled. In the present embodiment, the reverse transport prescribed amount L1 is set to the length from the rear end of the final label E to the sensor 1402, as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the recording medium 106 is not cut by the cutter 1401 from the state of FIG.
When the reverse transport of No. 6 is stopped, as shown in FIG.
The rear end of the final label E will be at the position of the sensor 1402. Also, during the reverse conveyance of the recording medium 106, the CPU of the label printer 102 determines that the recording medium has not been cut off based on the detection signals of the sensors 1402 and 1403.

On the other hand, from the state shown in FIG.
When the recording medium 106 is cut in 401, a new leading end of the recording medium 106 (see FIG. 17D) comes upstream of the sensor 1402 when the reverse conveyance of the recording medium 106 is stopped. Therefore, during the reverse conveyance of the recording medium 106, the CPU of the label printer 102 determines that the recording medium has been cut based on the detection signals of the sensors 1402 and 1403.

When restarting the label printing operation,
The CPU of the label printer 102 adjusts the printing position of the label on the recording medium 106 to be printed by the recording unit 303 based on the determination result of the presence or absence of cutting during the reverse conveyance of the recording medium 106 so that the sheet feeding unit 301 And the transport unit 302.

More specifically, if it is determined that the recording medium 106 has not been cut, the next time label printing is started, the length of the connection margin S is changed from the state shown in FIG. After transporting the recording medium 106 by a predetermined distance including the length L0 in the direction opposite to the printing direction, the recording unit 303 prints a label. As a result, it is possible to start label printing by the recording unit 303 without creating a margin between the last label E of the recording medium 106 and the label E. At this time,
The recording medium 106 does not include the length L0 of the connection margin S.
, It is also possible to start label printing by the recording unit 303 while creating a blank space with the final label E.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the recording medium 106 has been cut, the CPU controls the recording section 303 so that a connection margin S is generated at the leading end when label printing is started next time. By adjusting the position of the recording medium 106 (FIG. 1)
7 (d)), the sheet feeding unit 301, the conveying unit 302, and the recording unit 30 so that label printing is started after the adjustment.
Control 3 etc.

According to the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, when the recording medium 106 is cut by the cutter 1401, the connection margin S is automatically generated by the label printer 102. As can be seen, the recording medium 106 is cut off when the operation of the label printer 102 or the die cutter 103 is interrupted, or the recording medium 1
It is possible to generate the connection margin S even in the middle of a job such as when there is no 06. Further, even when the user does not set the margin at the front end by the host computer 101 (the automatic setting unit 212 of the CRT 204), the connection margin S can be automatically generated.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, FIGS.
With reference to FIG. 9, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the die cutter 10
3 sensor 403c provided in the die cut portion 403
Detects the mark 605 added to each label and also detects the presence or absence of the recording medium 106.

Here, the sensor 403c is connected to the recording medium 10
6, an optical sensor capable of detecting the amount of light transmitted through the blank portion, the amount of light transmitted through the mark 605, and the amount of light transmitted without the recording medium 106 as a potential difference. Used. Note that, regarding the sensor 403c, the amount of light reflection of a blank portion of the recording medium 106 and the mark 605
An optical sensor capable of detecting the amount of light reflection of the portion and the amount of light reflection when there is no recording medium 106 as a potential difference may be used.

When the operation of the operation panel 407 is instructed by the control unit of the die cutter 103 to which the detection signal of the sensor 403c is input, the control unit of the die cutter 103 detects the recording medium 106 (paper) based on the detection signal of the sensor 403c. The presence / absence is confirmed, and as shown in FIG. 19, status information indicating whether or not operation is possible and whether or not the recording medium 106 (paper) is present is transmitted to the label printer 102.

When the label printer 102 receives the status information, and there is no paper, the label printer 102
3 so that a paper passing margin T is generated on the recording medium 106 prior to label printing, the paper feeding unit 301, the transporting unit 302, the recording unit 303, and other units are regarded as necessary. Control to adjust label printing position.

According to the fifth embodiment having such a configuration, the recording medium 106 is provided on the paper passing path of the die cutter 103.
When the label printer 102 disappears, the label printer 102 automatically generates a paper passing margin T. As can be seen from FIG. 19, when the operation of the label printer 102 or the die cutter 103 is interrupted, the recording medium 106 is cut off. Even if the recording medium 106 is lost on the paper passage path of the die cutter 103 due to, for example, a jam of the recording medium 106 or a jam of the recording medium 106, the margin T for paper passing is generated. Becomes possible. Further, even when the user does not set the margin at the leading end by the host computer 101 (the automatic setting unit 212 of the CRT 204), the margin T for paper passing can be automatically generated.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the label manufacturing apparatus, by automatically generating a margin at the beginning or end of the job, or both, it is not necessary for a user to generate a part required when connecting, thereby improving work efficiency. It becomes possible. Also,
By making it possible to specify the amount and position of paper to be automatically generated, waste paper can be omitted. By automatically generating a blank portion necessary for paper passing during paper passing, waste paper generated at the time of paper passing can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a label manufacturing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a host computer in the label manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a label printer in the label manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a die cutter in the label manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view extracting and showing an adhesive portion in the die cutter according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view extracting and showing a die cut portion in the die cutter according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view extracting and showing a peeling portion of the die cutter according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining each state of the recording medium according to the first embodiment, and shows a state before processing (a).
(B) shows the state where the label is continuously printed by the label printer, (c) shows the state after the die is cut by the die cutter, and (d) shows the state after the residue is removed by the die cutter. Shown respectively.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining connection between a recording medium and loading paper according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a plan view of the recording medium when a margin is formed at the beginning of a job. (B) is a perspective view when a loading paper is connected to the margin of the recording medium in (a), and (b) is a perspective view when a margin is formed at the end of the job and the loading paper is connected to the margin. FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the case where the recording medium is replaced during printing and the old recording medium and the new recording medium are connected to each other at the margins.
Are shown below.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process of the conventional die cutter for comparing a process at the time of sheet passing between the conventional die cutter and the die cutter of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining processing of the die cutter according to the first embodiment for comparing processing at the time of sheet passing between the conventional die cutter and the die cutter according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining transmission / reception data of the host computer, the label printer, and the die cutter in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation when a label for one job is manufactured in the first embodiment, a user operation, and the like.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view extracting and showing a die cut portion in the die cutter according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation and the like when a cutter blade is replaced after one job is completed in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining transmission / reception data of a host computer, a label printer, and a die cutter in a third embodiment.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams for explaining conveyance control of a recording medium by the label printer according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17A shows a schematic configuration of the label printer, and FIG. (C) shows the state at the end of reverse transport when the recording medium is not cut at the end of label printing, and (d) illustrates the case where the recording medium is cut at the end of label printing. ) Respectively.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation when manufacturing a label for one job, a user's operation, and the like in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an operation when a label for one job is manufactured in the fifth embodiment, a user operation, and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

S Connection margin T Pass margin R Loading paper 101 Host computer (print data generating means) 102 Label printer 103, 103A Die cutter 104 Cable 105 Cable 201 Keyboard (setting input means) 202 Mouse (setting input means) 203 Label image display unit 204 CRT (display unit) 205 Label size input unit 211 Number of prints designation unit 212 Blank sheet setting unit 301 Paper feed unit (transport unit) 302 Transport unit (transport unit) 303 Recording unit (label print unit) 303a, 303b , 303c, 303d Inkjet head 401 Laminated film 402 Adhesive part (lamination processing means) 402a, 402b Crimping roller 402c, 402d Transport roller 403 Die cut part (die cut means) 403 Die cut roll 403b Anvil roll 403c Sensor 403d, 403g Cutter blade 403e, 403f Conveying roller pair 404 Peeling section (separating means) 405 Label winding section (label winding means) 406 Scrap winding section (scrap winding means) 407 Operation panel 501 Pressure roller 601 Cutter blade 605 Mark 1201 Sensor (blade replacement detection means) 1202 Barcode 1401 Cutter (cutting means) 1402, 1403 Sensor (medium presence detection means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C058 AB12 AC07 AC17 AE04 AF06 AF51 LA03 LA24 LA26 LB07 LB17 LB35 LC05 LC11 3E095 BA03 CA02 DA03 DA66 DA72 DA90 EA02 EA09 EA22 EA26 EA34 FA18 FA30 3F108 GA04 HA04 HA14 HA14 HA14

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A setting input unit for setting and inputting various information on a label; a print data generating unit for generating print data on a label based on the setting on the setting input unit; A label printer for printing an image of a label based on the print data generated by the means, and a die cutter having a cutter blade for die-cutting the label printed by the label printer; and Conveying means for conveying a medium, the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means,
A label printing unit that prints a label image based on the print data generated by the print data generation unit; and a control unit that controls the transport unit and the label printing unit. Along with the printing of the image of the label, based on the print data, a connection margin for connecting the end of the recording medium to another recording medium or a long member, or the die cutter A label producing apparatus for controlling the transporting means and the label printing means so as to generate a paper passing margin portion for passing a paper through the inside of the label producing apparatus. 2. The control means of the label printer,
2. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit and the label printing unit are controlled so as to generate the connection margin for each job. 3. The control means of the label printer,
3. The label according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit and the label printing unit are controlled so as to generate the connection margin based on the position and the length set by the setting input unit. manufacturing device. 4. The die cutter has blade replacement detecting means for detecting whether or not the cutter blade has been replaced, and the control means of the label printer controls the cutter blade by the blade replacement detecting means of the die cutter. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the exchange is detected, the transport unit and the label printing unit are controlled to generate the connection margin or the paper passage margin. 5. Label manufacturing equipment. 5. The control means of the label printer,
The label printing unit monitors the data of the label size included in the print data for printing, and when the size of the label to be printed by the label printing unit changes, the connection margin part is generated. The label manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the label manufacturing apparatus controls a transport unit and the label printing unit. 6. The label printer has cutting means for cutting a recording medium that has passed through the label printing means, and the control means of the label printer stops a printing operation of a label on the recording medium. When the recording medium is cut by the cutting means, the recording medium stops at a position where the connection margin is generated between the final label printed by the label printing means and the cut portion of the recording medium. And controlling the transporting means.
The label manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the above. 7. The label printer further comprises a medium presence / absence detection means for detecting the presence / absence of a recording medium, wherein the control means of the label printer performs the operation of the medium presence / absence detection means when the label printing operation is restarted after stopping. 7. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the conveying unit is controlled to adjust a printing position of the label on a recording medium based on a detection result. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the die cutter includes a medium presence / absence detection unit configured to detect presence / absence of a recording medium, and the control unit of the label printer determines the paper passing margin based on a detection result of the medium presence detection unit. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit and the label printing unit are controlled to generate a copy. 9. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label printing unit of the label printer continuously prints a full color image of the label on the recording medium. 10. The die cutter includes a laminating means for bonding a laminated film to a label printing surface of a recording medium, and die-cuts the recording medium to which the laminated film is adhered by the laminating means. The label manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: 11. A separation means for separating a recording medium die-cut by the cutter blade into a label portion and a waste portion, and a die cutter disposed downstream of the separation means.
The label manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a scrap winding unit that winds the waste portion; and a label winding unit that winds the label portion. 12. The control means of the label printer, prior to printing the image of the label, uses the length from the cutter blade to the waste take-up means and the label take-up means for the paper passing. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transport unit and the label printing unit are controlled so as to generate a margin. 13. The setting input means, the print data generating means, a display means for displaying items to be set by the setting input means, and transmitting the print data generated by the print data generating means to the label printer. 13. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a host computer having a transmitting unit for performing the operation.