JP2006003616A - Braille tape and tape cartridge provided with same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a braille tape which can form braille on its surface without rupturing a release sheet in spite of stamping from a rear side by means of a stamping pin and a tape cartridge equipped therewith. <P>SOLUTION: The braille tape T has a recording sheet 150 having a tacky adhesive layer 154 on its rear and the release sheet 160 pasted to the recording sheet 150 via the tacky adhesive layer 154m is introduced between the stamping pin 81 and a stamped receiving member 72 formed with a stamped receiving recessed part 72 on a surface 72a to be stamped opposite to the stamping pin 81 and is formed with a stamped projecting part 202 profiling the stamped receiving recessed part 87 on the surface by being stamped by the stamping pin 81 from the rear side. The release sheet 160 is composed of a stretchable material having non-breakability against the stamping impact of the stamping pin 81. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a Braille tape that is stamped from the back side by a stamping pin and has a Braille stamping projection formed on the surface thereof, and a tape cartridge including the same.

Conventionally, it has an inscription mechanism (inscription head) having a push pin (inscription pin), and an inscription cover (indentation receiving member) in which a recess (indentation receiving recess) is formed on a surface facing the inscription mechanism, Braille label writer (label production) that forms a Braille convex part (cutting convex part) on the surface by stamping from the back side to a tape-like label (braille tape) introduced between the engraving mechanism and the engraved cover Device) is known. This braille label has a configuration in which a tape base material (recording sheet), an adhesive (pressure-sensitive adhesive layer), and a protective paper (release sheet) are laminated from the front side (see Patent Document 1). Therefore, until the time of labeling, the adhesive is protected by protective paper, making it easy to handle and preventing dust from adhering to the adhesive, and at the time of labeling, by peeling off the protective paper, A tape base material on which braille is formed can be affixed to various objects to be adhered such as various vending machines, station guide plates, and business cards via an adhesive.
Utility Model Registration No.3054580

  However, in such a label, when the engraved cover is received and engraved from the back side by the push pin, it is pulled in the front and back direction while being supported by the head of the push pin and the peripheral edge of the recessed portion of the engraved cover. . At this time, tensile stress concentrates on the annular portion of the braille label facing the peripheral edge of the recess, and the protective paper may be torn (teared) at the annular portion. If the protective paper is torn like this, even if the protective paper is peeled off at the time of labeling, the protective paper will remain torn in the back side of the raised part of the braille, so it can be used especially for braille labels. In many transparent tapes, there is a problem that the protective paper that remains torn from the front side can be seen through, and the quality of the braille label is impaired. Further, when the annularly broken portion is peeled off before attaching the label, there is a problem that it remains as dust in the apparatus or is scattered as dust outside the apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a Braille tape capable of forming Braille on the surface without tearing the release sheet even if it is stamped from the back side by a stamping pin, and a tape cartridge provided with the same.

The Braille tape of the present invention comprises a recording sheet having an adhesive layer on the back surface, and a release sheet attached to the recording sheet via the adhesive layer, and includes a stamping pin and a coating facing the stamping pin. It is introduced between the stamp receiving member with the stamp receiving recess formed on the stamping surface, and is stamped from the back side with the stamp pin to form the Braille stamp convex on the surface following the stamp receiving recess. In this Braille tape, the release sheet is made of a stretchable material that exhibits non-breakability against the impact of the punching pin.
The stretchable material is preferably one of polyethylene and a polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer.

  According to this configuration, when the embossed convex portion is formed by embossing the braille tape with the embossing pin, the tensile stress is concentrated on the annular portion of the braille tape facing the peripheral portion of the embossed receiving recess. However, since the release sheet is stretched at the annular portion, the release sheet is not torn. Therefore, the release sheet does not remain torn and remain in the recessed portion on the back surface of the stamping convex portion.

  In this case, the material constituting the recording sheet is polyethylene terephthalate, and the stretchable material constituting the release sheet is preferably different from that of polyethylene terephthalate.

If the recording sheet and the release sheet of the Braille tape are made of the same material and a relatively rigid material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), gather-like wrinkles are generated around the stamping projection. There is a case. This is presumably because the Braille tape having such a configuration hardly causes an interlayer slip between the recording sheet and the release sheet when it is stamped by the stamping pin.
According to this configuration, the release sheet is made of a material different from that of the PET constituting the recording sheet, so that when the stamping pin is stamped, a gather-like wrinkle is formed around the stamping convex portion. Will not occur.

  In this case, the thickness of the release sheet is preferably 50 μm to 90 μm.

  According to this configuration, since the release sheet has a sufficient bursting strength (toughness) with respect to the stamping impact of the stamping pin when the thickness of the release sheet is 50 μm or more, the release sheet is hardly broken. At the same time, when the release sheet is peeled off, it becomes easy for a finger to be caught on the release sheet. In addition, since the thickness of the release sheet is 90 μm or less, it is possible to appropriately convey the impact to the recording sheet without excessively absorbing the impact of the punch by the release sheet. The stamping convex portion can be formed in an appropriate shape, and the stamping force of the stamping pin can be reduced.

  In these cases, the recording sheet is preferably made of a translucent material.

According to this configuration, even if a recording sheet on which only Braille characters are imprinted is attached to a portion where only ink characters are printed from above, the ink characters can be visually recognized through the recording sheet. It is possible to provide a label that is inconspicuous when affixed to. In the Braille tape of the present invention, the release sheet does not remain torn annularly in the back surface recessed portion of the stamping convex portion, so even if a translucent recording sheet is used, it is torn from the front side. The remaining release sheet is not seen through, and the quality of the label is not impaired.
Note that the translucent material includes not only a transparent material but also a translucent material.

  The tape cartridge of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-described Braille tape wound in a roll shape and a cartridge case that accommodates the Braille tape so that the Braille tape can be fed out.

  According to this configuration, by mounting the tape cartridge containing the above Braille tape on the label producing apparatus, it is stamped from the back side to form the Braille stamping convex portion on the surface, and the release sheet is torn. Can provide no label.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a Braille tape and a tape cartridge provided with the same according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This Braille tape is introduced into a label production apparatus that performs printing and Braille marking, and is printed on the surface and printed from the back side by a stamping pin. Protrusions are formed on the surface. Therefore, Braille to be stamped on the Braille tape by the label producing apparatus will be briefly described first.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating Braille B (representing the kana character “shi”) stamped on the Braille tape T. As shown in the figure, Braille B represents one square 200 (one character or an attribute such as a muddy dot) with six bit pattern points (indented convex portion 202) of 3 vertical × 2 horizontal. . Therefore, the braille B is divided into 6 marking points 201a to 201f in a layout pattern of 3 vertical x 2 horizontal in one square 200. When the kana character “shi” is displayed, Of the stamping points 201a to 201f, four stamping points 201a, 201b, 201e, and 201f are selectively stamped to form four stamping convex portions 202a, 202b, 202e, and 202f.

Of the six stamping projections 202 constituting the bit pattern, the pitch of the three stamping projections 202 is, for example, approximately 2.4 mm, and the pitch of the two stamping projections 202 is, for example, approximately. 2.1 mm. Further, the pitch (between the squares) to the adjacent square point is, for example, approximately 3.3 mm.
In addition to the above-mentioned 6 brailles representing kana characters and numbers, the braille B uses 8 brailles representing 8 kbit patterns of 4 vertical x 2 horizontal bit patterns. The label manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment stamps only 6 Braille as will be described later, but may be configured so as to be able to stamp even 8 Braille.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the embossed convex portion 202 has a substantially hemispherical shape with a diameter φ of about 1.8 mm and a height H of about 0.4 mm. Although details will be described later, the head 81 a of the embossing pin 81 provided in the label producing apparatus 1 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) has a hemispherical shape, and an embossing receiver that receives the embossing by the embossing pin 81. The stamp receiving recess 87 of the member 72 has a hemispherical shape that is substantially complementary thereto. Then, the Braille tape T is introduced between the embossing pin 81 and the embossing receiving member 72, and engraved by the embossing pin 81 from the back side to imprint the Braille B following the embossing receiving recess 87. A convex portion 202 is formed.

  In addition, even if the height H of the embossed convex portion 202 is about 0.1 mm, it cannot be read at all. However, if it is 0.2 mm or less, the stimulus is too weak for beginners, particularly those who are blind. On the other hand, when the thickness is 0.6 mm or more, the stimulus is too strong and the stamped convex portion 202 is weak and easily crushed. Therefore, the height H of the stamped convex portion 202 is preferably in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm.

  Next, a label producing apparatus for producing a label by printing ink characters and / or imprinting Braille on the Braille tape T will be described. 3 is an external perspective view of the label manufacturing apparatus 1 in a closed state, and FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the label manufacturing apparatus 1 in an open state. As shown in both drawings, the label producing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 that performs a printing operation and a stamping operation, and a tape cartridge C that accommodates the Braille tape T and the ink ribbon R and is attached to the apparatus main body 2. ing.

  The apparatus main body 2 has an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 3, and the apparatus case 3 is integrally formed with a front case 4 and a rear case 5 in which a grip portion 4 a is formed. The front case 4 has a print character printing unit 102, and the rear case 5 has a Braille stamping unit 104. The ink character printing unit 102 performs ink character printing on the Braille tape T fed out from the tape cartridge C, and the Braille embossing unit 104 imprints the Braille tape T manually inserted by the user. Do.

  A keyboard 11 having various input keys is disposed on the front upper surface of the front case 4, and an opening / closing lid 12 is attached to the rear upper surface. In addition, a rectangular display 13 is formed on the opening / closing lid 12, and a cartridge mounting portion 14 for mounting the tape cartridge C is recessed in the left side of the opening / closing lid 12. The tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 14 with the opening / closing lid 12 being opened by pressing the lid opening button 15. Further, the opening / closing lid 12 is formed with a viewing window 12a for visually confirming whether the tape cartridge C is mounted or not mounted in the closed state.

  A power supply port 16 for supplying power and a connection port 17 (interface) for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) are formed on the right side of the front case 4. By connecting an external device to the printer, ink-character printing or braille printing can be performed based on character information generated by the external device.

  In addition, a printing tape discharge port 18 that communicates the cartridge mounting unit 14 with the outside is formed on the left side of the front case 4, and the Braille fed from the ink character printing unit 102 is formed in the printing tape discharge port 18. A cutting part 103 for cutting the tape T is faced. Then, the rear end portion of the Braille tape T is cut by the cutting unit 103, whereby the Braille tape T after the ink-character printing is discharged from the printing tape discharge port 18.

  The cartridge mounting portion 14 includes a print head 21 having a heating element and covered with a head cover 21a, a platen drive shaft 22 and a take-up reel which are respectively engaged with a platen roller 32 and a ribbon take-up reel 33 of a tape cartridge C described later. A drive shaft 23 is provided. Although not shown in the figure, a print feed motor 24 (see FIG. 7) for driving the platen drive shaft 22 and the take-up drive shaft 23, a gear train, and the like are built in the back side of the cartridge mounting portion 14 and the cartridge. At the corner of the mounting portion 14, a tape identification sensor 25 (see FIG. 7) configured by a micro switch is provided.

  The tape cartridge C accommodates a braided tape T having a constant width and an ink ribbon R having the same width as a roll wound inside a cartridge case 30 that is divided into upper and lower parts. The cartridge case 30 has a substantially rectangular through-opening 31 that penetrates the cartridge case 30 up and down, a platen roller 32, and a ribbon take-up corresponding to the head cover 21a, the platen drive shaft 22 and the take-up drive shaft 23. Reels 33 are provided. A ribbon supply reel 35 is disposed adjacent to the ribbon take-up reel 33. When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 14, the print head 21 is inserted into the through-opening 31 from the apparatus side, and the platen drive shaft 22 and the winding drive are driven by the platen roller 32 and the ribbon winding reel 33. When the shafts 23 are engaged with each other, the print head 21 sandwiches the Braille tape T and the ink ribbon R and comes into contact with the platen roller 32, so that ink characters can be printed. When ink printing is performed by the print head 21 while driving the platen roller 32 and feeding the Braille tape T, only the Braille tape T is discharged to the outside from the tape delivery port 36, and the ink ribbon R is inside (the ribbon take-up reel). 33).

A plurality of types of Braille tape T (12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, 36 mm, etc.) having different tape widths are prepared. Although not shown, a plurality of small holes are formed on the back surface of the cartridge case 30, and the plurality of holes are identified by the tape identification sensor 25 to identify the type of the braille tape T.
Furthermore, for each tape width, a plurality of types of braille tapes T (white, red, blue, yellow, transparent, etc.) having different colors are prepared. The label with Braille B displayed is often required to be inconspicuous when it is affixed from the top to the part where only the ink characters are printed, or when it is affixed to the object to be adhered, Braille tape T is often used.

  The cutting unit 103 is disposed between the cartridge mounting unit 14 and the printing tape discharge port 18, and includes a full cutter 41 (see FIG. 7) and a half cutter provided downstream of the full cutter 41 in the tape feeding direction. 42 (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

  Although not shown, the full cutter 41 is a scissors-type cutter having a movable blade and a fixed blade, and is driven by a motor through the crank mechanism (full cutter motor 43, see FIG. 7), and the recording sheet 150 and the peeling of the Braille tape T are peeled off. Both sheets 160 (see FIG. 8 described later) are cut, that is, fully cut. By this full cut, the Braille tape T is cut at the rear end portion of the portion where ink-printing has been performed and discharged from the printing tape discharge port 18.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the half cutter 42 has a cutting blade 51 having a straight blade 52 and a blade edge receiving portion 54 that receives the cutting blade 51 while facing the blade line of the cut blade 52 in parallel. The braided tape T is peeled off by cutting the cutting blade 51 into the blade receiving member 53 by a motor drive (half cutter motor 44, see FIG. 7) in the same manner as described above. The recording sheet 150 is cut, that is, half-cut while leaving the sheet 160. For this reason, as in this embodiment, the recording sheet 150 and the release sheet 160 are each made of a plastic film (details will be described later), and the bending rigidity (waist strength) of both is the same. Even if it exists, the peeling sheet 160 can be easily peeled off using this half-cut portion as a clue.

  Further, the half cutter 42 is positioned on the cutting edge side of the cutting blade 51 and the base side of the blade receiving member 53, and the gap between the cutting edge 52 a of the cut blade 52 and the blade receiving surface 54 a of the blade receiving section 54 is positioned. A pair of projecting portions 55 and 55 to be regulated are respectively provided. Thereby, the half cutter 42 cuts the recording sheet 150 completely (to the back side) and cuts the release sheet 160 (at least, does not cut to the back side). The gap between the blade receiving portion 54 and the blade receiving surface 54a is regulated to a certain distance (50 μm ± 20 μm). Therefore, at least half of the half-cut portion (even when the gap is 30 μm) is left uncut by 30 μm on the back side of the release sheet 160.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the keyboard 11 is used to input various designations and data to the control unit 107 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, and includes an alphabet key group, a symbol key group, a numeric key group, In addition to a character key group including a kana key group, a function key group for designating various operations is arranged. Function keys include data confirmation and line feed when entering text, a selection key for instructing selection of various modes on the selection screen, a cancel key for canceling various inputs, a shift key used for changing the role of each key, a cursor, etc. There are provided four cursor keys for moving and moving the display range of the display 13, an execution key for starting a printing / stamping operation, and the like.

  The user operates the keyboard 11 while looking at the display 13 to input character information to be printed / imprinted on the Braille tape T, and to perform only ink character printing on the Braille tape T. Only a mode for performing only printing and a mode for performing both ink-printing and braille printing are selected. When the user depresses the execution key, ink character printing and / or braille printing is performed according to these inputs and selections.

  On the other hand, the rear case 5 incorporates a Braille stamping portion 104 for performing Braille stamping therein. The braille embossed portion 104 is located so as to be exposed at the center of the upper surface of the rear case 5 and the tape traveling path 61 formed so as to cross the upper surface of the rear case 5 to the left and right. A tape feed mechanism 62 that feeds the Braille tape T that is manually inserted from the provided stamping tape insertion port 61 a toward the stamping tape discharge port 61 b provided at the left end of the tape running path 61, and an upstream side of the tape feeding mechanism 62. A stamping unit 63 is provided in the vicinity of the side (the right side in the figure) and performs the Braille stamping on the Braille tape T fed on the tape running path 61.

  The tape feed mechanism 62 mounts the feed roller 65 for feeding the Braille tape, the stamping feed motor 66 (see FIG. 7) for rotating the feed roller 65, and the feed roller 65 via the support member 67. It consists of a mounting frame 68. The feed roller 65 is configured by a grip roller including a driving roller (not shown) and a driven roller 65a disposed above and below, and the driven roller 65a corresponds to the three vertical marking convex portions 202 of Braille B. Three constricted portions 69 are formed in the width direction (tape width direction) of the tape running path 61 so as not to crush the stamped convex portion 202 formed on the Braille tape T.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the stamping unit 63 includes a stamping head 71 having three stamping pins 81 and three stamping recesses on a stamped surface 72a facing the three stamping pins. An embossing receiving member 72 is formed on the tape running path 61, and the embossing pin 81 is inserted from the back side to the braille tape T introduced between the embossing head 71 and the embossing receiving member 72. This is selectively driven to form the stamped convex portion 202 of Braille B.

  The embossing head 71 has three embossing pins 81 arranged at intervals of approximately 2.4 mm along the width direction (tape width direction) of the tape running path so as to correspond to the three embossing protrusions 202 in the vertical direction. And three solenoids 82 that are driving sources of the linear movement (stamping) of the stamping pin 81, and three arm members 83 that connect the three stamping pins 81 and the three solenoids 82, respectively. The three embossing pins 81 are respectively held perpendicular to the embossed surface 72 a of the embossing receiving member 72 and have a guide member 84 that guides the linear motion of each embossing pin 81.

  The stamping pin 81 is made of stainless steel or the like, and its head 81a is formed in a hemispherical shape. Further, one end of the arm member 83 is semi-fixedly connected to the tail portion 81 b of the stamping pin 81, and the other end is rotatably connected to the tip end portion of the plunger 85 of the solenoid 82. Furthermore, a support tool 86 that rotatably supports the intermediate portion is provided at the intermediate portion of the arm member 83. The plunger 85 of the solenoid 82 and the stamping pin 81 are arranged in parallel. Therefore, when the plunger 85 linearly moves due to the excitation and demagnetization of the solenoid 82, the arm member 83 rotates about the support 86 and the stamping pin 81 linearly moves in a direction perpendicular to the braille tape T. . Note that the voltage applied to the solenoid 82 is set so that the height H of the stamped convex portion 202 is an appropriate value (approximately 0.4 mm) (for example, 18 V).

  Further, the mounting position of each solenoid 82 and the mounting position of each support 86 can be adjusted within a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction of each arm member 83, and the operation stroke of the stamping pin 81 can be adjusted. it can. Therefore, the height H of the stamping convex portion 202 can be adjusted by adjusting the operation stroke according to the material, thickness, etc. of the Braille tape T to be used.

  The stamp receiving member 72 is used for receiving a stamp on the Braille tape T by the stamp pin 81, and is made of aluminum or the like and made by a die press. The stamped surface 72a facing the three stamping pins 81 has three stamping recesses 87 corresponding to the three stamping pins 81. The punching pin 81 is formed in a shape (hemispherical shape) substantially complementary to the head 81a. Further, on the back surface, there are three hemispherical convex portions 88 formed corresponding to the three stamped concave portions 87 at the time of die pressing.

  In addition, a counterbore hole or an annular chamfered portion may be formed in the peripheral edge portion 87a (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the stamp receiving recess 87, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the release sheet 160 of the Braille tape T from being torn. be able to. In this case, the counterbore depth of the counterbore hole or the depth of the annular chamfered portion is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

  Then, as described above, the Braille tape T is fed using the stamp feed motor 66 as a drive source, and when the solenoid 82 is driven in response to the Braille data from the controller 107, the stamp head 71 is driven. The Braille tape T introduced between the (guide member 84) and the stamp receiving member 72 is stamped from the back side by the stamp pin 81 to form the stamping convex portion 202 on the surface.

  Next, the control configuration of the label manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The label producing apparatus 1 includes a keyboard 11 and a display 13, and includes an operation unit 101 that controls a user interface such as input of character information and display of various information by a user, a tape cartridge C, a print head 21, and a print feed motor 24. The ink-printing unit 102 that prints ink-character data based on character information input on the Braille tape T while feeding the Braille tape T and the ink ribbon R, and the full cutter 41 and the half-cutter 42 are driven. It has a full cutter motor 43 and a half cutter motor 44, and has a cutting portion 103 that performs full cut and half cut on a printed Braille tape T, a solenoid 82, a stamp pin 81, and a stamp feed motor 66, and Braille Braille data based on character information on braille tape T while feeding tape T It has various sensors such as a Braille stamping unit 104 for marking, a tape identification sensor 25 for detecting the type of the Braille tape T (tape cartridge C), a detection unit 105 for performing various detections, a display driver 111, and a head driver 112. , A print feed motor driver 113, a cutter motor driver 114, an engraving driver 115, and an engraving feed motor driver 116, and a drive unit 106 that drives each unit, and a control that controls the entire label producing apparatus 1 connected to each unit. Part 107.

  The control unit 107 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, and an input / output control device 124 (IOC: Input Output Controller), which are connected to each other via an internal bus 125. The ROM 122 stores a control program block 131 that stores a control program for controlling various processes such as ink-printing processing and Braille printing processing by the CPU 121, and performs character font data and Braille printing for printing ink characters. And a control data block 132 for storing control data and the like for embossing control of Braille data.

The RAM 123, in addition to various work area blocks 136 used as flags and the like, an ink character print data block 137 that stores the generated ink character print data, and a braille character data block that stores the generated braille character data. 138 and a display data block 139 for storing display data to be displayed on the display 13, and used as a work area for control processing. Note that the RAM 123 is always backed up so as to retain stored data even when the power is turned off.

  In the IOC 124, a logic circuit that complements the functions of the CPU 121 and handles interface signals with various peripheral circuits is configured and configured by a gate array, a custom LSI, or the like. As a result, the IOC 124 receives the input data and control data from the keyboard 11 as they are or processes them and imports them into the internal bus 125. In conjunction with the CPU 121, the data and control signals output from the CPU 121 to the internal bus 125 are The data is output to the driving unit 106 as it is or after being processed.

  The CPU 121 inputs various signals and data from each part in the label producing apparatus 1 via the IOC 124 according to the control program in the ROM 122 with the above configuration. In addition, various data in the RAM 123 is processed based on the various signals and data that are input, and various signals and data are output to each part in the label producing apparatus 1 via the IOC 124, so that the ink-character printing process and Braille printing are performed. Control the time stamping.

  For example, when character information is input from the keyboard 11, the CPU 121 generates ink print data based on the character information and temporarily stores it in the ink character print data block 137, and also performs braille printing based on the character information. Time data is generated and temporarily stored in the braille data block 138. In addition, when ink-printing and braille marking instructions (execution key input) are acquired from the keyboard 11, the print feed motor 24 is started and the print head 21 is driven, whereby the ink print data block 137 is driven. Ink printing is performed based on the ink data. Further, based on the ink print data, the braille tape T is fed by a predetermined length, half cut is performed by the half cutter 42, the rear end portion of the tape is cut by the full cutter 41, and then the braille is output from the print tape discharge port 18. The tape T is discharged.

  Subsequent to this (with no reset operation or power-off operation), when the Braille tape T cut into a strip shape is inserted into the stamping tape insertion slot 61a by manual insertion by the user, as described above, The engraving unit 63 and the tape feeding mechanism 62 are driven to perform braille embossing based on the braille embossing data in the braille embossing data block 138. After the engraving is completed, the braille tape T is discharged from the embossing tape discharge port 61b by feeding the tape of a predetermined length based on the braille embossing data by driving the engraving feed motor 66.

  Next, the Braille tape T according to the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 8, the Braille tape T includes a recording sheet 150 provided with an adhesive layer 154 on the back surface, and a release sheet 160 attached to the recording sheet 150 by the adhesive layer 154. An embossed convex portion 202 of Braille B is formed on the surface, and ink characters can be printed on the surface. As described above, a plurality of types of Braille tapes T having different colors (white, red, blue, yellow, transparent, etc.) and tape widths (12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, 36 mm, etc.) are prepared.

  The recording sheet 150 is configured by laminating a topcoat layer 151, a label base material layer 152, a primer layer 153, and an adhesive layer 154 in order from the front side. The top coat layer 151 is made of a polyester resin or the like, and improves the fixability of ink that is thermally transferred from the ink ribbon R. The label base layer 152 is composed of a film made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and serves as the main body of the recording sheet 150. The primer layer 153 constitutes a base for applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 154 to the label base material layer 152. The adhesive layer 154 is an adhesive for adhering the recording sheet 150 (label) printed with ink characters and / or braille to an object to be adhered (various vending machines, station information boards, business cards, etc.). It is composed. In addition, as a material constituting the label base material layer 152, a material having an appropriate plasticity and stretchability is preferable in order to appropriately form the embossed convex portion 202 of Braille B. It is preferable to use other plastic films such as vinyl.

  The top coat layer 151, the label base layer 152, the primer layer 153, and the adhesive layer 154 have thicknesses of about 1 μm, 50 μm, 1 μm, and 18 μm, respectively, and the recording sheet 150 as a whole is formed to have a thickness of about 70 μm. Has been. This is because, in a printing tape on which only ink characters are printed, the thickness of the layer corresponding to the label base layer 152 is generally about 38 μm, whereas the label base layer 152 is configured to be thick. ing. According to this, since the burst strength (toughness) of the braille tape T with respect to the impact of the punching pin 81 is increased, the recording sheet 150 is not torn and the recording sheet 150 has an appropriate plasticity. The stamping convex portion 202 after the stamping is less likely to return (elastically deformed) and can be formed to a desired height, and even if the stamping convex portion 202 is pressed, it is difficult to be crushed.

  On the other hand, the release sheet 160 facilitates handling of the Braille tape T until use, and protects the adhesive layer 154 from dust and the like. In order from the front side, the silicon treatment layer 161, the release base material layer 162, Are stacked. The silicon treatment layer 161 is made of a silicon resin, and the adhesive force exerted on the release sheet 160 by the adhesive layer 154 is extremely smaller than the adhesive force exerted on the label base material layer 152. However, the adhesive layer 154 does not peel off the release sheet 160 from the release sheet during the tape feeding operation at the time of ink-printing, the tape transport at the time of Braille embossing, or the storage of the Braille tape T. It has adhesive strength. Moreover, the peeling base material layer 162 is comprised with the polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer.

  The silicon treatment layer 161 and the release base material layer 162 have thicknesses of about 1 μm and 79 μm, respectively, and the entire release sheet 160 is formed to be approximately 80 μm. According to this, when the thickness of the release sheet 160 is 50 μm or more, the release sheet 160 has a sufficient burst strength with respect to the impact of the stamping pin 81, and thus the release sheet 160 is not easily torn. At the same time, when the release sheet 160 is peeled off, it becomes easy for a finger to be put on the release sheet 160. Further, when the release sheet 160 has a thickness of 90 μm or less, the impact of the embossing by the embossing pin 81 is not excessively absorbed by the release sheet 160, and the impact is appropriately transmitted to the recording sheet 150. Therefore, the stamping convex portion 202 can be formed in an appropriate shape, and the stamping force of the stamping pin can be reduced.

  As described above, in the half cutter 42 of the label producing apparatus 1, the gap between the blade edge 52a of the cut blade 52 and the blade edge receiving surface 54a of the edge edge receiving portion 54 is restricted to a certain distance (50 μm ± 20 μm). However, since the thickness of the release sheet 160 is approximately 80 μm, at least (even when the gap is 70 μm), the release sheet 160 is also cut by 10 μm from the front side by half-cutting. Therefore, even if the cutting edge 52a of the blade 52 is worn, the recording sheet 150 is completely cut by the half cut.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, it will be described that the Braille tape T of the present invention can form Braille on the surface without tearing the release sheet even when engraved from the back surface. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the stamping convex portion 202 is formed by stamping the comparison tape Tc with the stamping pin 81 instead of the Braille tape T of the present embodiment. This comparative tape Tc has substantially the same configuration as the Braille tape T, but differs in that it has a release paper 160c (thickness is about 80 μm) made of high-quality paper instead of the release sheet 160. .

  When such a comparison tape Tc is subjected to Braille stamping by the label producing apparatus 1, the comparison tape Tc is subjected to the stamp receiving of the head 81a of the stamping pin 81 and the stamp receiving member 72 at the stamping site. While being supported by the peripheral edge 87 a of the recess 87, it is pulled in the front and back direction. At this time, tensile stress concentrates on the annular portion TRc of the comparison tape Tc facing the peripheral edge portion 87a of the stamp receiving recess 87, and the release paper 160c is torn at the annular portion TRc.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the stamping convex portion 202 is formed by stamping the Braille tape T of the present embodiment by the label manufacturing apparatus 1. In this case as well, the Braille tape T has the head 81a of the stamping pin 81 and the stamp receiving recess of the stamp receiving member 72 at the stamped portion as in the case of stamping the comparison tape Tc. While being supported by the peripheral edge portion 87a of 87, it is pulled in the front and back direction. However, since the material constituting the release sheet 160 of the Braille tape T is a polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer as described above, the release sheet 160 has its annular portion TR against the impact of the punching pin 81. In this case, the release sheet 160 is not torn.

  Next, test results when the Braille tape T of this embodiment and other tapes are stamped by the label producing apparatus 1 will be described. In this test, a material using a polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer (PE / PP) as the material constituting the release sheet 160, that is, the Braille tape T of this embodiment (referred to as “Braille tape A” in this test). And Braille tape B using polyethylene (PE) as a material constituting release sheet 160, and three types of comparison tapes a, b, and c using fine paper as a material constituting release sheet 160, Braille stamping is performed, and for each tape, a punching hole (rupture) is generated in the recording sheet 150 due to the stamping force necessary to form the stamping projection 202, the shape of the stamping projection 202, and the stamping impact. The ratio of the stamped protrusions 202 and the ratio of the stamped protrusions 202 in which the release sheet 160 was broken by the stamping impact were evaluated.

  FIG. 11 shows the test results of the above test. The punching force was “small” for the Braille tapes A and B, whereas it was “medium” or “large” for the comparative tapes a to c. This is presumably because the release sheet 160 of the Braille tapes A and B is made of a stretchable material, so that the stamping convex portion 202 can be formed even with a small stamping force.

  In addition, the shape of the stamped convex portion 202 was “very good” for the Braille tapes A and B, whereas “good” for the Braille tape a, and “bad” for the Braille tapes b and c. (The height H of the stamped convex portion 202 is low, etc.). This is because the release sheet 160 of the Braille tapes A and B is made of a plastic film, so that a uniform impact is transmitted to the recording sheet 150 regardless of the location of the stamp. Since the release sheets 160 of a to c are made of high-quality paper, it is considered that the stamping impact transmitted to the recording sheet 150 differs depending on the stamped location. That is, it is considered that the height H of the stamping convex portion 202 is lowered at a portion where the stamping impact absorption rate of the release sheet 160 is stamped and the stamping impact transmitted to the recording sheet 150 is reduced. It is done.

  Further, the ratio of the stamped convex portions 202 in which the punched holes are formed in the recording sheet 150 was 0% for the Braille tapes A and B, whereas it was 0.5% or less for the comparative tapes a to c. It was 1.2%. In the same manner as described above, the release sheet 160 of the Braille tapes A and B transmits a uniform stamping impact to the recording sheet 150 regardless of the stamping location, whereas the peeling of the comparison tapes a to c. The sheet 160 seems to be because the impact of the stamp transmitted to the recording sheet 150 differs depending on the portion to be stamped. That is, it is considered that a portion having a small stamping impact absorption rate of the release sheet 160 is stamped, and a stamping hole is formed in the recording sheet 150 at a portion where the stamping impact transmitted to the recording sheet 150 is large.

  And the ratio of the stamping convex part 202 where the release sheet 160 broke was 0% for the Braille tapes A and B, while 1.5% to 5.5% for the comparative tapes a to c. Met. As described above, since the material constituting the release sheet 160 is a polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer, the release sheet 160 has an annular portion with respect to the impact of the punching pin 81 as described above. Since the film is stretched at TR, the release sheet 160 is not torn, and the Braille tape B is made of polyethylene with respect to the impact of the stamping pin 81 in the same manner as the release sheet 160 of the Braille tape A. It is considered that the release sheet 160 is not torn because the release sheet 160 extends at the annular portion TR. On the other hand, in the comparative tapes a to c, since the material constituting the release sheet 160 is a high-quality paper having relatively poor stretchability, the release sheet 160 has its annular portion TRc against the impact of the punching pin 81. It is considered that the release sheet 160 is torn without stretching.

  From the above test results, the release sheet 160 is made of an extensible material that exhibits non-breakability against the impact of the punching pin 81, so that the release sheet 160 can be cut from the back side by the punching pin 81. It was found that Braille can be formed on the surface without tearing 160.

  In addition to the polyethylene and the polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer described above, a plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride or PET excellent in stretchability, Japanese paper, or the like may be used as a material constituting the release sheet 160. However, when the material constituting the label base material layer 152 of the recording sheet 150 is PET as in the present embodiment, if the material constituting the release sheet 160 is the same PET, the stamping convex portion 202 is formed. Since a gather-like wrinkle is generated, it is preferable to use a stretchable material other than PET.

It is a figure explaining the Braille stamped on the Braille tape. It is sectional drawing of a stamping convex part. It is an external appearance perspective view of the label production apparatus of a closed lid state. It is an external appearance perspective view of the label production apparatus and tape cartridge of a cover open state. It is a front view of a half cutter. (A) is a top view of an embossing unit, (b) is a sectional view of an embossing unit. It is a control block diagram of a label production apparatus. It is sectional drawing of a Braille tape. It is a figure which shows the state which performed the Braille stamping with respect to the comparison tape with the label production apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which performed the Braille stamping with respect to the Braille tape with the label production apparatus. It is a figure which shows the test result which performed Braille stamping with respect to the Braille tape and the comparison tape with the label production apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Cartridge case 72 ... Stamp receiving member 72a ... Stamped surface 81 ... Stamping pin 87 ... Stamp receiving recessed part 150 ... Recording sheet 154 ... Adhesive layer 160 ... Release sheet 202 ... Stamping convex part B ... Braille C ... Tape cartridge T ... Braille tape

Claims (6)

A recording sheet having an adhesive layer on the back surface;
A release sheet attached to the recording sheet via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer,
Introduced between the embossing pin and an embossing receiving member in which an embossing receiving recess is formed on the surface to be engraved facing the embossing pin. A Braille tape in which a Braille embossed convex part is formed following the engraved concave part,
The braille tape, wherein the release sheet is made of a stretchable material that exhibits non-breakability against the impact of the punching pin. The material constituting the recording sheet is polyethylene terephthalate,
The braille tape according to claim 1, wherein the stretchable material constituting the release sheet is different from polyethylene terephthalate.   The braille tape according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stretchable material is one of polyethylene and a polyethylene / polypropylene copolymer.   The braille tape according to claim 1, wherein the release sheet has a thickness of 50 μm to 90 μm.   The braille tape according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recording sheet is made of a translucent material. Braille tape according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wound into a roll,
A cartridge case that accommodates the Braille tape so as to be freely drawn out;
A tape cartridge comprising:

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