JP2007062267A - Tape printing device and roll sheet holder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape printing device capable of connectedly cutting, and whole width cutting the printed roll sheet with one kind of cutting mechanism and a roll sheet holder used for the same. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 62 moves a cutter unit 8 in a cutting direction (ST32:NO) by driving a motor 74 for cutting to normally rotate until detecting a detecting piece 117 of a cutter holder 102 via a connectedly cutting position sensor 119 in the case of the connectedly cutting where the part of an extended part 3G of a release paper 3E is connected (ST17:YES). While the CPU 62 moves the cutter unit 8 in the cutting direction (ST41, ST42:NO) by driving the motor 74 for cutting to normally rotate until detecting the detecting piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 via a whole width position sensor 120 in the case of judging to cut an undefined length roll sheet 3A over its whole length (ST15:YES) or in the case a cut button 7C is pushed down (ST3:YES). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a long roll sheet, a printing unit that prints on the roll sheet, and a cutting unit that cuts the printed roll sheet in the width direction of the printed roll sheet. The present invention relates to a tape printer and a roll sheet holder that can be attached to and detached from the tape printer.

Conventionally, after printing characters etc. via a thermal head on a long roll sheet with a release sheet attached to an adhesive sheet, it is cut with each printed label connected, and each printed label is Various tape printers that produce printed labels by cutting into individual states have been proposed.
For example, a tape mounting means for mounting a printing tape having a base tape having a front surface as a printing target surface and a back surface as an adhesive surface and a release tape covering the adhesive surface; and a longitudinal direction of the printing target surface of the printing tape A printing unit configured to print a plurality of print images side by side; a cutting unit configured to cut the printing tape in a width direction thereof; and a control unit configured to control the cutting unit, wherein the cutting unit includes at least a width of the peeling tape. It is a means capable of connecting cut that cuts so that a part of the direction remains connected as a connecting portion, and the control means is configured as described above for each of the plurality of print images printed on the printing tape. There is a tape printing apparatus that includes a connection cut control unit that causes the cut unit to perform a connection cut (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In such a configuration, a plurality of printed images are printed side by side on a printing tape having a base tape and a peeling tape, and at least one width direction of the peeling tape is between the printed images. Can be cut (connected and cut) so that the part remains connected as a connecting part. In this case, in the state immediately after printing, the part is connected by the connecting part, and the portion of each print image that becomes each label is separated. Because there is no, it will be easy to store and manage all together without falling apart. On the other hand, when the portions of each print image are individually separated as each label, they are simply connected by a connecting portion, so that they can be easily separated by tearing by hand or the like, and there is no need to separate them as scissors again.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-243614 (paragraphs (0046) to (0227), FIGS. 1 to 39)

  However, in the conventional tape printer described above, in order to perform the connection cut, a half cutter (half cut means) that cuts only the base tape and a full cutter (full cut) that cuts both the base tape and the release tape. Two types of cutting mechanisms, such as cutting means, are required, and the configuration of the cutting mechanism becomes complicated, and the number of parts increases, resulting in increased manufacturing costs. In addition, since this half cutter requires a cutting accuracy in units of microns, there is a problem that a high part accuracy and assembly accuracy are required, which further increases the manufacturing cost.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a connected cutting that cuts so that a part of the release paper of the printed roll sheet remains as a connecting portion with one type of cutting mechanism. The tape printer capable of performing full-width cutting for cutting the release paper over the entire width, simplifying the configuration of the cutting mechanism, and reducing the number of parts and the manufacturing cost, and the tape printing An object of the present invention is to provide a roll sheet holder that is detachable from the apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a tape printer according to claim 1 includes a conveying unit that conveys a long roll sheet, a printing unit that prints on the roll sheet, and a printed roll sheet that is printed on the printed roll sheet. Cutting means for cutting in the width direction, and the roll sheet includes a printing medium printed by the printing means, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the printing medium, and a release paper covering the adhesive layer; The cutting means includes a cutter member provided with a cutting blade, and a cutter moving means for reciprocating the cutter member in the width direction of the roll sheet, and the release paper is at least At the side end edge on the movement end side of the cutter member at the time of cutting, the cutter member has an extending portion extending a predetermined length outward from the side edge of the print medium in the width direction of the print medium, and the printed A first determination means for determining whether or not the cut sheet is cut in a state in which a part of the extending portion is connected as a connecting portion, and full width cutting for cutting the printed roll sheet over the entire width A second determination unit that determines whether or not the connection is cut, and when it is determined that the connection is cut, the printed roll sheet is conveyed to the cutting position via the conveyance unit, and then is moved via the cutter moving unit. Then, the cutter member is moved from the original position where the cutter member is stopped at the time of starting until the cutting blade reaches a predetermined position in the extension portion, and then connected so as to drive the cutter member again to the original position. When it is judged that the cutting control means and the full width cutting, the printed roll sheet is conveyed to the cutting position via the conveying means and then the cutter member via the cutter moving means. Full-width cutting control means for driving and controlling the cutter member to move again to the origin position after the cutter blade has been moved from the origin position until the cutting blade reaches the outside of the extension portion. And

  A tape printer according to claim 2 is the tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the cutting blade is positioned at a predetermined position in the extension portion, and the cutting device. Second position detecting means for detecting that the blade is positioned outside the extension portion, and the connection cutting control means is configured such that the cutting blade is disposed in the extension portion via the first position detection means. It is detected that the predetermined position has been reached, and the full-width cutting control means detects that the cutting blade has reached the outside of the extending portion via the second position detecting means. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roll sheet holder including a conveying unit that conveys a long roll sheet, a printing unit that prints on the roll sheet, and the printed roll sheet is cut in the width direction of the printed roll sheet. In a roll sheet holder that is used in a tape printer provided with a cutting means and is detachable from the tape printer after the roll sheet is wound, the tape printer is defined in claim 1 or claim 2. The roll sheet has a printing medium printed by the printing unit, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the printing medium, and a release paper that covers the adhesive layer. The release paper extends at least at a side edge on the movement end side when the cutter member is cut from the side edge of the print medium by a predetermined length outward in the width direction of the print medium. Characterized in that it has.

In the tape printer according to the first aspect, after printing on the long roll sheet, the printed roll sheet is conveyed to the cutting position via the conveying means. On the other hand, this roll sheet is composed of a printing medium printed by printing means, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the printing medium, and a release paper covering the adhesive layer. Further, the release paper is extended at a predetermined length from the side edge of the printing medium to the outer side in the width direction of the printing medium at the side edge of the movement end side of the cutter member provided with the cutting blade. An extension part is formed.
Then, when it is determined that the printed roll sheet is cut at the full width, the cutter member provided with the cutting blade is moved from the origin position in the width direction of the roll sheet via the cutter moving means. After the cutting blade is moved until it reaches the outside of the extended portion, the cutter member is moved again to the origin position, and the printed roll sheet is cut in the width direction.
Further, when it is determined that the printed roll sheet is cut by cutting in a state where a part of the extended portion is connected as a connecting portion, a cutter member provided with a cutting blade through a cutter moving means Is moved in the width direction of the roll sheet from the origin position until the cutting blade reaches a predetermined position in the extension portion, and then the cutter member is moved again to the origin position, and the printed roll sheet is moved to the extension portion. Is cut in a state in which a part of is connected as a connecting portion.

  Thus, the printed roll sheet is spread over the entire width by one cutting means comprising a cutter member provided with a cutting blade and a cutter moving means for reciprocating the cutter member in the width direction of the roll sheet. Cutting the entire width of the cut and cutting the printed print medium over the entire width, and cutting the cut out in a state where a part of the extended portion of the release paper is connected as a connecting portion, The configuration can be simplified, and the number of parts and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the cutting blade cuts the printing medium and the release paper at the same time, the component accuracy and assembly accuracy of the cutter member can be lowered, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

In the tape printer according to the second aspect, the first position detecting means detects that the cutting blade of the cutter member is located at a predetermined position in the extending portion of the release paper at the time of connection cutting. Further, at the time of full width cutting, the second position detecting means detects that the cutting blade of the cutter member has reached the outside of the extending portion of the release paper.
As a result, by detecting the position of the cutting blade by the first position detecting means or the second position detecting means, the printed print medium can be cut by connection or full width, so that the cutter moving means can be an inexpensive DC motor or the like. The manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

Moreover, in the roll sheet holder which concerns on Claim 3, the detachable and elongate roll sheet is wound by the tape printer of Claim 1 or Claim 2. The roll sheet is composed of a print medium printed by a printing unit, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the print medium, and a release paper covering the adhesive layer. Further, the release paper is extended at a predetermined length from the side edge of the printing medium to the outer side in the width direction of the printing medium at the side edge of the movement end side of the cutter member provided with the cutting blade. An extension part is formed.
Thus, by mounting the roll sheet holder on the tape printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, full width cutting for cutting the printed roll sheet over the entire width, and the printed print medium with the full width In addition, the cutting can be performed by cutting in a state where a part of the extending portion of the release paper is connected as a connecting portion.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying a tape printer and a roll sheet holder according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, a schematic configuration of a tape printer to which a roll sheet holder according to this embodiment is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the tape printer 1, a main body housing 2 and a roll sheet holder 3 around which an indefinite length roll sheet 3 </ b> A having a predetermined width is wound are stored in a roll sheet holder storage unit 4. The upper part is covered with an upper cover 5 made of a transparent resin that is attached to the rear upper end edge so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, a tray 6 made of a transparent resin standing so as to face the front center of the upper cover 5, a power button 7 A arranged on the front side of the tray 6, and the roll sheet 3 A while being pressed down. A feed button 7B for discharging in the transport direction, a cut button 7C for cutting the indefinite length roll sheet 3A by reciprocating the cutter unit 8 left and right when pressed, and the like are configured. Further, a power cord 10 is connected to one side end of the back surface of the main body housing 2 and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connected to a personal computer (not shown) or the like is connected to the other side end. The connector part 9 comprised from these is provided.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the indefinite length roll sheet 3 </ b> A is composed of a long thermal sheet (so-called thermal paper) 3 </ b> C having self-coloring properties and the back side of the thermal sheet 3 </ b> C. The release paper 3E is laminated through an adhesive layer 3D, and is wound so that the print surface of the thermal sheet 3C is on the inside. Further, on the back surface side of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A, a predetermined pitch dimension (for example, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, etc.) is provided in a conveying direction at a position facing a photo sensor 11 as a mark detection sensor described later. .), Each encoder mark 3B is formed. Further, the width dimension of each encoder mark 3B in the transport direction is formed to be half the predetermined pitch dimension.
The release paper 3E has a predetermined length L2 (for example, L2) from the left and right side edge portions of the portion facing the thermal sheet 3C having a width dimension L1 (for example, L1 = 96 mm, 46 mm, 36 mm, etc.). = 2 mm to 4 mm, etc.) Each extending portion 3G, 3H extending outward is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tape printing apparatus 1 includes one side edge portion in the direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the roll sheet holder storage portion 4 (left side edge portion in FIG. 2). ) Is provided with a holder support member 15 into which a mounting member 13 having a substantially rectangular cross section protruding from the positioning holding member 12 constituting the roll sheet holder 3 can be fitted. The holder support member 15 is formed with a first positioning groove portion 16 that is open in an upward direction and is substantially U-shaped in front view. Further, an engagement recess 15A is formed at the inner base end of the holder support member 15 to engage with an elastic locking piece 12A (see FIG. 10) protruding from the lower end of the positioning holding member 12. Yes.

  Further, a guide that extends substantially horizontally from the rear end edge portion of the insertion port 18 into which the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is inserted to the front upper end edge portion of the roll sheet holder storage portion 4 and constitutes a roll sheet holder 3 described later. A placement portion 21 on which the tip of the member 20 is placed is provided. In addition, five second positioning groove portions 22A to 22A having substantially L-shaped cross sections corresponding to a plurality of width dimensions of the indefinite-length roll sheet 3A are provided at the edge corners on the rear side in the transport direction of the placement portion 21. 22E is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the second positioning groove portions 22 </ b> A to 22 </ b> E is formed so that a portion that contacts the placement portion 21 of the guide member 20 constituting the roll sheet holder 3 can be fitted from above. Yes.

  In addition, the bottom surface portion of the roll sheet holder storage portion 4 has a positioning recess 4A having a horizontally long rectangular shape in a plan view substantially perpendicular to the transport direction from the inner base end portion of the holder support member 15 to a position facing the second positioning groove portion 22A. Is formed at a predetermined depth (in the present embodiment, it is a depth of about 1.5 to 3 mm). The width direction of the positioning recess 4 </ b> A is formed so as to be substantially equal to the width dimension of the lower end edge portions of the positioning holding member 12 and the guide member 20 constituting the roll sheet holder 3. Further, a portion facing the later-described sheet discriminating portion 60 (see FIG. 10), which extends from the lower end edge of the positioning holding member 12 in a substantially perpendicular inner direction at the inner base end portion of the holder supporting member 15 of the positioning recess 4 </ b> A However, a discrimination recess having a vertically long plan view rectangular shape in the conveying direction formed to be deeper than the positioning recess 4A by a predetermined depth (in the present embodiment, a depth of about 1.5 to 3 mm). 4B is formed.

The discriminating recess 4B is composed of a push-type micro switch or the like, and discriminates the type of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A, the material of the heat sensitive sheet 3C, the roll sheet width, the pitch dimension in the conveying direction of the encoder mark 3B, and the like. Five sheet discrimination sensors S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 are provided in an L shape. Each of the sheet discrimination sensors S1 to S5 is a known mechanical switch composed of a plunger, a micro switch, and the like, and the upper end of each plunger extends from the bottom of the discrimination recess 4B to the bottom of the positioning recess 4A. It is provided so that it may protrude to the part vicinity. Then, it is detected whether or not each of the sheet discrimination sensors S1 to S5 has sensor holes 60A to 60E (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, of the sheet discrimination section 60, and the roll sheet holder is detected by the on / off signal. 3 detects the type of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A mounted on the sheet 3, the material of the heat sensitive sheet, the roll sheet width, the pitch dimension in the conveying direction of the encoder mark 3B, and the presence / absence of the cut portion 3C.
In the case of the present embodiment, each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S5 has its plunger always protruding from the bottom of the discrimination recess 4B to the vicinity of the bottom of the positioning recess 4A, and the microswitch is turned off. ing. And when each sensor hole 60A-60E of the sheet | seat discrimination | determination part 60 exists in the position which opposes each sheet | seat discrimination | determination sensor S1-S5, since a plunger is not pressed down and a micro switch is in an OFF state, an OFF signal is sent. On the other hand, when the sensor holes 60A to 60E of the sheet determination unit 60 are not located at positions facing the sheet determination sensors S1 to S5, the plunger is pressed and the microswitch is turned on. An ON signal is output. Accordingly, when each sheet determination sensor S1 to S5 outputs a 5-bit “0” or “1” signal and all the sheet determination sensors S1 to S5 are in an off state, that is, the roll sheet holder 3 is not mounted. In this case, a 5-bit “00000” signal is output.

Further, the side edge (on the left edge in FIG. 2) of the insertion port 18 on the holder support member 15 side is formed at a position facing the inner end surface of the positioning member 12 fitted into the holder support member 15. . Further, the side edge portion of the insertion port 18 on the holder support member 15 side is erected almost to the rear end portion of the mounting portion 21 in the conveying direction to form a guide wall surface.
In addition, the thermal head 31 (see FIG. 4) is moved up and down at the front end in the conveyance direction of the other side edge (the right side edge in FIG. 2) of the roll sheet holder storage 4. A lever 27 for performing is provided. That is, when the lever 27 is rotated upward, the thermal head 31 is moved downward and separated from the platen roller 26 (see FIG. 4), and when the lever 27 is rotated downward, the thermal head 31 is moved. Is moved upward, and the indefinite length roll sheet 3 </ b> A is pressed against the platen roller 26 to be in a printable state. In addition, a control circuit board 32 (see FIG. 4) on which a control circuit unit 61 (see FIG. 11) for driving and controlling each mechanism unit according to a command from an external personal computer or the like is formed below the roll sheet holder storage unit 4. ) Is provided.

As a result, the roll sheet holder 3 to which the roll sheet 3 </ b> A wound around the winding core is fitted fits the mounting member 13 of the positioning member 12 into the first positioning groove 16 of the holder support member 15, and the lower end of the positioning member 12. The elastic locking piece 12A protruding from the portion is engaged with the engagement recess 15A formed at the inner base end of the holder support member 15, and the lower end of the tip of the guide member 20 is set to each of the second positioning groove portions 22A to 22A. The lower end portion of the guide member 20 is fitted into the positioning recess 4A and brought into contact with the roll sheet holder accommodating portion 4 by being fitted into the 22E and detachably attached. Further, a sheet determination unit 60 provided at the inner lower edge of the positioning member 12 is inserted into the determination recess 4B, and the sheet determination unit 60 facing each of the sheet determination sensors S1 to S5 disposed in the determination recess 4B. It is possible to detect whether each of the sensor holes 60A to 60E is present. That is, the type of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A mounted on the roll sheet holder 3 can be detected.
Then, the lever 27 is rotated upward so that one side edge of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is brought into contact with the inner surface of the guide member 20, while the other side end of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is contacted. Printing can be performed by inserting the edge portion into the insertion port 18 while abutting against a guide wall surface standing on the side edge of the insertion port 18 and rotating the lever 27 downward.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the roll sheet 3 </ b> A inserted from the insertion port 18 is pressed toward the platen roller 26 by the line-type thermal head 31 by rotating the lever 27 downward. Be energized. The platen roller 26 is rotationally driven by a sheet feed motor 72 (see FIG. 11) composed of a stepping motor or the like, and the thermal head 31 is driven and controlled to convey the indefinite length roll sheet 3A. Image data can be sequentially printed on the printing surface of the heat sensitive sheet 3C. When the cut position on the rear side in the transport direction of the printed roll sheet 3A is transported to a position facing the cutter unit 8, the cutting motor 74 (FIG. 7) is configured by making the cutter unit 8 a DC motor or the like. And then reciprocated in the width direction to be cut and discharged onto the tray 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the distal end portion of the placement portion 21 on which the distal end portion of the guide member 20 is placed extends downward from the distal end edge by a predetermined length, and further, An extending portion 24 is formed on the platen roller side so as to extend a predetermined length in a reverse shape when viewed from the side. Further, on the upstream side of the platen roller 26, a guide member 27 is provided so as to form a predetermined gap with respect to the upper surface portion of the extending portion 24, and an insertion port 18 is formed. Further, the upper surface portion of the extending portion 24 and the lower surface portion of the guide member 27 form a sheet guide path that guides the indefinite length roll sheet 3 </ b> A to the lower end surface of the platen roller 26. Thus, the indefinite length roll sheet 3A that has entered the insertion port 18 is guided to the lower side of the platen roller 26 along the sheet guide path.
Further, on the lower end surface portion of the guide member 27 on which the back surface side of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A slides, a photo sensor 11 which is a reflection type optical sensor as a mark detection sensor is positioned near the edge portion on the holder support member 15 side. Is arranged. Thus, each encoder mark 3B formed on the back surface of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is detected by the photosensor 11.
In addition, the photosensor 11 should just be provided in the position facing the back surface side of the minimum width dimension of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A. Thereby, it can respond to all kinds of each width dimension of this indefinite length roll sheet 3A.

Here, a schematic configuration and a transport mechanism of the cutter unit 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 7, and 8.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, the cutter unit 8 includes a cutting blade 101 for cutting the indefinite length roll sheet 3A and the cutting unit 101 for cutting the cutter unit 8 in the vertical direction. The cutter holder 102 is configured to be tilted backward by a predetermined angle (for example, about 68 degrees to about 72 degrees) rearward with respect to the hour conveyance direction and to hold the blade edge on the upper side.
A threaded hole 103 is formed in the lower end of the cutter holder 102 on the platen roller 26 side. Further, a through hole 110 is formed in parallel to the screw hole 103 at the other lower end portion of the cutter holder 102 facing the screw hole 103. And this screw hole 103 is attached so that it may mesh | engage with the lead screw screw 108 by which each edge part was axially supported by the side walls 105 and 106 arrange | positioned at the right-and-left both sides of the flame | frame 104 which comprises the housing | casing 2. ing. The through-hole 110 is slidably fitted into a guide shaft 111 that is fixed to each side wall 105, 106 at each end edge and is arranged in parallel to the front side of the lead screw screw 108.

  Further, one end of the lead screw screw 108 on the side wall 105 side meshes with a cutting motor 74 attached to the side wall 105 via a gear train (not shown). Then, by rotating the cutting motor 74 forward, the cutter unit 8 moves in the cutting direction (right direction in FIG. 7), and the upper surface of the cutter plate 113 on which the printed indefinite length roll sheet 3A slides. The cutting blade 101 moves in the cutting direction (in the right direction in FIG. 7) in the passage groove 115 parallel to the platen roller 26 formed in the above. On the other hand, by rotating the cutting motor 74 in the reverse direction, the cutter unit 8 moves in the origin position direction (left direction in FIG. 7) stopped at the time of activation, and the cutting blade 101 moves in the passage groove 115 in the origin position direction. Move in the left direction in FIG.

Further, a thin detection piece 117 having a predetermined width dimension is erected horizontally on the front side surface of the cutter holder 102 as viewed from the front. Further, when the cutter unit 8 is stopped at the origin position, an origin position sensor 118 which is a transmission type optical sensor is provided at the position of the front surface portion of the cutter plate 113 facing the detection piece 117, The detection piece 117 is configured to be detected.
Further, as described later, when the cutting edge of the cutting blade 101 reaches the substantially center position in the width direction of the extending portion 3G on the positioning holding member 12 side of the release paper 3E, that is, the thermal sheet 3C is cut over the entire width. In addition, when stopped at a position where a part of the extending portion 3H of the release paper 3E is connected (see FIG. 17), the transmission is transmitted to the front surface portion of the cutter plate 113 facing the detection piece 117. A connection cutting position sensor 119 which is a shape light sensor is provided and configured to detect the detection piece 117.

Further, as described later, when the cutting edge of the cutting blade 101 reaches the outside of the extending portion 3G on the positioning holding member 12 side of the release paper 3E, that is, the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is completely cut over the entire width. In this case (see FIG. 20), a full-width cutting position sensor 120 that is a transmission type optical sensor is provided at the position of the front surface portion of the cutter plate 113 facing the detection piece 117 so that the detection piece 117 can be detected. It is configured.
As a result, the cutting blade 101 can be used when any of the roll sheet holders 3 around which the indefinite length roll sheet 3A of each width dimension (for example, width dimensions 40 mm, 60 mm, 100 mm, etc.) is wound is mounted. It can be detected via the connection cutting position sensor 119 that the cutting edge has reached the substantially center position in the width direction of the extending portion 3G on the positioning holding member 12 side of each release paper 3E. In addition, each of the indefinite lengths is attached to any of the roll sheet holders 3 around which the indefinite length roll sheet 3A of each width dimension (for example, the width dimension of 40 mm, 60 mm, 100 mm, etc.) is wound. It can be detected via the full width cutting position sensor 120 that the roll sheet 3A has been completely cut over the full width.

Next, a schematic configuration of the roll sheet holder 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The roll sheet holder 3 is mounted with an indefinite length roll sheet 3A having a plurality of width dimensions so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The state that has been performed will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the roll sheet holder 3 to which the indefinite length roll sheet 3A wound around the core 122 (see FIG. 4) is mounted is configured as follows. That is, the first cylindrical portion 123 (see FIG. 4) standing on the inner surface of the guide member 20 is fitted and inserted into the end edge portion of the cylindrical hole of the core 122 of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A. One end surface of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is in contact with the inner surface of the guide member 20. In addition, a second cylinder portion (not shown) standing on the inner side surface of the positioning holding member 12 is fitted and inserted into the other end side edge portion of the cylindrical hole of the core 122 of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A, The other end face of the indefinite length roll sheet 3 </ b> A is in contact with the inner side surface of the positioning holding member 12. Then, the flange portion 36 that is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 123 of the guide member 20 and formed on the outer peripheral portion of the one end side end surface is fixed to the outer end surface of the first cylindrical portion 123, that is, the outer end surface of the guide member 20. At the same time, an end portion on the other end side is provided with a substantially cylindrical holder shaft member 40 that is fitted into the second cylindrical portion of the positioning holding member 12 and is fixed to the second cylindrical portion. Therefore, by changing the length dimension of the holder shaft member 40, a plurality of types of roll sheet holders 3 to which the indefinite length roll sheets 3A having different width dimensions are attached can be easily manufactured.

  Further, the guide member 20 extends downward from the lower outer peripheral portion of the outer end surface of the first cylindrical portion 123 and is fitted into a positioning recess 4 </ b> A formed on the bottom surface portion of the roll sheet holder storage portion 4. Thus, a first extending portion 42 is formed in contact with the bottom surface of the positioning recess 4A. In addition, the guide member 20 is formed with a second extending portion 43 that extends outward so as to cover an outer end surface portion on a substantially 1/4 circumference in the front direction of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A. Further, a third extending portion 44 is formed in which the upper edge extends from the outer peripheral portion of the second extending portion 43 to the vicinity of the insertion port 18 (see FIG. 4) of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A. Has been. The lower end surface of the third extending portion 44 is formed substantially horizontally, and the lower end portion 45 on the front end side is one of the second positioning groove portions 22A to 22E facing the sheet width of the mounted indefinite length roll sheet 3A. (See FIGS. 2 and 4). Further, it is configured to guide one end edge portion of the indefinite length roll sheet 3 </ b> A attached by the inner surface of the third extending portion 44 to the insertion port 18.

Further, the winding in which the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is wound by the first cylindrical portion 123 erected on the inner side surface of the guide member 20 and the second cylindrical portion erected on the inner side surface of the positioning holding member 12. The lead 122 is rotatably held. The holder shaft member 40 is provided with a plurality of types of length dimensions corresponding to the length dimensions of the core 122 of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A.
In addition, the outer end surface portion of the positioning member 12 is substantially centered in the transport direction (left and right direction in FIG. 10), that is, from the end edge portion of the axis of the holder shaft member 40 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the axis. A vertically long mounting member 13 having a substantially rectangular cross section is provided in the up-down direction. The attachment member 13 is formed so as to be narrow in the front view downward direction (upward in FIG. 10), and in the first positioning groove portion 16 narrow in the downward direction of the holder support member 15 of the tape printer 1. It is formed so that it can adhere to. Further, the protruding height dimension of the mounting member 13 is formed substantially equal to the width dimension of the first positioning groove 16.

Also, the lower end portion of the attachment member 13 of the positioning member 12 has a predetermined length in the lateral direction from the lower end portion of the attachment member 13 (in the present embodiment, it is about 1.5 mm to 3 mm). A projecting guide portion 57 having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape (in the present embodiment, a thickness dimension of about 1.5 mm to 3 mm) is formed. Thus, when the roll sheet holder 3 is mounted, the mounting member 13 is placed in the first positioning groove portion 16 while the guide portion 57 formed at the lower end portion of the mounting member 13 is brought into contact with the outer end surface of the holder support member 15. By inserting, the roll sheet holder 3 can be mounted while being positioned easily.
Further, the lower end edge of the extending portion 56 of the positioning member 12 protrudes in a lower direction than the lower end edge of the guide member 20 by a predetermined length (in the present embodiment, about 1 mm to 2.5 mm). In addition, a substantially rectangular sheet discriminating portion 60 is formed at the lower edge of the lower end so as to extend a predetermined length in a substantially perpendicular inner direction.

Also, as shown in FIG. 10, in the sheet determination unit 60, as described above, the sensor holes 60A to 60E are arranged in a substantially L shape at predetermined positions facing the sheet determination sensors S1 to S5. Drilled. In FIG. 10, the sensor holes 60A to 60C and 60E among the sensor holes 60A to 60E are illustrated as being formed in the sheet determining unit 60.
As a result, since each sensor hole 60A-60E is perforated at a maximum of five, the presence / absence of each sensor hole 60A to 60E corresponds to “1” and “0”, so that the indefinite number attached to the roll sheet holder 3 is determined. The type of the long roll sheet 3A, the material of the heat sensitive sheet, the roll sheet width, the pitch dimension in the conveyance direction of the encoder mark 3B, and the presence / absence of each of the extending portions 3G and 3H of the release paper 3E are indicated by a 5-bit code. can do.
In addition, a vertically long rectangular through hole 125 is formed in the extending portion 56 at the lower end portion of the mounting member 13 of the positioning member 12, and the upper end edge of the through hole 125 is directed downwardly toward the distal end. An elastic locking piece 12 </ b> A in which a protruding portion is formed is provided.

Next, the circuit configuration of the tape printer 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the control circuit unit 61 formed on the control board 32 of the tape printer 1 includes a CPU 62, a CG (character generator) ROM 63, a ROM 64, a flash memory (EEPROM) 65, a RAM 66, an input / output interface ( I / F) 67, a communication interface (I / F) 68, and the like. The CPU 62, the CGROM 63, the ROM 64, the flash memory 65, the RAM 66, the input / output interface (I / F) 67, and the communication interface (I / F) 68 are connected to each other by a bus line 69 so that data can be transmitted between them. Exchanges take place.

Here, the dot pattern data corresponding to each character is stored in the CGROM 63, and the dot pattern data is read from the CGROM 63, and the dot pattern on the thermal sheet of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A based on the dot pattern data. Is printed.
The ROM 64 stores various programs, and various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer 1 such as a label creation processing program for the indefinite length roll sheet 3A described later are stored. The ROM 64 corresponds to the indefinite length roll sheet 3A having each width dimension (L1 + L2 + L2 is a width dimension in FIG. 5) when the extending portions 3G, 3H of the release paper 3E are formed. The print area is stored. Further, the ROM 64 stores the type of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A, the material of the heat sensitive sheet, the roll sheet width, the feed direction pitch dimension of the encoder mark 3B, for each 5-bit code input from each of the sheet discrimination sensors S1 to S5. The presence / absence of each of the extending portions 3G, 3H of the release paper 3E is stored.

For example, in the ROM 64, the 5-bit code input from each of the sheet discrimination sensors S1 to S5 is “01000”, the type: “indefinite length roll sheet 3A”, the thermal sheet material: “material A”, Roll sheet width: “100 mm”, transport direction pitch dimension of encoder mark 3B: “10 mm”, each extension portion 3G, 3H of release paper 3E: each extension portion 3G, 3H present, etc. Is remembered. Further, when the 5-bit code is “11000”, the type: “indefinite length roll sheet 3A”, the material of the thermal sheet: “material B”, the roll sheet width: “100 mm”, and the conveying direction of the encoder mark 3B Pitch dimension: “10 mm”, presence / absence of each extension 3G, 3H: “with each extension 3G, 3H” and the like are stored. For the 5-bit code “10110”, the type: “indefinite length roll sheet 3A”, the material of the heat sensitive sheet: “material A”, the roll sheet width: “50 mm”, and the conveying direction of the encoder mark 3B The pitch dimension: “10 mm”, the presence / absence of each of the extended portions 3G, 3H of the release paper 3E: “extended portion 3G present” and the like are stored. Further, when the 5-bit code is “10100”, the type: “indefinite length roll sheet 3A”, the material of the thermal sheet: “material B”, the roll sheet width: “50 mm”, and the conveying direction of the encoder mark 3B The pitch dimension: “10 mm”, the presence / absence of each of the extended portions 3G, 3H of the release paper 3E: “no extended portions 3G, 3H” and the like are stored.
When the material of the thermal sheet is “Material A”, the maximum conveyance speed of the thermal sheet that can be printed via the thermal head 31 is 80 mm / sec, and the material of the thermal sheet is “Material A”. “80 mm / sec” is stored in advance in the ROM 64 as the conveyance speed of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A. When the material of the thermal sheet is “material B”, the maximum conveyance speed of the thermal sheet that can be printed via the thermal head 31 is 20 mm / sec, and the material of the thermal sheet is “material B”. “20 mm / sec” is stored in advance in the ROM 64 as the conveyance speed of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A.

  The CPU 62 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 64. In addition, the ROM 64 classifies outline data (outline data) that defines the outline of each character for each type of character (such as Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface) for each character such as a large number of characters. Stored in correspondence with the code data. Based on the outline data, dot pattern data is developed on the print buffer 66A.

The flash memory 65 stores dot pattern data such as external character data received from an external computer device or the like, dot pattern data of various symbol data, and the like with a registration number. The stored contents are retained even when the power is turned off.
The RAM 66 is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by the CPU 62, and is provided with various memories such as a print buffer 64A and a work area 64B. The print buffer 64A stores dot patterns for printing such as a plurality of characters and symbols, the number of applied pulses as the amount of energy for forming each dot as dot pattern data, and the thermal head 31 is stored in the print buffer 64A. Dot printing is performed according to the dot pattern data.
The input / output I / F 67 is driven to drive the sheet discrimination sensors S1 to S5, the photo sensor 11, a drive circuit 71 for driving the thermal head 31, and a sheet feed motor 72 for rotating the platen roller 26. A circuit 73, a drive circuit 75 for driving a cutting motor 74 for reciprocating the cutter unit 8, an origin position sensor 118, a connection cutting position sensor 119, a full width cutting position sensor 120, a feed button 7B, and a cut button 7C are connected to each other. Has been.
In addition, the communication I / F 68 is configured by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like, and is connected to an external computer device by a USB cable or the like to enable bidirectional data communication.

Here, the label creation processing of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A configured as described above and executed by the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 12, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as ST) 1, the CPU 62 determines whether or not a print command has been input from an external computer device via a communication interface (I / F) 68. Execute the judgment process. When a print command is input from an external computer device (ST1: YES), the CPU 62 determines the print data constituting the print command, presence / absence of connection / disconnection of the printed label, full width of the printed label. After storing the presence / absence of disconnection in the RAM 66, the process proceeds to ST2.
In ST2, the CPU 62 executes a sub-process (see FIG. 13) of the print process described later, and ends the process.

On the other hand, when no print command is input from the external computer device (ST1: NO), the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST3.
In ST3, the CPU 62 executes determination processing for determining whether or not the cut button 7C has been pressed. When the cut button 7C is pressed (ST3: YES), the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST4.
In ST4, the CPU 62 ends the process after executing a sub-process (see FIG. 15) of the full-width cutting process described later.

On the other hand, if the cut button 7C is not pressed (ST3: NO), the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST5.
In ST5, the CPU 62 executes a determination process for determining whether or not the feed button 7B is pressed. If the feed button 7B is pressed (ST5: YES), in ST6, the CPU 62 drives the sheet feeding motor 72 to rotate forward for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) and is indefinite. After executing the “roll sheet conveyance process” sub-process for discharging the long roll sheet 3A at a predetermined conveyance speed (for example, a conveyance speed of 2 mm / sec to 4 mm / sec), the process after ST5 is performed again. Execute.

On the other hand, when the feed button 7B is not pressed (ST5: NO), the CPU 62 ends the process.
The “label creation process” is performed every predetermined time when no print command is input (ST1: NO) and the feed button 7B and the cut button 7C are not pressed (ST3: NO and ST5: NO). (For example, every few msec to 10 msec).

Next, the sub-process (ST2) of the print process will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13, first, in ST11, the CPU 62 reads the 5-bit code input from each of the sheet discrimination sensors S1 to S5, and the type of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A corresponding to the 5-bit code. The material of the heat sensitive sheet, the width of the roll sheet, the pitch dimension of the encoder mark 3B in the conveying direction, and the presence / absence data of the extended portions 3G and 3H of the release paper 3E are read from the ROM 64 and stored in the RAM 66. Thereafter, when the CPU 62 determines that the indefinite length roll sheet 3A in which the encoder mark 3B is formed with a predetermined pitch dimension is mounted on the roll sheet holder 3, first, the “material of the heat sensitive sheet” stored in the RAM 66 is determined. Is read from the ROM 64, determined as the conveyance speed of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A, and stored in the RAM 66.

  Then, the CPU 62 starts driving the sheet feed motor 72 to rotate the platen roller 26 to start conveying the indefinite length roll sheet 3A at the conveying speed stored in the RAM 66, and to detect the encoder mark 3B. Execute mark detection processing. In the detection of the encoder mark 3B, when the voltage of the output signal input from the photosensor 11 becomes the threshold voltage, the CPU 62 determines that the encoder mark 3B is opposed to the photosensor 11.

Subsequently, in ST12, when the CPU 62 determines that the encoder mark 3B is opposed to the photosensor 11, the platen roller 26 is rotated by a predetermined amount so as to convey the indefinite length roll sheet 3A to the printing start position. Rotate several times.
In ST13, the CPU 62 prints the print data for one label stored in the print buffer 66A via the thermal head 31 while transporting the indefinite length roll sheet 3A at the transport speed stored in the RAM 66. .

Thereafter, in ST14, after the voltage of the output signal input from the photosensor 11 reaches the threshold voltage, the CPU 62 conveys the indefinite length roll sheet 3A for a predetermined length, and then print output data is transferred to the print buffer 66A. If it does not remain, the platen roller 26 is further rotated by a predetermined number of revolutions, and the cutting position (for example, the central position between the encoder marks 3B) is conveyed to a position facing the cutter unit 8 to feed the sheet. The motor 72 is stopped.
Subsequently, in ST15, the CPU 62 reads a print command stored in the RAM 66, and executes a determination process for determining whether or not it is instructed to cut the printed label in full width. If it is instructed to cut the printed label in full width (ST15: YES), the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST16. In ST16, after executing a sub-process (see FIG. 15) of “full-width cutting process” described later, the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST19.

On the other hand, when it is not instructed to cut the printed label at full width (ST15: NO), the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST17.
In ST17, the CPU 62 reads the print command stored in the RAM 66 again, and executes a determination process for determining whether or not it is instructed to connect and disconnect the printed label. If it is instructed to connect and cut the printed label (ST17: YES), the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST18. In ST18, the CPU 62 proceeds to a process of ST19 after executing a sub-process (see FIG. 14) of a “connection disconnection process” described later.
On the other hand, if it is not instructed to connect and disconnect the printed label (ST17: NO), the CPU 62 proceeds to the process of ST19.

In ST19, the CPU 62 executes a determination process for determining whether or not print data for the next label is stored in the print buffer 66A, that is, whether or not printing is finished. If the print data of the next label is stored in the print buffer 66A (ST19: NO), the CPU 62 executes the processes after ST12 again.
On the other hand, if the print data of the next label is not stored in the print buffer 66A (ST19: YES), the CPU 62 ends the sub-process and returns to the main flowchart.

Next, the sub-process (ST18) of the “connection cutting process” will be described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 14, first, in ST31, the CPU 62 reads the presence / absence data of the extending portions 3G and 3H of the release paper 3E from the RAM 66, and determines whether or not the extending portion 3G is “present”. That is, a determination process for determining whether or not an indefinite length roll sheet 3A for connection cutting that can be connected and disconnected is mounted is executed.
When the indefinite length roll sheet 3A for connection and disconnection is not attached, that is, when the presence / absence data of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E read from the RAM 66 is “none” (ST31: NO), the CPU 62 determines that the connection cannot be disconnected, ends the sub-process, returns to the sub-process of “print process”, and executes the processes after ST19.

On the other hand, when the indefinite length roll sheet 3A for connecting and cutting is mounted, that is, when the presence / absence data of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E read from the RAM 66 is “present” (ST31: In step ST32, the CPU 62 rotates the cutting motor 74 in the forward direction to move the cutter unit 8 in the cutting direction.
In ST33, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the cutting blade 101 of the cutter holder 102 has cut the thermal sheet 3C and has reached the substantially center position (connected cutting position) of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E. A determination process for determining whether or not the detection piece 117 has been detected by the connection cutting position sensor 119 is executed.

And when the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is not detected by the connection cutting | disconnection position sensor 119 (ST33: NO), CPU62 performs the process after ST32 again.
On the other hand, when the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is detected by the connection cutting position sensor 119 (ST33: YES), the CPU 62 stops the rotation of the cutting motor 74 and proceeds to the process of ST34.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the cutting blade 101 of the cutter holder 102 cuts the thermal sheet 3C and reaches the substantially center position (connected cutting position) of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E, Since the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 blocks the connection cutting position sensor 119, which is a transmission type optical sensor, a detection signal is output from the connection cutting position sensor 119, and the cutting blade 101 is substantially in the extended portion 3G of the release paper 3E. Since it can be detected that the center position (connected cutting position) has been reached, the CPU 62 stops the rotation of the cutting motor 74 and stops the cutting of the release paper 3E by the cutting blade 101.

Subsequently, in ST34, the CPU 62 reversely rotates the cutting motor 74 to move the cutter unit 8 in the direction of the origin position (home position) that is stopped at the time of activation (left direction in FIG. 16).
In ST35, the CPU 62 executes determination processing for determining whether or not the cutter unit 8 has reached the origin position, that is, whether or not the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 has been detected by the origin position sensor 118.

Then, when the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is not detected by the origin position sensor 118 (ST35: NO), the CPU 62 executes the processes after ST34 again.
On the other hand, when the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is detected by the origin position sensor 118 (ST35: YES), the CPU 62 ends the sub-process after stopping the rotation of the cutting motor 74 in ST36. Returning to the sub-process of “print process”, the processes after ST19 are executed.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, each printed label 131 is formed on the tray 6 in a state in which the thermal paper 3C is cut over the entire width and connected with a part of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E. To be discharged.

Next, the sub-process (ST4, ST16) of the “full width cutting process” will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 15, first, in ST41, the CPU 62 rotates the cutting motor 74 in the forward direction to move the cutter unit 8 in the cutting direction.
In ST42, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the cutting blade 101 of the cutter holder 102 has cut the indefinite length roll sheet 3A over the entire width and has reached the outside of the release paper 3E, that is, the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is detected. A determination process is performed to determine whether or not the full-width cutting position sensor 120 has detected.
Then, when the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is not detected by the full-width cutting position sensor 120 (ST42: NO), the CPU 62 executes the processing after ST41 again.

On the other hand, when the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is detected by the full-width cutting position sensor 120 (ST42: YES), the CPU 62 stops the rotation of the cutting motor 74 and proceeds to the process of ST43.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the cutting blade 101 of the cutter holder 102 cuts the indefinite length roll sheet 3A over the entire width and reaches the outside of the release paper 3E, the transmission type optical sensor Since the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 blocks the full width cutting position sensor 120, a detection signal is output from the full width cutting position sensor 120, and it can be detected that the cutting blade 101 has reached the outside of the release paper 3E. The CPU 62 stops the rotation of the cutting motor 74 and stops the cutting of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A by the cutting blade 101.

Subsequently, in ST43, the CPU 62 rotates the cutting motor 74 in the reverse direction to move the cutter unit 8 in the direction of the origin position (home position) stopped at the time of activation (left direction in FIG. 19).
In ST44, the CPU 62 executes determination processing for determining whether or not the cutter unit 8 has reached the origin position, that is, whether or not the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 has been detected by the origin position sensor 118.

Then, when the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is not detected by the origin position sensor 118 (ST44: NO), the CPU 62 executes the processing after ST43 again.
On the other hand, if the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is detected by the origin position sensor 118 (ST44: YES), the CPU 62 ends the sub-process after stopping the rotation of the cutting motor 74 in ST45. Returning to the sub-process of “print process”, the processes after ST19 are executed.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, the plurality of printed labels 131 are in a state in which the thermal paper 3C is cut across the entire width and is connected by a part of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E. Then, it is cut from the indefinite length roll sheet 3 </ b> A and discharged onto the tray 6.

  Here, the platen roller 26, the sheet feeding motor 72, and the drive circuit 73 constitute a conveying unit. Further, the thermal head 31 and the drive circuit 71 constitute a printing unit. Further, the cutting blade 101, the cutter unit 8 having the cutter holder 102, the lead screw screw 108, the guide shaft 111, the cutting motor 74, and the drive circuit 75 constitute cutting means. The thermal sheet 3C functions as a print medium. The cutter unit 8 functions as a cutter member. Further, the cutting motor 74 and the drive circuit 75 constitute a cutter moving means. The CPU 62, the ROM 64, and the RAM 66 constitute a first determination unit, a second determination unit, a connection cutting control unit, and a full width cutting control unit. Moreover, the connection cutting position sensor 119 functions as a first position detection unit. The full-width cutting position sensor 120 functions as a second position detection unit.

  Therefore, in the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 62 conveys the indefinite length roll sheet 3A to the cutting position after printing on the indefinite length roll sheet 3A via the sheet feed motor 72, the thermal head 31, and the like. To do. Then, in the case of connection cutting in which a part of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E is connected (ST17: YES), the CPU 62 drives the cutting motor 74 to rotate in the forward direction and passes through the connection cutting position sensor 119. Then, the cutter unit 8 is moved in the cutting direction until the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is detected (ST32, ST33: NO). Then, when the CPU 62 detects the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 via the connection cutting position sensor 119, the cutting blade 101 cuts the thermal sheet 3C and reaches the substantially central position of the extending portion 3G of the release paper 3E. After the cutting motor 74 is stopped, the cutter unit 8 is driven to rotate backward to return the cutter unit 8 to the home position (ST33: YES to ST36). On the other hand, when the CPU 62 determines to cut the indefinite length roll sheet 3A over the entire width (ST15: YES), or when the cut button 7C is pressed (ST3: YES), the cutting motor 74 is turned on. The cutter unit 8 is moved in the cutting direction until the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 is detected via the full-width cutting position sensor 120 by driving in the forward direction (ST41, ST42: NO). When the CPU 62 detects the detection piece 117 of the cutter holder 102 via the full width cutting position sensor 120, the cutting blade 101 has reached the outside of the release paper 3E, that is, the indefinite length roll sheet 3A has been cut across the full width. After the cutting motor 74 is stopped, the cutter unit 8 is driven to rotate backward to return the cutter unit 8 to the home position (ST42: YES to ST45).

Thereby, the cutter unit 8 composed of the cutting blade 101, the cutter holder 102 and the like is reciprocated in the width direction of the indefinite length roll sheet 3A via the lead screw screw 108, the guide shaft 111, the cutting motor 74 and the like. One cutter unit 8 cuts the printed indefinite-length roll sheet 3A over its entire width, cuts the thermal sheet 3C, and part of the extended portion 3G of the release paper 3E. Each cut with a connected cut can be selectively performed. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the cutting mechanism capable of performing full width cutting and connection cutting, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the manufacturing cost.
Further, since the cutting blade 101 cuts the thermal sheet 3C and the release paper 3E at the same time, it is possible to reduce the component accuracy and assembly accuracy of the cutter holder 102 and the cutting blade 101 constituting the cutter unit 8, and further increase the manufacturing cost. Reduction can be achieved.
Further, since the position of the cutting blade 101 is detected by the connection cutting position sensor 119 or the full width cutting position sensor 120, each printed label 131 can be cut by connection or full width, so that the cutting motor 74 can be made inexpensive DC. It can be configured by a motor or the like, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
For example, the indefinite length roll sheet 3A is provided with the extending portions 3G and 3H at both side edge portions of the release paper 3E, but it may be configured such that only the extending portion 3G on the positioning and holding member 12 side is provided. Thereby, it becomes possible to selectively perform connection cutting or full width cutting, and the width dimension of the thermal sheet 3C can be increased.
Further, when the cutting motor 74 is configured by a stepping motor, a DC motor with an encoder, or the like, it is possible to reduce the connection cutting position sensor 119 and the full width cutting position sensor 120.

It is the schematic perspective view which removed the upper cover and removed the upper cover in the state which mounted | wore the tape printer with the roll sheet holder by which the indefinite length roll sheet of the maximum roll sheet width which concerns on a present Example was wound. It is the schematic perspective view which removed the upper cover of the tape printer with which a roll sheet holder is mounted | worn, and was seen from the rear upper side. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a W portion surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2. It is a sectional side view which shows the state which mounted | wore the tape printing apparatus with the roll sheet holder. It is the top view seen from the printing surface side which shows the structure of an indefinite length roll sheet. FIG. 6 is a front view of the conveying direction in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cutter unit and its periphery during conveyance / printing of an indefinite length roll sheet with the cutter unit stopped at an origin position. FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG. 7. It is a perspective view from the front upper side which shows an example of the state which wound the indefinite length roll sheet to the roll sheet holder. It is a perspective view from the front side lower part which shows an example of the state which wound the indefinite length roll sheet around the roll sheet holder. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the principal part of the tape printer with which the roll sheet holder which concerns on a present Example is mounted | worn. It is a main flowchart which shows the control processing of the label production process of a tape printer. It is a sub-flowchart which shows the sub-process of the printing process of a tape printer. It is a subflowchart which shows the subprocess of the connection cutting process of a tape printer. It is a subflowchart which shows the subprocess of the full width cutting process of a tape printer. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of a cutter unit and its periphery when the cutting blade of a cutter unit reaches the connection cutting position of the release paper of an indefinite length roll sheet. FIG. 17 is a front view of FIG. 16. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the connection cutting | disconnection of an indefinite length roll sheet. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of a cutter unit and its periphery when the cutting blade of a cutter unit reaches the full width cutting position of an indefinite length roll sheet. FIG. 20 is a front view of FIG. 19. It is a perspective view which shows an example which performed full width cutting | disconnection after the connection cutting | disconnection of an indefinite length roll sheet.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 2 Main body housing | casing 3 Roll sheet holder 3A Indefinite length roll sheet 3B Encoder mark 3C Thermal sheet 3E Release paper 3G, 3H Extension part 8 Cutter unit 11 Photosensor 12 Positioning holding member 26 Platen roller 31 Thermal head S1 S5 Sheet Discriminating Sensor 60 Sheet Discriminating Unit 60A-60C Sensor Hole 61 Control Circuit Unit 72 Sheet Feed Motor 74 Cutting Motor 101 Cutting Blade 102 Cutter Holder 108 Screw Screw 111 Guide Shaft 117 Detection Piece 118 Origin Position Sensor 119 Connection Cutting Position Sensor 120 Full width cutting position sensor 131 Printed label L1 Thermal sheet width L2 Width of extension

Claims (3)

A conveying means for conveying a long roll sheet; a printing means for printing on the roll sheet; and a cutting means for cutting the printed roll sheet in the width direction of the printed roll sheet. In the tape printer having a print medium printed by the printing means, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the print medium, and a release paper covering the adhesive layer,
The cutting means includes a cutter member provided with a cutting blade;
Cutter moving means for reciprocating the cutter member in the width direction of the roll sheet,
The release paper has an extended portion that extends at a predetermined length outward from the side edge of the print medium in the width direction of the print medium at least on the side edge of the cutter member at the end of movement when cutting. ,
First determination means for determining whether or not the printed roll sheet is connected to cut in a state where a part of the extended portion is connected as a connecting portion;
A second determination means for determining whether or not the printed roll sheet is a full width cut that cuts over the full width;
When it is determined that the connection is cut, the printed roll sheet is conveyed to the cutting position via the conveying unit, and then the cutter member is stopped from the original position where the cutter member is stopped at the time of activation via the cutter moving unit. After the cutting blade is moved until it reaches a predetermined position in the extension portion, a connection cutting control means for driving and controlling the cutter member to move again to the origin position;
When it is determined that the full-width cutting is performed, after the printed roll sheet is conveyed to the cutting position via the conveying means, the cutting blade is moved from the origin position to the cutting blade via the cutter moving means. A full-width cutting control means for controlling the drive so as to move the cutter member to the origin position again after being moved to reach the outside of the extending portion;
A tape printing apparatus comprising: First position detecting means for detecting that the cutting blade is located at a predetermined position in the extending portion;
Second position detecting means for detecting that the cutting blade is located outside the extending portion;
With
The connected cutting control means detects that the cutting blade has reached a predetermined position in the extension through the first position detecting means, and the full width cutting control means is the second position detecting means. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tape blade detects that the cutting blade has reached the outside of the extending portion via the tape. A tape printing apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that conveys a long roll sheet; a printing unit that prints on the roll sheet; and a cutting unit that cuts the printed roll sheet in the width direction of the printed roll sheet. In the roll sheet holder that is used and the roll sheet is wound and detachable from the tape printer,
The tape printer is the tape printer according to claim 1 or 2,
The roll sheet includes a print medium printed by the printing unit;
An adhesive layer provided on one surface of the print medium;
A release paper covering the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer,
The release paper has an extended portion that extends at a predetermined length from the side edge of the print medium to the outside in the width direction of the print medium, at least on the side edge of the cutter member at the end of movement when cutting. A roll sheet holder characterized by the above.

Images