JP2008246905A - Ink ribbon, printer, and cleaning method of printer head - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein, in the prior art, deposits on a printer head can not be manually removed except when an ink ribbon is replaced. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 1 stops rotation of a platen roller 32 or the like when a cleaning layer IJ of an ink ribbon IR is moved up to a heating surface 2a of a thermal head 2, and interrupts conveyance of a label sheet RS and the ink ribbon IR. The printer also rotates a ribbon supply roller 41 and a ribbon take-up roller 42 so that the ink ribbon IR is moved by the length of the cleaning layer IJ to the length direction of the ink ribbon IR, in an arrow direction YB, and then is moved by the same length in an opposite direction to the arrow direction. This cleaning operation is repeated by the predetermined number of times. The surface of cleaning layer IJ of the ink ribbon IR is thereby rubbed with the heating surface 2a of the thermal head 2, so that the dirt adhering to the heating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 is removed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink ribbon, a printer that performs printing using the ink ribbon, and a printer head cleaning method.

  A printer that performs printing using an ink ribbon is a thermal printer. One surface of the ink ribbon is a printed surface formed by applying a paint. The thermal printer is applied to the printing surface by heating the ink ribbon from the back side of the printing surface while conveying the printing object, for example, the label sheet surface and the printing surface of the ink ribbon in the printing direction. The applied paint is applied to the label of the label sheet to transfer it to the printing object.

  In this type of printer, the foreign matter adhering to the object to be printed or the dust entering from the outside floats inside the housing and adheres to the head. Had to be cleaned. The head needs to be exposed to the outside so that it can be done manually, and the head is arranged surrounded by the ink ribbon transport mechanism and the print object transport mechanism, which makes the work complicated. Met.

  For this reason, in Patent Document 1 below, a portion made of Japanese paper or nonwoven fabric is provided at the tip of the ink ribbon, and the portion of the Japanese paper or nonwoven fabric is placed before the ink ribbon is replaced and printing using a new ink ribbon is performed. There has been proposed a technique for removing the deposits on the head without touching it by sliding the head.

JP 60-150056 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the adhering matter to the head is removed by Japanese paper or non-woven fabric at the tip of the ink ribbon, it is possible to remove the adhering matter to the head without human hands. When it becomes necessary to remove the deposits on the head before the ink ribbon is replaced next, it is necessary to manually clean the head.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ink ribbon, a printer, and a printer head cleaning method that can solve the above problems.

The description in this paragraph will be changed according to the claims.
In order to achieve such an object, the present invention conveys an ink ribbon having a foreign matter removing portion at a predetermined interval to a contact surface on the back side of a printing surface formed by applying a coating material in a printing direction, and performs printing. Printing means for pressing the contact surface of the ink ribbon against the surface of the printing object conveyed in the direction with a head and transferring the ink ribbon to the printing object; and the ink ribbon conveyed in the printing direction Detection means for detecting the foreign matter removal unit, printing operation interruption means for interrupting the printing operation by the printing unit in response to detection of the foreign matter removal unit by the detection unit, and the printing operation interruption unit performs the printing operation. When interrupted, a head retracting means for retracting the head until the print surface of the ink ribbon is separated from the surface of the printing object, and after the head retracting means retracts the head, A cleaning unit that performs a cleaning operation for transporting the ink ribbon in the printing direction and the opposite direction to slide the foreign matter removing portion against the head, and when the cleaning operation by the cleaning unit is completed, the printing operation by the printing unit is resumed. Printing operation resumption instruction means.
Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising cleaning operation notification display means for performing a display on the display screen to notify that while the cleaning operation by the cleaning means is being performed.
Further, the present invention fixes the transport position of the print object after the cleaning unit interrupts the printing operation by the printing unit until the printing operation restart instruction unit restarts the printing operation by the printing unit. It is characterized by comprising a transport position fixing means.
In addition, the present invention provides a foreign matter for removing the deposits on the head of the printer for transferring the coating applied to the printing surface to the printing object on the back surface of the printing surface formed by applying the coating. The removing unit is provided at predetermined intervals.
In addition, the present invention conveys an ink ribbon provided with a foreign matter removing portion at a predetermined interval on the contact surface on the back side of the printing surface formed by applying a paint in the printing direction,
While pressing the contact surface of the ink ribbon with the head against the surface of the printing object conveyed in the printing direction,
When performing the printing operation to transfer to the printing object, the printing operation is interrupted when the foreign matter removing portion of the ink ribbon that has been conveyed in the printing direction is detected,
The head is retracted until the printing surface of the ink ribbon is separated from the surface of the printing object, and then the ink ribbon is transported in the printing direction and the opposite direction so that the foreign matter removing unit is in sliding contact with the head. Perform the cleaning operation,
When this cleaning operation is completed, the printing operation is resumed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to save the trouble of manually cleaning the head.

A description will be given with reference to the best mode of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printing mechanism provided in the housing 1 a of the printer 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation when printing is performed by the printing mechanism shown in FIG.

  The printer 1 performs printing using the ink ribbon IR by a printing mechanism provided in the housing 1a. In the present embodiment, a case where printing is performed using the label R as a printing object will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the label R is stuck to the surface of a label sheet RS made of continuous paper so as to be peeled at regular intervals. Printing by the printer 1 is performed by operating an operation unit (not shown) provided on the front surface of the housing 1a. The printing status and operation guidance display by the printing mechanism are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 1b provided on the front surface of the housing 1a shown in FIG. Also, the printed label R is discharged from a label discharge port 1c provided on the front surface of the housing 1a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing mechanism includes a thermal head 2 that performs printing by heating the ink ribbon IR, a sheet supply roller 31, a platen roller 32, and a sheet pressing guide 33, and includes a label sheet RS. A sheet conveyance mechanism that conveys the ink ribbon IR, and a sheet sensor that detects the conveyance position of the label sheet RS by the sheet conveyance mechanism. 51 and a ribbon sensor 52 that detects the transport position of the ink ribbon IR by the ribbon transport mechanism. Although not shown in the drawing, the printing mechanism, in addition to each of the above mechanisms, a contact / separation mechanism for pressing and separating the thermal head 2 against the ink ribbon IR, and a label R from the label sheet RS printed by the thermal head 2. And a label peeling member for peeling.

  The thermal head 2 includes a heat generating surface 2a provided with a plurality of heat generating resistors. The thermal head 2 performs printing by heating the ink ribbon IR by heating the heating resistor at the transfer position in a state where the heat generating surface 2a is in pressure contact with the ink ribbon IR. The thermal head 2 has a position where the heating surface 2a is pressed against the ink ribbon IR located on the platen roller 32 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3 and a position separated from the platen roller 32 as shown by a solid line in FIG. In between, it is moved by a separation mechanism (not shown).

  A sheet supply roller 31 (see FIG. 2) constituting the sheet conveying mechanism is for winding the label sheet RS used for printing in a roll shape. The platen roller 32 is used to press the thermal head 2 against the ink ribbon IR superimposed on the label sheet RS. The sheet pressing guide 33 is for fixing the conveyance position of the label sheet RS when the conveyance of the sheet by the sheet conveyance mechanism is interrupted. Although not shown, the sheet transport mechanism winds the guide roller that guides the movement of the label sheet RS, the pinch roller that sandwiches the label sheet RS, and the label sheet RS that is used for printing. The sheet winding roller is provided.

  Rollers such as the sheet supply roller 31 and the platen roller 32 are rotated by a stepping motor (not shown) to convey the label sheet RS wound around the sheet supply roller 31 in the direction of arrow YA in FIGS. It arrange | positions so that it may wind around a sheet | seat winding roller. A label peeling member (not shown) is provided on the conveyance path of the label sheet RS between the platen roller 32 and a sheet winding roller (not shown) of the sheet conveyance mechanism. The label peeling member is a member that peels the label R from the label sheet RS by bending the conveyance direction of the label sheet RS at a steep angle.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of the sheet pressing guide 33.
The sheet pressing guide 33 is an actuator such as a stepping motor (not shown) between a position where the label sheet RS is pressed as shown by a solid line in FIG. 4 and a position separated from the label sheet RS as shown by a dotted line in FIG. It is moved by. Specifically, the sheet pressing guide 33 is pivotally supported at one end of a rod-like body having a circular cross section so as to be tiltable in the direction of arrow YC in FIG. As shown, the label sheet RS is sandwiched between the support member 331 and the movement of the label sheet RS is restricted.

  The ribbon supply roller 41 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) constituting the ribbon transport mechanism is for winding the ink ribbon IR used for printing in a roll shape. The ribbon take-up roller 42 is for winding the ink ribbon IR used for printing into a roll. Although not shown, the ribbon transport mechanism includes a guide roller that guides the movement of the ink ribbon IR, a pinch roller that sandwiches the ink ribbon IR, and the like. Rollers such as the ribbon supply roller 41 and the ribbon take-up roller 42 are rotated by a stepping motor (not shown), and the direction of the ink ribbon IR wound around the ribbon supply roller 41 is indicated by an arrow YB in FIGS. And is wound around the ribbon take-up roller 42.

  The sheet sensor 51 is a photoelectric reflection type sensor for detecting a mark RS1 (see FIG. 4) provided on the label sheet RS. The label sheet RS is provided with a mark RS1 at the front end position and the rear end position of the label R in the conveyance direction of the label sheet RS. The mark RS1 is set to have a different reflectance from the light emitted from the sheet sensor 51 for other portions of the label sheet RS, and only the mark RS1 is detected by the sheet sensor 51. The ribbon sensor 52 is a photoelectric reflection type sensor for detecting a cleaning layer IJ (see FIG. 5) provided on the ink ribbon IR. In the portion where the cleaning layer IJ of the ink ribbon IR is provided, the reflectance of the light irradiated from the ribbon sensor 52 is set to be different from the other portions, and only the cleaning layer IJ is detected by the ribbon sensor 52. The

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the ink ribbon IR used for printing by the printer 1. One surface of the ink ribbon IR is a printing surface formed by thinly applying solid ink. A cleaning layer IJ made of a fine particle abrasive is provided on the surface opposite to the printing surface. The cleaning layer IJ is a layer for removing deposits on the heat generating surface 2a by being in sliding contact with the heat generating surface 2a provided in the thermal head 2 of the printer 1, and constitutes a foreign matter removing portion. The cleaning layer IJ extends in the length direction of the ink ribbon IR over a length L (a length determined in advance so as to obtain a cleaning effect by experiments or calculations). The ink ribbon IR is used for printing by being superposed with the printing surface facing the label R attachment surface of the label sheet RS. The cleaning layer IJ includes abrasive grains such as green silicon carbide (SiC) and a binder.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the control circuit of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 1 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 6 for electrically controlling various operations, a thermal head drive circuit 21 for driving the thermal head 2, and a sheet conveying mechanism. A sheet conveying mechanism driving circuit 34 for driving, a ribbon conveying mechanism driving circuit 43 for driving the ribbon conveying mechanism, an contacting / separating mechanism driving circuit 22 for driving the contacting / separating mechanism, and a housing 1a (not shown). The signal line 8 is connected to an interface (I / F) circuit 7 that transmits and receives operation signals and print data input from the operation unit, and information for guidance display on the liquid crystal display unit 1b.

  The microcomputer 6 can update various data such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 that controls the execution of various data processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62 that stores various data such as a control program in advance, and print data. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 63 that temporarily stores data, a clock generation circuit 64 that outputs clock pulses, and an I / O port 65 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from various circuits connected to the signal line 8; And a bus 66 for connecting each circuit. Each circuit constituting the microcomputer 6 operates based on the clock pulse output from the clock generation circuit 64.

  The thermal head drive circuit 21 is a circuit for selectively applying a potential to a plurality of heating resistors provided in the thermal head 2 to generate heat, and generates heat by the heating resistors under the control of the microcomputer 6. The thermal head drive circuit 21 also includes a circuit for temporarily storing printing data. The thermal head driving circuit 21 temporarily stores printing data supplied from the microcomputer 6 according to the transfer order, and according to the stored data. The heating resistor at the transferred position is heated.

  The sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 is a circuit for driving an actuator provided in the sheet transport mechanism, such as a pulse motor that rotates the platen roller 32, and causes each actuator to perform a predetermined operation under the control of the microcomputer 6. The sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 also includes a circuit that supplies the microcomputer 6 with a detection signal input from each detection means for detecting the operation state of each actuator, for example, the rotational position of the roller.

  The ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 is a circuit for driving an actuator provided in the ribbon transport mechanism, such as a pulse motor that rotates the ribbon supply roller 41, and causes each actuator to perform a predetermined operation under the control of the microcomputer 6. The ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 also includes a circuit that supplies the microcomputer 6 with a detection signal input from each detection unit that detects the operation state of each actuator, for example, the rotational position of the roller.

  The contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 22 is a circuit for driving an actuator (for example, a solenoid) (not shown) included in the contact / separation mechanism, and causes the actuator to perform a predetermined operation under the control of the microcomputer 6. The contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 22 also includes a circuit that supplies the microcomputer 6 with a detection signal input from each detection unit that detects an operation state of the actuator, for example, a moving position of the thermal head 2. The microcomputer 6, the contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 22, and the contact / separation mechanism include the thermal head 2 until the printing surface of the ink ribbon IR is separated from the surface of the label sheet RS, which is a printing target, when the printing operation interrupting unit interrupts the printing operation. The head retracting means for retracting is configured.

A control circuit provided in the printer 1; each mechanism whose operation is controlled by the control circuit; and a detection unit that supplies various signals used for control by the control circuit.
Each means includes a printing operation interruption unit that interrupts the printing operation, a cleaning unit that performs a cleaning operation, and a printing operation resumption instruction unit that resumes the printing operation. The ribbon sensor 52 constitutes a detection unit that detects a foreign matter removing portion of the ink ribbon IR that has been conveyed in the printing direction. In addition, the microcomputer 6, the I / F circuit 7, and the liquid crystal display unit 1b constitute a cleaning operation notification display unit that performs display on the display screen to notify that while the cleaning operation is being performed by the cleaning unit. ing. The microcomputer 6, the sheet conveyance mechanism, and the sheet conveyance mechanism drive circuit 34 are the objects to be printed after the cleaning unit interrupts the printing operation by the printing unit until the printing operation resumption instruction unit resumes the printing operation by the printing unit. The conveyance position fixing means for fixing the conveyance position by the sheet pressing guide 33 is configured.

  Next, an operation when printing on the label sheet RS by the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. When printing is performed by the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the label sheet RS wound around the sheet supply roller 31 is not shown via a guide roller, a pinch roller, and a platen roller 32 (not shown). The label sheet RS wound around the sheet supply roller 31 is brought into a state where it can be wound up by the sheet winding roller. In this state, the label sheet RS positioned between the platen roller 32 and the sheet take-up roller is bent at a steep angle in the conveyance direction by the label peeling member. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon IR wound around the ribbon supply roller 41 is passed over a ribbon take-up roller 42 via a guide roller, a pinch roller, and the thermal head 2 (not shown), The wound label sheet RS is brought into a state where it can be taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 42.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal head 2 is positioned at a position where the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 is pressed against the ink ribbon IR by the contact / separation mechanism, and the label sheet RS is formed by the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32. And an ink ribbon IR. The label sheet RS and the ink ribbon IR located between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32 are in a state of being superimposed on each other with the ink ribbon IR positioned on the thermal head 2 side. In this state, printing by the printer 1 is performed.

  When an operation signal for instructing printing is input from the I / F circuit 7 based on an operation of an operation unit (not shown) of the housing 1a, the CPU 61 instructs the sheet conveyance mechanism drive circuit 34 to convey the label sheet RS. A control signal and a control signal for instructing the ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 to transport the ink ribbon IR are output. The sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 and the ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 that have received the control signal from the CPU 16 drive the actuator based on an input signal from a detection means (not shown) to rotate the rollers. As a result, the label sheet RS is conveyed in the direction of the arrow YA, and the ink ribbon IR is conveyed in the direction of the arrow YB.

  When the CPU 61 determines that the printing location on the label R has moved to the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 based on the input signal from the sheet sensor 51, the CPU 61 outputs a control signal for instructing the thermal head driving circuit 21 to perform printing. . This determination is performed by determining whether or not a predetermined time required for the label R to move to the printing location has elapsed since the signal input from the sheet sensor 51 was detected. The thermal head drive circuit 21 generates heat from the heating resistor on the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 in accordance with the control signal. As a result, the portion corresponding to the printing position on the ink ribbon IR to which the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 is pressed is heated, the paint applied to the ink ribbon IR melts, and the label R superimposed on the ink ribbon IR is obtained. Is transcribed.

  That is, when printing is performed by the thermal printer 1, the label sheet RS wound around the sheet supply roller 31 is transported in the direction of the arrow YA by the sheet transport mechanism and the ink wound around the ribbon supply roller 41. The ribbon IR is conveyed in the arrow YB direction by the ribbon conveyance mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon IR and the label sheet RS transported in this manner are overlapped with each other with the ink ribbon IR positioned on the thermal head 2 side, and between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32. It enters and printing by the thermal head 2 is performed.

  The ink ribbon IR that has passed between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32 is transported by the ribbon transport mechanism and wound around the ribbon take-up roller 42. On the other hand, the label peeling member peels the label R by bending the label sheet RS that passes between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32 and is conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism at a steep angle. The label sheet RS from which the label R has been peeled is conveyed by a sheet conveying mechanism and wound around a sheet winding roller (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the label R peeled from the label sheet RS is discharged from the label discharge port 1c to the outside of the housing 1a.

  When the CPU 61 determines that the cleaning layer IJ of the ink ribbon IR has moved to the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 based on the input signal from the ribbon sensor 52, the CPU 61 conveys the label sheet RS to the sheet conveying mechanism drive circuit 34. A control signal for instructing the stop is output, and a control signal for instructing the ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 to stop the transport of the ink ribbon IR is output. This determination is performed by determining whether or not a predetermined time required for the cleaning layer IJ to move to the printing location has elapsed since the signal input from the ribbon sensor 52 was detected. The sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 and the ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 perform stop control of driving of the actuators included in the respective transport mechanisms based on the input signals from the detection means, and stop the rotation of the platen roller 32 and a pinch roller (not shown). The conveyance of the label sheet RS and the ink ribbon IR is interrupted.

  In addition, the CPU 61 that has determined that the cleaning layer IJ has moved to the heat generating surface 2a outputs a control signal to the I / F circuit 7 instructing a display informing that the printing operation is interrupted and the cleaning operation is being performed. . Receiving this control signal, the I / F circuit 7 performs display instructed by the control signal on the liquid crystal display unit 1b. This display on the liquid crystal display unit 1b is continued until the cleaning operation is finished and the printing operation is resumed.

  Further, the sheet conveying mechanism drive circuit 34 performs drive control of an actuator provided in the sheet conveying mechanism based on an input signal from the detection means, and presses the sheet pressing guide 33 against the label sheet RS as indicated by a solid line in FIG. The conveyance position of the label sheet RS is fixed. The CPU 61 that has determined that the cleaning layer IJ has moved to the heat generating surface 2a outputs a control signal that instructs the thermal head drive circuit 21 to interrupt printing. The thermal head drive circuit 21 interrupts the heat generation of the heating resistor at the printing position in accordance with the control signal and keeps the state where the printing data is stored. These operations by the sheet conveyance mechanism drive circuit 34, the ribbon conveyance mechanism drive circuit 43, and the thermal head drive circuit 21 interrupt the printing operation on the label sheet RS.

  In a state where the printing operation is interrupted in this way, the CPU 61 outputs a control signal that instructs the contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 22 to separate the thermal head 2. The contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 22 that has received this control signal performs drive control of the actuator provided in the contact / separation mechanism based on the input signal from the detection means, and separates the thermal head 2 from the platen roller 32. The ink ribbon IR in which the conveyance by the ribbon conveyance mechanism is interrupted is kept in contact with the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 separated from the platen roller 32, as indicated by a solid line in FIG.

  Further, the CPU 61 outputs a control signal that instructs the ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 to perform a cleaning operation. The ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 performs drive control of an actuator included in the ribbon transport mechanism based on an input signal from the detection means, and rotates the ribbon supply roller 41, the ribbon take-up roller 42, and a pinch roller (not shown), and the ink ribbon IR Is moved a predetermined distance in the arrow YB direction (in this embodiment, the length L of the cleaning layer IJ in the length direction of the ink ribbon IR) and then moved a predetermined number of times in the opposite direction to the arrow YB direction. Just do it. Finally, the ink ribbon IR is moved so that the untransferred position of the ink ribbon IR is positioned at the printing position. The ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 is between the position where the front end of the cleaning layer IJ is in contact with the rear end of the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 and the position where the rear end of the cleaning layer IJ is in contact with the front end of the heat generating surface 2a. A cleaning operation is performed by determining whether or not a predetermined time required for transporting the ink ribbon IR has elapsed. As a result, the surface of the cleaning layer IJ of the ink ribbon IR is rubbed against the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2, and the dirt adhering to the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 is removed. The ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 supplies a signal reporting the end of cleaning to the microcomputer 6 when the predetermined number of cleaning operations have been completed.

  The CPU 61 that has received the cleaning end report signal outputs a control signal to the I / F circuit 7 instructing a display for notifying that the cleaning operation is ended and the printing operation is restarted. Receiving this control signal, the I / F circuit 7 performs display instructed by the control signal on the liquid crystal display unit 1b.

  Further, the CPU 61 to which the cleaning completion report signal is input outputs a control signal for instructing the sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 to release the fixing of the transport position of the label sheet RS. The sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 that has received this control signal performs drive control of the actuator provided in the sheet transport mechanism based on the input signal from the detection means, and as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The label sheet RS is unfixed at a distance from the RS. As a result, the label sheet RS can be conveyed. Further, the CPU 61 that has received the cleaning completion report signal outputs a control signal that instructs the contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 22 to press the thermal head 2 against the ink ribbon IR. The contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 22 that has received this control signal performs drive control of the actuator provided in the contact / separation mechanism based on the input signal from the detection means, and the thermal head 2 is moved to the ink ribbon IR as shown by a dotted line in FIG. Pressure contact.

  Further, the CPU 61 to which the cleaning completion report signal is input instructs the sheet conveyance mechanism drive circuit 34 to convey the label sheet RS, and instructs the ribbon conveyance mechanism drive circuit 43 to convey the ink ribbon IR. And a control signal for instructing printing to the thermal head drive circuit 21 based on the detection result of the sheet sensor 51. The sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34, the ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43, and the thermal head drive circuit 21 cause each mechanism to perform the above-described printing operation according to a control signal from the CPU 61. Thereby, printing is resumed.

  According to the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the transport direction of the ink ribbon IR is switched a predetermined number of times between the print direction and the reverse direction of the print direction by the ribbon transport mechanism, and the cleaning layer IJ is brought into sliding contact with the thermal head 2. As a result, the deposits on the thermal head 2 are removed. For this reason, the thermal head 2 can be periodically cleaned not only when the ink ribbon IR is replaced but also during use when the ink ribbon IR is not used up. As a result, it is possible to save the trouble of exposing the thermal head 2 inside the machine of the printer 1 to the outside and cleaning the thermal head 2 using the cleaning liquid. In addition, the cleaning layer IJ formed on the ink ribbon IR at predetermined intervals is brought into sliding contact with the thermal head 2 to remove deposits, so that the fine particle polishing is performed compared to the case where the cleaning layer IJ is provided on the entire contact surface. The material constituting the cleaning layer IJ, such as a material, can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the ink ribbon IR can be reduced.

  Further, according to the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the conveyance position of the label sheet RS by the sheet pressing guide 33 while the conveyance operation of the label sheet RS by the sheet conveyance mechanism is interrupted and the cleaning operation of the thermal head 2 is performed. Therefore, when the cleaning operation of the thermal head 2 is finished and the printing operation is restarted, it is possible to prevent the transfer position to the label sheet RS from deviating from the position to be originally transferred. In particular, if the transfer position shifts during printing, even if the transfer position shift is small, there is a tendency to have a large effect on the finish of printing, but according to this configuration, before and after the start of the cleaning operation. Since the transport position of the label sheet RS can be kept at the same position, it is possible to prevent the print finish from being adversely affected by the shift of the transfer position.

  In addition, according to the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the display for notifying that the cleaning operation is performed by interrupting the printing operation after the printing operation is interrupted until the printing operation is resumed is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. Since the process is performed in 1b, the user can be made aware of the status of the printer 1.

  In the description of the above embodiment, the CPU 61 instructs the ribbon transport mechanism to perform a predetermined operation in which the ink ribbon IR is moved in the arrow YB direction for a predetermined time and then moved in the direction opposite to the arrow YB for the same time. Thus, the case where the cleaning operation is performed has been described. However, as long as the cleaning layer IJ of the ink ribbon IR can be rubbed against the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2, the mode of the cleaning operation is arbitrary. For example, when the ribbon sensor 52 is disposed close to the front and back of the thermal head 2 and the detection is performed by the ribbon sensor 52 on the front side of the thermal head 2, the trailing edge of the cleaning layer IJ extends to the heating surface 2 a of the thermal head 2. When it is determined that the ink ribbon IR has moved, the sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 is instructed to move the ink ribbon IR in the direction opposite to the arrow YB direction. A cleaning operation may be performed by determining that the front edge of the IJ has moved to the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 and instructing the sheet transport mechanism drive circuit 34 to move the ink ribbon IR in the arrow YB direction. Good. The ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 43 calculates the rotational position of each roller provided in the ribbon transport mechanism, that is, the transport position of the ink ribbon IR and the cleaning layer IJ, based on the input signal from the detection means, and cleaning is performed based on the calculated result. It is good also as a structure which performs operation | movement. Moreover, the frequency | count of performing cleaning operation is also arbitrary.

  Further, if the length of the cleaning layer IJ extending along the transport direction of the ink ribbon IR is sufficient to remove deposits on the heat generating surface 2 of the thermal head 2 without reciprocating the ink ribbon IR, The cleaning operation may be performed by moving the ink ribbon IR only in the arrow YB direction. According to such a configuration, deposits on the heat generating surface 2 of the thermal head 2 can be removed while causing each mechanism to perform the same operation as a normal printing operation.

  In the description of the above embodiment, the case where the thermal head 2 is separated from the platen roller 32 by the contact / separation mechanism when performing the cleaning operation by the ribbon transport mechanism has been described. However, if it is possible to avoid transfer to a position different from the printing location on the label R due to heating of the ink ribbon IR by the thermal head 2, the thermal head 2 is the same as when performing the printing operation. The ink ribbon IR may be kept in pressure contact with the ink ribbon IR.

  Further, in the description of the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a cleaning completion report signal is output from the sheet conveying mechanism when the cleaning operation ends, and the CPU 61 restarts the printing operation on condition that this signal is received. However, the CPU 61 may be configured to restart the printing operation on condition that a predetermined time has elapsed after instructing the start of the cleaning operation to the sheet conveying mechanism. Further, the CPU 61 monitors the number of cleaning operations and the transport position of the cleaning layer IJ based on the detection result of the ribbon sensor 52, and restarts the printing operation on condition that the predetermined number of cleaning operations have been performed. A configuration may be adopted.

  Further, the sheet transport mechanism, ribbon transport mechanism, thermal head drive mechanism, and contact / separation mechanism heat the ink ribbon IR on the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2 and print it on the label R of the label sheet RS which is the label sheet RS. In addition to the normal printing operation for performing the above, the cleaning layer IJ formed on the ink ribbon IR can be subjected to a cleaning operation for rubbing against the heat generating surface 2a of the thermal head 2, and the configuration thereof is arbitrary.

  In the description of the above embodiment, the cleaning layer IJ of the ink ribbon IR enters between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32 while the thermal head 2 is transferring the label sheet RS to the label R. The case where the transfer by the thermal head 2 is interrupted and the cleaning operation of the thermal head 2 is performed has been described. However, even if the cleaning layer IJ enters between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32 during the transfer by the thermal head 2, the transfer by the thermal head 2 is continued and the cleaning operation is not performed. It is good also as a structure.

  The distance until the label R detected by the sheet sensor 52 passes through the thermal head 2 and the distance until the cleaning layer IJ detected by the ribbon sensor 51 enters between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32. When the distance until the cleaning layer IJ enters is shorter than the distance until the label R that has entered the thermal head 2 passes through the thermal head 2, the cleaning operation using the cleaning layer IJ is performed. The printing operation is continued without being performed, and when the distance until the cleaning layer IJ enters is longer than the distance until the label R passes, the cleaning operation is performed to transfer the label R to the label R by the thermal head 2. It is good also as a structure by which cleaning operation | movement is not performed during being performed.

  In the description of the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which ink is applied to the printing surface located on the back side of the contact surface provided with the cleaning layer IJ in the ink ribbon IR to be used for printing. However, when the cleaning operation is always performed when the ingress cleaning layer IJ enters between the thermal head 2 and the platen roller 32, the printing located behind the contact surface provided with the cleaning layer IJ in the ink ribbon IR. The surface may not be used for printing without applying ink.

  In addition, the timing of the start and end of the display on the liquid crystal display unit 1b for notifying that the cleaning operation is being performed is known in advance by the user who is performing printing using the printer 1 as to the start and end of the cleaning operation. It is optional if it can. The cleaning layer IJ may be arranged at any position as long as it is provided on the surface opposite to the printing surface of the ink ribbon IR at a predetermined interval. For example, at least one of the leading end and the trailing end of the ink ribbon Alternatively, the cleaning layer IJ may be provided.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the printer 1 that is a thermal printer has been described. However, the present invention is applied to other printers such as a dot impact printer that performs printing by bringing a head into contact with an ink ribbon. Can also be applied.

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of a structure of the printing mechanism with which the inside of the housing | casing of the printer shown in FIG. 1 is equipped. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement at the time of printing by the printing mechanism shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the outline of a structure of the sheet | seat presser guide shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of a structure of the ink ribbon used for printing with the printer shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the hardware constitutions of the control circuit of the printer shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Thermal head 2a Heat generating surface 16 Liquid crystal display part 21 Thermal head drive circuit 22 Contact / separation mechanism drive circuit 31 Sheet supply roller 32 Platen roller 33 Sheet pressing guide 34 Sheet conveyance mechanism drive circuit 41 Ribbon supply roller 42 Ribbon take-up roller 43 Ribbon transport mechanism drive circuit 51 Sheet sensor 52 Ribbon sensor 6 Microcomputer IR Ink ribbon IJ Cleaning layer RS Label sheet R Label

Claims (5)

An ink ribbon provided with a foreign matter removing portion is conveyed at a predetermined interval on a contact surface on the back side of a printing surface formed by applying a paint, and the ink ribbon is applied to the surface of a printing object conveyed in the printing direction. Printing means for pressing the contact surface of the head with a head and bringing it into contact with the print object,
Detecting means for detecting the foreign matter removing portion of the ink ribbon that has been conveyed in the printing direction;
A printing operation interruption unit that interrupts the printing operation by the printing unit in response to the detection of the foreign matter removing unit by the detection unit, and the printing operation interruption unit from the surface of the print object when the printing operation interruption unit interrupts the printing operation. A head retracting means for retracting the head until the printing surface of the ink ribbon is separated; and after the head retracting means retracts the head, the ink ribbon is transported in the printing direction and the opposite direction to Cleaning means for performing a cleaning operation for sliding contact with the head;
A printer comprising: a printing operation resumption instructing unit that resumes the printing operation by the printing unit when the cleaning operation by the cleaning unit is completed.   2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning operation notification display unit configured to display on the display screen a notification indicating that the cleaning operation is being performed by the cleaning unit.   A conveyance position fixing unit that fixes a conveyance position of the print object from when the cleaning unit interrupts the printing operation by the printing unit until the printing operation restart instruction unit restarts the printing operation by the printing unit; The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is provided.   A foreign matter removing unit that removes deposits on the head of the printer for transferring the coating material applied to the printing surface to a printing object is provided on the back surface of the printing surface formed by applying the coating material at a predetermined interval. An ink ribbon characterized by being provided for each. Conveying an ink ribbon with a foreign matter removing portion at a predetermined interval on the contact surface on the back side of the printing surface formed by applying paint, in the printing direction,
While pressing the contact surface of the ink ribbon with the head against the surface of the printing object conveyed in the printing direction,
When performing the printing operation to transfer to the printing object, the printing operation is interrupted when the foreign matter removing portion of the ink ribbon that has been conveyed in the printing direction is detected,
The head is retracted until the printing surface of the ink ribbon is separated from the surface of the printing object, and then the ink ribbon is transported in the printing direction and the opposite direction so that the foreign matter removing unit is in sliding contact with the head. Perform the cleaning operation,
A printing head cleaning method, wherein the printing operation is resumed when the cleaning operation is completed.

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