JP2010221664A - Device and method for issuing thermosensitive self-adhesive label - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To contribute to downsizing and weight reduction of a thermosensitive self-adhesive label issuing device and to make the simplification of the controlling of the issuing of a self-adhesive label possible under the condition that there is no limit in the length of the issuing self-adhesive label without elongating the time required for issuing the label. <P>SOLUTION: The issuing method of the thermosensitive self-adhesive label includes: the transfer of a thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 with a printing platen roller 6 under the condition that recording is executed onto the recordable layer of the thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 at a recording part 2; the manifestation of self-adhesive properties in the recorded thermosensitive self-adhesive layer of the thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 heat-activated by heat at a heat activating part 3 and simultaneous transfer of the thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 with a heat activating platen roller 8; and the stoppage of the supply of transferring force to a portion locating in the recording part 2 of the thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 by stopping the operation of the printing platen roller 6 under the condition that the transfer of the thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 with the heat activating platen roller 8 is continued during the heat activation of the thermosensitive self-adhesive layer of the thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 and the resultant generation of tension in the thermosensitive self-adhesive sheet 4 so as to cut it off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device and a heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing method.

  Conventionally, in order to issue pressure-sensitive adhesive labels that can be attached to various articles, the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on one side of the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is heated and thermally activated to develop pressure-sensitive adhesiveness. There is a way. In addition, by providing a recordable layer on the other side of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet and partially developing the color of this recordable layer, an adhesive label having characters, symbols, designs, etc. recorded on the surface can be obtained. it can.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method for issuing a pressure-sensitive adhesive label from a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet having a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on one side and a heat-sensitive coloring layer that is a recordable layer on the other side. According to this method, both the means for heating and heat-activating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer and the means for heating and recording the heat-sensitive color forming layer are both performed by known thermal heads widely used in thermal printers. It is composed. First, recording is performed on the heat-sensitive color-developing layer by the thermal head for printing (recording means), and then the adhesiveness is developed in the heat-sensitive adhesive layer by the thermal activation thermal head (thermal activation means). . In this case, by using a known thermal head not only as a recording means but also as a thermal activation means, it is easy to partially develop adhesiveness, and the adhesive part and the non-adhesive part are mixed relatively freely. Can be made. In addition, as compared with the case where two types of heating units having different configurations are used as the recording unit and the thermal activation unit, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by sharing the parts. If the recording is performed after thermal activation, the recording is performed on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet that has already developed adhesiveness. This is not preferable because handling becomes extremely complicated such that a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet may stick to a conveyance roller, a platen roller, and the like.

  Further, in the method of Patent Document 1, an adhesive label having a desired length is issued by cutting a long continuous paper-like heat-sensitive adhesive sheet each time in order to simplify the transport mechanism and reduce manufacturing costs. is doing. In this case, it is necessary to provide a cutting mechanism (cutter) in the heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device. This cutting mechanism is disposed between the recording means and the heat activation means.

  If the cutting mechanism is arranged in front of the recording means, a transport mechanism such as a transport roller or a motor for feeding the cut sheet to the recording means substantially as in the case of using a cut sheet (sheet). Therefore, effects such as simplification of the configuration and reduction of manufacturing cost cannot be obtained by using continuous paper. If the cutting mechanism is disposed after the heat activation means, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet remaining after cutting must be rewound (back fed) from the cutting mechanism to the recording means. In that case, the amount of unwinding is large each time cutting is performed, and the recording means and the heat activation means pass the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet twice (one reciprocation) every time one adhesive label is issued. . As described above, the movement of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is wasteful and the operation efficiency is poor, and the throughput and durability of the recording means and the heat activation means through which the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet frequently passes may be reduced. Furthermore, since the front-end | tip part of the remaining heat-sensitive adhesive sheet after cutting | disconnection has passed the heat activation means once, possibility that it has already heat-activated is high. In this way, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet whose tip portion is thermally activated and exhibits adhesiveness is rewound to the recording means, and recording and thermal activation are performed again, resulting in poor conveyance such as jamming, and accurate conveyance. Inconveniences such as a decrease in recording quality due to inability to occur are likely to occur. In order to prevent such problems, the operation of the heat activation means is stopped early so that the front end portion of the remaining heat-sensitive adhesive sheet after cutting is not thermally activated. There is a possibility that the thermal activation of the adhesive label is insufficient, the adhesiveness is poor, and the adhesive label is easy to peel off.

  For the reasons described above, in conventional heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing devices such as Patent Document 1, a cutting mechanism is disposed between the recording means and the heat activation means. The cutter, which is a general cutting mechanism, is located so that the fixed blade and the movable blade face each other across the conveyance path of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and moves to the fixed blade after the movable blade contacts the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. Thus, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is sandwiched and cut between the movable blade and the fixed blade. Due to such a configuration, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet must be stationary at the time of cutting. If the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet tries to move during the cutting operation, there is a high possibility that the portion in contact with the movable blade will be rubbed and good cutting cannot be realized. Accordingly, the conveyance is temporarily stopped when the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is cut.

  When a part of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is in contact with the thermal activation means, once the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet stops for cutting, the same part of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is thermally activated. It is held in contact with the heat generating part of the means. As a result, the heat-sensitive adhesive is strongly adhered to the heat activation means. Then, when the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is resumed, the conveyance roller is idled, resulting in conveyance failure such as jamming. Moreover, even if the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is peeled off from the heat activation means, a part of the heat-sensitive adhesive may stick to the heat activation means and fall off from the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. In that case, the adhesive pressure of the issued pressure-sensitive adhesive label becomes insufficient, and the heat-sensitive adhesive remaining after adhering to the surface of the heat activation means is more likely to adhere to the subsequent heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet. That is, when the heat-sensitive adhesive adheres to the surface of the heat activation means, the amount and amount of the heat-sensitive adhesive attached and deposited thereafter increase at an accelerated rate, preventing normal conveyance.

  In addition, if the same part of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer continues to be heated by the operation of the heat activation means or residual heat, heat is transmitted to the heat-sensitive color development layer that is not in direct contact with the heat activation means, and unintentional color development. May occur. In that case, the recorded content formed by the recording means is damaged.

  Therefore, in the method described in Patent Literature 2, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is slackened between the cutting mechanism and the heat activation means before the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is cut. Due to the presence of this slack, even when the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is temporarily stopped at the position facing the cutting mechanism during cutting by the cutting mechanism, at least the period until the slack is eliminated is thermally activated. It is not necessary to stop the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet at a position in contact with the heat generating part of the means. Since the same part of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet does not contact the heat-generating part of the heat activation means for a long time, sticking of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet to the heat activation means and unintentional color development can be prevented. Such slackness of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet causes both transport mechanisms to operate so that a speed difference occurs between the transport mechanism (roller) attached to the recording means and the transport mechanism (roller) attached to the thermal activation means. It can be formed by controlling.

Japanese Patent No. 3623084 Japanese Patent No. 4064707

  According to the method described in Patent Document 2, the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive is obtained by stopping a part of the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in contact with the heat-generating portion of the thermal activation means for cutting the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet. Adherence to the heat activation means and unintentional color development of the heat-sensitive color development layer can be suppressed. However, there are some problems described below.

  In the method of Patent Document 2, a space for loosening the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is required between the cutting mechanism and the thermal activation means. In particular, not only the conveyance direction of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet but also the direction perpendicular to it (high A large space is required in the vertical direction), which hinders downsizing of the apparatus.

  Moreover, in the method of patent document 2, fixed restrictions arise in the length of the adhesive label to issue. If the length of the pressure-sensitive adhesive label to be issued is shorter than the space (relatively large space as described above) for causing looseness of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet after cutting Can not reach the heat activation means. In order to solve this, it is necessary to provide another transport mechanism or the like to complicate the configuration.

  In the method of Patent Literature 2, since a slack is formed by causing a speed difference between the two transport mechanisms, work time not directly related to recording and thermal activation is required. Becomes longer. In addition, relatively complex control is required to create a difference in speed between the two transport mechanisms to create an appropriately sized slack.

  Moreover, since the cutting mechanism has a movable blade that moves in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet and its driving mechanism, the apparatus is increased in size and weight, and noise is generated during the cutting operation. There's a problem.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned various problems, contribute to downsizing and weight reduction of the apparatus, there is no restriction on the length of the adhesive label to be issued, and the time required for issuing the adhesive label is lengthened. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing apparatus and method that can simplify control.

  The present invention relates to a thermosensitive adhesive label issuing apparatus for issuing an adhesive label from a thermosensitive adhesive sheet provided with a thermosensitive adhesive layer on one side and a recordable layer on the other side. It has a transport mechanism for transporting, a recording section for recording on the recordable layer, and a transport mechanism for transporting the thermosensitive adhesive sheet, which is located downstream of the recording section in the transport direction of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet. And a heat activation unit that heats and heat-activates the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and a control device that controls the operation of the transport mechanism of the recording unit and the transport mechanism of the heat activation unit. The transport mechanism of the activation unit is operated to supply the transport force to the portion located in the heat activation unit of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and at the same time, the operation of the transport mechanism of the recording unit is stopped and the recording unit of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet To the located part By stopping the Okuchikara supply, characterized in that it is possible to generate the tension for cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet to the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet.

  Further, the present invention provides a method for issuing a pressure-sensitive adhesive label from a heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet having a heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on one side and a recordable layer on the other side. While recording on the recordable layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet, the thermosensitive adhesive sheet is conveyed by operating the conveyance mechanism of the recording unit, and recording is performed on the recordable layer by the recording unit. The heat-sensitive adhesive layer is heated and thermally activated in the heat activation part to express the adhesiveness, and the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is conveyed by operating the conveyance mechanism of the heat activation part. While the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is heated and thermally activated, the conveyance mechanism of the recording unit is operated while continuing the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet by the conveyance mechanism of the thermal activation unit. Stop the recording on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet By stopping the conveying force supplied to the portions that location, to generate a tension in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet and another characterized by cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet.

  More specifically, the portion to be cut of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet faces the convex portion of the guide member provided between the recording unit and the heat activation unit that protrudes toward the conveyance path of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. At that time, the operation of the transport mechanism of the recording unit is stopped, and a tension is generated on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet to cut the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. Furthermore, when the perforation provided in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet faces the convex part of the guide member, the operation of the transport mechanism of the recording unit is stopped, and tension is generated in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet to cause heat The adhesive sheet may be cut.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cut the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet by generating tension on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet using the transport mechanism of the recording unit and the transport mechanism of the thermal activation unit. Therefore, a cutting mechanism such as a cutter becomes unnecessary, and the heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device can be reduced in size and weight. Moreover, since a cutting mechanism such as a cutter is not used, there is no need to temporarily stop the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet at the cutting portion, thereby avoiding problems such as sticking of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet to the heat activation part. . Therefore, it is not necessary to devise measures such as causing slack in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and it is possible to avoid complicated control and prolonged time required for issuing.

It is the schematic which shows the state currently recorded on the heat sensitive adhesive sheet by the recording part in the heat sensitive adhesive label issuing method by the heat sensitive adhesive label issuing apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state which is conveying the heat sensitive adhesive sheet from a recording part to the downstream side, continuing the recording to the heat sensitive adhesive sheet by a recording part following the state shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which is conveying the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet to the heat activation part following the state shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which is further conveying the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, making the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet express adhesiveness by the heat activation part following the state shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which is generating tension | tensile_strength in the heat sensitive adhesive sheet, continuing the expression of the adhesiveness of the heat sensitive adhesive sheet by a heat activation part following the state shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state which cut | disconnected the heat sensitive adhesive sheet with tension | tensile_strength, continuing expression of the adhesiveness of the heat sensitive adhesive sheet by a heat activation part following the state shown in FIG. Following the state shown in FIG. 6, while continuing the expression of the adhesiveness of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet by the thermal activation part, the cut heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is further conveyed and the remaining heat-sensitive adhesive sheet after being cut It is the schematic which shows the state which is rewinding. It is the schematic which shows the state which issued the adhesive label and the rewinding of the remaining heat-sensitive adhesive sheet after cut | disconnecting following the state shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the specific structure of the control apparatus of the thermosensitive adhesive label issuing apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is the front view of the guide member of the heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the side view, (c) is AA sectional view, (d) is BB. It is line sectional drawing. (A) is the front view of the other example of a guide member, (b) is the side view, (c) is A'-A 'sectional view, (d) is B'-B' sectional view. It is an enlarged view which shows the principal part of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet used for the adhesive label issuing of this invention.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a main part of the heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device of the present invention. The heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device of the present embodiment mainly has a roll body housing unit 1, a recording unit 2, and a heat activation unit 3.

  The roll body accommodating portion 1 is a portion that accommodates a roll body 4a made of a continuous paper-like heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4, and has a holding member that holds the roll body 4a (not shown). Although the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is not described in detail, a heat-sensitive adhesive layer that exhibits adhesiveness when heated and thermally activated is provided on one surface of the sheet-like base material, and the other surface is heated. Then, a heat-sensitive color developing layer (recordable layer) is provided.

  The recording unit 2 includes a printing thermal head 5 as a recording unit and a printing platen roller 6 as a transport mechanism. The printing thermal head 5 is disposed at a position in contact with the heat-sensitive coloring layer of the supplied heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4, and the printing platen roller 6 is at a position facing the printing thermal head 5. The printing thermal head 5 has a heat generating portion composed of a large number of independently driven heat generating elements, and each heat generating element is selectively driven at an appropriate timing, so that any character, symbol, A design or the like can be recorded on the heat-sensitive coloring layer. The printing platen roller 6 rotates to give a conveying force to the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 and to press the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 to the printing thermal head 5 during recording.

  The thermal activation unit 3 thermally activates a thermal activation thermal head 7 as thermal activation means, a thermal activation platen roller 8 as a transport mechanism, and a rear end portion of the thermally activated adhesive label. A discharge roller 12 and a discharge guide 13 for separating the thermal head from the thermal head. The platen roller 8 for heat activation and the discharge roller 12 are powered from the same drive source (second stepping roller 17 shown in FIG. 9), and their operation timing is synchronized, and the conveyance amount during operation is Match. The thermal activation thermal head 7 has the same configuration as the printing thermal head 5 of the recording unit 2 described above, and is disposed at a position in contact with the thermal adhesive layer of the supplied thermal adhesive sheet 4. In this thermal activation thermal head 7, each heating element is selectively driven at an appropriate timing, so that only a desired portion of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is heated to be thermally activated to be adhesive. The adhesive part and the non-adhesive part can be mixed relatively freely in one label. The thermal activation platen roller 8 is located at a position facing the thermal activation thermal head 7 and, like the printing platen roller 6, rotates to apply a conveying force to the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 and to activate the thermal activation platen roller 8. The heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 functions to be brought into pressure contact with the thermal activation thermal head 7 at the time of conversion. Since the recording means and the thermal activation means are the thermal heads 5 and 7 having the same configuration, the control can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the heating means having different configurations are provided. Further, the discharge roller 12 is for contacting and transporting the heat-active surface (heat-sensitive adhesive layer) of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 that has developed adhesiveness, and the surface is subjected to non-adhesive processing. Yes.

  The control device 9 of the present embodiment schematically shown mainly includes a printing thermal head 5 and a printing platen roller 6 in the recording unit 2, and a thermal activation thermal head 7 in the thermal activation unit 3. The operation of the platen roller 8 for heat activation and the discharge roller 12 is controlled. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 9 performs thermal activation for driving the printing thermal head driving unit 14 for driving the printing thermal head 5 and the thermal activation thermal head 7. And a first stepping roller 16 for driving the printing platen roller 6 and a second stepping roller 17 for driving the thermal activation platen roller 8 and the discharge roller 12. ing. Further, a central processing unit (CPU) 19 connected to each of these driving means 14 to 17 through an interface (I / F) 18 and controlling each of the driving means 14 to 17 is provided. Further, a read only memory (ROM) 20 and a random access memory (RAM) 21 used for processing by the CPU 19, a display unit 22 for displaying the issuance status of the adhesive label and the like to the user, An operation unit 23 is provided for the user to instruct the operation of the entire thermosensitive adhesive label issuing device while viewing the issue status displayed on the display unit 22.

  In the present embodiment, a conventional cutting mechanism (for example, a cutter including a fixed blade and a movable blade) is not provided between the recording unit 2 and the thermal activation unit 3. However, a pair of guide members 10 and 11 are arranged. The lower guide member 11 has a pointed portion 11a that is a convex portion.

  A nip portion between the printing thermal head 5 and the printing platen roller 6 of the recording unit 2, a gap between the pair of guide members 10 and 11, and a thermal activation thermal head 7 of the thermal activation unit 3 A conveyance path for the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 serving as an adhesive label is constituted by the nip portion between the thermal activation platen rollers 8. Here, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 that has been cut to a predetermined length and has developed an adhesive force is referred to as an adhesive label. In the pressure-sensitive adhesive label, the surface opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface (the surface on which the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is present) is a recording surface (surface on which the heat-sensitive coloring layer is present) such as characters, symbols and designs.

  A heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing method using this heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device will be described. First, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is pulled out from the roll body 4a accommodated in the roll body accommodating portion 1 and supplied to the recording portion 2 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is supplied to the recording unit 2 with the heat-sensitive coloring layer facing the thermal head 5 for printing. Then, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is conveyed from the right side to the left side of the drawing by the rotation of the printing platen roller 6 that is driven and controlled by the control device 9, and the printing thermal head 5 is driven by the control device 9. Then, the heat-sensitive color developing layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is heated to develop color, and arbitrary characters, symbols, designs, etc. are recorded (see FIG. 2). The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 thus recorded on the heat-sensitive coloring layer is supplied to the heat activation unit 1 through the gap between the guide members 10 and 11 (see FIG. 3). The printing thermal head 5 of the recording unit 2 stops operation and waits when the recording of one adhesive label is completed. On the other hand, the printing platen roller 6 rotates and continues to convey the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4.

  When the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is supplied to the heat activation unit 3 with the heat-sensitive adhesive layer facing the thermal activation thermal head 7 side, the heat activation platen roller 8 and the discharge roller 12 The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is conveyed from the right to the left by rotation, and the thermal activation thermal head 7 is driven to heat and heat-activate the heat-sensitive adhesive layer (see FIG. 4). . The heat-activated heat-sensitive adhesive layer exhibits adhesiveness.

  During the thermal activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4, the portion of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 to be cut, that is, the distance from the tip of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 matches the length of the pressure-sensitive adhesive label to be issued. The place to do comes to the position facing the pointed end 11a of the guide member 11. At that time, the thermal activation thermal head 7 of the thermal activation unit 3 continues the thermal activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive material layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 by the drive control of the control device 9, and the platen roller for heat activation 8 and the discharge roller 12 continue to rotate, while the printing platen roller 6 of the recording unit 2 stops rotating. Then, while the front side of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 continues to receive a forward conveying force, the rear side is given a conveying force while being sandwiched between the printing thermal head 5 and the printing platen roller 6 of the recording unit 2. (See FIG. 5). As a result, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 tends to be held in a state where the leading end side receives a forward conveying force and the rear side is stationary with the pointed end portion 11a of the guide member 11 as a boundary. That is, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 tries to be stopped by the leading end side that receives the conveyance force by the thermal activation platen roller 8 and by the printing thermal head 5 and the printing platen roller 6 (the conveyance force supply stops). Strong tension (tension) is applied to the rear side. As a result, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is torn back and forth from the pointed end 11a of the guide member 11 (see FIG. 6).

  Even after the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is cut in this manner, the thermal activation by the thermal activation thermal head 7 of the thermal activation unit 3 and the conveyance by the thermal activation platen roller 8 and the discharge roller 12 are continued. The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 that has been cut is thermally activated up to the rear end. In this way, a desired recording is made on one side (thermosensitive color-developing layer) of a predetermined length, and the other side (thermosensitive adhesive layer) is completely or partially tacky. The developed adhesive label is completed.

  On the other hand, the printing platen roller 5 of the recording unit 2 is rotated in reverse by the drive control of the control device 9, whereby the remaining heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 after being cut is rewound (see FIG. 7). And in the heat activation part 3, when the desired heat activation (adhesive expression) of the cut | disconnected heat-sensitive adhesive sheet (adhesive label) 4 is completed, the control apparatus 9 will operate | move the thermal head 7 for thermal activation. Stop. The operation of the thermal activation platen roller 8 and the discharge roller 12 continues, and after the adhesive label is conveyed until the rear end portion of the adhesive label is separated from the thermal activation thermal head 7, The operations of the roller 8 and the discharge roller 12 are stopped. At this time, the rear end portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive label is located in the gap between the discharge roller 12 and the discharge guide 13, and is held in this gap by the strain of the pressure-sensitive adhesive label itself. Thus, the completed pressure-sensitive adhesive label is not in contact with the thermal activation thermal head 7 and is separated from the front, the front portion projects outside the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive label issuing device, and the rear end portion is the discharge roller 12 and discharge guide 13. It is held so that the user can easily take it out from the outside of the heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device.

  In the recording unit 2, when the leading end of the remaining heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 after being cut reaches the recording start position facing the printing thermal head 5, the control device 9 stops the operation of the printing platen roller 6. The adhesive label is held between the printing thermal head 5 and the printing platen roller 6 (see FIG. 8).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the thermal activation of the printing platen roller 6 and the thermal activation unit 3 of the recording unit 2 by the control device 9 is performed although there is no cutting mechanism like a conventional cutter. The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 can be cut by controlling the driving of the platen roller 8. Since the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is cut by using the platen rollers 6 and 8 which are conveying mechanisms of the recording unit 2 and the thermal activation unit 3 that exist in the past, the configuration is simplified because the cutter is unnecessary. ing. Conventionally, when the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is cut with a cutter having blades (particularly two blades), the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet has to be temporarily stopped. In this embodiment, cutting is performed without using a cutter. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet stationary at the cutting part. Therefore, unlike Patent Document 2, it is not necessary to form the slack of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in order to solve the problem when the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is once stopped at the cutting portion. All of the large space and complicated control required to form the slack are not required, and the apparatus can be downsized and the control can be simplified. Furthermore, since the time for forming the slack of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is unnecessary, the working efficiency is improved. In addition, the absence of a cutter in the present invention also contributes to reducing the size and weight of the apparatus.

  As described above, the control device 9 includes the first stepping motor 16 (see FIG. 9) for driving the printing platen roller 6. For example, from the point in time when a sensor (not shown) provided in a part of the conveyance path of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet detects the tip of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4, the portion to be cut of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 is the guide member. The amount of conveyance until reaching the position facing 11 pointed portions 11a is obtained. The first stepping motor 16 stops operating at the moment when the conveyance amount is accurately realized by the first stepping motor 16 for driving the printing platen roller 6. Thereby, tension can be generated in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 at a point in time when the portion to be cut of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 accurately faces the pointed end portion 11a of the guide member 11, and high-accuracy cutting can be performed. . Further, in order to sufficiently activate the heat activation part 3 from the front end of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4, in order to determine the operation start timing of the thermal activation thermal head 7 of the heat activation part 3, or to cut In order to accurately arrange the leading end of the remaining heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 after being cut at the recording start position by subsequent rewinding (back feed), the control device 9 is used for driving the printing platen roller 6. It is effective to include the first stepping motor 16.

  In the present invention, the guide members 10 and 11 are not necessarily required, but it is preferable to provide the guide member 11 having the pointed portion 11a as in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the guide member 10 having a bent shape with the position facing the tip portion 11a as a vertex so that the tip of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 can pass through the tip portion 11a without any delay.

  In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the pointed portion 11a which is a convex portion descends in a straight line gently in the longitudinal direction from the apex of the central portion, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (d). Although it is an inclined shape that falls steeply in the direction, it is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (d), the convex portion may have an inclined pointed portion 11b that descends radially in a straight line from the apex of the central portion in all directions. Good. As described above, the inclined shape of the tip portion may be a linear inclination or a curved inclination, and the inclination angle may be gentle or steep. The guide member 11 has a relatively complicated three-dimensional shape as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and is easy to be worn by rubbing against the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4, so that it is easy to mold and has good wear resistance (for example, It is preferable to mold it with a thermoplastic hard resin such as polycarbonate.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable that perforation 4b is previously formed in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 at a location to be cut. Using both the pointed ends 11a and 11b of the guide member 11 and the perforated line 4b of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4, printing is performed when the perforated line 4b faces the pointed ends 11a and 11b of the guide member 11. By stopping the operation (rotation) of the platen roller 6, the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 according to the present invention can be cut more easily. The perforation 4b of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the guide member 11 of FIGS. 10 and 11, and a larger notch 4b ′ than the others is formed at the portion that contacts the pointed portions 11a and 11b. It is provided and the cutting | disconnection which makes the starting point 11a, 11b a starting point occurs easily. Thus, it is preferable that the perforation 4b corresponding to the pointed ends 11a and 11b of the guide member 11 is provided.

  The guide member 10 accurately supplies the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 4 coming from the recording unit 2 to the nip portion between the thermal activation thermal head 7 of the thermal activation unit 3 and the thermal activation platen roller 8. The distance between the guide member 10 and the guide member 11 is narrow (for example, about 1 to 2 mm) at least at a location close to the thermal activation unit 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Roll body accommodating part 2 Recording part 3 Thermal activation part 4 Heat sensitive adhesive sheet 4a Roll body 4b Perforation 4b 'Large notch 5 Thermal head for printing (recording means)
6 Platen roller for printing (conveying mechanism of recording unit)
7 Thermal activation thermal head (thermal activation means)
8 Platen roller for thermal activation (conveying mechanism of thermal activation unit)
9 Control device 10, 11 Guide member 11a, 11b Pointed portion (convex portion)
12 Discharge roller 13 Discharge guide

Claims (6)

In the thermosensitive adhesive label issuing device for issuing the adhesive label from the thermosensitive adhesive sheet provided with the thermosensitive adhesive layer on one side and the recordable layer on the other side,
A recording unit having a transport mechanism for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet and recording on the recordable layer; and located on the downstream side of the recording unit with respect to the transport direction of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, the heat-sensitive adhesive A thermal activation unit having a conveyance mechanism for conveying the sheet and heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer to heat it, and the operation of the conveyance mechanism of the recording unit and the conveyance mechanism of the thermal activation unit And a control device for controlling
The control device operates the transport mechanism of the thermal activation unit to supply a transport force to a portion of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet located at the thermal activation unit, and simultaneously operates the transport mechanism of the recording unit. To stop the feeding force supply to the portion of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet located in the recording portion, thereby generating tension on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet for cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. it can,
This is a heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device. A guide member is provided between the recording unit and the thermal activation unit,
The guide member has a convex portion protruding toward the conveyance path of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet,
The said control apparatus stops the action | operation of the said conveyance mechanism of the said recording part in the state which the part which should cut | disconnect the said thermosensitive adhesive sheet is located facing the said convex-shaped part of the said guide member. Heat sensitive adhesive label issuing device. The control device stops the operation of the transport mechanism of the recording unit in a state in which a perforation provided in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is located facing the convex portion of the guide member. The heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing device described. In the thermosensitive adhesive label issuing method of issuing an adhesive label from a thermosensitive adhesive sheet provided with a heat sensitive adhesive layer on one side and a recordable layer on the other side,
While recording on the recordable layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the recording unit, the recording unit transports the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet by operating a transport mechanism of the recording unit,
The heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet recorded on the recordable layer by the recording part is heated and thermally activated in a heat-activating part to express adhesiveness, and Operate the transport mechanism of the thermal activation unit to transport the thermosensitive adhesive sheet,
While the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is heated and thermally activated by the heat activation unit, the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet by the conveyance mechanism of the heat activation unit is continued. Meanwhile, the operation of the conveyance mechanism of the recording unit is stopped to stop the supply of the conveyance force to the portion of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet located in the recording unit, thereby generating tension in the thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A method for issuing a heat-sensitive adhesive label, comprising cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. The portion to be cut of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is opposed to the convex portion of the guide member provided between the recording unit and the heat activation unit that protrudes toward the conveyance path of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. 5. The method of issuing a heat-sensitive adhesive label according to claim 4, wherein at the time, the operation of the transport mechanism of the recording unit is stopped, tension is generated in the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is cut. When the perforation provided on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet faces the convex portion of the guide member, the operation of the transport mechanism of the recording unit is stopped to generate tension on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. The heat-sensitive adhesive label issuing method according to claim 5, wherein the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is cut.

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