JP2015051798A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a state in which, in a case of a configuration in which a label piece is discharged and held in a state in which a user can pull out from a discharge opening of an apparatus body, it is pulled out by the user in a state no pulling-out is possible.SOLUTION: An image is formed by print operation, and after formation of the image, cutting operation is made with a cutter unit, and it is held by a paper discharge roller of a paper discharge part and a spur roller. While the cutting operation is made, a cutter position is detected. Until cutting is completed, a state of non cutting is displayed at an operation part. When the cutting is completed, a state of cutting complete (taking out of a label piece is possible) is displayed (notified) at the operation part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus using a roll-shaped print medium.

  Automatic printing after printing on roll-shaped print media (hereinafter also referred to as “linerless label paper”) that has an adhesive surface, such as tape and non-mounting label paper, and has no adhesive paper on the adhesive surface. An image forming apparatus such as a label printer is known which is cut into a required length manually or manually to form a print medium piece (hereinafter also referred to as “label piece” or “label”).

  In such an image forming apparatus, the label pieces after cutting are in a state where the adhesive surface is exposed, so if the label pieces stick to each other or stick to the user's hand or clothes, There exists a problem that adhesiveness falls or it becomes a bad label which cannot be used.

  Therefore, conventionally, for example, a cutter unit that cuts a series of non-mounting adhesive labels that are peeled off on the front side and an adhesive part on the back side into individual labels, and a label that is cut by the cutter unit is conveyed. A rotating part which is rotatably provided on the downstream side of the conveying part and rotates while temporarily attaching the label discharged from the conveying means to the outer peripheral surface, and the label discharged from the conveying part on the surface 2. Description of the Related Art A stacker device for a non-mounting adhesive label comprising a biasing means that biases a rotating member from the side is known (Patent Document 1).

  Also, a transport means for transporting / discharging the label piece cut by the cutter unit, and a surface provided on the downstream side of the transport means so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal state, and the label piece discharged from the transport means is non-adhesive treated 2. Description of the Related Art A stacker device for a non-mounting adhesive label having a label receiving portion provided with a disk-shaped rotating member that is temporarily attached to a disk is known (Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-284131 A JP 2004-059310 A

  However, in the configurations disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, since the label pieces are stacked by adhering (temporarily attaching) the discharged label pieces to a rotating member, the apparatus is enlarged, Furthermore, since the label piece is once bonded to another member, there is a problem that the adhesive force is reduced.

  Therefore, the print medium on which the image is formed is cut into a label piece, and a part of the label piece is discharged from the discharge port and stopped, or a part of the print medium is discharged from the discharge port and stopped. It is conceivable to hold it and manually cut it into the required label pieces by the user.

  However, with such a configuration, since there are various widths of print media and lengths and widths of label pieces, the user does not know when to pull out the label pieces or print media.

  Therefore, there is a possibility that the user may tear off the label piece or forcibly pull out the print medium in order to pull out the print medium while cutting of the print medium is not completed. Further, when image formation is performed by a liquid ejection method, if a user touches the liquid while it is not dried, the image is disturbed. As a result, it is necessary for the user to handle the linerless label so that these situations do not occur, and the handleability may be deteriorated.

  This invention is made | formed in view of said subject, and it aims at improving the handleability of a linerless label.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A roll-shaped print medium having an adhesive surface and no release paper on the adhesive surface;
Image forming means for forming an image on the print medium;
A discharge port for discharging the print medium on which the image is formed to the outside of the apparatus main body;
Conveying means for conveying the print medium opposite to the image forming means, and stopping and holding a part of the print medium on which the image is formed in a state of being discharged from the discharge port;
Detecting means for detecting that it is possible to take out the print medium partially discharged from the discharge port;
A means for notifying that the removal is possible when the detection means detects that the print medium can be removed, or a means for making the removal possible; did.

  According to the present invention, the handleability of the linerless label piece can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a front explanatory view of a mechanism unit of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is principal part front explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of a printing medium. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which looked at FIG. 1 with which it uses for description of the different example of a cutter unit from the right direction. It is explanatory drawing which looked at FIG. 1 used for description of the detection means of the position thru | or state of a cutter unit from the right direction. It is explanatory drawing which looked at FIG. 1 used for description of the detection of the cutting completion (cut completion) by a cutter unit from the right direction. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of alerting | reporting control by the main control part in 1st Embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective explanatory drawing of the apparatus main body with which it uses for description of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of alerting | reporting control by the main control part in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge port vicinity used for description of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of alerting | reporting control by the main control part in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows alerting | reporting control by the main control part with which it uses for description of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective explanatory drawing of the apparatus main body with which it uses for description of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of alerting | reporting control by the main control part in 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge port vicinity used for description of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of alerting | reporting control by the main control part in 6th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge port vicinity used for description of 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description of alerting | reporting control by the main control part in 7th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge port vicinity used for description of 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge port vicinity used for description of 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a discharge tray similarly.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front explanatory view of a mechanism part of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a front explanatory view of a main part for explaining a print medium.

  The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit 101 serving as a sheet feeding device, an image forming unit 102 serving as an image forming unit, a transport unit 103 serving as a transport unit, and a paper discharge unit 104 within the apparatus main body 100. Yes. Further, a discharge port 105 is provided as a discharge port portion for discharging the print medium 2 on which an image is formed to the outside of the apparatus main body 100, and guide means for guiding the roll-shaped print medium 2 when the print medium 2 is transported and pulled back. 106.

  A roll body 4 in which the print medium 2 is wound in a roll shape is loaded in the paper supply unit 101.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the printing medium 2 has an adhesive layer (hereinafter referred to as “adhesive surface”) 2b on one surface of a medium (hereinafter also referred to as “printing surface”) 2a capable of forming an image. It is a continuum formed. And this printing medium 2 is the linerless label paper made into the roll shape in the state which has not affixed the mount (release paper, separator) on the adhesive surface 2b.

  The roll body 4 is fitted into a spool 5, and the spool 5 is a first roller 111, a second roller 112, and a third roller 113, which are first to third rotating bodies arranged at both ends on the roll holder member 6. It is held rotatably at three points.

  In the present invention, the “spool” is not limited to a member that is provided separately from the core member and is used by being fitted into the core member. 4 may be formed integrally with the core member. Further, when the core member of the roll body 4 is directly held, such a core member is also included in the “spool”.

  The image forming unit 102 includes a carriage 12 on which a recording head 11 including a liquid discharge head that discharges droplets onto the print medium 2 is mounted. The carriage 12 is movably held by the main guide member 13 and the sub-guide member 14 and is reciprocated in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium 2.

  Here, the recording head 11 is a liquid ejection head having two nozzle rows, and the two recording heads 11 are mounted on the carriage 12. The four nozzle rows of the two recording heads 11 eject ink droplets of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a line-type head can also be used.

  Ink supply to the recording head 11 is performed by supplying ink of a required color from an ink cartridge 15 that is replaceably mounted to the apparatus main body 100 to a head tank (not shown) mounted on the carriage 12 via a supply tube 16. In this method, ink is supplied from the head tank to the recording head 11.

  Further, ink waste liquid generated by a maintenance operation for maintaining and recovering the performance of the recording head 11 is discharged and stored in a waste liquid tank 17 that is replaceably attached to the apparatus main body 100.

  The image forming unit 102 is not limited to the form of the liquid ejection head, and various image forming units that form an image in contact and non-contact can be used.

  In the transport unit 103, an endless protective belt 21 is disposed below the recording head 11. The protection belt 21 is wound around a conveyance roller 22 and a driven roller 23 to which tension is applied so as to be able to move around.

  At this time, it is preferable that the protective belt 21 does not have adhesiveness to the adhesive surface 2b. However, the protective belt 21 can be re-detached from the adhesive surface 2b in order to prevent the printing medium 2 from floating from the protective belt 21 during transportation. It may have a weak adherence. By applying the protective belt 21 to the adhesive surface 2b, the adhesive surface 2b is protected, and at the same time, the adhesive surface 2b is prevented from coming into contact with the inside of the apparatus. Therefore, only the print medium 2 can be discharged.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the protection belt 21 protects the adhesive surface 2 b of the print medium 2 and is conveyed to the front of the paper discharge unit 104 together with the print medium 2.

  A counter roller 24 is disposed so as to face the conveying roller 22. Conveying means for sandwiching the print medium 2 and the protective belt 21 together by a conveying roller pair (rotating member pair) composed of the conveying roller 22 and the counter roller 24 and conveying the image to the image forming area by the recording head 11 is configured. doing.

  The protective belt 21 has a number of suction holes. A suction fan 27 that sucks the print medium 2 toward the surface of the protection belt 21 through a suction hole is disposed inside the protection belt 21 so as to face the recording head 11 of the image forming unit 102. .

  Note that, here, the print medium 2 is sucked to the protective belt 21 by suction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print medium 2 can be sucked by electrostatic force. Alternatively, the adhesive surface 2b of the print medium 2 may be fixed so as not to float from the protective belt 21 using the adhesiveness of the adhesive surface 2b.

  In addition, spur roller groups 28a, 28b, and 28c are disposed on the driven roller 23 side. The spur roller groups 28a to 28c are configured by arranging a plurality of spur rollers in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The upstream spur roller groups 28 a and 28 b face the protective belt 21, and the most downstream spur roller group 28 c faces the receiving member 30 of the paper discharge unit 104.

  The paper discharge unit 104 cuts the print medium 2 to a desired length on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the receiving member 30 that guides the print medium sent from between the protective belt 21 and the spur roller group 28b. A cutter unit 31 which is a cutting means to be a piece (label piece) 200 is disposed.

  The cutter unit 31 has a lower blade 132 formed on the downstream end face of the receiving member 30 that receives the print medium 2, and a cutting blade (upper blade: cutter) 131 that cuts the print medium 2 between the lower blade. Then, the cutter 131 moves in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, thereby cutting the print medium 2.

  A paper discharge roller 32 is disposed on the downstream side of the cutter unit 31. A spur roller 33 is disposed facing the paper discharge roller 32.

  By these discharge roller 32 and spur roller 33, the leading end of the label piece 200 cut by the cutter unit 31 is sent to a discharge port 105 which is a discharge port portion of the apparatus main body 100, and a part of the label piece 200 is a device. Hold in a state of being discharged out of the body.

  Here, the surface holding the label piece 200 of the paper discharge roller 32 is subjected to, for example, non-adhesive processing (processing in which the adhesive surface does not adhere) so that the adhesive surface 2b of the label piece 200 can be peeled off. In this case, the discharge roller 32 itself can be formed of a peelable material.

  In addition, a paper sensor 34 that detects the presence or absence of the print medium 2 is disposed. The paper sensor 34 can be constituted by a photo sensor or a combination of a mechanical lever and a photo sensor.

  The guide means 106 includes a second roller 42 serving as a separation roller disposed on the upstream side of the image forming unit 102 on the downstream side of the opposing roller 24 that also serves as the first roller constituting the conveying unit 103, and the opposing roller 24. And a third roller 43 disposed on the opposite side of the second roller 42, and an endless guide belt 44 is hung between the opposing roller 24, the second roller 42, and the third roller 43. It is turning.

  Here, the guide belt 44 is, for example, a belt-like member that uses polyimide as a base material and has a release layer (for example, silicone coating) on the surface layer to improve the release property from the adhesive surface 2 b of the printing medium 2.

  The counter roller 24, the second roller 42, and the third roller 43 are rotatably held by the holder member 45. The holder member 45 is disposed so as to be rotatable about a shaft 46. The holder roller 45 is positioned so that the opposing roller 24 faces the conveying roller 22, and the opposing roller 24 is separated from the conveying roller 22 between the opposing roller 24 and the conveying roller 22. It is possible to displace it from the position where it is opened.

  When the roll body 4 is loaded and the printing medium 2 is set on the protective belt 21, the gap between the opposing roller 24 and the conveying roller 22 is opened, and when the printing medium 2 is conveyed, the opposing roller 24 is moved to the conveying roller 22 side. Press on. Therefore, the opposing roller 24 is pressurized toward the conveying roller 22 by a pressing means such as a spring. The second roller 42 is also pressed against the protective belt 21 by a pressing means such as a spring.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the configuration is described in which image formation is performed with the adhesive surface 2b of the print medium 2 facing the protective belt 21, but the image formation is performed on the adhesive surface 2b of the print medium 2. You can also In this case, it is preferable to perform a non-adhesive treatment (a treatment in which the adhesive surface does not adhere) on the surface of the guide belt 44 described above.

  In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the printing medium 2 drawn out from the roll body 4 loaded in the paper feeding unit 101 and the protective belt 21 are sandwiched together between the conveying roller 22 and the opposing roller 24. .

  Then, by rotating and driving the transport roller 22, the printing medium 2 is transported with the adhesive surface 2 b protected by the protective belt 21, and a desired image is formed by the recording head 11 of the image forming unit 102.

  The protective belt 21 is peeled off from the print medium 2 on which the image is formed, and only the print medium 2 is sent to the paper discharge unit 104, and the print medium 2 is conveyed until it reaches a cutting position by the cutter unit 31. At this time, a part of the print medium 2 stops in a state where it is discharged from the discharge port 105 of the apparatus main body 100 and is held between the discharge roller 32 and the spur roller 33. That is, the transport unit 103 and the paper discharge unit 104 constitute a transport unit in the present invention.

  Then, the print medium 2 is cut by the cutter unit 31 to form a label piece 200. At this time, the label piece 200 is held by the paper discharge roller 32 and the spur roller 33 in a state where the label piece 200 can be extracted (drawn out) from the discharge port 105 of the apparatus main body 100.

  Further, the guide means 106 prevents the print medium 2 from being caught in the opposing roller 24 at the time of conveyance and pullback, particularly when an image is formed on the adhesive surface 2b side of the print medium 2.

  In other words, even if the surface of the opposing roller 24 is non-adhesive, the adhesive roller 2b of the printing medium 2 is stuck to the peripheral surface of the opposing roller 24 only by the opposing roller 24 because the curvature of the opposing roller 24 is small. There is a possibility of getting involved. In this case, it is only necessary to increase the curvature of the opposing roller 24. However, in this case, the area of the nip region between the opposing roller 24 and the conveying roller 22 is reduced, and a stable conveying force cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, during conveyance, the printing medium 2 is conveyed while being pressed by the guide belt 44, and the guide belt 44 is reliably separated from the printing medium 2 by the second roller 42 serving as a separation roller having a large curvature, so that the opposing roller during conveyance 24 is prevented from being caught.

  Also, when the print medium 2 is pulled back, the adhesive surface 2 b side of the print medium 2 is received by the guide belt 44 to prevent the print medium 2 from being caught by the counter roller 24.

  At the stage where the image formation is completed and the print medium 2 is cut by the cutter unit 31, the tip of the print medium 2 is at the position of the cutter unit 31, and the area facing the image forming unit 102 of the print medium 2 is unused. It becomes an area. If the next image forming operation is resumed, the unused area of the print medium 2 is wasted. Therefore, the print medium 2 is pulled back in the pull-back direction (the direction opposite to the transport direction) to a position where the front end of the print medium 2 is in front (upstream side) of the image forming unit 102.

  Next, an outline of the control unit of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  The control unit includes a main control unit 301 that also serves as a control unit for notification in the present invention, a head drive control unit 302, a main scanning drive unit 303, a transport roller drive unit 305, a suction fan drive unit 307, and a cutter drive unit. 309 and the like.

  The main control unit 301 includes a CPU, ROM and RAM, a microcomputer such as an I / O, a VRAM, an ASIC (specific application integrated circuit), and the like.

  The main control unit 301 receives a print job 300 including image data that is print information given from the host side.

  The main control unit 301 drives and controls the conveyance motor 306 via the conveyance roller drive unit 305 and rotates the conveyance roller 22 to form the print medium 2 in order to form an image corresponding to the print job 300 on the print medium 2. While being pulled out from the roll body 4, it is conveyed intermittently. On the other hand, the main scanning motor 304 is driven and controlled via the main scanning drive unit 303, and the recording head 11 is driven and controlled via the head drive control unit 302 while moving and scanning the carriage 12 in the main scanning direction. A required droplet is ejected from the head 11.

  When the print medium 2 is fed by rotating the transport roller 22, the suction fan motor 308 is driven and controlled via the suction fan drive unit 307, the suction fan 27 is rotated, and the print medium 2 is transferred to the protective belt 21. Adsorb on top.

  Further, the paper discharge roller 32 is driven and transmitted from the transport roller 22 and rotates the transport motor 306, so that the paper discharge roller 32 also rotates.

  Then, the main control unit 301 drives the cutter motor 310 that moves the cutter 131 of the cutter unit 31 in the main scanning direction via the cutter driving unit 309, and requires the print medium 2 on which the image by the recording head 11 is formed. The print medium piece (label piece) 200 is cut by a length of.

  The main control unit 301 is connected to an operation panel (operation unit) 320. The operation unit 320 includes an input unit that inputs various types of information about the apparatus and a display unit that displays various types of information. Then, the main control unit 301 notifies (displays) that the label piece 200 is ready to be removed from the display unit of the operation unit 320.

  Further, detection signals (detection signals) from various sensors in various sensor groups 321 are input to the main control unit 301.

  Next, a different example of the cutter unit 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of FIG.

  A cutter unit 31 shown in FIG. 4A is an example of a circle type auto cutter. It has a circle cutter 131A that moves and scans while rotating in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the print medium 2, and a fixed lower blade 132A. The circle cutter 131A moves relative to the print medium 2 while rotating in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, whereby the print medium 2 is cut.

  A cutter unit 31 shown in FIG. 4B is an example of a push-off type auto cutter. It has an upper blade 131B that can move in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface, and a fixed lower blade 132B. The print medium 2 is cut by moving the upper blade 131B in the vertical direction.

  Next, a means for detecting the position or state of the cutter unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of FIG.

  In the case of the cutter unit 31 including a circle type auto cutter shown in FIG. 5A, detection means 401a and 401b are provided on the movement start side and the movement end side in the scanning direction of the circle cutter 131A.

  In the case of the cutter unit 31 including a push-off type auto cutter shown in FIG. 5B, detection means 401a and 401b are provided on the upper end side and the lower end side in the scanning direction of the upper blade 131B.

  The detection means 401a and 401b may be optical or mechanical.

  Next, detection of cutting completion (cutting completion) by the cutter unit 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side.

  First, the amount of movement from the start of movement of the cutter 131 to the end of movement is the amount of movement shown in (1) in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  Further, the movement amount from the start of the movement of the cutter 131 to the completion of cutting of the maximum size print medium 2 is the movement amount shown in (2) in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  Further, the movement amount from the start of the movement of the cutter 131 to the completion of the cutting of the print medium 2 actually conveyed is the movement amount shown in (3) in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  Therefore, the detection that the cutting by the cutter unit 31 is completed and the label piece 200 can be taken out can be detected as follows, for example.

  (1) After the movement of the cutter 131 is started, when the cutter 131 returns to the initial position, the cutting is completed (cut completed). However, in this detection method (determination), it takes a long time to detect completion of cutting. This detection may be performed by using the detection means 401a and 401b, or may be performed by comparing the elapsed time from the start of movement with the threshold value, with the movement time required for reciprocation as a threshold value in advance.

  (2) When the cutter 131 has moved by the maximum amount of movement in the forward path, the cutting is completed (cut completed). Compared to the case of (1), the time until the completion of cutting is detected is approximately halved. This detection may be performed, for example, based on whether or not the cutter 131 has been detected by the detection unit 401b described above, or may be performed by comparing the elapsed time from the start of movement with the threshold, with the maximum travel time of the forward path as a threshold. Also good.

  (3) When the position of the cutter 131 moves to a position downstream in the cutting direction of the print medium 2, the cutting is completed (cutting completed). Cutting completion can be detected at an appropriate timing according to the width (size) of the print medium 2, and cutting completion can be detected earliest.

  In order to detect the completion of cutting according to (3), the size of the print medium 2 is detected (or received from the host side or the like), the movement amount of the cutter 131 is detected, and the movement amount of the cutter 131 is equal to that of the print medium 2. Detects that the end of the cutting end has been exceeded. The amount of movement of the cutter 131 can be obtained by counting the number of pulses when the driving source is a stepping motor or by providing an encoder in the driving force transmission mechanism to the cutter 131.

  Therefore, the notification control by the main control unit in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The main control unit 301 receives print job data from the host side. In addition to the image data to be printed, the print job data includes information on the print medium, information on various optional settings, information on the number of prints, and the like.

  Then, a printing operation is performed to form an image, and after the image is formed, a cutting operation by the cutter unit 31 is performed. After the cutting operation, the sheet is held by the sheet discharge roller 32 and the spur roller 33 of the sheet discharge unit.

  Then, the presence or absence of the label piece 200 is detected by the sensor 34 in the paper discharge unit.

  Here, when there is a label piece 200 (when it is not taken out), the label piece 200 is kept waiting. When the label piece 200 is exhausted (when it is removed), it is determined whether or not there is a next print job. If there is a print job, the process returns to the printing operation. If there is no print job, the printing is terminated.

  By the way, if the user pulls the print medium 2 before the cutting by the cutter unit 31 is completed, the label piece 200 is broken in the middle or the print medium is forcibly pulled out from the roll body 4.

  Therefore, while performing the above-described cutting operation, the position of the cutter 131 is detected, and until the cutting is completed, the operation unit 320 displays an uncut state, and when the cutting is completed, The operation unit 320 displays (notifies) the completion of cutting (that the label piece 200 can be taken out).

  Thereby, before the cutting of the printing medium 2 is completed, it is possible to prevent inconvenience due to the printing medium 2 partially protruding from the discharge port 105 being pulled out by the user.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the apparatus main body for explaining the embodiment.

  The apparatus main body 100 is provided with a speaker 501 as a means for notifying that it is ready to be taken out.

  In addition, by providing the earphone jack 502 and the radio signal transmission device 503 for the wireless earphone, it is possible to work without leaking the sound that informs that it is ready to be taken out to the surrounding environment.

  An indicator lamp 504 and a liquid crystal panel 505 are also provided to notify the user that uncut / cut is completed.

  Next, notification control by the main control unit in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In this embodiment, while performing the cutting operation, the position of the cutter 131 is detected, and until the cutting is completed, the speaker 501 and the like are informed that it is in an uncut state, and when the cutting is completed, The completion of cutting (the label piece 200 can be taken out) is notified by the speaker 501 or the like.

  Note that the sound notification is preferably terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Thereby, before the cutting of the printing medium 2 is completed, it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as the printing medium 2 partially protruding from the discharge port 105 being pulled out by the user. Further, even if the user keeps an eye on the apparatus for other work or the like, the completion of the cut can be recognized quickly and the work efficiency can be improved.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of the discharge port for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the medium sensor 511 is disposed on the exterior side surface 100A, and the distance from the exterior side surface 100A to the print medium 2 is detected.

  In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the print medium 2 is hanging, the print medium 2 can be detected by the medium sensor 511.

  From this state, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the user lifts the print medium 2 to pull out the print medium 2, the print medium 2 is removed from the detection area of the medium sensor 511, and the print medium 2 can be detected. Disappear.

  Therefore, when the print medium 2 is no longer detected by the medium sensor 511 before the cut is completed, a warning sound is output so as not to touch the print medium 2 to the user.

  Next, notification control by the main control unit in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the cutter 131 is detected while the cutting operation is being performed, and a notification that the cutting is not performed is made until the cutting is completed.

  At this time, when the print sensor 2 is no longer detected by the medium sensor 511 due to the user pulling the print medium 2 or the like, a warning sound is output using a speaker or a buzzer.

  When the cut is completed, various notification means are used to notify the completion of the cut (the label piece 200 can be taken out).

  Thereby, before the cutting of the print medium 2 is completed, it is possible to prevent inconvenience due to the user pulling out a part of the print medium 2 from the discharge port 105.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the notification control by the main control unit for explaining the embodiment.

  This embodiment is an example in which default setting information for cut completion notification is included in print job data.

  The default information is information regarding whether or not to notify cut completion.

  Accordingly, whether or not to notify the completion of cut can be set on the host side in accordance with the characteristics of the print medium.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the apparatus main body for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a cover unit 508 is provided on the outer surface of the apparatus main body 100. The cover unit 508 includes a movable cover 510 that is slidable between a closed position that covers the discharge port 105 and an open position that opens the discharge port 105. The movable cover 510 may be movable between a closed position and an open position by rotation.

  Therefore, the user does not touch the print medium 2 by closing the movable cover 510 until the cutting is completed.

  Next, notification control by the main control unit in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the cutter 131 is detected while the cutting operation is being performed, and a notification that the cutting is not performed is made until the cutting is completed. At this time, the movable cover 510 is closed (closed position).

  When the cut is completed, various notification means are used to notify the completion of the cut (the label piece 200 can be taken out). Then, the movable cover 510 is opened (open position).

  Thereby, before the cutting of the print medium 2 is completed, it is possible to reliably prevent inconvenience due to the user pulling out a part of the print medium 2 from the discharge port 105.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of a discharge port for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the exterior side surface 100A is provided with a movable cover 601 that can be expanded and contracted above the discharge port 105. The movable cover 601 is provided with a thread-like member 612 that inserts, for example, three cylindrical members so that they can be sequentially pulled out, and connects the motor 611 and the tip of the movable cover 601.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the movable cover 601 is stretched (deployed) by its own weight to cover the vicinity of the discharge port 105, and as shown in FIG. 61 is wound and accommodated in a cylindrical member on the side close to the exterior side surface 100 </ b> A, and moves between an open position where the front of the discharge port 100 is opened.

  Further, on the exterior side surface 100A, a paper discharge tray 602 that supports the print medium 2 is rotatably attached to the lower side of the discharge port 105, and a motor 621 that is a driving source for rotating the paper discharge tray 602 is provided.

  The paper discharge tray 602 supports a first position along the exterior side surface 100A shown in FIG. 15A and a second position that supports the print medium 2 (label piece 200) away from the exterior side surface 100A shown in FIG. Rotate between.

  Thus, until the cutting of the print medium 2 is completed, the movable cover 601 is closed as shown in FIG. 15A so that the user cannot take out the print medium 2. At this time, the paper discharge tray 602 is lowered so as not to hit the movable cover 601.

  When the cutting of the print medium 2 is completed and the label piece 200 of the print medium 2 is ready to be taken out, the movable cover 601 is contracted to the open position as shown in FIG. By adjusting the angle using the motor 621, the paper discharge tray 602 is lifted to facilitate the removal of the label piece 200.

  Next, notification control by the main control unit in the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the cutter 131 is detected while the cutting operation is being performed, and a notification that the cutting is not performed is made until the cutting is completed. At this time, the movable cover 601 is set to the closed position, and the paper discharge tray 602 is set to the first position (the lowered position).

  When the cutting is completed, the cutting completion is notified (the label piece 200 can be taken out), the movable cover 601 is set to the open position, and the paper discharge tray 602 is set to the second position (the raised position). .

  Thereby, before the cutting of the print medium 2 is completed, it is possible to reliably prevent inconvenience due to the user pulling out a part of the print medium 2 from the discharge port 105.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of a discharge port for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a sheet discharge tray 603 that can be expanded and contracted is provided as the sheet discharge tray in the sixth embodiment.

  Thus, the length of the paper discharge tray 603 can be adjusted according to the length of the label piece 200, and the label piece 200 can be reliably supported by the paper discharge tray 603 and can be handled easily.

  Next, notification control by the main control unit in the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the cutter 131 is detected while the cutting operation is being performed, and a notification that the cutting is not performed is made until the cutting is completed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17A, the movable cover 601 is set to the closed position, and the paper discharge tray 603 is set to the first position (the lowered position) in the stored state.

  When the cutting is completed, the cutting completion is notified (the label piece 200 can be taken out), the movable cover 601 is set to the open position as shown in FIG. 17B, and further, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper discharge tray 603 is set to the second position (the raised position) with a length corresponding to the size of the label piece 200 (image size).

  Thereby, before the cutting of the print medium 2 is completed, it is possible to reliably prevent inconvenience due to the user pulling out a part of the print medium 2 from the discharge port 105.

  Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of a discharge port for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge tray 604 is configured such that a plurality of tray members 641 are connected by a shaft 642 and the thread-like member 643 is wound or loosened by a motor 644 so that the length of the discharge receiving surface can be changed. Yes.

  Since it comprised in this way, when the printing medium 2 is an uncut state, as shown to Fig.19 (a), the movable cover 604 is expand | deployed (expanded), and a user cannot take out the printing medium 2. FIG.

  When the cutting of the printing medium 2 is completed and the user can take out the label piece 200, the movable cover 604 is accommodated and the printing medium 2 is stored as shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C. Can be taken out.

  At the same time, the user can easily remove the label piece 200 by driving the motor 644 to lift the paper discharge tray 604.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 19B, when the length of the cut label piece 200 is short, the discharge tray 604 is in a short state.

  As shown in FIG. 19C, when the length of the cut label piece 200 is long, based on the image data given from the host side, the length of the label piece> the discharge receiving surface length. Under these conditions, the paper discharge tray 604 is automatically developed in several steps.

  Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of the discharge port for explaining the embodiment, and FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of the discharge tray.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the sheet discharge tray 605 has one end portion of the sheet member 658 fixed to the fixing portion 655 a, hung around the roller 656, and the motor 654 is rotated to The end portion is fixed to a fixing portion 655 b provided on the motor 653. The roller 656 is movably disposed on the motor 654 side, and a spring 657 is provided between the motor 654 and the roller 656 to push them away.

  When the sheet member 658 is wound around the sheet discharge tray 605 by the motor 654, the roller 656 moves to the motor 654 side, the distance from the motor 654 is shortened, and the sheet discharge tray 605 is shortened. Conversely, the motor 654 is rotated in the direction in which the sheet member 658 is loosened, and the restoring force of the spring 657 moves the roller 656 to the opposite side of the motor 654, increasing the distance from the motor 654 and increasing the length of the paper discharge tray 605. Become.

  Since it comprised in this way, when the printing medium 2 is an uncut state, as shown to Fig.20 (a), the movable cover 601 is expand | deployed (expanded), and a user cannot take out the printing medium 2. FIG.

  When the cutting of the print medium 2 is completed and the user can take out the label piece 200, the movable cover 601 is accommodated and the print medium 2 is stored as shown in FIGS. Can be taken out.

  At the same time, driving the motor 653 to lift the paper discharge tray 605 makes it easier for the user to remove the label piece 200.

  At this time, when the length of the cut label piece 200 is short, the discharge tray 605 is set to a short state as shown in FIG.

  Further, when the cut label piece 200 is long, the discharge tray 605 is automatically and continuously unfolded on the condition that the length of the label piece> the discharge receiving surface length based on the image data. Let

  In each of the above embodiments, an example is described in which it is detected that the print medium can be removed when the cutter unit 31 detects that the print medium 2 has been cut. This is not a limitation.

  In other words, when an image is formed by the liquid ejection method, a required time is required until the droplets forming the image are dried. However, if the user touches before drying, the image is disturbed. Therefore, when it is detected that a predetermined drying time has elapsed after image formation, it may be informed that the printing medium can be taken out, and a notification or taking-out state may be set. Embodiments can be applied.

  In this case, the time required for drying is preferably set based on at least one of the type of print medium, image information, and type of liquid.

  In each of the above embodiments, an example is described in which notification is performed after cutting by a cutting means (cutter unit). However, in the case of a configuration in which cutting is performed manually, the information is taken out while cutting after notification. .

  Note that “image formation” in the present application not only applies an image having a meaning such as a character or a figure to a medium but also an image having no meaning such as a pattern or the like (simply a droplet). To land on the medium).

  The “ink” is not limited to an ink unless otherwise specified, but includes any liquid that can form an image, such as a recording liquid, a fixing processing liquid, or a liquid. Used generically.

  Further, the image forming apparatus includes both a serial type image forming apparatus and a line type image forming apparatus, unless otherwise limited.

2 Print medium 4 Roll body 11 Recording head 21 Protection belt (conveyance belt)
22 Conveying Roller 24 Opposing Roller 31 Cutter Unit 32 Discharge Roller 33 Spur Roller 100 Apparatus Main Body 101 Paper Feeding Unit 102 Image Forming Unit 103 Conveying Unit 104 Paper Discharging Unit 105 Discharge Port 510 Movable Cover 601 Movable Cover 602 to 605 Paper Discharge Tray

Claims (8)

A roll-shaped print medium having an adhesive surface and no release paper on the adhesive surface;
Image forming means for forming an image on the print medium;
A discharge port for discharging the print medium on which the image is formed to the outside of the apparatus main body;
Conveying means for conveying the print medium opposite to the image forming means, and stopping and holding a part of the print medium on which the image is formed in a state of being discharged from the discharge port;
Detecting means for detecting that it is possible to take out the print medium partially discharged from the discharge port;
Means for notifying that the removal is possible when the detection means detects that the print medium can be removed, or a means for making the removal possible. An image forming apparatus. Cutting means for cutting the print medium;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects that the print medium can be taken out when the cutting unit completes the cutting of the print medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detecting unit detects that the cutting of the printing medium is completed based on a size of the printing medium and a position of a cutting blade of the cutting unit. The image forming means is means for forming an image by discharging droplets,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects that the printing medium can be taken out after a predetermined drying time has elapsed after image formation.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the drying time is set based on at least one of a type of the print medium, image information, and a type of the liquid. The means for enabling the removal is as follows:
A movable cover that covers a part of the print medium discharged from the discharge port;
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is opened when it is detected that the print medium can be taken out. The means for enabling the removal is as follows:
The discharge port includes a discharge tray that is movable between a first position along the exterior of the apparatus main body and a second position that supports the print medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the cover is opened, the paper discharge tray is moved to the second position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the paper discharge tray is extendable and contractible.

Images