JP2015066894A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tape printer that enables a user to easily peel a release material layer off regardless of whether the width of a printed tape generated is wide or narrow, thereby improving user's convenience.SOLUTION: A label printer 1 includes: a print head 23; a cutting mechanism 15 for cutting a printed cover film 103, an adhesive layer 101c and release paper 101d at a cutting point to make a printed label L having a desired length; and a half-cut unit 35 for cutting only the release paper 101d included in the printed label L at a half-cutting point. The label printer stores a first correlation that variably sets the number or positions of half-cutting points of one printed label L according to the length of the printed tape, corrects the stored first correlation according to the width of the cover film 103 to newly generate a second correlation, and controls a tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the cutting mechanism 15, and the half-cut unit 35 in a coordinated manner thereby to generate the printed label L having the number or positions of the half-cutting points according to the second correlation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape printer that performs printing on a print-receiving tape, and more particularly, to a tape printer that includes a half-cut mechanism for cutting release paper laminated on the back side of a print-receiving tape via an adhesive layer. .

  Conventionally, release paper is laminated on the back side of the print-receiving tape via an adhesive layer, the print-receiving tape after printing is cut into print labels of a predetermined length, and the release paper is provided at least at one place on the print label. A tape printing apparatus is known in which only half is cut to form a half-cut portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This tape printer is provided with a pair of cutters for half-cutting, one of which forms a half-cut portion with respect to the release paper on the print label side after printing, and the other is peeled off on the print-receiving tape side before printing. A half cut portion is formed on the paper.

  Therefore, half-cut portions are formed at predetermined positions on both ends of the subsequent print labels.

No. 6-34126

  However, in the tape printer described above. A half-cut portion is formed in a portion retracted to the center side by a predetermined length from both ends of the printed label after printing, and one of them is formed first regardless of the length of the printed label after printing. It was.

  Therefore, even if the print label is extremely short, the release paper is divided into three parts, so that there is a slight release paper between both ends of the print label, that is, in the center of the print label, and it is peeled off. There was a problem that was troublesome.

  On the contrary, when the print label has a certain length, a long release paper remains in the center of the print label. In such a case, when attaching the print label to the object while peeling off the release paper at the center, make sure that the print label is bent or has a good appearance such as wrinkles. There was a problem that was difficult.

  In addition, the occurrence of bending and wrinkles at the time of sticking becomes more precise as the tape width of the tape to be printed becomes narrower, and the fact that the printed label tends to stick to the hands of workers due to static electricity. As a result, there has been a problem that it is difficult to apply a good-looking paste.

  The object of the present invention is to ensure that the user can easily peel off the release material layer regardless of the width of the generated printed tape. As a result, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printer that can improve user convenience.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a print-receiving layer on which printing is formed, an adhesive layer provided on one side in the thickness direction of the print-receiving layer, and attached to an object to be attached, and the adhesive A tape printing apparatus for producing a printed tape comprising a release material layer provided so as to be peelable so as to cover one side in the thickness direction of the layer, and transporting means for transporting at least the print-receiving layer Printing means for forming the print on the print-receiving layer conveyed by the conveying means; the print-receiving layer on which the printing is formed by the printing means; the adhesive layer; and the release material layer. A cutting means for cutting at a desired cutting site and forming the printed tape with a desired full length, a semi-cutting device for cutting only the release material layer included in the printed tape at a desired half-cutting site, One said mark Correlation storage means for storing the first correlation for variably setting the number or position of the half-cut sites in the finished tape according to the total length, and the first correlation stored in the correlation storage means, The correlation correction unit, which generates a new second correlation by correcting according to the width of the print-receiving tape, and the conveyance unit, the cutting unit, and the half-cutting unit are controlled in cooperation, and the correlation correction is performed. And a linkage control unit that generates the printed tape having the number or positions of the half-cut portions according to the second correlation generated by the unit.
In the tape printer of the present invention, a printed tape having a printing layer, an adhesive layer, and a release material layer is generated. That is, at least the printing layer is conveyed by the conveying unit, and desired printing is formed on the printing layer by the printing unit. The printed tape having a desired overall length by cutting the printed layer, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the release material layer on which printing is formed at a desired cutting site (so-called full cut line) by a cutting means. Is generated. When the generated printed tape is used, the tape is attached to a desired application target using the adhesive force of the adhesive layer exposed by the user peeling off the release material layer.

  Here, in the present invention, a semi-cut site is formed in the release material layer for the convenience of peeling off the release material layer. That is, when the printed tape is generated, only the release material layer included in the printed tape is cut at a desired half-cut site. Thereby, in one printed tape, since the release material layer is finely divided by the half-cut portion, it is easier to peel off than in the case of a single piece of tape-like shape.

  And in this invention, in order to make the said peeling further easier, the number and position of the half cut site | part formed as mentioned above are variably set according to the full length of the said printed tape. That is, for example, in the printed tape, when the interval between the cut portion and the half cut portion is set equal to each other, the half cut portion is set so that the value of the interval is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value. Is set. In addition, for example, in the above-mentioned printed tape, it is set so that two half-cut portions are provided at positions separated by a predetermined distance (first distance) on both sides in the tape length direction from the bisection position of the entire length. Also, for example, a predetermined distance along the tape length direction from a predetermined feature point of the printed tape (for example, an end portion on one side in the tape length direction or a portion where an appropriate image or the like is printed on the print target layer) (Second distance) It is set so that one half-cutting site is provided at a position away from it. The correlation (first correlation) for making these settings is stored in the correlation storage means.

  However, when the peeling material layer is peeled off manually by the user as described above, the width of the tape is greatly affected. That is, when the tape width is narrow, compared to a case where the tape width is wide, it becomes difficult to handle because it becomes easier to stick to the fingertip or difficult to lift with a finger. Therefore, in the present invention, the correlation correction unit corrects the first correlation set and stored as described above according to the width of the print-receiving tape, and generates a new second correlation.

  That is, for example, when the interval between the cutting portion and the half cutting portion is set to be equal to or smaller than the first threshold value as described above, the width of the tape to be printed is set to a predetermined threshold value (second If it is less than (threshold), the maximum value of the number of half-cut sites is limited to one. Further, as described above, when the two half-cut portions are provided at the first distance from the bisected position of the full length of the printed tape, the first distance is increased as the width of the print-receiving tape is narrower. Further, as described above, when one half-cut portion is provided at a position away from the predetermined feature point of the printed tape by the second distance, the second distance is increased as the width of the print-receiving tape is narrowed. Then, by controlling the cooperative control means, the conveying means, the cutting means, and the semi-cutting means are controlled in cooperation, so that the number or position of semi-cut portions based on the second correlation generated as described above is formed. Is done.

  As a result, according to the tape printer of the present invention, the user can easily and easily peel off the release material layer regardless of the width of the generated printed tape. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

  According to the present invention, the user can surely easily peel off the release material layer regardless of the width of the generated printed tape. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a print label generation system including a print label creation device operated by an operation terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the whole structure of a printed label production apparatus. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing an internal unit provided in a housing together with a cartridge. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of a printed label production apparatus. (A) is sectional drawing of the produced printing label, (B) is sectional drawing of the printing label of the state which peeled off a part of release paper. It is a flowchart showing the control content of the label creation job distribution process executed by the operation terminal. It is a flowchart showing the control content of the print label production process which a label production apparatus performs based on control of an operating terminal. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between a print label and a half cut line according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a routine of a CPU that determines the half-cut position according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a print label and a half cut line according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a routine of a CPU for determining a half-cut position according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a print label and a half cut line according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a routine of a CPU for determining a half-cut position according to a third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a print label generation system.

  FIG. 1 shows a print label generation system including a print label generation apparatus, which is a print generation apparatus in the present embodiment, and a terminal connected to the print label generation apparatus in order to execute the print generation method in the present embodiment. Show. In the print label generation system LS, the print label production apparatus 1 is connected to a terminal 118 such as a general-purpose computer via a wired or wireless communication line NW.

  The terminal 118 includes an operation unit 118a composed of a keyboard or a mouse, a display unit 118b composed of a liquid crystal display, a CPU (calculation means), RAM, ROM, HDD (all not shown), and the like. The CPU executes various programs stored in advance in the HDD while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM. As a result, the entire print label producing apparatus 1 is controlled. The stored program also includes a program for realizing creation of the print label L according to the present embodiment.

<Overall structure of label production device>
The overall structure of the print label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printed label producing apparatus 1 may have an apparatus main body 2 having a substantially hexahedron (substantially cubic) -shaped casing 200 on the outer shell, and can be opened and closed (or detachable) on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. Open / close lid 3.

  The casing 200 of the apparatus main body 2 is located on the front side of the apparatus (the left front side in FIG. 2), and has a front wall 10 provided with a label discharge port 11 for discharging the printed label L created in the apparatus main body 2 to the outside. And a front lid 12 which is provided below the label discharge port 11 in the front wall 10 and whose lower end is rotatably supported.

  The front lid 12 includes a pressing portion 13, and the front lid 12 is opened forward by pushing the pressing portion 13 from above. A power key 14 for turning on / off the power of the print label producing apparatus 1 is provided at one end of the front wall 10. Below the power key 14, a cutter drive key 90 is provided for enabling the full cut unit (cutting means) 15 disposed in the apparatus main body 2 to be driven by a user's manual operation.

  The opening / closing lid 3 is pivotally supported at the end of the apparatus main body 2 on the right back side in FIG. 2 and is always urged in the opening direction via an urging member such as a spring. Then, when the open / close button 4 disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 so as to be adjacent to the open / close lid 3 is pressed, the lock between the open / close lid 3 and the apparatus main body 2 is released and opened by the action of the biasing member. Is done. A see-through window 5 covered with a transparent cover is provided at the center side of the opening / closing lid 3.

<Internal unit>
An internal unit provided in the housing 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the internal unit of the print label producing apparatus 1 is roughly composed of a cartridge holder 6 that accommodates the cartridge 7, and a print mechanism 21 that includes a print head (thermal head) 23 as print means. The full-cut unit 15, the half-cut unit 35 (half-cutting means), which is located downstream of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 in the tape transport direction, and includes a cradle 38 and a half cutter 34, and a label discharge mechanism (see FIG. (Not shown).

  The print head 23 includes a large number of heating elements, and is attached to a head attachment portion (not shown) provided upright on the cartridge holder 6.

  The cartridge holder 6 stores the cartridge 7 so that the width direction of the printed label tape 109 discharged from the tape discharge portion of the cartridge 7 and further discharged from the label discharge port 11 is the vertical vertical direction.

  The cartridge 7 includes a housing 7A and a first roll 102 disposed in the housing 7A and wound with a band-shaped base tape 101 (actually, it is spiral, but is simply shown as a concentric circle in the figure). A second roll 104 wound with a transparent cover film 103 having substantially the same width as that of the base tape 101 (actually a spiral shape, but is simply shown as a concentric circle in the figure), and an ink ribbon 105 (Thermal transfer ribbon, but not required if the tape to be printed is a thermal tape) Ribbon supply side roll 111, ribbon take-up roller 106 for winding the ribbon 105 after printing, and rotation near the tape discharge portion of the cartridge 7 And a tape feed roller 27 supported in a possible manner. The cover film 103 and the printed label tape 109 in which the base tape 101 is bonded to the cover film 103 constitute a print-receiving tape and a print-receiving medium described in each claim.

  The first roll 102 has the base tape 101 wound around a reel member 102a. In this example, the base tape 101 has a four-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3), from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 3) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3), Adhesive layer 101a made of an appropriate adhesive material, colored base film (base material layer) 101b made of PEL (polyethylene terephthalate), etc., adhesive layer made of an appropriate adhesive material (adhesive layer for attachment) 101c, They are laminated in the order of release paper (release material layer) 101d.

  The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive is formed on the back side (the left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b. The release paper 101d is adhered to the base film 101b by the layer 101c.

  The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a.

  The housing 7 </ b> A has a detected part 190. On the other hand, a cartridge sensor 81 is provided at a position corresponding to the detected portion 190 of the cartridge holder 6. The cartridge sensor 81 detects the mounting state of the cartridge 7 and detects cartridge information (tape attribute information) related to the type of the cartridge 7.

  On the other hand, a roller holder (not shown) is also pivotally supported on the cartridge holder 6 by a support shaft, and can be switched between a printing position (contact position) and a release position (separation position) by a switching mechanism. Has been. In the roller holder, a platen roller 26 and a tape pressing roller 28 are rotatably arranged. When the roller holder is switched to the printing position, the platen roller 26 and the tape pressure roller 28 are pressed against the print head 23 and the tape feed roller 27. The tape feed roller 27 of the cartridge 7 feeds the tape in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3 while pressing and bonding the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 to form the printed label tape 109. The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in conjunction with the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 and the tape feed roller drive shaft (conveying means) 108. As a result, a conveyance driving force is applied to the printed label tape 109 and the ink ribbon 105, respectively. The ribbon take-up roller driving shaft 107 and the tape feeding roller driving shaft 108 are driven by a gear mechanism (not shown) driven by a conveying motor 119 (see FIG. 4 to be described later) provided outside the cartridge 7, for example, a pulse motor. It is driven by being transmitted through.

  The full cut unit 15 includes a fixed blade 40 and a movable blade 41 made of a metal member. The driving force of the cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 4 described later) is transmitted to the handle portion of the movable blade 41 through the cutter helical gear, the boss, and the long hole, and the movable blade 41 rotates. In this way, the movable blade 41 cooperates with the fixed blade 40 in all layers of the printed label tape 109 (cover film 103, adhesive layer 101a, base film 101b, adhesive layer 101c, and release paper 101d). Is cut (totally cut) in the thickness direction, and a full cut is made at the portion to be the rear end of the label along the transport direction. This fully cut state is detected by a micro switch (not shown) that is switched by the action of the cutter helical gear cam.

  In the half-cut unit 35, a cradle 38 and a half cutter 34 are arranged to face each other. The half cutter 34 is rotated by a driving force of a half cutter motor 129 (see FIG. 4 described later) around a predetermined rotation fulcrum (not shown). As a result, the half cutter 34 cooperates with the cradle 38 to form a half-cut line HC (see FIG. 5 described later) only on the release paper 101d at a predetermined position in the label tape 109 with print. .

  The label discharge mechanism discharges the printed label tape 109 (in other words, the above-described print label L, the same applies hereinafter) after being completely cut in the full cut unit 15 from the label discharge port 11 (see FIG. 2). That is, the label discharging mechanism sandwiches a drive roller 51 (see FIG. 4 described later) that is rotated by a driving force of a tape discharging motor 65 (see FIG. 4 described later), and a label tape 109 that has been printed on the drive roller 51. And a pressing roller (not shown) opposed to each other.

<Operation of internal unit>
In the internal unit configured as described above, when the cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roll holder is moved from the release position to the print position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are moved to the print head 23, the platen roller 26, and the like. In addition, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feed roller 27 and the tape pressure roller 28. Then, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in synchronization with the directions indicated by arrows B and C in FIG. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108 is connected to the tape pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 by a gear mechanism (not shown), and the tape feed roller 27 is driven by the drive of the tape feed roller drive shaft 108. Then, the tape pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 rotate, and the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. The ink ribbon 105 driven by the ribbon supply side roll 111 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103 by being pressed against the print head 23. A plurality of heating elements of the print head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 4 described later). As a result, a print R (see FIG. 5 described later) based on the print data from the terminal 118 is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 along the transport direction. Then, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the tape pressing roller 28 to form a printed label tape 109. From the tape discharge section The cartridge is transported out of the cartridge 7 at a predetermined speed Vs (details will be described later). The ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107.

  Then, the full cut unit 15 performs the full cut on the printed label tape 109 bonded and produced as described above (or the half cut is appropriately performed by the half cut unit 35), and the print label L Is generated. The label tape 109 (print label L) is then further discharged from the label discharge port 11 (see FIG. 2) by the label discharge mechanism.

<Control system of label production device>
A control system of the print label producing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. A control circuit 110 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged on a control board (not shown) of the print label producing apparatus 1.

  The control circuit 110 includes a CPU 111 that controls each device, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 111 via a data bus 112, a CGROM 114, ROMs 115 and 116, and a RAM 117.

  The ROM 116 reads a print buffer data in response to an operation signal input from the terminal 118 and prints a print drive control program for driving the print head 23 and the conveyance motor 119. The label tape 109 is transported by driving the transport motor 119 to the full cutting position or the semi-cutting position, and the cutter motor 43 or the half cutter motor 129 is driven to cut the printed label tape 109 completely or partially. Cutting drive control program, tape discharge program for forcibly discharging the completely cut label tape 109 (= print label L) from the label discharge port 11 by driving the tape discharge motor 65, and other print label producing apparatus 1 Various programs necessary for the control are stored. The CPU 111 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 116.

  The RAM 117 is provided with a text memory 117A, a print buffer 117B, a correlation storage area (correlation storage means) 117c, a parameter storage area 117E, and the like. Print data input from the terminal 118 is stored in the text memory 117A. In the print buffer 117B, a dot pattern for printing such as a plurality of characters and symbols, the number of applied pulses that is the amount of energy for forming each dot, and the like are stored as dot pattern data. The print head 23 is stored in the print buffer 117B. Dot printing is performed according to the existing dot pattern data. The correlation storage area (correlation storage means) 117c stores a first correlation for variably setting the number or position of half-cut positions in one print label L according to the total length. Various calculation data and the like are stored in the parameter storage area 117E.

  In the input / output interface 113, the terminal 118, the print drive circuit 120 for driving the print head 23, the transport motor drive circuit 121 for driving the transport motor 119, and the cutter motor 43 are driven. The cutter motor driving circuit 122, the half cutter motor driving circuit 128 for driving the half cutter motor 129, and the tape discharging motor driving circuit 123 for driving the tape discharging motor 65 are connected.

  In such a control system having the control circuit 110 as the core, when the print data such as character data is input via the terminal 118, the text (document data) is sequentially stored in the text memory 117A and printed. The head 23 is driven via the drive circuit 120, and each heating element is selectively driven to generate heat corresponding to the printing dots for one line, and the dot pattern data stored in the printing buffer 117B is printed. In synchronization, the transport motor 119 controls the transport of the tape via the drive circuit 121.

  An example of the printed label L created by the printed label producing apparatus 1 using the printed label tape 109 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each print label L shown in FIG. 5 includes a print area where the print R is printed on the cover film 103. In the print label L, desired prints R are respectively printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 in the print region S. The print label L has a different length (tape length) along the transport direction depending on the print content (number of characters, character size, etc.).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the plurality of print labels L are created with a connection structure in which only the release paper 101d is divided along the half-cut line HC serving as a boundary between each other.

  The print label L has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 103 is added to the layer structure described above. That is, from the cover film 103 side toward the opposite side, the cover film 103, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d constitute five layers.

  As described above, the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on the one side (back side) in the thickness direction of the cover film 103 as the print-receiving layer on which printing is formed, and is attached to the object to be attached. A print label L including the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a and a release paper 101d as a release material layer provided so as to be peelable so as to cover one side (back side) in the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a is generated.

The print label L is printed on the cover film 103 by the print head 23 as the printing means while being conveyed in a tape state by at least a tape feed roller drive shaft 108 as a conveying means for conveying the cover film 103. By cutting the cover film 103, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a, and the release paper 101d at a desired full-cut position by the full-cut unit 15 as a cutting means, a print label L having a desired overall length is obtained.
Further, the print label L is cut at a desired half-cut position only by the release paper 101d included in the print label L by a half-cut unit 35 serving as a half-cut means. Hereinafter, the details will be described in order.

<Control contents of operation terminal>
The label creation job distribution process executed by the CPU of the terminal 118 to realize the above will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S10, the CPU of the terminal 118 accepts an operation input of the print contents of the print label L that the operator intends to create, for example, which is input by the operator appropriately operating the operation unit 118a.

  In step S20, the CPU of the terminal 118 generates print data corresponding to the print contents received in step S10.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S30, and the CPU of the terminal 118 transmits the generated print data to the print label producing apparatus 1.

<Label creation process>
Next, a label creation process executed by the CPU 111 of the control circuit 110 of the print label producing apparatus 1 based on the print data received from the terminal 118 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7, when a predetermined label production operation is performed by the label production apparatus 1 via the terminal 118, this flow is started. First, in step S <b> 100, the CPU 111 acquires print data from the terminal 118. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S120, the CPU 111 sets a half-cut position based on the print data from the terminal 118 acquired in step S100, and proceeds to step S12. The detailed setting of the half cut position will be described later.

  In step S <b> 120, the CPU 111 outputs a control signal to the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 via the input / output interface 113, and rotationally drives the tape feeding roller 27 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 with the driving force of the conveyance motor 121. Further, a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor 65 via the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 to drive the drive roller 51 to rotate. Accordingly, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are They are bonded and integrated by the tape feed roller 27 and the sub-roller 109 to form a printed label tape 109, which is further conveyed from the outside of the cartridge 7 to the outside of the label producing apparatus 1.

  Thereafter, in step S130, the CPU 111 counts the number of pulses output from the appropriate known technique (the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the conveyance motor 119, which is a pulse motor), based on the print data acquired in step S100. And the like), whether or not the cover film 103 has reached the print start position by the print head 23 is determined. The determination is not satisfied until the print start position is reached, and the loop waits. When the print start position is reached, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S140.

  In step S140, the CPU 111 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, energizes the print head 23, and prints the print area S of the cover film 103 acquired in step S100. Printing of the print R of characters, symbols, barcodes, etc. corresponding to the data is started.

  In step S150, based on the print data acquired in step S100, the CPU 111 causes the printed label tape 109 to be printed on the rear end portion of the print label L (along the transport direction) by a known method similar to step S130. Then, it is determined whether or not the sheet has been transported to a half-cut position located at a boundary between the print label L and the print label L that follows the print label L. In other words, the CPU 111 determines whether the printed label tape 109 has reached the position where the half cutter 34 of the half cut mechanism 35 faces the half cut line HC. If the determination is not satisfied until the CPU reaches the half-cut position (S150: NO), the CPU 111 waits for a loop. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied (S150: YES), and the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S <b> 160, the CPU 111 stops the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 to stop the conveyance of the printed label tape 109. Thus, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and the cover film 103 from the second roll 104 in a state where the half cutter 34 of the half cut mechanism 35 faces the half cut line HC of the print label L. And the feeding of the printed label tape 109 are stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S170, the CPU 111 outputs a control signal to the half cutter motor drive circuit 128 via the input / output interface 113 to drive the half cutter motor 129, and rotates the half cutter 34 to divide only the release paper 101d. (= Half cut) A half cut process for forming a half cut line HC is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S180.

  In step S180, the CPU 111 determines whether or not half-cut lines HC are formed at all the half-cut positions set in step S110. If the determination is not satisfied until the half-cut line HC is formed at all the half-cut positions (S180: NO), the CPU 111 waits for a loop in step S50, and if reached, the determination is satisfied (S180: YES), step S190. Move on.

  In step S190, the CPU 111 determines based on the print data whether the printed label tape 109 has been transported to the print end position. The determination at this time may be detected by a known method as described above. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S200.

  In step S200, the CPU 111 also outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, stops energization of the print head 23, and stops printing of the print R. As a result, printing of the print R on the print area S of one print label L is completed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, based on the print data acquired in step S100, the CPU 111 causes the printed label tape 109 to be printed on the rear end portion of the print label L (along the transport direction) by a known method similar to step S130. Then, it is determined whether or not the sheet has been conveyed to the full cut position located at the boundary of the print label L following the print label L). In other words, the CPU 111 determines whether the printed label tape 109 has reached the position where the movable blade 41 of the full cut unit 15 faces the full cut position. The determination is not satisfied until the full cut position is reached, and the loop waits. If it reaches, the determination is satisfied (S210: YES), and the process proceeds to step S220.

  In step S220, the CPU 111 outputs a control signal to the transport motor drive circuit 121 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, stops driving the transport motor 119 and the tape discharge motor 65, and The rotation of the feed roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the drive roller 51 is stopped. As a result, in the process in which the printed label tape 109 fed out from the cartridge 7 moves in the discharge direction, the movable blade 41 of the full cut unit 15 faces the full cut position of the print label L in the first direction. The feeding of the base tape 101 from the roll 102, the feeding of the cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the printed label tape 109 are stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S230, the CPU 111 outputs a control signal to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 to drive the cutter motor 43, and rotates the movable blade 41 of the full cut unit 15 to cover the printed label tape 109. The film 103, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d are all cut (= all cut) and a full cut process is performed. By being cut by the full cut unit 15, it is separated from the printed label tape 109, and one print label L is generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S240, in which the CPU 111 outputs control signals to the transport motor drive circuit 121 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, and the tape feed roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the drive roller 51. Is rotated to resume the transport of the printed label tape 109. As a result, conveyance by the driving roller 51 is started, and the generated print label L is conveyed toward the label discharge port 11 and discharged from the label discharge port 11 to the outside of the label producing apparatus 1, and this flow is finished. To do.

  The main part of the present embodiment is based on the length and width of the print label L that can be acquired in advance as the creation position of the half-cut line HC when creating a plurality of print labels L using the label producing apparatus 1. It is to set automatically.

  Specifically, the CPU 111 of the label producing apparatus 1 correlates the first correlation for setting the number or position of the half-cut positions in one print label L variably according to the total length in the step 110. Is stored in the correlation storage area 117c, and the first correlation is corrected in accordance with the width of the tape to be printed to generate a new second correlation to generate the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the full cut unit 15, And the half-cut unit 35 are controlled in a coordinated manner, and the print label L having the number or position of the half-cut positions according to the second correlation is generated.

  In the tape printer 1 of this embodiment, the print label L having the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, and the release paper 101d is generated. That is, at least the cover film 103 is conveyed by the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, and a desired print is formed on the cover film 103 by the print head 23. The cover film 103, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a, and the release paper 101d on which printing is formed are cut at a desired full-cut position (so-called full-cut line) by the full-cut unit 15, thereby providing a desired overall length. The print label L is generated. When the generated print label L is used, it is affixed to a desired application target using the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 101a exposed by peeling the release paper 101d by the user.

  Here, in this embodiment, a half-cut position is formed on the release paper 101d for the convenience of peeling off the release paper 101d. That is, when the print label L is generated, only the release paper 101d included in the print label L is cut at a desired half-cut position. As a result, in one print label L, the release paper 101d is finely divided by the half-cut position, so that it is easier to peel off than in the case of a single piece of tape-like shape.

  In this embodiment, in order to further facilitate the peeling, the number and positions of the half-cut positions formed as described above are variably set according to the total length of the print label L. . That is, for example, in the print label L, when the interval between the full cut position and the half cut position is set to be equal to each other, the half cut is performed so that the value of the interval is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value. The number of positions is set. Further, for example, in the print label L, two half-cut positions are set so as to be provided at predetermined distances (first distances) on both sides in the tape length direction from the bisection position of the full length. Further, for example, a predetermined feature point of the print label L (for example, an end portion on one side of the tape length direction or a portion where an appropriate image or the like is printed on the cover film 103) is predetermined along the tape length direction. It is set so that one half-cut position is provided at a position separated by a distance (second distance). The correlation (first correlation) for performing these settings is stored in the correlation storage area 117c.

  However, when the user peels the release paper 101d manually as described above, the width of the tape is greatly affected. That is, when the tape width is narrow, compared to a case where the tape width is wide, it becomes difficult to handle because it becomes easier to stick to the fingertip or difficult to lift with a finger. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 111 corrects the first correlation set and stored as described above according to the width of the print-receiving tape, and generates a new second correlation.

  That is, for example, when the interval between the full cut position and the half cut position is set to be equal to or smaller than the first threshold value as described above, the width of the print-receiving tape is set to a predetermined threshold value (second If the threshold value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the maximum number of half-cut positions is limited to one. Further, as described above, when the two half-cut positions are provided at a first distance from the bisected position of the entire length of the print label L, the first distance is increased as the width of the print-receiving tape is narrower. Further, as described above, when one half-cut position is provided at a position away from the predetermined feature point of the print label L by the second distance, the second distance is increased as the width of the print-receiving tape becomes narrower. And the number based on the 2nd correlation produced | generated as mentioned above by controlling the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the full cut unit 15, and the half cut unit 35 in cooperation by control of a cooperation control means, or A half-cut position of the position is determined.

  As a result, according to the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment, the user can easily and easily peel off the release paper 101d regardless of the width of the generated print label L. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

  In the following, details of executing half-cut will be described in order after correction (second correlation) according to the tape width after determination of such a half-cut position (first correlation).

Example 1
In the correlation storage area 117c of the tape printer 1, the interval between the full cut position and the half cut position provided at equal intervals in the print label L is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold (for example, .100 mm). The first correlation in which the number of half-cut positions is determined corresponding to the total length is stored.

  On the other hand, when the width of the tape to be printed is equal to or smaller than a predetermined second threshold value (for example, 12 mm), the CPU 111 of the tape printer 1 sets the maximum number of half-cut positions to one. A limited second correlation is generated, and the number or position of half-cut positions based on the second correlation is determined.

  Further, the CPU 111 controls the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the full cut unit 15, and the half cut unit 35 in a coordinated manner so as to execute a half cut at the determined half cut position.

  In the first embodiment, when the interval between the full cut position and the half cut position is set to be equal to or smaller than the first threshold value, the width of the tape to be printed is set to a predetermined threshold value (second threshold value). Value) or less, the maximum number of half-cut positions is limited to one. Thus, the user can surely easily peel off the release paper 101d regardless of the width of the generated print label L, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  8 and 9 show specific examples of the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the print label L and the half-cut line HC, and FIG. 9 is a routine of the CPU 111 for determining the half-cut position. FIG.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the tape length L1 and the tape width W1 of the print label L are not less than a predetermined length and not less than a predetermined width, the first correlation is half. The half cut is determined by the number of half cuts at which the interval L2 between the cut lines HC is equal to or less than 100 mm.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, when the tape width W2 is shorter than the tape width W1, as the second correlation obtained by correcting the first correlation, the tape width is 12 mm or less. The half-cut line HC is determined so as to have only one in the center with the left and right equal length L3.

  Next, the control routine by the CPU 111 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11-11, the CPU 111 acquires first correlation acquisition for forming a plurality of half cut positions at equal intervals, and proceeds to step S11-12.

  In step S11-12, based on the print data acquired in step S100, the CPU 111 calculates the length of the print label L from the character information such as the number of characters, the character size, and the font, and determines the total length of the label. Move on to -13.

  In step S11-13, the CPU 111 determines the number and position of half cuts so that the intervals are equal to or less than 100 mm, and proceeds to step S11-14.

  In step S11-14, the CPU 111 obtains the tape width information of the print-receiving tape mounted on the cartridge 7 from the cartridge sensor 81 from the detection information regarding the cartridge information regarding the type of the cartridge 7, and proceeds to step S11-15.

  In step S11-15, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the tape width is greater than 12 mm. If the tape width is 12 mm or more (S11-15: YES), the CPU 111 starts the tape conveyance in step S120 and is less than 12 mm (S11-15: In the case of NO), the process moves to step S11-16.

  In step S11-16, the CPU 111 generates a second correlation that determines the half-cut position at only one center of the total length of the label, and then forms a half-cut at the half-cut position corresponding to the second correlation. End the routine.

(Example 2)
The correlation storage area 117c of the tape printer 1 corresponds to the entire length so that two half-cut positions are provided at positions separated by a first distance on both sides in the tape length direction from the bisection position of the entire length of the print label L. The first correlation for determining the positions of the two half-cut positions is stored.

  On the other hand, the tape printer 1CPU 111 generates a second correlation that increases the first distance as the width of the print-receiving tape becomes narrower, and determines the number of half-cut positions based on the second correlation.

  Further, the CPU 111 controls the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the full cut unit 15, and the half cut unit 35 in a coordinated manner so as to execute a half cut at the determined half cut position.

  In this embodiment, when the two half-cut positions are provided at a first distance from the bisecting position of the entire length of the print label L, the first distance is increased as the width of the print-receiving tape is narrower. Thus, the user can surely easily peel off the release paper 101d regardless of the width of the generated print label L, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  FIGS. 10 and 11 show specific examples of the second embodiment, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the print label L and the half-cut line HC, and FIG. 11 is a routine of the CPU 111 for determining the half-cut position. FIG.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the tape length L1 and the tape width W1 of the print label L are not less than a predetermined length and not less than a predetermined width, Two half-cut lines HC having a length L4 are determined on both sides of a predetermined distance across the central portion in the longitudinal direction.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, when the tape width W2 is shorter than the tape width W1, as the second correlation obtained by correcting the first correlation, as the tape width becomes narrower, two half halves are obtained. The predetermined distance L5 between the cut lines HC is determined to be increased.

  Next, the control routine by the CPU 111 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11-21, CPU111 acquires the 1st correlation which makes a half cut position two places near a center, and moves to step S11-21.

  In step S11-22, based on the print data acquired in step S100, the CPU 111 calculates the length of the print label L from the character information such as the number of characters, the character size, and the font, determines the total length of the label, and step S11. Move to -23.

  In step S11-23, the CPU 111 determines half cut positions at two positions 10 mm on both sides from the center of the total length of the label, and proceeds to step S11-24.

  In step S11-24, the CPU 111 acquires the tape width information of the print-receiving tape mounted on the cartridge 7 from the detection information regarding the cartridge information regarding the type of the cartridge 7 from the cartridge sensor 81, and proceeds to step S11-25.

  In step S11-25, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the tape width is 18 mm or more. If the tape width is 18 mm or more (S11-25: YES), the CPU 111 starts the tape transport in step S120 and is less than 18 mm (S11-25: NO). ), The process proceeds to step S11-26.

  In step S11-26, the CPU 111 generates a second correlation that increases the distance from the center of the label to the half cut position as the tape width decreases, and then forms a half cut at the half cut position corresponding to the second correlation. This routine is then terminated.

(Example 3)
The correlation storage area 117c of the tape printer 1 is away from the predetermined feature point of the print label L (full cut position on one side edge / printing position of an appropriate mark) by a second distance along the tape length direction. The first correlation in which the position of one half-cut position is determined corresponding to the total length is stored so that one half-cut position is provided at the position, and the CPU 111 of the tape printer 1 determines the width of the tape to be printed. The second correlation is generated to increase the second distance the smaller the is, and the half-cut position of the number or position based on the second correlation is determined.

  Further, the CPU 111 controls the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the full cut unit 15, and the half cut unit 35 in a coordinated manner so as to execute a half cut at the determined half cut position.

  In this embodiment, when one half-cut position is provided at a position away from a predetermined feature point of the print label L by a second distance, the second distance is increased as the width of the print-receiving tape is narrower. Thus, the user can surely easily peel off the release paper 101d regardless of the width of the generated print label L, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  12 and 13 show specific examples of the third embodiment, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the print label L and the half-cut line HC, and FIG. 13 is a routine of the CPU 111 for determining the half-cut position. FIG.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the tape length L1 and the tape width W1 of the print label L are not less than a predetermined length and not less than a predetermined width, Half-cut is determined by one of a predetermined distance L6 from one end.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D, when the tape width W2 is shorter than the tape width W1, as the second correlation obtained by correcting the first correlation, the tape width decreases from one end of the tape as the tape width becomes narrower. The predetermined distance L7 to the cut line HC is determined to be increased.

  Next, the control routine by the CPU 111 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S11-31, CPU111 acquires the 1st correlation which makes a half cut position one place near one end, and moves to step S11-32.

  In step S11-32, the CPU 111 calculates the length of the print label L from the character information such as the number of characters, the character size, and the font based on the print data acquired in step S100, determines the total length of the label, and step S11. Move to -33.

  In step S11-33, the CPU 111 determines a half-cut position at one position 10 mm from one end of the entire label length, and proceeds to step S11-34.

  In step S11-34, the CPU 111 acquires the tape width information of the print-receiving tape mounted on the cartridge 7 from the detection information regarding the cartridge information regarding the type of the cartridge 7 from the cartridge sensor 81, and proceeds to step S11-35.

  In step S11-35, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the tape width is 18 mm or more. If the tape width is 18 mm or more (S11-35: YES), the CPU 111 starts the tape transport in step S120 and is less than 18 mm (S11-35: NO). ), The process proceeds to step S11-36.

  In step S11-36, the CPU 111 increases the distance from one end of the label to the half-cut position as the tape width decreases (after generating the second correlation, the negative value at the half-cut position corresponding to the second correlation is negative). A cut is formed and the routine is terminated.

  Thus, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, it is possible to form the half-cut HC at an appropriate position according to the tape length and tape width of the print label L. Accordingly, the user can surely easily peel off the release material layer regardless of the width of the generated printed tape. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the half-cut is performed at the position determined by the CPU 111. However, since the position of the half-cut line HC differs depending on the tape length L1 and the tape widths W1 and W2, the front side is particularly important. From the printed surface, it is difficult to see where the half-cut is formed.

  Therefore, a half-cut line HC may be provided on the printing surface side, for example, at one position 10 mm from a character or mark (character) characteristic of printing.

  Alternatively, a mark or a line that does not impair the print image may be printed at a position corresponding to the half-cut line HC on the print surface side.

  In addition, in the above, the arrow shown in FIG. 4 etc. shows an example of a signal flow, and does not limit the signal flow direction.

  In addition, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-described flow, but add / delete procedures or change the order without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. You may do.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 Print label creation device (printed material creation device)
15 Cutting mechanism (all cutting means, cutting means)
23 Print head (printing means)
35 Half-cut unit (half-cutting means)
101b Base film (base material layer)
101c adhesive layer (adhesive layer for application)
101d Release paper (release material layer)
103 Cover film (printed layer)
108 Tape feed roller drive shaft (conveyance means)
109 Printed label tape 111 CPU (correlation correction means / cooperation control means / cooperation control means)
117 RAM
117c Correlation storage area (correlation storage means)
118 terminal (operation terminal)
L Print label (printed tape)

Claims (4)

A print-receiving layer on which printing is formed, an adhesive layer provided on one side in the thickness direction of the print-receiving layer, and attached to an object to be attached, and so as to cover one side in the thickness direction of the adhesive layer A tape printer for producing a printed tape comprising a release material layer provided in a peelable manner,
Transport means for transporting at least the print layer;
Printing means for forming the print on the print-receiving layer conveyed by the conveying means;
A cutting means for cutting the printed layer, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the release material layer on which the printing is formed by the printing means at a desired cutting site to form the printed tape having a desired overall length;
A semi-cutting means for cutting only the release material layer contained in the printed tape at a desired semi-cutting site;
Correlation storage means for storing a first correlation for variably setting the number or position of the half-cut portions in one printed tape according to the total length;
Correlation correction means for correcting the first correlation stored in the correlation storage means in accordance with the width of the print-receiving tape to generate a new second correlation;
The printed means having the number or positions of the semi-cut portions according to the second correlation generated by the correlation correcting means, which controls the conveying means, the cutting means, and the semi-cut means in cooperation with each other. A linkage control means for generating a tape;
A tape printer characterized by comprising: The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein
The correlation storage means includes
The number of the half-cut portions corresponding to the total length so that the interval between the cut portions and the half-cut portions provided at equal intervals in the printed tape is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value. Storing the first correlation for which is determined,
The correlation correction means includes
When the width of the tape to be printed is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold value, the second correlation is generated in which the maximum number of the half-cut portions is limited to one. A tape printer. The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein
The correlation storage means includes
The two half-cut portions corresponding to the full length are provided so that the two half-cut portions are respectively provided at positions separated by a first distance on both sides in the tape length direction from the bisected position of the full length of the printed tape. Storing the first correlation for which the position is determined;
The correlation correction means includes
The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the second correlation is generated to increase the first distance as the width of the tape to be printed is narrower. The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein
The correlation storage means includes
The position of the one half-cut portion corresponding to the full length so that the one half-cut portion is provided at a position separated by a second distance along the tape length direction from a predetermined feature point of the printed tape. Storing the first correlation for which is determined,
The correlation correction means includes
The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the second correlation is generated to increase the second distance as the width of the print-receiving tape is narrower.

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