JP2017056735A - Stamp face forming apparatus and stamp face forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stamp face forming apparatus and a stamp face forming method for forming a stamp face on stamp face material held by a stamp face material holder.SOLUTION: A stamp face forming apparatus includes: a stamp face forming unit which comprises a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a face holding stamp face material of a stamp face material holder having a porous stamp face material capable of becoming non-porous by heating, and a holding body for detachably holding the stamp face material, and a drive circuit for controlling a heating state of the heating elements, and which forms a stamp face on the stamp face material while pressing the stamp face material held by the stamp face material holder; and a control unit which controls the drive circuit of the stamp face forming unit in such a manner as to decrease the heat quantity of the heating elements as length of the stamp face material in an arrangement direction of the heating elements decreases, by correcting energization signals applied to the drive circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a marking surface forming apparatus that forms a marking surface on a marking material held by a marking surface material holder and a method for forming the marking surface.

  Conventionally, a porous sheet such as sponge rubber has been used as a stamping material in order to save the trouble of adhering stamp ink to the stamping surface each time a stamp is stamped. It has been known.

For example, a stamp in which a printing plate (printing surface material) made of a porous sheet is attached to a rootstock is fixed on a plate making apparatus, a thermal head is pressed against the surface of the porous sheet and moved, and the heating element of the thermal head is moved. There has been proposed an apparatus for selectively making a plate to form a printing surface comprising a melt-solidified portion through which ink does not pass and a non-melted portion through which ink passes. (See Patent Document 1.)

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-100144

  The stamping plate making apparatus of Patent Document 1 fixes the stamping material in a state where it is attached to the rootstock, and it is necessary to use an end face head which is an expensive part, and the entire apparatus becomes large. It is difficult to reduce production costs.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a stamping surface forming apparatus and a stamping surface forming method for forming a stamping surface on a stamping material held by a stamping material holder.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a stamping surface forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface of the stamping material holder of a stamping material holder having a porous stamping material that can be made non-porous by heating and a holder for detachably holding the marking material And a driving circuit that controls the heat generation state of the heating element, and a marking surface forming portion that forms a marking surface on the marking material while pressing the marking material held by the marking material holder,
Detection means for detecting the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction according to a signal from the sensor, and the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction is small based on the detection result of the detection means The control unit corrects the energization signal applied to the drive circuit and controls the drive circuit of the printing surface forming unit so as to reduce the amount of heat generated in units of dots generated by the heating element.

Moreover, the stamp face forming method according to the present invention includes:
While moving a marking face material holder that detachably holds a porous marking face material that can be made non-porous by heating, relative to a marking face forming portion that forms a marking face by applying heat to the marking face material, When forming a marking surface on the marking material by a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along the surface of the marking material holder on which the marking material is held and a driving circuit for controlling a heat generation state of the heating element, Based on the detection result of the length of the marking material in the heating element arrangement direction, the smaller the length of the marking material in the heating element arrangement direction, the smaller the amount of heat generated by the dots generated by the heating element. And a printing surface forming step of correcting the energization signal applied to the driving circuit and controlling the driving circuit of the printing surface forming unit.

The present invention uses a stamping surface forming device having a simple structure and a stamping material holder having a simple structure, and forms a stamping surface on a stamping material held by a stamping material holder inserted in the stamping surface forming device. An apparatus and a stamp surface forming method can be provided.
In particular, regardless of the difference in the width of the stamping material, that is, the length of the stamping material in the arrangement direction of the heating elements, it is possible to form a marking surface that is free of scraping or crushing.

1 is an external perspective view (FIG. 1 (a)) showing a stamp face forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a stamp face material holder, and a perspective view (FIG. 1 (b)) drawn by cutting along a vertical plane along the transport direction. It is. It is sectional drawing (FIG. 2 (a)) which shows the structure of the discharge port periphery of the stamp material holder of the stamp surface forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and the external appearance enlarged view (FIG.2 (b)) which looked at the discharge port from the front. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the stamp surface formation part applied to the stamp surface formation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. In the top view (Drawing 4 (a)) of the principal part composition of the stamping surface formation part applied to the stamping surface forming device concerning this embodiment, and a sectional view (Drawing 4 (b)) cut by the perpendicular plane along the conveyance direction is there. It is a block diagram of the system configuration of the stamp surface forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of the stamp face material holder holding the stamp face material in which a stamp face is formed by the stamp face forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 6A is a plan view. FIG. 6B is a VIB-VIB cross-sectional view, that is, a cross-sectional view cut along a vertical plane including the transport direction. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view showing details of the VIC portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 6B. It is a figure which shows the state which completed the formation of a stamping surface, and the stamping surface taken out from the stamping material holder was attached to the base plate of a stamp, and was completed as a seal stamp. FIG. 7A is an external perspective view. FIG. 7B is a side view. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the formation state of the stamp surface by the printer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the mode of contact of a printing object and a heat generating body in the case where the stamping material to be printed is hard (FIG. 9A) and the stamping material made of EVA (FIG. 9B). is there. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the width | variety of a stamping material, and the value of a press, a crushing amount, and an offset.

<Definition of concepts and terms>
Hereinafter, in describing embodiments of the present invention, definitions of important concepts and terms are given.
The stamp surface forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms a desired image on a stamp surface material. In the present invention, a so-called thermal printer can be used. The thermal printer has a thermal head and can selectively heat each heating element by a plurality of heating elements and a drive circuit (driver) for driving them. In addition, the thermal head has a temperature sensor (thermistor) in the vicinity thereof, measures the environmental temperature (temperature that rises mainly due to the heat generated by the thermal head), and gives environmental temperature information to the control unit described later. The control unit controls the drive circuit based on the control unit.
The seal face material is a thermoplastic member that is made of a porous sponge body that can be impregnated with liquid ink and is made non-porous by heating. For example, porous ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) can be used.
The stamping material holder is a jig used to pass through a stamping surface forming apparatus to form a desired image on the stamping material. For example, the stamp surface material held by the stamp material holder is supplied to the user of the stamp surface forming apparatus. In this specification, for the sake of convenience, the stamping material holder includes a stamping material and a holding body that holds the stamping material.
The holding body is made of, for example, a thick paper board made of a coated ball. After the stamp face is formed, the stamp face material is taken out from the stamp face material holder and then discarded.

The marking surface forming portion is a mechanism portion that performs a process of making a desired portion of the surface of the marking surface material non-porous by selectively applying heat with a thermal head and prohibiting the passage of the ink in that portion.
Printing (printing with a thermal printer) is not printing using ink, but the heating element of the thermal head is selectively heated according to the image data, so that the surface of the stamp material has a predetermined size (thermal head). This means that each dot of the size of the heating element) is processed to make it non-porous or not.
The energization signal is a signal applied to the drive circuit of the thermal head, and is a signal for applying electric power that causes the thermal head to generate heat.
The energization table is a table that is referred to by the control unit to set the energization time. For example, the energization time for energizing the thermal head in association with the environmental temperature measured by the thermistor provided in the vicinity of the thermal head. Used to determine the length of.
The print data is data for forming a stamp surface desired by the user who is to form the stamp surface on the stamp material. If it is noted that printing by the thermal head is a process for prohibiting the passage of ink, the print data is image data that is reversed black and white and reversed horizontally when viewed from a seal imprinted by a user-created printing surface.
A conveyance part is a mechanism part which conveys a stamping material holder, for example, can be comprised by the platen roller and the stepping motor which moves it.
The control unit is a control unit (CPU) of the stamp surface forming apparatus. The control unit of the stamp surface forming apparatus can be a personal computer (PC), a smartphone by wired communication (USB (registered trademark)) or wireless communication (Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), WLAN (registered trademark), etc.). Connected with a tablet computer, etc., it can function in cooperation.
When the stamping material is supplied to the user in a state where the stamping material is held by the stamping material holder, the stamping material is held at a factory that manufactures the stamping material holder.
The stamp surface forming step is a step performed when the user of the stamp surface forming apparatus executes the stamp surface formation using the stamp surface material holder.

<About the core of the present invention>
An object of the present invention is to provide a stamping surface forming apparatus and a stamping surface forming method for forming a stamping surface in a state where the stamping material is held by a stamping material holder as described above. And especially in that case, it is about control of the amount of heating by the difference in the width | variety of a stamping material.
Hereinafter, a stamping surface forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<< The mechanical configuration of the printing surface forming apparatus (thermal printer) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 >>
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a stamp face forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a stamp face material holder. Here, FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of the stamp surface forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional structure in the XZ plane (vertical plane including the conveying direction). It is a perspective sectional view. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure around the discharge port of the stamping material holder of the stamping surface forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 2 (a) is the IIA section shown in FIG. 1 (b) (in this specification, for convenience, the symbol corresponding to the Roman numeral “2” shown in FIG. 1 (b)). It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the cross-section in "II", and uses "V" for convenience as a symbol corresponding to the Roman numeral "5". FIG. 2B is a front view showing the appearance of the stamp plate making apparatus including the discharge port. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of a stamping surface forming unit applied to the stamping surface forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 4A and 4B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the main configuration of the stamp surface forming unit applied to the stamp surface forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 4A is a plan view of the stamp surface forming portion, and FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure in the XZ plane (vertical plane including the transport direction).

  A printing surface forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called thermal printer, and is inserted from an insertion port 10c as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), for example. The stamping material holder 20 (which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 6, includes a stamping material 21, a holding body 22 that holds the stamping material 21, and a film 24 that protects the stamping material 21). Transport toward the outlet 10d. The printer 1 presses the thermal head 4 from above the film 24 with a predetermined load against the marking material 21 on the marking material holder 20 being conveyed, and selectively heats a plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 4. Thus, a stamping surface 21 on the stamping material holder 20 is formed on the stamping surface 21 that represents a desired image (characters, symbols, graphics, etc.). To form.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, X, Y, and Z directions orthogonal to each other are set. About the sign of X, Y, Z which shows the direction described in drawing, an arrow direction is attached | subjected and "+" is shown, the reverse direction with respect to an arrow direction is shown with "-", and both directions are shown. In this case, no sign (“+” or “−”) is added. The X direction is the same direction as the direction in which the stamping material holder 20 including the stamping material 21 that is the object forming the marking surface is conveyed, and is also referred to as the front-rear direction. The Y direction is the same as the width direction of the printer 1 and is also referred to as the left-right direction. The Z direction is the same as the direction in which the thermal head 4 is pressed against the stamp material holder 20, and is also referred to as the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the printer 1 includes a case 10 including a lower case 10a and an upper case 10b, and a stamp material holder 20 is provided on the front and rear surfaces of the lower case 10a. An insertion port 10c and a discharge port 10d are formed for passing through. An input operation unit 6 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 10b. The input operation part 6 will output the signal according to operation content, if operation by an operator is performed.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the discharge port 10d of the lower case 10a projects at a predetermined height into the discharge port 10d on the lower inner surface 10e constituting the discharge port 10d. A plurality of ribs (support portions) 10f formed in this manner are arranged at predetermined intervals along the opening direction (Y direction) of the discharge port 10d. Here, the plurality of ribs 10f are arranged on the conveyance path of the stamp face material holder 20 discharged from the discharge port 10d. That is, the plurality of ribs 10f are at the time when the stamping material holder 20 inserted from the insertion port 10c is conveyed through the inside of the printer 1 and at least the pressing state of the thermal head 4 against the stamping material holder 20 changes to a specific state. Thus, the back surface side near the one end side (+ X direction side) of the stamp material holder 20 (the side opposite to the side on which the thermal head 4 is pressed, that is, the lower side in FIG. 2) is supported and supported. Is provided. At this time, the plurality of ribs 10f are provided so as to come into contact with the back surface of the stamping material holder 20 to such an extent that the stamping material holder 20 is not curved (deformed), and more preferably for conveying (feeding amount) of the stamping material holder 20. It is provided so as to support the stamp material holder 20 to such an extent that it does not have an influence, for example, it is lightly contacted with little friction.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the printing surface forming unit incorporated in the case 10 of the printer 1 is roughly divided into a thermal head (printing surface forming unit) 4, a stepping motor 9, a guide 14, a platen roller (conveying roller). ) 12. On both sides of the thermal head 4, the guide 14 and the platen roller 12, a pair of plate-like side frames 13 facing in the Y direction are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the platen roller 12 conveys the stamp material holder 20 in the X direction, and is provided between the side frames 13 and 13. Both ends penetrate each side frame 13. Both end portions of the platen roller 12 are supported by the side frame 13 so as to be rotatable with respect to the side frame 13. For example, a roller gear (not shown) is integrally attached to the end of the rotation axis of the platen roller 12, for example, and a drive gear (not shown) attached to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 9. The platen roller 12 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed by transmitting the driving force accompanying the rotation through the plurality of electric gears.

  The guide 14 is formed with an inclined surface 14 a for guiding the marking material holder 20 (the marking material 21) to the platen roller 12. The inclined surface 14a is represented by an extension line EL (indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing) of the inclined surface 14a in the Y direction view (cross section viewed from the + Y direction) shown in FIG. .) Is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 12. Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, the protruding height, shape, and arrangement of the rib 10f provided on the inner surface 10e of the discharge port 10d are set so that the upper surface thereof is in contact with the extension line EL of the inclined surface 14a. Has been.

  In addition, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the sensor 3 is provided in the recessed part 14b of the inclined surface 14 (a). The sensor 3 is arranged slightly on the −Z side from the track of the stamping material holder 20 so as not to contact the marking material holder 20. 4A (plan view when viewed from the + Z side), the sensor 3 has a left side frame 13 so that the notch 22a of the stamp material holder 20 passes over the sensor 3. It is arranged slightly on the + Y side than the platen roller 12 and slightly on the minus side. A detection scanning line SL indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4A crosses the optical axis L of the sensor 3 and extends in the X direction. The sensor 3 is a reflective optical sensor, and includes a light emitting element that emits light in the + Z direction, and a light receiving element that receives the light reflected in the −Z direction on the sensor object (here, the stamping material holder 20). . The sensor 3 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving element. Based on this signal, the type (size) of the stamping material 21 fitted in the stamping material holder 20 is specified.

  The thermal head 4 is provided so as to face the platen roller 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 4 (b). The thermal head 4 presses the marking material 21 on the marking material holder 20 conveyed in the X direction via the film 24. The pressing part 4a that presses the marking material 21 in the thermal head 4 is provided in a straight strip shape along the Y direction. Here, the length (the length in the Y direction) of the pressing portion 4a is provided to be longer than the width (the length along the Y direction) of the stamping material 21. Thereby, the linear strip-shaped portion extending along the width direction of the stamping material 21 is uniformly pressed and deformed by the pressing portion 4a. In the pressing portion 4a, a plurality of heating elements (not shown) that are selectively heated at the time of forming the stamp surface (plate making) are arranged along the extending direction (Y direction) of the pressing portion 4a. Further, the thermal head 4 is provided with an IC chip (driver IC) 4b having a drive circuit for controlling the heat generation state of each of the plurality of heat generating elements arranged in the pressing portion 4a. The driver IC 4b is disposed, for example, at a position opposite to the conveying direction of the stamp material holder 20 (−X direction) with respect to the pressing portion 4a provided with a plurality of heating elements. With such a configuration, the portion corresponding to the heating element that is heated and generates heat is heated in the straight strip portion of the stamping material 21 (the portion that is pressed and deformed by the pressing portion 4a).

  Here, in a general thermal head 4, a pressing portion 4a provided with a plurality of heating elements and a driver IC 4b for controlling the heating state of each heating element are close to each other on one surface side of a printed circuit board (PCB). Are arranged. This is a configuration for reducing the size of the printed circuit board and suppressing an increase in cost. Most general-purpose products adopt this form.

  The interval between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 12 (indicated as “H” in FIG. 2A) is set to a predetermined constant value according to the configuration of the stamp material holder 20 described later. Or a mechanism for adjusting the distance H between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 12 by moving the thermal head 4 or the platen roller 12 in the Z direction (FIG. 2A). ) May be described as “32”. By using the adjustment mechanism 32 for the distance H between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 12 as described above, the pressing force of the thermal head 4 on the printing surface material 21 can be changed. In particular, in the case where a stamping surface is formed (plate making) on the stamping material holder 20 having a different size (particularly, dimension in the width direction), the pressing state of the pressing portion 4a of the thermal head 4 depends on the size of the stamping material 21. Therefore, the adjustment mechanism 32 for the distance H between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 12 is extremely useful for forming an appropriate printing surface. Such an adjustment mechanism 32 of the interval H is based on the size of the marking material 21 of the marking material holder 20 specified by the control unit 2 by scanning the notch 22a of the marking material holder 20 with the sensor 3, for example. The interval H is adjusted and controlled. Here, as the interval H is set smaller, the pressing force of the thermal head 4 on the marking material 21 increases.

<< Functional Configuration Controlled and Functioned by Control Unit (CPU) >>
Next, a functional configuration of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, that is, a functional configuration that is controlled and functioned by a control unit (CPU) will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system configuration of the stamp surface forming apparatus (printer 1) according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 1 includes a central control circuit 2, which includes a sensor 3, a thermal head 4, a power supply circuit 5, a motor driver 8, a display screen control circuit 47, and a memory control circuit 48. , A UI (user interface) control circuit 49, a USB control circuit 40, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module / wireless LAN module 41.
A stepping motor 9 is connected to the motor driver 8, a display device 43 is connected to the display screen control circuit 47, and a PC (personal computer) 44 is connected to the USB control circuit 40.
In the case of this example, the sensor 3 is constituted by a reflection type optical sensor, and detects a notch provided in the stamping material holder. The central control circuit 2 detects a signal from the sensor 3 and performs detection / energization control such as a print start position and a media size.
Further, the display device 43, the display screen control circuit 47, the UI control circuit 49, the USB communication control circuit (USB communication control circuit) 40, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) module / wireless LAN module 41, etc. are not necessarily required. is not.

In FIG. 1, a central control circuit (control unit) 2 controls the entire system. In this figure, most of the circuits are connected only to the central control circuit 2, but it is of course possible for the circuits to perform data communication through the bus. The central control circuit 2 is a circuit including a CPU (central processing unit), and the CPU reads and executes a computer program as necessary to perform various functions (for example, conveyance amount detection, dimension setting, dimension determination). , Position detection, heating control, pressing force control, etc.).
The memory control circuit 48 includes devices such as a ROM (read only memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) and controls them. The display device 43 indicates a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example, and the display image control circuit 47 controls data transfer to the display device 43, lighting of the backlight, etc.
In addition, computer programs necessary for realizing various functions are stored in a ROM or the like, and written and referred to in a RAM and used as necessary. This stamp forming apparatus is installed with driver software and application programs on the personal computer (or smartphone) side, and operates in cooperation with a USB connection or the like. Therefore, the computer program in the stamp forming apparatus and the computer program installed in an external device such as a personal computer cooperate to realize various functions.

For example, in the case of a model surface forming apparatus (printer) that has a configuration that requires connection to the PC 44 or wireless connection, the user performs an operation on the GUI 44 (Graphical User Interface) such as the PC 44 or a mobile phone terminal (not shown). Therefore, the display screen control circuit 47 and the display device 43 are not essential on the hardware side.
A UI (user interface) control circuit 49 is input by a user from an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a remote controller, a button, a touch panel, or the like via a personal computer or an input device provided in the printing surface forming apparatus (printer). Based on the information, the menu screen display is controlled. The power supply circuit 5 includes a power supply IC (integrated circuit) or the like, and generates and supplies necessary power to each circuit.

The thermal head 4 receives data and a print signal output from the central control circuit 2 and controls energized dots by a driver IC inside the head, and a porous ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (hereinafter, EVA) in contact with the head. ) And the like (printing surface formation or printing, and so on). “Printing” in the present stamping surface forming apparatus is not printing using ink, but the heating element of the thermal head 4 is selectively heated according to image data, so that the surface of the stamping material 21 is dot (heating element). Each unit) means to make it non-porous or not.
In the configuration example of this system, other circuits receive only data and signals from the central control circuit 2, and power necessary for printing is obtained from the power supply circuit 5. Incidentally, in the apparatus of this example, the thermal head 4 has an effective print width of 48 mm at a resolution of 200 dpi, that is, 200 dots / 25.4 mm (0.125 mm per dot).
The motor driver 8 is a driving circuit that drives the stepping motor 9, receives a signal output from the central control circuit 2, and supplies a driving pulse signal and power to the stepping motor 9. Note that only the excitation signal is received from the central control circuit 2, and the actual drive power is obtained from the power supply circuit 5.

The control unit (central control circuit) 2 accurately counts how many steps of the stepping motor 9 are rotated by counting the number of pulses of the signal output to the motor driver 8, that is, how many mm the printing material holder is conveyed by the platen roller 12. Can be grasped.
The printer 1 in this embodiment employs 1-2 phase excitation drive, and the gear ratio is configured to be 16 steps per line (0.125 mm). That is, conveyance of 0.0078 mm is performed in one step.
In addition, you may use another method, without calculating the conveyance distance by the platen roller 12 in the control part 2 based on the number of pulses. For example, the rotation speed of the platen roller 12 may be detected by a rotary encoder, and the conveyance distance by the platen roller 12 may be calculated based on the detected rotation speed.

<About the structure of the stamping material holder>
Next, the stamp surface material holder 20 for forming (plate making) the stamp surface by the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a stamp material holder on which a stamp surface is formed by the printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6A is a plan view showing the stamping surface forming side (the side holding the stamping material 21) of the stamping material holder 20. 6B is a VIB-VIB line shown in FIG. 6A (in this specification, “VI” for convenience, as a symbol corresponding to the Roman numeral “6” shown in FIG. 6A). Is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure along the line. FIG. 6C is a main part sectional view showing a sectional structure in the VIC part shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a stamp with a stamp material on which a stamp surface is formed. Fig. 7 (a) is a perspective view of the stamp as seen from the stamping material side, and Fig. 7 (b) is when the stamping material side is the bottom surface (when it is placed on paper etc. when used as a stamp). It is a side view of a stamp.

The marking material holder 20 includes a marking material 21, a holding body 22 that holds the marking material 21, and a film 24 that protects the marking material 21. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the holding body 22 holds the stamping material 21 fixed to the central portion.
The stamping material 21 has a main surface 21a that actually becomes a marking surface. The stamp material 21 is formed of a porous sponge body that can be impregnated with liquid ink, for example, a porous ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (hereinafter referred to as “EVA”), and can be deformed by pressing. EVA has innumerable bubbles, and the bubbles are impregnated with ink.
Of the stamp face material holder 20, the holding body 22 and the film 24 are jigs used when forming the stamp face of the stamp face material 21, and are separated from the stamp face material 21 and discarded (or reused) after the stamp face formation is completed. The As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the holding body 22 is configured by laminating an upper thick paperboard 22c and a lower thick paperboard 22d made of coated balls. Moreover, as shown to Fig.6 (a), the notch 22a is formed in one side part (drawing right side) of the holding body 22. As shown in FIG. Here, in order to reflect the light from the sensor 3 with a high reflectance, the surface of the holding body 22 is formed, for example, in white.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the upper cardboard 22c is formed with a positioning hole 22e for fixing the stamp face material 21 at the center thereof. The marking material 21 is fitted and fixed in the positioning hole 22e. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lower thick paperboard 22d has the same outer shape as the upper thick paperboard 22c, and is not provided with the positioning hole 22. In a state where the lower cardboard 22d and the upper cardboard are bonded together, the lower cardboard 22d is in contact with the entire back surface 21b of the stamping material 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the main surface 21a (the left surface of FIG. 6B or the upper surface of FIG. 6C) of the stamping material 21 is the upper cardboard 22c. It protrudes slightly from the upper surface (the left surface of FIG. 6B or the upper surface of FIG. 6C). In the present embodiment, the combined thickness of the upper thick paperboard 22c and the lower thick paperboard 22d is set to, for example, 1.2 mm, and on the other hand, the stamping material holder 20 including the film 24 and the stamping material 21. The total thickness of is set to, for example, 1.8 mm. That is, in this example, the stamp material 21 is set to protrude 0.6 mm with respect to the upper thick paperboard 22c.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the stamping material holder 20 has a film 24 that covers the upper surface of the holding body 22 and the upper surface of the stamping material 21. The film 24 is made of PET (Polyethylene Terephtalate) or polyimide as a base material, and has heat resistance, thermal conductivity, and surface smoothness. Here, with respect to the heat resistance of the film 24, a film that can withstand a temperature higher than the temperature of the thermal head 4 at the time of forming the marking surface and the melting point of the marking surface material 21 is used. As for the thermal conductivity of the film 24, a material that can transfer heat of the thermal head 4 at the time of forming the marking surface to the stamping material 21 and melt the marking material 21 satisfactorily is used. With respect to the surface smoothness of the film 24, a material is used in which the pressing portion 4 a of the thermal head 4 that is in contact with the printed surface is slid well with little friction.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the upper thick paperboard 22c and the lower thick paperboard 22d are bonded together by, for example, a double-sided adhesive sheet 25. The film 24 is adhered to the surface of the peripheral portion of the holding body 22, that is, the surface of the upper thick paperboard 22 c into which the stamp material 21 is fitted by a double-sided adhesive sheet 26. The film 24 and the stamping material 21 and the stamping material 21 and the lower thick paperboard 22d are in contact with each other, and are not bonded together.

  6 shows an example of the stamp material holder 20 that is the target of the stamp surface formation in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the size of the stamp material 21 (in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in FIG. 6A). A plurality of types of media 20 having different dimensions) can be the targets for forming the printing surface. Here, the thickness and width dimension of each type of stamp material holder 20 (the lateral dimension in FIG. 6A) are set to be the same, and the length dimension of the stamp material holder 20 (FIG. The vertical dimension (a) is set so as to differ depending on the size of the stamp material 21. Corresponding to the size of the marking material 21 of each type of marking material holder 20, the holding body 22 is provided with notches 22a having different sizes (for example, vertical dimensions) in a one-to-one relationship. Then, the type (size) of the marking material 21 of the marking material holder 20 is specified by scanning the notch 22a of the holding body 22 by the sensor 3 of the printer 1 and detecting the size thereof.

  The marking material 21 is taken out from the holding body 22 after the marking surface has been formed in the printer 1. The taken stamp material 21 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lower surface of the rootstock 52 of the stamp 50 composed of a spherical handle 51 and a square rootstock 52. Affixed to the bottom surface of the rootstock 52 in FIG. 7B by a double-sided adhesive sheet 53 or the like.

《About the principle of forming the stamp surface》
Next, the principle of forming a marking surface on the marking material 21 will be described.
The stamp material 21 is made of EVA. Since EVA has thermoplastic properties, for example, when heated with heat of 70 ° C. to 120 ° C., the portion to which heat is applied is softened, and once the softened portion is cooled, it is cured. The cured portion is filled with air bubbles and becomes non-porous, and the portion cannot pass ink.
The printer 1 according to the present embodiment uses the characteristics of the stamp material 21 (EVA) to heat any portion of the surface of the EVA with a thermal head for about 1 to 5 msec. The portion is made non-porous, and the passage of ink in that portion is prohibited. Note that the stamp material 21 is cut into a square in advance by a thermal cutter. For this reason, the four side surfaces (end surfaces) of the stamp material 21 are all made non-porous by the heat applied at the time of cutting and do not allow ink to pass through. In addition, the back surface 21b of the stamping material 21 is also heat-treated, and does not allow ink to pass through. As a result, the ink is prevented from oozing out from the surface other than the main surface 21a to be the marking surface.

  In the formation of the printing surface (thermal printing), the portion that transmits ink is not heated, and the portion that does not transmit heat is heated, so that an ink transmission portion can be formed according to the impression desired to be obtained at the time of stamping. Note that the size of the stamping material 21 is set slightly larger than the desired imprint size, considering that errors may occur during the formation of the stamping surface and that the side surface (end surface) of the stamping material 21 does not pass ink. ing. For example, when the size of the seal impression is 45 mm × 45 mm, the size of the stamp face material 21 is set to 48 mm × 48 mm.

<Regarding the marking face forming operation>
Next, a printing surface forming operation for forming a desired printing surface in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Each function shown below is stored in the control unit 2 (more specifically, ROM) in the form of a readable program code, and operations according to the program code are sequentially executed. As shown in the system block diagram of FIG. 5, this stamp surface forming apparatus (printer 1) normally operates in cooperation with a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like. Here, in order to prevent a complicated explanation, explanation will be made only on the operation in the printer 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the formation state of the marking surface by the printer according to the present embodiment.
In the printing surface forming operation of the printer 1, first, when the input operation unit 6 is pressed and a signal for starting the printer 1 is input from the input operation unit 6, the control unit 2 executes the initial operation of the printer 1. In the initial operation of the printer 1, the control unit 2 sends a drive signal to the motor driver 8 to rotate the stepping motor 9 for a predetermined time. Thus, even when the platen roller 12 rotates for a predetermined time and the stamp material holder 20 remains in the printer 1, the stamp material holder 20 is discharged out of the printer 1 from the discharge port 10d.

  After the completion of the initial operation, the control unit 2 starts from the input operation unit 6 in a state where the stamp material holder 20 is inserted into the printer 1 from the insertion port 10c by the operator of the printer 1 as shown in FIG. When a start signal (for example, a signal indicating that the input operation unit 6 is pressed after the initial operation) is input, a stepping motor 9 is rotated. The platen roller 12 is rotated. Thereby, the stamping material holder 20 is conveyed in the + X direction along the guide 14 (inclined surface 14a).

  Here, when a plurality of types (sizes) of the stamping material holder 20 are targets for stamping formation, the control unit 2 detects the length of the notch 22a of the stamping material holder 20 (holding body 22) by the sensor 3. Then, the type of the stamp material holder 20 (size of the stamp material 21) is specified. And the control part 2 controls the adjustment mechanism 32 of the space | interval H of the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 12 based on the kind of the specified stamping material holder 20, and the space | interval according to the kind of the stamping material holder 20 Set H. Thereby, according to the kind of the marking material holder 20, the pressing force to the marking material 21 of the thermal head 4 is set appropriately. Further, since the width of the stamp material 21 is also detected, the heating time (energization time to the thermal head) corresponding to the width is also controlled (this will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10). .

As shown in FIG. 8B, when the stamp material holder 20 is further conveyed in the + X direction, the pressing portion 4a of the thermal head 4 reaches the stamp material 21 via the upper surface of the holding body 22. The stamping material 21 of the stamping material holder 20 is drawn under the thermal head 4 and conveyed while being pressed with a predetermined pressing force set in advance, and the heating elements arranged in the Y direction on the pressing portion 4a of the thermal head 4 The stamp surface is formed in response to heat from.
Specifically, based on the input image data, the control unit 2 conveys the stamp material holder 20 (rotation of the stepping motor 9) and which of the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 4 is heated. , The position corresponding to the image data of the stamping material 21 is selectively heated, and the ink transmitting part and the non-transmitting part are formed according to the image data, thereby forming the stamping surface.

  At this time, since EVA applied to the stamping material 21 is a porous sponge body and very soft, the thermal head 4 is stronger than a printer that performs normal thermal printing in order to appropriately form the stamping surface (thermal printing). It is necessary to press the heating element against the marking material 21 of the marking material holder 20. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the main surface 21 a of the stamp material 21 is configured to protrude from the upper surface of the holding body 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pressing state of the thermal head 4 against the marking material 21 of the marking material holder 20 is in the vicinity of the heating element in addition to the pressing part 4a in which the heating elements of the thermal head 4 are arranged. The arranged driver IC 4 b is also pressed against the stamping material 21 and bites into the stamping material 21.

  Then, when the marking material holder 20 is further conveyed in the + X direction while forming the marking surface on the marking material 21, as shown in FIG. 8C, the thermal head 4 has an end portion in the −X direction of the marking material 21. It reaches (terminal portion) and passes through the boundary portion between the stamp material 21 and the holding body 22. At this time, the end portion side of the holding member 22 of the stamping material holder 20 in the transport direction (+ X direction) reaches at least the discharge port 10d, and the back side in the vicinity thereof (opposite to the marking surface forming side against which the thermal head 4 is pressed). A plurality of ribs 10f provided on the inner surface 10e of the discharge port 10d are in contact with the side surface (the lower surface side in the drawing) to support the stamp material holder 20.

  Here, since the stamping material 21 is configured to protrude in the thickness direction from the holding body 22, there is a step at this boundary portion. A driver IC 4b is disposed in the vicinity (−X direction) of the pressing portion 4a of the thermal head 4. In addition, since the thermal head 4 is strongly pressed against the stamp material 21, the thermal head 4 passes through the boundary portion, so that the driver IC 4 b of the thermal head 4 first goes down the step. At this time, the pressing force by the driver IC 4b of the thermal head 4 on the stamping material holder 20 (the marking material 21) is instantaneously released, and as shown by an arrow F in FIG. A force is applied to rotate 20 (the end in the + X direction is urged downward and the end in the −X direction is urged to information).

  Here, in the configuration in which the rib 10f is not disposed at the discharge port 10d of the printer 1, the end portion side in the + X direction of the printing surface material holder 20 is not supported, so the driver IC 4b of the thermal head 4 is printed on the printing surface. The stamp material holder 20 is rotated by the force F generated in the stamp material holder 20 at the moment when the step between the material 21 and the holding body 22 is lowered, and the feed amount (feed density) of the stamp material holder 20 by the platen roller 12 Changes. Therefore, printing unevenness (for example, unevenness extending in a line shape in the Y direction) due to a change in the feed amount occurs on the main surface 21a of the stamping material 21 on which the stamping surface is formed, and appropriate stamping surface formation is not performed. there is a possibility.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, conveyance of the stamp material holder 20 conveyed during the marking surface forming operation to the lower inner surface 10 e of the discharge port 10 d. A plurality of ribs (projecting members) 10f formed so that the upper surface is in contact with the extension line EL of the inclined surface 14a that is the path are arranged. Thereby, the stamping material holder 20 is supported on the conveyance path by the inclined surface 14a, the platen roller 12, and the plurality of ribs 10f provided in the discharge port 10d. Therefore, when the driver IC 4b of the thermal head 4 descends the step between the marking material 21 and the holding body 22, the phenomenon that the marking material holder 20 rotates by the force F generated in the marking material holder 20 is suppressed, Appropriate stamping is formed.

  When the stamp material holder 20 is further conveyed in the + X direction and the formation of the stamp surface on the stamp material holder 20 is completed, the stamp material holder 20 is discharged from the discharge port 10 d of the printer 1. Thereafter, the control unit 2 stops the platen roller 12 by stopping the stepping motor 9 and ends a series of printing surface forming operations. Here, the timing at which the control unit 2 stops the stepping motor 9 is set, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rear end of the stamp material holder 20 has passed the sensor 3.

<< Role of the holder 22 and the film 24 >>
EVA is a member having a thickness of 1.5 mm, and has high elasticity and a coefficient of friction. For this reason, even if EVA is inserted into a thermal printer as it is and transported, the frictional force between the thermal head and EVA is large, and stable straight transport cannot be performed. In other words, EVA has a large frictional force and is soft like rubber. Even if a guide for obtaining straight running stability is attached on the thermal printer side, EVA can bend even a little during transportation. Will bend, and as a result, skew will occur immediately.
The difficulty in transporting the EVA described above is a phenomenon that occurs even in a non-heated state where the thermal head is not generating heat. However, when the thermal head generates heat, the thermal head is about 200 in a few milliseconds after the start of heat generation. Since the temperature rises to a degree close to that, the surface softens at the moment when the EVA surface is heated, and the thermal head is buried in the softened portion, and the EVA cannot be transported at all.
In the case of a method using an end face head or a method in which a carriage is incorporated to move and drive the head, the above problem does not occur. However, this method causes an increase in the size of the mechanism and a significant increase in the cost of the member used. There is an inconvenience.

In the present invention, the printing surface is formed by using EVA, which has difficulty in transportability as described above, as a printing surface plate by the printer 1 using a normal thermal head without increasing the size of the mechanism and significantly increasing the cost. In addition, the stamping material holder 20 and the holding body 22 are used and protected by the film 24.
Further, the stamping material 21 is fixed in position by the positioning hole 24 of the upper cardboard 22c, held from the lower surface by the lower cardboard 22d, and the upper surface is covered by the film 24, so that it is held by the stamping material holder 20 The shape is maintained as it is, and it does not deform even when external forces in the X and Y directions are applied.
Therefore, the stamp material 21 is also transported accordingly as the stamp material holder 20 is transported. If the stamp material holder 20 is conveyed straight, the stamp material 21 is also conveyed straight. Further, the film 24 has heat resistance at a temperature higher than the melting point of the stamping material 21, that is, EVA.
Therefore, even if the surface of the stamp material 21 is melted by the heat generated by the thermal head 4, the film 24 is not melted. That is, the covering property as a film is not lost. The film 24 has a very low frictional force with the thermal head 4.
For this reason, the thermal head 4 is not buried in the stamping material 21 which has been melted and softened due to the covering property of the film 24, and along the surface of the film 24 due to the low friction with the film 24. This makes it easy to continue heat generation printing (printing surface formation). In this way, the formation of the marking surface on the marking material 21 is completed.

《How to use after removing stamp material after forming stamp surface》
In this way, by using the print data to heat the EVA surface with a thermal head, it is possible to form a stamping surface having a user's original impression, and to make the film 24 easily peeled off along the shape of the stamping material. it can. In order to take out the stamping plate formed by forming the stamping material from the stamping material holder 20, it is only necessary to bend the holding body 22 along the perforation 27 (see FIG. 6A) and pull out the stamping material 21. . Thereafter, a stamping material after the stamping surface is formed on the base plate 52, and the stamping surface is immersed in ink for a certain period of time, or depending on the viscosity of the ink, it is applied to the stamping surface and left for a predetermined time. As a result, ink is impregnated inside the stamp plate. When the user wipes off excess ink stains on the surface of the printing surface or makes a trial push several times, holding the handle 51 with a finger and pressing it against the object to be imprinted, the impregnated ink is pushed out of the printing surface and the imprint is imprinted. Is done.

<Contact between thermal head and stamping material>
It is the marking material holder 20 (the marking material 21 held by the holding body 22) that is the subject of heating of the thermal head by applying the present invention.
In other words, a PET film is interposed between the porous EVA that is the stamping material and the thermal head so that the thermoplastic EVA can be transported without any problem, and the EVA having a low elastic modulus is skewed (or bent) during printing. In order to prevent this, EVA is set on a holding body 22 made of a coated ball as a base material and sealed so as to be pressed with a PET film (see FIGS. 6B and 6C).
However, since EVA as a stamp material has a thickness of 1.0 mm or more, it is usually necessary to configure a printer using an end face head.
This is because, if the stamping material is hard, as shown in FIG. 9A, the end face of the thermal head hits the stamping material, and the heating element of the thermal head cannot touch the stamping material. Because.
Usually, when printing is performed on such a thick medium, a so-called end face head having a heating element at the end face portion of the thermal head is used. (For example, printing on a thick card)
However, the manufacturing cost of the end face head is high, and when it is mounted, the product price is greatly increased.
Therefore, in this printer, paying attention to the physical property that porous EVA has a low elastic modulus (like rubber), the thermal head end face is pushed into EVA by pressing with high pressure, and the result As shown in FIG. 9B, the heating element is brought into contact with EVA to enable printing with a normal thermal head that is advantageous in terms of cost (FIG. 9B).

<Relationship between the width of the stamping material and the pressure applied to the stamping material>
In printing on the stamping material holder 20 used in the stamping surface forming apparatus according to the present invention, the pressure per unit length (hereinafter simply referred to as “pressing”) from the thermal head varies depending on the width of EVA constituting the stamping material 21. Here, the width of the stamp material 21 (EVA) is the width in the main scanning direction of the thermal head (the direction in which the heating elements of the thermal head are arranged), and the direction in which the stamp material holder 20 is inserted into the stamp surface forming apparatus (conveyance) (Direction) is the width in the orthogonal direction.
As shown in FIG. 2A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 8, and the like, in the stamp surface forming apparatus according to the present invention, by providing the adjustment mechanism 32 for the interval H between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 12, The thermal head 4 presses against the marking material 21. And the adjustment mechanism 32 of this space | interval H may be implement | achieved by the coil spring, for example. Since this coil spring is considered to have a constant pressing force against the entire marking material 21, as a result, the pressure per unit length applied to the marking material 21 varies depending on the width of the marking material. To do.

  That is, when the width of the stamping material is small, the pressure per unit length is larger than when the width of the stamping material is large. Therefore, when controlled with a uniform heating amount (energization time), dots are formed in a narrow EVA. It is crushed (in a state where non-porosity occurs in a larger part than the desired imprint, and the passage of the ink is prohibited), and in a wide EVA, it is dull (non-porosity does not occur compared to the desired imprint) This causes a problem that a portion is formed and ink passage cannot be prohibited.

《Difference in the amount of crushing stamp material》
In the stamping surface forming apparatus according to the present invention, the stamping material (EVA) is crushed by applying a pressing force by the adjusting mechanism 32 for the distance H between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 12, and the heating element and the EVA are brought into contact with each other. However, the subject that the pressure (linear pressure) applied to EVA changes with the lateral width of EVA occurs.
For example, the printing surface forming apparatus (thermal printer) in the present embodiment is designed so that a pressure of about 408 g / cm is applied to 45 mm wide EVA. For a 30 mm wide EVA, it is 612 g / cm, and for a 15 mm wide EVA, it reaches 1225 g / cm.
When the pressure changes, how the heating element hits the EVA and how heat is transferred changes. For example, if heating is performed to another EVA width with the heating amount set at a width of 30 mm, EVA having a narrow width that increases the pressure. If so, the dots will be crushed, and conversely, if the EVA is wide and the pressure is low, it will be distorted. This is because when the pressure is high, the heating element is completely buried in the EVA, but when the pressure is low, the heating element is buried only by tracing the surface.
Regarding the amount of crushing of the stamping material at this time, when the above-mentioned pressing is applied to the stamping material 21 (EVA) in this embodiment, the EVA crushing amount is about 0.5 mm with a width of 15 mm (the holding body (coated ball) 22). Because the head hits the part, it stops at the crushing amount of 0.5 mm, but it may crush more if it is not held by the holding body (coated ball) 22), about 0.45 mm at 30 mm width, 45 mm width Then, it is about 0.3 mm.

<Energizing table>
Therefore, in the stamp surface forming apparatus according to the present invention, the sensor 3 reads and acquires the difference in the width of the stamp surface material 21 (EVA) held by the stamp surface material holder 20 used at the time of printing. That is, the control unit 2 acquires information about the width of the stamping material 21 by reading the notch 22 a provided in the stamping material holder 20 with the sensor 3. And it respond | corresponds to said subject by changing the amount of heating (length of electricity supply time) with the information about the width | variety.
The change in the heating amount will be described in detail. First, an energization table capable of printing without printing blur is created in a width of 45 mm. Here, the energization table is a table for setting the energization time mainly according to the difference in environmental temperature. The thermal head 4 is provided with a temperature sensor (thermistor), and the temperature that rises as the thermal head 4 generates heat is measured in real time and sent to the controller 2 one by one. The temperature in the vicinity of the thermal head 4 (environmental temperature) can vary greatly depending on the operating condition of the thermal head. For example, when solid printing is continued, the environmental temperature is significantly increased as compared to normal temperature. Therefore, in general, in order to use a thermal head, a thermistor is provided in the vicinity thereof, the environmental temperature is measured, and sent to the control unit (CPU) one by one. The control unit has an energization table (corresponding to the difference in environmental temperature). A reference table for changing the length of the energization time), and refers to the energization table to send a control signal to the drive circuit of the thermal head. Based on this, the drive circuit applies an energization signal to the thermal head, and the heating element generates heat.

<Setting of offset value for energization time>
In the marking surface forming apparatus according to the present invention, the heating time (energization time) is reduced by about 500 μsec from the length of the energization time based on the energization table in each dot (unit of heating element) at 30 mm width. That is, an offset value of 500 μsec is provided.
Similarly, with a width of 15 mm, the heating time is reduced by about 1000 μsec from the energization table at each dot. That is, an offset value of 1000 μsec is provided.
Note that the offset value here is determined by experiment because it is difficult to obtain a theoretical value by calculation. Further, the offset value may be different depending on the temperature condition.
Moreover, it is good also as what multiplies a fixed ratio to the length of electricity supply time, without subtracting a fixed value from an offset value. For example, when the 45 mm width is 100%, it is 90% for the 30 mm width and 85% for the 15 mm width.

A matrix summarizing the above is shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the width of the stamping material and the values of pressing, crushing amount, and offset. What is shown in the uppermost column of FIG. 10 is the width size of the stamp material, which is 15 mm, 30 mm, and 45 mm in order from the left. As shown in FIG. 10, the pressure per unit length is larger as the width is smaller. Accordingly, the amount of crushing of the stamping material is larger as the stamping material has a smaller width. The offset is a value for shortening the energization time with respect to the stamping material having a small width in order to prevent crushing of the stamping surface due to the difference in the width of the stamping material and the blurring.
The values listed here are reference values for the stamp surface forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Different values are used for apparatuses having different design conditions.

《Trigger to apply offset》
In the description so far, the sensor 3 reads the notch 22a provided in the stamp material holder 20, and the control unit 2 acquires the width of the stamp material 21 (the length of the stamp material in the arrangement direction of the heating elements). Although the offset of the present invention is applied using this as a trigger, the user may specify the size of the stamping material 21 and apply the offset based on it.
More specifically, the size (particularly the width) of the stamping material 21 designated by the user using the application software of a personal computer or smartphone connected to the stamping surface forming device, and the stamping surface forming device are provided in the stamping material holder 20 by the sensor 3. Only when the size (particularly the width) of the stamping material 21 obtained by reading the notch 22a matches, the stamping surface forming process is executed by applying the offset according to the present invention. Anyway. Thereby, when the stamping surface size designated by the user and the inserted stamping material holder do not match, the stamping material holder 20 (the stamping material 21) does not have to be wasted.

<< About the action and effect of the invention >>
By applying the present invention, even if the pressure changes depending on the EVA width, and the manner in which the heating element hits the EVA changes, it is possible to create a stamped surface that is free of crushing and blurring.
In other words, when printing surface formation is performed using a printing material holder, the amount of heating is changed (corrected) according to the EVA width, so that the change in pressure accompanying the change in the media width is absorbed, and a stable printed product regardless of the media width. It became possible to realize the position.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.

[Appendix 1]
A plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface of the stamping material holder of a stamping material holder having a porous stamping material that can be made non-porous by heating and a holder for detachably holding the marking material And a driving circuit that controls the heat generation state of the heating element, and a marking surface forming portion that forms a marking surface on the marking material while pressing the marking material held by the marking material holder,
The engraving surface forming unit corrects the energization signal applied to the drive circuit and reduces the amount of heat generated in units of dots generated by the heating element as the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction decreases. A control unit for controlling the drive circuit;
A stamping surface forming apparatus.

[Appendix 2]
The control unit has an energization table for setting an energization time to the thermal head, and the correction is performed with respect to the energization time obtained by the energization table in the heating element arrangement direction of the stamp material. The stamp face forming apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the smaller the length is, the larger the offset is applied.

[Appendix 3]
The stamp forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the offset is made by subtracting a predetermined length of time or multiplying by a predetermined ratio.

[Appendix 4]
While moving a marking face material holder that detachably holds a porous marking face material that can be made non-porous by heating, relative to a marking face forming portion that forms a marking face by applying heat to the marking face material, When forming a marking surface on the marking material by a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface of the marking material holder on which the marking material is held and a driving circuit for controlling a heat generation state of the heating element, the driving Correcting the energization signal applied to the circuit, the smaller the length of the marking material in the heating element arrangement direction, the smaller the amount of heat generated by the heating element in dots, so that the heating amount of the marking surface forming portion is reduced. A stamping surface forming step for controlling the drive circuit;
A stamping surface forming method.

[Appendix 5]
The control unit has an energization table for setting an energization time to the thermal head, and the correction is performed with respect to the energization time obtained by the energization table in the heating element arrangement direction of the stamp material. The method for forming a stamping surface according to appendix 4, wherein the smaller the length is, the larger the offset is applied.

[Appendix 6]
The stamp forming method according to claim 5, wherein the offset is made by subtracting a predetermined length of time or multiplying by a predetermined ratio.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a stamping surface forming apparatus and a stamping surface forming method for forming a stamping surface on a stamping surface material held by a stamping plate holder inserted in a stamping surface forming apparatus in order to form an appropriate stamping surface.

1 Thermal printer for printing surface (printer, printing surface forming device)
2 Central control circuit (control unit)
3 Sensor 4 Thermal head 4a Pressing part (heating element)
4b Driver IC (Drive circuit)
4d Head end face 5 Power supply circuit 6 Input operation unit 8 Motor driver (stepping motor drive circuit)
9 Stepping Motor 12 Platen Roller 10c Insertion Port 10d Discharge Port 20 Stamping Surface Material Holder 21 Stamping Surface Material 21a Main Surface 21b Back Surface 22 Holding Body 22a Notch 22c Upper Cardboard 22d Lower Cardboard 22e Positioning Hole 24 Film 25, 26 Double-sided Adhesive Sheet 27 Eye 32 Interval H adjustment mechanism 40 USB control circuit 41 Bluetooth (registered trademark) module / wireless LAN module 43 Display device 44 PC (personal computer)
47 display screen control circuit 48 memory control circuit 49 UI (user interface) control circuit 50 stamp 51 handle 52 rootstock 53 double-sided adhesive sheet

In order to solve the above-described problem, a stamping surface forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface of the stamping material holder of a stamping material holder having a porous stamping material that can be made non-porous by heating and a holder for detachably holding the marking material And a driving circuit that controls the heat generation state of the heating element, and a marking surface forming portion that forms a marking surface on the marking material while pressing the marking material held by the marking material holder,
Detecting means for detecting the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction based on the size of the stamping material designated by the user in advance ;
On the basis of the detection result of the detection means, the energization applied to the drive circuit so as to reduce the amount of heat generated in units of dots generated by the heating element as the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction decreases. A control unit for correcting the signal and controlling the drive circuit of the stamp surface forming unit ;
Have

Moreover, the stamp face forming method according to the present invention includes:
While moving a marking face material holder that detachably holds a porous marking face material that can be made non-porous by heating, relative to a marking face forming portion that forms a marking face by applying heat to the marking face material, When forming a marking surface on the marking material by a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along the surface of the marking material holder on which the marking material is held and a driving circuit for controlling a heat generation state of the heating element, Based on the detection result of the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction according to the size of the stamping material specified by the user in advance, the smaller the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction, A stamping surface forming step of controlling the driving circuit of the stamping surface forming unit by correcting an energization signal applied to the driving circuit so as to reduce the amount of heat generated in units of dots generated by the heating element ;
Have

Claims (10)

A plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface of the stamping material holder of a stamping material holder having a porous stamping material that can be made non-porous by heating and a holder for detachably holding the marking material And a driving circuit that controls the heat generation state of the heating element, and a marking surface forming portion that forms a marking surface on the marking material while pressing the marking material held by the marking material holder,
Detecting means for detecting a length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction according to a signal from the sensor;
On the basis of the detection result of the detection means, the energization applied to the drive circuit so as to reduce the amount of heat generated in units of dots generated by the heating element as the length of the stamping material in the heating element arrangement direction decreases. A control unit for correcting the signal and controlling the drive circuit of the stamp surface forming unit;
A stamping surface forming apparatus. The detection means detects the length of the stamping material corresponding to the length of the predetermined pattern in the heating element arrangement direction by detecting the length of the predetermined pattern provided on the stamping material holder by the sensor. ,
The control unit corrects an energization signal to be applied to the drive circuit based on the length of the marking material detected by the detection unit in the heating element arrangement direction to control the drive circuit of the marking surface forming unit. To
The stamping surface forming apparatus according to claim 1. The control unit has an energization table for setting an energization time to the thermal head, and the correction is performed with respect to the energization time obtained by the energization table in the heating element arrangement direction of the stamp material. The stamp face forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a larger offset is applied as the length of the stamp becomes shorter. 4. The stamp face forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the offset is made by subtracting a predetermined length of time or multiplying by a predetermined ratio. The stamp face formation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the stamp face forming portion presses the stamp face material, the stamp face material holder holding the stamp face material is also pressed together with the stamp face material. apparatus While moving a marking face material holder that detachably holds a porous marking face material that can be made non-porous by heating, relative to a marking face forming portion that forms a marking face by applying heat to the marking face material, When forming a marking surface on the marking material by a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along the surface of the marking material holder on which the marking material is held and a driving circuit for controlling a heat generation state of the heating element, Based on the detection result of the length of the marking material in the heating element arrangement direction, the smaller the length of the marking material in the heating element arrangement direction, the smaller the amount of heat generated by the dots generated by the heating element. In addition, a printing surface forming step of correcting the energization signal applied to the driving circuit and controlling the driving circuit of the printing surface forming unit,
A stamping surface forming method. The length in the heating element arrangement direction of the stamping material corresponding to the length of the predetermined pattern is detected by detecting the length of the predetermined pattern provided in the stamping material holder by a sensor. Item 7. A stamp surface forming method according to Item 6. The control unit has an energization table for setting an energization time to the thermal head, and the correction is performed with respect to the energization time obtained by the energization table in the heating element arrangement direction of the stamp material. The stamp face forming method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the offset is applied to a larger length as the length is smaller. 9. The stamp face forming method according to claim 8, wherein the offset is made by subtracting a predetermined length of time or multiplying by a predetermined ratio. The stamp face formation according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein when the stamp face forming portion presses the stamp face material, the stamp face material holder holding the stamp face material is also pressed together with the stamp face material. Method.

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