JP2909387B2 - Label making device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for automatically creating a label attached to an article such as a floppy disk .
La on the bell creating apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When shipping a media product in which a program or data is written on a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a label printed with data such as a company name, a content display, a date of creation, and a serial number is attached to each product. Work is performed. In this case, if there are many types of media products, it is necessary to prepare a label only for that type or print it each time.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a conventional label attaching method, wherein 1 is an automatic label attaching device, and 2-1 to 2-
Reference numeral 3 denotes a different type of media product, 3-1 to 3-3 denote different labels prepared for each type of the media product, and 4 denotes a media product on which label attachment has been completed. Affixing a label to a media product is performed for each type.
For -1, the label 3-1 is selected and supplied to the automatic labeling apparatus 1.

FIG. 12 shows labels 3-1 to 3-3 in FIG.
A number of labels printed for the same type are attached on the mounts 5-1 to 5-3, and when supplied to the automatic label attaching apparatus 1, the labels are removed one by one. And attached to the media product.

In the conventional example as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, if there are many types of media products, even if the amount of the products is at least, printed labels for the products must be prepared for each mount, so that the burden of storage is increased. Since it is necessary to take out a large and appropriate label mount for each type of media product and set it in an automatic labeling apparatus, it is troublesome and an error may occur.

[0006] There has also been a method of producing a label by printing the content according to the type immediately before the operation of attaching the label to a medium product. However, it takes a lot of time to start from input of label data and to print on the label. It required man-hours, took time and labor, and was not efficient.

[0007]

[0007] The present invention is an object of the present invention to provide a wide variety of labels can be quickly easily supply the Lula Belle creation device without the need for the storage of the printed label.

[0008]

According to the present invention, arbitrary label data is created and registered in a file, and the label data is extracted from the file when necessary to perform label printing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention shown in an exemplary manner. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a label data creating unit which inputs and edits character data, graphic data, image data, and the like to be printed on a label, and creates label data. Note that only a fixed pattern portion is created here, and variable data such as date and time and a serial number may be internally generated and added later.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a label data management unit that stores the label data created by the label data creation unit 11 in a file 12a and manages the management information such as the product name as an index so as to be searchable.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a label print pattern creating unit, which stores a file 1 in the label data management unit 12 according to an instruction.
The target label data is extracted from 2a, a print image of the label is generated, and a label print pattern serving as an original such as a print sheet for transfer printing is created.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a label printing unit which performs printing on a label sheet attached to a label mount using the label printing pattern created by the label printing pattern creating unit 13. Reference numeral 15 denotes a label sticking unit, which peels a printed label from a label mount and sticks it to a target article. Note that a sticky adhesive is applied to the back surface of the label.

[0013]

In the present invention, the creation and printing of label data are separated from each other, the label data is created at any time and stored in a file, and any label data stored in the file is optionally stored. Can be taken out and used for printing. Since label data is stored in a file in a digital format, a large number of label data can be managed compactly.

In the label data, only a fixed data portion is stored in a file, and a variable data portion such as a date and time or a serial number can be separately generated and added. There is no need to store it in a file, and label data can be managed efficiently.

In label printing, after label data is developed into a label printing pattern, it is baked on transfer paper to create an ink-permeable printing sheet, and label printing can be performed using this printing sheet. Label printing can also be performed directly by inkjet based on the pattern. When a print sheet is used, the print sheet can be created in advance, so that it is possible to substantially reduce the printing time.

[0016]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a processing / control system of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a label data creation unit, which has a data input function for character data, graphic data, image data, and the like, and an editing function, and enables an operator to create label data in an interactive manner.
In this embodiment, only the fixed data portion is created, and the variable data portion is added later.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a label data management unit which manages the created label data in a file 12a,
It has functions such as delete, update, and search. When image data is included in the label data, the data can be compressed.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a label print pattern creating unit that creates a label print pattern by developing label data extracted from the file 12a into a dot pattern in a printable raster format.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a label printing unit. In this embodiment, label printing is performed by a silk screen printing method. Reference numeral 15 denotes a label attaching section, which automatically attaches the printed label to a medium product (floppy).

Reference numeral 16 denotes a variable data generator for adding variable data such as a date and a serial number to the label data extracted from the file 12a. Reference numeral 17 denotes a label print sheet creating unit that optically or thermally prints the label print pattern created by the label print pattern creating unit 13 on the label print sheet to create an ink-permeable original plate.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a label-attached medium product, which is supplied to the label attaching section 15 one by one. FIG.
1 is an external view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 14
Is a label printing unit, 15 is a label sticking unit, and 17 is a label printing sheet preparation unit, which are the same as those shown in FIG. Reference numeral 20 denotes a label data creation host, which accommodates the label data creation unit 11, the file data management unit 12, the label print pattern creation unit 13, and the like in FIG. It also has control and management functions for the entire device.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a label printing mechanism, which includes a label printing unit 14, a label sticking unit 15, and a label printing sheet preparation unit 17. Reference numeral 22 denotes a device control unit, which has a control function for the label printing mechanism unit 21.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a work stocker section, on which media products to be labeled are stacked, and the media products are pulled out one by one from an outlet provided at the bottom and supplied to the label printing mechanism section 21.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a work storage unit, which stores medium products to which labels have been attached one by one from an entrance provided at the bottom. Reference numeral 25 denotes a print sheet supply roll for supplying a print sheet formed of a printing original plate. The print sheet is made of a material whose ink permeability can be controlled by light or heat.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a label mount supply roll, which supplies the label mount to the label print sheet creating section 17 and the label print section 14. Reference numeral 27 denotes a label peeling unit, which peels off the label from the label mount by folding the label mount.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a label mount winding roll, which winds the label on the separated mount. The operation of the embodiment device will be described with reference to FIGS. The operator creates label data using the label data creation host 20 in FIG. 3 at a convenient time, and registers the label data in the file 12a in FIG. The operator takes out the intended label data from the file 12a when the label printing is necessary,
The label print pattern creation unit 13 and the variable data generation unit 16 shown in FIG. 2 are started, and the label data (fixed data portion) extracted from the file 12a and the variable data generation unit 16
Is combined with the variable data portion output from the printer driver and supplied to the label print pattern creating unit 13.

The label print pattern creation unit 13 develops the input data into a raster dot pattern and supplies it to the label print sheet creation unit 17 shown in FIG. The label print sheet creating unit 17 prints a dot print label print pattern on the print sheet supplied from the print sheet supply roll 25. The label print sheet on which the label print pattern has been printed is transported to the position of the label print unit 14, where printing is performed on the label on the label mount supplied from the label mount supply roll 26.

At the position of the label printing unit 14, the feeding is controlled so that the label on the label mount and the label printing pattern formed on the label printing sheet coincide with each other. By rolling, an ink image according to the label print image is formed on the label surface and printed.

The label mount on which the printed label is placed is then transferred to a label peeling section 27, where the label is separated from the label mount, and the label affixing section 15 places the label on the media product transferred from the work stocker section 23. Affixed to The media product thus labeled is
The label mount is stored in the work storing section 24 and is wound on the label mount winding roll 28.

The printing of the label printing pattern on the label printing sheet, that is, the preparation of the printing original plate needs to be performed at least every time the label printing pattern is different. For example, even if the label data extracted from the file 12a is unchanged, if the variable data is different, a label print pattern is created and printed on a label print sheet. Therefore, when serial numbers are printed, label print patterns are created only for the number of media products, that is, for the number of labels,
Baking is performed. On the other hand, if the label printing pattern is the same, many labels can be printed on one label printing sheet. However, printing on the label print sheet may be performed by the number of labels.

The label print sheet on which the label print pattern is baked may not be used immediately for printing, but may be stored temporarily and supplied to the apparatus when necessary to perform label printing.

Next, details of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 exemplifies a display screen of the label data creating host 20 of FIG. 3, and an operator creates character data of a label on the screen by an input operation from a keyboard. Logos and marks having a special design can be registered in advance and used.

FIG. 5 shows a method of incorporating an image such as a figure or a landscape having a special pattern into the label data when the label data is created. FIG. 5A shows a method of reading an image of a document using an image scanner, and FIG.
Is a method of capturing a landscape and capturing an image using a video camera. In any case, the image data takes the form of a video signal in a raster format, is input to a label data creation host (specifically, the label data creation unit 11 in FIG. 2), binarized, and combined with character data. Edited.

FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the label print sheet creating section 17 for printing the label print pattern on the label print sheet in FIG. In the figure, 29 is a liquid crystal display,
Reference numeral 30 denotes a light emitting source, and 31 denotes a label printing sheet. The label printing pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display 29, the light emitting source 30 emits light, and the label printing pattern is printed on the label printing sheet 31 by the light transmitted through the liquid crystal display 29. As a result, only the portion of the label print pattern becomes light-transmissive and can be used as a positive master.

FIG. 7A shows another specific example of the label print sheet creating section 17, in which the thermal printer head 32 is provided.
Is used to print a label print pattern on the label print sheet 31. As shown in FIG. 7B, the thermal printer head 32 performs a shuttle motion in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the label printing sheet 31 and performs a raster scan to form a label printing pattern.

FIG. 8 shows a specific example of the label printing section 14 of FIG. In this example, one ink roller is used, and in a state where the label 3 and the label printing sheet 33 are overlapped, the ink roller 34 is rolled over a necessary range on the label 3 and reciprocates. In this case, since one label is printed in each of the forward movement and the backward movement, it is efficient. This reciprocation of the ink roller 34 is achieved by attaching the ink roller 34 to one end of the arm 35 and using the other end 36 as a fulcrum.
This can be realized by connecting the eccentric position of the rotation shaft of the motor 37 and the intermediate point of the arm 35 by a link lever 38 and swinging the arm 35 by the rotation of the motor 37. The arm 35 is extended and contracted by a spring so that the ink roller 34 can follow the flat surface of the label 3.

FIG. 9 shows another specific example of the label printing section 14 of FIG. Although the illustrated example is for a case where four ink rollers are provided, any number of ink rollers can be provided. FIG.
, Four arms 39-1 to 39-4 are radially attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 37, and ink rollers 34-1 to 34-4 are provided at the ends of each arm, respectively. Here also, each arm is made extendable and contractible similarly to the arm 35 of FIG. The motor 37 rotates 90 degrees to print one label, and can rotate 360 degrees to continuously print four labels. In addition, by using each roller of FIG. 9 in four colors such as black, blue, red, and yellow, it is possible to print labels in four colors.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart of the device control unit 22 of FIG. When counting the number of sheets by a counter that gives the serial number of the media product by the count-up method, follow the flow on the left, and when counting by the count-down method, follow the flow on the right. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to the configuration of FIG. In the case of the count-up method, the counter is first cleared to 0, and the work stocker unit 23 is cleared.
Supplies one medium product from the printer and increments the counter by one to generate a serial number "0001". Next, execute label printing,
After attaching a label to this medium product, the work storage unit 24
To store the media product. The above operation is repeated for the specified number of sheets. In the case of the countdown method, first, the counter is set to a designated number, and each time one medium product is supplied, printing is performed with the current counter value as a serial number. , Until the counter becomes zero.

After the above operation is completed, the next label printing (or label pasting) request is checked, and if there is request data, the request is executed, and if there is no request data, the process is ended.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the label attached to the article does not need to be stored in advance only for the type of the label, and can be easily created when the label needs to be attached. Since label data file management can be processed by computer, it is possible to easily create various label printing patterns,
It is easy to modify or delete the label data in the file,
It is possible to improve the reliability of the label data and reduce the work load.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a processing / control system of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of label data on a display screen.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an image input method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of a print sheet creation unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another specific example of the print sheet creating unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of a label printing unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another specific example of the label printing unit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of the control of the device control unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a conventional label attaching method.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a label supply mode in an example of a conventional label attaching method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 label data creation unit 12 label data management unit 12a file 13 label print pattern creation unit 14 label printing unit 15 label attaching unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/30 B65C 9/46 G11B 23/38

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A label data creation unit for creating label data, a label data management unit for file management of the created label data, and a label print pattern for extracting label data from the label data management unit and creating a label print pattern a creation unit, label creating apparatus der which includes a label printing unit, the printing on the label by using the label printing pattern generated
Therefore, the label printing section is a radial
With multiple ink rollers attached to each end of the
The plurality of ink rollers sequentially print different labels.
Rotating the radial arm to be used.
Label producing device . 2. The label printing unit according to claim 1, further comprising:
Labeling to automatically apply the label printed on the object
A label producing apparatus comprising a unit. 3. A label data work to create a label data
And the generating unit, Raberude to the label data that was created file management
Label data from the data management unit and label data management unit.
Label print pattern creation section for creating a print pattern
And print on the label using the created label print pattern
And a label printing unit for performing label printing.
Therefore, the label printing section is a radial
With multiple ink rollers attached to each end of the
Then, inks of different colors are applied to the ink rollers.
Applying and rotating the radial arm
Therefore, a label producing apparatus that performs label printing in an arbitrary color . 4. The label printing unit according to claim 3, further comprising:
Labeling to automatically apply the label printed on the object
A label producing apparatus comprising a unit.