JP3342596B2 - Label printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label printer which prints a plurality of labels on a label paper attached to a mount at predetermined intervals, peels off the printed labels from the mount, and issues the label.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a conventional label printer is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a thermal head 4 for printing a plurality of labels 1-1, 1-2,... A platen 5 that is arranged to face the paper and transports the label paper 3;
Paper feed sensor 6 for detecting the leading edge of the label on label paper 3
A peeling plate 7 for bending the label paper 3 at an acute angle, a take-up roller (not shown) for winding the mount 2 of the label paper 3,
There is provided a peeling sensor 8 composed of a transmission type optical sensor for detecting the label 1 peeled off by the peeling plate 7.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state in which a label printed and issued one sheet before is peeled off. At this time, since the conveyance of the label paper is stopped with the previous label peeled off, the first label 1-1 is not located at the printing home position.

Therefore, the label 1-1 by the paper feed sensor 6 is used.
The back feed is performed for positioning the label 1-1 to the home position based on the detection of the leading end of the label 1-1. FIG.
b) is the label 1 at the end of this back feed
-1 is a view showing a state where positioning at the home position is completed.

Next, printing is performed on the label 1-1. The label paper 3 is bent at an acute angle in the direction of the winding roller by the acute angle portion of the peeling plate 7 by the conveyance during printing or the conveyance for peeling performed after the printing is completed. At this time, the label 1-1 is peeled off from the front end direction, and is peeled off leaving a part of the label 1-1 (for example, a portion 2 to 3 mm from the rear end), and the transportation is stopped. FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a state at the time of conveyance stop after the peeling of the label 1-1 has been completed.

During and after printing, the label 1-1 peeled off from the backing paper 2 is detected by the peeling sensor 8, and when the peeling sensor 8 detects that there is paper, the following is performed. Is prohibited. Here, if the label 1-1 is removed, the peeling sensor 8 is in an undetected state, it is determined that there is no paper, and the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 8A again, and the next label can be issued. .

[0007]

However, in the conventional label printer, at the time of high-speed printing issuance, FIG.
As shown in (1), before the leading end of the label 1 separates from the backing sheet 2, the leading end portion passes through the acute angle portion of the peeling plate 7 without separating from the backing sheet 2 and travels together with the backing sheet 2 to the winding roller. There was a problem that it was conveyed.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a label printer capable of reliably peeling and issuing a label even at the time of high-speed printing, and preventing a problem that a printed label is wound up with a backing sheet. Aim.

[0009]

The invention corresponding to claim 1 is:
A label printer that prints a plurality of labels on label paper with a predetermined interval attached to the backing paper, peels off the printed labels from the backing paper, and issues the label with a predetermined length from the backing paper before printing. A peeling preparation means for peeling is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label printer which prints a plurality of labels on a label paper having a predetermined interval attached to the backing paper, peels off the printed labels from the backing paper, and issues the label. Label detection means for detecting a portion peeled off from the backing paper, and peeling preparation means for preliminarily peeling off a predetermined length of the leading end of the next label to be printed and issued based on the detection by the label detection means. It is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, the peeling preparing means is configured to control a conveying speed of the label sheet when the leading end of the label is peeled off from the backing sheet by a predetermined length. Is changed to the speed of peeling off from the backing paper.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the peeling preparation means peels off the leading end of the leading label from the backing sheet by a predetermined length after the power is turned on. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the label is removed after the label has been issued, the peeling preparation means sets the leading end of the next label to be printed. A predetermined length is previously peeled off from the backing paper.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the leading end of the label is peeled off from the backing sheet by a predetermined length before printing by the peeling preparation means, the adhesive force of the leading end portion of the label with the backing sheet is reduced. Therefore, the tip portion can be easily separated from the backing paper.

For example, the time required for peeling off the leading end of the label by the peeling plate is greatly reduced. Therefore, even in high-speed printing, there is a high possibility that the leading end of the label is peeled off from the backing sheet before passing through the acute angle portion of the peeling plate.

In the invention corresponding to claim 2, since the label detecting means detects the portion of the label peeled off from the backing paper, the predetermined length of the leading end of the label or according to the state of the label issued immediately before the label. In accordance with the peeling state of the label, the peeling preparation means peels the leading end of the label from the backing paper by a predetermined length in advance.

In the invention corresponding to claim 3, the peeling preparing means changes the conveying speed of the label paper to a speed at which the leading end of the label is peeled off, and peels the leading end of the label from the backing paper by a predetermined length in advance. Therefore, even if the time required for peeling the label from the backing sheet is long, if the change of the transport speed of the label paper by the peeling means is optimally set, the leading end portion of the label is reliably peeled off the backing sheet.

In the invention corresponding to claim 4, since the leading end of the label is previously peeled off from the backing paper by a predetermined length by the peeling preparation means when the power is turned on, printing issuance can be performed immediately at the first label issuance after the power is turned on. it can.

In the invention corresponding to claim 5, when the label is removed after the label has been issued by the peeling preparation means, the leading end of the label to be printed next is peeled off from the backing paper by a predetermined length in advance. Therefore, when the issuance of the label to be printed next is instructed, the label issuance can be started immediately because the leading end of the label has already been peeled off from the backing paper.

[0020]

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a label printer 10 to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 11 denotes a thermal line head in which a plurality of heating resistors for printing on a label are formed in a line. A platen 12 is arranged facing the thermal line head 11.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, the platen 12 is driven to rotate by a feed motor described later.

Between the thermal line head 11 and the platen 12, label sheets supplied from a label sheet 14 wound and set in a roll shape on a sheet feed roller 13 are arranged to face each other. First auxiliary roller 15
And between the second auxiliary roller 16. A paper feed sensor 17 composed of an optical transmission sensor and an optical reflection sensor is disposed on a transport path between the two auxiliary rollers 15 and 16 and the thermal line head 11 and the platen 12. .

A peeling plate 19 is arranged near the label issuing port 18 from the platen 12, and the label paper is bent at an acute angle by the acute angle portion of the peeling plate 19, and the mounting paper is placed under the platen 12. As a result, it is wound by the winding roller 21 via the third auxiliary roller 20. The take-up roller 21 is rotationally driven by a mount take-up motor 22 via a plurality of gears.

The label peeled from the label paper by the peeling plate 19 is projected from the label issuing port 18. The label issuing port 18 is provided with a peeling sensor 23 as a label detecting means composed of an optical transmission sensor for detecting the peeled and projected label.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the label printer 10. As shown in FIG. Reference numeral 31 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) constituting the control unit body. A ROM (read only memory) 32 in which program data of processing performed by the CPU 31 is stored, a RAM (random access memory) 33 in which areas of various memories used when the CPU 31 performs processing are formed,
3 and an I / O (inp) for inputting and outputting various detection signals (not shown) from the paper feed sensor 17.
ut / output) Port unit 34, a host computer 35 for transmitting various commands, print data, and the like, and a communication interface 36 for controlling data transmission via a line are connected to the CPU 31 via a system bus 37. .

Further, the CPU 31 controls the keyboard controller 39 for controlling a keyboard 38 for inputting a command for paper feed through the system bus 37, and a display for controlling a display 40 for displaying an error or the like. A controller 41, a head driver 42 for driving and controlling the thermal line head 11, a feed motor 43 for rotating the platen 12 and other auxiliary rollers for rotating and the like, and a motor for driving and controlling the mount winding motor 22, respectively. It is connected to the driver 44.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of the printing process performed by the CPU 31. First, as a process of step 1 (ST1), the system is in a standby state until a command transmitted from the host computer 35 and received by the communication interface 36 is present. When the command is present, the command is analyzed. It is determined whether this command is a peeling issue command.

Here, if it is determined that the command is not a peeling issue command, another command processing corresponding to the command is performed, and when this command processing is completed, the process returns to the above-described step 1 again.

If it is determined that the command is a peeling issue command, based on a detection signal from the peeling sensor 23,
It is determined whether or not a label is detected (with paper). Here, if it is determined that a label has been detected, the state is a standby state until it is determined that the label has not been detected, that is, until the label is removed.

If it is determined that no label has been detected, the process proceeds to step 2 (ST2), where the RAM 33
It is confirmed whether or not the label peeling flag formed in is set.

Here, if the label peeling flag is set, the setting of the label peeling flag is released, and if the label peeling flag is not set,
A label peeling preparation process (peeling preparation means) to be described later is performed.

When the setting of the label removal flag is released,
Alternatively, when the label peeling preparation processing is completed, the paper feed sensor 1
Based on the detection signal from 7, the label paper is fed back to the home position. That is, the printing start position of the label to be printed is positioned at the printing position of the thermal line head 11.

Next, printing on one label is started, and a peeling feed is performed. This peeling feed is provided by
While monitoring the detection signal from No. 3, the peeling plate 19 conveys the label paper to be peeled while leaving the rear end side of the label at 2 to 3 mm. One label is issued by printing on the one label and peeling feed.

When the issuance of one label is completed, it is determined whether or not the label is detected based on the detection signal from the peeling sensor. Here, if it is determined that a label has been detected, the state is a standby state until it is determined that the label has not been detected, that is, until the label is removed.

If it is determined that the label has not been detected, that is, the label has been removed, a label peeling preparation process described later is performed. The formed label peeling flag is set, and it is determined whether the issuance of the set number of sheets set by the peeling issuance command is completed.

Here, if it is determined that the issuance of the set number has not been completed, the process returns to the step 2 described above. If it is determined that the issuance of the set number has been completed, Then, the process returns to the above-described step 1 again.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of the label stripping process performed by the CPU 31. First, the counters n and m formed in the RAM 33 are set to 0, and in step 3 (ST3), the platen 12 and the like are rotated by the rotation of the feed motor 43 to convey the label paper for one step.

Next, +1 is added to the count value m of the counter m, and it is determined based on the detection signal from the peeling sensor 23 whether or not the label is detected (paper is present).

If it is determined that the label has not been detected, the count n is set to 0, and then it is determined whether or not the count value m of the counter m is equal to or greater than a preset upper limit value M. If it is determined that the value m is less than the upper limit value M, the process returns to the above-described step 3 again. If it is determined that the count value m is equal to or more than the upper limit value M for determination of a winding error,
Error handling is performed.

If it is determined that a label has been detected, +1 is added to the count value n of the counter n, and whether the count value n of the counter n is equal to or greater than the lower limit value N for peeling determination is determined. Judge.

Here, if it is determined that the count value n is less than the lower limit value N, the process returns to the above-described step 3 again. If it is determined that the count value N is equal to or greater than the lower limit value N, the platen 12 and the like are rotated by the rotation of the feed motor 43, and the label paper is fed back by the number of steps m counted by the counter m. When the back feed processing ends, the label stripping processing ends.

In the first embodiment having such a configuration,
When the label issued immediately before is removed, FIG. 5 (a)
As shown in the figure, the label 51-1 to be printed next is subjected to a label peeling preparation process for peeling off the leading end of the label 51-1.

The one-step conveyance of the label sheet 53 is repeated until the peeling sensor 23 detects the label 51-1 continuously N times or more. At this time, by the m counter,
The number of steps from the state shown in FIG. 5A is counted, and the number of steps in which the label is continuously detected by the peeling sensor 23 is counted by the n counter.

Even if the number of steps is M or more from the state shown in FIG.
If 1-1 is not detected continuously N times or more, label 51
It is determined that -1 has been wound in the direction of the winding roller 21 together with the backing sheet 52 without peeling, and error processing is performed.

When the label 51-1 is continuously detected N times or more by the peeling sensor 23, the state shown in FIG. 5B is obtained. Here, m counted by the m counter
Backfeed by the number of steps. Then label 5
1-1 returns to the position shown in FIG. 5 (a), and further, back feed to the home position is performed, and the state shown in FIG. 5 (b) is obtained.

When the label 51-1 is positioned at the home position, printing starts. At this time, the label paper is transported along with the printing, so that the label paper
When the label passes through the acute angle portion of No. 9, the label is sequentially peeled from the backing paper from its leading end. When printing is completed, label 51
−1, the remaining stripping and transporting is performed, leaving a portion of 2 to 3 mm from the rear end, and a state as shown in FIG. 5D is obtained. Here, it is in a standby state until the label 51-1 is removed.

When the last label is removed at the time of continuous issuance, a process of peeling off the leading end of the next label is performed, and then a command waiting state is set.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by peeling the leading end of the label 51-1 to be issued next before printing, the adhesive strength between the leading end of the label 51-1 and the backing paper is increased. Is kept lowered or peeled off, so even in high-speed conveyance in printing or peeling, the leading end portion of the label 51-1 is immediately peeled off, and the label 51-1 is surely 2-3 mm.
And is protruded from the label issuing port 18 to be issued. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that the printed label 51-1 is taken up by the take-up roller 21 together with the backing sheet 52 without being separated.

In the first embodiment, at the timing of the change from the detection of the pre-issued label to the non-detection by the peeling sensor 23 as the label detecting means, that is, the label issued immediately before is removed. At the timing, the leading portion of the leading label to be printed next is transported by peeling until the label is detected by the peeling sensor 23, so that when the next peeling issuance command is executed, the leading portion of the leading label has already been removed. Since it has been peeled, printing can be issued immediately. Moreover, since the peeling and conveying are performed based on the detection of the label by the peeling sensor 23, it can be surely confirmed that the leading end portion of the leading label has been peeled by a predetermined length.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is the content of the label peeling preparation process. Therefore, the configurations are almost the same, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 shows that the CPU 31 performs a printing process (FIG. 3).
It is a figure which shows the flow of the label peeling preparation process performed as a subroutine in ()). First, the counters n and m formed in the RAM 33 are set to 0, and the mode of the transport speed of the label paper by the feed motor 43 is switched from the high-speed mode to the low-speed mode. The transport speed of the label paper in the high-speed mode is 10 inch / s, and the transport speed of the label paper in the low-speed mode is 3 inch / s.

Next, as a process of step 4 (ST4), the platen 12 is rotated by driving the feed motor 43.
And the like are rotated to convey the label paper for one step. Next, a process of adding +1 to the count value m of the counter m is performed, and it is determined based on the detection signal from the peeling sensor 23 whether or not the label is detected (paper is present).

If it is determined that the label has not been detected, the count n is set to 0, and then it is determined whether or not the count value m of the counter m is equal to or greater than a preset upper limit value M. If it is determined that the value m is less than the upper limit value M, the process returns to the above-described step 3 again. If it is determined that the count value m is equal to or more than the upper limit value M for determination of a winding error,
Error handling is performed.

If it is determined that a label has been detected, a process of adding +1 to the count value n of the counter n is performed, and whether the count value n of the counter n is equal to or greater than the lower limit value N for peeling determination is determined. Judge.

Here, if it is determined that the count value n is less than the lower limit value N, the process returns to the above-described step 3 again. If it is determined that the count value N is equal to or larger than the lower limit value N, the mode of the label paper conveyance speed by the feed motor 43 is switched from the low speed mode to the high speed mode.

Then, the platen 12 and the like are rotated by the rotation of the feed motor 43, and the label paper is back-fed by m steps counted by the counter m. When the back feed processing ends, the label stripping processing ends.

In the second embodiment having such a configuration,
When the process of peeling off the leading end of the label is performed, the mode of the label paper transport speed is switched to the low speed mode, and the one-step transport of the label paper by the feed motor 43 becomes slow.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the transport speed of the label paper is reduced when the leading end of the label is peeled off. Thus, if the transport speed of the label paper is reduced according to the adhesive strength between the label and the backing paper, the leading end of the label can be more reliably peeled off. Therefore,
The label can be more reliably peeled off and issued, and the problem that the printed label is wound up together with the mount can be prevented.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that a function of performing a label stripping preparation process at the time of turning on the power is added. Therefore, the configurations are almost the same, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 shows the state when the power is turned on.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of processing at the time of power-on performed by a PU 31. First, initialization for initializing and initializing various memories is performed. When the initialization is completed, it is determined based on a detection signal from the peeling sensor 23 whether or not a label is detected (paper is present). Here, if it is determined that the label has been detected, the process enters a standby state until it is determined that the label has not been detected.

If it is determined that the label has not been detected, it is determined whether or not the label peeling flag formed in the RAM 33 has been set. If it is determined that the label peeling flag has been set, the state remains unchanged. This power-on processing is terminated.

If it is determined that the label peeling flag is not set, the label peeling preparation processing described in the first or second embodiment is performed. When the label peeling preparation processing is completed, the power-on processing is completed. When the CPU 31 completes the power-on processing, it shifts to the printing processing and the like described in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment having such a structure,
Since the label stripping process is performed when the power is turned on, when the first command is received from the host computer 35 after the power is turned on, since the leading end of the first label has already been peeled off from the backing paper, the label is printed by the first command. Issuance takes place immediately.

If the last issuance is a peeling issuance and the leading end of the leading label after the issuance has been peeled off, the label peeling flag is set, so that the label at power-on processing No peeling preparation processing is performed.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described first and second embodiments can be obtained. In addition, when the power is turned on, the label peeling preparation process is performed. Can be issued immediately by the first command.

[0065]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a label printer capable of reliably peeling and issuing a label even in high-speed printing issuance and preventing a problem that a printed label is wound up together with a mount.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a label printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the label printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a flow of a printing process performed by the label printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a flow of a label stripping process as a subroutine of a printing process performed by the label printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the state of label sheet conveyance in the printing process of the label printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a label stripping process as a subroutine of a printing process performed by the label printer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of a power-on process performed in the label printer of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a state of label sheet conveyance in a printing process of a conventional label printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: Thermal line head, 12: Platen, 17: Paper feed sensor, 19: Release plate, 21: Winding roller, 23: Release sensor, 31: CPU, 33: RAM, 43: Feed motor.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65C 9/08-11/06 B41J 11/42

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A label printer that prints a plurality of labels on a label sheet with a predetermined interval attached to a backing sheet, peels off the printed label from the backing sheet, and issues the label before printing. A label printer, further comprising a peeling preparation unit for peeling a predetermined length from the backing paper in advance. 2. A label printer in which a plurality of labels are printed on a label paper attached to a backing at predetermined intervals, and the printed labels are peeled off from the backing and issued. Label detecting means for detecting the portion of the label, and peeling preparation means for peeling the leading end of the next label to be printed and issued based on the detection by the label detecting means for a predetermined length from the backing paper in advance. Label printer. 3. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein said peeling preparation means controls the conveying speed of the label paper when the leading edge of the label is peeled off from the backing by a predetermined length. A label printer characterized by changing to a peeling speed. 4. A label printer according to claim 1, wherein said peeling preparation means peels off a leading end of a leading label from said backing paper by a predetermined length after power is turned on. Printer. 5. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein, when the label is removed after the label has been issued, the peeling preparing unit preliminarily removes the leading end of the label to be printed from the backing paper. A label printer characterized in that a predetermined length is peeled off.