JP4472437B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing on a long substrate.

  Conventionally, as a technique for printing along a longitudinal direction on a long base material coated with an adhesive such as a tape, for example, one of tapes wound in a roll shape by a thermal transfer method in Patent Document 1 is used. A printing apparatus has been proposed for printing on the surface. The printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 can pressure-bond a transparent film having high transparency to the printing surface in order to protect the printing surface. Further, in such a conventional printing apparatus, when printing is completed, the base material is cut immediately after the last printed character in the transport direction of the base material to be separated into single pieces.

  However, Patent Document 1 discloses a long tape such as a tape on which a semiconductor device having an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) function (hereinafter also abbreviated as “RFID device”) is mounted at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction. A printing method and a printing apparatus for printing on a shaped substrate are not disclosed.

Even when printing is performed on a long substrate on which the RFID device is mounted, when printing is completed, the substrate is cut into a single piece behind the printed region in the conveyance direction of the substrate. However, in order not to damage the RFID device by cutting the base material, the base material must be sent to a portion where the RFID device is not mounted, and then the base material must be cut at this portion. Therefore, when the base material is cut, it is necessary to identify the printed region and the region where the RFID device exists on the base material.
JP-A-5-69565

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and applies a printing process to a long base material on which an RFID device is mounted without impairing the communication function of the RFID device. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of cutting a substrate at an appropriate location.

The present invention is a printing apparatus for printing on a long base material, the transporting means for transporting the base material loaded in the printing apparatus, the printing means for printing on the base material, and the printing means. by decision, characters applied to the substrate, being printed position of the pattern or image, the first identification means for identifying information a related area, where to cut the substrate on the basis of the information a a first determination unit configured to, a cutting means for a single piece by being cut the substrate on the basis of a signal from the first determining means, it applied to the single fragmented by substrate, the single-piece A second identification means for identifying information B relating to a position, a region where a character, a pattern or an image is printed on the base material, and a semiconductor device having an RFID function in the base material based on the information B A second determination means for determining a position to be pasted; Serial based on a signal from the second determination means providing at least with the printing device and attaching means for attaching a semiconductor device, a having an RFID function to the substrate.

  In the printing apparatus having such a configuration, when printing of the substrate is completed, the first determination unit determines the location to cut the substrate based on the information A identified by the first identification unit, Information about the singulated substrate identified by the second discriminating means by the second discriminating means by cutting the base material into pieces by the cutting means based on the signal from the first judging means. Based on B, the position where the RFID device is pasted on the base material is determined, and the RFID device is pasted on the base material based on the signal from the second judging means by the pasting means, so the communication function of the RFID apparatus is impaired. Without cutting, the substrate can be cut at an appropriate location. That is, after printing on an arbitrary region of the base material, by determining an appropriate location for cutting the base material based on the information A regarding this printing, there are characters, patterns, images, etc. printed on the base material. Depending on the region, the substrate can be cut to any length. And according to the length of this cut base material, the RFID device can be attached to the base material.

  In the printing apparatus configured as described above, the printing unit may print on a surface of the substrate on which a semiconductor device having an RFID function is mounted.

  When the printing process is performed on the surface on which the RFID device is mounted on the base material, the position where the RFID device is mounted can be clarified, or the mounting of the RFID device can be made inconspicuous.

  In the printing apparatus configured as described above, it is preferable that the printing unit prints on a surface opposite to a surface on which the semiconductor device having an RFID function is mounted on the base material.

  When performing printing on the surface opposite to the surface on which the RFID device is mounted on the base material, it is possible to clarify the position where the RFID device is mounted, Images can also be printed.

  According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, a long base material can be subjected to a printing process in an arbitrary region, and the base material can be cut at an appropriate location. In addition, the RFID device can be mounted on a base material printed in an arbitrary region and cut to an appropriate length.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a printing apparatus, 11 denotes a conveying means, 12 denotes a printing means, 13 denotes a first identification means, 14 denotes a first determination means, 15 denotes a cutting means, 16 denotes a second identification means, 17 Is a second judging means, 18 is a pasting means, 19 is a control means, and 20 is a substrate.

  The printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment relates to printing of the substrate 20, a conveying unit 11 that conveys the substrate 20 loaded in the printing device 10 in the longitudinal direction, a printing unit 12 that prints on the substrate 20, and the like. First identification means 13 for identifying information A, first judgment means 14 for determining a location to cut the base material 20 based on information A, and base material based on a signal from the first judgment means 14 A cutting means 15 for cutting 20 into pieces, a second identifying means 16 for identifying information B relating to the piece of base material 20, and a semiconductor having an RFID function in the base material 20 based on the information B Second judging means 17 for determining the position where the device is stuck, pasting means 18 for sticking the RFID device to the base material 20 based on a signal from the second judging means 17, and control means for controlling these operations It is composed roughly of 19 That.

  In the printing apparatus 10, the base material 20 is loaded into the apparatus so that the base material 20 can be conveyed while being sent out at a desired speed in the longitudinal direction. Further, the printing unit 12, the first identification unit 13, the first determination unit 14, the cutting unit 15, the first unit are arranged in order from the side closer to the substrate 20 wound in a roll shape along the conveyance direction of the substrate 20. A second identification unit 16, a second determination unit 17, and a pasting unit 18 are arranged. In addition, the printing unit 12, the first identification unit 13, the first determination unit 14, the cutting unit 15, the second identification unit 16, the second determination unit 17, and the pasting unit 18 are arranged on one side of the substrate 20. It is arranged on the 20a side. Furthermore, the conveying means 11, the printing means 12, the first identifying means 13, the first judging means 14, the cutting means 15, the second identifying means 16, the second judging means 17, the pasting means 18, and the control means 19 Is electrically connected via various cables and the like so that signals can be communicated with each other.

  The transport means 11 is not particularly limited as long as the long base material 20 can be transported (sent out) along the longitudinal direction at a desired speed, and any material can be applied. Examples of the transport means 11 include a pair of rollers 11a and 11a that transport the base material 20 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by rotating the base material 20 between both surfaces.

  The printing unit 12 is not particularly limited as long as it can print a character, pattern, or image of any size on the base material 20, and any one can be applied. Examples of the printing means 12 include a thermal transfer printer, an inkjet printer, a microdrive printer, a sublimation thermal transfer printer, and a thermoautochrome printer.

 The first identification unit 13 is not particularly limited as long as it includes a device having a function of identifying information A related to printing performed on the base material 20 by the printing unit 12, and any one can be applied. Examples of an apparatus having a function of identifying information A related to printing performed on the base material 20 include an imaging apparatus having a function of identifying characters, patterns, or images printed on the base material 20.

 The first determination unit 14 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of determining a location for cutting the base material 20 based on the information A identified by the first identification unit 13, and any one is possible. Applied. Examples of the first determination unit 14 include a personal computer in which a criterion for determination based on the information A is programmed in advance.

 The cutting means 15 is not particularly limited as long as it can cut the base material 20 being transported into a single piece based on a signal from the first determination means 14, and any cutting means 15 is applicable. The Examples of the cutting means 18 include a tooth cutter and a fusing cutter.

 The second identification means 16 is not particularly limited as long as it has a device having a function of identifying the information B related to the singulated base material 20, and any one is applicable. As an apparatus having a function of identifying the information B related to the singulated substrate 20, for example, an imaging device having a function of identifying a character or an image printed on the substrate 20, the size (width) of the substrate 20 ) And the like.

 The second determination means 17 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of determining the position where the RFID device is pasted on the base material 20 based on the information B identified by the second identification means 18. Anything applies. Examples of the second determination means 17 include a personal computer in which a determination criterion based on the information B is programmed in advance.

 The sticking means 18 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of sticking the RFID device to the base material 20 based on the signal from the second determining means 17, and any sticking means can be applied. Examples of the attaching unit 18 include an apparatus that injects the RFID device toward the one surface 20a of the substrate 20 in a state where the RFID device can be attached.

 The control means 19 includes a transport means 11, a printing means 12, a first identification means 13, a first judgment means 14, a cutting means 15, a second identification means 16, a second judgment means 17, and a pasting means 18. There is no particular limitation as long as it has a function of controlling the operation, and anything can be applied. As the control means 19, for example, the conveying means 11, the printing means 12, the first identification means 13, the first judgment means 14, the cutting means 15, the second identification means 16, the second judgment means 17, and the pasting means For example, a personal computer that inputs commands related to 18 operations may be used.

 In addition, the substrate 20 on which the printing process is performed by the printing apparatus 10 is not particularly limited as long as the printing unit 12 can print characters, patterns, or images, and any substrate is applicable. Examples of the substrate 20 include a laminate such as a tape made of paper, a resin material, a resin material or paper, and an adhesive. Further, a layer made of an adhesive (hereinafter abbreviated as “adhesive layer”) or an adhesive on the surface of the substrate 20 on which the RFID device 21 is mounted or on the surface opposite to the surface on which the RFID device 21 is mounted. May be provided (hereinafter abbreviated as “adhesive layer”). When an adhesive layer or an adhesive layer is provided on the substrate 20, release paper is provided on the surface of the adhesive layer or the adhesive layer in order to protect them.

 The RFID device is not particularly limited as long as it has a non-contact automatic recognition function using electromagnetic waves, and any device can be applied. As an RFID device, for example, an IC chip mounted on a coil-shaped, pole-shaped or loop-shaped antenna, or an IC chip provided separately from these antennas is connected to these antennas. Those having a communication function such as an integrated one, an antenna in which these antennas are formed, and the like are included. Specifically, a minute RFID chip capable of communication in the entire frequency band from 13.56 MHz to 2.45 GHz is exemplified.

In this embodiment, the printing means 12, the first identifying means 13, the first judging means 14, the cutting means 15, the second identifying means 16, the second judging means 17 and the pasting means 18 are made of a base material. Although the example arranged on the one surface 20a side of 20 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing unit 12, the first identification unit 13, the first determination unit 14, the cutting unit 15, the second identification unit 16, and the second determination unit 17 are provided as necessary. And the sticking means 18 is arranged on the one surface 20a side or the other surface 20b side of the substrate 20.
In the printing apparatus of the present invention, a device having a function of arbitrarily writing and erasing information on an IC chip constituting the RFID device mounted on the substrate may be provided. In addition, the printing apparatus of the present invention is provided with an input unit such as a personal computer for inputting information related to printing (characters, patterns, images, etc.) applied to the substrate. It may be connectable to various input means via various cables.

 Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a printing process for printing characters, patterns, or images on the long base 20 using the printing apparatus 10 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a printing process on the long base 20 by the printing apparatus 10.
First, the long base material 20 wound in a roll shape is loaded into a predetermined position of the printing apparatus 10 (step S1).

Subsequently, the conveyance unit 11 starts conveying the base material 20 (step S2).
Then, a desired character, pattern, or image is printed on the one surface 20a of the base material 20 by the printing means 12 (step S3).

  Subsequently, the first identification means 13 identifies information A relating to the position, region (size), etc., where characters, patterns or images are printed on the substrate 20 (step S4).

  Subsequently, based on the information A identified by the first identification means 13, the first determination means 14 determines an appropriate location for cutting the base material 20 (step S5).

  Subsequently, the cutting means 15 cuts the base material 20 at an appropriate location on the basis of the signal from the first determination means 14 to make a single piece (step S6).

  Subsequently, the second identification means 16 identifies information B relating to the position, area (size), etc., where characters, patterns or images are printed on the singulated substrate 20 (step S7).

  Subsequently, based on the information B identified by the second identification unit 16, the second determination unit 17 determines the position at which the RFID device is pasted on the singulated substrate 20 (step S <b> 8).

  Subsequently, based on the signal from the second determination means 17, the sticking means 18 sticks the RFID device 21 to one surface 20 a of the base material 20 as shown in FIG. 3 (step S 9). In the present invention, a plurality of RFID devices 21 may be attached along the longitudinal direction as long as they are within one surface 20a of the substrate 20.

  These steps S1 to S9 are all controlled by the control means 19.

The printing process performed on the base material 20 by the printing apparatus 10 is a surface on which the RFID device 21 is mounted (for example, one surface 20a) or a surface opposite to the surface on which the RFID device 21 is mounted (for example, the other surface 20b). ) May be applied to either side.
When printing processing is performed on the surface on which the RFID device 21 is mounted on the base material 20, it is necessary to clarify the position where the RFID device 21 is mounted or to make the RFID device 21 mounted inconspicuous. it can. In addition, when printing processing is performed on the surface of the base material 20 opposite to the surface on which the RFID device 21 is mounted, the position on which the RFID device 21 is mounted is clarified or is restricted by the presence of the RFID device 21. It is possible to print a desired character, pattern or image.

  Note that the printing apparatus 10 is integrally provided with input means for inputting information related to printing (characters, patterns, images, etc.) applied to the substrate 20, or the input means and various cables. If the connection is made via the input means, it is also possible to determine the area (length to be printed, width) to be printed on the base material 20 based on the information related to printing input in advance by the input means. Therefore, in such a case, since the area for printing on the base material 20 is determined at the same time when the information about printing is input by the input means, the information A regarding the printing of the base material 20 is identified by the first identification means 13. There is no need to do it. In such a case, the first determination unit 14 determines an appropriate location for cutting the base material 20 based on the information regarding printing input from the input unit.

  The substrate that has been subjected to the printing process by the printing apparatus of the present invention and cut into a single piece is equipped with an RFID device in which predetermined information is written, and characters, patterns, or images are provided on one surface. It is printed. Therefore, for example, if the base material is an adhesive tape having an adhesive layer on the other surface, a printing process is performed on the surface of the base material opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided, so that a single piece is obtained. After that, if the singulated substrate is affixed to an object such as a document, the object can be visually recognized and can be recognized in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic waves.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the printing process to the elongate base material by the printing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the printing process to the elongate base material by the printing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Conveyance means, 12 ... Printing means, 13 ... First identification means, 14 ... First judgment means, 15 ... Cutting means, 16. .. second identification means, 17... Second determination means, 18... Pasting means, 19.

Claims (3)

A printing apparatus for printing on a long substrate,
Characters, patterns or images applied to the base material are printed by the transport means for transporting the base material loaded in the printing apparatus, the printing means for printing on the base material, and the printing means . Based on the signal from the 1st discriminating means which identifies the information A regarding a position and an area | region, the 1st judgment means which determines the location which cuts the said base material based on the said information A, and the said 1st judgment means a cutting means for a single piece by being cut the substrate Te, the applied to a single fragmented by substrate, in said single fragmented by substrates, characters, being printed position of the pattern or image, A second identifying means for identifying information B relating to the region ; a second judging means for determining a position where a semiconductor device having an RFID function on the substrate is attached based on the information B; and the second judging means. R based on the signal from Printing apparatus characterized by comprising at least a sticking means for sticking the semiconductor device, the having the ID function.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing on a surface on which the semiconductor device having an RFID function is mounted on the base material.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing on a surface opposite to a surface on which the semiconductor device having an RFID function is mounted on the base material.

Images