JP4566817B2 - Sheet processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention, while feeding out Repetitive processing sheet wound into a roll, in which about the sheet processing equipment for cutting the processed sheet at a predetermined length.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a label producing apparatus for producing a label by printing input information on a processing tape that is wound in a roll and accommodated in a cartridge so as to be freely fed out. In this type of label producing apparatus, a platen roller that feeds the tape from the upstream side facing the tape feeding path, a cutter that cuts the processing tape at a predetermined length, and a discharge port that discharges the processing tape are arranged. The printing process or the like is performed while feeding the processing tape while being fed by the feeding means.

In the above label producing apparatus, a metal tape having a high light reflectance is previously attached in the vicinity of the tape end portion of the processing tape, and the optical sensor on the apparatus side detects the reflected light of the metal tape to detect the end of the tape. When the end of the tape is detected, control is performed such that each operation is stopped and print data is reset (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of performing a complicated operation such that the user replenishes the tape again, inputs information again as necessary, and re-executes the printing process.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-214828

  In such a conventional label producing apparatus, it is necessary to perform some processing in advance in the vicinity of the end of the processing tape in order to detect the end of the tape. However, the above-described processing tape is an original film in which a recording sheet and a release sheet are overlapped. The sheet is wound into a roll shape, and is sliced to form a raw material tape having a predetermined width. Then, the raw material tape is wound around the tape core while being fed, and is cut by a predetermined length. . Therefore, applying some processing to the vicinity of the winding start end portion around the tape core, that is, the vicinity of the end portion of the processing tape in the cartridge is troublesome in the manufacturing process of the processing tape and increases the manufacturing cost.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is not necessary to apply any processing to the processing sheet, to provide a sheet processing equipment capable of detecting the end of processing sheet wound into a roll and Problems .

The sheet processing apparatus of the present invention is disposed between a feeding unit that feeds a processing sheet toward the sheet discharge port, and between the feeding unit and the sheet discharge port, and cuts when the processing sheet is fed by a predetermined amount by the feeding unit. A full cut means, a full cut means and a sheet discharge port, a discharge means for discharging the processed sheet, and a discharge means and a sheet discharge port. a detecting means for detecting the presence, the way to drive the feed amount corresponding to feed Ri means the distance to the detection means from the full-cut unit, to execute a first detection to the detection means, the full cutting process by further full cut unit and after performing the discharge process by the sheet ejection device including a detection control means for performing a second detection on the detection means, when detecting processing sheet "no" in the first detection, the sheet end sheet Abnormality while determining that the Ri, when detecting processing sheet "Yes" in the second detection, the discharge process is characterized by comprising a determining means for determining that no successful.

According to this configuration, when the detection unit detects the processing sheet “present” in the first detection, it can be confirmed that the processing sheet is normally fed, and the processing sheet “none” is detected. By this, it can be confirmed that the processing sheet is fed abnormally. This sheet feeding abnormality is not so-called jamming in which the feeding means is feeding the sheet but the leading edge of the processing sheet has not reached the position of the detection means, and the end of the processing sheet passes through the feeding means and becomes idle feeding. There may be. That is, both the jamming and the seat end can be detected by the detection means. Therefore, it is not necessary to process the processing sheet at all, and the sheet end can be detected, so that the manufacturing cost of the processing sheet can be reduced. Further, both jamming and the seat end are detected by the same detection means, which is efficient.
Further, when the detection means detects the processing sheet “none” in the second detection, it can be confirmed that the processing sheet has been normally discharged after the cutting process by the full-cut means. By detecting the processing sheet “present” in the detection of No. 2, it is possible to detect that the processing sheet has not been discharged for some reason after the cutting process by the full-cut means. And since a detection means performs the above-mentioned 1st detection and 2nd detection, ie, 1 detection means performs multiple types of detection, space saving can be achieved and the further cost saving is realizable. Note that “for some reason” may be the case where the cutting process has not been completely performed due to a problem such as foreign matter adhering to the full cut means, or the case where an object is placed so as to block the sheet discharge port. It is done.

In this case, when detecting processing sheet "no" in the first detection, and when detecting processing sheet "Yes" in the second detection, the when detecting at least one, informing means for informing to that effect Is preferably further provided.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to check the state of the processing sheet and take an appropriate countermeasure by notifying the fact when the processing sheet including the sheet end of the processing sheet is abnormally fed. .
Similarly, when the processing sheet is not normally ejected, it is possible to prompt the user to confirm the state of the processing sheet and take an appropriate countermeasure by notifying the fact.

Similarly, it is preferable to further include full cut control means for prohibiting cutting of the processed sheet by the full cut means when the processing sheet “none” is detected in the first detection.

Further, in these cases, the processing sheet is accommodated in the sheet cartridge so as to be fed out in a state of being wound in a roll shape, and further includes a cartridge mounting portion for detachably mounting the sheet cartridge. It is preferable that the cartridge is disposed upstream of the sheet feeding port of the cartridge.

  According to this configuration, when the processing sheet is not normally fed, the processing sheet remaining in the apparatus can be easily removed by removing the sheet cartridge from the apparatus.

Further, in these cases, a printing unit that is disposed upstream of the full-cut unit in the sheet feeding direction and prints on the processing sheet that is fed by the feeding unit , and the processing sheet “None” is detected in the first detection. In this case, it is preferable to further include a print control unit that prohibits printing on the processing sheet by the printing unit .

  According to this configuration, in the printing apparatus that prints an image, a character, or the like on the processing sheet, it is possible to execute processing sheet end detection, feeding abnormality detection, and paper discharge confirmation by the above-described detection unit.

Further, in these cases, the processing sheet is composed of a recording sheet and a release sheet adhered to the back surface of the recording sheet, and is disposed between the full cut means and the detection means, and is a half cut means for cutting the recording sheet. and preferably further comprising.

According to this configuration, by providing the half-cut hand stage, the feed path from the full-cutting means to the sheet discharge port is long, and each of these means in some cases cause feeding of processing sheet abnormality. Therefore, it is very effective to perform the above detection in such a case.

  The case where a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a tape processing apparatus will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape processing apparatus has a printing unit, in which printing is performed on a processing tape comprising a recording tape and a release tape attached to the back surface of the recording tape, and the printed portion is cut to obtain a tape piece (label ).

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the tape processing apparatus in an opened state. As shown in the figure, the tape processing apparatus 1 includes a device main body 2 that performs printing on the processing tape T, a tape cartridge that houses the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R, and is detachably attached to the device main body 2. C.

  The apparatus body 2 has an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 3, and a keyboard 4 constituting an operation unit 110 (see FIG. 3) is disposed on the upper surface of the front half of the apparatus case 3. A cartridge mounting portion 20 into which the tape cartridge C can be detachably mounted is formed in a recess in the left portion of the upper surface of the rear half of the device case 3.

  The cartridge mounting portion 20 is provided with an opening / closing lid 8 for opening and closing the cartridge mounting portion 20, and a viewing window 10 is formed on the opening / closing lid 8 so as to visually check whether the tape cartridge C is mounted or not mounted. Has been. In addition, a rectangular display 9 for displaying an input result from the keyboard 4 and the like is formed on the right side of the upper surface of the rear half of the device case 3.

  A tape discharge port 11 is formed on the left side of the device case 3 so as to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 20 with the outside. The processing tape T fed from the tape cartridge C is provided in the device case 3 facing the tape discharge port 11. The cutter unit 50 for cutting is incorporated. Then, the printed portion of the processing tape T is cut by the cutter unit 50, whereby the tape piece Ta (not shown) of the printed processing tape T is discharged from the tape discharge port 11.

  On the other hand, a power supply port for supplying power and a connection port for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer (both not shown) are formed on the right side of the device case 3. Although not shown in both figures, a circuit board constituting a control unit 100 (see FIG. 3) that performs overall control of the tape processing apparatus 1 is mounted inside the apparatus case 3.

  A print head 22 having a heating element and covered with a head cover 24, a platen drive shaft 23 and a take-up drive shaft 25 for feeding the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R of the tape cartridge C protrude from the cartridge mounting portion 20. In addition, a print feed motor 121 (see FIG. 3), a gear train, and the like (not shown) for driving the platen drive shaft 23 and the take-up drive shaft 25 are built in the back side (inside) of the cartridge mounting portion 20. ing. When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 20, the print head 22 is inserted into the through opening 34 of the tape cartridge C, and the platen drive shaft 23 and the winding drive shaft 25 are inserted into the platen roller 35 and the ribbon take-up reel 32. Engage each other. Further, the feeding end portion of the processing tape T slightly protrudes from the tape cartridge C, and the front end of the processing tape T faces the cutter unit 50 (full cut mechanism 53; see FIG. 2) in a mounted state. When the open / close lid 8 is closed, the print head 22 is in contact with the platen roller 35 with the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R sandwiched at the portion of the through-opening 34 and enters a print standby state. .

  When printing is instructed, the platen roller 35 and the ribbon take-up reel 32 are driven to feed the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R, and based on input data such as characters input from the keyboard 4 or the like. Printing is performed by the print head 22. After printing, only the processing tape T is discharged from the tape outlet 11 to the outside of the apparatus through the tape outlet 36 of the tape cartridge C, and the ink ribbon R wraps around the wall surface of the through opening 34 and is wound around the ribbon take-up reel 32. It has come to be taken. Note that a tape type detection sensor 131 (see FIG. 3) that is configured of a plurality of microswitches and identifies the type of the processing tape T is provided at the corner of the cartridge mounting unit 20.

  The processing tape T is composed of a recording tape Sr made of a resin (for example, polyethylene terephthalate) provided with an adhesive layer on the back surface, and a release tape Sp made of fine paper or resin affixed by the adhesive layer. In addition, the printing surface of the recording tape Sr is processed so that the ink transfer by thermal transfer is good. The processing tape T is wound around the tape reel 37 in a roll shape and stored in the cartridge case 33 with the recording tape Sr on the outside and the release tape Sp on the inside. A plurality of types of processing tapes T are prepared for each width and color of the processing tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge C. A plurality of small detection holes (not shown) are formed on the back surface of the cartridge case 33, and the plurality of detection holes are identified by the tape type detection sensor 131, and the type of the processing tape T is identified. It is like that.

  The printed processing tape T sent out by the platen roller 35 is sent to the cutter unit 50 for cutting the printed portion. Here, the area around the cutter unit 50 will be described. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view around the cutter unit 50. As shown in the figure, the cutter unit 50 is disposed between the cartridge mounting portion 20 and the tape discharge port 11, and cuts both the recording tape Sr and the release Sp tape of the processing tape T in a scissors manner. A full-cut mechanism 53, a half-cut mechanism 54 that is disposed downstream of the full-cut mechanism 53 in the tape feeding direction and cuts only the recording tape Sr of the processing tape T in a scissors type with a stopper, and a half-cut mechanism 54 And a discharge mechanism 45 that forcibly discharges the tape piece Ta that is cut by rotating in synchronism with the drive of the full cut mechanism 53.

  Further, a tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 that detects the presence / absence of the processing tape T is disposed downstream of the discharge mechanism 45 in the tape feeding direction. The tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 includes a photo interrupter in which a light emitting element 132a (light emitting diode) and a light receiving element 132b (phototransistor) are incorporated, and detects the presence or absence of the processing tape T at a predetermined timing. That is, the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 is always OFF to save power, and is turned ON (operated) at the detection timing (details will be described later).

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the tape processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The tape processing apparatus 1 includes a keyboard 4 and a display 9, and includes an operation unit 110 that controls a user interface such as input of character information and display of various information by a user, a tape cartridge C, a print head 22, and a print feed motor 121. A printing unit 120 that prints print data generated based on character information input on the processing tape T while feeding the processing tape T and the ink ribbon R, a full-cut mechanism 53, a half-cut mechanism 54, and these A cutter unit 50 that has a full cutter motor 51 and a half cutter motor 52 to drive each, and performs full cut and half cut on the printed processing tape T, and various sensors such as a tape type detection sensor 131 and a tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 And a detection unit 13 that performs various types of detection. A display driver 141, a head driver 142, a print feed motor driver 143, and a cutter motor driver 144, a drive unit 140 that drives each unit, and a control unit 100 that is connected to each unit and controls the entire tape processing apparatus 1. It is comprised by. The discharge mechanism 45 (see FIG. 2) is driven by the full cutter motor 51.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, and an input / output control device (IOC: Input Output Controller) 104, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 105. The CPU 101 inputs various signals and data from each unit in the tape processing apparatus 1 via the IOC 104 according to the control program in the ROM 102. Further, various data in the RAM 103 is processed based on the various signals and data input, and various signal data is output to each part in the tape processing apparatus 1 via the IOC 104, thereby controlling the printing process.

Here, the detection of the processing tape T by the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132, which is performed along with the printing process and the printing process by the tape processing apparatus 1 (in synchronization with the drive of the print feed motor 121), will be described. The printing process is started after a user inputs arbitrary information via the keyboard 4 or the like, and is triggered by a predetermined key operation (printing command) by the user. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the user instructs the print performing a predetermined key operation, the tape processing apparatus 1 receives the instruction, and starts driving the print feeding motor 121 and the print head 22 Printing processing is started (S01). When the print feed motor 121 is driven by the feed amount corresponding to the sensor-cutter distance that is the distance from the full-cut mechanism 53 to the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 (S02: Yes), the tape processing apparatus 1 (CPU 101) is The tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 is activated (ON) to detect the presence / absence of the processing tape T (S03; first detection). The feed amount corresponding to the distance between the sensor and the cutter is converted into the number of steps when the print feed motor 121 is a stepping motor, and into the number of pulses of an encoder provided therein when the print feed motor 121 is a DC motor, Executed.

  In the detection of the processing tape T (S03), when the processing tape “present” is detected (S04: Yes), that is, when the processing tape T has reached the position of the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132, the tape feeding is abnormal. If it is determined that there is no print, the printing process is continued (S05). On the other hand, in the detection of the processing tape T (S03), when the processing tape “None” is detected (S04: No), that is, when the processing tape T has not reached the position of the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132, the tape end In order to prompt the user to confirm the processing tape T, a message to that effect is displayed on the display 9 (S06), and the processing is interrupted.

  Further, the continued printing process is finished (S07), the cutting process including the half-cut process by the half-cut mechanism 54 and the full-cut process by the full-cut mechanism 53 is sequentially performed, and the paper is discharged in synchronization with the full-cut process. After the paper discharge process by the mechanism 45 is executed (S08), when the tape processing apparatus 1 (CPU 101) confirms the end of the paper discharge process, the tape processing apparatus 1 (CPU 101) operates the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 again ( ON) and the presence or absence of the processing tape T is detected (S09; second detection). In the detection of the processing tape T (S09), when the processing tape “None” is detected (S10: Yes), since the processing tape T does not exist at the position of the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132, the cut tape piece is normal. And the printing process is completed (S11).

  On the other hand, in the detection of the processing tape T (S09), when the processing tape “present” is detected (S10: No), the processing tape T exists at the position of the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132, so that the processing tape is processed for some reason. It is determined that the tape remains in the vicinity of the paper discharge mechanism 45, that is, the paper discharge process is not executed normally, and a message to that effect is displayed on the display 9 in order to prompt the user to confirm the processing tape T (S12). ). In addition, it may replace with said message display (it corresponds to S06 and S12), and may display by an indicator or LED. In addition, the message display when the detection result is “None” (corresponding to S06) is a message indicating that “the tape has not been sent normally”, and the message display when the detection result is “Yes” (corresponding to S12) ) May display a message to the effect that “tape has not been properly ejected”. This makes it possible to notify the user of more detailed information.

  Regarding the setting of the timing at which the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 is activated in the first tape presence / absence detection (corresponding to S03), for example, the print feed motor 121 has a distance from the full-cut mechanism 53 to the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132. The number of steps to be driven by the feed amount corresponding to the sensor-cutter distance is calculated, and the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132 is activated (ON) immediately before the step number of the print feed motor 121 reaches the calculated step number. That's fine.

  As described above, the tape processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment detects the presence or absence of the tape that detects the presence or absence of the processing tape T on the downstream side in the feed direction of the cutter unit 50 (full-cut mechanism 53 and half-cut mechanism 54) and the paper discharge mechanism 45. Since the detection sensor 132 is provided and the processing tape T is detected when the print feed motor 121 is driven by the feed amount corresponding to the sensor-cutter distance, the processing tape T “None” is detected in this detection. Thus, it is possible to detect that the feeding of the processing tape T is abnormal. This tape feeding error is caused by so-called jamming in which the platen roller 35 is feeding the tape but the front end of the processing tape has not reached the position of the tape presence / absence detection sensor 132. It may be a feed. That is, it is possible to detect both jamming and tape end by this detection. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform any processing on the processing tape, and the tape end can be detected, so that the manufacturing cost of the processing tape can be reduced. Further, both jamming and tape end can be detected by the same detection sensor, which is more efficient.

  When the end of the processing tape T is bonded to the tape core, the end of the processing tape T does not pass through the platen roller 35. However, when the processing tape T remains in a slight state, Since the end is bonded to the tape core, the processing tape T is not fed even though the platen roller 35 is rotating. Therefore, even when the end of the processing tape T is bonded to the tape core, the tape end of the processing tape T is detected by detecting the processing tape T “None” in the first tape presence / absence detection (corresponding to S03). Can be detected.

  Further, since the processing tape T is detected when it is confirmed that the paper discharge process has been completed by the paper discharge mechanism 45, the cutting process has not been completely performed due to a problem such as foreign matter adhering to the full cut mechanism 53. In this case, it is possible to detect a clogged tape after a paper discharge process, which may occur due to a case or an object placed so as to close the tape discharge port 11. In addition, since these detections are performed by the same sensor, that is, a plurality of types of detection can be performed by one sensor, space saving can be achieved, the apparatus can be reduced in size, and the sensor can be installed. Cost can also be reduced.

  If the processing tape “None” is detected in the first tape presence / absence detection (FIG. 4; corresponding to S03), a message is displayed on the display 9, and then a predetermined key operation by the user is used as a trigger by the platen roller 35. A configuration in which tape feeding is resumed and tape detection is executed again may be employed. Further, in this case, it is preferable that the printing process and the cutting process are prohibited and the message display to the user is continued until the processing tape T “present” is detected in this tape detection.

  In addition, even when the processing tape “presence” is detected in the second tape presence / absence detection (corresponding to S09 in FIG. 5), the tape detection is executed again with the user's predetermined key operation as a trigger, and the processing tape is detected in the tape detection. While T “present” is detected, the start of a new process may be prohibited.

  Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the half-cut mechanism 54 and the paper discharge mechanism 45 described in the present embodiment are omitted. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to a tape processing apparatus that prints on the processing tape T but also to a cutting apparatus that performs a cutting process on the processing tape and a Braille stamping apparatus that performs Braille stamping. Further, the processing object is not limited to a tape, and may be a paper medium such as roll paper.

  Furthermore, each part (each function) of the tape processing apparatus 1 shown in the above example can be provided as a program. It is also possible to provide the program stored in a storage medium (not shown). As the recording medium, a CD-ROM, a flash ROM, a memory card (compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, etc.), a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital versatile disk, a flexible disk, and the like can be used.

  In addition, the configuration and processing steps of the tape processing apparatus 1 can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention, regardless of the above-described embodiment.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the tape processing apparatus of an open state. It is an external appearance perspective view around a cutter unit. It is a block diagram of the control system of a tape processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the timing of printing and tape detection. It is a flowchart which shows the timing of printing and tape detection.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tape processing apparatus 11 ... Tape discharge port 20 ... Cartridge mounting part 35 ... Platen roller 36 ... Tape feed outlet 50 ... Cutter unit 53 ... Full cut mechanism 54 ... Half cut mechanism 45 ... Discharge mechanism 132 ... Tape presence / absence detection sensor C ... Tape cartridge T ... Processing tape

Claims (6)

Feeding means for feeding the processed sheet toward the sheet discharge port;
A full cut means that is disposed between the feeding means and the sheet discharge port and cuts the processed sheet when a predetermined amount is fed by the feeding means;
A paper discharge means disposed between the full cut means and the sheet discharge port, for discharging the processed sheet;
Is disposed between the sheet discharging means and said sheet discharge port, detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the processing sheet,
Meanwhile the feed amount drive corresponding to the distance pre-Symbol feeding means from the full-cutting means to said detecting means, to execute the first detection in said detecting means, further full-cut processing and the exhaust by the full cut unit A detection control means for causing the detection means to perform a second detection after a paper discharge process by the paper means ;
When the processing sheet “absent” is detected in the first detection, it is determined that there is an abnormality in sheet feeding including the sheet end, and when the processing sheet “present” is detected in the second detection, A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine that the paper processing is not normally executed .   A notification to notify that if at least one of the case where the processing sheet “absent” is detected in the first detection and the case where the processing sheet “present” is detected in the second detection is detected. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means.   The full-cut control means for prohibiting the cutting of the processing sheet by the full-cut means when the processing sheet “none” is detected in the first detection. The sheet processing apparatus according to the description. The processing sheet is accommodated in a sheet cartridge in a rollable state so as to be freely fed out.
A cartridge mounting part for detachably mounting the sheet cartridge;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feeding unit is disposed upstream of a sheet feeding port of the sheet cartridge. A printing unit disposed on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction of the full-cut unit, and performing printing on the processing sheet sent by the feeding unit;
5. The printing control unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a printing control unit that prohibits printing on the processing sheet by the printing unit when the processing sheet “none” is detected in the first detection. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the above. The treatment sheet is composed of a recording sheet and a release sheet adhered to the back surface of the recording sheet,
6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a half-cut unit that is disposed between the full-cut unit and the detection unit and that cuts the recording sheet.

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