JP4734681B2 - Label manufacturing apparatus, label manufacturing method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a label manufacturing apparatus, a label manufacturing method, and a storage medium, and particularly to a label manufacturing apparatus, a label manufacturing method, and a storage medium that can perform full cut and half cut along an arbitrary line.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  There is known a label manufacturing apparatus for a user to process a tack sheet in which a release sheet is bonded to an adhesive sheet. In this type of label manufacturing apparatus, a roll sheet unit that supports a sheet wound around a core is detachable, a conveyance roller for pulling out and conveying the sheet from the roll sheet unit, A cutting mechanism for cutting the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller.
[0003]
  The cutting mechanism usually includes a cutter that cuts a sheet, and a carriage that reciprocally moves the cutter in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction (sheet width direction). Therefore, the cutter can be positioned at any position on the sheet by the forward and reverse rotation of the conveying roller and the reciprocating movement of the carriage in the width direction of the sheet, and the sheet can be cut into a predetermined shape. It is.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  Such a label manufacturing apparatus is a sheet in two modes: a half cut that cuts only the adhesive sheet or the release paper, for example, and a full cut that completely cuts the sheet in the thickness direction. It is possible to cut. However, in the currently known label manufacturing apparatus, only a half cut that encloses an area on which characters and figures of a sheet are drawn and a full cut that cuts the sheet into a predetermined length over its entire width are performed. I can't. Therefore, according to the current label manufacturing apparatus, the user may be forced to perform complicated operations such as further manually cutting the label discharged from the label manufacturing apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The inventor has paid attention to such inconveniences of the current label manufacturing apparatus, and has come up with a label manufacturing apparatus and a label manufacturing method that allow a user to perform full cut and half cut along an arbitrary line. That is, claim 1 of the present application is a label manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a label by cutting a long sheet wound in a roll shape while the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet and release paper are laminated, and the sheet is A transport mechanism capable of reciprocating in the longitudinal direction;
  A full-cut means for full-cutting the sheet so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet and the release paper are cut; a half-cut means for half-cutting the sheet so that only the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is cut; A moving mechanism capable of reciprocating the half-cut means in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction;Including storage means;Along any line on the sheetTheFull cut lineThe data indicating the position of the data is stored in the storage means based on the designation from the userA full cut line setting means forIncluding the storage means;Along any line on the sheetTheHalf cut lineThe data indicating the position of the data is stored in the storage means based on the designation from the userHalf-cut line setting means forData indicating the position of the full cut line and data indicating the position of the half cut line stored in the storage meansThe full cut means and the half cut means are moved in the width direction by the moving mechanism while the sheet is conveyed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance mechanism, and the full cut means and the half cut means are moved. And control means for operatingWhen storing the data indicating the position of the full cut line and the data indicating the position of the half cut line in the storage means,The sheet is cut in its width directionIs stored in the storage means.Width cut modeSelected by userPossibleage,On the sheetAny one pointIf the location of is specified by the user,The sheet is cut over the entire width of the sheet along a straight line in the width direction passing through the one point.Is stored in the storage means.1 point designation modeIs selected by the user as one of the width direction cut modes.PossibleToThis is a label manufacturing apparatus.
[0006]
  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the full cut means and the half cut means, the adhesive sheet and the release paper are laminated, and a label is manufactured by cutting a long sheet wound in a roll shape. In the label manufacturing method, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet and the release paper areBy the full cut means along any line on the sheetFull cut line to be cutThe data indicating the position of the data is stored in the storage means based on the designation from the userStep and only the adhesive sheetBy the half-cutting means along any line on the sheetHalf cut line to be cutThe data indicating the position of the data is stored in the storage means based on the designation from the userSteps,Data indicating the position of the full cut line and data indicating the position of the half cut line stored in the storage meansThe full cut and half cut of the sheet by moving the full cut means and the half cut means in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet while conveying the sheet in the longitudinal direction thereof. HaveIn the step of storing data indicating the position of the full cut line and the step of storing data indicating the position of the half cut line,The sheet is cut in its width directionIs stored in the storage means.Width cut modeSelected by userPossibleage,On the sheetAny one pointIf the location of is specified by the user,The sheet is cut over the entire width of the sheet along a straight line in the width direction passing through the one point.Is stored in the storage means.1 point designation modeIs selected by the user as one of the width direction cut modes.PossibleToIt is a label manufacturing method characterized by this.
[0007]
  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, at least one of the full-cut means and the half-cut means, the adhesive sheet and release paper are laminated, and a label is manufactured by cutting a long sheet wound in a roll shape. A full cut line in which the adhesive sheet and the release paper are cut by the full cut means along an arbitrary line on the sheet in a recording medium on which a program for recording is recordedThe data indicating the position of the data is stored in the storage means based on the designation from the userFull cut line setting means, a half cut line in which only the adhesive sheet is cut by the half cut means along an arbitrary line on the sheetThe data indicating the position of the data is stored in the storage means based on the designation from the userHalf-cut line setting means, andData indicating the position of the full cut line and data indicating the position of the half cut line stored in the storage meansThe full cut means and the half cut means are moved in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction by the moving mechanism while the sheet is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the conveyance mechanism, and the full cut means and the As a control means for operating the half-cut means,Including the storage meansOperating a computer, the full-cut means, the half-cut means, the transport mechanism and the moving mechanism;When storing the data indicating the position of the full cut line and the data indicating the position of the half cut line in the storage means,The sheet is cut in its width directionIs stored in the storage means.Width cut modeSelected by userPossibleage,On the sheetAny one pointIf the location of is specified by the user,The sheet is cut over the entire width of the sheet along a straight line in the width direction passing through the one point.Is stored in the storage means.1 point designation modeCan be selected by the user as one of the width direction cut modes.A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded.
[0008]
  According to the first, fourth, and seventh aspects, it is possible to perform full cut and half cut along an arbitrary line on the sheet. Therefore, a sheet having an arbitrary size in which half cut is performed at various positions. Obtainable. Therefore, it is possible for the user to obtain a practically excellent effect that the user is not forced to perform complicated operations such as further manually cutting the label discharged from the label manufacturing apparatus.
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
  Furthermore, since the sheet can be full cut and half cut in the width direction at an arbitrary position by the width direction cut mode, full cut and half cut can be set by specifying at least one point. Can be improved. Further, in the one-point designation mode, full cut and half cut can be set by designation of one point, so that work efficiency can be improved.
[0013]
  In the label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, as the width direction cut mode, the one-point designation mode, an arbitrary point on the sheet, and another point on a straight line in the width direction passing through the point. If the position of the sheet is specified by the user, the sheet is moved between the two points.Full cutThe user can select a two-point designation mode in which data indicating that the data is to be stored is stored in the storage means.
[0014]
  In the label manufacturing method according to claim 5, as the width direction cut mode, the one point designation mode, and an arbitrary point on the sheet and a position of another point on a straight line in the width direction passing through the point. Is specified by the user, the sheet is between the two points.Full cutThe user can select a two-point designation mode in which data indicating that the data is to be stored is stored in the storage means.
[0015]
  9. The recording medium according to claim 8, wherein as the width direction cut mode, the one-point designation mode, and an arbitrary point on the sheet and another one point on a straight line in the width direction passing through the point. Is specified by the user, the sheet is between the two points.Full cutA program that allows the user to select a two-point designation mode in which data indicating that the data is to be stored is stored in the storage means is recorded.
[0016]
  According to the second, fifth, and eighth aspects, in the one-point designation mode, full cut and half cut can be set by designation of one point, so that work efficiency can be improved. In the 2-point designation mode, a sheet is placed between 2 points.Full cutTherefore, a part that is not cut at the end of the sheet can be freely left by the user's setting, and the sheet is processed so that it can be easily separated although it is not separated over the entire width of the sheet Can do.
[0017]
  Moreover, the label manufacturing apparatus of Claim 3 is further provided with the display means for displaying the said sheet | seat with the said full cut line and the said half cut line, and the said full cut line and the said half cut line are color, line | wire It is configured to be displayed on the display means so as to be distinguishable from each other by at least one of a seed and a pattern.
[0018]
  The label manufacturing method of Claim 6soThe full cut lineMemorize the data indicating the position ofStep and half cut lineMemorize the data indicating the position ofIn the step, the full cut line and the half cut line can be distinguished from each other by at least one of a color, a line type, and a pattern.Display meansIs displayed.
[0019]
  Claim 9On the recording mediumThe full cut line and the half cut lineTheCan be distinguished from each other by at least one of color, line type and patternDisplay means included in the computerdisplayA program to be recorded is recorded.
[0020]
  According to the third, sixth, and ninth aspects, the full cut line and the half cut line are displayed so as to be distinguishable from each other by at least one of the color, the line type, and the pattern. It is possible to know at a glance whether or not When there are a plurality of full cut lines or half cut lines, it is not necessary to display all of them in the same manner. For example, the lines set in the width direction cut mode and other modes may be displayed differently. The lines set in the one-point designation mode and the two-point designation mode may be displayed differently.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
  A label manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a sheet processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “cutting printer”) 11 and a personal computer 110. Here, first, the structure of the cutting printer 11 will be described. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main configuration of the cutting printer 11 of the label manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the cutting printer 11 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the main part showing the cutting mechanism of the cutting printer 11 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic positional relationship between the roll sheet unit shown in FIG. 2, the cutting mechanism unit, and the image forming mechanism unit. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cutter unit of the cutting mechanism.
[0023]
  The cutting printer 11 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a roll that rotatably supports a tack sheet 13 as a sheet wound around a frame 12 having side walls 9 and 10 disposed on both left and right sides. A sheet unit 14, a conveyance mechanism unit 15 as a conveyance unit capable of conveying the tack sheet 13 in both forward and reverse directions, a cutting mechanism unit 16 for cutting the tack sheet 13 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism unit 15, and a tack sheet 13 is provided on the upstream side of the cutting mechanism unit 16 with respect to conveyance in the forward direction (discharge direction), and an image forming mechanism unit 17 is provided as an image forming unit for forming a predetermined image on the tack sheet 13. ing.
[0024]
  As shown in FIG. 5, the roll sheet 51 is obtained by winding the tack sheet 13 around a cylindrical winding core 55 in a roll shape. The tack sheet 13 is composed of two layers, a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 18 whose front surface is printable and having a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface, and a release paper 19 that is bonded to the back surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 18.
[0025]
  Of the parts constituting the cutting printer 11, the transport mechanism 15 will be described first. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport mechanism unit 15 includes a platen roller 24 that is also a component of the image forming mechanism unit 17, and a discharge roller 25 disposed on the downstream side of the cutting mechanism unit 16. A driven roller 8 is disposed at a position facing the discharge roller 25 and the tack sheet 13. The driven roller 8 is supported by a pressing plate 7 that presses and biases the driven roller 8 toward the discharge roller 25 with a spring. Then, the platen roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 convey the tack sheet 13 in the forward direction and the reverse direction via the first gear train 22 by the forward / reverse drive of the first drive motor 21 disposed in the frame 12. Rotated to do.
[0026]
  Further, the drive from the first drive motor 21 is transmitted to the gear 59 provided on the flange gear (not shown) of the roll sheet unit 14 via the second gear train 27 including the planetary gear mechanism 26. It is configured. The planetary gear mechanism 26 is configured to mesh with the gear 59 only when the tack sheet 13 is conveyed in the reverse direction, and not meshed with the gear 59 when the tack sheet 13 is conveyed in the forward direction. Therefore, when transporting the tack sheet 13 in the forward direction, the roll sheet 51 is rotated by the force of pulling out the tack sheet 13 by the rotation of the platen roller 24 and the discharge roller 25, while when transporting the tack sheet 13 in the reverse direction, The roll sheet 51 rotates in the reverse direction by driving from the first drive motor 21.
[0027]
  Next, the cutting mechanism unit 16 will be described. The cutting mechanism 16 includes a cutting bed 29 that receives the tack sheet 13 below, a cutter unit 30 as a cutting means that faces the cutting bed 29 and the tack sheet 13, and the cutter unit 30 is detachably mounted. The carriage 31 is provided.
[0028]
  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 31 is connected to one end of an endless timing belt 34 that is stretched around a pair of pulleys 32 and 33 that are disposed outside the side walls 9 and 10 of the frame 12. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, of the pair of pulleys 32 and 33, one pulley 32 is a third gear train 36 including a bevel gear by a second drive motor 35 disposed outside the side wall 10 of the frame 12. Driven through. As a result, the carriage 31 is reciprocated in a direction (sheet width direction) substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the tack sheet 13.
[0029]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main guide in which both ends are supported by both side walls 9 and 10 of the frame 12 is located at the end of the carriage 31 opposite to the end on the side where the cutter unit 30 is mounted. A shaft 37 is inserted, and the carriage 31 is slidably supported by the main guide shaft 37. In addition, an auxiliary guide shaft 38 that extends substantially parallel to the main guide shaft 37 slides at an intermediate position between the end portion on the side where the cutter unit 30 is mounted and the end portion on the side where the main guide shaft 37 is inserted. It is inserted in a movable manner. Both ends of the auxiliary guide shaft 38 are supported by a pair of rotating arms 39 provided rotatably on both side walls 9 and 10 of the frame 12.
[0030]
  One end of the auxiliary guide shaft 38 is connected to the output shaft 42 of the solenoid 41 via the operation link 40. When the solenoid 41 is in an on state (excited state), the cutter unit 30 is operated such that the lower end side presses the upper surface of the cutting portion bet 29 by a biasing force of a spring (not shown). Further, when the solenoid 41 is in an off state (not excited), the output shaft 42 of the solenoid 41 advances upward, and the cutter unit 30 of the carriage 31 is mounted via the operation link 40 and the auxiliary guide shaft 38. The end on the side rotates upward with the main guide shaft 37 as a fulcrum. Accordingly, the cutter unit 30 is operated such that the lower end side thereof is separated from the upper surface of the cutting bet 29.
[0031]
  As shown in FIG. 6, the cutter unit 30 has a cutter (full cut means and half cut means) 43 for cutting the tack sheet 13 on the lower end side thereof. The cutter 43 is biased upward by a spring mechanism (not shown). A full-cut positioning sphere 156 is in contact with the upper end of the cutter support portion 150 that supports the cutter 43. At this time, the cutter 43 is in a full cut position for cutting the release sheet 19 together with the adhesive sheet 18. The full cut positioning sphere 156 is fitted to the lever 154 together with the half cut positioning sphere 158 having a smaller diameter. The lever 154 is supported so as to be selectively projectable from either the left or right side wall of the casing 152 of the cutter unit 30 and is urged upward by a spring 160. Further, a cutter fine adjustment mechanism 162 is provided at the upper end portion of the cutter unit 30 for finely adjusting the blade tip protrusion amount of the cutter 43 by a user turning a screw with a driver.
[0032]
  In order to switch the cutter 43 from the full cut position to the half cut position for cutting only the adhesive sheet 18 in the cutter unit 30 configured in this way, the carriage 31 moves the cutter unit 30 to a position adjacent to the side wall 10 of the frame 12. Move. As a result, the lever 154 protrudes from the right side wall of the casing 152, and the half-cut positioning sphere 158 is positioned at the upper end of the cutter support 150. Then, the cutter 43 biased upward moves upward to reach the half-cut position. On the contrary, in order to switch the cutter 43 from the half-cut position to the full-cut position, the cutter unit 30 may be moved to a position adjacent to the side wall 9 of the frame 12 by the carriage 31. Thus, the cutter 43 is selectively supported at either the full cut position or the half cut position.
[0033]
  Next, the image forming mechanism unit 17 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming mechanism 17 includes a line-type thermal head 44 as a print head having a length almost equal to the width dimension of the tack sheet 13, and the thermal head 44 and the tack. And a platen roller 24 facing each other with the sheet 13 interposed therebetween.
[0034]
  Next, a control system of the label manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
  The personal computer 110 includes a main body 130 and a display 132, as well as devices such as a keyboard 141 and a mouse 142. The main body unit 130 includes a CPU 134, a RAM 136, and a hard disk (HD) 138, which are connected to each other by a bus and to the input / output interface 140. Moreover, the main-body part 130 has the drive device for reading the program recorded on the recording medium which concerns on this Embodiment, for example, is FD or CD-ROM.
[0036]
  The hard disk 138 stores a program such as editor software for manufacturing labels, and data related to character fonts and graphic fonts. The editor software is software for printing an image on a sheet and cutting the image at a desired position. The user uses the personal computer 110 to view the image content, the cutting position, and the like printed on the sheet on the keyboard 132 while viewing the display 132. And can be input and edited with the mouse 142.
[0037]
  The CPU 134 performs a predetermined calculation based on the program and data read from the hard disk 138 and the data supplied from the cutting printer 11 side. The RAM 136 temporarily stores the calculation result by the CPU 134 and the like.
[0038]
  The cutting printer 11 has an input / output interface 112 connected to an input / output interface 140 of the personal computer 110. Further, in addition to the CPU 114, the ROM 116, and the RAM 118, the input / output interface 112 includes a head drive circuit 120 for driving the thermal head 44 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the first drive motor 21 and the second drive motor 35 ( Both are connected to motor drive circuits 122 and 124 for driving each of them (see FIG. 3) and a solenoid drive circuit 126 for driving the solenoid 41 (see FIG. 4).
[0039]
  The ROM 116 stores necessary data in addition to a program for controlling the operation of the cutting printer 11. The CPU 114 performs a predetermined calculation based on the program and data read from the ROM 116 and the data supplied from the personal computer 110 side, and supplies a control signal to the head driving circuit 120 and the like. The RAM 118 temporarily stores data supplied from the personal computer 110 side, calculation results by the CPU 114, and the like.
[0040]
  In the present embodiment, the editor software incorporated in the main body 130 of the personal computer 110 constitutes a full cut line setting means and a half cut line setting means together with the CPU 134, RAM 136, keyboard 141 and mouse 142 of the main body 130. . Further, the CPU 134 of the main body 130 and the CPU 114 of the cutting printer 11 constitute control means. The display 132 constitutes display means.
[0041]
  Next, a specific procedure for manufacturing a label using the label manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with further reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a schematic procedure for manufacturing a label using the label manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of the editor. FIG. 9 to FIG. 33 are diagrams showing the display screens at the time of label editing in the editor in order according to the editing procedure. FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram of a label manufactured according to the present embodiment.
[0042]
  The label manufacturing apparatus 100 operates when a user gives an instruction to editor software incorporated in the personal computer 110. As shown in FIG. 8, on the display screen of the editor's display 132, on the upper side of the drawing screen 171 are “file”, “edit”, “magnification”, “character”, “cut”, “option” and “help”. A menu bar 172 having a menu “” is provided. On the left side of the drawing screen 171, a selection icon 173, a straight line icon 174, an ellipse icon 175, a square icon 176, an arc icon 177, a free line icon 178, a full cut (one point) icon 179, a full cut (two points) An icon 180, a full-width half-cut icon 181 and a character icon 182 are provided. In the drawing screen 171, a pointer cursor 183 representing the editing position is shown.
[0043]
  For example, the “File” menu on the menu bar 172 includes “New”, “Open”, “Close”, “Overwrite”, “Print”, “Save As”, “Exit”, etc. Each item may be included as a pull-down menu. The “Edit” menu may include “Cut”, “Copy”, and “Paste” items as pull-down menus.
[0044]
  First, character input is performed in step S1 of FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, a sheet image 184 having a length corresponding to a predetermined length for one page of the tack sheet 13 is displayed on the drawing screen 171. The character icon 182 is selected by clicking with the pointer cursor 183. As a result, the editor enters a character input mode. When the character string “ABCDEFG” is input from the keyboard 141 in this state, the character string “ABCDEFG” is displayed on the sheet image 184 as shown in FIG. 10. Along with this, data representing the character type of “ABCDEFG” is stored as buffer data in a predetermined area of the RAM (storage means) 136 of the personal computer 110 together with data such as the size, position, and color of the font.
[0045]
  Next, in step S2, half-cut data surrounding the character is input. Here, a half cut is made around the characters “A”, “C”, “D”, and “F”. First, “A” is selected by clicking the ellipse icon 175 with the pointer cursor 183 as shown in FIG. 11 in order to make an elliptic half-cut around the character. This puts the editor in oval drawing mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the area around “A” is clicked by a predetermined method with the pointer cursor 183. As a result, “A” in the sheet image 184 is surrounded by an elliptical or circular thin line 185, and data related to a half cut surrounding “A” (here, “ABCDEFG” in a predetermined area of the RAM 136). In addition to data such as the center position and radius, data indicating that a half cut is performed along a set line) is stored as buffer data. Here, it is assumed that the thin line 185 is a line indicating that a half cut along this line will be performed later.
[0046]
  Then, “C” is selected by clicking a square icon 176 with the pointer cursor 183 as shown in FIG. 13 in order to make a square half-cut around the character. This puts the editor in quadrilateral drawing mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the pointer cursor 183 is clicked around “C” by a predetermined method. As a result, “C” in the sheet image 184 is surrounded by a rectangular thin line 185, and data related to the half cut surrounding “C” after the half cut data surrounding “A” (here, the center position and the longitudinal and horizontal lengths). In addition to such data, data indicating that a half cut is performed along a set line) is stored as buffer data.
[0047]
  For “D”, a free line icon 178 is selected by clicking with a pointer cursor 183 as shown in FIG. 15 in order to perform half-cutting of a figure surrounded by a free line along the outline of the character. This puts the editor in free line drawing mode. Then, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the pointer cursor 183 is traced in a state where the area around “D” is clicked along the outline. As a result, “D” in the sheet image 184 is surrounded by a thin line 185 along the outline, and data related to the half cut surrounding “D” after the half cut data surrounding “C” (here, the free line is In addition to data such as the position of the end point of each line segment constituting the data, data indicating that half-cut is performed along the set line) is stored as buffer data.
[0048]
  As for “F”, the free line icon 178 is selected by clicking with the pointer cursor 183 so as to continuously surround the character with a free line. Then, as shown in FIG. Trace around with a click along the outline. As a result, “F” in the sheet image 184 is surrounded by a thin line 185 along the outline, and data related to the half cut surrounding “F” after the half cut data surrounding “D” (in the case of “D”) Similar data) is stored as buffer data.
[0049]
  In the present embodiment, when the same operation is continuously performed (for example, when free line drawing is continued twice as described above), the editor is maintained in the immediately preceding mode. May be. If it does in this way, it is not necessary to click an icon with the pointer cursor 183 newly.
[0050]
  Moreover, when drawing a thin line along the outline of a character or a figure like the character “F” described above, a dedicated icon for that purpose may be selected. In this case, a simple process of moving the contour dot of the character up, down, left, and right and 8 dots in the middle direction by a predetermined dot and performing an AND operation (and) along the contour of the character or figure A line can be drawn on the outside.
[0051]
  Next, in step S3, full width half cut is set. In the present embodiment, a full width half cut is performed between “D” and “E” and between “F” and “G”. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 19, the full-width half-cut icon 181 is selected by clicking with the pointer cursor 183. This causes the editor to enter full width half cut position input mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the pointer cursor 183 is moved to an arbitrary position between “D” and “E” and the mouse is clicked. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, a thick line 186 with a downward arrow (↓) between “D” and “E” extends across the entire width of the sheet image 184 in the width direction of the sheet passing through one point selected by clicking. The data related to the half-cut between “D” and “E” after the half-cut data surrounding “D” (in this case, data such as the position of the half-cut line as well as the set line) Data indicating that a half cut is to be performed) is stored as buffer data. Here, a thick line 186 with a downward arrow (↓) is a line indicating that a full-width half cut is performed later. That is, the setting is made such that the sheet is half-cut across the entire width by designating one point between “D” and “E”.
[0052]
  Further, in order to perform a full width half cut between “F” and “G”, the full width half cut icon 181 is clicked with the pointer cursor 183 to enter the full width half cut position input mode, and then the pointer cursor is shown in FIG. 183 is moved to an arbitrary position between “F” and “G” and the mouse is clicked. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, a thick line 186 with a downward arrow (↓) between “F” and “G” extends across the entire width of the sheet image 184 in the width direction of the sheet passing through one point selected by clicking. It is drawn, and data related to the half cut between “F” and “G” after the half cut data between “D” and “E” (in this case, other than data such as the position of the half cut line) , Data indicating that half-cut is performed along the set line) is stored as buffer data.
[0053]
  Next, in step S4, full width full cut is set by specifying one point. In the present embodiment, a full width full cut is performed by specifying one point between “A” and “B”. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 24, a full cut (one point) icon 179 is selected by clicking with the pointer cursor 183. As a result, the editor enters the full width full cut position input mode by specifying one point. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the pointer cursor 183 is moved to an arbitrary position between “A” and “B” and the mouse is clicked. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, a thick line 187 with one black circle (●) between “A” and “B” extends across the entire width of the sheet image 184 and the sheet passing through one point selected by clicking. Data drawn in the width direction and half cut data between “F” and “G”, followed by data relating to a full cut across the entire width of the sheet between “A” and “B” (here, the full cut line) In addition to data such as the position of (1), data indicating that a full cut is performed along a set line) is stored as buffer data. Here, a thick line 187 with one black circle (●) is a line indicating that a full cut over the entire width of the sheet will be performed later. That is, setting is made such that the sheet is fully cut over the entire width at that position by specifying one point between “A” and “B”.
[0054]
  Next, in step S5, an arbitrary width full cut is set by specifying two points. In the present embodiment, an arbitrary width full cut is performed between “B” and “C” by specifying two points. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 27, the full cut (two points) icon 180 is selected by clicking with the pointer cursor 183. As a result, the editor enters an arbitrary width full cut position input mode by specifying two points. Then, as shown in FIG. 28, the pointer cursor 183 is moved to a position slightly away from the upper end of the sheet between “B” and “C”, the mouse is clicked, and the pointer cursor 183 is moved downward while keeping the mouse clicked. Move. In this mode, the left and right movement of the pointer cursor 183 is prohibited, and the pointer cursor 183 can only be moved in the sheet width direction.
[0055]
  Then, as shown in FIG. 29, a thick line 188 with a black circle (●) at the top is drawn between “B” and “C” as the mouse moves. Further, as shown in FIG. 30, when the mouse is moved out of the sheet image 184 and the click is released, another black circle (●) is added to the lower end as shown in FIG. 188 terminates. That is, the thick line 188 is marked with a total of two black circles at the upper end and the lower end. At the end of drawing of the bold line 188, data relating to the full cut between two black circles between “B” and “C” after the full cut data between “A” and “B” (here, In addition to data such as the position of the full cut line and the place where full cut is performed, data indicating that full cut is performed along the set line) is stored as buffer data. A thick line 188 with black circles (●) at the upper and lower ends is a line indicating that a full cut will be performed later between two black circles. That is, setting is made such that the sheet is fully cut only between the two points designated at that position by designating two points between “B” and “C”.
[0056]
  Next, in step S6, printing and cutting on the tack sheet 13 are performed based on the data input and set in steps S1 to S5. For this purpose, first, as shown in FIG. 32, the file menu on the menu bar 172 is clicked with the pointer cursor 183, and subsequently, as shown in FIG. 33, "Print (P)" is selected from the file menu. Print and cut.
[0057]
  When “Print (P)” is selected, the editor shifts to the communication mode, and the contents of the buffer data in the RAM 136 are transmitted to the RAM 118 in the cutting printer 11.
[0058]
  When a print start command is received from the personal computer 110, the first drive motor 21 is driven to rotate in the forward direction with the solenoid 41 turned off, so that the platen roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 convey the tack sheet 13 in the forward direction. Rotate to. As a result, the leading end of the tack sheet 13 enters between the image forming mechanism 17, that is, between the thermal head 44 and the platen roller 24. On the tack sheet 13 that has entered, a predetermined image is formed by driving the heating elements of the thermal head 44. The tack sheet 13 on which the predetermined image is formed is then conveyed to the cutting mechanism unit 16.
[0059]
  The tack sheet 13 conveyed to the cutting mechanism unit 16 is full-cut and half-cut at a set position according to the contents of the buffer data stored in the RAM 118. That is, at the time of half-cutting, the solenoid 41 is turned on at the half-cut start position while the cutter 43 is supported at the half-cut position by the full-cut and half-cut switching mechanism as described in FIG. As a result, the cutter unit 30 comes into contact with the tack sheet 13. And the adhesive sheet 18 is cut along a conveyance direction by making the 1st drive motor 21 drive forward rotation and reverse rotation, and conveying the tack sheet | seat 13 to a normal direction and a reverse direction. In addition, along with the cut along the transport direction, the second drive motor 35 is driven to rotate forward and backward to cause the carriage 31 to reciprocate in the width direction of the tack sheet 13, so that the adhesive sheet 18 is Cut along the width direction. Therefore, a predetermined image on the tack sheet 13 is formed by simultaneously performing the forward rotation drive and the reverse rotation drive of the first drive motor 21 and the forward rotation drive and the reverse rotation drive of the second drive motor 35. The portion is half-cut into an arbitrary shape such as a rectangular shape or an elliptical shape.
[0060]
  Next, at the time of full cut, the solenoid 41 is turned on while the cutter 43 is supported at the full cut position by the switching mechanism of full cut and half cut as described in FIG. Then, the second drive motor 35 is driven to rotate forward and backward, and the carriage 31 is reciprocated in the width direction of the tack sheet 13, whereby the tack sheet 13 is fully cut along the width direction.
[0061]
  The sheet shown in FIG. 34 is manufactured by the above procedure. In FIG. 34, the half-cut line is indicated by a broken line, and the sheets are separated from each other along the full-cut line. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform full cut and half cut along an arbitrary line on the sheet. Therefore, a sheet having an arbitrary size in which half cut is performed at various positions. Obtainable.
[0062]
  In the present embodiment, the sheet is fully cut and half cut in the width direction at an arbitrary position by the width direction cut mode such as the full width half cut position input mode, the full width full cut position input mode, and the arbitrary width full cut position input mode. Is possible. Therefore, full cut and half cut can be set by designating one point or two points, and work efficiency can be improved.
[0063]
  In particular, the full-width full-cut position input mode and the full-width half-cut position input mode are one-point designation modes, and full cut and half-cut can be set by designation of one point, so that the work efficiency can be further improved. . In addition, the arbitrary width full cut position input mode is a two-point designation mode, and the sheet is cut between two points, so that a portion not cut at the end of the sheet can be left freely by the user's setting. The sheet can be processed in a state where it is not separated over the entire width of the sheet but connected in one part. Thus, a sheet that is fully cut in the majority can be easily separated as a label when necessary, and has an advantage that it is easier to handle than a state in which the sheet is completely separated. At this time, if the first point is designated, the second point designation is restricted to another one point on the straight line in the width direction of the sheet passing through the first point. It can be done easily. In the case of half-cutting, a full-width half-cut position input mode and an arbitrary-width half-cut position input mode may be provided as in the case of full cut.
[0064]
  In this embodiment, the full cut line and the half cut line are displayed so as to be distinguishable from each other by the line type (thick line or thin line) and the pattern (black circle or arrow and the number thereof) attached thereto. It is possible to know at a glance where full width full cut, arbitrary width full cut and half cut are set. In addition to line types and patterns, colors may be combined to display lines so that they can be distinguished from each other.
[0065]
  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the label manufacturing apparatus 100 includes the cutting printer 11 and the personal computer 110. However, the cutting printer 11 side has all the functions of the personal computer 110 so that the cutting printer 11 has all the functions. The label manufacturing apparatus 100 may be configured from only 11. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the full-cut means and the half-cut means are configured by one cutter, but these may be configured by separate cutters. The order from step S2 to step S5 can be arbitrarily changed.
[0066]
  In the above-described embodiment, when character input and cut setting are performed on the sheet using the editor, half-cut and full-cut data are stored in the RAM 136 as storage means after the character data “ABCDEFG”. However, the order of data arrangement can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the half cut which encloses a character was performed, you may perform the full cut which encloses a character.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above, claim 1,4, 7According to the above, since it is possible to perform full cut and half cut along an arbitrary line on the sheet, it is possible to obtain a sheet of an arbitrary size in which the half cut is performed at various positions.
[0068]
  further,Since the sheet can be full cut and half cut at any position in the width direction by the width direction cut mode, full cut and half cut can be set by specifying at least one point, improving work efficiency be able to.
[0069]
  Claim2, 5, 8Accordingly, in the one-point designation mode, full cut and half cut can be set by designation of one point, so that work efficiency can be improved. In the 2-point designation mode, a sheet is placed between 2 points.Full cutTherefore, a part that is not cut at the end of the sheet can be freely left by the user's setting, and the sheet is processed so that it can be easily separated although it is not separated over the entire width of the sheet Can do.
[0070]
  Claim3, 6, 9According to, the full cut line and half cut line are displayed so as to be distinguishable from each other by at least one of color, line type and pattern, so that the user knows at a glance where the full cut and half cut are set. Is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a label manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main configuration of the cutting printer shown in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the cutting printer shown in FIG.
4 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part showing a cutting mechanism part of the cutting printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic positional relationship among a roll sheet unit, a cutting mechanism unit, and an image forming mechanism unit in the cutting printer shown in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the cutter unit of the cutting mechanism in the cutting printer shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a schematic procedure for manufacturing a label in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining display display contents of an editor in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens at the time of label editing by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 24A and 24B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 28A and 28B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing, sequentially in accordance with an editing procedure, display screens at the time of label editing by an editor in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 30A and 30B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens when a label is edited by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIGS. 32A and 32B are diagrams sequentially illustrating display screens at the time of label editing by an editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIG. 33 is a diagram sequentially illustrating display screens when editing a label in the editor according to an editing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a label manufactured according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Cutting printer (sheet processing equipment)
43 Cutter
100 Label production equipment
110 Personal computer
130 Body
132 display
141 keyboard
142 mice

Claims (9)

In a label manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a label by cutting a long sheet wound in a roll shape while the adhesive sheet and release paper are laminated,
A transport mechanism capable of reciprocating the sheet in the longitudinal direction;
Full-cut means for full-cutting the sheet so that the adhesive sheet and the release paper are cut;
Half-cut means for half-cutting the sheet so that only the adhesive sheet is cut;
A moving mechanism capable of reciprocating the full-cut means and the half-cut means in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction;
Full cut line setting means for storing data indicating the position of a full cut line along an arbitrary line on the sheet in the storage means based on designation from a user, including storage means;
Half-cut line setting means for storing data indicating the position of a half-cut line along an arbitrary line on the sheet, in the storage means, based on designation from a user, including the storage means;
Based on the data indicating the position of the full cut line and the data indicating the position of the half cut line stored in the storage unit, the sheet is transported in the transport direction by the transport mechanism, and the full cut is performed by the moving mechanism. And a control means for operating the full-cut means and the half-cut means while moving the means and the half-cut means with respect to the width direction,
Width at which data indicating that the sheet is cut in the width direction is stored in the storage means when data indicating the position of the full cut line and data indicating the position of the half cut line are stored in the storage means The direction cut mode can be selected by the user,
When the position of an arbitrary point on the sheet is designated by the user, data indicating that the sheet is cut over the entire width of the sheet along a straight line passing through the point is stored in the storage unit. The one-point designation mode to be performed can be selected by the user as one of the width direction cut modes. As the width direction cut mode, when the user designates the position of one point on the sheet, and one point on the sheet and another point on the straight line in the width direction passing through the point, 2. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user can select a two-point designation mode in which data indicating that the sheet is fully cut between the two points is stored in the storage unit. It further comprises display means for displaying the sheet together with the full cut line and the half cut line,
The full cut line and the half cut line are configured to be displayed on the display unit so as to be distinguishable from each other by at least one of a color, a line type, and a pattern. 2. The label production apparatus according to 2. In at least one of the full-cut means and the half-cut means, in the label production method for producing a label by cutting a long sheet wound in a roll shape with the adhesive sheet and release paper being laminated,
Storing data indicating a position of a full cut line in which the adhesive sheet and the release paper are cut by the full cut unit along an arbitrary line on the sheet in a storage unit based on a designation from a user; ,
Storing the data indicating the position of the half cut line in which only the adhesive sheet is cut by the half cut unit along any line on the sheet in the storage unit based on designation from a user;
Based on the data indicating the position of the full cut line and the data indicating the position of the half cut line stored in the storage means, the full cut means and the half cut means are moved to the longitudinal direction of the sheet while conveying the sheet in the longitudinal direction. A step of full-cutting and half-cutting the sheet by moving in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction,
Width in which data indicating that the sheet is cut in the width direction is stored in the storage means in the step of storing data indicating the position of the full cut line and the step of storing data indicating the position of the half cut line The direction cut mode can be selected by the user,
When the position of an arbitrary point on the sheet is designated by the user, data indicating that the sheet is cut over the entire width of the sheet along a straight line passing through the point is stored in the storage unit. The label manufacturing method, wherein the one-point designation mode to be selected can be selected by a user as one of the width direction cut modes. As the width direction cut mode, when the user designates the position of one point on the sheet, and one point on the sheet and another point on the straight line in the width direction passing through the point, The label manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the user can select a two-point designation mode in which data indicating that the sheet is fully cut between the two points is stored in the storage unit.   In the step of storing data indicating the position of the full cut line and the step of storing data indicating the position of the half cut line, the full cut line and the half cut line are at least one of a color, a line type, and a pattern. 6. The label manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the label is displayed on the display means so as to be distinguished from each other. At least one of full-cut means and half-cut means recorded a program for producing a label by cutting a long sheet wound with a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet and release paper and wound in a roll shape In the recording medium,
A full cut for storing data indicating the position of a full cut line along which an adhesive sheet and the release paper are cut by the full cut means along an arbitrary line on the sheet based on a designation from a user. Line setting means,
Half-cut for storing data indicating the position of a half-cut line where only the adhesive sheet is cut by the half-cut means along an arbitrary line on the sheet in the storage means based on designation from a user Line setting means, and
Based on the data indicating the position of the full cut line and the data indicating the position of the half cut line stored in the storage means, the full cut means and the full cut means and As the control means for operating the full cut means and the half cut means while moving the half cut means in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, a computer including the storage means, the full cut means, and the half cut means , Operating a device provided with the transport mechanism and the moving mechanism,
Width at which data indicating that the sheet is cut in the width direction is stored in the storage means when data indicating the position of the full cut line and data indicating the position of the half cut line are stored in the storage means The direction cut mode can be selected by the user,
When the position of an arbitrary point on the sheet is designated by the user, data indicating that the sheet is cut over the entire width of the sheet along a straight line passing through the point is stored in the storage unit. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program that allows a user to select one point designation mode as one of the width direction cut modes. As the width direction cut mode, when the user designates the position of one point on the sheet, and one point on the sheet and another point on the straight line in the width direction passing through the point, 8. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 7, wherein a program for enabling a user to select a two-point designation mode in which data indicating that the sheet is fully cut between the two points is stored in the storage means is recorded. .   The program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a program for displaying the full cut line and the half cut line on a display unit included in the computer so as to be distinguishable from each other by at least one of a color, a line type, and a pattern is recorded. Computer-readable recording medium.

Images