JP4798153B2 - Sheet-like member cutting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a cutter for cutting a sheet-like member on which a plurality of images are arranged and printed for each image in a direction crossing the arrangement direction of the images, and the sheet-like member in one direction along the sequence of the images. Conveying means for conveying, a detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet-like member by setting a set position on the conveying path by the conveying means as a detection action position, detection information of the detection sensor, and the sheet by the conveying means The present invention relates to a sheet-like member cutting device provided with a cutting control means for controlling a cutting position of the sheet-like member based on a conveyance amount of the sheet-like member.

Such a sheet-like member cutting device is a device that cuts a sheet-like member on which a plurality of images are printed for each image with a preset size.
In order to cut the sheet-like member into a set size in this way, as described in Patent Document 1 below, the sheet-like member is conveyed by the conveying means via the cutting position, and the sheet by the conveying means is used. It is common to use a technique of specifying the cutting position from the amount of conveyance of the shaped member.
The following Patent Document 1 is a technique of cutting to a set size before printing an image on a photographic paper that is a sheet-like member, but basically the same idea when cutting after printing an image. A sheet-like member can be cut.
JP 2004-53881 A

However, in the above-described cutting operation, there is no problem as long as a roll-like long sheet-like member is pulled out and an image is printed and cut for each image. There is a certain problem when an image is printed on a non-sheet-like member and cut for each image, which will be described below with a specific example.
For the production of photographic prints, for example, a roll-shaped recording paper having a paper width of 127 mm is often used, but such a recording paper may be used for purposes other than normal photographic printing such as business cards, In such a case, from the viewpoint of using recording paper as much as possible, normally, a plurality of images are arranged and printed in an area where one photographic image exists.

When printing an image of a business card size (55 mm × 91 mm) using a recording paper having a paper width of 127 mm, a method of arranging images having patterns as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B can be considered. .
4 (a) and 4 (b), a recording paper having a paper width of 127 mm is cut into a size of 91 mm in the longitudinal direction of the recording paper, and two business card size images are printed on the cut recording paper sheet. ("Image # 1" and "Image # 2") schematically show the printed state.
In FIG. 4A, “Image # 1” is formed close to the end of the recording paper, and “Image # 2” is formed in a state of being connected to “Image # 1” without a gap.
On the other hand, in FIG. 4B, “Image # 1” is formed close to one end of the recording paper, and “Image # 2” is formed close to the other end of the recording paper.

When a plurality of images are formed on one recording sheet with a pattern as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is necessary to separate the plurality of images into images.
When this cutting operation is performed in the same manner as in the above cited document 1, while the recording paper is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4A, the leading edge of the recording paper is at a cutting position by a cutter or the like in FIG. After the recording paper is cut at position B where the recording paper is transported 55 mm from the positioned state, it is further cut at position C where it is transported 55 mm.
4B, after the recording paper is cut at a position B ′ where the recording paper has been transported by 55 mm from the state where the leading edge of the recording paper is located at the cutting position by a cutter or the like, “image # 1” and “image # 2” Cut at a position C ′ where a margin length of 17 mm is conveyed.
When cut in this way, in the case of FIG. 4A, when the rear end side of “image # 2” is cut at position C, the rear side portion in the transport direction (direction of arrow A) from position C remains. It will be.
In the vicinity of the cutting position by the cutter or the like, there is a region where the conveyance driving force by the conveyance means such as a conveyance roller does not act on the recording paper because of the mechanism provided with the cutter or the like. The portion on the rear side (upstream side) in the transport direction remains without being transported.
Therefore, a separate mechanism for removing the remaining recording paper from the recording paper conveyance path is required.

On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 4B, a sufficient length for conveyance of “image # 2” remains at the rear side in the conveyance direction from the cutting position at the time of cutting at the position C ′. The part of “Image # 2” can be sent out without any problem.
However, in the case of FIG. 4B, unlike the case of FIG. 4A, the size of the portion of “image # 2” in the transport direction cannot be accurately defined by the transport amount by the transport unit. In this explanation example, it depends on the paper width of the recording paper.
There is some manufacturing variation in the paper width of the recording paper, and there are cases where the length of the recording paper in the direction of the arrow A varies for various reasons.
If the length of the recording paper in the direction of arrow A is 126 mm, which is 1 mm shorter than the standard 127 mm, “Image # 1” is correctly cut at 55 mm in the image layout of FIG. The length of “image # 2” in the direction of arrow A is 54 mm.

Since such a dimensional error is not acceptable, in order to eliminate the dimensional error in the “image # 2” portion, the length of the recording paper in the arrow A direction is separately measured, and the position B ′ and the position By correcting the conveyance amount of the blank portion between C ′, the occurrence of a dimensional error in the “image # 2” portion is prevented.
In the numerical example described above, after the recording paper is cut at a position B ′ where the recording paper has been conveyed by 55 mm from the state where the leading edge of the recording paper is located at the cutting position by a cutter or the like, “image # 1” and “image # 2” Is cut at a position C ′ where a margin length of 16 mm (a conveyance amount shorter by 1 mm than the standard) is conveyed. By doing so, the length of the “image # 2” in the direction of arrow A is correctly 55 mm.

Therefore, in the case of assigning an image with a pattern as shown in FIG. 4A, there is a disadvantage that the apparatus configuration becomes complicated, and an image assignment with a pattern as shown in FIG. In this case, there is an inconvenience that it takes time to cut each image with high dimensional accuracy.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to avoid a complicated configuration of the apparatus and an increase in work load, while printing a plurality of images printed on a single sheet-like member. The point is that each image can be cut with high dimensional accuracy.

  According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a cutter for cutting a sheet-like member on which a plurality of images are arranged and printed for each image in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the images, and the sheet-like member is arranged in a sequence of the images. A conveying means that conveys the sheet-like member in one direction along with, a detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of the sheet-like member by setting a set position on the conveyance path by the conveying means as a detection action position, detection information of the detection sensor, and the The sheet-shaped member cutting apparatus includes a cutting control unit configured to control a cutting position of the sheet-shaped member based on a conveyance amount of the sheet-shaped member by the conveying unit. The image at the front end side in the direction is disposed at a set position near the front end in the transport direction, and the image at the rear end side in the transport direction is brought close to the rear end in the transport direction. And a leading edge detection sensor for detecting the leading edge of the sheet-like member in the carrying direction and a trailing edge detection sensor for detecting the trailing edge of the sheet-like member in the carrying direction. The cutting control means has a position at a time when a set distance for separating a leading edge image is conveyed from a time when the leading edge detection sensor detects a leading edge of the sheet-like member conveyed by the conveying means on the leading edge side. A setting for separating the trailing edge image from the time point when the trailing edge detection sensor detects the trailing edge of the sheet-like member conveyed by the conveying means, and is specified as a cutting position for separating the edge image. The position at the time when the distance is conveyed is configured to be specified as a cutting position for cutting off the image of the rear end side end.

In other words, the image to be printed on one sheet-like member is arranged such that the image on the front end side in the carrying direction in which the sheet-like member is carried is arranged at a set position near the leading end in the carrying direction, and after the carrying direction. It is assumed that the image at the end side end is arranged close to the rear end in the transport direction. In the case where two images are arranged on one sheet-like member, this corresponds to the arrangement in the pattern of FIG.
When the image arrangement on one sheet-like member is performed as described above, and the image at the front end side in the transport direction is separated from the subsequent image, the point when the front end detection sensor detects the front end of the sheet-like member The position at the time when the set distance for separating the leading edge image is conveyed is specified as the cutting position for separating the image on the leading edge side, and the cutter is caused to perform the cutting operation.
Further, for separating the image of the rear end side end in the transport direction from the preceding image, from the time when the rear end detection sensor detects the rear end of the sheet-like member, the set distance for separating the rear end image is transported. The position is specified as a cutting position for cutting off the image at the rear end, and the cutter is caused to perform a cutting operation.

In this way, the sheet-like member is detected based on the detection of the edge of the sheet-like member and the detection time point for the separation of the image at the end on the rear end side while continuing to convey the sheet-like member in a certain direction. By specifying the cutting position according to the transport amount of the sheet, it is possible to obtain an image at the end on the rear end side even when the length of the sheet-like member in the transport direction varies, for example, when the width of the recording paper varies. It can cut properly with the street dimensions.
In the case where three or more images are arranged on the sheet-like member, the cutting of the image located in the middle is based on the leading edge detection time of the sheet-like member or the trailing edge detection time of the sheet-like member. Whether the reference is used can be determined as appropriate based on the relationship between the cutting size of each image and the detection action positions of the leading edge detection sensor and the trailing edge detection sensor.

Further, according to a second invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the trailing edge detection sensor is located upstream of the conveyance start end of the sheet-like member by the conveyance means in the conveyance direction. The conveyance control unit is configured to start the conveyance driving operation of the conveyance unit when the trailing end detection sensor detects the leading end of the sheet-like member.
That is, as a method for specifying the start timing of the transport driving operation by the transport unit, it is often performed to start the transport driving operation when it is detected that the sheet member has been inserted into the transport path of the sheet member. .
The sensor for detecting that the sheet-like member has been inserted is installed so as to detect the upstream side in the conveying direction, which is some distance away from the cutting position by the cutter. Is also used as a sensor for specifying the cutting position of the image at the end on the rear end side.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection of the edge of the sheet-like member and the conveyance of the sheet-like member on the basis of the detection time also for the separation of the image of the rear end side end printed on the sheet-like member. By specifying the cutting position according to the amount, for example, when the length of the sheet-like member in the transport direction varies, such as when the width of the recording sheet varies, an image of the rear end side edge can be obtained as desired. It can be cut properly with dimensions.
Therefore, while eliminating the need for a mechanism for eliminating uncut sheet-like members, the complexity of the apparatus configuration can be avoided, and the work such as the measurement of the dimensions of the sheet-like member is unnecessary, and an increase in work load can be avoided. A plurality of images printed on one sheet-like member can be cut into each image with high dimensional accuracy.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the sensor for detecting the insertion of the sheet-like member is also used as a sensor for specifying the cutting position of the image at the rear end side printed on the sheet-like member. Thus, the apparatus configuration can be further simplified.

Embodiments of a sheet-like member cutting device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The sheet-like member cutting device SC of the present embodiment handles, as the sheet-like member SE, for example, photographic paper 1 on which a business card image obtained by copying a photographic image such as a face photograph together with characters such as a name is printed.
A plurality of business card images are printed side by side on the photographic paper 1 that is the sheet-like member SE. In this embodiment, a case where two business card images are printed side by side in the pattern shown in FIG. To explain.
Therefore, “image # 1”, which is an image at the leading end in the conveying direction of the photographic paper 1 (the direction of arrow D in FIG. 1 and the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4), is positioned at the leading end of the photographic paper 1 in the conveying direction. However, when the present invention is applied, cutting can be appropriately performed even if an area that needs to be cut exists in the transport direction forward side of the “image # 1” portion. For this reason, it is not always necessary to be positioned at the leading end, and it is sufficient if the position is stored in the controller 17 by being arranged at a set position near the leading end in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 1.
On the other hand, “image # 2”, which is an image at the rear end side in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 1, is arranged close to the rear end in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 1. It is necessary to arrange “image # 2” so that there is no region that needs to be cut behind the # 2 ”portion in the transport direction.

In the present embodiment, a case where two images “image # 1” and “image # 2” are printed on a photographic paper 1 cut into a size of 127 mm × 91 mm by a photo printing apparatus (not shown) is illustrated. explain. For example, when a 127 mm width roll photographic paper is cut to produce the photographic paper 1, the image alignment direction becomes the width direction of the photographic paper roll, and the length is likely to vary.
The sheet member cutting device SC whose external perspective view is shown in FIG. 3 cuts this photographic paper 1 into a size of 55 mm × 91 mm for every two images of “image # 1” and “image # 2”. .

[Configuration of Sheet-like Member Cutting Device SC]
The sheet-like member cutting device SC includes a first conveying roller 11, a second conveying roller 12, and a motor as shown in FIG. 1 schematically showing the schematic configuration and in FIG. 13, a transport means TM for the photographic paper 1, a cutter 14 CU schematically including a cutter 14 and an actuator for driving the cutter 14 shown in FIG. A controller 17 that controls the motor 13 based on detection information from the sensor 15 and the second optical sensor 16 is provided as a basic configuration.
In FIG. 1, the photographic paper 1 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow D, and the cutter 14 cuts the photographic paper 1 in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction (specifically, a direction orthogonal). As is clear from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4B, the arrangement direction of the images on the photographic paper 1 and the transport direction (the direction of arrow D in FIG. 1) coincide.
A recovery box 18 for recovering cut pieces of the photographic paper 1 is provided at a position below the downstream side of the cutter 14 in the conveying direction.

The conveyance path of the photographic paper 1 in the sheet-shaped member cutting device SC is a conveyance table 21 that supports the photographic paper 1, a fixed guide 22 that guides the conveyance side end of the photographic paper 1 placed on the conveyance table 21, and a movable guide. 23.
The first transport roller 11 and the second transport roller 12 are each composed of a pair of upper rollers 11a and 12a and lower rollers 11b and 12b, and printing is performed between the upper rollers 11a and 12a and the lower rollers 11b and 12b. The paper 1 is nipped and transported.
For this reason, an opening 24 for allowing the upper ends of the lower rollers 11 b and 12 b to slightly protrude from the conveying surface of the conveying table 21 is formed in the conveying table 21.
2 and 3, the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 1 in the sheet-like member cutting device SC is the direction indicated by the arrow E, and the photographic paper 1 is conveyed in this one direction.
In FIG. 2, only the first transport roller 11 is illustrated, but the second transport roller 12 located on the opposite side with the cutter unit CU interposed therebetween has the same configuration.

Both ends of the rotation shafts of the upper rollers 11a, 12a and the lower rollers 11b, 12b are connected by a gear mechanism 25, and the upper rollers 11a, 12a and the lower rollers 11b, 12b rotate in conjunction with each other.
One end side of the rotating shafts of the lower rollers 11b and 12b further extends, and a pulley 26 is attached. A pulley 26 attached to the rotating shaft of the lower roller 11b and a pulley (illustrated) attached to the rotating shaft of the lower roller 12b. ) And a pulley 27 attached to the drive shaft of the motor 13, a timing belt 28 is wound around, and the driving force of the motor 13 causes the first transport roller 11 and the second transport roller 12 to have the same peripheral speed. (I.e., the transfer operation is integrally performed at the same transfer speed).
In FIG. 1, in order to simplify the drawing, the timing belt 28 is illustrated as being wound around the lower rollers 11b and 12b, and its function is clearly shown.

The fixed guide 22 is provided with the first optical sensor 15 and the second optical sensor 16 described above with the set position on the transport path by the transport means TM as a detection action position. As shown in FIG. The interval between the detection action position of the sensor 15 and the cutting position by the cutter 14 is set to “L1”, and the interval between the detection action position of the second optical sensor 16 and the cutting position by the cutter 14 is set to “L2”. It is set.
As will be described in detail later, as one of the control functions using the detection information of the first optical sensor 15, it is detected that the photographic paper 1 has been inserted by the first optical sensor 15, and is transported by the transport means TM. There is a function for starting the operation. For this purpose, the first optical sensor 15 detects and acts on the upstream side position in the transport direction with respect to the position of the first transport roller 11 that is the transport start end of the transport unit TM. The length of “L1” is set.

When the operator performs an operation of cutting a plurality of images printed on the photographic paper 1 for each image, the interval between the fixed guide 22 and the movable guide 23 matches the dimension of the photographic paper 1 in the conveyance width direction. The position of the movable guide 23 is adjusted in the approaching / separating direction with respect to the fixed guide 22.
By this adjustment, the edge of the photographic paper 1 passes through the detection action positions of the first optical sensor 15 and the second optical sensor 16 installed on the fixed guide 22, and printing is performed by the first optical sensor 15 and the second optical sensor 16. The presence or absence of the paper 1 is detected.

[Device adjustment]
In the present embodiment, the motor 13 is a stepping motor, and the controller 17 manages the transport amount of the photographic paper 1 by the number of drive pulses to the motor 13 that is proportional to the transport amount.
Therefore, in managing the transport amount of the photographic paper 1, the relationship between the number of drive pulses for the motor 13 and the actual transport distance of the photographic paper 1 is important.
The controller 17 stores in advance standard data indicating the relationship between the number of drive pulses for the motor 13 and the actual transport distance from the time of shipment of the apparatus from the factory, but errors may occur due to various circumstances. Therefore, it has a function of correcting the standard data and performing an actual transport operation.

The correction data for correcting the standard data stored and held in advance can be obtained by the operator inputting an instruction from a switch or the like (not shown). The process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
In the present embodiment, as the standard data, the number of drive pulses for a conveyance amount of 55 mm is stored and held, and the correction data is assumed to be data for correction by addition or subtraction to the standard data. To do.

The correction data can be obtained by causing the sheet-like member cutting device SC to carry a reference plate whose length in the carrying direction of the photographic paper 1 in the sheet-like member cutting device SC is accurately measured in advance. This is obtained by detecting how many drive pulses are required to convey the distance of the entire length of the plate.
As this reference plate, two types of reference plates having different distances are prepared, and these reference plates are sequentially conveyed. As the sizes of the two types of reference plates, for example, two types of “55 mm × 91 mm” and “300 mm × 91 mm” may be used.
The reference plate is formed of a durable material such as resin, and has a thickness of 0.23 mm, which is the same as that of the photographic paper 1.

The controller 17 starts the process of FIG. 5 in response to an instruction input from the operator to start the correction data setting process.
When the operator inserts either one of the two types of reference plates by sliding them on the carriage 21 in the direction of arrow E (see FIG. 2), the first optical sensor 15 detects nothing from the state where the reference plate is not detected. The state shifts to a state in which the presence of the reference plate is detected by being shielded by the edge, and the tip of the reference plate is detected by the change.
When the front end of the reference plate is detected (step # 1), transmission of a drive pulse signal having a constant frequency to the motor 13 is started, and the first transport roller 11 and the second transport roller 12 are started to perform a transport operation at a constant speed (step # 1). Step # 2).

When the tip of the reference plate inserted by the operator reaches the installation position of the first transport roller 11 and is sandwiched between the first transport rollers 11, the transport means is configured by the first transport roller 11 and the like. It will be in the state conveyed by TM.
The reference plate is continuously conveyed by the first conveyance roller 11, and the detection action position of the second optical sensor 16 is changed by the change of the output signal of the second optical sensor 16 as in the case of the first optical sensor. Is detected (step # 3), a counter that counts the number of pulses of the drive pulse signal sent to the motor 13 (for convenience of explanation, this counter is referred to as “main counter”) starts counting (step # 3). # 4).

Thereafter, the process waits while confirming whether or not the rear end in the transport direction of the reference plate has passed the detection action position of the second optical sensor 16 based on the detection signal of the second optical sensor 16 (step # 5).
The detection of the rear end of the reference plate is opposite to the detection of the front end described above, and is detected when the reference plate passes from a state where the presence of the reference plate is detected by light shielding to a state where nothing is detected. To do.
Whether or not the rear end of the reference plate in step # 5 has passed the detection action position of the second optical sensor 16 is executed at a repetition cycle sufficiently higher than the frequency of the drive pulse sent to the motor 13.

When it is detected that the rear end of the reference plate has passed the detection action position of the second optical sensor 16 (step # 5), the count operation of the main counter that counts the number of drive pulses sent to the motor 13 is stopped (step # 5). # 6) The information is stored in a memory such as a register and the main counter is reset (step # 7).
Thereafter, the process returns to step # 1 (step # 8) and waits for the second reference plate to be inserted.

When the processes of step # 1 to step # 7 are completed in the same manner as described above for the second reference plate (step # 8), correction data is calculated (step # 9).
Various calculation methods are conceivable for calculating the correction data, but an example will be briefly described.
First, the difference between the count values for the two reference plates stored in step # 7 is taken and divided by the difference (245 mm) in the transport distance between the two reference plates, thereby driving the unit length per transport amount. Find the number of pulses.
The number of drive pulses per transport amount of the determined unit length is converted to the number of drive pulses at the transport amount of 55 mm targeted by the standard data, and corrected by taking the difference from the standard data stored and held in advance. Store as data.

(Cut operation)
Next, the actual cutting operation of the photographic paper 1 will be described.
In the actual cutting operation of the photographic paper 1, the controller 17 executes the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The controller 17 executes the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 8, and based on the detection information of the two detection sensors of the first optical sensor 15 and the second optical sensor 16 and the conveyance amount of the photographic paper 1 by the conveyance means TM. Function as a cutting control means CC for controlling the cutting position of the photographic paper 1.
6 to 8 are executed sufficiently faster than the frequency of the drive pulse sent to the motor 13.
The direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4B is the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 2 (or FIG. 3) for the photographic paper 1 on which the operator has printed two business card images in the pattern of FIG. In this way, the first optical sensor 15 detects the leading edge of the photographic paper 1 (step # 11). The detection of the leading edge of the photographic paper 1 is the same as the detection of the leading edge of the reference plate described above.
When the leading edge of the photographic paper 1 is detected (step # 11), transmission of a drive pulse signal with a constant frequency to the motor 13 is started, and the first conveyance roller 11 and the second conveyance roller 12 start conveyance operation at a constant speed. (Step # 12).

When the leading edge of the photographic paper 1 inserted by the operator reaches the installation position of the first conveyance roller 11 and is sandwiched between the first conveyance rollers 11, the photographic paper 1 is constituted by the first conveyance roller 11 and the like. It will be in the state conveyed by the conveyance means TM.
The conveyance of the photographic paper 1 by the first conveyance roller 11 is continued, and the detection action position of the second optical sensor 16 is changed by the change of the output signal of the second optical sensor 16 as in the case of the first optical sensor 15 described above. When it is detected that the leading edge of the photographic paper 1 has passed (step # 13), the main counter starts counting (step # 14).
As described above, the second optical sensor 16 functions as a leading end detection sensor FE for detecting the leading end of the photographic paper 1 in the transport direction.

Thereafter, whether or not the count value of the main counter has reached the count value for specifying the cutting position (position B ′ in FIG. 4B) for cutting off the “image # 1” portion of the photographic paper 1. Is monitored (step # 15).
In the present embodiment, the cutting position of “image # 1” that is the image on the front end side is a position 55 mm from the front end of the photographic paper 1, so that the detection action position of the second optical sensor 16 is the front end of the photographic paper 1. The point of time when “55 mm + L2”, which is a distance of “55 mm + L2” (see FIG. 1) is transported from the point of passage, is the cutting position of “image # 1”.
The distance of “55 mm + L2” is converted into a count value of the number of drive pulses to the motor 13 and held.
To convert the number of drive pulses into a count value, the correction data obtained as described above is subtracted from the standard data defined by the transport amount of 55 mm, and the result corresponds to a distance of “55 mm + L2”. The calculation is performed in proportion to the number of drive pulses, and the calculation result is used as a count value for specifying the cutting position of “image # 1” on the photographic paper 1.

When the count value of the main counter reaches the count value for specifying the cutting position of “image # 1” of the photographic paper 1 (step # 15), the transmission of the drive pulse to the motor 13 is stopped and the photographic paper is stopped. 1 is stopped (step # 16), and the cutter unit CU is instructed to perform a cutting operation (step # 17).
That is, the controller 17 determines the position at the time when the leading edge of the photographic paper 1 is conveyed by the second optical sensor 16 that is the leading edge detection sensor FE from the time when the leading edge image separation set distance (“55 mm + L2”) is conveyed. This is specified as a cutting position for cutting “Image # 1”.

When a signal indicating that the cutting operation has been completed is received from the cutter unit CU (step # 18), transmission of the drive pulse to the motor 13 is resumed (step # 19), and the count value of the main counter is reset and counted. Is resumed (step # 20).
Thereafter, while monitoring the passage of the trailing edge of the photographic paper 1 through the detection position of the first optical sensor 15 (step # 21), the “margin portion shredding process” shown in FIG. 8 is executed (step # 21). 22).
The detection of the passage of the rear end of the photographic paper 1 is performed by applying the same method as the detection of the rear end of the reference plate to the detection signal of the first optical sensor 15.
As described above, the first optical sensor 15 functions as the rear end detection sensor RE for detecting the rear end of the photographic paper 1 in the conveyance direction, and detects and conveys the front end of the photographic paper 1 as described above. It also has a function for starting the transport driving operation by means TM.

In the “margin section processing” shown in FIG. 8, after “Image # 1” is cut, “Image # 2” is cut as it is for the blank portion between “Image # 1” and “Image # 2”. In this process, the photographic paper 1 is not transported to the cutting position but is cut every time a set length (5 mm in the present embodiment) is transported. Paper pieces of the photographic paper 1 cut into small pieces at intervals of 5 mm fall into the collection box 18.
This is because when the distance between the second transport roller 12 and the cutting position of the cutter 14 is longer than the length of the blank portion in the direction of arrow A, the cut blank portion remains without being successfully discharged from the transport path. This is because there is a possibility that the paper piece having the size of the margin part will fall into the collection box 18 uncertainly.

In the “margin portion shredding process” in FIG. 8, first, it is confirmed whether or not the transport distance of the photographic paper 1 from the point of time when the “image # 1” is cut has become an integral multiple of 5 mm (excluding 0) ( Step # 41) If it is not an integral multiple of 5 mm, the process immediately returns to the flowchart of FIG.
At this time, the main counter counts the number of drive pulses to the motor 13 from the time when “image # 1” is cut off, and the count value of the main counter is 5 mm after being corrected with the correction data. The determination process of step # 41 is performed depending on whether or not the number of drive pulses corresponding to the transport distance is an integral multiple.

If the transport distance of the photographic paper 1 from the time when the “image # 1” is separated is an integral multiple of 5 mm (step # 41), the transmission of the drive pulse to the motor 13 is stopped and the photographic paper 1 The conveyance drive is stopped (step # 42), and the cutter unit CU is caused to perform the cutting operation of the photographic paper 1 (step # 43).
When a signal indicating the completion of cutting is received from the cutter unit CU (step # 44), the transmission of the drive pulse to the motor 13 is resumed (step # 45).
By repeatedly calling this “margin portion thinning process”, the margin portions are cut at intervals of 5 mm.

On the other hand, when it is detected in step # 21 of FIG. 7 that the trailing edge of the photographic paper 1 has passed the detection action position of the first optical sensor 15, a counter provided separately from the main counter (for convenience of explanation) This counter is referred to as an “auxiliary counter”) and starts counting the number of drive pulses sent to the motor 13 (step # 23).
Thereafter, whether or not the count value of the auxiliary counter has reached the count value for specifying the cutting position (the position of C ′ in FIG. 4B) where the “image # 2” portion of the photographic paper 1 is cut off. While monitoring this (step # 24), the "margin cut processing" of FIG. 8 is executed (step # 25).
In the present embodiment, the cutting position for separating “image # 2” that is the image on the rear end side is a position 55 mm from the rear end of the photographic paper 1, and the detection action position of the first optical sensor 15 and the cutter 14. Since the distance from the cutting position by “L1” (see FIG. 1) is set to a distance longer than 55 mm, from the time when the rear end of the photographic paper 1 passes the detection action position of the first optical sensor 15, The time point when the distance of “L1-55 mm” is conveyed is the cutting position for cutting “image # 2”.
This distance “L1-55 mm” is converted into a count value of the number of drive pulses to the motor 13 and held. Conversion of the number of drive pulses to the count value is as described above.

8 is performed by repeatedly executing the “margin cut processing” of FIG. 8 to cut the blank portion at intervals of 5 mm, while the count value of the auxiliary counter cuts “image # 2” of the photographic paper 1 When the count value for specifying the position is reached (step # 24), the sending of the drive pulse to the motor 13 is stopped, the conveyance drive of the photographic paper 1 is stopped (step # 26), and the cutter unit CU is sent. The execution of the cutting operation of the photographic paper 1 is instructed (step # 27).
That is, the controller 17 determines the position at the time when the first optical sensor 15 as the rear end detection sensor RE detects the rear end of the photographic paper 1 from the time when the set distance for separating the rear end image is conveyed. This is specified as a cutting position for cutting “Image # 2”.

When a signal indicating that the cutting operation of the photographic paper 1 has been completed is received from the cutter unit CU (step # 28), the sending of the drive pulse to the motor 13 is resumed and the conveyance of the photographic paper 1 is started (step # 29). At the same time, the main counter is reset to start counting the number of drive pulses (step # 30).
Thereafter, when the transport distance of the photographic paper 1 reaches the transport distance necessary for discharging the photographic paper 1 from the transport path (step # 31), the transmission of the drive pulse to the motor 13 is stopped (step # 32). ).
The transport distance required to discharge the photographic paper 1 from the transport path is the length (55 mm) of the “image # 2” portion of the photographic paper 1 in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 4B). 14 is a distance obtained by adding the length of the interval between the cutting position 14 and the second conveying roller 12 and adding a slight margin, and is converted into the number of driving pulses to the motor 13 in the same manner as described above.
The controller 17 repeatedly executes the processes of FIGS. 6 to 8 except when instructed to execute the process of FIG.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where two images are printed side by side on the photographic paper 1 exemplified as the sheet-like member SE is illustrated, but the present invention is applicable even when three or more images are printed side by side. Can be applied.
(2) In the above embodiment, the photographic paper 1 is exemplified as the sheet-like member SE to be cut by the sheet-like member cutting device SC. However, it is possible to print an image such as a recording paper for an ink jet printer. If there is, it can be used for cutting various sheet-like members SE.
(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the first conveying roller 11 and the second conveying roller 12 convey the photographic paper 1 as the conveying means TM is exemplified. However, for example, a belt conveyor type conveying mechanism or the like Various conveying means can be used.
(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the sheet-like member cutting device SC is configured as a single device is exemplified. However, the sheet-like member cutting device SC is installed in a printing apparatus that prints an image on the photographic paper 1 and the printing process is completed. The photographic paper cutting process may be performed in series with the printing process.

Schematic configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention The perspective view of the structure inside the apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention 1 is an external perspective view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the arrangement | positioning aspect of the image on a sheet-like member The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

14 Cutter CC Cutting control means FE Front end detection sensor RE Rear end detection sensor SE Sheet-like member TM Conveying means

Claims (2)

A cutter for cutting a sheet-like member on which a plurality of images are printed side by side in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the images, and a conveying means for conveying the sheet-like member in one direction along the arrangement of the images And a detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of the sheet-like member by setting a set position on the conveyance path by the conveyance means as a detection action position, detection information of the detection sensor, and conveyance of the sheet-like member by the conveyance means A sheet-like member cutting device provided with a cutting control means for controlling the cutting position of the sheet-like member based on the amount,
In the sheet-like member, the image of the front end side end in the transport direction by the transport means is disposed at a set position near the front end in the transport direction, and the image of the rear end side end in the transport direction is the transport direction. Placed near the rear edge,
As the detection sensor, a front end detection sensor for detecting a front end of the sheet-like member in the transport direction and a rear end detection sensor for detecting a rear end of the sheet-like member in the transport direction are provided.
The cutting control unit is configured to determine a position at a time when the leading edge detection sensor detects a leading edge of the sheet-like member conveyed by the conveying unit from a point when the leading edge image separation set distance is conveyed at the distal end side end part. It is specified as a cutting position for separating the image, and the set distance for separating the trailing edge image is conveyed from the time when the trailing edge detection sensor detects the trailing edge of the sheet-like member conveyed by the conveying means. A sheet-like member cutting device configured to specify the position at the time of cutting as a cutting position for cutting off the image of the rear end side end. The rear end detection sensor is arranged so as to detect the upstream side position in the transport direction with respect to the transport start end of the sheet-like member by the transport unit,
The sheet-like member cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance control unit is configured to start a conveyance driving operation of the conveyance unit when the trailing edge detection sensor detects a leading edge of the sheet-like member.

Images