JP4968212B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which forms a laminate label that can protect a printing part for a long period of time. <P>SOLUTION: The tape printer can set a front cover amount and a rear cover amount, and can form a desired laminate label by controlling a starting timing of transferring of a printing tape 40 and a starting timing of transferring of a transparent tape 60 on the basis of the set front cover amount and rear cover amount. The transparent tape 60 can be prevented from being separated up to a part of printed contents even if the formed laminate label is pasted to a printing surface for a long period of time. A printing face of the laminated printing tape 40 can be protected for a long period of time. The printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are wound back to a spool side after formation of the laminate label, and therefore a consumption amount of the printing tape 40 and transparent tape 60 can be restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for producing a laminate label that can protect a printed portion for a long period of time.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an apparatus for creating a laminate label by attaching a transparent adhesive tape to a printing surface of a printing tape. Patent Document 1 below discloses a printing apparatus that prevents a shift in the width direction between a laminating tape that forms a laminating label and is bonded to each other and a tape to be laminated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-330705

  In the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the laminate tape and the tape to be laminated are correctly aligned in the width direction, the laminate tape is removed from the laminate label that has been pasted on the adherend and has passed for a long time. There is a risk of peeling. Further, when the amount to be peeled becomes large, the printed portion is exposed to air, the appearance is deteriorated, and the abrasion resistance is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that creates a laminate label that can protect a printed portion for a long period of time.

The invention according to claim 1, which is an aspect of the present invention,
In a printing apparatus for creating a laminate label in which a transparent adhesive tape wider than the width of the printing tape is bonded to the printing surface of the printed printing tape, a printing head for printing on the printing tape, and the printing tape A first conveying roller that is conveyed; and the first conveying roller is positioned downstream of the first conveying roller in a printing tape conveying direction, and the printed adhesive tape is sandwiched between the printed adhesive tape and the transparent adhesive tape. A second conveying roller constituted by a pair of feed rollers for conveying the printing tape having the transparent adhesive tape bonded thereto, and the operations of the first conveying roller and the second conveying roller are respectively controlled. Control means, wherein the control means is a longitudinal tip position of the transparent adhesive tape in the laminate label to be produced And the operation start timing of the first transport roller and the second transport roller so that the distance from the position in the longitudinal direction of the print tape located upstream of the position in the print tape transport direction is a predetermined length, the transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive tape of the width of the print tape one roller are those located on the side of the Ri width der following the printing tape, the pair of feed rollers of the feed roller of the pair The width of the one located on this side is wider than the width of the one roller, and is the same as the width of the transparent adhesive tape .

  The invention according to claim 2, which is an aspect of the present invention, is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means operates the second transport roller first when the predetermined length is less than a reference length. It is characterized by starting.

  The invention according to claim 3 which is an aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined length is larger than a reference length, the control unit starts operation of the first conveying roller first. It is characterized by making it.

  The invention according to claim 4 which is an aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined length and the reference length are the same, the first transport roller and the second transport roller are simultaneously used. The operation is started.

The invention according to claim 5 which is one aspect of the present invention is the printing according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
In the apparatus, the reference length is a distance between a front end position in the longitudinal direction of the transparent adhesive tape and a front end position in the longitudinal direction of the printing tape in a standby state.

The invention according to claim 6, which is an aspect of the present invention, is a printing apparatus that creates a laminate label in which a transparent adhesive tape wider than the width of the printing tape is bonded to the printing surface of the printed printing tape. A print head for printing on the print tape; a first transport roller for transporting the print tape; and a downstream side of the first transport roller in the print tape transport direction, the printed print tape and the transparent A second transport roller configured by a pair of feed rollers for transporting the print tape to which the transparent adhesive tape is bonded, and the transparent adhesive tape is bonded to the print tape by sandwiching the adhesive tape; A first cutting means that is located between the first transport roller and the second transport roller and cuts the print tape to which the transparent adhesive tape is not bonded; A second cutting means that is positioned downstream of the second transport roller in the print tape transport direction and cuts the print tape to which the transparent adhesive tape is bonded; the first transport roller; the second transport roller; Control means for controlling the operations of the first cutting means and the second cutting means, respectively, and the control means is the longitudinal end position of the transparent adhesive tape in the laminate label to be produced, and the print tape transport direction from that position. The operation start timing of the first transport roller and the second transport roller is controlled so that the distance from the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the print tape located on the upstream side is a predetermined length, and the rear end position of the print tape is the first position. when detecting the arrival at the first cutting means, said stops the operation of the first roller, which is located on the side of the printing tape of the feed roller of the pair The width of a certain one of the rollers, the Ri width der following print tape, the width of those located on the side of the transparent adhesive tape of the feed roller of the pair is wider than the width of said one roller, It is the same as the width of the transparent adhesive tape .

  The invention according to claim 7, which is an aspect of the present invention, is the printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control means includes a rear end position of the print tape and the transparent adhesive tape at the position of the second cutting means. When the distance from the rear end position reaches a predetermined length, the operation of the second transport roller is stopped.

The invention according to claim 8, which is an aspect of the present invention, is the printing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a print tape take-up shaft that reversely feeds the print tape in a direction opposite to the transport direction. And the control means stops the operation of the print tape take-up shaft when detecting that the front end of the print tape has reached a predetermined position.

According to the printing apparatus of claim 1, the first conveying roller and the first conveying roller are arranged so that a distance between the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the transparent adhesive tape and the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the print tape is a predetermined length in the laminate label to be produced. Since the operation start timing of the two transport rollers is controlled, a laminate label at a position where the transparent adhesive tape and the leading end position of the printing tape are different can be created. As a result, when the produced laminate label is affixed to the adherend, the tip portion of the printing tape is covered with the transparent adhesive tape with a margin, so that the transparent adhesive tape at the portion covering the tip portion of the printing tape is peeled off. Can be prevented. Further, by making the width of the transparent adhesive tape wider than the width of the printing tape, it is possible to produce a good-looking laminate label. Further, the width of the feed roller located on the print tape side of the pair of feed rollers is equal to or less than the width of the print tape. Thereby, it can prevent that the adhesive of a transparent adhesive tape adheres to the feed roller.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 2, when the predetermined length is less than the reference length, the second transport roller is started to operate first, so that the laminate in which the distance between the transparent adhesive tape and the printing tape is a predetermined length. Labels can be created.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 3, when the predetermined length is larger than the reference length, the first transport roller is started to operate first, so that the laminate in which the distance between the transparent adhesive tape and the printing tape is a predetermined length. Labels can be created.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 4, when the predetermined length and the reference length are the same, the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller are started simultaneously, so that the transparent adhesive tape and the printing tape A laminate label whose distance is a predetermined length can be created.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 5, the reference length is a distance between the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the transparent adhesive tape and the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the print tape in the standby state. A laminate label in which the distance between the transparent adhesive tape and the printing tape is a predetermined length can be produced without being affected by the distance between the longitudinal tip position of the tape and the longitudinal tip position of the printing tape.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 6, when it is detected that the rear end position of the printing tape has reached the first cutting means, the operation of the first roller is stopped. A laminate label at a position different from the position can be produced, and the rear end position of the printing tape can be cut at a position different from the rear end position of the transparent adhesive tape. As a result, when the produced laminate label is affixed to the adherend, the front end portion and the rear end portion of the printing tape are covered with the transparent adhesive tape with a margin, so that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the printing tape are respectively It can prevent that the transparent adhesive tape of the part to cover peels off. Further, by making the width of the transparent adhesive tape wider than the width of the printing tape, it is possible to produce a good-looking laminate label. Further, the width of the feed roller located on the print tape side of the pair of feed rollers is equal to or less than the width of the print tape. Thereby, it can prevent that the adhesive of a transparent adhesive tape adheres to the feed roller.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 7, when the distance between the rear end position of the printing tape and the rear end position of the transparent adhesive tape reaches a predetermined length at the position of the second cutting means, the second transport roller. Therefore, the transparent adhesive tape can be cut so that the distance between the rear end position of the printing tape and the rear end position of the transparent adhesive tape becomes a predetermined length. Thereby, the produced laminate tape can produce the tape by which the front-end | tip part and the rear-end part were reliably covered with the transparent adhesive tape.

  According to the printing apparatus of claim 8, when it is detected that the leading end of the printing tape has reached a predetermined position, the operation of the winding tape take-up shaft is stopped. Can be shortened. Thereby, the consumption of a printing tape can be suppressed.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an essential part enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a tape cassette is mounted in a cassette housing part of the tape printer. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the tape cassette and a part of the tape printer.

(Tape cassette)
First, the tape cassette 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the tape cassette 100 can be attached to and detached from a cassette storage unit 210 provided in the tape printer 200.

  The tape cassette 100 has an upper case 102 and a lower case 103. The upper case 102 is a lid member that covers the upper surface of the lower case 103. The lower case 103 is provided with a printing tape spool 20, an ink ribbon spool 21, an ink ribbon take-up spool 22, and a transparent tape spool 23 (see FIG. 2).

  The print tape spool 20 is located on the right side and upper part of the tape cassette 100 in the positional relationship of FIG. A printing tape 40 is wound around the printing tape spool 20 with the printing surface inside. The printing tape 40 is a long tape. Details of the printing tape 40 will be described later. The print tape spool 20 is engaged with a print tape take-up shaft 80 (described later) of the tape printer 200. The print tape winding shaft 80 rotates counterclockwise in plan view, whereby the print tape 40 can be rewound onto the print tape spool 20.

  The ink ribbon spool 21 is located on the right side and the lower side of the tape cassette 100 in the positional relationship of FIG. The ink ribbon take-up spool 22 is positioned slightly below and to the left of the central portion of the tape cassette 100 in the positional relationship of FIG. An ink ribbon 50 is wound around the ink ribbon spool 21 with the ink layer inside. The ink ribbon take-up spool 22 engages with an ink ribbon take-up shaft 81 (described later) of the tape printer 200. The consumed ink ribbon 50 can be taken up on the ink ribbon take-up spool 22 by rotating the ink ribbon take-up shaft 81 clockwise in plan view.

  The transparent tape spool 23 is located on the left side and the upper side of the tape cassette 100 in the positional relationship of FIG. A transparent tape 60 is wound around the transparent tape spool 23 with the adhesive layer inside. The transparent tape 60 is a long tape. Details of the transparent tape 60 will be described later. The transparent tape spool 23 is engaged with a transparent tape take-up shaft 82 (described later) of the tape printer 200. The transparent tape 60 can be rewound onto the transparent tape spool 23 by rotating the transparent tape take-up shaft 82 clockwise in a plan view.

In the tape cassette 100, a tape guide roller 26, a guide pin 27, and an opening 28 are arranged. The tape guide roller 26, the guide pin 27, and the opening 28 regulate the conveyance path of the print tape 40. The printing tape 40 wound around the printing tape spool 20 is once exposed when it reaches the head insertion opening 35 described later via the tape guide roller 26, the guide pin 27, and the opening 28.
The tape cassette 100 is provided with a regulation projection 29 and a regulation projection 30. The restricting protrusion 29 and the restricting protrusion 30 restrict the transport path of the ink ribbon 50.
The ink ribbon 50 wound around the ink ribbon spool 21 is temporarily exposed when it reaches a head insertion port 35 (to be described later) through the restricting protrusion 29, the restricting protrusion 30, and the opening 28.

A head insertion opening 35 is formed in the tape cassette 100. The head insertion opening 35 passes through the upper case 102 and the lower case 103. Further, when the tape cassette 100 is stored in the cassette storage unit 210 of the tape printer 200, a thermal head 70 (described later) of the tape printer 200 is inserted.
Further, at the position of the head insertion opening 35, the printing tape 40 and the ink ribbon 50 are conveyed while being overlapped.

In the tape cassette 100, a guide member 31 is formed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing tape 40 from the opening 28 (see FIG. 2). The conveyance path of the ink ribbon 50 is regulated by the guide member 31. While the print tape 40 and the ink ribbon 50 pass through the head insertion opening 35, a printing operation is performed on the print tape 40. The print tape 40 and the ink ribbon 50 are inserted into the tape cassette from the opening adjacent to the guide member 31. Enter 100. The guide member 31 also has a function of separating the print tape 40 and the ink ribbon 50 that are bonded together at the print position.

  In the tape cassette 100, a discharge port 32 is formed downstream of the guide member 31 in the discharge direction of the print tape 40. The printed printing tape 40 is once discharged out of the tape cassette 100 from the discharge port 32. The print tape 40 discharged from the discharge port 32 is cut by a second cutter unit 75 (described later) of the tape printer 200.

  A tape inlet 33 is formed in the tape cassette 100. The printing tape 40 that has passed through the second cutter unit 75 is conveyed again into the tape cassette 100 from the tape inlet 33.

  A feed roller 24 and a feed roller 25 are disposed in the tape cassette 100. The feed roller 24 and the feed roller 25 (hereinafter referred to as a feed roller pair) are located downstream of the tape inlet 33 in the transport direction of the print tape 40. The feed roller 24 is engaged with a feed roller shaft 83 (described later) of the tape printer 200. By rotating the feed roller shaft 83 in the clockwise direction in plan view, the feed roller pair can transport the transparent tape 60 (or the print tape 40 to which the transparent tape 60 is bonded). In addition, the surface of the feed roller 25 is subjected to mold release processing (such as processing with silicon) so that the adhesive of the transparent tape 60 does not adhere.

  A tape outlet 34 is formed in the tape cassette 100. The print tape 40 that has passed through the pair of feed rollers is discharged out of the tape cassette 100 from the tape outlet 34.

  The tape cassette 100 also has an identification unit (indicating the type of tape cassette) that is read by a cassette sensor that the tape printer 200 has.

(Description of cassette storage)
Next, the cassette storage unit 210 of the tape printer and each element disposed in the vicinity thereof will be described.
A thermal head 70 is fixed to the cassette housing part 210 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The thermal head 70 has a vertically long rectangular flat plate shape. A predetermined number of each heating element is arranged in a line along the side of the left edge of the front surface.

  The tape printer 200 includes a platen roller 71. The platen roller 71 is rotatably supported by the platen holder 72. The platen holder 72 is rotatably supported on the holder shaft 73.

  The platen roller 71 rotates based on the driving of the motor. Using the rotation of the platen roller 71 as a drive source, the printing tape 40 before and after printing is conveyed.

  A reading sensor 74 is attached to the platen holder 72. The reading sensor 74 reads a zebra mark (described later) printed on the printing tape 40.

  A printing tape take-up shaft 80 is disposed in the cassette storage unit 210. The print tape take-up shaft 80 engages with the print tape spool 20 when the tape cassette 100 is mounted on the tape printer 200. The printing tape winding shaft 80 is rotated by a motor. The print tape 40 can be rewound by rotating the print tape winding shaft 80 counterclockwise in plan view.

  An ink ribbon take-up shaft 81 is disposed in the cassette storage unit 210. The ink ribbon take-up shaft 81 is connected to the ink ribbon take-up spool 22 when the tape cassette 100 is mounted on the tape printer 200. The ink ribbon take-up shaft 81 is rotated by a motor. The ink ribbon 50 can be pulled out from the ink ribbon spool 21 by rotating the ink ribbon take-up shaft 81 clockwise in plan view.

  A transparent tape take-up shaft 82 is disposed in the cassette storage unit 210. The transparent tape take-up shaft 82 engages with the transparent tape spool 23 when the tape cassette 100 is mounted on the tape printer 200. The transparent tape winding shaft 82 is rotated by a motor. The transparent tape 60 can be rewound by rotating the transparent tape take-up shaft 82 clockwise in a plan view.

  A feed roller shaft 83 is disposed in the cassette storage unit 210. The feed roller shaft 83 engages with the feed roller 24 when the tape cassette 100 is mounted on the tape printer 200. The feed roller shaft 83 is rotated by a motor. By rotating the feed roller shaft 83, the transparent tape 60 (or the printing tape 40 to which the transparent tape 60 is bonded) can be conveyed.

  A second cutter unit 75 is arranged in the tape printer 200. The second cutter unit 75 cuts the print tape 40 discharged from the discharge port 32 of the tape cassette 100. The 2nd cutter unit 75 can be comprised by a fixed blade and a movable blade, for example. In this case, the print tape 40 can be cut by moving the movable blade toward the fixed blade, and the movable blade is driven and controlled by a drive circuit.

  Moreover, the 2nd cutter unit 75 can be comprised with a movable blade and a receiving plate. In this case, when the movable blade moves toward the receiving plate, the printing tape 40 can be cut, and the movable blade is driven and controlled by a drive circuit.

  A first cutter unit 76 is disposed in the tape printer 200. The first cutter unit 76 is a printing tape 40 discharged from the tape outlet 34 of the tape cassette 100 (the one with the transparent tape 60 bonded thereto, hereinafter, the printing tape 40 with the transparent tape 60 bonded together is referred to as a “laminate label”. ). The first cutter unit 76 can be constituted by a fixed blade and a movable blade, for example. In this case, the laminate label can be cut by moving the movable blade toward the fixed blade, and the movable blade is driven and controlled by the drive circuit.

  Moreover, the 1st cutter unit 76 can be comprised with a movable blade and a receiving plate. In this case, the laminate label can be cut by moving the movable blade toward the receiving plate, and the movable blade is driven and controlled by the drive circuit.

  Regarding the configuration of the first cutter unit 76 and the second cutter unit 75, the first cutter unit 76 that cuts the laminate label (printing tape 40 and transparent tape 60) is composed of a fixed blade and a movable blade, and the printing tape 40. The 2nd cutter unit 75 which cuts only may be comprised with a movable blade and a receiving plate. That is, when the object to be cut is thick, it may be constituted by a fixed blade and a movable blade, and when the object to be cut is thin, it may be constituted by a movable blade and a backing plate.

  A discharge port 77 is formed in the tape printer 200. The laminate label that has passed through the first cutter unit 76 is discharged out of the tape printer 200 through the discharge port 77.

  The tape printer 200 has a display and a keyboard. The user can input the print contents and the cover amount (described later) using the keyboard. Also, the input content is displayed on the display. The tape printer 200 may be configured to be connected to a computer. In this case, the user can input print contents and the like using a keyboard on the computer side, and the print contents and the like can be displayed on a display on the computer side.

(Printing operation)
Next, the printing operation on the printing tape 40 will be described.
The printing tape 40 wound around the printing tape spool 20 is driven by the rotation of the platen roller 71 and passes through the tape guide roller 26, the guide pin 27, and the opening 28, and the thermal head 7.
0 and the platen roller 71 are conveyed.
Further, the ink ribbon 50 wound around the ink ribbon spool 21 is driven by the rotation of the ink ribbon take-up spool 22, passes through the restriction projection 29, the regulation projection 30, and the opening 28, and then the thermal head 70 and the platen roller 71. It is conveyed toward.

  The print tape 40 and the ink ribbon 50 are overlaid at the positions of the thermal head 70 and the platen roller 71. Further, during printing, the heating element group of the thermal head 70 is driven to generate heat. Due to the heat generated by the heating element group, the ink layer 51 in the heated portion of the ink ribbon 50 is dissolved, and the dissolved ink layer 51 is transferred to the print tape 40.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the relationship between the printing tape 40 and the ink ribbon 50 in the printing process.
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 50 includes a base film 52 and an ink layer 51. The printing tape 40 includes a base film 41, an adhesive layer 42, and a release paper 43.

  Further, a zebra mark is printed on the surface of the release paper 43 (the side not in contact with the adhesive layer 42), for example. The zebra mark is optically read by the reading sensor 74 of the tape printer 200. In addition, an opening is provided in the side wall of the tape cassette 100 facing the reading sensor 74 so that the zebra mark can face the reading sensor 74 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a zebra mark. As shown in FIG. 4, lines (for example, straight lines) extending in the width direction of the printing tape 40 are printed at predetermined intervals.

The predetermined interval is configured to be recognized by the tape printer 200. For example, the length of the predetermined interval can be made constant (fixed value) regardless of the type of tape cassette to be mounted. In this case, the fixed value can be stored in the tape printer 200.
Further, the predetermined interval may be different for each tape cassette. In this case, the information of the predetermined interval is included in the identification unit of the tape cassette 100. Then, the reading sensor 74 of the tape printer 200 detects the length of the interval between the zebra marks together with the type of the tape cassette 100 mounted.

  The tape printer 200 can calculate the transport amount of the print tape 40 by multiplying the number of zebra marks read by the reading sensor 74 by the length of the predetermined interval. The color of the zebra mark can be black, for example. Any color that can be read by the reading sensor 74 may be used. Further, the release paper 43 on which the zebra mark is printed is peeled off when being attached to the adherend as described above.

After printing is performed, the ink ribbon 50 is taken up by the ink ribbon take-up spool 22 through the guide member 31. At this time, the printed printing tape 40 and the ink ribbon 50 are separated. The printed printing tape 40 is discharged out of the tape cassette 100 through the discharge port 32.
Thereafter, the printed printing tape 40 is conveyed to the pair of feed rollers through the second cutter unit 75 and the tape inlet 33.

(Bonding operation)
Next, an operation (bonding operation) for bonding the transparent tape 60 to the printed printing tape 40 will be described.
When the printed printing tape 40 passes between the pair of feed rollers (feed roller 24 and feed roller 25), the transparent tape 60 is bonded to the print tape 40.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the relationship between the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 in the bonding operation.
As shown in FIG. 5, the transparent tape 60 includes an adhesive layer 61 and a film 62. Here, a film that can visually recognize the ink layer (that is, the print content) is used as the film 62. For example, a PET film, a polyethylene (PE) film, or a polypropylene (PP) film can be used.

  The film 62 may be translucent. For example, a frosted glass film (MATT film) may be used. Moreover, a colored film may be sufficient. Moreover, you may use what printed the floral pattern, the character, etc. in the both ends of the width direction.

  The adhesive layer 61 is preferably made of a material that does not transfer the adhesive to the feed roller 25. For example, using an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive that can be cross-linked with isocyanate or the like, a curing agent (isocyanate type) is added so that the ball tack is 3 or less to form a coating liquid, and the coating liquid is applied to the film 62 (for example, The adhesive layer 61 can be formed by coating (using a bar coater).

  Further, acrylic, urethane, epoxy, silicone, polyester, and the like may be used as the adhesive of the adhesive layer 61. In addition, isocyanate-based, epoxy-based, metal chelate-based, and the like may be used as the above-described curing agent. Needless to say, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 61 should be transparent and translucent in order to make the ink layer visible.

  When the transparent tape 60 and the print tape 40 are overlapped by the feed roller 24 and the feed roller 25, the transparent tape 60 is bonded onto the ink layer 51 on the print tape 40.

  The printed printing tape 40 on which the transparent tape 60 is bonded is conveyed to the first cutter unit 76 and cut at a predetermined position. The surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 42 is attached to the adherend in a state in which the release paper 43 has been peeled off from the produced laminate label.

(Electrical configuration)
Next, the electrical configuration of the tape printer 200 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electrical configuration of the tape printer 200.
The operation of the tape printer 200 is controlled by the control board 220. The control board 220 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, a RAM 223, a CGROM 224, and an input / output interface 225, which are connected to each other via a bus 226.

The ROM 222 stores programs necessary for operating the tape printer 200 (display control program for display, drive control program for thermal head, various motors, cutters, etc.), and other necessary data.
The RAM 223 temporarily stores data input by the user, calculation results of the CPU 221 and the like.
A CGROM (pattern data memory) 224 stores dot pattern data relating to a large number of characters.

  The input / output interface 225 includes a display controller connected to the display, a head drive circuit 232 that drives the thermal head 70, a motor drive circuit 233 that drives various motors, a cutter drive circuit 234 that drives each cutter, a keyboard, A timer that records the date and time and a cassette sensor are connected to each other. Each drive circuit is controlled by the CPU 221.

(Label creation process)
Next, a label creation process for creating a laminate label will be described. The label creation processing program is executed by the CPU 221 of the tape printer 200. The label creation process is started when a command signal for starting execution is output from a predetermined process.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a laminate label created by the label creation process. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a laminate label created by the label creation process.

  It should be noted that the print contents and the front and rear cover amounts are input by the user via the keyboard before the label creation process is executed, and the contents are stored in the RAM 223.

  9 to 11 are flowcharts of the label creation process. 12 to 19 are diagrams showing how the printing tape and the transparent tape are conveyed.

In S <b> 1, input information is acquired from the RAM 223. The input information acquired in S1 is the print content input by the user and the front / rear cover amount.
In S2, the platen roller 71 is moved to the origin position where it is in pressure contact with the thermal head 70 (see FIG. 12).

  In S3, the distance between the tips and the front cover amount are compared. The front cover amount is data acquired in S1 (that is, data set by the user). Further, the distance between the leading ends is a distance from the leading end of the transparent tape 60 to the leading end of the printing tape 40 in the standby state (that is, at the start of label production processing) (see FIG. 12). It is assumed that the distance between the tips in the standby state is known.

If it is determined in S3 that the distance between the tips is equal to the front cover amount, the process proceeds to S8.
If it is determined in S3 that the distance between the tips is longer than the front cover amount, the process proceeds to S4.
If it is determined in S3 that the distance between the tips is shorter than the front cover amount, the process proceeds to S6.

  In S4, the printing tape 40 is conveyed while performing a printing operation on the printing tape 40. By conveying the printing tape 40, the distance between the tips is shortened by the amount conveyed. Further, the transport amount of the printing tape 40 can be calculated based on the rotation amount of the platen roller 71, for example.

In S5, it is determined whether the distance between the tips and the front cover amount are equal. If it is determined that the distance between the tips and the front cover amount are not equal (S5: NO), the process returns to S4. Thereby, the printing operation and the conveying operation of the printing tape 40 are continuously performed until the distance between the front ends and the front cover amount become equal.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S5 that the distance between the tips and the front cover amount are equal (S5: YES), the process proceeds to S8.

  In S6, the transparent tape 60 is conveyed. By transporting the transparent tape 60, the distance between the tips is increased by the transported amount. The transport amount of the transparent tape 60 can be calculated based on the rotation amount of the feed roller 24 (feed roller shaft 83), for example.

In S7, it is determined whether or not the distance between the front ends is equal to the front cover amount. Tip distance
When it is determined that the separation and the front cover amount are not equal (S7: NO), the process returns to S6. As a result, the transport operation of the transparent tape 60 is continued until the distance between the tips and the front cover amount become equal.
On the other hand, when it is determined in S7 that the distance between the tips and the front cover amount are equal (S7: YES), the process proceeds to S8.

In S8, the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are conveyed while performing a printing operation on the printing tape 40.
Here, when the process proceeds from S3 to S8, the transport operation of the print tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 is started simultaneously in S8.

When the process proceeds from S5 to S8, in addition to the printing operation and the transport operation of the print tape 40, the transport operation of the transparent tape 60 is newly started in S8.
That is, the transport operation of the printing tape 40 is started first, and then the transport operation of the transparent tape 60 is started.

When the process has shifted from S7 to S8, in S8, in addition to the transport operation of the transparent tape 60, the print operation and the transport operation of the print tape 40 are newly started.
That is, the transport operation of the transparent tape 60 is started first, and then the transport operation of the printing tape 40 is started.

  In S9, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed. If it is determined that printing has not ended (S9: NO), the process proceeds to S8. Thus, until the printing operation is completed, the printing operation on the printing tape 40 and the conveying operation of the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are continuously performed.

FIG. 13 shows a state where the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are being conveyed (when the conveying operation of the printing tape 40 is started first). Note that FIGS. 14 to 19 described below also show the case where the transport operation of the print tape 40 is started first.
FIG. 14 shows a state in which the leading end of the printing tape 40 has arrived at the position of the feed roller pair.
FIG. 15 shows how the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are conveyed.

If it is determined in S9 that printing has been completed (S9: YES), the process proceeds to S10 (FIG. 10).
In S10, the printing operation is finished, and the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are conveyed.

  In S11, it is determined whether or not the print tape 40 has arrived at the cutting position. That is, it is determined whether or not the rear end of the printing tape 40 has arrived at the position of the second cutter unit 75. This determination is made based on the transport amount of the print tape 40 calculated based on the rotation amount of the platen roller 71.

  If it is determined that the print tape 40 has not arrived at the cutting position (S11: NO), the process returns to S10. Thereby, the conveyance operation of the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 is continuously performed until the printing tape 40 arrives at the cutting position.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S11 that the print tape 40 has reached the cutting position (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S12.
FIG. 16 shows a state in which the printing tape 40 has reached the cutting position.

In S12, the conveying operation of the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 is stopped, and the rear end of the printing tape 40 is cut. At this time, the movable blade of the second cutter unit 75 operates.
In S13, only the transparent tape 60 is conveyed.

In S14, it is determined whether the distance between the rear ends is equal to the rear cover amount. The rear cover amount is data acquired in S1 (that is, data set by the user). The rear end distance is a distance from the rear end position of the printing tape 40 to the position of the first cutter unit 76.
If it is determined that the distance between the rear ends is not equal to the rear cover amount (S14: NO), the process returns to S13. Thus, the transport operation of the transparent tape 60 is continuously performed until the distance between the rear ends becomes equal to the rear cover amount.
FIG. 17 shows how the transparent tape 60 is conveyed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S14 that the distance between the rear ends is equal to the rear cover amount (S14: YES), the process proceeds to S15.
FIG. 18 shows a state where the distance between the rear ends is equal to the rear cover amount.

In S15, the transport operation of the transparent tape 60 is stopped, and the rear end of the transparent tape 60 is cut. At this time, the movable blade of the first cutter unit 76 operates.
In S <b> 16, the platen roller 71 is separated from the thermal head 70. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S17 (FIG. 11).

In S17, the printing tape 40 is reversely fed. The printing tape 40 can be reversely fed by rotating the printing tape winding shaft 80.
In S18, it is determined whether or not the leading end of the printing tape 40 has reached a predetermined position. That is, it is determined whether or not the reverse conveyance amount of the printing tape 40 has reached a predetermined amount. The reverse conveyance amount of the printing tape 40 can be calculated based on information from the reading sensor 74.

  If it is determined that the front end of the printing tape 40 has not reached the predetermined position (S18: NO), the process returns to S17. Thereby, the reverse conveyance operation of the printing tape 40 is continuously performed until the front end of the printing tape 40 reaches a predetermined position.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S18 that the leading end of the print tape 40 has reached a predetermined position (S18: YES), the process proceeds to S19.
In S19, the reverse conveyance operation of the printing tape 40 is stopped.

In S20, the transparent tape 60 is reversely fed. The transparent tape 60 can be reversely fed by rotating the transparent tape winding shaft 82.
In S21, it is determined whether or not the tip of the transparent tape 60 has reached a predetermined position. That is, it is determined whether the reverse conveyance amount of the transparent tape 60 has reached a predetermined amount. The reverse conveyance amount of the transparent tape 60 can be calculated based on the rotation amount of the feed roller shaft 83.

  When it is determined that the tip of the transparent tape 60 has not reached the predetermined position (S21: NO), the process returns to S20. Thereby, the reverse conveyance operation | movement of the transparent tape 60 is continuously performed until the front-end | tip of the transparent tape 60 reaches a predetermined position.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S21 that the tip of the transparent tape 60 has reached the predetermined position (S21: YES), the process proceeds to S22.
In S22, the reverse conveyance operation of the transparent tape 60 is stopped.

  The reverse feeding operation of the printing tape 40 and the reverse feeding operation of the transparent tape 60 may be processed in parallel. That is, you may comprise so that the process of S17-S19 and the process of S20-S22 may be performed in parallel.

  By executing the label creation process described above, a laminate label having a desired front cover amount and rear cover amount can be created (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the front cover amount and the rear cover amount can be set, and the printing tape 40 is conveyed based on the set front cover amount and rear cover amount. By controlling the start timing of the operation and the start timing of the transport operation of the transparent tape 60, a laminate label having a desired front and rear cover amount can be created. The produced laminate label can prevent the transparent tape 60 from being peeled off to the printed content even if it is applied to the adherend for a long period of time, and the printed surface of the laminated print tape 40 can be long. Can be protected for a period.
Moreover, since the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are rewound to the spool side after the laminate label is created, the consumption of the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 can be suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, both ends in the width direction of the printing tape can be protected by the transparent tape.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a laminate label created in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, both ends in the front-rear direction and both ends in the up-down direction of the printing tape 40 are protected by the transparent tape 60.
Since the tape printer of this embodiment is the same as the tape printer 200 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The tape cassette of this embodiment is the same as the tape cassette 100 of the first embodiment except that the roller facing the feed roller 24 is different. In the tape cassette of this embodiment, a feed roller 95 is disposed to face the feed roller 24.

  FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the tape cassette of the present embodiment. In FIG. 21, some components are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the width direction dimension of the transparent tape 60 is larger than the width direction dimension of the printing tape 40. Thereby, when the transparent tape 60 is bonded to the printing tape 40, both ends of the printing tape 40 in the width direction are covered. Moreover, by making the width direction dimension of the transparent tape 60 1.2 times or more the width direction dimension of the printing tape 40, a good-looking laminate label can be created. Furthermore, by making the dimension in the width direction of the transparent tape 60 2 mm or more larger than the dimension in the width direction of the printing tape, a laminate label having a good appearance can be produced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the width direction dimension of the feed roller 95 is smaller than the width direction dimension of the printing tape 40. Thereby, the adhesive of the transparent tape 60 can be prevented from adhering to the feed roller 95.
The width direction dimension of the feed roller 95 may be equal to the width direction dimension of the printing tape 40. That is, the width direction dimension of the feed roller 95 can be made equal to or less than the width direction dimension of the printing tape 40.

Further, the feed roller 24, the feed roller 95, the print tape 40, and the transparent tape 60 can be arranged such that the respective center positions in the width direction coincide with each other.
If the center positions are not matched, a laminate label that covers only one of the upper side and the lower side of the printing tape 40, and a label that has a different upper cover amount and lower cover amount are prepared. Can do.

  In addition, various tape cassettes having different width-direction dimensions of the transparent tape 60 and print tape width-direction dimensions (that is, different upper and lower cover amounts) can be mounted on the tape printer 200.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the width direction dimension of the transparent tape 60 is larger than the width direction dimension of the print tape 40, the laminate label that covers both ends of the print tape 40 in the width direction. Can be created. Further, the front cover amount and the rear cover amount can be set, and based on the set front cover amount and rear cover amount, the start timing of the transport operation of the print tape 40 and the start timing of the transport operation of the transparent tape 60 By controlling this, it is possible to create a laminate label having a desired front and rear cover amount. The produced laminate label can prevent the transparent tape 60 from being peeled off to the printed content even if it is applied to the adherend for a long period of time, and the printed surface of the laminated print tape 40 can be long. Can be protected for a period. Moreover, since the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 are rewound to the spool side after the laminate label is created, the consumption of the printing tape 40 and the transparent tape 60 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since various tape cassettes having different width-direction dimensions of the transparent tape 60 and width-direction dimensions of the print tape (that is, different amounts of upper and lower covers) can be mounted on the tape printer 200, the tape printer 200 Versatility can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment as an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 22 is an essential part enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette housing portion of the tape printer. FIG. 23 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the tape cassette and a part of the tape printer. In addition, the same code | symbol is used about the same element as 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the tape printer 400 of this embodiment does not have a configuration corresponding to the second cutter unit 75 of the first embodiment. Further, the tape printer 400 of this embodiment does not have a configuration corresponding to the printing tape winding shaft 80 and the transparent tape winding shaft 82 of the first embodiment. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the tape printer 400 can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the tape cassette 300 of the present embodiment is provided with a feed roller 95 facing the feed roller 24. Moreover, the width direction dimension of the transparent tape 60 is larger than the width direction dimension of the printing tape 40 (refer FIG. 21).

FIG. 24 shows a laminate label created in this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 24, both ends in the width direction of the printing tape 40 can be covered with the transparent tape 60.
In addition, various tape cassettes having different width direction dimensions of the transparent tape 60 and print tape width direction (that is, different upper and lower cover amounts) can be mounted on the tape printer 400.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the widthwise dimension of the transparent tape 60 is larger than the widthwise dimension of the printing tape 40, so both ends of the printing tape 40 in the widthwise direction are covered with the transparent tape 60. Laminate labels can be created. The produced laminate label can prevent the transparent tape 60 from being peeled off to the printed content even if it is applied to the adherend for a long period of time, and the printed surface of the laminated print tape 40 can be long. Can be protected for a period. In addition, various tape cassettes having different width direction dimensions of the transparent tape 60 and print tape width direction (that is, different upper and lower cover amounts) can be mounted on the tape printing apparatus 400. Versatility can be improved. Further, since the number of elements constituting the tape printer is small, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in each embodiment, you may arrange | position some components which a tape cassette has on the tape printer side. In particular, the feed roller 95 can be arranged not on the tape cassette side but on the tape printer side. Moreover, you may arrange | position a part of component which a tape printer has to the tape cassette side.

  Needless to say, the present invention can be realized as a printing method in a tape printer, a computer program for realizing the printing method, and a storage medium storing the computer program.

It is a principal part expansion perspective view which shows the state which mounts a tape cassette in the cassette storage part of the tape printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows typically the internal structure of the tape cassette concerning 1st Embodiment, and a part of tape printer. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the printing tape and ink ribbon in a printing process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a zebra mark. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the printing tape and transparent tape in bonding operation | movement. It is a block diagram of the electrical constitution of a tape printer. It is a schematic diagram of the laminate label produced in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the laminate label produced in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of a label production process. It is a flowchart of a label production process. It is a flowchart of a label production process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of conveyance of a printing tape and a transparent tape. It is a schematic diagram of the laminate label produced in 2nd Embodiment. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the tape cassette which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a principal part expansion perspective view which shows the state which mounts | wears with the tape cassette in the cassette storage part of the tape printer which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows typically the internal structure of the tape cassette concerning 3rd Embodiment, and a part of tape printer. It is a schematic diagram of the laminate label produced in 3rd Embodiment.

24 feed roller 25 feed roller 40 printing tape 60 transparent tape 70 thermal head 71 platen roller 75 second cutter unit 76 first cutter unit 80 printing tape take-up shaft 100 tape cassette 200 tape printer 221 CPU

Claims (8)

In a printing apparatus for creating a laminate label in which a transparent adhesive tape wider than the width of the printing tape is bonded to the printing surface of the printed printing tape,
A print head for printing on the print tape;
A first conveying roller for conveying the printing tape;
The transparent adhesive tape is located on the downstream side of the first conveying roller in the printing tape conveying direction, and the transparent adhesive tape is bonded to the printing tape by sandwiching the printed printing tape and the transparent adhesive tape. A second transport roller configured by a pair of feed rollers for transporting the print tape to which is attached;
Control means for controlling the operations of the first transport roller and the second transport roller, respectively.
The control means has a predetermined length between the longitudinal tip position of the transparent adhesive tape in the laminate label to be created and the longitudinal tip position of the print tape located upstream in the print tape transport direction from that position. As described above, the operation start timing of the first transport roller and the second transport roller is controlled,
The width of the print tape one roller are those located on the side of one of the feed rollers of the pair, Ri width der following the printing tape,
The width of the pair of feed rollers located on the transparent adhesive tape side is wider than the width of the one roller and is the same as the width of the transparent adhesive tape.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. When the predetermined length is less than a reference length, the control means starts the operation of the second transport roller first.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. When the predetermined length is greater than a reference length, the control means starts the first transport roller first.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The control means starts the first transport roller and the second transport roller simultaneously when the predetermined length and the reference length are the same,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The reference length is a distance between a longitudinal tip position of the transparent adhesive tape and a longitudinal tip position of the printing tape in a standby state.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. In a printing apparatus for creating a laminate label in which a transparent adhesive tape wider than the width of the printing tape is bonded to the printing surface of the printed printing tape,
A print head for printing on the print tape;
A first conveying roller for conveying the printing tape;
The transparent adhesive tape is located on the downstream side of the first conveying roller in the printing tape conveying direction, and the transparent adhesive tape is bonded to the printing tape by sandwiching the printed printing tape and the transparent adhesive tape. A second transport roller configured by a pair of feed rollers for transporting the printing tape to which
A first cutting means located between the first transport roller and the second transport roller, for cutting the print tape to which the transparent adhesive tape is not bonded;
A second cutting means for cutting the print tape to which the transparent adhesive tape is bonded, which is located downstream of the second transport roller in the print tape transport direction;
Control means for controlling the operations of the first conveying roller, the second conveying roller, the first cutting means, and the second cutting means,
The control means includes
The first length is set such that the distance between the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the transparent adhesive tape and the front end position in the longitudinal direction of the print tape located upstream of the position in the laminate label to be produced is a predetermined length. Control the operation start timing of the transport roller and the second transport roller,
When it is detected that the rear end position of the printing tape has reached the first cutting means, the operation of the first roller is stopped,
The width of the print tape one roller are those located on the side of one of the feed rollers of the pair, Ri width der following the printing tape,
The width of the pair of feed rollers located on the transparent adhesive tape side is wider than the width of the one roller and is the same as the width of the transparent adhesive tape.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The control means stops the operation of the second transport roller when the distance between the rear end position of the printing tape and the rear end position of the transparent adhesive tape reaches a predetermined length at the position of the second cutting means. ,
The printing apparatus according to claim 6. A printing tape take-up shaft that reversely feeds the printing tape in a direction opposite to the conveying direction;
When the control means detects that the leading end of the printing tape has reached a predetermined position, it stops the operation of the printing tape take-up shaft ,
The printing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein:

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