JP6743620B2 - Printing device and printing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints on a print medium and a printing method using the printing apparatus.

Conventionally, there is a label printer that creates a label by printing a print pattern consisting of arbitrary characters, pictures, figures, etc. on a long print medium stored in a cassette and then cutting the print medium. It is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP, 2011-197228, A

By the way, an arbitrary one of a plurality of types of cassettes corresponding to the difference in the width of the print medium is stored in the cassette storage portion of the printing apparatus such as a label printer. Of the plurality of types of cassettes, a cassette having a long width (direction orthogonal to the transport direction and the thickness direction) of the print medium to be accommodated generally has a long cassette width as compared to a cassette having a short width of the print medium to be accommodated. The width of the print medium to be accommodated is shorter than the width of the print medium to be accommodated is shorter than the cassette width.

Further, in the printing apparatus, the transport unit such as the platen roller and the printing unit such as the print head have a width that can accommodate the longest printing medium in the cassette that can be stored in the cassette storage unit. It is provided in.

Therefore, when printing is performed on the print medium having the shortest width among the print media stored in the cassette that can be stored in the cassette storage unit, the transport unit and the printing unit have portions that are not used in the width direction. In the case where the print head is a thermal head, the frequency of use of the heating elements on both ends in the width direction of the plurality of heating elements is reduced in the mode in which the printing medium is centered in the center in the width direction. In the mode in which the medium is aligned with the one end side in the width direction, the frequency of use of the heat generating element on the other end side in the width direction among the plurality of heat generating elements decreases. If the plurality of heating elements are thus used differently in frequency, the resistance values of the heating elements may vary.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of increasing the printing efficiency of a print medium.

In one embodiment, the printing apparatus, and one printing unit for printing on elongated printing medium, and at least one conveying section for conveying while sandwiching the print medium between the printing unit, a plurality A storage unit capable of storing the print medium in line in the width direction of the print medium such that the print medium is located between the printing unit and the transport unit. The print medium is housed in a cassette, the storage section can store a plurality of the cassettes, and the plurality of print media are the print medium between the printing unit and the transport unit. The print media are arranged side by side in the width direction of the print medium, and the transport unit can transport at least one of the print media.

In another one aspect, the printing method includes one printing unit that prints on a long print medium, and at least one transport unit that carries the print medium while sandwiching the print medium between the print units. A storage unit capable of storing a plurality of the print media arranged side by side in the width direction of the print media such that the print media are located between the printing unit and the transport unit. A printing method using a printing device, wherein the print medium is housed in a cassette, the storage unit can store a plurality of the cassettes, and the plurality of print media are conveyed to the printing unit and the transport unit. The print media are arranged side by side in the width direction of the print media so that the print media are located between the print media and at least one of the plurality of print media.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the printing efficiency of the print medium.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cassette housed in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a storage unit of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a printing device according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. It is an explanatory view for explaining a plurality of cassettes in one embodiment. 7 is a flow chart for explaining notification of information regarding a storable cassette to a user in one embodiment. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining notification to a user on the display device of the computer according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) for describing a modified example in which the platen roller according to the embodiment is divided into a plurality of parts. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram (No. 2) for describing a modified example in which the platen roller according to the embodiment is divided into a plurality of parts. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining batch printing of the same print pattern on a plurality of print media according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining batch printing of a single print pattern on a plurality of print target media, part by part, according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, a printing apparatus and a printing method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The printing device 1 is a printing device that prints on a long print medium M, and is, for example, a label printer that prints by a single-pass method. Hereinafter, a thermal transfer type label printer using an ink ribbon will be described as an example, but the printing method is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a printing device that uses an inkjet head or a printing device that prints on thermal paper. The medium M to be printed is, for example, a tape member having a base material having an adhesive layer and a release paper releasably attached to the base material so as to cover the adhesive layer. The printing medium M may be a tape member without a release paper, or may be a long printing medium having no adhesive layer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a device housing 2, an input unit 3, a display unit 4, an opening/closing lid 18, and a storage unit 19. An input unit 3, a display unit 4, and an opening/closing lid 18 are arranged on the upper surface of the device housing 2. Although not shown, the device housing 2 is provided with a power cord connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

The input unit 3 includes various keys such as an input key, a cross key, a conversion key, and a decision key. The display unit 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and displays characters corresponding to the input from the input unit 3, a selection menu for various settings, messages regarding various processes, and the like. Further, during printing, the contents of characters and figures (hereinafter, referred to as a print pattern) instructed to be printed on the printing medium M may be displayed, and the progress status of the printing process may be displayed. The display unit 4 may be provided with a touch panel unit, and in that case, the display unit 4 may be regarded as a part of the input unit 3.

The opening/closing lid 18 is arranged on the upper part of the storage portion 19 so as to be openable/closable. The opening/closing lid 18 is opened by pressing the button 18a. A window 18b is formed in the opening/closing lid 18 in order to visually confirm whether or not the cassette 30 (see FIG. 2) is stored in the storage portion 19 even when the opening/closing lid 18 is closed. .. A discharge port 2a is formed on the side surface of the device housing 2. The printing medium M printed in the printing apparatus 1 is ejected from the ejection port 2a to the outside of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cassette 30 housed in the printing apparatus 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the storage section 19 of the printing apparatus 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the printer 1.

The cassette 30 shown in FIG. 2 is detachably stored in the storage portion 19 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state where the cassette 30 is stored in the storage section 19. As will be described later in detail, the storage section 19 stores the plurality of print mediums M such that the widths of the print mediums M are positioned so that the print mediums M are located between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21. A plurality of cassettes 30 can be stored so that they can be stored side by side in the direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cassette 30 has a cassette case 31 for accommodating the print medium M and the ink ribbon R in which the thermal head inserted portion 36 and the engaging portion 37 are formed.
Further, the cassette case 31 is provided with a tape core 32, an ink ribbon supply core 34, and an ink ribbon winding core 35. The medium to be printed M is wound around the tape core 32 inside the cassette case 31 in a roll shape. Further, the thermal transfer ink ribbon R is wound in a roll shape on the ink ribbon supply core 34 inside the cassette case 31 in a state where the leading end of the ink ribbon R is wound around the ink ribbon take-up core 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, a reading section 25 for reading the identification tag 38 (see FIG. 2) attached to the side surface of the cassette case 31 is provided on the side surface of the storage section 19. The reading unit 25 is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) reader. The reading unit 25 is an identification unit that identifies the cassette 30 and, by extension, the print medium M housed in the cassette 30 by reading an identifier (identification information) from an identification tag 38 that is an RFID tag. The sensor signal is output. The reading unit 25 is an example of a width detection unit that detects the width of at least one of the cassette 30 and the printing medium M housed in the cassette 30, like the tape width detection switch 24 described below. The control unit 5 described later controls energization of the heating element 10a of the thermal head 10 based on the detected width.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage section 19 of the apparatus housing 2 is provided with a plurality of cassette receiving sections 20 for supporting the cassette 30 at a predetermined position. Further, the cassette receiving portion 20 is provided with a tape width detection switch 24 for detecting the width of the cassette 30 or the printing medium M. The tape width detection switch 24 detects the width of the cassette 30 or the print medium M based on the shape of the cassette 30 (the shape of the unevenness provided on the cassette 30) and indicates the detected width of the print medium M. Output the sensor signal. In the example of FIG. 3, when the plurality of cassettes 30 are stored in the storage section 19, the tape width detection switch 24 is the first storage cassette 30 or the print medium M stored in this cassette 30. Only the width of can be detected. Therefore, when a plurality of cassettes 30 are stacked and stored in the tape storage unit 19, the reading unit 25 described above detects the width of the cassette 30 or the print medium M.

The storage unit 19 is further provided with a thermal head 10 that prints on the print medium M, a platen roller 21 that conveys the print medium M, a tape core engagement shaft 22, and an ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23. ing. Further, the thermistor 13 that outputs a sensor signal indicating the temperature of the thermal head 10 is embedded in the thermal head 10. The thermal head 10 is an example of a printing unit that prints on a long print medium M. The platen roller 21 is an example of at least one transport unit that transports the print medium M while sandwiching the print medium M between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 10. Note that the number of the thermal head 10, the platen roller 21, the tape core engagement shaft 22, and the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23 is, for example, one even if the print medium M is plural. However, as will be described later, the platen roller 21 and the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23 may be divided into a plurality of parts.

In the state where the cassette 30 is stored in the storage portion 19, as shown in FIG. 4, the engagement portion 37 provided in the cassette case 31 is supported by the cassette receiving portion 20 provided in the storage portion 19, and the thermal head 10 is inserted into the thermal head insertion portion 36 formed in the cassette case 31. Further, the tape core 32 of the cassette 30 is engaged with the tape core engagement shaft 22, and the ink ribbon take-up core 35 is engaged with the ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 23. In each of the plurality of cassettes 30, the tape core 32 engages with the tape core engagement shaft 22 and the ink ribbon take-up core 35 engages with the ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 23.

As indicated by a transport path T indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. 4, the print medium M is discharged from the tape core 32 through the thermal head 10, the platen roller 21, the full cut mechanism 17, the half cut mechanism 16, and the discharge port 2a. To be transported. As will be described later in detail, the platen roller 21 does not necessarily define the plurality of print target media M housed in the plurality of cassettes 30 in the transport direction of the print target media M (since the transport path T extends). No.) and a widthwise direction orthogonal to the thickness direction, and at least one of the plurality of print target media M is transported in a transport path T which can be collectively transported. Further, the thermal head 10 performs printing on at least one of the plurality of print target media M in the transport path T. That is, the plurality of print media M are arranged side by side in the width direction of the print media M so that the print media M are located between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21.

When a printing instruction is input to the printing apparatus 1, the printing medium M is unrolled from the tape core 32 by the rotation of the platen roller 21. At this time, the ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 23 rotates in synchronization with the platen roller 21, so that the ink ribbon R is fed from the ink ribbon supply core 34 together with the print medium M. As a result, the print medium M and the ink ribbon R are conveyed in an overlapping state. The ink ribbon R is heated by the thermal head 10 when passing between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21, whereby the ink is transferred to the print medium M and printing is performed. When a plurality of cassettes 30 are stored in the storage section 19, the same number of ink ribbons R as the number of print target media M are conveyed.

The used ink ribbon R that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is wound around the ink ribbon winding core 35. On the other hand, the printed printing medium M that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is cut by the half cut mechanism 16 and the full cut mechanism 17, and is discharged from the discharge port 2a.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram showing the printing apparatus 1.
The printer 1 controls the input unit 3, the display unit 4, the thermal head 10, the thermistor 13, the half cut mechanism 16, the full cut mechanism 17, the platen roller 21, the tape width detection switch 24, and the reading unit 25 in addition to the control unit. Unit 5, ROM (Read Only Memory) 6, RAM (Random Access Memory) 7, display drive circuit 8, head drive circuit 9, transport motor drive circuit 11, stepping motor 12, cutter motor drive circuit 14, and cutter A motor 15 is provided. The control unit 5, the ROM 6, and the RAM 7 form a computer of the printing apparatus 1.

The control unit 5 includes a processor 5a such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 5 controls the operation of each unit of the printing apparatus 1 by expanding the program stored in the ROM 6 into the RAM 7 and executing the program. The control unit 5 is, for example, a head control unit that controls energization of the heating element 10a included in the thermal head 10 via the head drive circuit 9, and controls the platen roller 21 via the transport motor drive circuit 11 and the stepping motor 12. The transport control unit controls the cutting mechanism, and the cut control unit controls the cutting mechanism.

The ROM 6 stores a print program for printing on the print medium M and various data (for example, fonts) necessary for executing the print program. The ROM 6 also functions as a storage medium that stores a program readable by the control unit 5.

The RAM 7 functions as an input data memory that stores information about printing (hereinafter referred to as printing information). Further, the RAM 7 is data (hereinafter referred to as print data) indicating a print pattern (for example, a print pattern P including characters “ABCDE” shown in FIG. 11) to be formed on the print medium M, which is generated based on the print information. Function) as a print data memory for storing Further, the RAM 7 also functions as a display data memory that stores display data generated based on the print information.

The display drive circuit 8 controls the display 4 based on the display data stored in the RAM 7. The display unit 4 may display the print pattern under the control of the display unit drive circuit 8, for example, in a mode in which the progress of the printing process can be recognized.

The head drive circuit 9 energizes the plurality of heating elements 10a based on the print data while the strobe signal is ON. The thermal head 10 is a print head having a plurality of heating elements 10a arranged in the main scanning direction. In the thermal head 10, the head drive circuit 9 selectively energizes the heating element 10a according to the print data during the energization period of the strobe signal sent from the control unit 5, so that the heating element 10a heats the ink ribbon R. Printing is performed line by line on the printing medium M by thermal transfer.

The transport motor drive circuit 11 drives the stepping motor 12. The stepping motor 12 drives the platen roller 21. The platen roller 21 is rotated by the power of the stepping motor 12 and conveys the print medium M in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction) of the print medium M. The platen roller 21 is capable of transporting at least one of the plurality of print target media M, and, for example, selectively transports at least one print target medium M.

The cutter motor drive circuit 14 drives the cutter motor 15. The half-cutting mechanism 16 and the full-cutting mechanism 17 are operated by the power of the cutter motor 15 to half-cut or full-cut the printing medium M. The full cut is an operation of cutting the base material of the printing medium M together with the release paper in the width direction, and the half cut is an operation of cutting only the base material in the width direction.

The thermistor 13, which is a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature of the thermal head 10, and the tape width detection switch 24 and the reading unit 25, which are width detection units that detect the width of at least one of the cassette 30 and the printing medium M, are provided. And the sensor unit 26 of the printing apparatus 1. The sensor unit 26 may include any configuration that acquires information that identifies the printing environment of the printing apparatus 1. Therefore, the sensor unit 26 may include other configurations in addition to the above configurations.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the maximum effective width of the thermal head 10 is 48 mm, that is, when the thermal head 10 can print on the printing medium M up to the width of 48 mm, the three cassettes 30-11. , 30-12, 30-13 are stored in the storage section 19 described above with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 as an example. The width of the printing medium M stored in the cassette 30 will be described as eight types of 3.5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, 36 mm, and 48 mm.

First, the control unit 5 shown in FIG. 5 determines whether or not there is a cassette 30 that can be stored in the storage unit 19 (step S1). When the control unit 5 determines that there is no storable cassette 30 in the storage unit 19 (step S1: NO), the control unit 5 controls the display unit 4 shown in FIG. The user is notified (step S2). Regarding the storage status of the cassette 30, a lamp such as an LED is used as a display unit, and a plurality of the lamps are provided according to the type of the width of the print medium M, so that the cassette 30 can accommodate the width of the print medium M that can be stored. The notification may be performed by controlling the control unit 5 to turn on the lamp. In addition, the control unit 5 may notify the user by performing other control such as control of causing the voice output unit to output a voice. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the case of the printing apparatus 1 a which does not have the input unit 3 and the display unit 4 described above and receives print information for generating a print pattern from a separate computer 50, the computer 50 It is also possible to notify the user by transmitting information regarding the storage status of the cassette 30 or contents to be notified to the user and controlling the display on the display device 51 based on the information received by the computer 50. In this case, the computer 50 may be a personal computer, a tablet device, a smartphone, or the like.

When it is determined that the accommodating cassette 30 can be accommodated in the accommodating unit 19 (step S1: YES), the control unit 5 controls the display unit 4 to display the width of the print medium M of the accommodating cassette 30. By doing so, the user is notified (step S3). For example, when no cassette 30 is stored in the storage unit 19, the cassette 30 that stores all of the eight types of the target print media M can be stored in the storage unit 19, so the control unit 5 Control is performed to display each of the eight types of widths of the print medium M on the display unit 4. Since it is only necessary to notify the user of information regarding the storable cassette 30, it is necessary to notify the user of other information such as the model number of the cassette 30 rather than the width of the print medium M of the storable cassette 30. You can

The control unit 5 notifies the user of the width of the print medium M of the storable cassette 30 (step S3), and then determines whether the cassette 30 is stored in the storage unit 19 (step S4). In this determination, for example, if the cassette 30 is not stored within the predetermined time, it is determined that the cassette 30 is not stored (step S4: NO), the process of FIG. 7 is terminated, and the printing process is performed.

When determining that the cassette 30 is stored in the storage unit 19 (step S4: YES), the control unit 5 returns to the process of step S1 and determines whether or not there is another cassette 30 that can be stored in the storage unit 19 (step S1). ), the above-mentioned processing is repeated.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the thermal head 10 can print on the print medium M having a width of up to 48 mm, the cassette 30-11 of the print medium M-11 having a width of 24 mm is first stored. Then (step S4: YES), the control unit 5 informs the user that the cassette 30 for accommodating the print medium M having the widths of 3.5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, and 18 mm can be further accommodated (step S4). S1, S3). Since it is necessary to secure a space between a plurality of print mediums M, even if the thermal head 10 is capable of printing on a print medium M having a width of 48 mm, the print medium M having a width of 24 mm can be printed. When the accommodating cassette 30-11 is accommodated, the cassette 30 accommodating the print medium M having a width of 24 mm cannot be further accommodated.

Next, when the cassette 30-12 of the print medium M-12 having a width of 9 mm is stored (step S4: YES), the control unit 5 causes the control unit 5 to print the medium having a width of 3.5 mm only. The user is informed that the cassette 30 accommodating M can be further accommodated (steps S1 and S3).

Next, when the cassette 30-13 of the print medium M-13 having a width of 3.5 mm is stored (step S4: YES), the control unit 5 determines that there is no further cassette 30 that can be stored (step S4). S1: NO), and informs the user that there is no cassette 30 that can be stored (step S2).

Here, an example in which the plurality of print target media M are individually conveyed will be described. As one example, as shown in FIG. 9, the platen roller 21 is divided into a plurality of (30 in the example of FIG. 9) divisions that are an example of a plurality of transport units arranged in the width direction of the printing medium M. The rollers 21-1, 21-2, 21-3,..., 21-30 may be used. If the dividing rollers 21-1 to 21-30 are individually controlled by the control unit 5, it is possible to individually convey the plurality of print target media M-21, M-22, and M-23. In this case, the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is also rotatable in synchronization with the rotation of each of the split rollers 21-1 to 21-30. It will be divided corresponding to the number of -30.

The division rollers 21-1 to 21-30 allow the print medium M having the minimum width (for example, 3.5 mm) to come into contact with one or more division rollers, and among the division rollers that come into contact with each other. It is desirable that at least one dividing roller does not have a width that extends over a plurality of target print media M. Since the widths of the division rollers 21-1 to 21-30 depend on the distance between the print media M and the distance between the division rollers, they cannot be unconditionally determined only from the width of the print media M. In the example, the width of the split rollers 21-1 to 21-30 is half or less of 3.5 mm which is the minimum width of the printing medium M.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the platen roller 21 includes two parts, that is, a first division roller 21a which is an example of a first conveyance section and a second division roller 21b which is an example of a second conveyance section. (Or three or more including these two), the first division roller 21a and the second division roller 21b may be individually controlled by the control unit 5. In this case, the accommodating portion 19 accommodates the cassette 30-31 for accommodating the first print medium M-31 at one end side in the width direction and the cassette 30-for accommodating the second print medium M-32. 32 is stored on the other end side. In order to store the cassettes 30-31 and 30-32 toward the one end side and the other end side in the width direction so that they can be stored in the storage section 19, for example, in the storage section 19, the first cassette 30-31 is stored. After that, the inner lid 27 is closed, the second cassette 30-32 is stored, and then the opening/closing lid 18 shown in FIG. 1 is closed. Then, one or more springs 28, which are elastic bodies for urging the first cassette 30-31 toward one end side, and the second cassette 30-32 are urged toward the other end side, on the inner lid 27. One or more springs 28, which are elastic bodies, are preferably provided. Alternatively, since the above-mentioned cassette receiving portion 20 is provided not only inside the storage portion 19 but also on the opening/closing lid 18 side, one cassette 30 is a cassette inside the storage portion 19 when the opening/closing lid 18 is open. The cassette 30 is inserted so as to be supported by the receiving portion 20, the other cassette 30 is inserted so as to be supported by the cassette receiving portion provided on the opening/closing lid 18, and the opening/closing lid 18 is closed to accommodate the two cassettes 30. You may make it accommodated in the part 19.

Even in these cases, the ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 23 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the first split roller 21a and the second split roller 21b, respectively. Will be divided into two. Further, in the example of FIG. 10, when the thermal head 10 capable of performing printing on the print medium M up to the width of 48 mm is arranged, the space between the plurality of print medium M in the width direction is secured. Therefore, it becomes impossible to store two cassettes 30-21 for storing the print medium M-21 having a width of 24 mm as shown in FIG. Further, each of the half-cut mechanism 16 and the full-cut mechanism 17 may be divided into two parts on the one end side and the other end side in the width direction. It is possible to cut each of the print media M that is individually conveyed among the plurality of print media M.

As one example, as shown in FIG. 11, the thermal head 10 is applied to a plurality of print media M-41, M-42, and M-43 having the same width that are collectively conveyed by the platen roller 21. Therefore, it is preferable to collectively print the same print patterns P (for example, the characters “ABCDE”). Of course, even when the thermal head 10 collectively prints on the plurality of print target media M, different print patterns may be collectively printed on the plurality of print target media M, or The same print patterns may be collectively printed on a plurality of target print media M having different widths.

In addition, as another example, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of print media M-51, M-52, and M-53 collectively conveyed by the platen roller 21 are combined into a single unit. Print pattern P (for example, the letters "ABCDE") is formed by the thermal head 10 in units of a part of the single print pattern P (in one example, the letters "ABCDE" are vertically divided into three). The divided patterns P-1, P-2, P-3) may be printed collectively.

In the present embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes the thermal head 10 that is an example of one printing unit, and the platen roller 21 that is an example of at least one transport unit. The thermal head 10 prints on a long print medium M. The platen roller 21 conveys the print medium M while sandwiching the print medium M between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 10. In the printing apparatus 1, the plurality of print target media M are arranged side by side in the width direction of the print target media M so that the print target media M are located between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21. The roller 21 can convey at least one of the plurality of recording media M to be printed.

As a result, at least one of the plurality of printing target media M can be conveyed by the platen roller 21. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the printing efficiency of the printing medium M. When the printing unit is the thermal head 10, it is possible to suppress variations in the frequency of use of the plurality of heating elements 10a of the thermal head 10 in the width direction. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variations in the resistance value of the heating element 10a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 19 stores the plurality of print mediums M such that the widths of the print mediums M are positioned such that the print mediums M are located between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21. Can be stored side by side. The print medium M is stored in the cassette 30, and the storage section 19 can store a plurality of cassettes 30. Therefore, the printing efficiency of the printing medium M can be improved by the configuration using the storage unit 19 capable of storing a plurality of cassettes 30.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tape width detection switch 24 and the reading unit 25, which are an example of the width detection unit, include the width of at least one of the cassette 30 and the printing medium M housed in the cassette 30 in the width direction. To detect. The control unit 5 controls the thermal head 10 based on the detected width. Therefore, printing can be performed in accordance with each of the plurality of print target media M.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 5 notifies the user of information regarding the cassette 30 that can be further stored in the storage unit 19, based on the detected width. Therefore, the convenience for the user is improved. Further, since a larger number or a wider cassette 30 can be stored in the storage section 19, the printing efficiency of the print medium M can be further improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, the division rollers 21-1 to 21-30, which are an example of a plurality of transport units, are arranged in the width direction of the print medium M, and the print medium M. To transport. The controller 5 individually controls the plurality of divided rollers 21-1 to 21-30. Therefore, a part (one of the plurality of print target media M-21, M-22, M-23 accommodated in the plurality of cassettes 30-21, 30-22, 30-23 accommodated in the accommodating portion 19 The printing medium M) described above can be selectively conveyed. As a result, it is not necessary to take out the cassette 30 that contains the printing medium M that is not conveyed or printed from the storage section 19, so that the printing efficiency of the printing medium M can be further increased.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of cassettes 30 includes a first cassette 30-31 for accommodating the first print medium M-31 and a second print medium M. A second cassette 30-32 that houses -32. The storage unit 19 stores the first cassette 30-31 on one end side and the second cassette 30-32 on the other end side in the width direction. In addition, the plurality of transport units transports the first print medium M-31 by the first dividing roller 21a, which is an example of the first transport unit, and the second print medium M-32. The second division roller 21b, which is an example of the second conveyance unit, is included. Therefore, since the number of individually controlled transport units can be suppressed to, for example, two, it is possible to suppress the complexity of control for transporting or printing a plurality of target print media M.

In addition, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the platen roller 21 collectively conveys a plurality of print target media M-41, M-42, and M-43, and the thermal head 10 includes a plurality of print heads. The same print patterns P are collectively printed on the target print media M-41, M-42, and M-43. Therefore, it is possible to improve the printing efficiency when printing a single print pattern P on a plurality of print target media M.

In addition, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the platen roller 21 collectively conveys a plurality of print media M-51, M-52, and M-53, and the thermal head 10 has a plurality of print media. Of the target print media M-51, M-52, and M-53 so that a single print pattern P is formed by combining the target print media M-51, M-52, and M-53. Printing of each part (patterns P-1, P-2, P-3) of the print pattern P is performed collectively. Therefore, even when the user does not have the print medium M having a desired width, a plurality of print media M-51, M-52, and M-53 having a width shorter than the desired width are combined, The print pattern P can be printed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention includes the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. The inventions described in the claims at the initial application of the present application will be additionally described below.

[Appendix 1]
One printing unit for printing on a long print medium,
At least one transport unit that transports the print medium while sandwiching the print medium between the print unit and the print unit;
Equipped with
The plurality of print target media are arranged side by side in the width direction of the print target media so that the respective print target media are located between the printing unit and the transport unit, and the transport unit includes a plurality of the print target media. A printing apparatus capable of transporting at least one of printing media.

[Appendix 2]
A plurality of the print medium, further comprising a storage unit that can be stored side by side in the width direction of the print medium, such that each print medium is located between the printing unit and the transport unit,
The printing apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the print medium is housed in a cassette, and the housing section can house a plurality of the cassettes.

[Appendix 3]
A width detection unit for detecting the width of at least one of the cassette and the printing medium housed in the cassette in the width direction,
A control unit that controls the printing unit based on the width detected by the width detection unit;
The printing apparatus according to appendix 2, further comprising:

[Appendix 4]
4. The printing apparatus according to appendix 3, wherein the control unit notifies the user of information regarding the cassette that can be further stored in the storage unit, based on the width detected by the width detection unit.

[Appendix 5]
The transport unit is a plurality of transport units that are arranged in the width direction of the print medium to transport the print medium,
The control unit individually controls the plurality of transport units,
5. The printing device according to appendix 3 or 4, characterized in that.

[Appendix 6]
The plurality of cassettes include a first cassette that stores a first print medium and a second cassette that stores a second print medium,
The storage portion stores the first cassette on one end side and the second cassette on the other end side in the width direction,
The plurality of transport units include a first transport unit that transports the first print medium and a second transport unit that transports the second print medium.
The printing apparatus according to appendix 5, characterized in that.

[Appendix 7]
The transport unit transports the plurality of print media in a lump,
The printing unit collectively prints the same print pattern on the plurality of print target media,
7. The printing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that.

[Appendix 8]
The transport unit transports the plurality of print media in a lump,
The printing unit collectively prints a portion of each of the single print patterns on the plurality of print media so that a single print pattern is formed on the plurality of print media.
7. The printing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that.

[Appendix 9]
A printing method using a printing device including one printing unit that prints on a long print medium, and at least one transport unit that transports the print medium while sandwiching the print medium between the print units. There
A plurality of the print medium is arranged side by side in the width direction of the print medium such that each print medium is located between the printing unit and the transport unit,
Transporting at least one of the plurality of print media,
A printing method characterized by the above.

1...Printing device, 4...Display unit, 5...Control unit, 10...Thermal head, 19...Storage unit, 24...Tape width detection switch, 25...Reading unit , 30... cassette tape, M... print medium, P... print pattern

Claims (8)

One printing unit for printing on a long print medium,
At least one transport unit that transports the print medium while sandwiching the print medium between the print unit and the print unit;
A plurality of the print medium, a storage unit that can be arranged side by side in the width direction of the print medium, such that each print medium is located between the printing unit and the transport unit,
Equipped with
The print medium is housed in a cassette, the housing unit can house a plurality of the cassette,
The plurality of print target media are arranged side by side in the width direction of the print target media so that the respective print target media are located between the printing unit and the transport unit, and the transport unit includes a plurality of the print target media. A printing apparatus capable of transporting at least one of printing media. A width detection unit for detecting the width of at least one of the cassette and the printing medium housed in the cassette in the width direction,
A control unit that controls the printing unit based on the width detected by the width detection unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit notifies the user of information regarding the cassette that can be further stored in the storage unit, based on the width detected by the width detection unit. The transport unit is a plurality of transport units that are arranged in the width direction of the print medium to transport the print medium,
The control unit individually controls the plurality of transport units,
The printing device according to claim 2 , wherein the printing device is a printing device. The plurality of cassettes include a first cassette that stores a first print medium and a second cassette that stores a second print medium,
The storage portion stores the first cassette on one end side and the second cassette on the other end side in the width direction,
The plurality of transport units include a first transport unit that transports the first print medium and a second transport unit that transports the second print medium.
The printing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. The transport unit transports the plurality of print media in a lump,
The printing unit collectively prints the same print pattern on the plurality of print target media,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. The transport unit transports the plurality of print media in a lump,
The printing unit collectively prints a portion of each of the single print patterns on the plurality of print media so that a single print pattern is formed on the plurality of print media.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. One printing unit that prints on a long print medium, at least one transport unit that transports the print medium while sandwiching the print medium between the print unit, and a plurality of the print media A printing method using a printing device, comprising: a storage unit that can store side by side in the width direction of the print medium, such that each print medium is located between the unit and the transport unit,
The print medium is housed in a cassette, the housing unit can house a plurality of the cassette,
A plurality of the print medium is arranged side by side in the width direction of the print medium such that each print medium is located between the printing unit and the transport unit,
Transporting at least one of the plurality of print media,
A printing method characterized by the above.