JP7334754B2 - Printer and cutter - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to printing devices and cutter devices.

2. Description of the Related Art Some printers that print on a tape-shaped print medium are equipped with a cutter device that cuts the print medium. The cutter device in this type of printing device cuts the print medium using electric power (for example, the power of a motor), and external force applied by the user (for example, the force of the user pressing a button). There is also a method for cutting the print medium by using it.

Some of the printing apparatuses described above are capable of continuously performing operations including printing on a print medium and cutting the print medium. However, in a general printing apparatus, when the print medium is cut, the position of the print medium may be misaligned. For this reason, when the conventional printing apparatus continuously performs an operation including printing on the printing medium and cutting the printing medium, the printing medium is cut after printing on the printing medium for one time. There are many things that operate to cut the

As a related technique, Patent Literature 1 discloses a cut operation mechanism that cuts a print medium using electric power, and in a state in which the print medium is sandwiched and fixed between a tape pressing member and a tape receiving plate, the print medium is fixed. A printing device is described that operates a full cutter for cutting media.

JP 2004-243616 A

To prevent misalignment of the print medium by cutting the print medium in a state in which the print medium is sandwiched and fixed between the tape pressing member and the tape receiving plate as in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1. can be done.

However, the cutting actuation mechanism described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 is configured to separately perform the operation of moving the tape pressing member and the operation of moving the full cutter for cutting the print medium. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts used in the cutting mechanism complicates the mechanism, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs.

In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a technology that can prevent the position of a print medium from being misaligned when the print medium is cut using a simple mechanism. It is to be.

A printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transport section that transports a print medium, and a cut section that cuts the print medium at a first position in a transport path of the print medium, wherein the cut a movable blade that can cut the print medium by moving; a cut button that moves the movable blade in conjunction with the movable blade; and an upstream side of the first position on the transport path. and at least one holding member that holds the print medium , wherein the movable blade adjusts the relative position between the movable blade and the print medium to the maximum within the movable range of the movable blade. a first relative position spaced apart from a medium; a second relative position at which cutting of the print medium ends; and a third relative position in which the movable blade is spaced apart from the print medium, and the cutting portion includes a first holding member and a second holding member as the at least one holding member. a member, wherein the second holding member is separated from the first holding member when the relative position of the movable blade is between the first relative position and the third relative position It is interlocked with the movable blade so as to receive a directional load from the movable blade .

A cutter device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a cutting unit that cuts a print medium at a first position in a transport path of the print medium transported by a transport unit of a printing device, and the cut unit moves a cut button interlocking with the movable blade to move the movable blade ; and upstream of the first position on the transport path, the and at least one holding member that holds the print medium, wherein the at least one holding member is displaced as the relative position between the movable blade and the print medium changes.

According to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent the position of the print medium from being shifted when the print medium is cut by a simple mechanism.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of a printing device having a cutting mechanism; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the lid of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1 is opened; It is a figure explaining the conveyance path|route of to-be-printed media. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a printing device; FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of continuous print processing performed by a printing device; It is a figure explaining the positional shift of the to-be-printed medium which can arise in the conventional printing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of the configuration and operation of a cutting mechanism according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of the configuration and operation of a cutting mechanism according to one embodiment; 3 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating an example of the configuration and operation of a cutting mechanism according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of operations during continuous printing in the printing apparatus according to one embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram comparing a specific example of operations during continuous printing in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment and a specific example of operations during continuous printing in a conventional printing apparatus;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, as an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention, a print processing unit that performs printing on a tape-shaped print medium by a thermal transfer method, and a print medium that is cut by the force of a user pressing a button. and a cutting mechanism for cutting. In the following description, detailed descriptions of well-known functions, configurations, operations, etc. of the exemplary printing apparatus will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a printing apparatus having a cutting mechanism. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the lid of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1 is opened.

The printing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided with an input section 3 and a display section 4 on the surface of an apparatus housing 2 . The input unit 3 is a keyboard device operated by a user for inputting characters, graphics, etc. to be printed on the print medium and inputting various settings related to printing on the print medium and cutting of the print medium. The display unit 4 is a device for displaying various information input by the input unit 3, and is, for example, a dot-matrix liquid crystal display.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus housing 2 is provided with a recess 201 for mounting the cartridge 10 thereon. The cartridge 10 contains a print medium and an ink ribbon. The apparatus housing 2 is provided with a lid 5 that can be moved between a position covering the recess 201 and a position at which the cartridge 10 can be attached to and detached from the recess 201 .

A platen roller 7 that conveys a print medium and a printing unit 8 that prints on the print medium are arranged in a concave portion 201 of the apparatus housing 2 . The printing unit 8 includes a thermal head 801 that transfers the ink of the ink ribbon supplied from the cartridge 10 to the print medium supplied from the cartridge 10 . The concave portion 201 communicates with a print medium discharge port 210 provided on the side surface of the apparatus housing 2 .

The printing apparatus 1 nips the print medium supplied from the cartridge 10 and the ink ribbon between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 801, and prints on the print medium while rotating the platen roller 7 in this state. . At this time, the ink ribbon is collected in the cartridge, and the print medium is transported toward the discharge port 210 .

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is a route for conveying the print medium, and is a position in the concave portion 201 where the platen roller 7 and the printing unit 8 (thermal head 801) are arranged, and the discharge port 210. A cutting mechanism for cutting the print medium is arranged between them. The cutting mechanism is connected to a cut button 6 provided on the device housing 2, and when the user presses the cut button 6, the print medium is cut.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the transport path of the print medium. FIG. 3 schematically shows a linear conveying path of the print medium 11 in the printing apparatus 1 . In FIG. 3, the cartridge 10 is omitted.

The "cutting position", "printing position", and "discharging position" in FIG. is performed (second position), and the position at which the print medium 11 is discharged to the outside of the device housing 2 (that is, the position of the discharge port 210). "Upstream" and "downstream" in FIG. 3 are directions representing relative positional relationships in the transport path of the print medium and relative positional relationships on the print medium. In the following description, the direction from the printing position to the ejection position (rightward in FIG. 3) as viewed from a certain position is called "downstream", and the opposite direction (leftward in FIG. 3) is called "upstream". .

The print medium 11 and the ink ribbon 12 are individually rolled and accommodated in the cartridge 10 . The cartridge 10 is accommodated in the recess 201 so that the print medium 11 and the ink ribbon 12 pass between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 801 . The platen roller 7 is connected to a motor (for example, a DC motor) (not shown), and can be rotated in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) in which the print medium 11 and the ink ribbon 12 are fed downstream of the transport path. can. When printing on the print medium 11, the print medium 11 and the ink ribbon 12 are held between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 801 at the printing position. The printing apparatus 1 prints on the printing medium 11 using the thermal head 801 while rotating the platen roller 7 to send the printing medium 11 and the ink ribbon 12 downstream. The print medium 11 is not limited to any particular type. For example, the print medium 11 includes a substrate to which the ink of the ink ribbon 12 is transferred, and an adhesive layer and a protective layer provided on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface to which the ink is transferred (printing surface). It may be an adhesive tape type including and may not include an adhesive layer.

The cutting position on the transport path is between the printing position and the discharging position. A cutting mechanism 9 connected to a cutting button 6 (see FIG. 2) is arranged at the cutting position. The cutting mechanism 9 exemplified in the present embodiment moves (moves) in conjunction with a fixed blade 910 fixed to the apparatus housing 2 and the user's operation of pressing the cut button 6, and the fixed blade 910 and the print medium 11 and a movable blade 920 whose relative position changes. The printing apparatus 1 stops conveying the print medium 11 when the cutting position (hereinafter referred to as “cut line”) on the print medium 11 reaches the cut position on the conveying path. After that, when the user presses the cut button 6 to operate the cut mechanism 9 to cut the print medium 11, the print medium 11 downstream of the cut position is discharged from the discharge port 210 to the outside of the apparatus housing 2. be done. A combination of the cut button 6 and the cut mechanism 9 is an example of a cutter device that cuts the print medium 11 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the printing apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 1 includes a processor 100, a memory 110, an input device 120, a display device 130, a cartridge sensor 140, a conveying section 150, a printing section 8, and a cutting section 170. FIG.

The processor 100 is a device that controls the operation of the printing device 1 . The processor 100 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the operation of the printer 1 by executing various programs stored in the memory 110, for example. The processor 100 may be an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. Processor 100 may also be a combination of multiple processors. The processor 100 is an example of a control unit that performs processing for controlling conveyance of a print medium and printing on the print medium in print processing including continuous print processing, which will be described later.

The memory 110 stores programs including commands for controlling the operation of the printing device 1, data created by the printing device 1 while executing the programs, and data referred to by the printing device 1 while executing the programs. It is a device. The memory 110 includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).

The input device 120 is one or more devices that receive various inputs to the printing device 1 . The input device 120 includes the input unit 3 such as the keyboard device described above. The display device 130 is one or more devices that display various information related to the operation of the printing device 1 . The display device 130 includes the display unit 4 such as the liquid crystal display described above.

The cartridge sensor 140 detects the cartridge 10 mounted in the recess 201 of the apparatus housing 2 . The cartridge sensor 140 outputs, for example, detection information indicating whether or not the cartridge 10 is mounted, detection information indicating the width of the print medium 11 accommodated in the mounted cartridge 10, and the like.

The transport unit 150 performs processing for transporting the print medium 11 based on the control signal from the processor 100 . The transport unit 150 includes a motor, a drive circuit for driving the motor, the platen roller 7 connected to the motor, and a detector (for example, an encoder) that detects the number of rotations of the platen roller 7 .

The printing unit 8 performs printing (printing) on the print medium 11 based on the control signal from the processor 100 . The printing unit 8 includes a thermal head 801 , a drive circuit that drives the thermal head 801 , and a temperature sensor (eg, thermistor) that detects the temperature of the thermal head 801 .

The cutting unit 170 includes, for example, a cutting mechanism 9 that cuts the print medium 11 and a sensor 171 that detects that the cut mechanism 9 has cut the print medium 11 .

Note that the printing device 1 is not limited to the hardware configuration described above, and may include a communication device (communication interface) that enables communication with an external device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer. Further, the printing apparatus 1 omits the sensor 171 of the cutting unit 170, and recognizes that the cutting mechanism 9 has performed an operation to cut the print medium 11 when the user performs a predetermined input operation on the input device 120. can be anything.

The above-described printing apparatus 1 can print on the print medium 11 based on a print layout created by the user using the input device 120, for example. Further, the printing apparatus 1 can perform continuous printing on the print medium 11 based on the created print data. Continuous printing includes printing onto the print medium 11 based on one print layout in succession a plurality of times. In addition, continuous printing includes continuously performing printing on the print medium 11 for each print layout based on a plurality of print layouts. Furthermore, the above-described printing apparatus 1 stops conveying and printing in the middle of printing on the print medium 11 based on information about cutting set by the user using the input device 120, and asks the user The print medium 11 can be cut. An example of continuous print processing performed by such a printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of continuous print processing performed by the printing device.

When the continuous printing process is started, the printer 1 first starts conveying the print medium 11 (step S1). Next, the printing apparatus 1 performs printing control for one line according to the transport amount of the printing medium 11 (step S2). In step S2, the thermal head 801 is controlled based on the control information created based on the print layout, which is associated with the portion of the print medium 11 at the print position on the transport path (hereinafter referred to as the "print line"). , to perform printing (printing) on the line to be printed. When the control information associated with the line to be printed is information indicating not to print on the medium to be printed 11, the thermal head 801 is controlled so that the ink of the ink ribbon is not transferred to the medium to be printed 11. .

Next, the printer 1 determines whether or not the cut line on the print medium 11 has reached the cut position on the transport path (step S3).

If the cut line has not reached the cut position (step S3; NO), the printer 1 determines whether printing for one sheet has been completed (step S6). Printing for one sheet corresponds to one printing performed on the print medium 11 based on one print layout. If printing for one sheet has not been completed (step S6; NO), the process performed by the printing device 1 returns to step S1. It should be noted that step S1 in this case is a process of continuing the conveyance of the print medium 11. FIG.

On the other hand, when the cut line reaches the cut position (step S3; YES), the printing device 1 stops the conveyance of the print medium 11 and printing on the print medium (step S4), and the print medium 11 is fully cut (step S5). In step S5, for example, when the sensor 171 of the cutting unit 170 detects that the cutting mechanism 9 has fully cut the print medium 11, or when a predetermined operation using the input device 120 is performed, , it is determined that the print medium 11 is fully cut. Until it is determined that the print medium 11 has been fully cut, the process of the printing apparatus 1 remains at the determination of step S5 (step S5; NO). If it is determined that the print medium 11 has been fully cut (step S5; YES), the printing device 1 makes a determination in step S6. If printing for one sheet has not been completed (step S6; NO), the process performed by the printing device 1 returns to step S1. Note that step S<b>1 in this case is a process of restarting the conveyance of the print medium 11 .

When printing for one sheet is completed (step S6; YES), the printer 1 next determines whether or not all printing is completed (step S7). All printing corresponds to all of one or more printings performed for each print layout based on one or more print layouts.

If there is unfinished printing (step S7; NO), the printing device 1 continues the printing medium 11 until the next printing line on the printing medium 11 reaches the printing position on the transport path. Convey (step S8). After that, the process performed by the printing device 1 returns to step S1. Note that step S8 and subsequent step S1 may be performed continuously without stopping the transportation of the printing medium 11, or the transportation of the printing medium 11 may be started when the printing line reaches the printing position. It may be stopped, and then the transport in step S1 may be performed.

When all printing is completed (step S7; YES), the printing apparatus 1 conveys the print medium 11 until the cut line on the print medium 11 reaches the cut position of the conveying path (step S9). It is determined whether or not the medium 11 has been fully cut (step S10). In step S9, the printer 1 makes the same determination as in step S5 described above. Until it is determined that the print medium 11 has been fully cut, the process of the printing apparatus 1 remains at the determination of step S10 (step S10; NO). If it is determined that the print medium 11 has been fully cut (step S10; YES), the printer 1 ends the continuous printing process.

As described above, the printing apparatus 1 exemplified in the present embodiment, when the cut line of the print medium 11 reaches the cut position of the transport path while printing is being performed on the print medium 11, cuts the print medium 11. stop transporting and printing. Then, when the user presses the cut button 6 to cut the print medium 11 , the printing apparatus 1 resumes conveying the print medium 11 and printing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining misalignment of a print medium that can occur in a conventional printing apparatus. FIG. 6 shows the states before and after cutting the print medium 11 when the character string "ABCD" is printed a plurality of times in succession according to the flowchart shown in FIG. is exemplified.

FIG. 6A illustrates the state of the print medium 11 when the cut line 1102 of the print medium 11 reaches the cut position of the transport path. For example, the printing apparatus 1 starts printing the character string "ABCD" in the print area 1122 of the print medium 11 using the thermal head 801, and then the cut line 1102 downstream of the print area 1122 is the cut position. At the timing of reaching , transportation of the print medium 11 and printing on the print medium 11 are stopped. A portion of the character “C” and the character “D” indicated by the dashed boxed characters in the printing area 1122 of FIG. That is, printing within the printing area 1122 is performed up to the printing target line 1132 of the printing medium 11 at the printing position when the transport is stopped. Thereafter, when the user presses the cut button 6 of the printer 1 , the cut mechanism 9 (movable blade 920 ) is activated and the print medium 11 is cut along the cut line 1102 .

FIG. 6B illustrates the state of the print medium 11 when the cut mechanism 9 cuts the print medium 11 . The fixed blade 910 and the movable blade 920 of the cutting mechanism 9 are separated from the print medium 11 before the cut button 6 is pressed (that is, before they are activated). Then, when the cut button 6 is pressed, the movable blade 920 moves (moves) toward the fixed blade 910 by a distance corresponding to the amount of pushing, and the movable blade 920 and the fixed blade 910 mesh with each other, thereby cutting the print medium 11. be cut. For example, the movable blade 920 is rotatably attached to the fixed blade 910, and cuts the print medium 11 by rotating the movable blade 920. FIG. At this time, if the position of the print medium 11 is not fixed, as shown in FIG. The portion up to line 1132 may be pulled downstream of the transport path. That is, if the print medium 11 is cut in a state where the position of the print medium 11 is not fixed, the position of the print target line 1132 for which printing is interrupted on the conveying path will shift downstream from the printing position by a distance g. There is

If a position shift occurs when the print medium 11 is cut, the portion of the print medium 11 after cutting which is in the printing position is separated upstream by a distance g from the print line 1132 where printing was interrupted before cutting. part. In this case, when the rest of the print medium 11 is printed after cutting, as illustrated in FIG. A blank line 1190 with a distance g is generated between them.

As described above, in a conventional printing apparatus that cuts the print medium 11 while the position of the print medium 11 is not fixed, there is a gap between the printed portion before cutting and the printed portion after cutting. A blank line 1190 is created and the print quality is degraded. In addition, if the mechanism described in JP-A-2003-200020 is applied to fix the position of the print medium 11 during cutting, the configuration becomes complicated, which causes an increase in manufacturing cost. Moreover, it is difficult to apply the mechanism described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 to a printing apparatus that does not have a cutting mechanism that operates by electric power.

An example of the configuration and operation of a cutting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 1) explaining an example of the configuration and operation of the cutting mechanism according to the embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 2) explaining an example of the configuration and operation of the cutting mechanism according to the embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 3) explaining an example of the configuration and operation of the cutting mechanism according to the embodiment; 7, 8, and 9 show a schematic diagram (a) of the configuration of the cutting mechanism 9 viewed in the width direction of the print medium 11, and a position downstream of the cutting position in the transport path and an upstream position. Fig. 3B shows a schematic diagram (b) of the configuration of the cutting mechanism 9 when looking at the side.

The cutting mechanism 9 exemplified in this embodiment includes a fixed blade 910 and a movable blade 920 . As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the fixed blade 910 extends in the width direction of the print medium 11 and does not change its position relative to the transport path while the print medium 11 is being cut. It is fixed to the device housing 2 as shown. The movable blade 920 is rotatably attached (coupled) to the fixed blade 910 so that the print medium 11 is sandwiched between the blade 910 a of the fixed blade 901 and the blade 922 a of the movable blade 920 .

The movable blade 920 of the cutting mechanism 9 illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 includes a fulcrum portion 921, a blade portion 922 extending from the fulcrum portion 921 in a first direction, and an external force extending from the fulcrum portion 921 in a second direction. and a conversion unit 923 . The fulcrum portion 921 is configured such that the blade portion 922 extends in the width direction of the print medium 11 and is rotatable around the rotation axis AX whose axial direction is the transport direction of the print medium 11 at and around the cutting position. , is rotatably supported by the support member 930 . The support member 930 is fixed to the fixed blade 910 .

The external force converting portion 923 of the movable blade 920 engages with the cut button 6 and converts the linear motion of the cut button 6 generated when the user presses the cut button 6 into a motion to rotate the movable blade 920. part. A groove portion 923a is formed at the tip of the external force converting portion 923. The groove portion 923a engages with the columnar member 940 of the cut button 6 and allows the columnar member 940 to slide according to the change in the position of the cut button 6 (the columnar member 940). there is

The cut button 6 includes a body portion 610 , a pair of support portions 920 and 930 and a columnar member 940 . The body portion 610 is a portion that a user presses with a finger or the like when cutting the print medium 11 . A surface 610b of the body portion 610 facing away from the pressing surface 610a to which the user applies a load due to pressing (pressing load) faces the inner bottom surface 202 of the apparatus housing 2. A pair of supports 920 and 930 are provided to support the . The cut button 6 is attached in a direction away from the inner bottom surface 202 of the device housing 2 by a compression coil spring 650 coupled to the surface 610b of the main body 610 and the inner bottom surface 202 of the device housing 2 facing the surface 610b. are being forced. The compression coil spring 650 is an example of a biasing member that biases the movable blade 620 .

When the cut button 6 is moved in the direction of approaching the inner bottom surface 202 of the device housing 2, the movable blade 920 has the effect that the blade 922a of the blade portion 922 approaches the blade 910a of the fixed blade 910 and both blades mesh. Rotational movement is performed so that the point moves away from the rotation axis AX. That is, when the user presses the cut button 6, cutting of the print medium 11 progresses from one end in the width direction of the print medium 11 to the other end. When the user releases the finger or the like from the cut button 6, the external force from the compression coil spring 650 moves the cut button 6 away from the inner bottom surface 202 of the apparatus housing 2, and the movable blade 920 rotates in the opposite direction. .

7 to 9, the cutting mechanism 9 of the present embodiment is located between the cutting position and the printing position in the transport path, and cuts the print medium 11 when cutting the print medium 11. It has a first tape retaining member 940 and a second tape retaining member 950 for fixing the position. The first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 are examples of holding members that hold the print medium 11 on the upstream side of the cut position in the transport path.

The first holding member 940 is arranged on the same side as the fixed blade 910 with respect to the transport path of the print medium 11 , and is fixed to the apparatus housing 2 , for example. The first tape holding member 940 has a base portion 941 and an anti-slip member 942 provided on the surface of the base portion 941 facing the print medium 11 side. For the non-slip member 942, for example, a material such as rubber that suppresses slipping of the print medium 11 by frictional force is used.

The second tape holding member 950 is arranged at a position opposite to the first holding member 940 with respect to the transport path of the print medium 11. It is arranged in the device housing 2 in a manner in which the distance can be changed. The second tape holding member 950 includes a base portion 951, a flat plate portion 952 provided at the end of the base portion 951 on the side of the print medium 11, and a surface of the flat plate portion 952 facing the print medium 11 side. It has a non-slip member 953 and a columnar portion 954 extending from the base portion 951 to the downstream side of the transport path. For the non-slip member 942, for example, a material such as rubber that suppresses slipping of the print medium 11 by frictional force is used.

The second tape holding member 950 is biased toward the first tape holding member 940 by, for example, a tension spring 960 . The second tape holding member 950 is not in contact with the first tape holding member 940 and the print medium 11 by engaging (interlocking) the ridge 922b of the blade portion 922 of the movable blade 920 with the columnar portion 954. Movement in the urging direction when in the state is restricted. 8, the second tape holding member 950 comes into contact with the print medium 11 before the fixed blade 910 and the movable blade 920 start cutting the print medium 11. , so that the position of the print medium 11 is fixed (held) by the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 . The second tape holding member 950 is an example of a holding member that moves as the relative position between the movable blade 920 and the print medium 11 changes.

The cutting mechanism 9 in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is in the state illustrated in FIG. 7 when no pressure load is applied to the cut button 6, and the movable blade 920 is farthest away from the print medium 11 within the movable range. in a first relative position. On the other hand, when the press load is applied to the cut button 6 and the cutting of the print medium 11 is completed, the cutting mechanism 9 is in the state illustrated in FIG. 2 relative positions. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the cutting mechanism 9 is in the middle of rotational movement of the movable blade 920 from the first relative position to the second relative position due to the pressing load being applied to the cut button 6 . Thus, the print medium 11 is sandwiched between the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 at the rotational position before cutting of the print medium 11 is started.

That is, in a series of operations for cutting the print medium 11 in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the cut button 6 is pressed and the movable blade 920 starts rotating, the movable blade 920 rotates and moves. A second tape retaining member 950 approaches the first tape retaining member 940 . Before the cutting of the print medium 11 is started, the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 are held at the tape holding position between the printing position and the cutting position of the transport path. The position of the print medium 11 is fixed by sandwiching the print medium 11 with the . Therefore, when the print medium 11 is cut, the portion of the print medium 11 upstream of the tape holding position can be prevented from being pulled downstream (in the direction of the cut position). Therefore, it is possible to prevent positional deviation of the print medium 11 in the conveying direction during cutting. Further, by fixing the position of the print medium 11 by the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950, for example, the position (action point) at which the movable blade 920 and the fixed blade 910 mesh can be covered. It is also possible to prevent displacement of the print medium 11 in the width direction caused by movement in the width direction of the print medium 11 .

Further, when the pressure load applied to the cut button 6 becomes small, the fixed blade 910 and the movable blade 920 move the print medium 11 between the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950. 11, and then the blade portion 922 (peak 922b) of the movable blade 920 comes into contact with the columnar portion 954 to separate the second tape holding member 950 from the print medium 11 (first tape holding member 940). . Therefore, it is possible to prevent positional deviation of the print medium 11 caused by the rotational movement of the movable blade 920 after cutting.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of operations during continuous printing in the printing apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram comparing a specific example of the operation during continuous printing in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment and a specific example of the operation during continuous printing in the conventional printing apparatus. 10(a) and 10(b) and FIG. 11(c) show the print medium 11 when continuous printing is performed according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. The state before and after cutting is illustrated. (d) of FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which the printing medium 11 is cut in a printing apparatus that does not have the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 .

FIG. 10A illustrates the state of the print medium 11 when the cut line 1102 of the print medium 11 reaches the cut position of the transport path. For example, after starting printing on the print medium 11 using the thermal head 801, the printing apparatus 1 transports the print medium 11 and feeds the print medium 11 at the timing when the cut line 1102 reaches the cut position. Stop printing.

While printing on the print medium 11, the relative position of the movable blade 920 with the print medium 11 is the first relative position (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the blade 910a of the fixed blade 910 and the blade 922a of the movable blade 920 in the cutting mechanism 9, the non-slip member 942 of the first tape holding member 940, and the non-slip member 953 of the second tape holding member 950 are , are separated from the print medium 11 . At this time, the first tape holding member 940 and the fixed blade 910 are, for example, the distance d3 from the tape contact surface 942a of the non-slip member 942 of the first tape holding member 940 to the back surface 1152 of the print medium 11, The distance d1 from the blade 910a of the fixed blade 910 to the back surface 1152 of the print medium 11 is set to satisfy d1>d3. The back surface 1152 of the print medium 11 is the surface opposite to the print surface 1151 . Further, the second tape holding member 950 and the movable blade 920 are, for example, the distance d4 from the tape contact surface 953a of the non-slip member 953 of the second tape holding member 950 to the printing surface 1151 of the print medium 11, The relationship between the distance d2 from the portion of the blade 922a of the movable blade 920 that contacts the print medium 11 to the printing surface 1151 of the print medium 11 is set to d2>d4.

When the user presses the cut button 6 after the transportation of the print medium 11 and the printing on the print medium 11 are stopped, the movable blade 920 rotates as described above, and the ridge 922b of the movable blade 920 cuts. The second tape holding member 950, whose movement in the force direction has been restricted, moves in the direction of the print medium 11 (first tape holding portion 940). The second tape holding member 950 is set so that the relative position of the movable blade 920 with respect to the print medium 11 is a predetermined relative position (the 3 relative position) and , it interlocks with the movable blade 920 so as to receive the load in the direction away from the first tape holding member 840 from the movable blade 920 . Then, the relative position of the movable blade 920 with respect to the printing medium 11 exceeds a predetermined relative position (third relative position) between the first relative position and the second relative position (the printing position of the movable blade 920). (the relative position with respect to the medium 11 is between the third relative position and the second relative position) and, as shown in FIG. At the tape holding position, the print medium 11 is sandwiched (held) between the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 . At this time, a pressing load Fr is applied from the second tape holding member 950 to the print medium 11 by the biasing force of the tension spring 960 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the contact surface 942a of the non-slip member 942 of the first tape holding member 940 and the back surface 1152 of the medium 11 to be printed, and the contact surface 953a of the non-slip member 953 of the second tape holding member 950 and the surface of the printed medium 11 are separated. A static frictional force corresponding to the magnitude of the pressing load Fr acts between the printing surface 1151 of the printing medium 11 and the printing surface 1151 . Further, as described above, the print medium 11 is sandwiched between the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 before the fixed blade 910 and the movable blade 920 start cutting.

After that, when the user pushes the cut button 6 further and the rotational movement of the movable blade 920 progresses, as shown in FIG. The print medium 11 is cut by engaging the blade 922a of the fixed blade 910 with the blade 910a of the fixed blade 910 . At this time, since the cut line 1102 of the print medium 11 receives the external force Fc from the blade 922a of the movable blade 920, the portion of the print medium 11 upstream of the cut line 1102 is pulled downstream. However, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the section ( The portion from position 1133 to position 1134) is restricted from moving (slipping) in the conveying direction by static friction. Therefore, when the print medium 11 is cut, the position of the print line 1132 of the print medium 11 at the printing position can be prevented from shifting to the downstream side. printing can be resumed from the printed line of In particular, by bringing the print medium 11 into contact with the non-slip members 942 and 953 such as rubber as described above and sandwiching the print medium 11, a larger static frictional force acts, and the print medium 11 is transported in the conveying direction. The effect of regulating the movement (slip) of the

On the other hand, in a printing apparatus that does not have the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950, as illustrated in FIG. The entire portion of the print medium 11 on the upstream side of the cut line 1102 is pulled downstream by receiving the external force Fc from the blade 922 a of the print medium 920 . As a result, the position of the line to be printed 1132 is shifted downstream by a distance g, and when printing is resumed after cutting, a blank line 1190 (see FIG. 6C) corresponding to the shifted distance g is left. occur.

As described above, the cutting mechanism 9 of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment sandwiches the print medium 11 between the print position and the cut position on the transport path before the start of cutting the print medium 11. It has a first tape holding member 940 and a second tape holding member 950 that (hold) and fix the position. Therefore, when the print medium 11 is cut, it is possible to prevent the portion of the print medium 11 at the printing position (the print line 1132) from shifting in the downstream direction. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment interrupts printing on the print medium 11, cuts the print medium 11, and then restarts printing on the print medium 11. It is possible to prevent the print quality from deteriorating due to blank lines between the cut portion and the printed portion after cutting. In addition, for example, in the case of performing continuous printing, such a printing apparatus 1 performs a process of conveying and cutting the print medium 11 each time printing is performed based on one print layout, and cuts the print medium 11. It is possible to reduce the power consumption and the waiting time until the end of continuous printing, as compared with a printing apparatus that performs a reverse transport process.

The cutting mechanism 9 described above is configured such that the distance between the second tape holding member 950 and the print medium 11 (first tape holding member 940) is changed in conjunction with the rotational movement of the movable blade 920. (that is, the second tape holding member 950 moves as the relative position between the movable blade 920 and the print medium 11 changes). More specifically, when the amount of depression of the cut button 6 that rotates the movable blade 920 is smaller than a predetermined amount of depression, the second tape urged in the direction approaching the first tape holding member 940 The holding member 950 abuts on the movable blade 920 to restrict movement to the print medium 11 (first tape holding member 940). Such a configuration is, for example, as described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, an urging member (for example, It can be realized by a simple configuration using a tension spring 960 ) and a columnar portion 954 for bringing the second tape holding member 950 into contact with the movable blade 920 . Therefore, according to the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the print medium 11 from being misaligned when the print medium 11 is cut by the simple cut mechanism 9 .

Further, as described above, the cutting mechanism 9 according to the present embodiment is a cutting mechanism that cuts the print medium 11 using an external force applied by the user (for example, the force that the user presses the cut button 6). It is easy to apply, and it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost due to complication of a cutting mechanism or the like.

The above-described embodiments are specific examples for easy understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

For example, the configuration for sandwiching (holding) the print medium 11 by the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 before cutting the print medium 11 in the cutting mechanism 9 is shown in FIGS. 9 can be modified as appropriate. For example, both the first tape holding member 940 and the second tape holding member 950 may be configured to interlock with the movable blade 920 . Further, for example, the first tape holding member 940 is omitted, and the print medium 11 is held by a holding portion integrally provided in the apparatus housing 2 and the second tape holding member 950. may Further, for example, when the target print medium 11 to be applied has a magnetic tape or a metal layer, a magnet is incorporated in the second tape holding member 950 to temporarily hold the print medium 11 by magnetic force. The configuration may be such that When the print medium 11 is temporarily held by magnetic force, the non-slip member 953 may be omitted.

Further, the cutting mechanism 9 is not limited to the mechanism for pinching the print medium 11 between the fixed blade 910 and the movable blade 920 that rotates as described above, and may be another mechanism. Further, the cut button 6 used to change the relative position of the movable blade 920 with respect to the print medium 11 is not limited to the structure that pushes the pressing surface 610a as described above. It may be configured to be slid along. In the case of a configuration in which the cut button 6 is slid to cut the print medium 11, for example, an urging member such as the compression coil spring 650 described above is omitted, and an operation of sliding the cut button 6 in the first direction; The user may perform both the operation of sliding in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

For example, the above-described cutting mechanism 9 is not limited to being included in the printer 1 (device housing 2 ), and may be a cutter device attached to the device housing 2 . Further, the printing device 1 or the cutter device equipped with the cutting mechanism 9 described above has a full-cut mechanism that cuts the entire print medium 11 (a mechanism that cuts the entire print medium 11 using the fixed blade 910 and the movable blade 920). ), a half-cut mechanism for cutting a part of the print medium 11 may be included.

Further, the contact surface 942a in the first tape holding member 940 and the contact surface 953a in the second tape holding member 950 are not limited to planes as illustrated in FIGS. , may be curved. Further, when the movable blade 920 is at the first relative position, the distance d1 from the blade of the fixed blade 910 to the print medium 11, the distance d2 from the movable blade 920 to the print medium 11, the first tape holding member The distance d3 from the contact surface 942a of the 940 to the print medium and the distance d4 from the contact surface 953a of the second tape holding member 950 to the print medium 11 are shown in FIG. The relationship is not limited to that described above, and can be changed as appropriate.

Further, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is not limited to the stationary printing apparatus having the exterior configuration illustrated in FIGS. It may be a printer or the like. Moreover, the printing method is not limited as long as the printing apparatus 1 includes the cutting mechanism 9 described above. For example, the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to the above-described thermal transfer type, but may be a thermal type that uses the thermal head 801 to apply heat to the thermal sensitive material layer of the printing medium 11 to develop colors.

The invention described in the scope of claims at the time of filing of the present application will be additionally described below.
[Appendix 1]
a transport unit that transports the print medium;
a cutting unit that cuts the print medium at a first position in the transport path of the print medium,
The cut section
a movable blade capable of cutting the print medium by being movable;
a cut button that is interlocked with the movable blade and moves the movable blade by a load caused by pressing;
at least one holding member that holds the print medium upstream of the first position on the transport path;
including
A printing apparatus, wherein the at least one holding member is movable in accordance with a change in relative position between the movable blade and the print medium.
[Appendix 2]
The printing apparatus according to appendix 1, further comprising a printing unit that prints on the printing medium at a second position on the transport path.
[Appendix 3]
3. The printing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one holding member is arranged to hold the print medium between the first position and the second position. .
[Appendix 4]
The movable blade is
The relative position is changed between a first relative position that is farthest from the print medium within the movable range of the movable blade, and a second relative position that is a position where cutting of the print medium ends. and the load applied to the cut button moves in a direction from the first relative position toward the second relative position. printing device.
[Appendix 5]
The at least one retaining member is
a third relative position in which the relative position of the movable blade is between the first relative position and the second relative position and the movable blade is separated from the print medium; and holding the print medium when the relative position of the movable blade is between the third relative position and the first relative position, the print medium 5. The printing apparatus according to appendix 4, wherein the printing apparatus is interlocked with the movable blade so as to be spaced apart from.
[Appendix 6]
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cutting section further includes a biasing member that biases the movable blade in a direction from the second relative position toward the first relative position.
[Appendix 7]
The cut portion includes a first holding member and a second holding member as the at least one holding member,
further comprising a biasing member that biases the second holding member in a direction toward the first holding member;
The second holding member applies a load in a direction away from the first holding member when the relative position of the movable blade is between the first relative position and the third relative position. 7. The printing apparatus according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein the printing apparatus is interlocked with the movable blade so as to receive from the movable blade.
[Appendix 8]
The first holding member and the second holding member are
The first holding member faces a surface of the print medium opposite to the printing surface on which printing is performed by the printing unit, and the second holding member faces the print surface of the print medium. and the second holding member is variable in distance from the first holding member,
8. The printing apparatus according to appendix 7, wherein the second holding member is interlocked with the movable blade.
[Appendix 9]
Supplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein the cutting unit further includes a fixed blade whose position relative to the conveying path is not changed, and is configured to sandwich the print medium between the fixed blade and the movable blade. 9. The printing device according to any one of 8.
[Appendix 10]
10. The printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 9, wherein the at least one holding member includes a non-slip member that contacts the print medium when holding the print medium.
[Appendix 11]
When the printing unit is printing on the print medium while the transport unit is transporting the print medium, the line cut by the cutting unit on the print medium is the first line of the transport path. When the position 1 is reached, the transportation of the print medium by the transportation unit and the printing on the print medium by the printing unit are stopped, and after the cutting of the print medium by the cutting unit is completed, the transportation is performed. Supplementary notes 2 to 3, further comprising a control unit that controls operations of the transport unit and the printing unit so as to restart the transportation of the printing medium by the printing unit and the printing on the printing medium by the printing unit. 11. The printing device according to any one of 10.
[Appendix 12]
A cutting unit for cutting the print medium at a first position in the transport path of the print medium transported by the transport unit of the printing device,
The cut section
a movable blade capable of cutting the print medium by being movable;
a cut button that interlocks with the movable blade and moves the movable blade by a load caused by pressing;
at least one holding member that holds the print medium upstream of the first position on the transport path;
including
The cutter device, wherein the at least one holding member is movable in accordance with a change in relative position between the movable blade and the print medium.
[Appendix 13]
In the cutter device, the at least one holding member is positioned between the first position in the transport path and a second position where printing is performed on the print medium by the printing unit of the printing device. 13. The cutter device of paragraph 12, wherein the cutter device is arranged relative to the printing device to hold a print medium.

1 printing device 100 processor 110 memory 120 input device 130 display device 140 cartridge sensor 150 conveying unit 170 cutting unit 171 sensor 2 device housing 201 recess 202 inner bottom surface 210 discharge port 3 input unit 4 display unit 5 lid 6 cut button 610 main unit 610a pressing surfaces 620, 630 support portion 640 columnar member 7 platen roller 8 printing portion 9 cutting mechanism 910 fixed blade 910a blade 920 movable blade 921 fulcrum portion 922 blade portion 922a blade 922b ridge 923 external force conversion portion 923a groove portion 940 first tape holding Member 942 Non-slip member 950 Second tape holding member 953 Non-slip member 954 Column 10 Cartridge 11 Print medium 1102 Cut line 1122 Print area 1132 Print line 12 Ink ribbon

Claims (9)

a transport unit that transports the print medium;
a cutting unit that cuts the print medium at a first position in the transport path of the print medium,
The cut section
a movable blade capable of cutting the print medium by moving;
a cut button interlocking with the movable blade to move the movable blade;
at least one holding member that holds the print medium upstream of the first position on the transport path;
including
The movable blade sets the relative position between the movable blade and the medium to be printed to a first relative position that is the farthest from the medium to be printed within the movable range of the movable blade, and the cutting of the medium to be printed is completed. a third relative position between the first relative position and the second relative position where the movable blade is separated from the print medium; can be changed between
The cut portion includes a first holding member and a second holding member as the at least one holding member,
The second holding member applies a load in a direction away from the first holding member when the relative position of the movable blade is between the first relative position and the third relative position. interlocking with the movable blade to receive from the movable blade;
A printing device characterized by: A printing unit that prints on the print medium at a second position in the transport path,
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one holding member is arranged to hold the print medium between the first position and the second position;
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: The movable blade is
A load applied to the cut button causes the cut button to move in a direction from the first relative position toward the second relative position.
4. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cutting section further comprises a biasing member that biases the movable blade in a direction from the second relative position toward the first relative position,
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The cut portion further includes a biasing member that biases the second holding member in a direction toward the first holding member,
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first holding member and the second holding member are
The first holding member faces a surface of the print medium opposite to the printing surface on which printing is performed by the printing unit, and the second holding member faces the print surface of the print medium. and the second holding member is variable in distance from the first holding member,
the second holding member interlocks with the movable blade;
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, 3, or any one of claims 4 to 6 quoting claim 2, characterized in that: The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one holding member includes a non-slip member that contacts the print medium when holding the print medium. When the printing unit is printing on the print medium while the transport unit is transporting the print medium, the line cut by the cutting unit on the print medium is the first line of the transport path. When the position 1 is reached, the transportation of the print medium by the transportation unit and the printing on the print medium by the printing unit are stopped, and after the cutting of the print medium by the cutting unit is completed, the transportation is performed. Further comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of the transport unit and the printing unit so as to restart the transport of the print medium by the unit and the printing on the print medium by the printing unit,
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

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