JPH10217563A - Tape-like label making apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a head release mechanism by constituting the mechanism to be releasable through manual operation and to prevent jamming of an ink ribbon in a ribbon cassette by prohibiting the rewinding of tape except during the release operation. SOLUTION: After inputting a desired test, number of printing colors and the order of printing color and setting an object test for each printing color, a print key is operated to start printing with a first color. Upon finishing the printing, print tape rewind control is performed to feed a specified amount in order to separate a print tape from an ink ribbon (S70). Subsequently, a message for urging removal of a ribbon cassette is displayed (S71), a cassette cover is opened in order to replace the ribbon cassette (S72: Yes), and when the ribbon cassette is removed (S72, S73: Yes), print tape rewinding operation is started for the first time (S75-S77).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a tape-shaped label, and more particularly to an apparatus for interlocking a release operation of a head release mechanism by manual operation with a tape rewind inhibition control or a tape rewind control. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, the present applicant has disclosed Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 94, a tape-shaped label suitable for printing a character or a mark of a character or a symbol on a print tape as a print medium and preparing a label suitable for attaching to a spine of a file. The device was proposed and put into practical use. This label producing apparatus includes a keyboard, a display, and a printing mechanism of a thermal printing system, and has a printing tape (for example, tape width 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 m) as a printing medium.
m), characters and marks can be printed in various character sizes and fonts.

By the way, the printing tape can be transported not only in the feeding direction but also in the rewinding direction. For example, after printing characters and symbols on the printing tape for the first time, the printing tape is started for the first time. It is conceivable to create a tape-shaped label on which synthetic characters and design patterns are printed by rewinding to the position and further performing the second printing with characters and symbols overlapping.

A tape-shaped label created by character printing is not limited to a spine of a file, but may be applied to, for example, a cassette tape or its cassette tape case, or even a video tape or its video tape case. It is preferable to create a colorfully printed tape-shaped label by changing the color of the print character string partially in accordance with the recorded content or genre.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application have proposed a plurality of types of ribbon cassettes in which the ribbon color of the ink ribbon is not only “black” but also a plurality of colors such as “red”, “green”, “blue”, etc. Are prepared separately from the tape cassette, these ribbon cassettes are configured to be detachable from the tape cassette, and the printing colors for multicolor printing are sequentially set in the printing order, while the input text is For each of the set printing colors, a printing range is set for each printing color, and a range setting process for each color is performed, and the ribbon cassette having the same printing color as the set printing color is sequentially replaced. By controlling the rewinding of the printing tape to the printing start position for each printing process, it is possible to create labels with printed synthetic characters and design patterns, and to print colorfully in multiple colors. I was inspired to create the label.

By the way, as described above, when printing the same print area a plurality of times, in order to rewind the print tape until the print head corresponds to the print start position for each print process,
A head release mechanism is provided to release the platen roller pressing the print head via the print tape and the ink ribbon from the print head, and this head release mechanism is released in response to the end of each printing process. A head release drive mechanism to be operated and a tape rewind control for rewinding the print tape are required.

[0007]

However, by sequentially replacing the ribbon cassette and controlling the tape to be rewound to the printing start position for each printing process,
When creating a label printed with synthetic characters or design patterns, or a label printed in multiple colors colorfully, release the head release mechanism at the end of each printing process as well as the head release mechanism Since a head release drive mechanism is required, there is a problem that a label producing apparatus provided with a head release drive mechanism having a powerful and large-sized actuator increases in size and cost.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the head release drive mechanism is omitted and the head release mechanism is released manually by a manual operation.
Before the head release mechanism is manually released, the tape rewind control operates immediately.
The ribbon take-up spool that takes up the printed ink ribbon is rewound at the same time as the print tape, and a large amount of ink ribbon is fed from the ribbon take-up spool and becomes entangled in the ribbon cassette, making the ribbon cassette unusable. Problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to simplify the head release mechanism by arranging the head release mechanism to be manually operable to release the tape and to prevent the tape from being rewound except during the release operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of preventing entanglement.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a tape for selectively transporting a tape as a print medium in a feed direction and a rewind direction. In a tape-shaped label producing apparatus including a transport mechanism, a printing unit including a print head for printing characters and symbols on a tape and a platen opposed to the print head, and a control unit for controlling printing. A head release mechanism for releasing one of the head and the platen relative to the other, an operating member for manually releasing the head release mechanism, an operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the head release mechanism, and an operating state Unless the release of the head release mechanism is detected from the detection signal of the detection means, the control means is wound around the tape by the tape transport mechanism. And it is obtained by a rewinding prohibiting means for prohibiting the transfer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape-shaped label producing apparatus, wherein a tape transport mechanism for selectively transporting a tape as a print medium in a feed direction and a rewind direction, and ink ribbons of a plurality of colors, respectively. And a plurality of ribbon cassettes that are selectively mounted in a detachable manner to sequentially print in a plurality of colors, a print head that prints characters and symbols on a tape, and a platen that faces the print head. Release mechanism for releasing one of the print head and the platen to the other in a tape-shaped label producing apparatus provided with a control means for controlling printing and a head release mechanism by a manual operation. Operating member for operating the head release mechanism, operating state detecting means for detecting the operating state of the head release mechanism, and release of the head release mechanism from the detection signal of the operating state detecting means. Except when detects the scan is obtained by a rewinding prohibiting means for prohibiting the unwinding transport of the tape by the tape transport mechanism to the control means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the operating member is a cassette cover of the label producing apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the rewind inhibiting means does not inhibit the tape transport mechanism from transporting the tape in the rewind direction. In addition, the control means is provided with a rewind control means for causing the tape transport mechanism to rewind the tape to the print start position of the tape.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a tape near the end of the tape transport path of the tape transport mechanism. The rewinding of the tape is stopped when the leading end of the tape is detected from the detection signal of the means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the tape-type label producing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the tape detecting means comprises:
It is arranged downstream of the printing means in the tape feeding direction.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the tape label producing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the rewinding control means changes the detection signal of the tape detection means from a signal indicating the presence of the tape to a signal indicating the absence of the tape. Is used to detect the leading end of the tape.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, input means for inputting characters, symbols, and various commands, and data of the input text are stored. It comprises data storage means and display means including a display.

[0017]

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print head and the platen included in the printing means are provided so as to face each other via a tape as a print medium and an ink ribbon, The head release mechanism is released by manual operation of the operation member, and one of the print head and the platen is released to the other, and the operation state detecting means detects the operation state of the head release mechanism. By the way, the rewind inhibiting means inhibits the control means from rewinding and transporting the tape by the tape transport mechanism except when the release of the head release mechanism is detected from the detection signal of the operation state detecting means.

That is, the head release mechanism is not operated by a head release drive mechanism or the like, but is released by a manual operation of an operation member, so that one of the print head and the platen is released to the other. The label producing apparatus can be reduced in size and cost.

Further, the tape is prohibited from being rewound and transported except when the release of the head release mechanism is detected based on a detection signal which has detected the operation state of the head release mechanism. In this case, since the tape cannot be rewound until the head release mechanism is released and the ribbon cassette is removed, the ink ribbon transported in synchronization with the tape is not rewound. The entanglement of the ink ribbon in the ribbon cassette can be prevented.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the second aspect operates in substantially the same manner as the first aspect. That is, the head release mechanism is not released by the head release drive mechanism or the like, but is released by a manual operation of the operation member, and one of the print head and the platen is released to the other. Can be reduced in size and cost.

Further, the tape rewinding and transfer is prohibited except when the release of the head release mechanism is detected based on the detection signal which has detected the operation state of the head release mechanism. In order to accommodate each and print sequentially in a plurality of colors, when one of the ribbon cassettes is selectively mounted, the tape is released until the head release mechanism is released and the ribbon cassette is removed. Cannot be rewound, the ink ribbon transported in synchronization with the tape is not rewound, and the ink ribbon can be prevented from being entangled in the ribbon cassette.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the third aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect is exerted. However, since the operation member is a cassette cover of the label producing apparatus, the operation member is Without separate installation,
By opening the cassette cover to remove the ribbon cassette, the head release mechanism can be released.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the same effect as in the first or second aspect is obtained, but the rewind inhibiting means controls the tape transport mechanism to transport the tape in the rewinding direction. When the head release mechanism is released, when the head release mechanism is released, the rewind control means for causing the tape transfer mechanism to rewind the tape to the tape printing start position when the head release mechanism is not prohibited is provided. For printing, only the tape can be rewound to the printing start position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape-shaped label producing apparatus having the same function as in the fourth aspect, except that a tape detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a tape near the end of a tape transfer path of the tape transfer mechanism is provided. Since the rewind control means stops rewinding the tape when detecting the leading end of the tape from the detection signal of the tape detecting means, the rewinding of the tape to the next print start position can be automated.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the same effect as that of the fifth aspect is exerted, but since the tape detecting means is arranged downstream of the printing means in the tape feeding direction, the printing head is provided. , The leading end of the tape can be reliably detected.

In the tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the same effect as in the sixth aspect is exerted, but the rewind control means determines that the tape detection means detects the absence of the tape from the signal indicating that the tape is present. Since the leading end of the tape is detected by changing to the signal shown, even if the tape is rewound at a high speed by the tape transport mechanism, the leading end of the tape can be accurately detected and the rewound of the tape can be stopped accurately.

The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to the eighth aspect has the same effect as the first or second aspect, but has an input means, a data storage means and a display means, so that a desired text can be inputted. In addition to being able to input, the input text can be stored or displayed.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a tape-shaped label producing apparatus capable of multicolor printing is provided by replacing a large number of characters such as characters and symbols with a printing tape as a printing medium and a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors. This is when the invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 4 provided with various function keys in addition to character keys such as letters, symbols, and numerals is provided at the front of the main body cover 2 of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1. A liquid crystal display 5 capable of displaying input characters and symbols is provided immediately behind the keyboard 4, and a main body cover 2 corresponding to the cassette cover 3 opened and closed when the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced. Is provided with a thermal printing mechanism 10 having a thermal head 12. Here, the slide cover 6 can be slid to open the cassette cover 3, and the cutting knob 85 can be pressed downward to manually cut the printed printing tape 22.

Next, the thermal printing mechanism 10 including the thermal head 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the tape cassette 20 detachably mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on FIG.

The tape case 2 of the tape cassette 20
1 has a printing tape 22 made of a thin film.
Is provided rotatably, and the print tape 22 fed from the tape spool 23 is guided in a curved shape by a plurality of guide portions, passes immediately before the thermal head 12, and Tape feed roller 2
4 to the tape cassette 2
0 is discharged outside.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A pair of guide shafts 21a for vertically guiding and supporting the ribbon cassette 30 at the time of attaching and detaching the ribbon cassette 30, which will be described next, are provided at two separated locations on the outer peripheral wall of the first cassette.
-The lower ends of 21b are integrally formed. Further, the tape case 21 is formed with a pair of lower end wall portions 21c and 21d which abut on and support the lower side of the ribbon cassette 30.

Next, the ribbon cassette 30 detachably mounted on the tape cassette 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the ribbon case 31 of the ribbon cassette 30, an upper wall portion 31a, which abuts a part of the tape case 21 from above, extends horizontally and is integrally formed.
a pair of guide shafts 21 of the tape case 21
A pair of engaging leg portions 31b and 31c having through holes, which are externally fitted to a and 21b, are formed, and a vertical wall portion 31d that contacts the notch portion 21e of the tape case 21 is formed. Further, the ribbon cassette 30 is formed with a head accommodating portion 37 for accommodating the thermal head 12 inserted from below through the tape cassette 20.

Further, inside the ribbon case 31, a ribbon spool 33 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound and a ribbon winding spool 34 for winding the ink ribbon 32 are rotatably provided. The loaded ink ribbon 32 approaches the printing tape 22 temporarily in a parallel manner when facing the thermal head 12, and the separating portion 35 of the separating member 35 formed integrally with the ribbon case 31.
The tape is bent at an acute angle at a, separated from the print tape 22, and wound up by the ribbon take-up spool. That is, the separating member 35 of the ribbon case 31
Is located downstream of the thermal head 12 in the tape feeding direction. The ribbon case 31 is provided with a lid member 31e that supports the ribbon spool 33, the take-up spool 34, the separating member 35, and the like from above.

On the other hand, the tape case 21 has a ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f for accommodating the ribbon cassette 30.
(See FIG. 7), and the lid member 3 of the ribbon case 31 is formed.
On the upper surfaces of the upper wall 1a and the upper wall 31a, knob pieces 31f, 3
When printing, first, the tape case 21 is mounted in a mounting recess (not shown) provided in the main body cover 2 and then the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of a desired print color is printed. To tape case 21
Can be mounted in the ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f. At this time, first, a pair of knob pieces 31 is used with two fingers.
f, 31g and a pair of engaging legs 31b, 3
The ribbon cassette 30 is moved downward while being fitted to the corresponding guide shafts 21a and 21b through the through holes, and is accommodated in the ribbon cassette accommodating portion 21f. At this time, the upper wall 31a of the ribbon case 31 overlaps with the upper surface of the tape cassette 20, and the lower end of the ribbon cassette 30 is connected to a pair of lower end walls 21c of the tape case 21.
The ribbon cassette 30 is held at a predetermined position with respect to the tape case 21 by abutting on the upper side of the tape cassette 21d.

In the ribbon cassette 30, a plurality of types are prepared according to the ribbon colors (red, green, yellow, black,...) Of the ink ribbon 32 and the ribbon widths (12, 18, 24, 32 mm). At the lower end of the vertical wall portion 31d of the ribbon case 31, a detection hole group 36 (see FIG. 6) in which a maximum of six detection holes 36a are combined in order to detect any of these plural types of ribbon cassettes 30. , One detection hole 36
a is formed).

Next, the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32
With reference to FIG. 9, a description will be given of a tape / ribbon transfer mechanism 40 which can transfer the print direction and the rewind direction as the printing direction.

The main body frame 11 has a tape spool 2
3, a tape take-up cam 41 engageable with the center of the ribbon take-up spool 34, and a tape drive cam engageable with the center of the tape feed roller 24. 43 are rotatably supported, the thermal head 12 is erected, and the detection hole group 3 is
6 to detect the presence or absence of the six detection holes 36a.
Ribbon detection switch group 103 including sixth detection switch
Are provided, and a ribbon detection signal RS based on a combination of switch signals from these six detection switches is output.

Further, a tape driving motor 4 composed of a stepping motor is provided at the right end of the front end of the main body frame 11.
4 are mounted, and gears 46 to 53 rotatably supported by the main body frame 11 are sequentially meshed with a driving gear 45 of the tape driving motor 44, and the tape fixed to the tape driving cam 43 is engaged with the gear 53. The drive gear 54 and the gear 55 are engaged. Here, the gear 48 and the gear 4
9, the gear 50 and the gear 51 are integrally formed, and the tape winding gear 52 is formed integrally with the lower end of the ribbon winding cam 42. It is fixed to the part. That is, the rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is transmitted to the tape drive cam 43 fixed to the tape drive gear 54 via these gears 45 to 54, and the print tape 22 is transported by the rotation of the tape feed roller 24.

On the other hand, in the gap between the integrally formed gears 50 and 51, the base end of the swing lever 56 is connected to the gears 50 and 51.
It is supported in a state where a moderate frictional resistance is given between
A planetary gear 57 that always meshes with the gear 51 is rotatably supported by the swing lever 56. Also, the gear 53
The pivot spring shaft 59 has a base end portion of a cutting prohibition lever 84, and a winding spring 59 such that the pivot shaft 58 is sandwiched between one end of the winding spring 59 supported by the cutting prohibition lever 84 and the base end portion. Is pressed and supported by the urging force.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the tape drive motor 44 is driven clockwise for normal printing (positive rotation drive), and the gear 50 rotates clockwise, The swing lever 56 also rotates clockwise due to frictional force, so that the planetary gear 57 does not mesh with the tape winding gear 52, and the tape winding cam 41
Is released, the print tape 22 wound on the tape spool 23 is fed out, and at the same time, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the cutting prohibition lever 84 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is located below the cutting lever 82 to be described later, prohibiting the cutting operation, and rotating the ribbon drive gear 45 in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the ribbon winding cam 42. The ink ribbon 32 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction via the clutch spring 60, and the ink ribbon 32 is wound on the ribbon winding spool 34.

A roller holder 67 rotatably supporting a rubber platen roller 65 and a tape feed sub-roller 66 is rotatably supported by a pivot shaft 68 erected on the main body frame 11, and is mounted on the cassette. The release lever 71 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover 3, and the position is switched between the printing position shown in FIG. 9 and the release position shown in FIG. Here, the roller holder 67
Is always elastically biased to the release position by a winding spring (not shown). That is, the roller 72 pivotally attached to the release lever 71 comes into contact with the standing wall 11a of the main body frame 11, and one end of the release lever 71 is
When the release lever 71 has moved leftward from the retracted position shown in FIG. 11 to the operating position shown in FIG. 9, the left end of the release lever 71 is in contact with the roller holder 67 and the upright wall 11a. The roller holder 67 is switched from the release position to the printing position. At this time, the platen roller 65 is connected to the thermal head 1 via the print tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32.
2 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 presses the tape feed roller 24 via the print tape 22.

Here, when the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, a platen gear (not shown) fixed to the lower end of the platen roller 65 meshes with the gear 55 and also fixes to the lower end of the tape feed sub-roller 66. The sub-roller gear (not shown) meshes with the tape drive gear 54.

Next, a head release mechanism 70 that drives the release lever 71 to the right in conjunction with the opening of the cassette cover 3 to switch the roller holder 67 to the release position with respect to the thermal head 12 and release it.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11 to 13.

The rear end of the cassette cover 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 13 to 13, a pivot pin 7 attached to the main body cover 2 is supported to be openable and closable at a plurality of positions, and a curved groove cam 3b is formed on a right side wall 3a of the cassette cover 3. . An engaging pin 75 that engages with the groove cam 3b is fixed to the rear end of the operation plate 74 disposed below the right end of the main body frame 11. By the way, the right end of the release lever 71 is rotatably supported by one lever of a forked lever 76 pivotally connected to the main body frame 11, and the other of the forked lever 76 has: It is connected via a pin 77 fixed to the front end of the operation plate 74.

When the cassette cover 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 12, that is, when the roller holder 67 is closed as shown in FIG.
When the cassette cover 3 is opened at the printing position shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 13, the movement of the groove cam 3b causes the engagement pin 75 engaging with the groove cam 3b to move rearward. The plate 74 moves backward, and the forked lever 7
The roller holder 67 is switched to the release position in response to the rotation of the release lever 71 to the right in the counterclockwise rotation direction of the release lever 6. At this time, when the operation plate 74 moves backward, the cover opening / closing detection switch 102 outputs an “H” level cover opening / closing signal VS. When the cassette cover 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 13, that is, when the roller holder 67 is at the release position shown in FIG. 11, and when the cassette cover 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 3b, the engagement pin 75 moves forward, the operating plate 74 moves forward, the forked lever 76 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 11, and the release lever 71 moves leftward. , The roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position, that is, the non-release state.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, when printing is performed, first, the tape cassette 20 is mounted on the thermal printing mechanism 10, and then the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted on the tape cassette 20. When the cassette cover 3 is closed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the printing position. Then, in this state, the tape drive motor 44
Are normally rotated in the normal printing direction, these gears 45 to 55 are respectively driven in a predetermined rotation direction, and the platen roller 65 and the tape feed sub-roller 66 are rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction, respectively. Since the sub-roller 66 and the tape feed roller 24 rotate in synchronization, the print tape 22 is discharged to the outside through the tape cutting mechanism 80 and the tape detection mechanism 90 while being printed by the thermal head 12.

At this time, since the tape winding cam 41 becomes free, the printing tape 22 wound on the tape spool 23 is sequentially fed without resistance. At the same time,
The ink ribbon 32 is fed out of the ribbon spool 33 in synchronization with the print tape 22 by rotation of the platen roller 65, and rotation of the ribbon winding gear 48 rotates the ribbon winding cam 42 and engages with the ribbon winding cam 42. The ribbon is wound on the rotating ribbon winding spool 34.

On the other hand, when printing of the first color is completed and printing of the second color is executed, first, the cassette cover 3 is opened, and
When the ribbon cassette 30 is removed, the roller holder 67 is switched to the release position by the head release mechanism 70. When the tape drive motor 44 is reversely driven in the counterclockwise rotation direction (rewind direction), as shown in FIGS.
55 are respectively driven in a predetermined rotation direction. At this time, rotation of the gear 50 in the counterclockwise direction causes the swing lever 5 to rotate.
6 also rotates counterclockwise, the planetary gear 57 meshes with the tape winding gear 52, and the tape winding cam 41 rotates counterclockwise to rotate the printed printing tape 22. It is wound on a tape spool 23. here,
Although the ribbon take-up gear 48 is driven to rotate clockwise, since the ribbon cassette 30 has been removed, the ink ribbon 32 taken up by the ribbon take-up spool 34 is not fed.

Next, a tape cutting mechanism 80 for cutting the printed printing tape 22 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on.

A lower end of a fixed blade 81 is fixed to a left end wall 11b of which the left end of the main body frame 11 is partially bent downward, and a base end of a substantially L-shaped cutting lever 82 in side view is formed. It is pivotally supported by a screw 83 and its cutting lever 8
2 has a movable blade 82a. Here, during printing, as shown in FIG. 9, the gear 53 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the distal end of the cutting prohibition lever 84 moves below the cutting lever 82, so that the cutting operation is started. prohibited.

However, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewind direction at the end of printing, the gear 53 is rotated slightly in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. When the distal end is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 and the cutting operation is enabled,
As shown in FIG. 14, when the cutting knob 85 at the distal end of the cutting lever 82 is pressed downward, the movable blade 8
2a rotates to the cutting position shown by the two-dot chain line, and the printing tape 22 located between the fixed blade 81 and the movable blade 82a is cut by the cooperation of these two blades 81 and 82a. At this time, the cutting detection switch 101 attached to the main body frame 11 is operated by the operating member 86 attached to the cutting lever 82 to output the cutting detection signal CS. Then, when the pressing operation of the cutting lever 82 is stopped, the cutting lever 82 returns to the original predetermined position shown by the solid line by the urging force of a spring (not shown).

Next, a tape detecting mechanism 90 provided outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 to detect the presence or absence of the print tape 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

Guide members 94 and 95 are formed integrally with the main body cover 2 outside the tape cutting mechanism 80 to form a pair of sensor housing chambers 96 and 97 in a sealed state. A light emitting element 92 is mounted in the chamber 96, and a light receiving element 93 is mounted in the other sensor housing chamber 97. A slit 98 through which the printing tape 22 can pass is formed between the pair of guide members 94 and 95, and a small-diameter light passage hole is formed in a portion of the pair of guide members 94 and 95 opposite to each other. 94a and 95a are formed, and inclined guide portions 99 are respectively formed, and the leading end of the print tape 22 that has passed through the tape cutting mechanism 80 is guided by the guide portions 99, so that the print tape 22 passes through the slit 98 reliably. And can be detected.

Then, the sensor light emitted from the light emitting element 92 passes through the light passage holes 94a and 95a formed in the sensor accommodation chambers 96 and 97 and is projected on the light receiving element 93. That is, only when the print tape 22 enters the tape detection sensor 91 and is present between the light emitting element 92 and the light receiving element 93, the sensor light is cut off. An L level tape detection signal TS is output.

Next, the control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

Input / output interface 1 of control device CD
13, a keyboard 4, a tape detection sensor 91,
Disconnection detection switch 101 and cover open / close detection switch 1
02, a ribbon detection switch group 103, and a video R for outputting display data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5.
Display controller (LCDC) 1 having AM
04, a drive circuit 106 for a warning buzzer 105,
A drive circuit 107 for driving the thermal head 12,
A drive circuit 108 for the tape drive motor 44 is connected to each.

The control device CD includes a CPU 110 and this C
An input / output interface 113 connected to the PU 110 via a bus 114 such as a data bus;
M111, ROM112 and RAM120.

The font ROM 111 stores display dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters such as characters and symbols, and print dot pattern data for a plurality of print character sizes.

The ROM 112 stores the display controller 104 in correspondence with character code data such as characters, symbols, and numbers input from the keyboard 4.
Drive control program for controlling the display, text memory 1
A print control program for creating dot pattern data to be printed with respect to characters and symbols stored in
With respect to the created dot pattern data, a print drive control program for sequentially outputting dot pattern data for each dot row to the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 for printing, a control program for multicolor printing control described later, which is unique to the present application, etc. Is stored. In addition, in the ROM 112,
Based on the ribbon detection signal RS output from the ribbon detection switch group 103 including the first to sixth detection switches,
A ribbon cassette detection table for detecting the ribbon color and ribbon width of the ink ribbon 32 is stored.

The text memory 121 of the RAM 120
Stores text data consisting of characters and symbols input from the keyboard 4 in association with the set print color data. The color number memory 122 stores color number data of the set print color. Printing color order memory 1
23 stores the data of the color order of the set print colors. The margin memory 124 stores margin data relating to the same set front margin and rear margin.
The print data buffer 125 has the text memory 1
The dot pattern data corresponding to the character code stored in 21 is expanded and stored. Further, the RAM 12
In 0, a memory or the like for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 110 is provided.

Next, a multicolor printing control routine performed by the controller CD of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the figure, reference symbol Si (i = 10, 11, 12,...)
Is each step.

Here, prior to the multicolor printing control, FIG.
The positional relationship between the tape detection position by the tape detection sensor 91, the tape cutting position by the tape cutting mechanism 80, and the printing position by the thermal head 12 will be described based on the following. From the upstream side of the printing position (P position), the tape cutting position (C position), the tape detection position (S position),
Dcp between printing and cutting between printing position and tape cutting position
Is about 25 mm, and the distance Dsc between cutting and detection between the tape cutting position and the tape detection position is about 15 mm. Further, the separation position (position B) of the separation member 35 by the separation unit 35a.
Is located about 6 mm downstream from the printing position in the feed direction T.

When power is supplied to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus 1, first, the thermal printing mechanism 10 and the control device CD are turned on.
Is performed (S10). Then, since a text input screen is displayed on the display 5, after setting a print format, an input process for inputting text data and a display process for displaying the input text are executed, and the input text is displayed. The data is stored in the text memory 121 (S11). For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the input text data “Akamidori
Is stored in the text memory 121.

Next, print color sequence setting processing control (see FIG. 18) is executed (S12).

When this control is started, the message "What is the number of print colors?" Is displayed on the display 5. A number-of-colors setting process for setting the number of colors N by operating the numeric keys is executed. The obtained number of colors N is stored in the color number memory 122 (S30). Next, the names of a plurality of colors are displayed on the display 5.
, A color sequence setting process for sequentially setting the sequence of colors to be provided for printing is executed, the data of the set color sequence is stored in the print color sequence memory 123 (S31), and this control is terminated. Then, the process returns to S13 of the multi-color printing control.

Next, in the multi-color printing control, a printing target range setting process control (see FIG. 19) for each color is executed (S
13).

When this control is started, first, the number of colors N is set to the count value I of the number-of-colors counter (S33). If "1" is subtracted from the number-of-colors count value I and it is not "0", In other words, when the target character string of the final print color is not set (S34: No), each of the characters and symbols to be printed is set for the first print color in the print color order among the unset colors based on the color order data. Is set by designating with a cursor (S35).

That is, in this print target character string setting process, the text data is displayed on the display 5, so that the four cursor movement keys arranged at the right end of the keyboard 4 are operated to change the color other than the final print color. For each print color, specify each character or symbol to be printed by operating the cursor movement keys with the cursor and operating the color confirmation key each time.When the setting of the print target character string is completed, the confirmation key is Operated. By operating the enter key, the set color data is stored in the text memory 121 together with the character data of the character specified by operating the cursor movement key and the color enter key.

Then, the color number count value I is decremented by one (S36), and the process is continued until (I-1) becomes "0".
34 to S36 are repeatedly executed. And (I-1)
Becomes "0" and the setting of the character string to be printed is completed for each printing color other than the final printing color (S34:
Yes), for the final print color, a character string setting process for setting the remaining characters of the text data excluding the already set characters and symbols is executed (S37).

The character string setting process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 20. First, character data stored in the text memory 121 is read from the beginning (S371).
), It is determined whether color data is attached (S3).
72). If the read character data is accompanied by color data (S372: Yes), and the character data is not the last character data (S373: No), the next data is read (S374), and the aforementioned S372 Is executed again. On the other hand, if no color data is attached to the read character data (S372: No), color data corresponding to the final print color is stored with the character data (S37).
5), the process of S373 is executed. Each of the above processes
The process is repeatedly executed up to the last character data stored in the text memory 121. If it is determined in S373 that the character data is the last character data (S373: Yes), the process returns to S38 in FIG.

For example, if the character data “Aka Midori Kuro” is stored in the text memory 121 and the number of colors is 3, and the color order is “Red”, “Green” and “Black”, the print target character string setting process in S35 First, for the print color "red", a character string "red" is set by operating the cursor key and the color determination key, and as shown in FIG. The color data "red" is stored in association with each of them. Next, when the character string "green" is set for the print color "green", the text memory 12
Color data “green” is stored in association with each of the character data “mi”, “do”, and “ri”.

Here, when the setting of the printing color "green" is completed, the color number count value (I-1) becomes "0".
In the character string setting process of 37, the character data is sequentially read from the head of the text memory 121, and the final print color “black” is automatically set for the character string “kuro” for which the print color of the text data is not set. The color data “black” is stored along with the character data “ku” and “ro” in the text memory 121.

Next, a message "What is the margin of the print tape?" Is displayed on the display 5. When the desired margin is set by operating the numeric keys, the set margin is set to the margin. The control is stored in the memory 124 (S38), the control is terminated, and the process returns to S14 of the multi-color printing control.

In the multi-color printing control, when the printing key is operated (S14 / S15: Yes), the printing start processing control (see FIG. 21) is executed (S16).

When this control is started, first, the ribbon color R of the loaded ribbon cassette 30 is read based on the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103 (S40), and the first printing in the printing color sequence is performed. When the color C is read (S41), and the ribbon color R does not match the leading print color C (S42: No), an error message notifying the mismatch of the print colors is displayed on the display 5 (S43).

Next, based on the cover open / close signal VS of the cover open / close detection switch 102, when the cassette cover 3 is opened and the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced and then the cassette cover 3 is closed again (S44: Yes), S40. ~ S41
Is executed. When the ribbon color R and the top print color C match (S42: Yes), the character string that is stored with the data of the top print color C is read from the text memory 121, and the dot of the character string is further read. The pattern data is developed in the print data buffer 125 (S45). Next, the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91 is read, and when the tape detection signal TS is at the “L” level and the print tape 22 is positioned corresponding to the tape detection sensor 91 (S46: Yes) ), A message prompting the cutting of the print tape is displayed on the display 5 (S
47).

Next, the printing tape 22 is cut by depressing the cutting knob 85, the cut detection signal CS from the cut detection switch 101 becomes "H" level (S48), and the tape detection signal TS becomes "H". Level and the tape cutting is detected (S46: No), the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward by one step (clockwise) in order to make the leading end of the print tape 22 enter the tape detection sensor 91.
The print tape 22 is driven to be moved by a minute distance in the feed direction T (S49). When the tape detection signal TS is at the "H" level (S50: No), S49 to S50 are repeatedly executed.

Then, the tape detection signal TS becomes "L" level, and as shown in FIG.
(S5)
0: Yes), this control ends, and the multi-color printing control S17
Return to At this time, the printing position of the thermal head 12 with respect to the printing tape 22 when the leading end of the tape is detected is set as the printing start reference origin position. Here, when the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T, the print tape 2
Even when the leading end of the print tape 22 is curled, the leading end of the print tape 22 can be reliably guided to the slit 98 by the guide portion 99 formed on the pair of guide members 94 and 95.

Next, in the multi-color printing control, when the number of colors N is not "1", that is, when it is not the last printing (S17: No), the set color printing process control for printing with each set printing color (FIG. 22) (S18).

When this control is started, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), first, the tape drive motor 44 is moved forward to transfer the print tape 22 by the front margin L corresponding to the set margin L. It is driven to rotate (S60). Next, when the printing start position of the character to be printed in the current printing color is located on the upstream side in the feed direction T from the printing start reference origin position of the label printing, that is, for example, as shown in FIG. When the idle feed amount is present (S61: Yes), as in the case where the character "green" is printed in the "green" print color, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward and the print tape 22 is rotated.
Is transported in the feed direction T by the idle feed amount (S62).
However, when there is no idle feed amount (S6: No),
It skips S62 and moves to S63. Then, the dot pattern data developed in the print data buffer 125 is read, and a printing process for printing by driving the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44 is executed (S6).
3) After ending this control, the process returns to S19 of the multi-color printing control.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, the print tape rewinding process control (see 23) is executed (S19).

When this control is started, first, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate in the normal direction, and the print tape is moved by the separation feed amount Dbp corresponding to the distance Dbp between the print position (P position) and the separation position (B position). 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transferred in the feed direction T (S70). That is, at the final printing position where the printing is performed by the thermal head 12, the ink of the ink ribbon 32 is fused to the printing tape 22, but the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are transferred by the separation feed amount Dbp. By doing, ink ribbon 3
2 is forcibly separated from the printing tape 22 by the separating portion 35a, so that the printing tape 22 and the ink ribbon 32 are surely separated.

Next, a message prompting removal of the ribbon cassette 30 is displayed on the display 5 in order to replace the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of the same ribbon color as the next printing color (S71). When the cassette cover 3 is first opened, the operation plate 74 moves rearward, and the cover open / close detection switch 102 outputs the cover open / close signal VS at the “H” level (S72: Yes).
Further, as the ribbon detection signal RS from the ribbon detection switch group 103, all of the six detection switch signals become "H" level signals, and when the ribbon cassette 30 is removed (S73: Yes), the ribbon cassette 30 is not mounted. Is displayed on the display 5 (S74).

Next, in order to rewind the print tape 22, the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction (counterclockwise rotation) by one step, and the print tape 22 is transported in the rewind direction by a minute distance (S75). When the tape detection signal TS is at the "H" level (S76: No), S74 to S76 are repeatedly executed. When the leading end of the print tape 22 is rewound slightly inside the tape detection sensor 91 (S76: Yes), the reverse rotation of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped (S77), and this control is terminated. The process returns to S20 of the multicolor printing control.

Next, in the multicolor printing control, a printing start position alignment control (see FIG. 24) is executed (S20).

When this control is started, first, an error message prompting the user to mount the ribbon cassette 30 having the ink ribbon 32 of the same ribbon color as the next print color is displayed on the display 5 (S80). Then, the ribbon detection signal R
As S, when all of the six switch signals are not “H” level signals and the ribbon cassette 30 is mounted (S81: Yes), the ribbon color R of the mounted ribbon cassette 30 is determined based on the ribbon detection signal RS. Is read (S82), and the next print color C in the print color order is read (S82).
83) If the ribbon color R does not match the next print color C (S84: No), S80 to S84 are repeatedly executed.

Next, when the ribbon color R matches the next print color C (S84: Yes), a character string with the data of the next print color C is read out from the text memory 121, and Further, the dot pattern data of the character string is developed in the print data buffer 125 (S85). next,
When the cassette cover 3 is not closed (S86: N
o), a message indicating that the cassette cover 3 is to be closed is displayed on the display 5 (S89). Then, when the cassette cover 3 is closed (S86: Yes), until the leading end of the print tape 22 corresponds to the tape detection sensor 91,
The tape drive motor 44 is driven in the forward rotation by one step (S87 / S88: No), the tape detection signal TS becomes "L" level, and the leading end of the print tape 22 is
When it corresponds to 1, the print start reference origin position for the print tape 22 corresponds to the print position of the thermal head 12 (S88: Yes), and this control is terminated, and the process returns to S21 of the multi-color print control.

Next, in the multi-color printing control, if the number of colors N is 1
When the number of colors N is not "1" and the printing is not the final printing (S17: No), S18 to S21 are repeatedly executed. Then, when the number N of colors becomes "1" and the last printing is performed (S17: Yes), the final color printing processing / cutting processing control (see FIG. 25) is executed (S17).
twenty two).

In this control, the front margin amount L is
The first case where the inter-cut distance Dcp is longer than the distance Dcp, the second case where the front margin amount L is smaller than the inter-print / cut distance Dcp, there is no idle feed amount, The tape cutting is performed while printing, in a third case where the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the fourth case is equal to or longer than the printing / cutting distance Dcp and a fourth case where the value is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp. become.

First, the first case will be described. When the front margin L is equal to or longer than the printing / cutting distance Dcp (S
90: Yes), the printing tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by the forward / cut distance Dcp by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44 (S91), the drive of the tape drive motor 44 is stopped, and the tape transfer is stopped. Is performed (S92). Next, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction and the tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation (see FIG. 15). A message prompting the user to cut the print tape 22 is displayed on the display 5 (S93). Then, when the print tape 22 is cut, the cut detection signal CS becomes “H” level, and the tape cut is detected (S94: Ye
s) Further, the printing tape 22 is transported in the feed direction T by the shortage of the front margin L (the front margin L-printing / cutting distance Dcp) (S95).

Next, when the printing start position of the printing in the final printing color this time is upstream of the printing start reference origin position of the label printing in the feeding direction T and the idle feeding amount exists (S
96: Yes), the tape drive motor 44 is driven to rotate forward,
The print tape 22 is transported in the transport direction T by the amount of the idle transport (S97). Next, characters and symbols are printed in the final print color based on the read dot image in the same manner as in S63 (S98). Next, in order to provide the rear margin amount L on the rear side of the print character string, the printing tape 22 is fed by a value obtained by adding the rear margin amount L to the printing / cutting distance Dcp by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44. Transported in the direction T (S9
9) Then, when the tape drive motor 44 is slightly rotated in the rewinding direction and the tip of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from below the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation, the printing tape 22 is turned off. A message prompting the disconnection of is displayed on the display 5 again (S100). Then, when the print tape 22 is cut, the cut detection signal CS becomes "H" level, and the tape cut is detected (S101:
Yes), ends this control, and returns to S10 of the multi-color printing control.

Next, the second case will be described. When the front margin L is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp and there is no idle feed (S90 / S102: No), the tape drive motor 44 is rotated forward. By driving, the print tape 22 is moved in the feed direction T by the front margin amount L (S103). Then, from S104 onward, the printing tape 22 is cut while performing the final printing process.

That is, the dot pattern data for one dot row is read from the print data buffer 125 and printed (S104), and the normal rotation of the tape drive motor 44 by the minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row. The printing tape 22 is transferred by driving (S105). Next, the tape transfer amount after the start of the final printing is determined by the printing / cutting distance D.
When smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the front margin L from cp, that is, when the cutting position (P position) has not reached the head position of the front margin L (S106: No), S10493 to S106 are repeatedly executed. You.

When the leading position of the front margin L reaches the cutting position (S106: Yes), printing and tape transfer are stopped (S107), and then the tape drive motor 44 is turned off.
Is slightly rotated in the rewind direction, and when the distal end of the cutting prohibition lever 84 is disengaged from the lower side of the cutting lever 82 to enable the cutting operation, a message prompting the cutting of the printing tape 22 is displayed. (S108
). Next, the printing tape 22 is cut by pressing the cutting knob 85, the cut detection signal CS becomes "H" level, and the tape cut is detected (S109: Yes).
The remaining print processing for printing the remaining dot pattern data is executed (S110), the trailing margin amount L is provided in S99 to S101, and the tape is cut. This control is terminated, and the process returns to S10. .

Next, the front margin amount L is the print / cut distance Dc.
If it is smaller than p, and there is an idle feeding amount and the value obtained by adding the leading margin amount L to the idle feeding amount is the third case of not less than the print / cut distance Dcp (S90: No, S102 and S111:
Yes), the tape is cut after the tape is transported (S112 to S115) in the same manner as in S91 to S94, and the printing tape 22 is further reduced by the shortage of the front margin L (the front margin L + the empty feed amount-the printing / cutting distance Dcp). Is transferred in the feed direction T (S116).
). Then, S98 and the subsequent steps are executed, the printing process is executed with the final color, the rear margin amount L is provided, and the tape is cut. This control is terminated, and the process returns to S10.

On the other hand, the front margin amount L is the printing / cutting distance Dc.
If it is smaller than p, and there is an idle feed amount and the value obtained by adding the front margin amount L to the idle feed amount is smaller than the printing / cutting distance Dcp for the fourth time (S90: No, S102: Yes, S11)
1: No), the print tape 22 is transferred in the feed direction T by a feed amount obtained by adding the idle feed amount to the front margin amount L (S117).
Then, dot pattern data for one dot row is read out from the print data buffer 125 and subjected to printing processing (S
118), only the minute feed amount corresponding to the one dot row,
The printing tape 2 is driven by the forward rotation of the tape drive motor 44.
2 is transferred (S119).

Next, when the tape transfer amount after the start of the last printing is smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the feed amount obtained by adding the idle feed amount to the front margin amount L from the print / cut distance Dcp, that is, If the cutting position (P position) has not reached the leading position of the front margin L (S120: No), S118 to S12
0 is repeatedly executed. When the leading position of the front margin amount L reaches the cutting position (S120: Yes), S
107 and subsequent steps are executed, the front margin amount L and the rear margin amount L are provided, respectively, and the tape is cut. The control is terminated, and the process returns to S10. For example, as shown in FIG.
For the input text "Aka Midori Kuro", a tape-shaped character string "Aka" is printed in red, the character string "Midori" is green, and the character string "Kuro" is printed in black, with the front and rear margins L provided respectively. The label 22A is obtained.

Next, the operation of the multicolor printing control will be described.

After the text is input, the number of print colors N
A print color order setting process for setting the color order is executed.
Further, a process of setting a print target range for each print color for printing in a plurality of colors is executed. Then, after the ribbon cassette 30 of the ribbon color R similar to the first print color C is mounted, the print processing is performed by controlling the drive of the thermal head 12 and the tape drive motor 44. Then, each time the ribbon cassette 30 is replaced and each printing process is completed, the printing tape rewinding process is executed.

That is, when the print tape 22 is rewound, except when the release operation of the head release mechanism 70 is detected based on the cover open / close signal VS from the cover open / close detection switch 102, the tape / ribbon transport mechanism 40, while the cassette cover 3 is opened, the head release mechanism 70 is released, the ribbon cassette 30 is removed, and the print tape 22 is rewound and transferred. When not prohibited, print tape 2
The rewinding transfer is executed to the vicinity of the printing start position of No. 2.

As described above, the head release mechanism 70
Since the release operation is performed by the manual operation of the cassette cover 3 instead of the release operation by the head release drive mechanism or the like, one of the thermal head 12 and the platen roller 65 is released to the other. And cost can be reduced.

Further, unless the release of the head release mechanism 70 is detected based on the cover opening / closing signal VS in which the operation state of the head release mechanism 70 is detected, the rewind transfer of the print tape 22 is prohibited. When one of the ribbon cassettes 30 is selectively mounted in order to accommodate the ink ribbons 32 of a plurality of colors and sequentially print in a plurality of colors, the head release mechanism 70 is released. Since the print tape 22 cannot be rewound until the ribbon cassette 30 is removed, the ink ribbon 32 transferred in synchronization with the print tape 22 is not rewound, and the ribbon cassette of the ink ribbon 32 is not rewound. The entanglement in the inside 30 can be prevented.

When the print tape 22 is rewound, the leading end of the print tape 22 is detected by switching from the presence of the tape to the absence of the tape based on the tape detection signal TS from the tape detection sensor 91. Or an operation member for releasing the head release mechanism 70 is provided separately, the cover open / close detection switch 102 is configured by various sensors such as a photo interrupter, or the head is configured to release the thermal head 12 from the platen roller 65. Within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, such as constituting the release mechanism 70, various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment based on existing technology or technology obvious to those skilled in the art. Various tape-like labeling devices, such as a printer-type tape-type label producing device that receives text print data from an external device such as a computer connected online and sequentially replaces a plurality of ribbon cassettes having different ribbon colors to perform multicolor printing. Of course, the present invention can be applied to a label producing apparatus.

[0108]

As described above, according to the tape-like label producing apparatus of the first aspect, there is provided a tape transport mechanism, printing means including a print head and a platen, and control means, and further comprising a head release. A mechanism, an operating member, an operating state detecting means, and a rewind inhibiting means are provided, and the head release mechanism is released by a manual operation of the operating member instead of being released by a head release driving mechanism, Since one of the print head and the platen is released with respect to the other, the size and cost of the label producing apparatus can be reduced.

Further, the tape is prohibited from being rewound and transported except when the release of the head release mechanism is detected based on a detection signal which has detected the operation state of the head release mechanism. In this case, since the tape cannot be rewound until the head release mechanism is released and the ribbon cassette is removed, the ink ribbon transported in synchronization with the tape is not rewound. The entanglement of the ink ribbon in the ribbon cassette can be prevented.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the second aspect, the tape transport mechanism, the plurality of ribbon cassettes,
A print unit including a print head and a platen; a control unit; and a head release mechanism, an operation member, an operation state detection unit, and a rewind inhibiting unit. The release operation is performed by manual operation of the operation member instead of the release operation, and one of the print head and the platen is released to the other, so that the label producing apparatus can be reduced in size and cost. .

Further, the tape is prohibited from being rewound and transported except when the release of the head release mechanism is detected based on the detection signal which has detected the operation state of the head release mechanism. In order to accommodate each and print sequentially in a plurality of colors, when one of the ribbon cassettes is selectively mounted, the tape is released until the head release mechanism is released and the ribbon cassette is removed. Cannot be rewound, the ink ribbon transported in synchronization with the tape is not rewound, and the ink ribbon can be prevented from being entangled in the ribbon cassette.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first or second aspect can be obtained. However, since the operation member is a cassette cover of the label production device, the operation member can be improved. Without separately providing
By opening the cassette cover to remove the ribbon cassette, the head release mechanism can be released.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect can be obtained, but the rewind inhibiting means transfers the tape in the rewinding direction by the tape transport mechanism. When the head release mechanism is released, the rewind control means for causing the tape transport mechanism to rewind the tape to the tape printing start position is provided when the head release mechanism is not released. Only the tape can be rewound to the printing start position for the next printing.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the same effect as that of the fourth aspect is obtained, but the tape detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the tape near the end of the tape transport path of the tape transport mechanism is provided. Since the rewind control means stops the rewinding of the tape when detecting the leading end of the tape from the detection signal of the tape detecting means, the rewinding of the tape to the next print start position can be automated.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the sixth aspect, the same effect as that of the fifth aspect is obtained, but since the tape detecting means is arranged downstream of the printing means in the tape feeding direction, the printing is performed. The leading end of the tape can be reliably detected without affecting printing by the head.

According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the seventh aspect, the same effect as in the sixth aspect can be obtained, but the rewinding control means determines that the detection signal of the tape detection means indicates that the tape is present. , The leading edge of the tape is detected, so that even when the tape is rewound at a high speed by the tape transport mechanism, the leading edge of the tape can be accurately detected and the tape rewound can be stopped accurately. . According to the tape-shaped label producing apparatus of the eighth aspect, the same effects as those of the first or second aspect can be obtained, but desired text can be inputted since the input means, the data storage means and the display means are provided. With
The input text can be stored or displayed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label producing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a thermal printing mechanism in a printing state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in a tape rewinding state.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tape cassette on which the ribbon cassette is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tape cassette.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inside of the ribbon cassette.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the ribbon cassette and the tape cassette.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ribbon cassette.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a drive system in a printing state of the thermal printing mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part of FIG. 9 showing a meshing relationship of gears.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a drive system in a tape rewinding state of the thermal printing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a main part when the cassette cover is closed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 12 when the cassette cover is opened.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the thermal printing mechanism showing the tape cutting mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a drive system of the thermal printing mechanism in a tape cutting permission state.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape-shaped label producing apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of a multicolor printing control routine.

FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of a print color sequence setting process control routine.

FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of a print target range setting process control routine for each color.

FIG. 20 is a schematic flowchart of a routine for controlling a remaining character string setting process for a final print color.

FIG. 21 is a schematic flowchart of a print start process control routine.

FIG. 22 is a schematic flowchart of a set color printing process control routine.

FIG. 23 is a schematic flowchart of a print tape rewinding process control routine.

FIG. 24 is a schematic flowchart of a print start alignment control routine;

FIG. 25 is a schematic flowchart of a final color printing processing / cutting processing control routine.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a print position (P position), a tape cutting position (C position), and a tape detection position (S position).

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration in a text memory.

28A is an explanatory diagram of a print start reference origin position on a tape, FIG. 28B is an explanatory diagram when the tape is advanced by a front margin amount, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of tape feed by an amount.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a tape-shaped label printed in three colors of red, green, and black.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape-shaped label producing device 4 Keyboard 3 Cassette cover 5 Liquid crystal display 10 Thermal printing mechanism 12 Thermal head 20 Tape cassette 22 Printing tape 30 Ribbon cassette 32 Ink ribbon 40 Tape / ribbon transfer mechanism 44 Tape drive motor 65 Platen roller 70 Head release mechanism 71 release lever 102 cover open / close detection switch 110 CPU 112 ROM 120 RAM 121 text memory CD controller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Jun Sugimoto Brother Industries, Ltd. 15-1, Nashiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi (72) Inventor Takashi Horiuchi 15-1 Brothers Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Inside the corporation

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A tape transport mechanism for selectively transporting a tape as a print medium in a feed direction and a rewind direction, a print head for printing characters and symbols on the tape, and a platen opposed to the print head. A printing means including a printing means including a printing means and a control means for controlling printing, a head release mechanism for releasing one of the print head and the platen to the other, and manually controlling the head release mechanism. An operation member for performing a release operation by an operation, an operation state detection means for detecting an operation state of the head release mechanism, and a time when the release of the head release mechanism is detected from a detection signal of the operation state detection means, Rewind inhibiting means for inhibiting the control means from rewinding and transporting the tape by a tape transport mechanism. Tape-shaped label producing apparatus that. 2. A tape transport mechanism for selectively transporting a tape as a print medium in a feed direction and a rewind direction, and a tape transport mechanism for accommodating a plurality of color ink ribbons and printing sequentially in a plurality of colors. A plurality of ribbon cassettes that are selectively mounted detachably, a printing unit that includes a print head that prints characters and symbols on a tape, and a platen that faces the print head,
In a tape-shaped label producing apparatus having control means for controlling printing, a head release mechanism for releasing one of the print head and the platen to the other, and manually releasing the head release mechanism. An operating member for detecting an operation state of the head release mechanism, and an operation state detection means for detecting the release of the head release mechanism from a detection signal of the operation state detection means. A tape rewind prohibition means for prohibiting rewind transfer of the tape by the tape transfer mechanism. 3. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is a cassette cover of the label producing apparatus. 4. A rewind for causing the tape transport mechanism to rewind the tape to a print start position of the tape when the rewind inhibiting means does not inhibit the tape transport mechanism from transporting the tape in the rewind direction. 3. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control unit is provided in the control unit. 5. A tape detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a tape near the end of a tape transfer path of the tape transfer mechanism, wherein the rewinding control means detects a leading end of the tape from a detection signal of the tape detecting means. 5. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein rewinding of the tape is stopped. 6. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the tape detecting means is arranged downstream of the printing means in a tape feeding direction. 7. The tape rewind control means according to claim 6, wherein the detection signal of the tape detection means changes from a signal indicating that a tape is present to a signal indicating that no tape is present, thereby detecting the leading end of the tape. Tape labeling equipment. 8. An electronic apparatus comprising: input means for inputting characters, symbols, and various instructions; data storage means for storing input text data; and display means including a display. 3. The tape-shaped label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.