WO2000062271A1

WO2000062271A1 - Printing tape and tape cartridge therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2000062271A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/002371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masao Akaiwa; Hideki Sakano; Akira Hashimoto
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
Priority date: 1999-04-13
Filing date: 2000-04-12
Publication date: 2000-10-19
Also published as: JP2000289312A; CN1313979A; HK1040562A1

Abstract

A printing tape capable of being pasted positively to the uneven pasting surface of an adherend with a good compatibility and prevented, when wound around a tubular body, from being overlapped at the ends thereof to conceal a printed portion, and a tape cartridge therefor. The printing tape consists of a shape memory member, which, when heated to temperatures higher than room temperature, is deformed into a pre-stored shape. The shape memory member of the printing tape is so formed as to have a flat strip shape at room temperature and to be deformed into an arc shape in section with respect to the tape width after heated, whereby the tape can be pasted to a tubular object of pasting in a good wound condition by being heated after pasted to the object.

Description

Description Printing tapes and their tape cartridges

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a printing tape used in a tape printing apparatus and a tape cartridge accommodating the printing tape. Background art

The tape printing device mounts a tape cartridge containing a printing tape inside the device, prints desired characters and figures input by key operation on the printing tape fed from the tape cartridge, Labels can be made by cutting the printed portion of the printing tape into predetermined lengths. An adhesive layer is provided on the back surface of the printing tape, and the printed tape can be attached to a target adherend via the adhesive layer.

However, in such a conventional printing tape, a base layer is provided on the back surface side of the printing surface in order to maintain a predetermined shape, and the flexibility of the base layer provides the printing tape. The tape can be applied to uneven parts of the adherend, for example, curved surfaces. However, even though the base material layer is flexible, it has a certain amount of elasticity because it needs to maintain its shape. When attached to the outer periphery of such a device, there is a problem that the end portion is easily peeled off due to a repulsive force.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a printing tape and a tape tape cartridge capable of ensuring the adherence of a non-flat adherend to a surface to be adhered and improving its adherence. It is in. Disclosure of the invention

The invention of the printing tape of claim 1 is characterized in that the printing tape is formed of a shape memory member that is deformed into a previously stored shape by heating to a temperature higher than room temperature. this According to this configuration, the memory shape of the shape memory member is formed in advance along the non-flat attaching surface of the adherend to be attached, for example, a printing tape cut into a label shape By heating the (printed tape), it can be deformed into a memorized shape, and its adherence to the surface to be adhered can be improved so that it can be securely applied. Therefore, although the tape has its own shape-retaining property, an unreasonable elastic force is not generated in the pasted state, so that there is no need to worry about the end part being peeled off. At this time, since the tape itself has flexibility, the memory shape of the shape memory member only needs to be a shape close to the sticking surface of the adherend, and the sticking surface shape of the object to be stuck. Can have versatility. In addition, by keeping the printing tape in a flat shape at normal temperature, it can be formed into a shape that is easy to handle and print at the time of storage and printing.

Preferably, the memory shape is an arc-shaped cross section in the width direction of the tape. According to this configuration, when the adherend has a cylindrical shape, the width direction of the tape which becomes a cross-sectional arc shape when the printed tape is heated is along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, so that the tape length direction Can be attached along the axial direction of the cylindrical body. Accordingly, since the short width direction of the tape surrounds the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, it is possible to prevent the side end portions in the width direction from overlapping with each other or reduce the amount of overlap, thereby preventing the printed portion from being hidden.

Preferably, the tape is folded twice at room temperature in the tape width direction. According to this configuration, the tape is folded twice in the width direction at room temperature, so the width dimension is halved in this folded state, and the thickness when this is wound is reduced to make the tape printing device compact. Can be accommodated. Then, after printing on the folded tape to produce a printed tape, the printed tape is heated so that no folds are formed and the tape is deformed into an arc-shaped cross-section in the width direction and covered. It can follow the curved surface of the body.

Preferably, the memory shape is spiral. According to this configuration, the tape is spirally deformed by heating, so that the state of being wound around the outer periphery of the cylindrical body becomes a spiral, and it is possible to prevent the longitudinal ends of the tape from overlapping each other. There is no need to limit the length of the tape.

Preferably, perforations for cutting are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tape. According to this configuration, the printed tape is easily cut from the perforation. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the tape cutter from the tape printing apparatus and to make the configuration of the entire apparatus simple and compact. The length of the printed tape can be set arbitrarily by selecting the number of intervals of the perforation for the tape cutting position.

Preferably, the shape memory member has heat shrinkability. According to this configuration, the printed tape is attached to the adherend and heated, thereby deforming into a predetermined memory shape and simultaneously heat shrinking to improve the adhesion to the adherend. It is possible to further ensure the adhesiveness of the adhesive.

Preferably, a base layer having a printing surface on the front side and an adhesive layer provided on the back side of the base layer are provided, and the base layer is formed of a shape memory member. According to this configuration, in the printed tape, the base layer formed of the shape memory member can be easily attached to the adherend via the adhesive layer. Then, by heating the tape in this state, the base material layer is deformed into a predetermined memory shape and adheres to the non-flat attaching surface of the adherend, so that the adhesive property is improved.

Preferably, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is composed of a heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive. According to this configuration, the adhesive layer does not exhibit an adhesive force at room temperature, and in this state, the tape is applied to the adherend and heated, so that the base material layer is deformed into a predetermined memory shape and adhered. The tape can be securely adhered to the adhesive layer while the adhesive layer is in close contact with the non-flat adhesive surface. The heat-sensitive adhesive includes a thermoplastic adhesive and a thermosetting adhesive.

Preferably, a part of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive part for temporary bonding, which has adhesive properties at room temperature. According to this configuration, since the printed tape can be positioned and temporarily fixed to the adherend by the adhesive portion of the adhesive layer, the heating of the tape is facilitated, and the tape is pressed by hand. Since there is no need, the entire tape can be heated evenly.

The invention of the tape cartridge of claim 10 is characterized in that any one of the printing tapes having the above-mentioned configurations is accommodated in a cartridge case so as to be able to be fed out. By mounting the tape cartridge having this configuration on the tape printer, the printing tape having the above-described configuration can be easily set on the tape printer, and the curved surface portion It is possible to supply a printing tape with improved adhesiveness to a printing tape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape printer using the printing tape of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a tape cartridge accommodating the printing tape of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing the printing tape of the present invention together with a thermal head and an ink ribbon.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the printing tape of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the printing tape of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the printing tape of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the printing tape of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a printing tape and a tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing tape and its tape cartridge are used in a tape printing device, and print (print) desired characters and figures on a printing tape mounted in the device via a tape cartridge. A label is produced by cutting a printed portion of a printing tape into a predetermined length.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the tape printer in an open state. As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1 has an outer shell formed by an upper and lower two-part device case 2 and a device case. A keyboard 3 having various input keys 3a is arranged on the front upper surface of 2, and an opening / closing lid 4 is arranged on the rear upper surface. A cartridge mounting portion 7 for mounting the display 5 and the tape cartridge 6 is recessed inside the opening / closing lid 4, and the tape cartridge 6 is attached to / detached from the cartridge mounting portion 7 with the opening / closing lid 4 opened. You. In addition, the opening / closing lid 4 is formed with a viewing window 4 a for viewing the display 5 in a state where the lid is closed.

On the left side of the device case 2, there is a tape connecting the cartridge mounting portion 7 and the outside of the device. The tape discharge port 8 is formed, and a tape cutter (not shown) for cutting the sent out printing tape 10 faces the tape discharge port 8. Then, the printed printing tape 10 is sent out from the tape outlet 8, and the printing tape 10 is cut by a tape cutter.

On the other hand, the cartridge mounting portion 7 includes a thermal head 12 having a heating element covered with a head cover 11, a platen drive shaft 13 facing the thermal head 12, and an ink ribbon 1 described later. Eight winding drive shafts 14 and positioning projections 15 of a tape reel 17 described later. Although not shown, a tape feed mechanism for rotating the platen drive shaft 13 and the take-up reel drive shaft 14 is built in the lower side of the cartridge mounting portion 7.

The cross section of the tape cartridge 6 is shown in Fig. 2.The tape reel 17 with the printing tape 10 wound around the upper central part inside the cartridge case 16 and the ink ribbon 18 around the lower right part. A ribbon hole 19 is accommodated therein, and a through hole 20 for insertion into the head cover 11 is formed in a lower left portion thereof. Further, a platen roller 21 fitted to the platen drive shaft 13 and driven to rotate is disposed corresponding to a portion where the printing tape 10 and the ink ribbon 18 overlap. On the other hand, a ribbon take-up reel 22 is arranged close to the ribbon reel 19, and the ink ribbon 18 fed out from the ribbon reel 19 is arranged so as to go around the head cover 11 to take up the ribbon. The reel 22 can be wound up. The ribbon take-up reel 22 is fitted to the take-up reel drive shaft 14 and driven to rotate.

When the tape cartridge 6 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7, the through hole 20 in the head cover 11, the center hole of the tape reel 17 in the positioning projection 15, and the platen roller 2 1 in the platen drive shaft 13 The center hole of the ribbon take-up reel 22 is inserted into the take-up drive shaft 14 so that the printing tape 10 and the ink ribbon 18 can be fed. When the cover 4 is closed in this state, the tape 10 and the ink ribbon 18 are sandwiched, and the thermal head 12 contacts the platen roller 21 to enable printing.

The printing tape 10 is unreeled from the tape reel 17 and the ink ribbon 18 is The paper is fed from the ribbon reel 19, overlaps with the printing tape 10, runs in parallel, and is wound on the ribbon winding reel 22. That is, when the platen roller 21 and the ribbon take-up reel 22 rotate synchronously, the printing tape 10 and the ink ribbon 18 are simultaneously sent, and the thermal head 1 is synchronized with these. Printing is performed by driving 2.

When the tape printer 1 is used, first, a tape cartridge 6 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 7, and printing information such as desired characters is input using the keys 3 a of the keyboard 3, and at the same time, the display 5 is used. Edit while checking the input result. Next, when printing is instructed by the keyboard 3, the tape feed mechanism is driven to feed out the printing tape 10 from the tape cartridge 6, and at the same time, the thermal head 12 is driven to make the desired printing tape 10. Print. The printed portion of the printing tape 10 is sent out from the tape outlet 8 to the outside at any time in parallel with the printing operation. In this way, when the desired printing is completed, the tape feeding mechanism stops the feeding operation. Then, by operating a cutter button (not shown), the tape cutter operates to cut the printing tape 10 into a desired length.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the printing tape 10 of the present embodiment. The printing tape 10 has a base layer 1 on which an image receiving layer 100 that can be printed by a thermal transfer method is laminated. The adhesive layer 102 and a release paper layer 103 formed of a high quality paper (PE laminating type) or the like are sequentially laminated on the back surface of the base layer 101. In the drawing, a state in which the thermal head 12 and the ink ribbon 18 are arranged on the printing tape 10 is shown. The ink ribbon 18 is formed by laminating a back coat layer 104, a base material layer 105, and an ink layer 106 in this order from the thermal head 12 side. By heating 18, the ink layer 106 in the heated portion is once melted and separated, and the separated pieces 106 a adhere to the surface of the image receiving layer 100 of the printing tape 10. Printed.

The printing tape 10 of the present embodiment is to be adhered to, for example, an adherend having a circular cross section of an electric cable, and is heated to a temperature higher than room temperature to be deformed into a previously stored shape. It is composed of a memory member. That is, as described above, the printing tape 10 includes the image receiving layer 100, the base layer 101, the adhesive layer 102, and the release paper layer 103. However, the base material layer 101 retains the shape of the entire tape. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the entire shape of the printing tape 10 is determined by forming the base material layer 101 with a resin-based or metal-based shape memory member. The resin-based shape memory member is preferably a thermoplastic plastic crystalline plastic. More specifically, polyethylene, polypropylene, fluororesin, polyamide, polyacetal, saturated polyester and the like are used.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the memory shape of the printing tape 10, in which (a) shows the shape at normal temperature and (b) shows the memory shape after heating. That is, the shape memory member 101 of the printing tape 10 is formed in a flat band shape as shown in (a) at room temperature, while the heating is performed as shown in (b) at normal temperature. Deforms into a circular cross section in the width W direction. The printing tape 10 is printed by the tape printer 1 and, when cut into a predetermined length, is obtained as a flat shape as shown in FIG. 4 (a). When the printing tape 10 is heated by a drier or the like, the printing tape 10 is deformed into an arc-shaped cross section in the width W direction as shown in FIG. At this time, the arc-shaped curvature is set in advance so as to be along the circumferential direction of a cylindrical body (not shown) as an adherend. Then, the release paper layer 103 on the back side is peeled off to expose the adhesive layer 102, and when the length L direction of the printing tape 10 is applied along the axial direction of the cylindrical body, the printing tape 1 It is stuck in a close contact state so that the width W direction of 0 surrounds the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. Therefore, since the short width W direction of the printing tape 10 surrounds the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, the side portions in the width direction are prevented from overlapping with each other, or the overlapping portion is reduced so that the printed portion 107 is hidden. Can be prevented.

Also, in this case, a case is disclosed in which after the printing tape 10 is deformed into a memory shape set in advance by heating, the peeling layer 103 is peeled off and attached to an adherend. Instead, it can be deformed into a memory shape by heating after it is attached to the adherend at room temperature, that is, in a flat shape. In any case, the shape memory member constituting the base material layer 101 is deformed by heating and adheres to the curved surface of the adherend in any case. Properties can be significantly improved. Further, in the printing tape 10 of the present embodiment, the adhesive layer 102 and the release paper layer With the provision of 103, the printing tape 10 can be easily attached to the adherend by simply peeling off the release paper layer 103. However, these adhesive layer 102 and release paper layer 103 are not necessarily required.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the memory shape of the shape memory member constituting the base material layer 101 is formed in advance along the curved surface of the adherend to be pasted, so that the printed shape is obtained. By heating the printing tape 10, it is deformed into a shape along the curved surface of the adherend, and the adherence to the curved surface portion is improved, and the tape can be securely adhered. Therefore, despite the fact that the printing tape 10 has its own shape-retaining property, no excessive elastic force is generated in the pasted state, so that there is no need to worry about peeling of the end portion. In the present embodiment, since the printing tape 10 itself has flexibility, the memory shape of the shape storage member may be any shape close to the curved surface of the adherend. The versatility can be given to the curved shape of the object. Further, since the printing tape 10 keeps a flat shape at room temperature, it can be housed in a compact in a wound state in the tape cartridge 6.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the memory shape of the printing tape 10, wherein (a) shows the shape at normal temperature and (b) shows the memory shape after heating. That is, in this embodiment, the printing tape 10 is configured to be folded twice in the tape width direction at room temperature as shown in (a). Also, in this embodiment, after heating as in the above embodiment,

As shown in (b), the printing tape 10 is deformed into an arc-shaped cross section in the width direction. In this embodiment, since the printing tape 10 is folded twice in the width direction at room temperature, the width in this folded state becomes half (WZ 2). Then, after printing on the printing tape 10 folded in this way to produce a printed printing tape 10, the printing tape 10 is heated so that the folds are eliminated and the width is reduced. It is possible to follow the curved surface portion of the adherend by deforming into a circular arc cross section in the direction. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the memory shape of the printing tape 10, in which (a) shows the shape at room temperature and (b) shows the memory shape after heating. That is, the shape memory member 101 of the printing tape 10 is formed in a flat band shape as shown in (a) at normal temperature, and deforms into a spiral shape as shown in (b) after heating.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the printing tape 10 is spirally deformed by heating. Therefore, the state of being wound around the outer periphery of the cylindrical body becomes a spiral shape, and it is possible to prevent the longitudinal ends of the printing tape 10 from overlapping each other. This eliminates the need to limit the length of the printing tape 10, and prevents the printed portion 107 from being hidden even if the length L is a length that winds the outer periphery of the cylindrical body a plurality of times. can do.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the memory shape of the printing tape 10, wherein (a) shows the shape at room temperature and (b) shows the memory shape after heating. In other words, in this embodiment, perforations 108 for cutting are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the printing tape 10, and this embodiment is applied to the embodiment shown in FIG. Is shown. In other words, the shape memory member 101 of the printing tape 10 is formed in a flat band shape as shown in FIG. 7 (a) at room temperature, while it is shown in FIG. 7 (b) after heating. Thus, the printing tape 10 is deformed into an arc-shaped cross section in the width W direction.

The printing tape 10 of this embodiment can be easily cut from the perforations 108 after printing is completed, so that the tape printer 1 does not need to be provided with a tape cutter, and The configuration of the entire device 1 can be made simple and compact. The length of the printed printing tape 10 can be set arbitrarily by selecting the number of intervals of the perforations 108 according to the printing length as the cutting position of the printing tape 10. .

By the way, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the base material layer 101 of the printing tape 10 is formed of a shape memory member and the shape memory member is deformed into various shapes by heating is disclosed. It is desirable that the layer 101 be formed of a member having heat shrinkability in addition to the shape memory function.

By providing the shape memory member with heat shrinkability as described above, the printed tape 10 is heated while being attached to the adherend so that the printing tape 10 is deformed into a predetermined memory shape and simultaneously heated. By contracting, the adhesion to the curved surface of the adherend can be improved. For this reason, the adhesiveness to the curved surface portion of the printing tape 10 can be further ensured.

Further, it is desirable that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 102 be formed of a heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive such as thermoplastic or thermosetting. That is, this thermoplastic pressure-sensitive adhesive does not have adhesive properties at room temperature, but has the property of exhibiting adhesive properties only when heated to a predetermined temperature. In this embodiment, the adhesive layer 102 does not exhibit an adhesive force at room temperature, and does not require the release paper layer 103. For this reason, when the printing tape 10 is applied to the adherend, the printing tape 10 can be freely moved, so that the positioning and the like can be accurately performed. After the positioning of the printing tape 10 as described above, the printing tape 10 is pressed and heated, whereby the base material layer 101 is deformed into a predetermined memory shape and covered. thermal together, further _c stuck force to viscous adhesive layer 1 0 2 can be reliably adhered to the printing tape 1 0 occurs, thus the adhesive layer 1 0 2 in close contact with the curved surface of the adherend In the case where the adhesive layer is made to be adhesive, it is desirable to provide an adhesive portion for temporary attachment having adhesive properties at room temperature on a part of the adhesive layer 102. For example, the adhesive portion is distributed linearly or in a dotted manner over the entire area of the adhesive layer 102.

In the printing tape 10 of this embodiment, the printing tape 10 is simply temporarily fixed by the temporary bonding adhesive portion when the printing tape 10 is adhered to the adherend via the adhesive layer 102. be able to. Therefore, it is not necessary to hold the printing tape 10 by hand, and the heating operation of the printing tape 10 can be performed safely and easily.

The tape cartridge 6 of the present embodiment is configured such that any one of the printing tapes 10 is housed in a cartridge case 16 so as to be able to be fed out, as shown in FIG. It is used by being detachably set to the tape printer 1. By attaching the tape cartridge 6 containing the printing tape 10 to the tape printer 1 in this manner, the tape cartridge 6 has the functions described in the above embodiments, and has a high adhesiveness to a curved surface portion. A printing tape 10 can be produced.

Also, a case has been disclosed where the memory shape of the shape memory member constituting the base material layer 101 is set to an arc shape assuming that the adherend is a cylindrical body. Can be formed along the shape of the non-flat sticking surface, for example, a waveform or a chevron. Materials for printing tape 10 include luminous materials, transparent materials, flame-retardant materials, antistatic materials, rodent repellent materials mixed with pepper, etc., and materials with a thermosetting adhesive applied to the inner surface. Is more preferable. Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the printing tape and the tape cartridge of the present invention, By using a shape memory member and matching the memory shape to the sticking surface in advance, it is suitable for preventing sticking of the end portion and ensuring sticking. Also suitable for sticking on curved surfaces.

Claims

Range of request

1. A printing tape comprising a shape memory member that is deformed into a previously stored shape when heated to a temperature higher than room temperature.

2. The printing tape according to claim 1, wherein the memory shape is an arc-shaped cross section in the width direction of the tape.

3. The printing tape according to claim 2, wherein the printing tape is double-folded at room temperature in the tape width direction.

4. The printing tape according to claim 1, wherein the memory shape is a spiral shape.

5. The printing tape according to claim 1, wherein perforations for cutting are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

6. The printing tape according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory member has heat shrinkability.

7. A base layer having a printing surface on the front side, and an adhesive layer provided on the back side of the base layer,

The printing tape according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is formed of a shape memory member.

8. The printing tape according to claim 7, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is composed of a heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive.

9. The printing tape according to claim 8, wherein a part of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive portion for temporary bonding having a bonding property at room temperature.

10. A tape cartridge containing the printing tape described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 so as to be able to be fed out. Scope of request for amendment

[September 11, 2000 (1.09.00) Accepted by the International Bureau: Claims originally filed 2-4 were withdrawn; Claims originally filed

1, 5, 8, 1 1—14 amended; new claims

6, 7, 9 and 10 have been added. (2 pages)]

1. (After correction) A printing tape composed of a shape memory member that deforms into a previously stored shape by heating to a temperature higher than room temperature, wherein the memory shape is a spiral shape. Printing tapes.

2. (Delete)

3. (Delete)

4. (Delete)

5. (After correction) A printing tape composed of a shape memory member that deforms to a shape stored in advance by heating it to a temperature higher than room temperature, for cutting at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tape. A printing tape, characterized in that a perforation is formed.

6. (Addition) The printing tape according to claim 5, wherein the memory shape is an arc-shaped cross section in the width direction of the tape.

7. (Addition) The printing tape according to claim 6, wherein the printing tape is double-folded at room temperature in a tape width direction.

8. (After correction) A printing tape composed of a shape memory member that deforms into a previously stored shape by heating to a temperature higher than room temperature, wherein the shape memory member has heat shrinkability. Characteristic printing tape.

9. (Addition) The printing tape according to claim 8, wherein the memory shape is an arc-shaped cross section in the width direction of the tape.

10. (Addition) The printing tape according to claim 9, wherein the printing tape is double-folded at room temperature in the width direction of the tape.

1 1. (After correction) A base layer having a printed surface on the front side, and an adhesive layer provided on the back side of the base layer,

12. (After correction) The printing tape according to claim 11, wherein the adhesive layer is composed of a heat-sensitive adhesive.

Amended paper (Article 19 of the Convention)

1 3. (After Correction) The printing tape according to claim 12, wherein a part of the adhesive layer is provided with an adhesive portion for temporary attachment having an adhesive property at room temperature.

14. (After amendment) A tape force characterized in that the printing tape described in claims 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, or 13 is accommodated in a payable manner. Tridge.

Corrected paper (Article 19 of the Convention)