JP2001088814A - Apparatus for thermal activation of thermally adhesive label, printer and method for thermal activation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for thermal activation of adhesiveness under heating in an arbitrary region of a thermally adhesive layer on a thermally adhesive label, and changing an adhesion of the label according to the thermally activated region. SOLUTION: A temperature in a heat-generating unit 15 is momentarily increased and decreased by ON/OFF operation of power supply to a thin film resistor provided on a base plate. Moreover, since the heat-generating unit 15 can be made to generate heat in a predetermined pattern by a heat-generating control means, adhesiveness in an arbitrary region of a thermally adhesive layer can be activated under heating, and the adhesive layer is partly made pasty to change an adhesion of a adhesion label 2 according to the thermally activated region. Thus, the label 2 can be used in such a way that it is stuck fast on an object to be stuck or it is stuck in an easily peelable state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for activating a heat-adhesive label which does not require a backing paper (liner paper) to be applied to an adhesive surface among adhesive recording papers. The present invention relates to a printer used and a method for activating a heat-adhesive label by heating.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a heat-adhesive label which has a heat-adhesive layer whose adhesiveness is heat-activated by heating as a label to be attached to various products and which does not require a liner paper to be applied to an adhesive surface. Has been proposed. Such a heat-adhesive label can save resources because there is no liner paper that remains as garbage after the label is issued, and can be used to store the heat-adhesive label in a roll. Since a space for paper is not required, the storage space can be saved, and there is no need to remove the liner paper at the time of affixing to a product.

[0003] As a heat activation device and a heat activation method for heat-activating the adhesiveness of a heat-adhesive layer, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-1573 discloses an apparatus and a method using hot air or infrared rays. JP-A-5-127598 describes an apparatus and a method using an electric heater or a dielectric coil, and JP-A-6-8977 describes an apparatus and a method using a microwave.
No. 8 describes an apparatus and a method using a xenon flash, and JP-A-7-164750 describes an apparatus and a method using a halogen lamp.

[0004] A heat activation device and a heat activation method for activating heat by bringing a heating means or a heat transfer medium heated by the heating means into contact with a thermal adhesive layer are also known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-37534 discloses an apparatus and a method for bringing a belt as a heat transfer medium heated by a heat heater as a heating means into contact with a thermal adhesive layer.
Japanese Patent No. 45132 discloses an apparatus and a method for bringing a heating drum as a heating means into contact with the heating drum.
No. 8 discloses an apparatus and a method for contacting a heating roll as a heating means.

[0005] Here, if the heat-adhesive layer is provided not in the entire surface of the heat-adhesive label but in an arbitrary area, the adhesive strength of the heat-adhesive label is changed according to partial gelatinization and the area. The heat-adhesive label can be firmly attached or used in a state where it can be easily peeled off.

However, it is troublesome to manufacture various types of heat-adhesive labels in which the area on which the heat-adhesive layer is provided differs depending on the purpose of use of the heat-adhesive label. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to use a heat-adhesive label manufactured for one purpose for another purpose.

In order to heat-activate the adhesiveness of the heat-adhesive layer of the heat-adhesive label, if only an arbitrary area of the heat-adhesive layer is heat-activated, the heat-adhesive layer is partially glued. The adhesive strength of the heat-adhesive label can be changed according to the area activated and heat-activated, and the heat-adhesive label can be firmly attached or used in an easily peelable state. It is considered possible.

[0008]

However, among the above-mentioned heat activating devices and heat activating methods, the heat activating device and the method for activating the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer with a hot air or a halogen lamp are not described. The temperature of the layer is reduced for a short time (for example,
(Several tens of milliseconds to several seconds), it is not possible to raise or lower it. Therefore, it is not possible to perform control to heat and activate an arbitrary region of the thermal adhesive layer as necessary.

Further, among the above-mentioned heat activating apparatus and heat activating method, an apparatus and a method for heat-activating the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer by using a heating means or a heat transfer medium which comes into contact with the thermal adhesive layer. In the above, since the heat capacity of the heating means and the heat transfer medium is large, these heating means and the heat transfer medium cannot be raised or lowered in a short time (for example, several tens of milliseconds to several seconds), Therefore, it is not possible to perform control to activate an arbitrary region of the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer by heating as needed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a heat-adhesive label in which the heat-activation of the heat-adhesive layer of the heat-adhesive layer is performed in an arbitrary area of the heat-adhesive layer, and the heat-adhesive layer is partially gelatinized and heat-activated. Heat-adhesive label heat activation device, printer, and heat activation device that changes the adhesive force of the heat-adhesive label according to the area of the heat-adhesive label so that the heat-adhesive label can be used in a state where the heat-adhesive label is firmly or easily peeled and used. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a conversion method.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a heat-adhesive label heat activation device that heats and activates the heat-adhesive layer provided on one side of the heat-adhesive label, a thin film resistor is placed on the substrate. The heat generating section includes a heating section provided with a body, and a heating activation section for bringing the heating section into contact with the thermal adhesive layer, and a heating control section for causing the heating section to generate heat in a predetermined pattern.

Therefore, when a current is applied to the thin-film resistor, the heat-generating portion generates heat, and the adhesiveness of the portion of the heat-adhesive layer that is in contact with the heat-generating portion is heat-activated, so that the heat-adhesive label can be coated on a product or the like. It will be possible to attach it to the attachment. In addition, since the temperature of the heat-generating portion in which the thin-film resistor is provided on the substrate rises and falls instantly by turning on and off the energization of the thin-film resistor, the heat-generating portion is controlled by the heat-generating control means in a predetermined pattern. By heat generation, the adhesive heat activation of the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can be performed in any area of the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is partially gelatinized and heat-activated according to the heat-activated area. The adhesive strength of the heat-adhesive label changes. As a result, the heat-adhesive label can be firmly attached to the object to be adhered or used in a state where it can be easily peeled off, and the adhesive force can be changed for each heat-adhesive sheet. Can be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the heat activation apparatus for a heat-sensitive adhesive label according to the first aspect, the heat activation means is a thermal head.

Therefore, the heat generation of the heat generating portion can be controlled with high precision by the heat generation control means, and the heat activation of the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer can be reliably performed in any area of the thermal adhesive layer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the thermal adhesive label heating activation apparatus according to the second aspect, the heat generating portion of the thermal head is provided at a near edge, a corner edge, or an end surface of the thermal head. I have.

Therefore, the heat-activated adhesive layer whose adhesiveness is activated by heat becomes difficult to come into contact with the thermal head, and the heat-activated thermal adhesive layer is transferred to the thermal head. Wrap around the thermal head is prevented.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the heat activation apparatus for a thermo-adhesive label according to the first, second or third aspect, a thermo-sensitive coloring layer is provided on the other surface of the self-adhesive label.

Accordingly, by controlling the heat generation of the heat generating portion on demand, a label with an arbitrary print can be obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the heat activation apparatus for a heat-sensitive adhesive label according to the fourth aspect, a heat insulating layer is provided between the heat-sensitive coloring layer and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer.

Therefore, the heat given from the heat generating portion for the heat activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is effectively used for the heat activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and the residual heat is used for the heat-sensitive coloring layer. To the heat-sensitive coloring layer during activation by heating.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printer for activating a heat-adhesive label according to any one of the fourth and fifth aspects, and heating the thermosensitive coloring layer provided on the heat-adhesive label. And a heating and coloring means for coloring.

Accordingly, in this printer, the heat-sensitive coloring layer of the heat-adhesive label is heated and colored by the heating and coloring means, and the adhesiveness of the heat-adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive label is heated and activated by the heat activating means. By heating and coloring the coloring layer, a heat-adhesive label on which predetermined items are printed can be attached to an object to be attached such as a product. At this time, by performing the heat activation of the adhesive of the thermal adhesive layer in an arbitrary area of the thermal adhesive layer, the thermal adhesive layer is partially gelatinized and heat-adhesive according to the heat-activated area. The adhesive force of the label changes, and the heat-adhesive label can be firmly adhered to an object to be adhered, or attached in a state where it can be easily peeled off.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat-adhesive label, wherein the heat-adhesive layer provided on one side of the heat-adhesive label is heated to thereby heat-activate the heat-adhesive layer. In the heat activation method, the heat-generating portion of the heat-activating means having a heat-generating portion provided with a thin-film resistor on a substrate is brought into contact with the heat-adhesive layer, and the heat-generating portion generates heat in a predetermined pattern. Thereby, the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer is heated and activated in a predetermined pattern.

Therefore, when a current is applied to the thin-film resistor, the heat-generating portion generates heat, and the adhesiveness of the portion of the heat-adhesive layer that is in contact with the heat-generating portion is heated and activated, so that the heat-adhesive label is coated on a product or the like. It will be possible to attach it to the attachment. Also, since the temperature of the heat generating portion of the heat generating portion having the thin film resistor provided on the substrate rises and falls instantly by turning on and off the energization of the thin film resistor, the heat generating portion should be heated in a predetermined pattern. The thermal activation of the adhesive of the thermal adhesive layer can be performed in any area of the thermal adhesive layer, and the thermal adhesive layer is partially gelatinized and the thermal adhesive label according to the heat-activated area. Of the adhesive changes. This makes it possible to apply the heat-adhesive label firmly to the object to be adhered or to use it in a state where it can be easily peeled off, and to change the adhesive strength for each heat-adhesive sheet. Can be done.

[0025]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
A description will be given based on FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a schematic structure of a printer 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a structure of a heat-adhesive label 2 used in the printer 1. The printer 1 is provided with a label holding unit 3 for holding a thermo-adhesive label 2 wound in a roll shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat-adhesive label 2 has a heat-sensitive adhesive layer 5 provided on one surface of a high-quality paper 4 as a support, and a heat-insulating layer 6 and a heat-sensitive coloring layer on the other surface of the high-quality paper 4. A layer 7 is provided. The thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 is a layer whose adhesiveness is heated and activated by being heated, and is adhered to an object to be pasted such as a product. This is the layer on which printing is performed.

The printer 1 has a heat-adhesive label 2
And a cutter 9 for cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive label 2 to a predetermined length.
And a heat activation device 10 for heat-activating the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5 of the thermal adhesive label 2.

The printing device 8 includes a thermal head 11 serving as a heating and coloring means for heating and coloring the thermosensitive coloring layer 7, a platen roller 12, which is rotatably driven with the thermal adhesive label 2 sandwiched between the thermal head 11 and the thermal head 11. Is formed by a control unit (not shown) for controlling the heat generation of the light emitting device.

The heat activation device 10 heats the heat-adhesive layer 5 to heat-activate the adhesive by heating the thermal head 13, which is a heat activation means. Platen roller 14 that is driven to rotate, heat generating portion 15 provided on thermal head 13
Is formed by heat generation control means (not shown) for controlling heat generation in a predetermined pattern. The heat generating portion 15 is formed by providing a thin film resistor on a ceramic substrate by a thin film technique and providing a protective film made of crystallized glass on the surface of the heat resistor. The heat generation control unit causes the heat generation unit 15 to generate heat in a predetermined pattern by switching the energization state to the heat generation resistor.

Here, the structure and material of the heat-adhesive label 2 will be described in detail. Note that “parts” and “%” shown in this embodiment and other embodiments are all based on weight. Each of the liquids described below was pulverized and dispersed by a ball mill, and the average particle diameter of the contained particles was 2.0 μm.
It was as follows. (Solution A) Dye dispersion 3-dibenzylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran 20 parts Polyvinyl alcohol 10% aqueous solution 20 parts Water 60 parts (Solution B) developer dispersion 4-hydroxyn-4 '-Isopropoxydiphenyl sulfone 10 parts Polyvinyl alcohol 10% aqueous solution 25 parts Calcium carbonate 15 parts Water 50 parts Mix and stir so that the weight ratio of the above-mentioned liquid A and liquid B becomes 1: 8, and heat-sensitive coating liquid (liquid C) ) Got. (D solution) Fine hollow particle dispersion (copolymer resin mainly composed of vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile having a solid content of 32%, an average particle diameter of 5 μm, and a hollowness of 92%) 30 parts Styrene / butadiene copolymer latex (solid (Part 47.5%) 5 parts Water 65 parts (D liquid) having the above composition was stirred and dispersed to prepare a non-foamable heat-insulating layer liquid, which was dried on the surface of woodfree paper 4 and weighed 5 g / m. ^By applying and drying to obtain No. ² , a non-foamable heat insulating layer 6 was formed.

After forming the heat insulating layer 6 on the surface of the high quality paper 4,
After drying (liquid C) on the heat insulating layer 6, the weight is 5 g / m ^2.
Coated and dried so that Beck smoothness is 600
A super calendering treatment was performed so that the heat-sensitive coloring layer was formed for about 700 seconds.

A heat insulating layer 6 and a thermosensitive coloring layer 7 are formed on the surface of the high quality paper 4.
Is formed on the back surface of the high-quality paper 4 with a heat-adhesive (dicyclohexyl phthalate 40% aqueous dispersion: 100 parts by weight, styrene / natural rubber graft copolymer 50% aqueous dispersion: 10).
0 parts by weight, a rosin ester (MP = 120 ° C.) 50% aqueous dispersion: 50 parts by weight) is dried and then coated and dried to a weight of 25 g / m ² to form a heat-adhesive layer 5 and heat-adhesive. Sex Label 2 was obtained.

In such a configuration, the heat-adhesive label 2 wound in a roll shape is held by the label holding section 3, and the platen rollers 12, 14 are driven to rotate at a constant peripheral speed.
The roll-shaped thermo-adhesive label 2 held by the label holding unit 3 is pulled and conveyed by the rotating platen roller 12 while being pressed against the thermal head 11, and is transferred by the thermal head 11 during the conveying process. 7 is printed with predetermined items. The printed thermo-adhesive label 2 is further conveyed, passes through the location of the cutter 9, is clamped between the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 14, and is cut by the cutter 9 after the clamping. The heat-adhesive label 2 cut by the cutter 9 is conveyed by the rotation of the platen roller 14 and, at the same time, is heated by the heat generating portion 1 of the thermal head 13.
5 is heated, and the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5 in contact with the heat generating portion 15 is activated by heating. Then, printing is performed on the thermosensitive coloring layer 7, the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5 is activated by heating, and the thermal adhesive label 2 cut to a predetermined length is discharged out of the printer 1. The heat-adhesive label 2 is attached to an object such as a product.

Here, the heat generating portion 15 of the thermal head 13
Is in contact with the thermal adhesive layer 5, the heat from the heat generating portion 15 is efficiently transmitted to the thermal adhesive layer 5, and the thermal activation of the adhesive property of the thermal adhesive layer 5 can be reliably performed. Further, in the thermal head 13, by turning on / off the energization of the thin film resistor, the heat generating portion 15 instantaneously raises the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5 to a temperature required for heat activation, Or
The tackiness can be instantaneously lowered to a temperature that does not heat activate. For this reason, it is not necessary to raise the temperature of the heat generating portion 15 to a temperature at which the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5 is heated and activated, and it is not necessary to keep the heat generating portion 15 on standby. Further, the thermal adhesive label 2 and the heat activation device 10 are not overheated, and the safety of the printer 1 is improved. Further, since the heat from the heat generating portion 15 is efficiently transmitted to the heat adhesive layer 5, the heat adhesive layer 5 is
Even when the thermo-adhesive label 2 brought into contact with 5 is moved at a high speed, the adhesive can be heated and activated, whereby
It is possible to prevent the thermal adhesive layer 5 whose adhesiveness has been heat-activated from being transferred to the heat generating portion 15, and to increase the speed of the adhesive heat activation, thereby increasing work efficiency.

Further, since the heat insulating layer 6 is provided between the high-quality paper 4 and the heat-sensitive coloring layer 7, the heat given to the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 5 from the heat generating portion 15 is transmitted to the heat-sensitive coloring layer 7. The heat can be prevented by the heat insulating layer 6, and the heat given from the heat generating portion 15 can be used more efficiently for the thermal activation of the adhesive property of the thermal adhesive layer 5. The coloring of the coloring layer 7 can be prevented. The heat insulating layer 6 may be provided between the high-quality paper 4 and the thermal adhesive layer 5.

In the heating activation device 10 of the present embodiment,
In addition to instantaneously raising the temperature of the heat generating portion 15 to a temperature required for heat-activating the adhesiveness of the heat-adhesive layer 5, or instantaneously lowering the adhesiveness to a temperature at which the heat-activated adhesive layer 5 is not heat-activated, The control unit can cause the heat generating unit 15 to generate heat in a predetermined pattern. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the adhesiveness can be heat-activated only in an arbitrary region of the thermal adhesive layer 5. This figure 3
In the figure, the hatched portion is the portion of the thermal adhesive layer 5 in which the adhesiveness is heat-activated. The direction indicated by the arrow is the transport direction of the thermo-adhesive label 2.

FIG. 3A shows a heat-adhesive label 2 in which the leading end portion in the transport direction is heated and activated in a stripe in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The width “X” of the heat activation is, for example, 8 mm. This heat-adhesive label 2
Is suitable for, for example, winding around a stick-shaped product and pasting it. FIG. 3 (b) shows that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the heat-adhesive label 2 in the transport direction are perpendicular to the transport direction.
It is a book that has been heated and activated in a stripe shape. FIG.
(C) is a heat-adhesive label 2 in which a leading end portion, a trailing end portion, and an intermediate portion thereof in the transport direction are heat-activated in three stripes in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. FIG.
In (d), the leading end portion and the trailing end portion of the heat-adhesive label 2 in the transport direction are heat-activated in two stripes in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and the stripe widths are made different. Things.

FIG. 4A shows an example in which one edge of the heat-adhesive label 2 along the transport direction is heat-activated in one stripe. FIG. 4B is a diagram in which the edges on both sides of the heat-adhesive label 2 along the transport direction are heat-activated in two stripes. FIG. 4 (c) shows the edges on both sides along the transport direction of the heat-adhesive label 2 and the center thereof at 3
It is a book that has been heated and activated in a stripe shape. FIG.
(D) heat-activates one edge and the center of the heat-adhesive label 2 along the transport direction into two stripes,
In addition, the widths of the stripes are different.

FIG. 5 (a) shows the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 5 of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 2 in which the adhesive property is heat-activated in a checkered pattern. This heat-adhesive label 2 is suitable, for example, when it is easy to peel it off from a product or the like. FIG. 5B shows the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 2 of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 2 in which the adhesive property is heat-activated in an elliptical polka dot pattern. FIG. 5C shows the heat-adhesive label 2
Is obtained by activating the adhesiveness of the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 by heating the letter "A" into a continuous shape. In the area “Y” where the adhesiveness is activated by heating, the adhesive strength increases from left to right.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted (the same applies to each of the following embodiments). In the present embodiment, a heat-adhesive label 2a having a heat-sensitive coloring layer 7 formed on the surface of the high-quality paper 4 and a heat-adhesive layer 5 formed on the back surface of the high-quality paper 4 is used. That is, the thermal adhesive label 2 described in the first embodiment is the same as the thermal adhesive label 2 except for the heat insulating layer 6, and the other points (the structure of the printing device 8, the heat activation device 10, etc.) are the same as those of the first embodiment. Same as the form.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the heat insulating layer 6
Except for the functions and effects of the first embodiment, the same functions and effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. In the present embodiment, first, the following component (solution E) was prepared. (Solution E) Silica 10 parts Polyvinyl alcohol 10% aqueous solution 50 parts Water 40 parts After the heat insulating layer 6 and the thermosensitive coloring layer 7 are formed on the surface of the high quality paper 4, the (Solution E) is formed on the thermosensitive coloring layer 7. Was dried and applied so that the weight became 4 g / m ² , to form a protective layer 16. For this reason, the heat-adhesive label 2 of the present embodiment
b has a five-layer structure of a high-quality paper 4, a heat-adhesive layer 5, a heat-insulating layer 6, a heat-sensitive coloring layer 7, and a protective layer 16, and the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. .

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same functions and effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by forming the protective layer 16, the thermosensitive coloring layer 7 can be protected.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. In this embodiment, a near-edge type thermal head 13a is used instead of the thermal head 13 shown in FIG. The other points are the same as the first embodiment. Here, the near-edge type thermal head 13a is one in which the heat generating portion 15 is located near the end face of the thermal head 13a, and the thermal activation is higher than that of the normal type thermal head 13 as shown in FIG. Thermal adhesive label 2 and thermal head 13 after performing
a is reduced.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same functions and effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 whose adhesiveness is activated by heat becomes difficult to contact the thermal head 13a, and the thermal activated thermal adhesive layer 5 is transferred to the thermal head 13a and the transfer is caused. The thermal adhesive label 2 is prevented from being wound around the thermal head 13a.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. In this embodiment, an end face type thermal head 13b is used instead of the thermal head 13 shown in FIG. The other points are the same as the first embodiment. Here, the end-face type thermal head 13b is one in which the heat-generating portion 15 is provided on the end face of the thermal head 13b, and compared with the normal type thermal head 13 as shown in FIG. Is performed, the contact area between the thermal adhesive label 2 and the thermal head 13b is reduced.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same functions and effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained. And a heat-adhesive layer 5 having heat-activated adhesiveness.
Makes it difficult to contact the thermal head 13b, thereby preventing the heat-activated adhesive layer 5 from transferring to the thermal head 13b and preventing the thermal adhesive label 2 from being wound around the thermal head 13b due to the transfer. Is done.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Description will be made based on 0. In the present embodiment, a corner edge type thermal head 13c is used instead of the thermal head 13 shown in FIG. The other points are the same as the first embodiment. Here, the corner-edge-type thermal head 13 is one in which the heat generating portion 15 is provided at a corner of the thermal head 13c.
The contact area between the thermal adhesive label 2 and the thermal head 13b after the heat activation has been performed is smaller than that of the near-edge type thermal head (see FIG. 8) and the end surface type thermal head 13b (see FIG. 9). Become.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. And,
The thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 whose adhesiveness is heat-activated becomes less likely to contact the thermal head 13c, and the heat-activated thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 is transferred to the thermal head 13c, and the heat caused by the transfer is reduced. Thermal head 13 for adhesive label 2
Winding around c is prevented.

In each of the above embodiments,
The case where the heat-sensitive coloring layer 7 is provided on the recording paper portion of the heat-adhesive labels 2, 2a, and 2b has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and thermal transfer using printing paper or an ink ribbon is described. (Melting transfer) recording paper, inkjet recording paper, electrostatic recording paper, plastic thermosensitive recording paper, plastic opaque thermosensitive recording paper,
Magnetic recording paper or the like may be used.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the high quality paper 4 is used as the support has been described as an example.
As the support, other materials, for example, other paper, cloth, film, metal foil and the like can be used. The film may be transparent or opaque.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the roll-shaped thermo-adhesive label 2 is cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 9 has been described as an example. The adhesive may be transferred to activate the adhesive by heating.

Further, the heat-adhesive label 2 during storage or the like can be used.
In order to prevent sticking of the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5, an extremely thin (about 0.1 to 2 μm) over layer which is homogenized with the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 when heated may be provided on the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5. Good.

Here, using the heat-adhesive labels 2, 2a and 2b in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the energy (mj
/ Dot) and the region to be activated by heating,
180 ° peeling strength, adhesive strength of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 7 at the time of heat activation, transfer of the heat-generating part 15 due to transfer of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 5 at the time of heat activation, and contamination of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 7 A test was conducted on the color development start energy and the heat activation start energy of the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5.
Table 1 shows the results.

Prior to this test, in order to compare with the present invention in which the heat activation was performed by the thermal heads 13, 13a, 13b, and 13c, the test was performed by the heat activation method of the following two comparative examples.

The first comparative example uses a dryer to remove 13
The hot air of 0 ° C. is applied to the thermal adhesive layer 5 to heat-activate the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5, and the label configuration of the thermal adhesive label 2 and the printing device 8 are the first. This is the same as the embodiment.

In the second comparative example, a heat roll at 130 ° C. was brought into contact with the thermal adhesive layer 5 to thereby activate the adhesive property of the thermal adhesive layer 5 by heating. The label configuration and the printing device 8 are the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, the linear speed of conveyance of the heat-adhesive label 2 was set to 4 inches / sec.

[0057]

[Table 1]

Here, the contents of the test will be described in detail. First, at the time of heating activation, the thermal heads 13, 13
The energy at the time of heat activation given to the thermal adhesive layer 5 from a, 13b, and 13C is 0.18 mj / dot, 0.23
mj / dot and 0.36 mj / dot, and appropriately change the area where the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5 is heat-activated. The regions where the adhesiveness is heat-activated include the entire surface, three horizontal stripes (see FIG. 3C), checkered patterns (see FIG. 5A), and the like.

Evaluation of the adhesive strength at 180 ° peeling of the thermal adhesive layer 5 whose adhesiveness was heat-activated was performed as follows. The heat-adhesive layers 5 of the heat-adhesive labels 2, 2a, and 2b each having a width of 40 mm and a length of 200 mm were coated with a 40 mm width x 80
mm in a region of a length of mm, and the heat-activated portion is PV-adhered and fixed on a stainless steel plate with a double-sided tape.
Affix it to C (vinyl chloride) wrap and press it back and forth with a 2 kg pressure roller. Two minutes after this pressurization, 18
The unheated activated portion is pulled at a peel angle of 0 °, the force at the time of peeling is determined as g / 40 mm, converted to g / 25 mm, and the adhesive strength is defined as strong adhesive strength, medium adhesive strength, and weak adhesive strength. Classified by rank.

Contamination of heat activating means (thermal heads 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, heat rolls) at the time of heat activation;
The background density of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 7 at the time of heat activation is indicated by a stain rank when the heat-adhesive labels 2, 2a, and 2b are heat-activated under the conditions of each experiment. The background density of the thermosensitive coloring layer 7 at that time was measured by a densitometer RD-914 manufactured by Macbeth. As for the dirt rank, "5" indicates no dirt, "4" indicates that there is a little in portions other than the heat generating portion 15,
“3” is slightly above the heat generating unit 15, and “2” is
There are a lot on top. As for the background density, the background density in the non-printing state is 0.08.

The test of the color development start energy was performed by a thermal printing apparatus having a thermal head formed on the side of the heat-adhesive layer 5 of the heat-adhesive labels 2, 2a, 2b by a thin film technique manufactured by Matsushita Electronic Components Co., Ltd. , Head power 0.45 w / dot, 1
Line recording time 5 msec (linear speed 25 mm / sec),
After printing at a scanning line density of 8 × 7.7 dots / mm with a pulse width of 0.2 to 1.2 msec, the print density was measured with a Macbeth densitometer RD-914. The energy was defined as the color development start energy. This coloring start energy is obtained by the following formula. Coloring start energy-(mj / dot) = 0.45 (w /
(dot) × concentration 1.0 pulse width (msec) The test for the thermal activation initiation energy was performed using a thermo-adhesive label 2,
The thermal pressure-sensitive printing apparatus having a thermal head formed on the side of the thermal adhesive layer 5 of 2a and 2b with a thin film technology manufactured by Matsushita Electronic Components Co., Ltd. has a head power of 0.45 w / dot and a line recording time of 5 msec (linear velocity 25 mm / sec) and a scan line density of 8 × 7.7 dots / mm, a pulse width of 0.2 to
After heating at 1.2 msec, the energy at which the adhesive strength of the thermal adhesive layer 5 has developed is determined as the heat activation start energy.
And

From Table 1, it was confirmed that the adhesive strength was changed by changing the region in which the adhesiveness of the thermal adhesive layer 5 was heat-activated. In addition, it was confirmed that the adhesive force was changed by the energy applied during the activation by heating.
Further, it was confirmed that the background density of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 7 at the time of heating activation can be maintained in a favorable state when instantaneous heating is performed by the thermal heads 13, 13a, 13b, and 13c.

[0063]

According to the thermal activation apparatus for a thermo-adhesive label according to the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the heat generating portion is instantaneously controlled by turning on / off the energization of the thin film resistor provided on the substrate. Can be raised and lowered, and furthermore, the heat generation section can generate heat in a predetermined pattern by the heat generation control means, so that the adhesiveness can be heat-activated in an arbitrary region of the thermal adhesive layer, The layer can be partially gelatinized and the adhesive strength of the heat-adhesive label can be changed according to the heat-activated area, whereby the heat-adhesive label can be firmly attached to the adherend, It can be used in a state of being easily peeled off, and the adhesive strength can be changed for each heat-adhesive sheet.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for activating heat of a heat-adhesive label according to the first aspect, the heat activating means is a thermal head. It can be performed with high precision, and the thermal activation of the adhesiveness of the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can be reliably performed in any area of the thermal pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the heat activation apparatus for a thermo-adhesive label according to the second aspect, the heat generating portion of the thermal head is provided at a near edge, a corner edge or an end surface of the thermal head. As a result, the heat-activated heat-sensitive adhesive layer becomes less likely to come into contact with the thermal head, and the heat-activated heat-adhesive layer is transferred to the thermal head, and the heat-adhesiveness caused by the transfer is reduced. It is possible to prevent the label from being wound around the thermal head.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 1,
In the heat activation device for a heat-sensitive adhesive label according to 2 or 3, since the heat-sensitive coloring layer is provided on the other surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive label, by controlling the heat generation of the heat-generating portion on demand, any printing can be performed. You can get a label.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the heat activation apparatus for a heat-adhesive label according to the fourth aspect, the heat-insulating layer is provided between the thermosensitive coloring layer and the heat-adhesive layer. The heat given by the heat-generating part can be used effectively for heat activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and also prevents the residual heat from being transmitted to the heat-sensitive color-developing layer, so that the color of the heat-sensitive color-developing layer when activated by heat Can be prevented.

According to the printer of the invention described in claim 6,
The printer according to any one of claims 4 and 5, further comprising: a heat activation device for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive label; and a heating and coloring means for heating and coloring the heat-sensitive coloring layer provided on the heat-sensitive adhesive label. Printing of predetermined items by heating and coloring the heat-sensitive coloring layer of the adhesive label by heating coloring means, and heat activation by the adhesive heating activation means of the thermal adhesive layer of the heating adhesive label can be performed. A heat-adhesive label having predetermined items printed on the heat-sensitive coloring layer can be attached to an object such as a product. At this time, the heat activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer can be performed by optionally activating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer. By performing in the area of, the heat-adhesive layer can be partially gelatinized and the adhesive force of the heat-adhesive label can be changed according to the heat-activated area. And firmly pasted , It can be used with or affixed to a state easy peeling.

According to the method for activating the heat-adhesive label of the present invention, the temperature of the heat generating portion is instantaneously raised and lowered by turning on and off the power supply to the thin film resistor provided on the substrate. In addition, since the heat generation unit can generate heat in a predetermined pattern by the heat generation control unit, the adhesiveness can be heat-activated in an arbitrary region of the thermal adhesive layer, and the thermal adhesive layer can be heated. The adhesive strength of the heat-adhesive label can be changed according to the area that has been partially gelatinized and heat-activated, so that the heat-adhesive label can be firmly attached to or peeled off from the adherend. It can be used by attaching it to a state, and the adhesive strength can be changed for each heat-adhesive sheet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic structure of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view showing the structure of the heat-adhesive label.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a region where the adhesiveness is thermally activated in the thermal adhesive layer is changed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a region in which the adhesiveness is thermally activated in the thermal adhesive layer is changed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a region in which the adhesiveness is thermally activated in the thermal adhesive layer is changed.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional front view showing a structure of a heat-adhesive label used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional front view showing the structure of a heat-adhesive label used in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a heating activation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a heating activation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a heating activation device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 2a, 2b Heat-adhesive label 5 Heat-adhesive layer 6 Thermal insulation layer 7 Thermal coloring layer 8 Printing device 10 Heat activation device 11 Heat coloring device 13, 13a, 13b, 13c Heat activation device, thermal head 15 Heating section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yamada 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C065 AA01 AB01 AD02 CJ02 CJ03 CJ09 3E095 BA02 CA02 DA03 DA24 DA55 DA59 FA11

Claims (7)

[Claims] A heat activation device for a heat-adhesive label, which heats a heat-adhesive layer provided on one surface of a heat-adhesive label to heat-activate the adhesiveness of the heat-adhesive layer, Heat activation means for providing a heating section provided with a thin-film resistor on a substrate, and bringing the heating section into contact with the thermal adhesive layer,
A heat activation device for a heat-sensitive adhesive label, comprising: heat generation control means for causing the heat generating portion to generate heat in a predetermined pattern. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heat activating means is a thermal head. 3. The heat activation device for a thermo-adhesive label according to claim 2, wherein the heat generating portion of the thermal head is provided at a near edge, a corner edge, or an end surface of the thermal head. 4. The heat activation device for a heat-sensitive adhesive label according to claim 1, wherein a heat-sensitive coloring layer is provided on the other surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive label. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a heat insulating layer is provided between said thermosensitive coloring layer and said thermal adhesive layer. 6. An apparatus for activating a heat-adhesive label according to claim 4 or 5, and a heat-coloring means for heating and coloring the heat-sensitive color layer provided on the heat-adhesive label. A printer characterized in that: 7. A method for heat-activating a heat-adhesive label, wherein the heat-adhesive layer provided on one side of the heat-adhesive label is heated to heat-activate the adhesiveness of the heat-adhesive label. The heat-adhesive layer of the heat-activating unit having a heat-generating unit provided with a thin-film resistor on a substrate is brought into contact with the heat-adhesive layer, and the heat-generating unit generates heat in a predetermined pattern. A method for activating a heat-sensitive adhesive label by heating the adhesive of the label in a predetermined pattern.