JP2003266801A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In multicolor printing using an ink ribbon, etc.
An object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer capable of obtaining good print quality with a simple operation. SOLUTION: In a tape printing apparatus 1 which performs printing by a thermal transfer method while feeding a printing tape T in one direction,
A tape feed mechanism 57 that feeds the printing tape T along the feed path 50, a plurality of printing mechanisms A and B that are arranged along the feed path 50 and print on the fed print tape T,
A tape cutting mechanism 52 that is disposed between the first printing mechanism A and the second printing mechanism B counted from the upstream side in the tape feeding direction and that cuts the printing tape T. It is.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus capable of multicolor printing using a thermal type print head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a tape printer of this type,
The one described in JP-A No. 11-286129 is known. In this tape printing apparatus, a tape cartridge is detachably attached to a first printing section formed on the left side of the apparatus body with a display sandwiched therebetween, and a ribbon cartridge is detachably attached to a second printing section formed on the right side. ing. The first printing head faces the first printing unit, and
The tape cutter faces the tape outlet connected to the printing section. Similarly, the second printing head faces the second printing unit, and the tape insertion port and the tape ejection port are formed so as to be continuous with the second printing unit. On the other hand, the tape cartridge accommodates a printing tape and a first ink ribbon, and the ribbon cartridge accommodates a second ink ribbon having an ink color different from that of the first ink ribbon. The printing tape fed from the tape cartridge is printed with the ink color of the first ink ribbon by the first printing head. Here, the printed tape piece cut by the tape cutter is inserted into the second printing portion from the tape insertion port, so that the ink color of the second ink ribbon is printed by the second printing head. That is, the thermal transfer type print head enables multicolor printing on the printing tape.

[0003]

In such a conventional tape printing apparatus, the user needs to insert the tape piece printed by the first printing unit into the second printing unit, which complicates the work. was there. Further, in that case, there is a risk that the tape piece may be mistakenly inserted up and down or another tape piece may be inserted, and this also makes the handling complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer which can obtain good print quality by simple operation in multicolor printing using an ink ribbon.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A tape printer of the present invention is a tape printer for feeding a print tape in one direction while performing printing by a thermal transfer method, and a tape feed mechanism for feeding the print tape along a feed path. And a plurality of printing mechanisms that are arranged along the feeding path and perform printing on the printing tape that is fed, the first first printing mechanism and the second second printing counting from the upstream side in the tape feeding direction. A tape cutting mechanism which is disposed between the mechanism and a mechanism for cutting the printing tape.

According to this structure, the first tape is fed to the printing tape fed by the tape feeding mechanism along the feeding path.
Printing is performed by the printing mechanism, and the printed portion is cut by the tape cutting mechanism. Subsequently, the printed portion (tape piece) is sent to the second printing mechanism, where printing is performed by the second printing mechanism. Further, the same printing operation is repeated by the subsequent printing mechanism. In this way, multiple printing mechanisms face the printing tape that is being fed in one direction along the feeding path, so printing can be performed without reverse feeding the printing tape. become. Further, since the printed portion of the printing tape is cut immediately after passing through the first printing mechanism, the front margin (distance between the print head and the cutter) of the printed portion caused by the mechanism can be shortened. .

In this case, it is preferable that a control means for controlling the driving of the plurality of printing mechanisms is further provided, and the control means is configured to individually control the plurality of printing mechanisms.

According to this structure, for example, it is possible to perform monochromatic printing on a printing tape, in which only the first printing mechanism performs printing.

In these cases, the printing tape is composed of a tape main body having an adhesive and a release paper attached to the tape main body. The printing tape is located in the vicinity of the downstream side of the tape cutting mechanism and the tape main body and the release paper of the printing tape. It is preferable to further include a half-cutting mechanism for cutting either one of the above.

With this structure, it is possible to form a cutting line on the printing tape to facilitate the peeling of the release paper. In particular, by placing the half-cutting mechanism in the vicinity of the downstream side of the tape cutting mechanism, it is possible to perform half-cutting by utilizing the fact that the printing tape stops being fed for cutting the tape. Further, in the half cut for cutting the tape body, the part to be discarded can be made as short as possible by the half cut.

In these cases, it is preferable to further include a detection unit located near the upstream side of each printing mechanism other than the first printing mechanism, for detecting the leading end of the printing tape in the tape feeding direction.

According to this configuration, in each printing mechanism other than the first printing mechanism, based on the detection result of the detecting means,
The printing operation can be performed on the printing tape (tape piece), and the printing can be performed without being affected by the looseness of the tape, the slip of the tape feeding mechanism, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the deterioration of the print quality due to the deviation of the print position.

In these cases, it is preferable that each of the printing mechanisms other than the first printing mechanism is further provided with a head release mechanism for bringing the print head into contact with the platen.

According to this configuration, when printing is performed by driving only the first printing mechanism, for example, if the print heads of the printing mechanisms other than the first printing mechanism are separated from the platen by the head release mechanism, printing is performed. The head does not interfere with the feeding of the printing tape (tape piece) after printing.

In these cases, the printing tape and the ink ribbon of the first printing mechanism are detachably accommodated in the main body of the apparatus while being accommodated in the tape cartridge, and the ink ribbon of each printing mechanism other than the first printing mechanism is accommodated. Is preferably detachably accommodated in the apparatus main body while being accommodated in the ribbon cartridge.

With this structure, the printing tape and the ink ribbon can be easily handled. Further, the ink color to be adopted can be easily changed by replacing the cartridge.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printing apparatus performs multicolor printing of a thermal transfer method (thermal method) on a printing tape and cuts the printed portion into a predetermined length to produce a label.

As shown in the external perspective view of FIG. 1 and the schematic view of FIG. 2, in the tape printer 1, an outer shell is formed by a device case 2 divided into upper and lower halves, and various kinds are provided on the front upper surface of the device case 2. A keyboard 3 including input keys is provided. A display 4, a first cartridge mounting portion 5 and a second cartridge mounting portion 6 are arranged on the rear upper surface of the device case 2 from the right side. Also,
On the left side of the device case 2, there is formed a tape ejection port 7 for ejecting the printed printing tape (tape piece) T to the outside of the device.

A first opening / closing lid 9 is provided on the first cartridge mounting portion 5 constituting the first printing portion A, and the first opening / closing lid 9 is provided.
A tape cartridge 10 is removably mounted inside. Similarly, a second opening / closing lid 11 is provided in the second cartridge mounting portion 6 constituting the second printing portion B, and a ribbon cartridge 12 is detachably mounted inside the second opening / closing lid 11. .

The tape cartridge 10 is constructed by accommodating a print tape T wound in a retractable manner, an ink ribbon R1 wound in a windable manner, and a first platen 22 inside a cartridge case 21. There is. Further, the ribbon cartridge 12 is configured such that the ink ribbon R2 wound so as to be wound is housed inside the cartridge case 23. As the printing tape (tape cartridge 10) T, various tapes having different tape widths and base colors are prepared. Similarly, the ink ribbon R1,
Various types of R2 having different ink colors are prepared. The printing tape T is formed by laminating a release paper on the tape body, that is, with a so-called release paper.

On the other hand, a first print head 25 is erected on the first cartridge mounting portion 5, and a platen drive shaft 2 that engages with the first platen 22 and rotates it.
6, a winding drive shaft 28 for engaging the winding reel 27 to wind the ink ribbon R1, and a positioning protrusion 29 are provided upright. In addition, the first cartridge mounting portion 5,
A tape detection sensor 30 that detects the type of the tape cartridge 10 and the like is provided. Further, on the lower side of the first cartridge mounting portion 5, a first print head 25 is attached to and detached from the first platen 22 in conjunction with the first opening / closing lid 9.
Head release mechanism (not shown) and first feed motor 3
A first power transmission mechanism (not shown) for rotating the platen drive shaft 26 and the take-up drive shaft 28 using 1 as a power source is incorporated.

When the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the first cartridge mounting portion 5, the first platen 22 is attached to the platen drive shaft 26 and the take-up reel 27 is attached to the take-up drive shaft 28.
Respectively, and the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R1 can be fed. In this state, the first opening / closing lid 9
When the first print head 25 and the first platen 22 are connected to each other by the first head release mechanism,
Printing can be performed by sandwiching the ink ribbon R1 and the ink ribbon R1. Then, the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R1 fed by the driving of the first feed motor 31 are overlapped and run side by side at the portion of the first printing head 25, and by the first printing head 25 driven in synchronization with this. , Is input to the printing tape T, and desired printing of characters and the like is performed.

A second print head 35 and a second platen 36 are erected on the second cartridge mounting portion 6, and a take-up drive shaft 38 for engaging the take-up reel 37 and taking up the ink ribbon R2. , And positioning protrusions 39 are provided upright. Further, the second cartridge mounting portion 6 is provided with a ribbon detection sensor 40 for detecting the type of the ribbon cartridge R2 and the like. Further, below the second cartridge mounting portion 6, a second head release mechanism 41 for separating and contacting the second print head 35 with respect to the second platen 36.
Or the second platen 3 using the second feed motor 42 as a power source.
6, a second power transmission mechanism (not shown) for rotating the winding drive shaft 38, and the like are incorporated.

When the ribbon cartridge 12 is mounted on the second cartridge mounting portion 6, the take-up reel 37 is inserted into the take-up drive shaft 38 and the ink ribbon R2 can be fed. In the second printing section B, the second print head 35 is driven based on the detection result of the leading edge detection sensor 51 described later, and the second print head 35 is moved by the second platen 36 via the second head release mechanism 41. To contact. That is, when the leading edge detection sensor 51 detects the leading edge of the printing tape T sent from the first printing unit A, the second printing head 35 comes into contact with the second platen 36 and starts driving after several steps. The head 35 performs desired printing of characters and the like input to the printing tape (tape piece) T.

Here, the structure around the first printing section A and the second printing section B will be described in detail with reference to the schematic view of FIG. In the first printing section A, the tape cartridge 10
A first printing mechanism including a first platen 22 and a first printing head 25 housed in the printer is disposed. First platen 22
The first printing head 25 and the feeding path 50 for the printing tape T
They face each other so that they can be separated and contacted with each other, and also the first platen 2
2 also serves as a feed roller for feeding the printing tape T.

Similarly, the second printing section B has a second platen 36 and a second printing head 35 provided on the apparatus side.
A printing mechanism is provided. In this case as well, the second print head 35 faces the second platen 36 so as to freely separate from and contact the feed path 50 of the print tape T, and the second platen 36 feeds the print tape T. Doubles as A leading edge detection sensor 51 that detects the leading edge of the printing tape T being fed is disposed near the second platen 36 (on the upstream side in the feeding direction).

On the other hand, between the first printing section A and the second printing section B, a full cut unit (tape cutting mechanism) 52 and a half cut unit (half cut mechanism) 53 are arranged facing the feed path 50. Has been done. The full cut unit 52 is disposed immediately downstream of the first printing unit A, and the half cut unit 53 is the full cut unit 52.
Is located immediately downstream of the. Full cut unit 5
2 cuts off the printed portion (tape piece) of the printing tape T, and the half-cut unit 53 forms a cutting line on the tape body of the printing tape T with release paper.

On the downstream side of the half cut unit 53, an intermediate feed roller 54 for feeding the printing tape T fed from the first printing section A to the second printing section B is arranged. Further, at the downstream end of the feeding path 50, a paper discharge roller 55 is arranged near the tape discharge port 7. A tail end detection sensor for detecting the tail end of the printing tape (tape piece) T ejected from the tape ejection port 7 may be provided between the paper ejection roller 55 and the tape ejection port 7.

The full cut unit 52 is a printing tape T
Is a part for separating the printed part of, for example, a cutter 61 including a scissor type cutter, a slide cutter, and the like,
A full cut motor 62 for cutting the cutter 61 and a transmission mechanism (not shown) are included. In this case, the full cut unit 52 should be installed in the first printing unit A as much as possible.
And the front margin of the tape piece that is mechanically generated (the full cut unit 52 and the first print head 25).
The distance between them) is made as short as possible. In addition, the full cut unit 5
The cutting position of the printing tape T by 2 is the margin after the addition of the dimension between the full-cut unit 52 and the half-cut unit 53.

The half-cut unit 53 is for cutting only the tape main body while leaving the release paper of the printing tape T, for example, a half cutter 63 such as a slide cutter, and a half-cut motor 6 for cutting the half cutter 63.
4 and a transmission mechanism. In this case, the printing tape T is half-cut and then full-cut. Therefore, the full-cut motor 62 of the full-cut unit 52 and the half-cut motor 64 of the half-cut unit 53 can also be used for both power switching by the clutch.

On the other hand, the tape feeding mechanism 57 for feeding the printing tape T along the linear feeding path 50 is constituted by the first platen 22, the intermediate feeding roller 54, the second platen 36 and the paper discharging roller 55 from the upstream side. It is configured. The intermediate feed roller 54 and the paper discharge roller 55 are both drive rollers 54a and 55a and driven rollers (free rotation rollers).
It is composed of a grip roller composed of 54b and 55b. The first platen 22 is rotationally driven by the first feed motor 31 described above, and the intermediate feed roller 54, the second platen 36, and the paper discharge roller 55 are rotationally driven by the second feed motor 42 described above.

That is, the feeding speed of the printing tape T is controlled by the first platen 22 and the second platen 36, while the intermediate feeding roller 54 and the paper discharge roller 5 are controlled.
Reference numeral 5 sends the printing tape T while slip-rotating as appropriate to give tension to the printing tape T. Of course, the tape feeding speed by the first platen 22 and the tape feeding speed by the second platen 36 are set to be the same. Also,
The second head release mechanism 41 has an electromagnetic solenoid 66, and the electromagnetic solenoid 66 serves as the second print head 35.
Is separated from and brought into contact with the second platen 36, but at the same time, the winding drive shaft 38 is intermittently connected to the second power transmission mechanism via the clutch.

Now, the control means 15 including the control device 70 and various drivers will be described, and a series of printing operations by the control means 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the first print head 25 and the second print head 3
5 is connected to the control device 70 via a head driver 71. Similarly, the first feed motor 31 and the second feed motor 42 are connected to the control device 70 via the feed motor driver 72, and the full-cut motor 62 and the half-cut motor 64 are attached to the control device via the cutter motor driver 73. Connected to 70. Further, the electromagnetic solenoid 66 is connected to the control device 7 via the solenoid driver 74.
It is connected to 0. Further, a tape detection sensor 30, a ribbon detection sensor 40, and a tip detection sensor 51 are connected to the control device 70.

Based on the print command by the key operation, first, the first feed motor 31 is driven, and in synchronization with this, the first print head 25 is driven to print on the fed printing tape T. The second feed motor 42 may start rotation at the same time as the first feed motor 31, but in consideration of the tape feed time to the intermediate feed roller 54, the second feed motor 42 may be delayed by a timer to start rotation. Are preferred.

As the printing operation proceeds, the printing tape T
The leading end of the printing tape T reaches the intermediate feed roller 54 through the half-cut unit 53, though it depends on the cutting length of the print tape T. Here, when the set cutting position of the printing tape T reaches the full-cut unit 52, the tape feeding is stopped, the half-cut motor 64 is driven to perform the half-cut on the printing tape T, and the full-cut motor 62 is driven. Then, the printing tape T is cut.

When the cutting of the printing tape T is completed, the second feeding motor 42 is driven again (while the first feeding motor 31 is stopped), and the feeding of the printing tape (tape piece) T is restarted. When the front end detection sensor 51 detects the front end of the printing tape T being fed, the electromagnetic solenoid 66 is driven, the second print head 35 comes into contact with the second platen 36, and the winding drive shaft 38 starts rotating. When the print tape T reaches the second print head 35, the print tape T is printed by the second print head 35 that is driven in synchronization with the second feed motor 42. In addition, in this printing, it is also possible to perform printing (another color) on the print image by the first print head 25.

Subsequently, the printing tape T on which printing has been performed is
The paper is discharged from the tape discharge port 7 to the outside of the apparatus at any time by the paper discharge roller 55. And printing tape (tape piece)
When the tail end of T reaches the tape discharge port 7 (detection by a tail end detection sensor or timer control), the electromagnetic solenoid 66
Is driven (demagnetized), the second print head 35 is separated from the second platen 36, and the second feed motor 42 is stopped. This creates a multicolored label. If the leading end of the printing tape T reaches the second print head 35 before the cutting position of the printing tape T reaches the full cutting position, the printing is paused to perform the full cutting.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is also possible to perform monochrome printing using only the first printing section A. In this case, when the leading edge detection sensor 51 detects the leading edge of the printing tape T, the driving of the electromagnetic solenoid 66 is canceled. As a result, the printed printing tape (tape piece) T is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the intermediate feeding roller 54 and the paper discharge roller 55, passing through the second printing unit. As described above, the full cut unit 5 is used except when continuous printing is performed.
Although it is not possible to print in the front margin corresponding to between the second print head 25, this portion can also be printed by the second print head 35. That is, the first printing unit A
Ink Ribbon R1 and Ink Ribbon R2 of Second Printing Section B
By performing the above printing with the same ink color as the above, the background printing and the solid printing can be performed on the entire tape piece.

As described above, according to this embodiment, with respect to the printing tape T fed from the tape cartridge 10,
Since the first printing unit A and the second printing unit B are configured to print continuously, the first printing unit A and the second printing unit B
By changing the ink colors of the ink ribbons R1 and R2 between and, it is possible to perform two-color printing. Moreover, since the two-color printing is continuously performed, the operation is not complicated.

Further, since the first printing section A and the second printing section B are driven separately, not only the first printing section A can be printed, but also the ink ribbon R2 is wasted. It can prevent consumption. If a similar printing unit (1 or more) is added on the downstream side of the second printing unit B, more versatile (multicolor) printing can be performed.

[0041]

As described above, according to the tape printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing tape fed in one direction is printed by a plurality of printing mechanisms. Multicolor printing is possible without sending. Further, since this multi-color printing is continuously performed, good print quality can be obtained without requiring a special operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal structure of the tape printer according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printing device 5 1st cartridge mounting part 6 2nd cartridge mounting part 10 Tape cartridge 12 Ribbon cartridge 15 Control means 22 1st platen 25 1st printing head 31 1st feed motor 35 2nd printing head 36 2nd platen 41 41st 2 head release mechanism 42 second feed motor 50 feed path 51 tip detection sensor 52 full cut unit 53 half cut unit 57 tape feed mechanism A first printing section B second printing section T printing tape R1 ink ribbon R2 ink ribbon

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B41J 25/304 B41J 3/20 117A 32/00 109Z (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Horii 2 Higashikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inc. 10-18 in King Jim Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Ishizuka 2 in Higashi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inc. in King Jim Co., Ltd. (72) Takuya Suetani 2 in Higashi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo C-No. 10-18 Stock Company F-Term in King Jim (Reference) 2C055 CC00 CC01 CC05 KK00 KK05 KK10 2C058 AB17 AC06 AE04 AF51 LA02 LA03 LA24 LA26 LB09 2C064 CC02 CC06 EE01 2C065 AD07 CZ09 DA03 DA16 DA24 DA33 2C068 A06

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A tape printing apparatus for printing a printing tape by a thermal transfer method while feeding the printing tape in one direction, a tape feeding mechanism for feeding the printing tape along a feeding path, and a tape feeding mechanism arranged along the feeding path, A plurality of printing mechanisms that print on the printing tape that is being sent, and a first printing mechanism and a second printing mechanism that are first counted from the upstream side in the tape feeding direction, A tape printing apparatus comprising: a tape cutting mechanism for cutting a printing tape. 2. A control means for controlling driving of the plurality of printing mechanisms is further provided, and the control means is configured to be capable of individually controlling the plurality of printing mechanisms. 1. The tape printer according to 1. 3. The printing tape comprises a tape main body with an adhesive and a release paper attached to the tape main body. The printing tape is located in the vicinity of the downstream side of the tape cutting mechanism and is separated from the tape main body of the printing tape. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a half-cutting mechanism that cuts either one of the paper sheets. 4. A detection unit, which is located near the upstream side of each of the printing mechanisms other than the first printing mechanism and detects the leading end of the printing tape in the tape feeding direction, is further provided. Item 4. The tape printer according to item 1, 2 or 3. 5. The printing mechanism other than the first printing mechanism is further provided with a head release mechanism for bringing the print head into and out of contact with the platen. Tape printer. 6. The printing tape and the ink ribbon of the first printing mechanism are detachably accommodated in a main body of the apparatus in a state of being accommodated in a tape cartridge, and each of the printing mechanisms other than the first printing mechanism. The ink ribbon is detachably accommodated in the apparatus main body while being accommodated in the ribbon cartridge.
6. The tape printer according to any one of 1 to 5.