JP2014046517A - Thermal transfer recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

A thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of preventing waste of an ink ribbon as much as possible by simple control of release and return of pressing of a thermal head even if the size of a printing area such as a label or the contents of printing changes variously. Is to provide.
The sheet is fed by feeding until the printed print area portion reaches the stop position. After the printed print area portion is positioned at the stop position, the paper is moved to the next print area portion. A thermal transfer recording apparatus configured to return to a printing position until the paper is fed by a predetermined holding state maintaining distance (X) during the idle feeding of the paper. The control unit (S18 to S23) is configured to control the timing of releasing the pressing and returning of the thermal head so that the ink ribbon can be fed together with the paper.
[Selection] Figure 6B

Description

  The present invention provides a thermal head that presses a sheet and an ink ribbon that are fed in an overlaid state against the platen from the ink ribbon side, thermally transfers ink from the ink ribbon to the sheet according to print data, and performs printing. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording apparatus.

  Conventionally, a printer (thermal transfer recording apparatus) disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this printer, sequentially arranged labels are fed in a state where papers and ink ribbons are temporarily attached to a mount, and a thermal head sends the papers and ink ribbons sent in the superimposed state. The ink ribbon is pressed against the platen roller, and ink is thermally transferred from the ink ribbon to each label of the paper in accordance with print data for printing. In order to reduce wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon, when printing is not performed on each label at a predetermined length or longer, the press of the thermal head is released, the paper is fed, and the thermal head The ink ribbon that is slightly fed during the press release operation is further rewound.

JP 2007-210276 A

  By the way, in the process in which printing is sequentially performed by the thermal head on each of the plurality of labels continuously attached to the mount, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, for the label Lb1 (one print area portion). After the printing is finished, as shown in FIG. 1B, the paper S is preliminarily fed until the printed label Lb1 reaches a peeling position Pc to be peeled from the mount (a stop position to be positioned), After the printed label Lb1 is peeled off from the mount, the next label Lb2 (next print area portion) is positioned at the print position Pp by the thermal head, as shown in FIG. 1 (c). There is known a thermal printer (thermal transfer recording apparatus) in which the printer is returned until it is received. In this type of thermal printer, when the thermal head is kept pressed, the printing end Ie of the ink ribbon IRb at the time when printing on the label Lb1 is completed, as shown in FIG. The paper S is fed together with the paper S at the time of idle feeding to the peeling position Pc of the paper S shown in (b), and then returned together with the paper S when the paper S shown in FIG. At this time, after the label Lb1 is peeled, the return distance of the ink ribbon IRb (paper S) until the label Lb2 is positioned at the print position Pp (corresponding to the distance D between the peel position Pc and the print position Pp) is the print After the end, it is smaller by Δ than the feeding distance of the ink ribbon IRb (paper S) until the label Lb1 reaches the peeling position Pc. For this reason, when the next label Lb2 is positioned at the print position Pp, the print end end Ie of the ink ribbon IRb is on the downstream side by the distance Δ from the print position Pp and has not yet returned to the print position Pp.

  As described above, the portion of the ink ribbon IRb that can be originally used (the portion of the distance Δ) cannot be used due to the pre-feeding and returning of the paper S after the printing of the label Lb1 is completed. In addition, while printing on a plurality of labels is sequentially performed, the portions that cannot be used are accumulated, and the waste of the ink ribbon IRb is increased.

  Therefore, after the printing on the label Lb1 is completed, the pressing of the thermal head is released to stop the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb when the paper S is fed, and as described above, the ink ribbon IRb can be rewound. Conceivable. In this case, in order to stop the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb, normally, the thermal is based on the time during which the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb should be stopped or the distance over which the paper S is fed during the time when the ink ribbon IRb should be stopped. The head release and its return are controlled.

  However, the time during which the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb should be stopped, or the distance at which the paper S is fed at the time when the ink ribbon IRb should be stopped is the distance between the final print position in each label Lb and the rear end position of the label Lb. Depends on. For this reason, when various print contents are switched or when printing is performed on labels of various sizes, the final print position corresponding to the label size and the print contents must be managed, and the thermal head press release and There is a tendency that the control of the return from pressing is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even if the size of the print area portion such as a label or the contents of printing changes variously, the ink ribbon can be controlled by simply controlling the release of the thermal head and the return of the press. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer recording apparatus that can prevent wastefulness as much as possible.

A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention is a thermal head that presses a sheet and an ink ribbon that are fed in a state of being superimposed on a platen against the platen, and transfers ink from the ink ribbon to the sheet based on print data. And when the thermal head prints on each of a plurality of print area portions sequentially arranged in the feed direction on the paper to be fed, after the printing on one print area portion, After the print area portion reaches a predetermined stop position where the print area portion should be positioned, the one print area portion is positioned at the stop position, and then the paper is transferred to the next print area portion by the thermal head. A thermal transfer recording device that is returned until it is positioned at
During the idle feeding of the paper after the end of printing on the one printing area portion, the paper is previously set as a feeding distance of the paper to be maintained in a state where the thermal ribbon can be fed together with the paper. Control for controlling the release timing of the thermal head and the return of pressing so that the thermal head is maintained in a state where the ink ribbon can be fed together with the paper while the predetermined pressing state maintaining distance is being fed. It becomes the structure which has a means.

  With such a configuration, after the printing for one print area portion is completed, while the paper is being fed idle until the one print area portion reaches the stop position, the paper is fed by a predetermined holding state maintaining distance. The timing of releasing the pressing of the thermal head and returning the pressing is controlled so that the thermal head is maintained in a state where the ink ribbon can be fed together with the paper. Thereby, the distance by which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper after the printing for one printing area is completed can be controlled to the pressed state maintaining distance.

  The pressed state maintaining distance is preferably closer to the distance to which the paper is returned while the thermal head is maintaining the pressed state during the return of the paper until the next printing area portion is positioned at the printing position. In this case, there is a better balance between the feeding distance of the ink ribbon that is sent while the paper is idle after printing and the return distance of the ink ribbon that is returned while returning the paper until the next printing area is positioned at the printing position. Can be made. More preferably, the pressed state maintaining distance can be set to a distance at which the sheet is returned while the pressed state of the thermal head with respect to the platen is maintained.

  Further, the holding state maintaining distance may be set to a distance between the stop position and the printing position.

  According to this, after the printing on one print area portion is completed, the thermal head can feed the ink ribbon together with the paper while the paper is returned until the next print area portion is positioned at the print position. In the case of maintaining the state, the feeding distance of the ink ribbon sent during the idle feeding of the paper after the printing is completed and the ink ribbon returned during the paper returning until the next printing area portion is positioned at the printing position. The return distance can be well balanced.

  In the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit may include a press release control unit that starts the press release of the thermal head immediately after the end of printing.

  According to such a configuration, since the release of pressing of the thermal head is started immediately after the end of printing on one printing area portion, it is easy to control the timing of releasing the pressing of the thermal head.

  Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, the control means is configured so that a remaining distance to which the sheet should be fed before the one print area portion reaches the stop position is between the stop position and the print position. When the thermal head becomes a distance obtained by subtracting the feed distance during the head press release operation, which is the distance to which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the press release operation from the release release of the thermal head to the completion of the press release from the distance. It can be configured to have a pressing / returning control means for starting the pressing and returning of the head.

  With this configuration, the printed print area portion is stopped in consideration of the feeding distance that the ink ribbon is sent during the release operation of the thermal head after the printing of one print area portion is completed. It is possible to feed the ink ribbon together with the paper by a distance between the stop position and the printing position while the paper is being fed to the position.

  Further, the holding state maintaining distance is the distance during which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the press release operation from the start of press release of the thermal head to the completion of press release, and the feed distance during the head press release operation and the thermal head It can be set to a feed distance during head operation that is the sum of a feed distance during head press operation, which is a distance to which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during a press operation from the start of pressing to completion of press.

  In this case, since the holding state maintaining distance is set to the feeding distance during the head operation, the press release operation and the pressing return operation of the thermal head during the idle feeding of the paper after the printing of one printing area portion is completed. Ink ribbon is fed along with the paper during the head operation.

  Also, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, the control means includes a press release control means for starting press release of the thermal head immediately after the end of printing, and a time until the one print area portion reaches the stop position. When the remaining distance to which the sheet is to be fed becomes the feeding distance during the head pressing operation, it is possible to have a pressing / returning control unit that starts pressing and returning the thermal head.

  With such a configuration, the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the head press release operation by the press release operation of the thermal head immediately after the printing of one print area portion is completed, and the ink with the paper is supplied by the thermal head press release operation. The ribbon is fed by the feeding distance during the head pressing operation, and the printed printing area portion reaches the stop position.

  The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention presses a sheet and an ink ribbon that are fed in a state of being stacked on a platen against the platen from the ink ribbon side, and causes ink to be ejected from the ink ribbon based on print data. In the process in which the thermal head prints in each of the area portions where a plurality of prints sequentially arranged in the feeding direction on the paper to be fed are printed at the print position, printing on one print area portion After the completion, the paper is preliminarily fed until reaching a predetermined stop position where the one print area portion is to be positioned. After the one print area portion is positioned at the stop position, the paper is A thermal transfer recording apparatus configured to return until a print area portion is positioned at the print position by the thermal head, The feed distance during the head press release operation, which is the distance to which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the press release operation from the start of press release of the thermal head to the completion of press release, and from the start of pressing the thermal head to the completion of press A state in which the ink ribbon can be fed together with the thermal head and the paper during the idle feeding of the paper based on the feeding distance during the head pushing operation, which is a distance by which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the pressing operation. A pressing state maintaining distance setting means for setting a pressing state maintaining distance, which is a feeding distance of the paper to be maintained, and during the idle feeding of the paper after printing for the one printing area portion, While the holding state maintaining distance set by the holding state maintaining distance setting means is fed, the support is maintained. Thermal head as is maintained in the feed ready for the ink ribbon together with the paper, a structure having a control means for controlling the timing of the pressing release and pressing the return of the thermal head.

  With such a configuration, for example, based on the feeding distance during the head pressing release operation and the feeding distance during the head pressing operation depending on the printing speed, the thermal head is maintained in a state where the ink ribbon can be fed together with the paper. The paper holding distance, which is the paper feeding distance to be set, is set, and after the printing for one printing area portion is completed, the paper is being fed during the idle feeding until the printed printing area portion reaches the stop position. Is controlled to release the pressing of the thermal head and to return the pressing of the thermal head so that the thermal head is maintained in a state where the ink ribbon can be fed together with the paper. Therefore, the distance at which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper after printing for one print area portion is set to the pressing state maintaining distance set based on the feeding distance during the head pressing release operation and the feeding distance during the head pressing operation. Can be controlled.

  In the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, the feed distance during head operation, which is the sum of the feed distance during the head press release operation and the feed distance during the head press operation, is equal to or less than the distance between the stop position and the print position. Distance determining means for determining whether or not there is a press, and when the distance determining means determines that the feed distance during head operation is equal to or less than the distance between the stop position and the print position, The state maintaining distance setting unit may set a distance between the stop position and the printing position as the pressed state maintaining distance.

  With such a configuration, the feeding distance during the head operation in which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the pressing release operation and pressing operation (pressing return operation) of the thermal head is equal to or less than the distance between the stop position and the printing position. In some cases, the pressed state maintaining distance is set to a distance between the stop position and the printing position. Therefore, the distance at which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper after the printing for one print area portion can be controlled to the distance between the stop position and the print position.

  Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, when the distance determining means determines that the feeding distance during the head operation is larger than the distance between the stop position and the printing position, the pressing state maintaining distance setting The means may be configured to set the feeding distance during the head operation as the pressed state maintaining distance.

  With such a configuration, the feeding distance during the head operation during which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the pressing release operation and pressing operation (pressing return operation) of the thermal head is larger than the distance between the stop position and the printing position. In this case, the holding state maintaining distance is set to the feeding distance during the head operation. Therefore, the distance at which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper after the printing for one print area is completed, the feed distance during the head press release operation in which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the press release operation of the thermal head, and the press of the thermal head. It is possible to control the feeding distance during the head feeding operation, which is the sum of the feeding distance during the head pressing operation in which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the operation.

  Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit includes a press release control unit that starts pressing release of the thermal head immediately after the printing is completed, and the thermal release unit according to a determination result of the distance determination unit. A pressing / returning control unit that controls the start timing of the pressing / returning of the thermal head after releasing the pressing of the head can be employed.

  With such a configuration, immediately after the printing of one printing area portion is finished, the pressing release of the thermal head is started, and then the ink holding ribbon is sent together with the paper during the pressing release operation of the thermal head. And the head operating feed distance during which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the pressing operation of the thermal head is equal to or less than the distance between the stop position and the printing position. Depending on the determination result, the start timing of the thermal head pressing and returning is controlled.

  Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, when the presser return control means determines that the feed distance during the head operation is equal to or less than the distance between the stop position and the print position by the distance determination means. Further, the remaining distance to which the sheet should be fed before the one print area portion reaches the stop position is a distance obtained by subtracting the feed distance during the head press release operation from the distance between the stop position and the print position. When it becomes, it can be set as the structure which starts holding | suppressing return of the said thermal head.

  With such a configuration, when the feed distance during the head operation is equal to or less than the distance (D) between the stop position and the print position, the thermal head of the thermal head after printing of one print area portion is completed. In consideration of the feeding distance that the ink ribbon is sent during the press release operation, the ink ribbon along with the paper is moved to the stop position, the print position, and the paper during the idle feed until the printed print area reaches the stop position. Can be sent only a distance between.

  Furthermore, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention, when the pressing and returning control means determines that the feeding distance during the head operation is larger than the distance between the stop position and the printing position by the distance determining means. The thermal head press and return may be started at the timing when the remaining distance to which the sheet should be fed before the one print area reaches the stop position becomes the feed distance during the head press operation. it can.

  With such a configuration, when the feeding distance during the head operation is larger than the distance between the stop position and the printing position, the thermal head press and release operation immediately after the printing of one printing area portion causes the ink together with the paper. The ribbon is fed during the head press release operation and the thermal head press and return operation causes the ink ribbon to be fed together with the paper during the head press operation and the printed print area portion reaches the stop position.

  According to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention, after printing for one print area portion, the time for stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon during the idle feed of the paper until the one print area portion reaches the stop position. The distance that the ink ribbon is fed with the paper can be controlled to the pressed state maintaining distance, so that even if the size of the print area such as the label or the print content changes variously, the thermal head Ink ribbon can be prevented from being wasted as much as possible by simple control of press release and return of press.

It is a figure which shows the state of the conventional feed and return of the paper and ink ribbon in which the some label was arranged. It is a figure which shows the thermal printer (thermal head pressing state) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the thermal printer (thermal head press release state) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of labels arranged in the thermal printer illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and an ink ribbon are fed and returned. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a printing speed and a feeding distance A during head pressing release operation, a feeding distance B during head pressing operation, and a feeding distance during head operation (A + B). It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the process sequence of printing operation by a thermal head. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the process sequence of printing operation by a thermal head. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the press release process of a thermal head. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the pressure head reset process of a thermal head. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for paper return processing. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship (part 1) between a position where a printed label is sent and a press release operation and a press return operation of the thermal head. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship (part 2) between a position where a printed label is sent and a press release operation and a press return operation of the thermal head. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship (part 3) between a position where a printed label is sent and a press release operation and a press return operation of the thermal head. In the case where the relationship between the position where the printed label is fed and the press release operation and press return operation of the thermal head 20 is as shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state of.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A thermal printer (thermal transfer recording apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, a sheet S on which a plurality of labels Lb arranged at predetermined intervals are temporarily attached to a mount M is fed out from a supply reel 11 to be guided to a guide roller 12, a platen roller 13 (platen), and a pair of nippings. It passes through the rollers 14a and 14b and is conveyed by the rotation of the sandwiching rollers 14a and 14b. A peeling plate 18 is provided at a predetermined position downstream of the sandwiching rollers 14a and 14b. Further, the ink ribbon IRb fed out from the supply reel 15 passes through the guide roller 16 and the platen roller 13 and is taken up on the take-up reel 17.

  A thermal head 20 is disposed so as to face the platen roller 13, and the thermal head 20 is fixed to a distal end portion of a support member 21 whose base end portion is slidably supported by a shaft 22. The paper S and the ink ribbon IRb in a state where the thermal head 20 fixed to the front end portion of the support member 21 and the platen roller 13 are overlapped pass through. A pressing plate 26 is provided at the tip of the support member 21, and the ink ribbon IRb that has passed between the thermal head 20 (supporting member 21) and the platen roller 13 is pressed by the pressing plate 26. Yes.

  The arc-shaped cam surface of the cam 23 is in contact with the surface of the support member 21 opposite to the surface on the platen roller 13 side. The cam 23 is supported by a shaft 24 so as to be freely slidable. The power of the actuator 31 (for example, a motor) is transmitted as a rotational force to the shaft 24 via a power transmission system (not shown), and the cam 23 swings about the shaft 24 by the rotational force. The support member 21 is kept in contact with the arcuate cam surface of the cam 23 by the pulling force of the spring 25. When the cam 23 is in the state shown in FIG. 2, the paper S and the ink ribbon IRb that are fed in a state where the thermal head 20 fixed to the front end portion of the support member 21 pressed by the cam 23 is overlaid are transferred to the ink ribbon. Press against the platen roller 13 from the IRb side. The position of the thermal head 20 is referred to as a pressing position, for example. When the cam 23 is in the state shown in FIG. 3, the thermal head 20 fixed to the distal end portion of the support member 21 maintained in contact with the cam 23 by the spring 25 is separated from the platen roller 13, and the support member 21. The ink ribbon IRb that is in contact with the pressing plate 26 provided at the leading edge of the sheet is separated from the paper S while being separated from the thermal head 20. The position of the thermal head 20 is referred to as a retracted position, for example. The control unit 30 is configured so that the cam 23 rotates between the state shown in FIG. 2 and the state shown in FIG. 3, that is, the thermal head 20 moves between the pressing position and the retracted position. Drive control of the actuator 31 is performed.

  The release plate 18 changes the transport direction of the mount M in the paper S transported through the sandwiching rollers 14 a and 14 b to an acute angle, and peels the label Lb temporarily attached to the mount M from the mount M. Although not shown, the mount M whose transport direction has been changed to an acute angle by the peeling plate 18 is wound up by a take-up reel. A peeling position (stop position) Pc where the printed label Lb is positioned and the label Lb is peeled from the mount M by the peeling plate 18 and a printing position Pp where the thermal head 20 prints on the label Lb. Is set to a predetermined distance D.

  The control unit 30 drives and controls the actuator 31 so as to move the thermal head 20 between the pressing position and the retracted position, and controls the transport of the paper S (mount M) and the feed control of the ink ribbon IRb. The conveyance control of the sheet S is for sending the sheet S (mount M) such as a motor for rotating the holding rollers 14a and 14b, a motor for rotating the take-up reel of the mount M, and a motor for rotating the platen roller 13. This is done by motor drive control. The feed control of the ink ribbon IRb is performed by driving control of the supply reel 15 and the take-up reel 17. By the conveyance control of the sheet S (mounting sheet M), for example, the sheet S is idle fed until the label Lb1 that has been printed as shown in FIG. 4A reaches the peeling position Pc as shown in FIG. 4B. After the printed label Lb1 is peeled off, the sheet S is returned so that the next label Lb2 is positioned at the print position Pp as shown in FIG. Thereafter, printing is again performed at the printing position Pp for the next label Lb2 while the paper S is being fed, and printing of the label Lb2 is completed as shown in FIG. Thereafter, similarly, the sheet S (mount M) is fed after the printing on the label Lb is completed, the sheet S (mount M) after the label Lb is peeled off, and the sheet S during the printing operation of the next label Lb. Feeding is repeated.

  In a state where the thermal head 20 is in the pressing position as shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon IRb is sent together with the feeding of the paper S, and the thermal head 20 applies the label Lb and the ink ribbon IRb of the paper S to be sent in a superimposed manner. The ink ribbon IRb is pressed against the platen roller 13, and ink is thermally transferred from the ink ribbon IRb to the label Lb in accordance with the print data for printing.

  When the ink ribbon IRb is fed together with the paper S, the thermal head 20 moves from the pressing position (see FIG. 2) to the retracted position (see FIG. 3) (head up), that is, press release is released from the start of press release. During the press release operation (head up operation) of the thermal head 20 until the completion, the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb is not stopped, and the ink ribbon IRb is fed together with the paper S for a certain distance. Further, the thermal head 20 moves from the retracted position (see FIG. 3) to the pressing position (see FIG. 2) (head down), that is, the pressing and returning operation of the thermal head 20 from the start of pressing to the completion of pressing (head Even during the down operation, the ink ribbon IRb is fed along with the paper S by a certain distance. The feeding distance of the paper S and the ink ribbon IRb during the pressing release operation of the thermal head 20 is referred to as a feeding distance A during the head pressing releasing operation, and the feeding distance of the paper S and the ink ribbon IRb during the pressing return operation of the thermal head 20 is referred to as the feeding distance A. The head feeding operation distance B is referred to as the sum, and the sum thereof is referred to as the head operation feeding distance (A + B). The feed distance A during the head press release operation, the feed distance B during the head press operation, and the feed distance (A + B) during the head press operation depend on the feed speed of the paper S, that is, the printing speed, as shown in FIG. doing. In FIG. 5, for example, when the printing speed (feed speed of the paper S) is 4 inches per second, each of the feed distance A during the head press release operation and the feed distance B during the head press operation is 4 mm. The distance (A + B) is 8 mm. Further, when the printing speed (feed speed of the paper S) is 10 inches per second, the feed distance A during the head press release operation and the feed distance B during the head press operation are each 8 mm, and the feed distance during the head operation (A + B) Is 16 mm.

  The control unit 30 controls the pressing of the thermal head 20 in consideration of the feeding distance A during the head release operation and the feeding distance B during the head pressing operation depending on the printing speed as well as the feeding and returning control of the sheet S (mount M). While performing the release operation and the press return operation (press operation) (drive control of the actuator 31), the print control for each label Lb based on the print data is executed, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  In FIG. 6A, the control unit 30 starts feeding the ink ribbon IRb by winding the ink ribbon IRb on the take-up reel 17 (S10), and then, for example, detects a detection signal from a label sensor (not shown). Based on this, when it is detected that the label Lb of the paper S to be sent is positioned at the print position Pp, the paper S is printed every time the line L is printed on the label Lb based on the print data (S11). The thermal head 20 is controlled and the paper S feeding motor is controlled so as to feed one line (S12). The operation is continued until the printing of the last line for the label Lb is completed (S13). When the printing of the last line for the label Lb is completed (YES in S13), the control unit 30 moves the thermal head 20 to the sheet S during the idle feeding of the sheet S until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc (stop position). At the same time, a pressing state maintaining distance (X) defined as a feeding distance of the paper S to be maintained in a state where the ink ribbon IRb can be fed is set (S14: pressing state maintaining distance setting means). The ink ribbon IRb can be fed together with the paper S of the thermal head 20 when the thermal head 20 is in the press release operation (head up operation), and the thermal head 20 is in the press release operation (head down operation). And a state in which the thermal head 20 is in the pressing position (see FIG. 2).

For example, as described above, the feed distance during head operation (A + B) that is the sum of the feed distance A during head press release operation and the feed distance B during head press operation depending on the printing speed, the peeling position Pc, and the print position Pp. Based on the relationship with the distance D (see FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4), the holding state maintaining distance X is
When (A + B) ≦ D, X = D (1)
When (A + B)> D, X = A + B (2)
It is set like this.

Next, the control unit 30 leaves the sheet S to be sent before the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc at the time when the pressing return operation (pressing operation) of the thermal head 20 whose pressing has been released should be started. A head pressing return starting distance Y defined as a distance is set (S15). For example, based on the relationship between the feeding distance (A + B) during the head operation and the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp, the head pressing return starting distance Y is
When (A + B) ≦ D, Y = D−A (3)
When (A + B)> D, Y = B (4)
It is set like this.

  In the above case, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, after the printed label Lb1 is peeled off at the peeling position Pc, the next label Lb2 is positioned at the printing position Pp. The return distance of the sheet S corresponds to the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the print position Pp, and while the sheet S is returned, the thermal head 20 is maintained at the pressing position (see FIG. 2), and the ink It is assumed that the ribbon IRb is returned together with the paper S by the distance D.

  Therefore, when the feeding distance (A + B) during the head operation is equal to or less than the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp (see the formula (1)), the sheet S until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc. The pressing state maintaining distance X that should keep the thermal head 20 in the state where the ink ribbon IRb can be fed together with the paper S during the idle feeding is the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp (X = D) That is, when the paper S is returned, the ink ribbon IRb is set so as to correspond to the distance to be returned together with the paper S. In this case (see equation (3)), the head presser return start distance Y is set to (DA). This is because the pressing and releasing operation of the thermal head 20 which has started the pressing release operation immediately after the printing on the label Lb and has reached the retracted position sends the paper S until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc. This means that the pressing and returning operation of the thermal head 20 is controlled so that it starts when the remaining power distance (head pressing and returning start distance Y) reaches DA (Y = DA). .

  Further, when the feeding distance (A + B) during the head operation exceeds the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp (refer to the expression (2)), the printed label Lb is required to reach the peeling position Pc. The pressing state maintaining distance X that should keep the thermal head 20 in a state where the ink ribbon IRb can be fed together with the paper S during the idle feeding of the paper S is the feeding distance (A + B) during the head operation, that is, the thermal head. It is set so as to correspond to the feeding distance of the ink ribbon IRb fed together with the paper S during the pressing release operation from the pressing position of 20 to the retracting position and the pressing return operation from the retracting position to the pressing position. In this case (see equation (4)), the head pressing return start distance Y is set to the feeding distance B during the head pressing operation. This is because the pressing and returning operation of the thermal head 20 which has started the pressing release operation immediately after the printing on the label Lb and has reached the retracted position sends the paper S until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc. Control of the pressing and returning operation of the thermal head 20 is controlled so that the remaining power distance (head pressing and returning start distance Y) starts at the same time as the feeding distance B (Y = B) during the head pressing operation. Means that will be done.

  Returning to FIG. 6A, the control unit 30 sets the pressed state maintaining distance X and the head pressed return start distance Y as described above (S14, S15), and when the printing on the label Lb is completed (current time), The distance to which the sheet S should be fed until the label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc is set as the initial value Eo (maximum value: see FIG. 4) of the remaining idle feeding distance E (S16). Thereafter, the control unit 30 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 6B.

  In FIG. 6B, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the pressed state maintaining distance X is equal to or less than the initial value Eo of the remaining idle feed distance E (S17). When the pressed state maintaining distance X is equal to or less than the initial value Eo of the remaining idle feed distance E (YES in S17), the control unit 30 starts processing for releasing the pressing of the thermal head 20 (S18: Pressing) Release control means). Thereby, the thermal head 20 starts the press release operation (head up operation) immediately after the printing of the label Lb is completed (YES in S13 of FIG. 6A).

  The process (S18) for releasing the press of the thermal head 20 by the control unit 30 is specifically performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. That is, when the control unit 30 determines that the thermal head 20 is not at the retracted position (see FIG. 3) based on the detection signal from the retracted position sensor (not shown) for detecting the retracted position of the thermal head 20. (NO in S41), the actuator 31 is activated (S42). Then, the control unit 30 enters a state of monitoring whether or not the detection signal from the retracted position sensor is on (S43). When the detection signal from the retracted position sensor is turned on (YES in S43), the control unit 30 30 stops the actuator 31 (S44) and stops feeding the ink ribbon IRb (S45). In this way, under the control of the control unit 30, the thermal head 20 performs a press release operation (head-up operation) immediately after the printing of the label Lb is completed. If the thermal head 20 is in the retracted position from the beginning (YES in S41), the control unit 30 stops the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb without performing the process for releasing the pressing of the thermal head 20, and performs the process. End.

  Returning to FIG. 6B, the control unit 30 starts the process (see FIG. 7) related to the release of pressing of the thermal head 20 (S18), and then the sheet S from the present time until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc. Is monitored (S20) while the remaining idle feed distance E, which is the distance to which the paper is to be sent, has reached (below) the head presser return start distance Y (S20), and the motor for feeding the paper S is step by step. Drive control is performed (S19). When the remaining idle feeding distance E that is sequentially reduced by feeding the paper S reaches the head presser return start distance Y (YES in S20), the control unit 30 has already completed the press release operation at this point. Then, a process for returning and pressing the thermal head 20 in the retracted position is started (S21: pressing and returning control means). Thereby, the thermal head 20 starts a pressing and returning operation (head down operation).

  The processing (S21) for returning and pressing the thermal head 20 by the control unit 30 is specifically performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. That is, the control unit 30 starts feeding the ink ribbon IRb by winding the ink ribbon IRb on the take-up reel 17 (S50), and detects a pressing position sensor (not shown) for detecting the pressing position of the thermal head 20. If it is determined that the thermal head 20 is not in the pressing position (see FIG. 2) based on the detection signal from (omitted) (NO in S51), the actuator 31 is activated (S52). Then, the control unit 30 enters a state of monitoring whether or not the detection signal from the pressing position sensor is on (S53). When the detection signal from the pressing position sensor is turned on (YES in S53), the control unit 30 30 stops the actuator 31 (S54). In this way, under the control of the control unit 30, when the remaining idle feed distance E reaches the head presser return start distance Y, the thermal head 20 performs a presser return operation (head down operation). When the thermal head 20 has been in the pressing position from the beginning (YES in S51), the control unit 30 ends the process without performing the process for returning the pressing of the thermal head 20.

  Returning to FIG. 6B, the control unit 30 starts processing (see FIG. 8) related to the return of pressing of the thermal head 20 (S21). After that, whether or not the printed label Lb has reached the peeling position Pc, that is, Then, while monitoring whether or not the remaining idle feeding distance E has become zero (S23), the motor for feeding the paper S is driven and controlled step by step (S22). When the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc (YES in S23), that is, when the remaining idle feeding distance E becomes zero, the control unit 30 stops feeding the ink ribbon IRb (S24). The printing process for one label Lb is completed.

  As described above, when the printed label Lb (Lb1) reaches the peeling position Pc (see FIG. 4B), the printed label Lb is peeled from the mount M. Thereafter, the control unit 30 keeps the thermal head 20 in the pressing position, and returns the paper S until the next label Lb (Lb2) is positioned at the printing position Pp (see FIG. 4C), the actuator 31. Further, drive control of the motor for feeding the paper S is performed. For the paper S, specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, while monitoring whether or not the next label Lb (Lb2) is positioned at the print position Pp (S32), the motor for feeding the paper S is turned on. Drive control is performed one step at a time in the reverse direction (S31) in the case of idle feeding of the paper S (see S19 and S22 in FIG. 6B). When the next label Lb (Lb2) is positioned at the print position Pp (see FIG. 4C), the control unit 30 ends the control relating to the return of the paper S. At this time, the ink ribbon IRb is also rewound in synchronization with the return of the paper S.

  As described above, printing on the label Lb, empty feeding of the sheet S until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc after the printing is finished, and the next label Lb after peeling the label Lb is at the printing position Pp. A series of operations of returning the paper S until it is positioned ends. Then, by repeating the above-described processing, printing is performed on each label Lb arranged on the mount M, and the printed label Lb is sequentially peeled from the mount M.

  In the process according to the procedure shown in FIG. 6B, if the pressed state maintaining distance X exceeds the initial value Eo of the remaining idle feed distance E (NO in S17), the empty sheet S after printing is completed. The distance (X) that should keep the thermal head 20 in the state where the ink ribbon IRb can be fed together with the paper S during feeding is the initial value Eo of the remaining idle feeding distance E, which is the maximum value of the idle feeding. As a result, the control unit 30 does not perform the presser release operation (S18) and the presser return operation (S21) of the thermal head 20 after the printing is completed, and the printing is performed in a state where the thermal head 20 is maintained at the pressing position. Control of the motor for feeding the paper S (S22, S23) is performed so that the paper S is fed idle until the finished label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc.

  In the thermal printer as described above, when the head operating feed distance (A + B) is smaller than the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp (see the above formulas (1) and (3)), the printing has been completed. The specific relationship between the position where the label Lb (the hatched portion is the printed portion) and the press release operation and press return operation of the thermal head 20 is as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

  In FIG. 10, immediately after the printing on the label Lb is completed, the pressing release operation (head up operation) of the thermal head 20 at the pressing position is started, and the ink ribbon IRb is moved to the distance A (during head pressing release operation) together with the label Lb. (Feed distance) While being fed, the thermal head 20 is in the retracted position. In this state, the feeding of the paper S (label Lb) is continued while the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb is stopped. Thereafter, when the label Lb (for example, the rear end) reaches the position of the head pressing return start distance Y (= DA) upstream from the peeling position Pc, the pressing return operation (head down operation) of the thermal head 20. Is started and the ink ribbon IRb is fed together with the paper S (label Lb) by a distance B (feed distance during the head pressing operation) until the pressing and returning operation is completed and the thermal head 20 reaches the pressing position. The ink ribbon IRb is fed together with the paper S (label Lb) until the label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc while the thermal head 20 is maintained at the pressing position.

  In the above process, the ink ribbon IRb together with the paper S and the distance X (= Y + A =) until the paper S is fed the distance Eo (the initial value of the remaining idle feeding distance E) and the printed label Lb reaches the peeling distance Pc. (D−A + A = D) The timing of releasing the pressing of the thermal head 20 and returning the pressing is controlled. That is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ink ribbon IRb is fed by the distance X = D while the paper S is fed by the distance Eo until the printed label Lb1 reaches the peeling position Pc. Then, with the thermal head 20 maintained in the pressed position, for example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the ink ribbon IRb is returned by the distance D together with the paper S, and the next label Lb2 is positioned at the print position Pp. . In this case, since the feeding distance X = D of the ink ribbon IRb when the paper S is idled after the printing is finished is the same as the return distance D of the ink ribbon IRb when the paper S is returned, the printing of the label Lb1 is finished. When the next label Lb2 is positioned at the print position Pp, the print end end Ie1 of the ink ribbon IRb at that time has substantially returned to the print position Pp, and for printing on the next label Lb2, The ink ribbon IRb can be used without waste.

  When the feeding distance (A + B) during head operation is equal to the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp (see the above formulas (1) and (3)), the printed label Lb (the hatched portion is the printed portion) The specific relationship between the position to which the thermal head 20 is sent and the press release operation and press return operation of the thermal head 20 is as shown in FIG. 11, for example.

  Also in this case, the ink ribbon IRb together with the paper S has the distance X (= Y + A = D) until the paper S is fed the distance Eo (the initial value of the remaining idle feeding distance E) and the printed label Lb reaches the peeling distance Pc. -A + A = D = A + B) The timing of releasing the press of the thermal head 20 and returning the press is controlled so as to be sent. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the feeding distance X = D of the ink ribbon IRb when the paper S after printing is idle and the ink ribbon when the paper S is returned. The return end Ie1 of the ink ribbon IRb when the return distance of IRb = D is the same and the printing of the label Lb1 is finished is substantially printed when the next label Lb2 is positioned at the printing position Pp. The ink ribbon IRb is returned to the position Pp, and the ink ribbon IRb can be used without waste when printing on the next label Lb2.

  When the head moving distance (A + B) exceeds the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp (see the above equations (2) and (4)), the printed label Lb (the hatched portion is the printed portion) The specific relationship between the position to which the thermal head 20 is sent and the press release operation and press return operation of the thermal head 20 is as shown in FIG. 12, for example.

  In FIG. 12, immediately after the printing on the label Lb is completed, the pressing release operation (head up operation) of the thermal head 20 at the pressing position is started, and the ink ribbon IRb is moved to the distance A (during head pressing release operation) together with the label Lb. (Feed distance) While being fed, the thermal head 20 is in the retracted position. In this state, the feeding of the paper S (label Lb) is continued while the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb is stopped. Thereafter, when the label Lb (for example, the rear end) reaches the position of the head pressing return start distance Y (= B) upstream from the peeling position Pc, the pressing return operation (head down operation) of the thermal head 20 starts. Then, the ink ribbon IRb is fed together with the paper S (label Lb) by a distance B (feed distance during the head pressing operation) until the pressing and returning operation is completed and the thermal head 20 reaches the pressing position. At that time, the printed label Lb has reached the peeling position Pc.

  In the above process, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the sheet S is fed by the distance Eo (the initial value of the remaining idle feeding distance E) and the printed label Lb reaches the peeling distance Pc. The timing of releasing the press and returning the press of the thermal head 20 is controlled so that the ink ribbon IRb is fed together with the paper S by the distance X (= A + B> D). In this case, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the feeding distance X = A + B of the ink ribbon IRb when the paper S is fed after the printing is finished is equal to that of the ink ribbon IRb when the paper S is returned. The return distance is greater than D, and the difference is the distance Δ. For this reason, the printing end Ie1 of the ink ribbon IRb at the time when the printing of the label Lb is completed is the printing position when the next label Lb is positioned at the printing position Pp as shown in FIG. It has returned only to the position of the distance Δ on the downstream side of Pp, and when the next label Lb is printed, an unused portion of the distance Δ may occur in the ink ribbon IRb.

  However, the unused portion distance Δ (= (A + B) −D) is when the thermal head 20 is not released when the paper S is fed until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc (see FIG. 1). ) Is smaller than the distance (Eo−D) of the unused portion of the ink ribbon IRb generated by the difference between the feeding distance Eo of the ink ribbon IRb (paper S) and the return distance D of the ink ribbon IRb (paper S). Therefore, even in the case shown in FIG. 12, waste of the ink ribbon IRb can be reduced when printing on the next label Lb.

  In the thermal printer as described above, the ink ribbon IRb is fed along with the paper S during the press release operation of the thermal head 20 (feed distance during the head press release operation) A, and the ink together with the paper S during the press operation of the thermal head 20. The paper S is empty until the printed label Lb reaches the peeling position Pc based on the distance B (feed distance during the head pressing operation) B and the distance D between the peeling position Pc and the printing position Pp. When the paper is fed, the timing of releasing the press of the thermal head 20 and returning the press is controlled so that the feed distance of the ink ribbon IRb together with the paper becomes the press-maintained distance X. Thus, instead of controlling the time or the like for stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon IRb, the distance at which the ink ribbon IRb is fed together with the paper S can be controlled to the pressed state maintaining distance (X). Even if the size and contents of printing change variously, it is possible to prevent waste of the ink ribbon as much as possible by simple control of releasing the pressing of the thermal head 20 and returning the pressing.

  In the above-described thermal printer, the label Lb temporarily attached to the mount M is peeled off at the peeling position Pc. However, in order to separate the printed label Lb from the paper S, the paper S (label) is removed. You may cut. In this case, the cut position of the paper (label) is used for feeding the paper S and controlling the thermal head 20 as the separation position (stop position) corresponding to the peeling position Pc described above. When cutting a sheet, the sheet may have a configuration in which print area portions are sequentially arranged instead of a peelable label.

  In the above-described thermal printer (thermal transfer recording apparatus), the pressing of the thermal head 20 with respect to the platen roller 13 and the release thereof are those for moving the thermal head 20, but the platen roller 13 may be moved. .

  As described above, the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention wastes the ink ribbon by simple control of the release of the thermal head and the return of the press even if the size of the print area such as the label and the print contents are variously changed. The paper and the ink ribbon that are fed in a stacked state are pressed against the platen from the ink ribbon side, and the ink is supplied from the ink ribbon according to the print data. It is useful as a thermal transfer recording apparatus having a thermal head that performs thermal transfer on the printer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Supply reel 12 Guide roller 13 Platen roller 14a, 14b Nipping roller 15 Supply reel 16 Guide roller 17 Take-up reel 18 Release plate 20 Thermal head 21 Support member 22 Shaft 23 Cam 24 Shaft 25 Spring 26 Holding plate 30 Control unit 31 Actuator

Claims (13)

A thermal head that presses the paper and the ink ribbon that are sent while being stacked on the platen against the platen, and transfers ink from the ink ribbon to the paper based on print data; In the process in which the thermal head prints on each of a plurality of print area portions sequentially arranged in the feeding direction, after the printing for one print area portion is finished, the sheet is set to a predetermined position where the one print area portion is to be positioned. Thermal transfer is performed until the stop position is reached, and after the one print area portion is positioned at the stop position, the paper is returned until the next print area portion is positioned at the print position by the thermal head. A recording device,
During the idle feeding of the paper after the end of printing on the one printing area portion, the paper is previously set as a feeding distance of the paper to be maintained in a state where the thermal ribbon can be fed together with the paper. Control for controlling the release timing of the thermal head and the return of pressing so that the thermal head is maintained in a state where the ink ribbon can be fed together with the paper while the predetermined pressing state maintaining distance is being fed. Thermal transfer recording apparatus having means.   The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressed state maintaining distance is set to a distance at which the sheet is returned while the pressed state of the thermal head with respect to the platen is maintained.   The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressed state maintaining distance is set to a distance between the stop position and the printing position.   The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control means includes press release control means for starting press release of the thermal head immediately after the printing is finished.   The control means is configured such that the remaining distance to which the sheet should be fed before the one print area portion reaches the stop position is a release distance from the press release of the thermal head from the distance between the stop position and the print position. Presser return control means for starting the presser return of the thermal head when the distance obtained by subtracting the feed distance during the head press release operation, which is the distance to which the ink ribbon is sent together with the paper during the press release operation until completion, is obtained. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 4.   The holding state maintaining distance is the distance during which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the press release operation from the start of press release of the thermal head to the completion of press release. 2. The thermal transfer recording according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording is set to a feeding distance during head operation that is a sum of a feeding distance during head pressing operation that is a distance along which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during a pressing operation from start to pressing completion. apparatus. The control means includes a press release control means for starting press release of the thermal head immediately after the end of printing,
A pressing / returning control means for starting the pressing and returning of the thermal head when a remaining distance to which the sheet should be fed before the one print area reaches the stop position becomes a feeding distance during the head pressing operation; The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 6. A thermal head that presses a paper and an ink ribbon that are fed in a state of being overlaid on a platen against the platen from the ink ribbon side, and transfers ink from the ink ribbon to the paper based on print data; In the process in which the thermal head prints a plurality of prints sequentially arranged in the feed direction on the paper to be fed, in the process of printing each of the area portions at the print position, after the printing for one print area portion, the paper After the one print area portion is positioned at the stop position, the sheet is fed to the next print area portion by the thermal head. A thermal transfer recording device that returns until it is positioned at the printing position,
The feed distance during the head press release operation, which is the distance to which the ink ribbon is fed with the paper during the press release operation from the start of press release of the thermal head to the completion of press release, and from the start of press down of the thermal head to the completion of press A state in which the ink ribbon can be fed together with the thermal head and the paper during the idle feeding of the paper based on the feeding distance during the head pushing operation, which is a distance by which the ink ribbon is fed together with the paper during the pressing operation. Holding state maintaining distance setting means for setting a holding state maintaining distance that is a feeding distance of the paper to be maintained at
While the paper is being fed in the idle state after the printing for the one print area portion, the thermal head is moved together with the paper while the paper is fed by the holding state maintaining distance set by the holding state maintaining distance setting unit. A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the timing of releasing and returning the press of the thermal head so that the ink ribbon can be fed. Distance determination for determining whether a feed distance during head operation, which is the sum of a feed distance during head press release operation and a feed distance during head press operation, is equal to or less than a distance between the stop position and the print position Having means,
When it is determined by the distance determination means that the feed distance during the head operation is equal to or less than the distance between the stop position and the print position, the holding state maintaining distance setting means The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a distance between and is set as the pressed state maintaining distance.   When the distance determining means determines that the feed distance during the head operation is greater than the distance between the stop position and the print position, the holding state maintaining distance setting means sets the feed distance during the head operation The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the thermal transfer recording apparatus is set as a pressed state maintaining distance. The control means includes a press release control means for starting press release of the thermal head immediately after the end of printing,
11. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a presser return control unit that controls a start timing of pressing and returning of the thermal head after releasing the press of the thermal head in accordance with a determination result by the distance determination unit. .   When the distance determining unit determines that the feed distance during the head operation is equal to or less than the distance between the stop position and the print position, the press return control unit causes the one print area portion to stop. When the remaining distance to which the sheet should be fed before reaching the position becomes a distance obtained by subtracting the feeding distance during the head pressing release operation from the distance between the stop position and the printing position, The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the return is started.   When the distance determining unit determines that the feeding distance during the head operation is greater than the distance between the stop position and the print position, the press return control unit sets the one print area to the stop position. 13. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the thermal head press and return start is started at a timing when the remaining distance to which the paper should be fed before reaching the feed distance during the head press operation.

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