JP5527016B2 - Tape cartridge, label production device, label production device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a label producing apparatus for producing a print label, a label producing apparatus, and a label producing apparatus body.

  Conventionally, a label producing apparatus for producing a print label is known. In this label producing apparatus, when a tape cartridge is loaded in the cartridge holder, the label producing tape is fed out from the tape roll stored in the cartridge by the conveying means, and desired printing is performed by the printing means. Created.

  Among such tape cartridges that can be attached to and detached from the label producing apparatus, a cartridge cartridge having a remaining amount confirmation window for confirming the remaining amount of the label producing tape is known (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). The operator can recognize the tape remaining amount by visually recognizing the tape roll that gradually decreases as the label producing tape is fed out from the remaining amount confirmation window.

Japanese Patent No. 36060359

  In the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the size of the tape roll is only visually confirmed from the remaining amount confirmation window, the operator can grasp only a rough amount of tape remaining and cannot recognize the accurate amount of tape remaining. could not. In particular, when the remaining tape amount is reduced and the outer diameter of the tape roll is reduced, it is difficult to visually recognize when the label producing tape is finished. For this reason, there is a possibility that the apparatus may be defective when the label producing tape is finished during printing or when printing is performed without the tape.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cartridge, a label producing apparatus, and a label producing apparatus body that allow an operator to reliably recognize the remaining amount of the label producing tape.

In order to achieve the above object, the tape cartridge of the first invention is configured to be detachable from a cartridge holder of a label producing apparatus for producing a print label, and a tape roll around which a label producing tape is wound is stored in a cartridge housing. A plurality of detectors formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the tape roll, and a detected body provided in the cartridge housing so as to rotate at the same angular velocity as the tape roll; at least one provided in the cartridge housing, possess a transmission hole which optical detection means for detecting the externally of said cartridge housing the detectors of the object to be detected optically is transmitted through the detection light input and output, The object to be detected rotates in conjunction with a spool of the tape roll so as to come into contact with one end portion in the width direction of the tape roll. Wherein the circle is a film formed in a circular shape.

  When the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder of the label producing apparatus, the label producing tape is fed out from the tape roll by the conveying means of the label producing apparatus, and the label producing tape or a cover film to be bonded thereto is printed by the printing means. Desired printing is performed and a printed label is created. At this time, the tape roll is rotated around the spool, and the label producing tape is fed out. However, since the outer diameter of the tape roll gradually decreases as the label producing tape is fed out, the tape transport speed is constant. In this case, the angular velocity around the spool of the tape roll gradually increases according to the roll outer diameter. As described above, there is a predetermined correlation between the outer circumference of the roll (that is, the remaining tape amount) and the angular velocity of the tape roll, and the remaining tape amount can be calculated from the angular velocity of the tape roll using this correlation. .

In the first invention of the present application, an object to be detected that rotates at the same angular velocity as the tape roll is provided in the cartridge casing, and optical detection means for optically detecting the detector of the object to be detected from the outside of the cartridge casing is provided. At least one transmission hole for transmitting the output detection light is provided in the cartridge housing. Thereby, the tape remaining amount can be calculated from the angular velocity of the tape roll based on the detection result of the optical detection means using the above correlation. As a result, by notifying the operator of the remaining tape amount, the operator can reliably recognize the remaining tape amount. Further, if a warning or the like is given when the remaining tape amount is less than a predetermined amount, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a malfunction of the apparatus due to printing without a tape without the operator noticing the tape end. . In addition, it is possible to create print labels continuously according to the remaining amount of tape, or to control the transport force (tape unwinding force) by the transport means according to the remaining amount of tape to stabilize the tape transport. Become. Further, in general, in a tape cartridge, an annular film member for preventing problems caused by the sticking out of the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the tape for label production is provided at both ends in the width direction of the tape roll. Therefore, a detection target is configured by forming a plurality of detectors at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on one side of the film member. By doing in this way, since a to-be-detected body can be comprised using an existing member, without providing a new member, space saving and cost reduction can be aimed at.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tape cartridge according to the first aspect, wherein the cartridge housing is provided around the transmission hole, and is configured to advance and retreat with respect to the cartridge holder of the label producing apparatus. It has the contact part which contacts.

  In general, the optical detection means has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion arranged on one side of the tape cartridge, and a reflection type in which the detection light output from the light emitting portion and reflected by the detection target is detected by the light receiving portion, or a tape cartridge There is a transmission type that has a light emitting portion disposed on one side of the light receiving portion and a light receiving portion disposed on the other side of the tape cut ridge, and detects the detection light output from the light emitting portion and transmitted through the detection target by the light receiving portion. Among these, in particular, when a reflection type detection means is used, the distance between the optical detection means and the detected object needs to be a constant distance corresponding to the focal length of the sensor.

  In the second invention of the present application, in the label producing apparatus, the optical detection means is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the cartridge holder, and the cartridge housing has a contact portion in contact with the optical detection means around the transmission hole. . As a result, even when tape cartridges having different tape widths (that is, different cartridge casing thicknesses) are mounted on the cartridge holder, the optical detection means is provided on the cartridge casing by moving the optical detection means forward and backward with respect to the cartridge holder. It is possible to always contact the contact portion. As a result, if the tape cartridge is configured so that the distance between the surface of the cartridge housing and the detected body is constant, the distance between the optical detection means and the detected body can be kept constant, Even when different types of tape cartridges are used, the remaining amount of tape can be detected with high accuracy.

  Further, by adopting a configuration in which the optical detection means can be moved forward and backward with respect to the cartridge holder, the advance / retreat position of the optical detection means in contact with the contact portion of the cartridge housing is detected on the label producing apparatus side, and based on the detection result. Thus, cartridge information (tape width, etc.) can be detected.

  The tape cartridge according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the transmission hole has a tapered portion engageable with a tip end portion of the optical detection means on an inner peripheral surface.

  In the third invention of the present application, the tapered portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the transmission hole engages with the tip portion of the optical detection means. Thereby, the optical detection means can be positioned so that the detection light input / output by the optical detection means is surely transmitted through the transmission hole. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect the remaining tape amount. In addition, instead of simply having a hole structure in which the transmission hole can be engaged with the optical detection means, the taper shape has the effect of guiding the optical detection means to the transmission hole and facilitating the engagement.

  The tape cartridge according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the tape cartridge according to the second or third aspect, wherein the contact portion is unevenly formed on the surface of the cartridge housing by a predetermined distance according to a tape width of the label producing tape. It is comprised as a part.

  Generally, the cartridge housing of a tape cartridge is formed so that the thickness of the cartridge housing varies depending on the width of the tape housed in the tape cartridge. It may be formed to have the same thickness with respect to the tape width. In such a case, as described above, in the state of contact with the contact portion of the cartridge housing, the distance between the optical detection means and the detected object does not match the focal length of the sensor, and the detector cannot be detected accurately.

  In the fourth invention of the present application, the contact portion is configured as a stepped portion which is uneven by a predetermined distance corresponding to the tape width with respect to the surface of the cartridge housing. As a result, the contact portion is uneven by a predetermined distance according to the tape width even for a cartridge housing having the same tape thickness but a different housing thickness. The distance between the optical detection means in contact with the object to be detected becomes constant, and the detector can be detected accurately.

The tape cartridge according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the tape cartridge according to the fourth aspect , wherein the detected body is formed with the plurality of detectors including a light-reflective region and a light-absorbing region at an outer peripheral side end in a radial direction. The film member is transparent or translucent.

In this application 5th invention, a to-be-detected body is comprised with the transparent or semi-transparent film member which formed the several detection element in the outer peripheral side edge part in radial direction. By providing the detector at the outer peripheral side end in the radial direction, the detector and the contour of the roll do not overlap each other, and the detector can be satisfactorily detected by the optical detection means. In addition, when the tape remaining amount confirmation window is provided on the detected body side of the cartridge housing by using a transparent or translucent film member, the operator can visually check the remaining tape amount through the film member. Can be confirmed. In this case, since the detector is provided at the outer peripheral side end, the detector does not get in the way when the remaining amount of the tape is visually recognized.

In order to achieve the above object, the label producing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is detachable from the apparatus casing constituting the outline of the apparatus and the tape cartridge storing the tape roll around which the label forming tape is wound in the cartridge casing. A cartridge holder provided in the apparatus housing, and a circumference of a detection object provided in the cartridge housing of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder so as to rotate at the same angular velocity as the tape roll. Optical detection means for optically detecting a plurality of detectors formed at predetermined intervals in the direction from the outside of the cartridge housing, and based on a detection result of the optical detection means, the tape remaining amount of the tape roll and the tape roll Using a predetermined correlation with the tape roll angular velocity, the remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of the tape, and the remaining amount calculating means The remaining amount related information outputting means for outputting to the display unit the remaining amount related information related to the tape remaining amount, provided in the cartridge holder, for supporting said optical detection means retractable relative to the bottom surface of the cartridge holder has Sensor support means .

  When the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder of the label producing apparatus, the label producing tape is fed out from the tape roll by the conveying means of the label producing apparatus, and the label producing tape or a cover film to be bonded thereto is printed by the printing means. Desired printing is performed and a printed label is created. At this time, the tape roll is rotated around the spool, and the label producing tape is fed out. However, since the outer diameter of the tape roll gradually decreases as the label producing tape is fed out, the tape transport speed is constant. In this case, the angular velocity around the spool of the tape roll gradually increases according to the roll outer diameter. As described above, there is a predetermined correlation between the outer circumference of the roll (that is, the remaining tape amount) and the angular velocity of the tape roll, and the remaining tape amount can be calculated from the angular velocity of the tape roll using this correlation. .

In the sixth invention of the present application, a detected body that rotates at the same angular velocity as the tape roll is provided in the cartridge casing, and the optical detection means optically detects the detector of the detected body from the outside of the cartridge casing. To do. Then, the remaining amount calculating means calculates the remaining amount of tape using the above correlation from the angular velocity of the tape roll based on the detection result of the optical detecting means, and the remaining amount related information output means calculates the remaining amount related to the calculated remaining tape amount. The quantity related information is output to the display means. As a result, the remaining amount related information can be displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal screen of the label producing apparatus itself or a display unit such as a PC terminal connected to the label producing apparatus via a network. it can. As a result, the operator can surely recognize the remaining tape amount. Also, if the remaining amount related information output means outputs warning information as remaining amount related information when the remaining amount of tape becomes less than a predetermined amount, the operator can be in a state of no tape without noticing the tape end. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of device troubles due to printing. Furthermore, print labels are continuously created according to the remaining tape amount calculated by the remaining amount calculating means, and the printing force is improved by controlling the conveying force (tape feeding force) by the conveying means according to the remaining tape amount. It is also possible to make it. Further, in general, the optical detection means has a light emitting part and a light receiving part arranged on one side of the tape cartridge, and a reflection type in which the detection light output from the light emitting part and reflected by the detected object is detected by the light receiving part, There is a transmission type that has a light emitting part arranged on one side of the tape cartridge and a light receiving part arranged on the other side of the tape cut ridge, and detects the detection light output from the light emitting part and transmitted through the detection object by the light receiving part. . Among these, in particular, when a reflection type detection means is used, the distance between the optical detection means and the detected object needs to be a constant distance corresponding to the focal length of the sensor. Therefore, the sensor support means supports the optical detection means so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge holder. As a result, even when tape cartridges having different tape widths (that is, cartridge casings having different thicknesses) are mounted on the cartridge holder, the optical detection means is always moved to and retracted from the cartridge holder. It becomes possible to make it contact. As a result, if the tape cartridge is configured so that the distance between the surface of the cartridge housing and the detected body is constant, the distance between the optical detection means and the detected body can be kept constant, Even when different types of tape cartridges are used, the remaining amount of tape can be detected with high accuracy.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the label producing apparatus according to the sixth aspect , further comprising: a sensor position detecting unit configured to detect an advance / retreat position of the optical detection unit in a state in which the tape cartridge attached to the cartridge holder contacts the cartridge housing. It is characterized by having.

In the seventh invention of the present application, in a state where the optical detection means supported so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge holder by the sensor support means is in contact with the cartridge housing of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder, the sensor position detection means Detects the advance / retreat position of the optical detection means. Since the advance / retreat position is determined according to the thickness (tape width) of the cartridge housing, cartridge information (tape width, etc.) can be detected based on the detection result.

Label producing apparatus of the eighth invention, Oite to the sixth or seventh invention, the remaining related information output means is a tape remaining amount is less preset lower limit calculated by the remaining amount calculating means Warning information is output as the remaining amount related information.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a malfunction of the apparatus due to printing without a tape without the operator noticing the tape end.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the label producing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the remaining amount related information output means includes a plurality of tape remaining amounts calculated by the remaining amount calculating means. When the threshold value is less than or equal to the threshold value, step remaining amount information corresponding to each threshold value is output as the remaining amount related information.

  As a result, as the remaining tape amount gradually decreases, the remaining tape amount is notified to the operator step by step, for example, by displaying characters such as “many”, “medium”, and “small”, figures such as bar graphs, etc. Can do.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the remaining amount related information output means corresponds to the remaining amount of tape calculated by the remaining amount calculating means as the remaining amount related information. The tape remaining amount information is output.

  Thereby, the operator can grasp the tape remaining amount in detail.

In order to achieve the above object, a label producing apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is configured to be detachable from a label producing apparatus for producing a printed label and a cartridge holder of the label producing apparatus, and wound with a label producing tape. A label producing apparatus having a tape cartridge in which a tape roll is housed in a cartridge housing, wherein the tape cartridge has a plurality of detectors formed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the tape roll, and is the same as the tape roll At least one detection object provided in the cartridge casing so as to rotate at an angular velocity, and at least one detection object provided in the cartridge casing, and optically detecting the detector of the detection target from the outside of the cartridge casing A transmission hole through which the detection light input / output by the optical detection means is transmitted, and the label producing apparatus constitutes an outline of the apparatus. A device housing that detects the detector of the detected object of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder from outside the cartridge housing, and a detection result of the optical detector The remaining amount calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of tape using a predetermined correlation between the remaining tape amount of the tape roll and the angular velocity of the tape roll, and the remaining tape amount calculated by the remaining amount calculating unit have a remaining amount related information outputting means for outputting to the display unit the remaining amount related information related to the detected body is to be in contact with one widthwise side end portion of the tape roll, the tape roll It is an annular film member that rotates in conjunction with a spool .

  In the label producing apparatus body, when a tape cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder of the label producing apparatus, the label producing tape is fed out from the tape roll by the conveying means of the label producing apparatus, and the label producing tape or this is printed by the printing means. Desired printing is performed on the cover film to be bonded together, and a printed label is created. At this time, the tape roll is rotated around the spool, and the label producing tape is fed out. However, since the outer diameter of the tape roll gradually decreases as the label producing tape is fed out, the tape transport speed is constant. In this case, the angular velocity around the spool of the tape roll gradually increases according to the roll outer diameter. As described above, there is a predetermined correlation between the outer circumference of the roll (that is, the remaining tape amount) and the angular velocity of the tape roll, and the remaining tape amount can be calculated from the angular velocity of the tape roll using this correlation. .

In the eleventh invention of the present application, a detected body that rotates at the same angular velocity as the tape roll is provided in the cartridge casing of the tape cartridge, and the optical detection means of the label producing apparatus places the detector of the detected body in the cartridge casing. It detects optically from the outside. Then, the remaining amount calculating means calculates the remaining amount of tape using the above correlation from the angular velocity of the tape roll based on the detection result of the optical detecting means, and the remaining amount related information output means calculates the remaining amount related to the calculated remaining tape amount. The quantity related information is output to the display means. As a result, the remaining amount related information can be displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal screen of the label producing apparatus itself or a display unit such as a PC terminal connected to the label producing apparatus via a network as a display unit. . As a result, the operator can surely recognize the remaining tape amount. Also, if the remaining amount related information output means outputs warning information as remaining amount related information when the remaining amount of tape becomes less than a predetermined amount, the operator can be in a state of no tape without noticing the tape end. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of device troubles due to printing. Furthermore, print labels are continuously created according to the remaining tape amount calculated by the remaining amount calculating means, and the printing force is improved by controlling the conveying force (tape feeding force) by the conveying means according to the remaining tape amount. It is also possible to make it.

  According to the present invention, the operator can surely recognize the remaining tape amount.

It is a system configuration figure showing the label creation system of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a cartridge holder inside the apparatus main body and a cartridge attached to the cartridge holder with the opening / closing lid of the label producing apparatus opened. It is a figure which shows the peripheral part of the cartridge holder of the state which mounted | wore with the laminate type cartridge with a cartridge. It is a figure which shows the peripheral part of the cartridge holder of the state which mounted | wore the heat sensitive type cartridge with a cartridge. It is a figure which shows the peripheral part of the cartridge holder of the state which mounted | wore with the receptor type cartridge with a cartridge. It is side sectional drawing which represents notionally the whole structure of a sensor support mechanism. It is sectional drawing showing the structure of the permeation | transmission hole vicinity of a cartridge housing | casing. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a label production apparatus. It is the upper side figure and bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the printed label produced with the label production apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX ′ in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by the control circuit of a label production apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S100. It is a figure showing an example of the parameter table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of calculating tape remaining amount from a roll outer periphery diameter. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of calculating a roll outer periphery diameter from the angular velocity of a roll based on the detection result of a 1st optical sensor. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view conceptually showing the structure in the vicinity of a cartridge when a transmissive first optical sensor is used. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by a control circuit, when giving a warning when the tape remaining amount decreases. It is a figure showing an example of the residual amount table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by a control circuit, when it has a remaining amount table. It is a figure showing the other example of the residual amount table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part.

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

  The system configuration of the label producing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a label creation system LS is capable of creating a print label L (see also FIG. 9 described later) on which a desired print is made, and an operation terminal for operating the label creation device 100. 400. The label producing apparatus 100 and the operation terminal 400 are connected to be able to transmit and receive information via a wired or wireless communication line NW.

  The label producing apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 having an overall rectangular parallelepiped apparatus casing 101s that constitutes an outline of the label producing apparatus 100. An opening / closing lid 102 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 101 so as to be openable / closable (or detachable). A tape discharge port 104 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 101. The tape discharge port 104 is a discharge port for discharging the printed label tape 23 and the like (see FIGS. 3 to 5 described later).

  The operation terminal 400 is a general-purpose personal computer that is generally commercially available, and includes a display unit 401 such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit 402 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 401 corresponds to display means described in the claims.

  With reference to FIG. 2, an external configuration of the cartridge holder inside the apparatus main body 101 and a cartridge attached to the apparatus in the state where the opening / closing lid 102 of the label producing apparatus 100 is opened will be described. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the open / close lid 102 opened upward is omitted to avoid the complexity of the illustration.

  In FIG. 2, in the apparatus main body 101 of the label producing apparatus 100, there are a cartridge holder 27, a print head 19, a tape feed roller drive shaft 30, a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31, a cartridge sensor 37, and a first sensor. An optical sensor 51 is provided.

  The cartridge holder 27 can selectively attach and detach a plurality of types of cartridges 10, 10 ′, and 10 ″ with different types of tapes to be stored. The cartridge 10 is a base tape for producing a print label L. The cartridge 10 'is a cartridge having a base tape roll 17 wound around 16 (see Fig. 3 to be described later), and the cartridge 10' is a heat sensitive tape roll 17 'wound around a heat sensitive tape 16' for producing the print label L. The cartridge 10 ″ is a cartridge having a receptor tape roll 17 ″ around which a receptor tape 16 ″ for producing the print label L is wound (see FIG. 5 described later). reference). Further, the cartridge holder 27 can selectively attach and detach a plurality of types of cartridges having different tape widths to be stored in each of the cartridges 10, 10 ', and 10 "having different types of tapes. The cartridge may be used.

  In the following, when the cartridges 10, 10 ', and 10 "are collectively referred to as" cartridge 10 etc. ", and when the base tape 16, the heat sensitive tape 16', and the receptor tape 16" are collectively referred to When the label tape 16, 16 ′, 16 ″ is described and the base material tape roll 17, the heat sensitive tape roll 17 ′, and the receptor tape roll 17 ″ are collectively referred to as “tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ ".

  The print head 19 performs desired printing on the cover film 11 and the like conveyed by the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the like. The tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 are drive shafts that respectively provide a transport driving force for the used ink ribbon 13 and the printed label tape 23 (both refer to FIG. 3 described later), and are linked to each other. And is driven to rotate.

  The cartridge sensor 37 indirectly detects the detected portion 24 (see FIGS. 3 to 5 described later) formed on the mounted cartridge 10 or the like mechanically when the cartridge 10 or the like is mounted. Type information such as 10 is detected. In this embodiment, as a type of cartridge, a laminate type having a base tape 16 such as a cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 3 to be described later and a cover film 11 bonded thereto, and a cartridge 10 ′ shown in FIG. 4 to be described later. There is a thermal type having a thermal tape 16 ', and a receptor type having a receptor tape 16 "such as a cartridge 10" shown in FIG.

  The first optical sensor 51 is a detection object 74 (see FIG. 3 described later) provided to rotate at the same angular velocity as the base tape roll 17 in a cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge holder 27. This is an optical sensor that optically detects a plurality of detectors 75 (see FIG. 3 to be described later) formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cartridge housing 70 from the outside. A control circuit 40 described later (see FIG. 8 described later) can detect the angular velocity of the base tape roll 17 based on the pulse output from the first optical sensor 51. Although the details will be described later, the first optical sensor 51 is supported by the sensor support mechanism 60 so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27.

  On the other hand, the cartridge 10 or the like has the cartridge housing 70 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and the cartridge housing 70 has a head insertion penetrating both front and back surfaces for inserting the print head 19. An opening 39 is formed. A long hole-shaped remaining amount confirmation window 71 is provided on the upper portion 70 u of the cartridge housing 70 so that the operator can visually recognize the remaining amount of the base tape 16. Further, a transmission hole 72 that transmits the detection light input and output by the first optical sensor 51 is provided in the lower portion 70d of the cartridge housing 70 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 3 described later).

  The structure of the peripheral portion of the cartridge holder 27 in a state where the laminate type cartridge 10 is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the cartridge 10 is detachably accommodated in the cartridge holder 27 that is a recess in the apparatus main body 101. The cartridge 10 also includes a base tape roll 17 wound with a base tape 16, a cover film roll 12 wound with a cover film 11, a ribbon supply side roll 14 for feeding out an ink ribbon 13 for printing, and printing. A ribbon take-up roller 15 for taking up the subsequent ink ribbon 13 and a tape feed roller 18 are provided.

  The base tape roll 17 has the base tape 16 wound around a base tape spool 17a that is rotatably fitted in and stored in a boss 95 standing on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10.

  The base tape 16 has a laminated structure of a plurality of layers (4 layers in this example) (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3). That is, an adhesive layer 16a for bonding the cover film 11 made of an appropriate adhesive from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 3) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3), for example, PET ( A tape base layer 16b made of polyethylene terephthalate), an adhesive layer 16c made of an appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a release paper 16d.

  The release paper 16d can be adhered to the object to be attached by the adhesive layer 16c by peeling off the finally completed print label L when the object is attached to an object such as a predetermined article. It is what.

  The cover film roll 12 has a width approximately the same as that of the base tape 16 in this example around the cover film spool 12a that is rotatably fitted and accommodated in a boss 96 provided upright on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10. A certain cover film 11 is wound.

  The ribbon supply side roll 14 winds the ink ribbon 13 around a ribbon supply side spool 14 a that is a spool having an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 13. The ribbon take-up roller 15 includes a ribbon take-up spool 15a that is a spool having an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 13, and is driven by the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 on the cartridge holder 27 side. As a result, the used ink ribbon 13 is taken up and wound around the ribbon take-up spool 15a.

  The tape feed roller 18 is driven by the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 on the cartridge holder 27 side so that the base tape 16 and the cover film 11 are pressed and bonded to form a printed label tape 23. The tape is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow T in FIG. That is, the tape feed roller 18 also functions as a tape pressure roller.

  The ribbon take-up roller 15 and the tape feed roller 18 are driven by a driving force of a tape feed motor 33 (see FIG. 8 described later) provided outside the cartridge 10 via a gear mechanism (not shown). By being transmitted to the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 30, they are driven to rotate in conjunction with each other.

  Further, the cartridge 10 has a detected portion 24 at a corner opposite to the tape feeding roller 18 (upper right corner in FIG. 3). The detected portion 24 is provided with a plurality of switch holes in a predetermined pattern. As described above, each pattern includes the type of the cartridge 10, the tape thickness of the base tape 16, and the base material. The cartridge type information including the inner peripheral diameter of the tape roll 17 and the like is included. The cartridge sensor 37 (see FIG. 2) described above can detect different switch hole patterns depending on the type of each cartridge 10 as described above, and thereby detect the type of the cartridge 10.

  On the other hand, the cartridge holder 27 has the print head 19, the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31, the tape feed roller drive shaft 30, and the roller holder 22. The print head 19 includes a large number of heating elements, and performs printing on a predetermined print area of the cover film 11 fed out from the cover film roll 12.

  The tape feed roller drive shaft 30 is configured so that the cover film 11 fed from the cover film roll 12 of the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge holder 27 and the base tape 16 fed from the base tape roll 17 are transferred to the tape feed roller 18. It is conveyed by driving.

  The roller holder 22 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 29 and can be switched between a printing position and a release position by a switching mechanism. A platen roller 20 and a tape pressure roller 21 are rotatably disposed in the roller holder 22. When the roller holder 22 is switched to the printing position, the platen roller 20 and the tape pressure roller 21 are The print head 19 and the tape feed roller 18 are pressed against each other.

  Further, a cutter 28 is disposed in the cartridge holder 27 adjacent to the discharge port (not shown) of the cartridge 10. The cutter 28 is actuated when a cutter driving button 38 (see FIG. 8 described later) is pressed, and the printed label tape 23 is cut into a predetermined length to generate a printed label L.

  Further, the base tape spool 17a has axial bases (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) at both ends so as to contact both ends of the base tape roll 17 in the width direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3). Ring-shaped film members 73 and 74 are provided for preventing problems due to the sticking out of the adhesive of the material tape 16. Among these, the film member 74 (see FIG. 3) on the lower side when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge holder 27 has a light-reflective region 75w and a light-absorbing region at the outer peripheral side end in the radial direction. A plurality of detectors 75 constituted by 75 b are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the base tape roll 17. As shown in the figure, 48 detectors 75 are formed in this embodiment, but other numbers may be used. The film member 74 is provided, for example, engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the base tape spool 17a so as to rotate at the same angular velocity in conjunction with the base tape spool 17a. In this specification, the film member 74 is appropriately referred to as a “detected body 74”.

  The detected body 74 is made of a transparent or translucent film material. The light reflective region 75w constituting the detector 75 is formed by printing white or silver on a film and reflects incident light. The light-absorbing region 75b is formed transparent or semi-transparent by printing black on the film or by not printing or the like, and absorbs or transmits incident light.

  The film member 73 (see FIG. 2), which is on the upper side when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, is made of a transparent or translucent film material, like the film member 74. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator can visually check the remaining tape amount through the film member 73 in the remaining amount confirmation window 71.

  The detector 75 has a radially outer end on the detected body 74, more specifically, the outer circumference of the base tape roll 17 is larger than the contour of the roll when the outer diameter of the base tape roll 17 is the largest (the state shown in FIG. 3). It is formed in the region which becomes the side. Thereby, since the outer peripheral diameter of the base tape roll 17 only becomes smaller with the feeding of the base tape 16 thereafter, the detector 75 and the outline of the roll do not overlap, and the detection by the first optical sensor 51 is performed. The child 75 can be detected satisfactorily.

  As described above, the detection light input / output by the first optical sensor 51 that optically detects the detector 75 of the detection object 74 from the outside of the cartridge housing 70 is applied to the lower portion 70d of the cartridge housing 70. A transmission hole 72 is provided for transmission. In the present embodiment, the transmission hole 72 is formed in a circular shape.

  In the above configuration, after the cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 are synchronized with each other by the driving force of the tape feed motor 33 (see FIG. 8 described later). Is rotated. As the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 is driven, the tape feed roller 18, the platen roller 20, and the tape pressure roller 21 rotate to feed the base tape 16 from the base tape roll 17, and the tape feed roller 18 as described above. Supplied to. On the other hand, the cover film 11 is fed out from the cover film roll 12, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 19 are energized by a print head drive circuit 32 (see FIG. 8 described later). At this time, the ink ribbon 13 is pressed against the print head 19 to be brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 11. As a result, desired printing is performed in a predetermined printing area on the back surface of the cover film 11. The base tape 16 and the cover film 11 after printing are bonded and integrated by a tape feeding roller 18 and a tape pressing roller 21 to form a printed label tape 23, and a cartridge is formed from the discharge port. 10 is carried out. Then, the printed label tape 23 is cut by the cutter 28, and the print label L on which the desired printing is performed is generated.

  In addition, the said base tape 16 is corresponded to the tape for label production as described in a claim, and the said base tape roll 17 is equivalent to a tape roll. The cartridge 10 corresponds to a tape cartridge.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the peripheral portion of the cartridge holder 27 in a state in which the heat-sensitive type cartridge 10 'is mounted will be described. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and only the parts different from FIG. 3 will be described.

  In FIG. 4, the cartridge 10 'has a thermal tape roll 17' around which a thermal tape 16 'is wound. Unlike the laminate type cartridge 10, the cartridge 10 ′ does not have a cover film roll 12 around which the cover film 11 is wound, a ribbon supply side roll 14, and a ribbon take-up roller 15. The heat-sensitive tape roll 17 'winds the heat-sensitive tape 16' around a heat-sensitive tape spool 17a 'that is rotatably fitted and accommodated in a boss 95 standing on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10'.

  In this example, the heat-sensitive tape 16 'has a three-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 4), and is directed from the side wound inside (left side in FIG. 4) to the opposite side (right side in FIG. 4). A cover film 16a 'made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having a heat-sensitive recording layer on the surface, an adhesive layer 16b' made of an appropriate adhesive material, and a release paper 16c 'are laminated in this order.

  When the cartridge 10 'is mounted on the cartridge holder 27 and the roller holder 25 is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the thermal tape 16' is sandwiched between the print head 19 and the platen roller 20, and the tape feed It is sandwiched between the roller 18 and the tape pressure roller 21. Then, the tape feed roller 18, the tape pressure roller 21, and the platen roller 20 rotate in synchronization, and the thermal tape 16 'is fed out from the thermal tape roll 17'.

  The drawn thermal tape 16 'is guided by a substantially cylindrical reel 92 that is rotatably inserted into a reel boss 91 provided upright on the bottom surface of the cartridge, while printing on the downstream side in the transport direction from the head insertion opening 39. It is supplied to the head 19. A plurality of heating elements of the print head 19 are energized by the print head drive circuit 32 (see FIG. 8 to be described later), whereby the print R is printed on the surface of the cover film 16a ′ of the thermal tape 16 ′ and printed. After being formed as a label tape 23 ', it is carried out of the cartridge 10'. Thereafter, the paper is cut by the cutter 28, and a print label L on which desired printing is performed is generated.

  The thermal tape 16 'corresponds to the label producing tape described in the claims, and the thermal tape roll 17' corresponds to the tape roll. Further, the cartridge 10 'corresponds to a tape cartridge.

  In the above, a thermal tape is used as the label forming tape, and printing is performed only by heat generation of the print head 19 without using an ink ribbon or the like. However, printing is performed using a normal ink ribbon. May be.

  The structure of the peripheral portion of the cartridge holder 27 in a state where such a receptor type cartridge 10 "is mounted will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the same portions as those in Figs. Are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and only portions different from those in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described.

  In FIG. 5, a cartridge 10 ″ has a receptor tape roll 17 ″ around which a receptor tape 16 ″ is wound. Unlike the heat-sensitive type cartridge 10 ′, the cartridge 10 ″ is a ribbon supply side roll 14. And the ribbon take-up roller 15, but the cover film roll 12 around which the cover film 11 is wound is not provided. The receptor tape roll 17 ″ is wound around the receptor tape spool 16 ″ around a receptor tape spool 17a ″ that is rotatably fitted in a boss 95 standing on the bottom surface of the cartridge 10 ″.

  In this example, the receptor tape 16 ″ has a three-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 5), and is directed from the side wound inside (left side in FIG. 5) to the opposite side (right side in FIG. 5). A colored base film 16a ″ made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), an adhesive layer 16b ″ made of an appropriate adhesive, and a release paper 16c ″ are laminated in this order.

  When the cartridge 10 ″ is mounted on the cartridge holder 27 and the roller holder 22 is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the receptor tape 16 ″ and the ink ribbon 13 are held between the print head 19 and the platen roller 20. At the same time, it is held between the tape feeding roller 18 and the tape pressure roller 21. Then, the tape feed roller 18, the tape pressure roller 21, and the platen roller 20 rotate in synchronization, and the receptor tape 16 "is fed out from the receptor tape roll 17".

  On the other hand, at this time, a plurality of heating elements of the print head 19 are energized by the print head drive circuit 32 (see FIG. 8 described later), and the print R is printed on the surface of the base film 16a ″ of the receptor tape 16 ″. After being formed as the tape for tape 23 ″, it is carried out of the cartridge 10 ″. Thereafter, the paper is cut by the cutter 28, and a print label L on which desired printing is performed is generated.

  The receptor tape 16 ″ corresponds to the label producing tape described in the claims, and the receptor tape roll 17 ″ corresponds to the tape roll. The cartridge 10 ″ corresponds to a tape cartridge.

  The overall structure of the above-described sensor support mechanism 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 6A shows a state in which the cartridge 10 or the like is not attached to the cartridge holder 27, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the cartridge 10 or the like is attached to the cartridge holder 27.

  The sensor support mechanism 60 is provided at a position corresponding to the transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70 on the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27. The sensor support mechanism 60 includes a hollow columnar sensor support portion 61 provided so as to be exposed above the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27 and a plate-like detection target portion provided below the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27. 62. The sensor support portion 61 and the detected portion 62 are integrally configured.

  The sensor support portion 61 has a raised portion 63 at the upper end thereof, and the first optical sensor 51 is provided inside the raised portion 63. The outer peripheral surface of the raised portion 63 is formed in a taper shape, and is configured to be able to engage with a transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70 (see FIG. 7 described later). A sensor opening 63a is formed in the upper part of the raised portion 63, and transmits detection light input and output by the first optical sensor 51 which is a reflective sensor.

  Inside the sensor support 61, there is provided a spring storage chamber 65 separated from the first optical sensor 51 by a partition wall 64. The peripheral wall portion 65 a of the spring storage chamber 65 is inserted into a circular slit 27 c formed on the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27, whereby the sensor support mechanism 60 moves the bottom surface 27 b within the spring storage chamber 65. The first optical sensor 51 is supported with respect to the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27 so as to be able to advance and retract within a possible vertical range. The spring storage chamber 65 stores a spring 66 whose upper end is in contact with the partition wall 64 and whose lower end is in contact with the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27.

  A plurality of detection holes 67 are formed in the detected portion 62 along the axis X of the sensor support mechanism 60. Each detection hole 67 has a different opening area, and each detection hole 67 corresponds to the tape width of the cartridge 10 or the like attached to the cartridge holder 27. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6A, the detection holes 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67e, and 67f correspond to tape widths of 36 mm, 24 mm, 18 mm, 12 mm, 9 mm, and 6 mm, respectively.

  Below the sensor support mechanism 60, a second optical sensor 52 is provided by a support member 68 at a position corresponding to the axis X. The second optical sensor 52 is a transmission type having a light emitting part 52a and a light receiving part 52b (only the light receiving part 52b is shown in FIG. 6A) disposed on one side and the other side of the detected part 62, respectively. It is an optical sensor, and the detection light output from the light emitting section 52a is transmitted through the detection holes 67 in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 6) and input to the light receiving section 52b. As a result, the control circuit 40 (see FIG. 8 described later), which will be described later, determines which detection hole 67 faces the second optical sensor 52 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 52b output from the second optical sensor 52. It can be detected. As a result, it is possible to detect the advance / retreat position of the first optical sensor 51 in a state where it contacts the cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge holder 27.

  In the above configuration, in a state where the cartridge 10 or the like is not attached to the cartridge holder 27, the sensor support portion 61 is not pressed downward by the cartridge housing 70. Therefore, as shown in FIG. As a result, the sensor support 61 protrudes greatly upward from the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27, and the first optical sensor 51 is supported so as to be positioned relatively upward. This position is the same as the cartridge 10 having the smallest tape width among the cartridges 10 and the like that can be attached to the cartridge holder 27. In other words, even when the cartridge housing 70 having the smallest thickness is attached, the upper end of the sensor support 61 is the cartridge. The position is set so as to contact the housing 70.

  In a state where the cartridge 10 or the like is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, as shown in FIG. 6B, the sensor support 61 is pressed downward by the cartridge housing 70, and the sensor support 61 and the detected part 62 ( In FIG. 6B, the illustration is omitted) and moves downward against the urging force of the spring 66. At this time, since the cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 is formed to have a different thickness according to the tape width accommodated therein, the downward movement amount of the sensor support portion 61 and the detected portion 62 is as follows. It depends on the tape width. Therefore, the control circuit 40 (see FIG. 8 described later) detects which of the detection holes 67a to 67f is facing the second optical sensor 52, so that the tape width of the cartridge 10 or the like is increased. Can be detected. Thereafter, when the cartridge 10 or the like is removed from the cartridge holder 27, the sensor support portion 61 and the detected portion 62 are moved upward by the biasing force of the spring 66, and the state shown in FIG. At this time, the detection light of the second optical sensor 52 is blocked by a portion of the detected portion 62 where no detection hole exists. Therefore, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 52b is 0 (or less than a predetermined amount), it can be detected that the cartridge 10 or the like is not attached to the cartridge holder 27.

  The first optical sensor 51 corresponds to the optical detection means described in the claims, and the sensor support mechanism 60 corresponds to the sensor support means. The second optical sensor 52 corresponds to a sensor position detecting unit.

  The structure in the vicinity of the transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 7A shows a case where the thickness of the cartridge housing 70 is different depending on each tape width. FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C show a plurality of tape widths. In this case, the cartridge housing 70 is formed to have the same thickness.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the first optical sensor 51 has a light emitting part (not shown) and a light receiving part (not shown) arranged on the lower side of the cartridge housing 70. This is a reflection type sensor that detects the detection light output and reflected by the detection object 74 by the light receiving unit. In addition, the cartridge housing 70 has a contact portion 76 that is in contact with the first optical sensor 51 configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27 described above around the transmission hole 72. In detail, the contact part 76 contacts the upper end part of the sensor support part 61 of the sensor support mechanism 60 mentioned above. The transmission hole 72 has a tapered portion 72 a on the inner peripheral surface that can be engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the raised portion 63 provided at the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61. Thus, when the cartridge 10 or the like is mounted on the cartridge holder 27, the raised portion 63 provided at the upper end portion of the sensor support mechanism 60 engages with the transmission hole 72 of the cartridge housing 70, and the first optical sensor 51 is The first optical sensor 51 can be positioned so that detection light to be input / output is surely transmitted through the transmission hole 72.

  When a reflective sensor such as the first optical sensor 51 is used, the distance between the sensor 51 and the detection object 74 needs to be a constant distance corresponding to the focal length L of the sensor 51. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cartridge 10 and the like are configured such that the distance between the lower surface of the cartridge housing 70 and the detected body 74 is the focal length L. The distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detected object 74 can be held at the focal length L by bringing the portion 76 into contact with the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61 of the sensor support mechanism 60. .

  In general, the cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 is formed to have a different thickness depending on the tape width housed therein, but the tape width is relatively small (for example, the tape width is 6 mm, 9 mm). , About 12 mm) may be formed so as to have the same thickness with respect to a plurality of tape widths due to manufacturing reasons. In this case, since the distance between the lower surface of the cartridge housing 70 and the detected body 74 varies depending on the tape width, the distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detected body 74 is the structure shown in FIG. Does not coincide with the focal length L of the sensor 51, and the detector 75 may not be accurately detected.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C, the contact portion 76 of the cartridge housing 70 formed with the same thickness but different tape width is formed on the surface of the cartridge housing 70. On the other hand, it may be configured as a stepped portion 77 that is recessed by a predetermined distance corresponding to the tape width. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7A corresponds to the tape width of 12 mm, 18 mm, and 24 mm, FIG. 7B corresponds to the tape width of 9 mm, and FIG. 7C corresponds to the tape width of 6 mm. Yes. Accordingly, in the relatively large range of the tape width such as 24 mm, 18 mm, and 12 mm, the thickness of the cartridge housing 70 is formed to be different depending on the tape width. Therefore, the structure shown in FIG. However, in a relatively small range such as 6 mm and 9 mm in tape width, a stepped portion 77 having a depth corresponding to the tape width is provided as shown in FIGS. The contact portion 76 located at the bottom is brought into contact with the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61, whereby the distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detected object 74 is made constant so as to be the focal length L of the sensor 51. 75 can be detected accurately.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7 described above, the stepped portion 77 is recessed with respect to the surface of the cartridge housing 70, but may be formed in a convex shape.

  A functional configuration of the label producing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8, a control circuit 40 is arranged on a control board (not shown) of the label producing apparatus 100. The control circuit 40 is provided with a CPU 44, which is connected to the input / output interface 41, ROM 46, flash memory (EEPROM) 47, RAM 48, table storage unit 49, and communication interface (for communication) via the data bus 42. I / F) 43T is connected.

  The ROM 46 reads out data from a print buffer 48B, which will be described later, and prints a print drive control program for driving the print head 19 and a tape feed motor 33, which will be described later. When printing is completed, the printed label tape 23 is taped to the cutting position. Necessary for control, such as a cutting drive control program that drives and feeds the feed motor 33 and drives a solenoid 35 described later to cut the printed label tape 23, a remaining amount calculation program that calculates the remaining tape amount described later, and the like. Various programs are stored. The CPU 44 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 46.

  The RAM 48 temporarily stores various calculation results calculated by the CPU 44. The RAM 48 is provided with a text memory 48A, a print buffer 48B, a work memory 48C for storing various calculation data, and the like. The text memory 48A stores print data such as document data.

  The table storage unit 49 is constituted by a part of the storage area of the ROM 46 or the EEPROM 47, for example. The table storage unit 49 stores the tape thicknesses of the label producing tapes 16, 16 ′, 16 ″ and the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, as parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount for each type of the cartridge 10 or the like. A parameter table (see FIG. 13 to be described later) representing the inner diameter of 17 ″ is stored in advance. Details of the parameter table will be described later.

  The communication I / F 43T performs network communication with the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. The input / output interface 41 includes a print head drive circuit 32 for driving the print head 19, a tape feed motor drive circuit 34, a solenoid drive circuit 36, the cartridge sensor 37, a cutter drive button 38, The first optical sensor 51 and the second optical sensor 52 are connected.

  The tape feed motor drive circuit 34 drives the tape feed motor 33 to drive the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 described above. The label tape 23 is conveyed. The solenoid drive circuit 36 drives a solenoid 35 that drives the cutter 28 to perform a cutting operation. The cutter driving button 38 is used by the operator to manually operate the cutter 28 so that the print label L has a desired length.

  From the cartridge sensor 37, the detection result of the detected portion 24 formed in the cartridge 10 or the like described above is input, and the CPU 44 detects the type information of the cartridge 10 or the like based on the detection result. From the first optical sensor 51, a pulse which is a detection result of the detector 75 formed on the detection target 74 described above is input, and the CPU 44 detects the angular velocity of the base tape roll 17 based on the pulse period. From the second optical sensor 52, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 52b described above is input, and the CPU 44 detects the tape width of the cartridge 10 or the like based on the amount of received light.

  In the control system centered on the control circuit 40 shown in FIG. 8, when printing data is input from the operation terminal 400 to the label producing apparatus 100 via the communication line NW, the printing data is sequentially stored in the text memory 48A. Remembered. The stored print data is read again and subjected to predetermined conversion by the conversion function of the control circuit 40, whereby dot pattern data is generated and stored in the print buffer 48B. Further, the print head 19 is driven via the print head drive circuit 32, and each of the heating elements is selectively driven to generate heat corresponding to the print dots for one line, and the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 48B is stored. Printing is performed, and in synchronization with this, the tape feed motor 33 performs transport control of the cover film 11 and the like via the tape feed motor drive circuit 34 and finally creates a print label L.

  The appearance and structure of the print label L produced by the label producing apparatus 100 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG.

  9A, 9B, and 10, the print label L has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 11 is added to the base tape 16 shown in FIG. That is, in the order of the cover film 11, the adhesive layer 16a, the tape base layer 16b, the adhesive layer 16c, and the release paper 16d from the surface (upper side in FIG. 10) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 10). Stacked and configured.

  Also, on the back surface of the cover film 11, a print R (character “Taro Nagoya” in this example) corresponding to the print data input by the operator via the operation unit 402 of the operation terminal 400 is mirror image printed. It is printed.

  Next, the control contents executed by the control circuit 40 of the label producing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 11, for example, when the operator turns on the power of the label producing apparatus 100, this flow is started ("START" position).

  First, in step S <b> 10, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the cartridge sensor 37, detects the type of the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge holder 27, and stores the detection result in, for example, the RAM 48. At this time, if no cartridge is mounted, information to that effect is detected. The control circuit 40 may constantly input the detection result of the cartridge sensor 37 and store it in the RAM 48 at this timing. As described above, the type of the cartridge 10 in this embodiment includes a laminate type, a heat sensitive type, and a receptor type.

  In step S20, the control circuit 40 determines whether the creation instruction signal output from the operation terminal 400 is input via the communication line NW. The determination is not satisfied until the creation instruction signal is input from the operation terminal 400, the loop is waited, and if the creation instruction signal is input from the operation terminal 400, the determination is satisfied and the print data included in the creation instruction signal is stored in the text memory. The data is stored in 48A and the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the control circuit 40 reads the printing data stored in the text memory 48A in step S20 and performs, for example, predetermined conversion, and dot pattern data (= print driving) corresponding to the printing content on the cover film 11 or the like. Data). Then, it is stored in the print buffer 48B.

  Thereafter, in step S100, the control circuit 40 executes a label creation process (see FIG. 12 described later for the detailed procedure) for creating a print label L on which a desired print has been performed.

  In step S40, the control circuit 40 accesses the table storage unit 49 and refers to a parameter table (see FIG. 13 to be described later) representing parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount for each type of the cartridge 10 or the like. . Then, parameter information corresponding to the type of cartridge detected in step S10 is acquired from the parameter table. This parameter information includes the tape thickness of the label producing tape 16, 16 ', 16 "and the inner diameter of the tape roll 17, 17', 17". An example of the parameter table is shown in FIG.

  In the next step S50, the control circuit 40 calculates the remaining tape amount. Here, the remaining amount of tape means the remaining length of the base tape 16 in the base tape roll 17 when the cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder 27 is a laminate type cartridge 10, and the heat sensitive cartridge 10 '. Is the remaining length of the thermal tape 16 'in the thermal tape roll 17', and in the case of the receptor type cartridge 10 ", it is the remaining length of the receptor tape 16" in the receptor tape roll 17 ". In the laminate type cartridge 10, the base tape 16 uses the tape length of the base tape 16 in the base tape roll 17 instead of the cover film 11 in the cover film roll 12 as the base tape 16. The total length is 0 so that the remaining amount of tape is 0 before the cover film 11 This is because has been set in order.

  In each cartridge 10, 10 ', 10 ", the tape rolls 17, 17', 17" rotate the spools 17a, 17a ', 17a "about the spools 17a, 17a', 17" to feed the label producing tapes 16, 16 ', 16 ". However, since the outer peripheral diameter of the tape rolls 17, 17 ', 17 "is gradually reduced as the label forming tapes 16, 16', 16" are fed out, the tape is fed when the tape transport speed is constant. The angular velocities around the spools of the rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ gradually increase as the roll outer diameter decreases. Thus, there is a predetermined correlation between the roll outer diameter and the tape roll angular speed. As described above, since the roll outer peripheral diameter and the remaining tape amount correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis, in the present embodiment, the correlation is used to determine the detection result of the first optical sensor 51. Tape roll 17, 17 ', and calculates the residual tape amount from the angular velocity of 17 "(see step S155 of FIG. 12 described later). Details of the method for calculating the remaining tape amount will be described later.

  Thereafter, in step S60, the control circuit 40 outputs tape remaining amount information corresponding to the calculated tape remaining amount to the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. As a result, the remaining tape amount is displayed on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400. Then, this flow ends.

  Note that the tape remaining amount display on the operation terminal 400 may be a numerical value, or may be displayed using a figure such as a bar graph or other symbols, for example. Moreover, when displaying by a numerical value, you may display finely by a millimeter unit or a centimeter unit, and may display roughly by a meter unit.

  In FIG. 11 described above, step S50 functions as the remaining amount calculation means described in the claims, and step S60 functions as the remaining amount related information output means. The tape remaining amount information output in step S60 corresponds to remaining amount related information.

  The detailed procedure of step S100 in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, a case where the print label L is created using the laminate type cartridge 10 will be described as an example.

  First, in step S110, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the tape feed motor drive circuit 34, and the tape feed motor 33 drives the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31. Thereby, the feeding of the base tape 16 from the base tape roll 17 and the feeding of the cover film 11 from the cover film roll 12 are started, and the base tape 16, the cover film 11, and the label tape for printing are started. 23 (hereinafter simply referred to as “base tape 16 or the like”) is started.

  Thereafter, in step S120, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the base tape 16 or the like has been conveyed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, a conveyance distance that the front end of the print area provided in the cover film 11 reaches a position where the print head 19 is substantially opposed. This conveyance distance determination may be performed, for example, by detecting a marking provided on the base tape 16 with a known tape sensor (not shown). The determination is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed, and the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S <b> 130, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the print head drive circuit 32 and causes the print head 19 to start printing corresponding to the print drive data in the print area of the cover film 11.

  In step S140, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not printing for the print area of the cover film 11 has been completed. The determination is not satisfied until all the printing is completed, and the loop waits. When all the printing is completed, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S150.

  In step S150, the control circuit 40 determines whether the base tape 16 or the like has been further conveyed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, a conveyance distance that the entire printing area exceeds the cutter 28 by a predetermined length. For example, the conveyance distance determination at this time may be the same as in step S120. The determination is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed, and the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to step S155.

  In step S155, the control circuit 40 determines the timing of the pulse train, which is the detection result of the detector 75 formed on the detected body 74 by the first optical sensor 51, when the tape transport speed after starting printing is constant. Input in parallel with the transport operation, and the angular velocity of the base tape roll 17 is detected based on the pulse period.

  In the next step S160, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the tape feed motor drive circuit 34, stops the driving of the tape feed roller drive shaft 30 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 31 by the tape feed motor 33, The feeding of the base tape 16 and the cover film 11 from the material tape roll 17 and the cover film roll 12 and the transport of the base tape 16 and the like are stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S170, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the cutter driving button 38 has been manually operated by the operator. The determination is not satisfied until the cutter driving button 38 is manually operated, loops and waits, and when the cutter driving button 38 is manually operated, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S180.

  In step S180, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to the solenoid drive circuit 36, drives the solenoid 35, and cuts the printed label tape 23 by the cutter 28. As described above, at this time, all of the printed label tape 23 including the printing area has sufficiently exceeded the cutter 28, and the printing corresponding to the print drive data is performed by cutting the cutter 28. A label L is generated.

  Thereafter, in step S190, the control circuit 40 outputs a control signal to a discharge motor (not shown) for driving a separately provided discharge roller (not shown), and the label is generated in step S180. The print label L is discharged out of the apparatus. If the print label L can be discharged out of the apparatus by manual operation without a discharge motor, this step S190 may be omitted. Thereafter, this routine is terminated.

  As described above, in the label creation process, the angular velocity of the base tape roll 17 is detected immediately before printing is completed and the transport of the base tape 16 or the like is stopped. The remaining amount of tape can be accurately detected.

  An example of the parameter table stored in the table storage unit 49 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the parameter table includes a tape thickness t (mm), a total length M (mm), a roll inner peripheral diameter d (mm), and a roll outer peripheral diameter D (mm) for each type of cartridge. It is registered. Here, the total length M and the roll outer peripheral diameter D are values when the cartridge is not used. Among these, the tape thickness t and the roll inner peripheral diameter d are acquired by the control circuit 40 as parameter information for calculating the remaining tape amount (see step S40 in FIG. 11).

  Next, details of the method for calculating the remaining tape amount will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In general, the side area of a roll formed by winding a tape can be equated with the side area of all tapes fed out from the roll. The side area of the tape is a value obtained by multiplying the tape length M by the tape thickness t. On the other hand, the side area of the roll can be obtained by subtracting the area of the inner circumference circle obtained from the roll inner circumference diameter d from the area of the outer circumference circle obtained from the roll outer circumference diameter D as shown in FIG. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14B, an equation is established that the side area of the tape is equal to the area obtained by subtracting the area of the inner circumferential circle from the area of the outer circumferential circle. That is, since the left side is the side area of the tape, t (tape thickness) × M (tape length), and the right side is the area obtained by subtracting the area of the inner circumferential circle from the area of the outer circumferential circle, so that π (D / 2) ² −π (d / 2) ² . Rearranging this leads to M = π (D ² −d ² ) / 4t. Hereinafter, this formula is referred to as “Formula 1”.

  Among the variables of the above “Equation 1”, the tape thickness t and the inner diameter d of the roll are acquired from the parameter table as described above. Therefore, if the roll outer diameter D is obtained, the tape length M as the remaining tape amount can be calculated.

  As shown in FIG. 15 (a), when the angular velocity of the roll is ω (rad / s) and the transport speed of the tape fed from the roll is S (mm / s), as shown in FIG. The conveyance speed S is expressed by D (roll outer diameter) / 2 × angular speed ω. From this equation, D = 2S / ω is derived. Hereinafter, this formula is referred to as “Formula 2”. Here, the transport speed S is determined based on the specifications of the label producing apparatus 100 and the cartridge 10 (that is, the rotation speed of the tape feed motor 33 and the diameter of the tape feed roller 18), and is stored in advance in the RAM 48, for example. Yes. Further, the angular velocity ω (rad / s) is a pulse output from the first optical sensor 51 as an angle θ (rad) corresponding to one of the plurality of detectors 75 provided on the detection object 74. The value divided by the period E (s). In the present embodiment, as described above, 48 detectors 75 are formed on the detection object 74, so the angle θ is 2π / 48 = π / 24 (rad). This angle θ is also stored in advance in the RAM 48 or the like.

  Therefore, the control circuit 40 detects the angular velocity ω of the roll based on the pulse period E output from the first optical sensor 51 and the angle θ read from the RAM 48, and the angular velocity ω and the above-described read out from the RAM 48. From the conveyance speed S, the roll outer peripheral diameter D is calculated based on the above “Expression 2”. Then, from the calculated roll outer peripheral diameter D, the tape thickness t acquired from the parameter table, and the roll inner peripheral diameter d, the tape length M as the tape remaining amount can be calculated based on the above “Equation 1”. it can.

  In the above, the label producing apparatus 100 and the cartridges 10, 10 ′, 10 ″ constitute the label producing apparatus body described in the claims.

  In the embodiment described above, in each cartridge 10, 10 ′, 10 ″, a detected body 74 that rotates at the same angular velocity as each tape roll 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ is provided in the cartridge housing 70, and The cartridge housing 70 is provided with a transmission hole 72 through which the detection light input and output by the first optical sensor 51 that optically detects the detector 75 of the detection object 74 from the outside of the cartridge housing 70. Accordingly, the remaining tape amount M can be calculated from the angular velocities ω of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ based on the detection result of the first optical sensor 51 using the above-described “Formula 1” and “Formula 2”. it can. Then, by displaying the remaining tape amount on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400, the operator can surely recognize the remaining tape amount. In addition, since an accurate remaining amount of the tape can be obtained, a print label can be continuously produced according to the remaining amount of the tape, or a conveyance force (tape feeding force) by the tape feeding roller 18 can be determined according to the remaining amount of the tape. It is also possible to perform control using the remaining amount of tape such as performing control and stabilizing the tape conveyance. For example, as the control of the transport force (tape feeding force), when the tape roll diameter is large, the inertia (inertia) is large, so that the transport can be controlled to be slowed up and slowed down.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in the label producing apparatus 100, the first optical sensor 51 is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27 by the sensor support mechanism 60, and the cartridge housing 70 is configured to be the first optical sensor. A contact portion 76 that contacts 51 is provided around the permeation hole 72. Thereby, even when the cartridge 10 or the like having a different tape width (that is, the thickness of the cartridge housing 70 is different) is attached to the cartridge holder 27, the first optical sensor 51 moves forward and backward with respect to the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27. The first optical sensor 51 (specifically, the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61 of the sensor support mechanism 60) can always be brought into contact with the contact portion 76 provided in the cartridge housing 70. As a result, the cartridge 10 and the like are configured such that the distance between the surface of the cartridge housing 70 and the detected body 74 is constant, so that the distance between the first optical sensor 51 and the detected body 74 is determined by the sensor 51. The focal length L can be kept constant. Therefore, even when cartridges having different tape widths are used, the remaining amount of tape can be detected with high accuracy.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the taper portion 72a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the transmission hole 72 in the cartridge 10 or the like is the first optical sensor 51 (specifically, the raised portion 63 provided at the upper end portion of the sensor support portion 61). Engage with. Thereby, the first optical sensor 51 can be positioned so that the detection light input and output by the first optical sensor 51 is surely transmitted through the transmission hole 72. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect the remaining tape amount. In addition, the first optical sensor 51 (the raised portion 63) is guided to the transmission hole 72 by forming the transmission hole 72 into a tapered shape rather than having a hole structure that can be engaged with the first optical sensor 51. There is also an effect of facilitating engagement.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the cartridge housing 70 is formed so as to have the same thickness with respect to a plurality of tape widths due to manufacturing reasons or the like in a range where the tape width is relatively small, The contact portion 76 is configured by forming a stepped portion 77 that is recessed with respect to the surface of the cartridge housing 70 by a predetermined distance corresponding to the tape width. As a result, the contact portion 76 is recessed by a predetermined distance according to the tape width even with respect to the cartridge housing 70 formed with the same tape thickness but different thickness. The distance between the first optical sensor 51 in contact with the object to be detected 74 is fixed so as to be the focal length L of the sensor 51, and the detector 75 can be detected accurately.

  Further, in this embodiment, in particular, in order to prevent problems caused by the sticking out of the adhesive of the tape 16, 16 ′, 16 ″ for label production provided at both ends in the width direction of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″. The to-be-detected body 74 is configured by forming a plurality of detectors 75 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the lower film member 74 of the annular film members 73 and 74. By doing in this way, since the to-be-detected body 74 can be comprised using an existing member without providing a new member, space saving and cost reduction can be achieved.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the detection object 74 is constituted by a transparent or translucent film member in which a plurality of detectors 75 are formed at the outer peripheral side end in the radial direction. Thus, by providing the detector 75 at the outer peripheral end in the radial direction, the detector 75 and the contour of the tape roll 17, 17 ', 17 "do not overlap, and the detector by the first optical sensor 51 is used. 75 can be detected satisfactorily.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the first optical sensor 51 supported by the sensor support mechanism 60 so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the bottom surface 27 b of the cartridge holder 27 is attached to the cartridge housing 70 such as the cartridge 10 attached to the cartridge holder 27. In the contact state, the second optical sensor 52 detects the advance / retreat position of the first optical sensor 51. Since the advance / retreat position is determined according to the thickness of the cartridge housing 70 (that is, the tape width), the tape width of the cartridge 10 or the like can be detected based on the detection result.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in step S60, the remaining tape information corresponding to the remaining tape calculated in step S50 is output to the operation terminal 400, whereby the remaining tape amount is displayed on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400. To do. Thereby, the operator can grasp the tape remaining amount in detail.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.

(1) When the first optical sensor is a transmissive sensor In the above embodiment, a reflective sensor is used as the first optical sensor 51, but a transmissive sensor may be used. The configuration in the vicinity of the cartridge when the transmissive first optical sensor 51 'is used will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 16, the first optical sensor 51 ′ of this modification has a light emitting part 51 a ′ and a light receiving part 51 b ′, and receives the detection light output from the light emitting part 51 a ′ and transmitted through the detection object 73. This is a transmissive optical sensor detected by 51b '. The light emitting portion 51a ′ is provided inside the opening / closing lid 102, and the light receiving portion 51b ′ is provided on the bottom surface 27b of the cartridge holder 27. When the opening / closing lid 102 is closed, the light emitting portion 51a ′ and the light receiving portion 51b ′ are The cartridge 10 and the like mounted on the cartridge holder 27 are opposed to each other at corresponding positions on one side and the other side. At this time, the detector 75 of the detection object 73 includes a transparent or translucent light-transmitting region 75c (not shown) and a light shielding region 75s (not shown).

  Two transmission holes 72A ′ and 72B ′ for transmitting the detection light input and output by the first optical sensor 51 ′ are provided at corresponding positions of the upper portion 70u and the lower portion 70d of the cartridge housing 70, respectively. In this modification, the detector 75 is formed on any of the film members 73 and 74 provided so as to be in contact with both ends of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′ and 17 ″ in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 16). However, in the example shown in Fig. 16, the detector 75 is formed on the upper film member 73 when the cartridge 10 or the like is attached to the cartridge holder 27. Therefore, in this modification, the film member 73 is formed. Is appropriately referred to as “detected body 73”.

  The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. In the present modification, the first optical sensor 51 'corresponds to the optical detection means described in the claims.

  According to this modification, since the transmissive first optical sensor 51 ′ is used, the sensor support mechanism 60 that supports the sensor so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the cartridge holder 27 as in the case of using the reflective first optical sensor 51. There is no need to provide. Therefore, the structure of the label producing apparatus 100 can be simplified. In addition, since both the film members 73 and 74 can be configured as the detection target, the degree of freedom is improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, even when the upper film member 73 is the detected object 73, the detected object 73 is composed of a transparent or translucent film member, so that the operator can check the remaining amount. Through the window 71, the tape rolls 17, 17 ', and 17 "can be seen through the detected object 73, and the rough remaining amount of the tape can be visually confirmed. At this time, the detector 75 is detected. Since it is provided at the outer peripheral side end of the body 73, the detector 75 does not get in the way when visually recognizing the remaining tape amount.

(2) When a warning is issued when the remaining tape amount is low, a warning may be issued when the remaining tape amount falls below a preset lower limit value. The contents of control executed by the control circuit 40 in this modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 17, steps S10 to S50 are the same as those in FIG. In the next step S55, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the remaining tape amount calculated in the above-described step S50 is less than or equal to the lower limit value. This lower limit value is a predetermined value as the remaining tape amount to be warned to the operator, and is stored in advance in the RAM 48, for example. If the remaining tape amount is less than or equal to the lower limit value, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S57.

  In step S57, the control circuit 40 outputs tape remaining amount information corresponding to the calculated tape remaining amount and predetermined warning information indicating that the tape remaining amount is low to the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. To do. As a result, a warning is displayed together with the remaining tape amount on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400. Then, this flow ends.

  On the other hand, if the remaining tape amount is larger than the lower limit in step S55, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to step S60. Step S60 is the same as FIG. 11 described above, and the tape remaining amount information is output to the operation terminal 400 via the communication line NW. As a result, the remaining tape amount is displayed on the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400. Then, this flow ends.

  In the present modification, steps S57 and S60 function as remaining amount related information output means. The warning information output in step S57 and the remaining tape information output in step S60 correspond to remaining amount related information.

  According to the above modification, an alarm is given to the operator when the remaining tape amount is less than a predetermined value, so that the device malfunctions when the operator performs printing without a tape without noticing the tape end. Can be prevented.

  In the above modification, only the lower limit value is set as the threshold value. However, a plurality of threshold values that are set in advance are set, and each time the remaining level information corresponding to each threshold value is manipulated, the threshold value is manipulated. You may output to the terminal 400, respectively. As a result, as the remaining tape amount gradually decreases, the remaining tape amount is notified to the operator step by step, for example, by displaying characters such as “many”, “medium”, and “low”, and graphic / symbols such as bar graphs. can do.

(3) In case of having the remaining amount table In the above embodiment, the control circuit 40 is based on the angular velocity ω based on the detection result of the first optical sensor 51, the tape thickness t and the roll inner diameter d acquired from the parameter table. The tape remaining amount M is calculated using the above-mentioned “Expression 1” and “Expression 2”. However, the tape remaining amount M is calculated in advance, and the correlation between the angular velocity ω and the remaining tape amount M is calculated. A remaining amount table that represents each type of cartridge may be stored in the table storage unit 49.

  An example of the remaining amount table stored in the table storage unit 49 will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 18, in the remaining amount table, every time the pulse period E output from the first optical sensor 51 changes by 0.005 (s), the corresponding angular velocity ω (rad / s), the roll outer periphery The diameter D (mm) and the remaining tape amount M (mm) for each cartridge type are calculated and registered. Here, the transport speed S is set to 10 (mm / s), the angle θ is set to π / 24 (rad), and the values of the respective parameters shown in FIG. Thus, the remaining tape amount M is calculated. The step of the pulse period E may be a finer value or a larger value.

  The contents of control executed by the control circuit 40 in this modification will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 19, steps S10 to S100 are the same as those in FIG. In step S50A instead of the next step S50, the control circuit 40 refers to the portion corresponding to the type of cartridge detected in step S10 described above in the remaining amount table stored in the table storage unit 49, and the first optical sensor. The tape remaining amount M corresponding to the pulse period E based on the detection result 51 or the angular velocity ω of the tape rolls 17, 17 ′, 17 ″ (see step S155 in FIG. 12) is specified. The subsequent step S60 is the above-described FIG. It is the same.

  Specifically, for example, when a laminate type cartridge 10 is mounted and the pulse period E is 0.220 (s), the remaining tape amount M is 5508 (mm) as shown in FIG. Become. Therefore, the remaining tape amount M is displayed as 5508 (mm) when the pulse period E reaches 0.220 (s), and then the remaining tape amount until the pulse period E reaches the next 0.215 (s). M is displayed as 5508 (mm). When the pulse period E reaches the next 0.215 (s), the remaining tape display is changed to 5176 (mm). In this manner, the remaining tape amount is displayed every time the pulse period E changes by 0.005 (s).

  According to this modification, by specifying the remaining tape amount M using a remaining amount table prepared in advance, the remaining tape amount M is sequentially determined based on the detection result of the first optical sensor 51 as in the above embodiment. Compared with the case of calculation, since the calculation is not necessary, it is possible to simplify the control content relating to the remaining tape amount detection. As a result, the CPU and the like can be made low specification and cost can be reduced. In addition, there is an effect that the time required for specifying the remaining amount of tape can be shortened by the amount that calculation is not required.

  In the above description, the remaining amount table is set finely. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, a more roughly set table may be used. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the pulse period is calculated and registered every time the remaining tape amount changes by 1 (m). In this case, for example, when the pulse period E is detected as 0.200 (s), the tape is set as “4 to 5 m” for the laminate type, “5 to 6 m” for the receptor type, and “2 to 3 m” for the heat sensitive type. The remaining amount may be displayed.

(4) Others In the above description, the display unit 401 of the operation terminal 400 that is separate from the label producing apparatus 100 is used as a display unit for displaying the remaining tape amount. The display unit may be provided integrally with the apparatus 100 and used as a display unit.

  In the above description, the case where the printed label tape 23 having been printed is cut by the cutter 28 to produce the printed label L has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, in the case where a label mount (so-called die-cut label) previously separated into a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously arranged on the tape fed out from the roll, even if it is not cut by the cutter 28, After the tape has been discharged from the tape discharge port 104, only the label mount (the one on which the corresponding printing has been performed) may be peeled off from the tape to produce the print label L. Applicable.

  In addition, in the above, the arrow shown in FIG. 8 shows an example of a signal flow, and does not limit the signal flow direction. In addition, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-described flow, but add / delete procedures or change the order without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. You may do.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

10 Cartridge (tape cartridge, label making device)
10 'cartridge (tape cartridge, label making device)
10 "cartridge (tape cartridge, label making device)
16 Base tape (label making tape)
16 'thermal tape (labeling tape)
16 "receptor tape (labeling tape)
17 Base tape roll (tape roll)
17 'heat sensitive tape roll (tape roll)
17 ″ receptor tape roll (tape roll)
27 Cartridge holder 51 First optical sensor (optical detection means)
51 '1st optical sensor (optical detection means)
52 Second optical sensor (sensor position detecting means)
60 Sensor support mechanism (sensor support means)
70 Cartridge housing 72 Transmission hole 72a Tapered portion 72A 'Transmission hole 72B' Transmission hole 73 Object to be detected, film member 74 Object to be detected, film member 75 Detector 75b Light absorption region 75w Light reflection region 76 Contact portion 77 Step Part 100 Label production device (label production device body)
101s device housing 401 display unit (display unit)
L Print label

Claims (11)

A tape cartridge configured to be detachable from a cartridge holder of a label producing apparatus for producing a printed label, and in which a tape roll around which a label producing tape is wound is housed in a cartridge housing,
A plurality of detectors are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the tape roll, and a detection object provided in the cartridge housing so as to rotate at the same angular velocity as the tape roll;
It said cartridge housing at least one provided, possess a transmission hole which optical detection means for detecting the detection element of the detection object from the outside of the cartridge housing optically is transmitted through the detection light input and output ,
The detected object is:
A tape cartridge, wherein the tape cartridge is an annular film member that rotates in conjunction with a spool of the tape roll so as to come into contact with one end portion in the width direction of the tape roll . The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein
The cartridge housing is
A tape cartridge comprising: a contact portion that is provided around the transmission hole and is in contact with the optical detection means configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the cartridge holder of the label producing apparatus. The tape cartridge according to claim 2, wherein
The transmission hole is
A tape cut ridge having a taper portion engageable with a tip portion of the optical detection means on an inner peripheral surface. The tape cartridge according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The contact portion is
A tape cut ridge, characterized in that the tape cut ridge is formed as a stepped portion by a predetermined distance corresponding to the tape width of the label producing tape with respect to the surface of the cartridge housing. The tape cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein
The detected object is:
A tape cartridge that is a transparent or translucent film member in which the plurality of detectors composed of a light-reflecting region and a light-absorbing region are formed at an outer peripheral side end in a radial direction. A device housing constituting the outer shell of the device;
A tape holder in which a tape roll wound with a label producing tape is housed in a cartridge housing is detachable, and a cartridge holder provided in the device housing;
A plurality of detectors formed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of a detection object provided in a cartridge housing of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder so as to rotate at the same angular velocity as the tape roll. Optical detection means for optical detection from the outside of the housing;
Based on the detection result of the optical detection means, using a predetermined correlation between the tape remaining amount of the tape roll and the angular velocity of the tape roll, a remaining amount calculating unit that calculates the remaining amount of the tape;
A remaining amount related information output unit that outputs remaining amount related information related to the remaining amount of tape calculated by the remaining amount calculating unit to a display unit ;
Sensor support means provided in the cartridge holder and supporting the optical detection means so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge holder;
A label producing apparatus comprising: The label producing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
A label producing apparatus comprising: a sensor position detecting means for detecting an advance / retreat position of the optical detecting means in a state in which the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder is in contact with the cartridge housing. In the label producing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 ,
The remaining amount related information output means includes:
A label producing apparatus that outputs warning information as the remaining amount related information when the remaining tape amount calculated by the remaining amount calculating unit is equal to or less than a preset lower limit value. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 ,
The remaining amount related information output means includes:
When the remaining tape amount calculated by the remaining amount calculating means is equal to or less than a plurality of threshold values set in advance, step remaining amount information corresponding to each threshold value is output as the remaining amount related information. A label making device characterized by. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9 ,
The remaining amount related information output means includes:
A label producing apparatus that outputs tape remaining amount information corresponding to the remaining amount of tape calculated by the remaining amount calculating means as the remaining amount related information. A label producing apparatus comprising: a label producing apparatus for producing a print label; and a tape cartridge configured to be detachable from a cartridge holder of the label producing apparatus and having a tape roll wound with a label producing tape housed in a cartridge housing Because
The tape cartridge is
A plurality of detectors are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the tape roll, and a detection object provided in the cartridge housing so as to rotate at the same angular velocity as the tape roll;
At least one provided in the cartridge housing, and having a transmission hole through which detection light input / output by an optical detection means for optically detecting the detector of the detected object from the outside of the cartridge housing is transmitted. ,
The label producing apparatus is
A device housing constituting the outer shell of the device;
Optical detection means for optically detecting the detector of the detected body of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder from the outside of the cartridge housing;
Based on the detection result of the optical detection means, using a predetermined correlation between the tape remaining amount of the tape roll and the angular velocity of the tape roll, a remaining amount calculating unit that calculates the remaining amount of the tape;
Remaining amount related information output means for outputting remaining amount related information related to the remaining amount of tape calculated by the remaining amount calculating means to a display means ;
The detected object is:
A label producing apparatus body comprising an annular film member that rotates in conjunction with a spool of the tape roll so as to come into contact with one end portion in the width direction of the tape roll .

Images