Abstract:
A printing paper winding device for enabling winding of printing paper even paper with a base material having a low resistance to bending stresses or printing paper having RFID labels carrying IC chips. Bending stresses are reduced by dividing the movement region of the tension roller into four regions in order to enable the successive detection of the position or posture of the tension roller and by making the bending angle of the printing paper in the winding path close to a more obtuse angle. A winding control unit of the present invention determines whether the tension region where the tension roller is positioned is a first tension region, second tension region, third tension region, or fourth tension region, controls the drive unit to limit the tension roller to a tension region in which winding is possible in the direction such that the bending angle of the printing paper in the winding path, which follows the winding of the printing paper, is close to a more obtuse angle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2005/021719, filed Nov. 25, 2005 and International Application No. PCT/JP2005/023784, filed Dec. 26, 2005, which claim priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-347631, filed Nov. 30, 2004 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-377632, Dec. 27, 2004, respectively. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a printing paper winding device, and more particularly to a printing paper winding device that is independent of a printer that prints on printing paper that is wound by the winding device. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for controlling tension on the web of paper being wound. The apparatus includes a tension roll that applies a controllable tension during winding of the continuous web. 
   Further, the winding device is useful for continuously winding a continuous web of paper carrying a strip of labels evenly spaced apart on a continuous base comprised of the paper web. Each such label may be an RFID label, having a middle-layer which includes an RFID circuit, which is encapsulated. More particularly, the apparatus for winding the continuous web affects flexure stress. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Some conventional printing paper winding devices are configured as external devices separate from a printer. Such devices are installed in front of the paper discharge opening of a printer and successively wind up a continuous band or web of paper or printing paper. That band includes a base paper layer carrying printed labels and from which the printed labels are to be peeled off. The paper or labels thereon are printed by the printer and then discharged from the printer. After the labels are printed, the base layer with the labels thereon is wound on a spindle. The spindle is later placed in a label applying apparatus, where the labels are separated from the continuous base and applied to items to be labeled. 
   Such a printing paper winding device comprises a winding shaft for winding up the continuous, band-like printing paper on which printing has been performed by a printer, a drive unit (for example, a drive motor) for rotary driving of the winding shaft, and a tension roller at the winding device that comes into contact with the printing paper upstream in the path of the printing paper from the winding shaft. 
   The tension roller reciprocates on the winding device through a predetermined tension region of the paper, while maintaining contact with the printing paper, as the printing paper is printed upon, discharged from the printing device, and wound up on the winding shaft or on a reel or a take up spindle on the winding shaft. The tension roller can apply tension to the printing paper so as to absorb the slack of the printing paper, and can thereby stabilize the winding force on the winding shaft. By reciprocally moving through the tension region, the tension roller can eliminate the flexure of the continuous paper web by providing tension to the continuous web, enabling a winding effort to be maintained on the winding shaft or the take up spindle. The tension roll is provided on the winding apparatus. The tension roll reciprocation range is usually predetermined, such that the tension roll can be moved between an upper and a lower portion of the range, so that the continuous web can be reeled up while the tension roll provides a selectable tension to the continuous web. 
   In such a printing paper winding device, the leading end of the band-like printing paper discharged from a printer is usually fixed to the winding shaft, the tension roller is set to a state where it can contact the printing paper, and then the drive unit is started to begin winding the printing paper. 
   However, because the tension roller reciprocates along a predetermined reciprocating path as the printing paper is being wound up, the driver unit has to be ON/OFF controlled, the winding speed is constant, and the winding path of the printing paper follows a zigzag shape. The resulting problem is that bending stresses or bending pressure accompanies the winding operation. 
   This may limit the base material of the printing paper to one that can withstand the winding tension caused by a large bending stress applied in the zone of the reciprocation path where the winding path of the paper bends at an acute angle. This has caused problems in that the printing paper may rupture or the labels attached to the base paper may prematurely peel off, instead of the printing paper with the intact labels thereon being wound onto the winding spindle. 
   Furthermore, when the printing paper support labels (RFID labels) that have IC chips placed thereon in which data can be read and written remotely, if the winding path of the printing paper is bent at a very acute angle, disconnection of the RFID label from the continuous paper or fracture of the IC chip can occur, when the tension roller is shifted along a movement or reciprocation range. There, the continuous web may be bent at a considerable angle by the so located tension roller. 
   The considerable angle applies bending stress to the continuous web. If the continuous web has an RFID inlay, the RFID inlay may include a single IC chip and an antenna, which is included in a label or tag on the continuous base. Such a RFID tag or label has a disadvantage in that the antenna may be bent or its junction connecting the IC chip to the antenna part may be broken in the bending of the web or of the paper web at a sharp or acute angle. 
   Furthermore, an adhesive agent applies the label on the continuous base paper layer at even intervals. When it is a usual, soft adhesive agent, the labels separate from the continuous web when there is a considerable angle on the continuous label web, particularly a bend caused by the tension roller. 
   Furthermore, the above-described type of printing paper winding device is often controlled integrally or together with the printer for the labels by a printer control unit. Then driving the winding device requires using special printers. Therefore, such a winding device does not function to appropriately wind up the printing paper printed by and discharged from any printer, and the device lacks versatility for forming combinations with printers. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has an object to resolve the above-described problems. It is an object thereof to provide a printing paper winding device that can wind up any printing paper, including such paper comprising a base material with a low resistance to bending stresses. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing paper winding device that can wind up printing paper that carries labels and individual RFID labels which carry IC chips. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a printing paper winding device that can wind up printing paper, including paper with poor resistance to winding or bending stresses. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a printing paper winding device that can substantially expand the range of base material types of printing paper that is suitable for winding. 
   Another object is to provide a winding apparatus for winding a continuous web which receives bending stress, especially such a continuous web having a plurality of RFID tags or labels, each having an IC-chip and antenna part attached on an RFID inlay. 
   Furthermore, another object is to provide a winding apparatus which prevents the label strip from breaking off the continuous web by using a soft adhesive agent to retain the label strip applied on the continuous base. 
   One more object of the present invention is to provide a printing paper winding device that can be independently controlled, even when it is arranged independently from a printer, and that can appropriately wind up printing paper on which printing has been performed and which has been discharged from any printer. 
   The present invention provides a winding apparatus for properly winding the continuous web  2  that receives bending stress, by causing the tension roll to be optionally moved over a movement range to enable limiting the bend angle on a winding path of the continuous web  2 . 
   A primary aspect of the present invention is to reduce bending stresses on the web by dividing the reciprocating movement region of the tension roller into four tension regions. This enables successive detections of the position or posture of the tension roller and enables making the bending angle of the printing paper in the winding path a more obtuse angle than might otherwise be present. 
   The invention concerns a printing paper winding device comprising a winding shaft for winding up band-like printing paper which has been printed by a printer, a drive unit for rotationally driving the winding shaft, and a tension roller on the winding device that contacts the printing paper upstream of the winding shaft in the path of the paper and which can apply tension to the printing paper by the tension roller reciprocating through a prescribed tension region during the winding of the printing paper. 
   The printing paper winding device further comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, each operable for detecting the portion of the entire tension region in which the tension roller is then positioned and a winding control unit, operable based on the output signals of the first sensor and second sensor, for determining whether the tension region in which the tension roller is then positioned is a first tension region in which the bending angle of the winding path of the printing paper becomes minimized and more acute, a second tension region, a third tension region, or a fourth tension region in which the bending angle of the winding path of the printing paper becomes maximized and more obtuse. Those tension regions are arranged continuously, successively and adjacent to each other. The winding control unit controls the drive unit so as to limit the tension roller to the tension region in which winding can be conducted in a direction such that the bending angle of the winding path that follows the winding of the printing paper is closer to a more obtuse angle. 
   The winding control unit can control the tension region where the tension roller is positioned so that the tension region becomes closer to the fourth tension region. The winding apparatus optionally may include a restricting member for controlling or restricting the optional movement of the tension roll to for example, limit or control of the bend angle of the continuous web on the winding path. 
   A dip switch may be operable to select the tension region where the tension roller is positioned. The winding control unit can control the tension region where the tension roller is positioned according to conditions that are set with the dip switch. 
   A first fixed guide roller positioned upstream of the tension roller is operable for guiding and introducing the printing paper from the printer into the printing paper winding device. A second fixed guide roller is operable for guiding the printing paper from the tension roller onto the winding shaft. The control can be operated so that the bending angle of the winding path of the printing paper formed by the printer, the first fixed guide roller, and the tension roller is made closer to a more obtuse angle. The bending angle of the winding path of the printing paper formed by the first fixed guide roller, the tension roller, and the second fixed guide roller is made closer to a more obtuse angle. The bending angle of the winding path of the printing paper formed by the tension roller, the second fixed guide roller, and the winding shaft is made closer to a more obtuse angle. 
   The printing paper may have labels thereon, and each label may include an IC chip on which data can be read and written remotely. 
   There may be a roller arm for holding the tension roller. A roller rotary shaft rotatably supports the tension arm or roller arm and the roller arm is swingable around an axis to swing the tension roller reciprocally in the forward and backward, or down and up, directions across the winding path to affect web tension. 
   A sensor plate that is operable to rotate about the roller rotary shaft has formed therein alternate detection protrusions and detection recesses that can be detected by the first sensor and the second sensor. 
   The winding apparatus includes an arcuate motion guide or channel, e.g., in the form of a slit, provided on a lateral surface on a housing of the winding apparatus and preferably located at the radial position of the tension roller along the tension shaft capable of following and also of controlling arcuate reciprocating movement of the tension roll. 
   The tension roll is provided on one end of the tension arm away from the swing axis of the arm so that the roll is swingable around the tension arm axis and is guided in the motion guide or arcuate slit extending vertically on the lateral surface of the housing. 
   In a further embodiment, a restricting member is operable for restricting motion of the tension roller and for stopping it at or holding it in an optimal position within the arcuate slit. The restricting member may be made of a hard, but elastic material. The restricting member is located in the motion guide, such as in the arcuate slit and is engageable there by the tension roller. The restricting member enable easy movement, but allows optionally restricted movement of the tension roller so that it is not swingable through a large angle across the winding path direction of the continuous web. This enables a winding apparatus, which winds a continuous web that is vulnerable to a bending stress or is formed using a soft adhesive agent to apply the label strip on the continuous base to not apply a damaging bending stress. 
   A detecting member is operable for detecting the lowest swing motion position of the tension roller in its movement range. 
   The winding control unit is operable to control the printing paper winding device independently from the printer control unit for the printer which prints on the printing paper. 
   After the tension roller has been positioned in the fourth tension region (most obtuse bend angle) and initial setting for winding has been carried out, the tension roller is moved across the winding direction in the direction toward the first tension region while the printing paper is being printed upon and then discharged from the printer. At the time when the winding path is extended to a maximum length (that is, when the bending angle of the winding path becomes minimized or most acute), the winding operation is started. This returns the tension roller back toward the first tension region. When the tension roller reaches the fourth tension region and the winding path becomes maximized (that is, when the bending angle of the winding path becomes maximized or most obtuse), the winding operation is stopped and the system waits for the printing and discharge of the printing paper from the printer. Then, the above-described operations are repeated. 
   When the printing paper has a usual bending strength, the control is preferably operated to reciprocate the tension roller in the tension regions other than the first and fourth tension regions, that is, in the intermediate second tension region and third tension regions, in order to provide a margin for the reciprocating movement of the tension roller. 
   However, when printing paper with low bending strength or printing paper carrying RFID labels is used, the control is preferably operated so as to reciprocate the tension roller as close to the fourth tension region as possible. 
   As was noted above, the printing paper winding device has a movement region of the tension roller that is divided into four tension regions. When printing paper with a small resistance to bending stresses is being wound, the drive unit is controlled so that the bending angle of the winding path through which the tension roller passes is maximized closer to a more obtuse angle. This prevents the bending angle of the printing paper from becoming more acute. The bending stresses can be reduced, the range of printing paper types suitable for winding can be expanded, and even printing paper with RFID labels removably attached thereto can be correctly wound, while avoiding rupture of the RFID labels or the RFID tags in the labels. 
   In a preferred arrangement, the tension roller is supported on a swingable roller arm that pivots around a swing axis. The tension roller swings through an arcuate pathway. A housing or wall supporting the tension roller arm and its axis has an arcuate slit or other arcuate guide positioned for guiding the swing path of the tension roller. The length of slit or guide determines the ends of the swing path in the first and fourth tension regions. 
   In a modified embodiment, the arcuate guide or slit optionally has a motion restriction in the swing path of the tension roller in the arcuate guide or slit which restricts the full extent of swinging. In particular, the restriction prevents the tension roller moving the full possible distance into the first tension region, that is, it increases the minimum acute bend angle of the paper strip and thereby reduces the sharpness of the bend of the printing paper. This in turn reduces the maximum stresses on the paper strip and on the labels and RFID labels, if any, on the strip. A detector detects the position of the restriction and thereby detects the lowest part of the swing path of the tension roller, and therefore the smallest acute angle at which the paper strip will be bent. 
   Other objects and features of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a printing paper winding device of an embodiment of the present invention and showing a printer connected to a printing paper winding device; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the printing paper winding device; 
       FIG. 3  a side view of a vertical wall surface section of the winding device taken from a surface on the opposite side from the surface where the tension roller is positioned; 
       FIG. 4  is a table showing tension regions where the tension roller is positioned, those regions being distinguished by the detection signals of a first and second sensor; 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory drawing schematically describing each tension region of the device; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view showing an RFID label continuous body  40  (printing paper); 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged side view of the tension roller and winding unit portion illustrating a state in which the tension roller is positioned in the first tension region; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged side view of the tension roller and winding unit portion illustrating a state in which the tension roller is positioned in the fourth tension region; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view as in  FIG. 2  of a modified embodiment of the printing paper winding device; 
       FIG. 10  schematically illustrates operation of the modified embodiment; and 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a continuous printing paper web, with a plurality of labels including RFID tags, which is of the type subjected to bending stresses. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with the present invention, a drive unit is controlled so as to limit the position of a tension roller to a tension region in which winding of a printing paper web can be conducted in the direction such that the bending angle of the winding path that bends to the winding of the printing paper defines a more obtuse angle and thus the web bends at a less acute angle. This enables operation of a printing paper winding device that is suitable for winding even printing paper with a low resistance to bending stresses. 
   The printing paper winding device  2  of an embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 . 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a printer  1  and of a printing paper winding device  2  connected to the printer  1 . The printer  1  has a supply unit  4  for printing paper  3 . That paper is provided thereon, for example, with labels or tags. A detector  5  detects the position of the printing paper  3 , and particularly the labels on tags thereon. A printing unit  6  prints on the printing paper  3 . A cutting unit  7  cuts the trailing end section of the printed printing paper  3  after it has been wound up by the printing paper winding device  2 , and a printer control unit  8  controls the aforementioned units. 
   The printing unit has a thermal head  9  and a platen roller  10 . The printing paper  3  is sandwiched between the thermal head  9  and the platen roller  10 , and the printing paper  3  is discharged and transported toward the printing paper winding device  2  by rotation of the platen roller  10  after predetermined information has been printed on the printing paper  3 . 
   The cutting unit  7  may be driven by the printer control unit  8  to mechanically cut the printing paper  3  or it can comprise a member for cutting the end section of the printing paper  3  manually. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the printing paper winding device  2 . The printing paper winding device  2  has a device body  11 , a first fixed guide roller  12  for guiding and introducing the printed printing paper  3  into the printing paper winding device  2 , a movable, and particularly a swingable, tension roller  13 , a second fixed guide roller  14  for guiding the printing paper  3  from the tension roller  13 , a winding unit  15  for winding the printing paper  3  into a roll, a control unit  16 , a power source switch  17 , and a winding control unit  18 . 
   A tension roller rotary support shaft  19  is provided at a vertical wall surface section  11 A in the device body  11 . A roller arm  20 , which can swing around the shaft  19  as an axis, can swing in both the forward or direct direction generally downstream in the web path and in the reverse direction, is mounted on the roller rotary shaft  19 . The tension roller  13  is rotatably mounted on a distal end section of the swingable roller arm  20 . The tension roller  13  is positioned so as to extend across the winding path  21  (for example, shown as a zigzag line in  FIG. 1 ) of the printing paper  3  and moves at a right angle to the web. 
   The tension roller  13  can swing reciprocatingly up and down along a circular arc, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 1 , according to the winding state of the printing paper  3 . The roller reciprocates along a guide in the form of a circular arc, guide groove  22  formed in the vertical wall surface section  11 A of the housing. This swinging changes the length of the winding path  21  from minimum to maximum and, corresponding to this change, changes the bending angle(s) of the winding path  21  from maximum or more obtuse to minimum or more acute. 
     FIG. 3  is a side view of the vertical wall surface section  11 A taken from the surface on the opposite side from the surface where the tension roller  13  is positioned. The position of the tension roller  13  can be detected using a sensor plate  23 , a first sensor  24 , and a second sensor  25 . 
   The sensor plate  23  is mounted on the roller rotary shaft  19  and rotates together with the tension roller  13  about the roller rotary shaft  19 . Two detection protrusions (first detection protrusion  26  and second detection protrusion  27 ) and three detection recesses (first detection recess  28 , second detection recess  29 , and third detection recess  30 ) can be detected by the first sensor  24  and the second sensor  25 . The protrusions and recesses alternate on the peripheral section of the sensor plate  23 . 
   Transmission-type or reflection-type detectors can be employed for the first sensor  24  and the second sensor  25 . They are arranged on the circumference in positions enabling the detection of the first detection protrusion  26 , second detection protrusion  27 , first detection recess  28 , second detection recess  29 , and third detection recess  30 . 
   In the lowermost position (lower dead center, first tension region) of the tension roller  13  shown solid line in  FIG. 3 , the first sensor  24  is close to the second detection recess  29 , and the second sensor  25  is close to the third detection recess  30 . 
   The roller rotary shaft  19  is preferably arranged vertically above the tension roller  13 . Depending on their mutual arrangement, a posture can be naturally assumed under gravity in which the tension roller  13  is positioned vertically below and inside the circular arc guide groove  22 . In this way, the tension roller  13  can constantly apply a predetermined tension on the printing paper  3  that comes into contact with the roller from above, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
   Furthermore, if deemed necessary, the tension roller  13  can be constantly impelled toward the lowermost section (lower dead center) inside the circular arc guide groove  22  by mounting a tension spring  31  ( FIG. 1 ) on the roller arm  20 . 
     FIG. 4  is a table showing tension regions where the tension roller  13  is positioned. Those regions are distinguished by the detection signals of the first sensor  24  and the second sensor  25 .  FIG. 5  is an explanatory drawing schematically describing each tension region. 
   The solid line state in  FIG. 3  illustrates the lower dead center  13 , which is a lowermost point in the first tension region R 1 . In this state, the first sensor  24  detects the position of the second detection recess  29 , and the second sensor  25  detects the position of the third detection recess  30 . 
   As the tension roller  13  rises clockwise in  FIG. 3  inside the circular arc guide groove  22 , the first sensor  24  and the second sensor  25  detect the first detection protrusion  26 , second detection protrusion  27 , first detection recess  28 , second detection recess  29 , and third detection recess  30  and generate detection signals. Based on the detection signals, the winding control unit  18  determines the tension region (first tension region R 1 , second tension region R 2 , third tension region R 3 , and fourth tension region R 4  arranged continuously and adjacently to each other) in which the tension roller  13  is then positioned. 
   The detection timing of the tension regions (boundary sections of the first tension region R 1 , second tension region R 2 , third tension region R 3 , and fourth tension region R 4 ) of the tension roller  13  can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the circumferential angles of the first detection protrusion  26 , second detection protrusion  27 , first detection recess  28 , second detection recess  29 , and third detection recess  30  about the roller rotary shaft  19  of the sensor plate  23  and the relative positions of the first sensor  24  and second sensor  25 . 
   Returning to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the winding unit  15  has a drive motor (drive unit)  32 , a winding shaft  33 , which is rotary driven by the drive motor  32 , a winding core or spindle  34  that is removably fit onto the winding shaft  33 , rotates integrally with the winding shaft  33 , and winds the printing paper  3  thereon in the form of a roll. A pair of paper guides  35  provided at both ends of the rewind core  34  guide the printing paper  3 . 
   The control unit  16  is provided in the portion of the device body  11  in the vicinity of the winding unit  15 . The control unit has a start-stop button  36  for starting and stopping the rotation drive of the winding shaft  33 , a status display unit  37  comprising a LED that indicates the operation status of the start-stop button  36 , and a winding direction display unit  38  that indicates the winding direction of the printing paper  3  with an arrow. 
   When the start-stop button  36  is pushed to cause winding up the printing paper  3 , the status display unit  37  is turned on. When the winding is stopped, the status display unit  37  is turned off. 
   The winding direction display unit  38  displays the indication of rear winding or face winding of the printing paper  3 . 
   The printing paper  3  can be a continuous label or tag paper having no adhesive surface, or it can be a label continuous body in which a plurality of label pieces  3 B are removably attached to a band-like base paper  3 A, as shown as an example in  FIG. 2 , or it can be labels, as in  FIG. 11  described below. In the case of such a label continuous body, a winding operation, in which the label pieces  3 B are wound up on the inner side (rear side) of a roll on the winding shaft  33  (rewind core  34 ), is called rear winding and a winding operation, in which the label pieces are wound up on the outer side (face side), is called face winding. 
   The power source switch  17  serves to turn ON/OFF the power source of the printing paper winding device  2 . However, even if the power source switch  17  is turned ON, the drive motor  32  (drive unit) is not actuated and the operation of winding the printing paper  3  is not yet started. 
   The winding control unit  18  drive controls the winding unit  15  and control unit  16  based on the detection signals of the first sensor  24  and the second sensor  25 . Based on the tension region (R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , or R 4 ) in which the tension roller  13  is then positioned, the control unit controls the printing paper winding device  2 , regardless of the control signal from the printer control unit  8  ( FIG. 1 ) of the printer  1 , that is, independently from the printer control unit  8 . 
   In the printing paper winding device  2  and printer  1  of such configuration, the printing paper winding device  2  is placed at the printer  1  according to the posture thereof. The printing paper  3  discharged and extending from the side of the printer  1  is wrapped around the first fixed guide roller  12 , tension roller  13 , and second fixed guide roller  14  of the printing paper winding device  2  in the state shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . The leading end section of the printing paper  3  is attached and fixed to the winding core  34  of the winding shaft  33 . Then the power source switch  17  is turned on. 
   When the entire printing paper  3  is in a loosened state and the tension roller  13  is in the lowermost point (lower dead center, first tension region R 1 ), and the printing paper  3  is then set on the winding path  21 , the winding control unit  18  checks that the tension roller  13  is in the first tension region R 1  when the operation of wrapping the printing paper  3  about the winding shaft  33  (rewind core  34 ) is started. In this state, the operator continuously pushes the start-stop button  36 , and as long as the signal thereof is outputted, the winding shaft  33  is rotationally driven by the drive unit (drive motor  32 ) at a speed lower than the usual winding speed, and the winding of the printing paper  3  by the winding shaft  33  is temporarily stopped and the initial set state is assumed when the tension roller  13  reaches the fourth tension region R 4  (more accurately, at the point in time the tension roller reached the boundary section of the third tension region R 3  and the fourth tension region R 4 ). 
   The usual winding speed in the printing paper winding device  2  is set higher than the carry-out speed in the process of printing and discharging the printing paper  3  with the printer  1 . 
   Furthermore, at the time at which a transition is made from the first tension region R 1  to the second tension region R 2  and then to the third tension region R 3 , the winding speed can be raised so that the start operation and winding operation can be executed at a high speed. 
   Depending on the initial set operation of the operator, the tension roller  13  can be in a tension region other than the first tension region R 1 . But in this case, too, the winding control unit  18  determines the tension region for the tension roller  13 , in the same manner as described above, rotationally drives the winding shaft  33  at a speed lower than the usual winding speed as long as the signal from the start-stop button  36  is outputted, and temporarily stops the winding of the printing paper  3  with the winding shaft  33  to obtain the initial set state when the tension roller  13  reaches the fourth tension region R 4 . 
   When the initial set state has been completed, with the tension roller  13  set in the fourth tension region R 4 , the printer  1  is started in this state. If the printing paper  3  is printed upon and discharged, the tension roller  13  descends from the fourth tension region R 4  via the third tension region R 3  along the arcuate guide groove  22  in the direction of the second tension region R 2  and the first tension region R 1 , while maintaining its contact under the predetermined tension with the printing paper  3  in the winding path  21 . 
   When the tension roller  13  descends to the first tension region R 1  (more accurately, when it reaches the boundary section between the second tension region R 2  and the first tension region R 1 ), the winding of the printing paper  3  with the winding shaft  33  is restarted, and the tension roller  13  rises along the arcuate guide groove  22 , and following this winding operation, moves through the second tension region R 2  and the third tension region R 3 , and reaches again the fourth tension region R 4 , and there stops the winding. In this stopped state, the system waits for subsequent printing and discharging of the printing paper  3  by the printer  1  and, as soon as the printing paper  3  is discharged, winding is restarted, as described above, at the time when the tension roller  13  reaches the first tension region R 1 . 
   The winding operation can be ended by pushing the start-stop button  36  in the control unit  16 . 
   In the usual winding operation, it can be ensured that the first tension region R 1  and the fourth tension region R 4  are margin regions by operating the control so that the tension roller  13  reciprocates within the second tension region R 2  and the third tension region R 3 . 
   In this way, the operator can conduct the winding operation of the initial setting of the printing paper  3  at a rate slower than the usual winding rate by merely continuously pushing the start-stop button  36  in the control unit  16 . Therefore, at the time of initially setting control of the printing paper  3 , the rotation of the printing paper  3  can be started at will and the winding operation can be conducted safely and reliably. 
   The present invention is especially advantageous when a printing paper  3  with a low resistance to bending stresses is wound. In contrast with the above-described usual winding operation, the winding unit  15  or its drive motor  32  can be controlled so as to limit the tension region of the tension roller  13  to the predetermined range. 
   The explanation will be provided below by using an RFID label continuous body as an example of printing paper with a low resistance to bending stresses. 
     FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating an RFID label continuous body  40  (printing paper). The RFID label continuous body  40  has a band-like base paper  41  and a plurality of RFID labels  42  removably attached to the base paper  41 . 
   The RFID label  42  (Radio Frequency Identification label) has a label body  43 , an IC chip  44  incorporated into the label body  43 , and an antenna  45 . 
   The IC chip  44  can read and write data remotely with an external data read/write device (not shown in the figure) via an antenna  45 , and data can be electronically written into the IC chip  44  and read therefrom. 
   The portions of the RFID label continuous body  40  where the RFID labels  42  are located have especially low resistance to bending stresses. 
     FIG. 7  is a main enlarged side view of the tension roller  13  and the winding unit  15  portion. This figure illustrates a state in which the tension roller  13  is positioned in the first tension region R 1 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the tension roller  13  is positioned in the first tension region R 1 , the bending angles of the winding path  21  of the RFID label continuous body  40  become minimized or more acute. More specifically, the first bending angle θ 1 , second bending angle θ 2 , and third bending angle θ 3  become minimized, so that when the tension roller is positioned in the first tension region R 1 , the bending stresses become maximized. 
   The first bending angle θ 1  is the bending angle of the winding path  21  of the RFID label continuous body  40  formed by the printer  1 , the first fixed guide roller  12 , and tension roller  13 . 
   The second bending angle θ 2  is the bending angle of the winding path  21  of the RFID label continuous body  40  formed by the first fixed guide roller  12 , tension roller  13 , and second fixed guide roller  14 . 
   The third bending angle θ 3  is the bending angle of the winding path  21  of the RFID label continuous body  40  formed by the tension roller  13 , second fixed guide roller  14 , and winding shaft  33 . 
   In particular, in the location of the tension roller  13  in  FIG. 7 , the second bending angle θ 2  formed by the printing paper  3  becomes more obtuse and the effect of bending stresses on the RFID label continuous body  40  is minimized. 
     FIG. 8  is a main enlarged side view of the tension roller  13  and the winding unit  15  portion, which is similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 . This figure illustrates a state in which the tension roller  13  is positioned in the fourth tension region R 4 . 
   In the state shown in  FIG. 8 , the first bending angle θ 1 , second bending angle θ 2 , and third bending angle θ 3  become maximized or more obtuse, so that when the tension roller is positioned in the fourth tension region R 4 , the bending stresses become minimized. 
   In accordance with the present invention, the control is operated so that the first bending angle θ 1 , second bending angle θ 2 , and third bending angle θ 3  become closer to more obtuse angles, or so that the tension region where the tension roller  13  is positioned becomes closer to the fourth tension region R 4 . 
   More specifically, a dip switch  46  ( FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ) is provided in the device body  11 , and the tension region in which the tension roller  13  is to be positioned can be selected with the dip switch  46 . 
   When the usual printing paper  3  is wound up, the winding control unit  18  controls the drive motor  32  so that the tension roller  13  reciprocates within the second tension region R 2  and the third tension region R 3  (more accurately, between the boundary between the first tension region R 1  and the second tension region R 2  and the boundary between the third tension region R 3  and the fourth tension region R 4 ). But in the case of an RFID label continuous body  40 , the drive motor  32  is ON/OFF controlled so that the tension roller  13  reciprocates from the second tension region R 2  to the fourth tension region R 4  (more accurately, the uppermost portion or upper dead center of the fourth tension region R 4 ) or from the third tension region R 3  to the fourth tension region R 4  (more accurately, the uppermost portion or upper dead center of the fourth tension region R 4 ). 
   For example, when the tension roller  13  is reciprocated between the third tension region R 3  and the fourth tension region R 4 , the winding control unit  18  turns on the drive motor  32  and starts the winding operation of the RFID label continuous body  40  when the tension roller  13  reaches the third tension region R 3  (more accurately, the boundary between the second tension region R 2  and the third tension region R 3 ). When the upper dead center of the fourth tension region R 4  is reached, the drive motor  32  is turned OFF and a state of waiting for the supply of the RFID label continuous body  40  from the printer  1  is assumed. 
   The drive motor  32  is controlled so as to limit the tension roller  13  to a tension region that enables winding in the direction such that the bending angle of the winding path  21 , which follows the winding of the RFID label continuous body  40 , is close to a more obtuse angle. In this case, the RFID label continuous body  40  undergoes bending in the sections of the first fixed guide roller  12 , tension roller  13 , and second fixed guide roller  14 , wherein the RFID label  42  or the like can be prevented from being fractured or inadvertently disconnected by the above described control. 
   Furthermore, at a small or acute bending angle such as shown in  FIG. 7 , in particular in the section of the first fixed guide roller  12  and the second fixed guider roller  14 , the RFID label  42  may not follow the turning of the base paper  41  and may instead peel off from the base paper  41  (see virtual line in the figure). Such a peeling off of the RFID label  42  can be also avoided by increasing the bending angle so as to make it close to an obtuse angle, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   A web-winding apparatus  51  of this modified embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10  comprises a first guide roller  54  and second guide-roller  55  for a continuous web  52  which can be guided along its winding path. A tension roll  58  provided on the end of a swingable tension arm  59  contacts the continuous web  52  from above and is spaced between first guide roller  54  and second guide-roller  55 . A winding spindle  56  receives and winds up the continuous web  52 . A guide in the form of circular arcuate slit  50  is formed vertically on the lateral surface  63  of the housing, along the swinging movement of the tension roll  58 . 
   In this embodiment, a restricting member (a catching member)  61  is provided for selectively controlling swinging movement of the tension roll  58  over a movement range. A detecting member  62  detects the lowest position of the tension roll  58  to travel in a movement range. The detecting member  67  detects the position of the tension roll in the upper part of the tension roll  58  movement range. 
   The lowest part is the most inferior point in the movable range in which the tension roll can travel. 
   The tension roll  58  is provided on the one end of a tension arm  59 . The other end of the tension arm  59  is swingably connected by an arm axis  57 , and which is provided on inner side of the lateral surface  63  on the housing. 
   The tension roll  58  can be received and supported in a circular arcuate guide in the form of a slit  60  formed vertically on the lateral surface  63  of the housing. The roll  58  extends across the winding path of the continuous web  52 . 
   Also, the tension roll  58  can be pulled downward in the circular arcuate slit  60  by a tensioning force. The tensioning force urges the tension roll  58  into contact with the continuous web  52  from upwardly in the circular arcuate slit  60  by means of a tension spring or by the weight of the tension roll  58  itself. 
     FIG. 10  shows the tension roll  58  in full line illustrating the lowest position in the movement range where the tension roll  58  contacts the restricting member  61 , as in full line, and the tension roll  58  is shown in chain line illustrating a another lowest position in the movement range of the tension roll  58  to be shifted which is caused by contact of the tension roll  58  in the restricting member  61  and is shown in a chained line. 
   The restricting member  61  restricts the travel of the tension arm  59  and can hold the tension roll  58  in a selected position within the circular arcuate slit  60 , allowing the tension roll  58  to travel over an arcuate movement range that can be selected. Therefore, the moveable tension roll  58  may be spaced between first guide roller  54  and second guide-roller  55 , and an angle in the winding path of continuous web  52  can be easily changeable with an end limit on the tension roll  58  travel. The tension roll  58  can be held in an upper position within the circular arcuate slit  10  to limit and select an angle in the winding path of the continuous web  52 . 
   The restricting member  61  is a hard, but somewhat elastic, member with an H-form in cross section (not shown). It has spaced apart end sections across the width direction of the circular arcuate slit  60  that engage the sides of the wall of the housing at the slit and therefore which allow easy manual shifting and positioning of the member  61  along the length of the slit. 
   Also, a detecting member or sensor for the lowest part  62  is movably provided on the restricting member  61  to move with it. It can detect the lowest part of the path of the tension roll  58  to be traveled in the movement range of the tension roll  58 . 
   Furthermore, a detecting member  67  can detect the upper part of the movement range of the tension roll  58 . 
   The tension roll  58  absorbs a rate differential provided between the feeding speed of the continuous web  52  and the winding speed of the winding apparatus  51  by depending on the swinging movement of the tension roll  58 . 
   The detecting member  67  detects when the tension roll  58  is in the upper part of the circular arcuate slit  60 . At that time, the driven part for driving the take up spindle  56 , for example the winding motor, is disabled. The tensioning force can be controlled for the continuous web  52  allowing continuous web feeding from the printer. 
   The tension roll  58  moves downward in accordance with the discharge of the continuous web  52  from the printer. When the tension roll  58  reaches the lowest part of the circular arcuate slit  60 , the micro-switch  62  can be turned on, to drive the winding motor to start the continuous web  52  winding. 
   A continuous web  52  provided on the winding apparatus according to this invention may have various-shapes, RFID-Tag or label, or roll-shaped-Tag or label, an RFID-Tag or label having an RFID inlay, an RFID inlay including a single IC comprising an IC chip  66  and a coil antenna part  65  with coil shaped provided in the middle layer of the RFID-Tag or Label. These are sensitive to bending stress. A reasonable bend angle can be set for the web of labels or tags, raising the position of lowest part of the movement path by arranging the restricting member  11  to restrict the movement of the tension roll  8 , which can provide a control for available winding thereof without a considerable acute angle. 
   Further, a continuous web  52  (i.e., a continuous label web) having a soft adhesive agent to apply the label strip on the continuous base  64  may be provided. The swinging movement of the tension roll  58  makes an angle in the winding path, and allows the tension roll  58  to even optionally function as a peel bar. In that case, the continuous base  64  is dragged in the reverse direction which peels the labels of the label strip  53  off the continuous base  64 , since the stiffness of the elastic body of the label strip  53  is relatively increased in excess of the adhesion strength. However since the restricting member  61  can be optionally placed within the circular arcuate slit  60 , preferable rewinding can be made. 
   Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.