Patent ID: 12233655

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a printing device for printing on a label sheet includes a first print head configured to perform printing on a first surface of a label sheet conveyed along a conveyance path in a first direction, a first roller adjacent to the first print head across the conveyance path, a second print head upstream of the first print head along the conveyance path and configured to perform printing on a second surface of the label sheet, a second roller adjacent to the second print head across the conveyance path, a cutting unit downstream of the first print head along the conveyance path and configured to cut off a first portion of the label sheet, and a processor. The processor is configured to, after the first portion is cut off, cause the label sheet to be conveyed in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that an end of the label sheet from which the first portion was cut off reaches the first print head.

Hereinafter, a printing device according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments, a thermal printer is described as one example of a printing device1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.1is a perspective view of an external appearance of a printing device1according to an embodiment. As shown inFIG.1, the printing device1comprises a case2and a case8connected to the left side of the case2. An operation display unit3is provided on an upper surface of the case8. The operation display unit3includes a display unit4and an operation unit5. The display unit4is a liquid crystal display with a backlight, but other types of display devices may be used. The operation unit5includes a plurality of operation buttons6including a power button and the like.

As shown inFIG.2, the case8can swing open from by rotating around a hinge7(seeFIG.1). The printing device1comprises a first printing unit34, a second printing unit35to perform printing on front and back surfaces of a label sheet20stored inside the case8. Therefore, by rotating the case8about the hinge7and lifting the case8upward, maintenance of the internal mechanism of the printing device1can be easily performed.

A cutter unit9is provided on the front surface of the case8. The cutter unit9includes a cutting unit37, which will be described below, and cuts the printed label. A label issuing port10through which a label is issued or discharged after printing is provided between the blades of the cutter unit9. The label cut by the cutter unit9is issued from the label issuing port10.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the cutter unit9may be attachable to and detachable from the case8.FIG.3illustrates a state in which the cutter unit9is removed from the printing device1illustrated inFIG.1.

The case2houses a drive source such as a motor or the like for driving various rotors or the like housed in the case8, a control unit100(seeFIG.6), and the like.

FIG.4is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printing device1. As shown inFIG.4, the printing device1includes a sheet holding unit31, a pull-out roller32, a detection unit33, a first printing unit34, a second printing unit35, an ink ribbon supply device36, and the cutting unit37inside the case8.

The sheet holding unit31is a shaft that holds the label sheet20wound in a roll shape. The label sheet20includes a plurality of labels and does not have without a liner (that is, there is no separable label mount or backing material on which the labels are initially disposed). The labels on label sheet20are so called linerless labels, and a pressure sensitive adhesive such as glue is applied to at least a portion of the back surface of each label.

FIGS.5A and5Bare diagrams schematically illustrating an example of the label sheet20.FIG.5Ashows a front surface21of the label sheet20, andFIG.5Bshows a back surface22of the label sheet20.

The surface21of the label sheet20is coated with a chemical agent which changes color when heated. That is, the label sheet20is a thermal sheet.

A mark referred to as a black mark221is printed on the back surface22of the label sheet20. The black mark221indicates a cutting position on the label sheet20. That is, a section of the label sheet20between two adjacent black marks221corresponds to one label that will ultimately be cut from the label sheet20as an individual label.

In this example, a pressure sensitive adhesive has been applied to just a partial region of the back surface22of the label sheet20. Specifically, the pressure sensitive adhesive is on an edge portion222of each label delineated by a pair of black marks221, and the region inside the edge portion222of each label is central region223to which the pressure sensitive adhesive has not been applied. The width of the edge portion222is not particularly limited. For example, the width L of a part of the edge portion222directly adjacent to the black mark221and parallel to the black mark221may be set based on the physical separation distance between the first print head341and the second print head351.

In addition, the configuration of the label sheet20is not limited to the entirely linerless label example. For example, the label sheet20may have a two-layer structure or a multilayer structure in which paper (thermosensitive paper) at the front surface21and the paper of the back surface22are bonded to each other at the edge portion222. In such a case, for example, the central223or a region224of surface21but within the boundary of central region223as illustrated inFIG.5Bmay be peelable or otherwise separable from the label sheet20by incorporation of a perforation or a seal structure.

Returning toFIG.4, the label sheet20held by the sheet holding unit31is pulled out by the pull-out roller32. The pull-out roller32includes a driving roller321and a driven roller322. The driving roller321and the driven roller322are disposed to face each other. The driving roller321rotates while holding the label sheet20together with the driven roller322, so that the label sheet20is conveyed. The surface of the driving roller321inFIG.4in contact with the back surface22of the label sheet20is subjected to adhesion amount reduction treatment for reducing the amount of the pressure sensitive adhesive transferred to the driving roller321.

The label sheet20pulled out by the pull-out roller32is conveyed to the conveyance path A. The conveyance path A is a path between the pull-out roller32and the label issuing port10. That is, the label sheet20pulled out by the pull-out roller32is conveyed to the label issuing port10via the conveyance path A.

Hereinafter, in the conveyance path A, the side from which the label sheet20is supplied by the pull-out roller32is referred to as “upstream”, and the side to which the label sheet20is discharged from the label issuing port10is referred to as “downstream”. In addition, conveying the label sheet20toward the label issuing port10along the conveyance path A may be referred to as “feed”, and conveying the label sheet20in the opposite direction may be referred to as “back feed”.

On the upstream side of the conveyance path A, the detection unit33is provided for detecting the black mark221on the back surface22of the label sheet20. The detection unit33is, for example, a transmissive or reflective photoelectric sensor. The detection unit33detects the black mark221by irradiating the label sheet20with light and detecting light reflected by the label sheet20or light transmitted through the label sheet20.

In addition, the first printing unit34is provided for performing printing on the front surface21of the label sheet20in the conveyance path A. Specifically, the first printing unit34is provided downstream of the detection unit33in the conveyance path A. The first printing unit34includes a first print head341and a first platen roller342.

The first print head341is a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heat generation elements is arranged in a line in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the label sheet20. The first print head341is a direct thermal print head that performs printing by applying heat to the front surface21of the label sheet20by the heat generation elements.

The first print head341is fixed to a first head holding unit343that is attached to a frame. The first print head341is biased by the first head holding unit343to press against the first platen roller342.

The first platen roller342is a roller facing the first print head341. The first platen roller342conveys the label sheet20by rotating such that the label sheet20is sandwiched between the first platen roller342and the first print head341. The surface of the platen roller342, which is in contact with the back surface of the label sheet20, is subjected to adhesive amount reduction treatment for reducing the amount of the adhesive transferred to the platen roller342.

In the above configuration, the first print head341prints on the surface of the label sheet20conveyed in the feed direction by generating heat of the heat generation elements under the control of the control unit100(seeFIG.6). More specifically, the control unit100prints on the surface of the label sheet20by generating heat of the first print head341based on the detection timing of the black mark221by the detection unit33and the conveyance speed of the label sheet20.

In addition, the second printing unit35is provided for performing printing on the back surface22of the label sheet20in the conveyance path A. The second printing unit35is provided on the upstream side of the first printing unit34in the conveyance path A. More specifically, the second printing unit35is provided between the detection unit33and the first printing unit34. The second unit35includes a second print head351and a second platen roller352.

The second print head351is a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heat generation elements is arranged in a line in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the label sheet20. The second print head351is a thermal transfer type print head that prints by transferring ink from an ink ribbon40to the back surface of the label sheet20.

The second print head351is fixed to a second head holding unit353rotatably attached to a frame. More specifically, the second head holding unit353is supported so as to be pivotable about a pivot shaft3531in a direction indicated by arrow B inFIG.4.

The second head holding unit353has an abutting portion indicated by broken lines inFIG.4and having a smooth curved surface shape, and the abutting portion abuts against a cam3532rotatably attached to a frame. The second head holding unit353rotates in the direction of the arrow B about the pivot shaft3531as a fulcrum in accordance with the rotation operation of the cam3532, thereby bringing the second print head351into contact with and away from the second platen roller352. With this configuration, the second head holding unit353functions as a head-up mechanism for separating the second print head351from the second platen roller352, and a head abutting mechanism for bringing the second print head351into contact with the second platen roller352. That is, in a case where the head-up mechanism is operated, the second print head351is separated from the second platen roller352, and in a case where the head abutting mechanism is operated, the second print head351is biased towards the second platen roller352and abuts against the second platen roller.

The second platen roller352is a roller facing the second print head351. The second platen roller352conveys the label sheet20by rotating such that the label sheet20is sandwiched between the second platen roller352and the ink ribbon40.

The ink ribbon supply device36includes a ribbon holding shaft361and a ribbon winding shaft362. The ribbon holding shaft361winds the unused portion of the ink ribbon40in a roll shape. The ribbon winding shaft362is a shaft around which the used portion of the ink ribbon40is wound. The ribbon winding shaft362rotates the ink ribbon in a take-up direction (clockwise direction inFIG.4) by a motor so as to take up the ink ribbon40at a speed substantially equal to or higher than a conveyance speed of the ink ribbon40by the second platen roller352.

The ink ribbon supply device36includes a guide shaft that guides the ink ribbon40drawn out from the ribbon holding shaft361. The guide shaft is provided along the conveyance path of the ink ribbon40between the ribbon holding shaft361and the ribbon winding shaft362. The ink ribbon40is stretched over the guide shaft provided in this manner.

The unused portion of the ink ribbon40reaches a printing position where the second print head351and the second platen roller352abut against each other, and the ink is transferred, that is, printing is performed on the back surface22of the label sheet20. The used portion of the ink ribbon40is wound around the ribbon winding shaft362and collected.

In the above configuration, the second print head351prints on the back surface22of the label sheet20being conveyed in the feed direction by generating heat with the heat generation elements under the control of the control unit100(seeFIG.6). More specifically, the control unit100prints on the central region223provided on the back surface22of the label sheet20by controlling the heat generation from the second print head351based on the detection timing of the black mark221by the detection unit33and the conveyance speed of the label sheet20. Further, the control unit100controls the second print head351to come into contact with the second platen roller352for printing by moving the second head holding unit353.

On the conveyance path A, the cutting unit37is provided for cutting the label sheet20after printing is completed. Specifically, the cutting unit37is provided on the downstream side of the first printing unit34and before the label issuing port10on the conveyance path A.

The cutting unit37is a guillotine cutting mechanism including a movable blade371and a fixed blade372that face each other with the conveyance path A interposed therebetween. The cutting unit37moves the movable blade371with respect to the fixed blade372under the control of the control unit100to cut the front-end portion of the label sheet20sandwiched between the movable blade371and the fixed blade372. More specifically, the control unit100cause the label sheet20to be cut along the black mark221. Then, the front-end portion of the label sheet20(or a label) cut by the cutting unit37is discharged from the label issuing port10provided in the gap between the cover8and the cutter unit9. The surfaces of the movable blade371and the fixed blade372are treated with adhesion amount reduction treatment to reduce the amount of the adhesive transferred from the back surface22of the label sheet20to the movable and fixed blades371and372.

Next, a positional relationship between the first printing unit34and the second printing unit35will be described with reference toFIG.4.

As illustrated inFIG.4, in the printing device1, the second printing unit35is disposed on the upstream side of the first printing unit34in consideration of its dimensions and the storage position of the ink ribbon supply device36in the case8.

The first platen roller342of the first printing unit34and the second platen roller352of the second printing unit35are disposed such that the conveyance path A bends in a substantially S-shape.

More specifically, the second platen roller352comes into contact with the front surface21of the label sheet20conveyed from the pull-out roller32, and the first platen roller342comes into contact with the back surface22of the label sheet20conveyed from the second platen roller352, thereby bending the conveyance path A into a substantially S-shape. The first platen roller342and the second platen roller352are disposed such that the inclination of the conveyance path A between the first platen roller342and the second platen roller352is steeper than the inclination of the other parts of the conveyance path A.

With the above configuration, the first printing unit34does not interfere with the second platen roller352. Similarly, the second printing unit35does not interfere with the second platen roller352. Accordingly, the first print head341and the second print head351in the conveyance path A can be disposed physically close to each other.

Here, the separation distance between the first print head341and the second print head351is preferably small, and may be set according to the dimensions of the label sheet20and the like. For example, when a label sheet20as depicted inFIGS.5A and5Bis used, it is preferable that the separation distance between the first print head341and the second print head351is the distance from the black mark221to the edge portion222in the conveyance direction, that is, the width L depicted inFIG.5B. In the printing device1of the present example, the separation distance between the first print head341and the second print head351is approximately equal to the width L depicted inFIG.5B.

Next, a hardware configuration of the printing device1will be described with reference toFIG.6.FIG.6is a hardware block diagram of the printing device1.

As shown inFIG.6, the printing device1comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit)101, a ROM (Read Only Memory)102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory)103.

The CPU101is a processor for controlling the operations of the printing device1. The ROM102stores various programs. The RAM103temporarily stores programs and various kinds of information. The CPU101, the ROM102, and the RAM103are connected via a bus or the like. The CPU101, the ROM102, and the RAM103make up the control unit100. That is, the control unit100executes the control process related to the printing device1according to one or more control programs1041stored in the ROM102and/or a storage unit104and loaded into the RAM103.

The storage unit104is an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that can store information even after power is turned off. The storage unit104stores the control programs1041for controlling operations of the printing device1. In addition, the storage unit104stores various setting information related to the operation of the printing device1.

The control unit100is connected to a controller105that controls input and output of data via a bus or the like. The controller105is connected to a conveyance motor106, a head-up motor107, a cutting unit motor108, and the like in addition to the display unit4, the operation unit5, the detection unit33, the first print head341, the second print head351, and the like.

Here, the conveyance motor106drives various rollers related to the conveyance of the label sheet20, such as the pull-out roller32or the driving roller321, the first platen roller342, and the second platen roller352. The conveyance motor106is, for example, a stepping motor or the like, and works as a conveyance mechanism of the label sheet20together with the above-described various rollers or the like. The conveyance motor106may be provided for each roller or may be shared by a plurality of rollers.

The controller105controls the operation of the conveyance motor106under the control of the control unit100to feed or back feed the label sheet20at a predetermined conveyance speed. The conveyance motor106may drive other components other than the above-described rollers (for example, the rotatable ribbon winding shaft362).

The head-up motor107rotates the cam3532. Under the control of the control unit100, the controller105controls the operation of the head-up motor107, that is, the operation of the head-up mechanism and the head abutting mechanism, so as to separate the second print head351from the second platen roller352or bring the second print head351into contact with the second platen roller352.

The cutting unit motor108causes the movable blade371of the cutting unit37to move to the fixed blade372. The controller105moves the movable blade371to the fixed blade372or separates the movable blade371from the fixed blade372by controlling the operation of the cutting unit motor108under the control of the control unit100.

The control unit100is connected to a communication unit109via a bus or the like. The communication unit109is a network interface configured to communicate with an external apparatus such as an information processing apparatus via a communication line or network. The communication unit109acquires print data to be printed on the front surface21and/or the back surface22of the label sheet20from such an external device. The communication line may be a wired communication line or a wireless communication line.

In the printing device1having the above-described configuration, the control unit100controls each component of the printing device1to print on the label sheet20according to the control programs1041.

For example, in a case where the control unit100is instructed to print a label through the operation unit5, the control unit100drives the conveyance motor106through the controller105to rotate the driven roller322, the first print head341, and the second print head351in the feed direction. Accordingly, the label sheet20wound around the sheet holding unit31is conveyed to the conveyance path A.

When the black mark221is detected by the detection unit33as the label sheet20is conveyed, the control unit100receives the detection signal via the controller105. Next, the control unit100determines the print timing at which printing is performed by the first printing unit34and the second printing unit35and the cutting timing at which the label sheet20is cut by the cutting unit37based on the predetermined convey speed of the label sheet20and the arrangement positions of the first printing unit34, the second printing unit35, and the cutting unit37in the conveyance path A.

Subsequently, the control unit100controls the controller105to apply a voltage to the heat generation elements of the first print head341to print an image (e.g., a character string or the like) corresponding to the print data for the front surface on the front surface21of the label sheet20based on the determined print timing. Further, the control unit100controls the controller105to apply a voltage to the heat generation elements of the second print head351, thereby printing an image corresponding to the print data for the back surface on the back surface22of the label sheet20based on the determined print timing. When the second print head351does not perform printing on the back surface22of the label sheet20, the control unit100controls the controller105to drive the head-up motor107to separate the second print head351from the second platen roller352, thereby avoiding unnecessary consumption of the ink ribbon40.

When the fed label sheet20reaches the cutting unit37, the control unit100drives the cutting unit motor108at the determined cutting timing to cut the label sheet20along the black mark221. As a result, the control unit100issues from the label issuing port10a label on which an image such as a character string or the like is printed on the front surface and/or the back surface thereof.

Then, the control unit100continuously performs the above-described label issuing operation until the control unit100is instructed to stop the label printing through input received via the operation unit5. The control unit100also separates the second print head351from the second platen roller352when the conveyance of the label sheet20is stopped.

In a case where the label printing is stopped, the label sheet20is back fed in order to prepare for subsequent label printing. However, when printing is performed on the back surface22of the label sheet20to which the adhesive is applied, the adhesive of the label sheet20may stick to the components arranged along conveyance path A, and a paper jam may occur. For example, in the printing device1, in a case where the end of the label sheet20is fed back to a position between the first platen roller342and the second platen roller352, the pressure sensitive adhesive on the back surface22of the label sheet20that descends in the gravity direction may stick to the second print head351or the ink ribbon40.

Therefore, in the printing device1, after the label printing is stopped, the control unit100performs operations as shown inFIG.7. That is, the end of the label sheet20that has been cut by the cutting unit37is fed back to the abutting position of the first print head341and the first platen roller342.

FIG.7shows a state after the back feeding of the label sheet20. As illustrated inFIG.7, the end of the label sheet20is fed back to the abutting position between the first print head341and the first platen roller342under the control of the control unit100.

Accordingly, the end of the label sheet20that has been fed back is nipped between the first print head341and the first platen roller342. Further, on the upstream side, the label sheet20is nipped between the driving roller321and the driven roller322. That is, the label sheet20that has been fed back is held in a stretched state between the driving roller321and the driven roller322, and the first print head341and the first platen roller342.

Therefore, in the printing device1, even when the label sheet20is fed back, the adhesive on the back surface22of the label sheet20can be prevented from sticking to the components arranged along the conveyance path A, and the occurrence of paper jams can be suppressed.

While the label sheet20is being fed back, as illustrated inFIG.7, the control unit100controls the cam3532to hold the second print head351in a state of being separated from the second platen roller352. Since the ink ribbon40does not contact the pressure sensitive adhesive on the back surface22of the label sheet20, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of paper jam or ribbon jam. The state ofFIG.7is maintained until printing is resumed.

As described above, the separation distance between the first print head341and the second print head351is substantially identical with the width L from the black mark221to one side of the edge portion222on the back surface22of the label sheet20parallel to the black mark221. Therefore, in the printing device1, at the time of resuming printing, printing on the central region223can be started by bringing the second print head351into contact with the second platen roller352without further back-feed of the label sheet20, thereby, the efficiency of printing processing can be improved.

As described above, the printing device1includes: the convey mechanism (e.g., the conveyance motor106) that conveys the label sheet20having the adhesive applied to at least a part of the back surface22; the first print head341that performs printing on the front surface21of the label sheet20conveyed in the feed direction; the first platen roller342that can nip the label sheet20between the first print head341and the first platen roller; a second print head351for printing on the rear surface22of the label sheet20conveyed in the feed direction, the second print head351disposed upstream of the first print head341in the feed direction; a second platen roller352capable of holding the label sheet20between itself and the second print head351; the cutting unit37arranged on the downstream side of the first print head341in the feed direction for cutting the tip part of the printed label sheet20; and the control unit100for controlling the conveying mechanism to back feed the cut label sheet20to the abutting position of the first print head341and the first platen roller352.

Accordingly, since the printing device1can hold the end of the label sheet20between the first print head341and the first platen roller342, it is possible to prevent the label sheet20after the back feed from sticking to the components arranged along the conveyance path A. Therefore, the printing device1can suppress the occurrence of a jam due to the back feed.

In the above-described embodiments, the printing device1performs printing on linerless labels. However, the printing device1may perform printing on any linerless paper or sheet other than the label sheet20, on which an adhesive is applied. The printer device1described above has a first printing unit34of a direct thermal type disposed on the conveyance path A on the downstream side of second printing unit35which is a thermal transfer type using ink ribbon40. However, the arrangement order of the first printing unit34and the second printing unit35may be switched in the printer device1.

One or more programs to be executed by the printing device1according to the above-described embodiments may be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), or a CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), in a file format installable or executable, and copied to the storage unit104.

The programs executed by the printing device1may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, it is possible to provide and distribute the programs executed by the printing device1via the network such as the Internet.

Further, the programs executed by the printing device1according to the above-described embodiments may be stored in the ROM102.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.