JP4073827B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer capable of recording on a sheet material having a thermally active adhesive surface on one side where adhesive force is generated when heated and a sheet material having an adhesive surface on one side to which a release paper is attached.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, sticking labels used for barcodes, price displays, etc. have a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the back side of the recording surface (printing surface), with a backing or release paper (liner) stuck on it and temporarily attached. There were many types of storage. However, this type of sticking label (hereinafter referred to as “normal label”) has a problem in that waste is always generated because it is necessary to peel the release paper from the adhesive layer when used as a label. .
[0003]
Therefore, as a method that does not require a release paper, a heat-sensitive adhesive label having a heat-sensitive adhesive layer that normally exhibits non-adhesiveness on the back side of the sheet-like substrate, but develops adhesiveness when heated, and this A heat activation device has been developed for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer on the back side of the label to develop the adhesiveness.
[0004]
For example, as the above-described heat activation device, devices to which various heating methods such as a heating roll method, a hot air blowing method, an infrared radiation method, a method using an electric heater or a dielectric coil are applied as heating means have been proposed. Further, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heat-sensitive adhesive label including a head having a plurality of resistors (heating elements) provided on a ceramic substrate as a heat source, such as a thermal head used as a print head of a thermal printer. A technique is disclosed in which the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is heated by being brought into contact with the substrate.
[0005]
Here, a conventional general configuration of a printer capable of recording on a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet will be described with reference to a thermal printer P2 in FIG.
[0006]
The thermal printer P2 in FIG. 10 includes a roll storage unit 20 that holds a tape-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 wound in a roll shape, a printing unit 30 that prints on the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60, and a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60. And a thermal activation unit 50 as a thermal activation device that thermally activates the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60. Note that “printing” as used in this specification includes forming an image such as a picture or a pattern in addition to characters and numbers.
[0007]
The heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 has, for example, a heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed by forming a heat-insulating layer and a heat-sensitive color-developing layer (printable layer) on the front side of a sheet base material and applying and drying the heat-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back side. It has a formed structure.
[0008]
The printing unit 30 includes a printing thermal head 32 having a plurality of heating elements 31 composed of a plurality of relatively small resistors arranged in the width direction so that dot printing is possible, and the printing thermal head 32. The printing platen roller 33 is brought into pressure contact with the heating element 31. In FIG. 10, the printing platen roller 33 is rotated clockwise, and the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is conveyed to the right side.
[0009]
The cutter unit 40 is for cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 printed by the printing unit 30 with an appropriate length. The cutter unit 40 is operated by a drive source (not shown) such as an electric motor. And a fixed blade 42 facing the movable blade.
[0010]
The thermal activation unit 50 includes a thermal activation thermal head 52 as a heating unit having a heating element 51, a thermal activation platen roller 53 as a conveyance unit that conveys the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60, and the printing unit 30 side. The heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 supplied from is composed of a drawing roller 54 that pulls in between the thermal activation thermal head 52 (heating element 51) and the thermal activation platen roller 53. In FIG. 10, the thermal activation platen roller 53 is rotated in a direction opposite to the printing platen roller 33 (counterclockwise in the figure), and the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is conveyed in a predetermined direction (right side). ing.
[0011]
In addition, if the heat-sensitive adhesive label is slackened during the conveyance, the label is likely to be wrinkled or a conveyance failure is likely to occur. Therefore, the conveyance speed (printing speed) by the printing platen roller 33 and the heat activation are used. In general, the conveyance speed (activation speed) by the platen roller 53 is the same.
[0012]
According to the thermal printer P2 having such a configuration, after the adhesive force of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is developed, the label labeling work on the cardboard, food wrap, glass bottle, plastic container or the like, or the price tag or the advertisement label Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to use a release paper that is usually used for a label and the cost can be reduced. Moreover, since release paper which becomes waste after use is not required, it is desirable from the viewpoint of resource saving and environmental problems.
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-79152 (see FIG. 1, paragraphs [0024] and [0025])
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the printer P2 as shown in FIG. 10, when the cutting operation by the cutter unit 40 is performed, the conveyance of the thermosensitive adhesive label 60 is stopped for the time required for the movable blade 41 to move up and down (for example, 0.4 sec). There was a need to do. That is, the cutting by the cutter unit 40 is performed in a state where the rotational driving of the printing platen roller 33, the drawing roller 54, and the thermal activation platen roller 53 is stopped.
[0015]
For this reason, when the label length is longer than the distance from the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 to the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 and the thermal activation thermal head 52 are thermally activated. The conveyance was stopped while being sandwiched between the platen roller 53 for use.
[0016]
As a result, the heat-sensitive adhesive layer exhibiting adhesiveness sticks to the thermal activation thermal head 52 (heat generating element 51), and even if the conveyance is resumed, it is not smoothly conveyed, and so-called paper jam occurs. Or inconvenience that a conveyance failure occurs. In addition, there is a problem that the heat from the heating element 51 is transmitted to the printable layer (heat-sensitive color developing layer) of the heat-sensitive adhesive label and color is developed.
[0017]
Therefore, a method (hereinafter referred to as method 1) that can cut the label without stopping the rotational drive of the thermal activation platen roller 53 when the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 having the label length is used is examined. There was a need.
[0018]
Other than this method 1, it can be considered that the distance from the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 to the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52 is longer than the label length (hereinafter referred to as method 2). In this case, since the label length is shorter than the distance from the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 to the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52, the above problem does not occur. Therefore, the rotational driving of the printing platen roller 33 is temporarily stopped and then cut, and after the label is run again, the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the label can be thermally activated.
[0019]
However, in the method 2, it is necessary to secure a distance from the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 to the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52 in accordance with the longest label length among various label lengths to be printed. is there. For this reason, the printer main body becomes large and uses are limited. Therefore, the above method 1 must be taken in order to cope with various types of labels without increasing the printer size and without being limited by the label length.
[0020]
As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have not increased the size of the printer, and even for a label length longer than the distance from the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 to the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52, As a method for performing label cutting without stopping the rotation of the activation platen roller 53, the conveyance speed (printing speed) of the printing platen roller 33 is increased with respect to the conveyance speed (activation speed) of the thermal activation platen roller 53. Then, the method of deflecting the label between the distance from the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 to the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52 was found.
[0021]
However, this method is suitable for heat-sensitive adhesive labels, but the following two problems are expected when it is used for normal labels (sheets with labels attached to release paper): Therefore, it is carried out only with a printer dedicated to heat-sensitive adhesive labels.
1) The edge of the sheet-like label on the release paper is peeled off at the bent portion, and is caught at the entrance of the heat activation unit 50 and causes a paper jam.
2) The release paper is heated by the thermal activation thermal head 52, which is dangerous in handling.
Therefore, in view of the above-described actual situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of performing printing with either a heat-sensitive adhesive label or a normal label having a release paper attached to an adhesive surface.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a printer of the present invention includes a printing device having a printing unit that prints on one surface of a tape-like sheet and a first conveyance unit that conveys the sheet in a predetermined direction, and a subsequent stage of the printing device. Provided with a cutter device for cutting a sheet into a predetermined length, a heating device provided at a subsequent stage of the cutter device, for heating the other surface of the sheet, and a second conveying unit for conveying the sheet in a predetermined direction. Between the activation device, the space between the cutter device and the thermal activation device, the sheet can be slackened for a predetermined length, and the sheet has a printable layer formed on one side of the sheet-like substrate, and the other side is heat sensitive. When a heat-sensitive adhesive label is formed with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a printable layer is formed on one side of the label base material, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on the other side. Normal label attached to paper In a case where the printing apparatus, and a control device for performing different control against the cutter device and the thermal activation device. Thereby, a heat-sensitive adhesive label and a normal label can be used together.
[0023]
It is preferable that the control device switches the operation when using the heat-sensitive adhesive label and when using the normal label by a switching signal. Thereby, operation switching can be automated.
[0024]
The control device sets the transport speed of the first transport means faster than the transport speed of the second transport means when the sheet is a heat-sensitive adhesive label, and sets the first speed when the sheet is a normal label. It is preferable to set the transport speed of the first transport means and the transport speed of the second transport means to be the same.
[0025]
In particular, when the sheet is a heat-sensitive adhesive label, the control device described above is configured so that the conveying speed of the first conveying means is faster than the conveying speed of the second conveying means, and the cutter device and the thermal activation device are used. After the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is slackened for a predetermined length of time, the operation of the printing unit and the first transport unit is stopped while the operation of the heating unit and the second transport unit is continued, and the heat-sensitive adhesive is performed by the cutter device. Cut the label,
When the sheet is a normal label, the conveying speed of the first conveying means is the same as the conveying speed of the second conveying means, the operation of the heating means is stopped, the printing means, the first conveying means, and the second conveying means are stopped. It is preferable to operate the transport unit to transport the normal label, stop the operations of the first transport unit and the second transport unit, and cut the normal label by the cutter device.
[0026]
Thereby, in the case of a heat-sensitive adhesive label, the cutting speed between the cutter device and the thermal activation device is increased by making the conveying speed of the first conveying means faster than the conveying speed of the second conveying means. Cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive label by the cutter device without stopping the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive label by the second conveying means of the thermal activation device by securing the amount of deflection more than the desired length in anticipation of time Therefore, it is possible to eliminate problems such as a paper jam caused by the heat-sensitive adhesive label sticking to the heating means, and unnecessary maintenance such as discharging the paper jammed label becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the production efficiency of the sticking label can be significantly improved.
[0027]
On the other hand, in the case of a normal label, when the label is cut by the cutter device, the heating unit is driven even if the conveyance is stopped in a state where the normal label exists between the heating unit of the heat activation device and the second conveyance unit. Therefore, there is no problem that the printable layer (thermosensitive coloring layer) of the normal label is inadvertently colored, or the danger of overheating the normal label.
[0028]
In the case of a normal label, the above-described control device preferably operates the cutter device only at the end of printing of the last label when cutting is not performed for each sheet.
[0029]
In the printer described above, the first conveying means is a printing platen roller disposed opposite to the printing means, and the second conveying means is a thermal activation platen roller disposed opposite to the heating means, and is normally labeled. It is preferable that the pressing force of the heat activation platen roller against the heating means is set to be smaller than that when the heat-sensitive adhesive label is conveyed. Thereby, meandering or skewing does not occur during the conveyance of the normal label having a thickness larger than that of the heat-sensitive adhesive label by the release paper, and the label can be printed satisfactorily.
[0030]
The printer preferably switches the setting of the pressing force applied to the heating means of the thermal activation platen roller by receiving the switching signal.
[0031]
The switching signal is in the form of a sheet, the form of a tube in which the sheet is rolled, the form of a support shaft that supports this pipe, the position of the holder to which this support shaft is attached, the black mark on the sheet, switch switching, or input data. Send based on.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0033]
"Printer Configuration"
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a thermal printer P1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034]
The thermal printer P1 is a device that can use either a heat-sensitive adhesive label or a normal label.
[0035]
In this printer apparatus, a roll-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 wound in a roll shape and a tape-like normal label (not shown) are held in a replaceable manner, and the roll-holding unit 20 holds them. The printing unit 30 for printing on the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 or the normal label, the cutter unit 40 for cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 or the normal label into a predetermined length, and the roll storage unit 20 hold the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60. The thermal activation unit 50 as a thermal activation device that thermally activates the thermal adhesive layer of the thermal adhesive label 60, and the thermal adhesive label from the cutter unit 40 to the thermal activation unit 50. Guide unit 70 as a sheet guiding means and a storage sheet portion for guiding 60, and a case where a normal label is used and heat sensitivity It consists of the control unit for controlling the above respective constituent units such that different operating and in the case of using the adhesive label 60. FIG. 1 shows a case where a heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is used.
[0036]
Here, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 used in the present embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, a heat-insulating layer and a heat-sensitive coloring layer (printable layer) are formed on the front side of the label base material, and the heat-sensitive adhesive is provided on the back side. It has a structure in which a heat-sensitive adhesive layer formed by coating and drying the agent is formed. The heat-sensitive adhesive layer is made of a heat-sensitive adhesive mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin, a solid plastic resin or the like. Further, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 may not have the heat insulating layer, or may have a heat-sensitive color developing layer provided with a protective layer or a colored printing layer (a pre-printed layer). On the other hand, the normal label is also described in the prior art, but it is attached to a long paper (called a mount, liner or release paper) whose surface is coated with silicon so that the adhesive applied on one side does not adhere to the other. It is attached. This long paper is discarded as industrial waste when labeling.
[0037]
The printing unit 30 includes a printing thermal head 32 having a plurality of heating elements 31 composed of a plurality of relatively small resistors arranged in the width direction so that dot printing is possible, and the printing thermal head 32. The printing platen roller 33 is pressed against the plate. The heating element 31 has the same configuration as a print head of a known thermal printer in which a protective film of crystallized glass is provided on the surface of a plurality of heating resistors formed on a ceramic substrate by thin film technology. Therefore, detailed explanation is omitted.
[0038]
Further, the printing unit 30 includes a drive system (not shown) composed of, for example, a stepping motor and a gear train for rotationally driving the printing platen roller 33, and this printing system rotates the printing platen roller 33 in a predetermined direction. As a result, the normal label or heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 mounted on the roll storage unit 20 is pulled out from the roll, and is sent out in a predetermined direction while printing on the drawn normal label or heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 with the thermal head 32 for printing. It is like that. In FIG. 1, the printing platen roller 33 is rotated clockwise, and the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is conveyed to the right side. Further, the printing unit 30 includes a pressing means (not shown) made of, for example, a coil spring or a plate spring, and presses the printing platen roller 33 toward the thermal head 32 by the elastic force of the pressing means. ing. At this time, by keeping the rotation axis of the printing platen roller 33 and the arrangement direction of the heating elements 31 in parallel, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 can be pressed uniformly over the entire width direction.
[0039]
Note that the rotation speed of the printing platen roller 33 is set to be the same as the rotation speed of the heat activation platen roller 53 when a normal label is used, and the heat activation platen roller when the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is used. It is set to a speed larger than the rotational speed of 53.
[0040]
The cutter unit 40 is for cutting the normal label or the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 printed by the printing unit 30 with an appropriate length, and is operated by a drive source (not shown) such as an electric motor. The movable blade 41 is composed of a movable blade 41 and a fixed blade 42 facing the movable blade.
[0041]
The guide unit 70 includes a plate-like guide (first guide) 71 provided in the conveyance path from the cutter unit 40 to the thermal activation unit 50, a feeding unit of the cutter unit 30, and an insertion unit of the thermal activation unit 50. Are formed by guides (second guides) 72 and 73 bent at a substantially right angle on the upper side. Further, the space between the second guides 72 and 73 is open, and a storage label portion 74 is provided that can temporarily loosen a label by a predetermined amount.
[0042]
The second guides 72 and 73 may be constituted by a single member having a concave portion on the upper side as a storage sheet portion, or the first guide 71 and the second guides 72 and 73 are provided upside down. You may do it. In this case, the storage label portion 74 is formed on the lower side with respect to the transport direction.
[0043]
The thermal activation unit 50 includes a thermal activation thermal head 52 as a heating unit having a heating element 51, a thermal activation platen roller 53 as a conveyance unit that conveys a normal label or a heat-sensitive adhesive label 60, and the like. The normal label or the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 rotated by a driving source (not shown) such as a stepping motor is drawn between the thermal activation thermal head 52 and the thermal activation platen roller 53. It is composed of a pair of drawing rollers 54 and the like. However, when the normal label is transported, the thermal activation thermal head 52 is not driven and the normal label is merely transported.
[0044]
In this embodiment, the thermal activation thermal head 52 has the same configuration as that of the printing thermal head 32, that is, the surface of a plurality of heating resistors formed by thin film technology on a ceramic substrate is made of crystallized glass. The thing of the structure similar to the print head of the well-known thermal printer provided with the protective film is used. As described above, by using the thermal activation thermal head 52 having the same configuration as that of the printing thermal head 32, it is possible to reduce the cost by using common parts. However, the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52 need not be divided in units of dots like the heating element 31 of the printing thermal head 32, and may be a continuous resistor.
[0045]
The thermal activation unit 50 includes a drive system including, for example, a stepping motor and a gear train for rotating the thermal activation platen roller 53. The drive system causes the thermal activation platen roller 53 to be a printing platen. The heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is rotated in the direction opposite to the roller 33 (counterclockwise in FIG. 1), and is conveyed in a predetermined direction (right side in FIG. 1). The thermal activation unit 50 includes a pressurizing unit (for example, a coil spring or a leaf spring) that presses the thermal activation platen roller 53 toward the thermal head 52. At this time, by keeping the rotation axis of the thermal activation platen roller 53 and the arrangement direction of the heating elements 31 in parallel, the normal label or the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 can be uniformly pressed over the entire width direction. However, when a normal label is transported, since the normal label is provided with a release paper and is thicker than the heat-sensitive adhesive label, the pressing force of the thermal activation platen roller 53 is reduced, and the label being transported meanders. It is preferable not to cause skew or skew.
[0046]
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the thermal printer P1. The control unit of the thermal printer P1 includes a CPU 100 as a control device that controls the control unit, a ROM 101 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 100, a RAM 102 that stores various print formats, and print data and print format data. And the like, an operation unit 103 for inputting, setting or calling, etc., a display unit 104 for displaying print data and the like, an interface 105 for inputting / outputting data between the control unit and the drive unit, and a thermal head 32 for printing. A drive unit (circuit) 106, a drive unit (circuit) 107 that drives the thermal activation thermal head 52, a drive unit (circuit) 108 that drives the movable blade 41 that cuts the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60, and printing A first stepping motor 109 for driving the platen roller 33 and a platen roller for heat activation Paper edge for monitoring whether the sheet-like normal label or the sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is carried into the heating element 31 of the thermal head 32 for printing and the second stepping motor 110 that drives the roller 53 and the drawing roller 54 A sensor 111 (not shown in FIG. 1) and a paper edge sensor 112 (monitoring that a sheet-like normal label or a sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is carried into the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52. 1) and a switching signal receiving unit 113 for receiving a signal (switching signal) for switching from a control condition for a normal label to a control condition for a heat-sensitive adhesive label.
[0047]
Based on the control signal transmitted from the CPU 100, the printing unit 30 performs desired printing, the cutter unit 40 performs a cutting operation at a predetermined timing, and the thermal activation unit 50 activates the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 64. Is executed.
[0048]
Further, the CPU 100 is configured to be able to transmit control signals to the first stepping motor 109 and the second stepping motor 110 independently. Thereby, the rotational speed of the rollers 33, 53, and 54 driven by each stepping motor, that is, the conveyance speed of the thermosensitive adhesive label 60 can be controlled independently.
[0049]
It is also possible to separately provide drive sources (stepping motors) for the heat activation roller 53 and the pull-in roller 54 so that each can be controlled independently.
[0050]
The paper edge sensor 111 is provided in front of the printing unit 30, and based on the detection of the leading edge of the sheet-like normal label or the sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 by the paper edge sensor 111, Driving is started. Further, based on the detection of the end of the sheet-like normal label or the sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 by the paper edge sensor 111, Print The driving of the platen roller 33 is stopped, and the next normal label or heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is printed and conveyed.
[0051]
The paper edge sensor 112 is provided in front of the thermal activation unit 50. Based on the detection of the leading edge of the sheet-like normal label or the sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 by the paper edge sensor 112, the drawing roller 54 and The drive of the thermal activation platen roller 53 is started. Further, based on the detection of the end of the sheet-like normal label or the sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 by the paper edge sensor 112, the driving of the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 is stopped, and the next The normal label or the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is printed, transported and thermally activated.
[0052]
Next, the operation of the printer of this embodiment when using the heat-sensitive adhesive label and when using the normal label will be described.
[0053]
In the present embodiment, the distance from the printing platen roller 33 (printing thermal head 32) to the movable blade 41 is 10 mm, the distance from the movable blade 41 to the drawing roller 54 is 30 mm, and the drawing plate 54 to the thermal activation platen roller. The distance to 53 (thermal activation thermal head 52) was 10 mm. Moreover, the drive time of the movable blade 41 required for label cutting was 0.4 sec, and the label length was 200 mm.
[0054]
Further, the conveyance speed (activation speed Vh) by the platen roller 53 for heat activation was set constant at 100 mm / sec in consideration of the heat activation time of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer. The conveyance speed (printing speed Vp) by the printing platen roller 33 is normally 100 mm / sec (Vp = Vh) when the label is used, and is larger than the activation speed Vh when the thermosensitive adhesive label is used. 200mm / sec can be set ( Vp> Vh ). Further, the conveyance speed by the drawing roller 54 can be set to 100 mm / sec, which is the same as the activation speed Vh.
[0055]
"Operation when using heat-sensitive adhesive labels"
An example of printer operation when using a heat-sensitive adhesive label will be described.
[0056]
In the thermal printer P1 when the heat-sensitive adhesive label is used, the rotation of the pull-in roller 54 is stopped when the leading end of the sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 comes between the pull-in roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53. Take a way to loosen the label. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label conveyance state when the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is used.
[0057]
First, a sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 wound in a roll shape is attached to a roll storage unit (not shown). Further, the printer main body side determines that switching to the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is made by receiving a switching signal described later. Thereafter, when the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is conveyed immediately before the printing unit 30 and the leading end thereof is detected by a paper edge sensor (not shown) (reference numeral 111 in FIG. 2), the printing platen roller 33 is rotated to perform printing. Printing control of the thermal head 52 for printing starts. The transported tape-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is sandwiched between the printing platen roller 33 and the printing thermal head 32, and is drawn out at 200 mm / sec by the rotational drive of the printing platen roller 33. Printing is performed on the printable layer (thermosensitive coloring layer) by the head 32 (FIG. 3A).
[0058]
Next, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is sent out from the printing unit 30 by the rotational drive of the printing platen roller 33 and conveyed to the cutter unit 40. When the leading edge of the label is conveyed along the first guide 71 by the weight of the label and is detected by a paper edge sensor (not shown in FIG. 2) 112, the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 are moved. Rotating drive. Here, since the pulling roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 have the same driving source (second stepping motor 110), the driving timing of the pulling roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 is the same.
[0059]
Thereafter, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 reaches the heat activation unit 50 (the drawing roller 54) (FIG. 3B), is sent out from the drawing roller 54, and is also conveyed by the platen roller 53 for heat activation. The pulling roller 54 and the heat activation platen roller 53 have the same drive source and do not cause a shift in the conveyance speed. Therefore, there is a slack between the pulling roller 54 and the heat activation platen roller 53 or extra tension is applied. I don't work. However, since the conveyance speed (200 mm / sec) of the printing platen roller 33 is set higher than the conveyance speed (100 mm / sec) of the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53, the drawing roller 54 (thermal activation) The heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is slackened between the printing platen roller 53) and the printing platen roller 33 (FIG. 3C).
[0060]
At this time, since the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is sent out or inserted at a predetermined angle, the slack direction of the label is determined according to the inclination (upward in FIG. 3). Further, since the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is loosened by the action of the second guides 72 and 73 so as to rise in the storage label portion 74, no extra stress is applied to the label. Therefore, even if the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is slackened, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles and the deterioration of the appearance of the label. Further, the label cutting operation described later can be executed without stopping the rotational driving of the drawing roller 54 and the heat activation roller 53 due to the slack of the label.
[0061]
While the three rollers 33, 54, 53 are rotationally driven, a deflection amount (obtained by integrating the activation speed Vh and the cutting operation time T) over a desired length in anticipation of the subsequent cutting operation time is obtained. The heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is printed while being thermally activated. Then, when the predetermined printing is finished and the desired cutting position on the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 reaches the cutter unit 40, the rotational driving of the printing platen roller 33 is stopped, and the movable blade 41 is moved for a predetermined time (0.4 sec. ) By driving, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is cut (FIG. 3D). At this time, since the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 continue to rotate, the leading end of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 continues to be conveyed. However, the cutting is completed while the loose label is being conveyed.
[0062]
When the end of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 after cutting passes through the drawing roller 54, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is discharged as it is by the thermal activation platen roller 53 (FIG. 3E).
[0063]
The above printer operation example when using the heat-sensitive adhesive label is sufficient to continue the rotational drive of the heat-activating platen roller 53 during the cutting operation even if the print surface is printed while the heat-sensitive adhesive surface is thermally activated. This is effective for the label length that can secure the amount of deflection. However, depending on the label length, there is a case where a sufficient amount of deflection cannot be secured if printing is performed while being thermally activated. In this case, the amount of deflection can be ensured by temporarily holding the label before thermal activation.
[0064]
An example of this printer operation will be described with reference to FIG.
[0065]
Referring to FIG. 4, a sheet-like heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 wound in a roll is sandwiched between the printing platen roller 33 and the printing thermal head 32, and 200 mm is driven by the rotation of the printing platen roller 33. While being drawn out at / sec, printing is performed on the printable layer (thermosensitive coloring layer) by the printing thermal head 32 (FIG. 4A).
[0066]
Next, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is sent out from the printing unit 30 by the rotational drive of the printing platen roller 33 and conveyed to the cutter unit 40. When the leading edge of the label is conveyed along the first guide 71 by the weight of the label and is detected by a paper edge sensor (not shown in FIG. 2) 112, the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 are moved. Rotating drive.
[0067]
Thereafter, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 reaches the heat activation unit 50 (the drawing roller 54) (FIG. 4B), and is fed out from the drawing roller 54 so that the leading end of the label is drawn into the drawing roller 54 and the heat activation platen roller. When it comes to the position 53, the rotational drive of the drawing roller 54 (and the thermal activation platen roller 53) is stopped (FIG. 4C). Thereafter, since the drawing roller 54 is not driven, the leading end of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is not sent out, but the label is sent out from the printing unit 30 by the printing platen roller 33, so that it becomes slack.
[0068]
At this time, since the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is sent or inserted at a predetermined angle, the direction in which the label is slack is determined according to the inclination (upward in FIG. 4). Further, since the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is loosened by the action of the second guides 72 and 73 so as to rise in the storage label portion 74, no extra stress is applied to the label. Therefore, even if the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is slackened, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wrinkles and the deterioration of the appearance of the label.
[0069]
A deflection amount (determined by integrating the activation speed Vh and the cutting operation time T) over a desired length in anticipation of the subsequent cutting operation time is secured, the predetermined printing is completed, and the desired amount in the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is obtained. When the cutting position reaches the cutter unit 40, the rotational drive of the printing platen roller 33 is stopped (FIG. 4D).
[0070]
Then, the rotational driving of the drawing roller 54 (and the platen roller 53 for heat activation) is restarted, the heat sensitive adhesive label 60 is thermally activated while being conveyed at 100 mm / sec, and the movable blade 41 is moved for a predetermined time ( The thermosensitive adhesive label 60 is cut by driving (0.4 sec) (FIG. 4E).
[0071]
Thereafter, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is conveyed while being thermally activated by the rotational driving of the two rollers 54 and 53. When the end of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 passes through the drawing roller 54, the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 is discharged as it is by the platen roller 53 for heat activation (FIG. 4 (f)).
[0072]
As described above for each printer operation, in the thermal printer P1 of this embodiment, the cutter unit 40 can cut the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 without stopping the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive label in the thermal activation unit 50. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of paper jam or poor conveyance due to the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60 sticking to the thermal activation thermal head 52 (heating element 51).
[0073]
Further, according to the thermal printer P1 described above, since the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52 is in contact with the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive label 60, the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is formed from the heating element 51. The heat conduction to 64 is directly performed, and the heat activation can be performed efficiently. In addition, since the heat generating element 51 of the thermal head 52 can generate heat only during energization and can be thermally activated, the energy consumption for heat activation is reduced.
[0074]
In addition to the above printer operations, if the label length is shorter than the distance from the cutting position of the cutter unit 40 to the heating element 51 of the thermal activation thermal head 52 and cannot be loosened, the printing is finished. At the same time as the rotation of the printing platen roller 33 is stopped, the rotation of the drawing roller 54 is stopped and the label is cut, and then the label is conveyed again by the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 to be heated. Activation may be performed. In this case as well, the leading edge of the label is prevented from reaching the thermal activation platen roller 53 during the cutting operation.
[0075]
"Operation when using normal labels"
An example of the printer operation when the normal label is used will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of a normal label, a switching signal is not transmitted to the control unit of the printer body as in the case of using a heat-sensitive adhesive label. Since the control signal is not received by the control unit, it is determined that the normal label is used, and, as will be described later, the printing speed Vp and the activation speed are used in order to prevent the occurrence of “bending” as in the case of using the heat-sensitive adhesive label. Vh is set to be the same, and the thermal activation thermal head 52 is controlled not to be driven.
[0076]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label conveyance state when the normal label 65 is used.
[0077]
First, a tape-shaped normal label 65 wound in a roll shape is attached to a roll storage unit (not shown). Thereafter, when the normal label 65 is conveyed immediately before the printing unit 30 and the leading end is detected by a paper edge sensor (not shown in FIG. 2) (reference numeral 111 in FIG. 2), the printing platen roller 33 rotates and the printing thermal is detected. Printing control of the head 52 starts. The transported tape-like normal label 65 is sandwiched between the printing platen roller 33 and the printing thermal head 32, and is pulled out at 100 mm / sec by the rotational drive of the printing platen roller 33. Thus, printing is performed on the printable layer (thermosensitive coloring layer) (FIG. 5A).
[0078]
Next, the normal label 65 is sent out from the printing unit 30 by the rotational drive of the printing platen roller 33 and conveyed to the cutter unit 40. When the leading edge of the label is conveyed along the first guide 71 by the weight of the label and is detected by a paper edge sensor (not shown in FIG. 2) 112, the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 are moved. Rotating drive. Here, since the pulling roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 have the same driving source (second stepping motor 110), the driving timing of the pulling roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 is the same.
[0079]
Thereafter, the normal label 65 reaches the heat activation unit 50 (the drawing roller 54) (FIG. 5B), is sent out from the drawing roller 54, and is also conveyed by the heat activation platen roller 53 (FIG. 5 (FIG. 5). c)). The pulling roller 54 and the heat activation platen roller 53 have the same drive source and do not cause a shift in the conveyance speed. Therefore, there is a slack between the pulling roller 54 and the heat activation platen roller 53 or extra tension is applied. I don't work. Further, since the conveyance speed (100 mm / sec) of the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 and the conveyance speed (100 mm / sec) of the printing platen roller 33 are set to be equal, the drawing roller 54 ( There is no slack or excessive tension between the thermal activation platen roller 53) and the printing platen roller 33. In this example, since the normal label 65 is passed between the pair of drawing rollers 54 and between the thermal activation platen roller 53 and the thermal activation thermal head 32, the thermal activation thermal head 32 is not driven. It has become.
[0080]
Thereafter, when the desired cutting position on the normal label 65 reaches the cutter unit 40, the rotational driving of the printing platen roller 33, the drawing roller 54, and the thermal activation platen roller 53 is stopped. Printing is temporarily stopped, and the normal label 65 is cut by driving the movable blade 41 for a predetermined time (0.4 sec) (FIG. 5D).
[0081]
Then, the cut normal label 65 is discharged by the rotational drive of the drawing roller 54 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 (FIG. 5E).
[0082]
When the normal label described above is used, in the thermal printer P1 of the present embodiment, the normal label 65 exists between the thermal activation thermal head 52 and the thermal activation platen roller 53 when the normal label is cut. In this case, the thermal activation thermal head 52 is not driven even if the conveyance of the normal label 65 is stopped, so that the printable layer (thermosensitive coloring layer) of the normal label 65 may be inadvertently colored, There is no problem of danger due to overheating of 65.
[0083]
In the case of normal labels, rather than using labels that are cut and pasted after printing one by one, printing is performed on a predetermined number of labels on a tape-like backing sheet. There are many uses for "paste together" that pastes together. On the other hand, in the case of a heat-activatable adhesive label, if the heat-sensitive adhesive surface is thermally activated and then left to stand, the adhesive strength is reduced, so it is necessary to apply it immediately after the label is issued. Therefore, when issuing a normal label, after selecting whether or not to cut each sheet, if not cutting, the number of issued sheets is counted according to the continuous issued number data, and the cutter operates only at the time of the last issue. It is desirable to be able to switch the control method.
[0084]
Furthermore, the heat-sensitive adhesive label has a paper thickness of about 80 μm to 120 μm, whereas the normal label is provided with a release paper or the like, and thus is about 110 μm to 150 μm thicker than the heat-sensitive adhesive label. For this reason, the pressing force of the thermal activation platen roller 53 to the thermal activation thermal head 52 and the pressure between the drawing rollers 54 are higher than those during the conveyance of the heat-sensitive adhesive label, and the label being conveyed becomes meandering or slanting. In order to adversely affect the print quality, wear the thermal head, etc., when the label is used, the pressing force of the platen roller 53 for heat activation and the pull-in roller 54 is reduced. It is preferable to do. If the mechanism for this purpose is automatically performed at the same time as switching between the normal label and the heat-sensitive adhesive label, the operation is easy and the adjustment error of the pressing force is eliminated.
[0085]
"Example of switching signal transmitted when using heat-sensitive adhesive labels"
Next, switching signals received by the printer main body when switching from a normal label to a heat-sensitive adhesive label will be described with several types.
[0086]
A tape-like heat-sensitive adhesive label is generally wound around a paper tube in a roll shape. Further, by mounting this paper tube on a support shaft that is rotatably provided in the roll storage unit 20, the printer body can print and thermally activate a heat-sensitive adhesive label.
[0087]
Therefore, when the paper tube around which the tape-like heat-sensitive adhesive label is wound is mounted on the support shaft of the roll storage unit 20 of the printer main body, the above-mentioned switching signal is transmitted, thereby switching from the normal label to the heat-sensitive adhesive label. Can be detected.
[0088]
1) Example 1 of switching judgment based on paper tube shape
For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a notch 81a is formed in the insertion hole of the support shaft 82 of the paper tube 81 around which the heat-sensitive adhesive label is wound, and the notch 81a is formed as shown in FIG. 6B. The projection 83 of the movable switch that fits the above is installed on the support shaft 82 side. On the other hand, a notch is not formed in the support shaft insertion hole of the paper tube in which the normal label is wound. Thus, when the paper tube 81 wrapped with the heat-sensitive adhesive label is attached to the support shaft 82, the projection 83 is switched on and off, and the above switching signal can be transmitted.
[0089]
Further, the protrusion 83 on the support shaft 82 side is fixed, and this support shaft 82 is dedicated to the heat-sensitive adhesive label, and a switch is installed on a part of this support shaft 82, or this support shaft 82 is A structure in which the switching signal is transmitted by pressing a switch on the bearing may be used.
[0090]
2) Example 2 of switching judgment based on paper tube shape
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the inner shape of the paper tube 84 wound with the heat-sensitive adhesive label is tapered, and as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the inner shape of the paper tube 84 A support shaft 85 having the same outer shape is dedicated to the heat-sensitive adhesive label. A structure may be adopted in which a switch installed on a part of the support shaft 85 is switched by mounting the paper tube 84, or the support shaft 85 pushes a switch on the bearing to transmit the switching signal.
[0091]
3) Example of switching judgment based on the diameter of the paper tube
In the case of a normal label, since the leading end of the label is easily peeled off from the release paper when it is tightly wound, the inner diameter (2 to 3 inches) of the paper tube 86 is increased as shown in FIG. 3 inches). However, since the heat-sensitive adhesive label has no release paper and there is no fear of peeling, the paper tube can be eliminated, or the inner diameter of the paper tube 88 can be reduced as shown in FIG. (For example, an inner diameter of 0.5 to 1 inch). For this reason, there is a difference between the outer diameters of the support shaft 87 for normal labels and the support shaft 89 for heat-sensitive adhesive labels. Therefore, it is determined whether the label to be used is a normal label or a heat-sensitive adhesive label by detecting this outer diameter difference or pressing a switch on which the support shafts 87 and 89 are in the bearing. Send a switching signal.
[0092]
4) Example of switching judgment based on paper tube length
As shown in FIG. 9, both ends or one end of a paper tube 92 around which a roll paper 90 of a heat-sensitive adhesive label is wound are protruded from the roll paper 90 as shown in FIG. When 91 is attached to the holder of the roll storage unit 20, the above switching signal is transmitted by contacting a switch installed in the holder.
[0093]
5) Example of switching judgment based on the holder position of the paper tube support shaft
In the same holder of the roll storage unit 20 to which the support shaft of the paper tube wound with roll paper is attached, the position where the heat-sensitive adhesive label and the support shaft of the normal label are attached is changed, and the switch to the bearing side of the support shaft of the heat-sensitive adhesive label And the above switching signal is transmitted. This is also the case when the heat-sensitive adhesive label and the holder for the support shaft of the normal label are installed separately adjacent to each other.
[0094]
6) Example of switching judgment based on the color of the support axis of the paper tube
The support shaft of the normal label and the support shaft of the thermosensitive adhesive label are color-coded, and the color of the support shaft is optically identified when the support shaft is attached to the holder of the roll storage unit 20, or the support shaft is used as a bearing. The above switching signal is transmitted by pressing a certain switch.
[0095]
7) Example of switching judgment based on the difference in label paper width
In the normal label and the heat-sensitive adhesive label, the width of the normal label is wider than the normal label because the label is attached to the release paper (liner). The difference in paper width due to the presence or absence of the liner is detected by a mechanical or optical sensor, and the switching signal is transmitted.
[0096]
8) Example of switching judgment based on the difference in label paper quality
Usually, the label is affixed to a release paper (liner), and the heat-sensitive adhesive label does not have a liner or the like. Therefore, the normal label and the heat-sensitive adhesive label have a difference in color and reflectance between the front and back. This is detected by a mechanical or optical sensor and the above switching signal is transmitted.
[0097]
9) Example of switching judgment based on the difference in label paper thickness
Due to the presence or absence of the liner as described above, a difference in paper thickness occurs between the normal label and the heat-sensitive adhesive label. For example, the paper thickness of normal labels including release paper is 110 μm to 150 μm, and the paper thickness of heat-sensitive adhesive labels is 80 μm to 120 μm. Therefore, the difference in paper thickness due to the presence or absence of the liner is detected by a mechanical or optical sensor, and the switching signal is transmitted.
[0098]
10) An example of switching determination based on the presence or absence of a step in the label paper
Usually, since the label is attached to the liner, there is a step difference in the label thickness, but the heat-sensitive adhesive label has no step. Therefore, the presence or absence of the step is detected by a mechanical or optical sensor, and the switching signal is transmitted.
[0099]
11) Example of switching judgment based on the shape of the black mark on the label
A black mark is often printed on the label for positioning the paper. Therefore, the shape of the black mark is changed between the normal label and the heat-sensitive adhesive label, the difference in signal output by the PI sensor corresponding to the difference in shape is detected, and the above switching signal is transmitted.
[0100]
12) Example of switching judgment based on the black mark pattern on the label
By using a single or continuous (two-stage, three-stage) pattern for the black mark pattern, and changing the black mark pattern between the normal label and the heat-sensitive adhesive label, the PI sensor according to the pattern difference The signal difference is detected and the above switching signal is transmitted.
[0101]
13) Example of switching judgment at the position of the black mark on the label
A black mark for recognizing a heat-sensitive adhesive label is formed separately from the black mark for positioning the paper during conveyance, and the above switching signal is transmitted by detecting the signal from the PI sensor dedicated to the black mark for recognizing the heat-sensitive adhesive label. To do.
[0102]
14) Example of switching with printer operation panel switch
The above-mentioned switching signal is transmitted by turning ON / OFF a change-over switch installed on the printer operation panel.
[0103]
15) Example of switching with the switch on the printer body side
The above switching signal is transmitted by turning ON / OFF a switching switch installed in a part of the printer body.
[0104]
16) Example of switching on the operation screen on the printer side
The above switching signal is transmitted by selecting a mode on the operation screen registered in the controller unit of the printer in advance or selecting an output form (label type or the like).
[0105]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0106]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the application to a thermal printing apparatus such as a thermal printer has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a thermal transfer system, an inkjet system, a laser printing system, and the like. . In that case, instead of the thermal printing layer, a label that has been processed suitable for each printing method is used for the printable layer of the label.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since either a heat-sensitive adhesive label or a normal label can be used in one printer, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated machine according to those labels, and at the time of printer manufacture Capital investment can be reduced. Furthermore, compared with the case where a dedicated machine is prepared for each of the heat-sensitive adhesive label and the normal label, the cost for installing and managing the printer can be reduced, and the installation space can be effectively used.
[0108]
In addition, since it is possible to detect which one of the heat-sensitive adhesive label and the normal label is used by the switching signal, there is no error in the printer operation according to the label, and it is safe and secure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a thermal printer P1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a thermal printer P1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label conveyance state when a heat-sensitive adhesive label is used in the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a label conveyance state when a heat-sensitive adhesive label is used in the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a label conveyance state when a normal label is used in the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for detecting label switching in the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for detecting label switching in the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of detecting label switching in the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for detecting label switching in the printer of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a general configuration of a printer capable of recording on a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet.
[Explanation of symbols]
P1, P2 thermal printer
20 Label holder
30 Printing unit
31 Heating element
32 Thermal head for printing
33 Platen roller for printing
40 Cutter unit
41 Movable blade
42 Fixed blade
50 Thermal activation unit
51 Heating element
52 Thermal head for thermal activation
53 Platen Roller for Thermal Activation
54 Pull-in roller
60 heat-sensitive adhesive label (heat-sensitive adhesive sheet)
65 Normal label
70 Guiding means
71 First Guide
72 Second guide (printing unit side)
73 Second guide (thermal activation unit side)
74 Storage label section (storage sheet section)
81, 84, 86, 88, 92 Paper tube
81a Notch
82, 85, 87, 89, 91 Support shaft
83 projection
90 roll paper
100 CPU
101 ROM
102 RAM
103 Operation unit
104 Display section
105 I / F
106 Thermal head drive for printing
107 Thermal head driver for thermal activation
108 Cutter drive unit
109 First stepping motor
110 Second stepping motor
111, 112 Paper edge sensor
113 Switching signal receiver

Claims (6)

A printing apparatus having printing means for printing on one surface of a tape-like sheet and first conveying means for conveying the sheet in a predetermined direction;
A cutter device provided at a subsequent stage of the printing device and cutting the sheet into a predetermined length;
A thermal activation device that is provided in a subsequent stage of the cutter device and includes a heating unit that heats the other surface of the sheet and a second transport unit that transports the sheet in a predetermined direction;
Between the cutter device and the thermal activation device, a space part that can loosen the sheet for a predetermined length,
Before SL printing apparatus, and a control unit for performing his hand system to the cutter device and the thermal activation device,
The control device determines whether or not a switching signal is received, so that the sheet to be used has a heat-sensitive adhesive layer formed on one side of the sheet-like base material and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer formed on the other side. In the case of an adhesive label, the conveyance speed of the first conveyance means is set faster than the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means, and the sheet to be used forms a printable layer on one surface of the label substrate. When the pressure sensitive adhesive layer is formed on the other side and the label base material is a normal label attached to a tape-like release paper, the transport speed of the first transport means and the second transport means A printer characterized in that the conveyance speed is set to be the same . A printing apparatus having printing means for printing on one surface of a tape-like sheet and first conveying means for conveying the sheet in a predetermined direction;
A cutter device provided at a subsequent stage of the printing device and cutting the sheet into a predetermined length;
A thermal activation device that is provided in a subsequent stage of the cutter device and includes a heating unit that heats the other surface of the sheet and a second transport unit that transports the sheet in a predetermined direction;
Between the cutter device and the thermal activation device, a space part that can loosen the sheet for a predetermined length,
A control device for controlling the printing device, the cutter device and the thermal activation device,
The control device determines whether or not a switching signal is received,
When the sheet to be used is a heat-sensitive adhesive label in which a printable layer is formed on one surface of a sheet-like base material and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on the other surface, the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means Also, the heating means and the second conveying means are made after the conveying speed of the first conveying means is increased to loosen the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet between the cutter device and the thermal activation device for a predetermined length. The operation of the printing means and the first conveying means is stopped while continuing the operation of, and the heat-sensitive adhesive label is cut by the cutter device,
When the sheet to be used is a normal label in which a printable layer is formed on one side of the label base material and an adhesive layer is formed on the other side, and the label base material is attached to a tape-like release paper Makes the conveying speed of the first conveying means and the conveying speed of the second conveying means the same, stops the operation of the heating means, and prints the first conveying means and the second conveying means. A printer which controls the normal label by operating the means, stops the operation of the first conveying means and the second conveying means, and cuts the normal label by the cutter device . 3. The printer according to claim 2 , wherein in the case of a normal label, the control device operates the cutter device only at the end of printing of the last label when cutting is not performed for each sheet. The first conveying means is a printing platen roller disposed opposite to the printing means, and the second conveying means is a heat activation platen roller disposed opposite to the heating means,
3. The printer according to claim 2 , wherein the pressing force of the heat-activating platen roller during normal label conveyance to the heating means is set smaller than that during heat-sensitive adhesive label conveyance. 5. The printer according to claim 4 , wherein the setting of the pressing force applied to the heating means of the platen roller for heat activation is switched by receiving the switching signal. The switching signal includes the form of a sheet, the form of a tube in which the sheet is rolled, the form of a support shaft that supports the pipe, the position of the holder to which the support shaft is attached, the black mark on the sheet, switch switching, or input data. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the transmission is made based on the above.

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