WO2009113209A1

WO2009113209A1 - Method for setting print sheet in thermal printer

Info

Publication number: WO2009113209A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/071112
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和之金子; 俊明井藤
Original assignee: 株式会社サトー; 株式会社サトー知識財産研究所
Priority date: 2008-03-10
Filing date: 2008-11-20
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: JP2009214400A; JP4291867B1

Abstract

A method for setting print sheets in a thermal printer enables automatic print sheet setting and easy removal of the left sheet(s) in a no-sheet state. The method has been invented by making the most of first and second sensors provided upstream and downstream of a transporting roller for transporting the print sheet in the forward/reverse direction to set/remove the print sheet. The method is characterized in that when the first sensor senses the leading end of the print sheet, the transporting roller starts to transport the print sheet toward the second sensor; when the second sensor senses the leading end of the print sheet, the transporting roller transports the print sheet to a printing section to start to print the print sheet; when the first sensor sensed the trailing end of the print sheet, the transporting roller is reversely driven to reversely transport the print sheet upstream to position the print sheet in an upstream position apart from the printing section.

Description

How to load printing paper in a thermal printer

The present invention relates to a printing paper setting method in a thermal printer, and more particularly to a printing paper setting method in a thermal printer of a type that cuts a printed printing paper into a predetermined length.

When a belt-shaped printing paper is loaded into a conventional thermal printer, the space between the print head (thermal head) and the platen roller in the printing section is widened to ensure a space where the operator can work. After placing the end portion (the most advanced portion) of the printing paper between the platen roller and the platen roller, it is necessary to close the thermal head and the platen roller and sandwich the printing paper between them. Similarly, when there is no more printing paper for printing operation in the printing section and there is no paper, the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller is opened, and the printing remaining on the transfer path The paper needed to be removed. In any case, there is a problem that it is necessary to open and close the thermal head and the platen roller each time. *

Furthermore, when the printing operation is completed, if the printing paper is left sandwiched between the thermal head and the platen roller for a long time, the printing paper will be fixed along the circumference of the platen roller. In this state, the print paper itself is bent, and when the print paper is a label paper, the adhesive is caused by a predetermined pressing force between the thermal head and the platen roller. There is a problem that the agent oozes out. *

JP 2002-144654 A

The present invention has been considered in view of the above problems, and it is not necessary to open and close between the thermal head and the platen roller when loading the printing paper into the printing unit, and the printing paper is automatically loaded. It is an object to provide a printing paper setting method in a thermal printer. *

The present invention also provides a printing paper setting method in a thermal printer that can easily remove the remaining printing paper without opening and closing between the thermal head and the platen roller when the printing paper is out of paper. It is an issue to provide. *

Also, the present invention provides a printing paper setting method in a printer thermal printer that can easily and automatically set and take out printing paper without opening and closing the print head of the printing section and has excellent operability. Is an issue. *

The present invention also provides a method for setting printing paper in a printer thermal printer that can solve the problems of bending of printing paper and leaching of adhesive that tend to occur when printing is left for a long time without printing. Is an issue.

That is, the present invention provides a transfer roller capable of transferring the printing paper in the forward and reverse directions (upstream and downstream directions) when the printing paper is loaded into the printing unit or removed from the printing unit, and the transfer roller. Focusing on the provision of the first sensor and the second sensor on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively, and the forward rotation of the transfer roller when loading the printing paper and the reverse rotation when removing the printing paper. A printing head having a thermal head for printing on the printing paper fed out in a belt shape from the printing section, a platen roller that rotates in opposition to the thermal head, and a printed head that is positioned downstream of the printing section A printing paper setting method for a thermal printer having a cutting section for cutting printing paper to a predetermined length, An upstream first sensor and a downstream second sensor capable of respectively detecting the position of the printing paper are provided in the transfer path, and the transfer is capable of transferring the printing paper in the forward and reverse directions toward the printing unit. A roller is provided between the first sensor and the second sensor, and the transfer roller is driven when the first sensor detects the most advanced portion of the printing paper fed out from the supply unit. Then, the printing paper can be started to be transferred in the direction of the second sensor, and when the second sensor detects the most advanced portion of the printing paper, the transfer roller is further driven to The printing paper is transferred between the thermal head and the platen roller in the printing unit, and printing on the printing paper by the printing unit can be started. When the first sensor detects the final edge of the print paper, the transfer roller is reversely driven to reversely transfer the print paper to the upstream side so that the print paper is separated from the print section. This is a printing paper setting method in a thermal printer, characterized in that it is positioned on the upstream side. *

When the first sensor detects the final edge of the printing paper, the printing paper is reversely transferred upstream, and the second sensor detects the leading edge of the printing paper. The reverse transfer of the printing paper can be stopped. *

The thermal printer is capable of receiving print data on the printing paper from an external personal computer, and when the space between the thermal printer and the personal computer goes offline, the transfer roller is driven in reverse. The printing paper can be reversely transferred to the upstream side so that the printing paper is positioned on the upstream side away from the printing unit. *

The above-mentioned printing paper may be either label paper with adhesive and mount, or label paper (tag paper) without these, and in any case, heat-sensitive coloring on the printing paper An agent layer is applied and formed, and thermal printing is possible with a thermal head and a platen roller.

In the method for setting printing paper in the thermal printer according to the present invention, when the first sensor detects the leading edge of the printing paper, the transfer roller is driven to move the printing paper in the direction of the second sensor. When the second sensor detects the most advanced portion of the printing paper, the transfer roller is further driven to move the printing paper between the thermal head and the platen roller of the printing portion. The printing on the printing paper can be started and the automatic setting of the printing paper is completed. Further, when the first sheet is detected by the first sensor when the printing paper runs out, the printing paper is reversely transferred to the upstream side by reversely driving the transfer roller, and the printing paper is separated from the printing unit. Since it is positioned upstream, it is not necessary to open and close the thermal head and platen roller relatively when removing the print paper, and the print paper that is located at the transfer roller is used for transfer. It can be easily removed by pulling from the roller part.

According to the present invention, a first roller and a second sensor, and a transfer roller positioned between them are provided, and the first sensor and the second sensor detect the leading edge and the last edge of the printing paper. Since the transfer roller is moved forward and backward by this, the transfer to the printing unit and the reverse transfer from the printing unit are performed, so the thermal head and the platen roller are relatively moved both when loading and removing the printing paper. We realized a printing paper setting method in a thermal printer that can be used as a thermal platen roller that does not need to be opened and closed and that has excellent operability.

Next, a printing paper setting method in the thermal printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a thermal printer 1 for setting the printing paper. The thermal printer 1 includes a feeding unit 3 for a printing paper 2, a transfer path 4, a first sensor 5, and a pair of upper and lower sides. A transfer roller 6, a second sensor 7, a printing unit 8, a cutting unit 9, an input unit 10 such as a keyboard and a touch panel, a display unit 11 such as a display, and a control unit 12. For example, print data can be received from an external personal computer 13 or the like. Of course, it can also be configured as a stand-alone printer. *

As long as thermal printing is possible, the printing paper 2 can employ a label, a tag, or any other configuration, and can print information of a predetermined content with an arbitrary design. 2 is a plan view of the printing paper 2, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2. The printing paper 2 is, for example, a tag paper, and the surface of the tag body 2A is thermally sensitive for thermal printing. The color former layer 2B is applied and formed, and the position detection mark 2C is printed in advance on the back surface thereof. The printing paper 2 is cut at a predetermined pitch by a cutting portion 9 at a cutting line 14 (virtual line in FIG. 2) so that it can be cut to a predetermined length. *

The supply unit 3 can hold the belt-like printing paper 2 in a roll shape and feed the belt-like printing paper 2 to the transfer path 4 in a belt shape. *

The first sensor 5 is, for example, a reflection type sensor, and detects the position by detecting a position detection mark 2 </ b> C on the back surface of the printing paper 2. Further, the first sensor 5 can detect the most advanced portion of the printing paper 2 when the printing paper 2 is loaded into the thermal printer 1, and the printing paper 2 runs out and its final end is fed out from the supply unit 3. It is possible to detect that the final end has passed when Similarly to the first sensor 5, the second sensor 7 is, for example, a reflective sensor, and detects the position by detecting the position detection mark 2C. Furthermore, the second sensor 7 is connected to the thermal printer 1.
When the printing paper 2 is loaded, the most advanced portion of the printing paper 2 can be detected, and when the printing paper 2 runs out and the final edge is fed out from the supply unit 3, the final edge is It is possible to detect passing.

The pair of upper and lower transfer rollers 6 is provided between the first sensor 5 and the second sensor 7 and rotates one of the rollers in the forward direction so that the printing paper 2 is moved. The printing paper 2 can be transferred toward the printing unit 8 and can be reversely transferred from the printing unit 8 to the upstream side by being driven to rotate in the reverse direction. *

The printing unit 8 includes a thermal head 15 that performs printing on the printing paper 2 fed out in a belt shape on the transfer path 4, a platen roller 16 that faces the thermal head 15 and rotates while sandwiching the printing paper 2 therebetween, Have The thermal head 15 has a large number of heating elements 17 arranged in the width direction of the printing paper 2, and the heating element 17 generates heat in accordance with the printing pattern, thereby causing the thermal color former layer 2 B of the printing paper 2 to develop color. To print. That is, by rotating the platen roller 16, the printing paper 2 is transferred in the transfer direction relative to the thermal head 15 along the transfer path 4, and the printing paper is generated by the heat generation of the heating element 13 of the thermal head 15. 2 is subjected to thermal printing. *

The cutting unit 9 is located on the downstream side of the printing unit 8 and has a cutting blade 18 that reciprocates with respect to the printing paper 2 and can cut the printed printing paper 2 to a predetermined length. . *

The control unit 12 controls the first sensor 5, the transfer roller 6, the second sensor 7, the printing unit 8, the cutting unit 9, the input unit 10, and the display unit 11, and printing on the printing unit 8. The setting operation of the paper 2 is controlled. *

That is, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the method for setting the printing paper 2 according to the present invention. In step S1, it is determined whether the printing paper 2 is set. The setting of the printing paper 2 is a state in which the leading edge of the printing paper 2 is sandwiched between the heating element 17 of the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16 in the printing unit 8 so that printing can be started. is there. *

If two print sheets have not been set, it is determined in step S2 whether the first sensor 5 has been turned on (whether the leading edge of the print sheet 2 has been detected). As an actual work for making this determination, the user of the thermal printer 1 positions the most advanced portion of the printing paper 2 fed out from the supply unit 3 on the downstream side of the first sensor 5, and the printing paper 2. If the first sensor 5 is inserted between the transfer rollers 6 via the first sensor 5, the first sensor 5 can detect the most advanced part of the printing paper 2. In response to detection of the most advanced portion by the first sensor 5, the rotation of the transfer roller 6 is started in step S 3 to start the transfer of the printing paper 2 in the direction of the second sensor 7. *

Next, in step S4, it is determined whether the second sensor 7 has been turned on (whether the leading edge of the printing paper 2 transferred from the upstream side has been detected). When the second sensor 7 detects the foremost portion of the printing paper 2, the transfer roller 6 is further driven in step S <b> 5 to move the printing paper 2 between the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16 of the printing unit 8. Then, the printing unit 8 can start printing on the printing paper 2 (setting of the printing paper 2 is completed). Whether the printing paper 2 has reached the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16 is determined by, for example, transferring the first distance D1 between the first sensor 6 and the

heating element

17, or 2 can be recognized by determining whether the second interval D2 between the sensor 7 and the heating element 17 has been transferred, and at the timing when the first interval D1 or the second interval D2 is transferred. The platen roller 16 can also be rotated slightly. *

If the setting of the printing paper 2 is completed in step S1 as described above, printing on the printing paper 2 by the printing unit 8 and cutting by the cutting unit 9 are started in step S6. *

In the next step S7, it is determined whether printing and cutting of the printing paper 2 have been completed. If completed, in step S8, whether or not the first sensor 5 is OFF (the printing paper 2 fed out from the supply unit 3). When the first sensor 5 detects the passage of the final edge, and the first sensor 5 detects the passage of the final edge of the printing paper 2, the transfer roller 6 is reversed in step S9. By driving, the printing paper 2 is reversely transferred to the upstream side so that the printing paper 2 is positioned on the upstream side away from the printing unit 8. *

If the printing paper 2 is located on the upstream side away from the printing unit 8, the printing paper 2 is removed from the transfer roller 6 without opening the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16 in the printing unit 8, thereby printing paper. 2 can be completely removed from the thermal printer 1. However, in order to ensure a more stable operation, in step S10, whether or not the second sensor 7 is OFF (pass through the most advanced portion of the printing paper 2 that is reversely transferred from the downstream side toward the upstream side). When the second sensor 7 detects whether or not the second sensor 7 has detected the passage of the leading edge of the printing paper 2, the reverse transfer of the printing paper 2 is stopped in step S11. *

In step S8, if the first sensor 5 has not detected the final edge of the printing paper 2, has the thermal printer 1 been offline with the personal computer 13 in step S12 to determine whether transmission / reception of printing data has been completed? If it is offline, the operations after step S9 are performed. That is, when the line between the thermal printer 1 and the personal computer 13 becomes offline, the printing roller 2 is reversely driven by reversely driving the transfer roller 6, and the printing sheet 2 is separated from the printing unit 8. It should be positioned upstream. Of course, if the thermal printer 1 is not connected to the personal computer 13 and is a stand-alone type, the operation of step S12 is not necessary. *

Thus, without automatically opening and closing the printing unit 8, together with the automatic setting of the printing paper 2 to the printing unit 8 of the thermal printer 1, when the printing paper 2 runs out or goes offline with the personal computer 13, In addition, since the printing paper 2 can be detached from the printing unit 8, it is possible to prevent the printing paper 2 from being pressed between the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16 over a long period of time and being bent in a radius. *

The present invention can be applied to the label paper (not shown) having a glue surface as well as the tag paper (FIG. 2) having no glue surface due to an adhesive or the like as the printing paper 2. It is.

1 is a schematic side view of a thermal printer 1 that performs a printing paper setting method in a thermal printer according to the present invention. 2 is a plan view of the printing paper 2 (tag paper). FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the setting method of the printing paper 2 by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal printer (FIG. 1) 2 Printing paper (tag paper) 2A Printing paper 2 Tag body 2B Printing paper 2 Thermal colorant layer 2C Printing paper 2 Position detection mark 3 Supply unit 4 Transfer path 5 First sensor 6 Transfer roller 7 Second sensor 8 Printing unit 9 Cutting unit 10 Input unit 11 Display unit 12 Control unit 13 PC 14 Cutting line 15 Thermal head 16 Platen roller 17 Heating element 18 of thermal head 15 Cutting blade D1 First sensor 6 and the heating element 17, a first distance D 2, and a second distance between the second sensor 7 and the heating element 17.

Claims

A printing unit having a thermal head for printing on the printing paper fed out in a strip shape from the printing paper supply unit onto the transport path, and a platen roller that rotates to face the thermal head, and located downstream of the printing unit A printing paper setting method in a thermal printer having a cutting section for cutting the printed printing paper into a predetermined length, the first upstream sensor capable of detecting the position of the printing paper, and A second sensor on the downstream side is provided in the transfer path, and a transfer roller capable of transferring the printing paper in the forward and reverse directions toward the printing unit is provided between the first sensor and the second sensor. This transfer roller is provided when the first sensor detects the most advanced part of the printing paper fed from the supply unit. To start the transfer of the printing paper in the direction of the second sensor, and when the second sensor detects the most advanced portion of the printing paper, the transfer roller is further driven. The printing paper is transported between the thermal head and the platen roller in the printing unit so that printing on the printing paper can be started by the printing unit, and the final end of the printing paper is moved to the first end. When the sensor 1 detects, the transfer paper is reversely driven to reversely transfer the printing paper to the upstream side so that the printing paper is positioned on the upstream side away from the printing unit. A method for setting printing paper in a thermal printer.
When the first sensor detects the final end of the printing paper, the printing paper is reversely transferred to the upstream side, and the second sensor detects the leading edge of the printing paper. 2. The printing paper setting method for a thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein reverse transfer of the printing paper is stopped.
The thermal printer can receive print data on the printing paper from an external personal computer, and when the transfer between the thermal printer and the personal computer goes offline, the transfer roller is driven in reverse. 2. The printing paper setting method for a thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing paper is reversely transferred to the upstream side so that the printing paper is positioned on the upstream side away from the printing unit.