Printing apparatus and printing method

Abstract

A printing apparatus and a printing method. The printing apparatus includes a printing section having a printing head that prints a print object on a print medium; a conveying section having a roller that conveys the print medium in a feeding direction and a pulling-back direction while pressing the print medium against the printing head; and a pressing section that causes the roller to press the print medium against the printing head with a first pressure when the print medium is conveyed in the feeding direction, and causes the roller to press the print medium against the printing head with a second pressure different from the first pressure when the print medium is conveyed in the pulling-back direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to printing apparatus and printing methods. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus for printing text, symbols, logos, characters, marks, and other printed objects on a ribbon-like printing medium. This printing apparatus has a thermal printhead that prints the objects by transferring ink coated on a ribbon onto the printing medium using heat while the ribbon-like printing medium is being fed. The printing medium with the printed objects is then cut by a cutter.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-144250 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, because the printing medium is conveyed in one direction, it is difficult to print the portion of the printing medium located between the thermal printhead and the cutter. Therefore, the end of the printing medium becomes blank. When this extra portion is not needed, the user cuts off the blank portion of the printing medium with scissors or the like, causing inconvenience and wasting printing medium. Furthermore, in order to shorten the blank portion at the end, when conveying the printing medium in the pull-back direction, an overload is generated on the tape, easily causing tape wrinkles and breakage, and further leading to tape tangling problems due to switching between forward and reverse conveying.

[0008] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a printing apparatus and printing method that can print on a strip printing medium with small blanks and is less prone to strip wrinkling and strip breakage.

[0009] Problem-solving methods

[0010] To achieve the objectives of this disclosure, one aspect of the printing apparatus of this disclosure is characterized by comprising:

[0011] The printing department prints the printed objects on printing media;

[0012] The conveying unit includes rollers that convey the printing medium in a feeding direction and a pulling direction while pressing the printing medium against the printing head; and

[0013] The pressing section, when conveying the printing medium in the delivery direction, causes the roller to press the printing medium onto the printing head with a first pressure, and when conveying the printing medium in the pull-back direction, causes the roller to press the printing medium onto the printing head with a second pressure different from the first pressure.

[0014] To achieve the objectives of this disclosure, one aspect of the printing method is a method of printing using a printing apparatus, said printing apparatus comprising:

[0015] The printing section includes a print head for printing objects on a printing medium; and

[0016] The conveying unit includes rollers that convey the printing medium in both a feeding and pulling direction while pressing the printing medium against the printing head.

[0017] When the printing medium is conveyed in the outward direction, the roller presses the printing medium against the print head with a first pressure. When the printing medium is conveyed in the pull-back direction, the roller presses the printing medium against the print head with a second pressure different from the first pressure.

[0018] The effects of the invention

[0019] According to this disclosure, printing with small blank spaces is possible on a strip-shaped printing medium, and the strip is less prone to wrinkling or breakage. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view of a printing apparatus representing an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 4 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a diagram (1) illustrating the movement of a cam in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a diagram (Figure 2) illustrating the movement of the cam in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the printing process performed by the printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view (1) illustrating the operation of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view (2) illustrating the operation of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 An enlarged sectional view of part XII.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the cartridge replacement process performed by the printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view (3) illustrating the operation of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The printing system and printing apparatus for implementing the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing system 1 of this embodiment prints text, symbols, logos, characters, marks, and other printed objects S on a ribbon-shaped printing medium R. The printing system 1 includes a printing apparatus 100 and a terminal device 200. The printing apparatus 100 is a thermal transfer printer that uses heat to transfer ink coated on a ribbon to the printing medium R. The terminal device 200 has a display 230 and is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet PC (personal computer). The printing apparatus 100 and the terminal device 200 are configured to communicate with each other wirelessly, with the terminal device 200 sending data representing the printed object S to the printing apparatus 100.

[0036] For ease of understanding, a Cartesian coordinate system is set up with the direction of the printing medium R being the x-direction, the direction perpendicular to the printing medium R being the y-direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the x and y directions being the z-direction, with appropriate references.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the printing apparatus 100 includes a box storage section 101, a printing section 120, a conveying section 130, a pressing section 140, and a cutting section 150.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the box storage section 101 is a part that stores the box 300, which stores the strip-shaped printing medium R and the ink-coated strip by rolling them into a roller shape. The printing medium R includes, for example, paper or resin coated with adhesive and release paper.

[0039] The printing unit 120 includes a print head 121 and a lower guide 122, and prints a printing object S on a strip-shaped printing medium R. To improve rigidity, the print head 121 is mounted on a metal fixing part 123, such as an aluminum die-casting part. The print head 121 includes a thermal print head with multiple heating resistors arranged linearly on a substrate such as alumina ceramic. By energizing the print head 121 corresponding to the printing object S, the multiple heating resistors are selectively heated, and the heat transfers ink coated on the strip onto the printing medium R, thereby performing printing. Furthermore, the lower guide 122 is a heat sink made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, disposed between the print head 121 and the cutting part 150 and near the print head 121. Thus, the lower guide 122 guides the print head 121, the printing medium R, and the strip, and cools the printing medium R and the strip after they have been heated by the print head 121.

[0040] The conveyor section 130 includes a roller 131, a roller support section 132, a tape guide 133, and... Figure 2 The winding shaft 134 shown conveys the printing medium R in the outgoing direction (x direction) and the retracting direction (-x direction). Additionally, the conveying unit 130 conveys the ink-coated tape together with the printing medium R.

[0041] Roller 131 includes a pressure roller having a metal mandrel and resin formed around the mandrel, and is driven to rotate by a servo motor or the like. The motor driving roller 131 is not limited to a servo motor, but can be a stepper motor or a DC (Direct Current) motor. Roller 131 presses the printing medium R against the print head 121 and transports the printing medium R.

[0042] The roller support 132 includes an arm 132a and a roller shaft support 132b. One end 132c of the arm 132a is rotatably supported on a rotating shaft 132d, and the roller shaft support 132b is mounted on the other end 132e of the arm 132a. The arm 132a rotates about the rotating shaft 132d, thereby allowing the roller shaft support 132b to move in the y-direction or the -y-direction. The roller shaft support 132b supports the roller 131 shaft so that it is rotatable.

[0043] like Figure 4As shown, the belt guide 133 has a fixing portion 133a, a bending portion 133b, and a front end portion 133c. The belt guide 133 is positioned relative to and near the roller 131 in the feed direction (between the roller 131 and the cutting portion 150) to suppress the deflection of the printing medium R. The fixing portion 133a is fixed to the roller support portion 132b to position the belt guide 133 in a fixed position relative to the roller 131. One end of the bending portion 133b is fixed to the fixing portion 133a and has a shape that bends in a manner that does not hinder the rotation of the roller 131. The front end portion 133c is positioned at the other end of the bending portion 133b and is located at a position that contacts the printing medium R when it deflects. The distance L1 from the print head 121 to the front end portion 133c is, for example, 5 mm. Furthermore, the front end portion 133c of the belt guide 133 is disposed opposite to the lower guide 122, with a space between the front end portion 133c and the lower guide 122. Thus, the printing medium R and the tape 310 pass between the front end portion 133c of the belt guide 133 and the lower guide 122, suppressing the deflection of the printing medium R and the tape 310.

[0044] Figure 2 The winding shaft 134, as shown, winds the ink-coated tape 310 and conveys the tape 310 together with the printing medium R in the delivery direction. The rotational speed of the winding shaft 134 is adjusted to a speed that applies tension to the tape 310, preventing the tape 310 from deflecting. The rotational speed of the winding shaft 134 is, for example, set to be greater than the rotational speed of the roller 131, preferably at least 1.1 times the rotational speed of the roller 131. Furthermore, when the printing medium R is conveyed in the pull-back direction, the winding shaft 134 idles, and the tape 310 is conveyed together with the printing medium R in the pull-back direction.

[0045] like Figure 3As shown, the pressing part 140 includes a cam 141, a cam follower 142 that moves via the cam 141, and an elastic body 143 disposed between the cam follower 142 and the roller support part 132. The pressing part 140 is a device that uses the roller 131 to press the printing medium R onto the print head 121. The roller 131 presses the printing medium R onto the print head 121 with a first pressure or a second pressure lower than the first pressure. Specifically, when the printing medium R is conveyed in the delivery direction, the roller 131 presses the printing medium R onto the print head 121 with a first pressure. The first pressure is, for example, 500 gf / cm. As a result, the printed object S is clearly printed on the printing medium R. When the printing medium R is conveyed in the pull-back direction, the roller 131 presses the printing medium R onto the print head 121 with a second pressure. The second pressure is, for example, 360 gf / cm. As a result, the load on the printing medium R and the tape 310 during conveying can be suppressed, and stable conveying can be achieved. By reducing the load on the printing medium R and the tape 310, tape wrinkling and breakage can be prevented. Furthermore, the first and second pressures are expressed as force per unit length of the roller's axial length. Additionally, when changing the cartridge 300, the pressing part 140 separates the roller 131 from the printing head 121.

[0046] The cam 141 rotates about a rotation axis extending in the y-axis direction via a stepper motor or the like, and has a first cam surface 141a, a second cam surface 141b, and a third cam surface 141c. The distance D1 between the first cam surface 141a and the printing section 120 is smaller than the distance D2 between the second cam surface 141b and the printing section 120. The distance D2 between the second cam surface 141b and the printing section 120 is smaller than the distance D3 between the third cam surface 141c and the printing section 120. Furthermore, the third cam surface 141c has a fitting portion 141d. Although the example described here is of the cam 141 rotating about a rotation axis extending in the y-axis direction, the direction of the rotation axis of the cam 141 and the shape of the cam 141 may be other than those described herein.

[0047] The cam follower 142 has a contact portion 142a and a engaged portion 142b that engages with the engaging portion 141d, and is pressed by the cam 141 to move in the y-direction or -y-direction. When the contact portion 142a of the cam follower 142 contacts the first cam surface 141a, the roller support portion 132b is subjected to force by the elastic body 143, and the roller 131 presses the printing medium R against the print head 121 with a first pressure. Figure 5 As shown, when the contact portion 142a of the cam follower 142 contacts the second cam surface 141b, the roller support portion 132 is subjected to force by the elastic body 143, and the roller 131 presses the printing medium R against the printing head 121 with a second pressure. Figure 6As shown, when the contact portion 142a of the cam follower 142 contacts the third cam surface 141c, the fitted portion 142b and the fitted portion 141d are fitted together, and the roller 131 separates from the printing head 121.

[0048] An elastomer 143 is disposed between the cam follower 142 and the roller support 132b, and applies force to the roller support 132, for example including a leaf spring or a coil spring.

[0049] The cutting section 150 cuts the strip-shaped printing medium R on which the printing object S has been printed by the printing section 120. The cutting section 150 has a cutting blade and a drive section for driving the cutting blade. The distance from the printing head 121 to the cutting section 150 is, for example, 20 mm.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown, as an electrical structure, the printing apparatus 100, in addition to the printing unit 120, conveying unit 130, pressing unit 140 and cutting unit 150 mentioned above, also includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 160, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 170 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 180.

[0051] The control unit 110 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 110 functions as a printing object acquisition unit 111, a print head control unit 112, and a transport control unit 113 by executing a program stored in the ROM 170.

[0052] The printing object acquisition unit 111 acquires the printing object data sent from the terminal device 200 via the communication unit 160, and stores the data in the RAM 180.

[0053] The printhead control unit 112 controls the printing unit 120 to print the printing object S onto the printhead R based on the conveying distance of the conveying unit 130 in the delivery direction. Specifically, whenever the printhead R is conveyed a distance equivalent to a 1-dot distance in the sub-scanning direction, the printhead control unit 112 causes the printhead 121 to print a 1-dot line, which is a 1-pixel line in which the image of the printing object S stored in the RAM 180 is arranged in a linear shape in the main scanning direction.

[0054] The transport control unit 113 controls the transport unit 130, the pressing unit 140, and the cutting unit 150 to transport the printing medium R in the delivery direction and the pull-back direction, and to cut the printed printing medium R. Specifically, when printing an image while transporting the printing medium R in the delivery direction, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to press the printing medium R against the print head 121 with a first pressure using the roller 131. Then, it controls the transport unit 130 to transport the printing medium R and the tape 310 in the delivery direction. After printing the printing object S on the printing medium R, the transport control unit 113 controls the transport unit 130 to transport the printing medium R in the delivery direction until the predetermined cutting position of the printing medium R is positioned at the cutting edge of the cutting unit 150. Then, the transport control unit 113 controls the cutting unit 150 to cut the printing medium R at the predetermined cutting position. Subsequently, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to press the printing medium R against the print head 121 with a second pressure using the roller 131. Then, it controls the transport unit 130 to pull back the printing medium R. At this time, the transport unit 130 preferably pulls the printing medium R back to a position where the front end of the printing medium R to be printed is positioned closer to the tape guide 133 in the delivery direction (between the tape guide 133 and the cutting unit 150) and near the tape guide 133. Then, when the next printing target S to be printed is set as the printing medium R, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to press the printing medium R against the print head 121 with a first pressure using the roller 131, and controls the transport unit 130 to transport the printing medium R and the tape 310 in the delivery direction. Additionally, when changing the cartridge 300, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to separate the roller 131 from the print head 121.

[0055] As described above, the printing unit 120, under the control of the printhead control unit 112, selectively heats the heating resistor provided on the printhead 121 according to the printing data. The heated heating resistor transfers the ink applied on the tape 310 to the printing medium R, printing pixels (1-dot lines) arranged in a linear pattern facing the main scanning direction of the printhead 121.

[0056] As described above, the conveying unit 130, under the control of the conveying control unit 113, conveys the printing medium in the delivery direction and the pull-back direction while the print head 121 is pressing the printing medium R. Furthermore, under the control of the conveying control unit 113, the conveying unit 130 rotates the winding shaft 134, and the ink-coated tape 310 is conveyed together with the printing medium R.

[0057] As described above, the pressing unit 140, under the control of the conveying control unit 113, presses the printing medium R against the print head 121 with a first pressure using the roller 131 when the cam 141 is rotated to convey the printing medium R in the delivery direction, and when the printing medium R is conveyed in the pull-back direction, the roller 131 presses the printing medium R against the print head 121 with a second pressure. Furthermore, when changing the cartridge 300, the cam 141 is rotated under the control of the conveying control unit 113, causing the roller 131 to separate from the print head 121.

[0058] As described above, the cutting section 150 cuts the strip-shaped printing medium R on which the printing object S has been printed by the printing section 120, based on the control of the transport control section 113.

[0059] The communication unit 160 receives data representing the printed object S from the terminal device 200. The communication unit 160 consists of wireless communication modules such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0060] ROM 170 is composed of non-volatile memory such as flash memory, and as described above, stores programs for the control unit 110 to perform various functions. RAM 180 is composed of volatile memory and is used as a working area for executing programs used by the control unit 110 to perform various processes. In addition, RAM 180 stores information such as image data of the printed object S.

[0061] like Figure 8 As shown, the terminal device 200 includes a control unit 210, a communication unit 220, a display 230, an operation unit 240, a ROM 250, and a RAM 260.

[0062] The control unit 210 is composed of a CPU or the like. The control unit 210 functions as a printing object acquisition unit 211 and a printing object sending unit 212 by executing a program stored in the ROM 250.

[0063] The printing object acquisition unit 211 acquires the data of the printing object S received by the display operation unit 240 or the communication unit 220.

[0064] The printing object sending unit 212 transmits the data of the printing object S to the printing apparatus 100 via the communication unit 220. Furthermore, when the user operates the terminal device 200 to execute a start printing instruction, data indicating the start printing instruction is sent to the printing apparatus 100. Additionally, when the user operates the terminal device 200 to execute a cartridge replacement instruction, data indicating the cartridge replacement instruction is sent to the printing apparatus 100.

[0065] The communication unit 220 sends data indicating the printing object S and data indicating an instruction to start printing to the printing apparatus 100. Like the communication unit 160 described above, the communication unit 220 is composed of wireless communication modules such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0066] The display 230 displays the images required for operation and is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like.

[0067] The operation unit 240 receives data on the printing object S or instructions for starting, starting, ending, and changing the printing process based on user input. Furthermore, the operation unit 240 and the display 230 constitute a touch panel display device.

[0068] ROM 250 is composed of non-volatile memory such as flash memory, and stores programs for the control unit 110 to perform various functions. RAM 260 is composed of volatile memory, and serves as a working area for executing programs used by the control unit 110 to perform various processes, and stores data representing the printing object S.

[0069] Next, the printing process performed by the printing apparatus 100 will be explained.

[0070] In response to a user's instruction to begin printing, the printing unit 100 starts. Figure 9 The printing process shown.

[0071] First, the printing object acquisition unit 111 stands in a state where it can receive data representing the printing object S, and determines whether data representing the printing object S has been received (step S101). If no data representing the printing object is received (step S101: no), step S101 is repeated.

[0072] Through user operation, the printing object S is input to the terminal device 200. When the printing object S is sent from the terminal device 200 to the printing device 100, the printing object acquisition unit 111 receives data representing the printing object S (step S101: Yes). When the printing object S is received, the printing object acquisition unit 111 stores the data representing the printing object S in the RAM 180 and stands by in a state where printing can begin if the user gives a start instruction (step S102).

[0073] Next, the transport control unit 113 determines whether the user has operated the terminal device 200 to execute the instruction to start printing (step S103). If it is determined that the instruction to start printing has not been executed (step S103: no), the process returns to step S102 and repeats steps S102 and S103.

[0074] When it is determined that the instruction to start printing has been executed (step S103: Yes), the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to press the printing medium R onto the print head 121 with a first pressure using the roller 131 (step S104). Specifically, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140, as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the cam 141 is rotated to a position where the first cam surface 141a contacts the contact portion 142a of the cam follower 142. As a result, the elastic body 143 disposed between the cam follower 142 and the roller support portion 132b is subjected to force, and the printing medium R is pressed onto the printing head 121 by the roller 131 with a first pressure.

[0075] Next, as Figure 10 As shown, the printhead control unit 112 controls the printing unit 120 to print the printing object S onto the printhead R based on the conveying distance that the conveying unit 130, controlled by the conveying control unit 113, conveys the printhead R in the delivery direction (step S105). Specifically, whenever the printhead R is conveyed a distance equivalent to a 1-dot distance in the sub-scanning direction, the printhead control unit 112 causes the printhead 121 to print a 1-dot line, which is a 1-pixel line in which the image of the printing object S stored in the RAM 180 is arranged in a linear shape in the main scanning direction.

[0076] Next, after printing the printing object S on the printing medium R, the transport control unit 113 controls the transport unit 130 to transport the printing medium R in the delivery direction until the predetermined cutting position of the printing medium R is positioned at the cutting edge of the cutting unit 150 (step S106).

[0077] Next, the transport control unit 113 controls the cutting unit 150 to cut the printing medium R at the predetermined cutting position (step S107).

[0078] Next, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to press the printing medium R onto the printing head 121 with a second pressure using the roller 131 (step S108). Specifically, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140, as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the cam 141 is rotated to a position where the second cam surface 141b contacts the contact portion 142a of the cam follower 142. As a result, the elastic body 143 disposed between the cam follower 142 and the roller support portion 132b is subjected to force, and the printing medium R is pressed onto the printing head 121 by the roller 131 with a second pressure.

[0079] Next, the transport control unit 113 controls the transport unit 130 to transport the printing medium R in the pull-back direction (step S109). For example... Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown, the conveying unit 130 preferably conveys the printing medium R in the pull-back direction to a position where the front end of the printing medium R to be printed is positioned between and near the belt guide 133 and the cutting section 150. The distance L2 from the printing head 121 to the front end of the printing medium R is, for example, 6 mm. At this time, the front end of the printing medium R is located between the front end 133c of the belt guide 133 and the lower guide 122, thus suppressing the deflection of the printing medium R and the belt 310. Therefore, when the printing medium R is conveyed again in the delivery direction, it is possible to prevent the front end of the printing medium R from contacting the ribs 320 or the box claws 330 of the box 300.

[0080] Next, the transport control unit 113 determines whether an instruction to end the printing process has been accepted (step S110). If the instruction to end the printing process has not been accepted (step S110: No), the process returns to step S101 and repeats the process from step S101 to step S110. If printing is resumed on the printing medium R after returning to step S101, in step S109, the printing medium R is transported in the pull-back direction, which can reduce the blank space generated between the front end of the printing medium R and the print head 121.

[0081] When an instruction to end the printing process is received (step S110: Yes), the printing apparatus 100 ends the printing process.

[0082] Next, the box replacement process performed by the printing apparatus 100 will be explained.

[0083] In response to a user's instruction to begin the cartridge replacement process, the printing unit 100 starts. Figure 13 The box replacement process is shown. Alternatively, the box replacement process can also be initiated, for example, in response to a sensor or the like detecting that the lid of the box storage section 101 has been opened.

[0084] When the cartridge replacement process begins, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to separate the roller 131 from the printing head 121 (step S201). Specifically, the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the cam 141 is rotated until the contact portion 142a of the cam follower 142 contacts the third cam surface 141c. Consequently, the engaged portion 142b of the cam follower 142 engages with the engaged portion 141d of the cam 141, and the roller 131 separates from the printing head 121. Figure 14 As shown, the belt guide 133 is positioned in a fixed position relative to the roller 131, so that when the roller 131 is separated from the print head 121, the belt guide 133 is separated from the print head 121, and the belt guide 133 does not obstruct the replacement of the cartridge 300.

[0085] Next, the transport control unit 113 determines whether the user has replaced the box (step S202). Whether the box has been replaced can also be determined by detecting whether the lid of the box storage section 101 is closed using sensors or the like. If the user has not replaced the box (step S202: No), step S202 is repeated.

[0086] When the user changes the cartridge (step S202: Yes), the transport control unit 113 controls the pressing unit 140 to press the printing medium R onto the print head 121 with a first pressure using the roller 131 (step S203). At this time, the belt guide 133 is positioned in a fixed position relative to the roller 131, so when the roller 131 is pressed onto the print head 121, the front end 133c of the belt guide 133 is positioned near the lower guide 122. Then, the transport control unit 113 ends the cartridge changing process.

[0087] As described above, according to the printing system 1 and printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the printing object S is clearly printed on the printing medium R by printing while pressing with a first pressure. Furthermore, when the printing medium R is conveyed in the pull-back direction, the printing medium R is pressed against the print head 121 by the roller 131 with a second pressure less than the first pressure, which can suppress the load on the printing medium R and the tape 310 during conveying and enable stable conveying. Thus, by reducing the load on the printing medium R and the tape 310, tape wrinkling and tape breakage can be prevented. Moreover, after the printing medium R with the printing object S printed on it is cut, the printing medium R to be printed is conveyed in the pull-back direction by the conveying unit 130, enabling printing with smaller blank spaces on the tape-shaped printing medium R. In detail, the conveying unit 130 conveys the printing medium R in the pull-back direction to a position where the front end of the printing medium R to be printed is positioned between and near the belt guide 133 and the cutting section 150. This increases the distance the printing medium R is conveyed in the pull-back direction, allowing printing with smaller blank spaces on the strip-shaped printing medium R. Furthermore, by providing the belt guide 133, the deflection of the printing medium R can be suppressed, preventing the front end of the printing medium R from contacting the ribs 320 or the box claws 330 of the cartridge 300. Moreover, since the belt guide 133 is positioned fixed relative to the roller 131, it separates from the printing head 121 in sync with the roller 131's lifting and lowering, without hindering the replacement of the cartridge 300. The printing apparatus 100 has a structure where the roller 131 of the conveying unit 130 is movable, and the printing head 121 is mounted on a metal fixing part 123, such as an aluminum die-casting part. This prevents the print head 121 from tilting and also prevents the printing from becoming faint on one side of the printing medium R.

[0088] (Modified Example)

[0089] In the printing apparatus 100 of the above embodiment, an example of a pressing unit 140 having a cam 141 and a cam follower 142 that moves via the cam 141 has been described. The pressing unit 140 can be configured to press the printing medium R against the print head 121 with a first pressure or a second pressure less than the first pressure using the roller 131 and to separate the roller 131. It may also have a structure other than a cam structure that uses a linear motor or a structure that uses fluids such as hydraulic or pneumatic fluids.

[0090] In the printing apparatus 100 of the above embodiment, an example was described where the pressing unit 140 presses the printing medium R against the print head 121 using the roller 131 at a first pressure or a second pressure lower than the first pressure. When the pressing unit 140 presses the printing medium R against the print head 121 using the roller 131, the load on the printing medium R and the tape 310 can be reduced. The second pressure can be different from the first pressure, or it can be greater than the first pressure. The first pressure and the second pressure are determined by the characteristics of the printing medium R and the tape 310, etc.

[0091] In the printing apparatus 100 of the above embodiment, an example of a thermal transfer printer that transfers ink applied to a tape to a printing medium R by heat is described. In the printing apparatus 100, the print head 121 can be a thermal transfer print head, or it can replace the method of transferring ink applied to a tape to the printing medium R by heat, becoming a thermal printer that prints on thermal paper that changes color in response to heat. In this case, since a tape is not required, operating costs can be reduced. Furthermore, printing can also be done on thermal paper such as cash register receipts.

[0092] In the printing system 1 of the above embodiment, an example including a printing apparatus 100 and a terminal device 200 has been described. The printing apparatus 100 may also include a display and an operation unit, and may be able to print the printing object S onto the printing medium R as a single unit without the terminal device 200.

[0093] Furthermore, the central part that performs the printing auxiliary processing executed by the terminal device 200, which consists of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., can be executed using ordinary portable information terminals (smartphones, tablet PCs), personal computers, etc., without using a dedicated system. For example, the computer program used to perform the above actions can be stored on computer-readable recording media (floppy disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), etc.) and distributed, and an information terminal that performs the above processing can be constructed by installing the computer program into a portable information terminal, etc. Alternatively, the computer program can be stored in the storage device of a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and downloaded through a conventional information processing terminal, etc., to construct an information processing device.

[0094] In addition, when the functions of the printing auxiliary device are realized through the sharing of OS (Operating System) and application, or through the cooperation of OS and application, only the application part may be stored in the recording medium or storage device.

[0095] Alternatively, a computer program can be overlaid on a carrier wave and distributed via a communication network. For example, the computer program can be published on a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication network and distributed via the network. Furthermore, the computer program can be configured to be launched and executed under the control of the operating system, just like other applications, thereby performing the aforementioned processing.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The printing section has a print head that prints the object onto a printing medium; The conveying unit has rollers that convey the printing medium in a feeding direction and a pulling direction while pressing the printing medium against the printing head. The cutting section cuts off the printing medium; as well as When the printing medium is conveyed in the delivery direction, the pressing part causes the roller to press the printing medium against the printing head with a first pressure. When the printing medium is conveyed in the pull-back direction, in response to the cutting part cutting the printing medium, the roller causes the roller to press the printing medium against the printing head with a second pressure that is less than the first pressure.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing part includes a cam having a first cam surface and a second cam surface, a cam follower that moves via the cam, and an elastic body disposed between a roller support portion supporting the roller and the cam follower. When the first cam surface presses against the cam follower, the cam follower presses against the elastic body, the roller support is subjected to force by the elastic body, and the roller presses the printing medium onto the printing head with the first pressure. When the second cam surface presses against the cam follower, the cam follower presses against the elastic body, the roller support is subjected to force by the elastic body, and the roller presses the printing medium onto the printing head with the second pressure.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, It includes an actuator for rotating the cam. By actuating the actuator, the cam surface of the cam follower is switched to either the first cam surface or the second cam surface.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a belt guide, which is positioned closer to the roller than the roller in the feeding direction and near the roller, to suppress the deflection of the printing medium.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the cutting section cuts the printing medium, the conveying section conveys the printing medium in the pull-back direction and positions the front end of the printing medium to be printed between the belt guide and the cutting section and near the belt guide.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The belt guide is positioned at a fixed location relative to the roller. When the pressing part separates the roller from the printing head, the belt guide separates from the printing head together with the roller.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the printing medium flexes, the front end of the guide is positioned at the point where the front end of the guide contacts the printing medium.

8. A printing method, characterized in that, The printing apparatus includes: The printing section has a print head that prints the object onto a printing medium; The cutting section cuts off the printing medium; as well as The conveying unit includes rollers that convey the printing medium in both a feeding and pulling direction while pressing the printing medium against the printing head. When the printing medium is conveyed in the outgoing direction, the roller presses the printing medium against the print head with a first pressure. When the printing medium is conveyed in the pull-back direction, in response to the cutting part cutting the printing medium, the roller presses the printing medium against the print head with a second pressure that is less than the first pressure.

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