Tape printer, information processor, control method of tape printer, and program

Abstract

To prepare a label which has a weak force to return to a non-folded state after a label end part is folded to cause adhesive faces to be adhered to each other, so that the adhesion state of the adhesive faces can be maintained for a long time.SOLUTION: A tape printer comprises: a printing part for printing a printing image on a printing tape Ta of a tape T including the printing tape Ta having an adhesive face and a release paper tape Tb releasably stuck to the adhesive face; and a forming part for forming a cut 52 indicating a position where the printing tape Ta is folded back on the printing tape Ta.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a method and program for controlling a tape printing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a tape printer that creates a label by printing a print image on a print tape that includes a print tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape removably attached to the adhesive surface, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The tape printer of Patent Document 1 creates labels that are used by folding back the label end and bonding the adhesive surfaces together, and prints a mark on the print tape at the fold-back position of the label. However, there is a demand for forming a fold tab at the end of the label to allow the label to be easily picked up and peeled off after it has been affixed to the object. The tape printing device of Patent Document 1 makes it possible to create a label that has a fold tab area for forming such a fold tab. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-118171 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, in the case of a label in which the label end is folded back for use, the adhesive portion may peel off near the folded position due to the restoring force that tries to return the label from the folded state to its original state, although this depends on the material of the base material. For this reason, when a label with a fold area is created using a conventional tape printing device, the adhesive surface in the fold area peels off after the label is attached to an object, resulting in a poor appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The tape printing device of the present invention comprises a printing tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape removably attached to the adhesive surface, a printing unit that prints a print image on the printing tape, and a forming unit that forms a notch in the printing tape to indicate the position where the printing tape is to be folded back.

[0006] The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with a tape printing device that prints a print image on a printing tape comprising a printing tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape removably attached to the adhesive surface, and is equipped with a generation unit that generates a print job and a transmission unit that transmits the print job to the tape printing device, and the generation unit generates a print job that forms a notch in the printing tape indicating the position where the printing tape will be folded back, and instructs the tape printing device to print a print image on the printing tape.

[0007] The control method for a tape printing device of the present invention executes the steps of: the tape printing device printing a print image on a printing tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape removably attached to the adhesive surface; and forming a notch in the printing tape indicating the position where the printing tape will be folded back.

[0008] The program of the present invention is a program that causes an information processing device that can communicate with a tape printing device that prints a print image on a printing tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape removably attached to the adhesive surface to execute the steps of generating a print job and transmitting the print job to the tape printing device, and in the step of generating a print job, a print job is generated that instructs the tape printing device to form a notch in the printing tape indicating the position where the printing tape will be folded back, and to print a print image on the printing tape. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external view of the tape printing device and the tape cartridge. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a half-cut label. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a label with a cut line formed therein. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a label with a folding margin. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a print head, a full cutter, and a half cutter. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the tape printing apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing driving waveforms during half cut control. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing driving waveforms during gap formation control. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the tape printing apparatus. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a label with a fold margin in which the fold margin is located at the front. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a label with a folding margin, the folding margin being located at the rear. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a folding margin setting screen. [Figure 14] 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process. [Figure 15] 15 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a label having perforations formed thereon. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The following describes a tape printer, an information processing device, a control method for a tape printer, and a program with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in some of the drawings, directions based on an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system are used for the sake of convenience, but these directions are merely for the sake of convenience and do not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an external view of a tape printer 1 and a tape cartridge C. The tape printer 1 is a device that prints on a long tape T. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape T is formed by superimposing a print tape Ta on which printing is performed and a release paper tape Tb used as a release paper. The surface of the print tape Ta facing in the -Y direction is the print surface, and the surface facing in the +Y direction is the adhesive surface. The print tape Ta is laminated on the release paper tape Tb via the adhesive surface.

[0012] The tape printer 1 according to this embodiment uses a printing tape Ta having a predetermined specification. The predetermined specification means that when the printing tape Ta is peeled off from an object, the adhesive residue on the adhesive surface is unlikely to remain on the object, and the printing tape Ta has a layer structure that is unlikely to cause delamination within a base material made up of multiple layers, in other words, a specification that makes it easy to peel off, and for example, the base material is a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyvinyl chloride.

[0013] The tape printing device 1 includes a device case 3 and a mounting section cover 5. On the +Z direction surface of the device case 3, an operation key group 21, a display 22, a cartridge mounting section 23, and a tape ejection port 24 are provided.

[0014] The operation key group 21 accepts various operations by the user, such as editing operations for the print image G (see FIG. 5) to be printed on the print tape Ta. The display 22 displays various information, such as an editing screen for the print image G. The tape printing device 1 generates print data based on the user's editing operations for the print image G, and performs printing processing based on the generated print data.

[0015] The cartridge mounting portion 23 is a recess that is open in the +Z direction. A tape cartridge C is removably mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 23. The mounting portion cover 5 is rotatably attached to the end of the device case 3 in the +Y direction, and opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion 23.

[0016] The tape cartridge C includes a tape core 15, a platen roller 17, a payout core 18, a take-up core 19, and a cartridge case 11 that houses these.

[0017] The tape T is wound around the tape core 15, with the print tape Ta on the outside and the release paper tape Tb on the inside. The ink ribbon R is wound around the pay-out core 18. The ink ribbon R paid out from the pay-out core 18 is taken up by the take-up core 19. The cartridge case 11 is provided with a head insertion hole 12 penetrating in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, a tape outlet 13 extending in the Z-axis direction is provided on the -X direction surface of the cartridge case 11. The tape T paid out from the tape core 15 is sent out to the outside of the cartridge case 11 from the tape outlet 13.

[0018] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a print head 26 and a head cover 20. The print head 26 prints on the print tape Ta of the tape T. The head cover 20 partially covers the print head 26.

[0019] A platen drive shaft 25, a payout shaft 28, and a take-up shaft 29 protrude in the +Z direction from the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion 23. When the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 23, the platen drive shaft 25, the payout shaft 28, and the take-up shaft 29 engage with the platen roller 17, the payout core 18, and the take-up core 19, respectively.

[0020] Furthermore, when the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23, the print head 26 and head cover 20 are inserted into the head insertion hole 12. Next, when the mounting section cover 5 is closed, the print head 26 is moved toward the platen roller 17 by a head movement mechanism (not shown). As a result, the tape T and ink ribbon R are sandwiched between the print head 26 and the platen roller 17.

[0021] In this state, when the feed motor 44a (see FIG. 7) provided in the tape printing device 1 rotates, the platen roller 17 and the take-up core 19 rotate so that the tape T is fed out from the tape feed outlet 13 to the outside of the cartridge case 11 and the ink ribbon R is taken up onto the take-up core 19. As a result, the tape T is fed in the -X direction towards the tape discharge outlet 24. The "-X direction" is an example of the first direction.

[0022] The print head 26 generates heat according to the print data when the tape T is being fed in the -X direction. This causes the ink of the ink ribbon R to be transferred to the print tape Ta, and a print image G based on the print data is printed on the print tape Ta. The tape T after printing is discharged from the tape discharge port 24.

[0023] A cutter unit 27 is provided between the cartridge mounting section 23 and the tape ejection opening 24. The cutter unit 27 includes a full cutter FC and a half cutter HC (see FIG. 6).

[0024] The full cutter FC is a scissors-type cutter that includes a fixed blade, which is a fixed member, and a movable blade, which is a movable member rotatably supported by the fixed blade via a support shaft (both are not shown), and cuts both the print tape Ta and the release paper tape Tb in the Z-axis direction. Hereinafter, cutting of the tape T by the full cutter FC is referred to as a "full cut." The tape printer 1 creates a label L (see FIG. 3) by full-cutting the printed tape T.

[0025] The half cutter HC is equipped with a cutting blade, which is a movable member, and a blade receiving member, which is a fixed member that receives the cutting blade when it is cut (both are omitted from the drawings), and is a push-cut type cutter that cuts the print tape Ta in the Z-axis direction without cutting the release paper tape Tb. Hereinafter, the cutting of the tape T by the half cutter HC will be referred to as a "half cut." The tape printer 1 forms a cut portion 51 (see FIG. 3) in the print tape Ta by performing a half cut on the tape T. As shown in FIG. 3, the cut portion 51 is a cutting line that has the same depth as the thickness of the print tape Ta. By forming the cut portion 51 in the print tape Ta in this way, the user can easily peel off the print tape Ta and the release paper tape Tb using the cut portion 51 as a clue.

[0026] The half cutter HC is also used to form a slit 52 (see FIG. 4) in the print tape Ta. As shown in FIG. 4, the slit 52 is a linear slit that is deeper than the thickness of the print tape Ta, i.e., the amount of slit in the Y-axis direction is shallow. The "slit" refers to a cut mark that does not separate the print tape Ta. The amount of slit 52 is preferably 40% to 80% of the amount of slit of the cut portion 51.

[0027] Here, the purpose of forming the slit 52 in the print tape Ta will be described. In this embodiment, the purpose is to create a label L that is easily peeled off from an object to which the label is attached after being attached to the object. For this reason, the tape printer 1 creates a label L that can form a fold that is a portion that a user pinches with his / her fingers when peeling off the label L. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the tape printer 1 creates a label L in which a fold area E1 that becomes a fold area is provided at an end of the print tape Ta in the -X direction, and a slit 52 indicating a folding position is formed at an end of the fold area E1 in the +X direction. Hereinafter, the label L in which the fold area E1 is provided and the slit 52 is formed is referred to as a "label Lf with fold area." In addition, the area other than the fold area E1 of the label Lf with fold area is referred to as a label body area E2.

[0028] When the label Lf with a fold margin is created by the tape printer 1, the user peels off the release paper tape Tb from the printing tape Ta, then folds the printing tape Ta along the cut 52, and bonds the adhesive surface that will be the back surface of the folding margin region E1 to the adhesive surface that will be the back surface of the end region in the -X direction of the label main body region E2. The part where these adhesive surfaces are bonded together is the part that the user will hold. Then, the user attaches the exposed adhesive surface of the printing tape Ta to an object to which it is to be attached.

[0029] In this way, the tape printing device 1 creates a foldable label Lf that is provided with a fold area E1 and has a slit 52. As a result, after the foldable label Lf is folded back at the position where the slit 52 is formed and the adhesive surfaces are bonded together, the force that attempts to return to an unfolded state is weaker than that of a label L that does not have a slit 52, and the adhesive surfaces can maintain the bonded state for a long time.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, the length of the folding margin area E1 in the X-axis direction is referred to as the "folding margin length Fo." Also, the length from the end of the label main body area E2 in the -X direction to the end of the printed image G in the -X direction is referred to as the "first margin length M1." Also, the length from the end of the printed image G in the +X direction to the end of the label main body area E2 in the +X direction is referred to as the "second margin length M2."

[0031] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the print head 26, full cutter FC, and half cutter HC. Fig. 6 shows the arrangement of each member when the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 23 and before printing begins.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6, the full cutter FC is disposed in the -X direction from the print head 26. The half cutter HC is disposed in the -X direction from the full cutter FC. In the following description, the distance in the X axis direction between the print head 26 and the full cutter FC is referred to as the "head-full cutter distance Dhcf." Furthermore, the distance in the X axis direction between the full cutter FC and the half cutter HC is referred to as the "full cutter-half cutter distance Dfh."

[0033] Incidentally, the leading end of the tape T shown in FIG. 6 is located at the cutting position of the full cutter FC. This is because the tape T is cut by the full cutter FC at the end of the printing process. Therefore, even at the start of the printing process, the leading end of the tape T is located at the cutting position of the full cutter FC. In addition, the tape printer 1 prints while feeding the tape T in the -X direction, and does not have a reverse feed function for feeding the tape T in the +X direction. For this reason, the label L created by the tape printer 1 has an unprintable area at the end in the -X direction, the length of which in the X direction is the head-to-full cutter distance Dhcf. Therefore, in this embodiment, when creating a label Lf with a folding margin, a folding margin area E1 is provided at the end in the -X direction of the tape T (see FIG. 5), making effective use of the unprintable area and reducing consumption of the tape T.

[0034] The hardware configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The tape printer 1 includes an operation key group 21, a display 22, a control unit 43, a printing mechanism 44, and a cutting mechanism 45.

[0035] The operation key group 21 includes letter keys, numeric keys, and a print key. The print key is a key for starting a print process (see FIG. 14 and FIG. 15) described later. The operation key group 21 also includes a folding margin mode key for displaying a folding margin setting screen 50 (see FIG. 13) described later.

[0036] The display 22 displays various information such as an editing screen (not shown) for editing the print image G and a folding margin setting screen 50.

[0037] The control unit 43 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 43a, a read only memory (ROM) 43b, and a random access memory (RAM) 43c.

[0038] The CPU 43a performs various controls by expanding a control program such as firmware stored in the ROM 43b into the RAM 43c and executing it. Note that the control unit 43 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC as a processor instead of the CPU 43a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0039] The printing mechanism 44 includes the print head 26 , a feed motor 44 a , and a platen drive shaft 25 .

[0040] The print head 26 includes a group of heat generating elements (not shown), and performs printing by thermally transferring ink from the ink ribbon R to the print tape Ta. The group of heat generating elements includes a plurality of heat generating elements arranged along the Z-axis direction.

[0041] The feed motor 44a is a drive source that feeds the tape T. The feed motor 44a is, for example, a stepping motor. The feed motor 44a rotates the platen roller 17 via the platen drive shaft 25, thereby feeding the tape T and the ink ribbon R in the -X direction.

[0042] The cutting mechanism 45 includes a cutter motor driver 45a, a cutter motor 45b, a full cutter FC, and a half cutter HC. The cutter motor driver 45a is an example of a "forming control unit."

[0043] The cutter motor driver 45a is a driver that controls the drive of the cutter motor 45b. The cutter motor 45b is a drive source that drives the full cutter FC and the half cutter HC. The cutter motor 45b switches the cutter to be driven by switching the rotation direction. The cutter motor 45b is, for example, a DC (Direct Current) motor. Note that the tape printer 1 may be provided with a full cutter motor that drives the full cutter FC and a half cutter motor that drives the half cutter HC separately. Also, the tape printer 1 may be provided with a full cutter motor driver that controls the drive of the full cutter motor and a half cutter motor driver that controls the drive of the half cutter motor separately.

[0044] Here, the drive control of the half cutter HC will be described. When performing half-cutting on the tape T, the CPU 43a transmits a half-cut control signal to the cutter motor driver 45a as half-cut control. Based on this half-cut control signal, the cutter motor driver 45a applies a drive voltage based on a drive waveform as shown in FIG. 8 to the cutter motor 45b. As shown in FIG. 8, during half-cut control, the cutter motor driver 45a continues to apply a voltage to the cutter motor 45b for a time t0. In this way, by continuing to apply a voltage to the cutter motor 45b for a time t0, the half cutter HC performs a half-cut on the tape T.

[0045] On the other hand, when forming a slit 52 in the print tape Ta, the CPU 43a transmits a slit formation control signal to the cutter motor driver 45a as slit formation control. The slit formation control signal is, for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal. Based on this slit formation control signal, the cutter motor driver 45a applies a drive voltage based on a drive waveform as shown in FIG. 9 to the cutter motor 45b. As shown in FIG. 9, the cutter motor driver 45a applies voltage multiple times during slit formation control. Specifically, the cutter motor driver 45a repeatedly applies and does not apply voltage to the cutter motor 45b multiple times during time t0 at a cycle shorter than that during half-cut control. In the example of FIG. 9, the cutter motor driver 45a repeatedly applies and does not apply voltage five times at a constant cycle during time t0. In this way, in slit formation control, application of voltage to cutter motor 45b is repeated multiple times during time t0, so that the average voltage applied to cutter motor 45b is smaller than in half-cut control. As a result, the driving power supplied to cutter motor 45b is smaller in slit formation control than in half-cut control, so that slit 52 shallower than the thickness of print tape Ta is formed in the print tape Ta. Note that "repeating application and non-application of voltage multiple times" does not mean repeatedly driving and stopping cutter motor 45b, but means continuously driving cutter motor 45b.

[0046] 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the tape printer 1. The tape printer 1 includes a receiving unit 110, a printing unit 120, and a forming unit 130 as its main functional components.

[0047] The reception unit 110 accepts a selection from a plurality of options including a first option of creating a label Lf with a folding margin in which a slit 52 is formed in front of the print image G, and a second option of creating a label Lf with a folding margin in which a slit 52 is formed in the rear of the print image G. For example, when the print image G is a horizontally written character (see FIG. 11), the front of the print image G refers to the left of the print image G, and the rear of the print image G refers to the right of the print image G. Also, when the print image G is a vertically written character, the front of the print image G refers to the upper side of the print image G, and the rear of the print image G refers to the lower side of the print image G. Here, the reference character is a character with a rotation angle of "0°". In this way, the front and rear of the print image G refer to the directions when the print image G with a rotation angle of "0°" is used as the reference. In this embodiment, the reception unit 110 accepts a selection from two options in a folding margin position setting field 61 of a folding margin setting screen 50 (see FIG. 13) described later.

[0048] The reception unit 110 is a function realized by the display 22 and the control unit 43.

[0049] The printing unit 120 performs an operation of feeding the tape T in the -X direction and printing the print image G on the print tape Ta. When the first option is selected by the reception unit 110, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with the -X direction being the front of the print image G, and when the second option is selected, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with the -X direction being the rear of the print image G.

[0050] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a label Lf with a folding margin that is created when the first option is selected by the reception unit 110, that is, when the folding margin position is set to the front. When the folding margin position is set to the front and the print image G has horizontal characters as in the example of FIG. 11, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with the -X direction being the left of the print image G.

[0051] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a label Lf with a folding margin that is created when the second option is selected by the reception unit 110, that is, when the folding margin position is set to the rear. When the folding margin position is set to the rear and the print image G has horizontal characters as in the example of FIG. 12, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with the -X direction being to the right of the print image G.

[0052] In this way, when the folding margin position is set to the front, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with a rotation angle of "0°", and when the folding margin position is set to the rear, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with a rotation angle of "180°". Hereinafter, the print image G with a rotation angle of "0°" will be referred to as the "normal print image G1", and the print image G with a rotation angle of "180°" will be referred to as the "rotated print image G2".

[0053] Incidentally, the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment is capable of individually setting the front margin length and the rear margin length of the label L on the editing screen. The front margin length refers to the length of the margin in front of the print image G, and the rear margin length refers to the length of the margin in the rear of the print image G. Therefore, when the folding margin position is set to the front, the first margin length M1 becomes the set front margin length, and the second margin length M2 becomes the set rear margin length (see FIG. 11). Also, when the folding margin position is set to the rear, the first margin length M1 becomes the set rear margin length, and the second margin length M2 becomes the set front margin length (see FIG. 12). To make this point easier to understand, FIGS. 11 and 12 show the label L created when the rear margin length is set longer than the front margin length. Note that the tape printer 1 may not be capable of individually setting the front margin length and the rear margin length, but may set them to the same length.

[0054] The printing unit 120 is a function realized by the control unit 43 and the printing mechanism 44.

[0055] The forming unit 130 forms a slit 52 in the print tape Ta that indicates the position where the print tape Ta is folded back. As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the forming unit 130 forms the slit 52 between the end of the tape T in the -X direction and the print image G, regardless of whether the folding margin position is set forward or backward.

[0056] The forming unit 130 is realized by the half cutter HC, the cutter motor 45b, the cutter motor driver 45a, and the control unit 43. As described above, the cutter motor driver 45a controls the driving power supplied to the cutter motor 45b, thereby causing the half cutter HC to form the cut 52 in the printing tape Ta.

[0057] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a folding margin setting screen 50. The folding margin setting screen 50 is a screen that is displayed when a folding margin mode key included in the operation key group 21 is selected in a state in which an editing screen for editing a print image G is displayed on the display 22.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 13, the folding margin setting screen 50 displays a folding margin position setting field 61, a folding margin length setting field 62, an OK button 63, and a cancel button 64.

[0059] In the folding margin position setting field 61, whether to provide the folding margin area E1 in front of the print image G or to provide the folding margin area E1 behind the print image G is selected as the folding margin position. When the front check field 61a is selected, the tape printer 1 forms a slit 52 in front of the print image G to provide the folding margin area E1 in front of the print image G (see FIG. 11). When the rear check field 61b is selected, the tape printer 1 forms a slit 52 behind the print image G to provide the folding margin area E1 behind the print image G (see FIG. 12). The front check field 61a corresponds to the above-mentioned "first option," and the rear check field 61b corresponds to the above-mentioned "second option."

[0060] In the folding margin length setting field 62, a folding margin length Fo, which is the length of the folding margin area E1 in the X-axis direction, is set. The folding margin length setting field 62 has a minimum value and a maximum value preset, and the user can input a desired value within that range. If a value less than the minimum value or more than the maximum value is input in the folding margin length setting field 62, the tape printing device 1 issues an error notification. For example, as an error notification, the tape printing device 1 displays a message on the display 22 to the effect that the folding margin length setting is inappropriate. Also, instead of displaying a message on the display 22, when the user's input value falls below the minimum value, the folding margin length may be automatically set to the minimum value. Similarly, when the user's input value exceeds the maximum value, the folding margin length may be automatically set to the maximum value.

[0061] In the example of Figure 13, the fold length Fo is set by inputting a numerical value, but it is also possible to set the fold length Fo from a number of options that relatively represent the fold length Fo, such as "small," "normal," and "large."

[0062] When the OK button 63 is selected, the tape printing device 1 creates a label Lf with a folding margin based on the settings on the folding margin setting screen 50. When the cancel button 64 is selected, the tape printing device 1 cancels the settings on the folding margin setting screen 50 and hides the folding margin setting screen 50.

[0063] 14 and 15 are flow charts showing the flow of the printing process of the tape printer 1. The printing process of the tape printer 1 is an example of a "method of controlling a tape printer". The printing process is started when printing is instructed on an editing screen (not shown). In addition, in the description of Figs. 14 and 15, it is assumed that the total length of the folding margin length Fo and the first margin length M1 is longer than the head-full cutter distance Dhcf, and that the head-full cutter distance Dhcf is longer than the full cutter-half cutter distance Dfh (see Figs. 5 and 6).

[0064] In step S01 of Fig. 14, the tape printer 1 determines whether or not a folding margin has been set. "The folding margin has been set" means that the folding margin position and folding margin length have been set on the folding margin setting screen 50. If the tape printer 1 determines that the folding margin has been set, it proceeds to step S02. If the tape printer 1 determines that the folding margin has not been set, it performs normal printing processing to create a normal label L.

[0065] In step S02, the tape printer 1 acquires margin setting values, which include a front margin length and a rear margin length.

[0066] In step S03, the tape printing apparatus 1 acquires the set values ​​of the folding margin. The tape printing apparatus 1 acquires the folding margin position and the folding margin length Fo as the set values ​​of the folding margin.

[0067] In step S04, the tape printer 1 determines whether the folding position is set to the front or not. If the tape printer 1 determines that the folding position is set to the front, the process proceeds to step S05. If the tape printer 1 determines that the folding position is not set to the front, the process proceeds to step S06.

[0068] In step S05, the tape printing apparatus 1 generates a normal print image G1 (see FIG. 11).

[0069] In step S06, the tape printing apparatus 1 generates a rotated print image G2 (see FIG. 12).

[0070] 15, the tape printer 1 feeds the tape T in the -X direction by a length obtained by subtracting the head-to-full cutter distance Dhcf from the total length of the folding margin length Fo and the first margin length M1. The tape printer 1 controls the feed amount of the tape T by controlling the number of steps for rotating the feed motor 44a.

[0071] In step S08, the tape printing device 1 starts printing the print image G generated in step S05 or step S06. The tape printing device 1 prints the print image G on the print tape Ta while feeding the tape T in the -X direction.

[0072] In step S09, the tape printer 1 determines whether the tape feed length from the start of tape feed is the sum of the folding margin length Fo and the full cutter-half cutter distance Dfh. If the tape printer 1 determines that the tape feed length from the start of tape feed is the sum of the folding margin length Fo and the full cutter-half cutter distance Dfh, the tape printer 1 proceeds to step S10. If the tape printer 1 determines that the tape feed length from the start of tape feed is not the sum of the folding margin length Fo and the full cutter-half cutter distance Dfh, the tape printer 1 repeats step S09.

[0073] In step S10, the tape printer 1 forms a gap 52 in the print tape Ta. At this time, the tape printer 1 temporarily halts the printing operation to form the gap 52 in the print tape Ta.

[0074] In step S11, the tape printer 1 determines whether the print image G has been printed to the end. That is, the tape printer 1 determines whether the end of the print image G in the +X direction has passed the printing position of the print head 26. If the tape printer 1 determines that the print image G has been printed to the end, it proceeds to step S12. If the tape printer 1 determines that the print image G has not been printed to the end, it repeats step S11.

[0075] In step S12, the tape printing device 1 feeds the tape T in the -X direction by the total length of the head-to-full cutter distance Dhcf and the second margin length M2.

[0076] In step S13, the tape printing apparatus 1 fully cuts the tape T by the full cutter FC.

[0077] In step S14, the tape printing apparatus 1 ejects the tape T from the tape ejection opening 24.

[0078] As described above, the tape printing device 1 can create a label Lf with a folding margin in which a folding margin area E1 is provided and a slit 52 is formed at the boundary between the folding margin area E1 and the label main body area E2. After the label Lf with a folding margin is folded back at the position where the slit 52 is formed and the adhesive surfaces are bonded together, the force of returning the label Lf to an unfolded state is weaker than that of a label L without the slit 52, and the adhesive surfaces can maintain the bonded state for a long time. This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive surface of the folding margin area E1 from partially lifting and impairing the appearance of the label Lf after it is attached to an object to which it is attached.

[0079] Furthermore, the tape printer 1 forms a gap 52 between the end of the tape T in the -X direction and the printed image G. This makes it possible to effectively use an unprintable area corresponding to the head-to-cutter distance Dhcf generated at the end of the tape T in the -X direction as a folding margin.

[0080] In addition, the tape printing device 1 accepts a selection of whether to create a label Lf with a fold margin in which a slit 52 is formed in front of the printed image G, or to create a label Lf with a fold margin in which a slit 52 is formed in the rear of the printed image G. This allows the user to select whether to form the fold margin in the front or rear of the label L according to preference.

[0081] Furthermore, the tape printer 1 forms a linear slit 52 in the print tape Ta that is shallower than the thickness of the print tape Ta. This effectively weakens the rigidity of the folded-back position of the label L, and increases the retention of the adhesive state when the label L is folded back at the position where the slit 52 is formed and the adhesive surfaces are bonded to each other.

[0082] Furthermore, the tape printer 1 can use a common half cutter HC to half-cut the tape T and form the slit 52 in the print tape Ta. This simplifies the device configuration of the tape printer 1 compared to a configuration that includes separate cutters.

[0083] Regardless of the above embodiment, the following modifications may be adopted. [Variation 1] The tape printer 1 may form perforations 53 in the print tape Ta as the incisions. In this case, the tape printer 1 may be configured to include a cutter for forming perforations in addition to the half cutter HC. The cutter for forming perforations is, for example, a push-cut type cutter that includes an uneven cutting blade that is a movable member and a blade receiving member that is a fixed member that receives the cutting blade. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a label L on which perforations 53 are formed. Perforations 53 refer to a series of small holes. In the example of FIG. 16, small dot-like holes are formed in succession in the Z-axis direction as perforations 53. The intervals between the successive small holes do not have to be constant. The small holes may be short lines rather than dots. The small holes may be formed not only in the printing tape Ta but also penetrating the release paper tape Tb. In this way, by forming the perforation 53 as a cut, the tape printing device 1 can effectively weaken the rigidity of the folding position of the label L, and create a label Lf with a fold that has high adhesive retention when folded back at the position where the perforation 53 is formed and the adhesive surfaces are bonded together.

[0084] [Variation 2] The present invention may be realized by an information processing device 70 and a tape printer 1. FIG. 17 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system SY according to this modified example. The printing system SY includes an information processing device 70 and a tape printer 1. The information processing device 70 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The information processing device 70 generates a print job and transmits the generated print job to the tape printer 1. The tape printer 1 creates various labels L, such as a label Lf with a folding margin, based on the received print job. The tape printer 1 according to this modified example may have the same configuration as the above embodiment, or may have a configuration in which the operation key group 21 and the display 22 are omitted. The information processing device 70 comprises an operation means 71, a display means 72, a control means 73, and a communication means 74. The operation means 71 is used by a user for various operations. The display means 72 displays various information such as a folding margin setting screen 50 (see FIG. 13). The control means 73 has an application A. The application A is an example of a "program." Based on this application A, the control means 73 generates print jobs and controls communication with the tape printing device 1. The communication means 74 communicates with the tape printing device 1 via wireless communication or the like. 18 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 70. The information processing device 70 includes, as its functional configuration, a generation unit 710 and a transmission unit 720. The generation unit 710 generates a print job that instructs the tape printing device 1 to form a cut in the printing tape Ta indicating the position where the printing tape Ta is folded back, and to print a print image G on the printing tape Ta. The generation unit 710 is realized by the control means 73. The transmission unit 720 transmits the print job generated by the generation unit 710 to the tape printing device 1. The transmission unit 720 is realized by the control means 73 and the communication means 74. In this way, the information processing device 70 according to this modified example can generate a print job for producing a label Lf with a folding margin.

[0085] [Variation 3] The tape printer 1 may detect the type of tape T and control the formation of a slit based on the detection result. In this case, the tape printer 1 includes a tape type detection unit (not shown) that detects the type of tape T. The tape type detection unit detects the type of tape T, for example, by optically reading a code image (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the tape cartridge C mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 23. The code image is an image in which tape type information indicating the type of tape T is coded, and is, for example, a two-dimensional code or a barcode. The tape type detection unit may detect the type of tape T by acquiring tape type information from a circuit board having a memory element or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag (neither of which are shown) provided in the tape cartridge C. When a user issues a printing command, the tape printer 1 detects the type of tape T using the tape type detection unit. The tape printer 1 performs cut formation control according to the detected type of tape T. Specifically, the tape printer 1 adjusts the cutting depth of the half cutter HC according to the detected material, thickness, width, or a combination of one or more of these of the tape T. For example, the tape printer 1 may change the voltage value applied to the cutter motor 45b or change the period or duty ratio of the PWM signal according to the detected type of tape T. The tape printer 1 may detect the type of tape T using the tape type detection unit not when a printing command is issued by the user but when the fold margin mode key of the operation key group 21 is selected. In this case, the tape printer 1 stores the detected tape type information in the RAM 43c (see FIG. 7) or the like. The tape printer 1 reads out the stored tape type information when printing is executed, and performs cut line formation control according to the read tape type information. According to this configuration, the tape printer 1 can create a label Lf with a folding margin in which a cut is formed at an appropriate depth depending on the type of tape T.

[0086] [Variation 4] The tape printing device 1 may detect the type of the tape T and determine whether or not to perform the cut line formation control based on the detection result. In this case, the tape printing device 1 includes a tape type detection unit, as in the third modification. When a user instructs the tape printer 1 to print, the tape type detection unit detects the type of tape T. The tape printer 1 determines whether the detected tape T is a specified tape T, and executes printing if it is determined to be the specified tape T. The specified tape T is a tape T in which the print tape Ta is made of a specified material suitable for producing a label Lf with a fold margin. If the tape printer 1 determines that the detected tape T is not the specified tape T, it issues an error notification. For example, the tape printer 1 displays a message on the display 22 as an error notification, stating that the type of the detected tape T is not suitable for producing a label Lf with a fold margin. The tape printer 1 may detect the type of tape T using the tape type detection unit when the fold margin mode key of the operation key group 21 is selected, rather than when a printing command is issued by the user. When the fold margin mode key is selected, the tape printer 1 determines whether the detected tape T is a specified tape T, and if it is determined to be the specified tape T, displays the fold margin setting screen 50. Furthermore, if the tape printer 1 determines that the detected tape T is not the specified tape T, it issues an error alert. According to this configuration, the tape printer 1 can prevent malfunctions from occurring in the half cutter HC and the cutter motor 45b by forming a slit in the tape T that is not suitable for producing the label Lf with a folding margin.

[0087] [Variation 5] The tape printing apparatus 1 may be configured to include a cutter for forming a slit in addition to the half cutter HC. The cutter for forming a slit is a dedicated cutter for forming the slit 52 or a dedicated cutter for forming the perforation 53. Furthermore, the full cutter FC may be a push-cut type cutter, and the full cutter FC may be used to perform full cutting of the tape T, half cutting of the tape T, and forming notches in the printing tape Ta.

[0088] [Variation 6] The tape printer 1 may set a limit on the setting of the folding margin length Fo. For example, the tape printer 1 may set the maximum value of the numerical value that can be input in the folding margin length setting field 62 according to the set value of the margin length so that the folding margin length Fo is not set to a value that exceeds the first margin length M1. When the folding margin position is set to "front," the tape printer 1 may set the set front margin length as the maximum value of the numerical value that can be input in the folding margin length setting field 62, and when the folding margin position is set to "rear," the tape printer 1 may set the set rear margin length as the maximum value of the numerical value that can be input in the folding margin length setting field 62. As a further modified example, the tape printer 1 may automatically change the setting of the margin length when the folding margin length input in the folding margin length setting field 62 exceeds the setting value of the margin length. For example, when the folding margin position is set to "front" and the folding margin length Fo input in the folding margin length setting field 62 exceeds the setting value of the front margin length, the tape printer 1 may set the front margin length to the folding margin length Fo input in the folding margin length setting field 62. Also, when the folding margin position is set to "rear" and the folding margin length Fo input in the folding margin length setting field 62 exceeds the setting value of the rear margin length, the tape printer 1 may set the rear margin length to the folding margin length input in the folding margin length setting field 62. According to these configurations, the tape printing device 1 sets the fold length Fo to exceed the first margin length M1, thereby preventing part of the printed image G from being included in the area that the user holds with his / her fingers, thereby preventing the visibility of the printed image G from being impaired.

[0089] [Variation 7] When performing cut line formation control, the tape printer 1 may perform control to reduce the voltage value and current value applied to the cutter motor 45b, instead of PWM control, compared to half-cut control. Further, the cutter motor 45b may be a stepping motor other than a DC motor.

[0090] [Variation 8] The tape printer 1 displays two options on the folding margin setting screen 50, namely, a first option for creating a label Lf with a folding margin in which the slit 52 is formed in front of the printed image G, and a second option for creating a label Lf with a folding margin in which the slit 52 is formed in the rear of the printed image G, but other options may be displayed. For example, the tape printer 1 may display a third option on the folding margin setting screen 50 for creating a label Lf with a folding margin in which the slit 52 is formed in two places, the front and the rear of the printed image G.

[0091] [Variation 9] The tape printing device 1 may form the gap 52 between the end of the tape T in the +X direction and the printed image G, instead of forming the gap 52 between the end of the tape T in the -X direction and the printed image G. For example, when the first option is selected, the tape printing device 1 may form the gap 52 between the end of the tape T in the -X direction and the printed image G, and when the second option is selected, the tape printing device 1 may form the gap 52 between the end of the tape T in the +X direction and the printed image G. In this case, regardless of the selected option, the first margin length M1 becomes the set front margin length, and the second margin length M2 becomes the set rear margin length.

[0092] [Variation 10] The firmware or application A of the tape printer 1 may be provided to the customer as a program. Also, a storage medium on which the firmware or application A of the tape printer 1 is recorded may be provided to the customer. Also, the tape printer 1 may use other printing methods, such as an inkjet method, in addition to the thermal transfer method. Other suitable modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0093] [Note] The following additional information will be provided regarding a tape printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a method and program for controlling a tape printing apparatus. The tape printing device 1 includes a printing unit 120 that prints a print image G on the printing tape Ta of tape T, which comprises a printing tape Ta having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape Tb releasably attached to the adhesive surface, and a forming unit 130 that forms a cut in the printing tape Ta to indicate the position where the printing tape Ta is folded back.

[0094] The information processing device 70 is an information processing device capable of communicating with a tape printing device 1 that prints a print image G on a print tape Ta of a tape T comprising a print tape Ta having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape Tb releasably attached to the adhesive surface, and is equipped with a generation unit 710 that generates a print job and a transmission unit 720 that transmits the print job to the tape printing device 1, and the generation unit 710 generates a print job that instructs the tape printing device 1 to form a notch in the print tape Ta indicating the position where the print tape Ta will be folded back, and to print the print image G on the print tape Ta.

[0095] The control method of the tape printing device 1 executes the steps of: the tape printing device 1 printing a print image G on the printing tape Ta of the tape T, which comprises a printing tape Ta having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape Tb releasably attached to the adhesive surface; and forming a notch in the printing tape Ta indicating the position where the printing tape Ta is to be folded back.

[0096] The application A causes an information processing device 70 capable of communicating with a tape printing device 1 to execute the steps of generating a print job and transmitting the print job to the tape printing device 1, the information processing device 70 printing a print image G on a printing tape Ta of a tape T having a printing tape Ta with an adhesive surface and a release paper tape Tb removably attached to the adhesive surface. In the step of generating a print job, a print job is generated that instructs the tape printing device 1 to form a notch in the printing tape Ta indicating the position where the printing tape Ta will be folded back, and to print the printing image G on the printing tape Ta.

[0097] According to this configuration, the tape printer 1 can create a label L with a cut formed therein. As a result, after the label L created by the tape printer 1 is folded back at the position where the cut is formed and the adhesive surfaces are bonded together, the force attempting to return to an unfolded state is weaker than that of a label L without a cut formed therein, and the adhesive surfaces can maintain the bonded state for a long period of time.

[0098] In the above-mentioned tape printing device 1, it is preferable that the printing unit 120 performs the operation of feeding the tape T in the -X direction and printing the print image G on the print tape Ta, and the forming unit 130 forms a notch between the end of the tape T in the -X direction and the print image G.

[0099] According to this configuration, even if a non-printable area occurs in the -X direction of the tape T due to its structure, the tape printer 1 can effectively use the non-printable area as a folding margin.

[0100] The above-mentioned tape printing device 1 further includes an acceptance unit 110 that accepts a selection from a plurality of options including a first option of creating a label L with a notch formed in front of the print image G and a second option of creating a label L with a notch formed behind the print image G, and it is preferable that when the first option is selected, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with an orientation in which the -X direction is the front of the print image G, and when the second option is selected, the printing unit 120 prints the print image G with an orientation in which the -X direction is the rear of the print image G.

[0101] With this configuration, in either case where a label L is created with a notch formed in front of the printed image G, or where a label L is created with a notch formed behind the printed image G, a notch can be formed between the end of the tape T in the -X direction and the printed image G.

[0102] In the above-described tape printer 1, the forming section 130 preferably forms, as the incision, a linear cut 52 having a depth shallower than the thickness of the printing tape Ta in the printing tape Ta.

[0103] According to this configuration, the tape printing device 1 forms a linear slit 52 in the printing tape Ta that is shallower than the thickness of the printing tape Ta, so that after the label is folded back at the position where the slit 52 is formed and the adhesive surfaces are bonded together, it is possible to create a label L that can maintain the adhesive state between the adhesive surfaces for a long period of time.

[0104] In the above-mentioned tape printing device 1, it is preferable that the forming unit 130 includes a half cutter HC capable of cutting the printing tape Ta without cutting the release paper tape Tb, a cutter motor 45b that drives the half cutter HC, and a cutter motor driver 45a that uses the half cutter HC to form a slit 52 in the printing tape Ta by controlling the driving power supplied to the cutter motor 45b.

[0105] According to this configuration, the tape printer 1 can use the common half cutter HC to half-cut the tape T and to form the slit 52 in the print tape Ta. This simplifies the device configuration of the tape printer 1 compared to a configuration equipped with separate cutters.

[0106] In the above-described tape printer 1, the forming section 130 preferably forms perforations 53 in the printing tape Ta as the cuts.

[0107] According to this configuration, the tape printing device 1 forms perforations 53 in the printing tape Ta, and after the tape is folded back at the position where the perforations 53 are formed and the adhesive surfaces are bonded together, it is possible to create a label L that can maintain the adhesive state between the adhesive surfaces for a long period of time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1...tape printing device, 45a...cutter motor driver, 45b...cutter motor, 52...cut, 53...perforation, 70...information processing device, 110...reception unit, 120...printing unit, 130...forming unit, 710...generation unit, 720...transmission unit, A...application, G...printed image, FC...full cutter, HC...half cutter, L...label, Lf...label with fold margin, SY...printing system, T...tape, Ta...printing tape, Tb...release paper tape.

Claims

1. a printing unit that prints a print image on the printing tape, the printing tape including a printing tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape removably attached to the adhesive surface; a forming section for forming a notch in the print tape to indicate a position where the print tape is to be folded back.

2. The printing unit includes: feeding the tape in a first direction; and printing the print image on the print tape; The forming portion is 2. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notch is formed between an end of the tape in the first direction and the printed image.

3. a receiving unit that receives a selection from a plurality of options including a first option for creating a label in which a notch is formed in front of the print image and a second option for creating a label in which a notch is formed in the rear of the print image, 3. The tape printing device according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the print image with the first direction being the front of the print image when the first option is selected, and prints the print image with the first direction being the rear of the print image when the second option is selected.

4. The forming portion is 4. The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the incision is a linear cut that is shallower than a thickness of the print tape.

5. The forming portion is a half cutter capable of cutting the print tape without cutting the release paper tape; A cutter motor that drives the half cutter; 5. The tape printing device according to claim 4, further comprising a formation control unit that controls driving power supplied to the cutter motor to cause the half cutter to form the cut in the print tape.

6. The forming portion is 4. The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the cuts are formed by forming perforations in the print tape.

7. An information processing device capable of communicating with a tape printing device that prints a print image on a printing tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape removably attached to the adhesive surface, the information processing device comprising: A generation unit that generates a print job; a transmission unit that transmits the print job to the tape printing device, The generation unit is an information processing device that generates the print job to instruct the tape printing device to form a notch in the print tape indicating a position where the print tape is to be folded back, and to print the print image on the print tape;

8. The tape printing device A step of printing a print image on a print tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape releasably attached to the adhesive surface; forming a notch in the print tape indicating a position where the print tape is to be folded back.

9. A tape includes a print tape having an adhesive surface and a release paper tape releasably attached to the adhesive surface. The tape includes a tape printer that prints a print image on the print tape. An information processing device is provided that can communicate with the tape printer. generating a print job; transmitting the print job to the tape printing device, In the step of generating a print job, A program that generates the print job to instruct the tape printing device to form a notch in the print tape indicating a position where the print tape is folded back, and to print the print image on the print tape.

Images