Tape printing apparatus and control method for tape printing apparatus

Abstract

To prevent a tape piece cut into the short length from remaining on a feed path.SOLUTION: A tape printing apparatus comprises: a print head 26 that holds a tape T with a platen roller 17 and performs printing on the tape T fed in the -X direction; a full cutter 31 that cuts the tape T in the width direction; a discharge roller 33 that feeds the tape T toward a tape discharge port 24; a feed motor that drives the platen roller 17; and a discharge motor that drives the discharge roller 33. The discharge motor is driven so that the tape T is discharged by the discharge roller 33 in a period from when driving of the feed motor is stopped until the tape T is cut off by the full cutter 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus and a method for controlling a tape printing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a tape printing device has been known that includes a print head that clamps the tape between itself and a platen roller that feeds the tape in the forward feed direction and prints on the tape as it is fed in the forward feed direction, and a cutter that is located in the forward feed direction of the print head and cuts the tape in the width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-142753 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of tape printing device, when the tape approaches the end and the tape is cut by the cutter while the tape's end is located between the print head and the cutter, a piece of tape from the cut point to the end of the tape remains on the tape feed path. If a piece of tape remains on the tape feed path, it can cause the tape to jam, so a solution is needed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The tape printing device of the present invention comprises a print head that clamps the tape between itself and a platen roller that feeds the tape in a first feed direction and prints on the tape as it is fed in the first feed direction; a cutter that is located further in the first feed direction than the print head and cuts the tape widthwise; a discharge roller that is located further in the first feed direction than the cutter and feeds the tape in the first feed direction toward the tape discharge port; a feed motor that drives the platen roller; a cutter motor that drives the cutter; a discharge motor that drives the discharge roller; and a control unit that controls the feed motor, cutter motor, and discharge motor, and the control unit drives the discharge motor so that the tape is discharged by the discharge roller between the time when driving of the feed motor is stopped and the time when the tape is cut by the cutter.

[0006] The control method of the present invention for a tape printing device includes a print head that clamps the tape between itself and a platen roller that feeds the tape in a first feed direction and prints on the tape as it is fed in the first feed direction, a cutter that is located further in the first feed direction than the print head and cuts the tape widthwise, a discharge roller that is located further in the first feed direction than the cutter and feeds the tape in the first feed direction toward the tape discharge port, a feed motor that drives the platen roller, a cutter motor that drives the cutter, and a discharge motor that drives the discharge roller, and the control method controls the feed motor, cutter motor, and discharge motor, and drives the discharge motor so that the tape is discharged by the discharge roller between the time the tape printing device stops driving the feed motor and the time the tape is cut by the cutter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external view of the tape printing device and the tape cartridge. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of members in the X-axis direction from the print head to the tape exit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tape printing device. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing changes in the rotation speed of a cutter motor and changes in the blade angle of a full cutter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A tape printing device and a method for controlling a tape printing device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The tape printing device 1 prints on a long piece of tape T, which serves as a printing medium, while feeding the tape T, then cuts off the printed portion of the tape T and discharges the cut tape T outside the device. Note that in some of the drawings, directions based on an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system are used for explanation purposes only and do not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0009] 1 is an external view of a tape printer 1 and a tape cartridge C. The tape printer 1 comprises 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, and a cartridge mounting section 23 are provided.

[0010] The operation key group 21 accepts various operations by the user, such as editing the print image to be printed on the tape T. The display 22 displays various information, such as an editing screen for the print image. The tape printing device 1 generates print data based on the user's editing operations for the print image, and performs printing processing based on the generated print data.

[0011] 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.

[0012] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a print head 26 and a head cover 20. The print head 26 prints on the tape T. The head cover 20 partially covers the print head 26. In addition, a platen drive shaft 25, a payout shaft 28, and a take-up shaft 29 protrude from the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting section 23 in the +Z direction.

[0013] A tape ejection opening 24 connected to the cartridge mounting section 23 is formed on the side of the device case 3 in the -X direction, and a tape feed path 27 is configured between the cartridge mounting section 23 and the tape ejection opening 24. Inside the device case 3, a sensor 43, a full cutter 31, and an ejection roller 33 are provided, from the +X direction, facing the tape feed path 27 (see FIG. 2). The sensor 43 is an example of a "detection section." The full cutter 31 is an example of a "cutter."

[0014] The sensor 43 detects the presence or absence of the tape T. The full cutter 31 cuts the tape T in the Z direction. The discharge roller 33 sends the tape T cut by the full cutter 31 toward the tape discharge port 24.

[0015] The tape cartridge C includes a tape core 15, a platen roller 17, a supply core 18, a take-up core 19, and a cartridge case 11 that houses these.

[0016] The tape T is wound around the tape core 15. The tape T is composed of a printing tape Ta having an adhesive layer formed on its back surface and a release tape Tb adhered to the printing tape Ta by the adhesive layer. The tape T is housed in the cartridge case 11 as a tape roll 16 wound around the tape core 15 with the printing tape Ta on the outside and the release tape Tb on the inside. The ink ribbon R is wound around the payout core 18. The ink ribbon R paid out from the payout core 18 is taken up onto the take-up core 19. The cartridge case 11 is provided with a head insertion hole 12 penetrating in the Z direction. Furthermore, a tape outlet 13 extending in the Z direction is provided on the −X direction surface of the cartridge case 11. The tape T paid out from the tape roll 16 is fed out of the cartridge case 11 from the tape outlet 13.

[0017] When the tape cartridge C is installed in the cartridge installation section 23, the print head 26 and head cover 20 are inserted into the head insertion hole 12. In addition, the platen drive shaft 25, the supply shaft 28, and the take-up shaft 29 engage with the platen roller 17, the supply core 18, and the take-up core 19, respectively. Next, when the installation section cover 5 is closed, the print head 26 is moved toward the platen roller 17 by the 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.

[0018] In this state, when the feed motor 45a (see FIG. 3) rotates, the platen roller 17 rotates via the platen drive shaft 25, and the take-up core 19 rotates via the take-up shaft 29. As a result, the tape T is fed out of the cartridge case 11 from the tape feed opening 13, and the ink ribbon R is taken up onto the take-up core 19. Furthermore, when the feed motor 45a rotates, the discharge drive roller 33a (see FIG. 2) also rotates in the same direction as the platen roller 17. As a result, the tape T is fed in the -X direction toward the tape discharge opening 24. The -X direction is an example of a "first feed direction."

[0019] The print head 26 generates heat in accordance with the print data when the tape T is being fed in the -X direction, causing the ink on the ink ribbon R to be transferred to the tape T, and a print image based on the print data is printed on the tape T.

[0020] When printing is completed, the full cutter 31 cuts the rear end of the printed portion of the tape T. The full cutter 31 cuts the print tape Ta and release tape Tb of the tape T together. The full cutter 31 according to this embodiment is a scissors-type cutter equipped with a fixed blade, which is a fixed member, and a movable blade, which is a movable member rotatably supported on the fixed blade via a support shaft (not shown). When the cutter motor 46a (see FIG. 3) rotates in a first rotation direction, the movable blade of the full cutter 31 rotates in a direction approaching the fixed blade. That is, when the cutter motor 46a rotates in the first rotation direction, the blade angle between the fixed blade and the movable blade decreases. When the cutter motor 46a rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the movable blade rotates in a direction away from the fixed blade. That is, when the cutter motor 46a rotates in the second rotation direction, the blade angle between the fixed blade and the movable blade increases. Note that the blade angle here does not refer to the cross-sectional angle of the blade provided on the full cutter 31, but rather to the angle formed by the blade receiving surface of the fixed blade and the blade line of the movable blade that constitute the full cutter 31 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the full cutter 31.

[0021] After being cut by the full cutter 31, the tape T is fed in the -X direction by the discharge roller 33 toward the tape discharge opening 24. When the discharge motor 45b (see FIG. 3) rotates, the discharge drive roller 33a rotates. This causes the tape T to be fed in the -X direction and discharged from the tape discharge opening 24. In this way, a label (not shown) is produced on which desired characters and the like are printed on a strip of tape T.

[0022] It should be noted that even when the discharge motor 45b rotates, the platen roller 17 does not rotate. That is, after the tape printing apparatus 1 has completed cutting the tape T, it drives the discharge motor 45b to rotate the discharge drive roller 33a without rotating the platen roller 17. During printing, the tape printing apparatus 1 also drives the feed motor 45a to rotate the platen roller 17 and the discharge drive roller 33a.

[0023] The tape printer 1 according to this embodiment rotates the discharge motor 45b not only during printing or after the tape T cutting operation is completed, but also after printing of the tape T is completed, during the period from when the cutter motor 46a starts to be driven until the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T. Details will be described later.

[0024] The arrangement of components in the X-axis direction from the print head 26 to the tape exit port 24 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the arrangement of each component when the tape cartridge C is installed in the cartridge mounting section 23. Therefore, the platen roller 17 housed in the cartridge case 11 of the tape cartridge C is positioned opposite the print head 26 with the tape T sandwiched between them. In addition, the tape exit port 13 of the cartridge case 11 is located in the -X direction from the printing position of the print head 26.

[0025] The full cutter 31 is provided in the −X direction from the platen roller 17. The position of the platen roller 17 in the X-axis direction corresponds to the printing position of the print head 26.

[0026] The discharge rollers 33 are provided in the -X direction from the full cutter 31 and in the +X direction from the tape discharge opening 24. The discharge rollers 33 consist of a discharge drive roller 33a and a discharge driven roller 33b. The discharge rollers 33 clamp the tape T between the discharge drive roller 33a and the discharge driven roller 33b and feed the tape T in the -X direction toward the tape discharge opening 24.

[0027] The sensor 43 is provided between the platen roller 17 and the full cutter 31. In other words, the detection position of the sensor 43 is located in the -X direction from the printing position of the print head 26, and in the +X direction from the cutting position of the full cutter 31. The sensor 43 is a transmissive optical sensor, and is made up of a light-emitting element 43a and a light-receiving element 43b that are arranged opposite each other with the tape T in between.

[0028] 3, the hardware configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described. The tape printer 1 includes an operation key group 21, a sensor 43, a control unit 44, a printing unit 45, and a cutting unit 46.

[0029] The operation key group 21 includes letter keys, numeric keys, and a print key. The print key is used by the user to instruct the start of printing. When the user operates the print key, the control unit 44 obtains a print start command and starts the printing process.

[0030] The sensor 43 detects whether or not there is tape T. When the sensor 43 is in a light receiving state, it detects "no tape present," and when the sensor 43 is in a light blocking state, it detects "tape present." The sensor 43 is used to detect when the leading edge of the tape T has passed the detection position, and to detect the tape end. The tape end refers to when the trailing edge of the tape T has passed the detection position of the sensor 43.

[0031] The control unit 44 controls each unit in the tape printing device 1, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 44a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 44b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 44c.

[0032] The CPU 44a performs various controls by loading a control program, such as firmware stored in the ROM 44b, into the RAM 44c and executing it. Note that the control unit 44 may use a hardware circuit, such as an ASIC, as a processor instead of the CPU 44a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit, such as an ASIC, operate in cooperation with each other.

[0033] The printing unit 45 includes a print head 26, a platen drive shaft 25, a discharge drive roller 33a, a feed motor 45a, and a discharge motor 45b.

[0034] The print head 26 includes a group of heating elements (not shown) and performs printing by thermally transferring ink from the ink ribbon R to the tape T. The group of heating elements is a group of multiple heating elements arranged along the Z direction.

[0035] The platen drive shaft 25 engages with the platen roller 17 and rotates the platen roller 17. The discharge drive roller 33a sandwiches the tape T between itself and the discharge driven roller 33b, and feeds the tape T toward the tape discharge opening 24.

[0036] As described above, the feed motor 45a is the drive source for the platen drive shaft 25 and the discharge drive roller 33a. Also, the discharge motor 45b is the drive source for the discharge drive roller 33a. In this embodiment, the feed motor 45a is a stepping motor. Also, the discharge motor 45b is a DC (Direct Current) motor.

[0037] The feed motor 45a rotates from the start of feeding the tape T in the -X direction to the end of feeding, and the discharge motor 45b rotates after feeding of the tape T in the -X direction has finished. Note that, when creating a label with a margin area in the +X direction of the tape T, i.e., on the rear end side, the end of feeding of the tape T in the -X direction refers to the time when feeding of the tape T in the -X direction by the amount of the margin area has finished after driving of the print head 26 has finished. Also, the printing process refers to a series of processes from the end of feeding of the tape T in the -X direction, to cutting the tape T and discharging the cut tape T (see FIG. 4).

[0038] The cutting unit 46 includes a cutter motor 46a and a full cutter 31. The cutter motor 46a is a drive source that drives the full cutter 31. In the present embodiment, the cutter motor 46a is a DC motor. When the cutter motor 46a rotates, the full cutter 31 operates and cuts the tape T in the Z direction.

[0039] Here, we will explain the function of the control unit 44. The control unit 44 drives the discharge motor 45b so that the tape T is discharged by the discharge roller 33 during the period from when the drive of the feed motor 45a is stopped until the tape T is cut off by the full cutter 31.

[0040] As a result, if the tape printer 1 approaches the tape end and stops driving the feed motor 45a, and the end of the tape T is located between the print head 26 and the full cutter 31, it can eject the tape T before it is cut off by the full cutter 31. As a result, the tape printer 1 will not cut off the tape T by the full cutter 31 when the end of the tape T is located between the print head 26 and the full cutter 31, and can therefore prevent pieces of tape from remaining on the tape feed path 27.

[0041] In this embodiment, the control unit 44 drives the discharge motor 45b from the time when the cutter motor 46a starts to be driven until the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T. Here, "driving the cutter motor 46a" refers to the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction. In this way, the tape printing device 1 drives the discharge motor 45b while the cutter motor 46a is being driven, so the time during which the full cutter 31 is operating can be used to discharge the tape T. Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 stops driving the discharge motor 45b before the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T, so it is possible to prevent the tape T from being discharged by driving the discharge motor 45b while being cut, thereby preventing the cut surface of the tape T from being distorted.

[0042] Note that "a cut is made in the tape T" means that the blade of the full cutter 31 comes into contact with the tape T and a cut is formed in the tape T. Also, "the tape T is cut apart" means that the blade of the full cutter 31 is closed and the tape T is cut into two pieces.

[0043] Furthermore, when the sensor 43 detects "no tape" after starting to drive the discharge motor 45b, the control unit 44 causes the display 22 to display a message indicating that the tape is at end. The display 22 is an example of an "alert unit." Displaying a message indicating that the tape is at end is also an example of "causing the alert unit to notify the tape end." This allows the user to know that the tape is at end. In this embodiment, after cutting by the full cutter 31 is completed, the control unit 44 determines the detection result of the sensor 43, and if it determines that the detection result of the sensor 43 is "no tape," causes the display 22 to display a message indicating that the tape is at end.

[0044] Furthermore, when the sensor 43 detects that "tape is present" after the tape T has been cut off, the control unit 44 drives the discharge motor 45b. This enables the tape printing device 1 to prevent the tape T from remaining near the tape discharge port 24. In this embodiment, after cutting by the full cutter 31 is completed, the control unit 44 determines the detection result of the sensor 43, and when it determines that the detection result of the sensor 43 is "tape is present," drives the discharge motor 45b.

[0045] The flow of the printing process of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 4. The printing process of the tape printer 1 is an example of a "method for controlling a tape printer." This printing process is started when the tape printer 1 receives a print start command. As described above, when the tape printer 1 receives the print start command, it generates print data based on the results of editing the print image by the user. The printing process described below is executed based on this print data.

[0046] In step S01, the tape printing apparatus 1 starts driving the print head 26 and the feed motor 45a. That is, in step S01, the tape printing apparatus 1 starts printing.

[0047] In step S02, the tape printing apparatus 1 stops driving the print head 26 and the feed motor 45a. That is, in step S02, the tape printing apparatus 1 ends printing.

[0048] In step S03, the tape printing device 1 starts driving the discharge motor 45b and rotating the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction. After step S03, the full cutter 31 closes due to the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction.

[0049] In step S04, the tape printing device 1 stops driving the discharge motor 45b. More specifically, the tape printing device 1 stops driving the discharge motor 45b when the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction has finished decelerating. Note that if the end of the tape T is located between the print head 26 and the full cutter 31 at the time of step S02, the tape T will be discharged between steps S03 and S04.

[0050] In step S05, the tape printing device 1 stops the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction. If the tape T has not been discharged by step S04, the tape T is cut after the driving of the discharge motor 45b is stopped in step S04 and before the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction is stopped in step S05. In other words, if the tape T has not been discharged by step S04, the tape T is cut from the time a slit is made in the tape T until the tape T is separated between steps S04 and S05.

[0051] In step S06, the tape printing apparatus 1 keeps the cutter motor 46a stopped for a certain period of time, at which point the rotation direction of the cutter motor 46a is switched.

[0052] In step S07, the tape printing apparatus 1 starts rotating the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction. After step S07, the full cutter 31 opens due to the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction.

[0053] In step S08, the tape printing apparatus 1 stops the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction.

[0054] In step S09, the tape printing device 1 determines the detection result of the sensor 43. If the control unit 44 determines that the detection result of the sensor 43 is "tape present," the process proceeds to step S10. If the tape printing device 1 determines that the detection result of the sensor 43 is "tape absent," the process proceeds to step S11.

[0055] In step S10, the tape printing device 1 drives the discharge motor 45b by a first drive amount. The first drive amount is stored in the ROM 44b as part of the control data. The first drive amount refers to the amount of rotation of the discharge motor 45b. The first drive amount is a drive amount that ensures that the tape T cut by the full cutter 31 can be reliably discharged from the tape discharge opening 24. This causes the tape T cut by the full cutter 31 to be sent toward the tape discharge opening 24. After step S10, the tape printing device 1 ends the printing process.

[0056] In step S11, the tape printer 1 notifies the user that the tape has reached the end. More specifically, the tape printer 1 displays a message indicating that the tape has reached the end on the display 22. After step S11, the tape printer 1 ends the printing process.

[0057] The drive control of the cutter motor 46a will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a graph showing changes in the rotational speed of the cutter motor 46a and changes in the blade angle of the full cutter 31. In FIG. 5, a first thick line W1 indicates changes in the rotational speed of the cutter motor 46a, and a second thick line W2 indicates changes in the blade angle of the full cutter 31. In addition, in the graph of the rotational speed of the cutter motor 46a, the area above the horizontal axis indicates the rotational speed when the cutter motor 46a rotates in the first rotation direction, and the area below the horizontal axis indicates the rotational speed when the cutter motor 46a rotates in the second rotation direction. In addition, the graph of the blade angle of the full cutter 31 indicates that the blade angle decreases as it moves upward. Note that FIG. 5 shows changes in the rotational speed of the cutter motor 46a and the blade angle of the full cutter 31 from when the cutter motor 46a starts rotating in the first rotation direction (see step S03 in FIG. 4) to when it stops rotating in the second rotation direction (see step S08 in FIG. 4).

[0058] As shown by the first thick line W1, the tape printing device 1 increases the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction from time t0 to time t1, and maintains the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction from time t1 to time t2. The tape printing device 1 also decreases the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction from time t2 to time t3, and maintains the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction from time t3 to time t4. At time t4, the tape printing device 1 stops the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction (see step S05 in FIG. 4).

[0059] The first period SC1, which is the period from time t0 to time t3, refers to the period during which the discharge motor 45b is driven. That is, at time t0, the discharge motor 45b starts to be driven (see step S03 in FIG. 4), and at time t3, the discharge motor 45b stops to be driven (see step S04 in FIG. 4). The second period SC2, which is the period from time t3 to time t4, refers to the period during which the tape T is cut. That is, at time t4, the tape T is cut off.

[0060] The tape printing apparatus 1 keeps the cutter motor 46a stopped from rotating from time t4 to time t5 (see step S06 in FIG. 4). At time t5, the tape printing apparatus 1 starts rotating the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction (see step S07 in FIG. 4), and increases the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction from time t5 to time t6. The tape printing apparatus 1 maintains the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction from time t6 to time t7, and decreases the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction from time t7 to time t8. At time t8, the tape printing apparatus 1 stops the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the second rotation direction (see step S08 in FIG. 4).

[0061] As shown by the second thick line W2, the tape printing device 1 reduces the blade angle of the full cutter 31 between time t0 and time t4. Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 maintains the blade angle of the full cutter 31 between time t4 and time t5. Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 increases the blade angle of the full cutter 31 between time t5 and time t8.

[0062] The first period SC1 and the second period SC2 will be described below in terms of the position of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade of the full cutter 31. The position of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at time t0 is the first cutter position, the position of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at time t3 is the second cutter position, and the position of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at time t4 is the third cutter position. The tape printing device 1 drives the discharge motor 45b while the full cutter 31 moves from the first cutter position to the second cutter position. Also, the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T while it moves from the second cutter position to the third cutter position. In other words, the second cutter position is the cutter position where the full cutter 31 makes a slit in the tape T. Also, the third cutter position is the cutter position where the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T.

[0063] As described above, the tape printer 1 according to this embodiment drives the discharge motor 45b from the time when the cutter motor 46a starts to be driven until the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T. Therefore, if the end of the tape T is located between the print head 26 and the full cutter 31 when the tape approaches the end and the drive of the feed motor 45a stops, the tape printer 1 can discharge the tape T before it is cut off by the full cutter 31. This prevents the tape printer 1 from cutting off the tape T with the full cutter 31 when the end of the tape T is located between the print head 26 and the full cutter 31, and can prevent tape pieces from remaining on the tape feed path 27.

[0064] Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 starts driving the discharge motor 45b at the same time as starting to drive the cutter motor 46a, which makes it easy to control and allows the tape T to be discharged using the time when the full cutter 31 is operating.

[0065] In addition, the tape printing device 1 stops driving the discharge motor 45b before the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T, so that the tape T that is in the middle of being cut by the full cutter 31 is discharged by driving the discharge motor 45b, which prevents the cut surface of the tape T from becoming distorted.

[0066] Furthermore, after the drive of the cutter motor 46a is stopped, if the sensor 43 detects that there is no tape, the tape printer 1 notifies the user of the tape end, so that the user can be notified of the tape end.

[0067] In addition, after the tape printing device 1 stops driving the cutter motor 46a, when the sensor 43 detects that "tape is present," it drives the discharge motor 45b, thereby preventing the tape T from remaining near the tape discharge outlet 24.

[0068] Regardless of the above embodiment, the following modifications can be adopted. [Variation 1] The tape printing apparatus 1 does not necessarily have to start driving the discharge motor 45b and rotating the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction at the same time. For example, the tape printing apparatus 1 may start driving the discharge motor 45b before or after rotating the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction.

[0069] [Variation 2] Furthermore, the tape printing device 1 may start rotating the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction after stopping the driving of the discharge motor 45b. In this case, the tape printing device 1 may drive the discharge motor 45b after stopping the driving of the print head 26 and the driving of the feed motor 45a, and may start rotating the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction after stopping the driving of the discharge motor 45b.

[0070] [Variation 3] The tape printing device 1 may stop driving the discharge motor 45b when the rotation speed of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction is constant after the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction has accelerated, or while the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction is decelerating, rather than stopping driving the discharge motor 45b when the deceleration of the rotation of the cutter motor 46a in the first rotation direction has finished. That is, in the example of Fig. 5, the tape printing device 1 may stop driving the discharge motor 45b between time t1 and time t2, or between time t2 and time t3.

[0071] [Variation 4] The tape printing device 1 may determine the detection result of the sensor 43 between the time when the discharge motor 45b starts to be driven and the time when the cutter motor 46a stops rotating in the second rotation direction, rather than determining the detection result of the sensor 43 after the cutter motor 46a stops rotating in the second rotation direction. That is, in the example of Fig. 5, the tape printing device 1 may determine the detection result of the sensor 43 between time t0 and time t8. If the tape printing device 1 determines that the detection result of the sensor 43 is "no tape" during that time, it may notify the tape end without waiting for the cutter motor 46a to stop rotating in the second rotation direction.

[0072] [Variation 5] The tape printing device 1 may determine the detection result of the sensor 43 between the time the tape T is cut off and the time the cutter motor 46a stops rotating in the second rotation direction. That is, in the example of Fig. 5, the tape printing device 1 may determine the detection result of the sensor 43 between time t4 and time t8 to cut off the tape T in the second period SC2. If the tape printing device 1 determines that the detection result of the sensor 43 is "tape present" during that time, it may drive the discharge motor 45b without waiting for the cutter motor 46a to stop rotating in the second rotation direction.

[0073] [Variation 6] The tape printing device 1 may be provided with a common motor, which is a common drive motor, instead of providing separate feed motors 45a and discharge motors 45b. In this case, the common motor functions as a "feed motor" and an "discharge motor." For example, the common motor may be rotatable in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. In this case, the tape printing device 1 may be configured such that the platen roller 17 and the discharge drive roller 33a are rotated by rotating the common motor in the first rotation direction, and the discharge drive roller 33a is rotated without rotating the platen roller 17 by rotating the common motor in the second rotation direction.

[0074] [Variation 7] The tape printer 1 may control the discharge motor 45b according to the above embodiment even in cases where the tape T is cut after being fed in the -X direction without driving the print head 26. For example, if the tape printer 1 has a function for producing a predetermined length of unprinted tape T, it is conceivable that the tape T is fed in the -X direction and cut when a user instructs the tape printer 1 to execute that function. In this way, the tape printer 1 can control the discharge motor 45b according to the above embodiment even when it does not receive a print start command. The tape printing device 1 may also be a pick-and-print type printing device in which the start of the next printing process is triggered by the user pulling out the cut tape T.

[0075] [Variation 8] The tape printing device 1 may notify the end of the tape using an audio output unit. In this case, the audio output unit is an example of a "notification unit." The tape printing device 1 may also notify the end of the tape using a light-emitting unit such as an LED. In this case, the light-emitting unit is an example of a "notification unit."

[0076] [Variation 9] The discharge motor 45b and the cutter motor 46a may use other drive motors such as a stepping motor instead of a DC motor. Also, the feed motor 45a may use other drive motors such as a DC motor instead of a stepping motor.

[0077] [Variation 10] The full cutter 31 may have a movable blade that slides relative to the fixed blade rather than rotating relative to the fixed blade. In this case, the full cutter 31 changes the distance between the movable blade and the fixed blade, rather than changing the blade angle under the control of the cutter motor 46a.

[0078] [Variation 11] The sensor 43 may be provided between the full cutter 31 and the tape exit port 24 instead of between the print head 26 and the full cutter 31 . Furthermore, the sensor 43 may be a reflective optical sensor instead of a transmissive optical sensor. Furthermore, the presence or absence of tape T may be detected by a mechanical switch instead of the sensor 43. The mechanical switch is an example of a "detection unit." In this case, the mechanical switch outputs a signal indicating "tape present" when the tip of the mechanical switch is in contact with tape T, and outputs a signal indicating "tape absent" when the tip of the mechanical switch is not in contact with tape T. Alternatively, the presence or absence of tape T may be detected by a clamp sensor that detects whether tape T is clamped between discharge drive roller 33a and discharge driven roller 33b. The clamp sensor is an example of a "detection unit." In this case, the clamp sensor outputs a signal indicating "tape present" when tape T is clamped between discharge drive roller 33a and discharge driven roller 33b, and outputs a signal indicating "tape absent" when tape T is not clamped between discharge drive roller 33a and discharge driven roller 33b.

[0079] [Variation 12] The tape printing device 1 does not have to be configured to be able to mount the tape cartridge C. For example, the tape printing device 1 may be one that includes a platen roller, or one that prints on a tape T that is supplied from outside the tape printing device 1.

[0080] [Variation 13] The firmware of the tape printer 1 may be provided to the customer as a program. Alternatively, a storage medium on which the firmware of the tape printer 1 is recorded may be provided to the customer. Other modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0081] [Note] The tape printing device and the method for controlling the tape printing device will be described below. The tape printing device 1 includes a print head 26 that clamps the tape T between itself and a platen roller 17 that feeds the tape T in the -X direction and prints on the tape T as it is fed in the -X direction; a full cutter 31 that is located in the -X direction from the print head 26 and cuts the tape T in the width direction; a discharge roller 33 that is located in the -X direction from the full cutter 31 and feeds the tape T in the -X direction toward the tape discharge port 24; a feed motor 45a that drives the platen roller 17; a cutter motor 46a that drives the full cutter 31; a discharge motor 45b that drives the discharge roller 33; and a control unit 44 that controls the feed motor 45a, the cutter motor 46a, and the discharge motor 45b. The control unit 44 drives the discharge motor 45b so that the tape T is discharged by the discharge roller 33 between the time when the drive of the feed motor 45a is stopped and the time when the tape T is cut off by the full cutter 31.

[0082] The control method for the tape printing device 1 includes a print head 26 that clamps the tape T between itself and a platen roller 17 that feeds the tape T in the -X direction and prints on the tape T as it is fed in the -X direction, a full cutter 31 that is located in the -X direction from the print head 26 and cuts the tape T in the width direction, a discharge roller 33 that is located in the -X direction from the full cutter 31 and feeds the tape T in the -X direction toward the tape discharge port 24, a feed motor 45a that drives the platen roller 17, a cutter motor 46a that drives the full cutter 31, and a discharge motor 45b that drives the discharge roller 33, and controls the feed motor 45a, the cutter motor 46a, and the discharge motor 45b, and the tape printing device 1 drives the discharge motor 45b so that the tape T is discharged by the discharge roller 33 between the time the tape printing device 1 stops driving the feed motor 45a and the time the tape T is cut by the full cutter 31.

[0083] According to this configuration, the tape printer 1 drives the discharge motor 45b after stopping the driving of the feed motor 45a and before the tape T is cut off. Therefore, if the end of the tape T is located between the print head 26 and the full cutter 31 when the tape approaches the end and the driving of the feed motor 45a is stopped, the tape printer 1 can discharge the tape T before the tape T is cut off by the full cutter 31. This allows the tape printer 1 to prevent pieces of tape from remaining on the feed path.

[0084] In the above-described tape printing device 1, it is preferable that the control unit 44 drives the discharge motor 45b from when the cutter motor 46a starts to be driven until the tape T is cut off.

[0085] According to this configuration, the tape printing device 1 can use the time during which the full cutter 31 is operated to eject the tape T.

[0086] In the tape printing device 1 described above, it is preferable that the control unit 44 stops driving the discharge motor 45b before the full cutter 31 cuts the tape T.

[0087] According to this configuration, the tape printing device 1 can prevent the cut surface of the tape T from becoming distorted when the tape T is discharged by driving the discharge motor 45b while being cut by the full cutter 31.

[0088] The above-mentioned tape printing device 1 preferably further comprises a sensor 43 provided between the print head 26 and the tape discharge outlet 24 to detect the presence or absence of tape T, and after starting to drive the discharge motor 45b, the control unit 44 preferably causes the alarm unit to notify the tape end when the sensor 43 detects that there is no tape.

[0089] With this configuration, the tape printing device 1 can notify the user of the end of the tape.

[0090] The above-mentioned tape printing device 1 preferably further includes a sensor 43 disposed between the print head 26 and the tape outlet 24 to detect the presence or absence of tape T, and the control unit 44 preferably drives the outlet motor 45b when the sensor 43 detects the presence of tape after the tape T has been cut off.

[0091] According to this configuration, the tape printing device 1 drives the discharge motor 45b after the tape T is cut off, so that it is possible to prevent the tape T from remaining near the tape discharge port 24. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1...tape printing device, 17...platen roller, 22...display, 24...tape discharge port, 26...print head, 31...full cutter, 33...discharge roller, 43...sensor, 44...control unit, 45a...feed motor, 45b...discharge motor, 46a...cutter motor, T...tape.

Claims

1. a print head that sandwiches the tape between itself and a platen roller that feeds the tape in a first feed direction and prints on the tape being fed in the first feed direction; a cutter that is provided in the first feed direction relative to the print head and cuts the tape in a width direction; an ejection roller that is disposed in the first feed direction relative to the cutter and that feeds the tape in the first feed direction toward a tape ejection port; a feed motor that drives the platen roller; a cutter motor that drives the cutter; a discharge motor that drives the discharge roller; a control unit that controls the feed motor, the cutter motor, and the discharge motor, The control unit A tape printing device characterized in that the discharge motor is driven so that the tape is discharged by the discharge roller between the time when the drive of the feed motor is stopped and the time when the tape is cut by the cutter.

2. 2. The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the discharge motor during a period from when the cutter motor starts to be driven until the tape is cut off.

3. 2. The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops driving the discharge motor before the cutter cuts the tape.

4. a detection unit provided between the print head and the tape outlet for detecting the presence or absence of the tape; 2. The tape printing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the tape end when the detection unit detects that the tape is out after starting to drive the discharge motor.

5. a detection unit provided between the print head and the tape outlet for detecting the presence or absence of the tape; 4. The tape printing device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit drives the discharge motor when the detection unit detects the presence of the tape after the tape has been cut off.

6. a print head that sandwiches the tape between itself and a platen roller that feeds the tape in a first feed direction and prints on the tape being fed in the first feed direction; a cutter that is provided in the first feed direction relative to the print head and cuts the tape in a width direction; an ejection roller that is disposed in the first feed direction relative to the cutter and that feeds the tape in the first feed direction toward a tape ejection port; a feed motor that drives the platen roller; a cutter motor that drives the cutter; a discharge motor that drives the discharge roller, and a control method for controlling the feed motor, the cutter motor, and the discharge motor, the method comprising: The tape printing device A control method for a tape printing device, characterized in that the discharge motor is driven so that the tape is discharged by the discharge roller between the time when the drive of the feed motor is stopped and the time when the tape is cut by the cutter.

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