Printing medium

Abstract

To provide a printing medium that is configured so that a mark formed on the printing medium can be stably detected by a reflection-type sensor of a printing device.SOLUTION: Sub labels 170 are attached between main labels 160 arranged with a label interval L in a longitudinal direction, on an attachment surface 110 of a mount 100. Marks 140 corresponding to the main labels 160 are formed on a mount surface 120 of the mount 100. First regions 181 and second regions 182 set adjacent to the marks 140 respectively overlap with the main labels 160 and the sub labels 170 in a thickness direction thereof, which are thicker than third regions 183 having margin portions removed therefrom. Therefore, a reflectance ratio T1 of light of a specific wavelength in the first region 181 and in the second region 182 is higher than a reflectance ratio T0 in the third region 183, and a difference between the reflectance ratio T1 and a reflectance ratio T2 of the mark 140 is large, which enables the mark 140 to be stably detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a web-shaped print medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that irradiates a strip of recording paper bearing a black mark with detection light from a reflective photosensor and detects the presence or absence of the black mark based on the reflected light. The reflective photosensor detects the presence or absence of the black mark based on the difference between the reflectance of the detection light at the black mark and the reflectance of the detection light at the portion without the black mark. The printer sets the print area and target cutting position based on the detection result of the black mark, and then prints on and cuts the recording paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-23386 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the thickness and color of the recording paper, the recording paper may be more susceptible to transmitting the detection light of the reflective photosensor. In this case, the difference in reflectance of the detection light from the black mark and the area without the black mark may not be stable, which may result in false detection of the black mark.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing medium that allows marks formed on the printing medium to be stably detected by a reflective sensor of a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label storage device comprising a sheet-like mount extending in a longitudinal direction and a label attached to the mount, wherein a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction is defined as a short-side direction, and a direction perpendicular to each of the longitudinal direction and the short-side direction is defined as a thickness direction, the longitudinal direction includes a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the mount has surfaces extending in both the longitudinal direction and the short-side direction, and includes an attachment surface to which the label is attached and a surface opposite to the attachment surface in the thickness direction, the attachment surface being formed in a predetermined first color, and the mount surface being formed in a second color different from the first color. and a mark that can be detected by a reflective sensor of a printing device, wherein the backing surface includes a first region that is adjacent to the mark in the first direction and is an area that is equal to or smaller than the longitudinal length of the mark, a second region that is adjacent to the mark in the second direction and is an area that is equal to or smaller than the longitudinal length of the mark, and a third region that does not overlap with the first region, the second region, and the area to which the label is affixed in the thickness direction, and wherein the thickness length of the first region and the second region is longer than the thickness length of the third region.

[0007] There is a correlation between light transmittance and reflectance, with the lower the transmittance, the higher the reflectance. In other words, the thicker the film, the lower the transmittance, and therefore the higher the reflectance. The first and second regions are longer in the thickness direction than the third region, i.e., they are thicker. Therefore, the difference between the light reflectance of the mark and the light reflectance of the first and second regions is greater than the difference between the light reflectance of the mark and the light reflectance of the third region. Because the first and second regions are adjacent to the mark, when a printing device detects a mark on the printing medium using a reflective sensor, the printing medium allows the mark to be stably detected based on the difference in the reflectance of the detected light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label printer 1. [Figure 2]2 is a cross-sectional view of the label printer 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet 10A as viewed from an attachment surface 110, a backing surface 120, and a side surface. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet 10B as viewed from an attachment surface 110, a backing surface 120, and a side surface. [Figure 5] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet 10C as viewed from an attachment surface 110, a backing surface 120, and a side surface. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet 10D as viewed from an attachment surface 110, a backing surface 120, and a side surface. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of sheets 10E and 10F. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following description will discuss specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that the present invention can employ, and the configurations of the devices described are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0010] The schematic configuration of a label printer 1, which is an example of a printing device that prints on a print medium according to the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the following description, the upper right, lower left, lower right, upper left, upper, and lower sides of Figure 1 will be referred to as the rear, front, right, left, upper, and lower sides of the label printer 1, respectively.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, label printer 1 is a device that prints various characters (letters, numbers, symbols, figures, etc.) on a strip-shaped label sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as "sheet") 10. Label printer 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a curved top surface of cover 5. Label printer 1 comprises housing 2, which is the main body of label printer 1, and cover 5, which is rotatably supported on the rear of housing 2 and covers part of the top surface of housing 2.

[0012] An operation unit 7 including various input buttons such as a FEED key and a power key is provided on the top surface at the front end of the housing 2. A plate-shaped tray 6 made of transparent resin is provided behind the operation unit 7. When the cover 5 is closed, a discharge opening 21 (see FIG. 2) that is long in the left-right direction is formed behind the tray 6 by the front end 51 of the cover 5 and the housing 2. The tray 6 receives printed sheets 10 that are discharged from the discharge opening 21.

[0013] A storage section 4 is provided at the rear of the housing 2. The storage section 4 has a shape that is concave downward in an arc shape when viewed from the side (see FIG. 2). A holder 3 that holds a sheet 10 wound in a roll on a spool 35 (see FIG. 2) is detachably stored in the storage section 4. The sheet 10 is, for example, a print medium in which self-coloring heat-sensitive labels 150 are attached to one side of a strip-shaped backing 100 via an adhesive. The sheet 10 of this embodiment is a label sheet in which plate-shaped cuts of a predetermined size are made at equal intervals in a heat-sensitive sheet attached to the backing 100, and the margins are removed, so that multiple labels 150 (see FIG. 3) are arranged side by side on the attachment surface 110.

[0014] The holder 3 can be attached to the storage section 4 with the cover 5 open (see FIG. 1). The holder 3 is held in the storage section 4 with the axis of the spool 35 oriented in the left-right direction of the label printer 1, sandwiched between a pair of supports 41 provided in the storage section 4. The label printer 1 can handle sheets 10 of various widths by changing the length of the spool 35 to match the width of the sheet 10. Marks 140 are printed on a backing surface 120 on the outer side of the wound sheet 10, on the opposite side in the thickness direction from the application surface 110, at intervals corresponding to the placement intervals of the labels 150. The marks 140 are read by a reflective sensor 95 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later. Details of the marks 140 will be described later.

[0015] In the housing 2, a lever 11 is provided on the front left of the storage section 4. A roller holder 25 that is long in the left-right direction is provided to the right of the lever 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the roller holder 25 holds a platen roller 26, a connection roller 27, and a transport roller 28 so that they can rotate about their axial direction in the left-right direction. A plate-shaped thermal head 31 is disposed below the roller holder 25, facing the platen roller 26 and the transport roller 28. The roller holder 25 moves up and down around a fulcrum at its rear end in conjunction with the vertical rotation of the lever 11.

[0016] The lever 11 is always biased upward by a coil spring (not shown), but when the cover 5 is closed, the lever 11 rotates downward against the biasing force of the coil spring. As a result, the roller holder 25 moves downward, and the platen roller 26 and the transport roller 28 press the sheet 10 toward the thermal head 31. In this case, the label printer 1 is ready to print. On the other hand, when the cover 5 is opened, the lever 11 rotates upward. As a result, the roller holder 25 moves upward, and the platen roller 26 and the transport roller 28 move away from the thermal head 31 and the sheet 10. In this case, the label printer 1 is unable to print.

[0017] A conveyance path 22 for the sheet 10 is provided on the front side (left side in FIG. 2) of the storage unit 4. The conveyance path 22 extends diagonally downward and forward (diagonally downward and left in FIG. 2) and then bends and extends forward. The conveyance path 22 passes between the conveyance roller 28 and the thermal head 31, and between the platen roller 26 and the thermal head 31, and extends toward the discharge port 21 provided on the top surface of the label printer 1.

[0018] Printing is performed on the sheet 10 as it is transported from the storage unit 4 to the discharge outlet 21 along the transport path 22. In the following description, the direction in which the sheet 10 is transported along the transport path 22 is referred to as the transport direction of the sheet 10. The storage unit 4 side of the transport path 22 is referred to as the upstream side of the transport direction, and the discharge outlet 21 side is referred to as the downstream side of the transport direction. Normally, when printing is performed, the sheet 10 is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the platen roller 26, the conveyance roller 28, the connecting roller 27, and the thermal head 31 are located approximately in the center of the conveyance path 22 in the front-to-rear direction. The thermal head 31 is positioned opposite the platen roller 26 and includes a plurality of heating elements (not shown) arranged in a row in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The thermal head 31 uses the heating elements to print on the sheet 10 sandwiched between the platen roller 26 and the heating elements. Note that, hereinafter, the position between the platen roller 26 and the heating elements where printing is performed on the sheet 10 is referred to as the printing position. The platen roller 26 is biased toward the thermal head 31. The platen roller 26 is connected to a conveyance motor (not shown) via a gear and rotates forward and backward as the conveyance motor is driven. Forward rotation of the platen roller 26 refers to rotation in a direction to convey the sheet 10 downstream (clockwise in FIG. 2), and reverse rotation refers to rotation in a direction to convey the sheet 10 upstream (counterclockwise in FIG. 2).

[0020] A transport roller 28 is disposed behind the platen roller 26, slightly spaced from the platen roller 26. A connecting roller 27 is disposed between the platen roller 26 and the transport roller 28. The outer circumferential surface of the connecting roller 27 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the platen roller 26 and the outer circumferential surface of the transport roller 28. The connecting roller 27 transmits power from the platen roller 26 to the transport roller 28. The transport roller 28 is rotated in the same direction as the platen roller 26 by the power transmitted from the platen roller 26 via the connecting roller 27.

[0021] The platen roller 26 and the transport roller 28 contact the same surface of the sheet 10 (the upper surface in FIG. 2 ) and sandwich the sheet 10 between themselves and the thermal head 31. The platen roller 26 and the transport roller 28 rotate in the same direction with the sheet 10 sandwiched between themselves and the thermal head 31, thereby transporting the sheet 10 in the transport direction (the forward direction from the upstream side to the downstream side, or the reverse direction from the downstream side to the upstream side). Printing on the sheet 10 is performed line by line, corresponding to a row of heating elements arranged in the thermal head 31 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0022] A reflective sensor 95 is provided diagonally above and behind the connection roller 27 and the conveyance roller 28. The reflective sensor 95 of this embodiment is a photosensor that receives reflected light R of detection light D emitted from a light-emitting unit with a light-receiving unit and outputs a detection value corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light R. The light-emitting element provided in the light-emitting unit is, for example, an LED that emits near-infrared light (0.8 to 1.0 μm). The light-receiving element provided in the light-receiving unit is, for example, a photodiode sensitive to near-infrared light. The CPU (not shown) of the label printer 1 can read the mark 140 printed on the sheet 10 based on the detection value of the reflective sensor 95. A reflector 97 is provided opposite the reflective sensor 95 across the conveyance path 22. When the sheet 10 is not positioned on the conveyance path 22, the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 is reflected by the reflector 97 and received by the light-receiving unit. The detection value of the reflective sensor 95 at this time differs from the detection value when the mark 140 is detected, and the CPU can detect that the sheet 10 is not placed on the conveying path 22.

[0023] The structure of the sheet 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Sheet 10A shown in Figure 3 is a first example of the sheet 10. Sheet 10B shown in Figure 4 is a second example of the sheet 10. Sheet 10C shown in Figure 5 is a third example of the sheet 10. Sheet 10D shown in Figure 6 is a fourth example of the sheet 10. In the following description, parts of the sheets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D that are identical in configuration will be given the same reference numerals, and common descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the sheet 10 is strip-shaped and extends in predetermined longitudinal and lateral directions. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction along which the sheet 10 wound around the spool 35 (see FIG. 2) is pulled out from the storage section 4 and conveyed. The lateral direction is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and corresponds to the width direction of the sheet 10. Note that the lateral direction does not necessarily have to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and may be a direction obliquely intersecting the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sheet 10 is the thickness direction.

[0025] The sheet 10 has a mount 100 and a label 150. The mount 100 is, for example, a release paper in which a release material (e.g., a silicone-based material) is applied to the surface of a strip of paper (e.g., glassine paper, wood-free paper, or kraft paper) extending in the longitudinal direction. The mount 100 may also be a member other than a release paper (i.e., a release film), such as a resin film. The mount 100 has an attachment surface 110, which is one surface in the thickness direction, and a mount surface 120, which is the other surface. A label 150 (described below) is attached to the attachment surface 110. A mark 140 is formed on the mount surface 120. The base color of the mount 100 in this embodiment is white. Therefore, the color of the attachment surface 110 and the mount surface 120 is white, which corresponds to the base color of the mount 100.

[0026] Label 150 is created by attaching a self-coloring, heat-sensitive sheet to attachment surface 110 of mount 100 via adhesive, forming cuts 155, 156 of a predetermined size, and then removing any excess space. Cut 155 is in the shape of a rectangular plate, and multiple main labels 160 (described below) are formed in it with a predetermined label spacing L in the longitudinal direction. Cut 156 is rectangular, and multiple sub-labels 170 (described below) are formed between the multiple main labels 160. In other words, sheet 10 is a die-cut label sheet in which multiple main labels 160 (described below) are attached to attachment surface 110 of mount 100 in a line with label spacing L between them.

[0027] The label 150 has a printed layer 151 and an adhesive layer 152 laminated in the thickness direction. The printed layer 151 is, for example, thermal paper containing a color former that changes color when heated. The adhesive layer 152 is a transparent layer formed of an adhesive on the surface of the printed layer 151 that is attached to the backing sheet 100. The adhesive layer 152 contains, for example, an acrylic adhesive. The background color of the printed layer 151 in this embodiment is white. Therefore, the color of each of the one side and the other side of the label 150 in the thickness direction is white, which corresponds to the background color of the printed layer 151. The adhesive layer 152 of the label 150 is removably attached to the attachment surface 110 of the backing sheet 100. The thermal head 31 (see FIG. 2) causes the color former to change color when heated, forming an image on the printed layer 151.

[0028] A plurality of marks 140 are formed on the mount surface 120 of the mount 100 at a predetermined mark interval M in the longitudinal direction. The marks 140 in this embodiment are printed with ink containing a black pigment. Therefore, the background color of the marks 140 is black. All of the marks 140 are formed in the same rectangular shape and are provided on the mount surface 120 closer to one end than the center in the short direction. The marks 140 are provided corresponding to main labels 160 (described below) of the labels 150. The marks 140 are arranged so as to overlap an edge 161 of the main label 160 in the thickness direction in a first direction, which is one of the longitudinal directions of the sheet 10, and to straddle the edge 161 in the longitudinal direction. Note that in this embodiment, the first longitudinal direction is the upstream direction in the conveyance direction of the sheet 10. Furthermore, a second direction opposite to the first direction is the downstream direction in the conveyance direction of the sheet 10.

[0029] In this embodiment, the sheet 10 is wound around a spool 35 (see FIG. 2 ) with the label 150 on the inner periphery and the backing paper 100 on the outer periphery, i.e., with the backing paper surface 120 on the outer periphery. The label printer 1 emits detection light D from the reflective sensor 95 toward the sheet 10 from the backing paper surface 120 side of the sheet 10 conveyed along the conveyance path, and detects the presence or absence of a mark 140 based on the intensity of the reflected light R. Therefore, the position of the mark 140 in the short direction on the sheet 10 corresponds to the position of the reflective sensor 95, and is the position where the detection light D irradiates the mark 140 on the sheet 10 conveyed along the conveyance path. Note that the detection light D is irradiated intermittently, for example, multiple times in accordance with the conveyance of the sheet 10, and the mark 140 is detected based on the average intensity of the reflected light R for the multiple times or the number of times it exceeds a threshold. Therefore, the longitudinal length of the mark 140 is set to a length required to detect the mark 140 depending on the conveyance speed of the label printer 1 and the irradiation interval of the detection light D. 3, 4, 5, and 6 show a locus DT along which the detection light D is irradiated on the mount surface 120. FIG.

[0030] The details of the first example sheet 10A shown in Figure 3 will be described. The sheet 10A is a label sheet in which, when removing the margins during the process of producing a die-cut label sheet, the label 150 in the region corresponding to the position where the detection light D is irradiated in the short direction is left unremoved. The sheet 10A has multiple cuts 155, 156 formed by a so-called half-cut process. The cuts 155, 156 penetrate the label 150 of the sheet 10A but do not penetrate the backing sheet 100. Each of the cuts 155, 156 is formed with a closed contour. By removing the outer portion of the cuts 155 in the sheet 10A as the margins, the inner portions of the cuts 155, 156 remain in the shape of a plate on the attachment surface 110 of the backing sheet 100, forming the label 150.

[0031] The multiple labels 150 include a main label 160 and a sub-label 170. The main label 160 is rectangular, formed by a notch 155, and extends close to the edge of the backing sheet 100 in the short direction. The length of the main label 160 in the long direction is shorter than the length in the short direction. The corners of the main label 160 are rounded. The main label 160 is the label 150 to be printed on, and multiple main labels 160 are affixed to the attachment surface 110 of the backing sheet 100 with a label spacing L in the long direction. The sub-label 170 is rectangular, longer in the long direction than in the short direction, and formed by a notch 156. It is affixed to the attachment surface 110 between two main labels 160 that are affixed with a label spacing L in the long direction.

[0032] In the first example, the length of the sub-label 170 in the short direction is the same as the length of the mark 140 in the short direction. As described above, the mark 140 is disposed in a position that straddles the second-direction edge 161 of the main label 160 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the first-direction edge 142 of the mark 140 overlaps the area where the main label 160 is disposed in the thickness direction. The area adjacent to the mark 140 on the upstream side of the mark 140 is defined as a first area 181. The first area 181 is an area into which the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters after passing the mark 140 as the sheet 10A is conveyed. The length of the first area 181 in the long direction is equal to or shorter than the length of the mark 140, and, like the mark 140, is set to a length necessary for detecting the mark 140 depending on the conveyance speed of the label printer 1 and the irradiation interval of the detection light D. The first area 181 overlaps the area where the main label 160 is disposed. Here, the area where only the mount 100 remains after the margins have been removed is referred to as a third area 183. Compared to the third area 183, the first area 181 is longer in the thickness direction of the sheet 10A.

[0033] As described above, because the background color of the mount 100 is white, the reflectance of the mount surface 120 for light of a specific wavelength is higher than the reflectance of the mark 140 formed in black. Here, as the thickness of the mount 100 decreases, the transmittance of light of a specific wavelength increases, resulting in a relatively lower reflectance. Therefore, the difference between the reflectance of the mount surface 120 and the reflectance of the mark 140 formed in black decreases. However, the first region 181 has a longer length in the thickness direction of the sheet 10A compared to the third region 183 due to the arrangement of the main label 160, and therefore has a lower transmittance. That is, the reflectance of the reflected light R in the first region 181 is higher than the reflectance in the third region 183. Therefore, even when the thickness of the mount 100 decreases, the difference between the reflectance of the mount surface 120 and the reflectance of the mark 140 formed in black is more likely to be stable in the first region 181 compared to the third region 183.

[0034] The edge 141 of the mark 140 in the second direction overlaps the area where the secondary label 170 is arranged in the thickness direction. The area adjacent to the mark 140 on the downstream side of the mark 140 is defined as a second area 182. The second area 182 is an area into which the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters as the sheet 10A is transported before passing through the mark 140. The longitudinal length of the second area 182 is equal to or shorter than the length of the mark 140, and similarly to the mark 140, the length is set to a length necessary for detecting the mark 140 depending on the transport speed of the label printer 1 and the irradiation interval of the detection light D. Because the second area 182 overlaps the area where the secondary label 170 is arranged, the length of the second area 182 in the thickness direction of the sheet 10A is longer than that of the third area 183. Therefore, similar to the first area 181, the reflectance of the reflected light R in the second area 182 is higher than that in the third area 183.

[0035] When the sheet 10A is being conveyed, the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 is irradiated to the second region 182, the mark 140, and the first region 181 in that order. The reflectance when light of a specific wavelength is irradiated onto a conventional backing sheet is referred to as reflectance TH. Here, reflectance TH is a reflectance within a predetermined range that includes not only the specific reflectance but also reflectances that are close to the specific reflectance. The light of the specific wavelength is the detection light D emitted by the light-emitting element of the reflective sensor 95. Note that the specific wavelength may have a certain width. For example, the specific wavelength may be in a wavelength range in which the light-receiving element of the reflective sensor 95 has light-receiving sensitivity.

[0036] The mark 140 is printed in black on the mount surface 120, and the reflectance when irradiated with light of a specific wavelength is defined as reflectance T2. Because light of a specific wavelength is absorbed by black, reflectance T2 is lower than reflectance TH. The second region 182 is a portion where the background color of the mount 100 is white and where a white sub-label 170 is affixed. Therefore, when the reflectance for light of a specific wavelength is defined as reflectance T1, reflectance T1 is higher than reflectance TH.

[0037] If the thickness of mount 100 of this embodiment is made thinner than that of a conventional mount, the reflectance when light of a specific wavelength is irradiated onto third region 183 becomes reflectance T0, which is lower than reflectance TH. Although reflectance T0 is higher than reflectance T2, it approaches reflectance T2, so there is a possibility of erroneous detection depending on the variation in reflectance.

[0038] If the second region 182 were configured not to overlap the secondary label 170, the reflectance when light of a specific wavelength is irradiated onto the second region 182 would also be reflectance T0. In this embodiment, because the second region 182 overlaps the portion where the secondary label 170 is affixed, when the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the second region 182 to the mark 140, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from reflectance T1, which is higher than reflectance TH, to reflectance T2, which is lower than reflectance TH and T0. Therefore, the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of the edge 141 of the mark 140 in the second direction, based on the clear difference in reflectance.

[0039] Additionally, the portion of the main label 160 to which the first region 181 is affixed overlaps the first region 181. When the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the mark 140 to the first region 181, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from reflectance T2, which is lower than reflectance TH,T0, to reflectance T1, which is higher than reflectance TH. Therefore, the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of the edge 142 of the mark 140 in the first direction based on the clear difference in reflectance.

[0040] The CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately set the printing start position for the label 150 based on the accurate detection result of the mark 140 by associating the position of the mark 140 with the position of the edge 161 of the main label 160 in the second direction as the sheet 10A is transported. Note that depending on the printing device to which the sheet 10A is attached, the first direction may be the transport direction of the sheet 10A. In this case, the CPU of the printing device can accurately set the printing start position for the label 150 by associating the position of the mark 140 with the position of the edge 162 of the label 150 in the first direction as the sheet 10A is transported.

[0041] Next, details of the sheet 10B of the second example shown in Figure 4 will be described. The labels 150 of the sheet 10B include main labels 160 and sub-labels 270 formed by removing the outer portions of the multiple cuts 155, 256 as margins. The main labels 160 are formed by the cuts 155, and multiple main labels 160 are attached in the longitudinal direction with a label spacing L between them. The sub-labels 270 are rectangular in shape with their widthwise direction longer than their lengthwise direction, and are formed by the cuts 256. The sub-labels 270 are attached on the attachment surface 110 between two main labels 160 that are attached in the longitudinal direction with a label spacing L between them. The sub-labels 270 are positioned apart from each of the two main labels 160 and are not adjacent to each other.

[0042] In the second example, the lengths of the sub-label 270 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are the same as the lengths of the mark 140 in the longitudinal and lateral directions. The mark 140 is arranged in a position that longitudinally straddles the second-direction edge 161 of the main label 160. Therefore, the first-direction edge 142 of the mark 140 overlaps the area where the main label 160 is arranged in the thickness direction. A first area 181 adjacent to the mark 140 on the upstream side of the mark 140 is an area into which the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters after passing through the mark 140 as the sheet 10B is conveyed. The lengths of the first area 181 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are assumed to be the same as the lengths of the mark 140 in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Because the first area 181 overlaps the area where the main label 160 is arranged, its length in the thickness direction of the sheet 10B is longer than that of the third area 183. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the reflected light R in the first region 181 is higher than the reflectance T0 in the third region 183.

[0043] The edge 141 of the mark 140 in the second direction is adjacent to the area where the sub-label 270 is arranged in the thickness direction. The second area 182, adjacent to the mark 140 on the downstream side of the mark 140, is an area where the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters before passing through the mark 140 as the sheet 10B is transported. The lengths of the second area 182 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are assumed to be the same as the lengths of the mark 140 in the longitudinal and lateral directions. The sub-label 270 is attached to the backing surface 120 at a position overlapping the second area 182. The second area 182 has a longer length in the thickness direction of the sheet 10B than the third area 183. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the reflected light R in the second area 182 is higher than the reflectance T0 in the third area 183.

[0044] When the sheet 10B is being conveyed, the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 is irradiated sequentially onto the second region 182, the mark 140, and the first region 181. Because light of a specific wavelength is absorbed by black, the reflectance T2 of the black mark 140 is lower than the reflectance TH when light of a specific wavelength is irradiated onto a conventional backing sheet. The second region 182 is a portion of the backing sheet 100 where the background color is white and a white sub-label 270 is attached. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the second region 182 to light of a specific wavelength is higher than the reflectance TH.

[0045] The longitudinal length of the mark 140 is shorter than the label spacing L. Therefore, a marginal gap X1 is formed between the edge 162 of the main label 160 in the first direction and the secondary label 270 attached at a position overlapping the second region 182. No label is attached to the marginal gap X1, and the reflectance T0 of the reflected light R with respect to the detection light D irradiated onto the marginal gap X1 is lower than the reflectance TH when the thickness of the mount 100 of this embodiment is thinner than that of a conventional mount. In the second example, when the second region 182 overlaps the portion where the secondary label 270 is attached, and the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the second region 182 to the mark 140, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from a reflectance T1 higher than the reflectance TH to a reflectance T2 lower than the reflectance TH, T0. Because this change is greater than the change between reflectance T0 and reflectance T2, the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of the second direction edge 141 of the mark 140 based on the clear difference in reflectance. Note that a margin gap X2 is also formed between the second direction edge 161 of the main label 160 and the sub-label 270. Because the margin gap X2 overlaps with the mark 140, the reflectance of light of a specific wavelength in the margin gap X2 is also reflectance T2.

[0046] The first region 181 overlaps the portion where the main label 160 is affixed. When the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the mark 140 to the first region 181, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from reflectance T2, which is lower than reflectance TH,T0, to reflectance T1, which is higher than reflectance TH. Therefore, the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of the edge 142 of the mark 140 in the first direction based on the clear difference in reflectance.

[0047] The CPU of the label printer 1 associates the position of the mark 140 with the position of the edge 161 of the main label 160 in the second direction as the sheet 10B is conveyed. Therefore, the CPU can accurately set the printing start position for the label 150 for the sheet 10B as well, based on the accurate detection result of the mark 140.

[0048] Furthermore, by providing margin gaps X1, X2 between the main label 160 and the sub-label 270, the margin portion has a ladder shape in which both sides in the short direction of the sheet 10C are connected via the margin gaps X1, X2. Therefore, when removing the portions outside the cuts 155, 256 in the process of producing the sheet 10B during production, the portions to be removed can be peeled off from the backing sheet 100 as a single continuous block, making the work easier.

[0049] Next, details of a third example sheet 10C shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The labels 150 of the sheet 10C include main labels 160 and sub-labels 370 formed by removing margins outside the multiple notches 155 and 356. The main labels 160 are formed by the notches 155, and multiple main labels 160 are attached in the longitudinal direction with a label spacing L between them. The sub-labels 370 are rectangular, formed by the notches 356. The length of the sub-label 370 in the short direction is the same as that of the main labels 160, and the length in the longitudinal direction is the label spacing L. The sub-label 370 is attached on the attachment surface 110 between two main labels 160 that are attached in the longitudinal direction with a label spacing L between them. The sub-label 370 is adjacent to the second-direction edge 161 of one of the two main labels 160 aligned in the longitudinal direction and the first-direction edge 162 of the other main label 160.

[0050] The mark 140 is disposed in a position spanning the edge 161 of the main label 160 in the second direction in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the edge 142 of the mark 140 in the first direction overlaps the area where the main label 160 is disposed in the thickness direction. A first area 181 adjacent to the mark 140 on the upstream side of the mark 140 is an area into which the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters after passing the mark 140 as the sheet 10C is conveyed. The lengths of the first area 181 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are assumed to be the same as those of the mark 140 in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Since the first area 181 overlaps the area where the main label 160 is disposed, the length of the first area 181 in the thickness direction of the sheet 10C is longer than that of the third area 183. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the reflected light R in the first area 181 is higher than the reflectance T0 in the third area 183.

[0051] The edge 141 of the mark 140 in the second direction overlaps the area in the thickness direction where the secondary label 370 is arranged. A second area 182, located downstream of and adjacent to the mark 140, is an area into which the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters before passing through the mark 140 as the sheet 10C is transported. The lengths of the second area 182 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are assumed to be the same as the lengths of the mark 140 in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Because the second area 182 overlaps the area in which the secondary label 370 is arranged, the length of the second area 182 in the thickness direction of the sheet 10C is longer than the third area 183. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the reflected light R in the second area 182 is higher than the reflectance T0 in the third area 183.

[0052] During conveyance of the sheet 10C, the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 is irradiated sequentially onto the second region 182, the mark 140, and the first region 181. Because light of a specific wavelength is absorbed by black, the reflectance T2 of the black mark 140 is lower than the reflectance TH of a conventional backing sheet irradiated with light of a specific wavelength. The second region 182 is a portion of the backing sheet 100 where the background color is white and a white sub-label 370 is affixed. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the second region 182 to light of the specific wavelength is higher than the reflectance TH. In the third example, the second region 182 overlaps the portion where the sub-label 370 is affixed. Therefore, when the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the second region 182 to the mark 140, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from reflectance T1, which is higher than reflectance TH, to reflectance T2, which is lower than reflectances TH and T0. This change is greater than the change between reflectance T0 and reflectance T2, so the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of edge 141 of mark 140 in the second direction based on the clear difference in reflectance.

[0053] The first region 181 overlaps the portion where the main label 160 is affixed. When the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the mark 140 to the first region 181, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from reflectance T2, which is lower than reflectance TH,T0, to reflectance T1, which is higher than reflectance TH. Therefore, the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of the edge 142 of the mark 140 in the first direction based on the clear difference in reflectance.

[0054] The CPU of the label printer 1 associates the position of the mark 140 with the position of the edge 161 of the main label 160 in the second direction as the sheet 10C is conveyed. Therefore, the CPU can accurately set the printing start position for the label 150 for the sheet 10C as well, based on the accurate detection result of the mark 140.

[0055] Furthermore, by making the length of the sub-label 370 in the short-side direction the same length as the main label 160, the margins become approximately band-shaped on both sides of the short-side direction of the sheet 10C. Therefore, when removing the margins from the backing sheet 100, the main label 160 and the sub-label 370 are prevented from getting caught on the margins and being peeled off together.

[0056] Next, details of a fourth example sheet 10D shown in Figure 6 will be described. The labels 150 of the sheet 10D are multiple main labels 160 formed by removing the outer portions of multiple cuts 155 as margins. The main labels 160 are attached adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction. Of the two main labels 160 aligned in the longitudinal direction, one, for example, the main label 160 on the second direction side is referred to as the first main label 160A, and the other, for example, the main label 160 on the first direction side is referred to as the second main label 160B. The second direction edge 161 of the second main label 160B and the first direction edge 162 of the first main label 160A are adjacent to each other.

[0057] The mark 140 is positioned to span the edge 162 of the first main label 160A and the edge 161 of the second main label 160B in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the edge 142 of the mark 140 in the first direction overlaps the area where the second main label 160B is arranged in the thickness direction. A first area 181 adjacent to the mark 140 on the upstream side of the mark 140 is an area into which the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters after passing through the mark 140 as the sheet 10D is conveyed. The lengths of the first area 181 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are assumed to be the same as those of the mark 140 in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Because the first area 181 overlaps the area where the second main label 160B is arranged, its length in the thickness direction of the sheet 10D is longer than that of the third area 183. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the reflected light R in the first area 181 is higher than the reflectance T0 in the third area 183.

[0058] The edge 141 of the mark 140 in the second direction overlaps the area where the first main label 160A is arranged in the thickness direction. A second area 182, located downstream of and adjacent to the mark 140, is an area into which the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 enters before passing through the mark 140 as the sheet 10D is transported. The lengths of the second area 182 in the longitudinal and lateral directions are assumed to be the same as the lengths of the mark 140 in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Because the second area 182 overlaps the area where the first main label 160A is arranged, the length of the second area 182 in the thickness direction of the sheet 10D is longer than the third area 183. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the reflected light R in the second area 182 is higher than the reflectance T0 in the third area 183.

[0059] During conveyance of the sheet 10D, the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 is irradiated sequentially onto the second region 182, the mark 140, and the first region 181. Because light of a specific wavelength is absorbed by black, the reflectance T2 of the black mark 140 is lower than the reflectance TH of a conventional backing sheet irradiated with light of a specific wavelength. The second region 182 is a portion of the backing sheet 100 where the background color is white and where the white first main label 160A is affixed. Therefore, the reflectance T1 of the second region 182 to light of the specific wavelength is higher than the reflectance TH. In the fourth example, the second region 182 overlaps the portion where the first main label 160A is affixed. Therefore, when the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the second region 182 to the mark 140, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from reflectance T1, which is higher than reflectance TH, to reflectance T2, which is lower than reflectances TH and T0. This change is greater than the change between reflectance T0 and reflectance T2, so the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of edge 141 of mark 140 in the first direction based on the clear difference in reflectance.

[0060] The first region 181 overlaps the portion where the second main label 160B is affixed. When the irradiation position of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95 shifts from the mark 140 to the first region 181, the reflectance of the reflected light R changes significantly from reflectance T2, which is lower than reflectance TH,T0, to reflectance T1, which is higher than reflectance TH. Therefore, the CPU of the label printer 1 can accurately detect the position of the edge 142 of the mark 140 in the first direction based on the clear difference in reflectance.

[0061] The CPU of the label printer 1 associates the position of the mark 140 with the position of the edge 161 of the main label 160 in the second direction as the sheet 10D is conveyed. Therefore, the CPU can accurately set the printing start position for the label 150 for the sheet 10D as well, based on the accurate detection result of the mark 140. Also, by eliminating the sub-labels and arranging the main labels 160 consecutively in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to increase the number of main labels 160 that can be affixed to one sheet 10D.

[0062] As described above, there is a correlation between light transmittance and reflectance, and the lower the transmittance, the higher the reflectance. In other words, because the thicker the sheet, the lower the transmittance, the higher the reflectance. The first region 181 and the second region 182 are longer in the thickness direction than the third region 183, i.e., are thicker. Because light of a specific wavelength is absorbed by black, the light reflectance T2 of the mark 140 is low. Therefore, the difference between the light reflectance T2 of the mark 140 and the light reflectance T1 of the first region 181 and the second region 182 is greater than the difference between the light reflectance T2 of the mark 140 and the light reflectance T0 of the third region 183. Because the first region 181 and the second region 182 are adjacent to the mark 140, when the label printer 1 detects the mark 140 on the sheet 10 using the reflective sensor 95, the sheet 10 can stably detect the mark 140 based on the difference in reflectance of the detection light D.

[0063] The first region 181 and the second region 182 each overlap in the thickness direction with the position where the label 150 is attached. Therefore, the first region 181 and the second region 182 are thicker than the third region 183, which is the backing sheet 100 only after the marginal portion has been peeled off from the sheet 10. Therefore, by configuring the sheet 10 so that the first region 181 and the second region 182 are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the mark 140, the mark 140 can be stably detected based on the difference in reflectance of the detection light D.

[0064] In the sheet 10A, the label 150 includes a main label 160 and a sub-label 170. The first region 181 overlaps the position where the main label 160 is attached in the thickness direction. Even if two main labels 160 aligned in the longitudinal direction are attached to the sheet 10A with a label spacing L between them, the sub-label 170 is disposed between the two main labels 160. Therefore, the sheet 10A can be provided with a second region 182 that overlaps the sub-label 170. Therefore, the sheet 10A can stably detect the mark 140 based on the difference in reflectance of the detection light D.

[0065] Like sheet 10B, the length of the sub-labels 270 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the label spacing L, and there may be a margin gap X1 between them and the main labels 160. Sheet 10B has margin gap X1 in the longitudinal direction where no label is affixed to the backing sheet 100, making it easier to peel off the main labels 160. Furthermore, because there is margin gap X1, when removing the portions outside the notches 155, 256 in the process of producing sheet 10B during production, the portions to be removed can be peeled off from the backing sheet 100 in a ladder-like connected state without tearing, which provides good processability.

[0066] In the sheet 10C, the length of the sub-label 370 in the short direction is equal to or greater than the length of the mark 140 in the short direction. Therefore, the sheet 10C can reliably ensure that the entire second region 182 overlaps the position where the sub-label 370 is attached. Therefore, the sheet 10C allows stable detection of the mark 140.

[0067] In the sheets 10A and 10B, the length of the sub-labels 170 and 270 in the short direction is the same as the length of the mark 140 in the short direction. The short direction length of the sub-labels 170 and 270 can be shortened while still reliably including the second region 182. Therefore, the sheets 10A and 10B enable stable detection of the mark 140 while reducing the amount of material used for the sub-labels 170 and 270, thereby reducing costs.

[0068] In the sheets 10A and 10C, both longitudinal ends of the sub-labels 170 and 370 are adjacent to the two main labels 160, respectively. That is, the main labels 160 and the sub-labels 170 and 370 are adjacent to each other alternately along the longitudinal direction of the mount 100. Therefore, the third region 183 is not included in the position where the detection light D is irradiated. Therefore, the reflective sensor 95 can easily detect the mark 140 by comparing the reflectance T2 of the detection light for the mark 140 with the reflectance T1 of the detection light D for the mount surface 120 in the region where the label 150 is affixed. Therefore, the sheets 10A and 10C enable stable detection of the mark 140. Furthermore, when removing the margins from the sheets 10A and 10C, because the margins are located on both sides of the shorter side of the label 150, the sheet can be peeled off from the mount 100 in a connected state without tearing, resulting in good processability.

[0069] In the sheet 10D, the main labels 160 are adjacent and continuous along the longitudinal direction of the mount 100. Therefore, the reflective sensor 95 can easily detect the mark 140 by comparing the reflectance T2 of the detection light D for the mark 140 with the reflectance T1 of the detection light D for the mount surface 120 in the area where the main label 160 is affixed. Therefore, the sheet 10D allows stable detection of the mark 140. Furthermore, since the main labels 160 are continuous in the longitudinal direction, the sheet 10D allows an increased number of main labels 160 to be affixed to the mount 100.

[0070] In the above description, the background color of the mount 100 is an example of the "first color" of the present invention. The background color of the mark 140 is an example of the "second color" of the present invention. The label printer 1 is an example of the "printing device" of the present invention. The sheet 10 is an example of the "printing medium" of the present invention. The first main label 160A is an example of the "first label" of the present invention. The second main label 160B is an example of the "second label" of the present invention.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, as in the sheet 10E shown in Fig. 7(A), the length of the sub-label 570 in the short-side direction may be longer than the length of the mark 140 in the short-side direction. The sheet 10E can be positioned so that the entire second region 182 reliably overlaps the position where the sub-label 570 is attached.

[0072] 7(B), a tear line 675 may be formed in the portion where the edge 671 in the second direction of the sub-label 670 and the edge 162 in the first direction of the main label 160 are adjacent. The tear line 675 is formed, for example, in the form of a perforation, and does not separate the edge 671 in the second direction of the sub-label 670 from the edge 162 in the first direction of the main label 160. The notch 655 in the main label 160 is not formed in the portion of the tear line 675. Furthermore, the notch 656 in the sub-label 670 is not formed in the portion of the tear line 675. Therefore, a slit-shaped cutting line is formed between the edge 672 in the first direction of the sub-label 670 and the edge 161 in the second direction of the main label 160, and they are separated from each other. When the main label 160 is peeled off from the backing sheet 100, the sub-label 670 remains connected at the tear line 675. Therefore, the user can use the sub-label 670, which can be later separated along the separation line 675, as a mark for positioning, for example, before attaching the main label 160.

[0073] The conveying direction of the sheet 10 may be opposite to that in this embodiment, depending on the configuration of the printing device to which the sheet 10 is attached. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mark 140 is formed in a position spanning the edge 161 of the main label 160 in the second direction in the longitudinal direction, but it may also be formed in a position spanning the edge 162 of the main label 160 in the first direction. Alternatively, the mark 140 does not necessarily have to be formed in a position spanning the edges 161, 162 of the main label 160. For example, the mark 140 may be positioned between two main labels 160 lined up in the longitudinal direction, without being adjacent to the main label 160, or may be positioned within a range between the edge 161 in the second direction and the edge 162 in the first direction of one main label 160.

[0074] The mark 140 is used to position the label 150 in the conveying direction as an example, but by forming it in the form of a barcode, for example, it may be used as an identifier including other information such as the position, shape, and size of the label 150. In the sheet 10B, the sub-label 370 may be shaped to include the second region 182 and extend in the first direction, and to be adjacent to the edge 161 of the main label 160 in the second direction.

[0075] The background color of the label 150 is white, but the adhesive layer 152 may contain metal powder such as aluminum, which may have a higher reflectance to light of a specific wavelength than white. The background color of the mark 140 is black, but it may have a lower reflectance to light of a specific wavelength than the background color of the backing paper 100. The background color of the backing paper 100 is white, but it may have a higher reflectance to light of a specific wavelength than the background color of the mark 140. The specific wavelength is not limited to the wavelength of the detection light D of the reflective sensor 95, and may be another wavelength.

[0076] Instead of the sub-label 170, a folded portion formed by partially folding the backing sheet 100 may be formed at a position overlapping the second region 182 in the thickness direction. By increasing the thickness of the backing sheet 100 in the second region 182, the reflectivity can be increased without attaching the sub-label 170, and therefore the mark 140 can be detected stably. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 label printer 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F seats 95 Reflective Sensor 100 sheets 110 Adhesive surface 120 Mount side 140 marks 150 labels 160 Main Label 160A First Main Label 160B Second Main Label 170,270,370,570,670 Sublabel 181 First area 182 Second area 183 Third area 655,656 Notch 675 Separation Line L Label Spacing

Claims

1. a sheet-like mount extending in the longitudinal direction; a label attached to the mount; A direction intersecting the longitudinal direction is defined as a lateral direction, A direction perpendicular to each of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is defined as a thickness direction, the longitudinal direction includes a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, The mount is an attachment surface extending in each of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, on which the label is attached; a mount surface that is opposite to the attachment surface in the thickness direction and is formed in a predetermined first color; a mark formed on the surface of the mount in a second color different from the first color and detectable by a reflective sensor of a printing device; The mount surface is a first region adjacent to the mark in the first direction and having a range equal to or less than the length of the mark in the longitudinal direction; a second region adjacent to the mark in the second direction and having a range equal to or less than the length of the mark in the longitudinal direction; a third region that does not overlap the first region, the second region, or the region to which the label is attached in the thickness direction; Including, The length of the first region and the second region in the thickness direction is longer than the length of the third region in the thickness direction. A print medium characterized by:

2. The first area and the second area overlap in the thickness direction with an area where the label attached to the attachment surface is arranged. The print medium of claim 1 .

3. A plurality of the labels are attached to the mount; The label comprises: a main label to be printed by the printing device; Sub-labels that are not to be printed and Including, A plurality of the main labels are attached to the attachment surface at predetermined label intervals in the longitudinal direction, The sub-label is attached between two of the main labels that are attached with a label gap in the longitudinal direction, the first region overlaps the region to which the main label is attached in the thickness direction, The second region overlaps the region to which the sub-label is attached in the thickness direction.

3. The printing medium according to claim 1 or 2,

4. The sub-label is attached to a position adjacent to the main label, which is attached in the first direction from the sub-label, of the two main labels. The print medium of claim 3 .

5. The end of the sub-label in the second direction and the end of the main label in the first direction are connected via a perforated separation line, The end of the sub-label in the first direction and the end of the main label in the second direction are not connected via a slit-shaped cutting line. The print medium of claim 4 .

6. The length of the sub-label in the short-side direction is equal to or greater than the length of the mark in the short-side direction.

6. The printing medium according to claim 3, wherein:

7. The length of the sub-label in the short-side direction is the same as the length of the mark in the short-side direction. The print medium of claim 6 .

8. Both ends of the sub-label in the longitudinal direction are attached to the two main labels at positions adjacent to each other.

8. The printing medium according to claim 3, wherein:

9. The length of the sub-label in the short-side direction is the same as the length of the main label in the short-side direction.

8. The printing medium according to claim 3, wherein:

10. A plurality of the labels are attached adjacent to each other without any gaps in the longitudinal direction on the attachment surface, When the two labels adjacent in the longitudinal direction are a first label and a second label, respectively, the first region overlaps the region in which the first label is disposed in the thickness direction, The second region overlaps the region in which the second label is arranged in the thickness direction.

3. The printing medium according to claim 1 or 2,

11. The length of the sub-label in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the label interval. The print medium of claim 3 .

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