printer

Abstract

We provide an inexpensive printer that suppresses jamming. [Solution] The printer 1 includes a platen roller 8 that transports linerless label paper LP having an adhesive surface on the side opposite to the printing surface on which printing is applied, a print head 5 that prints on the linerless label paper LP being transported by the platen roller 8, and a cutting device 6 having a fixed blade 61 and a movable blade 621. The movable blade 621 advances from the adhesive surface side of the linerless label paper LP toward the fixed blade 61, and the downstream side in the paper transport direction faces the upstream side in the paper transport direction of the fixed blade 61.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer provided with a cutting device for cutting paper.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a printer that transports paper having an adhesive surface coated with an adhesive, performs printing on the printing surface opposite to the adhesive surface, and cuts the printed paper with a cutting device (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). The cutting device of the printer described in Patent Document 1 has a movable blade and a fixed blade, and cuts the paper by the movable blade advancing toward the fixed blade. This movable blade is disposed on the printing surface side of the paper, and advances to the downstream side in the paper transport direction from the fixed blade while being pressed against the cutting edge of the fixed blade disposed on the adhesive surface side which is the non-printing surface. By disposing the movable blade on the printing surface side, it becomes difficult for the adhesive to adhere to the movable blade even when cutting is repeated, so that the sticking between the movable blade and the paper can be suppressed for a long period. Further, by advancing the downstream surface of the movable blade to face the upstream surface of the fixed blade, the tension of the paper is likely to be maintained during cutting, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a cutting failure due to the paper being sandwiched between the movable blade and the fixed blade. For this reason, this configuration is generally adopted in the cutting device of a printer that handles paper having an adhesive surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, due to layout constraints of the entire printer, it may not be possible to place the movable blade on the print side. In such cases, the fixed blade is placed on the print side and the movable blade on the adhesive side. However, when the movable blade is placed on the adhesive side, adhesive tends to adhere to the movable blade, and the adhesive surface of the leading edge of the upstream paper, which has been separated from the downstream paper by cutting, may stick to the adhesive on the movable blade. If the paper leading edge remains stuck to the movable blade and the next print is started, transporting the upstream paper, a jam (paper jam) will occur. As a countermeasure, if the movable blade is placed on the adhesive side, it is conceivable to apply an expensive coating to the movable blade to make it less susceptible to adhesive adhesion, or to install a device to apply oil to the movable blade. However, this would result in a more expensive printer.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an inexpensive printer that suppresses jamming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printer of the present invention, which solves the above problems, A transport means for transporting paper having an adhesive surface on the side opposite to the printing surface, where an adhesive is applied, A print head for printing on paper being transported by the transport means, A cutting device comprising a fixed blade and a movable blade, The movable blade is characterized in that it advances from the adhesive side of the paper toward the fixed blade, and its downstream side in the paper transport direction faces the upstream side in the paper transport direction of the fixed blade.

[0007] According to this printer, even without applying an expensive coating to the movable blade or installing a device to apply oil to the movable blade, adhesive is less likely to adhere to the upstream surface of the movable blade. As a result, the risk of the leading edge of the paper on the upstream side sticking to the adhesive attached to the movable blade is reduced, and jamming is suppressed.

[0008] Here, the fixed blade may have a cutting edge formed on the edge of the upstream surface. The movable blade may have a cutting edge formed on the edge of the downstream surface. The movable blade may cut the paper while pressing it against the cutting edge of the fixed blade. The transport means may transport paper with the adhesive surface exposed.

[0009] In this printer, The printer is equipped with a detection means positioned downstream of the cutting position by the cutting device, which detects whether or not the cut portion of the paper cut by the cutting device has been removed from the printer. The transport means may transport the uncut portion of the paper downstream of the cutting position after the detection means has detected that the cut portion has been removed.

[0010] By doing this, the cut portion and the uncut portion will not stick together, thus more effectively suppressing jam formation.

[0011] Furthermore, in this printer, The transport means has a platen positioned opposite the print head, The print head may print on paper sandwiched between it and the platen.

[0012] Since the paper is held between the print head and the platen, the uncut portion located upstream of the cutting position will not unintentionally move downstream of the cutting position. This prevents the adhesive surface of the uncut portion from sticking to the adhesive on the downstream surface of the movable blade, even if adhesive is present on the movable blade.

[0013] Furthermore, in this printer, The transport means may transport paper drawn from a roll of paper wound with the adhesive side facing inward.

[0014] Since the paper has a curl in the direction of curving toward the adhesive surface, the leading end portion of the paper tends to move away from the fixed blade. As a result, even if an adhesive adheres to the upstream surface of the fixed blade, it is possible to prevent the adhesive surface of the uncut portion from sticking to the adhesive adhering to the fixed blade.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inexpensive printer that suppresses the occurrence of jams.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a printer corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from obliquely above. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view of the printer shown in FIG. 1 cut at the center in the width direction and seen from the right side of the printer. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the state where the movable blade has advanced. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the printer shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the printing operation of the printer shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the font conversion in the printer shown in FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of this embodiment, a thermal printer that draws out a linerless label paper from a roll paper formed by winding a long linerless label paper having a printing surface that develops color by heating and an adhesive surface coated with an adhesive in a roll shape, performs printing, and then cuts it will be described as an example. This linerless label paper corresponds to an example of the paper.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1 corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from above. In FIG. 1, the lower left oblique side of the figure is the left side of the printer 1, the upper right oblique side of the figure is the right side of the printer 1, the lower right oblique side of the figure is the front side of the printer 1, and the upper left oblique side of the figure is the rear side of the printer 1. In the following description, the left-right direction of the printer 1 may be referred to as the width direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a printer main body 2 and a cover 3. FIG. 1 shows the printer 1 in a cover-closed state where the cover 3 is closed. The printer main body 2 has an opening (not shown) in the front part, and is in a box shape with an upper protruding part 2A and a lower protruding part 2B protruding forward of the opening at the upper and lower parts of the front, respectively. The printer main body 2 has two operation buttons 21 and four display parts 22 on the front surface of the upper protruding part 2A. This operation button 21 corresponds to an example of an operation part. The four display parts 22 indicate the state of the printer 1 by lighting, extinguishing, or flashing.

[0020] The cover 3 is attached to the printer main body 2 rotatably about the lower front side of the printer main body 2 as a rotation center. And the cover 3 changes its position between a closed position and an open position by rotating. The cover 3 is provided with a cover open lever 31. By pulling the cover open lever 31 of the cover 3 in the closed position, the cover 3 rotates and changes its position to the open position. Also, by lifting the part of the cover 3 on the side opposite to the rotation center side in the open position and pressing the opposite side part against the printer main body 2 side, the cover 3 changes its position to the closed position. As shown in FIG. 1, between the upper end of the cover 3 in the closed position and the lower end of the upper protruding part 2A of the printer main body 2, a paper discharge port PE through which the printed linerless label paper LP (see FIG. 2) is discharged is formed.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1, cut at the center in the width direction and seen from the right side of the printer 1. FIG. 2 shows the printer 1 when the cover 3 is in the closed position. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship of each component will be described based on the state when the cover 3 is in the closed position.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, a storage space SP for storing the roll paper RP is formed inside the printer body 2. Figure 2 shows the roll paper RP stored in the storage space SP. Figure 2 also shows the linerless label paper LP pulled out from the roll paper RP. This roll paper RP is formed by winding linerless label paper LP, which has a printing surface on which printing is applied and an adhesive surface on the opposite side with adhesive applied to the printing surface, into a roll with the printing surface on the outside and the adhesive surface on the inside. The roll paper RP is stored in the storage space SP so as to be able to rotate freely.

[0023] Printer 1 comprises a print head 5, a cutting device 6, a paper sensor 7, and a platen roller 8. This platen roller 8 is an example of a platen and also an example of a transport mechanism. The cutting device 6 has a fixed blade 61 and a movable blade unit 62. Of these, the print head 5, the fixed blade 61, and the paper sensor 7 are mounted on the printer body 2. The platen roller 8 and the movable blade unit 62 are mounted on the cover 3. The printing mechanism is composed of the print head 5 and the platen roller 8.

[0024] The print head 5 is positioned opposite the platen roller 8 and is pressed toward the platen roller 8 by a head spring 51. As shown in Figure 2, when linerless label paper LP is present between the print head 5 and the platen roller 8, the linerless label paper LP is sandwiched between the print head 5 and the platen roller 8. The movable blade unit 62 is equipped with a movable blade 621. When the movable blade 621 is not extended, the movable blade 621 and the fixed blade 61 face each other across the paper transport path. When the cover 3 is in the open position, the platen roller 8 is positioned away from the print head 5, and the movable blade 621 is positioned away from the fixed blade 61.

[0025] The paper transport path of this printer 1 is the route from the storage space SP, through the space between the print head 5 and the platen roller 8, and through the space between the fixed blade 61 and the movable blade 621, to the paper output port PE. The direction from the storage space SP towards the paper output port PE is the paper transport direction. The linerless label paper LP in the paper transport path is transported mainly downstream in the paper transport direction by the rotation of the platen roller 8, and is ejected from the paper output port PE toward the front of the printer 1.

[0026] The print head 5 is a so-called thermal print head having multiple heating elements arranged in the width direction of the printer 1 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 2). The print head 5 is positioned on the print side of the linerless label paper LP, which is drawn from the roll paper RP and is in the paper transport path. By selectively heating these multiple heating elements while transporting the linerless label paper LP, printing is applied to the linerless label paper LP sandwiched between the print head 5 and the platen roller 8. Hereinafter, the printed portion of the linerless label paper LP may be referred to as the printed portion.

[0027] The cutting device 6 is a so-called guillotine-type electric cutter. The fixed blade 61 is fixed to the printer body 2 at a position facing the printing surface of the linerless label paper LP in the paper transport path. In other words, the fixed blade 61 is fixed to the printer body 2 above the paper transport path. The fixed blade 61 is rectangular in shape, and a cutting edge extending in the printer width direction is formed on the edge of the upstream side (right side in Figure 2) in the paper transport direction, corresponding to the long side of the rectangle. Hereinafter, the upstream side in the paper transport direction may be simply referred to as the upstream side, and the downstream side in the paper transport direction may be simply referred to as the downstream side. The cutting edge of the movable blade 621 slides against the cutting edge of the fixed blade 61.

[0028] The movable blade unit 62 is equipped with the movable blade 621 and cutting motor 622 described above. The movable blade 621 is plate-shaped with V-shaped cutting edges formed on the upper edge of the downstream side (left side in Figure 2), which are inclined so as they move away from the fixed blade from both ends in the width direction toward the center in the width direction. The movable blade 621 can move in an advancing direction toward the fixed blade 61 and a retracting direction toward the fixed blade 61, and moves in the advancing and retracting directions by driving the cutting motor 622. Cutting by the cutting device 6 can be a full cut, which cuts the entire width of the linerless label paper LP, or a partial cut, which cuts leaving a small portion of the width uncut. A full cut is achieved by advancing the movable blade 621 toward the fixed blade 61 until all of the cutting edges of the movable blade 621 intersect with the cutting edges of the fixed blade 61. In contrast, partial cutting is achieved by retracting the movable blade 621 from the fixed blade 61 just before the center of the blade tip in the width direction of the movable blade 621 intersects with the blade tip of the fixed blade 61. The user of the printer 1 selects whether to perform a full cut or a partial cut using the operation button 21 (see Figure 1) or the host H (see Figure 4) and stores the selection in the EEPROM 14.

[0029] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing the movable blade 621 in its extended position.

[0030] After the printed portion is transported downstream of the space between the movable blade 621 and the fixed blade 61, the cutting motor 622 is driven, causing the movable blade 621 to advance from the adhesive side (bottom) of the linerless label paper LP towards the fixed blade 61 above, as shown in Figure 3. The movable blade 621 advances along the upstream surface of the fixed blade 61, overlapping it. As it advances, the downstream surface of the movable blade 621 faces the upstream surface of the fixed blade 61. During this advancement process, the movable blade 621 is elastically pressed against the downstream fixed blade 61 by the pressure contact mechanism. As a result, the cutting edge of the movable blade 621 and the cutting edge of the fixed blade 61 are pressed against each other as the movable blade 621 advances, and the printed portion is separated from the linerless label paper LP upstream of the cutting position, which is the point where the cutting edges intersect. Hereinafter, the printed portion separated from the upstream linerless label paper LP by cutting may be referred to as the cut portion. Furthermore, the linerless label paper LP remaining upstream of the cutting position after the cut portion has been separated by cutting is sometimes referred to as the uncut portion. In the case of partial cutting, the cut portion and the uncut portion are connected by a few millimeters in the center of the width direction. The movable blade 621 retracts immediately after the extension movement is completed and moves to an initial position spaced apart from the fixed blade 61, as shown in Figure 2.

[0031] The paper sensor 7 is a reflective photosensor equipped with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. This paper sensor 7 is an example of a detection means. The cut portion, cut by the fixed blade 61 and the movable blade 621, has its leading end exposed to the outside of the printer 1 through the paper output slot PE, while the trailing end remains inside the printer 1. The paper sensor 7 is located downstream of the cutting position by the cutting device 6 and near the paper output slot PE, and detects whether the cut portion, cut by the fixed blade 61 and the movable blade 621, has been removed from the printer 1. In detail, the paper sensor 7 detects whether the cut portion has been removed from the printer 1 by detecting whether the cut portion is gone from the vicinity of the paper output slot PE, which is the detection position, thereby effectively detecting whether the cut portion has been removed from the printer 1. In addition to this paper sensor 7, the printer 1 is also equipped with a black mark sensor, which is composed of a reflective photosensor for detecting black marks on the paper, and a label gap sensor, which is composed of a transmissive photosensor for detecting the leading edge position of the label.

[0032] The platen roller 8 is positioned on the adhesive side of the linerless label paper LP in the paper transport path, facing the heating element of the print head 5. The platen roller 8 is a roller with an axis extending in the width direction, and rotates when the transport motor 81 is driven, and by rotating, it transports the linerless label paper LP that is sandwiched between it and the print head 5 along the paper transport direction. Other transport means besides the platen roller 8, such as a pair of rollers, may also be provided.

[0033] Four body rollers 23 are provided at the lower end of the storage space SP, which is the inner bottom surface of the printer body 2. Figure 2 shows two of the four body rollers 23, which are located on the left side of the printer 1. The four body rollers 23 are all cylindrical in shape and are rotatably supported by roller support parts formed on the bottom surface of the printer body 2. On the right side of the printer 1, the remaining two body rollers 23 are located in the same positions as the two body rollers 23 on the left side, both in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. Of the four body rollers 23, the two rear body rollers 23 are positioned slightly higher than the two front body rollers 23 to match the shape of the roll paper RP stored in the storage space SP.

[0034] A top plate member 24 is fixed to the upper end of the storage space SP of the printer body 2. A tension-applying member 25 is provided on this top plate member 24. The tension-applying member 25 is biased downward by a tension spring 251. This tension-applying member 25 prevents extreme fluctuations in the tension of the linerless label paper LP drawn from the roll paper RP.

[0035] The cover 3 is provided with a cover roller 32 and a roller movement mechanism 33. The cover roller 32 is cylindrical, similar to the main body roller 23. The cover roller 32 is rotatably mounted on the roller movement mechanism 33. When the cover 3 is in the closed position, the cover roller 32 is positioned in a protruding position that extends from the cover 3 toward the storage space SP. This protruding position is such that, when the roll paper RP stored in the storage space SP is at least large in diameter, the cover roller 32 contacts the outer surface of the roll paper RP.

[0036] The roller movement mechanism 33 is pivotably attached to the cover 3. When the cover 3 is in the open position, the roller movement mechanism 33 pivots (rotates) clockwise in Figure 3 relative to when the cover 3 is in the closed position. As a result, the cover roller 32 is positioned in a retracted position, moved towards the cover 3. In this retracted position, the cover roller 32 is inside the cover 3. In this way, when the cover 3 is opened, the cover roller 32 moves to the retracted position, making it easy to insert and remove the roll paper RP into the storage space SP.

[0037] When the cover 3 is in the closed position, the main body rollers 23 and cover rollers 32 contact the lower outer surface of the roll paper RP stored in the storage space SP and rotate in response to the rotation of the roll paper RP. This reduces the rotational resistance of the roll paper RP, allowing the linerless label paper to be smoothly pulled out from the roll paper RP and suppressing the occurrence of poor transport of the linerless label paper LP due to the rotational resistance of the roll paper RP.

[0038] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of printer 1 as shown in Figure 1.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the printer 1 is equipped with a control device 10. The control device 10 includes a CPU 11, RAM 12, ROM 13, and EEPROM 14. RAM 12 is used as a work area to temporarily store print data and the like transmitted from the host H. ROM 13 stores a control program that stores the operation of the printer 1. EEPROM 14 is a rewritable non-volatile memory that stores various setting information such as paper settings.

[0040] The control device 10 is connected to an operation button 21, a display unit 22, a print head 5, a paper sensor 7, a transport motor 81, and a cutting motor 622. The control device 10 also receives print data and various commands from the host H. The control device 10, while referring to the detection results of the paper sensor 7, controls the display unit 22, the print head 5, the paper sensor 7, the transport motor 81, and the cutting motor 622 in response to various commands from the host H and the operation of the operation button 21 to transport the linerless label paper LP (see Figure 2) and print on the linerless label paper LP.

[0041] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the printing operation of printer 1 as shown in Figure 1. This printing operation is performed by the control device 10 operating printer 1 according to the control program, while referring to print data, various setting information, and the output of the paper sensor 7.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the printing operation first determines whether the paper setting is linerless label paper or another type of paper (step S11). The paper setting is determined by the user of printer 1 selecting the paper type using the operation button 21 or host H and storing it in the EEPROM 14. In some cases, the paper type may be selected using physical switches such as DIP switches instead of the EEPROM 14.

[0043] If the paper setting is linerless label paper (YES in step S11), it is determined whether the cut portion has been removed from printer 1, and if not, the system waits until it is removed (step S12).

[0044] Once the cut portion is removed from the printer 1 (YES in step S12), the paper (in this case, linerless label paper) is back-feed and then slightly front-feed (step S13). Back-feeding refers to the operation of transporting the paper upstream. This back-feeding brings the leading edge of the paper closer to the heating element of the print head 5, thereby reducing the margin at the leading edge of the paper. The transport distance in back-feeding can be set in the range of 1 mm to 11 mm, and the transport distance in front-feeding can be set in the range of 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, in 0.5 mm increments. These transport distances are set by the user of the printer 1 using the operation button 21 or the host H and stored in the EEPROM 14. As a result, the margin length at the leading edge of the paper will be between 3 mm and 15 mm. Alternatively, the user of the printer 1 may set the margin length instead of the transport distances in back-feeding and front-feeding. In that case, the transport distances for backfeed and frontfeed may be pre-stored in memory such as ROM13, corresponding to the combination of margin length and paper settings, and these transport distances may be read to execute backfeed and frontfeed.

[0045] Furthermore, backfeed allows the paper to be peeled away from the adhesive on the fixed blade 61, even if adhesive adheres to the downstream side of the fixed blade 61 and the printed surface of the paper sticks to the adhesive. However, if the movable blade 621 is configured to face the downstream surface of the fixed blade 61 as it extends, the adhesive is more likely to adhere to the upstream surface of the movable blade 621. In that case, the adhesive on the movable blade 621 and the adhesive surface of the paper may stick together firmly, and even with backfeed, the adhesive will stretch and the sticking will not be easily released, increasing the likelihood of a jam occurring in step S17, which will be described later. Frontfeed, which is performed after backfeed, refers to the operation of transporting the paper only a short distance downstream. This frontfeed is an operation to remove backlash in the transmission mechanism, such as the gear train that transmits rotation from the transport motor 81 to the platen roller 8, and the transport distance is extremely short. Therefore, in step S13, the uncut portion of the paper is not transported downstream of the cutting position by the cutting device 6.

[0046] On the other hand, if the paper setting is not linerless label paper (NO in step S11), it is determined whether or not the cut portion has been removed from printer 1 (step S14).

[0047] If it is determined in step S14 that the paper has been removed (YES in step S14), the paper (in this case, die-cut paper, lined label paper, or ordinary thermal paper, or any paper other than linerless label paper) is back-feed and then slightly front-feed (step S15). The operation in step S15 is the same as in step S12, and its purpose is the same except that it is to peel the paper away from the fixed blade 61.

[0048] If it is determined in step S14 that the paper has not been removed (NO in step S14), the paper (in this case, paper other than linerless label paper) is back-feed and then slightly front-feed (step S16). The purpose of step S16 is the same as that of step S15, but the operation in step S16 differs from step S15 in that the transport distance in the back-feed is shorter. This is because if the paper cutting performed in the previous step was a partial cut with remaining material, the cut and uncut parts will be aligned, and if the paper is back-feed over a long distance in this state, the cut part may get caught in the cutting device and cause a jam.

[0049] Once steps S13, S15, or S16 are completed, the printer selectively heats the heating element of the print head 5 while transporting the uncut portion of the paper to perform printing (step S17). In step S17, the leading edge of the uncut portion of the paper is transported downstream of the cutting position by the cutting device 6. Once printing is complete and the trailing edge of the printed portion has passed the cutting position, the paper transport is stopped and the paper is cut (step S18). This completes the printing operation. Note that the printer 1 may receive a command to transport the paper without printing, or the operation button 21 may be pressed to transport the paper only. In that case, the operation will be the same as the printing operation, except that the heating element of the print head 5 is not heated in step S17 and the paper cutting in step S18 is not performed. In addition, the printer 1 may receive a cutting command, or the operation button 21 may be pressed to cut the paper. In that case, the paper cutting operation will be performed without transporting the paper.

[0050] Next, we will explain the conversion of fonts used when printing.

[0051] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the font conversion process in printer 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0052] In a conventional printer 1 (see Figure 1) using roll paper RP (see Figure 2), the resolution of a typical print head 5 (see Figure 2) was 203 dpi. In contrast, the print head 5 in this embodiment uses a higher resolution of 300 dpi. This has the effect of allowing more characters to be printed on the same area of ​​paper compared to using a print head 5 with a typical resolution.

[0053] On the other hand, printer 1 using a high-resolution print head 5 produces smaller characters compared to printer 1 with a standard resolution. Therefore, there is a need to print characters of the same size as those of a standard resolution printer, even with printer 1 using a high-resolution print head 5. To meet this need, it is conceivable to store enlarged fonts in memory such as ROM 13 (see Figure 4) in addition to the normal fonts, and then print using the enlarged fonts when it is desired to print characters of the same size as those of a standard resolution. However, storing enlarged fonts in memory requires purchasing the enlarged fonts, and storing the fonts reduces the amount of data that can be stored in memory by the amount of the enlarged fonts stored.

[0054] In contrast, the printer 1 of this embodiment takes a standard font, as shown in the upper left of Figure 6, and then, as shown on the right side of Figure 6, triples its size, and then, as shown in the lower left of Figure 6, halves it. This makes it possible to print characters of the same size as 203 dpi even when using a 300 dpi print head 5. This eliminates the need to purchase enlarged fonts and add them to memory, thus preventing a reduction in usable memory capacity. Furthermore, since the size is multiplied by an integer (3 times in this embodiment) and then divided by an integer (1 / 2 in this embodiment), the computational load on the processing unit can be reduced compared to directly multiplying by a non-integer (1.5 times in this embodiment). In Figure 6, an example of enlarging "H" by 1.5 times is shown, but naturally, various other characters such as European letters, Chinese characters, kana characters, and numbers can be enlarged in the same way. Also, while an example of enlarging the base font by 1.5 times is shown here, fonts of any magnification can be generated by enlarging or reducing the base font.

[0055] As described above, with the printer 1 of this embodiment, the movable blade 621 advances from the adhesive side of the linerless label paper LP toward the fixed blade 61, and the downstream surface of the movable blade 621 faces the upstream surface of the fixed blade 61. Therefore, even if the linerless label paper LP is cut many times, adhesive is unlikely to adhere to the upstream surface of the movable blade 621. As a result, even without applying an expensive coating to the movable blade 621 or providing a device to apply oil to the movable blade 621, the risk of the tip of the uncut portion sticking to the adhesive attached to the movable blade 621 is reduced, and jamming is suppressed. However, adhesive may adhere to the downstream surface of the movable blade 621, which is the surface facing the fixed blade 61 during cutting, and this adhesive may accumulate and stick to the adhesive surface at the rear end of the cut portion. However, since the cut portion is removed from the printer 1 by the user, there is no problem of jamming. In addition, since the fixed blade 61 is located on the printing side of the linerless label paper LP, adhesive is unlikely to adhere to it. Even if adhesive adheres to the upstream surface of the fixed blade 61 and sticks to the uncut portion, only the printed surface of the uncut portion will stick to the adhesive on the fixed blade 61, resulting in considerably weaker adhesion compared to when the adhesive surface itself sticks. Therefore, the sticking can be easily released by backfeeding after cutting with the cutting device 6.

[0056] Furthermore, when transporting linerless label paper LP, if the uncut portion is transported downstream of the cutting position before the cut portion is removed from the printer 1, there is a risk that the cut portion and the transported uncut portion will stick together, causing a jam. In this embodiment, when transporting linerless label paper LP, the uncut portion is transported downstream of the cutting position only after it is detected that the cut portion has been removed from the printer 1, thus more reliably suppressing the occurrence of jams. In addition, since the print head 5 holds the linerless label paper LP between itself and the platen roller 8, the leading edge of the uncut portion does not unintentionally move downstream of the movable blade 621. This prevents the adhesive attached to the downstream surface of the movable blade 621 from sticking to the adhesive surface of the uncut portion. In addition, linerless label paper LP drawn from a roll of paper RP wound with the adhesive surface facing inward has a tendency to curve toward the adhesive surface as it approaches the leading edge, so the leading edge of the uncut portion easily separates from the fixed blade 61. Therefore, even if adhesive adheres to the downstream surface of the fixed blade 61, the adhesive adhering to the fixed blade 61 and the uncut portion are prevented from sticking together.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in this embodiment, a thermal type print head 5 is used, but other types of print heads, such as an impact dot type, may be used. Also, in this embodiment, a so-called guillotine-type cutter is used in which the movable blade 621 moves parallel to the fixed blade 61, but a scissor-type cutter in which the movable blade 621 rotates may be used. Furthermore, a platen of another shape, such as a plate-shaped one, may be used instead of the platen roller 8. Furthermore, a configuration may be added in which a transport roller, which is rotationally driven by a motor, is added separately from the platen roller 8. In this case, the transport roller may be added downstream of the cutting device 6. In addition, a treatment may be applied to the components of the paper transport path downstream of the cutting position, such as attaching a non-adhesive film to the components, to make them less likely to stick. By applying this treatment, the adhesive is less likely to stick to the components, so it is possible to suppress the adhesive that has accumulated on the movable blade 621 from moving to and sticking to the components. Furthermore, even if the adhesive adheres to the component, it will stick to the cutting portion and peel off, so it can be easily removed from the component. In addition, fine irregularities may be provided in a specific area on the downstream surface of the movable blade 621. This makes it possible to accumulate the adhesive attached to the movable blade 621 in the area where the irregularities are provided. Since the adhesive is accumulated in a specific area, it becomes easier to remove the adhesive accumulated on the movable blade 621 during maintenance of the cutting device 6. It is preferable that the irregularities provided on the surface of the movable blade 621 be formed at a position 0.6 mm or more away from the cutting edge of the movable blade 621. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of adhesive to the cutting edge and prevent the attached adhesive from adversely affecting the cutting performance. Instead of these fine irregularities, other shapes or components that make it easier to remove the adhesive may be provided at a position 0.6 mm or more away from the cutting edge of the movable blade 621.

[0058] Furthermore, even if a constituent element is included only in the description of each of the modified examples described above, that constituent element may be applied to other modified examples as well. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Printer 5. Print head 6 Cutting device 8. Platen roller (conveying means) 61 Fixed blade 621 Movable blade LP Linerless Label Paper

Claims

1. A transport means for transporting paper having an adhesive surface on the side opposite to the printing surface, where an adhesive is applied, A print head for printing on paper being transported by the transport means, A cutting device comprising a fixed blade and a movable blade, The printer is characterized in that the movable blade advances from the adhesive side of the paper toward the fixed blade, and its downstream side in the paper transport direction faces the upstream side in the paper transport direction of the fixed blade.

2. The printer is equipped with a detection means positioned downstream of the cutting position by the cutting device, which detects whether or not the cut portion of the paper cut by the cutting device has been removed from the printer. The printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport means transports the uncut portion of the paper downstream of the cutting position after the detection means detects that the cut portion has been removed.

3. The transport means has a platen positioned opposite the print head, The printer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the print head prints on paper sandwiched between it and the platen.

4. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport means transports paper drawn from a roll of paper wound so that the adhesive surface is on the inside.

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