Label wrapping machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a label winding machine that can suppress the skewing of printed tape caused by the position of the release agent attached to the winding section. [Solution] The label winding machine comprises a printing unit, a transport unit, a cutting unit, a peeling unit, a winding unit, and a winding unit 8. The printing unit prints an image onto a film tape Rf on which a release liner Rp is adhered to one side. The transport unit transports the film tape Rf printed by the printing unit. The cutting unit is located downstream of the printing unit in the transport direction of the film tape Rf and cuts the film tape Rf with the release liner Rp adhered to it into labels. The peeling unit peels the labels cut by the cutting unit from the release liner Rp. The winding unit winds the labels peeled off by the peeling unit onto a cable. The winding unit 8 winds up the release liner Rp from which the labels have been peeled off by the peeling unit. The winding unit 8 has a marker M1 used in attaching the release liner Rp to the winding unit 8, which indicates the attachment position of the release liner Rp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a label winder.

Background Art

[0002] The label affixing device of Patent Document 1 includes a printing unit, a peeling unit, and an affixing unit. The printing unit performs printing on a label. The peeling unit peels the label printed by the printing unit from the release material. The affixing unit affixes the label peeled by the peeling unit to an adherend. The release material from which the label has been peeled is discharged to the outside of the label affixing device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a demand to mount a winding unit for the release material from which labels have been peeled on the above label affixing device. For a label affixing device equipped with a winding unit, it is necessary for a user to attach the release material to a desired mounting position of the winding unit before use. For example, if the user attaches the release material at a position deviated from the desired mounting position of the winding unit, the release material will meander. Along with this, the printing tape to which the release material is attached will also meander.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a label winder capable of suppressing meandering of a printing tape caused by the mounting position of the release material on the winding unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The label winding machine according to the present invention comprises: a printing unit for printing an image on a printed tape to which a release agent is adhered on one surface; a transport unit for transporting the printed tape printed by the printing unit; a cutting unit located downstream of the printing unit in the transport direction of the printed tape and for cutting the printed tape to which the release agent is adhered into a label; a peeling unit for peeling the label cut by the cutting unit from the release agent; a winding unit for winding the label peeled off by the peeling unit onto a rod-shaped member; and a winding unit for winding up the release agent from which the label has been peeled off by the peeling unit, wherein the winding unit has a marker used in attaching the release agent to the winding unit, the marker indicating the attachment position of the release agent.

[0007] The label winding machine described above attaches the release agent to the winding section at the designated attachment point on the winding section. The user uses the markings on the winding section as a guide to set the release agent in the attachment position. Therefore, the user can attach the release agent to the desired attachment point on the winding section. Consequently, the label winding machine can prevent the printed tape from becoming distorted due to the attachment position of the release agent on the winding section.

[0008] In the present invention, the mark may indicate the mounting position of one end of the release material in the width direction. The label winding machine can position the printed tape at the desired mounting position on the winding section simply by positioning one end in the width direction.

[0009] In the present invention, the winding section comprises a winding roller into which the leading edge of the release agent is inserted and which has a slit extending in the width direction of the release agent, and the marker is located on the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller and indicates the mounting position of one end of the release agent in the width direction, and may have a first straight line extending from the slit in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface by a predetermined first length, a second straight line located on the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller and indicating the mounting position of the other end in the width direction, and extending in the circumferential direction by the first length, and a third straight line connecting the end of the first straight line and the end of the second straight line. The label winding machine can set the release agent at the mounting position by positioning one end and the other end in the width direction.

[0010] In the present invention, the winding section is capable of attaching release materials of different widths, and the markings are arranged in multiples according to the width of the release material, and the multiple markings do not have to overlap each other. The label winding machine can set release materials of different widths at the respective attachment positions on the winding section. Furthermore, by referring to the third straight line, the label winding machine is less likely to mistake a mark of a different width for a release material when attaching it.

[0011] In the present invention, with the release agent attached to the printed tape, the release agent and the printed tape are attached to the winding unit, and the invention may further include a control unit that controls the printing unit to perform a printing process in which a first mark for alignment with the sign is printed on the printed tape. The user aligns the sign on the winding unit with the first mark on the printed tape and sets it. Therefore, the label winding machine can further suppress the skew of the printed tape caused by the attachment position of the release agent to the winding unit.

[0012] In the present invention, the winding section includes a winding roller having a slit for inserting and fixing the release agent and the printed tape, and the control unit may, in the printing process, further print a second mark on the printed tape indicating the amount to which the release agent and the printed tape are inserted into the slit before attaching the release agent and the printed tape to the winding section. By visually checking the second mark, the user can easily understand how far to insert the printed tape into the slit of the winding section. Therefore, the label winding machine can suppress improper setting of the release agent into the winding section.

[0013] In the present invention, the cutting unit includes an auto full cutter for cutting the printed tape and the release agent, and the control unit may control the auto full cutter to further perform a cutting process to cut the release agent and the printed tape before printing the second mark on the printed tape. The label winding machine can maintain a constant distance from the leading edge of the printed tape to the second mark.

[0014] In the present invention, the control unit further performs a transport process by controlling the transport unit to transport the release agent and the printed tape for a length necessary to attach the release agent and the printed tape to the winding unit, and the control unit may print the second mark on the printed tape during the transport process in the printing process. The label winding machine prints the second mark when the printed tape is transported to attach the release agent and the printed tape to the winding unit, thus reducing the user's working time.

[0015] In the present invention, a guide may be further provided, which is positioned between the peeling section and the winding section and guides the peeling material toward the label on the winding section. The label winding machine can guide the peeling material toward the label using the guide.

[0016] In the present invention, the guide may include a first guide positioned on one side in the width direction of the release agent to determine the position of one side of the release agent, and a second guide positioned on the other side in the width direction to determine the position of the other side of the release agent. The label winding machine can guide the release agent toward the label more reliably by means of the first guide and the second guide.

[0017] In the present invention, the guides may be arranged in multiple locations according to the width of the release agent. The label winding machine makes it easier to set the release agent at a desired mounting position on the winding section, depending on the width of the release agent. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of label winding machine 1. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the electrical configuration of label winding machine 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of signpost M1. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the printing process. [Figure 6]This is a diagram showing the relationship between the mark M2 of the first modified example, the first mark Q1, and the second mark Q2. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the relationship between the mark M2 and the second mark Q2. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the guides G1 to G3 of the second modified example. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing positioning of the release paper Rp using the guide G2. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing positioning of the release paper Rp using the guide G3. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0019] One embodiment of a label winding machine 1 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The referenced drawings are used to describe technical features that the present invention can adopt. The configuration and the like of the apparatus described in the drawings are not intended to be limited thereto, and are merely illustrative examples. Hereinafter, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower sides of FIG. 1 are defined as the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower sides of the label winding machine 1, respectively.

[0020] The label winding machine 1 will be described. The label winding machine 1 generates a label R by performing printing on a printing tape of a tape cassette 100, and winds and affixes the generated label R around a cable 19.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the label winding machine 1 has a box-shaped housing 10. The housing 10 is provided with a handle 10A used for carrying the label winding machine 1.

[0022] The housing 10 is provided with an operation panel 13, a tape mounting portion 30, a printing portion 3, a conveying portion 2, a cutting portion 9, a peeling portion 4, an opening / closing member 6, a guide portion 5, a winding portion 7, a winding-up portion 8, and the like.

[0023] The control panel 13 is fixed to the upper end of the housing 10. The control panel 13 comprises an operation section 13A and an alert section 13B. The operation section 13A includes a plurality of buttons for receiving input for operations on the label winding machine 1. The alert section 13B includes a plurality of LEDs for indicating the operating status of the label winding machine 1.

[0024] The tape mounting section 30 is located approximately in the center of the housing 10 in both the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The tape mounting section 30 is box-shaped and opens to the right. A tape cassette 100 can be mounted in the tape mounting section 30. The tape cassette 100 can be, for example, a laminated type, a thermal type, a receptacle type, etc.

[0025] In the following description, tape cassette 100 will be described as a laminated type. Inside tape cassette 100, a film tape Rf, an ink ribbon Ir, and double-sided adhesive tape with release paper Rp attached to one side are installed. The film tape Rf, ink ribbon Ir, and double-sided adhesive tape with release paper Rp are wound inside tape cassette 100.

[0026] The printing unit 3 is located below the tape mounting unit 30. The printing unit 3 includes a head holder 31, a thermal head 32, and the like.

[0027] The head holder 31 is plate-shaped. The head holder 31 extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The thermal head 32 is supported by the head holder 31. The thermal head 32 is equipped with multiple heating elements. The multiple heating elements are arranged in a single row in the left-to-right direction.

[0028] With the tape cassette 100 mounted in the tape mounting section 30, the thermal head 32 heats the ink ribbon Ir using multiple heating elements. This transfers the ink to the film tape Rf.

[0029] The transport unit 2 transports the labels R printed by the printing unit 3. The transport unit 2 includes a platen holder 37, a platen roller 33, a transport roller 34, and a drive roller 35.

[0030] The platen holder 37 is located below the head holder 31. The platen holder 37 is supported so as to be rotatable around the axis of the support shaft 37A.

[0031] The platen roller 33 and the transport roller 34 are rotatably supported at the tip of the platen holder 37. The transport roller 34 is positioned to the left of the platen roller 33. When the platen holder 37 swings to the printing position, the platen roller 33 can come into contact with the thermal head 32.

[0032] The drive roller 35 is positioned above the platen roller 33 at the printing position. In other words, the drive roller 35 faces the transport roller 34 from above. The drive roller 35 is driven, for example, by the driving force of a motor. When the platen holder 37 swings to the printing position, the drive roller 35 can come into contact with the transport roller 34. The position between the platen holder 37 and the transport roller 34 is also called the bonding position P4.

[0033] The cutting unit 9 is positioned downstream of the transport roller 34 of the printing unit 3 in the transport direction Y1. The cutting unit 9 has a full-cut cutting blade 91 and a half-cut cutting blade 92. The full-cut cutting blade 91 fully cuts, for example, a film tape Rf. The half-cut cutting blade 92 half-cuts the film tape Rf, leaving the release paper Rp intact. The half-cut film tape Rf is called a label R.

[0034] The peeling unit 4 is positioned at the furthest downstream location in the transport path of the label R and at the furthest upstream location in the winding path of the release paper Rp. The peeling unit 4 peels the label R from the release paper Rp. The peeling unit 4 rotatably supports the peeling shaft 40.

[0035] The opening / closing member 6 is box-shaped and extends vertically. The opening / closing member 6 is rotatable around the shaft 6A. The shaft 6A extends horizontally. The opening / closing member 6 has a support surface 61 and a pressing surface 62.

[0036] The support surface 61 is located at the upper end of the opening / closing member 6. The support surface 61 faces diagonally upward and rearward. The support surface 61 supports the front end of the label R.

[0037] The pressing surface 62 is located at the rear end of the opening / closing member 6. The pressing surface 62 is a surface that extends in the up, down, left, and right directions. The pressing surface 62 faces backward. The pressing surface 62 guides the movement of the cable 19 to the winding portion 7.

[0038] The guide portion 5 is positioned opposite the rear end of the opening / closing member 6. The guide portion 5 includes a guide surface 51. The guide surface 51 faces the pressing surface 62 of the opening / closing member 6. The guide surface 51 guides the movement of the cable 19 to the winding portion 7.

[0039] The winding section 7 is located at the bottom of the housing 10. The winding section 7 includes an insertion opening 73, a rotating member 70, and a sensor S.

[0040] A cable 19 with a portion of the label R attached is inserted into the insertion opening 73. The winding section 7 includes a roughly cylindrical rotating member 70. The rotating member 70 rotates with the driving force of a motor. The rotation of the rotating member 70 causes the label R to be wound around the cable 19. The sensor S is, for example, an optical sensor. The sensor S detects whether the cable 19 inserted from the insertion opening 73 is in the support position P3.

[0041] The winding unit 8 is positioned diagonally above and behind the peeling unit 4. The winding unit 8 is positioned above the front upper corner of the tape mounting unit 30. The winding unit 8 winds the release paper Rp, from which the label R has been peeled off by the peeling unit 4, into a roll. The winding unit 8 applies the tension to the release paper Rp necessary for transporting the release paper Rp and for peeling off the label R.

[0042] The winding unit 8 includes a winding roller 81 and a lever 83.

[0043] The winding roller 81 is rotatable about a rotating shaft 82 that extends in the left-right direction. The winding roller 81 rotates in rotation direction A during winding. Rotation direction A is counterclockwise when viewed from the right side.

[0044] Lever 83 is located at the right end of the winding roller 81. Lever 83 is used to secure the release paper Rp inserted into the slit 85.

[0045] The winding roller 81 has a slit 85 and a mark M1.

[0046] The slit 85 extends horizontally along the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 81. In other words, the slit 85 extends in the width direction of the release paper Rp. The slit 85 can accommodate release paper Rp of different widths. In this embodiment, the release paper Rp is attached to the slit 85 by inserting the release paper Rp into the slit 85 with the film tape Rf attached to it.

[0047] In this embodiment, the method of attaching the release paper Rp to the slit 85 of the winding roller 81 is "center alignment". Center alignment means positioning and attaching the center of the release paper Rp in the width direction with respect to the center C in the left-right direction of the slit 85. As a result, the center in the width direction of the release paper Rp attached to the slit 85 and the center in the width direction of the release paper Rp located in the tape attachment section 30 are positioned at the same location in the left-right direction. By center alignment, the film tape Rf to which the release paper Rp of the tape attachment section 30 is bonded can be transported without skewing relative to the desired arrangement.

[0048] In addition to the center alignment method, there is also an edge alignment method. Edge alignment is a method in which the widthwise edge of the release paper Rp is aligned with the left-right center C of the slit. As a result, the widthwise center of the release paper Rp attached to the slit 85 and the widthwise center of the release paper Rp inside the cassette are positioned at the same location in the left-right direction.

[0049] Even under conditions where release paper Rp of different widths are attached, edge alignment can be achieved by positioning one end of the release paper Rp at one end of the slit 85. On the other hand, compared to edge alignment, center alignment is more difficult because it is challenging to attach release paper Rp of different widths to the center C in the left-right direction of the slit 85. Therefore, positioning the release paper Rp in the slit 85 becomes important.

[0050] In this embodiment, three types of release paper Rp with different widths are attached to the slit 85. Each of the three types of release paper Rp has a first width, a second width, and a third width. The first width, second width, and third width are the lengths of the release paper Rp in the left-right direction. The lengths of the widths have the relationship first width < second width < third width.

[0051] Furthermore, the slit 85 extends toward the rotation axis 82 by a distance D1 shown in Figure 2. In other words, the user can insert the leading edge of the release paper Rp into the winding roller 81 by a distance D1.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the marker M1 is used in attaching the release paper Rp to the winding section 8. The marker M1 is located on the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 81. The marker M1 is positioned, for example, on the other side of the rotation direction A of the winding roller 81 with respect to the slit 85. The marker M1 indicates the attachment position of the release paper Rp in the width direction.

[0053] Multiple markers M1 are arranged according to the width of the release paper Rp. Specifically, marker M1 has first markers M11 to third markers M13. The first markers M11 to third markers M13 do not overlap each other.

[0054] For example, the first marker M11 is used to position the release paper Rp having a first width. For example, the second marker M12 is used to position the release paper Rp having a second width. For example, the third marker M13 is used to position the release paper Rp having a third width.

[0055] The first marker M11 has a first straight line L11, a second straight line L12, and a third straight line L13.

[0056] The first straight line L11 extends circumferentially from a position to the left of the center C of the slit 85. The first straight line L11 extends from the slit 85 in the circumferential direction of the outer surface by a predetermined length V1. The first straight line L11 indicates the mounting position of the left end in the width direction of the release paper Rp having a first width.

[0057] The second straight line L12 extends circumferentially from a position to the right of the center C of the slit 85. The distances from the center C of the first straight line L11 and the second straight line L12 are equal. The second straight line L12 extends circumferentially from the slit 85 by a length V1. The second straight line L12 indicates the mounting position of the right end in the width direction of the release paper Rp having a first width.

[0058] The third straight line L13 connects the circumferential ends of the first straight line L11 and the second straight line L12. The third straight line L13 extends in the left-right direction. The third straight line L13 has a length H1. Furthermore, the length H1 of the third straight line L13 corresponds to the width of the release paper Rp, i.e., the first width.

[0059] The second marker M12 is positioned to surround the first marker M11.

[0060] The second marker M12 has a first straight line L21, a second straight line L22, and a third straight line L23.

[0061] The first straight line L21 is positioned to the left of the center C of the slit 85 and to the left of the first straight line L11. The first straight line L21 extends from the slit 85 in the circumferential direction of the outer surface by a predetermined length V2. The first straight line L21 indicates the mounting position of the left end in the width direction of the release paper Rp having the second width.

[0062] The second straight line L22 is positioned to the right of the center C of the slit 85 and to the right of the second straight line L12. The distances from the center C of the first straight line L21 and the second straight line L22 are equal. The second straight line L22 extends circumferentially by a length V2. The second straight line L12 indicates the mounting position of the rightmost edge in the width direction of the release paper Rp having a second width.

[0063] The third straight line L23 is positioned on the other side of rotational direction A relative to the third straight line L13. The third straight line L23 connects the circumferential ends of the first straight line L21 and the second straight line L22. The third straight line L23 extends in the left-right direction. The third straight line L23 has a length H2. The length H2 of the third straight line L23 corresponds to the width of the release paper Rp, i.e., the second width.

[0064] The third marker M13 is positioned to surround the second marker M12.

[0065] The third marker M13 has a first straight line L31, a second straight line L32, and a third straight line L33.

[0066] The first straight line L31 is positioned to the left of the center C of the slit 85 and to the left of the first straight line L21. The first straight line L31 extends from the slit 85 in the circumferential direction of the outer surface by a predetermined length V3. The first straight line L31 indicates the mounting position of the left end in the width direction of the release paper Rp having a third width.

[0067] The second straight line L32 is positioned to the right of the center C of the slit 85 and to the right of the second straight line L22. The second straight line L32 extends in the circumferential direction of the outer surface by a length V3. The second straight line L32 indicates the mounting position of the rightmost end in the width direction of the release paper Rp having the third width.

[0068] The third straight line L33 is positioned on the other side of rotational direction A relative to the third straight line L23. The third straight line L33 connects the circumferential ends of the first straight line L31 and the second straight line L32. The third straight line L33 extends in the left-right direction. The third straight line L33 has a length H3. The length H3 of the third straight line L33 corresponds to the width of the release paper Rp, i.e., the third width.

[0069] The usage of marker M1 will be described later.

[0070] Referring to Figure 3, the electrical configuration of the label winding machine 1 will be described. The control unit 14 of the label winding machine 1 includes a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, flash memory 44, interface 45, drive circuits DC1 to DC5, and an external interface (I / F) 47.

[0071] The CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, flash memory 44, and interface 45 are connected via bus 46. The CPU 41 provides overall control of the label wrapping machine 1. The ROM 42 stores constants necessary for the CPU 41 to execute various programs. The RAM 43 temporarily stores various data. The flash memory 44 stores various programs and the like that the CPU 41 executes.

[0072] Interface 45 is connected to the notification unit 13B, the operation unit 13A, the drive circuits DC1 to DC5, the sensor S, and the external I / F 47.

[0073] The control unit 13A receives instructions from the user and transmits them to the CPU 41. The control unit 13A accepts, for example, the input of a second print instruction, which will be described later. The LED of the notification unit 13B lights up under the control of the CPU 41.

[0074] The drive circuits DC1 to DC5 are electronic circuits for driving the printing unit 3, transport unit 2, winding unit 8, winding unit 7, and cutting unit 9, respectively. The drive circuits DC1 to DC5 are driven by the CPU 41.

[0075] External I / F 47 communicates with an external terminal 48. The external terminal 48 is a general-purpose personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, or a mobile terminal. The user edits print information on the external terminal 48. For example, CPU 41 receives print information sent from the external terminal 48.

[0076] Sensor S transmits the detection result of whether cable 19 is present at support position P3 to CPU 41.

[0077] The process of attaching the release paper Rp to the take-up roller 81 before printing will now be described. For example, the user attaches the tape cassette 100 to the tape loading section 30. By pressing the feed button on the operation section 13A, the user feeds the release paper Rp from the tape cassette 100 by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is the distance at which the user can attach the leading edge of the release paper Rp to the slit 85.

[0078] As shown in Figure 4, for example, the user inserts the release paper Rp and the film tape Rf into the slit 85 of the winding roller 81. For example, the user inserts the leading edges of the release paper Rp and the film tape Rf into the slit 85 by a distance D1.

[0079] In this state, the user positions the release paper Rp at the first marker M11 to the third marker M13 according to the width of the release paper Rp. In the example shown in Figure 4, the release paper Rp has a second width. Therefore, the user positions both ends of the release paper Rp in the width direction at the first straight line L21 and the second straight line L22 of the second marker M12.

[0080] In the case of a release liner Rp having a first width, both ends of the release liner Rp are positioned relative to the first straight line L11 and the second straight line L12 of the first marker M11.

[0081] Furthermore, in the case of a release paper Rp having a third width, both ends of the release paper Rp are positioned relative to the first straight line L31 and the second straight line L32 of the third marker M13.

[0082] The user operates the lever 83 to fix the leading edges of the release paper Rp and film tape Rf into the slit 85.

[0083] Next, the printing and winding operations will be described. The transport roller 34 presses the film tape Rf and the double-sided adhesive tape with the release paper Rp attached to it against the drive roller 35 at the bonding position P4. The platen roller 33 presses the film tape Rf and the ink ribbon Ir against the thermal head 32.

[0084] The user edits the print information on an external terminal 48 and sends it to the CPU 41. The CPU 41 then executes the print operation based on the print information.

[0085] When printing is initiated, the drive roller 35 rotates to transport the film tape Rf and ink ribbon Ir from the tape cassette 100. More specifically, the platen roller 33 rotates together with the drive roller 35 to transport the film tape Rf and ink ribbon Ir toward the thermal head 32.

[0086] The thermal head 32 heats the ink ribbon Ir. The ink from the ink ribbon Ir is transferred to the printed surface of the film tape Rf. The film tape Rf is then transported to the bonding position P4. The ink ribbon Ir is wound up inside the tape cassette 100.

[0087] Furthermore, as the drive roller 35 rotates, the transport roller 34 rotates, transporting the printed film tape Rf and the double-sided adhesive tape with the release paper Rp attached to it to the bonding position P4. At the bonding position P4, the double-sided adhesive tape with the release paper Rp attached is bonded to the film tape Rf. After that, the film tape Rf and the release paper Rp are discharged to the outside of the tape cassette 100.

[0088] The cutting section 9 cuts only the film tape Rf with a half-cut cutting blade 92. The label R is conveyed together with the release paper Rp in the transport direction Y2. The label R and release paper Rp move towards the release section 4.

[0089] At the release section 4, the release paper Rp is bent backward and upward with the release section 4 facing inward. The end of the label R is peeled off from the release paper Rp. The release paper Rp is conveyed toward the winding section 8. Subsequently, the release paper Rp is conveyed in the conveying direction Y3 and wound up in the winding section 8.

[0090] The end of the label R that has been peeled off from the release paper Rp is resting on the support surface 61. The label R that has been peeled off in the peeling section 4 is supported by the front end of the label R on the support surface 61. The position of the label R in this state is also called the stopping position P1. In other words, the label R is transported to the stopping position P1 by the transport section 2. The stopping position P1 is a position upstream of the insertion direction in which the cable 19 is inserted into the insertion opening 73.

[0091] Next, the user grasps the cable 19, which extends horizontally, with both hands and moves the cable 19 downward toward the attachment position P2 towards the label R supported by the support surface 61. The attachment position P2 corresponds to the position of the peel-off portion 4. When the cable 19 reaches the attachment position P2, the cable 19 is attached to a part of the label R.

[0092] The user moves the cable 19 downward along the guide surface 51 toward the winding section 7 located below the attachment position P2. As the cable 19 moves downward, the label R attached to it is peeled off from the release paper Rp.

[0093] The user moves the cable 19, which is attached to the end of the label R at the attachment position P2, downward toward the winding section 7. During this process, the guide surface 51 and the pressing surface 62 guide the movement of the cable 19. The pressing surface 62 is pressed against the cable 19 between the guide surface 51 and the pressing surface 62 to prevent the end of the label R from peeling off.

[0094] The cable 19 is inserted into the winding section 7 together with the label R through the insertion opening 73. The user places the cable 19 at the support position P3. The sensor S detects that the cable 19 has been placed at the support position P3.

[0095] With the cable 19 supported at support position P3, the control unit 14 rotates the rotating member 70. As a result, the label R is wrapped around the outer surface of the cable 19. Therefore, the label R is attached to the cable 19 by the adhesive.

[0096] The user removes the cable 19 with label R wrapped around it. The user visually confirms that label R is properly wrapped around the cable 19. Note that once the cable 19 is removed from the wrapping section 7, the cable 19 is no longer positioned at the support position P3, and therefore the sensor S is turned off.

[0097] As explained above, the winding section 8 has a marker M1. The marker M1 is used when attaching the release paper Rp to the winding section 8. The marker M1 indicates the attachment position of the release paper Rp.

[0098] The label winding machine 1, when attaching the release paper Rp to the winding section 8, attaches the release paper Rp to the attachment position on the winding section 8. At this time, the user sets the release paper Rp to the attachment position using the mark M1 on the winding section 8 as a guide. Therefore, the user can attach the release paper Rp to the desired attachment position on the winding section 8. Thus, the label winding machine 1 can suppress the film tape Rf from becoming skewed due to the attachment position of the release paper Rp on the winding section 8.

[0099] Marker M1 indicates the mounting position of one end of the release paper Rp in the width direction. The label winding machine 1 can position the film tape Rf at the desired mounting position on the winding section 8 simply by positioning one end in the width direction.

[0100] The winding section 8 includes a winding roller 81. The winding roller 81 has a slit 85. The slit 85 extends in the width direction of the release paper Rp. The leading edge of the release paper Rp is inserted into the slit 85. The marker M1 is located on the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 81. For example, the first marker M11 has a first straight line L11, a second straight line L12, and a third straight line L13. The first straight line L11 extends from the slit 85 in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface by a predetermined length V1. The first marker M11 indicates the mounting position of one end of the release paper Rp in the width direction. The second straight line L12 is located on the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 81. The second straight line L12 indicates the mounting position of the other end of the release paper Rp in the width direction. The second straight line L12 extends in the circumferential direction by a length V1. The third straight line L13 connects the end of the first straight line L11 to the end of the second straight line L12. The label winding machine 1 can set the release paper Rp to the desired mounting position by positioning one end and the other end in the width direction of the release paper Rp on the winding roller 81.

[0101] The winding section 8 can accommodate release paper Rp of different widths. Multiple markers M1 are arranged according to the width of the release paper Rp. The multiple markers M1 do not overlap each other. The label winding machine 1 can set each release paper Rp of different widths at its respective mounting position on the winding section 8. In addition, by referring to the third straight lines L13, L23, and L33, the label winding machine 1 is less likely to mistake a mark of a different width for a release paper Rp when attaching it.

[0102] In the above description, the film tape Rf is an example of the "printed tape" of the present invention. The release paper Rp is an example of the "release material" of the present invention. Lengths V1 to V3 are examples of the "first length" of the present invention. The left-right direction is an example of the "width direction" of the present invention.

[0103] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the positioning of the release paper Rp according to the first modified example will be explained. The first modified example differs from the above embodiment in that it uses a marker M2 instead of a marker M1. As shown in Figure 7, the marker M2 is an isosceles triangle. The vertex of the isosceles triangle indicates the center C in the left-right direction of the slit 85.

[0104] Furthermore, the first modified example differs from the above embodiment in that it performs the printing process shown in Figure 5. When setting the release paper Rp on the winding roller 81, for example, the user operates the operation unit 13A and presses the feed button. Upon the user's operation of the feed button, the CPU 41 reads the program and executes the printing process.

[0105] When the printing process is executed, the CPU 41 starts transporting the film tape Rf, ink ribbon Ir, and release paper Rp (S101). At the bonding position P4, the double-sided adhesive tape of the release paper Rp is bonded to the film tape Rf.

[0106] The CPU 41 controls the full-cut cutting blade 91 of the cutting unit 9 to cut the film tape Rf and the release paper Rp (S103). This forms the leading edges of the release paper Rp and the film tape Rf.

[0107] The CPU 41 controls the transport unit 2 to rewind the fully cut section 9 and the film tape Rf by a predetermined distance in the opposite direction to the transport direction Y1 (S105). The predetermined distance is the distance required to print the first mark Q1 and the second mark Q2, which will be described later.

[0108] The CPU 41 controls the printing unit 3 to print, for example, the mark Q shown in Figure 6 onto the film tape Rf (S107).

[0109] Mark Q has two components: the first Mark Q1 and the second Mark Q2.

[0110] The first mark Q1 is a mark used for alignment with the indicator M2. The first mark Q1 is, for example, an isosceles triangle. The first mark Q1 is printed in the center of the release paper Rp in the width direction. The vertices of the isosceles triangle indicate the position of the center of the release paper Rp in the width direction.

[0111] The second mark Q2 is a mark indicating the insertion amount of the release paper Rp and film tape Rf into the slit 85. The second mark Q2 is, for example, a straight line extending in the width direction of the medium. The second mark Q2 is printed at a distance D1 from the leading edge of the release paper Rp. The distance D1 corresponds to the length of the slit 85 of the winding roller 81 in the insertion direction.

[0112] Once printing is complete, the CPU 41 controls the transport unit 2 to transport the film tape Rf and release paper Rp by a predetermined distance (S109). The predetermined distance is the length required for the user to attach the leading edges of the release paper Rp and film tape Rf to the slit 85.

[0113] CPU41 terminates the printing process.

[0114] The attachment of the release paper Rp to the winding roller 81 will now be described. After performing the printing process, the user attaches the release paper Rp and the film tape Rf to the slit 85 with the release paper Rp attached to the film tape Rf.

[0115] As shown in Figure 6, the user inserts the leading edges of the release paper Rp and film tape Rf into the slit 85 by a distance D1. The user then aligns the second mark Q2 with the insertion opening of the slit 85.

[0116] In this state, the user positions the release paper Rp so that the vertex of the first mark Q1 aligns with the vertex of the marker M2.

[0117] The user operates the lever 83 to fix the leading edges of the release paper Rp and film tape Rf into the slit 85.

[0118] As a result, the user can easily position the center of the release paper Rp in the width direction relative to the center C in the left-right direction of the slit 85.

[0119] As explained above, with the release paper Rp attached to the film tape Rf, the release paper Rp and the film tape Rf are attached to the winding unit 8. The CPU 41 controls the printing unit 3 to print the first mark Q1 on the film tape Rf. The first mark Q1 is a mark used for alignment with the sign M2. The user aligns the sign M2 on the winding unit 8 with the first mark Q1 on the film tape Rf and sets it. Therefore, the label winding machine 1 can further suppress the skew of the film tape Rf caused by the attachment position of the release paper Rp to the winding unit 8.

[0120] The winding unit 8 is equipped with a winding roller 81. The winding roller 81 has a slit 85 for inserting and fixing the release paper Rp and film tape Rf. In the printing process, the CPU 41 prints a second mark Q2 on the film tape Rf before attaching the release paper Rp and film tape Rf to the winding unit 8. The second mark Q2 indicates the amount to which the release paper Rp and film tape Rf should be inserted into the slit 85. By visually checking the second mark Q2, the user can easily understand how far to insert the film tape Rf into the slit 85 of the winding unit 8. Therefore, the label winding machine 1 can suppress improper setting of the release paper Rp into the winding unit 8.

[0121] The cutting unit 9 is equipped with a full-cut cutting blade 91. The full-cut cutting blade 91 cuts the film tape Rf and the release paper Rp. The CPU 41 controls the full-cut cutting blade 91 to cut the release paper Rp and the film tape Rf before printing the second mark Q2 onto the film tape Rf. The label winder 1 can maintain a constant distance from the leading edge of the film tape Rf to the second mark Q2.

[0122] The CPU 41 controls the transport unit 2 to transport the release paper Rp and film tape Rf to the length necessary to attach them to the winding unit 8. The CPU 41 prints the second mark Q2 on the film tape Rf when it is being transported. The label winding machine 1 prints the second mark Q2 when it transports the film tape Rf to attach it to the winding unit 8, thus reducing the user's working time.

[0123] In the above description, the film tape Rf is an example of the "printed tape" of the present invention. The release paper Rp is an example of the "release material" of the present invention. The full-cut cutting blade 91 is an example of the "auto full cutter" of the present invention. The control unit 14 is an example of the "control unit" of the present invention.

[0124] The CPU 41 that executes the process in S103 is an example of the "cutting process" of the present invention. The CPU 41 that executes the process in S107 is an example of the "printing process" of the present invention. The CPU 41 that executes the process in S109 is an example of the "transport process" of the present invention.

[0125] The first modified example may be changed as follows. For example, the marker M2 does not have to indicate the position of the center C of the slit 85.

[0126] For example, as shown in Figure 7(A), the marker M2 may indicate the position of the left edge of the release paper Rp. The user simply needs to align the left edge of the release paper Rp with the marker M2.

[0127] Furthermore, during the printing process, only the second mark Q2 shown in Figure 7(B) needs to be printed. The second mark Q2 indicates the insertion amount into the slit 85. The user simply needs to align the second mark Q2 with the insertion opening of the slit 85.

[0128] Referring to Figures 8 to 10, the positioning of the release paper Rp according to the second modified example will be explained. The second modified example differs from the above embodiment in that guides G1 to G3 are provided on the support surface 15 of the transport path for the release paper Rp.

[0129] As shown in Figure 8, guides G1 to G3 are used to position release paper Rp of different widths. Guides G1 to G3 are positioned between the release section 4 and the winding section 8.

[0130] Guide G1 is positioned to correspond to the first marker M11. In other words, guide G1 is used to attach the release paper Rp having a first width to the slit 85.

[0131] Guide G2 is positioned to correspond to the second marker M12. In other words, guide G2 is used to attach the release paper Rp, which has a second width, to the slit 85.

[0132] Guide G3 is positioned to correspond to the third marker M13. In other words, guide G3 is used to attach the release paper Rp, which has a third width, to the slit 85.

[0133] Guide G1 comprises a first guide 11L and a second guide 11R. The first guide 11L and the second guide 11R are triangular in shape. The first guide 11L and the second guide 11R are rotatable about axis B. The first guide 11L is separated from the second guide 11R by a length H1.

[0134] Guide G2 comprises a first guide 12L and a second guide 12R. The first guide 12L and the second guide 12R are triangular in shape. The second guide 12R is rotatable about axis B. The first guide 12L is separated from the second guide 12R by a length H2.

[0135] Guide G3 comprises a first guide 13L and a second guide 13R. The first guide 13L and the second guide 13R are triangular in shape. The first guide 13L and the second guide 13R are rotatable about axis B. The first guide 12L is separated from the second guide 12R by a width H3.

[0136] Referring to Figure 9, the positioning of the release paper Rp by the user using guide G2 will be explained. In the example shown in Figure 9, release paper Rp having a second width is attached to the slit 85.

[0137] The user passes the release paper Rp between the first guide 12L and the second guide 12R of guide G2. At this time, guide G1, i.e., the first guide 12L and the second guide 12R, rotates around axis B and retracts. Therefore, the first guide 12L and the second guide 12R do not obstruct the movement of the release paper Rp.

[0138] The first guide 12L and the second guide 12R position the release paper Rp in the width direction. In this state, the user guides the release paper Rp to the second marker M12 of marker M1. Using the second marker M12 as a guide, the user inserts the leading edge of the release paper Rp into the slit 85.

[0139] As shown in Figure 10, when positioning, for example, a release paper Rp having a third width, the release paper Rp can be guided to the third marker M13 by aligning it along the inside of the guide G3. At this time, guides G1 and G2 rotate and retract around axis B.

[0140] As explained above, guides G1 to G3 are positioned between the release section 4 and the winding section 8. Guides G1 to G3 guide the release paper Rp toward the label M1 on the winding section 8. The label winding machine 1 can guide the release paper Rp toward the label M1 using guides G1 to G3.

[0141] Guide G2 comprises a first guide 12L and a second guide 12R. The first guide 11L is positioned to the left in the width direction of the release paper Rp. The first guide 11L determines the position of the left edge of the release paper Rp. The second guide 11R is positioned to the right in the width direction. The second guide 11R determines the position of the right edge of the release paper Rp. The label winding machine 1 can guide the release paper Rp toward the label M1 more reliably using the first guide 11L and the second guide 11R.

[0142] Guides G1 to G3 are arranged in multiple locations according to the width of the release paper Rp. The label winding machine 1 makes it easier to set the release paper Rp to the desired mounting position on the winding section 8, according to the width of the release paper Rp.

[0143] In the above description, guides G1 to G3 are examples of the "guides" of the present invention. First guides 11L, 12L, and 13L are examples of the "first guides" of the present invention. Second guides 11R, 12R, and 13R are examples of the "second guides" of the present invention.

[0144] The above embodiments and modifications can be further modified in various ways as follows. The above disclosures and the various modifications described below can be combined in any way that does not cause a contradiction. The configuration of the label winding machine 1 in the above embodiments may be changed as appropriate. The arrangement positions of each component may also be changed as appropriate.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the label R is wrapped around the cable 19, but this is not limited to that. For example, instead of the cable 19, it may be wrapped around stationery such as a pen, or a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0146] In the above embodiment, there were three markers M1, from the first marker M11 to the third marker M13, but the number of markers M1 can be adjusted according to the width of the release paper Rp.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the marker M1 was a single color, but it is not limited to that. For example, multiple colors may be used to distinguish the first marker M11 to the third marker M13 of marker M1.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the first marker M11 comprises a first straight line L11, a second straight line L12, and a third straight line L13, but is not limited to this. For example, it may consist only of the first straight line L11. Also, the first marker M11 may consist only of the second straight line L12, or only of the third straight line L13. The same applies to the second marker M12 and the third marker M13.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the first marker M11, the second marker M12, and the third marker M13 may consist only of, for example, the first straight lines L11, L21, and L31. The width of the release paper Rp can be indicated by changing the color, thickness, etc.

[0150] In the first modified example described above, the cutting unit 9 was driven by the control of the CPU 41, but it is not limited to this. For example, the cutting unit 9 may be operated manually.

[0151] In the second modified example described above, the marker M1 was printed, but this is not the only option. For example, instead of marker M1, the marker M2 shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be placed. The film tape Rf attached to the release paper Rp may be appropriately printed with the first mark Q1 and the second mark Q2. Furthermore, the marker M1 may be omitted. Guides G1 to G3 can be used to position the slit 85 to the desired position.

[0152] In the above embodiments and modifications, the film tape Rf is attached to the release paper Rp before being attached to the slit 85, but this is not limited to this configuration. The film tape Rf may be attached to the slit 85 with the half-cut label R attached to the release paper Rp. Alternatively, only the release paper Rp may be attached to the slit 85.

[0153] In the above embodiment, a microcomputer, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., may be used as the processor instead of the CPU 41. Each process executed by the program may be distributed and processed by multiple processors.

[0154] The program may be downloaded (i.e., transmitted as a signal) from, for example, an internet-connected server (not shown) and stored in non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the program may be stored on a non-temporary storage medium such as an HDD provided on the server. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0155] 1. Label winding machine 2. Conveying section 3 Printing Department 4. Peeled section 8. Winding section 14 Control Unit 41 CPU Rp release paper RF film tape M1, M2 signs Q1 First Mark Q2, Mark 2 G1-G3 Guide 11L, 12L, 13L First Guide 11R, 12R, 13R Second Guide D1 Distance

Claims

1. A printing section that prints an image onto a printed tape to which a release agent is adhered on its entire surface, A transport unit for transporting the printed tape printed by the printing unit, A cutting unit is located downstream of the printing unit in the transport direction of the printed tape, and cuts the printed tape to which the release agent has been adhered into a label, A peeling section for peeling the label cut by the cutting section from the peeling material, A winding section for winding the label peeled off at the peeling section onto a rod-shaped member, A winding section for winding up the release material from which the label has been peeled off at the peeling section. Equipped with, The label winding machine is characterized in that the winding section has a marker used in attaching the release agent to the winding section, which indicates the attachment position of the release agent.

2. The aforementioned sign is, The label winding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it shows the mounting position at one end in the width direction of the release material.

3. The winding section includes a winding roller into which the leading edge of the release agent is inserted and which has a slit extending in the width direction of the release agent. The aforementioned sign is, Located on the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller, it indicates the mounting position of one end of the release material in the width direction, and has a first straight line extending from the slit in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface by a predetermined first length, A second straight line located on the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller, indicating the mounting position of the other end in the width direction, and extending in the circumferential direction by the amount of the first length, A third straight line connecting the end of the first straight line and the end of the second straight line, A label winding machine according to claim 1, characterized by having the following features.

4. The winding section is capable of attaching the release material of different widths, The aforementioned markers are arranged in multiple quantities according to the width of the release agent, The label winding machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the plurality of labels do not overlap with each other.

5. With the release agent attached to the printed tape, the release agent and the printed tape are attached to the winding section. Control unit that controls the printing unit and executes a printing process to print a first mark on the printing tape for alignment with the sign. The label winding machine according to claim 1, further comprising the features described above.

6. The winding section includes a winding roller having a slit for inserting and securing the release agent and the printed tape. The control unit, in the printing process, The label winding machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, before attaching the release agent and the printed tape to the winding section, a second mark indicating the amount of insertion of the release agent and the printed tape into the slit is further printed on the printed tape.

7. The cutting unit includes an automatic full cutter for cutting the printed tape and the release agent. The control unit, A cutting process is performed by controlling the automatic full cutter to cut the release agent and the printed tape before printing the second mark onto the printed tape. The label winding machine according to claim 6, further characterized by performing the following.

8. The control unit, A transport process that controls the transport unit to transport the release material and the printed tape to the length necessary to attach them to the winding unit. Further execution, The control unit, in the printing process, The label winding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the second mark is printed on the printed tape when the printed tape is transported by the transport process described above.

9. A guide positioned between the peeling section and the winding section, which guides the peeling material toward the mark on the winding section. The label winding machine according to claim 1, further comprising the features described above.

10. The aforementioned guide, A first guide is positioned on one side in the width direction of the release material and determines the position of one side of the release material, A second guide is positioned in the other direction in the width direction and determines the position of the other side of the release material. The label winding machine according to claim 9, characterized by having the following features.

11. The aforementioned guide, The label winding machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a plurality of the release material are arranged according to the width of the release material.

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