Label generating device and label generating program

Abstract

To provide a technique for allowing a user to easily stick together a plurality of labels for making a stuck label.SOLUTION: A label generation device 2 that generates a first label L1 and a second label L2 for making a stuck label L3 in which a non-adhesive surface 6a of the first label L1 and an adhesive surface 6b of the second label L2 are stuck together in a thickness direction. A CPU 21a performs a first printing process of conveying a label tape TP and printing a first label image to generate the first label L1 and a second printing process of conveying the label tape TP and printing a second label image to generate the second label L2. A first amount of conveyance of the label tape TP in the second printing process is larger than a second amount of conveyance of the label tape TP in the first printing process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label generating device and a label generating program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a tape is created with a tape printing device on which a print image is printed, and a user then overlaps multiple pieces of printed tape in the thickness direction to create a label with the desired appearance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-17937 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, a print image is printed on each of a plurality of tapes individually, and then the plurality of tapes are overlapped and stuck together to create an overlapped label having a desired appearance.

[0005] When bonding, a user places one tape (i.e., a label) horizontally, and then holds both ends of another tape (i.e., a label) with both hands, positioning it relative to the placed label and bonding them together. At that time, if the two labels to be bonded together are the same size, it is difficult to hold the other label without soiling it.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows a user to easily stick a plurality of labels together to create a stacked label. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the label producing device of the present invention is a label producing device that produces the first label and the second label to create an overlapping label by bonding the non-adhesive side of a first label printed on a first medium and the adhesive side of a second label printed on a second medium in a thickness direction, the label producing device having a printing unit, a conveying unit, and a control unit, the control unit executes a first printing process of conveying the first medium to the conveying unit and printing a first label image at the printing unit to generate the first label, and a second printing process of conveying the second medium to the conveying unit and printing a second label image at the printing unit to generate the second label, and a second conveyance amount of the second medium by the conveying unit in the second printing process is greater than a first conveyance amount of the first medium by the conveying unit in the first printing process.

[0008] In the present invention, the control unit performs a first printing process for generating a first label and a second printing process for generating a second label. In the first printing process, the transport unit transports the first medium, and the printing unit prints a first label image on the transported first medium, thereby generating a first label. In the second printing process, the transport unit transports the second medium, and the printing unit prints a second label image on the transported second medium, thereby generating a second label.

[0009] During the first printing process and the second printing process, the control unit makes the second transport amount of the second medium larger than the first transport amount of the first medium in order to improve the convenience described above. This allows the second label generated by printing on the second medium to be longer than the first label generated by printing on the first medium. For example, when a user holds the left end of the second label with the left hand and the right end with the right hand in a state in which the first label is placed horizontally, and performs lamination while positioning the placed first label, the increased length of the second label can be used as a dedicated space for holding the second label. According to the present invention, the second label can be easily attached to the first label, and convenience for the user can be improved.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the label production program of the present application causes a calculation unit provided in an information terminal to execute a reception process for receiving a production instruction to produce an overlapped label by bonding, in a thickness direction, a non-adhesive surface of a first label produced by printing a first label image on a first medium and an adhesive surface of a second label produced by printing a second label image on a second medium; a generation process for generating a third label image by adding a first image from one end of the second label image in a first direction and adding a second image from the other end opposite to the one end of the second label image in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a print instruction sending process for sending a print instruction for the first label image and the third label image to a label production device.

[0011] By adding images to both ends of the second label image, the calculation unit can make the second label generated by printing on the second medium in the label generating device longer than the first label generated by printing on the first medium. Therefore, the extra length compared to the first label can be used as a dedicated space for holding the second label, and the second label can be easily attached to the first label. This improves convenience for users.

[0012] The present invention is not limited to a label generating device and a label generating program, but may be appropriately applied to, for example, a label generating method executed by a label generating program, a label generating system, and the like. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the second label can be easily attached to the first label, and convenience for the user can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information terminal and a label production device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for producing an overlapping label by bonding a first label and a second label together. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams showing a procedure for producing an overlapping label by bonding together a first label and a second label of the same size. [Diagram 5] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams showing a procedure for producing an overlapping label by bonding a second label provided with a handle to a first label. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams showing a procedure for producing an overlapping label by bonding a second label, on which a cut mark is printed, to a first label. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for producing an overlapping label by bonding a half-cut second label to a first label. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of printing cut marks to create a second label. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of producing a second label by performing a half cut. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of producing a first label by performing a full cut. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of printing cut marks to create a first label. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the lengths of the first label and the second label in the transport direction. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by a CPU of an information terminal and a CPU of a label production device in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by a CPU of an information terminal and a CPU of a label production device in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by a CPU of an information terminal and a CPU of a label production device in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The first embodiment is an embodiment in which a process of adding a margin for a handle to a label is executed on the label producing apparatus side.

[0016] <Overall system configuration> FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the printing system 1 has a label producing apparatus 2 and information terminals 3 and 4. The information terminals 3 and 4 may be either one or both. The label producing apparatus 2 is a label printer that produces a print label L, and has a display unit 26 and an input unit 27. The information terminal 3 is, for example, a mobile terminal, and may be a smartphone equipped with a touch panel 37 as shown in FIG. 1, or may be a tablet terminal or the like. The information terminal 4 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and may be a notebook computer equipped with an operation unit 33 and a display unit 34 as shown in FIG. 1, or may be a desktop computer or the like. The information terminals 3 and 4 are each connected to the label producing apparatus 2 so as to be able to transmit and receive information to and from each other. For example, the information terminal 3 is connected via wireless communication, and the information terminal 4 is connected via wired communication. Note that the information terminal 3 may be connected via wired communication, and the information terminal 4 may be connected via wireless communication.

[0017] <Information terminal> Fig. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the information terminals 3 and 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the information terminals 3 and 4 include a CPU 31, a memory 32 including, for example, a RAM or a ROM, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, a communication control unit 35, and a large-capacity storage device 36.

[0018] Instructions and information from the user are input to the operation unit 33. The display unit 34 displays various information and messages. The information terminal 3 is configured as a touch panel 37 that combines the functions of the operation unit 33 and the display unit 34. The communication control unit 35 controls communication with the label producing apparatus 2.

[0019] The large-capacity storage device 36 stores a print application for causing the CPU 31 to execute each procedure of the sequence shown in Figures 13 and 15, etc., described later, such as editing print data, as well as various other programs, various data, etc. The print application, various programs, various data, etc. may be stored in the memory 32.

[0020] The CPU 31 performs various processes and various communications with the label generating device 2 according to programs stored in the ROM or large-capacity storage device 36 while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM in the memory 32. The CPU 31 is an example of a calculation unit.

[0021] <Label Generator> Fig. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the label producing apparatus 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the label producing apparatus 2 has a control circuit 21, a cartridge holder 22a, a cartridge sensor 22b, a feed roller drive shaft 23b that drives a feed roller 23a for transporting the label tape TP, a communication control unit 24, a print head 25, a display unit 26, an input unit 27, a large-capacity storage device 28, a cutter 29a, and a half cutter 29b. The print head 25 is an example of a printing unit, and the feed roller drive shaft 23b is an example of a transport unit.

[0022] The cartridge holder 22a detachably mounts the cartridge 5. The cartridge sensor 22b is provided on the cartridge holder 22a and detects the type of the cartridge 5 by a known appropriate method such as mechanical detection or optical / magnetic detection.

[0023] The control circuit 21 has a CPU 21a, a RAM 21b, a ROM 21c, etc. The control circuit 21 is connected to the communication control units 35 of the information terminals 3 and 4 via the communication control unit 24, so that the label producing device 2 can transmit and receive information to and from the information terminals 3 and 4. The CPU 21a is an example of a control unit.

[0024] The input unit 27 is composed of a plurality of buttons and the like, and receives instructions and information from the user. The display unit 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information and messages. The communication control unit 24 controls communication between the information terminals 3 and 4.

[0025] The mass storage device 28 stores a printing program for causing the CPU 21a to execute each procedure of the sequence shown in Fig. 13 to Fig. 15 etc. described later, various data, etc. The printing program, various data, etc. may be stored in the RAM 21b or ROM 21c of the control circuit 21.

[0026] The cutter 29a cuts the label tape TP on which printing has been performed by the print head 25. This produces the printed label L. The half cutter 29b cuts the label tape TP to a partial depth in the thickness direction, so-called half cut. As shown in the partially enlarged view in FIG. 2, the label tape TP or the printed label L is composed of a label body 6 having a non-adhesive surface 6a on the front side and an adhesive surface 6b on the back side, and a release material 7 that is peelably attached to the adhesive surface 6b on the back side of the label body 6. When the printed label L is used, the adhesive surface 6b exposed by peeling off the release material 7 is attached to an adherend. The half cutter 29b sets the depth of the cutting line to a degree that divides the label body 6 but not the release material 7. The half cutter 29b is an example of a cutting part.

[0027] <Layered labels> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a user creates an overlapped label L3 by pasting two labels, a first label L1 and a second label L2, in the thickness direction. Specifically, the non-adhesive surface 6a on the front side of the first label L1 created by the label generating device 2 by printing on the label tape TP is pasted with the adhesive surface 6b on the back side of the label body 6 exposed by peeling off the release material 7 from the second label L2 created by the label generating device 2 by printing on the label tape TP, to create the overlapped label L3. That is, in the overlapped label L3, the first label L1 is the lower label, and the second label L2 is the upper label. The label body 6 of the second label L2 is transparent so that the first label L1 can be seen through. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a first label image, for example, a colored curtain-like pattern, is printed on the first label L1, and a second label image, for example, black letters "ABC", is printed on the second label L2. The label tape TP for creating the first label L1 is an example of a first medium, and the label tape TP for creating the second label L2 is an example of a second medium.

[0028] 4(a) and 4(b) show an example of a label sticking operation by a user when the second label L2 does not have a dedicated space for gripping. As shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), for example, in a state where the first label L1 is placed horizontally, the user holds the left end of the label body 6 of the second label L2 with the left hand and the right end with the right hand, and performs sticking while positioning it with respect to the placed first label L1. As shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), if the sizes of the two labels L1 and L2 to be stuck together are the same, fingerprints will be left on both ends of the label body 6 of the second label L2. In that case, since the label body 6 of the second label L2 is transparent, the fingerprints will be visible on the created overlapping label L3, which deteriorates the appearance. In this way, if the sizes of the labels L1 and L2 are the same, it is difficult to hold the second label L2 without getting it dirty.

[0029] 5(a) and 5(b) show an example of a label pasting operation by a user when a dedicated space for gripping is provided on the second label L2. As shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b), in this embodiment, marginal areas L2b and L2c are formed on both ends of the printing area L2a in which the second label image is formed on the second label L2. For convenience of explanation, in this embodiment, the marginal area L2b located downstream of the printing area L2a in the conveying direction of the second label L2 is also called the front marginal area L2b, and the marginal area L2c located upstream of the printing area L2a in the conveying direction of the second label L2 is also called the rear marginal area L2c. A user can utilize the marginal areas L2b and L2c as a handle portion which is a dedicated space for gripping. Even if fingerprints are left on the marginal areas L2b and L2c, the marginal areas L2b and L2c are finally cut off, so that fingerprints do not remain on the created overlapping label L3, and deterioration of the appearance can be prevented. By gripping the marginal areas L2b and L2c, the user can easily attach the second label L2 to the first label L1, thereby improving user convenience.

[0030] In this embodiment, as an example, an example will be described in which two labels L1 and L2 are created and stuck on top of each other. Note that the number of print labels L to be stuck on top of each other is not limited to two, and three or more print labels L may be stuck on top of each other. In that case, a margin may be formed on a plurality of labels other than the bottom label.

[0031] <Layering procedure> An example of a procedure for producing the overlapped label L3 in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 6. The example shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to a case where, for example, the half-cut function by the half cutter 29b is disabled in the label producing apparatus 2, or the label producing apparatus 2 does not include the half cutter 29b.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6(a), in the second label L2, a cut mark Ma is printed by the print head 25 in the boundary area between the front margin area L2b and the print area L2a, and the boundary area between the print area L2a and the rear margin area L2c. The "boundary area" includes the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the print area L2a, the boundary between the print area L2a and the rear margin area L2c, and the vicinity area slightly on the margin area side of these boundaries. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cut mark Ma is printed, for example, as two line segments separated on both sides in the label width direction on the above-mentioned boundary. Note that the cut mark Ma may be of any type as long as it can be positioned between the first label L1, and may be, for example, a straight line along the above-mentioned boundary, a dotted line, a dot, a solid color from the boundary area to the entire margin area side, a pattern, or the like. The cut mark Ma is an example of a mark.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 6(b), the release material 7 of the second label L2 is peeled off from the label body 6 by the user. As shown in Fig. 6(c), the label body 6 is attached to the first label L1 while being aligned with respect to the first label L1 by the two cut marks Ma on the left and right. The attachment work is performed by the user holding the front margin area L2b and rear margin area L2c of the label body 6. Since the outline of the printed area L2a of the label body 6 can be roughly represented by the two cut marks Ma of the second label L2, it is easy to align the second label L2 with respect to the first label L1, which has approximately the same size as the printed area L2a, and attachment can be performed smoothly.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6(d), the user cuts the label body 6 of the second label L2 along the two cut marks Ma using scissors or the like. As a result, the gap between the front margin area L2b and the print area L2a of the label body 6 of the second label L2, and the gap between the print area L2a and the rear margin area L2c are manually cut, respectively, and the final intended overlap label L3 is created as shown in Fig. 6(e). According to the overlap procedure described above, the front margin area L2b and the rear margin area L2c of the label body 6 with the fingerprints are cut off, so that the deterioration of the appearance of the overlap label L3 can be prevented.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows another example of the procedure for producing the overlapped label L3 in this embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to a case where, for example, the half-cut function by the half cutter 29b is enabled in the label producing apparatus 2, and a back slit BS is formed in the peel-off material 7. As shown in FIG. 7(a), in the second label L2, half-cut lines CL are formed by the half cutter 29b at the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a, and at the boundary between the printing area L2a and the rear margin area L2c. At the half-cut line CL, only the label body 6 is cut, and the peel-off material 7 is not cut. The half-cut line CL can divide the label body 6 of the second label L2 into the printing area L2a portion, the front margin area L2b portion, and the rear margin area L2c portion.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the user peels off the label body 6 in the front margin region L2b and rear margin region L2c of the second label L2 from the release material 7. As shown in FIG. 7(c), the back slit BS formed in the release material 7 is exposed. The back slit BS is a slit formed in advance only in the release material 7, and is formed along the label longitudinal direction at approximately the center position in the label width direction. The back slit BS divides the release material 7 into approximately two equal parts in the label width direction. As shown in FIG. 7(d), the user peels off the upper half of the release material 7 from the label body 6. The lower half of the release material 7 may also be peeled off.

[0037] As shown in Figures 7(e) and 7(f), the label body 6 of the second label L2 is attached to the first label L1 while aligning the left and right ends with respect to the first label L1. The attaching operation is performed by a user holding the front margin area L2b and rear margin area L2c of the release material 7. Since the first label L1 has approximately the same size as the outer shape of the print area L2a of the label body 6 of the second label L2, the second label L2 can be easily aligned with the first label L1, and therefore the attachment can be performed smoothly.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 7(g), the user peels off the lower half of the release material 7 from the label body 6 of the second label L2. This results in the final product, the overlapping label L3, as shown in Fig. 7(h). According to the overlapping procedure described above, fingerprints are not left on the label body 6 of the second label L2, so that the deterioration of the appearance of the overlapping label L3 can be prevented.

[0039] In addition, when the back slit BS is not formed in the release material 7 of the second label L2, the upper half of the release material 7 may be peeled off from the label body 6, for example, by folding back the upper half of the release material 7 to the back side. Even in this way, the overlapping can be performed in the same procedure as in FIG. 7. In addition, when the half cut shown in FIG. 6 is not performed, the upper half of the release material 7 of the second label L2 may not be peeled off entirely from the label body 6, but may be peeled off from the label body 6, for example, by folding back the upper half of the release material 7 to the back side. In this state, the upper half of the label body 6 may be aligned with the first label L1 by the two cut marks Ma on the left and right, and then attached to the first label L1.

[0040] <Second label creation process> 8(a) to (g) show an example of the process of producing the second label L2. The example shown in Fig. 8(a) to (g) corresponds to, for example, a case where the half-cut function by the half cutter 29b in the label producing apparatus 2 is disabled, or the label producing apparatus 2 does not include the half cutter 29b.

[0041] FIG. 8(a) shows an initial position state in which the second label L2 produced in advance has been cut. When the label producing apparatus 2 receives print data for the second label L2 from this state, production of the second label L2 is started. As shown in FIG. 8(a), due to the relative positional relationship between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a in the label producing apparatus 2, a margin of length db is inevitably generated on the front side, which is the downstream side in the conveying direction, of the second label L2 to be produced. In this embodiment, the margin is utilized as the front margin area L2b. In other words, the length of the front margin area L2b in the conveying direction is approximately the same as the distance db between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a. As shown in FIG. 8(a), a cut mark Ma is printed by the print head 25 at approximately the same timing as the start of conveyance of the label tape TP. The cut mark Ma becomes the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the print area L2a.

[0042] The length of the front margin area L2b in the transport direction is not limited to db, and may be longer than db. In that case, the label tape TP is transported a predetermined distance after the start of transport, and the cut mark Ma is printed at the timing when the print head 25 reaches the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a.

[0043] As shown in Figures 8(b) and 8(c), as the label tape TP is fed, a second label image is printed in the printing area L2a by the print head 25. Figure 8 shows a case where the second label image is, for example, the black letters "ABC."

[0044] As shown in FIG. 8(d), the cut mark Ma is printed when the print head 25 reaches the boundary between the print area L2a and the rear margin area L2c. As shown in FIG. 8(e), the label tape TP continues to be fed, and as shown in FIG. 8(f), the feeding of the label tape TP is stopped when the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the rear margin area L2c. As shown in FIG. 8(g), the label tape TP is cut by the cutter 29a to create a second label L2 having a front margin area L2b and a rear margin area L2c before and after the print area L2a. The lengths of the front margin area L2b, the print area L2a, and the rear margin area L2c in the feeding direction are db, da, and dc, respectively. da varies depending on the second label image, and may be longer or shorter than db and dc. db and dc are set to the same length in this embodiment. Note that db and dc may be different lengths.

[0045] 9(a) to (g) show another example of the process for producing the second label L2. The example shown in Fig. 9(a) to (g) corresponds to the case where, for example, the half-cut function by the half cutter 29b is enabled in the label producing apparatus 2.

[0046] Fig. 9(a) shows the initial position state in which the previously produced second label L2 has been cut. When the label producing apparatus 2 receives print data for the second label L2 from this state, production of the second label L2 begins. In Fig. 9 as well, the margin of length db generated by the relative positional relationship between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a is set as the front margin area L2b.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 9(b), as the label tape TP is fed, a second label image is printed in the printing area L2a by the print head 25. As shown in Fig. 9(c), when the half cutter 29b reaches the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a, feeding of the label tape TP is stopped, and a half cut is performed by the half cutter 29b to form a half-cut line CL.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 9(d), the label tape TP continues to be fed, and printing on the printing area L2a is completed. As shown in Fig. 9(e), when the half cutter 29b reaches the boundary between the printing area L2a and the rear margin area L2c, feeding of the label tape TP is stopped, and the half cutter 29b performs a half cut to form a half-cut line CL.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 9(f), the label tape TP continues to be fed, and feeding of the label tape TP is stopped when the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the rear margin area L2c. As shown in Fig. 9(g), the label tape TP is cut by the cutter 29a to create a second label L2 having a front margin area L2b and a rear margin area L2c before and after the print area L2a.

[0050] <First label creation process> 10(a) to (f) show an example of the process for producing the first label L1. The example shown in Fig. 10(a) to (f) corresponds to a case where, for example, the auto-cut function by the cutter 29a is enabled in the label producing apparatus 2.

[0051] Fig. 10(a) shows an initial position state in which the previously produced first label L1 has been cut. When the label producing apparatus 2 receives print data for the first label L1 from this state, production of the first label L1 begins. Note that, as shown in Fig. 10(a), due to the relative positional relationship between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a in the label producing apparatus 2, a margin of length db is inevitably generated at the front side, which is the downstream side in the transport direction, of the first label L1 being produced. As will be described later, in the production process of the first label L1, the margin area L1b of length db is cut off.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 10(b), as the label tape TP is fed, the print head 25 prints a first label image in the print area L1a. Fig. 10 shows a case where the first label image is, for example, a colored curtain-like design. The label tape TP is fed, and the feeding of the label tape TP is stopped at the timing when the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the marginal area L1b. As shown in Fig. 10(c), the cutter 29a cuts the label tape TP, thereby removing the marginal area L1b.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 10(d), the label tape TP continues to be fed, and printing on the print area L1a is completed. As shown in Fig. 10(e), the label tape TP continues to be fed, and feeding of the label tape TP is stopped when the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the print area L1a. As shown in Fig. 10(f), the label tape TP is cut by the cutter 29a, and a first label L1 having a print area L1a is created.

[0054] When the first labels L1 are produced one by one, the margin area L1b is cut off as described above to produce the labels. On the other hand, when a plurality of first labels L1 are produced continuously, printing of the first label image in the printing area L1a of the succeeding first label L1 starts before the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the printing area L1a in FIG. 10(e) above. Printing of the succeeding first label L1 is performed before and after cutting of the label tape TP shown in FIG. 10(f). After printing of the succeeding first label L1 is completed, and before the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the printing area L1a, printing of the first label image in the printing area L1a of the further succeeding first label L1 starts. When multiple first labels L1 are produced in succession using the production process described above, the first label will have a margin area L1b which needs to be cut off, but the second and subsequent labels will not have a margin area L1b, so the first labels L1 can be produced sequentially without cutting off the margins.

[0055] 11(a) to (d) show another example of the process for producing the first label L1. The example shown in Fig. 11(a) to (d) corresponds to a case where, for example, the auto-cut function by the cutter 29a in the label producing apparatus 2 is disabled.

[0056] FIG. 11(a) shows an initial position state in which the first label L1 produced in advance has been cut. When the label producing apparatus 2 receives print data for the first label L1 from this state, production of the first label L1 starts. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the user cuts the label tape TP using scissors or the like, so the leading end of the label tape TP is located a predetermined distance downstream in the conveying direction from the cutter 29a on the front side. In other words, a margin larger than the length db is inevitably generated on the front side downstream in the conveying direction of the second label L2 to be produced. The margin area L1b larger than the length db is eventually cut off by the user using scissors or the like. As shown in FIG. 11(a), a cut mark Mb is printed by the print head 25 at approximately the same timing as the start of conveying the label tape TP. The cut mark Mb becomes the boundary between the margin area L1b and the print area L1a.

[0057] 11, the cut mark Mb is printed as a mark in which a scissors design is inserted between two lines separated on both sides of the label width direction on the above-mentioned boundary. Note that the cut mark Mb may be of any type as long as it serves as a guide when the user uses scissors or the like to cut the label. For example, the cut mark Mb may be a straight line along the above-mentioned boundary, or may be a dotted line, a dot, a solid color, or a design other than scissors.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 11(b), as the label tape TP is fed, the print head 25 prints the first label image in the print area L1a. As shown in FIG. 11(c), the label tape TP continues to be fed, and when printing of the first label image is completed and the print head 25 reaches the rear end position of the first label L1, the print head 25 prints a cut mark Mb. The cut mark Mb becomes the boundary between the first label L1 currently being produced and the first label L1 to be subsequently produced. As shown in FIG. 11(d), the label tape TP is fed and stopped until the rear cut mark Mb, which is on the upstream side of the feeding direction of the first label L1, reaches a position downstream in the feeding direction by a predetermined distance from the cutter 29a, for example, a position where the rear cut mark Mb is exposed to the outside from the housing of the label producing device 2. As a result, the user uses scissors or the like to cut the label tape TP along the two cut marks Mb on the front and rear sides, thereby producing the first label L1.

[0059] 11, when the first labels L1 are produced one by one, a blank area L1b is generated on each label. On the other hand, when multiple first labels L1 are produced in succession, the blank area L1b is generated on the first label, but the blank area L1b is not generated on the second and subsequent labels.

[0060] <Length of the first and second labels> 12 shows the lengths in the feed direction of the first label L1 and the second label L2 created by the above-mentioned creation process. The lengths in the feed direction of the first label L1 and the second label L2 correspond to the feed amount of the label tape TP when creating the first label L1 and the feed amount of the label tape TP when creating the second label L2, respectively.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, the second label L2 has a front margin area L2b, a print area L2a, and a rear margin area L2c. The lengths in the transport direction of the second label L2, the front margin area L2b, the print area L2a, and the rear margin area L2c are D2, db, da, and dc, respectively. D2 is equal to the sum of db, da, and dc. db and dc are approximately equal. When multiple second labels L2 are produced in succession, the arrangement of the areas is as shown in FIG. 12: front margin area L2b, print area L2a, rear margin area L2c, front margin area L2b, print area L2a, rear margin area L2c, ... The same arrangement is also obtained when the second labels L2 are produced one by one.

[0062] The first label L1 has a printing area L1a. The length of the first label L1 in the transport direction, i.e., the length of the printing area L1a in the transport direction, is D1. D1 is approximately equal to the length da of the printing area L2a of the second label L2. When multiple first labels L1 are produced continuously, the arrangement of the areas is blank area L1b, printing area L1a, printing area L1a, ... as shown in FIG. 12. When the first labels L1 are produced one by one, the arrangement is blank area L1b, printing area L1a, blank area L1b, printing area L1a, .... The length of the blank area L1b in the transport direction is db, which is approximately equal to the length db of the front blank area L2b of the second label L2.

[0063] From the above, the second conveyance amount, which is the amount of conveyance of the label tape TP by the feed roller drive shaft 23b when producing the second label L2, is D2. The first conveyance amount, which is the amount of conveyance of the label tape TP by the feed roller drive shaft 23b when producing the first label L1, is D1 or D1+db. Therefore, the second conveyance amount D2 is greater than the first conveyance amount D1 or D1+db.

[0064] The second conveying amount D2 is greater than the first conveying amount D1+db, which is the conveying amount when producing the first labels L1 one by one, or the first conveying amount D1+db, which is the conveying amount of the first label when producing multiple first labels L1 in succession, by the length dc of the rear margin area L2c. Also, the second conveying amount D2 is greater than the first conveying amount D1, which is the conveying amount of the second and subsequent labels when producing multiple first labels L1 in succession, by the sum of the length db of the front margin area L2b and the length dc of the rear margin area L2c.

[0065] <Control procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the CPU 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4 and the CPU 21a of the label producing device 2 to realize label production and the like in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0066] In step S1, the CPU 31 of the information terminal 3, 4 accepts an editing operation by a user of the first label image to be printed on the first label L1 and the second label image to be printed on the second label L2.

[0067] In step S3, the CPU 31 accepts a print setting operation by the user. The contents of the print setting include, for example, whether to enable or disable a handle function that adds a margin for a handle to the second label L2, whether to enable or disable an auto-cut function, whether to enable or disable a half-cut function, the number of prints, etc.

[0068] In step S5, the CPU 31 sends print data to the label producing apparatus 2 based on the contents received in steps S1 and S3 above. The print data includes the first label image to be printed on the first label L1, the second label image to be printed on the second label L2, layer identification symbols indicating the stacking positions of each label image, medium information indicating the type of cartridge 5 used to print each label image, and the contents of the print settings above. The layer identification symbols are information indicating, for example, that the first label image is the lower layer and the second label image is the upper layer.

[0069] In step S7, the CPU 21a of the label producing apparatus 2 receives the print data transmitted from the information terminals 3 and 4. The print data includes the layer identification symbol. Step S7 is an example of an information acquisition process for acquiring overlay information indicating that the second label is a label for overlay and is to be attached above the first label.

[0070] In step S9, the CPU 21a determines whether or not the cartridge 5 mounted in the cartridge holder 22a corresponds to the first label L1 based on the detection result by the cartridge sensor 22b. If the CPU 21a determines that the mounted cartridge 5 corresponds to the first label L1 (step S9: Yes), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S11.

[0071] In step S11, the CPU 21a determines whether the automatic cut function is enabled based on the received print settings. If the CPU 21a determines that the automatic cut function is enabled (step S11: Yes), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S13.

[0072] In step S13, the CPU 21a starts feeding the label tape TP and prints the leading portion of the first label image with the print head 25. The "leading portion" refers to the portion of the first label image that is printed by the print head 25 before the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the margin area L1b. Step S13 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 10(b).

[0073] In step S15, the CPU 21a stops the feeding of the label tape TP and cuts the label tape TP with the cutter 29a. This cuts off the marginal area L1b. This step S15 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 10(c).

[0074] In step S17, the CPU 21a restarts feeding of the label tape TP and prints the remaining portion of the first label image with the print head 25. The "remaining portion" refers to the portion of the first label image other than the "first portion." Step S17 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 10(d).

[0075] In step S19, the CPU 21a determines whether or not there is next label data, in other words, whether or not to continuously produce the first label L1, based on the contents of the received print settings. If the CPU 21a determines that there is next label data (step S19: Yes), it returns to step S13. As a result, steps S13 to S17 are repeated while there is next label data. On the other hand, if the CPU 21a determines that there is not next label data (step S19: No), it proceeds to step S21.

[0076] In step S21, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is the transport distance until the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the printing area L1a. Step S21 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 10(e).

[0077] In step S23, the CPU 21a stops the feeding of the label tape TP and cuts the label tape TP with the cutter 29a. This produces the first label L1. This step S23 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 10(f). After that, the process proceeds to step S35 described later.

[0078] In addition, in the above step S11, if the CPU 21a determines that the automatic cut function is disabled (step S11: No), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0079] In step S25, the CPU 21a starts feeding the label tape TP, and at approximately the same timing as the start of feeding, prints the cut mark Mb with the print head 25. This step S25 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG.

[0080] In step S27, the CPU 21a prints the first label image with the print head 25 while feeding the label tape TP. This step S27 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG.

[0081] In step S29, the CPU 21a determines whether or not there is next label data, in other words, whether or not the first label L1 will be produced continuously, based on the contents of the received print settings. If the CPU 21a determines that there is next label data (step S29: Yes), it returns to step S25. As a result, steps S25 to S27 are repeated while there is next label data. On the other hand, if the CPU 21a determines that there is not next label data (step S29: No), it proceeds to step S31.

[0082] In step S31, the CPU 21a prints a cut mark Mb at the rear end position of the first label L1 while feeding the label tape TP using the print head 25. This step S31 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG.

[0083] In step S33, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is, for example, the transport distance until the rear cut mark Mb reaches a position where it is exposed to the outside from the housing of the label producing apparatus 2. This step S33 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 11(d).

[0084] The above steps S13 to S23 or steps S25 to S33 are an example of a first printing process.

[0085] In step S35, the CPU 21a determines whether printing of both the first label L1 and the second label L2 is complete. If the CPU 21a determines that printing of both labels is not complete (step S35: No), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S37.

[0086] In step S37, the CPU 21a transmits status information indicating which labels have been printed and which labels have not been printed, to the information terminals 3 and 4. After that, the process returns to the previous step S9.

[0087] On the other hand, in step S35, if the CPU 21a determines that printing of both labels has been completed (step S35: Yes), the process proceeds to step S39.

[0088] In step S39, the CPU 21a transmits status information indicating that printing of both the first label L1 and the second label L2 has been completed to the information terminals 3 and 4. After that, the CPU 21a ends this flowchart.

[0089] On the other hand, in step S41, the CPU 31 of the information terminal 3, 4 displays, based on the status information transmitted from the label producing device 2 in step S37 above, a cartridge exchange instruction to replace the cartridge 5 currently attached to the cartridge holder 22a with a cartridge 5 corresponding to printing the next label, for example on the display unit 34 or the touch panel 37.

[0090] In step S43, the CPU 31 displays a printing completion display, which indicates that printing of both the first label L1 and the second label L2 has been completed, on, for example, the display unit 34 or the touch panel 37, based on the status information transmitted from the label producing apparatus 2 in step S39 above. After that, the CPU 31 ends this flowchart.

[0091] In addition, in the above step S9, if the CPU 21a determines that the attached cartridge 5 does not correspond to the first label L1 (step S9: No), the process proceeds to step S45 in FIG.

[0092] 14, in step S45, the CPU 21a determines whether the grip function is enabled based on the received print settings. If the CPU 21a determines that the grip function is disabled (step S45: No), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S47.

[0093] In step S47, the CPU 21a sets the print mode to the normal print mode. In the normal print mode, the CPU 21a does not execute a process of adding a margin for a handle when creating the second label L2. In other words, the CPU 21a does not make the second feed amount of the label tape TP greater than the first feed amount. The normal print mode is an example of the second mode setting. After that, the process proceeds to step S11 in FIG. 13. As a result, the second label L2 without a margin for a handle is printed in the same procedure as the printing procedure of the first label L1 in steps S11 to S33 above.

[0094] On the other hand, in step S45, if the CPU 21a determines that the holding hand function is enabled (step S45: Yes), the process proceeds to step S49.

[0095] In step S49, the CPU 21a sets the print mode to the handle print mode. In the handle print mode, the CPU 21a executes a process to add a margin for the handle when creating the second label L2. In other words, the CPU 21a makes the second feed amount of the label tape TP larger than the first feed amount. The handle print mode is an example of the first mode setting.

[0096] In step S51, the CPU 21a determines whether the half-cut function is enabled based on the received print setting contents. If the CPU 21a determines that the half-cut function is enabled (step S51: Yes), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S53.

[0097] In step S53, the CPU 21a starts feeding the label tape TP and prints the leading portion of the second label image with the print head 25. The "leading portion" refers to the portion of the second label image that is printed by the print head 25 before the half cutter 29b reaches the rear end position of the front margin area L2b. Step S53 corresponds to Figures 9(b) and 9(c) described above.

[0098] In step S55, the CPU 21a stops the feeding of the label tape TP and performs a half cut by the half cutter 29b to cut only the label main body 6 portion of the label tape TP. As a result, a half cut line CL is formed at the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a. This step S55 corresponds to FIG. 9(c) described above.

[0099] In step S57, the CPU 21a restarts feeding of the label tape TP and prints the remaining portion of the second label image with the print head 25. The "remaining portion" refers to the portion of the second label image other than the "first portion." Step S57 corresponds to FIG. 9(d) described above.

[0100] In step S59, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is the transport distance until the half cutter 29b reaches the rear end position of the printing area L2a. Step S59 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 9(e).

[0101] In step S61, the CPU 21a stops the conveyance of the label tape TP and performs a half cut by the half cutter 29b. As a result, a half cut line CL is formed at the boundary between the print area L2a and the rear margin area L2c. This step S61 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 9(e). After that, the process proceeds to step S71 described later.

[0102] In addition, in the above step S51, if the CPU 21a determines that the half cut function is disabled (step S51: No), the process proceeds to step S63.

[0103] In step S63, the CPU 21a starts feeding the label tape TP and prints the cut mark Ma by the print head 25 at approximately the same timing as the start of feeding. This step S63 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 8(a). This step S63 is an example of the third printing process.

[0104] In step S65, the CPU 21a feeds the label tape TP while printing the second label image in the printing area L2a with the print head 25. Step S65 corresponds to the above-mentioned Figures 8(b) and 8(c).

[0105] In step S67, the CPU 21a prints a cut mark Ma at the rear end position of the printing area L2a by the print head 25 while feeding the label tape TP. This step S67 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 8(d). This step S67 is an example of the third printing process.

[0106] In step S69, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is, for example, the transport distance until the print head 25 reaches the rear end position of the rear margin area L2c.

[0107] In step S71, the CPU 21a determines whether or not there is next label data, in other words, whether or not to continuously produce the second label L2, based on the contents of the received print settings. If the CPU 21a determines that there is no next label data (step S71: No), it proceeds to step S73.

[0108] In step S73, the CPU 21a determines whether the automatic cut function is enabled based on the received print settings. If the CPU 21a determines that the automatic cut function is enabled (step S73: Yes), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S75.

[0109] In step S75, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is the transport distance until the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the rear margin area L2c. Step S75 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 8(f).

[0110] In step S77, the CPU 21a stops the feeding of the label tape TP and cuts the label tape TP with the cutter 29a. This creates the second label L2 with a margin for a handle. This step S77 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 8(g). Then, the process proceeds to step S83 described later.

[0111] In addition, in the above step S73, if the CPU 21a determines that the automatic cut function is disabled (step S73: No), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S79.

[0112] In step S79, the CPU 21a causes the print head 25 to print a cut mark Mb at the rear end position of the rear margin area L2c.

[0113] In step S81, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is, for example, the transport distance until the cut mark Mb reaches a position where it is exposed to the outside from the housing of the label producing apparatus 2.

[0114] The above steps S53 to S61 and steps S75 to S77, the above steps S53 to S61 and steps S79 to S81, the above steps S63 to S69 and steps S75 to S77, or the above steps S63 to S69 and steps S79 to S81 are an example of the second printing process.

[0115] In step S83, the CPU 21a determines whether printing of both the first label L1 and the second label L2 is complete. If the CPU 21a determines that printing of both labels is not complete (step S83: No), the process proceeds to step S37 in Fig. 13. On the other hand, if the CPU 21a determines that printing of both labels is complete (step S83: Yes), the process proceeds to step S39 in Fig. 13.

[0116] In addition, in the above step S71, if the CPU 21a determines that the next label data exists (step S71: Yes), the process proceeds to step S85.

[0117] In step S85, the CPU 21a determines whether the automatic cut function is enabled based on the received print settings. If the CPU 21a determines that the automatic cut function is enabled (step S85: Yes), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S87.

[0118] In step S87, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is the transport distance until the cutter 29a reaches the rear end position of the rear margin area L2c. Step S87 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 8(f).

[0119] In step S89, the CPU 21a stops the feeding of the label tape TP and cuts the label tape TP with the cutter 29a. This creates the second label L2 with a margin for a handle. This step S89 corresponds to the above-mentioned FIG. 8(g). Then, the process returns to the previous step S51.

[0120] In addition, in the above step S85, if the CPU 21a determines that the automatic cut function is disabled (step S85: No), the process proceeds to step S91.

[0121] In step S91, the CPU 21a causes the print head 25 to print a cut mark Mb at the rear end position of the rear margin area L2c.

[0122] In step S93, the CPU 21a transports the label tape TP a predetermined distance. The "predetermined distance" is, for example, the transport distance until the cut mark Mb reaches a position where it is exposed to the outside from the housing of the label producing apparatus 2. Then, the process returns to the previous step S51.

[0123] <Advantages of the First Embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, a user creates an overlapping label L3 by pasting two labels, a first label L1 and a second label L2, together in the thickness direction. When creating the overlapping label L3, the adhesive surface 6b of the second label L2 is pasted onto the non-adhesive surface 6a of the first label L1. At this time, the user, for example, places the first label L1 horizontally, holds the left end of the second label L2 with the left hand and holds the right end with the right hand, and pastes them together while positioning them relative to the placed first label L1.

[0124] In this embodiment, the CPU 21a of the label producing apparatus 2 performs a first printing process for producing the first label L1 and a second printing process for producing the second label L2. The first printing process is, for example, steps S13 to S23, or steps S25 to S33. The second printing process is, for example, steps S53 to S61 and S75 to S77, steps S53 to S61 and S79 to S81, steps S63 to S69 and S75 to S77, or steps S63 to S69 and S79 to S81. In the first printing process, the label tape TP is transported by the feed roller drive shaft 23b, and the print head 25 prints a first label image on the transported label tape TP, thereby producing the first label L1. In the second printing process, the label tape TP is fed by the feed roller drive shaft 23b, and the second label image is printed by the print head 25 on the fed label tape TP, thereby producing the second label L2.

[0125] During the first printing process and the second printing process, the CPU 21a makes the second feed amount of the label tape TP larger than the first feed amount of the label tape TP in order to improve user convenience. This allows the second label L2 to be generated longer than the first label L1 to be generated. This allows the user to use the increased length of the second label L2 as a dedicated space for holding the second label L2 when the user holds both ends of the second label L2 and positions it relative to the first label L1 while bonding them together. This allows the second label L2 to be easily bonded to the first label L1, improving user convenience.

[0126] Particularly in this embodiment, the CPU 21a executes step S7 of receiving print data transmitted from the information terminals 3 and 4. The print data includes the layer identification symbols of each label. This allows the CPU 21a to recognize that the second label L2 is an upper layer label whose conveying distance should be increased, based on the acquired layer identification symbols.

[0127] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, a margin may inevitably be generated on the downstream side of the printing area L2a in the transport direction due to the relative positional relationship between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a due to the structure of the label producing apparatus 2. In this embodiment, this inevitably generated margin is set as the front margin area L2b, and a rear margin area L2c is generated by the second printing process, and the front and rear margin areas L2b, L2c can be used as dedicated spaces for gripping the second label L2.

[0128] In this embodiment, the label is cut to a partial depth in the thickness direction at two boundaries, the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a and the boundary between the printing area L2a and the rear margin area L2c, which is called a half cut. By the half cut, the label body 6 of the second label L2 can be divided into three parts: the front margin area L2b part, the printing area L2a part, and the rear margin area L2c part. Therefore, the first label L1, which has approximately the same size as the outer shape of the printing area L2a part, can be easily aligned, and as a result, the lamination can be performed smoothly.

[0129] In addition, particularly in this embodiment, when the half-cut function by the half cutter 29b is disabled in the label producing apparatus 2, or when the label producing apparatus 2 does not include the half cutter 29b, the cut marks Ma are printed in two areas: the boundary area between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a, and the boundary area between the printing area L2a and the rear margin area L2c. The cut marks Ma are used as positioning marks. The two cut marks Ma can indicate the approximate position of the outline of the printing area L2a of the label body 6 of the second label L2, so that the second label L2 can be easily aligned with the first label L1, which has approximately the same size as the outline of the printing area L2a, and can be smoothly pasted together. Furthermore, by using the two cut marks Ma, the user can manually cut between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a, and between the printing area L2a and the rear margin area L2c as appropriate, respectively, to create the overlapped label L3, which is the final target.

[0130] In particular, in this embodiment, depending on the user's needs and preferences, it is possible to switch between a handle printing mode that can create a dedicated space for gripping the second label during lamination, and a normal printing mode that does not do so.

[0131] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a process for adding a margin for a handle to a label is executed on the information terminal side.

[0132] The overall configuration of the printing system 1, the configurations of the information terminals 3 and 4 and the label producing apparatus 2, and the process of producing the labels L1 and L2 in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore will not be described.

[0133] <Control procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the CPU 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4 and the CPU 21a of the label producing device 2 to realize label production and the like in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0134] 15, in step S105, the CPU 31 of the information terminal 3, 4 accepts an editing operation by the user of the first label image to be printed on the first label L1 and the second label image to be printed on the second label L2. Step S105 is an example of a reception process for accepting a creation instruction to create an overlapping label.

[0135] In step S110, the CPU 31 accepts a print setting operation by the user. The contents of the print setting include, for example, whether to enable or disable a handle function that adds a margin for a handle to the second label L2, the number of copies to be printed, and the like.

[0136] In step S115, the CPU 31 resets the value of N, which indicates the number of labels to be processed, to 1.

[0137] In step S120, the CPU 31 judges whether the processing object is an upper layer label or not, in other words, whether the processing object is the second label L2 or not. Note that the "upper layer label" here refers to a label that is not the bottom layer. For example, in the case of a label that is stacked with three or more layers, if the processing object is not the bottom layer label, it is judged as an "upper layer label". If the CPU 31 judges that the processing object is not an upper layer label (step S120: No), it proceeds to step S135 described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 judges that the processing object is an upper layer label (step S120: Yes), it proceeds to step S125.

[0138] In step S125, the CPU 31 judges whether the gripping function is enabled or not based on the contents of the print settings received in step S110. If the CPU 31 judges that the gripping function is disabled (step S125: No), the process proceeds to step S135, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 judges that the gripping function is enabled (step S125: Yes), the process proceeds to step S130.

[0139] In step S130, the CPU 31 adds a front margin area L2b and a rear margin area L2c to the print area L2a of the second label L2, and adds cut marks Ma to the boundary area between the front margin area L2b and the print area L2a and the boundary area between the print area L2a and the rear margin area L2c. In other words, the CPU 31 generates a third label image by adding a first image corresponding to the front margin area L2b from one end of the second label image printed in the print area L2a of the second label L2 toward the downstream side in the transport direction, and adding a second image corresponding to the rear margin area L2c from the other end opposite to the one end of the second label image toward the upstream side in the transport direction. The first image and the second image may be blank, or may include some characters, patterns, etc. The downstream side in the transport direction is an example of the first direction, and the upstream side in the transport direction is an example of the second direction opposite to the first direction. Step S130 is an example of a generation process.

[0140] In step S135, the CPU 31 judges whether the processing number N of the labels matches the number of layers of the overlapping label L3 to be created. In this embodiment, in which the overlapping label L3 is created by pasting the first label L1 and the second label L2 in the thickness direction, the number of layers is 2. When the CPU 21a judges that the processing number N does not match the number of layers (step S135: No), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S140.

[0141] In step S140, the CPU 31 adds 1 to the value of the number of processes N. Then, the process returns to step S120.

[0142] On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines in step S135 that the number of processes N matches the number of layers (step S135: Yes), the CPU 31 proceeds to step S145. In step S145, the CPU 31 packages the first label image to be printed on the first label L1, the third label image to be printed on the second label L2, the print settings, the cartridge information corresponding to the first label image and the third label image, etc., as print data.

[0143] In step S150, the CPU 31 transmits the print data packaged in step S145 to the label producing device 2. Step S150 is an example of a print instruction transmission process in which a print instruction for the first label image and the third label image is transmitted to a label producing device having a printing unit.

[0144] In step S155, the CPU 21a of the label producing apparatus 2 receives the print data transmitted from the information terminals 3 and 4. Step S155 is an example of a first print instruction obtaining process and a second print instruction obtaining process.

[0145] In step S160, the CPU 21a reads print data corresponding to the type of cartridge 5 attached to the cartridge holder 22a from the print data received from the information terminals 3, 4 based on the detection result by the cartridge sensor 22b. For example, the CPU 21a reads print data corresponding to the first label L1 when a cartridge 5 corresponding to the first label L1 is attached to the cartridge holder 22a, and reads print data corresponding to the second label L2 when a cartridge 5 corresponding to the second label L2 is attached to the cartridge holder 22a.

[0146] In step S165, the CPU 21a executes a print process for printing the print data read in step S160.

[0147] In step S170, the CPU 21a determines whether printing of both the first label L1 and the second label L2 is complete. If the CPU 21a determines that printing of both labels is not complete (step S170: No), the CPU 21a proceeds to step S175.

[0148] In step S175, the CPU 21a transmits status information indicating which labels have been printed and which labels have not been printed, to the information terminals 3 and 4. After that, the process returns to step S160.

[0149] On the other hand, in step S170, if the CPU 21a determines that printing of both labels has been completed (step S170: Yes), the process proceeds to step S180.

[0150] In step S180, the CPU 21a transmits status information indicating that printing of both the first label L1 and the second label L2 has been completed to the information terminals 3 and 4. After that, the CPU 31 ends this flowchart.

[0151] On the other hand, in step S185, the CPU 31 of the information terminal 3, 4 displays, based on the status information transmitted from the label producing device 2 in step S175 above, a cartridge exchange instruction to replace the cartridge 5 currently attached to the cartridge holder 22a with a cartridge 5 corresponding to printing the next label, for example on the display unit 34 or the touch panel 37.

[0152] In step S190, the CPU 31 displays a printing completion display, which indicates that printing of both the first label L1 and the second label L2 has been completed, on, for example, the display unit 34 or the touch panel 37, based on the status information transmitted from the label producing apparatus 2 in step S180 above. After that, the CPU 31 ends this flowchart.

[0153] <Effects of the second embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4 generates the third label image by adding images for generating margins to both ends of the second label image. This makes it possible to make the second label L2 generated by printing the third label image on the label tape TP in the label producing device 2 longer than the first label L1 generated by printing the first label image on the label tape TP. Therefore, the extra length longer than the first label L1 can be used as a dedicated space for holding the second label L2, and the second label L2 can be easily attached to the first label L1. This improves user convenience.

[0154] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the present invention.

[0155] For example, the label producing apparatus 2 may have a reverse feed function that feeds the label tape TP a predetermined distance upstream in the feed direction before starting printing in order to eliminate a margin caused by the relative positional relationship between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a described above. When the label producing apparatus 2 has such a reverse feed function, the front margin area L2b may be formed by feeding the label tape TP again the same distance downstream in the feed direction after reverse feeding is performed.

[0156] In the above, the case where the margin generated by the relative positional relationship between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a is used as the front margin area L2b without modification has been described, but this is not limited to the above. For example, depending on the model of the label producing device 2, the distance between the print head 25 and the cutter 29a may be short, and in such a case, forming the front margin area L2b with the original dimensions may result in an insufficient handle size. In such a case, in this embodiment, the label tape TP may be fed a predetermined distance to ensure the dimensions of the front margin area L2b.

[0157] In the above, the length db of the front margin region L2b of the second label L2 in the conveying direction and the length dc of the rear margin region L2c in the conveying direction are formed to be equal, but this is not limited to the above. From the viewpoint that a user holds the front margin region L2b with his left hand and the rear margin region L2c with his right hand, it is preferable that the lengths of the front margin region L2b and the rear margin region L2c are the same, but as long as they are long enough to be gripped, the lengths of the respective margins may be different.

[0158] In the above, the case where only the label body 6 is cut without cutting the release material 7 of the label tape TP has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at the boundary between the front margin area L2b and the printing area L2a, and at the boundary between the printing area L2a and the rear margin area L2c, only the release material 7 may be cut without cutting the label body 6 to perform half-cutting. In this case, the user can peel off the release material 7 in the printing area L2a and hold the release material 7 remaining in the front margin area L2b and the rear margin area L2c to perform the bonding work. In this case, after bonding, the margin of the second label L2 may be cut off with scissors or the like.

[0159] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the CPU 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4 sends to the label producing apparatus 2 print instructions for the first label image and the third label image obtained by adding the first image and the second image to the second label image, but this is not limiting, and the CPU 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4 may send to the label producing apparatus 2 a print instruction including an instruction to feed a predetermined amount of the label tape TP after printing the second label image. In this case, the first print instruction acquired by the label producing apparatus 2 through the first print instruction acquisition process is a print instruction to print the first label image, and the second print instruction acquired through the second print instruction acquisition process may include, in addition to the print instruction to print the second label image, information specifying the feed amount for feeding the predetermined amount of the label tape TP after printing the second label image.

[0160] In the above description, when terms such as "vertical," "parallel," and "plane" are used, the terms are not used in their strict sense. In other words, "vertical," "parallel," and "plane" mean "substantially vertical," "substantially parallel," and "substantially plane," allowing for design and manufacturing tolerances and errors.

[0161] In addition, in the above description, when the external dimensions or sizes are described as "same", "equal", "different", etc., the description does not mean in the strict sense. In other words, "same", "equal", and "different" mean "substantially the same", "substantially equal", and "substantially different", allowing for design and manufacturing tolerances and errors.

[0162] In addition, in the above, the flowcharts shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above flows, and steps may be added or deleted, or the order may be changed, etc., within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit and technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0163] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and their modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0164] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1 Printing System 2. Label Generator 3. Information terminal 4. Information terminals 6a Non-adhesive side 6b Adhesive side 21a CPU (an example of a control unit) 23b Feed roller drive shaft (an example of a conveying section) 25 Print head (an example of a printing unit) 29b Half cutter (an example of a cutting part) 31 CPU (an example of a computing unit) L1 First label L2 Second label L2a print area L2b Front margin area L2c Rear margin area L3 Stackable Label Ma cut mark (example of mark) TP Label tape (example of first and second media)

Claims

1. A label producing device that produces a first label and a second label for producing an overlapping label by laminating a non-adhesive surface of a first label printed on a first medium and an adhesive surface of a second label printed on a second medium in a thickness direction, the label producing device comprising: A printing department; A conveying unit; A control unit; having The control unit is a first printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the first medium and causing the printing unit to print a first label image to generate the first label; a second printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the second medium and causing the printing unit to print a second label image to generate the second label; Run The second label printed on the second medium includes: a printing area in which the second label image is formed; a front margin area located downstream of the printing area in a transport direction; a rear margin area located upstream of the print area in a transport direction; having a second transport amount of the second medium by the transport unit in the second printing process is greater than a first transport amount of the first medium by the transport unit in the first printing process by an amount corresponding to the rear margin area; Label generator.

2. A label producing device that produces a first label and a second label for producing an overlapping label by laminating a non-adhesive surface of a first label printed on a first medium and an adhesive surface of a second label printed on a second medium in a thickness direction, the label producing device comprising: A printing department; A conveying unit; A control unit; having The control unit is a first printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the first medium and causing the printing unit to print a first label image to generate the first label; a second printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the second medium and causing the printing unit to print a second label image to generate the second label; Run The second label printed on the second medium includes: a printing area in which the second label image is formed; a front margin area located downstream of the printing area in a transport direction; a rear margin area located upstream of the print area in a transport direction; having The second label printed on the second medium includes: a printing area in which the second label image is formed; a front margin area located downstream of the printing area in a transport direction; a rear margin area located upstream of the print area in a transport direction; having a second transport amount of the second medium by the transport unit in the second printing process is greater than a first transport amount of the first medium by the transport unit in the first printing process by a combined amount of the front margin area and the rear margin area. Label generator.

3. The control unit further includes: an information acquisition process for acquiring overlay information indicating that the second label is a label for overlay and is to be attached above the first label; 3. The label generating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The control unit further includes: a first print instruction acquisition process for acquiring a first print instruction to print the first label image by transporting the first medium by a first transport amount in the first printing process; a second print instruction acquisition process for acquiring a second print instruction to print the second label image by transporting the second medium by a second transport amount that is greater than the first transport amount in the second printing process; 3. The label generating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. A cutting portion is provided, The control unit further includes: performing a half-cut process in which the boundary between the front margin area and the print area, and the boundary between the print area and the rear margin area in the second medium are partially cut in a thickness direction by the cutting unit; 5. The label generating device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit further includes: executing a third printing process in which the printing unit prints a mark in a boundary area between the front margin area and the printing area and in a boundary area between the printing area and the rear margin area on the second medium; 5. The label generating device according to claim 1.

7. A label producing device that produces a first label and a second label for producing an overlapping label by laminating a non-adhesive surface of a first label printed on a first medium and an adhesive surface of a second label printed on a second medium in a thickness direction, the label producing device comprising: A printing department; A conveying unit; A control unit; having The control unit is a first printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the first medium and causing the printing unit to print a first label image to generate the first label; a second printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the second medium and causing the printing unit to print a second label image to generate the second label; Run a second transport amount of the second medium by the transport unit in the second printing process is greater than a first transport amount of the first medium by the transport unit in the first printing process, The control unit is a first mode setting in which a second transport amount of the second medium is made greater than a first transport amount of the first medium during the first printing process and the second printing process; a second mode setting in which a second transport amount of the second medium is not greater than a first transport amount of the first medium during the first printing process and the second printing process; A label generating device having the above switchably provided.

8. A label generating device that generates a first label and a second label to create an overlapping label by laminating a non-adhesive surface of a first label printed on a first medium and an adhesive surface of a second label printed on a second medium in a thickness direction, comprising: A printing department; A conveying unit; A control unit; having The control unit is a first printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the first medium and causing the printing unit to print a first label image to generate the first label; a second printing process of causing the transport unit to transport the second medium and causing the printing unit to print a second label image to generate the second label; Run The second label printed on the second medium includes: a printing area in which the second label image is formed; a front margin area located downstream of the printing area in a transport direction; a rear margin area located upstream of the print area in a transport direction; having a second transport amount of the second medium by the transport unit in the second printing process is greater than a first transport amount of the first medium by the transport unit in the first printing process. Label generator.

9. A computing unit provided in the information terminal a receiving process for receiving an instruction to produce an overlapping label by laminating, in a thickness direction, a non-adhesive surface of a first label produced by printing a first label image on a first medium and an adhesive surface of a second label produced by printing a second label image on a second medium; a generation process for generating a third label image by adding a first image corresponding to a front margin area from one end of the second label image in a first direction and adding a second image corresponding to a rear margin area from the other end opposite to the one end of the second label image in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a print instruction sending process for sending a print instruction for the first label image and the third label image to a label producing device; A label generation program to execute the following.

Images