JP3625328B2 - Cutting continuous recording paper - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cutting method in which an image is recorded on a continuous recording sheet and then cut based on the position of a cut mark to cut one by one.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Printers such as thermal printers, photographic printers, and ink jet printers include those that use continuous recording paper and those that use sheet recording paper (cut sheets). Among these, in a printer using continuous recording paper, a cut mark is recorded on the continuous recording paper and cut by operating the cutter by detecting the cut mark in order to separate each frame image. Further, in the color printer, when recording at least three colors in a frame sequential manner, the recording start positions of the respective colors are matched with reference to the cut marks. Marks recorded for such purposes include those recorded in advance on continuous recording paper, those recorded in a printer, etc., Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-86131, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-12209, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 63. -42583 and the like. As this cut mark, a small hole, a black line, or the like is used. In the case of the recording surface or the back surface of continuous recording paper, the cut mark is recorded on the side edge portion outside the recording area.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the above-mentioned cut mark has a slightly larger size in order to ensure detection by the sensor. For this reason, there is a problem that a part of the film remains even after cutting, which deteriorates the appearance.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a continuous recording paper cutting method devised so as not to leave a cut mark.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, after a continuous recording sheet is pulled out from a recording sheet roll and an image is recorded by a printing unit, the cut mark is formed on the side edge of the continuous recording sheet or from a position close thereto. In the continuous recording paper cutting method of cutting and separating into one sheet recording paper, the range including the cut mark and corresponding to the corner of the sheet recording paper is cut off simultaneously with or before and after the cutting. Is. As a cutting method, a range corresponding to the four corners of the sheet recording paper may be cut off. Further, the cut mark may be formed immediately before the image is recorded in the printing unit.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An example in which color thermal recording paper is used as the continuous recording paper 15 will be described. In FIG. 2, the continuous recording paper 15 has a cyan thermosensitive coloring layer 17, a magenta thermosensitive coloring layer 18, a yellow thermosensitive coloring layer 19, and a protective layer 20 sequentially laminated on a support 16. The thermosensitive coloring layers 18 to 20 are arranged in the order of thermal recording. For example, when thermal recording is performed in the order of magenta, yellow, and cyan, the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer 19 and the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer 18 are provided. Are replaced. Each of the thermosensitive coloring layers 17 to 19 has a higher color developing thermal energy as the deeper layer is formed. By changing the coloring thermal energy applied by the thermal head, the three thermosensitive coloring layers can be selectively colored. It is like that.
[0007]
In FIG. 1 showing the outline of the printer, three thermal heads 21 to 23 for yellow, magenta, and cyan are arranged along a linear conveyance path at substantially constant intervals. Conveying roller pairs 24 to 29 are provided so as to be positioned before and after the thermal head. The conveyance roller pairs 24 to 29 include a capstain roller and a pinch roller. The continuous recording paper 15 is drawn from the recording paper roll 14 to the conveyance path by the paper feed roller pair 12 rotated by the motor 11 and conveyed toward the conveyance roller pairs 24 to 29. These conveyance roller pairs 24 to 29 are respectively rotated at a constant speed by pulse motors 30 to 32, respectively.
[0008]
At the lower ends of the vertical yellow thermal head 21, the magenta thermal head 22, and the cyan thermal head 23, heating element arrays 21a to 23a in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line are provided. Each of the heating element arrays 21 a to 23 a extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the continuous recording paper 15.
[0009]
The thermal heads 21 to 23 are moved in the vertical direction by a solenoid, a cam mechanism, or the like. At the time of printing, it is moved to a position pressed against the continuous recording paper 15 and at a position away from the continuous recording paper 15 at the end of printing.
[0010]
A yellow light fixing device 33 is provided between the yellow thermal head 21 and the magenta thermal head 22, and a magenta light fixing device 34 is provided between the magenta thermal head 22 and the cyan thermal head 23. It is arranged. The yellow light fixing unit 33 is composed of a rod-shaped ultraviolet lamp 33a and a lamp house 33b that emit ultraviolet rays having an emission peak of approximately 420 nm. The magenta light fixing device 34 includes a rod-shaped ultraviolet lamp 34a and a lamp house 34b that emit ultraviolet rays having an emission peak of about 365 nm.
[0011]
Platen rollers 35 to 37 are arranged at positions facing the thermal heads 21 to 23, respectively. These platen rollers 35 to 37 are rotatably supported by platen shafts 35a, 36a, and 37a. The platen rollers 35 to 37 may be driven by a motor.
[0012]
A hole forming means 38 is disposed between the conveyance roller pair 24 and the yellow thermal head 21. The hole forming unit 38 includes a punch, a die, and a pressing unit that pushes the punch toward the recording surface of the continuous recording paper 15. The hole forming means 38 is provided at a position separated from the thermal head 21 by a length L1 along the upstream side, and forms a hole 39 at a position corresponding to the length of the image recording area. The length of the image recording area is determined to be a certain size, for example, a postcard size, but when various sizes are printed, the size can be designated. The holes 39 are used to specify a recording start position so that the recording positions of the respective colors are not shifted and to specify a position to be cut for each image recording area. The hole 39 is formed outside the image recording area at the side edge of the continuous recording paper 15.
[0013]
A reflective tip sensor 40 is provided at a position separated from the hole forming means 38 by the length L2 upstream. The leading edge sensor 40 includes a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion, and detects that the leading edge of the continuous recording paper 15 has come to a point where two optical axes intersect. By counting the driving pulses of the motor 30 from the point when the tip is detected, the recording position of the hole forming means 38 is determined, and the thermal head 21 up / down and the thermal recording start position are determined.
[0014]
The magenta thermal head 22 and the cyan thermal head 23 are respectively provided with reflection type photosensors 41 and 42 on the upstream side thereof at positions separated by the length of L1. The formed hole 39 is detected. From the point in time when the holes 39 are detected by the photosensors 41 and 42, the drive pulses of the motors 31 and 32 are counted to determine the up / down of the thermal heads 22 and 23 and the thermal recording start position.
[0015]
A guide plate 43 and a guide roller 44 are disposed between the fixing device 33 and the magenta thermal head 22. When a conveyance speed difference occurs between the thermal heads 21 and 22, and in order to prevent conveyance load fluctuations caused by the up and down of the thermal heads 21 and 22, continuous between the conveyance roller pair 25 and the guide roller 44. A slack 45 of the recording paper 15 is formed. Similarly, a guide plate 46 and a guide roller 47 are disposed between the fixing device 34 and the cyan thermal head 23, and a slack 48 is formed on the guide plate 46. These slacks 45 and 48 absorb the conveyance load fluctuations caused by the behavior of the thermal heads 21 to 23, so that the occurrence of streaky density unevenness due to the conveyance load fluctuations can be prevented.
[0016]
An inlet cutter 49 is disposed on the downstream side of the leading conveying roller pair 24. The cutter 49 is activated when a specified number of sheets have been fed and cut into continuous recording paper pieces.
[0017]
Downstream of the nip roller pair 53, the reflection type photosensor 50 in order along the conveying direction, cut off means 51 and outlet cutter 52, is arranged. The photosensor 50 optically detects the hole 39. Cut off unit 51 is arranged on both sides of the conveying path, is a stationary blade and the movable blade where the triangle, based on the hole detection by the photosensor 50, along the width direction of the position of forming the hole 39 Cut both ends into a triangle. This cut-off range is a range outside the image recording area and corresponding to the square of the sheet recording paper, and is a range including a portion in which the hole 39 is formed.
[0018]
The exit cutter 52 cuts the continuous recording paper 15 along the top of the notch formed by the cut-off means 51 based on the hole detection by the photosensor 50, and forms the sheet recording paper separated for each image recording area. A nip roller pair 53 and a discharge roller pair 54 are provided in front of and behind the photosensor 50, the cut-off means 51, and the exit cutter 52, respectively, and these are continuous recording paper 15 or cut by driving the motor 55. Transport the sheet recording paper.
[0019]
Even if the cut-off means 51 and the exit cutter 52 are arranged at positions shifted from the photosensor 50 in the transport direction by counting the drive pulses of the motor 55 from the time when the hole 39 is detected by the photosensor 50. The position of the hole 39 can be determined. When the cutting means 51 and the exit cutter 52 are cut, the driving of the motor 55 is stopped and the conveyance of the continuous recording paper 15 is stopped. A dancer roller 56 is provided between the conveying roller 29 and the nip roller pair 53 in order to absorb slack caused by the stop.
[0020]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. When continuous printing is instructed, the driving of the conveying roller pairs 24 to 29 and the like are started simultaneously, and the ultraviolet lamps 33a and 34a are turned on. Then, the continuous recording paper 15 is pulled out from the recording paper roll 14 by the rotation of the paper feed roller pair 12.
[0021]
Immediately after the drawing of the continuous recording paper 15 is started, the leading edge of the continuous recording paper 15 is detected by the leading edge sensor 40. From the detection time of the tip sensor 40, the number of motor drive pulses of the pulse motor 30 is counted by a counter. When this count value reaches a value corresponding to the length L1 + L2, an operation command is sent to the hole forming means 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the hole forming means 38 forms a hole 39 as a cut mark on one end face at a length position L1 from the front end of the continuous recording paper 15. At this time, the yellow thermal head 21 is lowered by a cam mechanism or a solenoid, and the heating element array 21 a is pressed against the continuous recording paper 15.
[0022]
When the continuous recording paper 15 is further fed by the length L1 after the hole is formed, the heating element array 21a of the yellow thermal head 21 faces a position away from the hole 39 by the length L1. The heating element array 21a of the yellow thermal head 21 generates heat according to the thermal sensitivity of the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer 19, and forms a yellow recording area 15b by thermally recording a yellow image line by line. As a result, a margin of a length L1 is taken along the transport direction between the hole 39 and the yellow recording area 15b.
[0023]
When the recording of the final line of the yellow image is completed, an operation command is sent to the hole forming means 38 in synchronization with this, and the hole forming means 38 records the second hole 39. Thus, since the hole 39 is recorded according to the length of the image recording area of a certain size, the continuous recording paper 15 having the length L1 extends from the final recording position of the yellow recording area 15b along the upstream side in the transport direction. Holes 39 are sequentially recorded on one end surface, and a margin of length L1 is taken between the final recording position of the yellow recording area 15b and the mark 39.
[0024]
When the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer 19 that has been thermally recorded reaches the yellow optical fixing device 33, near ultraviolet light of approximately 420 nm is irradiated onto the continuous recording paper 15 from the ultraviolet lamp 33 a, and during the subsequent thermal recording of the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer 18. The yellow thermosensitive coloring layer 19 is fixed to such an extent that it does not develop color. After fixing, the sheet is conveyed toward the magenta thermal head 22 so as to form a slack 45 between the guide roller 44 and the conveying roller pair 25.
[0025]
When the hole 39 is detected by the photo sensor 41 during the conveyance, the magenta thermal head 22 is lowered and pressed against the continuous recording paper 15, and the number of motor drive pulses of the pulse motor 31 is counted from this detection point. Is counted by. When the value of the counter becomes a value corresponding to the length L1, the heating element array 22a of the magenta thermal head 22 faces a position away from the mark 39 by the length L1. From this point, the heating element array 22a of the magenta thermal head 22 generates heat according to the thermal sensitivity of the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer 18, and a magenta image is thermally recorded line by line to form a magenta recording area 15c. Thereby, a margin of length L1 is taken between the hole 39 and the magenta recording area 15c, and recording is performed so that the magenta recording area 15c overlaps the yellow recording area 15b.
[0026]
When the heat-recorded magenta thermosensitive coloring layer 18 reaches the magenta light fixing unit 34, the ultraviolet lamp 34a irradiates the continuous recording paper 15 with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of approximately 365 nm. The magenta thermosensitive coloring layer 19 is fixed so as not to develop color. After the fixing, the continuous recording paper 15 is conveyed toward the cyan thermal head 23 while forming a slack 48 between the guide roller 47 and the conveying roller pair 26.
[0027]
When the hole 39 is detected by the photo sensor 42 during the conveyance, the cyan thermal head 23 descends and presses against the continuous recording paper 15. When the number of motor driving pulses of the pulse motor 32 is counted by the counter from this detection point and the continuous recording paper 15 is fed by L1, the heating element array 23a of the cyan thermal head 23 causes the thermal sensitivity of the cyan thermosensitive coloring layer 17 to be detected. In response to this, the cyan image is thermally recorded line by line to form a cyan recording area 15d. The cyan thermosensitive coloring layer 17 has a value that does not develop color in a normal storage state, so that the cyan thermosensitive coloring layer 17 is not given photofixability. As a result, a margin of a length L1 is taken along the transport direction between the hole 39 and the cyan recording area 15d, and the magenta recording area 15c is reliably overlapped and recorded on the cyan recording area 15d.
[0028]
As a result, the three color heads 21 to 23 record the three color images so as to form a full color image. Thereafter, when the leading edge of the continuous recording paper 15 is transported by the transport roller 29, a slack is formed by the dancer roller 56 , and then transported toward the cut-off means 51 by the nip roller pair 53 .
[0029]
When the photosensor 50 detects the hole 39, the number of motor drive pulses of the pulse motor 55 is counted by the counter, and when it is confirmed from this count value that the hole 39 has reached the position of the cutoff means 51, the nip roller pair 53 The driving of the discharge roller pair 54 is stopped, and the conveyance of the continuous recording paper 15 is temporarily stopped. During this time, the cut-off means 51 is operated to cut off the corner portion of the sheet recording paper into a triangle. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, triangular notches 51a and 51b are formed at both ends along the width direction of the continuous recording paper 15 at the position where the hole 39 is formed. And since the hole 39 is formed in the range of one notch 51a among the notches 51a and 51b on both sides, the hole 39 is completely removed.
[0030]
After the operation of the cut-off means 51 is completed, the nip roller pair 53 and the discharge roller pair 54 are driven again. Also in this case, since the number of driving pulses of the motor 55 is counted, the positions of the cutouts 51a and 51b formed on the continuous recording paper 15 at the outlet cutter 52 when this count reaches a predetermined value. To reach. At this time, the driving of the nip roller pair 53 and the discharge roller pair 54 is stopped, and the conveyance of the continuous recording paper 15 is temporarily stopped. During this time, the outlet cutter 52 is operated. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the exit cutter 52 cuts along the line 52a which connects each vertex of this triangular notch 51a, 51b.
[0031]
After the operation of the exit cutter 52 is completed, the nip roller pair 53 and the discharge roller pair 54 are driven again. As a result, the continuous recording paper 15 is discharged out of the printer as individual sheet recording paper 15a. Since the sheet recording paper 15a is chamfered at the four corners, the holes 39 are completely removed, and the appearance is good.
[0032]
When the continuous recording paper 15 is pulled out for a predetermined number of sheets during the recording of each full-color image, the entrance cutter 49 is operated to separate the continuous recording pieces for the predetermined number of sheets. A waste box is provided below the cutting-out means 51. In this waste box, triangular notch waste generated by the cut-off means 51 is stored. This trash box can be pulled out from the outside, and can be used again in an empty state by pulling out the trash box after it is full and throwing away the trash.
[0033]
In the above embodiment, the shape of the hole 39 is circular, but other than this, a triangle, a rectangle, or the like may be used. Further, although the photosensors 41, 42, and 50 are of the reflection type, a transmission type photosensor may be used. Further, the corners may be cut off so that the four corners of the sheet recording paper 15a are rounded.
[0034]
In this embodiment, after cutting out triangular cut off unit 51, but is cut for each image area at the exit cutter 52, in addition to this, by applying the function of the cut off unit 51 into the outlet cutter 52, Cutting and cutting may be performed at the same time. Alternatively, the corners may be cut off after cutting with the exit cutter 52 first.
[0035]
The cut-off means 51 of the present invention need only cut off at least the range where the holes 39 are formed. However, it is desirable to cut off the four corners as in the present embodiment, because the formation of the same four corners is more beautiful when the sheet recording paper is used. In this way, the holes 39 that are cut marks are formed in the chamfered portions of the sheet recording paper, and the four corners are cut out, for example, by cutting each before and after the cut marks, and cutting them into strips to cut them. Compared with the method of removing marks, there are advantages that continuous recording paper is not wasted and cut waste is small.
[0036]
In addition to forming the holes 39 using the hole forming means 38, for example, marks may be recorded on the recording surface or the back surface by the recording means. The mark may be a line, a fine rectangular shape, a circular shape, or the like, and the recording means may be an ink jet method or a thermal transfer method using a thermal head and an ink ribbon. Further, if the mark is recorded using the yellow thermal head 21, the mark recording means and the like can be omitted, so that the cost can be reduced. In this case, a mark is recorded when the length L1 is conveyed from the leading end of the continuous recording paper 15 to the position of the thermal head 21 for yellow, and then a yellow image is recorded when the length L1 is further conveyed. Record. The reflection type photosensors 41 and 42 have a cut mark recorded in yellow, and therefore, the sensitivity may be set according to the wavelength of yellow.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, the hole 39 has both the action of eliminating the positional deviation of each color and the action of specifying the cutting position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the cutting position is specified. You may use for.
[0038]
When the image size to be recorded on the continuous recording paper 15 is standardized, a cut mark or the like may be recorded when the continuous recording paper 15 is manufactured. In this case, the entrance cutter 49 is preferably cut from a position within the range cut by the cut-off means 51 and away from the cut mark so as not to cut off the first cut mark. Of course, the first sheet may be cut on the cut mark by detecting the leading edge and equating it with the cut mark.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, the color thermal recording material 15 is used as a color printer. However, the present invention can also be applied to a thermal transfer type thermal printer or an ink jet printer that performs color recording on plain paper using an ink ribbon. .
[0040]
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a photographic printer using photographic paper. In this case, printing is performed one frame at a time on continuous photographic paper, and after that, the sheet is conveyed in the feeding direction by the printing size, and then a cut mark is formed by the hole forming means or mark recording means arranged on the downstream side of the printing portion. . Then, after development processing, cutting and cutting may be performed based on the cut marks.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, a cutter for cutting into sheet recording paper, or a cutter different from this , includes a cut mark at the same time as or before or after cutting the sheet recording paper , and Since the range corresponding to the corner of the sheet recording paper is cut off, no cut mark remains on the sheet recording paper. Further, when the corners are cut off so that the four corners of the sheet recording paper are chamfered, the sheet recording paper looks good and the commercial value is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printer.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of continuous recording paper.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the shape of a hole.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing steps of cutting and cutting.
[Explanation of symbols]
15 Continuous recording paper 29 to 31 Thermal head 38 Hole forming means 39 Hole 40 Tip sensors 41, 42, 50 Photo sensor 49 Entrance cutter 51 Cutting means 52 Exit cutter

Claims (3)

After the continuous recording paper is pulled out from the recording paper roll and an image is recorded by the printing unit, it is cut from a position on or near the cut mark formed on the side edge of the continuous recording paper and separated into one sheet recording paper. In the continuous recording paper cutting method,
A method for cutting continuous recording paper, characterized in that a range including the cut mark and corresponding to a corner of the sheet recording paper is cut off simultaneously with or before or after the cutting. 2. The continuous recording paper cutting method according to claim 1, wherein a range corresponding to four corners of the sheet recording paper is cut off. 3. The continuous recording paper cutting method according to claim 1, wherein the cut mark is formed immediately before the image is recorded in the printing unit.

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