JP4933360B2 - Label detection device - Google Patents

Description

In particular, the present invention relates to a peeling device that transports a continuous label body in which labels are temporarily attached in multiple rows in the width direction of a long mount, and peels the label from the mount, and a printing device including the peeling device. The present invention relates to a label detection apparatus that detects a label peeled off from a mount.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a printing apparatus such as that shown in FIG. The printing apparatus 41 mainly includes a medium mounting portion 45 for mounting a continuous continuous label (recording medium) 44 with a label 42 temporarily attached to a mount 43, a reflection sensor 46 as a position detecting means, and printing. A recording medium 44 having a label 42 having a thermosensitive coloring layer formed on the surface thereof is mounted on the medium mounting section 45 and moved to the printing section 47 side. After being pulled out, passed through the auxiliary roller 56 and the reflection sensor 46, the paper is sandwiched by the printing unit 47 including the print head 50 and the platen 51, and pulled out to the issue port 52. When the motor 53 is rotated by being pressed by the print head 50, the rotation of the motor 53 is transmitted to the platen 51 via the belt 54, and the sandwiched recording medium 44 is conveyed to the issue port 52 side while the print head 50. Desired information is printed on the label 42 by the heat of a dot heating element (not shown). The printed label 42 of the recording medium 44 is peeled off from the mount 43 when only the mount 43 of the recording medium 44 undergoes a direction change called turning. The printed label 42 conveyed to the issuing port 52 is detected and stopped by a peeling sensor 48 as a “label detecting device”, and when it is removed from the issuing port 52, “no label” is peeled off. It is detected by a sensor (label detection device) 48 and proceeds to the next printing operation.
The mount 43 turned by the peeling plate 55 is taken up by the medium take-up unit 59 via the auxiliary rollers 57 and 58.
By the way, in the conventional printing apparatus 41 as described above, the label 42 is often printed using the recording medium 44 in which only one row is temporarily attached in the width direction of the mount 43, but the supermarket time service is provided. When a large amount of labels is required in a short time, such as when selling or selling large quantities, it may take too much time to print on the above-mentioned one row of labels, and label printing may not catch up. There was a demand for label printing in rows.
As a label detection apparatus for a plurality of rows (multi-rows) of labels, a device capable of moving the peeling sensor in the width direction of the mount and setting it at a predetermined position is known (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
However, the label detection apparatus of Patent Document 1 requires a sensor movement setting mechanism for moving the peeling sensor in the width direction, so that not only the number of parts increases but also the size of the printing apparatus main body cannot be avoided. In addition, there is a problem that the main body of the printing apparatus shakes when the sensor is moved.
In order to solve the problem of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, an upper reflecting means is arranged above the label passing area, and a lower reflecting means is arranged below, and the sensor light emitting means arranged below is directed toward the label passing area. There has been proposed a label detection apparatus that detects the presence or absence of a label by projecting sensor light and reflecting the sensor light projected from the light emitting means by the upper and lower reflecting means (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
By the way, since the peeling sensor is installed in the vicinity of the label issuing port for the purpose of detecting the peeling of the label, there is a problem that it is easily affected by external light. That is, since it is easy for external light to enter the light receiving sensor, it may not be possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of a label, and a countermeasure against external light has been desired.
In order to confirm the presence or absence of the label without being affected by the external light, the light receiving level received by the light receiving element is measured a plurality of times, and if there is a predetermined level or more of the received light level, "no label" A mobile printer (printing apparatus) that makes a determination has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
However, there is a problem that the software change is large, such as detecting and determining the light reception level multiple times.

JP 2001-31037 A JP 2005-343486 A JP 2007-15182 A

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and provides a label detection device that can reliably detect peeling of labels arranged in multiple rows while being hardly affected by external light. The task is to do.

The label detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a peeling means for peeling a label temporarily attached to a long mount, and a sensor light from above the label passage area toward a label passage area through which the peeled label passes. An upper light emitting means for projecting the sensor light, an upper light receiving means for receiving the sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means, and a lower light emitting means for projecting the sensor light toward the label passing area from below the label passing area. A lower light receiving means for receiving the sensor light projected from the lower light emitting means, an upper reflecting means disposed above the label passing area, and a lower reflecting means disposed below the label passing area. And projecting sensor light from both the upper light-emitting means and the lower light-emitting means, and sensor light projected from the upper light-emitting means to the lower reflecting means and the upper reflecting means The received by the upper receiving means after being reflected I, further, as well as received by the lower receiving means after being reflected a sensor light projected from the lower light emitting unit by the upper reflecting unit and lower reflecting unit The number of reflections of sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means and reflected by the lower reflecting means and the upper reflecting means, and the sensor projected from the lower light emitting means and reflected by the upper reflecting means and the lower reflecting means It is characterized in that the number of times of light reflection is different .
Also, it is possible to the wavelength of the sensor light projected from the upper light emitting unit, and a different wavelength and the wavelength of the sensor light projected by the lower light emitting means.

The label detection apparatus according to the present invention includes an upper reflecting means provided on the upper side of the label passing area, a lower reflecting means provided on the lower side, and upper light emission for projecting sensor light toward the label passing area from above the label passing area. And a lower light emitting means, projecting sensor light from both the upper light emitting means and the lower light emitting means, and reflecting the sensor light by the lower reflecting means and the lower reflecting means, and then receiving the upper light receiving means Alternatively, since the light is received by the lower light receiving means and the sensor light is projected from both the upper and lower light emitting means, the label is detected by at least one of the upper light emitting means and the lower light emitting means. In addition, there is an effect that the label can be reliably detected even in the case of a multi-row label.
The number of reflections of sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means and reflected by the lower and upper reflection means, and the number of reflections of sensor light projected from the lower light emitting means and reflected by the upper and lower reflection means. If the number of times is different from each other, it will be reflected at different places in the label passage area and at different times, so even when using a multi-row label with a large number of labels temporarily attached in the width direction of the mount, The label can be detected.
Further, if the wavelength of the sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means and the wavelength of the sensor light projected from the lower light emitting means are different wavelengths, both the upper and lower light emitting means are received even if external light is received. Since the possibility of causing halation at the same time is reduced, the label can be reliably detected.
Furthermore, if the upper light receiving means can be provided at one side end of the label passing area and the lower light receiving means can be provided at the other side end of the label passing area, the label passes even if external light is received. Since the possibility that both the upper and lower light receiving means provided at positions facing the counter electrode across the region are affected by external light is reduced, the label can be reliably detected.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following description, the same parts as those in the background art (prior art) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the label detection apparatus according to the present invention as seen from the front issuing port 52 side.
The label detection device 1 is provided in the vicinity of the issuing port 52, and is an area through which a label 42 peeled by turning the mount 43 with the release plate 55 and protruding from the mount 43 (release plate 55) passes (hereinafter referred to as label passage). A lower reflector 2 as a “lower reflector”, a lower light emitting section 3 as a “lower emitter”, and a lower light receiver as a “lower light receiver” Side light receiving unit 4, upper reflecting plate 5 as “upper reflecting means” disposed above the label passage area, upper light emitting unit 6 as “upper light emitting means”, and upper light receiving as “upper light receiving means” The label 42 is detected by blocking the optical path of the sensor light from the lower or upper light emitting units 3, 6 to the lower or upper light receiving units 4, 7 by the label 42.

The lower and upper light emitting units 3 and 6 are light emitting elements that project sensor light. The lower light emitting unit 3 is located on the lower left side of the label passage region in FIG. 1 and the upper light emitting unit 6 is located on the upper right side. The sensor light L1 emitted from the lower light emitting unit 3 and the sensor light L2 emitted from the upper light emitting unit 6 are set to have different wavelengths. For example, it is preferable that the sensor light L1 is set to have infrared light and red light, and the sensor light L2 is set to have a wavelength away from each other such as ultraviolet light and blue light.
The lower and upper light receiving parts 4 and 7 are light receiving elements that receive the sensor lights L1 and L2 projected from the lower and upper light emitting parts 3 and 6, and the lower light receiving part 4 has a label passing region. And the upper light receiving unit 7 are respectively arranged on the upper left side.
Further, the sensor light L1 and L2 to be projected on both the lower and upper light emitting units 3 and 6 pass through the label passing region and are incident on the upper or lower reflectors 5 and 2 at a predetermined angle. The projection axis of L (L1, L2) is attached in a state inclined to the inside of the apparatus (label passing area side), and the lower light emitting unit 3 and the upper light emitting unit 6 are attached with different inclinations. Yes. That is, the incident angle of the sensor light L1 projected from below to the inside (right side in FIG. 1) from the lower light emitting unit 3 toward the label passing region is A1, and from the upper side from the upper light emitting unit 6 toward the label passing region. The incident angle of the sensor light L2 projected to the inside (left side in FIG. 1) is A2, and is set to A1> A2.
The sensor light L1 projected from the lower light-emitting unit 3 is received by the lower light-receiving unit 4 disposed at a position facing the label passage region in the width direction W of the mount 43, and is The sensor light L <b> 2 projected from the light emitting unit 6 is received by the upper light receiving unit 7 disposed at a position facing the label passing region in the width direction W of the mount 43. Details will be described later.

  The lower reflector 2 is a plate-like member having a mirror finish on one side, and the mirror finish is directed upward, that is, below the label passage area (in the state of the label 42). The sensor light L2 that is disposed on the glue surface side and is incident from the upper light emitting unit 6 is reflected toward the upper reflecting plate 5 and the upper light receiving unit 7.

  The upper reflector 5 is a plate-like member having a mirror finish on one side, and is parallel to the lower reflector 2 and the mirror finish is directed downward, that is, in a label passing region. The sensor light L1 that is disposed above the label passing region (on the surface side of the label 42) and is incident from the lower light emitting unit 3 is reflected toward the lower reflecting plate 2 and the lower light receiving unit 4.

The usage state of the label detection apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.
The angle setting and wavelength setting of the lower and upper light emitting units 3 and 6 and the lower and upper light receiving units 4 and 7 are performed.
Sensors that pass through the label passage area by making the incident angles A1 and A2 of the sensor lights L1 and L2 projected from the lower and upper light-emitting sections 3 and 6 perpendicular to the upper and lower reflectors 5 and 2 The number of times of light can be increased. On the other hand, the number of times of sensor light can be reduced by making the incident angles A1 and A2 close to the horizontal direction (obtuse angle) with respect to the upper and lower reflectors 5 and 2.
First, the sensor light L <b> 1 projected from the lower light emitting unit 3 is set to a desired wavelength T <b> 1, and the incident angle A <b> 1 is set to be perpendicular to the upper reflecting plate 5. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the lower light emitting unit 3 and the lower light receiving unit 4 arranged on the side of the lower reflector 2 in FIG. The sensor light L1 from the lower light emitting part 3 reflected by the upper reflecting plate 5 is reflected by the lower reflecting plate 2, and the space between the upper and lower reflecting plates 5, 2 is set to 7 After the reciprocation, setting is made so that the lower light-receiving unit 4 provided facing the lower light-emitting unit 3 across the label passage region in the width direction W of the mount 43 receives light.
Next, the sensor light L2 projected from the upper light emitting unit 6 is set to a desired wavelength T2, and the incident angle A2 is set inward (label passing region side) so as to be closer to the horizontal direction (obtuse angle) with respect to the lower reflecting plate 2. Set the angle to the tilted state. Then, the sensor light L2 from the upper light-emitting unit 6 reflected by the lower reflector 2 is reflected by the upper reflector 5 and reciprocated between the lower and upper reflectors 2 and 5 and then mounted. In the width direction 43 of 43, it sets so that it may receive light in the upper side light-receiving part 7 provided facing the said upper side light emission part 6 on both sides of a label passage area.

  When the label detection device 1 is set as described above and printing is started by the printing device 41 (see FIG. 2), the recording medium 44 is fed out from the medium mounting portion 45 and desired printing is performed on the label 42 by the printing portion 47. Applied. The printed label 42 is conveyed to the peeling plate 55 and protrudes to the label passing area by turning of the mount 43, and the protruding state is detected by the label detection device 1.

The detection of the label 42 by the label detection device 1 is performed by detecting the lower light emitting unit 3 and the lower light receiving unit 4 provided at both ends of the lower reflector 2 provided in the lower side of the label passing region in the width direction W of the mount 43. And the upper reflecting plate 5 provided on the upper side of the label passage area by the upper light emitting part 6 and the upper light receiving part 7 provided at both ends in the width direction W of the mount 43 by the projection of sensor light from both the upper and lower directions. Furthermore, the sensor light L1 projected from the lower light emitting unit 3 is reciprocated between the upper and lower reflecting plates 5 and 7 and then received by the lower light receiving unit 4 and from the upper light emitting unit 6. The projected sensor light L2 is made to reciprocate between the lower and upper reflectors 2 and 5 and then received by the upper light receiving unit 7, and the sensor lights L1 and L2 are received by the lower reflector 2 and the upper reflector. 5 different positions in the width direction W in the label passing region, Since the light is reflected at a different number of times, the sensor light that passes through the label passing area by the label 42 even when a multi-row label in which a number of labels 42 are temporarily attached in the width direction W of the mount 43 is used. Since it is blocked by either L1 or sensor light L2 or both, it will not be incident on the lower or upper light-receiving portions 4 and 7, so the label 42 can be detected reliably. become.
Further, the lower light receiving unit 4 is arranged on the lower right side of the label passing area, and the upper light receiving unit 7 is arranged on the upper left side, and further, the sensor light L1 of the lower light emitting unit 3 that projects toward the lower light receiving unit 4 is projected. Since the “wavelength” of the sensor light L2 of the upper light emitting unit 6 projected toward the upper light receiving unit 7 is set to different wavelengths T1 and T2, it is difficult to be affected by halation and external light.

It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is the schematic front view which looked at the label detection apparatus of this invention from the issue port side. It is a schematic side view of a printing apparatus provided with a conventional label detection device.

Explanation of symbols

W Mount paper 43 width direction 1 Label detector 2 Lower reflector (lower reflector)
3 Lower light emitting part (lower light emitting means)
4 Lower light receiving part (lower light receiving means)
5 Upper reflector (upper reflector)
6 Upper light emitting part (upper light emitting means)
7 Upper light receiving part (Upper light receiving means)
41 Printing Device 42 Label 43 Mount 44 Recording Medium 45 Medium Mounting Portion 46 Reflection Sensor 47 Printing Portion 48 Peeling Sensor (Label Detection Device)
49 Control Unit 50 Print Head 51 Platen 52 Issuing Port 53 Motor 54 Belt 55 Peeling Plate 56 Auxiliary Roller 57 Auxiliary Roller 58 Auxiliary Roller 59 Medium Winding Unit

Claims (2)

Peeling means for peeling the label temporarily attached to the long mount,
Upper light emitting means for projecting sensor light from above the label passing area toward the label passing area through which the peeled label passes,
Upper light receiving means for receiving sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means;
Lower light emitting means for projecting sensor light from below the label passage area toward the label passage area,
Lower light receiving means for receiving sensor light projected from the lower light emitting means;
Upper reflecting means disposed above the label passage region;
A lower reflecting means disposed below the label passage region,
Sensor light is projected from both the upper light emitting means and the lower light emitting means, and the sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means is reflected by the lower reflecting means and the upper reflecting means and then received by the upper light receiving means. ,further,
The sensor light projected from the lower light emitting means is reflected by the upper reflecting means and the lower reflecting means and then received by the lower light receiving means.
The number of reflections of sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means and reflected by the lower reflecting means and the upper reflecting means, and sensor light projected from the lower light emitting means and reflected by the upper reflecting means and the lower reflecting means A label detection apparatus characterized in that the number of reflections is different . The wavelength of the sensor light projected from the upper light emitting means,
The label detection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a wavelength of the sensor light projected by the lower light emitting unit is set to a different wavelength.

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