Patent Grant
10046574
The present application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 National Phase conversion of PCT/JP2014/064521, filed May 30, 2014, which claim benefit of Japanese Application No. 2013-211535, filed Oct. 9, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The PCT International Application was published in the Japanese language.
The present disclosure relates to an elastic roller. Specifically, it relates to a roller such as a platen roller or a nip roller that feeds a belt-shaped member such as a linerless label or a typical label with a liner. More specifically, it relates to an elastic roller that is able to prevent an adhesive agent layer or an adhesive from readily attaching to a linerless label or the like during feeding of the linerless label or the like, thereby preventing the linerless label from becoming wound up.
Conventionally, a linerless label has been developed that lacks a release paper (i.e., a liner) temporarily attached to a back surface side of an adhesive agent layer of a label. Accordingly, a linerless label is thought to be desirable as a resource-saving material because a liner does not need to be disposed of after usage thereof.
A position detection mark 6 is pre-printed on the label substrate 2 of the back surface side. In addition, fixed information (not shown) such as a design may be pre-printed on a front surface side of the label substrate 2 where necessary, in addition to a label user mark or name.
The linerless label 1 may be provided as a single leaf label piece 1A by cutting at a pre-calculated pitch on an intended cutting line 7.
The supplier 9 holds the linerless label 1 into a rolled shape, and the supplier 9 may feed out the linerless label 1 into a belt shape in a direction of the guide member 10, the detector 11, the printing part 12 or the cutter 13.
The guide member 10 includes a guide roller 14. The guide member 10 is able to guide the fed out linerless label 1 in a direction of the detector 11 or the printing part 12.
The detector 11 includes a location detection sensor 15. The detector 11 may detect a relative location of the linerless label 1 (label piece 1A) with respect to the printing part 12, by detecting the position detection mark 6 on the back surface side of the linerless label 1.
The printing part 12 includes a thermal head 16 and a platen roller 17 (elastic roller). The linerless label 1 is sandwiched between the thermal head 16 and the platen roller 17 via a predetermined printing pressure, the platen roller 17 is rotatably driven at a constant speed, and a thermosensitive color developing agent layer 4 develops color by a supply of printing data to a thermal head 16. Accordingly, predetermined variable information may be printed onto the linerless label 1 (label piece 1A).
The cutter 13 includes a fixed blade 18 and a movable blade 19. A printed linerless label 1 that has been fed between the fixed blade 18 and the movable blade 19 is cut at the intended cutting line 7 according to a preset pitch, and a label piece 1A is issued and ejected.
A roller composed of an elastic body such as a rubber material may be used in the platen roller 17 for feeding and printing the linerless label 1 in the abovementioned construction of the thermal printer 8. In order to prevent attachment by the adhesive agent of the adhesive agent layer 3, a platen roller 17 is formed that is composed of an adhesive agent made of silicone rubber material that prevents the attachment of the adhesive agent, or a silicone oil or the like is applied onto an outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 17.
However, it is difficult to completely prevent attachment of the adhesive agent during a long period of usage. The linerless label 1 that passes through the platen roller 17 may become attached to the platen roller 17 and rolled up (see, imaginary line in
In addition, in a case where printing and issuance ceases with the linerless label 1 sandwiched between the thermal head 16 and the platen roller 17, the linerless label 1 does not readily peel away from the platen roller 17, and thus the linerless label 1 may be easily rolled up (similar to that mentioned above).
Thus, typical maintenance such as an operation that cleans an outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 17 or an operation that exchanges the platen roller 17, or the like, must be repeated. Accordingly, there has been a need for the platen roller 17 (elastic roller) allowing stable feeding and printing over an extended period of time.
Moreover, in addition to the platen roller 17, there has also been a need for an elastic roller for a label superior in an anti-stick property or a release property, even as a roller for simple guidance of linerless label 1 such as the guide roller 14, or a nip roller (not shown in the figures) comprising a pair of rollers that are rotatably driven to feed the linerless label 1 or a roller, where appropriate for a construction of a printer.
Further, there has also been a need for an elastic roller for a label that can stably feed a loaded linerless label 1 or loaded typical label with a liner.
While attempts have been made to form a groove or the like on an outer surface of the platen roller 17 in order to avoid an attachment phenomenon resulting from the adhesive agent layer 3 by decreasing a contact surface area between the linerless label 1 (the adhesive agent layer 3) and the platen roller 17, the contact surface area between the back surface of the liner of the label and the platen roller 17 is insufficient, and thus unable to exert the required frictional force (gripping force) between the liner and the platen roller 17 at a time of feeding and printing of a label with a liner. Accordingly, a problem arises that a stable feeding or a printing action cannot be expected due to deterioration in a feeding function such as slippage of a label.
In addition, a groove or the like that is formed on the platen roller 17 may also be easily worn down.
Similar to the abovementioned linerless label 1, the abovementioned various problems may occur even in a case where feeding or guiding a belt-shaped member of a paper or a film base including an adhesive agent or layer a bonding agent layer on the back surface side, and thus there is a need for an elastic roller superior in an anti-stick property or a release property.
It has been proposed to cover an outer layer of an inner layer elastic material member with a silicone resin having specified hardness in order to solve various problems mentioned above.
In other words, providing a coating layer composed of a silicone resin having low hardness (spring type hardness tester Asker C in accordance with SRIS 0101, hereinafter referred to as “C hardness”), allows the silicone resin to have both a non-stick property or a release property with respect to the adhesive agent layer and the frictional force (gripping force) and anti-wear property necessary with respect to the belt-shaped member as a result of a gelated resin having low hardness (C hardness of 20° C. or lower).
Accordingly, a belt-shaped member such as the linerless label and the typical label with a liner may be stably fed and guided.
With respect to the thermal printer 8, while models such as a two-inch model, a four-inch model, a six-inch model, or the like, have been designed in accordance with the width of the belt-shaped member to be printed thereon and issued, printing and issuing may be accomplished by replacing a plurality of belt-shaped members (e.g., linerless label 1) having a different width using one thermal printer 8.
In the thermal printer 8, while the elastic roller (platen roller 17) is assembled in accordance with the belt-shaped member having the widest design. In a case where a one-inch wide narrow-width linerless label 1 is loaded in the six-inch model thermal printer 8, approximately five inches are left by deducting one-inch width of the linerless label 1 from a six-inch width, and the platen roller 17 and the thermal head 16 are brought into contact in the five inches width. The platen roller 17 has sufficient gripping force to feed the belt-shaped member. Thus, in a case where the contact width of the platen roller 17 and the thermal head 16 is broadened, the load caused by friction is increased and accurate feeding of a belt shaped member becomes difficult.
Further, it is known that the linerless label 1 is guided (i.e., feeding-to-one-side method) so as to be directed to a single-sided direction of the platen roller 17 of the thermal printer 8, and fed, as per a guidance system for the linerless label 1 in the thermal printer 8. Even in the thermal printer 8 of the above feeding-to-one-side method, printing and issuing may be accomplished by replacing a plurality of belt-shaped members (e.g., linerless label 1) having a different width. Similarly to the abovementioned case, in a case where the platen roller 17 and the thermal head 16 are in direct contact at a part where the platen roller 17 is exposed with respect to the linerless label 1, the load caused by friction is increased and accurate feeding of a belt shaped member becomes difficult.
Patent Literature 1: JP-A 2011-031426.
In view of the abovementioned problems, the present disclosure serves to provide an elastic roller such as a platen roller that is superior in an anti-stick property or a release property.
Further, the present disclosure serves to provide an elastic roller, such that an adhesive agent layer of a belt-shaped member such as a linerless label does not attach to a surface thereof.
Moreover, the present disclosure also serves to provide an elastic roller that is capable of stably feeding and guiding a belt-shaped member or a typical label with a liner, as well as a linerless label.
In addition, the present disclosure also serves to provide an elastic roller capable of stably feeding and guiding a belt-shaped member such as a linerless label and a typical label with a liner, or the like, by exerting a release property and a frictional force (gripping force).
Further, the present disclosure also serves to provide an elastic roller that is capable of stably feeding and guiding belt-shaped members such as a linerless label and a typical label with a liner, or the like, even in a case where the belt-shaped members having a different width, i.e., a belt-shaped member having a narrow width are loaded into the elastic roller in feeding-to-one-side method.
In view of the above, with respect to an elastic roller such as a platen roller, the inventor focused on coating an outer layer of an inner layer elastic material member with silicon resin having a specified hardness, in other words, on forming a coating layer of a silicon resin having a low hardness (namely, hardness of 20 degrees or less based on a spring type hardness tester Asker C in accordance with SRIS 0101; referred to as “C hardness” hereinafter), and the inventor also focused on forming the elastic roller of “substantially asymmetrically cylinder shape”, in which the elastic roller diameter gradually decreases by forming a sloping circumferential surface (a second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface) on the elastic roller. Accordingly, the elastic roller according to the present disclosure is an elastic roller for feeding a belt-shaped member, the elastic roller including: a roller shaft; and an elastic material member surrounding the roller shaft, the elastic material member configured to feed the belt-shaped member by making contact with the belt-shaped member, the elastic material member including: an inner layer elastic material member disposed on an outer periphery of the roller shaft, a coating layer disposed on an outer periphery of the inner layer elastic material member, the coating layer configured to make contact with the belt-shaped member, and the coating layer being formed from a silicone resin having a hardness of 20 degrees or less based on a spring type hardness tester Asker C in accordance with SRIS 0101, a first side end part circumferential surface having a first side end part, and a second side end part circumferential surface having a second side end part, the second side end part circumferential surface having an elastic roller diameter that gradually decreases towards the second side end part opposite to the first side end part in an axial direction of the roller shaft.
The second side end part circumferential surface may be formed such that a left-to-right shape of the elastic roller is asymmetrical with respect to a center part of the elastic material member in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The second side end part circumferential surface may be formed such that a sloping circumferential surface starting part is a region in the axial direction of the elastic material member.
The elastic roller may include a first side end part circumferential surface having the elastic roller diameter that gradually decreases towards the first side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller may have a maximum diameter in a maximum diameter part between the center part of the elastic material member and the first side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller may continuously and gradually decrease from the maximum diameter part to the first side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller may continuously and gradually decrease from the maximum diameter part to the second side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller may be identical to the maximum diameter from the maximum diameter part to the first side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller may gradually decrease step-wise from the maximum diameter part to the first side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller may gradually decrease step-wise from the maximum diameter part to the second side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller may have a minimum diameter on the second side end part in the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The coating layer may have a thickness of 10 to 100 μm.
The coating layer may have a uniform coating thickness in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the roller shaft.
The coating layer may have a maximum thickness at the maximum diameter part.
A difference in the elastic roller diameter of the elastic roller between the maximum diameter and a minimum diameter on the second side end part may be 10 to 180 μm.
A maximum diameter location mark for indicating the maximum diameter part may be disposed on the elastic material member.
An area of the maximum diameter part may be partially flat.
The silicone resin may have a thermosetting property.
The inner layer elastic material member may be formed from a thermoplastic material or a thermosetting elastomeric material.
The inner layer elastic material member may have a rubber hardness of 30 to 80 degrees according to a Durometer Hardness Testing Method Type A defined in JIS K6253.
The inner layer elastic material member may be configured with a plurality of inner layer grooves in a circumferential direction thereof.
The coating layer may be configured with a plurality of coating layer grooves in a circumferential direction thereof.
The inner layer elastic material member may be configured with a flat inner layer platform-shaped apex portion between the plurality of inner layer grooves.
The coating layer may be configured with a flat coating layer platform-shaped apex portion between the plurality of coating layer grooves.
The plurality of inner layer grooves may have a pitch of 500 to 1500 μm.
The plurality of inner layer grooves may have a width of 25 to 1300 μm.
The plurality of inner layer grooves may have a depth of 25 to 500 μm.
The plurality of inner layer grooves may have a V-shaped cross-section and a groove angle of 50 to 120 degrees.
Because an elastic roller according to the present description includes an inner layer elastic material member disposed on an outer periphery of the roller shaft and the coating layer composed of a silicone resin having a C hardness of 20 degrees that is in contact with the belt-shaped member disposed on an outer periphery of the inner layer elastic material member, as an elastic material member, the resin may provide a non-stick property or a release property with respect to an adhesive agent layer, and may provide the necessary frictional force (gripping force) and anti-wear property with respect to the belt-shaped member due to gelated resin having low hardness (C hardness of 20 degrees or less).
In addition, the elastic roller includes a second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface having an elastic roller diameter that gradually decreases towards a second side end part opposite to a first side end part in an axial direction of the roller shaft of the elastic roller. Accordingly, feeding of the belt-shaped member is assured in a region on a circumferential surface of the first side end part other than the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface, even in a case where a belt-shaped member such as a linerless label having a narrow width has been loaded by the feeding-to-one-side method on a first side end part in a width direction according to the elastic roller. Further, the elastic roller avoids contact (or, demonstrates a degree of influence considered to be negligible even in a case of contact) with an opposing thermal head or the like in a region of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface where the belt-shaped member is not present, so as to allow stable feeding and guidance even in a case where a belt-shaped member such as a typical label with a liner or linerless label having a different width has been loaded.
An elastic roller in a present disclosure includes a coating layer composed of a silicone resin having C hardness of 20 degrees or less that is in contact with a belt-shaped member disposed on an outer periphery of an inner layer elastic material member. The elastic roller possesses a non-stick property or a release property with respect to an adhesive agent layer and required frictional force (gripping force) and an anti-wear property with respect to a belt-shaped member. Because the elastic roller has been formed such that a second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface has an elastic roller diameter that gradually decreases towards a second side end part opposite to a first side end part in an axial direction of a roller shaft, a belt-shaped member such as a linerless label or a typical label with a liner may be stably fed and guided to one side, even in a case where the belt-shaped member has a comparatively narrow width.
Next, the elastic roller according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described based on
The elastic material member 222 includes a “substantially asymmetrically cylinder-shaped” (see,
The inner layer elastic member 223 may be composed of a thermoplastic material or a thermosetting elastomeric material.
For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polybutene, crystallized polybutadiene, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylidene chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer, ionomer, polymethyl-methacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-polytetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyacetal(polyoxymethylene), polyamide, polycarbonate, polyphenyleneether, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyarylate, polystyrene, polyethersulfone, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyphenylenesulfide, polyoxybenzoyl, polyether ether ketone, polyetherimide, polyurethane, polyester, 1,2-polybutadiene, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, benzoguanamine resin, diallyl phthalate resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, or silicon resin may be employed as the synthetic resin usable for the inner layer elastic material member 223.
In addition, a thermosetting elastomeric material such as a thermosetting silicone rubber, a one-liquid type RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) rubber, a two-liquid type RTV rubber, an LTV (Low Temperature Vulcanizable) silicone rubber, or an oil resistant thermosetting rubber may be used as the inner layer elastic material member 223.
The inner layer elastic material member 223 has hardness of 30 to 80 degrees (rubber hardness according to a Durometer Hardness Testing Method Type A defined in JIS K6253, hereinafter referred to as “A hardness”).
In a case where an A hardness is below 30 degrees, the degree of hardness is too soft for the platen roller 220 to feed and guide a belt-shaped member such as the linerless label 1, i.e., a feeding function of the platen roller 220 does not perform properly because of excessive contact and frictional force. Moreover, a printing quality of the thermal printer 8 (see,
In a case where an A hardness exceeds 80 degrees, the degree of hardness is too hard for the platen roller 220, such that the feeding force and the feeding precision thereof are reduced.
The coating layer 224 is composed of a silicone resin such as a heat-curable silicone resin having a C hardness (hardness according to a spring type hardness tester Asker C in accordance with SRIS 0101, hereinafter referred to as “C hardness”) of 20 degrees or less.
For example a silicone resin such as silicone gel, a RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) liquid silicone rubber, an LTV (Low Temperature Vulcanizable) liquid silicone rubber, an ultraviolet light curable liquid silicone rubber, or a thermosetting liquid silicone rubber may be used as the silicone rubber.
The silicone resin inherently possesses a non-sticky property or a release property, and the silicone resin may prevent attachment by the adhesive agent layer 3 of the linerless label 1 even in a case where the linerless label 1 or the like is pressed thereagainst and fed.
A thermosetting silicone resin may also be easily set to a C hardness of the coating layer 224 by a relatively simple preparation and manufacturing process under thermosetting conditions.
In a case where a C hardness of the coating layer 224 is 20 degrees or less, the silicone resin is in a gel form of the appropriate softness. The linerless label 1 clearly also possesses a necessary frictional force (gripping power) with respect to a belt-shaped member such as the linerless label 1 and a superior anti-wear property.
Therefore, the platen roller 220 also includes the necessary release property and the gripping force with respect to belt-shaped member such as a linerless label 1 or a label with a liner. Accordingly, the platen roller 220 is able to provide stable feeding and guidance function.
In a case where the C hardness of the coating layer 224 exceeds 20 degrees, the elastic property of the coating layer 224 approaches that of a rubber material. Thus, an adhesive property of a surface of the coating layer 224 is dramatically increased, and the coating layer 224 is easily worn down.
In particular, as shown in
As described above, the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 and the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226 are formed such that a left-to-right shape of the elastic roller 220 is asymmetrical with respect to a center part 220C of the elastic material member 222 along the axial direction of the roller shaft 221. It should be noted that the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 may be formed such that a sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A is at any part in the axial direction of the elastic material member. In the example illustrated in the figure, the sloping circumferential surface starting part corresponds to the maximum diameter part 220Ms.
With regard to the elastic roller diameter D1, a difference ΔD=DX−DN between the maximum diameter DX in the maximum diameter part 220M and the minimum diameter DN in second side end part 220L in an axial direction of the roller shaft 221, is 10 to 180 μm. In a case where the difference ΔD is less than 10 μm, there is almost no change in the platen roller 220 with respect to a typical cylindrically shaped platen roller, and thus it becomes difficult for the platen roller 220 to avoid contact (or, demonstrate a degree of influence considered to be negligible even in a case of contact) with an opposing thermal head 16 (see,
The thermal printer 8 (see,
As previously described, the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 and the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226 are formed in the elastic roller 220 such that the elastic roller diameter D1 of the elastic roller 220 continuously and gradually decreases from the center part 220C of the elastic material member 222 to the first side end part 220R along the axial direction of the roller shaft 221, and such that the elastic roller diameter D1 of the elastic roller 220 continuously and gradually decreases from the center part 220C of the elastic material member 222 to the second side end part 220L that opposes the first side end part 220R along the axial direction of the roller shaft 221.
Accordingly, the platen roller 220 exhibits a “substantially asymmetrically cylinder shape”. The roller shaft 221 is a typical cylindrical shaft that has a constant diameter along the axial direction. In addition, the coating layer 224 has a uniform coating layer thickness T along the axial direction of the roller shaft 221. In other words, the inner layer elastic material member 223 in the platen roller 220 has the inner layer elastic material member diameter D2 of the roller shaft 221 that gradually decreases from the maximum diameter part 223M to both (left and right) end parts (first side end part 223R and second side end part 223L opposite to the first side end part 223R) along the axial direction of the roller shaft 221, similar to the outer shape of the platen roller 220.
The coating layer 224 has a coating layer thickness T (see,
A length (F/2) of half a width of a linerless label 1 having a minimum width F among the linerless labels 1 that are fed using the platen roller 220 may be indicated, i.e., by presetting a clearly viewable maximum diameter location mark 228 for indicating the maximum diameter part 223M on at least one of the maximum diameter part 220M of the elastic material member 222, i.e., of the platen roller 220, or the maximum diameter part 223M of the inner layer elastic material member 223. The application of the maximum diameter location mark 228 may optionally include coloring, and may be performed continuously or discontinuously in a circumferential direction of the elastic material member 222.
Next, a roll-angle test (measurement method of a roll-angle) will be described as a test that evaluates a non-stick property (release property) for an elastic roller according to the present disclosure.
The linerless label 1 is fixed on top of a flat horizontal base, such that the adhesive agent layer 3 of the linerless label 1 faces upwards.
The platen roller 220 is mounted on the adhesive agent layer 3 as a test sample, a 2 Kg weight is applied for 15 seconds from the top of the platen roller 220, and the platen roller 220 is attached to the linerless label 1.
The weight is removed after 15 seconds, and then, one end portion of a base plate parallel to an axial line of the platen roller 220 is fixed and the base plate continues to slant via a gradual rise in the other end.
Slanting of the base plate ends at a time point where downward movement of the platen roller 220 begins, and base plate angle of gradient (i.e., roll angle) is then read out at the above time point.
The easy-to-roll platen roller 220 due to a low angle of gradient (roll angle) possesses a high non-stick property, and is preferable for feeding the linerless label 1.
According to the test performed by the present inventor, it was found that when a roll angle of the linerless label 1 used in the elastic roller was no more than 15 degrees, after being fed over a distance of 20 Km, the elastic roller displayed no problems with respect to practical usage as the platen roller 17 or a nip roller in thermal printer 8 (see,
A feeding test for the linerless label 1 and the label with a liner was conducted using the platen roller 220 constructed as described above.
With respect to the inner layer elastic material member 223, a thermosetting silicone rubber having a maximum diameter DX of 10.15 mm, a minimum diameter DN of 10.05 mm and an intermediate diameter DD of 10.10 mm was used. Then, a coating layer 224 composed of a thermosetting silicone rubber (silicone gel) having C hardness of 15 degrees was formed with a uniform coating layer thickness T of 50 μm at outer periphery of the inner layer elastic material member 223 to obtain a platen roller 220.
The platen roller 220 according to the present disclosure described above and a conventional cylindrically-shaped platen roller (comparative product) that does not include the coating layer 224 were prepared, and the linerless label 1 and the label with a liner were fed while being guided to one side via the label single-side guide material member 227. As shown in
After the platen roller 220 according the present disclosure fed the linerless label 1 and the label with a liner for a distance of 20 km, the roll angle for the linerless label 1 was below 15 degrees and the roll angle for the label with a liner was below 9 degrees. Accordingly, it was understood that a release property for either the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner was sufficient for the elastic roller. It was also understood that a gripping force for a label was sufficient for the elastic roller, since feeding was performed normally.
Moreover, it is desirable that a wear level in a diameter of the elastic roller due to wear be 1% or less after the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner is fed for a distance of 20 Km using an elastic roller in a printer such as the thermal printer 8.
In the abovementioned test, the wear level of the platen roller 220 was 0.05% or less after the linerless label 1 was fed for a distance of 20 Km. Moreover, the wear level of the platen roller 220 at the time the label with a liner was fed for a distance of 50 Km was 0.5% or less.
On the other hand, the linerless label 1 was wound around a comparative product (conventional cylindrical platen roller without a coating layer 224) after being fed for a distance of 0.5 Km. A measured roll angle exceeded 70 degrees by using the linerless label 1, and the comparative product was found to be incompatible for a usage of the linerless label 1.
Accordingly, a configuration having a release property and a gripping force has been obtained by the platen roller 220 having the coating layer 224 coated onto the inner layer elastic material member 223.
As shown in
Even in the case of feeding and printing by sandwiching a linerless label having a broad width 1C, 1D, or the like, between the thermal head 16 and the platen roller 220, the maximum pressing force may be ensured at the maximum diameter part 220M. Further, because the elastic roller diameter D1 is gradually reduced by the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 in a vicinity of the second side end part 220L of the platen roller 220, there is no direct contact between the platen roller 220 and the thermal head 16, and printing and feeding are not impeded.
In the present disclosure, a configuration of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 having an elastic roller diameter D1 of the elastic roller (platen roller 220) that gradually decreases, and a configuration having a maximum diameter DX at the maximum diameter part 220M between the center part 220C of the elastic material member 222 and the first side end part 220R along an axial direction of the roller shaft 221 that gradually decreases towards both end parts (the first side end part 220R and the second side end part 220L), may be implemented other than a first embodiment shown in
In other words, with respect to a configuration of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 having an elastic roller diameter D1 of the elastic roller (platen roller 220) that gradually decreases, any configuration or embodiment may be employed so long as the maximum diameter part 220M has the maximum diameter DX. For example,
The platen roller 230 has a maximum diameter DX at a maximum diameter part 230M that is positioned between a center part 230C of the elastic material member 231 and a first side end part 230R along an axial direction of the roller shaft 221, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
Even in the platen roller 230 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
Thus, the platen roller 233 has a “modified asymmetrically cylindrical shape.” In other words, a typical cylindrical shape is formed from the maximum diameter part 233M to the first side end part 233R, and an elongated tapered conical shape is formed from the maximum diameter part 233M to the second side end part 233L by the formation of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225. Accordingly, the platen roller 233 may make contact with the linerless label 1 across the overall outer peripheral region between the maximum diameter part 233M and the first side end part 233R.
Even in the platen roller 233 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
Accordingly, the platen roller 236 has a “modified asymmetrical cylindrical shape.” In other words, the platen roller 236 has a typical cylindrical shape formed from the maximum diameter part 236M to the first side end part 236R, and an elongated tapered conical shape formed from the maximum diameter part 236M to the second side end part 236L via the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225. In addition, a typical cylindrical shape is formed from the sloping circumferential surface ending part 225B to the second side end part 236L. The linerless label 1 may make contact with the overall outer peripheral region between the maximum diameter part 236M and the first side end part 236R, and the linerless label 1 may decrease or avoid contact with the overall outer peripheral region between the sloping circumferential surface ending part 225B and the second side end part 236L.
Even in the platen roller 236 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
Accordingly, the platen roller 239 has a “modified asymmetrical cylindrical shape.” In other words, the platen roller 239 has an elongated tapered conical shape formed from the first side end part 239R (maximum diameter part 239M) to the second side end part 239L. Contact between the linerless label 1 and an outer peripheral region at the maximum diameter part 239M (first side end part 239R) may be made. Contact between the linerless label 1 and the overall outer peripheral region of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225, which is formed between the first side end part 239R and the second side end part 239L, may be reduced or avoided, depending on the size (width) of the linerless label 1.
Even in the platen roller 239 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
Accordingly, the platen roller 242 has a “modified asymmetrical cylindrical shape.” In other words, the platen roller 242 has a typical cylindrical shape formed from the first side end part 242R (maximum diameter part 242M) that opposes the second side end part 242L, crossing through the center part 242C to the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A, such that contact may be made by the linerless label 1 and the overall outer peripheral region of the cylindrical shape, and such that contact by the linerless label 1 and the overall outer peripheral region of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 may be reduced or avoided between the second side end part 242L and the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A, depending on the size (width) of the linerless label 1.
Even in the platen roller 242 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
Specifically, the platen roller 242 has a maximum diameter part 242M (which extends from the first side end part 242R to the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A) that allows for feeding of the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner, and the thermal head 16 and the platen roller 242 are not strongly pressed together so as to make contact at a part of an outer peripheral surface of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 that extends from the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A to the second side end part 242L. Accordingly, unsatisfactory feeding or wear of the platen roller 242 may be prevented.
In the platen roller 245, by changing the starting position of the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A for the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 and the sloping circumferential surface starting part 226A for the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226, and by differing the slope angle or length between the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 and the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226, a left-to-right asymmetrical shape may be achieved with respect to the center part 245C of the platen roller 245.
Accordingly, the platen roller 245 has a “modified asymmetrical cylinder shape.” In other words, the platen roller 245 includes the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226 that extends from the first side end part 245R to the maximum diameter part 245M, and includes the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 that extends from the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 to the second side end part 245L along a predetermined length of the maximum diameter part 245M. Contact is made by the linerless label 1 and the maximum diameter part 245M that includes the center part 245C. Further, due to the size (width) of the linerless label 1, the thermal head 16 and the platen roller 245 are not strongly pressed together so as to make contact at an outer peripheral surface of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 between the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A and the second side end part 245L. Accordingly, unsatisfactory feeding or wear of the platen roller 245 may be prevented, and contact made by the linerless label 1 and the overall outer peripheral region may be reduced or avoided at the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226 that extends between the sloping circumferential surface starting part 226A and the first side end part 245R.
Even in the platen roller 245 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
In the present disclosure, a coated or laminated structure for a coating layer 224 may be applied as appropriate. For example, the coating layer 224 may allow for a coating layer thickness of the inner surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the roller shaft 221 to have a maximum thickness between the center part of the elastic material member and the first side end part along an axial direction of the roller shaft 221.
On the other hand, from the cross-sectional shape of the coating layer 224, the coating layer 224 is coated so that a part extending from the second side end part 250L that opposes the first side end part 250R to the first side end part 250R on the inner layer elastic material member 252 has a minimum thickness TN; the first side end part 250R has an intermediate thickness TD; the maximum diameter part 250M has a maximum thickness TX; and the coating layer thickness is gradually reduced from the maximum diameter part 250M to the first side end part 250R and to the second side end part 250L.
Accordingly, the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 that extends between the maximum diameter part 250M and the second side end part 250L is formed, and the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226 is formed between the maximum diameter part 250M and the first side end part 250R.
Even in the platen roller 250 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
On the other hand, from the cross-sectional shape of the coating layer 224, the coating layer 224 is coated so that the coating layer thickness of the coating layer 224 is a maximum thickness TX at the maximum diameter part 253M; the coating layer thickness is gradually decreased from the maximum diameter part 250M to the first side end part 253R and to the second side end part 253L; the coating layer thickness is a minimum thickness TN at the second side end part 253L in a part of the inner layer elastic material member 255 extending from the second side end part 253L to the first side end part 253R; and the coating layer thickness is also the minimum thickness TN at the first side end part 253R.
Accordingly, the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 is formed between the maximum diameter part 253M and the second side end part 253L, and the first side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 226 is formed between the maximum diameter part 253M and the first side end part 253R.
Even in the platen roller 253 of the above configuration, the linerless label 1 or the label with a liner may be fed without hindrance, similarly to the platen roller 220 (see,
A coated or laminated structure for a coating layer 224 may be applied as appropriate with regard to the platen roller 230 (see, second embodiment; and
Next, an elastic roller (a platen roller 260) according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described based on
In
Moreover, with respect to the platen roller 260, a plurality of cross-sectional (more precisely, cross-section intersecting by a plane that includes an axial line of the platen roller 220) V-shaped inner layer grooves 261 are formed along a circumferential direction of the inner layer elastic material member 223 in the platen roller 220 (see, first embodiment; and
The coating layer 224 is formed by a plurality of coating layer grooves 263 having a substantially V-shaped cross-section along the circumference of the coating layer 224, so as to conform to a surface of an upper layer side of the inner layer grooves 261.
In the coating layer 224, a flat coating layer platform-shaped apex portion 264 is formed between the coating layer grooves 263.
The coating layer 224 is formed by a plurality of coating layer grooves 263 having a substantially V-shaped cross-section along the circumference of the coating layer 224, so as to conform to a surface of an upper layer side of the inner layer grooves 261.
In the coating layer 224, a flat coating layer platform-shaped apex portion 264 is formed between the coating layer grooves 263.
The coating layer 224 has a substantially uniform coating layer thickness T in an axial direction of the roller shaft 221, and has the coating layer thickness T of 10 to 100 μm.
U-shape, a conical shape, or a multiangular shape such as a rectangular shape other than a V-shape may be applied as the cross-sectional shape of the inner layer grooves 261 and the coating layer grooves 263.
The inner layer grooves 261 have a pitch P of 500 to 1500 μm.
In a case where the pitch P of the inner layer grooves 261 is less than 500 μm, it is almost impossible to process such a small area of the inner layer platform-shaped apex portion 262, which is formed between the inner layer grooves 261 that are adjacent to each other.
In a case where the pitch P of the inner layer grooves 261 exceeds 1500 μm, there is decrease in a percentage of the inner layer grooves 261 and the coating layer grooves 263 with respect to the entire platen roller 260, there tends to be increase in a contact area between the platen roller 260 and a belt-shaped member such as the linerless label 1, and there tends to be decrease in release property of the platen roller 260.
The inner layer grooves 261 have a width W of 25 to 1300 μm, and more preferably a width W of 50 to 500 μm.
In a case where the inner layer grooves 261 have a width W of less than 25 μm, a contact area between the platen roller 260 and a belt-shaped member such as the linerless label 1 is increased. As a result, the release property of the platen roller 260 may be decreased.
In a case where the inner layer grooves 261 have a width W exceeding 1300 μm, the platen roller 260 decreases the pressing force of a part on the linerless label 1 or the like by the application of the appropriate pressure from the adhesive agent layer 3 side, such that printing precision may be decreased, e.g., printing omissions or the like with respect to a label piece 1A may occur with a printing part 12 of the thermal printer 8.
The inner layer grooves 261 have a depth H of 25 to 500 μm, and more preferably a depth H of 50 to 400 μm.
In a case where the inner layer grooves 261 have a depth H of less than 25 μm, a contact area between a belt-shaped member such as the linerless label 1 is increased. As a result, the release property of the platen roller 260 may be decreased.
In a case where the inner layer grooves 261 have a depth H exceeding 500 μm, the platen roller 260 decreases the pressing force of a part on the linerless label 1 or the like by the application of the appropriate pressure from the adhesive agent layer 3 side, such that printing precision may be decreased with respect to a label piece 1A in a printing part 12 of the thermal printer 8, e.g., printing omissions or the like may occur.
The inner layer grooves 261 have a groove angle G of 50 to 120 degrees, and more preferably a groove angle G of 60 to 100 degrees.
In a case where the inner layer grooves 261 have a groove angle G of less than 50 degrees, a contact area between the platen roller 260 and a belt-shaped member such as the linerless label 1 is increased. As a result, the release property of the platen roller 260 may be decreased.
In a case where the inner layer grooves 261 have a groove angle G exceeding 120 degrees, the platen roller 260 decreases the pressing force of a part on the linerless label 1 or the like by the application of the appropriate pressure from the adhesive agent layer 3 side, such that printing precision may be decreased, e.g., printing omissions or the like with respect to a label piece 1A may occur with a printing part 12 of the thermal printer 8.
A feeding test for the linerless label 1 and the label with a liner was performed using the platen roller 260 configured as described above, similar to the platen roller 220 (see,
A coating layer 224 was formed from a thermosetting silicone resin (silicone gel) having a C hardness of 15 degrees at an outer periphery of the inner layer elastic material member 223, such that a coating layer thickness T thereof was 50 μm. In addition, the pitch P of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 750 μm, the width W of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 410 μm, the depth H of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 350 μm, and the groove angle G of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 60 degrees.
Moreover, a platen roller (comparative product) was prepared that has only the inner layer grooves 261 formed based on specifications identical to those mentioned above and that is lacking a coating layer 224. The linerless label 1 and label with a liner were fed to one side via the label single-side guide material member 227 (see,
After the platen roller 260 according the present disclosure fed the linerless label 1 and the label with a liner for a distance of 20 km, the roll angle that was measured for the linerless label 1 was below 14 degrees and the roll angle that was measured for the label with a liner was below 9 degrees. Accordingly, it was understood that in both instances there was sufficient release property and a gripping force for the elastic roller.
On the other hand, even in a case where a roll angle measured for a platen roller formed only with the inner layer grooves 261 (without the coating layer 224) after feeding the linerless label 1 for a distance of 1 Km exceeded 70 degrees, the platen roller remained attached to the adhesive agent layer. Accordingly, it was found that the platen roller failed to include a release property that was sufficient for the intended application thereof. Moreover, in cases where a label with a liner was fed, slippage occurred continuously, feeding could not be sustained for a specified distance, and it was determined that sufficient function was lacking as a platen roller.
Accordingly, the platen roller 260 was obtained that included a necessary release property and gripping force for feeding a linerless label or a label with a liner by forming the inner layer grooves 261 on the inner layer elastic material member 223 and by forming the coating layer grooves 263 at the coating layer 224.
Next, another test for feeding the linerless label 1 was performed, similarly to that performed on the platen roller 220 according to the first embodiment (see,
A platen roller was prepared, in which an elastic material member 234 including the inner layer elastic material member 235 and the coating layer 224 has a width (length) of 120 mm, has a maximum diameter DX of 16.4 mm, has a minimum diameter DN of 16.3 mm and has a length from the first side end part 233R to the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 of 16 mm (i.e., cylindrical shape having a 16.4 mm diameter from the first side end part 233R to the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A); and has an elastic roller diameter D1 that gradually decreases by formation of the second side end part direction sloping circumferential surface 225 that is formed from the sloping circumferential surface starting part 225A to the second side end part 233L.
A coating layer 224 was formed from a thermosetting silicone resin (silicone gel) having a C hardness of 15 degrees, such that a coating layer thickness T at an outer periphery of the inner layer elastic material member 235 was 50 μm. In addition, the pitch P of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 750 μm, the width W of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 87 μm, the depth H of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 75 μm, and the groove angle G of the inner layer grooves 261 was configured to be 60 degrees.
Moreover, the inner layer grooves 261 or the like as an elastic material member were formed so as to have a cylindrical shape with a width (length) of 120 mm and a diameter of 16.4 mm based on a size identical to that mentioned above, and a platen roller (comparative product) was prepared in which a coating layer 224 of an identical coating layer thickness T and C hardness was formed. Then, the linerless label 1 and label with a liner were fed to one side via the label single-side guide material member 227 (see,
After the platen roller according to the present disclosure fed the linerless label 1 having a width of 100 mm for a distance of 30 km, the roll angle that was measured for the linerless label 1 was 13 degrees, and it was understood that there was sufficient release property and a gripping force for the elastic roller. Moreover, after the platen roller according to the present disclosure fed the linerless label 1 having a width of 50 mm for a distance of 30 km, the roll angle that was measured for the linerless label 1 was 13 degrees, and it was understood that there was sufficient release property and a gripping force for the elastic roller.
On the other hand, while a roll angle measured for a cylindrical platen roller as a comparative product after feeding the linerless label 1 having a width of 100 mm for a distance of 30 Km was 13 degrees, a roll angle measured for a platen roller after feeding the linerless label 1 having a width of 50 mm for a distance of 30 Km was 29 degrees. Accordingly, it was understood that a release property for the elastic roller was reduced.
Moreover, a wear level measured for a platen roller of the present disclosure after feeding the linerless label 1 having a width of 100 mm for a distance of 30 Km was 0.77%, and after feeding the linerless label 1 having a width of 50 mm for a distance of 30 Km was 0.94%. On the other hand, while a wear level measured for a cylindrical platen roller as a comparative product after a wear level measured for a platen roller of the present disclosure after feeding the linerless label 1 having a width of 100 mm for a distance of 30 Km was 0.77%, and after feeding the linerless label 1 having a width of 50 mm for a distance of 30 Km was 2.03%.
Accordingly, a configuration may be obtained that includes a release property and gripping force by formation of the platen roller 233 that forms the inner layer grooves 261 or the like at the inner layer elastic material member 234 and that forms the coating layer grooves 263 or the like at the coating layer 224.
In addition, even in a case of printing and feeding as either a linerless label 1B having a narrow width or a linerless labels 1C, 1D having a broad width that is loadable in the thermal printer 8 (see,
In the present disclosure, in a case of the platen roller 220 (see, first embodiment; and
Further, in the present disclosure, in a case of the platen roller 230 (see, second embodiment; and
DD a intermediate diameter of a diameter D1 of the elastic roller (see,
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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| PCT/JP2014/064521 | 5/30/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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| WO2015/052954 | 4/16/2015 | WO | A |
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