Patent Application
20180264859
The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-052229, filed on Mar. 17, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to printing apparatuses.
Conventionally, there is known a printing apparatus capable of cutting a print media that has been printed. For example, in a conventional tape printer, a tape print head executes printing on a tape-like member fed by a tape feed means. The tape-like member finished with the printing is cut by a tape cutting means. The tape cutting means is arranged in front of the tape print head in a tape feed direction. If the tape-like member has a forepart margin where no printing is carried out, then it is necessary for the tape printer to feed the tape-like member by a predetermined length before starting to print. The tape printer acquires data of the forepart margin from print data. If the length of the forepart margin is shorter than the separate distance between the printing position of the print head and the cutting position of the cutting means, then the tape printer cuts the tape-like member after the tape-like member is fed by the length of difference between the length of the forepart margin and the separate distance from the printing position to the cutting position.
For example, the abovementioned tape printer may include a half-cut mechanism. The half-cut mechanism carries out half-cutting to cut the print tape among the print tape and the release paper of the tape-like member. In such a case, after the tape-like member is fed by the length of difference between the length of the forepart margin and the separate distance from the printing position to the cutting position, the tape printer half-cuts the tape-like member with the half-cut mechanism. In this case, a user, for example, detaches the release paper from the tape-like member while holding a non-print part (to be referred to below as “non-print end portion”) of the tape-like member from the half-cut part to the downstream end along a conveying direction. In the tape printer, for example, if the length of the forepart margin is approximately identical to the separate distance between the printing position and the cutting position, then the non-print end portion of the tape-like member substantially disappears. In this manner, in the tape printer, with the length of the forepart margin, variation may occur in the length of the non-print end portion of the tape-like member. For example, if there is variation in the length of the non-print end portion in the tape-like member, then it is possible to have difficulty in detaching the release paper from the tape-like member while holding the non-print end portion. Therefore, if the half-cut mechanism half-cuts the tape-like member, then in consideration of controlling the tape printer, it is possible for the user to have difficulty in handling the tape-like member finished with printing.
An object of the present teaching is to provide a printing apparatus able to lessen the size of a non-print end portion of a print medium while securing the ease for a user to handle the print medium.
According to an aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a printing apparatus including: a conveyor configured to convey an elongate print medium along a conveyance path; a print head configured to execute printing on the print medium at a first position on the conveyance path; a cutter configured to cut the print medium at least partially at a second position on the downstream side of the first position in the conveyance path; and a processor configured to control the conveyor, the print head, and the cutter, wherein the processor is configured to: acquire a specified length along the conveyance path; acquire a first margin length along the conveyance direction in a first margin part provided in the print medium on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from a print part where printing is carried out; acquire a separation distance along the conveyance path between the first position and a third position which includes the second position, the third position being located on the conveyance path between the first position and the second position; and determine whether the separation distance is equal to or longer than a first total length which is the total of the specified length and the first margin length, if the processor determines that the separation distance is equal to or longer than the first total length, the processor is configured to execute: a first process of letting the conveyor start conveying the print medium and letting the print head start printing on the print medium, printing on the print medium while conveying the print medium by a first differential length which is the difference between the separation distance and the first margin length, and then letting the conveyor stop conveying the print medium and letting the print head stop printing on the print medium; a second process of letting the cutter partially cut the print medium after the first process; and a third process of letting the conveyor restart conveying and letting the print head restart printing after the second process, to print on the print medium while conveying the print medium, if the processor determines that the separation distance is shorter than the first total length, the processor is configured to determine whether the first margin length is equal to or longer than the separation distance; if the processor determines that the first margin length is equal to or longer than the separation distance, the processor is configured to execute: a fourth process of letting the conveyor start conveying the print medium, conveying the print medium by the specified length, and then letting the conveyor stop conveying the print medium; a fifth process of letting the cutter partially cut the print medium after the fourth process; a sixth process of letting the conveyor restart conveying the print medium after the fifth process; and a seventh process of letting the print head start to print on the print medium when the print medium is conveyed by the first differential length after the sixth process, to print on the print medium while conveying the print medium; and if the processor determines that the first margin length is shorter than the separation distance, the processor is configured to execute: an eighth process of letting the conveyor start conveying the print medium; a ninth process of letting the print head start printing on the print medium when the print medium is conveyed by the differential length between the separation distance and the first total length after the eighth process, letting the print head print on the print medium while conveying the print medium by the first differential length, and then letting the conveyor stop conveying the print medium and letting the print head stop printing on the print medium; a tenth process of letting the cutter partially cut the print medium after the ninth process; and an eleventh process of letting the conveyor restart conveying the print medium and letting the print head restart printing on the print medium after the tenth process, to print on the print medium while conveying the print medium.
According to the above printing apparatus, if the separation distance is the first total length or longer, then the first differential length between the separation distance and the first differential length is secured as a non-print part (to be referred below as “non-print end portion”) ranging from the part at which part the print medium is cut to the end on the downstream side in the conveyance direction. If the separation distance is shorter than the first total length, then the specified length is secured as the non-print end portion. The first differential length is the specified length or longer. Hence, the printing apparatus can secure at least the specified length or at most the first differential length as the non-print end portion, according to the separation distance, the specified length, and the first margin length. For example, a user can hold the non-print end portion where at least the specified length is secured, to handle the printed print medium. Therefore, the printing apparatus can lessen the size of the non-print end portion while securing the ease for the user to handle the print medium.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present teaching will be explained. In the following explanation, the right lower side, left upper side, left lower side, right upper side, upper side and lower side with respect to
Referring to
As depicted in
The main body cover 2 is approximately cuboid. An input unit 3 is provided on the front surface of the main body cover 2. The input unit 3 is a switch to input various kinds of information to the printing apparatus 1, and includes the power switch of the printing apparatus 1. The main body cover 2 is provided with an installation portion 8. The installation portion 8 is a recess into which the tape cassette 30 will be installed in a removable manner.
A cassette cover 6 is provided above the installation portion 8. The cassette cover 6 is an approximately rectangular cover in planar view, and is supported by a shaft at the left and right sides above the rear surface of the main body cover 2. The cassette cover 6 is revolvable between a closed position (not depicted) to cover the installation portion 8 from above and an open position (see
A discharge port 111 is provided in the left lateral side of the main body cover 2. The discharge port 111 is an opening to discharge the tape finished with printing from the installation portion 8. The main body cover 2 has a tape discharge portion 110. The tape discharge portion 110 is a recess concaved downward, and is provided between the installation portion 8 and the discharge port 111.
As depicted in
By appropriately changing the type of the tape accommodated inside the cassette case 31, using or not using the ink ribbon 60, etc., the tape cassette 30 is installable with the aforementioned thermal type, receptor type, laminate type, tube type, and the like.
As depicted in
As depicted in
A platen holder 12 is arranged in front of the head holder 9. The platen holder 12 is swingable about a shaft support portion 121 in a front-rear direction. A platen roller 15 and a movable conveyance roller 14 are rotatably supported by shafts, respectively, at the left end of the platen holder 12. The platen roller 15 is contactable with and separable from the thermal head 10 across a tape conveyance path L. The movable conveyance roller 14 is contactable with and separable from the tape drive roller 46 installed on the tape drive shaft 5 across the conveyance path L. The tape drive shaft 5 is driven to rotate by a tape drive motor 18 (see
If the cassette cover 6 (see
Referring to
The cutting mechanism 80 includes a cutter drive motor 19 (see
The pedestal 82 is approximately cuboid, and is arranged in front of the conveyance path L (see
The full-cut mechanism 85 carries out the full-cut operation. The full-cut mechanism 85 includes a fixed blade 86 and a movable blade 87. The fixed blade 86 extends in the up-down direction, and is arranged in front of the conveyance path L in the tape discharge portion 110. The movable blade 87 also extends in the up-down direction, and is arranged in the rear of the conveyance path L. The fixed blade 86 and the movable blade 87 face each other across the conveyance path L in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, with respect to the conveying direction, the half-cut mechanism 81 (in detail, the cutting blade 83) is positioned approximately in line with the full-cut mechanism 85 (in detail, the movable blade 87).
Next, an explanation will be made on the outline of the half-cut operation of the cutting mechanism 80. When the half-cut mechanism 81 carries out the half-cut operation, the cutter drive motor 19 rotates in the forward direction. If the cutter drive motor 19 rotates in the forward direction, then the cutting blade 83 moves frontward to approach the pedestal 82. On this occasion, the projection 84 comes to contact with the pedestal 82, thereby forming an interspace narrower than the tape thickness (for example, an interspace approximately equal to the thickness of the release paper 39) between the cutting blade 83 and the pedestal 82. The tape is positioned in the interspace between the cutting blade 83 and the pedestal 82, and pressed against the pedestal 82 by the cutting blade 83. By virtue of this, some layer of the tape (for example, the adhesive tape 38 of the print tape 37 beside the cutting blade 83) is cut up by the cutting blade 83.
Next, an explanation will be made on the outline of the full-cut operation of the cutting mechanism 80. When the full-cut mechanism 85 carries out the full-cut operation, the cutter drive motor 19 rotates in the reverse direction. If the cutter drive motor 19 rotates in the reverse direction, then the movable blade 87 moves frontward to intersect the fixed blade 86. By virtue of this, all layers of the tape (for example, the adhesive tape 38 and the release paper 39 of the print tape 37) are cut up between the movable blade 87 and the fixed blade 86.
Referring to
The ROM 22 stores various parameters needed for the CPU 21 to execute various programs. The ROM 22 stores, for example, an aftermentioned separation distance Z. The CGROM 23 stores dot pattern data for printing to print characters. The RAM 24 includes a plurality of storage areas such as a text memory, print buffer, and the like. The flash memory 25 stores various programs executed by the CPU 21 to control the printing apparatus 1. The flash memory 25 stores, for example, print data acquired beforehand from the external terminal.
The drive circuit 26 is an electronic circuit for driving the thermal head 10. The drive circuit 27 is an electronic circuit for driving the tape drive motor 18. The drive circuit 28 is an electronic circuit for driving the cutter drive motor 19. By being selectively pressed in accordance with the formation pattern of the switch holes of the index portion 32, the respective switch sensors 13 can detect the formation pattern of the switch holes of the index portion 32. The respective switch sensors 13 output the detected formation pattern to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 identifies the type of the tape based on the formation pattern outputted from the respective switch sensors 13.
Referring to a state A5 of
Referring to
The first margin length Y1 and the second margin length Y2 indicate, respectively, the lengths of the first blank part 54 and the second blank part 55 along the conveying direction. The first blank part 54 is a margin provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction from the part where printing is carried out on the print tape 37 based on the print data (that is, the part where the print image 50 is printed, to be referred to below as “print part”). The second blank part 55 is a margin provided on the upstream side from the print part in the print tape 37 along the conveying direction. That is, the print image 50 is not printed in the first blank part 54 and the second blank part 55. The first blank length y1 and the second blank length y2 indicate, respectively, the lengths of the aforementioned first blank area 52 and second blank area 53 along the conveying direction.
The separation distance Z indicates the distance along the conveyance path L between a printing position T1 and a cutting position T2. The printing position T1 indicates the position on the conveyance path L where the thermal head 10 prints one line of the characters. In detail, the printing position T1 indicates the position where the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 10 are provided along the conveying direction. The cutting position T2 indicates the position on the conveyance path L where the full-cut mechanism 85 cuts up the tape. In detail, the cutting position T2 indicates the position where the movable blade 87 intersects the conveyance path L in the full-cut operation. The cutting position T2 is on the downstream side from the printing position T1 along the conveyance path L. In this embodiment, the conveyance path L extends straight between the printing position T1 and the cutting position T2.
Hereinbelow, the term “first total length (X+Y1)” will be used to refer to the total of the specified length X and the first margin length Y1. The term “second total length (X+W1)” will be used to refer to the total of the specified length X, the first margin length Y1, and the first blank length y1. The term “third total length W1” will be used to refer to the total of the first margin length Y1 and the first blank length y1. The term “fourth total length W2” will be used to refer to the total of the second margin length Y2 and the second blank length y2. The term “fifth total length (Z+W2)” will be used to refer to the total of the separation distance Z and the fourth total length W2. The term “first differential length (Z−Y1)” or “first differential length (Y1−Z)” will be used to refer to the difference between the separation distance Z and the first margin length Y1. The term “second differential length (Z−W1)” or “second differential length (W1−Z)” will be used to refer to the difference between the separation distance Z and the third total length W1. The term “third differential length (X+W1−Z)” will be used to refer to the difference between the second total length (X+W1) and the separation distance Z. The term “fourth differential length (X+Y1−Z)” will be used to refer to the difference between the first total length (X+Y1) and the separation distance Z. Further, an aftermentioned first modification will be explained using the “first total length (X+Y1)”, “first differential length (Z−Y1)”, “first differential length (Y1−Z)”, and “fourth differential length (X+Y1−Z)”.
Referring to
As depicted in
The user operates the input unit 3 to input a print instruction to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 acquires the print instruction inputted by the user (S13). The CPU 21 acquires, from the flash memory 25, the print data designated by the print instruction (S14). The RAM 24 stores the acquired print data.
The CPU 21 acquires, from the acquired print data, the first blank length y1 and the second blank length y2, respectively (S15). The RAM 24 stores the acquired first blank length y1 and second blank length y2, respectively. Based on the Y1, y1, Y2, and y2 stored respectively in the RAM 24, the CPU 21 calculates the third total length W1 and the fourth total length W2, respectively (S16). The RAM 24 stores the calculated third total length W1 and fourth total length W2, respectively.
Referring to the RAM 24, the CPU 21 determines whether W1≥W2 (S21). If W1≥W2 (S21: Yes), then the CPU 21 acquires the separation distance Z from the ROM 22 (S31). The RAM 24 stores the acquired separation distance Z. Referring to the RAM 24, the CPU 21 determines whether Z≥(X+W1) (S32). If Z≥(X+W1) (S32: Yes), then the CPU 21 executes a first control process (S33), and then executes the process of S37. If Z<(X+W1) (S32: No), then the CPU 21 determines whether W1≥Z (S34). If W1≥Z (S34: Yes), then the CPU 21 executes a second control process (S35), and then executes the process of S37. If W1<Z (S34: No), then the CPU 21 executes a third control process (S36), and then executes the process of S37.
Referring to
The CPU 21 executes the half-cut operation by driving the cutter drive motor 19 to rotate forward via the drive circuit 28 (S53). In the state depicted by A2, the non-print end portion 37A is formed to have the second differential length (Z−W1) along the conveying direction. The CPU 21 returns the process to the main process (see
Referring to
The CPU 21 restarts driving the tape drive motor 18 via the drive circuit 27 to convey the print tape 37 (S64). The CPU 21 determines whether the print tape 37 is conveyed by the second differential length (W1−Z) (S65). If the print tape 37 is not conveyed by the second differential length (W1−Z) (S65: No), then the CPU 21 repeats S65 until the print tape 37 is conveyed by the second differential length (W1−Z). If the print tape 37 is conveyed by the second differential length (W1−Z) (S65: Yes), then the print tape 37 transits from the state B2 to the state B3, and hence the CPU 21 returns the process to the main process (see
Referring to
The CPU 21 executes the half-cut operation by driving the cutter drive motor 19 to rotate forward via the drive circuit 28 (S75). In the state depicted by C3, the non-print end portion 37A is formed to have the specified length X in the conveying direction. The CPU 21 returns the process to the main process (see
As depicted in
The CPU 21 controls the tape drive motor 18 via the drive circuit 27 to convey the print tape 37 by the fifth total length (Z+W2) (S38). If the print tape 37 is conveyed by the fifth total length (Z+W2), then the CPU 21 stops driving the tape drive motor 18 via the drive circuit 27 (S38). In the case of
In S21, if W1<W2 (S21: No), then the CPU 21 executes a rotation conversion process (S22). In the rotation conversion process, the print data acquired in S13 are converted into new print data for printing the print image 50 (see
The CPU 21 interchanges the third total length W1 and the fourth total length W2 (S23). In detail, the third total length W1 stored in the RAM 24 is newly updated as the fourth total length w2, and the fourth total length W2 before being updated is newly updated as the third total length W1. Based on the interchanged third total length W1 and the new print data after the rotation conversion process, the CPU 21 executes the process from S31. For example, in S32 and S34, the determination is made based on the interchanged third total length W1 (that is, the fourth total length W2 before being interchanged).
As explained above, if the separation distance Z is the second total length (X+W1) or longer, then the second differential length (Z−W1) is secured as the non-print end portion 37A. If the separation distance Z is shorter than the second total length (X+W1), then the specified length X is secured as the non-print end portion 37A. The second differential length (Z−W1) is the specified length X or longer. Therefore, it is possible for the printing apparatus 1 to secure at least the specified length X or at most second differential length (Z−W1) as the non-print end portion 37A, according to the separation distance Z, the specified length X, and the first margin length Y1. For example, the user can handle the printed print tape 37 while holding the non-print end portion 37A where at least the specified length X is secured. Hence, the printing apparatus 1 can lessen the size of the non-print end portion 37A while securing the ease for the user to handle the print tape 37. The second differential length (Z−W1) is the first differential length (Z−Y1) or shorter in the aftermentioned first modification. Hence, if the separation distance Z is the second total length (X+W1) or longer, then the printing apparatus 1 can further lessen the size of the non-print end portion 37A while securing the ease for the user to handle the print tape 37, compared with the first modification.
Because the printing apparatus 1 includes the input unit 3, the user can operate the input unit 3 to input the specified length X. Therefore, according to the user's purpose, the printing apparatus 1 can acquire at least the length (the specified length X) secured as the length of the non-print end portion 37A along the conveying direction.
If the third total length W1 is shorter than the fourth total length W2, then the acquired print data are converted into the new print data for printing the print image 50 rotated by 180 degrees. The third total length W1 and the fourth total length W2 are interchanged to control the printing and the like. Because the third total length W1 is shorter than the fourth total length W2, after the interchange, the third total length W1 becomes longer than the fourth total length W2. Hence, compared with the case where the third total length W1 and the fourth total length W2 are not interchanged, it is easier to determine the separation distance Z is shorter than the second total length (X+W1). Therefore, even if the third total length W1 is short, for example, the printing apparatus 1 can still lessen the size of the non-print end portion 37A while securing the ease for the user to handle the print tape 37 when the fourth total length W2 is long.
The separation distance Z is the distance along the conveyance path L between the printing position T1 and the cutting position T2. The length of the print tape 37 on the conveyance path L between the printing position T1 and the cutting position T2 is more stabilized than when the print tape 37 is conveyed, for example, after being cut up. Therefore, because it is easy for the separation distance Z to consist with the length of the print tape 37 on the conveyance path L between the printing position T1 and the cutting position T2, the printing apparatus 1 can control the conveying, printing and cutting with high precision.
In this embodiment, the tape drive roller 46 corresponds to the “conveyor” of the present teaching. The printing position T1 corresponds to the “first position” of the present teaching. The thermal head 10 corresponds to the “print head” of the present teaching. The cutting position T2 corresponds to the “second position” and the “third position” of the present teaching. The cutting mechanism 80 corresponds to the “cutter” of the present teaching.
The processes of S51 and S52 of
It is possible to apply various changes and modifications to the present teaching in the above embodiment. For example, in the main process (see
As depicted in
After acquiring the separation distance Z from the ROM 22 (S31), instead of S32, referring to the RAM 24, the CPU 21 determines whether Z≥(X+Y1) (S321). If Z≥(X+Y1) (S321: Yes), then the CPU 21 executes the first control process (S33). If Z<(X+Y1) (S321: No), then instead of S34, the CPU 21 determines whether Y1≥Z (S341). If Y1≥Z (S341: Yes), then the CPU 21 executes the second control process (S35). If Y1<Z (S341: No), then the CPU 21 executes the third control process (S36).
As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
If the separation distance Z is the first total length (X+Y1) or longer, then the first differential length (Z−Y1) is secured as the non-print end portion 37A. If the separation distance Z is shorter than the first total length (X+Y1), then the specified length X is secured as the non-print end portion 37A. The first differential length (Z−Y1) is the specified length X or longer. Hence, the printing apparatus 1 can secure at least the specified length X or at most the first differential length (Z−Y1) as the non-print end portion 37A, according to the separation distance Z, the specified length X, and the first margin length Y1. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can lessen the size of the non-print end portion 37A while securing the ease for the user to handle the print tape 37.
Further, as depicted in
Referring to
If there is no notch 39A in the release paper 39, then it is possible for the user to have difficulty in detaching the release paper 39 from the print tape 37. If the notch 39A is in the release paper 39, then the user can more easily detach the release paper 39 from the print tape 37 by using the notch 39A of the release paper 39, than the case where there is no notch 39A in the release paper 39. If the tape cassette 30 having the specific print tape 37 is installed in the installation portion 8 in the printing apparatus 1, then the specified length X is set to the “0”. Hence, the non-print end portion 37A becomes small. In particular, after S2 is executed, if the first control process (S33) is executed, then the non-print end portion 37A having the second differential length (Z−W1) is formed. That is, it is possible to obtain the same printed result as in the aforementioned embodiment when the first control process is executed. After S2 is executed, if the second control process (s35) is executed, then because the specified length X is the “0”, the non-print end portion 37A is not formed. After S2 is executed, if the third control process (S36) is executed, then because the specified length X is the “0”, the non-print end portion 37A is not formed. In this manner, the printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not to secure at least the specified length X as the non-print end portion 37A according to whether or not the notch 39A is formed beforehand in the release paper 39 for detaching the release paper 39 easily.
In the second modification, if S2 is executed, then the half-cut operation is carried out in S53 of the first control process (see
In the second modification, the method of detecting the type of the print tape 37 is not limited to using the switch sensor 13. For example, the user may operate the input unit 3 in advance to input the type of the print tape 37 to the CPU 21.
It is possible to apply other modifications to the present teaching than the above first modification and second modification. For example, the CPU 21 may omit carrying out S21 to S23. The CPU 21 may omit carrying out S38 and S39. In such cases, after the printing is finished, the user may draw out the tape and cup up the same. If the user cuts up the tape manually, then the cutting mechanism 80 may not include the full-cut mechanism 85.
In the aforementioned embodiment, the tape cassette 30 is adopted to fit a tape of the receptor type. However, the present teaching is applicable to the tape cassette 30 fitting a tape of the laminate type, tube type, or the like.
In the aforementioned embodiment, the tape may be single-layered. In the aforementioned embodiment, the half-cut mechanism 81 cuts up a part of the layers of the printed tape. In contrast to this, the half-cut mechanism 81 may form a dash-line notch extending in the width direction of the tape, for example, for all layers of the printed tape. When using the tape cassette 30 fitting a tape of the laminate type, film tapes are applied to the printed two-sided adhesive tape. The half-cut mechanism 81 may cut up all film tapes, for example, between the two-sided adhesive tape and the film tapes. In the case of the laminate type, the two-sided adhesive tape and the film tapes correspond to the “print medium” of the present teaching. When using the tape cassette 30 fitting a tape of the tube type, the half-cut mechanism 81 may form a notch by cutting up part of the tube tape along the diameter, for example. The half-cut mechanism 81 cuts up the adhesive tape 38 of the print tape 37. However, the half-cut mechanism 81 may cup up the release paper 39 instead. The half-cut mechanism 81 may cut up all of the release paper 39 and part of the adhesive tape 38 of the print tape 37.
In the aforementioned embodiment, the half-cut mechanism 81 and the full-cut mechanism 85 use the cutting blades different from each other (the cutting blade 83 and the movable blade 87). However, one blade may be used to enable both the half-cut operation and the full-cut operation. For example, the cutting mechanism 80 may include the movable blade 87 as the one blade. In this case, the pedestal 82 may have a half-cut surface having a recess and a flat full-cut surface. The printing apparatus 1 may move the pedestal 82 between the position where the half-cut surface of the pedestal 82 faces the movable blade 87, and the position where the full-cut surface of the pedestal 82 faces the movable blade 87. In this case, the position where the tape is cut up in the full-cut operation consists with the position where the tape is cut up in the half-cut operation. Hence, it becomes easy for the separation distance Z to consist with the length of the print tape 37 on the conveyance path L between the printing position T1 and the cutting position T2. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 may control the conveying, printing, and cutting with high precision.
The separation distance Z may not be the distance along the conveyance path L between the printing position T1 and the cutting position T2. The separation distance Z may be a distance along the conveyance path L between the printing position T1 and a third position. The third position is located on the conveyance path L between the printing position T1 and the cutting position T2. A particular example of the third position will be explained. For example, the printing apparatus 1 may wind back the tape by a predetermined length upstream along the conveying direction after the tape is cut up in the full-cut operation in S39. In particular, the printing apparatus 1 may include a motor for winding back the tape. The CPU 21 may control the motor for winding back the tape to rotate the first tape spool 40 by such an amount as to correspond to the predetermined length in a direction of winding back the tape (in the counterclockwise direction in planar view in
Instead of the CPU 21, it is possible to use, as the processor, a microcomputer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the like. The main process and the like may be distributed to a plurality of processors. The ROM 22 and the flash memory 25 may not include a transitory storage medium (to store transmission signals, for example). The programs may be downloaded from, for example, a server connected to a network (that is, transmitted as transmission signals), and stored in the flash memory 25. In this case, the programs shall be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as an HDD or the like provided in the server.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-052229 | Mar 2017 | JP | national |
