Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6786146
-
Patent Number
6,786,146
-
Date Filed
Thursday, November 8, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 7, 200419 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 101 114
- 101 115
- 101 116
- 101 1284
- 101 12821
- 101 129
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A stencil printer of the present invention perforates, or cuts, a thermosensitive stencil with a thermal head to thereby make a master. The stencil printer includes a stencil distinguishing device for automatically identifying the kind of the stencil or a master setting device for allowing the operator of the printer to set the kind of the stencil. An adjusting device selects, among master making conditions experimentally determined beforehand, a master making condition matching with information output from the stencil distinguishing device or the stencil setting device. The operator can easily change the master making condition in accordance with the kind of a stencil to use.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stencil printer for printing an image on a sheet via a master wrapped around a print drum.
2. Description of the Background Art
A thermosensitive stencil for use with a stencil printer has a laminate structure made up of a 1 μm to 8 μm thick, thermoplastic resin film and a porous base adhered to one side of the resin film. The porous base is formed of Japanese paper, synthetic fibers or a mixture thereof.
A digital stencil printer includes a thermal head or similar heating means that perforates, or cuts, the film surface of the stencil with heat in accordance with digital image data representative of a document image. After the perforated stencil, i.e., a master has been wrapped around a print drum, ink is fed from the inside of the print drum while a press roller or similar pressing member presses a sheet against the print drum. As a result, the ink is transferred from the print drum to the sheet via the perforations of the master.
Assume that the heating means is implemented as a thermal head. Then, a platen roller, which faces the thermal head, is rotated to convey the stencil positioned between the heating surface of the head and the platen roller. Generally, a pressing mechanism presses the thermal head against the platen roller to thereby generate platen pressure, which presses the stencil against the heating surface of the thermal head.
Thermosensitive stencils in general are classified into some different kinds by the thickness of the thermoplastic resin film, the material of the porous base, the kind and the amount of an anti-sticking agent or an antistatic agent coated on the side of the film to be perforated and so forth. Each stencil printer, strictly a master making device included therein, has heretofore been operable only with a particular kind of stencil.
More specifically, when different kinds of stencils are applied to a single master making device, a conveying distance differs from one stencil to another stencil and effects the reproducibility of the size of an image, as well known in the art. This is because slip between the film surface of the stencil and the surface of the thermal head and friction to act between the porous base of the stencil and the platen roller depend on the kind of the stencil. Further, a load to act during perforation due to a master making speed and image density also has influence on the reproducibility of an image size. In addition, the front tension and back tension of the stencil effect the reproducibility of an image size. When such factors are brought out of balance, the stencil conveying distance varies due to changes in slip, friction and load.
The degree of slip varies in accordance with the surface configuration of the thermal head, e.g., the material and smoothness of a protection film and the material of the porous base adhered to the stencil. Other factors that effect slip include the kind and the amount of the anti-sticking agent, antistatic agent or similar overcoat agent coated on the film of the stencil, the material and the amount of a filler contained in the film, and the thickness of the film. The anti-sticking agent promotes slip between the surface of the thermal head and the film while the antistatic agent reduces charging to occur during the conveyance of the stencil.
The degree of friction varies in accordance with the material, surface configuration, rubber hardness and other factors of the platen roller and the kind of the porous support. Other factors that effect friction include the kind and density of the porous base, the kind and the amount of an overcoat agent contained in the base, and the amount of an overcoat agent, which is coated on the film surface, migrated from the film surface to the base when the stencil is rolled up.
A load increases with an increase in image density on a single line and with an increase in master making speed. Further, a load is proportional to the front tension and back tension of the stencil.
When a single master making device conveys a stencil, the thickness of the stencil and the amount of crush of the stencil ascribable to pressure have influence on the conveying distance, too.
Another factor that effects the conveying distance is the environmental conditions. For example, when ambient temperature rises, the diameter of the platen roller increases due to thermal expansion and causes the peripheral speed of the roller to vary. Particularly, when the porous base is hygroscopic, friction to act between the platen roller and the base varies in accordance with humidity and also effects the conveying distance.
The prerequisite with master making is that the thermal head surely perforates the film of the stencil by melting it with heat. Close adhesion between the film surface and the heating elements of the thermal head is one of various factors having influence on the perforation condition. The degree of close adhesion determines a perforation condition and sometimes leaves the film left unperforated. As for the printer body, irregularity in the amounts of heat generated by the heating elements of the thermal head, platen pressure and the surface configuration of the platen roller effect close adhesion.
Specifically, assume that a single master making device with a fixed platen pressure operates with a stencil that cannot be desirably perforated without resorting to high platen pressure and a stencil that can be done so even at low platen pressure. Then, the platen pressure must be matched to the former kind of stencil, but such a platen pressure is excessively high for the latter kind of stencil. The excessive platen pressure causes more than a necessary mechanical stress to act on the thermal head and is not desirable from the standpoint of durability, e.g., wear resistance of the thermal head.
Further, a greater amount of adhesive for adhering the film and porous base must be used when the platen pressure is high than when it is optimum (low); otherwise, the film and base would separate from each other when conveyed between the thermal head and the platen roller. This not only wastes the adhesive, but also adversely effects the perforation condition.
Assume that the same energy is applied to the thermal head when different kinds of stencils are used. Then, the perforation condition sometimes differs and sometimes remains the same, but is not optimum, depending on so-called stencil (film) sensitivity that is determined by the material, thickness and so forth of the film.
To reduce offset particular to a stencil printer, the perforation diameter of the film should preferably be small although the density of a print should be taken into account. However, when porous base has low ink permeability, the perforation diameter of the film must be large enough to transfer a sufficient amount of ink to a sheet; otherwise, the resulting image density would be short.
Master making conditions differ from one kind of stencil to another kind of stencil, as stated above. Therefore, when the user selects a particular kind of stencil by attaching importance to, e.g., image quality or the cost of the stencil itself, the user must vary the various conditions of the master making device one by one in matching relation to the kind of the master. This cannot be done without resorting to expertness or troublesome work. This is why the user has heretofore been obliged to use only a stencil matching with conditions set at the time of delivery.
Technologies relating to the present invention are disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 11-115145, 11-115148, 6-320851, 8-090747, 9-277686, 11-020983, and 11-091227.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stencil printer capable of easily, automatically setting master making conditions matching with a desired kind of stencil, and promoting diversification from the user standpoint.
A stencil printer of the present invention perforates, or cuts, a thermosensitive stencil with a thermal head to thereby make a master. The stencil printer includes a stencil distinguishing device for automatically identifying the kind of the stencil or a master setting device for allowing the operator of the printer to set the kind of the stencil. An adjusting device selects, among master making conditions experimentally determined beforehand, a master making condition matching with information output from the stencil distinguishing device or the stencil setting device. The operator can easily change the master making condition in accordance with the kind of a stencil to use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a view showing the general construction of a stencil printer to which the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2
is a schematic block diagram showing a first embodiment of the control system for the stencil printer in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3
is an isometric view showing a specific configuration of stencil distinguishing means included in the control system of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a view showing a label forming part of the stencil distinguishing means of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 5
shows another specific configuration of the stencil distinguishing means;
FIG. 6
is a schematic block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a schematic block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a view showing a platen pressure adjusting mechanism included in the third embodiment;
FIG. 9
is a view showing an arrangement for adjusting front tension;
FIG. 10
is a schematic block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a view showing an arrangement for adjusting back tension;
FIG. 12
is a schematic block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13
is a schematic block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14
is a schematic block diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15
is a rear view showing the location of a thermistor responsive to the temperature of a thermal head included in the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 16
is a schematic block diagram showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17
is a schematic block diagram showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18
is a schematic diagram showing a tenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19
is a schematic block diagram showing an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20
is a schematic block diagram showing a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21
is a schematic block diagram showing a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 22
is a flowchart showing a specific combined operation of the first to thirteenth embodiments;
FIG. 23
is a schematic block diagram showing a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 24
is a plan view showing stencil setting means included in the fourteenth embodiment;
FIG. 25
is a schematic block diagram showing a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 26
is a schematic block diagram showing a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 27
is a schematic block diagram showing a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 28
is a schematic block diagram showing an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 29
is a schematic block diagram showing a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 30
is a schematic block diagram showing a twentieth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 31
is a schematic block diagram showing a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 32
is a block diagram showing a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 33
is a block diagram showing a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 34
is a schematic block diagram showing a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 35
is a schematic block diagram showing a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 36
is a schematic block diagram showing a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 37
is a schematic block diagram showing a twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 38
is a flowchart showing a specific combined operation of the fourteenth to twenty-seventh embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to
FIG. 1
of the drawings, a stencil printer to which the present invention is applicable is shown. As shown, the stencil printer includes a cabinet or housing
50
. A document reading section
80
is arranged in the upper portion of the cabinet
50
. A master making device
90
is positioned below the scanner
80
. A printing section
100
is positioned at the left-hand side of the master making device
90
, as viewed in
FIG. 1
, and includes a print drum
101
having a porous portion. A master discharging section
70
is located at the left-hand side of the printing section
100
, as viewed in
FIG. 1. A
sheet feeding section
110
is positioned below the master making device
90
, as viewed in
FIG. 1. A
pressing section
120
is positioned below the print drum
101
, as viewed in FIG.
1
. Further, a sheet discharging section
130
is arranged in the lower left portion of the cabinet
50
.
In operation, the operator of the printer lays a document
60
on a document tray, not shown, and then presses a perforation start key not shown. In response, a master discharging step begins. Specifically, a master
61
b
used for the last printing operation is left on the circumference of the print drum
101
.
At the beginning of the master discharging step, the print drum
101
is caused to rotate counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG.
1
. As the trailing edge of the used master
61
b
approaches a pair of peel rollers
71
a
and
71
b
, which are in rotation, the peel roller
71
b
pucks up the trailing edge of the used master
61
b
. A pair of discharge rollers
73
a
and
73
b
are positioned at the left-hand side of the peel rollers
71
a
and
71
b
, as viewed in
FIG. 1. A
pair of endless belts
72
a
and
72
b
are respectively passed over the peel roller
71
a
and discharge roller
73
a
and the peel roller
71
b
and discharge roller
73
b
. The belts
72
a
and
72
b
cooperate to convey the used master
61
b
to a waste master box
74
in a direction indicated by an arrow Y
1
in FIG.
1
. Consequently, the used master
61
b
is peeled off from the drum
101
and collected in the waster master box
74
. At this time, the print drum
101
is continuously rotated counterclockwise. A compression plate
75
compresses the used master
61
b
collected in the waster master box
74
.
The document reading section
80
reads the document in parallel with the master discharging step described above. Specifically, a separator roller
81
, a pair of front feed rollers
82
a
and
82
b
and a pair of rear feed rollers
83
a
and
83
b
in rotation sequentially convey the document
60
in contiguous directions Y
2
and Y
3
, allowing the document reading section
80
to read the document
60
. If two or more documents are stacked on the document tray, then a blade
84
cooperates with the separator roller
81
to cause only the bottom document to be paid out from the document tray. A feed roller motor
83
A causes the rear feed roller
83
a
to rotate. The rear feed roller
83
a
, in turn, drives the front feed roller
82
a
via a timing belt, not shown, passed over the rollers
83
a
and
82
a
. The feed rollers
82
b
and
83
b
are driven rollers.
More specifically, while the document
60
is conveyed along a glass platen
85
, a fluorescent lamp
86
illuminates the document
60
. The resulting imagewise reflection from the document
60
is reflected by a mirror
87
and then incident to a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or similar image sensor
89
via a lens
88
. The document reading section
80
is so configured as to read the document
60
with a conventional reduction system. The document
60
fully read is driven out to a tray
80
A. An electric signal output from the image sensor or photoelectric transducer
89
is input to an analog-to-digital (AD) converter, not shown and converted to digital image data thereby.
The master making section
90
executes a master making and feeding step in parallel with the image reading operation in accordance with the digital image data. Specifically, A thermosensitive stencil
61
is paid out from a roll and set at a preselected position in the master making device
90
. A platen roller presses the stencil
61
against a thermal head or heating means
30
. The platen roller
92
and rollers
93
a
and
93
b
are rotated to intermittently convey the stencil
61
to the downstream side. A platen motor
26
drives the platen roller
92
. A number of fine heating elements are arranged in an array on the thermal head
30
in the main scanning direction. The heating elements selectively generate heat in accordance with the digital image data output from the AD converter. As a result, a thermosensitive resin film included in the stencil
61
and contacting the heating elements generating heat is perforated, or cut, by the heat. In this manner, the image data is written in the stencil
61
in the form of a perforation pattern.
A pair of master feed rollers
94
a
and
94
b
convey the leading edge of the perforated part of the stencil
60
, i.e., a master
61
a
toward the circumference of the print drum
101
. A guide, not shown, steers the leading edge of the master
61
a
downward and causes it to hang down toward a master clamper
102
, which is mounted on the print drum
101
and held in an open position as indicated by a phantom line in FIG.
1
. At this time, the used master
61
b
has already been removed from the print drum
101
.
The master clamper
102
clamps the leading edge of the master
61
a
at a preselected timing. The print drum
101
then rotates clockwise, as indicated by an arrow A in
FIG. 1
, so that the master
61
a
is sequentially wrapped around the print drum
101
. A cutter
95
cuts the stencil
61
at a preselected length to thereby separate the master
61
a
from the stencil
60
. This is the end of the master making and feeding step.
A printing step begins after the master making and feeding step. Specifically, the sheet feeder
110
includes a sheet tray
51
loaded with a stack of sheets
62
. A pickup roller
111
and a pair of separator rollers
112
a
and
112
b
pay out the top sheet
62
from the sheet tray
51
toward a pair of registration rollers
113
a
and
113
b
in a direction indicated by an arrow Y
4
in FIG.
1
. The registration rollers
113
a
and
113
b
drive the sheet
62
toward the pressing section
120
at a preselected timing synchronous to the rotation of the print drum
101
. The pressing section
120
includes a press roller
103
usually spaced from the print drum
101
. When the leading edge of the sheet
62
arrives at a position between the print drum
101
and the press roller
103
, the press roller
103
is moved upward to press the sheet
62
against the master
61
a
wrapped around the print drum
101
. As a result, ink is transferred from the porous portion, not shown, of the print drum
101
to the sheet
62
via the perforation pattern, not shown, of the master
61
a
, printing an image on the sheet
62
.
The print drum
101
has thereinside an ink feed tube
104
that plays the role of the shaft of the drum
101
at the same time. Ink drops from the ink feed tube
104
into an ink well
107
formed between an ink roller
105
and a doctor roller
106
. The ink roller
105
contacts the inner circumference of the print drum
101
and rotates in the same direction as and in synchronism with the print drum
101
, feeding the ink to the inner circumference of the drum
101
. The ink is a W/O type emulsion ink.
A peeler
114
peels off the sheet
62
on which the image is printed from the print drum
101
. A belt
117
is passed over an inlet roller
115
and an outlet roller
116
and conveys the sheet
62
to the sheet discharging section
130
, as indicated by an arrow Y
5
in FIG.
1
. At this instant, a suction fan
118
surely retains the sheet
62
on the belt
117
by suction. Finally, the sheet
62
is driven out to a print tray
52
as a trial printing.
Subsequently, the operator inputs a desired number of prints on numeral keys, not shown, and then presses a print start key not shown. In response, the procedure described above is repeated in the same manner a number of times corresponding to the number of desired prints.
FIG. 2
shows a first embodiment of a control system for the stencil printer in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the control system is implemented as control means
150
A that is a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and I/O (Input/Output) interface. Further, the control means
150
A serves as adjusting means for selecting an adequate master making condition in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
. Stencil distinguishing means
152
identifies the kind of the stencil
61
when the stencil
61
is set in the master making device
90
. The control means
150
A controls the rotation of the platen motor
26
via a motor driver
154
on the basis of the kind of the stencil
61
identified by the stencil distinguishing means
61
. In the illustrative embodiment, the platen motor
26
is implemented by a pulse motor. It is to be noted that a second to a thirteenth embodiment to be described later also include the stencil distinguishing means
152
each.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, the stencil distinguishing means
152
is made up of a label
158
adhered to the leading edge portion of the stencil
61
implemented as a roll and sensing means for reading the label
158
. For the sensing means, use may be made of a plurality of reflection type photosensors
160
. In
FIG. 3
, the stencil
61
is rolled on a core
156
.
As shown in
FIG. 4
, in the illustrative embodiment, the label
158
is made up of a white sheet
158
a
and three circular marks
158
b
formed on the front surface of the white sheet
158
a
. A seal is removably adhered to the rear surface of the white sheet
158
a
. One or more of the three circular marks
158
b
are painted black in order to show the kind of the master
61
. If desired, the circular marks
158
b
may be replaced with symbols or a code. Of course, the label
158
may be adhered to the core
156
or one side of the stencil
61
rolled on the core
156
.
A relation between the kind of the master
61
and the feed speed of the platen motor
26
, which causes the platen motor
26
to rotate at a speed adequate for the kind of the master
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The rotation speed of the platen roller
92
determines a master conveying speed. The ROM mentioned earlier stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
A reads adequate one of platen motor feed speeds out of the ROM in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
identified by the stencil distinguishing means
152
and sets the adequate speed. This successfully maintains a distance over which the stencil
61
is conveyed constant without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
, thereby insuring the reproducibility of the size of an image.
FIG. 5
shows another specific configuration of the stencil distinguishing means
152
. As shown, an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag or transmitting means
161
is provided on the stencil
156
inclusive of the core
156
. Receiving means
163
is mounted on the apparatus body. An IC chip
161
a
included in the IC tag
161
stores the kind of the master
61
and can transmit it to the receiving means
163
. If desired, a resonance tag, for example, may be provided on the stencil
61
although not shown specifically.
Alternatively, a chip or similar miniature capacitor may be provided on the stencil
61
or the core
156
as means to be sensed, in which case a capacity sensor will be mounted on the apparatus body as sensing means. The capacity sensor determines the kind of the stencil
61
in terms of capacity. This capacity scheme maybe replaced with a resistance scheme. Specifically, a chip or similar miniature resistor may be provided on the stencil
61
or the core
156
as means to be sensed, in which case a resistor sensor will be mounted on the apparatus body as sensing means. The resistor may even be implemented as a tape or a sheet having resistance and adhered to one end or the inner periphery of the core
156
.
FIG. 6
shows a second embodiment of the control system in accordance with the present invention. In
FIG. 6
, structural elements identical with the structural elements of the first embodiment are designated by identical reference numerals and will not be described specifically. This is also true with the other embodiments to be described later. The second embodiment is characterized in that it controls a master making speed, i.e., a period in which one line is written in the subscanning direction in accordance with the kind of the stencil.
Generally, assume that use is made of a stencil with low perforation sensitivity, e.g., one having great thickness for a given kind of a film. Then, it is necessary to increase energy to be applied to a thermal head. It follows that if the maximum width of pulses is fixed, then a voltage to be applied to the thermal head must be raised. This, however, shortens the service life of the thermal head. Although the pulses may be caused to overlap each other, this kind of scheme enhances heat accumulation and is not feasible for high-speed master making. More specifically, accumulated heat increases the diameter of a perforation more than expected, aggravates offset particular to a stencil printer, and degrades resistance to printing, image size reproducibility and so forth.
During perforation, the contraction stress of a thermoplastic resin film acts in a direction in which the diameter of a perforation increases. If the master making speed is low, i.e., if the writing period is long, then pressure exerted by a platen roller limits the contraction stress. This, coupled with the fact that the heat accumulation of the thermal head decreases, makes the perforation diameter smaller than a perforation diameter available at a standard master making speed. Conversely, if the master making speed is high, i.e., if the writing period is short, then a perforation is released from the pressure of the platen roller at a high speed and causes the contraction stress to sufficiently act. In addition, the heat accumulation of the thermal head is enhanced and increases the diameter of a perforation.
A relation between the kind of the master
61
and the master making speed adequate for the kind of the master
61
is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. A ROM included in control means
150
B stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. For example, when the perforation sensitivity of the stencil is low, data indicative of a mater making speed as low as, e.g., 3.0 ms/line is selected. When the perforation sensitivity is standard one, data indicative of a standard master making speed, e.g., 1.5 ms/line is selected. In this manner, the master making speed is selected stepwise in accordance with the perforation sensitivity of a stencil.
As shown in
FIG. 6
, the control means
150
B is connected to the stencil distinguishing means
152
, motor drive
154
, thermal head
30
, and a power supply
180
. The motor driver
154
is connected to the platen motor
26
. The control means
150
B selects an adequate master making speed in accordance with the kind of the stencil determined by the stencil distinguishing means
152
as a master making condition. This successfully prevents heat accumulation from being enhanced or the life of the thermal head
30
from being shortened without regard to the kind or the sensitivity of the stencil, thereby maintaining the size of an image constant.
Reference will be made to
FIGS. 7 and 8
for describing a third embodiment of the control system in accordance with the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 7
, a control means
150
C controls a platen pressure adjusting mechanism
162
in accordance with the kind of the stencil identified by the stencil distinguishing means
152
.
As shown in
FIG. 8
, the platen pressure adjusting mechanism
162
includes a stay
164
supporting the thermal head
30
at one end portion thereof. The stay
164
is angularly movable up and down about a shaft
166
, as indicated by a double-headed arrow in
FIG. 8. A
spring
168
is anchored to the other end portion of the stay
164
. A pin
170
deflects the other end portion or straight portion
168
a
of the spring
168
. A DC motor
172
causes the straight portion
168
a
to move. A feeler
174
is affixed to the straight portion
168
a
. Transmission type optical sensors
176
are so positioned as to sandwich the feeler
174
.
The DC motor
172
causes the spring
168
to expand or contract. The spring
168
, in turn, varies pressure acting between the thermal head
30
and the thermoplastic resin film of the stencil
61
, i.e., platen pressure. The control means
150
C controls the rotation angle or rotation stop position of the DC motor
172
in accordance with the output of each optical sensor
176
.
In the illustrative embodiment, the control means
150
C interrupts the rotation of the DC motor
172
when the feeler
174
reaches the position of either one of the optical sensors
176
and interrupts its optical path. This allows the platen pressure to be adjusted in two steps. Three or more optical sensors
176
maybe used to adjust the platen pressure in three or more steps, if desired. Alternatively, the outputs of the optical sensors
176
and the rotation angle of a motor (DC motor or a stepping motor) may be used to set the platen pressure at a location other than the optical sensors
176
. A cam with a particular contour, not shown, selectively cancels the contact between the heating elements of the thermal head
30
and the thermoplastic resin film of the stencil
61
.
To adjust the length of the spring
168
, use may be made of a reflection type sensor, e.g., a magnetic or an optical encoder responsive to a rotation angle. Further, the DC motor
172
may be replaced with a pulse motor.
A relation between the kind of the master
61
and the rotation angle or rotation stop position of the DC motor
172
, which implements platen pressure adequate for the kind of the master
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. A ROM included in the control means
150
C stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
C selects a rotation angle of the DC motor
172
matching with the kind of the stencil
61
determined by the stencil distinguishing means
152
and sets it as a master making condition. This prevents the platen pressure from excessively rising and increasing the mechanical stress of the thermal head
30
without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
.
FIGS. 9 and 10
show a fourth embodiment of the control system in accordance with the present invention. Generally, each kind of stencil has a particular tensile strength and expands or, in the worst case, tears off when conveyed under tension exceeding the tensile strength. Conversely, when the stencil is conveyed under low tension, the size of a reproduced image becomes irregular because the degree of restraint during perforation depends on the pattern. The fourth embodiment solves this problem.
As shown in
FIG. 9
, a motor
188
implemented by a stepping motor is drivably connected to the shaft of the feed roller
93
a
, which is positioned downstream of the platen roller
92
together with the feed roller
93
b
. The motor
188
therefore drives the feed rollers
93
a
and
93
b
independently of the platen roller
92
. The rotation of the motor
188
is controllable to adjust the front tension of the stencil
61
. The cutter
95
is not shown in FIG.
9
.
Alternatively, the motor or drive source
26
that drives the platen roller
92
may be used to vary the pressure acting between the feed rollers
93
a
and
93
b
. Further, a gear ratio may be varied to adjust the front tension of the stencil
61
.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, the illustrative embodiment includes control means
150
D including a ROM not shown. A relation between the kind of the master
61
and the feed speed of the motor
188
, which implements a front tension adequate for the kind of the master
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
D selects an adequate feed speed of the motor
180
in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
identified by the stencil distinguishing means
152
as a master making condition. The control means
150
D drives the motor
188
at the adequate feed speed via a motor driver
187
. This prevents the front tension from becoming excessive or short without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
, thereby insuring the reproduction of an image with a constant size.
The back tension of the stencil
6
, like the front tension, effects the reproducibility of the image size. Reference will be made to
FIGS. 11 and 12
for describing a fifth embodiment of the control system in accordance with the present invention, which is a solution to the above problem. As shown in
FIG. 11
, a motor
192
implemented by a stepping motor is drivably connected to the shaft of a feed roller
190
a
, which is positioned upstream of the platen roller
92
together with a feed roller
190
b
. The motor
192
therefore drives the feed rollers
190
a
and
190
b
independently of the platen roller
92
. The rotation of the motor
192
is controllable to adjust the back tension of the stencil
61
.
Alternatively, the motor or drive source
26
that drives the platen roller
92
may be used to vary the pressure acting between the feed rollers
190
a
and
190
b
. Further, a gear ratio may be varied to adjust the front tension of the stencil
61
.
As shown in
FIG. 12
, the illustrative embodiment includes control means
150
E including a ROM not shown. A relation between the kind of the stencil
61
and the feed speed of the motor
192
, which implements a back tension adequate for the kind of the stencil
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
E selects an adequate feed speed of the motor
192
in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
identified by the stencil distinguishing means
152
as a master making condition. The control means
150
E drives the motor
192
at the adequate feed speed via a motor driver
194
. This prevents the back tension from becoming excessive or short without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
, thereby insuring the reproduction of an image with a constant size.
The illustrative embodiments described so far include the motor
26
for driving the platen roller
92
each. Alternatively, the rollers
93
a
and
93
b
described in relation to the front tension may be used and controlled as a drive source for conveying the stencil
61
, in which case the platen roller
92
will be driven by the above drive source.
FIG. 13
shows a sixth embodiment of the control system in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is characterized in that energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
is controlled in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
identified by the stencil distinguishing means
152
. Specifically, as shown in
FIG. 13
, control means
150
F controls, based on the kind of the stencil
61
, energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
by controlling the pulse width for feeding current to the thermal head
30
or the power supply
180
. While the illustrative embodiment controls the pulse width, it may alternatively control the output voltage of the power supply
180
or both of them.
Generally, when use is made of a stencil of the kind that can be accurately perforated, it is possible to reduce the size of perforations to be formed in the film of the stencil in a defect-free condition. This is effective to reduce, e.g., sticking when an image with a high image ratio is to be formed in the stencil, thereby enhancing accurate reproduction of an image size.
As for a relation between the perforation of the film (perforation area) and sticking (stencil contraction ratio), the sticking level rises with an increase in the perforation size of the film. In light of this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 11-115145 and 11-115148 mentioned earlier each disclose a particular scheme for controlling perforation energy in accordance with the print ratio. Adequate energy applied to the stencil extends the life of the thermal head
30
and saves energy at the same time.
A relation between the kind of the stencil
61
and the pulse width (pulse width for feeding current to each heating element of the thermal head
30
) adequate for the kind of the stencil
61
is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. A ROM included in the control means
150
F stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. While the pulse width may be selected in the same manner as in Laid-Open Publication No. 11-115145 or 11-115148, the illustrative embodiment selects it by taking account of the perforation ability of the stencil and the ink permeability of the porous base as well.
The control means
150
F selects an adequate pulse width in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
identified by the stencil distinguishing means
152
as a master making condition. Consequently, image quality matching with the kind of the stencil
61
is achievable.
Reference will be made to
FIGS. 14 and 15
for describing a seventh embodiment of the control system in accordance with the present invention. While this embodiment varies the pulse width like the sixth embodiment, it takes account of the temperature of the thermal head
30
because the temperature effects the perforation of the stencil
61
. Specifically, as shown in
FIG. 14
, control means
150
G controls energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
in accordance with the output of the stencil distinguishing means and the output of a thermistor or temperature sensing means
182
.
As shown in
FIG. 15
, the thermal head
30
includes a heating element storing section
16
, a radiator/support
13
formed of aluminum, and a substrate
14
. The thermistor
182
is mounted on the substrate
14
. The temperature of the thermal head
30
should preferably be sensed at a position as close to the surface of the heating portion, e.g., the surface of the center of the heating portion surrounded by electrodes. At the present stage of development, however, it is almost impossible to sense the temperature of the thermal head
30
at such a position. This is why the illustrative embodiment senses the temperature of the substrate
14
. If desired, the thermistor
182
maybe disposed in the radiator/support
13
.
As shown in
FIG. 14
, the illustrative embodiment includes control means
150
G including a ROM not shown. A relation between the kind of the stencil
61
and the temperature of the thermal head
30
and a pulse width adequate for them is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of such a relation as a master making condition. The control means
150
selects an adequate pulse width matching with the output of the stencil distinguishing means
152
and that of the thermistor
182
and sets it as a master making condition. The illustrative embodiment taking account of the temperature of the thermal head
30
, as stated above, enhances image quality.
The illustrative embodiment may additionally take account of the kind and temperature of the ink for further promoting more practical, accurate energy control. Further, the illustrative embodiment additionally execute conventional thermal history control, common drop correction control and so forth, if desired.
FIG. 16
shows an eighth embodiment of the control system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment. The previous embodiments each control the rotation of the platen roller
26
in accordance with only the output of the stencil distinguishing means
152
. In practice, however, such control lacks accuracy, depending on environmental conditions. For example, when ambient temperature rises, the platen roller
92
increases in diameter due to thermal expansion and therefore increases in peripheral speed, as stated earlier. The illustrative embodiment prevents control accuracy from falling due to the varying ambient conditions.
As shown in
FIG. 16
, a thermistor or environmental condition sensing means
184
is located at an adequate position on the printer body or the master making device
90
for sensing the temperature of the latter. Control means
150
H, which is stencil distinguishing and adjusting means, stores a ROM. A relation between the kind of the master
61
and apparatus temperature and a feed speed of the platen roller
26
, which implements a rotation speed of the platen roller
92
adequate for the kind of the stencil
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of such a relation as a master making condition. The rotation speed of the platen roller determines a stencil conveying speed. The control means
150
H selects an adequate feed speed of the platen motor
26
in accordance with the output of the stencil distinguishing means
162
and that of the thermistor
184
and sets it as a master making condition.
FIG. 17
shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
I adjusts a master making speed.
FIG. 18
shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
J adjusts the platen pressure.
FIG. 19
shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
K controls the front tension of the stencil
61
.
FIG. 20
shows a twelfth embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
K controls the back tension of the stencil
61
. Further,
FIG. 21
shows a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
M adjusts energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
.
Any one of the embodiments shown and described may sense any other environmental condition, e.g., humidity in addition to temperature.
The foregoing embodiments each control only one of the master making speed, master conveying speed, platen pressure, energy and so forth. Such different control procedures should preferably be executed in series so as to further promote accurate control, as will be described specifically with reference to FIG.
22
. As shown, an environmental condition is determined on the basis of the output of the thermistor
184
or similar environment condition sensing means (step S
1
). Next, the kind of the stencil is identified in accordance with the output of the stencil distinguishing means
152
(step S
2
). If the stencil is determined to be a stencil A, then the control means
150
selects a rotation angle of the DC motor
172
matching with the stencil A out of the ROM (step S
3
) and sets the associated platen pressure as one of master making conditions (step S
4
).
After the step S
4
, a master making speed matching with the stencil A is selected (step S
5
), and then a feed speed of the platen motor S
26
matching with the stencil A is selected (step S
6
). Subsequently, the platen roller
26
is driven at the feed speed selected (step S
7
). Thereafter, energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
and adequate for the stencil A is selected (step S
8
). After the step S
8
, a master making operation begins (step S
9
). After the master making operation, the platen motor
26
is caused to stop rotating (step S
11
). This is followed by the feed of a master to the print drum
101
(step S
12
) and then followed by a printing operation (step S
13
).
Assume that the stencil is determined to be a stencil B in the step S
2
. Then, the control means
150
selects the rotation angle of the DC motor
172
matching with the stencil B out of the ROM (step S
14
) and sets the associated platen pressure as one of master making conditions (step S
15
). The control means
150
then selects a master feeding speed adequate for the stencil B (step S
16
), selects the feed speed of the platen motor
26
adequate for the stencil B (step S
17
), and then drives the platen roller
26
(step S
18
). Thereafter, the control means
150
selects energy adequate for the stencil (step S
19
) and then causes a master making operation to start (step S
20
). On the completion of the master making operation (step S
21
), the control means
150
causes the platen motor
26
to stop rotating (step S
22
), starts feeding the master to the print drum
101
(step S
12
), and then executes a printing operation (step S
13
).
As stated above, the first to thirteenth embodiment have various unprecedented advantages, as enumerated below.
(1) Master making conditions matching with the kind of a stencil used are automatically set without resorting to expertness or troublesome work. The master making conditions set obviate manual operation even when the kind of the stencil is changed. This is desirable from the diversification and user standpoint.
(2) A distance over which the stencil is to be conveyed remains constant without regard to the kind of the stencil, so that the size of an image can be accurately reproduced.
(3) The influence of a difference in perforation sensitivity brought about by the replacement of the stencil is obviated. This insures desirable reproducibility of the size of an image while preventing the life of a thermal head from being shortened.
(4) Excessive platen pressure ascribable to the replacement of the stencil is obviated, so that the life of the thermal head is extended.
(5) The reproducibility of the size of an image is free from the influence of short or excessive front tension or that of excessive or short back tension.
(6) Image quality matching with the kind of the stencil is achievable.
(7) As soon as the stencil in the form of a master is set, it is possible to identify the kind of the stencil easily and accurately.
Other embodiments of the control system in accordance with the present invention will be described hereinafter. In the embodiments to be described, structural elements identical with the previous embodiments are designated by identical reference numerals and will not be described specifically.
Referring to
FIG. 23
, a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, control means
150
A′ is a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and I/O interface. Further, the control means
150
A′ serves as adjusting means for selecting adequate master making conditions in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
. The illustrative embodiment includes stencil setting means
152
for allowing the operator to manually input the kind of the stencil
61
to be used. The stencil setting means
152
is arranged on an operation panel
195
. The control means
150
A′ controls the rotation of the platen motor or pulse motor
26
via the motor driver
154
in accordance with the kind of the stencil input on the stencil setting means
152
.
The embodiments to be described after the illustrative embodiments also include the stencil setting means
152
each.
As shown in
FIG. 24
, the stencil setting means
152
includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
196
for displaying the kind of the stencil
61
and a group of keys
197
a
through
197
f
(generally
197
). With the keys
197
a
through
197
f
, the operator can select one of the kinds of stencils
61
appearing on the LCD
196
and set the kind selected. In the illustrative embodiment, the operator is expected to select anyone of stencils A through H, i.e., eight different kinds of stencils. The LCD
196
is used as the display of the operation panel
195
as well. More specifically, the key
197
a
is used to call the list of stencils
61
on the LCD
196
. The keys
197
b
through
197
e
are cursor keys. The key
197
f
is used to set the kind of the stencil
61
selected on the LCD
196
. The stencil setting means
152
may be implemented by a touch panel, if desired. Of course, the LCD
196
may be replaced with LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or similar light emitting devices.
The control means
150
A′ includes a ROM. A relation between the kind of the master
61
and the feed speed of the platen motor
26
, which causes the platen roller
92
to rotate at a speed adequate for the kind of the stencil
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. Again, the rotation speed of the platen roller
92
determines a master conveying speed. The ROM stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
A′ reads adequate one of platen motor feed speeds out of the ROM in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
input on the stencil setting means
152
and sets the adequate speed. This successfully maintains a distance over which the stencil
61
is conveyed constant without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
, thereby insuring the reproduction of an image with a constant size.
FIG. 25
shows a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. The illustrative embodiment, like the second embodiment, is characterized in that it controls a master making speed, i.e., a period in which one line is written in the subscanning direction in accordance with the kind of the stencil. As shown, the illustrative embodiment includes control means
150
B′ including a ROM not shown.
A relation between the kind of the master
61
and the master making speed adequate for the kind of the master
61
is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM of the control means
150
B′ stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. For example, when the perforation sensitivity of the stencil is low, data indicative of a mater making speed as low as, e.g., 3.0 ms/line is selected. When the perforation sensitivity is standard sensitivity, data indicative of a standard master making speed, e.g., 1.5 ms/line is selected. In this manner, the master making speed is selected stepwise in accordance with the perforation sensitivity of a stencil.
As shown in
FIG. 25
, control means
150
B′ is connected to the stencil setting means
152
, motor drive
154
, thermal head
30
, and power supply
180
. The motor driver
154
is connected to the platen motor
26
. The control means
150
B′ selects an adequate master making speed in accordance with the kind of the stencil input on the stencil setting means
152
as a master making condition. This successfully prevents heat accumulation from being enhanced or the life of the thermal head
30
from being shortened without regard to the kind or sensitivity of the stencil, thereby maintaining the size of an image constant.
Reference will be made to
FIG. 26
for describing a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. As shown, control means
150
C′ controls the platen pressure adjusting mechanism
162
in accordance with the kind of the stencil input on the stencil setting means
152
. The platen pressure adjusting mechanism
162
has the configuration described previously with reference to FIG.
8
.
In the illustrative embodiment, a relation between the kind of the master
61
and the rotation angle or rotation stop position of the DC motor
172
, which implements a platen pressure adequate for the kind of the master
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. A ROM included in the control means
150
C′ stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
C′ selects a rotation angle of the DC motor
172
matching with the kind of the master
61
input on the stencil setting means
152
and sets it as a master making condition. This prevents the platen pressure from excessively rising and increasing the mechanical stress of the thermal head
30
without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
.
FIG. 27
shows a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention similar to the fourth embodiment stated earlier. As shown, the illustrative embodiment includes control means
150
D′ including a ROM not shown. A relation between the kind of the master
61
and the feed speed of the motor
188
, which implements a front tension adequate for the kind of the master
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
D′ selects an adequate feed speed of the motor
180
in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
input on the stencil setting means
152
as a master making condition. The control means
150
D′ drives the motor
188
at the adequate feed speed via the motor driver
187
. This prevents the front tension from becoming excessive or short without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
, thereby insuring the reproduction of an image with a constant size.
The back tension of the stencil
6
, like the front tension, effects the reproducibility of the image size, as stated previously. Reference will be made to
FIG. 28
for describing an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention similar to the fifth embodiment. As shown, the illustrative embodiment includes control means
150
E′ including a ROM not shown. A relation between the kind of the stencil
61
and the feed speed of the motor
192
, which implements a back tension adequate for the kind of the stencil
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. The control means
150
E′ selects an adequate feed speed of the motor
192
in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
input on the stencil setting means
152
as a master making condition. The control means
150
E′ drives the motor
192
at the adequate feed speed via a motor driver
194
. This prevents the back tension from becoming excessive or short without regard to the kind of the stencil
61
, thereby insuring the reproduction of an image with a constant size.
The illustrative embodiments described so above include the motor
26
for driving the platen roller
92
each. Alternatively, the rollers
93
a
and
93
b
described in relation to the front tension may be used and controlled as a drive source for conveying the stencil
61
, in which case the platen roller
92
will be driven by the above drive source.
FIG. 29
shows a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention similar to the sixth embodiment stated earlier. This embodiment, like the sixth embodiment, controls energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
input on the stencil setting means
152
. As shown, control means
150
F′ controls, based on the kind of the stencil
61
, energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
by controlling the pulse width for feeding current to the thermal head
30
or the power supply
180
. While the illustrative embodiment controls the pulse width, it may control the output voltage of the power supply
180
or both of them.
In the illustrative embodiment, a relation between the kind of the stencil
61
and the pulse width (pulse width for feeding current to each heating element of the thermal head
30
) adequate for the kind of the stencil
61
is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. A ROM included in the control means
150
F′ stores data representative of the above relation, i.e., a master making condition. Again, while the pulse width may be selected in the same manner as in Laid-Open Publication No. 11-115145 or 11-115148 mentioned earlier, the illustrative embodiment selects it by taking account of the perforation ability of the stencil and the ink permeability of the porous support as well.
The control means
150
F′ selects an adequate pulse width in accordance with the kind of the stencil
61
input on the stencil setting means
152
as a master making condition. Consequently, image quality matching with the kind of the stencil
61
is achievable.
Reference will be made to
FIG. 30
for describing a twentieth embodiment of the present invention similar to the seventh embodiment. While this embodiment varies the pulse width like the nineteenth embodiment, it takes account of the temperature of the thermal head
30
because the temperature effects the perforation of the stencil
61
. As shown, illustrative embodiment includes control means
150
G′ including a ROM not shown. A relation between the kind of the stencil
61
and the temperature of the thermal head
30
and a pulse width adequate for them is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of such a relation as a master making condition. The control means
150
G′ selects an adequate pulse width matching with the output of the stencil setting means
152
and that of the thermistor
182
and sets it as a master making condition. The illustrative embodiment taking account of the temperature of the thermal head
30
, as stated above, enhances image quality.
The illustrative embodiment may also additionally take account of the kind and temperature of the ink for further promoting more practical, accurate energy control. Further, the illustrative embodiment additionally executes conventional thermal history control, common drop correction control and so forth, if desired.
FIG. 31
shows a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention similar to the eighth embodiment. The previous embodiments each control the rotation of the platen roller
26
in accordance only with the output of the stencil setting means
152
. In practice, however, such control lacks accuracy, depending on environmental conditions. For example, when ambient temperature rises, the platen roller
92
increases in diameter due to thermal expansion and therefore increases in peripheral speed, as stated earlier. The illustrative embodiment prevents control accuracy from falling due to the varying ambient conditions.
As shown in
FIG. 31
, the thermistor or environmental condition sensing means
184
is located at an adequate position on the printer body or the master making device
90
for sensing the temperature of the latter. Control means
150
H′, which is stencil distinguishing and adjusting means, includes a ROM. A relation between the kind of the master
61
and device temperature and a feed speed of the platen roller
26
, which implements a rotation speed of the platen roller
92
adequate for the kind of the master
61
, is experimentally determined beforehand with the actual master making device
90
. The ROM stores data representative of such a relation as a master making condition. The rotation speed of the platen roller determines a stencil conveying speed. The control means
150
H′ selects an adequate feed speed of the platen motor
26
in accordance with the kind of the stencil input on the stencil setting means
152
and the output of the thermistor
184
and sets it as a master making condition.
FIG. 32
shows a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
I′ adjusts a master making speed as in the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 33
shows a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
J′ adjusts the platen pressure as in the tenth embodiment.
FIG. 34
shows a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
K′ controls the front tension of the stencil
61
as in the eleventh embodiment.
FIG. 35
shows a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
K′ controls the back tension of the stencil
61
as in the twelfth embodiment. Further,
FIG. 36
shows a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention in which control means
150
M′ adjusts energy to be applied to the thermal head
30
as in the thirteenth embodiment.
Again, the illustrative embodiments shown and described each may sense any other environmental condition, e.g., humidity in addition to temperature.
FIG. 37
shows a twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the function of the master setting device
152
is assigned to a personal computer or host
198
connected to the stencil printer as alternative stencil setting means.
The fourteenth to twenty-seventh embodiments each control only one of the master making speed, master conveying speed, platen pressure, energy and so forth. Such different control procedures should preferably be executed in series so as to further promote accurate control, as will be described specifically with reference to FIG.
38
. As shown, an environmental condition is determined on the basis of the output of the thermistor
184
or similar environment condition sensing means (step S
1
). The operator inputs the kind of the stencil to use on the stencil setting means
152
(step S
3
). The control means
150
′ determines the kind of the stencil in accordance with the output of the stencil setting means
153
(step S
3
). Steps S
4
through S
23
following the step S
3
are respectively identical with the steps S
3
through S
22
shown in FIG.
22
and will not be described specifically in order to avoid redundancy.
As stated above, the fourteenth to twenty-seventh embodiments each include the stencil setting means implemented as an LCD and keys arranged on the operation panel of the printer body. The stencil setting means therefore does not increase the overall size of the printer or makes circuitry sophisticated. Alternatively, the stencil setting means may be implemented as, e.g., a personal computer or similar host connected to the printer body, enhancing easy operation and diversification. The above illustrative embodiments, of course, achieve the advantages described with reference to the first to thirteenth embodiments as well.
Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art after receiving the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.
Claims
- 1. A stencil printer for perforating a thermosensitive stencil implemented as a stencil roll with heating means to thereby make a master, said stencil printer comprising:stencil distinguishing means for identifying a kind of the stencil by sensing an identification member provided on the stencil roll; and adjusting means for selecting, among master making conditions experimentally determined beforehand, a master making condition matching with information output from said stencil distinguishing means.
- 2. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means adjusts, based on said information, a speed at which the stencil is conveyed.
- 3. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil, and said adjusting means adjusts a rotation speed of said platen roller in accordance with said information.
- 4. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil, and said adjusting means adjusts a master making speed in accordance with said information.
- 5. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil, a platen pressure for pressing the stencil against said thermal head is adjustable, and said adjusting means adjusts the platen pressure in accordance with said information.
- 6. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil and a feed roller pair located downstream of said platen roller in a direction of stencil conveyance for adjusting a front tension of said stencil, and said adjusting means adjusts the front tension in accordance with said information.
- 7. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil and a feed roller pair located upstream of said platen roller in a direction of stencil conveyance for adjusting a back tension of said stencil, and said adjusting means adjusts the back tension in accordance with said information.
- 8. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a thermal head, andsaid adjusting means adjusts energy to be applied to said thermal head in accordance with said information.
- 9. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature of said thermal head, and said adjusting means adjusts energy to be applied to said thermal head in accordance with said information and information output from said temperature sensing means.
- 10. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stencil distinguishing means comprises:a label provided on the stencil; and sensing means for reading a content of said label.
- 11. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stencil distinguishing means comprises:transmitting means provided on the stencil; and receiving means for receiving a content transmitted from said transmitting means.
- 12. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stencil distinguishing means comprises:means provided on the stencil to be electrically or magnetically sensed; and sensing means for electrically or magnetically sensing a content of said means to be sensed.
- 13. A stencil printer for perforating a thermosensitive stencil implemented as a stencil roll with a heating device to thereby make a master, said stencil printer comprising:a stencil distinguishing device configured to identify a kind of the stencil by sensing an identification member provided on the stencil roll; and an adjusting device configured to select, among master making conditions experimentally determined beforehand, a master making condition matching with information output from said stencil distinguishing device.
- 14. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said adjusting device adjusts, based on said information, a speed at which the stencil is conveyed.
- 15. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said heating device comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil, and said adjusting device adjusts a rotation speed of said platen roller in accordance with said information.
- 16. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said heating device comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil, and said adjusting device adjusts a master making speed in accordance with said information.
- 17. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said heating device comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil, a platen pressure for pressing the stencil against said thermal head is adjustable, and said adjusting device adjusts the platen pressure in accordance with said information.
- 18. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said heating device comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil and a feed roller pair located downstream of said platen roller in a direction of stencil conveyance for adjusting a front tension of said stencil, and said adjusting device adjusts the front tension in accordance with said information.
- 19. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said heating device comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a platen roller facing said thermal head for conveying the stencil and a feed roller pair located upstream of said platen roller in a direction of stencil conveyance for adjusting a back tension of said stencil, and said adjusting device adjusts the back tension in accordance with said information.
- 20. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said heating device comprises a thermal head, andsaid adjusting device adjusts energy to be applied to said thermal head in accordance with said information.
- 21. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said heading device comprises a thermal head,said stencil printer further comprises a temperature sensor responsive to a temperature of said thermal head, and said adjusting device adjusts energy to be applied to said thermal head in accordance with said information and information output from said temperature sensor.
- 22. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said stencil distinguishing device comprises:a label provided on the stencil; and a sensor configured to read a content of said label.
- 23. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said stencil distinguishing device comprises:a transmitter provided on the stencil; and a receiver configured to receive a content transmitted from said transmitter.
- 24. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said stencil distinguishing device comprises:a piece provided on the stencil to be electrically or magnetically sensed; and a sensor configured to electrically or magnetically sense a content of said piece to be sensed.
- 25. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stencil roll comprises a core on which said identification member is provided.
- 26. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identification member is provided on one side of said stencil roll.
- 27. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said stencil roll comprises a core on which said identification member is provided.
- 28. The stencil printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said identification member is provided on one side of said stencil roll.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2000-340674 |
Nov 2000 |
JP |
|
2000-341969 |
Nov 2000 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5551337 |
Miki et al. |
Sep 1996 |
A |
5963241 |
Higa et al. |
Oct 1999 |
A |
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