JPH031979A - Ink ribbon, ink ribbon cassette, and recording device using the ink ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect a number of uses of a ribbon by a method wherein a metallic vapor deposition layer and a thermosensitive coloring layer are provided to a begining and a end parts of an ink ribbon, the end part of the ribbon is detected with the metallic vapor deposition layer, and the thermosensitive coloring layer is colored with a thermal head to form a bar code, which is identified with a reflective type photosensor. CONSTITUTION:A metallic vapor deposition layer 5 is provided to a leader part 10a or 10b of an end part of an ink ribbon 9. Output light from a reflective type photosensor 36 reaches a light receiving part by reflection to detect the leader parts 10a, 10b. A control circuit recognizes that the ink ribbon has reached a final end, and stops energizing a thermal recording head 37. Further, the ink ribbon 9 is wound up, and the leader part 10a or 10b is positioned between the recording head 37 and the recording paper 9. Then, the recording head 37 is energized to color a thermosensitive coloring layer 5 of the leader part 10a or 10b, and a specific bar code is recorded. Then, all recording operation is stopped, and reaching of the end part of the ink ribbon is communicated to a display. Then an operator reverses a ribbon cassette 20 to re-open recording operation, and the bar code is formed at the final end part of the ink ribbon.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an ink ribbon coated with ink, and particularly to a multi-ink ribbon capable of recording multiple times with the same ribbon, and an ink ribbon cassette equipped with the ink ribbon. This relates to a recording device.

Note that, as the ink, for example, an ink having properties such as heat melting property and heat sublimation property can be used as appropriate.

[Prior Art 1] In recent years, thermal transfer methods have been widely adopted as output recording devices for Japanese word processors.

This is because the recording apparatus has the advantages of a simple structure, quietness during printing, and good recording quality.

On the other hand, in many cases, the thermal transfer ink ribbon used as the recording medium can only be used for a few degrees (and has the disadvantage of high running costs).

Therefore, in order to overcome this drawback, conventional multi-ink ink that can be used for multiple recordings, does not transfer all of the heat-melting ink applied to the base such as polyester onto the recording paper due to the heat generated by the thermal head. A ribbon has been invented.

The ink ribbon is stored in an ink ribbon cassette having a symmetrical shape, and after recording on one side is completed, the cassette is reversed and used, and by repeating this operation, multiple recordings can be made with one ribbon cassette. It is possible.

In such an ink ribbon, reflective parts are provided at the start and end ends of the ink ribbon for detecting the start and end ends of the ink ribbon (ribbon end detection).

This ribbon end is detected by a reflective photosensor for detecting the starting end and the ending end, which is provided in the recording device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, there is a drawback that it is difficult to know exactly how many times the ribbon cassette is inverted and used.

As a result, the service life has been exceeded, resulting in poor ribbon running, ribbon breakage, or adhesion of debris to the thermal head. As a result, recording quality deteriorates, and in extreme cases, the recording may become unreadable.

Furthermore, as the durability of the ribbon deteriorates, there is a risk that the ribbon may become distorted, get wrapped around the recording device's ribbon drive mechanism, or be cut, which may cause problems on the recording device side. was there.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and includes the following configuration as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

That is, in an ink ribbon coated with heat-melting ink, a metal vapor deposition layer and a heat-sensitive coloring layer are provided at the starting and ending ends.

Further, the recording device includes a mark means for attaching a predetermined mark corresponding to the number of times of use to a predetermined area of the ink ribbon, and a mark on the ink ribbon made by the mark means is detected to control the number of times of use of the ink ribbon. and control means for controlling the number of times the ribbon is used.

[Function] In the above configuration, the arrival of the starting end and the ending end of the ink ribbon is detected by the metal vapor deposited layer, and the heat-sensitive coloring portion is heated and colored by the heat-sensitive head, thereby making it possible to determine the number of times the ribbon has been used.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an ink ribbon according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus using the ink ribbon.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a base, and the base 1 is preferably made of a sheet-like plastic having relatively good heat resistance, such as polyester, polycarbonate, or polyimide. 2 is a heat-melting ink made by dispersing and containing a coloring material in a heat-melting binder such as carnauba wax or paraffin wax, which is coated on the base 1. Furthermore, the heat resistance of the base 2 can be further improved by providing a heat-resistant protective layer made of silicone resin, fluororesin, polyimide resin, or the like on the surface of the base 1 that comes into contact with the thermal head.

In this embodiment, leader sections 10a and 1Ob are provided at both ends of an ink ribbon 3 made up of a base 1 and a heat-fusible ink 2.

That is, the leader part 10a and the fob are mounted on a transparent base 4 made of polyester or the like having good heat resistance, similar to the base 1.
A metal vapor deposited layer N5 such as aluminum is provided, and a transparent thermosensitive color forming layer 6 made of a heat sensitive dye (coloring agent), a color developer, a binder, etc. is applied to the surface of the metal vapor deposited layer 5. The parts 10a and 10b are adhesive tapes 7a and 7b.
It is attached to the base l by.

The ink ribbon shown in FIG. 1 is then set in an ink ribbon cassette that can be attached to a carriage of a printer.

FIG. 2 shows the ink ribbon cassette in which the ink ribbon shown in FIG. 1 is set, and the detailed structure around the ribbon of a thermal recording type printer to which the ink ribbon cassette is installed.

In FIG. 2, in order to facilitate understanding of the structure inside the ink ribbon cassette, the internal structure is shown transparently.

The structure of an ink ribbon cassette using the ink ribbon of this embodiment and the related structure of the printer section will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 9 designates the ink ribbon of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which is wound around the core 21 in the ribbon cassette 6. After being guided along the member 25 and passing through the ribbon end detection opening 22 and the thermal head opening 23 provided in the ribbon cassette 20, it is wound around the core 24.

As is clear from the figure, the ribbon cassette 20 is configured symmetrically.

The ribbon cassette 20 is provided on a carriage 35 that is movable in the directions shown by arrows A and B in the figure, and a reflective tube is provided on the carriage 35 at a position corresponding to the ribbon end detection opening 22 of the ink ribbon cassette 20. A shaped photosensor 36 is provided. Further, a thermal recording head 37 is provided at a position corresponding to the opening 23 of the carriage 35 so as to be swingable in the directions of arrows C and D in the figure.

In addition, a rotatable platen 3 is provided in front of the carriage 35.
8 is located, and recording paper 39 is wound around the platen 38.

The ink ribbon operation of the recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described below.

The carriage 35 moves to a predetermined recording position (and then
The thermal recording head 37 is swung in the direction of arrow C in the figure by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor or a solenoid, and presses the ink ribbon 9 against the recording paper 39 on the platen 38 . Then, the thermal recording head 37 is caused to generate heat according to the recording information, and a predetermined amount of the heat-melting ink 2 is melted from the ink ribbon 9 and transferred onto the recording paper 39. Since the recording at this position has been completed, the carriage 3S is moved to the next recording position and the next recording operation is performed again.

In this way, while the carriage 35 moves in the direction of the arrow A in the figure, the thermal recording head 37 is sequentially energized and heated according to the recording information, thereby melting the heat-fusible ink 2 on the ink ribbon 9 and recording. The image is transferred onto the paper 39 and desired recording is performed.

At this time, the ink ribbon 9 in the ribbon cassette 20 is unwound from the core 21, runs along the guide member 25, passes between the thermal recording head 37 and the recording paper 39, and then passes through a drive means (not shown). The film is wound onto the core 24 by the following steps.

The recording operation is performed in sequence, and when the recording of - lines is completed, the thermal recording head 37 swings in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the pressure of the ink ribbon 9 on the recording paper 39 is released.

Then, the platen 38 is rotated by one line (or the next printing process) by a platen driving means (not shown) such as a motor, and the recording paper 39 mounted on the platen 38 is simultaneously fed to the position of the next printing line.

Thereafter, the carriage 35 is moved in the direction of arrow B in the figure to perform a so-called carriage return, and the next recording is started from the target recording position.

Desired recording is performed while repeating the above operations.

As the ink ribbon 9 is sequentially wound from the core 21 onto the core 24 in this manner, the league portion 10a or 10b at the end of the ink ribbon 9 eventually passes the position of the reflective photosensor 36 on the carriage 35. At this time, a metal vapor deposition layer 5 is provided on the league part 10a or 10b, and the output light from the reflective photosensor 36 is reflected and reaches the light receiving part. As a result, the league portion 10a and the lob are detected, and the control circuit (not shown) recognizes that the ink ribbon 9 has reached the end. And the thermal recording head 37
Stops power to and stops recording.

Thereafter, the ink ribbon 9 is further wound around the core 24 by a ribbon driving means (not shown), and the league portion 10a or 10b at the end of the ink ribbon 9 is positioned between the thermal recording head 37 and the recording paper.

Next, the thermal recording head 37 is
is energized and heated to color the heat-sensitive coloring layer 5 of the league portion 10a or the fob. Note that at this time, a predetermined barcode pattern is recorded.

This barcode pattern is used to determine how many times the ink ribbon has been used, and any pattern may be used as long as it allows the number of times of use to be determined. for example,
Only one or two bars may be colored.

Then, all recording operations are stopped, and the arrival of the ink ribbon end is notified by displaying the end of the ink ribbon, cassette replacement, cassette reversal, number of times the cassette has been used, etc. on a display device (not shown).

After confirming this notification, the operator removes the ink ribbon cassette 20 of this embodiment from the carriage 35, inverts the ribbon cassette 20, and sets it on the carriage 35 so that the core 24 is in the previous core 21 position.

Then, an ink ribbon setting instruction or the like is given to restart the stopped recording operation.

Then, the ribbon is driven again to the league part 10a or lOb position at the end, and the thermosensitive coloring layer 6 of the league part 10a or 10b is melted in the same manner as above, and a bar code is formed at the end of the ink ribbon.

By sequentially repeating the above operations, it is possible to perform multiple recordings with one ribbon cassette.

In the printer of this embodiment, in the above printout process, the reflective photosensor 36 on the carriage 35 is connected to the league part 10 formed at the end of the ink ribbon 9.
The barcode part of a or fob is read sequentially. This is because the barcode part is read using the low reflectance of light, and the number of reflective parts or colored parts is detected, and it is determined whether the number of times the ink ribbon has been used is within a predetermined number of times. .

If this number of uses exceeds the allowable amount, the display device will display a message.
A display indicating that future use of the ribbon cassette is prohibited is displayed.

[Other Embodiments] In the embodiments described above, the league part 10a
, 10b is applied on the same surface as the normal heat-melting ink 2, but the present invention is not limited to the above example, and may be applied on the opposite surface to the heat-melting ink 2. Alternatively, it is also possible to mix and disperse the base material at the time of manufacturing the base material. Of course, any case is included within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the order of metal vapor deposition layer 5, base 4, thermosensitive coloring layer 6,
Alternatively, it is also possible to configure the metal vapor deposition layer 5, the thermosensitive coloring layer 6, and the base 4 in this order.

Furthermore, the ribbon cassette is structured such that the reflective photosensor 36 on the carriage can be inserted into the ribbon cassette.
It is also possible to reverse the configuration.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, a metal vapor deposition layer and a thermosensitive coloring layer are provided at the beginning and end of the ink ribbon, the end of the ink ribbon is detected by the metal vaporization layer, and the thermosensitive coloring layer is colored by a thermal head. By forming a barcode using the ink ribbon and identifying the barcode using a reflective photosensor, it is possible to detect the number of times the ink ribbon has been used without providing a special member.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an ink ribbon that can take appropriate measures without wasting the ink ribbon, and can effectively prevent print quality from deteriorating beyond a predetermined level due to exceeding usage tolerances.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, a metal vapor deposited layer and a thermosensitive coloring layer are provided at the beginning and end of the ink ribbon, the ends of the ink ribbon are detected by the metal vapor deposition layer, and the thermosensitive coloring layer is thermally activated. The head generates color to form a barcode, which is identified by a reflective photosensor, making it possible to detect the number of times the ink ribbon has been used. It is possible to provide an ink ribbon that can effectively prevent deterioration of print quality beyond a predetermined level due to exceeding the specified value.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an ink ribbon according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an ink ribbon cassette and a recording apparatus that use the ink ribbon shown in FIG. 1. , In the figure, 1...Base, 2...Thermofusible ink, 3゜9...Ink ribbon, 4...Transparent base, 5...
Metal vapor deposition layer, 6... Transparent thermosensitive coloring layer, 7... Adhesive tape, 10... League portion, 20... Ribbon cassette, 21° 24... Core, 22.23... Opening Department,
25... Guide member, 35... Carriage, 36...
. . . reflective photo sensor, 37 . . . thermal recording head, 38 . . . platen, 39 . . . recording paper.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An ink ribbon coated with ink, characterized in that a metal vapor deposited layer and a heat-sensitive coloring layer are provided at the starting and ending ends of the ink ribbon. (2) An ink ribbon cassette containing the ink ribbon according to claim 1. (3) Marking means for attaching a predetermined mark corresponding to the number of times of use to a predetermined area of the ink ribbon according to claim 1, and detecting the mark on the ink ribbon made by the marking means to use the ink ribbon. 1. A recording device comprising: a ribbon use number control means for controlling the number of times the ribbon is used.