JPH07214877A - Cassette for ink ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a cassette case for an ink ribbon in which number of uses of the ribbon can be always effectively grasped at the time of using a printer. CONSTITUTION:A cassette 5 for an ink ribbon feeds a multi-pass ink ribbon R to so hold it as to be able to supply and wind, and is mounted in a facsimile to print a record sheet by a heat sensitive head 7, and comprises at least one mark M1, M2 disposed on an exposed surface of the cassette 5 to indicate number of uses of the ribbon. Thus, the number of the uses of the ribbon can be always immediately known.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette for mounting a thermal ink ribbon and disposing it at a printing position in a printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a thermal transfer type printing apparatus, ink is melted on a thermal ink ribbon by a thermal head and transferred to a paper side for printing. There are two types of thermal ink ribbons, so-called single-pass ink ribbon and multi-pass ink ribbon. The former single-pass ink ribbon is suitable when high-quality printed images are required, and the number of times it can be used for printing is 1
It is only used once and cannot be reused once it has been wound onto the winding roll.

On the other hand, the latter multi-pass ink ribbon can be used for printing a plurality of times, and therefore, this multi-pass ink ribbon is superior to the single-pass ink ribbon in economical aspect.

[0004]

By the way, when the multi-pass ink ribbon is completely unwound from the supply roll and winding on the winding roll is completed, the supply roll and the winding roll are replaced with each other. The same ink ribbon can be used again to print. However, conventionally, it has not been possible to confirm how many times the ink ribbon has been used. Therefore, when the ink ribbon is used more than the maximum usable number of times, the quality of the printed image may deteriorate. On the contrary, it is a waste of the ink ribbon to replace it with a new one even though the maximum usable number of times has not been reached.

The present invention is to solve the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon cassette case that can surely grasp the number of times the thermal ink ribbon has been used when the printing apparatus is used.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the invention of claim 1, a thermal ink ribbon is held so as to be able to be fed and wound up, mounted in a printing device, and mounted on a recording paper by a thermal head. In the ink ribbon cassette to be printed on, the at least one mark indicating the number of times the multi-pass ink ribbon has been used is arranged on the case exposed surface of the cassette.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the ink ribbon cassette case of the first aspect, the cassette holds two rolls for supplying and winding the heat-sensitive ink ribbon, and the cassette is installed in the printer. In the above, when the front and rear or the left and right are replaced with each other, the attachment parts of the two rolls are made to coincide with the original positions of the other. According to the invention of claim 3,
In the cassette case for the ink ribbon of the present invention, the mark is formed by directly printing or engraving on the cassette case.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the mark indicating the number of times the thermal ink ribbon has been used is arranged on the exposed surface of the case of the ink ribbon cassette. Therefore, by visually recognizing the mark, it is possible to always grasp the number of times the ink ribbon has been used. Also, after winding all the ink ribbon from the supply roll side to the take-up roll side,
When the cassette is rotated 180 degrees, the position of the mark is reversed, and the changed state of the position of the mark can be visually recognized to grasp the number of times of use.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the operation of claim 1, after the heat-sensitive ink ribbon is completely wound from one roll side to the other roll side, the cassette is set to 18
Reverse 0 degree and switch back and forth or left and right. Then, both rolls are mounted in the original position of each roll before rotation. Then, the drive is transmitted by engaging with the drive mechanism in the printing apparatus, and the ink ribbon is fed out.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the operation of claim 1 or 2, the mark is directly printed or engraved, and since a seal or the like having the mark printed thereon is not attached, it is difficult to peel off, and There is no need for the user to put the sticker on.

[0011]

EXAMPLE An example in which the cassette case for an ink ribbon of the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine will be described below with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates based on FIG. The facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a model in which two types of paper feed cassettes are mounted and printing can be performed on different types of paper (for example, A4 size and B5 size). A recording unit 3, a reading unit (not shown), and a sheet feeding cassette (not shown) are arranged in the apparatus case 2. Also,
An ink ribbon cassette 5 is detachably arranged in the recording unit 3. An upper cover 6 is provided on the upper part of the device case 2.
When the cassette 5 is attached or detached, the cover 5 is pivoted upward with the support shaft 6a of the cover 6 as a fulcrum to be opened. In this embodiment, the left side in FIG. 1 is the upstream side or the rear side, and the right side is the downstream side or the front side. The left and right sides are the left side and the right side as viewed from the downstream side to the upstream side.

First, the recording section 3 disposed in the upper center of the apparatus case 2 in FIG. 1 will be described. The thermal head 7 that constitutes the recording unit 3 is disposed above the center of the device case 2. The thermal head 7 is supported by a bracket (not shown), and is arranged with the thermal portion facing upward. Guide rollers 8 are arranged in front of and behind the thermal head 7 so as to guide the recording paper P and the multi-pass ink ribbon R which is a thermal ink ribbon. A motor 9 for supplying a multi-pass ink ribbon R is arranged below the thermal head 7. The driving force of the motor 9 is transmitted by a drive transmission mechanism composed of a plurality of gears (not shown) to rotate the driven gears 10 and 11 arranged before and after the motor 9.

Above the thermal head 7 is a platen roller 1.
2 are provided. The platen roller 12 is rotatably mounted on the lower surface side of the upper cover 6, and is arranged so as to face the heat-sensitive portion of the heat-sensitive head 7. A pair of discharge rollers 13 is arranged downstream of the platen roller 12. A discharge tray 14 for discharging the printed recording paper P is formed on the upper surface of the upper cover 6 on the downstream side of the discharge roller 13.

A document supply tray 15 for setting a document for transmission is formed at the rear of the upper surface of the upper cover 6. The original supplied from the original supply tray 15 is inside the apparatus case 2 and is passed through a reading unit (not shown) arranged behind the recording unit 3 to the side of the apparatus case 2 (left side in FIG. 1). The document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 16. An image sensor (not shown) is arranged in the reading unit to read a document, encode the content of the document, and transmit the document. Next, the ink ribbon cassette 5 mounted in the apparatus case 2 will be described. . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cassette 5 is mounted on the installation frame 20 formed in the lower part of the thermal head 7 in a state where the left, right, front, and rear are positioned. A frame-shaped rib 20a for holding the cassette 5 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 20 so as to project therefrom. In addition, in the corresponding portions of the driven gears 10 and 11 of the frame 20,
A cutout portion 20b is formed so that the upper half portion projects.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the same cassette 5 is used.
Is composed of a cassette case 21, a supply roll S1 and a winding roll S2 set in the cassette case 21. First, the cassette case 21 will be described.

The cassette case 21 is composed of a frame-shaped main body frame 22 and arch-shaped support frames 23 on both sides of the main body frame 22, and passes through a center line A in the left-right (longitudinal) direction as shown in FIG. The shape is symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane. The left and right sides are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the center line B in the front-rear direction. Body frame 2
The guide portions 24 that form part 2 are formed in front of and behind the body frame 22 and extend in the left-right direction. The same guidance section 2
The surface of No. 4 is formed in a curved shape bulging outward, and in FIG. 1, a mark M1 of "1" is provided near the center upper end of the rear guide section 24, and a "2" mark M1 is provided on the front guide section 24.
M2 is engraved in a concave shape. Both numbers are arranged to face each other. That is, when the cassette case 21 is turned over 180 degrees in a state in which one of the numbers can be read, the front and rear are replaced with each other so that the number on the opposite side can be read.

The ribs 2 are formed on the outer surface of the guide portion 24 at regular intervals.
5 is formed to reduce the contact resistance when the recording paper P passes. Both guide parts 24 are connected by a pair of connecting parts 26 at both ends thereof. As a result, both guide portions 24 and both connecting portions 26 are provided at the center of the body frame 22.
By this, the opening 27 is formed, and the multi-pass ink ribbon R is exposed upward from the opening 27. The multi-pass ink ribbon R exposed from the opening 27 is formed by the thermal head 7 and the platen roller 1.
It is sandwiched by 2 and. Then, the recording paper P supplied from the supply cassette (not shown) is transferred to the multi-pass ink ribbon R.
And the platen roller 12 and the thermal head 7 melts the ink of the multi-pass ink ribbon R,
Image information is printed on the recording paper P.

The support frame 23 extends downward from the edges of the connecting portions 26. Both support frames 2
3, a supply roll leg portion 28a and a take-up roll leg portion 28b are formed on each of them. That is, the body frame 22 is supported by the four leg portions 28a and 28b in total. A mounting groove 29 cut out in a U-shape is formed at the edges of the opposing inner sides of the supply roll leg portion 28a and the take-up roll leg portion 28b. A notch 30 extending in the lateral direction is formed at the base of each mounting groove 29,
As a result of forming the cutout portion 30, the mounting groove 29 has an elastic structure that bends vertically and expands. Each mounting groove 29
Two engaging protrusions 29a are respectively provided in the inside so as to prevent the support cap 31 from coming off when the support cap 31 is attached.

Next, the supply roll S1 and the winding roll S2 mounted on the cassette case 21 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the supply roll S1 is the rear surface of the rear guide portion 24, and the pair of left and right supply roll legs 2 are provided.
It is supported in a suspended state by a support cap 31 between 8a. Further, the winding roll S2 is provided on the front side guide portion 24.
A pair of left and right take-up roll legs 28b
It is supported by a support cap 31 in a suspended state.

The supply roll S1 and the take-up roll S2 are cylindrical bodies made of paper or synthetic resin, and have key grooves 3 at both ends.
3, 34 are formed. The base end side of the multi-pass ink ribbon R is fixed to the outer surface of the supply roll S1. The multi-pass ink ribbon R is an elongated ribbon-shaped ink ribbon sheet and is formed by applying a heat-meltable ink on a base film. The multi-pass ink ribbon R is wound around the outer circumference of the supply roll S1 for several hundred turns, and its tip is extended and fixed to the outer surface of the winding roll S2.

The support cap 31 for supporting both rolls S1 and S2 is a leg 2 for the supply roll of the cassette case 21.
8a and the winding groove leg 28b. Each support cap 31 has a cylindrical body 31a.
And a gear portion 31b formed on the head of the main body, and all four support caps 31 are formed in the same shape. A key 32 is formed on the base of the main body 31a of the support cap 31, and is engaged with the key grooves 33 and 34 of the supply roll S1 and the take-up roll S2. Relative rotation is prevented.

2 and 3, the support cap 31 on the front side, which is the gear portion 3 supporting the supply roll S1.
1b is meshed with the driven gear 11 on the rear side in FIG. On the other hand, in FIG. 3, the front side support cap 31
And the gear portion 31b supporting the winding roll S2
Is meshed with the driven gear 10 on the front side in FIG. As a result, it is possible to transmit the driving force of the motor 9 to both rolls S1 and S2 with the cassette 5 mounted in the facsimile apparatus 1.

Next, the supply roll S1 and the winding roll S2
A procedure for mounting the above in the cassette case 21 will be described. The cassette 5 is turned upside down from the state shown in FIG. 2 so that the support frame 23 is directed upward to facilitate the mounting work. On the other hand, the support caps 31 are previously attached to both ends of both rolls S1 and S2. And both rolls S
1, S2 is held and the support cap 31 is attached to the legs 28a, 2
It is attached to the attachment portion 29 of 8b. Support cap 31 here
In order to attach the main body 31a of the support cap 31 to the mounting groove 29, the main body 31a of the support cap 31 is pushed in from the opening 36 side formed inside the mounting groove 29.

When the main body 31a comes into contact with the engaging projection 29a as the main body 31a is pushed in, the mounting groove 29
Will spread up and down. Then, when the main body 31a gets over the engagement protrusion 29a, the mounting groove 29 returns to the state before the expansion. In this state, the support cap 31
The engagement projection 29a prevents the rollers from coming off, and the mounting of both rolls S1 and S2 on the same cassette case 21 is completed.

Next, the operation of the cassette 5 of this embodiment will be described. First, after setting a new multi-pass ink ribbon R in the ink ribbon cassette 5, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper cover 6 of the device case 2 is opened and the cassette 5 is placed on the installation frame 20 in the device case 2. Install. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mark M1 with the number "1" is arranged on the rear side of the cassette case 21, and the mark M1 with the number "2" is arranged on the front side. When set on the installation frame 20, at the same time as shown in FIG. 3, the gear portion 31b of the support cap 31 supporting the front supply roll S1 is meshed with the rear driven gear 11. On the other hand, the gear portion 31b of the support cap 31 supported by the front winding roll S2 is meshed with the front driven gear 19.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper cover 6 is closed again. Then, the opening 2 of the cassette case 21
The multi-pass ink ribbon R exposed at 7 is nipped by the platen roller 12 at the upper side and the thermal head 7 at the lower side. This state is the standby state of the facsimile machine 1. When the facsimile device 1 receives image data in this standby state, the recording paper P is fed between the multi-pass ink ribbon R and the platen roller 12. The ink on the multi-pass ink ribbon R melted by the action of the thermal head 7 is transferred onto the recording paper P. The transferred recording paper P is discharged onto the discharge tray 14 via the discharge roller 13.

On the other hand, along with the transfer, the multi-pass ink ribbon R is sequentially supplied from the supply roll S1, and the multi-pass ink ribbon R after the transfer is wound up by the winding roll S2. In this way, when the multi-pass ink ribbon R is wound up one after another and the first use is completed, the upper cover 6 is opened again and the cassette 5 is taken out. Then, it is inverted 180 degrees and installed again on the installation frame 20 in the device case 2. That is, when the multi-pass ink ribbon R is used for the second time, the front and rear of the same cassette 5 are exchanged and set. Then, the mark M2 of the number "2" comes to be located on the rear side of the cassette case 21, and the mark M1 of the number "1" comes to be located on the front side.

When the cassette case 21 is visually recognized in this state, the positions of the marks M1 and M2 are exchanged, so
It will be understood that this is the use of the multi-pass ink ribbon R for the first time.

With the above-mentioned structure, the following effects can be obtained. (1) For example, in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the inside is inspected with the upper cover 6 opened. Then, when the multi-pass ink ribbon R is used for the first time, "1" is placed on the rear side of the cassette case 21 of the upper ink ribbon cassette 5 in FIG.
Since the mark M1 of No. 1 is arranged, it can be understood that it is always the first time by checking the same cassette 5. That is, it is possible to immediately visually recognize how many times the cassette 5 has been used without taking out the multi-pass ink ribbon R by taking out the cassette 5 from the device case 2.

(2) The cassette case 21 has a symmetrical shape, and the multi-pass ink ribbon R can be formed by simply changing the front and rear.
It is not necessary to remove the supply and take-up rolls S1 and S2 and replace only the two rolls S1 and S2. Therefore, the multi-pass ink ribbon R can be quickly reused. Further, since the cassette case 21 has a symmetrical shape, even when the ink ribbon cassette 5 is exchanged in the front and rear, it can be properly accommodated without causing a problem such as rattling on the installation frame. In addition, because of the symmetrical shape, the legs 28a,
The position of b is also a front-back symmetrical position. Therefore, the driven gear 11 on the rear side meshes with the support cap 31 on the winding roll S2 side, and the driven gear 10 on the front side meshes with the support cap 31 on the supply roll S1 side, so that the multi-pass ink ribbon R is also supplied. It can be performed just like the first use.

(3) For example, as a technique for judging how many times the multi-pass ink ribbon R has been used, a built-in CPU (central processing unit) can be used to remember how many times the multi-pass ink ribbon R is used. However, this system cannot be used when the mechanism is complicated and the amount of CPU memory is small. Further, in order to confirm the number of times of use, it is necessary for the user to operate the operation key to change the mode, which is troublesome. However, according to the present embodiment, if the upper cover 6 is simply opened, the number of times of use can be immediately known, which is extremely simple and convenient. Moreover, the number of times of use can be confirmed at any time (for example, at the time of power failure). In addition, when a problem such as paper jam occurs and the upper cover 6 is opened, the number of times of use can be always checked at the same time, so that the replacement time of the multi-pass ink ribbon R can be quickly known.

(4) Since the four support caps 31 have the same shape, the supply roll S1 and the winding roll S2
Since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of support caps for winding up, the cost can be reduced.

(5) Two marks M of "1" and "2"
Since the marks 1 and M2 are engraved, the marks M1 and M2 will not be peeled off during use and the number of times the multi-pass ink ribbon R is used will not be lost. In addition, the user who purchases the facsimile device 1 does not bother to stick the sticker mark on the cassette case 21.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be modified and implemented as follows. (1) In the above embodiment, the cassette case 21 was provided with two marks M1 and M2 of "1" and "2".
Therefore, in principle, the use of the multi-pass ink ribbon R was planned to be twice. Of course, even with such a cassette case 21, it is possible to set a multi-pass ink ribbon R that can be used three times or more. However, the marks shown below may be used so that the multi-pass ink ribbon R that can be used three times or more can be set.

As shown in FIG. 5, "1" and "3" marks M1 and M3 are arranged in a rectangular recess 37 formed in the cassette case 21. The marks M1 and M3 are formed at the mark M1 position of the guide portion 24 of the cassette case 21. A pair of support portions 38 is formed near the center edge of the recess 37, and a lid 39 is rotatably attached about the support portions 38 about an axis. The lid 39 always covers one of the marks M1 and M3.
The lid 39 covers the marks M1 and M3 with the nail 40.
Is locked in the concave portion 37, and a finger is hooked on the finger hooking portion 41 to slightly bend the lid 39 to open it. For example, when the first multi-pass ink ribbon R is used, the lid 39 is laid down on the mark M3 side of "3" and the mark M3 is dropped.
Cover it. On the contrary, at the time of the third use, the mark M1 side of "1" is covered. Incidentally, "2" and "4" marks M2 and M4 are formed at the corresponding positions of the mark M2 in the above embodiment.

Marks M1, M3 and M5 of "1", "3" and "5" as shown in FIG. 6 may be used. These marks M1, M3, M5 are also formed at the mark M1 position of the guide portion 24 of the cassette case 21. This is one in which the marker 42 is slid along a rib 43 projectingly formed on the cassette case 21 to display the current number of times of use. The marker 42 is a rib 43
Each of the marks M1, M3,
It is designed to be locked at the position of M5.
Incidentally, "2" is set at the corresponding mark M2 position in the above embodiment.
Marks M2, M4 and M6 of "4" and "6" are formed.

In addition, the shape of the marker 42, the slide system, and the number of marks can be appropriately changed and implemented. (3) In the above embodiment, the positions of the marks M1 and M2 are engraved on the surface of the guide portion 24. However, it is also free to engrave on the surface of the connecting portion 26. Also, the facsimile machine 1
Depending on the model, it may be easier to visually recognize it by engraving it on the side surface rather than the upper surface of the cassette case 21. Therefore, it is also possible to change to a position other than the upper surface of the cassette case 21 for easy visual recognition. Further, although the guide portion 24 is engraved on the surface of the guide portion in the above-mentioned embodiment, it may not necessarily be the surface. If the cassette case 21 is transparent or translucent, it can be engraved on the back side. This way
A more preferable design is one in which the surface of the cassette case 21 is clean and is extruded from the entire ink ribbon cassette 5. In other words, the positions of the marks M1 and M2 are not particularly limited as long as they are visible in the portion exposed when the upper cover 6 is open.

(4) In the above embodiment, the cassette case 21
Had a completely symmetrical shape to the left, right, front and back. But leg 2
It suffices that the positions of 8a and 8b be symmetrical in the front and rear, and the body frame 22 does not necessarily have to be symmetrical. In addition, the four support caps 31 have the same shape in the above embodiment. However, for example, the winding roll S
As long as the model has only the driven gear 11 that drives 2, the four do not necessarily have to have the same shape. 18
Supply roll S1 when rotating the front and back by rotating 0 degree
Considering that the support caps 31 are meshed with the driven gear 11, it can be said that the support caps 31 on the diagonal line have the same shape.

(5) Further, the mark may be printed or attached as a sticker (the same applies to the other embodiments), and the mark may be a mark other than a numeral, such as an alphabet, the number of dots, ◯ and ×, and an arrow. It is also free to change to etc. Further, it is not always necessary to mark at two places. This is because, for example, even if there is only one mark, if the mark is displaced by 180 degrees, the mark position shifts, and it is possible to know the number of times the multipass ink ribbon R has been used.

Others The present invention is free to set an ink ribbon other than the multi-pass ink ribbon R in the cassette case 21, and can be applied to a copying machine or a printer instead of the facsimile device 1. etc,
It is free to change and implement it without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Additional Notes Further, other technical ideas grasped by the above-mentioned embodiments will be described below together with their effects.

(1) In addition to the constitution of the inventions of claims 1 to 3, a plurality of marks indicating the number of times of use of the ink ribbon are arranged on one side, and an instruction means for indicating one of the plurality of marks is provided. thing. With such a configuration, when the multi-pass ink ribbon R is used three times or more, the number of times of use can be immediately known.

[0043]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above in detail,
According to the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention, the number of times the thermal ink ribbon is used can be immediately known by visually recognizing the cassette in the printing apparatus. Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, if the front and rear sides or the right and left sides of the cassettes are exchanged, the thermal ink ribbon can be supplied again, and it is not necessary to remove the supply and take-up rolls from the cassette and replace them. Further, in the third aspect, the mark is peeled off during use, and the number of times the thermal ink ribbon is used is not known, and the user does not need to bother sticking the seal-shaped mark.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view showing an embodiment in which an ink ribbon cassette of the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an ink ribbon cassette of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an ink ribbon cassette of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of setting the ink ribbon cassette of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part for explaining another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a planar configuration for explaining another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile device as a printing device, 5 ... Ink ribbon cassette, 7 ... Thermal head, 21 ... Cassette case,
29 ... Mounting groove as mounting portion, M13 to 6 ... mark, S
1 ... Supply roll, S2 ... Winding roll, P ... Recording paper, R
… A multi-pass ink ribbon that is a thermal ink ribbon.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cassette for an ink ribbon in which a thermal ink ribbon is held so as to be able to be supplied, rolled up, and mounted in a printing device to print on a recording paper by a thermal head, wherein a multi-pass ink is provided on an exposed surface of the case of the cassette. An ink ribbon cassette having at least one mark indicating the number of times the ribbon has been used. 2. The cassette holds two rolls for supplying and winding a heat-sensitive ink ribbon, and when the cassettes are arranged in front of or behind the left or right in the printing apparatus, the two rolls are attached. 2. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the parts and the original parts are aligned with the original position of the other part. 3. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the mark is formed by directly printing or engraving on the cassette case.