EP0773110B1 - Set of tape cartridges and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a set of tape cassettes and in particular an image receiving tape cassette with an image transfer ribbon cassette or a thermal direct print ribbon cassette, which can be used in a thermal printing device are.

General pressure equipment with which the present Invention concerned are known. You work with one Image tape supply and a means of transfer of the picture on the tape. In a known device a tape cassette contains a stock of image receiving tape as well a stock of image transfer tape, the image receiving tape and the image transfer tape in mutual overlap be passed through a pressure zone of the pressure device. A thermal print head with a counter pressure roller works in the print zone together to take an image from the image transfer belt to transmit the image reception band. One with a tape cassette the aforementioned type of pressure equipment is for example in EP-A-0267890 (Varitronics, Inc.). There are other pressure equipment has been manufactured, in which by means of a Dry marking or dry film printing process Letters are transferred to an image receiving tape. With all these printing devices is the structure of the image receiving tape in much the same. That means it consists of an upper one Image-receiving layer using an adhesive layer is attached to a detachable backing layer.

Once an image or message has been printed on the tape this section of the tape is cut off to to use it as a label. The detachable back layer is removed from the top layer to the top Apply the layer to a surface using the adhesive layer to be able to.

In another tape printing device, as described in EP-A-0322919 (Brother Kogyo KK) contains a tape cassette a supply of a transparent image receiving tape and one Stock of an image transfer belt. The tape cartridge contains also a supply of backing tape, which is a backing layer with an adhesive layer on its underside which has a peelable backing paper attached, and one includes adhesive layer on its top, which is on the image receiving tape can be attached after an image is printed on it has been. In this device, the image is a mirror image printed on the image receiving tape that appears right side up when you look through the image reception band. With this The device is protected from the imprint if the label is used becomes.

In all of these devices are the color of the print and the label predetermined by the content of the tape cassette. The color of the label refers to the top layer of the image receiving tape of the device described in EP-A-0267890 and the Carrier layer of the device described in relation to EP-A-0322919. The color of the print is determined by the color of the image transfer belt established. So labels of a certain Color printed only with ink of a certain color become. Furthermore, they will end together because of image reception band and image transfer tape in a common tape cassette are included.

In another device disclosed in GB-A-2161754 there are two separate tape cartridges that are clipped together are to form a single unit, which then in a machine can be used, the ribbon cassettes ribbon and substrate tape from a lateral position toward to provide a printing position. To a tape cassette To replace it with another one, it is necessary to replace the tape cassette to unclip to replace the desired tape cassette and clip the tape cartridges together before inserting them into the device be used. This makes the system difficult to use.

Another device has two tape cartridges, one The ink ribbon cartridge is nest-like within a substrate ribbon cartridge arranged on a common side of the pressure zone. This means that it is tricky and difficult to do that Removable ink ribbon cassette. Moreover are the outer dimensions of the ink ribbon cartridge the dimensions of the substrate tape set so that their Size or capacity increased only at the expense of the substrate tape could be.

A printing device that solves the above problems is known from EP-A-0573187 known. This document discloses a printing device the first and second tape cassette receiving areas have that on opposite sides of a printing zone are arranged. The first tape cassette receiving area is used to receive a Tape cassette containing a supply of image transfer tape. The second tape cassette receiving area is used for recording a tape cassette containing a stock of image receiving tape contains. In this way, the first and second tape cassettes be individually removable and replaceable.

This pressure device has a wide range of applications. It has however, the limitation that the currently available Widths of the image receiving belt a maximum width of 19 mm to have. Currently the width of the image receiving band is 6 mm, 12 mm and 19 mm available. These all work with an image transfer belt with a width of 19 mm together. However, it is desirable to receive image widths of larger widths, for example 24 mm and 32 mm available. Obviously image transfer belt with a width of 19 mm is not wide enough for the full extension of an image reception band Width of 24 mm or 32 mm. It is therefore desirable to have one To provide a tape cassette with image transfer tape, the one has a larger width. However, this poses a problem for the device described in EP-A-0573187 represents a user could accidentally try to use a tape cartridge with a Image receiving tape of narrow width with a tape cassette use a wide-width image transfer belt (or vice versa), if both widths of the image transfer belt are available would. In the first case, the image transfer tape would stretch beyond the image reception band and could therefore Transfer ink to the platen. In the second case it would be the image transfer belt is not wide enough, ink over the to transmit the entire extent of the image reception band.

Devices are also known which contain a plurality of tape cassettes, but which ensure simple loading or removal of tape cassettes. EP-A-0 607 025 suggests automatic tensioning of the ribbon for this purpose when the print head swivels from its operative to its inoperative position.
Various methods are also proposed for recognizing the tape parameters of different cassettes. EP-A-0 625 427 shows a device which contains band sensors which are able to distinguish between different band types. For this purpose EP-A-0 634 274 proposes a simple switching mechanism at the bottom of the cassette receiving bay. Different types of cassettes that can be inserted in this bay contain different grooves on their underside, which push the switching mechanism into different positions when the relevant cassettes are inserted. In this way, a microprocessor that controls the printer receives the necessary information about the inserted tape.

According to a first aspect of the invention is a set of tape cartridges proposed comprising at least two tape cassettes of a first type and two tape cartridges of a second Type, with tape cassettes of the first type having an image receiving tape each contain different tape parameters and tape cartridges of the second type of image transfer belt with each contain different band parameters, and each Tape cassette of the first type, a first mechanical interaction means has, depending on the band parameter of the image reception band, and each tape cassette of the second type has a second mechanical interaction means has, depending on the band parameter of the image transmission band, the first and second interaction means are arranged so that they are selective with each other interact mechanically and only interact properly selected tape cartridge of the second type with the tape cartridges allow of the first type and otherwise cooperation exclude the tape cassettes.

In the described embodiment, the band parameter is Width of the band. It is also possible to use the invention their band parameters, such as color or type of image reception band or transmission tape, to ensure that only properly matching bands work together can.

One of the first and second interaction means can be one Component protruding from the tape cassette, the Shape depends on the parameter of the tape.

The other of the first and second cooperation means can be an incision made in the tape cassette be, the shape of which depends on the parameter of the tape and such is designed so that only the component of the properly selected Tape cassette is receivable in it.

This arrangement not only has the advantage that tape cartridges 'mixed and matched', but that it is ensured that the respective type of image reception band used only with an appropriate type of image transfer belt becomes. In the preferred embodiment, in which the band parameter the width is, image transfer belt is in two 19mm and 28mm widths provided. The width of 19 mm is suitable for use with image receiving tape with a Width of 6 mm, 12 mm and 19 mm. The width of 28 mm of the Image transmission tape is suitable for using image receiving tape with a width of 24 mm or 32 mm.

According to the first aspect of the invention, there is also a thermal printing device provided with a first tape cassette receiving area to hold a first tape cassette, the one Contains stock of image receiving tape, a second tape cassette receiving area to hold a second tape cassette, which a stock of image transfer belt for printing a Contains image; Means for moving the image receiving tape through a printing zone in overlay with the image transfer belt, so that an image from the image transfer belt to the image receiving belt is transferable, the first and second Tape cassette each of the first and second groups can be selected so that they can be removed and replaced individually where the groups are a set of tape cartridges as above described form.

Since the printing device has two separate receiving areas for the first and second tape cassette, each tape cassette can easily be separated removed and inserted without the other to influence. Because each tape cassette is recorded separately it is not necessary to take the other one out, so that they are removed, mixed and used as desired can only be dependent on the selection of a proper one Type of image transmission tape for a selected image receiving tape. Furthermore, the size and capacity is everyone Tape cassette only through the tape cassette receiving areas and not determined by the other tape cassette.

Figur 1 eine Draufsicht auf zwei in ein Druckgerät eingesetzte Bandkassetten;

Figur 2 ein Schema der Steuerschaltung des Druckgeräts;

Figur 3 einen Satz von Bandkassetten mit einem Bildempfangsband mit 6 mm (oder 12 mm) Breite und einem Bildübertragungsband von 19 mm Breite;

Figur 4 einen Satz von Bandkassetten mit einem Bildempfangsband mit 24 mm (oder 32 mm) Breite und einem Bildübertragungsband von 28 mm Breite;

Figur 5 einen Satz von Bandkassetten mit einem Bildempfangsband mit 19 mm Breite und einem Bildübertragungsband von entweder 19 mm oder 28 mm Breite;

Figuren 7A bis 7D und 8A bis 8D illustrieren den Betrieb eines Schalters im Bandkassettenaufnahmeraum.

For a better understanding of the invention and to illustrate its practical feasibility, the following exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show it:

Figure 1 is a plan view of two tape cartridges inserted in a printing device;

Figure 2 is a schematic of the control circuit of the printing device;

Figure 3 shows a set of tape cassettes with an image receiving tape 6mm (or 12mm) wide and an image transfer tape 19mm wide;

FIG. 4 shows a set of tape cassettes with an image receiving tape with a width of 24 mm (or 32 mm) and an image transfer tape with a width of 28 mm;

Figure 5 shows a set of tape cassettes with an image receiving tape 19mm wide and an image transfer tape either 19mm or 28mm wide;

Figures 7A to 7D and 8A to 8D illustrate the operation of a switch in the tape cassette accommodating space.

Figure 1 shows the view of a tape printing device 1, in which the present invention is used and the two arranged therein Contains tape cartridges. The upper tape cassette 2 is in a first tape cassette receiving area 26 and contains a supply of image receiving tape 35, which by a Pressure zone 3 of the tape printing device 1 to an outlet 5 of the tape printing device 1 is performed. The image receiving tape 35 includes an upper layer for receiving a printed image on a its surfaces while its other surface with an adhesive layer is coated on which a peelable Back layer is applied. The tape cassette 2 has an incision 6 for receiving a pressure roller 8 of the tape printing device 1, and guide sections 22, 24 for guiding the Belt 35 through the printing zone 3. The printing roller 8 is inside a cast cage 10 rotatably arranged. Alternatively, you can the pressure roller 8 can be rotatably arranged on a pin.

The lower tape cassette 4 is within a second tape cassette receiving area 28 arranged and contains as an image transfer belt a thermal transfer ribbon 12, which is from a Supply reel 30 up to a take-up reel 32 within the Tape cassette 4 extends. The thermal transfer ribbon 12 extends through the printing zone 3 in overlap with the image receiving tape 35. The tape cassette 4 has an incision 14 for Recording a print head 16 of the tape printing device 1 and guide sections 34, 36 for guiding the thermal transfer ribbon 12 through the print zone 3. The print head 16 is between one Operating position, which is shown in Figure 1, in which he Contact is with the platen roller 8 and the thermal transfer ribbon 12 and the image receiving tape 35 overlap between the print head 16 and the platen roller 8, and an inoperative position, in which it moves away from the pressure roller 8 is around the thermal transfer ribbon 12 and the image receiving ribbon 35 release, agile. In the operating position Printing roller 8 is rotatably driven around the image receiving belt 35 to transport along the printhead 16 during the Print head 16 is driven by thermal transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 12 an image on the image receiving tape 35 to print. Printhead 16 is a conventional thermal printhead with a number of printing elements that match of the desired image to be printed can be activated thermally are.

The tape printing device 1 has a lid, which is not shown is, however, pivotable on the back of the tape cassette receiving portion 26 is attached and the two tape cassettes 2.4 covered in the closed state.

A motor drives the platen roller 8 while in succession Rows are printed on the image receiving tape 35. The Print roller 8 drives the image receiving belt 4 through the printing zone 3 continuously by applying their torque. The rotation of the platen 8 and the activation of the printhead 16 are controlled by a microprocessor, such as Example in our European patent applications 0578372 and 0580322, the content of which is described by reference herein is included.

FIG. 1 represents the state of the art as described in EP-A-0573187 has become known. It is obvious that tape cartridges 2 with image reception band 35 different band parameters any with tape cassettes 4 with image transfer tape 12 different band parameters can be used that incorrect operation can sometimes be ruled out. So can, for example, accidentally use a very wide image reception band 35 with a very narrow image transfer belt 12 be used.

Figure 2 shows the basic control circuit for control of the tape printing device 1. There is a microprocessor chip 100, which is a read only memory (ROM) 102, a microprocessor 101 and freely accessible storage capacity through RAM 104 is being reproduced. The microprocessor 101 is with a data entry device, such as a keyboard 106, connected to receive data entered to it. The microprocessor chip 100 provides data for driving a display 108 via a display driver chip 109, and also data for Driving the print head 16 and the motor 7 to control the Print roller 8. The microprocessor chip 100 also controls the Cutting mechanism 17 to cut lengths of printed tape. The keyboard and display are on the top Surface of the printing device on the right side of the tape cassette compartment arranged as shown by the dashed line Lines is indicated.

Reference number 19 indicates a tape cassette diagnostic device again, the switches in the tape cassette receiving rooms Detection of various tape cartridge conditions, how to continue is described in more detail below.

The operation of the printer is described below. be printed Data is imported into the printing device Data entry keys entered on keyboard 106. The data entry keys are generally represented by block 109, but in practice be a multitude of letters numbered keys. If the data in the keyboard 106 are entered, the microprocessor is also charged them who operates the display 108 to view the data display as entered. To do this, the microprocessor calls a saved one for each character entered Form of the character from the ROM 102 onwards. Because the character stored in compressed form, these are Font data temporarily stored in RAM 104 and by the microprocessor 100 manipulated to generate the character To produce pixel data. This pixel data is in one Form on the display 108 and in another form for printing transferred to the printhead. Character data will not transmitted to the printhead unless a print operation is performed. First, the characters for that Label entered and changed, with function keys on the Keyboard 106 can be used in conjunction with display 108.

When the final form of the label has been worked out the microprocessor knows the pixel data to be printed and he also calculated the total length of the label. When a Printing process has been initiated using the print key 112, a series of pixel data is transferred to the printhead, who prints this row on the image receiving tape. The engine moves then the image receiving tape forward by the width of one row and the data of the next row are on the printhead transferred and printed.

When the entire label is printed, the motor moves it Image receiving tape continues for a distance that is the distance between the printhead and a zone where there is a cut is set up, corresponds. Then a cutting process executed by the cutter 17 to the printed Cut off the portion of the tape that forms the label.

Figure 3 shows a tape cassette 4a, the tape cassette 4 in Figure 1 resembles. Similarly, Figure 3 also discloses a tape cassette 2a, which is similar to the tape cassette 2 in FIG. 1. The Tape cassette 4a is substantially the same as that in relation 1, but includes a locking element 50, which extends from the housing of the tape cassette 4a. The Locking element 50 ends in a hook-shaped section 52nd

The tape cassette 2a is similar to that described in relation to FIG. 1, but contains an incision in its housing 54, which is dimensioned for receiving the hook-shaped section 52 is. The incision 54 has an edge 56, above which the hook-shaped Section 52 of the locking element 50 arranged is. In Figure 3, the image transfer belt has a width of 19 mm and the image receiving tape a width of 6 mm or 12 mm. The locking element 50 acts with the incision 54 together to make these tape cartridges work together in the printing device to enable.

Figure 4 illustrates another set of tape cartridges. The The tape cassette 4b shown in FIG. 4 is the tape cassette 4a Similar, except that they have an image transfer belt larger width of e.g. Contains 28 mm. It is also with one Locking element 58 provided that a hook-shaped section 60 which is closer to the surface of the tape cassette 4b as the hook-shaped section 52 of the locking element 50 in Figure 3.

The tape cassette 2b is similar to the tape cassette 2a of the figure 3, but contains an image receiving tape of a larger width, for example 24 mm or 32 mm. The tape cassette 2b has one Incision 62, which receives the locking element 58, the however no edge defined. In this way the set of Tape cassettes of Figure 4 allowed to cooperate.

However, it is already apparent that when an attempt is made would insert a tape cassette 4b into a printing device that a tape cassette 2a (narrow width of the tape) containing the hook-shaped section 60 of the locking element 58 with the Interfere with edge 56 of the incision and therefore do not allow would use the tape cassette. It would be similar Locking element 50 does not fit into the incision 60, if an attempt was made to use a tape cassette 4a of less Width of the tape in a printing device that contains a tape cassette with tape of larger width, and therefore the tape cartridges would not work together. So that is Possibility of choosing the wrong width of the image transfer belt prevented for the selected image reception band.

Figure 5 shows a set of tape cassettes, the tape cassette contains an image receiving tape 19 mm wide. This could easily be done with an image transfer belt with a width of 19 mm or 28 mm. Consequently contains the tape cassette 2c a so-called double incision 64. This double incision 64 becomes both the locking element 58 of the tape cassette 4b and the locking element Take up 50 of the tape cassette 4a. To this the tape cassette with the image transfer tape marked with 4a / b in FIG. This indicates that each the tape cassettes properly with a tape cassette 2c a width of the band of 19 mm could interact.

Therefore, in a very simple way, the way that wrong width of an image transfer belt with a wrong one To use the width of an image receiving belt in a printing device, prevented.

Claims (10)

1. A set of tape cassettes, comprising at least two tape cassettes (2a, 2b, 2c) of a first type and two tape cassettes (4a, 4b) of a second type, with tape cassettes (2a, 2b, 2c) of the first type containing image receiving tape (35) each with different tape parameters and tape cassettes (4a, 4b) of the second type containing image transfer tape (12) each with different tape parameters,
   characterised in that each tape cassette (2a, 2b, 2c) of the first type comprises a first mechanical interacting means (54, 62, 64), dependent on the tape parameter of the image receiving tape (35), and each tape cassette (4a, 4b) of the second type comprises a second mechanical interacting means (50, 58), dependent on the tape parameter of the image transfer tape (12), the first and second interacting means being disposed in such a manner that they selectively interact mechanically with one another and only permit an interaction of a correctly selected tape cassette (2a, 2b, 2c) of the first type with the tape cassettes (4a, 4b) of the second type and otherwise prevent an interaction of the tape cassettes.
2. A set according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that one of the first and second interacting means (54, 62, 64, 50, 58) comprise a component protruding from the tape cassette, the shape of which depends on the tape parameter of the tape (35, 12).
3. A set according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that the other respective one of the first and second interacting means comprises a recess (54, 62, 64) in the tape cassette (2a, 2b, 2c, 4a, 4b), with the shape of the recess depending on the tape parameter of the tape (35, 12) and being shaped in such a manner that only the component of the correctly selected tape cassette can be housed in it.
4. A set according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that the tape cassettes (2a, 2b, 2c) of the first type comprise tape cassettes containing tape (335) with first or second tape parameters respectively, and with the tape cassettes (4a, 4b, 4c) of the second type comprising tape cassettes containing tape (12) with first and second tape parameters respectively, with one tape cassette of the first type with tape of the first tape parameter only being able to interact with a tape cassette of a second type containing tape of the first tape parameter and not with a tape cassette of the second type with tape of the second tape parameter.
5. A set according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that the tape cassettes (2a, 2b, 2c) of the first type comprise tape cassettes each containing a tape (35) of a plurality (n) of various tape parameters, with n > 2, and wherein tape cassettes (4a, 4b) of the second type having tape (12) of a first tape parameter can interact with a first group of the plurality of tape cassettes of the first type, and tape cassettes of the second type having tape of a second tape parameter can interact with a second group of the plurality of tape cassettes of the first type.
6. A set according to Claim 5,
   characterised in that one of the tape cassettes of the first group also belongs to the second group.
7. A set according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that a tape cassette either of the first or of the second type comprises a locking element (52) which is suitable for interacting with a recess (54) in a tape cassette of the other type, and another tape cassette of the first or second type comprises a locking element (60) which is suitable for interacting with a recess (62) of the tape cassette of the other type, with the locking element (60) of the one tape cassette not being able to interact with the recess (54) of the other tape cassette.
8. A set according to Claim 7,
   characterised in that the tape cassettes (4a, 4b) the second type bear the locking element (52, 60), and wherein another tape cassette (2c) of the first type comprises a recess (64) which can interact with the locking element (60) both of the one tape cassette (4b) and with locking elements (52) of other tape cassettes (4a) of the first type.
9. A set according to one of the preceding Claims,
   characterised in that the tape parameter is the width.
10. A thermal printing apparatus (1) with a first tape cassette housing area (26) for receiving a first tape cassette (2a, 2b, 2c), which contains a supply of image receiving tape (54),
    a second tape cassette housing area (28) for receiving a second tape cassette (4a, 4b), which contains a supply of image transfer tape (12) for printing an image,
    means (8) for moving the image receiving tape (54) through a printing zone (3) whilst superimposed with the image transfer tape (12), so that an image can be transferred from the image transfer tape (12) onto the image receiving tape (54),
    characterised in that the first and second tape cassette can each be selected from first and second groups in such a manner that they can be individually removed and replaced, with the groups forming a set of tape cassettes in accordance with one of the preceding claims.

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