JP2001054970A - Ink ribbon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the reuse of an ink layer area by coloring a part of a coloring layer overlapping with a used ink layer area. SOLUTION: A coloring layer which is colored by heating is formed to be integrated with at least one layer selected from an under-coat layer 24 for an ink layer, an under-coat layer 25 for a back-coat layer, and a back-coat layer 26. A leuco dye is named as a thermal coloring material, and 2-anilino-3- methyl-6-diethylamino fluorane, etc. are exhibited. In printing, coloring layers are heated simultaneously by a thermal head for coloring. The neighbourhood of a heated area is brought into a state of low light transmittance similar to a sensor mark. Therefore, when heated, the light transmittance of the sensor mark is equivalent to that of another area so that the sensor mark can not be detected by a photosensor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon used for a printer or the like for printing a recorded image such as a video image as a hard copy, that is, a photographic image such as a so-called color photograph.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer for printing a photographic image such as a color photograph, there is a printer in which an ink ribbon cartridge is loaded. In the ink ribbon cartridge, an ink ribbon having an ink layer formed by applying a dye on one surface of a long base film is wound around a pair of core members, and is housed in the cartridge body.
As shown in FIG. 6, a base film 100 formed in a long shape and a base film 10 are used as the ink ribbon.
0, and an ink layer region formed of a yellow layer 101Y, a magenta layer 101M, and a cyan layer 101C formed on one main surface of the sensor layer, and a sensor mark portion disposed at an interval between the yellow layer 101Y, the magenta layer 101M, and the cyan layer 101C. 102.

In this printer, a thermal head is provided on a photographic paper based on image signals.
The magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C are printed in this order to form one image. That is, the thermal head of the printer device can form a predetermined image on photographic paper by heating predetermined regions of the yellow layer 101Y, the magenta layer 101M, and the cyan layer 101C.

Therefore, in this printer, it is necessary to accurately position the ink ribbon before starting printing. In other words, before starting printing, it is necessary to position the ink ribbon so that the yellow layer 101Y to be printed first faces the thermal head. Also,
In the printer device, the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 1
01C in order to accurately face the thermal head sequentially
It is necessary to identify the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C.

[0005] Therefore, in the ink ribbon, a relatively long sensor mark portion 102 is provided at the start position of the ink layer region, that is, at the preceding stage of the yellow layer 101Y. In the ink ribbon, relatively short sensor mark portions 102 are provided at different positions in front of the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C.

[0006] In the printer head, these sensor marks 102 are detected by a pair of optical sensors arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the ink ribbon. More specifically, the sensor mark portion 102 is formed as a black band having low translucency, and a pair of optical sensors detects the black band to detect the position of the ink ribbon 102.

More specifically, when a pair of optical sensors detect a black band almost at the same time, it can be identified as a relatively long sensor mark portion 102 preceding the yellow layer 101Y. Can be identified as the sensor mark portion 102 at the preceding stage of the magenta layer 101M by detecting the black band,
Only one optical sensor detects the black band,
It can be identified as the sensor mark portion 102 at the preceding stage of the cyan layer 101C.

As described above, the ink ribbon has a sensor mark portion 102 for identifying the type of the ink layer 101.
Are arranged. Therefore, by detecting the sensor mark portion 102, the printer device can identify the type of the ink layer 101 and perform printing corresponding to the yellow layer 101Y, the magenta layer 101M, and the cyan layer 101C.

[0009]

The ink ribbon is wound around a supply core member, and a predetermined ink layer area is exposed to the outside while being wound by the winding core member. Print. Therefore, the used ink ribbon is wound up by the winding core member and stored in the cartridge body.

However, even if the used ink ribbon is not wound around the winding core member for some reason, the printer device detects the sensor mark portion 102 with a pair of optical sensors and prints the image. will have to go. In this case, since the used ink ribbon is used again, a desired image quality cannot be formed. The conventional ink ribbon has a problem that it is impossible to distinguish between before and after use.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and makes it possible to discriminate between before and after use, thereby preventing erroneous use such as reusing the ink layer area after use. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon that can be used.

[0012]

An ink ribbon according to the present invention that has achieved the above-mentioned object has a base film formed in an elongated shape and one main surface of the base film in a longitudinal direction of the base film. A plurality of ink layer regions arranged side by side at predetermined intervals; and a color forming layer provided on one main surface side and / or the other main surface side of the base film and having a color forming material that is colored by a color forming inducing means. Wherein the portion of the coloring layer overlapping the used ink layer region develops a color.

In the ink ribbon according to the present invention configured as described above, by detecting the presence or absence of coloring of the coloring layer, it is possible to determine before and after using the ink layer area.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink ribbon according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The ink ribbon is applied to, for example, an ink ribbon 3 housed in an ink ribbon cartridge 2 loaded in a printer 1 as shown in FIG.

The printer 1 is, for example, an amusement video printer employing a sublimation type thermal transfer system, and prints an image picked up by a digital camera or the like on photographic paper. In the printer 1, a power switch 5, a display panel 6, a cartridge loading slot 7 into which the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded, and a group of operation buttons 8 are provided on a front portion 4 a of the printer main body 4. The printer 1 has a paper feed tray 9 detachably attached to the front surface 4a. Further, in the printer device 1, a print outlet 10 is provided on the front surface 4a.

A cover plate 11 for opening and closing the front part 4a is attached to the printer body 4 so as to be openable and closable. The cover plate 11 has a metal plate 1 on one end of a surface facing the front surface 4a.
2 are provided. Also, the front part 4 of the printer body 4
In a, a magnet 13 is provided at a position facing the metal plate 12 with the lid 11 closed. That is, by magnetically attracting the metal plate 12 and the magnet 13, the front portion 4 a of the printer main body 4 can be closed by the cover plate 11.

Openings are formed in the cover plate 11 at positions corresponding to the display panel 6 and the power switch 5 with the front part 4a closed. For this reason, when the front part 4a is closed by the lid plate 11, the display panel 6 and the power switch 5 face outward from these openings.

Further, the cartridge loading port 7 has a shape corresponding to the outer diameter of the ink ribbon cartridge 2. A pair of reference pins 14 for positioning when the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded are arranged in the cartridge loading port 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon cartridge 2 includes a supply spool 15 on which an unused ink ribbon 3 is wound in advance, and a used ink ribbon 3 sent from the supply spool 15. Take-up spool 16 on which is wound, and a cartridge body 17 in which the supply-side spool 15 and the take-up spool 16 are stored
It is composed of An opening 18 is formed in the cartridge main body 17 between the supply spool 15 and the take-up spool 16, and the ink ribbon 3 is
Is facing outside. Front part 1 of cartridge body 17
9 has a projection 20 for accurate positioning in the printer device 1. The ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded into the cartridge loading port 7 from the front part 19 side, and is accurately positioned in the printer main body 4 by the projection 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 3 includes a long base film 21 and a base film 21.
A yellow layer 22a and a magenta layer 22b
And a plurality of ink layer regions 22 arranged as a set of the cyan layer 22c, and sensor marks 23 arranged at intervals between the adjacent ink layer regions 22. The ink ribbon 3 includes a yellow layer 22a and a magenta layer 22.
The sensor marks 23 are also provided at the intervals of b and the intervals of the magenta layer 22b and the cyan layer 22c. In particular, two sensor marks 23 are provided in the space between the ink layer regions 22 and the space between the yellow layer 22a and the magenta layer 22b and the space between the magenta layer 22b and the cyan layer 22c.
One is provided at the interval.

The sensor mark 23 is formed, for example, by applying a coating material obtained by kneading a pigment such as carbon black, which hardly transmits light, into a binder onto the base film 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink ribbon includes an undercoat layer 24 for an ink layer on at least one main surface of the base film 21 and at least between the ink layer region 22 and the base film 21. Undercoat layer 25 for back coat layer formed on the other main surface of base film 21
And a backcoat layer 26 formed on the undercoat layer 25 for a backcoat layer.

The ink layer undercoat layer 24 is a layer provided for improving the adhesion between the base film 21 and the ink layer region 22. This ink layer undercoat layer 24
Is formed, for example, by applying a coating material in which a binder and a thermoplastic resin are mixed on one main surface of a base film.

The undercoat layer 25 for the back coat layer is
This is a layer provided to improve the adhesion between the base film 21 and the back coat layer 26. The undercoat layer 25 for the back coat layer is formed, for example, by applying a coating material in which a binder and a thermoplastic resin are mixed on the other main surface of the base film.

Further, the back coat layer 26 is used to improve the running property of the ink ribbon 3 and to prevent the ink ribbon 3 from sticking to the ink ribbon 3 adjacent to the inner peripheral side in the wound state. It is a layer arranged. The back coat layer 26 is formed, for example, by applying a paint in which a binder and a thermoplastic resin are mixed on the undercoat layer 25 for the back coat layer.

By the way, the ink ribbon 3 has a coloring layer which develops a color when heat is applied. The coloring layer can be formed integrally with the layer to which the thermosensitive coloring material is added by adding the thermosensitive coloring material to a layer other than the ink layer region 22 in the above-described configuration. That is, the color-forming layer is formed integrally with at least one or more selected from the undercoat layer 24 for the ink layer, the undercoat layer 25 for the backcoat layer, and the backcoat layer 26.

Although not shown, the color-forming layer may be separately formed on the back coat layer 26 or may be separately formed between the undercoat layer 24 for the ink layer and the base film 21. Further, the coloring layer may be formed integrally with the base film 21 by including a thermosensitive coloring material in the base film 21.

Here, as the thermosensitive coloring material, for example, a leuco dye can be exemplified. As leuco dyes, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6-diethylaminofluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6-di (n
-Butylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (Nn-propyl-N-methylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) Fluorane, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (N-isobutyl-N-methylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (N
-N-amyl-N-methylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (N-sec-butyl-N-
Methylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (Nn-amyl-N-ethylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (N-iso-amyl-N-ethylamino ) Fluoran, 2-anilino-
3-methyl-6- (Nn-propyl-N-isopropylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6
-(N-cyclohexyl-N-methylamino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (N-ethyl-p
-Toluidino) fluoran, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- (N-methyl-p-toluidino) fluoran, 2
-(M-trichloromethylanilino) -3-methyl-6
-Diethylaminofluoran, 2- (m-trifluoromethylanilino) -3-methyl-6-diethylaminofluoran, 2- (m-trichloromethylanilino) -3
-Methyl-6- (N-cyclohexyl-N-methylamino) fluoran, 2- (2,4-dimethylanilino)-
3-methyl-6-diethylaminofluoran, 2- (N
-Ethyl-p-toluidino) -3-methyl-6- (N-
Ethylanilino) fluoran, 2- (N-ethyl-p-
Toluidino) fluoran, 2-alinino-6- (N-n
-Hexyl-n-ethylamino) fluoran, 2- (o
-Chloroanilino) -6-diethylaminofluoran,
2- (o-chloroanilino) -6-dibutylaminofluoran, 2- (m-trifluoromethylanilino) -6
Diethylaminofluorane, 2,3-dimethyl-6-dimethylaminofluoran, 3-methyl-6- (N-ethyl-p-toluidino) fluoran, 2-chloro-6-diethylaminofluoran, 2-bromo-6- Diethylaminofluoran, 2-chloro-6-dipropylaminofluoran, 3-bromo-6-cyclohexylaminofluoran, 2-chloro-6- (N-ethyl-N-isoamylamino) fluoran, 2-chloro-3 -Methyl-6-
Diethylaminofluoran, 2- (o-chloroanilino) -3-chloro-6-cyclohexylaminofluoran, 2- (m-trifluoromethylanilino) -3-chloro-6-diethylaminofluoran, 2- (2 Examples thereof include 3-dichloroanilino) -3-chloro-6-diethylaminofluoran, 1,2-benzo-6-diethylaminofluoran, 3-diethylamino-6- (m-trifluoromethylanilino) fluoran and the like. Can be.

When these leuco dyes are contained in the back coat layer, for example, the concentration is set to D = 1.0 or more.

When the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded into the printer main body 4, the thermal transfer unit 28 presses the ink ribbon 3 from the opening 18 to bend the ink ribbon 3 as shown in FIG. For more information,
When the thermal transfer unit 28 is inserted through the opening 18, the thermal transfer unit 28 pushes down the ink ribbon 3, and the ink ribbon 3 is placed on a tension surface 29 having a predetermined radius of curvature. Thereby, the ink ribbon 3
It is curved by the stretching surface 29 and the thermal transfer unit 28.

The thermal transfer unit 28 includes a reflecting plate 31 for reflecting the light beam emitted from the optical sensor 30, a thermal head 32 for heating a predetermined area of the ink ribbon 3 based on an image signal, and a reflecting plate 31. A base member 33 disposed and embedded with the thermal head 32
And the support arm 3 attached to the base member 33
And 4. The thermal transfer unit 28
Although not shown, has a drive device connected to the support arm 34 to drive the support arm 34 in the vertical direction.

The reflection plate 31 is formed by bending a metal plate having a width substantially equal to the width of the ink ribbon 3 into a substantially U-shaped cross section. The reflection plate 31 is provided on one side surface of the base member 33 so that the bent portion 35 projects downward. Note that the reflecting plate 31 only needs to have a dimension enough to reflect the light beam emitted from the optical sensor 30. That is, the reflection plate 31 may not be formed substantially at the width of the ink ribbon 3 but may be formed only at the position facing the optical sensor 30.

The thermal head 32 has a heating section having a width substantially equal to or larger than the width of the ink ribbon 3. The heating unit heats a predetermined area of the ink layer area 22 of the ink ribbon 3 based on the image information input to the printer.

In the printer, a platen roll 36 is provided at a position facing the thermal head 32 in a state where the thermal transfer unit 28 is pushed down. A printing paper for printing an image is placed on the platen roll 36. In addition, the printer device has a pair of drive rolls 37 that run while sandwiching photographic paper for printing an image. Therefore, in this printer device, the printing paper is placed on the platen roll 36 and is sandwiched between the pair of drive rolls 37.

In the printer configured as described above, the ink ribbon 3 and the printing paper are sandwiched between the thermal transfer unit 28 and the platen roll 36, and the printing paper and the ink ribbon 3 are brought into contact. Then, the thermal transfer unit 28
Heats the ink layer region 22 from the surface of the ink ribbon 3 opposite to the surface on which the ink layer region 22 is formed, and prints a predetermined image on photographic paper. At this time, the photographic paper is supplied from the paper feed tray 9 loaded in the front surface portion 4a of the printer main body 4, travels inside the printer main body 4, is sandwiched between the pair of drive rolls 37, and is laid on the platen roll 36. . Then, in the printer device, the thermal transfer unit 28 is inserted from the opening 18, and the ink ribbon 3 is bent as shown in FIG.

At this time, the thermal transfer unit 28 is driven to a position where the reflection plate 31 is opposed to the optical sensor 30 and pushes down the ink ribbon 3 so that the ink ribbon 3
Is bent by the bent portion 35 of the reflection plate 31 and the stretched surface 29. As a result, the optical sensor 30
And the reflection plate 31 is interposed therebetween.

On the other hand, an optical sensor 30 is provided in the printer body 4 at a position facing the curved ink ribbon 3. The optical sensor 30 includes a light emitting unit that emits predetermined light, and a light emitted from the color forming unit.
And a light receiving unit that receives light through the light receiving unit. For this reason, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 30 passes through the ink ribbon 3 and reaches the reflecting plate 31, is reflected by the reflecting plate 31, and is incident on the light receiving portion. In the optical sensor 30, the sensor mark 23 is provided on the optical axis of light incident on the light receiving portion.
Is located, the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit decreases. Therefore, the optical sensor 30 can detect the sensor mark 23 by measuring the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit.

In this printer, when printing a predetermined image on photographic paper, the yellow layer 22a, the magenta layer 22b and the cyan layer 22c are sequentially transferred. Therefore, in the printer device, these yellow layers 22a,
It is necessary to accurately position the ink layer region 22 that includes the magenta layer 22b and the cyan layer 22c as a set. That is, in this printer device, when a predetermined image is applied on the photographic paper, first, it is necessary that the thermal head 32 accurately opposes the front end of the yellow layer 22a in the running direction of the ink ribbon 3. Therefore,
In this printer device, the ink ribbon 3 is run,
The ink ribbon 3 is positioned so that the ink layer region 22 is at a predetermined position with respect to the thermal head 32.

First, when the front end of the yellow layer 22a faces the thermal head 32, the optical sensor 30 detects two consecutive sensor marks 23. Optical sensor 30 has two consecutive sensor marks 2
When the printer device 1 detects No. 3, the printer device 1 stops running the ink ribbon 3. As a result, the thermal head 32 of the printer device 1 and the preceding stage of the yellow layer 22a face each other. Then, the printer 1 drives the thermal head 32 to perform printing using the yellow layer 22a.

Next, the printer device 1 moves the yellow layer 22
When printing using a is completed, the ink ribbon 3 is run with the optical sensor 30 being driven. When the optical sensor 30 detects one sensor mark 23, the printer device 1 determines that it is the start point of the magenta layer 22b,
The running of the ink ribbon 3 is stopped. Thus, the magenta layer 22b faces the thermal head 32. Then, the printer device 1 includes a thermal head 32
Is driven to perform printing using the magenta layer 22b.

Next, the printer device 1 includes the magenta layer 22
When printing using b is completed, the ink ribbon 3 is run with the optical sensor 30 being driven. When the optical sensor 30 detects one sensor mark 23, the printer device 1 determines that it is the start point of the cyan layer 22c, and stops the travel of the ink ribbon 3. Thereby, cyan 2
The layer 2c faces the thermal head 32. Then, the printer 1 drives the thermal head 32 to perform printing using the cyan layer 22c.

Thus, the printer can form a predetermined image using the yellow layer 22a, the magenta layer 22b, and the cyan layer 22c. At this time,
As for the ink ribbon 3, an unused one is supplied on the supply side spool 15.
Is wound in the cartridge main body 17 in a state of being wound around, and the used one is wound around the take-up side spool 16 and stored in the cartridge main body 17.

In particular, with the ink ribbon 3, when printing is performed as described above, the thermal head 32 simultaneously heats the coloring layer. Since the thermosensitive coloring material develops a color by heating, the coloring layer heated by the heating described above is colored. For this reason, in the ink ribbon 3,
The area heated by the thermal head 32 develops color. For example, when the color forming layer and the back coat layer 26 are integrally formed by adding a leuco dye to the back coat layer 26, the above-described heating causes the back coat layer 26 to develop color.

Therefore, the vicinity of the heated area of the ink ribbon 3 is in a state of low light transmission like the sensor mark 23. Therefore, the optical sensor 30 detects the sensor mark 2 in the ink layer region 22 once heated.
3 cannot be detected. In other words, the ink ribbon 3
Once heated, the light transmittances of the sensor mark 23 and the other area become equal, and the sensor mark 23 cannot be detected by the optical sensor 30.

Therefore, in the printer 1, the sensor mark 23 in the ink layer area 22 once used for printing cannot be detected by the optical sensor 30.
The ink layer area 22 once used for printing is not used again for printing. Thus, the ink ribbon 3
Thus, the use of the ink layer region 22 that has already been used is prevented. For this reason, when the ink ribbon 3 is used, it has already been used and
Even if the ink ribbon 3 to be wound around 6 is wound on the supply side spool 15, the ink layer area 22 that has not been used is used without using the already used ink layer area 22. can do.

According to the ink ribbon 3, since the ink layer area 22 which has been used once is prevented from being used again, a desired image can be surely formed. Further, according to the ink ribbon 3, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink layer region 22 that has been used once from being used intentionally again.

Incidentally, the ink ribbon according to the present invention comprises:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, it may be a configuration having a color-forming layer that develops color when irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength, instead of a thermosensitive coloring material. That is, in this case, light of a predetermined wavelength is used as a color development inducing means of the color development layer.

In this case, the ink layer area 22 used for printing is once irradiated with predetermined light. Thereby, in the ink ribbon, the ink layer area 2 once used for printing is used.
The second coloring layer develops color, and the difference in light transmittance between the sensor mark and the other area disappears as in the case described above. Therefore, also in this ink ribbon, as in the case described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink layer region that has already been used from being used again.

[0050]

As described in detail above, in the ink ribbon according to the present invention, since the portion of the coloring layer overlapping the ink layer area after use develops color, the coloring layer is used after and before use. Can be determined based on the presence or absence of color development. For this reason, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention, erroneous use such as reusing the already used ink layer region can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer device using an ink ribbon and an ink ribbon detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the ink ribbon.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of the ink ribbon.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part inside the printer, showing a state in which a thermal transfer unit pushes down an ink ribbon in the printer.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part of a conventional ink ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printer device, 2 Ink ribbon cartridge, 3
Ink ribbon, 22 ink layers, 23 sensor mark, 28 thermal transfer unit, 30 optical sensor, 44
Circuit section

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A base film formed in a long shape, and a plurality of ink layer regions arranged on one main surface side of the base film at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the base film; A color-forming layer provided on one main surface side and / or the other main surface side of the base film, the color-forming layer having a color-forming material for forming a color by a color-formation inducing means; An ink ribbon characterized in that overlapping portions develop color. 2. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein said color inducing means is heat. 3. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the coloring material is a thermosensitive coloring material that develops color when heat is applied. 4. The ink ribbon according to claim 3, wherein the thermosensitive coloring material is a leuco dye. 5. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the coloring layer is formed integrally with the base film by including the coloring material in the base film. 6. An undercoat layer for an ink layer region between the base film and the ink layer region, wherein the color forming layer is formed by including the color forming material in the undercoat layer for the ink layer region. 2. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon is formed integrally with the undercoat layer for the ink layer area. 7. The back coat layer disposed on the other main surface side of the base film, wherein the color forming layer is integrated with the back coat layer by including the color forming material in the back coat layer. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon is formed as follows. 8. An undercoat layer for a back coat layer between the base film and the back coat layer, wherein the color forming layer is formed by allowing the color forming material to be contained in the under coat layer for the back coat layer. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the undercoat layer is formed integrally with the backcoat layer.
The ink ribbon as described. 9. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor mark disposed at intervals between the plurality of ink layer regions and detected by an optical sensor.