JP2005219310A - Combination of sheet pad and thermal transfer sheet cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination of a sheet pad/a thermal transfer sheet cassette wherein a core and a coil spring can be easily fitted to a core holder. <P>SOLUTION: This combination 1 comprises a take-up core 11 and a supply core 21, each having flanges 12 and 22 respectively; the sheet pad 10 formed of thermal transfer sheets 5; and the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30 for accommodating th sheet pad 10. The cassette has a take-up core holding part 41; a supply core holding part 51; a core holder 31 with a connection part 61 for connecting these components together; and lids 34 and 37. In addition, cylindrical members 16 and 26 are coaxially provided with the cores 11 and 21 outside of the core flanges 12 and 22, and the core holding parts 41 and 51 have supporting members 43 and 53 respectively, each for receiving the end parts 14 and 24, on the cylindrical member side, of the cores 11 and 21. Further, coil springs 71 and 72 are inserted between the cores 11 and 21 and the cylindrical members 16 and 26 and the coil springs 71 and 72 are compressed between supporting members 43 and 53 and the flanges 12 and 22 respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a combined body including a sheet body including a thermal transfer sheet, a winding core around which the thermal transfer sheet is wound, and a supply core, and a thermal transfer sheet cassette for storing the sheet body.

  Conventionally, a sheet body having a winding core, a supply core, and a thermal transfer sheet is known. The sheet body is housed in a thermal transfer sheet cassette including a core holding body having a core holding section of a winding core and a core holding section of a supply core, and a lid body covering these core holding bodies ( For example, see Patent Document 1). The winding core and the supply core housed in the thermal transfer sheet cassette are usually pressed in one direction by a spring.

  When not in use, the winding core and the supply core are locked to the engaging portion provided in the cassette by being pressed in one direction. As a result, the winding core and the supply core are idle, and the thermal transfer sheet wound around the winding core and the supply core is not loosened.

On the other hand, in use, the winding core and the supply core are moved against the force of the spring by the external drive mechanism and released from the engaging portion. Thereby, the winding core and the supply core can be rotated and rotated by the drive mechanism. Next, the thermal transfer sheet is unwound from the supply core and wound on the winding core. During this time, the thermal transfer sheet is heated by the thermal head, and the image is transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to the image receiving sheet.
US Pat. No. 5,110,228

  In Patent Document 1, a spring that functions as a leaf spring is provided integrally with the core holder. However, it is necessary to warp the leaf spring when attaching the core to the core holder, and the leaf spring may break at this time. In this case, there is a problem that the entire core holder must be discarded. In addition, if the spring is made flexible so that it will not break, the spring's resilience will decrease as the combination is used, and the core pressing force will be insufficient. There also arises a problem of detachment from the holding body.

  On the other hand, when the spring is a separate coil spring from the core holder, the coil spring must be compressed and contracted when the spring is attached between the core holder and the core. For this reason, when attaching a coil spring, there exists a malfunction that it will fly off. Moreover, since such a coil spring is small and easily deformed, it may be deformed at the time of attachment.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette in which a core and a coil spring can be easily attached to a core holder. .

  According to the present invention, a winding core having a pair of flanges in the vicinity of both ends, a supply core having a pair of flanges in the vicinity of both ends, a pair of flanges of the winding core, and a pair of flanges of the supply core The thermal transfer sheet cassette holds a winding core rotatably in a combination including a sheet body formed of a thermal transfer sheet wound around a thermal head and heated by a thermal head, and a thermal transfer sheet cassette for storing the sheet body. A core holding body having a winding core holding portion, a supply core holding portion that rotatably holds the supply core, and a pair of connecting portions that connect the winding core holding portion and the supply core holding portion; And a cylindrical member provided coaxially with the core on the outer side of one flange of the core with respect to at least one of the winding core and the supply core. The core holding portion of the core has a support member that receives the end of the core on the cylindrical member side, a coil spring is inserted between the core and the cylindrical member, and the coil spring in the cylindrical member is the support member and the cylindrical member. It is a combination of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette that is compressed between the side flanges.

  The present invention is a combined body of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette characterized in that the core holding portion of the core has a bearing opened upward, and the bearing receives a cylindrical member.

  In the present invention, the support member has an elongated opening extending vertically, and the end of the core on the cylindrical member side is inserted into the opening. It is a combination.

  The present invention is a combined body of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette, wherein the support member has a guide section that is inclined outwardly from the core holding section and extends upward.

  The present invention is a combined body of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette, wherein the support member functions as a leaf spring that warps in a state where the base end portion is fixed.

  According to the present invention, the core can be easily attached to the core holding part simply by inserting one end of the core into the opening of the core holding part and pushing the end on the side where the cylindrical member is provided downward. it can. At this time, the end on the cylindrical member side penetrates the coil spring, whereby the coil spring can be easily attached between the core holder and the core.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 6 are views showing an embodiment of a combination of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the combination 1 includes a winding core 11 having a pair of flanges 12 and 13 near both ends, and a supply core 21 having a pair of flanges 22 and 23 near both ends, A sheet body 10 comprising a thermal transfer sheet 5 wound between a pair of flanges 12 and 13 of the winding core 11 and a pair of flanges 22 and 23 of the supply core 21 and heated by a thermal head 5b, and a sheet body 10 And a thermal transfer sheet cassette 30 to be housed.

  Next, the sheet body 10 will be described. The thermal transfer sheet 5 of the sheet body 10 is unwound from the supply core 21 and taken up by the take-up core 11. During this time, the thermal transfer sheet 5 is heated by the thermal head 5b, and the image is transferred to the image receiving sheet 5a (FIG. 4). . Such a thermal transfer sheet 5 is formed by applying an ink having a thickness of about 1 μm on a base sheet made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate.

  Next, the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 of the sheet body 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 have the same shape, and FIG. 6 shows the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 that are not wound with the thermal transfer sheet. As shown in FIG. 6, the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are arranged between a pair of flanges 12, 13, 22, and 23, and cylindrical or cylindrical winding portions 11 a and 21 a for winding the thermal transfer sheet 5, and winding The cylindrical end portions 14 and 24 and the other cylindrical end portions 15 and 25 are arranged coaxially with the portions 11a and 21a and extend outwardly of the pair of flanges 12, 13, 22, and 23, respectively. It is made up of.

  As shown in FIG. 6, cylindrical cylindrical members 16 and 26 are provided on the outer side surfaces 12 a and 22 a of the flanges 12 and 22 on the one end portions 14 and 24 side. The cylindrical members 16 and 26 are arranged coaxially with the one end portions 14 and 24, and the one end portions 14 and 24 are arranged inside the cylindrical members 16 and 26.

  The other end portions 15 and 25 have a cylindrical shape, and the recesses 13b and 23b are arranged at regular intervals on the outer side surfaces 13a and 23a of the flanges 13 and 23 on the other end portions 15 and 25 side. Are provided.

  Next, the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30 that houses the sheet body 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  The thermal transfer sheet cassette 30 includes a winding core holding part 41 that rotatably holds the winding core 11, a supply core holding part 51 that rotatably holds the supply core 21, and the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core. It comprises a core holder 31 having a pair of connecting portions 61 that connect the holding portion 51, and lids 34 and 37 attached to the core holder 31.

  Of these, the lid 34 covers the take-up core holding portion 41, and the lid 37 covers the supply core holding portion 51. The lids 34 and 37 have a pair of side plates 35a, 35b, 38a and 38b.

  Next, the core holder 31 will be described. The winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51 of the core holding body 31 have bearings 42 and 52 for receiving the cylindrical members 16 and 26 of the winding core 11 and the supply core 21, respectively. The bearings 42 and 52 open upward, support the cylindrical members 16 and 26 rotatably from below, and restrict lateral movement.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the take-up core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51 have a pair of outer walls 41a, 41b, 51a, 51b at both ends, and one outer wall 41a, 51a and Support members 43 and 53 for receiving one end portions 14 and 24 of the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are provided between the bearings 42 and 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the support members 43 and 53 are disposed above the support portions 43a and 53a extending upward and the support portions 43a and 53a, and are inclined outward. Guide portions 43b and 53b extending upward, and tip portions 43c and 53c disposed above the guide portions 43b and 53b and extending upward. The support members 43 and 53 are formed of plate springs as a whole, with the base end portions 43e and 53e as the center, outward (in the direction away from the core and leftward in FIG. 5) and inward (in the direction of approaching the core). 5 can be warped in the right direction in FIG. The support portions 43a and 53a are provided with elongated openings 43d and 53d extending in the vertical direction, and one end portions 14 and 24 of the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are inserted into the openings 43d and 53d. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the other outer walls 41 b and 51 b of the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51 have openings for receiving the other ends 15 and 25 of the winding core 11 and the supply core 21. Bearings 44 and 54 are provided. The winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are rotatably supported by the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51 by the opening bearings 44 and 54 and the bearings 42 and 52, respectively.

  Further, a rod 62 is provided between the pair of connecting portions 61 of the core holder 31 so as to contact the thermal transfer sheet 5 and guide the thermal transfer sheet 5. The rod 62 is disposed on the side opposite to the thermal head 5b with respect to the thermal transfer sheet 5, and the rod 62 is disposed on the core holder 31 side with respect to the thermal transfer sheet 5 (FIG. 4).

  Further, the rod 62 is rotatably supported by an opening support portion 63 provided at each connecting portion 61 and having an upper opening, and the opening portion of the opening support portion 63 is formed by a sealing rib 64 provided inside the lid body 37. Covered and sealed.

  In this way, when the thermal head 5b presses the thermal transfer sheet 5 by bringing the rod 62 to the side opposite to the thermal head 5b with respect to the thermal transfer sheet 5 and to the core holder 31 side with respect to the thermal transfer sheet 5. The rod 62 is directed toward the core holding body 31, and the rod 62 is not pushed outward from the core holding body 31 and is not detached from the core holding body 31 when the thermal head 5 b is pressed.

  Further, since the rod 62 is held in the opening support portion 63, the rod 62 can be easily accommodated in the opening support portion 63 simply by inserting the rod 62 into the opening support portion 63 from above. Furthermore, the rod 62 is held by the opening support portion 63 and the sealing rib 64 by sealing the opening support portion 63 with the sealing rib 64 of the lid 37 only by covering the lid 37 on the supply core holding portion 51 of the core holder 31. can do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the sheet body 10 is accommodated in the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30, between the one end portions 14 and 24 of the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 and the cylindrical members 16 and 26. The coil springs 71 and 72 are inserted into the. The coil springs 71 and 72 have a natural length substantially the same as the length of one end portion 14 and 24, and are attached to the outer periphery of one end portion 14 and 24, and between the flanges 12 and 22 and the support members 43 and 53. It is compressed with. Thereby, the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are pressed from the one end 14, 24 side toward the other end 15, 25, that is, from the left side to the right side in FIGS. In this case, the resilient force of the coil springs 71 and 72 is weaker than the restoring force from the warping of the support members 43 and 53 that function as plate springs of the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51. .

When the combination 1 is driven, a drive mechanism (not shown) is inserted from the opening bearings 44 and 54 provided on the other outer walls of the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51, and this driving mechanism is connected to the coil springs 71 and 72. The winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are moved to the left in FIGS. 2 and 3 against the force, and the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are rotationally driven.
On the other hand, when the thermal transfer sheet 5 is stopped, the drive mechanism is separated from the winding core 11 and the supply core 21, and the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are moved to the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the coil springs 71 and 72. At this time, engagement protrusions (not shown) provided inside the other outer walls 41 b and 51 b of the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51 are engaged with the recesses 13 b and 23 b of the winding core 11 and the supply core 21. In combination, the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 are locked.

  Furthermore, concave rails 45, 55 extending in the vertical direction on the inner surfaces of the pair of outer walls 41a, 41b, 51a, 51b of the take-up core holding portion 41 and the supply core holding portion 51 and holes provided at the ends of the concave rails 45, 55 are provided. 46 and 56 are provided. On the other hand, the pair of side plates 35a, 35b, 38a, 38b of the lids 34, 37 are provided with claws 36, 39, which are guided by engaging with the concave rails 45, 55 and fitted into the holes 46, 56, respectively. It has been. That is, when the lids 34 and 37 are attached to the core holder 31, the claws 36 and 39 of the lids 34 and 37 are engaged with the corresponding take-up core holder 41 and the concave rails 45 and 55 of the supply core holder 51. Push together. Accordingly, the claws 36 and 39 are fitted into the holes 46 and 56, and the lid bodies 34 and 37 can be smoothly attached to the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51 of the core holding body 31.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

  First, the rod 62 is attached in the opening support portion 63 of the core holder 31. As described above, since the opening support portion 63 opens upward, the rod 62 can be easily attached simply by fitting the rod 62 into the opening support portion 63 from above.

  Next, the take-up core 11 is attached to the take-up core holding part 41, the supply core 21 is attached to the supply core holding part 51, and the sheet body 10 is stored in the core holding body 31.

  When attaching the take-up core 11 to the take-up core holding part 41, first, the other end 15 of the take-up core 11 is inserted into the open bearing 44 of the take-up core holding part 41. At this time, the coil spring 71 is inserted between the one end portion 14 and the cylindrical member 16, but the winding core 11 is inclined with the other end portion 15 as the lower side, so that the operator is special. The coil spring 71 does not fall from the winding core 11 without paying attention to the above.

  Thereafter, the winding core 11 is accommodated in the upper opening of the bearing 42 of the winding core holding portion 41 while the other end 15 is inserted into the opening bearing 44. The one end portion 14 is lowered toward the winding core holding portion 41. At this time, the tip of one end portion 14 of the winding core 11 and the tip of the coil spring 71 abut on the guide portion 43b of the support member 43 of the winding core holding portion 41 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the one end 14 side of the winding core 11 is pushed downward. At this time, the cylindrical member 16 is prevented from being displaced in the lateral direction (the depth direction with respect to the paper surface in FIG. 5) by the bearing 42, and therefore can be pushed right below. When one end portion 14 is pushed downward, the one end portion 14 presses the guide portion 43b of the supporting member 43 in contact toward the outside (left side in FIG. 5). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5B, the support member 43 warps outward in a state where the base end portion 43e is fixed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C, one end portion 14 is fitted into an opening 43 d provided in the support portion 43 a of the support member 43, and the cylindrical member 16 is supported from below by the bearing 42. Further, the support member 43 is released from the pressure from one end portion 14 and returned to its original position, and the coil spring 71 is compressed between the support member 43 and the flange 12 of the winding core 11.

  In this way, the winding core 11 can be easily attached to the winding core holding portion 41 by simply inserting the other end 15 into the opening 44 of the winding core holding portion 41 and pushing in the one end portion 14. be able to. At this time, the one end portion 14 penetrates the coil spring 71, whereby the coil spring 71 can be easily attached between the support member 43 and the flange 12.

  In this case, since the coil spring attached to one end portion 14 is surrounded by the cylindrical member 16, the coil spring 71 does not fly off when the one end portion 14 is pushed in, and the coil spring 71 is touched by a finger. Will not be deformed. Further, when the attachment is completed, the support member 43 bounces back to the original position, whereby the operator can confirm that the winding core 11 is attached at the correct position.

  Thereafter, the supply core 21 is attached to the supply core holding part 51 in the same manner as the attachment of the take-up core 11 to the take-up core holding part 41. In this way, the sheet body 10 is stored in the core holder 31.

  Next, the lid 34 is attached to the take-up core holder 41 of the core holder 31, and the lid 37 is attached to the supply core holder 51. In this case, the claws 36 and 39 of the lids 34 and 37 are engaged with the concave rails 45 and 55 of the winding core holding part 41 and the supply core holding part 51 and pushed in, so that the claws 36 and 39 become the concave rails 45 and 45. Guided by 55 and fitted into the holes 46 and 56. Thereby, the lid bodies 34 and 37 can be smoothly attached to the core holding body 31. Further, the sealing rib 64 of the lid 37 seals the opening support portion 63, whereby the rod 62 can be locked and held between the opening support portion 63 and the sealing rib 64.

  In this way, the sheet body 10 having the thermal transfer sheet 5 can be stored and held in the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30, and the combined body 1 including the sheet body 10 and the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30 is obtained.

  After the sheet body 10 is stored in the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30, the combination 1 is mounted on the printer, the thermal transfer sheet 5 is heated by the thermal head 5b of the printer, and the image is transferred to the image receiving sheet 5a (FIG. 4). .

  In this case, since the thermal transfer sheet 5 is guided in the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30 by the rod 62, the thermal transfer sheet 5 does not contact or contact the inner surface of the thermal transfer sheet cassette 30. For this reason, the thermal transfer sheet 5 can be smoothly drawn out from the supply core 21 and taken up on the take-up core 11. In addition, since the rod 62 has come to the side opposite to the thermal head 5b with respect to the thermal transfer sheet 5 and to the core holder 31 side with respect to the thermal transfer sheet 5, when the thermal head 5b presses the thermal transfer sheet 5, the rod 62 Is directed toward the core holding body 31, and the rod 62 is not pushed outward from the core holding body 31 and is not detached from the core holding body 31 when the thermal head 5 b is pressed.

  In addition, when a problem occurs in the coil springs 71 and 72 during use, the coil springs 71 and 72 can be replaced. In this case, first, the corresponding lids 34 and 37 on the cores 11 and 21 side are removed from the core holder 30. Next, the front end portions 43c and 53c of the support member 43 are pressed to warp the support members 43 and 53 outward, and the one end portions 14 and 24 side of the cores 11 and 21 are lifted upward. Thereby, the coil springs 71 and 72 can be easily taken out and replaced with a new coil spring. In this case, the coil springs 71 and 72 compressed between the support members 43 and 53 and the flanges 12 and 22 are gradually released from the compression force as the support members 43 and 53 are warped. , 72 are surrounded by a cylindrical member, so that the springs 71, 72 can be prevented from jumping.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the other end portions 15 and 25 are inserted into the open bearings 44 and 54 of the winding core holding portion 41 or the supply core holding portion 51, and the one end portions 14 and 24 are inserted. It is possible to easily attach the take-up core 11 to the take-up core holding part 41 and the supply core 21 to the supply core holding part 51 simply by pushing downward. At this time, the one end portions 14 and 24 pass through the coil springs 71 and 72, whereby the coil springs 71 and 72 can be easily placed between the support members 43 and 53 of the core holder 31 and the flanges 12 and 22. Can be attached.

  Further, since the coil springs 71 and 72 attached to the one end portions 14 and 24 are surrounded by the cylindrical members 16 and 26, when the one end portions 14 and 24 are pushed in, the coil springs 71 and 72 fly off. The coil springs 71 and 72 are not deformed by a finger.

  Further, when the attachment of the winding core 11 and the supply core 21 is completed, the support members 43 and 53 bounce back to their original positions, so that the operator can place the winding core 11 or the supply core 21 in the correct position. It can be confirmed that it is attached.

The perspective view which shows one Example of the combination body by this invention. The top view of the core holding body which accommodated the sheet | seat body. The front view of the core holding body which accommodated the sheet | seat body. The figure which shows the relationship between a thermal transfer sheet, a rod, and a thermal head. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the holding state of one edge part of a core. The top view which shows a core.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Combination body 5 Thermal transfer sheet 5b Thermal head 10 Sheet body 11 Winding core 12 Flange 13 Flange 14 End part 16 Cylindrical part 21 Supply core 22 Flange 23 Flange 24 End part 26 Cylindrical part 30 Thermal transfer sheet cassette 31 Core holder 34 Lid Body 37 Lid 41 Winding core holding part 42 Bearing 43 Support member 43b Guide part 43d Opening hole 43e Base end part 51 Supply core holding part 52 Bearing 53 Support member 53b Guide part 53d Opening 53e Base end part 61 Connecting part 71 Coil spring 72 Coil spring

Claims (5)

Winding core having a pair of flanges near both ends, a supply core having a pair of flanges near both ends, and between a pair of flanges of the winding core and between a pair of flanges of the supply core A sheet body comprising a heated thermal transfer sheet;
In a combination body including a thermal transfer sheet cassette for storing a sheet body,
The thermal transfer sheet cassette
A winding core holding part that rotatably holds the winding core, a supply core holding part that rotatably holds the supply core, and a pair of connecting parts that connect the winding core holding part and the supply core holding part A core holder having and
A lid attached to the core holder,
Regarding at least one of the winding core and the supply core, a cylindrical member is provided coaxially with the core on the outer side of one flange of the core,
The core holding part of the core has a support member that receives the end of the core on the cylindrical member side,
A combination of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette, wherein a coil spring is inserted between the core and the cylindrical member, and the coil spring in the cylindrical member is compressed between the support member and the flange on the cylindrical member side body.   2. A combination of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette according to claim 1, wherein the core holding portion of the core has a bearing opened upward, and the bearing receives a cylindrical member.   2. The sheet body and the thermal transfer sheet cassette according to claim 1, wherein the support member has an elongated opening extending vertically, and an end of the core on the cylindrical member side is inserted into the opening. The combination body.   2. A combination of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a guide portion that is inclined outwardly from the core holding portion and extends upward.   2. A combination of a sheet body and a thermal transfer sheet cassette according to claim 1, wherein the support member functions as a leaf spring that warps in a state where the base end portion is fixed.

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