JP2006123445A - Ink-ribbon container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-ribbon container which can be easily handled and abandoned while enabling a saving of resources and a realizing of low cost. <P>SOLUTION: A folded-box, which is assembled by folding a paper and has a size enough to hold one spool of the ink-ribbon, is used as an ink-ribbon container 1. The front section of the container 1 is provided with a hooking section 4 and a groove 5 forming an engagement kinematic-pair with the hooking section so that two ink-ribbon containers may be combined by the hooking section and the groove. Spools 21, 22 of ink ribbon are supported by bearing holes 3 formed on the lateral portions of right and left sides, and the ink-ribbon R is pulled or drawn in through a window 12 formed in the front section. One ink-ribbon container is loaded with a feed spool 21 while other ink-ribbon container being loaded with a take-up spool 22. Two ink-ribbon containers are combined by the groove and the hooking section, and the combined one is provided to consumers. For using the ink-ribbon, two ink-ribbon containers are to be separated and loaded in a thermal printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink ribbon container, and more particularly, to an ink ribbon container that saves resources.

  Thermal printers that use thermal heads to transfer thermal ink from ink ribbons to printed materials are known to have wide line-type thermal heads that cover the entire width of the printing area and can print large figures and characters. (Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, etc.).

This type of thermal printer often uses an ink ribbon cartridge (for example, Patent Document 4) in which an ink ribbon is housed in a plastic case. Two spools are rotatably mounted in the ink ribbon cartridge, and the tip of the ink ribbon wound around one supply-side spool is fixed to the other take-up spool. When the ink ribbon cartridge is loaded into the thermal printer, the take-up shaft of the thermal printer is fitted into the take-up spool, and the take-up shaft is driven to rotate during printing, so that the ink ribbon is wound from the supply spool to the take-up spool. Taken.

In addition to thermal printers that use cartridge-type ink ribbons, thermal printers that use an ink ribbon roll with an ink ribbon wound around a spool and stop the tip of the ink ribbon on the take-up spool are also known. Yes.
Japanese Patent No. 2992204 JP 2000-327192 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-315369 JP-A-9-58078

  The cartridge-type ink ribbon costs a plastic cartridge in addition to the ink ribbon, and the product price increases. In addition, discarding the cartridge together with the used ink ribbon not only wastes resources but also increases the burden of incombustible waste disposal.

  On the other hand, an ink ribbon roll that is not a cartridge type is advantageous in terms of saving resources and reducing product costs. However, since an ink ribbon is an ultra-thin film, it is necessary to load an ink ribbon roll into a thermal printer. It is not easy to handle, and hands may touch the thermal ink surface of the ink ribbon roll, or the ink ribbon roll may be dropped. The dropped ink ribbon roll may be unwound and a considerable amount of the ink ribbon may be wasted.

  Therefore, a technical problem to be solved in order to provide an ink ribbon container that is easy to handle and dispose of, resource-saving, and low cost arises, and the present invention aims to solve the above-described problem. .

  The present invention is proposed in order to achieve the above object, and is a folded box type ink ribbon container which is assembled by folding paper or a resin sheet and can accommodate a spool of one ink ribbon, and has left and right side portions. The spool is supported by the bearing hole formed in the front, and the ink ribbon can be drawn out or pulled in through the window formed in the front part, and the hook part cut and raised in the front part is engaged with the hook part. An ink having a front face groove that forms a pair, the front face parts of two ink ribbon containers facing each other, and the opposing groove and hook part being engaged to form two ink ribbon containers A ribbon container is provided.

  In addition, an ink ribbon container is provided in which a supply spool around which an ink ribbon is wound is accommodated in one of the two ink ribbon containers, and a take-up spool that engages the leading end of the ink ribbon is accommodated in the other ink ribbon container. Is.

  In addition, the left and right side portions provide an ink ribbon container in which the folded shape of the folded box is configured so that at least two sheets overlap each other.

  In addition, a slit is provided from the bearing hole on the side surface continuous to the left and right of the front portion of the ink ribbon container to the window on the front portion, and the left and right side portions are bent, thereby The present invention provides an ink ribbon container having an enlarged opening width so that an ink ribbon spool can be loaded from the outside into the inside through a window.

  The present invention also provides an ink ribbon container in which information such as a product name and a production number is printed on the ink ribbon container main body.

  The present invention also provides an ink ribbon container in which the ink ribbon container is formed of a transparent or translucent resin material so that the color and remaining amount of the ink ribbon inside can be visually observed.

  Since the ink ribbon container according to the present invention is a folded box in which paper or a resin sheet is folded and assembled, it can be manufactured at a low cost and can be easily disposed by using paper or a resin sheet that can be incinerated.

  Also, by providing an ink ribbon container containing a supply spool around which an ink ribbon is wound and an ink ribbon container containing a take-up spool in a combined state by engaging means such as a hook portion and a groove. In addition, dust or the like does not adhere to the ink ribbon, and the ink ribbon can be attached to the printer without directly touching the ink ribbon.

  Further, since the ink ribbon spool is supported by the side surface of the ink ribbon container, there is no need for a shaft for supporting the spool separately, and there is an advantage that the number of parts is small.

  Also, by printing the product name, model number, etc. on the surface of the ink ribbon container, the ink ribbon container itself can be made into a product package, packaging and packaging can be simplified, and cost reduction is effective. .

  Further, by forming the ink ribbon container with a transparent or translucent resin material, the color and remaining amount of the ink ribbon inside can be easily confirmed.

  An ink ribbon container is a folded box which is assembled by folding paper or a resin sheet and can accommodate a spool of one ink ribbon. The hook part is cut and raised on the front part, and a groove is formed to engage with the hook part, the spool is supported by the bearing holes formed on the left and right side parts, and the ink ribbon is pulled out through the window formed on the front part. Or pull in.

  Load the supply spool with the ink ribbon wound into one ink ribbon container, load the take-up spool into the other ink ribbon container, face the front part of the two ink ribbon containers facing each other, and face the opposite groove and hook By engaging the part, the two ink ribbon containers are combined and provided to the consumer in this form, so that the handling up to the distribution stage and the consumer is easy.

  When loading the ink ribbon container into the thermal printer, separate the two combined ink ribbon containers and place the spool on the spool drive shaft of the thermal printer with the ink ribbon stretched between the two ink ribbon containers. Engage.

  By configuring the ink ribbon container as described above, the objects of improving ease of handling and disposal, saving resources, and reducing manufacturing costs were achieved.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which a pair of two ink ribbon containers 1 are joined together, for example, shrink-wrapped with a shrink film, and then shipped and arranged in a store. The ink ribbon container is an assembly-type folding box using paper or a resin sheet, and is connected to each other by engaging means (details will be described later) by hook portions and grooves, and shrink wrapping (not shown). Once removed, the bond can be easily released by hand.

  A bearing hole 3 is formed at the center of the left and right side surface portions 2 of the ink ribbon container 1, and the cylindrical supply spool 21 and the take-up spool 22 are supported by the left and right bearing holes 3. Grooves 23 in the diameter direction are provided at both ends of the supply spool 21 and the take-up spool 22, and an ink ribbon is wound around the supply spool 21 in one ink ribbon container, and the leading end of the ink ribbon is the other It is locked to a take-up spool 22 in the ink ribbon container.

  Although not shown, the ink ribbon take-up shaft of the thermal printer using the ink ribbon container 1 is provided with pins or plate-like convex portions that engage with the grooves 23 at both ends of the take-up spool 22. Then, the supply spool 21 wound with the ink ribbon is engaged with the supply spool support shaft of the thermal printer, and the take-up spool 22 is engaged with the ink ribbon take-up shaft. During printing, the take-up spool 22 is driven to rotate by the ink ribbon take-up shaft in conjunction with the movement of the printing material, and the ink ribbon is taken up from the supply spool 21 to the take-up spool 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, if two ink ribbon containers 1 that are joined are held by hand and shifted back and forth, the hook portion 4 of one ink ribbon container 1 is moved to the groove 5 of the other ink ribbon container 1. If the interval between the two ink ribbon containers 1 is widened, the ink ribbon R is pulled out from the supply-side spool 21, and the ink ribbon R is stretched between the two ink ribbon containers 1. . Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon R is hung on the lower surface side of the thermal head H of the thermal printer, and the spools 21 and 22 of the two ink ribbon containers 1 are respectively supplied to the ink ribbon take-up shaft of the thermal printer. When it is engaged with the spool support shaft, it is ready for printing.

  FIG. 4 is a development view of the ink ribbon container 1 which is a hexahedron. 6 is a back surface portion, 7 is a bottom surface portion, 8 is a front surface portion, 9 is an upper lid portion, and side surfaces 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f on the left and right sides of the back surface portion 6, the bottom surface portion 7 and the front surface portion 8. Is continuous. Insertion flaps 10 and 11 necessary for forming a folded box are provided on the side surface portions 2c and 2d continuous to the left and right of the bottom surface portion 7 and the upper lid portion 9, respectively. In the drawing, the broken line a is a valley fold line, and the dotted lines b shown on the left and right side surface parts 2e, 2f of the front surface part 8 are mountain fold lines.

  A bearing hole 3 for supporting the spools 21 and 22 is formed at the center of the three side portions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2f on the left and right sides, and the side portion 2a that is aligned with the back portion 6 , 2b is on the inside, the side surface portions 2c, 2d aligned with the bottom surface portion 7 are on the outside, and the side surface portions 2e, 2f aligned with the front surface portion 8 are sandwiched between them.

  A window 12 that extends over the entire width is formed in the middle between the upper and lower sides of the front surface portion 8, and the ink ribbon enters and exits through the window 12. The front hook 8 and the groove 5 are cut out symmetrically on the upper and lower edges of the front part 8, so that when the front part 8, the bottom part 7 and the upper cover part 9 are bent at right angles, the hook The portion 4 is cut and raised from the front portion 8 and protrudes horizontally forward, and the groove 5 is positioned symmetrically with the hook portion 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the side surface portions 2e and 2f continuous to the front surface portion 8 are formed with slits 13 connected to the windows 12 of the front surface portion 8 from the bearing holes 3, and the side surface portions 2e and 2f are perpendicular to each other. Bending and bending the horizontal mountain fold line b of the side parts 2e and 2f and the upper and lower diagonal valley fold lines a, the front part 8 is bent in the middle between the upper and lower sides as shown in FIG. And the spool 21 wound with the ink ribbon R can be inserted into the inside through the window 12 from the front side.

  6 shows a state where the ink ribbon container 1 is assembled without inserting the spools 21 and 22, and FIG. 7 shows a state where the spools 21 and 22 are inserted and the ink ribbon container 1 is assembled.

  In the above procedure, the supply spool 21 wound with the ink ribbon R is inserted into one ink ribbon container 1 and assembled, and the left and right side portions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f are respectively inserted into the bearing holes 3. The take-up spool 22 that supports the supply spool 21 and engages the leading end of the ink ribbon R wound around the supply spool 21 is inserted into another ink ribbon container 1 and assembled, and the left and right side portions 2a, 2a, The take-up spools 21 and 22 are supported in the bearing holes 3 of 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the two ink ribbon containers 1 are shifted back and forth so that the hook portions 4 of both ink ribbon containers 1 face the grooves 5 of the other ink ribbon container 1, and the two ink ribbon containers 1 1, the hook part 4 is inserted into the groove 5 and the two ink ribbon containers 1 are shifted back and forth so that the hook part 4 engages with the groove 5 as shown in FIG. Merge into one.

  When loading the ink ribbon container 1 into the thermal printer, the two ink ribbon containers 1 are shifted back and forth in reverse to the above-mentioned connecting procedure, and the connection between the hook portion 4 and the groove 5 is released and the two ink ribbon containers 1 are released. As described above, the ink ribbon container 1 can be easily pulled apart.

  The material of the ink ribbon container 1 may be a relatively hard paper (such as a card board) or a general plastic sheet. In the case of a plastic sheet, a material that can be incinerated is desirable. If a transparent or translucent plastic sheet is used, the color and remaining amount of the ink ribbon can be easily confirmed with the naked eye.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the present invention, and it is natural that the present invention extends to those modifications.

The perspective view of the ink ribbon container which showed embodiment of this invention and was united. Explanatory drawing which shows separation operation of the combined ink ribbon container. Explanatory drawing which shows loading operation to the printer of the separated ink ribbon container. An expanded view of an ink ribbon container. Explanatory drawing which shows the ink ribbon spool loading operation in an ink ribbon container. 3A and 3B are three views of the ink ribbon container, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a side view, and FIG. 3A and 3B are three views of an ink ribbon container loaded with an ink ribbon spool, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a side view, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a uniting operation of a pair of ink ribbon containers. The top view of a pair of combined ink ribbon container.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ink ribbon container
2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f side
3 Bearing hole
4 Hook part
5 groove
6 Rear part
7 Bottom
8 Front
9 Upper lid
10. 11 Insert flap
12 windows
13 Slit
21 Supply spool
22 Take-up spool
23 groove
R ink ribbon
H Thermal head

Claims (6)

  A folded box type ink ribbon container that is assembled by folding paper or a resin sheet and can accommodate a spool of one ink ribbon. The spool is supported by bearing holes formed in the left and right side portions and formed on the front portion. The ink ribbon is formed so that it can be drawn out or pulled in through the window, and has a hook portion cut and raised on the front surface portion, and a groove on the front surface portion that forms an engagement pair with the hook portion. An ink ribbon container configured such that two ink ribbon containers can be merged by facing the front portions and engaging the opposed grooves and hook portions.   2. The ink ribbon container according to claim 1, wherein a supply spool around which the ink ribbon is wound is accommodated in one of the two ink ribbon containers, and a take-up spool that engages the leading end of the ink ribbon is accommodated in the other ink ribbon container. .   2. The ink ribbon container according to claim 1, wherein the left and right side portions are formed in a folded box shape so that at least two of them overlap each other.   By providing a slit from the bearing hole on the side part continuous to the left and right of the front part of the ink ribbon container to the window on the front part, and bending the left and right side parts, the vertical opening width of the window on the front part 2. The ink ribbon container according to claim 1, wherein a spool of the ink ribbon can be loaded from the outside to the inside through a window.   2. The ink ribbon container according to claim 1, wherein information such as a product name and a production number is printed on the ink ribbon container body. 2. The ink ribbon container according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon container is formed of a transparent or translucent resin material so that the color and remaining amount of the ink ribbon inside can be visually observed.

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