JP2010076168A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent remaining image information on an ink ribbon of a thermal transfer method from leaking by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: After a tape cartridge 30 is used, a processing head 60 of a remaining image information processing unit 50 is moved via an opening 47 to a processing position in contact with the ink ribbon R, and the remaining image information of the ink ribbon R is made unreadable by the remaining image information processing unit 50. Thereby, leakage of the information is prevented. When the tape cartridge 30 is replaced, the remaining image information of the ribbon R of the used tape cartridge 30 is made unreadable by reciprocating the remaining image information processing unit 50 between the processing position and a retreat position on the basis of opening and closing of a lid 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus that performs thermal transfer printing on a printing tape using an ink ribbon.

In the tape printer, since the residual image information remains on the thermally transferred ink ribbon, when the ink ribbon is pulled out of the used tape cartridge and the wound ribbon is taken out, the characters printed as the residual image information can be confirmed. . That is, the problem of information leakage occurs.
In order to deal with such a problem, conventionally, a ribbon base material that has been printed with the same color as the ink so that the printed information cannot be visually recognized has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model No. 6-16772

  However, in the above prior art, in order to print the same color as the ink on the ribbon base material, it is necessary to perform special processing on the ink ribbon, which increases the cost.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tape printer that can effectively prevent leakage of information remaining on an ink ribbon without performing special processing on the ink ribbon.

  The tape printer of the present invention has a tape cartridge containing a printing tape and an ink ribbon in a cartridge case, and a cartridge mounting portion on which the tape cartridge is detachably mounted. Printing is performed by running the printing tape and the ink ribbon together. A printing apparatus main body, and the printing apparatus main body includes a residual image information processing unit that faces the ink ribbon feeding path from the printing position to the winding position and that processes the residual image information of the ink ribbon in an unreadable manner. The cartridge case has an opening that the remaining image information processing means faces.

  According to this configuration, after printing, the remaining image information processing means faces the ink ribbon before winding through the opening of the cartridge case, and the remaining image information on the ink ribbon is processed in an unreadable manner. Print information does not leak from the subsequent tape cartridge. That is, it is possible to effectively prevent leakage of information remaining on the ink ribbon without performing special processing on the ink ribbon.

  In this case, the residual image information processing means preferably has a thermal transfer mechanism that receives thermal transfer of ink from the ink ribbon.

  According to this configuration, since the remaining image information remaining on the ink ribbon is thermally transferred to the thermal transfer mechanism, the remaining image information can be made unreadable.

  The residual image information processing means preferably has a solvent application mechanism for applying a solvent to the ink ribbon and a brush mechanism for disturbing the applied solvent.

  According to this configuration, since the ink softened by the solvent application mechanism is disturbed by the brush mechanism, the remaining image information remaining on the ink ribbon can be made unreadable.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus main body includes an opening / closing lid that opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion, and a remaining image information processing unit that operates in response to opening / closing of the opening / closing lid, a processing position that processes the remaining image information, and a retracting position that retracts from the tape cartridge. It is preferable to further include an advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing / retreating between them.

  According to this configuration, the remaining image information processing means can be moved back and forth between the processing position of the remaining image information and the retracted position in conjunction with the opening / closing lid that opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion. The image information processing means does not get in the way.

  Similarly, the printing apparatus main body retracts the remaining image information processing unit from the tape cartridge and the processing position for processing the remaining image information based on the detection result of the traveling detection unit and the detection result of the traveling detection unit. It is preferable to further include an advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing / retreating with respect to the retracted position.

  According to this configuration, the residual image information processing means can be moved back and forth between the processing position of the residual image information and the retreat position based on the detection result of the travel detection means that detects the travel of the ink ribbon. When replacing the cartridge, the image information processing means does not get in the way. In addition, it is good also as a structure which can cancel the detection result of a driving | running | working detection means with respect to the user who desires not to use a residual image information processing means by manual operation.

  In these cases, the residual image information processing means preferably has a processing head for processing the residual image information and a head holder for detachably holding the processing head.

  According to this configuration, since the processing head is detachable, the processing head can be easily replaced.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printing device feeds the printing tape and ink ribbon from the installed tape cartridge, and runs the printing tape and ink ribbon together to print on the printing tape by thermal transfer, and cuts the printed portion of the printing tape. To create a label.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, various circuit boards, a tape feeding mechanism, and the like are accommodated in the case main body 11 of the tape printer 1, although not shown. A key input unit 12 is provided on the upper surface of the case body 11. In the key input unit 12, a plurality of character keys and control keys are arranged. A conveyance handle 13 is formed on the front side of the case body 11. Further, a cartridge mounting portion 14 and a liquid crystal display 15 are provided on the rear side of the upper surface of the case main body 11. A lid 16 is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 14 so as to be freely opened and closed. An interlocking protrusion 19 for rotating the lock claw 17, the cartridge pressing piece 18, and the print head 22 is provided on the lid 16.

  Further, a pocket 21 corresponding to the shape of the tape cartridge 30 is formed in the cartridge mounting portion 14. The pocket 21 is provided with a print head 22, positioning protrusions 23, a platen drive shaft 24, a ribbon take-up drive shaft 25, and the like. When the tape cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 14 while being guided by the positioning protrusion 23, a platen roller 45 described later is engaged with the platen drive shaft 24, and the ribbon take-up reel 44 is engaged with the ribbon take-up drive shaft 25. The feeding of the printing tape T and the feeding / winding up of the ink ribbon R are possible. When the lid 16 is closed in this state, the print head 22 comes into contact with the print tape T and the ink ribbon R by the interlocking protrusion 19 to enter a print standby state.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tape cartridge 30 has a case 31 composed of a lower case 31a and an upper case 31b. The case 31 is formed with a rectangular through-opening 34 into which the print head 22 is inserted. Further, an engagement hole 35 for the platen drive shaft 24 for rotating the platen roller 45 is formed in the lower case 31a. An insertion hole 36 is formed at a position corresponding to the ribbon take-up reel 44 of the lower case 31a so that the ribbon take-up drive shaft 25 faces.

  In the case 31, as shown in FIG. 4, a tape reel 42 around which the printing tape T is wound, a ribbon unwinding reel 43 around which the ink ribbon R is wound, and a ribbon winding around which the used ink ribbon R is wound. A take-up reel 44 is rotatably accommodated. A platen roller 45 is rotatably accommodated in the case 31. When the platen roller 45 and the ribbon take-up reel 44 rotate in synchronization, the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R run simultaneously, overlap each other at the position of the platen roller 45, and printing is performed by the print head 22. After printing, the ink ribbon R is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 44, and the printing tape T is sent out from the tape discharge port 46.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an opening 47 is formed on the side surface of the case 31 in the vicinity of the through opening 34. The opening 47 has a residual image information processing unit 50 (to be described later) in the feeding path of the ink ribbon R until the ink ribbon R is wound on the ribbon take-up reel 44 after the print head 22 prints the ink ribbon R. It is provided at a location where it can be accessed. A portion of the case 31 constituting the through opening 34 is a peripheral wall except for a portion where the platen roller 45 (printing head 22) faces, and two outer sides of the peripheral wall guide a guide wall 47a for guiding the running of the ink ribbon R. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the processing head 60 of the remaining image information processing unit 50 is inserted into the opening 47. The ink ribbon R after printing is fed along the guide wall 47a. That is, the processing head 60 of the remaining image information processing unit 50 faces the guide wall 47a through the opening 47 so as to sandwich the traveling ink ribbon R. Although details will be described later, the remaining image information remaining on the ink ribbon R (a negative image after printing and transfer) becomes unreadable and information leakage is prevented.

  Next, the residual image information processing unit 50 will be described in detail. Examples of the mechanism that makes the residual image information that can be adopted by the residual image information processing unit 50 unreadable are as follows.

(1) A thermal transfer mechanism that receives thermal transfer of ink from the ink ribbon R. That is, all information remaining on the used ink ribbon R is thermally transferred. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the processing head 60 is provided with a mechanism 81 having a heat generating portion and receiving thermal transfer.

(2) A mechanism in which a solvent is applied to the ink ribbon R, and the residual image information applied with the solvent is disturbed by a brush so that it cannot be read. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the processing head 60 is provided with a mechanism 82 having a coating part for applying a solvent and a brush mechanism 83 having a brush.

(3) A mechanism for applying the same color as the ink ribbon R. In this case, the processing head 60 is provided with a pen mechanism 84 for applying ink, as shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the residual image information processing unit 50 is advanced and retracted in conjunction with opening and closing of the lid body 16. That is, when the tape cartridge 30 is replaced, when the lid 16 is closed, the processing head 60 of the residual image information processing unit 50 is opened to make the residual image information remaining on the ink ribbon R unreadable. It moves to the processing position which contacts the ink ribbon R via 47. Conversely, when the lid 16 is opened, the remaining image information processing unit 50 moves to the retreat position where the processing head 60 is retreated from the tape cartridge 30.

  FIG. 6 shows an advance / retreat mechanism that moves the remaining image information processing unit 50 back and forth between the processing position and the retracted position in conjunction with opening and closing of the lid body 16. In FIG. 6, the pocket 21 is composed of an upper frame 51 and a lower frame 52. A cutout 61 is formed in the upper frame 51 at a position facing the print head 22. Further, the upper frame 51 is provided with projecting portions 62 a and 62 b for mounting the remaining image information processing unit 50. Slots 63a and 63b are formed in the attachment portions 62a and 62b.

  On the other hand, the head holder 53 that rotatably supports the print head 22 has attachment portions 71a and 71b having insertion holes 72a and 72b. A rotation shaft 65 erected from the lower frame 52 is inserted into the insertion holes 72 a and 72 b, and the head holder 53 is rotatably attached to the lower frame 52. A release arm 73 is extended from the head holder 53 and an interlocking arm 74 is extended. The distal end of the release arm 73 is connected to the interlocking piece 76 via a spring 75. The interlocking piece 76 is formed with a protrusion 77 that comes into contact with the interlocking protrusion 19 (see FIG. 1) provided on the lid 16. The interlocking piece 76 is pivotally supported on the rotation shaft 78 so as to be rotatable.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the residual image information processing unit 50 includes a processing head 60 and a head holder 70 that detachably holds the processing head 60. Thereby, when the processing head 60 is contaminated, it can be easily replaced. Further, when the processing head 60 is unnecessary (no processing is performed), it can be removed. Further, protrusions 82 a and 82 b are formed on both sides of the remaining image information processing unit 50. A guide hole 83 is formed on the bottom surface of the remaining image information processing unit 50. The protrusions 82a and 82b on both sides of the residual image information processing unit 50 are attached to the elongated holes 63a and 63b of the attachment portions 62a and 62b of the upper frame 51 so as to be movable back and forth. Further, the processing head 60 of the remaining image information processing unit 50 is disposed so as to face the notch 61 of the upper frame 51.

  When the lid body 16 is closed, the interlocking projection piece 19 of the lid body 16 and the projection 77 of the interlocking piece 76 come into contact with each other, the interlocking piece 76 moves in the arrow A1 direction, and the release arm 73 rotates in the arrow B1 direction. As a result, the print head 22 attached to the head holder 53 moves so as to contact the print tape T and the ink ribbon R as indicated by an arrow C1. At this time, the projection 77 at the tip of the interlocking arm 74 moves in the direction of the position 83b along the guide hole 83 on the bottom surface of the remaining image information processing unit 50, and the remaining image information processing unit 50 is moved as shown by an arrow D2. It enters the upper frame 51 through the notch 61, and the processing head 60 of the remaining image information processing unit 50 comes into contact with the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R through the notch 61 and the opening 47 (see FIG. 4). This is a processing position for processing image information.

  When the lid body 16 is opened, the interlocking protrusion piece 19 of the lid body 16 and the protrusion 77 of the interlocking piece 76 are separated, the interlocking piece 76 moves in the arrow A2 direction, and the release arm 72 rotates in the arrow B2 direction. As a result, the print head 22 attached to the head holder 53 moves away from the print tape T and the ink ribbon R as indicated by an arrow C2. At this time, the projection 77 at the tip of the interlocking arm 74 moves in the direction of the position 83a along the guide hole 83 on the bottom surface of the remaining image information processing unit 50, and the remaining image information processing unit 50 is moved as shown by an arrow D1. It moves away from the side surface of the upper frame 51 and moves to the retracted position.

  FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a motor 101 that performs an advance / retreat operation with respect to the remaining image information processing unit 50 is provided. Further, a sensor 102 that detects the rotation of the ribbon take-up reel 44 of the ink ribbon R is provided. An output signal of the sensor 102 is sent to the controller 103.

  During normal printing, the processing head 60 is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. When it is detected by the output signal of the sensor 102 that the printed ink ribbon R is taken up after using the tape cartridge 30, the controller 103 drives the motor 101 as shown in FIG. The processing unit 50 is moved to a processing position for processing the remaining image information. As a result, the remaining image information remaining on the ink ribbon R after printing is made unreadable and wound around the ink ribbon R.

  Thus, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 102 detects the travel of the ink ribbon R, and based on this, the remaining image information processing unit 50 processes the remaining image information and the retreat position. Is advancing and retreating between. Here, the motor 101 is used to move the residual image information processing unit 50 between the retracted position and the processing position, but a solenoid may be used.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the residual image information remaining on the ink ribbon R is made unreadable by the residual image information processing unit 50 after the tape cartridge 30 is used. Thereby, leakage of information is prevented. Further, based on the detection result of the sensor 102 that detects the opening / closing of the lid 16 and the travel of the ink ribbon R, the remaining image information processing unit 50 can be moved back and forth between the processing position and the retracted position. Therefore, when the tape cartridge 30 is replaced, the processing head 60 does not get in the way.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tape printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is another perspective view which shows the structure of the tape printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cartridge with which the tape printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mounted | worn. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the cartridge with which the tape printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mounted | worn. It is a top view around various processing heads of the residual image information processing unit mounted on the tape printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view used for description of the residual image information processing unit of the tape printer concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the processing head and head holder which were mounted in the tape printer concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a visual field figure of the advance / retreat mechanism of the tape printer concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the advance / retreat mechanism of the tape printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the advance / retreat mechanism of the tape printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1: tape printer, 14: cartridge mounting unit, 19: interlocking protrusion, 22: print head, 30: tape cartridge, 31: case, 34: through opening, 47: opening, 50: residual image information processing unit, 53: head holder, 60: processing head, 70: head holder, 73: release arm, 74: interlocking arm, 76: interlocking piece, 78: rotating shaft, 83: guide hole, 101: motor, 102: sensor, 103 :controller

Claims (6)

A tape cartridge containing a printing tape and an ink ribbon in a cartridge case;
A printing apparatus main body that has a cartridge mounting portion on which the tape cartridge is detachably mounted and performs printing by running the printing tape and the ink ribbon together;
The printing apparatus main body has a residual image information processing unit that faces an ink ribbon feeding path from a printing position to a winding position, and processes the residual image information of the ink ribbon in an unreadable manner,
The tape printing apparatus, wherein the cartridge case has an opening facing the residual image information processing means.   The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the residual image information processing unit includes a thermal transfer mechanism that receives thermal transfer of ink from the ink ribbon. The residual image information processing means includes a solvent application mechanism for applying a solvent to the ink ribbon,
The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a brush mechanism that disturbs the applied solvent. The printing apparatus main body includes an opening / closing lid that opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion,
In conjunction with the opening / closing of the opening / closing lid, there is further provided an advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing / retreating the remaining image information processing means between a processing position for processing the remaining image information and a retracted position for retracting from the tape cartridge. The tape printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tape printer is provided. The printing apparatus body includes travel detection means for detecting travel of the ink ribbon,
An advancing / retreating mechanism for causing the remaining image information processing means to advance / retreat between a processing position for processing the remaining image information and a retracted position for retracting from the tape cartridge based on a detection result of the travel detecting means; The tape printer according to claim 1, wherein the tape printer is provided. The residual image information processing means includes a processing head for processing the residual image information;
6. The tape printer according to claim 1, further comprising a head holder that detachably holds the processing head.

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