JP3477003B2 - Exposure equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus which presses an ink ribbon on which an image is formed onto an object to be exposed and exposes the object to be exposed using the ink ribbon as a mask.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an exposure apparatus of this type, for example, it has been applied to a seal making apparatus.
The one described in Japanese Patent Publication is known. In this seal making device, the ink ribbon is unwound from the unwinding reel and wound on the take-up reel, and the stamp body as an exposure object and its holding plate are arranged so as to sandwich the traveling path of the ink ribbon. Has been done. A pair of rollers for guiding the ink ribbon in parallel between the stamp body and the pressing plate are provided in front of and behind the stamp body and the pressing plate in the traveling direction. When performing exposure, stop the ink ribbon at the position where the image part formed on the ink ribbon faces the stamp body, and then move the holding plate forward toward the stamp body by the parallel movement mechanism (not shown). Exposure is performed by pressing the ribbon against the stamp body.

[0003]

In such a conventional exposure apparatus, it is necessary to apply a certain tension to the ink ribbon so that the ink ribbon will not run when the travel path of the ink ribbon is long, so that the ink ribbon travels. In particular, when the ink ribbon is fed in a vertical posture in a horizontal plane, if the ink ribbon is loosened, the ink ribbon may fall off from the feed roller or the like, and it is necessary to feed the ink ribbon strongly so as not to cause jamming. However, the ink ribbon is thinly formed,
In addition, since it is made of a material that is not stiff, if it is fed while being strongly stretched, vertical wrinkles will occur on the ink ribbon.

On the other hand, when the object to be exposed is exposed using the ink ribbon as a mask, the reproducibility of the exposure is deteriorated due to the diffusion of light unless the ink ribbon is brought into close contact with the object to be exposed. Therefore, it is considered best to press the ink ribbon against the object to be exposed with a translucent holding plate. However, if the ink ribbon to which tension is applied is simply pressed against the object to be exposed, there is a problem that the image is exposed with vertical wrinkles and with the image stretched. On the contrary, if the ink ribbon is loosened during the exposure, the position of the image with respect to the exposure target is displaced.

The present invention provides smooth feeding of an ink ribbon,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an exposure apparatus capable of achieving both good reproducibility in exposure.

[0006]

An exposure apparatus according to the present invention presses an ink ribbon on which an image has been formed against an exposure object by means of a translucent holding plate which is arranged in parallel with the exposure object. A printing apparatus that forms an image on an ink ribbon in an exposure apparatus that exposes an object to be exposed as a mask
The ribbon feed means for unwinding the ink ribbon from one end to face the exposure target object, and then winding the ink ribbon on the other end, and the holding plate and the exposure target object are relatively moved in parallel to move the ink ribbon to the exposure target object. The parallel moving means for pressing, the guide member for guiding the running ink ribbon in parallel to the gap between the pressing plate and the exposure object, and the operation of the parallel moving means,
And a tension adjusting means capable of adjusting the tension of the ink ribbon. The tension adjusting means eliminates vertical wrinkles of the ink ribbon.
It is characterized by reducing the tension of the ink ribbon .

According to this structure, when the parallel moving means is operated and the ink ribbon is pressed against the object to be exposed by the pressing plate, the tension of the ink ribbon can be adjusted by the tension adjusting means, so that the ink ribbon is pressed against the object to be exposed. The ink ribbon is appropriately pressed against the object to be exposed so that wrinkles do not occur. That is, is the tension adjusting means
If you reduce the tension, the wrinkles on the ink ribbon will disappear.
Even when the ink ribbon is pressed against the exposed object
It does not sag. As a result, the ink ribbon can be appropriately brought into close contact with the object to be exposed, and the exposure is not hindered. On the contrary, it is possible to run the ink ribbon while applying an appropriate tension. That is,
This can be run without causing slack in the ink ribbon.

[0008]

[0009]

In this case, the ribbon feeding means has a winding-side feeding mechanism and a winding-side feeding mechanism, and the winding-side feeding mechanism is preferably incorporated in the printing apparatus.

According to this structure, by incorporating the unwinding side feeding mechanism into the printing apparatus, the unwinding side feeding mechanism and the ink ribbon feeding mechanism of the printing apparatus can be used in common, and the unwinding side feeding mechanism dedicated to the exposure apparatus can be used. Can be omitted.

In this case, the ribbon feeding means has the unwinding side feeding mechanism and the winding side feeding mechanism, and the unwinding side feeding mechanism is provided between the guide member and the printing device in the feeding direction of the ink ribbon. Are preferably arranged in

With this configuration, the tension for feeding the ink ribbon can be set without being affected by the printing apparatus. That is, the tension of the ink ribbon can be set so as to be suitable for exposure in the ribbon feeding means and to be suitable for printing in the printing apparatus.

In this case , it is preferable that the ink ribbon is arranged so as to be bent from both ends of the holding plate to the side opposite to the exposure target while the holding plate is pressing the ink ribbon against the exposure target. .

According to this structure, the ink ribbon pressed against the object to be exposed by the holding plate is not affected by the end portion of the object to be exposed. That is, when the ink ribbon is arranged so as to be bent from the end of the exposure target toward the exposure target, the ink ribbon is affected by the end of the exposure target. In such a case, if the end of the exposure target and the ink ribbon are not arranged exactly orthogonal to each other (depending on the shape accuracy and mounting accuracy of the exposure target itself), with respect to the end of the exposure target, A part that strongly hits the ink ribbon and a part that weakly hits the ink ribbon occur, and wrinkles easily occur on the ink ribbon.

In this case , it is preferable that both ends of the pressing plate which the ink ribbon contacts are chamfered in an arc shape.

According to this structure, stress concentration is less likely to occur at the contact between the ink ribbon and the end portion of the pressing plate, and even if there is a portion that strongly hits the ink ribbon and a portion that weakly hits the ink ribbon, the difference is relaxed. Wrinkles are less likely to occur on the ink ribbon.

In this case , the tension adjusting means includes a guide moving mechanism for moving the guide member in a direction in which the ink ribbon is loosened, and a tension mechanism for slightly applying tension to the loosened ink ribbon so as to prevent vertical wrinkles. It is preferable to have

According to this structure, the tension adjusting means can be operated with the ribbon feeding means stopped.
The structure and control of the tension adjusting means can be simplified. Further, since the guide member escapes when the ink ribbon is brought into close contact with the object to be exposed, the close contact of the ink ribbon can be further improved.

In this case , the parallel moving means is configured to move the holding plate in parallel with respect to the object to be exposed, and has a braking mechanism for braking the parallel movement of the holding plate.
preferable.

According to this structure, since the parallel movement of the pressing plate is braked by the braking mechanism and is performed relatively slowly,
After the guide moving mechanism and the tension mechanism, which operate in conjunction with this, complete their operations, the ink ribbon can be brought into close contact with the object to be exposed through the pressing plate. Therefore, the ink ribbon can be stably attached to the object to be exposed without wrinkles.

In this case , the holding plate is preferably connected to the parallel moving means via elastic members provided at both ends.

According to this structure, the holding plate, which holds the ink ribbon and is pressed against the object to be exposed, is abutted by the elastic member so as to follow the abutting surface of the object to be exposed. Therefore, the adhesion of the ink ribbon to the exposure target can be further enhanced. Further, the elastic member makes it possible to stably press the ink ribbon against the exposure target without the pressing plate bouncing against the exposure target when the pressing plate is abutted against the exposure target.

In this case , it is preferable that the elastic member is arranged at a position away from the portion of the holding plate corresponding to the exposed surface of the exposure object to the outside .

According to this structure, the pressing plate does not interfere with the exposure, and the exposure unevenness of the exposure target can be prevented.

In this case , it is preferable that the holding plate is slightly warped on the side opposite to the object to be exposed.

According to this structure, when the pressing plate is pressed against the object to be exposed by sandwiching the ink ribbon, the pressing plate is pressed against the object to be exposed from its center portion. That is, the pressing plate presses the ink ribbon while spreading the ink ribbon on the exposed surface of the exposure target.

In this case , the guide member is composed of a first guide member and a second guide member which are respectively arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side in the running direction of the ink ribbon with the pressing plate interposed therebetween. Each of the second guide members has a ribbon contact portion that contacts the ink ribbon and a fixed support portion that supports the ribbon contact portion, and the ribbon sliding contact portion bends the ink ribbon with respect to the fixed support portion. It is preferable to be configured to be swingable in any direction.

According to this structure, even if the guide member is not attached with high accuracy, or the guide member has a manufacturing variation, the ribbon contact portion is appropriately swung by the force received from the ink ribbon. When guiding the running ink ribbon in parallel between the holding plate and the object to be exposed, the movement of the ink ribbon in the width direction is not restricted and the ink ribbon is prevented from coming off the contact portion. You can

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A case where an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a stamp making apparatus for making a stamp will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This seal-making device exposes the seal body, whose seal surface is made of UV-curable resin, to ultraviolet rays using the seal characters (print image including the pattern) printed on the ink ribbon as a mask to expose the desired seal (stamp). To create. Figure 1
FIG. 1A is a plan view of the stamp making apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the stamp making apparatus.

As shown in both figures, this seal making device 1
The outer shell is formed by the device case 2 which is divided into upper and lower parts, and the electronic device part 3 is arranged in the front part and the mechanical device part 4 is arranged in the rear part. A pocket 6 for mounting the stamp body A, which is an object to be stamped (exposure object), is formed in the central portion of the machine unit 4, and the pocket 6 has an opening / closing lid 7 with a window. It is provided. A function switch 8 for opening and closing the opening / closing lid 7 is provided on the left side of the machine unit 4 for switching the stamp making apparatus 1 to a plate making (printing) operation or an exposure operation. Further, on the right side of the machine unit 4, an insertion port 9a and an ejection port 9b are formed in the stamp making apparatus 1 for a plate-making sheet B for making a stamp character label described later. Further, the mechanical device section 4
A maintenance cover 10 is provided on the outside of the pocket 6 and is detachably attached to the maintenance cover 10.
A ribbon cartridge 11 on which an ink ribbon C is mounted is mounted inside the printer.

An operation section 21 is formed on the upper surface of the electronic device section 3, and an information processing apparatus is incorporated therein. The operation unit 21 is provided with a push button group 22 and an operation dial 23 that form an input unit of the information processing apparatus, and a display unit 24 that forms an output unit. The operation dial 23 is
An execution key 31 arranged in a circular shape at the center and a cursor / conversion key 32 divided into four and arranged in an annular shape outside the execution key 31.
And a character input key 33 arranged in a ring outside the key input key 33.
And have a triple structure, and hiragana of Japanese syllabary is printed on the surface of the character input key 33 (not shown). To enter a stamp character, first press the character input key 33 to the triangle mark 25.
And press the Enter key 31 to enter hiragana, and enter the hiragana as appropriate with the cursor / conversion key 32.
Convert to Kanji by. When a desired stamp character is created on the display 24, a predetermined button 22a of the push button group 22 is pressed to confirm it. The operation dial 23 has a structure in which only the character input key 33 rotates forward and backward.

Here, a series of operations for creating a stamp will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
First, the function switch 8 is operated to open the opening / closing lid 7, and the stamp body A is set in the pocket 6. With the setting of the stamp body A, the stamp body A is detected by a detection device 66 described later.
Is detected, and the information processing apparatus controls the input unit and the output unit based on the detection result. Next, the function switch 8 is operated to shift the function to the plate making operation, and the push button group 22 and the operation dial 23 are operated to input the stamp character. When the input of the stamp character is completed, the plate-making sheet B on which the stamp character label is formed is inserted into the insertion port 9a and set.

Next, a predetermined button 22a of the push button group 22 is operated to perform a plate making operation, that is, printing. This printing is performed on the ink ribbon C and the plate-making sheet B at the same time. When printing is completed, the ink ribbon (printed portion) C is sent forward for exposure, and at the same time, the plate-making sheet B is sent out from the take-out port 9b. Here, if it is confirmed that there is no error in the stamp characters by the sent plate-making sheet B, then the function switch 8 is operated to shift the function to the exposure operation to perform the exposure. In this case, after operating the function switch 8, the push button group 2
The exposure may be performed by operating the second predetermined button 22a.

When the exposure is completed, the function switch 8 is operated to open the opening / closing lid 7, the stamp body A is taken out from the pocket 6, and this is washed. This washing completes the stamp, but when the stamp is completed, the above-mentioned plate-making sheet B
Remove the stamp character label from and stick it on the back of the stamp.

Next, the constituent devices of the stamp creating device 1 will be described step by step.

The function switch 8 provided in the mechanical device section 4 is
Clockwise from the "OFF" position, which is the standby position, "OPE
While being rotated to the “N” position, it is rotated counterclockwise from the “OFF” position to the “input / plate-making” position and further to the “exposure” position (see FIG. 1). At the "OPEN" position, the opening / closing lid 7 provided in the pocket 6 is flipped up to open the opening / closing lid 7
Can be opened, and mechanical operations in the printing unit and the exposing unit, which will be described later, are performed at the “input / plate-making” position and the “exposure” position, respectively. At the same time, the function switch 8 functions as an electrical mode switching switch. By this switching operation, a lamp 12 (not at the “OFF” position) 12 arranged beside the function switch 8 is turned on to display the switching position.

The ribbon cartridge 11 is constructed so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body 5, and when the ink ribbon C is consumed, it can be replaced together with the case. As shown in FIG. 2, the ribbon cartridge 11 is provided with a take-up reel 13 at one end and a take-up reel 14 at the other end, respectively, and the ink ribbon C is unwound from the take-up reel 14 and is substantially “L”. It is bent into a letter shape and wound up by the winding reel 13. Ink ribbon C bent in this "L" shape
In the traveling route of, the printing portion faces the short side portion and the exposure portion faces the long side portion. In this case, the ink ribbon C and the above-mentioned plate making sheet B simultaneously face the printing portion, and the ink ribbon C after printing faces the exposure portion.

The ink ribbon C is composed of a transparent ribbon tape and ink applied to the transparent ribbon tape, and in the embodiment, 6 μm.
m thickness is used. When printing is performed on the ink ribbon C in the printing unit, the ink portion is transferred to the plate-making sheet B. As a result, a negative image is formed on the ribbon tape of the ink ribbon C with the ink characters peeled off, and a positive image is formed on the plate-making sheet B with the ink characters attached. Then, the ink ribbon C is sent to the former exposure unit to use it as a mask, while the plate-making sheet B is used to confirm the stamp characters.
In addition, it is sent out of the device so that it can be attached to the created seal.

As shown in FIG. 33, the plate-making sheet B is formed by laminating a base sheet Ba and an adhesive sheet Bb, and is formed in a strip shape as a whole. A square cut line Bc is formed on the adhesive sheet Bb, and the square portion of the adhesive sheet Bb peeled from the base sheet Ba along the cut line Bc is
The stamp character label Bd is attached to the back of the above stamp. The stamp main body A is available in several types having different shapes according to the use as a seal, and the plate making sheet B correspondingly corresponds to the shape of the stamp character label Bd (the shape of the cutting line). ) Are available in different types.

On the other hand, in the stamp main body A, as shown in FIG. 32, a thin sponge (urethane foam) Ab is affixed to the tip of the base material (resin in the embodiment) Aa, and ultraviolet rays are applied to the sponge Ab. A resin base Ac that is not affected is adhered, and further an ultraviolet curable resin that constitutes the stamp surface Ad is adhered to the resin base Ac. By exposing the portion of the ultraviolet curable resin (print surface Ad) of the stamp main body A to ultraviolet light using the ink ribbon C as a mask, the portion of the stamp surface Ad corresponding to the stamp character is cured. Seal body A in this state
Is taken out from the pocket 6 and washed to wash out the water-soluble uncured portion to complete the stamp. Reference numeral Ae in the drawing is a resin cap. Note that an ultraviolet softening resin may be used instead of the above ultraviolet curable resin, and in such a case, if the positive and negative of the ink ribbon C and the plate making sheet B are reversed, the same seal as that of the embodiment can be created. You can

As shown in FIG. 2, in this seal making apparatus 1, the ink ribbon C wound around the unwind reel 14 is guided to the printing portion via the first path pin 51, and further the second path pin. It is guided to the exposure section via 52 and the first guide pin 53, and is wound on the take-up reel 13 from the exposure section via the second guide pin 54 and the tension pin 55. In the printing section, the print head 56 and the platen roller 57, which are arranged so as to sandwich the ink ribbon C, perform printing while pushing the ink ribbon C.
In the exposure section, the ink ribbon C is sandwiched between the stamp main body A and the stamp main body A by the pressing plate 58, and the seal main body A is exposed to ultraviolet light. The second path pin 52
The tension pin 55 functions as a path changing member for the exposure unit, and the first guide pin 53 and the second guide pin 53
The guide pin 54 functions as a guide member for the exposed portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanical device section 4 has a built-in ribbon feeding device (ribbon feeding means) 61 for rotating the take-up reel 13 and the platen roller 57 to run the ink ribbon C. . Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the mechanical device section 4, a lid open link 62a for locking / unlocking the opening / closing lid 7, a head moving link 62b for separating / contacting the print head 56 of the printing section from the platen roller 57, A function link mechanism 6 including a ribbon pressing link 62c for moving the pressing plate 58 of the exposure section forward and backward, and a main link 62d for operating the lid open link 62a, the head moving link 62b and the ribbon pressing link 62c.
2 is built in.

First, the ribbon feeding device 61 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Ribbon feeding device 61
Is a drive motor 10 built in below the function switch 8.
1 as a power source, a reel shaft 102 fitted to the take-up reel 13 and a roller shaft 1 fitted to the platen roller 57.
It is designed to rotate 03 and. That is, the winding-side feeding mechanism that winds the ink ribbon C on the reel shaft 102 side, and the unwinding-side feeding mechanism that winds the ink ribbon C to the roller shaft 103 side (actually, the platen roller 57 and the print head 56). Are configured respectively. The output gear 104 is attached to the output shaft 104 of the drive motor 101.
5 is fixed, and the output gear 105 is the power transmission gear 106.
, And a main gear 107 meshes with the power transmission gear 106. Then, power is transmitted from the main gear 107 to the reel shaft 102 via the reel reduction gear train 108 on the one hand and to the roller shaft 103 via the roller reduction gear train 109 on the other hand.

A clutch arm 110 is rotatably supported on the output shaft 104 of the drive motor 101, and a power transmission gear 106 is rotatably supported on the clutch arm 110. The clutch arm 110 is the output shaft 1
The power transmission gear 106 meshes with the main gear 107 so that the power transmission gear 106 can freely come into contact with and disengage from the main gear 107 in association with the rotation of 04.
That is, when the drive motor 101 rotates, the clutch arm 110 rotates, and the power transmission gear 106 becomes the main gear 10.
7, the power of the drive motor 101 is transmitted to the take-up reel 13 and the platen roller 57. vice versa,
If rotational power is input from the take-up reel 13 or the platen roller 57 while the drive motor 101 is stopped,
The power transmission gear 106 is repelled by the main gear 107 to release the mesh. Thus, for example, when the erroneously inserted plate-making sheet B is pulled out, the platen roller 57 easily rotates (reverses) without receiving the load of the drive motor 101, and does not affect the ink ribbon C. Only B can be pulled out easily. However, the clutch arm 110 may be rotated in conjunction with the switching of the function switch 8. The reel shaft 102 is a sliding shaft and absorbs a change in peripheral speed that increases as the ink ribbon C is wound around the take-up reel 13 by causing slippage.

Next, the functional link mechanism 62 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The function link mechanism 62 includes a frame 121 and a lid open link 6 rotatably supported in a state of standing on the frame 121.
2a, a plate-shaped head movement link 62b rotatably supported on the frame 121, a plate-shaped ribbon pressing link 62c movably supported on the frame 121, and rotatably on the frame 121. A supported plate-like main link 62d and a ribbon pressing cam 122 interposed between the main link 62d and the ribbon pressing link 62c are provided. The various gears of the ribbon feeding device 61 are
The main link 62d is arranged between the frame 121 and the ribbon pressing link 62c, and the main link 62d is arranged below the frame 121 along the same.

The input side of the main link 62d is engaged with the eccentric pin 123 of the function switch 8, and is rotated by the forward and reverse rotation of the function switch 8 around the support shaft 124. Also,
On the output side of the main link 62d, a tongue piece 125 is formed at the tip, a first pin 126 is provided at the front end, and a second pin 127 is provided at the base of the tongue piece 125. Then, the tongue piece 125 engages with the lower portion of the lid open link 62a,
The first pin 126 is engaged with the head moving link 62b, and the second pin 127 is engaged with the ribbon pressing link 62c via the ribbon pressing cam 122.

The lid open link 62a includes an open link body 128 and a pair of support shafts 129, 129 projecting from both ends of the open link body 128 in the longitudinal direction.
And a pair of hook portions 130, 130 extending from both ends of the open link body 128 toward the opening / closing lid 7, and a lever portion 131 extending downward from the open link body 128 so as to correspond to the tongue piece of the main link 62d. And a switch actuating portion 132 that is bent forward from the open link body 128 and extends (see FIG. 8). A coil spring 133 is stretched between the lever portion 131 and the frame 121, and the lid open link 6
2a is rotationally biased in a direction in which the tip of the hook portion 130 is hooked on the hook receiving portion 7a of the opening / closing lid 7.

Turn the function switch 8 from the "OFF" position to the "O" position.
Rotated to the "PEN" position, the tongue 1 of the main link 62d
25 rotates forward and pushes the lever portion 131 of the lid open link 62a against the coil spring 133, and the hook portion 1
The hooking of 30 to the hook receiving portion 7a is released.
On the other hand, a leaf spring 7b for stably pressing the stamp body A housed in the pocket 6 is attached to the back surface of the opening / closing lid 7, and when the hook portion 130 is removed, the opening / closing lid 7 is housed in the pocket 6. When receiving the stamp main body A, it is flipped up (see FIGS. 5 and 8). Even when the stamp body A is not accommodated in the pocket 6, the opening / closing lid 7 is flipped up by the lock member 171 of the lock mechanism 63 described later by "OPEN" of the function switch 8 (see FIG. 10).

Further, by releasing the hooking of the lid open link 62a, the switch operating portion 132 causes the detecting end of the detecting device 66, which will be described later, to project into the pocket 6. When the function switch 8 rotated to the "OPEN" position is released, the coil spring 133 causes the function switch 8 to move through the lid open link 62a and the main link 62d.
Automatically returns from the "OPEN" position to the "OFF" position. On the other hand, when closing the opening / closing lid 7, the leaf spring 7
By pressing the opening / closing lid 7 against the pocket 6 side against b, the lever portion 131 of the lid open link 62a gets over the lever receiving portion 7a of the opening / closing lid 7 and is latched.

The head moving link 62b is rotated about a support shaft 135 provided in a holding portion of the print head 56, with the print head 56 mounted on the tip portion thereof. An engaging surface 136 with which the first pin 126 of the main link 62d abuts is formed at the tail end of the head moving link 62b, and a coil spring 137 is stretched between the frame 121 and the engaging surface 136. The coil spring 137 urges the tip of the head movement link 62b to rotate about the support shaft 135 toward the platen roller 57, and also urges the engagement surface 136 to press against the first pin 126. . The engaging surface 136 has a first stationary surface 139 on the tip end side and a second stationary surface 140 on the tail end side which are arcs concentric with the support shaft 124 of the main link 62d with the inclined surface 138 interposed therebetween. When 62d is rotated and its first pin 126 is in contact with the second stationary surface 140, the print head 56 is separated from the platen roller 57 and is in contact with the first stationary surface 139. The print head 56 contacts the platen roller 57. When the ribbon cartridge 11 is attached and detached, a jig (not shown) is used to largely rotate the print head 56 in a direction in which it is further separated from the platen roller 57.

As shown in FIG. 6, the function switch 8 is set to "O".
When rotated from the “FF” position to the “input / plate-making” position, the first pin 126 of the main link 62d moves from the second stationary surface 140 down the inclined surface 138 to the first stationary surface 139, and the coil spring 137 causes the head to move. The moving link 62b rotates, and the print head 56 is pressed against the platen roller 57. On the contrary, when the function switch 8 is rotated from the “input / plate-making” position to the “OFF” position, the first pin 126 moves the first pin 126 to the first position.
The second stationary surface 14 goes up from the stationary surface 139 to the inclined surface 138.
The head moving link 62b rotates against the coil spring 137 and the print head 56 separates from the platen roller 57.

When the function switch 8 is further rotated from the "input / plate-making" position to the "exposure" position, the first pin 12
Since 6 moves toward the front of the first stationary surface 139, the contact state of the print head 56 with the platen roller 57 is maintained as it is (see FIG. 7). Similarly, set the function switch 8 to “O”.
When rotated from the "FF" position to the "OPEN" position, the first
Since the pin 126 moves in front of the second stationary surface 140,
The separated state of the print head 56 from the platen roller 57 is maintained as it is (see FIG. 5). In addition, the coil spring 13
7, when the print head 56 is in contact with the platen roller 57, the first pin 126 actually slightly floats from the first stationary surface 139.
The contact state of 6 with the platen roller 57 is reliably maintained.

The ribbon pressing link 62c is formed in a substantially "T" shape as a whole, and the guide grooves 142 formed at the left and right end portions and the front end portion are formed in the frame 12 respectively.
The three projections 143 that are erected at 1 are engaged with each other, and are attached to the frame 121 so as to be able to move back and forth in a slightly floating state. Each guide groove 142 is formed in a keyhole shape, while a disc-shaped retaining portion is formed on the upper end of the protrusion 143 (not shown), and the ribbon pressing link 62c has a circular portion of the guide groove 142. The frame 121 is attached to the frame 121 by being aligned with the retaining portion and pushed in, and is guided forward and backward by the protrusion 143 in the long hole portion of the guide groove 142. Further, two support pins 144 and 144 are provided at both ends of the ribbon pressing link 62c that has escaped from the guide groove 142.
Are erected on the support pins 144 and 144, and the holding plate 58 and the first and second guide pins 53 and 54.
Are attached (see FIG. 13).

At the intermediate position of the ribbon pressing link 62c,
A spring mounting piece 145 having a bent tip is extended rearward, and a coil spring 146 is stretched between the spring mounting piece 145 and the frame 121. Coil spring 146
Urges the ribbon pressing link 62c forward, that is, in the forward direction. Further, an engaging portion 147 is extendedly provided at a front portion of the ribbon pressing link 62c so as to be branched, and the engaging portion 147 has the above ribbon pressing cam 122.
Are in contact.

The ribbon pressing cam 122 has an upper cam portion 149 and a lower cam portion 150 which are formed by stacking two plate cams and is integrally formed.
It is attached to 21 so as to be freely rotatable. Lower cam part 1
50 has a circular shape in which a part is cut out in a fan shape, and the upper cam portion 149 has a half-moon shape. The engaging portion 1 of the ribbon pressing link 62c is attached to the peripheral end portion of the upper cam portion 149.
47 abuts, and the second pin 127 of the main link 62d engages with the notched portion of the lower cam portion 150 (see FIG. 6).

The state of FIG. 6 is a state in which the function switch 8 is in the "input / platemaking" position, and when the function switch 8 is rotated to the "exposure" position from this state, the main link 62 is released.
The second pin 127 of d pushes one end of the notch of the lower cam portion 150 to rotate the ribbon pressing cam 122 counterclockwise. Due to this rotation, the engaging portion 147 of the ribbon pressing link 62c falls from the peripheral end portion of the upper cam portion 149 to the chord portion, and the ribbon pressing link 62c becomes the coil spring 146.
It is urged to move forward. At that time, the ribbon pressing cam 122
Is configured to be freely rotatable, the coil spring 14
6 and is momentarily rotated to a position where the chord portion of the upper cam portion 149 and the contact surface of the engaging portion 147 of the ribbon pressing link 62c are entirely in contact with each other. Also, due to this rotation, the other end of the notch of the lower cam portion 150 is moved to the second pin 12
It rotates to a position where it almost comes into contact with 7 (see FIG. 7).

The guide groove 142 also serves as a stopper for restricting the forward end position of the ribbon pressing link 62c, and the end of the long hole portion of each guide groove 142 is the protrusion 14a.
When it hits against 3, the ribbon pressing link 62c stops at the forward end position. Therefore, the above-mentioned upper cam portion 1
In the state where the engaging portion 147 of the ribbon pressing link 62c is in full contact with the chord portion of 49, the urging force of the coil spring 146 does not actually act on this portion, and the engaging portion 147 is in effect. The contact surface of is slightly separated from the chord portion of the upper cam portion 149.

On the other hand, when the function switch 8 is rotated from the "exposure" position through the "input / platemaking" position to the "OFF" position, the second pin 127 pushes the other end of the notch of the lower cam portion 150, The ribbon pressing cam 122 is rotated clockwise. By this rotation, the engaging portion 147 of the ribbon pressing link 62c is relatively returned from the chord portion of the upper cam portion 149 to the peripheral end portion, and the ribbon pressing link 62c is rotated by the coil spring 1.
Retreat against 46. In this state, the coil spring 14
The freely rotatable ribbon pressing cam 122 is stretched against the ribbon pressing link 62c urged by 6, and the ribbon pressing link 62c is maintained in the retracted position (see FIG. 4). When the function switch 8 is rotated from the “OFF” position to the “OPEN” position, the other end of the notch of the lower cam portion 150, with which the second pin 127 is in contact, moves to the second position.
Since the pin 127 is substantially parallel to the moving direction of the pin 127, the ribbon pressing cam 122 is slightly rotated clockwise, and the ribbon pressing link 62c is maintained in the retracted position (see FIG. 5).

In this way, the function switch 8 is turned off.
From the position to the "OPEN" position, hook 1
30 is disengaged, and the opening / closing lid 7 becomes openable.
When the print head 56 is rotated from the “F” position to the “input / plate-making” position, the print head 56 presses the ink ribbon C against the platen roller 57 to enable printing, and is further rotated from the “input / plate-making” position to the “exposure” position. Then, the pressing plate 58 presses the ink ribbon C against the stamp main body A to be in a state where it can be exposed. If the opening / closing lid 7 is accidentally opened during exposure, or if exposure is performed with the opening / closing lid 7 open, ultraviolet rays leak to the outside, which is not preferable. Also, when printing, the opening / closing lid 7
Opening it may cause jamming of the ink ribbon C.
Therefore, in the embodiment, the lock mechanism 63 locks the opening / closing lid 7 in the closed state during the printing operation and the exposing operation, and prevents the printing operation and the exposing operation from moving when the opening / closing lid 7 is open. It has been incorporated.

The lock mechanism 63 is provided at the portion of the function switch 8, and the structure of the function switch 8 will be described here for ease of understanding. As shown in FIG. 9, the function switch 8 has a mark 16 for indicating the set position on the upper surface.
2 is provided with a dial 161, a click member 163 attached to the inner space of the dial 161, and an eccentric pin 123 that engages with the main link 62d. It is rotatably attached to the seat plate portion 2a of the case 2. The click member 163 is curved and extends in the radial direction of the dial 161.
A pair of click arms 165, 165 located in point symmetry
Due to the spring property of each click arm 165, the circular portion 165a at the tip thereof is pressed against each click engaging portion 166 formed on the seat plate portion 2a.

Each click engaging portion 166 has four convex portions 166a and three concave portions 166b toward the click arm.
When the circular portion 165a of each click arm 165 is depressed (engaged) in the three concave portions 166b, the above-mentioned "OFF" position, "input / plate-making" position, and "exposure" It corresponds to the position (see FIG. 9A). Further, the middle position of the convex portion at the outermost end corresponds to the “OPEN” position, and click-like engagement is not performed at the “OPEN” position (see FIG. 9B). As a result, the automatic return from the "OPEN" position to the "OFF" position is smoothly performed. In addition, "OFF" position and "OPE
There is a rotation angle of 15 degrees with the “N” position.
There are rotation angles of 30 degrees between the "FF" position, the "print" position, and the "exposure" position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lock mechanism 63 includes a lock member 171 provided at the boundary between the function switch 8 and the pocket 6, and the lock member 1
71 is attached to the seat plate portion 2a of the device case 2 so as to be vertically movable while being biased upward by the lock spring 172. The lock member 171 includes a member main body 173 guided by the seat plate portion 2 a so as to be vertically movable, a push arm portion 174 extending from the member main body 173 to the pocket 6 side and bending and extending upward, and the member main body 173 to the function switch 8. And a lock arm portion 175 that extends to the side and bends and extends upward.

The push arm portion 174 faces the lid seating portion 6a of the pocket 6 from the lower side. When the opening / closing lid 7 is opened, the push arm portion 174 projects from the lid seating portion 6a, and when closed, the push arm portion 174 is pushed into the lid seating portion 6a. That is, when the opening / closing lid 7 is opened, the lock member 171 is moved upward by the lock spring 172, and when closed, the lock member 171 is moved downward against the lock spring 172. On the other hand, when the lock member 171 moves upward, the lock arm portion 175 enters the locking groove 176 formed in the side wall portion of the function switch 8 to prevent the function switch 8 from rotating. On the contrary, when the lock member 171 is moved downward, the lock arm portion 175 is disengaged from the locking groove 176 of the function switch 8, and the rotation inhibition of the function switch 8 is released.

In this case, the locking groove 176 is a long groove extending in the circumferential direction, and when the function switch 8 is rotated between the "OFF" position and the "OPEN" position (normally, this operation is not performed. ) Is allowed to rotate. On the contrary, when the function switch 8 is rotated from the “OFF” position to the “input / plate-making” position or the “exposure” position, the rotation is blocked. With this configuration, when the opening / closing lid 7 is opened, the function switch 8 is prevented from rotating, and the printing operation and the exposure operation cannot be performed.

The mechanism for locking the open / close lid 7 in the closed state during the printing operation and the exposure operation is the main link 6 described above.
Achieved by 2d and lid open link 62a. That is, when the function switch 8 is in the “input / plate-making” position or the “exposure” position, the lid open link 62a
Thus, the opening / closing lid 7 is closed and locked. As a result, exposure is not performed while the opening / closing lid 7 is open, and the opening / closing lid 7 is not opened while exposure is being performed.

Next, the printing device 64 provided in the printing unit will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the printing device 64 includes the print head 56 that prints a stamp character on the ink ribbon C, and the platen roller 57 that sends the ink ribbon C in response to the printing operation of the print head 56.
Further, toward the contact portion between the print head 56 and the platen roller 57, the apparatus case 2 is formed with a feed passage 181 into which the plate-making sheet B is fed and a feed passage 182 from which the plate-making sheet B is fed. ing. The outlet 9a opened to the outside is formed at the upstream end of the delivery passage 181, and the outlet 9b opened to the outside is formed at the downstream end of the delivery passage 182.

The platen roller 57 is a drive roller as described above, and the ink ribbon C is unwound from the unwind reel 14, and the plate-making sheet B is gripped between the print head 56 and the ink ribbon C and the plate-making roller. The sheet B and the sheet B are overlapped and face the print head 56. Print head 5
A thermal head 6 transfers the ink applied to the ribbon tape of the ink ribbon C to the plate making sheet B by thermal transfer. By this transfer, the portion corresponding to the stamp character is peeled off from the ink ribbon C, and the background of the transparent ribbon tape appears on that portion, while the peeled ink adheres to the plate-making sheet B as the stamp character.

A sensor 183 for detecting the insertion and the feed reference position of the plate-making sheet B faces the feeding path 181, and the plate-making sheet B inserted in the feeding path 181.
Is sent by the platen roller 57 according to the detection result of the sensor 183, and printing is started from the position of the leading end of the stamp character label Bd. A separation claw portion 184 is formed at the tip (upstream end) of the left wall of the delivery passage 182, and the separation ribbon claw 184 and the ink ribbon C and the plate-making process sent in a stacked state. The sheet B is separated. Then, the ink ribbon C is sent to the former exposure section, and the plate-making sheet B is sent to the outside of the apparatus through the sending passage 182.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the exposure device 65 provided in the exposure unit will be described. The exposure device 65 is a stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A set in the pocket 6.
It is provided with an ultraviolet light source 191 provided so as to face each other, and a holding plate 58 provided between the ultraviolet light source 191 and the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A. Stamp body Ad of stamp body A and pressing plate 5
8 and the ultraviolet light source 191 are arranged in parallel with each other with a gap therebetween, and the ink ribbon C is arranged between the printing surface Ad and the pressing plate 58. The pressing plate 58 is made of a transparent resin or the like, and moves forward to press the ink ribbon C against the printing surface Ad of the stamp main body A.
That is, at the time of exposure, the stamp body A is pressed by the pressing plate 58.
After the ink ribbon C is pressed against the print surface Ad of the ink ribbon Ad, the ultraviolet light source 191 is turned on, and the ink ribbon C is pushed over the holding plate 58.
Is used as a mask (see FIG. 13).

The ultraviolet light source 191 is a self-heating type hot cathode tube called a semi-hot tube, and is supported by a fluorescent tube holder 193 provided on a substrate 192, as shown in the front view of FIG. 15 and the plan view of FIG. ing. UV light source 191
A pair of temperature fuses 194 and 194 for detecting the life and failure of the ultraviolet light source 191 are provided at the left and right ends of the. Each of the temperature fuses 194 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is provided so as to contact the ultraviolet light source 191 from below in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet light source 191. Each thermal fuse 194 has a holding arm 1 extending from the fluorescent tube holder 193.
It is held from below by 95 and is pressed against the ultraviolet light source 191 by a holding arm 195 having a spring property.

Although not shown, it is preferable to provide a reflector behind the ultraviolet light source 191 and irradiate the ultraviolet light in a concentrated manner forward. Further, the thermal fuse 194 may be provided separately from the ultraviolet light source 191, so that the heat of the ultraviolet light source 191 is not conducted to the thermal fuse 194. In such a case, the rising of the light amount of the ultraviolet light source 191 becomes good.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the holding plate 58 is made of a transparent resin or the like formed in a rectangular shape,
Left and right pressing plate holders 201, 201 at both ends in the longitudinal direction
Is attached to. In addition, each holding plate holder 201
Are attached so as to be inserted into the two support pins 144 and 144 provided upright at each end of the ribbon pressing link 62c (see FIG. 14). The holding plate 58 is a holding plate body 202 that is pressed against the stamp surface Ad of the stamp body A.
And a pair of upper and lower guide claws 203, 203 extending rearward from each end of the holding plate body 202, and a plate portion 204 extending from the holding plate body 202 between the pair of upper and lower guide claws 203, 203. The plate portion 204 is formed with a shaft projection 205, which is located at an intermediate position between the upper and lower sides of the holding plate 58, and guides the swinging movement of the holding plate 58 in the front-rear direction.

Although not shown in the drawing, the holding plate body 20
2 is slightly warped to the side opposite to the stamp body A in the longitudinal direction, that is, to the ultraviolet light source side, and when the ink ribbon C is pressed against the stamp surface Ad of the stamp body A by the pressing plate 58, On the other hand, the ink ribbon C can be pushed out. As a result, the adhesion between the printing surface Ad and the ink ribbon C is improved, and the ink ribbon C
Can be pressed against the stamp surface Ad without wrinkling.

Further, guide pieces 206, 206 extending upward are formed at both ends of the holding plate body 202, and each guide piece 206 is bent obliquely rearward.
As a result, when the ribbon cartridge 11 is mounted, the ink ribbon C is properly guided between the pressing plate 58 and the stamp body A. Further, the holding plate body 20
Both ends of 2 are chamfered in an arc shape, and the ink ribbon C is bent at the chamfered portion 207 at the time of exposure so as not to cause wrinkles (see FIG. 13). It should be noted that reference numerals 208, 208 in FIGS. 17 and 18 denote the holding plate main body 202.
Is a pair of upper and lower ribs provided to increase the rigidity of the.

On the other hand, each pressing plate holder 201 is formed with a pair of upper and lower V-grooves 210, 210 for guiding the pair of upper and lower guide claws 203, 203 of the pressing plate 58 in the front-rear direction, and the shaft projection 205 in the front-rear direction. Groove 2 for rotatably guiding
11 is formed. That is, the pressing plate 58 has the guide claw 203 in the V groove 210 and the shaft projection 205 at both ends thereof.
Are attached to the left and right pressing plate holders 201, 201 so as to be engaged with the recessed grooves 211, respectively, so as to be movable back and forth by a minute distance and swingable in the front and rear directions.
Further, in this state, a pair of upper and lower spring pieces 21 extending from the respective holding plate holders 201 are provided at the outer end portions of the holding plate 58.
2, 212 are pressed from the rear side, and the pressing plate 5
8 is urged by the spring piece 212 toward the forward end position where the claw portion of the guide claw 203 contacts the groove bottom portion of the V groove 210.

When the ribbon pressing link 62c is moved forward from the state shown in FIG. 14 (FIG. 2), the pressing plate holders 201, 201 are moved forward accordingly, and the pressing plate 58 is moved toward the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A. Move in parallel. The moving stroke of the ribbon pressing link 62c is slightly longer than the distance between the pressing plate 58 and the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A,
When the ribbon pressing link 62c reaches the forward position,
The pressing plate 58 and the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A have already abutted against each other, and the pressing plate 58 receives a reaction force from the stamp surface Ad, and slightly retracts relative to each pressing plate holder 201. Since the retreat of the pressing plate 58 is due to the reaction force from the stamp surface Ad, the reaction force opposes the pressing force of each part of the pressing plate 58, and the pressing plate 5
8 abuts on the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A (see FIG. 13).
reference). In other words, the holding plate 58 holds the ink ribbon C, and brings it into close contact with the printing surface Ad of the stamp main body A without any gap.

The spring piece 212 is formed by the stamp main body A.
It is arranged at a position away from the exposure surface defined by the marking surface Ad (actually defined by the ink ribbon C as a mask), and the spring piece 212 does not hinder the exposure. However, even if the spring piece 212 projects into the exposed surface, if it is made of a transparent member or a white member, there is almost no problem.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, each holding plate holder 201 is integrally formed with a guide pin holding portion 214 through which one of the support pins 144 is inserted. A ribbon sliding contact member 215 is attached. The ribbon sliding contact member 215 is formed in a half-moon shape in cross section, and is arranged with its arc surface facing the holding plate 58 side. A pair of left and right support pieces 216 each having a circular hole are formed in the upper and lower intermediate portions of the ribbon sliding contact member 215, and the circular hole of the support piece 216 is used for the guide pin holding portion 21.
The ribbon sliding contact member 215 is attached to the shaft portion of the guide pin holding portion 214 so as to be swingable in the rotational direction by being fitted into the pair of shaft protrusions 217 formed from the outside from the outside.

The guide pin holding portion 214 and the ribbon sliding contact member 215 are arranged outside the pressing plate 58 and the stamp main body A (see FIGS. 14 and 17), and the guide pin holding portion 214 located on the right side. The ribbon sliding contact member 215 constitutes the above-mentioned first guide pin 53, and the left guide pin holding portion 214 and the ribbon sliding contact member 215 constitute the above-mentioned second guide pin 54. That is, the first guide pin 53 and the second guide pin 54
As a result, the ink ribbon C running between the pressing plate 58 and the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A does not interfere with these,
It is designed to be guided in parallel with these.

Although the details will be described later, since the guide pin holding portion 214 constitutes a part of the pressing plate holder 201, the first guide pin is moved along with the forward movement of the pressing plate (ribbon pressing link 62c) 58. 53 and the second guide pin 54 also move in the same direction. This movement loosens the tension of the ink ribbon C stretched between the first and second guide pins 53 and 54, and the ink ribbon C is reduced in its tension, that is, in the state where vertical wrinkles do not occur. It is pressed against the stamp surface Ad of the stamp body A.

This state will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 13. The ink ribbon C running in FIG.
On the other hand, a strong tension acts on the take-up reel 13, and as described above, the ink ribbon C has vertical wrinkles due to the extremely thin tape. Therefore, if the ink ribbon C is pressed against the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A as it is, the ink ribbon C is pressed against the stamp surface Ad with vertical wrinkles, and the stamp characters are distorted and exposed. On the other hand, when the ink ribbon C is loosened, the stamp characters are displaced and exposed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, as the pressing plate 58 moves forward,
The first guide pin 53 and the second guide pin 54 are also moved forward to loosen the tension of the ink ribbon C, and at that time, the tension pin 55 applies tension to the ink ribbon C with a weak force that does not cause vertical wrinkles. I am trying.

As described above, the ribbon pressing link 62c and the pressing plate holder 201 constitute a parallel moving means for moving the pressing plate 58 in parallel.
The c, the first guide pin 53, the second guide pin 54, and the tension pin 55 constitute a tension adjusting means for reducing the tension of the ink ribbon C. With these components, the ink ribbon C is brought into close contact with the printing surface Ad of the stamp main body A in a state without wrinkles, and exposure is performed. For this reason,
The stamp characters are reproducibly exposed on the stamp surface Ad, and the stamp can be created in a comparable manner.

The ink ribbon C in the exposed state of FIG. 13 has the tension pin 55 and the second path pin 52.
Thus, the ink ribbon C is bent backward at both ends of the pressing plate 58, and the chamfered portions 207 formed at both ends of the pressing plate 58 prevent unnecessary wrinkles from occurring on the ink ribbon C. That is, since the ink ribbon C and the both ends of the holding plate 58 are orthogonal to each other and this portion is chamfered, the ink ribbon C hits the holding plate 58 with a uniform force in the width direction, and wrinkles do not occur.

Next, a modification of the parallel moving means will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, when the function switch 8 is rotated from the “input / plate-making” position to the “exposure” position, the ribbon pressing link 62c is caused by the coil spring 146.
Moves forward, and the pressing plate 58 is pressed against the stamp main body A via the pressing plate holder 201. This series of operations is instantaneously performed by the operation of rotating the function switch 8 as a trigger. On the other hand, in this modified example, the forward movement (parallel movement) of the pressing plate 58 is performed slowly.

As shown in the figure, the ribbon pressing link 62
A leaf spring 154 is pressed against the side surface of the front extending piece 153 of c. The base of the leaf spring 154 is fixed to the frame 121, and the tip end of the leaf spring 154 is in sliding contact with the side surface of the front extending piece 153. When the ribbon pressing link 62c moves forward, the leaf spring 154 slides on the front extension piece 153 to brake the forward movement of the pressing plate 58 and reduce its moving speed. That is, the leaf spring 154 constitutes a braking mechanism of the parallel moving means. Incidentally, reference numeral 155 in FIG.
Is a drop groove into which the tip of the leaf spring 154 falls at the forward end position.

In such a structure, since the pressing plate 58 moves forward slowly, the tension pin 55 applies tension to the ink ribbon C during that time. That is, the ink ribbon C can be pressed against the stamp body A after waiting for the timing when the tension pin 55 gives tension to the ink ribbon C. Therefore, the ink ribbon C can be stably brought into close contact with the stamp main body A regardless of the manufacturing error of the tension pin 55 and the quality of the mounting accuracy.
At the moment when the pressing plate 58 is pressed against the stamp main body A, the tension pin 55 contracts and the ink ribbon C is slightly pulled toward the printing device 64. However, since the pressing plate 58 is slowly pressed against the stamp body A, it is possible to reliably prevent the situation where the ink ribbon C is loosened and wrinkles are generated.

As the braking mechanism, a damper may be used instead of the above leaf spring. For example, a rack is formed on the front extending piece 153 of the ribbon pressing link 62c, and a pinion meshing with the rack is rotatably provided on the frame 121, and the pinion is provided with an oil damper.

Here, the path of the ink ribbon C will be described with reference to FIG. The ink ribbon C wound from the unwinding reel 14 is appropriately guided to the printing device 64 by the first path pin 51, and further largely bent by the second path pin 52 from the printing device 64, and the subsequent first guide pin. It is properly guided to the exposure device 65 by the 53 and the second guide pin 54, and finally wound on the take-up reel 13 via the tension pin 55. This route is used when the ink ribbon C is running and when it is waiting to run,
As described above, the route at the time of exposure is different from this, and also when carrying it as the ribbon cartridge 11, it is different. Here, before describing the route when carrying the ribbon cartridge 11, the structure of the ribbon cartridge 11 itself including each reel and each pin will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the ribbon cartridge 11 has a cartridge case 2 including a base plate 222 formed in an inverted “L” shape and a plurality of legs 223 extending from the base plate 222.
21, each reel and each pin are attached in a cantilever manner. The ribbon cartridge 11 is attached to the apparatus body 5 by fitting the legs 223 of the accommodation section 5a of the apparatus body 5 with the base plate 222 facing upward. The legs 223 are provided at each corner of the cartridge case 221 as shown in FIG.

At the end on the short side of the base plate 222, the take-up reel 14 is rotatably provided vertically.
A take-up reel 13 is rotatably provided at the end on the long side. Further, a first path pin 51 with a reinforcing rib that hangs from the base plate 222 is provided ahead of the unwinding reel 14, and a path changing member 224 that is configured to be movable back and forth in the front-back direction is provided further ahead thereof. Has been. In front of the take-up reel 13, the tension pin 55
Is provided on the base plate 222 so as to be movable back and forth while being biased by the coil spring 225. As shown in FIG. 20B, the reel shaft 1 of the unwinding and winding reels 13 and 14 is provided in the housing portion 5a of the apparatus body 5.
02, 226, print head 56, platen roller 57,
Feeding and feeding passages 181, 182, second path pin 52, first and second guide pins 53, 54, holding plate 5
8, an ultraviolet light source 191 and the like are provided.

As shown in FIG. 21, the take-up reel (same as the take-up reel 13) 14 is provided with a cylindrical shaft 228 around which the ink ribbon C is wound, and an upper end of the shaft 228. An upper engaging portion 229 and a lower engaging portion 230 extending from the lower end of the shaft portion 228. The upper engaging portion 229 is rotatably supported by the base plate 222, and the lower engaging portion 230 is provided. Is rotatably supported on the apparatus body 5 side. The upper engaging portion 229 includes a cylindrical portion 231 and a flange-shaped crown portion 232 that is continuous with the upper side of the cylindrical portion 231, and correspondingly, the base plate 222 has a bearing with which the cylindrical portion 231 is rotatably slidably contacted. A portion 233 and a step portion 234 on which the lower surface of the crown portion 232 is seated are formed. The lower surface of the crown portion 232 and the step portion 234 are formed in a sawtooth shape, and the crown portion 232.
In the state in which is in contact with (engaged with) the stepped portion 234, the unwind reel 14 can rotate only in one direction.

In this case, when the ribbon cartridge 11 is mounted on the apparatus main body 5, the unwinding reel 14 is slightly pushed up, the engagement between the crown portion 232 and the stepped portion 234 is released, and the unwinding reel 14 is It becomes rotatable. On the other hand, when the ribbon cartridge 11 is not attached to the apparatus main body 5, the unwinding reel 14 is pushed down by its own weight, the crown portion 232 and the step portion 234 are engaged, and the unwinding reel 14 is prevented from reverse rotation. work. This reverse rotation stop prevents the ink ribbon C from slackening, and the take-up reel 13
Then, rotation is blocked in the direction opposite to the running direction of the ink ribbon C, and rotation of the unwind reel 14 in the running direction of the ink ribbon C. Of course, take-up reel 13 and unwind reel 14
Both can rotate in the direction in which the ink ribbon C is stretched. The ribbon cartridge 11 provided for replacement has a crown portion 232 on the upper surface of the base plate 222.
A plate (not shown) to be pressed against 34 is provided, and in this state, it is packaged and raised.

The route changing member 224 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a slider 236 slidably attached to a corner portion of the base plate 222, and a path changing pin 237 integrally formed in the slider 236.
It consists of and. The upper surface of the slider 236 is exposed to the outside and is flush with the upper surface of the base plate 222. The path changing pin 237 is attached to the slider 236.
When the slide reel moves in the front-rear direction and moves rearward to the maximum, the take-up reel 13 and the take-up reel 14
The ink ribbon C, which is stretched between and, is stretched at a substantially right angle. In this case, the ink ribbon C is stretched at a right angle until the ribbon cartridge 11 is attached to the apparatus main body 5, and when the ribbon cartridge 11 is attached to the apparatus main body 5, the path changing pin 237 is moved to the maximum forward. (See Figure 22).

As a result, when the ribbon cartridge 11 is mounted, the path changing pin 237 and the tension pin 5
5 cooperates with each other to regulate the path of the ink ribbon C so as not to interfere with the pressing plate 58, the stamp main body A, the second path pin 52, and the like, and the path changing pin 237 and the first path pin 51 cooperate with each other. It works to regulate the path of the ink ribbon C so as not to interfere with the print head 56, the platen roller 57, and the like.
Then, after the ribbon cartridge 11 is mounted, by moving the path changing pin 237, the ink ribbon C
The route of becomes the state at the time of the traveling and the standby state of the traveling.

The tension pin 55 includes a slide contact portion 239 having a semicircular cross section and a support plate portion 2 for supporting the slide contact portion 239.
40, and the coil spring 225 interposed between the base plate 222 and the base plate 222 biases the ink ribbon C in the tension direction. The spring force of the coil spring 225 is so weak that the tensioned ink ribbon C does not have vertical wrinkles, and the tension pin 55 functions so that the ink ribbon C is not loosened. That is, in the ribbon cartridge 11 for replacement, as described above, the take-up reel 13
Further, the unwinding reel 14 is in the reverse rotation stop state, the ink ribbon C is stretched between the reels 13 and 14, and the tension pin 55 abutted against the ink ribbon C is an ink ribbon caused by vibration or the like. Prevent loosening of C.

Further, as described above, in the exposure operation, the pressing plate 58 and the first and second guide pins 53 and 54 are
The tension pin 55 prevents the ink ribbon C from being loosened when the seal body A is moved forward simultaneously.
And stretch it to the extent that vertical wrinkles do not occur. If it is not necessary to request the former function of the tension pin 55, the tension pin 55 may be provided on the apparatus main body 5 side. By doing so, the tension function of the tension pin 55 becomes more stable.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 23, the sliding contact portion 242 of the second path pin 52 and the sliding contact portion 239 of the tension pin 55 are formed in a middle-height shape like a general pulley and lie in a horizontal plane. The ink ribbon C running in the closed state does not drop off from the sliding contact portions 239 and 242. Further, even if the sliding contact portions 239, 242 and the ink ribbon C are not exactly orthogonal to each other, it is possible to prevent problems such as the ink ribbon C running unevenly.

That is, the running ink ribbon C moves laterally in the direction of increasing tension. Therefore, it is automatically controlled so that the center of the ink ribbon C in the width direction is located at the top of the middle-height shape. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon C from traveling in an unbalanced manner with respect to the sliding contact portions 239 and 242 and from being separated. In addition, these sliding contact parts 2
The ink ribbon C in contact with 39 and 242 also has a function of preventing vertical wrinkles occurring in the ink ribbon C by running so that the intermediate portion in the width direction thereof slightly rises. Therefore, by the sliding contact portions 242 and 239 of the second path pin 52 and the tension pin 55 and the ribbon sliding contact members 215 of the above-described first and second guide pins 53 and 54 that are swingable, The ink ribbon C faces the exposure device 65 in parallel while always maintaining a constant height position.

Next, a modification of the tension pin 55 will be described with reference to FIG. This tension pin 5
5, a pair of flange portions 245 are formed at both ends of the sliding contact portion 239 formed in a middle-height shape. Further, the surface of each flange portion 245 on the sliding contact portion 239 side is an inclined surface 245a toward the sliding contact portion 239.

In such a structure, both flange portions 245
As a result, the running of the ink ribbon C can be guided, and even if the ink ribbon C may be loosened, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon C from falling off the tension pin 55. Further, the ink ribbon C is displaced in the width direction, and the end thereof is the inclined surface 24 of the flange portion 245.
When the ink ribbon C is placed on the surface 5a, a force for returning it acts, so that the ink ribbon C can be fed while always maintaining a constant height position. In addition, it is preferable that the second path pin 52 has a similar structure.

Next, the detection device 66 that interlocks with the opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 7 will be described. The detection device 66 detects that the stamp body A is mounted in the pocket 6 and determines the type of the stamp body A. The stamp body A is available in various shapes such as square stamps, name stamps, business stamps, and address stamps. These stamp bodies A have the same length but the same width. And the thickness is different. In order to set such various stamp main bodies A having different widths and thicknesses at fixed positions in the pocket 6 in the width direction and the thickness direction, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. Bottom 6b of 6
Four long and short bosses 251, 251, 251 and 251 are erected upright, and correspondingly, the stamp body A is formed with a fitting hole Af into which the boss 251 is fitted (see FIG. 32).

Four bosses 251, 251, 251, 25
1 is arranged in a “T” shape, and correspondingly, for example, in the square mark, two fitting holes Af and Af are provided (see FIG. 25).
(A)), the business seal has four fitting holes Af, Af, A
f and Af (FIG. 25B) are formed. As described above, the number and depth of the fitting holes Af of the stamp main body A are different depending on the type of the stamp main body A, and various stamps mounted in the pocket 6 are combined by the combination of the fitting holes Af and the bosses 251. The center of the stamp surface Ad of the main body A is positioned so that it is always at the same position.

Also, the back surface A opposite to the stamp surface Ad of the stamp body A is used.
In g, a plurality of side holes (type detection holes) Ah are formed side by side at an intermediate position in the thickness direction, and the type of the stamp main body A is determined by cooperation with a switch array 262 of the detection device 66 described later. It is determined (see FIG. 31). A stamp character label Bd of the plate-making sheet B, which is separated from the ink ribbon C after printing and sent to the outside of the apparatus, is attached to the back surface Ag of the stamp main body A so that the small hole Ah is hidden. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 26, 27 and 28, the detection device 66 includes a switch holder (which also serves as the wall surface of the pocket 6) 261 arranged so as to face the back surface Ag of the stamp main body A, A switch array 26 including six detection switches 263 supported by a switch holder 261.
2 and. Each detection switch 263 is composed of a switch main body 264 composed of a push switch and the like, and a switch top 265 whose tip faces the inside of the pocket 6. The switch top 265 is a flat plate portion 266.
And a detection protrusion 267 that extends at a right angle from the flat plate portion 266. The switch holder 261 is provided below the flat plate portion 266.
The guide protrusion 268 formed on the
Is guided by the guide hole 269 formed in the switch holder 261, and moves in the front-back direction.

The switch main body 264 is fixed to the back surface of the substrate 270, and the plunger 271 is attached to the switch top 26.
5 is arranged so as to abut against the flat plate portion 266.
In this case, the plunger 271 biases the switch top 265 toward the pocket 6 side by its spring force, and the bias causes the tip of the detection protrusion 267 to project from the guide hole 269 of the switch holder 261 into the pocket 6. The state in which the detection switch 263 is depressed into the guide hole 269 against the bias corresponds to ON-OFF of the detection switch 263.

On the other hand, the flat plate portion 26 of the switch holder 261
6 includes a switch operating portion 13 of the lid open link 62a.
2 is abutted against the spring force of the plunger 271 so that all the switch tops 265 move in the front-rear direction with the rotation of the lid open link 62a. Note that the switch operating unit 132 and the switch top 265 may be integrally formed, or the switch top 265 and the detection switch 263 may be integrally formed and the switch operating unit 132 may move the substrate 270. .

As described above, when the lid open link 62a is rotated clockwise in the drawing to open the opening / closing lid 7, the switch top 265 moves forward (to the side of the substrate 270), and the detection protrusion 267 of the switch top 265 moves. Withdraw from the pocket 6 (see FIG. 26). As a result, the detection mode of the detection device 66 is released, and the seal main body A can be attached and detached without interfering with the detection protrusion 267. On the other hand, the lid open link 62a is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing to open and close the lid 7.
When the switch is closed, the switch top 265 moves rearward (toward the pocket 6), and the detection protrusion 267 thereof projects into the pocket 6. As a result, the detection device 66 is set to the detection mode. At this time, the stamp main body A is placed in the pocket 6.
When is attached, the switch top 265 abuts against this, the detection switch 263 is turned off, and it is detected that the seal body A is attached (FIG. 2).
9). On the other hand, if the stamp body A is not attached, the switch top 265 is in the most protruding state, and the detection switch 263 is turned on to detect that the stamp body A is not attached.

Actually, when any one of the detection switches 263 in the switch array 262 is turned off, it is detected that the stamp main body A is attached, and all the detection switches 263 are detected. , When it is turned on, it is detected that the stamp body A is not attached. Note that, instead of the mode switching of the detection mode, FIG.
The detection protrusion 267 of the switch top 265 may be retracted from the inside of the pocket 6 to detect that the opening / closing lid 7 is open, or may be used as a priority detection signal for exposure blocking.

Then, each detection switch 263 of the switch array 262 is turned on or off depending on the presence or absence of the small hole Ah of the corresponding stamp main body A, as shown in FIG. 29 or FIG. Therefore, the type of the stamp main body A is determined by the ON / OFF pattern of the six detection switches 263.

FIG. 31 shows the relationship between the small hole Ah of the stamp body A and the six detection switches (detection protrusions) 263. From the relationship between the six detection switches 263 and the presence / absence of the small hole Ah, 2n −1 types of discrimination patterns, that is, 63 types of discrimination patterns are possible. In this case, there is no small hole Ah for the two detection switches 263, 263 at both outer ends of the stamp body A having a narrow width such as a square mark, and these two detection switches 263, 263 are the seals. It projects toward the space on both sides of the main body A. That is, in a seal body A having a narrow width such as a square mark, an imaginary small hole A is formed at the outermost end of the seal body A.
It is recognized as a discrimination pattern with h.

In other words, the number of discrimination patterns is reduced by assigning the discrimination pattern having the small hole Ah at the outermost end among the 63 types of discrimination patterns to the seal body A having a narrow width such as a square mark. Without any detection switch 26
The stamp main body A having a width that cannot be dealt with by 3 can be discriminated. It should be noted that the six detection switches 263 include a spare, and actually, the four detection switches 26 are included.
3 is sufficient.

Next, with reference to FIG. 34, a second embodiment of the ribbon feeding device 61 corresponding to FIG. 19 will be described. In the second embodiment, the feed roller 71 is arranged so as to press the second path pin 52 against the second path pin 52. The feed roller 71 is a drive roller driven by the drive motor 101 and feeds the ink ribbon C while adjusting the tension of the ink ribbon C with the take-up take-up reel (reel shaft 102) 13. Further, although not shown, the feed roller 71 can finely adjust the pressing force to the second path pin 52 by a spring or the like. The second path pin 52 may be a driven roller that is in rolling contact with the feed roller 71.

In such a configuration, the tension of the ink ribbon C facing the exposure device 65 is determined by the slip spring interposed in the reel shaft (sliding shaft) 102, and the tension from the printing device 64 to the exposure device 65 is reached. The tension of the ink ribbon C is determined by the feed roller 71. Therefore, on the reel shaft (sliding shaft) 102 side, the tension can be set by giving the highest priority to the wrinkle-free formation of the ink ribbon C, and on the feed roller 71 side, good printing can be performed. The tension can be set with the highest priority given to the ease of peeling of the plate-making sheet B.

The tension adjusting means may be incorporated in the shaft portion of the take-up reel or the like. Further, the exposure target (the stamp main body) may be moved toward the holding plate.

[0120]

As described above, according to the exposure apparatus of the first aspect, the contradictory elements of simultaneously feeding the ink ribbon and bringing the ink ribbon into close contact with the object to be exposed without wrinkles are satisfied at the same time. Therefore, smooth feeding of the ink ribbon and good reproducibility in exposure can be achieved, and reliability can be improved.
Further, according to the exposure apparatus of the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, the ink ribbon can be appropriately run without being affected by the attachment accuracy of the path changing member and the running length of the ink ribbon. Can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a seal stamp creating apparatus including an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal structural diagram of a mechanical device unit of the stamp creating device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a ribbon feeding device provided in a mechanical device section.

[FIG. 4] “OF” of a function link mechanism provided in a machine unit.
It is a top view which shows the state of a "F" position.

FIG. 5 is a functional link mechanism “OPE” provided in a machine unit.
It is a top view which shows the state of a "N" position.

FIG. 6 shows “input / output” of a function link mechanism provided in a mechanical device section.
It is a top view which shows the state of a "plate-making" position.

FIG. 7: “Exposure” of the function link mechanism provided in the mechanical device section
It is a top view which shows the state of a position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a functional link mechanism around a lid open link.

FIG. 9 is an internal structural diagram showing the structure and movement of the function switch.

FIG. 10 is a plan view around the lock mechanism with the dial of the function switch removed.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view around a function switch and a lock mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view around the printing device of the mechanical device section.

FIG. 13 is a plan view around the exposure device of the mechanical device section.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view around the exposure device of the mechanical device section.

FIG. 15 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) around an ultraviolet light source of the exposure apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a plan view around the ultraviolet light source of the exposure apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a plan view around a holding plate of the exposure apparatus.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged side view around a holding plate and a holding plate holder of the exposure apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a path diagram schematically showing a path of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the ribbon cartridge (a) and the apparatus main body (b) with the ribbon cartridge taken out.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged side view of the ribbon cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the mechanical device section immediately after mounting the ribbon cartridge.

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view (b) of the second path pin (a) and the tension pin.

FIG. 24 is a plan view around the pocket with the opening / closing lid removed.

FIG. 25 is a structural explanatory view showing a mounting state of various stamp main bodies in a pocket.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view around a pocket and a detection device.

FIG. 27 is a front view around a pocket and a detection device.

FIG. 28 is a plan view around a pocket and a detection device.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing a detection operation (1) of the detection device.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a detection operation (2) of the detection device.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating discrimination patterns of various stamp main bodies.

FIG. 32 is a structural diagram of a stamp main body.

FIG. 33 is a structural diagram of a plate-making sheet.

FIG. 34 is a path diagram schematically showing an ink ribbon path when the ribbon feeder of the second embodiment is applied.

FIG. 35 is a plan view showing a modification of the parallel moving means.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a modification of the tension pin.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Seal making device 8 function switch 11 Ribbon cartridge 51 First Route Pin 52 Second Route Pin 53 First guide pin 54 Second guide pin 55 Tension pin 58 Presser plate 61 Ribbon feeder 62 Function link mechanism 62c Ribbon presser link 65 Exposure equipment 71 Feed roller 154 leaf spring 191 UV light source 215 Ribbon sliding member 239 sliding contact 242 Sliding contact part 245 flange A seal body Ad seal face C ink ribbon

Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Hideki Oikawa 3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kuriyama 3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Seiko Epson Stock In-house (56) Reference JP-A-6-303396 (JP, A) JP-A-6-278350 (JP, A) JP-A-2-179783 (JP, A) JP-A-8-174980 (JP, A) ) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41K 1/00 B41C 1/06 B41K 1/02

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink ribbon having an image formed thereon is pressed against the object to be exposed by a translucent holding plate arranged in parallel with the object to be exposed, and the object to be exposed is exposed using the ink ribbon as a mask. In the exposure device, a printing device that forms an image on the ink ribbon, a ribbon feeding unit that unwinds the ink ribbon from one end to face an object to be exposed, and then winds the ink ribbon to the other end, the pressing plate, and the pressing plate A parallel moving unit that relatively moves the exposure target object to press the ink ribbon against the exposure target object, and a guide member that guides the running ink ribbon parallel to the gap between the holding plate and the exposure target object. And a tension adjusting means capable of adjusting the tension of the ink ribbon in association with the operation of the parallel moving means , wherein the tension adjusting means is provided with a vertical wrinkle of the ink ribbon. Lost
The exposure apparatus is characterized in that the tension of the ink ribbon is reduced as described above. 2. The ribbon feeding means has a winding-side feeding mechanism and a winding-side feeding mechanism, and the unwinding-side feeding mechanism is incorporated in the printing apparatus. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1 . 3. The ribbon feeding means includes a winding-side feeding mechanism and a winding-side feeding mechanism, and the unwinding-side feeding mechanism includes the guide member and the printing device in the ink ribbon feeding direction. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exposure apparatus is provided between the exposure apparatus and the exposure apparatus. 4. The ink ribbon is arranged so as to be bent from both ends of the pressing plate to the side opposite to the exposure target in a state where the pressing plate presses the ink ribbon against the exposure target. Claim 1, characterized in that
The exposure apparatus according to 2 or 3 . 5. The exposure apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein both ends of the pressing plate with which the ink ribbon comes into contact are chamfered in an arc shape. 6. The tension adjusting means applies a tension to the loosened ink ribbon so as not to cause vertical wrinkles, and a guide moving mechanism for moving the guide member in a direction to loosen the ink ribbon. An exposure apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a tension mechanism. 7. The parallel moving means is configured to move the holding plate in parallel with respect to the object to be exposed, and has a braking mechanism for braking the parallel movement of the holding plate. The exposure apparatus according to claim 6 . Wherein said presser plate is claim 1, characterized in that it is connected to the parallel movement means via an elastic member
The exposure apparatus according to any one of 1 to 7 . 9. The exposure apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the elastic member is arranged at a position away from the portion of the holding plate corresponding to the exposed surface of the exposure object to the outside. . 10. The presser plate is slightly warped on the side opposite to the object to be exposed, according to claim 1.
An exposure apparatus according to any one of item 9 to 10 . 11. The guide member is composed of a first guide member and a second guide member which are respectively arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side in the running direction of the ink ribbon with the pressing plate interposed therebetween. Each of the first and second guide members has a ribbon contact portion that comes into contact with the ink ribbon, and a fixed support portion that supports the ribbon contact portion, and the ribbon sliding contact portion with respect to the fixed support portion. The exposure apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the exposure apparatus is configured to be swingable in a bending direction of the ink ribbon.