JP3644585B2 - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette that accommodates an ink ribbon roll used in a printing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus that performs printing on a relatively small size paper such as a business card or a postcard is known from, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-206573.
[0003]
In this type of printing apparatus, normally, sheets are sequentially sent out from a paper feeding mechanism on which a large number of papers are set, and the fed-out paper is transported to a printing mechanism by a preceding transport mechanism, using a thermal head and an ink ribbon. Printed by thermal transfer method. The printed paper is then transported by the subsequent transport mechanism and discharged onto the paper discharge tray.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in this type of printing apparatus, when the ink ribbon roll is loaded by the cassette method, since the ink ribbon roll becomes relatively large, an ink ribbon cassette including a take-up shaft and a supply shaft is usually prepared. After installing the take-up shaft and the supply shaft on the ribbon roll, set the take-up shaft and the supply shaft inside the cassette, and use this cassette loaded in the printing device, and when the ink ribbon is used up, Replace only the ink ribbon roll.
[0005]
Therefore, in such a cassette system, it is troublesome to replace the ink ribbon roll, and it takes time to perform the replacement, and the end of the ink ribbon cannot be accurately detected. There is a problem in that the printing on is terminated in the middle and the paper is wasted.
[0006]
The present invention solves such a problem in the conventional technology, and can easily replace the ink ribbon roll, and can accurately detect the end of the ink ribbon and waste paper. An object of the present invention is to provide a cassette for an ink ribbon that can eliminate the above.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Embodiments]
According to the present invention, when the ink ribbon cassette 1 for accommodating the ink ribbon roll R is constructed, the winding side accommodating portion 3 for setting the winding shaft 2 attached to the ink ribbon roll R and the supply attached to the ink ribbon roll R are provided. A cassette main body portion 7 having a supply side accommodating portion 5 for setting the shaft 4 and having a head entry space 6 into which the print head H enters between the winding side accommodating portion 3 and the supply side accommodating portion 5, and a winding side accommodation. A winding-side cover portion 9 that opens and closes by a hinge portion 8 attached to the portion 3, and a supply-side cover portion 11 that attaches to the supply-side accommodation portion 5 and opens and closes in the same direction as the winding-side cover portion 9 by a hinge portion 10. It is characterized by providing.
[0008]
In this case, according to a preferred embodiment, the supply side cover portion 11 is provided with a guide roller 12 for guiding the ink ribbon Ri, and further, the supply roller 11 is in contact with the ink ribbon Ri until the ink ribbon Ri reaches the end. An end detector 13 is provided that is displaced to the detection position Xn and is displaced to the detection position Xd when the ink ribbon Ri reaches the end. The end detector 13 is disposed at a position where an ink ribbon Ri that can print at least one sheet of paper P is left at the time when the terminal detector 13 is displaced to the detection position Xd.
[0009]
【Example】
Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
First, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, an outline of a printing apparatus M that uses the ink ribbon cassette 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0011]
The printing apparatus M includes a main body lower portion 101 and a main body upper portion 102 that opens and closes up and down with respect to the main body lower portion 101 using a rear hinge portion 100 as a fulcrum. The right side of the printing apparatus M shown in FIG. 8 is the front surface portion Mf, and the paper feed mechanism 103 is disposed on the front surface portion Mf. Then, a front transport mechanism 104, a printing mechanism 105, a rear transport mechanism 106, and a paper discharge tray mechanism 107 are sequentially arranged from the paper feed mechanism 103 toward the rear. Reference numeral 108 denotes a control unit, and 109 denotes an operation panel.
[0012]
The paper feed mechanism 103 includes a paper feed guide mechanism 110 that sets a large number of papers P ... and a paper feed roller mechanism 111 that feeds the paper P one by one from the many papers P ... set in the paper feed guide mechanism 110. Prepare. The paper feed guide mechanism 110 includes a paper feed tray 113 that can be raised by a paper feed elevator mechanism 112 and lowered by a manual operation. A large number of sheets P are stacked on the paper feed tray 113 and set. Is done. The sheets P that can be set are a horizontally placed business card Pa, a vertically placed postcard Pb, and a vertically placed envelope Pc. The upper surface position of the sheet P is detected by a sensor, and the sheet feeding elevator mechanism 112 is driven and controlled, so that the sheet P is always maintained at a certain height. On the other hand, the paper feed roller mechanism 111 abuts on the uppermost surface of the set paper P, and picks up a roller 120 that feeds the paper P forward in the transport direction, and a feed roller 121 disposed in front of the pick-up roller 120 in the transport direction. A retard roller 122 is provided below the feed roller 121, and the paper P is separated by the feed roller 121 and the retard roller 122 and fed forward one by one.
[0013]
The pre-stage transport mechanism 104 is configured by sequentially arranging a takeaway roller mechanism 130, a pre-registration roller mechanism 131, and a registration roller mechanism 132 in the horizontal direction, and prints the paper P ... sent from the paper feed roller mechanism 110. It has the function to convey up to. The intervals between the roller mechanisms 130 to 132 are set to be shorter than the minimum size of the paper P to be conveyed. In particular, the pre-registration roller mechanism 131 and the registration roller mechanism 132 have a skew correction function that keeps the angle (orientation) of the transported paper P ... constant and an interval between the transported paper P ... by controlling the rotation operation. In addition, a transport interval correction function for reducing the interval is provided.
[0014]
The printing mechanism 105 includes a platen roller 142 disposed on the upper side of the sheet P to be conveyed, and an ink ribbon Ri and a print head H disposed on the lower side of the sheet P, so that the print head H and the ink ribbon are arranged. It has a function of printing by a thermal transfer method using Ri. The ink ribbon Ri is fed out from the detachable ink ribbon cassette 1 according to this embodiment.
[0015]
Next, the configuration of the printing mechanism 105 for loading the ink ribbon cassette 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
[0016]
Reference numeral 20 denotes a horizontal support shaft disposed below the paper feed roller mechanism 111, and one end portion of the cassette loading frame 21 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 20 via a bearing. The cassette loading frame 21 has a loading surface 21s on which the ink ribbon cassette 1 is loaded. A plurality of positioning surfaces 55s (see FIG. 1) provided in the cassette 1 are inserted into the loading surface 21s for positioning. Positioning protrusions 24 are provided. Further, an opening 25 is provided in the middle part of the cassette loading frame 21.
[0017]
On the other hand, an elevating drive unit 26 is disposed below the other end of the cassette loading frame 21. The elevating drive unit 26 has a drive motor 27, an eccentric cam 28, and a first gear 29, a second gear 30, a third gear 31, and a fourth gear 32 that transmit the rotation of the drive motor 27 to the eccentric cam 28. A transmission gear mechanism 33 and a follower 34 fixed to the lower surface of the cassette loading frame 21 with which the eccentric cam 28 is engaged are provided. The driven portion 34 includes an upper engagement portion 34u having a V surface on the lower surface and a lower engagement portion 34d having a V surface on the upper surface, and the upper engagement portion 34u and the lower engagement portion 34d. An eccentric cam 28 is disposed therebetween. Thus, when the drive motor 27 is driven and controlled, the eccentric cam 28 rotates, and the other end portion side of the cassette loading frame 21 is moved up and down in accordance with the rotation angle of the eccentric cam 28. Further, the cassette loading frame 21 is provided with a take-up shaft rotation drive unit 35 that is rotated and transmitted from a drive unit (not shown).
[0018]
On the other hand, 41 is a head support frame formed in a U shape in a side view, and one end portion is rotatably attached to the support shaft 20 via a bearing. Further, the other end portion side of the head support frame 41 passes through the lower portion of the cassette loading frame 21 and reaches the upper portion of the cassette loading frame 21 through the opening 25. The print head H is supported on the upper end of the other end of the head support frame 41 via the head support mechanism 42. The head support mechanism 42 has a front-rear direction positioning function with respect to the print head H. As the print head H, a C-end type thermal head is used so that printing can be reliably performed even on thick or hard paper P such as business cards and postcards. Further, when a C-end surface type thermal head is used, curling is likely to occur on the paper P. Therefore, the platen roller 142 is a rubber roller having a rubber hardness of 80 degrees or more to prevent the curling. The print head H is located directly below the set platen roller 142. Further, a spring 43 is installed between the cassette loading frame 21 and the head support frame 41, and the spring 43 urges the head support frame 41 upward with respect to the cassette loading frame 21. Is provided with a stopper 44 for restricting the upward displacement of the head support frame 41. Further, a spring 46 is installed between the fixed chassis plate 45 and the cassette loading frame 21 to urge the cassette loading frame 21 upward.
[0019]
Next, the configuration of the ink ribbon cassette 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0020]
The cassette 1 includes a take-up shaft 2, a supply shaft 4, and a cassette body 7, and each is configured separately. The cassette body 7 includes a semi-drum-shaped take-up side receiving portion 3 that opens upward to set the take-up shaft 2, a half-drum-shaped supply side containing portion 5 that opens upward to set the supply shaft 4, and It has a pair of left and right connecting portions 51p, 51q that connect the end surfaces of the winding side accommodating portion 3 and the supply side accommodating portion 5, and these are integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like. As a result, the take-up side accommodating portion 3 and the supply side accommodating portion 5 are separated from each other, and a head entry space 6 into which the print head H enters is formed therebetween.
[0021]
In addition, U-shaped bearing portions 52p and 52q that rotatably support the winding shaft 2 are provided on both end surfaces of the winding side accommodation portion 3, and supply shafts are provided on both end surfaces of the supply side accommodation portion 5. The bearing parts 53p and 53q which are notched in the U shape which supports 4 rotatably are provided. Further, leg portions 54 are integrally formed at the bottoms of the winding side accommodating portion 3 and the supply side accommodating portion 5, respectively. The leg portions 54 have positioning holes 55 for inserting the positioning protrusions 24 to position the cassette 1. In addition, 56p and 56q show the handle part provided in each connection part 51p and 51q.
[0022]
On the other hand, a semi-drum-shaped winding-side cover portion 9 that is opened and closed by a hinge portion 8 is attached to the end of the winding-side accommodation portion 3 opposite to the side where the connecting portions 51p are provided. The winding side cover portion 9 is integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like, provided with knob portions 57 on both end surfaces, and provided with stopper pieces 59 having bosses 58 on end portions on both end surfaces. Thereby, the winding side cover portion 9 can be opened in a direction spreading outward as shown in FIG. 1, and when the winding side cover portion 9 is closed as shown in FIG. 5, By being combined, it becomes a cylindrical drum shape having an accommodating space inside and having an entrance window 60 for the ink ribbon Ri. When closed, the bosses 58 of the stopper pieces 59 are locked in locking holes 61 formed in the end surface of the winding side accommodating portion 3.
[0023]
On the other hand, an arch-shaped supply side cover portion 11 that is opened and closed by the hinge portion 10 is attached to the end portion of the supply side accommodating portion 5 on the side where the connecting portions 51p are provided. The supply-side cover portion 11 is integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like, and stopper pieces 63 having bosses 62 are provided at end portions of both end surfaces. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the supply-side cover portion 11 can be opened in the same direction as the winding-side cover portion 9, that is, in the head entry space 6 side (inside the cassette body portion 7), It can be closed in the same direction as the take-up cover 9 and, as shown in FIG. 5, when it is closed, it is combined with the supply-side storage 5 to have an internal space and an ink ribbon. It becomes the cylindrical drum shape which has the feeding window 64 of Ri. When closed, the bosses 62 of the stopper pieces 63 are locked in locking holes 65 formed in the end surface of the supply side accommodating portion 5.
[0024]
Further, the supply side cover portion 11 is provided with a guide roller 12 for guiding the ink ribbon Ri. In this case, the support shafts 71p and 71q are respectively fixed to both end surfaces of the supply side cover portion 11, and both ends of the guide roller 12 are rotatably supported by the support shafts 71p and 71q.
[0025]
Further, the supply-side cover portion 11 contacts the ink ribbon Ri and is displaced to the non-detection position Xn until the ink ribbon Ri reaches the end, and is displaced to the detection position Xd when the ink ribbon Ri reaches the end. A termination detector 13 is provided. The end detector 13 has a U-shaped ribbon contact portion 73 at an intermediate portion, and a detector main body 72 formed entirely in a U-shape. The detector main body 72 is rotatably supported at both end portions by the support shafts 71p and 71q and is urged upward by a coil spring 74 loaded on the support shaft 71p. Therefore, if an external force is applied to the detector main body 72, it can be tilted inwardly against the elasticity of the coil spring 74, as shown in FIG. The end detector 13 is integrally formed with a shutter portion 75. The shutter portion 75 protrudes outward from one end portion of the end detector 13 in the left-right direction. Thus, when the cassette 1 is loaded on the cassette loading frame 21, the shutter portion 75 can be detected by the transmission optical sensor 76 disposed on the cassette loading frame 21. That is, when the end detector 13 stands and is displaced to the detection position Xd indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 4, the shutter portion 75 is separated from the optical sensor 76, and the optical sensor 76 is turned on. On the other hand, when the end detector 13 is tilted and displaced to the non-detection position Xn indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4, the shutter unit 75 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 76, and the optical path is blocked. The optical sensor 76 is turned off.
[0026]
In this case, the end detector 13 is disposed at a position where the ink ribbon Ri capable of printing at least one sheet of the paper P is left when the terminal detector 13 is displaced to the detection position Xd. In general, when the end of the ink ribbon Ri is detected, the presence or absence of the ink ribbon Ri is directly detected by an optical sensor. Therefore, when the end position is detected, the remainder of the ink ribbon Ri almost disappears, and printing on the paper P is in progress. It is often the case that it ends with. However, in this embodiment, when the detection position Xd is reached, the ink ribbon Ri that can print at least one sheet P remains, so that the sheet P in the middle of printing does not occur and the sheet P is wasted. Does not occur. In the case of the embodiment, the position of the end detector 13 is substantially set by selecting the position of the guide roller 12.
[0027]
Next, a method for accommodating the ink ribbon roll R in the ink ribbon cassette 1 according to this embodiment will be described.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink ribbon roll R is obtained by winding a continuous ink ribbon Ri around a core Rc. First, the supply shaft 4 is inserted into the winding core Rc of the ink ribbon roll R, and the tip of the ink ribbon Ri is attached to the winding shaft 2. FIG. 1 shows this state.
[0029]
On the other hand, the cassette 1 makes the supply side cover part 11 and the winding side cover part 9 open. The solid line shown in FIG. 1 shows this state. The take-up shaft 2 to which the ink ribbon roll R is attached is accommodated in the bearing portions 52p and 52q of the take-up side accommodating portion 3, and the supply shaft 4 inserted into the ink ribbon roll R is accommodated in the supply side accommodating portion 5. The bearings 53p and 53q are accommodated. Next, when the supply-side cover portion 11 and the winding-side cover portion 9 are closed, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, and the accommodation of the ink ribbon roll R in the ink ribbon cassette 1 is completed. As a result, the ink ribbon Ri fed out from the ink ribbon roll R reaches the winding shaft 2 via the feeding window 64, the guide roller 12, the end detector 13, and the entry window 60.
[0030]
As described above, the cassette 1 according to the present embodiment has the advantage of not taking up space when replacing the ink ribbon roll R because the supply side cover portion 11 and the winding side cover portion 9 open in the same direction. Even when the opening angle of the cover portion 11 and the winding side cover portion 9 is less than 180 °, the upper side and the lateral side are opened, so that the ink ribbon roll R can be easily replaced (accommodated and taken out). Can be done. That is, when the supply-side cover portion 11 and the winding-side cover portion 9 are opened in opposite directions like a double door, the supply-side cover portion 11 and the winding-side cover portion 9 are both opened so as to spread outward. Therefore, when the ink ribbon roll R is replaced, a space is taken, and when the opening angle of the supply side cover portion 11 and the winding side cover portion 9 is less than 180 °, only the upper part is opened. The replacement workability of the ink ribbon roll R is deteriorated. In the present embodiment, since the guide roller 12 is provided in the supply side cover portion 11, coupled with the inward opening of the supply side cover portion 11, the guide roller 12 is obstructive when the ink ribbon roll R is replaced. There is an advantage that does not become.
[0031]
Next, a method for loading the ink ribbon cassette 1 containing the ink ribbon roll R into the printing apparatus M will be described.
[0032]
First, in the printing apparatus M shown in FIG. 8, the main body upper part 102 is opened upward with the hinge part 100 as a fulcrum. At this time, the front conveyance mechanism 104, the platen roller 142, the rear conveyance mechanism 106, and the paper discharge tray mechanism 107 provided in the main body upper part 102 are displaced upward together with the main body upper part 102. As a result, the upper portion of the cassette loading frame 21 is opened, and the cassette 1 is loaded on the loading surface 21 s of the cassette loading frame 21. In this case, the positioning projections 24 of the loading surface 21 s are inserted into the positioning holes 55 of the cassette 1 and positioning with respect to the cassette 1 is performed. Further, the take-up shaft 2 is inserted into a coupling hole of the take-up shaft rotation drive unit 35 and is transmitted from the take-up shaft rotation drive unit 35 to the take-up shaft 2. Further, a back tension applying mechanism (not shown) is connected to the supply shaft 4. The back tension applying mechanism includes a lock mechanism that mechanically locks (fixes) the supply shaft 4 when the cassette loading frame 21 described later is lowered. On the other hand, when the cassette 1 is loaded, the print head H enters the head entry space 6 from below as shown in FIG. As a result, the ink ribbon Ri is lifted by the print head H, and the end detector 13 is tilted by the ink ribbon Ri and displaced to the non-detection position Xn as shown in FIG. After loading the cassette 1, the platen roller 142 is set above the print head H by closing the upper part 102 of the main body.
[0033]
Next, the operation of the printing mechanism 105 during printing will be described.
[0034]
First, when the power is turned on, the cassette loading frame 21 is in a lowered position. Accordingly, the cassette 1 and the print head H are lowered together, and the ink ribbon Ri is at a lowered position separated from the platen roller 142.
[0035]
Now, in FIG. 7, if the paper P is transported by the pre-stage transport mechanism 104 and the front end of the paper P is detected by the sensor 80 disposed rearward in the transport direction with respect to the print head H, only the first set distance set in advance. When transported, the control unit 108 drives and controls the drive motor 27 and rotates the eccentric cam 28 to raise the cassette loading frame 21 (head support frame 41). This first set distance is set in consideration of the distance at which the front end of the conveyed paper P is positioned a predetermined distance ahead of the pressure contact position of the ink ribbon Ri with respect to the platen roller 142. In the control, the number of pulses set corresponding to the first set distance may be given to, for example, a stepping motor that rotates the registration roller mechanism 132. As a result, when the cassette loading frame 21 is raised, the ink ribbon Ri always presses against the lower surface of the paper P. Even when the thick paper P is used, the paper P is applied to the ink ribbon Ri. The problem that the front end of the door collides and gets dirty is avoided.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the sheet P is further conveyed and the trailing edge of the sheet P is detected by the sensor 80, the control unit 108 drives and controls the drive motor 27 when the sheet P is conveyed by a preset second set distance. Is rotated to lower the cassette loading frame 21 (head support frame 41). This second set distance is set in consideration of the distance at which the rear end of the conveyed paper P is positioned a predetermined distance behind the press contact position in the transport direction. As a result, when the cassette loading frame 21 is lowered, the ink ribbon Ri can always be lowered before the paper P finishes passing, and the problem that the rear end portion of the paper P is soiled by the ink ribbon Ri is avoided. When the cassette loading frame 21 is lowered, the supply shaft 4 is mechanically locked by the lock mechanism.
[0037]
As described above, in this embodiment, the platen roller 142 is disposed above the conveyed paper P, the ink ribbon Ri and the print head H are disposed below the paper P, and the ink ribbon Ri and the print head are arranged. Since the H is moved up and down together, the ink ribbon Ri is not loosened compared to the conventional method of raising and lowering only the print head H, and the print quality can be improved and the ribbon feeding for removing the slack is unnecessary. Therefore, waste of the ink ribbon Ri can be avoided. Further, since the press contact and release of the print head H with respect to the platen roller 142 are performed by the eccentric cam 28, for example, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an impact as compared with the conventional method using the spring force of the spring, and the lifting speed can be increased. It can be set optimally and the load torque can be reduced.
[0038]
The embodiment has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the detailed configuration, shape, quantity, material, technique, and the like are within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. It can be changed, added, or deleted arbitrarily. For example, the ink ribbon cassette 1 can be used not only for the illustrated printing apparatus M but also for various types of printing apparatuses.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention has a take-up side accommodating portion for setting the take-up shaft attached to the ink ribbon roll and a supply-side accommodation portion for setting the supply shaft attached to the ink ribbon roll. A cassette body portion having a head entry space into which the print head enters between the take-up side receiving portion and the supply side containing portion, a take-up side cover portion that is opened and closed by a hinge portion attached to the take-up side containing portion, and a supply side Since it is attached to the housing portion and includes a supply-side cover portion that opens and closes in the same direction as the winding-side cover portion by the hinge portion, the following remarkable effects are achieved.
[0040]
(1) Since the supply side cover part and the take-up side cover part open in the same direction, space is not required when replacing the ink ribbon roll. Exchange work (accommodation and removal) can be easily performed.
[0041]
(2) According to a preferred embodiment, if a guide roller for guiding the ink ribbon is provided in the supply side cover part, the supply side cover part opens inward, so that the ink ribbon roll can be replaced. The trouble that the guide roller gets in the way can be solved.
[0042]
(3) According to a preferred embodiment, the supply-side cover portion is in contact with the ink ribbon and is displaced to the non-detection position until the ink ribbon reaches the end, and is displaced to the detection position when the ink ribbon reaches the end. If the end detector is provided at a position where an ink ribbon capable of printing at least one sheet of paper is left when the end detector is displaced to the detection position, the end of the ink ribbon is accurately detected. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a problem that a sheet is generated during printing and the sheet is wasted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a cross-sectional side view of an ink ribbon cassette according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cassette body in the ink ribbon cassette;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a guide roller and a terminal detector in the ink ribbon cassette;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a terminal detector in the ink ribbon cassette;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view showing a state where the winding side cover portion and the supply side cover portion of the ink ribbon cassette are closed;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the ink ribbon and the end detector when the ink ribbon cassette is loaded in the printing apparatus;
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the printing mechanism for loading the ink ribbon cassette;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a printing apparatus for loading an ink ribbon cassette;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink ribbon cassette 2 Winding shaft 3 Winding side accommodating part 4 Supply shaft 5 Supply side accommodating part 6 Head entrance space 7 Cassette main body part 8 Hinge part 9 Winding side cover part 10 Hinge part 11 Supply side cover part 12 Guide Roller 13 End detector R Ink ribbon roll H Print head Ri Ink ribbon Xn Non-detection position Xd Detection position P Paper

Claims (4)

In the ink ribbon cassette for accommodating the ink ribbon roll, the ink ribbon roll has a winding side accommodating portion for setting a winding shaft attached to the ink ribbon roll and a supply side accommodating portion for setting the supply shaft attached to the ink ribbon roll, A cassette body portion having a head entry space into which a print head enters between the take-up side accommodation portion and the supply-side accommodation portion; a take-up side cover portion that opens and closes by a hinge portion attached to the take-up side accommodation portion; An ink ribbon cassette comprising: a supply side cover portion attached to a supply side accommodating portion and opened and closed in the same direction as the winding side cover portion by a hinge portion. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the supply side cover portion includes a guide roller for guiding the ink ribbon. The supply side cover portion includes an end detector that contacts the ink ribbon and displaces to a non-detection position until the ink ribbon reaches the end, and displaces to the detection position when the ink ribbon reaches the end. 2. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein 4. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 3, wherein the end detector is disposed at a position where an ink ribbon capable of printing at least one sheet of paper is left when the end detector is displaced to the detection position.

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