JP3761496B2 - Ink film cartridge device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink film cartridge apparatus having an ink film mounted thereon, and more particularly to an ink film cartridge apparatus used when recording is performed by a recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus or a printer using a long ink film.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The ink film is used to transfer or sublimate ink applied to the film surface by heating to paper. It has features such as printing with contrast on plain paper, printing with excellent gradation, and the ability to reproduce high-quality color images by using multiple color ink films. . In addition, it is possible to manufacture the apparatus in a compact manner without requiring a complicated developing mechanism, a high-pressure generator, or a fixing device that generates high heat. Accordingly, recording apparatuses using ink films are widely used in printers, facsimile machines and the like.
[0003]
In such an ink film, the ink applied to the film surface is transferred or sublimated to a corresponding portion of the recording side paper. Therefore, a part once used for recording on the film surface cannot be used again for another recording. For this reason, in this type of recording apparatus, there is a problem that the ink film cartridge apparatus with the ink film occupies a large part of the cost required for recording. Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 2-204074 and Hei 6-15905, the cartridge is used a plurality of times so that the ink film mounted on the ink film cartridge device can be easily replaced, resulting in a reduction in cost. I am trying to make it.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if anyone can freely replace the ink film attached to the ink film cartridge device in this way, the ink film cartridge device is disassembled and a genuine used ink film is manufactured as a general-purpose product at a relatively low cost. There is a possibility that some traders may replace the ink film. The ink film is in close contact with the thermal characteristics of the thermal head of the recording apparatus or various temperature controls of the individual recording apparatuses. Therefore, replacing the genuine product with a general-purpose ink film may not achieve the image quality expected by the user. The ink film is very thin in order to effectively utilize the heat pulse applied from the thermal head and transmit it to the ink layer. For this reason, when this is done outside a specialized factory when the ink film is incorporated into the cartridge, problems such as a slight misalignment of the central axis of the tube around which the ink film is wound (hereinafter simply referred to as a paper tube) may occur. There is. In this case, “wrinkles” are likely to occur on the film surface during running of the ink film, which is a major cause of poor recording.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink film cartridge device in which an ink film incorporated in a cartridge cannot be arbitrarily replaced.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) a cartridge body mounted inside a predetermined recording device, and (b) an end portion of a paper tube around which a long ink film coated with recording ink is wound. A bonded paper tube fixing portion, a shaft portion rotatably held at a predetermined position on the ink film supply side of the cartridge main body, and a member for connecting the shaft portion and the paper tube fixing portion to the cartridge main body. When an external force that peels off the adhesion of the paper tube fixing part is applied as a force stronger than the force applied by the rotation of the paper tube during the supply of the ink film, it consists of a plurality of members that are thin enough to cut part of the external force. A supply-side shaft provided with a coupling portion; and (c) an ink cartridge that is rotatably held at a predetermined position on the ink film winding side of the cartridge main body from the paper tube as recording progresses. It was fed to Lum to and a take-up shaft to provide a rotational force to wind it into ink film cartridge device.
[0007]
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an external force is applied between the paper tube fixing portion bonded to the end portion of the paper tube on the ink film supply side of the ink film cartridge device and the shaft portion that allows the paper tube to rotate. It is assumed that a coupling portion composed of a plurality of members that are thin enough to be cut by the external force when acting is arranged. This connecting portion is not cut by a force applied during normal recording in which the ink film is fed out from the paper tube for recording and wound on the winding side. However, in order to remove the paper tube fixing portion from the paper tube , when applying a force larger than the force applied by the rotation of the paper tube when supplying the ink film to the cartridge body, the strength is such that at least a part of the paper tube is cut. A coupling part is configured. As a result, when the shaft portion is replaced from the old paper tube in order to replace the paper tube that has used up the ink film with a new one, the shaft portion is destroyed and cannot be reused. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink film incorporated in the cartridge from being replaced arbitrarily.
[0008]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) a cartridge body mounted inside a predetermined recording apparatus, and (b) a cylindrical paper tube around which a long ink film coated with ink for recording is wound. A pair of paper tube insertion portions respectively press-fitted into both ends, a pair of shaft portions rotatably held at predetermined positions on the ink film supply side of the cartridge body, and the shaft portions and the paper tube insertion portions face each other. Multiple rod-shaped members that connect each other, and an external force that pulls out the paper tube insertion section from the paper tube acts as a force stronger than the force applied by the rotation of the paper tube when supplying the ink film to the cartridge body its supply side shaft part and a coupling portion made of a member of a narrow plurality of the extent of cutting by the external force when the ink film take-up side of (c) the cartridge body It is rotatably held in place with the progress of the recording of the recording apparatus for and a take-up shaft to provide a rotational force to wind it was fed the ink film from the paper tube on the ink film cartridge device.
[0009]
That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, between the pair of paper tube insertion portions that are press-fitted into both ends of the paper tube on the ink film supply side of the ink film cartridge device, and the shaft portion that allows the paper tube to rotate freely. In addition, a coupling portion composed of a plurality of members thin enough to cut a part of the external force when the external force is applied is arranged. This connecting portion is not cut by a force applied during normal recording in which the ink film is fed out from the paper tube for recording and wound on the winding side. However, when a force larger than this is applied to the shaft portion in order to extract the paper tube insertion portion from the paper tube , the rod-shaped member of the coupling portion is configured to have a strength that at least partially cuts. As a result, when the shaft portion is replaced from the old paper tube in order to replace the paper tube that has used up the ink film with a new one, the shaft portion is destroyed and cannot be reused. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink film incorporated in the cartridge from being replaced arbitrarily.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink film cartridge device according to the second aspect, a part of the coupling portion is configured as a member having a strength that does not cut by a minimum force by which the paper tube insertion portion is extracted from the paper tube by an external force. It is characterized by having.
[0011]
That is, in the invention described in claim 3, since the part of the coupling portion is not cut by the minimum force with which the paper tube insertion portion is extracted from the paper tube by an external force, the paper tube insertion portion can be extracted from the paper tube. Of course, since the remaining portion of the coupling portion is cut, the positional relationship that the paper tube insertion portion and the shaft portion are arranged coaxially is not maintained, and even if the supply side shaft is reused, the ink film is normal. Cannot be transported to the recording site. In addition, there is a possibility that the supply side shaft cannot withstand the force accompanying the conveyance of the ink film.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink film cartridge device according to the second aspect, the paper tube insertion portion is provided with a protrusion that bites into the inner wall of the paper tube when the paper tube insertion portion is inserted.
[0013]
That is, in the invention described in claim 4, the paper tube insertion portion cannot be easily removed from the paper tube by the catch of the protrusion, and the connection when the supply-side shaft is forcibly removed from the paper tube. This makes it easy to cut or destroy parts.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink film cartridge device according to the first or second aspect, the supply side shaft is detachable from the cartridge body.
[0015]
That is, in the invention according to claim 5, by making the supply side shaft detachable with respect to the cartridge body, a regular part with the supply side shaft attached to the paper tube can be easily attached to the ink film cartridge device at the factory, It is possible to reuse the cartridge body at a factory that handles regular parts.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an ink film cartridge device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ink film cartridge device 11 is a device that is detachably attached to a recording device such as a facsimile device (not shown). The ink film cartridge device 11 includes a cartridge body 12, and a pair of supply side shafts 13 and 14 and a pair of winding side shafts 15 and 16 attached to the cartridge main body 12, and an ink film 17 stretched between them. ing. The ink film 17 is wound around a paper tube (not shown in the figure) disposed at the center of the supply roll 18, and is fed out from here as the recording progresses. Supply-side shafts 13 and 14 are attached to both ends of the paper tube, and these are rotatably and detachably held at corresponding portions of the cartridge main body 12. The ink film 17 fed out from the supply roll 18 is sequentially wound around a paper tube (not shown) attached to the winding side shafts 15 and 16 that are rotatably held in corresponding portions of the cartridge body 12. ing. A roll of used ink film 17 on the winding side is commonly referred to as a winding roll 19.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows the periphery of the right end of the paper feed roll with the ink film removed. An insertion portion 14 </ b> A that constitutes a part of the supply-side shaft 14 is fitted into a cylindrical inner wall portion (not shown) of the paper tube 21. A flange portion 14C having a larger diameter than these is formed between the insertion portion 14A and the shaft main body 14B having a smaller diameter. The diameter of the flange portion 14 </ b> C is larger than the diameter of the inner wall portion of the paper tube 21, and serves as a stopper when the supply side shaft 14 is inserted into the paper tube 21. The supply side shaft 13 is similarly attached to the other end of the paper tube 21 (not shown).
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows the internal structure when the periphery of the right end portion of the paper feed roll shown in FIG. 2 is cut along its central axis. 4 and 5 show the supply-side shaft shown in FIG. 3 from two different directions. As can be seen from these drawings, the insertion portion 14A inserted into the paper tube 21 in the supply side shaft 14 has a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the paper tube 21, and the insertion cylindrical portion 14A ₁ tapered _first , Contact pieces 14A ₂ arranged at four locations on the outer periphery of the insertion cylindrical portion 14A _{1 so} as to protrude in parallel with the insertion direction of the supply side shaft 14 and at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction; and a four coupling pieces 14A ₃ of the end portion facing the flange portion 14C of the insertion cylindrical portion 14A ₁ connecting the flange portion 14C. The four coupling pieces 14A ₃ are also arranged at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the insertion cylindrical portion 14A ₁ . Insertion portion 14A is may be formed in the shaft body 14B and the flange portion 14C integrally with the resin, some of these, for example, four coupling pieces 14A ₃ is being adhesively secured to another part Also good.
[0021]
Each of the four contact pieces 14A ₂ has a tapered shape in order to facilitate insertion of the insertion portion 14A into the paper tube 21 on the insertion side thereof. Further, the four contact pieces 14A ₂ protrude so that their tapered rear end portions bite into the inner wall of the paper tube 21, so that the insertion portion 14A is not easily pulled out after being press-fitted into the paper tube 21. It is like that. Since the supply-side shaft 13 has the same structure as the supply-side shaft 14 at the coupling portion with the paper tube 21, the description thereof is omitted.
[0022]
FIG. 6 shows a state where the supply side shaft described above is removed from the paper tube. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the supply-side shaft 14 has four coupling pieces 14 </ b> A ₃ formed of a relatively thin member. Therefore, when the supply side shaft 14 in order to replace the by winding a new ink film paper tube 21 when you Nukitoro pulling arrow 31 direction in FIG. 6, cut or four coupling pieces 14A ₃ thousand, The adhesion part will peel off.
[0023]
FIG. 7 shows a state where the supply side shaft is divided into two. The insertion portion 14 </ b> A is separated from other portions of the supply side shaft 14. At this time, the insertion portion 14A remains inside the paper tube 21 shown in FIG. Since the supply side shaft 14 is divided and broken in this way, it cannot be used for a new ink film. That is, since the ink film cartridge device 11 shown in FIG. 1 is partially destroyed, it is discarded and a new ink film cannot be incorporated.
[0024]
Incidentally, when the paper tube 21 so as removed while rotating the supply side shaft 14, so that they are cut in the same manner occurs twist in the four coupling pieces 14A _3.
[0025]
Modification of the Invention
8 and 9 show a supply-side shaft in a modification of the present invention, and correspond to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the previous embodiment. In the supply-side shaft 41 of this modification, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 or FIG. In the previous embodiment, four relatively thin coupling pieces 14A ₃ were used, but in this modification, three relatively thin coupling pieces 14A ₃ (one of these in FIG. 8 is one in FIG. 9). Two of these are hidden (not shown) and one relatively thick connecting piece 42 is used.
[0027]
FIG. 10 shows a state where the supply side shaft of this modification is removed from the paper tube. When the supply side shaft 41 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 43 and pulled out from the paper tube 21, only the _three relatively thin coupling pieces 14A3 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are cut, and one relatively thick coupling piece is obtained. 42 does not cut.
[0028]
FIG. 11 shows only the portion of the supply side shaft at the time of removal shown in FIG. Since the coupling piece 42 is not cut in this way, the insertion portion 14A can be completely pulled out from the paper tube 21. Therefore, even when the paper tube 21 is made of paper and the supply-side shaft 41 is made of resin, both can be recovered by material. Of course, the supply-side shaft 41 because a relatively thin connection piece 14A ₃ of the three is disconnected, can not be re-use.
[0029]
Of course, when the paper tube 21 is made of resin in the previous embodiment, there is no problem in separating the materials even if the insertion portion 14A is left inside the paper tube 21.
[0030]
In addition, although the Example and the modification demonstrated above demonstrated the destruction at the time of removal of the supply side shafts 14 and 41, it is not restricted to this. For example, it is possible to prevent the pair of supply side shafts 13 and 14 from being reused by performing the same contrivance for the other supply side shaft 13 in the embodiment. As a result, a new ink film for the ink film cartridge device 11 can be prevented. Incorporation can be effectively prevented. Similarly, it is also effective to apply such a device to the pair of winding side shafts 15 and 16 or one of them.
[0031]
In the embodiment, the insertion portion 14A constituting a part of the supply-side shaft 14 is inserted into the cylindrical paper tube 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. In short, a connecting member or a connecting member that cuts the two or deviates the positional relationship between them may be disposed between the shaft and the member that fixes the paper tube. Therefore, the fixing portion for fixing the paper tube does not need to be an insertion portion for inserting into the paper tube, and may be, for example, a cylindrical one that fixes the outer periphery of the paper tube.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the supply-side shaft is destroyed when the supply-side shaft is removed from the paper tube. Separation work becomes easy.
[0033]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a part of the coupling portion is not cut by the minimum force by which the paper tube insertion portion is extracted from the paper tube by an external force, the paper tube insertion portion is extracted from the paper tube. Can do. Therefore, when the paper tube and the paper tube insertion portion are made of different members, the separation work of the parts becomes easy at the stage of the disposal process.
[0034]
According to the invention described in claim 5, the supply-side shaft can be attached to and detached from the cartridge body, so that a regular part having the supply-side shaft attached to the paper tube can be easily attached to the ink film cartridge apparatus at the factory. Or, the cartridge body can be reused in a factory that handles regular parts.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an ink film cartridge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the periphery of a right end portion of a paper feed roll in a state where an ink film is removed in the present exemplary embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the right end portion of the paper feed roll shown in FIG. 2 cut along its central axis.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a supply side shaft of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a supply side shaft of the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the supply side shaft of the embodiment is removed from the paper tube.
7 is an explanatory view showing a state of dividing the supply side shaft in the state of FIG. 6; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a supply side shaft in a modification of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a supply side shaft in a modification of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the supply side shaft of this modification is removed from the paper tube.
11 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the supply side shaft in the state of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ink film cartridge device 13,14,41 supply-side shaft 14A inserted portion 14A ₂ contact pieces 14A _3, 42 joining piece 14B shaft body 14C flange portions 15 and 16 take-up shaft 17 the ink film 21 up tube

Claims (5)

A cartridge main body mounted in a predetermined recording apparatus;
A paper tube fixing portion bonded to an end portion of a paper tube around which a long ink film coated with ink for recording is wound, and a shaft rotatably held at a predetermined position on the ink film supply side of the cartridge body parts and a member for connecting the paper pipe fixing portion and the shaft portion, the paper tube fixing unit as force greater than the force exerted by the rotation of the paper tube when the supply of the ink film to the cartridge body A supply-side shaft provided with a coupling portion composed of a plurality of members thin enough to cut a part of the external force when an external force is applied to peel off the adhesive ;
A take-up shaft that is rotatably held at a predetermined position on the ink film take-up side of the cartridge main body and that provides a rotational force to take out the ink film from the paper tube and take it up as the recording of the recording apparatus proceeds. An ink film cartridge device comprising: A cartridge main body mounted in a predetermined recording apparatus;
A pair of paper tube insertion portions press-fitted into both ends of a cylindrical paper tube wound with a long ink film coated with recording ink, and rotated to a predetermined position on the ink film supply side of the cartridge body A pair of shaft portions that are freely held, and a plurality of rod-shaped members that respectively connect the opposing portions of the shaft portions and the paper tube insertion portion, each for supplying the ink film to the cartridge body When an external force that pulls out the paper tube insertion portion from the paper tube is applied as a force stronger than the force applied by the rotation of the paper tube, a plurality of members that are thin enough to cut a part by the external force are formed. A supply side shaft comprising a coupling part;
A take-up shaft that is rotatably held at a predetermined position on the ink film take-up side of the cartridge main body and that provides a rotational force to take out the ink film from the paper tube and take it up as the recording of the recording apparatus proceeds. An ink film cartridge device comprising:   3. The ink film cartridge according to claim 2, wherein a part of the coupling portion is configured as a member having a strength that does not cut by a minimum force with which the paper tube insertion portion is pulled out from the paper tube by the external force. apparatus.   3. The ink film cartridge device according to claim 2, wherein the paper tube insertion portion is provided with a protrusion that bites into an inner wall of the paper tube when the paper tube is inserted.   3. The ink film cartridge device according to claim 1, wherein the supply side shaft is detachably attached to the cartridge main body.

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