JPH05147332A - Ink ribbon device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transfer ink stably from an ink impregnated body to an ink ribbon for a prolonged term. CONSTITUTION:A large number of hole sections 15a permitting the transfer of ink from an ink impregnated body 11 to an ink transfer roller 21 and regulating the flowing of ink while exceeding tolerance along both outer circumferential surfaces 12, 22 are interposed between the outer circumferential surface 12 of the ink impregnated body 11 and the outer circumference of the ink transfer roller 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink ribbon device used in printers and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 10 and 11 show a schematic structure of a conventional ink transfer type ink ribbon device.

In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body, which contains an ink impregnated body 11, an ink transfer roller 21, an ink ribbon (31) and the like. Here, the ink impregnation body 11 is impregnated with ink. On the other hand, the ink transfer roller 21 is configured to rotate in sliding contact with the running of the ink ribbon 31. Then, the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21 are pressed against each other by utilizing the biasing force of a spring or the like.

At the portion A where the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21 are in pressure contact with each other, the ink in the ink impregnated body 11 oozes out. The permeated ink has an outer peripheral surface between the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21 that are pressed against each other due to a capillary phenomenon or a pressure difference (the pressure inside the pressure contact portion A is higher than the external pressure). 1
It flows between 2 and 22 toward the outside, and is transferred to the transfer roller 21 side.

The ink thus transferred to the ink transfer roller 21 is further transferred to the ink ribbon 31.

There is also an ink ribbon device which can be adjusted so that when the transfer amount of ink decreases, the transfer amount of ink increases by changing the biasing force of a spring or the like.

[0007]

By the way, in the above-described ink ribbon device, as shown in FIG. 11, an ink pool B may be formed in the vicinity of the pressure contact portion A between the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21.

When such an ink pool B is formed, the amount of ink transferred from the ink transfer roller 21 to the ink ribbon 31 is not constant, and as shown in FIG. 31a will occur locally.

Therefore, when printing is performed using such an ink ribbon 31, print unevenness occurs and print quality deteriorates. In particular, the larger the amount of the ink impregnated in the ink impregnation body 11, the more easily the ink pool B is formed (thus, the uneven printing is more likely to occur), so that the amount of the impregnated ink is limited and the ink cannot be used for a long time. Inconvenience occurs.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon device capable of stably transferring ink from an ink impregnated body to the ink ribbon for a long period of time.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink impregnated body and an ink transfer roller which is slidably rotated by the running of an ink ribbon, the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body and the outer peripheral surface of the ink transfer roller. In an ink ribbon device for transferring the ink transferred from the ink impregnated body to the ink transfer roller to the ink ribbon by pressing and, between the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body and the outer peripheral surface of the ink transfer roller, A porous member having a large number of holes for allowing the transfer of the ink from the ink impregnated body to the ink transfer roller and for restricting the flow of the ink beyond the allowable range along the both outer peripheral surfaces is interposed. Is characterized by.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body and the outer peripheral surface of the ink transfer roller are brought into pressure contact with each other to transfer the ink from the ink impregnated body side to the transfer roller side, and further from the transfer roller to the ink ribbon. Is transcribed. At this time, since the porous member is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body and the outer peripheral surface of the ink transfer roller,
The ink that has permeated the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body is allowed to be transferred to the ink transfer roller by the numerous holes of the porous member, and is restricted from flowing along the outer peripheral surfaces beyond the permissible range. It As a result, an ink pool does not occur in the vicinity of the pressure contact portion between the ink impregnated body and the ink transfer roller, and a fixed amount of ink can always be transferred to the ink transfer roller (and thus the ink ribbon).

As a result, the ink can be stably transferred from the ink transfer roller to the ink ribbon for a long period of time.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the ink ribbon device according to the present embodiment has a device body 1, an ink impregnating body 11, an ink transfer roller 21, and an ink ribbon 31.
And a porous member (15) which is a characteristic part of the present device.

The same components as those shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

Here, the porous member is the ink impregnated body 11
Is interposed between the outer peripheral surface 12 of the ink transfer roller 21 and the outer peripheral surface 22 of the ink transfer roller 21, and allows the transfer of ink from the ink impregnated body 11 to the ink transfer roller 21. Along the way, it has a large number of holes that restrict the ink from flowing beyond the allowable range.

In the present embodiment, the porous member is formed of a mesh-shaped sheet member 15 wound around the outer peripheral surface 12 of the ink impregnated body 11. The mesh-shaped sheet member 15 allows the transfer of ink from the ink impregnated body 11 to the ink transfer roller 21, and the outer peripheral surface 12 of the ink impregnated body 11 (therefore, the ink transfer roller 21 pressed against the outer peripheral surface 12). Along the outer peripheral surface 22), a large number of holes 15a for restricting the ink from flowing beyond the allowable range are formed.

Next, the operation will be described.

Ink impregnation body 11 and ink transfer roller 21
In the portion A where and are pressed together, the ink impregnated body 11
The ink inside oozes out (the oozing ink K is schematically shown in FIG. 5). This exuded ink K is
Due to a capillary phenomenon or the like, the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21 pressed against each other try to flow to the outside along the outer peripheral surfaces 12 and 22, but each hole 15 of the sheet member 15
It is regulated by the inner wall of a. Therefore, the ink K oozing out from the outer peripheral surface 12 of the ink impregnated body 11 does not flow along the outer peripheral surface 12 as far as it goes out, and is transferred to the ink transfer roller 21 side.

Therefore, even if the amount of ink impregnated in the ink impregnation body 11 is large, there is no possibility that an ink pool (B) will be formed in the vicinity of the pressure contact portion A between the ink impregnation body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21. As shown by the graph G1 in FIG. 6, it is possible to prevent the transfer amount of the ink from being unnecessarily increased in the initial stage of use of the ink ribbon 31. Further, it is possible to prevent uneven printing due to uneven transfer amount, and to prevent abrupt decrease in ink transfer amount thereafter (in FIG. 6, S1 indicates the optimum density and S2 indicates the reading limit. Graphs G2 and G3 showing changes in print density with respect to the number of prints of a conventional ink ribbon device are shown.

As a result, the ink can be stably transferred from the ink impregnation body 11 to the ink ribbon 31 for a long period of time.

(Second Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, an ink ribbon device according to a second embodiment includes an apparatus main body (not shown), an ink impregnation body 11, an ink transfer roller 21 and a porous member. In contrast to the first embodiment, the porous member is formed of the mesh plate 16, which is included.

Since the constituent elements such as the ink impregnated body 11 except for the porous member (mesh plate 16) have the same construction as in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the mesh plate 16 has an outer peripheral surface 12 of the ink impregnated body 11 and an outer peripheral surface 22 of the ink transfer roller 21.
Is interposed between the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21 and restricts the ink from flowing beyond the permissible range along the outer peripheral surfaces 12 and 22. It is configured to have a large number of holes 16a.

The mesh plate 16 has an engaging hole 16d.
Are formed. The mesh plate 16 is configured to be positioned and held at a predetermined position between the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21 by engaging the engaging hole 16d with the locking member 17.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

In the portion where the outer peripheral surface 12 of the ink impregnated body 11 and the outer peripheral surface 22 of the ink transfer roller 21 are in pressure contact with each other through the mesh plate 16, the ink leached from the ink impregnated body 11 is a capillary tube. Although it tries to flow to the outside along the outer peripheral surfaces 12 and 22 pressed against each other due to a phenomenon or the like, it is restricted by the inner wall of each hole 16a of the mesh plate 16.

Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 12 of the ink impregnated body 11
The ink that oozes out from the ink is transferred to the ink transfer roller 21 side without flowing along the outer peripheral surfaces 12 and 22 so much as it goes out.

Therefore, even if the amount of ink contained in the ink impregnated body 11 is particularly large, there is no possibility that ink will accumulate in the vicinity of the pressure contact portion between the ink impregnated body 11 and the ink transfer roller 21, and the ink ribbon 31 It is possible to prevent the transfer amount of ink from unnecessarily increasing in the initial stage of use.

As a result, the ink can be stably transferred from the ink impregnation body 11 to the ink ribbon 31 for a long period of time.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the porous member is formed of the sheet member 15 and the mesh plate 16, but the transfer of ink from the ink impregnation body 11 to the ink transfer roller 21 is allowed. In addition, any method may be used as long as it is possible to restrict the ink from flowing beyond the permissible range along the outer peripheral surfaces 12 and 22 of the impregnated body 11 and the transfer roller 21.

[0033]

According to the present invention, the transfer of ink from the ink impregnated body to the ink transfer roller is allowed between the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body and the outer peripheral surface of the ink transfer roller, and both outer peripheral surfaces thereof are allowed. Since a porous member having a large number of pores that regulates the flow of ink along the edges beyond the allowable range is interposed, the ink is stably transferred from the ink impregnated body to the ink ribbon for a long period of time. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ink impregnated body of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship among an ink impregnated body, a transfer roller, and an ink ribbon according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how ink is transferred to an ink transfer roller through holes provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a change in print density with respect to the number of prints.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a main part of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a main part of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional ribbon guide device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an inconvenience that occurs in a conventional ribbon guide device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the amount of ink transferred to the ink ribbon is not constant.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Ink Impregnated Body 12 Outer Surface 15 Mesh Sheet Member (Porous Member) 15a Hole 16 Mesh Plate (Porous Member) 16a Hole 21 Ink Transfer Roller 22 Outer Surface 31 Ink Ribbon

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ink impregnating body, and an ink transfer roller that is rotated in sliding contact with the running of an ink ribbon. The ink is formed by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnating body and the outer peripheral surface of the ink transfer roller. In an ink ribbon device for transferring ink transferred from an impregnated body to an ink transfer roller to the ink ribbon, the ink impregnated body is transferred from the ink impregnated body to the ink transfer roller between the outer peripheral surface of the ink impregnated body and the outer peripheral surface of the ink transfer roller. The ink ribbon device, wherein a porous member having a large number of holes for permitting the transfer of the ink and restricting the ink from flowing beyond the allowable range along both outer peripheral surfaces is interposed.