JPH05193239A - Ribbon cassette for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an ink ribbon cassette with an easily replaceable reservoir by providing a reservoir receiving port for the replaceable reservoir at a cassette housing and providing a means to detachably couple the reservoir to a socket. CONSTITUTION: An ink reservoir 4 is positioned at a given location of a socket 3. Together with ink re-coating mechanisms 10, 11 in operation, the reservoir 4 has an almost cylindrical housing 4a installed on the socket 3 and a cylindrical body 4b of permeable material installed on the housing 4a for free rotation. A port 4c is provided on the sidewall of the housing 4a which is in engagement with an idle roller 10 of the cylindrical body 4b. The printer head is available for cleaning by removing the ink ribbon cassette from the printer and replacing it with a detergent ribbon cassette. In this instance, a reservoir containing detergent is used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cleaning agent for cleaning ink ribbon cassettes for printing and printer heads.
solvent) ribbon cassette for a printer having a ribbon cassette.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most commonly available ink ribbon cassettes have a cassette housing that incorporates an inked ribbon when manufactured. When the ink applied to the ribbon becomes exhausted through use, the entire cassette, including the housing and ribbon, is discarded. This approach is, in general, extremely wasteful because the cassette housing and ribbon are completely clean when discarded.

Replaceable ink ribbons are also available for sale. When the applied ink on the first ribbon is exhausted through use, the ribbon is removed and discarded, and the replacement ribbon is inserted into the cassette housing. This approach is also wasteful as it throws away the ribbon when it is in good condition. Moreover, the task of removing one ribbon and replacing it with another ribbon is time consuming and cumbersome.

Also, an ink ribbon cassette having an internal ink reservoir and a re-ink application mechanism for re-applying ink to the ribbon is sold. The ink ribbon cassette is used until the ink filled in the reservoir is exhausted. When the ink filling the reservoir is exhausted, the entire cassette including the cassette housing, ribbon, reservoir, and ink recoating mechanism is discarded. The ink reservoir may be located either inside the ink ribbon cassette housing or outside the ink ribbon cassette housing. When placed in the housing, the reservoir reduces the storage space available for the inked ribbon. When placed on the outside of the housing, the housing no longer has a generally small, generally rectangular shape that is easy to transport, store and use, but has a protruding reservoir. An example of a protruding reservoir is described in US Pat. It is shown in the Cheng patent of 5,054,943 and European patent application No. 0167892 filed and published in the name of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Devices are available for reapplying ink to ribbons. When the applied ink on the ribbon is exhausted through use, the ribbon is removed from the cassette housing, the ink reapplying device is inserted to reapply ink, and then the cassette housing is replaced. As a result, it is not necessary for either the cassette housing or the ribbon to throw them away until the end of their life. However, reinking equipment is expensive, and using it and replacing the reinking ribbon in the cassette housing is time consuming, difficult and cumbersome, and requires considerable skill.

US Pat. No. 4,988,225 (Huan
The g) patent teaches an ink ribbon cassette having an ink reservoir and an ink re-application mechanism for re-applying ink to the ribbon, the ink reservoir being in a removable insert configuration. When the ink contained in the reservoir is exhausted, the reservoir is removed and discarded, and a new reservoir is inserted. To insert into the hang patented ink reservoir,
Separate the cassette lid from the rest of the cassette housing, then remove the biasing spring, remove the old or depleted ink reservoir, insert the new ink reservoir, return the biasing spring in place, and load the cassette ribbon into the biasing spring. And the cassette wall, and finally the cassette lid is attached to the cassette housing. In practicing this method, the ribbon feed gear (roller) jumps out of position and therefore the insertion of the ink reservoir must be done with great care. As can be seen from the drawings, the Hang patent is "pinned", that is,
The pins are formed under the sides of the cassette lid, and are similar to most conventional ink ribbon cassettes currently available in the form where the cassette lid engages a socket formed in the upper portion of the cassette bottom. These pins often break when the cassette lid is removed and then the pins are replaced in place.

[0007]

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon cassette having an easily replaceable reservoir.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a cassette housing, a replaceable reservoir containing ink, a ribbon disposed within the housing, guide means for forming a path for driving the ribbon, and the ribbon. Drive means for driving along the path, and ink transfer means inserted between the reservoir and the path for transferring ink from the reservoir to the ribbon when the ribbon is driven along the path. In the ink ribbon cassette, the cassette housing is provided with a receiving port for receiving a replaceable reservoir, and a connecting means for detachably connecting the reservoir to the socket is provided.

This structure is very easy to use. A simple snap on the ink reservoir fits into an opening or socket in the outer wall of the cassette. Thus, the cassette can be used easily and easily without damaging the internal mechanism of the cassette. Since the reservoir can be easily replaced, it is quite small so that it takes up less space in the housing and does not substantially reduce ribbon storage space.

The present invention also provides a replaceable ink ribbon cassette housing for an ink reservoir, the housing comprising (a) a ribbon disposed within the housing, and (b) a path along which the ribbon is driven. Guide means, (c) drive means for driving the ribbon along the path, and (d) ink transfer means for transferring ink from the reservoir to the ribbon when driving the ribbon along the path. In an ink ribbon cassette housing for a replaceable ink reservoir, the housing having a housing body formed therein and adapted to be inserted therein, wherein the housing forms a receptacle for receiving the replaceable ink reservoir.

The present invention also provides a replaceable ink reservoir for an ink ribbon cassette, the reservoir comprising a container adapted to contain the ink to be supplied, a discharge hole in the container, and in the container, Means for controlling the flow of ink exiting the container through the discharge hole; and means for transferring the ink from the reservoir to the ribbon in the cassette when the ribbon is moved past the reservoir. The reservoir is characterized in that it has a connecting means for detachably connecting the container to a receptacle associated with the cassette, the receptacle being accessible from the outside of the cassette.

The present invention also provides a cleaning agent ribbon cassette for cleaning a printer head, the cassette housing a cleaning agent housing and a detachable connection with said cleaning agent container. Replaceable reservoir, a ribbon arranged in the housing, guide means for forming a path for driving the ribbon through the receiving port, and driving means for driving the ribbon along the path. And a cleaning agent transfer means that is inserted between the receiving port and the path and transfers the cleaning agent from the reservoir to the ribbon when the ribbon is driven along the path.

Sometimes the ink ribbon cassette is removed from the printer and replaced with a cleaning agent ribbon cassette,
Run the printer and clean the print head.

The present invention also provides a detergent ribbon cassette housing for a renewable detergent supply, the housing having a housing body defining a receptacle for releasably connecting said detergent supply. , The socket is
The cassette body can be moved in and out from the outside of the cassette housing, and the housing main body includes (a) a ribbon arranged in the housing, and (b) guide means constituting a path for driving the ribbon through the receiving port. ) A driving means for driving the ribbon along the path, and (d) a cleaning agent which is inserted between the receiving port and the path and which moves from the reservoir to the ribbon when the ribbon is driven along the path. A cleaning agent transfer means, which is formed inside,
And it is designed to be put in.

The present invention also provides a replaceable detergent reservoir for a detergent ribbon cassette which is adapted to contain a supply of detergent and which is removable into a receptacle associated with the cassette. A connecting means for freely connecting, the receiving port being able to enter and exit from the outside of the cassette, a discharge hole in the container, and a flow of the cleaning agent which is in the container and exits the container through the discharge hole. Flow control means for controlling and cleaning agent transfer means for transferring the cleaning agent from the reservoir to the ribbon in the cassette when the ribbon is moved past the reservoir.

[0016]

EXAMPLE The structure of the first example will now be described in more detail. FIG. 2 shows an ink ribbon cassette having housings 1a and 1b and a ribbon 2. A socket 3 is provided in each of the housings 1a and 1b. Figure 2 also shows the assembled ink ribbon cassette, but with the ink reservoir (ink
reservoir 4 is not yet in place in the socket.

FIG. 3 shows a drive gear 5, a drive gear holder 6,
Idle gear 7, idle gear holder 8, bias spring 9
2 shows a drive mechanism of the ribbon 2. The arrows indicate the rotating direction and moving direction of the ribbon 2. 3 also picks up ink from a reservoir 4 (not shown in this figure),
An idle roller 10 driven to rotate by the ribbon 2 to transfer the ink to the ribbon 2;
2 shows an ink reapplication mechanism having a leaf spring 11 for bringing the ink into contact with the reservoir 4.

FIG. 4 shows the reservoir 4 in place,
1 shows the ink reapplication mechanisms 10, 11 in operation. The reservoir 4 has a substantially cylindrical housing 4a mounted on the socket 3 and a cylindrical body 4b of permeable material mounted on the housing 4a for free rotation. The housing 4a includes the idle roller 10 of the cylindrical material body 4b.
An opening 4c is provided on the side wall that engages with.

5 to 9 show various views of the ink reservoir 4, in particular showing the snap-in stop 15 which is opened by pressing the free ends of the arms towards each other. The printer head can be cleaned by occasionally removing the ink ribbon cassette from the printer and replacing it with a cleaning agent ribbon cassette (not shown) because it has the same structure as the ink ribbon cassette. The only difference is that the reservoir has a clean solvent and the ribbon is uninked. The supplied printer is then operated in the normal manner, which cleans the printer head. When the cleaning agent is exhausted, remove the cleaning agent reservoir and replace it with a new cleaning agent reservoir.

The structure of the second embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette shown in FIGS. 10 to 18 is very similar to the structure of the first embodiment and will not be described in detail. The structure of the third embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette shown in FIGS. 19 to 25 is that the reservoir has a stationary (non-rotating) main body of the permeable material 30, and the ink from the main body has a core 31 and an ink ribbon cover. Two rollers 32 and 33 all fixed to the set
The structure is different from the structures of the first and second embodiments in that it is transferred by the device including and and the reservoir is externally attached to the ink ribbon cassette.

Fourth of the ink ribbon cassette shown in FIG.
The structure of the second embodiment is similar to the structure of the second embodiment except that the ink reservoir 41 has a pad shape having a core 42 for transferring the ink to the ink recoating mechanism 43.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cover of an ink ribbon cassette according to the structure of the first embodiment, showing a socket for receiving an ink reservoir.

2 is a view similar to the ink ribbon cassette of FIG. 1, but with the cassette cover and bottom assembled and the ink reservoir not yet in place in the socket.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the cover removed to show details inside the ink ribbon cassette and the ink reservoir is not yet in place in the socket.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a partial cross-section showing details of the ink ribbon cassette and ink reservoir, with the ink reservoir positioned in the socket.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ink reservoir.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an ink reservoir.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the ink reservoir.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the ink reservoir.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the ink reservoir.

FIG. 10 is a detailed plan view of the cover of the structure of the second embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing the cassette bottom with assembled parts to show details of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing an enlarged view of the ink reservoir according to the structure of the second embodiment substantially inserted in the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12, but showing the ink reservoir in place.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a reservoir.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a reservoir.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the reservoir.

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the reservoir.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the reservoir.

19 is a detailed plan view of the cover of the ink ribbon cassette according to the structure of the third embodiment having the slot for the ink core, and FIG. 19A is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 showing the cassette bottom with the assembled parts to show the inside of the ink ribbon cassette.

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIGS. 19 and 20, showing the ink wick substantially in place, and also showing the ink wick in place.

22 is a perspective view of a reservoir externally attached to the cassette of FIGS. 19 to 21. FIG.

23 is a side view of the reservoir of FIG. 22. FIG.

FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional rear view showing the reservoir substantially attached to the cover.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a reservoir attached to a cover.

FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing details of the structure of the fourth embodiment including a reservoir having a core.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b ... Housing 2 ... Ribbon, 3 ... Socket, 4 ... Reservoir, 10 ... Idle roller, 11 ... Leaf spring 11.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A cassette housing, a replaceable reservoir containing ink, a ribbon disposed in the housing, guide means for forming a path for driving the ribbon, the ribbon, and the path. Drive means for driving along the path, and ink transfer means inserted between the reservoir and the path for transferring ink from the reservoir to the ribbon when the ribbon is driven along the path. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the cassette housing has a receiving port for receiving a replaceable reservoir, and a connecting means for detachably connecting the reservoir to the socket. 2. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the receiving port is a socket. 3. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the receiving port has means for attaching the ink reservoir to the outside. 4. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the ink transfer means has an idle roller around which the ribbon passes and which applies the ink, and a spring which urges the ribbon to the roller. 5. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the ink transfer means has two rollers through which the ribbon passes and which applies the ink. 6. A replaceable ink ribbon cassette housing for an ink reservoir, comprising: (a) a ribbon disposed in the housing; (b) guide means forming a path for driving the ribbon; and (c) the ribbon. Drive means for driving the ribbon along the path, and (d) ink transfer means for transferring ink from the reservoir to the ribbon when the ribbon is driven along the path are formed inside and put in. An ink ribbon cassette housing having a housing body configured as described above, wherein the housing forms a receptacle for receiving a replaceable ink reservoir. 7. A replaceable ink reservoir for an ink ribbon cassette, the reservoir comprising a container adapted to contain ink to be supplied, a discharge hole in the container, the discharge hole being in the container, A reservoir comprising means for controlling the flow of ink out of the container through a hole and ink transfer means for transferring the ink from the reservoir to the ribbon in the cassette when the ribbon is moved past the reservoir. The reservoir according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting means for detachably connecting the container to a receiving port associated with the cassette, the receiving port being able to enter and exit from the outside of the cassette. 8. The replaceable ink reservoir of claim 7, wherein the ink supply comprises a cylinder of permeable material. 9. The replaceable ink reservoir of claim 8, wherein the cylinder of permeable material rotates. 10. The replaceable ink reservoir of claim 7, wherein the ink supply comprises a pad and a wick. 11. A cleaning agent ribbon cassette for cleaning a printer head, comprising: a cassette housing having a receiving port that can be accessed from the outside of the cassette; and a replaceable reservoir that holds the cleaning agent and is detachably connected to the receiving port. A ribbon arranged in the housing; a guide means for forming a path for driving the ribbon through the receiving opening; a driving means for driving the ribbon along the path; the receiving opening; A ribbon cassette for a cleaning agent, which is inserted between a cleaning path and a cleaning agent transfer means for transferring the cleaning agent from the reservoir to the ribbon when the ribbon is driven along the path. 12. A detergent ribbon cassette housing for a renewable detergent supply, comprising a housing body that defines a receptacle for removably connecting the detergent supply, the receptacle being the cassette. The housing body can be moved in and out from the outside of the housing, and the housing main body includes (a) a ribbon arranged in the housing, (b) guide means forming a path for driving the ribbon through the receiving port, and (c) the above. Drive means for driving the ribbon along the path, and (d) inserted between the receiving port and the path to transfer the cleaning agent from the reservoir to the ribbon when the ribbon is driven along the path. A cleaning agent ribbon cassette housing having a cleaning agent transfer means formed therein and adapted to receive therein. 13. A replaceable cleaning agent reservoir for a cleaning agent ribbon cassette, the container adapted to contain a supply of cleaning agent, and the container removably coupled to a receptacle associated with the cassette. A connecting means for controlling the flow of the cleaning agent in the container, the outlet being in and out of the cassette, the outlet being in the container, and the outlet being in the container and exiting the container through the outlet. A reservoir having control means and cleaning agent transfer means for transferring the cleaning agent from the reservoir to the ribbon in the cassette when the ribbon is moved past the reservoir.