JPH0578554U - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Even if only the ink ribbon part is replaced, the type of ink ribbon can be discriminated from the device side. [Structure] An ink ribbon discriminating means 6 is provided on a connecting member 5 of an ink ribbon bobbin pair 3 which is integrally replaced with an ink ribbon 3 so as to be discriminable from the outside.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette used in a recording device such as a thermal printer.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, for example, an ink ribbon for a line type thermal transfer printer is generally replaced with a cassette housing as a consumable item.

In recent years, a single device has been put into practical use, which serves as both a thermal transfer printer for recording a print character and a binary color image and a thermal sublimation printer for recording a video image. In such a device, the ink ribbon is generally replaced with the cassette housing according to the application.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 Replacing the ink ribbon cassette housing as a whole and discarding it as a consumable product will increase the cost of the consumable product for the user, and from the perspective of resource saving and environmental pollution, it is strongly desired to reuse large resin parts such as the cassette housing. It is rare.

Further, as described above, when changing the type or color of the ink ribbon depending on the application, there is a risk of using an incorrect ink ribbon by mistake, and the type of the ink ribbon loaded in the device is automatically changed. It is also necessary to make a distinction.

However, in the conventional type in which the entire cassette housing is replaced, since the ink ribbon discriminating means is provided outside the cassette housing, the type of the loaded ink ribbon cannot be discriminated when only the ink ribbon is exchanged. There was a problem.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention solves this problem, and a member for connecting a pair of ink ribbon bobbins that is integrally replaced with an ink ribbon is provided with an ink ribbon discriminating means that can be discriminated from the outside.

[0008]

【Example】

 As shown in FIG. 1, the embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which a ribbon cassette housing 1 is divided into two parts, which are assembled by fitting, and an ink ribbon 3 wound around a hobin 2 in the housing. It is arranged so that the end of the hobbin can be held by the hobbin lock claw 4 provided in the housing.

The two ink ribbon bobbins 2 are connected by a connecting member 5 having holes at both ends.

A discriminating means 6 for discriminating the type of the ink ribbon 3 from the apparatus side is provided at the intermediate portion of the connecting member 5.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the discriminating means 6 is provided with four marks having different light reflectances that can be attached. As shown in FIG. 2, a window opened in the cassette housing 1 from the apparatus side. It can be identified through 7.

Here, it goes without saying that a large number of types of ink ribbons can be identified by the number of marks.

[0013]

[Effect of the device]

 Consumables can be replaced only by the ribbon part, and the type of ribbon can be automatically discriminated from the device side even if the type of ribbon changes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an ink ribbon cassette according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the device according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ink Ribbon Cassette Housing 2 Bobbin 3 Ink Ribbon 4 Lock Claw 5 Connecting Member 6 Discriminating Means (Mark) 7 Window

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An ink ribbon cassette in which an ink ribbon and an ink ribbon hobbin are integrally replaced as a consumable item, wherein the type identification means for the replaced ink ribbon is provided at the hobbin pair connecting portion.