JPH09123574A - Ink film cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preclude the ink film from being delivered before the loading of an ink film cassette, and accomplish the simplification and cost reduction of a thermal transfer recording apparatus main body. SOLUTION: This ink film cassette 33 houses a supply side reel 30 and a winding side reel 31 and a torque limiter 85 (first braking means) is detachably secured to the support shaft 78a for imparting braking force to the support shaft 78a of a supply side reel 30 within the cassette 33. In addition, winding side bearings 81a, 81b (second braking means 95) impart braking force to the support shafts 80a, 80b of the winding side reel 31 within the cassette. In the cassette 33, a second torque limiter 97 (torque limiting means) for limiting the driving torque of the winding side reel 31 within the cassette is further detachably secured to the support shaft 81a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink film cassette containing an ink film used in a thermal transfer recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A thermal transfer recording apparatus has a platen roller and a thermal head which can be pressed against and released from the platen roller, and recording paper is fed between the platen roller and the thermal head. Between the recording paper and the thermal head, an ink film having one surface coated with a heat-meltable or heat-sublimable ink is transported. This ink film is unreeled from the supply reel and wound on the take-up reel. When a color image is reproduced on recording paper by one thermal head, an ink film in which yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are applied in this order on a thin film base surface is used.

In a recent thermal transfer recording apparatus, an ink film cassette that accommodates a supply reel and a take-up reel and is detachably mounted in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus in order to improve workability of an ink film loading operation. Is used. The ink film cassette is a consumable item, and is replaced by a new cassette when the ink film housed therein is used up.

At the time of printing, the ink film is rubbed by the friction force between the platen roller and the recording paper conveyed between the platen roller and the thermal head pressed against it.
The recording paper is pulled out from the supply-side reel and transported together with the movement of the recording paper. On the other hand, the ink film fed from the supply-side reel is wound around the take-up reel by rotating the take-up reel by a motor provided in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus.

By the way, in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus,
When the ink film cassette is loaded, it is connected to the supply-side reel, and a supply-side torque limiter for applying a braking force to the supply-side reel is provided. By feeding the ink film while applying a braking force to the supply reel by the supply torque limiter, tension is applied to the ink film during printing so that wrinkles do not occur in the ink film.

Further, in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, a winding-side torque limiter for limiting the drive torque of the winding-side reel is provided between the winding-side reel and the motor. The take-up torque limiter is provided for the following reasons, in addition to the reason that tension is applied to the ink film during printing as described above. That is, in the printing unit, the moving speed of the recording paper and the moving speed of the ink film need to be the same, but even if the spindle of the take-up reel is driven to rotate at a constant speed, the take-up diameter changes. As a result, the winding speed of the ink film changes. Therefore, a take-up side torque limiter is provided in order to make the take-up speed follow the ink film moving speed in the printing section and take up the ink film on the take-up reel so as not to loosen.

[0007]

In the conventional ink film cassette, the supply reel and the take-up reel are housed in the cassette so as to smoothly rotate.
That is, the sliding resistance between the spindle of the supply reel and the cassette holding the spindle and the sliding resistance between the spindle of the winding reel and the cassette holding the spindle are reduced. I am doing it.

As described above, since no rotational load is applied to the supply reel in the cassette, the ink film is loosened and supplied when an external force is applied during the shipping and transportation of the ink film cassette, which is a consumable item. It is easily reeled out from the side reel. For this reason,
A part of the unused ink film may be wrinkled, and the unused ink film may be wasted.

Further, among various usage modes of the ink film cassette, before the ink film in one ink film cassette is completely used, the cassette is removed from the main body of the apparatus and the cassette in use is loaded again. Sometimes Even when the ink film cassette is removed in this way, similarly to the above, when an external force is applied, the ink film is easily fed out from the supply reel, and the unused ink film may be wasted.

Further, since no rotational load is applied to the take-up reel in the cassette, when the ink film cassette is removed from the apparatus main body, the wound used ink film is loosened when an external force is applied. It was easily taken out from the take-up reel, which could damage the ink film.

When the ink film is loosened, when the ink film cassette is loaded, it is necessary to rewind the loosened ink film to the supply reel or to wind it to the take-up reel. There was a problem that the work became complicated.

In order to prevent the unused ink film from being fed from the supply side reel and the used ink film from being taken up from the take-up reel, stoppers for preventing the supply-side reel and the take-up reel from rotating are provided. Since it had to be fixed to the spindle of the reel, the work was extremely complicated.

Further, since the supply side torque limiter and the take-up side torque limiter are provided in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, the structure of the apparatus main body becomes complicated and the cost of the apparatus main body increases, and at the same time, the apparatus main body. The miniaturization of was hindered.

The torque limiter provided in the main body of the apparatus includes
Since durability equivalent to other parts in the main body of the apparatus, for example, durability capable of forming an image of 60,000 screens normally, is required, a relatively expensive torque limiter must be used, resulting in a low cost of parts. Along with the increase, the cost of the entire thermal transfer recording apparatus has also increased.

Further, there are many kinds of ink films, and although the physical characteristics such as the thickness and the difference in the friction coefficient of the back coat are different depending on each film, the torque limiter is provided on the apparatus main body side as described above. With the configuration, it is not easy to change the torque value once set. Therefore, there is no choice but to use a dedicated ink film cassette, and there is a problem that it is not possible to increase the types of films that can be used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus.

Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus, when the thermal head is pressed against the platen roller from the released state, the ink film is slightly wound around the winding reel in order to remove the slack of the ink film. . Therefore, in consideration of the fact that the unused ink film is slightly fed from the supply side reel, in the ink film for color printing, the area coated with the ink of each color is made larger than the printing area with a margin.
However, reducing the ink area of each color to save ink or ink film is also one of the requirements for the ink film cassette.

Moreover, when the ink film cassette is being transported, or when the ink film cassette is removed from the thermal transfer recording device during the use of the ink film, the slack of the ink film is automatically removed to bring the ink film into a tension state. Maintenance is also required for ink film cassettes.

There is also a demand for ink film cassettes that allow the user to easily refill the ink film and enhance convenience.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems associated with the prior art described above. A first object of the present invention is to perform thermal transfer recording on an ink film cassette during transportation of the ink film cassette or during use of the ink film. It prevents the unused ink film from being fed out from the supply side reel when it is removed from the device, and also simplifies and reduces the cost of the thermal transfer recording device main body, and increases the types of ink film that can be used by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink film cassette capable of facilitating the refilling work of the ink film by the method.

A second object of the present invention is to prevent the used ink film from being fed out from the take-up reel when the ink film cassette is removed from the thermal transfer recording device during the use of the ink film, and to be used. Increase the types of ink film that can be
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink film cassette capable of facilitating a user's work of refilling an ink film.

A third object of the present invention is to achieve the simplification and cost reduction of the thermal transfer recording apparatus main body, increase the kinds of ink films that can be used, and facilitate the user's work of refilling ink films. It is an object to provide an ink film cassette.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an ink film cassette capable of automatically removing the slack of the ink film and maintaining the ink film in a tensioned state, thereby achieving saving of ink or ink film. And

[0023]

According to the present invention for attaining the above-mentioned first object, a platen roller and a thermal head capable of being pressed and released from the platen roller are provided. An ink film cassette removably loaded into the main body of a thermal transfer recording device for superposing a recording medium and an ink film on each other and heating them with the thermal head to thermally transfer the ink applied to the ink film to the recording medium for recording. In the cassette, the supply side reel around which the ink film is wound, the take-up side reel around which the ink film fed from the supply side reel is wound, and the support shaft of the supply side reel are detachably attached. And a first braking unit that applies a braking force to the support shaft of the supply-side reel. A click film cassette.

According to the ink film cassette thus constructed, the first braking means applies the braking force to the support shaft of the supply reel in the cassette, so that the ink film cassette is transported or the ink film cassette is When the ink film cassette is removed from the thermal transfer recording device during use, the ink film is not immediately fed out from the supply side reel even if external force is applied, and the unused ink film is not wasted.

Further, since a braking force is applied to the support shaft of the supply-side reel in the cassette, it is not necessary to provide a supply-side torque limiter in the main body of the thermal transfer recording device, and the structure of the thermal transfer recording device main body is simplified. Thus, cost reduction and size reduction of the device body can be achieved. Further, the durability of the first braking means may be such that it operates normally until the use of the ink film contained therein is completed. Therefore, the first braking means can be constructed at a lower cost than the supply-side torque limiter provided in the apparatus main body, and the cost of the thermal transfer recording apparatus as a whole can be further reduced by reducing the cost of parts.

Moreover, since the first braking means is detachably attached to the support shaft of the supply-side reel, by selecting the type of the first braking means according to the type of film, the cassette side can be added to the supply-side reel. The torque that can be applied can be changed to an appropriate value, and the types of ink films that can be used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus are abundant. Also, the first to the supply side reel
As the braking means can be assembled and removed freely,
Not only the manufacturing process of the cassette but also the user can attach / detach it, and the user can refill the ink film.

A second aspect of the present invention that achieves the second object.
The present invention described in (1) further includes second braking means detachably attached to the spindle of the take-up reel and applying a braking force to the spindle of the take-up reel in the cassette. It is a featured ink film cassette.

According to this structure, since the second braking means applies the braking force to the support shaft of the take-up reel in the cassette, when the ink film cassette is removed from the thermal transfer recording device during the use of the ink film. In such a case, the used ink film is not immediately paid out from the take-up side reel even if an external force is applied, and the ink film is not damaged.

Moreover, since the second braking means is detachably attached to the support shaft of the take-up reel, the second braking means can be changed according to the type of film so that the cassette side can be added to the take-up reel. The torque that can be applied can be changed to an appropriate value, and the types of ink films that can be used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus are abundant. Further, since the second braking means can be freely attached and detached to and from the take-up reel, not only the manufacturing process of the cassette but also the user can attach and detach the cassette, so that the user can refill the ink film. it can.

A third aspect of the present invention achieves the third object.
The ink film cassette according to the present invention further includes a torque limiting unit that is detachably attached to a support shaft of the winding-side reel and that limits a drive torque of the winding-side reel in the cassette. Is.

According to this structure, since the torque limiting means limits the drive torque of the take-up reel in the cassette, it is not necessary to provide the take-up torque limiter in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, and the thermal transfer is performed. The structure of the recording apparatus main body is simplified, and the cost and size of the apparatus main body are reduced. Furthermore, the durability of the torque limiting means may be such that it operates normally until the use of the ink film contained therein is completed. Therefore, the torque limiting means can be constructed at a lower cost than the winding-side torque limiter provided in the main body of the apparatus, and the cost of the thermal transfer recording apparatus as a whole can be further reduced by reducing the cost of parts.

Moreover, since the torque limiting means is detachably attached to the support shaft of the take-up reel, by selecting the type of the torque limiting means according to the type of film, the cassette side can be added to the take-up reel. The drive torque that can be used can be changed to an appropriate value, and the types of ink films that can be used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus will be abundant. Further, since the torque limiting means can be freely attached to and detached from the take-up reel, not only the cassette manufacturing process but also the user can attach / detach the ink reel, and the user can refill the ink film. .

A fourth aspect of the present invention achieves the fourth object.
According to the present invention, the rewinding means for rewinding the ink film unwound from the supply reel to the supply reel is detachably attached to the supply reel in the cassette. Is an ink film cassette.

According to this structure, since the rewinding means provided in the cassette rewinds the ink film fed from the supply reel to the supply reel, the slack of the ink film is automatically removed and the ink film is removed. Staying tense. Therefore, even if the thermal head is pressed against or released from the platen roller,
The printing point on the ink film is less likely to shift, and ink or the ink film can be saved.

Further, even when the ink film cassette is being transported, or when the ink film cassette is removed from the thermal transfer recording device during use of the ink film, the ink film is not loosened and the ink film is in a tension state. be able to.

Moreover, since the rewinding means can be freely attached to and detached from the supply-side reel, the cassette can be attached and detached not only by the user but also by the user.
The user can refill the ink film.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a thermal transfer recording apparatus in which an ink film cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is detachably loaded. For convenience of description, the edge of the recording paper that is the leading end when the recording paper is discharged is referred to as the leading end of the recording paper.

The illustrated thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 is, for example,
It is used in a photo lab where printing is performed, and is used to output so-called index prints that reproduce information recorded on a plurality of frames of a negative film on one sheet of recording paper. A control device (not shown) for performing various image processing on information recorded on the negative film is connected to the thermal transfer recording device 10 via an interface, and image signals and control signals from the control device are input via the interface. It is supposed to be.

A lid member 12 is attached to the upper surface of a housing 11 forming the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 so as to be openable and closable around a swing shaft 12a (see FIG. 2), and an ink film cassette is opened with the lid member 12 open. Housing 11
It is designed to be loaded at a predetermined position inside. The front left side of the drawing is the front side of the apparatus 10, and a paper discharge section is provided on the front side and a paper feed section 21 is provided on the back side.
The paper feed section 21 is provided with a paper feed tray 14 in which a plurality of recording papers are accommodated in an inclined manner. Further, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10, there is provided a paper cutting portion, which will be described later, for cutting an unnecessary portion (the leading end portion and / or the trailing end portion of the recording paper) of the recording paper after reproducing the image. A duster unit 24 for storing the scraps of paper is provided on the front side of the apparatus so as to be freely inserted and removed. After the unnecessary portion is cut, the recording paper passes through the paper discharge port 16 and passes through the duster section 24.
The sheet is vertically discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 17 integrally provided on the front surface of the sheet. Since the recording paper is discharged in the vertical direction in this way, the size of the paper discharge tray 17 protruding from the front surface of the housing 11 is relatively small. Furthermore, the paper feed tray 14 is provided so as to be inclined. Therefore, the installation space of the entire thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 is small, and the recording apparatus is suitable for installation in a narrow working space.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, an ink film coated with thermally sublimable ink is used, and the recording paper as an image receiving paper for trapping the sublimated ink has a texture like printing paper. Strong thick (150-2
50 μm) paper is used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the thermal transfer recording device with the lid member opened, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the thermal transfer recording device with an ink film cassette loaded. 4 (1) to (3), FIG.
(1) and (2) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the operating states of the thermal transfer recording apparatus at the time of paper feeding, at the start of printing, at the end of printing, at the leading edge cutting and at the trailing edge cutting, respectively.

First, the internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 will be briefly described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a printing unit 20 located at a substantially central portion and a recording paper 18 is conveyed in a parallel conveyance system. , A sheet feeding section 21 located on the rear side of the apparatus and inclined above the printing section 20 at an angle of about 45 degrees, and a side opposite to the sheet feeding section 21 with the printing section 20 interposed therebetween. And a paper discharge unit 22 provided in the. By using the parallel conveying system for the printing unit 20, the printing quality of the thick and elastic recording paper 18 is improved.
By tilting the paper feeding unit 21, as described above,
The installation space is being reduced. further,
By providing the paper discharge unit 22 on the opposite side of the paper supply unit 21 with the printing unit 20 interposed therebetween, the convenience of using a facsimile is obtained, and the apparatus form is easily accepted by the user. Further, the paper discharge unit 22 is provided with a paper cutting unit 23 that cuts unnecessary portions of the recording paper 18 after the image is reproduced, and the duster unit 24 is arranged below this. Further, a control unit 19 is also built-in which performs predetermined image processing on an image signal input from an external control device and controls the operation of the recording device 10.

The internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 will be described in detail. The platen roller 25 is rotatably supported in the housing 11, and the inner surface of the lid member 12 is thermally supported by an interlocking member (not shown). A head base 27 having a head 26 is attached to the platen roller 25 so as to be movable back and forth. When the head base 27 moves forward with respect to the platen roller 25, the thermal head 26 moves to a position where it comes into pressure contact with the platen roller 25. On the other hand, when the head base 27 moves backward with respect to the platen roller 25, the thermal head 26 makes pressure contact. Move to the position to release. The head base 27 is biased in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 2 so as to hold the thermal head 26 in a retracted position with respect to the platen roller 25, that is, a pressure contact releasing position by an elastic means such as a spring (not shown). ing.

A drive shaft 28 rotatably attached to the lid member 12 is brought into contact with a head base 27 to move the head base 27 forward so that the thermal head 26 is brought into pressure contact with the platen roller 25. 29 is fixed. By rotating the drive shaft 28, the eccentric cam 2
A thermal head drive motor M <b> 1 composed of a pulse motor is connected to the drive shaft 28 in order to rotate the drive 9. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pressure contact eccentric cam 29 rotates and the cam center approaches the head base 27, the head base 27 moves forward and the thermal head 26 presses against the platen roller 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the eccentric cam 29 for pressure contact is rotated so that the center of the cam is the head base 2.
When separated from 7, the head base 27 moves backward due to the elastic force of the spring, and the pressure contact of the thermal head 26 is released. A cooling fan (not shown) is further attached to the lid member 12, and the thermal head 26 is cooled by the cooling air from the cooling fan. In addition, when the lid member 12 is closed, by an engaging means such as an engaging pin (not shown),
The lid member 12 is fastened to the housing 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, between the thermal head 26 and the platen roller 25, a belt-shaped ink film 32 which is to be unwound from the supply reel 30 and to be wound on the winding reel 31 is conveyed. It has become so. The ink film 32 is formed by applying three color ink layers of yellow, magenta and cyan to the base film in this order. In addition, an ink film coated with white ink or an overcoat agent as needed is also used. If the ink film 32 is unused, the ink film 32 is wound around the supply-side reel 30, and the ink film 32 is wound around the winding-side reel 31 as it is used.

Both supply side and take-up side reels 30, 31
Are stored in the ink film cassette 33.
The ink film cassette 33 is attachable to and detachable from the housing 11, and is set at a predetermined position by setting it on a holding plate 34 attached inside the housing 11. Gear 35 attached to take-up reel 31
A part of the opening faces the opening formed in the ink film cassette 33. When the cassette is mounted, an ink film winding drive gear 36 provided in the apparatus main body is engaged with the gear 35. The drive gear 36 is rotationally driven by the motor M2. The configuration of the ink film cassette 33 will be described later in detail.

In order to form a transport path for the ink film 32, an ink film take-up roller 37 is rotatably provided at a position to enter the inside of the cassette 33 when the cassette is mounted. The ink film take-up roller 37 is a roller whose surface is formed of a rubber material having a high frictional resistance, and is rotationally driven by an ink film take-up motor M3 which is a pulse motor. Between the ink film take-up motor M3 and the ink film take-up roller 37,
An electromagnetic clutch (not shown) is provided. The electromagnetic clutch is turned on only when heading of the ink film 32 is performed during non-printing when the thermal head 26 is not pressed against the platen roller 25, and is turned off in other states, for example, during printing.

At the time of printing, the thermal head 26 is in pressure contact with the platen roller 25, and the ink film 32 contains the platen roller 25 and the thermal head 26.
The recording paper 18 is drawn out of the supply-side reel 30 by the frictional force between the recording paper 18 and the recording paper 18 conveyed between the recording paper 18 and the recording paper 18 and is conveyed at the same speed. The ink film 32 fed from the supply reel 30 is taken up by the take-up reel 3 via the drive gear 36 and the gear 35 by the motor M2.
Is driven by an ink film guide plate 38 provided at the tip of the thermal head 26 and an ink film take-up roller 37 to take up the take-up reel 3.
It is wound by one. At the time of this printing, the electromagnetic clutch is turned off, and the ink film take-up roller 37 rotates following the movement of the ink film 32 and functions as a guide roller for guiding the conveyance of the ink film 32.

During non-printing, the thermal head 26
Is released from pressure contact with the platen roller 25, and when performing cueing, the electromagnetic clutch is turned on and the ink film take-up roller 37 causes the ink film take-up motor M3.
Is driven to rotate. Then, the ink film 32
Is drawn from the supply-side reel 30 by the frictional force between the ink-film winding roller 37 that is rotationally driven, and is wound around the winding-side reel 31.

The recording paper 18 is held on the paper feed tray 14 in an inclined state, and a width regulating plate 40 is provided on the paper feed tray 14 in order to regulate the width direction of the recording paper 18. There is. The width regulating plate 40 is slidable in the width direction according to the size of the recording paper 18. Also,
A cover 41 (see FIG. 1) for preventing dust and the like from adhering to the recording paper 18 is attached to the paper feed tray 14 so as to be openable and closable about a hinge (not shown). The cover 41 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin, and the remaining amount of the recording paper 18 stored in the paper feed tray 14 can be visually determined. Note that reference numeral “43” in FIG. 1 indicates a grip portion when the cover 41 is opened and closed.

The recording paper 18 on the paper feed tray 14 is fed one by one by a paper feed roller 45 and a separation roller 46 which is arranged with a minute gap from the paper feed roller 45. It is conveyed while being guided by the guide member 47. The paper feed roller 45 is rotationally driven by a paper feed motor M4 which is a pulse motor.

On the upstream side of the platen roller 25, adjacent to the platen roller 25, the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 5 abutting against the grip roller 50 are provided.
1 and the fed recording paper 18 is fed between the rollers 50 and 51. Grip roller 5
0 is a grip roller drive motor M composed of a pulse motor
5, the pinch roller 51 is driven to rotate as the recording paper is conveyed.

On the downstream side of the platen roller 50, in order to discharge the recording paper 18 onto the paper discharge tray 17, a first discharge roller pair 53 positioned on the paper discharge port 16 side and a platen roller 25 side are positioned. The second discharge roller pair 54 is attached at a predetermined distance. These discharge rollers 5
3, 54 are rotationally driven by a conveyance motor M6 which is a pulse motor, and the second discharge roller pair 54 is rotationally driven by the conveyance motor M6 in both forward and backward directions. On the other hand, in the drive gear (not shown) that transmits the driving force of the transport motor M6 to the first discharge roller pair 53, only the normal rotation in the direction of discharging the recording paper 18 is performed.
It has a built-in one-way clutch. Therefore, even if the transport motor M6 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the second discharge roller pair 54 in the reverse direction, the first discharge roller pair 53 does not rotate in the reverse direction. Further, it is possible for the operator to pull out the recording paper 18 when the second discharge roller pair 54 rotates in the reverse direction.

The platen roller 25 and the discharge roller pair 53,
A guide member 55 that guides the conveyance of the recording paper 18 during the paper discharging process is provided between the recording medium 18 and the recording medium 18. Below the guide member 55, when the printing operation is performed, the recording paper 1
8 is formed.

In the illustrated thermal transfer recording apparatus 10,
When reproducing a color image on the recording paper 18, first, FIG.
As shown in (1), the recording paper 18 is fed from the paper feed tray 14 and conveyed forward in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the recording paper 18 is accommodated in the accommodation space 56 as shown in FIG. 4 (2). To do. Next, from this state, the recording paper 1 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow C.
A yellow image is formed while returning 8 to be conveyed. That is, the return printing method is used. After transferring the yellow image while returning and transporting the recording paper 18,
In preparation for reproducing the next magenta image, recording paper 18
Is transported forward. In this way, for example, by superimposing and transferring three-color images by the frame sequential method, the recording paper 1
8, a color image is formed. The thermal head 26 comes into pressure contact with the platen roller 25 only during return transport, and when the recording paper 18 is transported forward, the thermal head 26 is separated from the platen roller 25. When the return conveyance and the forward conveyance are repeated for printing, the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51 always keep the recording paper 18 nipped.

Below the guide member 55, the recording paper 18 conveyed by the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51, the paper discharge section 22 or the storage space 56 in which the discharge roller pairs 53 and 54 are provided. A swing guide 58 is provided so as to be swingable around the support shaft 57 so as to be selectively guided to either one. The swing guide 58 is formed of a flexible material. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the swing guide 58 is swung to the upper position, the recording paper 18 conveyed by the grip roller 50 or the like is stored in the storage space 56. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the swing guide 58 is swung in the clockwise direction about the support shaft 57 from the upper position to the lower position, the recording paper 1
The sheet 8 is conveyed toward the sheet discharge unit 22.

In order to improve the printing quality, it is necessary to prevent the recording paper 18 from being pinched by the discharge roller pairs 53 and 54 during printing, but as in the present embodiment, the swing guide 58 is provided to discharge the recording paper 18. If the accommodation space 56 is formed at a position below the conveyance path to the paper section 22, the platen roller 25
The distance between the discharge roller pair 53 and the discharge roller pair 53 can be reduced, and the floor area of the apparatus 10 can be reduced.

A cutter unit 23 as a paper cutting portion is provided between the first discharge roller pair 53 and the second discharge roller pair 54. The cutter unit 23 has a rotary cutter 60 and a pedestal 61 that cuts the recording paper 18 in cooperation with the cutter 60. The cut piece of paper falls by its own weight into a duster portion 24 disposed below the cutter unit 23 and is collected. The duster portion 24 is provided in the housing 11
It can be inserted and removed freely. Also, duster unit 2
4, the upper surface of which is open and at least the front surface thereof is formed of a transparent member such as acrylic resin, so that the amount of paper pieces stored inside can be visually determined from the outside of the recording apparatus 10. ing.

The reference numeral "62" in FIG. 1 indicates the duster unit 2
4 shows the hole functioning as a handle formed above the front surface of the No. 4, and the operator puts a finger on the handle 62 to pull out the duster part 24 from the housing 11, and the duster part 24
Remove pieces of paper that have accumulated inside.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 6, a sensor S1 is installed adjacent to the grip roller 50 for detecting the leading edge of the recording paper at the time of paper feeding or the trailing edge of the recording paper at the time of printing. The sensor S1 emits an ON signal when detecting the front end or the rear end of the recording paper 18. Since the sensor S1 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper during printing, it will be referred to as a trailing edge detection sensor S1 in the following description for convenience.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cutter unit 23 is provided with a leading edge detection sensor S2 for detecting the leading edge of the recording paper. The leading edge detection sensor S2 issues an ON signal when detecting the leading edge of the recording paper 18. Tip detection sensor S2
A pulse for driving the transport motor M6 is managed on the basis of a point in time when the leading end of the recording paper 18 is detected, and a leading end cut for cutting the recording paper 18 by a predetermined length from the leading end of the recording paper;
A trailing end cut for cutting the recording paper 18 by a predetermined length from the trailing end of the recording paper is performed.

As shown enlarged in FIG. 6, the ink film 32 is provided adjacent to the ink film guide roller 37.
Mark detection sensor S for detecting the cue mark attached to
3 are installed. The cue mark is imprinted on the head of each yellow ink layer. Ink film 32
The cueing is performed by turning on the electromagnetic clutch and rotating the ink film take-up roller 37 by the ink film take-up motor M3 to convey the ink film 32 by a frictional force between the ink film take-up roller 37 and the ink film take-up roller 37. Such cueing is performed while the recording paper 18 is being conveyed forward until the trailing edge detection sensor S1 detects the trailing edge of the fed recording paper 18. To find the next color ink layer, the electromagnetic clutch is turned on to frictionally convey the ink film 32 by the ink film take-up roller 37, and the ink film 32 is conveyed by an encoder (not shown) provided at one end of the take-up roller 31. This is done by pulse counting the quantity.

As each of the sensors S1, S2 and S3, a reflection type photo sensor can be exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this case, and may be a transmission type photo sensor.

Next, the conveyance of the ink film 32 in the thermal transfer recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B).

As shown in FIG. 7A, in the thermal transfer recording apparatus, the recording paper 18 is constrained by the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51, and the recording paper 18 is pulled in the printing direction indicated by the arrow D for printing. On the other hand, the ink film 32 is
It is sandwiched between the recording paper 18 and the thermal head 26, and when the recording paper 18 is advanced, it is sent out by a frictional force with the recording paper 18.

The force acting on the ink film 32 is, as conceptually shown in FIG. 2B, (0) the force of pulling the paper by the grip roller 50 (grip force) (1) the force of winding the film 32 (winding force) (Torque acting on take-up reel 31) (2) Rewinding force of film 32 (torque acting on supply-side reel 30) (3) Force of film 32 sent by recording paper 18 (friction force) (4) Film 32 There is a force (friction force) to prevent the ink from being fed by the thermal head 26, and the condition for feeding the ink film is that (1) + (3)> (2) + (4) is satisfied.

As is clear from this equation, the force acting on the ink film 32 in the direction opposite to the printing direction D (2) + (4)
Is too strong, the ink film 32 is not delivered.
As a result, double-jet printing of the ink film 32, sticking of the ink film 32 and the recording paper 18, and the ink film 32 obstructing the feeding of the recording paper 18, resulting in defective feeding of the recording paper 18.

When the frictional force of (4) is large, it is necessary to reduce the rewinding force of the ink film 32 of (2) in order to satisfy the above expression. The frictional force of (3) is the minimum when not printing.

As a means for reducing the back tension (torque) (2) of the ink film 32, the thickness of the film base material is increased so that the film 32 is made to sit up and the coefficient of friction of the back coat of the ink film 32 is increased. ,
It is possible to deal with this by increasing the frictional force in (4).
At this time, if the coefficient of friction of the back coat is too small, the ink film 32 will be pulled too much, that is, will be fed too much, which also causes a defect.

By the way, as quality problems relating to the ink film of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, banding caused by defective feeding of the film, defective peeling from the recording paper, etc., resist defect caused by defective feeding of the film, etc. Paper jam caused by the film sagging, and film wrinkles caused by defective feeding.

Various measures have been taken to solve these problems, and one effective means is to apply a proper torque to the ink film. For example, a flexible film must be given a certain amount of tension, and a film that comes into contact with the thermal head must be given a certain amount of tension so that the film will not advance. Of course, don't pull the film too much.

However, even if the film manufacturers are the same, the physical properties such as the film thickness, the back coat friction coefficient, and the smoothness are different for each type of film.

Therefore, in order to ensure a smooth transport of the ink film by applying a proper torque to the ink film, it is necessary to change the torque value according to the friction coefficient which differs for each type of ink film.

Therefore, the ink film cassette 33 of the present embodiment is configured as described in detail below in consideration of the point that an appropriate torque should be applied to the ink film 32.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ink film cassette 33 includes a film guide portion 70 at the center, a supply-side reel accommodating portion 71 formed at one end thereof, and a take-up reel reel formed at the other end thereof. And a housing portion 72. These are the upper frames 7 made of synthetic resin.
3 and the lower frame 74 are assembled by butting each other. An upper opening window 75 and a lower opening window 76 are formed above and below the film guide portion 70 in the figure,
A notch 77 for receiving the ink film take-up roller 37 is formed on the side wall of the lower frame 74.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the supply reel 30 in which the ink film 32 is wound is incorporated in the supply reel accommodating portion 71, and the take-up reel accommodating portion 72 is provided in the supply reel accommodating portion 72. The take-up reel 31 is incorporated.
Of the support shafts 78a and 78b at both ends of the supply reel 30, the support shaft 78b shown on the lower side in FIG.
It is rotatably supported by a supply side bearing portion 79 b formed on the side wall of 74. Similarly, of the support shafts 80a and 80b at both ends of the take-up reel 31, the support shaft 80b is rotatably supported by a take-up bearing 81b formed on the side walls of the upper and lower frames 73 and 74. Each reel 30, 31
The other support shafts 78a, 80a are rotatably supported by a first torque limiter 85 and a second torque limiter 97, which will be described later.

The winding-side reel accommodating portion 72 is formed such that the outer diameter dimension thereof is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the supply-side reel accommodating portion 71, and when the ink film cassette 33 is loaded into the main body of the apparatus, a cassette loading operation is performed. The direction can be easily identified. Further, this cassette shape is a shape that a worker can easily hold, and the ink film 32 can be held even when the operator holds it.
The shape is hard to touch. Further, since wrinkles are generated on the ink film 32 after printing, the supply side reel 3
When all of the ink film 32 wound around 0 is wound on the winding side reel 31, the winding diameter of the ink film 32 on the winding side reel 31 is the winding diameter originally wound on the supply side reel 30. Will be bigger than For such an increase in the diameter of the ink film after printing,
If the outer diameter dimension of the winding-side reel accommodating portion 72 is made larger than that of the supply-side reel accommodating portion 71, it is possible to deal with it without any trouble.

In the ink film cassette 33 of this embodiment, the upper and lower frames 73 and 74 are openable and closable, and as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the upper and lower frames 73 and 74 are locked to the side surfaces. A slider 123, which forms each of the pieces 121 and 122 and connects or disconnects the two locking pieces 121 and 122, is movably provided. After the two locking pieces 121, 122 of the upper and lower frames 73, 74 are butted against each other, the slider 123 is moved to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 74 are fixed to each other. On the other hand, if the slider 123 is moved to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line, the connection of both locking pieces is released, and the upper and lower frames 7 are released.
3,74 can be opened. Upper and lower frames 73, 74
FIG. 12 shows the state in which the slider is opened, and the slider 123 remains on the lower frame 74 even in the opened state.

Although not shown in the drawings, if a rib is provided at the joint where the upper frame 73 and the lower frame 74 are butted against each other, the area in which both frames 73, 74 contact each other increases, so both frames are 73 and 74 can be reliably bonded. Further, the rib can be used as a positioning member when the ink film cassette 33 is loaded in the apparatus main body.

Particularly, in the ink film cassette 33 of the present embodiment, a braking force is applied to the support shaft 78a of the supply reel 30 in the cassette 33 between the support shaft 78a of the supply reel 30 and the cassette 33. A first torque limiter 85 corresponding to the first braking means is detachably provided.

Further, the support shafts 80a, 8 of the take-up reel 31
0b and the cassette 33, the second braking means 95 for applying a braking force to the support shafts 80a and 80b of the take-up reel 31 in the cassette 33 is detachably provided.

Further, the ink film cassette 33 is detachably provided with a second torque limiter 97 corresponding to a torque limiting means for limiting the drive torque of the take-up reel 31 in the cassette 33.

Hereinafter, the first and second torque limiters 85 and 9 will be described.
7 and the second braking means 95 will be described in order.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first torque limiter 85 is composed of a gear 35 and a limiter 87 attached to the gear 35. The gear 35 is a disk having teeth formed on its outer peripheral surface. The limiter 87 has a portion 88 and a shaft portion 89 formed integrally with the disc portion 88.
Is a main body 90 and a through hole 92 formed in the main body 90.
And an inner shaft 91 rotatably held therein. Inner shaft 9
1 and the gear 35, the support shaft 78a of the supply side reel 30
Through holes 93, 94 through which bobbins are inserted. The bobbin 78a has a diameter smaller than that of the supply-side reel 30, and the end surface 30a of the reel 30 has a convex portion 95 extending in the radial direction. A concave portion 96 that engages with the convex portion 95 is formed at the tip of the inner shaft, and the convex portion 95 and the concave portion 96 are formed.
By engaging with (hereinafter collectively referred to as an engaging portion), the supply-side reel 30 and the inner shaft 91 are integrally rotated.

The main body 90 of the limiter 87 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the two through holes 124 extending in the radial direction.
Are formed so as to penetrate therethrough. A spring 125 is incorporated in the through hole 124, and at the open end of the through hole 124,
The set screw 126 is screwed. Both through holes 124 are formed at positions facing each other, and the spring 1
The elastic force of 25 acts on the inner shaft 91 from both sides in the radial direction.

The first torque limiter 85 is connected to the supply reel 3
In the case of attaching to 0, the bobbin 78a is inserted from the inner shaft 91 side, the convex portion 95 and the concave portion 96 are aligned and engaged, and the supply side reel 30 and the inner shaft 91 are engaged via this engaging portion.
And concatenate. The first torque limiter 85 inserted in the bobbin 78a is assembled to the cassette 33 in a non-rotating state. In this state, the elastic force of the spring 125 acts on the inner shaft 91 from both sides in the radial direction, and the engaging portion 9
The elastic force of the spring 125 also acts on the supply reel 30 connected via 5, 96. Therefore, unless the torque against the elastic force of the spring 125 acts on the supply reel 30, the supply reel 30 does not rotate. That is, the first torque limiter 85 operates in the cassette 33.
In the inside, a braking force is applied to the support shaft 78a of the supply-side reel 30 to give a rotational load to the supply-side reel 30.

The adjustment of the braking force by the first torque limiter 85 can be easily performed only by adjusting the screwing amount of the set screw 126. Further, in the case of a torque limiter of a type in which the set screw 126 is not provided and the braking force cannot be adjusted, a plurality of ones having a spring for urging an elastic force according to a predetermined braking force are prepared. Incidentally, by selecting a desired torque limiter from among them, the rotational load on the supply-side reel 30 can be appropriately changed.

If the first torque limiter 85 can be assembled to the cassette 33 in a non-rotatable manner, it may be a simple disk member instead of the gear 35, but a gear forming a second torque limiter 97 described later. As shown in FIG. 15, a protrusion 109 having a shape corresponding to the gear tooth profile is provided on the inner surface of the cassette 33, and the gear 35 is prevented from rotating by meshing with each other. In this way, the torque limiter 85,
It is possible to make common the components that make up 97 and reduce the component cost.

The second torque limiter 97 has the same structure as the first torque limiter 85, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, as shown in parentheses in FIG. The bobbin as the support shaft 80a is formed with a diameter smaller than that of the winding-side reel 30, and the reel end surface 31a has
The convex portion 95 is formed. By engaging the convex portion 95 with the concave portion 96 at the tip of the inner shaft 91, the take-up reel 31
The inner shaft 91 and the inner shaft 91 rotate together.

The gear 35 of the second torque limiter 97 has an opening 100 (FIG. 9 and FIG. 1) formed in the lower frame 74.
0), and when the cassette 33 is loaded into the apparatus main body as described above, the cassette 33 meshes with the ink film winding drive gear 36 through the opening 100.

The second torque limiter 97 is attached to the take-up reel 3
In the case of attaching to the reel 1, the bobbin 80a is inserted from the inner shaft 91 side, and the take-up reel 31 is inserted through the engaging portions 95 and 96.
And the inner shaft 91 are connected. Second inserted in bobbin 80a
The torque limiter 97 is attached to the cassette 33 in a rotatable state. In this state, the elastic force of the spring 125 acts on the inner shaft from both sides in the radial direction,
Take-up reel 31 connected via engaging portions 95 and 96
Also, the elastic force of the spring 125 acts. Therefore, when a driving torque larger than the force corresponding to the elastic force of the spring 125 acts on the gear 35, the winding-side reel 3
The rotational force from the gear 35 is not transmitted to the gear 1,
Only the idle will spin.

The adjustment of the drive torque by the second torque limiter 97 can be easily performed only by adjusting the screwing amount of the set screw 126. Also, set screw 126
In the case of a torque limiter of the type that does not have a drive torque and cannot adjust the drive torque, prepare a plurality of ones that incorporate springs that urge elastic force according to the predetermined drive torque. By selecting a desired torque limiter from among these, the drive torque of the take-up reel 31 can be limited to an appropriate value.

First and second torque limiters 85, 97
The gear 35 and the limiter 87 are integrated in advance, and can be easily attached to the reels 30 and 31 by only inserting the bobbins 78a and 80a once.
In addition, since it is a work of inserting only when assembling, it is easy to make the assembly line or automate. Further, when removing from the reels 30 and 31, it is only necessary to pull out from the bobbins 78a and 80a, which can be easily performed. Therefore, the first and second torque limiters 85 and 97 can be easily attached to and detached from the bobbins 78a and 80a.

Second braking means 95 in the present embodiment
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 16, from the winding-side bearing portion 81a that supports the winding-side bearing portion 81b that supports the bobbin 80b of the winding-side reel 31 and the gear shaft portion 89 through which the bobbin 80a is inserted, It is configured. The clearance between the take-up side bearing portion 81b and the bobbin 80b and the clearance between the take-up side bearing portion 81a and the gear shaft portion 89 are applied to the bobbin 80b of the take-up reel 31 and the gear shaft portion 89 by a braking force. It is set to a predetermined dimension which is given to apply a rotational load to the take-up reel 31.

The supply side bearing portion 79b that holds the bobbin 78b of the supply side reel 30 and the supply side bearing portion 79a that supports the gear shaft portion 89 through which the bobbin 78a is inserted are
The sliding resistance between the bobbin 78b and the gear shaft 89 is formed to be as small as possible.

As described above, since the winding load is applied to the winding reel 31 by the second braking means 95, the set torque value of the second torque limiter 97 on the winding side is
The value of the first torque limiter 85 on the supply side is set to be larger than the value of the second torque limiter 97, in consideration of the rotational load of the take-up reel 31.

Further, the materials of various members constituting the torque limiters 85, 97 are the same for both members 85, 97, and only the screwing amount of the set screw 126 is changed. By doing so, even when the operating temperature of the ink film cassette 33 changes, both torque limiters 85 and 97 exhibit the same behavior, so that the torque difference between the supply side and the winding side can be easily maintained. . In addition,
If the change in the torque difference can be suppressed within the allowable range even if the operating temperature changes, the supply side member and the winding side member can be made of different materials.

By making the first torque limiter 85 black, for example, and the second torque limiter 97 white, for example, mistakes in assembling the reels 30 and 31 can be prevented. Further, by changing the shape of the gear shaft portion 89 of each of the torque limiters 85 and 97, and changing the shapes of the bearing portions 79a and 81a on the supply side and the winding side accordingly, the torque limiters on the supply side and the winding side are changed. You may make it fundamentally prevent the mistake of attaching 85 and 97.

Ink film cassette 3 of this embodiment
3, since the first and second torque limiters 85 and 97 are provided in the cassette, the ink film cassette 33
In the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 that uses, the supply-side torque limiter and the winding-side torque limiter do not need to be provided inside the main body of the recording apparatus 10. Since the torque limiter on the device body side can be eliminated, the structure of the device body can be simplified and the cost of the device body can be reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce the size of the device body.

Further, the first and second torque limiters 85 and 97 provided in the ink film cassette 33 do not need to have the same durability as other parts in the apparatus main body, and the ink film 32 accommodated therein cannot be used. Complete 1
It is sufficient that it has such a durability that it operates normally until an image of 00 screen is formed. Therefore, the first and second torque limiters 8 are relatively cheaper than the conventional torque limiter 8.
5 and 97 can be formed, and the cost of the entire device can be further reduced by reducing the cost of parts.

Further, since the first torque limiter 85 for applying the braking force to the support shaft 78a of the supply-side reel 30 is provided in the cassette 33, an external force is applied during the shipping and transportation of the ink film cassette 33 which is a consumable item. Even if the ink is added, the ink film 32 is not loosened and immediately fed from the supply-side reel 30, and the unused ink film 32 is not wasted. Further, even when the ink film cassette 33 is removed from the thermal transfer recording device 10 while the ink film 32 is being used, the unused ink film 32 does not immediately come out from the supply-side reel 30 even when an external force is applied. No more wasting 32.

Moreover, since the second braking means 95 composed of the take-up bearing portions 81a and 81b also applies a rotational load to the take-up reel 31 in the cassette 33, the ink film cassette is used while the ink film 32 is being used. Even when external force is applied when 33 is removed from the thermal transfer recording device, the used ink film 32 is not immediately fed out from the take-up reel 31,
The ink film 32 is not damaged.

Further, the first torque limiter 85 and the take-up side bearing portions 81a and 81b provided in the cassette 33 are provided on the supply side and take-up side reels 30 and 31 when the ink film cassette 33 is being transported. Since it also has a stopper function to prevent rotation, it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated stopper mechanism, and the configuration of the ink film cassette 33 does not become complicated. Further, it is not necessary to perform a dedicated work such as fixing the stopper to the support shaft to prevent the extension.

The first torque limiter 8 on the supply side
5 is set to be larger than the value of the second torque limiter 97 on the winding side, so that when the winding reel 31 is rotated, the loosened ink film 32 is removed from the winding reel 3.
As it is wound up, it becomes tight. After that, even if the take-up reel 31 is further rotated, the drive torque acting on the gear 35 becomes equal to or more than the force corresponding to the elastic force of the spring 125, and only the gear 35 idles. Not pulled out of 30.

The value of the first torque limiter 85 is set to the second value.
Since it is set larger than the value of the torque limiter 97, when the thermal head 26 is lowered and brought into pressure contact with the platen roller 25 for printing, the supply side reel 30
Therefore, the unused ink film 32 is not drawn out, and the used ink film 32 is drawn out from the take-up reel 31. Therefore, the unused ink film 32 is not wastefully used. Therefore, since it is possible to reduce the ink area of each color, it is possible to increase the number of ink areas that can be applied even with the ink film 32 having the same length, and it is possible to increase the number of images that can be formed.

Moreover, the torque limiters 85 and 97 can be assembled to the reels 30 and 31 simply by inserting the first torque limiter 85 and the second torque limiter 97 into the bobbins 78a and 80a. Assembly work of 85 and 97 becomes easy. Further, the second braking means 95 is the winding side bearing portion 81.
Since it is composed of a and 81b and does not require a dedicated member, the work at the time of storing the take-up reel 31 in the cassette 33 becomes easy.

The torque limiters 85 and 97 are provided on the reel 3 respectively.
It can be installed in the cassette 33 together with 0 and 31, and taken out from the cassette 33. Moreover, the bobbin 78a,
Since it can be easily attached to and detached from the 80a, FIG.
As shown in (A), the first torque limiter 85 is removed from the used supply side reel 30, and the first torque limiter 85 is replaced with a new supply side reel 30 as shown in FIG. It can be easily incorporated into the cassette 33. Although not shown, the second torque limiter 97 can also be replaced with a new take-up reel 31 and easily incorporated into the cassette 33 in the same manner. Therefore, the user can easily replace or refill only the ink film 32. Even if the ink film cassette 33 is a consumable item,
The torque limiters 85 and 97 can be reused and collected, and the discarded members can be reduced as much as possible.

On the ink film cassette 33 side, the torque limiter 8 is adjusted by adjusting the set screw 126.
The torque values of 5 and 97 can be changed, and the torque values currently set can be changed to other torque values by replacing the torque limiters 85 and 97 with other torque limiters. The fact that the torque value can be changed on the cassette 33 side means that the torque value can be changed on the cassette 33 side according to the type of the ink film 32 used, and the type of film that can be used in one thermal transfer recording apparatus. It becomes possible to enrich. For example, like a film with a large back coat coefficient of friction, the supply reel 30
Films that do not need or need to apply a braking force to the film can also be used.

When changing the torque value, it is difficult to change the torque value in the case where the torque limiter is integrated with the cassette. If it is changed, the length of the spring in the torque limiter can be changed. A mechanism for doing so must be provided in the cassette, which causes an increase in the cost of the cassette.

On the other hand, in the case of the type in which the torque limiters 85 and 97 are integrated with the reels 30 and 31, as in the present embodiment, the torque limiters 85 and 97 are provided together with the reels 30 and 31 in the cassette 33. Since the torque limiter having a different set value can be replaced by another one, the changing operation is easy and the cost of the cassette 33 does not increase. A mechanism for changing the length of the spring 125 in the torque limiters 85, 97, such as the set screw 12
Even if 6 is provided to the torque limiters 85 and 97, since the torque limiters 85 and 97 are outside the cassette 33, the changing operation can be easily performed.

The first torque limiter 85, the second torque limiter 97, and the second braking means 95 are not limited to the configurations described above, and can be easily attached to the support shafts 78a and 80a of the reels 30 and 31. Various modifications are possible as long as they are within the range where they can be attached and detached.

For example, the first torque limiter 85 detachably attaches an elastic body such as a sponge slidably contacting the outer peripheral surface of the bobbin 78a of the supply side reel 30 to the inner surface of the cassette 33, and the sponge rotates the supply side reel 30. It may be configured to apply a load. Further, the support shaft 80a of the winding-side reel 31 is projected from the second torque limiter 97, and the winding-side bearing portion 81a as the second braking means 95 directly supports the bobbin 80a and rotates on the winding-side reel 31. You may make it give a load. Further, an elastic body such as a sponge that slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the take-up side gear shaft 89 or the bobbin 80a may be detachably attached to the inner surface of the cassette 33, and a rotational load may be applied to the take-up reel 31 by the sponge. .

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a main part of an ink film cassette according to another embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the ink film cassette 33 of the first embodiment described above, the ink film cassette 33 of this embodiment further includes a rewinding mechanism in which the ink film 32 fed from the supply reel 30 is forcibly rewound onto the supply reel 30. Means 105 are removably attached to the supply reel 30 in the cassette 33.

The rewinding means 105 applies a force to the supply-side reel 30 to rotate the supply-side reel 30 in the direction in which the unwound ink film 32 is rewound.
Like the illustrated example, the kick spring 106 is configured. One end of the kick spring 106 is locked to the gear 35, and the other end is locked to the rib 107 provided on the supply reel 30. When the ink film 32 is unwound from the supply reel 30, elastic force is stored in the kick spring 106, and when the unwinding of the ink film 32 is stopped, the repulsive force causes the supply reel 30 to rotate in the direction in which the ink film 32 is rewound. Has become.

In the thermal transfer recording apparatus 10, when the recording paper 18 is conveyed forward to prepare for the next color printing after the printing of a certain color is completed, the pressure contact of the thermal head 26 with the platen roller 25 is temporarily released. At this time, since the ink film 32 is still in a loosened state, the ink film 32 is usually wound around the take-up reel 31 in order to remove the looseness. However, as in this embodiment, the kick spring 10
By providing 6 on the supply-side reel 30, the slack ink film 32 is forcibly rewound on the supply-side reel 30, and the ink film 32 is maintained in a tension state.
Therefore, the thermal head 26 moves to the platen roller 25.
Ink film 3 even when pressed against or released against
Ink film 3
Two ink areas can be saved and used. Therefore, since it is possible to reduce the ink area of each color, it is possible to increase the number of ink areas that can be applied even with the ink film 32 having the same length, and it is possible to increase the number of images that can be formed.

Further, when the supply side reel 30 is provided with the kick spring 106, and when a winding load larger than the kick spring force is applied to the take-up reel 31, a high load is applied to the take-up reel 31, When the ink film 32 is rewound on the supply reel 30, all the energy stored in the kick spring 106 is not used up. Therefore, when the ink film cassette 33 is taken out of the apparatus 10, the kick spring 106 provided on the supply reel 30 is provided.
The ink film 32 is not loosened by the urging force of the ink and the rotational load applied to the winding side reel 31, and the ink film 32 can be maintained or stored in a tension state.

Next, the operation of the illustrated thermal transfer recording apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (1) to 4 (3) and FIGS. 5 (1) and 5 (2).

<Paper feeding (FIG. 4 (1))> Initial state,
That is, the recording paper 18 and the ink film cassette 33
When a print command is output from a control device (not shown) in the state in which is set, the sheet feeding motor M4 rotationally drives the sheet feeding roller 45, and the recording sheet 18 passes through a minute gap between the sheet separating roller 46 and the recording sheet 18. Only one sheet is fed.

The recording paper 18 is conveyed forward in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of the paper feed roller 45, and the trailing edge detection sensor S1 is further moved.
When the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by, the paper feed motor M4 is stopped. At this time, the front end of the recording paper 18 is sandwiched between the grip roller 50 and the pinch roller 51. Next, the grip roller 50 is rotationally driven by the grip roller drive motor M5, the recording paper 18 is further advanced in the direction of the arrow B, and the rear end of the recording paper 18 is detected by the rear end detection sensor S.
When detected by 1, the grip roller drive motor M5 is stopped. The thermal head 26 is used to move the recording paper 18 forward.
Is performed while being separated from the platen roller 25. The swing guide 58 swings to the upper position, and the recording paper 18 is guided to the storage space 56.

Simultaneously with such paper feeding, the motor M2 and the ink film take-up motor M3 are rotationally driven, and the ink film take-up roller 37 takes out the ink film 32 from the supply-side reel and takes up the ink film 32 on the take-up reel 31. The slack of the ink film 32 is removed and the ink film 32 is cued. When the mark detection sensor S3 detects the cueing mark attached to the ink film 32, the motor M2 and the ink film winding motor M3 are stopped.

<< Start of Printing (FIG. 4 (2)) >> The thermal contact drive eccentric cam 29 is rotated by the thermal head drive motor M1, and the thermal head 26 is pressed against the platen roller 25. Next, the grip roller 50 is rotated by the grip roller drive motor M5, the recording paper 18 is returned and conveyed in the direction of the arrow C, and printing is started immediately after the trailing edge detection sensor S1 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper 18.
A yellow image is formed on. The transport system for returning and transporting the recording paper during printing is only the grip roller 50.

<End of printing (FIG. 4 (3))> When printing is performed up to the leading edge of the recording paper, the ink may be transferred to the platen roller 25. Therefore, the recording paper 18 is placed between the platen roller 25 and the ink film 32. The printing is stopped in the state where the sheet remains, and the return conveyance of the recording paper 18 is also stopped. The eccentric cam 29 for pressure contact is rotated by the thermal head drive motor M1, and the pressure contact of the thermal head 26 with the platen roller 25 is released.

When the printing of the next color or the printing of the overcoat is required, the recording paper 18 is conveyed forward by the grip roller 50 and guided to the accommodation space 56, as shown in FIG. 4B. It The forward conveyance to the printing start position is performed by rotating the grip roller drive motor M5 by a predetermined number of pulses.

Simultaneously with the preparation for the next color printing, the motor M2 and the ink film winding motor M3 are driven to rotate, and the encoder provided at one end of the winding roller 31 counts the amount of the ink film 32 conveyed while performing the pulse counting. The ink layer is cueed. Then, the printing operation described above is executed, and the next color is printed. This operation is repeated for all colors, or overcoat is printed.

<< Tip Cutting (FIG. 5A) >> When all-color printing or overcoat printing is completed, the thermal head 26 is released from pressure contact with the platen roller 25,
The swing guide 58 is swung to the lower position. The recording paper 18 conveyed forward by the grip roller 50 is guided toward the paper discharge unit 22. Further, the carry motor M6 is also rotationally driven at a predetermined timing, and the second discharge roller pair 54 causes
The recording paper 18 is conveyed forward. When the leading edge detection sensor S2 detects the leading edge of the recording paper 18, the grip roller drive motor M5 and the transport motor M6 are stopped.

Then, the conveyance motor M6 is driven from the leading edge of the recording paper by the number of pulses corresponding to the predetermined length, and the recording paper 18 is sent toward the cutter unit 23 by the second discharge roller pair 54. When the conveyance of the recording paper 18 is stopped, the rotary cutter 60 and the cradle 61 cooperate with each other to
Is cut by a predetermined length from its tip. The cut piece of paper falls into the duster portion 24 due to its own weight and is collected.

<< Rear end cut (FIG. 5 (2)) >> When the front end cut is completed, the carry motor M6 is driven by the number of pulses corresponding to the predetermined length, and the first discharge roller pair 53 and the second discharge roller pair 54 are driven. The recording paper 18 is conveyed by. afterwards,
The rotary cutter 60 is operated, and the recording paper 18 is cut from the rear end thereof by a predetermined length at the rear end.

When the trailing edge cutting is completed, the recording paper 18 which is a product reproducing the color image is nipped by the first discharging roller pair 53, and the cut unnecessary paper piece is nipped by the second discharging roller pair 54. It is in the same state as it was. Therefore, first, the conveyance motor M6 is reversely rotated by a predetermined number of pulses to reversely drive the second discharge roller pair 54, and the piece of paper is conveyed toward the printing unit 20 so as to be returned. As a result, the sheet piece falls apart from the second discharge roller pair 54 and is collected in the duster unit 24. Even if the conveyance motor M6 is driven in the reverse direction, the first discharge roller pair 53 does not reversely rotate due to the action of the one-way clutch, and the recording paper 18
Remains in the state of being sandwiched by the first discharge roller pair 53. The operator can pull out the recording paper 18 from the first discharge roller pair 53 even if the transport motor M6 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction.

When the collection of the sheet pieces is completed, the transport motor M6
Is driven forward by a predetermined number of pulses, and the recording paper 18 is conveyed by the first discharge roller pair 53 and is discharged from the discharge tray 17.
Is discharged over

[0130]

According to the ink film cassette of the first aspect, since the first braking means applies the braking force to the support shaft of the supply reel in the cassette, the ink film cassette may be transported. In the case where the ink film cassette is removed from the thermal transfer recording device while the ink film is being used, it is possible to prevent the ink film from being immediately fed out from the supply side reel even if external force is applied, and it is possible to eliminate waste of the unused ink film.

Further, since the braking force is applied to the spindle of the supply-side reel in the cassette, it is not necessary to provide the supply-side torque limiter in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, and the structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus main body is simplified. It is possible to reduce the cost and size of the device body. Furthermore, since the durability of the first braking means is sufficient to operate normally until the use of the ink film contained therein is completed, it is better than the supply side torque limiter provided in the main body of the apparatus. Therefore, the first braking means can be constructed at low cost, and the cost of the thermal transfer recording apparatus as a whole can be further reduced by reducing the cost of parts.

Moreover, since the first braking means is detachably attached to the support shaft of the supply-side reel, by selecting the type of the first braking means according to the type of film, the cassette side can be added to the supply-side reel. The torque that can be applied can be changed to an appropriate value, and the types of ink films that can be used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus are abundant. Also, the first to the supply side reel
As the braking means can be assembled and removed freely,
Not only the cassette manufacturing process, but also the user can easily attach and detach the cassette, and thus the user can refill the ink film.

According to the ink film cassette of the second aspect, since the second braking means applies the braking force to the support shaft of the take-up reel in the cassette, the ink film cassette is subjected to thermal transfer recording during use of the ink film. It is possible to prevent the used ink film from being immediately fed out from the take-up reel even when an external force is applied when the device is removed from the apparatus, and it is possible to prevent the ink film from being damaged.

Moreover, since the second braking means is detachably attached to the spindle of the take-up reel, by changing the second braking means according to the type of film, the cassette side is added to the take-up reel. The torque that can be applied can be changed to an appropriate value, and the types of ink films that can be used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus are abundant. Further, since the second braking means can be freely attached and detached to and from the take-up reel, not only the manufacturing process of the cassette but also the user can easily attach and detach it, and the user can refill the ink film. It becomes possible.

According to the ink film cassette of the third aspect, since the torque limiting means limits the drive torque of the take-up reel in the cassette, the take-up torque limiter is provided in the main body of the thermal transfer recording apparatus. There is no need, the structure of the thermal transfer recording device main body becomes simple,
It is possible to reduce the cost and size of the device body. Furthermore, the durability of the torque limiting means is sufficient to operate normally until the use of the contained ink film is completed, so compared to the take-up torque limiter provided in the main body of the device. Thus, the torque limiting means can be constructed at low cost, and the cost of the thermal transfer recording apparatus as a whole can be further reduced by reducing the cost of parts.

Moreover, since the torque limiting means is detachably attached to the spindle of the take-up reel, by selecting the type of the torque limiting means according to the type of film, the cassette side can be added to the take-up reel. The drive torque that can be used can be changed to an appropriate value, and the types of ink films that can be used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus will be abundant. Further, since the torque limiting means can be freely attached and detached to and from the take-up reel, not only the manufacturing process of the cassette but also the user can easily attach / detach the ink film, so that the user can refill the ink film. Is possible.

According to the ink film cassette of the fourth aspect, since the rewinding means provided in the cassette rewinds the ink film fed from the supply-side reel onto the supply-side reel, the slack of the ink film automatically occurs. The removed ink film is maintained in a tension state.
Therefore, even if the thermal head is pressed against or released from the platen roller, the printing point on the ink film is less likely to shift, ink or the ink film can be saved, and the ink area can be reduced.

Further, the ink film is not loosened even when the ink film cassette is being transported or when the ink film cassette is removed from the thermal transfer recording device during the use of the ink film, and the ink film is maintained in a tension state. can do.

Moreover, since the rewinding means can be freely attached to and detached from the supply side reel, not only the manufacturing process of the cassette but also the user can easily attach / detach, and the user can refill the ink film. Is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a thermal transfer recording apparatus in which an ink film cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention is removably mounted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the thermal transfer recording apparatus with the lid member opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus in a state where an ink film cassette is loaded.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an operating state of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, in which (1) is paper feeding, (2) is printing start,
(3) indicates the end of printing.

5A and 5B are cross-sectional views schematically showing an operating state of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, in which (1) shows a front end cut and (2) shows a rear end cut, respectively.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of a printing unit of the thermal transfer recording apparatus.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the conveyance of the ink film in the thermal transfer recording apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing the ink film cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state where each reel is assembled to the lower frame of the ink film cassette.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the ink film cassette.

11 (A) and (B) are an enlarged view and a cross-sectional view showing a locking piece provided on a side surface of the upper and lower frames.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state in which the upper and lower frames of the ink film cassette are opened and the ink film is taken out.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a first torque limiter (first braking means) and a second torque limiter (torque limiting means).

14A and 14B are cross-sectional views showing a first torque limiter and a second torque limiter.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the first torque limiter is non-rotatably assembled to the cassette.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the winding side bearing portion (second braking means).

17 (A) and 17 (B) are conceptual diagrams showing a procedure of replacing the torque limiter with a new reel.

FIG. 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a main part of an ink film cassette according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Thermal transfer recording device 18 ... Recording paper (recording medium) 25 ... Platen roller 26 ... Thermal head 30 ... Supply reel 31 ... Winding reel 32 ... Ink film 33 ... Ink film cassette 78a, 78b ... Supply reel bobbin (support) Shafts 80a, 80b ... Bobbin (support shaft) of the winding side reel 81 ... Winding side bearing portion (95 ... Second braking means) 85 ... First torque limiter (first braking means) 97 ... Second torque Limiter (torque limiting means) 106 ... Kick spring (105 ... rewinding means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium and an ink film are superposed between a platen roller and a thermal head that can be pressed against and released from the platen roller, and is applied to the ink film by heating with the thermal head. An ink film cassette that is detachably loaded into a main body of a thermal transfer recording device that thermally transfers the ink to the recording medium to perform recording, and is a supply-side reel around which the ink film is wound and a supply-side reel that is unrolled. A take-up reel that winds the ink film; and a first braking unit that is detachably attached to a support shaft of the supply reel and that applies a braking force to the support shaft of the supply reel in the cassette. An ink film cassette that is characterized. 2. A second braking means, which is detachably attached to a support shaft of the take-up reel and applies a braking force to the support shaft of the take-up reel in the cassette. The ink film cassette according to claim 1. 3. The torque limiting means, which is detachably attached to a support shaft of the take-up reel and limits drive torque of the take-up reel in the cassette. Item 2. The ink film cassette according to item 2. 4. The rewinding means for rewinding the ink film unwound from the supply-side reel onto the supply-side reel is detachably attached to the supply-side reel in the cassette. The ink film cassette according to claim 3.