JPS5955783A - Ribbon cassette of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the supply of ink over a long period of time under a two- color printable condition, by forming at least three lines of printing zones to a printing ribbon stored in a cassette case in a color changed state while forming a Mobius loop. CONSTITUTION:When a printing head 11 is opposed to a track T1 to perform printing, black color printing is performed and, when a printing ribbon makes a round, a track T2 is opposed to the printing head 11 to also perform black color printing. When red color printing is performed according to necessity, the printing ribbon 2 is shifted over one track to bring the track T2 into opposed relation with the printing head 11. The shift of the printing ribbon is performed in a printer side by a know means. Even when two-color printing is performed, by storing the printing ribbon 2 in a cassette case 1 while a Mobius loop is formed, said ribbon can be used twofold at least with respect to black printing high in frequency to be used as compared to a single loop.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] This invention relates to a ribbon cassette for a printer.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Conventionally, there is a ribbon cassette in which an endless printing ribbon is stored in a cassette case, and the printing ribbon is sequentially pulled out in front of a platen for printing. Then, the entire width of the printing ribbon is determined to be about the size of two lines of printing, and the printing ribbon is twisted 1800 degrees in the cassette case to form a so-called Möbius loop and stored in the cassette case. There is also a type that changes the zone facing the platen each time it is used, making it durable for long-term use, but this type has a single color. In the case of multicolor printing ribbon, since the printing zone must not change, the ribbon is stored in a cassette case while forming a simple leap, and the colors are changed by shifting the printing ribbon. Therefore, when printing in multiple colors, it is not possible to supply ink over a long period of time, and the printing ribbon must be replaced frequently. ) no longer appears, it is uneconomical as it must be discarded even if other colors appear.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ribbon cassette of a printer that continues to supply ink for a long period of time under conditions that allow at least two-color printing.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention enables printing in at least two colors by forming at least three printing zones of different colors on a printing ribbon stored in a cassette case while forming a Möbius loop, and moreover, printing in one selected color. Even in cases where the printing ribbon runs through the printing zone, the printing zone is changed every time the printing ribbon runs through to continue supplying ink over a long period of time, and the distribution is made in proportion to the frequency of use of each color in the printing zone and the number of tracks occupied by the printing zone. By doing so, it is possible to equalize the consumption rate of the entire print ribbon, eliminate waste and loss, and reduce running costs.

[Embodiments of the invention]

A first embodiment of this invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 to 3. (1) is a cassette case, and an endless printing ribbon (2) is folded and stored in this cassette case (1). This printing ribbon (2) is pulled out between the arms (3) on both sides of the cassette case (1) and between the platen and the printing head (printing section). In addition, the cassette case (1) K is provided with a pair of rollers (4) (5) for drawing in the printing ribbon (2), and a reversing roller for inverting the printing ribbon (2) by 1800 degrees to form a Möbius loop. A member (6) is provided (see Figure 2).

The printing ribbon (2) has three tracks (Tl) (T2) of equal width corresponding to one line printing as shown in FIG.
(Ts) has a total width dimension lined up, and the track (TI)
In track (T3), printing zones (7) and (8) impregnated with black ink are formed as indicated by diagonal lines, and in track (T2), a printing zone impregnated with red ink, which is rarely used. (9) is formed. That is, the color distribution of the printing zones (7), (8), and (9) is symmetrical with respect to the center line αI that covers the entire width of the printing ribbon (2). In addition, the frequently used black printing zones (7) and (8) occupy two tracks (T1) (Ts), while the less frequently used red printing zone (9) occupies two tracks (T1) (Ts). Track (T is assigned.

In such a configuration, the print head α force is expressed as shown in Fig. 3 (−
), when printing is performed while facing the track (T1), black printing is performed, and when the printing ribbon (2) is in the negative direction, the track (T3) is facing the print head α■, and black printing is also performed. When printing in red as necessary, shift the printing ribbon (2) by one track as shown in Figure 3 (machi) so that the track (T2) faces the α force of the printing head. The shift is performed by a known means on the printer side.

In this way, even when performing two-color printing, by storing the printing ribbon (2) in the cassette case (1) using the Möbius loop, it can be used twice as much as the simple loop, at least for frequently used black printing. possible, and the printing ribbon (2) will need to be replaced less frequently. Also, although the red printing zone (9) only has one track, it is used infrequently so it can be used sufficiently, and by the time the - stripe printing zone (9) is worn out, the two stripes printing zones (7) and (8) are also used. It is worn out because it occurs frequently. Therefore, the printing ribbon (2) not only lasts longer, but also lasts longer on each track (TI) (T
I) (T8) have the same consumption state, and it is possible to reduce running costs by eliminating unevenness and waste.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIG. 4. The same parts as in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The printing ribbon (2) in this example has three tracks (TI) (T2) (TI1) (T4) (
T5) has a full width dimension lined up, and the track (TI)
(Ts) has black printing zones (7) (8) formed, track (Ta)K has a red printing zone (9), and track (Tz) (T4) has areas as indicated by diagonal lines. Blue printing zones (A) (to) are formed. The color distribution is symmetrical with respect to the center line α1.

Therefore, when printing in black, the track (T1) is opposed to the print head (ell) as shown in FIG.
The track (T6) faces the force and black printing continues.

When printing blue printing, which is considered to be used more frequently after black printing, use the printing ribbon (2) as shown in Figure 4 (Tsukasa).
is shifted so that the track (T2) faces the print head (Ql), but the print ribbon (2) -J [then the track (T4) faces the print head (11), and even when printing in blue, a simple loop occurs. It lasts twice as long compared to. When printing in red, the printing ribbon (2) is further shifted to the track (T3) as shown in Figure 4 (6).
is opposed to the print head α force.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since this invention is configured as described above, it is possible to continue printing in the same color by changing the track facing the print head every time the printing ribbon runs through the print head, thereby supplying ink over a long period of time and printing. It is possible to reduce the frequency of ribbon replacement, and it is possible to perform multicolor printing while satisfying these conditions.Furthermore, the printing zone for each color has many tracks depending on the frequency of use, so the system can be Therefore, it has effects such as equalizing the degree of wear of the entire print ribbon, eliminating unevenness and waste, and reducing running costs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an enlarged portion of the printing ribbon, and FIG. 3 is a printing zone and print head thereof. FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a partial front view showing the correspondence between the print zone and the print head. 1... Cassette case, 2... Printing ribbon, 7-9
...Print zone, 10...Center line, Tl to TII
...Track, 11...Print head (printing section)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An endless printing ribbon that forms a Möbius loop and is stored in a cassette case and a part of which is pulled out to the printing section is provided, and the entire width of this printing ribbon is covered with at least a track of equal width corresponding to one line printing. Three or more strips are arranged in parallel, and each track has a different color to form a printing zone, and the color arrangement of the printing zone is set at symmetrical positions with respect to a center line that bisects the entire width of the printing ribbon. A ribbon cassette for printers that is characterized by: 2. An endless printing ribbon is provided that forms a Möbius loop and is stored in a cassette case and a part of it is pulled out to the printing unit. A plurality of printing zones are formed with different colors for each track, and the frequency of use of each color is proportional to the number of tracks occupied, and a center line dividing the width of the printing ribbon into two is formed. A ribbon cassette for a printer, characterized in that the color arrangement of the printing zones is set at symmetrical positions.