JPS63254085A - Ink paper cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To visually observe the remaining amount of ink paper, by providing a plurality of receiving means engaging with a positioning means on an ink cassette so as to shift the positions thereof with respect to the lateral direction of the ink paper and providing a window to the side wall of the ink cassette. CONSTITUTION:When a cassette 1 is inserted in a mechanism part 10 in an inserting direction A, the side surfaces of a supply shaft 3 and a take-up shaft 4 in the insert direction A are engaged with torque transmitting shafts 11, 11' while positioning holes 7, 7' are engaged with positioning pins 14, 14' and the cassette 1 is positioned with respect to the mechanism part 10 and an ink shaft receives torque by the torque transmitting shaft 11 to feed ink paper 2. Further, a plurality of characteristic reading parts 15 are opposed to certain characteristic display holes 9 to respectively read the data of one bit. Then, said data are judged by a printing control means and printing is performed corresponding to the kind and sensitivity characteristic of the ink paper 2. When printing is performed by the cassette 1, the ink paper 2 wound around the supply shaft 3 is taken up by the take-up shaft 4 and, therefore, the winding diameter of the ink paper 2 of the take-up shaft 4 increases and the change thereof can be visually observed through a window 40. Therefore, the use amount and remaining amount of the ink paper 2 can be determined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a cassette containing a strip-shaped medium such as ink paper used in a recording device such as a printer.

[Prior Art] A method of attaching ink paper to a printer device that prints or prints using paper coated with ink has been put to practical use in many printers, typewriters, and the like. As a method for easily installing particularly wide ink paper into a printer device, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-67278, a supply shaft for supplying ink paper and a winding shaft for winding ink paper are placed in the same cassette. and a pressure roller that overlaps the photographic paper and ink paper during printing. A method has been disclosed in which a supply shaft and a take-up shaft in a cassette are connected by a rotation transmission means, and ink paper is fed out in accordance with a printing operation.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, printers are used for a wide variety of purposes, and the recording paper can be plain paper,
OHP paper or tack sticker paper may be used, and the printing conditions vary, such as high speed/low speed, color/black and white, etc. Ink paper not only has various characteristics that meet the above conditions, but also has various widths depending on the print size. The above-mentioned conventional technology has a problem in that when a user uses a plurality of ink cassettes or a plurality of types of ink cassettes in parallel without replacing them, it becomes impossible to grasp the usage status of the ink paper, including the detection of the remaining amount of the ink paper. The purpose of the present invention is to: display or detect differences in ink characteristics while maintaining compatibility with conventional ink paper cassettes for printers;
- To provide an ink paper cassette that allows ink cassettes with different widths of ink paper to be installed and - allows the remaining amount of ink paper to be visually checked.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above objects are: (1) providing an ink cassette with a means for displaying ink characteristics that is effective in the insertion direction of the ink cassette, and a means for detecting ink characteristics that are effective in that direction and corresponding to the ink characteristics; (1) The printer device is provided with a means for positioning the ink cassette, and a plurality of receivers are provided on the ink cassette 1 to fit into the positioning means by shifting the position in the width direction of the ink paper. (1) This can be solved by providing a window on at least one side wall of the ink cassette.

[Function] By inserting the ink cassette into the printer device,
The detection means of the printer device detects the ink characteristic display means on the cassette, and the control means can perform printing according to the detected ink characteristics. Each time the ink cassette is replaced, the above-mentioned ink characteristics are detected and printing conditions are controlled. Furthermore, when an ink cassette is inserted into a printer device, the positioning means of the printer device and the receiver of the ink cassette fit together, and by positioning the ink cassette, the ink cassette can be installed with high accuracy, but the receiver requires multiple methods. By providing this, it is possible to use a common ink cassette for a plurality of printer apparatuses even in a printer apparatus in which a positioning means is provided at an original position, since one type of the receiver means matches. Additionally, by providing a window in the ink cassette, you can visually see the decrease in the winding diameter of the ink paper on the supply shaft and the increase in the winding diameter of the ink paper on the take-up shaft as the ink paper is used. You can know.

[Example] Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example showing the structure of an ink paper cassette according to the present invention. The cassette 1 has two hollow drum-shaped supply shaft storage sections 5 and a take-up shaft storage section 6, which are connected by two joining members 73. Supply shaft storage section 5
Inside, a supply shaft 3 on which unused ink paper 2 is wound is stored, and in a winding shaft storage section 6, a winding shaft 4 on which used ink paper 2 is wound is rotatably stored. has been done. The ink paper 2 to be used has three colors of ink, Ye, Mg, and Cy, sequentially coated on one side in the size of one screen of the printed result, and is supplied from the supply shaft 3 according to the use. and is wound onto the winding shaft 4.

In addition, a plurality of characteristic display holes 9 are provided in the joining member 73 on the insertion direction A side shown by the arrow in the figure, and the winding shaft storage section 6 and the supply shaft storage section 5 of the cassette 1 on the opposite side to the insertion direction A are provided.
A positioning hole 7.7' is provided on the side surface of the holder, and a positioning hole 78 is provided at a position shifted in the insertion direction A. Also, the winding shaft storage section 6
A transparent member or a window 40 with a hole is provided on the side surface of the supply shaft storage section 5 opposite to the insertion direction A. The mechanism section 10 of the printer in which the cassette 1 is installed has torque transmission shafts 11 and 11' that fit into the winding shaft 4 and the supply @ 3 at the back of the drum 12, and between these, the characteristics can be read effectively in the insertion direction A. A positioning pin 14.14 is provided on the wall surface on the side opposite to the insertion direction A of the drum 12.
' was established.

When the cassette 1 is inserted into the mechanism section 1o in the insertion direction A, the supply shaft 3 and take-up shaft 4 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the ink shaft 47) are connected to the side surfaces in the insertion direction A, the torque transmission shafts 11 and 11', and the positioning hole 7.
．． 7' and positioning pins 14 and 14' respectively engage,
The cassette 1 is positioned relative to the mechanism section 10, and the ink shaft 47 receives torque in the direction D indicated by the arrow in the figure by the torque transmission shaft 11, thereby conveying the ink paper 2. Further, by inserting the cassette 1, a plurality of characteristic reading sections 15 and a certain characteristic display hole 9 are brought into opposition, and each characteristic reading section 15 reads 1 bit of information depending on the presence or absence of the characteristic display hole 9. Furthermore, the above information is judged by a printing control means 74 (not shown), and printing is performed according to the type and sensitivity characteristics of the ink paper 2. Further, the mechanism section 10 is designed so that the positioning six 8 does not touch when inserting the cassette 1, so that insertion can be performed smoothly. When printing is performed with the cassette 1, the ink paper 2 that was wound around the supply shaft 3 is taken up on the take-up shaft 4, so the winding diameter of the ink paper 2 on the supply shaft 3 decreases, and the winding diameter of the ink paper 2 on the supply shaft 3 decreases. The roll diameter of the ink paper 2 increases. Since changes in the roll diameter of the ink paper 2 can be visually observed through the window 40, the user can grasp the used amount and remaining amount of the ink paper 2, thereby improving usability.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an example of the printing mechanism section of the printer 19. At the start of printing, the paper feed/discharge switching frame 17 is in the state shown by the solid line, and the photographic paper 22 is wound around the drum 12. As the drum 12 rotates, the ink paper 2 is stacked on the photographic paper 22 on the drum 12, and the thermal head 16 presses it from above. At the bottom of the thermal head 16, 512 heating elements (not shown) are lined up in a direction parallel to the axis of the drum 12, and each generates heat independently in response to an external signal. At this time, ink on the ink paper 2 is transferred to the photographic paper 22 in accordance with the amount of heat generated by each heating element. By repeating this operation 640 times at regular intervals while rotating the drum 12, 512 images are printed on the photographic paper 22.
A picture of 640 pixels is printed. After that, the photographic paper 22
is again rotated together with the drum 12 by the paper feed/discharge switching piece 17, and is overlapped with the ink paper 2 again. Ink paper 2 has
Three colors of ink, Ye, Mg, and Cy, are applied in the size of one screen.First, the first color, Ye, then the second color, Mg, and finally the third color, cy, are applied using the above method. Heat transfer. Thereafter, the paper feed/discharge switching block 17 moves to the position 17' indicated by the broken line, and the photographic paper 22 is discharged without being wound around the drum 12. With the above operation, the photographic paper 22 has a 512X
Three colors of ink for 640 pixels are superimposed to record a color image. The ink paper 2 is an unused ink paper 2 wound around a supply shaft 3, and as the ink paper 2 is used, it is pulled out from the supply shaft 3 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, passes under the heating element, After the ink is transferred to the photographic paper 22, it is wound around the take-up shaft 4 as used ink.

As the ink paper 2 is used, the supply shaft 3 rotates, and the winding diameter of the ink paper 2 also decreases. Further, since the winding diameter of the ink paper 2 increases on the winding shaft 4, the remaining amount of the ink paper 2 can be confirmed by visually checking both or one of them.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a printer 19 using an ink paper cassette according to the present invention. On the paper feed tray 23,
Photographic papers 22 are stacked one on top of the other, and the top one is pulled out and wrapped around the drum 12 during printing. The ink paper 2 unwound from the cassette 1 is stacked on the photographic paper 22 on the drum 12, and pressed from above by the thermal head 16. Printing is performed as the drum 12 rotates, and after printing, the photographic paper 22 is discharged from the paper discharge port 24. The cassette 1 is attached to the upper part of the drum 12 in the printer 19, and by closing the cassette lid 25, the cassette 1 is fixed in the printer 19 by a cassette holding spring (not shown) attached to the cassette lid 25. Cassette 1
is provided with a window 40 through which the number of sheets of ink paper 2 to be used can be visually checked, and even when the cassette 1 is installed in the printer 19, the remaining number of sheets to be used can be checked. Cassette 1
When the cassette lid 25 is attached to the printer 19,
Make it transparent or provide an opening. Alternatively, the remaining number of sheets to be used is transmitted to the printer 19, and the printer 19 displays it for confirmation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the printer 19 when printing, and (a) shows a horizontal standard image 71, and (b) shows a case where a vertical standard image 70 is printed. If the horizontal width of the printing surface is larger than the vertical width, the thermal head 16 and drum 12 are printed by printing the horizontal position standard image 71 as shown in (a).
In contrast, when printing a vertical standard image 70 as shown in FIG.
You will need the width at the top. Therefore, in the printer 19 designed to print the horizontal standard image 71, the thermal head 1
6 and drum 12 can be made small, making it possible to downsize the printer 19 and reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, vertical position standard image 70 and horizontal position standard image 7
1, the width of the ink paper 2 required for both is smaller when printing the horizontal standard image 71, but from the user's point of view, the width of the ink paper 2 required for both is smaller. Being able to use the same ink paper 2 is more convenient than using the same ink paper 2 without confusion, and it is also advantageous for the manufacturer as it can be provided at a lower cost due to the mass production effect of the ink paper 2 and cassette l. When using the same ink paper 2, in the printer 19 designed to print the horizontal standard image 71, the extra width 26 of the ink paper comes out and the width of the cassette 1 increases. There is no practical problem if the cassette 1 is stored in the storage space of the cassette 1 partitioned by the cassette lid 25 and the drum 12 shown. Vertical standard image 70
In the printer 19 designed to print, the vertical width of the printing surface is made the same as the horizontal width of the vertical standard image 70, and an even larger horizontal enlarged image 72 is printed using the ink paper 2 of the same width. I can do it. Furthermore, when printing a vertically long image, that is, when the vertical width of the screen is larger than the horizontal width, it is effective to reverse the above relationship.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram in which a horizontal standard image 71, a vertical standard image 70, and an enlarged image 72 are printed on the same photographic paper 22, and a side view of the printing mechanism section 10 thereof. Photographic paper 22 on drum 12
The thermal head 16 wraps the ink paper 2 onto the drum 1.
When printing is performed while pressing the ink paper 2 onto the drum 12, the ink paper 2
is conveyed by an amount equal to the outer circumference of the film, and is wound up from the supply shaft 3 to the take-up shaft 4. When the photographic paper 22 is a continuous paper in the form of a roll and is used for printing with one color ink, the length of the photographic paper 22 or the photographic paper 22 is conveyed together with the ink paper 2 without being wound around the drum 12. I can continue printing. In addition, when obtaining a color image by dividing the ink paper 2 into multiple colors and printing in multiple colors (for example, three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan), the length of each color of the ink paper 2 and the length of the printing paper The length 27 needs to be the same as or shorter than the circumferential length of the drum 12, and the length of the printing surface needs to be even shorter. The photographic paper length 27 required to print the horizontal standard image 71 is larger than the photographic paper length 27' required to print the vertical standard image 70, and the length 27 of photographic paper required to print the enlarged image 72 is The same applies to the length of the ink paper 2. In addition, when the ink paper 2 is kept pressed by the thermal head 16 and the drum 12 during printing, the coating pitch of each color on the ink paper 2 is set to be the same as the length of the drum 12, so that the ink paper The color of the ink paper 2 changes, but if the thermal head 16 is pressed against the drum 12 only during printing, and the thermal head 16 is raised when not printing, the ink paper 2 is not transported, so there is no need to transport excess ink paper 2. The length of the ink paper 2 is further reduced, which is effective in reducing the cost of the ink paper 2.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the ink paper 2 and the printing mechanism section 10. Before printing starts, a detector (not shown) detects the cue mark 33 and detects the initial position of the ink paper 2.
In order to absorb errors in conveyance of the ink paper 2 and photographic paper 22, it is necessary to leave a margin 32 when printing starts on the ink paper 2. Also, by making the ink coating pitch 31.31', 31'' and the ink paper feed length 30.30' the same as the drum circumference 28, each ink coating pitch 31.31', 31''
The margin of the ink surface within can be made the same as the margin 32, and a margin for each color can be secured. however.

The inking pitch 31 needs to be smaller than the sum of the margin 32 and the print length 34.

In FIG. 7, the ink coating pitch 31 is equal to the ink paper feed length 30.
An example in which the length is longer than that is shown. Drum diameter 29
If the drum diameter 29 is made larger than the drum diameter 29 shown in the figure, the ink paper feed length 30 will increase because the drum circumference 28 increases, but if the inking pitch 31 is the same as the inking pitch 31 shown in FIG. But (inking pitch 31) x 3 ≧ margin 32 + (ink paper feed length 30) x 2 + printing length 3
If there is a relationship of 4, it is possible to use the ink paper 2, and the ink paper 2 can be shared.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the ink coating pitch 31 is shorter than the ink paper feed length 30. If the drum diameter 29 is made smaller than the drum diameter 29 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
o will decrease, but even if the inking pitch is the same as the inking pitch 31, it can be used as long as there is a relationship such as (inking pitch 31) can be shared.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the cassette 1 according to the present invention.

(a) shows the cassette 1 when the ink paper width 35 is small, (
b) is the cassette 1 when the ink paper width 39 is large, (c
) shows a cassette 1 that can be attached to both printers 19 that use the cassettes 1 shown in (a) and (b), although the ink paper width 39 is large. When loading the ink paper 2 with the ink paper width 35 smaller than the cassette full width 37 of the cassette 1, a positioning hole position 36 with a width larger than the ink paper width 35 is secured from the end face on the insertion direction A side, and the positioning hole 7.
7', and by configuring the width of the drum 12 (not shown) to be smaller than the positioning hole position 36, it is possible to print on the photographic paper 22 wound on the drum 12. Also,
When the ink paper width 39 is further increased, larger positioning holes 38 and positioning holes 8.8' are similarly provided. Here, if the cassette overall width 37 is configured to be the same, there is a possibility that the two types of cassettes 1 described above can be installed in the same printer 19, but since the positioning holes 7 or 8 are installed in different positions, positioning accuracy is ensured. Can not. Therefore, as shown in (c), an ink paper 2 with a large ink paper width 39 is used, a positioning hole 7 is provided at the positioning hole position 36, and a positioning hole 8 is provided at the positioning hole position 38, that is, two types of positioning holes are provided, and the entire width of the cassette is 37 (a), (b)
By making the cassette 1 equal to the cassette 1 shown in FIG. 1, it can be installed in two types of printers 19. The above-mentioned cassette 1 allows common use of the cassette 1, reduces costs due to mass production, and prevents the user from making a mistake in selecting the cassette 1.

Figure 10 shows the cassette 1 shown in Figure 9(c).
, ) is a perspective view of the cassette 1 shown in FIG. The feature is that a relief part 75 is provided in the mechanism part 10, and when the cassette 1 is inserted, the positioning hole 7 fits within the relief part 75 and does not interfere with insertion, and the positioning pin 14 and the positioning hole 8
are fitted, and the cassette 1 is positioned.

Figure 11 shows the cassette 1 shown in Figure 9(c).
It is a perspective view when the cassette 1 shown in b) is attached to the mechanism section 10 of the printer 19 that uses it. When the cassette 1 is inserted into the mechanism section 10, the positioning pin 14 and the positioning hole 7
are fitted, and the cassette 1 is positioned.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the cassette 1 is provided with a window 40 for checking the amount of ink paper 2 remaining. As the ink paper 2 is used, it is unwound from a supply shaft 3 wrapped with new ink 43, conveyed in the direction of the arrow, and wound onto a winding shaft 4 wrapped with used ink 44. In a new cassette 1 in which less ink paper 2 is used, the diameter of the new ink 43 wound around the supply shaft 3 is large, and the diameter of the used ink 44 wound around the take-up shaft 4 is thin. As the ink paper 2 is used, the diameter of the new ink 43 becomes thinner, and the diameter of the used ink 44 becomes thicker. Therefore, the used amount or remaining amount of ink paper 2 in the cassette 1 during use can be confirmed by visually comparing the winding diameters of the supply shaft 3 and the winding shaft 4. In this embodiment, a window 40 is formed by cutting notches at both ends of the cassette 1 and at the contact portion between the cassette upper case 41 and the cassette lower case 42, so that the axial winding diameter of the ink paper 2 can be visually confirmed. Further, by providing windows 40 at both ends of the cassette 1, dust is prevented from entering the cassette 1 even when the cassette 1 is placed upside down, and deterioration of printing quality due to dust adhesion to the ink paper 2 is prevented. Here, since the torque supplying side of the printer 19 constitutes a driving means (not shown), when the cassette 1 is installed in the printer 19, the driving means obstructs the visual recognition of the roll diameter of the ink shaft 47. However, by providing the window 40 on the opposite side, components that obstruct visibility can be eliminated, and the state of use of the ink paper 2 can be easily checked; however, if necessary, the window 40 may be provided on the driving means side. good.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment in which the cassette 1 is provided with a window 40 for visually checking the roll diameter of the ink paper 2.

In this embodiment, the window 40 is formed by making a notch in the lower part of the cassette lower case 42 at an oblique position. The winding diameter of the ink paper 2 visible through the window 40 is that the winding diameter of the new ink 43 on the supply shaft 3 is much larger than the winding diameter of the used ink 44 on the winding shaft 4, and this cassette 1 is still very small. This indicates that the ink paper 2 is not being used, that is, there is a considerable amount of ink paper 2 remaining. If the direction in which the cassette 1 is placed is specified as shown in the figure by providing a window 40 diagonally at the bottom of the cassette 1, it is possible to further prevent the intrusion of debris, and since the lowest part of the cassette 1 is blocked. Additionally, the effects of dust flying up from the floor can be prevented.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which dust guards 45 and 46 are provided on the window 40 for visually checking the roll diameter of the ink paper 2 on the cassette 1. window 4
Since the position and function of 0 are the same as in FIG. 12, their explanation will be omitted. Cassette 1 upper case 41 forming window 40
A canopy-shaped dust shield 45 is provided on the side to reduce the area of the opening for intrusion of debris and reduce the amount of intrusion of dust.

Further, dust hitting the corners of the cassette lower case 42 side is made to escape to the outside. The presence of dust shields 45 and 46 reduces the intrusion of dust from window 4o.

To keep ink paper 2 in a clean state and enable high-quality printing.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the casserole 1 is provided with a characteristic display hole 9 for encoding, recording, and transmitting the characteristics of the ink paper 2 to the printer 19. Figures (a) and (b) show examples of cassettes 1 containing ink papers 2 with different characteristics, and although the overall appearance and shape of the cassette 1 are the same, the position of the characteristic display hole 9 is different. By having the printer 19 read the position of 9, information regarding the ink paper 2 unique to each of the cassettes 1 in (a) and (b) is transmitted. Characteristic display hole 9
is provided at the contact part between the cassette upper case 41 and the cassette lower case 42 and on the joining member 73 between the supply shaft storage section 5 and the take-up shaft storage section 6, and is designed to correspond to various ink paper characteristics when molding the cassette 1. It is formed using a mold prepared by In this case, by providing characteristic display holes 9 in the contact portions of the upper and lower cases of the cassette, the mold release operation can be performed in one operation of dividing the upper and lower molds, thereby reducing the molding process. Further, the characteristic display hole 9 may be provided by making a hole only in the cassette upper case 41 or the cassette lower case 42, instead of providing it in the contact portion of the upper and lower cassette cases as in this embodiment. In this case, for example, if the characteristic display hole 9 is provided by drilling a hole on the cassette upper case 41, the same number of molds for the cassette upper case 41 as the types of ink paper 2 are required, but the cassette lower case 42 Only one type of mold is required.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the types of ink paper 2 to be written using the characteristic display holes 9 on the cassette 1. (a) shows an example of the structure of the ink paper 2 using three-color ink 48, and on the ink paper 2 being conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the figure, following the cue mark 33, yellow (Ye), Three primary colors in a subtractive color mixture of magenta (Mg) and cyan (Cy) are applied.

At the time of printing, a specified color is reproduced by overprinting and mixing the three colors of ink 48 at appropriate density ratios. (b) is an example using four-color ink 49, which is the three colors Y e and M g r C'/ plus black ink, and (c) is an example using only black ink 50 to perform black and white printing. be. When the types of ink paper 2 are the three types described above, the amount of information required to indicate the type is 2 bits, and the information is written by opening and closing the two characteristic display holes 9 on the cassette 1. After reading the information, the printer 19 changes the printing mode according to the type of ink paper 2 and performs a printing operation according to each type of ink paper 2.

FIG. 17 shows another example showing the types of ink paper 2 to be written using the characteristic display holes 9 on the cassette 1. This figure is a graph showing the sensitivity characteristics of the ink paper 2, and is a graph showing the sensitivity characteristics of the ink paper 2.
This figure shows the relationship between the energy applied to the ink paper 2 by the upper thermal head 16 and the density of the print result. When the energy applied to the ink paper 2 is increased, the ink paper 2
The amount of ink transferred to the photographic paper 22 increases, and the print density on the photographic paper 22 increases, but this relationship differs depending on the type of ink paper 22.
It has the unique characteristics of At the time of printing, the printer 19
In order to obtain a specified print density by applying applied energy according to the characteristics of each ink paper 2, the sensitivity characteristics of the ink paper 2 used are required. The printer 19 stores sensitivity characteristics 51, 51' of various types of ink paper 2 in a memory within the printer 19, and selects and uses the sensitivity characteristics according to the type of ink paper 2 written on the cassette 1. For example, if there are eight types of ink paper 2, this is expressed using 3-bit information.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of writing information regarding the ink paper 2 onto the cassette 1. Six characteristic display holes 9 ( Maximum display bit number,
In this embodiment, 6 bits) are provided. Furthermore, a sticker 52 that closes the characteristic display hole 9 is pasted on the joining member 73 of the cassette 1, and a characteristic designation hole 69 is provided above the sticker 52 for selecting and displaying the characteristic display hole 9 on the cassette. . The hole diameter 54 of the characteristic designation hole 69 is the hole diameter 55 of the characteristic display hole 9.
This is made larger to prevent reading errors due to positional deviation of the seal 52 when the printer 19 reads the characteristic display hole 9. Additionally, a positioning member 5 is provided on the cassette 1.
3 is established.

When pasting the sticker 52, by using this and pasting it along the corner, it is possible to accurately position the sticker 52. According to this embodiment, although pasting the sticker 52 requires more work in the manufacturing process of the cassette 1, the sticker 52 can also serve as a label indicating the type of ink paper 2 in the cassette 1, and By changing the cassette 1, different types of ink paper 2 can be loaded into the cassette 1, so that the number of molds for the cassette 1, which used to require many types depending on the type of the cassette 1, can be reduced to only one type.

FIG. 19 shows an example of how to read the characteristic display hole 9 on the cassette 1. The sticker 52 pasted on the cassette 1 is made of a conductive material such as aluminum foil, and the sticker 52 is made of a conductive material such as aluminum foil.
When attaching the cassette 1 to the
Six electrodes from electrode 6 to electrode 61 are pressed against seal 52. (b) shows electrodes 56 to 61 according to this embodiment.
An explanatory diagram of the operation is shown. The electrode 56 is grounded within the printer 19, and the seal 52 on the cassette 1 is also grounded. Since the electrodes 57, 58, and 61 have holes in the seal 52, they are not grounded and their potential becomes H. Electrode 59.60
contacts the seal 52 and becomes grounded, so its potential becomes L, and as a result, 5 from electrode 57 to electrode 61
The bit output signal can be read as information written on the cassette 1. In this embodiment, the characteristics are indicated by providing five characteristic display holes 9 on the cassette 1 and covering the tops with stickers 52, but these holes do not necessarily have to be drilled, and in this case, the characteristics are notated. Characteristics can be displayed just by pasting the sticker 52 on the cassette 1.

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of reading the characteristic display hole 9 on the cassette 1. As shown in (a), when the cassette 1 is installed in the printer 19, the electrodes 57 to 61
is pressed against cassette 1. (b) electrode 57
An explanatory diagram of reading information written on the cassette 1 by the electrode 61 is shown. Each electrode is pressed against the seal 52 by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown), and in the portion where the seal 52 has a hole, the electrode enters the hole. All electrodes are in a grounded state, and the SW plate in contact with the electrodes is also in a grounded state. However, the part where the seal 52 has a hole,
That is, since the electrodes 57, 58, and 61 are placed in the characteristic display hole 9 of the cassette 1, they do not contact the SW plates 62, 63, and 66, and the potential of each SW plate becomes H. Also, the electrode 59.
60 are pressed by the seal 52, and the SW plates 64 and 65 are respectively
come into contact with. Therefore, the SW plates 64 and 65 are grounded and their potential becomes L, and as a result, from the electrode 57 to the electrode 6
The 5-bit output signal up to 1 can be read as information written on the cassette 1. In this example, the seal 5
2 is not used as an electrode, the seal 52
Unlike the embodiment shown in the figure, it is not necessary to limit the seal 52 to a conductive material, and therefore there is no problem of corrosion due to contact of fingers or the like with the seal 52.

Further, it is possible to read not only the selection method of the characteristic display holes 9 by the seal 52 but also the selective formation of the characteristic display holes 9 by the mold of the cassette 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a method for preventing mistakes in pasting the sticker 52 onto the cassette 1. To attach the sticker 52 to the cassette 1, attach the sticker 52 to the characteristic display hole 9 on the cassette 1.
It is necessary to align the position of the characteristic specifying hole 69 on the top of the seal 52, but when pasting the seal 52 by hand, there is a possibility that the position may shift, so the position is adjusted using the positioning member 53. However, since there is a possibility that the seal 52 may be attached upside down, in this embodiment, a seal positioning member 668 is provided on the seal 52, and a seal positioning member 67 is provided on the 5 cassette 1 so as to fit into the seal positioning member 668. . This position is formed on the sticker 52 at a vertically and horizontally asymmetrical position, so that when pasting the seal S2, the sticker 52 cannot be pasted unless the sticker 52 is positioned at the correct position. Thereby, pasting of the sticker 52 eliminates misreading of information due to mistake, and pasting of the sticker 52 facilitates work and improves work efficiency.

FIG. 22 shows another example of a method for preventing mistakes in pasting the sticker 52 onto the cassette 1. The outline is the same as that in FIG. 21, so the explanation will be omitted, but one corner of the seal 52 is cut off diagonally so as not to confuse the top and bottom of the seal 52, and the seal positioning member 6 is placed on the cassette 1 according to the cut off shape.
7 will be provided.

As a result, even if you try to paste the sticker 52 in the opposite direction, the other corner of the sticker 52 will be attached to the sticker positioning member 67.
Since the sticker 52 cannot be pasted in contact with the sticker, mistakes in pasting the sticker 52 can be prevented.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment in which a characteristic display hole 9 is formed on the cassette 1. The characteristic display hole 9 is not provided on the contact surface between the cassette upper case 41 and the cassette lower case 42, but is formed by making a cut in the lower part of the cassette lower case 42. Seal 5
2 is similarly provided with a characteristic specifying hole 69 cut in its lower part.

With this method, only one type of mold is required for the cassette upper case 41, and the mold used to create the conventional cassette 1 can be used as is. Further, for hole selection based on a combination of the characteristic display hole 9 and the characteristic designation hole 69, a plurality of molds for the cassette 1 may be prepared as shown in FIG. 15. Further, the characteristic display hole 9 may be located above the cassette upper case 41 or at the contact portion between the cassette upper case 41 and the cassette lower case 42.

FIG. 24 shows an example of information held by the characteristic display hole 9 on the cassette 1. For example, black and white/
Color discrimination with lbi eyes, plain paper 10HP paper/
2nd bit and 3b distinguish tack sticker paper/postcard paper
In the 4th bit, high-speed printing/low-speed printing is determined in the 4th bit.
Ink color order: Ye, Mgy, cy/Cy, Mg, Y
If the 5th bit is assigned to determine the e order, for example, black and white,
A cassette 1 containing plain paper, ink color order of Y e , M g t Cy, and ink paper 2 for high-speed printing is provided with a characteristic display hole 9 showing 5-bit data ooooo, such as color, tack sticker, etc. Paper, C3' +M
The characteristics of the ink paper 2 can be displayed by providing a characteristic display hole 9 showing 5-bit data of 11010 in the cassette 1 containing the ink paper 2 for low-speed printing in the order of ink colors in the order of g and Ye. I can do it. Characteristics of the ink paper 2 other than those listed above include the type of ink (sublimation dye/wax dye), the width of the ink paper 2, and the rotation direction of the supply shaft 3 and take-up shaft 4 when transporting the ink paper 2. There is information such as whether the directions are the same or opposite, but if you want to identify these, it is only necessary to add as many characteristic display holes 9 as necessary, which is effective.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the ink paper cassette of the invention, by widening the width of the ink paper, it is possible to print wider and larger sizes than with conventional printers, and furthermore, using the same cassette, By providing multiple positioning holes in the printer, it maintains compatibility with conventional printers.
It has also become compatible with printers that print enlarged images.

Additionally, a window was provided on the side of the cassette, making it possible to check the remaining amount of ink paper by visually observing the roll diameter of the ink paper on the shaft. Furthermore, by positioning this window on the side of the cassette, it was possible to prevent dust from entering the cassette, thereby ensuring print quality during printing.

Furthermore, by providing a characteristic display hole that describes the type and characteristics of the ink paper on the connecting member between the supply shaft housing part and the take-up shaft housing part of the cassette, the printer can easily read the information on the cassette. This makes it possible to transmit information about the type and characteristics of ink paper to the printer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an ink paper cassette according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of printer operation, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an example of the printer configuration, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing two widths using the same ink. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the layout when printing two different sizes on the same photographic paper. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of printing using drums with multiple diameters. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cassette with positioning holes, Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the cassette being installed in a printer that prints wide widths, and Fig. 11 shows a conventional printer that prints narrow widths. Figures 12 to 14 are explanatory diagrams showing an example in which the cassette is equipped with a window for visually checking the diameter of the ink roll, and Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the cassette is equipped with a window for viewing the diameter of the ink roll. 16 to 17 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of ink types and characteristics to be written in the characteristic display holes on the cassette. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of displaying characteristics on the cassette, FIGS. 19 to 20 are explanatory diagrams showing an embodiment of a method for reading the characteristic display hole written on the cassette, and FIG. 21 23 are explanatory diagrams showing another embodiment in which characteristics are displayed on the cassette, and FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of encoding information regarding ink paper written on the cassette. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Cassette, 2... Ink paper, 3... Supply shaft, 4... Winding shaft, 7... Positioning hole, 8... Positioning hole, 9... Characteristic display hole, 12...Drum, 14
...Positioning pin, 15...Characteristics reading section, 19
...Printer, 40...Window, 52...Seal, 5
3...Positioning member, 69...Characteristic designation hole, 73.
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Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an ink paper cassette in which an ink shaft wrapped with ink paper made of thin strip film or paper coated with ink and an ink shaft winding the ink paper are arranged side by side in a cassette case as a pair. An ink paper cassette, characterized in that a window is provided on at least one side wall of the housing portion of the supply shaft and the winding shaft, through which the winding diameter of the ink paper on the ink shaft can be visually confirmed. 2. The ink paper cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of positioning holes are provided in the width direction of the ink paper. 3. The ink paper cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a characteristic display hole for displaying encoded characteristics of the ink paper. 4. The ink paper cassette according to claim 3, characterized in that the characteristic display hole is constituted by a hole provided on the ink paper cassette and a seal-like member that selectively closes the hole. Ink paper cassette. 5. The ink paper cassette according to claim 4, further comprising a positioning member for the seal.