RU2369486C1 - Cartridge for printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: printing industry.

SUBSTANCE: cartridge for the printing device which transfers the colouring matter applied to the sheet used as the reservoir for the colouring matter to the sheet used for data recording by means of a thermographic printing head consists of the first casing restricting the housing of sheets for sheets, the second casing engaged with the first casing and thus restricting the first sheet housing, and the second sheet housing. The first sheet housing encloses the first bobbin around which a sheet is wound, and the second sheet housing encloses the second bobbin on which there wound is the sheet fed off from the first bobbin and the opening provided in the first casing surface facing the first and the second sheet housings; at that, the first sheet housing is located between the second sheet housing and the above opening.

EFFECT: high cartridge use factor.

9 cl, 45 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a printing device that transfers a colorant deposited on a sheet used as a reservoir of a colorant to a sheet used to record information using a thermographic print head, and to a cassette mounted on such a printing device.

State of the art

As a rule, printing devices as output devices for computers and for obtaining digital images can be divided into thermographic printing devices with the supply of dye, inkjet printers, laser printers, etc., in accordance with printing methods. In thermographic printing devices with a dye supply, a sheet used as a reservoir of a dye and a sheet used to record information is used to print images on a sheet used to record information by selectively exciting a plurality of heating elements oriented in the main scanning direction while transporting the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring matter and the sheet used to record information in an auxiliary om scan direction. In recent years, with the development of digital video cameras, scanners, and similar tools, thermographic printers with a dye supply have also gained popularity as image input devices. Thermographic printers with a dye supply are suitable for printing image information obtained by an image transmitting device such as a digital camera or digital video camera, which or which records still images using a computer or recording medium.

Inkjet printers use binary printing, namely the formation of dots or their absence. Small dots are formed on the sheet used to record information, and suitable resolution and gradation are provided by error diffusion or other methods. In contrast, in thermographic printers with a dye supply, the amount of heating is easily adjustable for each pixel. Accordingly, each pixel can have a wide gradation. Thus, dye-fed thermographic printers are advantageous in producing smooth, high-quality images compared to other printing devices such as inkjet printers. In addition, since the performance of the thermographic heads and the characteristics of the sheets used to record information are excellent, dye-fed thermographic printers can print images having a final quality that is as high as the final quality of images obtained with cameras equipped with use of silver salt. In view of this, in parallel with the development of digital cameras in recent years, thermographic printing devices with a dye supply have gained popularity, in particular, as printing devices for obtaining landscape images.

There is also a system that allows you to print image information received by the image-transmitting device without using a computer or recording medium. Such a system allows the image-transmitting device to set printing parameters, as a result of which it becomes possible to easily print image information, which makes the thermal printing device with the supply of coloring matter more attractive to users.

When implementing the method of thermographic printing with the supply of a dye, many colors of the dye are transmitted to the sheet used to record information in the case of full color printing. Typical configurations for full color printing will be described below.

A first possible configuration of a known thermal inkjet printing device is shown in FIG. 32A and 32B. As shown in FIG. 32A, the last one from the stack of sheets used for recording information in the cassette 107 with sheets used for recording information is separated and fed by the sheet feeding roller 108 and the separating assembly 109 and transported to the position between the thermal head 104 and the paper support shaft 105. Printing operation begins by wrapping the sheet P used for recording information around the paper support shaft 105. Then the sheet 106 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter and the sheet P used for recording information are pressed against each other to each other by a thermographic print head 104 and a paper support shaft 105. The paper support shaft 105 has an outer circumference that is comparatively greater than the entire length of the sheet P used to record information. The thermographic head 104 generates heat for transferring the coloring matter deposited on the sheet 106 used as the reservoir of the coloring matter to the sheet P used for recording information during rotation of the paper support shaft 105. As shown in FIG. 32B, to print the next color after printing the first color, stop applying pressure with the thermographic head 104, rotate the paper support shaft 105 to transport the sheet P used to record information to the print start position, and print the remaining colors in the same manner as the first color. Full-color printing is carried out, for example, in three colors - yellow, bright red and blue.

A second possible configuration of a known thermal ink printing apparatus is shown in FIG. 33A and 33B. As shown in FIG. 33A, the last one from the stack of sheets used for recording information in the cassette 201 with sheets is separated and fed by a sheet feeding roller 202 and a separating assembly 203 and transported to a position between the thermal head 204 and the paper support shaft 205. The printing operation begins by pressing the sheet 206 used as a dye reservoir, and a sheet P used to record information to each other by the thermographic print head 204 and the paper support shaft 205. Then, the thermographic head 204 generates heat for transferring ca colorant deposited on sheet 206 as used in the ink material on a sheet P used for information recording while conveying the sheet P to be used for recording information, a pair of rollers arranged on a print direction, i.e. conveyor roller 207 and pressure roller 208. As shown in FIG. 33B, the next color is printed after printing the first color. The pressure is stopped by the thermographic head 104, the conveyor roller 207 and the pressure roller 208 are rotated in the opposite direction to the print direction to return the sheet P used for recording information to the print start position, and the remaining colors are subsequently printed in the same manner as the first color. Full-color printing is again carried out in three colors - yellow, bright red and blue.

In any of the examples shown in FIG. 32A, 32B, 33A, and 33B, the sheet used to record information and the sheet used as a dye reservoir are consumables and must be replaced and replenished after use. In general, a sheet used as a dye reservoir is supplied to the user in the form of a cartridge in which the ends of a sheet used as a dye reservoir are wound around two bobbins and these bobbins and a sheet used as a dye reservoir are enclosed in the frame (110 in Fig. 32A or 210 in Fig. 33A). The cartridge has a space 110a shown in FIG. 32A, or space 201a shown in FIG. 33A. When the cartridge is inserted into the printing device, the cartridge is guided and installed in the right place so that the thermographic head 104 or 204 provided in the main body of the printing device is enclosed in a space 110a or 201a.

The above two examples demonstrate typical printing methods. In the first example, there is a problem in that the dimensions of the printing apparatus are increased, since a paper support shaft having an outer circumference that is larger than the overall length of the sheet P used to record information is required, and the problem is that the configuration of the printing apparatus the device is complicated, since the printing device needs a mechanism (not shown in Fig. 32A and 32B), which wraps the sheet used to record information around the paper support shaft, and holds this sheet, using used to record information. Meanwhile, the first example has the advantage of reducing print time, since the print start portion for the second color is provided immediately after the print end position of the first color, and therefore, the time required to return the sheet used to record information in the same way as in The second example is unnecessary. In contrast to this, in the second example, there is a problem in that the printing time is increased, but there is an advantage in miniaturization and simplification of the printing apparatus.

In the aforementioned thermographic printing device with a dye supply, as a sheet used for recording information, a special sheet for thermographic printing with transfer of the dye is used, having a surface that provides easy transfer of the dye to it for high-quality printing. Therefore, there is a set of fifty sheets on sale that is used to record information, with a dye cartridge containing a sheet used as a dye reservoir for these fifty sheets used to record information. The user unpacks fifty sheets used for recording information, and a coloring cartridge from the purchased kit, and installs the coloring cartridge in the main body, placing the sheets used for recording information in a sheet cassette when it is going to use a printing device. This is a laborious job.

In the case of a thermographic printing apparatus, a sheet used as a dye reservoir can be effectively used if this sheet used as a dye reservoir is prepared in a format according to the format of the sheet used for recording information, as shown in FIG. 34. For example, a set of sheets of A6 format used for recording information is on sale with a dye cartridge containing a sheet used as a reservoir of a dye for A6 format and a set of sheets of A7 format used for recording information with a dye cartridge the substance containing the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring matter for format A7. The user can buy any of these kits according to their needs. To print the A7 format after printing the A6 format, the sheets of the A6 format used for recording information are removed, as well as the dye cartridge containing the sheet used as the dye reservoir for the A6 format, and the sheets of the A7 format used for recording information are laid and also install a cartridge of a coloring matter containing a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter for format A7. In this case, the extracted sheets of the A6 format used for recording information, and the cartridge of the coloring matter containing the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring substance for the A6 format, are stored until their use is required. Therefore, since the dye cartridge and the sheets used for recording information are supplied separately, and the sheets used for recording information, and the dye cartridge should not be exposed to dust and direct sunlight, they must be stored in bags for storage or similar means. This is also a laborious job.

To address these shortcomings, a cartridge has been proposed in which a sheet used as a dye reservoir and sheets used to record information are supplied together as a unit, as described in Japanese Patents Laid-Open No. 2-81660 and 2000-108442.

As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-81660, the dye cartridge and the cassette with sheets are integrally formed. However, the printing operation cannot be carried out until the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter is enclosed in a cartridge. For the printing operation, a mechanism is needed that pulls the sheet used as the dye reservoir from the cartridge and transfers the sheet used as the dye reservoir to the print position. Due to the implementation of this mechanism, complexity may increase and the reliability of the printing device may decrease. To solve the problem characteristic of the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-81660, the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-108442 is intended. This configuration carries out the printing operation without transferring the sheet used as the dye reservoir to the printing position after installing the single cartridge. Therefore, the user does not have to carry out the troublesome work of separately introducing a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter and sheets used to record information, or separately storing a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter and sheets used to record information extracted when it was required to insert sheets of a different format used to record information. At the same time, when the main purpose is to print photographs, the sheet used must have a predetermined thickness to guarantee the properties of safety, durability and print quality. Because of this, if such a sheet is severely bent or undergoes a similar deformation during transportation for printing, its surface on which printing is performed may be damaged or prone to folding. In addition, for example, if such a thick sheet used for recording information is separated from the cassette by means of dogs, then the separation of this sheet may not be reliable if sufficient space is provided for bending the sheet used to record information. According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-108442, a sheet transport path is created by a cassette. The outer surface of the cartridge has a curved section with a relatively large radius, so that the sheet will not bend much, and this helps to prevent damage to the sheet and increase the reliability of transportation of the sheet. However, to ensure the transport path is not used, the inner surface of the curved section of the cartridge. In addition, to ensure a smoothly curved transport path, a certain thickness of the cartridge is required, which limits miniaturization. Accordingly, the placement of sheets used for recording information requires a space larger than that necessary for the sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, thereby causing an increase in the dimensions of the main body of the printing device.

The present invention provides a single dye and paper cartridge for a high utilization compact printer that can solve the problems mentioned.

As a rule, when carrying out sublimation printing with the transfer of the dye, which is one way of thermographic printing with the transfer of the dye, the paper support shaft and the thermographic head are pressed against each other when printing, and between them are a sheet used as a reservoir of a dye, and a sheet used to record information. Because of this, if a large pulling force is applied during printing, the sheet used as a dye reservoir is pulled out. At this point, since the dye and paper cartridge partially comes into contact with the sheet used as the dye reservoir, near the transport path of the sheet used as the dye reservoir, the cassette may be tensioned due to the sheet used as the dye reservoir substances, and become bent or deformed if its rigidity is insufficient. Accordingly, transportation of a sheet used as a dye reservoir may be unstable.

Due to production constraints, a single colorant and paper cassette usually consists of two casings, including a casing for a sheet casing used as a dye reservoir, and a casing for a sheet casing used to record information, or has more than two casings. However, since the cassette has the function of ejecting the sheet used to record information, many openings are required, which can reduce the stiffness of the casings. In addition, at the technological stages, the two casing easily interlock, for example, if the clutch is carried out using dogs or clamps and holes and due to the elastic deformation of the polymer material. Veste, however, is difficult to maintain the rigidity of the entire cartridge as a whole.

The present invention provides a single cassette of dye and paper for a compact printer with a high utilization rate. In addition, the present invention provides a cartridge for a printing device, which can maintain rigidity and prevent deformation caused by the load when printing.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the aforementioned problems.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cassette for a printing apparatus that transfers a colorant deposited on a sheet used as a reservoir of a colorant to a sheet used for recording information by means of a thermographic print head, comprising a first casing bounding the sheet body used for recording information, intended for the conclusion in it of sheets used for recording information, a second casing, engaged with the first casing and ogre the first casing of the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring matter and the second casing of the sheet used as the reservoir of the dye, and in the first casing of the sheet used as the reservoir of the dye, there is enclosed a first bobbin around which the sheet used in as a dye reservoir, and in the second sheet body used as the dye reservoir, a second bobbin is enclosed on which the sheet used as a colorant of material to be wound from the first reel and an opening provided in a surface of the first casing facing the first and second body of the sheet used as the reservoir of the colorant, wherein the first body of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter is located between the second body a sheet used as a dye reservoir, and said opening.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cassette comprising a body of sheets used for recording information, including a substantially rectangular frame having a first opening configured to stack a sheet used for recording information, and a second opening provided for the surface facing the first opening, to ensure the ejection of the sheet used for recording information, the node feeding the sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter having a configuration, providing a conclusion therein of a supplied sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, and a winding unit of a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, having a configuration providing a conclusion therein of a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter and extracted from the sheet feeding unit used in as a dye reservoir, wherein the winding unit of the sheet used as the dye reservoir is located along the first side of the substantially of the rectangular frame, the second opening is located on the second side opposite the first side, and the feed unit of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter is located along the second opening.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cassette installed in a printing apparatus that transfers a coloring matter deposited on a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter onto a sheet used for recording information by means of a thermal print head containing a first cover defining a casing of sheets used to record information, intended for enclosing in it a sheet used to record information, a second casing engaged with the first with a casing and thus restricting the first casing of the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, and the second casing of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and in the first casing of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, the first bobbin is enclosed around which the sheet is wound used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, in the second body of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, a second bobbin is enclosed on which the sheet is wound, use which is used as a dye reservoir, wound from the first bobbin, and in the first and second casings next to the way of transporting the sheet used as the dye reservoir, a connecting means is provided for connecting the first and second casings.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of possible embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a single dye and paper cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a single colorant of dye and paper.

In FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating a method for assembling a single ink cassette and paper.

In FIG. 4A and 4B are explanatory views, each of which illustrates a method of assembling a single ink cassette and paper.

In FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of assembling a single ink cassette and paper.

In FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of assembling a single ink cassette and paper.

In FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a printing apparatus that uses a single ink and paper cassette.

In FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a printing apparatus that uses a single ink and paper cassette.

In FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a thermographic head assembly 45 of a printing apparatus that uses a single ink and paper cassette.

In FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an attached photo-reflector 53.

In FIG. 11 is an illustration of the middle of the installation process of the cartridge 1 relative to the node 45 of the thermographic head.

In FIG. 12 is an illustration of the middle of the installation process of the cartridge 1 relative to the thermographic head assembly 45.

In FIG. 13 is an illustration showing a cartridge 1 fully installed in the printing apparatus 40 with respect to the thermal head assembly 45.

In FIG. 14 is yet another illustration showing a cassette 1 fully installed in the printing apparatus 40 relative to the thermal head assembly 45.

In FIG. 15A-15C are illustrations illustrating three types of single ink and paper cassettes, respectively, having sheets of different formats used for recording information.

In FIG. 16A-16C are illustrations illustrating three types of single colorants of a coloring matter and paper, respectively, having sheets of different formats used for recording information.

In FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a printing apparatus 40 having a cassette 1 installed therein, with sheets 13 used for recording information and a protective sheet not shown.

In FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the positional relationship of the deflecting member 50, cassette 1, and sheets 13 used to record information.

In FIG. 19A-19C are illustrations illustrating the relationship between separating dogs and sheets used to record information when a deflector 50 is used.

In FIG. 20A and 20B are illustrations illustrating the relationship between separating dogs and sheets used to record information when the diverting element 50 is not used.

In FIG. 21 is an illustration showing the operation of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 22 is another illustration showing the operation of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 23 is another illustration showing the operation of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 24 is a further illustration showing the operation of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 25 is a plan view illustrating the operation of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 26 is another plan view illustrating the operation of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 27 is an illustration showing the operation of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 28A and 28B are illustrations, each of which shows a method for detecting the presence of a sheet 13 used to record information.

In FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a method for detecting the presence of a sheet 13 used for recording information.

In FIG. 30 is an illustration showing the transport of a sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir.

In FIG. 31 is a more detailed illustration showing the transport of a sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir.

In FIG. 32A and 32B are illustrations, each of which shows a first possible configuration of a thermographic printing apparatus according to the prior art.

In FIG. 33A and 33B are illustrations, each of which shows a second possible configuration of a thermographic printing apparatus according to the prior art.

In FIG. 34 is a detailed view illustrating a sheet used for recording information.

The best embodiment of the invention

First Embodiment

Below, with reference to FIG. 1 and 2, a configuration of a single dye and paper cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a single colorant 1 of a dye and paper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cassette 1 includes a single colorant 1 of a dye and paper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cassette 1 includes an upper casing 10 mainly for enclosing sheets used for recording information therein, and a lower casing 11 for enclosing a sheet used as a dye reservoir therein. The lower casing 11 restricts the body of the sheet used as the dye reservoir when engaged with the upper casing 10. The sheet used as the dye reservoir is enclosed before printing in the supply unit housing 20, and the winding unit body 21 winds the sheet used as a dye reservoir, after printing.

The ejection portion 30 ejects the sheets used for recording information, one after the other. The ejection part 30 is a substantially rectangular opening adjacent to the housing 20 of the supply unit and is located at the end of the housing of sheets used for recording information, throughout the sheets used for recording information. At the corners of the ejection part 30, separating dogs 31 and 32 are arranged to separate the sheets used for recording information. The upper and lower casings 10 and 11 are made, for example, of plastic by injection molding, which reduces costs.

In FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction for winding a sheet used as a dye reservoir, illustrating a single dye and paper cassette.

The sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir shown in FIG. 2 is made in the form of a strip. The end of the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir is attached to the first reel 12a, and the other end, for winding purposes, is attached to the second reel 12b by gluing or similar methods. In addition, the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir is wound around the first bobbin 12a. The sheet 12 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, as well as the first and second bobbins 12a and 12b are enclosed in the sheet bodies of the used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, limited between the upper and lower casings 10 and 11. The first bobbin 12a is enclosed in the housing 20 of the supply unit, and the second reel 12b is enclosed in a housing 21 of the winding assembly. The first reel 12a rests on two end surfaces of the casing 20 of the cassette body supply unit bounded by the upper and lower casings 10 and 11. The second reel 12b rests on the two end surfaces of the casing 21 of the cassette body supply unit.

The sheets 13 used for recording information are enclosed in a housing 22 of sheets used for recording information, the upper casing 10. In the housing 22 sheets used for recording information, stacked and enclosed in the required number of sheets used to record information on which printing using a sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir enclosed in sheet bodies used as a dye reservoir. For example, if a sheet 12 is enclosed in said cases and is used as a dye reservoir that is capable of printing fifty sheets 13 used for recording information, then fifty sheets 13 are used in the respective cases for recording information. Namely, in the presence of a single colorant 1 of a colorant and paper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, sheets 13 used for recording information and a sheet 12 used as a colorant tank are consumed simultaneously until printing of the fifty sheets 13 used to record information. Accordingly, this prevents a situation where either the sheets 13 used for recording information are used up earlier than the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir, or this sheet is used up earlier than they are. Thus, it is not necessary to supply or replace sheets 13 used for recording information, or sheet 12 used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, separately. Since the sheets 13 used for recording information and the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir are expended simultaneously, the user can replace the expended cartridge 1, and this replacement is simple.

The upper opening 200 to provide stacking of sheets 13 used for recording information, and a protective sheet 14 in the housing 22 of sheets used for recording information. In addition, in the printing operation, a pressure is applied to the sheets 13 used for recording information, directing them to the sheet feeding roller through the upper opening 200.

The protective sheet 14 prevents contamination or damage to the sheets 13 used for recording information. The outline of the protective sheet 14 is substantially the same as the outline of the sheets 13 used to record information. The protective sheet 14 is enclosed in a housing 22 of sheets used for recording information, being on top of these sheets 13 used for recording information. As shown in FIG. 2, a space 33 is limited between sheets 12 used as a dye reservoir and sheets 13 used for recording information. This space 33 is provided for the thermal head assembly 45 (described below) when the cassette 1 is installed on the printing apparatus 40. B an opening 34 is provided to the upper casing 30 between the housing 20 of the feed unit and the housing 21 of the winder. This opening 34 extends over the entire length of the housing 22 of sheets used for recording information and communicates with the side opening 34a provided in the side overhnosti upper casing 10 as shown in FIG. one.

In FIG. 1 shows that the first mounting hole 35 is provided in the insertion direction of the cartridge in the end surface of its housing, which forms the housing 20 of the sheet feeding unit used as a dye reservoir, namely, in the insertion direction of the cartridge in that surface of the cartridge housing that supports the first reel 12a. A second mounting hole 36 is provided in the insertion direction of the cartridge in the end surface of its housing, which forms the housing 21 of the winding assembly, namely, in the insertion direction of the cartridge in that surface of the cartridge housing that supports the second reel 12b. In the first and second mounting holes 35 and 36, the mounting fingers 56 and 57 (described below), provided in the main body of the printing device 40, are seated when the cartridge 1 is installed in the printing device 40. Thanks to this landing, the deformation of the upper and lower cases 10 and 11 can be prevented in the vicinity of the axis for winding the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, as a result of which the stabilization of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of a coloring matter occurs during its transportation and winding.

The cartridge identification protrusion 37 may have a different shape depending on the type of cartridge. The shape of the cassette-identifying protrusion 37 changes in accordance with the format of the sheets used for recording information, or the type of sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir. The main body of the printing apparatus 40 identifies the cassette 1 for transporting the sheet 13 used for recording information and controlling the print in accordance with the format of the sheets 13 used for recording information or the type of sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir. You can use other means of identification, such as optical or magnetic memory or microcircuit, as well as a reader installed in the printing device.

The types of cassettes 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 15A-15C and 16A-16C. In FIG. 15A-15C and 16A-16C show three types of cassettes 1, differing in the format of sheets 13 used for recording information, and in particular, here are shown cassettes 1 for sheets 13 used for recording information in the following order: postcard format, sheet format for writing and credit card format. In FIG. 16A-16C are cross-sectional views taken along the housing 20 of the feed assembly as viewed from the ejection portion 30 side. As shown in FIG. 15A-15C and 16A-16C, the sheet case 22 used for recording information of the upper casing 10 has the same size as the size of the sheet casing used as a dye reservoir, the lower casing 11, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of winding of the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir. The size of the casing 22 of sheets used for recording information in the direction of the axis of winding of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter varies depending on the format of the sheets 13 used for recording information. However, the size of the shells of the sheet used as the dye reservoir in the direction of the winding axis of the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir remains the same regardless of the format of the sheets 13 used for recording information. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16A-16C, the width of the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir varies according to the format of the sheets 13 used for recording information, and the length in the direction of the winding axis of the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir remains the same independently from the format of the sheets 13 used for recording information, similarly to the case of sheet bodies used as a reservoir of a coloring matter. The first and second landing holes 35 and 36 described above are located in the end surfaces of the sheet bodies used as a dye reservoir. In addition, the cartridge-identifying protrusion 37 is located on one end surface of one sheet body used as a dye reservoir.

Next, a method of assembling a single ink cassette 1 and a paper in accordance with what is shown in FIG. 3, 4A, 4B, 5, and 6. As shown in FIG. 3, in a state in which the case 22 of sheets used for recording information of the upper casing 10 is located lower, the first and second reels 12a and 12b are located in parts 10a and 10b with semicircular cutouts and parts 10c with cutouts in a U-shape of the upper casing 10 so that it turns out to be enclosed sheet 12, used as a reservoir of the coloring matter. Then carry out the Assembly of the lower casing 11 with the upper casing 10 from above. Dogs or clamps 10a of upper casing 10 are engaged with holes 11b of lower casing 11, and dogs or clamps 11a of upper casing 11 are engaged with holes 10d of upper casing 10, whereby upper casing 10 is engaged with lower casing 11. Although this and not shown, similar pawls and holes are provided at the rear of the housings shown in FIG. 3, and by means of them, the main part of the lower casing 11 is attached to the upper casing 10. In addition, in a single cassette 1 of the dye and ink according to an embodiment of the invention, the weld pin 80 provided in the upper casing 10 is connected to the hole 81 for the weld pin by heat welding. Although the upper and lower casings are connected to each other by tempering under heat, they can be connected by ultrasonic tempering. Alternatively, the upper and lower casings 10 and 11 can be connected by screwing to the extent that they are securely fastened to each other. In addition, when connecting the upper and lower casings 10 and 11 to each other by tempering using pins and holes, as described above, when connecting, you can use the welding or bonding method to the extent that the lower casings 10 and 11 are securely fastened together with a friend.

The connection will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4A and 4B. In FIG. 4A shows a state in which the sheet 12 used as an ink tank and the lower case 11 are assembled with the upper case 10 (these components are shown in FIG. 3). In this state, the weld pin 80 of the upper casing 10 passes through the hole 81 under the weld pin of the lower casing 11. Being maintained in this state, the trunk 82 of the welding tool presses the pointed end of the weld pin 80 with a predetermined pressure, deforming this pointed end of the weld pin 80 Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the outer diameter of the portion 80a of the weld pin 80 becomes larger than the diameter of the hole 81 under the weld pin. In addition, since the portion 80a is tightly bonded to the lower casing 11 from above, as shown in the drawing, reliable connection and fastening are achieved. As shown in FIG. 4A, the shape of the sting of the trunk 82 corresponds to a concave curve (i.e., it is concave), and the shape of the portion 80a of the weld pin 80 after deformation is convex. Alternatively, the tip of the trunk 82 may be flat, and the deformation of the weld pin 80 may occur to form a flat surface. This case may also give the same advantage. In addition, the trunk 82 may be provided with a heater to generate heat, or the trunk 82 may be configured to oscillate by means of ultrasonic waves to generate heat. In any case, since the pointed end of the weld pin 80 converges into a cone (for example, it is conical), deformation is likely to begin precisely at the pointed end of the conical part.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, laying of sheets 13 used for recording information and a protective sheet 14 will be described. After sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir, lower case 11 and upper case 10 are assembled together, stack fifty sheets 13 used for recording information, and a protective sheet 14, and this stack is mounted on the upper case 10 at an angle from the upper opening 200 towards the rear sides of the two pressure elements 10e provided in the corners. At this point, the sheets 13 used for recording information will not fall out of the ejecting part 30, since there are two separating dogs 31 and 32 at the corners. After the sheets 13 used for recording information and the protective sheet 14 are stacked in the upper case 10, the clamping elements 15 and 16 are attached to the other two corners not provided with clamping elements 10e. Therefore, the four corners of the sheets 13 used for recording information are held, and the sheets 13 used for recording information are enclosed in a 22 l case ists used to record information, not dropping out of it. The clamping elements 15 and 16 are made of polymer and are attached to the upper casing 10 using fasteners, such as dogs or clamps, using elastic deformation of the polymer. The above-described single colorant 1 of a colorant and paper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes mainly two components - the upper and lower casings 10 and 11, in which are sheets used for recording information, and a sheet serving as a reservoir coloring matter. This makes many other components unnecessary, thereby reducing the dimensions of cartridge 1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of a printing apparatus 40 in which a single ink and paper cassette 1 is used in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 7 shows the main body of the printing apparatus 40 with an open door 41 provided on the side surface and an open cassette insertion channel 42. The cassette insertion channel 42 has a shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the cassette 1, but its size is slightly larger than that of the cassette 1. The end of the thermal head assembly 45 is partially opened through the cassette insertion channel 42. In FIG. 8 shows a state in which the cartridge 1 is fully inserted into the cartridge insertion channel 42. As shown in FIG. 8, when the cassette 1 is fully inserted into the main body of the printing device 40, the end of the thermographic head assembly 45 is partially opened through the opening 17 of the cassette 1, and the fingers 46 provided at the end of the thermographic head assembly 45 protrude from the cassette 21 by a predetermined distance. In this state, when the door 41 is closed, the engaging holes 41a are mated to the fingers 46 provided on the inner surface of the door 41, and the end position of the thermographic head assembly 45 is adjusted so that the printing apparatus 40 is ready for use.

In FIG. 9 shows a thermographic head assembly 45 of a printing apparatus 40 that uses a single ink and paper cassette 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The thermographic head 47 is electrically connected to a print control board provided in the main body of the printing apparatus 40. The sheet feed roller 48 has a shaft 48a. Both ends of the shaft 48a are supported in such a way that the sheet feeding roller 48 can rotate in the thermal head assembly 45. A gear 49 is mounted at one end of the shaft 48a, rotating as a unit with the shaft 48a and driving the sheet feeding roller 48, rotating it through a gear (not shown) interlocked with it.

The diverting element 50 provided in the cassette 1 rejects the sheet 13 used for recording information to the right, as viewed from the drawing. The diverting element 50 has a contact surface 50a (Fig. 18) mounted on the shaft 48a and the other end held by a guide 51, which is slidably mounted in the head frame 55 in the insertion direction of the cartridge. The deflecting member 50 is deflected in the insertion direction of the cartridge by the spring 52.

The photo-reflector 53 detects the presence of sheets 13 used to record information provided in the cassette 1. The photo-reflector 53 is attached to the thermal head assembly 45 by the holder 54. In FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view with mounted photo-reflector 53. As shown in FIG. 10, the light-emitting and receiving part of the photo-reflector 53 is attached to the assembly of the thermographic head 45 so that this part faces upward and a holder 54 is provided above it.

The first and second landing fingers 56 and 57 prevent deformation of the cartridge 1 when the cartridge 1 is installed in the housing of the printing device 40. When the cartridge 1 is installed, the first and second landing fingers 56 and 57 sit in the first and second mounting holes 35 and 36, adjusting the position of the cartridge 1 in the main body of the printing apparatus 40.

The cartridge identification switch 58 identifies the type of cartridge 1. When the cartridge 1 is installed in the main body of the printing apparatus 40, the cartridge identification switch 58 identifies the type of cartridge 1 in accordance with the shape of the protrusion provided on the cartridge 1.

When the cassette 1 is installed in the main body of the printing apparatus 40, a winding shaft 59 is engaged with the second reel 12b to drive the winding sheet 12 serving as a dye reservoir. The winding shaft 59 is connected to the gears 59a and 59b, which provides rotation at a given speed during the printing operation. When winding the sheet 12, serving as a reservoir of the coloring matter, the driven shaft 60 rotates. For example, the driven shaft 60 detects the wrapping operation of the sheet 12, serving as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and determines whether the supply of the sheet 12 serving as the reservoir of the coloring matter is reliable .

The above-described thermographic head assembly 45 is located in the main body of the printing apparatus 40. Now with reference to FIG. 11-13, steps for installing the cartridge 1 relative to the thermographic head assembly 45 will be described. The cartridge 1 is inserted into the printing apparatus 40 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11, and installed in this printing device 40. In this case, the thermographic head assembly 45 enters the space 33 provided between the sheets 13 used for recording information located in the housing 22 and the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir opened between the housing 20 of a sheet feeding unit used as a dye reservoir, and a housing 21 of a sheet winding unit used as a dye reservoir, as shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 12 shows the installation status when looking at the cassette 1 from its rear side. As shown in FIG. 12, the thermographic head assembly 45 is mounted in a space 33, which is located above the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter and below the sheets 13 used to record information in the housing 22. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the cassette 1 is fully inserted. In FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating cartridge details in a mounted state. In FIG. 13 and 14, the first seating finger 56 is shown sitting in the first seating hole 35, and the second seating finger 57 is shown sitting in the first seating hole 36. In addition, the winding shaft 59 is seated in the second reel 12b, and the driven shaft 60 is seated in the first reel 12a. In addition, the cassette-identifying protrusion 37 is pressed against the cartridge identification switch 58.

The first and second landing holes 35 and 36 and the cassette identifying protrusion 37 are provided on the end surfaces of the sheet housings used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, which are of constant size regardless of the format of the sheets 13 used for recording information. Due to this, in the main body of the printing device 40 is not required to provide many sets, including the first and second landing fingers 56 and 57 and identifying the cartridge switch 58, in accordance with the format of the sheets. In addition, since the overall lengths of the first and second reels 12a and 12b are equivalent, it is not necessary to vary the overall lengths of the winding shaft 59 and the driven shaft 60. Therefore, even if the cassettes 1 provide for the possibility of placing sheets 13 used for recording information in different formats, or of different formats, sheets 12 used as a dye reservoir, cassettes 1 will have sheet bodies used as a dye reservoir, having a standardized outline, and the first and second landing holes Holes 35 and 36 and the cassette identifying protrusion 37 are located on one side of the sheet bodies used as a dye reservoir. In addition, the overall lengths of the first and second reels 12a and 12b are the same. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify the internal configuration of the main body of the printing apparatus 40.

In FIG. 17 shows a state in which the cassette 1 is fully installed in the printing apparatus 40, while the sheets 13 used for recording information and the protective sheet are not shown for ease of understanding. As shown in FIG. 17, the sheet feeding roller 48 and the photo-reflector 53 are located in the opening 34 of the upper casing 10. The deflecting member 50 is located in the side opening 34a.

In FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the positional relationship of the deflecting member 50, cassette 1, and sheets 13 used to record information. In FIG. 18, the deflecting member 50 is shown deflected to the right in the drawing by a spring 52, as already described. The contact surface 50a projects toward the inside of the upper casing 10 from the side opening 34a and comes into contact with the edges of the sheets 13 for recording information. At this point, since there is a gap between the sheets 13 for recording information and the outer side surface of the upper casing 10, the sheets 13 for recording information reliably move to the right in the drawing, i.e. they move in the opposite direction of insertion of the cartridge. The inclined surface 50b provided on the deflecting member 50 smoothly directs the information recording sheets 13 to the contact surface 50a when the information recording sheets 13 are pressed by the pressure plate 75 and move in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing. Thus, the sheets 13 for recording information are supplied one after the other near the contact surface 50a.

Next, the action of the deflecting member 50 will be described.

In FIG. 20A-20C are schematic illustrations that make it easy for everyone to understand the relationship between the separating dogs and the sheets used to record information when the diverting element 50 is not used. In FIG. 20A, reference numeral 100 denotes the upper casing, and reference numerals 101 and 102 denote separating dogs. The sheets 103 for recording information are hung out by the separating dogs 101 and 102 at the front corners in the ejection direction. Generally speaking, sheets used for recording information have tolerances in length and width due to an error in cutting sheets serving for recording information. Thus, the inner size L1 of the casing of sheets for recording information of the upper casing 100 should have a gap with respect to the sheets for recording information having a certain length corresponding to the upper tolerance limit (Lmax). Accordingly, in the case where the sheets used for recording information have a length L at the lower tolerance limit, the gap becomes large. In FIG. 20B shows a case of information recording sheets having a length L at the lower tolerance limit (Lmin) that are shifted to the right in the drawing inside the upper casing 100. In this case, the hanging value X1 of the recording sheets 103 for the right separating dog 101 becomes very different from the value X2 hanging sheets 103, used to record information for the left separating dog 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the tolerance of the length L is ± 0.5 mm, the difference between the sheets used for recording information and located on the upper limit (Lmax) of tolerance, and the sheets used for recording information and located on the lower limit (Lmin) of tolerance is 1 , 0 mm. In addition, if a gap of 0.1 mm is provided on each side of the sheets used for recording information with respect to the inner size L1 of the upper casing 100, then the gap takes a value of 1.2 mm in the case of sheets used for recording information at a lower limit ( Lmin) tolerance. Accordingly, the difference between the hanging value X1 for the separating dog 101 and the hanging value X2 for the separating dog 102 is 1.2 mm.

If the hanging values of the sheets used for recording information for separating dogs are large enough to neglect such a difference in hanging values, this difference will not be a serious problem. At the same time, in the case of using sheets used to record information whose paper size and quality correspond to those accepted for printing photographs, such large separating dogs cannot be used due to the load of the compartment and the possibility of damage to the sheets. Accordingly, it is difficult to use separating dogs to counteract a difference of 1.2 mm. If such separating dogs are used, the difference in separation timing parameters increases when the dogs separate the sheets used for recording information, and in the worst case, the sheet used for recording information may not separate.

Next, with reference to FIG. 19A-19C, the cartridge 1 will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and with the deflecting member 50 used therein. These drawings are also simplified to facilitate understanding. In FIG. 19A-19C are illustrations taken from the ejection portion 30 of the cassette 1 and show the relationship between the sheets 13 used for recording information and the separating dogs 31 and 32. FIG. 19A shows a case where the length L of sheets 13 used for recording information is at the upper limit (Lmax)

admission. In this case, the size L1 of the casing of the sheets used for recording information is determined to be wide enough to enclose the sheets 13 used for recording information therein, even if the length L of the sheets 13 used for recording information is at the upper tolerance limit. In this embodiment, the dimension L1 is determined to have a gap of 0.2 mm on each side, as shown in FIG. 19A, in the case where the sheets 13 used for recording information have a length L at the upper tolerance limit.

In FIG. 19B shows a case where the length L of the sheets 13 used for recording information is equal to the nominal size. In FIG. 19C shows a case where the length L of sheets 13 used for recording information is at a lower tolerance limit (Lmin). In any of FIG. 19A-19C, the left direction indicates the direction of insertion of the cartridge, and the right direction indicates the direction of extraction. Accordingly, the deflecting member 50 rejects the sheets 13 used for recording information from left to right, as a result of which the sheets 13 used for recording information, even if the length L of the sheets 13 used for recording information come into contact with the right inner wall of the upper casing 10.

In order to equalize the hanging values X1 and X2 of the sheets 13 used for recording information regarding the separating dogs 31 and 32, when the length L of the sheets 13 used for recording information has a nominal size, as shown in FIG. 19B, the sizes of the separating dogs 31 and 32 are determined so that the separating dog 31 is larger than the separating dog 32. If the sizes of the separating dogs 31 and 32 are determined in this way, since the sheets 13 used for recording information move toward the separating dog to the dog 32 by the deflecting member 50, the difference between the hanging values X1 and X2 becomes less than or equal to the tolerance of the length L, if the length L varies within the tolerance range.

When the length L of the sheets 13 used for recording information is at the upper tolerance limit (Lmax), as shown in FIG. 19A, the hanging value X2max for the separating dog 31 is greater than the hanging value X1 for the separating dog 32 by the tolerance of the length L of the sheets 13 used for recording information. For example, when the length tolerance is ± 0.5 mm, the hanging value X2max is greater than the hanging value X1 by 0.5 mm.

On the other hand, when the length L is at the lower tolerance limit (Lmin), the hanging value X2max for the separating dog 31 is less than the hanging value X1 for the separating dog 32 by the tolerance of the length L of the sheets 13 used for recording information. Accordingly, when the length tolerance is ± 0.5 mm, the hanging value X2max is less than the hanging value X1 by 0.5 mm.

Therefore, when the deflecting member 50 is not used, the difference between the hanging values for the separating dogs is 1.2 mm on the left and right sides. However, when the deflecting member 50 is used for the cartridge 1, the difference between the hanging values can be reduced to 0.5 mm, which corresponds to the dimensional tolerance of the sheets 13 used for recording information. Thus, the difference in the hanging values for the left and right separating dogs can be minimized, and the difference between the separation timing parameters when separating the sheet 13 used for recording information can be reduced, thereby preventing problems such as separation failure.

It should be noted that the quantitative values of the size of the cartridge 1 are given merely as an example, and these values are not restrictive. The size can be determined in accordance with the printing device in which the cartridge is installed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 21-27, the operation of the printing apparatus 40 will be described. In FIG. 21 shows the standby position before printing when the cassette 1 is installed in the printing apparatus 40. When feeding sheets, the pressure plate 75 presses the sheets 13 used for recording information to the sheet feeding roller 48. Since in FIG. 21 shows the standby position, the pressure plate 75 is spaced from the sheets 13 used to record information. In this state, the pressure plate 75 moves down in the drawing and presses the sheets 13 used to record information with a given pressure through the opening 200. When the sheet feeding roller 48 rotates counterclockwise, one of the sheets 13 used to record information in contact with the roller 48 sheet feed, moves to the left in the drawing, is separated by doggies and thrown out from the ejection part 30.

In FIG. 22 shows a state in which the discarded sheet 13 used for recording information is pulled from the cartridge 1 by a predetermined distance.

As shown in FIG. 22, the sheet 13 used for recording information is ejected from the ejection portion 30, curving along the housing 20 of the sheet feeding unit 12, used as a dye reservoir. The sheet 13 used for recording information is a sheet of photographic material for thermographic printing with the transfer of the dye. If such a sheet is bent strongly, then its surface intended for printing may be damaged or subjected to folding. However, in the case of the printing apparatus 40 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to gently bend the sheet 13 used for recording information in the space D provided next to the housing 20 of the sheet feeding unit used as the dye reservoir and below the ejection portion 30, as shown in the drawing. Since the sheet feeding roller 48 can significantly offset the center of the sheet 13 used for recording information, it is possible to bend over a considerable length of the sheet 13 used for recording information, which increases the reliability of separation. In addition, the sheet 13 used for recording information will not bend much, thereby minimizing damage to the sheet 13 used for recording information. Space D can be protected since the housing 21 of the sheet winding unit used as the ink reservoir is located along the end of the sheet housing 22 used to record information.

Since the sheet feeding roller 48 is located at the thermal head assembly 45, it is possible to reduce the size of the printing apparatus. In addition, since the upper opening 200 for stacking and pressing the sheets 13 used for recording information is provided on the side opposite to the node 45 of the thermographic head, it becomes possible to apply pressure effectively.

After the sheet 13 used for recording information is pulled out at a predetermined distance, the roller plate 61 shown in FIG. 23, presses the sheet 13 used for recording information against the first rollers 62, and this sheet 13 used for recording information is pulled further by rotating the first rollers 62. In FIG. 24 shows a state in which the sheet 13 used for recording information is completely pulled out of the cassette 1 and moved a predetermined distance. In this state, the sheet 13 used for recording information is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the surface of this sheet 13 used for recording information. In FIG. 25 shows the middle of the turn. The sheet 13 used for recording information is rotated by rotating the first two rollers 62 (62a and 62b) opposite each other. The first roller 62a is rotated so that the sheet 13 used for recording information is drawn into the printing device 40, and the first roller 62b is rotated so that the sheet 13 used for recording information is pulled outward from the printing device 40. In FIG. 26 shows the state in which the rotation is completed. In this state, the sheet 13 used for recording information is transported inside the printing apparatus 40, and the operation proceeds to the printing operation.

Since the plate 61 of the rollers, as well as the first rollers 62a and 62b used to transport the sheet 13 used for recording information, are located properly in the space D, limited by placing the housing 21 of the sheet winding unit used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, on the right to the side of the drawing and along the housing 22 of sheets used for recording information, it is possible to reduce the dimensions of the printing apparatus 40. In addition, since the ejection portion 30 is provided outside the housing 20 of the sheet feeding unit, uemogo an ink substance which is located earlier in the transport path during printing, sheet 13 is used for information recording can be smoothly conveyed when printing.

As described above, in this embodiment, an ejection portion 30 is provided at the surface of the sheet housing 22 used for recording information, near the sheet bodies used as a dye reservoir, and the sheet supply body 20 used as a dye reservoir is located between the housing 21 of the winding unit of the sheet used as a reservoir for the dye, and the ejecting part 30. Since the sheet 13 used to record information is discarded from the ejecting part 30, e can be disposed before the downstream in the sheet transporting direction, used as ink-printing. Accordingly, printing can be carried out by transporting the sheet 13 used to record information directly to the thermographic head 47, without complicating its transportation. In addition, since the sheet 13 used for recording information is ejected from a surface located near the housings of the sheet used as a dye reservoir, this sheet 13 used for recording information can be discarded in the vicinity of the printing section. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the printing device.

FIG. 27 illustrates printing status. In the printing operation, the thermographic head assembly 45 and the paper support shaft 64 press on a sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir and a sheet 13 used to record information, and this thermographic head assembly 45 generates heat to perform thermal printing with transfer of the dye applied on sheet 12, used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, on sheet 13, used to record information. At this time, a pair consisting of a conveyor roller 65 and a pinch roller 66, provided further in the print direction, transports a sheet 13 used to record information. After printing the first color, the thermographic head 45 is retracted from the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir to stop applying pressure, and the transport roller 65 and the pressure roller 66 are rotated in the opposite direction to the printing direction to return the sheet 13 used for recording information , to the start position of the print. The remaining colors are then sequentially printed in the same manner as the first color. Thus, full-color printing is carried out in three colors - yellow, bright red and blue.

When printing is completed, the sheet 13 used to record information is discarded further along the transport direction of the printing apparatus 40, namely, the outside. The above operation is repeated if the user continues to print, and printing is possible until the sheets 13 used in the cassette 1 used for recording information and the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir are used up. Since the sheets 13 used for recording information and the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir correspond to the same number of prints, they will end simultaneously. The printing apparatus 40 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can detect the absence of a sheet 13 used for recording information, and no longer perform a printing operation.

Next, with reference to FIG. 28A and 28B and 29, a method for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet 13 used for recording information will be described. FIG. 28B illustrates a state in which a sufficient number of sheets 13 are used for recording information. As shown in FIG. 28B, the photo-reflector 53 is disposed substantially opposite the sheets 13 used to record information. When the printing operation begins, the pressure plate 75 presses the sheets 13 used for recording information, and therefore the sheets 13 used for recording information are pressed against the photo reflector 53. The photo reflector 53 emits infrared light, this infrared light is reflected by the back surface of the sheet 13 used for recording information, and the reflector 53 detects reflected light. Then, the printing apparatus 40 determines that the sheet 13 used for recording information is present when reflected light is detected, and since the sheet 13 used for recording information is white, it is highly reflective and easy to detect. In addition, the detection operation is carried out only when the pressure plate 75 is in the pressure position, the distance between the sheet 13 used for recording information and the photo reflector 53 is reduced, and the detection is very reliable.

FIG. 28A illustrates a state in which the photo-reflector 53 detects the absence of sheets 13 used for recording information when there is not a single sheet 13 used for recording information and only the protective sheet 14 is present and the pressure plate 75 is in the press position. As shown in FIG. 29, a coloring agent is applied to a portion of the backing sheet 14 opposite the photo-reflector 53, i.e. there is a black print 14a, with a low reflectivity of infrared light. In view of this, the reflector 53 detects reflected light, thereby determining the absence of a sheet 13 used for recording information. Although a printed colorant having a low reflectance is used in this embodiment, an alternative is to provide a hole in some position opposite the photo-reflector 53. Even in this case, it is possible to detect the absence of a sheet 13 used for recording information because the photo-reflector 53 cannot detect reflected light.

Next, transportation of the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir during printing will be described. FIG. 30 illustrates the transport path of the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir when printing, as viewed from the side of the main body of the printing apparatus 40. The transport path of the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir extends from the portion where the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir is wound around the first reel 12a on the right side of the drawing, to the part where the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir is received and wound on the second reel 12b on the left side of the drawing. This transport path is limited by guiding elements (first to third guides) 70, 72 and 73, a separating plate 71 and similar means provided in the upper and lower casings 10 and 11 for guiding the transport of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter. First, the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir wound around the first reel 12a is rotated towards the thermographic head 47 of the first guide 70. After printing with the thermographic head 47, the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir is separated from the sheet 13, used for recording information separating the plate 71, and then rotates the second and third guides 72 and 73 provided in the lower casing 11 and wound with a second reel 12b. Since the sheet 12 used as the dye reservoir must have a predetermined printing tension, a predetermined torque is applied to the first reel 12a by means of a sliding spring or the like. In addition, tension is applied to the sheet 12, used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, and when it is separated from the sheet 13 used to record information separating the plate 71. Accordingly, the load is applied to the upper casing 10 in the direction indicated by arrow d, and a load is applied to the lower casing 11 in the direction indicated by arrow e. Such loads cause torsional loads to be applied to the upper and lower casing 10 and 11 as moments around the first and second reels 12a and 12b. The upper and lower casings 11 and 12 are made of plastic by injection molding, as described above, and in addition, the upper casing 10 has an ejection portion 30 for ejecting a sheet 13 for recording information, and an opening 34 for a sheet feeding roller 48 and a reflector 53 Accordingly, the vicinity of the housing 20 of the supply unit provided near the opening 34 and the ejection part 30 has, in particular, low stiffness and is therefore easily deformable. In addition, even in the vicinity of the housing 21 of the winding unit, the second and third guides 72 and 73 provided in the lower casing, are subjected to heavy loads caused by the above-described tension and applied torque when the sheet 12 is wound, used as a reservoir for the coloring matter. In FIG. 31 shows details of part A shown in FIG. 30. As shown in FIG. 31, the second and third guides 72 and 73 take up loads in the directions indicated by arrows g and f, and therefore, the force acting in the direction indicated by arrow h affects the vicinity of the second and third guides 72 and 73, bending them from part 74 of the lower casing 11. The guide elements 72 and 73 that come into contact with the sheet 12, used as a reservoir for the dye, between the first and second reels 12a and 12b, are heavy loads and easily deformed.

If the upper and lower casings 10 and 11 are deformed, then the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir for the coloring matter may be disrupted, and transportation along this path 12 used as the reservoir for the coloring matter may not be smooth. Failure of smooth transportation can cause crimping or folding 12, which is used as a reservoir for the dye when it is received and wound with a second bobbin 12b. Since wrinkling extends to the printing path, wrinkles can appear on the printed image, which can be a serious problem for the printing apparatus 40. Because of this, it is extremely important to stabilize the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir.

In the presence of a printing device 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the cartridge 1 is inserted, the thermal head assembly 45 is installed in the space provided between the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir and the sheet 13 used for recording information in the housing 22 between a housing 20 of a sheet feeding unit used as a reservoir for a coloring matter (a first housing of a sheet used as a reservoir for a coloring matter) and a housing 21 of a winding unit ISTA used as a reservoir for the colorant (the second sheet body is used as a reservoir for the colorant). The thermal head assembly 45 has a sheet feed roller 48 for ejecting a sheet 13 used to record information. The thermographic head 47 and the sheet feed roller 48 are located in the said space in the form of a thermographic head assembly 45, and an opening 34 for driving the ejection of the sheet 13 used for recording information from the sheet body 22 used for recording information is provided in the surface of the single cartridge case 22 1 coloring matter and paper between the housing 20 of the sheet feeding unit used as a reservoir for the coloring matter (the first housing of the sheet used as the reservoir for the coloring matter) and the housing 21 la winding sheet used as a reservoir for the colorant (the second sheet body is used as a reservoir for the colorant). Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide spaces for the thermographic head 47 and the sheet feeding roller 48, whereby it becomes possible to reduce the dimensions of the printing apparatus 40.

In the printing apparatus 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet feeding roller 48 is located between the body 20 of the sheet feeding unit used as the dye tank and the housing 21 of the sheet winding unit used as the dye tank, and not outside sheet housings used as a reservoir for the coloring matter. Therefore, there is sufficient space for bending the sheet 13 used for recording information, outward from the housings of the sheet used as a reservoir for the coloring matter, in order to supply the sheet 13 used for recording information.

As mentioned above, the cartridge 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention has a first and second mounting holes 35 and 36 in the upper and lower covers 10 and 11. Accordingly, when the cartridge 1 is installed in the printing device 40, and in the first and second landing holes 35 and 36, the first and second landing fingers 56 and 57 are planted. It is possible to stabilize the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir for the coloring matter without subjecting this sheet to deformation due to torsion loads.

These first and second landing holes (landing elements) 35 and 36 can be provided in any parts of the upper and lower casings 10 and 11. However, additional stabilization of the transportation path can be achieved if these landing elements are provided on the inside of the first and second reels 12a and 12b, as well as in the vicinity of the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir for the coloring matter.

In the above embodiment, the first landing hole 35 is provided in the upper casing 10 for the housing 20 of the sheet feeding unit used as a dye reservoir, while the second landing hole 36 is provided in the lower casing 11 for the housing 21 of the sheet winding unit used as reservoir for the coloring matter. By providing the first and second landing holes 35 and 36, respectively, in the upper and lower shells 10 and 11, both shells 10 and 11 can be stabilized. In particular, by providing the first landing hole 35 in the lower shell 11 for the housing 20 of the sheet feeding unit used as the reservoir for a coloring matter, and the stiffness of this body is extremely low, since it has two openings, so that it is possible to reinforce the easily deformable part with low stiffness. In addition, by providing the first and second landing holes 35 and 36 near the positions where the tensions caused by the transport of the sheet 12 used as the reservoir for the dye are perceived and the load caused by the winding 12 used as the reservoir for the dye, these can be reduced loads and it is possible to reduce the moments acting on the upper and lower casings 10 and 11, thereby effectively preventing deformation. Although the first and second seating holes 35 and 36 are provided in the cartridge 1, and the first and second seating fingers 56 and 57 are provided in the printing device 40 in the described embodiment, the seating fingers can be provided in the cartridge and the seating holes can be provided in the printing device .

In addition, the first and second landing holes 35 and 36, interfaced with the printing device 40, are provided in the frame for the sheet bodies used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, near the transport path of the sheet 12 used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and this frame is easily deformable , since it perceives the tension caused by the transportation of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir for the coloring matter, and the load due to the winding of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir and a coloring agent. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the load, and due to this, to avoid deformation of the frame due to the impact of the mentioned loads.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the violation of the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir by maintaining the stiffness of the cartridge 1 and reducing the load on the cassette 1, thereby stabilizing the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a dye reservoir.

In addition, the weld pin 80 provided in the upper casing 10 and the hole 81 for the weld pin provided in the lower casing 11 are connected to each other by heat welding. Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the cartridge 1 by further densifying the arrangement in the vicinity of the second and third guides 72 and 73 of the lower casing 11 with the upper casing 10, thereby preventing the two casing from being disconnected from each other even when the cassette 1 is subjected to impact or vibration during print.

In addition, since the weld pin 80 and the hole 81 for the weld pin are provided near the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, in the part that is likely to absorb loads due to the tension of the sheet 12 used as the reservoir of the coloring matter , and moments due to the winding of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, it is possible to prevent the stress-induced deformation or disconnection of the upper and lower casings 10 and 11 from each other, thereby additionally stabilizing the transport path of the sheet 12 used as a reservoir of the coloring matter. In the case of the aforementioned embodiment, the aforementioned articulation method to provide the weld pin 80 and the hole 81 for the weld pin, is particularly effective since the upper and lower housings 10 and 11 are connected to each other by means of articulation using the dogs (10a, 11a) and holes (10b, 11b), as well as using elastic deformation of the polymer material, since the joint can weaken under the influence of loads.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the described possible embodiments. The scope of the claims of the following claims should be construed in the broadest sense as encompassing all modifications, equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims priority according to Japanese Patent Applications No. 2006-042535 (filed February 20, 2006), 2006-050590 (filed February 27, 2006) and 2006-211050 (filed August 2, 2006), which in their entirety are mentioned here for reference.

Claims (11)

1. A cassette (1) for a printing device that transfers a coloring matter deposited on a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring substance onto a sheet used for recording information by means of a thermographic print head containing
a first casing (10) bounding the casing (22) of sheets used for recording information, intended for enclosing sheets (13) used for recording information therein,
a second casing (11) engaged with the first casing and thus limiting the first casing (20) of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and the second casing (21) of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and in the first casing of the sheet used as a dye reservoir, a first bobbin (12a) is enclosed around which a sheet (12) is wound used as a dye reservoir, and in the second housing of the sheet used as a dye reservoir, on a second bobbin (12b) onto which a sheet used as a dye reservoir is wound, wound from the first bobbin, and
an opening (30) provided in the surface of the first casing facing the first and second body of the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, while
the first casing of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter is located between the second casing of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter and said opening. 2. The cassette according to claim 1, in which part of the aforementioned opening has separating means (31, 32) for separating the sheets (13) used to record information, one after another. 3. The cassette according to claim 1, in which between the first body (20) of the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, and the second body (21) of the sheet used as a reservoir of the coloring matter, and also between the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring substances removed from the first reel and the case (22) of sheets used to record information, a space (33) is provided for providing a thermographic head and a sheet ejection mechanism when the cartridge is inserted in a printing device. 4. The cartridge (1) containing
a case (22) of sheets used for recording information, including a substantially rectangular frame having a first opening (200) configured to stack a sheet (13) used to record information, and a second opening (30) provided on the surface facing the first opening, to ensure the ejection of the sheet used to record information,
site (20) supply sheet, used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, having a configuration that provides the conclusion in it of the supplied sheet (12) used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, and
node (21) winding a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter, having a configuration that provides the conclusion in it of a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter and removed from a feed unit of a sheet used as a reservoir of a coloring matter,
the winding unit of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter is located along the first side of the aforementioned substantially rectangular frame, the second opening is located on the second side opposite the first side, and the feeding unit of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter is located along the second . 5. The cassette according to claim 4, in which part of the second opening has a separating means (31, 32) for separating sheets (13) used to record information, one after another. 6. A cassette installed in a printing device that transfers a coloring matter deposited on a sheet (12) used as a reservoir of a coloring matter onto a sheet used for recording information by means of a thermographic print head containing
a first casing (10) bounding the casing (22) of sheets used for recording information, intended for enclosing in it a sheet used for recording information,
a second casing (11) engaged with the first casing and thus limiting the first casing (20) of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and the second casing (21) of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and in the first casing of the sheet used as a dye reservoir, a first bobbin (12a) is enclosed, around which a sheet used as a dye reservoir is wound, in a second sheet body used as a dye reservoir, is enclosed in oraya bobbin (12b), on which the wound sheet is used as the ink substance is wound on the first bobbin, and
in the first and second casings, next to the way of transporting the sheet used as a dye reservoir, connecting means (35, 36) are provided for connecting the first and second casings,
at the same time, an opening (34) is provided on the surface of the first casing between the first and second cases of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and connecting means is provided near this opening. 7. A cassette installed in a printing device that transfers a coloring matter deposited on a sheet (12) used as a reservoir of a coloring matter onto a sheet used for recording information by means of a thermographic print head containing
a first casing (10) bounding the casing (22) of sheets used for recording information, intended for enclosing in it a sheet used for recording information,
a second casing (11) engaged with the first casing and thus limiting the first casing (20) of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and the second casing (21) of the sheet used as the reservoir of the coloring matter, and in the first casing of the sheet used as a dye reservoir, a first bobbin (12a) is enclosed, around which a sheet used as a dye reservoir is wound, in a second sheet body used as a dye reservoir, is enclosed in oraya bobbin (12b), on which the wound sheet is used as the ink substance is wound on the first bobbin, and
in the first and second casings, next to the way of transporting the sheet used as a dye reservoir, connecting means (35, 36) are provided for connecting the first and second casings,
moreover, the first casing is engaged with the second casing by means of dogs and holes. 8. The cassette according to claim 6 or 7, in which a guide (70, 72, 73) is provided in the first casing or second casing for guiding the transport of the sheet used as a dye reservoir, and connecting means is provided near this guide. 9. The cassette according to claim 6 or 7, in which the connecting means is attached using one of such methods as heat welding, ultrasonic welding and screwing.
Priorities for items: 02/20/2006 according to claims 1-5; 02/27/2006 according to claims 6-9.

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