EP1036663B1 - Ink ribbon cartridge - Google Patents

Ink ribbon cartridge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1036663B1
EP1036663B1 EP99810653A EP99810653A EP1036663B1 EP 1036663 B1 EP1036663 B1 EP 1036663B1 EP 99810653 A EP99810653 A EP 99810653A EP 99810653 A EP99810653 A EP 99810653A EP 1036663 B1 EP1036663 B1 EP 1036663B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reel
housing
ribbon
cassette
plates
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99810653A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1036663A1 (en
Inventor
Werner Haug
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Frama AG
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Frama AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1036663A1 publication Critical patent/EP1036663A1/en
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Publication of EP1036663B1 publication Critical patent/EP1036663B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
    • B41J17/32—Detachable carriers or holders for impression-transfer material mechanism
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J32/00—Ink-ribbon cartridges
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/0025—Storage of, e.g. ribbon

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cassette for a printing head provided with a thermal print head, comprising a tape spool and a tape take-up spool, and comprising a housing having two spaced wall portions, between which the coils substantially transversely to the axis of a coil in grooves, molded recesses or slots for releasably fixing a coil in the region of the groove, recess end or slot bottom are arranged.
  • Ribbons and the like comparatively thin bands are used in a variety of devices, especially in franking machines. They are usually consumables, that is, they must be replaced or reloaded from time to time. To simplify these maintenance work, it is common today to bring the wound on a coil tapes (usually merchandise) manufacturer in cassettes. The cassettes are then used by the end user in the respective recording devices and thereby connected to their drive or removed after the consumption of the tape material therefrom. With appropriate design of the cassettes and the receiving station this cassette exchange is easy and fast to perform without special knowledge or skills.
  • the pre-published EP 1 000 765 A2 discloses a ribbon cassette with interchangeable ribbon and empty spool which are mounted removable in side walls of a cassette housing.
  • the ribbon-carrying coils consist of a tubular core which rests at both ends on bearing journals which are inserted in the side walls of the cassette housing.
  • the bearing pins are pressed with a shaft up into corresponding recesses. In this case, the shaft is pressed over a downwardly widening, resilient portion upwards into the corresponding recess and positively held in the recess.
  • a cassette according to the preamble of claim 1 is known for a tape reel and a tape take-up reel for use in a typewriter.
  • the one wall has circular Openings in which the coils are inserted at one end, and the opposite wall is formed by slots through which the coils are inserted into the cassette.
  • the present invention has therefore set itself the task of proposing a cassette which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages. It is essential that the cassette has a robust and simple structure that easily allows the insertion or removal of a new tape or a new tape reel.
  • the object is achieved in that the grooves or depressions or slots are formed so that the tape reel and / or the tape take-up spool from the open groove or slot side to the groove or recess bottom slidable back and forth, and a retainer slider is movably disposed in the wall portions of the housing in the groove portions on the housing so that the displacement of the tape reel and / or tape take-up spool is blocked in a first released position of the retainer slider and is enabled in a second position of the return slide.
  • the cassette acts in the sense of a transfer device.
  • To insert a new tape it is released from the device and can be conveniently provided at a suitable location with a new roll of tape.
  • the old coil is moved, as it were, perpendicular to its coil axis to the edge region of the housing and removed therefrom.
  • the new coil is then inserted in the opposite direction in the housing.
  • the grooves, indentations (e.g., embossments) or slots in the housing walls serve as guides for the coils or their shafts.
  • the tape is fed to the same used fresh empty spool and fastened there for winding.
  • the tape is guided by the full spool on the tape guide means and attached to a tape take-up for winding.
  • the thus freshly upgraded cassette can now be e.g. be used in the receiving postage meter.
  • the cassette also allows the rapid change of not yet completely used different bands and serves at the same time as an intermediate storage for the not yet completely used up tape rolls outside the receiving device. This is also an environmentally friendly effect of the invention.
  • the cassette whose housing consists essentially only of the two spaced wall portions, wherein one of the wall portions for receiving aids such as brake element and / or mechanism for fixing the coils can be constructed double-walled. If the contours of the two walls are chosen differently in this double-walled construction, the cost of materials can be further reduced.
  • the housing of the cassette consists essentially of three here parallel flat plates 1a, 1b, and 1c, which are connected by webs 2, 3.
  • the webs 2 are firmly connected to the plates, e.g. cast integrally, or glued or welded or by means of releasable means, e.g. Screws, connected.
  • the web (s) 3 are in the form of rotatable rolls formed on the two plates 1a, 1b connected axes, the roll axis being connected to the plates in the same way as the webs 2.
  • the plates 1 and the webs 2, 3 thereby form a stiff cage for receiving the tape spool 6, and the tape take-up spool 5 (empty spool).
  • the housing of the cassette thus consists only of the two side walls. In the web direction no actual wall parts are present, i.
  • the cassette is open except for the bars all around in principle.
  • the axes of the two rollers 5,6 are in - viewed from above - obliquely downward in the plates 1a, 1b extending grooves 7, molded recesses 7 and slots 8 are stored.
  • the groove or slot width is slightly larger than the prevailing coil diameter at this point. By their own weight they fall after insertion in the direction of groove or. Slot bottom down or can be pushed there by hand.
  • the angled tab 14 acts from the retaining slide 9 also as a braking element 14th
  • This pressure on the reel 6 generates a slight braking torque, which slows down the reel 6 after each pressure and prevents unacceptable looping of the tape.
  • the braking force is generated by the spring 13, which is attached to the retaining slide 9 and the plate 1b.
  • As the fulcrum for the retaining slide 9 is the stop pin 15.
  • the plate 1 c inserted and screwed plate 18 allows the locking of the retaining slide 9 in the release position for the tape reel 6 and the tape take-up spool 5. The removal and insertion of the coil 5 and 6 facilitated by this locking mechanism.
  • the integrally formed retaining slide 9 therefore fulfills several functions simultaneously and is installed optimally protected between the two plates 1b and 1c.
  • the tape take-up spool 5 has coupling elements, which can be coupled in a known manner with a franking machine-side drive device (compare, inter alia, FRAMA patent application PCT / CH 98/00278 , Cassette with a slide-in device).
  • the tape-dispensing coil is provided with a coupling element. This preferably drives a rotary encoder in the postage meter machine provided with corresponding coupling elements, so that the correct tape feed can be monitored during operation.
  • the Eintun 7 can be seen, over which a coil stub of the tape take-up spool 5 is inserted.
  • the plate carries a tape guide in the form of a bolt for receiving a tape guide roller 4, the right end is free.
  • the one-sided storage is chosen so that the tape can be performed during retraction easier to the tape take-up spool and comes to rest on the side facing the housing side of the roll.
  • the plates 1b and 1c are screwed by spacers 16.
  • the contours of the two plates 1b and 1c are different to save material and weight.
  • Slots 8 are provided in both plates over which the ribbon take-up spool 5 is inserted.
  • In the tape reel 6 may be present in the inner plate 1b as well as in the left plate Einmannmut.
  • the reason for the different permission of the tape reel guides is the function of the reels.
  • the tape reel can be rotated with sufficient tear strength on the withdrawn tape, ie it can be driven be stored, but requires a trailing brake. It is provided in the embodiment shown by means of optional coupling elements which drive a rotary encoder in the franking machine.
  • the axis of the coil must extend through both walls drawn to the right, which is achieved via the slots.
  • the tape reel can also be driven via the coupling from the postage meter machine.
  • the tape take-up spool requires a third-party drive, which can be implemented most simply via a coupling engaging on the spool axis.
  • the axis must therefore be passed through the two plates.
  • drive means which engage the side edges of the coil, such as gears or friction wheels. In this case, the tape take-up spool could be guided on both sides in grooves.
  • the one tape guide 3 is fixedly connected to the right 1b and the left plate 1a.
  • the tape guide 4 is connected only to the left plate 1a. This is because the tape must rest on its side facing the cartridge interior.
  • a about the axis of a knob 12 pivotable bracket 11 serves to increase the free space between the tape and the cassette housing during insertion of the cassette in the device. In the area of this enlarged space the printhead of the device comes to rest. With the aid of this measure, damage to the tape during insertion of the cassette is prevented. After inserting the cassette in the device, the bracket is swung back, leaving the tape to rest against the print head.
  • the cassette has a structurally simplest construction essentially of two side walls and these connecting webs.
  • the tape reel and the tape take-up reel are fed into grooves, indentations or slots in the sidewalls. This results in a reliable storage and a simple replacement of the coils.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
  • Storage Of Web-Like Or Filamentary Materials (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Kassette für ein mit einem Thermodruckkopf versehenen Druckwerk, mit einer Bandspule und einer Bandaufnahmespule, und mit einem Gehäuse, das zwei beabstandete Wandungsbereiche aufweist, zwischen denen die Spulen im Wesentlichen quer zur Achse einer Spule in Nuten, eingeformten Vertiefungen oder Schlitzen zum lösbaren Festlegen einer Spule im Bereich des Nut-, Vertiefungsendes oder Schlitzgrundes angeordnet sind.The invention relates to a cassette for a printing head provided with a thermal print head, comprising a tape spool and a tape take-up spool, and comprising a housing having two spaced wall portions, between which the coils substantially transversely to the axis of a coil in grooves, molded recesses or slots for releasably fixing a coil in the region of the groove, recess end or slot bottom are arranged.

Farbbänder und dergleichen vergleichsweise dünne Bänder werden in einer Vielzahl von Geräten, insbesondere auch in Frankiermaschinen eingesetzt. Sie stellen in der Regel Verbrauchsmaterial dar, d.h., sie müssen von Zeit zu Zeit ausgewechselt oder nachgeladen werden. Zur Vereinfachung dieser Wartungsarbeiten ist es heute üblich, die auf einer Spule aufgewickelten Bänder (meist Handelsware) herstellerseitig in Kassetten einzubringen. Die Kassetten werden anschliessend vom Endbenutzer in die jeweiligen Aufnahmegeräte eingesetzt und dabei mit deren Antrieb verbunden bzw. nach dem Aufbrauchen des Bandmaterials aus diesen entfernt. Bei zweckdienlicher Ausgestaltung der Kassetten und der Aufnahmestation ist dieser Kassettenaustausch einfach und schnell ohne Spezialkenntnisse oder Fähigkeiten durchzuführen.Ribbons and the like comparatively thin bands are used in a variety of devices, especially in franking machines. They are usually consumables, that is, they must be replaced or reloaded from time to time. To simplify these maintenance work, it is common today to bring the wound on a coil tapes (usually merchandise) manufacturer in cassettes. The cassettes are then used by the end user in the respective recording devices and thereby connected to their drive or removed after the consumption of the tape material therefrom. With appropriate design of the cassettes and the receiving station this cassette exchange is easy and fast to perform without special knowledge or skills.

Nachteilig wirkt sich jedoch die Tatsache aus, dass die bekannten Kassetten in der Regel als Einwegelemente konzipiert sind. Da ihre Kosten im Vergleich zum Bandmaterial oft nicht vernachlässigbar sind und zudem die Entsorgung die Umwelt belasten kann, ist diese Einmalnutzung nicht optimal. Leider stellen auch die insbesondere vor längerer Zeit bereits vorgeschlagenen nachladbaren Kassetten verschiedenster Provenienz kein geeignetes Ersatzmittel für Einwegkassetten dar, da sie entweder zu komplex im Aufbau, zu unsicher im Betrieb, zu umständlich in der Bedienung beim Nachladen oder zu teuer in der Herstellung sind.The disadvantage, however, is the fact that the known cassettes in usually designed as disposable elements. Since their costs are often not negligible compared to the strip material and disposal can also pollute the environment, this single use is not optimal. Unfortunately, the rechargeable cassettes of various provenance, which have already been proposed especially long ago, do not represent a suitable substitute for disposable cassettes because they are either too complex to set up, too unsafe to operate, too cumbersome to operate during recharging or too expensive to produce.

In letzter Zeit ist es gelungen, mittels einer verstellbaren Bandführung das Einbringen der heute gebräuchlichen dünnen Bänder beim Einsatz der Kassette in die Betriebsposition ohne Beschädigung zu ermöglichen (Patentanmeldung PCT/CH 98/00278 , Kassette mit einer Einschubvorrichtung). Diese Kassette ist jedoch in konstruktiver Hinsicht aufwändig und daher teuer.Recently, it has been possible by means of an adjustable tape guide to allow the introduction of today thin tapes when using the cassette in the operating position without damage (patent application PCT / CH 98/00278 , Cassette with a slide-in device). However, this cassette is structurally complex and therefore expensive.

Die vorveröffentlichte EP 1 000 765 A2 offenbart eine Farbbandkassette mit auswechselbarer Farbband- und Leerspule, die in Seitenwänden eines Kassettengehäuses demontierbar gelagert sind. Die das Farbband tragenden Spulen bestehen aus einem rohrförmigen Kern, der beidenends auf Lagerzapfen ruht, die in den Seitenwänden des Kassettengehäuses eingesteckt sind. Zur Montage der Spulen in dem Kassettengehäuse werden die Lagerzapfen mit einem Schaft nach oben in korrespondierende Ausnehmungen gepresst. Dabei wird der Schaft über einen nach unten sich erweiternden, nachgiebigen Abschnitt nach oben in die entsprechende Ausnehmung gepresst und in der Ausnehmung formschlüssig festgehalten.The pre-published EP 1 000 765 A2 discloses a ribbon cassette with interchangeable ribbon and empty spool which are mounted removable in side walls of a cassette housing. The ribbon-carrying coils consist of a tubular core which rests at both ends on bearing journals which are inserted in the side walls of the cassette housing. For mounting the coils in the cassette housing, the bearing pins are pressed with a shaft up into corresponding recesses. In this case, the shaft is pressed over a downwardly widening, resilient portion upwards into the corresponding recess and positively held in the recess.

Nach der US 4134693 A ist eine Kassette gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 für eine Bandspule und eine Bandaufnahmespule zum Gebrauch in einer Schreibmaschine bekannt. Von der aus zwei Wänden gebildeten Kassette weist die eine Wand kreisrunde Öffnungen auf, in die die Spulen einenends eingesteckt werden, und die gegenüberliegende Wand ist durch Schlitze ausgebildet, über die die Spulen in die Kassette eingesetzt werden.After US 4134693 A For example, a cassette according to the preamble of claim 1 is known for a tape reel and a tape take-up reel for use in a typewriter. Of the cassette formed from two walls, the one wall has circular Openings in which the coils are inserted at one end, and the opposite wall is formed by slots through which the coils are inserted into the cassette.

Die vorliegende Erfindung hat sich daher zur Aufgabe gestellt, eine Kassette vorzuschlagen, die die vorgenannten Nachteile nicht aufweist. Wesentlich ist dabei, dass die Kassette einen robusten und einfachen Aufbau besitzt, der das Einlegen bzw. Entfernen eines neuen Bandes bzw. einer neuen Bandspule problemlos ermöglicht.The present invention has therefore set itself the task of proposing a cassette which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages. It is essential that the cassette has a robust and simple structure that easily allows the insertion or removal of a new tape or a new tape reel.

Erfindungsgemäss wird die Aufgabe dadurch gelöst, dass die Nuten bzw. Vertiefungen bzw. Schlitze so geformt sind, dass die Bandspule und/oder die Bandaufnahmespule von der offenen Nut- bzw. Vertiefungs- bzw. Schlitzseite her zum Nut- bzw. Vertiefungsende bzw. Schlitzgrund hin und zurück verschiebbar ist, und ein Rückhalteschieber in den Wandungsbereichen des Gehäuses in den Nut- bzw. Vertiefungs- bzw. Schlitzbereichen an dem Gehäuse bewegbar angeordnet ist, so dass die Verschiebung der Bandspule und/oder Bandaufnahmespule in einer ersten freigegebenen Position des Rückhalteschiebers blockiert und in einer zweiten Position des Rückhaiteschiebers ermöglicht ist.According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the grooves or depressions or slots are formed so that the tape reel and / or the tape take-up spool from the open groove or slot side to the groove or recess bottom slidable back and forth, and a retainer slider is movably disposed in the wall portions of the housing in the groove portions on the housing so that the displacement of the tape reel and / or tape take-up spool is blocked in a first released position of the retainer slider and is enabled in a second position of the return slide.

Weiter wird eine Frankiermaschine mit einer erfindungsgemässen Kassette vorgeschlagen.Furthermore, a franking machine with a cassette according to the invention is proposed.

Die Kassette wirkt dabei im Sinne einer Transfervorrichtung. Zum Einführen eines neuen Bandes wird sie von der Vorrichtung gelöst und kann bequem an einer dafür geeigneten Stelle mit einer neuen Bandrolle versehen werden. Die alte Spule wird nach Betätigen einer Freigabevorrichtung quasi senkrecht zu ihrer Spulenachse zum Randbereich des Gehäuses hin bewegt und aus diesem entnommen. Die neue Spule wird anschliessend im entgegengesetzten Sinne in das Gehäuse eingeführt. Die Nuten, eingeformte Vertiefungen (z.B. Prägungen) oder Schlitze in den Gehäusewandungen dienen hierbei als Führung für die Spulen bzw. deren Wellen. Anschliessend wird das Band auf die gleichermassen eingesetzte frische Leerspule geführt und dort zum Aufwickeln befestigt. Das Band wird dazu von der vollen Spule über die Bandführungsmittel geführt und an einem Bandaufnehmer zum Aufwickeln befestigt. Die so frisch aufgerüstete Kassette kann nun z.B. in die aufnehmende Frankiermaschine eingesetzt werden.The cassette acts in the sense of a transfer device. To insert a new tape it is released from the device and can be conveniently provided at a suitable location with a new roll of tape. After actuation of a release device, the old coil is moved, as it were, perpendicular to its coil axis to the edge region of the housing and removed therefrom. The new coil is then inserted in the opposite direction in the housing. The grooves, indentations (e.g., embossments) or slots in the housing walls serve as guides for the coils or their shafts. Subsequently, the tape is fed to the same used fresh empty spool and fastened there for winding. The tape is guided by the full spool on the tape guide means and attached to a tape take-up for winding. The thus freshly upgraded cassette can now be e.g. be used in the receiving postage meter.

Die Kassette ermöglicht auch den raschen Wechsel von noch nicht vollständig verbrauchten unterschiedlichen Bändern und dient dabei gleichzeitig als Zwischenlager für die noch nicht vollständig aufgebrauchten Bandrollen ausserhalb des sie aufnehmenden Gerätes. Auch hierin liegt eine umweltschonende Wirkung der Erfindung.The cassette also allows the rapid change of not yet completely used different bands and serves at the same time as an intermediate storage for the not yet completely used up tape rolls outside the receiving device. This is also an environmentally friendly effect of the invention.

Speziell materialsparend ist die Kassette, deren Gehäuse im wesentlichen nur aus den beiden beabstandeten Wandungsbereichen besteht, wobei einer der Wandungsbereiche zur Aufnahme von Hilfsmitteln wie Bremselement und/oder Mechanismus zum Festlegen der Spulen doppelwandig aufgebaut sein kann. Wenn bei diesem doppelwandigen Aufbau die Konturen der beiden Wandungen unterschiedlich gewählt werden, lässt sich der Materialaufwand weiter verkleinern.Specially saving material is the cassette whose housing consists essentially only of the two spaced wall portions, wherein one of the wall portions for receiving aids such as brake element and / or mechanism for fixing the coils can be constructed double-walled. If the contours of the two walls are chosen differently in this double-walled construction, the cost of materials can be further reduced.

Im folgenden wird anhand der Figuren, die besonders geeignete Ausführungsformen zeigen, die erfindungsgemässe Kassette beschrieben: Für den Fachmann gehen dabei die meisten Details ohne explizite Beschreibung aus den Figuren hervor.

Figur 1:
Das Gehäuse der Kassette in Seitenansicht
Figur 2:
Das Gehäuse der Kassette von vorne betrachtet. (aus Richtung A)
Figur 3:
Das Gehäuse der Kassette in der ändern Seitenansicht (aus Richtung B)
In the following, the cassette according to the invention will be described with reference to the figures which show particularly suitable embodiments: For the person skilled in the art, most of the details will be apparent from the figures without explicit description.
FIG. 1:
The housing of the cassette in side view
FIG. 2:
The case of the cassette viewed from the front. (from direction A)
FIG. 3:
The housing of the cassette in the other side view (from direction B)

Zu den Figuren 1-3:To the figures 1-3:

Das Gehäuse der Kassette besteht im wesentlichen aus drei hier parallelen ebenen Platten 1a, 1b, und 1c, die über Stege 2, 3 verbunden sind. Die Stege 2 sind dabei fest mit den Platten verbunden, z.B. einstückig gegossen, oder geklebt bzw. verschweisst oder mittels lösbarer Mittel, z.B. Schrauben, verbunden. Der/die Stege 3 sind in Form von drehbaren Walzen auf mit den beiden Platten 1a,1b verbundenen Achsen ausgebildet, wobei die Walzenachse auf gleiche Art wie die Stege 2 mit den Platten verbunden sind. Die Platten 1 und die Stege 2, 3 bilden dabei einen steifen Käfig zur Aufnahme der Bandspule 6, und der Bandaufnahmespule 5 (Leerspule). Im Hinblick auf eine möglichst materialsparende Konstruktion besteht das Gehäuse der Kassette somit nur aus den beiden Seitenwänden. In Stegrichtung sind keine eigentlichen Wandungsteile vorhanden, d.h. die Kassette ist bis auf die Stege rundum im Prinzip offen.The housing of the cassette consists essentially of three here parallel flat plates 1a, 1b, and 1c, which are connected by webs 2, 3. The webs 2 are firmly connected to the plates, e.g. cast integrally, or glued or welded or by means of releasable means, e.g. Screws, connected. The web (s) 3 are in the form of rotatable rolls formed on the two plates 1a, 1b connected axes, the roll axis being connected to the plates in the same way as the webs 2. The plates 1 and the webs 2, 3 thereby form a stiff cage for receiving the tape spool 6, and the tape take-up spool 5 (empty spool). With regard to a material-saving construction as possible, the housing of the cassette thus consists only of the two side walls. In the web direction no actual wall parts are present, i. The cassette is open except for the bars all around in principle.

Die Achsen der beiden Walzen 5,6 sind in - von oben betrachtet - schräg nach unten in den Platten 1a,1b verlaufenden Nuten 7 , eingeformte Vertiefungen 7 bzw. Schlitzen 8 gelagert. Die Nut- bzw. Schlitzbreite ist leicht grösser als der an dieser Stelle massgebliche Spulendurchmesser. Durch ihr Eigengewicht fallen sie nach dem Einführen in Richtung Nut-bzw. Schlitzgrund hinab oder können dorthin von Hand gestossen werden. Ein handbetätigbarer und mittels einer Raste versehener Rückhaltemechanismus 9, der beim Einlegen der Walze entgegen der Kraft einer an ihm angreifenden Feder 13 in Richtung C zurückgezogen wird, greift im freigegebenen Zustand mit seinem Finger 10 in die Nut bzw. den Schlitz 7,8 ein und verhindert so ein Zurückgleiten der Bandaufnahmespule 5 und ein Zurückgleiten der Bandspule 6, wenn die Kassette im Raum bewegt wird (z.B. beim Einführen in das Gerät z.B. eine Frankiermaschine). Auf die Bandspule wirkt die abgewinkelte Lasche 14 vom Rückhalteschieber 9 zudem als Bremselement 14.The axes of the two rollers 5,6 are in - viewed from above - obliquely downward in the plates 1a, 1b extending grooves 7, molded recesses 7 and slots 8 are stored. The groove or slot width is slightly larger than the prevailing coil diameter at this point. By their own weight they fall after insertion in the direction of groove or. Slot bottom down or can be pushed there by hand. A hand-operated and provided with a detent retaining mechanism 9, which is retracted against the force of an attacking spring 13 in the direction C during insertion of the roller, engages in the released state with his finger 10 in the groove or the slot 7,8 and prevents the tape take-up spool 5 from slipping back and the tape spool 6 from slipping backwards when the cassette is moved in space (for example, a postage meter when inserted into the machine). On the reel, the angled tab 14 acts from the retaining slide 9 also as a braking element 14th

Dieser Druck auf die Bandspule 6 erzeugt ein leichtes Bremsmoment, welches die Bandspule 6 nach jedem Druck abbremst und eine unzulässige Schlaufenbildung des Bandes verhindert. Erzeugt wird die Bremskraft durch die Feder 13, welche am Rückhalteschieber 9 und an der Platte 1b befestigt ist. Als Drehpunkt für den Rückhalteschieber 9 dient der Anschlagbolzen 15. Das in der Platte 1 c eingelegte und verschraubte Plättchen 18 ermöglicht die Arretierung vom Rückhalteschieber 9 in der Freigabeposition für die Bandspule 6 und die Bandaufnahmespule 5. Das Herausnehmen und Einsetzen der Spule 5 und 6 wird durch diesen Arretiermechanismus erleichtert. Der einstückig ausgebildete Rückhalteschieber 9 erfüllt daher gleichzeitig mehrere Funktionen und ist zwischen den beiden Platten 1b und 1c bestens geschützt eingebaut.This pressure on the reel 6 generates a slight braking torque, which slows down the reel 6 after each pressure and prevents unacceptable looping of the tape. The braking force is generated by the spring 13, which is attached to the retaining slide 9 and the plate 1b. As the fulcrum for the retaining slide 9 is the stop pin 15. The plate 1 c inserted and screwed plate 18 allows the locking of the retaining slide 9 in the release position for the tape reel 6 and the tape take-up spool 5. The removal and insertion of the coil 5 and 6 facilitated by this locking mechanism. The integrally formed retaining slide 9 therefore fulfills several functions simultaneously and is installed optimally protected between the two plates 1b and 1c.

Die Bandaufnahmespule 5 weist Kupplungselemente auf, die in bekannter Weise mit einer frankiermaschinenseitigen Antriebsvorrichtung kuppelbar sind (vergl. dazu u.a. FRAMA Patentanmeldung PCT/CH 98/00278 , Kassette mit einer Einschubvorrichtung). Bei der hier gezeichneten Ausführungsform ist auch die bandabgebenden Spule mit einem Kupplungselement versehen. Dieses treibt in der mit korrespondierenden Kupplungselementen versehenen Frankiermaschine vorzugsweise einen Drehwinkelgeber an, so dass im Betrieb die korrekte Bandzuführung überwacht werden kann.The tape take-up spool 5 has coupling elements, which can be coupled in a known manner with a franking machine-side drive device (compare, inter alia, FRAMA patent application PCT / CH 98/00278 , Cassette with a slide-in device). In the embodiment drawn here, the tape-dispensing coil is provided with a coupling element. This preferably drives a rotary encoder in the postage meter machine provided with corresponding coupling elements, so that the correct tape feed can be monitored during operation.

An der Platte 1a ist die Einfühmut 7 zu sehen, über den ein Spulenstummel der Bandaufnahmespule 5 eingeführt wird. Am unteren Ende trägt die Platte eine Bandführung in Form eines Bolzens zur Aufnahme einer Bandführungswalze 4, deren rechtes Ende frei ist. Die einseitige Lagerung wird gewählt, damit das Band beim Einziehen einfacher zur Bandaufnahmespule geführt werden kann und auf der dem Gehäuse zugewandten Walzenseite zu liegen kommt.On the plate 1a, the Einfühmut 7 can be seen, over which a coil stub of the tape take-up spool 5 is inserted. At the lower end, the plate carries a tape guide in the form of a bolt for receiving a tape guide roller 4, the right end is free. The one-sided storage is chosen so that the tape can be performed during retraction easier to the tape take-up spool and comes to rest on the side facing the housing side of the roll.

Die Platten 1b und 1c sind über Abstandhalter 16 verschraubt. Die Konturen der beiden Platten 1b und 1c sind verschieden, um Material und Gewicht einzusparen. In beiden Platten sind Schlitze 8 vorhanden, über die die Bandaufnahmespule 5 eingeführt wird. Bei der Bandspule 6 kann in der innenliegenden Platte 1b auch wie in der linken Platte eine Einfühmut vorhanden sein. Der Grund für die unterschiedliche Gestattung der Bandspulenführungen ist die Funktion der Spulen. Die Bandspule kann bei genügender Reissfestigkeit über das abgezogene Band gedreht werden, d.h. sie kann antriebslos gelagert sein, benötigt aber eine Nachlaufbremse. Sie ist in der gezeigten Ausführungsform mittels fakultativer Kupplungselemente versehen, die einen Drehwinkelgeber in der Frankiermaschine antreiben. Demzufolge muss die Achse der Spule durch beide rechts gezeichneten Wandungen reichen, was über die Schlitze erreicht wird. Selbstverständlich kann aber auch die Bandspule via Kupplung von der Frankiermaschine her angetrieben sein. Die Bandaufnahmespule braucht hingegen einen Fremdantrieb, der sich am einfachsten via einer an der Spulenachse angreifenden Kupplung realisieren lässt. Die Achse muss daher durch die beiden Platten geführt werden. Denkbar sind jedoch auch Antriebsmittel, die an den Seitenflanken der Spule angreifen, z.B. Zahnräder oder Reibräder. In diesem Fall könnte die Bandaufnahmespule beidseitig in Nuten geführt werden.The plates 1b and 1c are screwed by spacers 16. The contours of the two plates 1b and 1c are different to save material and weight. Slots 8 are provided in both plates over which the ribbon take-up spool 5 is inserted. In the tape reel 6 may be present in the inner plate 1b as well as in the left plate Einfühmut. The reason for the different permission of the tape reel guides is the function of the reels. The tape reel can be rotated with sufficient tear strength on the withdrawn tape, ie it can be driven be stored, but requires a trailing brake. It is provided in the embodiment shown by means of optional coupling elements which drive a rotary encoder in the franking machine. As a result, the axis of the coil must extend through both walls drawn to the right, which is achieved via the slots. Of course, however, the tape reel can also be driven via the coupling from the postage meter machine. The tape take-up spool, on the other hand, requires a third-party drive, which can be implemented most simply via a coupling engaging on the spool axis. The axis must therefore be passed through the two plates. However, it is also conceivable drive means which engage the side edges of the coil, such as gears or friction wheels. In this case, the tape take-up spool could be guided on both sides in grooves.

Die eine Bandführung 3 ist fest mit der rechten 1b und der linken Platte 1a verbunden. Dagegen ist die Bandführung 4 nur mit der linken Platte 1a verbunden. Dies, weil das Band auf ihrer, dem Kassetteninnem zugewandten Seite anliegen muss.The one tape guide 3 is fixedly connected to the right 1b and the left plate 1a. In contrast, the tape guide 4 is connected only to the left plate 1a. This is because the tape must rest on its side facing the cartridge interior.

Ein um die Achse eines Drehknopfes 12 verschwenkbarer Bügel 11 dient dazu, den freien Raum zwischen Band und Kassettengehäuse beim Einführen der Kassette in das Gerät zu vergrössern. Im Bereich dieses vergrösserten Raumes kommt der Druckkopf des Gerätes zu liegen. Mit Hilfe dieser Massnahme wird eine Beschädigung des Bandes beim Einführen der Kassette verhindert. Nach dem Einführen der Kassette in das Gerät wird der Bügel zurückgeschwenkt und lässt dabei das Band an den Druckkopf anliegen.A about the axis of a knob 12 pivotable bracket 11 serves to increase the free space between the tape and the cassette housing during insertion of the cassette in the device. In the area of this enlarged space the printhead of the device comes to rest. With the aid of this measure, damage to the tape during insertion of the cassette is prevented. After inserting the cassette in the device, the bracket is swung back, leaving the tape to rest against the print head.

Selbstverständlich können einzelne Elemente dieser Vorrichtung in konstruktiver und/oder funktioneller Hinsicht anders ausgebildet werden. Die Erfindung wird aber durch die Ansprüche definiert.Of course, individual elements of this device can be designed differently in terms of design and / or function. However, the invention is defined by the claims.

Die Kassette weist einen konstruktiv einfachsten Aufbau im wesentlichen aus zwei Seitenwänden und diese verbindende Stege auf.The cassette has a structurally simplest construction essentially of two side walls and these connecting webs.

Die Bandspule und die Bandaufnahmespule werden in Nuten, eingeformte Vertiefungen oder Schlitzen in den Seitenwänden geführt. Dies ergibt eine betriebssichere Lagerung und eine einfachste Auswechslung der Spulen.The tape reel and the tape take-up reel are fed into grooves, indentations or slots in the sidewalls. This results in a reliable storage and a simple replacement of the coils.

Claims (7)

  1. Cassette for a printing unit provided with a thermal print head, comprising a ribbon reel (6) and a ribbon take-up reel (5), and comprising a housing having two wall regions (1a, 1b) arranged at a distance from one another between which the reels (5, 6) are arranged essentially transversely to the axis of a reel (5, 6) in grooves (7), moulded-in recesses (7) or slots (8) serving for the releasable securing of a reel (5, 6) in the region of the end of the groove or recess or the bottom of the slot, characterised in that the grooves or recesses or slots are formed in such a manner that the ribbon reel (5) and/or the ribbon take-up reel (6) can slide to and fro from the open side of the groove or recess or slot to the end of the groove or recess or the bottom of the slot and a retaining slide (9) is arranged to move in the wall regions (1a, 1b) of the housing in the regions of the groove or recess or slot on the housing so as to prevent sliding of the ribbon reel and/or ribbon take-up reel in a first released position of the retaining slide (9) and to allow for the sliding thereof in a second position of the retaining slide (9).
  2. Cassette according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining slide (9) is provided with an angled lug (14) and a stop surface (10).
  3. Cassette according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised by spring-loaded braking means (14) or braking means in the form of springs acting on one of the spindles of the ribbon reel (5) and/or of the ribbon take-up reel (6) situated at the end of the groove or recess or at the bottom of the slot.
  4. Cassette according to claim 3, characterised in that the wall regions are formed by two plates and that, for insertion into the printing unit or for increasing the space between the ribbon and the cassette housing, a stirrup (11) is rotatably hinged to one plate (1a, 1b) of the housing, wherein the portion of the stirrup extending from one plate (1a, 1b) forming a wall region to the other plate (1a, 1b) forming a wall region can be pivoted towards and away from the housing.
  5. Cassette according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the housing is formed of three plates (1a, 1b, 1c), two plates (1a, 1b) of which form the two wall regions for receiving the reels (5, 6) and the plates (1a, 1b) of which forming the wall regions are arranged at a greater distance from one another and are connected together by means of at least one web (2).
  6. Cassette according to claim 5, characterised in that at least some parts of the mechanism formed of the retaining slide (9) and the braking means (14) are formed in one piece and are arranged to move as a slide in the space situated between the two plates (1b, 1c) forming the wall regions.
  7. Franking machine comprising a cassette according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the ribbon reel (5) and/or the ribbon take-up reel (6) comprise(s) coupling elements cooperating with corresponding coupling elements of the franking machine, one coupling element driving an incremental encoder for determining the angle of rotation of a reel (5, 6).
EP99810653A 1999-03-17 1999-07-20 Ink ribbon cartridge Expired - Lifetime EP1036663B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH48899 1999-03-17
CH48899 1999-03-17

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US (1) US6352380B1 (en)
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Families Citing this family (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3836831B2 (en) * 2003-10-28 2006-10-25 インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレーション Print gap forming auxiliary member, ribbon guide, ribbon cartridge, ribbon cassette, printer, and printing method
EP2927008B1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2019-09-18 Nidec Sankyo Corporation Ink ribbon cartridge and printing device

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1000765A2 (en) * 1998-01-06 2000-05-17 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink ribbon cartridge

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GB1535396A (en) * 1976-05-21 1978-12-13 Grafton & Son Walter Support means for cassettes or cartridges for inked or filmed ribbons
JPS60171357U (en) * 1984-04-23 1985-11-13 沖電気工業株式会社 ribbon cartridge
JPS6192878A (en) * 1984-10-12 1986-05-10 Ricoh Co Ltd Ribbon replacement structure of ribbon cassette
JPS62113583A (en) * 1985-11-13 1987-05-25 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd Ribbon support device
US5501536A (en) * 1988-11-10 1996-03-26 Kleve; Robert E. Typewriter cartridge apparatus having an outer housing with inner loop attached ribbon cartridge
EP0387197B1 (en) * 1989-03-08 1993-07-28 Franz Büttner AG Reloadable ink ribbon cassette
US4990008A (en) * 1989-10-26 1991-02-05 Chiman Hwang Refillable ink ribbon cartridge for use in electronic typewriter
US5391007A (en) * 1992-12-21 1995-02-21 Pitney Bowes Inc. Thermal ribbon cassette having adjustable guide posts
JP3694331B2 (en) * 1994-03-25 2005-09-14 株式会社サトー Ink ribbon cassette device in thermal transfer printer
US6196737B1 (en) 1997-06-27 2001-03-06 Werner Haug Thermal printing mechanism

Patent Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1000765A2 (en) * 1998-01-06 2000-05-17 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink ribbon cartridge

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DE59915096D1 (en) 2009-12-03
DE29913568U1 (en) 1999-10-07
EP1036663A1 (en) 2000-09-20
US6352380B1 (en) 2002-03-05

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