Card issuing equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a card issuing device which can prevent printing on the outer periphery of a card in the width direction from being rubbed when the card is printed by a thermal head. A card issuing device (1) is provided with: a thermal head (64) that prints a card (2) by heating; a circular platen roller (53) which faces the thermal head (64) and conveys the card (2) by rotating the card (2) between the platen roller (53) and the thermal head (64); and an ink ribbon (66) which is conveyed between the thermal head (64) and the platen roller (53) so as to overlap the card (2). The outer diameter of the two end parts of the press roller (53) is larger than the outer diameter of the central part of the press roller (53).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a card issuing device provided with a thermal head for printing on a medium. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a card issuing device having a thermal head for printing on a card. The card issuing device of the document has: a thermal head for printing on a card; a pressure roller located directly below the thermal head and conveying the card; and an ink ribbon conveyed between the thermal head and the pressure roller so as to overlap with the card. The thermal head is pressed onto the card from above the ink ribbon to print on the card. The thermal head can print on the entire surface of the card. All the pressure rollers have a circular shape with the same diameter. The pressure roller supports the card from below when printing on the card using the thermal head. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-179616 Summary of the invention

[0004] In the card issuing device of Patent Document 1, when printing on a card, the force of the thermal head pressing the card via the ink ribbon tends to be concentrated on the central part of the card. Therefore, at the outer periphery of the card in the width direction orthogonal to the card conveying direction, the force of the thermal head pressing the card via the ink ribbon becomes weaker, resulting in the problem of friction of the print.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a card issuing device capable of suppressing the printing on the outer peripheral edge in the width direction of the card from being rubbed when printing the card using a thermal head.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the card issuing device of the present invention comprises: a thermal head, which prints on a medium by heating; a circular pressure roller, which is opposite to the thermal head and rotates by clamping the medium between the thermal head and the pressure roller, thereby conveying the medium; and an ink ribbon, which is conveyed between the thermal head and the pressure roller so as to overlap with the medium, and the outer diameter of the two end portions of the pressure roller is larger than the outer diameter of the central portion.

[0007] According to the present invention, the outer diameter of the two ends of the pressure roller is larger than the outer diameter of the central part. Therefore, when the thermal head prints the card, the force of the thermal head pressing the card via the ink ribbon becomes stronger at the two ends of the pressure roller where the reaction force acts than that of the pressure rollers of the same diameter. As a result, the force of the thermal head pressing the card via the ink ribbon is easy to be uniform over the entire surface of the card, so that the outer peripheral edge of the card in the width direction can be prevented from being rubbed.

[0008] In the present invention, the pressing roller may include: a first cylindrical portion located at the both end portions; and a second cylindrical portion located at the central portion and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion.

[0009] In the present invention, the outer diameter of the pressing roller may gradually decrease from the both end portions toward the central portion.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferred to have a first guide roller, which is arranged at a position downstream of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon, and supports the ink ribbon by rotating along with the conveying of the ink ribbon, and the outer diameter of both ends of the first guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion. In this way, tension is generated in the central portion of the ink ribbon by the first guide roller, so that the ink ribbon is not easily wrinkled. As a result, the thermal head can stably print on the card.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferred to have a second guide roller, which is arranged at an upstream side of the conveying direction of the ink ribbon relative to the thermal head, and supports the ink ribbon by rotating along with the conveying of the ink ribbon, and the outer diameter of both ends of the second guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion. In this way, the second guide roller generates tension in the central portion of the ink ribbon, so that the ink ribbon is less likely to wrinkle. As a result, the thermal head can stably print on the card.

[0012] In the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the first guide roller is preferably an arc surface curved in a direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller. In this way, since wrinkles are less likely to occur on the ink ribbon, the thermal head can perform more stable printing on the card.

[0013] In the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the second guide roller is preferably an arc surface curved in a direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller. In this way, since wrinkles are less likely to occur on the ink ribbon, the thermal head can perform more stable printing on the card.

[0014] According to the present invention, the outer diameters of the two ends of the pressure roller are larger than the outer diameter of the central part. Therefore, when the thermal head prints the card, the force of the thermal head pressing the card via the ink ribbon becomes stronger at the two ends of the pressure roller. As a result, the force of the thermal head pressing the card via the ink ribbon is easy to be uniform over the entire surface of the card, so that the outer peripheral edge of the card in the width direction can be prevented from being rubbed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the card issuing device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the guide roller and the ink ribbon. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the printing unit and the platen roller when the thermal head is in the retracted position. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the printing section where the thermal head is at the printing position and the platen roller. Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the pressure roller. Figure 6 It is a top view of the press roller of modification example 1. Figure 7 It is a top view of the press roller of modification example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an implementation of the card issuing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, three mutually orthogonal directions are set as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. In addition, one side of the X direction is set as the X1 direction, and the other side is set as the X2 direction. One side of the Y direction is set as the Y1 direction, and the other side is set as the Y2 direction. One side of the Z direction is set as the Z1 direction, and the other side is set as the Z2 direction. The X direction is the front-to-back direction of the card issuing device. The X1 direction is the front, and the X2 direction is the rear. The Y direction is the width direction of the card issuing device. The Y1 direction is one side of the width direction. The Y2 direction is the other side of the width direction. The Z direction is the up-down direction of the card issuing device. The Z1 direction is the bottom, and the Z2 direction is the top.

[0017] (Implementation Method 1) (Overall structure) Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the card issuing device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the guide roller and the ink ribbon. Figure 1 The card issuing device 1 shown is communicatively connected to a host device (not shown) for use. The card issuing device 1 issues a new card 2 as a medium according to a card issuing instruction from the host device. Card 2 is a card size specified by a specified ISO standard (for example, ID-1 of ISO / IEC7810), and is a roughly rectangular card with a thickness of 0.76 mm. Card 2 is made of plastic. More specifically, card 2 is a PVC card or a PET-G card. Card 2 has: a magnetic strip that records magnetic data; a printing unit that prints in a thermal manner; and an IC chip that stores electronic data.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the card issuing device 1 has: a card storage unit 3, which stores multiple cards 2 before issuance; a card delivery mechanism 4, which delivers the cards 2 from the card storage unit 3; a card conveying mechanism 5, which conveys the cards 2 delivered from the card delivery mechanism 4 to the card discharge port 10; and a processing unit 6, which processes the cards 2.

[0019] (Card storage area) like Figure 1 As shown, the card storage unit 3 includes a card stacking unit 31. The card stacking unit 31 is rectangular and extends in the Z direction. A plurality of cards 2 are stored inside the card stacking unit 31. The cards 2 are stored in the card stacking unit 31 from the Z2 direction.

[0020] (Card delivery mechanism) The card delivery mechanism 4 is provided in the Z1 direction of the card storage section 3. The card delivery mechanism 4 includes: a delivery claw that engages with the bottommost card 2 in the card stacking section 31 to deliver the card 2 to the outside of the card stacking section 31; and a claw feeding mechanism that moves the delivery claw. The card delivery mechanism 4 delivers the card 2 stored in the card stacking section 31 toward the X1 direction.

[0021] (Card conveying mechanism) like Figure 1 As shown, the card conveying mechanism 5 conveys the card 2 along a card conveying path 50 connected to the card discharge port 10. The card discharge port 10 is arranged in the X1 direction of the card conveying mechanism 5. The card conveying path 50 extends from the X1 direction side of the card delivery mechanism 4 to the card discharge port 10 in the X direction.

[0022] The card conveying mechanism 5 includes: a plurality of driving rollers 51 arranged along the card conveying path 50; a plurality of driven rollers 52 arranged along the card conveying path 50; and a circular pressure roller 53. The driving roller 51 is located in the Z2 direction of the card conveying path 50. The driven roller 52 is located in the Z1 direction of the card conveying path 50, and is opposite to the driving roller 51. The pressure roller 53 is located in the Z1 direction of the card conveying path 50. The pressure roller 53 is arranged directly below the thermal head 64. The outer peripheral portion of the pressure roller 53 is made of rubber or the like. A motor serving as a driving source of the card conveying mechanism 5 is connected to the driving roller 51 and the pressure roller 53 via a power transmission mechanism. As the driving roller 51 and the pressure roller 53 rotate, the card 2 moves along the card conveying path 50.

[0023] (Processing Department) like Figure 1 As shown, the processing unit 6 includes: a printing unit 61 that prints on the surface of the card 2; an IC contact 62 that contacts the IC chip of the card 2; and a magnetic head 63 that performs at least one of reading magnetic data recorded in the card 2 and recording magnetic data on the card 2. The IC contact 62 and the magnetic head 63 are arranged along the card conveying path 50.

[0024] The printing unit 61 includes a thermal head 64 for printing on the card 2 by heating, a head moving mechanism 65, and an ink ribbon cartridge 67 having an ink ribbon 66. The thermal head 64 faces the platen roller 53 in the Z2 direction. The head moving mechanism 65 includes a motor and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the motor to the thermal head 64. The head moving mechanism 65 moves the thermal head 64 between a printing position where the thermal head 64 contacts the upper surface of the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66 and a retreat position where the thermal head 64 retreats to a position closer to the upper surface of the card conveying path 50 in the Z2 direction.

[0025] The ink ribbon cartridge 67 can be attached and detached relative to the main frame of the card issuing device 1. The ink ribbon cartridge 67 includes: an ink ribbon 66; a supply roller 68 for winding the ink ribbon 66 before ink is transferred to the card 2; and a winding roller 69 for winding the ink ribbon 66 after ink is transferred to the card 2. The supply roller 68 is located in the X1 direction relative to the thermal head 64. The winding roller 69 is located in the X2 direction relative to the thermal head 64. That is, the X2 direction of the ink ribbon 66 is the conveying direction, and it moves toward the X2 direction.

[0026] Here, the printing unit 61 includes: a first guide roller 81, which is arranged at a position closer to the thermal head 64 in the X2 direction; and a second guide roller 82, which is arranged at a position closer to the thermal head 64 in the X1 direction. The first guide roller 81 is rotatably supported by a shaft member 83. The first guide roller 81 rotates along with the conveyance of the ink ribbon 66, thereby supporting the ink ribbon 66. The first guide roller 81 is made of resin or metal and extends in the Y direction. Figure 2 As shown, the width of the first guide roller 81 in the Y direction is larger than the width of the ink ribbon 66 in the Y direction. The outer diameters of both ends of the first guide roller 81 are smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion. The outer peripheral surface 810 of the first guide roller 81 is an arc surface curved in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller 81.

[0027] The second guide roller 82 is rotatably supported by the shaft member 83. The second guide roller 82 rotates along with the conveyance of the ink ribbon 66, thereby supporting the ink ribbon 66. The second guide roller 82 is made of resin or metal and extends in the Y direction. Figure 2 As shown, the width of the second guide roller 82 in the Y direction is larger than the width of the ink ribbon 66 in the Y direction. The outer diameter of both ends of the second guide roller 82 is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion. The outer peripheral surface 820 of the second guide roller 82 is an arc surface curved in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller 82. In the present embodiment, the second guide roller 82 has the same shape as the first guide roller 81.

[0028] (Relationship between printing section and pressure roller) Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the printing unit 61 and the platen roller 53 when the thermal head 64 is in the retracted position. Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the printing section 61 and the platen roller 53 when the thermal head 64 is at the printing position. Figure 5 is a three-dimensional diagram of the pressure roller 53. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the width of the ink ribbon 66 in the Y direction is greater than the width of the card 2 in the Y direction and the width of the thermal head 64 in the Y direction. The width of the pressure roller 53 in the Y direction is greater than the width of the card 2 in the Y direction. Figure 3 to Figure 5As shown, the pressure roller 53 includes a first cylinder 71 located at both ends and a second cylinder 72 located at the center. The first cylinder 71 and the second cylinder 72 have coaxial circles. The outer diameter of the second cylinder 72 is smaller than that of the first cylinder 71. That is, the outer diameter of the two ends of the pressure roller 53 is larger than that of the center. When the pressure roller 53 conveys the card 2, the first cylinder 71 contacts the two ends of the card 2 in the Y direction, that is, the outer periphery. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first cylindrical portion 71 is in contact with the card 2 at about 5 mm of the outer peripheral edge of the card 2 in the Y direction.

[0029] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, when the outer diameter dimension of the first tube portion 71 is G1 and the outer diameter dimension of the second tube portion 72 is G2, the following conditional expression is satisfied. 0.1mm<G1-G2<1.0mm In addition, it is preferable to satisfy the following conditional expression. 0.1mm<G1-G2<0.5mm More preferably, the following conditional formula is satisfied. 0.1mm<G1-G2<0.2mm

[0030] Next, the printing operation of the card issuing device 1 is described. When the card conveying mechanism 5 conveys the card 2 from the card dispensing mechanism 4 in the X1 direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the thermal head 64 is located at the retracted position. In this case, the ink ribbon 66 is separated from the card 2 in the Z1 direction. Next, the card conveying mechanism 5 conveys the card 2 toward a position closer to the thermal head 64 in the X1 direction.

[0031] After the card conveying mechanism 5 conveys the card 2 toward a position closer to the thermal head 64 in the X1 direction, the conveying of the card 2 is stopped. Figure 4 As shown, the head moving mechanism 65 moves the thermal head 64 to the printing position. Then, the card conveying mechanism 5 conveys the card 2 toward a position closer to the X2 direction than the thermal head 64. At this time, the thermal head 64 brings the ink ribbon 66 into contact with the upper surface of the card 2 and prints on the upper surface of the card 2. Here, the force with which the head moving mechanism 65 presses the thermal head 64 against the card 2 becomes stronger at both ends of the card 2 in the Y direction that are in contact with the first barrel 71. In addition, when the head moving mechanism 65 presses the thermal head 64 against the card 2, the central portion of the card 2 may be slightly bent in the Z2 direction. When the central portion of the card 2 is bent, the central portion of the card 2 may be in contact with the second barrel 72.

[0032] (Effect) According to the present embodiment, the pressing roller 53 includes a first cylindrical portion 71 located at both ends and having an outer diameter larger than that of the central portion, and a second cylindrical portion 72 located at the central portion and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion 71. Therefore, when the thermal head 64 prints on the card 2, in the first cylindrical portions 71 at both ends of the pressing roller 53 acting as a reaction force, the force of the thermal head 64 pressing the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66 becomes stronger than that of a pressing roller having the same diameter. As a result, the force of the thermal head 64 pressing the card 2 via the ink ribbon 66 is uniform over the entire surface of the card 2, and therefore, on the outer peripheral edge of the card 2 in the Y direction, it is possible to suppress the printing on the outer peripheral edge from being rubbed.

[0033] In this embodiment, the card 2 is a PVC card or a PET-G card with a thickness of 0.76 mm according to the ISO standard. When the outer diameter of the first tube 71 is G1 and the outer diameter of the second tube 72 is G2, the following conditional expression is satisfied. 0.1mm<G1-G2<1.0mm In this way, the printing on the outer periphery of the card 2 in the Y direction can be prevented from being rubbed. When the conditional expression is lower than the lower limit, the difference between the outer diameter dimension G1 of the first barrel 71 and the outer diameter dimension of the second barrel 72 is too small, so the force of the thermal head 64 pressing the card 2 through the ink ribbon 66 is difficult to become strong at the two ends of the pressure roller 53. As a result, the printing on the outer periphery cannot be prevented from being rubbed at the outer periphery of the card 2 in the Y direction. When the conditional expression exceeds the upper limit, when the central part of the card 2 is bent and contacts the second barrel 72 due to the force of the thermal head 64 pressing the card 2 through the ink ribbon 66, the card 2 becomes in a greatly bent state. As a result, the card 2 is greatly bent, and therefore, the printing of the thermal head 64 on the card 2 is unstable, and there is a possibility that a portion of the printing is rubbed.

[0034] The card issuing device 1 of this embodiment has a first guide roller 81, which is arranged at a position downstream of the thermal head 64 in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon 66, and rotates with the conveying of the ink ribbon, thereby supporting the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both ends of the first guide roller 81 is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion. In this way, tension is generated in the central portion of the ink ribbon 66 by the first guide roller 81, so that the ink ribbon 66 is not easily wrinkled. As a result, the thermal head 64 can stably print on the card 2.

[0035] The card issuing device 1 of this embodiment has a second guide roller 82, which is arranged at a position upstream of the thermal head 64 in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon 66, and rotates with the conveying of the ink ribbon 66, thereby supporting the ink ribbon 66. The outer diameter of both ends of the second guide roller 82 is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion. In this way, the second guide roller 82 generates tension in the central portion of the ink ribbon 66, so that the ink ribbon 66 is not easily wrinkled. As a result, the thermal head 64 can stably print on the card 2.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 810 of the first guide roller 81 is an arcuate surface curved in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller 81. The outer peripheral surface 820 of the second guide roller 82 is an arcuate surface curved in the Y direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller 82. In this way, wrinkles are less likely to occur on the ink ribbon 66, so that the thermal head 64 can print on the card 2 more stably.

[0037] (Variation Example) Figure 6 It is a top view of the press roller of modification example 1. Figure 7 FIG. 5 is a top view of a pressure roller of a modified example 2. The pressure roller 53 of the modified example may also be configured such that the outer diameter gradually decreases from both ends toward the center. Figure 6 As shown, the pressure roller 53A of the modification example 1 includes a first cylinder portion 71 located at both ends and a second cylinder portion 72A located at the center. The outer peripheral surface 720 of the second cylinder portion 72A is an arc surface that is curved into a concave shape toward the center. Figure 7 As shown, the pressure roller 53B of the modified example 2 includes a first cylinder portion 71 located at both ends and a second cylinder portion 72B located at the central portion. The outer peripheral surface 720 of the second cylinder portion 72B is a tapered surface inclined toward the inner diameter side toward the central portion. The pressure rollers of the modified examples 1 and 2 can obtain the same effect as the pressure roller 53 of the above-mentioned method.

[0038] In addition, the pressure roller of the above-mentioned modified example has the first cylinder part 71 of the same diameter at both ends, but it is also possible not to have the first cylinder part 71. Specifically, the pressure roller may not have the same diameter part, but is configured so that the outer diameter gradually decreases from the two ends toward the central part. In this case, the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller is only an arc surface bent into a concave shape toward the central part. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller is only a conical surface inclined toward the inner diameter side toward the central part.

[0039] In addition, the card 2 used in the card issuing device 1 is not limited to the card with a thickness of 0.76 mm specified in the predetermined ISO standard. The card issuing device 1 can also print on cards of various card sizes including thickness.

[0040] Note that the present technology can adopt the following configurations.

[0041] (1) A card issuing device comprising: A thermal head, which prints on the media by applying heat; a circular pressing roller which faces the thermal head and rotates while sandwiching the medium between the thermal head and the pressing roller to convey the medium; and The ink ribbon is conveyed between the thermal head and the platen roller so as to overlap with the medium, and the outer diameter of both end portions of the platen roller is larger than the outer diameter of the central portion.

[0042] (2) In the card issuing device described in (1), the pressing roller includes: a first cylindrical portion located at the both end portions; and a second cylindrical portion located at the central portion and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion.

[0043] (3) In the card issuing device described in (1), The outer diameter of the pressing roller gradually decreases from the two end portions toward the central portion.

[0044] (4) In the card issuing device described in any one of (1) to (3), A first guide roller is provided, which is arranged at a downstream side of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon and rotates along with the conveying of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both end portions of the first guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

[0045] (5) In the card issuing device described in any one of (1) to (4), A second guide roller is provided, which is arranged at an upstream side of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon and rotates along with the conveying of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both end portions of the second guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

[0046] (6) In the card issuing device described in (4), The outer peripheral surface of the first guide roller is an arcuate surface curved in a direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller.

[0047] (7) In the card issuing device described in (5), The outer peripheral surface of the second guide roller is an arcuate surface curved in a direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller. Explanation of symbols

[0048] 1: card issuing device; 2: card; 3: card storage unit; 4: card delivery mechanism; 5: card conveying mechanism; 6: processing unit; 10: card discharge outlet; 31: card stacking unit; 50: card conveying path; 51: driving roller; 52: driven roller; 53, 53A, 53B: pressing roller; 61: printing unit; 62: IC contact; 63: magnetic head; 64: thermal head; 65: head moving mechanism; 66: ink ribbon; 67: ink ribbon cassette; 68: supply roller; 69: winding roller; 71: first barrel portion; 72, 72A, 72B: second barrel portion; 81: first guide roller; 82: second guide roller; 83: shaft component; 720: outer peripheral surface; 810: outer peripheral surface; 820: outer peripheral surface.

Claims

1. A card issuing device, characterized in that: have: A thermal head that prints on the medium by heating; a circular pressing roller, the pressing roller being opposite to the thermal head and rotating while sandwiching the medium between the pressing roller and the thermal head, thereby conveying the medium; and an ink ribbon that is conveyed between the thermal head and the pressure roller so as to overlap with the medium, The outer diameters of both end portions of the pressing roller are larger than the outer diameter of the central portion.

2. The card issuing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing roller includes: a first cylindrical portion located at the both end portions; and a second cylindrical portion located at the central portion and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion.

3. The card issuing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the pressing roller gradually decreases from the two end portions toward the central portion.

4. The card issuing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first guide roller is provided, the first guide roller being arranged at a position downstream of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon and rotating along with the conveying of the ink ribbon to thereby support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both end portions of the first guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

5. The card issuing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second guide roller is provided, the second guide roller being arranged at an upstream side of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon and rotating along with the conveying of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both end portions of the second guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

6. The card issuing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the first guide roller is an arcuate surface curved in a direction along the rotation axis of the first guide roller.

7. The card issuing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the second guide roller is an arcuate surface curved in a direction along the rotation axis of the second guide roller.

8. The card issuing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first guide roller is provided, the first guide roller being arranged at a downstream side of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon and rotating along with the conveying of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both end portions of the first guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

9. The card issuing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first guide roller is provided, the first guide roller being arranged at a downstream side of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon and rotating along with the conveying of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both end portions of the first guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

10. The card issuing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A second guide roller is provided, the second guide roller being arranged at an upstream side of the thermal head in the conveying direction of the ink ribbon and rotating along with the conveying of the ink ribbon to support the ink ribbon. The outer diameter of both end portions of the second guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the central portion.

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