Ink ribbon refill

Abstract

This invention provides an ink ribbon refill that can suppress contact between the ribbon cover and the ink ribbon. [Solution] The ink ribbon refill according to the present disclosure comprises a core, an ink ribbon, a ribbon cover having a first end face provided on one end of the core in the axial direction, a second end face provided on the other end, a cover body provided between the first end face and the second end face so as to cover at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon in the axial direction, a first cover end provided between the cover body and the first end face, and a second cover end provided between the cover body and the second end face, wherein the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon and the first cover end in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon and the second cover end in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, are smaller than the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon and the cover body in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink ribbon refill, and particularly to an ink ribbon refill provided with a recording section for identification information.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, ink ribbon refills including an identification information recording section in which identification information and the like are recorded have been proposed. In a configuration in which the ink ribbon refill is replaceable with respect to a printer, a core around which the ink ribbon is wound, and an identification information recording section in which the identification information of the ink ribbon is recorded in a state allowing input and output are attached, and there is an ink ribbon refill including a ribbon cover that covers at least a part of the core via the ink ribbon wound around the core in a state where the core is rotatable (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the ink ribbon refill described in Patent Document 1, the ribbon cover is configured, for example, in a shape that covers both axial ends of the core and two surfaces facing each other in the width direction along the axial direction of the core via the ink ribbon wound around the core. In the ink ribbon refill described in Patent Document 1, for example, the identification information recording section is attached to one of the two surfaces.

[0005] However, in the ink ribbon refill described in Patent Document 1, the ribbon cover is made of, for example, a thin plastic plate, and it is thought that the ribbon cover may bend under its own weight. Therefore, if one side of the ribbon cover is provided above the ink ribbon, for example, it is thought that the ribbon cover may come into contact with the ink ribbon due to bending under its own weight. In this case, for example, scratches may occur on the ink ribbon, which could cause printing defects.

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an ink ribbon refill that can suppress the occurrence of contact between the ribbon cover and the ink ribbon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An ink ribbon refill according to one aspect of the present invention provides an ink ribbon refill comprising: a core; an ink ribbon wound around the core; and a ribbon cover that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the ink ribbon along the axial direction and is curved or bent in a direction away from the ink ribbon. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure provides an ink ribbon refill that can suppress contact between the ribbon cover and the ink ribbon. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ink ribbon refill according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ribbon cover according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon refill according to this embodiment. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of an ink ribbon refill related to a comparative example. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of an ink ribbon refill relating to a comparative example. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon refill according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover holder according to this embodiment. [Figure 7A] Figure 7A is an external view showing the cover holder and the winding core fitted together according to this embodiment. [Figure 7B] Figure 7B is a perspective view showing the cover holder and the core fitted together according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] An ink ribbon refill according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of this disclosure and are not intended to limit it.

[0011] Note that each drawing may show the X, Y, and Z axes. The X, Y, and Z axes form a right-handed three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. Hereinafter, the direction of the arrow on the X axis may be called the X-axis forward, the +X direction, the right side of the X direction, or the X-axis right side, and the direction opposite to the arrow may be called the X-axis backward, the -X direction, the left side of the X direction, or the X-axis left side. The same applies to the other axes. Note that the Z-axis forward and Z-axis backward may be called "upper" or "upwards" and "downwards," respectively. In addition, the -X direction and the +X direction may be called "left" and "right," respectively, and the -Y direction and the +Y direction may be called "backwards" and "forward," respectively. Furthermore, the up and down directions may be called "Z1" and "Z2," respectively, the left and right directions may be called "X2" and "X1," respectively, and the forward and backward directions may be called "Y1" and "Y2," respectively. Furthermore, planes perpendicular to the X, Y, or Z axes are sometimes called the YZ plane, ZX plane, or XY plane, respectively. However, these directions are used for convenience to explain relative positional relationships. Therefore, these directions do not define absolute positional relationships.

[0012] <Example configuration of the ink ribbon refill in this embodiment> Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the ink ribbon refill of the present embodiment.

[0013] An ink ribbon refill 100 according to the present embodiment includes a winding core 10, an ink ribbon 20, and a ribbon cover 30. The ink ribbon 20 is wound around the winding core 10. For example, an RFID tag 40 is attached to the ribbon cover 30. Further, the ink ribbon refill 100 may be provided with a cover holder 60. The cover holder 60 will be described later.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the ink ribbon 20 is configured by applying an ink that can be transferred to a printing target by heat and pressure onto a thin-film-shaped long medium.

[0015] The winding core 10 is an example of a core portion, and the unused ink ribbon 20 before use is wound around the winding core 10 at the start of new use. The winding core 10 may be configured by a cylindrical member such as paper or resin.

[0016] The ribbon cover 30 may have a shape that covers a predetermined portion other than the conveyance path of the ink ribbon 20 fed out from the winding core 10. For example, it may be configured in a shape that covers both ends of the winding core 10 in the axial direction (X direction) and two surfaces facing each other in the width direction (for example, Z direction) along the axial direction (X direction) of the winding core 10 with the ink ribbon 20 wound around the winding core 10 interposed therebetween.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the ribbon cover 30. In the ribbon cover 30, a hole portion (a first hole portion 32ah and a second hole portion 32bh) penetrating the first end surface 32a and the second end surface 32b respectively is provided on one end surface (the first end surface 32a) and the other end surface (the second end surface 32b) in the axial direction of the winding core 10. Further, a tag attachment surface 34s is configured as one surface facing the width direction of the ink ribbon 20 along the axial direction of the winding core 10. The tag attachment surface 34s, which is one surface of the ribbon cover 30, covers at least a part of the winding core 10 with the ink ribbon 20 wound around the winding core 10 interposed therebetween.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the ribbon cover 30 has each surface formed as a flat surface, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. Further, the ribbon cover 30 may be made of paper or a resin material, but by being made of a transparent resin, in a form of covering the core 10 via the ink ribbon 20 wound around the core 10, the core 10 around which the ink ribbon 20 is wound may be configured to be visible from the outside of the ribbon cover 30.

[0019] For example, the RFID tag 40 may be affixed to the tag mounting surface 34s of the ribbon cover 30 with an unillustrated adhesive. The RFID tag 40 may be configured such that identification information is recorded thereon, and reading of the recorded information by wireless communication and recording of information by wireless communication are possible. As the identification information, for example, color information of ink printable by the ink ribbon 20, type information relating to the type of ink printable by the ink ribbon 20, usage amount information of the ink ribbon 20, manufacturer information, and the like may be recorded on the RFID tag 40. In the RFID tag 40, a predetermined unillustrated circuit capable of information recording, information input / output, and the like may be formed on a sheet of paper, resin, or the like, and an adhesive layer coated with an adhesive may be formed on the back surface.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon refill 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the ribbon cover 30 has a first end surface 32a, a second end surface 32b, a cover main body portion 34, a first cover end portion 36a, and a second cover end portion 36b.

[0021] The first end surface 32a is provided on one end side in the axial direction (X direction) of the core 10 (the -X direction (leftward X2) in FIG. 3). The second end surface 32b is provided on the other end side in the axial direction (X direction) of the core 10 (the +X direction (rightward X1) in FIG. 2).

[0022] The cover main body portion 34 is provided between the first end surface 32a and the second end surface 32b. Further, the cover main body portion 34 is provided so as to cover at least a part of the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 over the axial direction (X direction).

[0023] The first cover end portion 36a is provided between the cover body portion 34 and the first end face 32a. The second cover end portion 36b is provided between the cover body portion 34 and the second end face 32b.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, in the ribbon cover 30, the distance D2a between the outer circumferential surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the first cover end 36a in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (X direction) (Z direction in Figure 3), and the distance D2b between the outer circumferential surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the second cover end 36b in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (Z direction), are smaller than the distance D4 between the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon 20 and the cover body portion 34 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, the distance between the ribbon cover 30 and the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 may be, for example, the distance between the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 or the surface extending the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 in the X direction (shown by dashed lines DL1 and DL2 in the cross-section of Figure 3) and the ribbon cover 30 (the surface of the ribbon cover 30 that is on the ink ribbon 20 side (for example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the upper (Z1) portion of the ribbon cover 30 (cover body portion 34))).

[0025] In the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, the above configuration makes it possible to suppress, for example, the occurrence of contact between the ribbon cover 30 and the ink ribbon 20. The above configuration of the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4A and 4B.

[0026] Figures 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the comparative example ink ribbon refill 200. As shown in Figure 4A, in the comparative example ink ribbon refill 200, the ribbon cover 230 is provided such that the distance D24 between the ribbon cover 230 and the outer peripheral surface 220s of the ink ribbon 220 is the same along the axial direction (X direction) of the core 210.

[0027] In the configuration shown in Figure 4A, the ribbon cover 230 of the ink ribbon refill 200 may bend due to its own weight, for example. In this case, as shown in Figure 4B, a part of the ribbon cover 230 (for example, near the center in the X direction) may come into contact with the outer surface 220s of the ink ribbon 220. As a result, in the ink ribbon refill 200 of the comparative example, the outer surface 220s of the ink ribbon 220 may be damaged, potentially causing printing defects.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4B, even if the ribbon cover 230 does not come into contact with the outer surface 220s of the ink ribbon 220 when the ribbon cover 230 bends due to its own weight, it is possible that the ribbon cover 230 may come close to the outer surface 220s of the ink ribbon 220. In this case, for example, static electricity may cause the ink ribbon 220 to be attracted to the ribbon cover 230, which could also be a factor in causing damage to the ink ribbon 220.

[0029] In the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, as described above with reference to Figure 3, the distance D2a in the Z direction between the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the first cover end 36a, and the distance D2b in the Z direction between the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the second cover end 36b, are smaller than the distance D4 in the Z direction between the outer peripheral surface of the ink ribbon 20 and the cover body 34. With this configuration, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, the body 34 of the ribbon cover 30 can be spaced further away from the ink ribbon 20 than the first cover end 36a and the second cover end 36b, which are the axial (X direction) ends. Therefore, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contact between the ribbon cover 230 and the ink ribbon 220, which may occur in the ink ribbon refill 200 according to the comparative example, as described above with reference to Figure 4B. As a result, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damage to the ink ribbon 20 and the occurrence of printing defects when the ink ribbon refill 100 is used for printing.

[0030] In this embodiment, the distance between the outer circumferential surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the ribbon cover 30 may be configured such that at least one of the distances D2a between the outer circumferential surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the first cover end 36a of the ribbon cover 30, and D2b between the outer circumferential surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the second cover end 36b, is minimized. In this case, as shown in Figure 3, D4 > D2a and D4 > D2b, and at least one of D2a and D2b is minimized. This makes it possible to further suppress contact between the ribbon cover 30 and the outer circumferential surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20.

[0031] Figure 3 illustrates an example in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, where distances D2a and D2b are equivalent, and the distance between the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 and the ribbon cover 30 is configured to be as small as possible. In this embodiment, since D4 > D2a and D4 > D2b, even if the configuration does not make both D2a and D2b as small as possible, as long as one of D2a and D2b is configured to be as small as possible, it is possible to suppress contact between the ribbon cover 30 and the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20, as described above.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, the shape of the ribbon cover 30 may be, for example, convex upward in cross-section. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the shape of the ribbon cover 30 may be, for example, curved radially outward (upward Z1) of the core 10 in cross-section. That is, as shown in Figure 3, the shape of the ribbon cover 30 may be an arch shape that is convex upward.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an ink ribbon refill 100B according to another embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, in the ink ribbon refill 100B, for example, the ribbon cover 30B may be provided so as to bend radially outward (upward Z1) of the core 10. In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 5, the cover body portion 34B of the ribbon cover 30B has a first inclined portion 34B1 provided so as to be inclined from the center toward the left X2 in the X direction, and a second inclined portion 34B2 provided so as to be inclined from the center toward the right X1 in the X direction, and the first inclined portion 34B1 and the second inclined portion 34B2 may be provided so as to be connected near the center in the X direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment may be provided with a cover holder 60, and the cover holder 60 may include a first cover holder 60a provided on the left X2 and a second cover holder 60b provided on the right X1. The first cover holder 60a may be configured, for example, to position the first end face 32a of the ribbon cover 30 on one end side (left X2) in the axial direction (X direction) of the core 10. The second cover holder 60b may be configured, for example, to position the second end face 32b of the ribbon cover 30 on the other end side (right X1) in the axial direction (X direction) of the core 10.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the first end face 32a, at least a portion of one end (left X2) of the core 10 in the axial direction (X direction), and at least a portion of the first cover holder 60a may be configured to overlap in the axial direction. With this configuration, as shown in Figure 3, for example, the ribbon cover 30 may be held by being sandwiched between the end of the core 10 (the left X2 end) and the cover holder (first cover holder 60a) provided at one end (right X1) of the core 10. Similarly, at least a portion of the second end face 32b, at least a portion of the other end (right X1) of the core 10 in the axial direction (X direction), and at least a portion of the second cover holder 60b may be configured to overlap in the axial direction. With this configuration, even at the right X1, the ribbon cover 30 may be held in place by being sandwiched between the end of the core 10 (the end at the right X1) and the cover holder (second cover holder 60b) provided on the right X1 of the core 10.

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the first cover holder 60a. As shown in Figure 6, the first cover holder 60a includes, for example, a first cover support portion 62a. The first cover holder 60a has, for example, three first cover support portions 62a.

[0037] In the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, a first cover holder 60a is provided at the end of the core 10 in the axial direction (X direction) (the left end X2), and a first cover support portion 62a is provided on the first cover holder 60a that protrudes in the outer diameter direction away from the central axis of the core 10. Therefore, by inserting the ribbon cover 30 into the gap between the first cover support portion 62a and the end face of the core 10 (the left end X2), the ribbon cover 30 can be sandwiched between the first cover support portion 62a and the end face of the core 10. This allows the ribbon cover 30 to be stably supported on the core 10 around which the ink ribbon 20 is wound.

[0038] The second cover holder 60b has the same configuration as the first cover holder 60a, and the second cover holder 60b is provided with a second cover support portion 62b that protrudes in the outer diameter direction away from the central axis of the winding core 10 (Figure 3). By inserting the ribbon cover 30 into the gap between the second cover support portion 62b and the end face of the end of the winding core 10 (the end X1 on the right), the ribbon cover 30 can be sandwiched between the second cover support portion 62b and the end face of the winding core 10.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first cover support portion 62a may be configured to press and support the surface (surface 32a1 (Figure 3)) of the ribbon cover 30 that is opposite to the first end face 32a in the axial direction (X direction) (left X2). Also, the second cover support portion 62b may be configured to press and support the surface (surface 32b1 (Figure 3)) of the ribbon cover 30 that is opposite to the second end face 32b in the axial direction (X direction) (right X1).

[0040] In this configuration, the cover body 34 may be supported such that the surface (surface 32a1) of the ribbon cover 30 opposite the first end face 32a in the axial direction (X direction) (left X2) is pressed against the core 10 in the axial direction (X direction), and the surface (surface 32b1) opposite the second end face 32b in the axial direction (X direction) (right X1) is pressed against the core 10 in the axial direction (X direction). In this embodiment, with this configuration, the cover body 34 is configured to be more flexible so as to be convex upwards toward the core 10 along the axial direction (X direction). In other words, in this embodiment, the ribbon cover 30 is supported by pressure from both ends in the X direction, so that the cover body 34 is pressed in the +X direction, which is the direction from the left X2 toward the center in the X direction, at the end face 32a1, and pressed in the -X direction, which is the direction from the right X1 toward the center in the X direction, at the end face 32b1. As a result, the cover body 34 can be made to have a shape that is convex upward Z1, such that the area near the center of the cover body 34 in the X direction faces upward Z1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the distance between the cover support portions 62 on both sides of the axial direction of the core 10 (the distance between the first cover support portion 62a provided on the left side X2 in the X direction and the second cover support portion 62b provided on the right side X1 in the X direction) may be configured to be shorter than the length of the ribbon cover 30 in the X direction. In this case, the distance in the axial direction (X direction) between the first cover support portion 62a of the first cover holder 60a and the second cover support portion 62b of the second cover holder 60b is configured to be smaller than the length from the first cover end portion 36a to the second cover end portion 36b of the ribbon cover 30. In the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, the ribbon cover 30 is pressed and supported from both ends in the X direction by the first cover support portion 62a and the second cover support portion 62b. As a result, the cover body portion 34 is pressed in the +X direction, which is the direction from the left X2 toward the center in the X direction, at the first end face 32a, and pressed in the -X direction, which is the direction from the right X1 toward the center in the X direction, at the second end face 32b. Therefore, the cover body portion 34 can be made to have a shape that is convex upward Z1, such that the area near the center of the cover body portion 34 in the X direction faces upward Z1.

[0042] In this embodiment, the cover body portion 34 of the ribbon cover 30 may be configured to form an obtuse angle with each end face (first end face 32a and second end face 32b) at both ends (both ends on the left X2 and right X1 in the X direction). In this case, for example, the cover body portion 34 and the first end face 32a may form an obtuse angle at the first cover end 36a. The ribbon cover 30 may be configured such that the angle θ1 between the cover body portion 34 and the first end face 32a shown in Figure 3 is greater than 90°. Similarly, the cover body portion 34 and the second end face 32b may form an obtuse angle at the second cover end 36b, and the ribbon cover 30 may be configured such that the angle θ2 between the cover body portion 34 and the second end face 32b shown in Figure 3 is greater than 90°.

[0043] In this embodiment, the above configuration makes it easier to curve the ribbon cover 30 outward in a convex shape. For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the ribbon cover 30 is configured such that the angle θ1 between the cover body portion 34 provided at the top Z1 and the first end face 32a, and the angle θ2 between the cover body portion 34 and the second end face 32b are obtuse angles, thereby making it easier to curve the cover body portion 34 provided at the top Z1 upward Z1 (so that it is convex upward).

[0044] In this embodiment, the ribbon cover 30 may be formed, for example, by bending a plate-shaped resin member. In this case, for example, by bending the member such that the angle θ1 between the cover body 34 and the first end face 32a and the angle θ2 between the cover body 34 and the second end face 32b are obtuse angles, it is relatively easy to make the cover body 34 curve upwards in an arched or other convex shape.

[0045] Figure 3 illustrates the case in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment where both θ1 and θ2 are obtuse angles, but it is not limited to this, and for example, either θ1 or θ2 may be an obtuse angle. Even when either θ1 or θ2 is an obtuse angle, it is relatively easy to make the cover body 34 have an upward convex shape.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, the cover body portion 38 below Z2 of the ribbon cover 30 may also have a shape that curves outward. In this case, as shown in Figure 3, the cover body portion 38 below Z2 may have a curved shape that is convex downward Z2. Although the possibility of the cover body portion 38 below Z2 bending due to its own weight, as described above with reference to Figures 4A and 4B, is relatively low, by making the cover body portion 38 below Z2 also curve outward, it is possible to suppress, for example, contact between the ribbon cover 30 and the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20 in the downward Z2 as well.

[0047] Similarly, in the ink ribbon refill 100B according to another embodiment shown in Figure 5, the lower cover body portion 38B at Z2 may be configured to bend outward. Similar to the cover body portion 38 of the ink ribbon refill 100 (Figure 3), the cover body portion 38B of the ink ribbon refill 100B also makes it possible to suppress contact between the ribbon cover 30B and the outer peripheral surface 20s of the ink ribbon 20.

[0048] As described above, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, an RFID tag 40 may be provided on the ribbon cover 30. For example, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5, the RFID tag 40 may be attached to the cover body portion 34 of the ribbon cover 30 of the ink ribbon refill 100, or to the upper surface 34s or surface 34Bs of the cover body portion 34B of the ribbon cover 30B of the ink ribbon refill 100B. For example, if the cover body portion 34 of the ribbon cover 30 has a curved shape, as in the ink ribbon refill 100 shown in Figure 3, the RFID tag 40 may also be attached in a curved manner along the curved shape of the cover body portion 34.

[0049] The ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a ribbon cover 30 that covers at least a portion of the core 10 on which the ink ribbon 20 is wound, via the ink ribbon 20, and is provided with an RFID tag 40 attached to the ribbon cover 30. This reduces the number of parts required to replace the ink ribbon refill 100, making it possible to provide an ink ribbon refill 100 equipped with an RFID tag 40 at a relatively low cost.

[0050] Furthermore, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is attached to a ribbon cover 30 which is a separate component from the core 10. Therefore, the tag mounting surface where the RFID tag 40 is attached can be a flat surface or any curved surface that does not put stress on the RFID tag 40, thereby suppressing damage to the RFID tag 40.

[0051] Furthermore, in the ink ribbon refill 100 according to this embodiment, a first cover holder 60a and a second cover holder 60b are provided at both ends (the left end X2 and the right end X1) of the core 10 in the axial direction (X direction), each having a first cover support portion 62a and a second cover support portion 62b that protrude outward from the central axis of the core 10. By inserting the ribbon cover 30 into the gap between the first cover support portion 62a and the second cover support portion 62b and the end faces of each end of the core 10, the ribbon cover 30 is sandwiched between the first cover support portion 62a and the second cover support portion 62b and the end faces of the core 10. This makes it possible to support the ribbon cover 30 more stably with respect to the core 10 around which the ink ribbon 20 is wound.

[0052] Furthermore, the ribbon cover 30 can be fitted with a sticker or similar document containing instructions on how to install the ink ribbon refill 100, for example, by attaching it to the cover. This allows for more reliable installation and removal without having to refer to a separate instruction manual. Additionally, the ribbon cover 30 can be fitted with a sticker or similar document indicating the color, type, and name of the ink ribbon refill 100. In this case, it becomes possible to visually confirm that the correct ink ribbon refill 100 is being used.

[0053] In this embodiment, the gap between the first support portion 62a and the end face of the core 10, and / or the gap between the second support portion 62b and the core 10 may be formed to be larger than the thickness of the ribbon cover 30 (the distance in the X direction between the first end face 32a and face 32a1, and the distance in the X direction between the second end face 32b and face 32b1). This makes it possible to support the ribbon cover 30 so that it can rotate relative to the core 10.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the first cover holder 60a may also be provided with an insertion portion 64a that is inserted into the core 10 and presses the inner wall surface of the core 10 in the outward diameter direction. By providing the insertion portion 64a, the first cover holder 60a and the core 10 can be fitted together more firmly.

[0055] Furthermore, the first cover holder 60a may also be provided with a core locking portion 66a, and by providing the core 10 with a notch 12 that engages with the core locking portion 66a when fitted, the alignment of the core 10 and the first cover holder 60a can be easily performed. The fitted state of the core 10 and the first cover holder 60a in this manner is shown in Figures 7A and 7B. Figure 7A is an external view, and Figure 7B is a perspective view.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first cover support portion 62a is configured to support the hole portion of the cover holder 60 at three locations, but the number of first cover support portions 62a may be one or more than three. Furthermore, the first cover support portion 62a may be configured in the shape of a claw, for example, but is not limited to a claw shape; it may also be ring-shaped to support the entire circumference of the hole portion of the cover holder 60, or arc-shaped to support a part of the hole portion of the cover holder 60.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first cover holder 60a includes an insertion portion 64a that is inserted into the winding core 10. However, the first cover holder 60a is not limited to being inserted into the winding core 10, and may be attached to the end face of the winding core 10 by adhesive or the like. Also, by making the winding core 10 out of resin or the like, the winding core 10 and the first cover holder 60a (specifically, for example, the first cover support portion 62a) may be formed integrally.

[0058] The second cover holder 60b may also have the same configuration as the first cover holder 60a, as described above with reference to Figures 6, 7A, and 7B, etc. The second cover holder 60b may, for example, have an insertion part and a core locking part in addition to the second cover support part 62b.

[0059] The embodiments have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, this disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Modifications made to these specific examples by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of this disclosure, as long as they retain the features of this disclosure. The elements and their arrangement, conditions, shapes, etc., of each of the aforementioned specific examples are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the aforementioned specific examples can be combined in different ways as appropriate, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 10 cores 20 Ink Ribbons 20s outer surface 30, 30B Ribbon Cover 32a 1st end face 32b 2nd end face 34, 34B Cover body 36a First cover end 36b Second cover end 40 RFID tags 60 Cover Holder 60a First cover holder 60b Second cover holder 62a First cover support 62b Second cover support section 100, 100B ink ribbon refill

Claims

1. The core and The ink ribbon wound around the aforementioned core, A ribbon cover that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the ink ribbon along the axial direction of the core and is curved or bent away from the ink ribbon, An ink ribbon refill equipped with this feature.

2. The aforementioned ribbon cover is A cover body portion that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the ink ribbon along the axial direction, A first cover end is provided between the cover body and the first end face provided on one end in the axial direction, It has a second cover end provided between the cover body and a second end face provided on the other end side in the axial direction, The distance between the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon and the end of the first cover in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon and the end of the second cover in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, are smaller than the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the ink ribbon and the cover body in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 1.

3. Of the distances between the outer surface of the ink ribbon and the ribbon cover, at least one of the distances between the outer surface of the ink ribbon and the first cover end and the distance between the outer surface of the ink ribbon and the second cover end is the smallest. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 2.

4. The cover body portion is curved or bent radially outward relative to the ink ribbon core. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 3.

5. The cover body is positioned above the core and curves or bends upward relative to the ink ribbon. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 4.

6. A first cover holder that positions the first end face of the ribbon cover on the one end side in the axial direction of the core, The ribbon cover is further provided with a second cover holder that positions the second end face of the ribbon cover on the other end side in the axial direction of the core, At least a portion of the first end face, at least a portion of the one end of the winding core in the axial direction, and at least a portion of the first cover holder overlap in the axial direction. At least a portion of the second end face, at least a portion of the other end of the core in the axial direction, and at least a portion of the second cover holder overlap in the axial direction. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 2.

7. The first cover holder has a first cover support portion that presses and supports the ribbon cover on the side opposite to the first end face in the axial direction, in the axial direction. The second cover holder has a second cover support portion that presses and supports the ribbon cover on the side opposite to the second end face in the axial direction, in the axial direction. The cover body is such that, when the surface of the ribbon cover opposite the first end face in the axial direction is pressed and supported in the axial direction of the core, and the surface opposite the second end face in the axial direction is pressed and supported in the axial direction of the core, it bends along the axial direction so as to be convex upward of the core. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 6.

8. The axial distance between the first cover support portion of the first cover holder and the second cover support portion of the second cover holder is smaller than the length from the first cover end to the second cover end of the ribbon cover. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 7.

9. The cover body and the first end face form an obtuse angle at the first cover end. The cover body and the second end face form an obtuse angle at the second cover end. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 2.

10. The ink ribbon refill according to claim 2, further comprising an RFID tag attached to the cover body.

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