Ink ribbon cassette and printing device

Abstract

To provide an ink ribbon cassette that can reduce running costs of a printing device that uses an ink ribbon.SOLUTION: In an ink ribbon cassette 26, a case which stores an ink ribbon 3 wound around a supply-side bobbin 4 and an ink ribbon 3 wound around a winding-side bobbin 5 comprises a case main body 32 that has a cylindrical supply-side case part 32a which stores the ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply-side bobbin 4 and a cylindrical winding-side case part 32b which stores the ink ribbon 3 wound around the winding-side bobbin 5, and a cover 33 covering one end of the supply-side case part 32a formed in a cylindrical shape and one end of the winding-side case part 32b. The cover 33 is detachably attached to the case main body 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette in which an ink ribbon is housed. Further, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus including such an ink ribbon cassette.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing apparatus that performs printing by transferring the ink of a heated ink ribbon onto a card conveyed through a card conveyance path has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an ink ribbon cartridge and a main body portion to which the ink ribbon cartridge is detachably attached. The ink ribbon cartridge includes an ink ribbon cassette and a cartridge main body portion to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached.

[0003] In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the ink ribbon cassette includes a supply roll around which an ink ribbon is wound, a take-up roll onto which the ink ribbon supplied from the supply roll is taken up, and a case body that houses the supply roll and the take-up roll. The case body is composed of a case main body and a cover member fixed to the case main body. In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when replacing a used ink ribbon, the ink ribbon is replaced together with the ink ribbon cassette.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In printing apparatuses that use ink ribbons as consumables, such as the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is preferable that the running costs of the printing apparatus be lower. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon cassette that can reduce the running costs of a printing apparatus that uses ink ribbons. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus equipped with such an ink ribbon cassette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, an ink ribbon cassette according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an ink ribbon unit having an ink ribbon, a supply-side bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound before the ink is transferred, and a take-up-side bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound after the ink has been transferred, and a case that houses the ink ribbon wound on the supply-side bobbin and the ink ribbon wound on the take-up-side bobbin, the case having a case body having a cylindrical supply-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound on the supply-side bobbin and a cylindrical take-up-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound on the take-up-side bobbin, and a detachable cover that closes one end of the cylindrical supply-side case portion and one end of the take-up-side case portion and is attached to the case body The case body comprises a cover that can be attached to the case body, the case body having a case-side engaging portion for fixing the cover to the case body, the cover comprising a locking member having a cover-side engaging portion that engages with the case-side engaging portion, a cover body that movably holds the locking member, and a biasing member that biases the locking member relative to the cover body, the locking member being movable relative to the cover body between a locked position in which the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion engage to fix the cover to the case body and an unlocked position in which the engagement between the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion is released and the cover can be removed from the case body, and the biasing member biases the locking member toward the locked position.

[0007] In this embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette, the case that houses the ink ribbon wound on the supply bobbin and the ink ribbon wound on the take-up bobbin comprises a case body having a cylindrical supply-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound on the supply-side bobbin and a cylindrical take-up-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound on the take-up bobbin, and a cover that closes one end of the cylindrical supply-side case portion and one end of the take-up-side case portion, the cover being detachably attached to the case body.

[0008] Therefore, in this embodiment, when replacing a used ink ribbon, it is possible to remove the cover from the case body and replace only the ink ribbon unit. In other words, in this embodiment, when replacing a used ink ribbon, it is possible to replace only the ink ribbon unit and reuse the case. Consequently, the ink ribbon cassette of this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the running costs of the printing device that uses the ink ribbon.

[0009] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cover comprises a locking member having a cover-side engaging portion that engages with a case-side engaging portion of the case body, a cover body that movably holds the locking member, and a biasing member that biases the locking member relative to the cover body. In this embodiment, the locking member is movable relative to the cover body between a locked position in which the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion engage and the cover is fixed to the case body, and an unlocked position in which the engagement between the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion is released and the cover can be removed from the case body, and the biasing member biases the locking member toward the locked position.

[0010] Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, an operator can remove the cover from the case body by moving the locking member to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the biasing member. Consequently, in this embodiment, the cover can be easily removed from the case body even at the site where the printing device is installed, and as a result, only the ink ribbon unit can be easily replaced.

[0011] In this embodiment, for example, the axial direction of the cylindrical supply-side case portion and the axial direction of the cylindrical winding-side case portion are parallel, and if a predetermined direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply-side case portion is defined as the front-rear direction, the supply-side case portion and the winding-side case portion are arranged with a gap between them in the front-rear direction. The cover includes, as a locking member, a first locking member that is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the cover body, and a second locking member that is positioned behind the first locking member and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the cover body. The cover also includes, as a biasing member, a first biasing member that biases the first locking member toward the front, and a second biasing member that biases the second locking member toward the rear.

[0012] In this embodiment, for example, if the axial direction of the supply-side case is the left-right direction, the cover is attached to the left end of the case body, and the cover body is composed of a first cover body and a second cover body that sandwich the locking member in the left-right direction, the first cover body is positioned to the left of the second cover body, the locking member has a finger grip portion formed therein for sliding the locking member inward in the front-rear direction, and the first cover body has an opening formed on the left side of the cover that exposes the finger grip portion. In this case, the locking member can be easily slid to the unlocked position using the finger grip portion exposed on the left side of the cover.

[0013] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the ink ribbon cassette is equipped with a wireless tag that stores information about the ink ribbon and is attached to the case. With this configuration, the printing device can determine whether or not the ink ribbon cassette contains an appropriate ink ribbon that conforms to the specifications of the printing device, based on the information stored in the wireless tag.

[0014] In this embodiment, the wireless tag is, for example, formed in the form of a sticker and attached to a flat reinforcing plate, or formed in the form of a flat plate.

[0015] In this embodiment, at least one of the case body and the cover is formed with a recess for attaching a wireless tag. When the wireless tag is formed in a seal shape and attached to a reinforcing plate, the reinforcing plate to which the wireless tag is attached is preferably inserted into the recess and mounted. When the wireless tag is formed in a flat plate shape, the flat plate-shaped wireless tag is preferably inserted into the recess and mounted.

[0016] This configuration allows for easy attachment and detachment of the wireless tag to the case. Therefore, even when replacing a used ink ribbon and only replacing the ink ribbon unit while reusing the case, or when the replacement ink ribbon unit includes units with different types of ink ribbons, the wireless tag attached to the case can be easily replaced with the appropriate wireless tag for the ink ribbon being replaced.

[0017] The ink ribbon cassette of this embodiment can be used in a printing apparatus comprising an ink ribbon cassette and a main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached. In this printing apparatus, for example, the main body comprises a medium transport path through which printing media are transported and a thermal head that heats the ink ribbon and transfers the ink from the ink ribbon to the printing media passing through the medium transport path for printing. This printing apparatus makes it possible to reduce the running costs of the printing apparatus.

[0018] The ink ribbon cassette of this embodiment can be used in a printing apparatus comprising an ink ribbon cassette and a main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached. The printing apparatus comprises a wireless communication unit for short-range wireless communication with a wireless tag and a control unit for controlling the printing apparatus. The main body comprises a media transport path through which a printing medium is transported and a thermal head that heats the ink ribbon and transfers the ink from the ink ribbon to the printing medium passing through the media transport path for printing. Preferably, the control unit causes the printing apparatus to perform printing processing when the information regarding the ink ribbon read by the wireless communication unit is predetermined information.

[0019] In this printing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the running cost of the printing apparatus. Further, in this printing apparatus, based on the information on the ink ribbon read by the wireless communication unit (that is, the information on the ink ribbon stored in the wireless tag), the printing apparatus is caused to perform a printing process only when the ink ribbon cassette has an appropriate ink ribbon that conforms to the specifications of the printing apparatus and the like.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to reduce the running cost of a printing apparatus in which an ink ribbon is used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a schematic side view for explaining the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of an ink ribbon cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from different directions. [Figure 6] It is an exploded perspective view of a cover and the like shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is an exploded perspective view of the cover shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of an ink ribbon cassette according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described while referring to the drawings.

[0023] (Schematic Configuration of the Printing Apparatus) Figure 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon cassette 26 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The printing device 1 in this embodiment is a device for printing images such as characters, symbols, and figures onto a printing medium, which is a card 2. Specifically, the printing device 1 is a thermal transfer printing device that uses an ink ribbon 3 formed by coating ink on a strip-shaped film, and transfers the ink from the ink ribbon 3 to the card 2 by heating the ink. The printing device 1 is used, for example, mounted on a higher-level device such as a card issuing device.

[0025] The printing device 1 comprises an ink ribbon cartridge 6 (hereinafter referred to as "cartridge 6") having a supply bobbin 4 and a take-up bobbin 5 around which the ink ribbon 3 is wound, and a main body 7 to which the cartridge 6 is detachably attached. The main body 7 comprises a card transport mechanism 8 for transporting cards 2, a thermal head 9 for heating the ink ribbon 3 and transferring the ink from the ink ribbon 3 to the card 2 for printing, and a ribbon feeding mechanism 10 for transporting the ink ribbon 3 between the supply bobbin 4 and the take-up bobbin 5. The printing device 1 also comprises a wireless communication unit 11 for short-range wireless communication with a wireless tag 31 (described later) and a control unit 12 for controlling the printing device 1. The wireless communication unit 11 is electrically connected to the control unit 12.

[0026] Card 2 is, for example, a polyvinyl chloride card with a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. Card 2 is formed in a rectangular shape. A magnetic stripe is formed on the surface of Card 2, for example, on which magnetic data is recorded. An IC chip or a communication antenna may be built into the inside of Card 2. Card 2 may also be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card with a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, or a paper card of a predetermined thickness.

[0027] In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal directions will be referred to as the X, Y, and Z directions. The printing device 1 is installed so that the vertical direction and the Z direction coincide. Therefore, in the following description, the Z direction will be referred to as the "up and down direction." The X direction will be referred to as the "front and back direction," and the Y direction as the "left and right direction." Furthermore, one side of the front and back direction, the X1 direction side as shown in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "front" side, and the opposite side, the X2 direction side as shown in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "back" side. One side of the left and right direction, the Y1 direction side as shown in Figure 3, will be referred to as the "right" side, and the opposite side, the Y2 direction side as shown in Figure 3, will be referred to as the "left" side. One side of the up and down direction, the Z1 direction side as shown in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "up" side, and the opposite side, the Z2 direction side as shown in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "down" side.

[0028] The main body 7 comprises a housing 15 consisting of a first housing 13 positioned on the upper side and a second housing 14 positioned on the lower side. A pivot axis is attached to the front upper end of the second housing 14. The axial direction of the pivot axis coincides with the left-right direction. The front end of the first housing 13 is rotatably held on the pivot axis, and the first housing 13 is rotatable relative to the second housing 14 about the pivot axis. By rotating the first housing 13 clockwise around the pivot axis in the direction shown in Figure 1 from the state shown in Figure 1, it becomes possible to remove the cartridge 6 upwards from the housing 15.

[0029] Inside the main body 7, a card transport path 17 is formed, which serves as a medium transport path for transporting the card 2. In the card transport path 17, the card 2 is transported in the front-to-back direction. The thickness direction of the card 2 during transport is approximately the same as the vertical direction. Also, the longitudinal direction of the rectangularly shaped card 2 during transport is approximately the same as the front-to-back direction.

[0030] The card transport mechanism 8 comprises a plurality of card transport rollers 19 that contact the card 2 to transport it, and a pad roller 20 positioned opposite the card transport rollers 19. The card transport rollers 19 are positioned to face the card transport path 17 from below. The plurality of card transport rollers 19 are connected to a motor for card transport via a power transmission mechanism consisting of pulleys, timing belts, etc. The card transport mechanism 8 is electrically connected to the control unit 12. Specifically, the motor for card transport, etc., is electrically connected to the control unit 12.

[0031] The thermal head 9 is positioned approximately at the center of the printing device 1 in the front-to-back direction and above the card transport path 17. A platen roller 23 is positioned below the thermal head 9. The platen roller 23 is connected to a motor for card transport via a power transmission mechanism and rotates together with the card transport roller 19. The thermal head 9 is electrically connected to the control unit 12.

[0032] The thermal head 9 is connected to a head movement mechanism 24 that moves the thermal head 9 toward and toward the card 2 passing through the card transport path 17. The head movement mechanism 24 includes a motor for head movement and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the motor's power to the thermal head 9. The head movement mechanism 24 is electrically connected to the control unit 12. Specifically, the motor for head movement and other components are electrically connected to the control unit 12.

[0033] The card 2 and ink ribbon 3 pass between the thermal head 9 and the platen roller 23 in the vertical direction. The thermal head 9 moves up and down relative to the platen roller 23 by power transmitted from the head movement mechanism 24. The thermal head 9 contacts the upper surface of the card 2 with a predetermined contact force via the ink ribbon 3 and prints on the upper surface of the card 2 as it passes through the card transport path 17. Guide shafts 25 are installed on both sides of the thermal head 9 in the front-to-back direction, etc., to guide the ink ribbon 3 within the printing device 1.

[0034] The cartridge 6 comprises an ink ribbon cassette 26 (see Figure 3) having the supply-side bobbin 4 and the take-up-side bobbin 5 described above, and a cartridge body 27 to which the ink ribbon cassette 26 is detachably attached. As described above, the cartridge 6 is detachably attached to the body 7. That is, the ink ribbon cassette 26 is detachably attached to the body 7. The cartridge 6 is located above the card transport path 17 and is detachably attached to the housing 15 from above. The cartridge body 27 includes a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power from the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 to the supply-side bobbin 4 and the take-up-side bobbin 5.

[0035] The supply bobbin 4 and the take-up bobbin 5 are formed in a cylindrical shape. The supply bobbin 4 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction, and the take-up bobbin 5 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. The supply bobbin 4 is positioned in front of the thermal head 9, and the take-up bobbin 5 is positioned behind the thermal head 9. The supply bobbin 4 is wound with the ink ribbon 3 that is supplied toward the thermal head 9 (i.e., the ink ribbon 3 before the ink is transferred). The take-up bobbin 5 is wound with the ink ribbon 3 after the ink has been transferred to the card 2 by the thermal head 9.

[0036] In this configuration, the ink ribbon cassette 26 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge body 27 from the left side of the cartridge body 27. That is, when removing the ink ribbon cassette 26 from the cartridge body 27, the ink ribbon cassette 26 is pulled out to the left, and when attaching the ink ribbon cassette 26 to the cartridge body 27, the ink ribbon cassette 26, which is located on the left side of the cartridge body 27, is pushed to the right. The specific configuration of the ink ribbon cassette 26 will be described later.

[0037] The ribbon feeding mechanism 10 includes a ribbon feeding roller that contacts the ink ribbon 3 to feed it, a pad roller positioned opposite the ribbon feeding roller, a motor for ribbon feeding to which the ribbon feeding roller is connected, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the motor's power to the ribbon feeding roller and the like. The ribbon feeding mechanism 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 12. Specifically, the motor for ribbon feeding and the like are electrically connected to the control unit 12.

[0038] (Ink ribbon cassette configuration) Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette 26 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette 26 shown in Figure 4 from a different direction. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cover 33, etc., shown in Figure 4. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the cover 33 shown in Figure 5.

[0039] As described above, the ink ribbon cassette 26 includes a supply-side bobbin 4 and a take-up-side bobbin 5 around which the ink ribbon 3 is wound. In this embodiment, the ink ribbon unit 29 is composed of the ink ribbon 3, the supply-side bobbin 4 and the take-up-side bobbin 5. In addition to the ink ribbon unit 29, the ink ribbon cassette 26 includes a case 30 that houses the ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply-side bobbin 4 and the ink ribbon 3 wound around the take-up-side bobbin 5, and a wireless tag 31 attached to the case 30.

[0040] The case 30 comprises a case body 32 and a cover 33 that is detachably attached to the case body 32. In this embodiment, the case 30 is composed of the case body 32 and the cover 33. The ink ribbon cassette 26 also comprises a knob 34, sleeve 35, coupling 36 and compression coil spring 37 for manually rotating the supply-side bobbin 4, and a knob 39, sleeve 40, coupling 41 and compression coil spring 42 for manually rotating the take-up-side bobbin 5.

[0041] The case body 32 comprises a cylindrical supply-side case section 32a that houses the ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply-side bobbin 4, a cylindrical winding-side case section 32b that houses the ink ribbon 3 wound around the winding-side bobbin 5, and a connecting section 32c that connects the supply-side case section 32a and the winding-side case section 32b. The supply-side case section 32a and the winding-side case section 32b are formed in a cylindrical shape. The supply-side case section 32a is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction, and the winding-side case section 32b is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the supply-side case section 32a is positioned in front of the winding-side case section 32b, and the supply-side case section 32a and the winding-side case section 32b are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction. Thus, the axial direction of the cylindrically formed supply-side case section 32a and the axial direction of the cylindrically formed winding-side case section 32b are parallel. In this embodiment, the left-to-right direction (Y direction) is the axial direction of the supply-side case section 32a and the winding-side case section 32b. Also, the front-to-back direction (X direction) in this embodiment is a predetermined direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply-side case section 32a.

[0043] The connecting portion 32c connects the left end of the supply-side case portion 32a to the left end of the winding-side case portion 32b. The connecting portion 32c is positioned between the supply-side case portion 32a and the winding-side case portion 32b in the front-to-back direction. Between the supply-side case portion 32a and the winding-side case portion 32b in the front-to-back direction, on the right side of the connecting portion 32c, the ink ribbon 3 is exposed to the outside of the case body 32.

[0044] The case body 32 has engagement holes 32d and engagement protrusions 32g and 32h formed therein for fixing the cover 33 to the case body 32 (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, the engagement holes 32d and engagement protrusions 32g and 32h are case-side engagement parts. The engagement holes 32d are formed in two locations: the left front end of the supply-side case portion 32a and the left rear end of the winding-side case portion 32b. One engagement hole 32d is a square hole that penetrates the supply-side case portion 32a in the front-rear direction, and the other engagement hole 32d is a square hole that penetrates the winding-side case portion 32b in the front-rear direction.

[0045] The engaging projection 32g is formed on the connecting portion 32c. Specifically, the engaging projection 32g is formed in front of the center of the connecting portion 32c in the front-to-back direction. In addition, the engaging projection 32g is formed in two locations with a gap between them in the vertical direction. The engaging projection 32g extends toward the left. The engaging projection 32g is formed in a hook shape, and a convex portion is formed at the tip (left end) of the engaging projection 32g that protrudes toward the rear.

[0046] The engaging projection 32h is formed on the connecting portion 32c. Specifically, the engaging projection 32h is formed behind the center of the connecting portion 32c in the front-rear direction. In addition, the engaging projection 32h is formed in two locations with a gap between them in the vertical direction. The engaging projection 32h extends toward the left. The engaging projection 32h is formed in a hook shape, and a convex portion is formed at the tip (left end) of the engaging projection 32h that protrudes toward the front.

[0047] Furthermore, the case body 32 has a recess 32e for attaching the wireless tag 31. The recess 32e is formed on the right side of the connecting portion 32c. The recess 32e is formed in the center of the connecting portion 32c in the front-to-back direction. The recess 32e is recessed in a rectangular shape toward the left. The recess 32e is also formed between the lower end and the upper end of the connecting portion 32c. A projection 32f is formed on the edge of the recess 32e to prevent the wireless tag 31 from slipping out to the right from the recess 32e. The projection 32f protrudes toward the inside of the recess 32e. In this embodiment, the wireless tag 31 is attached to a recess 51f formed in the cover 33 (described later), and is not attached to the recess 32e.

[0048] A roller 44 for guiding the ink ribbon 3 is rotatably mounted at the front lower end of the supply-side case 32a. The roller 44 is positioned so that its axial direction coincides with its left-right direction. A prism is also fixed to the lower end of the supply-side case 32a. A reflective optical sensor, which is attached to the main body 7, is positioned below the prism. The ink ribbon 3, drawn from the supply-side bobbin 4, is sandwiched between the prism and the optical sensor in the vertical direction. In this configuration, the presence of the cartridge 6 in the main body 7 is detected based on the detection result of the optical sensor.

[0049] The cover 33 is attached to the left end of the case body 32. The cover 33 closes the left end of the supply-side case portion 32a and the winding-side case portion 32b. That is, the cover 33 closes one end of the cylindrical supply-side case portion 32a and the winding-side case portion 32b. The cover 33 includes locking members 45 and 46, which have engaging protrusions 45a and 46a as cover-side engaging portions that engage with the engaging hole 32d of the case body 32 and engaging protrusions 45b and 46b as cover-side engaging portions that engage with the engaging protrusions 32g and 32h of the case body 32; a cover body 47 that movably holds the locking members 45 and 46; and compression coil springs 48 and 49 as biasing members that bias the locking members 45 and 46 relative to the cover body 47.

[0050] The cover 33 in this embodiment is equipped with two locking members 45 and 46 that are slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the cover body 47. The locking member 46 is positioned behind the locking member 45. The cover 33 is also equipped with two compression coil springs 48 and 49. The compression coil spring 48 biases the locking member 45 toward the front. The compression coil spring 49 biases the locking member 46 toward the rear. In this embodiment, the locking member 45 is the first locking member, the locking member 46 is the second locking member, the compression coil spring 48 is the first biasing member, and the compression coil spring 49 is the second biasing member.

[0051] The cover body 47 is composed of a first cover body 51 and a second cover body 52 that sandwich the locking members 45 and 46 in the left-right direction. The first cover body 51 is positioned to the left of the locking members 45 and 46, and the second cover body 52 is positioned to the right of the locking members 45 and 46. In other words, the first cover body 51 is positioned to the left of the second cover body 52.

[0052] A through hole 45c is formed at the front end of the locking member 45, penetrating the locking member 45 in the left-right direction. The through hole 45c is formed in an oval shape that is slightly elongated in the front-rear direction. The engaging projection 45a is formed at the front end of the edge of the through hole 45c. That is, the engaging projection 45a is formed at the front end of the locking member 45. The engaging projection 45a extends to the right from the edge of the through hole 45c. The engaging projection 45a is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. The engaging projection 45a is formed in a hook shape, and a convex portion is formed at the tip (right end) of the engaging projection 45a that protrudes forward.

[0053] The engaging projection 45b is formed at the rear end of the locking member 45. Furthermore, the engaging projection 45b is formed at two locations: the upper end and the lower end of the locking member 45. The engaging projection 45b extends to the right. The engaging projection 45b is hook-shaped, and a protrusion projecting forward is formed at the tip (right end) of the engaging projection 45b.

[0054] When the cover 33 is attached to the case body 32, the protruding tip of the engaging projection 45a is positioned in the engaging hole 32d formed in the supply-side case portion 32a. The engaging projection 45a engages with the engaging hole 32d of the supply-side case portion 32a from the rear. Also, when the cover 33 is attached to the case body 32, the protruding tip of the engaging projection 45b is positioned behind the protruding tip of the engaging projection 32g. The engaging projection 45b engages with the engaging projection 32g from the rear.

[0055] The locking member 45 has a finger rest 45d formed thereon for sliding the locking member 45 to the rear. The finger rest 45d is located behind the through hole 45c. The finger rest 45d is composed of a through hole that penetrates the locking member 45 in the left-right direction and a projection 45e formed at the rear end of the edge of this through hole. The projection 45e protrudes toward the left. The projection 45e is formed in a flat plate shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction. A projection is formed at the rear end of the locking member 45, which is inserted into the front end of the compression coil spring 48.

[0056] A through hole 46c is formed at the rear end of the locking member 46, penetrating the locking member 46 in the left-right direction. The through hole 46c is formed in an oval shape that is slightly elongated in the front-rear direction. The engaging projection 46a is formed at the rear end of the edge of the through hole 46c. That is, the engaging projection 46a is formed at the rear end of the locking member 46. The engaging projection 46a extends to the right from the edge of the through hole 46c. The engaging projection 46a is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. The engaging projection 46a is formed in a hook shape, and a convex portion is formed at the tip (right end) of the engaging projection 46a that protrudes toward the rear.

[0057] The engaging projection 46b is formed at the front end of the locking member 46. Furthermore, the engaging projection 46b is formed at two locations: the upper end and the lower end of the locking member 46. The engaging projection 46b extends toward the right. The engaging projection 46b is hook-shaped, and a convex portion is formed at its tip (right end) that protrudes toward the rear.

[0058] When the cover 33 is attached to the case body 32, the protruding tip of the engaging projection 46a is positioned within the engaging hole 32d formed in the winding-side case portion 32b. The engaging projection 46a engages with the engaging hole 32d of the winding-side case portion 32b from the front. Also, when the cover 33 is attached to the case body 32, the protruding tip of the engaging projection 46b is positioned behind the protruding tip of the engaging projection 32h. The engaging projection 46b engages with the engaging projection 32h from the front.

[0059] The locking member 46 has a finger rest 46d formed thereon for sliding the locking member 46 forward. The finger rest 46d is located in front of the through hole 46c. The finger rest 46d is composed of a through hole that penetrates the locking member 46 in the left-right direction and a projection 46e formed at the front end of the edge of this through hole. The projection 46e protrudes toward the left. The projection 46e is formed in a flat plate shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction. A projection is formed at the front end of the locking member 46, which is inserted into the rear end of the compression coil spring 49.

[0060] A cylindrical portion 51a projecting to the right is formed at the front end of the first cover body 51. A cylindrical portion 51b projecting to the right is formed at the rear end of the first cover body 51. A flat partition wall 51c is formed on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portions 51a and 51b, separating them at an intermediate position in the left-right direction. To the left of the partition wall 51c, a cylindrical inner cylindrical portion 51d is formed, projecting to the left from the partition wall 51c. The outer diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 51d is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portions 51a and 51b. The inner cylindrical portion 51d is located on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portions 51a and 51b. The axis of the inner cylindrical portion 51d coincides with the axis of the cylindrical portions 51a and 51b. A through hole is formed in the partition wall 51c that leads to the inner surface of the inner cylindrical portion 51d.

[0061] The first cover body 51 has an opening 51e on the left side of the cover 33 to expose the finger rests 45d and 46d. The opening 51e is a through hole that penetrates the first cover body 51 in the left-right direction. The opening 51e is formed in two places: on the rear side of the cylindrical portion 51a and on the front side of the cylindrical portion 51b. The first cover body 51 also has a recess 51f for attaching the wireless tag 31. That is, the cover 33 has a recess 51f for attaching the wireless tag 31.

[0062] The recess 51f is formed on the left side of the first cover body 51. The recess 51f is formed in the central part of the first cover body 51 in the front-to-back direction and is located between the two openings 51e in the front-to-back direction. The recess 51f is recessed in a rectangular shape toward the right. The recess 51f is also formed between the lower end and the upper end of the first cover body 51. A projection 51g is formed on the edge of the recess 51f to prevent the wireless tag 31 from slipping out of the recess 51f to the left. The projection 51g protrudes toward the inside of the recess 51f.

[0063] A through hole 52a is formed at the front end of the second cover body 52, penetrating the second cover body 52 in the left-right direction. A through hole 52b is formed at the rear end of the second cover body 52, penetrating the second cover body 52 in the left-right direction. In addition, the second cover body 52 has two through holes 52c through which the engaging projection 45b of the locking member 45 is inserted, and two through holes 52d through which the engaging projection 46b of the locking member 46 is inserted. The through holes 52c and 52d penetrate the second cover body 52 in the left-right direction.

[0064] As described above, the locking members 45 and 46 are sandwiched between the first cover body 51 and the second cover body 52 in the left-right direction. When the cover 33 is assembled, the cylindrical portion 51a of the first cover body 51 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the through hole 45c of the locking member 45 and on the inner circumference side of the through hole 52a of the second cover body 52, and the cylindrical portion 51b of the first cover body 51 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the through hole 46c of the locking member 46 and on the inner circumference side of the through hole 52b of the second cover body 52. ​​The second cover body 52 is mainly fixed to the first cover body 51 by screws 54.

[0065] The compression coil spring 48 is located behind the locking member 45. A projection formed on the right side of the center of the first cover body 51 in the front-rear direction is inserted into the rear end of the compression coil spring 48. The compression coil spring 49 is located in front of the locking member 46. A projection formed on the right side of the center of the first cover body 51 in the front-rear direction is inserted into the front end of the compression coil spring 49.

[0066] The couplings 36 and 41 are equipped with cylindrical sections 36a and 41a. The couplings 36 and 41 are arranged so that the axial direction of the cylindrical sections 36a and 41a coincides with the left-right direction. The couplings 36 and 41 also include annular and flat plate-shaped annular sections 36b and 41b connected to the right ends of the cylindrical sections 36a and 41a, bottomed cylindrical inner sections 36c and 41c projecting to the left from the inner circumference of the annular sections 36b and 41b, and rod-shaped gripping engagement sections 36d and 41d positioned at the left ends of the inner sections 36c and 41c, projecting to the left from the center of the bottom of the inner sections 36c and 41c.

[0067] The axes of the cylindrical portions 36a and 41a, the axes of the inner cylindrical portions 36c and 41c, and the axes of the gripping engagement portions 36d and 41d coincide. Multiple protrusions 36e are formed on the right surface of the annular portion 36b, which engage with the gear 4a formed on the left end of the supply bobbin 4. Multiple protrusions 41e are formed on the right surface of the annular portion 41b, which engage with the gear 5a formed on the left end of the winding bobbin 5. The sleeves 35 and 40 are formed in a disc shape. The sleeves 35 and 40 are arranged so that their thickness direction and left-right direction coincide. Through holes are formed in the sleeves 35 and 40 through which the gripping engagement portions 36d and 41d are inserted.

[0068] The sleeve 35 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 51a of the first cover body 51. The sleeve 35 is positioned to the right of the partition wall 51c. Most of the coupling 36, excluding the right end, is positioned on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 51a. The annular portion 36b is positioned to the right of the cylindrical portion 51a. The compression coil spring 37 is positioned between the sleeve 35 and the annular portion 36b in the left-right direction. The compression coil spring 37 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 36a and on the outer circumference side of the inner cylindrical portion 36c. The left end of the compression coil spring 37 is in contact with the right surface of the sleeve 35, and the right end of the compression coil spring 37 is in contact with the left surface of the annular portion 36b.

[0069] A washer 56 is positioned between the sleeve 35 and the partition wall 51c. The knob engagement portion 36d is inserted through the inner cylindrical portion 51d, which is located on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 51a. The left end of the knob engagement portion 36d is positioned to the left of the left end of the inner cylindrical portion 51d. A knob 34 is attached to the left end of the knob engagement portion 36d. The knob 34 is rotatable along the outer circumference of the inner cylindrical portion 51d with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. When the operator turns the knob 34, the supply-side bobbin 4 rotates.

[0070] Similarly, the sleeve 40 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 51b of the first cover body 51. The sleeve 40 is positioned to the right of the partition wall 51c. Most of the coupling 41, excluding the right end, is positioned on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 51b. The annular portion 41b is positioned to the right of the cylindrical portion 51b. The compression coil spring 42 is positioned between the sleeve 40 and the annular portion 41b in the left-right direction. The compression coil spring 42 is also positioned on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 41a and on the outer circumference side of the inner cylindrical portion 41c. The left end of the compression coil spring 42 is in contact with the right surface of the sleeve 40, and the right end of the compression coil spring 42 is in contact with the left surface of the annular portion 41b.

[0071] A washer 56 is positioned between the sleeve 40 and the partition wall 51c. The knob engagement portion 41d is inserted through the inner cylindrical portion 51d, which is located on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 51b. The left end of the knob engagement portion 41d is positioned to the left of the left end of the inner cylindrical portion 51d. A knob 39 is attached to the left end of the knob engagement portion 41d. The knob 39 is rotatable along the outer surface of the inner cylindrical portion 51d with the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. When the operator turns the knob 39, the winding bobbin 5 rotates.

[0072] The locking members 45 and 46 are movable relative to the cover body 47 between a locked position in which the engaging projections 45a and 46a engage with the engaging hole 32d, the engaging projection 45b engages with the engaging projection 32g, and the engaging projection 46b engages with the engaging projection 32h, thereby fixing the cover 33 to the case body 32, and an unlocked position in which the engagement state of the engaging projections 45a and 46a with the engaging hole 32d, the engagement state of the engaging projection 45b with the engaging projection 32g, and the engagement state of the engaging projection 46b with the engaging projection 32h is released, allowing the cover 33 to be removed from the case body 32. In other words, the locking members 45 and 46 are slidable in the left-right direction relative to the cover body 47 between the locked position and the unlocked position. Guides are formed between the cover body 47 and the locking members 45 and 46 to guide the locking members 45 and 46 in the left-right direction.

[0073] Compression coil springs 48 and 49 bias the locking members 45 and 46 toward the locked position. When moving the locking members 45 and 46 to the unlocked position, the operator places their fingers on the finger rests 45d and 46d and slides the locking members 45 and 46 inward in the front-to-back direction. That is, the operator grasps the two finger rests 45d and 46d and slides the locking members 45 and 46 inward in the front-to-back direction. Thus, the locking members 45 and 46 are formed with finger rests 45d and 46d for moving the locking members 45 and 46 inward in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, when replacing the used ink ribbon 3, the locking members 45 and 46 are moved to the unlocked position, the cover 33 is removed from the case body 32, and only the ink ribbon unit 29 is replaced.

[0074] The wireless tag 31 stores information about the ink ribbon 3. Specifically, the wireless tag 31 stores identification information for the ink ribbon 3, including information such as the type of ink ribbon 3. The wireless tag 31 is formed in the shape of a sticker. The sticker-shaped wireless tag 31 is attached to a flat reinforcing plate 58. The reinforcing plate 58 is made of, for example, a resin material. The reinforcing plate 58 is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0075] The wireless tag 31, attached to the reinforcing plate 58, is inserted into the recess 51f of the first cover body 51 from above. The wireless tag 31 is a set with the ink ribbon unit 29, and when the used ink ribbon 3 is replaced, the ink ribbon unit 29 is replaced, and the wireless tag 31 that was attached to the recess 51f is also replaced with the wireless tag 31 that is a set with the new ink ribbon unit 29.

[0076] In this configuration, when the cartridge 6 is attached to the main body 7, the wireless communication unit 11 reads the information about the ink ribbon 3 stored in the wireless tag 31. The control unit 12 causes the printing device 1 to perform printing if the information about the ink ribbon 3 read by the wireless communication unit 11 is predetermined information. Specifically, the control unit 12 operates the card transport mechanism 8, thermal head 9, ribbon feeding mechanism 10, and head moving mechanism 24 to cause the printing device 1 to perform printing only if the information about the ink ribbon 3 read by the wireless communication unit 11 is appropriate information about the ink ribbon 3 that conforms to the specifications of the printing device 1. In this configuration, if the wireless tag 31 is not attached to the first cover body 51 and the wireless communication unit 11 cannot read the information about the ink ribbon 3, the control unit 12 does not cause the printing device 1 to perform printing.

[0077] (Main effects of this form) As described above, in this embodiment, the case 30 that houses the ink ribbon 3 wound on the supply bobbin 4 and the ink ribbon 3 wound on the take-up bobbin 5 comprises a case body 32 having a cylindrical supply-side case portion 32a that houses the ink ribbon 3 wound on the supply-side bobbin 4 and a cylindrical take-up-side case portion 32b that houses the ink ribbon 3 wound on the take-up-side bobbin 5, and a cover 33 that closes the left ends of the supply-side case portion 32a and the take-up-side case portion 32b, the cover 33 being detachably attached to the case body 32.

[0078] Therefore, in this configuration, as described above, when replacing a used ink ribbon 3, it is possible to remove the cover 33 from the case body 32 and replace only the ink ribbon unit 29. In other words, in this configuration, when replacing a used ink ribbon 3, it is possible to replace only the ink ribbon unit 29 and reuse the case 30. Consequently, in this configuration, it is possible to reduce the running costs of the printing device 1 that uses the ink ribbon 3.

[0079] In this embodiment, the locking members 45 and 46 are movable relative to the cover body 47 between a locked position in which the cover 33 is fixed to the case body 32 and an unlocked position in which the cover 33 can be removed from the case body 32. Compression coil springs 48 and 49 bias the locking members 45 and 46 toward the locked position. Therefore, in this embodiment, the operator can remove the cover 33 from the case body 32 by moving the locking members 45 and 46 to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the compression coil springs 48 and 49. Consequently, in this embodiment, the cover 33 can be easily removed from the case body 32 even at the site where the printing device 1 is installed, and as a result, only the ink ribbon unit 29 can be easily replaced.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an opening 51e is formed in the first cover body 51 to expose the finger rests 45d and 46d of the locking members 45 and 46 on the left side of the cover 33, so that the finger rests 45d and 46d are exposed on the left side of the cover 33. Therefore, in this embodiment, the locking members 45 and 46 can be easily slid to the unlocked position using the finger rests 45d and 46d.

[0081] In this configuration, a wireless tag 31, which stores information about the ink ribbon 3, is attached to the case 30. In this configuration, the printing device 1 is equipped with a wireless communication unit 11 for short-range wireless communication with the wireless tag 31. Therefore, in this configuration, the control unit 12 of the printing device 1 can determine whether the ink ribbon cassette 26 contains an appropriate ink ribbon 3 that conforms to the specifications of the printing device 1, based on the information about the ink ribbon 3 read by the wireless communication unit 11. Furthermore, the control unit 12 can only cause the printing device 1 to perform printing if it determines that the ink ribbon cassette 26 contains an appropriate ink ribbon 3 that conforms to the specifications of the printing device 1, based on the information about the ink ribbon 3 read by the wireless communication unit 11.

[0082] In this embodiment, the first cover body 51 has a recess 51f for attaching the wireless tag 31, and the wireless tag 31, which is attached to the reinforcing plate 58, is inserted into the recess 51f from above and attached. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wireless tag 31 can be easily attached to and detached from the case 30. Consequently, in this embodiment, even if the wireless tag 31 attached to the recess 51f is replaced each time the used ink ribbon 3 is replaced, as described above, the wireless tag 31 can be easily replaced.

[0083] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiments are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without altering the essence of the invention.

[0084] In the above-described configuration, as shown in Figure 8, the wireless tag 31 may be attached to the recess 32e of the case body 32. When the wireless tag 31 is attached to the recess 32e, the wireless tag 31 will not be visible from the outside of the cartridge 6 when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge body 27. On the other hand, when the wireless tag 31 is attached to the recess 51f, the wireless tag 31 will be visible from the outside of the cartridge 6 when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge body 27. In the above-described configuration, the recess 32e does not need to be formed in the case body 32. Also, when the wireless tag 31 is attached to the recess 32e, the recess 51f does not need to be formed in the first cover body 51.

[0085] In the above-described configuration, the wireless tag 31 may be formed in a flat plate shape. In this case, the reinforcing plate 58 is unnecessary. Also in this case, the flat wireless tag 31 is inserted into the recess 51f from above and attached. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the sticker-shaped wireless tag 31 may be directly attached to the case 30. In this case, the recesses 32e and 51f do not need to be formed in the case 30. Moreover, in the above-described configuration, the ink ribbon cassette 26 does not need to have a wireless tag 31. In this case, the printing device 1 does not have a wireless communication unit 11. Also in this case, the recesses 32e and 51f do not need to be formed in the case 30.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the case body 32 may have engagement protrusions corresponding to the engagement protrusions 45a and 46a as case-side engagement parts instead of the engagement hole 32d, and the locking members 45 and 46 may have engagement holes corresponding to the engagement hole 32d as cover-side engagement parts instead of the engagement protrusions 45a and 46a. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case body 32 may have engagement holes that engage with the engagement protrusions 45b and 46b as case-side engagement parts that engage with the engagement protrusions 45b and 46b instead of the engagement protrusions 32g and 32h, and the locking members 45 and 46 may have engagement holes that engage with the engagement protrusions 32g and 32h as cover-side engagement parts that engage with the engagement protrusions 32g and 32h instead of the engagement protrusions 45b and 46b.

[0087] In the above-described configuration, the case body 32 does not necessarily need to have engaging protrusions 32g and 32h. In this case, the locking members 45 and 46 do not have engaging protrusions 45b and 46b. Also, in the above-described configuration, the case body 32 does not necessarily need to have engaging holes 32d. In this case, the locking members 45 and 46 do not have engaging protrusions 45a and 46a.

[0088] In the above-described configuration, the biasing members that bias the locking members 45 and 46 to the cover body 47 may be spring members other than the compression coil springs 48 and 49. Also, in the above-described configuration, the ink ribbon cassette 26 attached to the cartridge body 27 is detachable from the body 7, but the body 7 may be configured so that the ink ribbon cassette 26 can be directly attached to and detached from the body 7. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the printing medium printed by the printing device 1 may be something other than the card 2, such as printing paper.

[0089] (Configuration of this technology) Furthermore, this technology can be configured as follows: (1) An ink ribbon unit having an ink ribbon, a supply-side bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound before the ink is transferred, and a take-up-side bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound after the ink has been transferred, and a case that houses the ink ribbon wound on the supply-side bobbin and the ink ribbon wound on the take-up-side bobbin, The case comprises a case body having a cylindrical supply-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound around the supply-side bobbin and a cylindrical winding-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound around the winding-side bobbin, and a cover that closes one end of the cylindrical supply-side case portion and one end of the winding-side case portion and is detachably attached to the case body. The case body has a case-side engaging portion for fixing the cover to the case body. The cover comprises a locking member having a cover-side engaging portion that engages with the case-side engaging portion, a cover body that movably holds the locking member, and a biasing member that biases the locking member relative to the cover body. The locking member is movable relative to the cover body between a locked position in which the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion engage to fix the cover to the case body, and an unlocked position in which the engagement between the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion is released, allowing the cover to be removed from the case body. The biasing member is characterized by biasing the locking member toward the locking position. (2) The axial direction of the cylindrical supply-side case portion and the axial direction of the cylindrical winding-side case portion are parallel. If the predetermined direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply-side case portion is defined as the front-to-back direction, The supply-side case section and the winding-side case section are arranged with a gap between them in the front-to-back direction. The ink ribbon cassette according to (1), characterized in that the cover comprises, as the locking member, a first locking member that is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the cover body, and a second locking member that is positioned behind the first locking member and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the cover body, and as the biasing member, a first biasing member that biases the first locking member toward the front, and a second biasing member that biases the second locking member toward the rear. (3) If the axial direction of the supply side case is the left-right direction, The cover is attached to the left end of the case body. The cover body is composed of a first cover body and a second cover body that sandwich the locking member in the left-right direction. The first cover body is positioned to the left of the second cover body. The locking member is provided with a finger grip portion for sliding the locking member inward in the front-rear direction. The ink ribbon cassette according to (2), characterized in that the first cover body has an opening formed on the left side of the cover that exposes the finger rest. (4) An ink ribbon cassette according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that it is equipped with a wireless tag that stores information about the ink ribbon and is attached to the case. (5) The ink ribbon cassette according to (4), characterized in that the wireless tag is formed in the form of a sticker and attached to a flat reinforcing plate, or is formed in the form of a flat plate. (6) At least one of the case body and the cover has a recess for attaching the wireless tag, If the wireless tag is formed in the form of a sticker and attached to the reinforcing plate, the reinforcing plate to which the wireless tag is attached is inserted into the recess and installed. The ink ribbon cassette according to (5), characterized in that, if the wireless tag is formed in a flat plate shape, the flat plate-shaped wireless tag is inserted into the recess and attached. (7) The system comprises an ink ribbon cassette as described in any of (1) to (3), and a main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the main body comprises a media transport path through which a printing medium is transported, and a thermal head that heats the ink ribbon and transfers the ink from the ink ribbon to the printing medium passing through the media transport path for printing. A printing apparatus comprising an ink ribbon cassette as described in any of (8)(4) to (6), and a main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached, The system comprises a wireless communication unit for short-range wireless communication with the wireless tag and a control unit for controlling the printing device, The main body comprises a media transport path through which a printing medium is transported, and a thermal head that heats the ink ribbon and transfers the ink from the ink ribbon to the printing medium passing through the media transport path for printing. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit causes the printing apparatus to perform a printing process when the information regarding the ink ribbon read by the wireless communication unit is predetermined information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1 Printing device 2. Cards (printed media) 3. Ink ribbon 4. Supply side bobbin 5. Winding side bobbin 7 Main body 9 Thermal head 11 Wireless Communication Section 12 Control Unit 17. Card transport path (media transport path) 26 Ink Ribbon Cassettes 29. Ink Ribbon Unit 30 cases 31 Wireless Tags 32 Case body 32a Supply side case section 32b Winding side case section 32d Engagement hole (case-side engagement part) 32g, 32h Engaging protrusion (engaging part on the case side) 32e recess 33 Cover 45 Locking member (first locking member) 45a, 45b, 46a, 46b Engaging projections (cover-side engaging parts) 45d, 46d Finger rest 46 Locking member (second locking member) 47 Cover body 48 Compression coil spring (biasing member, first biasing member) 49 Compression coil spring (biasing member, second biasing member) 51. Main body of the first cover 51e opening 51f recess 52. Second Cover Body 58 Reinforcement plate X Anteroposterior direction Y direction (left-right direction, axial direction of the supply side case)

Claims

1. An ink ribbon unit having an ink ribbon, a supply-side bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound before the ink is transferred, and a take-up-side bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound after the ink has been transferred, and a case that houses the ink ribbon wound on the supply-side bobbin and the ink ribbon wound on the take-up-side bobbin, The case comprises a case body having a cylindrical supply-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound around the supply-side bobbin and a cylindrical winding-side case portion that houses the ink ribbon wound around the winding-side bobbin, and a cover that closes one end of the cylindrical supply-side case portion and one end of the winding-side case portion and is detachably attached to the case body. The case body has a case-side engaging portion for fixing the cover to the case body. The cover comprises a locking member having a cover-side engaging portion that engages with the case-side engaging portion, a cover body that movably holds the locking member, and a biasing member that biases the locking member relative to the cover body. The locking member is movable relative to the cover body between a locked position in which the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion engage to fix the cover to the case body, and an unlocked position in which the engagement between the case-side engaging portion and the cover-side engaging portion is released, allowing the cover to be removed from the case body. The biasing member is characterized by biasing the locking member toward the locking position.

2. The axial direction of the cylindrical supply-side case portion and the axial direction of the cylindrical winding-side case portion are parallel. If the predetermined direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply-side case portion is defined as the front-to-back direction, The supply-side case section and the winding-side case section are arranged with a gap between them in the front-to-back direction. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises, as the locking member, a first locking member that is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the cover body, and a second locking member that is positioned behind the first locking member and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the cover body, and the biasing member comprises, as the biasing member, a first biasing member that biases the first locking member toward the front, and a second biasing member that biases the second locking member toward the rear.

3. If the axial direction of the supply-side case portion is defined as the left-right direction, The cover is attached to the left end of the case body. The cover body is composed of a first cover body and a second cover body that sandwich the locking member in the left-right direction. The first cover body is positioned to the left of the second cover body. The locking member is provided with a finger grip portion for sliding the locking member inward in the front-rear direction. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 2, characterized in that the first cover body has an opening formed on the left side of the cover that exposes the finger rest portion.

4. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a wireless tag that stores information about the ink ribbon and is attached to the case.

5. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 4, characterized in that the wireless tag is formed in a sticker shape and attached to a flat reinforcing plate, or is formed in a flat shape.

6. At least one of the case body and the cover has a recess for attaching the wireless tag. If the wireless tag is formed in the form of a sticker and attached to the reinforcing plate, the reinforcing plate to which the wireless tag is attached is inserted into the recess and installed. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 5, characterized in that, if the wireless tag is formed in a flat plate shape, the flat plate-shaped wireless tag is inserted into the recess and attached.

7. The invention comprises an ink ribbon cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the main body comprises a media transport path through which a printing medium is transported, and a thermal head that heats the ink ribbon and transfers the ink from the ink ribbon to the printing medium passing through the media transport path for printing.

8. A printing apparatus comprising an ink ribbon cassette according to any one of claims 4 to 6, and a main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached, The system comprises a wireless communication unit for short-range wireless communication with the wireless tag and a control unit for controlling the printing device, The main body comprises a media transport path through which a printing medium is transported, and a thermal head that heats the ink ribbon and transfers the ink from the ink ribbon to the printing medium passing through the media transport path for printing. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit causes the printing apparatus to perform a printing process when the information regarding the ink ribbon read by the wireless communication unit is predetermined information.

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