Spool structure

Abstract

A spool structure of the invention includes a cylindrical core, which has a smooth outer surface and an inner surface. An engaging part is formed on the inner surface. A flange is connected to the core. The flange has a jaw part that can be arranged at a side end of the core, and a nail part that can engage with the engaging part of the inner surface of the core.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a spool structure around which a belt-shaped object, such as an image-receiving sheet used for sublimation printing, is wound.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional spool structure.

[0005] The conventional spool structure 20 has a core 21, a first flange 22 and a second flange 23.

[0006] An image-receiving sheet, which is used for sublimation printing, is adapted to be wound around the core 21. The core 21 has a positioning groove 21a at a first end portion 21-1 on the side of the first flange 22, and a positioning groove 21d at a second end portion 21-2 on the side of the second flange 23. The core 21 also has through holes 21e and 21f appearing at an outside surface thereof, on which the image-receiving sheet is wound.

[0007] The first flange 22 has: a jaw part 22c that can protect and guide the image-receiving sheet wound around the core 21; a gear part 22b that can transmit a driving force from a printing apparatus not shown; a shaft part 22a; and a fitting part 22d that can be fitted with the core 21. The jaw part 22c, the gear part 22b, the shaft part 22a and the fitting part 22d are integrally formed.

[0008] The second flange 23 has: a jaw part 23c that can protect and guide the image-receiving sheet wound around the core 21, similarly to the jaw part 22c; a shaft part 23a; and a fitting part 23d that can be fitted with the core 21. The jaw part 23c, the shaft part 23a and the fitting part 23d are integrally formed.

[0009] The fitting part 22d has an outside diameter suitable for fitting with the inside diameter of the core 21. A positioning projection (not shown) is formed at a location corresponding to the positioning groove 21a.

[0010] Similarly, the fitting part 23d has an outside diameter suitable for fitting with the inside diameter of the core 21. A positioning projection 23f is formed at a location corresponding to the positioning groove 21d.

[0011] The first and second flanges 22 and 23 have nail parts 22g and 23g, respectively. The nail parts 22g and 23g are adapted to engage with the holes 21e and 21f provided in the core 21 by using their own elasticity, respectively. Thus, the first and second flanges 22 and 23 are adapted to be surely fixed to the core 21 not to come off the core 21.

[0012] In the conventional spool structure 20, the through holes 21e and 21f appear on the surface of the core 21 on which the image-receiving sheet is wound. Thus, there is a problem that the shapes of the holes 21e and 21f may be transferred to the image-receiving sheet and may remain therein.

[0013] As the image-receiving sheet, a polypropylene foam film or a polyethylene terephthalate foam film, which are superior in cushioning performance and thermal-insulating performance, are used in order to uniformly and efficiently transfer dye to a receiving layer by means of a pressing contact with a thermal head. In the case, the shapes of the holes 21e and 21f may be transferred more easily, for example the shapes of the holes 21e and 21f may be transferred even to (and may remain in) an outermost part of the wound image-receiving sheet.

[0014] In addition, a surface for sublimation printing is a glossy surface. Thus, if the shapes of the through holes 21e and 21f remain in the image-receiving sheet, the shapes (traces) are very conspicuous, so that quality as printed matter may be deteriorated.

[0015] When the first and second flanges 22 and 23 are removed from the core 21, the nail parts 22g and 23g have to be pressed via the through holes 21e and 21f. Thus, it is necessary for the through holes 21e and 21f to pass through the surface of the core 21 for winding the image-receiving sheet. In other words, if the through holes 21e and 21f are buried, the first and second flanges 22 and 23 can not be removed from the core 21.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a spool structure wherein it is unnecessary to provide an unevenness pattern or a hole appearing on an outside surface of a core, on which an image-receiving sheet or the like is wound, and wherein a flange can be surely combined normally and easily removed if necessary.

[0017] The invention is a spool structure including: a cylindrical core having a smooth outer surface, and an inner surface with a engaging part; and a flange having a jaw part that can be arranged at a side end of the core, and a nail part that can engage with the engaging part of the inner surface of the core.

[0018] According to the invention, since the engaging part is provided on the inner surface of the core, the outer surface of the core can be completely smooth.

[0019] For example, the engaging part consists of a concavity having a bottom surface.

[0020] In addition, for example, the nail part consists of an elastic member that is urged toward the engaging part of the inner surface of the core so as to engage with the engaging part, and the nail part is adapted to be released from the engaging part when a predetermined releasing force is acted so as to move the nail part away from the engaging part.

[0021] In the case, preferably, the jaw part has a through hole that allows an access from an area opposite to the core with respect to the jaw part to a surface of the nail part on a side of the engaging part. Thus, by using a jig such as a bar or a stick, the predetermined releasing force may be given to the nail part more easily so as to move the nail part away from the engaging part.

[0022] In addition, in the case, preferably, the nail part extends from a side end of the core to the engaging part along the inner surface of the core, the nail part has a tip part that can engage with the engaging part, the core has a groove at an area in the inner surface facing the surface of the nail part on the side of the engaging part, and the groove of the core can communicate with the through hole of the jaw part. Thus, the predetermined releasing force may be given to the nail part further more easily so as to move the nail part away from the engaging part.

[0023] More preferably, the nail part has a inclined surface rising toward the tip part at a root-side-adjacent portion adjacent to the tip part, and the inclined surface can be contained in the groove of the core. Thus, by causing an external force in a direction of the rotation axis of the core to act on the inclined surface by using a jig such as a bar or a stick, the predetermined releasing force may be given to the nail part more easily to move the nail part away from the engaging part.

[0024] Alternatively, this invention is a spool structure including: a cylindrical core having a smooth outer surface, and an inner surface with a first engaging part and a second engaging part; and a flange having a jaw part that can be arranged at a side end of the core, a first nail part that can engage with the first engaging part of the inner surface of the core, and a second nail part that can engage with the second engaging part of the inner surface of the core.

[0025] According to the invention, since the plurality of engaging parts are provided on the inner surface of the core, the outer surface of the core can be completely smooth, and the core and the flange can be connected more surely.

[0026] For example, each of the first and second engaging parts consists of a concavity having a bottom surface.

[0027] In addition, for example, the first nail part consists of an elastic member that is urged toward the first engaging part of the inner surface of the core so as to engage with the first engaging part, the first nail part is adapted to be released from the first engaging part when a first predetermined releasing force is acted so as to move the first nail part away from the first engaging part, the second nail part consists of an elastic member that is urged toward the second engaging part of the inner surface of the core so as to engage with the second engaging part, and the second nail part is adapted to be released from the second engaging part when a second predetermined releasing force is acted so as to move the second nail part away from the second engaging part.

[0028] In the case, preferably, the jaw part has a first through hole that allows an access from an area opposite to the core with respect to the jaw part to a surface of the first nail part on a side of the first engaging part and a second through hole that allows an access from the area opposite to the core with respect to the jaw part to a surface of the second nail part on a side of the second engaging part.

[0029] In addition, in the case, preferably, the first nail part extends from a side end of the core to the first engaging part along the inner surface of the core, the first nail part has a first tip part that can engage with the first engaging part, the second nail part extends from a side end of the core to the second engaging part along the inner surface of the core, the second nail part has a second tip part that can engage with the second engaging part, the core has a first groove at a first area in the inner surface facing the surface of the first nail part on the side of the first engaging part and a second groove at a second area in the inner surface facing the surface of the second nail part on the side of the second engaging part, the first groove of the core can communicate with the first through hole of the jaw part, and the second groove of the core can communicate with the second through hole of the jaw part.

[0030] More preferably, the first nail part has a first inclined surface rising toward the first tip part at a first root-side-adjacent portion adjacent to the first tip part, the first inclined surface can be contained in the first groove of the core, the second nail part has a second inclined surface rising toward the second tip part at a second root-side-adjacent portion adjacent to the second tip part, and the second inclined surface can be contained in the second groove of the core.

[0031] Preferably, the flange consists of one integrally molded resin member.

[0032] For example, an image-receiving sheet used for sublimation printing is adapted to be wound around the outer surface of the core. Even in the case, a shape of an unevenness pattern or a hole is never transferred to the image-receiving sheet, so that beautiful printed matter can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spool structure according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the concave part and the nail part;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the vicinity of the nail part in the first embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the vicinity of the tip part of the nail part in the first embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the vicinity of the tip part of the nail part in the second embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the vicinity of the nail part in the second embodiment; and

[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional spool structure.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0040] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0041] (First Embodiment)

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spool structure according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The spool structure 10 has a core 11, a first flange 12 and a second flange 13.

[0044] An image-receiving sheet, which is used for sublimation printing, is adapted to be wound around the core 11. The core 11 has a positioning groove 11a at a first end portion 11-1 on the side of the first flange 12, and a positioning groove 11d at a second end portion 11-2 on the side of the second flange 13.

[0045] The core 11 also has not-through i.e. bottom-having concave parts (concavities) 11e and 11f in an inner surface thereof, as engaging parts, instead of the conventional through holes 21e and 21f. Thus, an outside surface of the core 11 is very smooth.

[0046] In addition, releasing grooves 11i and 11j, which are narrower than the concave parts 11e and 11f, are formed from the concave parts 11e and 11f to the end portions 11-1 and 11-2, respectively.

[0047] The first flange 12 has: a jaw part 12c that can protect and guide the image-receiving sheet wound around the core 11; a gear part 12b that can transmit a driving force from a printing apparatus not shown; a shaft part 12a; and a fitting part 12d that can be fitted with the core 11. The jaw part 12c, the gear part 12b, the shaft part 12a and the fitting part 12d are integrally molded.

[0048] The second flange 13 has: a jaw part 13c that can protect and guide the image-receiving sheet wound around the core 11, similarly to the jaw part 12c; a shaft part 13a; and a fitting part 13d that can be fitted with the core 11. The jaw part 13c, the shaft part 13a and the fitting part 13d are integrally molded.

[0049] The fitting part 12d has an outside diameter suitable for fitting with the inside diameter of the core 11. A positioning projection (not shown) is formed at a location corresponding to the positioning groove 11a.

[0050] Similarly, the fitting part 13d has an outside diameter suitable for fitting with the inside diameter of the core 11. A positioning projection 13f is formed at a location corresponding to the positioning groove 11d.

[0051] The first and second flanges 12 and 13 have nail parts 12g and 13g, respectively. The nail parts 12g and 13g are adapted to engage with the concave parts 11e and 11f provided in the core 11 by using their own elasticity, respectively.

[0052] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the concave part 11f and the nail part 13g. The vicinity of the concave part 11e and the nail part 12g is similar to the vicinity of the concave part 11f and the nail part 13g. Thus, the following explanation is given only to the vicinity of the concave part 11f and the nail part 13g, that is, the side of the second flange 13, representatively.

[0053] The second flange 13 has a through hole 13i at a root of the nail part 13g. The through hole 13i extends from an outside surface of the jaw part 13c to an upper surface of the nail part 13g.

[0054] When the second flange 13 is combined with the core 11, the positioning groove 11d and the positioning projection 13f are fit in with each other. At that time, the nail part 13g is fit into the concave part 11f, and the fitting part 13d is fit with the inside diameter of the core 11. Thus, the second flanges 13 is surely fixed to the core 11 not to come off the core 11.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the vicinity of the nail part 13g.

[0056] When the second flange 13 is removed from the core 11, a jig such as a bar or a stick is passed through the through hole 13i and the releasing groove 11j. Then, the nail part 13g is pressed in a direction indicated by an arrow A by the jig, so that the engagement of the nail part 13g and the concave part 11f is released.

[0057] According to the embodiment, it is unnecessary to provide an unevenness pattern or a hole that appears on an outside surface of a core 11. Thus, a shape of the outside surface of the core 11 is never transferred to the image-receiving sheet, so that the shape never remains in the image-receiving sheet.

[0058] In addition, the first and second flanges 12, 13 and the core 11 are strongly fixed in their combined state. On the other hand, when the first and second flanges 12, 13 are removed from the core 11, they are easily removed by using the through holes 12i, 13i and the releasing grooves 11i, 11j.

[0059] In addition, this embodiment can be made by the same number of components as the conventional one and substantially the same manufacturing method as the conventional one, so that this embodiment can be made at small cost.

[0060] (Second Embodiment)

[0061] In the first embodiment, when the first and second flanges 12, 13 are removed from the core 11, the nail part 13g is moved (evacuated) in the direction indicated by the arrow A by using the stick-like jig. However, if the spool structure is small-sized, the through hole 13i and the releasing groove 11j are also small-sized. In the case, it is difficult to move the nail part 13g well. In the second embodiment, even if the spool structure is small-sized, the engagement of the nail part 13g and the concave part 11f can be released more easily.

[0062] FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the nail part 13g in the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the nail part 13g in the second embodiment.

[0063] In the second embodiment, an inclined surface 13h is newly added at a back-side (root-side-adjacent) portion adjacent to a tip swell part 13t of the nail part 13g. The inclined surface 13h rises toward the tip swell part 13t. A width h of the inclined surface 13h is narrower than that of the releasing groove 11j. Thus, the inclined surface 13h can be contained in the releasing groove 11j.

[0064] Other structure of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same numeral references correspond to the same elements as the first embodiment. The explanation of the same elements is not repeated.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the vicinity of the nail part 13g in the second embodiment.

[0066] In the second embodiment, when the second flange 13 is removed from the core 11, a stick-like jig is passed through the through hole 13i and the releasing groove 11j. Then, the inclined surface 13h is pressed in a direction indicated by an arrow B by means of the jig. Thus, a component force, which can press the nail part 13g in the direction indicated by the arrow A, is generated by the inclined surface 13h. Therefore, an operator can release the engagement of the nail part 13g and the concave part 11f only by pushing the jig in the direction indicated by the arrow B.

[0067] Herein, if the inclined surface 13h is provided, a length of a bendable portion of the nail part 13g is substantially shortened. Thus, it is preferable to design the length of the nail part 13g, taking that point into consideration.

[0068] In addition, the side of the first flange 12 may be similar to the side of the second flange 13 described above.

[0069] As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the inclined surface 13h is provided, the operation of removing the first and second flanges 12 and 13 from the core 11 can be carried out more simply.

[0070] (Modified Possible Embodiment)

[0071] This invention is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments may be modified or changed variously.

[0072] In the above embodiments, the core 11 is adapted to wind the image-receiving sheet used for sublimation printing. However, the core 11 may be adapted to wind another band-shaped, belt-shaped or sheet-like object.

[0073] In addition, in the above embodiments, one set of the nail part and the engaging part is provided for each end of the core 11. However, a plurality of sets of the nail part and the engaging part may be provided for each end of the core 11. For example, a second nail part 13g′, a second through hole 13i′, a second concave part 11f′ and a second releasing groove 11j′ may be provided, as shown in FIG. 1. In the case, a plurality of jigs, which can respectively release engagements of the plurality of nail parts, may be prepared independently. Alternatively, an integral jig including a plurality of stick-like portions may be prepared.

Claims

1. A spool structure comprising; a cylindrical core having: a smooth outer surface, and an inner surface with a engaging part, and a flange having: a jaw part that can be arranged at a side end of the core, and a nail part that can engage with the engaging part of the inner surface of the core.

2. A spool structure according to the claim 1, wherein: the engaging part consists of a concavity having a bottom surface.

3. A spool structure according to the claim 1, wherein: the nail part consists of an elastic member that is urged toward the engaging part of the inner surface of the core so as to engage with the engaging part, and the nail part is adapted to be released from the engaging part when a predetermined releasing force is acted so as to move the nail part away from the engaging part.

4. A spool structure according to the claim 3, wherein: the jaw part has a through hole that allows an access from an area opposite to the core with respect to the jaw part to a surface of the nail part on a side of the engaging part.

5. A spool structure according to the claim 4, wherein: the nail part extends from a side end of the core to the engaging part along the inner surface of the core, the nail part has a tip part that can engage with the engaging part, the core has a groove at an area in the inner surface facing the surface of the nail part on the side of the engaging part, and the groove of the core can communicate with the through hole of the jaw part.

6. A spool structure according to the claim 5, wherein: the nail part has a inclined surface rising toward the tip part at a root-side-adjacent portion adjacent to the tip part, and the inclined surface can be contained in the groove of the core.

7. A spool structure according to the claim 1, wherein: the flange consists of one integrally molded resin member.

8. A spool structure according to the claim 1, wherein: an image-receiving sheet used for sublimation printing is adapted to be wound around the outer surface of the core.

9. A spool structure comprising; a cylindrical core having: a smooth outer surface, and an inner surface with a first engaging part and a second engaging part, and a flange having: a jaw part that can be arranged at a side end of the core, a first nail part that can engage with the first engaging part of the inner surface of the core, and a second nail part that can engage with the second engaging part of the inner surface of the core.

10. A spool structure according to the claim 9, wherein: each of the first and second engaging parts consists of a concavity having a bottom surface.

11. A spool structure according to the claim 9, wherein: the first nail part consists of an elastic member that is urged toward the first engaging part of the inner surface of the core so as to engage with the first engaging part, the first nail part is adapted to be released from the first engaging part when a first predetermined releasing force is acted so as to move the first nail part away from the first engaging part, the second nail part consists of an elastic member that is urged toward the second engaging part of the inner surface of the core so as to engage with the second engaging part, and the second nail part is adapted to be released from the second engaging part when a second predetermined releasing force is acted so as to move the second nail part away from the second engaging part.

12. A spool structure according to the claim 11, wherein: the jaw part has: a first through hole that allows an access from an area opposite to the core with respect to the jaw part to a surface of the first nail part on a side of the first engaging part, and a second through hole that allows an access from the area opposite to the core with respect to the jaw part to a surface of the second nail part on a side of the second engaging part.

13. A spool structure according to the claim 12, wherein: the first nail part extends from a side end of the core to the first engaging part along the inner surface of the core, the first nail part has a first tip part that can engage with the first engaging part, the second nail part extends from a side end of the core to the second engaging part along the inner surface of the core, the second nail part has a second tip part that can engage with the second engaging part, the core has: a first groove at a first area in the inner surface facing the surface of the first nail part on the side of the first engaging part, and a second groove at a second area in the inner surface facing the surface of the second nail part on the side of the second engaging part, the first groove of the core can communicate with the first through hole of the jaw part, and the second groove of the core can communicate with the second through hole of the jaw part.

14. A spool structure according to the claim 13, wherein: the first nail part has a first inclined surface rising toward the first tip part at a first root-side-adjacent portion adjacent to the first tip part, the first inclined surface can be contained in the first groove of the core, the second nail part has a second inclined surface rising toward the second tip part at a second root-side-adjacent portion adjacent to the second tip part, and the second inclined surface can be contained in the second groove of the core.

15. A spool structure according to the claim 9, wherein: the flange consists of one integrally molded resin member.

16. A spool structure according to the claim 9, wherein: an image-receiving sheet used for sublimation printing is adapted to be wound around the outer surface of the core.