Photocopying – Using microcapsules – Sheet feeding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-21
2001-06-26
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Photocopying
Using microcapsules
Sheet feeding
C355S072000, C355S075000, C396S284000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252654
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an indicating device used for a paper cassette and for indicating a remaining amount of recording papers supplied to a thermal printer or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
As to thermal printers, there are a thermal sensitive printer and a heat transfer printer in each of which an exclusive recording paper is used. The recording paper (thermosensitive recording paper) used in the thermal sensitive printer comprises cyan, magenta and yellow thermosensitive coloring layers which are stacked on a support member, such as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 61-213169. Each coloring layer has dispersed micro capsules in which coloring materials are contained. The respective coloring layers of the thermosensitive recording paper are colored by different heat energy. Thus, the coloring layer may be selectively colored by changing the applied heat energy. After the upper coloring layer has been thermally recorded, this upper layer is fixed, so as not to be colored again, before the lower layer is thermally recorded. Fixing the coloring layer is carried out such that the light having a particular wavelength, for example the ultraviolet ray, is applied to the recorded coloring layer. When the thermosensitive recording paper is exposed to an ordinary light source for a long time, its coloring properties are affected. Thus, the thermosensitive recording paper is contained in a light-shielding envelope, and this envelope is contained in a paper box.
When the printer is loaded with the recording paper, at first, a packing envelope is opened to take the paper package out of the envelope. Then, the recording package is set in a paper cassette. Further, this paper cassette is set in the printer.
In case of confirming an amount of the recording papers remaining in the paper cassette, it is necessary to take the paper package out of the paper cassette for observing it after the paper cassette has been taken out of the printer. This confirming work is troublesome. It is considered that a window for confirming the remaining amount of the recording papers is provided, such as a paper cassette in which an ordinary recording paper is contained. Through this window, the remaining amount of the recording papers may be directly observed. However, the thermosensitive recording paper has photosensitivity so that if the window for confirming the remaining amount is provided, the recording paper is exposed to the light. As a result, coloring properties of the recording paper are changed. Thus, it is not practical to confirm the remaining amount of the recording papers through the window. Moreover, the recording paper is thin so that a changing amount of the remaining amount is small when a change of the remaining amount is merely detected. Due to this, it is difficult to indicate the remaining amount with accuracy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an indicating device for a remaining amount of recording papers in which the remaining amount is indicated with accuracy in a state that light-shielding ability is kept.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide an indicating device for a remaining amount of recording papers in which the absence of the recording paper is surely represented.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide an indicating device for a remaining amount of recording papers in which the remaining amount can be easily confirmed.
In order to achieve the above and other objects, the indicating device according to the present invention comprises a remaining-amount detecting member and a remaining-amount indicating member.
The detecting member abuts on a recording paper contained in a paper cassette, and is moved in accordance with the remaining amount of the recording papers. The indicating member represents the remaining amount based on the movement of the detecting member.
It is preferable that the detecting member includes a lever section, the top of which abuts on the recording paper. The lever section is rotated in a thickness direction of the recording papers as the recording paper is used. Thus, the detecting member itself is also rotated in the thickness direction of the recording paper, and this rotation is transmitted to the indicating member.
The indicating member comprises an engaging section and an indicating section. The engaging section engages with the detecting member, and is integrally formed with the indicating section in an L-like shape. When the rotation of the detecting member is transmitted to the indicating member, the indicating section is moved more largely than the engaging section because a length of the indicating section is adapted to be longer than that of the engaging section.
An indicator is provided on the top of the indicating section. This indicator represents the remaining amount of the recording paper in accordance with the movement of the indicating section.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5150890 (1992-09-01), Kunikawa et al.
patent: 5177544 (1993-01-01), Kimura et al.
patent: 5448324 (1995-09-01), Okano et al.
patent: 5700003 (1997-12-01), Sung
patent: 5745158 (1998-04-01), Lee
patent: 6039315 (2000-03-01), Lim
patent: 6064829 (2000-05-01), Okutsu et al.
patent: 61-213169 (1986-09-01), None
Adams Russell
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Nguyen Hung Henry
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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