Abstract: In a cassette for a printer unit, comprising an endless ribbon to be provided with ink, means are provided for intermittently applying ink to said ribbon. These means for applying ink comprise a freely movable wheel enclosed between the ink source and the ribbon and between connecting elements of houding and/or cover of the cassette.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette having a casing with a releasable cover, includes a pulley mounted for rotation in the casing, key-means project beyond the casing of the cassette for engagement with an external drive, a pressure roller is rotatably mounted in the case, a slide movably mounts the pressure roller to obtain a first position of engagement with the pulley and a second retracted position, a projection on the slide is externally accessible through an opening in the casing for shifting the slide from the first to the second position and vice versa; an additional projection on said slide runs in another opening in the casing for guiding movement of the slide along a long wall of the cassette casing; a brake is also disposed in the cassette which holds a removable endless ink ribbon that is insertible and inserted in the casing and fills the casing essentially in its entirety, the ribbon runs through a gap between the pulley and the pressure roller on one hand and the brake on the other.

Abstract: A printer including a first and a second guide shaft which extend parallel to an elongate platen, to slidably support a carriage on which a print head is mounted. The second guide shaft is spaced by a greater distance away from the platen than the first guide shaft. An active length of a print ribbon is exposed outside a container of a ribbon cassette. A ribbon guide is supported by the second guide shaft pivotally about an axis of the second guide shaft, for supporting the active length of the ribbon so as to pass between the platen and the print head. The ribbon guide is pivoted by drive means, so that the active length of the print ribbon is moved relative to the print head and the platen, in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the platen.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing apparatus comprises a thermal printing head having heating elements, and a film nozzle member having a plurality of holes for holding an ink and a plurality of connecting grooves for connecting same of the plurality of holes, said plurality of connecting grooves being formed in a surface thereof opposing the heating elements of the thermal printing head. While the heating elements are selectively heated, bubbles are formed in the heated ink filled in the plurality of holes in the film nozzle member as it passes over the heating elements, said bubbles being formed adjacently to the heating elements, and the ink ejected from the plurality of holes by the pressure created by the bubbles is attached to a printing member conveyed near the film nozzle member in the vicinity of the thermal printing head, thereby performing printing.

Abstract: A fabric ribbon (13) is stuffed in a cartridge chamber (11). Two pinch rollers (35 and 39) are driven by a third roller (29). The direction for forces from the pinch rollers is toward a wall portion (9a), which is near an opening having a dam (ridge 67) which leads to chamber (74) have an exit slot (71) located near the wall portion (9a). The drive roller (29) is positioned to be located where the drive roller of an existing cartridge was located, making this cartridge interchangeable with a cartridge for a spool-to-spool ribbon.

Abstract: A cassette for an endless thermal ribbon utilized in a thermal printer with the ribbon being unwound from the inside diameter of a spool and rewound on the outside diameter of the spool. The ribbon is guided from the spool to effect an approximate 10 degree skew in its path past the thermal print head and then in contact with a ribbon drive roller prior to rewinding on the spool. A plurality of guide ribs are disposed in radial manner to guide and hold the ribbon in its winding and unwinding motion.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge comprises a housing including a main body with upper and lower substantially planar main surfaces and ribbon inlet and outlet apertures at one side of the main body and two ribbon guide arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the ribbon inlet and outlet apertures at the one side with the termini spaced apart to form a gap and such that the upper and lower surfaces of the ribbon guide arms at the termini thereof are higher than the upper and lower main surfaces respectively.

Abstract: A recording apparatus which is for filling recording ink in a film with numerous minute orifices and heating the ink rapidly with heating elements to spurt the ink from the orifices by means of the pressure of bubbles generated in heating to record data on a member to be recorded by use a source voltage from outside. The present recording apparatus comprises main switch for controlling the ON/OFF of the source voltage; sensor for detecting the ON/OFF state of said main switch; members for housing the film in a state of tight sealing; drive unit for variably controlling the motion of the film; sensor for detecting that the film is housed in said film housing member; a main power supply for supplying an operating power to at least said film motion drive unit by receiving the source voltage; and relay for shutting off the supply of the source voltage to said main power supply only when a detection signal is supplied from said film housing sensor.

Abstract: The cartridge comprises two arms situated on both sides of the cartridge y; each arm can occupy either a first, non-functional position (or storage position of the cartridge) or a second, functional position (or use position of the cartridge). Elastic tension means are provided to act on the ribbon to hold the latter taut whatever the functional or non-functional position occupied by the arms.

Abstract: A shell-type printing apparatus is equipped with a link mechanism for loading and unloading an inksheet cassette from the printing apparatus. The link mechanism comprises a support frame which supports an inksheet cassette and two pairs of links which have one end pivotably mounted on the base of the printing apparatus and the other end pivotably connected to the support frame. The link mechanism rotates the support frame between a first and a second position. In the first position, the support frame is disposed above and to the front of the base of the printing apparatus so that an inksheet cassette can be mounted on the support frame. In the second position, the support frame is disposed inside the base and the inksheet cassette is disposed in the proper position for printing.

Abstract: A transfer-type thermal printing device transfers the non-image portions of the inked side of the ribbon to an intermediate transfer medium. The remaining image portions of the inked side are then transferred to transfer paper at an image-transfer station using high pressure to improve the transfer. The back side of the ribbon which has already been used at the main transfer station can serve as the intermediate transfer medium.

Abstract: Grounding members are provided on support plates for an ink ribbon cassette, the support plates are secured to a chassis. The support plates and the chassis are both made of electrically conductive material. When an ink ribbon cassette is placed on the support plates, the grounding members contact the ink ribbon to ground static electricity.

Abstract: In a printer in which a plurality of holes to be filled with ink are formed in an ink film, selectively heating ink generates bubbles from the holes and ejects ink due to the pressure of bubbles, thus printing an image on a sheet. The printer includes a conveying mechanism for conveying the ink film and shut conveying unit for conveying the sheet to a position facing the heating elements through the ink film. The conveying mechanism feeds the ink film at a speed lower than a sheet conveying speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a newly re-coated continuous ribbon to a moving printhead carrier in a printer. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use in thermal printers having multicolored ribbons. The apparatus comprises a cartridge housing which is mounted on the printer frame, and which contains the ribbons. The newly re-coated ribbons exit the cartridge housing, become coupled to the moving printhead carrier, and then reenter the cartridge housing as used ribbon. The used ribbon passes a re-coating station where it is re-inked through contact with a donor ribbon and heated pressure rollers to become newly re-coated ribbon. A lift arm on the printhead carrier selects the desired colored ribbon which has been newly re-coated for printing.

Abstract: A serial printer having a platen (5) and a carriage (4) having a printer head (6) with a plurality of aligned print needles close to the platen (5) for mosaic printing is disclosed. According to the present invention, an ink ribbon is in a detachable ribbon cartridge (3) under tension, and the printer head (6) has a smooth slope at the top of the head (5) that slopes towards the platen, thus, when the ribbon cartridge is put on the printer, the ink ribbon is temporarily twisted at the top of the slope on the head (6), and by swinging the printer head (5) a few times along the platen (6), the ink ribbon (1) at the top of the slope slides down along the slope into the narrow gap between the head (6) and the platen (6), and thus, the ink ribbon (1) is positioned in front of the print needles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette with an impregnation device for printers, in which a container for the ink liquid has in its interior a threshold, across which flows the ink liquid at increased acceleration. One end of an extraction tube opens into the surface of the threshold, the other end of this tube terminating above and adjacent to a roller of sponge or felt. Efficaciously, the threshold forms part of a constriction, through which the ink liquid is urged. The constriction may be formed in that two cavities having narrowing cross-sections face each other or in that a tube is arranged in the container.

Abstract: The feeding of typewriter ribbons is improved by utilizing a cartridge carried driving element engaging the periphery of a translatable take-up spool where the driving element is driven by an interface connection with a driving member connected either directly or through a gear reduction train to a stepper motor. The simplified ribbon feed mechanism provides control over the increment of feed electronically as well as each ribbon cartridge carrying the appropriate gear reductions, if necessary, for different types of ribbons.

Abstract: A cartridge for a dye-impregnated endless ribbon includes a transport device disposed within the cartridge; the transport device includes a driving member having a surface, and a stationary member having another surface so that the surfaces define a passage for the ribbon. Friction-generating devices are disposed near the surface of at least one member and in contact with the ribbon, causing the ribbon to move only in one direction through the passage. A drive device is provided and may be operated to move the driving member with respect to the stationary member.

Abstract: A printer using a ribbon having an ink layer thermally transferable to a sheet of paper. The printer comprises a thermal print head having plural heat generating elements, and a carriage carrying the print head. The carriage is pivotable between its printing position at which the print head is in contact with the paper, and its release position at which the print head is spaced from the paper. The printer further comprises a ribbon cassette removably mounted on the carriage and accommodating a supply and a take-up spool. The ribbon from the supply spool is fed in contact with the sheet of paper relative to the ribbon cassette while the carriage is moved relative to the sheet of paper. The printer includes a stationary rack extending along the printing line, and a pinion rotatably supported on the carriage. The pinion which is connected to the take-up spool is engageable with the rack while the carriage is in the printing position.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding an ink ribbon for a printer, with top edges standing perpendicularly to and inclined forward toward the printing plane, over which the ink ribbon laid on flange plates which act as slides when fed further and threads in itself. At the same time means for the quick fixing of the print head are provided on the apparatus serving for the guiding of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A dispensing container for liquid wherein the total of all of the internal forces operating on the liquid and tending to cause it to flow from a passageway in the container is overcome when the container is at rest by the total external forces acting upon the container, but wherein the total internal forces exceed the external forces when the liquid within the container is placed in motion to cause the dispensing thereof.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for a matrix printer includes a capstan which is driven by an outboard gear accessible by a driver located on the printer from either the top or bottom. This allows cartridges to be closely stacked on a single carriage.

Abstract: An engage/disengage coupling between a drive and driven part for imparting rotational force without axial force components.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge mounting assembly includes a printer cartridge having a resilient cantilevered tab with a stepped surface which is arranged to push against a portion of a mounting bracket. The bracket also has an opening which accommodates a portion of the stepped surface, thereby locking the cartridge in place.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge having a supply spool (3) and a take-up spool hub (27) to receive ribbon (1). Ribbon guide arms (9) are pivoted on pins (62) on the wall (17) of the cartridge. Downward bias is provided by a single spring (11) in a housing (13). A central section (60 ) is biased by the spring (11). The central section (60) may be grasped to move the guide arms 9 upward.

Abstract: An improved, disposable inexpensive feed mechanism is uniquely incorporated in a cassette having a flexible or movable wall driven by contact with a moving printer carriage or the like. Friction facing of the moving wall cooperates with a fixed friction facing on an interiorly placed portion of a cassette wall with a ribbon between the two friction faces. The friction facing of the movable part has angled fiber elements that engage the ribbon in one direction but slip easily over the ribbon in the opposite direction. The moving printer carriage or the like contacts a movable portion of the cassette wall in each pass and indexes the ribbon slightly to provide a fresh supply across a platen. The platen may be integrally molded as a part of the cassette and can be made of plastic. The entire mechanism is disposable, is contained in a single clean package and is very low cost. No rollers, feed roll drives or motors are required.

Abstract: An improved, U-shaped printing ribbon cartridge adapted for use with either film or woven printing ribbons of widely varying thicknesses. The printing ribbon feeds from one terminal end of the cartridge, across the open mouth of the "U" wherein it may be contacted for printing and into the other terminal end of the cartridge. Within the base of the U-shaped cartridge, located to one side thereof, the ribbon passes between a toothed driving wheel and a meshing, toothed pinch wheel for advancing the ribbon under tension. The pinch wheel is pivotably mounted and spring loaded against the driving wheel. Bearings located about both terminal ends of the toothed segment of the driving wheel are received by apertures formed in opposite walls of the cartridge. The driving wheel may be rotated from outside the cartridge by a splined shaft inserted thereinto or turned manually by a conically-shaped terminal end thereof.

Abstract: A cassette comprises a casing (1) containing a delivery spool (2) and a receiving spool (4) co-operating with drive means. The ribbon (3) passes from the delivery spool (2) to the receiving spool (4) outside the casing (1). The delivery spool (2) is secured to a toothed wheel (20) which co-operates with a catch (23) of a part (21) biased by a spring (28). This part (21) in the form of a T, is pivotally mounted on the casing (1) at one of the upper ends of the arm or crosspiece of the T and carries return roller (24) at the other end of this arm around which roller the ribbon (3) is diverted in a manner to form a loop. The length of the upper arm of the part (21) is substantially twice as large as the distance separating the catch (23) of the pivot point of the part (21). This arrangement ensures a correct tension of the ribbon ( 3) at all times.

Abstract: An improved ribbon cartridge for use in impact printers, typewriters or the like, in which inked ribbon upon a supply spool and a take-up spool are enclosed within a housing with the center of each spool being supported for rotation and for floating movement along its own guide path. A guide capstan having a fixed center is also located within the housing. The supply spool is mounted upon a torsion arm for movement in an arcuate path and is urged toward and against the take-up spool which itself is constrained to move in a straight line between the takeup spool and the fixed center drive capstan. When the capstan is rotated by an external drive, it rotates the take-up spool in order to wind the inked ribbon thereupon while simultaneously unwinding ribbon from the supply spool.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for use in impact printers, typewriters or the like in which a supply spool and a take-up spool are enclosed in a housing with the center of each spool being supported for rotation and for floating movement along a guide path. A fixed center drive capstan imparts surface movement to the take-up spool which in turn imparts surface movement to the supply spool. A spring urges the surfaces of the spools together and the take-up spool against the drive capstan to effect the serial drive train.

Abstract: For use with a single spool stenotype machine having keys connected to an array of character members in a group adjacent an impression plane, a sealed cartridge and ribbon length which includes guide tracks to guide a ribbon from a spool rotatable in the cartridge past the impression plane and which spool is adapted to turn to move the ribbon past the impression plane and through the guide tracks.

Abstract: A cartridge for a dye-impregnated endless ribbon includes a transport device disposed within the cartridge; the transport device includes a driving member having a surface, and a stationary member having another surface so that the surfaces define a passage for the ribbon. Friction-generating devices are disposed near the surface of at least one member and in contact with the ribbon, causing the ribbon to move only in one direction through the passage. A drive device is provided and may be operated to move the driving member with respect to the stationary member.

Abstract: In a cartridge for an endless typewriter ribbon, a fresh ribbon is stored in the cartridge with a substantial length of ribbon wound in a convolute around a roller. When the cartridge is mounted in a printing apparatus, the ribbon is drawn from the cartridge, exhausting the convolute. When the cartridge is fully mounted in position in the printer, a single path of ribbon extends into the cartridge and through an opening along a chord of the roller and out from the cartridge. A brake is provided to limit motion of the roller so as to preclude premature unwinding of the convolute and to limit oscillation of the roller during operation of the printer. With the normal operating path of the ribbon extending through the chord-oriented slot of the roller, ribbon can readily be rewound onto the roller upon removal of the cartridge from the printer.

Abstract: In order to advance an inked ribbon in a printing apparatus in which a printing carriage mechanism moves across the width of a platen, one-way brakes are placed on ribbon guide rollers on the printing carriage mechanism to permit relative movement between the printing carriage mechanism and the inked ribbon as the printing carriage mechanism is advancing from left-to-right across the paper. One-way brakes are placed on return rollers in the ribbon path in order to prevent the inked ribbon from moving with respect to the platen as the printing carriage mechanism is moving from left-to-right across the paper. When the printing carriage mechanism moves from right-to-left in order to return to the left-hand margin, the one-way brakes on the ribbon guide rollers on the printing carriage mechanism apply substantial friction to the inked ribbon and drag the inked ribbon with the printing carriage mechanism as the printing carriage mechanism returns from right-to-left.

Abstract: A cartridge for the inked ribbon of a calculating or other office machine, of the type comprising a platen, a plurality of printing styli disposed in front of the platen at a short distance therefrom, a motive shaft, two fixed stops for transverse positioning of the cartridge with respect to the platen and a longitudinal positioning block. The cartridge comprises a container of substantially parallelepipedal form having a larger side provided with a recess defining two lateral arms. An inked ribbon closed in a loop is disposed inside the container and extends therein between an inking roller and a ribbon tensioning element. The ribbon has a substantially rectilinear portion which emerges from the said lateral arms and spans the recess, parallel to the larger side.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a supply of ribbon for typewriters or like machines. The cartridge includes an arm extending therefrom to guide the ribbon from the cartridge to the typewriter print point and to reverse the direction of the ribbon for guiding the ribbon back to the cartridge which is supported on a machine rigid frame on one side of the print point. The arm is provided in several embodiments of the invention, with a tab-like extension near its end to be engaged by the typewriter lift mechanism whereby it may be driven by the lift mechanism to carry the ribbon from a point adjacent the print point to the print point as a ribbon vibrator.

Abstract: A cartridge for an endless inked ribbon for printing office machines comprises a container in which are disposed separating elements which define a storage zone. An endless inked ribbon is disposed in loops and is distributed at random in the storage zone. The inked ribbon passes from a slit to the exterior of the storage zone and through one aperture to the exterior of the container. A section of the inked ribbon is twisted through 180.degree. to form a Mobius loop, by guide elements which localize the twisted section in a zone of the container outside the storage zone. The inked ribbon passes back into a container through a second aperture and returns to the interior of the storage zone through an opening thereof. At least one curved wall, adjacent to the slit, defines an housing for receiving any loop which have escaped from the slit for preventing a plurality of loops of the ribbon emerging simultaneously from the storage zone.

Abstract: A pack for an endless ink ribbon cartridge for high speed printer enabling easy loading and replacement of endless ink ribbon.