Abstract: A printer cartridge assembly includes an inking apparatus for receiving ink from an applicator and transferring the ink to a ribbon from an applicator via an inking pulley and belts. The inking apparatus includes a retainer carriage that is shaped to prevent ribbons from entangling in the apparatus, and drive, trailing and inking pulleys with connecting belts that hold the pulleys to the inking assembly so it can be conveniently handled during assembly. The trailing pulley is snap fitted into a notch in the retainer carriage and the inking pulley is retained in a notch in the retainer carriage by the interference of the trailing pulley with the inking pulley.

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.