Abstract: A printing system includes: a control unit; and a printing device including: a supply unit configured to be attached with a supply roll configured by an ink ribbon; a winding unit configured to be attached with a winding roll for winding the ink ribbon fed out from the supply roll; a ribbon motor configured to rotationally drive at least one of the supply unit and the winding unit; a thermal head configured to perform printing by heating the ink ribbon transported from the supply roll toward the winding roll by driving the ribbon motor; and a head drive source configured to move the thermal head. The control unit is configured to control the ribbon motor to decrease tension of the ink ribbon when the thermal head is moved in a first direction, in which the tension of the ink ribbon increases, with the head drive source.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a spool support (30) for supporting a tape spool (32), wherein the spool support comprises a support surface (34) mounted to a tape drive base plate (36) such that the support surface (34) is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate (36), the support surface (34) being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool (32), the spool (32) rotates relative to the spool support (30) such that the spool (32) rotates around the support surface (34).

Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a spool of label carrying web, a labelling station arranged to remove labels from a label carrying web supported by the supply spool, a take up spool support for supporting web from which labels have been removed, and a first motive apparatus for transporting web from the supply spool support to the take up spool support via the labelling station. The supply spool support, the labelling station and the take up spool support are mounted to a base plate. The base plate includes a first portion which supports the labelling station via a base of the labelling station such that the labelling station extends from the base plate in a first direction, and a second portion.

Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate. The printer comprises in a stepper motor having an output shaft coupled to the printhead, the stepper motor being arranged to vary the position of the printhead relative to a printing surface against which printing is carried out, and to control the pressure exerted by the printhead on the printing surface. The printer further comprises a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of the output shaft of the stepper motor. The printer further comprises a controller arranged to generate control signals for the stepper motor so as to cause a predetermined torque to be generated by the stepper motor; said control signals being at least partially based upon an output of said sensor.

Abstract: A tape cartridge mounted to a tape printer includes a ribbon feeding core on which an ink ribbon is wound so as to be capable of being fed and a ribbon winding core that winds the ink ribbon fed from the ribbon feeding core. In the tape cartridge, the ribbon feeding core includes a core body that winds the ink ribbon and a shaft engaging part formed at an end portion of the core body and engaged with a feeding-side driving shaft of the tape printer. The shaft engaging part protrudes in an axial direction of the core body from an end surface of the core body and is formed in a crown shape in which a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions are alternately arranged side by side in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A printer includes support members having a convex portion and a support hole as two support portions, and a shaft that includes, in both end portions thereof, a concave portion and a projection portion as supported portions engaging with the support members, respectively, and supports an ink ribbon, the convex portion is rotatable, the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion, the convex portion includes a portion having a pentagonal truncated pyramid liked shape extending in an axis direction, the concave portion includes an inner circumference surface having a polygonal liked shape corresponding to the number of corners of the portion having the truncated pyramid liked shape, and includes a coil spring that elastically displaces the shaft in which the concave portion is formed in a withdrawing direction.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including: a frame; a platen; a moving mechanism having a first roller, a second roller, and a supporting member rotatably supporting the first and second rollers; a motor; a transmitting mechanism connected to the motor and the moving mechanism; a clutch provided on the transmitting mechanism; a sensor detecting a position of the moving mechanism; and a controller. The controller executes: starting driving of the motor so that the motor is rotated toward the other direction in a state that conveyance of the print medium by an external apparatus is stopped and that the clutch is in a connected state; performing determination as to whether the moving mechanism is located at an end, on a second side in the specified direction, of the moving range; and stopping the rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.

Abstract: A print station system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the print station system.

Abstract: Systems and techniques relating to printing include an apparatus including a base mounting a storage spool to store printing ribbon including a web carrying marking medium, the base mounting a ribbon take-up spool. A ribbon path from the storage to the take-up spool runs through a printing station where there is a print head, and printing is effected at the printing station when relatively moving the head and the substrate with the ribbon interposed between. The apparatus includes a movable ribbon guide member, a ribbon guide member drive device to move the ribbon guide member, and a controller which, during or in between at least some printing operations, controls drive of at least the take-up spool to advance ribbon through the printing station. The controller controls the ribbon guide member in response to an input signal representative of ribbon tension along the ribbon path to adjust the ribbon tension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable and collapsible take-up core for a printer. The core is generally a hollow member having an interior bored mated to fit over a spindle. The core comprises a wall having an interior and exterior surface, at least one axially extending ridge formed on the interior surface of the wall of the core, and an axially extending relief groove formed on the exterior surface of the wall of the core. The take-up core of the present invention provides a more efficient, less time consuming, less messy method and device for unrolling the used or spent material off the core. A method for discarding spent material (i.e. release liner) from a core of a take-up assembly of a printer is also provided.

Abstract: A printer performs printing by transferring ink of an ink ribbon on which a plurality of color inks is sequentially arranged to paper, and the printer includes a paper conveyance unit configured to convey paper, an ink ribbon conveyance unit configured to be driven by the same drive source as that of the paper conveyance unit and convey the ink ribbon only in a printing direction, and a detection unit configured to detect a marker for detecting the top of color inks provided on the ink ribbon, wherein a marker of a specific color ink of the ink ribbon includes marker pieces, the number of which is greater than that of the other markers.

Abstract: A carbon ribbon recovery device includes a carbon ribbon supply roller (100) and a carbon ribbon recovery roller (200).

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer medium conveying device conveys an intermediate transfer medium by a drive force of one DC motor, in a normal feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a winding reel and in a reverse feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a feeding reel. The intermediate transfer medium conveying device includes a winding shaft that drives the winding reel during normal feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the normal feed direction, a feeding shaft driving the feeding reel during reverse feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse feed direction, transmission means for normal feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the winding shaft during the normal feed, and transmission means for reverse feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the feeding shaft during the reverse feed.

Abstract: A tape drive (10) and a method of operation of the tape drive (10), including obtaining the circumferences of a pair of spools of tape (30, 32), the pair of spools (30, 32) including a supply spool (30) upon which tape is initially wound, and a take-up spool (32) for receiving tape unwound from the supply spool (30), each spool (30, 32) being mounted upon a respective rotatable spool support (12, 14) which is mounted in a housing (11), such that tape extends along a tape path between the spools (30, 32), there being provided a sensor assembly (16), the method including rotating the take-up spool support (14)and the supply spool support (12) simultaneously, so as to feed tape from the supply spool (30) into the tape path, and to wind tape on to the take-up spool (32) from the tape path, determining a length of tape fed into the tape path by the supply spool (30) during a measurement period using the sensor assembly (16), monitoring the angle through which each of the spool supports (12, 14) has rotated during

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A printer using a thermal head to sublime ink on an ink ribbon includes a cylindrical ribbon core around which the ink ribbon is wound, a rotating shaft to rotate the ribbon core, first and second magnets to generate magnetic force lines in a space surrounded by an inner peripheral face of the ribbon core, and a magnet sensor located in the space to detect the magnetic force lines generated by the first and second magnets only when the magnetic force lines are set in prescribed directions by rotation of the ribbon core. The ribbon core includes a cylindrical outer core with an outside peripheral surface around which the ink ribbon is wound and a cylindrical inner core with an outside peripheral surface to which the first and second magnets are fixed. The inner core with the first and second magnets fixed thereto is installed inside the outer core.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A method of forming an image on a transfer sheet based on electronic data uses an image forming device and an ink ribbon cartridge. An ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge has a plurality of ink films formed thereon with boundary lines being provided between the ink films. In the image forming method, the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge is conveyed when the power to the image forming device is turned on and the ink ribbon cartridge is installed in the image forming device and before the user inputs the image forming instruction. While the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge is conveyed, it is determined with a boundary line detecting unit whether at least one of the boundary lines formed on the ink ribbon has reached a predetermined position in the image forming device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable and collapsible take-up core for a printer. The core is generally a hollow member having an interior bored mated to fit over a spindle. The core comprises a wall having an interior and exterior surface, at least one axially extending ridge formed on the interior surface of the wall of the core, and an axially extending relief groove formed on the exterior surface of the wall of the core. The take-up core of the present invention provides a more efficient, less time consuming, less messy method and device for unrolling the used or spent material off the core. A method for discarding spent material (i.e. release liner) from a core of a take-up assembly of a printer is also provided.

Abstract: A printer performs printing by transferring ink of an ink ribbon on which a plurality of color inks is sequentially arranged to paper, and the printer includes a paper conveyance unit configured to convey paper, an ink ribbon conveyance unit configured to be driven by the same drive source as that of the paper conveyance unit and convey the ink ribbon only in a printing direction, and a detection unit configured to detect a marker for detecting the top of color inks provided on the ink ribbon, wherein a marker of a specific color ink of the ink ribbon includes marker pieces, the number of which is greater than that of the other markers.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A printing apparatus configured to transfer ink on a color ink ribbon to a print medium to thereby create a color photographic print, includes: a ribbon switching rotary mechanism into which a plurality of the color ink ribbons are loaded, and the mechanism configured to set a desired one of the color ink ribbons to a photographic printing position; a ribbon detection device configured to detect the color ink ribbons loaded into the mechanism, the ribbon detection device detecting whether the desired and set color ink ribbon is a single-color ribbon or a multi-color ribbon; a ribbon head-detecting device configured to perform head-detecting of the multi-color ribbon in a case where the multi-color ribbon is loaded into the mechanism; and a control device configured to control the mechanism and the ribbon head-detecting device so as to suit each of a time of photographic printing using the single-color ribbon and a time of photographic printing using the multi-color ribbon.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus capable of inhibiting a take-up member from falling without separately providing a stop member is obtained. This image generating apparatus includes a take-up member for taking up an ink sheet, including a spring mount portion, a rotary shaft rotatably inserted into the take-up member, a spring member for regulating the take-up member to rotate only in a take-up direction, mounted on the spring mount portion of the take-up member, and a spring engaging portion engaged with a first end of the spring member. The spring mount portion of the take-up member is integrally provided with a stop portion for inhibiting the spring member from falling.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having a configuration in which a drive power of one motor is transmitted to a platen roller and a ribbon conveying mechanism can be easily assembled. The printer has: (a) a printing medium feed reel, (b) a ribbon feed reel, (c) a platen roller, (d) a thermal head, (e) a ribbon conveying roller, (f) a ribbon take-up reel, (g) a motor that drives the platen roller, (h) a rotary drive mechanism that transmits a drive power of the motor to the ribbon conveying roller via a first belt and transmits a drive power of the motor to the ribbon take-up reel via the first belt and a second belt, and (i) a tension unit comprising a plurality of pulleys that are in contact with the first and second belts and rotate following the movement thereof, a plurality of elastic members that adjust positions of the plurality of pulleys so as to apply tension to the first and second belts, and a plurality of fixing members that fix the positions of the plurality of pulleys.

Abstract: A carbon ribbon recovery device includes a carbon ribbon supply roller (100) and a carbon ribbon recovery roller (200).

Abstract: Magnetic force lines 51 are generated in the direction from a first limited portion 52 of an inside peripheral face 50a of a ribbon-delivering cylindrical core 50 toward an opposing second limited portion 54. A first magnet is fixed at the first limited portion: a second magnet is fixed at the opposing second limited portion. With the ink ribbon cassette 40 set in a main body of a printer 10, a magnetic sensor 24 takes the position in the middle of the inside of the ribbon-delivery core 50, and detects the magnetic force line 51.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette in which an ink ribbon used to form an image on a print medium is stored includes a cylindrical ribbon core around which the ink ribbon is wound, and a first magnet and a second magnet each configured to generate a magnetic force line in a space of the ribbon core. The ribbon core includes a cylindrical outer core and a cylindrical inner core inserted inside the cylindrical outer core. The inner core has an outside peripheral surface to which the first and second magnets are fixed, and an inner peripheral surface for forming the space where the magnetic force line is formed. The outer core has an outside peripheral surface around which the ink ribbon is wound, and an inner peripheral surface to which the outside peripheral surface with the first and second magnets fixed thereto is installed.

Abstract: A ribbon supply shaft drive motor (8) and a ribbon take-up shaft drive motor (10) are drivingly controlled separately. If the state of a ribbon is not changed after a control cycle is repeated for a set time, the rotational speed of the drive motors (8, 10) is increased step by step.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A printing apparatus configured to carryout a plurality of printing operations. The apparatus comprises a tape drive comprising two motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energisation of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the of a characteristic of said tape, the characteristic being affected by operation of the tape drive, determine whether said value satisfies a predetermined criterion, and if said value does not satisfy said predetermined criterion, to provide a predetermined control signal, said predetermined control signal being configured to affect said characteristic of said tape.

Abstract: A trip recorder having an open or openable housing, in which a printing device comprising a thermoprinting strip and a receptacle for a roll, rotatable about an axis of rotation, of a ribbon-like print material printable by the printing device are disposed. The thermoprinting strip is parallel to and opposite a transport roller rotatably drivable about a roller axis, by which the print material fed past the thermoprinting strip can be applied against the thermoprinting strip. The region of the receptacle of the printable print material is accessible from the outside. The housing has an opening facing an operator side. The thermoprinting strip is disposed in a stationary manner in the housing and the transport roller can be lifted away from the thermoprinting strip. The axis of rotation of the roll of printable print material and the transport roller are directed toward the operator side.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge including a cartridge frame, take-up shaft connecting members, and supply shaft connecting members is provided. The take-up shaft connecting members support and rotatably connect ends of a take-up shaft to the cartridge frame and the supply shaft connecting members support and rotatably connect ends of a supply shaft to the cartridge frame. At least one of the supply shaft connecting members includes a rotation member, an intermediate body, an urging member, and a spool portion, the spool portion is arranged substantially inside the supply shaft. The intermediate body is arranged between a portion of an inner surface of the rotation member and a portion of an outer surface of the cartridge frame, and the urging member is arranged substantially inside at least one of the spool portion and the rotation member and urges the inner surface of the rotation member closer to the outer surface of the cartridge frame.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A printer for printing individual sheets from a continuous feed roll includes a housing configured for receipt of a feed roll of sheet material, and a print mechanism disposed within the housing, whereby the sheet material is conveyed within the housing to print mechanism. A sheet separating device is disposed within the housing downstream of the print mechanism to separate the sheet material into individual printed sheets. A discharge assembly is disposed downstream of the sheet separating device and defines a gap through which the sheet material is advanced. At least one protruding member is disposed in the gap at a position so as to contact and deflect the sheet material and to impart a curved transverse profile to a trailing edge of a first individual sheet held in the gap. In this manner, a leading edge of a subsequent sheet bisects the curved trailing edge of the first sheet and pushes the first sheet out of the gap as the second sheet is advanced through the print mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amorphous ribbon take-up roll switching and method which use a take-up device provided with a plurality of take-up rolls magnetized on their surfaces so as to take up an amorphous alloy ribbon during which it is possible to simply and inexpensively switch take-up rolls stably without ribbon breaking, uneven take-up, or other trouble regardless of the amount of take-up, that is, a method of taking up amorphous ribbon having a magnetic property cast using a cooling roll by using two or more take-up rolls, which amorphous ribbon switching method characterized by, when switching the take-up rolls, bringing the amorphous ribbon into contact with the next take-up roll and cutting the amorphous ribbon being taken up in the state with the next take-up roll brought into proximity with the cooling roll or separating the next take-up roll and the cooling roll and cutting the amorphous ribbon between the take-up roll and the next take-up roll.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for monitoring and determining the amount of ribbon on a supply spool used in a printer. The system and method monitor the rotation of a drive motor to determine a change in useful life that is then used to update the ribbon cartridge useful life that is stored on a ribbon cartridge memory device of the ribbon cartridge. Rotation of the supply spool or take-up spool may be used to estimate the ribbon cartridge useful life when the stored ribbon cartridge useful life is undefined or inaccurate.

Abstract: A printing mechanism is provided for a barcode printer and includes a frame, a printing head, a carbon ribbon axle, and a carbon ribbon collection axle. The frame is mounted to an upper end portion of an upper casing member. The printing head is mounted in the frame to effect printing of labels. The carbon ribbon axle is arranged in a lower portion of the frame and is located below the printing head for connecting and retaining a carbon ribbon that supplies a toner required for carrying out the printing of the labels by the printing head. The carbon ribbon collection axle is arranged in an upper portion of the frame and is located above the printing head in an arrangement that is reversed to the carbon ribbon axle to allow the carbon ribbon from the carbon ribbon axle to be rolled up in the carbon ribbon collection axle after the printing operation carried out by the printing head.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A rotary-torque adjuster that adjusts rotary torque of a rotational member includes a rotary shaft, the rotational member secured to the rotary shaft and rotating integrally with the rotary shaft, a plurality of clutch disks rotatably attached to the rotary shaft, a driver that drives the clutch disks, a plurality of presser components attached to the rotary shaft and rotating integrally with the rotary shaft, the presser components sandwiching opposite surfaces of the clutch disks by a predetermined pressure, and a drive transmission unit that makes a selection from among the plurality of clutch disks so as to transmit a driving force from the driver to the selected one or more clutch disks. The drive transmission unit changes the selection of the clutch disks to which the driving force from the driver is to be transmitted so as to change the rotary torque of the rotational member.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette structure is provided. The provided ribbon cassette structure includes a cartridge having at least a rotating structure. The rotating structure includes a first actuating element, a first connecting element, a second actuating element and a support shaft. The first connecting element is located between the first actuating element and the second actuating element, and the second actuating element is located between the first actuating element and the support shaft.

Abstract: A rotational torque adjustment apparatus is used to adjust the rotational torque of a rotational member secured to a rotational shaft for integrally rotating with the rotational shaft. The rotational torque adjustment apparatus includes a friction member for contacting with the rotational member to apply a frictional load to the rotational member, a brake member for holding the frictional member thereon, a pressing member for pressing the friction member held on the brake member with a predetermined pressure against the rotational member, and a guide section for holding the brake member for movement thereon. The brake member is moved in a radial direction of the rotational member along the guide section to vary the rotational torque of the rotational member.

Abstract: Incorporates means for maintaining a constant tension in the printing ribbon (3) consisting of a loading drum (9-9') placed after the thermal print head (1) that attracts the ribbon to define a loop, thereby maintaining a constant tension throughout the printing stage to ensure the quality of this operation. The printing method consists of attracting or suctioning the printing ribbon (1) against the loading drum (9-9'), using an electrostatic system that involves creating an electric field between conductors (10) placed on the loading drum (9), or a pneumatic system that involves attracting the ribbon (1) by Venturi tubes (17) located inside the loading drum (9').