Abstract: A platen assembly for an ink jet printer and method of operating an ink jet printer. The platen assembly includes a platen member having at least one channel therein for receiving a rotatable platen rod and a skive residing in the channel adjacent to the rotatable platen rod. The skive has an edge thereof engaging a surface of the rotatable platen rod and removing debris therefrom. A slot is provided through the bottom wall of the channel for allowing debris removed from the rotatable platen rod to pass there through and out of the channel. A control unit is provided for controlling operation of a motor used to rotated the platen rod at desired times.

Abstract: An imprinting system with a typeface for transferring ink from an inked ribbon onto a substrate including a first resilient member having an exposed surface located opposite the typeface, and the inked ribbon and substrate disposeable between the typeface and the first resilient member. The first resilient member is mounted on a first rigid member which is supported by a second resilient member supported by a second rigid member. The first resilient member has a durometer hardness greater than a hardness of the second resilient member, wherein the second resilient member is compressible between the first rigid member and the second rigid member to absorb shock from the typeface impacting against the first resilient member during imprinting.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided which utilizes rolling pressure contact for printing, and includes a plurality of sets of serially arranged character elements mounted for movement on the external surface of a printing drum. Movement of the sets to place a desired character into printing position is accomplished by controlling the speed of a motor driving a pulley connected by cable to a given character set, relative to the speed of a motor driving the printing drum in rotational movement.

Abstract: A printing apparatus of the type having a printing station, a printing force exerting and resisting means, an image carrier and a font element with a raised character and a tape-ribbon cartridge therefor. The improvement of the present invention relates to an improved device for exerting a printing force and an improved tape-ribbon cartridge for supplying tape and ribbon to the printing station and for guiding and supporting the font element into printing alignment.

Abstract: An improved force exerting means for a printing apparatus of the type having a printing station, a printing force resisting means, a front element and an image carrier wherein said improved force exerting means includes a curved force exerting surface, a means for guiding and supporting the curved surface in rolling movement relative to a printing station between first and second positions such that a printing force is exerted against successive portions of a printing surface, and means for moving the curved surface in rolling movement between said first and second positions.