Abstract: A long-life inking cassette is provided wherein an inkable ribbon is pumped into a ribbon storage zone by a pair of textured nip rollers. The ribbon is drawn from storage, rotated 180.degree., re-inked, and passed at an angle and under tension past a print head before being returned to the nip rollers. A pair of dams are positioned to contact opposed edges of the ribbon as the ribbon leaves the storage zone to prevent folds of the ink ribbon from passing outwardly from the storage zone. Means are provided to amplify the drag on the ribbon between a dispensing pin at the outlet of the storage zone and an end of a first leg of the cassette. The drag amplification causes the ribbon to be taut when drawn past the printhead.

Abstract: A stacking machine stacks sheet-like articles such as tickets, labels, cards, etc. A pair of transport belts move the articles to a stacking area in front of a pair of continuously reciprocating pusher plates. One or more pusher feet on each pusher plate apply a pushing force to each article for pushing it onto a stack that accumulates in the stacking area. The pusher feet are pivotally secured to the pusher plates so they can freely rotate between an operative position and an inoperative position. The articles are fed to the pusher plates by pressure rollers for applying an upward force to the articles to move them in series into a stacking position. Any contact between the pusher feet and the articles being moved by the pressure rollers will move the pusher feet into the inoperative position in which they are disabled from applying a pushing force, even during the forwardmost stroke of the pusher plates.