Abstract: A thermal printer accepting an ink ribbon cartridge includes a chassis, a thermal head secured to the chassis and a platen roller which is rotatably supported in the chassis and swingably movable relative to the thermal head. The platen roller is rotated by a first platen driving mechanism and is moved toward and away from the thermal head by a second platen driving mechanism. When the platen roller is moved to contact the thermal head via an ink ribbon intervened therebetween, an image is printed on a printing medium fed between the platen roller and the ink ribbon. The printer accomplished aligned overprinting on the printing medium via a paper supply mode, a printing mode, a paper retract mode and a paper discharge mode effected by the first and second platen driving mechanisms.

Abstract: A C-shaped adapter for mounting on a spool on which a web of material is to be wound shortens the effective winding width of the spool. The adapter has a web-blocking portion which blocks the web by forming a flange. A holding portion positions the web-blocking portion on the spool. A lug on the adapter mates with a depression in the spool to prevent axial movement of the adapter along the spool. The web-blocking portion includes a body and two arms which extend from opposite sides of the body. The holding portion includes an open circular portion terminating in two legs which fit around the spool to secure the adapter to the spool.

Abstract: A film spool comprises a spool core provided with a coaxial opening adapted to receive a rotational driver rotatable alternatively in film winding and unwinding directions to similarly rotate the spool core. The spool core includes first and second torque transmission devices. The first torque transmission devices projects into the core opening to be located in the way of the rotational driver, when the driver is rotated inside the core opening in the film unwinding direction, for making the driver rotate the spool core in the film unwinding direction responsive to the driver applying an unwinding turning force to the first torque transmission devices, and is capable of being deformed out of the way of the driver, when the unwinding turning force the driver applies to the first torque transmission devices exceeds a maximum force greater than required to rotate the spool core in the film unwinding direction, for allowing the driver to freely rotate inside the core opening in the film unwinding direction.

Abstract: A cassette (10) has a tubular web core (12) onto which is wound a web (14) of photosensitive material to form a web roll. The web roll is housed within a substantially rectangular jacket (16) which has an exit slot (20) extending substantially from one side edge of the jacket (16) through which the web (14) may be drawn from the cassette (10). Moreover, cassette (10) comprises a pair of end caps (22) having tubular hub members (25) insertable into opposite ends of tubular core opening (39) defined by sleeve portion (38) of tubular web core (12) for rotatably supporting tubular web core (12). In the preferred embodiment, each hub member (25) has at least one flexible lock (44) at the free end thereof such that when the flexible lock (44) rotatably engages core grooves (36), separation of the end caps (22) from the jacket (16) is prevented.

Abstract: A cassette casing adapted to house a replaceable ribbon including spaced spool carrier shafts rotatably mountable within the casing, at least one of the shafts being retractable from the casing in an axial direction and a device to lock the shaft against retraction. The casing also includes a device providing a guide path for the ribbon to travel from one spool to another, and a loading aperture in the casing through which at least one removable spool may be inserted into the cassette in a direction transverse to the axis thereof to be suitably positioned for insertion of the retractable spool carrier shaft into or retraction of the shaft from the bore of the spool.