Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge holds an ink ribbon impregnated with ink. A casing includes two guide portions projecting from the casing. An ink ribbon formed in a Mobius loop, the ink ribbon including a width, the ink ribbon including a first half of the width and a second half of the width, the ink ribbon being housed in the casing and exiting the casing from a free end of one of the two guide portions and entering the casing from a free end of the other of the two guide portions. An ink supplying section supplies ink to the ink ribbon at an area in the first half of the width, the area being directly facing the casing between the two guide portions.

Abstract: A method relating to ascertaining and adjusting friction between media pages in a document feeder. The method includes: detecting slipping of a media page when traversing from a stack of media pages to passing through a path defined by the document feeder; and sending a signal to a fluid-containing cartridge to spray small drops of fluid onto the slipping media page soon after the slipping is detected while the media page passes through the document feeder. A system and apparatus are also associated with the above method.

Abstract: An ink density closed loop control system for an ink ribbon of an impact printer having a reservoir roller formed of an ink absorbent material with at least one or more channels within the reservoir roller fluidly connected to a pump and ink supply. A transfer roller can contact the reservoir roller for imparting ink to the ink ribbon. A sensor senses the relative amount of ink on the print ribbon and an electrical drive responsive to the sensor drives the pump for a flow of ink to the one or more channels. The sensor can sense ink on different segments of the ribbon and, with two or more channels in the reservoir roller can distribute ink to two or more segments of the reservoir roller depending upon the ink sensed at a particular segment of the ribbon. A further enhancement of this invention provides a multi-viscosity ink to compensate for changes in ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for reinking a ribbon of a printer ribbon cartridge provides a selected reinking pattern across the width of the ribbon. A porous member in contact with a source of ink has a height equal to a distance between a first edge of the ribbon and a distal edge of a double strike zone of the ribbon. The porous member is in contact with a transfer roller, which in turn is in contact with the ribbon. The ribbon moves through the printer cartridge along a path of a Mobius loop. As the ribbon passes the transfer roller for the first time, ink is provided to a single strike zone and to the double strike zone of the ribbon. As the ribbon passes the transfer roller for the second time, the ribbon is reversed given the pattern of the Mobius loop, and ink is provided again to the double strike zone, as well as to the other single strike zone. Twice as much ink is therefore applied to the double strike zone as to each of the single strike zones.

Abstract: A printer and ribbon cassette with gears for transmitting power from the drive motor of the printer to the ribbon cassette. Guides are provided for guiding the ribbon cassette in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the gears, so that the ribbon cassette slides easily into place and the gears engage easily, but the gears are tightly engaged.

Abstract: A point of sale printer ink cartridge includes a mobius loop endless ribbon with at least two ply of woven twisted nylon fabric sealed along lengthwise edges with or without a third ink absorbing layer interposed between the two ply of nylon yielding synergistic ink capacity increases, long print life, long ribbon durability, and increased butt weld strength of the ends of the ribbon.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette used for both a fabric ribbon and a film ribbon has a first slit through which a fabric ribbon is passed and a second slit through which a film ribbon is passed, the slits being provided in a wall member which partitions a downstream end of a ribbon storage chamber for storing an endless ink ribbon in a meandering state. The second slit is disposed upwardly of the first slit, and a rib for applying a load to the travel of the fabric ribbon is formed on a bottom surface in the vicinity of the upstream side of the first slit at the same position as the second slit or downstream thereto. The second slit is provided at a position biased in a direction opposite to a projecting direction of the pull-out arm and the pull-in arm from the transversely central position of the ribbon storage chamber.

Abstract: A typewriter or printer ribbon with separate inked strips which extend in the longitudinal direction of the ribbon, and which are applied on a common, homogeneous support film. The inked strips are disposed on the front and back of the support film, perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the film, alternately offset to one another at equal intervals in such a manner that the back surface of the support film, which is opposite the coated side, is not coated. A method of manufacturing the typewriter or printer ribbon, wherein a wide support film is coated with several inked strips and then cut into suitable ribbons so that the inked strips are disposed on only one half of the front and only one one half of the back of the support film.

Abstract: A printer has one or more tractor sets for continuously feeding paper along first and second paper paths. One tractor set may be pivoted between positions for feeding paper from the front or bottom of the printer along the first paper path. Where one tractor set is used, it may be removed from the first feed path and disposed along the second paper path to feed paper along the second paper path for printing. Where two tractor sets are provided, the second set is disposed along the second paper path to feed the paper along the second path for printing. The tractor sets are detachable and usable in each of the three tractor set feed positions. Other features include eccentric bearings, resilient roller assemblies, an integrally molded mainframe and a cartridge assembly having a one-way ribbon advance clutch and a tensioning device before the mobius loop.

Abstract: A re-inkable ribbon cartridge for impact computer printers featuring duel re-inking rollers of sufficiently small diameter so as to insure rapid rotational speed, ensuring that centrifugal force will cause the ink to migrate to the outer roller surface. A single re-inking port axially positioned over each of the two rollers, permitting rapid, single-point re-inking, when needed.A radially rotational plate on which the blotting rollers are positioned which by spring tension moves so as to keep the ribbon taut.A two-member parallel dam with the surface of each dam component at over-lapping elevations so as to provide two surfaces to act as an unfurling structure.

Abstract: A ribbon movement controlling cartridge includes a smudge guard/ribbon guide which contains exposed ribbon in a fixed stationary position during cartridge transportation and storage. When the guide is engaged with a printhead, it releases ribbon passage therethrough and acts as a smudge guard/ribbon guide during normal cartridge usage. A Mobius loop forming structure (along a first path for fabric ribbons) includes a central aperture therethrough so as to alternately permit direct non-inverting ribbon passage through the same structure along a second path intersecting the first path, for carbon film-type ribbons. A limited usage metering and self-stopping mechanism insures against over-extended usage of the cartridge. A unique key locking tab arrangement permits a proper cartridge to be positively engaged with a printer while also permitting easy disengagement for cartridge removal and replacement.

Abstract: An endless inked ribbhon provided in a case is twisted in the form of a Mobius band. An inverting device is provided in the case for inverting the inked ribbon, and a reinking device is provided adjacent the inverting device for supplying ink to a lower half portion of the ribbon. The upper half portion of the ribbon, which has been supplied with the ink during the preceding cycle of the operation of the ribbon, is used for printing dots on paper.

Abstract: In a cassette for a printer unit, comprising an endless ribbon to be provided with ink, means are provided for intermittently applying ink to said ribbon. These means for applying ink comprise a freely movable wheel enclosed between the ink source and the ribbon and between connecting elements of houding and/or cover of the cassette.

Abstract: A ribbon stabilizer or guide member is provided in a ribbon reversing section of a ribbon cassette to prevent adverse twisting of the ribbon and to correct irregular twisting thereof and to maintain the normal reverse action or operation of the ribbon in its travel through the cassette.

Abstract: The inked ribbon cartridge comprises an endless ribbon, an elongated housing for the ribbon, a first laterally extending finger at on end of the housing, a longitudinally slidable arm at the other end of the housing carrying a second finger disposed generally parallel to the first finger. A drive wheel is located behind the ribbon and is rotatable for withdrawing ribbon from the front section and is operative to create folds in the used ribbon and to stuff the folds of ribbon between the drive wheel and the ribbon. A fixedly mounted stripper ring encircles the drive wheel and carries a stripper foot to strip the ribbon from the wheel. At the exit port are three aligned support members with the middle support member being over center with respect to the other two. A leaf spring member is located in contact with all three support members. The ribbon passes between one of the support members and the spring.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette with re-inking mechanism includes a removable ink supply tank having a low density ink element and a high density ink element, and an ink transfer roller engaging the high density ink element and having an uneven surface on the periphery thereof for carrying ink in controlled manner from the high density ink element to the ribbon.

Abstract: Inked ribbon storage and transport mechanism for electronic printers for economical ribbon positioning and inversion.

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 lightweight, inexpensive and yet highly reliable, fully self-contained cartridge for inked ribbons having a drive assembly which "stuffs" the inked ribbon into the ribbon storage region in a full-fan-fold fashion. The storage region is substantially U-shaped and the size of the storage region, coupled with the full-fan-fold configuration of the ribbon provides a significant increased ribbon packing density. The U-shaped storage region substantially surrounds and embraces the print head, making efficient use of the central region of the cartridge.The outfeed end of the ribbon storage region is provided with a pair of posts and terminating projections which are spaced relative to one another so as to accommodate ribbon folds in the spaced regions as the ribbon is being fed to enable the ribbon to be moved across the printing location in a smooth manner.Drive means are provided to assure that the portion of the ribbon being "stuffed" into the storage region retains the full-fan-fold arrangement.

Abstract: An improved, U-shaped printing ribbon cartridge adapted for use with either film or woven printing ribbons of widely varying thicknesses. The printing ribbon feeds from one terminal end of the cartridge, across the open mouth of the "U" wherein it may be contacted for printing and into the other terminal end of the cartridge. Within the base of the U-shaped cartridge, located to one side thereof, the ribbon passes between a toothed driving wheel and a meshing, toothed pinch wheel for advancing the ribbon under tension. The pinch wheel is pivotably mounted and spring loaded against the driving wheel. Bearings located about both terminal ends of the toothed segment of the driving wheel are received by apertures formed in opposite walls of the cartridge. The driving wheel may be rotated from outside the cartridge by a splined shaft inserted thereinto or turned manually by a conically-shaped terminal end thereof.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for use in a high speed band printer includes a body having a ribbon storage compartment where the ribbon is contained in a multiplicity of serpentine folds. The body has a ribbon inlet and an outlet end and guide arms extend from the inlet and outlet ends to guide the endless ribbon into and out of the cartridge and to define an exposed loop of the ribbon between the outermost end of the guide arms. The outlet end and outlet arm of the cartridge is formed to define a ribbon inverting device which serves to invert the ribbon 180.degree. each time the ribbon passes through the device.

Abstract: A continuous ink ribbon cassette for, for example, a serial printer in which a ribbon is kept in stacked loops in a vertical housing and is twisted on leaving and re-entering the housing so as to bring it into a vertical plan as it passes a print head. The ribbon leaves the housing through an opening at one end and passes round a vertical roller at the other end. After passing the print head, the ribbon is returned to the housing via a second vertical roller at the opposite end and an opening at the opposite end. The ribbon thus executes a figure 8 configuration and has the entire length of the housing in which to change its attitude from horizontal to vertical or from vertical to horizontal.

Abstract: A printing ribbon guiding and re-inking means is positioned to guide a continuous looped printing ribbon through a 180.degree. twist between the exit and entry points of a ribbon cartridge. The guiding and re-inking means includes a twist-locator or arrestor comprising a pair of opposing elongated flanges, for passing a ribbon therebetween, positioned between the exit and entry points of the ribbon cartridge to positively locate the twist in the ribbon in a particular area along its path of travel. This prevents movement of the twist into other areas and other ribbon-carrying mechanisms, where the twist could cause jamming or undesirable ribbon twisting. A spool support means integrally coupled to the flanges carries a re-inking spool which both applies ink to the ribbon and guides the ribbon between the flanges and the cartridge. The spool orients the transverse position of the ribbon to be substantially the same as the transverse position of the ribbon at the entry to the cartridge.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge is detachably connectable to a high speed band printer. The cartridge includes a body which has a ribbon storage compartment where the ribbon is contained in a multiplicity of serpentine folds. The body has a ribbon inlet end and outlet end, and guide arms extend from the inlet and outlet ends to guide the endless ribbon to define an exposed loop of the ribbon between the outermost ends of the guide arms. The exposed loop is positioned in the printer adjacent the paper to enable the ribbon to be impacted by appropriate printing characters. The body includes an opening which receives the ribbon drive rollers of the printer in a manner which engages the ribbon and advances it progressively. Adjacent the inlet end of the body, and in the region of the opening, the device includes a ribbon control assembly which cooperates with the rollers to assure proper threading of the ribbon between the rollers as well as to minimize any tendency for the ribbon to jam in the machine or in the cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge which contains an inked ribbon for use in a high speed printer such as a wire matrix printer and typically driven by a capstan of the printer. The ribbon is arranged in the form of a mobius loop and the cartridge is constructed in a minimal number of components including a cartridge cover and cartridge base together forming a compartment for most of the loop, and a slotted pinch roller. The cover includes an integral pinch roller support post and part of the means for controlling the twist in the mobius loop. The base includes an integral ribbon peeler associated with the pinch roller and the other part of the control means for the loop twist. The cover and base are provided with ribbon guide means to support the ribbon only along a section thereof between the egress and ingress of the loop to the compartment, leaving a relatively long, linear portion of the ribbon unsupported by the cartridge, thus enabling use of the cartridge either in a stationary position or piggybacked to the printing head.

Abstract: An ink ribbon unit for printers in which the inking roller is selectively brought into engagement with the ribbon thereby to avoid over-inking.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge arranged to house an endless band of ribbon formed in a mobius loop which enables different halves of the width of the ribbon to be presented for printing during successive cycles of the ribbon past a printing position.The ends of the ribbon are joined in a lap splice so that the cut end of the half of the ribbon presented for printing trails as it passes the printing position.

Abstract: A cartridge for an inked ribbon for printing machines, in particular wire printers, comprises a container and a pair of rollers for the feeding of the ribbon. The container comprises a storage zone, in which an inked ribbon is disposed in loops and is distributed at random, and a guide zone which surrounds the printing head of the machine. The guide zone comprises a series of ribs which twists a section of the inked ribbon through 180.degree. to form a Mobius loop. The rollers are free to move radially in corresponding seats of the container and are able to engage a pair of pins of the machine. One pin is a motor pin and rotates one of the rollers, and the other pin is a pressure pin which engages the other roller and is urged by a spring against the motor pin. The pressure pin causes the ribbon to be nipped between the two rollers to be fed by the motor pin.

Abstract: An endless ink-ribbon cartridge for printing, wherein the ribbon is formed into a Mobius loop, and wherein the ribbon is inverted in one arm of the cartridge by a pair of deflecting elements in the ribbon path.

Abstract: A cassette-type ink ribbon device for a printer wherein the inked ribbon is carried in a throw-away magazine operatively disposed within and wholly independent of the cassette body. The cassette body carries all of the drive components and, hence, replacement of the magazine revitalizes the cassette at minimum expense.

Abstract: A Ribbon Stuffer Cartridge having improved Moebius loop device includes a ribbon reservoir coupled to a ribbon input port and a ribbon output port, the ribbon output port having a planar triangular-shaped device therein.A major portion of a continuous loop ribbon is stored within the ribbon reservoir and the remaining portion of the continuous loop ribbon extends from the ribbon output port to the ribbon input port. The Moebius twist is formed by disposing the ribbon about the planar triangular-shaped device positioned within the ribbon output port. Gears are positioned within the input port to move the continuous loop, and the triangular-shaped device additionally serves as a tensioner to provide increased tape tension in the loop as it extends from output port to input port.

Abstract: A cartridge for an endless inked ribbon for printing office machines comprises a container in which are disposed separating elements which define a storage zone. An endless inked ribbon is disposed in loops and is distributed at random in the storage zone. The inked ribbon passes from a slit to the exterior of the storage zone and through one aperture to the exterior of the container. A section of the inked ribbon is twisted through 180.degree. to form a Mobius loop, by guide elements which localize the twisted section in a zone of the container outside the storage zone. The inked ribbon passes back into a container through a second aperture and returns to the interior of the storage zone through an opening thereof. At least one curved wall, adjacent to the slit, defines an housing for receiving any loop which have escaped from the slit for preventing a plurality of loops of the ribbon emerging simultaneously from the storage zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-tacky lift-off tape for letters or characters printed or typed in error comprised of a resin and amine wax coating applied to a film substrate.