Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge includes an ink replenishing configuration. An ink ribbon is housed in a housing. An ink replenishing member replenishes ink into the ink ribbon. An ink storing member holds a supply of the ink, the ink storing member being movable either to a first position where the ink storing member contacts the ink replenishing member and supplies the ink to the ink replenishing member or a second position where the ink storing member does not contact the ink replenishing member and does not supply the ink to the ink replenishing member.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of fabrication of devices of various purposes, which use anisotropic films: polarizers, retarders, etc., as well as technology of obtaining coatings with anisotropy of electric conductivity, magnetic properties, thermal conduction and other physical properties. The invention includes the method of forming anisotropic crystal film on a receptor plate via transferring it from the donor plate Implementing the disclosed invention preserves the high degree of anisotropy and optical parameters of crystal films after the transfer. Additionally, it is possible to form anisotropic coatings on the surface of any configuration (including curved) and different degree of roughness; also, it is possible to transfer films of various sizes and configurations as well as multilayer coatings containing anisotropic film and form color images.

Abstract: A printer cassette includes a housing containing a ribbon in a channel, and ink in a well. An ink wheel is rotatably mounted to the housing in operable engagement with the ribbon. A wick extends from the well and includes a stem elastically cantilevered from a base thereof at the well to a tip thereof between which is disposed the ink wheel in contact therewith. The wick stem converges to selectively transfer ink to the ink wheel.

Abstract: In an ink ribbon cartridge (or cartridge ribbon) in which a length of ink ribbon driven through the cartridge is re-inked by a rotatable foam cylinder or reinker saturated with ink, an improved transfer roller is provided for transferring ink from the reinker onto the surface of the ink ribbon as the ink ribbon is advanced past the transfer roller. The transfer roller is of generally cylindrical shape and is provided with a plurality of elongated raised ridges or teeth on the outer surface thereof. The teeth present a surface area which transfers a desired amount of ink from the reinker to the ink ribbon as the ink ribbon rotates the transfer roller, and thereby the reinker. At the same time, positive engagement of the transfer roller with the ink ribbon and the reinker is enhanced, for the given surface area presented by the teeth, by offsetting or staggering a lower arrangement of the teeth relative to an upper arrangement thereof on the outer surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for reinking ribbons that can accept ribbon cartridges of different kinds and shapes, and can be modified easily to reink reel to reel type ribbons. The apparatus includes a soft surfaced clamp for contacting cartridges of varying external shape. A tapered varying width drive head can engage within drive connection apertures of different diameters on different cartridges. The location of the inker is varied depending upon whether there is a right hand or left hand drive for the ribbon.

Abstract: A replaceable ribbon cartridge for printers is disclosed and which has a user controllable re-inking capability. The cartridge includes both a movable ink transfer roller and a fixedly disposed drive roller, both of which contact the advancing ribbon during printing operations. Also, a re-inking roller is provided, and the re-inking roller is laterally movable so as to permit the user to selectively move the re-inking roller from a neutral, first position, wherein it has no contact with the ink transfer roller, to a second operative position wherein the re-inking roller is in contact with the ink transfer roller. The re-inking roller is in contact with the drive roller both in the first operative position as well as in the second operative position.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge (10) containing an internal re-inking mechanism (12) for re-inking the ribbon (14) housed in the cartridge is provided. The internal re-inking mechanism (12) comprises a drive assembly (30), pump (24), an eccentric (26), an ink reservoir (22), an ink feeding tube (34), a re-inking ring (30) and a transfer roller (38). As the ribbon (14) is threaded and propelled through the drive assembly (30), the drive assembly drives the pump (24) via the eccentric (26). The pump (24) pumps ink from the ink reservoir (22) to the re-inking ring (36) through the ink feeding tube (34). The ink is transferred from the re-inking ring (36) to the ribbon (14) via the transfer roller (38).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is ribbon inking apparatus for inking such ribbon comprising an ink supply in the form of an ink cartridge with a motor actuated piston forcing the ink onto a porous inking wheel which is also the main ribbon drive. A cartridge with ribbon to be inked has an adapter placed thereon to suit the type of cartridge and is inserted into the inking apparatus where it is held in engagement with a friction drive. Puller arms actuated from the main gear box have puller fingers which grasp the ribbon from the cartridge and place a portion thereof against the porous inking wheel for inking. A pinch roller, ink sensor, unit is pivoted into a position where the pinch roller forces the ribbon against the inking wheel and the ink sensors straddle the ribbon to detect the presence of ink and to control the application of ink to the inking wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a re-inking device for multi-pass fabric ribbons or tapes wound on a spool. The device is for a fabric ribbon wound on a first spool, with means to mount the first spool to one side of a base and means to mount a second spool to the same side of the base at a position spaced from the first spool, means to connect the ribbon free end to the second spool to provide an unsupported ribbon length extending between the first and second spools, an ink reservoir mounted on the base and engageable by at least part of the unsupported ribbon length, and means to rotate the second spool relative to the base to effect winding of the ribbon from the first spool onto the second spool with concurrent ink transfer from the reservoir onto the ribbon. The invention also relates to a method of using the device for re-inking a fabric ribbon.

Abstract: A system for re-inking ribbons in ribbon cartridges includes a base, a securing shelf for securing a ribbon cartridge to the base, and a motor for turning the ribbon driver of the ribbon cartridge. There is a variable-diameter coupler for coupling the motor and the ribbon driver, the coupler being capable of receiving ribbon drivers of various diameters. An ink-dispenser for dispensing ink onto the ribbon in the ribbon cartridge is movable relative to the ribbon cartridge to allow it to be brought above and into contact with the ribbon in the ribbon cartridge. An ink cartridge having a ribbon to be re-inked is secured to the base such that the exposed portion of the ribbon faces upward, the ink dispenser is placed above and in contact with the exposed portion of ribbon, and a pre-determined quantity of ink is placed in the ink dispenser. The motor is coupled to the ribbon driver and the ink is dispensed from the ink dispenser as the motor turns the ribbon driver.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer capable of quickly starting after being turned on and reproducing high quality color images, includes a photosensitive roller forming a charge pattern according to an ink transferred portion on an ink sheet at a time that the photosensitive roller is exposed to light from a light source through ink transferred portion of the ink sheet while the ink sheet is superimposed on the photosensitive roller. Nonconductive, charged ink powder is applied only to the ink transferred portion by electrostatic force produced in correspondence with the charge pattern. The ink powder filled in the ink transferred portion is then fused by a heating roller to form a uniform thickness of the ink layer of the ink sheet, and the ink sheet is used again for the thermal head of the printer.

Abstract: Apparatus for re-inking a ribbon utilized in a typewriter computer printer, cash register, or other printing device. The apparatus incorporates design features which make the apparatus universally adjustable to accommodate ribbon cartridges or spools of varying design. The apparatus includes a drive motor and a take-up motor with independently variable speeds to adjust the rate of re-inking apart from the cartridge advancement mechanism to maximize the volume of ribbons which may be re-inked.

Abstract: A method for of connects cut edges of a thermosensitive transfer film having a plurality of color frame units each comprising at least a yellow frame, a magenta frame and a cyan frame arranged in a straight line in the order of the yellow frame, the magenta frame, and the cyan frame where a frame includes a defective part. Each frame has a transfer starting mark. The method includes the steps of cutting the film at a position of the yellow frame precedent to the magenta frame so that the transfer starting mark of the yellow frame is broken, cutting the film at a position rearward of the cyan frame and forward of the transfer starting mark of a succeeding yellow frame so as to remove the magenta and cyan frames from the film, and connecting both cut edges of the film with each other with the transfer starting mark of the yellow frame precedent to the magenta frame maintained.

Abstract: A ribbon inker is disclosed including a transmission gear driven by a motor drive to rotate two spindles and a inking reel through a driven gear and a belt for permitting the ribbon of a ribbon cartridge to be moved by the inking reel over an inking pen, a reverse reel coupled to a reverse gear meshed with a gear on the inking reel for moving the ribbon of a ribbon cartridge in the reverse direction, two pitch adjusting devices and two elevation adjusting devices adjusted to hold down the ribbon cartridge to be inked according to its thickness and width.

Abstract: A replaceable ribbon cartridge for printers is disclosed and which has a user controllable re-inking capability. The cartridge includes both an ink transfer roller and a drive roller, both of which contact the advancing ribbon during printing operations. Also, a re-inking roller is provided, and the re-inking roller is laterally moveable so as to permit the user to selectively move the re-inking roller to a neutral position wherein it has no substantial contact with either the ink transfer roller or the drive roller, to a first operative position wherein the re-inking roller is in substantial contact only with the ink transfer roller, or to a second operative position wherein the re-inking roller is in contact with both the ink transfer roller and the drive roller.

Abstract: A device for regenerating with ink an ink ribbon which is set in an ink ribbon cassette and has consumed ink contained therein is disclosed. The device includes a housing having an upper surface for mounting the cassette thereon; a guide pin disposed on the upper surface for slidably guiding the ribbon drawn out of the cassette; a guide roller inserted into and movable along an elongated slot formed in the upper surface for guiding the ribbon under tension in cooperation with the guide pin; a rotatable ink pad disposed on the upper surface to contact with the ribbon being guided by the guide pin and the guide roller for transfer ink on the ribbon; and driving means for moving the ribbon in the cassette. In operation, the cassette is removably held on the upper surface, and the guide roller is releasably locked at its play position with a solenoid to thereby make the ribbon contacted with the ink pad.

Abstract: An ink ribbon inking device, which utilizes a motor to carry an eccentric shaft to push the core of an inking pen to move up and down permitting the ink contained in such an inking pen to intermittently flow downward, and simultaneously to drive two ink ribbon driving shafts to carry the ink ribbon of an ink ribbon cartridge to rotate. The ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge is squeezed in between the eccentric shaft and the inking pen so that it is smeared with the ink during reciprocating motion of the core of the inking pen.

Abstract: A self-linking continuous ribbon cartridge is provided with an internal self-inking reservoir having a wick positioned in spaced relationship to the ribbon. The ribbon is wrapped around a drum associated with a slip clutch to provide a slight biasing force to a lever so that as the ribbon is moved or driven by the printer mechanism a shoe on the end of the lever moves the ribbon into contact with the wick.

Abstract: A ribbon re-inking device includes an ink reservoir having at least one outlet for dispensing ink therefrom and a drive operable to displace a ribbon past the outlet of the reservoir, thereby to permit the ink to be dispensed from the reservoir and applied to the ribbon. The reservoir is displaceable between an inoperative position wherein release of ink via the reservoir outlet is prevented, and at least one static operative dispensing position. The drive is controllably energizable to cause displacement of the ribbon past the reservoir outlet upon displacement of the reservoir to its operative dispensing position.

Abstract: The operational lifetime of a standard ink ribbon cassette or other ribbon transport device is significantly extended by the addition, to a standard cassette, of a inexpensive reservoir and a feeder means. The configuration claimed uses the ribbon driver means, provided in all standard cassettes, as a demand valve, blocking ink flow to the ribbon except when ink is being removed from the ribbon by printing. The demand valve transports ink to the ribbon from a wick type feeder, which is supplied by a absorptive, saturated, reservoir. The reservoir shape, size, and absorptive material, and the feeder, are matched to the requirements of each printer, to control ink flow to the demand valve at a rate closely matching the rapid rate of ink removal from the ribbon by the printing operation.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette for a printer includes a casing defined by a top wall and a bottom wall, at least one ink cartridge disposed slidably in the casing, a transfer roller disposed in the casing for transferring ink from the ink cartridge to an ink ribbon, and a spring urges the ink cartridge toward the transfer roller. The top wall has a slot extending radially relative to the transfer roller. A first projection is formed on the ink cartridge, and extends upwardly through the slot. A pair of elastic levers extend from the first projection radially relative to the transfer roller, and are disposed in the slot. Each lever has a second projection formed adjacent to an end thereof remote from the first projection. A pair of third projections are provided on the opposite edges of the slot for engaging the second projections to maintain the ink cartridge in its retracted position away from the transfer roller.

Abstract: This printing apparatus and technique incorporates a color transfer station to impart a desired color to a fusible ink layer on a ribbon. The color transfer station is located between a supply reel providing the ribbon for printing, and the location where actual printing occurs. This color transfer technique is particularly suitable for use in resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing, where economical use of the ribbon is mandatory. The structure for transferring color to the ink layer of the ribbon utilizes wicks, felt-coated rollers, nozzles, etc., to bring a selected colorant solution into contact with the ink layer of the ribbon, in accordance with the color desired for printing.

Abstract: A process for regenerating an ink sheet which comprises disposing an electrodepositing electrode in contact with a base layer of a used ink sheet comprised of a base layer and an ink layer superimposed on one side of said base layer, said ink layer having hollowed parts therein; disposing an opposed electrode at a fixed interval on the side of said ink layer; supplying a powder ink onto the surface of the opposed electrode while impressing a fixed voltage between these electrodepositing electrode and opposed electrode, said powder ink being formed of the same or substantially same components as those of said ink layer; transferring said powder ink from the surface of said opposed electrode to the hollowed parts of the ink layer for adhering thereto; and thereafter fixing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cassette for use in connection with a device for printing characters on a surface from the stroke impact of a dye impregnated ribbon such as a typewriter, and features a housing defining an aperture for ventilating a chamber defined therein, re-impregnating means disposed in the chamber and operable for re-impregnating the ribbon dye, and locking means removably engaged with the aperture and operable to activate the re-impregnating means during disengagement of the locking means with the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for inking ribbons used in printing devices. Ribbon to be inked is unwound under tension from a core and passed over a heated roller and between a pair of transfer rollers. The transfer rollers lie in contact with inking rollers disposed in troughs of ink. The inking rollers have metering rollers in contact with the transfer rollers to meter a predetermined quantity of ink onto the transfer rollers. Once ink is transferred to the ribbon, the ribbon is passed over another heated roller to spread the ink and smooth the ribbon. A take-up roller winds the inked ribbon about a second core. The heated rollers on opposite sides of the transfer rollers engage opposite sides of the ribbon.

Abstract: An inking device and a method of inking business machines are disclosed in which the inking device has a spool-like body with a central ink reservoir, and an ink conducting washer-like pad of cellular plastic material is in communication with the ink reservoir to receive ink from the reservoir near its inner periphery and to conduct it by capillary action to its exposed outer periphery situated beneath a tubular inking pad mounted on the hub of the spool-like body. The bottom of the inking pad is in contact with the exposed periphery of the ink conducting pad near the outer surface of the inking pad to pick up ink therefrom and to transmit ink upwardly of the inking pad by capillary action. Ink is delivered from the inking pad to a ribbon, or to a type slug, which contacts the inking pad to pick up ink therefrom as the ribbon or type slug moves past the inking pad.