Abstract: A size-reduced printer that conveys a recording sheet in a circulating manner along a ring-like conveyance path while printing a plurality of images on the recording sheet in different colors sequentially in a superimposed manner, thereby forming a full color image. When a ribbon cassette that contains a multi-color ink ribbon is loaded at a predetermined position within a printer housing, a ring-like conveyance path is formed between the ribbon cassette and the printer housing. While the thermal head is driven and the recording sheet is conveyed once in a circulating manner along the conveyance path, a one-color image is printed on a previous printed one-color image in a superimposed manner in a corresponding one of the different color inks of the multi-color ink ribbon, thereby forming a full color image fully.

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 method and apparatus for replenishing depleted portions of an ink sheet including a conductive ink layer on a dielectric layer wherein portions of ink have been transferred to a transfer medium. Conductive replacement ink material is supplied to the ink sheet and an electric charge is induced in the replacement ink and opposite charges are induced at an electrode on the opposite side of the dielectric layer. Replacement ink contacting the dielectric layer at the voids will adhere to the ink sheet, but charges in the replacement ink contacting the non-transcribed ink regions will flow to the conductive ink layer and will not adhere to the ink sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for implementing a multi-color printout capability with respect to a dot matrix printer and the like. The apparatus is comprised of an ink reservoir system which includes individual ink reservoirs for replenishing ink of a selected color from a reservoir to individual sections of ink transfer material. The sections are mounted in tandem pairs on elongated ink transfer material holding members which are reciprocally moved linearly back and forth beneath the print head and across the face of a printing medium by a solenoid actuated cam. Each reservoir is continuously in contact with respective section of ink transfer material.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette for a printer includes a ribbon storage chamber in which an endless ink ribbon is stored. The ribbon has a portion lying outside the chamber, and is movable out of and into the chamber by a feed roller. A roller is provided in the vicinity of the ribbon outlet of the chamber. A spring is provided adjacent to the chamber for holding the ribbon against the roller to impart tension to the outwardly lying ribbon portion. A lever contacts the spring, and is rotatable to deform the spring so that the spring may hold the ribbon against the roller with an increased force.

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 method of and an apparatus for printing patterns of information of a record sheet, wherein those selected out of a number of printer elements arranged in an array are actuated to heat a succession of differently colored, recurrent colored sections of a variegated, heat-sensitive ink ribbon for producing dots of different colors on the record sheet during each of a predetermined number of dot printing steps of a line printing interval.

Abstract: A multicolor ink ribbon cassette comprises a cassette case containing a multicolor ink ribbon having plural lengthwise extending stripes of differently colored ink. A transfer roller transfers differently colored inks supplied from the wicks of respective ink cartridges to the ink ribbon stripes as the ink ribbon advances lengthwise through the cassette case. To reduce the thickness of the cassette case, the ink cartridges are all disposed in a common plane in angularly spaced relation about the transfer roller. At least two of the ink cartridges have the same shape and are arranged in the cassette case in upside down relation with respect to each other.