Abstract: A ribbon cassette for writing and/or printing machines, the ribbon cassette including a casing with an upper part, a lower part as well as two ribbon-guide arms extending substantially parallel to one another away from the casing, an ink ribbon, a feed spool, a take-up spool as well as a drive member controllable by the machine for the onward transport of the ink ribbon, in which the ribbon has a ribbon section running freely between the two ribbon-guide arms outside the casing, and in which the ribbon-guide arms are borne on the casing in such a way that the ink ribbon, for the selection of one of several writing tracks, is movable against the force of restoring springs perpendicular to the band longitudinal axis in the ribbon plane of the ribbon section. The ribbon-guide arms are tied over film hinges in one piece to the casing.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette with two projecting arms between which an ink ribbon is held exposed for printing. The cassette has a positioning slit in one of the arms, extended perpendicular to the running direction of the ink ribbon, and two side fixing projections. The former fixes the cassette in the running direction of the ribbon while the latter fix the cassette in the vertical direction, thus securing improved mounting of the cassette and preventing undesirable movement of the cassette.

Abstract: A cartridge for a multistrike typing ribbon for printing machines engages a single drive shaft for unidirectional advance movement of the multristrike ribbon and comprises a container having a bottom and two arms which project from a rear wall and which each have an aperture for the ribbon to pass therethrough. An epicyclic transmission arrangement is disposed on the bottom and comprises a series of toothed gears which are coplanar with each other and parallel to the bottom. The drive shaft is engaged with a feed sleeve of the cartridge and is coaxial with the feed roller for the ribbon. The feed sleeve is fixed with respect to the sun gear of the arrangement, the sun gear being engaged with the planet gear which in turn is rotatable on an eccentric pin of a plate. The plate is fixed with respect to a second sleeve which is rotatable about the sleeve and on which the feed roller is fixed.

Abstract: A reloadable ribbon cassette system for typewriters or office machines of similar construction employs a bottom housing in which an exchangeable supply spool core for the ribbon and an exchangeable take-up spool core can be rotatably mounted. To facilitate the reloading process a cover plate is placed onto the top face of the ribbon coiled on the supply spool core, the cover plate inserted into the bottom housing member along with the supply spool core and ribbon when they are loaded. The cover plate has a contact surface for helping to steady a fastening element disposed at the free end of the ribbon during reloading. The cover plate projects beyond the ribbon coil at least in the region of the contact shelf to prevent accidental removal of the first few turns of the coiled ribbon in axial direction.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge is disclosed for typewriters and similar office machines which require frequent changes of the ribbon. The ribbon cartridge includes a tub-shaped base and cover and an integral sealing member by means of which the openings in the ribbon cartridge can be hermetically sealed for shipping and storage and which is easily removable prior to insertion in the holding device of the office machine.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cartridge selectively for multicolor and single color ribbons is disclosed in which the cartridge body is formed with a projection to co-act with a ribbon shift mechanism on a printer to continuously shift a single color ribbon. When the cartridge is loaded with a multi-color ribbon, the projection is broken away and a selectively operable ribbon shift cam mechanism is mounted in the cartridge.

Abstract: A reloadable ribbon cassette system for typewriters or office machines of similar construction employs a housing which receives an exchangeable supply spool for the ribbon and an exchangeable take-up spool core. To facilitate the reloading process, the take-up spool core is mounted in the housing on a bearing pin which extends upward from a contact surface. The take-up spool core has a bearing bore into which the bearing pin extends and a bearing surface which rests on the contact surface. The contact surface is disposed closely below a receiving bore in the take-up spool core which accommodates a fastening element attached to the end of the ribbon.

Abstract: A ribbon is driven past the printing station of a printer only when the print head is moved in the right-to-left direction across the printer. An endless timing belt causes rotation of a gear pulley that is in mesh with an idler gear. The idler gear is supported on a pair of projecting fingers of a plate that is swingable on the center of the gear pulley. The idler gear is responsive to the direction of rotation of the gear pulley through a drag effect of the projecting fingers with the bottom surface of the idler gear.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a paper feeder including a platen roller, and a casing including a separating roller, the paper feeder being attached to the casing to be openable and closable. In this printer, when the paper feeder is opened, the separating roller is driven in response to the opening operation, to be set to a retracted position that is clear of the platen roller. When the paper feeder is closed, the separating roller is driven in response to the closing operation, to be set to an operative position out of contact with the platen roller with a predetermined spacing therebetween extending axially of the platen roller.

Abstract: A unitary tape-ribbon cartridge having an improved ribbon rewind feature for use in a lettering system. The cartridge includes both a tape supply and a ribbon supply provided from tape and ribbon supply housing portions, a guide member for guiding the ribbon toward a lettering station and reversing its direction of movement from a supply path to a rewind path into a ribbon rewind housing portion which is laterally spaced from, but generally parallel to, the tape and ribbon supply housing portions. The ribbon rewind mechanism includes a ribbon rewind spool having a rewind portion and peripheral gear teeth for rotating the same.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer comprising a storage reel for an ink ribbon, a take-up reel for the ink ribbon, drive wheels for longitudinally advancing the ink ribbon from the storage reel to the take-up reel for printing on the ribbon, and a pulley or roller which rides on the cam and which is coupled to a further pulley or roller, these parts cooperating for transversely displacing the ribbon during its longitudinal advance to offset the area of the ribbon utilized in printing.

Abstract: A ribbon lift-up apparatus for selectively rotating a ribbon cartridge holder to the printing position or the correcting position uses a disc cam provided with various cam grooves for the printing operation and correcting operation, respectively. The disc cam includes a circular first cam groove for continuous printing operation. The first cam groove has a specified radius with the rotation axis of the disc cam as a center thereof. A second cam groove for single type printing operation is provided and a cam follower pin is positioned initially at a home position in this second cam groove. The second cam groove is in communication with the first cam groove. A third cam groove for a correcting operation is also provided. The follower pin will initially be at the home position of the second cam groove and will cross the first cam groove during the correcting operation. The third cam groove has a smaller radius than the specified radius of the first cam groove.

Abstract: A fabric ribbon (13) is stuffed in a cartridge chamber (11). Two pinch rollers (35 and 39) are driven by a third roller (29). The direction for forces from the pinch rollers is toward a wall portion (9a), which is near an opening having a dam (ridge 67) which leads to chamber (74) have an exit slot (71) located near the wall portion (9a). The drive roller (29) is positioned to be located where the drive roller of an existing cartridge was located, making this cartridge interchangeable with a cartridge for a spool-to-spool ribbon.

Abstract: A printing device according to the present invention, the contact of a ribbon-guiding-member surface with the ribbon is increased, restraining the movement of the ribbon with the threading path bent by elastic restitution of the flexible ribbon guiding member. A printing device according to another features, accurate printing and correction is effected disregarding the play within the support arm or deformation of the carriage and limit a printhead to a predetermined printing line on a platen by restraining the movement of the nose end of a support arm with positioning members coupled thereto within proximity of the platen.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising a keyboard which inputs characters, symbols, etc., to the apparatus and a display which displays the input characters, symbols, etc. A CPU supplies to a printing head dot pattern information in accordance with the information on the input character, symbols, etc., stored in a main memory. It also inverts the dot pattern information upside down, as needed. The printing head may print onto a lettering tape.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for a printer is disclosed which is low in production cost and which is applicable to various kinds of ribbons including one-time ribbons and multiuse ribbons, and in which loadability of the ribbon cartridge in a printer is improved, and in which it is easy to remedy slack in the printing portion of a ribbon. The ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge casing housing therein a ribbon-feeding member and a ribbon-winding member with a printing ribbon entrained therebetween, the cartridge casing having a lid member detachably secured thereto. A projectionless ribbon-feeding roller is rotatably mounted on the cartridge casing and has its outer periphery formed of a high friction material such as rubber. The ribbon-feeding roller is adapted to be housed in the cartridge casing with a part thereof exposed outwardly of the cartridge casing.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette for supplying ink from an ink-impregnated material to an ink ribbon in which the ink-impregnated material is loaded directly in the cassette body without an ink tank, and in which leakage of ink caused, for instance, by vibration or sudden temperature change, is positively prevented. The ribbon cassette includes a cassette body having a container formed as an integral part thereof and a cover fixedly secured to the cassette body. The container accommodating the ink-impregnated material is formed in such a manner that a space is formed between the ink-impregnated material and the cover, and an ink pool having a capillary action is formed on the inner surface of an outer peripheral wall defining the container.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus wherein a reversible ribbon cassette is detachably installed, provided are means for indicating which side of the ribbon cassette is the side facing upward and means for detecting whether the side of the ribbon cassette attempted to be reloaded after once removed is the side facing upward or not based upon the indicating means. Thereby, misloading with the not-on-use side of ribbon cassette turned up is prevented and accordingly possibilities of blurred printing caused by use of already used area of the ribbon and/or of waste of the ribbon with remaining non-used portion thereon can be avoided. Further, even if the ribbon cassette installed in the apparatus is a multi-use-type one, the possibility of the printing quality being uneven due to the difference in number of times of use in places on the ribbon can also be prevented.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device or the like and a tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device and cartridge of the present invention includes a tape-ribbon drive system for driving the tape and ribbon through the thermal transfer device including a drive roller connected with the machine and a corresponding drive roller mounted within the cartridge and biased toward the machine drive roller. The device and cartridge of the present invention also includes an alignment system comprising a floating alignment member for insuring proper transfer alignment between the platen and the printhead.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge comprises a housing including a main body with upper and lower substantially planar main surfaces and ribbon inlet and outlet apertures at one side of the main body and two ribbon guide arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the ribbon inlet and outlet apertures at the one side with the termini spaced apart to form a gap and such that the upper and lower surfaces of the ribbon guide arms at the termini thereof are higher than the upper and lower main surfaces respectively.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette comprises an endless type ink ribbon and a cassette casing for enclosing the ink ribbon. The cassette casing includes an enclosing portion for enclosing the ink ribbon in an irregularly piled state, a guide portion for pulling out and exposing the ink ribbon to the outside and for guiding the exposed ink ribbon to be again enclosed into the enclosing portion, take-up means for taking up the ink ribbon, and braking means, for applying a brake force to the feeding operation of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: In an arrangement for feeding carbon ribbons and the like a dog (3) is arranged inside a feed reel (1) for the carbon ribbon (2) of a typewriter. The dog (3) has the form of a cylinder with two projecting flanges (4,5) extending in two slots (11,12) of the feed reel. The lower part of the dog has a slot (9) in which the drive shaft pin (7) of the typewriter engages. Power transmission thus takes place from the drive shaft (8) via the dog (3) to the feed reel (1).

Abstract: An endless loop ribbon cassette wherein the storage of a ribbon in a ribbon cassette is effected by a belt assembly which causes the ribbon to move along a generally linear path substantially corresponding to one dimension of a storage cavity. This effects an ordered, rather than a random, storage of a ribbon. In addition, a ribbon is obliquely positioned with respect to a line of print of a printer with which a cassette is to be used.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for an ink ribbon cassette or the like having a transport roll arranged inside of the cassette permits the cassette to be inserted and ejected in a direction perpendicular to the transport roll axis relative to the receiving compartment of a ribbon device and also provides an automatic coupling between the transport roll and a drive shaft forming part of the device. The drive shaft is shiftable between a coupling position and a decoupling position set back from the coupling position against the force of spring means. On the forward end of the cassette as it is inserted perpendicular to the transport roll axis is a ramp which during the inserting movement of the cassette runs against the drive shaft and pushes it to its decoupled position. When the cassette reaches its fully inserted position the drive shaft automatically catches into the transport roll. Special actuating means are provided for decoupling the drive shaft from the transport roll.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge of the type employing two ribbon spools mounted in spaced relation in the cavity formed in the case of the cartridge. In this one, the ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools and, in turn, the belt is engaged by both of two alternately driven drive rollers. Alignment and guide devices keep the center lines of the ribbon and belt in coincident alignment and also keep the edges of the ribbon from frictional engagement with the top and bottom of the case.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device or the like and a tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device includes a transfer station for transfering a selected image from a ribbon to a tape and a replaceable tape-ribbon cartridge having a tape cut-off mechanism embodied within the cartridge and actuated by a cut-off actuator arm within the machine. The cartridge of the present invention includes a self-contained, internal tape cut-off mechanism comprising a pair of cut-off blades positioned in side by side shearing relationship and actuated by an actuator arm extending into the cartridge from the machine.

Abstract: Several line drawing devices to permit drawing horizontal and vertical lines on typewriters are known. The fact that they are rarely encountered in practice, should be sufficient proof that they were not found to be satisfactory and greatly impede the typing process. These drawbacks are overcome by the invention in that the ribbon cassette is provided with a receptacle for a colored writing implement which, in one end position, resiliently rests on the record carrier so as to produce drawn lines and is arranged to be movable and arrestable in another end position to put it out of operation. A significant advantage resides in the fact that the colored writing implement can here be attached to the cassette at a location where the typing process is not interfered with. The colored writing implement can easily be exchanged by removing the ribbon cassette. The ribbon cassette together with the colored writing implement permits easy production of drawn lines in the horizontal, vertical or any other direction.

Abstract: A printer having a ribbon lift mechanism for lifting a ribbon from a rest position to a printing position. The printer operates in two different modes, that is, a printer mode in which characters are printed according to the data in a memory and a typewriter mode in which characters are printed according to the data from a keyboard. The ribbon is returned from the printing position to the rest position when no subsequent data comes from the memory within a first preset time interval in the printer mode or when no subsequent data comes from the keyboard within a second preset time interval in the typewriter mode. The second time interval is preset shorter than the first time inteval in order to print successively in the printer mode and to put back the ribbon to the rest position quickly when an operator needs to check the print on a printing paper in the typewriter mode.

Abstract: A coloring system for a printing apparatus, wherein a color ribbon is mounted within a cartridge which may be inserted within the printing apparatus so that the color ribbon is operable in cooperation with a print head to effect color printing on a recording carrier, with the print head operating from above the recording carrier and with the color ribbon being wound about a pair of spools having parallel axes arranged to extend horizontally when the cartridge is mounted in a housing of the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus including a guide and stop mechanism operable to hold the cartridge within the housing in operative position with the cartridge projecting above the housing to a degree in accordance with the dimensions of the spools upon which the color ribbon is mounted.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette for electronically controlled typewriters or similar machines equipped with a signal generator, the ribbon cassette being disposed on a carriage moveable along the platen. The present invention is also directed to the combination of such a ribbon cassette with such a machine.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer has a platen and a thermal head between which are pinched a transfer paper sheet and an ink film, so that the ink is transferred from the ink film to the transfer paper sheet as heat is applied to the transfer paper sheet by the thermal head. The film is supplied by a supply roll and is taken-up by a take-up roll. The thermal head is swingable between a position where it contracts the platen and a position away from the platen. When the thermal head is in the position away from the platen, the distance therebetween is greater than the maximum diameter of the supply roll. A film drum can hold a plurality of films each being constituted by the supply roll and the take-up roll. Swing arms are provided for demounting the supply roll of a selected film from the film drum and for bringing the same to a position away from the film drum, and also for returning the same from this position to the film drum.

Abstract: The ribbon (17) has an external run between the type element (25) and platen of a daisy-wheel typewriter. This run stretches between terminal members (59) which protrude from side arms (33 and 34) of the cartridge casing (18) and are fixed to the distal ends of arms (39, 41) pivotally mounted in the casing (18) at pivot (52). Ribbon lift levers of the typewriter raise the arms simultaneously to position a selected one of three tracks on the ribbon at the level of the typing. The ribbon is transferred from a feed spool having a flange to a take-up spool having a core tube and which are rotatably supported by the casing. The casing comprises a bottom portion having a resilient tongue with a pawl member positioned adjacent to the take-up spool and a resilient blade adjacent to the feed spool.

Abstract: A ramp ribbon cartridge adapted for ramp mounting of a ribbon in a printer device which comprises a cartridge housing having a first end and a second end, a ribbon stored in and extending from the cartridge housing and on which a printing head makes a printing track while printing, a drive wheel for pulling the ribbon out of the housing, with the drive wheel being rotatably mounted at a first end of the cartridge housing and being adapted to connect with a drive shaft in a printer device, a ramping mechanism between the cartridge housing and positioned near the second end of the housing so as to place the ribbon at a ramp angle to the horizontal, a loose fitting connection between the drive wheel and the drive shaft of the printer device so that the drive shaft still drives the drive wheel without binding when the drive wheel is tilted on its axis away from the vertical, whereby the printing track of the ribbon is at a ramp angle to the top and bottom edges of the ribbon and is wider than if the ribbon were p

Abstract: There is provided an ink ribbon cassette detachably mounted on a carriage of a recording apparatus, housing an ink ribbon supplied from a casing and taken up therein after passing through a recording section and including first positioning means for positioning the ink ribbon cassette in a first direction when the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage, and second positioning means for positioning the ink ribbon cassette in a second direction when the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carriage, wherein at least one of the first and second positioning means is elastically engaged with positioning means of the carriage, and inclined portions are formed at ink ribbon exit and entrance portions in the widthwise direction of the ink ribbon. A tension spring is included to prevent slackening of the ink ribbon in the cassette.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette with a memory makes it possible to provide a relatively exact determination of either the amount of ribbon remaining or the end of the ribbon with small mechanical outlay in an electronically controlled office machine or typewriter. A memory which contains external contacts and is capable of counting and storing values is provided from which base units can be subtracted by the control unit of the machine depending on the amount of ribbon advanced. The novel ribbon cassette makes it possible to dependably determine and display either the amount of ribbon remaining or the end of the ribbon.

Abstract: The approaching end of usable ink ribbon which is being supplied from a cassette to a serial printer is signaled when a detector member which rides on used ink ribbon as it is wound onto the take-up spool of the cassette, reaches a predetermined distance away from the axis of the take-up spool and moves to project through an opening in the cassette. The wall of the cassette serves as a barrier to motion of the detecting member, with the opening in the wall establishing the predetermined diameter of the used ink ribbon. A detector on the frame of the printer responds to the presence of the detector member when it projects from the cassette.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge of the type employing two ribbon spools mounted in spaced relation in the cavity formed in the case of the cartridge. The ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools. The belt is rotated over the spools by rotation of a predetermined drive wheel of two spaced sets of two intermeshing drive wheels. Means are provided for operating the cartridge in various printers having drive locations of varying spatial location as well as direction of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use with a tape cartridge of a printer to determine halt of tape feed from a supply reel to a take-up reel of the cartridge comprising reflective and non-reflective portions on the supply reel rotating therewith and an assembly including a light source and a sensor fixed in position to face the supply reel to cooperate with the reflective and non-reflective portions without mechanical contact therewith for producing a train of successive electrical output pulses as the supply reel rotates. Upon cessation of the output pulses the tape feed is halted. The system also provides a mechanical locking device for effecting positive locking of the supply reel at the end of tape feed.

Abstract: The ribbon (17) has an external run between the type element (25) and platen of a daisy-wheel typewriter. This run stretches between terminal members (59) which protrude from side arms (33 and 34) of the cartridge casing (18) and are fixed to the distal ends of arms (39, 41) pivotally mounted in the casing (18) at pivot (52). The arms (39, 41) are biased downwardly by wire springs (67) to expose the typing line. Ribbon lift levers of the typewriter raise the arms simultaneously to position a selected one of three tracks on the ribbon at the level of the typing point and a single drive shaft provides for the advancement of the ribbon. The cartridge comprises a feed spool and a take-up spool for the ribbon, a drive roller and a pressure roller which nip the ribbon internally to the casing, a transmission mechanism having a series of pinions and gears for transmitting the drive motion from the drive shaft of the typewriter to the pressure roller and to the take-up spool of the cartridge.

Abstract: A printing ribbon positioning apparatus and method of operation thereof advances a ribbon in connection with the printing of a character with one of a plurality of print rows across the width of the ribbon by an amount that takes into consideration the past advancement of the ribbon in connection with the last characters printed with each of the other rows of the ribbon and the widths of the character to be printed and the last character printed with the same print row of the ribbon as the character to be printed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer which can simply and assuredly erase a symbol recorded in error with thermal transfer ink on record paper. The printer comprises, in addition to a printing transfer ribbon and a printing thermal head, an erasing ribbon carrying thereon a layer of a thermally adhesive resin material, and an erasing thermal head which is operated, during erasing operation, to generate heat to melt the thermally adhesive resin on said erasing ribbon sufficient to adhere to the thermally fusible ink of a symbol printed on record paper so that the ink may be removed from the paper as the erasing ribbon is moved away from the record paper. The printing and erasing thermal heads are mounted in a juxtaposed relationship on a movable carriage, and the erasing thermal head has a greater heat generating area than the printing thermal head.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette for an endless ribbon comprises a first portion and a second portion of substantially identical structure and each portion includes a dam adjacent the exit port of the cassette. A ramp is formed adjacent each dam for centering the ribbon as it travels from the ribbon chamber between the ramps and the dams for providing improved tracking and control of the ribbon through the exit port.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette for an office machine, composed of: a cassette housing removably mountable in the machine, the housing having an entrance opening, an exit opening, an openable cover and elements constituting deflection points; a supply spool and a take-up spool having a core, each of the spools being removably mounted in the cassette housing; a carbon ribbon initially wound in the form of a coil on the supply spool, the ribbon having a leading end at the outer surface of the coil to be received by the take-up spool core to permit the ribbon to be wound up on the take-up spool while being unwound from the supply spool; and a fastening member secured to the leading end of the ribbon for threading the ribbon around the deflection points; and wherein the core is formed for enabling the fastening member to be fixed thereto to aid winding of the ribbon on the take-up spool.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge having a torsion spring having an improved noval contacting end for pressing the takeup spool against the drive roller, wherein the improved end holds the takeup reel against the roller in a substantially vertical position without any tilting of the takeup reel.

Abstract: A printer having a printing head provided with a plurality of printing elements disposed substantially along a line, a cylinder supporting a print sheet such as a sheet of paper held by an edge clamp and an ink ribbon changer. Four ink ribbons, for example, are contained each in a cartridge removably attached to a support and indexing mechanism. The support and indexing mechanism of ink ribbons and providing an accurate multi-color printing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printer having a thermal print head and a cooperable platen roll. The platen roll is driven to advance a web of record medium and an ink ribbon into cooperation with the print head. The printer can use an ink ribbon cartridge. The printer has a compact arrangement for the record medium supply roll, the ink ribbon cartridge, the printing mechanism, the drive mechanism, the keyboard, and the cutting mechanism for cutting tags from the web. The ink ribbon cartridge has shiftable guide rolls cooperating with pins on the printer to assure accurate alignment of the ribbon on the print head.

Abstract: A tape-ribbon supply cartridge for supplying tape and ribbon to a lettering apparatus having a mechanism for creating a lettering force and a mechanism for positioning a character to be lettered into lettering position. The cartridge includes an improved ribbon rewind feature driven by movement of the tape advancement means and positioned in a common plane with the ribbon supply spool.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge may contain a single color ribbon or a multicolor ribbon, and is of wide U construction with a first pair of aligned (coaxial) pivot pins extending away from sides at locations therefrom remote from the legs of the U; a second pair of pins extends also from the sides and parallel to the first pair of pins; finally, a pair of support projections extend from the legs and also in opposite directions from the sides; the printer has two pivot mounts for receiving the pins of the first pair to thereby mount the cartridge, permitting pitch-like pivoting; in addition, the printer contains either (a) a second pair of mounts open from above for receiving the pins of the second pair, and thereby mounting the cartridge in a fixed position for single color printing, or (b) a cam shaft with at least one cam of different radial dimensions for engaging at least one of the projections such that upon turning of the cam a variable pivot-pitch is imparted upon the cartridge, the pins of the second pair being u

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge having flexible ribbon guides and an integral, resilient ribbon shield in pressure contact with paper to deaden noise from the printing operation. Also disclosed is a method of preparing paper which may have been folded or had corners bent from handling for printing and feeding through a printer in which the ribbon shield is pressed against the paper while the printer head carriage traverses across the paper to flatten the paper and urge the paper toward a nip of opposed paper feed rolls of a paper handling module associated with the printer.

Abstract: A symmetrical printer ribbon cartridge which is refillable. An internal, continuous drive belt (15) provides tension to push studs (33, 35) of the supply spool (23) and of a take-up spool (29) to the ends of notches (31, 32) in cartridge wall 1. When the original supply spool is emptied, a new spool need only be moved into place and the free end of the ribbon pulled from the new spool, directed through the ribbon path in the cartridge, and attached to the remaining spool.