Abstract: A ribbon cassette structure is provided. The provided ribbon cassette structure includes a cartridge having at least a rotating structure. The rotating structure includes a first actuating element, a first connecting element, a second actuating element and a support shaft. The first connecting element is located between the first actuating element and the second actuating element, and the second actuating element is located between the first actuating element and the support shaft.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette structure integrated with a paper feed tray includes a ribbon cassette that includes a pair of bobbin receiving units and is integrated with a paper feed tray. One of the pair of bobbin receiving units that are connected to each other, and the paper feed tray are pivotally connected to each other so as to be opened or closed between an open state where the one of the pair of bobbin receiving units and the paper feed tray are mostly separated from each other, and a closed state where the one of the pair of bobbin receiving units and the paper feed tray come in contact with each other.

Abstract: A thermal ink ribbon cassette for a mailing machine has an anti-reverse spring for preventing rotation of the take-up spindle in the unwinding direction; a constant-tension drag arrangement, including an expansible stub axle, a cooperating expansion member, and a drag gear mounted on the stub axle in meshing engagement with an array of gear teeth surrounding the base of the ribbon supply spindle; and a guide bar for defining an optimal ribbon path between the entrance opening of the cassette housing and the take-up spindle.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attached to a printer apparatus includes a casing, an ink ribbon provided in the casing, a supply spool provided in the casing for supplying the ink ribbon, and a take-up spool provided in the casing for retrieving the ink ribbon. The printer apparatus includes a locking member rotatably supported on the printer apparatus and locking the cartridge to the printer apparatus, a detection device for detecting an installation of the cartridge by detecting a locked state of the locking member, a locking portion for locking the locking member when the cartridge is installed in the printer apparatus, and a guide forcefully and rotatingly displacing the locking member from a locking position when the cartridge is pulled out from the printer apparatus.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a supply core tube that supplies an ink sheet rolled around the supply core tube and a take-up core tube that takes up the ink sheet supplied from the supply core tube. The supply core tube and the take-up core tube are rotatably supported by a frame via supporting shafts provided at both ends of each of the supply core tube and the take-up core tube. The supply core tube may be provided with a connecting mechanism that connects a supply side supporting shaft, which is one of the supporting shafts provided at both ends of the supply core tube, with the supply core tube, and at least one through opening formed at one longitudinal end portion of the supply core tube. The opening allows a tool to be inserted therethrough to access the connecting mechanism for disengaging the connection.

Abstract: In a consumable cassette having a recording material storage section 2 and an ink sheet storage section 1, a space 65 where a constituting component such as a supply roller 56 is to be disposed is formed in the cassette, when the cassette is attached to a recording apparatus. A movable member is movably disposed to cover the space, when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus. Therefore, rigidity of the cassette is improved.

Abstract: In a consumable cassette detachably attached to a recording apparatus and containing a recording material and an ink sheet, a recording material storage section is constantly partially connected to an ink sheet storage section so as to be relatively displaceable in a direction in which the sections disunite from or unite with each other. The sections disunite from each other when the cassette is attached to the recording apparatus, and the sections unite with each other when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon printer ribbon cassette apparatus and a ribbon cassette mounting method by which a ribbon cassette for a thermal transfer ribbon of large roller size can be easily and reliably set in a thermal transfer printer. Focussing on the use of a main guide shaft as an initial guide, guidability along a printer main body stay and, finally, engageability of a final positioning engagement pin and a final position engagement hole, a cassette main body is formed to be attachable to a printer main body by providing a cassette main body stay in which a main guide hole to which a main guide shaft is formed detachably, a final positioning engagement pin formed in a printer main body stay, and a final positioning engagement hole formed in a handle-side base plate.

Abstract: A thermal printing mechanism comprises a frame accommodating a motor for driving a print tape, a thermal printing head, a carrying roller and electronic control means. The frame is provided with a metal stiffening plate substantially extending along the length thereof, acting as a support for the motor, on which plate it is fixed by means of welding in order to form means for dissipating the heat. Said plate is also used as a support for pushing the spring for the printing head towards the carrying roller. The mechanism is electronically controlled by means of a flexible connector which is connected to remote control means for said mechanism and which is used to evacuate electrostatic charges.

Abstract: A printing mail processing apparatus has an apparatus housing with a cassette bay therein, for removably receiving an exchangeable cassette. The cassette bay is closed by a cassette flap that has a finger on an underside thereof that interacts with a sensor. The sensor can detect, before exchange of a cassette that flap position for which a cassette extraction is possible. A microprocessor is connected to the sensor and uses the signal from the sensor to detect the position of the cassette flap. Given a closed cassette flap, the microprocessor causes voltage to be supplied to a chip reader unit mounted in the cassette bay. Given an opened cassette flap, the microprocessor causes voltage to be disconnected from the chip reader unit before each cassette exchange.

Abstract: A ribbon tray. The ribbon tray includes: a body, disposed in a printer in an extractable manner; a bearing component, disposed in the body in a freely detachable manner; and a ribbon, disposed on the bearing component.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge including a cartridge frame, take-up shaft connecting members, and supply shaft connecting members is provided. The take-up shaft connecting members support and rotatably connect ends of a take-up shaft to the cartridge frame and the supply shaft connecting members support and rotatably connect ends of a supply shaft to the cartridge frame. At least one of the supply shaft connecting members includes a rotation member, an intermediate body, an urging member, and a spool portion, the spool portion is arranged substantially inside the supply shaft. The intermediate body is arranged between a portion of an inner surface of the rotation member and a portion of an outer surface of the cartridge frame, and the urging member is arranged substantially inside at least one of the spool portion and the rotation member and urges the inner surface of the rotation member closer to the outer surface of the cartridge frame.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body has a pair of side plates, a partitioning plate, and a cover segment together defining a frame shape with an central open space. When the ink sheet cartridge is accommodated to a facsimile device, a thermal head and a platen are positioned at the central open space. Also, the partitioning plate serves as a lower transport chute defining a transport path with an upper chute members, so that a recording sheet is transported along the transport path.

Abstract: An identification card printer includes a card input, a card transport, a printhead, and a card output. The card transport is configured to feed a card from the card input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the card. The card can then be discharged through the card output.

Abstract: In a ribbon cassette of the invention, a driving mechanism that circulates an endless ink ribbon to move to and from a print portion is accommodated in a main body portion of a case. The case has a pair of arm portions serving as an inbound path and an outbound path of a circular movement. The interior of the main body portion of the case is divided by a virtual straight line linking an inlet portion of the ink ribbon from the arm portion serving as the outbound path and an outer circumferential surface of the driving roller over which the ink ribbon is stretched, and a roller-shaped ink tank impregnated with ink is provided on one of the divided sides. The ink tank is disposed in a positional relation that an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical column is in close proximity to the virtual straight line, and an outer circumferential surface of a transfer roller is brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface on a side closer to the virtual straight line.

Abstract: A cartridge for a tape printing apparatus includes a tape core around which a printing tape is wound, an ink ribbon core around which an ink ribbon to be used for printing on the printing tape is wound, a winding core that winds the ink ribbon used for printing, and a cartridge case that accommodates the tape core, the ink ribbon core, and the winding core, and is detachably mounted on a tape printing apparatus. An IC tag on which predetermined information is recorded is attached to at least one of the tape core, the ink ribbon core, and the winding core.

Abstract: A first pressing member, which is in the form of a leaf spring, is disposed within a gap between a second support-side sidewall and a support shaft of a feed bobbin included in an ink-sheet unit. A second pressing member, which is in the form of a leaf spring, is disposed within a gap between the second support-side sidewall and a support shaft of a take-up bobbin included in the ink-sheet unit. The pressing members are in contact with ends of the support shafts of the feed bobbin and the take-up bobbin so as to bias the feed bobbin and the take-up bobbin towards a second drive-side sidewall. The pressing members are integrated with the second support-side sidewall.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette and a printer are provided for preventing an ink ribbon from being wound or drawn to a printing-portion paper transport unit of the printer so as to satisfactorily wind and transport the ink ribbon. A convex portion is formed on a wall-portion contact surface of a first connecting member opposed to a space portion, thereby securing a gap between a wall portion of the ribbon cassette and a printing-portion paper transport unit of the printer. A top portion of the convex portion comes in contact with a driven-roller mounting plate disposed in the space portion when a ribbon cassette is mounted in a ribbon cassette mounting portion of a printer.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a first case and a second case. Positioning holes for mounting the ink ribbon cassette in a cassette mounting unit of a printer are formed in either one of the first case and the second case.

Abstract: A first case component includes a first drive-side sidewall and a first support-side sidewall. A second case component includes a second drive-side sidewall and a second support-side sidewall. Each sidewall has a feed portion and a take-up portion. The feed portions and the take-up portions of the sidewalls in each case component are provided with male engagement claws that are projected from the edges of the sidewalls towards the opposing case component, and are also provided with female engagement claws which are disposed inward of the edges of the sidewalls and are engageable to the corresponding male engagement claws of the opposing case component. Thus, the first case component and the second case component are detachably combined with each other at four sections by engaging the male engagement claws with the female engagement claws.

Abstract: A split case includes a first case and a second case to be joined to each other so as to be decomposable, includes in a joint portion between the first case and the second case: first press-fitting projections formed on a joint end surface of the first case; press-fitting holes formed at positions corresponding to the first press-fitting projections so as to penetrate through the second case for separably press-fitting the first press-fitting projections; and a plurality of through holes formed only through the first case at a plurality of portions on the joint portion.

Abstract: In an ink sheet cartridge, an ink sheet unit includes a first bobbin on which a longitudinal ink sheet is wound from one end thereof and a second bobbin on which the ink sheet is wound from the other end thereof, which are detachably received in a cartridge case. The cartridge case includes: a case body having an opening portion formed at the center thereof so as to expose the ink sheet used for a printing operation of a printer; a driving-side sidewall portion disposed vertically on one side of the case body so as to rotatably support driving-side shaft portions formed on ends of the first bobbin and the second bobbin; and a supporting-side sidewall portion disposed on the other side of the case body so as to rotatably support supporting-side shaft portions formed on the other ends of the first bobbin and the second bobbin.

Abstract: A ribbon roller is fixed in a ribbon cartridge via a fixing element. The fixing element includes an accommodation means and a fastening element. The accommodation means fixes a tab of the ribbon roller, and the fastening element engages the ribbon cartridge. When transporting the ribbon cartridge, the fixing element is capable of preventing the ribbon roller from rotating so as to prevent the ribbon from wrinkling and affecting printing quality.

Abstract: In a ribbon cassette which is used in a thermal transfer printer of the present invention, a head insertion section, in which a thermal head is inserted to turn its head up and down, is formed between a first ribbon housing section and a second ribbon housing section and further, a relief groove having a predetermined depth, in which a paper feeding mechanism can be positioned, is formed between the head insertion section and the second ribbon housing section. In the relief groove, an ink ribbon to be taken up around a take-up reel is exposed and, in a cassette mounting section, a ribbon guide section is formed to help the ink ribbon to be taken up around the take-up reel in the state where the ink ribbon exposed to the relief groove of the mounted ribbon cassette is bent toward the lower portion of the relief groove.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge, having a frame, a pair of supply shaft connecting members for connecting ends of a supply shaft to the frame, a first take-up shaft connecting member for connecting an end of a take-up shaft to the frame, the first take-up shaft connecting member including a gear member, and a second take-up shaft connecting member for connecting another end of the take-up shaft to the frame is provided. The first take-up shaft connecting member includes a gear portion and a spool portion which is substantially housed inside the take-up shaft. The gear portion includes at least one flexible member with at least one of a projecting portion and an angled end, the flexible member including two surfaces which become closer to each other when the flexible member is being inserted into a receiving portion of the spool portion.

Abstract: The printing apparatus comprises a first detachable unit U1, a second detachable unit U2, and a main body unit U5 formed such that the first and second detachable units U1 and U2 are detachably mounted thereto. When a unit fixing means 33 provided on a head unit U3 of the main body unit rotates in a clockwise direction to be laid horizontally and then a boss 36 is fitted into a concave portion 33A, the head unit U3 and a pinch roller unit U4 are connected to each other through the unit fixing means. The first detachable unit is pressed by a left end of the unit fixing means, and the second detachable unit is pressed by a right end of the unit fixing means. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first and second detachable units from separating from the main body unit forward. In addition, when the unit fixing means is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to be upwardly constructed, the first detachable unit U1 and the second detachable unit U2 can be mounted detachably to the main body unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer paper spooler with error condition detector including a first slot structure and a second slot structure, a bobbin disposed between the first slot structure and the second slot structure, a light emitting diode, and a phototransistor that receives a detecting light beam emitted by the light emitting diode. Also included is a take-up reel that is powered by a take-up motor, associable with the bobbin via printed receipt paper, and disposed on a take-up tower. Further included is a base structure, on which the first slot structure, the second slot structure, and the take-up tower are disposed, and a spooler control program, associable via a data exchange connection with the phototransistor, the take-up motor, and a printer control program, which is associated with, and controls, a receipt paper printer that is printing the printed receipt paper.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge includes a cartridge body 30 rotatably supporting four spools 36, 37, 38, 39. The spool 38 includes a first rotation member 56 having a transmission gear 47 and a shaft member 48 having a flange 48a. The first rotation member 46 is undetachably engaged with the shaft member 48 within a support hole 50 formed to the cartridge body 30 while interposing a side plate 51a between the transmission gear 47 and the flange 48a. An intermediate connector 46 includes resilient pawls 59 and projections 61 for engaging respective mating grooves 60 and locking grooves 62 formed to a takeup-side core tube 41, and is engaged with the flange 48a of the shaft member 48.

Abstract: A tape ribbon cartridge and method are provided for regulating printer operation of a printer operative to transmit a download signal. The cartridge includes a housing, an ink ribbon, and a data communication component. The ink ribbon is disposed within the housing. The data communication component is disposed upon the housing and includes operational information being representative of at least one attribute of the ink ribbon. The data communication component is operative to receive the download signal and to provide the operational information to the printer in response thereto. The operational information is receivable by the printer and is utilizable to determine the printer operation.

Abstract: A system is provided for movably supporting an ink film in a printer. The system has cylindrical supply and take-up cores for supporting and taking up the film during printing operations. The cores may be made of molded plastic resin. The ends of the cores are sized to selectively fit within a frame in such a way as to provide stable operation, including where applicable, while a frame cover is closed. In a preferred embodiment, the diameters of the first and second ends of the supply and take-up cores are essentially the same, and the diameters of the second and first ends of the respective cores are essentially the same. A molded cylindrical brake portion frictionally contacts the teeth of a brake gear to provide the desired film tension with improved handling and with reduced likelihood of jamming.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, and a supply of ribbon. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure, a take-up spool enclosure, a pair of ribbon guides, and a gap between the ribbon guides and the supply and take-up spool enclosures. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure, and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The ribbon extends from the supply spool, over the ribbon guides and the gap, and to the take-up spool. Another aspect of the ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a cleaner roller. The cartridge housing includes front and rear walls. The cleaner roller is rotatably supported between the front and rear walls.

Abstract: An easy-load mechanism and its associated method for installing a printer cartridge comprises a moveable cartridge bay for holding the printer cartridge, a lever device for accepting an external force, and a linking device the external force from the lever device to the moveable cartridge bay, wherein when the lever device is able to move the movable cartridge from an initial position to a target position via the linking device. Additionally, an alternative easy-load mechanism and its associated method for installing a printer cartridge comprises a moveable cartridge bay for holding the printer cartridge, a lever device for accepting an external force, a first engagement device, a second engagement device, and a third engagement device for transferring force from the lever device to the moveable cartridge bay, wherein the lever device is able to move the movable cartridge from an initial position to a target position via the engagement devices.

Abstract: An ink ribbon is formed from a belt shaped sheet body, and is wound around a pair of tubes. Spools are detachably mounted at each end of the tube bodies. An ink ribbon cartridge includes side plates formed with supporting openings for supporting corresponding spools. When the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted in a printing device, the spools are freely rotatable within the supporting openings. A protrusion is formed in an upper surface of the takeup-side of the cartridge. The protrusion provides a handle and an opening is formed in the takeup-side upper surface beneath the protrusion.

Abstract: The invention provides a carrier device for a thermal transfer medium comprising a spool for winding and supporting a thermal transfer sheet or a thermal transfer receiving sheet, wherein a mark containing a coloring material which absorbs an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined wavelength ?1 and emitting an electromagnetic wave of a wavelength ?2 different from the wavelength ?1 is provided on a region in a surface of the carrier device capable of being irradiated with an electromagnetic wave. The invention provides a discrimination method and a printer each of which utilizes such a carrier device capable of executing at least one process among the kind identification, the fake goods determination and the use amount calculation for the thermal transfer sheet or the thermal transfer receiving sheet based on a detection of the mark.

Abstract: There is provided a holding component for housing or holding a consumption article, which, in use, is detachably mounted in a printing apparatus, can be produced by a relatively simple method, can solve problems of tag separation and deteriorated positional accuracy, and can realize information communication in a stable and highly accurate manner. The in-mold molded component includes a holding component for housing or holding a consumption article, which, in use, is detachably mounted in a printing apparatus. Noncontact information storage means has been in-mold molded onto a part of the holding component so that the noncontact information storage means is bonded integrally to a substrate constituting the holding component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ribbon wiper that is disposed within a ribbon cartridge. The ribbon cartridge can contain a ribbon and be employed by a thermal printer. The ribbon wiper is capable of removing debris and other contaminants from a printhead surface of the ribbon. The printhead surface of the ribbon is that surface that faces the printhead, and opposes the ink surface of the ribbon, during printing. Debris disposed on the printhead surface of the ribbon can hinder or obstruct thermal contact between one or more thermal elements on the thermal printhead. In such cases, the thermal element can lack the ability to properly produce a dot on a media as instructed by the thermal printer. Further, debris disposed on the printhead surface of the ribbon can accumulate on the printhead proximate thermal elements and prevent generation of multiple or consecutive dots.

Abstract: An identification card printer or laminator system includes a card transport mechanism configured to transport a card along a path, a printer or lamination mechanism configured to print or laminate the card, a print or lamination consumable supply, and a controller. The printer or lamination consumable supply includes a tag circuit that contains supply data including a tag security code. The controller is configured for communication with the tag circuit and is further configured to allow operation of the printer or laminator system with the consumable supply when the tag security code is valid, and to prevent operation of the printer or laminator system with the consumable supply when the tag security code is invalid.

Abstract: A unitary ink sheet cartridge body has a pair of side plates, a partitioning plate, and a cover segment together defining a frame shape with an central open space. The partitioning plate has at least two recesses in an edge facing away from the open center. An ink sheet set is mounted in the ink sheet cartridge body.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for a thermal transfer printer is configured to provide a retractable feed for a donor ribbon. The ribbon cartridge includes a housing, a roll of donor ribbon wound on a core within the housing, and a clutch operatively coupled to the core. A resilient structure is coupled to the clutch and to the cartridge housing such that the release of energy stored in the resilient structure by advance of the donor ribbon produces retraction of ribbon slack, if the donor ribbon is released or backfed. Alternatively, a ribbon roll having a self-contained clutching and slack take-up capability includes a hollow core configured to receive a roll of ribbon and a clutch having a friction component configured to induce frictional engagement with the core. At least one end of the clutch is adapted to be externally constrained, and a resilient component is located between the friction component and at least one end of the clutch.

Abstract: A holding mechanism 10 for holding an ink ribbon 20 includes a transparent shell 11 and a board 12. The transparent shell 11 of the ink ribbon 20 is provided with wind slack preventive portions 11a to 11d which prevent rotations of a feed bobbin 21 and reel bobbin 22, and wind meandering preventive portions 11e, 11f which bears down an axial end 23a of a film 23. The ink ribbon 20 can be stably held by the holding mechanism 10 during a transportation and a loading thereof. The transparent shell 11 is provided with support portions 11g, 11f which improve a stability when loading.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, and a supply of ribbon. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure, a take-up spool enclosure, a pair of ribbon guides, and a gap between the ribbon guides and the supply and take-up spool enclosures. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure, and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The ribbon extends from the supply spool, over the ribbon guides and the gap, and to the take-up spool. Another aspect of the ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a cleaner roller. The cartridge housing includes front and rear walls. The cleaner roller is rotatably supported between the front and rear walls.

Abstract: A disposable ink ribbon cartridge for use in a shorthand machine. The cartridge includes an endless loop ribbon threaded through an advancing mechanism in contact with a movable ink reservoir. The advancing mechanism advances the ribbon and also transfers ink from the ink reservoir to the ribbon. The ink reservoir is made from a reticulated foam which provides an even supply of ink over a long period of time. The movable ink reservoir and the advancing mechanism interact to minimize friction between the moving parts of the cartridge. The ink reservoir and advancing mechanism deliver consistent and even doses of ink to the ribbon throughout the life of the cartridge.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge has a belt shaped sheet body, and is wound around a pair of tubes. Spools are detachably mounted at each end of the tube bodies. An ink ribbon cartridge has a supply side and takeup side covers, each cover having a side segment at each end. A pair of connection ribs, a connection rib of the pair of connection ribs extends between the side segment on corresponding ends of each of the supply side and takeup side covers. A projection extends from a lower side of each connection rib proximate the joining of the connection rib and the side segment at each end of the supply cover.

Abstract: In a tape cassette (5) to be used for a tape printing device (1), a roll part T0 of a print tape T having a preset tape width is firmly attached to the under surface of a rotation support section (21a) of a tape unit (20) by a lower spool (22). The tape unit (20) is provided with a tape identification section (30) for identifying the type etc. of the rolled tape. In the tape identification section (30), a vertical through hole (61) as a tape width identification part is provided varying its position depending on the tape width. Meanwhile, a cassette case body (32) and a cassette cover (33) of the tape cassette (5) are provided with a tape detection part (50a, 50b) to which the tape identification section (30) can be set or attached, while being provided with a projection (52) as a tape width detection part to be paired with the vertical through hole (61) so that only a tape unit (20) including a rolled print tape having a preset tape width is allowed to be attached to the tape cassette (5).

Abstract: A recording medium station 53 includes sheet set portions to which rolls of toner sheets 4′ with cover films 6 stuck thereto and rolls of image receiving sheets 2′ with cover films 6 stuck thereto are set, and cover film winding-up portions located close to the sheet set portions. Those sheet set portions and the cover film winding-up portions are disposed along the circumferential outer surface of the recording medium station 53. An end of the cover film 6 slightly stripped off the recording medium is fixed to the wind-up shafts 12, and the cover film 6 stripped off the recording medium set to the medium setting shafts 10 is wound up with a wind-up shaft 12. The stripped cover film 6 is wound up with the wind-up shafts 12.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of loading a thermal ribbon having dye into a cassette assembly of a thermal printer apparatus includes a cassette assembly for storing a thermal ribbon having dye. The thermal ribbon includes a supply ribbon core having a supply of the thermal ribbon wound thereon as a roll and a take-up ribbon core. The cassette assembly includes a supply ribbon support for supporting the supply ribbon core and a take-up ribbon support for supporting the take-up ribbon core. The cassette assembly is removed from the apparatus and then mounted upon a loading aid. The loading aid is mounted on the apparatus and supports the cassette assembly so that the cassette assembly extends outwardly of the printer apparatus to facilitate loading of the supply ribbon core and take-up ribbon core on the cassette assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ribbon identifier that detects a color coded bank comprising multiple colored zones positioned on a ribbon core that fits in a printer. Each type of ribbon is associated with a specific and unique color coded band. The band may also be partly visible to the operator when loading the ribbon. When the color coded band is detected, the control program of the printer sets the parameters associated with that color coded band, ensuring proper printing.

Abstract: Sensitive consumable components of printing devices involved in the process of transferring and fixing an image with toner onto a print medium are protected from harmful exposure to the environment and handling through designating and consistently positioning non-use regions of the components toward exposure gaps in their protective housings upon the completion of every printing process. The need for shutter mechanisms on consumable housings to cover up exposure gaps to protect consumables while in a general handling environment is therefore reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink ribbon cartridge which ensures proper, reliable mounting of an ink ribbon. The ink ribbon cartridge of the invention includes a pair of spools, an ink ribbon including a band-like sheet wound around the pair of spools and provided with a layer of ink formed on one surface thereof, four spindles which have disk-shaped sections at one end and can be placed, for a specific length in both ends of the pair of spools, and a cover covering the pair of spools around which the sheet is wound and having four round holes in which the disk-shaped sections of each of the spindles are loosely fitted. In one of the four ends of the pair of spools, only the other end of a specific one of the four spindles can be inserted for a specific length, and one of the four round holes formed in the cover is formed such that only the disk-shaped section on one side of the specific spindle can be loosely fitted.