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: A label making inkjet printer applies print imaging directly to the adhesive side of a media provided in sheet-form and in reel-form. Because inkjet printing is a non-contact printing method, print imaging may be applied to the adhesive side of the media. According to one embodiment, a user manually pulls tape-form media through the printer while encoding signals detect linear movement of the media and provide basis for synchronizing operation of an inkjet print head. According to another embodiment, a motorized media transport carries tape-form media on a pair of media transport belts past an inkjet print head. The resulting adhesive label when applied to a contact surface substantially disappears due to its transparent nature leaving visible only print imaging applied thereto and captured between the protective tape media and contact surface therebelow.

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: An ink ribbon cartridge includes a frame having a first side, a second side, a third side, and fourth side. The first side and the second side extend in a widthwise direction and have supporting portions. The third side and the fourth side extend between the first side and the second side in a lengthwise direction perpendicular to the widthwise direction. The third side is formed with a protrusion protruding upward from an upper surface of the third side. A pair of tubes extend in the lengthwise direction and are supported by the supporting portions. An ink ribbon is wound around the pair of tubes.

Abstract: A system for dissipating electrostatic charge build-up in printers comprises a ribbon frame made of statically dissipative material and adapted to support a printhead bracket on which a thermal printhead is mounted proximate to a rotating platen. The statically dissipative ribbon frame may be grounded to the printer power supply which in turn is grounded to the main printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of the printer which is connected to earth ground. The electrostatically dissipative material in the ribbon frame automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded ribbon frame during printer operation. The printhead bracket may also be made of statically dissipative material and grounded to the PCBA. The electrostatically dissipative material in the printhead bracket automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded printhead bracket.

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 upper chute members, so that a recording sheet is transported along the transport path.

Abstract: A user does not have to observe the orientation of a supply-side film core and a roll-up-side film core, when placing them into a case. Shaft sections are disposed at both ends of the supply-side film core and the roll-up-side film core made of resins. The shaft sections have different diameters from each other. Each shaft section has a diameter corresponding to each supporting section. The user can therefore set the ink film in a predetermined position and orientation in the case as a single step.

Abstract: A method of a replacement component used in a printer communicating with a controller of the printer, and a method of a controller of a printer communicating with a replacement component used in a printer are disclosed. The method of the replacement component communicating with the controller includes the steps of: a memory module of the replacement component deciding whether or not a predetermined password signal is in information received via a communication interface; and the memory module communicating with the controller of the printer when the password signal is in the received information. Since the replacement component for a printer is adapted to not communicate with a controller which does not transmit a preset communication allowing signal, the characteristic information of the replacement component is prevented from being leaked. In addition, it can be prevented that a bad component is installed and used in the printer.

Abstract: A tape supply cartridge for use in a printer of the type having a fixed print head, a movable platen roller and a pair of tape advancement rollers, one in the cartridge and one in the printer.

Abstract: There is provided an ink ribbon cassette which prevents damage and pollution of a part of an ink ribbon exposed outside of a cassette case housing the ink ribbon. In the ink ribbon cassette in which the part of the ink ribbon housed in the cassette case is exposed outside of the cassette case, a detachably attached cover body for covering the part of the ink ribbon exposed outside of the cassette case is provided.

Abstract: A motion detector comprising a rotator member having at least one radially positioned member and being mounted for rotation from at least a first position to at least a second position; a detector member, preferably a Hall Effect sensor; and a magnet producing a magnetic field; wherein, the radially positioned member is characterized by altering the magnetic flux of the magnetic field when it moves into and out of proximity to the magnet; and wherein the detector member detects the alteration of the magnetic flux. The motion detector is preferably used to detect the speed, type, position, presence, and absence of a printer ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette 10 includes a cassette case 11 having a first accommodating portion 12, a second accommodating portion 13, and a connecting portion 14 connecting the first and second accommodating portions 12 and 13, a feeding core 12 and a take-up core 42 rotatably accommodated respectively in the first and second accommodating portions 12 and 13, and an ink ribbon R having a large width which can be fed from the feeding core 40 and taken up by the take-up core 42 through a connecting member 14, wherein there is provided in the first accommodating portion 12 in the vicinity of the connecting member 14 a shaft 19 extending along the direction of the width of the ink ribbon R, wherein there is provided in the connecting member 14 an edge portion 18a of a wall portion 18 opposed to the shaft 19, and wherein the ink ribbon R fed out from the feeding core 40 is bent at the shaft 19, and then bent in the opposite direction by the edge portion 18a before it is taken up by the take-up core 42, whereby it is possib

Abstract: A motion detector comprising a rotator member having at least one radially positioned member and being mounted for rotation from at least a first position to at least a second position; a detector member, preferably a Hall Effect sensor; and a magnet producing a magnetic field; wherein, the radially positioned member is characterized by altering the magnetic flux of the magnetic field when it moves into and out of proximity to the magnet; and wherein the detector member detects the alteration of the magnetic flux. The motion detector is preferably used to detect the speed, type, position, presence, and absence of a printer ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A ribbon mechanism mounted in the lid of a printer includes a ribbon carriage pivotally coupled to the lid for folding out of the lid by virtue of its mass when the lid is open and for folding in the lid as the lid is closed. A gear train is mounted on the ribbon carriage for driving the ribbon take up core. A thermal printhead is resiliently mounted in the ribbon carriage and automatically aligned against the platen with alignment tabs. The ribbon carriage is movably linked to a printer hinge by way of a linkage having an elongated slot at one end for slidably engaging an integral ribbon carriage post and with an aperture at the other end for pivotally mating with a lever arm provided on the printer hinge. The ribbon carriage post slides linearly inside the linkage slot between maximum “down”/maximum “up” positions at each end of the linkage slot, respectively.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge structure for a printing head of a large printer, the structure has a ribbon cartridge, an external and an inner clamping piece, the ribbon cartridge is provided with an “L” shaped sheet member of which the two ends are respectively extended to connect with two cylinders. Each cylinder has a rotation axle, and has on the periphery thereof an opening for extending of a color ribbon therethrough. The “L” shaped sheet member is provided on both sides thereof with at least an engaging portion to respectively connect with the corresponding protruding portion on one side of and the corresponding hooking portion on the other side of each of the clamping pieces. The color ribbon is extended between the external and the inner clamping pieces. Thereby, the whole printer have the effects of firm connecting and convenient assembling, improved tidiness of the color ribbon and easiness of reeling the color ribbon.

Abstract: A printer for printing onto substrates includes a housing that mounts a movable carrier for the substrates such as a compact disc or digital versatile disc. The carrier for the substrate is driven relative to the printhead while printing takes place, and a platen is provided to urge the substrate toward the printhead for printing and to a position to space the substrate from the printhead when raised surface areas of the substrate underlie the printhead. The force applied by the platen can be varied as a function of the position of the substrate as well, in addition the carrier can be driven at a variable speed selected as a function of the length of the line being printed.

Abstract: An inked ribbon assembly for use with a printing apparatus such as a thermal facsimile machine includes a generally cylindrical supply spool, a generally cylindrical take-up spool, and a sheet-like inked ribbon extending therebetween, with the inked ribbon rolled upon the supply spool and connected to the take-up spool for advancement through the printing apparatus to the take-up spool. The spools of the inked ribbon assembly are rotatably supported in the printing apparatus by support spindles, which effect driven rotation of the supply and take-up spools. The support spindles each include one or more drive lugs which engage the spools of the ribbon assembly for effecting advancement of the inked ribbon.

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: There are provided a tape cartridge-holding mechanism which is capable of reliably and immovably holding a tape cartridge in a cartridge compartment without spoiling the ease of mounting and removal of the tape cartridge, and a tape printing apparatus including the tape cartridge-holding mechanism. The tape cartridge-holding mechanism comprises a lid for opening/closing a cartridge compartment, at least one pair of left and right holding nails for engaging with a tape cartridge mounted in the cartridge compartment and thereby sandwiching the tape cartridge such that the holding nails press the tape cartridge against a bottom surface of the cartridge compartment, and an urging mechanism arranged in contact with at least one of the pair of holding nails, for urging the holding nail in a direction of sandwiching the tape cartridge as closing operation of the lid is carried out.

Abstract: There is provided provide a tape printing apparatus which is capable of properly operating a tape feed mechanism and a tape cutting mechanism by the use of a single motor. The tape printing apparatus is capable of printing on a printing tape while feeding the printing tape by unwinding a roll of the printing tape, and cutting off a printed portion of the printing tape. A tape feed mechanism feeds the printing tape. A tape cutting mechanism cuts the printing tape. A single motor is capable of performing rotation in normal and reverse directions. A feed mechanism-side gear train transmits torque of the motor to the tape feed mechanism to cause the tape feed mechanism to operate. A cutting mechanism-side gear train transmits the torque of the motor to the tape cutting mechanism to cause the tape cutting mechanism to operate.

Abstract: A printer for printing onto a substrate includes a substrate feed mechanism configured to secure the substrate during printing and a print mechanism configured to print on the substrate. A transceiver is configured to transfer power through a non-physical link to a radio frequency (RF) circuit carried on a printer supply to thereby power the RF circuit. The transceiver also responsively receives printer supply data through a non-physical link from the RF circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a tape printing apparatus in which a cartridge-ejecting function by an ejection mechanism and a cartridge-holding function by a cartridge compartment are separated from each other based on a simple construction. In the tape printing apparatus including a cartridge compartment for removably mounting a tape cartridge therein, and an ejection mechanism for lifting the tape cartridge mounted, from the cartridge compartment, the cartridge compartment has a bottom thereof formed with a seat portion for seating thereon the tape cartridge in a mounted state, and a lift plate of the ejection mechanism for lifting a tape cartridge is positioned away from the tape cartridge seated on the seat portion when the lift plate is in a standby state.

Abstract: An ink cassette includes a first part and a second part each of which has a first end provided with a substantially U-shaped bobbin holder and a second end provided with a similar bobbin holder. Each of the U-shaped bobbin holders has a pair of flexible arms defining a groove in which a pair of protrusions are provided. An ink ribbon set including an ink ribbon and two bobbins is stored in an ink ribbon supply container. The bobbins are supported at the same depth and spaced from each other a distance equal to a spacing between thee first and second parts. The ink cassette is overlaid on the ink ribbon set, with alignment marks aligned, and then the ink cassette is forced into the supply container. The bobbins are inserted past the protrusions into the grooves and are held around their axes by the arms.

Abstract: A cassette, particularly for a printing mechanism provided with a thermal printing head, with a ribbon reel and a ribbon take-up reel, includes a housing composed of two wall portions which are spaced apart from each other, wherein the wall portions have grooves, integrally formed indentations or slots, wherein outer portions of the ribbon reel or take-up reel are supported in the grooves or indentations or slots so as to be slidable essentially transversely of the axis of the respective reel.

Abstract: A printer apparatus (10) includes a removable print ribbon cartridge (18). The print cartridge includes a ribbon (20) which is movable by a transmission mechanism (49). A ribbon drive member (65) in said transmission mechanism includes frangible tabs (101). The frangible tabs break responsive to encountering a resistance to movement of said ribbon above a predetermined level.

Abstract: An ink ribbon take-up assembly for winding individual narrow ink ribbons produced in a slitting apparatus by slitting a wide ribbon, comprises a mounting shaft with a longitudinal groove, and ribbon cores and separators mounted alternately on the shaft. Each ribbon core has a longitudinally elongated projection on its inner surface, which is complementary to, and in engagement with, the groove in the shaft. The separators can be simple cylindrical tubes. This structure obviates cooperating notches and tabs at ends of the ribbon cores and separators, and makes it possible to achieve miniaturization by minimizing the wall thickness of the ribbon cores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape holding case housing a supply of image receiving tape and includes an angled surface to bend the surface of the tape approximately 90°, the angled surface being provided upstream of the printing position of the tape. The tape holding case also includes a casing that is designed to attach the tape holding case to an identically shaped tape holding case.

Abstract: An integrated ribbon mechanism comprises a support frame having a bottom plate and two side plates integrated to the bottom plate at opposite sides, a print head assembly rigidly mounted on the bottom surface of a bottom plate, first and second pivotal holes positioned on opposite side plates of the support frame, and a pair of locators positioned at opposite side ends of the print head assembly, each locator having an extrusion portion positioned within a respective slot of the drive mechanism during operation wherein the extrusion portions are smaller than the slots of the drive mechanism to allow the integrated ribbon mechanism to slide against a drive mechanism, the integrated ribbon mechanism being pivotally and adjustably coupled to the drive mechanism by a pair of pivot pins that are smaller than the first and second pivotal holes to allow the integrated ribbon mechanism to slide against the drive mechanism wherein a ribbon strip mounted on the integrated ribbon mechanism will be pulled by a platen of

Abstract: A printer has a substrate carrier that is a planar membrane driven through the printer solely by friction drives. The planar membrane is completely removable from the printer, and can be adapted to support a substrate of desired configuration and held against locating surfaces while it is being driven through the printer by the friction drive. The friction drive comprises at least one set of rollers including a drive roller on one side of the carrier and a resiliently mounted roller on the other, and also includes a rotating resilient platen that is resiliently urged against a printhead for providing a reaction force for the friction drive while printing occurs.

Abstract: A friction mechanism exerts a frictional force on a feed pinch roller to apply a proper tensile load to an ink ribbon when the ink ribbon is fed.

Abstract: A hollow drum-type recording apparatus includes: a hollow drum which has an opening and whose hollow circular arc-shaped main body rotates; a recording sheet which is wound around the surface of the circular arc-shaped main body of the hollow drum from a recording sheet roll; an internal holder for a feed roll and an internal holder for a take-up roll for respectively accommodating and disposing inside the hollow drum a feed roll for feeding a toner sheet and a take-up roll for taking up the toner sheet through the opening; and an external holder for a feed roll and an external holder for a take-up roll for respectively accommodating and disposing outside the hollow drum the feed roll for feeding the toner sheet and the take-up roll for taking up the toner sheet through the opening, wherein the winding, releasing, and discharging of the toner sheet are effected by appropriately moving the feed roll and the take-up roll between the internal holders and the external holders and by rotating the hollow drum.

Abstract: A printer for printing information on images on a substrate such as an identification card in multiple colors has an intermediate transfer film or web on which a reverse image is printed. The printer has a lamination station where the image is transferred to a substrate, such as an identification card. The intermediate transfer film or web is moved back and forth, the intermediate transfer film or web has slack occurring in it between the printing station and the lamination station. The slack is taken up with spring loaded rollers to permit operation of the printer head and the lamination station at the same time. Additionally, the printer is made into modules that are movable for easy access to interior components and to expose film or web paths that permits installing both the print film or web and the intermediate transfer film or web without threading it through enclosed openings.

Abstract: An ink ribbon is formed form 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. Each supporting opening is formed with a cutout portion defined by edges. When the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted in a facsimile machine, the spools are freely rotatable within the supporting openings. On the other hand, when the ink ribbon cartridge is dismounted from the facsimile machine, engagement protrusions formed to the spools catch on the edges defining the cutout portions, thereby preventing the spools form rotating. As a result, the ink ribbon will not unintentionally greatly loosen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tipper apparatus for pigmenting the embossed section (raised characters for copying) of a card used to perform transactions by a customer at financial institutions or the like. The tipper apparatus comprises a card feeder for feeding a card; a pusher for pressing a color ribbon against the embossed section of the card fed by the card feeder; a ribbon driver for advancing and winding the color ribbon; and a controller for controlling the card feeder and the ribbon driver on the basis of tipping signals received from a host apparatus, transporting the card and the effective section of the ribbon to the pusher, and actuating the pusher.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer printer, which can provide a high quality recorded image by controlling the number of underlying ink printing operations in accordance with the properties of a print sheet, and forming boundaries of adjacent underlying ink layers so that they are out of line with respect to boundaries of adjacent record layers. The thermal transfer printer comprises a setting section for setting the number of underlying ink printing operations; and a controlling section for carrying out a controlling operation such that the number of underlying ink printing operations set by the setting section is carried out. Such a thermal transfer printer can be used to print a sharp image on various types of print sheet.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a print head and foil feed means provided on a mount for feeding foil past the print head when the mount is in a feed position adjacent the print head. The print head is operable to transfer ink from the foil onto a recording medium for generating printed matter on the recording medium. The print head is movable relative to the body of the apparatus between a printing position at which printing is effected and a user accessible position spaced therefrom. The apparatus is configured so that the mount can be withdrawn away from the print head with the withdrawal operation causing the print head to move from the printing postiion to the accessible position.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of packaging for a roll of a web which is attached to a take-up core. The web is arranged so that it packages the roll together with the core, ready for shipment without the need for additional packaging. The web can include an ink ribbon and a leader connected to the ink ribbon.

Abstract: The printer is adapted to print an image onto a substrate using a web carrying a color material. The printer includes a web supply configured to supply the web and a web take-up configured to receive the web. A print head is configured to material from the web to the substrate. A controller provides a control signal to the web take-up or web supply as a function of heat energy applied to the web.

Abstract: A dye ribbon cassette for thermal transfer printing comprising a casing containing bearing means having rotatably mounted thereon a cylindrical member having on its periphery a mark carrying information capable of being detected by a sensor on rotation of the member and means operatively engageable with a drive source which is disposed outside of the casing to cause rotation of the member. The cassette may include a pair of identical, spaced apart, shafts rigidly mounted at one end of the casing, one of the shafts forming the bearing means for the cylindrical member, the shafts forming respectively mounting points for a feed spool and a take up spool.

Abstract: A tape cassette which contains a roll of a magnetically affixable printing tape formed around a holding reel and a roll of an ink ribbon formed around a holding reel and having a non-magnetic ink layer formed on the ribbon is set in a cassette accommodating section of a tape printer. The printing tape and the ink ribbon are fed out from their holding reels within the cassette across a cut in the tape cassette and through between a thermal head and a platen roller while being pressed by those elements to thereby perform printing. The printing tape comprises a printing layer and a magnetic layer pasted to the printing layer. S and N poles which extend lengthwise of the tape are alternately arranged widthwise on the magnetic layer. Thus, two overlapping poles of any two adjacent turns of the tape have the same polarity at any peripheral position.

Abstract: A holder for roll-type print media and a roll-type print media cassette, for easing replacement of a roll, including a printing apparatus capable of detecting the presence of a roll-type print media. The holder and cassette include supporting means for supporting the roll-type print media rotatively and regulating means for regulating the unwinding of the print media. The printing apparatus includes print media supporting means for supporting the roll-type print media rotatively such that the position of the axis of rotation is fixed. A contact sensor for detecting the presence of roll-type print media is also provided.

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.

Abstract: A stamp-making apparatus is provided in which a transparent presser plate is arranged such that the presser plate is parallel with a stamp-making object material, an ink ribbon having a stamp image formed thereon is urged against the stamp-making object material via the presser plate, and exposure of the stamp-making object material to light is carried out via the ink ribbon as a mask. A ribbon feeder rolls out an ink ribbon wound around one end portion thereof to a position facing the stamp-making object material, and then rolls up the ink ribbon around another end portion thereof. A relative translation of the presser plate and the stamp-making object material is made toward each other by moving at least one of the presser plate and the stamp-making object material to thereby urge the ink ribbon against the stamp-making object material. Guide means guides the ink ribbon when the ink ribbon is fed, to space between the presser plate and the stamp-making object material.

Abstract: The invention refers to a tape printing apparatus (2) used with tape cassettes (20, 220, 243, 260, 443). In order to make insertion and removal easier, the tape cassette is provided with a surface controlling the position of a printhead (22, 222, 322, 422) and/or a platen. When the cassette is inserted, printhead and platen are automatically separated such that the tape (24) can be introduced between them, and afterwards moved in the operative position. Further, an over center mechanism is proposed for moving printhead and platen. The tape cassette (443) can provide a 90.degree. bend in the tape (24) upstream the printing position, and the motor (42) can be located besides the zone for accommodating the image receiving tape (24). The cassette can be made attachable to other cassettes, and the means for attaching can guide and hold the cassette in the tape printer.