Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon and tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. Ink particles are removed by a wiper from the ribbon prior to printing.

Abstract: In conventional cartridges, the image receiving tape is formed as a roll of long tape, which is taken up by a tape supply roll and accommodated in a case, so that the image receiving tape after printing becomes curly; when or after separating the separation tape of the image receiving tape, it tends to, for example, become inclined when glued to a predetermined place, thus making it difficult to handle.In view of this, in the cartridge K of the present invention, the recording member 16 is formed as a strip and accommodated in a second case 12 in a flat state, whereby the recording member after recording does not become curly, thereby making it easier to handle.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette is easily loaded without allowing a torsion force to be acted when the cassette is loaded into a printing apparatus and/or a facsimile apparatus each using the ribbon cassette. A ribbon cassette has a ribbon supplying part for supplying an ink ribbon, a ribbon take-up part for taking up the ink ribbon which is led from the ribbon supplying part and passed between a print head and a platen roller, and connecting parts for connecting the supplying and take-up parts. The connecting parts are provided with projecting holding parts for attachment or detachment, and the holding parts are positioned near the ribbon take-up part positioning on the side remote from a hinge member.

Abstract: A tape printing device which receives a tape cassette that accommodates a printable tape. The tape cassette includes a housing having a wall portion which is arranged to support the tape during a cutting operation which is performed with a cutting mechanism of the tape printing device. To align the cutting mechanism with the cassette during cutting, the wall portion of the cassette housing is arranged for interacting with a guide mechanism that connects the cutting mechanism and the wall portion during cutting and aligns the cutting mechanism with the wall portion.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon or tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to change level and reverse direction and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. A partitioning plate in the ribbon cassette separates the supply roll from the take-up region of the cassette. Ink particles are thereby prevented from migrating from the post-printing, take-up region of the cassette to the pre-printing, supply region thereof.

Abstract: A printer device, and method, is disclosed which is used in conjunction with an ink ribbon assembly. The ink ribbon assembly includes an ink ribbon and a support. A storage device is integrated with the support. Data relating to the ink ribbon characteristics is stored in the storage device. The printer reads the data in the storage device and modifies the supplied print information ascending to the data stored in the ink ribbon assembly. Ink ribbon characteristic data can include production variance, ribbon type, and remaining ribbon data.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape upon integrally formed dispensing and storage spools. The dispensing and storage spools are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. An integral, self-adjusting friction plate bears upon the ribbon on the dispensing spool and provides a predetermined, varying drag to maintain uniform ribbon taughtness.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system including a replaceable printing component for use in the printing system. The replaceable printing component includes a memory portion associated therewith for storing information that does not relate directly to normal operation of the printing system. Also included is a control portion for providing information to the memory portion associated with the replaceable printing component.

Abstract: An improved ribbon cassette is provided for a receipt printer of the impact printing type. The ribbon cassette has two raised areas disposed on the distal ends of the ribbon presenting arms, about the print area defining the ribbon window. These raised areas act as pressure bumps or spring-like retaining pads that bias the paper against the platen. In accomplishing the bias, a paper bubble commonly formed in the ribbon window area is substantially reduced or eliminated. This has the effect of reducing the noise generated by the impact wires of the print head striking the paper.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape upon integrally formed dispensing and storage spools. The dispensing and storage spools are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A pair of meshing gears provide a positive ribbon drive that ensures that fresh ribbon is in place at the thermal print head for each MICR encode operation. The meshing gear positive ribbon drive system provides the optimum amount of ribbon for the print cycle to assure that MICR encode characters meet accepted industry quality standards.

Abstract: In a thermal printer in which ink is transferred from a single-use thermal print ribbon to a substrate such as packaging material by energizing selected print elements of a thermal print head (22), a first print run is executed by energizing only a group of print elements in registry with one half of the ribbon width so that ink is depleted from only one half of the ribbon, and a second print run is executed by energising the same group of elements using the same ribbon but with the ribbon supply and take-up spools interchanged in order that ink is depleted only from the other half of the ribbon. This allows printing on comparatively narrow printing areas using ribbon which is at least twice the width of the printed area without undue ribbon wastage and with reduced ribbon breakage frequency compared to the breakage frequency with a ribbon of a width nearer to the width of the printed area.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tape printing apparatus having a cassette receiving bay adapted to receive a cassette which contains an image receiving tape, with a print head and a platen roll being relatively movable into an operative position ready for printing. At least one of the print head and the platen roll is operatively connected to a lid capable of closing the cassette receiving bay such that the print head and the platen roll are in their inoperative positions when the lid is open. In order to prevent the undesired effect of deformation of the platen roll when no cassette is inserted, it is proposed providing means for detecting the presence of a cassette in the cassette receiving bay, said means preventing the print head and the platen roll from being moved into their operative positions in the absence of a cassette in the cassette receiving bay.

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 present invention provides a tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters on a tape and cutting the tape to a label of a desirable length, and also a tape cartridge used in the tape printing device. The tape cartridge has a characteristic element readably storing specific information on the tape such as a width of the tape. The tape printing device reads the characteristic element to control printing conditions according to the type of the tape cartridge. More specifically, the tape printing device determines a variety of parameters including a number of lines and character sizes of the character series printed on the tape as well as lengths of left and right margins. When a tape of a relatively large width is set in the tape cartridge, the device increases a rotation torque of a platen for feeding the tape.

Abstract: A printer system includes an ink ribbon end detector for detecting that the ink ribbon cassette has been used to the end; an used ink ribbon cassette holding position memory device for storing therein information indicative of holding position of a used ink ribbon cassette held on a stocker when the ink ribbon cassette end detection means detects that an ink ribbon has been used to the end, and a cassette holding determining device for determining whether or not an ink ribbon cassette whose ink ribbon has not been used is set in the stocker based on holding information. In the printer system having the described arrangement, an optimal available ink ribbon cassette is selected, and in the case of storing plural ink ribbon cassettes in the same color, a continuous printing operation of a large capacity may be performed without using user's hands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters on a tape and cutting the tape to a label of a desirable length, and also a tape cartridge used in the tape printing device. The tape cartridge has a characteristic element readably storing specific information on the tape such as a width of the tape. The tape printing device reads the characteristic element to control printing conditions according to the type of the tape cartridge. More specifically, the tape printing device determines a variety of parameters including a number of lines and character sizes of the character series printed on the tape as well as lengths of left and right margins. When a tape of a relatively large width is set in the tape cartridge, the device increases a rotation torque of a platen for feeding the tape.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette is easily loaded without allowing a torsion force to be acted when the cassette is loaded into a printing apparatus and/or a facsimile apparatus each using the ribbon cassette. A ribbon cassette has a ribbon supplying part for supplying an ink ribbon, a ribbon take-up part for taking up the ink ribbon which is led from the ribbon supplying part and passed between a print head and a platen roller, and connecting parts for connecting the supplying and take-up parts. The connecting parts are provided with projecting holding parts for attachment or detachment, and the holding parts are positioned near the ribbon take-up part positioning on the side remote from a hinge member.

Abstract: A method of printing utilizing a printing apparatus having a base mounting a print head which has a plurality of printing elements each of which is operable to transfer a pixel of print medium from a carrier onto an adjacent substrate, the method comprising causing relative movement between the substrate and carrier, and the print head, such that the print head moves relative to an area of the carrier from a start position to an end of print position whilst utilizing some or all of the printing elements to transfer a set of pixels of print medium from the area of the carrier onto the substrate, wherein during the printing operation the area of the substrate and carrier is moved in a feed direction at a first speed relative to the base and the print head is also moved relative to the base in the feed direction.

Abstract: Compact printer with quick-loading cassette and method therefor. The invention includes a printer enclosure and a cassette insertable into the enclosure. The cassette includes a dye ribbon supply reel having a dye donor ribbon wound thereabout and a rotatable dye ribbon take-up reel engaging an end portion of the donor ribbon for taking-up the donor ribbon. A curved receiver supply tray is disposed in the cassette for supplying receiver sheets to the printhead which is disposed in the enclosure. The curved receiver supply tray occupies less space, depending on the radius of curvature, than the elongate rectangularly-shaped receiver supply trays of the prior art. Over time, a stack of the receiver sheets residing in the supply tray obtains a curved contour because the stack of receiver sheets conforms to the curved shape of the receiver supply tray.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters on a tape and cutting the tape to a label of a desirable length, and also a tape cartridge used in the tape printing device. The tape cartridge has a characteristic element readably storing specific information on the tape such as a width of the tape. The tape printing device reads the characteristic element to control printing conditions according to the type of the tape cartridge. More specifically, the tape printing device determines a variety of parameters including a number of lines and character sizes of the character series printed on the tape as well as lengths of left and right margins. When a tape of a relatively large width is set in the tape cartridge, the device increases a rotation torque of a platen for feeding the tape.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette includes a lid member that is not abruptly opened when a cassette is loaded into a printing apparatus and/or a facsimile apparatus using the ribbon cassette. Retained parts are provided on both side faces of a supplying part main body of a ribbon supplying part in a ribbon cassette and retaining parts which are detachably engaged with the retained parts to retain a lid member by the supplying part main body are provided on side faces of the lid member. While each of the retained parts is a protrusion projecting sideward, each of the retaining parts on the side faces of the lid member via a hinge part and has an engagement hole with which the protrusion is detachably engaged.

Abstract: An ink supply spool for a thermal ink printer includes a central shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a ribbon hub coaxially mounted about the central shaft for rotational movement thereabout and adapted to support a supply of ink transfer ribbon in a coiled configuration, a torsion spring mounted about the central shaft and operatively engageable with the ribbon hub to rotatably bias the ribbon hub to an initial position corresponding to an unstressed condition of the torsion spring in response to movement of the ribbon hub through a predetermined angular sector of rotation in one rotational direction, to thereby maintain a predetermined level of tension on the ink transfer ribbon, a clutch mechanism associated with the ribbon hub to permit the torsion spring to return to the unstressed condition in response to movement of the ribbon hub beyond the predetermined angular sector of rotation, and a support collar mounted about the central shaft adjacent the torsion spring for supporting the torsion spring during

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable thermal printer having a printer housing, a printing mechanism and an ink ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon. The cartridge has a cartridge housing and an improved brake for applying a slight braking force on a core of an ink ribbon supply roll in the housing. The cartridge is easy to load onto the printer. The cartridge forms part of the printer housing and is latched thereto. The cartridge is slid onto the printer and the cartridge housing detents into position.

Abstract: Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope thereof and method of providing same. In one embodiment of the invention, a print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion defining a longitudinal axis therealong, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent the print head. The neck portion is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor take-up spool that has an elliptically-shaped transverse cross section defining a major axis and is capable of being oriented such that the major axis of the take-up spool is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the neck portion.

Abstract: Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a top wall. The printer also has a front side wall with an aperture for receiving a dye-carrying cartridge therethrough. A printhead is disposed in the housing. A movable platen is disposed in the housing in a first position spaced-apart from the printhead and a movable arm attached to the platen and engageable with the cartridge as the cartridge is received through the aperture. The arm moves from a first location to a second location thereof as the arm engages the cartridge and the platen moves from the first position to a second position thereof adjacent the printhead as the arm moves from the first location to the second location. In this manner, the printer defines a reduced exterior envelope because the cartridge is loaded through the aperture in the front sidewall rather through the top wall of the printer.

Abstract: A printing apparatus employs a nearly linear conveying path P2 for printing paper P from a position confronting the platen roller 6 and thermal head 7 for composing the printing unit 3 to the paper discharge unit 2. The capstan roller 4, pinch roller 5, and discharge rollers 10, 10 are disposed opposedly to the conveying path P2, and at an intermediate position of the conveying path P2 intersects the conveying path P1 from the paper supply unit 1 to the printing unit 3. A paper supply port is disposed at the bottom of the paper cassette forming the paper supply unit 1, so that the conveying path P1 from the paper supply port to the printing unit 3 is shortened, and accordingly the paper conveying path is shortened. The printer construction simplified and downsized, while the precision of positioning of the printing paper and positioning of the printing head is enhanced, so that the printing quality may be improved.

Abstract: A roller for a wound ribbon such as a printer ink ribbon may be rotationally coupled by pushing the projections or teeth of a wheel on a drive spindle into a soft material defining part of the bore in the roller. A spring blade prevents the wheel from freely rotating and provides a snap-in feeling. The roller may be part of a cartridge having members for locking the rollers in a position in which the ribbon tension is optimized. The roller and spindle may be coupled in any relative angular position, and the rollers may thus be locked. Release is automatic when the cartridge is full engaged. The ribbon may therefore be more readily installed in an optimized matter.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette is pivotably mounted to a printer. Ink ribbon is accommodated in the ink ribbon cassette and is caused to travel by a ribbon feed roller driven by a drive shaft provided in the printer. Printing operation is carried out at the cassette end arm portion by a printing head, while the cassette end arm portion is reciprocatingly moved in the widthwise direction of the ink ribbon relative to the fixed printing head by an actuating mechanism so that a printing region of the ink ribbon is diffused and becomes wider than a printing width of the printing head. The actuating mechanism includes a small gear integral with the ribbon feed roller, a cam driven by the small gear, and a lever engaging with the cam.

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: Dye cartridge adapted to reduce an exterior envelope of a printer and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen and a print head are disposed in the housing. The print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion defining a longitudinal axis therealong, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent the print head. The neck portion, which is formed by a pair of spaced-apart parallel tines, is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor supply spool and also includes a dye donor take-up spool which is disposed in the neck portion.

Abstract: Dye cartridge system adapted to reduce an exterior envelope of a printer and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen and a print head are disposed in the housing. The print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent to the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge carrying a dye donor ribbon is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent to the print head. A rod-shaped catch-member is attached to the end portion of the dye ribbon. Moreover, a dye ribbon take-up spool, which is permanently disposed in the housing has a recess therein for receiving the catch-member. When the catch-member is received in the recess and the take-up spool is rotated, the dye ribbon winds about the take-up spool.

Abstract: The invention provides a recording apparatus capable of preventing deterioration of printing quality likely to be caused by ink ribbon creases. The recording apparatus uses a replaceable ink ribbon cartridge which has an ink ribbon wound on a take-up spindle and a feed spindle. A take-up spindle support section rotatably supports the take-up spindle when the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted in a specific position. The recording apparatus is further provided with a displaceable retaining member displaceable between a first position, for holding the take-up spindle between the take-up spindle support section and the retaining member to restrict the displacement of the take-up spindle, and a second position, for permitting movement of the take-up spindle into the take-up spindle support section.

Abstract: An autochanger which can continuously operate a video printing apparatus without having recourse to intervention by an operator which includes a paper feed tray for containing a plurality of recording media and/or an ink ribbon cartridge are loaded in the video printer device to selectively change them as the occasion demands, a magazine which can contain a plurality of paper feed trays and/or ink ribbon cartridges and a conveyance means of paper feed tray and/or ink ribbon cartridge for conveying the paper feed tray and/or the ink ribbon cartridge between the video printer device and the magazine. Therefore, the paper feed tray and the ink ribbon cartridge of the video printer device can be changed by the conveyance means as the occasion demands, so as to realize an autochanger which can continuously operate a video printer device without having recourse to intervention by an operator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tape printing device for printing a desirable series of characters on a tape and cutting the tape to a label of a desirable length, and also a tape cartridge used in the tape printing device. The tape cartridge has a characteristic element readably storing specific information on the tape such as a width of the tape. The tape printing device reads the characteristic element to control printing conditions according to the type of the tape cartridge. More specifically, the tape printing device determines a variety of parameters including a number of lines and character sizes of the character series printed on the tape as well as lengths of left and right margins. When a tape of a relatively large width is set in the tape cartridge, the device increases a rotation torque of a platen for feeding the tape.

Abstract: A dye donor cartridge and method for use in a printer. The cartridge comprises a dye donor ribbon formed into a roll. The dye donor ribbon has an end portion. A shield is attached to the end portion of the dye donor ribbon and surrounds the dye donor ribbon as the dye donor ribbon forms the roll. In this manner, the shield shields the dye donor ribbon from damage during handling of the ribbon roll. The dye donor ribbon roll including its shield is mountable on a supply spool, so that the dye donor ribbon unrolls from about the supply spool as the supply spool rotates. The shield preferably has a plurality of sprocket holes for engaging the sprockets of a take-up spool, so that the dye donor ribbon is precisely taken-up onto the take-up spool without "jamming" as the take-up spool rotates. An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises an encasement surrounding the shield as the shield surrounds the dye donor ribbon for enhancing protection of the dye donor ribbon roll during handling.

Abstract: Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope thereof and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen, a print head and a take-up spool are disposed in the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent to the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent to the print head. The neck portion is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor supply spool.

Abstract: A printer system for transferring print from a ribbon onto a substrate. The system including an unwind reel rotatable to supply tensioned ribbon from a ribbon supply roll disposed thereon, and a pivotal dancer arm biased in a first direction. The ribbon is supplied from the unwind reel to a dancer guide roller of the dancer arm, which is pivotal against the bias of a spring member by drawing tension on the ribbon. A pivotal brake member having a brake portion is biased into engagement with the unwind reel to brake rotation thereof, thereby stemming the supply of ribbon, and a brake engagement member on the dancer arm is engageable with the brake member to pivot the brake member away from the unwind reel to supply ribbon therefrom.

Abstract: A printer simplifying a sheet feed mechanism, allowing feeding amount of a sheet to be constant regardless of thickness of the sheet, and facilitating installation of an ink ribbon cassette. The printer comprises a printing mechanism, a sheet feed mechanism, and a driving mechanism of the sheet feed mechanism which are respectively mounted on a chassis, wherein the printing mechanism and a driven roller of the sheet feed mechanism are mounted on a fixed frame fixed to the chassis, and driving rollers of the sheet feed mechanism and the driving mechanism of the sheet feed mechanism are supported on a swing frame swingably fixed to the chassis relative to the fixed frame. There is formed a space portion on the fixed frame for facilitating installation and removal of an ink ribbon cassette.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer according to the present invention is one in which drive side shaft portions and driven side shaft portions of a ribbon supplying spool shaft wound up with an unused ribbon and a ribbon take-up spool shaft for winding a used ribbon are rotatably received respectively by drive side bearing means and driven side bearing means of a housing formed of only a lower shell. The drive side bearing means have U-letter shaped drive side bearing portions having shaft disengagement stopping portions at opening portions into which the drive side shaft portions are inserted from the top, flange receiving portions at the outside of the bearing portions on the same plane for receiving flanges of the drive side shaft portions, and slits formed with upper portions cut off and between the drive side bearing portions and the flange receiving portions making the drive side bearing portions capable of being elastically deformed toward the slits.

Abstract: A printer system includes an ink ribbon end detector for detecting that the ink ribbon cassette has been used to the end; an used ink ribbon cassette holding position memory device for storing therein information indicative of holding position of a used ink ribbon cassette held on a stocker when the ink ribbon cassette end detection means detects that an ink ribbon has been used to the end, and a cassette holding determining device for determining whether or not an ink ribbon cassette whose ink ribbon has not been used is set in the stocker based on holding information. In the printer system having the described arrangement, an optimal available ink ribbon cassette is selected, and in the case of storing plural ink ribbon cassettes in the same color, a continuous printing operation of a large capacity may be performed without using user's hands.

Abstract: A tape and/or ink ribbon cartridge releasably insertable into an inserting section of a tape printer has ink ribbon supplying and recovering sections in a casing of the cartridge and an ink ribbon path extending from the ink ribbon supplying section to the ink ribbon recovery section through a printing position. The ink ribbon path has a portion defined by first and a second side walls facing with each other across a constant gap. The first side wall has an opening formed therein. A shutter portion is formed for closing the opening when the upper and lower casing parts are assembled to constitute the casing of the cartridge. One of the side walls which faces to the ink surface of the ink ribbon has a wavy surface. With the opening formed in the side wall, the ink ribbon can easily be inserted in the narrow path between the first and second walls. Since the wavy surface is formed on the side wall, the ink ribbon is prevented from sticking on the side wall.

Abstract: A method of printing utilizing a printing apparatus having a base mounting a print head which has a plurality of printing elements each of which is operable to transfer a pixel of print medium from a carrier onto an adjacent substrate, the method comprising causing relative movement between the substrate and carrier, and the print head, such that the print head moves relative to an area of the carrier from a start position to an end of print position while utilizing some or all of the printing elements to transfer a set of pixels of print medium from the area of the carrier onto the substrate, wherein during the printing operation the area of the substrate and carrier is moved in a feed direction at a first speed relative to the base and the print head is also moved relative to the base in the feed direction.

Abstract: In order to improve running stability of an ink ribbon during a recording operation and to obtain stable recording quality, a ribbon cartridge includes a ribbon guide member which is placed, at least on the side of a take-up reel of a pair of reels located inside a main case of the ribbon cartridge, between a ribbon edge in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the ink ribbon and the inner surface of the main case and is able to be rotated when the ribbon edge contact therewith.

Abstract: A printer system includes an ink ribbon end detector for detecting that the ink ribbon cassette has been used to the end; an used ink ribbon cassette holding position memory device for storing therein information indicative of holding position of a used ink ribbon cassette held on a stocker when the ink ribbon cassette end detection means detects that an ink ribbon has been used to the end, and a cassette holding determining device for determining whether or not an ink ribbon cassette whose ink ribbon has not been used is set in the stocker based on holding information. In the printer system having the described arrangement, an optimal available ink ribbon cassette is selected, and in the case of storing plural ink ribbon cassettes in the same color, a continuous printing operation of a large capacity may be performed without using user's hands.

Abstract: A cartridge system and method adapted to tension a dye ribbon associated therewith. The cartridge system is disposed in a printer that includes an enclosure. A first spool belonging to the cartridge system is disposed in the enclosure. The first spool has the dye ribbon wound thereabout. The dye ribbon has a leading end portion extending from the first spool. A second spool is associated with the first spool, the second spool having the leading end portion of the dye ribbon connected thereto. A cartridge body, which houses the first spool and the second spool, has a flexible portion movable from a first position thereof spaced-apart from the dye ribbon wound about the first spool to a second position thereof into engagement with the dye ribbon wound about the first spool. When the flexible portion moves to the second position thereof, it imposes a drag force acting on the dye ribbon in order to tension the dye ribbon as the drag force acts on the dye ribbon.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved thermal printer with a rigid frame made from a main frame plate with compound bends and a base plate, record member supply roll mounting and guide devices, an ink ribbon and record member web feed control system, a print head assembly, and improved ink ribbon cores and spindles.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a platen having a sloping plane platen surface, a medium guide path for smoothly guiding paper along the plane including the platen surface, a transparent open/close paper guide positioned above the medium guide path, and two pairs of drive rollers and driven rollers arranged along the platen, with one pair of drive roller and driven roller being disposed in an upstream direction and the other pair of drive roller and driven roller being disposed in a downstream direction with respect to the platen and the paper print movement. The printer is further provided with a ribbon cassette which makes it possible to position a linear portion of an ink ribbon in parallel to the platen surface, a mechanism for switching the linear portion of the ink ribbon between a printable position and a nonprintable position, and a mechanism for attaching a ribbon cassette to a carriage while moving it in a downwardly forward direction.

Abstract: A statement printer of an automated teller machine includes a top plate (16) pivotally mounted on a pair of spaced side walls (12). The top plate supports a ribbon cartridge (18) thereon. The cartridge includes a pair of downward extending projections (38) which are accepted in a longitudinally extending recess (24) in the top plate. Notches (40) and the longitudinally extending projections engage a leaf spring (28) to position the cartridge thereon. The top plate further includes a pair of finger projections (30) having slots (34) for accepting wing projections (36) that extend from the sides of the cartridge. The guided relationship between the downward extending projections and wing projections on the cartridge and the longitudinal recess and the slots on the top plate enable the cartridge to be guided into position on and off the top plate which facilitates changing the cartridge in the confined space inside an automated teller machine.

Abstract: Two column-shaped ribs are disposed between a ribbon spool and an inner wall of a lower case in a cassette case. When a film tape is an ink-receiving type, which needs an ink ribbon, a pathway traveling to the outside of the ribs is selected so that the film tape traveling through the case can be reliably prevented from contacting the ink ribbon wound around the ribbon spool. On the contrary, when the film tape is a heat-sensitive type, wherein printing is performed by a thermal head directly heating the film tape, a pathway which travels between the ribs is selected so that the tape can be prevented from being drawn back when the tape is flexible like paper.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette housing for a printer according to the present invention is one having a bearing means which houses a ribbon supply spool shaft wound with an ink ribbon unused and a ribbon takeup spool shaft for taking up a used ink ribbon in a state that both of the spool shafts are separated from each other and which rotatably supports drive-side shaft portions provided on one ends of the respective spool shafts and driven-side shaft portions on the other ends thereof. The ink ribbon cassette housing for a printer includes a bearing means for said drive-side shaft portions being formed of a bearing portion which has a bearing aperture formed through a side wall of the cassette housing, and a bearing means for the driven-side shaft portions has a bearing portion divided into a lower bearing plate having a semicircular lower bearing aperture and an upper bearing plate which has a semicircular upper bearing aperture and which is shifted positionally forward or backward from the lower bearing plate.