Abstract: The check writer, for imprinting checks or negotiable instruments is comprised of a frame having a printing line, a plurality of type segment members supported by the frame with each segment member having a set of centered printing characters on the segment member facing. The segment members are movable to locate the desired printing characters on the printing line and cooperate with a prefix holder assembly supported by the frame and structurally arranged to receive and position a sliding prefix plate adjacent to the printing characters on the printing line. The width and length dimensions of each printing face on each type segment is substantially identical which assists in the cooperation between the exposed printing characters and the imprinted check to prevent criminal alteration.

Abstract: A cartridge lockout system and method for an image forming apparatus, which includes a cartridge and a wheel rotatably mounted on the cartridge. The wheel has a plurality of digital indicators, each digital indicator being in a first condition or a second condition. A sensor is secured to the image forming apparatus adjacent the digital indicators for sensing the digital indicators and the first and second conditions of the digital indicators and producing a sensor signal during rotation of the wheel. Further included is an engine that has a machine class code and a cartridge support registry data table stored therein. The engine is in electrical communication with the sensor, receives the sensor signal, generates a cartridge class code based on the sensor signal, compares the cartridge class code to the machine class code, and disables operation of the engine if the cartridge class code does not match the machine class code in the cartridge support registry data table.

Abstract: A bar code printing device including a base frame, a cover turned about a pivot in the base frame, torsional springs mounted around the pivot to force the cover outwards from the base frame, gear wheel and sector gear assemblies mounted between the base frame and the cover to buffer the spring force of the torsional springs, a sticker reel mounted in the base frame and turned by a step motor to let off a sticker for printing, a ribbon reel mount fastened to the cover on the outside, a ribbon reel mounted on the ribbon reel mount and turned by a DC motor through a reducing gear to turn a ribbon over the sticker, the ribbon reel having a tension spring adapted for adjusting the diameter of the ribbon reel subject to the size of the ribbon to be used, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the DC motor and the step motor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink sheet cartridge loadable into a recording apparatus for performing the recording onto a recording sheet. The cartridge comprises a first winding member for winding an ink sheet of multi-print having the ink on a carrier, a second winding member for winding the ink sheet, an ink sheet conveying rotational body for applying a conveying force to the ink sheet, the ink sheet conveying rotational body being provided on the recording head downstream thereof in a direction of conveying the ink sheet, and a frame body for containing the first winding member, the second winding member and the ink sheet conveying rotational body.

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 ribbon mask for use with a impact dot matrix printer is provided. The ribbon mask comprises a head confronting surface and a pair of opposed side plates each positioned on an opposite side of the head confronting surface. An obtuse angle is formed between said head confronting surface each of the opposed side plates. A pair of fitting tabs are also provided. Each fitting tab is positioned on one of the pair of opposed side plates. An acute angle is formed between each of the fitting tabs and a plane parallel to a plane in which the head confronting surface lies. As a result of this construction, when the ribbon mask comes in contact with a sheet of a recording medium, the ribbon mask is deformed so that a portion of the head confronting surface comes into contact with an end of a recording head, which in turn prevents the ribbon mask from interfering with the sheet of the recording medium.

Abstract: A tape cartridge detachably attached to a refill type coating film transfer tool that allows replacement of coating film transfer tapes, and formed in a compact size and simple structure using fewer components. The tape cartridge has a compact size and simple structure, comprising a pay-out reel with a coating film transfer tape wound thereabout and a winding reel for collecting a used tape rotatably provided in a support base in a form of a flat plate, and the reels are detachably engaged, respectively, with a pay-out rotation part and a winding rotation part rotatably provided in a case of the coating film transfer tool for integral movement therewith. In order to replace a tape cartridge, the support base is placed on the rotation parts, while the reels are in engagement with the rotation parts, respectively, then, the tape is set to a head.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge device for electronic equipment includes a ribbon cartridge for being removably mounted in the electronic equipment. The ribbon cartridge comprises a supply reel, a take-up reel, and a path-setting member for bending a path of the ink ribbon along which the ink ribbon is routed between the supply reel and the take-up reel, each arranged within a casing. The path-setting member is capable of changing the path of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: The check writer for imprinting checks is comprised of a frame having a printing line, a plurality of type segment members supported by the frame, with each segment member having a set of offset printing characters thereon on the segment member facing and being moveable to locate the desired printing characters on the printing line, and a prefix holder assembly supported by the frame and structurally arranged to receive and position a sliding prefix plate adjacent to the printing characters on the printing line. The width and length dimensions of each printing face on each type segment is substantially identical. Additionally, the check writer includes an inked ribbon and ribbon support member supporting the ribbon adjacent to the printing characters disposed on the printing line, a platen supported by the frame, and an actuating mechanism supported by the frame and movable from a normal non-printing position to an activated printing position for effecting the printing operation.

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: A tape cassette used in a tape printer, the tape cassette including a thermal stencil paper thermally perforatable by a thermal print head of the tape printer; and a stencil sheet case housing the thermal stencil paper and having a portion shaped the same as a mountable portion of a print tape case housing a print tape. The cassette also includes an indicator for indicating when thermal stencil paper is housed in the cassette.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a sprocket wheel (11) for forwarding sheets, a platen roller (9), a thermal head (26) pressed on the platen roller (9), and a reduction gear (8) by which a rotating drive of a motor is reduced and is communicated to the sprocket wheel (11) and the platen roller (9). The sprocket wheel (11) is engaged with perforations (33) of a transfer sheet (4), and the transfer sheet (4) and an ink ribbon (21) are forwarded while being tightly sandwiched between the platen roller (9) and the thermal head (26), and the ink of the ink ribbon (21) is thermally transferred onto the transfer sheet (4) by the thermal head (26). In the thermal printer, a gear (10) with a friction clutch is disposed between the platen roller (9) and the reduction gear (8), and the peripheral speed of the platen roller (9) is set to be higher than that of the sprocket wheel (11).

Abstract: An imprinting system having a typeface for transferring ink supplied from an inked ribbon roll onto a substrate, and an ink ribbon cassette removably coupleable to a mounting member of the imprinting system to facilitate service and maintenance. An alignment member of the imprinting system is disposeable in a first alignment aperture of the ink ribbon cassette to align the ink ribbon cassette relative to the imprinting system. A lever having an engagement surface is pivotally coupled to the ink ribbon cassette and is engageable with a locking pin coupled to the imprinting system, wherein the engagement surface of the lever is engageable with the locking pin as the lever is pivoted to firmly retain the ink ribbon cassette mounted on the mounting member. A handle having multiple gripping members is coupled to an outer side portion of the ink ribbon cassette to facilitate gripping the cassette and for stably supporting the ink ribbon cassette disassembled from the imprinting system.

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 sensor for sensing and identifying characteristics of a printer ink ribbon when a ribbon supply roll is inserted into a printer and operated. Ink ribbon cartridges used in printers are provided in a number of types, colors, and other identifiable characteristics that are important for insuring that the correct ribbon is inserted in the printer for the then current print job. In the present invention, the ribbon cartridges include ribbon supply rolls which are provided with identifying indicia on one end of the roll, and a sensor to read the presence of indicia when the printer is operated. The positions of the indicia relative to selected reference positions indicates the ink ribbon type. Suitable circuitry is used to disable the printer if the print ribbon is not properly correlated to the requirements of the printer.

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 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 recording apparatus for recording onto a recording medium comprises a loading section for loading rockably an ink sheet cartridge having an ink sheet containing ink, a first winding member for winding said ink sheet, a second winding member for winding said ink sheet, and a frame body for holding the first winding member and the second winding member rockably, with the loading section loading the ink sheet cartridge detachably, a positioning device for positioning the first winding member and the second winding member, and a recording head for recording onto the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet.

Abstract: A dual station hot debossing stamper for a report or book cover includes a print engine having a character finger daisy wheel forcer and a logo die forcer which are actuatable independently by a common servo motor through respective gear trains. A heat and pressure transferable foil tape character cartridge and print wheel are inserted and locked into the engine in a character debossment operation with a motor driving the print wheel. Removal of the character cartridge and insertion of a logo transfer tape cartridge shifts the gears in the print engine. The tape of the character cartridge used with the print daisy wheel has a narrower tape width than that of the logo cartridge. Each of the tape cartridges includes an anti-back rotation spring attached to a reel in the cartridge and may include an adjustable tape advance and indicating means for determining the remaining length of tape on a supply reel. A method of loading heat and force transferable material-containing tape into the cartridges is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ribbon cassette for use with a printer, including a cassette case detachably mounted in the printer and an ink ribbon stored in the cassette case and partially exposed to face a print head provided in the printer. The ribbon cassette further includes a ribbon take-up member rotatably supported in the cassette case, a driven member rotatably supported in the cassette case and meshing with the ribbon take-up member through the ink ribbon, and a power transmitting member provided in the ribbon take-up member to connect the ribbon take-up member to a ribbon driving shaft provided in the printer. A breaking strength of the power transmitting member against a load from the ink ribbon is set smaller than that of the ribbon driving shaft. Accordingly, in the event that ribbon jam occurs, the power transmitting member breaks to thereby prevent fracture of the ribbon driving shaft in the printer.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes conveying means for conveying a recording medium, a platen for conveying and supporting the recording medium and an ink sheet, recording means for pressing the recording medium and ink sheet to the platen and heating the ink sheet to record images the recording medium. This ink sheet has a first guiding member and a second guiding member which are bonded, respectively, to both ends of the ink sheet. The first and second guiding member bonded to both ends of the ink sheet substitute for a winding reel and supply reel. Therefore, these reels are no longer needed to make it possible to reduce the parts numbers, and implement the use of inexpensive materials.

Abstract: A machine and method of performing a work operation requiring a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web has a cassette containing consumable web material, and the cassette has an indicator for identifying a length of unconsumed web in the cassette. The length of unconsumed web in the cassette is compared to a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web required to perform the work operation, and the operation is performed if the length of unconsumed web in the cassette is at least equal to the required length of unconsumed web. In one embodiment, the indicator takes the form of a potentiometer mounted on an exterior surface of the cassette for electrically indicating the amount of unconsumed web, or a pointer carried by a worm gear rotatably coupled to a spool of the cassette, wherein the pointer moves relative to indicia on the cassette upon rotation of the spool to visually indicate the amount of unconsumed web in the cassette.

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: Ink ribbon cassette having flexible spacers for insuring that the ratchet of the cassette is engaged by the teeth of the ratchet and pawl of the printer are provided. In particular, the present invention provides flexible spacers for the ink ribbon cassettes used in the new style 2170 printer, a Showa-Seiki HS-45.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette apparatus which eliminates slack in an ink ribbon when the ink ribbon cassette is loaded on a printer. The ink ribbon is supplied from a supply reel and taken up on a take-up reel both supported on the cassette. A detector detects when the cassette is loaded on the cassette apparatus and in turn drives the take-up reel to draw a short length of the ink ribbon onto the take-up reel. The rotatable supply member is restrained by spring tension from rotating and from supplying the ribbon, providing a back tension on the ink ribbon and preventing slack.

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: The present invention relates to a printing device having a baseplate with a flat base portion and upstanding elements. The flat base portion and upstanding elements are provided as a unitary part which may be formed from die casting, injection molding, outsert molding, or similar construction techniques.

Abstract: A compact ink ribbon cartridge includes a casing divided into lower and upper halves and rotatably mounts ink ribbon supply and take-up reels in a parallel spaced apart relationship. A length of ink ribbon is wound between the reels so as to be stretched over a head insertion opening provided through the cartridge casing. A guide portion is provided at a central portion of the cartridge casing such that ink ribbon guide shafts are disposed at both sides of the head insertion opening along the path of winding of the ink ribbon. A plurality of guide shafts are provided at each side of the head insertion opening as necessary for prevention of wrinkling and/or slackening of the ink ribbon. Furthermore, the print head of a printer is provided with guide shafts to guide the ink ribbon and to minimize the vertical distance that the print head must travel.

Abstract: A printer is capable of preventing the formation of creases in a portion of an ink ribbon corresponding to a print head and of printing characters and images in good print quality without forming streaks attributable to creases in the ink ribbon. A main frame supports a feed spool and a takeup spool so that an ink ribbon extends between the feed spool and the takeup spool. A print head support frame supporting a print head and an ink ribbon guide is supported pivotally at one end thereof on the main frame. When the print head support frame is locked in place on the main frame, the ink ribbon guide depresses the ink ribbon so that the tension of a portion of the ink ribbon on one side of the main frame is higher than that of a portion of the same on the other side of the main frame while the printer is in an unoperational state and tension is distributed uniformly across a portion of the ink ribbon corresponding to the print head while the printer is in an operational state.

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 cutting system for a printing device comprises a cutting blade (58) which has a cutting surface wherein there is defined a notch (58a). The cutting system also has an anvil (60) on which a printing medium such as heat shrink material is supported during cutting. The cutting surface of the blade (58) cuts through the printing medium leaving an uncut area at the notch (58a).

Abstract: A tape cartridge which stores the non-lamination type printing tape and another tape cartridge which stores the lamination type printing tape are both commonly assembleable to an accommodation portion of a printing device. In accordance with the kind of the assembled tape cartridge, normal or reversed character image is printed on the tape.

Abstract: A cassette which can be molted in a recording apparatus includes a first winding member for winding one side of a strip member, a second winding member for winding the other side of the strip member, and a frame for rotatively housing the first and second winding members. A first regulating member regulates the rotation of the first winding member when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus, and a second regulating member regulates the rotation of the second winding member when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus. With the simple structure enabling the cassette to be easily assembled, it is possible to prevent the idle run of the winding members as well as the slacking of the strip member.

Abstract: A dye donor cartridge (17) for a thermal printer (10) is disclosed. Uniformity of the image intensity in the thermal print head (12) is achieved by carefully controlling an ambient temperature of the print head. This control of ambient temperature is achieved with an air flow arrangement, wherein air is supplied to the dye donor cartridge (17), and through cartridge vents (54) to print head heatsink (15). In one embodiment of the invention, cartridge vents (54) vary in size to provide extra cooling to portions of the printhead assembly (12) to maintain a substantially uniform temperature along its length.

Abstract: An ink film cassette which is detachably attached to a thermal transfer recording device, the ink film cassette having a supply reel winding an ink film therearound, a take-up reel which rolls up the ink film fed out from the supply reel and a torque limiter which is provided between the supply reel and a frame of the body of the thermal transfer recording device so as to apply torque to the supply reel.

Abstract: A cassette case is removably attached into a main body of a printed tape producing apparatus. The apparatus includes a print section and a platen that is pressed against or brought out of contact with the print section, and carries out printing by passing an ink ribbon and a print tape between the print section and the platen. The cassette case housing the ink ribbon is provided with a container section into which a tape case housing the print tape is removably fitted. The cassette case and the tape case are respectively provided with a guide groove having its top opened, and it is possible to easily carry the tape to the print section by pinching the tape at the opening in the guide groove.

Abstract: A printer and ribbon cassette with gears for transmitting power from the drive motor of the printer to the ribbon cassette. Guides are provided for guiding the ribbon cassette in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the gears, so that the ribbon cassette slides easily into place and the gears engage easily, but the gears are tightly engaged.

Abstract: A printer cartridge includes exit and entrance arms for receiving and exiting ribbon from the cartridge in response to a drive mechanism whereby the ribbon passes from the exit arm to an entrance arm past a printhead. An oscillator is coupled to the ribbon drive mechanism and includes a cam carried by the cartridge engaging a cam lever pivotally carried by the cartridge. The lever bears against a printer support when the cartridge is disposed in the printer. When the drive mechanism advances the ribbon, the oscillator is also driven to pivot the cartridge about a longitudinal axis, thereby gradually locating upper and lower portions of the ribbon in registration with the printhead as the ribbon advances.

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: An apparatus and method for storing and supplying a ribbon containing ink in a system used for printing information. A cartridge protects the tape during shipping and storage and enables easy replacement of a ribbon into a printer. The cartridge provides a volume for accumulation of used tape wound on a take-up reel. The cartridge contains elastomer strips to protect, guide, and apply tension to all the tape during operation and storage.

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: An ink ribbon cassette is provided for feeding and driving an ink ribbon in a printer or the like. The cassette includes a housing, a take-up core rotatably supported in the housing with the front end of the ink ribbon being coupled thereto and a take-off core rotatably supported in the housing. An ink spool is wound up on the take-off core, where the ink spool includes an outer periphery. A brake assembly is provided and includes a conical plate where the outer periphery of the ink spool rests on the conical plate, thereby decreasing the braking torque as the spool diameter decreases.

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: An ink ribbon cassette has a case housing an ink ribbon inside. Holes for receiving positioning members are formed at the two ends of a front portion of the case, and an engaging member is formed at the center of a rear portion of the case. One of the positioning members also serves as an ink ribbon end detector. A printing apparatus for printing using such an ink ribbon cassette has a carriage, projections and a spring. Thus, the slackening of the ink ribbon will not occur in the printing mode.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable thermal printer having a printer housing, a printing mechanism and 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: A reflective label is produced by forming a print image on one surface of a cover film of a transparent resin of polyester or the like with a thermal head using an ink ribbon according to a thermal transfer printing method, and then, sticking the surface of the cover film with the print image formed thereon, to the reflective surface of a reflective double-coated adhesive tape, formed of a reflective ink layer including light scattering particles of glass beads or the like and a vapor deposited metallic layer.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a dye donor supply spool with a body and first and second end portions extending from the body. First and second receptacles are positioned for matingly receiving the first and second end portions of the dye donor supply spool. The supply spool is correctly loaded only when the first and second end portions of the supply spool matingly engage the first and second receptacles, respectively. A mechanical stop prevents incorrect end for end loading of a supply spool that has an off center web wound thereon by engaging the web and preventing the end of the spool from engaging the receptacle.

Abstract: A reusable ribbon cassette can be provided for a printer for printing on labels by using an ink transferred from the ribbon to the label material, wherein the ribbon cassette provides the ribbon for the printing. Such a re-usable cassette for a ribbon which is used up rapidly, in particular an ink ribbon in a thermal transfer printing process, has two parallel housing halves, one of which has vertically projecting pins onto which the other housing half can be pushed, and then maintained in position by friction. When the cassette is open, the tape, which is conventionally wound on a tape core, can be pushed onto the cores or core pairs of the cassette, and thereby become simultaneously non-rotationally connected to the cores. The connecting pins for the two housing halves advantageously simultaneously form deflector elements for the tape.

Abstract: A printing device has a simple mechanism for ensuring that a cassette having tape of a proper width is inserted into it for printing and for advising a microprocessor of the width of the tape. This is achieved by providing a switch with an actuating part which can be accommodated by a cassette of one type but not by a cassette of a different type.