Abstract: A cassette holder assembly includes a first cassette holder for detachably attaching a first ink ribbon cassette at a position that the ink ribbon is supplied to a printing face of a print head, and a second cassette holder detachably mounted on the first cassette holder when the first ink ribbon cassette is detached from the first cassette holder and provided with a ribbon shifting mechanism for shifting the ink ribbon of a second ink ribbon cassette with respect to the printing face of the print head. In accordance, the cassette holders can be replaced easily by an operator, and the printer can be used effectively.

Abstract: A continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassette generally including a printing ribbon cassette body, a printing ribbon cassette nose clip member, and a continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon. The printing ribbon cassette body includes a continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon storage area, an outlet port, and an inlet port. The printing ribbon cassette nose clip member is positioned between the outlet port and the inlet port and locates continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon in proper orientation relative to the interface between the print head and the printing medium.

Abstract: A laptop computer has a base housing and an associated printer (2'), an input keyboard (320, 328) and a screen (306,304). The base housing has a transport channel (3') for a printing medium which runs towards the rear from the operating side and extends essentially over the whole width of the base housing so that printing media of corresponding width (e.g. A4 format) can be printed. The printer (2) is designed as a flat-bed printer and preferably has a dot matrix printing head which can be moved in the lower housing part (4') transversely to the direction of motion (8) of the printing medium (line direction).

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a main body in which a sheet-like printing medium or a tape-like printing medium contained in a cassette can be mounted, a printing head capable of printing an image either on the sheet-like printing medium or the tape-like printing medium, and a control unit for, when an image is printed on the sheet-like printing medium, controlling the printing head and the sheet-like printing medium to make them move relative to each other and cause the printing head to print the image on the sheet-like printing medium, and for, when an image is printed on the tape-like printing medium, controlling the printing head and the tape-like printing medium to make them move relative to each other and cause the printing head to print the image on the tape-like printing medium.

Abstract: A device for registering the printing performed by a thermal transfer printer, wherein it is constituted by the film carrying the transfer ink after it has passed over the heating points of the print head and onto a film take-up spool that includes means enabling it to be coupled to a drive member synchronized with a drive member for driving the print medium.

Abstract: An ink sheet cassette of reduced size and a recording apparatus for loading the ink sheet cassette therein are provided. The ink sheet cassette includes an ink sheet, a first reel capable of winding the ink sheet around itself, a second reel capable of winding the ink sheet around itself, and a frame holding the first reel and the second reel, bent orthogonally with respect to an ink layer surface on the ink sheet. The recording apparatus includes a loading portion capable of loading the above ink sheet cassette therein, a recording head capable of recording from the ink sheet in the ink sheet cassette loaded in the loading portion to thereby record an image on a recording medium and feed means for feeding the recording medium. The frame of the ink sheet cassette also has a guide portion to guide feeding of a recording medium when the ink sheet cassette is loaded in the recording apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a thermal transfer printing ink-sheet in a cartridge case and for indicating a characteristic of the ink-sheet, comprises an ink-sheet including an ink which is transferred from the ink-sheet by a heat energy, a shaft on which the ink-sheet is wound and which is mounted detachably and in a rotatable manner on the cartridge case, and an indicating member which is discrete in relation to the cartridge case, indicates the characteristic of the ink-sheet, is rotatable in relation to the shaft, and is connected to the shaft so that an integral combination of the indicating member and the shaft is kept on a replacement of the ink-sheet, and the indicating member and the shaft are separated simultaneously from the cartridge case on the replacement of the ink-sheet.

Abstract: A tape cassette accommodating a tape-shaped member has an accommodation case and a cover for covering the accommodation case. On the accommodation case, an exit slit is formed, the tape-shaped member being fed out of the tape cassette through the exit slit. On the accommodation case, a protruded portion is formed at the exit slit, the protruded portion is protruded by a predetermined amount in the feeding direction of the tape-shaped member and extending along the exit slit. Further, a pair of snapping members are provided on one of the cover member and the accommodation case, while receiving member Is provided on the other for receiving the snapping members so as to fix the cover member onto the accommodation case.

Abstract: A printing device includes a detachable cassette containing therein a recording medium to be printed upon and a cutter blade which is movable to contact a wall section of the cassette through the recording medium. A holder on the cassette guides and holds the recording medium which has exited the cassette to a position on the wall section for cutting by the cutter blade.

Abstract: Means to control feeding of a multi-strike ink ribbon housed in a reversible cassette is disclosed. The cassette carries a magnetizable element and when the cassette is inserted in printing apparatus the element is located in operative alignment with a magnetic sensing device and with an electromagnet. Upon insertion of the cassette, the polarity of magnetization is sensed and provided the polarity is correct printing is enabled. If the polarity is incorrect printing is disabled. When the end of the ink ribbon is sensed, the electromagnet is energized to reverse the polarity of magnetization of the element so that when the cassette is removed and reinserted with reversed orientation, the correct polarity of magnetization is sensed and printing is enabled. A counter may be provided to limit the number of permitted reversals of the cassette.

Abstract: A dot printer includes: a platen and a printing head encased in a printer case in the vertical direction; a paper housing portion provided laterally of the platen; a feed roller disposed laterally of the printing head for feeding a paper taken out of a paper housing portion to the printing head; and a discharge roller disposed laterally of the printing head for discharging the paper outside of the case. With this construction, the printer can be made thin and can also be miniaturized.

Abstract: In a cassette accommodation chamber of a printing device, a cassette accommodating a tape-shaped member is detachably mounted. The cassette accommodation chamber has a bottom surface, and an entrance opening opposite to the bottom surface. In the accommodation chamber, cassette receiving members are provided for receiving the cassette in such a fashion that, if a relatively thin cassette which accommodating a relatively thin cassette in said accommodation chamber, the thin cassette is positioned away from the bottom surface of said accommodation chamber. Namely, the cassette is positioned such that the surface of the cassette is positioned at the substantially same position regardless of the thickness of the cassette.

Abstract: A cassette casing adapted to house a replaceable ribbon including spaced spool carrier shafts rotatably mountable within the casing, at least one of the shafts being retractable from the casing in an axial direction and a device to lock the shaft against retraction. The casing also includes a device providing a guide path for the ribbon to travel from one spool to another, and a loading aperture in the casing through which at least one removable spool may be inserted into the cassette in a direction transverse to the axis thereof to be suitably positioned for insertion of the retractable spool carrier shaft into or retraction of the shaft from the bore of the spool.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a prohibiting member which prevents the tape cassette from being loaded into a tape printing device without a mode appropriate for the tape cassette. When an operator tries to load the tape cassette into a printing device without a mode for the tape cassette, a prohibiting member provided on the main body of the tape cassette abuts an installation member of the tape printing device thus preventing improper loading. The prohibiting member also has a function as a reinforcement member and a positioning member for reinforcing the cassette case and ensuring proper loading in the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat printer which is divided in a print carrier plane into a lower housing part and a housing cover which can be placed on or lifted off the latter. The housing cover is pivotably connected to the lower housing part. In a basic version, the housing cover contains only inactive functional components, namely a printing abutment as well as upper transport rollers. All the active functional components, namely the printing head, the driven lower transport rollers with their drives, as well as the drive for the ink ribbon cassette are arranged in the lower housing part. The electronic drive and control device is designed as a circuit board, onto which the functional components to be connected to it are preferably plugged directly.

Abstract: A thermal ribbon cassette includes a take-up spool and a supply spool rotatively mounted in the cassette housing. The spools are aligned to respective aperture in the rear wall of the housing. The housing has a print head opening located between the supply spool and the take-up spool dividing the cassette into the respective supply side and the take-up side. The thermal ink transfer ribbon supply is wrapped around the supply spool and extending to the take-up spool. An encoder post is rotatively mounted to the rear wall to the supply side of the cassette aligned to an aperture in the rear wall. A first drag post is fixably mounted to the rear wall on the supply side of the cassette and a feed post is fixably mounted to the rear wall on the supply side of the cassette just prior to the print head opening. A drag clutch is provided for preventing the supply spool from turning in the non-feed direction and for providing a predetermined amount of drag to the supply spool.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette and a recording apparatus adapted to detachably attach the ink ribbon cassette thereto. An electrode for dissipating electrical charges on the ink ribbon surface is provided either in the ink ribbon cassette or on a carrier of the recording apparatus. The electrode can comprise a resilient conductive member, such as a ground plate having an end portion that is bent into a V-shape. In addition, the electrode may be provided with sharp projections adapted to make scratches on the ink ribbon surface. The electrode is adapted to be brought into contact with the ink ribbon surface either before or after the ink ribbon is used for thermal recording. The electrode forms a path through which charge on the ribbon can be dissipated even if the surface layer of the ribbon is an insulator.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a cassette case for housing an ink ribbon and feeding it along a feed path, an ink ribbon guide for guiding the ribbon along the ink path and a cantilevered spring member disposed at an intermediate portion of the feed path of the ink ribbon. The cantilevered spring member includes a frictioning portion for imparting a smaller tension to the ink ribbon when the ink ribbon is fed from a supply end to a take-up end, while imparting a greater tension to the ink ribbon when the ink ribbon is fed from the take-up end to the supply end. The spring member is provided at a free end with the frictioning portion and is bent at an intermediate portion such that a supported end of the spring member and the free end thereof face each other.

Abstract: A multi-color ribbon cassette position adjusting apparatus comprises a carrier having a print head, a cassette mounting member rockably supported on the carrier, and a fine adjustment mechanism attached to the cassette mounting member, for finely rocking the mounting member. The fine adjustment mechanism includes a guide member fixed to the cassette mounting member, a follower piece guided by the guide member to engage a helical cam for shifting the position of the cassette mounting member, and a position adjusting member for relatively moving the guide member and the follower piece.

Abstract: In a tape alignment mechanism for overlapping two or more tapes with an alignment operation in a width direction, the tape alignment mechanism comprises an alignment member.For example, when a tape is fed through a roller member having a pair of flange portion of which interval of length is designed to be substantially similar to a width of the tape, the tape is aligned in a width direction.Further, an another tape to be overlapped with the tape is fed through the roller member, and thus, the two tapes are acculately overlapped.

Abstract: An ink ribbon unit and an ink ribbon cassette for use in printers of thermally sublimate ink transferal type are described. The cassette comprises a casing and the ink ribbon unit installed in the casing. The ink ribbon unit comprises an ink film, a spool around which the ink film is wound, a coaxial shaft portion possessed by the spool, a ring rotatably disposed about the coaxial shaft portion of the spool, and a mark representing information on the ink film. The mark is applied to the ring to rotate therewith. Another mark similar to the above-mentioned mark is attached to the casing.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for a printer is provided with a take-up arm that is thin enough to fit into an extremely tight space of the printer, and has a support stub which supports the lower edge of the ribbon, an upper guide finger which guides the upper edge of the ribbon, and a lower guide finger which guides the lower edge of the ribbon.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing is carried out in a printer. A cassette case housing a thermal transfer printing film is inserted into the printer and set in position. The cassette case has an outer surface provided with a plurality of marking positions to one of which a reflective mark is applied to indicate the usage and/or ink characteristics of the printing film in the cassette case. For printing, printing sheets are fed into the printer. Each sheet has a sheet mark indicating the usage and/or ink characteristics adapted to it. The reflective mark and the sheet mark are detected in the printer, and only when it is determined that the detected marks are of the same usage and/or of the same ink characteristics, the printer is allowed to operate.

Abstract: A device for loading an ink film and printing papers in a color video printer. The loading device comprises an integrated-type container for containing both of ink film and printing papers therein. The integrated-type container comprises an ink film cartridge portion formed at one side of the container, a printing papers receiving chamber formed at the other side of the container, and a guide opening formed between said ink film cartridge portion and said chamber. A printing paper guiding plate is fixedly mounted to the upper portion of the printer body in the interior of the printer body in order to guide the printing paper fed from the printing papers receiving chamber to the guide opening formed at the container.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is capable of detecting the end of an ink ribbon and verifying normal mounting of a ribbon cassette. When a portion of ink ribbon sufficient for printing one character is transported, an actuator in the ribbon cassette is rotated by a predetermined amount. The rotating actuator turns on and off a switch. The number of times the switch status is changed is detected. Determining the switch ON-OFF count makes it possible to detect the ink ribbon end and to check for any abnormal winding operation of the ink ribbon. Thus a single switch arrangement permits detection of both the ink ribbon end and an abnormal ink ribbon winding operation that may occur.

Abstract: Different kinds of upper casings and different kinds of lower casings can be combined with each other. A tape cassette is formed by combining an upper casing and a lower casing corresponding to tape width of tapes (film tape, double-coated adhesive tape, heat transfer ribbon). A first projection part indicating to a kind of upper casing is formed on the upper casing and a second projection part indicating to a kind of lower casing is formed on the lower casing. The kind of tape cassette can be identified by the first projection part and second projection part.

Abstract: An arrangement for assuring ink ribbon and correction tape compatibility in a device which utilizes a first cassette having an ink ribbon therein and second cassette having a correction tape therein in the operation thereof, the arrangement including engaging formations located on the first and second cassettes which ensure that the ink ribbon and correction tape are functionally compatible with each other when the respective cassettes are inserted in the device such as, for example, functional compatibility between a single-strike ink ribbon and a lift-off correction tape, or functional compatibility between a multiple-strike ink ribbon and a cover-up correction tape.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use with printers (or plotters) for storing and transferring ink-containing ribbon cassettes between a print head and a storage location. The printers (or plotters) are of the type which include a print head that is not as wide as the width of the medium to be printed on so that the print head has to be moved to print (or plot) across the full width of the medium. The apparatus automatically removes a cassette mounted to the movable carriage to which the print head is also mounted and deposits it in the storage station, and automatically removes a selected cassette from the storage station and deposits it on the print carriage. The apparatus includes cassette holders at the storage location and a cassette holder mounted to the print carriage.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory is mounted on a cartridge for a thermal printer and includes color correction and carrier defect data which are used by the printer to make prints.

Abstract: Assembly fixtures for assembling and stuffing a ribbon into a ribbon cartridge for use with a typewriter, or a printer, comprises a base plate, stops on the base plate forming a space for receiving a ribbon cartridge, and an instruction card mounted on the base plate for instructing the operator how to assemble and stuff a ribbon cartridge. The instruction card may include three-dimensional drawings of the ribbon cartridge and its parts. A method of assembling and stuffing a ribbon cartridge includes the steps of providing an assembly fixture having a base plate and a ribbon cartridge space providing instruction cards mounted on the base plate for instructing an operator, guiding the ribbon cartridge into the cartridge space on the base plate, and following the instructions mounted on the base plate to assemble and stuff the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A transfer/recording paper cartridge comprises: a case having a recording paper container containing recording papers, and a transfer paper container containing a feed spool on which is wound a transfer paper and a winding spool to which is fastened the leading end of the transfer paper, and provided with a paper feed opening; and a cover covering the paper feed opening. When a recording apparatus is loaded with the transfer/recording paper cartridge, the cover is moved automatically to an open position to open the paper feed opening so that the paper feed mechanism of the recording apparatus is able to gain access to the recording papers contained in the transfer/recording paper cartridge. The recording papers and the transfer paper are consumed proportionally, so that the recording papers and the transfer paper are exhausted simultaneously.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer recording system, an ink paper cassette containing an ink paper having ink layers and an ink paper feed bobbin with the ink paper wound therearond, and further containing a take-up bobbin for taking up the ink paper fed from the feed bobbin, is used in conjunction with a recording paper, a platen roller, and a thermal head. The recording paper and the ink paper fed from the feed bobbin are disposed in a superimposed manner on the platen roller and are pressed toward the platen roller form the ink paper side and heated by the thermal head, thereby allowing ink to be transferred to the recording paper form the ink paper in accordance with information provided to the thermal head. A discrimination is made as to whether the ink paper cassette is a first ink paper cassette which contains a first ink paper having only ink layers, or a second ink paper cassette which contains a second ink paper having both a receiving layer and ink layers.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a top, a bottom, sides disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon chamber disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon outlet extending from the chamber, a ribbon inlet extending into the chamber, and a positionable tab disposed on the cartridge for actuating a power switch on a device in which the cartridge may be mounted.

Abstract: A thermal printer has detachably attached to a frame assembly of a printer a print unit having a built-in thermal head. The print unit accommodates therein an inked ribbon. By a drive member installed within the frame assembly, the thermal head is pressed against the platen roller and consequently driven thereby. The print unit is provided with a unit case and a cover allowed to be opened or shut relative to the unit case. The inked ribbon can be attached to or detached from the interior of the unit case. The unit is capable of incorporating the platen roller therein. In this case, the opening of the cover induces formation of an opening between the platen roller and the thermal head. The unit incorporating the platen roller therein is not required to be provided in the frame assembly thereof with the drive member which would cause the thermal head to be pressed against the platen roller by virtue of a spring member and and consequently induce a displacement of the thermal head.

Abstract: A cassette for holding a transfer printing film has a pressing member for pressing against a feed roll of the film wound around a feed reel in the cassette. When the cassette is loaded in a thermal transfer printer, the film is taken up around a take-up reel from the feed reel while the pressing member is applying a braking torque to the film on the feed reel so that torque balance is attained. When the wound length of the film of the feed roll has decreased to approximately 60 percent of the initial length, the pressing member ceases to apply the braking torque to the feed reel, and thereafter the feeding and taking up of the film are carried out in a regular torque state.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printer having a thermal print head and a cooperable platen roll. The platen roll is driven to advance a web of record medium and an ink ribbon into cooperation with the print head. The printer can use an ink ribbon cartridge. The printer has a compact arrangement for the record medium supply roll, the ink ribbon cartridge, the printing mechanism, the drive mechanism, the keyboard, and the cutting mechanism for cutting tags from the web. The ink ribbon cartridge has movable guides which are aligned by spindles on the printer.

Abstract: A label printer comprises a supporting frame having a pair of side plates facing each other. A print head and a platen roller are arranged between the side plates. Above the print head is arranged a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon between the print head and the platen roller. The ribbon supply device includes a ribbon drive section, and a ribbon unit supported on a supporting member and movable between a first position wherein the unit engages the drive section and a second position wherein the unit is located outside the supporting frame. A fixing member is attached to one of the side plates and movable between a release position wherein the fixing member allows the ribbon unit to move and a fixing position wherein the fixing means engages the ribbon unit to hold it in the first position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable printer suitable for hand-carrying and transporting, and provides a portable printer which is easily carried and transported and provides less possibility of damage to the printing mechanism, and comprises a plurality of casings 1, 2, a printing mechanism 10 housed in the casing 1, 2 for performing a printing of a paper 100, and connecting means 3 for connecting the plurality of casings 1, 2 by mating wider surfaces 1a and 2a among outer surfaces of the casings 1, 2 when a printing of the paper 100 by the printing mechanism 10 is performed, and when a printing is not performed, the relative positional relationship of the plurality of casings 1, 2 can be varied to form an essentially flat configuration overall.

Abstract: A transfer ribbon cassette including a cassette case rotatably supporting first and second reels of the same shape disposed in the same plane, wherein ribbon exposing openings are formed, in the opposite sides of the cassette, parallel with the common side tangents to the cylindrical surfaces of the two reels, the cassette case and cassette interior being of symmetrical construction with respect to an axis parallel with and intermediate between the reel axes; and wherein a thermal transfer ribbon is wound on one of the first and second reels using as the delivery side at first, the delivery end of the ribbon being secured to the other reel in an S-shaped pattern so that the ribbon can be taken up.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus for printing characters/symbols on a tape member. In the printing apparatus, a margin setting mode can be set. If the margin setting mode is set, the apparatus becomes operable in the margin setting mode in which the tape member is automatically cut with a predetermined margin remained ahead of the printed portion of the tape member. The apparatus includes feeding mechanism for feeding the tape member at a predetermined feeding speed, the feeding mechanism having a motor for generating a feeding force, the motor being neutrally actuated at a first rotational speed.

Abstract: A printer includes a housing containing a removable ink ribbon cartridge and a platen. In use, the platen is located over the ink ribbon in the cartridge. The platen is pivotable from the in use position to a raised position to provide clearance for removal and replacement of the cartridge.

Abstract: An adaptation of an inked ribbon cassette to printers of higher printing speed is achieved where a supply spool is used as inked ribbon storage. Furthermore, the problem of an environmentally proper disposal of used inked ribbon cassettes is solved. At least two rotary drivable spool axles (3, 4) are spaced apart from each other on a base plate (1), open toward the upper side and open on the bottom side, where the spool axles (3, 4) are rotary supported on the base plate (1). The inked ribbon reels (2, 5) can be individually attached onto the spool axles (3, 4). A first inked ribbon guide element (7) is coordinated to one spool axle (3, 4). The inked ribbon (6) is guided from a first inked ribbon reel (2) along the first inked ribbon guide element (7) and parallel to the print path (17) and back via a second inked ribbon guide element (8) onto the second inked ribbon reel (5).

Abstract: In an electrically controlled typewriter, a printer or the like it is provided that for the read-out of a magnetic coding on a rotationally driven part a sensor emits output signals in reference to a changing magnetic field. Preferably the sensor is in the form of a pulse wire. A ribbon cassette for such a typewriter is distinguished by the disposition of at least one magnet on a rotationally driven part Advantageously this is a Wiegand wire. A type wheel can be coded in a corresponding manner.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a body with a carrying mechanism for carrying a printing sheet, a driver for driving a narrow ink ribbon, a serial-type printing head for printing on the printing sheet and a controller for controlling the carrying mechanism, the driver and the printing head. An expendable cartridge is attached on the body for housing a narrow thermal ink ribbon and cut or rolled printing paper sheets in respective compartments thereof. The ribbon is exposed partially and is able to be wound up and let out. In this way, when the cartridge is attached on the body, the carrying mechanism confronts the printing sheet, the printing head confronts the exposed portion of the ink ribbon, and is engaged with the ink ribbon driver.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette has an endless ribbon contained in the cavity of the cassette and the ribbon is directed by guide arms in a path past a printing station. A ribbon drive roller and a driven roller are positioned within the cavity and the drive roller has a shaft connected with a first bevel gear which engages a second bevel gear for driving the ribbon.

Abstract: A transfer cartridge is provided for a thermal printer that has a first printer sidewall defining an opening and a second printer sidewall spaced from the first printer sidewall. The cartridge is positioned between the first and second sidewalls and includes members, engageable with the first sidewall, for releasably locking the cartridge in position between the first and second sidewalls.

Abstract: A ribbon feed for a thermal ink transfer ribbon (14) is disclosed in which the ribbon is drawn from a supply spool (15) and, together with an article (17) such a mail item on which printing is to be effected, is fed past a thermal print head (12). A tachometer (45) is coupled to the feed to generate pulses as the item is fed. A sensor (33, 34) generates pulses as the spool (15) rotates due to drawing of the ribbon therefrom. The number of sensor pulses occurring in periods determined by the tachometer pulses is compared with a predetermined value to provide to enable detection of occurrence of a fault in the ribbon feed from the spool.

Abstract: The ribbon cartridge includes a storage chamber for the print ribbon, openings through its top and bottom walls adjacent the storage chamber, and a stripper for maintaining the ribbon in the storage chamber likewise adjacent the openings. A ribbon drive mechanism is mounted on the printer deck and includes a drive gear, and an idler gear mounted on a pivoted lever, also pivotally carrying a cam. The lever is pivotable between positions opening and closing the rollers. A stripper actuating member is movable in response to rotation of the cam and displaces the stripper, when the cartridge is disposed on the printer, toward and away from the drive mechanism. The cam also enables opening and closing movement of the rollers to disengage and engage the ribbon, respectively.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of image recording and image correction using a self-correction ribbon. In image recording the ribbon is lifted off from the recording sheet immediately after heating, while in correction the ribbon is lifted off with a delay from the sheet so that the ribbon develops sufficient adhesive force by cooling. The delay is caused by a lever member or the like, movable between a protruding position for correction and a retracted position for recording, and provided on an ink ribbon cassette or on the recording apparatus itself.

Abstract: An ink paper cassette has ink paper, a supply shaft for supplying the ink paper, a take-up shaft for winding the ink paper, a front connecting portion for rotatably supporting first ends of the supply and the take-up shafts and a rear connecting portion for rotatably supporting second ends of the supply and the take-up shafts. The ink paper cassette is to be loaded into a printer. The printer performs thermal prints of characters and/or pictorial images onto a transfer paper with the ink paper loaded in the ink paper cassette. The front connecting portion has a depth so greater than that of the rear connecting portion that the front connecting portion is brought into abutment with a front face of a printer mechanism, whereby preventing the ink paper cassette from being loaded into the printer.