Abstract: The cartridge comprises two arms situated on both sides of the cartridge y; each arm can occupy either a first, non-functional position (or storage position of the cartridge) or a second, functional position (or use position of the cartridge). Elastic tension means are provided to act on the ribbon to hold the latter taut whatever the functional or non-functional position occupied by the arms.

Abstract: A transfer ribbon feed arrangement for use in a transfer type recording apparatus which transfers onto a recording sheet by sequentially feeding the transfer ribbon includes a feed roller disposed on the feed side of the transfer ribbon for feeding the transfer ribbon from the feed roller, a take-up roller for winding up the transfer ribbon around it and a tension unit disposed on the feed side of the transfer ribbon for applying a constant load on the transfer ribbon to keep it under a constant tension.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a carbon ribbon from a supply reel to a take-up reel includes an adjusting member which is used for securing a guide rod around which the carbon ribbon passes to a fixed plate. A bolt passes through an off-center hole in the adjusting member and upon tightening of the bolt, one end of the rod is secured to the fixed plate. The other end of the rod is pivotably secured in a base plate. Therefore, by turning the adjustment member, the location of the off-center hole is changed and the inclination of the rod is adjusted. By suitable setting of the adjustment member, the orientation of the rod is adjusted so that a uniform tension is applied across the ribbon tape to thereby prevent wrinkling or misalignment thereof.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette, such as in inked ribbon for a printing machine, has a supply spool and a take-up spool. An unwinding force is applied to the ribbon and the take-up spool is driven from the supply spool through a slip coupling. The configuration of the driving connection between the spools is such as to lead to a theoretical speed of the take-up spool which is always greater than is actually needed to match the speed of unwinding from the supply spool. Slip however occurs to match the speeds and to maintain tension in the ribbon.

Abstract: A multifunctional cassette (1) for a printer (131), in which the cassette (1) that can be arranged in the printer (131) is provided with first, second and third chambers (31, 35, 37). The second chamber (35) and the first chamber (31) can accommodate a supply reel (59) and a takeup reel (57), respectively, for transport of a color transfer strip (55) past the printing head (143), while the third chamber (37) can comprise a supply of a data strip (41) to be transported along the printing head (143). Pins (103, 105) brake the web when the cassette is not in the printer. Whether using or not using the first and second chambers (31, 35), the multifunctional use of the cassette (1) becomes possible for different types of printers, such as black-and-white printers and color printers.

Abstract: In a replaceable ribbon cartridge (12) for printers in which the ribbon (14) can be guided out of the cartridge through an exit opening (16) and at the end of a tension segment extending outside the cartridge can be reintroduced into the cartridge through an entrance opening (18), there is arranged on the cartridge (12) in the zone of the tension segment at least one deflection slide (24, 26) displaceable in a direction approximately perpendicular to the ribbon plane between a position of retraction into the cartridge (12) and an extended position deflecting the ribbon (14). Through the deflection slide or slides (24, 26), the ribbon (14) is generally spread away from the cartridge sufficiently so that upon insertion of the cartridge into the printer, it places itself around the printer head.

Abstract: A printer having extended ribbon capacity is provided with a vacuum buffering system which stores ribbon on either side of a ribbon utilization mechanism, illustratively an impact print head. In a preferred embodiment, the ribbon is stored in a pair of vacuum chambers which are arranged to pivot about a common axis as a carriage which bears the print head is translated along a carriage path. The vacuum chambers are each provided with telescopically extendable members which compensate for variations in the distance between the pivot of the vacuum chambers and the print carriage, as the print carriage is translated. A ribbon lift system for multitrack embodiments utilizes off-carriage drive and a direction-determining clutch toggle system.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette is provided with a rotatably mounted ribbon supply spool whose flange has markings, angularly spaced according to ribbon type, which are adapted to be successively sensed as ribbon is incrementally drawn off a supply spool to provide signals from which the type of ribbon in the cassette can be identified and the feed increments therefore determined, and information regarding the supply of ribbon remaining on the spool, end of ribbon and ribbon jams may be derived in a programmed control unit. The ribbon cassette further comprises a two-armed lever pivotally mounted in the cassette housing, having first and second lever arms which engage teeth on the edge of the spool flange when the two-armed lever is in a first end condition and a second end condition respectively.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for use in a typewriter, printer and the like includes a driving mechanism to move a strip of ink ribbon out of the cartridge through a supply port and again into the cartridge through a take-up port and a deterrent mechanism to impart a back tension to the ink ribbon when pulled toward the take-up port from the supply port. The deterrent mechanism includes a guide post and a leaf spring whose forward end is pressed against the guide post with the ink ribbon sandwiched therebetween. The forward end of the leaf spring is provided with oppositely extending side projections which are inserted into the relief holes provided in the top and bottom walls of the cartridge. More preferably, the guide post extends from the bottom wall and extends into the relief hole of the top wall.

Abstract: An improved drive mechanism for an ink ribbon cassette for advancing an ink ribbon particularly well suited for use in a typewriter is provided. The drive mechanism includes a drive roller rotatably supported in the casing with a free floating pressure ring supported by a roller. The pressure ring is supported against the roller and against the drive roller so that there is an increase in pressure with an increase in the tension of the ribbon.

Abstract: Typing ribbon cartridge for typewriting and/or printing machines in which a typing ribbon (2) has a section that runs freely outside the cartridge housing between two housing side-arms (4). To select one of several typing tracks this section is moved perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon section in such a way that equalization of the differing tensions of the ribbon edges in the various positions of the free section of the ribbon is obtained. For this purpose guide elements (9) are provided, which are mounted on guide edges of the side-arms (4), which are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis throughout their entire length and in the ribbon plane, and the guide elements are tiltable about axes (15), which are arranged perpendicular to the plane of the free section of the ribbon and which intersect the guide edges.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge having a pair of movable arms extending outwardly from the body, over which the ribbon passes on its transit from an internal ribbon supply to an internal used ribbon storage. Each of the arms is supported for movement about an oblique axis which moves the active marking portion of the ribbon so that the path traversed by one edge is equal in length to the path traversed by the opposite edge.

Abstract: A color printer includes a carriage slidably movable on a printer frame. A print head is mounted on the carriage. A multiple-color ink ribbon having bands of color is stored in a cartridge which guides the multiple-color ink ribbon to the print head. A color selecting mechanism moves the cartridge and the multiple-color ink ribbon relative to the print head to select a color band for printing. An advancing mechanism winds the multiple-color ink ribbon in the storage member to tension the multiple-color ink ribbon after a color band has been selected and prior to printing.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus is disclosed in which ribbon advancing mechanism including a supply spool and a take-up spool operated by a stepping motor is disclosed. Mechanism is provided for reversing the direction in which the take-up spool is driven by a specified amount during the printing cycle, in order to provide ribbon slack, so as to avoid smudging of the transferred ink on the receiving document and possible ribbon breakage during printing. The circumference of the accumulated ribbon on the take-up spool at any given time is considered in determining the number of steps and the step rate of the stepping motor in the reverse direction which must be taken in order to produce the desired amount of ribbon slack and slack take-up.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette for typewriters is provided with an end-of-ribbon signaling device which takes the form of a switch comprising a contact web on a ribbon tensioning lever associated with the supply spool in the ribbon cassette and two contact pins provided in the machine. The contact web is adapted to bridge the contact pins signaling end of ribbon when the ribbon supply is used up.

Abstract: A movement monitoring device for monitoring the movement of items past or through a work station wherein the items move synchronously with a ribbon through or past the work station. The transport of the items is monitored by a detector which monitors the linear movement of the ribbon. Signals from the detector can be used to activate the work station at intervals corresponding to the passage of the items.

Abstract: A printer (1) having a guide (13,15,16) for an insertable cassette (17), which is provided with a data strip (175) displaceable along a printing head (19). In certain arrangements the cassette may also include a transfer strip (177), which could include colored portions. The cassette (17) has an entrance window (167) for a transport roller (65) pivotable in the printer (1) by translation of the cassette (17). During printing, the data strip (175) and the transfer strip (177), if any, are clamped between the printing head (19) on a first cassette side and the transport roller (65) pivoted from a second cassette side located opposite the first cassette side into the entrance window (167). Separate gear wheel trains both driven by the same motor transport the two strips when both are provided.

Abstract: An improved transfer material holding cassette is provided with a rotation inhibiting means which serves to inhibit the core from being rotated freely at a time before it is fitted to the housing of an image building apparatus in which an image is built using the transfer material and release it from the rotation inhibited state when it is fitted to the housing. The rotation inhibiting means is located opposite to the plane of a core extending at a right angle relative to the axis of rotation of the core and comprises a lever turnably supported on the inner wall of the case to turn about the middle part thereof, the one end of the lever being located opposite to the plane of the core and the other end of the same being located opposite to an opening on the case, and a resilient member adapted to normally turn the lever in such a direction that the one end of the lever comes in contact with the core under the effect of a resilient force so as to inhibit the core from being rotated freely.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus includes a multi-color ribbon wound around a pair of rollers mounted inside the cartridge. The cartridge has a lid which is opened to exchange the ribbon and roll shafts. The cartridge also includes a locator slot adapted to detachably mount the cartridge on a cooperating holder in the image forming apparatus. Holding means are provided in the cartridge to prevent the rollers from rotating when the cartridge is not mounted on the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The ribbon (17) has an external run between the type element (25) and platen of a daisy-wheel typewriter. This run stretches between terminal members (59) which protrude from side arms (33 and 34) of the cartridge casing (18) and are fixed to the distal ends of arms (39, 41) pivotally mounted in the casing (18) at (52). The arms (39, 41) are biased downwardly by wire springs (67) to expose the typing line. Ribbon lift levers of the typewriter raise the arms simultaneously to position a selected one of three tracks on the ribbon at the level of the typing point. The terminal members (59) slide on guides (62) at the ends of the side arms (33, 34), constraining the external ribbon run to lie always within and translate within a single plane. The edges of the guides (62) are curved so that the tilt of the terminal members (59) varies as they move up and down, in such a way as to maintain the ribbon tension uniform across the width of the ribbon (17).

Abstract: Member (9) has a tension arm (13) over which ribbon (3) feeds. Biasing arm (17) presses member (9) toward brake surface (7), with slot (21) moved until it encounters stud (23). At low tension of ribbon (3), brake surfaces (11) and (7) press and hold ribbon (3). As feed tension increases tension arm (13) forces member (9) back until stud (23) encounters the opposite end of slot (21), after which slightly higher force further opens the brake and arm (13) continues to provide feed tension. The mechanism is small, efficient, smooth functioning, and suited to incorporation as part of a ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: In picture image forming apparatus employing a copying paper and a transfer printing ribbon with both ends connected to take up cores, when the leading end of the copying paper is located close to a transfer printing unit, the tension of the ink ribbon is increased for preventing clogging of the paper and misalignment of printed picture images. Further, the tensions applied to the both ends of the ribbon are controlled to apply a braking force to the ribbon and then stop the same for the purpose of preventing over running of the ribbon.

Abstract: A ribbon supply arrangement for a printer is provided with a first ribbon supply portion having supply and take-up reels therein, the ribbon being provided to a second ribbon supply portion which is installed on a carriage of the printer. In one embodiment, the first ribbon supply portion is pivotally coupled to the second ribbon supply portion, and also pivotally coupled to a pivot coupling on the frame of the printer such that the bulk of the weight of the first ribbon supply portion, including the ribbon supply therein is borne by the frame, and not the print carriage. In a further embodiment, the first ribbon supply portion is provided with a large supply reel and a plurality of take-up reels.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette for winding an ink ribbon from a feed spool to a winding spool is provided. The cassette includes a base with a guide path for receiving a guide projection formed on a support member having a feed spool sleeve. A drive roller and controlling roller are rotatably mounted on the cassette base. A winding spool is rotatably mounted on the feed spool sleeve and biased towards the drive roller, and a feed spool is rotatably mounted on the feed spool sleeve and biased towards the controlling roller. The spool sleeves are positioned so that when the guide projection of the support moves within the guide path the winding spool operatively engages the drive roller and the support member pivots about the guide projection so that when the ribbon is wound from the feed spool to the winding spool, the feed spool maintains engagement with the controlling roller.

Abstract: A thermal printer (10) has a thermal transfer medium (28) fed past a thermal printhead (21) at a substantially constant velocity by a feed roll (82) engaging the thermal transfer medium just prior to the printhead to maintain a portion of the thermal transfer medium between the printhead and the feed roll relatively stiff. The feed roll is mounted on a cartridge (30) having the thermal transfer medium supplied therefrom. A drag brake (70) is disposed in the feed path of the thermal transfer medium prior to the feed roll to cause a substantially constant premetering tension to be applied to the thermal transfer medium irrespective of the coefficient of friction between the drag brake and the thermal transfer medium. A carrier (14), which supports the printhead and a feed roll driver (90), is driven separately from the feed roll driver so that various ratios between the velocities of the thermal transfer medium and the carrier are obtained to produce various print qualities.

Abstract: A pivotal guide for changing the direction of a typing ribbon in typewriters such that when raising or lowering the ribbon at the printing location relative to the printing element, transverse forces are eliminated. The guide comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal slot which receives an end wall of the magazine, the bottom of the slot being formed with two projecting sloped surfaces which intersect midway of the body to form a pivot axis for the body on the edge of the end wall. The body has cylindrical end surfaces confined between cover plates of the magazine to limit axial movement of the guide body and the ribbon thereon.

Abstract: The inked ribbon cartridge comprises an endless ribbon, an elongated housing for the ribbon, a first laterally extending finger at on end of the housing, a longitudinally slidable arm at the other end of the housing carrying a second finger disposed generally parallel to the first finger. A drive wheel is located behind the ribbon and is rotatable for withdrawing ribbon from the front section and is operative to create folds in the used ribbon and to stuff the folds of ribbon between the drive wheel and the ribbon. A fixedly mounted stripper ring encircles the drive wheel and carries a stripper foot to strip the ribbon from the wheel. At the exit port are three aligned support members with the middle support member being over center with respect to the other two. A leaf spring member is located in contact with all three support members. The ribbon passes between one of the support members and the spring.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer comprising a storage reel for an ink ribbon, a take-up reel for the ink ribbon, drive wheels for longitudinally advancing the ink ribbon from the storage reel to the take-up reel for printing on the ribbon and a pulley which rides on a cam for transversely displacing the ribbon during its longitudinal advance to produce a saw-tooth path of travel of the ribbon and offset the area of the ribbon utilized in printing.

Abstract: The cartridge comprises a container (7) of substantially parallelepipedal form with its corners radiused and rounded off. The container is provided with a back (8) having a slot (27) adapted to guide a slide (26) on the ends of which are rotatably mounted a feed spool (22) and a take-up spool (32) on which the ribbon (21) is wound. A spring (36) engaged with a stud (41) on the slide keeps the slide (26) towards the right-hand side of the container with the take-up spool (32) engaged with the pin teeth of a feed roller (42). As the turns of ribbon wound on the take-up spool increase, the slide shifts with the two spools towards the left-hand side of the container in opposition to the action of the spring. The cartridge is mounted removably on a support of the machine which is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the machine passing through the printing point in a manner such as to permit visibility of the printed characters.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for use in an impact printer has a pair of spaced ribbon guide arms pivotally mounted on a cartridge case. An endless ink ribbon is stored in a storage space in the cartridge case. A feed roller is drivably mounted in the cartridge case. A roller guide is pivotally mounted in the cartridge case and has a hook engageable by a post on the rear end of one of the ribbon guide arms. A pressure roller is rotatably mounted on the roller guide and movable toward and away from the feed roller in response to angular movement of the roller guide. The pressure roller is normally urged by a spring to move toward the feed roller.

Abstract: A printer having a print ribbon feed mechanism is disclosed which allows optimal feeding of a print ribbon, eliminating unnecessary consumption of the ribbon. The mechanism includes first and second clamp means mounted on a stationary section and a print carrier of the machine, respectively, which are both controlled in accordance with movement of a print head from and to a print enabling position. Means are provided which are connected to a carrier indexing mechanism for impositively driving print ribbon supply and takeup spools disposed on the stationary section to wind a print ribbon onto them during a carrier return operation whereas they allow the ribbon to be unwound from the ribbon spools when the carrier advances.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a driving gear on a carriage rotated in accordance with the movement of the carriage, a spool shaft rotatable only in one direction for rotating a ribbon spool of a ribbon cassette, and a rotation transmitting mechanism having first and second releasing members provided between the driving gear and the spool shaft for operatively interlinking the driving gear to the spool shaft to rotate the spool shaft in the one direction in accordance with the movement of the carriage in the forward direction. The first releasing member is driven by a print head and releases an operational interlink between the driving gear and the spool shaft when the print head is disposed at a non-printing position. The second releasing member releases the operational interlink in accordance with the movement of the carriage in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A printing ribbon cassette having in a casing a supply spool carrying a printing ribbon thereon and a take-up spool on which the ribbon is wound as it is released from the supply spool having an axis of rotation which is movable as the ribbon is released therefrom. A ribbon tensioner in the casing has a base rotatably supported on a supply spool shaft, and one end engaged with the ribbon released from the supply spool, while the other end of the tensioner is engaged with a guide member in the casing. The outer end of the tensioner is movable along the guide member with the displacement of the supply spool shaft to enable one end of the tensioner to maintain a constant range of tension on the ribbon.

Abstract: A print ribbon cassette of a simplified construction which can prevent slackening of a print ribbon and normally keep the print ribbon in taut condition for printing. The print ribbon cassette comprises a lock member having a locking position for preventing inadvertent rotation of a feed spool on which a print ribbon to be supplied is wound. The cassette further comprises a ribbon lock control member which is moved between an operative position and an inoperative position in response to a tensile force of a print ribbon applied thereto. In the operative position of the ribbon lock control member, it engages with the lock member and holds the same to the lock position.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette for a printer includes a ribbon storage chamber in which an endless ink ribbon is stored. The ribbon has a portion lying outside the chamber, and is movable out of and into the chamber by a feed roller. A roller is provided in the vicinity of the ribbon outlet of the chamber. A spring is provided adjacent to the chamber for holding the ribbon against the roller to impart tension to the outwardly lying ribbon portion. A lever contacts the spring, and is rotatable to deform the spring so that the spring may hold the ribbon against the roller with an increased force.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a winding mechanism for a rolled tape-like web, like a composite label or tag web or a carbon ribbon, for eliminating the slackening or meandering of the web. The web is fed from a feed reel to a take-up reel. The take-up reel drives the feed reel to rotate in a first direction by drawing the web off the feed reel. A belt also connects the take-up reel and the feed reel so that rotation of the take-up reel for winding the web onto it is transmitted by the belt to the feed reel to urge the feed reel to rotate in the direction opposite that direction of rotation of the feed reel for feeding the web off the feed reel. This tightens the web, but it is not a sufficient retarding force to prevent feeding of the web. In one embodiment, the belt connection is by a helical coiled spring belt. A spring-operated brake is positioned at the feed reel or at both of the feed and take-up reels for preventing overrunning of these reels.

Abstract: A mechanical torque transmitting apparatus such as a one-way clutch which includes two distinct sets of flexural arms (primary and auxiliary) and a cylindrical engagement surface. The primary flexural arm is adapted to be in edgewise continuous engagement with the cylindrical surface. Preferably, the primary flexural arm has a long, straight, narrow cross-section area and applies a relatively low force against the cylindrical surface when said surface is rotating in a free-wheeling direction. In the non free-wheeling direction, the force against the cylindrical surface increases until the rotational forces overcome and buckle the primary flexural arm whereupon the auxiliary flexural arm is brought into contact with the cylindrical surface to resist further rotation.

Abstract: In a tape transport mechanism, a payout reel is supported on a shaft whereabout is wound a helical spring inertia brake fixed at a first end and free at a second end, wound such that rotation of the payout reel in response the drawing therefrom of ribbon tends to cause the helical spring inertia brake to be wound more tightly onto the shaft. A portion of the ribbon passes onto a tension arm. A projection on the tension arm engages the second free end and unwinds the helical spring inertia brake to allow rotation of the shaft opposed by a predetermined amount of torque to maintain tension in the moving ribbon. When the moving ribbon ceases to be drawn from the payout reel, the tension arm moves back for the projection to allow the helical spring inertia brake once more to grip the shaft and bring the payout reel rapidly to a halt.

Abstract: An inked ribbon cartridge has two sets of ribbon feed mechanisms, one for each core means around which the ribbon is wound, allowing the ribbon to travel back and forth so that the cartridge can be loaded upside down when the upper half of the ribbon has been used up thereby doubling the useful life of the cartridge. Two springs apply a predetermined force to two ratchet wheels which are connected to first and second core means for preventing an over-rotation of the core means. Each feed mechanism comprises a feed driven roller and a feed drive roller.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided which utilizes rolling pressure contact for printing, and includes a plurality of sets of serially arranged character elements mounted for movement on the external surface of a printing drum. Movement of the sets to place a desired character into printing position is accomplished by controlling the speed of a motor driving a pulley connected by cable to a given character set, relative to the speed of a motor driving the printing drum in rotational movement.

Abstract: An inked ribbon cartridge having an inked ribbon to be used for printing by an impact printer includes first and second cores having the ribbon wound thereon, and first and second ratchet cores directly coupled to the first and second ribbon cores. In addition, first and second levers have first ends which are selectively engaged with the first and second ratchet cores while opposite ends of the first and second levers are in contact with the inked ribbon for detecting a tension in the inked ribbon. Accordingly, the ribbon can be fed by providing a low torque to the first and second ribbon cores.

Abstract: There is disclosed a braking assembly for a ribbon supply spool including an inked ribbon and formed of a planar V-shaped plastic device disposed on a shaft member receiving the ribbon supply spool and comprised of a ring-shaped portion including a tooth member and extend leg portions wherein one leg portion is formed with pin member for coursing the ribbon and wherein a portion of the ring-shaped portion opposite the leg portions is formed of reduced cross-sectional area and wherein the tooth member cooperates with a serrated surface. In a preferred embodiment, the area of reduced cross-section is disposed in a line bisecting an angle formed by the extended leg portions.

Abstract: A cartridge for a typing ribbon comprises a container having a bottom with a series of seat openings provided at positions confronting a supply reel and a cover having a series of ribs which project into the container at positions confronting the reel. A blocking element comprises a flat plate of limited thickness having a series of dished portions capable of being forcibly fitted into the corresponding seat openings of the bottom to lift the supply reel and urge the upper edge of the ribbon against the ribs which prevents the turns from unwinding during storage and transportation of the cartridge. Channels co-operate with fixing elements on the machine and an opening 31 provides access for a sensing element. The blocking element comprises a first limb portion capable of covering the channel and the opening and a second limb portion capable of covering the channel in such a way as to prevent the cartridge from being mounted on the machine when the blocking element is mounted on the cartridge.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer printer of the invention, the urging force acting between a thermal head, an ink film and recording paper is released at a point where the thermal head is not operating, that is, before or after one page or at a point of line space or the like. The ink film is fed without printing, so that new portion of the film may be opposed to the head or loosened film may be kept taut. Wrinkles of the ink film are eliminated, and excellent recording is performed without local transfer failure.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge wherein a supply spool is continually biased so that the outer circumference of the ribbon wound thereon, is continually pressed against the inside wall surface of a case and wherein the inside wall surface has part thereof of a rough surface and of varying frictional resistance.

Abstract: A typewriting or printer film ribbon cassette has a carrier with fixedly spaced pins forming axes for the takeup and supply spools so that, as the ribbon builds up on the takeup spool, the carrier is shifted away from a feed wheel whose axis is coplanar with the axes of the supply and takeup spools against the force of a spring urging the carrier in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A postage meter printing apparatus for applying postage indicia to a mailpiece having a cyclically operating drum for feeding the mailpiece through the postage meter. The periphery of the drum has an aperture therein. Structure is provided to maintain the mailpiece against the drum as the mailpiece is fed by the drum and to cycle the drum. A matrix print head located internal to the drum has a printing position and non-printing position. The print head is automatically placed adjacent the mailpiece through the aperture in the drum to its printing position, when the aperture is between the print head and the mailpiece. The print head is a matrix print head of impact or other type and includes a cooperating ribbon either inked or other to print on the mailpiece. The inked ribbon is contained in a replaceable cartridge. Structure is provided to activate the print head when it is in its printing position.

Abstract: A ribbon metering drive accurately advances ribbon in a ribbon cartridge. The drive includes the drive roller, driven by the printer, and an idler roller mounted adjacent the drive roller. The drive and idler rollers have roughened, typically serrated, drive surfaces. The idler roller is lightly biased against the drive roller. The ribbon is guided through the ribbon drive so that it contacts substantially more than half the roughened drive surface of the idler roller. The ribbon is pulled through the ribbon drive by the action of the idler and drive rollers at the nip and also by the frictional engagement of the ribbon contacting the roughened surface of the idler roller. The low biasing force on the idler roller reduces wear and creep in the components to provide accurate ribbon metering over a longer life than is available with prior art ribbon drives.

Abstract: A printer using a ribbon having an ink layer thermally transferable to a sheet of paper. The printer comprises a thermal print head having plural heat generating elements, and a carriage carrying the print head. The carriage is pivotable between its printing position at which the print head is in contact with the paper, and its release position at which the print head is spaced from the paper. The printer further comprises a ribbon cassette removably mounted on the carriage and accommodating a supply and a take-up spool. The ribbon from the supply spool is fed in contact with the sheet of paper relative to the ribbon cassette while the carriage is moved relative to the sheet of paper. The printer includes a stationary rack extending along the printing line, and a pinion rotatably supported on the carriage. The pinion which is connected to the take-up spool is engageable with the rack while the carriage is in the printing position.

Abstract: An ink ribbon folding mechanism for a printing apparatus is adapted for folding an endless ribbon (3) in a ribbon case (6) by means of a pair of feed rollers (4, 4'; 4A, 4A'). For achieving a smooth folding of the ink ribbon, in spite of the relative roughness of the surface (12) of the ink ribbon which is subjected to collision with the type compared to the relative smoothness of the other surface (13), the contact point (17) of the feed rollers is located in a biased position with respect to the center (18) of the ribbon case so that the contact point is closer to the side wall (6b) of the ribbon case that faces the smooth surface of the ink ribbon than to the side wall (6a) of the ribbon case that faces the rough surface of the ink ribbon, whereby, even though when being folded on the side of the smooth surface, the ink ribbon can reach a side wall (6b) of the ribbon case that faces the smooth side of the ink ribbon.