Abstract: The ribbon winding unit is equipped with a first moving gear, a second moving gear, a first intermediate gear, a tumbler gear, and a winding member. The first intermediate gear engages with the first moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in a given direction, and disengages from the first moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in an opposite direction. The tumbler gear engages with the first intermediate gear, engages with the second moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in the opposite direction, and disengages from the second moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in the given direction.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: A ribbon tension control system for a printing system includes a ribbon tension control apparatus. The ribbon tension control apparatus is configured to engage a print ribbon that extends through the printing system for applying one or more inks in the print ribbon to one or more target objects as the print ribbon is pulled from an unwind spindle to a windup spindle in the printing system. The ribbon tension control apparatus also is configured to control tension in the ribbon in response to change in a torque applied to the windup spindle that is used to pull the ribbon through the printing system.

Abstract: A print station system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the print station system.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall having a front surface, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing, an ink ribbon at least partially included within the housing, and a take-up spool included within the housing and configured to take-up the ink ribbon. A first aperture is formed on the front surface of the front wall, wherein a first virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through a most upstream end of the first aperture also passes through the take-up spool, and wherein a second virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through a most downstream end of the first aperture also passes through the take-up spool.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path in a tape feed direction toward the tape feed exit, a first aperture formed on the front wall, and a tape type indicator aperture formed on the front wall. At least one of the first aperture and the tape type indicator aperture is located in a trench in the front wall.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a tape feed exit located on the front wall, and an arm portion formed by the front wall and an arm rear surface behind the front wall. The arm portion partially surrounds an opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface behind the front wall, and a tape feed path passes through the arm portion from an upstream portion of the arm portion to a downstream end of the arm portion. The tape cassette also has a tape included at least partially in the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and a first aperture formed on a bottom edge of the front wall and positioned downstream of an upstream end of the opening.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a tape feed exit on the front wall, and an arm portion formed by the front wall and an arm rear surface behind the front wall. The arm portion partially surrounds an opening, and a tape feed path passes through the arm portion. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, an ink ribbon at least partially included within the housing, a take-up spool included within the housing and configured to take-up the ink ribbon, and a first aperture formed on a bottom edge of the front wall. A virtual line orthogonal to the front wall intersects the first aperture, the opening, and the take-up spool.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall configured to expose a tape guided in the housing along the tape feed path. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path to the tape feed exit, a first aperture, formed on the front wall above a first centerline bisecting the front wall into top and bottom halves, and to the right of a second centerline on the front wall bisecting the housing into right and left halves, and a second aperture, formed on the front wall to the left of the second centerline, wherein at least a portion of the second aperture is below the first centerline.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall. The tape cassette also includes a tape configured to be fed along the tape feed path to the tape feed exit, an ink ribbon, and a take-up spool configured to take-up the ink ribbon and having an axis of rotation. A first aperture is formed on a bottom edge of the front wall, wherein a portion of the first aperture is downstream of a location at which a virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through the axis of rotation of the take-up spool passes through the front wall and upstream of a virtual centerline that is orthogonal to the bottom surface and divides the front wall into left and right portions.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and tape type indicator apertures formed on the front wall of the housing. A combination of the tape type indicator apertures forms a pattern corresponding to a type of the tape at least partially included within the housing. The tape type indicator apertures include a first tape type indicator aperture and a second tape type indicator aperture, and the tape type indicator apertures are positioned such that the first tape type indicator aperture is not aligned with the second tape type indicator aperture in a direction orthogonal to the tape feed path and parallel to the front wall.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall, a tape feed exit located on the front wall, and a bottom surface, and a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit. The tape cassette also includes a latching aperture, a first tape type indicator aperture, and a second tape type indicator aperture, each formed on the front wall. The second tape type indicator aperture is located below the latching aperture in a tape width direction, and at a bottom edge of the front wall. The first and second tape type indicator apertures are positioned such that the first tape type indicator aperture is not aligned with the second tape type indicator aperture in a direction orthogonal to the portion of the tape feed path extending generally parallel to the front wall.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall, a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall configured to expose a tape guided in the housing along the tape feed path in a tape feed path direction towards the tape feed exit, and a tape guide downstream, in the tape feed path direction, from the tape feed exit. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path to the tape feed exit, and a first aperture formed in an area of the front wall. The area is positioned upstream, in the tape feed path direction, of the tape feed exit, and a length of the area in the tape feed path direction at the front wall is equal to or less than a distance between the tape feed exit and the tape guide in the tape feed path direction at the front wall.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear wall, a front wall, and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and a first indicator aperture positioned on the front wall and a second indicator aperture position on a rear portion of the bottom surface. A position of the first indicator aperture on the front wall indicates a type of the tape included within the housing. A position of the second indicator aperture indicates a color of characters.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially in the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and tape type indicator portions on the front wall. A combination of the tape type indicator portions forms a pattern corresponding to a type of the tape included at least partially in the housing. The tape type indicator portions are positioned to oppose corresponding ones of tape type detecting switches, with a first subset of the tape type indicator portions having a first elevation and a second subset of the tape type indicator portions having a second elevation. At least two portions from the second subset of the tape type indicator portions are located in a common trench in the front wall.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall; a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit; and tape type indicator apertures formed on the front wall, wherein a combination of the tape type indicator apertures forms a pattern corresponding to a type of the tape included at least partially within the housing. The tape type indicator apertures may be positioned proximate to the tape feed exit, and may comprise a first hole and a second hole, the first hole is formed at a bottom edge of the front wall, and the second hole is disposed on a downstream side of the first hole in a feed direction of the tape.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing, and a pressing portion and a first non-pressing portion on the front wall. The pressing portion and the first non-pressing portion are positioned to oppose tape type detecting switches of the label printer when the cassette is in the label printer. The pressing portion is configured to change a state of an opposing one of the tape type detecting switches, and the first non-pressing portion is configured to avoid changing a state of an opposing one of the tape type detecting switches. The first non-pressing portion is a planar area of the front wall extending in a tape width direction from a top surface of the housing to a bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: A carbon ribbon recovery device includes a carbon ribbon supply roller (100) and a carbon ribbon recovery roller (200).

Abstract: An intermediate transfer medium conveying device conveys an intermediate transfer medium by a drive force of one DC motor, in a normal feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a winding reel and in a reverse feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a feeding reel. The intermediate transfer medium conveying device includes a winding shaft that drives the winding reel during normal feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the normal feed direction, a feeding shaft driving the feeding reel during reverse feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse feed direction, transmission means for normal feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the winding shaft during the normal feed, and transmission means for reverse feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the feeding shaft during the reverse feed.

Abstract: A print system includes a casing, and a ribbon shaft rotatably installed inside the casing for carrying a ribbon. A plurality of identification regions is formed on the ribbon shaft. The print system further includes a ribbon motor installed inside the casing for driving the ribbon shaft, a sensor installed inside the casing for sensing the plurality of identification regions on the ribbon shaft as the ribbon shaft rotates, and a control unit installed inside the casing and coupled to the sensor and the ribbon motor for determining information of the ribbon according to a sensing result of the plurality of identification regions on the ribbon shaft sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A drive train for a printer is disclosed that provides and maintains a desired tension in the ribbon during transfer of the ribbon between a supply spool and a take-up spool. The drive train is configured to pre-tension the ribbon proximate the driven spool prior to driving the drive roller. During operation, the drive train provides and maintains the requisite tension in the ribbon proximate the driven spool with use of a slip-overdrive assembly. Additionally, the drive train induces a drag on the spool from which ribbon is being unwound with the use of a drag-overrun assembly.

Abstract: A tape drive comprising two motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of the motors, and a controller. The controller controls the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is configured to store a plurality of motor control data items, each data item being associated with a respective tension value. The controller is operative to monitor tension in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports; read a motor control data item based upon the monitored tension; generate a motor control signal based upon the read motor control data item; and apply the motor control signal to at least one of the motors.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having a configuration in which a drive power of one motor is transmitted to a platen roller and a ribbon conveying mechanism can be easily assembled. The printer has: (a) a printing medium feed reel, (b) a ribbon feed reel, (c) a platen roller, (d) a thermal head, (e) a ribbon conveying roller, (f) a ribbon take-up reel, (g) a motor that drives the platen roller, (h) a rotary drive mechanism that transmits a drive power of the motor to the ribbon conveying roller via a first belt and transmits a drive power of the motor to the ribbon take-up reel via the first belt and a second belt, and (i) a tension unit comprising a plurality of pulleys that are in contact with the first and second belts and rotate following the movement thereof, a plurality of elastic members that adjust positions of the plurality of pulleys so as to apply tension to the first and second belts, and a plurality of fixing members that fix the positions of the plurality of pulleys.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A rotary-torque adjuster that adjusts rotary torque of a rotational member includes a rotary shaft, the rotational member secured to the rotary shaft and rotating integrally with the rotary shaft, a plurality of clutch disks rotatably attached to the rotary shaft, a driver that drives the clutch disks, a plurality of presser components attached to the rotary shaft and rotating integrally with the rotary shaft, the presser components sandwiching opposite surfaces of the clutch disks by a predetermined pressure, and a drive transmission unit that makes a selection from among the plurality of clutch disks so as to transmit a driving force from the driver to the selected one or more clutch disks. The drive transmission unit changes the selection of the clutch disks to which the driving force from the driver is to be transmitted so as to change the rotary torque of the rotational member.

Abstract: Incorporates means for maintaining a constant tension in the printing ribbon (3) consisting of a loading drum (9-9') placed after the thermal print head (1) that attracts the ribbon to define a loop, thereby maintaining a constant tension throughout the printing stage to ensure the quality of this operation. The printing method consists of attracting or suctioning the printing ribbon (1) against the loading drum (9-9'), using an electrostatic system that involves creating an electric field between conductors (10) placed on the loading drum (9), or a pneumatic system that involves attracting the ribbon (1) by Venturi tubes (17) located inside the loading drum (9').

Abstract: A hand-separable ribbon spool shaft assembly adapts a plain ribbon spool so as to provide drive and location functions. The shaft assembly is composed of at least two shaft parts that are assembled to the ribbon spool and cooperate to provide a manual hand-action locking mechanism. First and second ends of the shaft assembly provide bearing and locating surfaces when the shaft assembly is positioned in a printer. The bearing and locating services allow the ribbon spool shaft assembly to rotate during operation of the printer, and the assembly further includes a gear drive means for driving the rotating ribbon spool.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge, having a frame, a pair of supply shaft connecting members for connecting ends of a supply shaft to the frame, a first take-up shaft connecting member for connecting an end of a take-up shaft to the frame, the first take-up shaft connecting member including a gear member, and a second take-up shaft connecting member for connecting another end of the take-up shaft to the frame is provided. The first take-up shaft connecting member includes a gear portion and a spool portion which is substantially housed inside the take-up shaft. The gear portion includes at least one flexible member with at least one of a projecting portion and an angled end, the flexible member including two surfaces which become closer to each other when the flexible member is being inserted into a receiving portion of the spool portion.

Abstract: A system is provided for movably supporting an ink film in a printer. The system has cylindrical supply and take-up cores for supporting and taking up the film during printing operations. The cores may be made of molded plastic resin. The ends of the cores are sized to selectively fit within a frame in such a way as to provide stable operation, including where applicable, while a frame cover is closed. In a preferred embodiment, the diameters of the first and second ends of the supply and take-up cores are essentially the same, and the diameters of the second and first ends of the respective cores are essentially the same. A molded cylindrical brake portion frictionally contacts the teeth of a brake gear to provide the desired film tension with improved handling and with reduced likelihood of jamming.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a ribbon transport mechanism of a ribbon feed system includes a supporting structure carrying a plurality of ribbon transport devices including a ribbon storage spool, a ribbon take-up spool, and at least one ribbon guide around which roller the ribbon is passed, a ribbon feed path including the ribbon guide, between the storage and take-up spools and through an operating station where a work operation is carried out which utilises the ribbon, the ribbon transport mechanism in use, transporting the ribbon along the ribbon feed path between the storage and take-up spools, the apparatus including a mounting structure for mounting at least one of the ribbon transport devices so as to permit the respective device to move relative to the supporting structure in response to changes in ribbon tension occurring in the ribbon feed path, and a sensor device which is sensitive to such movements to provide an input which is dependant upon the extent of such spool movement, to a controller, th

Abstract: A system is provided for movably supporting an ink film in a printer. The system has cylindrical supply and take-up cores for supporting and taking up the film during printing operations. The cores may be made of molded plastic resin. The ends of the cores are sized to selectively fit within a frame in such a way as to provide stable operation, including where applicable, while a frame cover is closed. In a preferred embodiment, the diameters of the first and second ends of the supply and take-up cores are essentially the same, and the diameters of the second and first ends of the respective cores are essentially the same. A molded cylindrical brake portion frictionally contacts the teeth of a brake gear to provide the desired film tension with improved handling and with reduced likelihood of jamming.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge has a take-up spool (130) with an opening having a plurality of drive surfaces (200) and slip surfaces (202). The take up spool is preferably of a one-piece construction. A first spindle with a cantilever member (196) and a tab (198) extending therefrom is mounted on the take-up spool. When the drive surface engages a tab of the spindle, rotation of the spindle rotates the take-up spool. When one of the slip surfaces engages the tab of the spindle, the spindle rotates relative to the take-up spool.

Abstract: A ribbon winding side ribbon and a ribbon supply side ribbon holder are provided for supplying an inked ribbon to a thermal printer. A ribbon tension detecting plate is rotatably supported on a frame so as to be rotated in dependency on tension of the inked ribbon. A ribbon tension adjusting means is provided to be responsive to angular position of the ribbon tension detecting plate for applying a load on the ribbon holder so that the tension of the inked ribbon is adjusted.

Abstract: A thermal printer utilizing a platen on which media can move over a print head in association with print ribbon from a supply spool driven by motors connected to a print ribbon supply and take-up with a program to provide current settings and engine control to the ribbon. The printer further has a ribbon support, a program, and a processor connected to a drive for causing the drive to move the support in response to ribbon width. The printer has a control panel, a file system with current settings connected to the file system, and further includes engine control software for controlling the printer functions including print head pressure, print head temperature, and a ribbon support based upon the width of the print ribbon.

Abstract: A ribbon winding side ribbon and a ribbon supply side ribbon holder are provided for supplying an inked ribbon to a thermal printer. A ribbon tension detecting plate is rotatably supported on a frame so as to be rotated in dependency on tension of the inked ribbon. A ribbon tension adjusting means is provided to be responsive to angular position of the ribbon tension detecting plate for applying a load on the ribbon holder so that the tension of the inked ribbon is adjusted.

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

Abstract: A thin ribbon cassette (16) is a set on a tape winding device and its vertical-direction position is fixed by a position restricting member (18) provided on a back of a cover and for an apparatus body. When the ribbon cassette (16) is thin in correspondence to a narrow width of an ink ribbon (15), a quantity of lowerig a ribbon winding top (5) engaged with a reel (16-1) of the cassette (16) is small. The biasing force of a clutch spring (7) which is compressed depending on the quantity of lowering of the ribbon winding top (5) is small, the force of a winding driver gear (6) which presses a clutch plate (4-1) through a felt member (12) is small, the frictional force of the felt member (12) is small, and the torque of the rotational shaft (4) is small. This torque is just suitable for winding a long and narrow ink ribbon having a corresponding small tensile strength.

Abstract: A thin ribbon cassette (16) is set on a tape winding device and its vertical-direction position is fixed by a position restricting member (18) provided on a back of a cover for an apparatus body. When the ribbon cassette (16) is thin in correspondence to a narrow width of an ink ribbon (15), a quantity of lowering of a ribbon winding top (5) engaged with a reel (16-1) of the cassette (16) is small. The biasing force of a clutch spring (7) which is compressed depending on the quantity of lowering of the ribbon winding top (5) is small, the force of a winding drive gear (6) which presses a clutch plate (4-1) through a felt member (12) is small, the frictional force of the felt member (12) is small, and the torque of the rotational shaft (4) is small. This torque is just suitable for winding a long and narrow ink ribbon having a corresponding small tensile strength.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon take-up mechanism whereby a core and a pinch roller both disposed in an ink ribbon cassette are prevented from being tilted or wobbled under the tension of an ink ribbon housed within the ink ribbon cassette while a carriage is driven (during printing), thereby permitting the core and the pinch roller to be rotated in a more stable manner. The ink ribbon take-up mechanism comprises a support shaft projected from a ribbon cassette loading surface of a carriage to a ribbon cassette loading side and adapted to be inserted into an engaging portion formed on the ribbon cassette side to support the ribbon cassette, and a drive transfer member disposed rotatably on an outer periphery side of the support shaft and adapted to be engaged with the engaging portion formed on the ribbon cassette side to transmit a rotative driving force of a motor to the engaging portion.

Abstract: A thermal demand printer for printing on media is a novel system which includes a case structure including a hinged cover panel, easily removable guide structures and media hanger, and a single central support wall to which the various components are attached. The printer includes a power supply circuit for receiving power from an external source and conditioning it for operation of the printer. An input device is provided for receiving command signals related to the operation of the printer. A control circuit for processing the command signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer and a printhead assembly for processing the control signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer are mounted in the case structure and coupled to the input device and the power supply circuit. The printhead assembly includes a printhead support structure which controls the printhead.

Abstract: A thermal ink ribbon cassette for holding an inked ribbon of indefinite length for use in a thermal transfer printing mechanism holds a spool of fresh ink ribbon which passes out of the cassette and across a thermal printing head, and then back into the cassette. The features of construction and arrangement of the cassette are such that the length of the portion of the normal feed path of envelopes through the mailing machine in which the ink ribbon and the envelopes travel coextensively is reduced to an absolute minimum to avoid unnecessary contact after printing take place. A slanted wall is provided for ensuring that the envelopes remain in their normal path of travel regardless of any tendency of the envelope to adhere to the ink ribbon after the point of normal separation, or if they are bulged and tend to jam on internal portions of the mailing machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining tension on a ribbon in a printer used for transferring an image, e.g., thermally, from a print head through the ribbon to a print medium. By maintaining ribbon tension and thus keeping the ribbon essentially without wrinkles, print quality is enhanced. This tension maintenance apparatus uses a pair of torqued reel subassemblies with the ribbon extending between and is of particular significance when used in conjunction with a label stock as a printer medium when the printer mechanism bidirectionally moves the label stock to assist removal of labels from its backing. These torqued reel assemblies are sufficiently loaded such that ribbon tension is maintained between these reel assemblies despite this bidirectional movement.

Abstract: A printing system for transferring ink from an inked ribbon supplied from a ribbon roll having a tubular core with an inner surface onto a substrate. The system includes a rotatable locking cam hub having a reel hub with a first surface engageable with the inner surface of the ribbon roll, and an eccentric hub having a second surface engageable with the inner surface of the ribbon roll. The eccentric hub is rotatable relative to the reel hub to provide a variable diameter between the first surface of the reel hub and the second surface of the eccentric hub. The diameter of the locking cam hub may be reduced by rotating the eccentric hub relative to the reel hub to permit disposal of the ribbon roll tubular core about locking cam hub, and the diameter of the locking cam hub may be increased by rotating the eccentric hub relative to the reel hub to engageably retain the inner surface of the ribbon roll by the first surface of the reel hub and the second surface of the eccentric hub.

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: Apparatus for maintaining tension on a ribbon in a printer used for transferring an image, e.g., thermally, from a print head through the ribbon to a print medium. By maintaining ribbon tension and thus keeping the ribbon essentially without wrinkles, print quality is enhanced. This tension maintenance apparatus uses a pair of torqued reel subassemblies with the ribbon extending between and is of particular significance when used in conjunction with a label stock as a printer medium when the printer mechanism bidirectionally moves the label stock to assist removal of labels from its backing. These torqued reel assemblies are sufficiently loaded such that ribbon tension is maintained between these reel assemblies despite this bidirectional movement.