Ribbon storage and transport mechanism
US3989132A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 1974 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J32/02
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The object of the invention is to provide a means of circulating inked ribbon into and out of a cartridge where it has been stored as a compact mass of ribbon folds. Means must be provided to prevent this mass of ribbon from jamming the exit port and forming clumps which result in excessive ribbon tension at the exit. This has been accomplished by introducing a plurality of restrictors in the cartridge ahead of the exit port. In one embodiment, the first of these restrictors consists of a single dam positioned such that the mass of folded, compressed ribbon is restrained by this dam. Tension of withdrawal causes a small quantity of ribbon length to separate from the ribbon mass and cross the restrictor in small clumps or folds. The second restrictor which in one embodiment consists of two aligned dams, one above and one below, causes the ribbon to be restrained to the degree that it exits after passage as a single, unfolded ribbon under slight tension. Means are also provided for inverting the ribbon in a relatively small space inside the cartridge for simplicity purposes and to extend the ribbon usefulness and life by alternately presenting the two ribbon edges to a print head for…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.