Thermal printhead with ribbon exit guide

US4641148A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Stanley Dyer · Lexington, US
• James J. Molloy · Lexington, US
• Thoi Nguyen · Austin, US
• David M. Riherd · Lexington, US
• William F. Voit, Jr. · Lexington, US
• Donald L. West · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 1985
• Grant date: Feb 3, 1987
• Expiry date: Oct 31, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J2/325
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A wear-resistant ribbon guide surface (11 or 25a, 25b) is added to a thermal printhead (1) to lower the ribbon exit angle after printing or to shift the ribbon exit position away from the printing. The angle past that surface remains large enough for visibility of prior printing. The modification of exit conditions makes the printing darker and significantly improves printhead life.