Thermal printer ribbon cartridge for wide ribbons
US4673304A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J17/32
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A user-friendly ribbon cartridge to house and to facilitate handling a wide thermal transfer ribbon for a thermal color printer is composed of first and second casing sections which define a slotted let-off tube and a slotted take-up tube and turnbar. A pair of casing end pieces connect the corresponding ends of the casing sections so that they are juxtaposed with their axes parallel to one another so as to define a plane and the turnbar is spaced parallel to that plane so that a stretch of ribbon wound about cores rotatively mounted in the tubes can extend out through the tube slots and over the turnbar creating a large unobstructed planar ribbon area that is accessible from both sides for printing. A handle and latch member integral to one of the end pieces facilitate positioning the cartridge properly in the associated printing apparatus and locking it in place during printing. The cores are removable from the casing tubes by releasable cap assemblies in the end piece at the handle end of the cartridge so that all of the components of the cartridge can be reused if desired. The ribbon is advanced by means of a gear motor coupled to the core in the take-up tube by way of a mechan…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.