Thermal printer and expendable cartridge employed therein
US5216441A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/58
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermal printer has a body with a carrying mechanism for carrying a printing sheet, a driver for driving a narrow ink ribbon, a serial-type printing head for printing on the printing sheet and a controller for controlling the carrying mechanism, the driver and the printing head. An expendable cartridge is attached on the body for housing a narrow thermal ink ribbon and cut or rolled printing paper sheets in respective compartments thereof. The ribbon is exposed partially and is able to be wound up and let out. In this way, when the cartridge is attached on the body, the carrying mechanism confronts the printing sheet, the printing head confronts the exposed portion of the ink ribbon, and is engaged with the ink ribbon driver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.