Card printer including ink ribbon cartridge with guide shafts
US5709485A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J17/32
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compact ink ribbon cartridge includes a casing divided into lower and upper halves and rotatably mounts ink ribbon supply and take-up reels in a parallel spaced apart relationship. A length of ink ribbon is wound between the reels so as to be stretched over a head insertion opening provided through the cartridge casing. A guide portion is provided at a central portion of the cartridge casing such that ink ribbon guide shafts are disposed at both sides of the head insertion opening along the path of winding of the ink ribbon. A plurality of guide shafts are provided at each side of the head insertion opening as necessary for prevention of wrinkling and/or slackening of the ink ribbon. Furthermore, the print head of a printer is provided with guide shafts to guide the ink ribbon and to minimize the vertical distance that the print head must travel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.