Ribbon drive system for a thermal demand printer
US6020906A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65C2210/0029
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A demand printer for printing on media includes a ribbon take-up spindle for accumulating spent printing ribbon and facilitating removal of the spent ribbon from the spindle. The spindle has a surface with a protrusion bore formed therethrough. At least one protruding segment extends through the protrusion bore. The protruding segment controllably projects away from the spindle surface for maintaining a space between a portion of the spindle surface and the spent ribbon accumulated on the spindle. A biasing structure is operatively associated with the spindle and the protruding segment for controllably biasedly directing the protruding segment through the protrusion bore in the spindle. A retracting structure is provided for controllably compressing and expanding the biasing means to controllably move the protruding segment through the protrusion bore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.