Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for cleaning and re-inking a printer ribbon carried on first and second reels comprising: providing first and second pairs of spindles for rotatably carrying the first and second reels, respectively; rotating the first pair of spindles such that the ribbon is cause to be accumulated on the first reel; providing a rotating brush having a length at least as wide as the ribbon width; passing the ribbon across the brush in a direction opposite to its rotation so that the brush engages the ribbon and removes foreign matter therefrom; providing a sensing means capable of sensing holes in the ribbon, and sensing means including a source of light positioned adjacent the path of one surface of the moving ribbon such that a beam of light from the source is directed against said one surface, and a light detector positioned adjacent the opposite surface of the moving ribbon so that any holes in the ribbon allow light from the source to reach said detector; passing the brushed ribbon across the sensing means; stopping the rotation of said spindles when the light detector senses light passing through a hole in the ribbon; providing an inking roller having ink thereon; passing the brushed ribbon in contact with said inking roller if no holes are detected so that ink is transferred from said inking roller to said ribbon; and rotating said second pair of spindles so that the inked ribbon is wound about said second reel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for cleaning and re-inking a printer ribbon carried on first and second reels comprising: providing first and second pairs of spindles for rotatably carrying the first and second reels, respectively; rotating the first pair of spindles such that the ribbon is cause to be accumulated on the first reel; providing a rotating brush having a length at least as wide as the ribbon width; passing the ribbon across the brush in a direction opposite to its rotation so that the brush engages the ribbon and removes foreign matter therefrom; providing a sensing means capable of sensing holes in the ribbon, and sensing means including a source of light positioned adjacent the path of one surface of the moving ribbon such that a beam of light from the source is directed against said one surface, and a light detector positioned adjacent the opposite surface of the moving ribbon so that any holes in the ribbon allow light from the source to reach said detector; passing the brushed ribbon across the sensing means; stopping the rotation of said spindles when the light detector senses light passing through a hole in the ribbon; providing an inking roller having ink thereon; passing the brushed ribbon in contact with said inking roller if no holes are detected so that ink is transferred from said inking roller to said ribbon; and rotating said second pair of spindles so that the inked ribbon is wound about said second reel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method for cleaning and re-inking a printer ribbon as recited in claim 1 wherein the first pair of spindles and the inking roller are rotated at angular velocities such that linear velocity of the moving ribbon and the linear velocity of the inking roller at its outer periphery are substantially equal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for cleaning and re-inking a printer ribbon as recited in claim 1 wherein the inking roller is rotated at an angular velocity that is about three times the angular velocity of the brush.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method for cleaning and re-inking a printer ribbon as recited in claim 1 and further comprising: providing an ink reservoir, a pump, a manifold and a tray; pumping ink from the reservoir to the manifold; dispensing ink from the manifold to the tray in generally equal quantities across the width of the tray; and rotating the inking roller above the tray and in contact with the ink in the tray so that the ink is transferred from the tray to the surface of the roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for cleaning and re-inking a printer ribbon as recited in claim 1 and further comprising the steps of: providing a crowned roller in the path of the ribbon; and moving the ribbon over the crowned roller so as to center the ribbon on its reels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method for cleaning and re-inking a printer ribbon as recited in claim 1 wherein the ribbon includes a reflective element proximate each of its ends and further comprising positioning a second source of light adjacent a surface of the moving ribbon; directing a second beam of light from the second source against the moving ribbon; positioning a second light detector proximate the source; and stopping the rotation of said spindles when the light detector senses second light reflected from the reflective element as it passes through the second beam of light.