Printing ribbon package having ink absorbing means

Claim 2

A printing ribbon package comprising: (a) at least one spool having a hub, a printing ribbon wound around said hub, said spool containing an ink reservoir, a flexible pad supported by said spool in a position for transmitting ink to an edge of said ribbon, a wick extending from said pad to said reservoir by way of a constriction in the spool, (b) a housing, said spool being disposed within said housing, (c) means in said housing in contact with said exposed portion of said pad for absorbing ink discharged from said pad while said spool is in said housing.

Claim 3

A package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for absorbing ink is a liner having an absorbent layer and a non-absorbent shield layer, said shield layer being disposed between said absorbent layer and the juxtaposed portion of said housing to prevent ink absorbed by said absorbent layer from contacting the juxtaposed portion of said housing.

Claim 4

A package in accordance with claim 2 wherein said juxtaposed portion of said housing is a transparent polymeric plastic material.

Claim 5

A package in accordance with claim 2 wherein said liner is generally circular in configuration and overlies the upper end portion of said spool.

Claim 6

A package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a pair of spools with said printing ribbon being partially wound on each of said spools, each spool having a pad partially exposed, and said means for absorbing ink being in contact with an exposed portion of each pad.

Claim 7

A printing ribbon package comprising: (a) a spool having a reservoir of ink, said spool having a hub positioned radially outwardly from said reservoir, a printing ribbon at least partially wound on said hub, a flexible pad on said spool, a wick extending from said pad to said reservoir, said spool having a constriction substantially smaller than the transverse dimensions of said wick and through which said wick extends, said pad having an exposed peripheral portion, (b) a housing enclosing said spool, (c) a liner in said housing between a portion of said spool and a juxtaposed portion of said housing, said liner including a layer of ink-absorbent material in contact with said exposed portion of said pad.

Claim 8

A printing ribbon package comprising: (a) a spool having a reservoir of ink, said spool having a hub positioned radially outwardly from said reservoir, a printing ribbon at least partially wound on said hub, a flexible pad on said spool, a wick extending from said pad to said reservoir, said spool having a constriction substantially smaller than the transverse dimensions of said wick and through which said wick extends, said pad having an exposed peripheral portion, (b) a housing enclosing said spool, (c) a liner in said housing between a portion of said spool and a juxtaposed portion of said housing, said liner including a layer of ink-absorbent material in contact with said exposed portion of said pad.

Claim 9

A package in accordance with claim 6 wherein said ink reservoir is at a pressure slightly below atmospheric pressure at sea level.

Claim 10

A package in accordance with claim 6 including a pair of spools in said housing, said ribbon being partially wound on each spool, each spool having a reservoir, each spool having a pad, each having an exposed portion, said liner being in contact with an exposed portion of each pad.

Claim 13

A method in accordance with claim 9 including introducing ink into the reservoir while the ink is above ambiant temperature and hermetically sealing the reservoir except for a wick constriction before the ink cools to ambiant temperature.