Abstract A ribbon cartridge comprising a housing including a first cavity in which an ink ribbon in the form of an endless loop is received in irregular form, and a second cavity in which a tape in the form of an endless loop of high polymer film or metal film and having a width which is substantially equal to that of the ribbon is received in irregular form. The housing has an inlet and an outlet, which are common to both the ribbon and the tape and which communicate with both the first and second cavities. Either the ribbon or tape is drawn to the outside of the housing through the common outlet from their associated cavity and is then again inserted into the corresponding cavity through the common inlet. Intermediate the inlet and the outlet, both the ribbon and the tape are maintained in substantially overlapping relationship so as to be subject to the action of a printing element. The common inlet is provided with at least one set of pinch rollers for driving the ribbon and the tape into their associated cavities while the common outlet is provided with known friction means which delay the movement of the ribbon and the tape out of their associated cavity.
Inventors
👤 Youjiro Shigemori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-09 16:26
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J32/00; B41J32/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A ribbon cartridge comprising: an ink ribbon in the form of an endless loop; an endless tape loop having substantially the same width as the ribbon and formed as a film; a housing including a first cavity and a second cavity which receive the ribbon and the tape, respectively, both cavities being located on the same plane, the housing being formed with a common outlet and a common inlet for both the ribbon and the tape, an outlet passageway for connecting one end of the respective cavities with the common outlet, and an inlet passageway for connecting the other end of the cavities with the common inlet; a pair of guide members for guiding the ribbon and tape across the common outlet and the common inlet in spaced relationship from the housing; a set of rollers disposed within the inlet passageway for receiving the ribbon and the tape from one of the guide members and feeding them into their associated cavities; and friction means disposed in the outlet passageway for feeding the ribbon and the tape to the other guide member from the respective cavities while applying a braking action thereto; said guide members, rollers and friction means coacting to maintain the ribbon and tape in overlapping and face-to-face contacting relationship when the ribbon and tape are between the pair of guide members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A ribbon cartridge comprising: an ink ribbon in the form of an endless loop; an endless tape loop having substantially the same width as the ribbon and formed as a film; a housing including a first cavity and a second cavity which receive the ribbon and the tape, respectively, both cavities being located on the same plane, the housing being formed with a common outlet and a common inlet for both the ribbon and the tape, an outlet passageway for connecting one end of the respective cavities with the common outlet, and an inlet passageway for connecting the other end of the cavities with the common inlet; a pair of guide members for guiding the ribbon and tape across the common outlet and the common inlet in spaced relationship from the housing; a set of rollers disposed within the inlet passageway for receiving the ribbon and the tape from one of the guide members and feeding them into their associated cavities; and friction means disposed in the outlet passageway for feeding the ribbon and the tape to the other guide member from the respective cavities while applying a braking action thereto; said guide members, rollers and friction means coacting to maintain the ribbon and tape in overlapping and face-to-face contacting relationship when the ribbon and tape are between the pair of guide members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A ribbon cartridge according to claim 1 in which the set of rollers include a drive roller having a coupling for operative connection with a drive shaft located outwardly of the housing, and a pinch roller disposed for contact with the drive roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A ribbon cartridge according to claim 1 in which the set of rollers includes a drive roller, a pair of pinch rollers disposed for engagement with the drive roller and receiving therebetween the ribbon, an idler disposed for contact with the drive roller, and another pair of pinch rollers driven by the drive roller through the idler and receiving therebetween the tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A ribbon cartridge according to claim 1 in which the tape comprises a high polymer film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A ribbon cartridge according to claim 1 in which the tape comprises a metal film.