Ncr Corporation

Bernard P Sheehan

Yaoping A Tan

James M Seybold

Volker Werwick

Continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassettes and reinking devices therefor which will control the start of reinking transfer flow and the reinking transfer flow rate from the reinking device to the continuous or endless loop printing ribbon fabric substrate. One preferred embodiment of the reinking device in accordance with the present invention utilizes two cylindrical ink rolls positioned concentric to each other. The inner ink roll is saturated with an ink having a normal flow rate and acts as a reservoir. The outer ink roll is saturated with an ink having a higher viscosity or other materials which delay the start of reinking transfer flow when the continuous or endless printing ribbon cassette is new and controls the ink transfer flow rate during the useful life of the continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassette. In a second preferred embodiment, the inner ink roll is replaced by an inner ink reservoir which controls the ink transfer flow rate to the porous outer ink roll.

Continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassettes and reinking

A continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassette generally including a printing ribbon cassette body, a printing ribbon cassette nose clip member, and a continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon. The printing ribbon cassette body includes a continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon storage area, an outlet port, and an inlet port. The printing ribbon cassette nose clip member is positioned between the outlet port and the inlet port and locates continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon in proper orientation relative to the interface between the print head and the printing medium. A nose clip modification insert is provided which, when assembled to the printing ribbon cassette nose clip member, closes a preexisting opening in the printing ribbon cassette nose clip member and extends an outer surface of the printing ribbon cassette nose clip member an additional distance sufficient to protect or prevent continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon from being wrinkled or caught between the printing medium and the print head upon insertion of the printing medium into the printing equipment. In addition, a modified spring tensioner provides increased tension on continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon prior to its exit from the outlet port. Furthermore, the printing ribbon cassette base and the printing ribbon cassette cover are rigidly connected to prevent the escape of continuous or endless loop inked printing ribbon from the printing ribbon cassette due to separation of the printing ribbon cassette base from the print ribbon cassette cover.

Printing ribbon cassette and method of assembly thereof

A ribbon cartridge has a ribbon re-inking mechanism which is made up of a porous rubber or elastomer ink roll journaled on a fixed shaft and in contact with an ink transfer roll journaled on a pivotable member and rockable against the ink roll. The ink ribbon provides the force necessary to urge the transfer roll in contact with the ink roll and also to drive the rolls in normal operation. A modified arrangement includes a balancing roll to enable proper operation of the re-inking mechanism in different orientation and movement of the ribbon cartridge and to increase re-inking sensitivity.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Bernard P Sheehan