Typewriting machines – Including interposed inking device for record-medium – Package for ribbon facilitating mounting of ribbon on...
Patent
1985-07-29
1986-06-17
Burr, Edgar S.
Typewriting machines
Including interposed inking device for record-medium
Package for ribbon facilitating mounting of ribbon on...
400249, B41J 3528
Patent
active
045953058
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a ribbon cassette or cartridge for use in connection with printing or typing equipment using a pressure process to transfer dry film impressions onto an image carrying tape.
CROSS REFERENCE
This application hereby incorporates by reference the disclosures of our co-pending applications filed on even date herewith with the following titles:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of commercial art, there is a significant need for a simple means of transferring prefabricated letters or characters to a "pasteup" sheet for later photographing or printing. A dry rub-on transfer letter process is well known, however, these materials are supplied in sheets and must be carefully aligned to produce acceptable images. Machines were later developed which prepared such letters on a continuous tape. This solved many of the problems in the prior art. Such a machine is shown in PCT Publication WO 82/03600.
One of the problems with this technology is that the pigment carried by the ribbon or film transfers very easily upon touch and may be damaged by scratching, bending, etc. so that, during the transfer process, a portion of the character printed may be lacking in pigment, thus destroying the job. Therefore, it is essential that a device which holds and supplies the ribbon to the printing station be capable of delivering the ribbon continuously and without damage. Furthermore, it is essential that the ribbon be easy to install within the machine without the user touching the ribbon so as to maintain clean hands. Finally, a convenient method of disposing of spent ribbon would be desirable since, again, touching the ribbon is quite messy.
The present invention overcomes the above-stated problems in the prior art by providing a simple and highly effective cassette for handing film or ribbon through the print station and provides for disposal thereof after use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is generally directed to a film ribbon cassette for use in an impact printer, the cassette having a casing with three spaced apart generally parallel walls and a top and bottom wall defining first and second compartments divided by the middle of the three parallel walls, a plurality of coaxially aligned apertures through the parallel walls, a shaft extending through two adjacent parallel walls into both compartments, the shaft including means for attachment to a rotary drive, a first supply reel in the first compartment for supplying unused film, the reel having a central bore which bears upon the shaft means for guiding film from the supply reel in the first compartment to the second compartment, a pinch roller in the second compartment biased against the shaft for pulling spent ribbon to the second compartment when the shaft is turned, whereby film on the supply reel is drawn into the second compartment when the shaft is turned.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a ribbon supply sensor is provided within the first compartment to indicate the extent of film supply remaining.
According to another aspect of the invention, means are provided for stripping the spent film from the roller in the second compartment as it passes the shaft.
Various advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, the advantages and objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings which form a further part hereof and to the accompanying descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described certain preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views,
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an environment in which this invention could be employed, namely an electronic tape writing machine;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view taken along t
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McGourty Lawrence F.
McGourty Thomas K.
Burr Edgar S.
Pearson Charles A.
Varitronic Systems, Inc.
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