GB1589350A

GB1589350A - Ink ribbon box

Info

Publication number: GB1589350A
Application number: GB4034177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 1976-09-30
Filing date: 1977-09-28
Publication date: 1981-05-13
Also published as: CA1073883A; BE859259A; NL7710691A; IT1090270B; FR2366131A1; DK434577A; FR2366131B1; NL173252C; CH622209A5; NL173252B; DE7630672U1

Abstract

Two cylinders (14, 15), which lie parallel to one another and are connected at their ends by transverse webs (16, 17), serve for receiving the rolls of ink ribbon. Formed on the outside of the transverse webs (16, 17) in each case are outwardly projecting guide ribs (18, 19). The guide gap (20, 21) bounded by these guide ribs (18, 19) has on one side of the ink-ribbon cartridge (10) a different width from that on the other side. Consequently, faulty insertion of the ink-ribbon cartridge (10) in the machine, e.g. in a small printer, is prevented. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) INK RIBBON BOX (71) We, PITNEY BOWES DEUTSCH LAND GMBH., a German Company, of, D6148 Heppenheim, Tiergartenstrasse 7, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - This invention relates to an ink ribbon box and, more particularly, to an ink ribbon box for use in a small printing device, which box comprises two ink ribbon rollreceiving cylinders which extend parallel to each other and which are connected at their ends by bridging flanges.

Boxes comprising two cylinders which extend parallel and which are connected at their ends by bridging flanges are known, for example, for receiving films.

In printing devices, and more particularly address printing devices, the ink ribbon is usually withdrawn from an ink ribbon roll mounted in the housing of the device and rewound onto another ink ribbon roll. Particularly simple and neat operation is obtainable by arranging the ink ribbon and the ink ribbon rolls within an ink ribbon box. However, in this case, difficulties arise if the ink ribbon box is incur rectly inserted in to the printing device by the operator. This could cause printing failure, contamination and other disturbances of the printing operation.

The object of the invention therefore, is to prevent incorrect insertion of the ink ribbon box into a printing device and to facilitate correct insertion.

To this end, according to the invention, there is provided an ink ribbon box for insertion in a small printing device, said box comprising two cylinders which are arranged parallel to each other, are connected at both their ends by bridging flanges and serve to receive ink ribbon rolls, wherein the outer surfaces of the bridging flanges on opposite sides of the box are provided with outwardly projecting guide ribs which define guide channels to receive cooperating means on said printing device, the width of the guide channel at one side of the ink ribbon box being different from that of the guide channel at the other side of the box to prevent incorrect insertion of the box in the printing device. Each guide channel may be closed at one end and open at the other.When a printing device in which the box is to be inserted is correspondingly constructed with guide rails of different widths for cooperation with the guide channels on the box it is impossible for the box to be incorrectly inserted from one side for, although the thinner guide rail will enter the wider guide channel, it will be impossible for the wider guide rail to enter the smaller guide channel. The same is true as regards endwise insertion for each guide channel is closed at one end.

Therefore, it is only possible to insert the ink ribbon box into the printing device with the open end of each channel foremost. The ink ribbon box, therefore, is designed in such a manner that incorrect insertion in a suitably formed printing device is reliably prevented.

The box is preferably formed in two halves each of which comprises two half cylinders, two bridging flange portions, connecting the two half cylinders and two guide ribs provided on the outer surfaces of the bridging flange portions and cooperating with the guide ribs on the other box half to form the guide channels when the box is closed. Both halves of the box may be connected to each other by means of a snap fastener mechanism. A suitable form of snap fastener mechanism may comprise flexible hooks on one of the half cylinders and associated inflexible latches on the mating half-cylinder into which the hook locks when the halves of the box are pressed together. Alternatively, a fastener mechanism with bent leafsprings may be employed. The construction of the ink ribbon box in two halves facilitates the loading of the box and simplifies manufacture.The correct assembly of the halves of the box is ensured by the respective shapes of the box halves. Preferably, the flexible hooks are all arranged on one half of the box and all the inflexible latches on the other. In order to prevent the incorrect sidewise pressing together of both halves of the box, a mechanical ar rangement may be provided which comprises stepped recesses at the base of one half-cylinder in one of the halves of the box and associated steped notches at the base of the corresponding half-cylinder in the other half of the box. Thereby, it is reliably ensured that the correct form of guide channel on each bridging flange will be obtained when the halves of the box are pressed together during assembly of the box.

The different widths of the guide channels on opposite sides of the ink ribbon box can be obtained automatically if those portions of the bridging flanges which extend between the cylinders are made of different widths at opposite sides of the box and the guide ribs are arranged along the outer peripheries of said bridging flanges.

The guide ribs preferably extend circumferentially of one of the cylinders at the closed end of each guide channel. In this way, the guide rib does not form an impediment as it constitutes an extension of the cylinder surface and projects therefrom only in an axial direction. In this manner, a bar against incorrect insertion is reliably maintained.

The guide ribs are preferably so shaped as to define a U-shaped guide channel. In this manner, a bar to the insertion of the box with the wrong end foremost is provided and between the legs of the U-guide channels are defined, which due to their different widths on opposite sides of the ink ribbon box, will also prevent incorrect sklewise insertion.

According to a further feature of the invention, both the half-cylinders in one half of the box are cut away at their surfaces facing each other, the cutaway portions forming cylinder segments, while the halfcylinders in the other half of the box are each provided with a tangential projection.

In this manner, an outlet-slot for the ink ribbon is formed in each cylinder which slot lies more or less at one side surface of the ink ribbon box. Nevertheless, reliable guidance and support of an ink ribbon roll within the interior of the cylinder is still ensured.

One of the cylinders is preferably provided with a window through which the withdrawal or advancement of the ink ribbon and particularly, exhaustion of the ink ribbon can be detected.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the ink ribbon box looked at from above and one side; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ink ribbon box looked at from below and the other side; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the ink ribbon box; Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a detail showing a device for securing together the halves of the box; and Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4, showing the securing device in a locked position.

As can be seen from Fig. 1 of the drawings, the ink ribbon box 10 comprises two halves 11 and 12. The ink ribbon box serves as a receptacle for an ink ribbon 13. It comprises two cylinders 14 and 15 which extend parallel to each other and which are connected and spaced from each other by bridging flanges 16 and 17. The bridging flanges 16, 17 join the respective ends of the cylinders 14. 15 and are arranged in parallel planes, which are perpendicular to the axes of the cylinders. The bridging flanges 16, 17 thus hold the cylinders 14, 15 between them and close the ends of the cylinders.

The bridging flanges 16, 17 are provided on their outer surfaces with projecting guide ribs 18, 19 respectively. The guide ribs 18, 19 have portions which extend parallel to each other along most of the length of the bridging flanges forming in this way guide channels 20, 21 respectively.

The guide channel 20 which is defined by the parallel portions of the guide rib 18 is of less width than the guide channel 21 formed by the parallel portions of the guide rib 19. The width of each guide channel is defined by the distance between the parallel portions of the guide ribs. Further, the guide ribs 18, 19 extend circumferentially of the ends of the cylinder 14.

At the ends of the cylinder 15 the guide ribs 18, 19 extend straight. So, on the outer surface of each bridging flange, a guide channel 20, 21 is formed, which is open at the ends of the cylinder 15 and is closed at the ends of the cylinder 14. The guide channels 20, 21, of course, only exist when the halves 11, 12 of the box are put together, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and maintained in this position by snap fastener mechanisms 22.

In Fig. 3 the ink ribbon box is shown in exploded view. The ink ribbon 13 is withdrawn from an ink ribbon roll 24 and fed to another ink ribbon roll 23. Above the ink ribbon 13 and the ink ribbon rolls 23, 24, is shown the half 11 of the box provided with half-cylinders 14', 15' and bridging flange portions 16', 17'. Beneath the ink ribbon 13 is shown the half 12 of the box provided with half-cylinders 14", 15" and bridging flange portions 16", 17". The bridging flange portions are each provided, opposite the ends of the semi-cylinders 14' and 14", with a semicircular cut-out 25 through which the shaft of the ink ribbon roll 23, provided at its outer end with notches, extends when the ink ribbon box is in its assembled form in order to engage driving means for the ink ribbon.

Along the outer edge of the half-cylinder 15", latches 26 forming part of the snap fastener mechanism 22 are provided, while on the half-cylinder 15', at positions opposite the latches 26, flexible hooks 27 are provided which also form part of the mechanism 22. Correspondingly, the half-cylinder 14' is provided with flexible hooks and the half-cylinder 14" with latches. So the half 11 of the box is provided only with hooks and the half 12 of the box only with latches, thereby reducing the risk of the ink ribbon rolls 23, 24 jamming. From Figs. 4 and 5 can be seen the way in which the snap action mechanisms operate. When the halves 11 and 12 of the box are put together in the correct manner, a latch 26 is positioned beneath a flexible hook 27.If the halves of the box are then pressed together the flexible hook 27 moves inwards to pass the latch 26 and afterwards engages the latch 26 as soon as the halves 11, 12 of the box are in their correct positions. Other details will become apparent from the drawing.

In order to ensure that slots in the cylinders 14, 15 for the passage of the ink ribbon 13 are positioned adjacent one surface of the ink ribbon box 10, arcuate portions of the half-cylinders 14", 15" are cut away as can best be seen in the lower part of Fig. 3, while the half-cylinders 14', 15' are provided with tangential projections 28, which are arranged parallel to each other.

Moreover, the halfcylinder 14' is provided with a window 29 for observing when the ink ribbon in the cylinder 14 is exhausted.

The incorrect sidewise assembly of the halves 11 and 12 of the box is prevented by providing recesses 30 in the ends of the projection 28 on the half-cylinder 15' and stepped notches 31 in the associated side walls of the half-cylinder 15" in the other half 12 of the box. As the projection 28 of the semicylinder 14' is not provided with such recesses reversal of one half of the box with respect to the other during assembly will cause the ends of the projection 28 on the semicylinder 14' to abut against the stepped notches 31 and prevent further assembly.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. An ink ribbon box for insertion in a small printing device, said box comprising two cylnders which are arranged parallel to each other, are connected at both their ends by bridging flanges and serve to receive ink ribbon rolls, wherein the outersurfaces of the bridging flanges on opposite sides of the box are provided with outwardly projecting guide ribs which define guide channels to receive cooperatiiig means on said printing device, the width of the guide channel at one side of the ink ribbon box being different from that of the gude channel at the other side of the box to prevent incorrect insertion of the box in the printing device.

2. An ink ribbon box according to Claim 1, wherein each guide channel is closed at its end adjacent one of said cylinders and open at its end adjacent the other of said cylinders.

3. An ink ribbon box according to Claim 1 or 2, formed in two halves each comprising two half-cylinders, two bridging flange portions connecting the half-cylinders, and a guide rib on each bridging flange portion which cooperates with the guide rib on the associated bridging flange portion of the other box half to form said guide channel when the box is in its assembled condition.

4. An ink ribbon box according to Claim 3, wherein the halves of the box are secured together by a snap fastener mech anism.

5. An ink ribbon box according to Claim 4, wherein the snap fastener mechanism comprises flexible hooks on the outer edge of one of the half-cylinders and associated latches on the corresponding edge of the mating half-cylinder, which the hooks engage when the halves of the box are pressed together.

6. An ink ribbon box according to Claim 5, characterised in that one of the box halves is provided with hooks only and the other one with latches only.

7. An ink ribbon box according to Claim 2, wherein the guide ribs extend along the peripheral edges of the bridging flanges, which are of different widths at opposite sides of the box.

8. An ink ribbon box according to Claim 7, wherein the guide ribs extend circumferentially around the ends of one of the cylinders at the closed end of the guide channel.

9. An ink ribbon box according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide ribs define approximately U-shaped guide channels.

10. An ink ribbon box according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein arcuate portions of the half-cylinders on one half of the box are cut away at the sides thereof facing each other, while the half-cylinders on the other half of the box are provided with tangential projections extending towards the cutaway portions.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. flange portions are each provided, opposite the ends of the semi-cylinders 14' and 14", with a semicircular cut-out 25 through which the shaft of the ink ribbon roll 23, provided at its outer end with notches, extends when the ink ribbon box is in its assembled form in order to engage driving means for the ink ribbon. Along the outer edge of the half-cylinder 15", latches 26 forming part of the snap fastener mechanism 22 are provided, while on the half-cylinder 15', at positions opposite the latches 26, flexible hooks 27 are provided which also form part of the mechanism 22. Correspondingly, the half-cylinder 14' is provided with flexible hooks and the half-cylinder 14" with latches. So the half 11 of the box is provided only with hooks and the half 12 of the box only with latches, thereby reducing the risk of the ink ribbon rolls 23, 24 jamming. From Figs. 4 and 5 can be seen the way in which the snap action mechanisms operate. When the halves 11 and 12 of the box are put together in the correct manner, a latch 26 is positioned beneath a flexible hook 27.If the halves of the box are then pressed together the flexible hook 27 moves inwards to pass the latch 26 and afterwards engages the latch 26 as soon as the halves 11, 12 of the box are in their correct positions. Other details will become apparent from the drawing. In order to ensure that slots in the cylinders 14, 15 for the passage of the ink ribbon 13 are positioned adjacent one surface of the ink ribbon box 10, arcuate portions of the half-cylinders 14", 15" are cut away as can best be seen in the lower part of Fig. 3, while the half-cylinders 14', 15' are provided with tangential projections 28, which are arranged parallel to each other. Moreover, the halfcylinder 14' is provided with a window 29 for observing when the ink ribbon in the cylinder 14 is exhausted. The incorrect sidewise assembly of the halves 11 and 12 of the box is prevented by providing recesses 30 in the ends of the projection 28 on the half-cylinder 15' and stepped notches 31 in the associated side walls of the half-cylinder 15" in the other half 12 of the box. As the projection 28 of the semicylinder 14' is not provided with such recesses reversal of one half of the box with respect to the other during assembly will cause the ends of the projection 28 on the semicylinder 14' to abut against the stepped notches 31 and prevent further assembly. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. An ink ribbon box for insertion in a small printing device, said box comprising two cylnders which are arranged parallel to each other, are connected at both their ends by bridging flanges and serve to receive ink ribbon rolls, wherein the outersurfaces of the bridging flanges on opposite sides of the box are provided with outwardly projecting guide ribs which define guide channels to receive cooperatiiig means on said printing device, the width of the guide channel at one side of the ink ribbon box being different from that of the gude channel at the other side of the box to prevent incorrect insertion of the box in the printing device.

11. An ink ribbon box according to

Claim 10, wherein the tangential projection on one of the half-cylinders of one box half is provided at its end, with recesses associated with stepped notches at the ends of the cutaway area of the corresponding halfcylinder of the other box half, while the tangential projection and corresponding cutaway portion of the other half-cylinders have no recesses at their ends.

12. An ink ribbon box according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the cylinders is provided with a window.

13. An ink ribbon box, particularly for a small printing device, substantially as here hlbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.