GB2145975A - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink ribbon cassette comprises an ink cartridge (2) provided with a wick (5), an ink ribbon (12), a first transfer roller (8) in contact with the wick, a second transfer roller (9) in contact with the first transfer roller and provided with axially extending peripheral grooves, and a biasing roller (11) for urging the ink ribbon into contact with the second transfer roller. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ink ribbon cassette This invention relates to ink ribbon cassettes for use in printers or typewriters.

In a conventional ink ribbon cassette having an ink cartridge, a wick forming part of the ink cartridge contacts a rotating transfer roller, and an ink ribbon contacts the transfer roller to be constantly fed with ink therefrom. In such a conventional ink ribbon cassette, when a printing operation of a printer or typewriter in which the ink ribbon cassette is mounted is interrupted and the transfer roller stops rotating, ink gathers in the region of contact between the ink ribbon and the transfer roller. When the printing operation recommences, excess ink is supplied to the ink ribbon and the subsequently printed characters become darker than those printed prior to stopping of the transfer roller and the resultant print quality is uneven.

Although the present invention is primarily directed to any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, herein disclosed and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings, nevertheless, according to one particular aspect of the present invention to which, however, the invention is in no way restricted, there is provided an ink ribbon cassette comprising: an ink ribbon cartridge provided with a wick; an ink ribbon; a first transfer roller in contact with said first transfer roller and provided with axially extending peripheral grooves and a biasing roller for urging said ink ribbon into contact with said second transfer roller.

The first transfer roller may be made of porous material, for example, porous rubber.

The second transfer roller may be made of a synthetic resin material.

The invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section of part of one embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the ink ribbon cassette of Figure 1 with an upper case removed; and Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a first transfer roller of the ink ribbon cassette of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention has an ink cartridge 2 removab!y mounted therein by a lever spring 3. The ink cartridge 2 comprises an ink containing material 4 and a wick 5, one end of which protrudes outwardly into contact with a first transfer roller 8. The first transfer roller 8 and a second transfer roller 9 are both rotatably supported between an upper case 6 and a lower case 7 of the ink ribbon cassette. The first transfer roller 8 is made of, for example, porous rubber which can hold a relatively large quantity of ink. The second transfer roller 9 is made of a synthetic resin material such as a polyacetal and is provided with fine axially extending peripheral grooves 9a as shown in Figure 3.A shaft 10 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and drives the second transfer roller 9 whose rotation is transmitted to the first transfer roller. A press or biasing roller 11 urges an ink ribbon 12 into contact with the second transfer roller 9. As the first transfer roller 8 is rotated by the second transfer roller 9 ink is fed to the first transfer roller 8 from the wick 5 and is then transferred to the second transfer roller 9. The ink ribbon 12 then receives ink from the second transfer roller.

Since the second transfer roller 9 is provided with the grooves 9a, it receives a substantially constant amount of ink and is not over-inked even when it is not rotated. Therefore, ink is transmitted from the ink cartridge 2 to the ink ribbon 12 in a stable manner. Thus when used in a printer or typewriter the ink ribbon cassette avoids uneven print quality.

1. An ink ribbon cassette comprising: an ink ribbon cartridge provided with a wick; an ink ribbon; a first transfer roller in contact with said wick; a second transfer roller in contact with said first transfer roller and provided with axially extending peripheral grooves; and a biasing roller for urging said ink ribbon into contact with said second transfer roller.

2. An ink ribbon cassette as claimed in claim 1 in which the first transfer roller is made of porous material.

3. An ink ribbon cassette as claimed in claim 2 in which the first transfer roller is made of porous rubber.

4. An ink ribbon cassette as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second transfer roller is made of a synthetic resin material.

5. An ink ribbon cassette substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

6. Any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings, irrespective of whether the present claim is within the scope of, or relates to the same or a different invention from that of, the preceding claims.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ink ribbon cassette This invention relates to ink ribbon cassettes for use in printers or typewriters. In a conventional ink ribbon cassette having an ink cartridge, a wick forming part of the ink cartridge contacts a rotating transfer roller, and an ink ribbon contacts the transfer roller to be constantly fed with ink therefrom. In such a conventional ink ribbon cassette, when a printing operation of a printer or typewriter in which the ink ribbon cassette is mounted is interrupted and the transfer roller stops rotating, ink gathers in the region of contact between the ink ribbon and the transfer roller. When the printing operation recommences, excess ink is supplied to the ink ribbon and the subsequently printed characters become darker than those printed prior to stopping of the transfer roller and the resultant print quality is uneven. Although the present invention is primarily directed to any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, herein disclosed and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings, nevertheless, according to one particular aspect of the present invention to which, however, the invention is in no way restricted, there is provided an ink ribbon cassette comprising: an ink ribbon cartridge provided with a wick; an ink ribbon; a first transfer roller in contact with said first transfer roller and provided with axially extending peripheral grooves and a biasing roller for urging said ink ribbon into contact with said second transfer roller. The first transfer roller may be made of porous material, for example, porous rubber. The second transfer roller may be made of a synthetic resin material. The invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section of part of one embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the ink ribbon cassette of Figure 1 with an upper case removed; and Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a first transfer roller of the ink ribbon cassette of Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention has an ink cartridge 2 removab!y mounted therein by a lever spring 3. The ink cartridge 2 comprises an ink containing material 4 and a wick 5, one end of which protrudes outwardly into contact with a first transfer roller 8. The first transfer roller 8 and a second transfer roller 9 are both rotatably supported between an upper case 6 and a lower case 7 of the ink ribbon cassette. The first transfer roller 8 is made of, for example, porous rubber which can hold a relatively large quantity of ink. The second transfer roller 9 is made of a synthetic resin material such as a polyacetal and is provided with fine axially extending peripheral grooves 9a as shown in Figure 3.A shaft 10 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and drives the second transfer roller 9 whose rotation is transmitted to the first transfer roller. A press or biasing roller 11 urges an ink ribbon 12 into contact with the second transfer roller 9. As the first transfer roller 8 is rotated by the second transfer roller 9 ink is fed to the first transfer roller 8 from the wick 5 and is then transferred to the second transfer roller 9. The ink ribbon 12 then receives ink from the second transfer roller. Since the second transfer roller 9 is provided with the grooves 9a, it receives a substantially constant amount of ink and is not over-inked even when it is not rotated. Therefore, ink is transmitted from the ink cartridge 2 to the ink ribbon 12 in a stable manner. Thus when used in a printer or typewriter the ink ribbon cassette avoids uneven print quality. CLAIMS

1. An ink ribbon cassette comprising: an ink ribbon cartridge provided with a wick; an ink ribbon; a first transfer roller in contact with said wick; a second transfer roller in contact with said first transfer roller and provided with axially extending peripheral grooves; and a biasing roller for urging said ink ribbon into contact with said second transfer roller.

2. An ink ribbon cassette as claimed in claim 1 in which the first transfer roller is made of porous material.

3. An ink ribbon cassette as claimed in claim 2 in which the first transfer roller is made of porous rubber.

4. An ink ribbon cassette as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second transfer roller is made of a synthetic resin material.

5. An ink ribbon cassette substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

6. Any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings, irrespective of whether the present claim is within the scope of, or relates to the same or a different invention from that of, the preceding claims.