Patent US4974977A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4974977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Print ribbon cartridge with vacuum buffer chambers
Assignee: Banctec Inc
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Filing: 1989-01-19
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2009-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A replacement cartridge for replacing spent ink ribbon on a continuous printer. The cartridge interfaces with the printer including a print head past which a document is advanced, a drive for feeding the ribbon tape, and a source of vacuum for effecting vacuum zones in which the feeding tape is buffered against acceleration shock. Included in the cartridge are a supply and takeup reel for the ribbon and between which the ribbon extends in a defined feed path through a pair of tape buffering vacuum chambers upstream and downstream of the print head. Magnets secure the cartridge to the printer at a guided interface in registry with the operative components of the printer. Pre-loading the ribbon in the cartridge entirely threaded throughout its feed path, enables replacement to be performed in a minimum of time requiring only the removal of the spent cartridge and immediately replacing it with the cartridge containing the reload of fresh ribbon.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Morgan
- 👤 Douglas E. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:08
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J35/00; B41J35/28; B41J32/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
In a printing apparatus having a print head, first drive means for advancing a document to be imprinted past the print head, second drive means for feeding a supply of consumable ink ribbon past the print head in conjunction with the advance of said document and a vacuum source for buffering said ink ribbon against acceleration shock operationally imposed on said ribbon, the improvement comprising: a replaceable cartridge detachably mounted on said printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head, said cartridge including: a base having attachment means for detachably securing said cartridge to said printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head; a supply member rotatably mounted on said base for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past said print head; a takeup member rotatably mounted on said base for winding up spent ribbon advanced past said print head; coupling means for effecting a releaseable drive connection with said second drive means; and a pair of spaced apart vacuum chambers on said base, said chambers being in the defined feed path for receiving said ribbon and being in communication with said vacuum source for buffering said ribbon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a printing apparatus having a print head, first drive means for advancing a document to be imprinted past the print head, second drive means for feeding a supply of consumable ink ribbon past the print head in conjunction with the advance of said document and a vacuum source for buffering said ink ribbon against acceleration shock operationally imposed on said ribbon, the improvement comprising: a replaceable cartridge detachably mounted on said printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head, said cartridge including: a base having attachment means for detachably securing said cartridge to said printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head; a supply member rotatably mounted on said base for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past said print head; a takeup member rotatably mounted on said base for winding up spent ribbon advanced past said print head; coupling means for effecting a releaseable drive connection with said second drive means; and a pair of spaced apart vacuum chambers on said base, said chambers being in the defined feed path for receiving said ribbon and being in communication with said vacuum source for buffering said ribbon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said vacuum chambers is located between the supply member and print head in the defined feed path and the other of said vacuum chambers is located between the print head and takeup member in the defined feed path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including a vacuum manifold on said base interposed intermediate said vacuum chambers and said vacuum source for equalizing vacuum in each of said vacuum chambers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 2, including a quantity of ink ribbon threaded along said feed path from said supply member, through said print head and vacuum chambers and onto said takeup member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which said ink ribbon is pre-threaded in said feed path while said cartridge is detached from said printing apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 4 including ribbon sensor means communicating with said vacuum chambers for transmitting ribbon positioning information to said printing apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes a plurality of magnets on an underside of said base for effecting magnetic attachment to a recipient surface of said printing apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which said base is of a cast construction and said vacuum chambers are defined by upright walls depending from an upper surface of said base and cover means cooperating with said walls in overlying relation thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which said printing apparatus includes a cartridge-in-place actuator switch, and said cartridge includes a switch actuator to operatively actuate said actuator switch for signaling when said cartridge is in said operative relation with said print head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a printing apparatus in accordance with claim 8, including ribbon sensor means and a port connecting said ribbon sensor means with said vacuum chambers for detecting ribbon position within the chambers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
A replaceable cartridge for supplying an ink ribbon to a printing apparatus having a print head, a vacuum source for buffering the ink ribbon and drive means for advancing the ink ribbon concomitantly with operation of the print head, said cartridge comprising; a base having attachment means for detachably securing said cartridge to said printing apparatus in operative relation with the print head; a supply member rotatably mounted on said base for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past said print head; a takeup member rotatably mounted on said base for winding up spent ribbon advanced past said print head; coupling means for effecting a releaseable drive connection with said drive means; and a pair of spaced apart vacuum chambers on said base, said chambers being in the defined feed path for receiving said ribbon and being in communication with said vacuum source for vacuum buffering said ribbon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
A replaceable cartridge for supplying an ink ribbon to a printing apparatus having a print head, a vacuum source for buffering the ink ribbon and drive means for advancing the ink ribbon concomitantly with operation of the print head, said cartridge comprising; a base having attachment means for detachably securing said cartridge to said printing apparatus in operative relation with the print head; a supply member rotatably mounted on said base for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past said print head; a takeup member rotatably mounted on said base for winding up spent ribbon advanced past said print head; coupling means for effecting a releaseable drive connection with said drive means; and a pair of spaced apart vacuum chambers on said base, said chambers being in the defined feed path for receiving said ribbon and being in communication with said vacuum source for vacuum buffering said ribbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 11 in which said vacuum chambers are spaced apart in said feed path for receiving said print head operatively intervening therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 11 including a vacuum manifold on said base in communication with each of said vacuum chambers for being connected to said vacuum source intermediate said vacuum chambers and said vacuum source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 11, including a quantity of ink ribbon operatively extending along said feed path from said supply member, through said vacuum chambers and said print head and onto said takeup member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 11 in which said attachment means includes a plurality of magnets on an underside of said base for effecting magnetic attachment to a recipient surface of the printing apparatus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 15 in which said base is of a cast construction and said vacuum chambers are defined by upright walls depending from an upper surface of said base and cover means cooperating with said walls in overlying relation thereto.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 15 in which said printing apparatus includes a cartridge-in-place actuator switch, and there is included a switch actuator to operatively actuate said actuator switch for signaling when the cartridge is in said operative relation with said print head.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cartridge in accordance with claim 11 including port means within said vacuum chambers for communicating with a ribbon sensor to transmit ribbon positioning information to the printer apparatus with which the cartridge is utilized.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of replacing a supply of spent ink ribbon in a printing apparatus having a print head, first drive means for advancing a document to be imprinted past the print head, second drive means for feeding the ink ribbon past the print head in conjunction with the advancement of the document and a vacuum source for locally buffering the ink ribbon against imposed acceleration shock, said method comprising the steps of: providing a replaceable cartridge for being detachably mounted on the printing apparatus, said cartridge including: a rotatable supply member for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past the print head; a rotatable takeup member for receiving spent ribbon; and a pair of vacuum chambers disposed in the defined feed path of the ribbon, intermediate said supply member and said takeup member; providing a predetermined quantity of fresh ribbon on said supply member and threading said ribbon along said feed path from said supply member, through said vacuum chambers and onto said takeup member; and mounting said cartridge on the printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head, said drive means and said vacuum source.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of replacing a supply of spent ink ribbon in a printing apparatus having a print head, first drive means for advancing a document to be imprinted past the print head, second drive means for feeding the ink ribbon past the print head in conjunction with the advancement of the document and a vacuum source for locally buffering the ink ribbon against imposed acceleration shock, said method comprising the steps of: providing a replaceable cartridge for being detachably mounted on the printing apparatus, said cartridge including: a rotatable supply member for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past the print head; a rotatable takeup member for receiving spent ribbon; and a pair of vacuum chambers disposed in the defined feed path of the ribbon, intermediate said supply member and said takeup member; providing a predetermined quantity of fresh ribbon on said supply member and threading said ribbon along said feed path from said supply member, through said vacuum chambers and onto said takeup member; and mounting said cartridge on the printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head, said drive means and said vacuum source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination with printing apparatus having a print head, first drive means for advancing a document to be imprinted past the print head, second drive means for feeding a supply of ribbon past the print head, and a vacuum source, the improvement comprising: a replaceable cartridge detachably mounted on said printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head, said cartridge including: a supply member rotatably mounted for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past said print head; a takeup member rotatably mounted for winding up spent ribbon received from said print head; coupling means for effecting a releaseable drive connection with said second drive means; a pair of spaced part vacuum chambers in said defined feed path for buffering said ribbon; and means for detachably securing said cartridge to said printing apparatus, such that said vacuum chambers are in communication with said vacuum source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination with printing apparatus having a print head, first drive means for advancing a document to be imprinted past the print head, second drive means for feeding a supply of ribbon past the print head, and a vacuum source, the improvement comprising: a replaceable cartridge detachably mounted on said printing apparatus in operative relation to said print head, said cartridge including: a supply member rotatably mounted for receiving a wound quantity of fresh ink ribbon to be advanced in a defined feed path past said print head; a takeup member rotatably mounted for winding up spent ribbon received from said print head; coupling means for effecting a releaseable drive connection with said second drive means; a pair of spaced part vacuum chambers in said defined feed path for buffering said ribbon; and means for detachably securing said cartridge to said printing apparatus, such that said vacuum chambers are in communication with said vacuum source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |