Ink retaining mass for reinking ribbons in ink cartridges

An improved cartridge for a printer, the cartridge having a housing within which is located a coiled ribbon, an ink transfer roller, and an ink retaining mass, the ink transfer roller in flow communication between the ink retaining mass and the ribbon to transfer ink from the ink retaining mass to the ribbon, the improvement comprising:

• said ink retaining mass being arranged beneath an opening in the cartridge for dropping ink thereon, and said ink retaining mass includes surface means for holding ink dropped onto said ink retaining mass during absorption of said ink into said ink retaining mass;
• and
• wherein said housing has a top wall and said opening is formed through said top wall of said housing;
• and said ink retaining mass is located within said housing below said opening, and said ink retaining mass comprises a top surface inclined with respect to said top wall of said housing and said top surface has a horizontal orientation.

An improved cartridge for a printer, comprising:

• a housing within which is located a coiled ribbon, an ink transfer roller, and an ink retaining mass, the ink transfer roller in flow communication between the ink retaining mass and the ribbon to transfer ink from the ink retaining mass to the ribbon;
• an axle and a bracket;
• and
• an open through-hole through said housing sized to receive said ink retaining mass centrally thereof, said ink retaining mass fashioned as a roller axially mounted on said axle, said axle held by said bracket cantilevered from said housing into said through-hole.