Cassette for thermal transfer ribbon for setting images on printing plates

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates to a cassette for thermal transfer ribbon for setting images on printing plates, the cassette having spoons inside a housing for holding the thermal transfer ribbon.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cassette of the invention,

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cassette with one half housing thereof removed so the interior construction of the cassette is shown, and

#FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the cassette 1 of the invention in the alignment in which it is inserted into a ribbon station for the laser-induced setting of images on printing cylinders. Such a ribbon station in which this cassette 1 is preferably used is extensively described in German application DE 100 23320.1 filed on May 12, 2000.

#The cassette 1 shown comprises a housing 2, which is preferably assembled from two identical half-housing parts 2a, 2b, the half-housings being detachable one from the other along a dividing joint 3. On the housing 2, on the upper and lower sides, there are guide faces 18, on which the cassette 1 can be guided in a ribbon station and by means of which cassette vertical positioning within the ribbon station defined and fixed. The positioning of the cassette 1 in the horizontal direction within the insertion shaft of the ribbon station is carried out by means of a positioning opening 10 in side walls of the cassette 1. When the insertion shaft is closed, a cylindrical pin with a conical attachment engages in this positioning opening 10 and moves the cassette 1 with its conical outer surface into an intended position. The aligning movement which is brought about by the conical attachment of the pin is indicated by a double arrow underneath the positioning opening 10. The lateral positioning and fixing of the cassette 1 within the ribbon station is effected by fixed and sprung contact pins, which preferably act in pairs on the mutually opposite side faces of the cassette 1.

#By means of these positioning and fixing devices, described by way of example, which are preferably located on a ribbon station, the cassette 1 can be moved into a predetermined position in all three spatial directions and can be fixed there. Of course, other means can also be used for this purpose.