Thermal printer with loading aid

Abstract

A method and apparatus of loading a thermal ribbon having dye into a cassette assembly of a thermal printer apparatus includes a cassette assembly for storing a thermal ribbon having dye. The thermal ribbon includes a supply ribbon core having a supply of the thermal ribbon wound thereon as a roll and a take-up ribbon core. The cassette assembly includes a supply ribbon support for supporting the supply ribbon core and a take-up ribbon support for supporting the take-up ribbon core. The cassette assembly is removed from the apparatus and then mounted upon a loading aid. The loading aid is mounted on the apparatus and supports the cassette assembly so that the cassette assembly extends outwardly of the printer apparatus to facilitate loading of the supply ribbon core and take-up ribbon core on the cassette assembly. A leader portion of the thermal ribbon extends from an outer convolution of the roll with a leading end portion of the leader portion being attached to the take-up ribbon core and a double sided tape being attached to the leader portion so as to adhesively couple the leader portion to the outer convolution of the roll.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.