Ribbon cartridge and printing apparatus
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsMasayuki Kumazaki, Shinji Sato, Takumi Kawamura
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ribbon guide includes a pair of upper and lower plates for limiting upper and lower ends of an ink ribbon. A ribbon guide plate is disposed between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a non-transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Ribbon press bars are suspended between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Cutouts through which the ink ribbon is inserted are formed at the lower plate so as to surround lower end portions of the ribbon press bars.
Claims9
A ribbon cartridge, comprising a ribbon guide through which an ink ribbon is inserted,
- wherein the ribbon guide includes:
- a pair of plate portions limiting upper and lower ends of the ink ribbon;
- a guide portion disposed between the pair of plate portions so as to guide a non-transfer surface of the ink ribbon;
- and
- a bar portion extended from one of the pair of plate portions toward another of the pair of plate portions so as to guide a transfer surface of the ink ribbon,
- wherein the another of the pair of plate portions is formed with a recess, the recess being formed into a substantially U-shape in a cross sectional view so as to surround a tip end portion of the bar portion.
A ribbon cartridge including a casing housing an ink ribbon and a ribbon guide through which the ink ribbon is guided during use, the ribbon guide comprising:
- an upper plate and a lower plate limiting upper and lower ends of the ink ribbon;
- a guide member connected between the upper and lower plates so as to guide a non-transfer surface of the ink ribbon;
- and
- at least one bar member extending between the upper and lower plates so as to guide a transfer surface of the ink ribbon, the at least one bar member being fixed to one of the upper and lower plates,
- wherein the other of the upper and lower plates includes a corresponding at least one cutout into which the at least one bar member is suspended, the at least one cutout being formed into a substantially U-shape in a cross sectional view so as to surround a tip end portion of the at least one bar member, and
- wherein the ink ribbon is insertable between the upper and lower plates, across the guide member, and around the at least one bar member in the at least one cutout.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.