Patent ID: 7052194
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for controlling a ribbon transport mechanism of a ribbon feed system which includes a supporting structure supporting a plurality of ribbon transport devices including a ribbon storage spool, a ribbon take-up spool, and at least one ribbon guide around which the ribbon is passed, there being a ribbon feed path including the ribbon guide, between the storage and take-up spools through an operating station where a work operation is carried out which utilises the ribbon, the ribbon transport mechanism in use, transporting the ribbon along the ribbon feed path between the storage and take-up spools, at least one of the ribbon transport devices including a spindle which extends along an axis generally normal to the direction of ribbon transportation, the apparatus including a mounting structure for mounting the spindle of at least one of the ribbon transport devices at one end so as to permit the respective spindle to move relative to the supporting structure in a direction transverse to the spindle axis in response to changing generally radial forces exerted on the spindle as changes in ribbon tension occurrin the ribbon feed path, and a sensor device which is sensitive to such movements to provide an input which is dependant upon the extent of such movement, to a controller, the controller controlling operation of the ribbon transport mechanism in response.