Patent ID: 6195111
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A dye ribbon cassette for thermal transfer printing, the cassette being adapted to receive a dye ribbon feed unit having a feed spool (23), a take-up spool (21) and a dye ribbon (22) extending between the feed spool (23) and the take-up spool (21), the cassette including a casing (1) having on one side thereof locating means (5) for locating ends of the feed spool (23) and the take-up spool (21) on one side of the dye ribbon feed unit at which rotational drive is applied to the dye ribbon feed unit for the purpose of transporting the dye ribbon (22) from the feed spool (23) to the take-up spool (21) and the casing (21) having on the other side thereof bearing means (10) for supporting ends of the feed spool (23) and the take-up spool (24) on the other side of the dye ribbon feed unit, characterised in that on the other side of the casing (21) a cylindrical member (15) is rotatably mounted on the bearing means (10), the cylindrical member (15) having on its periphery a mark (16) carrying information capable of being detected by a sensor on rotation of the cylindrical member (15) and drive means (17) operatively engageable with a drive source which is disposed outside said casing to cause rotation of the cylindrical member (15), and characterised in that the cylindrical member (15) and the drive means (17) thereon occupy their operative positions in the casing (21) irrespective of the presence in the casing (21) of the dye ribbon feed unit.