Multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette

An ink ribbon cassette has a cassette case in which a thermal transfer ink ribbon subjected to a plurality of printing operations on the same surface at the same position. The case is alternately loaded in a thermal printer in a first loading posture and in a second loading posture which is a reversed posture to the first one to change a feed direction of the ribbon in the printer. A count display unit is provided on the case to record the number of times of use of the ribbon and display the number.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette 
used in a printing apparatus having a thermal head, the ink ribbon 
cassette being provided with a cassette case for storing a thermal 
transfer ink ribbon and, more particularly, to a multiprinting thermal 
transfer ink ribbon cassette wherein an ink attached surface of the 
thermal transfer ink ribbon at the same position can be used for printing 
a plurality of times, and the ribbon cassette can be alternately mounted 
in the printing apparatus having the thermal head in the first loading 
posture and the second loading posture which is a turned over posture with 
respect to the first loading posture so that a feed direction of the 
thermal transfer ink ribbon in the printing apparatus can be changed. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
A conventional thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette used in a printing 
apparatus having a thermal head generally has two reel hubs. One end of 
the thermal transfer ink ribbon is fixed on one reel hub and is wound 
around this reel hub, and the other end of which is exposed outside the 
ribbon cassette between the two reel hubs and is then guided inside the 
ribbon cassette. The guided end is then fixed on the other reel hub. When 
printed matters printed by the printing apparatus described above are used 
for the business purpose, portion of a thermal ink ribbon used once is not 
reused, because many spots are formed in the once used portion of the ink 
ribbon, the spots being corresponding to the shapes of printed symbols 
such as characters, numerals, or lines, etc. on which no ink is attached 
or a little amount of ink is attached due to the transformation of most of 
ink to the printed symbols on the printed matter. When the thermal 
transfer ink ribbon used once is reused, no ink or little ink spots are 
formed in the printed characters, numerals, or lines in correspondence 
with the no ink or little ink spots on the once used portion in the ink 
ribbon. 
Therefor, the conventional printing apparatus having a thermal head does 
not have a count displaying means for counting the number of times of use 
of the thermal transfer ink ribbon and displaying a count. 
In recent years, however, a multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 
cassette is developed and commercially available wherein an ink attached 
surface of the thermal transfer ink ribbon can be reused a plurality of 
times, and the ribbon cassette can be alternately mounted in the printing 
apparatus having the thermal head in the first loading posture and the 
second loading posture which is a turned over posture with respect to the 
first loading posture so that a feed direction of the thermal transfer ink 
ribbon in the printing apparatus can be changed. This multiprinting 
thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette can be sufficiently used within a 
predetermined number of times of use, even when printed matters printed by 
the printing apparatus are used for the business purpose. In other words, 
when the ink ribbon is used within the predetermined number of times, no 
ink or little ink spots are not formed in the printed characters, 
numerals, or lines. The multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette 
is more economical than a conventional thermal transfer ink ribbon 
cassette which cannot be reused when it is used for printing symbols on a 
matter to be used for business purpose. Therefor, demand has arisen for 
using a multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette when a printing 
apparatus having a thermal head is used for business purposes. 
The multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette can be used in the 
conventional printing apparatus provided with the thermal head but not 
with the count displaying means. However, if the number of uses of the 
multiprinting transfer ink ribbon is not accurately known, printing 
quality of the printed matter to be used for business purpose becomes low. 
Printing apparatuses having count displaying means for counting the number 
of times of use of the ink ribbon or the printing means and for displaying 
the count are disclosed in Japanese patent disclosure (Kokai) No. 
57-103880, Japanese patent publication No. 58-151273, and Japanese utility 
model disclosure (Kokai) No. 58-163268. 
If a printing apparatus having a thermal head with a count displaying means 
for counting the number of times of use of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 
and displaying a counting number is developed with reference to the above 
references, problems which tend to be produced by use of a multiprinting 
thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette can be surely solved. However, a 
large amount of money is required to be invested to entirely replace the 
conventional non-counting printing apparatuses, each having a thermal head 
and capable of using a multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette, 
with new thermal printing apparatuses having the count display means. In 
addition, the conventional printing apparatuses are of no use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above 
situation, and has as its object to provide a multiprinting thermal 
transfer ink ribbon cassette wherein the number of times of use of the 
thermal transfer ink ribbon can always be counted and displayed 
accurately, so that the ink ribbon cassette can be replaced with a new 
multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette at a proper timing not 
to degrade printing quality of printed matters to be used for business 
purpose even when the multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette 
is used in the abovementioned conventional printing apparatus without the 
count displaying means. 
In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, there is 
provided a multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette, comprising 
a cassette case and a thermal transfer ink ribbon stored in the cassette 
case and subjected to a plurality of printing operations on the same 
surface at the same position, the multiprinting thermal transfer ink 
ribbon cassette being alternately loaded in a printing apparatus having a 
thermal head in a first loading posture and in a second loading posture 
which is a reversed posture with respect to the first loading posture o as 
to change a feed direction of the thermal transfer ink ribbon in the 
printing apparatus, and further comprising count displaying means for 
recording the number of times of use of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 
and displaying the counted number. 
Such a count displaying means arranged in a cassette case of the 
conventional multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette can be 
provided at low cost. 
The count displaying means preferably comprises an operation member 
extending out from the outer surface of the cassette case so as to 
gradually increase the displayed count upon operation of the operation 
member. Such operation member improves operability of the count displaying 
means. 
If the count displaying means displays the counted number of times of use 
of the thermal transfer ink ribbon on a circumferential surface of the 
cassette case and at least one side surface thereof, the multiprinting 
thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette having the count displaying means can 
be conveniently used. 
The count displaying means preferably comprises a substantially prismatic 
or cylindrical rotary member rotatably supported about an longitudinal 
axis thereof in the cassette case, a plurality of consecutive numbers 
circumferentially marked on at least part of a circumferential surface and 
at least part of one end face of the rotary member, openings formed in a 
circumferential surface of the cassette case and at least one side surface 
thereof so as to correspond to at least the part of the circumferential 
surface of the rotary member and at least the part of one end face 
thereof, and intermittent stopping means for stopping rotation of the 
rotary member when one of the plurality of numbers is exposed to 
corresponding one of the openings. And, the operation member is preferably 
fixed coaxially with the rotary member so as to be rotated together with 
the rotary member, and is preferably exposed from the circumferential 
surface of the cassette case or at least one side surface thereof. Such 
construction makes a multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette 
with the count displaying means more convenient and more inexpensive. 
The same technical advantages can be obtained when the count displaying 
means in the multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette comprises 
an electric displaying means for sequentially incrementing the displayed 
number upon operation of the operation member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
An embodiment and various modifications according to the present invention 
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a multiprinting thermal 
transfer ink ribbon cassette according to an embodiment of the present 
invention. A cassette case of the multiprinting thermal transfer ink 
ribbon cassette comprises a pair of symmetrical half cassette members 10 
and 12 each having a substantially rectangular plane shape. The pair of 
half cassette members 10 and 12 constitute one side wall 14 and the other 
side wall 16 of the cassette case, respectively, and divide the 
circumferential surface of the cassette case into halves by a plane 
parallel to two side walls 14 and 16. The pair of half cassette members 10 
and 12 have ribbon storage recesses 18 of a shape of a substantially pair 
of glasses on the opposite inner side surfaces. Cylindrical reel hubs 20 
and 22 are arranged at centers of substantially circular portions of 
ribbon storage recesses 18, respectively. Reel hubs 20 and 22 extend to be 
parallel to each other between side walls 14 and 16 of the pair of half 
cassette members 10 and 12. Both ends of each of reel hubs 20 and 22 are 
rotatably supported in a corresponding pair of rotation support holes 24 
formed in each of two side walls 14 and 16 of the pair of half cassette 
members 10 and 12. Internal observation windows 26 extending toward the 
pair of rotation support holes 24 are formed in side walls 14 and 16 of 
the pair of half cassette members 10 and 12 between the pair of rotation 
support holes 24, respectively. 
Each of the pair of half cassette members 10 and 12 has a pair of ribbon 
insertion holes 28 formed at both ends of one of a pair of long sides of 
the circumferential wall. Each ribbon insertion hole 28 is formed in the 
inner side wall of half cassette member 10 or 12 and extends toward the 
outer surface thereof in a widthwise direction of the circumferential 
wall. 
Positioning projections 30 and positioning recesses 32 are formed at a 
plurality of positions on peripheral portion located outside ribbon 
storage recess 18 in the inner side surface of each of the pair of half 
cassette members 10 and 12 so that projections 30 and recesses 32 of 
member 10 can be symmetrically engaged with associated recesses 32 and 
projections 30 of member 12 formed symmetrically with the projections and 
recesses of member 10. Therefore, the pair of half cassette members 10 and 
12 are combined to constitute one cassette case. 
A plurality of engaging projections 34 and a plurality engaging recesses 36 
are formed on the peripheral portion of the inner side surfaces of the 
pair of half cassette members 12 and 10, respectively. Engaging recesses 
36 of half cassette member 10 are frictionally engaged with engaging 
projections 34 of half cassette member 12 when the pair of half cassette 
members 10 and 12 are symmetrically engaged with each other, thereby 
firmly coupling the pair of half cassette members 10 and 12. 
A pair of ribbon guide insertion holes 38 and one cassette guide insertion 
hole 40 are formed at each portion near the pair of ribbon insertion holes 
28 on ribbon storage recesses 18 in the inner side surface of half 
cassette member 10. A pair of ribbon guides 42 and one cassette guide 44 
are formed at each portion near the pair of ribbon insertion holes 28 on 
ribbon storage recesses 18 in the inner side surface of half cassette 
member 12 so as to be symmetrical with the pair of ribbon guide insertion 
holes 38 and one cassette guide insertion hole 40 of half cassette half 
10. The pair of ribbon guides 42 and cassette guide 44 of half cassette 
member 12 are columnar members and extend toward the pair of ribbon guide 
insertion holes 38 and one cassette guide insertion hole 40 of half 
cassette member 10, respectively. When half cassette members 10 and 12 are 
combined to constitute one cassette case, as described above, the pair of 
ribbon guides 42 and one cassette guide 44 of half cassette member 12 are 
inserted into the pair of ribbon guide insertion holes 38 and one cassette 
guide insertion hole 40 of half cassette member 10, respectively. Each 
cassette guide 44 has cassette positioning hole 45 opened at an extended 
end thereof and coaxially extending therein. 
Multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46, one end of which is fixed to 
one reel hub 20, is wound therearound. The other end of ink ribbon 46 is 
first inserted into one ribbon insertion hole 28 of the pair of half 
cassette members 10 and 12, which corresponds to reel hub 20, toward 
outside the tape cassette, and then inserted into another ribbon insertion 
hole 28 of the pair of half cassette members 10 and 12, which corresponds 
to reel hub 22, toward inside the tape cassette, and finally fixed on reel 
hub 22, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1. When reel hub 22 
is rotated, multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46 on reel hub 20 is 
guided outside the tape cassette, as described above, and taken up by reel 
hub 22. Then, reel hub 20 is rotated, ink ribbon 46 wound around reel hub 
22 can be drawn outside and wound on reel hub 20. 
Multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46 is a thermal transfer ink 
ribbon which allows satisfactory thermal transfer by a plurality of times 
at a predetermined density. In this case, the predetermined density is 
defined as a printing density which does not degrade quality of printed 
matter for business purpose. 
A plurality of engaging projections 48 radially extending inward are formed 
on the inner peripheral surface of each of the pair of reel hubs 20 and 
22. When the pair of reel hubs 20 and 22 are mounted on a pair of reel 
shafts of a printing apparatus (not shown) having a thermal head, engaging 
projections 48 of reel hubs 20 and 22 are circumferentially engaged with a 
plurality of engaging projections radially extending on outer surfaces of 
the pair of reel shafts (not shown). Therefore, when one of the pair of 
reel shafts is rotated, the corresponding one of the pair of reel hubs 20 
and 22 is rotated to take up multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46. 
The pair of reel shafts of the printing apparatus horizontally extend and 
are vertically spaced apart from each other. One of the pair of reel 
shafts is driven by a motor, but the other reel shaft will not be driven. 
However, the other reel shaft is rotated in a condition that it is 
subjected to a suitable rotational resistance by a brake mechanism to 
prevent the slack of ink ribbon 46 between the pair of reel hubs 20, 22. 
A pair of ribbon sensor insertion openings 50 are formed on each of side 
walls 14 and 16 of half cassette members 10 and 12 near paired ribbon 
insertion holes 28 to extend into short sides of the circumferential wall 
of each of half cassette members 10 and 12. 
In this embodiment, one of the long sides of the circumferential wall of 
the tape cassette at a position opposite to an outwardly exposed portion 
of multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46 is indented inwardly 
between the pair of ribbon insertion holes 28 formed at both ends of one 
long side described above to constitute thermal head insertion recess 52. 
Cassette positioning guides (not shown) in the ribbon cassette loading 
portion of the printing apparatus are inserted into cassette positioning 
holes 45 of cassette guides 44, respectively, so that a tape cassette is 
loaded at a predetermined position in the ribbon cassette loading portion. 
When the tape cassette is loaded at a predetermined position in the ribbon 
cassette loading portion of the printing apparatus, the pair of reel 
shafts of the printing apparatus are inserted into the pair of reel hubs 
20 and 22 of the tape cassette. At the same time, a thermal head (not 
shown) of the printing apparatus is inserted into thermal head insertion 
recess 52 of the tape cassette. In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 
(not shown) is a line printer. The thermal head extends to be parallel to 
the rotational center axes of the pair of reel hubs 20 and 22. Therefore, 
in this embodiment, the width of multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 
46 is almost equal to the length of the thermal head and is relatively 
large. 
In the multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette of this 
embodiment, reel hub 20 on which multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 
46 is wound around is fitted on the lower reel shaft (not shown) of the 
printing apparatus, and reel hub 22 on which ink ribbon 46 is not wound 
around is fitted on the upper reel shaft (not shown) of the printing 
apparatus. In this state, the ribbon cassette is loaded at the 
predetermined position in the ribbon cassette loading portion of the 
printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus, when the upper reel shaft 
is driven to be rotated, multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46 is 
taken up from lower reel hub 20 to upper reel hub 22 in a condition that 
it is subjected to a suitable resistance at the lower reel shaft. 
Meanwhile, the thermal head of the printing apparatus is operated to print 
symbols, such as characters, numerals, or lines, etc. on recording paper 
(not shown) traveling on a platen located opposite to the thermal head 
with multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46 and the recording sheet 
being sandwiched therebetween. The posture of the ribbon cassette in the 
ribbon cassette loading portion in this state is defined as a first 
posture thereof. 
When a completely taking up of multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46 
from lower reel hub 20 to upper reel hub 22 is detected by the ribbon 
sensor (not shown) described above, the ribbon cassette is temporarily 
removed from the ribbon cassette loading portion and is reversed. 
Thereafter, the reversed ribbon cassette is loaded at the predetermined 
position in the ribbon cassette loading portion of the printing apparatus. 
In the ribbon cassette loaded in the ribbon cassette loading portion in a 
reversed state, reel hub 22 on which multiprinting thermal transfer ink 
ribbon 46 is wound around is fitted on the lower reel shaft of the 
printing apparatus, and reel hub 20 on which ink ribbon 46 is not wound 
around is fitted on the upper reel shaft of the printing apparatus. In 
this case, when the upper reel shaft of the printing apparatus is rotated, 
multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46 is taken up from lower reel 
hub 22 to upper reel hub 20 in a condition that it is subjected to a 
suitable resistance at the lower reel shaft. Meanwhile, the thermal head 
of the printing apparatus is operated to print symbols on recording paper 
(not shown). The posture of the ribbon cassette in the ribbon cassette 
loading portion in this state is defined as a second posture thereof. 
The multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette has count displaying 
means 54 for counting the number of changes in the mounting posture of the 
cassette case, i.e., the number of times of use of multiprinting thermal 
transfer ink ribbon 46, and displaying a counted number. Count displaying 
means 54 is mounted on substantially triangular areas 56 each of which is 
located along thermal head insertion recesses 52 on the peripheral portion 
of the inner side surface of each of the pair of half cassette members 10 
and 12 between the pair of circular areas of associated ribbon storage 
recess 18. Count displaying means 54 includes symmetrical displaying means 
storage recesses 58 in areas 56 on the inner side surfaces of the pair of 
half cassette members 10 and 12. Each displaying means storage recess 58 
comprises small-diameter half-columnar portion 60 and large-diameter 
half-disk-like portion 62 adjacent thereto and coaxial therewith. A 
longitudinal axis of displaying means storage recesses 58 extends in a 
direction substantially perpendicular to the long side of the 
circumferential wall of the tape cassette having thermal head insertion 
recesses 52. The length of large-diameter half-disk-like portion 62 in a 
direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is considerably smaller than 
the longitudinal length of small-diameter half-columnar portion 60. 
Large-diameter disk-like operation member 64 is stored in the pair of 
large-diameter half-disk-like portions 62 of the pair of displaying means 
storage recesses 58 on the inner side surfaces of the pair of half 
cassette members 10 and 12. Small-diameter columnar rotary member 66 is 
stored in the pair of small-diameter half-columnar portions 60. Operation 
member 64 is coaxially with rotary member 66 and is formed integrally 
therewith. 
Two numeric groups 67, each consisting of natural numbers "1" to "5", are 
marked on a free end face of operating member 64 to be located within the 
every range of about 180.degree. in the circumferential direction with 
respect to the longitudinal axis, in which the numbers are arranged at 
equal angular intervals. Two numeric groups 68, each consisting of natural 
numbers "1" to "5", are marked on the circumferential surface of rotary 
member 66 to be located within the every range of about 180.degree. in the 
circumferential direction, in which the numbers are arranged at equal 
angular intervals. A plurality of lock grooves 69 are formed at equal 
angular intervals on the circumferential surface of rotary member 66 in 
the circumferential direction so as to correspond to each number in the 
two numeric groups 68. 
Outer side surfaces of the pair of half cassette members 10 and 12 at 
positions corresponding to areas 56 are expanded to be similar to the 
displaying means storage recesses 58. The areas on expanded portions 70 
corresponding to the circumferential surface of operation member 64 are 
cut out to expose the circumferential surface, thereby forming operation 
member manipulation openings 71. An area on each expanded portion 70 
corresponding to the free end face of operation member 64 has first number 
display opening 72 for displaying one number in each numeric group 67 on 
the free end face of the operation member 64. An area on each expanded 
portion 70 corresponding to the circumferential surface of rotary member 
66 has second number display opening 74 for displaying one number in each 
numeric group 68 on the circumferential surface of the rotary member 66. A 
pair of identical numbers in the two numeric groups 67 marked on the free 
end face of operation member 64 are displayed in the paired first number 
display openings 72. A pair of identical numbers in the two numeric groups 
68 marked on the circumferential surface of rotary member 66 are displayed 
in the paired second number display openings 74. The number displayed in 
each first number display opening 72 is the same as that in each second 
number display opening 74. 
Elastic lock pawls 76 are respectively formed on the areas in expanded 
portions 70 corresponding to the circumferential surface of rotary member 
66 to engage with corresponding ones of lock grooves 69 on the 
circumferential surface of rotary member 66. 
Elastic lock pawls 76 are partially cut out to have tongue shapes from 
expanded portions 70 of the paired half cassette members 10 and 12 made of 
an elastic plastic material, as shown in FIG. 2, so that free ends of 
elastic lock pawls 76 can be elastically deformed in the radial direction 
of expanded portions 70. Engaging projections 78 are formed at the free 
ends of elastic lock pawls 76, respectively, to extend inwardly in the 
radial direction of expanded portion 70. Each engaging projection 78 
engages with one of grooves 69 formed on the circumferential surface of 
rotary member 66 housed in the paired displaying means storage recesses 58 
of the paired half cassette members 10 and 12. 
When the circumferential surface of operation member 64 exposed outside is 
manipulated to rotate rotary member 66 within the paired displaying means 
storage recesses 58, rotation of rotary member 66 is temporarily stopped 
at every time in which engaging projections 78 of elastic lock pawls 76 
engage with corresponding ones of lock grooves 69 on the circumferential 
surface of rotary member 66. That is, elastic lock pawls 76 and the 
plurality of lock grooves 69 on the circumferential surface of rotary 
member 66 constitute an intermittent stopping means for temporarily 
stopping a rotation of rotary member 66 at every predetermined angular 
interval. The predetermined angular interval is determined to change the 
numbers in numeric groups 67 and 68 on operating member 64 and rotary 
member 66, displayed in first and second number display openings 72 and 74 
of the paired expanded portions 70 of the paired half cassette members 10 
and 12, one by one. 
In the multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette having the above 
construction according to the embodiment of the present invention, 
whenever the loading posture of the ribbon cassette in the printing 
apparatus (i.e., whenever traveling of ink ribbon 46 in one direction is 
completed), the user manipulates operation member 64 of count displaying 
means 54 to change the number, displayed in each of the paired first 
number display openings 72 and, the paired second number display openings 
74, by one. Therefore, the number of times of change in loading posture of 
the ribbon cassette in the printing apparatus (i.e., the number of times 
of use of multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon 46) can be counted, 
recorded, and displayed. Therefore, the ink ribbon cassette can be 
replaced with a new multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette at 
a proper timing since the number of times of use of the ribbon cassette 
can be accurately counted, recorded, and displayed. Therefore, degradation 
of printed matter for business purpose can be surely prevented. 
FIG. 3 shows a first modification of count displaying means 54. 
Count displaying means 54 of the first modification comprises octagonal 
rotary member 82 having rotating shafts 80 coaxially extending from both 
end faces thereof. An extended end of on rotating shaft 80 extending from 
one end face of rotary member 82 has coaxial disk-like operation member 84 
having a diameter considerably smaller than that of rotary member 82. Two 
numeric groups 86, each consisting of natural numbers "1" to "5", are 
marked on one end face of rotary member 82 to be located within the every 
range of about 180.degree., in the circumferential direction, in which the 
numbers are arranged at equal angular intervals. Two numeric groups 88, 
each consisting of natural numbers "1" to "5", are marked on the 
circumferential surface of rotary member 82 to be located within the every 
range of about 180.degree., in the circumferential direction, in which the 
numbers are arranged at equal angular intervals. A plurality of lock holes 
90 are formed at equal angular intervals on the circumferential surface of 
rotary member 82 in the circumferential direction so as to correspond to 
each number in the two numeric groups 80. 
Each displaying means storage recess 58 formed on each area 56 in inner 
side surfaces of the paired half cassette members 10 and 12 has a half 
polygonal shape having a radius larger than the radius of rotary member 
82. Rotation support grooves 92 for rotatably supporting another rotating 
shaft 80, to which operation member 84 of rotary member 82 is not 
connected, are formed on areas 56 in inner side surfaces so as to be 
coaxial and continuous with displaying means storage recesses 58. Each 
displaying means storage recesses 58 is open to the each one long side of 
the paired half cassette members 10 and 12 providing thermal head 
insertion recess 52. Rotary member 82, which is housed in the paired 
displaying means storage recesses 58 of the paired half cassette members 
10 and 12 and another rotating shaft 80 of which is supported by the 
paired rotation support grooves 92 of the paired half cassette members 10 
and 12, is exposed at its one end face from the openings of displaying 
means storage recesses 58 so that operation member 84 protrudes towards 
the outside through the above described openings. 
Lock projections 94 are formed on symmetrical positions on the inner 
circumferential surfaces of displaying means storage recesses 58 to engage 
with corresponding ones of lock holes 90. Rotary member 82 is supported in 
the paired displaying means storage recesses 58 of the paired half 
cassette members 10 and 12 by paired lock projections 94 and paired 
rotation support grooves 92 so as to be rotatable about another shaft 80. 
Areas on the outer side surface of the paired half cassette members 10 and 
12 corresponding to displaying means storage recesses 58 on count 
displaying means loading areas 56 in the inner side surfaces of the half 
cassette members 10 and 12 are expanded similar to displaying means 
storage recesses 58. Number display opening 98 for displaying each 
identical number in two numerical groups 88 marked on the circumferential 
surface of rotary member 82 is formed in an area on the outer surface of 
expanded portions 96 corresponding to the circumferential surface of 
rotary member 82. A pair of identical numbers in two numerical groups 88 
on the circumferential surface of rotary member 82 are displayed in the 
paired number display openings 98 of the paired expanded portions 96 of 
the paired half cassette members 10 and 12. 
In the first modification described above, when operation member 84 
protruded outside from the paired displaying means storage recesses 58 is 
manipulated to rotate rotary member 82 in displaying means storage 
recesses 58, rotation of rotary member 82 is stopped whenever lock 
projections 94 engage with corresponding ones of lock holes 90 on the 
circumferential surface of rotary member 82. That is, lock projections 94 
and lock holes 90 on the circumferential surface of rotary member 82 
constitute an intermittent stopping means for stopping rotary member 82 
every predetermined angular interval. The predetermined angular interval 
is determined to change the numbers in numeric groups 88 on rotary member 
82, displayed in number display openings 98 of the paired expanded 
portions 96 of the paired half cassette members 10 and 12, one by one. 
Number designating marks 100 which designate identical numbers in two 
numerical groups 86 on the end face of rotary member 82 are formed at 
opening ends of the paired displaying means storage recesses 58 of the 
paired half cassette members 10 and 12, respectively. Each identical 
number designated by the each number designating mark 100 is the same as 
that displayed in each number display opening 98. 
FIG. 4 shows another mounting position of count displaying means 54 in the 
multiprinting thermal transfer ink ribbon cassette according to the first 
embodiment of the present invention. Count displaying means 54 in the 
ribbon cassette in FIG. 4 is arranged in substantially triangular areas 
102 each of which is located at a position on the peripheral portion of 
the inner side surface of each of the paired half cassette members 10 and 
12, the position being opposing to thermal head insertion recess 52 and 
surrounded at its both sides by a paired circular areas of ribbon storage 
recesses 18. Count displaying means 54 arranged in areas 102 may have the 
same arrangement as in the first embodiment of FIG. 1, in the first 
modification of FIG. 3, or in a second modification (to be described 
later) as an electric displaying means. 
Count displaying means 54 of the second modification is schematically shown 
in FIG. 5. 
Count displaying means 54 of the second modification comprises a 
rectangular unit having electric display means 104 such as liquid display 
elements on its three surfaces. Operation member 106 extends from one 
surface of the unit. The unit includes a battery. Upon operation of 
operation member 106, natural numbers starting from "1" can be displayed 
on three electric display means 104. 
Displaying means storage recesses 58 formed on areas 56 in the inner side 
surfaces of the paired half cassette members 10 and 12 have a shape 
corresponding to the outer surface of count displaying means 54 as a unit 
as described above and are open to the one long sides of the 
circumferential walls of the paired half cassette members 10 and 12 
providing thermal head insertion recess 52. Count displaying means 54 
housed in the paired displaying means storage recesses 58 of the paired 
half cassette members 10 and 12 exposes central electric display means 104 
through the openings of the displaying means storage recesses 58. 
Remaining two electric displaying means 104 of count displaying means 54 
oppose the bottoms of the inner circumferential surfaces of the paired 
displaying means storage recesses 58 and are exposed outside through 
openings 108 formed in the bottoms. Operation member insertion hole 110 
for receiving operation member 106 of count displaying means 54 is formed 
in one bottom. Operation member 106 inserted through operation member 
insertion hole 110 is exposed to the outer space, so that a user can 
externally manipulate operation member 106.