Patent GB-410655-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to to the supply of ink to the ribbons of typing machines
IPC: B41J31/16
Filed: 1933-08-19
Abstract: 410,655. Ink-ribbon mechanism; ink ribbons. PELTON, G. E., Popkins Farm, Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.A. Aug. 19, 1933, No. 23142. Convention date, Sept. 19, 1932. [Class 100 (iv).] Means for supplying ink to the ribbon of a typing-machine operates in stages to gauge and distribute a minute quantity of ink and apply it in a narrow film to a desired part of the width of the ribbon during traverse thereof. Preferably the ribbon is compactly woven, for instance by a skip or basket method, from long-fibre silk and is further compacted by friction-calendering. Linen or cotton threads may be incorporated in the ribbon. The calendering operation may be arranged to reduce the thickness of the ribbon from five thousandths to three thousandths of an inch. The face of the ribbon may, as described in Specification 309,027, [Class 100 (iv)], be coated with pyroxylin. The ink-supplying means may comprise a wick dipping into a reservoir and arranged in contact with a roller running in contact with a disc which runs in contact with the ribbon, the minute stream of ink raised by the wick being distributed into broad and narrow films by the roller and disc respectively. The amount of ink applied can be adjusted by employing discs of different thickness, or discs having edges adapted to apply dots, dashes, or wavy or continuous lines. Adjustment can also be effected by employing a coated wick. An endless supply-ribbon or a supply-ribbon wound on spools may be employed for transferring ink from the ink-supplying means to the ribbon proper. The supply-ribbon may consist of metal, cellulosic material, or fabric impregnated with a starch solution, preferably tracing-cloth solution. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, ink is supplied to the ribbon 14 by duplicate means comprising a disc 30, a roller 26, and a wick 25 dipping into a reservoir 22. Ink from the wick forms a broad film on the roller 26, and a narrow film is taken up by the disc 30 and applied to the ribbon during traverse thereof. The ribbon passes over guide-rollers 32 and is held in contact with the discs 30 by spring-urged rollers 34. Large spools 12, 13 may be provided for accommodating a very long ribbon. Preferably, only one of the inksupplying is used at a time, the other being disabled, for instance by withdrawing the wick. The roller 26 and disc 30 may be replaced by an absorbent roller and a number of discs respectively. Gears or other connections for driving the roller 26 and disc 30 from the roller 34 may be provided. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 4, the ribbon 14 and an endless supply-ribbon 20 pass in contact through guideposts 45. The supply-ribbon, while running over a guide-roller 34, receives a thin film of ink from a disc 30 running in contact with a roller 26 which receives ink from a wick 25. The supply-ribbon passes around rollers 40 which are geared to the ribbon spools 12, 13. The supply-ribbon may be arranged to run at a different speed from the ribbon 14 so as to rub the film of ink into the face of the ribbon during the passage of the ribbon through the guide-posts. The rollers 40 may have pins 41 for engaging holes in the supply-ribbon. The endless supply-ribbon may be replaced by a supply-ribbon which is wound on spools geared to the spools of the ribbon 14. The supplyribbon may, instead of applying ink directly to the ribbon 14, apply ink to a roller running in contact with the ribbon 14. Specifications 278,943, [Class 100 (iv)], and 355,434 also are referred to.