EP0730974A2 - Dispositif et cartouche à ruban encreur pour l'impression par transfert thermique - Google Patents

Dispositif et cartouche à ruban encreur pour l'impression par transfert thermique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0730974A2
EP0730974A2 EP96250029A EP96250029A EP0730974A2 EP 0730974 A2 EP0730974 A2 EP 0730974A2 EP 96250029 A EP96250029 A EP 96250029A EP 96250029 A EP96250029 A EP 96250029A EP 0730974 A2 EP0730974 A2 EP 0730974A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ribbon
ink ribbon
cassette
microprocessor
spool
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96250029A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0730974A3 (fr
EP0730974B1 (fr
Inventor
Stephan Günther
Wolfgang Dr. Thiel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Original Assignee
Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE1995109683 external-priority patent/DE19509683C2/de
Application filed by Francotyp Postalia GmbH filed Critical Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Publication of EP0730974A2 publication Critical patent/EP0730974A2/fr
Publication of EP0730974A3 publication Critical patent/EP0730974A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0730974B1 publication Critical patent/EP0730974B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J35/00—Other apparatus or arrangements associated with, or incorporated in, ink-ribbon mechanisms
    • B41J35/36—Alarms, indicators, or feed disabling devices responsive to ink ribbon breakage or exhaustion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
    • B41J17/36—Alarms, indicators, or feed-disabling devices responsible to material breakage or exhaustion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
    • B41J17/38—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper for dealing with the impression-transfer material after use

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an arrangement and an ink ribbon cassette for a thermal transfer printing process according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.
  • thermal printing processes have long been widespread on the market as high-quality non-impact printing processes for a wide variety of applications.
  • a preferred application is provided for a franking machine which works according to a thermal transfer printing method.
  • Ribbon and thermal print cartridges generally have a supply spool, a take-up spool and a plurality of deflection rollers for guiding the ribbon. To achieve consistent print quality, it is necessary to tighten the ribbon.
  • EP 189 268 B1 discloses a receiving device for ink ribbon cassettes.
  • the side wall of the cassette has an opening through which a roller for engaging the ink ribbon can pass in order to receive the drive force from it or to transmit it to a friction roller which is coupled to an encoder disk.
  • the ribbon speed corresponds approximately to that of the printed matter which is transported between the ribbon and the counterpressure device.
  • EP 504 594 A2 has already provided a meandering tape guide between the print head and the take-up spool in order to ensure that the take-up from forces that can be achieved by friction between the ink ribbon and paper is decoupled.
  • a meandering band guide can be omitted if the deflection rollers are replaced by non-rotatable deflection pins.
  • Thermal transfer printing processes are often used in applications in which (for whatever reason) the relatively expensive, light and heat sensitive thermal direct printing paper has to be dispensed with.
  • the ribbons used here allow printing on plain paper, but their costs also go directly into the consumption costs of the impression. It has therefore already been proposed in DE 31 45 221 C2 that a relative speed between the ink ribbon and the recording medium (printed matter) is always maintained. The required ribbon length is thus reduced.
  • thermal printing technology has comparatively high consumption costs per printed area and is also not particularly environmentally friendly due to the high proportion of carrier material (in thermal transfer printing).
  • a thermal transfer printing process is known from DE 37 21 925 C2, in which multiple use of the ink ribbon is possible without impairing the print quality.
  • an ink layer half is melted off the ink ribbon, an ink layer half remaining on the ink ribbon under the melted ink layer halves, if that Ribbon is separated from the recording medium in a predetermined time interval after the excitation of the printing element, in which the ink layer half still has a relatively low viscosity in the melted state.
  • the multi-use ink ribbon is wider than the print head and has a high-density ink region running over the aforementioned print head and a less dense ink region which runs at the level of the aforementioned print head. From this less dense ink region, ink is melted onto a recording medium when the aforementioned print head is activated. This consumption of ink can be replaced at a downstream point of the printing arrangement, and when heated by a second printhead, ink melted from the high-density ink region runs into the less dense ink region by gravity and capillary action.
  • a roller is arranged on the take-up reel, around the Smooth the belt surface.
  • Such an arrangement is essentially intended for typewriters, ie line printers.
  • Such center arrangements are unsuitable for franking machines simply because a printing column is printed which extends over the entire ribbon width. Even if the ribbon would be widened to twice its width, which would make it considerably more expensive, the capillary effect would not be supported by gravity if the letter, which was usually transported lying down, was moved with the ribbon under the print head. The ink then melted off by a second printhead will only drip onto the letter.
  • heated rollers for a thermal transfer printing process have become known in order to regenerate a multi-use ink ribbon after a single use.
  • the roller must be arranged above the multi-use ink ribbon so that the paint does not run past the roller or onto the halogen lamp used for heating, which would destroy the latter.
  • This arrangement makes such means unsuitable for franking machines because it would be difficult to construct a corresponding cassette which brings the heated roller into contact with the ink ribbon at a location downstream of the print head.
  • thermal inkjet which can determine the sections of an ink ribbon that can still be used by means of a sensor and microprocessor. Due to the generation of color images by three primary colors, which can be printed on top of each other, there is a different consumption of the respective color sections on the tape. There are always unused sections of color on the ribbon and such ribbons with alternating sections of color are very expensive. Using a second printhead, the consumption of color sections can now be recorded on the tape. If the tape is used again, the microprocessor uses these markings to determine whether printing is still possible.
  • the arrangement for a thermal transfer printing method with a thermal print head which has a multiplicity of printing elements is connected to a microprocessor in a control unit via power electronics and via pressure control.
  • a counter-pressure device (not shown in the figures) presses the recording medium against an ink ribbon which is wound up from a first spool onto a second spool and is supported against the thermal print head.
  • a roller is preferably used as the counterpressure device and a microprocessor control is used, as was described in detail in US Pat. No. 4,746,234 "Relating to postal franking machines".
  • the ink ribbon is designed to recognize markings for control states, the ink marking authorizing the ink ribbon material in the control unit comprising a microprocessor and non-volatile memory that at least one valid reference code is stored in the aforementioned non-volatile memory, that at least a first detection means is arranged on the ink ribbon cassette, which supplies at least first information about the status of the ink ribbon on the associated supply reel, including at least the validity of the ink ribbon material or the type of ink ribbon, to the microprocessor of the control unit before the ribbon end is reached and that the microprocessor to compare the stored reference codes with the detected status information and, if they match, are programmed to authorize the ink ribbon, printing being prevented if they do not match.
  • the codes can be modified using the microprocessor.
  • the invention can be used advantageously if the ink ribbon is a multi-use ink ribbon with an optically readable ink ribbon marking applied by the manufacturer.
  • the multi-use ink ribbon is provided with a readable code, preferably a bar code, which is recognized by the microprocessor after a period of time or periodically, in order to identify control states regarding the wear of the ink ribbon and the validity of the ink ribbon.
  • the first detection means is preferably an optical detection means which provides information about the validity of the ink ribbon for printing and / or about the amount of ink ribbon remaining on the assigned reel before the ink ribbon end is reached and that the ink ribbon is provided with an applied marking, which is readable by the detection means.
  • the thermal print head acts on the ink ribbon arranged in a cassette with a predetermined print pattern in order to produce a marking which is detected by the first optical detection means.
  • heat-emitting means are arranged near the deflection roller at the window of the cassette and the microprocessor of the control is programmed to control the heat-emitting means so that they contribute to the formation of a marking.
  • the heat emitting agent a tube lamp suitable for increased heat emission, which melts the top layer in columns, and includes a downstream roller, by means of which the ribbon is ironed smooth and the color is distributed approximately evenly when a franking imprint is applied and which are given away from the ribbon when a mark is printed becomes.
  • the heat-emitting means can comprise a second counter-pressure roller or receptor roller and a second print head arranged at a relatively short distance from the first print head and oriented in the tape transport direction.
  • the microprocessor calculates a time delay in the activation of the second print head in accordance with the distance.
  • a thermal printhead which has a large number of printing elements and is connected to a control unit via power electronics and a pressure control, acts on a print material with a predetermined printing energy via a ribbon as a printing medium.
  • printing energy control of the thermal transfer printing is carried out according to the invention, depending on the quality of the existing multi-use ink ribbon.
  • the amount of ink in the multi-use ribbon depends linearly on the number of uses.
  • First optical or mechanical detection means are arranged on the printing medium, which provide information about the amount of ribbon remaining on the assigned spool before the ribbon end is reached.
  • the end of the ribbon is recognized, for example, by the fact that a second optical identification mark is detected or the encoder disc stops rotating or the number of prints is counted by the processor.
  • the information is transmitted to the control unit.
  • the pressure medium housing comprises at least one electronic, magnetic, optical and / or mechanical storage medium.
  • Stored information concerns the multi-use status (MUS). This shows how often this corresponding ribbon direction has already been used.
  • MUS multi-use status
  • RMD Ribbon Movement Direction
  • a second detection means can alternatively be a mechanical detection means which supplies information about the amount of ribbon remaining on the associated spool, which information is stored in a mechanical memory of the cassette, before the ribbon end is reached. Reaching the ribbon end causes a change in the information state of the storage medium of the pressure medium housing, which is scanned after removal and reinsertion into the old or new turned position of the pressure medium housing in order to read the information and transmit it to the control unit.
  • Detection means arranged in the machine engage on the pressure medium housing and provide information about the direction of belt movement. This information is transmitted to the control unit.
  • the thermal transfer printing process differs in an inventive manner from the known technical solutions in that the code for the aforementioned corresponding information is changed periodically or at intervals.
  • a thermal transfer or ETR print head 1 with an associated — not shown — pressure controller 14 and with an associated power electronics can be used.
  • the aforementioned components of the thermal transfer printer are usually controlled by an intelligent control means, for example by a control unit (not shown) which has a microprocessor .mu.P.
  • the ink ribbon 29 is unwound from a spool 26 and wound onto a spool 25.
  • the ink ribbon runs from the spool 26 between the print head 1 and the recording medium 2 to the spool 25.
  • the recording medium 2 is pressed onto the ink ribbon 29 in the usual way by means of a counter-pressure roller (not shown).
  • a counter-pressure roller not shown
  • the arrangement and ribbon cassette for a thermal transfer printing method according to the invention - shown in FIG. 1 a - uses only the ribbon 29 as a storage medium for information.
  • a first piece of information relates to piracy protection and is applied at least at the beginning of each ink ribbon 29 of a cassette protected in this way during its manufacture.
  • Such information is applied as a printed marking, for example in the form of a bar code, and can be scanned by a first recognition means 35 when the cassette is newly inserted, which is arranged after the unwinding roller 26 in front of the first print head 1 opposite the ink ribbon 29.
  • the detection means 35 signals the microprocessor at least the type of the ribbon.
  • a reflex light barrier or a commercially available scanner can be used as the first detection means 35 in order to read the bar code. Such a printed marking can be applied to the tape at regular intervals. If the ribbon has now run through for the first time, at the end of the ribbon 29, ribbon end information is supplied to the microprocessor by the first detection means 35 arranged in the vicinity of a first window 21a with the first deflection roller 31a. With the remaining amount of ink ribbon wound up, a final print is possible before replacing the cassette.
  • the aforementioned detected bar code is compared with a reference code stored in a non-volatile manner in a memory of the microprocessor control.
  • a reference code can be supplied, for example, from a remote data center to the microprocessor controller and authorize the manufacturer's color ribbons with the same bar code for printing for a predetermined period of time (period). Otherwise the thermal transfer printing device, for example a franking machine, is blocked. This also prevents the manufacturer from using outdated ribbons that would only contribute to poorer print quality.
  • Two or more codes can also be validly recognized for a transitional period. For this purpose, it is necessary to store several reference codes, each of which is valid for a different or overlapping time period, in a non-volatile manner.
  • a multi-use ribbon cassette is used.
  • a multi-use ink ribbon is then used as a storage medium for the aforementioned first information for protection against piracy and for a second information relating to the multi-use status.
  • FIG. 1d shows the arrangement of such a multi-use ribbon cassette in a thermal transfer printing device.
  • the ink ribbon 29 is unwound from a spool 26 and wound onto a spool 25.
  • the ink ribbon runs from the reel 26 over the roller 31a, then between the printhead 1 and the recording medium 2, then over a second printhead 70 and then over the roller 31b to the reel 25.
  • the recording medium 2 is made by means of a counter-pressure roller (not shown) pressed onto the ribbon 29. From the first marking, the number of impressions is detected by the microprocessor using an encoder 51. The approach of the ribbon end can thus also be detected.
  • printed tape end information can be supplied from the detection means 35 to the microprocessor.
  • the microprocessor uses the first print head 1 to apply at least one further marking, for example in the form of a bar code.
  • This further marking includes at least the aforementioned first information on protection against piracy.
  • the aforementioned marking can include second information relating to the multi-use status, or a further marking can also be applied which contains the second information relating to the multi-use status.
  • the microprocessor uses the first print head 1 to set a mark, which is further deepened by means of the second print head 70.
  • the second print head 70 is actuated by the microprocessor in a time-delayed manner relative to the first print head 1.
  • a corresponding control method has already been carried out in DE 42 27 596 A1 and has only been modified with regard to the larger distance between the two print heads.
  • the end of the ribbon can also be detected by the microprocessor via an encoder 51 in that the encoder disc 50 does not continue to rotate.
  • the ribbon end is signaled by the microprocessor using a beeper.
  • the display now shows that the cassette must be changed. A multi-use ribbon cartridge is rotated after removal and then reinserted.
  • a marking has now been applied to the ink ribbon at the ink ribbon end, which is so far removed from the ink ribbon end that an imprint can just be carried out.
  • the first print head 1 is used to generate a such marking driven by the microprocessor via power electronics with energy.
  • the ink melts off the ribbon and drips onto the counter pressure roller.
  • the material of the counter pressure roller does not accept the ink drop, but repels it.
  • a scraper can be arranged on the counterpressure roller (not shown).
  • a bar code can advantageously be used as the printed marking, which is deepened by the second print head 70 in a time-shifted manner relative to the first print head 1.
  • the ink continues to melt from the ink ribbon 29 and drips onto a counter pressure roller 80.
  • the material of the counter pressure roller 80 does not accept the ink drop, but repels it.
  • a scraper 81 can be arranged on the ink collecting container 82 of the counterpressure roller 80.
  • the ribbon runs in a controlled manner from the microprocessor to the end of the ribbon.
  • the recording medium 2 is transported away from the print head 1.
  • the marking runs up to the second deflection roller 31b before the ink ribbon is stopped.
  • the cassette When the ribbon has run through for the first time, the cassette is turned over.
  • the ink ribbon 29 is then unwound from a spool 25 and wound onto the spool 26.
  • the marking can then be made after the change, i.e. are scanned by the first detection means 35 when the cassette is turned.
  • information from a first detection means 35 arranged in the vicinity of a first window 21b with the second deflecting roller 31b (or window 21a and deflecting roller 31a when the cassette is turned again) is delivered to the microprocessor.
  • the invention enables the code for the first or second information to be changed.
  • a change of code for the first information when changing the Multi-use ribbon cartridge improves piracy protection.
  • the changed code must be stored in a non-volatile memory in a memory of the microprocessor control as a reference code. It is therefore necessary to change the code for the second information when changing the multi-use ink ribbon cassette if the wear of the multi-use ink ribbon is to be recognized on the basis of the number of changes carried out.
  • the printhead is loaded with the required or a special print pattern. With approx. 15% to 20% space usage per print and up to five layers on the ink ribbon, only a small proportion of the color is used per print. It is possible to support the distribution of the color of the top layer from unused or less used areas to the more used areas by suitable means 70, 80, 90.
  • the means 70 is the second thermal transfer print head 70 suitable for the increased delivery of a heat pattern, which melts the top layer.
  • the ribbon is ironed smoothly by a downstream roller 90 and the color is distributed approximately uniformly. It is also possible to heat the roller 90 in a manner not shown.
  • a second thermal transfer print head 70 is therefore located in the printing device, which is identical in construction to the first thermal transfer print head 1 and is mechanically arranged downstream of it in the printing direction.
  • This second thermal transfer print head 70 is fed with the inverse print data of the previous print in a defined time delay, so that it still detaches the color particles from the ink ribbon that were left out in the original print.
  • a delay in the activation is calculated by the microprocessor and a corresponding activation method can in principle be carried out as already described in DE 42 27 596 A1 was executed. In contrast to DE 42 27 596 A1, the alignment of the two print heads along the tape transport direction is the same and the distance between the print heads is greater.
  • the ribbon is provided with a marking which makes it possible to optically detect the ribbon use and accordingly to automatically control the associated printing energy by means of an actuator so that each time the ribbon is used about the same amount of ink are melted with the same print samples.
  • marking and detection are also conceivable, such as magnetic, mechanical or chemical for marking the use.
  • the ribbon quality detection can also be used to determine a maximum number of ribbon runs, which must not be exceeded, in order to ensure a minimum required print quality. Is the maximum z. B. reached with 5 passes, the impression (after detection) is refused by the control means with an error message.
  • Thermal transfer printers are usually controlled by an intelligent control means (such as microprocessors).
  • an expensive second thermal transfer print head 70 is replaced in a suitable manner by a heat-emitting means 60, 90.
  • the heat-emitting means 60 which supports the distribution of the color of the top layer from unused or less used areas to the more used areas of the multi-use ink ribbon 29, is switched off in a further variant by the microprocessor of the control and / or by means of a Suitable lever device pivoted away when a distribution of the color of the top layer is undesirable. This is the case if one with the first thermal transfer print head 1 in the aforementioned manner Marking is applied with flexible coding, which should still be detectable after turning the cassette.
  • the microprocessor of the control is thus programmed to control the heat-emitting means 60, 90 in such a way that they contribute to the formation of a marking.
  • FIG. 1b shows the basic structure of a multi-use ribbon cassette with an alternative storage means arranged in the cassette housing.
  • a thermal transfer or ETR print head 1 with associated — not shown — pressure controller 14 and power electronics and microprocessor controller can be used as the thermal printing device, for example.
  • the ink ribbon 29 is unwound, for example, from a spool 26 (or 25) and wound onto a spool 25 (or 26).
  • the ink ribbon runs from the spool 26 (or 25) over the roller 31a (or 31b) and between the print head 1 and the recording medium 2 through the rollers 31b (or 31a) to the spool 25 (or 26).
  • the recording medium 2 is pressed onto the ink ribbon 29 by means of a counterpressure roller (not shown).
  • the multi-use ink ribbon cassette 20 has a storage means 24 and an expensive second thermal transfer print head 70 is replaced in a suitable manner by a heat-emitting means 60, 90.
  • a marking printed by the manufacturer for a first piece of information regarding piracy protection on the multi-use ink ribbon 29 and a mechanical storage of the second information in the cassette but not on the tape it is still possible to distribute the color of the Support top layer from unused or less used areas to the more used areas by other suitable means 60, 90.
  • the means 60 is for increased heat emission suitable festoon lamp, which melts the top layer.
  • the ribbon is ironed smoothly by a downstream roller 90 and the color is distributed approximately uniformly. It is also possible to heat the roll 90.
  • the multi-use status shows how often this corresponding ribbon direction has already been used.
  • the storage means 24 is preferably designed as a mechanical storage means. However, the storage means 24 can also be an optical, magnetic or electronic storage means of the cassette.
  • the storage means 24 which is designed, for example, as a coding disk, makes it possible to remove the cassette at any time without loss of MUS information, and display means 28 are provided.
  • the display means indicate to the operator through a window 27 if the cassette is incorrectly reinserted after it has been removed in the meantime.
  • the display means can have recesses and elevations which prevent inadvertent incorrect insertion or, after turning the cassette, its insertion as long as the ribbon has not yet been completely unwound to the end.
  • a mandrel or a mechanical detector 410 which triggers an acoustic or optical signal, can engage in the recesses (FIGS. 2 and 3a).
  • locking means 34 are provided, which assume a new locking position each time they are removed.
  • the locking means can, for example, have a flat shape (not shown), a nipple for locking and an axis between which and the cassette housing the encoder disk 24 is rotatably clamped.
  • 1c shows a further variant for a multi-use ribbon cassette. Further spring-mounted deflection rollers are arranged in this cassette.
  • the ink ribbon runs from the reel 26 (or 25) via rollers 31a and 32a (or 31b and 32b) and between the print head 1 and the recording medium 2 through the rollers 31b and 32b (or 31a and 32a) to the reel 25 (or 26).
  • the recording medium 2 is pressed onto the ink ribbon 29 by means of a counterpressure roller (not shown).
  • the resiliently mounted deflection rollers 32a and 32b run in slots 22a and 22b of the cassette housing 20, shown in FIG. 3a.
  • the first mechanical detection means 420 is arranged in the cassette compartment on the rear so that the correctly inserted cassette with the deflection roller ends 32a and 32b comes into contact with the first mechanical detection means 420.
  • FIG. 2 shows a mechanical storage device for a multi-use ribbon cassette.
  • the mechanical storage means 24 is again designed as a coding sheath for storing MUS and RMD information.
  • the cassette can now only be used rotated in the machine so that the tape runs back. If the cassette is removed in the meantime, the state of the cylindrical coding disk 24 does not change.
  • FIG. 3a shows an arrangement of the multi-use ink ribbon cassette according to the basic diagram in FIG. 1c in a cassette compartment in a front view.
  • a storage means 24 for storing a multi-use status (MUS) and / or a Ribbon Movement Direction (RMD) information is provided, that windows 23a, 23b for scanning the storage means 24 are arranged in the cassette housing are that windows 21a, 21b for scanning the ink ribbon and or for engaging for displacement with an encoder 51 by means of a friction wheel 50 or for engaging heat-emitting means 60, 70, 80, 90 are arranged in the cassette housing, that the windows 21a or 21b in are arranged in the vicinity of the deflection rollers 31a or 31b and that slots or windows 22a, 22b for further deflection rollers 32a, 32b are arranged, on which the first detection means 420 is arranged, which provides information about the amount of ribbon remaining on the associated reel before the Ribbon end is reached, and that the deflection rollers 32a, 32b are resiliently mounted.
  • MUS multi-use status
  • RMD Ribbon Movement Direction
  • a switch (S) 403 is actuated by the micro-processor, which closes a circuit via voltage source 405, magnet coil 402, a switch arranged in parallel consisting of core contact 406 and armature contact 407 being closed. Now, even if the switch (S) is opened, the circuit remains (self-holding).
  • the magnet consisting of magnetic coil 402 and iron core 406, is provided, one on Pivot 404 lever 407, 401 to operate.
  • the lever 401 engages with the recess 19 in the storage means 24 with its actuating means 40. This causes corresponding information to be entered when the multi-use ribbon cassette is removed.
  • the detection means 409 optically or mechanically scans the information from the storage means 24.
  • FIG. 3b shows the arrangement of the multi-use ribbon cassette in a rear view.
  • Another detection means 420 is in engagement with one end of the deflection roller 32b. When the ribbon end is reached, the ribbon is tensioned against the spring action of the spring 33b and thus the detection is preferably made possible by a microswitch.
  • the invention is not limited to the present embodiment. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown, even in the case of fundamentally different types.

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EP96250029A 1995-03-07 1996-02-03 Dispositif et cartouche à ruban encreur pour l'impression par transfert thermique Expired - Lifetime EP0730974B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19509683 1995-03-07
DE1995109683 DE19509683C2 (de) 1995-03-07 1995-03-07 Thermotransferdruckverfahren und Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens mit Multi-Use-Farbbandkassette

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0730974A2 true EP0730974A2 (fr) 1996-09-11
EP0730974A3 EP0730974A3 (fr) 1998-01-07
EP0730974B1 EP0730974B1 (fr) 2001-09-26

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96250029A Expired - Lifetime EP0730974B1 (fr) 1995-03-07 1996-02-03 Dispositif et cartouche à ruban encreur pour l'impression par transfert thermique

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US (3) US5949467A (fr)
EP (1) EP0730974B1 (fr)
DE (2) DE19549376A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1103923A2 (fr) 1999-11-26 2001-05-30 Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Procédé pour commander automatiquement des articles de consommation et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé
EP1103925A2 (fr) 1999-11-26 2001-05-30 Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Procédé pour la protection contre le piratage d'un appareil et dispositif pour sa mise en oeuvre
EP1103924A2 (fr) 1999-11-26 2001-05-30 Francotyp-Postalia Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Procédé de protection d'un dispositif contre son fonctionnement avec des articles de consommation non autorisés et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé
US8933978B1 (en) 2013-07-22 2015-01-13 Assa Abloy Ab Printing device having reusable card

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US6918654B2 (en) * 1997-07-15 2005-07-19 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Ink distribution assembly for an ink jet printhead
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US5949467A (en) 1999-09-07
US5821975A (en) 1998-10-13
EP0730974A3 (fr) 1998-01-07
DE59607744D1 (de) 2001-10-31
EP0730974B1 (fr) 2001-09-26
US6141029A (en) 2000-10-31
DE19549376A1 (de) 1996-09-26

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