A printer includes a printing unit having a printing head and a platen positioned opposite the printing head, the printing head being configured to print on a print medium that is fed between the printing head and the platen, a ribbon holding shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon that is wound thereon, a ribbon winding shaft configured to wind and collect the ink ribbon supplied from the ribbon holding shaft, and first and second guide shafts provided along a feeding route of the ink ribbon between the ribbon holding shaft and the ribbon winding shaft to apply tension to the ink ribbon. At least one of the first and second guide shafts has a tilt adjuster that applies a twist to the ink ribbon in a width direction of the ink ribbon through said at least one of the first and second guide shafts.

A tension detection device according to an embodiment includes a base, a support member, a continuous body, an external force detection unit, and a tension detection unit. One end or both ends of the support member are fixed to the base. The support member has an external force measurement section integrally provided at the one end or both ends thereof. The continuous body is conveyed while wound around an outer circumference of the support member. The external force detection unit is provided at the external force measurement section of the support member. The external force detection unit detects an external force. The tension detection unit detects tension of the continuous body based on a detection result from the external force detection unit.

A tension detection device according to an embodiment includes a base, a support member, a continuous body, an external force detection unit, and a tension detection unit. One end or both ends of the support member are fixed to the base. The support member has an external force measurement section integrally provided at the one end or both ends thereof. The continuous body is conveyed while wound around an outer circumference of the support member. The external force detection unit is provided at the external force measurement section of the support member. The external force detection unit detects an external force. The tension detection unit detects tension of the continuous body based on a detection result from the external force detection unit.

The present application provides a torque limiter which includes a first torque limiting module for limiting a first torque with regard to a rotating direction and a second torque limiting module for limiting a second torque with regard to a counter direction of the rotating direction.

The present application provides a torque limiter which includes a first torque limiting module for limiting a first torque with regard to a rotating direction and a second torque limiting module for limiting a second torque with regard to a counter direction of the rotating direction.

A bidirectional ribbon supply system for a printer includes: a shaft supported by a frame of the printer, the shaft to rotate about an axis; a pulley affixed to the shaft; and a bias member coupled between the frame and the pulley to apply a force to the pulley in either of a first or second direction responsive to rotation of the pulley in the other of the first or second direction, wherein rotation of a spindle supported on the shaft in the first direction dispenses inside-coated ribbon toward a printhead, and rotation of the spindle in the second direction dispenses outside-coated ribbon toward the printhead.

A bidirectional ribbon supply system for a printer includes: a shaft supported by a frame of the printer, the shaft to rotate about an axis; a pulley affixed to the shaft; and a bias member coupled between the frame and the pulley to apply a force to the pulley in either of a first or second direction responsive to rotation of the pulley in the other of the first or second direction, wherein rotation of a spindle supported on the shaft in the first direction dispenses inside-coated ribbon toward a printhead, and rotation of the spindle in the second direction dispenses outside-coated ribbon toward the printhead.

The invention relates to a printer device for thermal printing or embossing of a carrier film coated with a coloring matter on a substrate, wherein the printer device has a roller arrangement for accommodating the carrier film and for moving the carrier film along a conveyor path, stepper motors for driving the roller arrangement, a thermal print head for printing or embossing the coloring matter from the carrier film onto the substrate, and a swivel arrangement, which can be deflected over a swivel range, for engaging with a swivel roller of the roller arrangement and for exerting a tensile force on the carrier film. The printer device is characterized in that, with regard to an engagement with the carrier film, the swivel roller is arranged along the conveyor path directly adjacent to the thermal print head.

The invention relates to a printer device for thermal printing or embossing of a carrier film coated with a coloring matter on a substrate, wherein the printer device has a roller arrangement for accommodating the carrier film and for moving the carrier film along a conveyor path, stepper motors for driving the roller arrangement, a thermal print head for printing or embossing the coloring matter from the carrier film onto the substrate, and a swivel arrangement, which can be deflected over a swivel range, for engaging with a swivel roller of the roller arrangement and for exerting a tensile force on the carrier film. The printer device is characterized in that, with regard to an engagement with the carrier film, the swivel roller is arranged along the conveyor path directly adjacent to the thermal print head.

A printer includes a printing portion configured to print on a print medium, a ribbon supply shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon to be supplied to the printing portion, and a ribbon roll up shaft configured to roll up the used ink ribbon, wherein the ribbon supply shaft is provided movably between a ribbon supply position where the ink ribbon is supplied to the printing portion, and a ribbon replacement position where the ribbon supply shaft is attachable to and detachable from the printer, and rotated in the direction in which the ink ribbon is rolled up in the middle of moving from the ribbon replacement position to the ribbon supply position.