A coating module for variable speed ribbon coating, the coating module including a ribbon including an inner face and an outer face; a conveyor system including a support element holding and transporting the ribbon on its inner face; a squeeze ink roller arranged in contact with the outer face of the ribbon; the squeeze ink roller including an outer layer made of elastic material; a reservoir assembly designed to hold ink thereon and to feed the squeeze ink roller with the ink, and a pressure controller including an active element for pressing the ribbon between the squeeze ink roller and the support roller along a coating zone.

An indirect thermal transfer printer applies images to label stock with the use of heat activated transfer ribbon. Once an image is printed, a negative of the printed image remains on the exposed transfer ribbon. Heat is applied to the exposed transfer ribbon as it is spooled to obliterate the negative, fuse the ribbon to previously exposed and spooled ribbon, or both.

An indirect thermal transfer printer applies images to label stock with the use of heat activated transfer ribbon. Once an image is printed, a negative of the printed image remains on the exposed transfer ribbon. Heat is applied to the exposed transfer ribbon as it is spooled to obliterate the negative, fuse the ribbon to previously exposed and spooled ribbon, or both.

A pulse width modulation (PWM) system functions such that while label paper is moving into position, ribbon motors have power applied to maintain tension in the ribbon to avoid any contact with the adhesive. Once the label paper stops and is in position the power to the ribbon motors are cut to allow slack in the ribbon and a printhead solenoid actuates at full power to lift. Once lifted the solenoid cuts back to partial power to hold position and the ribbon motors are powered again. Thus, ribbon motor power is adjusted to allow the solenoid to lift without additional resistance.

A pulse width modulation (PWM) system functions such that while label paper is moving into position, ribbon motors have power applied to maintain tension in the ribbon to avoid any contact with the adhesive. Once the label paper stops and is in position the power to the ribbon motors are cut to allow slack in the ribbon and a printhead solenoid actuates at full power to lift. Once lifted the solenoid cuts back to partial power to hold position and the ribbon motors are powered again. Thus, ribbon motor power is adjusted to allow the solenoid to lift without additional resistance.

A printing device and the ribbon mounting mechanism thereof are disclosed. The ribbon mounting mechanism is used for mounting a first ribbon comprising a first core and a second ribbon comprising a second core having a diameter smaller than that of the first core. The ribbon mounting mechanism includes a first shaft supporting the first core of the first ribbon; a second shaft supporting the second core of the second ribbon, wherein the second shaft and the first shaft are concentrically disposed; a torque generator comprising a third shaft; a first gear set connecting the first shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the first shaft through the first gear set; and a second gear set connecting the second shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the second shaft through the second gear set.

A printing device and the ribbon mounting mechanism thereof are disclosed. The ribbon mounting mechanism is used for mounting a first ribbon comprising a first core and a second ribbon comprising a second core having a diameter smaller than that of the first core. The ribbon mounting mechanism includes a first shaft supporting the first core of the first ribbon; a second shaft supporting the second core of the second ribbon, wherein the second shaft and the first shaft are concentrically disposed; a torque generator comprising a third shaft; a first gear set connecting the first shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the first shaft through the first gear set; and a second gear set connecting the second shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the second shaft through the second gear set.

A printer includes a housing, a shaft connected to an inner surface of the housing at a first end thereof, extending along a first direction to a second end, and by which an ink ribbon is held, a print head connected to the surface at a first end thereof, extending along the direction to a second end, and transferring ink from the ribbon to a sheet, a roller connected to the surface at a first end thereof, extending along the direction to a second end, and conveying the sheet, and a holding plate connected to the second end of the roller and rotatable around a first hinge and by which the second ends of the shaft and the head are held when the plate is rotated about the first hinge to be parallel to the surface. The plate includes a second hinge about which the holding plate is foldable.

A printer includes a housing, a shaft connected to an inner surface of the housing at a first end thereof, extending along a first direction to a second end, and by which an ink ribbon is held, a print head connected to the surface at a first end thereof, extending along the direction to a second end, and transferring ink from the ribbon to a sheet, a roller connected to the surface at a first end thereof, extending along the direction to a second end, and conveying the sheet, and a holding plate connected to the second end of the roller and rotatable around a first hinge and by which the second ends of the shaft and the head are held when the plate is rotated about the first hinge to be parallel to the surface. The plate includes a second hinge about which the holding plate is foldable.

The tape cassette includes a housing, a tape roll, a tape, an outlet, a first guide, first opening, second opening, a first rotation body, and a second rotation body. The first guide is configured to guide the tape that has been conveyed through a detection position toward the outlet. The first opening opens toward a first surface of the tape. The second opening opens toward a second surface of the tape. The first rotation body is disposed at a position adjacent to the first opening. The position adjacent to the first opening is an entrance to the detection position. The second rotation body is disposed further upstream than the first guide in a tape conveyance direction. The second rotation body is disposed at a position adjacent to the second opening. The position adjacent to the second opening is an exit from the detection position.