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.

Disclosed is a thermal transfer ribbon for use with a media processing device. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a carrier layer and a transfer layer operatively coupled to the carrier layer. The transfer layer includes an environmental indicator material encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The plurality of microcapsules prevent the environmental indicator material from producing an observable effect in response to exposure to a predetermined environmental condition. The environmental indicator material is released from the plurality of microcapsules in response to the plurality of microcapsules being ruptured. After the environmental indicator material is released and exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the environmental indicator material produces the observable effect. The observable effect results from a change in the environmental indicator material from an original state to a second state in response to the predetermined environmental condition.

Disclosed is a thermal transfer ribbon for use with a media processing device. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a carrier layer and a transfer layer operatively coupled to the carrier layer. The transfer layer includes an environmental indicator material encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The plurality of microcapsules prevent the environmental indicator material from producing an observable effect in response to exposure to a predetermined environmental condition. The environmental indicator material is released from the plurality of microcapsules in response to the plurality of microcapsules being ruptured. After the environmental indicator material is released and exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the environmental indicator material produces the observable effect. The observable effect results from a change in the environmental indicator material from an original state to a second state in response to the predetermined environmental condition.

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.

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.

Disclosed is a thermal transfer ribbon for use with a media processing device. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a carrier layer and a transfer layer operatively coupled to the carrier layer. The transfer layer includes an environmental indicator material encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The plurality of microcapsules prevent the environmental indicator material from producing an observable effect in response to exposure to a predetermined environmental condition. The environmental indicator material is released from the plurality of microcapsules in response to the plurality of microcapsules being ruptured. After the environmental indicator material is released and exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the environmental indicator material produces the observable effect. The observable effect results from a change in the environmental indicator material from an original state to a second state in response to the predetermined environmental condition.

Disclosed is a thermal transfer ribbon for use with a media processing device. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a carrier layer and a transfer layer operatively coupled to the carrier layer. The transfer layer includes an environmental indicator material encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The plurality of microcapsules prevent the environmental indicator material from producing an observable effect in response to exposure to a predetermined environmental condition. The environmental indicator material is released from the plurality of microcapsules in response to the plurality of microcapsules being ruptured. After the environmental indicator material is released and exposed to the predetermined environmental condition, the environmental indicator material produces the observable effect. The observable effect results from a change in the environmental indicator material from an original state to a second state in response to the predetermined environmental condition.

A printer includes a first holder for an ink ribbon, a first pair of rollers configured to convey the ink ribbon along a conveyance path, a print head configured to press the ink ribbon against a print medium to print an image on the print medium, and a second pair of rollers disposed on a downstream side of the first pair of rollers in the conveyance path and capable of crosscutting the ink ribbon.