Ink ribbon cartridge

摘要

An ink ribbon cartridge (2) for striking printers has an ink roller (16) made of a plastic sponge which is impregnated with ink and a continuous ink ribbon (1) which is in contact with the ink roller. The ink ribbon is tensioned by means of a leaf spring (11). When the ink ribbon cartridge is assembled, the leaf spring does not yet exert pressure on the ink ribbon. Only after insertion of the ink ribbon is the bow-shaped leaf spring moved into the opposite direction by snap effect due to pushing from the outside in order thus to apply the tension. When the volume of ink with which the ink ribbon is impregnated is reduced after prolonged usage of the ink ribbon cartridge, in another exemplary embodiment, pressure is exerted on the ink roller by means of the spring by the curved part of the spring being moved onto the opposite side so that ink is squeezed out and transferred to the ink ribbon. As a result, the service life of the ink ribbon is extended. <IMAGE>