Abstract: In a thermal-transfer-type color printer, an ink ribbon and a paper are sandwiched between a thermal head and a platen roller so that a specific image is transferred onto the paper in a specific color. The platen roller is made by a rubber material which has a certain degree of hardness. On the surface of the ink ribbon, plural colors of ink are sequentially and repeatedly painted. Hence, after transferring an image onto the paper in one color, the paper is moved backward; and then, another image is transferred onto the paper in another color. Thus, a multi-color printing is performed. In order to avoid a color shade or an printing error, in which a printing position of one-color image does not accurately match with a printing position of another-color image, the paper should be accurately moved forward and backward. In order to do so, the thermal-transfer-type color printer provides a precise paper-feed mechanism which comprises a pinch roller and a paper-feed roller.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer type color printer, an ink film on which plural color inks are sequentially painted in its longitudinal direction is sequentially transported forward between an ink film supply roll and winding roll, while a printing paper is repeatedly transported forward and backward in order to print out a color image by overlapping plural color inks. In color printing, the printing paper and ink film are partially overlapped and wound around a platen roller, and a thermal head is pressed against the platen roller by sandwiching the ink film and printing paper therebetween so that the thermal head transfers the color inks on the printing paper. In order to prevent wrinkles from being formed on the ink film, tension applying means applies tension force to the ink film by temporarily controlling or stopping revolution of the ink film supply roll.

Abstract: A thermal printing system of this type is able to obviate loosening of the paper sheet stock during its feeding step prior to printing, and thereby to prevent crumpling of the paper and information of misaligned print from occuring. A thermal printing system capable of performing aforesaid function can be achieved by making the printing system as such one comprising, a platen, a pair of pinch rollers one end of each of which is rotaably supported by each one of a pair of pinch roller levers and is resiliently biased by a pinch roller lever tensioning spring so that each pinch roller can be brought into tight contact with aforesaid platen, and a paper stock holding cassette case attached with a paper feed roller for feeding paper stock for printing, in which the peripheral speed of the platen is set higher than that of the paper feed roller of the paper holding cassette.

Abstract: In a thermal printing system having an automatic paper feeding mechanism paper may be misfed and become crumpled between one of a pair of spring biased pinch rollers and the platen of the printing machine. A mechanism is provided for automatically releasing pressure between the rollers and the platen, wherein a depression/release lever is provided with a cam disposed between supporting members of the pinch rollers, and the lever is actuated when a frame of the printing machine is raised to provide access to the machine, causing the cam to widen the space between the pinch rollers and the platen so that the crumpled paper can be easily removed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer type printer consists of a thermal head, a platen roller, a printing control circuit, a reflection type photo sensor, a printing paper, and a transfer film on which thermal melting ink is painted. One of at least two kinds of printing papers is selectively used. The printing paper and the transfer film are lapped and pressurized between the thermal heat and the platen roller when the printing operation is performed. The intensity of light reflected by the printing paper varies in accordance with the kind of the printing paper which is actually used. The photo sensor emits the light to the printing paper and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the intensity of the light refleted by the printing paper. The printing control circuit changes the heating values of the heating elements within the thermal head based on the detection signal. Thus, the thermal head is heated to an optimum temperature in response to the kind of printing paper.