Abstract: A thermal transfer printer of the intermediate transfer type that first melts ink of an ink ribbon by heat of a thermal head and subsequently transfers the molten ink onto an intermediate transfer member to thereby form a primary recording image, and finally re-transfers this primary recording image onto paper to thereby perform a desired recording. The intermediate transfer member is made of a material selected in such a manner that the coefficient of friction for this material is equal to or more than 1.0. In one embodiment, the material of the intermediate transfer member is silicon rubber.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member for a thermal transfer printer adapted to an intermediate transfer method and comprising: an intermediate transfer member, which has a transfer layer, and on which an ink image is written by thermal transfer; and a printing medium onto which the ink image written on the intermediate transfer member is again transferred, wherein material of at least a surface layer of the transfer layer is silicon rubber containing: (a) alkenyl-group-containing organopolysiloxane; (b) organohydrogenpolysiloxane (c) non-reactive organopolysiloxane expressed by the following formula (1): ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having no aliphatic unsaturated group or a hydroxyl group, R.sup.2 are the same or different groups, such as methyl groups and phenyl groups, and 1 mol % to 30 mol % of all of R.sup.2 in each molecule are phenyl groups; and (d) a hydrosilylated reactive catalyst, the silicon rubber containing no inorganic filler.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal transfer printer which causes neither blur in first printing nor stain on a sheet even in both-side printing, and which can securely maintain ink writing properties in recording to write an ink image by an intermediate transfer member, and re-transfer properties in re-transfer of an ink image to a printing medium over a long period time.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises an intermediate transfer roller, a thermal print head for transferring portions of an ink layer formed on an ink ribbon to the circumference of the intermediate transfer roller in ink dots, and a pressure drum to be pressed against the intermediate transfer roller to transfer the ink dots from the intermediate transfer roller thereto, provided with grippers on its circumference and with end plates each having a cam section. The cam sections have a height from the circumference of the pressure drum greater than that of the upper ends of the grippers from the circumference of the pressure drum at its opposite ends to avoid the collision of the grippers with the intermediate transfer roller, and have a radially outward convex curved shape. The length of the bases of the cam sections is greater than the distance between two edges between the circumference of the pressure drum and the flat surface formed by cutting a portion of the circumference of the pressure drum.

Abstract: A paper feeding controlling method for a printer in which a record paper is first fed in a feeding direction until a leading end portion of the record paper reaches a recording position. In this position, the record paper will be printed for a first print line and then line spaced to allow subsequent printing for a next print line. When the end of the record paper advances farther than a paper bail roller after printing for several lines involving line spacing operations in this manner, the record paper is now fed reversely by a predetermined distance until the leading end of the record paper comes to a position forwardly of the paper bail roller in the feeding direction. Then, the paper bail roller is moved away from the platen, and the record paper is advanced by the predetermined distance with or without an addition of one line space distance. Finally, the paper bail roller is moved toward the platen until the record paper is held between the platen and the paper bail roller, and printing will be resumed.

Abstract: A packing structure for packing an article in a packing box includes a belt-like attaching member provided with a handle. The attaching member is wound around the article. By gripping and pulling the handle the article can easily be taken out from the packing box, without damage to the article.

Abstract: A ribbon feed mechanism for a printer comprises a carriage movably supported on a frame and movable with respect to a frame rack, the carriage supporting a ribbon cassette having a ribbon takeup shaft, a first drive gear held in mesh with the frame rack at all times, the first drive gear being movable with respect to the carriage, a second drive gear held in mesh with the frame rack at all times, the second drive gear being movable with respect to the carriage, an output gear spaced from the frame rack and coupled with the ribbon takeup shaft, and an idler gear held in mesh with the output gear at all times, the first drive gear being capable of mesh with the idler gear.