Abstract: A thermal printer has a main body frame and a platen roller rotatably and removably mounted in a preselected position on the main body frame. A thermal head is mounted on the main body frame for movement into and out of pressure contact with the platen roller during a printing operation and while the platen roller is in the preselected position for recording printing data on a recording medium disposed between the thermal head and the platen roller. A detecting device detects a preselected state of the thermal printer in which the platen roller is in the preselected position and in which the recording medium is disposed between the platen roller and the thermal head.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided in which a space can be secured on a desk without performing a troublesome operation, and penetration of dust or foreign matter into a main body can be prevented when the apparatus is not used, and a sheet jam caused by closing of a sheet-discharge-port cover does not occur when the apparatus is used. In the apparatus, a magnet unit is provided at a sheet feeding cover covering a sheet feeding opening, and a metal member is provided at a sheet-discharge-port cover for covering a sheet discharge port. By attraction of the metal member of the sheet-discharge-port cover by the magnet unit of the sheet feeding cover, and a locked state is provided, to provide a shell structure. Linked with opening of the sheet feeding cover, the sheet-discharge-port cover is automatically opened by its own weight. A DC jack is disposed at a right side of the printer main body, and an I/F (interface) connector is disposed within a detachable side cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image reading recording apparatus comprising an image reading section for reading an image on an original document, an image recording section for recording an image on a recording medium and a control section for controlling the entire apparatus. The control section is disposed below the image reading section and above the image recording section and disposed on a rear side of an apparatus body.

Abstract: A tape printing device prints letters/characters on a tape-form thermal recording medium. The tape printing device is provided with a device body, a cassette holding section being formed in the device body to accommodate a tape cassette containing the tape-form recording medium, a cover member that covers the cassette holding section, a thermal head that applies heat to print letters/characters on the tape-form recording medium, a thermal head mounting portion formed on a bottom of the cassette holding section, the thermal head mounting portion including a plate-like member that protrudes from the bottom of the cassette holding section toward the cover member, the thermal head being attached to a side of the plate-like member, and a platen mechanism having a platen which faces the thermal head and is biased toward the thermal head.

Abstract: A recording unit frame, in which a recording unit is to be mounted, includes a frame and a cover body. The frame surrounds a scanning area of a carriage in which recording onto a recording sheet is performed by a print head, and accommodates a guide mechanism and a carriage moving mechanism. The frame has at least an opening on its top. The cover body is fixedly attached to the frame so as to block a part of the opening of the frame. The cover body has a window that enables a user to have access to a recording sheet in the frame. With these structures, the recording unit can be shrunk in height without losing its rigidity and strength, thereby providing a printer capable of maintaining high print quality.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly module, a support block assembly module, a printhead assembly module, a stepper motor assembly module and a display assembly module is provided. A support body having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support body. The support body is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: A heat sublimable printer in which the present invention is implemented consists mainly of a battery, a thermal head, and a control circuit. The battery offers a rated voltage of 14.8 V and is freely attached or detached to or from a housing of the heat sublimatic printer. The thermal head is incorporated in the housing, provided with a plurality of heating elements whose resistances range from 2800 &OHgr; to 3160 &OHgr;, and used to print an image on paper according to image data. The control circuit that is incorporated in the housing applies a supply voltage developed from the battery to the thermal head without boosting it, and controls the timing of electrically conducting the thermal head.

Abstract: A printer includes a line thermal head, a platen roller for holding a paper between the platen roller and the line thermal head and feeding the paper, a cutter, including a movable blade and a fixed blade, for cutting printed paper, and a cutter driving mechanism for driving the movable blade. At least one of the line thermal head and the platen roller can be moved from a first position for printing to a second position for removing a paper jam, and one of the movable blade and the fixed blade is directly or indirectly attached to one of the line thermal head and the platen roller so that when the one of the line thermal head and the platen roller moves from the first position to the second position, one of the movable blade and the fixed blade also moves. In this way, a compact printer that uses roll paper, has a cutter function, and makes it easy to remove paper jams can be provided.

Abstract: A closing apparatus for a thermal printer having a fixed chassis portion and a closable cover supporting on the inside thereof a paper drive roll fixed inside of the cover for positioning itself, when the printer is closed, in a seat associated with the chassis portion and having a bottom with a level wall for locking the paper drive roll and the seat together for locking the chassis and cover together in their closed condition for preventing the paper drive roll from getting out in case of accidental pushes and consequently prevents the cover from opening, and the paper drive roll and a thermal printing head cooperate to hold the paper between the paper drive roll and the thermal printing head while the cover is closed.

Abstract: A printer includes a position detecting mechanism for detecting and calibrating a position of a carriage on a track, and a print head installed on the carriage for printing a document. The position detecting mechanism has a first portion installed at a calibration position neighboring the track, and a second portion installed on the carriage. The calibration position is positioned within a document printing range of the print head so that the second portion is capable of passing by the first portion during a printing process.

Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a printing head, a platen for urging the paper against the printing head, a bearing for rotatably holding the platen shaft and having an engagement portion for holding the platen in place, a movable platen frame for moving the bearing between a first position to perform printing and a second position at which the bearing is spaced further apart from the printing head than in the first position, and a frame having an engagement groove engageable with the engagement portion of the bearing when the platen is moved into the first position to perform painting, the engagement groove having a shape corresponding to the engagement portion of the bearing. The engagement portion of the bearing has a symmetrical, non-circular shape with respect to a central axis of the platen shaft, so that idle rotation of the platen bearing is prevented.

Abstract: A card processing apparatus allows for a more compact apparatus that does not cause a reduction in card transporting and printing processing capacity, but improves the freedom of design as an apparatus by establishing a plurality of processing units such as a printer and coating unit in a rational manner.

Abstract: A printer has a main body and a printer unit that is fixed to the main body. The printer unit has an upper cover and a lower cover. The lower cover is attached to the main body and the upper cover is fixed to the lower cover. A hollow space is formed between the upper and lower covers and a printing paper is set in this space. A sensor is provided in the upper cover and it detects a mark on the non-printable surface of the printing paper. One protrusion is provided in each of the upper and lower covers such that the protrusions make an electrical contact when the upper and lower covers are closed. A control unit is provided in the main body and it is electrically connected to the mark detection unit through the protrusions on the upper and lower covers and it controls various operations of the printer.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus using an indirect transferring method, an ink ribbon is selectively heated by a thermal head, in a state where an intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are put one on the other on a platen roller, so that a record-image is formed as a mirror image on an image-forming layer of the intermediate transfer film. Then, the intermediate transfer film and a target object are supplied with heat and pressure between a heating roller and a pressure roller, so that the record-image is transferred along with the image-forming layer of the intermediate transfer film to the target object. The intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are respectively accommodated in cassettes detachably mounted in the apparatus, and are used for forming the record-image while being fed from the cassettes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring organic material from a donor onto a substrate to form a layer of organic material on one or more OLED devices, by aligning first and second fixtures in a reduced pressure environment and positioning the substrate and donor in a chamber defined by the aligned first and second fixtures; increasing the pressure applied to the non-transfer surface of the donor so as to ensure the position of the donor relative to the substrate; moving a member provided on the first fixture from a closed to an open position which permits the transmission of radiation onto the non-transfer surface of the donor so that heat will be produced and organic material transferred from the donor to the substrate; and illuminating with radiation the donor through the open radiation-receiving position to cause the transfer of organic material to the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tachograph including a cuboid housing and a print device. The print device is formed in such a manner that the thermal print head in the housing of the tachograph, the transport cylinder and the mechanism actuating the cylinder are disposed in a support which can be removed from the front side of the tachograph. In addition, a support bridge is provided to support the thermal print head which can pivot counter to the action of supporting springs. The bridge is secured onto the top panel of the tachograph by insertion of a retainer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an assembly of a portable data entry device and a portable printer. The printer is hand-held and carries the data entry device. The data entry device includes a scanner and is located at the front portion of the printer. The printer has a space for accommodating a label roll and a print module which are located at the rear portion of the printer. The printer can be used with different data entry devices by use of adapters.

Abstract: A recess-mountable printer having a housing with a top, a base, a pair of sides, a back and a front. The front of the housing has a paper ejection slot which is designed to facilitate the ejection of paper from within the housing. The housing contains a paper tray which is adapted to receive and retain paper, a printhead which is adapted to print text, data and images on the paper, and an ink supply which is adapted to provide ink to the printhead. The recess-mountable printer is designed to be operable when mounted within a recess in a television, VCR, CD player or other mounting unit.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the making of thermal printers for portable payment terminals, for example, a heat sink is made. To this heat sink, there is fixed a print head comprising two protruding features, on which there abuts a pin of a paper feed roller. Furthermore, the assembly formed by the head and the heat sink is fixed to the frame of the printer by two elastic links reacting in different directions and countering the positioning of the roller. The paper feed roller is thus placed flat against the print head, thus giving homogeneous contact between the head and the paper and the efficient positioning of the roller with respect to the print head.

Abstract: When a cover body at a closing position is pulled up with respect to a main body, then a lock lever attached to the cover body abuts against a hook body of the main body, regulating a rattle of the cover body with respect to the main body. When a user lifts up a multi-function peripheral device by grabbing the lock lever, the lock lever comes into engagement with the hook body, thereby preventing the lock lever from opening.

Abstract: A printer eliminating an installation space on a desk or a floor. A printer (10) has a hook (30) and a housing (20). The hook (30) is provided on the housing (20) and is locked to a display panel (53) to attach the printer (10) to the display panel (53). The printer (10) can be installed by making use of a space at a rear surface of the display panel (53), and a printed sheet (5) can be discharged in the same side as the surface of a display (52). The printer thus provides easy observation to the printed sheet see and easy handling.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly module, a support block assembly module, a printhead assembly module, a stepper motor assembly module and a display assembly module is provided. A support body having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support body. The support body is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: A printer comprising a paper storage section provided at the lower portion of a printer body, a feed roller and a pinch roller for feeding paper being brought into contact with each other under pressure and positioned over the paper storage section inside the printer body, a thermal head and a platen capable of pressing and holding the paper therebetween and positioned at the downstream side of the feed roller in the paper feed direction, and a discharge tray for receiving the printed paper and positioned over the paper storage section at the downstream side of the thermal head in the paper feed direction.

Abstract: A method for transferring organic material from a flexible donor element onto a substrate to form a layer of organic material in making one or more OLED devices, includes providing the flexible donor element and the substrate in a spaced relationship within a chamber under atmospheric pressure defined by a transfer station so that the flexible donor element partitions the chamber into first and second cavities; varying the pressure differential between the first and second cavities to cause the flexible donor element to move into a contact relationship with the substrate; providing a transparent window which defines the top surface of the second cavity; and providing radiation energy through the transparent window onto the flexible donor element in contact with the substrate to cause the flexible donor element to absorb heat and transfer organic material onto the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having a print head and a media support platform in the form of a removable tray that is displaced relative to the print head, the media support platform having a rigid support surface for a media item having a non-rectangular configuration such as a compact disk, the support platform having a mask with a cutout substantially in the shape of the non-rectangular disk, the mask and media item combining to form a contact surface for the print head to uniformly distribute a constant force of the print head in a uniform pressure across the mask and media item during printing, the mask providing, in addition, a holding apparatus for the media item which is contacted by a displaceable retainer urging the media item against the edge of the mask with the print head avoiding contact with the retainer on the printing area, the printer having a mechanism to displace the retainer and sense whether a media item is properly placed in the cutout and retained by the retaining apparatus, and the prin

Abstract: An opening thermal printer device comprising a stationary frame having a print head provided with a line of heater points and a moving frame that carries a backing roller for paper strip via the ends of an axle, and that moves relative to the stationary frame between a first relative position in which the roller has one of its generator lines in contact with the line of heater points of the head, and a second relative position in which the roller and the head are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a lower shell that defines an outer contour of the apparatus. A feed roller shaft holding member, a separation roller shaft holding member, a press roller shaft holding member, a platen roller affixing unit, a discharge roller holding member and a pickup roller shaft holding member are all formed integrally with a platform of the lower shell. Left and right frames of the apparatus holds a paper cassette. The left and right frames and the platform are formed integrally with the lower shell.

Abstract: A color thermal printer a conveyor for conveying a color thermosensitive recording sheet along a conveying path. A thermal head thermally records a full-color image to the recording sheet being conveyed. A fixer lamp applies ultraviolet rays of a predetermined range of wavelength to the recording sheet being conveyed, for optically fixing the recording sheet. In the thermal printer, a printer casing has a small height, and includes a front panel oriented vertically. An insertion opening in the front panel is adapted to insertion of the recording sheet before the recording, and ejection of the recording sheet after the recording. An air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the front panel. The insertion opening is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. An air passageway is disposed in the printer casing, and communicates from the air inlet to the air outlet via at least a portion of the conveying path.

Abstract: A printer frame (12) comprising a sheet metal skeleton structure (14) encasing a filler material (54) of castable polymer. The frame (12) is fabricated by joining sheet metal members using slot-and-slot or slot-and-tab junctions to form a sheet metal skeleton. A filler material (54) substance is then applied strategically to cavities (16) and troughs (18) created when the interlocking members are joined. When the filler material (54) hardens, the resulting printer frame (12) provides structural support with improved vibration damping.

Abstract: A compact and lightweight design for a printer device that is optimally portable. A printed circuit board assembly 22 incorporated in the printer device includes a control printed-circuit board 22a and a power printed-circuit board 22b arranged substantially in L-shaped fashion. A connector 23 electrically couples boards 22a and 22b to each other. The power printed-circuit board, on which large current flows, is located near a large current source. A charge circuit, battery contacts and a control circuit for applying voltage to a thermal head are mounted and concentrated on the sole power printed-circuit board. The control printed-circuit board 22a for controlling recording paper and ink ribbon feed, which require only small current, is located near a small current source, such as an actuator needed for feeding recording paper and an ink ribbon including a recording paper/ribbon feeding mechanism 17.

Abstract: In a thermal printer with a drawer-type paper holder, a means is provided, which facilitates the loading of recording paper, reduces the number of parts, and improves the precision in positioning a thermal head and a platen roller, a thermal printer is composed of a first frame 1 by which the thermal head 3 is rotatably supported so that recording paper 8 is brought into pressure contact with a platen roller 4 by a biasing member 5 and a second frame 2 that pivotably supports the platen roller 4, is opened and closed in parallel to the first frame 1, and contains a recording rolled paper 8a. The thermal printer has a configuration in which a first cam 3a provided in the thermal head 3 is guided by a second cam 2c formed in the second frame 2 while being biased by the biasing member 5 and thus the platen roller 4 pivotably supported to the second frame 2 is positioned with respect to the thermal head 3.

Abstract: A printer comprising a printer main body (11), a cover (50), a sprocket (12) for delivering a sheet from a sheet roll (16), a platen roller (13) used in printing on the sheet, a thermal head (51) for printing on the sheet, a drive mechanism for rotating the sprocket (12) and platen roller (13), and a gear mechanism for rotating, by the drive mechanism, the ribbon core of an ink ribbon cassette (60) mounted on the cover (50), the printer main body (11) being provided with the sprocket (12) and platen roller (13), the cover (50) being provided with the thermal head (51), wherein the platen roller (13) is disposed downstream of the sprocket (12) and it is arranged that when the cover (50) is dosed, the core gear (65) of the ink ribbon cassette (60) meshes with a gear (34) to elliminate the backlash of the platen gear (15).

Abstract: A printer frame (12) comprising a sheet metal skeleton structure (14) encasing a filler material (54) of castable polymer. The frame (12) is fabricated by joining sheet metal members using slot-and-slot or slot-and-tab junctions to form a sheet metal skeleton. A filler material (54) substance is then applied strategically to cavities (16) and troughs (18) created when the interlocking members are joined. When the filler material (54) hardens, the resulting printer frame (12) provides structural support with improved vibration damping.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus (18) used in the tachograph (3), there is a firm association between the thermal print head (53) and the transport roller (47), with an outlet opening (26) of an output channel (58) being situated in the region of the closure gap of a carriage (19) in the printing apparatus (18), the recording material (48) running in a relatively straight line between an insertion channel (70) and the outlet opening (26), and a cover (57) being provided which permits access to the thermal print head (53) and to the transport roller (47) and forms a delimiting wall of the output channel (48).

Abstract: A thermal label printer includes an actuation mechanism and follower for facilitating loading of stock (e.g., label stock). A pivotable printer head pressure plate includes the actuation mechanism which cooperates with the follower coupled to a peeler roller. As the pressure plate is moved from a closed position proximate a platen to an open position for loading of stock or for cleaning the printer head, the peeler roller is automatically translated from the platen. The resulting roller gap and displaced printer head provide unrestricted access for threading of the printer. The printer also includes a programmable device in the printer electronics for reconfiguring the printer to accommodate a variety of thermal print mechanisms.

Abstract: There is provided a printer which does not require a space for opening and closing a body cover, can be installed in any place, and can be small and thin. A printing head is provided in a printer body having in its front an opening. A recording sheet is inserted into a housing of a cover provided with a platen roller. Part of the recording sheet is placed on the platen roller. The cover is inserted from the opening of the printer body into the printer body. The printing head is resiliently pressed through the recording sheet onto the platen roller.

Abstract: A printer assembly with lateral and longitudinal self-alignment. The printer assembly has a frame, a door which swings open, a motor-driven platen disposed on the door, a print head movably disposed on the frame so as to engage the platen, and a spring coupled to the print head so as to produce both backward force to urge the print head against the platen when the door is closed and torque to rotate the print head upwardly when the door is opened. The frame is provided with a semi-cylindrical paper well and a generally triangular shape for ease of access to the paper well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal line printer for a small recording terminals such as a terminal for POS (point of sales), a handy terminal, a measuring apparatus or the like, and also relates to a driving device for the thermal line printer. In the structure of a conventional thermal line printer, there is a limitation to the ability to decrease the dimension of depth in a situation where the downsizing of an apparatus is desired. By installing the thermal line printer in an upright state, the dimension of the depth can be decreased. However, in this configuration, the user cannot see the state of the printing because the recording paper falls down toward the user's side, due to the gravity, when the paper is ejected after printing.

Abstract: In a thermal printer with a drawer-type paper holder, a means is provided, which facilitates the loading of recording paper, reduces the number of parts, and improves the precision in positioning a thermal head and a platen roller, a thermal printer is composed of a first frame 1 by which the thermal head 3 is rotatably supported so that recording paper 8 is brought into pressure contact with a platen roller 4 by a biasing member 5 and a second frame 2 that pivotably supports the platen roller 4, is opened and closed in parallel to the first frame 1, and contains a recording rolled paper 8a. The thermal printer has a configuration in which a first cam 3a provided in the thermal head 3 is guided by a second cam 2c formed in the second frame 2 while being biased by the biasing member 5 and thus the platen roller 4 pivotably supported to the second frame 2 is positioned with respect to the thermal head 3.

Abstract: A color thermal printer a conveyor for conveying a color thermosensitive recording sheet along a conveying path. A thermal head thermally records a full-color image to the recording sheet being conveyed. A fixer lamp applies ultraviolet rays of a predetermined range of wavelength to the recording sheet being conveyed, for optically fixing the recording sheet. In the thermal printer, a printer casing has a small height, and includes a front panel oriented vertically. An insertion opening in the front panel is adapted to insertion of the recording sheet before the recording, and ejection of the recording sheet after the recording. An air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the front panel. The insertion opening is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. An air passageway is disposed in the printer casing, and communicates from the air inlet to the air outlet via at least a portion of the conveying path.

Abstract: A color thermal printer a conveyor for conveying a color thermosensitive recording sheet along a conveying path. A thermal head thermally records a full-color image to the recording sheet being conveyed. A fixer lamp applies ultraviolet rays of a predetermined range of wavelength to the recording sheet being conveyed, for optically fixing the recording sheet. In the thermal printer, a printer casing has a small height, and includes a front panel oriented vertically. An insertion opening in the front panel is adapted to insertion of the recording sheet before the recording, and ejection of the recording sheet after the recording. An air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the front panel. The insertion opening is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. An air passageway is disposed in the printer casing, and communicates from the air inlet to the air outlet via at least a portion of the conveying path.

Abstract: A color thermal printer a conveyor for conveying a color thermosensitive recording sheet along a conveying path. A thermal head thermally records a full-color image to the recording sheet being conveyed. A fixer lamp applies ultraviolet rays of a predetermined range of wavelength to the recording sheet being conveyed, for optically fixing the recording sheet. In the thermal printer, a printer casing has a small height, and includes a front panel oriented vertically. An insertion opening in the front panel is adapted to insertion of the recording sheet before the recording, and ejection of the recording sheet after the recording. An air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the front panel. The insertion opening is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. An air passageway is disposed in the printer casing, and communicates from the air inlet to the air outlet via at least a portion of the conveying path.

Abstract: A color thermal printer a conveyor for conveying a color thermosensitive recording sheet along a conveying path. A thermal head thermally records a full-color image to the recording sheet being conveyed. A fixer lamp applies ultraviolet rays of a predetermined range of wavelength to the recording sheet being conveyed, for optically fixing the recording sheet. In the thermal printer, a printer casing has a small height, and includes a front panel oriented vertically. An insertion opening in the front panel is adapted to insertion of the recording sheet before the recording, and ejection of the recording sheet after the recording. An air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the front panel. The insertion opening is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. An air passageway is disposed in the printer casing, and communicates from the air inlet to the air outlet via at least a portion of the conveying path.

Abstract: A color thermal printer a conveyor for conveying a color thermosensitive recording sheet along a conveying path. A thermal head thermally records a full-color image to the recording sheet being conveyed. A fixer lamp applies ultra-violet rays of a predetermined range of wavelength to the recording sheet being conveyed, for optically fixing the recording sheet. In the thermal printer, a printer casing has a small height, and includes a front panel oriented vertically. An insertion opening in the front panel is adapted to insertion of the recording sheet before the recording, and ejection of the recording sheet after the recording. An air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the front panel. The insertion opening is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. An air passageway is disposed in the printer casing, and communicates from the air inlet to the air outlet via at least a portion of the conveying path.

Abstract: Replaceable ink ribbon cartridge and thermal head unit are incorporated in a recording device in such a state that they can be attached into and detached from a printing position defined in the recording device through a front opening formed in the front of the recording device. The thermal head unit with a thermal printing head is movable back and forth toward a thermal-transfer ink ribbon contained in the ink ribbon cartridge in a direction perpendicular to a card transfer passage along which a recording medium such as a card is fed to a recording station. The ink ribbon cartridge and thermal head unit mounted in the device can be taken out perpendicularly to the direction in which the thermal head unit moves toward the card transfer passage, so that they can be replaced from the front of the recording device, thus rendering handling of the device easy.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining tension on a ribbon in a printer used for transferring an image, e.g., thermally, from a print head through the ribbon to a print medium. By maintaining ribbon tension and thus keeping the ribbon essentially without wrinkles, print quality is enhanced. This tension maintenance apparatus uses a pair of torqued reel subassemblies with the ribbon extending between and is of particular significance when used in conjunction with a label stock as a printer medium when the printer mechanism bidirectionally moves the label stock to assist removal of labels from its backing. These torqued reel assemblies are sufficiently loaded such that ribbon tension is maintained between these reel assemblies despite this bidirectional movement.

Abstract: A recording device having a first card transfer passage with a card supply unit and a second card transfer passage intersecting the first card transfer passage enables the component elements including an information recording means such as a thermal-transfer printer to be assembled compact and efficiently handle one or more cards at one time. Such rational arrangement of the first and second card transfer passages includes a card turning means located at the intersection of the passages for transferring the card between the first and second card transfer passages and recording or printing information on either or both surfaces of the card. By adding a third card transfer passage extending radially from the intersection of the first and second card transfer passages, desired information can be recorded on the card in different manner.

Abstract: A paper feeding device has a first guide portion through which paper having a preselected width and thickness is introduced, a second guide portion for receiving the paper introduced into the first guide portion, and at least one connecting guide portion disposed between the first and second guide portions. A paper feeding roller mechanism feeds the paper from the first guide portion to the second guide portion through the connecting guide portion of the paper feeding guide. The paper feeding roller mechanism has a clamping portion for clamping the paper when the paper is fed to the second guide portion. The clamping portion of the paper feeding roller mechanism is disposed generally parallel to the connecting guide portion of the paper feeding guide.

Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed which includes a housing, a chassis assembly with a printer mechanism securely mounted in the housing and a head frame assembly having a thermal head and rotatably mounted on the chassis assembly by a shaft. The shaft is disposed in a paper feeding direction at a side of the chassis assembly. The thermal printer further includes a paper sensor having a sensor frame rotatably mounted on the chassis assembly by a shaft which also is disposed in the paper feeding direction at the side of the chassis assembly.