Patent · US Expired

Thermal printer

US4647234A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
5References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 1985
Grant dateMar 3, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J11/58
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A thermal printer includes a fixed planar thermal head composed of heating elements disposed in an area corresponding to one page, a detachable unitary ink donor ribbon assembly including a frame and an ink donor ribbon movably disposed in the frame and having a plurality of color zones, the ink donor ribbon being positioned in confronting relation to the planar thermal head, and a detachable unitary print paper storage assembly composed of a paper cartridge and print paper stored therein, and including a presser for holding the print paper in contact with the ink donor ribbon in a printing mode and for keeping the print paper out of contact with the ink donor ribbon in a non-printing mode. The planar thermal head and the print paper are prevented from relative movement in the printing mode until one-page printing is effected on the print paper. The print paper may comprise a stack of separate sheets or a roll of continuous print paper.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.