Apparatus for processing irregularly-shaped letters in a thermal printer
US4857942A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1987 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J35/26
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In apparatus for thermally transferring ink from a ribbon, having backing and ink donor layers, to a letter, wherein the apparatus includes a frame, a thermal printhead and a printhead backing roller, there is provided an improvement for urging a ribbon and letter into engagement with one another. The improvement includes the printhead backing roller connected to the frame for rotation in engagement with a letter fed between the roller and a ribbon, and the printhead backing roller including a body portion adapted to flex when engaging a letter for urging a letter into contact with the ink donor layer of a ribbon. Moreover, it is of the invention that the roller body portion include at least one channel formed therein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.