Single-pass multi-color thermal printer
US5440328A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J15/04
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A seven color, single-pass thermal print engine includes three platen rollers equally spaced over a 180 degree arc, an uninterrupted length of receptor media which is received around the platens, three thermal printheads which make tangential contact with a respective platen, and a pair of output drive rollers for pulling the media around the platen rollers. The print engine further includes a media tensioning system consisting of a media tray, an "S" shaped media guide with an idler roll mounted inside the curve of the "S", a tensioning arm for applying tangential pressure to the receptor media and a pair of input pinch rollers. Color transfer ribbons surround each printhead and are contained in re-loadable cassettes. The platens, pinch rollers and tensioning assembly are mounted on a slide assembly so that the platen rollers, the pinch rollers and the tensioning system can be slidably withdrawn from the print engine for receptor media loading and ribbon cassette replacement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.