Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha

Kouji Shibuya

Junichi Yamamoto

Yasukuni Omata

Akihiko Onuma

Chiharu Imazeki

In a thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising an ink film coated with a heat-fusion type ink, an ink film supplying roller rotatably mounted at a first support member, an ink film winding roller rotatably mounted at a second support member, and a recording station wherein a recording material contacts with the ink film to be recorded an image information by a heat transfer, the first and second support members are rotatable respectively around a first axis and a second axis provided at ends of a rotating member which connects the first and second support members, so that the first and second support members integrally rotate around a third axis provided substantially at a center of the rotating member.

Thermal transfer printer

A thermal transfer recording apparatus for carrying out recording by driving a thermal head to transfer ink of an ink film in transportation. This apparatus includes a separating device disposed downstream of the thermal head with respect to a direction of ink film movement and spaced from a platen roller. The separating device has an uneven surface.

Thermal transfer recording apparatus

A thermal printer automatically varies torque of a slip clutch provided between a motor and an ink film takeup roller with movements of a thermal head such that the torque transmitted to the takeup roller is smaller when the thermal head is in a transfer position than when the thermal head is in a non-transfer position. This assures that the takeup roller is driven properly by increasing the torque transmitted to the takeup roller when the thermal head is in the non-transfer position and an ink film is taken up in a large amount. When the thermal head is in the transfer position and the ink film is taken up in a small amount, the torque transmitted to the takeup roller is reduced to avoid a great tension acting on the ink film.

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Osaka, Japan

Kouji Shibuya