Sony Corporation

Masaki Shimoha

Hideki Ito

Shuji Sato

Shin Iima

Kenichi Fukahori

Mutsuko Narita

A thermal printer accepting an ink ribbon cartridge includes a chassis, a thermal head secured to the chassis and a platen roller which is rotatably supported in the chassis and swingably movable relative to the thermal head. The platen roller is rotated by a first platen driving mechanism and is moved toward and away from the thermal head by a second platen driving mechanism. When the platen roller is moved to contact the thermal head via an ink ribbon intervened therebetween, an image is printed on a printing medium fed between the platen roller and the ink ribbon. The printer accomplished aligned overprinting on the printing medium via a paper supply mode, a printing mode, a paper retract mode and a paper discharge mode effected by the first and second platen driving mechanisms.

Multi-pass thermal printer

A thermal printer includes a chassis, a thermal head secured to the chassis and a platen roller which is rotatably supported in the chassis and movable relative to the thermal head. The platen roller is rotated by first platen driving mechanism, while being moved toward and away from the thermal head by second platen driving mechanism. When the platen roller is moved to contact with the thermal head via an ink ribbon intervened therebetween, a data or image is printed on a printing medium fed between the platen roller and the ink ribbon.

Color thermal printer

A video printing apparatus including a thermal head and accommodating an ink ribbon cartridge having a plurality of color blocks. The apparatus has a subsidiary head which records an identification mark on the color blocks when used in a printing operation. The identification mark is recorded on a predetermined portion of the color block which is not used in a printing operation. A sensor is provided for detecting the identification mark recorded on the used color blocks.

Printer and ink ribbon cartridge having color block detection means

A ribbon cartridge comprises a substantially cylindrical cartridge body comprised of upper and lower casing halves. A ribbon supply reel is rotatably housed in the cartridge body having an ink ribbon wound therearound. Affixed to a leading edge of the ink ribbon, a pull sheet is attached which includes an opening allowing easy chucking of the ribbon cartridge in a printer. Also provided on the pull sheet are cut-out portions so arranged as to prevent creasing of the ink ribbon during use. When the ink ribbon has been completely used, the used ribbon is retracted back into the cartridge for easy removal from the printer.

Growing community of inventors

Kanagawa, Japan

Masaki Shimoha