US 4,358,776 AGranted

Thermal printer and improved platen

AssigneesKabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha, Shinshu Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorYoshihiro Mitsui

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Abstract

A thermal printer for printing on a thermal print paper including a platen element of a porous material, a fibrous material or a plastic material having an inrregular surface is provided. The platen element is opposed to the printer heating element which generates thermal energy for printing on the thermal paper. The platen element is mounted in a pair of grooves in a holding member substantially parallel to the printing direction of the heating element and retained therein by an adhesive or compressive retaining members. The inlet and outlet edges of the platen element are rounded for facilitating paper transport thereby. The elasticity and deformity of the platen element permits intimate contact between the thermal head and the thermal paper for clearer printing with a smaller power input. Repetitive heating and cooling does not result in thermal stresses and extends the life of the thermal head.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A thermal printer for printing on a thermally sensitive print paper comprising:

thermal print head means including a base having a ceramic body, a glass layer covering said base, at least one heating element disposed on said glass layer for generating thermal energy for printing on a thermal paper, at least one electrode covering said glass layer and heating element and a protective layer of substantially uniform thickness covering said glass layer, heating element and electrode;
a platen disposed in a position opposite to said thermal print head means including a base and a platen element protruding from the surface of said base towards said thermal print head means, said platen element formed of an elastic and deformable material;
bias means for biasing said platen element of said platen against said thermal print head means for pressing thermal print paper in contact with said protective layer on said heating element in said thermal print head means;
and
print control means for controlling printing by selectively heating said heating element in said thermal print head means for printing on a thermaly sensitive paper disposed between said thermal print head means and said platen.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.