Method and apparatus for controlling transport of thermal transfer ribbon

An apparatus for use in a thermal printer for printing information onto a paper substrate material, comprising:

• a platen and means for rotating the platen;
• a thermal head disposed adjacent the platen such that said paper substrate material is drawn to a region between said platen and said thermal head by rotation of said platen, said thermal head being capable of printing said information onto said paper substrate material, said paper substrate material being transported to the region between said platen and said thermal head at a first rate;
• and
• means for transporting a ribbon having a multi-transfer ink donor layer disposed on a single side thereof to said region between said platen and said thermal head so that ink from said ink donor layer can be imprinted onto said paper substrate by operation of said thermal head to produce said information, said means transporting said ribbon to said region at a second rate that is substantially less than said first rate, wherein said transporting means further comprises:
• a supply hub carrying a supply of said ribbon;
• a first motor mechanically linked to said supply hub, the first motor rotating said hub in a direction opposite to advancement the ribbon at said second rate;
• a roller mechanically linked to said first motor and having a surface engaging said ribbon advanced from said supply hub to said region between said platen and said thermal head, said roller surface having a friction coefficient sufficient to prevent slippage of said ribbon due to said rotation of said platen;
• a second motor applying a constant advancing tension on said ribbon;
• and
• a clutch interposed between said first motor and said supply hub, said clutch permitting slippage of said supply hub to permit advancement of said ribbon at said second rate.

An apparatus for printing images onto a paper label sheet material utilizing a ribbon having a multi-transfer ink layer, comprising:

• a platen and a thermal head disposed adjacent the platen having a region defined therebetween through which said label sheet is transported at a first rate, said images being imprinted onto said label sheet by operation of said thermal head in cooperation with ink from said ribbon advanced to said region;
• a supply hub carrying a supply of said ribbon;
• a first motor mechanically linked to said supply hub, the first motor rotating said hub in a direction opposite to a direction of advancement of the ribbon;
• a roller mechanically linked to said first motor and having a surface engaging said ribbon, said roller surface having a friction coefficient sufficient to prevent slippage of said ribbon;
• a second motor applying a tension on said ribbon;
• and
• a clutch interposed between said first motor and said supply hub, said clutch permitting slippage of said supply hub to permit advancement of said ribbon;
• wherein said ribbon is transported to said region at a second rate that is selectively lower than said first rate.