Patent ID: 6222571
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A thermal printer for recording an image on thermosensitive recording material, said recording material includes a support, and at least one thermosensitive coloring layer, formed on said support, colorable with heat, and fixable with electromagnetic rays, said recording material having first and second side portions substantially parallel to each other, said thermal printer comprising:a paper feeder for conveying said recording material along a conveying path;a thermal head for heating and coloring said coloring layer while said recording material is conveyed along said conveying path;a fixer for fixing said coloring layer by applying said electromagnetic rays to said recording material while said recording material being colored is conveyed past a ray applying region;first and second paper guides, disposed in said conveying path substantially parallel to each other, for guiding respectively said first and second side portions; andplural gaps formed in portions of said first and second paper guides disposed in said ray applying region, said first and second gaps allowing said electromagnetic rays to pass toward said first and second side portions.