Patent ID: 7414642
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A heat transfer printer comprising: a line thermal head having a plurality of heat generating elements formed in a straight line at one end of a top surface of a substrate, and a sealing member for covering and protecting at least a portion of the top surface of the substrate at the other end thereof opposite the heat generating elements; a film wrinkle removing member disposed in the vicinity of the heat generating elements upstream in a direction that an ink film is carried, the film wrinkle removing member made of an elastic sheet material; a voltage being selectively applied to the heat generating elements in a state in which the line thermal head abuts a platen, with the ink film and a printing sheet sequentially overlapped from the line thermal head disposed therebetween, thereby performing desired printing; the film wrinkle removing member having a leading end located in the vicinity of the heat generating elements, and supported in a cantilever manner such that wrinkles in the ink film are smoothed and pushed upstream and away from the heat generating elements; and wherein the heat generating elements abut the ink film in a state in which the heat generating elements abut the platen with the ink film and the printing sheet disposed therebetween.