Patent ID: 6121990
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A printing apparatus comprising:an in-port capable of receiving a removable cartridge containing a plurality of thermal sheets;a platen roller having a sheet feeding function;a direct thermal head;said in-port, platen roller and thermal head are generally sequentially aligned; anda sheet path on which a thermal sheet picked up by a pick-up roller provided at said in-port is guided along said platen roller, printed by said thermal head and fed out through an out-port arranged at the side where said in-port is located;a motor and a power transmission mechanism capable of driving said platen roller and said pick-up roller, said power transmission mechanism rotates said pick-up roller and platen roller at a high speed in a sheet feeding direction when said motor rotates in a first direction, and rotates said platen roller at a printing speed when said motor rotates inversely; anda position control mechanism for bringing said thermal head to a position away from said platen roller when said motor rotates in said first direction, and bringing said thermal head in contact with said platen roller when said motor rotates inversely.