Multi-pass thermal printer
 A thermal printer accepting an ink ribbon cartridge includes a chassis, a thermal head secured to the chassis and a platen roller which is rotatably supported in the chassis and swingably movable relative to the thermal head. The platen roller is rotated by a first platen driving mechanism and is moved toward and away from the thermal head by a second platen driving mechanism. When the platen roller is moved to contact the thermal head via an ink ribbon intervened therebetween, an image is printed on a printing medium fed between the platen roller and the ink ribbon. The printer accomplished aligned overprinting on the printing medium via a paper supply mode, a printing mode, a paper retract mode and a paper discharge mode effected by the first and second platen driving mechanisms. 
Sony Corporation
B B B
B41J B41J B41J
inventional inventional inventional
Shuji Mutsuko Shin Hideki Masaki Kenichi
Sato Narita Iima Ito Shimoha Fukahori