A printer includes a printer mechanism unit including a frame and a print head, a platen unit including a platen roller, a detection switch configured to detect connecting of the platen unit to the printer mechanism unit, and a switch holder having the detection switch attached thereto and covering part of the detection switch, wherein the switch holder is mounted to one of the frame and the platen unit.

A printer includes a printer mechanism unit including a frame and a print head, a platen unit including a platen roller, a detection switch configured to detect connecting of the platen unit to the printer mechanism unit, and a switch holder having the detection switch attached thereto and covering part of the detection switch, wherein the switch holder is mounted to one of the frame and the platen unit.

A printer includes a print head and a platen roller. The platen roller includes multiple bearings provided one at each longitudinal end of the platen roller, a roller positioned between the bearings, and multiple flanges of which one is positioned between the roller and one of the bearings and the other is positioned between the roller and the other of the bearings in the longitudinal direction of the platen roller. The flanges have a diameter greater than the diameter of the bearings and the diameter of the roller.

A substrate thermal sensitive system for creating a latent image that is useful as a scratch-off ticket that comprises a substrate and a first layer that is superimposed on the substrate. The first layer contains a plurality of microcapsules with a dye precursor or a solvent. The microcapsules are configured to rupture from pressure. The substrate thermal sensitive system further has an acidic developer layer coated over the first layer and containing a co-reactant. Particles of the co-reactant are coated with a meltable material, which is configured to melt when the heat is applied. The system further may include a scratch-off layer coated over the acidic developer layer. The system is configured such that when the meltable material is melted by the thermal printing device and the microcapsules are ruptured, the co-reactant of acidic developer layer reacts with the dye or the solvent of the first layer to develop color.

A substrate thermal sensitive system for creating a latent image that is useful as a scratch-off ticket that comprises a substrate and a first layer that is superimposed on the substrate. The first layer contains a plurality of microcapsules with a dye precursor or a solvent. The microcapsules are configured to rupture from pressure. The substrate thermal sensitive system further has an acidic developer layer coated over the first layer and containing a co-reactant. Particles of the co-reactant are coated with a meltable material, which is configured to melt when the heat is applied. The system further may include a scratch-off layer coated over the acidic developer layer. The system is configured such that when the meltable material is melted by the thermal printing device and the microcapsules are ruptured, the co-reactant of acidic developer layer reacts with the dye or the solvent of the first layer to develop color.

A decolorizing apparatus of an exemplary embodiment includes a feeding section, a decolorizing section, and a control section. The feeding section can supply a magnetic medium having a ferromagnet in at least a part thereof. The decolorizing section decolorizes a decolorable image formed on the magnetic medium by heating the magnetic medium. The control section controls the decolorizing section to be set to a temperature which is equal to or higher than a temperature at which the image can be decolorized and is lower than a Curie temperature of the ferromagnet of the magnetic medium during decolorizing of the magnetic medium.

A decolorizing apparatus of an exemplary embodiment includes a feeding section, a decolorizing section, and a control section. The feeding section can supply a magnetic medium having a ferromagnet in at least a part thereof. The decolorizing section decolorizes a decolorable image formed on the magnetic medium by heating the magnetic medium. The control section controls the decolorizing section to be set to a temperature which is equal to or higher than a temperature at which the image can be decolorized and is lower than a Curie temperature of the ferromagnet of the magnetic medium during decolorizing of the magnetic medium.

A printhead cleaning system includes a wiper assembly configured for putting a printhead wiper in contact with the printhead. A solvent container is configured for providing solvent to the printhead wiper. A lateral feed mechanism is coupled to the printhead and the wiper assembly, and is configured for driving the wiper assembly in reciprocating motion along the printhead. The cleaning cycle can be started when a predetermined condition (such as a number of operations) is reached. A method for printhead cleaning can include starting a cleaning cycle by lifting a printhead from a printing position once a number of printing operations reaches a predetermined value, and transporting a cleaning assembly along the printhead for a predetermined time duration or number of passes, while providing contact between the cleansing applicator and the printhead.

A printhead cleaning system includes a wiper assembly configured for putting a printhead wiper in contact with the printhead. A solvent container is configured for providing solvent to the printhead wiper. A lateral feed mechanism is coupled to the printhead and the wiper assembly, and is configured for driving the wiper assembly in reciprocating motion along the printhead. The cleaning cycle can be started when a predetermined condition (such as a number of operations) is reached. A method for printhead cleaning can include starting a cleaning cycle by lifting a printhead from a printing position once a number of printing operations reaches a predetermined value, and transporting a cleaning assembly along the printhead for a predetermined time duration or number of passes, while providing contact between the cleansing applicator and the printhead.

A printing device includes a thermal head, a rotation shaft extending in an axial direction and rotatably supported, a pivot member connected to the rotation shaft and configured to pivot integrally with the rotation shaft about the rotation shaft, a biasing unit configured to bias the thermal head upward, a first pivot shaft supported by the pivot member, extending parallel to the axial direction, located below the rotation shaft, and configured to pivot integrally with the pivot member about the rotation shaft, a support member supported by the first pivot shaft to be movable along the first pivot shaft and to be pivotable about the first pivot shaft, the support member including a lower end portion located below the rotation shaft, and a pressing portion provided on the lower end portion of the support member and configured to press the thermal head downward.