A printing apparatus capable of easily performing jam processing is provided. For this purpose, once support of a platen supporting member is released, then the platen will automatically turn to a predetermined angle.

A platen is configured to define a contact surface which is a medium placement surface when being mounted on a printer. The platen includes: first and second members having first and second surfaces, respectively. The first member includes a plate having the first surface. A state of the platen is switchable between: a first state in which the contact surface is formed inside an outer edge of the plate by the first and second surfaces to have a first area; and a second state in which the contact surface is formed by the first surface to have a second area smaller than the first area. In the second state, the first surface forms the contact surface inside the outer edge and the second surface does not form the contact surface.

A platen is configured to define a contact surface which is a medium placement surface when being mounted on a printer. The platen includes: first and second members having first and second surfaces, respectively. The first member includes a plate having the first surface. A state of the platen is switchable between: a first state in which the contact surface is formed inside an outer edge of the plate by the first and second surfaces to have a first area; and a second state in which the contact surface is formed by the first surface to have a second area smaller than the first area. In the second state, the first surface forms the contact surface inside the outer edge and the second surface does not form the contact surface.

A system and method for enhanced speed thermal printing has a drive roller for contacting thermochromic medal to a thermal printhead. The drive roller includes a cam which causes the drive roller to decelerate as it approaches the printhead such that contact with the thermal printhead and the thermochromic media is at a highest force point. The drive roller accelerates as it is pulled back from the printhead prior to a next printing cycle.

A system and method for enhanced speed thermal printing has a drive roller for contacting thermochromic medal to a thermal printhead. The drive roller includes a cam which causes the drive roller to decelerate as it approaches the printhead such that contact with the thermal printhead and the thermochromic media is at a highest force point. The drive roller accelerates as it is pulled back from the printhead prior to a next printing cycle.

An image forming apparatus may include a mechanism for forming a corrugated shape in a sheet to be conveyed. The mechanism may include various components include one or more pressing portions, one or more ribs, one or more discharge rollers, a switching mechanism and the like. In one arrangement, ribs and pressing portions configured to create the corrugated shape may be disposed at various locations upstream or downstream of the platen, recording portion and/or nozzles thereof. In one example, pressing portions may be disposed both upstream and downstream of the nozzles of the recording portion to maintain a corrugated shape in the conveyed sheet. Various other configurations may be used.

An image forming apparatus may include a mechanism for forming a corrugated shape in a sheet to be conveyed. The mechanism may include various components include one or more pressing portions, one or more ribs, one or more discharge rollers, a switching mechanism and the like. In one arrangement, ribs and pressing portions configured to create the corrugated shape may be disposed at various locations upstream or downstream of the platen, recording portion and/or nozzles thereof. In one example, pressing portions may be disposed both upstream and downstream of the nozzles of the recording portion to maintain a corrugated shape in the conveyed sheet. Various other configurations may be used.

Provided is a photo printer including: a base adapted to accommodate paper therein; a pickup roller protruding from the bottom of the base to feed the paper accommodated in the base forwardly; a platen roller disposed in front of the base to discharge the paper fed by the pickup roller forwardly; a head located above the platen roller to apply given heat to the paper; a motor; a transgear engaged with the motor; a first power transfer part for connecting the transgear and the rotary shaft of the platen roller with each other to rotate the platen roller; and a second power transfer part for connecting the transgear and the rotary shaft of the pickup roller with each other to rotate the pickup roller. The transgear, the first power transfer part and the second power transfer part are disposed on the same side surface of the base as each other.

Provided is a photo printer including: a base adapted to accommodate paper therein; a pickup roller protruding from the bottom of the base to feed the paper accommodated in the base forwardly; a platen roller disposed in front of the base to discharge the paper fed by the pickup roller forwardly; a head located above the platen roller to apply given heat to the paper; a motor; a transgear engaged with the motor; a first power transfer part for connecting the transgear and the rotary shaft of the platen roller with each other to rotate the platen roller; and a second power transfer part for connecting the transgear and the rotary shaft of the pickup roller with each other to rotate the pickup roller. The transgear, the first power transfer part and the second power transfer part are disposed on the same side surface of the base as each other.

The invention relates to an apparatus for printing textile surfaces, comprising a first printing device (10) which is movable in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, wherein the printing device has a print head (51, 52) by means of which at least one textile can be printed with at least one printing ink, at least two pallets (21, 24) for receiving and holding the textile to be printed, a first set-up station (20) which is arranged on a first long side for feeding the textile and attaching the textile to the pallet (21, 24), at least one second set-up station (30) which is arranged on a second long side opposite the first long side, a first moving device (23) by which the at least one of the pallets is movable on a first track (41) transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis between a first lateral set-up position (20) on the first set-up station and a first printing position on the printing device, and at least one second moving device (26) by which at least one more of the pallets is movable on an at least second track (43) transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis between at least one second lateral set-up position (32) on the at least second set-up station (30) and at least one second printing position.