A modular print drive assembly and platen assembly are provided. The modular print drive assembly is structured for insertion and removal from a printer, the modular print drive assembly and includes a print drive housing defining a plurality of printer mount fasteners, a printhead coupled to and supported by the print drive housing, a platen latch assembly coupled to and supported by the print drive housing. The platen latch assembly is structured to removably receive a platen in position to define a nip between the platen and the printhead The modular print drive also includes a platen drive motor coupled to and supported by the print housing, wherein the platen drive motor is supported by the print housing in position to drive the platen upon receipt within the platen latch assembly.

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.

A thermal printer includes a frame including sidewalls; a platen roller supported by the frame, through bearings, the platen roller being configured to rotate with a rotational shaft; a thermal head disposed opposite the platen roller; a support member for supporting the thermal head, the support member being configured to be pivoted with respect to the frame; and an adjustment mechanism disposed between the rotational shaft of the platen roller and the thermal head, the adjustment mechanism allowing a distance between the rotational shaft of the platen roller and the thermal head to be adjusted, while contacting at least one from among components of the platen roller and components of the thermal head, so that a gap between the thermal head and the platen roller is adjusted.

A system and method for printing includes a transfer belt configured to transfer toner from a photoconductive drum of a toner-based printer to a paper. A transfer platen positions at least a portion of the transfer belt to be in proximity to a photoconductive drum. For color printing, a transfer platen is associated with a corresponding photoconductive drum for each distinct color of toner. The transfer platen is shaped to improve the transfer of toner from the photoconductive drum to the transfer belt. The transfer platen is substantially fixed in a non-rotatable position. The transfer platen includes electrically conductive foam. The transfer platen includes a low friction conductive top layer over the electrically conductive foam.

A system and method for printing includes a transfer belt configured to transfer toner from a photoconductive drum of a toner-based printer to a paper. A transfer platen positions at least a portion of the transfer belt to be in proximity to a photoconductive drum. For color printing, a transfer platen is associated with a corresponding photoconductive drum for each distinct color of toner. The transfer platen is shaped to improve the transfer of toner from the photoconductive drum to the transfer belt. The transfer platen is substantially fixed in a non-rotatable position. The transfer platen includes electrically conductive foam. The transfer platen includes a low friction conductive top layer over the electrically conductive foam.

The present invention relates to a portable sublimation printer capable of simultaneously controlling up/down of a platen roller of a portable thermal sublimation printer and up/down of a printing medium pickup roller with a rack and pinion mechanism. A portable sublimation printer having a small thickness and a light weight to a rack apparatus of a portable sublimation printer is provided.

The present invention relates to a portable sublimation printer capable of simultaneously controlling up/down of a platen roller of a portable thermal sublimation printer and up/down of a printing medium pickup roller with a rack and pinion mechanism. A portable sublimation printer having a small thickness and a light weight to a rack apparatus of a portable sublimation printer is provided.

There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a transporting roller; a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller, while moving in an approaching-departing direction based on a thickness of the recording medium; a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller; a platen; a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles; and a cooperative portion moving along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departing direction to move the platen.

There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a transporting roller; a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller, while moving in an approaching-departing direction based on a thickness of the recording medium; a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller; a platen; a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles; and a cooperative portion moving along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departing direction to move the platen.