A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly being configured for supply of ink and/or electrical signals to a printhead of the printhead assembly; and a locking mechanism having a slide plate slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly. The slide plate has one or more keepers and each keeper is engageable with a locking pin projecting from the supply assembly.

A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier having a first end and a second end, the printhead carrier being pivotable relative to the cradle about a pivot axis the second end; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead carrier, the supply assembly having ink couplings for fluidic connection to a printhead received in the printhead carrier; and a mechanical linkage interconnecting the first end of the printhead carrier and the supply assembly. Reciprocal movement of the supply assembly moves the printhead carrier between a tilted position and a non-tilted position.

To stabilize image quality of a printed image. A thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a thermal head and a platen roll and forms an image on printing paper by causing the thermal head to heat an ink ribbon including a plurality of consecutive ink layers, each of which includes sequential panels of a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer and thereby transfer ink while transporting, between the thermal head and the platen roll, the ink ribbon and the printing paper that are superimposed on each other. The thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a sensor that detects ink content of the ink layers and a controller that controls energy applied to the thermal head during image formation on a basis of a result of the detection of the sensor.

To stabilize image quality of a printed image. A thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a thermal head and a platen roll and forms an image on printing paper by causing the thermal head to heat an ink ribbon including a plurality of consecutive ink layers, each of which includes sequential panels of a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer and thereby transfer ink while transporting, between the thermal head and the platen roll, the ink ribbon and the printing paper that are superimposed on each other. The thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a sensor that detects ink content of the ink layers and a controller that controls energy applied to the thermal head during image formation on a basis of a result of the detection of the sensor.

A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly having one or more ink couplings for fluidic connection to a printhead of the printhead assembly. The cradle includes a fixed limiter configured for abutment with a reaction plate of the printhead assembly so as to limit movement of the printhead assembly during movement of the supply assembly away from the printhead assembly.

A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly being configured for supply of ink and/or electrical signals to a printhead of the printhead assembly; and a locking mechanism having a slide plate slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly. The slide plate has one or more keepers and each keeper is engageable with a locking pin projecting from the supply assembly.

A print module includes: a printhead having ink ports and a row of printhead contacts; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes: ink couplings positioned for fluidic connection to the ink ports; and a PCB having a row of PCB contacts for electrical connection to the printhead contacts. A single actuator handle is configured for sequentially actuating electrical connection or disconnection in a first motion and actuating fluidic connection or disconnection in a second motion.

A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead received in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead having a row of printhead contacts; a PCB slidably movable relative to the cradle along a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and an actuator handle. The actuator handle is configured for reciprocally lowering and raising the PCB and urging the PCB contacts into engagement with the printhead contacts, thereby forming electrical connections between the PCB and the printhead. The PCB electrical contacts are urged along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the printhead.

A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier having a first end and a second end, the printhead carrier being pivotable relative to the cradle about a pivot axis the second end; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead carrier, the supply assembly having ink couplings for fluidic connection to a printhead received in the printhead carrier; and a mechanical linkage interconnecting the first end of the printhead carrier and the supply assembly. Reciprocal movement of the supply assembly moves the printhead carrier between a tilted position and a non-tilted position.

A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and a lift mechanism for reciprocally lowering and raising the supply assembly towards and away from the printhead, the lift mechanism having a single actuator handle positioned at the first end of the cradle. Movement of the actuator handle causes engagement or disengagement between the printhead and the supply assembly via sliding movement of the supply module relative to the cradle.