A thermal print head includes: a substrate having an obverse surface; a plurality of heat generators arranged on the substrate in a main scanning direction; and a wiring layer provided on the substrate and constituting an energization path to the heat generators. The substrate has a protrusion protruding from the obverse surface and extending in the main scanning direction. The protrusion has a top portion having the largest distance from the obverse surface, and an inclined portion connected to the top portion in a sub-scanning direction. The inclined portion is inclined relative to the obverse surface at a predetermined angle. Each of the plurality of heat generators extends across a boundary between the top portion and the inclined portion. Each of the heat generators is formed on at least a part of the top portion and at least a part of the inclined portion in the sub-scanning direction.

A thermal head X1 according to the present disclosure includes a substrate, a heat generator, an electrode, and a protective layer. The heat generator is positioned on the substrate. The electrode is positioned on the substrate and connected to the heat generator. The protective layer covers the heat generator and part of the electrode. The protective layer contains titanium and nitrogen. The protective layer satisfies P2>P1 where P1 is the peak intensity of X-ray diffraction of the (111) plane, and P2 is the peak intensity of X-ray diffraction of the (200) plane.

A thermal head includes: a head base body including a substrate and a plurality of heat generating sections disposed on the substrate; connection portions which are electrically connected to the head base; a connection member which is electrically connected to the connection portions; and a first cover member which covers the connection portions, the first cover member including a plurality of protruding portions provided on an upper surface of the first cover member at predetermined intervals in a main scanning direction.

A thermal head of the present disclosure includes a substrate, a heating part, an electrode, a protection layer, and a coating layer made of a resin material. The heating part is placed on or above the substrate. The electrode is placed on or above the substrate and connected to the heating part. The protection layer is placed on or above the heating part and the electrode. The coating layer is placed on or above the electrode and the protection layer. The protection layer includes a recessed part that is opened on an upper surface and that extends along a thickness direction of the protection layer. The recessed part includes an inner wall having a plurality of recesses and projections, and the resin material is disposed inside the recessed part.

A thermal print head includes: a substrate having an obverse surface; a plurality of heat generators arranged on the substrate in a main scanning direction; and a wiring layer provided on the substrate and constituting an energization path to the heat generators. The substrate has a protrusion protruding from the obverse surface and extending in the main scanning direction. The protrusion has a top portion having the largest distance from the obverse surface, and an inclined portion connected to the top portion in a sub-scanning direction. The inclined portion is inclined relative to the obverse surface at a predetermined angle. Each of the plurality of heat generators extends across a boundary between the top portion and the inclined portion. Each of the heat generators is formed on at least a part of the top portion and at least a part of the inclined portion in the sub-scanning direction.

A thermal head according to the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a first electrode; a heat generating section; a second electrode; a resin layer; and a protective layer. The first electrode is located on the substrate. The heat generating section is located on the substrate. The second electrode is located on the substrate so as to be electrically connected to the heat generating section and the first electrode. The resin layer is located on the first electrode. The protective layer is located on the resin layer. Moreover, the resin layer includes a first portion inserted in the first electrode.

On an element substrate having a multilayered structure in which a temperature detection element is provided in an intermediate layer of a wiring layer and a print element layer, a wiring layer and a temperature detection element formed on the first interlayer insulation film are connected by a first conductive plug which penetrates through the first interlayer insulation film. In addition, a wiring layer and a print element which are formed on the second interlayer insulation film formed on the first interlayer insulation film are connected by a second conductive plug which penetrates through the first and second interlayer insulation films. By manufacturing the element substrate by this arrangement, the thickness of an interlayer insulation film between a print element and a temperature detection element can be made thin, and the sensitivity of the temperature detection element can be improved.

The method and apparatus for protecting the printhead in a thermal printer includes preparing the printer for label dispensing and then covering the printhead such that the label run or thermal material passing over the same does not contact the printhead. The cover for the printhead can take various forms. In one implementation, the cover is a sleeve configured to fit over the entire printhead assembly of the thermal printer. The printhead cover has a low coefficient of friction.

A thermal printhead includes a substrate, a resistor layer with heat generation portions supported by the substrate and aligned in a primary scanning direction, a wiring layer supported by the substrate to form a conductive path to the heat generation portions, an insulating layer interposed between the substrate and the resistor layer, and a reflection layer located opposite to the heat generation portions with respect to the insulating layer. The reflection layer overlaps with the heat generation portions as viewed in a thickness direction of the heat generation portions and has a greater heat reflectivity than the insulating layer.

The method and apparatus for protecting the printhead in a thermal printer includes preparing the printer for label dispensing and then covering the printhead such that the label run or thermal material passing over the same does not contact the printhead. The cover for the printhead can take various forms. In one implementation, the cover is a sleeve configured to fit over the entire printhead assembly of the thermal printer. The printhead cover has a low coefficient of friction.