Slidable media transport system for a single-pass multi-color thermal printer

摘要

A slidable transport assembly is provided for a single-pass multi-color thermal printer including a plurality of platen rollers mounted in spaced relation, a web of receptor media received around the platen rollers, a plurality of print heads each mounted in corresponding relation to a respective platen roller, and a pair of drive rollers. The slidable transport assembly consists of a frame having a pair of spaced walls, a base for supporting the frame, a tray mounted on the base for holding the receptor media, and a slide rail for slidably supporting the base. The platen rollers and the drive rollers are mounted between the wall of the frame for integral movement thereof. The transport system is slidably movable between a printing position wherein the platen rollers are positioned beneath the print heads for printing, and a withdrawn position wherein the platen rollers are slidably withdrawn from beneath the print heads for receptor media loading.