Card guide apparatus for use in a non-inpact printer

摘要

A thermal transfer printer for printing on the face of a plastic card such as a credit card. The apparatus employs a spring loaded support and capstan roller for bending the card to conform to the surface of a printer roller and for forcing thermal elements of a print head into pressure applying contact with a thermal transfer foil sheet and the surface of the card at a printing station. The printing is applied by selectively heating individual thermal elements to transfer thermally transferable printing material from the carrier sheet to the surface of the card. The apparatus also employs a structure for stripping the thermal transfer foil from the surface of the card.