Thermal transfer color printer with tensioning roller

Claim 1

A thermal transfer color printer for recording color images on recording paper by successively transferring inks of different colors from an ink film onto the recording paper at a recording position, the printer comprising: a rotatable platen roller disposed at the recording position; a thermal head for heating the ink film and transferring the ink from the ink film onto the recording paper, said thermal head pressing the recording paper and the ink film against the platen roller at the recording position; transport means, disposed downstream from the platen roller with respect to a direction of transport of the recording paper during thermal transfer, for transporting the recording paper in a forward direction and a reverse direction at the recording position; and tension means, disposed upstream from the platen roller with respect to the direction of transport of the recording paper during thermal transfer, for providing a predetermined tension to the recording paper, said tension means including a roller provided on an axle, a torque limiter disposed between the axle and the roller, and a one-way clutch disposed between the axle and a member connected to a power supply.