EP0114975A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal print apparatus using a thermal transfer ribbon such as a multi-colored one, and printing method
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1983-11-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-11-29
Abstract
Abstract In a thermal printer the transfer ribbon (2) such as one having sets of transverse color stripes is guided over a ribbon support (16) carrying the heat applying print head (17). Ribbon support (16) is movable relative to the paper (1) by an eccentric (32, 33) to move ribbon (2) into and out of contact with paper (1). A support beam (18) and a guiding roller (19) are provided immediately behind print area (3) to guide ribbon (2) away from the media path at an angle (22) of more than 45°. Color printing is performed by clamping paper and ribbon, applying heat, transferring color material, retracting the ribbon from the paper, advancing the ribbon to the next color area, printing again on the very same paper area as often as desired, repeating this as often as necessary and advancing the paper after finishing the present print line.
Inventors
- 👤 Willie Goff, Jr.
- 👤 Ta Cheng Ku
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:44
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J17/00; B41J17/28; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/325; B41J35/00; B41J35/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A thermal print apparatus for printing on a print media (1) with a thermal transfer ribbon (2), such as a multi-colored one wherein colors are arranged in sets of transverse stripes, by means of a heat applying print head (17) arranged transverse to the media transport direction (4), and a backing means (23) urging the media (1) against the ribbon (2) and the latter against the print head, characterized in that it comprises a ribbon supporting means (16) mounted for selective movement relative to said media (1) for bringing said ribbon (2) into contact with said media (1) and for releasing it from contact with said media (1), means (32, 33, 36) for moving said ribbon supporting means (16) relative to said media (1), and means (18, 19) for guiding said ribbon (2) away from said media (1) at an angle (22) greater than 45° thereto, so that upon retraction of said ribbon supporting means (16) away from said media (1) said ribbon (2) is separable from said media (1) in a substantially normal direction (37) whereby shear motion between said ribbon (2) and said media (1) is significantly reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A thermal print apparatus for printing on a print media (1) with a thermal transfer ribbon (2), such as a multi-colored one wherein colors are arranged in sets of transverse stripes, by means of a heat applying print head (17) arranged transverse to the media transport direction (4), and a backing means (23) urging the media (1) against the ribbon (2) and the latter against the print head, characterized in that it comprises a ribbon supporting means (16) mounted for selective movement relative to said media (1) for bringing said ribbon (2) into contact with said media (1) and for releasing it from contact with said media (1), means (32, 33, 36) for moving said ribbon supporting means (16) relative to said media (1), and means (18, 19) for guiding said ribbon (2) away from said media (1) at an angle (22) greater than 45° thereto, so that upon retraction of said ribbon supporting means (16) away from said media (1) said ribbon (2) is separable from said media (1) in a substantially normal direction (37) whereby shear motion between said ribbon (2) and said media (1) is significantly reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The thermal print apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guiding means (18, 19) for guiding said ribbon (2) away from said media (1) are arranged immediately adjacent to the print area (3) whereby separation of said ribbon (2) from said media (1) is performed immediately adjacent said print area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The thermal print apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said guiding means (18, 19) for guiding said ribbon (2) away from said media (1) comprise a support beam (18) and a guiding roller (19) positioned immediately behind said print area (3).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermal print apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said angle (22) is between 45° and 90°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermal print apparatus of claim 4, wherein said angle (22) is substantially 45°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
6 . The thermal print apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said ribbon supporting means (16) includes the heat applying print head (17) such that said head is selectively movable relative to said media.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The thermal print apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said backing means (23) urging said media against said ribbon is fixed to a support (26) through resilient means (25), said support (26) being mounted for movement (29, 30) relative to said media (1) and said backing means (23) being positioned opposite said print head (17) such that they are able to cooperate whereby said print area (3) is defined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermal print apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said means (32, 33, 36) for moving said ribbon supporting means (16) relative to said media (1) comprises an eccentric cam device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of printing on a print media (1) using a thermal transfer ribbon (2), such as a multi-colored one wherein colors are arranged in sets of transverse stripes, which is guided together with said print media between a backing means (23) and a heat applying print head (17), comprising the steps of selectively clamping said ribbon (2) and said media (1) between said backing means (23) and said print head (17) by moving said ribbon (2) in contact with said media (1), performing a print operation by selectively operating said heat applying print head (17), retracting said ribbon (2) from said media (1) essentially normal to its surface, advancing said ribbon (2) to the next appropriate color area, independent of print media advancement, repeating the above steps, if necessary until a complete line is printed, and advancing said media (1) to the next printing line if the present printing line is finished.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of printing on a print media (1) using a thermal transfer ribbon (2), such as a multi-colored one wherein colors are arranged in sets of transverse stripes, which is guided together with said print media between a backing means (23) and a heat applying print head (17), comprising the steps of selectively clamping said ribbon (2) and said media (1) between said backing means (23) and said print head (17) by moving said ribbon (2) in contact with said media (1), performing a print operation by selectively operating said heat applying print head (17), retracting said ribbon (2) from said media (1) essentially normal to its surface, advancing said ribbon (2) to the next appropriate color area, independent of print media advancement, repeating the above steps, if necessary until a complete line is printed, and advancing said media (1) to the next printing line if the present printing line is finished.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of printing on a print media of claim 9, further including the step of performing said retracting of said ribbon (2) from said media (1) adjacent to said print line for separating said ribbon (2) from said media (1) in the print area (3).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of printing on a print media of claim 9 or 10, further including the step of guiding said ribbon (2) off said media at an angle (22) between 45° and 90°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of printing on a print media of claim 11, wherein said angle (22) is substantially 45°.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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