US4797689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic vibration driving type thermal printer
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1987-12-28
•
Granted: 1989-01-10
•
Expires: 2007-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A thermal printer in which dye is transferred from a film to a receiver in response to heat including a thermal head assembly having a plurality of heating elements. The thermal head comprises a vibration device adapted to induce a vibration wave in the heating elements which move in one direction in time. The heating elements are supported by the vibration device and, as they frictionally engage the film, cause the film and the receiver to move in the opposite direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Sadaaki Nanai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:23
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/10; H02N2/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In a thermal printer in which dye is transferred from a film to a receiver in response to heating including: a. a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a predetermined configuration and selectively energized on the basis of print data; b. said heating elements being brought into frictional contact with the film having heat transferable color dye for causing the color dye to be transfered from the film to the receiver by means of the heat produced from the selectively energized heating elements; and c. a platen for supporting the film and the receiver, i. an improvement in the thermal head comprising: ii. a vibration device having an elastic member formed on said heating elements, said vibrating device including means for vibrating said elastic member which induces a vibration traveling wave in said heating elements; and iii. the induced vibration wave in said heating elements causes the film and receiver to move in a predetermind direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a thermal printer in which dye is transferred from a film to a receiver in response to heating including: a. a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a predetermined configuration and selectively energized on the basis of print data; b. said heating elements being brought into frictional contact with the film having heat transferable color dye for causing the color dye to be transfered from the film to the receiver by means of the heat produced from the selectively energized heating elements; and c. a platen for supporting the film and the receiver, i. an improvement in the thermal head comprising: ii. a vibration device having an elastic member formed on said heating elements, said vibrating device including means for vibrating said elastic member which induces a vibration traveling wave in said heating elements; and iii. the induced vibration wave in said heating elements causes the film and receiver to move in a predetermind direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Thermal printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said platen is a drum which is rotated by the film and receiver as they are driven in the predetermined direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4562374A
Cited
JPS6096466A
Cited
US4678956A
Cited
US4692672A
Cited
JPS60253573A
Cited
US4692649A
Cited
US4692650A
Cited
US4692651A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |