Method and apparatus for reducing print time
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorRobert Mindler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal dye transfer printer reduces print time by printing sequential color section from a donor web onto a receiver sheet while the donor web and receiver sheet travel in forward or reverse directions relative to a printer head. A first colored image is formed on the receiver by printing as the donor web and the receiver sheet transit the printer head in a first direction. The donor web is indexed to bring the trailing edge of a second color section in registration with the trailing edge of the first colored printed image on the receiver web portion. Then the image receiver web transits the printer head in the opposite direction and the second color is printed on the receiver sheet in combination with the receiver sheet. The steps are repeated for all color patches.
Claims20
An apparatus for printing multicolor prints comprising:
- a color donor web of two or more sequential sections of donor material of transparent or colored donor material, said donor web operable to dispose its sequential sections opposite a receiver sheet prior to transfer of the donor material to the receiver sheet;
- a printer head for engaging and disengaging the donor web to press the donor web against the receiver sheet;
- a platen opposite the printer head for supporting the donor web and receiver sheet, and for carrying the donor web and receiver sheet past the printer head in forward and reverse directions;
- and
- a controller for energizing the printer head during said forward and reverse travel of donor web and receiver sheet to transfer donor material from a first sequential section during the forward travel and to transfer donor material from the next sequential section during reverse travel.
A printing apparatus for printing multicolor prints comprising:
- a color donor web with two or more sequential sections of donor material of transparent or colored donor material;
- a moveable printing means for engaging and disengaging the donor web and pressing the donor web against a receiver sheet;
- a support means for carrying and supporting the donor web and the receiver sheet past the printing means during transfer of donor material from the donor web to the receiver sheet;
- and
- a control means for controlling the movable printing means and the support means to execute at least one printing cycle, said printing cycle comprising:
- disposing a first sequential section of the donor web to be opposite the receiver sheet on the support means;
- moving the printer head toward the donor web for engaging the donor web and pressing the donor web against the receiver sheet on the support means;
- moving the receiver sheet and donor web in one direction past the printing means;
- transferring donor material from the first donor web section to the receiver sheet during its transit past the printing means;
- moving the printing means away from the donor for disengaging the donor web from the printing means;
- releasing the donor web from against the receiver sheet on the support means;
- advancing the donor web to the next sequential donor web section of donor material;
- moving the printing means toward the donor web for engaging the donor web and pressing the donor web against the receiver sheet on the support means;
- moving the receiver sheet and donor web in a reverse direction past the printing means;
- and
- transferring donor material from the next sequential donor web section to the receiver sheet during its transit past the printing means.
A method for printing multicolor prints with a printer having a color donor web with two or more sequential sections of donor material of transparent or colored donor material, a moveable printer head for engaging and disengaging the donor web and pressing the donor web against a receiver sheet, a platen for carrying and supporting the donor web and the receiver sheet past the printer head during transfer of donor material from the donor web to the receiver sheet, the method comprising the steps of:
- disposing a first sequential section of the donor web opposite the receiver sheet on the platen;
- moving the printer head toward the donor web for engaging the donor web and pressing the donor web against the receiver sheet on the platen;
- moving the receiver sheet and donor web in one direction past the printer head;
- transferring donor material from the first donor web section to the receiver sheet during its transit past the printer head;
- moving the printer head away from the donor for disengaging the donor web from the printer head;
- releasing the donor web from against the receiver sheet on the platen;
- advancing the donor web to the next sequential donor web section of donor material;
- moving the printer head toward the donor web for engaging the donor web and pressing the donor web against the receiver sheet on the platen;
- moving the receiver sheet and donor web in a reverse direction past the printer head;
- and
- transferring donor material from the next sequential donor web section to the receiver sheet during its transit past the printer head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.