Thermal printer systems
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorsRaymond J. Hansen, Gerald A. St. Jacques, Robert M. Whitely
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The thermal printer system is comprised of a means for generating heated air and a means for controlling the application of the heated air to a thermally sensitive recording medium. In an embodyment of the invention there is provided a means for ionizing a column of gas and a means for attracting or repelling the ionized column of gas along a desired path in response to a control signal. Interposed along the desired path is a means for heating the gas and a thermally sensitive recording medium positioned to intercept the column of heated gas such that a record is made on the recording medium which record is a function of the control signal.
Claims7
A thermal printer for printing on thermally sensitive material comprising in combination:
- means for ionizing a gas to cause said gas to flow in a path directed to impinge on said material;
- electrode means positioned in the flow path of said ionized gas for controlling the flow of said ionized gas;
- a first potential source having a polarity and magnitude sufficient to repel said ionized gas;
- a second potential source having a polarity and magnitude sufficient to de-ionize said ionized gas;
- and
- switch means for selectively connecting said electrode means to either said first or said second potential source;
- and
- heating means for heating said gas.
A thermal printer for printing on thermally sensitive material comprising in combination:
- an ionization chamber for ionizing a gas, said chamber having at least one opening therein such that ionization of the gas within said chamber causes ionized gas to flow in a path directed to impinge on said thermally sensitive material through said at least one opening;
- electrode means positioned in the flow path of said ionized gas for controlling the flow of said ionized gas;
- a first potential source having a polarity and magnitude sufficient to repel said ionized gas;
- a second potential source having a polarity and magnitude sufficient to de-ionize said ionized gas;
- switch means for selectively connecting said electrode means to either said first or said second potential source;
- and
- heating means for heating the de-ionized gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.