Thermal transfer color printer
AssigneeTektronix, Inc.
InventorsWilliam W. Stein, Robert W. Burns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A single pass multicolor thermal transfer printer for recording color images on plain paper by transferring spots of different colored materials from a carrier sheet as it and a sheet of paper are moved across a printhead in contiguous relation. The printhead includes a plurality of individual thermal elements that are selectively energized in timed relation to transfer colored materials from discrete areas of the carrier to the paper as the sheets pass over the printhead. The carrier includes separate, repeating patterns of four different color materials--three primary colors plus black--permitting the formation of multicolor images by energizing the appropriate elements as areas of the desired color materials are moved into registration with them.
Claims10
Thermal transfer printing apparatus, comprising
- a stationary printhead having a plurality of individually energizable thermal elements arranged in a row,
- a carrier sheet supported for movement across said printhead in a direction substantially perpendicular to said row with one face of the sheet being maintained in heat transfer relation with said thermal elements, said sheet bearing a plurality of different color record-forming mateials arranged in a repeating series of stripes extending transverse to said direction,
- means for supporting a record medium on the opposite face of said carrier sheet for movement in said direction,
- drive means for propelling said carrier sheet and record medium across the printhead at different rates, with the rate of movement of the carrier sheet exceeding that of the record medium,
- means for energizing selected thermal elements in timed relation to the movement of said carrier sheet to transfer spots of color record-forming materials from said sheet to the record medium.
Thermal transfer printing apparatus, comprising
- a stationary printhead having a plurality of individually energizable thermal elements arranged in multiple rows,
- a carrier sheet supported for movement across said printhead in a direction substantially perpendicular to said rows with one face of the sheet being maintained in heat transfer relation with said thermal elements, said sheet bearing a plurality of different color record-forming materials arranged in a mosaic pattern of spots,
- means for supporting a record medium on the opposite face of said carrier sheet for movement in said direction,
- drive means for propelling said carrier sheet and record medium across the printhead, and
- means for energizing selected thermal elements in timed relation to the movement of said carrier sheet to transfer spots of color record-forming materials from said sheet to the record medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.