US 4,505,603 AGranted

Thermal transfer color printer and a method relating thereto

AssigneeTokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorMasasumi Yana

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Abstract

According to the invention, a printer includes an elongated thermal printhead and a carrier drive means for transporting a multi-color ink carrier in a first direction and a medium drive means for transporting a record medium, in the same direction and rate, contiguously over the head. The printhead has a row of thermal elements, each of which may be energized to transfer a particular color ink onto the medium as the carrier sheet moves over the head. Various transferable color inks form areas which are arranged in equal color lengths along the length of the carrier sheet. Each respective color area extends transversely along the width of the sheet and are alternately and successively arranged along the length of the carrier sheet. The printhead is selectively forced into contact with the carrier sheet and record medium as they advance at the same rate by means of the carrier and record drive means. The record drive means also transports the record medium sheet in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, one color length while the printhead is disengaged from the carrier and record medium. This permits superimposing of color patterns for creating greater color hues and color ranges. The movement of the record medium in the second direction occurs at a higher rate than the transportation of the record medium in the first direction.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A thermal transfer color printer for printing a color image comprising:

a thermal printhead having a linear array of thermal elements which are selectively energized by color component electrical signal representing the color image to be printed;
a color carrier sheet supported for movement across said printhead in a direction substantially perpendicular to said array, with one face of the sheet being positioned in heat transfer relationship with said thermal elements, said carrier sheet having a plurality of different color-record forming materials, each material alternatively and successively distributed in areas arranged along said perpendicular direction;
a record medium sheet supported on the opposite face of said carrier sheet for movement along said perpendicular direction;
means for selectively forcing said carrier sheet and record medium sheet in contact with said printhead for thermally transferring said color materials from the carrier sheet onto the record medium when said thermal elements are energized;
a carrier sheet drive means for transporting said carrier sheet in a direction along said perpendicular direction while the carrier sheet and record medium contact said printhead;
a record medium drive means for transporting said record medium in said first direction at substantially the same rate as said carrier sheet printhead, said record medium drive means also including means for transporting said record medium in a second direction, opposite to said first direction while the carrier sheet and record medium are disengaged from said printhead;
and
separating means for separating said carrier sheet from said record medium while said carrier sheet and said record medium are transported in said second direction.

5 more elements

A thermal transfer color printer 8, wherein said supply reel and take-up reel are rotatably supported by a friction coupling for transporting said carrier sheet at a constant rate irrespective of diameter variation of the carrier sheet wound on said reels.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.