Color-on-demand ribbon printing
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsAri Aviram, Derek B. Dove, Ramon Lane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This printing apparatus and technique incorporates a color transfer station to impart a desired color to a fusible ink layer on a ribbon. The color transfer station is located between a supply reel providing the ribbon for printing, and the location where actual printing occurs. This color transfer technique is particularly suitable for use in resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing, where economical use of the ribbon is mandatory. The structure for transferring color to the ink layer of the ribbon utilizes wicks, felt-coated rollers, nozzles, etc., to bring a selected colorant solution into contact with the ink layer of the ribbon, in accordance with the color desired for printing.
Claims8
A color-on-demand resistive ribbon printing apparatus including in combination:
- a ribbon including a resistive layer and having a fusible ink layer thereon, said ink layer including all of the ink components with the exception of a desired colorant,
- color means for applying said desired colorant to said fusible ink layer, said color means being located between a supply reel supplying said ribbon and a printing head for melting said fusible ink layer, said color means containing a colorant solution and a transfer means for transferring said colorant solution to said ribbon, said color means further including contact means for contacting said ribbon and said transfer means to transfer said colorant solution to said fusible ink layer on said ribbon, and
- said printing head including a plurality of electrical current carrying styli for printing onto a receiving medium colored indicia using said colored ribbon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.