Apparatus and method for removing an image from the ribbon of a thermal transfer printer
AssigneeMiltope Corporation
InventorDon S. Ende
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal transfer printing mechanism having an arrangement for removing or obliterating the image left on the ribbon after printing is provided. The arrangement includes a heated roller which contacts the ribbon. Heat applied to the ribbon causes the ink remaining along the underside thereof to liquify and spread so as to cover or disguise the image left on the ribbon.
Claims16
A printing apparatus comprising:
- a receptor surface;
- a printing ribbon having a first surface coated with an image transfer medium and a second surface;
- means for transferring a selected portion of the image transfer medium to said receptor surface, whereby a negative image is left on said ribbon along said first surface;
- and
- means for applying heat to said ribbon to substantially liquify the transfer medium which remains on the first surface of said ribbon, said heat applying means including heated means for selectively contacting said second surface of said ribbon, whereby the image left on the first surface of said ribbon is substantially obliterated.
In a printing apparatus including a receptor surface and a printing ribbon having a first surface coated with an image transfer medium and a second surface, a method for removing the image which remains on the first surface of said ribbon after a selected portion of said transfer medium is transferred to said receptor, said method comprising applying heat to said ribbon by selectively contacting said second surface of said ribbon with a heated member to substantially liquify said transfer medium which remains on the first surface of said ribbon.
In a printing apparatus including a printhead, a receptor surface, and a printing ribbon having a first surface coated with an image transfer medium and a second surface, a device for removing the image which remains on said first surface after the printhead transfers a selected portion of the image transfer medium to said receptor surface, the device comprising means for applying heat to said ribbon to substantially liquify the transfer medium whih remains on the first surface of said ribbon so as to obliterate the image left on the first surface of said ribbon, said heat applying means including heated means for selectively contacting said second surface of said ribbon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.