Systems and methods of printing by applying an image enhancing precoat
AssigneeTektronix, Inc.
InventorsThomas J. Brandt, Stephen A. Zimmerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for printing a predetermined image onto a substrate includes steps or structure for determining a first area on the substrate where a colorant is to be deposited; determining a second area which is immediately adjacent to the first area; depositing an image-enhancing precoat over the first area and the second area; and depositing a colorant on the exposed surface of the image-enhancing precoat substantially so as to be over the first area, whereby a border of precoat material will be defined about the printed image on the substrate. A second aspect of the disclosure involves sealing a printed image on a substrate by applying an aftercoat.
Claims40
A method of printing to form a predetermined printed image on a substrate, comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining a first area on the substrate where a colorant is to be deposited to form said printed image;
- (b) determining a second area which is immediately adjacent to said first area;
- (c) depositing a precoat material over said first area and said second area, said precoat material having an exposed surface which is adapted for receiving said colorant and enhancing said printed image to form an image-enhancing precoat material;
- and
- (d) depositing said colorant on to said exposed surface of said image-enhancing precoat material so as to be over said first area and to thereby create said printed image, whereby a border of precoat material is defined about said printed image on said substrate.
A system for printing a predetermined printed image on a substrate, comprising:
- first determining means for determining a first area on the substrate where a colorant is to be deposited to create said printed image;
- second determining means for determining a second area which is immediately adjacent to said first area;
- means for depositing a precoat material over said first area and said second area, said precoat material having an exposed surface which is adapted for receiving said colorant;
- and
- means for depositing said colorant on to said exposed surface of said precoat material so as to be over said first area to thereby create an enhanced image, whereby a border of precoat material is defined about said printed image on said substrate.
A system as recited in claim 201, wherein said second determining means is constructed and arranged to consider said first area and to determine said second area as a function of said first area.
A method of operating a thermal transfer printing apparatus comprising a plurality of heating elements adapted to be juxtaposed to a carrier comprising a colorant and an image-enhancing coating for printing on a substrate, the method comprising the following steps:
- (a) determining a first set of heating elements corresponding to a position of said colorant to be applied to said substrate;
- (b) determining a second set of heating elements immediately adjacent to said first set;
- (c) energizing said first set and said second set of heating elements to deposit an image-enhancing coating on said substrate;
- and
- (d) energizing said first set of heating elements to deposit a colorant on said image-enhancing coating without energizing said second set of heating elements.
An apparatus for printing on a substrate, comprising:
- means for determining a first set of heating elements corresponding to a position where a colorant is intended to be applied to a substrate;
- means for determining a second set of heating elements which are immediately adjacent to said first set of heating elements;
- means for energizing said first set and said second set of heating elements to deposit an image-enhancing coating on said substrate;
- and
- means for energizing said first set of heating elements to deposit a colorant on the image-enhancing coating without energizing said second set of heating elements.
A system for printing an image on a substrate, comprising:
- a plurality of print head elements;
- means for supporting a substrate relative to said print head elements;
- a multilayered precoat application ribbon positioned between said substrate and said print head elements, said multilayered ribbon comprising a backing layer, a separation layer adjacent to said backing layer which is formulated to separate from said backing layer when heated, and an adhesive layer which is formulated to adhere to said substrate;
- and
- means for controlling said printhead elements, said controlling means being constructed and arranged to:
- (a) determine pixels in a first area on the substrate where a colorant is to be deposited;
- (b) determine a second area which is immediately adjacent to said first area;
- and (c) selectively activate said print head elements to apply a precoat material from said multilayered ribbon to both said first area and said second area, whereby a border of precoat material will be defined about a printed image on said substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.