US 6,145,976 A · Ink transfer printer

Abstract

An additive is dispersed in a matrix having a larger thermal expansion coefficient, which forms a film that prevents the permeation of the ink at the room temperature while allowing the permeation of the ink at high temperature. An ink roller is formed by covering a roller-like sponge body containing ink (an ink holder) with the film. Along the outer circumference of the ink roller, a thermal head that heats the surface of the ink roller according to a print pattern and a platen roller that sandwiches recording sheet between itself and the ink roller are disposed. Then, by rotating the ink roller and heating the thermal head, the ink permeates through the heated part of the film and is transferred to the recording sheet to form an ink image on the recording sheet.

Claims42

Dependent claims

An ink transfer printer comprising:

a thermal line head comprising a plurality of heating elements arranged in a predetermined direction;
a film with through-holes formed therein in predetermined positions, said film facing the thermal line head;
a pushing device for contacting a recording sheet to a surface of said film facing said thermal line head;
a space formed between said thermal line head and said film for holding the ink therein;
and
a feeding device for feeding said recording sheet,
wherein said heating elements on said thermal line head selectively heat said ink in said space and said film so that pressure in said ink is increased and the ink permeates through said through-holes in the film and is transferred to said recording sheet, said through-holes in said film being small enough to prevent transmission of said ink through said film when said ink and said film are unheated, and said through-holes in said film being widened at least by increased pressure in said ink to permit transmission of said ink through said film when said ink and said film are heated by said heating elements.

4 more elements

An ink transfer printer for printing on a recording sheet, said printer comprising:

at least three color transfer assemblies, each printing a color component pattern in a different color component ink, and arranged together to print a fill color printed pattern, each color transfer assembly comprising:
an ink tank that holds said color component ink, said color component ink being liquid at room temperature;
a spacer for forming a cavity extending in a lateral direction, said lateral direction being perpendicular to a direction of feeding of the recording sheet, said ink tank connected to said cavity to supply said color component ink to said cavity;
a film extending in said lateral direction and closing said cavity, said film having a first surface facing said cavity and a multiplicity of through-holes extending in said lateral direction;
a heating device within said cavity that selectively heats said film and said ink in a printing pattern according to printing information so that pressure in said color component ink is increased and said through-holes in said film allow said color component ink to permeate from said cavity through said film, forming a color component pattern in said color component ink on a second surface of said film, said through-holes in said film being small enough to prevent transmission of said ink through said film when said ink and said film are unheated and said through-holes in said film being widened at least by increased pressure in said ink to permit transmission of said ink through said film when said ink and said film are heated by said heating device;
and
a transfer device that transfers said color component pattern formed in said color component ink to the recording sheet.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ink transfer printer

Life of this patent

Ink transfer printer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42