Thermal transfer printing
AssigneeAkzo Nobel Coatings International B.V.
InventorsJeffrey Michael Howell, Peter Charles William Butcher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for thermal transfer printing of an image from a thermal retransfer sheet onto an article, includes heating means (40, 42, 44, 46) adapted to supply heated gas at a variable flow rate. Also disclosed is a method of printing an image, and the resulting printed article.
Claims12
An apparatus for thermal transfer printing of an image from a thermal retransfer sheet onto an article, wherein the apparatus includes a heater element and a variable speed fan adapted to supply heated gas at a variable flow rate.
A method of printing an image from a thermal retransfer sheet onto an article, comprising preheating the sheet by exposure to heated gas at a first, lower flow rate;
- causing the preheated sheet and article to come into contact;
- and heating the sheet further by exposure to heated gas at a second, higher flow rate to cause dye transfer from the sheet to the article, wherein the gas flow rate is controlled by varying the speed of a fan of heating means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.