Apparatus and method for thermal transfer printing
First Claim
1. A thermal transfer printer comprising:
- a band of material capable of holding hot melt ink thereon, wherein the band of material comprises a polyimide film, and wherein the band of material and a thickness of the band of material are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band of material;
a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate proximate to the band of material;
a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band of material to the substrate to print on the substrate;
a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink for the band; and
a control system configured to control the band to match a speed of the substrate, wherein the band of material comprises a composite of multiple layers including the polyimide film.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A thermal transfer printer comprising:
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a band of material capable of holding hot melt ink thereon, wherein the band of material comprises a polyimide film, and wherein the band of material and a thickness of the band of material are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band of material; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate proximate to the band of material; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band of material to the substrate to print on the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink for the band; and a control system configured to control the band to match a speed of the substrate, wherein the band of material comprises a composite of multiple layers including the polyimide film. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification