Method and apparatus for replenishing marking material to a donor ribbon in a thermal marking printer system
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for applying an ink coating to depleted areas of a ribbon used in a thermal transfer operation, the apparatus comprising:
- an ink transfer ribbon connected between two feed rollers,means for advancing, during a print cycle, the ink-coated ribbon through a thermal printing station in a first direction, said ribbon being wound around a first feed roller acting as a take-up roller,an ink applicator positioned adjacent the ribbon path, said applicator out of contact with said ribbon during said print cycle,means for periodically reversing the direction of said ribbon during a non-print cycle so that the ribbon is rewound on said second roller,means for causing said ink applicator to come into contact with the ink-depleted ribbon surface during a time coincident with said reversed ribbon travel, whereby a uniform ink coating is applied to said surface, andmeans for reactuating said ribbon advancing means coincident with initiation of the next print cycle.
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Abstract
A thermal printing system is disclosed wherein an inked ribbon, wound between two rollers, is transported through a thermal printing zone where a selectively heated thermal head contacts the ribbon. Discrete ink segments on the ribbon are fluidized and transferred to a recording sheet in image configuration. Upon completion of a print cycle, an ink-replenishing mechanism is brought into contact with the inked surface and the ribbon is rewound onto a feed roll. At the completion of the ink replenishing step, the normal print operation is resumed.
12 Citations
1 Claim
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1. Apparatus for applying an ink coating to depleted areas of a ribbon used in a thermal transfer operation, the apparatus comprising:
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an ink transfer ribbon connected between two feed rollers, means for advancing, during a print cycle, the ink-coated ribbon through a thermal printing station in a first direction, said ribbon being wound around a first feed roller acting as a take-up roller, an ink applicator positioned adjacent the ribbon path, said applicator out of contact with said ribbon during said print cycle, means for periodically reversing the direction of said ribbon during a non-print cycle so that the ribbon is rewound on said second roller, means for causing said ink applicator to come into contact with the ink-depleted ribbon surface during a time coincident with said reversed ribbon travel, whereby a uniform ink coating is applied to said surface, and means for reactuating said ribbon advancing means coincident with initiation of the next print cycle.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeXerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
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Original AssigneeXerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
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InventorsBecker, Horace W.
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Primary Examiner(s)Griffin, Donald A.
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Application NumberUS06/375,772Time in Patent Office550 DaysField of Search346/76, 346/140, 346/75US Class Current347/217CPC Class CodesB41J 31/16 while fitted in the machine...
