System and method for producing data bearing cards
First Claim
1. An apparatus for printing a graphic design on a hard plastic work piece, comprising:
- means for feeding the work piece along a straight linear work feed path;
particle removing means positioned alongside the linear work feed path for removing and collecting loose particles from at least one surface of the work piece;
means positionable adjacent the linear work feed path for printing a pattern on the work piece, said printing means comprising a thermal mass transfer type printer having a print head element positionable adjacent the linear work feed path and having a thermal print line thereon facing the work feed path, said thermal print line having a multiplicity of resistive heat generating elements therein, said printing means further comprising means for feeding a thermal printing foil between said thermal print line and the work feed path;
means for providing an accurate self-alignment of said print head element with respect to said linear work feed path so that said print head element is adapted to bear against the work piece at a constant pressure;
means for permitting said print head element to be quickly installed on said means for providing self-alignment; and
means for controlling said work piece feeding means and said printing means to print a predetermined design on the work piece.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for printing a graphic design on a hard plastic workpiece such as a credit card blank includes a thermal printing element which is supported by a head assembly that has been designed a single link, to have low mechanical compliance in a horizontal plane and yet to allow the print head to align with a print roller. A cleaning assembly is further provided which includes a pair of cleaning rollers having an adhesive coating; and a novel arrangement for stripping particulate matter away from the cleaning rollers after a predetermined number of cards have been cleaned. A number of stepper motors are provided to perform the cleaning and printing functions. The stepper motors are controlled by a local control system which monitors a number of sensors provided on the cleaning and printing stations and is subservient to an overall system controller. The invention further includes a novel method of operation, a cassette for use with the printing station and a novel thermal printing foil.
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Citations
83 Claims
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1. An apparatus for printing a graphic design on a hard plastic work piece, comprising:
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means for feeding the work piece along a straight linear work feed path; particle removing means positioned alongside the linear work feed path for removing and collecting loose particles from at least one surface of the work piece; means positionable adjacent the linear work feed path for printing a pattern on the work piece, said printing means comprising a thermal mass transfer type printer having a print head element positionable adjacent the linear work feed path and having a thermal print line thereon facing the work feed path, said thermal print line having a multiplicity of resistive heat generating elements therein, said printing means further comprising means for feeding a thermal printing foil between said thermal print line and the work feed path; means for providing an accurate self-alignment of said print head element with respect to said linear work feed path so that said print head element is adapted to bear against the work piece at a constant pressure; means for permitting said print head element to be quickly installed on said means for providing self-alignment; and means for controlling said work piece feeding means and said printing means to print a predetermined design on the work piece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 59)
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44. A method of printing a graphic design on a hard plastic work piece, comprising, in order:
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(a) installing a print head in a resistance type thermal printer so that a print head element in the printer is adapted to be precisely aligned with respect to a straight linear work feed path; (b) feeding the work piece along the work feed path; (c) removing and collecting loose particles from at least one surface of the work piece as the work piece moves along the work feed path; (d) precisely aligning a printing surface of the print head element with the surface of the work piece which is to be printed upon; (e) controlling the printer to print on the desired work piece surface while continuing to feed the work piece past the printer; and (f) moving the work piece away from the printer. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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60. An apparatus for printing a graphic design on a hard plastic work piece, comprising:
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means for feeding the work piece along a straight, linear work feed path, said feeding means comprising a first pair of print feed rollers;
a second pair of printer feed rollers aligned with said first pair of rollers along the work feed path and means for driving said first and second pairs of rollers;means positionable and adjacent the work feed path for printing a pattern on the work piece, said printing means including a print head element; means for providing an accurate self-alignment of said print head element with respect to said linear work feed path so that said print head element is adapted to bear against the work piece at a constant pressure; means for permitting said print head element to be quickly installed on said means for providing self-alignment; and means for controlling said feeding means and said printing means to print a predetermined design on the work piece, wherein said feeding means further comprises means for biasing said printer feed rollers of each of said printer feed roller pairs toward each other, respectively.
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61. An apparatus for printing a graphic design on a hard plastic work piece, comprising:
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means for feeding the work piece along a work feed path; means positionable adjacent the work feed path for printing a pattern on the work piece; means for precisely aligning said printing means with respect to said feeding means so that said printing means is adapted to bear against the work piece at a constant pressure, said aligning means comprising a support block;
a pivot plate;
means adapted for pivotally mounting said pivot plate to a frame of the apparatus;
means for pivotally connecting said support block and pivot plate; and
means for securing said print head element to said support block, said securing means comprising a rigid backing block, means for fastening said backing block to said support block, means for fastening said backing block to said print head element, and means on said blocking block for prestressing said print head element so that said thermal print line is as flat as possible; andmeans for controlling said feeding means and said printing means to print a predetermined design on the work piece. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. An apparatus for precisely aligning a printing head with respect to a work feed path in a machine for printing a design on a hard plastic work piece, comprising:
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a support block; a pivot plate; means for pivotally mounting said pivot plate to a frame of the machine; means for pivotally connecting said support block to said pivot plate; means adapted for securing a printing head to said support block said securing means comprising means for fastening said backing block to said support block, means for fastening said backing block to the print head element and means on said backing block for pre-stressing said print head element so that said print head element is as flat as possible;
whereby the print head element is precisely aligned. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
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Specification