Multiple print head nonimpact printing apparatus
First Claim
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1. A printer comprising:
- a first multi-color elongate ribbon installed in the printer;
a second multi-color elongate ribbon installed in the printer;
the first and second elongate ribbons each bearing on a surface thereof two or more panels of transfer material adapted to transfer an image onto a substrate;
first and second print heads each disposed in cooperation with a corresponding one of the first and second ribbons, respectively, for selectively transferring an image onto the substrate;
means for applying a first application of energy from the first print head to the first ribbon transfer material according to a first predetermined set of operating parameters for transferring an image from the first ribbon to the substrate; and
means for applying a second application of energy from the second print head to the second ribbon transfer material according to a second predetermined set of operating parameters for transferring an image from the second ribbon to the substrate;
wherein the first ribbon transfer material comprises, in combination, an ink, means for releasing the ink, and means for adhering the ink to the substrate in a thermal transfer process; and
the second ribbon transfer material comprises a dye diffusion type of transfer material different from the first transfer material for transferring the image to the substrate using a sublimation transfer process so that two different types of ribbons are available on demand for printing in a single non-impact printer.
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Abstract
A non-impact type of printer includes multiple ribbons and multiple printer heads so as to allow use of different types of printing technologies without requiring a user to manually change ribbons. In one embodiment, one of the ribbons installed in the printer comprises ordinary thermal transfer material while another ribbon provides a dye-diffusion type of transfer material. Installation of these and other types of ribbons in a single printer provides reduced cost and is more convenient and flexible than changing ribbons or selecting separate printers as needed.
39 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A printer comprising:
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a first multi-color elongate ribbon installed in the printer; a second multi-color elongate ribbon installed in the printer; the first and second elongate ribbons each bearing on a surface thereof two or more panels of transfer material adapted to transfer an image onto a substrate; first and second print heads each disposed in cooperation with a corresponding one of the first and second ribbons, respectively, for selectively transferring an image onto the substrate; means for applying a first application of energy from the first print head to the first ribbon transfer material according to a first predetermined set of operating parameters for transferring an image from the first ribbon to the substrate; and means for applying a second application of energy from the second print head to the second ribbon transfer material according to a second predetermined set of operating parameters for transferring an image from the second ribbon to the substrate; wherein the first ribbon transfer material comprises, in combination, an ink, means for releasing the ink, and means for adhering the ink to the substrate in a thermal transfer process; and the second ribbon transfer material comprises a dye diffusion type of transfer material different from the first transfer material for transferring the image to the substrate using a sublimation transfer process so that two different types of ribbons are available on demand for printing in a single non-impact printer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification