Patent · US Expired

Thermal transfer color printer

US4250511A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
6References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 16, 1979
Grant dateFeb 10, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 16, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41M5/345
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A single pass multicolor thermal transfer printer for recording color images on plain paper by transferring spots of different colored materials from a carrier sheet as it and a sheet of paper are moved across a printhead in contiguous relation. The printhead includes a plurality of individual thermal elements that are selectively energized in timed relation to transfer colored materials from discrete areas of the carrier to the paper as the sheets pass over the printhead. The carrier includes separate, repeating patterns of four different color materials--three primary colors plus black--permitting the formation of multicolor images by energizing the appropriate elements as areas of the desired color materials are moved into registration with them.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.