Hybrid imaging system capable of using ink jet and thermal dye transfer imaging technologies on a single image receiver
US5748204A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41M5/52
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hybrid imaging system is capable of using both ink jet technology and thermal dye transfer technology for producing images on a dye-receiving element of the type having a support and a polymeric dye image-receiving layer that contains an organic acid capable of reprotonating the deprotonated cationic dye from both ink jet ink and dye-donor ribbon. The imaging system includes a print path adapted to accept such a dye-receiving element, and a dye-receiving element transport mechanism adapted to advance a dye-receiving element along the print path. An ink jet imaging assemblage is located along the print path for selectively producing images on the dye-receiving element using ink jet inks having a dye dispersed in an aqueous ink, the dye being a deprotonated cationic dye which is capable of being reprotonated to a cationic dye having an N-H group which is part of a conjugated system. A thermal dye transfer imaging assemblage is located along the print path for selectively producing images on the dye-receiving element using thermal dye transfer technology and a dye-donor element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.