Printing ribbon security apparatus and method
US9079423B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J35/38
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method of securing and maintaining the integrity of desired information on a ribbon and media subsequent to a printing operation is provided. The apparatus and method includes a thermal transfer printer having a print station and a printhead operable for performing a printing operation. The printhead is capable of performing an initial print operation and then being raised from the media, thereby allowing the used ribbon to be rewound a predetermined distance about a supply spindle. Thereafter, a second print operation is performed on the space previously printed upon using characters, designs or block-out patterns and the used ribbon is then wound onto a take-up spindle. In exemplary embodiments, the used ribbon can also be reprinted with a waste media several times thus further obscuring the image on the used ribbon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.