Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for removing donor sheets from substrates. A take-up roller contacts the donor element at or near an edge thereof and a peel roller contacts the donor element at a location spaced apart from the edge. A securing mechanism secures the edge of the donor element to the take-up roller which is then moved away from the substrate. While maintaining the peel roller in contact with the donor element, the take-up roller is rotated to take up the donor element while the peel roller and take-up roller are both simultaneously moved in a direction tangential to the substrate. In this manner, the donor element is peeled from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A compliant roller assembly comprising an elastomeric tube for rolling along a surface, which tube is inherently compliant to irregularities in the surface. Within the tube but smaller than the inner diameter thereof is a core apparatus comprising a non-rotating mounting element supportive of a plurality of idle rollers, extending from the mounting element in the direction of tube travel, the idle rollers making contact with the inner wall of the tube, preferably at a line orthogonal to the contact line of the tube with the surface being rolled. In a preferred embodiment, the core apparatus exerts no force vector toward the surface being rolled, the weight of the elastomeric tube itself exerting sufficient force.

Abstract: A compliant roller assembly comprising an elastomeric tube for rolling along a surface, which tube is inherently compliant to irregularities in the surface. Within the tube but smaller than the inner diameter thereof is a core apparatus comprising a non-rotating mounting element supportive of a plurality of idle rollers, extending from the mounting element in the direction of tube travel, the idle rollers making contact with the inner wall of the tube, preferably at a line orthogonal to the contact line of the tube with the surface being rolled. In a preferred embodiment, the core apparatus exerts no force vector toward the surface being rolled, the weight of the elastomeric tube itself exerting sufficient force.

Abstract: In a method of using a donor element in a radiation-induced thermal transfer process, an assemblage is provided that includes a donor element and a receiver element, wherein the donor element has a support layer and a transfer layer having one side adjacent the support layer and the other side adjacent the receiver element. After image-wise exposing the assemblage to radiation whereby a portion of the transfer layer is transferred to the receiver element, relative movement between the support layer and the receiver element is provided before separating the donor element from the receiver element. Advantages include improved edge straightness, image width predictability, improved thermal mass transfer, and improved color filters.