Abstract: A microfluidic pen for selectivly writing lines of different colors, includes a colorant mixing chamber and a writing tip in communication with the colorant mixing chamber; a plurality of colorant reservoirs disposed in the pen and which contain different colorants; microkinetic pump selectively effective to deliver colorant in selected amounts from the colorant reservoirs to the colorant mixing chamber wherein the colorants are mixed to provide a colorant of the desired color. The color is selected by a user and actuates the microkinetic pump to cause the desired amount of colorants to be delivered to the colorant mixing chamber where the writing tip can write a line of the desired line colors.

Abstract: Apparatus having an array of print heads for transmitting energy to a colorant donor element to cause colorant to transfer to produce color filter array patterns in an image-receiving layer of a color filter array includes a structure for locating the colorant donor element and the image-receiving layer a precise sublimation gap G from the image-receiving layer surface; and for maintaining this sublimation gap G to compensate for dimensional variations in the image-receiving layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for color printing on a moveable receiver includes a re-inkable belt including an ink transfer layer where an ink can be transferred; a structure for causing the moveable receiver to move into proximate contact with the re-inkable belt at a nip position for transferring ink imagewise to the moveable receiver; and an interface capillary spaced from the re-inkable belt and for receiving ink and including pumping structure operating on the ink in the interface capillary for forming a meniscus in such space which engages the re-inkable belt so that ink will be diffused into the ink transfer surface. The apparatus further forms a meniscus when the re-inkable belt passes by the interface capillary to cause ink to diffuse into the ink transfer layer when the ink transfer layer is saturated with ink.

Abstract: A mechanical flexure with two legs in a symmetrical structure that provides straight line motion when a force is applied to one leg end, along an axis through both leg ends. Such a force translates leg ends solely along said axis in a straight line, without deviation in an orthogonal axis. Components attached to flexure leg ends will thus travel in a straight line in a single axis over a useful range. The flexure could also provide rotational translation over small angular ranges when used with appropriate hardware configurations. The flexure is capable of integral manufacture with other components and simultaneously provides alignment and translation functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording on magnetic media which comprises a magnetic wheel made from a magnetic material, that is essentially an isotropic material such as NdFeB (neodymium iron boron) material having an energy product on the order of 7.1 MGOe. The magnetic wheel is operatively connected to a drive motor by juxtapositioning a magnetization write head having a gap that produces the desired flux pattern in response to the electrical input to a coil within the head, encoded magnetic information is placed on the wheel. The magnetized wheel can than be used to record encoded data upon preselected media, such as metered paper for a thermal printer.

Abstract: A thermal printer has converging paths for dye-donor web and receiver medium. The paths abut before proceeding past the thermal head. A transport system moves the dye-donor web and the receiver medium (i) in a forward direction along their respective paths past a thermal head, whereat heat from the thermal head causes an area of the laminate material coating between leading and trailing edges to transfer from the dye-donor web to the receiver medium and (ii) in a reverse direction along their respective paths such that the area of the laminate material which is transferred to the receiver medium breaks cleanly at said trailing edge from a non-laminated area of the laminate material that remains on the aye-donor web as the web support separates from the receiver medium.

Abstract: A resistive thermal printer receives dye donor and dye receiver media between a printhead and a platen having an elastomeric surface. The platen and one of the media is wider than the printhead, and the other media is narrower than the printhead, whereby pressure between the printhead and the platen, with the media there between, tends to compress the platen in the region of the narrow medium. End portions of the platen beyond the narrow medium are relieved so as to not be compressed by pressure between the printhead and the platen.

Abstract: A thermal printer, which is adapted to transfer an image from a donor web to a sheet of receiver medium, includes a thermal print head and a platen that together define a print nip. There are respective paths for the donor web and the sheet, and the paths converge in a forward direction, to a position at which they abut, before proceeding past the nip defined by the thermal head and the platen. A transport system moves the donor web and the sheet in the forward direction along their respective paths to the nip, whereat heat from the thermal head causes an image to be transferred from the donor web to the sheet between leading and trailing edges of the sheet. The transport system also moves the sheet in a reverse direction along its respective path. A loading guide surface directs the leading edge of the sheet between the loading guide surface and the platen, toward the nip during an initial loading stage.

Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed in which a receiver is driven back and forth relative to a printing head by a driving roller. The receiver is driven at a nip formed between the driving roller and a pinch roller. The pinch roller is adapted to contact only the receiver during the movement of the receiver. The receiver is thereby permitted to move at the surface speed of the driving roller with reduced shear forces being introduced by the pinch roller. Consequently, a pinch roller with a high length to diameter ratio is usable and images can be produced on wide receivers with narrow image-free borders. The images are produced with precise registration and image artifacts are reduced.

Abstract: A continuous tone thermal printing apparatus of the type having a printing station and a receiver drive station. The drive station repeatedly advances receiver back and forth through the printing station in conjunction with the advance of successive thermal transfer donor dye colors on a carrier web through the printing station to successively print the overlying different color image separations. The drive station preferably comprises a motor driven capstan roller mounted to bear against one surface of the receiver and a pinch roller mounted to bear and exert pressure against the other surface of the receiver and to press the receiver against the capstan roller and define a nip therebetween.

Abstract: A stylus writing member is formed as part of a camera housing to avoid detracting from the camera's appearance. The writing member is coupled to a stylus by a universal joint which permits both rotational and pivotal movement of the writing member relative to the stylus.