Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit that faces an image holding unit and is configured to come into contact with and separate from the image holding unit with a continuous form paper continuous in a transport direction interposed between the transfer unit and the image holding unit and to transfer an image held by the image holding unit onto the continuous form paper; a displacement unit that displaces the continuous form paper to a position closer to the image holding unit when the transfer unit separates from the image holding unit; and a contact portion that contacts the continuous form paper from a downstream side in a displacement direction before the continuous form paper displaced by the displacement unit contacts the image holding unit.

Abstract: An integrated cartridge is provided, which includes a printing medium receiving groove in which a printing medium is loaded; a feeding mounting hole and a take-up bobbin mounting hole are formed; a feeding bobbin mounted in the feeding bobbin mounting hole; a take-up bobbin mounted in the take-up bobbin mounting hole; and a first opening disposed between the feeding bobbin and the take-up bobbin configured to draw out the printing medium.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a storage to store a plurality of density adjustment parameters that are each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of first-page calibration patterns and a plurality of second-page calibration patterns, a density adjustment processing part to adjust data on a color gradation value of a first-page superimposing portion and data on a gradation value of a second-page superimposing portion using their respective associated density adjustment parameters, and a printing part to make a print on recording paper to form a plurality of printed calibration patterns that include a printed superimposing portion where the first-page superimposing portion and the second-page superimposing portion are superimposed on each other based on data on color densities adjusted by the density adjustment processing part. A color density of the printed superimposing portion printed on the recording paper varies for each of the printed calibration patterns.

Abstract: A method for forming an image and a protective layer on a transfer receiving material, by thermal transfer, including supplying a thermal transfer sheet between a thermal head of a thermal printer and a platen roller, wherein the thermal transfer sheet includes color material layers and a transferable protective layer arranged in a face serial manner, and wherein the thermal head includes heat generating portions arranged substantially in parallel with each other; thermally transferring the color material layers to form an image on the transfer receiving material; thermally transferring the transferable protective layer to form a protective layer on the transfer receiving material; and shifting the relative positions of the thermal head and the transfer receiving material with respect to each other, in a direction substantially in parallel with a main scanning direction, after transferring the color material layers at least once.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing retransfer printing on substrates such as plastic card-shaped substrates. Printing is first performed in at least first and second separate transfer areas on the retransfer film. The retransfer film is then advanced to a retransfer station where the printed transfer areas are transferred to the substrate in a sequence that differs from the sequence in which the printed transfer areas were printed.

Abstract: Examples described herein include examples methods for generating varnish knockouts that include applying a fixer material to a surface of a print medium, selectively applying a print material over the fixer material to form an image, and applying an overcoat material to form a durable coating on areas over the image and a nondurable coating over other areas of the surface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating travel sheds which show the area reachable in a given amount of time by different modes of transport. A travel shed may consist of a series of polygons or other geometric shapes showing areas which are reachable from a given address or location within a specified travel time by utilizing a specified mode of transport (e.g. driving, biking, walking, public transportation, etc.). Techniques are disclosed for enabling the rapid calculations of travel times. In one embodiment, the rapid generation of travel times and associated travel sheds may be enabled by performing a number of pre-processing steps (e.g. downsampling, progressive road type removal, etc.) on road graph data. The pre-processing steps reduce the size of the road graph while still preserving enough of the road graph to generate accurate travel sheds. One example use of travel sheds is to enable searching for points of interest (e.g. homes, apartments, hotels, restaurants, schools, parks, etc.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge may include a supply roll; a winding roll; and a power transmission mechanism to transmit power from a drive source to the supply roll and the winding roll. A direction in which an ink ribbon is wound by the winding roll is a ribbon winding direction and a direction in which the ink ribbon is wound by the supply roll is a ribbon rewinding direction. The power transmission mechanism may include a winding side one-way clutch to transmit a driving force in the ribbon winding direction to the winding roll and cut off transmission of the driving force in the ribbon rewinding direction to the winding roll; and a supply side one-way clutch to transmit the driving force in the ribbon rewinding direction to the supply roll and cuts off transmission of the driving force in the ribbon winding direction to the supply roll.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method for printing on a non-porous media includes pre-coating a smooth non-porous media with toner resin particles in a half-tone pattern to create a patterned toner coated media; applying inkjet ink to said half-tone patterned toner coated media to provide an image on said half-tone patterned toner coated media; wherein a tone value of the half-tone pattern is a pre-determined function of an image-wise lay-down of the inkjet image generated by a data processing system; and fusing said image on said toner coated media.

Abstract: A printing system includes a controller and a ribbon reading device. The controller is configured to control operations of the printing system according to operational parameters. The operational parameters used to control printing of ink from a thermal print ribbon onto one or more target objects by a thermal print head. The ribbon reading device is configured to examine the thermal print ribbon as the thermal print ribbon moves in the printing system. The ribbon reading device examines the thermal print ribbon to determine if the thermal print ribbon is associated with a set of designated operational parameters for the printing system. The controller is configured to use the set of designated operational parameters to control the operations of the printing system when the thermal print ribbon is associated with the set of designated operational parameters.

Abstract: A thermal printer of the present invention includes: a thermal head; a platen roller disposed to face the thermal head; a first path that guides a recording paper drawn from a recording paper roll to one entrance of a gap between the thermal head and the platen roller such that a first main surface of the recording paper is on the thermal head side; a second path that guides the recording paper drawn from the recording paper roll to the other entrance of the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller such that a second main surface of the recording paper is on the thermal head side; and a switch guide that switches between the first path and the second path.

Abstract: A printer apparatus includes a printing medium supply unit that supplies a printing medium. An ink ribbon supply unit supplies an ink ribbon. A platen roller conveys the printing medium. A thermal head is arranged at a position opposite to the platen roller with the printing medium and the ink ribbon therebetween. The thermal head carries out printing by transferring the ink of the ink ribbon to the printing medium. A head pressing mechanism changes a distance or a pressure force between the thermal head and the platen roller. After the printing is ended, a control section controls the head pressing mechanism to raise the thermal head, the printing medium conveyance unit to convey the printing medium to a cutting position, and the head pressing mechanism to lower the thermal head immediately after the printing medium is cut.

Abstract: A reverse transfer printer and method for printing information onto histological specimen containers such as slides and cassettes. One embodiment of the method includes printing an ink specimen information image onto a transfer medium, and transferring the transfer medium with the specimen information image onto a print zone of the specimen container, with the transfer medium covering the ink.

Abstract: A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising a supply roll of receiver media, a printing path, a reversing path, a pivotable diverter and a cutter positioned between the diverter and the reversing path. When the diverter is in a first position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll, when the diverter is in a second position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll into the reversing path, and when the diverter is in the third position the receiver media is directed from the reversing path into the printing path. During a printing operation, the diverter is sequentially repositioned to feed the receiver media into the printing path where a first side image is printed, into the reversing path where it is cut, and into the printing path again where a second side image is printed.

Abstract: A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising a supply roll of receiver media, a printing path, a turning mechanism, a diverter and a cutter positioned between the printing path and the turning mechanism. When the diverter is in the first position thermal imaging receiver is directed from the supply roll into the printing path, and when the diverter is in the second position the thermal imaging receiver is directed from the printing path into the turning mechanism. During a printing operation, the diverter is positioned in the first position and the receiver media is fed into the printing path where a first side image is printed. The diverter is then repositioned the receiver media is fed into the turning mechanism after being cut. The receiver media is fed back into the printing path where a second side image is printed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises a print head drive mechanism that is configured to reciprocally move a print head parallel to movement of a carrier ribbon past the print head. A controller is configured to control the print head drive mechanism to move the print head in a first direction along the carrier ribbon to transfer ink material from the carrier ribbon to a substrate to print a first portion of an image on a first area of the substrate. The controller is also configured to control movement of the print head in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the carrier ribbon and substrate are also moved in the second direction to position the print head relative to the carrier ribbon so that a second portion of the image is printed on a second are of the substrate adjacent to the first area of the substrate.

Abstract: A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising a supply roll of receiver media, a printing path, a reversing path, a pivotable diverter and a cutter positioned between the supply roll and the reversing path. When the diverter is in a first position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll, when the diverter is in a second position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll into the reversing path, and when the diverter is in the third position the receiver media is directed from the reversing path into the printing path. During a printing operation, the diverter is sequentially repositioned to feed the receiver media into the printing path where a first side image is printed, into the reversing path where it is cut, and into the printing path again where a second side image is printed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for printing a substrate (7) in a printing machine, in which ink is transferred from a flexible carrier (3) to the substrate (7) in accordance with a predefined pattern by energy being introduced into the ink through the flexible carrier (3) by a device for the introduction of energy, some of the ink evaporating in the area of action of the energy and, as a result, a drop of ink (67) being thrown onto the substrate (7) to be printed, this step being repeated at least once, ink being transferred at least partly to the substrate (7) at the same positions in order to intensify the pattern produced. The substrate is transported through the printing machine (1) during the printing and, after the transfer of ink in step (a), the device for the introduction of energy is controlled in such a way that, during the repetition in step (b), the ink is transferred at the same position again as in step (a). The invention further relates to a printing machine for implementing the method.

Abstract: A marking head of a marking device comprises: at least one marking pin; a heater that heats the marking pin; a support base that supports a first marking tape and a second marking tape in such a manner that the first marking tape and the second marking tape line up in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the marketing pin; a driving device that is capable of moving the support base to a first position at which the first marking tape faces the marking pin, and a second position at which the second marking tape faces the marking pin; and extrusion devices that extrude the marking pin out toward the marking tape facing the marking pin in order to press the marking tape facing the marking pin against a tire and print on the tire.

Abstract: A method of forming a digital print on a surface (2) by applying powder of dry ink (15) including colourants (7) on the surface, bonding a part of the dry ink (15) powder to the surface (2) by a digital heating print head (80) such that the digital print is formed by the bonded dry ink colourants (7) and removing non-bonded dry ink (15) from the surface (2).

Abstract: A printing device for printing a stereograph is disclosed in the present invention. The printing device includes an actuating unit, a ribbon, a thermal print head and a controller. The actuating unit conveys a print medium. The ribbon includes a plurality of dye regions and at least a protecting layer. The thermal print head can transfer the dye regions and the protecting layer onto the print medium, and further manufacture a lenticular lens structure on a surface of the protecting layer in a heat working manner. The controller is coupled to the actuating unit and the thermal print head. The controller drives the actuating unit to convey the print medium according to a target image datum, further controls the thermal print head to respectively transfer the dye regions and the protecting layer onto the print medium, and simultaneously manufactures the lenticular lens structure on the protecting layer.

Abstract: A thermal-transfer laminate film includes a base film, an untransferring release layer, and an image protection layer. The untransferring release layer is provided on the base film and includes a first thermoplastic resin having a first I/O value. The image protection layer is provided on the untransferring release layer and includes a second thermoplastic resin having a second I/O value, an absolute value of a difference between the first I/O value and the second I/O value being larger than 0.40.

Abstract: A thermal sublimation printer system for precisely cutting a print medium includes a feeding mechanism, a thermal print head, a sensor, a cutting mechanism and a control unit. The paper feeding mechanism is used for moving the print medium, and the thermal print head is used for transferring at least one dye region of a ribbon onto the print medium so as to form an image region on the print medium, correspondingly. The sensor is used for sensing a recognition mark on the print medium, and the cutting mechanism is used for cutting the print medium. The control unit is used for controlling the cutting mechanism to cut the print medium when the sensor senses the recognition mark.

Abstract: A thermal printer is proposed that includes an ink ribbon on which a color ink portion and a non-color ink portion are alternately formed in a conveyance direction, a supply bobbin on which the ink ribbon is wound, a take-up bobbin on which the ink ribbon is to be wound, and a housing that contains the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin. When an error occurs during transferring of an ink on the color ink surface, the ink ribbon is conveyed so that a portion of the ink ribbon exposed from the ink cassette between the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin is the non-color ink portion.

Abstract: Restriction information on a total colorant amount for a medium is obtained. Patches at grid points in a color space corresponding to a plurality of colorants at which the total colorant amount falls within a restriction represented by the restriction information, and a patch at a point surrounded by the patches are generated. Color values are obtained by measuring the colors of the patches printed on the medium. It is determined based on a color prediction value between the grid points whether the measured color values are appropriate, and if so, a color value at a grid point at which the total colorant amount exceeds the restriction is estimated based on the measured color values. A color separation table is created based on the measured color values and the estimated value.

Abstract: The color printing control device outputs color material reduction processed data generated by applying a color material reduction process to each pixel of bitmaps converted to color material colors to be used in printing, when it is judged that the color material reduction printing mode is specified. The color material reduction process includes chroma conversion that reduces chroma and under-color removal/black generation that replaces at least a portion of achromatic components generated by overlaying of a plurality of color materials.

Abstract: A thermal transfer dyesheet comprising a substrate bearing a region of a thermally transferable dye, the region including a first printable portion within the region having a first optical density, a second printable portion within the region having a second optical density, the difference in optical density between the first and second optical densities being detectable by a detection means on a dyesheet printer, and a third printable portion within the region having an optical density substantially the same as that of the first printable portion is provided, together with a method for manufacture of the dyesheet and an associated printer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing method for forming a screen on photographic paper without providing a margin between the screen and a screen adjacent thereto. Photographic paper is unwound from a roll and then a screen having an image is formed on the paper, by transferring yellow, magenta, and cyan colorants onto the paper using a first heating means, without providing a margin between the screen and an adjacent screen. The paper is then cut at a rear edge of the screen so as to manufacture an individual photographic paper on which the screen has been formed, which is then conveyed to a second heating means. A screen protective layer is then formed on an overall surface of the screen formed on the individual photographic paper, by thermally transferring the screen protective film onto the overall surface of the screen formed on the individual photographic paper by the second heating means.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing or enhancing color images. Embodiments are disclosed for creating an enhanced color image, including the enhancement of perceived color uniformity. In a “dot-on-dot” registration scheme for producing color images, the dots need to be precisely superimposed on each other to provide optimum or enhanced images. The dot-on-dot registration produced by a single head thermal printer is generally acceptable, but a single head machine is very slow because multiple passes (reciprocation) are required to lay down multiple colors of dots. In a much faster multi-head or tandem thermal imaging system a serious problem of dot misalignment may cause moire patterns or other visual artifacts in the color images produced by dot patterns. A solution to this problem is disclosed herein which intentionally misregisters superimposed dots in a novel and particular manner to achieve image optimization.

Abstract: Selectively printing full and fractional sized images with a donor ribbon. A first print order and indicia are printed while the donor ribbon is advanced through the printer. Printing is performed using donor material on a first fraction of the patch set when the print order requests a fractional sized image, or on a full patch when the print order requests a full sized image. When a second print order requests a fractional sized image, a determination is made whether the second fraction of the patch set is available for printing. An image based upon the second print order is printed using donor material from the second fraction of the patch set when it is available, or the donor ribbon is advanced to the next patch set when it is determined that the second fraction of the patch set is not available.

Abstract: A printer has a path for a sheet. A donor web is disposed on one side of the path; a platen roller is disposed on the other side of the path and supports the sheet during printing. An edge sensor is located in path at a known distance from the nip of the print head and the platen. Edge sensor senses the lead edge of the sheet and then the control circuit drives the lead edge to a distance D from the heat line of the print head. The head lowers, is selectively energized and the platen moves to carry the donor web and sheet past the head and provide a borderless printed image on the sheet.

Abstract: A laser marking apparatus and method for marking the surface of a semiconductor chip are described herein. A laser beam is directed to a location on the surface of the chip where a laser-reactive marking material, such as a pigment containing epoxy, is present. The heat associated with the laser beam causes the laser-reactive marking material to fuse to the surface of the chip, creating a visibly distinct mark in contrast to the rest of the surface of the chip. Only reactive material contacted by the laser fuses to the chip surface and the remaining residue on the non-irradiated portion can be readily removed.

Abstract: A printer comprises a feed roller to which driving force is transmitted from a motor via a reducer. While the feed roller moves a recording paper, an image is recorded by a line print head one line by one line. The feed roller is provided with a rotary encoder. A controller counts encoder pulses (measured EP) of the rotary encoder to measure an actual feed amount of the recording paper. Whenever five lines are recorded, the measured EP is compared with predetermined reference encoder pulses to detect a feed error of the recording paper. In case that slipping or the like occurs on the reducer, delay in feeding the recording paper is caused. A printing cycle of the next five lines is adjusted so as to eliminate the feed error. In this way, a printing length of one frame is adjusted to a target printing length.

Abstract: Methods and control systems are provided for operating a thermal printer adapted to print images by heating and transferring donor material from donor patch sets from onto a receiver medium, the printer being operable to print images in a manner that exhausts a full donor patch set or a fractional donor patch set during printing. The control system comprises a controller for identifying one of the donor patch sets on the web as a fractional donor patch set having sufficient donor material remaining to print an image. The controller is further adapted to determine that the fractional donor patch set is not to be used for printing when the identified fractional donor patch set has been used to print an image wherein at least a minimum area of at least one donor patch has been heated to a level above a threshold level.

Abstract: A printer includes a conveyance mechanism capable of conveying a long recording medium in a first direction from a supply unit storing therein the recording medium, toward an image recording unit capable of recording a color image on the recording medium, and in a second direction reverse to the first direction, with opposing the recording medium to the image recording unit. The conveyance mechanism is controlled to convey the recording medium in the first direction until a leading edge of the recording medium reaches a position distant in the first direction from the image recording unit, and then convey the recording medium in the second direction. The image recording unit is controlled to record frames of color images on the recording medium being conveyed in the second direction by the conveyance mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing digital multi-colour images for the reproduction thereof on a colour printing and/or copying system. Image dots of marking particles of the respective colours associated with the respective colour separation images are positioned contiguous to each other as long as the print area corresponding to the image part to be reproduced is not fully covered so as to create a first layer of marking particles. If the area is fully covered and the image is not yet completely rendered, a second and any following layer of contiguously positioned marking particles is formed on top of the first layer of image dots. The halftoning of the digital image is such that within the same layer all images dots, irrespective of their colour, are obtained using a raster of the same matrix structure, while image dots associated with different layers are obtained using rasters of different matrix structures.

Abstract: A thermal dye transfer printer reduces print time by printing sequential color section from a donor web onto a receiver sheet while the donor web and receiver sheet travel in forward or reverse directions relative to a printer head. A first colored image is formed on the receiver by printing as the donor web and the receiver sheet transit the printer head in a first direction. The donor web is indexed to bring the trailing edge of a second color section in registration with the trailing edge of the first colored printed image on the receiver web portion. Then the image receiver web transits the printer head in the opposite direction and the second color is printed on the receiver sheet in combination with the receiver sheet. The steps are repeated for all color patches.

Abstract: A system and process is disclosed for duplicating or replicating remote control units for automobile locks and other common purposes. The system comprises a device that reads the remote control signal codes in an existing keyfob device, analyzes the code for type, stores the code, then transfers the code into a replacement remote control device. The process for testing, reading, analyzing, storing and transferring the control codes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of printing information on each article of a set of articles arranged in generally parallel lanes at a printing station, the method including continuously moving a printing apparatus relative to the lanes to bring the printing apparatus into registry with each article of the set in turn, and at each registry position, whilst continuing to move the printing apparatus, moving a print head of the apparatus relative to the respective article to a printing position in which the print head is capable of printing information on the article, continuing to move the printing apparatus relative to the article whilst effecting printing with the print head, and when the information is printed, whilst continuing to move the printing apparatus, moving the print head out of the printing position.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a plurality of printed and activated time dependent labels. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a web having a plurality of inked substrates thereon. Each substrate has a migrating ink pattern printed on a surface of the substrate. A transfer printer is provided that has a first ribbon means for applying a timing layer through which the migrating ink bleeds after a predetermined period of time. A second ribbon means is provided for printing variable data. The web of inked substrates is continuously fed through the printer, each inked substrate passing sequentially under the first ribbon means and then the second ribbon means. The first ribbon means is activated to apply the timing layer to a portion of the printed surface of each inked substrate thereunder to produce a coated substrate.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing or enhancing color images. Embodiments are disclosed for creating an enhanced color image, including the enhancement of perceived color uniformity. In a “dot-on-dot” registration scheme for producing color images, the dots need to be precisely superimposed on each other to provide optimum or enhanced images. The dot-on-dot registration produced by a single head thermal printer is generally acceptable, but a single head machine is very slow because multiple passes (reciprocation) are required to lay down multiple colors of dots. In a much faster multi-head or tandem thermal imaging system a serious problem of dot misalignment may cause moire patterns or other visual artifacts in the color images produced by dot patterns. A solution to this problem is disclosed herein which intentionally misregisters superimposed dots in a novel and particular manner to achieve image optimization.

Abstract: When densities of C, M and Y colors for automatic density adjustment are measured, test patterns of R, G and B colors are printed on TA paper, and a fixing lamp throws lights that have bright line spectrums of R, G and B colors onto the test patterns and amounts of reflected lights of the test patterns of R, G and B colors are measured with a light-receiving sensor that is an HP sensor for determining a reference position of the TA paper. Then, the densities of C, M and Y colors are calculated according to the amounts of the reflected lights. The color production of the C, M and Y layers of the TA paper is adjusted so that the calculated densities of C, M and Y colors are target densities.

Abstract: A transfer sheet separated from a support member is held and its recording position is detected, and the separated transfer sheet is returned and superposed on the recording surface of a support member which is then delivered in. Based on the result of the detection of the recording position, the returning position of the transfer sheet is changed or image data to be recorded are changed, thereby carrying out a recording operation over the support member by using an unrecorded section present between the recorded stripes of the transfer sheet. For example, the transfer sheet is returned to almost the same position as that set before the separation and the recording position is shifted at an arrangement pitch of a stripe corresponding to 1 to 1.5 pitches to carry out the recording operation. Thus, the recording operation is performed over the support member by using an unrecorded section.

Abstract: A method includes distributing grayscales of dye blocks in each of a plurality of color blocks to be printed as an image on a medium according to grayscales of the image to be printed on the medium and a predetermined printing rule, transferring the dyes of the dye blocks in the plurality of color blocks to the medium to generate the image according to the distribution, and transferring dyes of an overcoating block in the last color block of the plurality of color blocks to the medium.

Abstract: A method of forming authenticated secure images on image areas on labels including the steps of storing in memory a number of different selectable label size and shapes; selecting an appropriate label size and shape from the memory for a particular image; moving a colorant donor element having a plurality of transferable colorants into transferable relationship with a receiver, the colorant donor element includes a representation of the particular image and marks which authenticate the particular image having colorant over such representation and marks; transferring colorants onto the receiver in accordance with the representation of the particular image and marks in the colorant donor element and the size of the selected label to form authenticated images in the receiver; and cutting the images on the receiver into the selected shape to form a plurality of labels each having an authenticated image.

Abstract: It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an image recording method and image recording apparatus for performing high-density recording without degrading the resolution. A desired image is recorded on a recording medium by exposing the image on the recording medium while moving the recording medium in the main scan direction where a toner layer of a transfer sheet is overlaid on an image reception layer of an image reception sheet as well as moving a plurality of laser beam spots arranged on the recording medium in the sub-scan direction orthogonal to the main scan direction. In this practice, a recording process on the transfer sheet is repeated a plurality of times to record a same image repeatedly with transfer sheets replaced after the transfer sheet has been exposed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording device which records a full color image through a single recording operation with a remarkably improved recording efficiency and less power consumption. The recording device uses, as a recording medium, a heat-sensitive recording medium which colors when heated, and has a control unit to control electric energy supplied to heating elements in a line thermal head according to image data in a way to bring its level into: a white range in which the recording medium does not turn black and thermal transfer inks of an ink ribbon are not transferred; a color range in which the recording medium does not turn black and the thermal transfer inks are transferred; or a black range in which the recording medium turns black.

Abstract: In a dye transfer printer, a donor web having successive dye transfer areas that are used for printing and opposite longitudinal edge areas alongside each one of the dye transfer areas that are not used for printing are wrapped under longitudinal tension about a cylindrical spool core. The dye transfer areas that are wrapped under tension about the spool core are stretched thinner than the two edge areas that are wrapped under tension about the spool core due to their being heated during printing. The spool core is depressible inward at respective portions on which the two edge areas are wrapped under tension and is not depressible at an intermediate portion between the depressible portions on which the thinner transfer areas are wrapped under tension. As a result, a convolution build-up of the edge areas on the spool core will be no more than a convolution build-up of the thinner transfer areas on the spool core.

Abstract: A printer and method of generating hard copy comprising only one ejection step from either a thermal printing mechanism using one print head or a thermal printing mechanism using first and second thermal printing heads. The thermal printing mechanism with one printing head operates bilaterally. Alternatively, the thermal printing mechanism simultaneously operates dual thermal printing heads with only one ejection for release of a thermally sensitive hard copy output media.

Abstract: In a dye transfer printer, a donor web having successive dye transfer areas that are used for printing and opposite longitudinal edge areas alongside each one of the dye transfer areas that are not used for printing are wrapped under longitudinal tension about a cylindrical spool core. The dye transfer areas that are wrapped under tension about the spool core are stretched thinner than the two edge areas that are wrapped under tension about the spool core due to their being heated during printing. The spool core is depressible inward at respective portions on which the two edge areas are wrapped under tension and is not depressible at an intermediate portion between the depressible portions on which the thinner transfer areas are wrapped under tension. As a result, a convolution build-up of the edge areas on the spool core will be no more than a convolution build-up of the thinner transfer areas on the spool core.