Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in successive dye transfer areas of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during dye transfer from each dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.

Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in a dye transfer area of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.

Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in a dye transfer area of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.

Abstract: A method of thermal printing resulting in reduced or no wrinkling of the thermal printing ribbon during printing is described, wherein the ribbon includes inorganic particles in a polymeric host material in at least one layer of the ribbon. The ribbon has improved mechanical and thermal properties as compared to ribbons not incorporating the inorganic particles. The method can be used in high speed printing.

Abstract: A thermal printing ribbon that has reduced or no wrinkling during printing includes inorganic particles in a polymeric host material in at least one layer of the ribbon. The ribbon has improved mechanical and thermal properties as compared to ribbons not incorporating the inorganic particles. The ribbon can be used to form images on a dye-receiver element wherein the images have few or no artifacts caused by wrinkling of the thermal printing ribbon. The ribbon can be used in high speed printing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-forming device that comprises a roller that includes a plurality of micromembers. The micromembers are preferably hook or loop-like members made of a compliant material such as plastic or rubber. The micromembers on the roller essentially define a compliant surface, which is self-correcting for unintentional media thickness variations within a print area. The roller is rotational such that when the roller contacts the media the rotational or spinning force is converted to a compressional force, which is sufficient to rupture the microcapsules in the media.

Abstract: An element containing an array of microspheres on a support is described, and a method of making the element, wherein the method includes coating a support with a coating composition to form a receiving layer with a modifiable elastic modulus; coating on the receiving layer a dispersion of microspheres in a fluid suspension; modifying the modulus of the receiving layer to allow the microspheres to partially submerge into the receiving layer; removing the fluid suspension from the receiving layer; and fixing the microspheres in the receiving layer so that the element can withstand wet processing.

Abstract: A method for making an element containing an array of microspheres on a support, the method comprising the steps of: coating a support with a coating composition to form a receiving layer with a modifiable elastic modulus; coating on the receiving layer a dispersion of microspheres in a carrier fluid; modifying the modulus to allow the microspheres to partially submerge into the intermediate layer; removing the fluid medium from the suspension of microspheres; and fixing the microspheres on the receiving layer so that the element can withstand wet processing.

Abstract: A method for cutting a laminated web including the steps of engaging a first side of the laminated web with a crack initiator having a high rake angle, the crack initiator extending from a first cutter base having a low rake angle, the laminated web including at least a support web, and an upper layer that may, at least for imaging elements, be considered a protective layer, the upper layer being thinner than the support web, the upper layer being located at the first side of the laminated web structure; simultaneously engaging a second side of the laminated web with a second cutter, the second cutter being offset from the first cutter; generating a first crack in the first side of the laminated web with the crack initiator completely through the upper layer; engaging the web with the cutter base of the first cutter; and further propagating the first crack beyond the tip of the first crack initiator using the cutter base, whereby the tip of the first crack initiator is disengaged from the laminated web.

Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in successive dye transfer areas of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during dye transfer from each dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.

Abstract: A method for cutting a laminated web comprises the steps of engaging a first side of the laminated web with a crack initiator having a high rake angle, the crack initiator extending from a first cutter base having a low rake angle, the laminated web including at least a support web, and an upper layer that may, at least for imaging elements, be considered a protective layer, the upper layer being thinner than the support web, the upper layer being located at the first side of the laminated web structure; simultaneously engaging a second side of the laminated web with a second cutter; generating a first crack in the first side of the laminated web with the crack initiator completely through the upper layer; engaging the web with the cutter base of the first cutter; and further propagating the first crack using the cutter base while disengaging the crack initiator of the first cutter.