Abstract: There is disclosed a video color printer having a thermal print head, a hue gradation controller, a moisture detector disposed between the thermal print head and the hue gradation controller for detecting the moisture existing inside the printer, and a fan motor, so that when the amount of the moisture detected exceeds a predetermined value, all of the heat radiation bodies of the thermal print head are heated, and the fan motor is driven so as to blow heated air thus to eliminate the moisture.

Abstract: A control method controls a sheet-driven type automatic drafting machine to allow for drying of an inking medium disposed on a drafting sheet. The automatic drafting machine is of a type which includes a platen upon which a drafting sheet is conveyed in a feed direction and a line-drafting head which is conveyed in a line direction perpendicular to the feed direction. The line-drafting head is adapted to accommodate at least one writing instrument from among a plurality of writing instruments located in a stocker.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, heaters are mounted to travel with an inkjet pen to expose print lines on sheets to localized heat substantially simultaneously with printing. After printing, sheets are ironed with a heated roller member to further dry ink and to prevent cockling.

Abstract: The water-fastness and smear resistance of prints from inks in which a reactive moiety is attached to a chromophore are improved if the prints are treated with a strong base solution. Preferably, the paper is first treated with the base solution and then printed with the ink.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by infiltrated ink into a recording sheet or by fixing ink through evaporation of an ink solvent includes an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink onto the recording sheet at a recording area of the apparatus where the recording head is opposed to the recording sheet. The apparatus also includes a heating member extending both upstream and downstream with respect to the recording area and a conveying direction of the recording sheet. The heating member contacts the recording sheet to assist in the fixation of the ink. The apparatus further includes a press plate, disposed upstream of the recording area with respect to a conveying route of the recording sheet, for pressing the recording sheet against the heating member. The press plate has a portion opposed to the heating member and a plurality of slits spaced apart from each in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording sheet.

Abstract: An ink composition and application method are described which enable the printing of high-resolution images on a variety of substrates (especially plastics.) The composition basically includes an ultra-violet curable adhesive in combination with a selected dye pigment and one or more solvents. The composition is preferably applied using a thermal ink jet delivery system. After application, the composition is exposed to ultra-violet light, resulting in the formation of a permanent image. The materials and methods of the invention are capable of producing a high-resolution image without causing damage to the substrates.

Abstract: A thermal development image forming apparatus includes an exposure section, an overlapping section, a developing/transfer section, a sheet separating section, and a correcting section. The exposure section forms a latent image by exposing a photosensitive sheet. The overlapping section overlaps the exposed photosensitive sheet on an image-receiving sheet. The developing/transfer section heats/presses the overlapped sheets so as to develop the latent image on the photosensitive sheet and transfer the developed image onto the image-receiving sheet. The sheet separating section separates the photosensitive sheet from the image-receiving sheet image upon image development/transfer. The correcting section for correcting skews of the sheets in a feed direction is arranged in a step prior to that of the sheet separating section.

Abstract: A method for fusing thermal transfer prints to avoid blister-type defects. The method includes in order, the steps of rapidly heating respective print image portions to a first temperature slightly below their respective components boiling temperature, maintaining respective print image portions at approximately the first temperature for a time period sufficient to allow significant evaporation from said print portions and, after such period, rapidly heating such significantly dried print portions to the desired fusing temperature, above the components boiling points.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a uniform heat flux dryer system and method of an ink jet printer, including a 180.degree. contoured paper transport path for transferring paper from an input paper supply tray to an output paper collection tray. During this transfer, the paper receives a uniform heat flux from an infrared bulb which is located at the axis of symmetry for the paper transport path, and reflectors are positioned on each side of the infrared bulb to maximize heat transmission from the bulb to the paper during the ink drying process. Advantageously, the input and output paper trays may be vertically aligned on one side of the printer to facilitate loading and unloading of the paper.

Abstract: An improved fusing device for a thermal transfer printer having a print system for producing a receiver sheet bearing a transferred dye image. The fusing device includes a fuser drum comprising a heat conducting rigid cylinder shell portion and three roller assemblies constructed to rotate on parallel axes respectively at different locations around the periphery of the drum so as to constrain the path of drum rotation. One roller assembly is coupled to a rotary drive, and one is mounted for displaceable movement toward and away from the drum and resiliently urged toward the drum.

Abstract: A data printer has the ability to print machine-readable information and, further instream, the ability to read and analyze such information. Results of that analysis are reporated back to a job control processor which, according to the analysis, monitors print quality, instructs the print engines to adjust print contrast, causes unacceptable pages to be invalidated, rejected and reprinted, and advises the operator regarding corrective actions to improve print quality or to reconcile print jobs.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for effecting the recording of an image on a recording medium has conveying member for conveying a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristic is varied by first energy and second energy differing from the first energy being imparted thereto, a recording section having first energy imparting member for imparting the first energy to the transfer recording medium and second energy imparting member for imparting the second energy to the transfer recording medium, the first and second energy imparting member being provided along the conveyance path of the transfer recording medium conveyed by the conveying member, a transfer section for transferring an image formed on the transfer recording medium in the recording section to the recording medium, and heater provided upstream of the recording section with respect to the direction of conveyance of the transfer recording medium for imparting heat energy to the transfer recording medium.

Abstract: A laser printer with a thermal fixing unit comprises: a pair of heat and pressure rolls for pressing a sheet with a developed toner image therebetween to fix the toner image on the sheet; a web immersable with an oil; an oil coater for supplying the oil to the web and pressing the web against the heat roll at at least one point to make the web contact with the heat roll so that the oil is applied from the oil coater onto the surface of the heat roll through the web to thereby prevent occurrence of offset of the toner image; and at least one pressing member provided separately from the oil coater for locally urging the web against the heat roll, the pressing member being located on at least one of before and behind the oil coater.

Abstract: A printer suitable for color printing which uses an ink jet printhead in which the marking fluid contains no dye so that a latent image of the desired print pattern is produced in the form of moistened spots directly on the print medium. The latent image is then developed by applying some colored powder to the print medium, and the developed image is then fixed to the print medium to produce a visible image of the desired print pattern.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus and method for preventing condensation from forming in a recording area having heaters for heating a recording head and a recording medium, a humidity detector for detecting the humidity in the recording area and a controller for controlling the temperature of the heaters in response to the humidity detected by the humidity detector. The controller decreases the temperature difference between the recording head and the recording medium by adjusting the heaters in order to lower the humidity in the recording area when it is higher than a predetermined value. If the humidity in the recording area is not controlled the quality of the recording will be impaired.

Abstract: An ink curing apparatus for use with an ink jet printer that discharges liquefied ink is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shell assembly disposed around the portion of the printer imaging assembly that includes the ink jets. The imaging assembly and the shell wall are shaped so that a first cavity is formed between the imaging assembly and the paper printed on, and a second cavity is formed between the paper and the shell wall. A pair of fans are arranged to draw air currents over both sides of the portion of the paper that is being printed on. The air currents cool the paper so the ink solidifies upon contact with the paper and does not soak through it. The air currents also insure that the ink solidifies at a uniform rate regardless where it is applied on the paper. This insures the final image on the paper has a uniform appearance.

Abstract: A method of printing on an ink receptive coating (12) which enhances the density of images printed on non-ink receptive substrates (10) by ink-jet techniques is provided. The substrates, such as transparent polyester films, are coated with a layer of an material to a thickness which promotes controlled latent lateral diffusion of the printed ink dots (14a-c). The lateral diffusion is microscopically observed to begin immediately after printing, eventually ceasing as the vehicle of the ink is sufficiently spread and evaporated by the lateral spreading. The optical density of the image increases as the ink diffuses, reaching a maximum density that is considerably greater than otherwise possible without such an ink-coating system and avoids the undesirable surface coalescence of drops (14) which causes a puddled appearance in films not employing latent spreading.

Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed in which ultrasonic energy is converted to heat a dye image in a receiver to cause such dye to fuse into such receiver.

Abstract: A method for inspecting whether a print pattern composed of a number of dots is acceptable, an apparatus for inspecting such a print pattern, and an automatic print sorting system are disclosed. A print pattern of an acceptable print sample and a print pattern printed on an article to be inspected are compared with respect to dot distribution, dot density, and other factors. The print patterns on all articles on a high-speed production line can be automatically inspected.

Abstract: In a thermal fixing device for use in a recording apparatus, an image on a recording medium is thermally fixed while passing through a nip between a pair of rollers. In order to prevent the recording medium from being wound around one of the rollers disposed to contact with the image formed surface of the recording medium, a diameter of that roller is made smaller than a diameter of the remainder, whereby a resilient force of the recording medium produced when the latter is curved along the surface of the smaller diameter roller overcomes an adhesion force that the image formed surface of the recording medium adheres to the smaller diameter roller.

Abstract: For a computer printer having a paper feeder designed to engage a continuous perforated paper having a series of prepunched holes on the left and right marginal strips, a vacuum attachment is disclosed for keeping clean the interior of the computer printer from dust, paper perforations, paper punch waste materials, or other debris produced during printing operations, comprising vacuum means, nozzle means operably connected to said vacuum means, and means for amounting the nozzle means adjacent the paper feeder of the computer printer.

Abstract: A method of making a color transparency with jetted color ink jet apparatus includes the steps of heating hot melt ink including an ink vehicle and a substantially translucent dye to a temperature above the melting point to attain the liquid state, ejecting small volumes of the hot melt ink from the ink jet apparatus toward a substantially transparent resinous support, cooling the small volumes of ink on the support so as to attain the solid state, and flattening the small volumes on the support to produce a substantially planar surface which minimizes refraction and scattering of light projected thereon or therethrough.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus in which an image optically formed on a photosensitive material is transferred as a visible image onto an image receiving material by pressurization, a back-up roller is employed to press a free nip roller against a fixed nip roller so that the pressure at the nip region of the two nip rollers is made uniform over the entire length thereof. The back-up roller has a width smaller than the width of the free nip roller against which it presses, and the back-up roller presses only against a central portion of the free nip roller.

Abstract: A thermal printer and label applicator includes a transport system for moving linerless thermosensitive paper from a stack or roll thereof to a printing station and a cutting station. Thermal print head at the printing station is provided to imprint a preselected heating pattern in the linerless thermosensitive paper in order to form desired visible images thereon. A cutter is provided to separate the linerless thermosensitive paper into individual labels, and a vacuum system transports the separated individual labels from the cutting station to an adhesive activation station and thereafter to a label ejection station. At the adhesive activation station, the adhesive is activated and thereafter a vacuum/blower system at the label ejection station causes airborne transport of the individual separated labels onto goods which have been placed in receiving position by a conveyor system. Operation of the thermal printer and label applicator is coordinated by a control system.

Abstract: Between an image forming unit and an automatic developing unit disposed adjacent to the unit, an intermediate chamber having an exhaust device is provided for transferring a photosensitive material from the image forming unit to the developing unit. Even when the vapors of chemical solutions accommodated in the developing unit for development treatment flow into the intermediate chamber through a clearance created in an outlet opening for delivering the material into the developing unit therethrough, the vapors are prevented from flowing into the image forming unit by being temporarily retained in the chamber and released to an exhaust channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a uniform heat flux dryer system and method for an ink jet printer, including a 180.degree. contoured paper transport path for transferring paper from an input paper supply tray to an output paper collection tray. During this transfer, the paper receives a uniform heat flux from an infrared bulb which is located at the axis of symmetry for the paper transport path, and reflectors are positioned on each side of the infrared bulb to maximize heat transmission from the bulb to the paper during the ink drying process. Advantageously, the input and output paper trays may be vertically aligned on one side of the printer to facilitate loading and unloading of the paper.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet printer (10) is provided. The printer provides both paper supply tray (12) and paper collection tray (18) in the front (14) of the printer for ease of paper handling and reduced footprint. The paper collection tray is provided with a pair of opposed output rails (22) which support a sheet of paper (16c) during printing to permit ink on a sheet of paper (16b) previously printed to dry.A paper handling mechanism is provided which eliminates a sheet pickup motor and associated elements. The paper handling mechanism is configured to pick off a sheet of paper from a stack of input paper, bring it around paper drive rollers (24) onto a platen (26), where the printing operation, employing a printhead cartridge (32) occurs.The resulting printer is easy to manufacture, has reduced complexity by eliminating components in the paper drive mechanism and is lower in cost.

Abstract: A thermal printer and label applicator includes a transport system for moving linerless thermosensitive paper from a stack or roll thereof to a printing station and a cutting station. Thermal print head at the printing station is provided to imprint a preselected heating pattern in the linerless thermosensitive paper in order to form desired visible images thereon. A cutter is provided to separate the linerless thermosensitive paper into individual labels, and a vacuum system transports the separated individual labels from the cutting station to an adhesive activation station and thereafter to a label ejection station. At the adhesive activation station, a heater is provided to activate a delayed action adhesive on the label and thereafter a vacuum/blower system at the label ejection station causes airborne transport of the individual separated labels onto goods which have been placed in receiving position by a conveyor system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encouraging driver's seat belt usage includes a system for detecting and recording each time a seat belt is used. Depending on the level of seat belt usage the driver earns discounts on car insurance premiums.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus forms an image on a thermal developing photosensitive material by light exposure, develops thermally the image on the photosensitive material and transfers the developed image to an image-receiving paper so as to be recorded thereon. An exposing drum has a through-hole for holding the thermal developing photosensitive material thereon by suction. An exposing head for exposing the thermal developing photosensitive material is disposed in opposing relation to the outer periphery of the exposing drum, together with transfer rollers for transferring the thermally developed image to the image-receiving paper. In addition, a heater for thermal development is incorporated in the exposing drum. Accordingly, it is possible to carry out exposing, thermal developing and transfer operations while keeping the thermal developing photosensitive material wound on the outer periphery of the exposing drum.

Abstract: An information storage device in combination with a radiation recording structure comprising a substrate, a recording layer, a thin electrically conductive over-layer on the outer surface of the recording structure and a neutralizing means for maintaining said over-layer at a neutral electrical potential.

Abstract: A recording method comprises recording an image on a material with a recording liquid, then laminating a transfer material carried onto a substrate on the recorded surface to have the transfer material pressure contacted thereon and thereafter separating the substrate so as to have the transfer material remain on the material carrying the recording.

Abstract: An image forming device is provided which comprises a means for supplying a recording medium for transfer, a means for recording on said recording medium, a means for supplying a transfer-receiving member, a means for pressure contacting to said recording medium with said transfer-receiving member. The recording medium for transfer has an ink receptive layer laminated on its substrate so that said receptive layer can be peeled off from said substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing dust, which developes in document handling machines, from accumulating in the orifices of associated ink jet printers and clogging them, includes disrupting the path of dust laden air to prevent it from flowing near the orifices where dust would be deposited. In a preferred embodiment, a counterflow of air from a fan is directed against the dust laden air to disrupt its flow and cause the dust to be carried away from the orifices.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively removing a recording means from a strip chart scale to avoid marking undesired data thereon.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus for printing addresses on documents being transported along an independently operated conveyor. The printing apparatus includes a control console, a printing arm telescopically received within the console, and an ink jet printing head mounted on a carriage which is vertically movable within the printing arm. A tachometer wheel is mounted on the printing carriage for contacting a document being transported past the printing head and generating a tachometer signal in response thereto. A programmed microprocessor generates printing control signals in synchronism with the tachometer signal.

Abstract: An automatic timekeeping and accounting unit is provided which has particular utility for use by professional persons such as lawyers, accountants, and the like. The unit of the invention keeps track of the person's working activities during the day, and it also serves to record the time and subject matter of interrupting telephone calls, if the user so desires, along with information relating to other work activities. The unit to be described also includes a simple switch which converts the unit into an electronic calculator for performing additions, divisions, subtractions, multiplications, and other calculations, similar to the commercially available solid state pocket calculators, without affecting its timing capabilities.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus for printing addresses on documents being transported along an independently operated conveyor. The printing apparatus includes a control console, a printing arm telescopically received within the console, and an ink jet printing head mounted on a carriage which is vertically movable within the printing arm. A tachometer wheel is mounted on the printing carriage for contacting a document being transported past the printing head and generating a tachometer signal in response thereto. A programmed microprocessor generates printing control signals in synchronism with the tachometer signal.