Abstract: The fusing device using a heat accumulated heating medium and the fusing process using the same is disclosed. The fusing device comprises a heating member having relatively low heat capacity, a heat accumulating system for temporarily accumulating heat energy at the heating member, a nip arrangement for nipping the toner image between the heating member and the copy sheet with an appropriate pressure contact so that the nip arrangement primarily transfers the heat energy from the heating member to the toner image and subsequently cools the toner image, a cooling system for cooling the toner image between the heating member and the copy sheet and a detaching system for detaching the copy sheet from the heating member. The thermal efficiency of the fusing device and process speed for the fusing operation is improved. The fusing condition for both of black color toner image and full color toner image is finely adjustable in this fusing device.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer capable of providing an image with high recording quality without dullness even in the event of recording on paper using an ink ribon of heat-melt ink or heat-sublimation ink comprises a platen 2, a carriage 4, and a thermal head 7. The thermal transfer printer records a desired image on paper by transferring the heat-melt ink or heat-sublimation ink on an ink ribbon 17 onto the paper, and subsequently smoothes the image recorded on the paper by pressing the thermal head 7 against the surface of the recorded image with the heat-resistant film 27 introduced between the surface of the thermal head 7 and the recorded image.

Abstract: A fixer device for a color thermal printer has at least a yellow fixing ultraviolet lamp and an inverter. The inverter controls ray emitting intensity of the yellow fixing lamp in accordance with a lamp control value after a thermal recording image is effected to a thermosensitive recording sheet. The yellow fixing lamp applies ultraviolet rays to the recording sheet for fixation. The fixer device includes an irradiance sensor which measures irradiance of the yellow fixing lamp. Difference data is calculated as a difference between target irradiance data and data of the measured irradiance from the irradiance sensor. An irradiance difference multiplier multiplies the irradiance difference data by a gain value, to determine a correcting value. An integrator adds the correcting value to the lamp control value to correct the lamp control value, the inverter controlling the ray emitting intensity of the yellow fixing lamp in accordance with the corrected lamp control value.

Abstract: A UV-fixable thermal recording apparatus uses UV-fixable color thermal recording paper, uniformity of light intensity distribution, high efficiency and miniaturization of a fixing lamp to prevent degradation of the print quality this apparatus has at least one fixing lamp, and a row of heating resistors in the form of a plurality of heating resistors arranged parallel to the direction of paper delivery. The width in the direction of paper delivery of an area of the paper exposed by the fixing lamp is made larger than the length of the row of heating. resistors. The fixing lamp and the row of heating resistors are so arranged that the position of an (end on the upstream side in the forward direction of paper delivery) of the exposed area of the fixing lamp is on the downstream side of the position of an end (on the upstream side in this direction) of the row of heating resistors.

Abstract: A color thermal printer for printing a full-color image in frame-sequential fashion to a color thermosensitive recording sheet (12) including yellow, magenta and cyan coloring layers (26-28). A fixing station is disposed next to a thermal head (18). One of first and second fixing devices (30, 31) is alternatively set in a fixing station. While recording a yellow frame on the recording sheet transported in a forward direction to the fixing station, the first fixing device (30) is set in the fixing station to project ultraviolet rays for fixing the yellow coloring layer (28) onto the recording sheet. While the recording sheet temporarily stops with its end nipped between a pair of transport rollers, a shutter plate (70) is inserted between the recording sheet and the first fixing device still projecting the ultraviolet rays, at the same speed as the transport speed of the recording sheet to uniformly and sufficiently fix as much area of the recording sheet as possible.

Abstract: An optical fixing device of a color thermal printer is used for fixing one of three color developing thermosensitive layers of a color thermosensitive recording medium. A pair of lamps are disposed side by side in a reflector of the optical fixing device, for projecting electromagnetic rays of a specific wavelength range toward the color thermosensitive recording medium. A plurality of apertures are formed through the reflector to provide a light path from each of the lamps to a single photosensor, wherein distances from the lamps to the photosensor are different from each other, and incident angles of the respective light paths onto the photosensor are determined such that the photosensor may receive an equal amount of electromagnetic rays from each of the lamps under the same conditions.

Abstract: A color thermal printer has a thermal head (18) for printing a full-color image in frame-sequential fashion to a color thermosensitive recording sheet (12), which includes at least yellow, magenta and cyan thermosensitive coloring layers (26-28) for developing yellow, magenta and cyan colors. Two transport rollers (22) nip and transport the recording sheet (12) while a thermal head (18) records to the recording sheet (12). At least one first fixing lamp (30, 70, 76) generates ultraviolet rays associated with the yellow coloring layer (28). At least one second fixing lamp (31, 71, 77) generates ultraviolet rays associated with the magenta coloring layer (27). The recording sheet (12) is fixed in a fixing station by the first and second fixing lamps (30, 31; 70, 71; 76, 77), which are supported by a fixer support device (35, 72, 74) in fashion selectively settable in the fixing station.

Abstract: Information is recorded on a heat-sensitive recording material including a photo-thermo conversion agent which converts supplied light energy into heat energy, a developing agent and a color forming agent which is encapsuled in micro-capsules whose permeability to materials increases with increase in said heat energy and forms a color by reaction with the developing agent. The photo-thermo conversion agent is localized in and/or on the micro-capsules. The heat-sensitive recording material is heated by supplying the heat-sensitive recording material with heat energy less than energy necessary to cause the heat-sensitive recording material to form a color. A light beam modulated according to the information to be recorded is caused to scan the recording material.

Abstract: A thermal dye transfer printing process for making transparent prints, which comprises bringing a dye-bearing donor ribbon (17) in contact with a dye-receiving polymer print sheet (15) at a print zone, supporting both materials on a backing support (14) in said zone and contacting the donor ribbon with a print head (18) for image-wise heating the ribbon and cause dye transfer to the print sheet, wherein the rear side of the print sheet is uniformly heated on a drum (30) after removal of the sheet from the backing support, thereby to reduce curling of the sheet caused by the image-wise heating of its front side.

Abstract: A cooling article includes a plate positioned adjacent the exit of a thermal processor. The plate has a surface for receiving a sheet of thermally-processed material such that the sheet of thermally-processed material moves along the surface. A first region of the surface of the plate adjacent the exit of the thermal processor includes a thermally insulative material, whereas a second region of the surface of the plate on a side of the first region opposite the exit of the thermal processor includes a thermally conductive material. The sheet of thermally-processed material contacts the thermally insulative material during movement in the first region, and contacts the thermally conductive material during movement in the second region. The thermally insulative material prevents excessive heating of the first region of the cooling plate by leading portions of the sheet of thermally-processed material.

Abstract: A thermal sublimation printer is disclosed. A pile of blank paper is inserted into a paper cassette 10, and a donor ribbon 21 coated with sublimation dyes is mounted on a supplying rotational axis 22 and a furl rotational axis 23 on bearings. The heating of a plurality of heating elements 4a, 4a, . . . , 4a of a thermal head 4, the movement of a platen roller 3, etc., are controlled by a control device as sublimation printing is carried out. The printed papers are then placed in the paper cassette 10, and exchanges the donor ribbon 21 for a fade preventive donor ribbon 27 coated with an over coating material. The over coating material is transferred on the printed paper by heat of the thermal head 4.

Abstract: A system and method for printing a predetermined image onto a substrate includes steps or structure for determining a first area on the substrate where a colorant is to be deposited; determining a second area which is immediately adjacent to the first area; depositing an image-enhancing precoat over the first area and the second area; and depositing a colorant on the exposed surface of the image-enhancing precoat substantially so as to be over the first area, whereby a border of precoat material will be defined about the printed image on the substrate. A second aspect of the disclosure involves sealing a printed image on a substrate by applying an aftercoat.

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 system and method for printing a predetermined image onto a substrate includes steps or structure for determining a first area on the substrate where a colorant is to be deposited; determining a second area which is immediately adjacent to the first area; depositing an image-enhancing precoat over the first area and the second area; and depositing a colorant on the exposed surface of the image-enhancing precoat substantially so as to be over the first area, whereby a border of precoat material will be defined about the printed image on the substrate. A second aspect of the disclosure involves sealing a printed image on a substrate by applying an aftercoat.

Abstract: A method of thermal transfer printing on a substrate includes the steps of determining, on a pixel by pixel basis, where colorant is to be located on the substrate; applying an image-enhancing precoat to each pixel where colorant is to be located, as well as to at least one immediately adjacent pixel; and depositing a colorant onto the precoated predetermined pixels. The precoating that is applied to the immediately adjacent pixels helps retain the precoating to the substrate, among other advantages. A second method, for printing on a rough substrate, includes steps of applying an image enhancing precoat so as to form bridges across valleys of said rough surface; and subsequently depositing a colorant onto the precoat. A third printing method includes the steps of applying a precoat to the substrate which has one or more voids defined therein; and depositing a colorant onto the precoat so as to bridge over the voids in the precoat. Related systems and printed products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal apparatus for fusing print dye onto print media in a hard copy machine is disclosed. A medium bearing a "wet" image, such as text or graphics in ink or toner, is fed by the machine into the apparatus. Sensing the presence of the medium, the heater element(s) of the apparatus are activated. As the medium is fed into the apparatus, the toner or ink is at least partially fixed to the medium prior to its leading edge reaching transport rollers of the apparatus which grab the medium in a nip to continue its path through and out of the apparatus. The heater element(s) are turned off when the trailing edge of the medium is sensed. The heater is a laminated device. Grooves are provided on the face of the heater proximate the medium path in order to improve heat transfer from the device to fix the image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal-transfer recording process employing a transfer material and a image-receiving sheet. The transfer material comprises a support film and an image forming layer containing a coloring material and an organic polymer, and the image-receiving sheet comprises a substrate and a photopolymerizable or photosensitive thermal-adhesive layer.

Abstract: A system and method for printing a predetermined image onto a substrate includes steps or structure for determining a first area on the substrate where a colorant is to be deposited; determining a second area which is immediately adjacent to the first area; depositing an image-enhancing precoat over the first area and the second area; and depositing a colorant on the exposed surface of the image-enhancing precoat substantially so as to be over the first area, whereby a border of precoat material will be defined about the printed image on the substrate. A second aspect of the disclosure involves sealing a printed image on a substrate by applying an aftercoat.

Abstract: A system using a printer with a fuser-heater has control means for turning off the fuser-heater during times when no printing is required, while leaving the rest of the printing system operable. Time between print requests is monitored, and the fuser-heater is turned off when a preset time is reached without a print request. A next request turns the fuser-heater back on again. Data is accepted at a reduced rate while a heater warms up.

Abstract: A recording sheet, to be printed in a color thermal printer, includes a support and thermosensitive coloring layers of yellow, magenta and cyan formed thereon, the three coloring layers arranged from an obverse toward a reverse of the recording sheet. The recording sheet is rotated to pass under a thermal head. The rotation subjects the three coloring layers sequentially to thermal recording. With a sensor, 1st irradiance of a yellow fixing lamp is measured, as well as 2nd irradiance of a magenta fixing lamp. A target irradiance is determined from the 1st irradiance. A duty factor of a drive signal is redetermined from the 1st irradiance and the target irradiance, to actuate the yellow fixing lamp at the target irradiance. A 1st speed is previously adapted to the yellow coloring layer. The yellow fixing lamp is maintained at the target irradiance. The recording sheet is rotated at the 1st speed, for the recording to the yellow coloring layer. A 2nd speed is determined from the 1st irradiance.

Abstract: A printing apparatus prevents forgery and alteration through lamination formed on a print surface of a medium in a simple structure, and improves the design effect. In the printing apparatus, a print pattern of one frame is stored in a memory component, on a film sheet F with a thermal transfer head, and a printing medium 37 is coated with the film sheet.

Abstract: During thermal recording and optical fixing of a sheet of thermosensitive recording paper, a leading end of the recording paper has been clamped by a clamp member for securing the recording paper to a platen drum. Thereafter, the clamp member is released, and the platen drum is rotated at a high speed to rapidly move the leading end to a bleaching position directly below the center of an ultraviolet lamp which is used for the optical fixing. The leading end is stopped in the bleaching position for a short time enough to bleach the leading end by the ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: A system and method for printing a predetermined image onto a substrate includes steps or structure for obtaining pixel data which renders a portion of the predetermined image and relates to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel; determining whether a colorant is specified for any of the predetermined area; and depositing an image-enhancing coating over the subject pixel on the substrate if the above determining step determines that a colorant is so specified, whereby a portion of the image-enhancing coating receiving area is successively determined "on-the-fly" using a minimal physical memory space without sacrificing the system performance. A second aspect of the disclosure involves an efficient method and structure for converting a pixel data relating to the deposition of the image-enhancing coating material format into a compact data format which is acceptable by a printer.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer is provided having a lamp cover member which is attached to an open end of an optical fixing device, for protecting a thermosensitive recording medium from contacting a lamp of the optical fixing device. The lamp cover member is formed with a plurality of openings for reducing the absorption of light into the lamp cover member. All edges of the openings are not parallel to the recording medium transporting direction.