Abstract: In an image recording apparatus using an image recording medium which generates a gas when irradiated with a light beam, the gas and the like are prevented from drifting into a space between the image recording medium and a drum, and thus contamination of the back surface of the image recording medium is prevented. The gas is effectively prevented from drifting to the back surface of a plate P by setting a relative positional relationship of an extending direction of each suction groove L, an attaching position of the plate P, and an air blowing direction so that unclosed regions, not closed by the plate P, of suction grooves L formed in a drum surface do not occur downstream in a gas moving direction.

Abstract: A laser patterning apparatus for handling a donor film and improving compression uniformity between the donor film and an acceptor substrate is provided. The laser patterning apparatus includes: a stage that supports an acceptor substrate; a shielding mask that is placed on the acceptor substrate to form a pattern and is attached to a donor film on one surface thereof; a laser gun that is disposed at an upper part of the stage to radiate laser light to a portion of the donor film through the pattern of the shielding mask; a pressing member that corresponds to a portion of the shielding mask; and an actuator that is connected to one side of the pressing member to press the pressing member.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus and print media recognition method therefor, wherein the apparatus comprises a first light-emitting element for emitting light to a print medium at a predetermined first incident angle, a second light-emitting element for emitting light to the print medium at a predetermined second incident angle, and a light-receiving element installed along an optical axis of total reflection light emitted from the first light-emitting element and reflected from a surface of the print medium. The apparatus further comprises a control unit for controlling the first and second light-emitting elements to alternately emit light for deciding a print medium material based on a reflection amount of light received by the light-receiving element and establishing print conditions adapted to the print media.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding flat plates of varying sizes, including a base section having a flat surface and including plurality of interconnected channels formed on the surface thereof; at least one port connecting to the channels; a vacuum source connected to the at least one port; and an intermediate plate covering substantially all of the channels and having a multiplicity of holes formed therethrough, the holes being arranged to be covered by a flat plate that is to be held to the flat surface.

Abstract: A gas is generated from a printing plate by exposure of the printing plate. A gas diffusing suction unit jets air from air jet ports to diffuse the gas generated from the printing plate by irradiation of laser light. The gas diffused by the air is sucked along with the air from a gas suction opening of the gas diffusing suction unit. At this time, a gas suction velocity is set to 1.2 or more times an air jet velocity to suck the gas/air efficiently. The gas/air may be sucked efficiently by setting a volume of suction to 30 or more times a volume of air jet.

Abstract: A plate fixed to a recording drum is irradiated with a laser beam emitted from an objective lens of a recording head, to generate gas. The recording head has a gas diffusion/suction unit forming an air stream in front of the objective lens. Further, a second suction unit elongated along the rotational axis of the recording drum is arranged between a transport unit supplying the plate to the recording drum and the recording head. Thus, it is possible to prevent the gas not only from contaminating the objective lens but also from diffusing in a housing following rotation of the recording drum. Consequently, an image recorder employing a photosensitive material generating gas in reaction to heat resulting from the laser beam emitted from the recording head can minimize contamination of the recording head, the transport unit etc. arranged in the housing of the apparatus with the gas.

Abstract: A system for laser printing indicia on a moving web has been disclosed, wherein said system includes an apparatus having one or more laser beam(s) as source(s) of laser energy, a jet of air, an extraction unit and a tunnel with an open entry side and an exit side, and wherein, in the laser marking method, the product flow in the tunnel is directed from the open entry side to the exit side of the tunnel; the jet of air, skimming on the laser-impinging surface, from the entrance of the tunnel in the moving direction of the web; and wherein extraction of the product flow is performed at the exit side of the tunnel.

Abstract: An image recording method includes the steps of attaching recording paper on an outer peripheral surface of a recording drum, attaching an image receiving sheet having an image receiving layer on the recording paper to transfer the image receiving layer thereon, attaching a toner sheet on the image recording sheet, and transferring toner of the toner sheet onto the image receiving layer in accordance with recording data.

Abstract: A gas is generated from a printing plate by exposure of the printing plate. A gas diffusing suction unit jets air from air jet ports to diffuse the gas generated from the printing plate by irradiation of laser light. The gas diffused by the air is sucked along with the air from a gas suction opening of the gas diffusing suction unit. At this time, a gas suction velocity is set to 1.2 or more times an air jet velocity to suck the gas/air efficiently. The gas/air may be sucked efficiently by setting a volume of suction to 30 or more times a volume of air jet.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus typically comprises a first housing provided with a feeding tray for containing recording mediums before recording by a recording section, a second housing provided with an outlet tray for storing the recording mediums carried from the first housing, and a coupling and carrying device for coupling the first housing and the second housing in such a manner as to be able to displace them relatively. This coupling and carrying device forms a flexible carrier path to guide each recording medium carried from the first housing to the second housing. With the structure thus arranged, this recording apparatus can achieve significant space saving when installed.

Abstract: An optical write element is adapted to be used in an image writing device to form a visual or latent image on a recording medium. The optical write element comprises a rectangular casing having an interior maintained in a high vacuum condition, at least one light-emitting dot array composed of multiple fluorescent light-emitting dots attached along the length of a substrate as part of the casing, at least one cathode placed above the light-emitting dot array, and a pair of shielding members placed over the outside of the light-emitting dot array.