Abstract: A thermal transfer printer and a composite consumable thereof and a method for supplying such composite consumable to the thermal transfer printer are disclosed. The consumable supplying device is installed with a composite consumable which is made by winding a thermal transfer ribbon and a printing media together around a common core with the ink side of the thermal transfer ribbon facing the surface of the printing media. Accordingly, just one consumable supplying device rather than two different consumable supplying devices as in existing thermal transfer printers should be arranged to provide the thermal transfer ribbon and the printing media to the thermal transfer printer at the same time. In such a way, the internal space of the thermal transfer printer can be effectively saved, which significantly reduces the volume of the thermal transfer printer.

Abstract: A method providing for the replacement of the traditional back coat of thermal transfer ribbons or dye sublimation ribbons uses a plasma treatment to chemically modify the print head side surface of a PET substrate of the ribbons. The chemically modified surface of the PET substrate provides the necessary heat resistance and coefficient of friction to allow the thermal print head to function properly without burn-through of the PET carrier film and without sticking to the thermal print head. Accordingly, plasma treated thermal transfer ribbons or dye sublimation ribbons can be made without a back coat.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing medium that contains a thermal transfer layer which contains a first taggant and colorant, wherein: the first taggant comprises a fluorescent compound with an excitation wavelength selected from the group consisting of wavelengths of less than 400 nanometers, wavelengths of greater than 700 nanometers. When the thermal transfer layer is printed onto a white polyester substrate with a gloss of at least about 84, a surface smoothness Rz value of 1.2, and a reflective color represented by a chromaticity (a) of 1.91 and (b) of ?6.79 and a lightness (L) of 95.63, when expressed by the CIE Lab color coordinate system, and when such printing utilizes a printing speed of 2.5 centimeters per second and a printing energy of 3.2 joules per square centimeter, a printed substrate with certain properties is produced.

Abstract: The lettering tape produced by the print cassette is composed of an application tape and an adhesive tape. The adhesive tape has a release sheet with which an adhesive layer is coated. A printing surface of the application tape to which the ink is thermally transferred and the adhesive layer are overlapped to be stuck to each other to compose the lettering tape retransferring the ink.

Abstract: An object of the disclosure is to provide a print cassette for producing a print tape comprising a structure which can avoid a bad effect on a feeding performance of a film tape in the print cassette and handling of a print tape when stuck to an adherend even when an adopted to-be-printed medium is a thin-film. A print tape 5 produced in a print cassette is composed of a first tape 11 and a second tape 13. In the first tape 11, a first base material 31 and a to-be-printed medium 33 are stacked via a first adhesive layer 32. In the second tape 13, a second adhesive layer 51 is stacked to a second base material 52. Then, a printing surface 11A of the first tape 11 on which ink 41 is put and the second adhesive layer 51 are overlapped with each other, so that the second tape 13 adhered to the first tape 11 to compose the print tape 5.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal printing assembly comprised of a first flexible section and a second flexible section joined to such first flexible section. The first section of such assembly is a thermally sensitive media that contains either a thermal transfer ribbon or a direct thermal sensitive substrate (such as thermal paper); the thermally sensitive media is adapted to change its concentration of ink upon the application of heat. The second section of such assembly is a flexible support with two sides, at least one of which has a smoothness of less than 50 Sheffield Units and contains particles with a Knoop hardness of less than about 800.

Abstract: A thermal printing assembly comprised of a first flexible section and a second flexible section joined to such first flexible section. The first section of such assembly is a thermally sensitive media that contains either a thermal transfer ribbon, a dye sublimation ribbon, or a direct thermal sensitive substrate (such as thermal paper); the thermally sensitive media is adapted to change its concentration of ink upon the application of heat. The second section of such assembly is a flexible support with two sides, at least one of which has a smoothness of less than 50 Sheffield Units and contains particles with a Knoop hardness of less than about 800 and the other side has an adhesive coating designed to remove dirt and debris from surfaces it contacts during use.

Abstract: A thermal printing assembly comprised of a first flexible section and a second flexible section joined to such first flexible section. The first section of such assembly is a thermally sensitive media that contains either a thermal transfer ribbon or a direct thermal sensitive substrate (such as thermal paper); the thermally sensitive media is adapted to change its concentration of ink upon the application of heat. The second section of such assembly is a flexible support with two sides, at least one of which has a smoothness of less than 50 Sheffield Units and contains particles with a Knoop hardness of less than about 800.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible substrate and, disposed above the substrate, a frosting ink layer. The frosting ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 0.25 to about 15 grams per square meter and it contains from about 15 to about 94.5 weight percent of a solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, from about 5 to about 75 weight percent of a film-forming glass flux, and at least about 0.1 weight percent of opacifying agent.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible substrate and, disposed above the substrate, a frosting ink layer. The frosting ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 0.25 to about 15 grams per square meter and it contains from about 15 to about 94.5 weight percent of a solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, from about 5 to about 75 weight percent of a film-forming glass flux, and at least about 0.1 weight percent of opacifying agent.

Abstract: An inked ribbon containing a tape-like carrier deposited with a fluorescent composition that contains a fluorescent substance containing at least one of Nd and Yb as an optical active element and, other than this optical active element, at least one oxide of one of Mo and W and an alkaline earth metal, which fluorescent substance is dispersed and retained in an organic binder, wherein the organic binder is a mixture of wax and resin, and wherein the fluorescent substance has an average particle size of not more than 1 micron.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible substrate and, disposed above the substrate, a frosting ink layer. The frosting ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter and it contains from about 15 to about 94.5 weight percent of a solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder, from about 5 to about 75 weight percent of a film-forming glass flux, and at least about 0.5 weight percent of opacifying agent.

Abstract: A tape cassette is set in a cassette accommodating section of a tape printer. A magnetically affixable printing tape is fed out from a holding reel along with an ink ribbon having a non-magnetic ink layer formed thereon across a cut in the tape cassette and conveyed through between a thermal head and a platen roller while being pressed by those elements. The printing tape comprises a printing layer and a magnetic layer pasted to the printing layer. The magnetic layer is magnetized such that S and N poles are alternately arranged longitudinally of the tape to thereby prevent turns of the tape roll from shifting widthwise. The magnetic layer has a coated fluorine layer formed thereon or has wrinkles formed thereon to thereby prevent blocking from occurring on a printing face of the tape due to its winding. Thus, the printing tape is conveyed in a correct attitude to enable a high quality image to be printed thereon.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a multi-layer ink ribbon having a long printing life and a substantial freedom from causing unevenness of prints and a process for manufacturing the above ink ribbon. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of webs each constructed by using multifilament yarns for both warp and weft are superposed and fuse-cut to the width of a ribbon. At least one of the webs is compressed by hot pressing in advance and assembled with at least one web either not hot-pressed or hot-pressed to a degree of compression different from the first-mentioned hot-pressed web. The resulting assembly is fuse-cut under pressure to the width of a ribbon and the ribbon thus obtained is inked.

Abstract: The present invention proves a transfer type image protecting film having a base film, an ultraviolet absorbing layer formed on a surface of the base film, and a surface adhesive layer formed on the ultraviolet absorbing layer and containing no ultraviolet absorber. This image protecting film is capable of effectively protecting an image from ultraviolet rays. The present invention also provides a method of producing the same image protecting film.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a seamless ink ribbon which makes it possible to markedly prolong the printing life, even with rather rough-faced printing paper such as paper made in China as well as a method of manufacturing the same.The seamless ink ribbon of the invention comprises a statically hot-pressed seamless woven fabric with multifilament yarn as warp and as weft. This ribbon is manufactured by subjecting a seamless woven fabric obtained by double weaving using multifilament yarn as warp and as weft to static hot pressing, without applying any shearing force, to thereby reduce the thickness of the fabric by 15 to 50% as compared with the thickness before pressing. The seamless fabric is fuse-cut to the ribbon width either before or after hot pressing.

Abstract: An end tape for connecting a thermal recording material such as an ink ribbon or a heat-sensitive paper to a tape spool is formed of a material having a glass transition point (Tg) of 90.degree. C. or higher. Even if the end tape is continuously heated at its same position by a thermal head, the end tape is not melted.

Abstract: A heat transfer recording device which performs recording by heating a heat transfer medium to transfer the ink possessed by the heat transfer medium onto an image-receiving medium, thereby effecting recording on the image-receiving medium. The device having: a platen; a recording head having a plurality of heat-generating elements capable of heat generating; and a pressing member for pressing the recording head against the platen under a pressing force of 800 gf/cm to 3500 gf/cm.

Abstract: An exchangeable tape unit having a tape spool and a printing tape wound over the tape spool. The printing tape can be prevented from being exposed to light, and the exchangeable tape unit being capable of maintaining stabilized quality for long duration without color change and quality change in a heat sensitive coloring layer formed in the printing tape, and being capable of facilitating storage. The heat sensitive coloring layer constituting the printing tape is positioned radially inwardly when winding the tape over a tape spool. Film sheets are affixed to upper and lower faces of a resultant tape roll of the printing tape.

Abstract: A multicolor ink ribbon for use with a dot impact printer includes at least three layers. The layers include an ink layer composed of at least one colored ink ribbon having a first surface which forms a printing surface of the multicolor ink ribbon, an intermediate barrier layer having a first surface which covers a second surface of the ink layer, for preventing ink penetration from the ink layer therethrough, and a protective layer having a first surface which covers a second surface of the intermediate barrier layer and having a second surface which forms a printing head surface of the multicolor ribbon. The intermediate barrier layer prevents ink penetration from the ink layer into the protective layer, and the protective layer protects the intermediate barrier layer from physical deterioration due to impact from a printing head during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a base fabric for an ink ribbon having excellent durability of the welded part of an ink ribbon used an impact printer.Practically, it is characterized by a constitution wherein at least one yarn of the warp and the weft constituting the base fabric is constituted of a core/sheath-type composite yarn wherein the core is a polyamide polymer and the sheath is a polyamide polymer with a melting point being lower than that of said polyamide polymer.

Abstract: An ink ribbon for a printer, particularly an impact type printer such as a wire dot printer or daisy wheel printer, as well as a black ink to be used for an ink ribbon for a printer.

Abstract: Thermal transfer recording is improved by a recording method involving providing a thermal transfer material having a support and an ink layer disposed thereon and which in turn includes a binder and a colorant. The binder includes 45-70 wt. % of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, 25-50 wt. % of a wax, and 7-12 wt. % of a tackifier based on a total weight of the binder. The ink layer has a breakdown strength of 30-80 kg/cm.sup.2 at 25.degree. C. The method also involves contacting an ink layer side of the thermal transfer material with a recording medium, supplying a pattern of energy from a recording head to the thermal transfer material, and separating the thermal transfer material from the recording medium to leave a transferred image on the recording medium.

Abstract: A thermal image transfer recording method consisting of the steps of bringing a line thermal head into contact with a multiple-use thermal image transfer recording medium with Young's modulus of 1,200 kg/mm.sup.2 or more in both the lengthwise and crosswise directions, which comprises a support and an ink layer formed thereon, with the back side of the support of the recording medium being directed to the thermal head, and applying thermal energy from the line thermal head to at least the same portion of the recording medium, thereby causing an ink component contained in the ink layer at least from the same portion of the recording medium to transfer to an image-receiving medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming images which comprises (a) incorporating into a thermal transfer printing apparatus a multi-use thermal transfer element comprising a substrate upon which is situated a porous sponge layer filled with ink; (b) applying heat imagewise to a portion of the substrate to heat the ink contained in the porous sponge layer, thereby enabling transfer of the ink in imagewise fashion from the porous sponge layer to a receiver sheet in contact with the porous sponge layer; (c) thereafter separating the receiver sheet of step (b) from the transfer element, (d) subsequently contacting the porous layer situated on the portion of the substrate heated in step (b) with a receiver sheet; and (e) thereafter applying heat imagewise to the portion of the substrate previously heated in step (b) to heat the ink contained in the porous sponge layer, thereby enabling transfer of the ink in imagewise fashion from the porous sponge layer to the receiver sheet of step (d).

Abstract: An ink ribbon for a printer, particularly an impact type printer such as a wire dot printer or daisy wheel printer, as well as a black ink to be used for an ink ribbon for a printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer printer ribbon cartridge for a printer having multiple print heads positioned at preset spaced distances on a reciporcating print head carriage. The printer ribbon cartridge (50) has a cartridge housing (52) for mounting on the print head carriage. A print ribbon (54) is mounted in the cartridge housing (52) and has an exposed print section which extends in front of the multiple print heads (102a, 102b, 102c). Multiple ribbon guides (62a, 62b, 62c) are slidably coupled on the exposed print section of the print ribbon (54) and, when coupled to the print heads, the ribbon guides guide the print ribbon over the printing face of the print heads.

Abstract: The color transfer density of a thermocarbon ribbon can be improved by forming the wax phase of a melt color layer of such a ribbon so that it contains a paraffin with a hardening temperature of about 50 to 110.degree. C. and at least one ethylene-vinylacetate wax forming a eutectic with a paraffin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat transfer process and a heat transfer ink sheet, where a letter or image or both is recorded by selectively heating a heat transfer ink sheet having ink layer regions each containing a sublimable or vaporizable dye by heating by a thermal head controlled by a controlling means, thereby selectively heat transferring the sublimated or vaporized dyes onto a recording sheet, and is characterized by heat transferring a precoating layer for receiving the dyes from the ink sheet onto the recording sheet before the heat transfer recording, and then pressing the ink sheet on the transferred precoating layer on the recording sheet and heating the ink sheet by the thermal head, thereby sublimating or vaporizing the dyes from the respective ink layers onto the precoating layer and forming the letter or image or both on the recording sheet.

Abstract: A release layer effective for both wax-bonded and plastic-bonded or wax and plastic-bonded melt color layers is provided in a thermocolor, e.g. thermocarbon, ribbon in the form of a substance capable of splitting off water at the thermal printing temperature dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: A ribbon ink has a viscosity that increases with increasing rate of shear for rates of shear greater then a predetermined value. A printer ribbon for use with an impact printer comprises a substrate containing ink having a viscosity that increases with increasing rate of shear for rates of shear greater then a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite tape for printing machines. A band with printable zones is arranged on the band at uniform intervals. An ink ribbon, of a size equal or less to that of the band, covers at least the imprintable zones and is electrostatically affixed to the printable zones on the band.

Abstract: Ink in an ink ribbon contains per 100 parts by weight of ink, 0.1-10 parts by weight of an adsorption-type corrosion suppressor. The adsorption-type corrosion suppressor may be one or more of, the following compounds: amines of the formula R--NH.sub.2, RR'--NH, RR'R"--N (where R, R' and RR" are alkyl groups), thiourea and its derivatives, benzotriazole and its derivatives, thiazole, thioamides and thiosemicarbazide. In another aspect of the invention, the ink contains an organic pigment as coloring material, said ink containing 5.0-10.0 parts by weight of graphite per 100 parts by weight of ink.

Abstract: The reflectivity and shininess of print applied in a thermal-printing process using a thermocolor or thermocarbon ribbon can be reduced by providing a nonmeltable intermediate organic layer between the thermocolor transfer layer and the carrier which comprises a water-soluble material in the form of an aminoplast, a starch or cellulose derivative or a polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylate or polymethylacrylate.

Abstract: Permanent white indicia are applied to a polymeric surface, preferably of a black, heat-recoverable marker sleeve for wire or cable, using an ink composition comprising a pigment that is thermally stable at a temperature of at least about 350.degree. C., preferably titanium dioxide and a binder, such as nitrocellulose, and then heating the surface to permatize the mark. The marked article passes MIL-STD-202 in mark permanence.

Abstract: A method of making a thermal-transfer ribbon for thermal printing in which an aqueous dispersion of the thermoplastic binder substance, a fat-soluble dyestuff and a wax or waxlike substance is formed. The dispersion is coated onto a foil or other carrier for the ribbon and water is evaporated. The coating is then subjected to a thermal treatment to melt the wax and dissolve the dyestuff therein prior to thermotransfer to a substrate.

Abstract: A current-conducting thermosensitive recording media used for non-impact recording which attains better energy efficiency and higher printing speeds through a thermosensitive recording ink medium comprising: a stratified ink support in which electrical conductivity in the direction of the thickness is greater than the electrical conductivity in the direction of the surface; a thermogenetic resistor layer for producing heat; a return electrode layer; a thermally melting ink layer; and an ink separating layer. The thermogenetic resistor layer, the electrode layer, the ink separating layer, and the thermally melting ink layer are laminated on the ink support in that order.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer medium comprises a support and at least two heat-transferable ink layers including a first and a second ink layer. The first ink layer has relative adhesions with the second ink layer and the support which are reverse at a higher temperature from those at a lower temperature. When the heat-sensitive transfer medium is superposed with paper, a heat energy is applied, and the transfer medium is separated from the paper; the second ink layer is selectively transferred or both the first and second ink layers are transferred to the paper depending on the length of time from the heat application until the separation of the transfer medium, whereby two color images can be formed by a single transfer medium.

Abstract: An improved resistive ribbon for resistive thermal transfer printing is described in which the resistive layer of the ribbon has enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. The ribbon is a multi-layer ribbon including a resistive layer, an electrical current return layer, and an ink layer. The resistive layer has an additive therein which phase separates and concentrates in a thin surface region near the interface of the resistive layer and the current return layer. This thin region has superior thermal and mechanical properties, and protects the remainder of the resistive layer during the printing operation, without adversely affecting the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the overall resistive layer. These additives are those which will form a polymer having a sufficiently high dissociation temperature to withstand the adverse effects of heat build-up at the interface. Suitable additives include graphite fluorides, fluorocarbon resins such as Teflon.RTM., and CeF.sub.4.

Abstract: Heat-sensitive magnetic transfer element for printing magnetic image to be recognized by magnetic ink character reader (MICR), which comprises a heat-resisting foundation and a heat-sensitive transferring layer provided on the foundation, said transferring layer having a melting temperature of 50.degree. to 120.degree. C. and comprising 30 to 97% by weight of a ferromagnetic substance powder, 2 to 69% by weight of a wax and 1 to 68% by weight of a resin. The transfer element gives a printed magnetic image having high accuracy of dimensions and high magnetic properties by thermal printing method.

Abstract: A multi-strike (typewriter) ribbon comprising a web of synthetic resinous material having top and bottom surfaces with an ink coating on the top surface of the web and a back layer on the bottom surface of the web, the back layer providing a clean, frictional surface which provides good contact with the drive apparatus which drives the printing ribbon as it performs a printing function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink carrier ribbon for thermal-transfer printing capable of printing as a hard copy a still picture of various images such as a picture image picked up by, for example, a video camera, a television picture image or the like, and particularly to an ink carrier ribbon for sublimation transfer type hard copying which can produce, for example, a color copy by transferring a sublimation dye to a printing paper. In an ink carrier ribbon for sublimation transfer type hard copying in which thermal-transferable ink portions with a predetermined arrangement and a position detecting mark for the ink portions are formed on a base material, at least one ink portion of the ink portions and the position detecting mark are formed of composition which contains dispersion dye, binder and pigment which is thermally stable and has absorbing property for infrared rays.

Abstract: An article comprising a backing, a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, and optionally, a silicone release coating is provided for effecting removal of vertically cohesive inks from cellulosic materials. There is also provided the process of making and using the article.

Abstract: An article comprising a backing, a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, and optionally, a silicone release coating is provided for effecting removal of vertically cohesive inks from cellulosic materials. There is also provided the process of making and using the article.

Abstract: A barrier pigment is added to a fluorescent ribbon to prevent light from being absorbed into the media upon which the pigment is applied during printing. The barrier pigment is added to the fluorescent layer or is applied over the fluorescent layer as an additional layer.

Abstract: A ribbon feed failure in a printer can cause serious problems, particularly for a printer that uses heat to cause selective ink transfers. Localized heat buildup may injure the printhead and, if allowed to continue, might injure other printer instrumentalities.According to the invention, it is recognized that for ribbons having a degree of electrical conductivity, a mechanical ribbon failure will almost always result in a detectable change of electrical properties. By monitoring the characteristics of an electrical circuit passing through a section of the ribbon around the print point and, preferably, also the printhead-ribbon interface, abnormal electrical parameter values that indicate ribbon failure may be detected to trigger a cessation of printer operation.

Abstract: A thermally activated ink and a thermally activated transfer ribbon, comprising a polymer, oil and oil-gelling agent, are provided. The ink may form a coating on a substrate, such as a ribbon, for use in conjunction with a thermal printer or a nonimpact typewriter, for example, for generating characters on ordinary paper. A method is also provided for generating characters on ordinary paper with a thermal print head.