EP0117407A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal transfer printing processes
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1984-01-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-01-17
Abstract
Abstract Processes for thermal transfer printing are disclosed which comprise electroerosion printing to produce an image bearing element and exposing the imaged element to irradiation so as to permit transfer of thermographic ink from an associated ink layer or ink-containing element onto an ink receiving substrate thus producing copies of the image carried by the image bearing element. Also, described are products for use in such processes. The process is illustrated in the Figure in which a layer (2) comprises transparent polyethylene terephthalate, the layer (3, 4) comprises aluminium foil (3) and pattern apertures (4), the layer (6) comprises an ink layer and layer (7) comprises a sheet of paper. Infra red radiation (8) passes through layer (2) to be reflected by foil (3) and transmitted by apertures (4). The ink aligned with apertures (4) is heated and thermally transferred to the paper (7).
Inventors
- 👤 Ari Aviram
- 👤 Mitchell Simmons Cohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:49
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/40; B41M5/42; B41M5/426; B41M5/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of producing an original pattern, comprising using an electro-erosion process to form an image of the original pattern in the erosion layer of a sheet of electro-erosion medium having a carrier layer capable of transmitting heat radiation and an erosion layer capable of reflecting the heat radiation; juxtaposing a heat transferable ink layer next to the processed sheet arJa surface on which the original pattern is to be reproduced next to the ink layer; and directing heat radiation at the ink layer through the processed sheet so as to cause heat transfer of ink to the surface at locations determined by the image pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of producing an original pattern, comprising using an electro-erosion process to form an image of the original pattern in the erosion layer of a sheet of electro-erosion medium having a carrier layer capable of transmitting heat radiation and an erosion layer capable of reflecting the heat radiation; juxtaposing a heat transferable ink layer next to the processed sheet arJa surface on which the original pattern is to be reproduced next to the ink layer; and directing heat radiation at the ink layer through the processed sheet so as to cause heat transfer of ink to the surface at locations determined by the image pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
236 words
A process for printing comprising a) forming an assembly of i) a sheet of electroerosion recording material comprising a radiant energy transmissive support and, on said support, a layer of conductive material which is substantially impermeable to and reflective of radiant energy used in the process, said conductive material being capable of being removed during electroerosion recording, said sheet of electroerosion recording having been subjected to electroerosion printing selectively to remove portions of said conductive material thus forming imaged areas in said electroerosion recording material, which imaged areas provide light transmissive paths through said transparent support, ii) an ink-containing layer or element in an overlaying or underlaying relationship to said imaged electroerosion recording material, said ink being substantially non- transferable at normal ambient conditions, but being responsive to radiant energy so that said ink, upon exposure to radiant energy, becomes flowable and is capable of being transferred to an ink-receiving member, and iii) an ink-receiving substrate in contact with said ink-containing layer or element, and b) exposing said assembly to radiant energy, said energy being directed onto said assembly from the side of the assembly opposite to the side on which said ink receiving substrate is located, to cause said ink to become flowable selectively in areas overlaying said imaged areas, and causing said ink to be transferred to said ink receiving substrate producing ink images corresponding to the imaged areas of said electroerosion recording material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
236 words
A process for printing comprising a) forming an assembly of i) a sheet of electroerosion recording material comprising a radiant energy transmissive support and, on said support, a layer of conductive material which is substantially impermeable to and reflective of radiant energy used in the process, said conductive material being capable of being removed during electroerosion recording, said sheet of electroerosion recording having been subjected to electroerosion printing selectively to remove portions of said conductive material thus forming imaged areas in said electroerosion recording material, which imaged areas provide light transmissive paths through said transparent support, ii) an ink-containing layer or element in an overlaying or underlaying relationship to said imaged electroerosion recording material, said ink being substantially non- transferable at normal ambient conditions, but being responsive to radiant energy so that said ink, upon exposure to radiant energy, becomes flowable and is capable of being transferred to an ink-receiving member, and iii) an ink-receiving substrate in contact with said ink-containing layer or element, and b) exposing said assembly to radiant energy, said energy being directed onto said assembly from the side of the assembly opposite to the side on which said ink receiving substrate is located, to cause said ink to become flowable selectively in areas overlaying said imaged areas, and causing said ink to be transferred to said ink receiving substrate producing ink images corresponding to the imaged areas of said electroerosion recording material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said support comprises a radiant energy transmissive polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein said layer of conductive material comprises a thin film of electroerodible aluminium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said radiant energy comprises infrared radiant energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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