Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A thermal transfer printing method which comprises the steps of overlapping a surface of a printing layer (2) of an intermediate transfer member (3) having said printing layer (2) on a base member (1), with an ink sheet (6), effecting thermal transfer printing from said ink sheet (6) to said printing layer (2), subsequently overlapping said intermediate transfer member (3) with an image receiver (11) for transfer of said printing layer (2) onto said image receiver (11), and thereafter, fixing the printing layer (2) on the image receiver (11) by causing said printing layer to penetrate into said image receiver (2) through direct application of pressure and heat to said printing layer on said image receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal transfer printing method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said printing layer is fixed only by pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal transfer printing method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said printing layer is fixed only by heat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thermal transfer printing method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said printing layer is fixed by a pressure roller covered, on its surface, with silicone rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermal transfer printing method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said printing layer is formed by employing at least polyvinylbutyral.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A printing apparatus which comprises an ink sheet (6), an intermediate transfer member (3) having a printing layer (2) on one surface of a base member (1), a printing means for effecting thermal transfer printing from said ink sheet (6) to said printing layer (2), a transfer means for transferring said printing layer (2) onto an image receiver (11) in a state where said intermediate transfer member (3) is overlapped with the image receiver (11), and a fixing means (14,16) for fixing said printing layer (2) on the image receiver (11) by causing said printing layer (2) to penetrate into said image receiver (11) through direct application of pressure and heat to said printing layer (2) on said image receiver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said fixing means is a means for applying only pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said fixing means is a means for applying only heat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A printing apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said fixing means is a pressure roller covered, on its surface, with silicone rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said printing layer is formed by employing at least polyvinylbutyral.