Electrolytic printing apparatus including preheating pressure pad therefor

Claim 1

Preheating appratus for an electrolytic based printer having at least one write electrode for applying electrical pulses in a print zone to a recording medium used therein, transport means for moving the recording medium to and beneath the write electrode in the print zone, applicator means positioned to meter a liquid onto the surface of the according medium before it reaches the print zone and the write electrode, a source of electrical energy and control circuit means connected between the source and the write electrode for generating and forwarding pulses of appropriate amplitude and duration to the write electrode, said apparatus comprising; (a) support arm means coupled to the write electrode for movement therewith; (b) a pad having heating means incorporated therein for heating the bottom of said pad and the area of the recording medium it contacts prior to passage of the contacted area into the print zone; and (c) biasing means connected to and between said support arm means and said pad for normally urging the bottom of said pad into contact with the recording medium and for forcing liquid deposited by the applicator on the surface thereof down into the recording medium as it passes beneath said pad.