US4743920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermal transfer recording method and apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1986-07-22
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Granted: 1988-05-10
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Expires: 2006-07-22
Abstract
Abstract Thermal transfer recording is carried out through the steps of: applying a heat or electric energy in a pattern to a peripheral surface of an ink roll having the peripheral surface composed of a heat-transferable ink, thereby to form a melted or softened pattern of the heat-transferable ink; causing the peripheral surface of the ink roll to contact a recording medium to transfer the melted or softened ink pattern onto the recording medium; and smoothing the peripheral surface of the ink roll.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichi Tohma
- 👤 Naoki Kushida
- 👤 Yasuyuki Tamura
- 👤 Tetsuo Hasegawa
- 👤 Hisao Yaegashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:50
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/325; B41J2/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A thermal transfer recording method comprising the steps of: applying heat or electric energy directly to a peripheral surface of an ink roll at a predetermined position thereof, said ink roll having a peripheral surface comprising a heat-transferable ink layer, thereby to form a melted or softened pattern of said heat-transferable ink; causing the peripheral surface of said ink roll to contact a recording medium at a position spaced from the predetermined position to transfer the melted or softened ink pattern onto the recording medium; and smoothing the peripheral surface of said ink roll, wherein said layer of heat-transferable ink has a thickness allowing for application of heat or electric energy to form another melted or softened pattern after smoothing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermal transfer recording method comprising the steps of: applying heat or electric energy directly to a peripheral surface of an ink roll at a predetermined position thereof, said ink roll having a peripheral surface comprising a heat-transferable ink layer, thereby to form a melted or softened pattern of said heat-transferable ink; causing the peripheral surface of said ink roll to contact a recording medium at a position spaced from the predetermined position to transfer the melted or softened ink pattern onto the recording medium; and smoothing the peripheral surface of said ink roll, wherein said layer of heat-transferable ink has a thickness allowing for application of heat or electric energy to form another melted or softened pattern after smoothing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein said heat-transferable ink has a supercooling time of 0.1-100 sec.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein said heat-transferable ink has a supercooling time of 0.1-50 sec.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein said heat-transferable ink has a supercooling time of 0.1 to 10 sec.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein said heat-transferable ink has a melting or softening point of 40°-200° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein said heat-transferable ink has a melting or softening point of 50°-180° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1, wherein said heat-transferable ink comprises as a binder an amide resin represented by the following general formula: R.sub.1 CONHR.sub.2 NHCOR.sub.1, wherein R 1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1-30 carbon atoms, and R 2 is a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1-12 carbon atoms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrocarbon group R 1 has 10-20 carbon atoms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrocarbon group R 2 has 5-10 carbon atoms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrocarbon group R 2 is a saturated aliphatic group.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal transfer recording method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrocarbon group R 2 is a phenylene group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
A thermal transfer apparatus, comprising: rotatable ink roll having a peripheral surface comprising a heat-transferable ink layer; a pressing member disposed opposite to the peripheral surface of said ink roll; heating means for selectively melting or softening the peripheral surface of said ink roll, said heating means being disposed upsteam of said pressing member relative to the direction of rotation of said ink roll; and smoothing means for smoothing the peripheral surface of said ink roll, wherein said layer of heat-transferable ink has a thickness allowing for another melting or softening thereof after smoothing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A thermal transfer apparatus, comprising: rotatable ink roll having a peripheral surface comprising a heat-transferable ink layer; a pressing member disposed opposite to the peripheral surface of said ink roll; heating means for selectively melting or softening the peripheral surface of said ink roll, said heating means being disposed upsteam of said pressing member relative to the direction of rotation of said ink roll; and smoothing means for smoothing the peripheral surface of said ink roll, wherein said layer of heat-transferable ink has a thickness allowing for another melting or softening thereof after smoothing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said heating means is a thermal head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said heating means comprises a laminate drum having an outer electroconductive layer and an inner resistance layer, and a recording electrode electrically contacting said inner resistance layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said thermal head ink contains electroconductive particles and said heating means is a recording electrode contacting the peripheral surface of the ink roll.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said smoothing means comprises a blade.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A thermal transfer apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said smoothing means comprises a heating roller.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |