Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a thermal transfer printing device, including an ink donor supporting an ink meltable upon the application of a selected temperature, a printing head supporting a resistive heating element for generating the selected temperature at the ink donor, and means for bringing a final image support surface into contacting relationship with the ink donor in timed relationship to the application of the selected temperature to the ink donor, said resistive heating element comprising: a heat sink layer comprising a metallic support member; a heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity deposited on said heat sink layer, having a thickness and thermal conductivity selected to prevent substantial lateral dissipation of heat energy from the resistors through the heat resistant organic material layer before the ink is melted; and an array of resistors, supported on said heat resistant organic material and each selectively controllable to apply a melting temperature to the meltable ink.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a thermal transfer printing device, including an ink donor supporting an ink meltable upon the application of a selected temperature, a printing head supporting a resistive heating element for generating the selected temperature at the ink donor, and means for bringing a final image support surface into contacting relationship with the ink donor in timed relationship to the application of the selected temperature to the ink donor, said resistive heating element comprising: a heat sink layer comprising a metallic support member; a heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity deposited on said heat sink layer, having a thickness and thermal conductivity selected to prevent substantial lateral dissipation of heat energy from the resistors through the heat resistant organic material layer before the ink is melted; and an array of resistors, supported on said heat resistant organic material and each selectively controllable to apply a melting temperature to the meltable ink.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The printing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity is a polyimide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
A thermal printhead for imagewise application of heat to a surface comprising: a heat sink layer comprising a metallic support member; a heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity deposited on said heat sink layer, having a thickness and thermal conductivity selected to prevent substantial dissipation of heat energy from the resistors through the heat resistant organic material layer before the ink is melted; and an array of resistors, supported on said heat resistant organic material and each selectively controllable to apply a selected temperature to said surface for image production.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
A thermal printhead for imagewise application of heat to a surface comprising: a heat sink layer comprising a metallic support member; a heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity deposited on said heat sink layer, having a thickness and thermal conductivity selected to prevent substantial dissipation of heat energy from the resistors through the heat resistant organic material layer before the ink is melted; and an array of resistors, supported on said heat resistant organic material and each selectively controllable to apply a selected temperature to said surface for image production.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The printhead as defined in claim 3 wherein said heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity is a polyimide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The printing head as defined in claim 3 wherein each said resistor in the array is connected through a common current bus extending through said polyimide layer to the metallic support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The printing head as defined in claim 3 wherein said resistors in said array are arranged in two parallel closely spaced rows, the resistors of each row connected through a common current bus extending through said polyimide layer to the metallic support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The printing head as defined in claim 3 wherein said resistors in said array are arranged in two parallel closely spaced rows, each row of resistors respectively connected through a separate current bus extending through said polyimide layer to the metallic support member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A thermal printhead for imagewise application of heat to a surface comprising: a heat sink layer comprising a conductive metallic support layer; an insulating substrate layer deposited on said support layer; an array of resistors, supported on said insulating substrate, each resistor selectively controllable to apply a melting temperature to the surface; each resistor in said array electrically connected through a common current bus to the conductive metallic support layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A thermal printhead for imagewise application of heat to a surface comprising: a heat sink layer comprising a conductive metallic support layer; an insulating substrate layer deposited on said support layer; an array of resistors, supported on said insulating substrate, each resistor selectively controllable to apply a melting temperature to the surface; each resistor in said array electrically connected through a common current bus to the conductive metallic support layer.