US5568170A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser recording apparatus for vaporizing colder dye across a gap, and recording method thereof
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1994-06-13
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Granted: 1996-10-22
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Expires: 2014-06-13
Abstract
Abstract The recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a recording part in which a layer of a heat-fusible recording material is formed opposite a recording medium with a gap between, the recording part being so constructed as to selectively heat said heat-fusible recording material, thereby vaporizing or ablating it, and transfer the vapor to the recording medium through the gap, the recording material containing a heat energy absorber which promotes the heating of the recording material.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideki Hirano
- 👤 Hidemi Tomita
- 👤 Kenji Shinozaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:42
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/40; B41M5/46; B41M5/465; B41M5/24; B41M5/382; B41M5/38207; B41M5/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A recording apparatus which comprises a recording part in which a layer of a heat-fusible recording material is formed opposite a recording medium with a gap between, said recording part being so constructed as to selectively heat said heat-fusible recording material, thereby vaporizing or ablating it, and transfer the vapor to said recording medium through said gap, said recording material containing a heat energy absorber which promotes the heating of the recording material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A recording apparatus which comprises a recording part in which a layer of a heat-fusible recording material is formed opposite a recording medium with a gap between, said recording part being so constructed as to selectively heat said heat-fusible recording material, thereby vaporizing or ablating it, and transfer the vapor to said recording medium through said gap, said recording material containing a heat energy absorber which promotes the heating of the recording material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A recording apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the recording material contains uniformly dissolved therein a light-heat converting dye which, upon irradiation with light, absorbs the light of specific wavelength and heats the recording dye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A recording apparatus as defined in claim 1, which further comprises a semiconductor to emit laser as an energy source to selectively vaporize or ablate the recording material, and a means to continuously feed the recording medium to the recording part, said recording medium having an image receiving layer which faces, with a gap between, the layer of the recording material in the recording part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A recording apparatus as defined in any of claim 1, wherein the recording dye contains uniformly dissolved therein a light-heat converting polymeric material which has in the main chains or side chains, or at the terminals a dye segment capable of absorbing the light of specific wavelength which is irradiated to heat the recording dye.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A recording apparatus as defined in any of claim 1, wherein the recording material contains a light-heat converting pigment capable of absorbing the light of specific wavelength irradiated for heating, said pigment being surface-treated for improved dispersion into the recording material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A recording apparatus as defined in any of claim 2, wherein at least one of the light-heat converting dye, light-heat converting polymeric material, and light-heat converting pigment is in the state of uniform segregation at the interface between the layer of the recording material and the gap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A recording method which comprises transferring the recording material to the recording medium by using the recording apparatus defined in any of claim 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A laser color printer, comprising: a dye vessel for holding solid dye powder; a heated conduit for receiving solid dye powder from said vessel and heating said solid dye powder to a liquid state, creating liquid dye; a volume for receiving said liquid dye; a light-heat converter arranged adjacent said volume; a laser arranged above said light-heat converter and arranged for directing laser light onto said light-heat converter for causing heat from said converter to vaporize selected regions of said liquid dye in said volume, creating vaporized dye; and a platform for holding a sheet of paper adjacent said volume across a gap, arranged for said vaporized dye to impinge said sheet of paper for printing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A laser color printer, comprising: a dye vessel for holding solid dye powder; a heated conduit for receiving solid dye powder from said vessel and heating said solid dye powder to a liquid state, creating liquid dye; a volume for receiving said liquid dye; a light-heat converter arranged adjacent said volume; a laser arranged above said light-heat converter and arranged for directing laser light onto said light-heat converter for causing heat from said converter to vaporize selected regions of said liquid dye in said volume, creating vaporized dye; and a platform for holding a sheet of paper adjacent said volume across a gap, arranged for said vaporized dye to impinge said sheet of paper for printing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The printer according to claim 8, further comprising a light transmitting base arranged laminated with said light-heat converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The printer according to claim 8, wherein said heated dye conduit further comprises a vibrator for assisting translation of said dye through said conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The printer according to claim 8, wherein said vessel further comprises a check valve preventing reverse flow from said conduit into said vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
A laser color printer, comprising: a dye vessel for holding solid dye powder; a heated conduit for receiving solid dye powder from said dye vessel and heating said solid dye powder to a liquid state, creating liquid dye; a liquid dye holder arranged to receive and hold liquid dye from said heated conduit, said liquid dye holder having a reticulate structure for holding an amount of liquid dye for printing; a light-heat converter arranged on said liquid dye holder; a laser arranged above said light-heat converter and arranged for directing laser light onto said light-heat converter for causing heat from said converter to vaporize selected regions of said liquid dye held by said dye holder, creating vaporized dye; and a platform for holding a sheet of paper adjacent said liquid die holder across a gap, arranged for said vaporized dye to impinge said sheet of paper for printing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A laser color printer, comprising: a dye vessel for holding solid dye powder; a heated conduit for receiving solid dye powder from said dye vessel and heating said solid dye powder to a liquid state, creating liquid dye; a liquid dye holder arranged to receive and hold liquid dye from said heated conduit, said liquid dye holder having a reticulate structure for holding an amount of liquid dye for printing; a light-heat converter arranged on said liquid dye holder; a laser arranged above said light-heat converter and arranged for directing laser light onto said light-heat converter for causing heat from said converter to vaporize selected regions of said liquid dye held by said dye holder, creating vaporized dye; and a platform for holding a sheet of paper adjacent said liquid die holder across a gap, arranged for said vaporized dye to impinge said sheet of paper for printing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The printer according to claim 12, further comprising a light transmitting base arranged in lamination with said light-heat converter and said dye holder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The printer according to claim 12, wherein said heated dye conduit further comprises a vibrator for assisting translation of said dye through said conduit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The printer according to claim 14, wherein said vessel further comprises a check valve preventing reverse flow from said conduit into said vessel.
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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) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |