US5568170A — Laser recording apparatus for vaporizing colder d…

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.

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

Laser recording apparatus for vaporizing colder dye across a gap, and recording method thereof

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