Multicolor thermal printing apparatus

Details Multicolor thermal printing apparatus Multicolor thermal printing apparatus

1997-12-23

2001-07-17

Tran, Huan (Department: 2861)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Thermal marking apparatus or processes

Multicolor

C347S213000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06262755

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to color printers, and more particularly to a multicolor thermal printer to perform color printing on a receptor web material that is then mated with a plastic card so that the color image on the receptor material can be transferred onto the card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a traditional color printer for plastic cards, a ribbon having three different color segments is passed by a single print head and the card is moved back and forth into position relative to the print head to allow each color to be printed. A problem with this type of printer is the relatively low throughput caused by the numerous back and forth movements of the card. Further, the numerous back and forth movements results in a printing process that is not smooth. In addition, a printer of this type cannot print to the edge of the card.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,328 to Nardone et al discloses a compact color printer that utilizes three non-driven platen rollers arranged in an arc, with three color print heads disposed around the rollers to print onto a receptor media. Output drive rollers are used to pull the receptor media through the printer, with the printed receptor media being output through an output slot in the printer. The receptor media is output from the printer in its final form and is not applied to a card to transfer the printed image onto the card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for multi-color printing on plastic cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, and the like. The present invention provides a printing apparatus that is compact and able to perform precise single pass, multi-color printing onto a receptor web, with the web then being mated with a plastic card to permit transfer of the color image from the web onto the card. The present invention eliminates the numerous back and forth movements of the prior art, thereby increasing the throughput of the printer, as well as smoothing the printing operation. Further, by printing initially onto a receptor web and then transferring the image to the card, the entire image can be printed on the web, eliminating the problem of printing at the edge of the card.
A preferred embodiment of the printing apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a rotatably driven cylinder having a smooth, high friction outer surface, and a plurality of color print stations spaced circumferentially about the cylinder. A receptor web supply roll is mounted adjacent to the cylinder and supplies an uninterrupted length of a receptor web to the outer surface of the cylinder. The receptor web is frictionally engaged with the outer surface of the cylinder such that the web rotates therewith when the cylinder is rotated. An incremental digital drive mechanism, such as a stepper motor and gearing assembly, is connected to the cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and therefore the receptor web disposed on the outer surface thereof, to position the receptor web relative to the color print stations. The incremental digital drive mechanism allows precise positioning of the cylinder and the receptor web relative to each print head, thereby ensuring precise registration between the receptor web and the print beads.
The invention further includes a method of multi-color printing on a card including providing a rotatably driven cylinder having an outer, high friction surface and a plurality of color print stations spaced circumferentially about the cylinder. An uninterrupted length of a receptor web is supplied to the outer surface of the cylinder and is in frictional engagement therewith such that the web moves with the cylinder. The cylinder is then rotated to position the receptor web relative to a first one of the color print stations, and the first color print station then prints onto the receptor web. The cylinder is repeatedly rotated to position the web relative to each color print station until the entire printed image is printed on the receptor web. The receptor web is then mated with the card to thereby transfer the printed image from the receptor web onto the card.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying description, in which there is described a preferred embodiment of the invention.


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Copy of International Search Report for PCT/US98/22951.
09/96, “An Introduction to Digital Color Printing”,AGFA Education Publishing, pp 2-5.

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