Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Signal transducers – Receivers
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-14
2001-03-20
Tran, Huan (Department: 2861)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Signal transducers
Receivers
C400S695000, C400S697000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205088
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to thermal transfer printing and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for the repair and creation of images printed by this process.
BACKGROUND
Thermal transfer printing processes utilize a heat-activated pigmented material which is transported on a thin polymer foil. The pigmented material is brought into contact with a receptor material, commonly a vinyl, paper or other receptor material, and heat and pressure are applied to the reverse side of the foil, causing the pigmented material to bond to the receptor material. When the foil is pulled from the receptor material, the pigmented material is released from the foil.
Heat is supplied by electric heating elements mounted in a linear array on a thermal print head. Each of these heating elements is individually controlled by a computer to heat up or to be allowed to cool down. In one application, the density of the heating elements is 300 per inch along the print head.
The receptor material and the foil are passed together under the print head, which presses the latter down on the former. At controlled intervals, the heating elements are caused to heat up and transfer pigmented material from the foil to the receptor material in controlled patterns defining a printed image. As the foil and receptor material emerge from beneath the print head, the foil is separated from the receptor material, leaving the printed image on the receptor material.
One example of a printing apparatus employing this process is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,135 and is sold by Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. under the trademark GERBER EDGE. The present invention is particularly suited for use with this printing apparatus.
If any foreign material is present between the foil and the receptor material, the transfer of pigmented material can be prevented or interrupted, resulting in a void or flaw in the printed image. These flaws, generally caused by flecks of dust or dirt, although quite small in size, are nevertheless noticeable and objectionable, particularly in large, solid color portions of an image.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for the repair of voids or flaws in images printed by the thermal transfer printing process.
It is a further object to provide a repair method and apparatus which is convenient, inexpensive and does not necessitate the maintenance of an inventory of pigmented materials of various colors.
It is still a further object to provide a printing tool for the creation of small images from thermal transfers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for filling a void in a printed image which has been printed by a thermal transfer printing process wherein a heat-sensitive pigmented material, coated on a first surface of a foil carrier, is transferred to a first surface of a receptor material.
A piece of foil is provided, bearing a quantity of pigmented material of the same color as that bordering the void to be filled. The quantity of pigmented material is of approximately the same size as the void. The foil is positioned on the printed image, with the pigmented material facing and superposed over the void. Heat is applied to the foil, proximate to the pigmented material, while at least the heated portion of the foil is pressed against the receptor material, to transfer the pigmented material from the foil to the receptor.
Advantageously, the piece of foil used in the repair is a part of the foil used in the printing of the void-bearing image. A predetermined amount of the pigmented material is removed from an unused piece of the foil, the remaining amount of the material constituting the dot. A magnetic holder may be provided to facilitate handling of the piece of foil, which need not be removed from a cassette in which it is carried.
Yet further, a transparent guide member, having position indicating lines marked may be provided to facilitate the positioning of the foil.
The method and apparatus can also be used to create small images from thermal transfers. The apparatus employs a heater for simultaneously applying heat and pressure to the foil which comprises a handle, a heater element projecting from the handle, and a generally planar registration shield fixed to the handle and resiliently carried in spaced relation to the heater element, such that the heater element may be brought into contact with the shield by pressing the handle downwardly while the shield is supported on a fixed surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4453167 (1984-06-01), Motoyoshi
patent: 4710047 (1987-12-01), Barouh et al.
patent: 92 08 293 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 058 565 (1982-08-01), None
patent: 61-241180 (1986-10-01), None
patent: 63-197669 (1988-08-01), None
Gerber Scientific Products, Inc.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
Tran Huan
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