Carestream Health, Inc.

Joel C Marsh

Kent R Struble

Daniel J Peick

Bradley R Sahr

A drum for processing a thermal image medium has first and second end plates that extend orthogonally to an axis of rotation and enclose an inner core. First and second inner partitions along the axis define a first end zone between the first partition and the first end plate, a second end zone between the second partition and the second end plate, and a middle zone between the first and second partitions. Each inner partition has sleeve portions that extend outward from the partition, in an axial direction. A first lamp heater extends parallel to the axis and through one or more sleeve portions and has a first filament within the first end zone and a second filament within the second end zone. A second lamp heater extends parallel to the axis and through one or more sleeve portions and has a central filament within the middle zone.

Thermal processing drum

A drum () and thermal control system () in this disclosure are suitable for use in systems for thermally processing imaging media. The drum comprises a cylindrical surface () disposed around and parallel to an axis of rotation (A) of the drum, end plates () each extending orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the drum, and lamp heaters (A-B) extending parallel to the axis of rotation within the interior of the drum. By making use of thermal sensor measurements, the lamp heaters may be controlled to maintain a uniform dmm surface temperature.

Thermal processing drum and methods

A method of thermally developing an image from a latent image recorded in an image formation layer of a photothermgraphic imaging media. The method includes heating the imaging media to a development temperature as the imaging media is transported along a surface of a first heated drum, the first heated drum having a diameter providing the imaging media with a radius of curvature that provides the imaging media with cross-web stiffness sufficient to prevent wrinkling of the imaging media when being heated to the development temperature. The method further includes maintaining the imaging media at the development temperature for a first portion of a development duration of the imaging media, transferring the imaging media to at least one second heated drum at the development temperature, and maintaining the imaging media at the development temperature for a remaining portion of the development duration as the imaging media is transported along a surface of the at least one second heated drum.

Growing community of inventors

New Richmond, WI, United States of America

Joel C Marsh