Zink Imaging, Inc.

Juan Carlos Van Dijk

William T Vetterling

Stephen J Telfer

Brian David Busch

Kenneth J Launie

Peter Zelten

Leo R Lechtenberg

Devices and methods for thermally printing on a thermal image member are disclosed using a thermal print head and a nonrotating platen. The nonrotating platen is adapted to bias the thermal imaging member against the print head. The nonrotating platen includes an elastic member and a mounting means for securing at least one end of the elastic member with respect to the print head. A portion of the thermal imaging member is placed in a printing nip formed between a thermal print head and the nonrotating platen. The print head exerts a torque on the elastic member when the elastic member biases the imaging member against the print head. The thermal imaging member is translated along a transport direction through the printing nip, such that at least one surface of the imaging member slides across the nonrotating platen. The print head forms an image upon the translated thermal imaging member.

Nonrotating platen for thermal printing

The present invention provides a thermal printer in which the temperature of the thermal printing head can be modulated by means of an auxiliary heat sink, and methods for printing using such a thermal printer.

Thermal printer with auxiliary heat sink and methods for printing using same

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Sudbury, MA, United States of America

Juan Carlos Van Dijk