The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 17, 1992
David B Tait, West Linn, OR (US);
B Jay Burreson, Vancouver, WA (US);
Thomas J Brandt, Canby, OR (US);
Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR (US);
Abstract
A method of thermal transfer printing on a substrate includes the steps of determining, on a pixel by pixel basis, where colorant is to be located on the substrate; applying an image-enhancing precoat to each pixel where colorant is to be located, as well as to at least one immediately adjacent pixel; and depositing a colorant onto the precoated predetermined pixels. The precoating that is applied to the immediately adjacent pixels helps retain the precoating to the substrate, among other advantages. A second method, for printing on a rough substrate, includes steps of applying an image enhancing precoat so as to form bridges across valleys of said rough surface; and subsequently depositing a colorant onto the precoat. A third printing method includes the steps of applying a precoat to the substrate which has one or more voids defined therein; and depositing a colorant onto the precoat so as to bridge over the voids in the precoat. Related systems and printed products are also disclosed.