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:
Jun. 20, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 11, 1997
Xin Wen, Rochester, NY (US);
Teh-Ming Kung, Rochester, NY (US);
David A Johnson, Rochester, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
Printer apparatus and method for printing an image on a receiver, the printer having a non-contact heater for improving image protection and image stability on the receiver. The printer comprises a printhead for transferring a colorant to the receiver and a heater disposed in heat transfer communication with the receiver for heating the receiver, so that the colorant diffuses into the receiver. The heater is located adjacent to the receiver. The heater comprises a heating element capable of emitting radiant heat therefrom and includes a reflector oriented with respect to the heating element and the receiver so as to reflect heat from the heating element to the receiver. The heater also comprises a heater control arrangement connected to the heating element for controlling the heating element. Moreover, the heater may further include a temperature sensor disposed relative to the receiver to more accurately control the receiver temperature, by controlling the heater in response to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. A receiver transport mechanism capable of engaging the receiver and transporting the receiver adjacent the heater is also provided.