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. 12, 2001
Filed:
May. 11, 1999
Thomas F. Look, Anoka, MN (US);
Michael G. O'Reilly, Vadnais Heights, MN (US);
Thanh-Huong T. Nguyen, Oakdale, MN (US);
Craig A. Schmidt, Lindstrom, MN (US);
3M Innovoative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A method of thermal mass transfer printing a colorant including a binder media from a ribbon onto a first surface of a web having a non-homogeneous thermal conductivity, a non-planar printing surface, a non-homogeneous structure or chemical incompatibility. The first surface of the web is preheated prior to thermal mass transfer printing. The surface of the ribbon containing the colorant is positioned opposite the first surface of the heated web at an inner face. A thermal print head is positioned at the interface on the side of the ribbon opposite the colorant. The web is moved relative to the thermal print head. Printing is completed by selectively applying localized heat to the ribbon from the thermal print head and pressure at the interface to cause the transfer of colorant from the ribbon to the heated web.