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:
Dec. 26, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 03, 2003
Giovanni Tabasso, Pino Torinese, IT;
Giovanni Tabasso, Pino Torinese, IT;
Eidos S.p.A., Chieri, IT;
Abstract
The machine () comprises a support structure () in which there are: a thermal-transfer device () having a movable active surface () facing the path of the articles; supply and guide means () suitable for advancing a flexible ribbon (N) in steps along a predetermined route which extends partly between the active surface () of the thermal-transfer device () and the path of the articles, the flexible ribbon (N) carrying, at predetermined intervals, images formed with a thermally transferable ink; and drive devices () suitable for bringing about a vertical movement of the thermal-transfer device () towards the ribbon (N) and an article so as to press and heat the ribbon (N) against an article in order to bring about the transfer of an image carried by the ribbon (N). The supply and guide means comprise: three pairs of aligned and parallel guide rollers (R) disposed on the route of the ribbon (N) on upstream and downstream sides of the thermal-transfer device (). The arrangement of the pairs of rollers (R, R, R) is such that the portions of the ribbon (N) which are included between the first and second pairs of rollers (R, R) and the portions which are included between the second and third pairs of rollers (R, R) are substantially parallel with one another. Movement devices (), associated with the first and with the second pairs of guide rollers (R, R), are such that a movement of the second pair of rollers (R) is substantially equal to half of the corresponding movement of the first pair of rollers (R).