Patent ID: 6433855
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B41J,B41M

Abstract:
An image transfer apparatus that records an image through selective heat and pressure application, comprising:a conveyor unit that moves a recording sheet in a transport direction; an ink-transfer ribbon that comprises a base member and a layer of micro-capsules, coated over said base member, that contains a plurality of micro-capsules filled with dye, said plurality of micro-capsules exhibiting a temperature/pressure characteristic such that, said each micro-capsule is squashed under a corresponding predetermined pressure at a corresponding predetermined temperature; a thermal head unit, performing a printing operation on said base member, that includes a temperature application unit selectively and locally heating said layer of micro-capsules to predetermined temperatures and a pressure application system locally applying predetermined pressures to said layer of micro-capsules, said predetermined temperatures including said corresponding predetermined temperature and said predetermined pressures including said corresponding predetermined pressure; and a rotating member having a smooth outer surface that resiliently contacts said layer of micro-capsules and a recording surface of said recording sheet, said rotating member moving in synchronization with said movement of said recording sheet such that said transfer of said image to said recording surface of said recording sheet occurs, said rotating member configured to apply a pressure greater than said corresponding predetermined pressure to said recording sheet.