Patent ID: 6599383
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: B29C,B32B,B41M,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for performing a printing operation wherein a coloring medium is applied to a selected substrate, said method comprising:providing a film comprising: first and second coextruded layers; the first layer being extruded and solidified from a first extrudible material including silicone oil, said first layer providing said film with a printer head engaging surface; and the second layer being extruded and solidified from a second extrudible material, said second layer providing said film with a color receiving surface opposite said printer head engaging surface, the silicone oil providing said first extrudible material with a lower coefficient of friction when solidified than said second extrudible material so that said printer head engaging surface has a lower coefficient of friction than said color receiving surface to thereby allow said film to slide over surfaces with less frictional resistance than if the first layer were extruded and solidified from said second extrudible material; applying a coloring medium to the color receiving surface of said film; engaging the printing head engaging surface of said film with a thermal printing head and engaging the color receiving surface of said film with the selected substrate; operating said thermal printing head so that said thermal printing head applies heat to said film so as to cause said coloring medium to transfer from said color receiving surface to said selected substrate; and moving said film relative to said thermal printing head so that said printer head engaging surface slides over said thermal printing head.