Patent ID: 6031586
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B41J,B41M,G02F

Abstract:
Printing apparatus for radiation thermal transfer of colorant from a donor to a receiver, comprising:a) a flash tube for emitting high intensity radiation;b) a polarizer for receiving high intensity radiation from the flash tube and polarizing such radiation;c) liquid crystal cells disposed to receive polarized radiation from the polarizer;d) means for modulating the liquid crystal cells so that they change the polarization of the radiation passing through them;e) a second polarizer for receiving radiation from the liquid crystal cells and arranged to pass different intensities of radiation depending on their polarization; andf) means for positioning the colorant donor relative to the receiver in colorant transfer relationship with the second polarizer at a colorant transfer position so that radiation which passes through the second polarizer illuminates the colorant donor so that colorant is transferred to the receiver.