Patent ID: 6055009
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B41J,B41M

Abstract:
Apparatus for printing on a moveable receiver images corresponding to a digital image, comprising:a) a re-inkable belt which includes a polymer support layer and an ink transfer layer having a plurality of colored patches provided over the polymer support layer wherein ink can be transferred to and from the ink transfer layer, the polymer support layer including heating elements disposed in the colored patches in the re-inkable belt which, when a potential is applied to them, heats their corresponding patch of the ink transfer layer to facilitate ink transfer;b) a thermal print head responsive to the digital image for applying energy to the re-inkable belt to cause ink to imagewise transfer at an image transfer position to the receiver;c) means for selectively applying potential to the heating elements in the re-inkable belt at an image transfer system to aid in the transfer of ink to the receiver; andd) means for applying) energy to selected heating elements to heat an appropriate patch of the re-inkable belt at a replenishment position to aid in re-inking the re-inkable belt.