Patent ID: 6975343
Filing Date: 2005-12-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A thermal printer capable of preventing crease formation in a dye transfer area of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver, said printer comprising: a thermal print head adapted to heat the dye transfer area of the dye donor web sufficiently to effect a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver, but not heating two opposite edge areas of the dye donor web alongside the dye transfer area sufficiently to effect a dye transfer from the two edge areas to the dye receiver, so that the dye transfer area is vulnerable to being stretched relative to the two edge areas to possibly form creases extending at least across respective regions of the dye transfer area adjacent the two edge areas; and a crease-preventing web roller that is bowed at least against the two edge areas of the dye donor web to urge the regions of the dye transfer area in which the creases can form to spread in opposition to the onset of creases in such regions.