Patent ID: 6152621
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A thermal transfer ribbon elongated in a first dimension and comprising:a first substantially continuous black thermal transfer ink portion elongated in said first dimension and having a first width in a second dimension, substantially transverse to said first dimension;a second multicolored thermal transfer ink portion adjacent said first black thermal transfer ink portion and elongated in said first dimension and having a second width in said second dimension;said second multicolored thermal transfer ink portion including at least two ink colors other than black and white having a predetermined length in said first dimension, and substantially regularly repeating along the length of said ribbon in said first dimension while said black portion is substantially continuous in said first dimension; andwherein said multicolored thermal transfer ink portion includes at least three colors other than black or white substantially regularly repeating along the length of said ribbon in rectangular configuration consecutive and adjacent sections, and wherein each of said colors has substantially the same predetermined length; and wherein said second width is less than said first width.