Patent ID: 6539652
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: D06Q

Abstract:
A method of transferring an image from an imaged transfer sheet, having a front imaged surface and a back non-imaged surface, a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, onto a receptor element to produce an imaged receptor element, wherein the method comprises: (a) positioning an imaged transfer sheet with the front imaged surface of the transfer sheet in contact with the receptor element; (b) applying a heated iron to the back non-imaged surface of the transfer sheet at a first starting position at a top side edge of the transfer sheet; (c) moving the iron in one pass in a path from said top side edge of the transfer sheet, across the top edge of the transfer sheet, towards the opposite top side edge of the transfer sheet, completing the pass in about 15 sec.-2 min.; (d) repeating the pass of step (c) at least three additional times while moving the first starting position of the iron towards the bottom side edge of the transfer sheet with each repetition, wherein each subsequent pass overlaps the path of the previous pass; (e) applying the iron to the back non-imaged surface of the transfer sheet at a second starting position at a bottom side edge of the transfer sheet; (f) moving the iron in one pass in a path from said bottom side edge of the transfer sheet, and up along the side edge of the transfer sheet, towards the top side edge of the transfer sheet, completing the pass in about 15 sec.-2 min.; and (g) repeating the pass of step (f) at least four additional times while moving the second starting position of the iron towards the opposite bottom side edge of the transfer sheet with each repetition, wherein each subsequent pass overlaps the path of the previous pass.