# Patent

## Title
Curl resistant media

## Abstract

A curl-resistant planar media comprises a plurality of fibers embedded in the media and configured such that the media has a stiffness in a first direction that exceeds the stiffness in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/853,184 filed May 26, 2004, which is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/274,118 filed Oct. 21, 2002, now granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,874, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,744, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,052, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location and identification, U.S. patents/patent applications identified by their U.S. patent/patent application serial numbers are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the U.S. patents/patent applications claim the right of priority.













US PATENT/PATENT



CROSS-REFERENCED
APPLICATION (CLAIMING


AUSTRALIAN PRO-
RIGHT OF PRIORITY


VISIONAL PATENT
FROM AUSTRALIAN PRO-
DOCKET


APPLICATION NO.
VISIONAL APPLICATION)
NO.







PO7991
09/113,060
ART01


PO8505
6,476,863
ART02


PO7988
09/113,073
ART03


PO9395
6,322,181
ART04


PO8017
6,597,817
ART06


PO8014
6,227,648
ART07


PO8025
09/112,750
ART08


PO8032
6,690,419
ART09


PO7999
09/112,743
ART10


PO7998
09/112,742
ART11


PO8031
09/112,741
ART12


PO8030
6,196,541
ART13


PO7997
6,195,150
ART15


PO7979
6,362,868
ART16


PO8015
09/112,738
ART17


PO7978
09/113,067
ART18


PO7982
6,431,669
ART19


PO7989
6,362,869
ART20


PO8019
6,472,052
ART21


PO7980
6,356,715
ART22


PO8018
09/112,777
ART24


PO7938
6,636,216
ART25


PO8016
6,366,693
ART26


PO8024
6,329,990
ART27


PO7940
09/113,072
ART28


PO7939
6,459,495
ART29


PO8501
6,137,500
ART30


PO8500
6,690,416
ART31


PO7987
09/113,071
ART32


PO8022
6,398,328
ART33


PO8497
09/113,090
ART34


PO8020
6,431,704
ART38


PO8023
09/113,222
ART39


PO8504
09/112,786
ART42


PO8000
6,415,054
ART43


PO7977
09/112,782
ART44


PO7934
6,665,454
ART45


PO7990
09/113,059
ART46


PO8499
6,486,886
ART47


PO8502
6,381,361
ART48


PO7981
6,317,192
ART50


PO7986
09/113,057
ART51


PO7983
09/113,054
ART52


PO8026
6,646,757
ART53


PO8027
09/112,759
ART54


PO8028
6,624,848
ART56


PO9394
6,357,135
ART57


PO9396
09/113,107
ART58


PO9397
6,271,931
ART59


PO9398
6,353,772
ART60


PO9399
6,106,147
ART61


PO9400
6,665,008
ART62


PO9401
6,304,291
ART63


PO9402
09/112,788
ART64


PO9403
6,305,770
ART65


PO9405
6,289,262
ART66


PP0959
6,315,200
ART68


PP1397
6,217,165
ART69


PP2370
09/112,781
DOT01


PP2371
09/113,052
DOT02


PO8003
6,350,023
Fluid01


PO8005
6,318,849
Fluid02


PO9404
09/113,101
Fluid03


PO8066
6,227,652
IJ01


PO8072
6,213,588
IJ02


PO8040
6,213,589
IJ03


PO8071
6,231,163
IJ04


PO8047
6,247,795
IJ05


PO8035
6,394,581
IJ06


PO8044
6,244,691
IJ07


PO8063
6,257,704
IJ08


PO8057
6,416,168
IJ09


PO8056
6,220,694
IJ10


PO8069
6,257,705
IJ11


PO8049
6,247,794
IJ12


PO8036
6,234,610
IJ13


PO8048
6,247,793
IJ14


PO8070
6,264,306
IJ15


PO8067
6,241,342
IJ16


PO8001
6,247,792
IJ17


PO8038
6,264,307
IJ18


PO8033
6,254,220
IJ19


PO8002
6,234,611
IJ20


PO8068
6,302,528
IJ21


PO8062
6,283,582
IJ22


PO8034
6,239,821
IJ23


PO8039
6,338,547
IJ24


PO8041
6,247,796
IJ25


PO8004
6,557,977
IJ26


PO8037
6,390,603
IJ27


PO8043
6,362,843
IJ28


PO8042
6,293,653
IJ29


PO8064
6,312,107
IJ30


PO9389
6,227,653
IJ31


PO9391
6,234,609
IJ32


PP0888
6,238,040
IJ33


PP0891
6,188,415
IJ34


PP0890
6,227,654
IJ35


PP0873
6,209,989
IJ36


PP0993
6,247,791
IJ37


PP0890
6,336,710
IJ38


PP1398
6,217,153
IJ39


PP2592
6,416,167
IJ40


PP2593
6,243,113
IJ41


PP3991
6,283,581
IJ42


PP3987
6,247,790
IJ43


PP3985
6,260,953
IJ44


PP3983
6,267,469
IJ45


PO7935
6,224,780
IJM01


PO7936
6,235,212
IJM02


PO7937
6,280,643
IJM03


PO8061
6,284,147
IJM04


PO8054
6,214,244
IJM05


PO8065
6,071,750
IJM06


PO8055
6,267,905
IJM07


PO8053
6,251,298
IJM08


PO8078
6,258,285
IJM09


PO7933
6,225,138
IJM10


PO7950
6,241,904
IJM11


PO7949
6,299,786
IJM12


PO8060
09/113,124
IJM13


PO8059
6,231,773
IJM14


PO8073
6,190,931
IJM15


PO8076
6,248,249
IJM16


PO8075
09/113,120
IJM17


PO8079
6,241,906
IJM18


PO8050
6,565,762
IJM19


PO8052
6,241,905
IJM20


PO7948
6,451,216
IJM21


PO7951
6,231,772
IJM22


PO8074
6,274,056
IJM23


PO7941
6,290,861
IJM24


PO8077
6,248,248
IJM25


PO8058
6,306,671
IJM26


PO8051
6,331,258
IJM27


PO8045
6,110,754
IJM28


PO7952
6,294,101
IJM29


PO8046
6,416,679
IJM30


PO9390
6,264,849
IJM31


PO9392
6,254,793
IJM32


PP0889
6,235,211
IJM35


PP0887
6,491,833
IJM36


PP0882
6,264,850
IJM37


PP0874
6,258,284
IJM38


PP1396
6,312,615
IJM39


PP3989
6,228,668
IJM40


PP2591
6,180,427
IJM41


PP3990
6,171,875
IJM42


PP3986
6,267,904
IJM43


PP3984
6,245,247
IJM44


PP3982
6,315,914
IJM45


PP0895
6,231,148
IR01


PP0870
09/113,106
IR02


PP0869
6,293,658
IR04


PP0887
6,614,560
IR05


PP0885
6,238,033
IR06


PP0884
6,312,070
IR10


PP0886
6,238,111
IR12


PP0871
09/113,086
IR13


PP0876
09/113,094
IR14


PP0877
6,378,970
IR16


PP0878
6,196,739
IR17


PP0879
09/112,774
IR18


PP0883
6,270,182
IR19


PP0880
6,152,619
IR20


PP0881
09/113,092
IR21


PO8006
6,087,638
MEMS02


PO8007
6,340,222
MEMS03


PO8008
09/113,062
MEMS04


PO8010
6,041,600
MEMS05


PO8011
6,299,300
MEMS06


PO7947
6,067,797
MEMS07


PO7944
6,286,935
MEMS09


PO7946
6,044,646
MEMS10


PO9393
09/113,065
MEMS11


PP0875
09/113,078
MEMS12


PP0894
6,382,769
MEMS13


PO7991
09/113,060
ART01


PO8505
09/113,070
ART02


PO7988
09/113,073
ART03


PO9395
6,322,181
ART04


PO8017
09/112,747
ART06


PO8014
09/112,776
ART07


PO8025
09/112,750
ART08


PO8032
09/112,746
ART09


PO7999
09/112,743
ART10


PO7998
09/112,742
ART11


PO8031
09/112,741
ART12


PO8030
6,196,541
ART13


PO7997
6,195,150
ART15


PO7979
09/113,053
ART16


PO8015
09/112,738
ART17


PO7978
09/113,067
ART18


PO7982
09/113,063
ART19


PO7989
09/113,069
ART20


PO8019
09/112,744
ART21


PO7980
6,356,715
ART22


PO8018
09/112,777
ART24


PO7938
09/113,224
ART25


PO8016
6,366,693
ART26


PO8024
09/112,805
ART27


PO7940
09/113,072
ART28


PO7939
09/112,785
ART29


PO8501
6,137,500
ART30


PO8500
09/112,796
ART31


PO7987
09/113,071
ART32


PO8022
09/112,824
ART33


PO8497
09/113,090
ART34


PO8020
09/112,823
ART38


PO8023
09/113,222
ART39


PO8504
09/112,786
ART42


PO8000
09/113,051
ART43


PO7977
09/112,782
ART44


PO7934
09/113,056
ART45


PO7990
09/113,059
ART46


PO8499
09/113,091
ART47


PO8502
6,381,361
ART48


PO7981
6,317,192
ART50


PO7986
09/113,057
ART51


PO7983
09/113,054
ART52


PO8026
09/112,752
ART53


PO8027
09/112,759
ART54


PO8028
09/112,757
ART56


PO9394
6,357,135
ART57


PO9396
09/113,107
ART58


PO9397
6,271,931
ART59


PO9398
6,353,772
ART60


PO9399
6,106,147
ART61


PO9400
09/112,790
ART62


PO9401
6,304,291
ART63


PO9402
09/112,788
ART64


PO9403
6,305,770
ART65


PO9405
6,289,262
ART66


PP0959
6,315,200
ART68


PP1397
6,217,165
ART69


PP2370
09/112,781
DOT01


PP2371
09/113,052
DOT02


PO8003
6,350,023
Fluid01


PO8005
6,318,849
Fluid02


PO9404
09/113,101
Fluid03


PO8066
6,227,652
IJ01


PO8072
6,213,588
IJ02


PO8040
6,213,589
IJ03


PO8071
6,231,163
IJ04


PO8047
6,247,795
IJ05


PO8035
09/113,099
IJ06


PO8044
6,244,691
IJ07


PO8063
6,257,704
IJ08


PO8057
09/112,778
IJ09


PO8056
6,220,694
IJ10


PO8069
6,257,705
IJ11


PO8049
6,247,794
IJ12


PO8036
6,234,610
IJ13


PO8048
6,247,793
IJ14


PO8070
6,264,306
IJ15


PO8067
6,241,342
IJ16


PO8001
6,247,792
IJ17


PO8038
6,264,307
IJ18


PO8033
6,254,220
IJ19


PO8002
6,234,611
IJ20


PO8068
09/112,808
IJ21


PO8062
6,283,582
IJ22


PO8034
6,239,821
IJ23


PO8039
09/113,083
IJ24


PO8041
6,247,796
IJ25


PO8004
09/113,122
IJ26


PO8037
09/112,793
IJ27


PO8043
09/112,794
IJ28


PO8042
09/113,128
IJ29


PO8064
09/113,127
IJ30


PO9389
6,227,653
IJ31


PO9391
6,234,609
IJ32


PP0888
6,238,040
IJ33


PP0891
6,188,415
IJ34


PP0890
6,227,654
IJ35


PP0873
6,209,989
IJ36


PP0993
6,247,791
IJ37


PP0890
6,336,710
IJ38


PP1398
6,217,153
IJ39


PP2592
09/112,767
IJ40


PP2593
6,243,113
IJ41


PP3991
6,283,581
IJ42


PP3987
6,247,790
IJ43


PP3985
6,260,953
IJ44


PP3983
6,267,469
IJ45


PO7935
6,224,780
IJM01


PO7936
6,235,212
IJM02


PO7937
6,280,643
IJM03


PO8061
6,284,147
IJM04


PO8054
6,214,244
IJM05


PO8065
6,071,750
IJM06


PO8055
6,267,905
IJM07


PO8053
6,251,298
IJM08


PO8078
6,258,285
IJM09


PO7933
6,225,138
IJM10


PO7950
6,241,904
IJM11


PO7949
09/113,129
IJM12


PO8060
09/113,124
IJM13


PO8059
6,231,773
IJM14


PO8073
6,190,931
IJM15


PO8076
6,248,249
IJM16


PO8075
09/113,120
IJM17


PO8079
6,241,906
IJM18


PO8050
09/113,116
IJM19


PO8052
6,241,905
IJM20


PO7948
09/113,117
IJM21


PO7951
6,231,772
IJM22


PO8074
6,274,056
IJM23


PO7941
09/113,110
IJM24


PO8077
6,248,248
IJM25


PO8058
09/113,087
IJM26


PO8051
09/113,074
IJM27


PO8045
6,110,754
IJM28


PO7952
09/113,088
IJM29


PO8046
09/112,771
IJM30


PO9390
6,264,849
IJM31


PO9392
6,254,793
IJM32


PP0889
6,235,211
IJM35


PP0887
09/112,801
IJM36


PP0882
6,264,850
IJM37


PP0874
6,258,284
IJM38


PP1396
09/113,098
IJM39


PP3989
6,228,668
IJM40


PP2591
6,180,427
IJM41


PP3990
6,171,875
IJM42


PP3986
6,267,904
IJM43


PP3984
6,245,247
IJM44


PP3982
09/112,835
IJM45


PP0895
6,231,148
IR01


PP0870
09/113,106
IR02


PP0869
09/113,105
IR04


PP0887
09/113,104
IR05


PP0885
6,238,033
IR06


PP0884
09/112,766
IR10


PP0886
6,238,111
IR12


PP0871
09/113,086
IR13


PP0876
09/113,094
IR14


PP0877
09/112,760
IR16


PP0878
6,196,739
IR17


PP0879
09/112,774
IR18


PP0883
6,270,182
IR19


PP0880
6,152,619
IR20


PP0881
09/113,092
IR21


PO8006
6,087,638
MEMS02


PO8007
09/113,093
MEMS03


PO8008
09/113,062
MEMS04


PO8010
6,041,600
MEMS05


PO8011
09/113,082
MEMS06


PO7947
6,067,797
MEMS07


PO7944
09/113,080
MEMS09


PO7946
6,044,646
MEMS10


PO9393
09/113,065
MEMS11


PP0875
09/113,078
MEMS12


PP0894
09/113,075
MEMS13











STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses an anisotropic media—ridged/fibre.
The present invention relates to print media and discloses a process of treatment so as to reduce the likelihood of “curling” in print media.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, it has become more and more popular in respect of photographic reproduction techniques to produce longer and longer “panoramic” views of an image. These images can be produced on photographic paper or the like and the structure of the image is normally to have longer and longer lengths in comparison to the width so as to produce the more “panoramic” type views.
Unfortunately, this imposes a problem where the photographic paper to be imaged upon originally was stored on a roll of small diameter.
For example, referring to FIG. 1, the print media upon which an image is to be printed can be stored on a small roll 3 for an indefinite period of time. The storage on the roll 3 can often impart a semi-permanent “curl” to the paper 4. Subsequently, a portion of the roll 3 is unrolled as required and an image 5 is deposited on the media by means of printing and/or photographic imaging. The print media with its image 5 is normally held in place by means of rollers so as to ensure an accurate, flat, plane surface is provided for any imaging device utilising the print media. At a subsequent phase of the processing the print media is normally cut into desired length and stacked in a “sheet” form 6.
However, when the print media is stored for long periods of time in a tightly curled roll, the print media 4 can take on a memory characteristic due to being curled around roller 3 for the extended period of time. Hence, images produced utilizing this process can often include an unwanted curl 7 consequential upon being tightly curled around roll 3. This is generally an undesirable characteristic. Of course, one way to overcome this problem is to increase the circumference of roll 3 and to thereby flatten the circumference of any paper roll around the roll 3. However, increasing the circumference of roll 3 is not desirable should it be required to include the roll 3 in a portable hand held type camera device. The portable nature of such a device requires as small a roll 3 as possible thereby leading to increasing levels of curl.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a form of print media having reduced curl characteristics.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a print roll for a digital camera with inbuilt printhead, the print roll comprising:
a roll of print media having a surface on which the printhead can print an image captured by the digital camera; wherein,
the print media incorporates fibers configured such that the media has a stiffness in a first direction that exceeds the stiffness in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
Preferably, the fibers are extruded polymer strands.
Preferably, the print media is formed by adhering the strands to one side of a paper substrate.
Preferably, the print media is formed by sandwiching the strands between two paper substrates.
Preferably, the strands are configured substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:
FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a method of creation of images on print media;
FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a illustrate the structure of the print media constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates utilization of the print media constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 4 illustrates a first form of construction of print media in accordance with the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 illustrates a further form of construction of print media in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of a further form of construction of print media in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates one form of manufacture of the print media construction in accordance with FIG. 6 and 7; and
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative form of manufacture by extruding fibrous material for utilization with the arrangement of FIG. 8.



DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print media to be stored in a tightly rolled form is processed to have an anisotropic ribbed structure which allows the print media to be suitable for carriage in a roll form but further allows for the anisotropic rib structure to be utilized when viewing images printed on the print media so as to reduce the extent of curling of the print media.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a sheet 10 of print media 11 as treated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The sheet 10 is preferably constructed of a plastic planar film although other forms of film 11 would be suitable. The sheet 10 is pre-treated to have a polymer rib-like structure 12 shown in FIG. 2 in an exaggerated form with the actual column pitch being approximately 200 μm. Hence, one surface of the sheet 10 is treated so as to have a series of columns e.g. 12 running up and down the length of the sheet 10, the cross-section of the column 12 being illustrated in an enlarged form in FIG. 2a. 
The advantage of utilizing the series of columns or ribs 12 is evident when a force 13 is applied to a portion of the surface area of the sheet 10. The column 12, although allowing the sheet 10 to be rolled tightly, resists any rolling of the sheet 10 in the direction 16. Hence, any force applied 13 is likely to be transmitted both in directions 15 and 16. The anisotropic nature of the sheet 10 will result in the ribs 12 acting to provide support both in directions 15 and 16 thereby limiting the curl of sheet 10. The resistance is primarily due to the resistance of ribs 12 from any bending in the direction 16. The anisotropic strength of the material also allows it to be stored on a roll with the greater strength axis being along the central axis of the roll.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the image on sheet 10 can then be viewed, with reduced effects due to curling, by merely holding the sheet 10 in a user's hands 20, 21 and applying subtle pressure at points 24, 25. The application of pressure at points 24, 25 is transmitted throughout the sheet 10 thereby providing a flat viewing surface with limited curling.
Of course, the anisotropic media can be produced utilizing a number of techniques where the media comprises a plastic type material. For example, it could be produced by methods of extrusion. Alternatively, other techniques can be utilized. For example, one form of production 40 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 and relies upon the media 41 being pressed between rollers 42, 43. The roller 43 has a flat surface with the roller 42 having a serrated surface 45 as illustrated in FIG. 4a. The dimensions of the serration are exaggerated in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes.
Where the media is unsuitable for utilization in such a process 40, the anisotropic media can be provided by utilizing two film surfaces joined together. Such a process 50 is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein a first surface 51 upon which it is desired to print an image is mated with a second surface 52 by means of glue, heat fusion etc. as required.
Furthermore, other forms of manufacture of the print media 11 are possible. For example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the construction of print media 60 is shown in cross-section and could be constructed from a first fibrous material 61 which can comprise strong polymer based fibres constructed from annealed polyethylene napthalate drawn into a fibrous form. A second heat flowable polymer 62 which can comprise polyethylene is utilized to provide the “paper” base for the carriage of ink/imaging chemicals. The media polymer 62 can be compressed with the fibrous material 61 while still in a viscous form (for example, after being heated) so that the fibre 61 and print base 62 form one integral unit as illustrated in FIG. 7. The arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be constructed in accordance with a number of techniques.
Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a first such technique which utilizes pre-formed spools e.g. 80 of fibrous material, the number of spools and corresponding fibres 81 being equivalent in number to the length of the desired print roll. The spools 80 are ranged such that corresponding fibres 81 are fed over a first roller 82. The fibres 81 are then drawn past a print media application unit 84 which applies the layer of viscous heated print media to the fibres. Subsequently, rollers 85, 86 apply the necessary pressure to the fibres and print media so as to fuse the two together and flatten the surface of the print media so as to form a final anisotropic surface 88. Subsequently, the surface 88 is cut across its width and rolled to form anisotropic print media as hereinbefore described.
Of course, alternative forms of creating the fibrous material on demand are possible. For example, in FIG. 9, there is illustrated one form of creating an extruded fibrous material by means of drawing fibre e.g. 91 from a vat 90, the arrangement of FIG. 9 designed to replace the need for spools 80 of FIG. 8.
It would be obvious to those skilled in a the art that other forms of forming the anisotropic surface may be possible, the foregoing describing only a number of embodiments. Further modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made to the composition and structure of the anisotropic print media without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the following claims.

## Claims

1. A digital camera print roll of curl-resistant planar print media, the planar print media having a surface on which an image can be deposited by printing and/or photographic imaging comprising:
a planar film treated to have a periodic rib structure wherein the ribs are disposed at a pitch of approximately 200 μm such that the print media has a stiffness in a first direction that exceeds the stiffness in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

2. A print media according to claim 1 wherein the planar film comprises a plastics material.

3. A print media according to claim 2 wherein the periodic rib structure is formed by extrusion.

4. A print media according to claim 2 wherein the periodic rib structure is formed by pressing the media between two rollers.

5. A print media according to claim 2 wherein the ribs are configured substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a roll direction of the media.