Abstract:
A platen-driven thermal dye printer mechanism (1), and more particularly to a cone-shaped scuff roller (7) which aligns a dye print receiver media sheet (2) with the receiver guide wall (8) during printing in a reciprocating direction (5). Using at least one conical shaped scuff roller (7) at one end of a platen roller (4) to transport the precut dye receiver media (2). The conical scuff roller (7) presses the back surface of the dye receiver media (2) against the non-imaging margin of the thermal dye printer mechanism (1). The invention uses a smooth guiding plate (28) and platen (4) thus, preventing scratches on the front surface of the receiver media (2). The invention is not subject to costly breakdowns, in that it uses the clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the platen (4) to provide perfect alignment of the receiver media (2) and printer head (9).
Abstract:
A dye donor cartridge and method for use in a printer. The cartridge comprises a dye donor ribbon formed into a roll. The dye donor ribbon has an end portion. A shield is attached to the end portion of the dye donor ribbon and surrounds the dye donor ribbon as the dye donor ribbon forms the roll. In this manner, the shield shields the dye donor ribbon from damage during handling of the ribbon roll. The dye donor ribbon roll including its shield is mountable on a supply spool, so that the dye donor ribbon unrolls from about the supply spool as the supply spool rotates. The shield preferably has a plurality of sprocket holes for engaging the sprockets of a take-up spool, so that the dye donor ribbon is precisely taken-up onto the take-up spool without "jamming" as the take-up spool rotates. An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises an encasement surrounding the shield as the shield surrounds the dye donor ribbon for enhancing protection of the dye donor ribbon roll during handling. The encasement has a slit for passage of the shield and the dye donor ribbon therethrough. Moreover, the encasement includes an integrally attached lip of predetermined shape and extending along the slit for separating the shield from the roll of dye donor ribbon and for guiding the shield through the slit.