Patent attributes
A system (799) and method for continuous web sublimate dye transfer printing uses platens (800, 805) which also act as air bearings. The platens are heated by resistive heating elements ( 825 ) or other means. A sandwich of air-impermeable dye-image donor tissue (1100), the medium to be printed (1140), and air-impermeable backup tissue (1115) are fed through the heated air bearing where the dye transfer step occurs. The tissues and medium are supplied on supply rolls (1105, 1120, and 1145) which are restrained by braking mechanisms (not shown). Take-up rolls (1110, 1160, and 1135) are driven by motor-and-clutch mechanisms (not shown) so that the tissues and medium to be printed move through the heated region between the platens without sliding past one-another. The platens are forced together on either side of the tissue-medium sandwich with sufficient pressure to prevent the sublimate dye gas from migrating sideways through the medium being printed.
