FR2775631A1 - COLOR INK THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTING TAPE FOR PRINTER - Google Patents

Abstract

The ribbon comprises a film (1) supporting a layer of printing ink (2) and detection means (3) arranged to obstruct radiation of determined wavelength for which the layer of printing ink printing (2) is transparent, the detection means comprising an intermediate ink layer (3) opaque in the wavelength considered, between the film (1) and the printing ink layer (2).

Description

Color ink thermal transfer printing ribbon for

  The present invention relates to a transfer printing ribbon.

thermal ink for printer.

  From the outset, it will be noted that by thermal transfer is understood both thermal transfer stricto sensu and sublimation, that is to say any ink transfer process by a thermal source. The man of

profession knows this.

  There are black ink ribbons and colored ink ribbons. Onne

  here consider only the colored ribbons.

  A black ribbon comprises a support film, generally made of polyethylene (PET), a layer of black ink and, between the two, an anti-photocopy layer also of black color. The two layers being opaque to infrared rays, in some printers, an infrared transceiver assembly is used to detect the presence of the ribbon. If the radiation from an emitting infrared diode is received by a receiving phototransistor, there is no ribbon. Otherwise, the

  radiation is stopped by the ribbon.

  In the case of a colored ribbon, the layer of ink, not black, is directly applied to the film, without an intermediate black anti-photocopy layer, to avoid that, after printing, the ribbon cannot be read directly. Otherwise, the areas devoid of ink would appear clearly on the black background of the photocopy layer, perfectly

  delimited by the remaining parts of the color ink layer.

  However, such a structure of printing ribbon by thermal transfer of color ink does not allow detection of presence by radiation (infrared), since the ribbon (film and ink layer of

  color) is completely transparent to rays (infrared).

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  Well, the applicant has decided to propose a printing ribbon by thermal transfer of color ink for printer, with a film supporting a layer of printing ink, characterized in that it includes detection means arranged to obstruct radiation of determined wavelength for which the layer

  printing ink is transparent.

  The presence of the ribbon can therefore be detected in this wavelength by a transmitter-receiver unit operating in this length.

wave, for example infrared.

  Advantageously, there is provided an intermediate ink layer opaque in the wavelength considered, between the film and the ink layer

  to detect the presence of the ribbon.

  But we could also consider considering a tinted support film

  in the mass to be opaque in said wavelength.

  As an intermediate presence detection layer, one can consider for example the layer referenced ML SUMI from the manufacturer DAI

NIPPON PRINTING.

  The invention will be better understood using the following description of a

  interesting embodiment of the transfer printing ribbon

  thermal, with reference to the single figure which represents it in section.

  The ribbon comprises a support film 1, here made of polyethylene, a layer of printing ink of color 2, conventional, and, between the two, an intermediate layer 3, here a layer of ink of black color referenced ML SUMI of manufacturer DAI NIPPON PRINTING. The support film 1 and the printing ink layer 2 are transparent to infrared radiation, while the intermediate layer 3 is opaque in this wavelength. Thus, a transmitter-receiver unit operating in infrared, on the same side of the ribbon, with a mirror on the other side, or respectively on the two sides of the ribbon, makes it possible to

detect the presence of the ribbon.

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Claims (4)

  1.- Printing ribbon by thermal transfer of color ink for printer, with a film (1) supporting a layer of printing ink (2), characterized in that it comprises detection means ( 3) arranged to obstruct radiation of determined wavelength for which the printing ink layer (2) is transparent. 2. A thermal transfer printing ribbon according to claim 1, in which there is provided an intermediate ink layer (3) opaque in the wavelength considered, between the film (1) and the ink layer.   (2), to detect the presence of the ribbon.   3. A thermal transfer printing ribbon according to claim 2, in which the intermediate presence detection layer (3) is a   layer referenced ML SUMI from the manufacturer DAI NIPPON PRINTING.   4. A thermal transfer printing ribbon according to claim 1, in which the support film (1) is tinted in the mass to be opaque. in said wavelength.