Method and apparatus for thermally marking a record medium

(19)

(11)

EP 0 028 334 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	29.12.1982 Bulletin 1982/52

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	13.05.1981 Bulletin 1981/19

(21)	Application number: 80106260

(22)	Date of filing: 15.10.1980

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB IT

(30)

Priority:

01.11.1979 US 90831

(71)	Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
	()

(72)	Inventor:
	Wilbur, Clayton Vance ()

(54)	Method and apparatus for thermally marking a record medium

(57) The apparatus comprises a thermal print head comprising a row of electrodes 22 embedded in a layer 19 of insulating material sandwiched between two blocks 20, 21 which provides a common return conductor for currents from source 26. Each electrode is individually connectable via switches 25 to the source 26. The transfer ribbon 14 comprises a resistive layer 23 which is electrically contacted by both the electrodes 22 and the return conductor 20 and an inking layer 24 which contacts the record sheet 15. In use the head is moved along the ribbon 14 in the direction of the arrow 28 and the switches 25 selectively actuated to cause thermal transfer of ink from the layer 24 to the record sheet 15. The transfer is caused by heat generated in the layer 23 when local currents are established herein between the electrodes 22 and the return conductor 20.

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