摘要 |
<p>A platen protecting thermal printing system effects borderless printing on an image receiver by thermal transfer of image imparting substance such as diffusible or sublimable dye from a donor web at a printing nip between coextensive portions of a thermal head and cooperating platen defining a nip width. The web is disposed between the head and receiver, and a platen protecting extension member is disposed between the receiver and platen, for common travel of the web, receiver and member through the nip during printing. The web width exceeds the receiver width and exceeds, equals or is exceeded by the nip width. The member width exceeds the nip width when the web width exceeds or equals the nip width, and exceeds the web width when the nip width exceeds the web width. The member is overprinted on its lateral portions extending beyond the receiver side edges within the range of the web width and/or nip width, while preventing overprinting on the platen. <IMAGE></p> |