Print medium with anisotropic bending properties

[0001] The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/072,530, filed on Mar. 7, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,940, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/853,184 filed May 26, 2004 now granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,875, which is a Continuation in Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/274,118 filed Oct. 21, 2002, now granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,874, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,744, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,052, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location and identification, US patents/patent applications identified by their US patent/patent application serial numbers are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the US patents/patent applications claim the right of priority.

[0002]

	US PATENT/
CROSS-REFERENCED	PATENT APPLICATION
AUSTRALIAN	(CLAIMING RIGHT OF
PROVISIONAL	PRIORITY FROM
PATENT	AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL	DOCKET
APPLICATION NO.	APPLICATION)	NO.
PO7991	09/113,060	ART01
PO8505	6,476,863	ART02
PO7988	09/113,073	ART03
PO9395	6,322,181	ART04
PO8017	6,597,817	ART06
PO8014	6,227,648	ART07
PO8025	09/112,750	ART08
PO8032	6,690,419	ART09
PO7999	09/112,743	ART10
PO7998	09/112,742	ART11
PO8031	09/112,741	ART12
PO8030	6,196,541	ART13
PO7997	6,195,150	ART15
PO7979	6,362,868	ART16
PO8015	09/112,738	ART17
PO7978	09/113,067	ART18
PO7982	6,431,669	ART19
PO7989	6,362,869	ART20
PO8019	6,472,052	ART21
PO7980	6,356,715	ART22
PO8018	09/112,777	ART24
PO7938	6,636,216	ART25
PO8016	6,366,693	ART26
PO8024	6,329,990	ART27
PO7940	09/113,072	ART28
PO7939	6,459,495	ART29
PO8501	6,137,500	ART30
PO8500	6,690,416	ART31
PO7987	09/113,071	ART32
PO8022	6,398,328	ART33
PO8497	09/113,090	ART34
PO8020	6,431,704	ART38
PO8023	09/113,222	ART39
PO8504	09/112,786	ART42
PO8000	6,415,054	ART43
PO7977	09/112,782	ART44
PO7934	6,665,454	ART45
PO7990	09/113,059	ART46
PO8499	6,486,886	ART47
PO8502	6,381,361	ART48
PO7981	6,317,192	ART50
PO7986	09/113,057	ART51
PO7983	09/113,054	ART52
PO8026	6,646,757	ART53
PO8027	09/112,759	ART54
PO8028	6,624,848	ART56
PO9394	6,357,135	ART57
PO9396	09/113,107	ART58
PO9397	6,271,931	ART59
PO9398	6,353,772	ART60
PO9399	6,106,147	ART61
PO9400	6,665,008	ART62
PO9401	6,304,291	ART63
PO9402	09/112,788	ART64
PO9403	6,305,770	ART65
PO9405	6,289,262	ART66
PP0959	6,315,200	ART68
PP1397	6,217,165	ART69
PP2370	09/112,781	DOT01
PP2371	09/113,052	DOT02
PO8003	6,350,023	Fluid01
PO8005	6,318,849	Fluid02
PO9404	09/113,101	Fluid03
PO8066	6,227,652	IJ01
PO8072	6,213,588	IJ02
PO8040	6,213,589	IJ03
PO8071	6,231,163	IJ04
PO8047	6,247,795	IJ05
PO8035	6,394,581	IJ06
PO8044	6,244,691	IJ07
PO8063	6,257,704	IJ08
PO8057	6,416,168	IJ09
PO8056	6,220,694	IJ10
PO8069	6,257,705	IJ11
PO8049	6,247,794	IJ12
PO8036	6,234,610	IJ13
PO8048	6,247,793	IJ14
PO8070	6,264,306	IJ15
PO8067	6,241,342	IJ16
PO8001	6,247,792	IJ17
PO8038	6,264,307	IJ18
PO8033	6,254,220	IJ19
PO8002	6,234,611	IJ20
PO8068	6,302,528	IJ21
PO8062	6,283,582	IJ22
PO8034	6,239,821	IJ23
PO8039	6,338,547	IJ24
PO8041	6,247,796	IJ25
PO8004	6,557,977	IJ26
PO8037	6,390,603	IJ27
PO8043	6,362,843	IJ28
PO8042	6,293,653	IJ29
PO8064	6,312,107	IJ30
PO9389	6,227,653	IJ31
PO9391	6,234,609	IJ32
PP0888	6,238,040	IJ33
PP0891	6,188,415	IJ34
PP0890	6,227,654	IJ35
PP0873	6,209,989	IJ36
PP0993	6,247,791	IJ37
PP0890	6,336,710	IJ38
PP1398	6,217,153	IJ39
PP2592	6,416,167	IJ40
PP2593	6,243,113	IJ41
PP3991	6,283,581	IJ42
PP3987	6,247,790	IJ43
PP3985	6,260,953	IJ44
PP3983	6,267,469	IJ45
PO7935	6,224,780	IJM01
PO7936	6,235,212	IJM02
PO7937	6,280,643	IJM03
PO8061	6,284,147	IJM04
PO8054	6,214,244	IJM05
PO8065	6,071,750	IJM06
PO8055	6,267,905	IJM07
PO8053	6,251,298	IJM08
PO8078	6,258,285	IJM09
PO7933	6,225,138	IJM10
PO7950	6,241,904	IJM11
PO7949	6,299,786	IJM12
PO8060	09/113,124	IJM13
PO8059	6,231,773	IJM14
PO8073	6,190,931	IJM15
PO8076	6,248,249	IJM16
PO8075	09/113,120	IJM17
PO8079	6,241,906	IJM18
PO8050	6,565,762	IJM19
PO8052	6,241,905	IJM20
PO7948	6,451,216	IJM21
PO7951	6,231,772	IJM22
PO8074	6,274,056	IJM23
PO7941	6,290,861	IJM24
PO8077	6,248,248	IJM25
PO8058	6,306,671	IJM26
PO8051	6,331,258	IJM27
PO8045	6,110,754	IJM28
PO7952	6,294,101	IJM29
PO8046	6,416,679	IJM30
PO9390	6,264,849	IJM31
PO9392	6,254,793	IJM32
PP0889	6,235,211	IJM35
PP0887	6,491,833	IJM36
PP0882	6,264,850	IJM37
PP0874	6,258,284	IJM38
PP1396	6,312,615	IJM39
PP3989	6,228,668	IJM40
PP2591	6,180,427	IJM41
PP3990	6,171,875	IJM42
PP3986	6,267,904	IJM43
PP3984	6,245,247	IJM44
PP3982	6,315,914	IJM45
PP0895	6,231,148	IR01
PP0870	09/113,106	IR02
PP0869	6,293,658	IR04
PP0887	6,614,560	IR05
PP0885	6,238,033	IR06
PP0884	6,312,070	IR10
PP0886	6,238,111	IR12
PP0871	09/113,086	IR13
PP0876	09/113,094	IR14
PP0877	6,378,970	IR16
PP0878	6,196,739	IR17
PP0879	09/112,774	IR18
PP0883	6,270,182	IR19
PP0880	6,152,619	IR20
PP0881	09/113,092	IR21
PO8006	6,087,638	MEMS02
PO8007	6,340,222	MEMS03
PO8008	09/113,062	MEMS04
PO8010	6,041,600	MEMS05
PO8011	6,299,300	MEMS06
PO7947	6,067,797	MEMS07
PO7944	6,286,935	MEMS09
PO7946	6,044,646	MEMS10
PO9393	09/113,065	MEMS11
PP0875	09/113,078	MEMS12
PP0894	6,382,769	MEMS13

[0003] Not applicable.

[0004] The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses an anisotropic media-ridged/fibre.

[0005] The present invention relates to print media and discloses a process of treatment so as to reduce the likelihood of “curling” in print media.

[0006] Recently, it has become more and more popular in respect of photographic reproduction techniques to produce longer and longer “panoramic” views of an image. These images can be produced on photographic paper or the like and the structure of the image is normally to have longer and longer lengths in comparison to the width so as to produce the more “panoramic” type views.

[0007] Unfortunately, this imposes a problem where the photographic paper to be imaged upon originally was stored on a roll of small diameter.

[0008] For example, referring to FIG. 1, the print media upon which an image is to be printed can be stored on a small roll 3 for an indefinite period of time. The storage on the roll 3 can often impart a semi-permanent “curl” to the paper 4. Subsequently, a portion of the roll 3 is unrolled as required and an image 5 is deposited on the media by means of printing and/or photographic imaging. The print media with its image 5 is normally held in place by means of rollers so as to ensure an accurate, flat, plane surface is provided for any imaging device utilising the print media. At a subsequent phase of the processing the print media is normally cut into desired length and stacked in a “sheet” form 6.

[0009] However, when the print media is stored for long periods of time in a tightly curled roll, the print media 4 can take on a memory characteristic due to being curled around roller 3 for the extended period of time. Hence, images produced utilizing this process can often include an unwanted curl 7 consequential upon being tightly curled around roll 3. This is generally an undesirable characteristic. Of course, one way to overcome this problem is to increase the circumference of roll 3 and to thereby flatten the circumference of any paper roll around the roll 3. However, increasing the circumference of roll 3 is not desirable should it be required to include the roll 3 in a portable hand held type camera device. The portable nature of such a device requires as small a roll 3 as possible thereby leading to increasing levels of curl.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a form of print media having reduced curl characteristics.

[0011] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a print roll for a digital camera with inbuilt printhead, the print roll comprising:

[0012] a roll of print media having a surface on which the printhead can print an image captured by the digital camera; wherein,

[0013] the print media incorporates fibers configured such that the media has a stiffness in a first direction that exceeds the stiffness in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] Preferably, the fibers are extruded polymer strands.

[0015] Preferably, the print media is formed by adhering the strands to one side of a paper substrate.

[0016] Preferably, the print media is formed by sandwiching the strands between two paper substrates.

[0017] Preferably, the strands are configured substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print media to be stored in a tightly rolled form is processed to have an anisotropic ribbed structure which allows the print media to be suitable for carriage in a roll form but further allows for the anisotropic rib structure to be utilized when viewing images printed on the print media so as to reduce the extent of curling of the print media.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a sheet 10 of print media 11 as treated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The sheet 10 is preferably constructed of a plastic planar film although other forms of film 11 would be suitable. The sheet 10 is pre-treated to have a polymer rib-like structure 12 shown in FIG. 2 in an exaggerated form with the actual column pitch being approximately 200 μm. Hence, one surface of the sheet 10 is treated so as to have a series of columns e.g. 12 running up and down the length of the sheet 10, the cross-section of the column 12 being illustrated in an enlarged form in FIG. 2a.

[0029] The advantage of utilizing the series of columns or ribs 12 is evident when a force 13 is applied to a portion of the surface area of the sheet 10. The column 12, although allowing the sheet 10 to be rolled tightly, resists any rolling of the sheet 10 in the direction 16. Hence, any force applied 13 is likely to be transmitted both in directions 15 and 16. The anisotropic nature of the sheet 10 will result in the ribs 12 acting to provide support both in directions 15 and 16 thereby limiting the curl of sheet 10. The resistance is primarily due to the resistance of ribs 12 from any bending in the direction 16. The anisotropic strength of the material also allows it to be stored on a roll with the greater strength axis being along the central axis of the roll.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 3, the image on sheet 10 can then be viewed, with reduced effects due to curling, by merely holding the sheet 10 in a user's hands 20, 21 and applying subtle pressure at points 24, 25. The application of pressure at points 24, 25 is transmitted throughout the sheet 10 thereby providing a flat viewing surface with limited curling.

[0031] Of course, the anisotropic media can be produced utilizing a number of techniques where the media comprises a plastic type material. For example, it could be produced by methods of extrusion. Alternatively, other techniques can be utilized. For example, one form of production 40 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 and relies upon the media 41 being pressed between rollers 42, 43. The roller 43 has a flat surface with the roller 42 having a serrated surface 45 as illustrated in FIG. 4a. The dimensions of the serration are exaggerated in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes.

[0032] Where the media is unsuitable for utilization in such a process 40, the anisotropic media can be provided by utilizing two film surfaces joined together. Such a process 50 is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein a first surface 51 upon which it is desired to print an image is mated with a second surface 52 by means of glue, heat fusion etc. as required.

[0033] Furthermore, other forms of manufacture of the print media 11 are possible. For example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the construction of print media 60 is shown in cross-section and could be constructed from a first fibrous material 61 which can comprise strong polymer based fibres constructed from annealed polyethylene napthalate drawn into a fibrous form. A second heat flowable polymer 62 which can comprise polyethylene is utilized to provide the “paper” base for the carriage of ink/imaging chemicals. The media polymer 62 can be compressed with the fibrous material 61 while still in a viscous form (for example, after being heated) so that the fibre 61 and print base 62 form one integral unit as illustrated in FIG. 7. The arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be constructed in accordance with a number of techniques.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a first such technique which utilizes pre-formed spools e.g. 80 of fibrous material, the number of spools and corresponding fibres 81 being equivalent in number to the length of the desired print roll. The spools 80 are ranged such that corresponding fibres 81 are fed over a first roller 82. The fibres 81 are then drawn past a print media application unit 84 which applies the layer of viscous heated print media to the fibres. Subsequently, rollers 85, 86 apply the necessary pressure to the fibres and print media so as to fuse the two together and flatten the surface of the print media so as to form a final anisotropic surface 88. Subsequently, the surface 88 is cut across its width and rolled to form anisotropic print media as hereinbefore described.

[0035] Of course, alternative forms of creating the fibrous material on demand are possible. For example, in FIG. 9, there is illustrated one form of creating an extruded fibrous material by means of drawing fibre e.g. 91 from a vat 90, the arrangement of FIG. 9 designed to replace the need for spools 80 of FIG. 8.

[0036] It would be obvious to those skilled in a the art that other forms of forming the anisotropic surface may be possible, the foregoing describing only a number of embodiments. Further modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made to the composition and structure of the anisotropic print media without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the following claims.