US3601484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color copying apparatus
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1970-06-19
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-06-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is described for making full color copies of colored originals. Color separation, and thermally induced printing of separate colors in accurate registration, is accomplished rapidly and automatically. The apparatus employs a thermographic dry image-forming process. A powder supply unit operating at high potential applies powder to a photosensitive color transfer sheet in a pattern defined by a color separation light-image of the original. The radiation-absorptive powder pattern is heated by exposure to radiant energy to cause transfer of color to a receptor sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas H Dybvig
- 👤 John W Ulseth
- 👤 Joseph A Wiese Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/02; G03B27/14; G03B27/30; G03B27/306; G03G15/01; G03G15/0142; G03G15/0147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
Apparatus useful in transferring color material from a photosensitive intermediate containing said material to a receptive print sheet as a colored record of a colored original, comprising, in combination: holding means for maintaining said original and said print sheet in mutually optically fixed positions; exposure means for directing a light-pattern of said original toward said print sheet; positioning means for placing said intermediate against said print sheet and at the focus of said light-pattern; developing means for forming at the surface of the intermediate a differentially radiation-absorptive pattern defined by said light-pattern; and irradiating means for briefly exposing said pattern to high intensity radiation and thereby inducing localized heating for transferring said color material from said intermediate to said print sheet in said pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus useful in transferring color material from a photosensitive intermediate containing said material to a receptive print sheet as a colored record of a colored original, comprising, in combination: holding means for maintaining said original and said print sheet in mutually optically fixed positions; exposure means for directing a light-pattern of said original toward said print sheet; positioning means for placing said intermediate against said print sheet and at the focus of said light-pattern; developing means for forming at the surface of the intermediate a differentially radiation-absorptive pattern defined by said light-pattern; and irradiating means for briefly exposing said pattern to high intensity radiation and thereby inducing localized heating for transferring said color material from said intermediate to said print sheet in said pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus of claim 1 including removal means for separating said intermediate and said print sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus of claim 2 wherein said exposure means includes a series of color separation means, and including indexing means for placing a particular one of said separation means in said light-pattern and simultaneously for placing against said print sheet an intermediate containing a transferable color material appropriate to said one color separation means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said series includes the three primary colors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus of claim 4 wherein said indexing means includes control means for separately indexing each of said series of color separation means and each of a corresponding series of photosensitive intermediates in a single recording sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus of claim 5 wherein said removal means includes separation means for maintaining separation between said intermediate and said print sheet during operation of said indexing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said developing means includes a source of electrically conductive radiation-absorptive toner powder and applicator means for preferentially releasing said powder at high potential to nonlight-struck areas of said photosensitive surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positioning means includes vacuum platen means against which both print sheet and intermediate may be held by air pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |