US3725639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal processor
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1972-03-23
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1992-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A thermal processing device comprises a roller having a metallic core and an outer layer of elastomeric plastic material which permits a sheet or strip of photosensitive material that is to be developed to be held and maintained in intimate contact with a heating element. The heating element comprises a ceramic resistance member which forms a semi-cylindrical shoe about the roller, the latter being maintained in intimate contact with the heating element. With such a structure, it is not necessary to maintain the heating element in a standby condition, because the heating element will be brought to the proper operating temperature so quickly that the sheet or strip of material that is to be processed can be fed into the nip of the heating element and the roller a few seconds after turning on of the electrical energy that is applied to the heating element.
Inventors
- 👤 K Seil
- 👤 J Worth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:05
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An electrical, thermal device for processing a sheet of material bearing one or more latent images, comprising: a roller having a cylindrical core and an outer layer of elastomeric plastic material carried by said core; a ceramic, resistive heating element extending axially of said roller and having a surface thereof contiguous to at least a portion of the peripheral surface of said outer layer; a source of potential connected to said element for generating heat; and drive means coupled to said roller for moving said sheet of material at a predetermined continuous rate in thermally conductive contact with said element so that the latter effectively heats said sheet of material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An electrical, thermal device for processing a sheet of material bearing one or more latent images, comprising: a roller having a cylindrical core and an outer layer of elastomeric plastic material carried by said core; a ceramic, resistive heating element extending axially of said roller and having a surface thereof contiguous to at least a portion of the peripheral surface of said outer layer; a source of potential connected to said element for generating heat; and drive means coupled to said roller for moving said sheet of material at a predetermined continuous rate in thermally conductive contact with said element so that the latter effectively heats said sheet of material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrical, thermal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer layer comprises polyurethane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical, thermal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer layer is an electrically resistive foam rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical, thermal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer layer is a soft electrically resistive rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical, thermal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the surface of said heating element is contiguous to at least 180* of the peripheral surface of said outer layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical, thermal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cross section of said heating element is generally an annulus sector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical, thermal device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said heating element is semi-tubular and the inner surface thereof is contiguous to said outer layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electrical, thermal device for processing a sheet of material bearing at least one latent image, comprising: a roller having a cylindrical core and an outer layer of polyurethane carried thereby; a generally semi-tubular ceramic electrically resistive heating element, the inner surface of which is generally contiguous to the peripheral surface of said outer layer; a source of potential connected to said heating element for generating heat; and drive means coupled to said roller for moving said sheet of material at a predetermined rate in thermally conductive contact with said heating element so that the latter effectively heats said sheet of material thereby developing said latent image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electrical, thermal device for processing a sheet of material bearing at least one latent image, comprising: a roller having a cylindrical core and an outer layer of polyurethane carried thereby; a generally semi-tubular ceramic electrically resistive heating element, the inner surface of which is generally contiguous to the peripheral surface of said outer layer; a source of potential connected to said heating element for generating heat; and drive means coupled to said roller for moving said sheet of material at a predetermined rate in thermally conductive contact with said heating element so that the latter effectively heats said sheet of material thereby developing said latent image.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |