US4132882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for fixing toner with heat and a fixing agent
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1976-06-28
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Granted: 1979-01-02
•
Expires: 1996-06-28
Abstract
Abstract Toner images are fixed by selectively elevating the temperature of the toner image portions and supplying a fixing agent to the toner image portions at the elevated temperature by utilizing the temperature difference between the toner image portions and the non-image portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Ichiro Endo
- 👤 Toshiyuki Komatsu
- 👤 Yoshio Takasu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A process for fixing a toner image comprising the steps of: (a) providing a receiving surface having a toner image portion and a non-toner image portion; (b) contacting said toner image portion with a supported layer of fixing agent for said toner image; (c) providing sufficient heat to said toner image portion after step (a) to cause the fixing agent to selectively adhere to said toner image portion; and (b) separating said receiving surface from said supported layer of fixing agent after the fixing agent selectively adheres to the toner image portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for fixing a toner image comprising the steps of: (a) providing a receiving surface having a toner image portion and a non-toner image portion; (b) contacting said toner image portion with a supported layer of fixing agent for said toner image; (c) providing sufficient heat to said toner image portion after step (a) to cause the fixing agent to selectively adhere to said toner image portion; and (b) separating said receiving surface from said supported layer of fixing agent after the fixing agent selectively adheres to the toner image portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the heat provided to said toner image portion includes radiant heat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the heat provided to said toner image portion includes Joule heat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein high frequency induction heating is used to provide at least some of the heat provided to said toner image portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the fixing agent is a mixture having an apparent melting point or softening point between 20 and 200° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein contacting step (b) precedes heating step (c).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein heating step (c) precedes contacting step (b).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein contacting step (b) and heating step (c) are carried out simultaneously.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying additional heating after the fixing agent selectively adheres to the toner image portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying pressure to the receiving surface after the fixing agent selectively adheres to the toner image portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the fixing agent is an organic compound having a melting point or softening point of 20-200° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the thickness of the fixing agent layer is 0.5-100 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the thickness of the fixing agent layer is 0.5-100 microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said organic compound is a member selected from the group consisting of waxes, fatty acids, fatty acid metal salts, fatty acid amides, fatty acid anilides, fatty acid esters, phthalic acid esters, phosphoric acid esters, low molecular weight polymers, diphenic acid, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol benzoate, epoxy linseed oil, butyl epoxystearate, ethylenephthalylbutyl glycolate, polyester series plasticizers, nitrile series synthetic rubber, straight chain diabasic acid esters and oligomers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said fixing agent further contains a silica colloid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said fixing agent further contains a silicone oil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said fixing agent further contains a surface active agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said toner comprises a coloring matter and a resin, and wherein said fixing agent further contains a solvent or plasticizer for said toner resin.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for fixing a toner image on a receiving sheet with a fixing agent comprising: means for coating a support with a layer of fixing agent; means for contacting said supported layer of fixing agent with the toner image on said receiving sheet; means for selectively heating said toner image to cause said fixing agent to selectively adhere to said toner image; and means for separating said receiving sheet from said supported layer of fixing agent after said fixing agent selectively adheres to said toner image.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for fixing a toner image on a receiving sheet with a fixing agent comprising: means for coating a support with a layer of fixing agent; means for contacting said supported layer of fixing agent with the toner image on said receiving sheet; means for selectively heating said toner image to cause said fixing agent to selectively adhere to said toner image; and means for separating said receiving sheet from said supported layer of fixing agent after said fixing agent selectively adheres to said toner image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said heating means heats said toner image after said toner image contacts said fixing agent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said selective heating means heats said toner image simultaneously with the contacting of said toner image with said fixing agent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said selective heating means heats said toner image prior to contact of said toner image with said fixing agent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said contacting means comprises the support upon which the layer of fixing agent is coated on a first side thereof and means to contact said toner image with said side bearing said fixing agent, wherein said support is transparent and wherein said selective heating means includes radiation means for irradiating said toner image through said transparent support while in contact with said fixing agent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3493412A
Cited
US3893761A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-01 | 1982-07-03 | 1983-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-01 | 1986-07-03 | 1987-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-01 | 1990-07-03 | 1991-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |