US4462675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for thermally fixing toner images
Assignee: Hoechst AG
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Filing: 1981-11-23
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Granted: 1984-07-31
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Expires: 2001-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A process is disclosed for thermally fixing on a support a latent electrostatic image which has been rendered visible by means of a suspension developer by applying heat and vaporizing the developing liquid, in which process the evaporating developing liquid is sucked off, condensed, separated and collected.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Moraw
- 👤 Gunther Schaedlich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for thermally fixing a latent electrostatic image which has been rendered visible by a liquid suspension developer, comprising: a heater; a support for said image; means for moving said support past said heater thereby vaporizing the developing liquid; two vent systems arranged as an inner vent system disposed in the area of said heater and as an outer vent system disposed downstream of said heater in the discharge area of the copy support for sucking off said vaporized developing liquid in an air stream; and means connected to said vent systems for condensing said vaporized liquid, including a spray device for spraying a finely divided transport medium into said vaporized liquid and a condenser tube positioned downstream of said spray device, and separating and collecting said condensed liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for thermally fixing a latent electrostatic image which has been rendered visible by a liquid suspension developer, comprising: a heater; a support for said image; means for moving said support past said heater thereby vaporizing the developing liquid; two vent systems arranged as an inner vent system disposed in the area of said heater and as an outer vent system disposed downstream of said heater in the discharge area of the copy support for sucking off said vaporized developing liquid in an air stream; and means connected to said vent systems for condensing said vaporized liquid, including a spray device for spraying a finely divided transport medium into said vaporized liquid and a condenser tube positioned downstream of said spray device, and separating and collecting said condensed liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer vent includes vent openings disposed in at least two planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said two planes are disposed perpendicular to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 and further including means for recirculating said air stream after said developing liquid is separated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spray device comprises a device for producing vaporized water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spray device comprises a device for producing atomized water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said condensor tube comprises an air-cooled condenser tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transport medium comprises a liquid non-miscible with said developing liquid, and said apparatus further comprises a collecting vessel at the outlet of said condenser tube, said collecting vessel comprising means for separating the condensed developing liquid from the transport medium based upon layer separation of said non-miscible liquids.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-01-30 | 1988-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-31 | 1992-01-30 | 1992-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-31 | 1996-01-30 | 1996-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |