US4743939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intermediate transfer apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1987-06-01
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Granted: 1988-05-10
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Expires: 2007-06-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus in which a liquid image is transferred from a photoconductive member to a copy sheet. The liquid image, which includes a liquid carrier having toner particles dispersed therein, is attracted from the photoconductive member to an intermediate belt having a transfer liquid coated thereon. The transfer liquid has a higher viscosity than the viscosity of the liquid carrier. Liquid carrier is removed from the transfer liquid coated on the belt. Toner particles are transferred from the transfer liquid coated on the intermediate belt to the copy sheet in image configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Jessica B. Dulmage
- 👤 Henry R. Till
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1605; G03G15/161; G03G15/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for transferring a liquid image having at least a liquid carrier with toner particles dispersed therein from a member to a copy sheet, including: an intermediate member positioned to have at least a portion thereof adjacent the member in a transfer zone; a transfer liquid coated on said intermediate member, said transfer liquid having a higher viscosity than the viscosity of the liquid carrier; means, located in the transfer zone, for attracting the liquid image from the member to the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; means for removing liquid carrier from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; and means for transferring the toner particles from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member to the copy sheet in image configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for transferring a liquid image having at least a liquid carrier with toner particles dispersed therein from a member to a copy sheet, including: an intermediate member positioned to have at least a portion thereof adjacent the member in a transfer zone; a transfer liquid coated on said intermediate member, said transfer liquid having a higher viscosity than the viscosity of the liquid carrier; means, located in the transfer zone, for attracting the liquid image from the member to the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; means for removing liquid carrier from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; and means for transferring the toner particles from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member to the copy sheet in image configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate member is a porous belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said removing means includes means for drawing the liquid carrier though the transfer fluid and said belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said attracting means includes a corona generator positioned in the transfer zone adjacent said belt on the side thereof opposed from said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said transferring means includes a transfer roll in engagement with said belt to define a nip through which the copy sheet passes to receive the toner particles in image configuration and a portion of the transfer liquid from said belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said intermediate member includes at least a pair of spaced rollers, one of said pair of spaced rollers being opposed from said transfer roll.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said one of said pair of spaced rollers is heated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a liquid image of liquid carrier with toner particles dispersed therein formed on a photoconductive member, including: an intermediate member positioned to have at least a portion thereof adjacent the photoconductive member in a transfer zone; a transfer liquid coated on said intermediate member, said transfer liquid having a higher viscosity than the viscosity of the liquid carrier; means, located in the transfer zone, for attracting the liquid image from the photoconductive member to the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; means for removing liquid carrier from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; and means for transferring the toner particles from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member to the copy sheet in image configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a liquid image of liquid carrier with toner particles dispersed therein formed on a photoconductive member, including: an intermediate member positioned to have at least a portion thereof adjacent the photoconductive member in a transfer zone; a transfer liquid coated on said intermediate member, said transfer liquid having a higher viscosity than the viscosity of the liquid carrier; means, located in the transfer zone, for attracting the liquid image from the photoconductive member to the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; means for removing liquid carrier from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member; and means for transferring the toner particles from the transfer liquid on said intermediate member to the copy sheet in image configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A printing machine according to claim 8, wherein said intermediate member is a porous belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A printing machine according to claim 9, wherein said removing means includes means for drawing the liquid carrier though the transfer fluid and said belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A printing machine according to claim 10, wherein said attracting means includes a corona generator positioned in the transfer zone adjacent said belt on the side thereof opposed from the photoconductive member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A printing machine according to claim 11, wherein said transferring means includes a transfer roll in engagement with said belt to define a nip through which the copy sheet passes to receive the toner particles in image configuration and a portion of the transfer liquid from said belt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A printing machine according to claim 12, wherein said intermediate member includes at least a pair of spaced rollers, one of said pair of spaced rollers being opposed from said transfer roll.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said one of said pair of spaced rollers is heated.
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) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |