US5089363A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner fixing method and apparatus and image bearing receiving sheet
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1989-09-11
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Granted: 1992-02-18
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Expires: 2009-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A dry toner image is embedded in a thermoplastic layer on a receiving sheet by pressing a ferrotyping web against the image in the presence of sufficient heat to soften the layer. Preferably, the layer is preheated and the web and image are pressed together by a pair of hard rollers to a pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch. A curl preventing layer opposite thermoplastic layer does not offset on a backing roller because it has a melting point above the temperature of the process.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald S. Rimai
- 👤 Muhammad Aslam
- 👤 Carlton D. Baxter
- 👤 Kevin M. Johnson
- 👤 Ernest J. Tamary
- 👤 Joseph F. Laukaitis
- 👤 Hal E. Wright
- 👤 Tsang J. Chen
- 👤 William J. Staudenmayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; G03G13/00; G03G13/20; G03G7/00; G03G7/0006; G03G7/002; G03G7/0026; G03G7/0086; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/2003; G03G2215/2016; G03G2215/2025; G03G2215/2032; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S428/914; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/24893; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31725; Y10T428/31768; Y10T428/31772; Y10T428/31775; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/3188; Y10T428/31895; Y10T428/31942; Y10T428/31949; Y10T428/31964
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of treating a multicolor toner image carried on the outer surface of a thermoplastic outer layer of a receiving sheet, said toner image including a plurality of layers of heat softenable dry toner, which toner is made up of toner particles having an average diameter of 8 microns or less, and which layers have been adhered together and partially embedded in said thermoplastic layer by a heat transfer process, but which layers extend above the surface of said thermoplastic layer in a relief image which varies according to the image, said method comprising: placing said image carrying surface in contact with a surface of a material which latter surface is smooth, hard and has low surface energy, with said thermoplastic layer at a temperature at or above its glass transition temperature, applying a force urging said surfaces together to provide a pressure of at least 100 pounds per square inch between the surfaces to further embed said toner image in said thermoplastic layer and reduce the relief image, allowing said thermoplastic layer to cool below its glass transition temperature while still in contact with said smooth, hard surface, and separating said cooled thermoplastic layer from said web.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of treating a multicolor toner image carried on the outer surface of a thermoplastic outer layer of a receiving sheet, said toner image including a plurality of layers of heat softenable dry toner, which toner is made up of toner particles having an average diameter of 8 microns or less, and which layers have been adhered together and partially embedded in said thermoplastic layer by a heat transfer process, but which layers extend above the surface of said thermoplastic layer in a relief image which varies according to the image, said method comprising: placing said image carrying surface in contact with a surface of a material which latter surface is smooth, hard and has low surface energy, with said thermoplastic layer at a temperature at or above its glass transition temperature, applying a force urging said surfaces together to provide a pressure of at least 100 pounds per square inch between the surfaces to further embed said toner image in said thermoplastic layer and reduce the relief image, allowing said thermoplastic layer to cool below its glass transition temperature while still in contact with said smooth, hard surface, and separating said cooled thermoplastic layer from said web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the step of heating said thermoplastic layer at least to its glass transistion temperature prior to the step of placing said layer in contact with said smooth, hard surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said force applying step is accomplished by moving the material having the smooth, hard surface and the receiving sheet together through a nip formed by a pair of hard rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said smooth, hard surface has a surface energy of less than 47 ergs per square/cm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said smooth, hard surface has a surface energy of less than 40 ergs per square/cm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said material having said smooth, hard surface has a Youngs modulus greater than 10 8 Newtons/m 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein each of said rollers has a hard metallic outer surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the roller backing said web has a metallic surface contacting the web and the other roller has a thin elastomeric coating contacting the receiving sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said force applying step includes providing sufficient pressure to embed entirely the toner image in said thermoplastic layer, thereby entirely removing toner caused relief from said image and applying substantial gloss to said image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said pressure is at least 300 pounds per square inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said toner image is made up of toner particles having an average diameter of 3.5 microns or less.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said smooth, hard surface is sufficiently hard and smooth to impart a glossy finish to said image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said material having said smooth, hard surface has a metal support and a silicone surface treatment contacting said thermoplastic layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said material having said smooth, hard surface is polished stainless steel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said material having said smooth, hard surface is electroformed nickel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic layer has a glass transition temperature less than the glass transition temperature of said toner and said process is controlled to prevent the temperature of said toner from rising substantially above its glass transition temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic layer has a glass transition temperature between 45° and 70° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said toner image is composed of toner particles having an average diameter of 3.5 microns or less and said pressure is at least 300 pounds per square inch.
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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) | 1995-02-17 | 1995-08-19 | 1996-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-17 | 1999-08-19 | 2000-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-17 | 2003-08-19 | 2004-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |