US5233397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal transfer apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1992-08-24
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2012-08-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for transferring a developed image from a surface to a heated intermediate member. The intermediate member is reheated to at least partially melt the image therein. Thereafter, the image is transferred from the intermediate member to a sheet and fixed thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry R. Till
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1605; G03G15/161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for transferring a developed image from a surface to a sheet of support material, comprising: an intermediate member having a portion thereof contacting the surface; first means for heating at least the portion of said intermediate member contacting the surface to tack the image to said intermediate member; means for transferring the image from said intermediate member to the sheet of support material, and substantially simultaneously fixing the image thereto; and second means, located intermediate and first heating means and said transferring and fixing means, for heating said intermediate member so as to at least partially melt the image tacked on said intermediate member before said transferring and fixing means transfers the image from said intermediate member to the sheet of support material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for transferring a developed image from a surface to a sheet of support material, comprising: an intermediate member having a portion thereof contacting the surface; first means for heating at least the portion of said intermediate member contacting the surface to tack the image to said intermediate member; means for transferring the image from said intermediate member to the sheet of support material, and substantially simultaneously fixing the image thereto; and second means, located intermediate and first heating means and said transferring and fixing means, for heating said intermediate member so as to at least partially melt the image tacked on said intermediate member before said transferring and fixing means transfers the image from said intermediate member to the sheet of support material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate member comprises a belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according claim 2, wherein said first means comprises: a roller defining a nip with the surface, said belt being entrained about a portion of said roller and passing through the nip; and means for heating said roller so as to heat at least the portion of said belt passing through the nip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second means comprises a heated roller contacting said belt intermediate said first mentioned roller and said transferring and fixing means after transfer of the image to said belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said transferring and fixing means comprises: a second roller, spaced and opposed from said first mentioned roller, having a portion of said belt entrained thereabout; and means for pressing the sheet of support material into contact with the portion of said belt entrained about said second roller to transfer and fix the image to the sheet of support material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developed image comprises a liquid image having pigmented particles dispersed in an insulating carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second means heats said intermediate member to substantially dissolve the pigmented particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developed image comprises toner particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an image developed on a photoconductive surface, wherein the improvement comprises: an intermediate member having a portion thereof contacting the surface; first means for heating at least the portion of said intermediate member contacting the surface to tack the image to said intermediate member; means for transferring the image from said intermediate member to a sheet of support material, and substantially simultaneously fixing the image thereto; and second means, intermediate said first means and said transferring and fixing means, for heating said intermediate member so as to at least partially melt the image tacked on said intermediate member before said transferring and fixing means transfers the image from said intermediate member to the sheet of support material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an image developed on a photoconductive surface, wherein the improvement comprises: an intermediate member having a portion thereof contacting the surface; first means for heating at least the portion of said intermediate member contacting the surface to tack the image to said intermediate member; means for transferring the image from said intermediate member to a sheet of support material, and substantially simultaneously fixing the image thereto; and second means, intermediate said first means and said transferring and fixing means, for heating said intermediate member so as to at least partially melt the image tacked on said intermediate member before said transferring and fixing means transfers the image from said intermediate member to the sheet of support material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A printing machine according to claim 9, wherein said intermediate member comprises a belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
A printing machine according to claim 10, wherein said first means comprises: a roller defining a nip with the surface, said belt being entrained about a portion of said roller and passing through the nip; and means for heating said roller so as to heat at least the portion of said belt passing through the nip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printing machine according to claim 11, wherein said second means comprises a heated roller contacting said belt intermediate said first mentioned roller and said transferring and fixing means after transfer of the image to said belt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printing machine according to claim 12, wherein said transferring and fixing means comprises: a second roller, spaced and opposed from said first mentioned roller, having a portion of said belt entrained thereabout; and means for pressing the sheet of support material into contact with the portion of said belt entrained about said second roller to transfer and fix the image to the sheet of support material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A printing machine according to claim 9, wherein the developed image comprises a liquid image having pigmented particles dispersed in an insulating carrier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said second means heats said intermediate member to substantially dissolve the pigmented particles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A printing machine according to claim 9, wherein the developed image comprises toner particles.
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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) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |