US5249949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for texturizing toner image bearing receiving sheets
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1991-04-22
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Granted: 1993-10-05
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Expires: 2011-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A toner image carrying thermoplastic layer on a receiving sheet is texturized from the back side of the sheet by positioning the sheet between a smooth hard surface and a texturizing surface with the texturizing surface contacting the back side. The thermoplastic layer is softened by heat and becomes texturized without embossing the back side. A curl preventing layer on the back side is not embossed because it has a melting point above the temperature of the process. A glossy-textured print can be produced this way. The process is especially useful in making multicolor prints of photographic quality.
Inventors
- 👤 Muhammad Aslam
- 👤 Thomas J. Farnand
- 👤 Ernest J. Tamary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:10
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; G03G13/00; G03G13/20; G03G15/206; G03G15/65; G03G15/6588; G03G15/6591; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00789; G03G2215/00805; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/2003; G03G2215/2016; G03G2215/2025; G03G2215/2032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for treating a receiving sheet, which sheet is made up of a thermoplastic layer on a paper support, and which thermoplastic layer carries a multicolor toner image, to impart a texture to said thermoplastic layer and said image, said apparatus comprising: means for heating said thermoplastic layer to at least its glass transition temperature, first and second pressure members, said first member being hard and smooth, and said second member being hard and having a textured surface, means for feeding said sheet between said pressure members with the thermoplastic layer contacting said first member, and means for applying sufficient pressure between said pressure members to impart a texture defined by said surface of said second member to said image and thermoplastic layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for treating a receiving sheet, which sheet is made up of a thermoplastic layer on a paper support, and which thermoplastic layer carries a multicolor toner image, to impart a texture to said thermoplastic layer and said image, said apparatus comprising: means for heating said thermoplastic layer to at least its glass transition temperature, first and second pressure members, said first member being hard and smooth, and said second member being hard and having a textured surface, means for feeding said sheet between said pressure members with the thermoplastic layer contacting said first member, and means for applying sufficient pressure between said pressure members to impart a texture defined by said surface of said second member to said image and thermoplastic layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second pressure member is a metal roller with a texturizing surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second pressure member is a roller having a chrome texturizing surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second pressure member is one of a plurality of metal rollers each having a different texturizing surface which can be selectively placed in operative relation with the first pressure member according to the texture desired on a particular sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second pressure member includes a plurality of texturizing surfaces and said apparatus includes timing means for selecting between said surfaces and timing means for assuring that a selected surface is in operative relation with a corresponding receiving sheet to be texturized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for treating a receiving sheet, which sheet is made up of a thermoplastic layer on a paper support, and which thermoplastic layer carries a multicolor toner image, to impart a texture to said thermoplastic layer and said image, said apparatus comprising: means for heating said thermoplastic layer to at least its glass transition temperature, first and second pressure members, said first member being a web backed by a roller, said web having a hard, smooth, metallic surface and said second member being a hard roller and having a textured surface, means for feeding said sheet between said pressure members with the thermoplastic layer contacting said first member, and means for applying sufficient pressure between said pressure members to impart a texture defined by said surface of said second member to said image and thermoplastic layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for treating a receiving sheet, which sheet is made up of a thermoplastic layer on a paper support, and which thermoplastic layer carries a multicolor toner image, to impart a texture to said thermoplastic layer and said image, said apparatus comprising: means for heating said thermoplastic layer to at least its glass transition temperature, first and second pressure members, said first member being a web backed by a roller, said web having a hard, smooth, metallic surface and said second member being a hard roller and having a textured surface, means for feeding said sheet between said pressure members with the thermoplastic layer contacting said first member, and means for applying sufficient pressure between said pressure members to impart a texture defined by said surface of said second member to said image and thermoplastic layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including means for heating said roller backing said web.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus includes no means for heating said second pressure member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for heating includes means for heating said receiving sheet prior to it being contacted by said pressure members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including means supporting said web for movement through a path which path includes a portion in which said web and sheet are unheated to allow said layer to cool below its glass transition temperature and through a portion in which said web makes an abrupt turn to separate said web and said sheet after said web has been through said cooling portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including means for heating said roller backing said web and wherein said web is supported through a path that wraps said backing roller prior to contact with said thermoplastic layer to preheat said web prior to such contact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for treating a receiving sheet, which sheet is made up of a thermoplastic layer on a paper support, and which thermoplastic layer carries a multicolor toner image, to impart a texture to said thermoplastic layer and said image, said apparatus comprising: means for heating said thermoplastic layer to at least its glass transition temperature, said heating means including means for heating said receiving sheet prior to it being contacted by said pressure members, first and second pressure members, said first member having a hard, smooth, metallic surface, and said second member being hard and having a textured surface, means for feeding said sheet between said pressure members with the thermoplastic layer contacting said first member, and means for applying sufficient pressure between said pressure members to impart a texture defined by said surface of said second member to said image and thermoplastic layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for treating a receiving sheet, which sheet is made up of a thermoplastic layer on a paper support, and which thermoplastic layer carries a multicolor toner image, to impart a texture to said thermoplastic layer and said image, said apparatus comprising: means for heating said thermoplastic layer to at least its glass transition temperature, said heating means including means for heating said receiving sheet prior to it being contacted by said pressure members, first and second pressure members, said first member having a hard, smooth, metallic surface, and said second member being hard and having a textured surface, means for feeding said sheet between said pressure members with the thermoplastic layer contacting said first member, and means for applying sufficient pressure between said pressure members to impart a texture defined by said surface of said second member to said image and thermoplastic layer.
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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) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-04-05 | 1997-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-04 | 2001-04-05 | 2001-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-04-05 | 2005-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |