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Patent US5258256A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5258256A
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US
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Method of fusing electrostatographic toners to provide enhanced gloss
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1992-04-01
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Granted: 1993-11-02
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Expires: 2012-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of fusing an electrostatographic toner image to provide desirable levels of gloss in the fused image is disclosed. The toner particles have a loss tangent value of 1.2 or more upon fusing with combined heat and pressure. The unfused toner image is subjected to fusing in three distinct zones; a fusing zone where it is contacted with a fusing member, a cooling zone where contact with the fusing member is maintained and the image is cooled and a release zone where the image is released from the fusing member at a temperature where no toner image offset occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 Muhammed Aslam
- 👤 Lawrence P. DeMejo
- 👤 Dinesh Tyagi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:28
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G9/00; G03G9/08; G03G9/0821; G03G13/00; G03G13/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of fusing an electrostatographic toner image to provide enhanced gloss which comprises: a. providing an element having a support bearing the image in unfused toner particles that exhibit a loss tangent (tan δ) of at least 1.2 upon fusing the image with heat and pressure; b. passing the element successively through a fusing zone, a cooling zone and a release zone; c. within the fusing zone, bringing the image into pressure contact with a surface of a fusing member to form a fused image; d. maintaining contact between the fused image and the fusing member within the cooling zone while reducing the temperature of the fusing member; and e. separating the fused image from the fusing member within the release zone at a temperature where no toner image offset occurs.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of fusing an electrostatographic toner image to provide enhanced gloss which comprises: a. providing an element having a support bearing the image in unfused toner particles that exhibit a loss tangent (tan δ) of at least 1.2 upon fusing the image with heat and pressure; b. passing the element successively through a fusing zone, a cooling zone and a release zone; c. within the fusing zone, bringing the image into pressure contact with a surface of a fusing member to form a fused image; d. maintaining contact between the fused image and the fusing member within the cooling zone while reducing the temperature of the fusing member; and e. separating the fused image from the fusing member within the release zone at a temperature where no toner image offset occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the loss tangent is in the range of about 1.2 to 5.5.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the toner image comprises a black toner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the toner image comprises a black toner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the toner image comprises a polyester binder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the toner image comprises a styrene-acrylic copolymer binder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fusing member is a continuous belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the fusing member is a continuous belt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature of the fusing member is less than about 140° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the particle size of the toner particles is in the range of about 8 to 15 micrometers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the temperature of the fusing member is less than about 140° C.
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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) | 1996-11-01 | 1997-05-03 | 1997-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-05-03 | 2001-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-01 | 2005-05-03 | 2005-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |