US5471291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color imaging with contact transfer heating station
Assignee: Lexmark International Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-31
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Granted: 1995-11-28
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Expires: 2014-05-31
Abstract
Abstract In imaging apparatus (1) a contact heater (9) applies heat and electrical bias to a toner image on an intermediate accumulator (5). The bias is of polarity to repel the toner. The toner image is coalesced such that additional heating may be reduced or eliminated at the transfer to paper (7) by pressure roller (11).
Inventors
- 👤 Todd L. Janes
- 👤 Alexander D. Meade
- 👤 Ashok Murthy
- 👤 Pramod K. Sharma
- 👤 Peter E. Wallin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:44
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1605; G03G15/161; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/16; G03G2215/1676; G03G2215/1695
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An imaging apparatus comprising an electrostatically chargeable roller, means to tone said chargeable roller in patterns of images, an intermediate transfer member to receive said toned images, said intermediate transfer member accumulating at least three of said toned images in registration, a heating element for contacting said three toned images in registration on said intermediate transfer member and to apply an electrical bias to repel said toned images in registration while having an elevated surface temperature of at least 85 degrees C. to coalesce said three toned images in registration, said heating element not applying an elevated temperature to coalesce said toned images until after the third image of said three images in registration is received on said intermediate transfer member, and a transfer station to transfer said images coalesced by said heating element with pressure to paper of other substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An imaging apparatus comprising an electrostatically chargeable roller, means to tone said chargeable roller in patterns of images, an intermediate transfer member to receive said toned images, said intermediate transfer member accumulating at least three of said toned images in registration, a heating element for contacting said three toned images in registration on said intermediate transfer member and to apply an electrical bias to repel said toned images in registration while having an elevated surface temperature of at least 85 degrees C. to coalesce said three toned images in registration, said heating element not applying an elevated temperature to coalesce said toned images until after the third image of said three images in registration is received on said intermediate transfer member, and a transfer station to transfer said images coalesced by said heating element with pressure to paper of other substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 in which said means to tone applies a liquid toner to said chargeable roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 2 in which said elevated temperature is in a range of 85 degrees to about 120 degrees C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 in which said elevated temperature is in the range of about 85 degrees to about 120 degrees C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 3 in which the surface of said heating element to contact said toned image is a low surface energy fluorocarbon resin having a conductive filler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 5 in which said heating element through which said bias is applied has electrical resistivity of less than 1E11 ohm-cm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 1 in which said heating element through which said bias is applied has electrical resistivity of less than 1E11 ohm-cm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 3 in which said heating element through which said bias is applied has electrical resistivity of less than 1E11 ohm-cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 4 in which said heating element through which said bias has electrical resistivity of less than 1E11 ohm-cm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The imaging apparatus as in claim 4 in which said heating element through which said bias has electrical resistivity of less than 1E11 ohm-cm.
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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) | 1998-11-27 | 1999-05-29 | 1999-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | 2003-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-05-29 | 2007-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |