US5521688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hybrid color fuser
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1995-03-27
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Granted: 1996-05-28
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Expires: 2015-03-27
Abstract
Abstract An image treatment method and apparatus for fusing color toner images to a substrate such that they exhibit uniform gloss and satisfactory color saturation properties. A substrate carrying color toner images is passed through an oven heater for fixing the color toner images to the substrate. The color images are then passed through the nip of a pair of glossing rolls. The glossing rolls are operated at approximately the fusing temperature provided in the oven fuser.
Inventors
- 👤 Rabin Moser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:05
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2017; G03G15/2021; G03G15/2064; G03G15/65; G03G15/6582; G03G15/6585; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00789; G03G2215/00805; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/207; G03G2215/2074
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fusing color toner images to a substrate including the steps of: using a first color toner image treatment device comprising a heated oven, subjecting a substrate having color toner images thereon to thermal energy sufficient to effect fusing of said color toner images to said substrate; using a second color toner treatment device including a deformable surface, imparting uniform gloss to said colored toner images subsequent to subjecting them to said thermal energy by contacting them with said deformable surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fusing color toner images to a substrate including the steps of: using a first color toner image treatment device comprising a heated oven, subjecting a substrate having color toner images thereon to thermal energy sufficient to effect fusing of said color toner images to said substrate; using a second color toner treatment device including a deformable surface, imparting uniform gloss to said colored toner images subsequent to subjecting them to said thermal energy by contacting them with said deformable surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of using a heated oven comprises operating said heated oven at approximately 300° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said step of using a second color toner treatment device including a deformable surface comprises using a nip forming roll pair.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said step of imparting uniform gloss to said color toner images comprises operating said deformable surface at approximately the operating temperature of said heated oven.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said step of using a pair of nip forming rolls comprises using a roll having a rigid core and a deformable outer layer, the latter of which is deformed by another roll of said roll pair.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said step of using a roll having a rigid core and a deformable outer layer comprises using silicone rubber as said outer layer pair of nip forming rollers comprises using a pair of rolls having rigid cores, each having an outer layer of deformable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said step of using a a second color toner treatment device comprises using a pair nip forming rolls each having a rigid core with rubber outer layers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said step of of using a pair of rolls nip forming rolls each having a rigid core with a rubber outer layer comprise using using rolls forming a symmetrical nip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein the thickness of said outer layers on said pair of rolls is of equal thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for fusing color toner images to a substrate, said apparatus comprising: a first color toner image treatment device comprising a heated oven for subjecting a substrate having color toner images thereon to thermal energy sufficient to effect fusing of said color toner images to said substrate; a second color toner treatment device including a deformable surface for imparting uniform gloss to said colored toner images subsequent to subjecting them to said thermal energy by contacting them with said deformable surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for fusing color toner images to a substrate, said apparatus comprising: a first color toner image treatment device comprising a heated oven for subjecting a substrate having color toner images thereon to thermal energy sufficient to effect fusing of said color toner images to said substrate; a second color toner treatment device including a deformable surface for imparting uniform gloss to said colored toner images subsequent to subjecting them to said thermal energy by contacting them with said deformable surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 including means for operating said heated oven at approximately 300° F.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said second color toner treatment device includes a deformable surface comprises using a nip forming roll pair.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for imparting uniform gloss to said color toner images comprises operating said deformable surface at approximately the operating temperature of said heated oven.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said pair of nip forming rolls comprises a roll having a rigid core and a deformable outer layer, the latter of which is deformed by another roll of said roll pair.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said deformable outer layer comprises silicone rubber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said second color toner treatment device comprises a pair nip forming rolls each having a rigid core with rubber outer layers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said nip is symmetrical.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the thickness of said outer layers on said pair of rolls is of equal thickness.
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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) | 1999-05-28 | 1999-11-27 | 2000-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-28 | 2003-11-27 | 2004-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-28 | 2007-11-27 | 2008-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |