US5568235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Induction heated intermediate transfer member
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1995-06-22
•
Granted: 1996-10-22
•
Expires: 2015-06-22
Abstract
Abstract Intermediate transfer assemblies, and printing machines and methods which use such assemblies, which inductively dry liquid images on an intermediate transfer member. The assemblies include an intermediate transfer member that receives a liquid image which is comprised of a liquid carrier and toner particles. An induction coil assembly comprised of a ferromagnetic core wrapped with a plurality of turns of a conductive element and which is spaced apart from the intermediate transfer member creates alternating magnetic flux lines which create eddy currents in a conductive heating element, causing that element to heat. If the conductive heating element is part of the induction coil assembly heat is radiated onto the liquid image. If the conductive heating element is part of the intermediate transfer member the heat is conducted to the liquid image. In either case the heat dries the liquid image by causing the liquid carrier to evaporate.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiri B. Amarakoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1605; G03G15/161; G03G15/162; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0167; G03G2215/0174; G03G2215/16; G03G2215/1676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An intermediate transfer assembly comprising: an intermediate transfer member for receiving an image comprised of a liquid carrier and toner particles; a heat generating induction coil assembly spaced apart from said intermediate transfer member by a gap, said induction coil assembly comprising a ferromagnetic core wrapped with a plurality of windings of a conductive element; and a conductive heating layer; wherein an alternating current passing through said plurality of windings creates alternating magnetic flux lines that induce eddy currents within said conductive heating layer which cause the conductive heating layer to heat up and to heat said image, and wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed between said gap and said plurality of windings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An intermediate transfer assembly comprising: an intermediate transfer member for receiving an image comprised of a liquid carrier and toner particles; a heat generating induction coil assembly spaced apart from said intermediate transfer member by a gap, said induction coil assembly comprising a ferromagnetic core wrapped with a plurality of windings of a conductive element; and a conductive heating layer; wherein an alternating current passing through said plurality of windings creates alternating magnetic flux lines that induce eddy currents within said conductive heating layer which cause the conductive heating layer to heat up and to heat said image, and wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed between said gap and said plurality of windings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said conductive heating layer radiates heat onto said intermediate transfer member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate transfer member includes an outer dielectric layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 3, wherein said intermediate transfer member includes an electrically and thermally isolating layer below said outer dielectric layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 4, wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed between said isolating layer and said outer dielectric layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 5, wherein said conductive heating layer conducts heat to said image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 3, wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed below said dielectric layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 7, wherein said conductive heating layer conducts heat to said image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intermediate transfer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate transfer member comprises a hollow aluminum tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A printing machine of the type having a developed image on a charge retentive surface, wherein the improvement comprises: an intermediate transfer member disposed adjacent said charge retentive surface and receiving a developed image comprised of a liquid carrier and toner particles; a heat generating induction coil assembly spaced apart from said intermediate transfer member by a gap, said induction coil assembly comprising a ferromagnetic core wound with a plurality of windings of a conductive element; and a conductive heating layer; wherein an alternating current passing through said plurality of windings creates alternating magnetic flux lines that induce eddy currents within said conductive heating layer which cause the conductive heating layer to heat up and to heat said image, and wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed between said gap and said plurality of windings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
A printing machine of the type having a developed image on a charge retentive surface, wherein the improvement comprises: an intermediate transfer member disposed adjacent said charge retentive surface and receiving a developed image comprised of a liquid carrier and toner particles; a heat generating induction coil assembly spaced apart from said intermediate transfer member by a gap, said induction coil assembly comprising a ferromagnetic core wound with a plurality of windings of a conductive element; and a conductive heating layer; wherein an alternating current passing through said plurality of windings creates alternating magnetic flux lines that induce eddy currents within said conductive heating layer which cause the conductive heating layer to heat up and to heat said image, and wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed between said gap and said plurality of windings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The printing machine according to claim 10, wherein said conductive heating layer radiates heat onto said intermediate transfer member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The printing machine according to claim 10, wherein said intermediate transfer member includes an outer dielectric layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The printing machine according to claim 12, wherein said intermediate transfer member includes an electrically and thermally isolating layer below said outer dielectric layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed between said isolating layer and said outer dielectric layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The printing machine according to claim 14, wherein said conductive heating layer conducts heat to said image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The printing machine according to claim 12, wherein said conductive heating layer is disposed below said dielectric layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The printing machine according to claim 16, wherein said conductive heating layer conducts heat to said image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The printing machine according to claim 10, wherein said intermediate transfer member comprises a hollow aluminum tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3392667A
Cited
US3399611A
Cited
US3955530A
Cited
US3957367A
Cited
US4348098A
Cited
US4515460A
Cited
US4588279A
Cited
US4708460A
Cited
US4935788A
Cited
US5089856A
Cited
US5283409A
Cited
JPH04250482A
Cited
US5352558A
Cited
US5254424A
Cited
US5204722A
Cited
US5355201A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |