US5824447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for security printing using toner particles
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert NV
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Filing: 1997-07-08
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Granted: 1998-10-20
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Expires: 2017-07-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for security printing of a document on a substrate, having a first and second side, comprising: i) means for feeding variable data in a predetermined digital format to printing stations, ii) at least two printing stations, for image-wise depositing, in accordance to the predetermined format of the variable data, toner particles on the substrate, iii) means for fusing the toner particles to the substrate, to form a fused toner image, characterized in that a) the apparatus comprises means for introducing security features in the document and b) the means for fusing the toner particles to the substrate comprise means for heating and melting the toner particles such that between the melting toner particles and the substrate a contact angle of at most 90° is formed and leave at most 25 mg/m 2 of an external releasing agent on the fused toner image.
Inventors
- 👤 Serge Tavernier
- 👤 Dirk Broddin
- 👤 Stefaan De Meutter
- 👤 Leon Vermeulen
- 👤 Michel Boulonne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A single pass apparatus for security printing of a document on a substrate, having a first and second side, comprising: i) means for feeding variable data in a predetermined digital format to a plurality of printing stations, ii) at least two printing stations for image-wise depositing toner particles on said substrate in accordance with said predetermined format of said variable data, iii) means for non-contact fusing said toner particles to said substrate by radiant heat, thereby forming a fused toner image, wherein a) said apparatus further includes means for introducing security features in said document and b) said means for fusing said toner particles to said substrate includes means for heating and melting said toner particles whereby between said melting toner particles and said substrate a contact angle of at most 900° is formed and leave at most 25 mg/m 2 of an external releasing agent on said fused toner image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A single pass apparatus for security printing of a document on a substrate, having a first and second side, comprising: i) means for feeding variable data in a predetermined digital format to a plurality of printing stations, ii) at least two printing stations for image-wise depositing toner particles on said substrate in accordance with said predetermined format of said variable data, iii) means for non-contact fusing said toner particles to said substrate by radiant heat, thereby forming a fused toner image, wherein a) said apparatus further includes means for introducing security features in said document and b) said means for fusing said toner particles to said substrate includes means for heating and melting said toner particles whereby between said melting toner particles and said substrate a contact angle of at most 900° is formed and leave at most 25 mg/m 2 of an external releasing agent on said fused toner image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for introducing security features in said document are incorporated in said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for introducing security features in said document are incorporated in said toner particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for introducing security features in said document are incorporated in said predetermined digital format.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for registering features included in said variable data with features included in said substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least five printing stations and each of said printing stations containing a different type of toner particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least two printing stations are located in such a way that said variable data are printed both on said first and said second side of said subtrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said variable data printed by said printing means on said first side of said substrate differ from said variable data printed by said printing means on said second side of said substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for registering features included in said variable data printed on said first side with features included in said variable data printed on said second side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a means for applying a "surface adjusting coating" to said substrate and wherein said means for applying a "surface adjusting coating" is installed before said printing stations.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for security printing of a document a substrate, having a first and second side, comprising the steps of: i) feeding variable data in a predetermined digital format to at least two printing stations, ii) providing at least two different types of toner particles, iii) image-wise depositing said different types of toner particles on at least one side of said substrate, iv) introducing security features in said document, v) heating and melting said toner particles in non-contact mode by radiation heat such that said melting toner particles are fused to said substrate and that between said melting toner particles and said substrate a contact angle of at most 900° is formed, vi) depositing an amount of external releasing agent on top of said fused toner particles of at most 25 mg/m 2 .
Claim 13
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for security printing of a document a substrate, having a first and second side, comprising the steps of: i) feeding variable data in a predetermined digital format to at least two printing stations, ii) providing at least two different types of toner particles, iii) image-wise depositing said different types of toner particles on at least one side of said substrate, iv) introducing security features in said document, v) heating and melting said toner particles in non-contact mode by radiation heat such that said melting toner particles are fused to said substrate and that between said melting toner particles and said substrate a contact angle of at most 900° is formed, vi) depositing an amount of external releasing agent on top of said fused toner particles of at most 25 mg/m 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner particles include a toner resin having a Tg and a softening point and after said means for fusing said toner particles said apparatus further includes a pressure roller at a temperature between 5° C. below and 15° C. above said Tg, for applying a post-treatment to the fused image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said pressure roller is at a temperature between 20° C. below and 20° C. above said softening point of said toner resin.
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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) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |