Patent US6101345A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6101345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for gloss control in an electrographic apparatus
Assignee: Xeikon Manufacturing NV
•
Filing: 1998-03-12
•
Granted: 2000-08-08
•
Expires: 2018-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for achieving a pre-selected gloss in an electrographic image printing system, by choosing the appropriate combination of fusing speed and fusing temperature. As a result of the above, the homogeneity in gloss and color of one image and the homogeneity of different images, compared to each other, can be improved significantly.
Inventors
- 👤 Luc Van Goethem
- 👤 Serge Tavernier
- 👤 Marc De Niel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:32
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2039; G03G15/205; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00789; G03G2215/00805; G03G2215/0081; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/2003; G03G2215/2045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for fusing a toner image to a sheet to achieve a homogeneous and pre-defined gloss comprising the following steps: establishing a gloss value for said pre-defined gloss; selecting a fusing temperature in accordance with said gloss value; selecting a fusing period in accordance with said gloss value; controlling the fusing temperature of at least one fuser roller within a narrow range encompassing said selected temperature; and, fusing said toner image to said sheet by pressing toner and said sheet in rolling contact with said fuser roller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for fusing a toner image to a sheet to achieve a homogeneous and pre-defined gloss comprising the following steps: establishing a gloss value for said pre-defined gloss; selecting a fusing temperature in accordance with said gloss value; selecting a fusing period in accordance with said gloss value; controlling the fusing temperature of at least one fuser roller within a narrow range encompassing said selected temperature; and, fusing said toner image to said sheet by pressing toner and said sheet in rolling contact with said fuser roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, including the step of selecting a rotation speed for said at least one fuser roller based on said gloss value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein a buffer is operating at a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of said at least one fuser roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the rotation speed for said at least one fuser roller remains substantially constant over a length of the sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 1, comprising an additional step of measuring an instant surface temperature of said at least one fuser roller by at least one contactless sensor directed towards a surface area of said at least one fuser roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 5, including an additional step of selecting a fusing period in accordance with said instant surface temperature and said gloss value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 5, including an additional step of selecting a fusing period using a neural network to optimally combine said instant surface temperature, said fusing temperature, and said gloss value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 5, including an additional step of selecting a fusing temperature using a neural network to optimally combine said instant surface temperature, said fusing period, and said gloss value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, comprising an additional step of selecting said gloss value within a range of gloss values.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said range of gloss values is set according to a minimum melting point of said toner and a maximum temperature for said fuser rollers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: selecting a paper type; selecting a toner type; establishing a relation in which the gloss value is a function of fusing period and temperature, for said selected paper type and said selected toner type; establishing a value for said gloss level; selecting said fusing period and said temperature based on said relation and on said gloss level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 11, comprising the step of controlling said fusing by a computer using a neural network whereby the fusing temperature and the fusing speed are optimally combined.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fusing period is selected in accordance with said gloss value and with said fusing temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 13, including an additional step of selecting a rotation speed for said at least one fuser roller in accordance with said gloss value and with said fusing temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, including an additional step of selecting a fusing period using a neural network whereby said fusing temperature and said gloss value are optimally combined.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for fusing a toner image to a sheet to achieve a homogeneous and pre-defined gloss comprising: means for establishing a gloss value for said pre-defined gloss; means for selecting a fusing temperature in accordance with said gloss value; means for controlling the fusing temperature of at least one fuser roller within a narrow range encompassing said selected temperature; means for fusing said toner image to said sheet by pressing toner and said sheet in rolling contact with said fuser roller; and means for selecting a fusing period for said means for fusing in accordance with said gloss value.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for fusing a toner image to a sheet to achieve a homogeneous and pre-defined gloss comprising: means for establishing a gloss value for said pre-defined gloss; means for selecting a fusing temperature in accordance with said gloss value; means for controlling the fusing temperature of at least one fuser roller within a narrow range encompassing said selected temperature; means for fusing said toner image to said sheet by pressing toner and said sheet in rolling contact with said fuser roller; and means for selecting a fusing period for said means for fusing in accordance with said gloss value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said means for selecting a fusing period for said means for fusing selects the fusing period in accordance with said gloss value and with said fusing temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said means for selecting a fusing period includes a neural network to optimally combine said gloss value and said selected temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising at least one means for measuring an instant surface temperature of said at least one fuser roller.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for measuring an instant surface temperature is a contactless sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said means for selecting a fusing period for said means for fusing selects the fusing period in accordance with said gloss value and with said instant surface temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said means for selecting a fusing period includes a neural network to optimally combine said instant surface temperature, said fusing temperature and said gloss value.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for fusing a toner image to a sheet to achieve a homogeneous and pre-defined gloss comprising: a gloss meter; a gloss value established by the gloss meter for said predefined gloss; a microprocessor for selecting a fusing temperature in accordance with said gloss value, and for selecting a fusing period for said means for fusing in accordance with said gloss value; a temperature controller for controlling the fusing temperature of at least one fuser roller within a narrow range encompassing said selected temperature; a fuser for fusing said toner image to said sheet by pressing toner and said sheet in rolling contact with said fuser roller.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for fusing a toner image to a sheet to achieve a homogeneous and pre-defined gloss comprising: a gloss meter; a gloss value established by the gloss meter for said predefined gloss; a microprocessor for selecting a fusing temperature in accordance with said gloss value, and for selecting a fusing period for said means for fusing in accordance with said gloss value; a temperature controller for controlling the fusing temperature of at least one fuser roller within a narrow range encompassing said selected temperature; a fuser for fusing said toner image to said sheet by pressing toner and said sheet in rolling contact with said fuser roller.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said microprocessor selects the fusing period in accordance with said gloss value and with said fusing temperature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said microprocessor includes a neural network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising at least one temperature sensor for measuring an instant surface temperature of said at least one fuser roller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the temperature sensor is a contactless sensor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said microprocessor selects the fusing period in accordance with said gloss value and with said instant surface temperature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said microprocessor includes a neural network to optimally combine said instant surface temperature, said fusing temperature and said gloss value.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said temperature controller includes a neural network.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS6313088A
Cited
US4828950A
Cited
US5019869A
Cited
US5164782A
Cited
EP0488412A2
Cited
US5162860A
Cited
US5300995A
Cited
US5481346A
Cited
US5170215A
Cited
US5256507A
Cited
US5321481A
Cited
US5379098A
Cited
JPH06202520A
Cited
US5296904A
Cited
US5504567A
Cited
US5436711A
Cited
US5493378A
Cited
EP0720071A2
Cited
EP0756161A1
Cited
US5666592A
Cited
US5678133A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-08 | 2004-02-07 | 2004-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-08 | 2008-02-07 | 2008-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-08 | 2012-02-07 | 2012-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |