Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units for forming an image on a printing medium such as a sheet of paper. A plurality of color types of toner are arranged on a transport path of the printing medium. Toner images corresponding to the color types of toner are color-by-color transferred onto the printing medium. Light emitted from a flash lamp melts and fixes the toner images. The fixing order of the toner images corresponding to the color types of toner is decided so that the toner images are fixed in ascending order of toner's absorptivity of the light emitted from the flash lamp or in descending order of toner's reflectivity of the light.

Abstract: A method for fixation of toner on a carrier or printing stock wherein the printing stock with toner is exposed to at least one radiation pulse or radiation flash of electromagnetic radiation and heated for melting of the toner, and a toner having a sharp transition from its solid to liquid state when heated is used. The toner is preferably characterized by the ratio of the value of the elastic modulus G', at the reference temperature value calculated from the initial temperature at the beginning of the glass transition of the toner plus 50° C., to the value of the elastic modulus G' at the initial temperature itself, is less than 10−5.

Abstract: A microwave device 2 is provided for fusing toner onto a print substrate in a printing machine, with a device for generating a synchronized operation to increase the absorption of the microwave irradiation by the print substrate. The microwave energy is provided by the microwave device to the print substrate in the form of pulses and the absorption of the microwave radiation by the print substrate is increased.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fusing system for fusing toner to a recording medium. The fusing system includes a fuser roller including a metal layer, a pressure roller in contact with the fuser roller, and an external induction heating element. In addition, the disclosure relates to a method for heating a fuser roller of a fusing system including the steps of positioning an external induction heating element in close proximity to the outer surface of the fuser roller, delivering high frequency current to a coil of the external induction heating element to create a magnetic flux, and directing the magnetic flux toward the fuser roller so as to induce eddy currents within a metal layer of the fuser roller that generate heat within the roller.

Abstract: Flash fixing equipment for fixing a toner image onto a medium by means of flashlight is to reduce non-uniformity of halftone image print density. Flash fixing unit has flash energy distribution consisting of a center zone and front/end zones. The flash frequency of the flash lamp is controlled so that the toner fixing start energy being subtracted from the added value of flash energies of front and end zones becomes substantially equal to the flash energy value on the center zone. The energy distribution exceeding the fixing start energy which affects print density (size of toner-overflowed area) is controlled to have a flat characteristic to reduce non-uniformity of print density.

Abstract: A toner has a surface to which a titanium black fine particle adheres, the titanium fine particle having a property of being changed in color from black to white by flash-light.

Abstract: A process for crosslinking an image comprising applying ultraviolet light to an image comprised of a toner containing an unsaturated resin and colorant.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus forms a color image on a recording medium by using a toner including a binding resin, a coloring agent and infrared ray absorbent, and a light source for causing the toner to melt. The light source has a plurality of light emission peaks having wavelengths of &lgr;1, &lgr;2, &lgr;3, . . . , &lgr;n in a range of 500 nm through 3000 nm. Setting is made such that the following relationship is satisfied: |&lgr;1−&Lgr;1<100 nm, and, also, |&lgr;2−&Lgr;2|<100 nm, where &Lgr;1 and &Lgr;2 denote absorption peak wavelengths of said infrared ray absorbent.

Abstract: A fusing device complemented by a microwave application.

Abstract: A process for heating at least one second material layer (2), especially a toner layer which has been transferred to an image receiver substrate. Energy delivery from electromagnetic and/or acoustic waves (5) is incident from a first material layer (1) at an angle of incidence (&agr;) relative to the normal (7) of the second material layer (2). The angle of incidence (&agr;) is chosen such that the energy delivery which causes at least the heating of the second material layer (2) takes place at least predominantly via the quantum tunnel effect.

Abstract: A process or device for fusing toner on a carrier or a printing material, particularly a sheet-type printing material, preferably for a digital printer, wherein the printing material with the toner is irradiated with microwaves from at least one microwave conductor, which is heated to melt the toner and a toner is used which shows a sharp drop of the elastic modulus G′ from its hard state to its liquid state when heated. The ratio of the value of the elastic modulus G′ of the toner is the reference temperature value calculated from the initial temperature at the beginning of the glass transition of the toner plus 50° C. to the value of the elastic modulus G′ at the initial temperature is <10−5.

Abstract: A device and process for fixing a toner onto a substrate or a printed material, especially a sheet-shaped printed material, preferably for a digital printer, which is characterized in that the printed material that has the toner is irradiated with microwaves from at least one microwave emitter, and is heated to melt the toner, and that a toner is used which exhibits a sharp drop of the modulus of elasticity G′ from its solid to its liquid state when it is heated. Preferably, the ratio of the value of the modulus of elasticity G′ of the toner according to the invention at the reference temperature value, calculated from the starting temperature at the beginning of the glass transformation of the toner plus 50° C., to the value of the modulus of elasticity G′ at the starting temperature itself is <10−5.

Abstract: A digital printer or copier machine (1) and a device (23) for protection against excessive heating of an object (5, 49), for example, a paper to be printed, that is guided past a radiation device (7) within a digital printer or copier machine (1). The protection device (23) has two protection elements (41, 43) permeable to radiation and arranged at a distance from each other, which are arranged in the radiation path (21) between a radiation device (7) and the object to be heated (5, 49).

Abstract: A flash fixing device configured to fix a toner image by a flash light, includes a plurality of flash lamps arranged parallel to each other, and

Abstract: A fixation device for fixation of toner material on a printing stock for an electrophotographic printer with a radiation wavelength essentially in the ultraviolet range for thermal melting of the toner material, and the stock, as carrier of the toner material, is heatable by a device essentially during the exposure process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming method for obtaining excellent color fixed images with a smaller amount of light energy.

Abstract: A fusing and fixing unit used with an image forming apparatus including a fusing roller and an infrared heat source. The fusing roller has a main member that has hollow portions therein and is made of an opaque material and an infrared absorbent layer that is formed on the inner surface of the main member. The infrared heat source is installed inside the fusing roller and generates radiant heat having an infrared wavelength. Since the image forming apparatus uses an infrared heat source having a high efficiency of radiating heat as a heat source, a warm-up period can be greatly reduced. Also, since the main member of the fusing roller is formed of an opaque material, in particular, a metallic material, the image forming apparatus can be strong, low-priced, and have a large diameter.

Abstract: A color toner for electrophotography having excellent fixability and void resistance is capable of forming a high-quality image. The color toner for electrophotography comprises a binder resin and is a magenta toner, and used in combination with at least any of yellow toner and cyan toner. The storage modulus (G′100) (100° C.) of the binder resin is (1/1.1) to (1/10) times the storage modulus (G′100) (100° C.) of a binder resin contained in the yellow toner and the cyan toner. In addition, the color toner for electrophotography comprises a binder resin, C.I. pigment Violet 19, and an infrared absorbent. The color toner is a magenta toner used in combination with at least any of an yellow toner and a cyan toner. The content of the infrared absorbent in the magenta toner is higher than the content of an infrared absorbent in the yellow toner and the cyan toner.

Abstract: A fixing device is provided with a heat roller, which is brought into contact with a fixing medium to heat the same, and is further provided with a thermopile which is set in non-contact with the heat roller and detects a temperature of the heat roller based upon infrared rays irradiated from the heat roller. Moreover, the fixing device is provided with a direct measurement thermistor that is provided separately from the thermopile and set in direct contact with the heat roller. The temperature detected by the thermopile is corrected based upon a temperature detected by the direct measurement thermistor.

Abstract: A machine for application and fixation of curable toner through a substrate and a method for printing and/or coating a substrate, especially paper or cardboard. The method includes the use of at least one curable toner in which at least one toner layer or at least one image having a toner layer is transferred to the substrate and fixed on it, the toner being a UV curable toner having at least one polymer that is exposed to UV (ultraviolet) radiation for crosslinking of its polymer chain. The degree of melting of the toner layer being fixed being controlled as a function of the desired luster.

Abstract: A digital printing or copying machine (1), and a process which can be carried out with it, for one-sided or double-sided printing of a substrate (5) using at least one toner are proposed. The machine (1) includes at least one fixing device (3) for fixing of a toner image (29) on the substrate (5), having at least one heater (21, 23) for melting the toner image (29), past which the substrate (5) can be guided by a transport device (11) which has one or more transport elements (29, 63 to 71). The machine (1) is characterized in that the heater (21, 23) has at least two melt areas (31, 33, 43 to 47) on the substrate (5) which viewed in the substrate transport direction (15) are arranged in succession and laterally offset to one another.

Abstract: A flash fixing apparatus effectively collect vapor gas produced at the time of fixation while fixing a toner image of medium by means off flashlight. In the flash fixation unit, vapor gas produced in flash fixation flows toward the medium transportation direction. Utilizing this phenomenon, a gas suction face is provided in a gas collector so as to receive the vapor gas flowing toward the medium transportation direction. Otherwise, a gas blast portion is provided at the rear stage of the gas collector. The vapor gas flows to the gas suction face naturally, bringing about improved gas collection efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusing toner to a laser printed page. The apparatus includes a printing medium transport system and a radio frequency antenna for imparting energy to the toner to fuse the toner to the page. The apparatus facilitates faster print speeds and lower energy consumption than conventional laser printers that require heating elements to fuse the toner to the page.

Abstract: A radiation unit for a fixation device for fixation of toner material on a printing stock surface for an electrophotographic printing machine, as well as a method for exposure and fixation of toner material on a printing stock surface. Exposure for fixation of toner material occurs essentially indirectly, i.e., the light emitted by the radiation unit is reflected at least once, so that high uniformity and homogeneity of the radiation, efficient energy utilization and avoidance of adverse changes on the printing stock are achieved. A high-energy density, low housing dimensions and independence of the radiation from the employed printing unit are achieved by the fact that the radiation wavelength lies essentially in the ultraviolet spectral range.

Abstract: A digital image recording device and a method wherein a color toner image (11) is initially transferred to an image carrier substrate (1) and then melted and fixed by exposure to electromagnetic radiation on the image carrier substrate (1). The method is characterized by the toner layers (5, 7, 9), having different colors, being melted in succession, toner image (11) being exposed repeatedly to electromagnetic radiation with different wavelength ranges, and that the corresponding wavelength range being chosen so that one color absorbs most of this electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Flash fixing equipment for fixing a toner image onto a medium by means of flashlight is to reduce non-uniformity of halftone image print density. Flash fixing unit has flash energy distribution consisting of a center zone and front/end zones. The flash frequency of the flash lamp is controlled so that the toner fixing start energy being subtracted from the added value of flash energies of front and end zones becomes substantially equal to the flash energy value on the center zone. The energy distribution exceeding the fixing start energy which affects print density (size of toner-overflowed area) is controlled to have a flat characteristic to reduce non-uniformity of print density.

Abstract: Digital printers or copier machines (1) and processes to be performed using them, for fixing a toner image (5) transferred onto an image-carrier substrate (9), are proposed. One of the processes is characterized in that to fuse the toner particles, at least two electromagnetic radiation pulses are applied in a time-delayed manner onto the same area of the image-carrier substrate (9) and each one individual radiation pulse being in a range from 0.5 J/cm2 to 5 J/cm2.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing nip portion that conveys a recording material. As the recording material is conveyed, the fixing nip portion melts and fixes unfixed toner images on the recording material. The fixing device includes a first rotating element having a roller shape, an induction heating device, and a pressing member. The induction heating device has an exciting coil wound along the outer or inner peripheral surface of the first rotating element that heats the first rotating element by electromagnetic induction. The exciting coil has a clearance which changes in a direction of an axis of rotation of the heating roller to thereby vary the magnetic field intensity in the exciting coil. The pressing member is pressed into contact with the first rotating element, or a second rotating element heated by the first rotating element, and is rotated in the forward direction to form the fixing nip portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a two-component developing agent for use in an mage formation based on electrophotography, which has high developability even at a high speed printing and good developability in the case of the image formation for a long period of time. The two-component developing agent includes a carrier comprising a magnetic particle and an insulating toner. A surface of the magnetic particle is coated with at least a resin. A mean particle size of the magnetic particle is between 30 and 90 &mgr;m and an aggregation degree of said carrier is between 2 and 15%.

Abstract: In a heating apparatus of magnetic induction heating type for heating an image formed on a recording material, there are generated an unevenness and a ripple in a temperature on the surface of a fixing roller, leading to the deterioration of fixing ability. This is caused by in accurate temperature detection by induction noise components such as a noise resulting from an alternating magnetic field generated by an excitation coil. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an induction heating apparatus capable of temperature control satisfactory accuracy.

Abstract: A process is proposed for the double-sided printing and/or coating of a substrate using at least one liquid or dry toner that has at least one polymer. It is provided that at least one toner layer or a first image that has at least one toner layer is transferred onto a first side of the substrate. Then, the toner is heated up to at least its glass transformation temperature, and fixed onto the substrate. In the process, the original glass transformation point of the toner shifts to a higher temperature level as a result of the cross-linking of its polymer chains, and the viscosity is increased. In a second processing step, at least one toner layer or a second image is transferred onto the second side of the substrate and heated up to a temperature that is equal to or greater than its glass transformation temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the rate at which the printing of images and documents can take place, is provided. The document or image to be reproduced is positioned at an image capture location. To capture the image, the desired image is illuminated by lamps and ultimately transferred onto paper. The illumination device is driven by multiple energy sources that can be synchronized to charge and fire in an alternating manner to drive the illumination device at the desired rate.

Abstract: A process and device for fusing toner onto a carrier or a print substrate, in particular a sheet-like print substrate, preferably for a digital printing machine, wherein the toner bearing print substrate is heated by microwaves emanating from at least one microwave emitter in order to melt the toner, and wherein a toner is used that demonstrates a sharp drop-off in the elastic module G′ from its solid to its liquid state upon heating. The ratio of the elastic module G′ of the toner at the reference temperature, calculated from the initial temperature at the start of the glass transition of the toner plus 50° C., to the value of the elastic module G′ at the initial temperature itself is preferably <10−5.

Abstract: The present invention is a fixing device for use in an electrophotographic apparatus arranged in a structure in which a high-frequency current is flowed through an induction coil provided close to an endless member having a metal layer made of a conductive material and the endless member is caused to generate heat to heat a material to be fixed. This fixing device is characterized in that, when a start-up operation is started by electrically conducting the induction coil, the endless member is rotated after the metal layer reaches a temperature higher than a final setting temperature, and for a predetermined time from starting rotation of the endless member, a high-frequency current having a size corresponding to a control value of a temperature lower than the final setting temperature and higher than a target temperature is supplied to the coil.

Abstract: A fixing device for an electrophotography system, which is capable of efficiently and uniformly heating an object to be heated, which has a coil capable of being easily produced and which is capable of being stably fixing a fixed material, is provided by preventing the distance between the going and returning portions of a certain turn of the coil from being too close to each other, by preventing the diameter of the coil from changing when the coil is wound, by providing a uniform gap between the coil and the inside surface of the heating roller over the whole length, by preventing the fixing performed by the heating roller to be affected by the turning ON/OFF of a power supply, by preventing noises from being generated from the coil ejecting portion, and by devising the procedure for efficiently winding the coil.

Abstract: An excitation coil is arranged so as to be opposed to a rotatable heat generating roller of a conductive material, and on a rear side of the excitation coil, a core of a magnetic material is provided. The core is composed of a central core that is formed continuously in a rotation axis direction of the heat generating roller, and a plurality of U-shaped cores arranged at a distance from each other in that direction. A high-frequency current is applied to the excitation coil so that the heat generating roller 1 generates heat by electromagnetic induction. An additional coil is wound around the U-shaped core. Both ends of the additional coil are connected to a switching unit. When the switching unit is brought to a connected state, under an induction current generated in the additional coil, a magnetic flux in a direction in which a magnetic flux of the excitation coil is cancelled out is generated, so that heat generation of the heat generating roller can be suppressed.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material that has heating device for heating the image on the recording material, the heating device including a heating member and an excitation coil for generating a magnetic flux to induce an eddy current in the heating member, an input impedance of the heating device being variable, a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of the heating member, and control device for controlling a frequency of an electrical supply to the excitation coil so that the temperature detected by the temperature detecting element is maintained at a set temperature. In the induction heating apparatus, the control device controls the frequency in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting element and information regarding the input impedance of the heating device.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus forms a color image on a recording medium by using a toner comprising a binding resin, a coloring agent and infrared ray absorbent, and a light source for causing the toner to melt. The light source has a plurality of light emission peaks having wavelengths of &lgr;1, &lgr;2, &lgr;3, . . . , &lgr;n in a range of 500 nm through 3000 nm. Setting is made such that the following relationship is satisfied: |&lgr;1−&Lgr;1|<100 nm, and, also, |&lgr;2−&Lgr;2|<100 nm, where &Lgr;1 and &Lgr;2 denote the wavelengths of absorption peak wavelengths of the infrared ray absorbent.

Abstract: A digital printing or copying machine (1), and a process which can be carried out with it, for one-sided or double-sided printing of a substrate (5) using at least one toner are proposed. The machine (1) includes at least one fixing device (3) for fixing of a toner image (29) on the substrate (5), having at least one heater (21, 23) for melting the toner image (29), past which the substrate (5) can be guided by a transport device (11) which has one or more transport elements (29, 63 to 71). The machine (1) is characterized in that the heater (21, 23) has at least two melt areas (31, 33, 43 to 47) on the substrate (5) which viewed in the substrate transport direction (15) are arranged in succession and laterally offset to one another.

Abstract: A process is proposed for the double-sided printing and/or coating of a substrate using at least one liquid or dry toner that has at least one polymer. It is provided that at least one toner layer or a first image that has at least one toner layer is transferred onto a first side of the substrate. Then, the toner is heated up to at least its glass transformation temperature, and fixed onto the substrate. In the process, the original glass transformation point of the toner shifts to a higher temperature level as a result of the cross-linking of its polymer chains, and the viscosity is increased. In a second processing step, at least one toner layer or a second image is transferred onto the second side of the substrate and heated up to a temperature that is equal to or greater than its glass transformation temperature.

Abstract: Digital printers or copier machines (1) and processes to be performed using them, for fixing a toner image (5) transferred onto an image-carrier substrate (9), are proposed. One of the processes is characterized in that to fuse the toner particles, at least two electromagnetic radiation pulses are applied in a time-delayed manner onto the same area of the image-carrier substrate (9).

Abstract: A control unit controls a power supply to supply power for the illumination of a flash lamp. During illumination of the flash lamp, the current that flows through the flash lamp is kept approximately constant at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A fixing station for a printer or copier includes a heating device for fusing toner to the carrier material and a cover that is selectively insertable between the heating element and the carrier material. The cover may be a window blind type cover. Where two sided fixing is provided, both heating devices have a cover. The cover may have an energy storage spring to cause the heating device to be covered in the event of an emergency. An electro-magnetic locking device may be provided to retain the cover in an open position.

Abstract: A digital image recording device and a method wherein a color toner image (11) is initially transferred to an image carrier substrate (1) and then melted and fixed by exposure to electromagnetic radiation on the image carrier substrate (1). The method is characterized by the toner layers (5, 7, 9), having different colors, being melted in succession, toner image (11) being exposed repeatedly to electromagnetic radiation with different wavelength ranges, and that the corresponding wavelength range being chosen so that one color absorbs most of this electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A digital printer or copier machine (1) and a device (23) for protection against excessive heating of an object (5, 49), for example, a paper to be printed, that is guided past a radiation device (7) within a digital printer or copier machine (1). The protection device (23) has two protection elements (41, 43) permeable to radiation and arranged at a distance from each other, which are arranged in the radiation path (21) between a radiation device (7) and the object to be heated (5, 49).

Abstract: An external heating source for a fuser member used in an image forming system includes a substrate and a ceramic-containing coating. The surface of the fuser member is heated with thermal radiation generated by an external heating source located near the surface of the fuser member. Heat is generated by a resistive radiator on the surface of the external heating source which includes a ceramic-containing material having a high resistance, such as a transition metal oxide. The external heating source can further include at least one temperature sensor for achieving and maintaining a desired temperature on the surface of the fuser member. A method of manufacturing the external heating source is also described.

Abstract: A method for fixation of toner on a carrier or printing stock wherein the printing stock with toner is exposed to at least one radiation pulse or radiation flash of electromagnetic radiation and heated for melting of the toner, and a toner having a sharp transition from its solid to liquid state when heated is used. The toner is preferably characterized by the ratio of the value of the elastic modulus G′, at the reference temperature value calculated from the initial temperature at the beginning of the glass transition of the toner plus 50° C., to the value of the elastic modulus G′ at the initial temperature itself, is less than 10−5.

Abstract: A fixation device for fixation of toner material on a printing stock for an electrophotographic printer with a radiation wavelength essentially in the ultraviolet range for thermal melting of the toner material, and the stock, as carrier of the toner material, is heatable by a device essentially during the exposure process.

Abstract: A radiation unit for a fixation device for fixation of toner material on a printing stock surface for an electrophotographic printing machine, as well as a method for exposure and fixation of toner material on a printing stock surface. Exposure for fixation of toner material occurs essentially indirectly, i.e., the light emitted by the radiation unit is reflected at least once, so that high uniformity and homogeneity of the radiation, efficient energy utilization and avoidance of adverse changes on the printing stock are achieved. A high-energy density, low housing dimensions and independence of the radiation from the employed printing unit are achieved by the fact that the radiation wavelength lies essentially in the ultraviolet spectral range.

Abstract: A device and process for fixing a toner onto a substrate or a printed material, especially a sheet-shaped printed material, preferably for a digital printer, which is characterized in that the printed material that has the toner is irradiated with microwaves from at least one microwave emitter and is heated to melt the toner and that a toner is used which exhibits a sharp drop of the modulus of elasticity G′ from its solid to its liquid state when it is heated. Preferably, the ratio of the value of the modulus of elasticity G′ of the toner according to the invention at the reference temperature value, calculated from the starting temperature at the beginning of the glass transformation of the toner plus 50° C., to the value of the modulus of elasticity G′ at the starting temperature itself is <10−5.