With Developing Patents (Class 355/27)
  • Patent number: 5333033
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a film cartridge, having a spool end and a film ingress/egress slot, containing an exposed photographic film through a photofinishing process comprises a pallet adapted to hold the film cartridge. The pallet includes an interior opening for holding a film cartridge in fixed relation to the pallet with the spool end and the film ingress/egress slot of the film cartridge exposed to permit the spool end to be rotated to thrust the photographic film out of the film cartridge and to return the photographic film to the film cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Blackman
  • Patent number: 5317363
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus using dry silver salt material includes a photosensitive member having a base material and reducing material, photosensitive silver halide and organic silver salt which are on the base material; optical system for projecting information light onto the photosensitive member; auxiliary exposure optical system for uniformly exposing an entire surface of the photosensitive member; and a heating for uniformly heating the photosensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Isaka, Akihiro Mouri, Masato Katayama, Tetsuro Fukui, Yoshinobu Shiraiwa
  • Patent number: 5315347
    Abstract: A duplicating camera, especially, a diffusion transfer type duplicating camera including an exposure box in which a scanner for scanning across the surface of an original in the form of a slit is incorporated and a transfer box in which a sheet of photosensitive material is exposed to light so that a set of slit images from the exposure box can be formed on the photosensitive material, and in which the image recorded on the photosensitive material is transferred to an image receiving material. These exposure and transfer boxes are arranged in an adjustable manner so that the scan axis of the scanning unit can be aligned with the transfer axis of the photosensitive material. In the exposure stage, an exposure table on which the photosensitive material is transferred is positioned above conveyor rollers disposed on both sides of the exposure table, so that a nominal rise occurs in the photosensitive material traveling above the exposure table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimizu, Jirou Ikeo, Katsutoshi Kabeta, Yoshito Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5313248
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus is provided having a continuous form photosensitive member positioned to move along a pre-defined transfer path. An image is exposed on to a portion of the photosensitive member along the transfer path. A heat developer heats the exposed image portion and intercepts the heat to an unexposed portion of the photosensitive member. The heat developer has a cylindrical housing having a heated portion arranged along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing and a heating element in surface contact with and for heating exposed portions of the photosensitive member. The cylindrical housing also has an unheated portion arranged along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing and separated from the heated portion by a thermally insulative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Mita, Atsushi Kobayashi, Nobumasa Abe, Takashi Suzuki, Kazutoshi Fujisawa, Eiji Kumai, Saburo Furukawa
  • Patent number: 5309196
    Abstract: A transfer imaging system is disclosed wherein images are formed by image-wise exposing a layer comprising a chromogenic material and pressure rupturable capsules containing, as an internal phase, a photosensitive composition. In a preferred embodiment, the chromogenic material is encapsulated with the photosensitive composition. Upon exposure and capsule rupture the chromogenic material is image-wise transferrable to a developer or copy sheet where the chromogenic material reacts with a developer to form an image. Preferred systems are sensitive to U.V. or blue light in the wavelength range of 380 to 480 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick W. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5305053
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image by use of photosensitive microcapsules each consisting of an outer shell and a liquid component encapsulated in the outer shell. The liquid component contains an image forming material and a photocuring substance that is polymerized by light. The microcapsules are electrically charged to be supported on a support member. Then, the microcapsules are exposed to light having image information to selectively harden the microcapsules. The microcapsules not cured are ruptured to discharge the image forming material, thereby forming an image by the image forming material on an image receiving paper. Then, a residue inclusive of the remaining microcapsules and a part of the liquid component left on the support member are exposed again to light to be cured and solidified. The solidified residue on the support member is wholly removed by a cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hattori, Masashi Tsuda
  • Patent number: 5305052
    Abstract: An image supporting medium coated with microcapsule toner particles is exposed according to an image pattern, and then a latent image is formed thereon. The image supporting medium on which the latent image is formed and the image recording paper are superposed and pressurized, and the microcapsule toner particles are ruptured and the contents included therein are released. During this process, hardened microcapsule toner particles and wall material of the ruptured microcapsule toner particles from which the contents flowed remain on the image supporting medium by a keying effect, and only the contents, i.e. the toner, are transferred onto the image recording paper. Moreover, the critical surface tension of the wall material of the microcapsule toner particles is smaller than the surface tension of the contents of the microcapsule toner particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyasu Honma
  • Patent number: 5291246
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine is provided with a photoreceptor drum including a cylindrical transparent support having a transparent electrically conductive layer and a photoconductive layer laminated on a surface thereof and a dielectric belt having wound around the photoreceptor drum. A toner image is formed on a surface of a dielectric belt through a process of exposing the photoconductive layer by applying voltage across the toner to be applied to the surface of the dielectric belt and the transparent electrically conductive layer. Then, the toner image is transported up to a position apart from the photoreceptor drum where a copying material is superposed onto the toner image so as to apply heat and pressure thereto, whereby transfer and fusing processes of the toner image are carried out simultaneously to the copying material. As a result, a turbulence in the toner image is reduced, thereby providing high quality images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kimihide Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 5283611
    Abstract: An image formation device photocopying system that transports a film type medium (100) along a passageway (6) such that it encounters the image exposure assembly (4), developer assembly (7), and transfer pressure assembly (8) sequentially from supply cartridge (5), and forms a latent image on medium (100) by exposing an image on it in the image exposure assembly (4), after which it heat develops the latent image in developer assembly (7) and transfers the developed image (100) to the transfer medium (102) in the transfer pressure assembly (8). A tensioning means (26) that applies tension to medium (100) being transported in passageway (6) on the upstream end or in supply cartridge (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atushi Kobayashi, Nobumasa Abe, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5262830
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of forming a good image without a color shade and a dropped color by coating uniformly photosensitive toner particles on a supporting member. The image forming apparatus includes a coating amount detecting unit for detecting an amount of the photosensitive toner particles coated on the supporting member, in the vicinity of a coating unit. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can determined whether a required amount of the photosensitive toner particles is coated on the supporting member, or not. When a required amount of the photosensitive toner particles is coated on the supporting member, an exposure operation is executed. When there is a part on the supporting member which is not coated with enough photosensitive toner particles, the coating unit is operated again. This processing is repeated until the whole of the supporting member is coated with the enough photosensitive toner particles. After this, the exposure operation is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouji Inaishi
  • Patent number: 5260741
    Abstract: A copying machine has a cartridge loading hole for detachably receiving a cartridge for accommodating a roll of photosensitive sheet. The cartridge comprises a cylindrical core with the photosensitive sheet wound thereon, a rear flange secured to one end of the core in close contact with an one end face of the roll of photosensitive sheet for shielding light from the same, a cylindrical core cap secured to the other end of the core and having a lock pawl capable of elastic deformation, a cover flange for covering the other end face of the roll therewith, the cover flange having two grooves engaged with the lock pawl in close contact with the other end face of the roll at a first position and engaged with the lock pawl in a state separated from the other end face thereof at a second position by pushing the core relative to the cover flange. Thus, no exclusive casing is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5254165
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image receiving sheet transport system in which a photosensitive sheet and an image receiving sheet are pressed together to form an image on the image receiving sheet which is then transported to a glosser unit at a slower speed than the transporting speed of the image receiving sheet by a pressure developing device and the glosser unit, the image receiving sheet being temporarily buckled between the pressure developing device and the transport device, and then being taken up by the glosser unit. The image receiving sheet is smoothly pulled by a one-way clutch in the direction in which it is stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Haruna
  • Patent number: 5251072
    Abstract: An image reader is capable of improving the quality of reading a transmission manuscript and of reducing a cost for a luminaire power source compared with the conventional image reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fukuoka, Junji Kawano, Yoshikazu Miyashita, Hideaki Sekiguchi, Hitoshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5245382
    Abstract: A photographic copier includes a rod lens array held to a carrier and moved parallel to an original picture by a motor. Limit switches sense whether the array is in either stop position at both ends of the range of movement During movement, if the array is found to reach either stop position, then a control circuit stops the operation of the motor. When the rod lens array is started, if the limit switches sense that the rod lens array is not in either stop position, then the control circuit operates the motor to return the array to either stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Oda, Takuma Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5241340
    Abstract: A microfilm camera/processor including an electrophotographic medium mounted for successive translation step by step over plural functional stations for performing functional operations successively on portions thereof, the stations being an electrostatic spin charging station, an exposure station including a shutter mechanism forming an latent charge image, a toning station including a planar development electrode, a liquid toner depositing feed and a mechanism for bringing the electrode surface into and out from close proximity to the latent charge image, a cleaning and drying station forming a dried toner image and a dry transfer station to force the dry toner image below the surface of a softened coating carried by a strip film receptor and a preprogrammed control .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Coulter Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Fraser, Peter Taylor, W. Scott Fraser, Kenneth A. Lindblom
  • Patent number: 5237359
    Abstract: A storage for strip material is provided with an inlet for the strip material into the internal space of the housing and an outlet from the internal space of the housing. Inside the housing, holding means are provided which accumulate the strip material above the holding means where the weight of the strip material is less than a threshold value, and which release the strip material downward if the weight of the strip material exceeds the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Gretag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Rosenberg, Heiner Schaub
  • Patent number: 5233386
    Abstract: A photosensitive material for managing condition according to the present invention is provided with a data recording portion on which condition managing data is recorded. Therefore, it becomes possible to readily make the photosensitive material and this condition managing data correspond. In addition, an apparatus for processing the photosensitive material includes a photometric unit for photometrically measuring the image of the photosensitive material, a read unit for reading data on the data recording portion and a managing unit for conducting a condition management with the photometric value and the read data. In consequence, the condition management becomes easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Terashita
  • Patent number: 5231450
    Abstract: A printer for forming an image by image-wise exposure of a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. The observable image produced in accordance with the present invention may have a three-dimensional topographical structure, such as to form the bumps of the braille alphabet, or to replicate the surface variations and texture of brush strokes of a conventional painting. A locally variable attractive field plate having an operable surface is provided for receiving an image in a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. A plurality of individually controllable attractive field sources are provided, each in operable connection with a corresponding discrete location of the operable surface. Each individually controllable attractive field source is controlled to selectively apply and vary a respective local attractive field associated with each corresponding discrete location of the operable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5227826
    Abstract: Layer transfer process for image production wherein predetermined areas of the surface of an image carrier (21) are prepared to accept a color layer, the image carrier (21) and a color carrier (22) of layer transfer material are brought into mutual contact under pressure, and the color carrier is removed from the image carrier, so that color remains on the predetermined areas of the image carrier. A high uniformity of colorant application can be achieved over the entire surface of the image carrier. The process is performed by an apparatus with at least one roll nip (31) formed by two hard rolls (11, 12), preferably with different diameters, in which the two rolls are mutually offset relative to the feed direction (30) of the image carrier (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Helmut G. Sandner
  • Patent number: 5225867
    Abstract: A chromatic image recording apparatus comprises a gradation control member, an image reading member, a hue characteristics calculating member and a hue characteristics control member. In the chromatic image recording apparatus, the optimum exposing conditions of an original having a deviated color balance can be easily established. The output chromatic image of desired quality can be obtained, irrespective of any hue characteristics of the chromatic image on the original. When a brightness characteristics calculating member and a brightness characteristics control member replace the hue characteristics calculating member and the hue characteristics control member, the output chromatic image of desired quality can be obtained, irrespective of any brightness characteristics of the chromatic image on the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Nagata, Yoshinori Endo, Keiji Seo
  • Patent number: 5220377
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on an image receiving sheet with use of a photosensitive microcapsule sheet on which microcapsules being photohardenable upon exposure and being hardened by heating are applied, is disclosed.The image recording apparatus comprises an exposing means for rendering the microcapsules hardenable upon exposure thereby, a heating means for forming a latent image on the photosensitive sheet by heating the exposed hardenable microcapsules, a feeding means for feeding the photosensitive sheet to the image receiving sheet through a feeding path and a pressure means for transferring the latent image on the image receiving sheet by pressurizing both photosensitive sheet and the image receiving sheet in superposing the sheets.In such the image recording apparatus, the feeding means is located downstream the heating means on the feeding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Suzuki, Shigeyuki Hayashi, Takeshi Izaki, Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 5218400
    Abstract: A developing apparatus of photoresist for controlling development of a photoresist formed on a light-transmitting substrate and having a latent image produced by exposure thereof to an irradiation for equi-pitch patterns, adapted to detect monitor light diffracted by the equi-pitch patterns produced as development of the resist advances after the diffracted light is totally reflected at the opposite surface to the surface through which it is let in and diffracted again by the equi-pitch patterns and the developing process is controlled according to a signal obtained as the result of the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kashiwagi, Kohtaroh Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 5218401
    Abstract: An instant photocopying apparatus that allows scanning of an optical means to be carried out plural times continuously by one copying starting operation in the instant photocopying apparatus for sequentially imaging and copying fine areas of an object on an instant photosensitive material by scanning the optical means in parallel to the object is provided.A scanning number setting means 57 is provided and a control circuit 48 is programmed so that it scans continuously by the number of times set by the scanning number setting means 57. An user set any scanning number by the scanning number setting means 57. Then when a start switch SW3 is pressed, the control circuit 48 lights up an illuminating means 24 and issues a command to a motor driving circuit 54 to scan continuously by the preset number of times from one end to the other end of a copying area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuo Ogihara, Hiroaki Ishida, Hajime Oda
  • Patent number: 5214478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a selective particle applying device provided with a developer applying device. The selective particle applying device applies a developer to the entire surface of a capsule sheet coated with microcapsules, disposes the capsule sheet with its surface coated with the developer facing a developer removing electrode provided with a photoconductive member to which a predetermined voltage is applied, splits a light beam by a light beam splitter, irradiates the developer removing electrode with one of the split light beams, and irradiates the capsule sheet with the other split light beam. Portions of the photoconductive member irradiated intensely with the split light beam become conductive to enhance the intensity of electric fields created between conductive portions of the developer removing electrode and the capsule sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Honma, Yasuhiro Hattori, Shigeru Kagayama
  • Patent number: 5210581
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on an image receiving member in cooperation with a photosensitive pressure-sensitive member. The apparatus includes an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive pressure-sensitive member to an imaging light to form a latent image thereon, a pressure developing unit for pressure developing the latent image and forming a visible image on the image receiving member, and a thermal fixing unit for thermally fixing the visible image formed thereon. To prevent the image-formed surface of the image receiving member from being smeared or damaged, a lamination unit is provided for laminating a film on at least one surface of the image receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Kuzuya
  • Patent number: 5208628
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus makes use of a photosensitive sheet having a surface coated with microcapsules encapsulating a light-curable agent and a colorless dye and an image transfer sheet having one surface coated with a developing agent having an chromogenic effect on the encapsulated colorless dye. These sheets are superposed one on top of the other and pressed together by a compression device to selectively rupture the microcapsules on the photosensitive sheet, forming a visible image on the image transfer sheet which is thereafter heated by a heating device. Either the speed at which the image transfer sheet is passed through the compression device or the temperature at which the image transfer sheet is heated by the heating device is controlled according to a characteristic of the image transfer sheet such as its thickness, electrostatic capacity and light transmissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Ohashi, Shoichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 5208612
    Abstract: A copier, printer, facsimile apparatus or similar image forming apparatus made up of components each being constructed into a unit and connected to the others by external arrangements. The apparatus has a base unit accommodating an electric control device, a paper feeding unit removably mounted on the base unit, and an image forming unit for forming an image and recording it on a paper sheet. The base unit, paper feeding unit, and image forming unit may be combined in any desired configuration to construct an image recording apparatus capable of performing any desired kind of image forming procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Obu, Minoru Suzuki, Koichi Noguchi, Takashi Mori, Akira Ishida, Koichiro Jinnai
  • Patent number: 5202722
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus makes use of a color developing principle in which there is an absorption or reaction between a color developer and a dye, pigment or dye precursor. A photosensitive member whose surface is rendered electrically conductive by application of light, and a photosensitive/pressure sensitive recording medium are exposed to image information containing light simultaneously so that the color developer is selectively deposited only onto portions of the photosensitive/pressure sensitive recording medium which is to develop color. Microcapsules containing the dyes, pigments or dye precursors located on the photosensitive/pressure sensitive recording medium are selectively broken according to the image information containing light, and the selectively deposited color developer transferred onto the photosensitive/pressure sensitive recording medium are transferred and fixed on any arbitrary medium to be recorded, thereby obtaining a desired image on the arbitrary medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Ohta
  • Patent number: 5196882
    Abstract: A magnetic recording device includes a magnetic latent image on a latent image carrier and a developing device for moving a magnetic recording color microcapsule onto the magnetic latent image carrier, the microcapsule including a colored material covered with an outer wall and a magnetic material disposed on the outer wall. A transfer device transfers the colored material in the microcapsule on the latent image carrier onto a recording medium as the magnetic material disposed on the outer wall of the microcapsule substantially remains attracted to the magnetic latent image. A demagnetizing device demagnetizes the magnetic latent image on the latent image carrier, and a cleaner cleans off from the latent image carrier the magnetic material which substantially remained attracted to the magnetic latent image when the colored material was transferred onto the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 5196883
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus providing color images excellent in both color reproduction and in density and sharpness of line images of characters or the like. The inventive image forming apparatus includes both a color image forming unit, which forms a latent image on a photosensitive material by the utilization of a chemical reaction, and a monochromatic electrophotographic unit. The color photosensitive material used in the color image forming unit may be a silver halide photosensitive material, a photosensitive resin material, or a photosensitive/pressure-sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Takagi, Minoru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5181066
    Abstract: A paper transporting device for a photographic printer. A pulse motor starts rotating during a magazine setting operation. The rotation of the pulse motor is transmitted to a pair of feed rollers through a pin-clutch mechanism and a paper feed gear train. Immediately before a paper magazine is completely attached to the photographic printer, the feed rollers nip the leading end of photographic paper and pull the photographic paper out of the paper magazine. When changing the paper magazine, a solenoid is turned on to change over the pin-clutch mechanism from the paper feed gear train to a paper rewind gear train. Thereafter, the pulse motor is rotated in reverse, so as to rotate a winding shaft of the paper magazine through the pin-clutch mechanism and the paper rewind gear train. An unexposed portion of the photographic paper remaining in the photographic printer is thus wound back into the paper magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozawa, Takashi Matsumoto, Kimitoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 5179408
    Abstract: Apparatus for utilizing microencapsulated media material includes a cartridge which contains a supply of the material, including a supply spool. The supply spool is wound as a two-layer sandwich which includes a donor web carrying the microencapsulated photosensitive material would in face-to-face relation with receiver material, in which the donor web forms the radial outer layer of the composite and the receiver material forms the radial inner layer. The donor web is formed with a clear base through which the photosensitive layer may be imaged, by drawing the composite from the spool past an exposure station formed as a slit in the cartridge. Thereafter, the composite is processed between a pair of developer rolls, one of which is formed as part of the cartridge. The donor web is then wound on a spool in the cartridge while the receiver material, carrying the image, is delivered from the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Walowit, Gregory J. Sexton
  • Patent number: 5177527
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a photosensitive sheet and an image receiving sheet are pressed together while being transported by a pressure developing device, the image receiving sheet being then separated from the photosensitive sheet by a separation roller. The pressure developing device continues to transport the photosensitive sheet after the image receiving sheet is separated therefrom, and the transportation of the photosensitive sheet by the pressure developing device is stopped when the trailing edge of the image receiving sheet has passed the separation roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5175582
    Abstract: A magnetic recording device includes a magnetic latent image on a latent image carrier and a developing device for moving a magnetic recording color microcapsule onto the magnetic latent image carrier, the microcapsule including a colored material covered with an outer wall and a magnetic material disposed on the outer wall. A transfer device transfers the colored material in the microcapsule on the latent image carrier onto a recording medium as the magnetic material disposed on the outer wall of the microcapsule substantially remains attracted to the magnetic latent image. A demagnetizing device demagnetizes the magnetic latent image on the latent image carrier, and a cleaner cleans off from the latent image carrier the magnetic material which substantially remained attracted to the magnetic latent image when the colored material was transferred onto the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 5168301
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a color proof having an exposure portion for exposing an image of the original onto a photosensitive material and a processor portion for processing the exposed photosensitive material. The apparatus has a transfer portion for transferring the photosensitive material from the exposure portion to the processor portion, which has a first pair of rollers for feeding the photosensitive material disposed adjacent to the photosensitive material delivery side of the platen portion, a second pair of rollers disposed adjacent to the photosensitive material inlet side of the processor portion at the transfer portion and a guide member for guiding transferring of the photosensitive material from said first pair to said second pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Akisada, Takatugu Kusayanagi, Kazuya Fujimoto, Hiroyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 5166724
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a microcapsule image printer/copier system, having a mechanism for transporting microcapsule film medium, a heater for raising the temperature of the film medium to an image developing temperature, and a pair of transfer rollers for simultaneously applying both heat and pressure sufficient to transfer a developed image from the film medium to a transfer medium. First and second rollers deliver pressure and heat in a pinching contact with both film and transfer mediums. The heater is within a tube section of the first roller and is operated such that developing temperature and transfer pressure heat are substantially the same, thus eliminating wrinkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Seiko Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Atushi Kobayashi, Hiroshi Asawa, Yujiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 5165062
    Abstract: An automatic printing system includes an array of printing devices arranged along a direction in which the printing member is fed, each of printing devices having a positioning mechanism for positioning the printing member, a feeding device for feeding a printing member to each printing device, a delivery device for picking up the printing member from the feeding device and bringing the printing member into engagement with the positioning mechanism, and a discharging device for discharging the printing member, which has been exposed by the printing device, from the printing device. the automatic printing system further includes a supplying device for storing printing members of different sizes and selectively supplying the printing members one at a time, a punching device for forming a positioning opening in the printing member supplied by the supplying device, and an automatic developing device for developing the printing member which has been exposed by the printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ogura, Takashi Hasegawa, Norihiro Nakai, Seiki Karikomi
  • Patent number: 5164763
    Abstract: An instant photocopying apparatus includes a case placed on a document and a base plate formed with a window through which the document is visible and which is pivotably mounted on the case. An opening portion is formed in an upper surface of the case in superimposed positional relationship with the window. An instant photosensitive material is provided which has a photosensitive surface and a printing surface for forming an inverted image of an image formed on the photosensitive surface as a visible image. A cassette accommodates the instant photosensitive material, and a cassette holder is provided on an upper surface of the case and into which the cassette is chargeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Seikosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujita Masanori, Tadahiko Yamaoka, Hiroshi Sudo
  • Patent number: 5164762
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a pressure-deformable or pressure-damageable image receiving member, such as corrugated cardboard, using a photosensitive, pressure-sensitive recording medium referred to as a microcapsule sheet which has a surface coated with an immense number of microcapsules encapsulating a chromogenic material therein. The microcapsule sheet is exposed to imaging light to form a latent image thereon. A developing agent is deposited on the latent image formed portion of the recording medium and a pressure is applied thereto to develop a visible image. The visible image is formed on the microcapsule or another member. In a thermal transfer section, the imaged microcapsule sheet and the image receiving member which are superposed one on the other are heated to transfer the image onto the surface of the image receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hattori, Yoshiyasu Honma
  • Patent number: 5160960
    Abstract: In a method of transporting a photosensitive sheet for image forming operation, the photosensitive sheet is transported forward through an exposure section where a latent image is formed thereon, and then through a pressure-developing section where the photosensitive sheet is pressed against an image receiving sheet to develop the latent image and form a visible image on the image receiving sheet. In this pressure-developing process, the length of the photosensitive sheet which is drawn out from the sheet-feeding rod is measured. Then, the photosensitive sheet is further transported forward until the image receiving sheet is separated therefrom. Thereafter, the photosensitive sheet is transported backward by the length measured in the pressure-developing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ibuchi, Akira Tamagaki
  • Patent number: 5157436
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a color proof. An original loading portion having a loading opening provided for loading the original is disposed side by side at an exposure portion so that a carriage may be substantially horizontally moved between the exposure position of the exposure portion and the copy exchange position of corresponding to the loading opening. When the original is exchanged and recharged, the loading opening is open by a lid member and when the carriage is positioned to the copy exchange position, the original is placed. Since the exposure portion and the like are not disposed upwardly of the original loading portion, the exposure unit and the like are not mounted with the result that the lid member can be made compact and lightweight while exchange of the original can be eased. In addition, the carriage is not withdrawn into the working space allowed for the operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Akisada, Kazuya Fujimoto, Takatugu Kusayanagi, Yasunobu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5153634
    Abstract: An imaging system in which images are formed by image-wise exposing a layer containing a chromogenic material and a photosensitive composition in which at least the photosensitive composition is encapsulated in a lyer of pressure rupturable capsules. Exposure and capsule rupture renders the chromogenic material image-wise accessible to the developer for a patterned image forming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick W. Sanders, Gary F. Hillenbrand, Jonathan S. Arney, Richard F. Wright
  • Patent number: 5153715
    Abstract: Color film scanning apparatus employs a novel trilinear array image sensor with photosites spaced apart in the linear direction of array by a pitch which is a multiple of the photosite dimension in the linear direction. The resultant scanning apparatus allows positioning of the image sensor in close proximity to the film without the need for interposition of optics for beam splitting or image focusing on the sensor arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: George L. Bender, Walter D. Foley, Bruce E. Rottner
  • Patent number: 5148216
    Abstract: A cartridge for a color video printer comprises a cartridge body with a film paper section occupying a part of a space inside the cartridge body and a container for containing the printing papers and occupying the other part of the space inside the cartridge body. The film paper section for containing film papers consists of a supply reel and a take-up reel mounted inside the cartridge body. A discharge hole and a inlet hole are formed on a top plate of the cartridge body. The printing paper container consists of a container with one of its side walls open. A color vide printer using the cartridge has a pair of loading rollers for automatically loading the film papers, a FO-CRT for exposing an image to be printed onto the film papers, a capstan shaft, a pinch roller, a belt interlocking the pinch roller and one of the loading rollers, a pair of pressing rollers, a pair of guide rollers, and a fixing unit for fixing the transcribed image of the printing papers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun K. Park
  • Patent number: 5146264
    Abstract: A recording system in which film stored in a state of loops can be fed smoothly due to the film guide members which can change their positions depending on the amount of films a sensor means has detected. In addition, the assembly of a film transport unit and a development container can be mounted or dismounted to or from the development unit easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Shirai, Yoshihiko Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 5144360
    Abstract: A thermal fixing device mounted in an image recording apparatus, includes a presser-roller automatically moved away from a heat roller when a predetermined period of time or more elapses after completion of the thermal fixing of a recording medium, on or before a subsequent recording medium is fed, thus avoiding the continuity of a state in which a thermal fixing belt for feeding the recording medium is interposed and pressed between the heat roller and the presser-roller over a long period of time. Accordingly, this thermal fixing device enables the prevention of deformation in the thermal fixing belt by heat and pressure and achieves stable use of the thermal fixing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhito Ishida
  • Patent number: 5144361
    Abstract: Sheet loading in an image recording apparatus is automatically performed by drawing the leading edge of an elongated, web-like image photosensitive recording medium out of a sheet cartridge, passing it through a predetermined sheet feed path provided between the sheet cartridge and a take-up shaft, and attaching the leader portion of the recording medium to the take-up shaft. A plurality of sensors are disposed alongside the sheet feed path for sensing that the sheet loading is being appropriately performed. The recording medium is successively moved to each of the sensors, and if the recording medium is not sensed thereby, it is rewound around the cartridge shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morisaki, Kenji Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 5142321
    Abstract: In an image recording apparatus of the type using a photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium having a surface coated with an immense number of microcapsules encapsulating therein a dye precursor, requisite components of the apparatus excluding an exposure unit are arranged as a single unit to provide a versatile unit. A desired type of the exposure unit is used in conjunction with the versatile unit, whereby different types of image recording apparatuses can be built up, which may be a full-color copying machine, a CRT printer, or a film printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Nagata, Keiji Seo
  • Patent number: RE34454
    Abstract: A copying apparatus including an image-illuminating device for illuminating a surface of an original having images to be reproduced, so that a light produced by the image-illuminating device is reflected by the image-bearing surface of the original. The reflected light includes rays to which a photosensitive paper is sensitive. Latent images are formed on the photosensitive paper by means of selective exposure of local portions of the photosensitive paper to the rays of the reflected light from the image-bearing surface of the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takemi Yamamoto, Ryohei Komiya, Naoyuki Hatta
  • Patent number: RE34503
    Abstract: An imaging device wherein a latent image is formed on a photo and pressure sensitive recording sheet by exposing a light thereon and the latent image is then developed by applying a pressure thereon. The degree of pressing is automatically and/or manually controlled so as to obtain a visible image of stable color deepness and of good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Sakakibara, Michitoshi Akao, Shigeyuki Hayashi, Jun Sakai