Abstract: A polyimide film component useful as fusing films and having electrically conductive doped metal oxide fillers dispersed therein, the fusing film having a surface resistivity of from about 104 to about 1012 ohm/sq, and optionally provided on the polyimide film a conformable layer, or optionally in the following order, both a conformable intermediate layer and an outer release layer are provided on the polyimide film.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided in which the anti-blocking property of the ink is largely improved, while maintaining high bonding strength of the ink to the printing paper. The latent image formed on the photosensitive belt 1 by a laser or the like is developed by a developing roller 3 using an ink 2 composed of toner particles dispersed in a specified solvent. After development, a designated amount of the solvent of the ink 2 is removed by a squeezing roller 4, and the surface of the photosensitive belt 1 is coated with a cross-linking material a for cross-linking the molecular structure of the ink 2 by a vessel 10 storing the cross-linking material a and a roller 8 which are disposed in contact with the photosensitive belt 1 between the squeezing roller 4 and a transfer roller 5. The ink used for development on the photosensitive belt is cross-linked and dried to be fixed on the printing paper 7 inserted between the transfer roller 5 and the fuser roller 6, both of which have an internal heater.

Abstract: The electromagnetic induction heating device has a simple construction, holds an object to be heated in a favorable heating condition while effectively suppressing the irregularities of heat generation of the object to be heated, and reduces an energy consumption. The electromagnetic induction heating device which heats the object to be heated provided with at least an electromagnetic induction heat generating layer includes a magnetic core made of magnetic material which is disposed in such a manner that it faces the electromagnetic induction heat generating layer of the object to be heated in an opposed manner, and an exciting coil which is wound around the magnetic core and generates a fluctuation magnetic field which penetrates the electromagnetic induction heat generating layer.

Abstract: A fixation roller for a liquid electrophotographic printer rotates in contact with a transfer roller transferring an image developed on a photoreceptor web to a sheet of paper. The fixation roller includes a body made of metal, an elastic rubber layer formed on the outer circumferential surface of the body, and silicon oil included in the rubber layer to come out to the surface of the rubber layer at a high temperature during printing, thus encompassing the surface of the rubber layer.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus in which a toner image on a toner image holding and conveying member is transferred onto a recording member and is fixed at the same time, the change of charging characteristics or the like by accumulation of heat in the apparatus is prevented, the toner image is certainly transferred and fixed onto the recording member with small consumed energy, and high speed print can be made. An intermediate transfer material on which a toner image is primarily transferred is disposed at a position facing a photosensitive drum, and a pressing roller for pressing the toner image against the recording member is disposed at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the transferred toner image. At the upstream side of the secondary transfer portion where the pressing roller is pressed, an electromagnetic induction heating unit for melting the toner image on the intermediate transfer material is disposed.

Abstract: A release agent management system applies a preestablished quantity of a release agent to the image area of a transfuse member. A toner image is transferred to the image area. The image area is moved to a transfuse nip where the toner image is generally simultaneously transferred and fused to a substrate to form a document.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus which represents gradation of an image by using a halftone screen structure, and which transfers and fixes the image onto a print sheet by using an intermediate transfer body, where a number of protruding portions are provided with an approximately uniform distribution, the degradation of image quality due to a moire fringe pattern produced by the halftone screen structure and the distribution of the protruding portions of the intermediate transfer body is reduced.

Abstract: An electrographic printing apparatus and method obtain high-quality images without the occurrence of transfer nonuniformity when toner images are transferred from a latent image carrier to an intermediate transfer medium. The apparatus and method record a toner image present on the latent image carrier by transferring and fixing the toner image to a recording medium via the intermediate transfer medium having an elastic layer on a surface thereof. The printing apparatus has a tensile spring for pressing the intermediate transfer medium against the latent image carrier, and the pressing force of the tensile spring is set so that the straightness in the width direction on the surface of the elastic layer is not larger than the height of the toner image.

Abstract: Toner image forming stations form toner images that are electrostatically transferred to the intermediate transfer member. The composite toner image is transferred to the transfuse member at the second transfer nip. The temperature of the transfuse member in the second transfer nip is above the glass transition temperature of the toner image. The toner image is generally transferred and fused to the substrate in the third transfer nip.

Abstract: A transfer unit of an electrophotographic printer includes: a transfer roller and a fuser roller for transferring an image onto the paper. One of the two rollers has a shape having flared ends and a smaller diameter at the center portion thereof and the other roller has a core portion having a crowned shape mating with the shape of the flared roller and a deformable portion which is provided around the core portion so as to form a circumferential surface having a straight profile line, and which is deformable so that a uniform gap between the two rollers is formed.

Abstract: A transfer unit of an electrophotographic printer, includes a base frame; a first lever which is pivotally installed at the base frame, and by which a transfer roller is supported, the transfer roller rotating while closely contacting a photosensitive belt and to which an image on the photosensitive belt is transferred; and a second lever which is pivotally installed at the base frame, and by which a fixing roller is supported, the fixing roller pressing a paper passing through between the transfer roller and the fixing roller against the transfer roller while rotating in contact with the transfer roller, and fixing an image on the transfer roller onto the paper.

Abstract: The invention is an electrostatographic printer and a method of printing with such a printer. The printer includes a transfer member that is driven along a continuous path, and a toner image depositor that deposits a toner image in powder form on the transfer member. A substrate is fed into contact with the transfer member, and the toner image on the transfer member is heated in advance of the transfer; the transfer member is cooled following the image transfer to a temperature below the glass transition temperature T.sub.g of the toner; then further toner images may be deposited on the transfer member. A controlling pressure roller is positioned in opposition to the transfer member to form a transfer nip, through which the substrate passes, the substrate wrapping partially around the pressure roller both in advance of and following the transfer nip.

Abstract: A reliable non-sliding transfusing assembly is provided for receiving liquid toner images from an image bearing member. The transfusing assembly includes a continuous intermediate transfer belt forming a belt loop and having an inner surface and a toner image carrying outer surface; a first backing roller having a first diameter and mounted into contact with the inner surface of the belt loop for forming a toner image receiving nip between the belt loop and an image bearing member; and a second backing roller mounted oppositely from the first backing roller and into contact with the inner surface of the belt loop for forming a transfusing nip between the belt loop and an external roller.

Abstract: A transfer member having a substrate, an outer silicone rubber layer, and a silicone polymer release agent material, wherein the release agent material is a polydimethyl siloxane cationic liquid emulsion.

Abstract: A polyurethane transfer component useful in intermediate transfer, bias transfer, and transfix applications, the polyurethane film having electrically conductive doped metal oxide fillers, the polyurethane film having a surface resistivity of from about 10.sup.4 to about 10.sup.16 ohm/sq, and optionally the polyurethane film is provided on a substrate, and optionally, an outer release layer is provided on the polyurethane layer.

Abstract: A method for applying toner to a substrate by a printing unit of a printing machine, a print image being applied to a carrier band (5) and passed by the latter to the substrate to be printed, e.g. paper (2), which is transported through the printing unit via a transport band (4), the paper (2) to be printed and the applied toner being cooled by means of a cooling device (8) arranged over a longer segment, and the toner applied to the paper (2) being heated before and/or during the transfer process from the intermediate carrier to the paper (2), by a heating device (7) arranged over a longer segment, and that the heating and cooling energy, respectively, to be supplied is adjustable in accordance with the desired printing speed.

Abstract: A roller separating apparatus for a laser printer having a transfer backup roller, a steering roller, and a driving roller around which a photoreceptor belt circulatingly travels. The roller separating apparatus includes a first frame on which the transfer backup roller is rotatably installed. First and second eccentric cams are mounted for rotation on the first frame. A transfer roller is rotatably installed on a second frame which moves with respect to the first frame via engagement with a cam surface of the first eccentric cam. A fusing roller is rotatably installed on a third frame which moves with respect to the second frame via engagement with a cam surface of the second eccentric cam.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus heats and presses a toner image retaining medium, with a toner image being formed thereon, and a sheet of print paper in face-contact with each other so that the toner image is transferred and simultaneously fixed onto the print paper, and rectifies the curling of the face-contact medium and paper during the heat-pressing process, thereby attaining a high print quality without creases on the paper which would otherwise emerge due to the heat-pressing process.

Abstract: A polyimide film component useful in intermediate transfer, bias transfer, and transfix applications, the polyimide film having electrically conductive doped metal oxide fillers dispersed therein, the polyimide film having a surface resistivity of from about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.14 ohm/sq, and optionally provided on the polyimide film an outer layer, or in the following order both a conformable intermediate layer and an outer release layer.

Abstract: An image forming method is provided which is structured in such a way that a toner image carried to a transferring position by a toner image holding member for holding and carrying the toner image from a toner image forming position to the toner image transferring position is transferred to a predetermined recording medium. The image forming method includes carrying a toner image into close contact with a recording medium and transferring and fixing the toner image while heating the toner image. A recording medium is employed which has a thermoplastic transparent resin layer on at least a surface of a base thereof on which the toner image is transferred and the softening point (Tmp) of the transparent resin is in the range from 1.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. lower than the softening point (Tmt) of the toner.

Abstract: A printing process for forming high contrast color images on polymer surfaces, comprising: (a) forming a layer of substantially opaque liquid toner comprising polymer based toner particles and a carrier liquid, on an imaging surface; (b) transferring the layer to an intermediate transfer member; (c) heating the layer on the intermediate transfer member to a temperature at which the toner particles at least partially coalesce; (d) repeating (a) to (c) sequentially for at least one subsequent layer in at least one subsequent layer in at least one color, said at least one subsequent layer being transferred to the intermediate transfer member onto the opaque layer to form multiple layers on the intermediate trnsfer member; and (e) transferring the multiple layers to a polymer surface.

Abstract: A single pass, multi-color electrostatographic printer includes a transfer member which is driven along a continuous path. Several toner images of different colors are electrostatically deposited in powder form in registration with each other on the transfer member to form a multiple toner image thereon. A substrate is fed into contact with the transfer member. The multiple toner image is thereby transferred to at least one face of the substrate. The printer includes heaters for heating the multiple toner image on the transfer member in advance of the transfer of the image to the substrate and cooling devices for cooling the transfer member following the transfer of the multiple toner image therefrom to the substrate to a temperature below the glass transition temperature T.sub.g of the toner, prior to the deposition of further toner images on the transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a printer and a copying machine, employs a simultaneous transfer and fixing method to obtain a highly lustrous image of high image quality, free of uneven lusterand disordered pixels over the entire density area. Assuming the outside diameter of the convex side roll to be R (mm), the hardness of hardness test of durometer type A and the thickness of the surface layer of the concave side roll to be HR (degree) and dR (mm) respectively, the hardness of hardness test of durometer type A and the thickness of the surface layer of the toner image carrier in contact with the recording medium to be Hb (degree) and db (.mu.m) respectively, and the nip width to be N (mm), the material and thickness of each surface layer for these two rolls and the intermediate transfer belt are selected so as to satisfy the following relationship:(Hb/HR)>0.8566 Ln{(N.sup.2 /R).multidot.(db/dR)}-0.5077where Ln<X> represents natural logarithm of X.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method for transferring and fixing is capable of securely transferring and fixing a toner image onto a recording medium after transferring the toner image formed on an image carrier onto an image transfer member with small energy consumption for high-speed printing. In this apparatus an endless belt-like intermediate transfer member facing to four image forming units is tensioned by a heating roll and the like, and a pressing member for pressing the recording medium against the intermediate transfer member in the most downstream portion of a contact area with the heating roll in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer member. The toner image on the intermediate transfer member is heated by the heating roll at specified temperatures, and the toner melted is brought into tight contact with the recording medium at normal temperatures for transferring and fixing.

Abstract: Toners comprised of a cyan toner, a magenta toner, a yellow toner, an orange toner, or a red toner, and a black toner, each of said toners being comprised of resin and pigment; and wherein the pigment for the orange toner is Orange 13, Cl 21110, Orange 34, Cl 21115, Orange 5, Cl 12075, Orange 16, Cl 21160, Orange 36, Cl 11780, Orange 46, Cl 15602, Orange 67, or Orange 69, and wherein the pigment for the red toner is Red 53:1, Cl 15585, Red 48:1, Cl 15865:1, Red 122, Cl 12370, or Red 254; and wherein said pigment for each toner is prepared by flushing said wet pigment, wherein a cyan, magenta, orange, or red and yellow pigment water wet cake is mixed with toner resin, and the water is substantially removed to generate pigmented resin, or wherein said pigment for each toner is prepared by dispersing said pigment with a polymeric alcohol.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed which comprisesa toner-image holding unit for holding a toner image,a recording medium,transfer-fixing means for bringing the recording medium into contact with the toner image on the toner-image holding unit and heating the toner image so as to transfer and fix the toner image onto the recording medium,toner-image cooling means for cooling the toner image transferred and fixed onto the recording medium so as to suppress the flowing of the toner image, andpeeling means for peeling the recording medium off the toner-image holding unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the quality of an image that has been developed by a liquid carrier is disclosed. Generally speaking, the invention includes conditioning an image that has been developed using a liquid carrier material to increase its strength. Thermal control is used to heat and cool the image in rapid succession, thereby increasing the cohesiveness of the solid particles contained in the liquid carrier.

Abstract: A single-pass, multi-color electrostatographic printer has a transfer member which is driven along a continuous path. Toner images of different colors are simultaneously electrostatically deposited in powder form in register with each other on the transfer member to form a multiple toner image. The substrate is fed into contact with the transfer member for transfer of the multiple toner image to at least one face of the substrate. The printer includes a heater for the multiple toner image on the transfer member in advance of the transfer of the image to the substrate, and cooling capability for the transfer member following the transfer of the multiple toner image to the substrate, to a temperature below the glass transition temperature T.sub.g of the toner, prior to deposition of further toner images on the transfer member.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for controlling the sleep-mode of an image forming apparatus includes a movable and heatable element, a drive member for driving the element and a heating member for heating the element while it is being driven by said drive member. The drive member and heating member are controlled to keep the heatable element at a temperature below its normal operating temperature in order to reduce power consumption in the sleep-mode. The drive member and said heating member are energized and de-energized cyclically and the heating member, when switched on, is energized with full power. The movable and heatable element preferably is an intermediate belt for heat transferring/fixing a developed image to a recording medium.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming an image-receiving sheet for sublimation thermal transfer recording, in which a photoreceptor is partly or wholly charged as it is rotated, while the powdery coating composition is charged oppositely to the photoreceptor and is then adhered to the surface of the photoreceptor, and thereafter the composition is transferred onto the base sheet, and then heated, melted and fixed, thereby to form a continuous film of the receiving layer on the base sheet.There is further provided a white, powdery coating composition for use for the production of such an image-receiving sheet as above, which comprises a resin component, a white colorant, and a cured product of reaction-curable silicone oils and is characterized in that the composition comprises, as the resin component, from 70 to 95% by weight of a resin mixture comprising from 50 to 90% by weight of a saturated polyester resin having an acid value of from 1.0 to 20 mg KOH/g and a glass transition point of from 50.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a toner image from an image-forming medium to a receiving material with an intermediate medium with a top layer which intermediate medium is in contact with the image-forming medium in a first transfer zone. A heating member is provided for heating the toner image on the intermediate medium. A biasing member is provided in a second transfer zone which can be brought into contact with the intermediate medium. A transport member is provided for transporting the receiving material through the second transfer zone, wherein the top layer contains a perfluoropolyether rubber.

Abstract: A method for fusing a transferable image to a face of a digital disc and a lamination jacket. In the method, a transferable image is printed onto a transfer support. The transferable image is registered against the face of a digital disc to provide a transfer support-digital disc pair. The transferable image is roller laminated to the face of the digital disc. The transferable image and face of the digital disc are kept in registry during the roller laminating. The lamination jacket is for use in transporting a transfer support bearing a transferable image and a digital disc through the nip between a pair of compliant rollers to heat and pressure fuse the transferable image to the face of the digital disc. The lamination jacket has an insert. A shell is joined to the insert. The shell is exterior to the insert. The shell and insert define a pocket for closely receiving the digital disc. The lamination jacket has at least one guide for registering the digital disc and transfer support within the pocket.

Abstract: Printing machines which incorporate a transfusing station having a transfusing member with a resistive heater layer, a substrate, and a release layer. The transfusing station is entrained between at least two electrically conductive contact members, such as rollers, which electrically contact the heater layer. An electrical source sends current through the conductive rollers and the heater layer, heating that layer, the substrate, the release layer, and any toner on the release layer. A backup roller adjacent the transfusing member and the conductive rollers induces pressure on marking substrates which pass between the backup roller and the transfusing member. The combination of heat from the heater layer and pressure induced by the backup roller causes any toner image on the transfusing member to fuse onto the marking substrate. The release layer assists in transferring the toner onto the marking substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless belt-shaped photosensitive member laid across a drive roller and a plurality of guide rollers and caused to undergo endless traveling, wherein there is used a solidified developer which is solid at an ordinary temperature but is brought into a molten state by implementing a heating processing thereto, and is re-solidified by implementing a cooling treatment thereto. An image preparation process section is disposed at the outer circumferential portion of the drive roller of large diameter, and a recording sheet contact roller and a recording sheet peeling roller which constitute guide rollers are disposed at an upper part of the drive roller so as to mutually constitute the same plane to travel the endless belt-shaped photosensitive member in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an image on plain paper from image data using a photoreceptor. An image-wise distribution of charges is produced on the photoreceptor corresponding to the image data. A liquid ink having solid charged pigmented particles, the liquid ink having an effective glass transition temperature of less than 25 degrees Celsius is applied to the photoreceptor forming an image-wise distribution of the pigmented particles on the photoreceptor to form the image. The liquid ink has greater than seventy-five percent by volume fraction of solids in the image. A film forming means is positioned against the photoreceptor immediately following the application means to dry the image of the liquid ink to film forming within 0.5 seconds. The image is dried on the photoreceptor. The image is then transferred to an elastomeric transfer roller which forms a first transfer nip under pressure with the photoreceptor.

Abstract: An imaging system carries an image defined by a dry powder or liquid toner. The imaging system includes a first transfer roll that electrostatically or adhesively accumulates the color image from a photoconductor, and a second transfer roll in transfixing contact with the first transfer roll. The second transfer roll possessing a central radiant heat source and a radiant heat source located adjacent to the first transfer roll in radiant proximity to an entering media sheet and the transfixing contact between the first and second transfer rolls. The first transfer roll includes at least a first basecoat layer and a topcoat layer. The basecoat layer includes a material that is electrically conductive and exhibits elastomeric and macrocompliant properties enabling the media to wrap through a significant arc under the transfixing contact and heat of the second transfer roll.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an image bearing surface having formed thereon a liquid image comprising carrier liquid and toner particles, an intermediate transfer member positioned in operative association with the image bearing surface, a first transfer station at which the liquid image is transferred from the image bearing surface onto the intermediate transfer member, and a second transfer station at which the liquid image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member onto a substrate including a source of heat which heats the intermediate transfer member and the liquid image so as to cause the toner to adhere to the substrate and whereat the intermediate transfer member and the liquid image are cooled sufficiently such that the adhesion of the toner to the intermediate transfer member is less than the cohesion of the toner.

Abstract: In a printing system a first endless imaging member, such as a belt or drum, moves past an imaging station where it receives a dry toner image, and contacts a second endless imaging member to transfer the toner image to the second member. The first and the second imaging members are each operated isothermally with at least the second member at a temperature T2 higher than the softening temperature of the toner which, in turn, is above the temperature T1 of the first member. The first member has a hard abrasion-resistant and preferably smooth surface with a surface energy under about 20 dynes per centimeter, while the second member is both softer and has a higher surface energy, but still below that of the ultimate imaging substrate, e.g., paper, and has a thickness and compressibility that allow it to conform. In a preferred system, a charge-deposition cartridge deposits a latent charge image on a dielectric layer to attract and hold toner particles.

Abstract: A toner binder is disclosed which comprises a polyester resin in which an aliphatic hydrocarbon chain terminated with an ester and/or an ether bond to the aliphatic group contains a constituent element consisting of ethylene in an amount of from 1 to 5 wt % based on the total weight of the resin. Further disclosed is a toner binder using both of a crosslinked polyester having a peak molecular weight of 10,000 or less and a linear polyester having a peak molecular weight of 8,000 or more as binder resins, the peak molecular weight of the linear polyester being greater than the peak molecular weight of the crosslinked polyester.

Abstract: A transfusing member having a compression layer comprised of a highly conformable, low durometer material with a low surface tension. The transfusing member forms a first transfer nip characterized by a first pressure with a photoreceptive surface and a second transfer nip characterized by a second pressure, which is of the same order of magnitude as the first pressure, with a backup roller.

Abstract: High efficiency transfer of liquid toner image from an photoconductor onto an image receiver (e.g., plain paper, transparency film, and the like) using a simple and direct, one-step process, is provided. The transfer is effected using a hard (non-conformable) substrate, at least one conformable intermediate mat, the photoconductor having a release surface comprising a siloxane, the image receiver, a roller, and a source of heat and pressure. One conformable layer may be employed, resulting in two possibilities. In the first possibility, the roller comprises the source of heat and pressure and the conformable layer supports the photoconductor layer. A non-conformable layer supports the conformable layer. In the second possibility, the source of heat and pressure is on that surface of the photoconductor opposite that on which the toner image is carried and the conformable layer is positioned between the roller and the image receiver.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic system, an electrostatic latent image as formed on a photoreceptor is developed with a developing agent to form a toner image thereon, a transfer paper is laid over the toner image and pressure is applied to the photoreceptor and the transfer paper so as to transfer or simultaneously transfer and fix the toner image onto the transfer paper. The photoreceptor is one having a surface protecting layer and a light-sensitive layer made of a hydrogenated and/or fluorinated amorphous silicon. The light-sensitive layer and the surface protecting layer of the photoreceptor are uniformly heated to a constant temperature. A charging device or a discharging brush or blade is used as a device of discharging the charges of the photoreceptor after the transference.