Post Imaging Process, Finishing, Or Perfecting Composition Or Product Patents (Class 430/97)
  • Publication number: 20030186147
    Abstract: A composition for combating toner marking, in the form of a particulate material dispersed in release agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Jerry A. Pickering, Dinesh Tyagi, Pauline K. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20030165753
    Abstract: Disclosed are a thermally transferable image protective sheet and a method for protective layer formation that can provide a protective layer which can protect an image of a record produced by a nonsilver photographic color hard copy recording method, can impart lightfastness and other properties to the record, and can realize a record having a glossy impression comparable to silver salt photographs. The thermally transferable image protective sheet comprises a support and a thermally transferable resin layer having a single-layer or multilayer structure stacked on the support so as to be separable from the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Prtg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taro Suzuki, Daisuke Fukui, Masahiro Fujita
  • Publication number: 20030162110
    Abstract: A process for crosslinking an image comprising applying ultraviolet light to an image comprised of a toner containing an unsaturated resin and colorant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Guerino G. Sacripante, Edward J. Gutman
  • Publication number: 20030143474
    Abstract: A method of preparing an imaged element useful in lithographic printing comprises:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick Friedman, Dominique LaPotre
  • Publication number: 20030091917
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for printing particles of a color toner that is selectively colored and can demonstrate or reflect color based upon exposure to light of known wavelength, intensity, and duration. The color toner is sensitive to a plurality of wavelengths to provide a desired color. The apparatus performs three basic functions: (1) applies the toner to a print medium, using an electrophotographic process, requiring the toner to be chargeable; (2) selectively applies light to the toner, the light being of known wavelength, intensity, and duration, to convert the toner particles to the desired color(s); and (3) bonds or attaches the toner to the print medium. Since the color toner includes all necessary colors that are selectively activated, only one color toner and thus only application of one color toner is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: C. Troy Jensen, David M. Payne
  • Patent number: 6544703
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor having an interlayer between the electrically conductive base body and the photosensitive layer. The electrophotographic photoreceptor an aluminum-evaporated surface and contact potential difference of said interlayer with respect to the aluminum-evaporated surface of the photoreceptor is at least +0.175 V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Hirofumi Hayata
  • Patent number: 6509128
    Abstract: Methods of imagewise printing of adhesives that includes providing a latent adhesive image and then activating the latent adhesive image to form an adhesive image. Methods of preparing latent adhesive toners that involve limited coalescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Albert I. Everaerts, Lang N. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6495300
    Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member containing an optional supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, a charge transport layer, and an overcoating layer comprised of a crosslinked composite polysiloxane-silica generated from the reaction of a silyl-functionalized hydroxyalkyl polymer of Formula (I) with an organosilane of Formula (II) in the presence of silica particles and water wherein A, B, D, and F represent the segments of the polymer backbone; E is a hole transporting moiety; X is selected from the group consisting of halide, cyano, alkoxy, acyloxy, and aryloxy; a, b, c, and d each represent mole fractions of the repeating monomer units such that the sum of a+b+c+d is equal to about 1; R is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, and R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide, cyano, and amino, subject to the provision that two of R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Qi, Beng S. Ong, Cheng-Kuo Hsiao, Ping Liu, Huoy-Jen Yuh, John S. Chambers, Helen R. Cherniack
  • Publication number: 20020182520
    Abstract: An image recording material on which an image can be formed by electrophotography, and a method for producing the same. The material comprises a substrate having transparency, an image being formable by an electrophotography system on one side of the substrate, and a characteristic controlling member which is provided at a side of the substrate which is opposite to the side where the image is formed. The image is printed as a mirror image which can be viewed through the substrate. The characteristic controlling member can be provided with functions such as heat resistance, light resistance, glossiness adjustment and the like. Thus, an image of high quality having sufficient heat resistance and light resistance and good visibility, even for outdoor use, can be formed, and manufacture thereof is easy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kaoru Torikoshi
  • Patent number: 6489073
    Abstract: Electrostatic latent images are developed with a toner in such a configuration that an electrostatic-latent-image-bearing member is disposed to face a developer-bearing member which bears thereon a developer consisting of a magnetic carrier and a toner by relatively moving the developer-bearing member and the electrostatic-latent-image-bearing member at different velocities, with the development being carried out under conditions represented by formula (1): 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kotsugai, Kimitoshi Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Ikuno
  • Patent number: 6479202
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor is disclosed. The photoreceptor has a resin layer comprising a siloxane resin formed by hardening a compound represented by Formula 1, 2 or 3, or a hydrolyzed product which has a structural unit having a charge transportation ability, and a ratio M1/M2 of the sum of the amount in moles M1 of the compound represented by Formula 1 and that represented by Formula 2 to the amount in moles of the compound represented by Formula 3 is within the range of from 0.01 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Shida, Satoshi Uchino, Akihiko Itami
  • Publication number: 20020146630
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for use in the analysis and quantitation of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in patient or other samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Alex Michael Seizew, Sean Michael Teel
  • Patent number: 6461780
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor is disclosed. The photoreceptor has a difference in ionization potential between the photosensitive layer and the hardenable resinous layer of not more than 0.4 eV, and a response time T10 defined in the specification is not more than 0.25 second. An image forming method and apparatus employing the photoreceptor are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Takeo Oshiba
  • Patent number: 6455216
    Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic latent images comprises: a colorant; a polyester resin; a negative charge controlling agent comprised of a chromium complex compound; and a positive charge controlling agent, wherein the polyester resin has an acid value Z of 15 to 33 mgKOH/g, a hydroxyl value Y of 4 to 17 mgKOH/g and a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 5200-7000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nagahama, Toshihiko Murakami, Katsuaki Sumida
  • Publication number: 20020122999
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor having an interlayer between the electrically conductive base body and the photosensitive layer. The electrophotographic photoreceptor an aluminum-evaporated surface and contact potential difference of said interlayer with respect to the aluminum-evaporated surface of the photoreceptor is at least +0.175 V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Hirofumi Hayata
  • Patent number: 6432596
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate; a charge generation layer overlying the substrate; a charge transport layer formed overlying the substrate and including a charge transport material, a polycarbonate resin, an antioxidant having the following formula (1): and a sulfur-containing compound having an alkyl group having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms; and a protective layer comprising a binder resin and a filler dispersed in the binder resin and formed as a top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ikuno, Narihito Kojima, Eiji Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 6410200
    Abstract: A coated transfer sheet comprising a substrate having a first and second surface; optionally at least one barrier layer overlaying said first surface, at least one release layer overlaying said at least one barrier layer or, when the barrier layer is not present, said first surface of the substrate; and an optional image receiving layer comprising an ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer dispersion; wherein the coated transfer sheet exhibits cold peel and hot peel properties when transferred, and may be used in electrostatic printers and copiers or other devices in which toner particles are imagewise applied to a substrate. The addition of elastomeric polymers and polyurethanes help provide enhanced wash stability and chemical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventors: Scott Williams, Heather Penk, Heather Reid
  • Patent number: 6399280
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of applying a first magnetic field to a dry, light absorbing powder, which comprises a magnetic material and a hydrophobic thermoplastic binder, thereby coating said powder on a surface of a metal support; image-wise exposing to light the powder in contact with the surface of the metal support, thereby increasing the adhesion of the powder to the surface of the metal support, without substantially ablating the powder; and removing the non-exposed magnetic powder from the surface of the metal support under action of a second magnetic field with a polarity substantially opposite to the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Joan Vermeersch, Augustin Meisters, Stefaan De Meutter
  • Patent number: 6387581
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toner comprising particles of a polyester resin, an optional colorant, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole), wherein said toner particles are prepared by an emulsion aggregation process. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a process which comprises (a) generating an electrostatic latent image on an imaging member, and (b) developing the latent image by contacting the imaging member with charged toner particles comprising a polyester resin, an optional colorant, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole), wherein said toner particles are prepared by an emulsion aggregation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Karen A. Moffat, Rina Carlini, Maria N. V. McDougall, Dan A. Hays, Jack T. LeStrange
  • Patent number: 6383700
    Abstract: In an electrostatic image forming method, said electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a resinous layer comprising siloxane base resin containing a structural unit having charge transport performance and a cross-linked structure on an electrically conductive support, and developer material comprises a toner which is obtained by suspension-polymerizing a polymerizable composition comprised of at least polymerizing monomer and colorant or a toner which is obtained by fusing at least said resin particles in an aqueous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamazaki, Hiroyuki Yamada, Meizo Shirose, Shigenori Kouno, Akihiko Itami
  • Patent number: 6376145
    Abstract: A method for drying a porous solid saturated with a fluid including the steps of subjecting the saturate porous image to an ultrasonic signal to release the fluid from the saturated porous image layer; removing the fluid from said saturated porous solid, said subjecting step includes applying a predefined acoustic slow wave frequency based upon the particle sizes in said porous image layer thereby causing the fluid to move from an interior of said porous particulate image to an outer surface of said porous image, where fluid can be removed by conventional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6335139
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toner for electrostatic image development which reconciles anti-offset properties and fixation properties and is superior in resistance to abrasion and peel of the fixed image in uses where the development and fixation are conducted at a wide range of a fixing speed, particularly high speed which exceeds 20 or 30 m/min. The toner comprises a polyester resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent, wherein the flow beginning temperature Tfb of the toner as measured by a constant load extrusion type capillary rheometer is within a range of 70-105° C. and the flow ending temperature Tend is within a range of 120-144° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Gambayashi, Masanobu Nakamura, Toshiro Kogawara, Shinji Amaya
  • Patent number: 6312858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging elements, including photographic elements and ink-jet recording media, having a protective overcoat that resists fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the protective overcoat comprises a polycarbonate-containing polyurethane polymer having a Tg of 0 to 70° C. and a molecular weight of 15,000 to 200,000, wherein the amount of polycarbonate, based on the total weight of the polymer, is at least 20 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Yacobucci, Hwei-Ling Yau, Catherine A. Falkner, Wendy S. Krzemien
  • Publication number: 20010036585
    Abstract: An image forming method, comprising steps of: forming a toner image on an organic electrophotographic photoreceptor having a siloxane based resin layer as a protective layer with a developer carried on a developing sleeve, wherein a distance Dsd (&mgr;m) between the organic electrophotographic photoreceptor and the developing sleeve and a thickness t (&mgr;m) of the protective layer of the organic electrophotographic photoreceptor satisfy formula (1):
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Toru Komatsu, Hirotaka Kabashima
  • Patent number: 6306594
    Abstract: An efficient method for the microfabrication of electronic devices which have been adapted for the analyses of biologically significant analyte species is described. The techniques of the present invention allow for close control over the dimensional features of the various components and layers established on a suitable substrate. Such control extends to those parts of the devices which incorporate the biological components which enable these devices to function as biological sensors. The materials and methods disclosed herein thus provide an effective means for the mass production of uniform wholly microfabricated biosensors. Various embodiments of the devices themselves are described herein which are especially suited for real time analyses of biological samples in a clinical setting. In particular, the present invention describes assays which can be performed using certain ligand/ligand receptor-based biosensor embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: i-STAT Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen N. Cozzette, Graham Davis, Imants R. Lauks, Randall M. Mier, Sylvia Piznik, Nicolaas Smit, Paul Van der Werf, Henry J. Wieck
  • Patent number: 6303257
    Abstract: An electrophotographic toner comprising a binder resin, colorant, and an external additive, wherein the binder resin is soluble in tetrahydrofuran and includes at least a first resin component and a second resin component, wherein the first resin component has a molecular weight distribution such that a peak is present in a molecular weight range of from 1,000 to 10,000, and the second resin component has a molecular weight distribution such that a peak is present in a molecular weight range of from 100,000 to 10,000,000, wherein the peak of the first resin component is the largest, and the second resin component is present in the binder resin in an amount of from 10 to 30% by weight, and wherein the second resin component has a dynamic modulus G′ of from 100,000 to 50,000,000 dyne/cm2 when the dynamic modulus is measured by a frequency sweep method under conditions of 150° C. in temperature and 0.01 to 100 rad/sec in frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Kumi Hasegawa, Yasuaki Iwamoto, Masahide Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6303255
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an organic EL panel, in which an organic electroluminescent material is formed between a pair of opposing electrodes, is provided. At least one of the electrodes is transparent or opaque. An emission pixel is obtained through the steps of forming a photoconductor having a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer on the transparent electrode side, charging the photoconductor and thereafter exposing the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image at the prospective emission pixel portion, developing the electrostatic latent image by using toner kneaded with an electroluminescent medium, and fixing the toner on the photoconductor after development. An EL panel manufactured by the above method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Sakaguchi, Yuichi Iketsu
  • Publication number: 20010028987
    Abstract: Electrostatic latent images are developed with a toner in such a configuration that an electrostatic-latent-image-bearing member is disposed to face a developer-bearing member which bears thereon a developer consisting of a magnetic carrier and a toner by relatively moving the developer-bearing member and the electrostatic-latent-image-bearing member at different velocities, with the development being carried out under conditions represented by formula (1): 1 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kotsugal, Kimitoshi Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Ikuno
  • Patent number: 6274284
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising an image layer, a voided layer below said image layer, and below said voided layer a layer comprising white pigment wherein said imaging member is substantially free of white pigment above said voided layer, and said voided layer comprises a polymer matrix and voids containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter T. Aylward, Alphonse D. Camp, Robert P. Bourdelais
  • Publication number: 20010005741
    Abstract: An adhesive composition includes a polyphenolic polymer which has a first repeating unit and a second repeating unit of the formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventors: GREGORY BREYTA, THOMAS CARL CLARKE, DANIEL JOSEPH DAWSON, RONALD P. ESCH, ALFRED FLOYD RENALDO
  • Publication number: 20010001057
    Abstract: A photoreceptor including: a charge transport layer; a top charge generating layer sensitive to a first light wavelength; a bottom charge generating layer sensitive to a second light wavelength; and a substrate, wherein the charge transport layer is positioned anywhere above the substrate, wherein the photoreceptor exhibits in response to exposure by the first light wavelength a first photodischarge curve having a first residual voltage and the photoreceptor exhibits in response to exposure by the second light wavelength a second photodischarge curve having a second residual voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Melnyk, Paul A. Harmer, Kathleen M. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 6221198
    Abstract: Environmental stabilizing agents are stored in an adhesive adjoining, directly or indirectly, a film or membrane that requires protection from the environment. Such stabilizing agents include ultra-violet protectors and anti-oxidants. Migration of such environmental stabilizing agents from an adhesive to a film or membrane permits the use of new and different materials for such films and membranes because their method of manufacture no longer needs to accommodate the heat and processing sensitivities of the stabilizing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stefan H. Gryska, Ronald S. Steelman, Loren R. Schreader, Clinton P. Waller, Jr., Joseph W. Frisk, Steven B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6219519
    Abstract: Hot offset of black toner is reduced or eliminated in a color electrophotographic imaging device, such as a laser printer, by applying a minimal layer of non-black toner in addition to the black toner on a print media. The non-black toner, such as cyan, magenta or yellow toner, acts as a release agent for reducing or eliminating hot offset of the black toner during fusing of the toner to the media. The non-black toner is applied as a thin layer just sufficient to reduce hot offset of the black toner and such that an appearance of a resultant image formed retains a visual perception of being a black toner only image. In an alternate embodiment, the thin layer of non-black toner is applied in response to coated media being processed, such as overhead transparencies, that are more susceptible to hot offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Company, 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Judith A. Garzolini, Kristina J. Wood, Kenneth E. Heath, Joseph C. Carls, Dennis D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6150066
    Abstract: A method of repetitively using a sheet or similar toner image carrier produced from an image forming apparatus, and a toner applicable thereto. A toner forming an image on the toner image carrier is removed to erase the image. The toner image carrier is implemented as a synthetic sheet. Use is made of a toner whose adhering force to the sheet is weaker than the adhering force of a conventional toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Kurotori, Katsuhiro Echigo, Hisamitsu Mizuno, Mitsuaki Urakawa, Kunio Hibi
  • Patent number: 6130024
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element comprising support having adhered to the backside a strippable polymer layer that when removed has an adhesive layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter T. Aylward, Robert P. Bourdelais, Thaddeus S. Gula, Robert F. Cournoyer
  • Patent number: 6122468
    Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a photoconductive element includes a photoconductive film having a thickness of 15 .mu.m or below. A light beam having a diameter of 50 .mu.m or below optically forms a latent image on the photoconductive element. Toner is caused to deposit on a dot image in an amount 1.2 times greater than on an area image. This is successful to minimize the variation of image quality and to render dots inconspicuous. The method of forming toner images is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sakamoto, Akio Kosuge
  • Patent number: 6103436
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member including a supporting substrate coated with at least photoconductive layer, a charge transport layer and an overcoating layer, the overcoating layer includinga hydroxy functionalized aromatic diamine anda hydroxy functionalized triarylamine dissolved or molecularly dispersed ina crosslinked polyamide matrix, the crosslinked polyamide prior to crosslinking being selected from the group consisting of materials represented by the following Formulae I and II: ##STR1## wherein: n is a positive integer sufficient to achieve a weight average molecular weight between about 5000 and about 100,000,R is an alkylene unit containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms,between 1 and 99 percent of the R.sub.2 sites are --H, andthe remainder of the R.sub.2 sites are --CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.3, and ##STR2## wherein: m is a positive integer sufficient to achieve a weight average molecular weight between about 5000 and about 100000,R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Yanus, Damodar M. Pai, Timothy J. Fuller, Paul J. DeFeo, Anthony T. Ward, Dale S. Renfer, William W. Limburg, Markus R. Silvestri, Harold F. Hammond, Robert W. Nolley
  • Patent number: 6094560
    Abstract: A moisturizing and decurling apparatus, mountable immediately downstream of a fusing apparatus in an electrostatographic reproduction machine, is provided for removing any curl from a copy sheet in order to produce a high quality toner particle image of an original image on a stable flat copy sheet. The moisturizing and decurling apparatus includes a moisturizing device for applying moisture onto a copy sheet within a critical period of time after the copy sheet passes through the fusing apparatus, and a constraining and stabilizing assembly for constraining and stabilizing the copy sheet into a desired flat condition before the melted toner particles cool below a set critical temperature. The constraining and stabilizing assembly includes a flat vacuum belt assembly for holding flat and transporting the copy sheet before the melted toner particles cool below the set critical temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Kim M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6077637
    Abstract: A magnetic carrier for use in a developer for developing latent electrostatic images is composed of magnetic carrier particles with a particle size of 35 .mu.m or less in an amount of 15 wt. % or more, and a developer is composed of the above carrier and a toner. An image formation method is composed of the steps of (a) uniformly charging the surface of a photoconductor to a predetermined polarity, (b) forming latent electrostatic images including low potential portions and high potential portions on the photoconductor by subjecting the charged surface of the photoconductor to selective light radiation corresponding to light images, thereby selectively reducing the potential of the surface of the photoconductor, and (c) developing the thus formed latent electrostatic images to visible toner images by bringing the developer into contact with the latent-electrostatic-images-bearing photoconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishiguchi, Susumu Kikuchi, Yoshio Ozawa, Hisashi Mukataka
  • Patent number: 6052553
    Abstract: A post-fusing apparatus is provided in an electrostatographic reproduction machine for adding a controlled amount of moisture to a side of a fused toner image carrying copy sheet to control curl. The sheet conditioning apparatus includes a moisturizing agent supply and splitting assembly, including a supply source containing moisturizing agent and a plurality of rotatable metering rollers forming at least first and second moisture splitting nips, for splitting a layer of supplied moisturizing agent, and forming a thin film of moisture. The sheet conditioning apparatus also includes a rotatable moisture applying roller forming a moisture splitting and receiving nip with the moisture agent supply and splitting assembly, for receiving the thin film of moisture therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Acquaviva, William Brant
  • Patent number: 6048626
    Abstract: A polyester composition, comprising a thermoplastic polyester resin and hydroxy apatite particles with an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 10 .mu.m and a specific surface area of 50 to 500 m.sup.2 /g and represented by the following chemical formula, and a film made thereof. A polyester film excellent in such basic properties as slipperiness and abrasion resistance, and also in electric properties, perforability, processability as a laminate with a metallic sheet, flavor properties, etc. can be obtained.Ca(PO.sub.4).sub.l (OH).sub.m (CO.sub.3).sub.n Y.sub.x(where Y stands for any optional anions other than phosphate group, hydroxyl group and carbonate group, l=0.4.about.0.6, m=0.1.about.0.4, n=0.about.0.2, x=0.about.0.2, 3.times.l+m+2.times.n+z.times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Tsuzuki, Yuzo Shimizu, Takashi Ueda, Tsutomu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6040102
    Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developer including a toner, which is formed from an outer additive and non-magnetic resin particles containing a binder resin and a coloring agent, and a carrier, in which a resin coating layer in which electroconductive fine powder is dispersed in a matrix resin is formed on a core, wherein a volume specific resistivity of said carrier is greater than or equal to 10.sup.9 .OMEGA..multidot.cm at an electric field strength of 3000 V/cm and is less than or equal to 10.sup.13 .OMEGA..multidot.cm at an electric field strength of 10000 V/cm, said outer additive contains titanium oxide whose volume specific resistivity of a compression-molded molded product is greater than or equal to 10.sup.6 .OMEGA..multidot.cm at an electric field strength of 3000 V/cm and is less than or equal to 10.sup.10 .OMEGA..multidot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakon Takahashi, Shinpei Takagi, Noriyuki Mizutani, Yasuhiro Oya, Haruhide Ishida
  • Patent number: 6037088
    Abstract: A method of making the solar cells includes a step of forming a first electroconductive region on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate having through-holes defined therein and also having an emitter layer formed thereon, a step of disposing the semiconductor substrate on a transparent substrate with a second surface of the semiconductor substrate opposite to the first surface thereof confronting the transparent substrate through a resinous material, a step of bonding the semiconductor substrate and the transparent substrate together by means of the resinous material, and a step of forming a second electroconductive region on the first electroconductive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Morikawa, Yoshitatsu Kawama, Satoshi Arimoto, Yukio Shinoda, Takashi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6020099
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high quality toner images in an electrostatic printing machine. The method using the apparatus includes (a) (a) forming an initial developed toner image on a photoreceptor using a first toner image forming assembly including a charging device for uniformly charging the photoreceptor, and a development assembly, including charged toner solids having a single polarity, for image-wise applying a layer of the toner solids to the latent image to form an initial developed toner image; (b) refining the initial developed toner image using an air breakdown charging assembly, including a relatively large magnitude voltage biasing source and a nip forming roll coupled thereto, for image-wise recharging of the single polarity toner solids layer forming the initial developed toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Weizhong Zhao
  • Patent number: 6013403
    Abstract: When the uniformly charged surface of a photoreceptor is exposed to an intensive light (a), a potential at an exposed position (Vx) is lower than a bias voltage (Vbias-A) of a first developing unit (b), toner A attaches to the exposed position (Vx) after its developing process, and its potential is lower than a bias voltage (Vbias-B) of a second developing unit (c). When the uniformly charged surface of a photoreceptor is exposed to a weak light, a potential at the exposed position (Vx) is lower than the bias voltage (Vbias-B) but higher than the bias voltage (Vbias-A) (e). Only toner B attaches to the photoreceptor (f). If the toner A and toner B belong to the same color family and are black toner and gray toner, an image of two density levels is formed, and the gradation and the graininess of the resultant picture are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6010812
    Abstract: A carrier comprised of a core and a polymer coating of (1) styrene/monoalkylaminoalkyl methacrylate or (2) styrene/dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo J. Barbetta, Robert D. Bayley, Thomas R. Hoffend, Scott M. Silence, K. Derek Henderson, Carol A. Fox, John G. VanDusen
  • Patent number: 6004712
    Abstract: A carrier comprised of a core and thereover a polymer of (1) methylmethacrylate and a monoalkyl aminoalkyl methacrylate, or (2) a polymer of methylmethacrylate and dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo J. Barbetta, Robert D. Bayley, Carol A. Fox, Thomas R. Hoffend, John G. VanDusen, Scott M. Silence, K. Derek Henderson
  • Patent number: 5987284
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the quality of an image that is developed by a liquid carrier is disclosed. The invention relates to image blotting and is directed to reducing disruptive forces on the wet image during blotting. The invention relates to the conditions under which liquid carrier is removed from the surface of an image supportable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5968689
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image-forming material which can be removed easily from image-receiving paper while maintaining the fixability to the image-receiving paper; a preparation process thereof, and the image-receiving medium. The image-forming material according to the present invention can be prepared by dispersing an oil phase, which contains an organic solvent, a binding resin, and a releasing agent composed of a hydrophobic resin and/or a wax, in an aqueous phase as oil droplets; removing the solvent from the dispersion; and incorporating the releasing agent by separating the residue from the aqueous phase. The image-forming material according to the present invention contains at least a binding resin and the above-described releasing agent and the releasing agent is contained in an amount of 30 to 90 wt % in solid content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Torikoshi, Isamu Suzuki, Hirotaka Matsuoka
  • Patent number: RE36963
    Abstract: A predetermined processing liquid is supplied by a liquid supplying unit to a sheet of transfer paper having a surface on which toner is stably attached. An adhesive state of the toner on the transfer paper sheet is changed to an unstable adhesive state. The processing liquid is constructed by water, aqueous solutions of a surfactant, a water-soluble polymer, etc. The transfer paper sheet including the processing liquid is fed to a toner separating unit. While the toner is heated and pressurized in the toner separating unit, the toner is attached to a separating roller having a surface on which the softened toner is easily attached. The toner separating unit then separates only the transfer paper sheet from the surface of the separating roller by a separating claw. The processing liquid is removed from the transfer paper sheet by heating the transfer paper sheet, etc. using a drying unit such that the transfer paper sheet can be reused for a copying machine, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ando, Yoshiaki Miyashita, Youichi Asaba, Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Satoshi Singuryo, Shinichi Kuramoto, Sadao Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Kimura, Tadashi Saito, Mitsuru Ohminato, Masaru Nakano, Eiichi Kawamura