Image development and transfer apparatus which utilized an intermediate transfer film

Abstract

Image development and transfer apparatus for use in electrophotographic color printers and including a photoconductor, such as either a photoconductive drum or belt, which is spaced from sources of liquid color toners. An intermediate transport film is driven around a section of the photoconductor surface and between this surface and the sources of liquid color toners. Thus, the latent image developed on the surface of the photoconductor is transferred from the surface of the photoconductor to the outer surface of the intermediate transport film where the composite color image is developed. Then, this composite color image is transferred directly onto a print receiving media. Consequently, the photoconductor is not exposed to heat or carrier fluids during the image transfer and development process. This novel feature not only improves overall print quality on the printed media, but additionally extends the useful lifetime of the photoconductor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate transfer film is passed into contact with a conditioning squeegee roller of a selected material during each pass around the photoconductor in order to compress the developed image on the film and enhance the image quality thereof. Also, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate transfer film comprises a first main layer of a polyester material and a thin outer release layer of either a fluorosilicon material or a cross-linked siloxane material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.