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US 5,926,679 AGranted
Method and apparatus for forming an image for transfer to a receiver sheet using a clear toner and sintering of a pigmented toner layer
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsJohn W. May, Thomas N. Tombs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrostatographic method and apparatus of forming a toner image on a receiver. In order to improve transfer of a pigmented toner image to a receiver, a clear toner layer is applied to a support member. The pigmented toner image is applied over the clear toner layer. The pigmented toner image is sintered and the sintered pigmented toner image is then transferred to a receiver sheet.
Claims25
A method of forming a toner image on a receiver sheet, the method comprising:
- applying a clear toner layer to a support member;
- applying a pigmented dry toner image comprising a mass of pigmented toner particles over the clear toner layer;
- sintering the pigmented toner image so that the mass of pigmented toner particles is heated to a temperature which causes contact points between the pigmented toner particles to fuse but actual melting of whole particles does not occur and individual pigmented toner particles retain physical integrity as well as charge integrity and material bridges between pigmented toner particles produced by the sintering enhance inter-particle cohesion;
- and
- transferring the sintered pigmented toner image to the receiver sheet.
2 more elements
An apparatus for forming a toner image upon a receiver sheet, the apparatus comprising:
- a support member;
- a development station for depositing a layer of clear toner upon the support member;
- a development station for depositing a pigmented dry toner image comprising a mass of pigmented toner particles over the clear toner layer;
- a sintering device for sintering the pigmented toner image so that the mass of pigmented toner particles is heated to a temperature which causes contact points between the pigmented toner particles to fuse but actual melting of whole particles does not occur and individual pigmented toner particles retain physical integrity as well as charge integrity and material bridges between pigmented toner particles produced by the sintering enhance inter-particle cohesion;
- and
- a transfer station for transferring the sintered pigmented toner image to the receiver sheet;
- and
- a fusing station separate from the transfer station for fusing the pigmented toner image to the receiver sheet.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.