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US 7,008,123 B2Granted
Image forming device having a brush type processing member
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsAlphonse D. Camp, Zhanjun Gao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to an image-forming device that comprises a roller that includes a plurality of micromembers. The micromembers are preferably hook or loop-like members made of a compliant material such as plastic or rubber. The micromembers on the roller essentially define a compliant surface, which is self-correcting for unintentional media thickness variations within a print area. The roller is rotational such that when the roller contacts the media the rotational or spinning force is converted to a compressional force, which is sufficient to rupture the microcapsules in the media.
Claims14
An image forming device comprising:
- an imaging member adapted to expose a photosensitive medium to form a latent image on the photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of microcapsules which encapsulate imaging material;
- and
- a rotatable processing member adapted to develop the latent image, said processing member comprising a compliant surface that includes micro-members which contact the photosensitive medium during a rotation of the processing member to apply a force to a surface of the photosensitive medium, said force being sufficient to release imaging material from said microcapsules, wherein said micro-members are a plurality of hook or loop like members which extend from an outer surface of said processing member.
An image forming device comprising:
- an imaging member adapted to expose a photosensitive medium to form a latent image on the photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of microcapsules which encapsulate imaging material;
- and
- a rotatable processing member adapted to develop the latent image, said processing member comprising a compliant surface that includes micro-members which contact the photosensitive medium during a rotation of the processing member to apply a force to a surface of the photosensitive medium, said force being sufficient to release imaging material from said microcapsules,
- wherein said processing member is a tubular member which extends in a width-wise direction transverse to a direction of movement of the medium, and said micro-members are a plurality of hook or loop like members which extend from an outer surface of tubular member.
1 more element
An image forming device comprising:
- an imaging member adapted to expose a photosensitive medium to form a latent image on the photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of microcapsules which encapsulate imaging material;
- a rotatable processing member adapted to develop the latent image, said processing member comprising a compliant surface that includes micro-members which contact the photosensitive medium during a rotation of the processing member to apply a force to a surface of the photosensitive medium, said force being sufficient to release imaging material from said microcapsules;
- and
- a second rotatable processing member located downstream of said processing member with respect to a direction of movement of the medium, said second processing member being off-set from said processing member, said second processing member comprising a second non-uniform compliant surface including micro-members which contact the photosensitive medium during a rotation of the second processing member, to apply a further force to the surface of the photosensitive medium, said further force being sufficient to release imaging material from said microcapsules.
1 more element
An image forming device comprising:
- an imaging member adapted to expose a photosensitive medium to form a latent image on the photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of microcapsules which encapsulate imaging material;
- and
- a rotatable processing member adapted to develop the latent image, said processing member comprising a compliant surface that includes micro-members which contact the photosensitive medium during a rotation of the processing member to apply a force to a surface of the photosensitive medium, said force being sufficient to release imaging material from said microcapsules, wherein said rotatable processing member is a plate-like member which is adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis.
An image forming method comprising:
- exposing a photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of micro-capsules which encapsulate imaging material to form a latent image;
- and
- developing the latent image by contacting a surface of said medium with a spinning processing member have a compliant surface formed by micro-members, said contacting of the spinning micro-members with the surface of the medium applying a force to the surface of the medium which is sufficient to release imaging material from the microcapsules, wherein said micro-members comprise a plurality of hook or loop-like members located on a surface of said processing member.
An image forming method comprising:
- exposing a photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of micro-capsules which encapsulate imaging material to form a latent image;
- and
- developing the latent image by contacting a surface of said medium with a spinning processing member have a compliant surface formed by micro-members, said contacting of the spinning micro-members with the surface of the medium applying a force to the surface of the medium which is sufficient to release imaging material from the microcapsules, wherein said developing step comprises contacting two of said spinning processing members to said medium, said processing members being positioned offset with respect to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.