Ultrasonic fusing (ultra-fuse) process
US5390013A · kind A · utility
11Cited by
23References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C66/81261
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ultrasonic fuser for fixing toner images to substrates utilizes an acoustic transducer or resonator in the form of an ultrasonic welding horn and a viscoelastic member. As toner images carried on a substrate are moved between the resonator and the viscoelastic member heat energy is created both in the toner particles forming the images and the viscoelastic member. The heat energy created in the viscoelastic member is transferred to the toner images through intimate contact therewith and together with the heat generated in the toner serves to elevate the toner to its fusing temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.