Image forming method and apparatus using an intermediate
US5428430A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/161
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a source of at least one intermediate sheet which is preferably both thermally and electrically conductive. Toner images are transferred from one or more image members to the intermediate sheet under conditions of raised temperature and preferably with the assistance of an electric field. The toner image on the intermediate sheet is then overlaid with a receiving sheet and a combination of heat and pressure transfers and fuses the toner image to the receiving sheet in a single step, preferably while the sheets move at full machine speed. The sheets may then be slowed down or stopped, but are maintained together until cool at which point they are separated and the intermediate sheet fed back to the source of intermediate sheets. The image forming apparatus is particularly useful in creating multicolor toner images with small toners.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.