Apparatus and method for thermally processing an imaging material employing a multi-drum processor
US9195185B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03D13/002
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of thermally developing an image from a latent image recorded in an image formation layer of a photothermgraphic imaging media. The method includes heating the imaging media to a development temperature as the imaging media is transported along a surface of a first heated drum, the first heated drum having a diameter providing the imaging media with a radius of curvature that provides the imaging media with cross-web stiffness sufficient to prevent wrinkling of the imaging media when being heated to the development temperature. The method further includes maintaining the imaging media at the development temperature for a first portion of a development duration of the imaging media, transferring the imaging media to at least one second heated drum at the development temperature, and maintaining the imaging media at the development temperature for a remaining portion of the development duration as the imaging media is transported along a surface of the at least one second heated drum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.