EP0487530A1 - Appareil et procede pour transfert d'images. - Google Patents

Appareil et procede pour transfert d'images.

Info

Publication number
EP0487530A1
EP0487530A1 EP19900907505 EP90907505A EP0487530A1 EP 0487530 A1 EP0487530 A1 EP 0487530A1 EP 19900907505 EP19900907505 EP 19900907505 EP 90907505 A EP90907505 A EP 90907505A EP 0487530 A1 EP0487530 A1 EP 0487530A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
layer
transfer member
intermediate transfer
transfer
image
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19900907505
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0487530B1 (fr
Inventor
Benzion Landa
Itzhak Ashkenazi
Mil Jan Van
Hanna Pinhas
Ishaiau Lior
Paul Fenster
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HP Indigo BV
Original Assignee
Spectrum Sciences BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/393,631 external-priority patent/US5089856A/en
Priority claimed from US07/393,649 external-priority patent/US5047808A/en
Application filed by Spectrum Sciences BV filed Critical Spectrum Sciences BV
Priority to EP93203341A priority Critical patent/EP0584893B1/fr
Publication of EP0487530A1 publication Critical patent/EP0487530A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0487530B1 publication Critical patent/EP0487530B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G5/00—Recording-members for original recording by exposure, e.g. to light, to heat or to electrons; Manufacture thereof; Selection of materials therefor
    • G03G5/005—Materials for treating the recording members, e.g. for cleaning, reactivating, polishing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
    • G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
    • G03G15/1605—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer using at least one intermediate support
    • G03G15/161—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer using at least one intermediate support with means for handling the intermediate support, e.g. heating, cleaning, coating with a transfer agent
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
    • G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
    • G03G15/1605—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer using at least one intermediate support
    • G03G15/162—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer using at least one intermediate support details of the the intermediate support, e.g. chemical composition
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
    • G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
    • G03G15/169—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer with means for preconditioning the toner image before the transfer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G5/00—Recording-members for original recording by exposure, e.g. to light, to heat or to electrons; Manufacture thereof; Selection of materials therefor
    • G03G5/02—Charge-receiving layers
    • G03G5/04—Photoconductive layers; Charge-generation layers or charge-transporting layers; Additives therefor; Binders therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G5/00—Recording-members for original recording by exposure, e.g. to light, to heat or to electrons; Manufacture thereof; Selection of materials therefor
    • G03G5/14—Inert intermediate or cover layers for charge-receiving layers
    • G03G5/142—Inert intermediate layers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to image transfer techniques and apparatus for use in liquid toner electrostatic imaging using an intermediate transfer member.
  • pressures used in offset printing are generally not specified. However, pressures are indicated to be in the general vicinity of 100-150 lb./sq. in. in the above reference and in U. S. Patent 3,983,287.
  • the present invention seeks to provide apparatus and techniques for improved electrostatic image transfer using an intermediate transfer member.
  • an imaging system including an image bearing surface, an intermediate transfer member operative for transfer of liquid toner images from the image bearing surface to a substrate, apparatus for providing first transfer engagement between the intermediate transfer member and the image bearing surface for transfer of an image from the image bearing surface to the intermediate transfer member at a first pressure, producing deformation of the intermediate transfer member to a first deformation degree, and apparatus for providing second transfer engagement between the intermediate transfer member and the substrate for transfer of the image from the intermediate transfer member to the substrate at a second pressure, producing deformation of the intermediate transfer member to a second deformation degree.
  • the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by a first multiple and the second deformation degree exceeds the first deformation degree by a second multiple, substantially less than said first multiple.
  • the intermediate transfer member comprises a blanket heater operative to heat the image thereon prior to the second transfer engagement.
  • the blanket heater is operative in a further embodiment of the invention to heat the image to a temperature sufficient to enhance transfer of liquid toner images from the intermediate transfer member to the substrate.
  • the intermediate transfer member comprises a conductive layer operative to apply an electric field to the image to enhance transfer of liquid toner images from the image bearing surface to the intermediate transfer member.
  • the intermediate transfer member comprises a outward facing transfer surface, a compressible layer, a backing layer and a heating layer, the heating layer being disposed intermediate the backing layer and the transfer surface.
  • the heating layer is disposed intermediate the backing layer and the compressible layer.
  • the heating layer is disposed intermediate the transfer surface and the compressible layer.
  • the intermediate transfer member also includes a second compressible layer and the heating layer is disposed intermediate the compressible layer and the second compressible layer.
  • the intermediate transfer member comprises at least one compressible layer including a heating layer and a backing layer disposed away from the image bearing surface.
  • the heating layer is internal to the at least one compressible layer.
  • the pressure is substantially constant along particular lines upon the first and second transfer engagements on the intermediate transfer member, and the heating layer is formed of elongate elements, preferably thin wires, along the lines.
  • an imaging system including an image bearing surface, an intermediate transfer member operative for transfer of toner images from the image bearing surface to a transfer surface of the intermediate transfer member and for subsequent transfer to a substrate, the transfer member including a compressible layer, a backing layer disposed away from the transfer surface, and a heating layer disposed intermediate the backing layer and the transfer surface.
  • the heating layer is disposed intermediate the compressible layer and the transfer surface.
  • the heating layer is disposed intermediate the compressible layer and the backing layer.
  • the transfer member further comprises, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a second compressible layer, and the heating layer is disposed intermediate the compressible layer and the second compressible layer.
  • an imaging system including an image bearing surface, an intermediate transfer member operative for transfer of liquid toner images from the image bearing surface to a substrate, the transfer member including at least one compressible layer including a heating layer and a backing layer disposed away from the image bearing surface.
  • the heating layer is internal to the at least one compressible layer.
  • the intermediate transfer member includes a conductive layer operative to apply an electric field to the image to enhance transfer of toner images from the image bearing surface to the intermediate transfer member.
  • the heating layer is operative in a preferred embodiment of the invention to heat the image to a temperature sufficient to enhance transfer of toner images from the intermediate transfer member to the substrate.
  • the apparatus also includes apparatus for providing first transfer engagement between the intermediate transfer member and the image bearing surface for transfer of an image from the image bearing surface to the intermediate transfer member at a first pressure and apparatus for providing second transfer engagement between the intermediate transfer member and the substrate for transfer of the image from the intermediate transfer member to the substrate at a second pressure, the pressure being substantially constant along particular lines upon the first and second transfer engagements on the intermediate transfer member, the heating layer is formed of thin wires along the lines.
  • an intermediate transfer blanket for the transfer of toner images from a first surface to a second surface and including a transfer surface for operative engagement with the first and second surfaces, a relatively compliant sponge layer, and an area heater placed between the relatively compliant sponge layer and the transfer surface.
  • the blanket also includes a relatively less compliant resilient layer placed between the heater and the transfer surface.
  • the toner image is a liquid toner image.
  • the heater is energized by alternating current and the thin wires are arranged in adjoining pairs, the voltage on each wire of the pair being equal and of opposite sign to that of the other with respect to a reference voltage.
  • the reference voltage is ground.
  • An imaging system including an image bearing surface and an intermediate transfer member operative for transfer of toner images from the image bearing surface to a transfer surface of the intermediate transfer member and for subsequent transfer to a substrate, the transfer member including at least one layer disposed toward the image bearing surface and a backing layer disposed away from the image bearing surface, the at least one layer including a heating layer.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified sectional illustration of electrostatic imaging apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified sectional illustration of electrostatic imaging apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3A is a simplified, conceptual, sectional illustration of an intermediate transfer member constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3B is a simplified, conceptual, sectional illustration of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the intermediate transfer member of Fig. 3A;
  • Fig. 3C is a simplified, conceptual, sectional illustration of a portion of a second preferred embodiment of the intermediate transfer member of Fig. 3A;
  • Fig. 3D is an illustration of a preferred heater for the intermediate transfer member
  • Fig. 3E is a detailed illustration of a portion of the heater of Fig. 3D;
  • Fig. 3F is an illustration of another preferred heater for the intermediate transfer member
  • Fig. 3G is a detailed illustration of a portion of the heater of Fig. 3F;
  • Fig. 3H is a detailed illustration of a portion of an alternative to that of Fig. 3F;
  • Fig. 31 is an illustration of another preferred heater for the intermediate transfer member
  • Fig. 4 is a simplified sectional illustration of the manufacture of part of the apparatus of Figs. 3A and 3B;
  • Fig. 5 is a graphical illustration of the relationship between pressure and deformation of the apparatus of Fig. 3B;
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a preferred circuit for energizing the heaters of Figs. 3F-3I.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates electrostatic imaging apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • This and other embodiments of the invention are described by way of example for apparatus utilizing liquid toner with negatively charged toner particles, and for a write-white system.
  • the magnitudes and or the polarities of the voltages may be adjusted as is well known in the art.
  • the toner of Example 1 of U.S. Patent 4,794,651 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, is employed, but a variety of liquid toner types may be used in the practice of the invention.
  • the apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises a drum 10 arranged for rotation about an axle 12 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 14.
  • the drum 10 is formed with a cylindrical photoconductor surface 16.
  • a corona discharge device 18 is operative to generally uniformly charge the photoconductor surface 16 with a positive charge.
  • an exposure unit including a lens 20, which focuses a desired image onto the charged photoconductor surface 16, there by selectively discharging the photoconductor surface and producing an electrostatic latent image thereon.
  • Lens 20 may be the lens of a photocopier, as illustrated. Alternatively the latent image may be formed by a laser scanner.
  • photoconductor surface 16 passes a typically positively charged, rotating roller 26, preferably rotating in a direction indicated by an arrow 28.
  • a typically positively charged, rotating roller 26 preferably rotating in a direction indicated by an arrow 28.
  • the spatial separation of the roller 26 from the photoconductor surface 16 is about 50 microns.
  • the voltage on roller 26 is intermediate the voltages of the latent image areas and of the background areas on the photoconductor surface 16.
  • Typical voltages are: roller 26: +300 to +500 V, background area: +50 V and latent image areas: up to +1000 V.
  • roller 26 rotating in the direction indicated by arrow 28, functions as a metering roller and reduces the thickness of liquid carrier on the photoconductor surface 16, as is known in the art.
  • the photoconductor surface 16, after passing the roller 26, should be relatively free of pigmented toner particles except in the region of the latent image.
  • Rigidizing roller 30 is preferably formed of a resilient polymeric material, such as the conductive resilient polymeric materials described in either or both of U.S. Patents 3,959,574 and 3,863,603, the disclosures of which are included herein by reference. Roller 30 is preferably maintained in contacting and preferably pressured relationship with the photoconductor surface 16.
  • the biased squeegee described in U. S. Patent 4,286,039 is used as the roller 30.
  • a corona discharge takes place and a current of approximately 50 - 100 microamperes for a drum width of 30 cm, flows from the squeegee.
  • Roller 30 repels negatively charged pigmented toner particles and causes them to more closely approach the image areas of the photoconductor surface 16, thus compressing and rigidizing the toner image thereon.
  • an intermediate transfer member 40 Downstream of rigidizing roller 30 there is provided an intermediate transfer member 40, which rotates, as shown by arrow 41, in a sense opposite to that of drum 10, and is operative for receiving the toner image from surface 16 and for transferring the toner image to a receiving substrate 42, such as paper, which is supported by a roller 43.
  • intermediate transfer member 40 is configured and mounted with respect to drum 10 so as to provide first transfer engagement between intermediate transfer member 40 and image bearing photoconductor surface 16 for transfer of an image from surface 16 to the intermediate transfer member 40 at a first pressure, thereby producing radial deformation of the intermediate transfer member to a first deformation degree.
  • intermediate transfer member 40, substrate 42 and roller 43 are preferably such as to provide second transfer engagement between intermediate transfer member 40 and substrate 42 for transfer of the image from intermediate transfer member 40 to substrate 42 at a second pressure, which exceeds the first pressure by a first multiple, producing radial deformation of the intermediate transfer member to a second deformation degree which exceeds the first deformation degree by a second multiple substantially less than the first multiple.
  • an intermediate transfer member characterized in that deformation thereof increases less than linearly with the application of increased pressure thereto.
  • the structure of intermediate transfer members in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention is described hereinbelow in detail.
  • Transfer of the image to intermediate transfer member 40 is preferably facilitated by providing electrification of the intermediate transfer member 40 to a voltage opposite that of the charged particles, although other methods known in the art may be employed. Subsequent transfer of the image to substrate 42 is preferably facilitated by heat and pressure, although other methods known in the art may be employed.
  • the photoconductor surface 16 is engaged by a cleaning roller assembly 50, including a pair of rollers 52, which typically rotate in opposite directions, and a nozzle 54.
  • Cleaning roller assembly 50 is operative to scrub and clean surface 16.
  • a cleaning material such as liquid developer, may be supplied to the assembly 50 via nozzle 54.
  • a suitable cleaning assembly is shown and described in U.S. Patent 4,439,035, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Any residual charge left on the photoconductor surface 16 may be removed by flooding the photoconductor surface 16 with light from a lamp 58.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates electrophotographic imaging apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the apparatus of Fig. 2 shares many common elements with that of Fig. 1. These elements are indicated by identical reference numerals, and for the sake of conciseness are not described herein a second time.
  • Fig. 2 differs from that of Fig. 1 in that a belt-type intermediate transfer member 70 is employed instead of the roller type member 40 in the embodiment of Fig. 1.
  • Belt-type intermediate transfer members are well known in the art and are described, inter alia, in U.S. Patents 3,893,761, 4,684,238 and 4,690,539, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • Intermediate transfer member 70 is preferably charged so as to provide electrophoretic transfer thereto of the image from the photoconductor surface 16.
  • the efficiency of electrophoretic transfer of the image is generally enhanced by increasing the potential difference between photoconductor surface 16 and intermediate transfer member 70. Increase in the potential difference between the photoconductor surface 16 and the intermediate transfer member 70 is limited, however, by the danger of severe electrical breakdown, which increases with an increase in potential difference.
  • FIG. 3A conceptually illustrates an intermediate transfer member 40 comprising a drum 80 having a generally cylindrical surface over which is tensioned a multi-layer intermediate transfer blanket 82, which is supported and tensioned by a blanket lockup mechanism 84.
  • the electrical connections to the various voltage bearing portions of intermediate transfer blanket 82 are not shown, it being understood that they are achieved in a conventional manner using rotating contacts.
  • a preferred embodiment of multi-layer intermediate transfer blanket 82 is illustrated in Fig. 3B and comprises a substrate (backing layer) 90 with high temperature capabilities, preferably formed of Kapton (DuPont) polyimide film of thickness about 100 microns. Over the substrate 90 there is provided a blanket heater 92 preferably comprising a meandering ribbon conductor of Nichrome in a sandwich of Kapton. Blanket heater 92 has a total thickness of about 250 microns.
  • blanket heater 92 Normally one surface of blanket heater 92 has a slightly raised pattern due to the presence of the ribbon. Accordingly, it is preferable to arrange the blanket heater 92 such that the surface having the slightly raised pattern lies facing substrate 90.
  • Blanket heater 92 in conjunction with the rest of the intermediate transfer blanket 82, operates to improve transfer of the image to the final substrate by heating the toner image.
  • the surface of the blanket should be heated to a temperature above the solvation temperature of the toner image, i.e. above the temperature at which the toner particles become tacky to the final substrate.
  • the blanket heater is preferably operative to heat the image on the intermediate transfer member to about 100-110° C.
  • the top of the blanket heater 92 is preferably attached to an approximately 100 micron thick aluminum foil 93.
  • This foil also provides electromagnetic shielding of the image transfer regions of the imaging apparatus from interference produced by AC currents used to heat the blanket 92.
  • the width of the Nichrome ribbon is chosen such that the ribbon covers a major portion, preferably over 80%, of the blanket, to ensure even heating thereof.
  • a three part sponge assembly layer 94 Disposed over foil 93 is a three part sponge assembly layer 94, including a layer 96 typically formed of Kapton, typically of thickness 100 microns, a sponge layer 98, typically of thickness 300 microns and a fabric layer 100, typically formed of NOMEX (DuPont) and being typically of thickness 350 microns.
  • the total sponge assembly layer thickness is typically 800 microns.
  • Nomex is basically an aromatic polyamide and chars at 420°C.
  • the assembly layer 94 is preferably formed by blending the following materials, which form the sponge layer 98, in the following proportions, in a two roll mill:
  • the total thickness of assembly layer 94 is typically about 670 microns after calendering.
  • the assembly layer 94 is then preferably cured for 10 minutes under nitrogen at 170° C and preferably in a jig to control the total swelling thereof to a final total thickness of about 800 microns. After the curing, the assembly layer 94 preferably undergoes a post-cure at 200° C for four hours.
  • the sponge assembly layer 94 allows conformity between surface 16 and intermediate transfer member 40 at the first transfer at a relatively low pressure, such as 100 - 500 gm/cm 2 at a temperature of about 100-110° C, with relatively low deformation, such as 30 - 200 microns, overcoming any surface unevenness of the mating surfaces.
  • sponge assembly layer 94 is further characterized in that it undergoes relatively high pressure, such as 2000 to 4000 gm/cm 2 at the second transfer with proportionately low deformation, greater then that at first transfer, preferably about 250 microns.
  • the pressure at the first transfer surface can be increased up to about 500 gm/cm 2 , without substantial image degradation.
  • a blanket 102 typically of about 1200 microns thickness.
  • Blanket 102 typically includes a layer 104 of relatively stiff sponge, over which is formed a layer 106 of nitrilic rubber. Blanket 102 may be produced by removing the fabric layer from the three-ply Vulcan 714 offset printing blanket commercially available from Reeves Brothers, Inc.
  • Over printing blanket 102 there is provided a 2-3 micron thick layer 108 of nitrocellulose loaded with carbon black to provide a conductive layer for the high voltage applied to the intermediate transfer member.
  • This layer has an end to end resistance of about 20 - 30 kohm, but since the current drawn to the drum is only 50 - 100 microamperes, the voltage drop on the layer is less than 3 volts out of the applied voltage of 500 - 600 volts.
  • An outer layer 110 typically comprises a 2 - 3 micron thick layer of silicone rubber, such as Syl-Off 294, which acts as a release layer.
  • a blanket 114 in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention is shown conceptually in cross section in Fig. 3C.
  • the lowest level of the blanket is a Kapton layer 116, typically 100 microns thick, which is similar to layer 96 of Fig. 3B.
  • the next layer is a sponge layer 118, functionally similar to sponge layer 98 shown in Fig. 3B and typically 300 microns thick.
  • a heater 120 Situated above layer 118 is a heater 120, with typical thickness 650 microns, whose structure and manufacture are described hereinbelow.
  • An acrylic rubber layer 122 is formed onto the heater 120 and preferably penetrates thereinto.
  • a conducting layer 124 and a release layer 126 complete the blanket.
  • Additional spacer material 128, typically of Kapton, may be added below the blanket, if additional blanket thickness is required. Alternatively the Kapton layer 116 may be thicker than the indicated thickness.
  • heater 120 may be formed by weaving heater wire 130 forming the woof and twisted thread 132 as the warp.
  • wire 130 is formed of a 300 micron diameter copper core with a 10 micron lacquer coating, for a total diameter of 320 microns.
  • Thread 132 is preferably of twisted Nomex thread with a nominal diameter of 320 microns.
  • connection wires 134 for energizing the heater are extensions of the heater wires 130.
  • a Nomex cloth extension 136 is provided beyond each end of the heater portion of the heater 120.
  • the unconventional structure of the blanket heater 120 of Figs. 3D and 3E enables its placement over sponge layer 118. It is noted that heater 92 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3B is placed below the sponge layer 98. Since heater 92 is relatively stiff in both the circumferential and the axial directions, placement of the heater 92 above the sponge layer would substantially shield the blanket-photoconductor and blanket-final substrate image transfer interfaces from the compression properties of the sponge assembly 94.
  • Heater 120 is stiff in the axial direction, but is pliable in the circumferential direction and thus transmits the pressure at the respective interfaces to the sponge layer. Placing the heater closer to the transfer surface allows for a lower heater temperature for the same surface temperature, and allows the sponge layer to be much cooler.
  • the pressure along lines in the axial direction is substantially constant compared to the variations in the circumferential direction; it would be perfectly constant were the transfer surfaces perfect and the mechanical tolerances equal to zero. The imperfections and tolerances cause some small minor variations in deformation and hence in pressure along the axial lines.
  • FIG. 3F and 3G An alternative preferred heater 150 is shown in Figs. 3F and 3G.
  • two inputs 151 and 152 are at the same end of the heater wires and the wires are threaded in a paired spaced relationship as shown in Figs. 3F and 3G.
  • Additional input 153 is electrically connected to the other end of the heater such that the current path between inputs 151 and 153 is of substantially the same length as that of the current path between inputs 152 and 153.
  • the heater 150 is preferably energized with the circuit of Fig. 6, wherein the input to a transformer 157 is an AC voltage and a pair of output terminals 154 and 156 of transformer 157 are at the same voltage and at opposite phases with respect to a third terminal 155. Terminals 154, 155 and 156 are electrically insulated from the AC input.
  • heater 150 is incorporated in a blanket, and installed in the apparatus of Fig. 1.
  • Terminals 154 and 156 are electrically connected to inputs 151 and 152, and additional input 153 is connected to terminal 155.
  • the wires can be "crossed" at each reversal of the wire direction (at the edges of the heater). One such crossing is shown in Fig. 3H.
  • wire 153 and terminal 155 may be externally electrically connected to the bias layer 124.
  • wire 153 and terminal 153 may be connected to a source of high voltage in order to provide a field at the transfer regions and layer 124 may be omitted.
  • a substantially higher voltage would be required to provide the field due to the greater distance of the heater from the transfer surface.
  • FIG. 31 An alternative preferred heater 160 is shown in Fig. 31.
  • the wire and thread are woven in a similar manner to that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3D.
  • Two connection wires 162 and 164 for energizing the heater are extensions of the heater wire and an additional wire 168 is electrically connected to the center of the length of wire used to form the heater. In operation the heater is energized by connecting wires 162 and 164 to terminals 154 and 156 respectively, and connecting wire 168 to terminal 155.
  • wire 168 and terminal 155 could be externally electrically connected to the bias layer 124.
  • Layer 122 preferably has the following properties:
  • Blanket 114 is preferably manufactured using the following process, although any other suitable manufacturing method may be used:
  • HYTEMP 4051 Acrylic rubber compound manufactured by B.F. Goodrich 100 parts by weight of HYTEMP 4051 Acrylic rubber compound manufactured by B.F. Goodrich is mixed in a two roll mill with 15 parts of very fine silica, 4 parts sodium stearate and 2 parts NPC-50 crosslinker, until the mixture is smooth. The silica is added to increase the electrical resistivity, mechanical cohesiveness and strength of the final polymer.
  • a heater 120 is placed in a mold coated with silicone oil, and is covered with the rubber/silica mixture. The mixture is cured in the mold to a final thickness of 1500 microns at a temperature of 180°C for 15 minutes. The mold is cooled and the resulting sheet is removed. It will be appreciated that this sheet comprises heater 120 and rubber layer 122 formed into an integral unit due to the filling of the heater by the rubber/silica mixture before curing.
  • HYTEMP 4051 Acrylic rubber compound manufactured by B.F. Goodrich is mixed in a two roll mill with 15 parts of very fine silica, 4 parts of sodium stearate, 2 parts of NPC-50 crosslinker and 11 to 33 parts by weight of Blowing Agent (#9038 Rhone Poulenc) until the mixture is smooth.
  • the silica is added to increase the cohesiveness of the sponge.
  • 1 part of the mixture is mixed with preferably 2 parts of a solvent, preferably acetone or MEK, in order to reduce its viscosity.
  • the blended material is calendered between the double layer 120 and 122 and the Kapton layer 116 essentially as described above and as illustrated in Fig. 4 for the manufacture of sponge layer 98.
  • the total thickness of the resulting multilayer sheet 118, 122, 120 and 116 after calendering will depend on the amount of blowing agent used and can be determined experimentally.
  • the triple layer is cured, preferably in a jig, to control the total swelling thereof, at a temperature of 180°C for 15 minutes.
  • the mold is cooled and the resulting sheet is removed. It will be appreciated that this sheet comprises all four layers formed into an integral unit.
  • the Kapton layer 116 can be replaced by a Nomex cloth layer, since the acrylic rubber layers together with a Nomex cloth layer appear to give sufficient structural strength to the blanket.
  • HYTEMP 4051 15 parts of HYTEMP 4051, 100 parts of MEK (methylmetacrilate), 6 parts of carbon black (Printex XE-2 manufactured by Degussa) and 2 parts of NPC-50 cross-linker are mixed in a cooled ball attritor for 12 hours.
  • This material is wire coated onto the surface of layer 122 and cured at 150°C for 15 minutes to form an approximately 2 micron thick conducting layer with a resistance of between 10-100 kohm/square, preferably 30-50 kohm/square, bonded to layer 122.
  • Post curing of the HYTEMP 4051 is not part of the process as recommended by the manufacturer, however it has been found that the stability of the material under compression cycling at operating temperature was improved by the addition of a 180° C, 12 hour post curing step.
  • Syl-off 294 100 parts of Syl-off 294 is diluted 1:1 with Isopar L. 15 parts of Syl-off 297 ancorning agent and 5 parts of Dow Corning 176 cross-linker are added to the mixture. This mixture is wire coated on to the surface of conducting layer 124 and air cured at 110°C for 10 minutes to provide a 5-6 micron thick layer.
  • Fig. 5 is a graph which illustrates the approximate desired pressure/deformation characteristics of the intermediate transfer member structures shown in Fig. 3B-3I, under ordinary use conditions, in intermediate transfer apparatus constructed and operative according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the invention is illustrated herein with examples employing a single developer station.
  • the invention is especially useful in imaging systems with a multiplicity of development stations preferably with different color liquid developers, or with a single station in which the liquid developer is changed between colors.
  • each individual color image may be transferred to the final substrate from the ITM individually, or the colored images may be transferred sequentially to the ITM and then transferred to the substrate together.
  • Color imaging equipment is described in U. S. Patents 4,788,572; 4,690,539 and 3,900,003, the disclosure of which documents are incorporated herein by reference.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
  • Color Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Liquid Developers In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

Un système à formation d'images comprend une surface (16) porteuse d'image et un élément (40) de transfert intermédiaire servant à transférer des images en toner liquide de la surface (16) porteuse d'image à un substrat (42), et prévoit un premier contact de transfert entre l'élément (40) de transfert intermédiaire et la surface (16) porteuse d'image afin de transférer une image de la surface porteuse d'image à l'élément (40) de transfert intermédiaire à une première pression, produisant ainsi une déformation de l'élément (40) de transfert intermédiaire à un premier degré de déformation. Le système prévoit également un deuxième contact de transfert entre l'élément (40) de transfert intermédiaire et le substrat (42) afin de transférer l'image de l'élément de transfert intermédiaire au substrat à une deuxième pression, produisant ainsi une déformation de l'élément (40) de transfert intermédiaire à un deuxième degré de déformation. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, l'élément (40) de transfert intermédiaire comprend une couche compressible possédant une surface de transfert, une couche dorsale disposée à distance de la surface porteuse d'image, et une couche chauffante. La couche chauffante est disposée entre la couche dorsale et la surface de transfert.
EP90907505A 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Appareil et procede pour transfert d'images Expired - Lifetime EP0487530B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93203341A EP0584893B1 (fr) 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Appareil et méthode de transfert d'images

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US393649 1982-06-30
US393631 1989-08-14
US07/393,631 US5089856A (en) 1989-02-06 1989-08-14 Image transfer apparatus incorporating an internal heater
US07/393,649 US5047808A (en) 1989-02-06 1989-08-14 Image transfer apparatus including a compliant transfer member
PCT/NL1990/000049 WO1991003006A1 (fr) 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Appareil et procede pour transfert d'images

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93203341.8 Division-Into 1990-04-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0487530A1 true EP0487530A1 (fr) 1992-06-03
EP0487530B1 EP0487530B1 (fr) 1996-07-10

Family

ID=27014383

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97201407A Withdrawn EP0791860A3 (fr) 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Photoconducteur organique
EP90907505A Expired - Lifetime EP0487530B1 (fr) 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Appareil et procede pour transfert d'images
EP93203341A Expired - Lifetime EP0584893B1 (fr) 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Appareil et méthode de transfert d'images

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97201407A Withdrawn EP0791860A3 (fr) 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Photoconducteur organique

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93203341A Expired - Lifetime EP0584893B1 (fr) 1989-08-14 1990-04-17 Appareil et méthode de transfert d'images

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (3) EP0791860A3 (fr)
JP (1) JP3086858B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2064816C (fr)
DE (2) DE69031779T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1991003006A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5592269A (en) * 1993-03-26 1997-01-07 Indigo N.V. Imaging system having an intermediate transfer member
US5414498A (en) * 1993-09-14 1995-05-09 Delphax Systems Liquid/dry toner imaging system
US5619313A (en) * 1995-05-01 1997-04-08 Xerox Corporation Method and apparatus for liquid image development and transfer
IL114992A0 (en) 1995-08-17 1995-12-08 Indigo Nv Intermediate transfer blanket and method of producing the same
US6551716B1 (en) 1997-06-03 2003-04-22 Indigo N.V. Intermediate transfer blanket and method of producing the same
DE19934658A1 (de) * 1999-07-23 2001-01-25 Nexpress Solutions Llc Druckvorrichtung
CN113427888B (zh) * 2021-06-15 2022-06-17 清华大学 印章单元的设计方法、印章单元及印章

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US3591276A (en) * 1967-11-30 1971-07-06 Xerox Corp Method and apparatus for offset xerographic reproduction
DE1814644B2 (de) * 1967-12-26 1976-09-02 Fuji Shashin Film K.K., Ashigara, Kanagawa (Japan) Elektrophotographisches aufzeichnungsmaterial
US3717462A (en) * 1969-07-28 1973-02-20 Canon Kk Heat treatment of an electrophotographic photosensitive member
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JPS4923905B1 (fr) * 1970-10-31 1974-06-19
DE3032773A1 (de) * 1980-08-30 1982-05-06 Hoechst Ag, 6000 Frankfurt Elektrophotographisches aufzeichnungsmaterial und verfahren zu seiner herstellung
US4531825A (en) * 1981-11-25 1985-07-30 Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd. Electrostatic reproducing apparatus having an intermediate toner image transfer member
NL8301978A (nl) * 1983-06-03 1985-01-02 Oce Nederland Bv Werkwijze voor het overdragen van een poederbeeld naar een ontvangstmateriaal en inrichting voor het uitvoeren van de werkwijze.
JPS615253A (ja) * 1984-06-19 1986-01-11 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 電子写真感光体
NL8402912A (nl) * 1984-09-24 1986-04-16 Oce Nederland Bv Optisch afbeeldingssysteem voor een kopieerapparaat.
US4708460A (en) * 1986-07-25 1987-11-24 Xerox Corporation Simultaneous transfer and fusing in electrophotography
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NL8702691A (nl) * 1987-11-11 1989-06-01 Oce Nederland Bv Inrichting voor het overdragen van een poederbeeld naar een ontvangstmateriaal en het fixeren van het poederbeeld daarop.

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69031779T2 (de) 1998-06-18
EP0584893B1 (fr) 1997-12-03
JPH04507148A (ja) 1992-12-10
DE69027777D1 (de) 1996-08-14
WO1991003006A1 (fr) 1991-03-07
DE69027777T2 (de) 1997-02-20
EP0791860A2 (fr) 1997-08-27
EP0584893A2 (fr) 1994-03-02
DE69031779D1 (de) 1998-01-15
CA2064816C (fr) 2001-11-06
CA2064816A1 (fr) 1991-02-15
EP0791860A3 (fr) 1997-12-03
JP3086858B2 (ja) 2000-09-11
EP0487530B1 (fr) 1996-07-10
EP0584893A3 (fr) 1994-10-26

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