Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120207488 | DISTRIBUTED REPLENISHMENT FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPER - Two-component developer in an electrophotographic (EP) printer is replenished. A replenishment amount of toner is added to depleted developer a plurality of points along the length of a return channel. The amount of toner replenished is an estimate of the amount of toner supplied to the latent image in a cross-track swath on the photoreceptor having a length defined by the process surface speed using the received image data, or using measurements of the respective potentials of the latent image or the respective densities of the visible image at a plurality of points in the cross-track swath on the photoreceptor. | 08-16-2012 |
20120207489 | REPLENISHING TONER USED FROM ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPER - Two-component developer in an electrophotographic (EP) printer is replenished. Image data are received and a corresponding latent image is produced. Toner is supplied to the latent image by bringing developer containing toner particles and carrier particles into proximity with the latent image on the photoreceptor using a toning member, so that toner particles are removed from the developer to produce depleted developer. The depleted developer is transported to a return channel, along which it is moved at a channel speed. A processor automatically estimates, as a replenishment amount of toner to be added to the return channel, the amount of toner supplied to the latent image in a diagonal swath on the photoreceptor defined by the process surface speed and the channel speed using the received image data. The replenishment amount of toner is added to the depleted developer in the return channel to replenish the developer. | 08-16-2012 |
20120251143 | DUAL TONER PRINTING WITH CHARGE AREA DEVELOPMENT - Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect a primary imaging member having a pattern of engine pixel locations with image modulated differences of potential and with first toner having a first toner difference of potential is moved to a second development station. A second development difference of potential of the first polarity at the second development station forms a second net development difference of the second development difference of potential less any image modulated difference of potential at the individual engine pixel location and less any difference of potential relative to ground of any first toner at the individual engine pixel location. The second development difference of potential is greater than the first development difference of potential so that second toner that is different from the first toner is developed onto the first toner using the second net development difference of potential. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251144 | DUAL TONER PRINTING WITH DISCHARGE AREA DEVELOPMENT - Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect a primary imaging member having a pattern of engine pixel locations with image modulated differences of potential and with first toner having a first toner difference of potential is moved to a second development station. A second development difference of potential of the first polarity at the second development station forms a second net development difference of the second development difference of potential less any image modulated difference of potential at the individual engine pixel location and less any difference of potential relative to ground of any first toner at the individual engine pixel location. The second development difference of potential is greater than the first development difference of potential so that second toner that is different from the first toner, is developed onto the first toner using the second net development difference of potential. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251145 | RATIO MODULATED PRINTING WITH CHARGE AREA DEVELOPMENT - Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing a primary imaging member having engine pixel locations with a ratio modulated difference of potentials, establishing a first development difference of potential to form a first net development difference of potential between the first development difference of potential and the engine pixel location and providing a first charged toner such that the second toner develops at the engine pixel location. Establishing a second development difference of potential that is greater than the first difference of potential proximate the engine pixel location such that a determined amount of first toner develops at the engine pixel locations according to a second net development difference of potential. Wherein the range of second toner potentials is such that a determined range of ratios of second toner amounts and the determined first toner amount provide ratio modulated differences of potential. | 10-04-2012 |
20120251146 | RATIO MODULATED PRINTING WITH DISCHARGE AREA DEVELOPMENT - Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing a primary imaging member having engine pixel locations with a ratio modulated difference of potentials, establishing a first development difference of potential to form a first net development difference of potential between the first development difference of potential and the engine pixel location and providing a first charged toner such that the first toner develops at the engine pixel location according to the first net development difference of potential. Establishing a second development difference of potential that is greater than the first difference of potential proximate the engine pixel location such that a determined amount of second toner develops at the engine pixel locations. Wherein the range of first toner potentials is such that a determined range of ratios of first toner amounts and the determined second toner amount provide ratio modulated differences of potential. | 10-04-2012 |
20120275826 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER WITH STATEFUL TONER BOTTLES - An electrophotographic (EP) printer has two toner bottles. Each has a supply volume and a waste volume separated so that toner can pass from the waste volume to the supply volume, and has a status recorder with waste and supply states. An imaging member receives toner from the supply volume of a second toner bottle in a supply receptacle, and an imaging member applies the toner to a receiver to form a print image. A cleaning device removes toner from an imaging members and transporting the removed toner to the waste volume of a first toner bottle in a waste receptacle. A toggle changes the state of the status recorder of the first toner bottle in the waste receptacle to the supply state, so that the waste toner in the waste volume of the first toner bottle is made available to be used as supply toner in the supply receptacle. | 11-01-2012 |
20130076828 | INKJET PRINTING USING LARGE PARTICLES - A method of producing a print on paper includes drying a selected region of the paper to a moisture content not to exceed that of the paper equilibrated to 20% RH. Hydrophilic liquid is deposited in a selected fluid pattern on the selected region of the paper within 15 seconds after the completion of drying. The paper is charged so that a charge pattern of charged and discharged areas is formed on the paper, and the discharged areas correspond to the selected fluid pattern. Charged dry ink having charge of the same sign as the charge in the charged areas is on the paper is deposited onto the paper in a dry ink pattern corresponding to the selected fluid pattern in the selected region. The dry ink is fixed to the paper. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076843 | INKJET PRINTER USING LARGE PARTICLES - A printer includes a dryer, a liquid-deposition unit, a charging member, a development station, and a fixer arranged in that order along the paper path. The dryer dries a selected region of the paper on the transport to a moisture content not to exceed that of the paper equilibrated to 20% RH. The liquid-deposition unit deposits hydrophilic liquid in a selected fluid pattern on the paper within 15 seconds of the completion of drying. The charging member selectively charges the paper so that a charge pattern of charged and discharged areas is formed on the paper and the charged areas have a potential of at least 100 V. The development station deposits dry ink on the charged paper in a dry ink pattern corresponding to the selected fluid pattern. The fixer permanently fixes the dry ink to the paper. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076844 | LARGE-PARTICLE INKJET PRINTING ON SEMIPOROUS PAPER - A print is produced on a semiporous recording medium. The semiporous recording medium is dried to an equilibrated 20% RH. Hydrophilic liquid is deposited on the medium in a selected fluid pattern within 15 seconds after the completion of drying. The recording medium is charged so that a charge pattern of charged and discharged areas is formed on the recording medium and the discharged areas correspond to the fluid pattern. Charged dry ink having charge of the same sign as the charge in the charged areas on the recording medium is deposited on the medium in a pattern corresponding to the selected fluid pattern. The dry ink is at least in part hydrophilic, so the dry ink adheres to the hydrophilic liquid, and at least some of the liquid is drawn into or around the deposited dry ink particles. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076847 | LARGE-PARTICLE SEMIPOROUS-PAPER INKJET PRINTER - A printer for printing on a semiporous recording medium includes a dryer adapted to dry the semiporous recording medium to a moisture content not to exceed that of the recording medium equilibrated to 20% RH. A liquid-deposition unit deposits hydrophilic liquid in a selected fluid pattern on the recording medium within 15 seconds after the completion of drying. A charging member charges the recording medium so that a charge pattern of charged and discharged areas is formed on the recording medium and the charged areas have a potential of at least 100 V. A development station deposits charged dry ink on the medium, the dry ink having charge of the same sign as the charged areas, so that the charged dry ink is deposited on the paper in a dry ink pattern corresponding to the selected fluid pattern. | 03-28-2013 |
20130077998 | ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTING USING FLUIDIC CHARGE DISSIPATION - A method of electrographically producing a toner image on paper includes drying a selected region of the paper to a moisture content not to exceed that of the paper equilibrated to 20% RH. Selected portions of the selected region of the paper are wetted within 15 seconds after the completion of drying to provide a latent fluid image corresponding to the wetted portions of the paper. A dry area is thereby defined in the selected region outside the latent fluid image. The paper is charged so that the paper in the dry area has a selected potential. Charged dry toner is deposited in the selected region, the toner having charge of the same sign as the selected potential, so that the toner adheres to paper in the area of the latent fluid image. | 03-28-2013 |
20130077999 | ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTER USING FLUIDIC CHARGE DISSIPATION - Electrographic printing apparatus for producing a toner image on paper includes a dryer adapted to dry a selected region of the paper to a moisture content not to exceed that of the paper equilibrated to 20% RH. A liquid-deposition unit wets selected portions of the selected region of the paper within 15 seconds after the completion of drying to provide a latent fluid image corresponding to the wetted portions of the paper. A dry area is thereby defined in the selected region outside the latent fluid image. A charging member charges the paper so that the paper in the dry area has a selected potential. A development station deposits charged dry toner in the selected region, the toner having charge of the same sign as the selected potential, so that the toner adheres to paper in the area of the latent fluid image. | 03-28-2013 |
20130125813 | GLOSS-WATERMARK-PRODUCING APPARATUS - Apparatus for producing a gloss watermark on a receiver includes a rotatable fixing member surfaced in a selected region so that the surface roughness of the fixing member in the selected region is different than the surface roughness of the fixing member outside the selected region. A heater heats the fixing member or the receiver. A rotatable pressure member is arranged to form a fixing nip with the fixing member. A drive rotates the fixing member or the pressure member to draw the receiver through the fixing nip after the fixing member or receiver is heated. Marking material on the receiver flows and acquires a gloss in a differentiated region on the receiver corresponding to the selected region of the fixing member that is different than the gloss of the marking material outside the differentiated region to create the gloss watermark on the surface of the marking material. | 05-23-2013 |
20130127149 | DEINKABLE PRINT - A printed article includes a receiver having an image-bearing surface, the image-bearing surface having substantially no human-visible colorant thereon. A pattern of toner is deposited on the image-bearing surface and covers less than 100% of the image-bearing surface. Colorant is absorbed into or adsorbed onto the toner to provide a human-visible image. | 05-23-2013 |
20130127964 | PRODUCING A DEINKABLE PRINT - A method of producing a deinkable print on an image-bearing member includes transferring a toner image onto the image-bearing member to form a continuous or discontinuous toner image layer, wherein toner in the toner image is soluble in a hydrophobic or oliophilic organic solvent. An ink image corresponding to the toner image is printed onto the toner image on the image-bearing member, the ink including colorant in a hydrophilic carrier fluid, so that the colorant is disposed over the toner image layer. The toner image and ink image are fixed to the receiver. The image-bearing member has an unprinted reflection density and has a deinked reflection density at most 0.15 above the unprinted reflection density. | 05-23-2013 |
20130129393 | PRODUCING A DEINKABLE PRINT - A method of printing an image includes transferring a toner image onto an image-bearing side of a receiver to form a continuous or discontinuous toner image layer having a continuous or discontinuous visible surface. An ink image is printed onto the toner visible image, the ink including colorant or a functional component suspended or dissolved in a carrier fluid. As a result, at least 50% of the colorant or the functional component is absorbed into or adsorbed onto the toner. The toner visible image and ink image are then fixed to the receiver. The functional component is selected from the group consisting of a colorant, a humectant, a surfactant, a security material, a fungicide, and a biocide. | 05-23-2013 |
20130129932 | PRODUCING GLOSS WATERMARK ON RECEIVER - A method for producing a gloss watermark includes depositing a heat-softenable marking material onto a receiver. A heatable fixing member is surfaced in a selected region so that the surface roughness of the fixing member in the selected region is different than the surface roughness of the fixing member outside the selected region. The surfaced fixing member is heated. After the deposition step, pressure is applied to the marking-material-bearing portion of the receiver using the heated fixing member, so that the marking material flows and acquires a gloss in a differentiated region on the receiver corresponding to the selected region of the fixing member that is different than the gloss of the marking material outside the differentiated region to create the gloss watermark on the surface of the marking material. | 05-23-2013 |
20130130172 | DEINKING A PRINT - A method of deinking an image-bearing member using an organic solvent includes receiving the image-bearing member. The member has thereon a continuous or discontinuous image layer formed of toner particles that do not include colorant, and colorant particles or molecules. The colorant particles or molecules are arranged in a pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the toner particles. The organic solvent is hydrophobic or oliophilic and the colorant is insoluble in the organic solvent. The hydrophobic or oliophilic organic solvent is applied to the image-bearing member, so that a majority of the toner image layer is dissolved off the image-bearing member and the colorant is removed from the image-bearing member. A deinked reflection density of the image-bearing member in a selected test area from which the toner image layer was dissolved is within 0.15 of an imprinted reflection density of the image-bearing member before deinking. | 05-23-2013 |
20130162702 | INKJET PRINTING ON SEMI-POROUS OR NON-ABSORBENT SURFACES - Printing methods are provided. In one method, printing an inkjet image using a liquid hydrophilic inkjet ink onto a surface of a semi-absorbent recording medium generating a toner image having toner particles arranged conforming to the inkjet image and transferring the toner image onto the recording medium where an unabsorbed volume of the inkjet ink is present on the recording medium. The toner particles manage unabsorbed volumes of the inkjet ink to protect the recording medium from image artifacts that can be created by an unabsorbed volume of the inkjet ink on the surface without a liquid management toner image. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162704 | METHOD FOR PRINTING WITH ADAPTIVE DISTORTION CONTROL - Printing methods are provided. In one method, printing an inkjet image using a liquid hydrophilic inkjet ink onto a surface of a semi-absorbent recording medium generating a toner image having toner particles arranged conforming to the inkjet image and transferring the toner image onto the recording medium where an unabsorbed volume of the inkjet ink is present on the recording medium. The toner particles manage unabsorbed volumes of the inkjet ink to protect the recording medium from image artifacts that can be created by an unabsorbed volume of the inkjet ink on the surface without a liquid management toner image. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162705 | PRINTER WITH ADAPTIVE DISTORTION CONTROL - Printers are provided. In one printer, an inkjet image is printed on a receiver using a hydrophilic ink capturing an image of the first print after a predetermined period of absorption and local areas the receiver that have reached a threshold level of non-uniform distortion and where additional ink remains for absorption are identified. A liquid management toner image is generated that provides toner particles for transfer onto the receiver in the identified areas in register with the inkjet print as non-uniformly distorted; and transferring the liquid management toner image onto the receiver. The liquid management toner image reduces absorption of ink in the receiver in the identified areas control the extent of distortion in the area. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162706 | INKJET PRINTER FOR SEMI-POROUS OR NON-ABSORBENT SURFACES - Inkjet printers are provided, in one aspect, an inkjet printer has an inkjet print engine that prints an image by jetting drops of hydrophilic liquid to form an inkjet image on a surface of at least one of a semi-absorbent recording medium or a non-absorbent recording medium; a transport system to transport the printed surface to a toner printer having a toner print engine to generate a liquid management toner image with toner particles that are at least in part hydrophilic and to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium where an unabsorbed volume of the inkjet ink will be present on the recording medium. A control system causes the inkjet printer to generate the inkjet image on the surface and causes the toner printer to generate a liquid management toner image that provides toner particles to manage an unabsorbed volume of the liquid. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162709 | METHOD FOR PRINTING ON LOCALLY DISTORABLE MEDIUMS - Methods for operating a printing system are provided. In one method, an inkjet image is printed on a receiver using a hydrophilic ink and an image of the receiver is captured after predetermined period of absorption. Local areas of the image of the inkjet print that have reached a threshold level of non-uniform distortion and where additional ink remains for absorption are identified. A distortion estimate is determined for distortion of the receiver at a time when a second image will be printed on the receiver based upon information from the identified areas. A second print image is printed based on the distortion estimate; and, the second image is printed. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162711 | INKJET PRINTER WITH ENHANCED DEINKABILITY - In a system having an inkjet printer and a toner printer, the ink jet printer forms an ink jet image and the toner printer forms a toner image conforming to the inkjet image and transfers the toner image onto the inkjet image. Colorant in the ink is electrostatically attracted to the toner. The toner is fixed. After fixing the colorant attracted to the toner is bound to the toner so that removal of the toner from the receiver also removes any colorant attached to the toner from the receiver. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162715 | PRINTER FOR USE WITH LOCALLY DISTORTABLE MEDIUMS - Printers are provided. One print has an inkjet printer to print an inkjet image on a receiver using a hydrophilic ink, a sensor for capturing an image of the receiver after predetermined period of absorption and a control system and a second printer. The control system identifies local areas of the image of the inkjet print on the that have reached a threshold level of non-uniform distortion and where additional ink remains for absorption, determining a distortion estimate for distortion of the receiver at a time when a second image will be printed on the receiver based upon information from the identified areas and generating a second print image based on the distortion estimate. The second printer prints the second print image. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162741 | INKJET PRINTING METHOD WITH ENHANCED DEINKABILITY - Printing methods are provided. In one method an inkjet image is printed using an ink having a colorant with an electrical charge of a first polarity dispersed in a hydrophilic liquid carrier fluid with an electrical charge of a second polarity that is the opposite polarity of the first polarity. A colorant attracting toner image conforming to the inkjet image is generated using toner particles of the second polarity. The colorant attracting toner image is transferred in registration with an unabsorbed volume of the ink jet image on the receiver. The difference in polarity between the toner particles and the colorant attracts the colorant and the toner particles. The toner particles are fixed to the receiver. After fixing colorant attracted to the toner particles is bound to the toner particles so that removal of the toner from the receiver also removes any colorant attached to the toner from the receiver. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164061 | LIQUID ENHANCED FIXING METHOD - Printing methods are provided. In one method, an inkjet image is printed on a receiver using an inkjet ink having a liquid with a boiling point and a toner image conforming to the ink jet image is generated using toner particles with a glass transition temperature that is below the boiling point and the toner image is transferred into an unabsorbed volume of liquid ink of the inkjet image on the receiver. A first energy is applied to the toner and the liquid sufficient to bring the liquid to the boiling point without bringing a heated surface into contact therewith. The toner particles are heated above the glass transition temperature by the combination of heat from the liquid and heating of the toner particles by the radiant energy without requiring that the receiver is heated to the glass transition temperature of the toner. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164062 | PRINTER WITH LIQUID ENHANCED FIXING SYSTEM - Printers are provided. One printer has an ink jet printer with an inkjet printhead to print an inkjet image on a receiver using an inkjet ink having a liquid with a boiling point a toner print engine to generate a toner image conforming to the ink jet image using toner particles with a glass transition temperature that is below the boiling point and to transfer the toner image into an unabsorbed volume of liquid ink of the inkjet image on the receiver and a fixing system having a first energy source to apply a first energy to the toner and the liquid sufficient to bring the liquid to the boiling point without bringing a heated surface into contact therewith. The toner particles are heated above the glass transition temperature by the combination of heat from the liquid and heating of the toner particles by the first energy. | 06-27-2013 |
20130195520 | PRODUCING GLOSS-WATERMARK PATTERN ON FIXING MEMBER - A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of the surface. The applied particles are pressed against a pressure member so that the applied particles indent the surface to form the gloss-watermark pattern. At least some of the pressed particles are removed from the surface. After the removing step, a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. The printed image can include toner, phase-change ink, or hot-melt ink, so that a gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is formed on the printed image by the fixing process. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195521 | PRODUCING GLOSS-WATERMARK PATTERN ON FIXING MEMBER - A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of a pressure member. The pressure member and the fixing member are pressed together so that the applied particles indent the surface of the fixing member to form the gloss-watermark pattern. The pressure member and the fixing member can then be mechanically separated and a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. A gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is thus formed on the printed image. | 08-01-2013 |
20130314211 | CONTAINER-TYPE IDENTIFICATION USING DIRECTIONAL-ANTENNA RFID - RFID tags are read using an RFID reader. A non-RFID-active object has two RFID tags affixed thereto at respective, different tag locations. Each tag has a respective directional antenna steered in a respective, different direction. Respective directional propagation patterns are thus defined and a reader location is defined in the intersection of the propagation patterns. An RFID reader with a reader antenna located at the reader location is provided. The RFID reader is activated to read both tags. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314212 | RFID MARKING OF UNITS IN A SPACE - Non-RFID-active units in a space are marked by affixing RFID tags. Two tags are affixed to each unit, each tag having a directional antenna. The antennas are oriented to define a per-unit reader location. Units are arranged in the space so the per-unit reader locations at least partially overlap to define a reader location. The units in the space can also be detected by an RFID reader located in the overlapping per-unit reader locations. A controller can compare a received list of tag identities corresponding to units expected to be in the container to the identities of the tags read to determine whether the expected units are in the container and disposed at positions and with orientations that cause the respective per-unit reader locations to at least partially overlap with the reader location. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314534 | CONTAINER-CLASSIFICATION IDENTIFICATION USING DIRECTIONAL-ANTENNA RFID - A classification of a container is identified using a mobile station including an image capture device and an RFID reader having a reader antenna. The container has two RFID tags affixed thereto at respective, different locations. Each tag has a directional antenna steered in a different direction, so that a reader location is defined in the intersection of the antenna propagation patterns. Using the image capture device, one or more images of the container are captured. A controller determines, using the captured image data, whether the mobile station is in a candidate reader location. When the mobile station is in the candidate reader location, the RFID reader attempts to read both tags. If both tags are read while the mobile station is in the candidate reader location, the controller determines the classification of the container is a classification corresponding to the candidate reader location. | 11-28-2013 |
20130342317 | RFID SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE TAG TRANSMIT FREQUENCIES - An RFID system has an active tag with one antenna inside, and one outside, an RF-blocking enclosure having a port with a selected shortest dimension. The RFID reader is located outside the enclosure and uses a selected RF read frequency range. The RFID tag simultaneously transmits on a plurality of frequencies corresponding to respective wavelengths smaller than the selected shortest dimension, so that a respective beat frequency is defined between two of the frequencies. The beat frequency is within the selected RF uplink frequency range. The tag transmits a first signal at a first one of the plurality of frequencies using the interior antenna and a second signal at a second, different one of the plurality of frequencies using the exterior antenna. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342319 | RFID SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE READER TRANSMIT FREQUENCIES - An RFID system includes an RF-blocking enclosure having a port with a selected shortest dimension. An active RFID tag including a controller and an interior antenna coupled to the controller is located in the enclosure. The tag responds to a selected RF downlink frequency range. An RFID reader located outside the enclosure simultaneously transmits directional RF signals on a plurality of frequencies corresponding to respective wavelengths smaller than the selected shortest dimension, the plurality including a carrier frequency and an interference frequency. A beat frequency is thus defined between the carrier frequency and the interference frequency and the beat frequency is within the selected RF downlink frequency range, so that the transmitted signals pass through the port and the tag responds to the beat frequency. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342323 | RFID SYSTEM WITH BARRIERS AND KEY ANTENNAS - An RFID system includes a reader with antenna, a first barrier, a tag with a link antenna, a second barrier, and two key antennas connected to the tag, mechanically arranged in that order. The first barrier has two or more apertures in it to produce an interference pattern of a security signal from the reader. The security signal interference pattern passes at least partly through the second barrier. One of the key antennas is at a peak of the pattern after passing through the second barrier, and one is not. The tag includes a controller responsive to a downlink signal from the reader to transmit an uplink signal using the link antenna, but only if the downlink signal is preceded by the security signal and the security signal is received more strongly by the key antenna at the peak than by the other key antenna. | 12-26-2013 |
20140049577 | CONTROLLING GLOSS IN A SOLID INK JET PRINT - A method for reducing variations in gloss in a solid ink jet image, is disclosed. The method includes: jetting marking solid ink jet droplets onto a receiver to form an image; heating the receiver to a temperature so that the marking solid ink melts; spreading the marking solid ink on the receiver; and controlling the temperature of the marking solid ink on the receiver to provide a desired specularly reflective surface of the solid ink so that variations in gloss are reduced. | 02-20-2014 |
20140056616 | ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTING OF TACTILE IMAGES - A method for forming a tactile printed image on a receiver medium using an electrographic printer, comprising forming a sequence of toner particle images on one or more primary imaging members, the sequence of toner particle images including a plurality of annular shapes having associated inner and outer sizes. The inner and outer sizes of the annular shapes varying in a monotonic sequence, such that when the sequence of toner particle images are transferred in register onto the receiver medium the annular shapes are substantially concentric and overlapping, thereby forming a tactile image feature having a hollow core; which is then fixed to permanently attach the transferred toner particle images to the receiver medium. | 02-27-2014 |
20140056617 | ELECTROGRAPHIC TACTILE IMAGE PRINTING SYSTEM - An electrographic printing system for forming a tactile printed image on a receiver medium, comprising an image processing path, one or more printing modules and a fixing subsystem. The image processing path provides a sequence of image patterns including a plurality of annular shapes having associated inner and outer sizes, the inner and outer sizes of the annular shapes varying in a monotonic sequence. The printing modules are controlled to form a sequence of toner particle images corresponding to the sequence of image patterns, and to sequentially transfer the sequence of toner particle images in register onto the receiver medium such that the annular shapes in the toner particle images overlap to form a tactile image feature having a hollow core. The fixing subsystem is used to permanently attach the transferred toner particle images to the receiver medium. | 02-27-2014 |
20140101956 | DRYER IMPINGING HEATING LIQUID ONTO MOISTENED MEDIUM - A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium, the moistening liquid having a moistening-liquid boiling point. A liquid-supply system provides a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than the moistening-liquid boiling point. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto a surface of the moistened medium. Heat is thus transferred from the heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140101957 | BARRIER DRYER TRANSPORTING MEDIUM THROUGH HEATING LIQUID - A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium having first and second surfaces. A liquid reservoir contains a heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point. A rotatable liquid-blocking member has a liquid-blocking layer with an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the medium entrained around the liquid-blocking member so that the first surface of the moistened medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer. An entrained portion of the moistened medium passes through the liquid reservoir and is submerged in the warmed heating liquid. The heating liquid contacts the inner surface of the liquid-blocking layer so that heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking layer from the warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid, or heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the second surface of the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140101958 | DRYER WITH HEATING LIQUID IN CAVITY - A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium. A heating member rotatable around an axis has a liquid-blocking layer with an inner surface and an outer surface. A backing layer affixed to the liquid-blocking layer defines a liquid cavity not including the axis. A heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point is sealed between the liquid-blocking layer and the backing layer and in contact with the inner surface. A media-transport system transports the moistened medium so it contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking member. The moistened medium contacts the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer, heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking layer from the warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid, and the moistening liquid is vaporized and removed from the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140101959 | DRYER IMPINGING HEATING LIQUID ONTO BARRIER - A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium. A liquid-supply system provides a heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point. A rotatable liquid-blocking member has an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the moistened medium along a transport path in which the moistened medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking member in a contact zone. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto the inner surface of the liquid-blocking member so that heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking member from the heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140101962 | DRYER TRANSPORTING MOISTENED MEDIUM THROUGH HEATING LIQUID - A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium, the moistening liquid having a moistening-liquid boiling point. A liquid reservoir contains a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid in the liquid reservoir to a temperature greater than the moistening-liquid boiling point. A media-transport system transports the moistened medium along a transport path which passes through the liquid reservoir. The moistened medium is submerged in the warmed heating liquid and heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid. This vaporizes the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140101965 | APPLYING HEATING LIQUID TO REMOVE MOISTENING LIQUID - A method for removing a moistening liquid from a moistened medium includes bringing at least one surface of the moistened medium into contact with a heating liquid. The heating liquid is warmed to a temperature greater than a moistening-liquid boiling point. Heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid, thereby vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140101968 | REMOVING MOISTENING LIQUID USING HEATING-LIQUID BARRIER - A method for removing a moistening liquid from a moistened medium includes providing a liquid-blocking barrier having a first surface and a second surface that is impermeable to a heating liquid. A surface of the moistened medium is brought into contact with the first surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. The heating liquid is brought into contact with the second surface of the liquid-blocking barrier, the heating liquid being at a temperature greater than a moistening-liquid boiling point. Heat is thus transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104354 | BARRIER DRYER WITH POROUS LIQUID-CARRYING MATERIAL - A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium. A liquid reservoir containing a heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point. A rotatable liquid-blocking member has a liquid-blocking layer with an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the moistened medium so it contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking member in a path zone so that the moistened medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer. A porous material absorbs heating liquid from the liquid reservoir and brings the absorbed heating liquid into contact with the inner surface of the liquid-blocking layer for at least a portion of the path zone. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking layer from the absorbed warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20140116604 | INCREMENTALLY FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE FROM RECEIVER - A method for forming a three-dimensional structure includes depositing a first pattern of toner onto a receiver to form spaced-apart stacks of toner particles that extend above the receiver. The receiver is bent and part of it is brought into contact with the deposited toner. The toner is fused to bind two portions of the receiver together with a selected spacing between them. Fusing includes progressively wrapping the receiver around a rotatable support starting at an entry point defined with respect to the support while softening the toner at the entry point. More toner is then deposited on the first surface, at least part of a surface of the receiver in a fourth portion of the receiver is brought into contact with the toner, and the toner is fused. This is repeated to form the three-dimensional structure. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116650 | TONER FIXER IMPINGING HEATING LIQUID ONTO MEDIUM - A toner fixing system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes a liquid-supply system for providing a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than the toner glass transition temperature. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto a surface of the receiver medium so that heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the toner. This raises the temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117588 | FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE FROM RECEIVER - A method for forming a three-dimensional structure includes depositing a first pattern of thermoplastic toner particles onto a first surface of a receiver to form a plurality of spaced-apart stacks of toner particles that extend above the first surface of the receiver. The receiver is bent so that non-overlapping first and second portions of the receiver are defined. At least part of a surface of the receiver in the second portion is brought into contact with the deposited stacks of toner particles. The toner particles are fused to bind the second portion to the first portion and provide a selected spacing between the first portion and the second portion. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119748 | TONER-FIXING DRUM CONTAINING HEATING LIQUID - A toner fixing system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes rotatable fixing drum partially filled by a heating liquid, so that a stationary-drum liquid level is defined. The heating liquid is warmed above a toner glass transition temperature. The fixing drum rotates fast enough to draw the heating liquid to substantially cover an inner surface thereof. The moving receiver medium contacts an outer surface of the fixing drum in a contact region above the stationary-drum liquid level. Heat is transferred through the rotating fixing drum from the drawn warmed heating liquid to heat the toner above its glass transition temperature. A sensor detects stoppage of the receiver medium in contact with the fixing drum. A controller automatically stops the rotation of the fixing drum when a stoppage is detected, so that the heating liquid is pulled by gravity away from the stopped receiver medium. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119752 | PRODUCING RAISED PRINT USING LIGHT TONER - A method for producing a raised print on a receiver includes receiving image data and height data. The height data specify that raised printing should be produced in non-first-color region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a clear toner, a light toner having the first color, and at least two additional colored toners. The separation data for the clear toner is determined in response to the height data and the separation data for the light toner is determined in response to the image data and the height data so that the clear and light-toner separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-first-color region. Respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver member. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119753 | PRODUCING RAISED PRINT USING THREE TONERS - A method for producing a raised print using a three-component printer includes receiving image data and height data for an image to be printed, the height data specifying that raised printing should be produced in a non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a yellow toner and two additional colored toners. The yellow separation data is determined based on the image data and the height data. The yellow separation and at least one of the colored separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. The two additional colored toners include respective amounts of black colorant. Using the printer with exactly three printing modules, respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119779 | PRODUCING RAISED PRINT USING YELLOW TONER - A method for producing a raised print on a receiver includes receiving image data and height data. The height data specify that raised printing should be produced in non-yellow region of the image data. Separation data are determined for a clear toner, a yellow toner, and at least two additional colored toners. The separation data for the clear toner is determined in response to the height data and the separation data for the yellow toner is determined in response to the image data and the height data so that the clear and yellow separations specify that respective toners be deposited one atop the other in the non-yellow region. Respective toner images are deposited on the receiver, each corresponding to respective separation data. The deposited toner is fixed to the receiver member. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119790 | TRANSPORTED MEDIUM HEATING-LIQUID-BARRIER TONER FIXER - A system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes a reservoir containing heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than a toner glass transition temperature. A rotatable liquid-blocking barrier has an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path. The transported receiver medium contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking member barrier so that the receiver medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer. The liquid-blocking barrier member and the reservoir are arranged so that an entrained portion of the receiver medium passes through the reservoir and is submerged in the warmed heating liquid, which contacts the inner surface. Heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119791 | TONER FIXER WITH HEATING LIQUID IN CAVITY - A toner fixing system has a heating member rotatable around an axis. The heating member includes a liquid-blocking barrier and a backing layer that define a liquid cavity not including the axis. The liquid cavity contains a heating liquid warmed above a glass transition temperature of the toner. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path in which the receiver medium contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking barrier. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the warmed heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119792 | TONER FIXER IMPINGING HEATING LIQUID ONTO BARRIER - A toner fixing system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes a liquid-supply system for providing a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature of the toner. A rotatable liquid-blocking barrier has an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path in which the receiver medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking barrier in a contact zone. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto the inner surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119794 | APPLYING HEATING LIQUID TO FIX TONER - A method for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes depositing a pattern of toner onto a surface of the receiver medium. The toner has a toner glass transition temperature. At least one surface of the receiver medium is brought into contact with a heating liquid, the heating liquid being at a temperature greater than the toner glass transition temperature. Heat is transferred from the heating liquid to the toner, thereby raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119795 | TONER FIXER TRANSPORTING MEDIUM THROUGH HEATING LIQUID - A toner fixing system fixes toner onto a receiver medium. A reservoir contains a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid in the reservoir to a temperature greater than a toner glass transition temperature. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path which passes through the reservoir. The receiver medium is submerged in the warmed heating liquid, so heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the toner. The temperature of the toner is raised to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119796 | FIXING TONER USING HEATING-LIQUID-BLOCKING BARRIER - A method for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes depositing a pattern of toner onto a surface of the receiver medium. A liquid-blocking barrier is provided that has a first surface and a second surface that is impermeable to a heating liquid. The surface of the receiver medium is brought into contact with the first surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. The heating liquid is brought into contact with the second surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. The heating liquid is at a temperature greater than the toner glass transition temperature. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the heating liquid to the toner, thereby raising the temperature of the toner to a temperature above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119797 | TONER FIXER WITH LIQUID-CARRYING POROUS MATERIAL - A toner fixing system has a heating member rotatable around an axis. The heating member includes a liquid-blocking barrier and a backing layer that define a liquid cavity not including the axis. The liquid cavity contains a heating liquid warmed above a glass transition temperature of the toner. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path in which the receiver medium contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking barrier. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the warmed heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121092 | Z-FOLDING THREE-DIMENSIONAL-STRUCTURE FORMER - A device for producing a three-dimensional structure from a receiver includes a deposition unit that deposits toner on two surfaces of the receiver. That unit is controlled by a controller to produce a toner pattern on the first surface of the receiver. A softening device softens the toner. An automatic z-fold system makes a z-folded stack of separate portions of a length of the receiver, each portion being joined to at least one other portion in the z-folded stack by at least one of the z-folds. The z-fold system brings two separate portions of the same surface of the receiver into contact, at least one portion carrying softened toner. | 05-01-2014 |
20140176634 | CONDENSATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN INK JET PRINTING SYSTEM - Condensation control systems are provided for use with inkjet printing systems that use a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier fluid reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver during printing without creating observable artifacts in a print. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation. | 06-26-2014 |