Transferring print agent using first and second transfer members

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11131947-B2
Application number	US-201716606758-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 13, 2017
Priority date	Sep 13, 2017
Publication date	Sep 28, 2021
Grant date	Sep 28, 2021

Abstract

In an example, a method includes collecting (102) print agent from a print agent reservoir to form a print agent layer on a first print agent transfer member (204). The print agent layer may be transferred (104) directly from the first print agent transfer member to a second print agent transfer member (206), where the print agent layer may be heated (106). The print agent layer may be applied (108) directly from the second print agent transfer member to a substrate.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
imparting an electrostatic charge to print agent in a print agent reservoir;
acquiring the print agent from the print agent reservoir to form a print agent layer on a first print agent transfer member;
transferring the print agent layer directly from the first print agent transfer member to a second print agent transfer member;
applying the print agent layer directly from the second print agent transfer member to a substrate; and
determining a colorimetry of the print agent on the substrate.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising determining an adjustment to a print agent mixture based on the colorimetry.

3. A print apparatus comprising:
a print agent cell comprising an electrode and a void, wherein the electrode is to impart an electrostatic charge to a print agent within the void;
a first print agent transfer member to acquire a layer of print agent from the print agent cell;
a second print agent transfer member to receive the layer of print agent from the first print agent transfer member and to transfer the layer of print agent to a substrate; and
an adjustable mounting for mounting the second print agent transfer member such that a pressure between the first print agent transfer member and the second print agent transfer member is adjustable.

4. The print apparatus according to claim 3 in which the first print agent transfer member is a cylindrical drum and the void of the print agent cell is shaped so as to follow a circumference of a portion of the first print agent transfer member.

5. The print apparatus according to claim 4 in which the void is defined between the electrode, sidewalls and the first print agent transfer member.

6. The print apparatus according to claim 5 in which the print agent cell comprises a print agent inlet and a print agent overflow wherein the print agent inlet is situated higher than the print agent overflow.

7. The print apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a squeegee roller, wherein the squeegee roller is to form a nip with the first print agent transfer member.

8. The print apparatus according to claim 3 in which the second print agent transfer member comprises a cylindrical body having a flattened circumferential portion.

9. The print apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising heating apparatus, wherein the heating apparatus is to heat at least a portion of the second print agent transfer member.

10. The print apparatus according to claim 9 in which the second print agent transfer member comprises a core, a thermal insulation layer, and an outer layer, wherein the thermal insulation layer is to limit heat transfer from the outer layer to the core.

11. The print apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a substrate handling apparatus to introduce the substrate between the first and second print agent transfer members.

12. The print apparatus according to claim 11 in which the substrate handling apparatus comprises a tray having a manually operated push plate.

13. Color proofing apparatus comprising:
a fluid reservoir for receiving an electrostatic liquid ink composition, the fluid reservoir comprising an electrode to charge the electrostatic liquid ink composition;
a developer element having a surface to contact the electrostatic liquid ink composition within the fluid reservoir and acquire a layer of the electrostatic liquid ink composition;
an intermediate transfer member to receive the layer of the electrostatic liquid ink composition from the developer element and to transfer the layer to a substrate; and
a substrate handling apparatus to insert the substrate between the intermediate transfer member and the developer element.

Assignees

• Hp Indigo Bv

Inventors

• Rosenwein Eyal
• Schneider Matan
• Cohen Lavi
• Feygelman Alex

Classifications

• G03G15/161 Primary

  with means for handling the intermediate support, e.g. heating, cleaning, coating with a transfer agent · CPC title

• G03G15/104

  Preparing, mixing, transporting or dispensing developer · CPC title

• G03G15/11

  Removing excess liquid developer, e.g. by heat · CPC title

• G03G15/169 Primary

  with means for preconditioning the toner image before the transfer (G03G15/095 and G03G15/11 take precedence) · CPC title

• G03G2215/00801

  Coating device · CPC title