Transferring print agent using first and second transfer members

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020201210-A1
Application number	US-201716606758-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 13, 2017
Priority date	Sep 13, 2017
Publication date	Jun 25, 2020
Grant date	—

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

1 . A method comprising:
collecting print agent from a 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; heating the print agent layer on the second print agent transfer member; and applying the print agent layer directly from the second print agent transfer member to a substrate.

2 . A method according to claim 1 further comprising determining a colorimetry of the print agent on the substrate.

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

4 . 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; and 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.

5 . A print apparatus according to claim 4 in which the first print agent transfer member is a cylindrical drum and the void of the print agent cell follows a circumference of a portion of the first print agent transfer member.

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

7 . A print apparatus according to claim 6 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.

8 . A print apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a squeegee roller, wherein the squeegee roller is to form a nip with the first print agent transfer member.

9 . A print apparatus according to claim 4 in which the second print agent transfer member comprises a cylindrical body having a flattened circumferential portion.

10 . A print apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising heating apparatus, wherein the heating apparatus is to heat at least a portion of the second print agent transfer member.

11 . A print apparatus according to claim 10 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.

12 . A print apparatus according to claim 4 comprising 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.

13 . A print apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a substrate handling apparatus to introduce a substrate between the first and second print agent transfer members.

14 . A print apparatus according to claim 13 in which the substrate handling apparatus comprises a tray having a manually operated push plate.

15 . 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 a 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

• G03G2215/1676

  Simultaneous toner image transfer and fixing · CPC title