US3792488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fixing apparatus
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
•
Filing: 1972-08-09
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A fixing apparatus is disclosed for fixing a developed visible image on a photoconductive surface of a film whereby a developed visible image is fixed on a photoconductive film by way of a small quantity of fixing solvent vapor. Further, the fixing solvent is easily and quickly evaporated by a low power heating element, and the used fixing solvent vapor is quickly discharged after the fixing. The apparatus has a fixing chamber having an aperture facing the film and an inlet through which fixing solvent is supplied. An evaporating device is mounted on the fixing chamber for evaporating the solvent and includes an evaporating chamber, a radiation plate parallel to photoconductive surface of the film and a heating element for heating the evaporating chamber. An engaging device is provided for moving the film and the chamber relative to each other so as to bring the aperture of the chamber into air-tight engagement with the film. A solvent supply device supplies a predetermined quantity of the solvent to the evaporating device through the inlet. The thus supplied fixing solvent is evaporated to a vapor which acts to fix the developed visible image on the film.
Inventors
- 👤 N Katakabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:27
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A fixing apparatus for fixing a developed visible image in a substantially vertical plane on an organic photoconductive film, comprising: a fixing chamber having an aperture located in a substantially vertical plane over which the film with a visible image on an organic photoconductive layer is to be positioned in said substantially vertical plane and having an inlet through which a volatile organic solvent is supplied into said fixing chamber; evaporating means mounted in said fixing chamber and comprising an evaporating chamber member, said member defining a portion of an evaporating chamber for evaporating a volatile organic solvent to a vapor, a radiation plate, said radiation plate positioned adjacent said evaporating chamber and defining a portion of said Evaporation chamber, said radiation plate facing in parallel to the plane of said aperture and further defining a narrow space within said fixing chamber with respect to the plane of said aperture, and a heating element thermally coupled with said evaporating chamber member for heating said evaporating chamber member; engaging means for moving the organic photoconductive film and said fixing chamber relative to each other so as to bring said aperture of said fixing chamber into airtight engagement with the organic photoconductive film; and solvent supply means coupled to said inlet for supplying a predetermined quantity of the volatile organic solvent to said evaporating chamber in said fixing chamber through said inlet, the supplied volatile organic solvent being evaporated by said evaporating chamber member into a vapor of solvent and forming a vapor atmosphere in said narrow space during the fixing of the developed image, so that the developed visible image on the film is fixed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A fixing apparatus for fixing a developed visible image in a substantially vertical plane on an organic photoconductive film, comprising: a fixing chamber having an aperture located in a substantially vertical plane over which the film with a visible image on an organic photoconductive layer is to be positioned in said substantially vertical plane and having an inlet through which a volatile organic solvent is supplied into said fixing chamber; evaporating means mounted in said fixing chamber and comprising an evaporating chamber member, said member defining a portion of an evaporating chamber for evaporating a volatile organic solvent to a vapor, a radiation plate, said radiation plate positioned adjacent said evaporating chamber and defining a portion of said Evaporation chamber, said radiation plate facing in parallel to the plane of said aperture and further defining a narrow space within said fixing chamber with respect to the plane of said aperture, and a heating element thermally coupled with said evaporating chamber member for heating said evaporating chamber member; engaging means for moving the organic photoconductive film and said fixing chamber relative to each other so as to bring said aperture of said fixing chamber into airtight engagement with the organic photoconductive film; and solvent supply means coupled to said inlet for supplying a predetermined quantity of the volatile organic solvent to said evaporating chamber in said fixing chamber through said inlet, the supplied volatile organic solvent being evaporated by said evaporating chamber member into a vapor of solvent and forming a vapor atmosphere in said narrow space during the fixing of the developed image, so that the developed visible image on the film is fixed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said fixing chamber further includes a vapor discharging outlet at the lower portion thereof, said narrow space in said chamber communicating with the outside by means of said vapor discharging outlet thus discharging vapor from said narrow space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said radiation plate has its upper end spaced from the top of said fixing chamber so as to provide a vapor vent which is higher than the top portion of the visable image of the photoconductive film and serving to cause the vapor to exhaust from said evaporating chamber into said narrow space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating element is a semi-conductive ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance for heating said evaporating chamber member and maintaining said space at a temperature maintaining the vapor atmosphere during the fixing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |