U.S. patent application number 11/220513 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for image-forming method and device utilizing a shim member arrangement.
This patent application is currently assigned to Eastman Kodak Company. Invention is credited to Ralph L. JR. Piccinino, Margaret D. Steele, Paul S. Taylor, Peter Vanderbrook.
Application Number | 20060007495 11/220513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34591995 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060007495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Piccinino; Ralph L. JR. ; et
al. |
January 12, 2006 |
Image-forming method and device utilizing a shim member
arrangement
Abstract
An image forming method and device utilizes an imaging member to
expose a photosensitive media to form a latent image on the media.
The photosensitive media is of the type that comprises a plurality
of microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material. The device and
method of the present invention is adapted to utilize the
application of pressure to create a compressive force on the media
that is sufficient to rupture selected microcapsules in developing
an image. In the arrangement of the present invention, a shim
member arrangement is adapted to locate a thin member such as a
plastic or film member over an imaging side of the media so as to
protect the imaging side of the media during the application of
pressure on the medium.
Inventors: |
Piccinino; Ralph L. JR.;
(Rush, NY) ; Vanderbrook; Peter; (Rush, NY)
; Taylor; Paul S.; (Hamlin, NY) ; Steele; Margaret
D.; (Webster, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark G. Bocchetti;Patent Legal Staff
Eastman Kodak Company
343 State Street
Rochester
NY
14650-2201
US
|
Assignee: |
Eastman Kodak Company
|
Family ID: |
34591995 |
Appl. No.: |
11/220513 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10722248 |
Nov 25, 2003 |
|
|
|
11220513 |
Sep 7, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/3.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03F 7/0027
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/003.26 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20060101
G06K015/00 |
Claims
1. An image forming method comprising: exposing a photosensitive
medium comprising a plurality of microcapsules which encapsulate
imaging material to form a latent image; placing a thin member over
an imaging side of the photosensitive medium; applying a pressure
to said medium by pressing on said thin member, said pressure being
sufficient to cause a compressive force to be applied to the
imaging side of said photosensitive medium to rupture selected
microcapsules, and cause a release of imaging material from said
microcapsules to develop the latent image on said photosensitive
medium; wherein said thin member is adapted to protect the imaging
side of said photosensitive medium during said applying step to
minimize artifacts on said photosensitive medium from said
compressive force.
2. An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein said
pressure applying step comprises: wrapping said thin member around
a pressure roller and applying said pressure via said pressure
roller, with a portion of said thin member being located between
said pressure roller and said medium.
3. An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein said
pressure applying step comprises: using a pressure application
member having a plurality of pressure applying elements to apply a
pressure on said medium, with a portion of said thin member being
disposed between the pressure application member and said
medium.
4. An image forming method according to claim 1, further
comprising: conveying at least the developed photosensitive medium
between a pair of post-heat rollers to fix the image on said
photosensitive medium.
5. An image forming device comprising: an imaging member adapted to
expose a photosensitive medium to form a latent image on the
photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium comprising a
plurality of microcapsules which encapsulate imaging material; a
shim member arrangement configured to locate a thin member over the
imaging side of said photosensitive medium; and a processing member
adapted to develop the latent image, said processing member
comprising a pressure application member adapted to contact the
thin member and apply a compressive force to the imaging side of
said photosensitive medium that is sufficient to rupture selected
microcapsules and cause a development of the latent image on said
photosensitive medium, said thin member being adapted to protect
the imaging side of said photosensitive medium to minimize
artifacts on said photosensitive medium from said compressive
force.
6. An image forming device according to claim 5, further
comprising: a pair of drive rollers adapted to convey the
photosensitive medium to said processing member.
7. An image forming device according to claim 4, further
comprising: a post heat roller arrangement adapted to fix the
development image on the photosensitive medium.
8. An image forming device according to claim 5, wherein said
pressure application member comprises a pressure roller and an
opposing backing member that permit a passage of the medium
there-between, said thin member being wrapped around said pressure
roller.
9. An image-forming device according to claim 5, wherein said
pressure application member comprises a plurality of pressure
applying elements.
10. An image forming device according to claim 8, wherein said thin
member forms a part of a shim member arrangement, said shim member
arrangement comprising a pair of support shafts and said thin
member being wrapped around said pressure roller and said pair of
support shafts.
11. An image forming device according to claim 9, further
comprising a backing member located opposite to the pressure
applying members, wherein said pressure application member is
adapted to move along a widthwise direction of the medium.
12. An image forming device according to claim 9, wherein said thin
member forms part of a shim member arrangement, said shim member
arrangement comprising a pair of opposing holding rollers, such
that thin member is attached to the opposing holding rollers and
extends in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the
medium.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Reference is made to commonly-assigned U.S. Patent
Applications: Ser. No. 10/722,248 filed Nov. 25, 2003, entitled AN
IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING A BRUSH TYPE PROCESSING MEMBER to
Alphonse D. Camp et al.; Ser. No. 10/851,886 filed May 21, 2004,
entitled AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING A BELT TYPE PROCESSING
MEMBER WITH MICRO-FEATURES to Zhanjun Gao et al.; Ser. No.
10/874,888 filed Jun. 23, 2004, entitled AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE
AND AN EXPOSURE MEMBER FOR THE DEVICE to Alphonse D. Camp; Ser. No.
11/184,756 filed Jul. 19, 2005 entitled AN IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE
HAVING BRUSH/DRUM PROCESSOR to Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr. et al. and
Ser. No. ______ (Docket 89571) filed ______ entitled AN
IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE HAVING AN EXPOSING/PROCESSING PLATEN to Ralph
L. Piccinino, Jr. et al.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming method and
device adapted to develop images on photosensitive media that
includes microcapsules that encapsulate material such as coloring
material. The device and method of the present invention includes
the use of a thin shim member during a pressure develop of the
media to minimize artifacts on the media.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Image forming devices are known in which media having a
layer of microcapsules containing a chromogenic material and a
photohardenable composition, and a developer, which may be in the
same or a separate layer from the microcapsules, is image-wise
exposed. In these devices, the microcapsules are ruptured, and an
image is produced by the differential reaction of the chromogenic
material and the developer. More specifically, in these
image-forming devices, after exposure and rupture of the
microcapsules, the ruptured microcapsules release a color-forming
agent, whereupon the developer material reacts with the
color-forming agent to form an image. The image formed can be
viewed through a transparent support or a protective overcoat
against a reflective white support as is taught in, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,353 and U.S. Publication No. 2002/0045121 A1.
Typically, the microcapsules will include three sets of
microcapsules sensitive respectively to red, green and blue light
and containing cyan, magenta and yellow color formers,
respectively, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,541. Preferably a
direct digital transmission imaging technique is employed using a
modulated LED print head to expose the microcapsules.
[0004] Conventional arrangements for developing the image formed by
exposure in these image-forming devices include using spring-loaded
balls, micro wheels, micro rollers or rolling pins, and heat from a
heat source is applied after this development step to accelerate
development.
[0005] The photohardenable composition in at least one and possibly
all three sets of microcapsules can be sensitized by a
photoinitiator such as a cationic dye-borate complex as described
in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,772,541; 4,772,530; 4,800,149;
4,842,980; 4,865,942; 5,057,393; 5,100,755 and 5,783,353.
[0006] The above-described imaging technology utilizes light
sensitive microcapsules incorporated into a photographic coating,
and produces a continuous tone digital imaging member. With regard
to the media used in this technology, a substrate is coated with
millions of light sensitive microcapsules, which contain either
cyan, magenta or yellow image forming dyes (in leuco form). The
microcapsule comprises a monomer and the appropriate cyan, magenta
or yellow photoinitiator that absorb red, green or blue light
respectively. Exposure to light, after the induction period is
reached, induces polymerization.
[0007] When exposure is made, the photoinitiator absorbs light and
initiates a polymerization reaction, converting the internal fluid
(monomer) into polymer, which binds or traps leucodye from escaping
when pressure is applied.
[0008] With no exposure, microcapsules remain soft and are easily
broken, permitting all of the contained dye to be expelled into a
developer containing binder and developed which produces the
maximum color available. With increasing exposure, an analog or
continuous tone response occurs until the microcapsules are
completely hardened, to thereby prevent any dye from escaping when
pressure is applied.
[0009] Conventionally, as describe above, in order to develop the
image, pressure is uniformly applied across the image. As a final
fixing step, heat is applied to accelerate color development and to
react all un-reacted liquid from the microcapsules. This heating
step also serves to assist in the development of available leucodye
for improved image stability. Generally, pressure ruptured capsules
(unhardened) expel luecodye into the developer matrix.
[0010] Approximately 100 mega Pascal or 14,500 psi normal pressure
was required for capsule crushing as documented in prior art. This
application of pressure (high compressive forces) on a small
surface area of the media by way of, for example, a stylus or
rollers tended to create artifacts such as scratches or surface
deformations on the media. As an example, the rollers for
conventional pressure development apparatuses utilized hard
metallic rollers or balls as the processing rollers (balls) on the
media to deliver high stress to the microcapsules. Since the
required stress to rupture the microcapsules are rather high,
significant stress or deformation are also observed in the media
support. As a result of such high stress or deformation, defects in
the media support can be seen on the image side of the media as
random patterns that compromise the quality of the image. More
specifically, the compression forces required for processing may
make an "image" of the fiber pattern in the print, thus making the
print corrupt.
[0011] It would be advantageous to provide a means or method of
processing that utilized pressure application members such as
rollers or styluses but minimized or eliminated the creation of
artifacts on the media from the compressive forces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An object of the present invention is to eliminate or reduce
unwanted random patterns from an image caused by compressive forces
of a pressure development member by reducing the stress on the
media support while maintaining the required high stress on the
microcapsule. The present invention provides for an image-forming
device having a pressure application member that utilizes a shim
member between the media and the pressure application member. The
arrangement of the present invention enables the application of
pressure to develop a latent image on microencapsulated media in a
manner in which the stress on the media support is reduced while
the pressure on the imaging side of the media is sufficient to
enable the development of the latent image.
[0013] The present invention therefore relates to an image forming
method that comprises exposing a photosensitive medium comprising a
plurality of microcapsules which encapsulate imaging material to
form a latent image; placing a thin member over an imaging surface
of the photosensitive medium; and applying a pressure to the medium
by pressing on the thin member, with the pressure being sufficient
to cause a compressive force to be applied to the imaging side of
the photosensitive medium to rupture selected microcapsules, and
cause a release of imaging material from the microcapsules to
develop the latent image on said photosensitive medium. The thin
member is adapted to protect the imaging surface of the
photosensitive medium during the applying step to minimize
artifacts on the photosensitive medium from the compressive
force.
[0014] The present invention further relates to an image forming
device that comprises an imaging member adapted to expose a
photosensitive medium to form a latent image on the photosensitive
medium, with the photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of
microcapsules which encapsulate imaging material; a shim member
arrangement configured to locate a thin member over the imaging
side of the photosensitive medium; and a processing member adapted
to develop the latent image, with the processing member comprising
a pressure application member adapted to contact the thin member
and apply a compressive force to the imaging side of said
photosensitive medium that is sufficient to rupture selected
microcapsules and cause a development of the latent image on the
photosensitive medium, and the thin member being adapted to protect
the imaging side of said photosensitive medium to minimize
artifacts on said photosensitive medium from the compressive
force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1A schematically shows an image-forming device;
[0016] FIG. 1B schematically shows an example of a pressure
applying system that can be used in the image-forming device of
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an image-forming
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the image-forming device of FIG.
2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an image-forming device in
accordance with a second embodiment; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals represent identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an image-forming
device 15 pertinent to the present invention. Image forming device
15 could be, for example, a printer that includes an opening 17
that is adapted to receive a cartridge containing photosensitive
media. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,114, the cartridge could
be a light tight cartridge in which photosensitive sheets are piled
one on top of each other. When inserted into image forming device
15, a feed mechanism that includes, for example, a feed roller 21a
in image forming device 15, working in combination with a mechanism
in the cartridge, cooperate with each other to pull one sheet at a
time from the cartridge into image forming device 15 in a known
manner. Although a cartridge type arrangement is shown, the present
invention is not limited thereto. It is recognized that other
methods of introducing media into to the image-forming device such
as, for example, individual media feed or roll feed are applicable
to the present invention.
[0022] Once inside image forming device 15, photosensitive media
travels along media path 19, and is transported by, for example,
drive rollers 21 connected to, for example, a driving mechanism
such as a motor. The photosensitive media will pass by an imaging
member 25 in the form of an imaging head that could include a
plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) that are effective to
expose a latent image on the photosensitive media based on image
information. After the latent image is formed, the photosensitive
media is conveyed past a processing assembly or a development
member 27. Processing assembly 27 could be a pressure applicator or
pressure assembly, wherein an image such as a color image is formed
based on the image information by applying pressure to
microcapsules having imaging material encapsulated therein to crush
the microcapsules. The pressure could be applied by way of
spring-loaded balls, micro wheels, micro rollers, rolling pins,
etc.
[0023] FIG. 1B schematically illustrates an example of a pressure
applicator 270 for processing assembly 27 which can be used in the
image-forming device of FIG. 1A. In the example of FIG. 1B,
pressure applicator 270 is a crushing roller arrangement that
provides a point contact on photosensitive medium 102. More
specifically, pressure applicator 270 includes a support 45 that
extends along a width-wise direction of photosensitive medium 102.
Moveably mounted on support 45 is a crushing roller arrangement 49
that is adapted to move along the length of support 45, i.e.,
across the width of photosensitive medium 102. Crushing roller
arrangement 49 is adapted to contact one side of photosensitive
medium 102. A beam or roller type member 51 is positioned on an
opposite side of photosensitive medium 102 and can be provided on a
support or spring member 57. Beam or roller type member 51 is
positioned so as to contact the opposite side of photosensitive
medium 102 and is located opposite crushing roller arrangement 49.
Beam or roller type member 51 and crushing roller arrangement 49
when in contact with photosensitive medium 102 on opposite sides
provide a point contact on photosensitive medium 102. Crushing
roller arrangement 49 is adapted to move along a width-wise
direction of photosensitive material 102 so as to crush
microcapsules and release coloring material. Further examples of
pressure applicators or crushing members that can be used in the
image-forming device of FIG. 1A are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,483,575 and 6,229,558.
[0024] Within the context of the present invention, the imaging
material comprises a coloring material (which is used to form
images) or material for black and white media. After the formation
of the image, the photosensitive media is conveyed past heater 29
(FIG. 1A) for fixing the image on the media. In a through-feed
unit, the photosensitive media could thereafter be withdrawn
through an exit 32. As a further option, image-forming device 15
can be a return unit in which the photosensitive media is conveyed
or returned back to opening 17.
[0025] An image-forming device 150 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. More
specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, image-forming device 150 includes
a processing assembly or development member 270 that is in the form
of a pressure applicator or a pressure assembly. Processing
assembly 270 includes a pressure application member or pressure
roller arrangement that comprises a first rotatably mounted
pressure roller 270a and an opposing backing member that can be a
rotatably mounted pressure roller 270b. Pressure roller 270a is
rotatably mounted via a shaft 272 on a frame or mount 276, while
roller 270b is rotatably mounted via a shaft 274 on frame 276. Each
of the rollers 270a and 270b are mounted so as to define a nip
portion 270' there-between for the passage of media 152 and to
provide a pressure or a compressive force to media 152 that is
conveyed through the nip portion 270'. Pressure rollers 270a, 270b
can be mounted in a manner where a predetermined pressure is
applied at the nip portion based on the mounting of the rollers on
the frame 276, or a well known adjustment member can be provided to
control the pressure applied by the pressure rollers 270a, 270b by
varying the position of at least one of the rollers 270a, 270b
relative to the other.
[0026] In a feature of the present invention, a shim member
arrangement 154 is located at the processing assembly and comprises
a shim in the form of a thin piece of plastic or film 154a that is
wrapped around first and second support shafts or rollers 280 and
282, as well as pressure roller 270b. Therefore, as shown, the
portion of the plastic or film 154a that is wrapped around the
pressure roller 270b passes through the nip portion 270' between
the rollers 270a, 270b, so that in essence, the nip portion 270' is
formed between roller 270a and the portion of plastic or film 154a
that faces roller 270a. With the arrangement of the present
invention, the plastic or film 154a is provided so as to completely
cover the imaging side of media 152 as the media passes through the
nip portion 270'.
[0027] As illustrated in the schematic view of FIG. 2 and the side
view of FIG. 3, in order to develop an image on microencapsulated
media 152, the media 152 is conveyed in direction 400 past an
exposing device 250 where a latent image on the media is exposed.
The media 152 is then conveyed to nip portion 270' where pressure
through pressure rollers 270a, 270b provides a compressive force on
at least the imaging side of the media 152. This compressive force
is sufficient to apply pressure to the microcapsules on the imaging
side of the media having imaging material encapsulated therein to
crush the microcapsules and develop the image.
[0028] Since plastic or film member 154 is wrapped around pressure
roller 270b, the pressure or compressive force is applied to the
imaging side via the portion of the plastic or film member that
faces the imaging side of the media 152. Accordingly, the imaging
side of the media 152 is protected by the plastic or film member
154 during the pressure application step.
[0029] With the arrangement of the present invention, the pressure
applied by pressure rollers 270a, 270b should be of a sufficient
force to quickly and rapidly crush selected microcapsules of the
media 152 and develop the image. At the same time, shim member
arrangement 154 having plastic or film 154a is sufficient to
protect the media 152 and specifically, the imaging side of the
media, so that any stress and deformation applied by the pressure
roller 270a will not effect the resulting image and, more
specifically, will not cause any defect, image patterns or other
artifacts on the media from the compressive forces.
[0030] Additionally, the arrangement as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is
compact since the plastic or film member 154a of the shim member
arrangement 154 is wrapped around pressure roller 270b and
therefore provides for a reduced footprint. Also, since plastic or
film member 154a is wrapped around rollers 280 and 282, as well as
pressure roller 270b, the film or plastic member 154a can be
rotated about the rollers 280, 282, 270b in either direction 402a,
402b as the plastic or film member is degraded or worn over time in
order to present a new portion of the plastic or film member 154a
at the nip portion 270'.
[0031] Further, plastic or film member 154a, along with rollers
270a, 270 generally have a width the matches a width of the media
152, so as to enable the processing along the full width of the
media, while at the same time, as noted above, the shim member
arrangement 154 protects the imaging side of the media by providing
a cushioning effect to prevent any unwanted artifacts on the media
and reduce the stress in the media support or base layer of the
media.
[0032] After the development of the image at image processing
assembly 270, the media is transported pass a roller heating
arrangement 160 that includes rollers 160a, and 160b rotatably
mounted on a frame 162. At least one of the rollers 160a, 160b
respectively includes a heating element such as a thermocouple
(164a, 164b) therein to heat the rollers 160a, 160b. Roller heating
arrangement 160 also acts as a drive roller arrangement for the
media. As the media passes between rollers 160a and 160b, the media
is heated to fix the image on the media and thereafter driven to an
output of the image-forming device.
[0033] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a further embodiment of an
image-forming device in accordance with the present invention. As
in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, image forming device 150' of
FIGS. 4 and 5 includes and exposing device 250 the exposes a latent
image on media 152 that is conveyed in direction 400. After the
exposing device 250, the media is driven by way of a drive roller
arrangement 800 having drive rollers 800a, 800b to a processing
assembly 270'. Each of the rollers 800a, 800b are preferably
mounted on a frame 800' via shafts 802, 804. One or both rollers
800a, 800b can be driven by a known arrangement such as a motor
that drives circular gears, a rack gear etc. In the embodiment of
FIGS. 4 and 5, drive rollers do not apply a compressive or crushing
force to the media but deliver the media to processing assembly
270' where a compressive or crushing force is applied to the
imaging side of the media.
[0034] Processing assembly 270' includes a pressure application
member 870 that comprises a plurality of pressure applying members
or elements 872 which could be stylus-like members or alternatively
can be rollers, balls or other types of configurations that are
sufficient to apply a pressure onto media. Pressure application
member 870 can be adapted to move in directions 300a, 300b which
are directions that are perpendicular to the direction of
conveyance or movement 400 of the media, and basically is adapted
to be conveyed along the widthwise direction of the media. In a
preferred embodiment, this conveyance can be achieved by a motor
900 that is adapted to rotate a gear 902. Gear 902 meshes with a
rack gear 904a that includes a platform 904b that is attached or
mounted to pressure application member 870. Therefore, actuation of
motor 900 causes a linear movement of rack gear 904a that provides
for the linear movement of pressure application member along the
width-wise direction of the media. This structure is one example of
achieving a movement of pressure application member in a linear
direction as shown and the present application is not limited
thereto. It is recognized that other linear movement devices such
as belts, pneumatics, etc. can also be used. Pressure application
member 870 is also adapted to move down towards the media as the
media passes between the pressure application member 870 and a
backing member 860 as will be described. This downward movement
again can be achieved by a variety of known mechanism such as
gears, motor, belts, solenoids, air pressure, etc. that can be
adapted to move the application member 870 and the driving
arrangement down towards the media and upwardly away from the
media.
[0035] Image-forming device 150' of FIGS. 4 and 5 also comprises a
shim member arrangement 154' which includes a shim in the form of a
thin piece of plastic or film 954 that is wrapped or attached to
opposing holding rollers 954a, 954b. Rollers 954a, 954b are
provided on opposing ends of backing member 860 and plastic or film
member 954 extends between the rollers 954a, 954b so as to pass
between the pressure application members 872 and the backing member
860.
[0036] Therefore, after the latent image is formed, the
photosensitive media 152 is driven by drive roller arrangement 800
between pressure applicator 870 and backing member 860, and more
specifically, between the film or plastic member 954 and the
backing member 860. It is noted that nip portions are defined
between each of the individual pressure-applying members 872 which
apply pressure to the media via the plastic or film member 954 and
the outer surface of the backing member 860. With the arrangement
of the present invention, when the media 152 passes between
pressure applicator 870 and backing member 860, pressure applicator
870 can be operated to move downward toward the film or plastic
member 954. This causes each of the pressure application members
872 to apply a pressure on the plastic or film member 954 that is
converted to a compressive force on the media 152. This compressive
force is sufficient to apply pressure to the microcapsules having
imaging material encapsulated therein to crush the microcapsules
and develop the image.
[0037] With the arrangement of the present invention, the pressure
applied by pressure applicator 870 and specifically the pressure
application members 872 should be of a sufficient force to quickly
and rapidly crush selected microcapsules of the media 152 and
develop the image. At the same time, film or plastic member 954 of
shim member arrangement 154' is sufficient to protect the media 152
and specifically, the imaging side of the media, so that any stress
and deformation applied by the pressure applicator members 872 will
not effect the resulting image and, more specifically, will not
cause any defect, image patterns or other artifacts on the media
from the compressive forces.
[0038] Pressure applicator 870 with pressure application members
872 as noted above, is adapted to crush the microcapsules, and also
move in a widthwise direction to ensure that all of the selected
microcapsules are crushed. At the same time, as noted above, the
plastic or film member 954 of shim member arrangement 154 that
protects the imaging side of the media provides a cushioning effect
to prevent any unwanted artifacts on the media and reduce the
stress in the media support or base layer of the media. Further,
the placement of the plastic or film member 954 on opposing rollers
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 permits the movement of the plastic or
film member in a direction transverse to the direction of movement
of the media, such that as the plastic or film member becomes worn
or time, a new portion of the plastic or film member can be
presented by movement of the rollers 954a, 954b.
[0039] After the development of the image at image processing
assembly 270', the media is transported pass a roller heating
arrangement 160 that includes rollers 160a, and 160b rotatably
mounted on frame 162 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2
and 3. Also as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, at
least one of the rollers 160a, 160b respectively includes a heating
element such as a thermocouple (164a, 164b) therein to heat the
rollers 160a, 160b. Roller heating arrangement 160 also acts as a
drive roller arrangement for the media. As the media passes between
rollers 160a and 160b, the media is heated to fix the image on the
media and thereafter driven to an output of the image-forming
device.
[0040] Therefore, the present invention provides for an
image-forming device having a pressure development member that can
be adapted to provide the necessary pressure to crush selected
microcapsules on microencapsulated media, so as to release coloring
material and develop an image. The arrangement of the present
invention provides for a shim member arrangement that includes a
thin piece of plastic or film member that can be located over the
imaging side of the media The plastic or film member is effective
to provide enough of a cushioning effect so as to reduce the stress
in the media from the application of pressure and prevent the
occurrence of unwanted artifacts or defects.
[0041] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *