Dual-Sided Gloss Processing with Variable Elasticity Clear Toners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming methods face challenges in achieving uniform gloss levels on both sides of a recording material, with previous techniques either complicating the device or leading to thermal blocking when trying to maintain high gloss levels.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using two different clear toners with varying storage elastic moduli for the front and back sides, where the toner with lower elasticity on heating is used for the first side to minimize gloss reduction and prevent thermal blocking, ensuring a uniform gloss level and preventing toner deformation during processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the same clear toner is used for both front and back sides with changed fixing conditions, then the gloss level can be maintained on both sides, but the device becomes complicated and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different clear toners with different storage elastic moduli for the front and back sides of the recording material. Specifically, a clear toner with a lower storage elastic modulus is used for the front side, while a clear toner with a higher storage elastic modulus is used for the back side. This localized differentiation allows each side to have optimal toner properties for its specific gloss processing requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining uniform gloss levels and avoiding device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a clear toner with low elasticity is used for both front and back sides, then gloss processing is facilitated, but thermal blocking occurs when images are stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality through spatial differentiation of toner properties. The front side uses a clear toner with lower storage elastic modulus that is easily deformed by heat for effective gloss processing. The back side uses a clear toner with higher storage elastic modulus that resists deformation and prevents thermal blocking. This localized assignment of different toner characteristics allows both gloss processing ease and thermal blocking prevention to be achieved simultaneously.
3Productivity
If gloss processing is performed on the back side after the front side, then double-sided images are formed, but the gloss level of the front side decreases due to heat from back side processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-equipping the front side toner layer with a clear toner having lower storage elastic modulus that has already undergone gloss processing. When the back side is subsequently processed with heat, the front side toner's reduced elasticity prevents elastic recovery that would otherwise cause gloss degradation. This preliminary preparation of the front side toner properties counteracts the harmful thermal effects from back side processing, allowing double-sided image formation while maintaining front side gloss levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces the difference in gloss levels between the front and back sides while inhibiting thermal blocking, simplifying the device and maintaining high gloss quality without complications.
Implementation Method 1
heating and pressing a processed body which supports a toner layer containing at least a clear toner while allowing the toner layer to be closely adhered to a gloss processing belt
Implementation Method 2
the surface of the toner layer is cooled while being in contact with the belt member so as to solidify the toner layer
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method includes: performing a first gloss processing and a second gloss processing. The first gloss processing includes: heating and pressing a processed body which supports a first toner layer containing at least a clear toner [X] onto a first surface of a recording material, while allowing the first toner layer to be closely adhered to a gloss processing belt; and cooling the same. The second gloss processing includes heating and pressing a processed body which supports a second toner layer containing at least a clear toner [Y] onto a second surface of the recording material, while allowing the second toner layer to be closely adhered to the gloss processing belt; and cooling the same. Here, a storage elastic modulus G′ X (150) at 150° C. of the clear toner [X] is lower than a storage elastic modulus G′ Y (150) at 150° C. of the clear toner [Y].