Post-Processing Rubbing to Reduce Visible Wax on Prints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in reducing the visibility of wax on printed media surfaces, as wax transferred during the fixing process often forms granular masses that scatter light, making the wax visible and unsightly.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing device with a transport section and a rubbing section that smoothens the wax layer on the medium to a thickness of 0.15 μm or less by rubbing the surface, either upstream or downstream of the transport direction, ensuring the wax is less visible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wax is used in the toner for fixing the image, then the image can be firmly fixed on the medium, but the wax forms granular masses on the surface that scatter light and become visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and morphology of wax on the medium surface by controlling the rubbing process parameters (pressure, speed, temperature) to transform granular wax masses into a smooth, invisible film with thickness of 0.15 μm or less, thereby maintaining image fixing quality while eliminating wax visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of visible granular wax masses into a beneficial smooth film by applying rubbing processing. The same wax material that causes visibility problems when granular is transformed into an aesthetically pleasing invisible coating through controlled mechanical action and heat
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a blade is used to remove wax from the medium surface, then wax can be removed, but the image may be damaged and the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful granular wax masses from the medium surface through a rubbing process that selectively removes excess wax while preserving the underlying image, avoiding the need for complex blade-based mechanical removal systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical blade-based wax removal system with a rubbing process that uses controlled friction and heat to achieve wax removal, simplifying the device structure while maintaining effectiveness
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wax layer thickness is reduced to make it invisible, then aesthetic appearance improves, but the rubbing process requires precise control to achieve uniform thin film
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves precise control of wax layer thickness by optimizing rubbing process parameters including pressure (0.1-10 MPa), speed (0.1-10 m/s), and temperature (50-200°C), transforming the uncontrolled granular wax deposition into a uniform thin film of 0.15 μm or less
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary rubbing processing immediately after the fixing process while the wax is still in a softened state, making it easier to achieve uniform thin film formation before the wax completely solidifies
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
The solution effectively reduces the visibility of wax on the medium by smoothing it into a thin film-like layer, minimizing light scattering and enhancing the aesthetic appearance of printed media.
Implementation Method 1
a rubbing section that is located upstream or downstream of the transport section in a transport direction of the medium and that rubs, in a case in which the medium transported by the transport section passes through the rubbing section, a surface of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing device includes a transport section that transports a medium holding an image formed using an imaging material and wax and having passed through a fixing section that performs heating and pressurization to fix the image on the medium, at a predetermined transport velocity by nipping the medium; and a rubbing section that is located upstream or downstream of the transport section in a transport direction of the medium and that rubs, in a case in which the medium transported by the transport section passes through the rubbing section, a surface of the medium such that a layer thickness of the wax held on the surface of the medium after passage is equal to or less than 0.15 μm.