Sheet Bonding with Local Powdery Adhesive Control Against Toner Peeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing image forming apparatuses, the application of powdery adhesive followed by heating leads to melting of printing toner, causing print peeling and contamination due to re-deposition of melted toner on the bonding member.
Innovation Solution
A sheet bonding apparatus with a folding mechanism that positions a heating member and a non-heating member to oppose each other, applying a reduced amount of powdery adhesive on one side to prevent toner melting and peeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat is applied from a bonding member to soften the powdery adhesive for bonding, then bonding is achieved, but the toner at the printing portion is melted and deposited on the bonding member causing print peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different amounts of powdery adhesive to different regions of the sheet. Specifically, the application amount is made smaller in the first region (which will contact the heating member) compared to the second region. This local differentiation prevents excessive adhesive in the heating contact area from melting and causing toner peeling, while still ensuring adequate bonding in other areas.
2Reliability
If uniform amount of powdery adhesive is applied across the entire sheet, then adequate bonding is achieved in all regions, but excessive adhesive in the heating region causes toner melting and print defects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements non-uniform adhesive application by controlling the application amount to be smaller in the first region (heating member contact area) compared to the second region. This local quality differentiation ensures that bonding reliability is maintained in regions where it is needed while preventing print quality degradation in the heating contact region.
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
Prevents print peeling by controlling the adhesive application and heating to maintain the integrity of the printed image.
Implementation Method 1
bonding means configured to bond together folded surfaces of the sheet with the powdery adhesive by heating the sheet folded by the folding means, the bonding means including a heating member
Implementation Method 2
the powdery adhesive is applied onto the sheet and heat is applied from a bonding member in subsequent bonding (processing), so that the powdery adhesive is softened by the heat and thus the bonding is performed
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet bonding apparatus includes an applying portion, a fixing portion, a folding portion, and a bonding portion including a heating member and a non-heating member which oppose to each other and which are for bonding the sheet by nipping the sheet therebetween. Two regions opposing to each other when the folding portion folds a sheet are a first region and a second region. In a case that when the bonding portion bonds the folded sheet, the first region is positioned on a heating member side and the second region is positioned on a non-heating member side, the applying portion applies the powdery adhesive so that an application amount of the powdery adhesive on the sheet is smaller in the first region than in the second region.