Pressure-Sealing Toner Control for Printed Material Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming systems fail to adjust adhesion for pressure-sealed postcards based on the type of printed material, leading to inconsistent adhesion strength and potential issues with confidentiality and durability.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system that controls the application of pressure-sealing toner by adjusting transfer and fixing processes based on the type of printed material, using a processor to manage parameters such as transport speed, voltage, nip pressure, temperature, and pressure application to achieve desired adhesion strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pressure-sealing toner is used to adhere folded printed material, then the adhesion function is achieved and gluing step can be omitted, but the adhesion strength cannot be adjusted according to the type of printed material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of transfer belt transport speed and fixing device temperature based on the type of printed material. The system transitions from static, fixed parameters to dynamic, adjustable parameters that adapt to different material requirements, enabling variable adhesion strength without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters (transport speed, temperature, voltage) of the pressure-sealing toner application process based on the type of printed material. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves different adhesion strengths for different material types, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If higher pressure and heat are applied to pressure-sealing toner to increase adhesion, then adhesion strength is improved, but the risk of damaging the printed material increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidmaterial damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting transport speed and temperature based on material type. For confidential materials requiring strong adhesion, lower speeds and higher temperatures are used. For non-confidential materials, higher speeds and lower temperatures suffice, thus achieving the required adhesion strength without applying excessive pressure and heat that could damage the material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the pressure and heat application parameters according to the specific material being processed. This dynamic control prevents the application of uniformly high pressure and heat to all materials, thereby reducing the risk of damage while maintaining adequate adhesion strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If uniform pressure-sealing toner application is used for all printed materials, then the process is simple, but adhesion strength varies inconsistently across different material types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion consistencyVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment where the transport speed and temperature are automatically modified based on the detected material type. This ensures consistent and reliable adhesion results across different material types while maintaining high processing efficiency through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the type of printed material and automatically adjust the pressure-sealing toner application parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures consistent adhesion quality across different material types without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system ensures stronger adhesion for confidential materials while maintaining durability, enhancing confidentiality and preventing accidental unsealing.

Implementation Method 1

When high pressure and heat are applied to pressure-sealing toner, pressure-responsive resin contained in the pressure-sealing toner reacts and functions like adhesive to adhere sheets of paper to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-responsive resin reaction:

Implementation Method 2

Pressure-sealing toners that demonstrate an adhesion function are available these years. When high pressure and heat are applied to pressure-sealing toner, pressure-responsive resin contained in the pressure-sealing toner reacts and functions like adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal adhesive activation: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

a transfer device that transfers the pressure-sealing toner onto the medium, in which the processor is configured to control transfer performance of the transfer device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic transfer: Electrostatic Deposition

Implementation Method 4

a fixing device that fixes the pressure-sealing toner transferred onto the medium, in which the processor is configured to control fixing performance of the fixing device when fixing the pressure-sealing toner on the medium by transporting the medium to a nip between a heat roll and a pressure roll

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal fixing: Heating

Implementation Method 5

a pressure applied by the pressure roll to the medium becomes higher for a printed material of a first type than for a printed material of a second type

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pressure application: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4685568A1Image forming system, program, and method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4685568A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685568A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4685568A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An image forming system includes a processor configured to obtain a type of printed material to be generated from a medium and control, in accordance with the obtained type of printed material, performance for applying pressure-sealing toner, which demonstrates an adhesion function when deformed by pressure, to the medium.