EP1217463B1 - Digital printing or copying machine including a fixing device - Google Patents

Digital printing or copying machine including a fixing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1217463B1
EP1217463B1 EP01128009A EP01128009A EP1217463B1 EP 1217463 B1 EP1217463 B1 EP 1217463B1 EP 01128009 A EP01128009 A EP 01128009A EP 01128009 A EP01128009 A EP 01128009A EP 1217463 B1 EP1217463 B1 EP 1217463B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
printing
copying machine
heating device
previous
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01128009A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1217463A3 (en
EP1217463A2 (en
Inventor
Gerhard Dr. Bartscher
Knut Behnke
Dirk Dobrindt
Gerald Erik Dr. Hauptmann
Hans-Otto Krause
Detlef Dr. Schulze-Hagenest
Frank-Michael Morgenweck
Kai-Uwe Dr. Preissig
Domingo Rohde
Peter Püschner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE10143988A external-priority patent/DE10143988A1/en
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Publication of EP1217463A2 publication Critical patent/EP1217463A2/en
Publication of EP1217463A3 publication Critical patent/EP1217463A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1217463B1 publication Critical patent/EP1217463B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • B65H5/36—Article guides or smoothers, e.g. movable in operation
    • B65H5/38—Article guides or smoothers, e.g. movable in operation immovable in operation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
    • G03G15/2007—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using radiant heat, e.g. infrared lamps, microwave heaters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
    • B65H2406/10—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium
    • B65H2406/11—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium producing fluidised bed

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a digital printing or copying machine for single-sided or double-sided printing of a substrate using at least one toner, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Machines of the type discussed here are known. For example, they use the electrophotographic process, in which a latent electrostatic image is developed by charged toner particles. These are transferred to an image-receiving substrate, hereinafter referred to as substrate. Subsequently, the developed and transferred to the substrate image is fixed by the toner particles are heated and melted. Melting of the toner particles often employs contacting processes in which the toner particles are brought into contact with appropriate equipment, such as hot rollers or rollers.
  • appropriate equipment such as hot rollers or rollers.
  • the disadvantage is that, as a rule, the use of silicone oil as release agent is required, which is intended to prevent adhesion of the melted toner to the heating device.
  • the structure, maintenance and operating costs of these touching working heaters are complex and thus costly.
  • the error rate caused by the contacting heaters is relatively high.
  • non-contact heating devices and methods are also known in which, for example with the aid of heat / microwave radiation or hot air, the toner particles are melted.
  • toners are used whose glass transition temperature (T G ) ranges from 45 ° C to 75 ° C.
  • T G glass transition temperature
  • the glass transition temperature at which the toner, starting from the solid state, begins to soften is influenced by the choice of raw materials and by the addition of certain additives to the toner.
  • a fixing device for the toner having at least one heater both the toner and the substrate itself are heated.
  • the surface temperature of the substrate must be in the range of the glass transition temperature of the toner or above.
  • Printing and copying machines are known in which the substrate is printed or coated on both sides, wherein either one and the same image-forming and transfer device and heating device or a separate image-forming and transfer device and heating device are used for the printing of the front and back.
  • the substrate is often passed by means of a conveyor belt, on which the substrate rests, on the at least one image forming and transfer device and the associated heating device.
  • a first toner image is transferred to a first substrate side and fixed thereon.
  • a second toner image is transferred to the second substrate side and fixed.
  • the second toner image melts, therefore, the first substrate side with the already fixed first toner image on it is in contact with the conveyor belt.
  • the disadvantage here is that during the melting of the second toner image, the first toner image can heat to the extent that it is soft and tends to stick to the conveyor belt. This can lead to several unwanted effects: Sticking can lead to a substrate jam during the transfer of the substrate from the conveyor belt to a subsequent part of the machine. Furthermore, the appearance of the toner image may change in the areas where it is adhered to the conveyor belt. This causes problems in image quality, for example, the toner image has uneven gloss.
  • the U.S. Patent 5,557,388 discloses a fixing device for a printing or copying machine, with a cooling system which cools the paper from both sides by means of blowing devices and which is arranged downstream of the fixing device.
  • a digital printing or copying machine which has the features of claim 1. it includes at least one fixing device for fixing a toner image transferred to a substrate.
  • the toner image can be single or multi-colored.
  • a "toner image” is also understood as meaning a coating having at least one toner layer.
  • the substrate may for example be a sheet or a continuous web, which consists for example of paper or cardboard.
  • a heating device for fixing the liquid or dry toner on the substrate, this is passed to a heating device, which is part of the fixing device.
  • the printing or copying machine according to the invention is characterized by a guide device for free-floating displacement of the substrate in the area of action of the heating device.
  • the substrate has no contact with another surface, for example a conveyor belt, a support plate or the like.
  • the substrate has on one side (bottom side) a first toner image already fixed on the substrate when a second toner image transferred to the other, second substrate side (upper side) is fused by the heater.
  • the first toner image can be heated so far that it tends to stick / stick when it comes into contact with a surface.
  • damage or deterioration of the quality of the first toner image can be precluded. Therefore, consistent image quality and uniform gloss of the toner images on the front and back sides of the substrate can be ensured.
  • the front side of the substrate can form both the top and the bottom, depending on the view, that is, the first toner image can be on the front or the back of the substrate. The same applies to the second toner image.
  • the floating state of the substrate is effected by at least one upper side and / or lower side of the substrate having the toner image to be fixed Air cushion is accessible.
  • Another function of the air cushion may be to cool the substrate and optionally a toner image already fixed on the substrate.
  • the air used to produce the air cushion has a correspondingly low temperature. It is also possible that by means of the air cushion at the same time the substrate should be preheated. For this purpose, warm or hot air is applied to the substrate accordingly.
  • FIG. 1 shows a section of an embodiment of a working example of the electrographic or electrophotographic process Printing or copying machine 1, namely a fixing device 3, which serves for fixing a transferred to a substrate 5 toner image.
  • the toner image to be fixed is here on the upper side 7 of the substrate 5, ie opposite the fixing device 3.
  • On the underside 9 of the substrate 5 may be another, already fixed on the substrate 5 toner image.
  • the transport path of the substrate 5 in this embodiment runs parallel to an imaginary horizontal H.
  • the transport direction 11 of the substrate 5 is indicated by an arrow.
  • the fixing device 3 has a heating device 13 for melting the toner image on the substrate upper side 7, which in this embodiment acts on the substrate 5 with hot air.
  • the air flow 15 indicated by an arrow is substantially perpendicular to the substrate top 7.
  • the machine 1 further comprises a guide device 17 for the substrate 5, which serves to guide the substrate 5 freely at least in the area of action of the heating device 13, that is to say that the guide device 17 prevents the substrate underside 9 from coming into contact with a surface, while the toner image on the substrate top 7 is melted.
  • the guide device 17 has a first blowing device 19 (not shown), which comprises a plurality of nozzles which can be directed against the underside of the substrate 9 for acting on the substrate with air under overpressure. The emerging from the nozzles, indicated by arrows air jets 21 meet at an angle not equal to 90 ° to the substrate bottom 9.
  • the orientation of the air jets 21 is here chosen such that they each have a direction component perpendicular to the substrate bottom 9 and a directional component in or parallel to the transport direction 11 of the substrate 5.
  • the air jets 21 cause an air cushion to form between the substrate underside 9 and a wall 23, which prevents the substrate underside 9 from coming into contact with the wall 23 formed, for example, by a perforated plate having the nozzles. Since the air jets 21 are also directed in the transport direction 11, the air flow serving to produce the air cushion also contributes to a certain extent to the displacement of the substrate 5 in the transport direction 11.
  • the applied by the heater 13 to the substrate top 7 air flow 15 and the air flow generated by means of the first blowing device 19 on the opposite side of the substrate are coordinated so that the substrate 5 is in a suspended state in the area of action of the heating device 13, ie neither has contact with the heating device 13 nor with the wall 23 arranged below the transport plane.
  • control device controls the position of the substrate 5 between the heater 13 and the wall 23 and the substrate transport speed, in particular by adjusting the air flow 15 and the air flow generated by the first blowing device 19 accordingly.
  • the distance of the substrate from the heater or the wall 23 is thus adjustable.
  • Such a control device may also be provided in the case of the following embodiment, in which the substrate is subjected to an air flow or a plurality of air flows.
  • FIG. 2 shows a section of another embodiment of the fixing device 3 and the guide means 17.
  • the heater 13 of the fixing device 3 is here formed by a radiation device 24, by means of which the substrate 5 can be acted upon by electromagnetic radiation.
  • the guide device 17 includes a first blowing device 19, not shown, which is arranged below the transport path of the substrate.
  • the first blowing device 19 has a first base plate 25 oriented parallel to the transport path of the substrate, in which a number of passage openings 27 are made.
  • the passage openings 27 are connected on their side facing away from the transport path of the base plate 25 with a compressed air supply device, not shown, so that on the acting as a nozzle through holes 27 each have an air jet 29 can be applied to the substrate bottom 9, whereby an air cushion is generated, which prevents the substrate comes into contact with the first base plate 25.
  • Guide device 17 shown further comprises a second blowing device 31, which serves for generating an air cushion between the toner image to be fixed having the substrate top 7 and a second base plate 33, which is part of the second blowing device 31.
  • the second Base plate 33 is disposed above the transport path of the substrate 5 at a distance from the first base plate 25 and parallel thereto.
  • the substrate transport path runs here in the free space 35 between the base plates 25, 33.
  • the second base plate 33 also has nozzles serving as through holes 37 which are connected on their side facing away from the free space 35 with a compressed air supply device, not shown, so that about each of Through openings 37 each have an air jet 39 perpendicular to the substrate top side 7 can be applied.
  • a protective plate 41 is arranged at a distance from this, which extends parallel to the second base plate 33.
  • the relatively thin protective plate 41 which may for example be formed by a film, has no passage openings, so that when compressed air is applied to the intermediate space 43 between the second base plate 33 and the protective plate 41 -as indicated by an arrow 45- the compressed air via the passage openings 37 for generating an air cushion between the second base plate 33 and the substrate top 7 passes.
  • the second base plate 33 and the protective plate 41 are made of a radiation-transmissive material and -as out FIG. 2 apparent- in the radiation path between the radiation device 24 and the substrate 5 is arranged.
  • the radiation device 24 when the radiator 47 is switched on, the radiation device 24 emits UV to near infrared radiation in the direction of the substrate 5.
  • the protective plate 41 and the second base plate 33 allow up to 95% of the radiation power emitted by the radiation device 24 to be melted in the desired manner on the toner image located on the substrate 5.
  • the radiation device 24 is switched off, which preferably takes place automatically.
  • the radiation device 24 then emits no more UV to near infrared radiation more, but only thermal radiation of the parts that have been heated by the radiation device 24 through this.
  • the radiation device 24 then radiates only in the infrared spectral range.
  • the wavelength of the emitted radiation changes with the existing temperature of the switched off radiator 47, namely, it is then above about 3.4 microns or more.
  • this radiation spectrum is almost completely absorbed by the protective plate 41 and the second base plate 33, so that when the radiation device 24 is switched off, ultimately only about 10% of the initial energy of the residual heat radiation arrives at the substrate 5.
  • the majority of the residual heat radiation is preferably absorbed by the protective plate 41, which is opposite to the radiation device 24, so that it has a significantly higher temperature than the second base plate 33, which is opposite to the substrate transport plane.
  • the heating of the second base plate 33 is in any case only so high that should it come to a contact between the substrate 5 and the second base plate 33, the substrate 5 is not ignited.
  • the second base plate 33 thus also serves as a stop for the substrate 5, so that it can in no way come into contact with the radiation device 24. While the protective plate 41 thus merely serves as a filter for a specific spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation, the second base plate 33 has a plurality of functions, namely stop for the substrate 5, filter for the residual heat radiation and receiving device for the nozzles of the second blowing device 31.
  • the second base plate 33 is preferably so far cooled by means of the compressed air flow within the gap 43, which occurs when the blowing device 31 is activated, that they do not have a critical temperature at which in contact contact between the second base plate 33 and the substrate 5 would ignite, is heated.
  • the pressurization of the upper side 7 and the underside 9 of the substrate 5 by means of the blowing devices 19 and 31 is coordinated accordingly.
  • the substrate 5 is generated by the means of the first blowing device 19 on its underside Carried air cushion, wherein by means of the air jets 39 prevents the substrate abuts against the base plate 33.
  • FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the fixing device 3, namely a heater 13, which comprises a microwave resonator 49.
  • a heater 13 which comprises a microwave resonator 49.
  • This has a slot-shaped opening 51, through which the substrate 5 is guided in the transport direction 11.
  • a first pressure chamber 53 is integrated, which extends across the width of the Substrattransportweges and the Substrattransportweg toward an opening 55 which is covered with a perforated plate 57.
  • the perforated plate 57 has a number of passage openings and / or slots, which act as nozzles when the first pressure chamber 53 is pressurized, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
  • the perforated plate 57 is made of a material with low microwave absorption, because of the resulting low heating.
  • the material is chosen so that, taking into account the cooling air flow, a temperature of the perforated plate of 50 ° C to 100 ° C (depending on the melting temperature of the toner used) is not exceeded. As a result, the adhesion of toner dust on the perforated plate and the possibly associated closing of holes can be avoided.
  • materials for the perforated plate are fluoropolymers, such. As PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or technical ceramics such. As silicate ceramics, oxide ceramics (eg. Alumina) or non-oxide ceramics.
  • a second pressure chamber 59 is integrated to the Substrattransportweg towards an opening 61 which is covered by a perforated plate 63, which is preferably made of the same material as the perforated plate 57.
  • This has a number of through holes and / or slots, which act on pressure of the second pressure chamber 59 with a preferably gaseous medium as nozzles.
  • the preferably acted upon by compressed air first and second pressure chambers 53, 59 are connected either to a common compressed air supply source or each having a separate compressed air supply source.
  • a second pressure chamber 59 is provided in the upper part of the microwave resonator 49, with the aid of which a second air cushion can be generated between the substrate upper side 9 and the upper part of the microwave resonator 49.
  • the second pressure chamber 59 is dispensed with and that the free-floating state of the substrate 5 within the heating device 13 is achieved exclusively by the air cushion generated on the underside 9 of the substrate 5 by means of the first pressure chamber 52 becomes.
  • the compressed air applied to the substrate 5 by means of the pressure chambers 53, 59 can be preheated, whereby the effectiveness of the heating device 13 is increased.
  • zones with different temperatures can be realized.
  • the Pressure chambers 53, 59 applied to the substrate 5, which supports the melting of the toner image, while in the outlet region of the opening 51 cooler compressed air is applied to the substrate 5 to this to cool.
  • the transport path of the substrate 5 is parallel to the horizontal H.
  • the microwave resonator 49 is similar or identical, as in FIG. 3 shown, therefore, has first and second pressure chambers 53, 59, by means of which a contact between the substrate 5 and the walls of the opening 51 in the microwave resonator 49 can be prevented.
  • FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the machine 1, namely a section in the region of its fixing device 3.
  • the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that reference is made to the description of the preceding figures.
  • the heater 13 is preceded by a further embodiment of the guide device 17 according to the invention, comprising a guided over rollers 83 and 85, electrostatically charged conveyor belt 87. This serves to transfer the substrate 5 to the fixing device 13.
  • a fixedly arranged guide member 89 is arranged, which is formed here by a guide plate.
  • the inherent rigidity of the substrate 5 and / or the particular shape of the electrostatic conveyor belt 87 and / or the particular shape of the guide member 89 allow a straight transport of the substrate 5, without the substrate 5 bends.
  • the transport path of the substrate 5 runs parallel to the horizontal here.
  • the heating device 13 is - seen in the transport direction 11 of the substrate 5 - downstream of a cooling device 91, which serves to cool the substrate and the toner image located thereon.
  • the cooling device 91 is followed by two further guide elements 93 and 95 which guide the substrate 5 in a nip formed between two transport rollers 97 and 99.
  • the substrate 5 lying flat on the conveyor belt 87 is guided by a displacement of the conveyor belt 87 in the transport direction 11 in the direction of the fixing region.
  • the conveyor belt 87 is returned to the beginning of the transfer route.
  • the substrate 5 is further displaced in the transport direction, so that its leading edge 101 slides beyond the roller 85.
  • the substrate 5 is pushed by means of the conveyor belt 87 below the heater 13 and the cooling device 91 past this, until the leading edge 101 of the substrate 5 enters the nip between the transport rollers 97, 99 and from this is recorded and transported. How out FIG.
  • the substrate 5 in the region of the heater 13 and the cooling device 91 levitates, that is, it has no contact with a surface, so that when melting the located on the substrate top side 7 toner image by means of the heater 13, an impairment of the can be excluded on the substrate bottom 9 located, already fixed toner image.
  • the substrate underside 9 can be acted upon by means of a blowing device, not shown, from below by means of compressed air, as indicated by arrows 103.
  • the trailing edge 102 of the substrate 5 just loses contact with the conveyor belt 87.
  • the distance between the roller 85 and the gap between the transport rollers 97, 99 is greater than the substrate length. This means that the trailing edge 102 of the substrate 5 expires from the conveyor belt 87 before the front edge 101 of the substrate 5 is gripped by the transport rollers 97, 99.
  • the air flow 103 can be used here, which is blown from below against the substrate 5, wherein the air flow has at least one directional component in the transport direction 11. Regardless of how and by what means the substrate 5 is guided past the heating device 13, it is provided in any case that, at the moment when the toner image is melted on the substrate 5, the substrate, at least in this region, has no contact with a surface with either its top or bottom.
  • the range of action / fixing range of the heating device 13 - viewed in the substrate transport direction 11 - is very short, preferably less than 20 cm, for example 10 cm.
  • the must Heating device 13 may be designed such that it can transmit a very high energy density to the substrate, so that it is possible to melt the toner image in a desired manner on this short distance.
  • the heating device 13 can be formed, for example, by a radiation device which has at least one high-intensity lamp which predominantly radiates in the UV range. In principle, each wavelength range of this UV lamp can be used for melting. However, the UV range is preferred, because the toners used usually absorb the electromagnetic radiation in this spectrum very well and the intensity of the light sources in this area is very high.
  • the toner (s) of the toner image and the substrate absorb the radiation very well, but the light sources in this area often have insufficient intensity or the light source, for example a CO 2 laser, is too expensive.
  • the radiation device may, for example, also have a xenon flash lamp, by means of which light pulses are applied to the toner image in order to melt it.
  • the heater is provided to apply hot air to the toner image to reflow it.
  • the hot air can also be added to water vapor.
  • FIG. 5 shows in perspective a section of an embodiment of in FIG. 4 This comprises a first microwave resonator 105, which is followed directly by a second microwave resonator 107. These each have a slot-shaped, extending transversely to the substrate transport direction 6 opening 109, through which the substrate 5 -wie. Based on the FIG. 3 described freely floating is performed. It can be seen that the effective range of the microwave resonators 105, 107-seen in plan view on the transport path of the substrate-is very small or short. However, by means of a heating device 13 designed in this way a very high energy density are transmitted to the substrate 5 without contact.
  • the microwave resonators 105, 107 are sufficient to melt the toner image as desired. It may therefore be possible to dispense with one of the two microwave resonators.
  • the standing wave field In order to achieve a homogeneous heating with only one microwave resonator with a standing wave field, the standing wave field must oscillate in a suitable periodically perpendicular to the feed / Substrattransportides.
  • the width b 1 of the microwave resonator 105 and the width b 2 of the microwave resonator 107 are preferably each in a range of 2 cm to 4 cm.
  • the microwave resonators emit microwaves having a frequency of, for example, 2450 GHz.
  • the two microwave resonators serve to ensure a homogeneous heating of the toner image.
  • the basis of the FIG. 4 described guide device 17 can also be used readily in a running in the vertical direction of transport of the substrate 5.
  • the transport direction is preferably from top to bottom, ie following the force of gravity, which brings with it advantages in stabilizing the substrate 5 made of a flexible material.
  • the displacement of the substrate 5 is supported by gravity or possibly effected in the region of the fixing device 3 exclusively by gravity.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine digitale Druck- oder Kopiermaschine zum einseitigen oder doppelseitigen Bedrucken eines Substrats unter Verwendung mindestens eines Toners, gemäß Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a digital printing or copying machine for single-sided or double-sided printing of a substrate using at least one toner, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Maschinen der hier angesprochenen Art sind bekannt. Sie arbeiten beispielsweise nach dem elektrofotographischen Prozess, bei dem ein latentes elektrostatisches Bild durch aufgeladene Tonerpartikel entwickelt wird. Diese werden auf ein Bildempfängersubstrat, im Folgenden kurz Substrat, übertragen. Nachfolgend wird das entwickelte und auf das Substrat übertragene Bild fixiert, indem die Tonerpartikel erhitzt und aufgeschmolzen werden. Zum Aufschmelzen der Tonerpartikel werden häufig berührende Verfahren eingesetzt, bei denen die Tonerpartikel in Berührungskontakt mit entsprechenden Einrichtungen, beispielsweise heißen Rollen oder Walzen, gebracht werden. Nachteilig ist, dass in der Regel die Verwendung von Silikonöl als Trennmittel erforderlich ist, das ein Anhaften des angeschmolzenen Toners an der Heizeinrichtung verhindern soll. Weiterhin sind der Aufbau, die Wartung und die Betriebskosten dieser berührend arbeitenden Heizeinrichtungen aufwendig und somit kostenintensiv. Ferner ist die durch die berührenden Heizeinrichtungen verursachte Fehlerrate relativ hoch. Zum Fixieren des beispielsweise auf Papier übertragenen Toners, sind ferner berührungslos arbeitende Heizeinrichtungen und Verfahren bekannt, bei denen beispielsweise mit Hilfe von Wärme-/Mikrowellenstrahlung oder mit Heißluft die Tonerpartikel aufgeschmolzen werden.Machines of the type discussed here are known. For example, they use the electrophotographic process, in which a latent electrostatic image is developed by charged toner particles. These are transferred to an image-receiving substrate, hereinafter referred to as substrate. Subsequently, the developed and transferred to the substrate image is fixed by the toner particles are heated and melted. Melting of the toner particles often employs contacting processes in which the toner particles are brought into contact with appropriate equipment, such as hot rollers or rollers. The disadvantage is that, as a rule, the use of silicone oil as release agent is required, which is intended to prevent adhesion of the melted toner to the heating device. Furthermore, the structure, maintenance and operating costs of these touching working heaters are complex and thus costly. Furthermore, the error rate caused by the contacting heaters is relatively high. For fixing the toner, for example, transferred to paper, non-contact heating devices and methods are also known in which, for example with the aid of heat / microwave radiation or hot air, the toner particles are melted.

Bei den berührenden und den nicht berührenden Aufschmelzverfahren werden beispielsweise Toner verwendet, deren Glasübergangstemperatur (TG) in einem Bereich von 45°C bis 75°C liegen. Die Glasübergangstemperatur, in der der Toner -ausgehend vom festen Zustand- beginnt weich zu werden, ist durch die Wahl der Rohstoffe und durch Zugabe von bestimmten Zusätzen zu dem Toner beeinflussbar. In einer mindestens eine Heizeinrichtung aufweisenden Fixiereinrichtung für den Toner wird sowohl der Toner als auch das Substrat selbst aufgeheizt. Um eine gute Fixierung des Toners auf dem Substrat gewährleisten zu können, muss die Oberflächentemperatur des Substrats im Bereich der Glasübergangstemperatur des Toners oder darüber liegen. Der Toner erreicht beziehungsweise überschreitet die Glasübergangstemperatur (TG) bereits im Bereich der Heizeinrichtung.For example, in the contacting and non-contacting reflow processes, toners are used whose glass transition temperature (T G ) ranges from 45 ° C to 75 ° C. The glass transition temperature at which the toner, starting from the solid state, begins to soften is influenced by the choice of raw materials and by the addition of certain additives to the toner. In a fixing device for the toner having at least one heater, both the toner and the substrate itself are heated. To one To ensure good fixation of the toner on the substrate, the surface temperature of the substrate must be in the range of the glass transition temperature of the toner or above. The toner already reaches or exceeds the glass transition temperature (T G ) already in the region of the heating device.

Es sind Druck- und Kopiermaschinen bekannt, bei denen das Substrat doppelseitig bedruckt oder beschichtet wird, wobei für das Bedrucken der Vorder- und Rückseite entweder ein und dieselbe Bilderzeugungs- und Übertragungsvorrichtung und Heizeinrichtung oder jeweils eine separate Bilderzeugungs- und Übertragungsvorrichtung sowie Heizeinrichtung verwendet werden. Zum Fixieren des Tonerbildes wird das Substrat häufig mit Hilfe eines Transportbandes, auf dem das Substrat aufliegt, an der mindestens einen Bilderzeugungs- und Übertragungsvorrichtung und der zugeordneten Heizeinrichtung vorbeigeführt. Dabei wird zunächst ein erstes Tonerbild auf eine erste Substratseite übertragen und darauf fixiert. Anschließend wird ein zweites Tonerbild auf die zweite Substratseite übertragen und fixiert. Beim Aufschmelzen des zweiten Tonerbildes liegt daher die erste Substratseite mit dem darauf befindlichen, bereits fixierten ersten Tonerbild an dem Transportband an. Nachteilig hierbei ist, dass während des Aufschmelzens des zweiten Tonerbildes das erste Tonerbild sich soweit erwärmen kann, dass es weich wird und dazu neigt, am Transportband festzukleben. Dies kann zu mehreren nicht gewünschten Effekten führen: Durch das Festkleben kann es zu einem Substratstau bei der Überführung des Substrats vom Transportband an einen nachfolgenden Teil der Maschine kommen. Ferner kann das Aussehen des Tonerbildes sich in den Bereichen, in denen es an dem Transportband gehaftet ist, verändern. Dies führt zu Problemen bei der Bildqualität, beispielsweise weist das Tonerbild einen ungleichmäßigen Glanz auf.Printing and copying machines are known in which the substrate is printed or coated on both sides, wherein either one and the same image-forming and transfer device and heating device or a separate image-forming and transfer device and heating device are used for the printing of the front and back. To fix the toner image, the substrate is often passed by means of a conveyor belt, on which the substrate rests, on the at least one image forming and transfer device and the associated heating device. At first, a first toner image is transferred to a first substrate side and fixed thereon. Subsequently, a second toner image is transferred to the second substrate side and fixed. When the second toner image melts, therefore, the first substrate side with the already fixed first toner image on it is in contact with the conveyor belt. The disadvantage here is that during the melting of the second toner image, the first toner image can heat to the extent that it is soft and tends to stick to the conveyor belt. This can lead to several unwanted effects: Sticking can lead to a substrate jam during the transfer of the substrate from the conveyor belt to a subsequent part of the machine. Furthermore, the appearance of the toner image may change in the areas where it is adhered to the conveyor belt. This causes problems in image quality, for example, the toner image has uneven gloss.

Das US Patent 5,557,388 offenbart eine Fixiereinrichtung für eine Druck- oder Kopiermaschine, mit einer Kühlanlage die mittels Blaseinrichtungen das Papier von beiden Seiten kühlt und die der Fixiereinrichtung nachgeordnet ist.The U.S. Patent 5,557,388 discloses a fixing device for a printing or copying machine, with a cooling system which cools the paper from both sides by means of blowing devices and which is arranged downstream of the fixing device.

Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine Maschine der eingangs genannten Art einzugeben, bei der ein doppelseitiges Bedrucken eines Substrats bei gleichzeitig hoher Qualität der auf die Vorder- und Rückseite des Substrats aufgebrachten Bilder beziehungsweise Beschichtungen möglich ist.It is an object of the invention to input a machine of the type mentioned, in which a double-sided printing of a substrate at the same time high quality of the applied to the front and back of the substrate images or coatings is possible.

Zur Lösung der Aufgabe wird eine digitale Druck- oder Kopiermaschine vorgeschlagen, die die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 aufweist. Sie umfasst mindestens eine Fixiereinrichtung, die zum Fixieren eines auf ein Substrat übertragenen Tonerbildes dient. Das Tonerbild kann ein- oder mehrfarbig sein. Im Zusammenhang mit der vorliegenden Erfindung wird unter einem "Tonerbild" auch eine mindestens eine Tonerschicht aufweisende Beschichtung verstanden. Das Substrat kann beispielsweise ein Bogen oder eine kontinuierliche Bahn sein, die beispielsweise aus Papier oder Karton besteht. Zum Fixieren des flüssigen oder trockenen Toners auf dem Substrat wird dieses an einer Heizeinrichtung, die Teil der Fixiereinrichtung ist, vorbeigeführt. Die erfindungsgemäße Druck- oder Kopiermaschine zeichnet sich durch eine Führungseinrichtung zur frei schwebenden Verlagerung des Substrats im Wirkungsbereich der Heizeinrichtung aus. Unter "frei schwebend" wird verstanden, dass das Substrat keinen Kontakt zu einer anderen Oberfläche, beispielsweise einem Transportband, einer Stützplatte oder dergleichen, aufweist. Wenn das Substrat doppelseitig bedruckt wird, weist es auf einer Seite (Unterseite) ein erstes Tonerbild auf, das bereits auf dem Substrat fixiert ist, wenn ein auf die andere, zweite Substratseite (Oberseite) übertragenes zweites Tonerbild mittels der Heizeinrichtung aufgeschmolzen wird. Dabei kann das erste Tonerbild soweit erwärmt werden, dass es zum Anhaften/Kleben neigt, wenn es mit einer Oberfläche in Berührung kommt. Da jedoch erfindungsgemäß das Substrat während des Aufschmelzvorgangs des zweiten Tonerbildes zumindest solange frei schwebend verlagert wird, dass das erste Tonerbild soweit abgekühlt ist, dass es nicht mehr zum Festkleben an Oberflächen neigt, kann eine Beschädigung oder Beeinträchtigung der Qualität des ersten Tonerbildes ausgeschlossen werden. Es kann daher eine gleichbleibende Bildqualität und ein gleichmäßiger Glanz der Tonerbilder auf der Vorder- und Rückseite des Substrats gewährleistet werden kann.To solve the problem, a digital printing or copying machine is proposed which has the features of claim 1. it includes at least one fixing device for fixing a toner image transferred to a substrate. The toner image can be single or multi-colored. In the context of the present invention, a "toner image" is also understood as meaning a coating having at least one toner layer. The substrate may for example be a sheet or a continuous web, which consists for example of paper or cardboard. For fixing the liquid or dry toner on the substrate, this is passed to a heating device, which is part of the fixing device. The printing or copying machine according to the invention is characterized by a guide device for free-floating displacement of the substrate in the area of action of the heating device. By "levitating" is meant that the substrate has no contact with another surface, for example a conveyor belt, a support plate or the like. When the substrate is double-sided printed, it has on one side (bottom side) a first toner image already fixed on the substrate when a second toner image transferred to the other, second substrate side (upper side) is fused by the heater. In this case, the first toner image can be heated so far that it tends to stick / stick when it comes into contact with a surface. However, according to the present invention, since the substrate is freely suspended during the melting process of the second toner image at least until the first toner image has cooled sufficiently that it no longer tends to adhere to surfaces, damage or deterioration of the quality of the first toner image can be precluded. Therefore, consistent image quality and uniform gloss of the toner images on the front and back sides of the substrate can be ensured.

Festzuhalten bleibt, dass die Vorderseite des Substrats -je nach Ansicht- sowohl die Oberseite als auch die Unterseite bilden kann, das heißt, das erste Tonerbild kann sich auf der Vorderseite oder der Rückseite des Substrats befinden. Das gleiche gilt für das zweite Tonerbild.It should be noted that the front side of the substrate can form both the top and the bottom, depending on the view, that is, the first toner image can be on the front or the back of the substrate. The same applies to the second toner image.

Erfindungsgemäß ist vorgesehen, dass der Schwebezustand des Substrats durch zumindest ein auf die das zu fixierende Tonerbild aufweisende Oberseite und/oder die Unterseite des Substrats wirkendes Luftkissen erreichbar ist. Eine weitere Funktion des Luftkissens kann darin bestehen, dass Substrat und gegebenenfalls ein bereits auf dem Substrat fixiertes Tonerbild zu kühlen. Zu diesem Zweck weist die zur Erzeugung des Luftkissens verwendete Luft eine entsprechend niedrige Temperatur auf. Möglich ist auch, dass mittels des Luftkissens gleichzeitig auch das Substrat vorgewärmt werden soll. Hierzu wird entsprechend warme oder heiße Luft auf das Substrat aufgebracht.According to the invention, the floating state of the substrate is effected by at least one upper side and / or lower side of the substrate having the toner image to be fixed Air cushion is accessible. Another function of the air cushion may be to cool the substrate and optionally a toner image already fixed on the substrate. For this purpose, the air used to produce the air cushion has a correspondingly low temperature. It is also possible that by means of the air cushion at the same time the substrate should be preheated. For this purpose, warm or hot air is applied to the substrate accordingly.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen ergeben sich aus den übrigen Unteransprüchen.Further advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the remaining dependent claims.

Im Folgenden wir die Erfindung anhand der Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Figur 1
einen Ausschnitt eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Fixiereinrichtung mit einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Führungseinrichtung;
Figur 2
ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Führungseinrichtung;
Figur 3
eine Seitenansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Heizeinrichtung;
Figur 4
einen Ausschnitt aus einem Ausführungsbeispiel einer Druck- oder Kopiermaschine im Bereich einer Fixiereinrichtung und
Figur 5
eine perspektivische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der Heizeinrichtung.
In the following we will explain the invention with reference to the drawings. Show it:
FIG. 1
a section of an embodiment of a fixing device with a first embodiment of the guide device according to the invention;
FIG. 2
a second embodiment of the guide device;
FIG. 3
a side view of an embodiment of a heater;
FIG. 4
a section of an embodiment of a printing or copying machine in the region of a fixing device and
FIG. 5
a perspective view of another embodiment of the heater.

Figur 1 zeigt einen Ausschnitt eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer beispielsweise nach dem elektrographischen oder elektrophotographischen Prozess arbeitenden Druck- oder Kopiermaschine 1, nämlich eine Fixiereinrichtung 3, die zum Fixieren eines auf ein Substrat 5 übertragenen Tonerbildes dient. Das zu fixierende Tonerbild befindet sich hier auf der Oberseite 7 des Substrats 5, also gegenüberliegend der Fixiereinrichtung 3. Auf der Unterseite 9 des Substrats 5 kann sich ein weiteres, bereits auf dem Substrat 5 fixiertes Tonerbild befinden. Der Transportweg des Substrats 5 verläuft bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel parallel zu einer gedachten Horizontalen H. Die Transportrichtung 11 des Substrats 5 ist mit einem Pfeil angedeutet. FIG. 1 shows a section of an embodiment of a working example of the electrographic or electrophotographic process Printing or copying machine 1, namely a fixing device 3, which serves for fixing a transferred to a substrate 5 toner image. The toner image to be fixed is here on the upper side 7 of the substrate 5, ie opposite the fixing device 3. On the underside 9 of the substrate 5 may be another, already fixed on the substrate 5 toner image. The transport path of the substrate 5 in this embodiment runs parallel to an imaginary horizontal H. The transport direction 11 of the substrate 5 is indicated by an arrow.

Die Fixiereinrichtung 3 weist eine Heizeinrichtung 13 zum Aufschmelzen des Tonerbildes auf der Substratoberseite 7 auf, die bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel das Substrat 5 mit heißer Luft beaufschlagt. Die mit einem Pfeil angedeutete Luftströmung 15 trifft im Wesentlichen senkrecht auf die Substratoberseite 7 auf.The fixing device 3 has a heating device 13 for melting the toner image on the substrate upper side 7, which in this embodiment acts on the substrate 5 with hot air. The air flow 15 indicated by an arrow is substantially perpendicular to the substrate top 7.

Die Maschine 1 umfasst ferner eine Führungseinrichtung 17 für das Substrat 5, die dazu dient, das Substrat 5 zumindest im Wirkungsbereich der Heizeinrichtung 13 frei schwebend zu führen, das heißt, die Führungseinrichtung 17 verhindert, dass die Substratunterseite 9 in Kontakt mit einer Oberfläche kommt, während das auf der Substratoberseite 7 befindliche Tonerbild aufgeschmolzen wird. Die Führungseinrichtung 17 weist hier eine nicht näher dargestellte erste Blaseinrichtung 19 auf, die mehrere gegen die Substratunterseite 9 richtbare Düsen zum Beaufschlagen des Substrat mit unter Überdruck stehender Luft umfasst. Die aus den Düsen austretenden, mit Pfeilen angedeuteten Luftstrahlen 21 treffen in einem Winkel ungleich 90° zur Substratunterseite 9 auf. Die Ausrichtung der Luftstrahlen 21 ist hier so gewählt, dass sie jeweils eine Richtungskomponente senkrecht zur Substratunterseite 9 und eine Richtungskomponente in beziehungsweise parallel zur Transportrichtung 11 des Substrats 5 aufweisen. Die Luftstrahlen 21 bewirken, dass sich zwischen der Substratunterseite 9 und einer Wand 23 ein Luftkissen bildet, das verhindert, dass die Substratunterseite 9 in Kontakt mit der beispielsweise von einer die Düsen aufweisenden Lochplatte gebildete Wand 23 kommt. Da die Luftstrahlen 21 auch in Transportrichtung 11 gerichtet sind, trägt die zur Erzeugung des Luftkissens dienende Luftströmung auch einen gewissen Beitrag zur Verlagerung des Substrats 5 in Transportrichtung 11 bei. Die mittels der Heizeinrichtung 13 auf die Substratoberseite 7 aufgebrachte Luftströmung 15 und die mittels der ersten Blaseinrichtung 19 erzeugte Luftströmung auf der gegenüberliegenden Substratseite sind so aufeinander abgestimmt, dass das Substrat 5 im Wirkungsbereich der Heizeinrichtung 13 sich in einem Schwebezustand befindet, also weder Kontakt zur Heizeinrichtung 13 noch zur unterhalb der Transportebene angeordneten Wand 23 aufweist.The machine 1 further comprises a guide device 17 for the substrate 5, which serves to guide the substrate 5 freely at least in the area of action of the heating device 13, that is to say that the guide device 17 prevents the substrate underside 9 from coming into contact with a surface, while the toner image on the substrate top 7 is melted. In this case, the guide device 17 has a first blowing device 19 (not shown), which comprises a plurality of nozzles which can be directed against the underside of the substrate 9 for acting on the substrate with air under overpressure. The emerging from the nozzles, indicated by arrows air jets 21 meet at an angle not equal to 90 ° to the substrate bottom 9. The orientation of the air jets 21 is here chosen such that they each have a direction component perpendicular to the substrate bottom 9 and a directional component in or parallel to the transport direction 11 of the substrate 5. The air jets 21 cause an air cushion to form between the substrate underside 9 and a wall 23, which prevents the substrate underside 9 from coming into contact with the wall 23 formed, for example, by a perforated plate having the nozzles. Since the air jets 21 are also directed in the transport direction 11, the air flow serving to produce the air cushion also contributes to a certain extent to the displacement of the substrate 5 in the transport direction 11. The applied by the heater 13 to the substrate top 7 air flow 15 and the air flow generated by means of the first blowing device 19 on the opposite side of the substrate are coordinated so that the substrate 5 is in a suspended state in the area of action of the heating device 13, ie neither has contact with the heating device 13 nor with the wall 23 arranged below the transport plane.

Eine geeignete, in den Figuren nicht dargestellte Steuereinrichtung steuert die Lage des Substrats 5 zwischen der Heizeinrichtung 13 und der Wand 23 sowie die Substrattransportgeschwindigkeit, indem sie insbesondere die Luftströmung 15 und die mittels der ersten Blaseinrichtung 19 erzeugte Luftströmung entsprechend einstellt. Der Abstand des Substrats von der Heizeinrichtung beziehungsweise der Wand 23 ist also einstellbar. Eine derartige Steuereinrichtung kann auch bei den anhand der nachfolgenden Ausführungsbeispiel vorgesehen sein, bei denen das Substrat mit einer Luftströmung oder mehreren Luftströmungen beaufschlagt wird.A suitable, not shown in the figures, control device controls the position of the substrate 5 between the heater 13 and the wall 23 and the substrate transport speed, in particular by adjusting the air flow 15 and the air flow generated by the first blowing device 19 accordingly. The distance of the substrate from the heater or the wall 23 is thus adjustable. Such a control device may also be provided in the case of the following embodiment, in which the substrate is subjected to an air flow or a plurality of air flows.

Figur 2 zeigt einen Ausschnitt eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der Fixiereinrichtung 3 und der Führungseinrichtung 17. Die Heizeinrichtung 13 der Fixiereinrichtung 3 ist hier von einer Strahlungseinrichtung 24 gebildet, mittels derer das Substrat 5 mit elektromagnetischer Strahlung beaufschlagbar ist. Die Führungseinrichtung 17 umfasst eine nicht näher dargestellte erste Blaseinrichtung 19, die unterhalb des Transportweges des Substrats angeordnet ist. Die erste Blaseinrichtung 19 weist eine parallel zum Transportweg des Substrats ausgerichtete erste Grundplatte 25 auf, in der eine Anzahl Durchgangsöffnungen 27 eingebracht sind. Die Durchgangsöffnungen 27 sind auf ihrer dem Transportweg abgewandten Seite der Grundplatte 25 mit einer nicht dargestellten Druckluftversorgungseinrichtung verbunden, so dass über die als Düsen wirkenden Durchgangsöffnungen 27 jeweils ein Luftstrahl 29 auf die Substratunterseite 9 aufbringbar ist, wodurch ein Luftkissen erzeugt wird, das verhindert, dass das Substrat mit der ersten Grundplatte 25 in Kontakt kommt. FIG. 2 shows a section of another embodiment of the fixing device 3 and the guide means 17. The heater 13 of the fixing device 3 is here formed by a radiation device 24, by means of which the substrate 5 can be acted upon by electromagnetic radiation. The guide device 17 includes a first blowing device 19, not shown, which is arranged below the transport path of the substrate. The first blowing device 19 has a first base plate 25 oriented parallel to the transport path of the substrate, in which a number of passage openings 27 are made. The passage openings 27 are connected on their side facing away from the transport path of the base plate 25 with a compressed air supply device, not shown, so that on the acting as a nozzle through holes 27 each have an air jet 29 can be applied to the substrate bottom 9, whereby an air cushion is generated, which prevents the substrate comes into contact with the first base plate 25.

Die in Figur 2 dargestellte Führungseinrichtung 17 weist ferner eine zweite Blaseinrichtung 31 auf, die zur Erzeugung eines Luftkissens zwischen der das zu fixierenden Tonerbild aufweisenden Substratoberseite 7 und einer zweiten Grundplatte 33, die Teil der zweiten Blaseinrichtung 31 ist, dient. Die zweite Grundplatte 33 ist oberhalb des Transportweges des Substrats 5 in einem Abstand zur ersten Grundplatte 25 und parallel zu dieser angeordnet. Der Substrattransportweg verläuft hier also in dem Freiraum 35 zwischen den Grundplatten 25, 33. Die zweite Grundplatte 33 weist ebenfalls als Düsen dienende Durchgangsöffnungen 37 auf, die auf ihrer dem Freiraum 35 abgewandten Seite mit einer nicht dargestellten Druckluftversorgungseinrichtung verbunden sind, so dass über jede der Durchgangsöffnungen 37 jeweils ein Luftstrahl 39 senkrecht auf die Substratoberseite 7 aufbringbar ist.In the FIG. 2 Guide device 17 shown further comprises a second blowing device 31, which serves for generating an air cushion between the toner image to be fixed having the substrate top 7 and a second base plate 33, which is part of the second blowing device 31. The second Base plate 33 is disposed above the transport path of the substrate 5 at a distance from the first base plate 25 and parallel thereto. The substrate transport path runs here in the free space 35 between the base plates 25, 33. The second base plate 33 also has nozzles serving as through holes 37 which are connected on their side facing away from the free space 35 with a compressed air supply device, not shown, so that about each of Through openings 37 each have an air jet 39 perpendicular to the substrate top side 7 can be applied.

Auf der dem Freiraum 35 abgewandten Seite der zweiten Grundplatte 33 ist in einem Abstand von dieser eine Schutzplatte 41 angeordnet, die parallel zur zweiten Grundplatte 33 verläuft. Die relativ dünne Schutzplatte 41, die beispielsweise von einer Folie gebildet sein kann, weist keine Durchgangsöffnungen auf, so dass bei einer Druckluftbeaufschlagung des Zwischenraums 43 zwischen der zweiten Grundplatte 33 und der Schutzplatte 41 -wie mit einem Pfeil 45 angedeutet- die Druckluft über die Durchgangsöffnungen 37 zur Erzeugung eines Luftkissens zwischen der zweiten Grundplatte 33 und der Substratoberseite 7 gelangt.On the side facing away from the free space 35 of the second base plate 33, a protective plate 41 is arranged at a distance from this, which extends parallel to the second base plate 33. The relatively thin protective plate 41, which may for example be formed by a film, has no passage openings, so that when compressed air is applied to the intermediate space 43 between the second base plate 33 and the protective plate 41 -as indicated by an arrow 45- the compressed air via the passage openings 37 for generating an air cushion between the second base plate 33 and the substrate top 7 passes.

Die zweite Grundplatte 33 und die Schutzplatte 41 sind aus einem strahlungsdurchlässigen Material hergestellt und -wie aus Figur 2 ersichtlich- im Strahlungspfad zwischen der Strahlungseinrichtung 24 und dem Substrat 5 angeordnet. Bei einem vorteilhaften Ausführungsbeispiel ist vorgesehen, dass bei eingeschaltetem Strahler 47 die Strahlungseinrichtung 24 UV- bis nahe Infrarotstrahlung in Richtung des Substrats 5 ausstrahlt. Die Schutzplatte 41 und die zweite Grundplatte 33 lassen bei eingeschalteter Strahlungseinrichtung 24 bis zu 95 % der von der Strahlungseinrichtung 24 abgegebenen Strahlungsleistung durch, so dass das auf dem Substrat 5 befindliche Tonerbild in gewünschter Weise aufgeschmolzen wird. Sollte eine Betriebsstörung auftreten, beispielsweise ein Substrattransportstopp, so wird die Strahlungseinrichtung 24 abgeschaltet, was vorzugsweise automatisch erfolgt. Die Strahlungseinrichtung 24 sendet dann keine UV- bis nahe Infrarotstrahlung mehr aus, sondern nur noch Temperaturstrahlung der Teile, die sich bei eingeschalteter Strahlungseinrichtung 24 durch diese erwärmt haben. Die Strahlungseinrichtung 24 strahlt dann nur noch im infraroten Spektralbereich ab.The second base plate 33 and the protective plate 41 are made of a radiation-transmissive material and -as out FIG. 2 apparent- in the radiation path between the radiation device 24 and the substrate 5 is arranged. In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that when the radiator 47 is switched on, the radiation device 24 emits UV to near infrared radiation in the direction of the substrate 5. With the radiation device 24 switched on, the protective plate 41 and the second base plate 33 allow up to 95% of the radiation power emitted by the radiation device 24 to be melted in the desired manner on the toner image located on the substrate 5. Should a malfunction occur, for example a substrate transport stop, the radiation device 24 is switched off, which preferably takes place automatically. The radiation device 24 then emits no more UV to near infrared radiation more, but only thermal radiation of the parts that have been heated by the radiation device 24 through this. The radiation device 24 then radiates only in the infrared spectral range.

Nach dem Abschalten der Strahlungseinrichtung 24 ändert sich die Wellenlänge der ausgestrahlten Strahlung mit der vorhandenen Temperatur des ausgeschalteten Strahlers 47, sie liegt dann nämlich oberhalb von ca. 3,4 µm oder mehr. Dieses Strahlenspektrum wird jedoch von der Schutzplatte 41 und der zweiten Grundplatte 33 fast vollständig absorbiert, so dass bei abgeschalteter Strahlungseinrichtung 24 letztlich nur noch in etwa 10 % der Anfangsenergie der Restwärmestrahlung am Substrat 5 ankommen. Der Großteil der Restwärmestrahlung wird vorzugsweise von der Schutzplatte 41, die der Strahlungseinrichtung 24 gegenüberliegt, absorbiert, so dass diese eine deutlich höhere Temperatur aufweist als die zweite Grundplatte 33, die der Substrattransportebene gegenüberliegt. Die Erwärmung der zweiten Grundplatte 33 ist in jedem Fall nur so hoch, dass sollte es zu einer Berührung zwischen dem Substrat 5 und der zweiten Grundplatte 33 kommen, das Substrat 5 nicht entzündet wird. Die zweite Grundplatte 33 dient also ferner als Anschlag für das Substrat 5, so dass dieses keinesfalls mit der Strahlungseinrichtung 24 in Kontakt kommen kann. Während die Schutzplatte 41 also lediglich als Filter für ein bestimmtes Spektrum der elektromagnetischen Strahlung dient, weist die zweite Grundplatte 33 mehrere Funktionen auf, nämlich Anschlag für das Substrat 5, Filter für die Restwärmestrahlung sowie Aufnahmeeinrichtung für die Düsen der zweiten Blaseinrichtung 31.After switching off the radiation device 24, the wavelength of the emitted radiation changes with the existing temperature of the switched off radiator 47, namely, it is then above about 3.4 microns or more. However, this radiation spectrum is almost completely absorbed by the protective plate 41 and the second base plate 33, so that when the radiation device 24 is switched off, ultimately only about 10% of the initial energy of the residual heat radiation arrives at the substrate 5. The majority of the residual heat radiation is preferably absorbed by the protective plate 41, which is opposite to the radiation device 24, so that it has a significantly higher temperature than the second base plate 33, which is opposite to the substrate transport plane. The heating of the second base plate 33 is in any case only so high that should it come to a contact between the substrate 5 and the second base plate 33, the substrate 5 is not ignited. The second base plate 33 thus also serves as a stop for the substrate 5, so that it can in no way come into contact with the radiation device 24. While the protective plate 41 thus merely serves as a filter for a specific spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation, the second base plate 33 has a plurality of functions, namely stop for the substrate 5, filter for the residual heat radiation and receiving device for the nozzles of the second blowing device 31.

Die zweite Grundplatte 33 wird vorzugsweise mittels der Druckluftströmung innerhalb des Zwischenraums 43, die sich bei aktivierter Blaseinrichtung 31 einstellt, so weit gekühlt, dass sie nicht über eine kritische Temperatur, bei der bei einem Berührkontakt zwischen der zweiten Grundplatte 33 und dem Substrat 5 dieses sich entzünden würde, erwärmt wird.The second base plate 33 is preferably so far cooled by means of the compressed air flow within the gap 43, which occurs when the blowing device 31 is activated, that they do not have a critical temperature at which in contact contact between the second base plate 33 and the substrate 5 would ignite, is heated.

Um das Substrat 5 im Wirkungsbereich der Strahlungseinrichtung 24 in einem Schwebezustand zu halten, wie in Figur 2 dargestellt, ist die Druckluftbeaufschlagung der Oberseite 7 und die der Unterseite 9 des Substrats 5 mittels der Blaseinrichtungen 19 und 31 entsprechend aufeinander abgestimmt. Während also das Tonerbild auf der Substratoberseite 7 berührungslos durch Beaufschlagung mit elektromagnetischer Strahlung aufgeschmolzen wird, wird das Substrat 5 von dem mittels der ersten Blaseinrichtung 19 auf seiner Unterseite erzeugten Luftkissen getragen, wobei mittels der Luftstrahlen 39 verhindert wird, dass das Substrat an der Grundplatte 33 anschlägt.In order to keep the substrate 5 in the region of action of the radiation device 24 in a floating state, as in FIG. 2 represented, the pressurization of the upper side 7 and the underside 9 of the substrate 5 by means of the blowing devices 19 and 31 is coordinated accordingly. Thus, while the toner image on the substrate top 7 is melted without contact by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, the substrate 5 is generated by the means of the first blowing device 19 on its underside Carried air cushion, wherein by means of the air jets 39 prevents the substrate abuts against the base plate 33.

Figur 3 zeigt ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Fixiereinrichtung 3, nämlich eine Heizeinrichtung 13, die einen Mikrowellenresonator 49 umfasst. Dieser weist eine schlitzförmige Öffnung 51 auf, durch die das Substrat 5 in Transportrichtung 11 geführt wird. In dem unterhalb des Transportweges des Substrats 5 liegenden Teil des Mikrowellenresonators 49 ist eine erste Druckkammer 53 integriert, die sich quer über die Breite des Substrattransportweges erstreckt und zum Substrattransportweg hin eine Öffnung 55 aufweist, die mit einer Lochplatte 57 abgedeckt ist. Die Lochplatte 57 weist eine Anzahl Durchgangsöffnungen und/oder Schlitze auf, die bei einer Druckbeaufschlagung der ersten Druckkammer 53 als Düsen fungieren, worauf noch näher eingegangen wird. Die Lochplatte 57 ist aus einem Werkstoff mit geringer Mikrowellenabsorption, wegen der daraus resultierenden geringen Erwärmung, gefertigt. Der Werkstoff wird so gewählt, daß unter Berücksichtigung des kühlenden Luftstromes eine Temperatur der Lochplatte von 50°C bis 100°C (je nach Schmelztemperatur des verwendeten Toners) nicht überschritten wird. Dadurch kann das Verkleben von Tonerstaub auf der Lochplatte und das unter Umständen damit verbundene Verschließen von Löchern vermieden werden. Beispiele für Werkstoffe für die Lochplatte sind Fluorpolymere, wie z. B. PVDF (Polyvinylidenfluorid) oder PTFE (Polytetrafluorethylen) oder technische Keramikwerkstoffe, wie z. B. Silikatkeramik, Oxidkeramik (bspw. Aluminiumoxid) oder Nichtoxidkeramik. FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the fixing device 3, namely a heater 13, which comprises a microwave resonator 49. This has a slot-shaped opening 51, through which the substrate 5 is guided in the transport direction 11. In the lying below the transport path of the substrate 5 part of the microwave resonator 49, a first pressure chamber 53 is integrated, which extends across the width of the Substrattransportweges and the Substrattransportweg toward an opening 55 which is covered with a perforated plate 57. The perforated plate 57 has a number of passage openings and / or slots, which act as nozzles when the first pressure chamber 53 is pressurized, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The perforated plate 57 is made of a material with low microwave absorption, because of the resulting low heating. The material is chosen so that, taking into account the cooling air flow, a temperature of the perforated plate of 50 ° C to 100 ° C (depending on the melting temperature of the toner used) is not exceeded. As a result, the adhesion of toner dust on the perforated plate and the possibly associated closing of holes can be avoided. Examples of materials for the perforated plate are fluoropolymers, such. As PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or technical ceramics such. As silicate ceramics, oxide ceramics (eg. Alumina) or non-oxide ceramics.

In dem oberhalb des Transportweges des Substrats 5 liegenden Teil des Mikrowellenresonators 49 ist eine zweite Druckkammer 59 integriert, die zum Substrattransportweg hin eine Öffnung 61 aufweist, die mittels einer Lochplatte 63 abgedeckt ist, die vorzugsweise aus dem gleichen Werkstoff wie die Lochplatte 57 gefertigt ist. Diese weist eine Anzahl von Durchgangsöffnungen und/oder Schlitze auf, die bei Druckbeaufschlagung der zweiten Druckkammer 59 mit einem vorzugsweise gasförmigen Medium als Düsen wirken. Die vorzugsweise mit Druckluft beaufschlagbaren ersten und zweiten Druckkammern 53, 59 sind entweder mit einer gemeinsamen Druckluftversorgungsquelle oder mit jeweils einer separaten Druckluftversorgungsquelle verbunden. Bei Beaufschlagung der Druckkammern 53, 59 mit Druckluft wird über die Durchgangsöffnungen und gegebenenfalls Schlitze in den Lochplatten 57, 63 jeweils ein Luftstrahl auf die Oberseite 7 beziehungsweise Unterseite 9 des Substrats 5 aufgebracht. Dadurch entsteht auf der Substratober- und -unterseite jeweils ein Luftkissen, die so aufeinander abgestimmt sind, dass das Substrat 5 -wie in Figur 3 dargestellt- frei schwebend durch die schlitzförmige Öffnung 51 im Mikrowellenresonator 49 geführt wird. Das Substrat 5 weist also keinen Kontakt zum Mikrowellenresonator 49 auf, während das Tonerbild auf der Substratoberseite 7 durch die Mikrowellenstrahlung des Mikrowellenresonators 49 aufgeschmolzen wird.In the above the transport path of the substrate 5 lying part of the microwave resonator 49, a second pressure chamber 59 is integrated to the Substrattransportweg towards an opening 61 which is covered by a perforated plate 63, which is preferably made of the same material as the perforated plate 57. This has a number of through holes and / or slots, which act on pressure of the second pressure chamber 59 with a preferably gaseous medium as nozzles. The preferably acted upon by compressed air first and second pressure chambers 53, 59 are connected either to a common compressed air supply source or each having a separate compressed air supply source. When applying the Pressure chambers 53, 59 with compressed air is applied via the passage openings and optionally slots in the perforated plates 57, 63 each have an air jet on the top 7 and bottom 9 of the substrate 5. As a result, an air cushion is formed on the upper and lower substrate sides, which are coordinated with one another such that the substrate 5 -as in FIG FIG. 3 shown floatingly guided through the slot-shaped opening 51 in the microwave resonator 49. The substrate 5 thus has no contact with the microwave resonator 49, while the toner image on the substrate upper side 7 is melted by the microwave radiation of the microwave resonator 49.

Über die erste Druckkammer 53 und die Lochplatte 57 wird also ausreichend Druckluft auf das Substrat 5 aufgebracht, so dass dieses quasi schwerelos über dem unteren Teil des Mikrowellenresonators 49 schwebt. Die Stärke des Luftkissens wird dabei so eingestellt, dass der Abstand zwischen dem Substrat 5 und der oberen Lochplatte 63 zumindest so groß ist, dass ein Substratstau innerhalb der schlitzförmigen Öffnung 51 vermieden wird. Bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel ist -wie gesagt- im oberen Teil des Mikrowellenresonators 49 eine zweite Druckkammer 59 vorgesehen, mit deren Hilfe ein zweites Luftkissen zwischen der Substratoberseite 9 und dem oberen Teil des Mikrowellenresonators 49 erzeugbar ist. Dadurch kann ein Kontakt zwischen dem Substrat 5 und der Lochplatte 63 praktisch ausgeschlossen werden. Bei einem in den Figuren nicht dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist vorgesehen, dass auf die zweite Druckkammer 59 verzichtet wird und dass der frei schwebende Zustand des Substrats 5 innerhalb der Heizeinrichtung 13 ausschließlich durch das mittels der ersten Druckkammer 52 erzeugten Luftkissens auf der Unterseite 9 des Substrats 5 erreicht wird.Thus, sufficient compressed air is applied to the substrate 5 via the first pressure chamber 53 and the perforated plate 57, so that it hovers virtually weightlessly over the lower part of the microwave resonator 49. The thickness of the air cushion is adjusted so that the distance between the substrate 5 and the upper perforated plate 63 is at least so large that a substrate jam within the slit-shaped opening 51 is avoided. In this embodiment, as mentioned above, a second pressure chamber 59 is provided in the upper part of the microwave resonator 49, with the aid of which a second air cushion can be generated between the substrate upper side 9 and the upper part of the microwave resonator 49. As a result, contact between the substrate 5 and the perforated plate 63 can be virtually eliminated. In one exemplary embodiment, which is not illustrated in the figures, it is provided that the second pressure chamber 59 is dispensed with and that the free-floating state of the substrate 5 within the heating device 13 is achieved exclusively by the air cushion generated on the underside 9 of the substrate 5 by means of the first pressure chamber 52 becomes.

Die mittels der Druckkammern 53, 59 auf das Substrat 5 aufgebrachte Druckluft kann vorerwärmt sein, wodurch die Effektivität der Heizeinrichtung 13 erhöht wird. Dabei können -in Transportrichtung 11 des Substrats 5 gesehen- Zonen mit unterschiedlicher Temperatur realisiert werden. Vorzugsweise wird im Einlaufbereich des Substrats 5 in die Öffnung 51 sehr heiße Luft mittels der Druckkammern 53, 59 auf das Substrat 5 aufgebracht, die das Aufschmelzen des Tonerbildes unterstützt, während im Auslaufbereich der Öffnung 51 kühlere Druckluft auf das Substrat 5 aufgebracht wird, um dieses zu kühlen. Hierzu sind die Druckkammern 53, 59 -in Substrattransportrichtung 11 gesehen- jeweils in mindestens zwei separate Druckkammern unterteilt, wie mit gestrichelter Linie 65 angedeutet.The compressed air applied to the substrate 5 by means of the pressure chambers 53, 59 can be preheated, whereby the effectiveness of the heating device 13 is increased. In this case, as seen in the transport direction 11 of the substrate 5, zones with different temperatures can be realized. Preferably, in the inlet region of the substrate 5 in the opening 51 very hot air by means of the pressure chambers 53, 59 applied to the substrate 5, which supports the melting of the toner image, while in the outlet region of the opening 51 cooler compressed air is applied to the substrate 5 to this to cool. These are the Pressure chambers 53, 59 -in Substrate transport 11 seen- divided into at least two separate pressure chambers, as indicated by dashed line 65.

In Figur 3 verläuft der Transportweg des Substrats 5 parallel zur Horizontalen H. Bei einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel ist vorgesehen, dass der Transportweg des Substrats 5 im Bereich des Mikrowellenresonators 49 in vertikaler Richtung, vorzugsweise -der Schwerkraft folgend- von oben nach unten verläuft. Hierzu ist der Mikrowellenresonator 49 ähnlich oder gleich aufgebaut, wie in Figur 3 dargestellt, weist also erste und zweite Druckkammern 53, 59 auf, mit deren Hilfe eine Berührung zwischen dem Substrat 5 und den Wandungen der Öffnung 51 im Mikrowellenresonator 49 verhindert werden kann.In FIG. 3 the transport path of the substrate 5 is parallel to the horizontal H. In another embodiment, it is provided that the transport path of the substrate 5 in the region of the microwave resonator 49 in the vertical direction, preferably following the gravity from top to bottom. For this purpose, the microwave resonator 49 is similar or identical, as in FIG. 3 shown, therefore, has first and second pressure chambers 53, 59, by means of which a contact between the substrate 5 and the walls of the opening 51 in the microwave resonator 49 can be prevented.

Figur 4 zeigt ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Maschine 1, nämlich einen Ausschnitt im Bereich ihrer Fixiereinrichtung 3. Gleiche Teile sind mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen, so dass insofern auf die Beschreibung zu den vorangegangenen Figuren verwiesen wird. Der Heizeinrichtung 13 ist ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Führungseinrichtung 17 vorgeordnet, die ein über Rollen 83 und 85 geführtes, elektrostatisch aufgeladenes Transportband 87 umfasst. Dieses dient dazu, das Substrat 5 an die Fixiereinrichtung 13 zu überführen. In dem Zwischenraum zwischen der Rolle 85, die zur Rückführung des Transportbandes 17 an den Anfangsbereich der Überführungsstrecke dient, und der Heizeinrichtung 13 ist ein feststehend angeordnetes Führungselement 89 angeordnet, das hier von einer Führungsplatte gebildet ist. Die Eigensteifigkeit des Substrats 5 und/oder die besondere Form des elektrostatischen Transportbandes 87 und/oder die besondere Form des Führungselements 89 ermöglichen einen geraden Transport des Substrats 5, ohne dass sich das Substrat 5 durchbiegt. Der Transportweg des Substrats 5 verläuft hier parallel zur Horizontalen. FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the machine 1, namely a section in the region of its fixing device 3. The same parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that reference is made to the description of the preceding figures. The heater 13 is preceded by a further embodiment of the guide device 17 according to the invention, comprising a guided over rollers 83 and 85, electrostatically charged conveyor belt 87. This serves to transfer the substrate 5 to the fixing device 13. In the intermediate space between the roller 85, which serves to return the conveyor belt 17 to the initial region of the transfer route, and the heater 13, a fixedly arranged guide member 89 is arranged, which is formed here by a guide plate. The inherent rigidity of the substrate 5 and / or the particular shape of the electrostatic conveyor belt 87 and / or the particular shape of the guide member 89 allow a straight transport of the substrate 5, without the substrate 5 bends. The transport path of the substrate 5 runs parallel to the horizontal here.

Der Heizeinrichtung 13 ist -in Transportrichtung 11 des Substrats 5 gesehen- eine Kühleinrichtung 91 nachgeordnet, die zur Kühlung des Substrats und des darauf befindlichen Tonerbildes dient. Der Kühleinrichtung 91 sind zwei weitere Führungselemente 93 und 95 nachgeordnet, die das Substrat 5 in einen zwischen zwei Transportrollen 97 und 99 gebildeten Nip leiten.The heating device 13 is - seen in the transport direction 11 of the substrate 5 - downstream of a cooling device 91, which serves to cool the substrate and the toner image located thereon. The cooling device 91 is followed by two further guide elements 93 and 95 which guide the substrate 5 in a nip formed between two transport rollers 97 and 99.

Zur Funktion der Führungseinrichtung 17: Das flach auf dem Transportband 87 aufliegende Substrat 5 wird durch eine Verlagerung des Transportbandes 87 in Transportrichtung 11 in Richtung des Fixierbereichs geführt. Im Bereich der Rolle 85 wird das Transportband 87 an den Anfang der Überführungsstrecke zurückgeführt. Das Substrat 5 wird weiter in Transportrichtung verlagert, so dass sich dessen Vorderkante 101 über die Rolle 85 hinaus schiebt. Dann wird das Substrat 5 mittels des Transportbandes 87 unterhalb der Heizeinrichtung 13 und der Kühleinrichtung 91 an diesen vorbeigeschoben, soweit, bis die Vorderkante 101 des Substrats 5 in den Nip zwischen den Transportrollen 97, 99 gelangt und von diesen erfasst und weitertransportiert wird. Wie aus Figur 4 ersichtlich, wird das Substrat 5 im Bereich der Heizeinrichtung 13 und der Kühleinrichtung 91 frei schwebend verlagert, das heißt, es weist keinen Kontakt zu einer Oberfläche aus, so dass beim Aufschmelzen des sich auf der Substratoberseite 7 befindlichen Tonerbildes mittels der Heizeinrichtung 13 eine Beeinträchtigung des sich auf der Substratunterseite 9 befindlichen, bereits fixierten Tonerbildes ausgeschlossen werden kann.Regarding the function of the guide device 17: The substrate 5 lying flat on the conveyor belt 87 is guided by a displacement of the conveyor belt 87 in the transport direction 11 in the direction of the fixing region. In the area of the roller 85, the conveyor belt 87 is returned to the beginning of the transfer route. The substrate 5 is further displaced in the transport direction, so that its leading edge 101 slides beyond the roller 85. Then, the substrate 5 is pushed by means of the conveyor belt 87 below the heater 13 and the cooling device 91 past this, until the leading edge 101 of the substrate 5 enters the nip between the transport rollers 97, 99 and from this is recorded and transported. How out FIG. 4 can be seen, the substrate 5 in the region of the heater 13 and the cooling device 91 levitates, that is, it has no contact with a surface, so that when melting the located on the substrate top side 7 toner image by means of the heater 13, an impairment of the can be excluded on the substrate bottom 9 located, already fixed toner image.

Zur Unterstützung des Substrats 5 im Bereich der Heizeinrichtung 13 und der Kühleinrichtung 91, damit sich dieses nicht durchbiegt, kann die Substratunterseite 9 mittels einer nicht dargestellten Blaseinrichtung von unten mittels Druckluft beaufschlagt werden, wie mit Pfeilen 103 angedeutet.To support the substrate 5 in the region of the heating device 13 and the cooling device 91, so that this does not bend, the substrate underside 9 can be acted upon by means of a blowing device, not shown, from below by means of compressed air, as indicated by arrows 103.

Bei dem in Figur 4 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist vorgesehen, dass in dem Moment, in dem die Vorderkante 101 des Substrats 5 von den Transportrollen 97, 99 ergriffen wird, die Hinterkante 102 des Substrats 5 gerade den Kontakt zum Transportband 87 verliert. Bei einem nicht dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist vorgesehen, dass der Abstand zwischen der Rolle 85 und dem Spalt zwischen den Transportrollen 97, 99 größer ist als die Substratlänge. Das bedeutet, dass die Hinterkante 102 des Substrats 5 vom Transportband 87 abläuft, bevor die Vorderkante 101 des Substrats 5 von den Transportrollen 97, 99 ergriffen wird. Zum Überführen beziehungsweise zum Einführen des Substrats 5 in den sich verjüngenden Spalt zwischen den Führungselementen 93, 95 kann hier die Luftströmung 103 dienen, die von unten her gegen das Substrat 5 geblasen wird, wobei die Luftströmung mindestens eine Richtungskomponente in Transportrichtung 11 aufweist. Unabhängig davon, auf welche Weise und mit welchen Mitteln das Substrat 5 an der Heizeinrichtung 13 vorbeigeführt wird, ist in jedem Fall vorgesehen, dass in dem Moment, in dem das Tonerbild auf dem Substrat 5 aufgeschmolzen wird, das Substrat -zumindest in diesem Bereich- weder mit seiner Oberseite noch mit seiner Unterseite Kontakt zu einer Oberfläche aufweist.At the in FIG. 4 illustrated embodiment is provided that at the moment in which the leading edge 101 of the substrate 5 is gripped by the transport rollers 97, 99, the trailing edge 102 of the substrate 5 just loses contact with the conveyor belt 87. In an embodiment, not shown, it is provided that the distance between the roller 85 and the gap between the transport rollers 97, 99 is greater than the substrate length. This means that the trailing edge 102 of the substrate 5 expires from the conveyor belt 87 before the front edge 101 of the substrate 5 is gripped by the transport rollers 97, 99. For transferring or for introducing the substrate 5 into the tapering gap between the guide elements 93, 95, the air flow 103 can be used here, which is blown from below against the substrate 5, wherein the air flow has at least one directional component in the transport direction 11. Regardless of how and by what means the substrate 5 is guided past the heating device 13, it is provided in any case that, at the moment when the toner image is melted on the substrate 5, the substrate, at least in this region, has no contact with a surface with either its top or bottom.

In bevorzugter Ausführungsform ist der Wirkungsbereich/Fixierbereich der Heizeinrichtung 13 -in Substrattransportrichtung 11 gesehen- sehr kurz, vorzugsweise kleiner 20 cm, beispielsweise 10 cm. Hierzu muss die Heizeinrichtung 13 derart gestaltet sein, dass sie eine sehr hohe Energiedichte auf das Substrat übertragen kann, so dass es möglich ist, auf dieser kurzen Strecke das Tonerbild in gewünschter Weise aufzuschmelzen. Die Heizeinrichtung 13 kann beispielsweise von einer Strahlungseinrichtung gebildet sein, die mindestens eine hochintensive Lampe, die überwiegend im UV-Bereich strahlt, aufweist. Grundsätzlich kann jeder Wellenlängenbereich dieser UV-Lampe zum Aufschmelzen genutzt werden. Bevorzugt wird jedoch der UV-Bereich, weil die verwendeten Toner üblicherweise die elektromagnetische Strahlung in diesem Spektrum sehr gut absorbieren und die Intensität der Lichtquellen in diesem Bereich sehr hoch ist. Im Infrarotbereich absorbieren der beziehungsweise die Toner des Tonerbildes sowie das Substrat die Strahlung sehr gut, jedoch weisen die Lichtquellen in diesem Bereich eine häufig nicht ausreichende Intensität auf oder die Lichtquelle, beispielsweise ein CO2-Laser, ist zu teuer. Die Strahlungseinrichtung kann beispielsweise auch eine Xenon-Blitzlampe aufweisen, mittels derer Lichtimpulse auf das Tonerbild aufgebracht werden, um dieses aufzuschmelzen. Bei einer anderen Ausführungsform der Heizeinrichtung ist vorgesehen, dass diese das Tonerbild mit heißer Luft beaufschlagt, um es aufzuschmelzen. Dabei ist es jedoch sehr schwierig, ausreichend Energie in kurzer Zeit (kleiner Wirkungsbereich der Heizeinrichtung) zu übertragen. Um die Energieübertragung zu verbessern, kann der heißen Luft auch Wasserdampf hinzugemischt werden. Bei einer weiteren Ausführungsvariante der Heizeinrichtung 13 beaufschlagt diese das Tonerbild mit Mikrowellenstrahlung.In a preferred embodiment, the range of action / fixing range of the heating device 13 - viewed in the substrate transport direction 11 - is very short, preferably less than 20 cm, for example 10 cm. For this the must Heating device 13 may be designed such that it can transmit a very high energy density to the substrate, so that it is possible to melt the toner image in a desired manner on this short distance. The heating device 13 can be formed, for example, by a radiation device which has at least one high-intensity lamp which predominantly radiates in the UV range. In principle, each wavelength range of this UV lamp can be used for melting. However, the UV range is preferred, because the toners used usually absorb the electromagnetic radiation in this spectrum very well and the intensity of the light sources in this area is very high. In the infrared range, the toner (s) of the toner image and the substrate absorb the radiation very well, but the light sources in this area often have insufficient intensity or the light source, for example a CO 2 laser, is too expensive. The radiation device may, for example, also have a xenon flash lamp, by means of which light pulses are applied to the toner image in order to melt it. In another embodiment, the heater is provided to apply hot air to the toner image to reflow it. However, it is very difficult to transfer sufficient energy in a short time (small range of action of the heater). In order to improve the energy transfer, the hot air can also be added to water vapor. In a further embodiment of the heating device 13, this acts on the toner image with microwave radiation.

Figur 5 zeigt in perspektivischer Darstellung einen Ausschnitt eines Ausführungsbeispiels der in Figur 4 dargestellten Heizeinrichtung 13. Diese umfasst einen ersten Mikrowellenresonator 105, an den sich unmittelbar ein zweiter Mikrowellenresonator 107 anschließt. Diese weisen jeweils eine schlitzförmige, sich quer zur Substrattransportrichtung 6 erstreckende Öffnung 109 auf, durch die das Substrat 5 -wie anhand der Figur 3 beschrieben- frei schwebend geführt wird. Es ist ersichtlich, dass der Wirkungsbereich der Mikrowellenresonatoren 105, 107 -in Draufsicht auf den Transportweg des Substrats gesehen- sehr klein beziehungsweise kurz ist. Jedoch kann mittels einer derart ausgestalteten Heizeinrichtung 13 eine sehr hohe Energiedichte auf das Substrat 5 berührungslos übertragen werden. FIG. 5 shows in perspective a section of an embodiment of in FIG. 4 This comprises a first microwave resonator 105, which is followed directly by a second microwave resonator 107. These each have a slot-shaped, extending transversely to the substrate transport direction 6 opening 109, through which the substrate 5 -wie. Based on the FIG. 3 described freely floating is performed. It can be seen that the effective range of the microwave resonators 105, 107-seen in plan view on the transport path of the substrate-is very small or short. However, by means of a heating device 13 designed in this way a very high energy density are transmitted to the substrate 5 without contact.

Festzuhalten bleibt, dass häufig einer der Mikrowellenresonatoren 105, 107 ausreichend ist, um in gewünschter Weise das Tonerbild aufzuschmelzen. Es kann daher gegebenenfalls auf einer der beiden Mikrowellenresonatoren verzichtet werden. Um ein homogenes Aufheizen mit nur einem Mikrowellenresonator mit einem stehenden Wellenfeld zu erzielen, muss das stehende Wellenfeld in geeigneter Weise periodisch senkrecht zur Vorschub-/Substrattransportrichtung oszillieren. Die Breite b1 des Mikrowellenresonators 105 und die Breite b2 des Mikrowellenresonators 107 liegen vorzugsweise jeweils in einem Bereich von 2 cm bis 4 cm. Die Mikrowellenresonatoren senden Mikrowellen aus, die eine Frequenz von beispielsweise 2450 GHz aufweisen. Die beiden Mikrowellenresonatoren dienen dazu, ein homogenes Aufheizen des Tonerbildes sicherzustellen.It should be noted that often one of the microwave resonators 105, 107 is sufficient to melt the toner image as desired. It may therefore be possible to dispense with one of the two microwave resonators. In order to achieve a homogeneous heating with only one microwave resonator with a standing wave field, the standing wave field must oscillate in a suitable periodically perpendicular to the feed / Substrattransportrichtung. The width b 1 of the microwave resonator 105 and the width b 2 of the microwave resonator 107 are preferably each in a range of 2 cm to 4 cm. The microwave resonators emit microwaves having a frequency of, for example, 2450 GHz. The two microwave resonators serve to ensure a homogeneous heating of the toner image.

Es bleibt festzuhalten, dass die anhand der Figur 4 beschriebene Führungseinrichtung 17 auch ohne weiteres bei einem in vertikaler Richtung verlaufenden Transportweg des Substrats 5 eingesetzt werden kann. Dabei ist vorzugsweise die Transportrichtung von oben nach unten, also der Schwerkraft folgend, was Vorteile bei der Stabilisierung des aus einem flexiblen Material bestehenden Substrats 5 mit sich bringt. Ferner wird die Verlagerung des Substrats 5 durch die Schwerkraft unterstützt oder gegebenenfalls im Bereich der Fixiereinrichtung 3 ausschließlich durch die Schwerkraft bewirkt.It remains to be noted that the basis of the FIG. 4 described guide device 17 can also be used readily in a running in the vertical direction of transport of the substrate 5. In this case, the transport direction is preferably from top to bottom, ie following the force of gravity, which brings with it advantages in stabilizing the substrate 5 made of a flexible material. Furthermore, the displacement of the substrate 5 is supported by gravity or possibly effected in the region of the fixing device 3 exclusively by gravity.

Die mit der Anmeldung eingereichten Patentansprüche sind Formulierungsvorschläge ohne Präjudiz für die Erzielung weitergehenden Patentschutzes. Die Anmelderin behält sich vor, noch weitere, bisher nur in der Beschreibung und/oder Zeichnungen offenbarte Merkmalskombination zu beanspruchen.The claims filed with the application are formulation proposals without prejudice to the achievement of further patent protection. The Applicant reserves the right to claim further, previously only disclosed in the description and / or drawings feature combination.

In Unteransprüchen verwendete Rückbeziehungen weisen auf die weitere Ausbildung des Gegenstandes des Hauptanspruches durch die Merkmale des jeweiligen Unteranspruches hin; sie sind nicht als ein Verzicht auf die Erzielung eines selbständigen, gegenständlichen Schutzes für die Merkmalskombinationen der rückbezogenen Unteransprüche zu verstehen.Relationships used in subclaims indicate the further development of the subject of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim; they should not be construed as a waiver of obtaining independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the dependent claims.

Die Ausführungsbeispiele sind nicht als Einschränkung der Erfindung zu verstehen. Zahlreiche Abänderungen und Modifikationen sind im Rahmen der vorliegenden Offenbarung insbesondere der beigefügten Ansprüche möglich.The embodiments are not to be understood as limiting the invention. Numerous modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular, the appended claims.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11
Druck- oder KopiermaschinePrinting or copying machine
33
Fixiereinrichtungfixing
55
Substratsubstratum
77
Oberseitetop
99
Unterseitebottom
1111
Transportrichtungtransport direction
1313
Heizeinrichtungheater
1515
Luftströmungairflow
1717
Führungseinrichtungguide means
1919
1. Blaseinrichtung1. blowing device
2121
Luftstrahlenair jets
2323
Wandwall
2424
Strahlungseinrichtungradiation device
2525
1. Grundplatte1st base plate
2727
DurchgangsöffnungenThrough openings
2929
Luftstrahlair jet
3131
2. Blaseinrichtung2. blowing device
3333
2.Grundplatte2.Grundplatte
3535
Freiraumfree space
3737
DurchgangsöffnungenThrough openings
3939
Luftstrahlair jet
4141
Schutzplatteprotection plate
4343
Zwischenraumgap
4545
Pfeilarrow
4747
Strahlerspotlight
4949
Mikrowellenresonatormicrowave
5151
Öffnungopening
5353
1.Druckkammer1.Druckkammer
5555
Öffnungopening
5757
Lochplatteperforated plate
5959
2.Druckkammer2.Druckkammer
6161
Öffnungopening
6363
Lochplatteperforated plate
6565
Linieline
8383
Rollerole
8585
Rollerole
8787
Transportbandconveyor belt
8989
Führungselementguide element
9191
Kühleinrichtungcooling device
9393
Führungselementguide element
9595
Führungselementguide element
9797
Transportrolletransport roller
9999
Transportrolletransport roller
101101
Vorderkanteleading edge
102102
Hinterkantetrailing edge
103103
Druckluftcompressed air
105105
MikrowellensonatorMikrowellensonator
107107
Mikrowellenresonatormicrowave
109109
Öffnungopening
SonderpositionenExceptional items

HH
Horizontalehorizontal
hH
Höheheight
b1 b 1
Breite Resonator IWide resonator I
b2 b 2
Breite Resonator IIWide resonator II

Claims (19)

  1. Digital printing or copying machine (1) for simplex or duplex printing of a substrate (5) with the use of at least one toner, said machine comprising at least one fusing device (3) for fusing the toner image to the substrate (5), said fusing device (3) having at least one heating device (13) for melt-depositing the toner image, with the substrate (5) being movable past said heating device, characterized by a guiding means (17) for the free-floating displacement of the substrate (5) in the effective region of the heating device (13), the floating state of the substrate (5) being achievable by at least one air cushion acting on the upper side (7) carrying the toner image to be fused, and on the underside (9) of the substrate (5).
  2. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the guiding means (17) comprises at least a first blowing device (19) for generating a first air cushion on the underside (9) of the substrate, said first blowing device (19) comprising at least one nozzle that can be directed at the underside (9) of the substrate in order to act on the substrate (5) by means of pressurized air (21).
  3. Printing or copying machine as in Claim 2, characterized in that the air jet (21) comprises at least one directional component directed perpendicularly to the underside (9) of the substrate and, if needed, a directional component directed in transport direction (11) of the substrate (5).
  4. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the first blowing device (19) comprises a first base plate (25) aligned parallel or essentially parallel to the transport path of the substrate (5), said base plate having several passage openings and/or slits, each forming a nozzle.
  5. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that, for melt-depositing the toner image with the use of the heating device (13), hot air (15) can be applied to the upper side (7) of the substrate carrying the toner to be fused.
  6. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the guiding means (17) comprises at least a second blowing device (31) for generating a second air cushion on the upper side (7) of the substrate (5) carrying the toner image to be fused, said upper side being opposite the heating device (13).
  7. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the second blowing device (31) comprises at least one second base plate (33) aligned parallel or essentially parallel to the transport path of the substrate (5), said base plate having several passage openings (37) and/or slits, each forming a nozzle.
  8. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the heating device (13) is formed by a radiation device (24) by means of which electromagnetic radiation can be applied to the substrate (5), and that the second base plate (33) is arranged in the radiation path between the radiation device (24) and the substrate (5).
  9. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the heating device (13) comprises at least one microwave resonator (49) having a slit-shaped opening (51) through which the substrate (5) is guided in a freely floating manner, and that at least one blowing device for generating an air cushion on the upper side and/or underside of the substrate (5) is integrated in the microwave resonator (49).
  10. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the guiding means (17) comprises, directly upstream of the heating device (13), a displaceable first guiding element, in particular a transport belt (87) or a roller, said guiding element being disposed to transport the substrate (5) to the heating device (13) and, if needed, past the heating device (13).
  11. Printing or copying machine as in Claim 10, characterized in that the guiding means (17) comprises -- viewed in the transport direction (11) of the substrate -- a rigidly arranged second guiding element (89), in particular a guiding plate, in the intermediate space between the first guiding element (87) and the heating device (13).
  12. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the effective region / fusing region of the heating device (13) -- viewed in the transport direction (11) of the substrate -- is very short, preferably less than 20 cm, in particular approximately 10 cm.
  13. Printing or copying machine as in Claim 12, characterized in that the transmittable energy density of the contactlessly operating heating device (13) is very high.
  14. Printing or copying machine as in Claim 13, characterized in that electromagnetic radiation, hot air and/or steam, in particular water vapor, can be applied to the toner image to be fused by means of the heating device (13).
  15. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized by a control device for controlling the velocity of the substrate and/or the position of the substrate relative to the heating device.
  16. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the slit-shaped opening (51) of the microwave resonator (49) is delimited by at least one perforated plate (57, 63).
  17. Printing or copying machine as in Claim 16, characterized in that the perforated plate (57, 63) is made of a material displaying minimal microwave absorption.
  18. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that the transport path of the substrate in the region of the microwave resonator extends in vertical direction, preferably from the top to the bottom.
  19. Printing or copying machine as in one of the previous claims, characterized in that, downstream of the heating device, a cooling device is arranged that is preferably contactlessly operating with respect to the substrate.
EP01128009A 2000-12-22 2001-11-24 Digital printing or copying machine including a fixing device Expired - Lifetime EP1217463B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10064583 2000-12-22
DE10064583 2000-12-22
DE10143988A DE10143988A1 (en) 2000-12-22 2001-09-07 Digital printing or copying machine
DE10143988 2001-09-07

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EP1217463A2 EP1217463A2 (en) 2002-06-26
EP1217463A3 EP1217463A3 (en) 2005-02-09
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DE10359666B4 (en) * 2003-12-18 2011-06-16 Eastman Kodak Co. Method and fixing device for fixing toner on a printing substrate
US7298994B2 (en) * 2004-04-16 2007-11-20 Eastman Kodak Company Process and printing machine for the use of liquid print colors
JP4858196B2 (en) * 2007-01-31 2012-01-18 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Fixing device
DE102007048158B3 (en) * 2007-10-08 2009-05-20 OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH Cooling and cooling method for a substrate in an electrographic printer or copier
US8606165B2 (en) * 2008-04-30 2013-12-10 Xerox Corporation Extended zone low temperature non-contact heating for distortion free fusing of images on non-porous material
US8422930B2 (en) * 2010-03-25 2013-04-16 Eastman Kodak Company Safe radiant toner heating apparatus with membrane
JP4945651B2 (en) * 2010-03-26 2012-06-06 シャープ株式会社 Laser fixing device, image forming apparatus including the laser fixing device, and image forming method using the image forming apparatus
US20150197034A1 (en) * 2014-01-13 2015-07-16 Saint-Gobain Placo Sas Apparatus and Method for Constructing Building Boards Using Low Friction Surfaces
WO2020261615A1 (en) 2019-06-25 2020-12-30 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Heating device and image forming device

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US7092664B2 (en) 2006-08-15
US20020191993A1 (en) 2002-12-19
EP1217463A3 (en) 2005-02-09
EP1217463A2 (en) 2002-06-26

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