The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 30, 1993
Filed:
Oct. 18, 1991
Makoto Fujino, Nagano, JP;
Masakazu Shinozuka, Nagano, JP;
Yoshinori Miyazawa, Nagano, JP;
Hideo Yamazaki, Nagano, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a thin endless filmm on which is formed a latent electrostatic image, the endless film having heat-resistant and dielectric properties, a transfer mechanism for transferring the endless film, a latent electrostatic image recording head disposed outside the endless film for recording a latent electrostatic image on the endless film, a developing unit disposed outside the endless film for developing the latent electrostatic image on the endless film by placing toner particles in close proximity to or bringing the toner particles into contact with the endless film, a back electrode and a heater disposed inside the endless film, a pressure roller opposed to the heater with respect to the endless film, and a discharge unit disposed outside the endless film for discharging the latent electrostatic image. Alternately, the endless film can be formed by depositing a thin heat-resistant dielectric layer on the surface of a thin, conductive endless film, in which case the back electrode can be omitted.