IP Library Granted Patent US 10,232,641
Granted Patent B2
US 10,232,641 · App. 15/459,154 · Granted Mar 19, 2019

Drying device and liquid discharging device

Inventor: Masafumi Yamada (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
B41J11/002B41J3/60F26B3/34F26B3/347H05B6/60H05B6/62
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,232,641
App. No.
15/459,154
Granted
Mar 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drying device includes: a dielectric heating unit configured to apply an alternating electrical field to a medium onto which a liquid containing a conductive material, water, and a solvent has been discharged, and perform dielectric heating of the liquid; and a conductive member disposed either to make contact with or to be close to the medium to which the alternating electrical field is being applied.

Claims (37)

1. A drying device comprising:

a dielectric heating unit configured to apply an alternating electrical field to a medium onto which a liquid is applied, and performing dielectric heating of the liquid, the dielectric heating unit including an electrode; and

a conductive member that contacts or is close to the medium to which the alternating electrical field is being applied,

wherein the medium is in between the electrode and the conductive member,

wherein the dielectric heating unit includes

a first dielectric heating unit configured to apply the alternating electrical field from side of a first face of the medium, and

a second dielectric heating unit configured to apply the alternating electrical field from side of a second face of the medium that is on opposite side of the first face, and

wherein the conductive member contacts or is close to the first face of the medium to which the alternating electrical field is being applied by the second dielectric heating unit.

2. The drying device according to claim 1 , wherein the first dielectric heating unit heats the liquid in such a way that a solvent remains behind in a predetermined amount.

3. The drying device according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive member is a sheet-like member having substantially uniform thickness.

4. The drying device according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive member makes contact with the medium and moves along with the medium.

5. The drying device according to claim 4 , wherein the conductive member is a belt-type member.

6. The drying device according to claim 1 , wherein width of the conductive member is substantially equal to width of the medium.

7. A liquid discharging device comprising:

the drying device according to claim 1 ; and

a discharging unit configured to discharge the liquid onto the medium.

8. A liquid discharging device comprising:

the drying device according to claim 1 ; and

a roller member configured to convey the medium from the first dielectric heating unit to the second dielectric heating unit, and to discharge air from a portion facing the first face.

9. A liquid discharging device comprising:

the drying device according to claim 1 ; and

an auxiliary drying unit configured to, after heating is performed by the second dielectric heating unit, additionally dry the liquid.

10. A drying device comprising:

a dielectric heating unit configured to apply an alternating electrical field to a medium onto which a liquid is applied, and performing dielectric heating of the liquid, the dielectric heating unit including an electrode;

a conductive member that contacts or is close to the medium to which the alternating electrical field is being applied; and

a belt member disposed in between the medium and the conductive member disposed close to the medium, the belt member making contact with the medium and with the conductive member, and moving along with the medium.

11. A drying device comprising:

a dielectric heating unit configured to apply an alternating electrical field to a medium onto which a liquid is applied, and performing dielectric heating of the liquid; and

a conductive member that contacts or is close to the medium to which the alternating electrical field is being applied,

wherein the dielectric heating unit includes

an electrode;

a first dielectric heating unit configured to apply the alternating electrical field from side of a first face of the medium; and

a second dielectric heating unit configured to apply the alternating electrical field from side of a second face of the medium that is on opposite side of the first face, and

wherein conductivity of the conductive member satisfies relationship given in Equation (1):

(conductivity of image formed on the first face after first drying thereof)×(thickness of image formed on the first face after first drying thereof)<(conductivity of the conductive member)×(thickness of the conductive member)<(conductivity of image formed on the second face that is undried)×(thickness of image formed on the second face that is undried)   (1)

wherein first drying represents drying performed by the first dielectric heating unit, and

wherein image formed on the second face that is undried represents an image formed on the second face that is not yet heated by the second dielectric heating unit.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2017
From: YAMADA, MASAFUMI
To: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 042011/0284 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-053099 · Mar 16, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170266986A1 · Sep 21, 2017
Cited By (3)
US 12,225,822 US 12,285,938 US 12,291,019