Abstract:
Multi-color liquid toner electrophotographic apparatus including an image bearing surface (10) apparatus (16) for developing an image on the image bearing surface using a plurality of liquid toners of different colors and apparatus for transferring a developed image from the image bearing (10) surface to a substrate (25) wherein the apparatus for developing (16) includes a plurality of colored liquid toner reservoir volumes (40, 42, 44, 46) each for a different color, which are separated by a barrier (100) which prevents pigmented particle communication therebetween and permits communication of carrier liquid therebetween.
Abstract:
An imaging system including an image bearing surface (16) and an intermediate transfer member (40) operative for transfer of liquid toner images from the image bearing surface (16) to a substrate (42) provides for first transfer engagement between the intermediate transfer member (40) and the image bearing surface (16) for transfer of an image from the image bearing surface to the intermediate transfer member (40) at a first pressure, producing deformation of the intermediate transfer member (40) to a first deformation degree. The system also provides for second transfer engagement between the intermediate transfer member (40) and the substrate (42) for transfer of the image from the intermediate transfer member to the substrate at a second pressure, producing deformation of the intermediate transfer member (40) to a second deformation degree. In one preferred embodiment the intermediate transfer member (40) includes a compressible layer having a transfer surface, a backing layer disposed away from the image bearing surface and a heating layer. The heating layer is disposed intermediate the backing layer and the transfer surface.
Abstract:
A half-tone reproduction of an object (10) on a recording medium (41) is produced using gray level values contained in the cells of an object matrix (37) representative of the object. An actuatable marking device (42) is operatively associated with and displaceable relative to the recording medium (41) for printing a dot (43A) thereon at an exposure point determined by the location of the marking device (42) at which the latter is actuated. A representation (43) of the coordinates of the marking device is obtained, and converted (44) to modular coordinates representative of the coordinates of the exposure point on a mesh of a fictitious of half-tone screen having a predetermined angular orientation relative to the print medium. A threshold screen value is computed (35) from the modular coordinates, and a gray level value is obtained from the cell of the object matrix closest to the coordinates of the exposure point. The threshold value is compared (46) to the obtained gray level value, and an actuating signal (48) is produced depending upon the results of the comparison.
Abstract:
Electrostatic separator apparatus for the separation of particles from a liquid including a drum (10) having a drum surface (12), means for supplying a particle dispersion comprising particles dispersed in a liquid to the drum surface (12), electrostatic means for causing at least some of the particles to adhere to the drum surface (12) in a nonimagewise configuration, resilient blade means (22), downstream of the electrostatic means, for operative engagement with the drum surface (12) for retaining a layer (24) of particle rich material on the drum surface (12), and layer removal means (30) for layerwise removing substantially all of said layer (24) from the drum surface (12).
Abstract:
A filter (30) for separating a flowing fluid containing charged particles into two streams, one essentially free of particles and one laden with particles, includes a main conduit (31) having an inlet (32) at one end for receiving the flowing fluid, and having two outlets (33, 34) downstream of the one end for dividing the flow into two outlet flow paths. A pair of electrodes (33, 34) between which the fluid flows, is located in the main conduit (31) upstream of the outlets (33, 34); and each of the outlets is associated with a respective electrode (35 or 36). Voltage sources are connected to the electrodes (35, 36) such that one is more positive than the other for establishing, in the fluid flowing between the electrodes (35, 36), an electric field having a component (E) transverse to the direction of flow whereby the particles in the field are attracted toward one of the electrodes (35, 36) and travel into the outlet (33, 34) associated therewith. A dielectric coating (38) of release material in the form of a fluorosilicone polymer is applied to the surface of the one electrode (36) for inhibiting plating-out of particles thereon while fluid flows in the conduit (31).
Abstract:
An imaging system comprising apparatus for forming a latent image on a surface, said latent image including a first portion having a high level of electrostatic charge, a second portion having a low level of electrostatic charge and a third portion having an intermediate level of electrostatic charge, the charges on the first, second and third portions being of the same polarity; and apparatus for developing the latent image by contacting it with a liquid toner composition comprising an insulating, nonpolar liquid having admixed therewith a first type of pigmented particles having charges of a first polarity and a second type of pigmented particles having charges of an opposite polarity, such that the first type of pigmented particles becomes deposisted onto the first portion and the second type of pigmented particles becomes deposited onto the second portion.