REPRODUCTION APPARATUS INCORPORATING ALTERNATE REDEVELOPMENT AND REIMAGING CYCLES FOR MULTIPLE ES

    公开(公告)号:CA1003026A

    公开(公告)日:1977-01-04

    申请号:CA158265

    申请日:1972-12-05

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: A continuously operating transfer reproduction apparatus includes a cyclic control unit which automatically effects alternate redevelopment and reimaging cycles when reproducing multiple copies of the same master. An electrophotographic plate travels in a closed loop past a moving optical system which images the plate with a light image of the master creating a latent electrostatic image on the plate. The latent image is developed at a developing station and transferred to a substrate at a transfer station as the plate travels therepast. Increased throughput speed is achieved by effecting a fixed number of redevelopment cycles while the moving optical system is resetting. Thus, the plate continues its travel past the resetting optical system to the developing station where the latent image is redeveloped and thence to the transfer station for transfer of the developed image to a second substrate. The plate is then cleaned and charged prior to being reimaged with the light image of the same master, and the process continues until the requisite number of copies have been reproduced. In one embodiment, multiple imaging areas, preferably an odd number thereof, are located on the plate facilitating rapid alternate imaging and redevelopment cycles.

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