Abstract:
The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image, and a transfer station for transferring said developed toner image from the primary imaging member to a receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image to the receiver, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. An endless transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing porous layer that would tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles, and a porous overcoat outermost layer that does not tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a double-sleeved roller for use in an electrostatographic machine. The double-sleeved member includes a cylindrical rigid core member. A removable inner sleeve member (ISM) is provided that includes a compliant layer that surrounds and intimately contacts the rigid core member. A removable electrically conductive outer sleeve member (OSM) such that the OSM surrounds and intimately contacts said ISM wherein the ISM and OSM are removable or mountable simultaneously.
Abstract:
A method for coating a liquid composition from an applicator to a first surface of a moving web having opposite first and second surfaces, the web being conveyed along a path through a coating apparatus, the coating apparatus including a charge neutralization station for neutralizing stray charges on the web, the charge neutralization station including a backing roller and means for depositing a charge on the web includes the steps of: wrapping the web in a partial wrap around the backing roller, the backing roller being provided with a conductive, relieved surface, the relieved surface having a pattern of circumferential grooves that provides venting of entrained air, the pattern having a geometry and depth such that any charge left on the web does not disturb the coating applied by the coating apparatus; providing a source of electrostatic charge at the charge neutralization station to neutralize any charge on the web; and transporting the charge neutralized web to a coating station, where a liquid composition is applied to the first surface, whereby the coating of liquid composition is not disturbed by stray electrostatic charges.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for depositing controlled short intervals of electrostatic charge on a moving web substrate to be coated, including a mathematical model that estimates the charging performance of the apparatus. The model is constructed via benchtop characterization of the apparatus. The model is implemented in coating production via an algorithm comprising a best-fit equation representing the model predictions over a range of relevant input parameter values such as web speed, web capacitance, and desired web voltage. The apparatus includes an electrical charging apparatus, a power supply for powering the charging apparatus, and a controller programmed with the algorithm for automatically setting and controlling the intensity and duration of the output of the power supply to yield the optimal electrostatic potential on the charging apparatus. In operation, run-specific variables including web type and coating speed are also provided as inputs to the controller. The invention is useful in minimizing coating disturbances at starts and between-roll splices.
Abstract:
A method for electrostatically assisting in coating a liquid composition from a hopper to a web supported by a backing roller, characterized by the steps of a) neutralizing all charges on both surfaces of the web by passing the web through an appropriate electrostatic environment ahead of the coating point, and b) providing a uniform electrostatic field around the backing roller, which field extends through the web to engender an electrostatic “pressure” for urging the liquid composition toward the coatable surface of the substrate at the coating point resulting in an increase in the maximum coating speed achievable without onset of air entrainment at the coating point, improved thickness uniformity of coating, and a reduction in residual charge on the web after coating.
Abstract:
Electrostatographic toning with charged toner particles which are transported along a conveyor having an array of repeating sets of electrodes upon which an electrostatic traveling wave pattern is established. The traveling wave pattern causes already charged toner particles to slide and roll along the conveyor to a selection site whereat individual toner particles are either directed toward the receiver or are returned to a developer reservoir. The width of each of the electrodes for the traveling wave grid is comparable to the size of the toner particles such that the particles are transported individually along the conveyor. At the selection site, unwanted particles are deflected from the path to a receiver. The receiver can be placed against a conveyor plate to avoid the divergence and bouncing problems.
Abstract:
A system for charging a photoreceptor (3) includes a first corona charging unit (2) a first corona electrode (4), a first shell electrode (6), and a first high voltage power supply (22). The shell electrode is connected through a resistor to ground and the high voltage power supply is connected to the first corona electrode. A second corona charging unit (10) has a second corona electrode (12), and a first grid electrode (14) connected to a second shell electrode (16). A first corona current from the first high voltage power supply to the first corona electrode and a return current from the first shell electrode to ground is sensed and a voltage on the high voltage power supply is adjusted to maintain a constant difference. The first corona charging unit charges the photoreceptor to at least 63% of the desired voltage.
Abstract:
A method of charging a photoreceptor (3) includes a first corona charging unit (2) a first corona electrode (4), a first shell electrode (6), and a first high voltage power supply (22). The shell electrode is connected through a resistor to ground and the high voltage power supply is connected to the first corona electrode. A second corona charging unit (10) has a second corona electrode (12), and a first grid electrode (14) connected to a second shell electrode (16). A first corona current from the first high voltage power supply to the first corona electrode and a return current from the first shell electrode to ground is sensed and a voltage on the first high voltage power supply is adjusted to maintain a constant difference. The first corona charging unit charges the photoreceptor to at least 63% of the desired voltage.
Abstract:
The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image, and a transfer station for transferring said developed toner image from the primary imaging member to a receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image to the receiver, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. An endless transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing porous layer that would tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles, and a porous overcoat outermost layer that does not tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles.
Abstract:
A system for charging an insulating object on a static dissipative surface with a constant current includes a corona electrode in close proximity to the insulating surface; a shell electrode in close proximity to the corona electrode; a high voltage power supply connected to the corona electrode; wherein the potential of the shell electrode is raised to at least one tenth the magnitude of the potential of the corona electrode; sensing a first current from the high voltage power supply to the corona electrode; sensing a second current from the shell electrode to ground; and adjusting a voltage on the high voltage power supply to maintain a constant difference between the first current and the second current.