Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet having low toner pile height is disclosed. A latent image is formed on an imaging member. A developer unit develops the latent image with a less than monolayer of toner particles on the imaging member. The developed image is transferred to a compliant intermediate member whereupon a filming station spreads the toner particles to form a film layer. The station includes a heater for heating the less than monolayer of toner particles to a temperature sufficient to cause the toner particles present on the intermediate member to soften; and a roller for spreading the less than a monolayer of toner particles to generate the thin film layer. The above process is repeated for subsequent colored toners to produce a multi film layer color image. Thereafter, the multi film layer color image is transferred from the intermediate member onto a recording sheet.

Abstract: A Recharge-Expose-and-Develop Image on Image color electrophotographic printing system in which the photoreceptor is recharged between development of one color of toner image and the subsequent exposure for a second color latent image by first being sprayed with opposite sign ions to reduce the photoreceptor potential and then being charged with correct sign ions to recharge the photoreceptor to a desired potential.

Abstract: Interdigitated electrodes on a donor roll enable uncharged toner to be picked up from a fluidized bed reservoir. This layer of toner is subsequently charged by exposure to a corona device and delivered to a development zone, where it is used to develop an electrostatic latent image. Residual toner on the donor is neutralized by exposure to a second corona device and then stripped for return to the fluidized bed by applying an AC voltage between adjacent donor electrodes. So-called ion charging of the toner is known to cause the particles to have low adhesion, allowing development with DC fields alone. Optionally, an AC voltage can also be applied to adjacent donor electrodes in the development zone to enhance particle release. In addition to providing a means to impart adequate flow to the toner in this single component development system, the fluidized bed reservoir, in conjunction with ion charging, also provides a means for blending dry powder toners to achieve custom color development.

Abstract: An acoustic scavengeless assist (ASA) development apparatus, and a multicolor image reproduction machine including such a development apparatus. The (ASA) development apparatus includes a biased vibratory section having a piezoelectric member and a donor member, as well as, a development electrode section, for presenting toner particles to latent electrostatic images for image development. The donor member is positioned within the reproduction machine and forms a development nip with a latent image bearing surface of a photoreceptor of the reproduction machine. Importantly, the biased vibratory section has at least a first conductive electrode formed therein adjacent to the piezoelectric member for effecting controlled vibratory toner release from the donor member, and a first bias for biasing the at least first conductive electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of toner. A toner donor member is spaced from the image bearing surface and adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface. A charging device is disposed in the chamber for ion charging the toner. An air injection system fluidizes the toner in the chamber. The injection system and a transport member cooperate with one another to define a region wherein a substantially constant quantity of toner having a substantially constant ion charge is deposited on the transport member. The toner is electrostatically transferred from the transport member to the donor member which contains interdigitated electrodes positioned near the surface of a dielectric core roll. An AC voltage is applied between the interdigitated electrodes to detach toner from the donor member so as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image in an image on image process.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including toner and carrier beads. A toner donor member is spaced from the surface and is adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface. A magnetic roller conveys the toner material in the chamber of the housing onto the donor member. An electrode member is spaced near the surface of a donor roll, the electrode member electrically biased by a power supply to detach toner from the donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image. A power supply controller, in communication with the power supply, is adapted to adjust the electrode member electrical biasing to avoid air breakdown induced contamination of the electrode member with toner.

Abstract: A scavengeless or non-interactive development system is described for use in image formation such as highlight color imaging. A toned donor roll structure having two sets of interdigitated electrodes physically supported by an insulative support structure is provided. An equal magnitude DC potential is applied to both sets of electrodes while an AC potential is applied to either one or both sets of electrodes. The AC and DC biases are such as to preclude background development without creating fringe DC fields between adjacent electrodes.

Abstract: A coated transport means comprised of a core with a coating comprised of charge transporting molecules and an oxidizing agent, or oxidizing agents dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: Three fuser rollers cooperate with a pressure roller to form an extended fusing zone through which a substrate carrying toner images passes with the toner images contacting the fusing belt. Electrical power is applied to the three fuser rolls in such a manner that only the portions of the belt in the fusing zone are heated. The energy is concentrated only in the part of the fusing belt where it is needed for fusing the toner images on the final substrate. Thus, the free extent of the belt or in other words the portion of the belt outside of the fusing zone remains unheated. Toner images are directly formed on or transferred to the unheated portion of the fusing belt. The images carried by the belt are then moved through the fusing zone where the images are simultaneously transferred and fused to a final substrate.

Abstract: A two-component development unit for an electrophotographic printer includes a rotatable donor roll having a plurality of longitudinal electrodes along its circumference. A magnetic structure within the donor roll permits two-component developer to be advanced to a development zone. Adjacent electrodes on the donor roll are AC biased in opposite phases so as create a powder cloud of toner from the developer in the development zone. The magnetic structure is arranged to provide pole effects substantially immediately downstream and upstream of the development zone in the direction of motion of the donor roll.

Abstract: A non-interactive or scavengeless development system for use in color imaging. To control the developability of lines and the degree of interaction between the toner and receiver, an AC voltage is applied between a donor roll and electrodes supported adjacent to the surface of said donor roll to enable efficient detachment of toner from the donor to form a toner cloud. An AC voltage applied between the donor roll assembly and an image receiver serves to position the cloud in close proximity to the image receiver for optimum development of lines and solid areas without scavenging a previously toned image.

Abstract: A coated toner transport roll containing a core with a coating thereover of transporting molecules dispersed in a binder and an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride and trifluoroacetic acid. These oxidizing agents can be selected in an amount of from about 1 to about 50 weight percent. Also, the coating possesses a relaxation time of from about 0.0099 millisecond to about 3.5 milliseconds, and a residual voltage of from about 1 to about 10 volts.

Abstract: A non-interactive or scavengeless development system wherein taut wires are utilized for liberating toner particles from a donor member. Off-axis wire mounting allows taut wires to make gentler contact with a rotating roll without tight tolerance requirements. The wire is made to "float" on the roll to accommodate any roll runout.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A plurality of electrical conductors are located in grooves in the donor roll. The electrical conductors are spaced from one another and adapted to be electrically biased in the development zone to detach toner from the donor roll so as to form a toner cloud in the development zone. In the development zone, toner is attracted from the toner cloud to the latent image. In this way, the latent image is developed with toner.

Abstract: A scavengeless/non-interactive development system for use in highlight color imaging. The use of dual frequencies for the AC voltages applied between the wires and donor and donor and image receiver of a scavengeless development system allows for greater gap latitude without degradation of line development. Dual frequency refers to the application of an AC voltage at one frequency to the wire electrodes and the simultaneous application of a different frequency AC to the donor structure for insuring proper positioning of the toner cloud relative to the imaging surface.A relatively low frequency, for example, 2 to 5 kHz AC is applied betweeen the donor and the imaging surface. By applying a relatively low frequency AC to the donor roll, the development gap (or electrode wire to image surface) latitude is enhanced thereby allowing larger gaps to accommodate manufacturing and machine setup tolerances, such as donor roll runout.

Abstract: Direct electrostatic printing without the use of an apertured printhead structure is accomplished by supplying mechanical energy in an image-wise manner via AC fringe fields coupled to a toned donor member. The A.C. fringe fields are created using paired electrodes positioned behind the donor member where they can properly function notwithstanding fluctuations in the ambient environment.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member with toner. Fluidized toner is transported from one end of the developer housing to the other end. An electrical bias is applied between the toner mover and the donor roller so as to attract toner to the donor roller. A rotating rod resiliently urged into contact with the donor roller charges and meters the toner on the donor roller. Electrically biased wires in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roller detach toners from the donor roll so as to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone. Detached toner from the toner powder cloud develops the latent image.

Abstract: Selective coloring of bi-level latent electrostatic images is obtained through a combination of 1) a scavengeless development nip enabled by an AC biased wire in self-spaced contact with a toned donor roll, 2) a belt image receiver such as either a photoreceptor or electroreceptor without a ground plane and 3) an array of addressable, stationary electrodes positioned behind the belt in alignment with the AC biased wire. Selective coloring of the electrostatic image is obtained by selectively DC biasing addressable, stationary electrode structures forming electrode arrays positioned behind the belt. By controlling the level and timing for applying a DC bias to each electrode segment, the developability can be switched on and off with x,y addressability in the plane of the electrostatic image.

Abstract: A scavengeless development system for use in highlight color imaging. AC biased electrodes positioned in close proximity to a magnetic brush structure carrying a two-component developer cause a controlled cloud of toner to be generated which noninteractively develops an electrostatic image. The two-component developer includes mixture of carrier beads and toner particles. By making the two-component developer magnetically tractable, the developer is transported to the development zone as in conventional magnetic brush development where the development roll or shell of the magnetic brush structure rotates about stationary magnets positioned inside the shell.

Abstract: A scavengeless/non-interactive development system for use in highlight color imaging. To control the developability of lines and the degree of interaction between the toner and receiver, the combination of an AC voltage on a developer donor roll with an AC voltage between toner cloud forming wires and donor roll enables efficient detachment of toner from the donor to form a toner cloud and position one end of the cloud in close proximity to the image receiver for optimum development of lines and solid areas without scavenging a previously toned image.