Abstract: A system and method are provided including a coating method and apparatus using a dielectrophoretic fluid movement system to coat with a non-conducting fluid along a surface that includes a non-conducting surface to receive the non-conducting fluid and a first and second array of one or more substantially parallel microelectrodes positioned on the surface, said first array having microelectrode(s) positioned between, and alternating with, the microelectrode(s) of the second array, forming an interleaved pattern as well as an electric power source in communication with the first array and second array so that the first array and second array interact to create a non-uniform electric field such that the non-conducting fluid moves parallel to the microelectrodes in response to the applied non-uniform electric field.

Abstract: A system and method are provided including a coating method and apparatus using a dielectrophoretic fluid movement system to coat with a non-conducting fluid along a surface that includes a non-conducting surface to receive the non-conducting fluid and a first and second array of one or more substantially parallel microelectrodes positioned on the surface, said first array having microelectrode(s) positioned between, and alternating with, the microelectrode(s) of the second array, forming an interleaved pattern as well as an electric power source in communication with the first array and second array so that the first array and second array interact to create a non-uniform electric field such that the non-conducting fluid moves parallel to the microelectrodes in response to the applied non-uniform electric field.

Abstract: Toner is applied to a receiver having an area to be folded and a separate area not to be folded. Non-fold and fold-area screening patterns are selected. The non-fold screening pattern has a toner coverage greater than 50% and the fold-area screening pattern has a toner coverage less than 50%. Image data to be applied to the receiver in the area to be folded and the area not to be folded are received. The image data in the area not to be folded are processed using the non-fold screening pattern and the image data in the area to be folded are processed using the fold-area screening pattern to provide screened data. Toner corresponding to the screened data is applied to the receiver. The applied toner is fused to the receiver, so that the area to be folded includes fused toner.

Abstract: Printers with variable receiver supply are provided. In one aspect a printer is provided having a source of image data and production data for use in printing a set of images, with each image having a defined size and shape and a receiver supply having a web of receiver and a cutter adapted to cut the web of receiver to a determined length. The printer also has print engine to print the images on the receiver and a finishing system that is configurable between at least two configurations. A user input system receives user input from which a priority setting can be determined between an output rate priority and an efficiency priority; and a controller determines the configuration of the finishing system, receives the image data and production data and determines a priority setting.

Abstract: Methods for operating a printer are provided. In one aspect, a method has the steps of receiving image data and production data for printing a set of images with each image having a defined size and shape, determining a finishing configuration of a finishing system; and determining a priority setting between an output rate priority and an efficiency priority. The images are organized for printing on the receiver in the defined sizes and shapes based upon the determined priority and the finishing configuration and the images are printed on the receiver as organized. The receiver is finished to provide prints of the images each having the defined size and shape for that image.

Abstract: Systems for producing bound electrophotographic prints are provided. In one aspect there is provided a system with a print engine having a printing module to form a toner image on a receiver, a fuser with a heater that heats the toner image to fuse the toner image to a receiver to form a print, a stacking system that stacks the print and a sheet in a stacking area with the fused toner image between the print and the sheet. A heating system has a heat source that applies a heat along an edge of the stack, and a controller that causes the toner image to have toner in a binding area proximate to the heated edge of the stack and in an image area that is separated from the binding area by a separation area.

Abstract: Methods for forming bound electrophotographic prints are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of applying a toner to a receiver to form a toner image with having toner in a binding area and in an image area. The binding area is proximate to a binding edge of the receiver and the image area that is separated from the binding area by an separation area. The toner image is fused to form a print, and a sheet and the prints are stacked with the toner in the binding area of the print confronting the sheet along a binding edge of the sheet. Heat is applied at the binding edges to cause the toner in the binding area to fuse for a second time. A residual portion of the applied heat heats the separation area but the separation area does not heat the image area to an extent sufficient to fuse toner in the image area.

Abstract: Printing of information with a distinct tactile feel can be accomplished by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing includes the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing standard size marking particles; and in areas of the formed print image, forming raised information by printing at least a first raised image and a second raised image. The print and raised images are fixing on the receiver member. The raised images are applied using toner particles having diameters substantially larger than the diameters standard size toner particles used for applying the print image.

Abstract: A booklet with a cover sheet and a plurality of inner sheets is produced. The cover sheet is folded to begin the booklet. One at a time, the inner sheets are selectively printed, folded, and nested into the booklet. When each inner sheet is nested in the booklet, an edge of the inner sheet protrudes beyond an edge of the cover sheet. The protruding edge of the inner sheet is cut flush with the corresponding edge of the cover sheet.

Abstract: Systems for folding a receiver having a dry toner thermally fused thereon are provided. In one aspect, a system for folding has a wetting system adapted to apply water along a fold line and a fold mechanism folding the receiver along the fold line. The folding is performed after a predetermined absorption period during which at least a portion of the applied water is absorbed by the receiver to reduce the extent to which the receiver cracks proximate the fold line during folding.

Abstract: A method of producing a booklet including an outer sheet and an inner sheet nested together. A processor calculates a cut length in a specific direction of the inner sheet using the thicknesses of the sheets, so that when the sheets are folded and the inner sheet is nested into the outer sheet, the edges of the inner sheet will not protrude beyond the edges of the outer sheet. A cutting device automatically cuts the inner sheet to the calculated cut length to define a fold axis. A print engine prints an image on the inner sheet after cutting the inner sheet. The inner sheet is automatically folded along its fold axis after printing. The outer sheet is automatically folded along its fold axis. The inner and outer sheets are automatically nested together to produce the booklet.

Abstract: A booklet is produced including an outer sheet and an inner sheet folded and nested together. A print image having a thickness is printed where it is between the two sheets when they nest together. A cut length is calculated using the thicknesses of the sheets and the thickness of the print image, so that when the sheets are folded and the inner sheet is nested into the outer sheet, the edges of the inner sheet will not protrude beyond the edges of the outer sheet. The inner sheet is cut to the calculated cut length either before or after printing. The cut inner sheet and the outer sheet are folded and nested together to produce the booklet.

Abstract: Methods are provided for folding a receiver having a dry toner thermally fused thereon. In one aspect, water is applied along a fold line. The receiver is folded along the fold line. The folding is performed after a predetermined absorption period during which at least a portion of the applied water is absorbed by the receiver to reduce the extent to which the receiver cracks proximate to the fold line during folding.

Abstract: An electrostatographic apparatus and method of forming a toner image on a receiver using a segmented roller in order to improve transfer of a pigmented toner image to a receiver. The pigmented toner image is applied using the segmented roller and is then transferred to a receiver sheet.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printing of one or more layers of toner to enable the printing of a wide range of toner mass laydown using electrophotography to produce prints with raised letters. This method encompasses the steps of forming multicolor toner images and fusing the print one or more times to create the raised print. having the desired height of raised print.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printing of one or more layers of toner to enable the printing of a wide range of toner mass laydown using electrophotography to produce prints with raised letters. This method encompasses the steps of forming multicolor toner images and fusing the print one or more times to create the raised print. having the desired height of raised print.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printing of one or more layers of toner to enable the printing of a wide range of toner mass laydown using electrophotography to produce prints with raised letters. This method encompasses the steps of forming multicolor toner images and fusing the print one or more times to create the raised print having the desired height of raised print.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making an intermediate transfer member. The process includes forming an endless belt by seaming two ends of a substrate material to form a seam. A smoothing layer is applied on top of the endless belt using a rotary cast process wherein said intermediate transfer member has a continuous seamless top surface. In a preferred embodiment the endless belt is formed by adhering at least two layers of a substrate to form a belt having an inner and outer seam.

Abstract: Electrographic printing of raised multidimensional toner shapes having a particular profile by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing predetermined sized marking particles; and, where desired, forming a final predetermined multidimensional shape utilizing marking particles of a predetermined size or size distribution.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for printing an image-wise ink pattern on a receiver. A primary imaging member includes a series of substantially equal-sized cells located over the substrate surface thereof. The primary imaging member has an electrically conductive layer. An ink jet printhead selectively ejects drops of ink into the primary imaging member cells in a desired image-wise ink pattern. The image-wise ink on the primary imaging member is fractionated to separate the liquid in the ink. A receiver is transported into operative association with the primary imaging member, and a transfer mechanism applies a pressure between the receiver and the primary imaging member, and establishes an electrostatic field to transfer the image-wise ink pattern to the receiver.