Abstract: A print head element part of an ionographic print head is provided having a mechanism for introducing at one end an ionisable gas or gas mixture into a tubular channel, the print head element further having a planar driver electrode and a planar control electrode both surrounding channel, a dielectric body keeping driver electrode and control electrode separate, a source for applying an alternating voltage for the ionization of the gas or gas mixture in channel, a modulation electrode being separated from control electrode by dielectric material, a source for applying a direct current voltage between modulation electrode and control electrode to either block ions in channel or to allow the flow out of ions from channel.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus for printing on a moving substrate (16) is described. The apparatus comprises ink jet printheads (4) for printing on a surface of the substrate, a plurality of rollers (12, 14) arranged to move the substrate (16) relative to the printheads (4), and a pressure source (22). The pressure source (22) is arranged to apply a negative gauge pressure (32) to the substrate (16). The application of the pressure can hold the substrate flat and can reduce undesired movement of the substrate relative to the rollers (12, 14). The apparatus allows for high quality full colour images to be printed onto substrates in a single pass using an ink jet printer.

Abstract: An ion generator for the generation of a plasma is assembled from module subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a dielectric plate 1, on the first surface 1a of which are located a large number of first electrodes 3, and the second surface 1b of which is coated with a structured conductive layer 2. The second subassembly includes an aperatured spacer plate with a large number of dielectric spacers with a second electrode 5 on the side facing away from the dielectric plate 1. In joining the subassemblies together, the aperatured spacer plate is connected to the dielectric plate 1 at its first surface 1a in such a way that cavities 6 for accommodating plasma are formed by the first electrodes 3, parts of the first surface 1a of the dielectric plate 1 and the spacers 4 with the second electrodes 5. The first set of electrodes 3 shield the points where the subassemblies are bonded together from plasma in the cavities.

Abstract: An erase unit for an ion deposition web-fed print engine includes a plenum extending the width of the electrostatic image on the image cylinder and defining an ionization chamber with the image cylinder surface. The plenum has first and second electrodes separated by a dielectric. Upon application of a time-varying potential having a frequency of 0.2 to 50 mHz across the electrodes, ionization occurs, causing an ion current flowing in relation to the image surface until the image surface and the biasing electrode are at the same potential, thus erasing any residual electrostatic image on the cylindrical surface. By providing a DC biasing voltage, the residual electrostatic image may be erased when equalization occurs, with the image cylinder maintaining a pre-charged potential.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an aperture electrode member, a toner supply device, a fixing device, a main power source and a main base plate are mounted to a main body case while a back electrode roller is disposed on a lid member. When the lid member is closed, the aperture electrode member and the back electrode roller are kept at a 1 mm gap interval. On the other hand, when the lid member is opened, the aperture electrode member and the back electrode roller are completely separated from each other, so that the aperture electrode member can be easily cleaned.