Abstract: In one example, a flow structure for an ink supply in a liquid electrophotographic developer unit includes an elongated basin having a volume that shrinks progressively from an upstream part of the basin to a downstream part of the basin such that a rate of shrinkage increases towards the downstream part.

Abstract: In certain examples, a liquid electrophotographic printer has a charge erasing element and a charging element. The charge erasing element at least partially discharges a charged photo imaging plate and a charged layer of liquid toner and the charging element at least partially recharges the layer of liquid toner and the photo imaging plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration in which an electrically connected condition can further be stabilized in electrical-connection zones between a body of an image-forming apparatus, and an image-forming unit and a plurality of image-forming cartridges. Developing electrode members and wire power-feed electrodes are attached to a slide frame. Each of the developing electrode members has a first body-side contact. The developing electrode members are electrically connected with the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are electrically connected with wire output terminals through contact with the wire output terminals. The developing electrode members are elastically deformed as a result of their first body-side contacts being pressed in a direction, which is along a slide direction, by the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are pressed in a paper width direction by the wire output terminals.

Abstract: Liquid marking agent development assemblies, hard imaging devices, and liquid marking agent hard imaging methods are described. According to one aspect, a liquid marking agent development assembly includes a developer member having an outer surface, a marking agent delivery system to supply a liquid marking agent comprising a plurality of ink particles to a first location of the outer surface of the developer member, and a development system to adhere a plurality of the ink particles to the outer surface of the developer member, and wherein the development system is to adhere the adhered ink particles at a second location of the outer surface of the developer member which is upstream from the first location with respect to a direction of movement of the outer surface of the developer member.

Abstract: A developer flows ink from the ink inlet chamber along a first side of a first electrode, through a gap between the first electrode and a developer roller and back to the inlet chamber.

Abstract: In a device or method to develop charge images generated on a charge image carrier, a rotating applicator moves developer fluid having charged toner particles charged to a predetermined charge and carrier fluid past the charge image carrier. The developer fluid is moved into a developer gap between the applicator and a counter-electrode where it is exposed to an electrical field between the counter-electrode and the applicator. The toner particles of the predetermined charge are moved in a direction of the applicator depending on their charge, uncharged toner particles remaining unaffected and toner particles of opposite charge being repelled. Via a separation electrode protruding into the developer gap, the developer fluid in the developer gap is divided at an exit of the developer gap into a first partial flow adjacent to the application electrode and into a second partial flow adjacent to the counter-electrode where it is discharged.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printing apparatus and method of printing using electrophotographic printing apparatus, the apparatus comprising an image-forming member having a surface on which a latent electrostatic image can be formed and developed for transfer of the developed image to a substrate via an intermediate transfer member. The apparatus comprises a voltage supply for generating electric potential between the surface of the intermediate transfer member and the image-forming member such that the developed image formed on the surface of the image-forming member is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. A controller of the apparatus controls the voltage supply to adjust the electrical potential to affect the transfer of ink to the intermediate transfer member from the image-forming member. In this way, the apparatus can adjust for changes in the electrical properties of the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration in which an electrically connected condition can further be stabilized in electrical-connection zones between a body of an image-forming apparatus, and an image-forming unit and a plurality of image-forming cartridges. Developing electrode members and wire power-feed electrodes are attached to a slide frame. Each of the developing electrode members has a first body-side contact. The developing electrode members are electrically connected with the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are electrically connected with wire output terminals through contact with the wire output terminals. The developing electrode members are elastically deformed as a result of their first body-side contacts being pressed in a direction, which is along a slide direction, by the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are pressed in a paper width direction by the wire output terminals.

Abstract: To remove a surplus carrier liquid after development on the surface of a photoconductor drum to obtain homogeneous printed images without being affected by an error in rotational accuracy of such as a carrier liquid removing roller, there is provided a wet type electrophotographic printer in which the carrier liquid removing roller 14 of a carrier liquid removing unit 8 is caused to come in rotational contact with the photoconductor drum 1 to remove a carrier liquid from the liquid toner image, thereby making a toner image for transfer onto a recording medium 7, the wet type electrophotographic printer being so configured that the carrier liquid removing roller in rotational contact with the photoconductor drum is urged against the latter under an urging force made adjustable; and a scraping blade 23 is brought into contact with the carrier liquid removing roller while being urged against the latter under an urging force made adjustable.

Abstract: Liquid marking agent development assemblies, hard imaging devices, and liquid marking agent hard imaging methods are described. According to one aspect, a liquid marking agent development assembly includes a developer member comprising an outer surface, a marking agent delivery system configured to supply a liquid marking agent comprising a plurality of ink particles to a first location of the outer surface of the developer member, and a development system configured to adhere a plurality of the ink particles to the outer surface of the developer member, and wherein the development system is configured to adhere at least a majority of the adhered ink particles at a second location of the outer surface of the developer member which is upstream from the first location with respect to a direction of movement of the outer surface of the developer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a liquid developer holding member and a bias voltage applying unit. The liquid developer holding member includes a conductive core member and a dielectric layer provided on an outer circumference of the core member, and the dielectric layer includes a dielectric material and has at least one concave portion formed on a surface thereof. The at least one concave portion of the dielectric layer holds therein a liquid developer containing a solid developer dispersed in a carrier liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration in which an electrically connected condition can further be stabilized in electrical-connection zones between a body of an image-forming apparatus, and an image-forming unit and a plurality of image-forming cartridges. Developing electrode members 161 and wire power-feed electrodes 162 are attached to a slide frame 140. Each of the developing electrode members 161 has a first body-side contact 161e3. The developing electrode members 161 are electrically connected with developing-roller output terminals 171 through contact with the developing-roller output terminals 171. The wire power-feed electrodes 162 are electrically connected with wire output terminals 172 through contact with the wire output terminals 172. The developing electrode members 161 are elastically deformed as a result of their first body-side contacts 161e3 being pressed in an M2 direction, which is along a slide direction S, by the developing-roller output terminals 171.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printing apparatus and method of printing using electrophotographic printing apparatus, the apparatus comprising an image-forming member having a surface on which a latent electrostatic image can be formed and developed for transfer of the developed image to a substrate via an intermediate transfer member. The apparatus comprises a voltage supply for generating electric potential between the surface of the intermediate transfer member and the image-forming member such that the developed image formed on the surface of the image-forming member is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. A controller of the apparatus controls the voltage supply to adjust the electrical potential to affect the transfer of ink to the intermediate transfer member from the image-forming member. In this way, the apparatus can adjust for changes in the electrical properties of the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: A liquid separator is a device for separating and extracting a dispersoid and a dispersion medium from a liquid sample containing the dispersoid and the dispersion medium. The liquid separator has a liquid storage container capable of storing the liquid sample; an electrode roller including a rotary shaft, arranged to touch the liquid sample in the liquid storage container, capable of conveying the liquid sample along the outer circumferential surface thereof and rotatable about the rotary shaft; a separating member held in contact with the electrode roller for separating the dispersion medium from the liquid sample being conveyed along the outer circumferential surface of the electrode roller; and a collecting member for collecting the dispersion medium from the outer circumferential surface of the electrode roller at a position downstream of the contact position with the electrode roller and the separating member in a rotating direction of the electrode roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an ink image forming section, an irradiation section, an intermediate transfer section, a transfer section, a recoding medium feed section and a discharge section. When forming an image, the ink image forming section is irradiated with light by the irradiation section according to image information transmitted from an external device to form an electrostatic latent image, and the ink image forming section feeds an ink to the obtained electrostatic latent image to form an ink image. The ink image obtained is intermediately transferred to the intermediate transfer section, and then transferred to a recording medium by the transfer section. The recording medium is fed to the transfer section by the recording medium feed section, and after the ink image is transferred, the recording medium is discharged to an outside of the image forming apparatus by the discharge section.

Abstract: A toner development unit for an image forming apparatus including a roller and an electrode adjacent thereto, the electrode having an arcuate extent adjacent to a portion of a surface of the roller to define a toner application gap therebetween, the roller being adapted to rotate in a given direction wherein the gap diverges in the direction of rotation of the roller relative to the electrode.

Abstract: A liquid separator is a device for separating and extracting a dispersoid and a dispersion medium from a liquid sample containing the dispersoid and the dispersion medium. The liquid separator has a liquid storage container capable of storing the liquid sample; an electrode roller including a rotary shaft, arranged to touch the liquid sample in the liquid storage container, capable of conveying the liquid sample along the outer circumferential surface thereof and rotatable about the rotary shaft; a separating member held in contact with the electrode roller for separating the dispersion medium from the liquid sample being conveyed along the outer circumferential surface of the electrode roller; and a collecting member for collecting the dispersion medium from the outer circumferential surface of the electrode roller at a position downstream of the contact position with the electrode roller and the separating member in a rotating direction of the electrode roller.

Abstract: In one implementation, an apparatus includes a foil that is adjacent to a portion of an ink developer electrode. The foil at least partially limits an accumulation of splashed ink along one or more portions of the ink developer electrode.

Abstract: A toner development unit for an image forming apparatus including a roller and an electrode adjacent thereto, the electrode having an arcuate extent adjacent to a portion of a surface of the roller to define a toner application gap therebetween, the roller being adapted to rotate in a given direction wherein the gap diverges in the direction of rotation of the roller relative to the electrode.

Abstract: A liquid image developing system includes a development container to store a developer; a photosensitive body; a development roller partially soaked in the developer in the development container and to rotate opposite to the photosensitive body; a metering blade to scratch the developer attached to a circumference of the development roller to a predetermined thickness; a depositing plate spaced from the development roller to form a space therebetween; a supplying portion to supply the developer to the space between the development roller and the depositing plate; and a power supply to apply a voltage to the depositing plate so that the developer is transferred to the development roller from the space by an electric force. Accordingly, a high-concentration developer can be directly used in the development operation without a dilution operation, and thus the structure to supply the developer can be considerably simplified.

Abstract: When developing an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image support by use of mist-like charged particles, a developing electrode is provided at a space from the electrostatic latent image support to extend substantially in parallel to the surface of the electrostatic latent image support on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. A gap control member is provided on the perimeter of the developing electrode to extend toward the surface of the electrostatic latent image support from the periphery of the developing electrode so that the space between the gap control member and the surface of the electrostatic latent image support is smaller than the space between the developing electrode and the surface of the electrostatic latent image support. Thus a developing space defined by the electrostatic latent image support, the developing electrode and the gap control member is formed.

Abstract: A conductive layer 5 and a photoconductive layer 7 are laminated on a support member 3 made of resin so that an electrophotographic master plate for printing is constituted. Electrode portions 5a electrically connected to the conductive layer 5 are formed on the widthwise directional side surfaces. When development is performed, the electrode portions 5a are brought into contact with an electrode 11 adjacent to the support member 3 so that the potential of the conductive layer 5 is made to be the same as the potential of the electrode 11 adjacent to the support member 3 though the electrode portions 5a. The developing apparatus has a structure for causing the electrode portions 5a to be grounded by a provided roller made of stainless steel and/or a conductive brush.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for supplying material to a substrate (109). The apparatus includes a member (3) having a surface with a plurality of features (8) which locate, in use, menisci of a liquid (1) supplied to the member. An actuator (4) induces mechanical vibrations within the liquid located by the features to cause liquid droplets (7) to be sprayed. Liquid (1) is supplied to the member and electrical charge is supplied to the member and electrical charge is supplied to the liquid by, for example, an electrode (14). Electrical charge or potential is also supplied to the substrate (109) so that the droplets are directed towards the substrate to deposit material thereon.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid development apparatus which can restrain carrier liquid in a liquid developer from being evaporated and diffused into the atmosphere, which has a simple and convenient arrangement, and in which a recording medium formed thereon with an electrostatic latent image in accordance with image data is transferred and the electrostatic latent image on the recording medium is developed by a developer in a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed. The liquid development apparatus includes a developer supply for feeding the developer containing non-volatile components having a density of 10 to 30 wt. %, a developer holding member having a surface roughness in a range from 8 to 25 .mu.

Abstract: A process and a device for the image-differentiated development (inking) of a latent electrostatic image on an image carrier is disclosed, wherein, in an unlimited wide area, a fluid inking agent is applied to the image areas of the image carrier in the form of ink jets. The image areas have a potential V.sub.B, which is sufficient, in addition to an offset potential V.sub.O of the nozzles, to produce ink jets, which image the image areas of the image carrier.

Abstract: A method of depositing material on a surface (136) is described in which a bulk medium (for example ink 122) in the form of a composition of dispersed insoluble material (for example ink particles) and a support medium is supplied to a cell (120). A movement of the insoluble material within the bulk medium is effected towards a transfer aperture (128) within the cell, thereby concentrating the insoluble material within the bulk medium. Thereafter the insoluble material is removed from the concentration within the bulk medium through the aperture (128) and deposited onto the surface (136).

Abstract: A single image development and conditioning apparatus is disclosed for removing excess liquid carrier from a developed image developed in a liquid immersion development machine using liquid developer material having a first toner concentration. The single image development and conditioning apparatus includes a first zone located downstream of a coating device relative to a direction of movement of a surface bearing the developed image, a second zone located downstream of the first zone, and a third zone located downstream of the second zone. The first zone includes a first biased electrode for partially removing charged solid toner particles from background areas of the developed image. The second zone includes a second biased electrode for completing removal of charged solid toner particles from the background areas, and the third zone includes a third biased electrode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a toner carrier roller, a back electrode which is located so as to face the toner carrier roller, a voltage source for applying a voltage which generates an electric field for making toner fly from the toner carrier roller to the back electrode, a control electrode which has many openings through which the toner is allowed to pass and first and second conductive layers formed around the openings and is formed so that at least portions of the first and second conductive layers which surround the openings do not overlap each other in a direction where the toner flies from the toner carrier roller to the back electrode, and a voltage source for applying a voltage which controls the toner passing through the opening according to an image signal. As a result, an electrostatic capacity is hardly formed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, thereby suppressing a fall in response characteristic to the toner flying control due to the electrostatic capacity.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic liquid immersion development (LID) reproduction machine having an image bearing member having an image bearing surface, a development apparatus having a development electrode for forming a development nip with the image bearing surface and for effectively dissipating residual counter charges from the development nip. The development apparatus includes a housing mounted against the image bearing member and defining a sump portion, a conduit member having a development opening, a recovery chamber, and an opening into the recovery chamber. The development electrode consists of a conductive development shoe and a bias source connected to the development shoe. The development electrode is mounted across the development opening of the conduit member, and closely spaced from the image bearing surface for forming the development nip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to develop electrostatic images using a mist which is substantially water and a colorant. Mist is transported from a generation station to a development station via a development electrode. Unused mist may be recycled or extracted. The mist may be size classified before development so that a consistent and desired resolution is obtained. Classification by size may be achieved by passing the mist in an arcuate path from the generation station to the development station.

Abstract: A toner station for use in single-pass or multi-pass electrostatic printers includes two or more toner applicators for each color, thereby increasing the printing speed without degrading print quality.

Abstract: A liquid developer for developing an electrostatic latent image having a carrier fluid and electrically charged toner particles dispersed therein, wherein the liquid developer satisfies the following relationship:25.0.gtoreq.V.sub.0 /.DELTA.V.sub.10 .gtoreq.1.5wherein V.sub.0 denotes surface potential of a toner particle layer electrically deposited on a conductive substrate by applying bias voltage between the substrate and an electrode confronting with the substrate, and .DELTA.V.sub.10 denotes change of the surface potential decaying for 10 seconds after shutting off the bias voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compacting a liquid ink developed image on an image bearing surface in a multicolor electrostatographic printing machine of the type utilizing liquid developing material, particularly an image-on-image type liquid ink multicolor system. The image compacting apparatus includes a biased electrode situated proximate to the image on an image bearing surface, and a liquid applicator for depositing liquid insulating material in a conditioning gap defined by the electrode and the image bearing surface. A high electric potential is applied to the electrode for generating a large electric field in the gap to electrostatically compress toner particles into image areas on the image bearing surface. The liquid insulating material is deposited into the conditioning gap for avoiding the risk of air breakdown as may occur in an electrostatic device of this nature due to the small geometry of the apparatus and the tendency of air ionization in an air gap between electrically biased surfaces.

Abstract: Liquid developing method and liquid developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrying member via a toner dispersed in a carrier liquid. An electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrying surface, a liquid developer layer having a bottom layer of toner particles as the main constituent and a top layer of liquid carrier as the main constituent is formed on a developer holding surface and the electrostatic image is contacted with the top layer without substantially contacting the bottom layer with the image carrying surface. A member for maintaining a clearance between an image carrying member and a developer holding member at a predetermined space in which the top layer contacts with the electrostatic latent image without contacting the bottom layer to the image carrying member is provided.