Abstract: Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a photoreceptor layer configured to receive a layer of liquid immersion fluid. The liquid immersion fluid includes dampening fluid, dispersed gas particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the solid particles. The photoreceptor surface is charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged liquid immersion fluid adheres to portions of the photoreceptor surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a fountain solution image. The fluid portion of the fountain solution image can be partially transferred to an imaging member and/or transfer member to form a dampening fluid image, either or both of which may be electrically biased. The dampening fluid image is inked on the transfer member, and the resulting ink image transferred to a print substrate.

Abstract: Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a photoreceptor layer configured to receive a layer of liquid immersion fluid. The liquid immersion fluid includes dampening fluid, dispersed solid particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the solid particles. The photoreceptor surface is charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged liquid immersion fluid adheres to portions of the photoreceptor surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a liquid immersion fluid image. The fluid portion of the liquid immersion fluid image is partially transferred to an imaging member and/or transfer member to form a dampening fluid image, either or both of which may be electrically biased. The dampening fluid image is inked on the transfer member, and the resulting ink image transferred to a recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a corona charger, provided with an opening, for electrically charging the photosensitive member; a sheet-like shielding member for shielding the opening of the corona charger; a moving device for moving the shielding member in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member; a potential sensor for detecting a potential of a portion of the photosensitive member chargeable by the corona charger; and a controller for detecting, on the basis of a result of detection of the potential of the portion of the photosensitive member by the potential sensor, whether or not a charging operation capable of electrically charging the photosensitive member by the corona charger is performed in a state in which the shielding member is located between the opening of the corona charger and the photosensitive member.

Abstract: Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a photoreceptor layer configured to receive a layer of liquid immersion fluid. The liquid immersion fluid includes dampening fluid, dispersed solid particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the solid particles. The photoreceptor surface is charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged liquid immersion fluid adheres to portions of the photoreceptor surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a liquid immersion fluid image. The fluid portion of the liquid immersion fluid image is partially transferred to an imaging member and/or transfer member to form a dampening fluid image, either or both of which may be electrically biased. The dampening fluid image is inked on the transfer member, and the resulting ink image transferred to a recording medium.

Abstract: A wet type developing apparatus is disclosed which can eliminate the need to provide a separately built cleansing unit and, moreover, makes it unnecessary to dismount a developer supply unit for its cleansing operation and to perform its subsequent re-mounting operation. The apparatus in which a developing roller 2 is in rotational contact with a rotating photoconductor drum 1 and an electrostatic latent image made on a surface of the photoconductor drum is developed with a liquid developer 6 supplied onto the developing roller from a developer supply roller 3 whose surface is in part immersed in the liquid developer reserved in a developer reservoir 5, includes a cleansing arrangement, comprising a unit or units 7 and/or 8, which is disposed at a site in the developer reservoir which is always immersed in the liquid developer for cleansing a portion of the developer supply roller which is immersed in the liquid developer.

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: 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: Widths of a coating area, a developing agent carrier, a maximum image area and a first cleaning member taken along a second direction are respectively W1, W2, W3 and W4, the following conditions are satisfied: a first condition that W1>W2 is met and in the second direction, the both edges of the developing agent carrier are located on the inner side to the both edges of the coating area, a second condition that W2>W3 is met and in the second direction, the both edges of the image area are located on the inner side to the both edges of the developing agent carrier, and a third condition that W4>W2 is met and in the second direction, the both edges of the developing agent carrier are located on the inner side to the both edges of the first cleaning member.

Abstract: A developing unit using a high concentration ink includes a developing solution supply unit supplying the developing solution containing the high concentration ink, a developing roller, whose lower half is soaked in the developing solution of the developing solution supply unit, absorbing the developing solution by a surface tension, and a photosensitive drum contacting the developing roller, receiving the developing solution absorbed on a surface of the developing roller and developing a latent electrostatic image formed on a surface of the photosensitive drum. Accordingly, as much as about 100% of a binary ink development (BID) is achieved, thereby providing a high quality image.

Abstract: Methods and system incorporating job scheduling to extend the lifetime of an ink sump according to one or more replenishment models in which two replenishing sumps are used to maintain compositional stability in a working ink sump operable in a three subcomponent ink replenishment system. Determinations of failure modes of the toner sump are made and basic principles for replenishment are presented for implementation in a control system operable to enhance ink sump performance and to extend the ink sump lifetime.

Abstract: Methods and system incorporating job scheduling to extend the lifetime of an ink sump according to one or more replenishment models in which two replenishing sumps are used to maintain compositional stability in a working ink sump operable in a three subcomponent ink replenishment system. Determinations of failure modes of the toner sump are made and basic principles for replenishment are presented for implementation in a control system operable to enhance ink sump performance and to extend the ink sump lifetime.

Abstract: Image forming systems and methods are described for electrophotographic printing in image forming systems. The systems and methods help to produce images of a desired color in liquid immersion development of color prints. With the use of a drawing device, consistent colored images can be achieved while reducing waste of toner.

Abstract: An imaging system for effecting electrostatic printing of an image, wherein the imaging system includes at least one contact electrostatic printing engine operable in a novel fashion upon a copy substrate, for imaging and development of an electrostatic latent image representative of the image, and subsequently transfers the developed image to the copy substrate. A toner cake delivery apparatus provides a thin, uniform toner cake layer of high solids content to a suitable receiving member for subsequent pressure contact with the surface of a latent image bearing imaging member such that a developed image is created by separating and selectively transferring portions of the toner cake layer in correspondence with the image and non-image regions of the latent image.

Abstract: A developing device, of a wet type printer, provided with a reservoir for holding developer liquid. A developing roller is installed at an upper region of the reservoir, and contacts a photosensitive belt. A cleaning device for cleaning the developing roller, is in contact with the developing roller. An auxiliary reservoir is installed below the developing roller, and within the reservoir, to hold a predetermined amount of the developer liquid in which the lower portion of the developing roller is immersed to a predetermined depth. The cleaning device is installed within the auxiliary reservoir to be immersed in the developer liquid and is provided with a rotating shaft and a brush installed around the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft. The developing roller is effectively cleaned, by the cleaning device, and particles adhering to the developing roller are easily removed. The removed particles are then recovered and used again in subsequent printing operations.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid, particularly liquid nitrogen, is used as a non-conductive fluid medium for freezing paper and as the liquid toner for electrostatic imaging. A web or sheet of paper is frozen using the cryogenic liquid to provide a dielectric surface for charged image areas to adhere to. The cryogenic liquid based toner carrier is particularly suitable for use in printing processes wherein a latent charge image is developed.

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 of forming an economical image conditioning device suitable for conditioning low solids and high solids images in a liquid Immersion Development reproduction machine. The method includes the steps of arranging a quantity of metallic fibers into a flat pattern having a desired thickness; partially compressing and sintering the fibers forming the pattern to create a sintered metallic fiber sheet held together by metallic bonds between touching fibers; rolling the sintered metallic fiber sheet into a cylindrical shape having a seam; welding the seam to create a finished cylindrical core; and forming a foam layer and a skin layer over the core for contacting an image being conditioned.