Abstract: The apparatus and methods of the present disclosure relate to devices comprising spinning magnets driven by electric motors for use with printing or coating equipment. These devices and methods are for orienting magnetic or magnetisable pigment particles in an unhardened coating composition on a substrate. Specifically, these devices and methods are for producing optical effect layers. The apparatus comprises a holder, onto which is mounted a motor and a permanent magnet assembly. The motor is configured to spin the permanent magnet assembly. The holder is configured to be removably fixed to a base of a rotating magnetic cylinder (RMC) or a flatbed printing unit.

Abstract: Roofing granules comprising agglomerated inorganic material, and building materials, such as shingles, that include such roofing granules. By fabricating roofing granules from agglomerating inorganic material it is possible to tailor the particle size distribution so as to provide optimal shingle surface coverage, thus reducing shingle weight and usage of raw materials. Additionally, the use of agglomeration permits the utilization of by-products from conventional granule production processes.

Abstract: An exemplary method of printing medications on digestible substrates is described. Single component nonmagnetic toners with active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) embedded or “dissolved” in the toner are used. The binders for the toner are digestible. The “printing” process includes loading the single component non-magnetic toners from a sump to a donor roll and developing them either directly onto the substrate or through the use of an intermediate member. Traditional xerographic charge and exposure can be used to make the tablet “imprints”. Dosage is controlled through “solid area” or halftone development (when charge and exposure are used). The “printed” first layer may undergo cold or warm pressure fusing. This medicament layer is then subjected to another station to “print” a second layer of medical “tablet”. Multiple stations may be used to build up a complete personalized tablet. Optionally, a final station prints protective overcoat materials to finalize the “tablet”.

Abstract: 3-D printers include an intermediate transfer surface that transfers a layer of material to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers of the material on the platen. A sensor detects the thickness of the layer on the platen after a fusing station fuses the layer. A feedback loop is electrically connected to the sensor and a development station (that includes a photoreceptor, a charging station providing a static charge to the photoreceptor, a laser device exposing the photoreceptor, and a development device supplying the material to the photoreceptor). The development station adjusts the transfer bias of the development device, based on a layer thickness measurement from the sensor through the feedback loop, to control the thickness of subsequent ones of the layers transferred from the intermediate transfer surface to the freestanding stack on the platen.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus includes: a transport device that transports an object to be coated; an applying unit disposed to be opposed to a surface to be coated of the transported object to be coated and applying a charged thermosetting powder coating material onto the surface to be coated of the object to be coated, that includes an applying section including a cylindrical or columnar applying member that is disposed to be separated from the surface to be coated of the object to be coated, and a supplying section including a cylindrical or columnar supplying member that supplies the powder coating material onto the surface of the applying member; a voltage applying device; and a heating device.

Abstract: A developer supply container includes a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, a discharge opening for permitting discharging of the developer from the developer accommodating portion, a drive receiving portion for receiving a driving force, and a pump portion capable of being driven by the driving force received by the drive receiving portion to alternate an internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion between a pressure lower than an ambient pressure and a pressure higher than the ambient pressure by increasing and decreasing a volume of the pump portion. A position of the pump portion is set such that the pump portion starts with a stroke in which the volume increases in an initial action of the pump portion.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer includes an actuator that contacts a surface of a platen in the printer. A controller selectively operates the actuator to apply force to a bottom layer of a three-dimensional object formed on the platen to break an adhesion between the bottom layer and the platen.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices, and methods of coating same, including a plurality of components disposed on a substrate, and a low surface energy layer deposited as a liquid over at least a first portion of the components and the substrate, the low surface energy layer becoming solidified after deposition and conforming to at least the first portion of the components. The devices further include a biocompatible hermetic coating conforming to and sealingly covering at least a portion of the low surface energy layer.

Abstract: A toner hearing member includes: an electric conductive support; an insulating layer provided on the electric conductive support; a plurality of electrodes located on the insulating layer so that each electrode is separated from one another with a certain space; and a surface layer covering the insulating layer and the electrodes, wherein the surface layer contains a crosslink reaction product of a fluororesin, or a crosslink reaction product of a (meth)acrylate compound, or both thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing in a development zone a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing at least a supply of toner therein; a donor member disposed at least partially in the chamber of the housing and spaced from the surface, the donor member being adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis to transport toner to the development zone in a region opposed from the surface; and a wire assembly module mounted in the development zone and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the wire assembly module including a wire and a drive/cleaning system for translating and cleaning portions of the wire in the development zone, and a power supply for electrically biasing the wire to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone for developing the latent image.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer container; a rotary cylindrical developer carrier including an outer electrode including multiple electrode portions arranged in a circumferential direction of the developer carrier, an inner electrode provided on an inner circumferential side of the developer carrier from the outer electrode, an insulation layer disposed between the outer electrode and the inner electrode, and a surface layer; and a bias power source to apply a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage to the inner electrode and the outer electrode, respectively. The first bias power source causes an electrical potential difference that changes with time between the inner electrode and the outer electrode to cause the developer to hop on a circumferential surface of the developer carrier. At least one of the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage has a cyclic waveform in which pulse-on time is reduced.

Abstract: A development agent supply device has a transfer board including a supply section disposed upstream relative to a proximity position in a development agent transfer direction, and a retrieving section disposed downstream relative to the proximity position in the development agent transfer direction. The supply section includes first transfer electrodes arranged along the development agent transfer direction to transfer development agent toward the proximity position with an electric field generated with a supply bias applied to the first transfer electrodes and supply the development agent to the development agent holding surface near the proximity position.

Abstract: A developer supply device is provided, which includes a developer retrieving member disposed to face a developer holding surface of a developer holding member across a predetermined distance in a position downstream relative to a developer supply position where the developer holding member faces an intended device to be supplied with development agent in a direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction parallel to an axial direction of the developer holding member. The developer retrieving member is driven to rotate around an axis parallel to the main scanning direction and configured to retrieve the development agent from the developer holding surface under a retrieving electric field that is generated when a retrieving voltage is applied between the developer retrieving member and the developer holding member.

Abstract: A developer supply device is provided, which includes a casing including a developer storage section at a bottom portion therein and an opening formed at an end thereof away from the developer storage section, development agent chargeable with a predetermined polarity, stored in the developer storage section, and a transfer board that is disposed in the casing and configured to transfer the development agent stored in the developer storage section when a multi-phase alternating-current voltage is applied to transfer electrodes of the transfer board. The development agent includes a mother particle having, around an outer surface thereof, an electrically insulating layer without a polar group having a charge polarity identical to the predetermined polarity, and an external additive, absorbed to around the mother particle in an easily desorbable manner, which is an electrically insulating fine particle having a charge polarity identical to the predetermined polarity.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of forming images. The apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging member configured to electrify a surface of the photosensitive member to a predetermined electric potential, an exposure member configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrified surface of the photosensitive member, and a developing member configured to develop a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive member on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing member converts a toner disposed near the photosensitive member into a cloud state using ultrasonic oscillation and adheres the cloud-state toner to the electrostatic latent image due to a bias voltage applied between the developing member and the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A developer transport body transports a developer on a transport surface in a predetermined direction. This transport surface is composed of a first constituent surface which renders relatively large the absolute value of a charge amount of the developer due to friction, and a second constituent surface disposed in an area downstream of and adjacent to the first constituent surface and which renders the absolute value of the charge amount of the developer smaller than if the first constituent surface was disposed in the area. Therefore, when the developer is moved toward a latent-image forming surface by electrostatic force, the developer is less likely to be affected by disturbing forces other than the electrostatic force. Further, since the absolute value of the charge amount of the developer becomes smaller on the second constituent surface, adhesion of the developer to the transport surface and aggregation of the developer can be restrained.

Abstract: A development device includes a toner carrier including first and second groups of electrodes, a toner supplier, and an electrical field generator. The electrical field generator includes a positive-phase pulse voltage generation circuit, a negative-phase pulse voltage generation circuit, a first DC power source for supplying a bias for setting a peak value of pulse voltages, a second DC power source to output a variable voltage having a polarity identical to a polarity of toner charge, a first diode having an anode connected to a lower potential side of the first DC power source and a cathode connected to an output terminal of the positive-phase pulse voltage generation circuit, and a second diode having an anode connected to the lower potential side of the first DC power source and a cathode connected to an output terminal of the negative-phase pulse voltage generation circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing in a development zone a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing at least a supply of toner therein; a donor member disposed at least partially in the chamber of the housing and spaced from the surface, the donor member being adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis to transport toner to the development zone in a region opposed from the surface; and a wire assembly module mounted in the development zone and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the wire assembly module including a wire and a drive/cleaning system for translating and cleaning portions of the wire in the development zone, and a power supply for electrically biasing the wire to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone for developing the latent image.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer container, a rotary developer carrier that is disposed facing the latent image carrier and including multiple outer electrodes arranged in a circumferential direction of the developer carrier, an inner electrode electrically insulated from the multiple outer electrodes, an insulation layer disposed between the inner and outer electrodes, and a surface layer overlaying the outer electrodes and electrically insulating the multiple outer electrodes from each other, a bias power source to generate electrical fields that change with time by applying a first and second bias voltages to the inner and outer electrodes, respectively, an electrical field adjuster to regulate the electrical fields in accordance with a thickness of the surface layer of the developer carrier, and a controller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device. The developing device includes a toner carrier (developing roller). The developing roller includes a base member, electrode bars, a pair of electrodes, and a protection layer. The base member includes a conductive core and an insulating layer formed on the outer surface of the core. The electrode bars and the pair of electrodes are made of a conductive metal, and are provided on the outer surface of the insulating layer. The electrode bars and the pair of electrodes are formed in a way that an unnecessary portion of a metal film is irradiated with a laser beam and thus is removed. The electrodes are each formed helically on the outer surface of the base member 1 and formed to taper down toward the outmost side thereof in its cross section.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of cleaning electrodes (such as wires) is used in a toner-based electrostatic printing device. The electrodes produce an environment containing charged toner particles to assist in electrostatic printing. The method automatically monitors at least two printing parameters that are unrelated to signals and voltages provided to the electrodes (using a processor of the electrostatic printing device). Further, this method also uses the processor automatically infers a toner contamination of the electrodes from the printing parameters. This allows the processor to automatically adjust the printing the used by the electrostatic printing device during electrostatic printing to maintain the contamination of the electrodes below a threshold.

Abstract: A development agent supply device is provided, which includes a development agent holding member configured to rotate around an axis parallel to a first direction such that a development agent holding surface, which faces an intended device to be supplied with development agent in a first position, moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a transfer board configured to charge and transfer development agent thereon to a second position to face the development agent holding surface, and a facing member disposed to face the development agent holding surface in a position between the first position and the second position in the second direction, the facing member being configured to charge development agent held on the development agent holding surface under an alternating electric field generated between the facing member and the development agent holding member.

Abstract: A development agent supply device includes a casing having an opening and a development agent storage section, a development agent holding member housed in the casing such that a development agent holding surface thereof faces a developer-supplied device via the opening, a first electric-field transfer board that transfers development agent with a traveling-wave electric field along a down-facing development agent transfer surface in a predetermined direction from the development agent storage section to the opening and faces the development agent holding surface at a downstream end in the predetermined direction, and a second electric-field transfer board that includes a first section facing an downstream end of the first electric-field transfer board in the predetermined direction, and a second section facing the development agent holding member and transfers development agent received from the first electric transfer board at the first section, to the second section with a traveling-wave electric field.

Abstract: A developer supply apparatus is provided which supplies a toner to a supply object, the developer supply apparatus including a developer storage body which stores a powdery developer, and a transfer body which transfers the developer along the developer transfer path with traveling wave electric fields. The developer includes a toner having a predetermined charging characteristic and an electric neutralizer having an opposite charging characteristic, which is opposite to the predetermined charging characteristic.

Abstract: To provide a toner bearing member, which contains: an electric conductive support; an insulating layer provided on the electric conductive support; a plurality of electrodes located on the insulating layer so that each electrode is separated from one another with a certain space; and a surface layer covering the insulating layer and the electrodes, wherein the surface layer contains a crosslink reaction product of a fluororesin, or a crosslink reaction product of a (meth)acrylate compound, or both thereof.

Abstract: A toner bearing member is provided which includes a conductive support, an insulation layer provided on the conductive support, multiple electrodes arranged at regular intervals on the insulation layer, a surface layer covering the multiple electrodes, comprising a polymerized compound having a specific unit, and a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the conductive support and the multiple electrodes while periodically reversing an electric field generated therebetween.

Abstract: A developing device constituted to be capable of reliably making toner flare, and carrying out developing normally in the developing area, by preventing toner from adhering to the toner carrier. A developing device having a toner carrier which is disposed in opposition to a latent image carrier and which carries toner for developing an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier, the developing device including: a plurality of electrodes aligned at a predetermined interval within the toner carrier; voltage application means for applying a voltage to the electrodes so that the electric field between the plurality of electrodes varies with time, wherein the electric field between the electrodes causes the toner on the toner carrier to hop and form a cloud; and a toner adhesion prevention member that is provided upstream of a developing area where the latent image carrier is in opposition to the toner carrier and that prevents adhesion of toner to the toner carrier.

Abstract: A development device, comprising: a casing; a developer reservoir formed at a bottom part of the casing; a developer supply chamber that accommodates the developer; a developer holding body that is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a width direction of the casing and is located on an upper side of the developer reservoir to face an image holding body; a first carry member that is provided in the developer supply chamber to extend in the width direction and to carry the developer to the width direction, a second carry member that is provided on a casing side to extend in the width direction and to carry the developer to the width direction; and a carry substrate that is provided in the casing so that the developer is carried from the developer reservoir to a position facing the developer holding body.

Abstract: An developer bearer conveys developer to a developing station under influence of an electric field created by an electric flux line. The developer bearer includes plural kinds of electrodes that receive different voltages from each other and collectively creates the electric flux line. The plural kinds of electrodes are arranged on different layers in a normal line of the developer bearer. The developer bearer includes an insulation layer that insulates the plural kinds of electrodes.

Abstract: A development unit includes a toner carrying device, a regulating member, and a toner leak protection member. The toner carrying device having a first electrode and a second electrode arrayed with an interval. The first and second electrodes are supplied with a given voltage to set an electric field, changing in a time cycle, between the first and second electrodes. The electric field is used to hop toner over the toner carrying device to form a toner cloud for developing a latent image. The regulating member regulates an amount of toner on the toner carrying device. The toner leak protection member, made from a conductive material, prevents leakage of toner, and is supplied with a bias voltage.

Abstract: There is provided a developer carrying device, including a first carrying body having a first electrode group configured to form a traveling electric field while being applied a voltage sequentially and to circulate charged developer through a facing portion with respect to a developer supply target; and a second carrying body having a second electrode group configured to form a traveling electric field while being applied a voltage sequentially and to circulate the developer through a facing part with respect to the first electrode group so that the developer being carried is supplied to the first carrying body.

Abstract: A developer supply device carrying charged developer along a developer carrying path to a supply target, including: a carrying substrate that includes a plurality of carrying electrodes arranged along the developer carrying path and is configured to carry the developer through an electric field generated by voltage application to the plurality of carrying electrodes. The carrying substrate comprises a vertical carrying substrate provided to stand to carry the developer upward in a substantially vertical direction. The developer is supplied to the supply target around an upper end portion of the vertical carrying substrate.

Abstract: An improved method and system for non-contact powder image development are provided. The present technique implements a 5-stage jumping development cycle where the initial stage is a momentary over-voltage condition to release the majority of the toner on a donor substrate and the final stage includes the implementation of a decelerating potential to minimize return impact on the donor and therefore toner abuse. It also uses a routine to directly determine improved (e.g. up to optimal) waveform amplitudes and pulse widths based on toner size and q/m, guided by physical insight.

Abstract: A detecting unit detects output-prohibit area information indicating an output-prohibit area from image data. An identifying unit identifies the output-prohibit area in the image data based on the output-prohibit area information detected by the detecting unit. A masking unit performs a masking on the output-prohibit area identified by the identifying unit. A rearranging unit rearranges an image of an area other than the output-prohibit area over the output-prohibit area on which the masking is performed by the masking unit. An outputting unit outputs image data obtained by rearranging the image by the rearranging unit.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is accommodated within a laser printer. The developing apparatus includes a developing casing and a toner electric field transport body. The toner electric field transport body includes a transport wiring substrate and a transport-substrate support member. A plurality of transport electrodes are provided on the transport wiring substrate. The transport wiring substrate is supported by the transport-substrate support member in a state in which the transport wiring substrate is deformed in a tubular shape. In some examples, a tensile fixing means may fix the transport wiring substrate to the transport-substrate support member. Further, the transport wiring substrate is supported by the transport-substrate support member such that margin areas of the transport wiring substrate, which are opposite end portions of the transport wiring substrate with respect to a sub-scanning direction and in which the transport electrodes are not formed, are separated from a toner transport path.

Abstract: A method for determining a location on an image bearing surface of an image printing system where a toner image is to be printed is provided. The method comprises generating a first signal from a detector that is configured to detect a reference mark on the image bearing surface, and a second signal from a clock system that counts incremental movements of the image bearing surface, determining a first value that correlates the first signal and the second signal, where the first value corresponds to a value of the second signal at a start of characterization of the image bearing surface, and determining a second value using the first value, where the second value provides the location on the image bearing surface where the toner image is to be printed.

Abstract: Each transport electrode has its longitudinal direction intersecting with a sub-scanning direction. Transport electrodes are disposed in parallel with each other and are arrayed along the sub-scanning direction. A transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section is connected to root portions of the transport electrodes. The root portions are one end portions of the transport electrodes with respect to the longitudinal direction. Toner transport guide members are disposed to cover the transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section and opposite end portions of the transport electrodes; i.e., the root portions and distal end portions.

Abstract: The development device includes a toner carrier, a toner supplier, and a surface electrical potential controller. When the toner supplier supplies toner particles to the toner carrier, the toner carrier carries toner particles to adhere to a latent image formed on the latent image carrier and has a time constant ?1 of a surface electrical potential change of the toner carrier. The surface electrical potential controller has a time constant ?2 of a surface electrical potential change of the toner carrier smaller than the time constant ?1. The toner carrier includes a plurality of electrodes aligned in parallel and electrically insulated from each other on the surface thereof, and a voltage supplier for supplying each of the plurality of electrodes with a voltage to periodically switch electrical fields therebetween, so that the toner particles form a cloud on the surface of the toner carrier while hopping.

Abstract: There is provided an image formation device including a developer holding body having a developer holding surface; and a developer supply unit to supply the developer to a position facing the developer holding surface by carrying the developer in a developer transport direction intersecting with the main scanning direction through use of effect of an electric field. The developer supply unit includes a plurality of carrying electrodes each of which is formed to have a longer side extending along the main scanning direction. The carrying electrodes are arranged along the developer transport direction to carry the developer when a drive voltage is applied to the carrying electrodes. The developer supply unit has a developer carrying area formed such that, in the main scanning direction, the developer carrying area becomes narrower from an upstream side in the developer transport direction toward the position along the developer transport direction.

Abstract: A toner bearer including an electroconductive substrate; an insulating layer located on the electroconductive substrate; multiple electrodes located on the insulating layer at regular intervals; an outermost layer located on the multiple electrodes; and a voltage applicator to apply a voltage between the electroconductive substrate and the multiple electrodes to form a periodically reversed electric field therebetween so that toner particles on the outermost layer hop, thereby forming a toner cloud above the outermost layer. The insulating layer includes a crosslinked material having a unit obtained from a fluorine-containing resin and a crosslinking agent. The fluorine-containing resin is selected from the group consisting of copolymers having a unit obtained from fluoroethylene having at least three fluorine atoms and a unit obtained from a vinyl ether monomer and copolymers including a unit obtained from tetrafluoroethylene and a unit obtained from a vinyl monomer.

Abstract: A developing device include: a toner carrier that is arranged oppositely to an image carrier; a toner-flying electrode member spaced apart from the toner carrier; and an oscillating electric field generating power source that connects the toner-flying electrode member and the toner carrier, and generates an oscillating electric field which causes the toner to fly from the toner carrier. The toner-flying electrode member includes a conductive member that extends at least along a rotational axis direction of the toner carrier; an insulating coating layer that applies insulating coating continuously to a conductive member surface located on a toner carrier side; and an exposed portion where the conductive member surface adjacent to the insulating coating layer and located on an image carrier side is exposed.

Abstract: A load driver applies pulse voltages to a first capacitive load that includes a first electrode and a second electrode and a second capacitive load that includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode. The load driver further includes a capacitor, at least one coil, and a driver. The driver connects the second capacitive load, the capacitor, and the coil to release charge from the third electrode to the capacitor, connects, after completion of releasing the charge to the capacitor, the first capacitive load, the second capacitive load, and the coil to release charge from the first electrode to the fourth electrode, connects, after completion of releasing the charge to the fourth electrode, the first capacitive load, the capacitor, and the coil to release charge from the capacitor to the second electrode, whereby the pulse voltages of opposite phases is applied.

Abstract: Disclosed are printing methods, apparatus and systems for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, for example, a photoreceptor with developer material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the development method applies a development field voltage between a development station donor member and a development station transport member as a function of a humidity measurement associated with the developer material, the humidity measurement providing a surrogate tribo measurement of the developer material.

Abstract: A toner supply apparatus 6 is configured to be able to supply a charged toner T to a latent image forming surface LS of a photoconductor drum 3. The toner supply apparatus 6 houses a toner electric field transport body 62. The toner electric field transport body 62 has first portions and second portions which differ in toner T transport force. The first portions and the second portions differ in structural feature, such as relative dielectric constant or thickness. By means of such a structural difference, the state of transport of the toner T on the toner transport surface TTS is appropriately set.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor body, a donor roller which develops an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor body by using charged toners, and a development nip section formed between the photoconductor body and the donor roller by having a predetermined gap between the photoconductor body and the donor roller. A developing traveling-wave electrode for generating a traveling-wave electric field is disposed at a position facing the surface of the donor roller at an upstream side of the moving direction of the photoconductor body relative to the development nip section, and a removing traveling-wave electrode for generating a traveling-wave electric field is disposed at a position facing the surface of the donor roller at a downstream side of the moving direction of the photoconductor body relative to the development nip section.

Abstract: A disclosed developing apparatus employs a flare roller that is a toner carrier in which electrodes of two different phases are provided at fine intervals. Density irregularities or scumming in a developed image due to a potential difference between the flare roller and a latent image carrier are prevented by maintaining a constant potential on the flare roller surface. A voltage is applied to the electrodes on the flare roller such that an electric field that varies with time is generated between the electrodes, whereby a toner cloud is produced by the movement or hopping of toner over the flare roller. Thereby the toner attaches to a latent image on the latent image carrier, thus developing the latent image. In one embodiment, a bias with an average potential equal to an average potential of the bias applied to the electrodes is applied to a toner layer thickness regulating member.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a roll member that includes one or more linear arrays of actuator cells and methods for making and using the roll member. In one embodiment, each linear array of the roll member can be controllably actuated as a group by, e.g., an oscillating voltage, to release toner particles adhered thereto and to form a uniform toner cloud in the development area between the roll member and an image receiving member. The controllable actuation can also aid in the unloading process of the residual toner particles from the roll member. In various embodiments, the uniform toner cloud and/or the controllable unloading process can enable a non-interactive development system for image-on-image full-color printing.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for minimizing the Inter-Document Zone (IDZ) in printing system architectures with print engines running at constant speed. The asymmetric IDZ precession disclosed herein is intended for those multi-pass systems where there is a difference in required start and stop durations of various transition subsystems such as transfer engagement and disengagement processes. This mode reduces the required inter-document zone region by shifting the zone in accordance with asymmetric timing of start and stop times of processes that must occur during this time. Advantageously, productivity gains are effectuated without altering process speeds.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a roll member that includes one or more controllable cells and methods for making and using the roll member to control an image (or toner) state thereon. The controllable cells can be disposed on a roll substrate and configured in a manner that each controllable cell can be addressed individually and/or as groups. Each controllable cell can be addressable to provide a surface vibration to release toner particles adhered/attracted thereto and can also be capable of sensing the toner state of the roll member and thus to control the image or toner state. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed roll member can be used as a donor roll for a development system of an electrophotographic printing machine to create controlled and desired toner powder cloud for high quality image development.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a roll member that includes one or more piezoelectric tape and methods for making and using the roll member. The piezoelectric tape can be flexible and include a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured in a manner that the piezoelectric elements can be addressed individually or as groups with various numbers of elements in each group. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed roll member can be used as a donor roll for a development system of an electrophotographic printing machine to create controlled and desired toner powder cloud for high quality image development, such as an image on image development in a hybrid scavengeless development (HSD) system.