Abstract: A digital laser platemaker for imaging an electrophotographic member by electrostatic techniques using information which is derived from a source of binary data. The binary data may be achieved by scanning a pattern or may be synthesized electrically to represent that which it is desired to reproduce on the electrophotographic member. The binary data is applied to a pixel generator which is constructed and arranged to produce an output in the form of signals for driving an acusto-optic deflector that in turn deflects a laser beam to form a composite of rays. The composite of rays represent the columns of a pattern to be applied to each pixel which is generated, the rows of the pixel being represented by the output of a shaft encoder that is synchronized with the rotation of a cylinder carrying the electrophotographic member. The pixel generator produces hexagonal pixels and the pattern in each pixel represents density information derived from the binary data originally received by the pixel generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for toning a latent electrostatic image on an exposed photoconductive surface of an electrophotographic member, using liquid toner comprising toner particles suspended in an electrically insulating liquid dispersant. Plural, generally identical, toner modules are arranged side by side at a first level, each module comprising a toner tray having a development electrode mounted on the upper surface thereof. The development electrode has a planar upper surface. A motor operates an articulated linkage which causes the tray to be elevated to a second level for toning, one of the modules being selected from the others. Antifriction bearing surfaces are mounted on the upper surface of the tray at opposite ends of the development electrode. The antifriction surfaces extend upwardly of the development electrode a short distance slightly above the upper surface thereof to define a gap between the development electrode and the surface to be toned.

Abstract: Documents are encoded with at least one thin, transparent coating, normally invisible, but having a readily detectable physical characteristic such as, electrical conductivity, electrical impedance, electrical capacitance, electroluminescence. Each document consists of a substrate on which is applied (1) at least one of the thin coatings, and (2) conventional printing, preferably intaglio. The thin coating may be applied before or after the printing. The coating includes particles driven into the surface to a substantial depth. The uncoated substrate is free of the detectable physical characteristic. The coating is confined to a limited area of the substrate surface and itself constitutes a code or is laid down in a pattern for identification. A second coating can be applied so that all areas of the surface have the same appearance to mask visual detection of the first coating.

Abstract: An original image is reproduced on an electrophotographic member with a series of binary data bits having a statistically valid count corresponding to the relative density of the original image.A sensor senses the density value of individual information forming structure or structures in incremental areas of the original image and converts the density values into a series of binary data bits, one bit per incremental area. An imager receives the binary data bits and forms one binary element on the charged electrophotographic member surface in response to each bit. The elements formed on the member surface correspond in sense to the binary data bits from the sensor and the elements are formed in incremental areas of the member corresponding to the incremental areas of the original image from which their respective binary data bits were produced.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for providing controlled corona charging of an electrophotographic member that moves past a corona charging electrode. A corona sensor probe near the charging electrode receives a sample of the corona current flow from the electrode that is proportional to the current flow as it may be modified by extraneous influence, including air pressure, humidity, and corona electrode potential. The probe produces a signal that is adapted to vary the movement rate of the member past the charging electrode, being faster for a sensed increase of corona current and slower for a sensed decrease of corona current. The effective result is an electric charge on the electrophotographic member surface that is uniformly about constant, independent of the variations wrought by most external influences.

Abstract: Half-tone xerography involving high speed charging of a limited region of an electrophotographic member and subsequent high speed discharging as by writing with a fine laser beam upon the limited region of the electrophotographic member, the beam being modulated with recordable intelligence from stored digital data. The member is mounted for rotary and axial movement relative to both charging unit and an axial movement beam directing unit. The member as a unit and a charging device and writing device as a unit are mounted for relative axial and rotating movement to enable charging and imaging of the limited regions in a continuous progressive manner.

Abstract: A latent electrostatic image is formed on an electrophotographic member having a crystalline, stable coating of wholly inorganic photoconductive material which is of the order of 0.2 to 2 microns thick. This is effected by moving a corona needle energized by a corona power source and a laser beam modulated from digital information together over the photoconductive coating in a progressive manner at high speed. The latent electrostatic image so formed is then developed.

Abstract: A flat bed scanner system for optically sensing a transparent original image and producing three channels of binary digital data representing the densities of the original image. Each channel produces data in response to one sensing color and sensing of the original image occurs by directing a focused image of a beam of white light onto and across the original image in a pattern of parallel scan lines there being a plurality of sensing positions along each scan line, and producing the digital output data in response to the modulated beam of light transmitted by the original image. There is an optical system which provides for the directing of the beam of white light across the original image and which directs the modulated beam onto sensors. The optical system includes color correction and field flattening of the beam of white light and provides a cylinder condenser lens for the modulated beam of white light.

Abstract: An electrostatic method of making transparencies and apparatus for practicing said method. An endless electrophotographic belt is charged, imaged and toned with a liquid toner suspension. The belt with the toned image is brought into close proximity to a precisely dimensioned gap defined by a transfer roller along with a sheet of transfer material comprising a transparent substrate polyester carrying a thin ohmic layer bonded thereto and a thin overcoat of a compatible resinous material on the ohmic layer and bonded thereto. An electrical bias is applied across the gap between the belt and the overcoated ohmic layer. The toner particles migrate electrophoretically toward the transfer sheet. Subsequent to transfer, heat is applied to the transfer sheet sufficient to soften the overcoating embedding the transferred toner particles of the toner image within the resin. The transfer material is cooled.

Abstract: An electrostatic method of making transparencies and apparatus for practicing said method. An endless electrophotographic belt is charged, imaged and toned with a liquid toner suspension. The belt with the toned image is brought into close proximity to a precisely dimensioned gap defined by a heated roller over which is passed a strip of transfer material comprising a transparent substrate carrying a thin ohmic layer bonded thereto and a thin overcoat of resinous material on the ohmic layer and bonded thereto. An electrical bias is applied across the gap between the belt and the overcoated ohmic layer. The toner particles migrate electrophoretically toward the overcoated substrate. Heat is applied sufficient to melt the overcoating just prior or during the application of the electrical bias so that transfer occurs due to electrophoretic migration through the melt, thus embedding the transferred toner particles of the toner image within the resin. The transfer material is quickly cooled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making copies of an original pattern through the use of electrostatic techniques in which there is a looped belt having an exterior photoconductive layer. The bottom reach of the belt is charged and imaged by the projected pattern in darkness to acquire a latent image progressively as the belt moves in one direction. The belt passes a toning station where a toning roller dipping into a sump picks up toner and rolls the toner onto the latent image to develop the same as the belt passes through the station. The roller protrudes into the belt loop past the plane of the bottom reach thereby requiring the belt to be wrapped around a peripheral segment of the toning roller, giving several advantages. After toning the developed image passes around to the upper belt reach and is transferred by pressure to a carrier medium at the end of the upper reach.

Abstract: Graphics and text data are combined selectively to discharge incremental areas of a charged electrophotographic member to form thereon a latent text and/or graphics image represented by the graphics and text data, the imaged member thereafter being toned and output from the system so that the toned image may be fused on the member and the member may be used as a printing plate in an offset lithographic printing press. The apparatus includes an optical system that may form a maximum of 22 individual rays which are deflected twice through a field flattening lens and then onto the charged member. The optical system further includes an optical scale or grating which provides electrical signals indicating the precise location of the individual rays along scan lines on the member. The apparatus further includes an electronic system which generates electrical signals from the graphics and text data to form the 22 individual rays.

Abstract: A hinge link connecting a cover to an office copier machine is completely enclosed by the cover when the cover is swung down in a closed position on the copier machine. One edge of the hinge link is connected to the top of the copier machine by a first pivotal joint and an opposed edge of the hinge link is connected to the cover by a second pivotal joint. The two pivotal joints permit the cover to be swung open around the first pivotal joint and enable the cover to be disposed substantially parallel to the copier top to accommodate articles of varying thickness placed between a platen on the top of the copier and the cover. The hinge link may be planar or it may be angular. In the latter case, the short leg of the angle is substantially the height of the cover with the other leg having a length greater than the short leg to permit the hinge link to be totally enclosed within the chamber of the cover and to enable the cover to be disposed spaced from the copier top.

Abstract: An applicator and method for applying liquid dispersed toner to the surface of an electrographic recording member, held on a platen which moves over a planar developing electrode, in which there is relative movement between the developing electrode and the recording member alternately in opposite direction, and in which there are at least two coplanar developing electrodes having toner fed therebetween, such as by a roller, and in which there are control means such as varying the direction of rotation of the roller to cause the developer to flow over either one or other of the developer electrodes according to the direction of relative movement of the platen.

Abstract: A low-profile electrophotographic copying machine employing an electrophotographic imaging system including an electrophotographic belt transportable through plural work stations at which the belt is charged, exposed to a projected image to establish a latent image, developed with suitable toner and optionally transferred to a carrier medium from a source thereof and fixed. The apparatus is housed so as to maximize conservation of space and to minimize the vertical dimension thereof. The belt has closely proximate reaches horizontally oriented and parallel except at the developing station. The apparatus uses a folded optical projection system whereby the image from a horizontally arranged document on a platen is projected by way of a pair of oppositely inclined mirrors through an intermediate lens system to the lower reach of the electrophotographic belt, which is positioned at about the same level as the platen.

Abstract: A hinge link connecting a cover to an office copier machine is completely enclosed by the cover when the cover is swung down in a closed position on the copier machine. One edge of the hinge link is connected to the top of the copier machine by a first pivotal joint and an opposed edge of the hinge link is connected to the cover by a second pivotal joint. The two pivotal joints permit the cover to be swung open around the first pivotal joint and enable the cover to be disposed substantially parallel to the copier top to accommodate articles of varying thickness placed between a platen on the top of the copier and the cover. The hinge link may be planar or it may be angular. In the latter case, the short leg of the angle is substantially the height of the cover with the other leg having a length greater than the short leg to permit the hinge link to be totally enclosed within the chamber of the cover and to enable the cover to be disposed spaced from the copier top.

Abstract: A method of making a photoconductive coating of the type which comprises a crystalline layer of wholly inorganic material on a suitable substrate for use as an electrophotographic member, said method including the steps of depositing the coating in a vacuum chamber by sputtering with R.F. energy in such a manner that the deposit is crystalline, with the individual crystals oriented substantially vertically, the size of the crystals being uniform and hexagonal in configuration and of the order of 700 to 800 Angstroms in diameter and with a barrier layer coating on the surface that is of extreme resistivity, each crystal acting independently as an independent field domain, the crystal length normal to the substrate being the same as the coating thickness and the deposit evidencing single crystal configuration in response to diffraction pattern measurements.

Abstract: A method of electrically transferring an image deposit formed of liquid dispersed electroscopic toner particles from an image-bearing photoconductor surface of a recording member to the surface of an image-receiving member in which an electrical transfer bias voltage is applied through the interface between the said surfaces in a direction normal to the said surfaces, and in which the said electrical transfer bias voltage is applied intermittently by successive pulses of opposite polarity and with successively increasing voltage, with the final pulse of an electrical polarity and magnitude to transfer the said imaging material to the said receiving member.

Abstract: A removable cartridge like toning device for electrophotographic imaging apparatus of the type wherein a latent electrostatic image formed on an endless electrophotographic belt is translated past a toning station for rendering the latent image visible. The toning device described is a box-like container for liquid toner having an elongate longitudinal slot formed in the top wall and a feed roller seated for rotation within said container, a portion of the circumferential outer surface of the roller extending from the slot. The side walls of the container are provided with inclined flanges cooperating with conformingly inclined ramps provided in the imaging apparatus at the toning station so that the container is guided to a position closely spaced substantially parallel to the electrophotographic belt.

Abstract: An electrophotographic color proofing apparatus is provided including a copyboard carrying a color separated positive and capable of being positioned into intimate contact with a charged photoconductive coating of an electrophotographic member. The engaged members are exposed to light, discharging the coating in increments to form a latent electrostatic image thereon. The copyboard is withdrawn and the exposed electrophotographic member rotated 180 degrees facing toward a toning assembly consisting of a row of plural toning units, each carrying a different color toner and arranged in line for linear translation below the exposed electrophotographic member with a selected one toning unit thereof being activated to apply a selected color toner to the latent electrostatic image. The toned member again is revolved 180 degrees.