Abstract: An image processing method comprising: providing a digital, continuous-tone, input image represented by an array of pixels, the array having a predetermined pixel resolution and each pixel having a gray level; dividing the array of pixels into a plurality of sub-arrays of pixels; determining a gray level contrast for each of the sub-arrays; if the gray level contrast of a given sub-array exceeds a preselected threshold, generating a high resolution, narrow gray level range, sub-array corresponding to the given sub-array; and if the gray level contrast of the given sub-array is below the preselected threshold, generating a low resolution, wide gray level range, sub-array corresponding to the given sub-array.

Abstract: An imaging system including an image bearing surface and an intermediate transfer member operative for transfer of toner images from the image bearing surface to a transfer surface of the intermediate transfer member and for subsequent transfer to a substrate.The intermediate transfer member includes a compressible layer, a backing layer disposed away from said image bearing surface and a heating layer. The heating layer is disposed intermediate backing layer and said transfer surface.

Abstract: A printing method including:forming a printing bitmap of an image based on a printed solid color density wherein at least one of the colors thereof has a color density substantially greater than the SWOP standard; andprinting the bitmap in a single printing step.

Abstract: A method of producing sub-images for use in forming a larger image from a series of the sub-images. The method includes printing each of the sub-images of the series of sub-images and a portion of the larger image surrounding the sub-image on a separate sheet of material. Each sub-image is printed on the same location on the respective sheet. Then the sheets are cut to the size and shape of the sub-images. When the sub-images are positioned to form the larger image, the sub-images are in a non-overlapping and contiguous relationship.

Abstract: A process for forming high quality colored or multi-colored ceramic images or designs on ceramic surfaces comprising: (a) forming a liquid toner image comprised of polymer based toner particles incorporating a ceramic pigment and a carrier liquid, on an imaging surface; (b) transferring the image to a ceramic surface; and (c) heating the image and the ceramic substrate surface to an elevated temperature at which the ceramic pigment sinter and fuse to the ceramic substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing liquid toner compositions containing charge directors and in which the electrical properties of the charge directors are stabilized, which method comprises the steps of: (A) first making a homogeneous liquid composition which comprises (1) liquid hydrocarbon compatible with liquid toners for electrostatic imaging, (2) at least one charge director, and (3) at least one stabilizing component in an amount effective to stabilize the electrical properties of the at least one charge director, the stabilizing component being selected from solubilizable acids which include organic moieties (e.g. C.sub.12 to C.sub.18 saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, C.sub.4 to C.sub.18 ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, C.sub.7 to C.sub.

Abstract: Scuff resistance, abrasion resistance and peel resistance of a wide class of liquid toners may be improved by the addition of a minor amount of an additional material which, at the fusing temperature used for the toner, has a much lower viscosity, preferably several orders of magnitude lower, than the viscosity of the toner particles at the fusing temperature and which forms a separate phase from the toner particles when solidified. It is believed that such material, during the fusing process, migrates to the outer surface of the image. During cooling of the image after it is fused, the additional material forms a substantially separate phase resulting in a hard slippery coating of the additional material which protects the image from abrasion.

Abstract: An imaging device including a selectively charged imaging surface, having a width and moving in a direction perpendicular to the width and a toner applicator, the applicator including an applicator chamber having a top portion and containing a supply of liquid toner and a slit nozzle having a long dimension comparable to the imaging surface width and being fed from the top portion, the slit nozzle further including an outlet from which the toner is applied to an application region of the imaging surface. The supply of liquid toner preferably includes a supply of pressurized liquid toner. Preferably, the imaging device further includes a developer surface situated proximate to the imaging surface downstream of said application region.

Abstract: A printing process for forming high contrast color images on polymer surfaces, comprising: (a) forming a layer of substantially opaque liquid toner comprising polymer based toner particles and a carrier liquid, on an imaging surface; (b) transferring the layer to an intermediate transfer member; (c) heating the layer on the intermediate transfer member to a temperature at which the toner particles at least partially coalesce; (d) repeating (a) to (c) sequentially for at least one subsequent layer in at least one subsequent layer in at least one color, said at least one subsequent layer being transferred to the intermediate transfer member onto the opaque layer to form multiple layers on the intermediate trnsfer member; and (e) transferring the multiple layers to a polymer surface.

Abstract: Page make-up method which includes providing a plurality of uniquely identified sub-pages, comprising half-toned images, in a memory, and organizing a group of the half-toned sub-pages to form the make-up of a page to be printed, wherein the sub-pages do not overlap.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing images on generally cylindrical objects, such as cans, including: an image bearing surface having an image thereon; and an impression guide which is generally parallel to and spaced from the image bearing surface, which guide supports the cylindrical objects in rolling contact with the image bearing surface, whereby images are transferred from the image bearing surface to surfaces of the cylindrical objects in contact therewith.

Abstract: A method of adjusting imaging apparatus including: (a) charging a photoreceptor surface to a first voltage; (b) selectively discharging portions of the charged photoreceptor surface, with a beam of electromagnetic energy such as a laser beam or LED output, having a controllable power, to form a predefined electrostatic latent test image on the photoreceptor surface; (c) developing, using a second voltage different from the first voltage, a layer of charged toner particles onto the selectively discharged portions of the photoreceptor surface, thereby providing a developed test image corresponding to the latent test image; (d) measuring the apparent optical density of portions of the developed test image, including a solid print portion and a predetermined gray level portion; (e) comparing the measured solid and gray level optical densities with predetermined, desired, solid and gray level optical densities; and (f) adjusting the second voltage and the power of the laser beam based on the comparison between the

Abstract: Imaging apparatus including squeegee apparatus for squeegeeing excess material from a surface, from which surface at least a portion of the material remaining after squeegeeing is to be transferred to another surface, comprising: a first surface, having a central portion and two end portions having recessed surfaces and having a liquid material thereon at least in said central portion, said surface moving in a given direction at a squeegee region; and a second, squeegee, surface, urged against at least the central portion of the first surface at the squeegee region and formed with contiguous end portions which mate with the recessed end surfaces of the first surface.

Abstract: A method of printing images, such as multicolor images, on two sides of a substrate including: (a) forming a first image on a first surface; (b) transferring the first image to a second surface from the first surface; (c) forming a second image on the first surface; (d) transferring the second image to a third surface from the first surface; and (e) simultaneously transferring the first and second images from the second and third surfaces to the two sides of a substrate. In an embodiment of the invention transferring the first image to the second surface includes transferring the first image from the first surface to the third surface and subsequently transferring it to the second surface.

Abstract: Concentration detection of first and second toner particles in a dispersion, including illuminating the dispersion with linearly polarized light having a given polarization direction, detecting an amount of light passed through the dispersion and through an analyzer set at a predetermined angle to the given polarization direction and determining at least the concentration of one of the toner particles utilizing the detected amount of light. Additionally the concentration detection may include further illuminating the dispersion with unpolarized light, and further detecting a second amount of light passed through the dispersion illuminated with the unpolarized light, where both of the toner particle concentrations are determined from the detected and the second detected amounts of light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing liquid toner compositions containing charge directors and in which the electrical properties of the charge directors are stabilized, which method comprises the steps of: (A) first making a homogeneous liquid composition which comprises (1) liquid hydrocarbon compatible with liquid toners for electrostatic imaging, (2) at least one charge director, and (3) at least one stabilizing component in an amount effective to stabilize the electrical properties of the at least one charge director, the stabilizing component being selected from solubilizable acids which include organic moieties (e.g. C.sub.12 to C.sub.18 saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, C.sub.4 to C.sub.18 ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids, C.sub.7 to C.sub.

Abstract: A multicolor electrostatic imaging system has multicolor spray apparatus for supplying a liquid toner of a selectable color to an electrostatic image. The spray means has a multiplicity of spray outlets including a plurality of spray outlets distributed among the multiplicity of outlets, for supplying liquid toner of each of a plurality of colors.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus including an imaging surface having a toner image formed thereon and an intermediate transfer member, which receives the toner image from the imaging surface and from which it is subsequently transferred. The intermediate transfer member includes a drum having mounting recesses formed therein and an intermediate transfer blanket mounted on the drum. The blanket has a layered transfer portion having a transfer surface on one face thereof which receives the toner image and optionally an adhesive layer on the opposite face thereof and a mounting fixture, attached to one edge of the layered transfer portion and adapted to mate with the mounting recesses in the drum, whereby the transfer blanket is fixedly and removably mounted on the drum.

Abstract: Toning apparatus for toning an electrostatic latent image, having image and background portions at different potentials on an imaging surface. The apparatus comprises an endless toning surface coated with a layer of concentrated toner and engaging the imaging surface at a toning region. The apparatus additionally comprises a source of voltage connected to the toning surface and electrifying the toning surface to a voltage operative to selectively transfer at least a portion of the layer to image portions on the imaging surface. A developed mass per unit area (DMA) controller having an input indicative of the DMA on the imaging surface is operative to adjust the DMA on the toning surface in response to the input.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing liquid toner concentrate including a container containing liquid toner concentrate, mounting apparatus operative to secure the container while allowing for axial movement of the container and air pressure apparatus for causing axial movement of the container and selective dispensing of the liquid toner concentrate from the container.