Abstract: A multi-color printer using a stretch toner release development system to provide either partial or full color copies with minimal degradation of developed toner patterns by subsequent over-development with additional colors and minimal back contamination of developer materials. Multiple scanning beams, each modulated in accordance with distinct color image signals, are scanned across the printer's photoreceptor at relatively widely separated points, there being a buffer provided to control timing of the different color image signals to assure registration of the color images with one another. Each color image is developed prior to scanning of the photoreceptor by the next succeeding beam. After developing of the last color image, the composite color image is transferred to a copy sheet. Development is accomplished by stretching the surface of a toner carrying member and thereby reducing the net force of adhesion of toner to the surface of the toner carrying member.

Abstract: A piezo-active charge retentive member, such as a photoreceptor, has a grounded electrode layer separating a photoreceptive layer and a piezo-active layer. External vibration sources become unnecessary since supplying an A.C. voltage across the piezo-active layer to the grounded electrode layer causes the piezo-active layer, and thus the entire photoreceptor, to vibrate. Vibration of the photoreceptor causes a carrier bead bouncing effect where carrier beads from the developer collide with the photoreceptor in the development area. The carrier bear bouncing effect increases the number of carrier bead-toner-photoreceptor contact events during development of the photoreceptor's latent image.

Abstract: A development system which uses a donor roll structure including a piezoelectric layer or film for liberating toner particles from its surface. The donor roll is provided with a plurality of electrodes spaced about a circumference of the roll. An electrical bias is used to apply a voltage to electrodes as they pass through a developer nip or zone intermediate the donor roll and an imaging member containing latent electrostatic images. The voltage is applied to each electrode and another continuous electrode which together sandwich the piezoelectric layer therebetween such that a voltage is applied across a portion of the piezoelectric layer in the nip thereby causing acoustic excitation of the portion of the layer only in the nip.

Abstract: A self biasable transfer roll system for transferring toner particles from an image support surface to a copy substrate, including a conformable roll member, comprising a core having a layer of compressible material radially surrounding the core, and a peripheral surface layer comprising piezoelectric material positioned along a circumference of the roll member for generating an electric field when deformed.

Abstract: A power supply for transmitting voltage to a device, comprising: a web including a piezoelectric exterior layer for generating a voltage on the surface thereof in response to being deformed; and means for transferring the voltage on the surface of said piezoelectric exterior layer to the device is disclosed.

Abstract: A piezo-active charge retentive member, such as a photoreceptor, has a grounded electrode layer separating a photoreceptive layer and a piezo-active layer. External vibration sources become unnecessary since supplying an A.C. voltage across the piezo-active layer to the grounded electrode layer causes the piezo-active layer, and thus the entire photoreceptor, to vibrate. Vibration of the photoreceptor enhances the transfer of development powder from the photoreceptor to the transfer material, such as a sheet of paper. Vibration of the photoreceptor also improves the development of images and assists the cleaning of residual development powder from the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for producing an image on the image receiving member. The method and apparatus employ a photoconductive member that is charged by the deposition of charged marking particles on an outer surface thereof. Subsequently, selective regions of the photoconductor are selectively exposed to light patterns to cause the photoconductor to exhibit a photoresponse, thereby collapsing the internal electric field in the exposed regions but not in the unexposed regions. When a field neutralizing bias and acoustic energy are applied in a transfer region, toner in the unexposed regions is transferred to an intermediate member or any substrate interposed between the photoconductive surface and the biasing electrode.

Abstract: An imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface moving along an endless path, an imaging system for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, a developer for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, a transfer system for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet, and a resonator for enhancing toner release from the charge retentive surface, producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the flexible belt member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, the resonator includes a horn member for applying the high frequency vibratory energy to the non-rigid member, having a platform portion, a horn portion, and a contacting portion and extending across the non-rigid member.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for printing using an intermediate member acting as a receptor for marking particles representing an image. The marking particles may be deposited directly or indirectly on the member, after which time the member is exposed, via an internal heat source, to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the melting and coalescing of the marking particles. Subsequently, the intermediate member is advanced so as to place the tackified marking particles present on the outer surface thereof into intimate contact with the surface of a recording sheet.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine adapted to print a document in at least two different colors. An electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member. A non-interactive development system is employed to develop the latent image. The developing system includes a first toner carrying piezoelectric polymer belt for conveying toner of a first color to the latent image on the photoconductive member and a second toner carrying piezoelectric polymer belt for conveying toner of a second color to the latent image. A first developer activation stylus selectively vibrates toner carrying surface areas of the first toner carrying piezoelectric polymer belt to develop a first portion of the latent image with the first color. A second developer activation stylus selectively vibrates toner carry surface areas of the second toner carrying piezoelectric polymer belt to develop a second portion of the latent image with the second color.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fuser for fixing toner images to substrates utilizes an acoustic transducer or resonator in the form of an ultrasonic welding horn and a viscoelastic member. As toner images carried on a substrate are moved between the resonator and the viscoelastic member heat energy is created both in the toner particles forming the images and the viscoelastic member. The heat energy created in the viscoelastic member is transferred to the toner images through intimate contact therewith and together with the heat generated in the toner serves to elevate the toner to its fusing temperature.

Abstract: A process for forming color xerographic images by using a toner which comprises one or more dyes. Also disclosed is a process for making a toner which comprises one or more dyes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for printing using an intermediate member acting as a receptor for marking particles representing an image. The marking particles may be deposited directly or indirectly on the member, after which time the member is exposed, via an internal heat source, to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the melting and coalescing of the marking particles. Subsequently, the intermediate member is advanced so as to place the tackified marking particles present on the outer surface thereof into intimate contact with the surface of a recording sheet.

Abstract: Ultrasonic fusing is performed sequentially by generating heat in an external fusing member (i.e. fuser roll surface) by ultrasonic absorption and then contacting unfused toner images with the heated member as they pass through a fusing nip comprising the heated member and a pressure roll. The externally heated roll member is fabricated from a material having a high loss tangent (tan delta) and is therefore capable of dissipating a large percentage of heat energy generated therein. Loss tangent is defined as the ratio of a material's viscous modulus to its elastic modulus. Heat generation in the viscoelastic member is created through acoustic distortions in viscoelastic member. Thus, the acoustic waves absorbed by the viscoelastic material forming the outer layer of the fuser roll are converted to heat energy. The heat generated in the roll member is transferred to the toner through intimate contact therewith.

Abstract: Color image creation using tri-level images wherein the image color is user selectable. Selection of a desired color establishes the voltage bias of a plurality of developer structures which, in turn, determines how much of each successive color toner is deposited on a particular image.

Abstract: A piezo-active charge retentive member, such as a photoreceptor, has a grounded electrode layer separating a photoreceptive layer and a piezo-active layer. External vibration sources become unnecessary since supplying an A.C. voltage across the piezo-active layer to the grounded electrode layer causes the piezo-active layer, and thus the entire photoreceptor, to vibrate. Vibration of the photoreceptor enhances the transfer of development powder from the photoreceptor to the transfer material, such as a sheet of paper. Vibration of the photoreceptor also improves the development of images and assists the cleaning of residual development powder from the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: An ionographic imaging member having a conductive layer and a charge accepting layer, wherein the charge accepting layer is sufficiently photosensitive to provide erasure of residual charge in the member by exposure to light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing including the use of a pyroelectric imaging member in a novel fashion to produce prints having improved resolution. The prints are produced by thermally exposing the pyroelectric imaging member in a localized fashion while neutralizing the surface charge and subsequently cooling the exposed surface of the imaging member to generate a latent electrostatic image thereon. Subsequently, the latent image is developed with charged toner particles, and transferred from the pyroelectric member to a substrate through the use of a second thermal treatment which serves to reverse the polarity of the imaging member and thereby eliminate the electrostatic forces attracting the toner particles to the imaging member. The transferred toner image may be simultaneously or subsequently fixed to the substrate by a thermal or other well known fusing treatment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing including the use of a pyroelectric material in a novel fashion to directly mark an image on a print substrate. The image is produced by initially coating a poled pyroelectric material with a uniform coating of charged marking particles and subsequently thermally exposing the pyroelectric material in a localized fashion, thus reversing the polarity of the charge which repels the particles from the surface of the pyroelectric material, and in the direction of the surface of a print substrate placed in close proximity thereto. Subsequently, the image formed by the transferred marking particles is fixed to the substrate by a thermal or other well known fusing treatment.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device includes a flexible belt-type sheet of paper or other transfer member into intimate contact with the charge retentive member, bearing a developed latent image and brings a charge retentive surface at a transfer station for electrostatic transfer of toner from the charge retentive surface to the sheet. At the transfer station, a resonator suitable for generating vibratory energy is arranged in line contact with the back side of the charge retentive surface, to uniformly apply vibratory energy to the charge retentive member. Toner is released from the electrostatic and mechanical forces adhering it to the charge retentive surface at the line contact position.