Abstract: A system and method for removing residual toner and submicron particles from a photoconductive drum of a toner-based printer includes an electrified cleaner blade that electrostatically attracts residual toner and submicron particles from the photoconductive drum as the photoconductive drum is rotated towards the electrified cleaner blade. An electrostatic charge unit can be configured to apply a suitable electric charge of between ?500 VDC and ?2000 VDC to the electrified cleaner blade. Particles lodged on the electrified cleaner blade can be electrostatically dislodged by temporarily reversing the voltage applied to the electrified cleaner blade. Cycling the voltage applied to the electrified cleaner blade between a positive voltage and a negative voltage is used to improve the action of electrostatically dislodging particles lodged on the electrified cleaner blade. The electrified cleaner blade can apply an initial charge to the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: A system and method for removing toner and particles from a developer cavity of an electrostatic process unit of a toner-based printer includes a filter displaced over at least a portion of the developer cavity, and a fan configured to draw a volume of air through the filter from the portion of the developer cavity adjacent to the filter. The fan is coupled to the photoconductive drum of the electrostatic process unit and rotates when the photoconductive drum rotates. The rotation of the fan generates a negative pressure on the filter which draws the volume of air through the filter. The filter removes airborne toner and particles from the volume of air. The toner and particles are removed from the electrostatic process unit by an associated auger.

Abstract: An apparatus for ink-jet printing including an ink-jet print head to jet ink, a coating solid, and a coating holder to support the coating solid, wherein the coating holder transfers a portion of the coating solid onto a medium to form a coating solid layer. The coating holder and coating solid may be combined in a removable cartridge. In addition, the medium may be an intermediate transfer medium, a media support medium, a transfer medium, or media, such as paper. A method for inkjet printing also includes applying a coating solid to a medium to form a layer of the coating solid, in a solid form, having predetermined thickness, and applying ink to the medium. The layer of coating solid may interact with the applied ink to destabilize colorant in the ink.

Abstract: An apparatus for ink-jet printing including an ink-jet print head to jet ink, a coating solid, and a coating holder to support the coating solid, wherein the coating holder transfers a portion of the coating solid onto a medium to form a coating solid layer. The coating holder and coating solid may be combined in a removable cartridge. In addition, the medium may be an intermediate transfer medium, a media support medium, a transfer medium, or media, such as paper. A method for inkjet printing also includes applying a coating solid to a medium to form a layer of the coating solid, in a solid form, having predetermined thickness, and applying ink to the medium. The layer of coating solid may interact with the applied ink to destabilize colorant in the ink.

Abstract: A conductive paste comprising a flexible elastomer, an electrically conductive particulate material and, optionally, a solvent is disclosed. This paste is used for providing flexible, electrically conductive bonding between materials. In a preferred embodiment, conductive paste of the present invention is used in a flexible doctor blade to provide bonding and an electrical connection between the support member and the portion of the blade which contacts the developer roller.

Abstract: The conductive film (3) of a compliant doctor blade has dispersed particles of molybdenum disulfide, as well as dispersed particles of grit and conductive filler. The molybdenum disulfide eliminates filming of toner. The molybdenum disulfide may be a surface powder since the anti-film action occurs at the pre-nip and therefore is not lost by the molybdenum disulfide wearing away at the nip.

Abstract: A compliant doctor blade having excellent toner metering capabilities is disclosed. The doctor blade includes a compliant laminate (3) having a resin film backing layer and carrying a binder which contains abrasive particles, such as silicon carbide particles, and a conducting means. In a preferred embodiment the conducting means are conductive carbon black particles which are contained in the resin binder which also includes the abrasive silicon carbide. The compliant laminate is supported on an aluminum bar (1). The bar has fastened to its bottom face a compliant foam layer (2) which includes on its bottom face a shim (10) having a stiffness of from about 0.5 to about 31.0 inches of deflection/inch of length/pounds of force. The laminate is bent under the foam layer and shim where it contacts the developer roller (6). The conductive layer remains conductive as it wears during use.

Abstract: Rubber charge roller cores are coated with styrene acrylic powder. Excess powder is removed, and the rollers are used in normal operation without the usual permanent outer layer. The more complex and costly outer layer of nylon is eliminated. Dust resulting from normal operation replaces the original powder coating.

Abstract: Doctor blade 1 has a compliant lamination (4) having a resin film backing layer (4a) and conductive layer (4b) abrasive silicon carbide particles and conductive carbon black in a resin binder. The compliant lamination is supported on an aluminum bar 2, having a downwardly extending wall 2b. In use lamination 2 is bent under the support bar at the end of the wall, a direct turn which avoids a wedge configuration where the lamination contacts the developer roller (7). The conductive layer remains conductive as it wears during use and the avoidance of the wedge prevents a build-up of toner at the nip during use, both of which make possible long effective useful operation of this doctor blade.

Abstract: A semiconductive developer roll is disclosed having a conductive shaft and a single outer member of polyester urethane in which copper (II) chloride is dissolved. Performance is enhanced by the addition of some silicone oil.

Abstract: A doctor blade (1) has an outer metal surface (15) on a grit layer with flexible backing. The blade is pushed by foam (21) or, alternately by inherent resilience, onto a developer roller (7). The compliance reduces toner variations which result from surface variations of the blade and the roller.

Abstract: Ribbon (22) in thermal printing has an outer layer which adheres to printed characters at intermediate temperatures, lower than printing temperatures. The printhead (7) has a column of electrodes (9) which sweep across the character area. Lift-off is accomplished by the pattern control (40) controlling the current source (38) to provide rapid, square wave pulses displaced in phase 180 degrees at adjoining electrodes (9). The high level of the pulses is about that of the level at printing, and the pulses are sufficiently rapid so that their net effect is to raise the outer layer ribbon (22) to the intermediate temperature. At areas corresponding to underlines of characters, duration of the up period is longer. Good, long term reliability is achieved by the significant erase level being very close to the print level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal transfer medium which comprises a mixture of a thermosetting polyimide, a thermoplastic polyimide, and graphite. It has a steel support layer and an intermediate layer of silicon dioxide. An outer layer on the steel is the thermal ink. The mixture is applied as a dispersion with a precursor of the thermosetting polyimide. The ribbon may be recoated at the typing station by applying a hot-melt of the ink.