Abstract: In an apparatus for printing images on a moving primary imaging member by jetting ink, containing a fluid and marking particles, in an image-wise fashion onto the primary imaging member, a device for concentrating the ink prior to transferring a marking particle image to a receiver member. The ink concentrating device includes a fractionating unit for separating fluid of the ink from the marking particles. The fractionating unit is located a predetermined spaced distance from the primary image bearing member. An electrostatic field is established between the primary image bearing member and the fractionating unit for concentrating the marking particles in the liquid of the ink.

Abstract: A developer station and related method for distributed replenishment of toner as well as powder coatings and related materials. The developer station is divided into a first space adjacent or within a second space, the first space located adjacent a toner supply and the second space including a developer sump. The first space includes a toner-conveying device located in the first space, the toner-conveying device having a tapered body with a first end and a second end. A conveyance housing is located adjacent to and disposed such that the toner conveying device conveys the toner toward the developer sump as it travels from the first end of the toner conveying device to the second end of the toner conveying device, the housing having slots or openings so that the toner is deposited in the developer sump along the length of the conveying device.

Abstract: A developer station and related method for distributed replenishment of toner as well as powder coatings and related materials. The developer station is divided into a first space adjacent or within a second space, the first space located adjacent a toner supply and the second space including a developer sump. The first space includes a toner-conveying device located in the first space, the toner-conveying device having a tapered body with a first end and a second end. A conveyance housing is located adjacent to and disposed such that the toner conveying device conveys the toner toward the developer sump as it travels from the first end of the toner conveying device to the second end of the toner conveying device, the housing having slots or openings so that the toner is deposited in the developer sump along the length of the conveying device.

Abstract: A developer station and related method for distributed replenishment of toner as well as powder coatings and related materials. The developer station is divided into a first space adjacent or within a second space, the first space located adjacent a toner supply and the second space including a developer sump. The first space includes a toner-conveying device located in the first space, the toner-conveying device having a tapered body with a first end and a second end. A conveyance housing is located adjacent to and disposed such that the toner conveying device conveys the toner toward the developer sump as it travels from the first end of the toner conveying device to the second end of the toner conveying device, the housing having slots or openings so that the toner is deposited in the developer sump along the length of the conveying device.

Abstract: In an apparatus for printing images on a moving primary imaging member by jetting ink, containing a fluid and marking particles, in an image-wise fashion onto the primary imaging member, a device for concentrating the ink prior to transferring a marking particle image to a receiver member. The ink concentrating device includes a fractionating unit for separating fluid of the ink from the marking particles. The fractionating unit is located a predetermined spaced distance from the primary image bearing member. An electrostatic field is established between the primary image bearing member and the fractionating unit for concentrating the marking particles in the liquid of the ink.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is particularly usable with a relatively stiff receiving sheet. In one embodiment, it includes a transfer member around which the receiving sheet is attached. To maintain good contact between the receiving sheet and the transfer member, a pair of rollers are positioned to engage the receiving sheet in non-imaged margins to hold it intimately to the transfer member. The sheet may also be engaged at other positions in its path in the non-imaged margins to control its movement. In another embodiment, corona applied to the sheet before separation from the transfer member is specially biased to discourage premature or excessive separation because of the stiffness of the sheet. The bias can be then changed to encourage separation if a more flexible receiving sheet is used.

Abstract: A method of forming duplex color images on a receiving sheet passes the receiving sheet through a fuser twice for the first image and once for the second image. The process includes the step of determining which of the toner images should have a higher gloss and forming that toner image first so that it receives the greatest fusing energy. Preferably, the determining step is accomplished by determining which image receives more photographic content.

Abstract: A toner image carried by a receiving sheet is fused by heat and pressure applied by first and second fusing members. To compensate for heat lost from the pressure member to the receiving sheet, the fuser has at least two speeds, a first fast speed, which is utilized for the first revolution of the fusing member contacting the toner image and a second slower speed to which the fuser is changed at the end of such first revolution.

Abstract: A magnetic brush device for applying toner to an electrostatic image includes an applicator having a rotatable core. The sleeve for the core is made of an insulating material and preferably has a thin metallic coating on the outside of the sleeve defining the sleeve's outside surface.

Abstract: The present invention is used in an image-recording apparatus wherein a substantially uniform layer of triboelectrically charged thermoplastic toner particles is deposited onto an imaging member. The toner particles are imagewise heated such that the heated toner particles are thermally tacked to the imaging member. The imaging member is then contacted with a mass of magnetic carrier particles to attract nonheated toner particles to the carrier particles, thereby removing nonheated toner particles from the imaging member and ladening the carrier particles with the removed toner particles. In accordance with the invention, upon using the carrier particles to attract and remove toner from the imaging member, the toner-laden carrier particles are mixed with a supply of carrier particles in which the average number of toner particles per carrier particle is lower than that of said toner-laden carrier particles.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided a magnetic brush laydown/pickup apparatus having a shell surrounding a plurality of alternating pole magnets, said shell and magnets being relatively movable to transport developer mix through a development zone. Developer mix, comprised of toner particles and carrier particles, is selectively supplied to the surface of the shell at a location upstream of a development zone. The developer mix is selectively removed from the surface of the shell at a location downstream of the development zone. Toner particles are selectively stripped from the developer mix on the shell.