Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the generation of agglomerations of particulate material in a liquid. Agglomerations are built up at a point under the effect of an electric field and ejected by electrostatic means. The size of the agglomeration is dependent upon the strength of the electric field, point geometry, the nature of the liquid and the nature of the particles. Agglomerations of particles in the range of from 1 to 500 microns are produced The invention is useful for non-impact printing and other applications where delivery of agglomerations of particles is useful such as in inhalable pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A method for applying instant self-fixing adherent printing images from a recording member to a substrate includes applying a liquid toner including toner material and a liquid carrier to a latent image on a ferro-electric recording member, removing an excess amount of the liquid carrier from the adherent image using an extraction mechanism, and transferring the adherent image without the excess liquid carrier to a substrate. The present invention also includes a apparatus for performing the inventive method.

Abstract: A solid ink jet ink composition which is suitable for hot melt applications having a carrier having an electrical resistivity of at least 10.sup.8 Ohm.cm, insoluble marking particles and a particle charging agent dispersed in it. The marking particle may be a pigment, an insoluble dyestuff, a polymer or mixture thereof. The particle charging agent may be a metal soap, a fatty acid, lecithin, an organic phosphorous compound, a succinimide, a sulphosuccinate, petroleum sulphonates, a soluble or partially soluble resin such as a modified rosin ester, an acrylic, a vinyl a hydrocarbon or a mixture thereof. The solid ink jet ink composition may further include a viscosity controller. The ink may be capable of being heated to 155.degree. C. and have at that temperature a viscosity of between 5 to 150 cps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to develop electrostatic images using a mist which is substantially water and a colorant. Mist is transported from a generation station to a development station via a development electrode. Unused mist may be recycled or extracted. The mist may be size classified before development so that a consistent and desired resolution is obtained. Classification by size may be achieved by passing the mist in an arcuate path from the generation station to the development station.

Abstract: To permit transfer of toner particles forming an image from a ferroelectric surface (2) onto a substrate (6), without careful operating constraints, an intermediate or offset cylinder (4, 11) is placed opposite the ferroelectric surface (2) to define a small gap (16) therewith, in the order of between about 0.05 to 0.15 mm. The surface on the offset member, preferably a cylinder, can be either semiconductive or insulating material (5), typically very smooth polyurethane, or a conductive sleeve (14) over an insulating core. The substrate (6) is engaged against the offset cylinder (4, 11) by an impression or counter or transfer roller (7) which is subjected to a high direct current voltage, for example between about 1 kV to 4 kV. Corona elements (24, 23) can be located close to the ferroelectric surface and to the offset cylinder surface, the electrode being energized with reverse polarity to assist in a transfer of toner particles to the intermediate or offset cylinder (4, 11).

Abstract: To facilitate transfer of a toner adhered to a ferro-electric recording member on a cylindrical carrier to a substrate web, for example a paper web, a temperature difference is established at the recording member between a toning station, where toner is applied to the ferro-electric surface and a transfer station where the toner is transferred to the substrate web. This temperature difference may be as small as 0.3.degree. C., but may be a few degrees C, in dependence on the printing speed, that is, speed of transfer from the cylindrical recording member to the paper web. The temperature difference may be obtained by applying a cooling element (10, 11) towards the ferro-electric layer (2) of the recording member, or a heater, or for example hot air (16) between the transfer station and retoning of the ferro-electric recording member at the toning station.

Abstract: To predispose toner particles to develop latent images in the form of polarized domains on a ferro-electric recording layer (12), for immediate transfer to a substrate (S), a donor roller (1) is rotated in a bath of liquid dispersed toner particles (4), which are charged; the thickness of the liquid dispersion, and hence of the quantity of donor particles, is controlled by limiting the amount of dispersant liquid toner particle deposit by rotating a limiting roller (9) positioned spaced apart with respect to said donor roller by a tiny gap; sequential rotation of the donor roller past a nkp (14) with the ferro-electric surface layer (12) forms a meniscu between the toner dispersion and, where the polarization of domains of the ferro-electric recording member (12) is opposite the charge polarization of the toner particles, the toner particles will adhere to the ferro-electric recording surface (12) for subsequent transfer to the recording substrate (S).

Abstract: A method for testing electrostatic developer toners which comprises applying the toner to a stationary non-magnetic sleeve (4), moving the toner along the surface of the sleeve by an array of field lines generally normal to the surface produced by a multiple magnetic roll (1) rotating within the sleeve and determining the characteristics of the toner from the pattern (15) of the spread toner by reference to a calibrated scale (9) and a stop line (5) on the surface of the sleeve.