Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image, and a transfer station for transferring said developed toner image from the primary imaging member to a receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image to the receiver, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. An endless transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing porous layer that would tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles, and a porous overcoat outermost layer that does not tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double-sleeved roller for use in an electrostatographic machine. The double-sleeved member includes a cylindrical rigid core member. A removable inner sleeve member (ISM) is provided that includes a compliant layer that surrounds and intimately contacts the rigid core member. A removable electrically conductive outer sleeve member (OSM) such that the OSM surrounds and intimately contacts said ISM wherein the ISM and OSM are removable or mountable simultaneously.

Abstract: Printing of information with a distinct tactile feel can be accomplished by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing includes the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing standard size marking particles; and in areas of the formed print image, forming raised information by printing at least a first raised image and a second raised image. The print and raised images are fixing on the receiver member. The raised images are applied using toner particles having diameters substantially larger than the diameters standard size toner particles used for applying the print image.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printing of one or more layers of toner using a method of enhancing fuser offset latitude to enable the printing of a wide range of toner mass laydown using electrophotography. This method encompasses the steps of forming multicolor toner images, determining the amount of clear overcoat mass laydown as a function of the color mass laydown or non-raised mass laydown and fusing the clear toner overcoat and the multicolor toner image at a fusing temperature determined by the maximum total mass laydown and the nip width to provide good adhesion to the receiver member while optimizing fuser offset latitude.

Abstract: The use of electrographic printing to prepare prints which have a desired tactile feel or raised information in a controlled manner by utilizing a developer having toner particle size larger than 50 microns volume average diameter and carrier particles larger than the toner particle size such that the volume average distribution overlap between the toner distribution curve and carrier particle distribution curve is less than 35% and the carrier and toner particles have a volume average diameter size differential equal to or greater than 5 microns or the ratio of carrier-to-toner volume average diameter exceeds 1.25.

Abstract: A method and system for printing adjustable gloss image documents using a variety of toners where some toners have a relatively low melt viscosity and others have a relatively high melt viscosity. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver proximate to and overlying at least a portion of each other.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printing of one or more layers of toner using a method of enhancing fuser offset latitude to enable the printing of a wide range of toner mass laydown using electrophotography. This method encompasses the steps of forming multicolor toner images, determining the amount of clear overcoat mass laydown as a function of the color mass laydown or non-raised mass laydown and fusing the clear toner overcoat and the multicolor toner image at a fusing temperature determined by the maximum total mass laydown and the nip width to provide good adhesion to the receiver member while optimizing fuser offset latitude.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double-sleeved roller for use in an electrostatographic machine. The double-sleeved member includes a cylindrical rigid core member. A removable inner sleeve member (ISM) is provided that includes a compliant layer that surrounds and intimately contacts the rigid core member. A removable electrically conductive outer sleeve member (OSM) such that the OSM surrounds and intimately contacts said ISM wherein the ISM and OSM are removable or mountable simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention is an intermediate transfer member for use in an electrostatographic machine. The intermediate transfer member includes an insulating support layer having an inner side and outer side, with a conductive layer disposed on at least the outer side. There is at least one conductive connection between the inner side of the insulating support layer and the conductive outer layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an intermediate transfer member that has an endless belt of a seamed insulating material. Disposed on the endless belt is a smoothing layer that forms a continuous seamless top surface.

Abstract: A method for coating a liquid composition from an applicator to a first surface of a moving web having opposite first and second surfaces, the web being conveyed along a path through a coating apparatus, the coating apparatus including a charge neutralization station for neutralizing stray charges on the web, the charge neutralization station including a backing roller and means for depositing a charge on the web includes the steps of: wrapping the web in a partial wrap around the backing roller, the backing roller being provided with a conductive, relieved surface, the relieved surface having a pattern of circumferential grooves that provides venting of entrained air, the pattern having a geometry and depth such that any charge left on the web does not disturb the coating applied by the coating apparatus; providing a source of electrostatic charge at the charge neutralization station to neutralize any charge on the web; and transporting the charge neutralized web to a coating station, where a liquid composit

Abstract: A method for coating a liquid composition from an applicator to a first surface of a moving web having opposite first and second surfaces, the web being conveyed along a path through a coating apparatus, the coating apparatus including a charge neutralization station for neutralizing stray charges on the web, the charge neutralization station including a backing roller and means for depositing a charge on the web includes the steps of: wrapping the web in a partial wrap around the backing roller, the backing roller being provided with a conductive, relieved surface, the relieved surface having a pattern of circumferential grooves that provides venting of entrained air, the pattern having a geometry and depth such that any charge left on the web does not disturb the coating applied by the coating apparatus; providing a source of electrostatic charge at the charge neutralization station to neutralize any charge on the web; and transporting the charge neutralized web to a coating station, where a liquid composit

Abstract: A method is taught for curtain coating a liquid composition onto a moving plastic web. The plastic web is partially wrapped around a cylindrical backing roller, the backing roller including a relief patterned area on the surface thereof, the relief patterned area including relieved features and non-relieved features, the relieved features being at least 40% of the relief patterned area, the relief patterned area being circumferential of the backing roller. Providing an electrostatic field at the coating point between the coating liquid and the backing roller, the electrostatic field resulting in an electrostatic force difference at a coating point on the backing roller, the relieved features being of a geometry and depth such that the electrostatic force difference at a coating point does not vary by more than a factor of 10 between the relieved features and non-relieved features.

Abstract: A coating method and apparatus are taught for coating a liquid composition onto a surface of a moving web. A coating hopper for delivering the liquid composition to the surface of the moving web is provided with a rotatable backing roller. The moving web is wrapped around a portion of the rotatable backing roller with the rotatable backing roller supporting the moving web through a dynamic wetting line. The rotatable backing roller includes a plurality of circumferential grooves therein at a groove pitch of at least two per millimeter. An electrostatic field generated across the gap between the moving web and the liquid composition immediately prior to the dynamic wetting line. The method and apparatus permit either coating at a higher speed or higher viscosity than may be achieved in the prior art, or greatly reduced groove line nonuniformity at a given coating speed and viscosity.

Abstract: A method is taught for curtain coating a liquid composition onto a moving web at a coating point where the moving web is supported on a backing roller. The web is partially wrapped around the backing roller, the backing roller including a relief patterned area on the surface thereof, the relief patterned area including relieved features and non-relieved features, the relieved features and the non-relieved features creating an electrostatic force difference exerted on the liquid composition at the coating point when an electrostatic field is applied thereto. A web speed is specified and the electrostatic force difference exerted on the liquid composition at the coating point is varied to determine a maximum electrostatic force difference for the specified web speed that achieves the predetermined acceptable level of coating thickness non-uniformity.

Abstract: A coating method and apparatus are taught for coating a liquid composition onto a surface of a moving web. A coating hopper for delivering the liquid composition to the surface of the moving web is provided with a rotatable backing roller. The moving web is wrapped around a portion of the rotatable backing roller with the rotatable backing roller supporting the moving web through a dynamic wetting line. The rotatable backing roller includes a plurality of circumferential grooves therein at a groove pitch of at least two per millimeter. An electrostatic field generated across the gap between the moving web and the liquid composition immediately prior to the dynamic wetting line. The method and apparatus permit either coating at a higher speed or higher viscosity than may be achieved in the prior art, or greatly reduced groove line nonuniformity at a given coating speed and viscosity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing controlled short intervals of electrostatic charge on a moving web substrate to be coated, including a mathematical model that estimates the charging performance of the apparatus. The model is constructed via benchtop characterization of the apparatus. The model is implemented in coating production via an algorithm comprising a best-fit equation representing the model predictions over a range of relevant input parameter values such as web speed, web capacitance, and desired web voltage. The apparatus includes an electrical charging apparatus, a power supply for powering the charging apparatus, and a controller programmed with the algorithm for automatically setting and controlling the intensity and duration of the output of the power supply to yield the optimal electrostatic potential on the charging apparatus. In operation, run-specific variables including web type and coating speed are also provided as inputs to the controller.

Abstract: A method for electrostatically assisting in coating a liquid composition from a hopper to a web supported by a backing roller, characterized by the steps of a) neutralizing all charges on both surfaces of the web by passing the web through an appropriate electrostatic environment ahead of the coating point, and b) providing a uniform electrostatic field around the backing roller, which field extends through the web to engender an electrostatic “pressure” for urging the liquid composition toward the coatable surface of the substrate at the coating point resulting in an increase in the maximum coating speed achievable without onset of air entrainment at the coating point, improved thickness uniformity of coating, and a reduction in residual charge on the web after coating.

Abstract: A method for coating a liquid composition from an applicator to a moving web supported by a backing roller, characterized by the steps of a) conveying the web in a partial wrap around the backing roller of diameter equal to or greater than 10 cm, the backing roller being provided with a conductive, relieved surface; b) fabricating the relieved surface with a pattern that provides venting, the pattern having a geometry and depth such that the electrostatic force at the coating point does not vary by more than a factor of about ten, the pattern covering at least 30% or more of the width of the web; c) providing an electrostatic field at the coating point; and d) coating at a web speed greater than or equal to 75 meters/minute.

Abstract: A coating method comprising advancing a web over a coating roller, applying electrostatic charges on the web or coating roller, and coating the web wherein the surface of the web to be coated has a characteristic electrical length of less than 400 &mgr;m.