Abstract: An electrically conductive or semi-conductive polymeric material which includes a blend of:(i) a bis[oxydiethylenebis(polycaprolactone)yl]sulfoaryldicarboxylate or a bis[oxydiethylenebis(polycaprolactone)yl]sulfonamidosulfonylaryldicarboxyl ate, and(ii) a complex of a ferric halide and ethylene glycol or an oligoethylene glycol selected from di-, tri-, or tetraethylene glycol,to provide the material with its conductive properties.The material has a resistivity of from about 10.sup.6 to about 5.times.10.sup.11 ohm cm and can be used in the fabrication of biasable transfer members such as, for example, a biasable transfer roll to transfer electrostatographic toner images from a photoconductor to a final support material such as a sheet of paper wherein the member electrically cooperates with the photoconductor to establish a directional force field therebetween.

Abstract: A member for electrically cooperating with a conductive support surface to attract charged toner particles from the surface towards the member is disclosed. The member comprises a conductive substrate capable of supporting a uniform bias potential thereon and at least one coating comprising a resilient elastomeric polyurethane.

Abstract: The invention provides rolls, belts and other biasable members having at least one layer or coating of an elastomeric resilient polyurethane. The polyurethane is formed by reacting:(a) a polyisocyanate prepolymer;and(b) a hardening mixture comprising:(i) a polyol and(ii) as a conductivity control agent an ammonium tetrahaloferrate salt of the formula ##STR1## The R substituents are defined in the specification.

Abstract: A process for improving adhesion of a thermoplastic polymeric resin on a casting surface by using an electrostatic pinning wire in conjunction with a conductive shield. The method includes the steps of extrusion casting a sheet of molten polymer from a die, directing the cast sheet onto a moving, chilled and electrically grounded casting surface to solidify the polymer and extending a conductive wire transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sheet with the sheet between the wire and the chilled surface before the sheet contacts the chilled surface. An elongated conductive uninsulated shield parallel to the wire with the wire between the shield and the sheet is provided and a bias voltage is applied to the wire and the shield. The bias voltage of the wire is in the range of 6 to 15 kV, and the bias voltage of the shield is adjusted to be at least 5 kV lower than the voltage of the wire to maintain a desired current flowing from the wire and the shield to the sheet.

Abstract: A toner particle image made up of toner particles having a mean particle diameter of less than 7 microns and transfer-assisting particles strongly adhering to the surfaces of the toner particles having a mean particle diameter between about 0.01 microns and about 0.2 microns is electrostatically transferred to an intermediate. An intermediate has a base having a Youngs modulus of 10.sup.7 Newtons/m.sup.2 or less and a thin overcoat or skin which has a Youngs modulus of 5.times.10.sup.7 Newtons/m.sup.2 or more. The toner image is then electrostatically transferred from the intermediate image member to a receiving sheet. The surface of the intermediate image member receiving the toner image preferably has a roughness average equal to 20% of the mean diameter of the toner particles or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the rate of development characteristic of electroscopic toner particles of the type used in electrostatographic recording to develop electrostatic images. The apparatus has a biased electrode for attracting toner particles and a microprocessor-based logic and control unit for sampling the mass of toner particles attracted to the electrode at preselected times during the accumulation of toner on the biased electrode. This development rate parameter is used by the logic and control unit to control process parameters (e.g. primary charging and exposure levels, development electrode bias, toner concentration) which affect image quality.

Abstract: Electrostatographic toning with charged toner particles which are transported along a conveyor having an array of repeating sets of electrodes upon which an electrostatic traveling wave pattern is established. The traveling wave pattern causes already charged toner particles to slide and roll along the conveyor to a selection site whereat individual toner particles are either directed toward the receiver or are returned to a developer reservoir. The width of each of the electrodes for the traveling wave grid is comparable to the size of the toner particles such that the particles are transported individually along the conveyor. At the selection site, unwanted particles are deflected from the path to a receiver. The receiver can be placed against a conveyor plate to avoid the divergence and bouncing problems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the charge-to-mass ratio of electroscopic toner particles of the type used in electrostatographic recording to develop electrostatic images. The apparatus uses a biased electrode for attracting toner particles thereto, and a microprocessor-based logic and control unit for sampling the mass of toner particles deposited on the electrode after the deposited toner particles have neutralized the electric field produced by the electrode bias. This toner mass information, together with certain toner constants and known parameters, is used by the logic and control unit to calculate the toner's charge-to-mass ratio. The output of the apparatus is useful for controlling process parameters (e.g. primary charging and exposure levels, development electrode bias, toner concentration) which affect image quality.

Abstract: A receiving sheet having a loose toner image on a surface of the sheet is transported from an image member to a fuser by continuing movement of the image member. To prevent disruption of the loose toner image and to accommodate any difference in speeds of the image member and the fuser, air is directed on the image side of the receiving sheet to force the receiving sheet against a curved guide positioned behind the receiving sheet.

Abstract: One or more toner images are transferred to an intermediate image member and then to a receiving sheet. The intermediate image member is made relatively conductive, for example, it has a resistivity less than 10.sup.9 ohm-cm facilitating transfer to the intermediate. To provide adequate allowance for variability for the impedance of receiving sheets a transfer backing roller forms a nip with the intermediate image member which transfer backing roller has a relatively low conductivity. For example, the transfer backing roller has a resistance of 10.sup.10 ohm-cm or greater.

Abstract: A small particle toner image is formed on a primary image member, such as a photoconductor, and electrostatically transferred to an intermediate image member and then electrostatically transferred to a receiving sheet. The intermediate image member is chosen to have characteristics making the toner less attractive to the primary image member, but more attractive to the receiving sheet, than the intermediate.The intermediate transfer member can include a base of a relatively compliant material having a Young's modulus 10.sup.7 Newtons per square meter or less with a very thin outer skin of a harder material having a Young's modulus of 5.times.10.sup.7 Newtons per square meter or more.

Abstract: Devices and analytical techniques are disclosed for measuring the spatial profile of permittivity of a material by multiple wavenumber interrogations. Electrode structures are disclosed which define a number of different fundamental wavelengths (or wavenumbers). Spatially periodic interrogation signals (of temporary frequency ".omega.") from the electrode structures are attenuated to varying degrees by the material undergoing analysis, depending upon the wavenumber ("k"), thereby permitting the derivation of a composite dielectric profile.