Abstract: We have discovered that it is possible to create a beam of light that is polarized in a linear fashion from the illuminator. This beam is directed to the bar coded labels (should not be limited to these only) at a relatively low angle of incidence. The beam is reflected toward the sensor (camera) optics. Before reaching the sensor, it passes through a second polarizing filter which blocks the transmission of the direct specular reflection from the label. The sensor only receives the information from the substrate by the diffuse reflection. The concept was developed specifically with the linerless label stock in mind. However, the present invention can be applied to linerless label sales to UPS and possibly other freight carriers, and/or to other types of labels and surfaces for optical scanning.

Abstract: A substrate capable of receiving and retaining imaging is coded so as to maximize the amount of the scannable information that can be packed into an area, and/or to provide an effective security feature. A first machine readable identification code (e.g. bar code) is imaged on a predetermined area of the substrate, and is opaque to a first predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic energy (e.g. the infra-red region of light). An overlay is applied over and at least partially covering the first code. The overlay is transparent to the first wavelength range, and opaque to a second wavelength range (e.g. the visible spectrum of light). The overlay may be a security block which substantially completely covers the first code, or may be a second bar code (or additional codes) which is transparent to the second range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for "field effect imaging" of moving substrates, such as webs of paper. Non-conductive, non-magnetic toner having approximately a 5-20 micron mean particle size is electrically charged to a level of at least about 8 micro Coulombs/gram and then a first roller with a conductive surface is brought into operative association with the electrically charged toner so that toner particles adhere to the surface. The toner particles are preferably maintained in an electrostatic fluidized bed, and charged by a corona element in the bed. An array of pin or stylus primary electrodes are selectively energized or de-energized to provide no-write or write condition, respectively using a computer to switch the electrodes into or out of operative connection to a source of electrical potential.

Abstract: An erase unit for an ion deposition web-fed print engine includes a plenum extending the width of the electrostatic image on the image cylinder and defining an ionization chamber with the image cylinder surface. The plenum has first and second electrodes separated by a dielectric. Upon application of a time-varying potential having a frequency of 0.2 to 50 mHz across the electrodes, ionization occurs, causing an ion current flowing in relation to the image surface until the image surface and the biasing electrode are at the same potential, thus erasing any residual electrostatic image on the cylindrical surface. By providing a DC biasing voltage, the residual electrostatic image may be erased when equalization occurs, with the image cylinder maintaining a pre-charged potential.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for "field effect imaging" of moving substrates, such as webs of paper. Non-conductive, nonmagnetic toner having approximately a 5-20 micron mean particle size is electrically charged to a level of at least about 8 micro Coulombs/gram and then a first roller with a conductive surface is brought into operative association with the electrically charged toner so that toner particles adhere to the surface. The toner particles are preferably maintained in an electrostatic fluidized bed, and charged by a corona element in the bed. An array of pin or stylus primary electrodes are selectively energized or de-energized to provide no-write or write condition, respectively using a computer to switch the electrodes into or out of operative connection to a source of electrical potential.

Abstract: Charged toner is transferred from an image member to a web of imagable material, such as paper, using an impression cylinder without toner back scatter even at high speed (e.g. more than 150 feet per minute) movement of the paper. A nip is provided between the image member and the impression cylinder. Toner having a first polarity is applied to the image member, and a second face of a paper web is moved into contact with the image member adjacent the nip so that toner transfers from the image member to the web face. An electric potential of a first polarity is applied to the web at the first face prior to and adjacent the nip, the potential of sufficient intensity so as to substantially prevent back scatter. The electrical potential may be applied using an electrical conductive electrode biased (e.g. with a spring) into contact with the first face of the paper web, and connected up to a power supply of a first polarity.

Abstract: A specified and designated, non-primary color print (imaging) is applied to a substrate (paper) by mixing at least first and second differently colored toner particles having substantially uniform physical characteristics, and introducing them in desired proportions into a fluidized bed. The toner powders are uniformly mixed together in the fluidized bed (as by using rotors in addition to applying fluidizing air to the bed), and then a substantially uniform electrostatic charge (e.g. about +6.5-+8 kV D.C., which can be applied by blades on the rotor) is applied to the bed, and then the electrostatically charged mixture of toner particles is applied to the substrate, to image uniform non-primary color symbols on the substrate. The uniform physical characteristics of the powders are size (the vast majority of particles having a size between about 5 microns and about 25 microns), a resistivity of greater than 10.sup.12 ohm-cm, and a flowability between a predefined minimum and maximum.

Abstract: A system for the delivery of a substantially uniform mono-layer of toner to an electrostatic latent image in an imaging member (such as a rotating cylinder) insures proper handling of the toner, and utilizes first and second rollers which function as a polarity filter for toner, allowing only particular charged toner to be transferred from a toner reservoir to the imaging member. The twin roller delivery system comprises first and second rollers mounted for rotation about substantially parallel substantially horizontal axes, so that the peripheral surface of the first roller receives the toner from the substantially open top reservoir, and the second roller receives toner from the first roller and transfers it to the imaging member. The first and second rollers are charged to different electrical potentials, e.g. both being positive with the second roller at a potential that is about 400 volts below the first. The rollers are rotated in opposite directions about the axes of rotation.

Abstract: Non-magnetic toner in an electrostatic imaging system, such as the MIDAX.RTM. electronic imaging system, is dynamically recycled. Wayward airborne toner particles in the imaging system are vacuum collected to provide an air stream with entrained toner particles, and a centrifugal separator separates the particles from the entraining air. The separated particles are then dynamically returned to the imaging system. At least one airlock, which may comprise at least first and second fluid actuated or mechanically actuated valves which are spaced from each other, is provided between the separator and a reservoir for toner particles to be supplied to a fluidized bed of toner particles in the imaging system. A distribution device for distributing the toner particles in at least two different horizontal paths, to return to the reservoir.

Abstract: Print cartridges for ion/electron deposition printing are periodically cleaned to provide preventive maintenance, using a simple cleaning assembly that automatically moves the cartridges first past a water washing nozzle, and then past an air drying nozzle, at slow speed, then being manually withdrawn from the cleaning assembly and replaced in the printer. The drive mechanism typically is a single roller disposed above the print cartridge, driven by a motor connected to the housing. A single water spray nozzle is disposed at an intermediate portion of the housing directed with a fan pattern spray up toward the cartridge, and a single air nozzle supplied with heated air is disposed adjacent the outlet of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for "field effect imaging" of moving substrates, such as webs of paper. Non-conductive, non-magnetic toner having approximately a 5-20 micron mean particle size is electrically charged to a level of at least about 8 micro Coulombs/gram and then a first roller with a conductive surface is brought into operative association with the electrically charged toner so that toner particles adhere to the surface. The toner particles are preferably maintained in an electrostatic fluidized bed, and charged by a corona element in the bed. An array of pin or stylus primary electrodes are selectively energized or de-energized to provide no-write or write condition, respectively using a computer to switch the electrodes into or out of operative connection to a source of electrical potential.

Abstract: Non-magnetic and non-conductive powdered toner is applied to a rotating image cylinder having an electrostatic pattern. A container having a closed bottom and sides and open top contains the powdered toner. The powder is fluidized by introducing air through a pervious closed bottom of the container, and by vibrating the container. The toner is simultaneously stirred and electrically charged to a potential of greater than about 7 kv (plus or minus polarity) by rotating elements with radial pointed appendages in the container. Toner is transferred from the container to an image cylinder at an exposed nine o'clock position of the image cylinder by a plurality of transfer cylinders. A first transfer cylinder is mounted so that its periphery is just above the open top of the container and an applicator cylinder has its axis below the axis of the first cylinder, and its periphery adjacent both the first cylinder and the image cylinder.

Abstract: A toner composition for developing an electrostatic latent image comprising a base toner, which is a blend of a polymeric resin and a colorant, and one or more of a lubricating agent, a flowability agent, a charge-stabilizing agent, and a conductive agent, which has certain electrical characteristics. The base toner has a mean particle diameter (D.sub.50) of 7 to 18 microns, and a bulk resistivity of greater than 10.sup.12 ohm-cm. The toner composition is prepared by blending a polymeric resin with a colorant and then blending a dry powder lubricating agent, and optionally other additives, with the base toner. The toner composition is charged by being disposed in an electrostatic fluidized bed from which the toner particles are levitated by air and then subjected to field charging created by a high voltage corona generating device contained within the bed.

Abstract: Images are formed using first and second fluidized beds of non-magnetic toner having first and second, respective, single applicator rollers. A charge retentive surface such as a photoconductive belt is uniformly charged (e.g. by a corona device) to a predetermined voltage level, and at least first and second different, spaced, latent electrostatic images are formed on the surface at different locations (such as by a laser based output scanning device). The surface is then moved past the first applicator roller, and then the second applicator roller.

Abstract: Electrically conductive magnetic toner is supplied to an electrostatic printing apparatus by dispensing it pneumatically from one of two different toner bottles mounted on dispenser blocks. The toner passes through a chute into a container having an air previous, toner impervious, bottom. The toner particles are fluidized in the container, and come into contact with the rotating surface of an applicator roller having interior magnets, and the amount of toner which stays on the applicator roller surface is controlled in part by rotating the surface past a metering blade. To periodically declump the toner, a mechanical element is depressed which reverses the direction of the applicator roller, and brings a scraper blade into contact with the surface of the applicator roller, and applies a high level of vacuum to remove scraped off toner.

Abstract: Non-magnetic and non-conductive powdered toner is applied to a rotating image cylinder having an electrostatic pattern. A container having a closed bottom and sides and open top contains the powdered toner. The powder is fluidized by introducing air through a pervious closed bottom of the container, and by vibrating the container. The toner is simultaneously stirred and electrically charged to a potential of greater than about 7 kv (plus or minus polarity) by rotating elements with radial pointed appendages in the container. Toner is transferred from the container to an image cylinder at an exposed nine o'clock position of the image cylinder by a plurality of transfer cylinders. A first transfer cylinder is mounted so that its periphery is just above the open top of the container and an applicator cylinder has its axis below the axis of the first cylinder, and its periphery adjacent both the first cylinder and the image cylinder.

Abstract: Charged toner is transferred from an image member (such as an image cylinder or belt) to a web of imagable material (typically paper), preferably utilizing a rotating conductive impression cylinder. The toner, having a first polarity, is applied to the image member. The paper web, typically by contact with the impression cylinder, is moved into contact with the image member so that the toner transfers from the image member to the web under pressure. Even despite a high speed of movement of the web (e.g. 200 feet per minute or more), toner back scatter is substantially prevented by applying an electrical bias of the first polarity to the impression cylinder so as to impose an electric force field on the toner particles of sufficient intensity to overcome aerodynamic drag forces which would separate particles from the image areas between the impression cylinder and the image member.

Abstract: A method of facilitating marking of a document, and reading the markings on the marked document, utilizes conventional magnetic reading equipment. First indicia inviting marking of a first face of a document substrate is imaged on that face, while on the second, opposite face, in alignment with the first indicia, dense magnetic electronic imaging toner spaced elements are imaged. The toner is not heat fused. A second substrate portion is disposed in contact with the second face of the first substrate portion, and by rubbing on the first face (as with a pen or pencil) magnetic toner is transferred to the second substrate. The transferred magnetic toner is then sensed, through the paper forming the substrate, automatically. A business form is constructed typically by C-folding a single sheet of paper, imaged as described, about a fold line disposed between the first and second substrate portions.

Abstract: A security document is produced from a paper substrate having invisible hydrophobic toner blended into the paper. The clear toner is produced by milling and classifying a polyester resin, mixing it with silica flowing agent, and then electrostatically imaging the toner onto the paper substrate, as a spot that can be overprinted, or preferably as indicia that is not visible to the naked eye or color copiers. An infra-red absorbing or UV responsive dye may be added to the toner so that it is visible under infra-red/ultraviolet light respectively, or without that dye it is not visible when eliminated by light of any wavelength. When applied to the paper the toner is snow white, but after infra-red heat fusing it blends into the paper and is substantially invisible.

Abstract: In electrostatic imaging utilizing a silent electric discharge, nitrogen or other controlled gas is supplied to the discharge region. First and second control fingers each having first and second ends and a number of active openings along their lengths, provide electrodes at the discharge region. The controlled gas is supplied to the discharge regions through first and second gas input channels each connected to either the first ends or second ends of both the control fingers. The charge output associated with the active openings in the control fingers is stabilized so that there is a substantially even distribution of charge output along the length of each control finger by providing first and second bleed holes associated with each of the control fingers, and closer to the gas input channel than are the active openings in the control fingers.