Abstract: A system and method of applying a controlled amount of fluid to a moveable image carrying member of an electrographic printing system using a liquid toner before an image is transferred to a substrate. The amount of fluid applied may be controlled by a re-wet roller, located between the toner station and the transfer station, whose distance from the moveable image carrying member is varied along with the rotational speed and direction of the re-wet roller, according to either the roughness and porosity of the substrate or the print quality of the substrate. Alternatively, the fluid may be directly applied just to image areas of the moveable image carrying member to improve print quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the properties of roughness and thickness of a substrate to be processed through a machine, and correspondingly adjusting those machine parameters that are affected and which can be optimized based on varying levels of these substrate properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for forming a uniform layer of liquid developer which apparatus includes, for example, a coater for depositing liquid developer on a first movable substrate to form a first toner layer; a second movable substrate for contacting the first toner layer on the first substrate to form a uniformly thin second toner layer on the first substrate, wherein the directional movement of the first movable substrate surface is contrary to the directional movement of the second movable substrate surface, and wherein at least one of the first substrate surface and the second substrate surface conforms to an opposing surface; and a photoactive member for receipt and formation of latent image thereon and for receipt of a toner layer for development of the latent image by the toner layer.

Abstract: An imaging system for effecting electrostatic printing of an image, wherein the imaging system includes at least one contact electrostatic printing engine operable in a novel fashion upon a copy substrate, for imaging and development of an electrostatic latent image representative of the image, and subsequently transfers the developed image to the copy substrate. A toner cake delivery apparatus provides a thin, uniform toner cake layer of high solids content to a suitable receiving member for subsequent pressure contact with the surface of a latent image bearing imaging member such that a developed image is created by separating and selectively transferring portions of the toner cake layer in correspondence with the image and non-image regions of the latent image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the quality of an image that has been developed by a liquid carrier is disclosed. Generally speaking, the invention is a blotter roll which includes an absorbing layer wrapped around a non-permeable rigid core. A vacuum system communicates with the exterior surface of the blotter roll to remove the excess fluid from the blotter roll and transport it out of the printing system.

Abstract: A liquid developer composition including: a resin, a colorant, a liquid carrier vehicle, and a cake inducing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image on an imaging member with a liquid developing material, including a liquid developing material applicator, the housing defining an aperture adapted for transporting liquid developing material into contact with the imaging member, the housing further including a planar surface adjacent the aperture for providing a liquid developing material application region in which the liquid developing material can flow freely with the imaging member; a developing roll situated adjacent the liquid developing material applicator and downstream therefrom relative to a path of travel of the imaging member; and a cleaning system, operatively coupled to the liquid developing material applicator, for cleaning residue liquid developer material from the liquid developing material applicator and the developing roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image with liquid developing material. The apparatus includes a liquid developing material coating flow applicator for applying a substantially uniform coating of liquid developing material to a moving surface, wherein a housing, situated proximate to the moving surface, includes a fluid transport channel having a relatively narrow-width elongated outlet port for delivering a flow of liquid developing material to the moving surface, and an air flow channel having an elongated inlet aperture located adjacent the moving surface and immediately upstream from said outlet port for applying vacuum pressure to the flow of liquid developing material for varying the profile of the coating flow to provide variation of flow stability as well as thickness. A discussion of the effects of variations in the outlet port geometry, in particular, increasing the dimension between the downstream wall and the surface to be coated, has also been provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image with liquid developing material. The apparatus includes a liquid developing material applicator, wherein a single piece housing fabricated from a non-conductive material is provided for defining an elongated aperture adapted for transporting liquid developing material into contact with the image on the surface of a photoreceptive member, the housing further including a planar surface adjacent the elongated aperture for providing a liquid developing material application region in which the liquid developing material can flow freely in contact with the photoreceptive member. A developing roll situated adjacent to and downstream from the liquid developing material is also provided for for attracting the liquid developing material to image areas of the electrostatic latent image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming images which comprises generating an electrostatic image on an imaging member, developing the electrostatic image with a toner, optionally transferring the developed toner image from the imaging member to a substrate, applying to the developed toner image a curable liquid in which the toner is at least partially soluble, and curing the liquid to a solid.

Abstract: A non-black colored toner DMA sensor arrangement includes a light emitting device for illuminating a toner/surface substrate with light of a wavelength to which colored toners are non-absorbing, and to which the imaging surface is either partially absorbing or transmissive. Light is reflected from the toner predominantly by either scattering or multiple reflections to produce a significant component of diffusely reflected light. A sensor is arranged for detection of the diffusely reflected light, at an angle that does not detect the specularly reflected component of reflected light. An increasing level of diffusely reflected light indicates an increased density of toner coverage per unit area.

Abstract: A process which comprises the generation of an image on an imaging member, developing the image with a liquid developer, and transferring the image to a substrate, and which substrate is coated with an acrylic, a nylon, a vinyl polymer, a wax, or a paraffin component.