Abstract: A pressure member is provided suitable for use in an image forming system. The pressure member includes a core surrounded by a sleeve. The inner perimeter of the sleeve is large than the outer perimeter of the core to enable the sleeve to be removed and replaced easily when worn out.

Abstract: A pressure member is provided suitable for use in an image forming system. The pressure member includes a core surrounded by a sleeve. The inner perimeter of the sleeve is large than the outer perimeter of the core to enable the sleeve to be removed and replaced easily when worn out.

Abstract: An imaging system, or unit of an imaging system, and a method of imaging employing a single imaging member to form a liquid-toned image, to condition the image, and to transfuse it to a print-receiving medium. The member moves through three sections, with the image formed in the first section, then changing state in each successive section. In a preferred embodiment, a heat exchanger uses heat from the third section to extract the liquid carrier from the toned image while it is in the second section. Condensed carrier replenishes toner, cooling the first section. Multicolor printing is effected by employing several such units, one for each color, to transfuse colored images in succession onto a receiving member.

Abstract: A photoconductive or magnetic filler allows a single thin belt to serve as the imaging element, i.e., as the latent and developed image carrier, as well as the element which transfers and fuses toner to a print. The transport member moves in a cyclic path to carry material from a first location to a second location maintained at a higher temperature, and counter-moving portions of the member are positioned to exchange heat with each other along an intermediate portion of the path, so that minimum energy is lost to the environment. In one embodiment as a printing apparatus, a belt transports a heat-fusible toner to a heated location where it is transferred and fused, i.e., transfused, as a print image to a sheet. Effective powder pick up and release is obtained in the printing apparatus with a transport member having an elastomeric layer of a softness which conforms to a receiving member of characteristic surface roughness, and a non-tacky outer coating which is harder than the elastomeric layer.

Abstract: An electrode array forms a latent image by generating an electrical breakdown region and extracting an imagewise distribution of charge carriers which are accelerated toward a separate surface. Different control mechanisms, environments and ranges of operating parameters provide controlled amounts of charge delivered by electrons or ions for improved latent image production. High speed, high resolution and high uniformity of charge deposition are accomplished by different structures within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: A transport member moves in a cyclic path to carry material from a first location to a second location at a different temperature, and a thermal shunt connects portions of the transport member. Counter-moving portions of the member are positioned to exchange heat with each other along an intermediate portion of the path, so that minimum energy is lost to the environment. In one embodiment as a printing apparatus, a belt transports a heat-fusible toner to a heater location where it is transferred and fused, i.e., transfused, as a print image to a sheet. Effective powder pick up and release is obtained in the printing apparatus with a transport member having an elastomeric layer of a softness which conforms to a receiving member of characteristic surface roughness, and a non-tacky outer coating which is harder than the elastomeric layer. The outer coating is thin enough to conform to the surface roughness, but hard enough to prevent entrainment of toner particles.

Abstract: A development apparatus and method positions the development electrode (30), in a liquid development system, in a close, spaced apart relationship to a moving photosensitive surface (12). The development electrode (30) has plural supply conduits (76) and at least one drain conduit (84) for eliminating toner starvation during the development process. The development apparatus and method further employ a pressurized filter element (50) having a cell size larger than the particle size to be trapped for reducing the occurrence of voids on the output copy. The filter (50) is configured to provide, in its sealed housing, input (80) and output (82) manifolds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a photoconductive surface in order to remove toner particles dispersed in a liquid developer wherein a smooth-surfaced, resiliently deformable, yieldable roller means is compliantly engaged with the surface to be cleaned so as to form a generally concave, smooth surfaced cleaning pad spaced from the photoconductive surface by a gap not exceeding the diameter of minimum sized toner particles.The yieldable roller means is rotated such that the surface of the concave, smooth faced pad portion thereof moves in an opposite direction relative to the direction of movement of the photoconductive surface and at a velocity at least equal to that of the photoconductive surface.A uniquely interacting cleaning roller, sponge scrubber and doctor blade combination is also contemplated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing the visibility of low contrast images. In accordance with the invention, the visibility of a selected area of an image is increased relative to another area of said image which differs only slightly in brightness from said selected area by causing said selected area to periodically vary in brightness while maintaining the brightness of said other area constant.The apparatus for carrying out the invention comprises an optical circuit including an electro-optic photosensitive storage device having a photosensitive characteristic in which the conductance of the device varies as a function of the intensity of the radiation incident upon it, and an electro-optic birefringent characteristic in which the birefringence varies as a function of an electric field applied across it. An image of an object is read into the device which is then read-out onto a screen by placing the device between two polarizers in a readout light beam.

Abstract: Method is disclosed for transferring non-fused xerographic toner images from a first support material, such as a photoconductive insulating surface, to a second support material, such as paper, and fusing the toner images to the second support material. Such method utilizes an intermediate transfer member having a smooth surface of low surface free energy and a hardness of from 3 to 70 durometers. The intermediate transfer member can be, for example, a 0.1-10 mil layer of silicone rubber coated onto a polyimide support. The member can be formed into belt or drum configuration. Toner images are transferred from the first support material to the intermediate transfer member; this can be by any conventional transfer method, but pressure transfer is preferred. Next, the toner image is heated on the intermediate transfer member to at least its melting point temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transferring non-fused xerographic toner images from a first support material, such as a photoconductive insulating surface, to a second support material, such as paper, and fusing the toner images to the second support material. Such apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member having a smooth surface of low surface free energy and a hardness of from 3 to 70 durometers. The intermediate transfer member can be, for example, a 0.1-10 mil layer of silicone rubber coated onto a polyimide support. The member can be formed into belt or drum configuration.

Abstract: A special inexpensive development electrode within a cascade development station is positioned closely adjacent to a xerographic drum to define a development zone therebetween. The electrode is roughened by producing deflection elements thereon forming a waffle-like or diamond-shaped knurled pattern projecting into the development zone, and, at the same time, is designed to be spaced from the drum by a distance which varies from between a relatively wide spacing adjacent the input end of the development zone and a relatively narrow spacing toward the output end of the zone.