Removing Excess Developer (e.g., Squeegee) Patents (Class 399/249)
  • Patent number: 11789386
    Abstract: A recording device includes a recording unit configured to perform recording on a medium, a transporting belt configured to transport the medium, the transporting belt including a surface on which the medium is able to be supported, a washing unit configured to wash the surface using a liquid, an ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave onto the surface and receive the ultrasonic wave reflected from the surface, and a control unit configured to determine a remaining state of the liquid on the surface based on a result of detection by the ultrasonic sensor, in which the ultrasonic sensor transmits the ultrasonic wave onto at least part of the transporting belt, from downstream of the washing unit to upstream of the recording unit, in a rotation direction of the transporting belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuya Yumoto, Junpei Yamashita, Osamu Murayama, Shinya Yamazaki, Nobuaki Kamiyama, Shigenori Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11281122
    Abstract: A method of printing images in a liquid electrophotographic printer is provided. In an example, the method includes measuring at least one current associated with an image development unit of the liquid electrophotographic printer. A first time at which a peak occurs in the measured current is determined; the first time indicates that a printing substance is transferred from a point on a developer roller of the image development unit to a photo imaging member of the liquid electrophotographic printer at a first location within the image development unit. A second time at which said point on the developer roller is expected to contact the cleaner roller within the image development unit is calculated and, at the second time, a voltage applied to the cleaner roller is controlled to reduce the potential difference between the cleaner roller and the developer roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Asaf Shoshani, Lavi Cohen, Shachar Berger
  • Patent number: 11016419
    Abstract: A binary printing fluid developer assembly may include a developer roller to receive a printing fluid and transfer a portion of the printing fluid to a photoconductive member; a number of electrodes to create an electrical potential bias between the number of electrodes and the developer roller; a cleaner roller to remove an amount of printing fluid from the developer roller; and a sponge roller to clean the cleaner roller wherein a gap is maintained between the sponge roller and the number of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: David Sabo, John W. Godden
  • Patent number: 10983459
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a liquid electrophotographic ink developer unit. The unit comprises a developer roller comprising a layer formed from a polymer composition containing a conductive filler, whereby the polymer composition has a specific resistivity of less than 1×106 ?·cm. The unit also comprises a secondary roller that co-operates with the developer roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Guang Jin Li, Daniel Tanchangco, Paul McCaslin, Anna Chin, Sr., Bin Huang, Kai-Kong Iu
  • Patent number: 10915038
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller for performing a mode, in which an image portion potential is controlled during image formation so that an absolute value of the image portion potential is a first value when a resistance value of a developing roller based on a value of a current flowing between the developing roller and an electroconductive member is smaller than a predetermined value when a predetermined potential difference between the developing roller and the electroconductive member is formed during non-image formation and so that an absolute value of the image portion potential is a second value smaller than the first value when a resistance value of the developing roller based on a value of current flowing between the developing roller and the electroconductive member is not smaller than the predetermined value when the predetermined potential difference between the developing roller and the electroconductive member is formed during non-image formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takehiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 10800192
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a moving unit and a lifting and lowering mechanism. The moving unit is supported by a casing in an upwardly and downwardly moving manner. A fixed pully and a winding pully are provided in the casing. A movable pulley is provided in the moving unit. A wire is configured to be wound around the fixed pulley and the movable pulley. One end of the wire is fixed to the casing and the other end of the wire is fixed to the winding pulley. A rack is provided in the casing along an upper-and-lower direction. A pinion is provided in the moving unit and configured to be engaged with the rack. The winding pulley is rotated to wind and unwind the wire via the fixed pulley and the movable pulley, and the moving unit is lifted and lowered while the pinion being engaged with the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamane, Toshinori Muraoka, Satoru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10698342
    Abstract: In one example, a sealing system for a developer roller in a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a pair of arcuate seals each with an annular sealing surface to seal one end of the developer roller; a pair of washers each having a low friction surface to contact one of the sealing surfaces; and a pair of retainers each to hold one of the washers flat against the end of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: David Sabo, Yehonatan Lugassy, Roman Katz
  • Patent number: 10649380
    Abstract: In one example, a development cycle of a binary ink developer, BID, is timed. Timing may be based on the length of a substrate in which the image is to be printed or the size of the image or the area to be printed with the ink associated to the BID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Asaf Shoshani, Lavi Cohen, Ido Finkelman, Meir Grinstein
  • Patent number: 10635026
    Abstract: In one example, a method for drying a developer unit of a liquid electrophotographic printer. After printing is complete, development voltage biases are applied to the developer unit while a liquid marking agent flows to the developer unit. The liquid marking agent flow to the developer unit is stopped. Drying voltage biases, lower than the development voltage biases, are applied to the developer unit. Idle voltage biases are applied to the developer unit when dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Andre Garcia, Harsh Pranav Desai, Avinoam Halpern, Evgeny Korol, Meir Grinstein, Melissa Marie Lovell
  • Patent number: 10571830
    Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a planar surface, a curved mounting surface and a wiper blade. The curved mounting surface may be coupled adjacent to the planar surface. The wiper blade may be clamped to the planar surface. A bottom of the wiper blade can rest on the curved mounting surface such that a free length of the wiper blade is different at a plurality of points along a width of the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Eric G. Nelson, Lavi Cohen
  • Patent number: 10409200
    Abstract: In one example, a method for drying a developer unit of a liquid electrophotographic printer. After printing is complete, development voltage biases are applied to the developer unit while a liquid marking agent flows to the developer unit. The liquid marking agent flow to the developer unit is stopped. Drying voltage biases, lower than the development voltage biases, are applied to the developer unit. Idle voltage biases are applied to the developer unit when dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Andre Garcia, Harsh Pranav Desai, Avinoam Halpern, Evgeny Korol, Meir Grinstein, Melissa Marie Lovell
  • Patent number: 10310418
    Abstract: A separating device includes an electrode roller, an electrode member, a liquid developer supplying portion, a carrier liquid collecting portion, a collecting roller and a blade member. When a line passing through a center and a top of the electrode roller with respect to a gravitational direction is 0°, an upstream end portion of a gap between the electrode roller and the electrode member is positioned in a range of 0° or more and less than 180° with respect to an electrode roller rotational direction. When a line passing through a center and a top of the collecting roller with respect to the gravitational direction is 0°, a contact position of the blade member with the collecting roller is in a range of 35° or more in an upstream side of a contact position between the collecting and electrode rollers with respect to a collecting roller rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kotaro Torikata, Teppei Nagata
  • Patent number: 10156817
    Abstract: An example apparatus is provided in accordance with the present disclosure, which may be used for example for liquid electrophotographic printing. The example apparatus includes a photo imaging plate to receive a liquid colorant image, the liquid colorant including a carrier fluid, and to transfer the image to a support, and a rotatable roller to remove carrier fluid from the photo imaging plate and increase the density of solids in the liquid colorant on at least a region of the photo imaging plate, prior to the liquid image being transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Asaf Anufa, Ilan Romem
  • Patent number: 9829850
    Abstract: A paper humidifying device includes: a pair of humidifying rollers configured to apply moisture to paper when the paper is sandwiched and conveyed; a water feed roller configured to supply moisture to an outer peripheral surface of the pair of humidifying rollers; a dewatering unit configured to wipe off moisture on the outer peripheral surface of the pair of humidifying rollers; a first drive unit configured to cause the water feed roller to be separated from or abut on the pair of humidifying rollers; a second drive unit configured to cause the dewatering unit to be separated from or abut on the pair of humidifying rollers; and a control unit configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Shuanglong Wang
  • Patent number: 9678454
    Abstract: Techniques for liquid electrography printing are described herein. In at least some examples herein, a liquid electrographic printer includes a charging element for charging a photo imaging plate (PIP). A light source irradiates light onto the charge element. The irradiated light is to heat the charge element to a selected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Omer Gila, Seongsik Chang, Michael H. Lee
  • Patent number: 9494915
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a supporting member that detachably supports a cartridge between a first position at an image formable position and a second position retracted from the first position. A first engaging portion in the main assembly supports the cartridge by engaging with a first engaged portion on the cartridge when the supporting member is in the first position, and a second engaging portion in the main assembly suppresses rotation of the cartridge about the first engaging portion by engaging with a second engaged portion provided on the cartridge when the supporting member is in the first position. When the supporting member moves from the first position to the second position, the second engaged portion moves to a side downstream of the second engaging portion with respect to a movement direction of the supporting member to disengage from the second engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Masatoshi Yamashita, Toshiharu Kawai
  • Patent number: 9031470
    Abstract: In an LEP printer having a wiper blade for wiping a photo imaging plate, the photo imaging plate may include a PIP foil with a trailing edge having a zone of a roughening pattern which includes notches that are inclined with respect to a contact line of the wiper blade. The zone of roughening pattern is confined between two opposite margins lacking any roughening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Rafael Kahatabi, Assaf Paldor, Giries Kadis, Nurit Carmel-Barnea, Sharon Nagler
  • Publication number: 20150055984
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for electrostatic printing, wherein the method comprises (a) providing an ink composition comprising particles comprising a resin, wherein the ink composition contains less than 0.3 mg of charge director per g of solids in the ink composition; (b) passing the ink composition between a first electrode and a developer roller, wherein sufficient potential is applied between the developer roller and the electrode such that the resin particles are charged and adhere to the developer roller; (c) transferring at least some of the particles from the developer roller to a photoimaging plate to form an image on the photoimaging plate; and (d) transferring the image from the photoimaging plate to a print medium. Also disclosed here is an apparatus for carrying out the method, and a print medium printed using the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Shai Lior, Mark Sandler, Peter Nedelin
  • Patent number: 8874006
    Abstract: Liquid marking agent development assemblies, hard imaging devices, and liquid marking agent hard imaging methods are described. According to one aspect, a liquid marking agent development assembly includes a developer member having an outer surface, a marking agent delivery system to supply a liquid marking agent comprising a plurality of ink particles to a first location of the outer surface of the developer member, and a development system to adhere a plurality of the ink particles to the outer surface of the developer member, and wherein the development system is to adhere the adhered ink particles at a second location of the outer surface of the developer member which is upstream from the first location with respect to a direction of movement of the outer surface of the developer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric G. Nelson, Thomas Anthony, David Sabo, Derek Patton
  • Patent number: 8873981
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a development member carrying developer for forming a toner image on an image carrier; a cleaning member in contact with the development member for removing the developer left on the development member; a carrying member provided in contact with the development member, for carrying the supplied developer to the development member; a driving part driving at least one of the carrying member and the development member; and a regulating mechanism for separating the cleaning member and the development member from each other. The driving part causes preliminary rotation of the development member and the carrying member with the cleaning member separated from the development member, before starting main rotation for image formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuko Fukumoto, Atsuto Hirai
  • Publication number: 20140301756
    Abstract: A method for the reduction of caking of excess liquid developer dispersion that remains present on the surface of a member after transfer of liquid developer dispersion from one member to another member in a digital printing apparatus, comprising the step of adding a dispersing composition to the excess liquid developer dispersion, wherein the dispersing composition comprises a dispersing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: XEIKON IP BV
    Inventors: Dirk Marcel Constant Gijsbrechts, Werner Jozef Johan Op De Beeck, Wim Libaers, Lode Erik Dries Deprez
  • Patent number: 8787800
    Abstract: An apparatus to receive a developer roller for a printing device. The apparatus comprises a base assembly including end caps at opposing ends. The base assembly includes a receptacle for a developer roller having rotary bearings. Each end cap includes first and second datum pins and a clamp containing a spring member. Each clamp, when locked in place in part by action of the spring member, is to push against a corresponding rotary bearing when the developer roller is installed in the base assembly. The rotary bearing being forced by the clamp into contact with the first and second datum pins to position the developer roller in the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Tanner, David Sabo, Eric G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8781384
    Abstract: A cleaning blade, which is configured to be pressed against a toner image carrier that rotates in one direction, for removing residual toner from the toner image carrier, the cleaning blade having: a contact layer that is located in a side to come into contact with the toner image carrier; and a supporting layer that is located in a side not to come into contact with the toner image carrier, wherein tensile stress characteristic curves of a material of the contact layer and a material of the supporting layer intersect with each other. An image forming apparatus having a toner image carrier and the cleaning blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Kashiwakura, Tsugihito Yoshiyama, Yoshiki Nakane, Hokuto Hatano, Yohei Ito
  • Publication number: 20140153969
    Abstract: In a digital printer a developer element is provided that inks charge images on a charge image carrier with toner. A feed system is provided to apply liquid developer with the toner onto the developer element. The cleaning unit is provided with a cleaning element to clean off residual liquid developer remaining on the developer element after the development of the charge images. A scraping unit rests on the cleaning element made up of a double blade arranged in a blade mount. The double blade provides a cleaning blade and a sealing blade that together form a blade chamber that is filled with fluid. The cleaning blade has at least one row of holes adjacent to a blade edge of the cleaning blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Martin Berg
  • Patent number: 8737885
    Abstract: In a digital printer a developer element is provided that inks charge images on a charge image carrier with toner. A feed system is provided to apply liquid developer with the toner onto the developer element. The cleaning unit is provided with a cleaning element to clean off residual liquid developer remaining on the developer element after the development of the charge images. A scraping unit rests on the cleaning element made up of a double blade arranged in a blade mount. The double blade provides a cleaning blade and a sealing blade that together form a blade chamber that is filled with fluid. The cleaning blade has at least one row of holes adjacent to a blade edge of the cleaning blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Berg
  • Patent number: 8655242
    Abstract: An image heating device includes a rotatable image heating member for heating an image on a recording material and for forming a nip; a blowing member for blowing air; and an ejecting member for ejecting air to separate the recording material passing through the nip from the image heating member, the ejecting member ejecting the air from the blowing member toward the image heating member so that the speed of the air toward an end portion of the image heating member is higher than that of the air toward a central portion of the image heating member with respect to a rotational axis direction of the image heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140016966
    Abstract: A digital printing apparatus using liquid toner comprising chargeable imaging particles and carrier liquid, comprising an imaging member (140) to sustain a pattern of electric charge forming a latent image on its surface, a development member (130) to receive toner (100) from a reservoir (110), and to develop the image by transferring toner onto the imaging member (140) in accordance with the pattern, leaving a remaining fraction of the toner on the development member (130), an electrical field generating means to compact the particles by applying a field before transfer onto the imaging member (140), means (150, 160) for depositing the toner onto a substrate (199), and means (133) for removing remaining toner from the development member (130), comprising an integrated source for generating an oscillating electric field, arranged to decompactify the chargeable imaging particles and mechanical removal means for removing the liquid toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Jürgen Norbert Bart Devlieghere, Lode Erik Dries Deprez, Nick Horemans, William Constant Maria Waterschoot
  • Patent number: 8630562
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member that retains developer; a housing provided with a removing member that removes the developer and having an intake opening that is opposed to the transfer member, the developer removed by the removing member being taken into the housing through the intake opening; a guiding pipe connected to the housing and having a suction hole through which the developer is sucked and an outlet through which the developer is discharged; and a suction member that applies a suction force to an inner space of the housing through the guiding pipe. A capturing area for capturing the developer that flows through a flow channel from the suction hole to the outlet is provided in the flow channel. A cross section of the capturing area in a radial direction of the flow channel is larger than that of other areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Tokunaga, Masatoshi Yamada, Kiyotoshi Kaneyama
  • Patent number: 8611796
    Abstract: A wet type developing apparatus is disclosed which can eliminate the need to provide a separately built cleansing unit and, moreover, makes it unnecessary to dismount a developer supply unit for its cleansing operation and to perform its subsequent re-mounting operation. The apparatus in which a developing roller 2 is in rotational contact with a rotating photoconductor drum 1 and an electrostatic latent image made on a surface of the photoconductor drum is developed with a liquid developer 6 supplied onto the developing roller from a developer supply roller 3 whose surface is in part immersed in the liquid developer reserved in a developer reservoir 5, includes a cleansing arrangement, comprising a unit or units 7 and/or 8, which is disposed at a site in the developer reservoir which is always immersed in the liquid developer for cleansing a portion of the developer supply roller which is immersed in the liquid developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Izawa, Takao Namiki, Junichi Setoyama, Kotaro Harada, Sumito Mera
  • Patent number: 8588655
    Abstract: In a device or method to develop potential images of images to be printed, the potential images being generated on an intermediate image carrier using developer fluid having a charged toner and carrier fluid, developing with an applicator device the potential images, the applicator device directing the developer fluid across the intermediate image carrier. With the feed device the developer fluid is supplied to the applicator device, the feed device discharging excess developer fluid depleted of toner and that is not transferred to the applicator device. With a conditioning device the carrier fluid is taken from the applicator device and the taken up carrier fluid is discharged. With a cleaning device residual developer fluid remaining after development of the potential images is cleaned off of the applicator device and the residual developer fluid is supplied to a chamber arranged in the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems, GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Berg
  • Patent number: 8565661
    Abstract: A cleaning device that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus which includes an image carrier configured to form a toner image, and a cleaning device configured to clean residual toner on the surface of the image carrier. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade having a blade member provided to contact the surface of the image carrier and a holder to hold the blade member. The cleaning device further includes a frame to hold the cleaning blade and a vibration suppression member provided across the cleaning blade and the frame to couple the cleaning blade and the frame together and suppress vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiya Okamoto, Hiroyuki Nagashima, Fumihito Itoh, Hiroshi Ono, Ken Amemiya, Masahiko Shakuto, Toshio Koike, Yuji Arai, Kaoru Yoshino, Takuma Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8532537
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier that holds a latent image thereon, a developer carrier that develops the latent image on the latent image carrier by using a liquid developer including a toner and a carrier liquid, a squeeze roller being in contact with the latent image carrier, that holds an image developed by the developer carrier, to squeeze the liquid developer on the latent image, and a control unit that applies a first bias to the squeeze roller, when a first position of the latent image carrier that does not hold the latent image is in contact with the squeeze roller, and that applies a second bias being different from the first bias to the squeeze roller, when a second position of the latent image carrier that holds the latent image is in contact with the squeeze roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sasaki, Naotaka Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8509637
    Abstract: A metering skive for a dry electrophotographic (EP) printer is mounted on a retractable skive mount. The skive mount is spring-loaded to a mounting block, and a stop pin sets the distance between the skive mount and the mounting block. A movable spacer with a plurality of laterally-separated regions of respective, different thicknesses is mounted between the head of the stop pin and the mounting block. A retractor can be operated to pull the skive mount towards the mounting block so the spacer can be moved to select a desired spacing between the mounting block and the skive mount, and thus a desired gap between the metering skive and the toning member in the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Dobbertin, David James Cornell, Henry Paul Mitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8437664
    Abstract: A development apparatus and a printer that includes the development apparatus employ a flow director to regulate fluid flow in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a first roller, a chamber, and a pair of electrodes between the first roller and the chamber. The apparatus further includes a second roller adjacent to the first roller, wherein the flow director is between the second roller and a first electrode of the pair. The flow director includes an overflow flow path to divert some fluid from a recirculation flow path that extends to and from the chamber. The printer includes an imager in contact with an image developer and an image transferer in contact with the imager. The image developer includes a plurality of development apparati.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Eric G Nelson
  • Patent number: 8375853
    Abstract: In a transfer unit, a rotating transfer element is arranged adjacent a charge image carrier that takes toner images from the charge image carrier and supplies the images to a transfer printing station. A scoop element applies carrier fluid to the transfer element. A friction element is provided after the scoop element adjacent to the transfer element at such a distance from the transfer element that a gap between the transfer element and the friction element is substantially completely filled with the carrier fluid, the friction element and the transfer element rotating with different speeds. Residual toner remaining on the transfer element after the transfer printing is loosened by friction forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Pohlt
  • Patent number: 8355654
    Abstract: To remove a surplus carrier liquid after development on the surface of a photoconductor drum to obtain homogeneous printed images without being affected by an error in rotational accuracy of such as a carrier liquid removing roller, there is provided a wet type electrophotographic printer in which the carrier liquid removing roller 14 of a carrier liquid removing unit 8 is caused to come in rotational contact with the photoconductor drum 1 to remove a carrier liquid from the liquid toner image, thereby making a toner image for transfer onto a recording medium 7, the wet type electrophotographic printer being so configured that the carrier liquid removing roller in rotational contact with the photoconductor drum is urged against the latter under an urging force made adjustable; and a scraping blade 23 is brought into contact with the carrier liquid removing roller while being urged against the latter under an urging force made adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Izawa, Junichi Setoyama, Kotaro Harada, Sumito Mera
  • Patent number: 8326182
    Abstract: A printing machine having a colorant support, a transfer device, a delivery apparatus, and a colorant stripper. The transfer device is arranged to transfer colorant from a reservoir onto the colorant support such that during operation of the printing machine, a colorant is transferred from the transfer device onto the colorant support. The delivery apparatus is arranged to deliver at least part of the colorant from the colorant support onto a printing medium or a transfer means. The colorant support and the colorant stripper are arranged so that during operation of the printing machine, non-consumed colorant is transferred from the colorant support onto the colorant stripper. The invention is also a method for printing using such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Aurentum Innovationstechnologien GmbH, BASF SE
    Inventor: Udo Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20120294653
    Abstract: Developer is recovered by a development unit, a first squeeze unit, a second squeeze unit, and a photoreceptor cleaning unit, but the developer recovered by the development unit or the first squeeze unit has a relatively high concentration, and is therefore returned to a stirring tank for reuse. The developer recovered by the second squeeze unit or the photoreceptor cleaning unit has a relatively low concentration, and is therefore accumulated in a buffer tank separate from the stirring tank to prevent the toner concentration in the stirring tank from decreasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro GOMI, Kazuhiro NISHIYAMA, Tsutomu SASAKI, Naoyuki OKUMURA
  • Patent number: 8315532
    Abstract: Background development in a multi-color electrophotographic printer is reduced. A print job including a plurality of separations is received. Each separation has an image area and a non-image area. A printer is provided, including a development member for supplying toner to a photoreceptor for each separation. A developing and a non-developing zone are determined for each separation, corresponding to the image area and non-image area, respectively. Developer is automatically supplied to the development members, and automatically removed developer from the respective non-developing zone of each development member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20120207516
    Abstract: A collecting device according to the invention includes: a collecting unit that collects a liquid developer containing toner and a carrier liquid; a collected-liquid storage that stores the liquid developer collected by the collecting unit; a first transporting path that transports the liquid developer stored in the collected-liquid storage; a second transporting path that transports the liquid developer stored in the collected-liquid storage; and a control unit that switches transportation of the liquid developer stored in the collected-liquid storage to the first transporting path or the second transporting path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro NISHIYAMA, Akihiro GOMI, Tsutomu SASAKI
  • Patent number: 8204395
    Abstract: The invention provides a wet development device, wet development method and image forming apparatus having the device by which appropriate cleaning can be performed, the wear of the blade or developing roller can be reduced, and good images can be obtained without toner contamination even when the amount of toner for development or that of electric charge of the toner is changed for changing the density or gradation of image or type of paper. The toner in the developer is electrically charged to an arbitral charging amount by a discharging section and provided for the development and the charge of the toner is eliminated after development by that a discharging section is provided before cleaning the developer remaining on the developing roller and the output of the discharging section is appropriately controlled corresponding to the output of the discharging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsuto Hirai
  • Patent number: 8185020
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus employing nonvolatile liquid developers is provided, which image forming apparatus exhibits high transfer efficiency in transferring images on an image carrier to a recording media and enables formation of images with sufficient fixing strength. An image forming apparatus which incorporates a squeezing mechanism which removes a part of carrier liquid from the liquid developer incorporating image visualizing particles, fine thermoplastic resin particles, and nonvolatile carrier liquid, and incorporates a transferring mechanism which transfers a visible image, in which a part of carrier liquid is removed, onto the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Yoshie
  • Patent number: 8173336
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for transferring a pattern of a circuit pattern precursor formed of electroconductive particles containing no resin component onto an objective substrate with high transfer efficiency while retaining a pattern shape. A method of transferring the circuit pattern precursor formed from an conductive particle dispersed solution on a dielectric thin film body includes the steps of: temporarily removing a liquid film remaining around the circuit pattern precursor right after a development step; subsequently re-electrifying the electroconductive particle pattern by supplying a solvent again to the circuit pattern precursor; and then electrostatically transferring the pattern onto the objective substrate through electrophoresis in the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Sano, Toru Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 8099004
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image carrier that carries a first latent image. A first charging section charges the first image carrier. A first exposure section exposes the first image carrier charged by the first charging section. A first developing section develops the first latent image formed on the first image carrier in the first exposure section using a first liquid developer containing a carrier and first toner particles. A first primary transfer section transfers a first image developed in the first developing section onto a transfer medium. A second image carrier carries a second latent image. A second charging section charges the second image carrier. A second exposure section exposes the second image carrier charged by the second charging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Imamura, Kunihiro Kawada, Nobuyuki Mizushima, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 8078086
    Abstract: A liquid developer transport device includes a channel switching part that dispenses liquid developer to a first channel or a second channel. A filtering part filters liquid developer flowing in the first channel, and a first storage part stores the filter liquid developer. A second storage part stores liquid developer flowing in the second channel. The channel switching part switches channels when a toner particle concentration is more than a predetermined concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishiyama, Tsutomu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8023874
    Abstract: The present invention teaches and claims an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming portion using a liquid developer having a carrier liquid and toner; an intermediate transfer section which has an endless belt and a plurality of rotating bodies; a second transfer roller which is disposed so that it faces one of the plurality of rotating bodies and abuts the endless belt; a first bias applying section which is connected to the second transfer roller and applies a transfer bias to the second-transfer roller when the second transfer is done and applies a reverse transfer bias having an opposite electric polarity as the transfer bias to the second transfer roller when the second transfer is not performed; and a second bias applying section which is connected to the rotating body facing the second transfer roller and applies a bias to the rotating body facing the second transfer roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: KYOCERA MITA Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20110217083
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier that holds a latent image thereon, a developer carrier that develops the latent image on the latent image carrier by using a liquid developer including a toner and a carrier liquid, a squeeze roller being in contact with the latent image carrier, that holds an image developed by the developer carrier, to squeeze the liquid developer on the latent image, and a control unit that applies a first bias to the squeeze roller, when a first position of the latent image carrier that does not hold the latent image is in contact with the squeeze roller, and that applies a second bias being different from the first bias to the squeeze roller, when a second position of the latent image carrier that holds the latent image is in contact with the squeeze roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu SASAKI, Naotaka HIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8014702
    Abstract: A liquid developer collection apparatus and an image forming apparatus can prevent image disturbances and also disturbances of the toner particles on the image section that can be produced by squeezing. The liquid developer collection apparatus includes a first squeezing section 113aY that squeeze a liquid developer on an image carrier carrying an image developed by the liquid developer containing carrier liquid and toner particles, and a second squeezing section 113bY arranged vertically above the first squeezing section 113aY to squeeze the image carrier squeezed by the first squeezing section 113aY, and the liquid developer collected by the second squeezing section 113bY is made to fall free onto the first squeezing section 113aY and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Chiba
  • Publication number: 20110206397
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a latent image carrier for supporting a latent image, a charging unit for charging the latent image carrier, a developing unit for developing the latent image supported by the latent image carrier which has a developing member for supporting a liquid developer containing a toner and a carrier liquid, and to which a developing bias is applied, a first optical density detector for detecting the toner optical density in the liquid developer supported by the latent image carrier developed by the developing member, a squeeze unit for squeezing the latent image carrier which has a squeeze member brought into contact with the latent image carrier for which toner optical density has been detected by the first optical density detector, and a second optical density detector for detecting the toner optical density of the liquid developer supported by the latent image carrier squeezed by the squeeze member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naotaka HIGUCHI, Yoshitomo HIRATA
  • Patent number: 8005384
    Abstract: A liquid developer collecting system. A collection section collects liquid developer from a photosensitive body. A storage section stores liquid developer collected by the collection section. A first feed unit feeds liquid developer from the storage section to a concentration control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tanaka