Abstract: A drying system and method for an electrophotographic imaging system employing a gap drying system. The electrophotographic imaging system includes a photoconductor belt. A mechanism moves the photoconductor belt in a first direction along a transport path. A scanner mechanism is positioned along the transport path for scanning a laser beam along the photoconductor belt based on image data to form a latent image of the photoconductor belt. A development station is positioned along the transport path. The development station includes a mechanism for applying a toner to a first major surface of the photoconductor belt, the toner including a carrier liquid. A gap drying system is operably located along the transport path, wherein the gap drying system removes excess carrier liquid from the photoconductor belt. The gap drying system includes a carrier liquid (i.e.

Abstract: An ink delivery system for a liquid electrophotographic color printer delivers a developer liquid to a plurality of development units, and includes a plurality of circulation tanks containing developer liquid, connected to the respective development units; a plurality of jet portions for jetting the developer liquid in the circulation tanks to development gaps in the respective development units; a plurality of ink tanks having concentrated inks incorporated in a printer body; a plurality of agitators installed in the respective ink tanks for agitating the concentrated ink; a refill ink cartridge detachably installed in the printer body, for refilling the concentrated ink consumed in the ink tanks through a concentrated ink refill path; a plurality of concentrated ink supply paths to supply concentrated ink to the corresponding circulation tanks; a carrier tank containing carrier, which is fixed in the printer body; a carrier supply path through which the carrier is supplied to the respective circulation tank

Abstract: A carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a condenser for condensing a gas carrier recovered from a photoreceptor belt, a filtering tube having a cavity, whose first end is connected to the condenser, and whose second end has a plurality of throughholes leading to the cavity radially formed thereat, a filter bonded on the outer surface of the filtering tube and which filters the gas carrier contained in air passing through the throughholes, and an exhaust tube having an internal diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filtering tube, and whose first end is tightly fitted to the second end of the filtering tube to which the filter is coupled, for exhausting the air to the outside.

Abstract: A liquid carrier recovery apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying unit for evaporating a liquid carrier, a condensing vessel in which a condensed carrier is stored, a circulating tube for reciprocally circulating the liquid carrier in the condensing vessel between the drying unit and the condensing vessel so that heat exchange occurs between the liquid carrier and the gas carrier within the drying unit, and a carrier reservoir for receiving and storing the gas carrier condensed in the drying unit and the condensing vessel.

Abstract: To provide an electrophotographic printer which can satisfy regulations for exhaust gas emission easily, a printer is provided with a circulation line for taking out and returning gas generated in a casing of the printer, and a heat exchanger, for cooling the gas and for recovering solvent, is provided midway on the circulation line. The heat exchanger lowers a concentration of the gas. A detection sensor detects a temperature and humidity of the gas in the casing and a heater, provided downstream of the heat exchanger, adjusts a humidity of the gas which is then returned into the casing, upon receiving an output of the detection sensor.

Abstract: A vapor control system and an electrophotographic system having a vapor control system for reducing vapor emissions. A vapor collection mechanism collects at least some of the vaporized carrier which is then transmitted to a container having a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet containing a cooling liquid, the cooling liquid having a temperature less than the temperature of the vaporized carrier but greater than zero degrees Centigrade. A vapor inlet located at a point below the surface of the cooling liquid results in the vaporized liquid bubbling through the cooling liquid and being condensed therein. The cooling liquid is immiscible with water and, preferably is the carrier liquid. Mechanical resistance devices promote increased bubble residence time and smaller bubble size.

Abstract: A wet process image forming apparatus using a developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and a toner dispersed therein, in which air containing carrier vapor produced in, e.g., a fixing section, is sucked by a suction fan via a first duct into a liquefying section. The liquefying section liquefies the carrier vapor and water vapor. A separating section is disposed below the liquefying portion and includes a receptacle. A liquid produced by the liquefying section is caused to flow down into the receptacle along a chain due to its own weight. The separating section separates the liquid into the carrier liquid and water on the basis of a difference in specific gravity. Only the carrier overlying the water in the receptacle is fed to a carrier tank via overflow ports formed in the wall of the receptacle. The water is delivered to a water tank via a pipe. The pipe is so configured as to maintain the liquid level in the receptacle substantially at the level of the overflow ports.

Abstract: A high differential air pressure assisted blotting device for conditioning, on an image bearing member, liquid developer images consisting of charged toner particles and carrier liquid. The high differential air pressure blotting device includes a movable porous blotter belt forming an endless loop and having an outer surface for contacting and blotting carrier liquid from an image being conditioned, and a backup roller positioned at a first location within the endless loop for contacting a first portion of the blotter belt to gently urge the blotter belt into blotting-contact with the image being conditioned.