Having Cloud-forming Application Patents (Class 399/266)
  • Patent number: 5729807
    Abstract: A non-interactive or scavengeless development system for use in color imaging. To control the developability of lines and the degree of interaction between the toner and receiver, an AC voltage is applied between a donor roll and two sets of interdigitated electrodes embedded in the surface of the donor roll to enable efficient detachment of toner from the donor to form a toner cloud. An optical switching arrangement effects an electrical connection between a slip ring and one set of interdigitated electrodes. The optical switch uses photoconductor elements, each having a geometry that results in an optical switching device having a larger capacitance and therefore capable of effecting switching at lower current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Delmer G. Parker
  • Patent number: 5717986
    Abstract: A development system which includes a flexible donor belt having groups of electrode array near the surface of the belt is disclosed. The Electrode array has group areas in which perform the function of: Loading; Transferring; Developing; Transferring and Unloading. Each electrode array group area is independently addressable and operatively connected to voltage source in order to supply a voltage in the order of .quadrature.0-1000 volts AC or DC to each group area. The electrodes array group area picks up the toner from the magnetic brush. An electrode array group area connected to the voltage source via phase shifting circuitry such that a traveling wave pattern is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Tuan Anh Vo, Mohammad M. Mojarradi, Dennis W. Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 5708940
    Abstract: An electrostatic recording apparatus including a recording medium which forms a latent image of a recording picture and then forms the recording picture, a charger which uniformly charges the recording medium, an imaging unit which forms an electrostatic latent image onto the uniformly charged recording medium, a developer which develops the electrostatic image formed on the recording medium and forms the recording picture, the developer including a development roller, and an electric field generator arranged near the developer to generate an electric field orthogonal to a rotating direction of the development roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuo Hosaka, Hitoshi Nagato, Hideyuki Nakao
  • Patent number: 5701553
    Abstract: A development apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an image forming body with a developer so as to obtain a toner image. A developer conveyance unit conveys the developer, including a toner, to a development zone, between the developer conveyance unit and the image forming body, from an upstream side of the development zone in a conveyance direction to a downstream side thereof. A plate member having an electrode portion is positioned at the upstream side of the development zone, wherein a downstream end portion of the plate member is positioned in contact with the development zone. A power supply unit applies a first voltage, including a DC component and an AC component, to the developer conveyance unit so that an electric field is generated at the development zone. The power supply unit applies a second voltage, including a DC component, to the electrode portion of the plate member, and the plate member controls the electric field with the second voltage. The development apparatus satisfies: V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Endo, Toru Komatsu, Yotaro Sato, Hiroyuki Nomori, Kunio Shigeta, Masahiro Onodera
  • Patent number: 5697018
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. The apparatus includes a housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in said housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; a electrode member is provided for detaching toner from said donor member and produce a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with said housing, for collecting stray toner particles emitted from said housing, said air handling system including a separator for separating toner by size. The air handling system includes a blower, a particle chamber and a valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kim M. Thomas, Alvin D. Kromm, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5666619
    Abstract: A novel wire module support structure for controlling the spacing and edge wire angle of an electrode wire relative to a donor roll in a scavengeless development process is disclosed. A stationary wire support is arc shaped with a rounded edge and is located in close proximity to the donor roll end. This spatial relationship between the donor roll end and the wire support surface optimizes the donor roll surface to wire relationship. The wire support surface may be at a greater or lesser radius than the the donor roll surface. When the wire support surface is located at a larger radius than the donor roll surface, a clamp assembly is used to control the height of the wires with respect to the donor roll surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Hart, Thomas J. Behe, Mark J. Hirsch, Alexander J. Fioravanti, Thomas W. Pike
  • Patent number: 5649271
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. The apparatus includes a housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in the housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; a detaching toner device for detaching toner from the donor member and producing a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with the housing, for collecting stray toner particles emitted from the housing, the air handling system including a separator for separating toner by size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Bray, Kim M. Thomas, Gerald A. Domoto, Michael J. Savino
  • Patent number: 5640657
    Abstract: A device for forming two twisted loops on the ends of a wire electrode to be used in scavengeless development. The wire is supported at both ends in a wire twisting apparatus and a specified tension is applied to the free ends of the wire. A crank is turned so that the both ends of the wire rotate at the same time. This causes the free ends of the wire to twist upon the suspended wire portion, two loops being formed at the ends of the wire. The twisted sections are stable and strong enough to maintain the loops when the wire is mounted in the development system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Hart, Gerald M. Kryk
  • Patent number: 5613178
    Abstract: An apparatus in which a rotabably mounted donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface. The donor roll has a plurality of conductive electrodes mounted thereon which rotate in unison therewith. A resistive disk is connected electrically to each of the conductive electrodes. The resistive disk also rotates in unison with the donor roll. An electrically conductive brush is in sliding contact with the resistive member. A voltage source, mounted stationarily, is coupled electrically to the resistive member. The voltage applied to each conductive electrode varies as a function of the distance between the voltage source and that conductive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Mark S. Amico