Abstract: A base plate for supporting a plurality of interlocking building bricks includes a planar sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a plurality of nodes projecting from the top surface. The plurality of nodes includes a node having a vertical cylindrical wall and a horizontal top wall, the vertical cylindrical wall tapering along its vertical height; the node also having a bevel extending around a circumference of the node at an edge where the vertical cylindrical wall transitions to the horizontal top wall. A method of assembling a composite base plate includes securing two component base plates to one another via a common backing material. A method of printing on a base plate includes applying ultraviolet ink to at least the top surface of the base plate from an ultraviolet light printer, the base plate having a plurality of studs or nodes projecting from the top surface.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer container; a rotary cylindrical developer carrier including an outer electrode including multiple electrode portions arranged in a circumferential direction of the developer carrier, an inner electrode provided on an inner circumferential side of the developer carrier from the outer electrode, an insulation layer disposed between the outer electrode and the inner electrode, and a surface layer; and a bias power source to apply a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage to the inner electrode and the outer electrode, respectively. The first bias power source causes an electrical potential difference that changes with time between the inner electrode and the outer electrode to cause the developer to hop on a circumferential surface of the developer carrier. At least one of the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage has a cyclic waveform in which pulse-on time is reduced.

Abstract: A developer supply device is provided, which includes a developer retrieving member disposed to face a developer holding surface of a developer holding member across a predetermined distance in a position downstream relative to a developer supply position where the developer holding member faces an intended device to be supplied with development agent in a direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction parallel to an axial direction of the developer holding member. The developer retrieving member is driven to rotate around an axis parallel to the main scanning direction and configured to retrieve the development agent from the developer holding surface under a retrieving electric field that is generated when a retrieving voltage is applied between the developer retrieving member and the developer holding member.

Abstract: Disclosed are printing methods, apparatus and systems for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, for example, a photoreceptor with developer material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the development method applies a development field voltage between a development station donor member and a development station transport member as a function of a humidity measurement associated with the developer material, the humidity measurement providing a surrogate tribo measurement of the developer material.

Abstract: A developing device constituted to be capable of reliably making toner flare, and carrying out developing normally in the developing area, by preventing toner from adhering to the toner carrier. A developing device having a toner carrier which is disposed in opposition to a latent image carrier and which carries toner for developing an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier, the developing device including: a plurality of electrodes aligned at a predetermined interval within the toner carrier; voltage application means for applying a voltage to the electrodes so that the electric field between the plurality of electrodes varies with time, wherein the electric field between the electrodes causes the toner on the toner carrier to hop and form a cloud; and a toner adhesion prevention member that is provided upstream of a developing area where the latent image carrier is in opposition to the toner carrier and that prevents adhesion of toner to the toner carrier.

Abstract: A development unit includes a toner carrying device, a regulating member, and a toner leak protection member. The toner carrying device having a first electrode and a second electrode arrayed with an interval. The first and second electrodes are supplied with a given voltage to set an electric field, changing in a time cycle, between the first and second electrodes. The electric field is used to hop toner over the toner carrying device to form a toner cloud for developing a latent image. The regulating member regulates an amount of toner on the toner carrying device. The toner leak protection member, made from a conductive material, prevents leakage of toner, and is supplied with a bias voltage.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that includes an image carrier, a charging unit, a latent-image forming unit that forms a latent image for each color by exposing the surface of the image carrier charged by the charging unit, and a plurality of developing units that sequentially develops latent images formed on the image carrier with toners of different colors including at least cyan, yellow, and magenta, to form a color toner image on a single unit of the image carrier, the developing units further develops the latent images with toners of blue, green, and red, such that the toner images of different colors are not superimposed on a same position.

Abstract: A toner supply apparatus 6 is configured to be able to supply a charged toner T to a latent image forming surface LS of a photoconductor drum 3. The toner supply apparatus 6 houses a toner electric field transport body 62. The toner electric field transport body 62 has first portions and second portions which differ in toner T transport force. The first portions and the second portions differ in structural feature, such as relative dielectric constant or thickness. By means of such a structural difference, the state of transport of the toner T on the toner transport surface TTS is appropriately set.

Abstract: A marking apparatus including a traveling wave grid toner transport circuit structure for transporting powdered toner along a transport surface, and electromechanical elements for selectively enabling toner patches to be projected to an output medium by a projecting electric field.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a non-contact, single-component developing system for electrophotographic devices that enables high speed, high quality development and color development without an accumulator, or some other intermediate transfer member by employing a plurality of ancillary developing members operating in tandem with a toner-carrying member to facilitate toner detachment from the toner-carrying member. The developing system of the present invention utilizes high electrostatic forces to enable toner jump without AC voltages and exploits toner adhesion forces adhering toner particles to a surface (e.g., a latent image-bearing member) to facilitate high speed development.

Abstract: A toner supply apparatus 6 is configured to be able to supply a charged toner T to a latent image forming surface LS of a photoconductor drum 3. The toner supply apparatus 6 houses a toner electric field transport body 62. The toner electric field transport body 62 has first portions and second portions which differ in toner T transport force. The first portions and the second portions differ in structural feature, such as relative dielectric constant or thickness. By means of such a structural difference, the state of transport of the toner T on the toner transport surface TTS is appropriately set.

Abstract: A non-interactive development system generates a toner cloud in a development zone by an AC biased stationary electrode positioned in contact with the back surface of a movable toned dielectric donor belt having a patterned electrode structure on the front surface thereof. The AC biased electrode produces AC fringe fields near the edges of the patterned electrode structure that cause the generation of a toner cloud for developing an electrostatic latent image. The donor belt is partially wrapped around a magnetic brush to produce a toner loading zone. Isolated patterned electrodes on the donor belt near the entrance region of the toner loading zone are biased to cause unloading of toner from the donor belt, while isolated electrodes near the exit region of the toner loading zone are biased to cause toner reloading of the donor belt.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention deposits charged toner on a latent image formed on a photoconductive drum or similar image carrier to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. The apparatus includes a toner flying device for electrostatically conveying the toner along the conveying surface of a conveyance board to one end of the conveyance board. The toner is caused to fly toward the image carrier from the end of the conveyance board.

Abstract: A development system is provided that extends the functionality of liquid developer to produce custom colors and combines it with a powder development engine to enable custom color printing. This invention provides a apparatus and method, control scheme, hardware, and software, necessary for enabling custom color printing using an electrophotograpic hybrid technology.

Abstract: A device and method for inking a charge pattern of a carrier medium. The device includes a toner sprayer that generates and directs a mixed toner stream onto a surface of an application element. The mixed toner stream includes a number of charge toner and air particles and forms a toner layer when the mixed toner stream contacts the application element surface. The application element is movably positioned in close proximity to the carrier medium for transferring the charged toner particles onto the charge pattern of the carrier medium for inking the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an imaging surface, including a housing defining a reservoir storing a supply of developer material including toner. A donor member is spaced from the imaging surface, for transporting toner on an outer surface of the donor member to a region opposed from the imaging surface. A mag roll loads toner onto a region of the outer surface of the donor member. A charging device ion charges the toner loaded on the region of the donor member. An AC/DC voltage supply for biasing the donor member positioned in close proximity to the imaging member to detach toner from the donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image. A second charging device discharges and removes residual toner on the region of the donor and returning the toner to the reservoir.

Abstract: A printer, with printing width (PW), is provided, for printing toner image on a substrate, having a width (WS) and a length (LS), comprising a DEP printing engine, havinga toner delivery means, having a surface whereon charged toner particles are present for providing a flow of the toner particles from that surface to the substrate,a printhead structure with printing apertures and control electrodes, interposed in the flow of toner particles for image-wise controlling that flow, wherein:the toner delivery means comprises a number, n equal to or larger than 2, of toner applicator modules, each having a width, WTD, smaller than the printing width PW, and at least two of the number, n of toner applicator modules are positioned in a staggered configuration with respect to the substrate.Preferably the printing width of the printer is at least 40 cm.

Abstract: An electrostatic sonic toner release (electrostatic STORE) development apparatus, and a multicolor image reproduction machine including such a development apparatus are provided for creating toner images with reduced development fields. The electrostatic sonic toner release (electrostatic STORE) development apparatus includes a development housing defining a sump for holding developer material containing the toner particles; developer moving assembly mounted within the sump for transporting developer material within the sump; and a donor assembly mounted partially within the sump for receiving toner particles from the developer moving assembly, and for transporting the toner particles through a development nip of the reproduction machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously fluidizing, charging and loading toner onto a donor member in one step using a corona device which is enclosed and separate from the toner supply. An ion-air stream emanating from this charging device also directs the charged toner onto the donor. The system includes a housing for containing toner particles; a donor member, mounted in said housing, for transporting charged toner particles on the surface said donor member to a development zone adjacent to said image bearing member; a loading system for loading said donor member with charged toner particles, said loading system includes blower for generating an air stream for fluidizing toner particles and charging device for charging said air stream.

Abstract: A developer unit for developing a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with marking particles, to form a developed image, including: a drive mechanism for moving the surface of the image receiving member at a predetermined process speed. A donor member is spaced from the image receiving member and adapted to transport marking particles to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member. A plurality of wires having a predefined tension are positioned in the development zone between the image receiving member and the donor member. A voltage supply to electrically bias the plurality of wires during a developing operation with an alternating current, to detach marking particles from the donor member, forming a cloud of marking particles in the development zone, and developing the latent image with marking particles from the cloud.

Abstract: An apparatus in which the developability and interactivity of electrostatically charged particles in a mixture of particulate material is measured. The sensor apparatus includes a transparent member positioned closely adjacent to a developer roller of an electrophotographic printing machine. Electrostatically charged particles are attracted from the particulate mixture being transported by the developer roller to the member. A beam of energy is transmitted through the member. The intensity of the internally reflected beam is detected and a signal generated indicative of the quantity of charged particles adhering to the member. A cleaning field bias is applied, to determine if a signal indicative of the charge particles being removed (interactivity) from the member is generated.

Abstract: Interdigitated electrodes on a donor roll enable uncharged toner to be picked up from a fluidized bed reservoir. This layer of toner is subsequently charged by exposure to a corona device and delivered to a development zone, where it is used to develop an electrostatic latent image. Residual toner on the donor is neutralized by exposure to a second corona device and then stripped for return to the fluidized bed by applying an AC voltage between adjacent donor electrodes. So-called ion charging of the toner is known to cause the particles to have low adhesion, allowing development with DC fields alone. Optionally, an AC voltage can also be applied to adjacent donor electrodes in the development zone to enhance particle release. In addition to providing a means to impart adequate flow to the toner in this single component development system, the fluidized bed reservoir, in conjunction with ion charging, also provides a means for blending dry powder toners to achieve custom color development.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a compact development apparatus using a nonmagnetic one-component toner. The apparatus comprises a toner storage container, a toner supply roller, a toner passage through which supplied toner passes, and an attracting fan for attracting the toner and generating a toner powder stream. The toner is held in the toner storage container. The toner supply roller supplies the toner from a supply port of the storage container. The toner passage is provided with an opening opposite to a photosensitive drum. The toner supplied into the toner passage and frictionally charged is attracted by the attracting fan. The toner travels from the opening to the drum. The toner adheres to an electrostatic latent image on the drum and thus the image is developed. Unused toner is transported into the toner passage and recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for reducing accumulation of toner from the surface of an electrode member in a development unit of an electrostatographic printing apparatus by providing an inorganic coating on at least a portion of the electrode member.

Abstract: Non-magnetic toner in a fluidized bed is charged by at least one corona wire extending through the bed, the non-magnetic toner surrounding the wire in the fluidized bed. In order to prevent build up of insulating particles on the corona wire (which leads to a change in electric field gradient and eventually adversely impacts on the uniformity of the image applied to the substrate with the toner) is substantially precluded by vibrating the wire to shake toner particles off the wire. Vibration is accomplished at spaced points in time, such as by utilizing a rod having an irregular (e.g. substantially sinusoidal shaped) surface and by reciprocating the rod to cause the irregular surface to engage the wire and cause a quick rise and release thereof, so that the wire goes through a wide series of frequencies when vibrating. The rod may be reciprocated by a pneumatic cylinder, and may be of stainless steel having a substantially circular cross section with a diameter between about 0.02-0.04 inches.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material comprising toner. The toner donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface. A magnetic brush conveys the developer material in the chamber of said housing onto said donor member. An electrode member near the surface of a donor roll is electrically biased to detach toner from said donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image. A vibration system, operatively coupled to said donor member vibrates toner on the surface of the donor member, said vibration system coacting with said electrode member to detach toner from said donor member.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an imaging surface, comprising a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material comprising toner a porous toner donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the imaging surface; and means for conveying said developer material in the chamber of said housing onto said donor member.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of toner. A toner donor member is spaced from the image bearing surface and adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface. A charging device is disposed in the chamber for ion charging the toner. A vibrational driver fluidizes the toner in the chamber. The vibrational driver and a transport member cooperate with one another to define a region wherein a substantially constant quantity of toner having a substantially constant ion charge is deposited on the transport member. The toner is electrostatically transferred from the transport member to the donor member which contains an AC biased self spaced electrode structure so as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image in an image on image process.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, the apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including toner; a toner donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface; a magnetic brush for conveying the developer material in the chamber of the housing onto the donor member; and a rigid planar porous electrode member spaced near the surface of a donor roll, the electrode member being electrically biased to detach toner from the donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image.