Abstract: A cylinder jacket profile for impression cylinders or sheet transfer cylinders has uniformly distributed elevations with an easy-clean layer as a surface coating. The easy-clean layer has a thickness of less than 5 &mgr;m, in particular 1 &mgr;m, and a surface energy of less than 50 mN/m. The cylinder jacket profile has an improved cleaning behavior. A method of producing an easy-clean layer on a cylinder jacket profile is also provided.

Abstract: A developing roller of the present invention is made up of a nonmagnetic sleeve and a magnet roller disposed in the sleeve. The magnet roller includes a cylindrical magnet produced by molding a mixture of magnetic powder and a high polymer, and a single rare-earth magnet block mounted on the magnet at a position corresponding to a main magnetic pole for development. The cylindrical magnet is magnetized such that magnetic poles adjoining the main magnetic pole are opposite in polarity to the main pole. The main pole and each pole adjoining it make an angle of 45° or less therebetween.

Abstract: A developing device of monocomponent development system for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member according to the present invention includes a toner carrying member disposed opposite the image bearing member via a gap of 50 to 250 &mgr;m therebetween, and including a conductive substrate and an elastic layer having a rubber hardness of not more than 70 degrees and a thickness in the range of 7 to 50 &mgr;m, and a regulating member pressed against a surface of the toner carrying member for regulating the amount of toner on the toner carrying member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a developing device of the type causing a developer to form a magnet brush on the surface of a developer carrier having a magnet roller in a developing region or nip for development. The magnet brush contacts and thereby develops a latent image formed on an image carrier. The magnet roller has a main magnetic pole for development wherein the flux density in the tangential direction has a maximum variation ratio of 40 T/m or above in absolute value. The apparatus of the present invention increases image density and faithfully reproduces even low-contrast images with a low-cost configuration. Further, the apparatus reduces image defects, including granularity and the omission of the trailing edge of an image, even if the range over which the magnet brush and image carrier contact is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as an intermediate transfer member or fusing member in an image forming device includes a cylindrical member having a thickness that is insufficient to support it in use and which is secured between two round end plates to form a cylindrical structure which is unsupported between the endplates. A liquid is incorporated within the cylindrical structure and a heater is also located within the cylindrical structure so as to heat the liquid to produce a vapor wherein the vapor is of a sufficient pressure to support the cylindrical member during use.

Abstract: The invention provides a roll member capable of preventing a sheet of recording paper from wrinkling. A metal compound MmXn and an inorganic fine powder are added to a silicone rubber layer forming the surface layer of the roll member. In the compound formula, M is a cation selected from among ions of Al, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Ga, and X is an anion selected from among ions of halogens, inorganic acids and organic acids.

Abstract: There are disclosed a toner supply roller which is composed of a foamed elastic body, and has a compression spring constant of 0.25 to 5.0 N/mm, and preferably has the number of cells per a length of 25 mm being 50 to 1200 in the foamed elastic layer; a developing apparatus which is equipped with the above toner supply roller and capable of affording images free from defect such as unevenness in pitch, density, etc.; another developing apparatus which is equipped with a toner supply roller and a developing roller, each being electroconductive, and which satisfies the requirement that the electric resistance of the toner supply roller is always lower than that of the developing roller at an impressed voltage of 100V to 500V, thereby enabling formation of satisfactory images by favorable electrification with the toner supply roller due to favorable adsorption of a toner onto the developing roller; and an image formation apparatus equipped with any of the above developing apparatuses.

Abstract: A method for forming a seamless cylindrical photosensitive element on a flexible cylindrical sleeve wherein the flexible sleeve is mounted onto a sleeve support to isolate the flexible sleeve from high temperature and/or high pressure associated with forming a cylindrical photosensitive layer on the flexible sleeve.

Abstract: A cylinder for a rotary printing press can be subdivided into a plurality of sections in a first operational mode. In a second operational mode, the cylinder has a functionally continuous outer surface.

Abstract: A metal pipe excellent in dimensional accuracy, which is suitably used for a development sleeve, a fixing roller, or a photosensitive drum for electrophotographic apparatuses or electrostatic recording apparatuses such as copying machines or printers, or a base body thereof. The metal pipe is produced by cutting a long-sized metal pipe body into a specific length, to obtain a raw pipe, and adjusting the surface state and the dimensional accuracy of the raw pipe by cutting and polishing the outer peripheral surface of the raw pipe, wherein the raw pipe has an inner stress of 20 N/mm2 or less.

Abstract: A donor member, useful in ionographic or electrophotographic apparatuses and preferably useful in hybrid scavengeless development units, has a substrate and an oxidized transport coating thereover. The oxidized transport coating includes a polymer binder, charge transporting molecules and one or more oxidizing agents. The polymer binder of the donor roll coating preferably includes one of (1) a crosslinked polymer with charge transporting molecules dispersed therein, or (2) a crosslinked polyamide binder with hydroxy charge transport molecules dispersed therein. The donor roll is preferably included in a printing machine that develops latent images formed on a photoconductive member.

Abstract: A roller includes a core and a ceramic coating formed over the core. The roller has a composite runout of less than 20 &mgr;m and a total indicator reading runout of less than 7 &mgr;m. The ceramic coating has a smooth finish and has controlled electric properties. This roller can be used as a donor roller for transporting toner to a photoconductive member so as to achieve high-quality image development.

Abstract: A roller is provided. The roller includes a ceramic body, an aluminum member attached to the ceramic body, and a shaft attached to the aluminum member.

Abstract: A toner supply roll including a cylindrical soft polyurethane sponge structure which is integrally formed on a metal shaft and which has a hardness of not higher than 350 g, a network of cells, and a skin layer having openings which are open in its outer circumferential surface and which communicate with respective radially outermost ones of the cells located adjacent to the skin layer, wherein the openings have a size of 100-800 &mgr;m, and a total area percent of at least 20% of the total area of the outer circumferential surface of the skin layer, and the sponge structure has a plurality of helical protrusions formed on the outer circumferential surface of the skin layer so as to extend helically about an axis of the sponge structure, the helical protrusions being arranged in a circumferential direction of the sponge structure, so as to form a plurality of helical recesses each interposed between adjacent ones of the helical protrusions, so that helical protrusions and recesses cooperate to define a toothe

Abstract: A charging roll comprising a center shaft an electrically conductive rubber layer formed on an outer circumferential surface of the center shaft and having a relatively low hardness a resistance adjusting layer formed radially outwardly of the conductive rubber layer and a protective layer formed radially outwardly of the resistance adjusting layer. The resistance adjusting layer is formed of a rubber composition prepared by mixing a rubber material with particles of an electron-conductive material and particles of an electrically insulating material. The rubber composition comprises 10-50 parts by weight of the electrically insulating material per 100 parts by weight of the electron-conductive material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a form for the rotary printing, coating or imprinting of web-shaped materials and a method of producing the form wherein an elastomer layer is applied onto a carrier with a cylindrical surface area with the layer machined and engraved at the outer circumference to result in a cylindrical shape after curing. The form according to the invention is characterized in that the elastomer layer is formed of cold cure material. The engraving of the elastomer layer preferably is attained by laser engraving.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic roll for use in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a shaft in a mold cavity and molding a core in the mold cavity with the shaft in the cavity. The core defines a pocket on the periphery of the core. The method further includes the step of attaching a magnet to the pocket.

Abstract: A cylinder (2) for a printing machine, particularly a developing cylinder in an electrographic printing machine, having a rigid, elongated shaft body (10) and a rigid hollow body (11) whose exterior forms the covering and the top and bottom surfaces of the cylinder. In order that, during operation under constant conditions, the cylinder can roll properly against another rigid cylinder of the printing machine, flat sides (12,13) of the hollow body (11) which form the top and bottom surfaces of the cylinder, have centrical bore holes that are larger than the diameter of the shaft body (10) in the area of the flat sides. Located in the space between the shaft body and the flat sides of the hollow body is an elastic material (14,15) which joins the flat sides of the hollow body to the shaft body.

Abstract: A printing web transporting roller is disclosed which is characterized by using as the roller basis thereof a roller basis made of a fiber-reinforced plastics and provided on the peripheral surface thereof with a plurality of portions of a surface of large curvature and a plurality of portions of a surface of small curvature alternately arranged in a mutually adjoining state and having a composite coating film superposed on the roller basis and composed of a porous ceramic layer formed by thermal spraying and a resin layer formed on the surface of the ceramic layer and inside the pores in the ceramic layer.

Abstract: A developing roller for use in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum having a transcribing roller cleaning device; the developing roller disposed between a transcribing device and an exposing device adjacent to the photosensitive drum, for frictionally charging toner at a place where the developing roller contacts with a supply roller and transferring the charged toner to a developing region so as to attach the charged toner to a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum; a regulating blade disposed between the developing region and the supply roller, for regulating a toner layer on the developing layer into a thin toner layer, being in contact with the developing roller; the supply roller in contact with the developing roller, for frictionally charging the toner transferred into a contact nip by a relative motion therebetween; and an agitator for transferring the toner in a toner cartridge to the supply roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly noiseless magnet roller capable of reducing occurrence of noise upon operation as much as possible. The magnet roller includes a magnet main body and a shaft portion projecting from each or either of both ends of the magnet main body, wherein the magnet main body and the shaft portion are integrally molded from a bond magnet composition in which a magnetic powder is dispersed in a resin binder. In this magnet roller, the roundness of the shaft portion is specified to be in a range of 30 .mu.m or less.

Abstract: A developing roller is adapted to carry a developer on its surface and come in contact with or close to a photoconductor drum having an electrostatic latent image borne on its surface whereby the developer is supplied to the drum to visualize the latent image. The developing roller includes a highly conductive shaft and an elastic layer with conductivity formed around the shaft. The elastic layer is surface treated so as to have a resin component which contains a urea resin and/or melamine resin. The roller satisfies log(R.sub.2 /R.sub.1).ltoreq.4.5 wherein the untreated roller has a resistance R.sub.1 and the roller with the resin component has a resistance R.sub.2. The developing roller does not contaminate the photoconductor drum and ensures that images of quality are reproduced without a density variation and background fog over a long time.

Abstract: A replaceable sleeve having a working surface is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a carrier. The sleeve includes an inner polymeric layer, a reinforcing layer overlying the inner layer, an intermediate polymeric layer overlying the reinforcing layer, and an outer polymeric layer. The sleeve may include a cushion layer between the intermediate layer and the outer layer. The layers comprising the sleeve are formed around a support and then cured simultaneously in a single step. The resulting sleeve may be used in printing operations or in other applications such as coating, embossing, laminating, calendering and the like.

Abstract: A digital copier is designed to minimize image imperfections by limiting pickup of contaminants by an image carrier. Paper sheets are conveyed to an image transfer area by use of a conveyor unit. The conveyor unit includes paper feed rollers. The image transfer area includes the image carrier and a transfer roller. The paper sheets pass between the image carrier and the transfer roller. When no paper sheets are in the image transfer area, the transfer roller is in contact with the image carrier. The transfer rollers and the paper feed rollers include a rubber material with a solubility parameter chosen to minimize transfer of contaminants to the image carrier. In one example, the transfer roller and the paper feed roller are formed from a rubber material having a solubility parameter greater than or equal to 8.2 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2. To further minimize imperfections in the image due to pickup of contaminants, the rubber material of the paper feed member has a dielectric constant greater than or equal to 4.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a cylindrical body manufacturing method capable of setting a high coaxiality and a high run-out accuracy between a cylindrical member and a flange member. To achieve this object, in a cylindrical body manufacturing method according to this invention, the diameter of an end portion of a sleeve is increased by heating the end portion. A flange held at the end of a robot hand is clearance-fitted in an inner-diameter processed hole in the end portion of the sleeve while the central axis of the flange is aligned with that of the sleeve. The flange is then pushed to make the outer periphery of the flange abut against the end face of the sleeve.

Abstract: A charging device which is pressed against a surface of a body to be charged in a state that a voltage is applied to charge the body, having an electrically conductive support to which a voltage is applied; an electrically conductive elastic body layer fixed on the electrically conductive support for dispersing electrically conductive particles to regulate resistance and hardness; an electrode layer provided on the electrically conductive elastic body layer, and having an electrically conductive inorganic material; and a resistance regulation layer provided on the electrode layer for regulating resistance.

Abstract: A press roll contains a stationary carrier, a jacket tube with a roll jacket and a plurality of pneumatically loadable rollers in order to support the roll jacket at the press position on the carrier. The press roll is especially suited for use as an F-roll or as a K-roll in machines for treating web-like or plate-like material, for example printing machines, textile machines or the like.

Abstract: An imaging system and method incorporate an apparatus and method for cleaning developer liquid from an imaging substrate such as a photoreceptor.

Abstract: A printing machine, particularly a sheet-fed offset printing machine, which has removable components, such as, in particular, inking-unit, dampening-unit or varnishing-unit rollers, is described. The printing machine includes an arrangement wherein it can be established, particularly via a control station of the printing machine, whether a component and which component is not properly installed. This measure is intended primarily to avoid malfunctions or even machine damage. This is achieved, according to the invention, in that the removable component has a permanent magnet which can be sensed by a sensor mounted fixedly relative to the frame of the printing machine at a point corresponding to the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet. The signal or signals from one or more sensors are fed to an evaluation unit which determines the proper installation state from these signals.

Abstract: An imaging system and method incorporate an apparatus and method for cleaning developer liquid from an imaging substrate such as a photoreceptor.

Abstract: A development apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on an imaging substrate in a liquid electrographic imaging system includes a cleaning roller for removing back-plated developer from a development device such as a development roller, and a squeegee apparatus for.sub.-- removing both "drip-line" developer liquid and "wrap-around" developer liquid from the imaging substrate. The squeegee apparatus may include a squeegee roller having a crowned profile and a loading mechanism configured to achieve a uniform loading force across a pressure nip formed between the squeegee roller and the imaging substrate. The cleaning roller may include a fiber cleaning media and fluid delivery means for flushing back-plated developer from the cleaning media. The development apparatus also may include means for spacing the development apparatus relative to the imaging substrate without contacting the imaging substrate, thereby avoiding disruption of the motion quality of the imaging substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing sleeve and a method for producing a sless printing sleeve particularly for a flexo printing cylinder with the printing sleeve being slidable onto a core roll when flexibly expanded by means of a pressurized air cushion and being slidable off therefrom.

Abstract: An anti-ghosting roller having a main shaft, an inner race detachably mounted on the main shaft, a rotary bearing having movable bearing elements (e.g., needle bearings) positioned on the inner race, a roller core secured to the rotary bearing, and an end collar mounted to the shaft and spaced from an end of the roller core such that the roller core can both rotate and axially oscillate relative to the main shaft. The inner race extends beyond the end of the rotary bearing. An end collar is mounted to the end of the shaft. The end collar includes a spacer portion extending axially toward the roller core. The spacer portion is radially spaced from the main shaft so that it is free from interaction with the inner race.

Abstract: The draw roller is designed as a suction roller with a rotatable roller casing having orifices, and the material web loops around the draw roller along a circumferential portion. The internal suction-air supply connectable to a negative-pressure source opens out on the inner circumference of the roller casing and is designed so that a stationary suction surface of wedge-shaped form is obtained on the casing circumference. The wedge tip is directed opposite to the direction of rotation of the roller casing and is located at the start of said circumference portion in the roller center. The suction surface widens obliquely outwards on both sides with an increasing looping angle and, at the end of the circumferential portion, has a width corresponding to the total width of the material web.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the type using single-ingredient type high resistance toner, a developing roller or similar toner conveyor roller is covered with a dielectric layer which is comparatively thick at opposite end portions than at an intermediate portion. A conductive or semiconductive elastic layer underlies the dielectric layer. With the above configuration, the dielectric layer is prevented from coming off the roller. This, coupled with the tact that the elastic layer does not contact a photoconductive element, eliminates current leaks and thereby extends the life of the roller and photoconductive element.

Abstract: A cylindrical member such as a developing roller or photosensitive drum has a sleeve, a flange at the end portion of the sleeve, and a space-controlling member provided at the end portion of the sleeve. The flange is press-fitted into the end portion of the sleeve to be bonded to the sleeve. A space-controlling portion of the space-controlling member is located further from the end of the sleeve than the press-fitted portion of the flange.

Abstract: The magnet roll according to the present invention comprising a cylindrical resin-bonded magnet, a first shaft formed by injection molding integrally with the cylindrical resin-bonded magnet at one end thereof, and a second shaft press-fitted into a bore of the cylindrical resin-bonded magnet at the opposite end thereof.

Abstract: A development apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on an imaging substrate in a liquid electrographic imaging system includes a cleaning roller for removing back-plated developer from a development device such as a development roller, and a squeegee apparatus for removing both "drip-line" developer liquid and "wrap-around" developer liquid from the imaging substrate. The squeegee apparatus may include a squeegee roller having a crowned profile and a loading mechanism configured to achieve a uniform loading force across a pressure nip formed between the squeegee roller and the imaging substrate. The cleaning roller may include a fiber cleaning media and fluid delivery means for flushing back-plated developer from the cleaning media. The development apparatus also may include means for spacing the development apparatus relative to the imaging substrate without contacting the imaging substrate, thereby avoiding disruption of the motion quality of the imaging substrate.

Abstract: A plate cylinder for a sleeve-type printform, particularly an aluminum offset printform, with a ramp-like transition piece as a guide surface for the mechanical expansion of the sleeve-type printform onto the larger cylinder diameter. At least the surface area of the plate cylinder that is covered by the ramp-like transition piece has a highly wear-resistant and pressure-resistant slide surface of a material different from the remaining surface material of the plate cylinder to prevent abrasion when the printform is slipped onto the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A donor roll having a ceramic coating for use with an electrode structure in a scavengeless development unit of an electrostatographic printer. The ceramic coating consist essentially of a suitable mixture of alumina and titania by weight giving the donor roll a desired resistivity within a range of 2.0.times.10.sup.7 -4.2.times.10.sup.8 (Ohm-cm), a discharge time constant of about 550 microseconds, and a dielectric constant within a range of 16-24 at 100.KHz.

Abstract: A coated transport means comprised of a core with a coating comprised of charge transporting molecules and an oxidizing agent, or oxidizing agents dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: A circumferentially continuous printing plate, which has the advantage over clamp plates that a clamping arrangement and groove in a plate cylinder can be eliminated, is formed by rolling a flat printing plate into tubular or sleeve form and welding the end edges together, preferably by a neodymium-YAG laser weld, resulting in a narrow, less than 1 mm wide, weld seam (2) having upper and lower concave sides, or by adhering the end edges to an underlay saddle (9), the plate can be coated and imaged when flat or after having been rolled and installed on a plate cylinder (37) of a printing machine. Interengaging projection-and-recess elements (4, 6; 14, 16) are formed on the plate (1, 1') and on the cylinder (37), respectively, to ensure lateral and circumferential register.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying toner to an electrostatic image includes a sump for holding developer, which developer preferably includes a component having high coercivity and permanent magnetism. An applicator for moving the developer through a development zone includes a rotatable magnetic core and a sleeve around the core, which sleeve includes roughened portions leading to and away from the development zone and a smooth portion directly facing the development zone. The sleeve may also have smooth portions on its lateral crosstrack edges.

Abstract: A coated toner transport roll containing a core with a coating thereover of transporting molecules dispersed in a binder and an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride and trifluoroacetic acid. These oxidizing agents can be selected in an amount of from about 1 to about 50 weight percent. Also, the coating possesses a relaxation time of from about 0.0099 millisecond to about 3.5 milliseconds, and a residual voltage of from about 1 to about 10 volts.

Abstract: An offset printing unit (10) for printing an inked image on sheet material (30) comprises a rotatable plate cylinder (12) and a rotatable blanket cylinder (14). The plate cylinder (12) supports a printing plate (18) which defines the inked image. A tubular printing blanket (20) is received telescopically over the blanket cylinder (14). The printing unit (10) further comprises a frame (16) and a motor (26). The frame (16) supports the plate cylinder (12) and the blanket cylinder (14) in positions for the printing plate (18) to transfer the inked image onto the tubular printing blanket (20) at a nip (28) between the cylinders (12, 14) when the cylinders (12, 14) are rotating. The motor (26) rotates the plate cylinder (12) and the blanket cylinder (14) to transfer the inked image to the tubular printing blanket (20).

Abstract: The magnet roll according to the present invention comprising a cylindrical resin-bonded magnet, a first shaft formed by injection molding integrally with the cylindrical resin-bonded magnet at one end thereof, and a second shaft press-fitted into a bore of the cylindrical resin-bonded magnet at the opposite end thereof. A magnetic roll comprises a cylindrical resin-bonded magnet made primarily of a ferromagnetic powder and a thermoplastic resin having a modulus of longitudinal elasticity of at least 2×104 kg/cm2, a first shaft formed by injection molding integrally with the cylindrical resin-bonded magnet at one end thereof, and a second shaft made of a rigid conductive material and press-fitted into a bore of the cylindrical resin-bonded magnet at the opposite end thereof. The bore has a splined cross section, the second shaft provided with a base portion having a splined cross section complimentary to that of the bore, and the base portion is inserted into the bore.