Flat plate traveling roller imaging system

Claim 2

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image; and, elevator means for moving a roller electrode into contact with the stationary electrode as it travels thereby and for controlling the force exerted by the roller electrode along its length on the stationary electrode.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevator means includes means to hold a roller electrode at a first elevation relative to the stationary electrode and means for independently moving each end of a roller elEctrode from that first position.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevator means includes bias means for holding a roller electrode at an elevation out of contact with the stationary electrode and first and second means coupled to each end of the roller electrode for moving an end of a roller electrode toward the stationary electrode.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevator means includes left and right bearing mounts between which a roller electrode is journaled, left and right bias means for urging the left and right bearing mounts respectively away from the stationary electrode and left and right squeeze means for moving the left and right bearing mounts respectively toward the stationary electrode against the force exerted by the bias means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said squeeze means include fluid-operated cylinders.

Claim 7

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for affecting formation and transfer of an image; and, handling means for loading a sheet onto the surface of the transfer roller prior to passing over the stationary electrode and for ejecting the sheet from the roller after an image has been transferred to the sheet.

Claim 8

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for affecting formation and transfer of an image; and, handling means for loading a sheet onto the surface of the transfer roller prior to passing over the stationary electrode and for ejecting the sheet from the roller after an image has been transferred to the sheet.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said sheet-handling means includes gripper means for holding a sheet to the transfer roller, input means for feeding a sheet into the gripper means and separator means for deflecting a sheet released by the gripper means from the roller to an output tray.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said input means includes a buckle means for buckling a sheet against a stop and a release means for moving the stop pad to allow the tension of a buckled sheet to advance the sheet to the gripper means.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 7 further including an input tray for supporting a stack of sheets and means for feeding a single sheet from the stack to the buckle means.

Claim 12

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions; and, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image, wherein said rotational drive means includes means to rotate said transfer roller after it has traveled past the stationary electrode for ejecting from the transfer roller a record sheet to which an image has been transferred.

Claim 13

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions; and, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image, wherein said rotational drive means includes means to rotate said transfer roller after it has traveled past the stationary electrode for ejecting from the transfer roller a record sheet to which an image has been transferred.

Claim 14

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, and rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image, wherein said translational drive means includes at least one carriage supported for travel past said stationary electrode and means for stabilizing the carriage in horizontal and vertical planes.

Claim 15

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, and rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image, wherein said translational drive means includes at least one carriage supported for travel past said stationary electrode and means for stabilizing the carriage in horizontal and vertical planes.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said translational drive means further includes rack gears rigidly coupled to said carriage and supported for movement upon rotation of a pinion gear operatively engaged therewith.

Claim 17

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image, wherein said rotational drive means includes first and transfer rack gears supported adjacent the stationary electrode and operatively engaged with pinion gears coupled to said at least first electrode and transfer roller electrode respectively by override clutches that permit rotation of a roller during park to turn travel.

Claim 18

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary transparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image, wherein said rotational drive means includes first and transfer rack gears supported adjacent the stationary electrode and operatively engaged with pinion gears coupled to said at least first electrode and transfer roller electrode respectively by override clutches that permit rotation of a roller during park to turn travel.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 13 further including elevator means for varying the elevation of a roller electrode relative to the stationary electrode and bias means for maintaining engagement between a pinion and rack gear for rotating a roller regardless of the elevation of the roller electrode.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said rotational drive means further includes means for pulling said transfer rack gear toward the park position after the transfer roller has traveled past said stationary electrode for ejecting a record sheet from the transfer roller after an image has been transferred thereto.

Claim 21

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary trAnsparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image; and, cleaning means positioned adjacent said turn position to clean the first roller electrode after the formation of an image.

Claim 22

Imaging apparatus comprising a stationary trAnsparent electrode and at least a first roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode between park and turn positions, exposure means for exposing photoelectrophoretic ink applied between said roller and stationary electrode to electromagnetic radiation in imagewise configuration to form an image on the stationary electrode from ink exposed to radiation and subjected to an electric field established between the electrodes, a transfer roller electrode supported for travel past the stationary electrode over substantially the same path traveled by said first roller electrode to transfer an image formed on the stationary electrode to a record sheet carried by the transfer roller, translational drive means for propelling said at least first roller electrode and said transfer roller electrode past said stationary electrode between park and turn positions, rotational drive means for rotating said at least first roller electrode only as it travels past the stationary electrode from park to turn positions for effecting formation and transfer of an image; and, cleaning means positioned adjacent said turn position to clean the first roller electrode after the formation of an image.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 16 further including auxiliary drive means for rotating said first roller electrode independently of said rotational drive means for assisting the cleaning means in cleaning the first roller electrode.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said rotational drive means for rotating said first roller electrode includes an override clutch and said auxiliary drive means includes a first friction member slidably and rotatably supported for engaging a second friction member coupled to said first roller electrode for rotation of the roller electrode in a direction permitted by the override clutch.

Claim 25

In a photoelectrophoretic imaging system of the type wherein roller and second electrodes are supported for relative movement to form an image from photoelectrophoretic ink present in the nip formed between the electrodes exposed to electromagnetic radiation and subjected to an electric field established by voltages coupled to the electrodes, an elevator mechanism for controlling the shape of the nip between the electrodes comprising bias means to hold one electrode at a first elevation relative to the other, left and right squeeze means coupled to the ends of one electrode to force the electrodes together against the force of the bias means, said bias means coupled to left and right bearing mounts supporting said roller electrode urging the roller electrode to an out of contact elevation with the second electrode and wherein said left and right squeeze means include fluid operated cylinders coupled to the left and right bearing mounts respectively to force the roller and second electrodes into contact.

Claim 26

In a photoelectrophoretic imaging system of the type wherein roller and second electrodes are supported for relative movement to form an image from photoelectrophoretic ink present in the nip formed between the electrodes exposed to electromagnetic radiation and subjected to an electric field established by voltages coupled to the electrodes, an elevator mechanism for controlling the shape of the nip between the electrodes comprising bias means to hold one electrode at a first elevation relative to the other, left and right squeeze means coupled to the ends of one electrode to force the electrodes together against the force of the bias means, said bias means coupled to left and right bearing mounts supporting said roller electrode urging the roller electrode to an out of contact elevation with the second electrode and wherein said left and right squeeze means include fluid operated cylinders coupled to the left and right bearing mounts respectively to force the roller and second electrodes into contact.