Abstract An apparatus for uniformly developing a latent charged image carried on electrophotographic paper by moving the electrophotographic paper past a support surface with the reverse side of the electrophotographic paper contacting the support surface, and rotating a conductive roller partially immersed in a liquid toner bath, the conductive roller having an electrical potential supplied thereto and having a peripheral surface spaced from the image side of the paper supported on the support surface. The support surface includes a conductive area and a non-conductive insulating area which are selectively engaged against the reverse side of the paper for direct development and reverse development, respectively.
Apparatus for uniformly developing a latent charged image carried on electrophotographic paper having an image side and a reverse side comprising: a first field member including a main support surface; a bath of charged liquid toner; a second field member including a conductive roller partially immersed in said liquid toner bath and having a peripheral surface close to but spaced from said main support surface of said first field member; transport means for moving the electrophotographic paper past said main support surface with the reverse side contacting said main support surface and the image side facing and spaced from said peripheral surface of said conductive roller; drive means for rotating said conductive roller at a speed to form a thin layer of liquid toner on said peripheral surface of said conductive roller, said liquid toner forming a meniscus Of liquid toner at the surface of the image side of the electrophotographic paper whereby liquid toner is uniformly distributed on the charged areas of the electrophotographic paper; said main support surface of said first field member including a first conducting support surface and a second non-conducting support surface; and selecting means for selectively positioning one of said conducting and non-conducting support surfaces in position to support said electrophotographic paper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for uniformly developing a latent charged image carried on electrophotographic paper having an image side and a reverse side comprising: a first field member including a main support surface; a bath of charged liquid toner; a second field member including a conductive roller partially immersed in said liquid toner bath and having a peripheral surface close to but spaced from said main support surface of said first field member; transport means for moving the electrophotographic paper past said main support surface with the reverse side contacting said main support surface and the image side facing and spaced from said peripheral surface of said conductive roller; drive means for rotating said conductive roller at a speed to form a thin layer of liquid toner on said peripheral surface of said conductive roller, said liquid toner forming a meniscus Of liquid toner at the surface of the image side of the electrophotographic paper whereby liquid toner is uniformly distributed on the charged areas of the electrophotographic paper; said main support surface of said first field member including a first conducting support surface and a second non-conducting support surface; and selecting means for selectively positioning one of said conducting and non-conducting support surfaces in position to support said electrophotographic paper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for uniformly developing a latent charged image carried on electrophotographic paper having an image side and a reverse side comprising: a first field member including a main support surface; a bath of charged liquid toner; a second field member including a conductive roller partially immersed in said liquid toner bath and having a peripheral surface close to but spaced from said main support surface of said first field member; transport means for moving the electrophotographic paper past said main support surface with the reverse side contacting said main support surface and the image side facing and spaced from said peripheral surface of said conductive roller; drive means for rotating said conductive roller at a speed to form a thin layer of liquid toner on said peripheral surface of said conductive roller, said liquid toner forming a meniscus Of liquid toner at the surface of the image side of the electrophotographic paper whereby liquid toner is uniformly distributed on the charged areas of the electrophotographic paper; said main support surface of said first field member including a first conducting support surface and a second non-conducting support surface; and selecting means for selectively positioning one of said conducting and non-conducting support surfaces in position to support said electrophotographic paper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for uniformly developing a latent charged image carried on electrophotographic paper having an image side and a reverse side comprising: a first field member including a main support surface; a bath of charged liquid toner; a second field member including a conductive roller partially immersed in said liquid toner bath and having a peripheral surface close to but spaced from said main support surface of said first field member; transport means for moving the electrophotographic paper past said main support surface with the reverse side contacting said main support surface and the image side facing and spaced from said peripheral surface of said conductive roller; drive means for rotating said conductive roller at a speed to form a thin layer of liquid toner on said peripheral surface of said conductive roller, said liquid toner forming a meniscus Of liquid toner at the surface of the image side of the electrophotographic paper whereby liquid toner is uniformly distributed on the charged areas of the electrophotographic paper; said main support surface of said first field member including a first conducting support surface and a second non-conducting support surface; and selecting means for selectively positioning one of said conducting and non-conducting support surfaces in position to support said electrophotographic paper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 including means for supplying predetermined electrical potentials to said conductive roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 including means for applying a predetermined potential to the conductive surface of said first field member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said main support surface has a convex configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said selecting means includes an axle on which said first field member is mounted, and means biasing said first field member away from an intermediate position of said main support surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said biasing means includes a tension spring.