Development apparatus of latent electrostatic images

Claim 2

A development apparatus of latent electrostatic images comprising, a drum of photosensitive material on which the latent electrostatic images are formed, a tank for accommodating an electrically conductive liquid developer, and an electrically conductive sleeve disposed rotatably within said tank and having a plurality of depressions formed and arrayed on its outer circumferential surface in a zig-zag matrix, said sleeve being disposed closely adjacent said photo-sensitive drum but spaced therefrom a predetermined distance.

Claim 3

The development apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to apply a voltage of the opposite polarity to that of said latent electrostatic image to said electrically conductive sleeve.

Claim 4

The development apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said voltage applying means applies a variable voltage.

Claim 5

The development apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said depressions have a diameter of 40 to 70 μm, a depth of 10 to 50 μm, and a distance between centers of adjacent depressions of 50 to 70 μm.

Claim 6

The development apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gap distance between said photo-sensitive drum and said sleeve is arranged at 0.3 to 0.5 μm.

Claim 7

An electrostatic recording system comprising: a photo-sensitive drum coated with dielectric material, on its surface, a charger for uniformly charging the surface of said photo-sensitive drum; an exposure device for exposing the surface of said photo-sensitive drum in order to form a latent electrostatic image thereon; a development apparatus including a tank for accommodating an electrically conductive liquid developer, and an electrically conductive sleeve disposed rotatably within said tank and having a plurality of depressions formed and arrayed on its outer circumferential surface in a zig-zag matrix for holding said liquid and disposed a predetermined distance from said photo-sensitive drum, whereby said latent electrostatic image can be developed into a visual image; a transfer device for transferring said visual image formed on the surface of said photo-sensitive drum onto a sheet; a cleaning device for removing liquid developer remaining on the surface of said photosensitive drum which has finished said transfer process; and a charge remover for removing electric charge remaining on the surface of said photo-sensitive drum which has finished said transfer process.

Claim 8

An electrostatic recording system comprising: a photo-sensitive drum coated with dielectric material, on its surface, a charger for uniformly charging the surface of said photo-sensitive drum; an exposure device for exposing the surface of said photo-sensitive drum in order to form a latent electrostatic image thereon; a development apparatus including a tank for accommodating an electrically conductive liquid developer, and an electrically conductive sleeve disposed rotatably within said tank and having a plurality of depressions formed and arrayed on its outer circumferential surface in a zig-zag matrix for holding said liquid and disposed a predetermined distance from said photo-sensitive drum, whereby said latent electrostatic image can be developed into a visual image; a transfer device for transferring said visual image formed on the surface of said photo-sensitive drum onto a sheet; a cleaning device for removing liquid developer remaining on the surface of said photosensitive drum which has finished said transfer process; and a charge remover for removing electric charge remaining on the surface of said photo-sensitive drum which has finished said transfer process.

Claim 9

A development apparatus of latent electrostatic images comprising: a photo-sensitive drum on which the latent electrostatic images are formed; a tank for accommodating an electrically conductive liquid developer; and an electrically conductive sleeve disposed rotatably within said tank and having holding means for said liquid developer formed on its outer circumferential surface, said sleeve being disposed with a predetermined gap retained from said photo-sensitive drum, wherein said holding means is a plurality of bores provided in the outer circumferential wall of said sleeve penetrating through the wall.

Claim 10

A development apparatus of latent electrostatic images comprising: a photo-sensitive drum on which the latent electrostatic images are formed; a tank for accommodating an electrically conductive liquid developer; and an electrically conductive sleeve disposed rotatably within said tank and having holding means for said liquid developer formed on its outer circumferential surface, said sleeve being disposed with a predetermined gap retained from said photo-sensitive drum, wherein said holding means is a plurality of bores provided in the outer circumferential wall of said sleeve penetrating through the wall.

Claim 11

A development apparatus of latent electrostatic images comprising: a photo-sensitive drum on which the latent electrostatic images are formed a tank for accommodating an electrically conductive liquid developer; and an electrically conductive sleeve disposed rotatably within said tank and having holding means for said liquid developer formed on its outer circumferential surface, said sleeve being disposed with a predetermined gap retained from said photo-sensitive drum, wherein said holding means is a plurality of needle-like fine members studded on the outer circumferential surface of said sleeve.

Claim 12

A development apparatus of latent electrostatic images comprising: a photo-sensitive drum on which the latent electrostatic images are formed a tank for accommodating an electrically conductive liquid developer; and an electrically conductive sleeve disposed rotatably within said tank and having holding means for said liquid developer formed on its outer circumferential surface, said sleeve being disposed with a predetermined gap retained from said photo-sensitive drum, wherein said holding means is a plurality of needle-like fine members studded on the outer circumferential surface of said sleeve.