US4734721A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic printer utilizing dehumidified air
Assignee: Markem Imaje Corp
•
Filing: 1985-10-04
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Granted: 1988-03-29
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Expires: 2005-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An electrostatic print head system is disclosed which comprises an ion modulated electrostatic print head, a means for supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and a means for directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head. The print head may comprise a modulated aperture board having a plurality of selectively controlled apertures therein and an ion generator for providing ions for electrostatic projection through the apertures. The electrostatic print head system may be used for forming latent electrostatic images and employed in an electrostatic printer which further comprises a means for developing the latent electrostatic images.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan H. Boyer
- 👤 Graham D. Walter
- 👤 Robert A. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:24
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/32; G03G15/321; G03G15/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An electrostatic print head system comprising: (a) an ion modulated electrostatic print head, (b) a means for supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and (c) a means for directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electrostatic print head system comprising: (a) an ion modulated electrostatic print head, (b) a means for supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and (c) a means for directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrostatic print head system of claim 1 wherein supply means (b) is capable of supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 5 percent at or near ambient temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The electrostatic print head system of claim 1 wherein the print head comprises a modulated aperture board having a plurality of selectively controlled apertures therein, and an ion generator for providing ions for electrostatic projection through the apertures, and wherein the dehumidified air can be directed to flow at or near the ion generator and at, near or through the apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrostatic print head system of claim 3 wherein the apertures function to cut off the flow of ions, and wherein the ion generator is a corona wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrostatic printer comprising: (a) an ion modulated electrostatic print head for forming latent electrostatic images, (b) a means for developing the latent electrostatic images, (c) a means for supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and (d) a means for directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrostatic printer comprising: (a) an ion modulated electrostatic print head for forming latent electrostatic images, (b) a means for developing the latent electrostatic images, (c) a means for supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and (d) a means for directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrostatic printer of claim 5 wherein supply means (b) is capable of supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 5 percent at or near ambient temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The electrostatic printer of claim 5 wherein the printer comprises a modulated aperture board having a plurality of selectively controlled apertures therein, and an ion generator for providing ions for electrostatic projection through the apertures, and wherein the dehumidified air can be directed to flow at or near the ion generator and at, near or through the apertures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrostatic printer of claim 7 wherein the apertures function to cut off the flow of ions, and wherein the ion generator is a corona wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electrostatic imaging process which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a latent electrostatic image on a dielectric imaging surface using an ion modulated electrostatic print head, (b) developing the latent electrostatic image, (c) providing unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and (d) directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electrostatic imaging process which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a latent electrostatic image on a dielectric imaging surface using an ion modulated electrostatic print head, (b) developing the latent electrostatic image, (c) providing unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and (d) directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electrostatic imaging process of claim 9 wherein the print head comprises a modulated aperture board having a plurality of selectively controlled apertures therein, and an ion generator for providing ions for electrostatic projection through the apertures, and wherein the dehumidified air is directed at or near the ion generator and at, near or through the apertures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrostatic imaging process of claim 10 wherein the apertures function to cut off the flow of ions, and wherein the ion generator is a corona wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrostatic imaging process of claim 9 wherein the dehumidified air has a relative humidity of less than about 5 percent at or near ambient temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-29 | 1991-09-28 | 1992-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-29 | 1995-09-28 | 1996-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-29 | 1999-09-28 | 2000-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |