US5436706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Latent image development apparatus
Assignee: HP Indigo BV
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Filing: 1991-11-29
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Granted: 1995-07-25
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Expires: 2011-11-29
Abstract
Abstract Imaging apparatus including a first member having a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage, a second member charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages and having a second surface adapted for resilient engagement with the first surface and a third member adapted for resilient contact with the second surface in a transfer region. The imaging apparatus also includes apparatus for supplying liquid toner to the transfer region thereby forming on the second surface a thin layer of liquid toner containing a relatively high concentration of charged toner particles and apparatus for developing the latent image by the selective transfer of portions of the layer of liquid toner from the second surface to the first surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Benzion Landa
- 👤 Ishaiau Lior
- 👤 Ehud Chatow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/104; G03G15/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member having a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage: a second member charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages and having a second surface adapted for operative engagement with the first surface at a first, development, region; a third member resiliently urged against the second surface at a second region; a liquid toner supply system which supplies liquid toner comprising charged toner particles and carrier liquid to the second region and forms a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged toner particles greater than 15% on the second surface; means for developing the latent image by the selective transfer of portions of the layer of liquid toner from the second surface to the first surface at the first region to form a developed image on the first member; and means for transferring the developed image from the first member to a final substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member having a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage: a second member charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages and having a second surface adapted for operative engagement with the first surface at a first, development, region; a third member resiliently urged against the second surface at a second region; a liquid toner supply system which supplies liquid toner comprising charged toner particles and carrier liquid to the second region and forms a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged toner particles greater than 15% on the second surface; means for developing the latent image by the selective transfer of portions of the layer of liquid toner from the second surface to the first surface at the first region to form a developed image on the first member; and means for transferring the developed image from the first member to a final substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid toner supplied to the second region comprises less than 35% charged toner particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the concentration of toner particles in the liquid toner supplied to the second region is substantially the same as in the thin layer of liquid toner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the concentration of toner particles in the liquid toner supplied to the second region is substantially the same as in the thin layer of liquid toner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the concentration of toner particles in the liquid toner supplied to the second region is substantially less than in the thin layer of liquid toner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the thin layer of liquid toner comprises more than 20% charged toner particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Imaging apparatus according claim 1 wherein the layer liquid toner is crumbly in texture and almost dry to the touch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the thin layer of liquid toner has a concentration of toner particles greater than 40 per cent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the thin layer of liquid toner has a concentration of toner particles greater than 50 per cent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the layer of liquid toner comprises less than 35% charged toner particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the layer of liquid toner has a thickness between 2 and 8 micrometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the thin layer has a thickness between 5 and 15 micrometers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces is formed of a resilient material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the third member is a roller with an elastomer surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the third member is a resilient blade.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the third member is a spring-mounted wire-wrapped solid rod.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the third member comprises a metallic-screen hollow drum containing liquid toner and a squeegee blade urged against the inner surface of the metallic-screen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the metallic-screen hollow drum containing liquid toner and a squeegee blade form a single disposable unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 including a doctor blade in engagement with the second surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the third member is an integral component of the means for supplying liquid toner.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
Imaging apparatus according to claim wherein the third member end the means for supplying liquid toner form a single disposable unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
147 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member including a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image having image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage; a second member charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages and having a second surface adapted for resilient engagement with the first surface; a third member adapted for depositing on the surface of the second member a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged Toner particles greater than 15%; means for obtaining a desired image by selectively transferring portions of the layer of liquid toner from the surface of the second member to the photoconductive surface of the first member, the portions remaining on the surface of the second member constituting the desired image; end means for transferring the desired imager to a final substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
147 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member including a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image having image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage; a second member charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages and having a second surface adapted for resilient engagement with the first surface; a third member adapted for depositing on the surface of the second member a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged Toner particles greater than 15%; means for obtaining a desired image by selectively transferring portions of the layer of liquid toner from the surface of the second member to the photoconductive surface of the first member, the portions remaining on the surface of the second member constituting the desired image; end means for transferring the desired imager to a final substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member including a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image having image regions at a first-voltage and background regions at a second voltage; a second member having a second surface and charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages; means for resiliently urging the second surface against the first surface at an interface region; a supply system which supplies a viscous liquid toner comprising a high concentration of charged toner particles in a carrier liquid greater than 15% to the interface region; means for extruding the viscous liquid concentrate between the first and second members thereby to develop the electrostatic image; and means for transferring the developed toner image from the first surface to a final substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
131 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member including a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image having image regions at a first-voltage and background regions at a second voltage; a second member having a second surface and charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages; means for resiliently urging the second surface against the first surface at an interface region; a supply system which supplies a viscous liquid toner comprising a high concentration of charged toner particles in a carrier liquid greater than 15% to the interface region; means for extruding the viscous liquid concentrate between the first and second members thereby to develop the electrostatic image; and means for transferring the developed toner image from the first surface to a final substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge comprising: a housing; a quantity of liquid toner concentrate within the housing, the liquid toner concentrate having a first concentration of solids to liquid; and a dispensing mechanism which dispenses liquid toner concentrate from the housing having a second concentration of solids to liquid which is greater than the first concentration.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge comprising: a housing; a quantity of liquid toner concentrate within the housing, the liquid toner concentrate having a first concentration of solids to liquid; and a dispensing mechanism which dispenses liquid toner concentrate from the housing having a second concentration of solids to liquid which is greater than the first concentration.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 24 wherein the first concentration is greater than 30 percent and the second concentration is greater than 50 percent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 24 or claim 25 wherein the first concentration is less than 35 percent and the second concentration is greater than 50 percent.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 24 wherein the dispensed liquid toner concentrate is crumbly in texture end almost dry to the touch.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 27 and including a charger which electrifies the two rollers to different electrical potentials.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 24 wherein the dispensing mechanism includes at least two rollers, the first roller having a resilient surface and the second roller having a solid surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 24 and including a concentrator which reduces dilution of the quantity of liquid toner concentrate remaining in the housing after liquid toner concentrate has been dispensed therefrom.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 30 wherein a portion of the dispensed concentrate is not removed from the cartridge and wherein the unremoved portion is reclaimed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 30 wherein the means for reducing dilution comprises a capillary which draws off excess liquid and a reservoir containing absorbent material which stores the excess liquid.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 32 and further including a disperser which disperses the reclaimed portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 33 wherein the disperser a pair of rods bearing teeth which rotate in opposite directions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
A liquid toner developer cartridge according to claim 24 and also comprising a developer roller on which the liquid toner concentrate is dispensed.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
195 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member having a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage; a cartridge comprising: a housing; a quantity of liquid toner concentrate within the housing, the liquid toner concentrate comprising toner particles and carrier liquid end having a first concentration of solid to liquid; and a dispensing mechanism which dispenses liquid toner concentrate from the housing having a second concentration of solids to liquid which is greater than the first concentration, said liquid toner concentrate being dispensed on a second surface of a second member, said second member being charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages and said second surface being adapted for operative engagement with the first surface eta first, development, region whereat the latent images is developed by the selective transfer of portions of the layer of liquid toner from the second surface to the first surface at the first region to form a developed image on the first member; end means for transferring the developed image from the first member to a final substrate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
195 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a first member having a first surface having formed thereon a latent electrostatic image, the latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage; a cartridge comprising: a housing; a quantity of liquid toner concentrate within the housing, the liquid toner concentrate comprising toner particles and carrier liquid end having a first concentration of solid to liquid; and a dispensing mechanism which dispenses liquid toner concentrate from the housing having a second concentration of solids to liquid which is greater than the first concentration, said liquid toner concentrate being dispensed on a second surface of a second member, said second member being charged to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages and said second surface being adapted for operative engagement with the first surface eta first, development, region whereat the latent images is developed by the selective transfer of portions of the layer of liquid toner from the second surface to the first surface at the first region to form a developed image on the first member; end means for transferring the developed image from the first member to a final substrate.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
164 words
An imaging method comprising the steps of: forming a latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage on a first surface of a first member; charging a second member having a second surface adapted for operative engagement with the first surface at a first, development, region to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages; resiliently urging a third member against the second surface at a second region; supplying liquid toner comprising charged toner particles and carrier liquid to the second region end forming a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged toner particles greater than 15% on the second surface; developing the latent image by the selective transfer of portions of the layer of liquid toner from the second surface to the first surface at the first region to form a developed image on the first member; and transferring the developed image from the first member to a final substrate.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
164 words
An imaging method comprising the steps of: forming a latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage on a first surface of a first member; charging a second member having a second surface adapted for operative engagement with the first surface at a first, development, region to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages; resiliently urging a third member against the second surface at a second region; supplying liquid toner comprising charged toner particles and carrier liquid to the second region end forming a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged toner particles greater than 15% on the second surface; developing the latent image by the selective transfer of portions of the layer of liquid toner from the second surface to the first surface at the first region to form a developed image on the first member; and transferring the developed image from the first member to a final substrate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
137 words
An imaging method comprising the steps of: forming a latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage on a first surface of a first member; charging a second surface of a second member to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages; resiliently urging the second surface against the first surface; depositing on the surface of the second member a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged toner particles greater than 15%; forming a desired image by selectively transferring portions of the layer of liquid toner from the surface of the second member to the first surface of the first member, the portions remaining on the surface of the second member constituting the desired image; and transferring the desired image to a final substrate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
137 words
An imaging method comprising the steps of: forming a latent electrostatic image including image regions at a first voltage and background regions at a second voltage on a first surface of a first member; charging a second surface of a second member to a third voltage intermediate the first and second voltages; resiliently urging the second surface against the first surface; depositing on the surface of the second member a thin layer of liquid toner containing a concentration of charged toner particles greater than 15%; forming a desired image by selectively transferring portions of the layer of liquid toner from the surface of the second member to the first surface of the first member, the portions remaining on the surface of the second member constituting the desired image; and transferring the desired image to a final substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-24 | 1999-01-23 | 1999-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-24 | 2003-01-23 | 2003-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-24 | 2007-01-23 | 2007-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |