Research and Development Laboratories of Ohno Co., Ltd.

Genji Ohno

Eiichi Inoue

Tadamitsu Uchiyama

Hishao Morohashi

Seisaku Ohki

Method is disclosed for developing electrostatic latent images, utilizing a developer supply unit formed of a liquid repellent layer having a thickness in the range of 3.mu. to 400.mu. (preferably 5.mu. to 330.mu.), and a substrate, and having uniformly distributed pores disposed therethrough. A liquid developer is supplied to the back surface of this unit, and an exposing unit is disposed to form electrostatic latent images onto the front surface of the developer supply unit. As a result, the liquid developer applied to the back surface of the liquid repellent layer is distributed on the front surface by the action of the electric field established by the latent image.

Electrostatic developing method

This apparatus is disclosed for developing electrostatic latent images, comprising a developer supply unit having a first liquid repellent layer with a thickness in the range of 3 - 400.mu.(preferably 5 - 330.mu.). The first layer is disposed on a surface of a substrate, having a plurality of closely spaced pores distributed uniformly over the entire surface of the substrate and penetrating to the back surface thereof. A liquid developer is supplied to a first or back surface of this unit. A photoconductive sensitive plate is spaced closely to a front or second surface of the developer supply unit, to attract the developer to exude through the pores from the first surface of the said liquid repellent layer. More specifically, an electrostatic voltage is applied between the developer supply unit and the photoconductive sensitive plate to provide an electrostatic latent image preformed of electrostatic charges. Alternatively, a latent image could be formed by exposing the plate to light images or by the effect of pre-exposed light images on the said photoconductive sensitive plate.

Electrostatic developing apparatus

A recording unit is disclosed which is provided with a hollow, very small nozzle supplied with a liquid imaging material, an electrode plate having formed therein a through hole coaxial with the nozzle and disposed opposite to the tip of the nozzle and a ring of small diameter disposed on the nozzle coaxially therewith in the vicinity of its tip or between the nozzle and the electrode plate. A convergent or unfluctuated jet of the liquid imaging material produced by a voltage applied between the nozzle and the electrode plate disposed opposite thereto is directed through the through hole of the electrode plate to a recording member or medium placed adjacent to the electrode plate on the opposite side from the nozzle. The convergent jet of the liquid imaging material thus produced is made intermittent by applying a voltage to the ring, thereby to record images.

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Yokohama, Japan

Genji Ohno