Imation Corporation

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Kay F Schilli

Russell A Roiko

James E Zenk

H Chris Gydesen

James A Baker

Mark A Sanner

William Blake Kolb

Edward J Woo

Claire A Jalbert

Christopher J Anton

Jai Venkatesan

Kent E Emerson

Joseph T Brophy

Brent J Sandstrom

Marcio Da Carvalho

Therese M Downey

An ink replenishment system for supplying a working solution of an ink to an electrographic imaging device. A plurality of removable ink cartridges each have at least a first compartment containing ink concentrate and a second compartment. A fluid handling system couples the first compartment of each ink cartridge to a respective working solution reservoir. A controller controls the flow of ink concentrate from each ink cartridge and liquid carrier from a source of liquid carrier to maintain a working solution concentration of working solution in each of the working solution reservoirs. A return system fluidly couples each of the developer stations to the second compartment of the respective ink cartridges. Alternate embodiments include one compartment and three compartment cartridges, and locating the working solution reservoir in the removable cartridge.

Liquid ink replenishment system for liquid electrographic imaging devices

A drying system and method for an electrophotographic imaging system employing a gap drying system. The electrophotographic imaging system includes a photoconductor belt. A mechanism moves the photoconductor belt in a first direction along a transport path. A scanner mechanism is positioned along the transport path for scanning a laser beam along the photoconductor belt based on image data to form a latent image of the photoconductor belt. A development station is positioned along the transport path. The development station includes a mechanism for applying a toner to a first major surface of the photoconductor belt, the toner including a carrier liquid. A gap drying system is operably located along the transport path, wherein the gap drying system removes excess carrier liquid from the photoconductor belt. The gap drying system includes a carrier liquid (i.e., solvent) vapor recovery system which is integral the gap drying system, and as such, the electrophotographic imaging system does not require an additional separate carrier liquid recovery/condenser unit.

Drying system and method for an electrophotographic imaging system

A method and valve assembly for fluidly coupling a removable ink cartridge to an imaging device. The valve assembly includes a first assembly portion and a second assembly portion. The first assembly portion includes a first housing having a first valve portion biased to a closed position. The first valve portion has a first interface surface at a distal end. A second assembly portion includes a second housing having a second valve portion biased to a closed position. The second valve portion has a second interface surface at a distal end adapted to engage with the first interface surface at a valve interface. A forward seal adapted to engage with the first interface surface and the second interface surface is positioned at the valve interface when the first and second valve portions are in the closed position.

Valve assembly for a removable ink cartridge

An ink cartridge for use in an ink replenishment system in an electrographic imaging device. The removable ink cartridge is configured to engage with a cartridge interface assembly and a detector in an ink cartridge bay on an electrographic imaging device. The ink cartridge has an outer shell comprising at least a first compartment containing a liquid ink and a second compartment. A first valve is fluidly coupled to the first compartment. Second and third valves are fluidly coupled to the second compartment. The first, second, and third valves are adapted to engage with corresponding valves at the cartridge interface assembly. A plurality of key slots are provided for receiving one or more key tabs that identify the ink cartridge. The key tabs are positioned to engage with the detector in the ink cartridge bay. A cap for an ink cartridge is also disclosed.

Ink cartridge for liquid electrographic imaging devices

A vapor control system and an electrophotographic system having a vapor control system for reducing vapor emissions. A vapor collection mechanism collects at least some of the vaporized carrier which is then transmitted to a container having a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet containing a cooling liquid, the cooling liquid having a temperature less than the temperature of the vaporized carrier but greater than zero degrees Centigrade. A vapor inlet located at a point below the surface of the cooling liquid results in the vaporized liquid bubbling through the cooling liquid and being condensed therein. The cooling liquid is immiscible with water and, preferably is the carrier liquid. Mechanical resistance devices promote increased bubble residence time and smaller bubble size.

Vapor control system for and a liquid electrographic system

The invention is an apparatus for continuously removing excess carrier liquid from a photoreceptor comprising an image drying means which contacts the photoreceptor, wherein the image drying means has an outer layer which absorbs and desorbs carrier liquid and an inner layer having a Shore A hardness of 10 to 60 which is phobic to the carrier liquid, and a heating means which heats the surface of the image drying means for at least 0.05 seconds to no more than 5.degree. C. below the flashpoint of the carrier liquid, wherein the photoreceptor is moving at a speed of greater than 45 mm/sec. The invention is also the method of removing excess carrier liquid from a photoreceptor comprising contacting the photoreceptor with such a drying element and then heating the drying element to no more than 5.degree. C. below the flashpoint of the carrier liquid for at least 0.05 seconds.

Drying method and apparatus for electrophotography using liquid toners

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Kay F Schilli