Moore Business Forms, Inc.

Moore U.s.a., Inc.

Other

Orrin D Christy

Mark A Matheis

John E Pickett

Kevin J Hook

Leo Swanson

Daniel E Kanfoush

Dennis C Pollutro

Paul J Paroff

Robert I Thomson

James R Halliday

Michael D Akins

Theodore F Cyman, Jr

Dominick L Monico

James M Schweitzer

Mark J Muranyi

Marc Cousoulis

David Hargreaves

Mark E Ruchalski

T F Cyman

Dan Kanfoush

Alan Murzynowski

David J Holler

Mark A Muranyi

David J Holler, Deceased

A system and method for applying electrically charged non-magnetic toner to an image device, and subsequently to a moving substrate, provides precise level control, proper control of the electrical charge of the toner, minimization of dusting problems, and maximum evenness of the toner layer. First and second fluidized toner beds have the toner in them charged using corona sources. The second bed maintains a level of toner above the level in the first bed, and a spillway-defining restraining dam is disposed between the beds so that the toner above the level desired in the second bed spills over the restraining dam into the first bed, allowing very precise control of the level of toner in the second bed. Toner transfer mechanisms (such as rotating conductive cylinders) transfer toner from the first bed to the second bed, and from the second bed to the image device. Scrapers scrape excess toner from the rotating cylinders so that it falls back into either the first or second bed.

Multi-roller monocomponent toner applicator

A shielding conductive plane, such as a copper layer, which acts as an intermediary layer between an electrically active area and a mechanical substrate of an electron beam cartridge, provides a direct electrical path to control and direct RF currents, minimizing stray electrical noise which interferes with other sensor devices of the printer, such as data system lines and low voltage controlling electronics. The intermediary layer is electrically insulated from the active area and the mechanical substrate by insulating material and through suitable electrical connections provides an adequate way to dissipate the current path of the RF high voltage burst to return to a grounding source. Capacitive coupling of the electrode drivers or the finger electrodes themselves to the mechanical substrate is unnecessary.

Print cartridge RF return current control

A substrate capable of receiving and retaining imaging is coded so as to maximize the amount of the scannable information that can be packed into an area, and/or to provide an effective security feature. A first machine readable identification code (e.g. bar code) is imaged on a predetermined area of the substrate, and is opaque to a first predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic energy (e.g. the infra-red region of light). An overlay is applied over and at least partially covering the first code. The overlay is transparent to the first wavelength range, and opaque to a second wavelength range (e.g. the visible spectrum of light). The overlay may be a security block which substantially completely covers the first code, or may be a second bar code (or additional codes) which is transparent to the second range. The codes may be read by multiple passes of different scanner heads by relative movement between the heads and the substrate, or by a scanner in which first and second (or more) different scanner heads are mounted together so that two different wavelength range bar codes on the substrate may be read at the same time.

Multi-layer bar code arrangement using wavelength separation

A method and apparatus are provided for 'field effect imaging' of moving substrates, such as webs of paper. Non-conductive, non-magnetic toner having approximately a 5-20 micron mean particle size is electrically charged to a level of at least about 8 micro Coulombs/gram and then a first roller with a conductive surface is brought into operative association with the electrically charged toner so that toner particles adhere to the surface. The toner particles are preferably maintained in an electrostatic fluidized bed, and charged by a corona element in the bed. An array of pin or stylus primary electrodes are selectively energized or de-energized to provide no-write or write condition, respectively using a computer to switch the electrodes into or out of operative connection to a source of electrical potential. The toner particles are transferred from the first roller to a substrate either directly (after passing past the primary electrodes), or they are first transferred to a second roller which then brings the toner particles into contact with the substrate. If a second roller is utilized, the primary electrodes can be in association with the first roller, or between the first and second rollers for transferring only 'write' toner to the second roller.

Field effect imaging apparatus using non-conductive non-magnetic toner

An erase unit for an ion deposition web-fed print engine includes a plenum extending the width of the electrostatic image on the image cylinder and defining an ionization chamber with the image cylinder surface. The plenum has first and second electrodes separated by a dielectric. Upon application of a time-varying potential having a frequency of 0.2 to 50 mHz across the electrodes, ionization occurs, causing an ion current flowing in relation to the image surface until the image surface and the biasing electrode are at the same potential, thus erasing any residual electrostatic image on the cylindrical surface. By providing a DC biasing voltage, the residual electrostatic image may be erased when equalization occurs, with the image cylinder maintaining a pre-charged potential.

Erase unit for ion deposition web-fed print engine

A method and apparatus are provided for 'field effect imaging' of moving substrates, such as webs of paper. Non-conductive, nonmagnetic toner having approximately a 5-20 micron mean particle size is electrically charged to a level of at least about 8 micro Coulombs/gram and then a first roller with a conductive surface is brought into operative association with the electrically charged toner so that toner particles adhere to the surface. The toner particles are preferably maintained in an electrostatic fluidized bed, and charged by a corona element in the bed. An array of pin or stylus primary electrodes are selectively energized or de-energized to provide no-write or write condition, respectively using a computer to switch the electrodes into or out of operative connection to a source of electrical potential. The toner particles are transferred from the first roller to a substrate either directly (after passing past the primary electrodes), or they are first transferred to a second roller which then brings the toner particles into contact with the substrate. If a second roller is utilized, the primary electrodes can be in association with the first roller, or between the first and second rollers for transferring only 'write' toner to the second roller.

Field effect toning method/apparatus

Charged toner is transferred from an image member to a web of imagable material, such as paper, using an impression cylinder without toner back scatter even at high speed (e.g. more than 150 feet per minute) movement of the paper. A nip is provided between the image member and the impression cylinder. Toner having a first polarity is applied to the image member, and a second face of a paper web is moved into contact with the image member adjacent the nip so that toner transfers from the image member to the web face. An electric potential of a first polarity is applied to the web at the first face prior to and adjacent the nip, the potential of sufficient intensity so as to substantially prevent back scatter. The electrical potential may be applied using an electrical conductive electrode biased (e.g. with a spring) into contact with the first face of the paper web, and connected up to a power supply of a first polarity. Alternatively, the electrical potential may be applied using a corona generating device connected to a power supply of the first polarity and shielded from the impression cylinder.

Like polarity biasing to control toner dusting

A specified and designated, non-primary color print (imaging) is applied to a substrate (paper) by mixing at least first and second differently colored toner particles having substantially uniform physical characteristics, and introducing them in desired proportions into a fluidized bed. The toner powders are uniformly mixed together in the fluidized bed (as by using rotors in addition to applying fluidizing air to the bed), and then a substantially uniform electrostatic charge (e.g. about +6.5-+8 kV D.C., which can be applied by blades on the rotor) is applied to the bed, and then the electrostatically charged mixture of toner particles is applied to the substrate, to image uniform non-primary color symbols on the substrate. The uniform physical characteristics of the powders are size (the vast majority of particles having a size between about 5 microns and about 25 microns), a resistivity of greater than 10.sup.12 ohm-cm, and a flowability between a predefined minimum and maximum. When utilizing the fluidized bed as according to the invention, slight changes in chemical composition of the toners may be easily accommodated without change in the resulting uniform imaging.

Color selection by mixing primary toners

A system for the delivery of a substantially uniform mono-layer of toner to an electrostatic latent image in an imaging member (such as a rotating cylinder) insures proper handling of the toner, and utilizes first and second rollers which function as a polarity filter for toner, allowing only particular charged toner to be transferred from a toner reservoir to the imaging member. The twin roller delivery system comprises first and second rollers mounted for rotation about substantially parallel substantially horizontal axes, so that the peripheral surface of the first roller receives the toner from the substantially open top reservoir, and the second roller receives toner from the first roller and transfers it to the imaging member. The first and second rollers are charged to different electrical potentials, e.g. both being positive with the second roller at a potential that is about 400 volts below the first. The rollers are rotated in opposite directions about the axes of rotation. Toner scraping is provided at specific points along the first and second rollers so that any residual toner falls into the toner reservoir, and a suction system is provided adjacent the second roller both before and after its peripheral surface transfers toner to the imaging member, to remove stray toner without disturbing the substantially uniform mono-layer of toner.

Toner delivery device

Non-magnetic toner in an electrostatic imaging system, such as the MIDAX.RTM. electronic imaging system, is dynamically recycled. Wayward airborne toner particles in the imaging system are vacuum collected to provide an air stream with entrained toner particles, and a centrifugal separator separates the particles from the entraining air. The separated particles are then dynamically returned to the imaging system. At least one airlock, which may comprise at least first and second fluid actuated or mechanically actuated valves which are spaced from each other, is provided between the separator and a reservoir for toner particles to be supplied to a fluidized bed of toner particles in the imaging system. A distribution device for distributing the toner particles in at least two different horizontal paths, to return to the reservoir.

Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling

Print cartridges for ion/electron deposition printing are periodically cleaned to provide preventive maintenance, using a simple cleaning assembly that automatically moves the cartridges first past a water washing nozzle, and then past an air drying nozzle, at slow speed, then being manually withdrawn from the cleaning assembly and replaced in the printer. The drive mechanism typically is a single roller disposed above the print cartridge, driven by a motor connected to the housing. A single water spray nozzle is disposed at an intermediate portion of the housing directed with a fan pattern spray up toward the cartridge, and a single air nozzle supplied with heated air is disposed adjacent the outlet of the cartridge. Sensing of the position of the cartridge is provided by first through fourth in-line microswitches which are disposed above the cartridge and which are cam actuated by the cartridge as it moves through the housing to control the motor driving the roller, the pump supplying water to the water nozzle, and a solenoid valve connecting the air nozzle to a source of compressed air. The cartridges are cleaned every 10,000-30,000 feet of use, and then replaced.

Print cartridge cleaning apparatus and method using water and air

Field effect toning method

Non-magnetic and non-conductive powdered toner is applied to a rotating image cylinder having an electrostatic pattern. A container having a closed bottom and sides and open top contains the powdered toner. The powder is fluidized by introducing air through a pervious closed bottom of the container, and by vibrating the container. The toner is simultaneously stirred and electrically charged to a potential of greater than about 7 kv (plus or minus polarity) by rotating elements with radial pointed appendages in the container. Toner is transferred from the container to an image cylinder at an exposed nine o'clock position of the image cylinder by a plurality of transfer cylinders. A first transfer cylinder is mounted so that its periphery is just above the open top of the container and an applicator cylinder has its axis below the axis of the first cylinder, and its periphery adjacent both the first cylinder and the image cylinder. A second cylinder is for the removal of opposite sign charged toner and low charge toner from the applicator cylinder. Scrapers scrape unused toner from the first and applicator cylinders so that it falls into the open top of the container.

Method of applying non-magnetic toner

A toner composition for developing an electrostatic latent image comprising a base toner, which is a blend of a polymeric resin and a colorant, and one or more of a lubricating agent, a flowability agent, a charge-stabilizing agent, and a conductive agent, which has certain electrical characteristics. The base toner has a mean particle diameter (D.sub.50) of 7 to 18 microns, and a bulk resistivity of greater than 10.sup.12 ohm-cm. The toner composition is prepared by blending a polymeric resin with a colorant and then blending a dry powder lubricating agent, and optionally other additives, with the base toner. The toner composition is charged by being disposed in an electrostatic fluidized bed from which the toner particles are levitated by air and then subjected to field charging created by a high voltage corona generating device contained within the bed.

Monocomponent resistive toner for field charging

Images are formed using first and second fluidized beds of non-magnetic toner having first and second, respective, single applicator rollers. A charge retentive surface such as a photoconductive belt is uniformly charged (e.g. by a corona device) to a predetermined voltage level, and at least first and second different, spaced, latent electrostatic images are formed on the surface at different locations (such as by a laser based output scanning device). The surface is then moved past the first applicator roller, and then the second applicator roller. The first fluidized bed and applicator roller are electrically biased at a first bias level effective so that the first image is developed by a non-magnetic toner transferred from the first applicator roller to the first image while development of the second image is precluded, and the second fluidized bed and second applicator roller are electrically biased at a second bias level effective so that the second image is developed by non-magnetic toner transferred from the second applicator roller to the second image while development of the first image is precluded. A negative bias may be applied to the first fluidized bed and a positive bias to the second fluidized bed, while the first and second rollers are positively biased at voltage levels at least 50 volts different. Black toner may be applied by the first fluidized bed, and colored toner by the second bed. A transfer roller may be used to transfer toner from each of the fluidized beds to its associated applicator roller.

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North Tonawanda, NY, United States of America

Orrin D Christy