The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 1985
Filed:
Oct. 27, 1981
Coulter Systems Corporation, Bedford, MA (US);
Abstract
A method of developing a latent electrostatic charge image formed on a photoconductor surface comprising the steps of applying a thin viscous layer of electrically charged toner particles to an applicator roller preferably by electrically assisted separation thereof from a liquid toner suspension, defining a restricted passage between the applicator roller and the photoconductor surface which approximates the thickness of the viscous layer, transferring the toner particles from the applicator roller to the photoconductor surface due to the preferential adherence thereof to the photoconductor surface under the dominant influence of the electric field strength of the electrostatic latent image carried by said photoconductive surface, the quantity of toner particles transferred being proportional to the relative incremental field strength of the latent electrostatic image. Apparatus is provided for carrying out the method of the invention which includes an applicator roller mounted for rotation in a container for toner suspension, an electrode arranged adjacent the circumferential surface of said roller to define an electrodeposition chamber therebetween and electrical connections between the said roller, electrode and a voltage source to enable electrolytic separation of toner particles in the chamber forming a thin highly viscous layer of concentrated toner particles on the roller, the roller arranged to define a virtual 'zero' gap with the photoconductive surface carrying the latent electrostatic image, the virtual 'zero' gap approximating the thickness of the electrodeposited toner layer.