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:
Apr. 07, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1996
Anton Rodi, Leimen, DE;
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg, DE;
Abstract
A method of developing an electrostatic latent image produced on a surface of a movable intermediate carrier by electrically-charged dielectric color particles which are transported through a gap between the surface of the intermediate carrier and a surface of a developing device includes loosely filling most of the gap with color particles, and successively producing, along the transport path of the color particles through the gap, the following voltage differences between the surface of the developing device and non-image regions on the surface of the intermediate carrier: a first voltage difference substantially equal to zero, so that the color particles are not electrostatically attracted or repelled, in substance, by the surface of the developing device and by the non-image regions, respectively; a second voltage difference providing an electric field between the surface of the developing device and the non-image regions, the color particles in the non-image regions being completely separated from the surface of the intermediate carrier by the electric field; and a third voltage difference smaller than the second voltage difference and providing an electric field between the surface of the developing device and the non-image regions, the color particles situated opposite the surface of the intermediate carrier in the non-image regions remaining spaced from the latter surface; and a device for performing the method.