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. 07, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1998
Christopher Snelling, E. Rochester, NY (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
An electrostatic sonic toner release (electrostatic STORE) development apparatus, and a multicolor image reproduction machine including such a development apparatus are provided for creating toner images with reduced development fields. The electrostatic sonic toner release (electrostatic STORE) development apparatus includes a development housing defining a sump for holding developer material containing the toner particles; developer moving assembly mounted within the sump for transporting developer material within the sump; and a donor assembly mounted partially within the sump for receiving toner particles from the developer moving assembly, and for transporting the toner particles through a development nip of the reproduction machine. The donor assembly includes an acoustically deformable loudspeaker-like assembly having first and second electrode members; a dielectric member separating the first and second electrode members, means for creating air pockets against at least one of the first and second electrode members, and a polarizing voltage coupled to the first and second electrode members for generating electrostatic forces to cause acoustic motions in the acoustically deformable loudspeaker-like assembly, thereby resulting in toner release from the donor assembly, reduced image degrading electrostatic fields, and relatively higher quality image development.