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:
Nov. 14, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 27, 1999
Mitsuyoshi Watanabe, Nagoya, JP;
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya, JP;
Abstract
The image forming apparatus is provided with: a developer retainer formed with a number of fine through-holes retaining liquid developer; and a photosensitive drum that forms images thereon. The photosensitive drum is formed with an electrically-charged latent image on its surface. When the liquid developer retained in the developer retainer approaches the latent image, the liquid surface of the liquid developer is attracted toward the photosensitive drum surface, by the electric field, at regions where the positively-charged latent image exists. As a result, the liquid developer adheres to the latent image. At regions where no latent image is formed, due to the wettability of the mesh wall with respect to the liquid developer, the liquid level is maintained as being fixed. Accordingly, the liquid developer does not adhere to the portion where no latent image is formed. The adhesion of the liquid developer only onto the portion where the latent image is formed develops the latent image into a visible image.