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. 28, 2006
Filed:
May. 31, 2001
Martin Berg, Munich, DE;
Martin Schleusener, Zomeding, DE;
Volkhard Maess, Pliening, DE;
Oce′ Printing Systems GmbH, Poing, DE;
Abstract
In a device and method for electrographic printing or copying, a latent image carrier is provided having a potential pattern corresponding to an image pattern. An applicator pattern is provided that carries a liquid layer of ink spaced from a surface of the latent image carrier by an air gap. A surface of the applicator element is provided with a structure with which detachment of droplets from the liquid layer is facilitated, the structure having a plurality of first areas having an increased electrical conductivity, a plurality of second areas that differ from a remaining surface based on a portion of surface energy, and a plurality of third areas formed as microscopic elevations. A force field is applied in the air gap to act on the liquid layer. By overcoming the air gap, droplets are transferred from the liquid layer on the surface of the latent image carrier by overcoming the air gap for inking a latent image to create an inked image.