Electrostatic printing plate possessing a tiered surface
AssigneeElectrox Corporation
InventorsDietmar C. Eberlein, Robert H. Detig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the electrostatic printing of dry or wet toners using a novel tiered printing plate allows for superior and efficient transfer of toner from the plate to the printed item. The process for producing the printing plate uses photo polymer film resist with a positive photo tool which after developing yields trenches between ridges of hardened photo polymer which hold the toner in desired pattern.
Claims12
An electrostatic printing apparatus having a printing plate which is comprised of a tiered printing plate.
A method for preparing a tiered electrostatic printing plate comprising the steps of:
- A) coating an electrically conductive substrate with a charge retention layer;
- B) forming a pattern in said charge retention layer by removing portions of said charge retention layer, thereby forming a pattern of trenches of uncoated substrate between a pattern of charge retention layer.
A method for the electrostatic printing of toner on a receiving object, comprising the steps of
- A) applying an electrical charge to a tiered printing plate having a pattern of trenches;
- B) developing the charged, tiered printing plate with toner, thereby depositing toner in said trenches of said printing plate;
- C) placing the toner developed printing plate in proximate contact with the receiving object;
- D) applying a charge to said receiving object, and thereby transferring said toner to said receiving object;
- E) removing said printing plate from said receiving object;
- and
- F) removing the charge from said receiving object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.