US 2007/0183821 A1 · Ultrasonic backer for bias transfer systems

Abstract

Embodiments herein comprise a printing apparatus having a media path and a printing engine along the media path. The printing engine comprises a back up roll having an outer surface and an inner surface, a bias roll adjacent the outer surface of the back up roll, a photoreceptor belt, and a transfer belt. The bias roll is positioned with respect to the back up roll to form a nip between the bias roll and the back up roll. A portion of the photoreceptor belt is in the nip between the bias roll and the back up roll, and a portion of the transfer belt is in the nip between the bias roll and the photoreceptor belt. A transducer (e.g., an ultrasonic piezoelectric device) is contacting the inner surface of the back up roll. The transducer is physically connected to the back up roll in a manner such that the transducer transfers vibrations to the back up roll and to the photoreceptor belt. For example, in one embodiment, the transducer contacts and is physically biased against the inner surface of the back up roll.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a back up roll having an outer surface and an inner surface;
a bias roll adjacent said outer surface of said back up roll, wherein said bias roll is positioned with respect to said back up roll to form a nip between said bias roll and said back up roll;
a photoreceptor belt, wherein a portion of said photoreceptor belt is in said nip between said bias roll and said back up roll;
a transfer belt, wherein a portion of said transfer belt is in said nip between said bias roll and said photoreceptor belt;
and
a transducer contacting said inner surface of said back up roll.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultrasonic backer for bias transfer systems

Life of this patent

Ultrasonic backer for bias transfer systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20