Toner applicator for electrographic recording system
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorGeorge G. Lunde
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A toner applicator for delivering an optimum amount of toner powder to a recording electrode of an electrographic recording system whereby a portion of said toner may be electrographically deposited on a recording medium in the form of toner images. The toner is fed from a toner reservoir onto the recording medium in a relatively uniform layer by a toner supply means that is adjustable to vary the thickness of the toner layer deposited on the recording medium. The toner layer is then transported on the recording medium to the recording electrode, and a magnetic field is induced in the recording electrode to draw the toner layer into a position bridging between the recording electrode and the recording medium for being redeposited on the recording medium in the form of toner images.
Claims11
An electrographic recording system that records toner images on a recording medium and includes first and second opposed electrodes spaced apart to define a recording region therebetween, means for driving the recording medium through said recording region, and a toner applicator for transporting electrically conductive toner powder from a toner reservoir to said recording region into a condition for being selectively deposited on said recording medium in response to the selective application of voltage record pulses across said electrodes, which toner applicator comprises:
- a toner supply means for depositing a precise amount of said toner powder on a portion of one surface of said recording medium in a uniform layer of adjustable density, which toner powder is deposited prior to said portion entering said recording region;
- and
- a force means for attracting said toner powder from said portion of said recording medium as said portion enters the recording region, and for arranging said toner to bridge between said first of said electrodes and said recording medium.
A process for supplying toner powder to the recording region of an electrographic recording system, which process comprises:
- 1. arranging first and second electrode means in a spaced opposed relationship to provide a recording region therebetween;
- 2. guiding a recording medium through said recording region;
- 3. depositing a uniform layer of toner powder on a portion of said recording medium prior to movement of the recording medium through said recording region;
- 4. attracting the toner powder from said portion of said recording medium when said portion enters said recording region;
- and
- 5. arranging the toner powder from said portion of said medium to bridge between one of said electrodes and the recording medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.