Apparatus for neutralizing toner in a no charge exchange transfer

Method for neutralizing toner particles on a copy member after toner particles are transferred from a photoconductor to the copy member in the nip region between a no-charge-exhange transfer roller and the photoconductor were the toner particle transfer is in reponse to a bias field emanating from the transfer roller comprising the steps of:

• wrapping the copy member on the no-charge-exchange transfer roller for a predetermined distance after the nip region whereby toner particles are held on the copy member by the bias field of the transfer roller;
• spraying ions onto the toner particles on the copy member before the copy member unwraps from the transfer roller, said ions being of a polarity opposite to the charge on the toner particles, said spraying of ions providing sufficient charge to neutralize the toner particles before the copy member leaves the region of wrap about the transfer roller.

In a xerographic copying process having a no-charge-exchange transfer roller with an electric field emanating therefrom for transferring toner particles from a photoconductor to a copy web, the improvement comprising;

• means for neutralizing the toner particles to substantially zero net charge;
• said neutralizing means being mounted adjacent the toner image side of the copy web after the copy web has left the nip between the transfer roller and the photoconductor and before the copy member has left the influence of the electric field from the transfer roller.