Electrostatic image development system having tensioned flexible recording member
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorGilbert J. Hatch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus in which a developer roller transports insulating developer material into contact with a flexible member in a development zone so as to develop a latent image recorded thereon. The flexible member is maintained at a preselected tension. In this way, the developer material being transported into contact with the latent image spaces the flexible member from the developer roller. The thickness of the layer of developer material on the developer roller is adjustable to control the spacing between the flexible member and the developer roller. In this way, development of solid areas and lines in the latent image may be optimized.
Claims8
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a flexible member with an insulating developer material, including:
- means, positioned closely adjacent to the flexible member defining a development zone therebetween, for transporting the developer material into contact with the flexible member in the development zone so as to develop the latent image recorded thereon;
- means for maintaining the flexible member at a preselected tension of sufficient magnitude so that the developer material being transported into contact therewith spaces the flexible member from said transporting means;
- and
- means for adjusting the thickness of the developer material being transported into the development zone to control the spacing between the flexible member and said transporting means so as to optimize development of solid areas and lines in the latent image.
A method of developing a latent image recorded on a flexible member, including the steps of:
- transporting an insulating developer material into contact with the flexible member in a development zone so as to develop the latent image recorded thereon;
- maintaining the flexible member at a pre-selected tension of sufficient magnitude so that the developer material being transported into contact therewith spaces the flexible member from the developer material transport;
- and
- adjusting the thickness of the developer material being transported into the development zone to control the spacing between the flexible member and the development material transport so as to optimize development of solid areas and lines in the latent image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.