Multi-roll development system

An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a flexible photoconductive member, wherein the improvement includes:

• first means, positioned closely adjacent to the photoconductive member defining a first development zone therebetween, for transporting the developer material into contact with the photoconductive member in the first development zone;
• second means, spaced from said first transporting means and positioned closely adjacent to the photoconductive member defining a second development zone therebetween, for transporting the developer material into contact with the photoconductive member in the second development zone;
• means for maintaining the photoconductive member, in the region of at least the first development zone and the second development zone, at a preselected tension of sufficient magnitude so that the developer material being transported into contact with the photoconductive member, in at least the first development zone and the second development zone, deflects the photoconductive member about said first transporting means and said second transporting means to form a wrapped first development zone and a wrapped second development zone;
• and
• third means, spaced from said second transporting means and positioned closely adjacent to the photoconductive member defining a third development zone therebetween, for transporting developer material into contact, in at least the third development zone, with the photoconductive member, said third transporting means receiving developer material from said second transporting means forming a blanket of developer material therebetween, said first transporting means, said second transporting means and said third transporting means transporting developer material into contact with the latent image recorded on the photoconductive member to optimize development thereof.