Donor belt and electrode structure supported behind the belt for developing electrostatic images with toner
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorFred W. Schmidlin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A scavengeless development system in which toner is detached from a donor belt and attracted to latent electrostatic images carried by an image receiver positioned adjacent the belt. Generation of a controlled powder cloud of toner particles is effected using AC electric fields created by applying an AC voltage to an embedded electrode structure stationarily positioned behind the donor belt. Unused toner is removed from the donor belt in a manner which avoids history effects due to accumulation of highly charged, relatively small toner particles on the donor belt.
Claims12
Apparatus for developing latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface with toner, said apparatus comprising:
- a supply of toner;
- a donor belt structure spaced from said charge retentive surface for conveying toner from said supply of toner to a development zone intermediate said charge retentive surface and said donor belt structure;
- means for supporting said belt for movement in an endless path whereby said belt delineates endless loop;
- said supporting means including a development shoe having an electrode structure embedded therein, said development shoe being supported within said loop and in contact with said donor belt adjacent said development zone;
- means for loading toner particles onto said donor belt structure in a loading zone;
- and.
- electrical bias means for applying a voltage to said electrode structure for forming a cloud of toner particles in said development zone
A method for developing latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface with toner, said method including the steps of
- providing a supply of toner;
- using a donor belt structure positioned adjacent said charge retentive surface, conveying toner from said supply of toner to a development zone intermediate said charge retentive surface and said donor belt structure;
- supporting said donor belt for movement in an endless path whereby said belt delineates and endless loop;
- contacting said donor belt within said loop with a development shoe having an electrode structure embedded therein;
- loading toner particles onto said donor belt structure in a loading zone;
- and
- electrically biasing said electrode structure for forming a cloud of toner particles in said development zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.