US 5,296,899 A · Segmented backing assembly for toning an electrostatic image

Abstract

An apparatus for retaining a recording medium in close proximity to a toner applicator using a segmented backing support, wherein the backing support is comprised of several closely spaced backing segments. Each of the segments is elastically mounted above the recording medium such that the segments are pushed against the recording medium. The downward force exerted on the recording medium by the backing segments is sufficient to overcome the upward force generated on the recording medium by air and toner expelled from the surface of the toner applicator. As a result, the recording medium is kept close enough to the toner applicator such that air does not leak excessively from between the toner applicator and the recording medium. A plurality of the backing segments are arranged closely together such that the recording medium is pressed against the toner applicator along the entire surface of the toner applicator. The position of each of the backing segments is adjustable to variations in the surface of the toner applicator. Additionally, the backing segments may be used to control the voltage on the recording medium.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A backing assembly for an electrostatic recorder or copier comprising:

a positive pressure toner applicator having a length spanning the entire width of a recording medium and having a toning surface thereon, said toning surface in fluid communication with said recording medium for applying toner thereto, said recording medium disposed across said toning surface, said applicator generating pressure against said recording medium, thereby pushing said recording medium away from said applicator,
a rigid cross member positioned above and parallel to said toning surface of said toner applicator, said cross member extending in a lengthwise direction completely across said applicator, and
a plurality of closely spaced backing segments having flat bottom surfaces, each of said backing segments elastically coupled to said rigid cross member and disposed between said cross member and said applicator, said backing segments urged toward said applicator in a manner balancing said pressure against said recording medium to the extent that said recording medium is spaced in close proximity to said toning surface.

An electrostatic recorder or copier system comprising:

a web of material capable of supporting an electrostatic image, said web of material movable from an upstream roll to a downstream roll,
means disposed in close proximity to said web of material for forming an electrostatic image onto said web of material,
a positive pressure toner applicator having a length spanning the entire width of said web of material and having a toning surface thereon, said toning surface in fluid communication with said web of material for applying toner thereto, said web of material disposed across said toning surface, said applicator generating a force against said web of material,
a rigid cross member positioned above and parallel to said toning surface of said toner applicator, said cross member extending in a lengthwise direction completely across said applicator, and
a plurality of closely spaced backing segments, each of said backing segments elastically coupled to said rigid cross member such that said backing segments are disposed between said cross member and said applicator, said backing segments urged toward said applicator in a manner balancing said force against said web of material to the extent that said web of material is spaced in close proximity to said toning surface.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Segmented backing assembly for toning an electrostatic image

Life of this patent

Segmented backing assembly for toning an electrostatic image

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21