Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080240791 | ELECTROGRAPHIC DEVELOPER MIXING APPARATUS AND PROCESS - A developer mixing apparatus, comprising: a housing including a chamber that holds developer, a first ribbon blender disposed within the chamber and elongate along a first longitudinal axis; and, a second ribbon blender disposed within the chamber and elongate along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second ribbon blenders move developer in different directions. | 10-02-2008 |
20080241415 | POWDER COATING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF POWDER COATING USING AN ELECTROMAGNETIC BRUSH - Apparatus and methods for applying powder coatings to a substrate using a magnetic brush developer, including a method and apparatus for applying powder coatings to a substrate either directly or by intermediate transfer using a magnetic brush with a rotating magnetic field and for preparing the coating materials. The apparatus and method includes a supply of prepared powder coating material, a magnetic brush having a rotating magnetic field for applying the powder coating material to the substrate; and an electric field between the magnetic brush having a rotating magnetic field and the substrate. | 10-02-2008 |
20090052914 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WIDE FORMAT TONING - A printer or other powder deposition device may include multiple toning stations, and the toning stations may be positioned in various configurations within the device. The various configurations may position the toning stations so as to increase the toning width of the device, thereby allowing the device to print larger process widths. The device may also perform processing control for the multiple toning stations. | 02-26-2009 |
20090074469 | DUAL CHANNEL APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING POWDER IN AN ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC PRINTER - An apparatus and method for distributed mixing and transport of toner and powders in an electrostatographic printer containing at least powder and magnetic carrier. The apparatus includes a powder conveying apparatus for transporting powder in a developer station including a development station housing having two or more auger assemblies, each auger assembly including two or more screw augers supported in a channel profile. The two or more screw augers having multiple intermeshed screw blades and controlled by a conveyance controller. The conveyance controller is in communication with the powder the one or more augers, such that each auger preferentially mixes and transports in a first or second direction as the powder conveying device conveys the powder in the developer sump of a print engine. | 03-19-2009 |
20090136267 | MAGNETIC SCAVENGER FOR AN ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC PRINTER - An apparatus and method for managing magnetic carrier in an electrostatographic printer including an apparatus for directing magnetic carrier from the photoconductor, back toward the feed apparatus wherein the apparatus includes a magnetic carrier scavenger such that there is more magnetic carrier volume in the direction of the feed apparatus as well as a well to collect any magnetic carrier that does not move toward the feed apparatus. | 05-28-2009 |
20090150402 | SECURITY CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and system for generating security customization data that is stored in a database allowing the security feature to be transferred from the database to a local printer to be printed as a verifiable marking usable for security image identification without local intervention or knowledge. Database access is controlled using the one or more access codes in conjunction with a controller and database that are remote from the printer or has remote control so that only those with access to that portion of the database can make changes. | 06-11-2009 |
20090190961 | ELECTROGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTED REPLENISHMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD - A developer station and related method for distributed replenishment of toner as well as powder coatings and related materials. The developer station is divided into a first space adjacent or within a second space, the first space located adjacent a toner supply and the second space including a developer sump. The first space includes a toner-conveying device located in the first space, the toner-conveying device having a tapered body with a first end and a second end. A conveyance housing is located adjacent to and disposed such that the toner conveying device conveys the toner toward the developer sump as it travels from the first end of the toner conveying device to the second end of the toner conveying device, the housing having slots or openings so that the toner is deposited in the developer sump along the length of the conveying device. | 07-30-2009 |
20090239172 | CHILLED FINISH ROLLER SYSTEM AND METHOD - An apparatus for fixing of toner onto a receiver, including: a non-contact fuser capable of fusing one or more layers of toner on a receiver such that one or more toner layers reach a fusing temperature above a glass transition temperature. The apparatus also includes one or more cooling finish rollers located downstream from the non-contact fuser to lower the toner temperature. | 09-24-2009 |
20100027035 | DYNAMIC ADJUSTABLE CUSTOM COLOR PRINTER AND CUSTOM COLOR IMAGES - An electrographic printer and related method for providing a custom color including printing custom color on a receiver using a multicolor printer including at least one color module capable of printing at least one color image separation of a first color toner on an imaging member by collecting a first color toner from an imaging member, mixing the first color toner with one or more second color toners in a custom color module to produce a blended custom color toner comprising a mixture of at least the first color toner and a second color toner to produce a custom color image separation. Then printing the custom color image separation by transferring the image to a receiver and fusing the image on the receiver. | 02-04-2010 |
20100226692 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHICALLY PRODUCED BARRIER IMAGES USING AN INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER MEMBER - Systems and methods of producing image products using printing are provided. The printed image products can include stereoscopic and/or color shifting images. These images can be formed by a sequential application of a base image, a clear toner layer and a barrier image layer in a single pass through a printer. The barrier image layer can include opaque barriers (for stereoscopic or color shifting images) or can include translucent or transparent barriers (for color shifting images). | 09-09-2010 |
20100226693 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHICALLY PRODUCED BARRIER IMAGES - Systems and methods of producing image products using printing are provided. The printed image products can include stereoscopic and/or color shifting images. These images can be formed by a sequential application of a base image, a clear toner layer and a barrier image layer in a single pass through a printer. The barrier image layer can include opaque barriers (for stereoscopic or color shifting images) or can include translucent or transparent barriers (for color shifting images). | 09-09-2010 |
20100232836 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PRODUCING GRADIENT INDEX OPTICS BY SEQUENTIAL PRINTING OF TONERS HAVING DIFFERENT INDICES OF REFRACTION - Systems and methods of producing image products using printing are provided. The image products are produced by sequentially applying a base image, a first clear toner and a second clear toner. The first clear toner forms one or more lenses, and the first and second clear toners have different indexes of refraction. The image products produced by the systems and methods can be lenticular image products that display different images depending upon a viewing angle. | 09-16-2010 |
20100247154 | DEVELOPER STATION WITH AUGER SYSTEM - A developer station and method for an electrophotographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump of magnetic developer, and a magnetic brush roller mounted above said sump and having a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core. The toning shell defines a nip at its closest point to the photoconductor element. A tangent line tangent to the cylindrical toning shell at the nip is oriented substantially vertically, and the magnetic developer is applied to the toning shell at an angular distance of no more than about 120° from said nip. The toning shell may be eccentrically mounted with respect to the magnetic core and is substantially closest to the rotatable magnetic core within about +30° and −30° from said nip. Such a configuration advantageously reduces the residence time of the developer on the toning shell. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247155 | DEVELOPER STATION WITH TAPERED AUGER SYSTEM - A developer station and method for an electrographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump for holding a reservoir of magnetic developer comprising toner and carrier and a magnetic auger mounted above said sump and including a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical rotatable toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core, said shell being adjacent to the photoconductor drum and defining a nip and a conveyance device for transporting developer in the developer station in a flow direction. The conveyance device has a tapered auger including a shaft and one or more blades such that the developer volume in the flow direction is controlled to maintain a uniform developer level in the sump as well as a conveyance controller for controlling the conveying device, including the tapered auger such that the tapered auger preferentially creates an uniform layer of developer on the toning shell. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247162 | DEVELOPER STATION FOR AN ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTER HAVING REDUCED DEVELOPER AGITATION - A developer station and method for an eletrographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump of magnetic developer, and a magnetic brush roller mounted above said sump and having a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core. The toning shell defines a nip at its closest point to the photoconductor element. A tangent line tangent to the cylindrical toning shell at the nip is oriented substantially vertically, and the magnetic developer is applied to the toning shell at an angular distance of no more than about 120° from said nip. The toning shell may be eccentrically mounted with respect to the magnetic core and is substantially closest to the rotatable magnetic core within about +30° and −30° from said nip. Such a configuration advantageously reduces the residence time of the developer on the toning shell. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247163 | DEVELOPER STATION AND METHOD FOR AN ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTER WITH MAGNETICALLY ENABLED DEVELOPER REMOVAL - A developer station for an electrographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump of magnetic developer, and a magnetic brush roller mounted above said sump and having a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core. The toning shell defines a nip at its closest point to the photoconductor element. A toning shell and magnetic core radius along with the eccentric offset of the toning shell from the rotating magnetic core are used in combination with the magnetic properties of the rotating magnetic core to determine the radius of the toning shell and magnetic core to improve the skiving and removal of developer from the toning shell after the developer has passed through the nip with the photoconductor element. | 09-30-2010 |
20100316415 | DEVELOPER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VARIABLE FLOW RATE OF DEVELOPER IN AN ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTER - A developer system and method for an electrographic printer is provided that provides a variable rate of developer flow to the photoconductor drum of the printer. The system includes a magnetic brush having a magnetic core surrounded by a toning shell that rotatably conveys a layer of developer to the photoconductor element; a sump containing a reservoir of developer, and a variable speed conveyor roller. | 12-16-2010 |
20100316416 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A STABLE AND HIGH FLOW RATE OF DEVELOPER IN AN ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTER - A developer system and method for an electrographic printer is provided that provides a stable and high rate of developer flow to the photoconductor drum of the printer. The system includes a magnetic brush having a magnetic core surrounded by a toning shell that rotatably conveys a layer of developer to the photoconductor element; a sump containing a reservoir of developer, and a self-metering conveyor roller having a maximum magnetic field strength on its outer surface of between about 230 and 1000 gauss, and a minimum magnetic field strength of no less than about 30% of the maximum field strength. A driving assembly rotates the conveyor roller at a saturation speed that saturates the capacity of the conveyor roller to deliver developer to said toning shell. The self-metering conveyor roller obviates the need for a metering skive to provide a stable flow rate of developer, and increases the printing speed of the printer by providing a higher flow rate of developer to the photoconductor drum of the printer. | 12-16-2010 |
20100316417 | DEVELOPER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A STABLE FLOW RATE OF DEVELOPER IN AN ELECTROGRAPHIC PRINTER - A developer system and method for an electrographic printer is provided that provides a stable and high rate of developer flow to the photoconductor drum of the printer. The system includes a magnetic brush having a magnetic core surrounded by a toning shell that rotatably conveys a layer of developer to the photoconductor element; a sump containing a reservoir of developer, and a self-metering conveyor roller having a maximum magnetic field strength on its outer surface of between about 100 and 1000 gauss, and a minimum magnetic field strength of no less than about 30% of the maximum field strength. A driving assembly rotates the conveyor roller at a saturation speed that saturates the capacity of the conveyor roller to deliver developer to said toning shell. The self-metering conveyor roller obviates the need for a metering skive to provide a stable flow rate of developer, and increases the printing speed of the printer by providing a higher flow rate of developer to the photoconductor drum of the printer. | 12-16-2010 |
20100322680 | PREHEATING OF SUBSTRATES - An electrophotographic imaging apparatus is provided which is capable of performing a method of preparing a non-metal substrate. The method can include imaging at least one surface of the non-metal substrate with a toner composition, the toner composition including IR absorbers. The method can further include exposing the toner composition to IR radiation through the substrate, thereby pre-heating the toner composition and preheating the substrate to a temperature less than a glass transition temperature of the substrate. The method can further include fusing the pre-heated imaged non-metal substrate at a predetermined temperature so that the average temperature of the substrate during and after fusing is less than a glass transition temperature of the substrate. | 12-23-2010 |
20110026976 | ELECTROGRAPHIC IMAGE DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND PROCESS - A method for forming an electrographic image includes providing an imaging member having an electrostatic image and a toning shell adjacent to the imaging member to take into account the slippage as a result of toner particles that are approximately spherical. | 02-03-2011 |
20110033209 | FEED ROLLER HAVING TAKE-OFF MAGNETS - An electrophotographic imaging system has a dielectric support member (DSM), a primary charging station configured to form a charge layer on the DSM, and an exposure station configured to selectively discharge the charge layer formed on the DSM, thereby producing a latent image on the DSM. The electrophotographic imaging system also has a development station configured to develop the latent image on the DSM with toner. The development station has a rotating shell, a rotating magnetic core within the rotating shell, and a sump. The development station also has a feeding apparatus configured to supply fresh developer from the sump to the rotating shell. The feeding apparatus has a feed roller, one or more feed magnets within the feed roller, and one or more take-off magnets within the feed roller. The feed roller is rotatable around the one or more feed magnets and the one or more take-off magnets. | 02-10-2011 |
20110044728 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO REDUCE HIGH-FREQUENCY BANDING FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT STATIONS - A method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a photoconductor is disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a photoconductor such that a banding reduction ratio is not a ratio of differing low whole numbers. Another method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a rotating magnetic core is also disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a rotating speed of the rotating magnetic core such that from the point of view of a spot on a dielectric support member (DSM) in a nip region of the DSM, a similar point on the rotating shell is substantially in alignment with the DSM spot in the nip region when a pole flip occurs. | 02-24-2011 |
20110044729 | HIGH-FREQUENCY BANDING REDUCTION FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER - A method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a rotating magnetic core is disclosed. A rotating angular velocity of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a angular velocity of a photoconductor such that a ratio of these angular velocities is not a ratio of whole numbers. | 02-24-2011 |
20110069394 | LENS ARRAY IMAGE - A lens array image includes a substrate, a first lens on a first side of the substrate, and a second lens on the first side of the substrate. The first and second lenses form a lens array. Respective first image segments are at the second side of the substrate. Each of the first image segments is in focus when viewed from a first viewing angle through a respective one of the first and second lenses. Respective second image segments are at a second side of the substrate. Each of the second image segments is in focus when viewed from a second viewing angle through a respective one of the first and second lenses. At least a portion of each of the first image segments is on a first plane. At least a portion of the respective second image segments is on a second plane. The first plane is different than the second plane. | 03-24-2011 |
20120076541 | METHODS FOR OPERATING AN AUGER IN A DEVELOPMENT STATION - Methods for operating a development station are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of: applying a first force at a first end of an auger and a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by the developer and the replenishment toner. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative auger to rotate the alternative auger against the drag and wherein the auger has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative auger. | 03-29-2012 |
20120076542 | DEVELOPMENT STATION WITH DUAL ACTUATOR DRIVE - Development stations are provided. In one aspect a development station has a housing having a recirculation path and an auger being rotatable to move the developer along at least part of the recirculation path. A first actuator drives a first end of the auger and a second actuator drives a second end. A first sensor senses a rotational position of the first end while a second sensor senses a rotational position of the second end of the auger. An auger controller causes the actuators to act so that a first force and a second force rotate the auger against a drag. The first force and the second force are less than a third force to drive an alternative auger from a driven end. The auger has a first end yield strength and a second end yield strength that are less than a driven end yield strength of the alternative auger. | 03-29-2012 |
20120076543 | DEVELOPMENT STATION WITH DUAL DRIVE - Development stations are provided. In one aspect, a development station has a housing having a recirculation path an auger being rotatable to move the developer along at least part of the recirculation path. A drive transmission has a first output mechanically linked for movement with a first end of the auger and a second output mechanically linked for movement with a second end of the auger and distributes a force at an input end between a first force provided at the first output and at a second force provided at the second output to rotate the auger against a drag. The first force and the second force are less than a third force to drive an alternative auger from a driven end. The auger has a first end yield strength and a second end yield strength that are each less than a driven end yield strength of the alternative auger. | 03-29-2012 |
20120076544 | METHODS FOR OPERATING DEVELOPMENT STATION AUGER - In one aspect, methods are provided for operating a development station. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of applying a first force at a first end of an auger and applying a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by a developer and a replenishment toner being moved by rotation of the auger; and, tensioning the auger along a length of the auger by urging the first end of the auger away from the second end and by urging the second end of the auger away from the first end. | 03-29-2012 |
20120076545 | DEVELOPMENT STATION WITH AUGER TENSIONING - Development stations are provided. In one aspect a development station has a housing having a recirculation path and an auger being rotatable to move the developer along part of the recirculation path. A first output is at a first end of the auger through which a first urging force urging the first end of the auger away from the second end can be applied and a second output at a second end of the auger through which a second urging force urging the second end away from the first end can be applied. At least one actuator generates an input force from which at least one of the first force and the second force can be provided; and a separator provides the first urging force and the second urging force to create a tension in the auger. | 03-29-2012 |
20120193468 | CORE DRIVING METHOD FOR PRINTER WEB MEDIUM SUPPLY - Methods for operating a printer web medium supply are provided in one aspect of the method. An input force is received and the input force is distributed to supply first force at a first end of a core having a web wound thereon and to supply a second force at a second end of the core with the first force and the second force being sufficient to control rotation the core against an inertial load of the core and web medium wound thereon. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate the alternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core. | 08-02-2012 |
20120195671 | PRINTER WEB MEDIUM SUPPLY WITH DRIVE SYSTEM - Web medium supplies for a printer that uses a web medium on a core and printers are provided. In one aspect, the web medium supply has a frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation. A first core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation and a second core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation. Rotation of the core is controlled by a first force applied to the first core mounting and a second force applied to the second core mounting that are both less than a third force that is sufficient to drive an alternative core against an inertial load of the core and web from one driven end. | 08-02-2012 |
20130022372 | FEED AUGER WITH PADDLES - A development system ( | 01-24-2013 |
20130022373 | METHOD OF USING FEED AUGER WITH PADDLES - A development system ( | 01-24-2013 |
20130034372 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO REDUCE HIGH-FREQUENCY BANDING FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT STATIONS - A method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a photoconductor is disclosed. A rotating speed of the rotating shell is adjusted, relative to a rotating speed of the rotating magnetic core such that from the point of view of a spot on a dielectric support member (DSM) in a nip region of the DSM, a similar point on the rotating shell is substantially in alignment with the DSM spot in the nip region when a pole flip occurs. | 02-07-2013 |