Liquid toner applicator

Claim 2

An improved developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic image present upon an imaging member by applying a liquid toner thereto, comprising: a. a pair of spaced fluid applicator means having opposed electrically conductive surfaces for providing a passageway therebetween; b. means for positioning said imaging member between the opposed surfaces of said pair of fluid applicator means; c. fluid supply means for introducing said liquid toner into said passageway and for forming a first moving body of liquid toner in contact with the image bearing surface of said imaging member and for forming a second moving body of liquid toner in contact with the other surface of said imaging member, the velocity of said first moving body of liquid toner being sufficiently higher than the velocity of said imaging member to maintain said passageway full of liquid toner and to prevent said imaging member from contacting the opposing surfaces of said pair of fluid applicator menas; and d. voltage reference means coupled to said pair of fluid applicator means for establishing a given voltage relationship between said pair of fluid applicator means.

Claim 3

The developing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distance between said opposed surfaces of said pair of spaced fluid applicator means is between 0.03 inches and 0.08 inches.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said distance between said opposed surfaces is about 0.06 inches.

Claim 5

The developing apparatus of claim 2 further including elongated electrically nonconductive guide members positioned adjacent one surface of said pair of fluid applicator means for further insuring that said imaging member does not make contact with said one surface of said pair of fluid applicator means.

Claim 6

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid supply means includes means for supplying said liquid toner to said applicator at a flow rate for producing a velocity of the first moving body of liquid toner that is above 5 inches per second greater than the velocity of the imaging member.

Claim 7

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said velocity of said first body of liquid toner is between 15 inches and 30 inches per second greater than the velocity of said imaging member.

Claim 8

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the velocity of said first body of liquid toner is about 22 inches per second greater than the velocity of said imaging member.

Claim 9

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said fluid supply means includes means for supplying said liquid toner to said applicator at a flow rate for producing a velocity of the first moving body of liquid toner that is above 5 inches per second greater than the velocity of the imaging member.

Claim 10

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said velocity of said first body of liquid toner is between 15 inches and 30 inches per second greater than the velocity of said imaging member.

Claim 11

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the velocity of said first body of liquid toner is about 21 inches per second greater than the velocity of said imaging member.

Claim 12

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the velocity of said first body of liquid toner is about 21 inches per second greater than the velocity of said imaging member.

Claim 13

An improved developing apparatus for developing an electRostatic image present upon an imaging member by applying a liquid toner thereto, comprising: a. a pair of spaced fluid applicator means having opposed electrically conductive surfaces for providing a passageway therebetween; b. transport means for transporting said imaging member through said passageway at a first velocity; c. fluid supply means for introducing said liquid toner into said passageway and for forming a first moving body of liquid toner in contact with the image bearing surface of said imaging member, which is moving at a second velocity, said second velocity being substantially greater than said first velocity in order to supply large amounts of toner to the imaging member as it passes through said developing apparatus, said fluid supply means further including inlet means for introducing a second moving body of liquid toner in contact with the opposite side of said imaging member in sufficient supply for preventing said imaging member from contacting said opposed surfaces of said applicators; and d. voltage reference means coupled to said pair of said fluid applicator means for establishing a given voltage relationship between said pair of fluid applicator means.

Claim 14

An improved developing apparatus for developing an electRostatic image present upon an imaging member by applying a liquid toner thereto, comprising: a. a pair of spaced fluid applicator means having opposed electrically conductive surfaces for providing a passageway therebetween; b. transport means for transporting said imaging member through said passageway at a first velocity; c. fluid supply means for introducing said liquid toner into said passageway and for forming a first moving body of liquid toner in contact with the image bearing surface of said imaging member, which is moving at a second velocity, said second velocity being substantially greater than said first velocity in order to supply large amounts of toner to the imaging member as it passes through said developing apparatus, said fluid supply means further including inlet means for introducing a second moving body of liquid toner in contact with the opposite side of said imaging member in sufficient supply for preventing said imaging member from contacting said opposed surfaces of said applicators; and d. voltage reference means coupled to said pair of said fluid applicator means for establishing a given voltage relationship between said pair of fluid applicator means.

Claim 15

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said transport means feeds said imaging member through said applicator at a velocity between 3 and 5 inches per second and wherein said second velocity of said first moving layer of liquid toner is between 15 and 30 inches per second, and wherein the distance between the opposed surfaces of said pair of said spaced fluid applicator means is between 40 and 60 thousands of an inch.

Claim 16

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first velocity is about 4 inches per second, said second velocity is about 30 inches per second and wherein the distance between the opposed surface of said fluid applicator means is about 60 thousands of an inch.

Claim 17

The developing apparatus as set forth in claim 14 further including elongated electrically nonconductive guide members positioned adjacent one surface of said pair of fluid applicator means for further insuring that said imaging member does not make contact with said one surface, the thickness of said guide members being about 20 thousands of an inch thick.