Coated wire developer brush

Claim 2

A developer brush for applying toner particles to electrostatic latent images carried by a photoconductively coated member of an electrostatic processor, said brush comprising: a support member, and a plurality of conductive flexible metal threads extending outwardly from said support member to form bristles; each of said threads having a coating of insulating material extending along its length to at least the outer tip thereof; said insulating material being triboelectrically displaced from said toner particles, whereby toner particles tend to be attracted to and held on said bristles by a triboelectric charging process; and means for connecting said threads to a source of electrical potential, thereby enabling said bristles to function as development electrodes.

Claim 3

The developer brush as recited in claim 1 wherein said support member is a cylindrical roll.

Claim 4

The developer brush as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer tips of said threads are covered by said insulating material.

Claim 5

The brush as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting said threads to a source of electrical potential includes a conductive coating in electrical contact with said threads and the support member, and the source of electrical potential is applied to said support member.

Claim 6

A development system for an electrostatic processor having a photoconductive surface for carrying latent electrostatic images, said development system comprising: a toner sump for storing a supply of toner particles, and a developer brush between said sump and said photoconductive surface; said brush comprising a support member having a plurality of flexible bristles extending outwardly therefrom, each of said bristles comprising a conductive flexible metal thread having an insulating material thereon covering substantially the entire length thereof at least to the outer tip thereof; said insulating material and said toner particles being selected so that the toner particles tend to be attracted to and held on said bristles by triboelectric charges imparted to said toner particles and said insulating material, said brush being located relative to said photoconductive surface so that only the insulated portions of said fibers engage said photoconductive surface, and means for connecting said threads to a source of electrical potential whereby said bristles are biased to serve as development electrodes.

Claim 7

A development system for an electrostatic processor having a photoconductive surface for carrying latent electrostatic images, said development system comprising: a toner sump for storing a supply of toner particles, and a developer brush between said sump and said photoconductive surface; said brush comprising a support member having a plurality of flexible bristles extending outwardly therefrom, each of said bristles comprising a conductive flexible metal thread having an insulating material thereon covering substantially the entire length thereof at least to the outer tip thereof; said insulating material and said toner particles being selected so that the toner particles tend to be attracted to and held on said bristles by triboelectric charges imparted to said toner particles and said insulating material, said brush being located relative to said photoconductive surface so that only the insulated portions of said fibers engage said photoconductive surface, and means for connecting said threads to a source of electrical potential whereby said bristles are biased to serve as development electrodes.

Claim 8

The brush as recited in claim 5 wherein said support member is a cylindrical roll.

Claim 9

The brush as recited in claim 5 wherein the outer tips of said threads are completely surrounded by said insulating material.

Claim 10

A developer brush for applying toner particles to an electrostatic latent image carried by a substrate; said brush comprising: an electrically conductive support member; a plurality of electrically conductive flexible threads secured to and extending outwardly from said support member to form bristles for said brush, substantially the entire length of each of said threads being coated with an electrically insulating material, said insulating material being triboelectrically displaced from said toner particles; and means for applying an electrical potential to said threads via said support member, thereby enabling said threads to serve as development electrodes.

Claim 11

A developer brush for applying toner particles to an electrostatic latent image carried by a substrate; said brush comprising: an electrically conductive support member; a plurality of electrically conductive flexible threads secured to and extending outwardly from said support member to form bristles for said brush, substantially the entire length of each of said threads being coated with an electrically insulating material, said insulating material being triboelectrically displaced from said toner particles; and means for applying an electrical potential to said threads via said support member, thereby enabling said threads to serve as development electrodes.

Claim 12

The developer brush of claim 8 wherein said coated threaDs are the only bristles on said brush.

Claim 13

The developer brush of claim 9 wherein said coated threads extend substantially equal distances from said support member so that said bristles have substantially identical lengths.