Electrostatic liquid developing apparatus

Claim 2

Developing apparatus for liquid development of electrostatic images comprising: (a) A developing head having a cylindrically curved surface and a transverse channel in said surface for carrying developer fluid; (b) a drive roller conforming to said cylindrically curved surface, said roller having an outer resilient frictional layer for driving an electrostatic image carrying web in sealing contact against said channel; (and, (c) means to draw developing liquid continuously through said channel.) (c) a reservoir of developer liquid and means to connect said reservoir to said transverse channel; and, (d) suction means connected to said transverse channel for drawing developer liquid from said reservoir through said means to connect and along said transverse channel.

Claim 3

Developing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said suction means are applied to the center of said channel and the ends of said channel are connected to said reservoir of developer liquid whereby said suction means draws said developer liquid through said channel.

Claim 4

Developing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said developing head has at least a second transverse channel connected to suction means for removing residual developer fluid.

Claim 5

Developing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said roller and said head are each electrically conductive and are electrically connected together.

Claim 6

Developing apparatus for liquid development of electrostatic images comprising: a. A developing head having a cylindrically curved surface, a first transverse channel in said surface for carrying developer fluid, and a second transverse channel in said surface; b. a drive roller conforming to said cylindrically curved surface, said roller having an outer resilient frictional layer for driving an electrostatic image carrying web in sealing contact against said first transverse channel; c. means to draw developing liquid continuously through said first transverse channel; and, d. suction means connected to said second transverse channel for removing residual developer fluid, said second channel being connected by a network of minute grooves in said curved surface to ambient atmosphere so as to provide dynamic flow of air to said second transverse channel.

Claim 7

Developing apparatus for liquid development of electrostatic images comprising: a. A developing head having a cylindrically curved surface, a first transverse channel in said surface for carrying developer fluid, and a second transverse channel in said surface; b. a drive roller conforming to said cylindrically curved surface, said roller having an outer resilient frictional layer for driving an electrostatic image carrying web in sealing contact against said first transverse channel; c. means to draw developing liquid continuously through said first transverse channel; and, d. suction means connected to said second transverse channel for removing residual developer fluid, said second channel being connected by a network of minute grooves in said curved surface to ambient atmosphere so as to provide dynamic flow of air to said second transverse channel.

Claim 8

Developing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said network is comprised of two rows of offset substantially vertical grooves all connected by a single horizontal groove.

Claim 9

Developing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said head is made of a unitary metal element.

Claim 10

Developing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means to draw developing liquid comprises a reservoir of liquid developer, a suction pump, connections from said reservoir and from said suction pump to said channel for carrying developer, and a connection from the outlet of said suction pump to said reservoir.

Claim 11

Developing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said suction means is said suction pump and further comprising a connection from said second channel to the inlet of said suction pump in common with a connection from said channel for carrying developer.

Claim 12

Developing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said roller and said head are each electrically conductive and are electrically connected together.