Patent US4761926A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4210080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Imaging method and apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1978-01-30
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Granted: 1980-07-01
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Expires: 1998-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Liquid ink is held in the openings of a screen which is placed adjacent a grounded conductive surface. Electrical charge is delivered to selected ones of the openings so that the charged ink is drawn to the grounded conductive surface by the attractive forces therebetween. The ink can then be transferred to a record medium in image configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Gundlach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/16; B; B41; B41M; B41M1/00; B41M1/12; B41M1/125; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S101/00; Y10S101/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for marking a conductive imaging surface with a liquid ink, the method comprising: (a) providing an electrically insulating screen; (b) loading the openings in the screen with a liquid ink in a meniscus configuration; (c) positioning the screen adjacent a conductive imaging surface; (d) delivering charge to the ink held in selected openings so that the charged ink is drawn into marking contact with the conducting imaging surface by the attractive forces therebetween.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for marking a conductive imaging surface with a liquid ink, the method comprising: (a) providing an electrically insulating screen; (b) loading the openings in the screen with a liquid ink in a meniscus configuration; (c) positioning the screen adjacent a conductive imaging surface; (d) delivering charge to the ink held in selected openings so that the charged ink is drawn into marking contact with the conducting imaging surface by the attractive forces therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ink is electrically insulating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the openings provide electrically separate chambers and the ink is electrically conductive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the screen thickness ranges from about 15 microns to about 125 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ink is charged to a potential from about 150 volts to about 400 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the charge is delivered by a pin tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the charge is delivered by an electrically modulated aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the charge is delivered by means of a TESI process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of transferring the ink from the imaging surface to a record member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein a resilient transfer roller is used.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein the imaging surface is resilient.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for marking a grounded conductive imaging surface with a liquid ink, the apparatus comprising: (a) a screen formed from an electrically insulating material and having the openings therein loaded with a liquid ink in meniscus configuration, the screen being positioned adjacent the imaging surface; and (b) a means for delivering electrical charge to selected ones of the ink-loaded openings so that the charged ink is drawn into marking contact with the imaging surface by the attractive forces therebetween.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for marking a grounded conductive imaging surface with a liquid ink, the apparatus comprising: (a) a screen formed from an electrically insulating material and having the openings therein loaded with a liquid ink in meniscus configuration, the screen being positioned adjacent the imaging surface; and (b) a means for delivering electrical charge to selected ones of the ink-loaded openings so that the charged ink is drawn into marking contact with the imaging surface by the attractive forces therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the ink is electrically insulating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the openings provide electrically separate chambers and the ink is electrically conductive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the screen thickness ranges from about 15 microns to about 0.125 microns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for delivering an electrical charge is capable of delivering a charge to the ink of from about 200 volts to about 300 volts.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for delivering an electrical charge is a pin tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for delivering an electrical charge is an electrically modulated aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for delivering an electrical charge is a TESI process.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 adapted to include a means for loading the openings with liquid ink.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for loading includes a means for doctoring the openings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 12 adapted to include a means for transferring the ink from the imaging surface to a record member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the imaging surface is resilient.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-01 | 1983-12-31 | 1984-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-01 | 1987-12-31 | 1988-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-01 | 1991-12-31 | 1992-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |