US4564285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developing device having dispersed floating electrodes in a dielectric layer
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-05-27
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2003-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A developing device includes a developing sleeve driven to rotate to transport a film of developer riding on its outer peripheral surface, the developing sleeve including an electrically conductive cylinder, a dielectric layer formed on the cylinder and a plurality of fine electrodes provided electrically isolated from each other at least at the outer peripheral surface of the dielectric layer. In one form, each of the fine electrodes is previously coated with an insulating material having the volume resistivity of 10 12 ohms-cm or more to a thickness of 0.5 microns to 0.5 mm. An intermediate dielectric layer may be provided between the cylinder and the first dielectric layer. Further, an electrically conductive layer may be provided as sandwiched between the two dielectric layers. Moreover, the outermost surface of the sleeve may be appropriately roughened in view of the average diameter of toner particles used.
Inventors
- 👤 Wataru Yasuda
- 👤 Koji Sakamoto
- 👤 Fuchio Kanno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/09; G03G15/0921; G03G15/0928; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/0634; G03G2215/0636; G03G2215/0651; G03G2215/0653
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer to said latent image, comprising; a tank for containing therein a quantity of developer; developer transporting means for transporting said developer supplied from said tank along a predetermined path including a developing region where said electrostatic latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including first electrode means and second electrode means which is electrically isolated from said first electrode means, said second electrode means including a plurality of fine electrodes which are electrically isolated from each other and each of which is previously coated with an insulating material having a volumetric resistivity of approximately 10 12 ohms-cm or more to a thickness approximately ranging between 0.5 microns and 0.5 mm, at least some of said fine electrodes being exposed at the surface of said developer transporting means of which said film of developer is formed: and means for forming a film developer of a predetermined thickness on said developer transporting means before reaching said developing station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer to said latent image, comprising; a tank for containing therein a quantity of developer; developer transporting means for transporting said developer supplied from said tank along a predetermined path including a developing region where said electrostatic latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including first electrode means and second electrode means which is electrically isolated from said first electrode means, said second electrode means including a plurality of fine electrodes which are electrically isolated from each other and each of which is previously coated with an insulating material having a volumetric resistivity of approximately 10 12 ohms-cm or more to a thickness approximately ranging between 0.5 microns and 0.5 mm, at least some of said fine electrodes being exposed at the surface of said developer transporting means of which said film of developer is formed: and means for forming a film developer of a predetermined thickness on said developer transporting means before reaching said developing station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device of claim 1 further comprising means for keeping said developer attracted to said developer transporting means while said developer is being transported along said predetermined path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device of claim 1 wherein said developer includes electrically insulating and magnetically attractable toner particles and said means for keeping includes a magnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device of claim 1 wherein said first electrode means is maintained at a predetermined potential.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer thereto, comprising: a tank for containing therein a quantity of developer; a developing sleeve driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, said sleeve including an electrically conductive cylinder, a dielectric layer formed on said cylinder and a plurality of fine electrodes provided at least at the outer peripheral surface of said dielectric layer, each of said fine electrodes being previously coated with an insulating material having a volumetric resistivity of 10 12 ohms-cm or more to a thickness apparoximately ranging between 0.5 microns and 0.5 mm; means for attracting said developer to the outer peripheral surface of said developing sleeve; and means for forming a film of said developer of a predetermined thickness on the outer peripheral surface of said developing sleeve.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer thereto, comprising: a tank for containing therein a quantity of developer; a developing sleeve driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, said sleeve including an electrically conductive cylinder, a dielectric layer formed on said cylinder and a plurality of fine electrodes provided at least at the outer peripheral surface of said dielectric layer, each of said fine electrodes being previously coated with an insulating material having a volumetric resistivity of 10 12 ohms-cm or more to a thickness apparoximately ranging between 0.5 microns and 0.5 mm; means for attracting said developer to the outer peripheral surface of said developing sleeve; and means for forming a film of said developer of a predetermined thickness on the outer peripheral surface of said developing sleeve.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer thereto, comprising: a developer transporting means for transporting said developer along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including an electrically conductive base, a dielectric layer formed on said base and a plurality of fine electrodes provided electrically isolated from each other at least at the outer surface of said dielectric layer, said dielectric layer having a substantial eleasticity and a hardness of 75° or less, and means for supplying (a) said developer to said developer transporting means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer thereto, comprising: a developer transporting means for transporting said developer along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including an electrically conductive base, a dielectric layer formed on said base and a plurality of fine electrodes provided electrically isolated from each other at least at the outer surface of said dielectric layer, said dielectric layer having a substantial eleasticity and a hardness of 75° or less, and means for supplying (a) said developer to said developer transporting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device of claim 6 wherein said dielectric layer comprises an elastic dielectric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device of claim 7 wherein said elastic dielectric material is selected from the group mainly consisting of silicon rubber, NBR, butadiene rubber, chroloprene rubber and sponge.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
121 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer, comprising: developer transporting means for transporting said developer along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including an electrically conductive base, a first dielectric layer formed on said base, a second dielectric layer formed on said first dielectric layer and a plurality of fine electrodes provided electrically isolated from each other at least at the outer surface of said second dielectric layer, whereby said first dielectric layer has a hardness which is lower than that of said second dielectric layer; and means for supplying said developer to said developer transporting means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
121 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer, comprising: developer transporting means for transporting said developer along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including an electrically conductive base, a first dielectric layer formed on said base, a second dielectric layer formed on said first dielectric layer and a plurality of fine electrodes provided electrically isolated from each other at least at the outer surface of said second dielectric layer, whereby said first dielectric layer has a hardness which is lower than that of said second dielectric layer; and means for supplying said developer to said developer transporting means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
117 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer thereto, comprising: developer transporting means for transporting said developer along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including first electrically conductive layer, a first dielectric layer formed on said first conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer formed on said first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer formed on said second conductive layer and a plurality of fine electrodes provided electrically isolated from each other at least at the outer surface of said second dielectric layer; and means for supplying said developer to said developer transporting means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
117 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying a single component developer thereto, comprising: developer transporting means for transporting said developer along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said developer transporting means including first electrically conductive layer, a first dielectric layer formed on said first conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer formed on said first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer formed on said second conductive layer and a plurality of fine electrodes provided electrically isolated from each other at least at the outer surface of said second dielectric layer; and means for supplying said developer to said developer transporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device of claim 10 wherein at least said first dielectric layer has a substantial elasticity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device of claim 11 further comprising means for selectively applying a bias potential to one of said first and second conductive layers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device of claim 12 wherein either of said first and second conductive layers is left electrically floating when said bias potential is not applied.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
87 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying toner particles thereto, comprising: transporting means including an outer surface to which said toner particles are attracted so as to be transported along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said surface being roughened to have a representative size which is approximately one to four times the average diameter of said toner particles; and supplying means for supplying said toner particles to said transporting means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
87 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image supporting member by applying toner particles thereto, comprising: transporting means including an outer surface to which said toner particles are attracted so as to be transported along a predetermined path including a developing station where said latent image may be developed, said surface being roughened to have a representative size which is approximately one to four times the average diameter of said toner particles; and supplying means for supplying said toner particles to said transporting means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device of claim 14 wherein said representative size is the average roughness of said surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device of claim 14 wherein said supplying means includes a doctor blade which is disposed such that its distal end is in pressure contact with the surface of said transporting means for forming a film of said toner particles on said surface before reaching said developing station.
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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) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |