Hybrid development system

Claim 1

An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a flexible photoconductive member, wherein the improvement includes: a first tubular member, positioned closely adjacent to the photoconductive member defining a first development zone therebetween, said first tubular member rotating at a first angular velocity for transporting a developer material comprising at least conductive carrier granules and magnetic toner particles into contact with the photoconductive member in the first development zone so as to optimize development of solid areas in the latent image; a first magnetic member disposed interiorly of and spaced from siad first tubular member to attract the developer material thereto; a second tubular member, spaced from said first tubular member and positioned closely adjacent to the photoconductive member defining a second development zone therebetween, said second tubular member rotating at a second angular velocity with the first angular velocity being greater than the second angular velocity for transporting the developer material into contact with the photoconductive member in the second development zone to optimize development of lines in the latent image and to remove carrier granules adhering to the photoconductive member; a second magnetic member disposed interiorly of and spaced from said first tubular member to attract the developer material thereto; and means for maintaining the photoconductive member, in the region of at least the first development zone, at a preselected tension of sufficient magnitude so that the developer material being transported into contact with the photoconductive member in at least the first development zone, deflects the photoconductive member about said first tubular member to form a wrapped first development zone.