US4624559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developing method for electrostatic latent image
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-10
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Granted: 1986-11-25
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Expires: 2006-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A developing method for an electrostatic latent image comprises the steps of applying and retaining a layer of developer on a supporting sleeve, conveying the developer on the supporting sleeve to a development area, and regulating the quantity of the developer on the supporting sleeve by a developer regulating device before the developer is conveyed to the development area. The regulating step includes impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between the supporting sleeve and the regulating device in order to selectively retain developer on the supporting sleeve which has a desired polarity and quantity of charge for development. The developer regulating device may be a sleeve rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the supporting sleeve, and has a bias voltage impressed thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoshi Haneda
- 👤 Masahiko Itaya
- 👤 Makoto Tomono
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/09; G03G15/0914; G03G15/0806; G03G15/0812; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/0602; G03G2215/0604; G03G2215/0614; G03G2215/0619; G03G2215/0634; G03G2215/0636; G03G2215/0641
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In a developing method for an electrostatic latent image comprising the steps of forming a layer of developer on the surface of a developer supporting means, and conveying the developer on said developer supporting means to a development area, the improvement which comprises regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by a developer regulating means before the developer is conveyed to the development area, by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer, and developing an electrostatic latent image by applying developer retained on said developer supporting means to the development area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a developing method for an electrostatic latent image comprising the steps of forming a layer of developer on the surface of a developer supporting means, and conveying the developer on said developer supporting means to a development area, the improvement which comprises regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by a developer regulating means before the developer is conveyed to the development area, by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer, and developing an electrostatic latent image by applying developer retained on said developer supporting means to the development area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein said developer is a one-component developer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A developer method according to claim 1, wherein said developer is a one-component magnetic developer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein said developer is a one-component magnetic developer and said developer supporting means is a magnetic force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A developing method according to claim 4, wherein said developer regulating means is a regulating means having a magnetic force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A developing method according to claim 5, wherein said developer regulating means comprises a non-magnetic member and a magnet therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A developing method according to claim 4, wherein the relation of a linear velocity (v 0 ) of the surface of the charge receptor, a linear velocity (v 1 ) of the developer supporting means and a linear velocity (v 2 ) of the developer regulating means is represented by following formulas: |v.sub.0 |≦|v.sub.1 |/2, |v.sub.1 |≦|v.sub.2 |/2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein the relation of a linear velocity (v 0 ) of the charge receptor and a linear velocity (v 1 ) of the developer supporting means is represented by following formula: v.sub.0 /v.sub.1 ≦1/2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A developing method according to claim 3, wherein said developer comprises a magnetic material of 5-55% by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A developing method according to claim 9, wherein a mean diameter of said developer particle is a range from 1 micron to 30 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A developing method according to claim 3, wherein the relation of a distance (D 1 ) between said charge receptor and said developer supporting means, and the thickness (d 1 ) of said developer on the surface of said developer supporting means is represented by following formula: D.sub.1 >d.sub.1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A developing method according to claim 3, wherein DC voltage component (V 1 ) applied to said developer supporting means is zero or the same with the maximum surface potential (V 0 ) of said electrostatic latent image, and DC voltage component (V 2 ) applied to said developer regulating means is zero or opposite in sign to the potential (V 0 ).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A developing method according to claim 12, wherein |V.sub.1 /V.sub.0 |≦1, and |V.sub.2 /V.sub.0 |≦1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein an alternating electric field is applied between the surface on which the electrostatic latent image and said developing supporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein alternating electric field is applied between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises a cleaning a residual developer on the surface of the developer supporting means after development.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises a charging a developer on the surface of said developer supporting means before development.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A developing method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises a removing and/or destroying the developer has been caked in the conveyance of the developer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The developing method according to claim 1, wherein said developer regulating means is a device applying a magnetic force.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The developing method according to claim 1, wherein said developer regulating means is a non-magnetic member having a magnet therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The developing method according to claim 1, wherein said developer supporting means comprises a non-magnetic cylinder and a magnet therein, and the step of conveying developer to the development area is performed by rotating said cylinder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a developing apparatus for an electrostatic latent image comprising developer supporting means for retaining developer on a surface thereof and for conveying developer to a development area, wherein the improvement comprises a developer regulating means adjacent said developer supporting means for regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a developing apparatus for an electrostatic latent image comprising developer supporting means for retaining developer on a surface thereof and for conveying developer to a development area, wherein the improvement comprises a developer regulating means adjacent said developer supporting means for regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The developing apparatus of claim 22, wherein said developer regulating means includes means applying a magnetic force.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The developing apparatus of claim 22, wherein said developer regulating means comprises a non-magnetic member and a magnet therein.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The developing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said developer regulating means includes preliminary regulating means for limiting the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a developing method for an electrostatic latent image comprising the steps of forming a layer of developer on the surface of a developer supporting means, conveying the developer on said developer supporting means to a development area, wherein the improvement comprises regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by a developer regulating means, before the developer is conveyed to the development area, by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer, and developing an electrostatic latent image by applying developer retained on said developer supporting means to the development area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a developing method for an electrostatic latent image comprising the steps of forming a layer of developer on the surface of a developer supporting means, conveying the developer on said developer supporting means to a development area, wherein the improvement comprises regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by a developer regulating means, before the developer is conveyed to the development area, by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer, and developing an electrostatic latent image by applying developer retained on said developer supporting means to the development area.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a developing apparatus for an electrostatic latent image comprising developer supporting means for retaining developer on a surface thereof and for conveying developer to a development area, wherein the improvement comprises a developer regulating means adjacent said developer supporting means for regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a developing apparatus for an electrostatic latent image comprising developer supporting means for retaining developer on a surface thereof and for conveying developer to a development area, wherein the improvement comprises a developer regulating means adjacent said developer supporting means for regulating the quantity of developer on said developer supporting means by impressing a bias voltage so as to establish a field between said developer supporting means and said developer regulating means for selectively removing developer from said developer supporting means in accordance with a charged state of said developer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4378158A
Cited
US4370049A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |