US4868611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Highlight color imaging with first image neutralization using a scorotron
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1987-12-10
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Granted: 1989-09-19
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Expires: 2007-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Highlight color imaging method and apparatus including structure for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area. Interaction between developer materials contained in a developer housing and an already developed image in one of the two image areas is minimized by the use of a scorotron to neutralize the charge on the already developed image.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard P. Germain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:18
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0142; G03G15/0147; G03G15/0152; G03G15/0157; G03G15/0163; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/04; G03G2215/0495
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Highlight color imaging apparatus including means for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area, said apparatus comprising: means including a first developer housing containing developer materials for forming a first contrasting image in one of said two image areas; means including a second developer housing containing developer materials for forming a second contrasting image in the other of said two image areas; and means operative independently of said means including said first and second developer housings for effecting reduction in the interaction of the developer materials in said second developer housing with said first contrasting image on said charge retentive surface, said interaction reducing means comprising means for reducing the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Highlight color imaging apparatus including means for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area, said apparatus comprising: means including a first developer housing containing developer materials for forming a first contrasting image in one of said two image areas; means including a second developer housing containing developer materials for forming a second contrasting image in the other of said two image areas; and means operative independently of said means including said first and second developer housings for effecting reduction in the interaction of the developer materials in said second developer housing with said first contrasting image on said charge retentive surface, said interaction reducing means comprising means for reducing the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for reducing said charge level comprises a corona discharge device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said corona discharge device comprises a well controlled scorotron charging device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the voltage level of said background area is approximately half the level of one of said two potential levels and further wherein said interaction reducing means comprises means for reducing the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for reducing charge level reduces the charge level of said first contrasting image to approximately said third voltage level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for reducing the charge level comprises a scorotron including a coronode and a grid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the grid of said scorotron is electrically biased to a voltage approximately equal to said third voltage level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein a positive voltage is applied to said coronode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said scorotron is disposed between said developer housings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein conductive magnetic brush developer is contained in both of said developer housings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the voltage level of said background area is approximately half the level of one of said two potential levels and further wherein said interaction reducing means comprises means for reducing the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for reducing charge level reduces the charge level of said first contrasting image to approximately said third voltage level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for reducing the charge level comprises a scorotron including a coronode and a grid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the grid of said scorotron is electrically biased to a voltage approximately equal to said third voltage level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein a positive voltage is applied to said coronode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said scorotron is disposed between said developer housings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for reducing said charge level comprises a corona discharge device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said corona discharge comprises a well controlled scorotron charging device.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of forming highlight color images including means for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area, said method including the steps of: forming a first contrasting image in one of said two image areas with developer contained in a first developer housing; forming a second contrasting image in the other of said two image areas with developer contained in a second developer housing; and modifying said first contrasting image for minimizing the interaction of the developer materials in said second developer housing with said first contrasting image on said charge retentive surface.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of forming highlight color images including means for forming a single polarity charge pattern having at least three different voltage levels on a charge retentive surface wherein two of the voltage levels correspond to two image areas and the third voltage level corresponds to a background area, said method including the steps of: forming a first contrasting image in one of said two image areas with developer contained in a first developer housing; forming a second contrasting image in the other of said two image areas with developer contained in a second developer housing; and modifying said first contrasting image for minimizing the interaction of the developer materials in said second developer housing with said first contrasting image on said charge retentive surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein said modifying step effects reduction in the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 20 wherein said charge level reduction is effected with the use of a corona discharge device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 21 wherein said corona discharge device comprises a well controlled scorotron charging device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein the voltage level of said background area is approximately half the level of one of said two potential levels and further wherein said modifying step serves to reduce the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein the charge level of said first contrasting image is reduced to approximately said third voltage level.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 24 wherein the reduction in the charge level is effected by means of a scorotron including a coronode and a grid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 25 wherein the grid of said scorotron is electrically biased to a voltage approximately equal to said third voltage level.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 26 wherein a positive voltage is applied to said coronode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 27 wherein said scorotron is disposed between said developer housings.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein conductive magnetic brush developer is contained in both of said developer housings.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 29 wherein said modifying step effects reduction in the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 30 wherein the reduction in the charge level is effected by means of a scorotron including a coronode and a grid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 31 wherein said corona discharge device comprises a well controlled scorotron charging device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 32 wherein the voltage level of said background area is approximately half the level of one of said two potential levels and further wherein said modifying step serves to reduce the charge level of said first contrasting image prior to its movement past said second developer housing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 33 wherein the charge level of said first contrasting image is reduced to approximately said third voltage level.
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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) | 1992-09-18 | 1993-03-20 | 1993-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-18 | 1997-03-20 | 1997-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-18 | 2001-03-20 | 2001-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |