CA1140201A - Multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine - Google Patents
Multi-mode electrostatographic printing machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1140201A CA1140201A CA000345990A CA345990A CA1140201A CA 1140201 A CA1140201 A CA 1140201A CA 000345990 A CA000345990 A CA 000345990A CA 345990 A CA345990 A CA 345990A CA 1140201 A CA1140201 A CA 1140201A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- latent image
- electrostatic latent
- dielectric member
- dielectric
- image
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine in which a first electrostatic latent image is recorded on a photoconductive member and transferred to a dielectric member. In another mode of operation, a second electrostatic latent image is formed on the dielectric member. The operator may select either mode of operation, or the simultaneous operation of both modes.
A multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine in which a first electrostatic latent image is recorded on a photoconductive member and transferred to a dielectric member. In another mode of operation, a second electrostatic latent image is formed on the dielectric member. The operator may select either mode of operation, or the simultaneous operation of both modes.
Description
Zall A MULTI-MODE ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHI~E
This invention relates generally to a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine. More parti-cularly, this invention concerns an electrostatographic printing machine arranged to operate in electrographic and electrophotographic modes.
he process of electrostatographic printing requires the formation and utilization of an electro-static latent image for the purpose of recording and reproducing patterns in viewable form. Electrostato-graphic printing may include electrophotographic printing and electrographic printing. In electrophotographic printing,electromagnetic radiation is used to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive member.
An electrographic printing machine employs an insulating medium to form, without the aid of an electromagnetic radiation, an electrostatic latent image. Generally, the process of electrophotgraphic printing includes charging a photoconductive member to a substantially uniform potential so as ~o sensitize the surface thereof.
The charged portion of the photoconductive surface is exposed to a light image of an original document being reproduced. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member corresponding to the informa-tional areas contained within the original document being reproduced. After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member, the latent image is developed by bringing particles of a developer mix into contact therewith. The developer mix particles are attracted to the latent image forming a particle image on the photoconductive member. The particle image is then transferred from the photoconductive member to a copy sheet. Finally, the copy sheet is heated to per-manently affix the particles thereto in an image con-figuration. This general approach was disclosed by ~14(~Z~
Carlson in U. S. Patent No. 2,297,69i and has been further amplified and described by many related patents in the art.
In electrophotographic printing, the electro-static latent image comprises electrostatic surface charges.
These surface charges may be transferred to, or reproduced upon, other dielectric surfaces. The technique for accom-plishing charge transfer is referred as a TESI process, from transfer of electrostatic images~ Hence, electro-static latent image may be transferred to another surface prior to development. ~he material to which the electro-static latent image is transferred must, of course, be capable of retaining the image, i.e. it must be a good insulator. Electrostatic latent images may be trans-ferred to dielectric coated papers. The transferred images can be developed by the same methods hereinbefore described for developing the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive member. However, since the charge on the dielectric surface is not dissipated by exposure to light, it is not necessary to shield the image from light during development. When the electro-static latent image has been transferred to a dielectric sheet, the powder image image developed thereon may be subsequently fused thereto forming a finished copy sheet.
In electrographic printing, an electrostatic latent image is produced on a dielectric surface by the use of electrodes. Electrostatic latent images produced in this manner can be made visible by bringing developer mix particles into contact therewith. The resultant particle image may then be permenantly affixed to the dielectric sheet or transferred therefrom to a copy sheet.
Various types of electrostatographic printing machines have hereinbefore been employed to utilize the foregoing processes. The following disclosures appear to be relevant:
114()2~1 U. S. Patent No. 2,825,814 Patentee: Walkup Issued: March 4, 1958 U. S. Patent No. 3,686,676 Patentee: ~owell et al.
Issued: August 22, 1972 ~. S. Patent No. 4,042,962 Patentee: Yamaji et al.
Issued: August 16, 1977 The relevant portions of these disclosures may be briefly summarized as follows:
Walkup describes an electrophotographic printing process in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is transferred to a dielec-tric member by applying a D.C. potential therebetween.
Howell et al. discloses an electrographic recording apparatus wherein electrostatic charges are placed on a recording medium by means of electrically pulsed electrodes or styli.
Yamaji et al. discloses an electrophotographic printing machine in which an electros~atic latent image is recorded on a photoconductive member by charging and then exposing the charged portion of the photoconducitve member. Exposure is accomplished by illuminating an original document and then transmitting the light rays reflected therefrom through a lens which focuses the light image onto the charged portion of the photocon-ductive member recording the electrostatic latent image thereon. Alternatively, a cathode ray tube may be utilized to expose the charged portion of the photocon-ductive member. In another mode of operation, a trans-mission head records a telegraphic imaqe directly on the photoconductive member.
114(32C~1 . , Various aspects of the invention are as ~ollows:
A multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine including:
a photoconductive member;
means for transporting a dielectric member along a path of travel;
a portion of said path being closely adjacent to said photoconductive member;
means for recording a first electrostatic latent image onto said photoconductive member for transfer to said dielectric member;
a plurality of individually energizable styli positioned along said path for forming a second electrostatic latent image onto said dielectric member;
means for selectively applying electric po.e~ ials t~ individual ones of said styli;
means for depositing particles on said dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image;
a5 , means for affixing substantially permanently said particles to said dielectric member; and operator selectable means for energizing said recording means and cajd styli cimultaneou51y or energizing either said recording means or said styli independently.
A method of electrostatographic printing, including the steps of:
recording a first electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive member;
transferring the first electrostatic latent image to a dielectric member;
forming a second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric m ember by selectively applying electrical potentials to individually ener-gizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon producing a powder image;
affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and selecting said steps of recording and transferring to produce only the first electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member, or said step of forming to produce only the second electrostatic latent image on the dielec-tric member, or said steps of recording, transferring and forming to produce both the first electrostatic latent image and the second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member.
1~4(~2~31 -4a-A multi-mode printing process for generating an image of selected information creatable from different multiple information sources on a dielectric n~ember comprising the steps of:
~) forming a first latent image on a photoconductor; said first latent image generated from a first information source using a meQns to impose a light pattern on said photoconductor;
b) transferring said first latent image from said photoconductor to said dielectric member;
c) forming a second l~tent image on said dielectric member from information generated by selectively energizing a number of individually energizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
d) depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon to produce a powder image and affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and e) selecting said steps of forming said first and second images to produce only the first l~tent image on the dielectric member, or only the second latent image on the dielectric member, or both first and second latent images on the dielectric member.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and upon refexence to the figure, in which is shown a schematic elevational view illustrating a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine incorporating the 25 features of the present invention therein.
While the present invention will hereinafter be described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications - and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
i~4()ZC~l -4b-~ or a general understanding of a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine, reference is had to the drawing. In the drawing, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.
The drawing schematically depicts the various components of the multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine having the various features of the present invention therein. Inasmuch as the art of electrostatographic printing is well known, the various processing stations employed in the printing machine will be shown herein-after schematically and their operation described with 1~.,.~
This invention relates generally to a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine. More parti-cularly, this invention concerns an electrostatographic printing machine arranged to operate in electrographic and electrophotographic modes.
he process of electrostatographic printing requires the formation and utilization of an electro-static latent image for the purpose of recording and reproducing patterns in viewable form. Electrostato-graphic printing may include electrophotographic printing and electrographic printing. In electrophotographic printing,electromagnetic radiation is used to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive member.
An electrographic printing machine employs an insulating medium to form, without the aid of an electromagnetic radiation, an electrostatic latent image. Generally, the process of electrophotgraphic printing includes charging a photoconductive member to a substantially uniform potential so as ~o sensitize the surface thereof.
The charged portion of the photoconductive surface is exposed to a light image of an original document being reproduced. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member corresponding to the informa-tional areas contained within the original document being reproduced. After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member, the latent image is developed by bringing particles of a developer mix into contact therewith. The developer mix particles are attracted to the latent image forming a particle image on the photoconductive member. The particle image is then transferred from the photoconductive member to a copy sheet. Finally, the copy sheet is heated to per-manently affix the particles thereto in an image con-figuration. This general approach was disclosed by ~14(~Z~
Carlson in U. S. Patent No. 2,297,69i and has been further amplified and described by many related patents in the art.
In electrophotographic printing, the electro-static latent image comprises electrostatic surface charges.
These surface charges may be transferred to, or reproduced upon, other dielectric surfaces. The technique for accom-plishing charge transfer is referred as a TESI process, from transfer of electrostatic images~ Hence, electro-static latent image may be transferred to another surface prior to development. ~he material to which the electro-static latent image is transferred must, of course, be capable of retaining the image, i.e. it must be a good insulator. Electrostatic latent images may be trans-ferred to dielectric coated papers. The transferred images can be developed by the same methods hereinbefore described for developing the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive member. However, since the charge on the dielectric surface is not dissipated by exposure to light, it is not necessary to shield the image from light during development. When the electro-static latent image has been transferred to a dielectric sheet, the powder image image developed thereon may be subsequently fused thereto forming a finished copy sheet.
In electrographic printing, an electrostatic latent image is produced on a dielectric surface by the use of electrodes. Electrostatic latent images produced in this manner can be made visible by bringing developer mix particles into contact therewith. The resultant particle image may then be permenantly affixed to the dielectric sheet or transferred therefrom to a copy sheet.
Various types of electrostatographic printing machines have hereinbefore been employed to utilize the foregoing processes. The following disclosures appear to be relevant:
114()2~1 U. S. Patent No. 2,825,814 Patentee: Walkup Issued: March 4, 1958 U. S. Patent No. 3,686,676 Patentee: ~owell et al.
Issued: August 22, 1972 ~. S. Patent No. 4,042,962 Patentee: Yamaji et al.
Issued: August 16, 1977 The relevant portions of these disclosures may be briefly summarized as follows:
Walkup describes an electrophotographic printing process in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is transferred to a dielec-tric member by applying a D.C. potential therebetween.
Howell et al. discloses an electrographic recording apparatus wherein electrostatic charges are placed on a recording medium by means of electrically pulsed electrodes or styli.
Yamaji et al. discloses an electrophotographic printing machine in which an electros~atic latent image is recorded on a photoconductive member by charging and then exposing the charged portion of the photoconducitve member. Exposure is accomplished by illuminating an original document and then transmitting the light rays reflected therefrom through a lens which focuses the light image onto the charged portion of the photocon-ductive member recording the electrostatic latent image thereon. Alternatively, a cathode ray tube may be utilized to expose the charged portion of the photocon-ductive member. In another mode of operation, a trans-mission head records a telegraphic imaqe directly on the photoconductive member.
114(32C~1 . , Various aspects of the invention are as ~ollows:
A multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine including:
a photoconductive member;
means for transporting a dielectric member along a path of travel;
a portion of said path being closely adjacent to said photoconductive member;
means for recording a first electrostatic latent image onto said photoconductive member for transfer to said dielectric member;
a plurality of individually energizable styli positioned along said path for forming a second electrostatic latent image onto said dielectric member;
means for selectively applying electric po.e~ ials t~ individual ones of said styli;
means for depositing particles on said dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image;
a5 , means for affixing substantially permanently said particles to said dielectric member; and operator selectable means for energizing said recording means and cajd styli cimultaneou51y or energizing either said recording means or said styli independently.
A method of electrostatographic printing, including the steps of:
recording a first electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive member;
transferring the first electrostatic latent image to a dielectric member;
forming a second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric m ember by selectively applying electrical potentials to individually ener-gizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon producing a powder image;
affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and selecting said steps of recording and transferring to produce only the first electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member, or said step of forming to produce only the second electrostatic latent image on the dielec-tric member, or said steps of recording, transferring and forming to produce both the first electrostatic latent image and the second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member.
1~4(~2~31 -4a-A multi-mode printing process for generating an image of selected information creatable from different multiple information sources on a dielectric n~ember comprising the steps of:
~) forming a first latent image on a photoconductor; said first latent image generated from a first information source using a meQns to impose a light pattern on said photoconductor;
b) transferring said first latent image from said photoconductor to said dielectric member;
c) forming a second l~tent image on said dielectric member from information generated by selectively energizing a number of individually energizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
d) depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon to produce a powder image and affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and e) selecting said steps of forming said first and second images to produce only the first l~tent image on the dielectric member, or only the second latent image on the dielectric member, or both first and second latent images on the dielectric member.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and upon refexence to the figure, in which is shown a schematic elevational view illustrating a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine incorporating the 25 features of the present invention therein.
While the present invention will hereinafter be described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications - and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
i~4()ZC~l -4b-~ or a general understanding of a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine, reference is had to the drawing. In the drawing, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.
The drawing schematically depicts the various components of the multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine having the various features of the present invention therein. Inasmuch as the art of electrostatographic printing is well known, the various processing stations employed in the printing machine will be shown herein-after schematically and their operation described with 1~.,.~
2~1 reference thereto.
As shown in the drawing, the machine operator may select any or all of three modes of operation. If the machine operator depresses button 10 marked "CRT", a cathode ray tube will be energized to illuminate the charged portion of a photoconductive drum. This records a latent image corresponding to the informational areas contained within the cathode ray tube on the photoconduc-tive drum. Alternatively, if the machine operator depresses button 12, marked "COPIER", an original docu-ment disposed upon a platen of the electrostatographic printing machine will be reproduced. Finally, if the machine operator depresses button 14, marked "STYLUS
ARRAY", information transmitted to a stylus array or electrodes will be recorded on the copy sheet and re-produced. The machine operator has the option of select-ing any of the foregoing modes of operation or all of them simultaneously. ~he multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine hereinafter described prints electro-photographically and electrographically. In order to reproduce the information contained on the cathode ray tube or on the opaque original document, the printing machine operates in the electrophotographic printing mode. However, when the information is being transmitted to the stylus array, the printing machine operates in electrographic mode. These modes of operation may be combined to produce a composite single copy containing information from the opaque original document, the cathode ray tube, and the stylus array. Thus, the printing machine may operate in any or all of the fore-going modes.
Initially, drum 20 moves a portion of the photoconductive surface through charging station A.
At charging station A, a corona generating device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 24, charges the photoconductive surface of drum 20 to a relatively ~1402~31 high, substantially uniform potential.
Thereafter, the charged portion of the photo-conductive surface of drum 20 is advanced through expo-sure station B. At exposure station B, original docu-ment 16 is positioned face-down upon transparent platen 18. Transparent platen 18 moves in the direction of arrow 26. The exposure system, includes stationary lamps 28 which illuminate the original document disposed on the moving platen. As the platen moves, incremental width light images are formed which are projected through lens 30. Lens 30 focuses these light images onto the photoconductive surface of drum 20. The angular velo-city of drum 20 is synchronized to that of the linear velocity of platen 18. In this manner, the charged photo-conductive surface of drum 20 is discharged selectively by the light image of the original document. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive surface of drum 20 which corresponds to the informational areas contained within original document 16.
Next, drum 20 advances the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface to transfer station C. At transfer station C, the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface of drum 20 is transferred to a dielectric sheet. The dielectric sheet is advanced to transfer station C
in synchronism with the advancement of the electrostatic latent image thereto. A sheet feeding apparatus, indicated generally by the reference numeral 32, advances the dielectric sheet to transfer station C. Preferably, sheet feeding apparatus 32 includes a feed roll 34 rotat-ing in the direction of arrow 36. Feed roll 34 contacts the uppermost sheet of a stack of dielectric sheets 38.
Each dielectric sheet may be of any composition suitable ~ for electrographic recording. Mylar, polystyrene and polyethylene are examples of coatings which may be formed on plain paper to produce a dielectric sheet capable .~
tr~J~ rt~
ll~(SZ~'~
of retaining an electrostatic la~ent image thereon.
As feed roll 34 rotates in the direction of arrow 36, the uppermost dielectric sheet is advanced from stack 38 to registration rollers 40. Registration rollers S 40 rotate in the direction of arrows 42 to align and forward the advancing dielectric sheet into chute 44.
Chute 44 directs the advancing dielectric sheet into contact with the photoconductive surface of drum 20 in a timed sequence so that the electrostatic latent image recorded thereon is positioned opposed therefrom at transfer station C.
At transfer station C, the electrostatic latent image is transferred from drum 20 to the dielectric sheet.
Inasmuch as the charge on the dielectric sheet is not dissipated by exposure to light, it is not necessary to shield the image from light during the subsequent processing steps. The dielectric sheet contacts a elec-trode 46. Electrode 46 is preferably an elongated roller rotating in the direction of arrow 48 so as to continue to advance the dielectric sheet in the direction of arrows 50. Roller 46 rotates in synchronism with drum 20. Voltage source 45 is connected between roller 46 and the conductive backing, i.e. aluminum of drum 20.
Voltage source 45 applies an electrical field between the conductive backing of drum 20 and roller 46. The dielectric sheet is in contact with roller 46. The electrical field applied by voltage source 45 is of a suitable magnitude and polarity to transfer the elec-trostatic latent image from the photoconductive surface of drum 20 to the dielectric sheet. Preferably, voltage source 45 produces a potential difference between the conductive backing of drum 20 and conductive roller 46 of about 1,000 volts. The dielectric sheet is spaced from the photoconductive surface of drum 10. Preferably, the spacing between the dielectric sheet and the photo-conductive surface of drum 20 is in the order of several ;
~14(~20i microns. Roller 46 is made preferably from a suitable material such as aluminum or copper. Various techniques have hereinbefore been described teaching the process of transferring an electrostatic latent image from a photoconductive surface to a dielectric sheet. Typical techniques are described in U.S. Patent No. 2,833,648 issued to Walkup in 1958, U.S. Patent No. 2,937,943 issued to Walkup in 1960, U.S. Patent No. 2,975,052 issued to Fotland et al. in 1961, U.S. Patent No.
2,982,647 issued to Carlson in 1961, and U.S. Patent No.
As shown in the drawing, the machine operator may select any or all of three modes of operation. If the machine operator depresses button 10 marked "CRT", a cathode ray tube will be energized to illuminate the charged portion of a photoconductive drum. This records a latent image corresponding to the informational areas contained within the cathode ray tube on the photoconduc-tive drum. Alternatively, if the machine operator depresses button 12, marked "COPIER", an original docu-ment disposed upon a platen of the electrostatographic printing machine will be reproduced. Finally, if the machine operator depresses button 14, marked "STYLUS
ARRAY", information transmitted to a stylus array or electrodes will be recorded on the copy sheet and re-produced. The machine operator has the option of select-ing any of the foregoing modes of operation or all of them simultaneously. ~he multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine hereinafter described prints electro-photographically and electrographically. In order to reproduce the information contained on the cathode ray tube or on the opaque original document, the printing machine operates in the electrophotographic printing mode. However, when the information is being transmitted to the stylus array, the printing machine operates in electrographic mode. These modes of operation may be combined to produce a composite single copy containing information from the opaque original document, the cathode ray tube, and the stylus array. Thus, the printing machine may operate in any or all of the fore-going modes.
Initially, drum 20 moves a portion of the photoconductive surface through charging station A.
At charging station A, a corona generating device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 24, charges the photoconductive surface of drum 20 to a relatively ~1402~31 high, substantially uniform potential.
Thereafter, the charged portion of the photo-conductive surface of drum 20 is advanced through expo-sure station B. At exposure station B, original docu-ment 16 is positioned face-down upon transparent platen 18. Transparent platen 18 moves in the direction of arrow 26. The exposure system, includes stationary lamps 28 which illuminate the original document disposed on the moving platen. As the platen moves, incremental width light images are formed which are projected through lens 30. Lens 30 focuses these light images onto the photoconductive surface of drum 20. The angular velo-city of drum 20 is synchronized to that of the linear velocity of platen 18. In this manner, the charged photo-conductive surface of drum 20 is discharged selectively by the light image of the original document. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive surface of drum 20 which corresponds to the informational areas contained within original document 16.
Next, drum 20 advances the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface to transfer station C. At transfer station C, the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface of drum 20 is transferred to a dielectric sheet. The dielectric sheet is advanced to transfer station C
in synchronism with the advancement of the electrostatic latent image thereto. A sheet feeding apparatus, indicated generally by the reference numeral 32, advances the dielectric sheet to transfer station C. Preferably, sheet feeding apparatus 32 includes a feed roll 34 rotat-ing in the direction of arrow 36. Feed roll 34 contacts the uppermost sheet of a stack of dielectric sheets 38.
Each dielectric sheet may be of any composition suitable ~ for electrographic recording. Mylar, polystyrene and polyethylene are examples of coatings which may be formed on plain paper to produce a dielectric sheet capable .~
tr~J~ rt~
ll~(SZ~'~
of retaining an electrostatic la~ent image thereon.
As feed roll 34 rotates in the direction of arrow 36, the uppermost dielectric sheet is advanced from stack 38 to registration rollers 40. Registration rollers S 40 rotate in the direction of arrows 42 to align and forward the advancing dielectric sheet into chute 44.
Chute 44 directs the advancing dielectric sheet into contact with the photoconductive surface of drum 20 in a timed sequence so that the electrostatic latent image recorded thereon is positioned opposed therefrom at transfer station C.
At transfer station C, the electrostatic latent image is transferred from drum 20 to the dielectric sheet.
Inasmuch as the charge on the dielectric sheet is not dissipated by exposure to light, it is not necessary to shield the image from light during the subsequent processing steps. The dielectric sheet contacts a elec-trode 46. Electrode 46 is preferably an elongated roller rotating in the direction of arrow 48 so as to continue to advance the dielectric sheet in the direction of arrows 50. Roller 46 rotates in synchronism with drum 20. Voltage source 45 is connected between roller 46 and the conductive backing, i.e. aluminum of drum 20.
Voltage source 45 applies an electrical field between the conductive backing of drum 20 and roller 46. The dielectric sheet is in contact with roller 46. The electrical field applied by voltage source 45 is of a suitable magnitude and polarity to transfer the elec-trostatic latent image from the photoconductive surface of drum 20 to the dielectric sheet. Preferably, voltage source 45 produces a potential difference between the conductive backing of drum 20 and conductive roller 46 of about 1,000 volts. The dielectric sheet is spaced from the photoconductive surface of drum 10. Preferably, the spacing between the dielectric sheet and the photo-conductive surface of drum 20 is in the order of several ;
~14(~20i microns. Roller 46 is made preferably from a suitable material such as aluminum or copper. Various techniques have hereinbefore been described teaching the process of transferring an electrostatic latent image from a photoconductive surface to a dielectric sheet. Typical techniques are described in U.S. Patent No. 2,833,648 issued to Walkup in 1958, U.S. Patent No. 2,937,943 issued to Walkup in 1960, U.S. Patent No. 2,975,052 issued to Fotland et al. in 1961, U.S. Patent No.
2,982,647 issued to Carlson in 1961, and U.S. Patent No.
3,055,006 issued to Dreyfoos et al. in 1962.
After the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the dielectric sheet, a plurality of rollers (not shown) advance the dielectric sheet along chute 52 to moistening station D. At moistening station D rollers 54 and 56, immersed in liquid 58, coat the backside of the dielectric sheet with a liquid 56 so as to improve the conductivity thereof. Preferably, liquid 56 is water which may have salt added thereto to improve the characteristics thereof. Roller 58 presses the dielectric sheet into contact with roller 54 so as to meter a precise quantity of liquid onto the backside of the dielectric sheet. Roller 60 controls the amount of liquid absorbed by roller 54 for application to the 25 backside of the dielectric sheet. Preferably, rollers 54 and 60 may be foam or a suitable brush-like material.
Roller 58 rotates in the direction of arrow 62 so as to continue to advance the dielectric sheet in the direction of arrow 50. After the dielectric sheet has been 30 moistened, it advances to development station E.
At development station E, a magnetic brush development system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 64, advances magnetic particles into contact with the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric 35 sheet. Magnetic brush system 64 includes a hopper 66 for holding a supply of magnetic particles 68 therein. The magnetic particles 68 are metered from hopper 66 onto tubular member 70. Preferably, tubular member 70 is made from a non-magnetic material such as aluminum. An ` -9- 114(~20~
elongated magnetic member 72 is disposed interiorly of tubular member 70. In this manner, a magnetic field is created which attracts magnetic particles 68 to tubular member 70. Tubular member 70 rotates in the direction of arrow 72 so as to advance the magnetic particles 68 into contact with the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric sheet. Conveyor 76 advances the dielectric sheet through development station C. Preferably, conveyor 76 includes a plurality of conductive fins for supporting the sheet thereon. ~hese conductive fins provide an electrode arrangement which the moistened dielectric sheet rides on during development to assure contact in a regular pattern. A voltage source (not shown) applies an electrical potential of suitable magnitude and polarity between conveyor 76 and tubular member 70 to insure development of the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric sheet. U.S. Patent No. 3,714,665 issued to Mutschler et al. in 1973 describes a suitable structure for moistening a sheet prior to the process of development.
After the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric sheet has been developed with magnetic particles, the dielectric sheet is advanced to fusing station F. Fusing station F, indicated generally by the reference numeral 78, includes a back-up roller 80 and a heated fuser roller 82. The dielectric sheet with the powder image thereon passes between back-up roller 80 and fuser roller 82. Fuser roller 82 rotates in the .~,`' l~OZC~l direction of arrow 84 and back-up roller 80 rotates in the direction of arrow 86. In this manner, both of the foregoing rolls continue to advance the dielectric sheet in the direction of arrow 50. The powder image contacts fuser roller 82 and the heat and pressure applied thereto permanently affixes it to the dielectric sheet. While a heated pressure roller system has been heretofore described, one skilled in the art will appreciate that if suitable magnetic particles are employed, a cold roll pressure system may be employed in lieu thereof. Thus, rollers 80 and 82 would both be cold rather than having roller 82 heated.
After fusing, conveyor 88 advances the finished copy sheet, in the direction of arrow 50, to catch tray 90. When the sheet is in catch tray 90, it may be sub-sequently removed therefrom by the machine operator.
The process heretofore described is only one mode of operation for the electrostatographic printing machine, i.e. wherein an opaque original document is disposed on the transparent platen. In this mode of operation, the machine operator has depressed button 12 marked "COPIER". Alternatively, the electrostato~
graphic printing machine may operate in any of the other modes of operation. For example, if an opa~ue original document is not positioned on the transparent platen, but information is received on the cathode ray tube, the machine operator would depress the button 10 marked l'CRT". In this mode of operation, the photoconductive surface of drum 20 is charged to a substantially uniform level as heretofore described at charging station A by corona generating device 24. After a portion of the photoconductive surface has been charged, it moves to exposure station B. At exposure station B, cathode ray tube 92 projects a light image of an original docu-ment through lens 94. Lens 94 focuses the light image received from cathode ray 92 cnto the charged portion ~L14(~2C~
of photoconductive surface of drum 20. The light image selectively discharges the charge thereon forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive sur-face of drum 20. Thereinafter, the elec~rostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface of drum 10 proceeds through the same processing stations as the electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12 by the utilization of an opaque original docu-ment disposed on a transparent platen, i.e. the process heretofore described.
Sheet feeding apparatus 32 advances the di-electric sheet to transfer station C in synchronism with the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photo-conductive surface of drum 20. At transfer station C, voltage source 45 produces an electrical field between roller 46 and the conductive backing of drum 20 so as to transfer the electrostatic latent image on the photo-conductive surface of drum 20 to the dielectric sheet.
The rollers in chute 52 continue to advance the dielec-tric sheet in the direction of arrow 50 to moistening station D.
At moistening station D, roller ~4 applies a liquid coating, preferably water, to the backside of the dielectric sheet improving the conductivity thereof.
The dielectric sheet is then advanced to development station E where tubular member 70 advances magnetic particles into contact with the electrostatic latent image thereon. The magnetic particles are attracted to the electrostatic latent image forming a powder image.
Next, the dielectric sheet is advanced through fusing station ~. At fusing station F, fusing apparatus 72 permanently affixes the powder image to the dielec-tric sheet. Conveyor 88 then advances the sheet to catch tray 90. It is thus apparent that the second mode of operation i.e. wherein cathode ray tube 92 is energized, ~14()2~
is substantially the same as the mode utilizing an opaque original document. The distinction resides in the manner in which exposure station B operates. It should be noted that if desired, both the cathode ray tube and the copy-ing mode of operation may be operated simultaneously.
For example, a opaque original document may be reproduced and the cathode ray tube may form a screen pattern in superimposed registration thereon. Alternatively, the opaque original document may be a standard form with the cathode ray tube providing specific information therefor. Thus, the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface of drum 20 may be a com-posite latent image containing information from the cathode ray tube and the opaque original document. It is thus evident that the electrostatographic printing machine may operate in either the copying mode wherein only an original document is reproduced, or in the CRT
mode wherein information from a cathode ray tube is reproduced. Not only may the electrostatographic print-ing machine operate in either of those modes but it may also operate in both of those modes simultaneously to record information on a common electrostatic latent image from both of the foregoing information sources.
Considering now the third mode of operation, where only "STYLUS ARRAY" button 14 is actuated. In this mode of operation, the dielectric sheet is advanced by sheet feeding apparatus 32 through chute 44 and between roller 46 and drum 20 to chute 52. The surface of chute 52 is a segmented conductive backing electrode for support-ing the backside of the dielectric sheet. A stylus array 96 is positioned closely adjacent to the surface of the segmented backing electrode 98 as it moves thereacross.
Stylus array 96 is a sheet width array which typically contains between l,000 and 4,000 stylii or electrode elements. On receipt of a signal, the stylus array is excited to a suitable potential and magnitude. Selective 1~4(~2~:~
excitation of stylii, individually forms an electrostatic latent image on the dielectric sheet. In the alterna-tive, an array of ion guns may be utilized in lieu of the stylii array. Other suitable electrode arrangement, as disclosed in the prior art, may also be utilized.
Backing plate 98 is electrically grounded.
After the electrostatic latent image has been formed on the dielectric plate by the selective energization of the stylus array, the dielectric sheet passes through moistening station D. At moistening station D, roller 54 applies a metered quantity of liquid to the backside of the dielectric sheet improv-ing the conductivity thereof. Thereinafter, the dielec-tric sheet passes through development station E.
At development station E, tubular member 72 deposits magnetic particles on the electrostatic latent image forming a powder image thereon.
~hereinafter, the dielectric sheet with the particle image thereon passes through fusing station 2~ F. At fusing station F, heated fuser roller 82 and back-up roller 80 apply heat and pressure to the powder image permanently affixing it to the dielectric sheet.
Thereinafter, conveyor 80 advances the dielectric sheet with the powder image permanently affixed thereto, in the direction of arrow 50, to catch tray 90 for subse quent removal from the printing machine by the machine operator.
It is thus apparent that in this latter mode of operation, the printing machine operates in an elec-trographic mode of operation. Thus the electrostato-graphic printing machine heretofore described may operate in either an electrographic or electrophotographic mode.
Not only may it operate in either of these modes indivi-dually but in combination with one another. For example, an electrostatic latent image may be formed on the photoconductive surface by the utilization of a cathode 114(~Z~l ray tube and/or the information contained within an opaque original document disposed upon the moving transparent platen. The resultant composite electrostatic latent image may then be transferred to the dielectric sheet.
Thereinafter, information may be recorded on the dielec-tric sheet by the stylus array. Thus, an electrostatic latent image may be formed on the dielectric sheet which contains information from an opaque original document, a cathode ray tube, and a stylus array. The resultant electrostatic latent image may contain information from all or any of the foregoing.
In recapitulation, it is evident that the multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine of the present invention forms an electrostatic latent image on a dielectric sheet. The electrostatic latent image may contain information from an opaque original document, a cathode ray tube, and a stylus array. The resultant electrostatic latent image may be formed from the informa-tion contained in any one or all of the foregoing. This latent image is then developed and permanently affixed to the dielectric sheet forming a copy of the information contained within the cathode ray tube, opaque original document, or the stylus array.
It is apparent that the multi-mode electrosta-tographic printing machine operates in the electrophoto-graphic mode of operation and the electrographic mode of operation. The electrophotographic mode of operation utilizes either a cathode ray tube or an opaque original document, or both of the foregoing. The electrographic mode of operation employs a stylus array or any equivalent electrode known in the art. The operator may select any single mode of operation or any combination of modes of operation merely by depressing the appropriate button or buttons. For example, depression of the cathode ray tube button actuates only the cathode ray tube. Similarly, depression of the copier button actuates only the opaque `` 11~02(~
original document mode of operation. Finally, actuation of the stylus array button merely actuates the stylus array. In order to actuate a combination of the fore-going, any two or all three of the foregoing buttons must be depressed.
While a cathode ray tube has been hereinbefore described, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any other electronic imaging technique may be employed, such as using a laser beam or a plurality of fiber optics to form an electrostatic latent image on the photocon-ductive member.
It is, therefore, evident that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine that fully satisfies the aims and advantages hereinbefore set forth. While this invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it will be evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterna-tives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
After the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the dielectric sheet, a plurality of rollers (not shown) advance the dielectric sheet along chute 52 to moistening station D. At moistening station D rollers 54 and 56, immersed in liquid 58, coat the backside of the dielectric sheet with a liquid 56 so as to improve the conductivity thereof. Preferably, liquid 56 is water which may have salt added thereto to improve the characteristics thereof. Roller 58 presses the dielectric sheet into contact with roller 54 so as to meter a precise quantity of liquid onto the backside of the dielectric sheet. Roller 60 controls the amount of liquid absorbed by roller 54 for application to the 25 backside of the dielectric sheet. Preferably, rollers 54 and 60 may be foam or a suitable brush-like material.
Roller 58 rotates in the direction of arrow 62 so as to continue to advance the dielectric sheet in the direction of arrow 50. After the dielectric sheet has been 30 moistened, it advances to development station E.
At development station E, a magnetic brush development system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 64, advances magnetic particles into contact with the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric 35 sheet. Magnetic brush system 64 includes a hopper 66 for holding a supply of magnetic particles 68 therein. The magnetic particles 68 are metered from hopper 66 onto tubular member 70. Preferably, tubular member 70 is made from a non-magnetic material such as aluminum. An ` -9- 114(~20~
elongated magnetic member 72 is disposed interiorly of tubular member 70. In this manner, a magnetic field is created which attracts magnetic particles 68 to tubular member 70. Tubular member 70 rotates in the direction of arrow 72 so as to advance the magnetic particles 68 into contact with the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric sheet. Conveyor 76 advances the dielectric sheet through development station C. Preferably, conveyor 76 includes a plurality of conductive fins for supporting the sheet thereon. ~hese conductive fins provide an electrode arrangement which the moistened dielectric sheet rides on during development to assure contact in a regular pattern. A voltage source (not shown) applies an electrical potential of suitable magnitude and polarity between conveyor 76 and tubular member 70 to insure development of the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric sheet. U.S. Patent No. 3,714,665 issued to Mutschler et al. in 1973 describes a suitable structure for moistening a sheet prior to the process of development.
After the electrostatic latent image formed on the dielectric sheet has been developed with magnetic particles, the dielectric sheet is advanced to fusing station F. Fusing station F, indicated generally by the reference numeral 78, includes a back-up roller 80 and a heated fuser roller 82. The dielectric sheet with the powder image thereon passes between back-up roller 80 and fuser roller 82. Fuser roller 82 rotates in the .~,`' l~OZC~l direction of arrow 84 and back-up roller 80 rotates in the direction of arrow 86. In this manner, both of the foregoing rolls continue to advance the dielectric sheet in the direction of arrow 50. The powder image contacts fuser roller 82 and the heat and pressure applied thereto permanently affixes it to the dielectric sheet. While a heated pressure roller system has been heretofore described, one skilled in the art will appreciate that if suitable magnetic particles are employed, a cold roll pressure system may be employed in lieu thereof. Thus, rollers 80 and 82 would both be cold rather than having roller 82 heated.
After fusing, conveyor 88 advances the finished copy sheet, in the direction of arrow 50, to catch tray 90. When the sheet is in catch tray 90, it may be sub-sequently removed therefrom by the machine operator.
The process heretofore described is only one mode of operation for the electrostatographic printing machine, i.e. wherein an opaque original document is disposed on the transparent platen. In this mode of operation, the machine operator has depressed button 12 marked "COPIER". Alternatively, the electrostato~
graphic printing machine may operate in any of the other modes of operation. For example, if an opa~ue original document is not positioned on the transparent platen, but information is received on the cathode ray tube, the machine operator would depress the button 10 marked l'CRT". In this mode of operation, the photoconductive surface of drum 20 is charged to a substantially uniform level as heretofore described at charging station A by corona generating device 24. After a portion of the photoconductive surface has been charged, it moves to exposure station B. At exposure station B, cathode ray tube 92 projects a light image of an original docu-ment through lens 94. Lens 94 focuses the light image received from cathode ray 92 cnto the charged portion ~L14(~2C~
of photoconductive surface of drum 20. The light image selectively discharges the charge thereon forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive sur-face of drum 20. Thereinafter, the elec~rostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface of drum 10 proceeds through the same processing stations as the electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12 by the utilization of an opaque original docu-ment disposed on a transparent platen, i.e. the process heretofore described.
Sheet feeding apparatus 32 advances the di-electric sheet to transfer station C in synchronism with the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photo-conductive surface of drum 20. At transfer station C, voltage source 45 produces an electrical field between roller 46 and the conductive backing of drum 20 so as to transfer the electrostatic latent image on the photo-conductive surface of drum 20 to the dielectric sheet.
The rollers in chute 52 continue to advance the dielec-tric sheet in the direction of arrow 50 to moistening station D.
At moistening station D, roller ~4 applies a liquid coating, preferably water, to the backside of the dielectric sheet improving the conductivity thereof.
The dielectric sheet is then advanced to development station E where tubular member 70 advances magnetic particles into contact with the electrostatic latent image thereon. The magnetic particles are attracted to the electrostatic latent image forming a powder image.
Next, the dielectric sheet is advanced through fusing station ~. At fusing station F, fusing apparatus 72 permanently affixes the powder image to the dielec-tric sheet. Conveyor 88 then advances the sheet to catch tray 90. It is thus apparent that the second mode of operation i.e. wherein cathode ray tube 92 is energized, ~14()2~
is substantially the same as the mode utilizing an opaque original document. The distinction resides in the manner in which exposure station B operates. It should be noted that if desired, both the cathode ray tube and the copy-ing mode of operation may be operated simultaneously.
For example, a opaque original document may be reproduced and the cathode ray tube may form a screen pattern in superimposed registration thereon. Alternatively, the opaque original document may be a standard form with the cathode ray tube providing specific information therefor. Thus, the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface of drum 20 may be a com-posite latent image containing information from the cathode ray tube and the opaque original document. It is thus evident that the electrostatographic printing machine may operate in either the copying mode wherein only an original document is reproduced, or in the CRT
mode wherein information from a cathode ray tube is reproduced. Not only may the electrostatographic print-ing machine operate in either of those modes but it may also operate in both of those modes simultaneously to record information on a common electrostatic latent image from both of the foregoing information sources.
Considering now the third mode of operation, where only "STYLUS ARRAY" button 14 is actuated. In this mode of operation, the dielectric sheet is advanced by sheet feeding apparatus 32 through chute 44 and between roller 46 and drum 20 to chute 52. The surface of chute 52 is a segmented conductive backing electrode for support-ing the backside of the dielectric sheet. A stylus array 96 is positioned closely adjacent to the surface of the segmented backing electrode 98 as it moves thereacross.
Stylus array 96 is a sheet width array which typically contains between l,000 and 4,000 stylii or electrode elements. On receipt of a signal, the stylus array is excited to a suitable potential and magnitude. Selective 1~4(~2~:~
excitation of stylii, individually forms an electrostatic latent image on the dielectric sheet. In the alterna-tive, an array of ion guns may be utilized in lieu of the stylii array. Other suitable electrode arrangement, as disclosed in the prior art, may also be utilized.
Backing plate 98 is electrically grounded.
After the electrostatic latent image has been formed on the dielectric plate by the selective energization of the stylus array, the dielectric sheet passes through moistening station D. At moistening station D, roller 54 applies a metered quantity of liquid to the backside of the dielectric sheet improv-ing the conductivity thereof. Thereinafter, the dielec-tric sheet passes through development station E.
At development station E, tubular member 72 deposits magnetic particles on the electrostatic latent image forming a powder image thereon.
~hereinafter, the dielectric sheet with the particle image thereon passes through fusing station 2~ F. At fusing station F, heated fuser roller 82 and back-up roller 80 apply heat and pressure to the powder image permanently affixing it to the dielectric sheet.
Thereinafter, conveyor 80 advances the dielectric sheet with the powder image permanently affixed thereto, in the direction of arrow 50, to catch tray 90 for subse quent removal from the printing machine by the machine operator.
It is thus apparent that in this latter mode of operation, the printing machine operates in an elec-trographic mode of operation. Thus the electrostato-graphic printing machine heretofore described may operate in either an electrographic or electrophotographic mode.
Not only may it operate in either of these modes indivi-dually but in combination with one another. For example, an electrostatic latent image may be formed on the photoconductive surface by the utilization of a cathode 114(~Z~l ray tube and/or the information contained within an opaque original document disposed upon the moving transparent platen. The resultant composite electrostatic latent image may then be transferred to the dielectric sheet.
Thereinafter, information may be recorded on the dielec-tric sheet by the stylus array. Thus, an electrostatic latent image may be formed on the dielectric sheet which contains information from an opaque original document, a cathode ray tube, and a stylus array. The resultant electrostatic latent image may contain information from all or any of the foregoing.
In recapitulation, it is evident that the multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine of the present invention forms an electrostatic latent image on a dielectric sheet. The electrostatic latent image may contain information from an opaque original document, a cathode ray tube, and a stylus array. The resultant electrostatic latent image may be formed from the informa-tion contained in any one or all of the foregoing. This latent image is then developed and permanently affixed to the dielectric sheet forming a copy of the information contained within the cathode ray tube, opaque original document, or the stylus array.
It is apparent that the multi-mode electrosta-tographic printing machine operates in the electrophoto-graphic mode of operation and the electrographic mode of operation. The electrophotographic mode of operation utilizes either a cathode ray tube or an opaque original document, or both of the foregoing. The electrographic mode of operation employs a stylus array or any equivalent electrode known in the art. The operator may select any single mode of operation or any combination of modes of operation merely by depressing the appropriate button or buttons. For example, depression of the cathode ray tube button actuates only the cathode ray tube. Similarly, depression of the copier button actuates only the opaque `` 11~02(~
original document mode of operation. Finally, actuation of the stylus array button merely actuates the stylus array. In order to actuate a combination of the fore-going, any two or all three of the foregoing buttons must be depressed.
While a cathode ray tube has been hereinbefore described, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any other electronic imaging technique may be employed, such as using a laser beam or a plurality of fiber optics to form an electrostatic latent image on the photocon-ductive member.
It is, therefore, evident that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine that fully satisfies the aims and advantages hereinbefore set forth. While this invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it will be evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterna-tives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims (16)
1. A multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine including:
a photoconductive member;
means for transporting a dielectric member along a path of travel;
a portion of said path being closely adjacent to said photoconductive member;
means for recording a first electrostatic latent image onto said photoconductive member for transfer to said dielectric member;
a plurality of individually energizable styli positioned along said path for forming a second electrostatic latent image onto said dielectric member;
means for selectively applying electric potentials to individual ones of said styli;
means for depositing particles on said dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image;
means for affixing substantially permanently said particles to said dielectric member; and operator selectable means for energizing said recording means and said styli simultaneously or energizing either said recording means or said styli independently.
a photoconductive member;
means for transporting a dielectric member along a path of travel;
a portion of said path being closely adjacent to said photoconductive member;
means for recording a first electrostatic latent image onto said photoconductive member for transfer to said dielectric member;
a plurality of individually energizable styli positioned along said path for forming a second electrostatic latent image onto said dielectric member;
means for selectively applying electric potentials to individual ones of said styli;
means for depositing particles on said dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image;
means for affixing substantially permanently said particles to said dielectric member; and operator selectable means for energizing said recording means and said styli simultaneously or energizing either said recording means or said styli independently.
2. A printing machine as recited in Claim 1, further including means for moistening said dielectric member to increase the conductivity of said dielectric member prior to said depositing means developing the electro-static latent image with particles.
3. A printing machine as recited in Claim 1, wherein said recording means includes:
means for charging at least a portion of said photoconductive member to a substantially uniform level; and means for irradiating the charged portion of said photoconductive member with a beam of radiation to record the first electrostatic latent image on said photoconductive member.
means for charging at least a portion of said photoconductive member to a substantially uniform level; and means for irradiating the charged portion of said photoconductive member with a beam of radiation to record the first electrostatic latent image on said photoconductive member.
4. A printing machine as recited in Claim 3, wherein said irradiating means includes:
a cathode ray tube for generating a light image of an original document being reproduced; and a lens for focusing the light image of the original document onto the charged portion of said photoconductive member for recording the first electrostatic latent image thereon.
a cathode ray tube for generating a light image of an original document being reproduced; and a lens for focusing the light image of the original document onto the charged portion of said photoconductive member for recording the first electrostatic latent image thereon.
5. A printing machine as recited in Claim 3, wherein said irradiating means includes:
means for supporting an original document;
means for illuminating the original document; and a lens arranged to focus a light image of the original document onto the charged portion of said photoconductive member to record the first electrostatic latent image thereon.
means for supporting an original document;
means for illuminating the original document; and a lens arranged to focus a light image of the original document onto the charged portion of said photoconductive member to record the first electrostatic latent image thereon.
6. A printing machine as recited in Claim 1, wherein said depositing means includes:
a non-magnetic tubular member;
means for generating a magnetic field to attract the particles to the exterior surface of said tubular member; and means for producing relative movement between said tubular member and said generating means to advance the particles adhering to said tubular member into contact with the electrostatic latent image on said dielectric member.
a non-magnetic tubular member;
means for generating a magnetic field to attract the particles to the exterior surface of said tubular member; and means for producing relative movement between said tubular member and said generating means to advance the particles adhering to said tubular member into contact with the electrostatic latent image on said dielectric member.
7. An apparatus as recited in Claim 1 further comprising:
a conductive member for supporting said dielectric member closely adjacent to said photoconductive member; and means for applying an electric field between said photoconductive member and said conductive member to transfer the first electrostatic latent image from said photoconductive member to said dielectric member.
a conductive member for supporting said dielectric member closely adjacent to said photoconductive member; and means for applying an electric field between said photoconductive member and said conductive member to transfer the first electrostatic latent image from said photoconductive member to said dielectric member.
8. A method of electrostatographic printing, including the steps of:
recording a first electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive member;
transferring the first electrostatic latent image to a dielectric member;
forming a second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member by selectively applying electrical potentials to individually ener-gizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon producing a powder image;
affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and selecting said steps of recording and transferring to produce only the first electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member, or said step of forming to produce only the second electrostatic latent image on the dielec-tric member, or said steps of recording, transferring and forming to produce both the first electrostatic latent image and the second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member.
recording a first electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive member;
transferring the first electrostatic latent image to a dielectric member;
forming a second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member by selectively applying electrical potentials to individually ener-gizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon producing a powder image;
affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and selecting said steps of recording and transferring to produce only the first electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member, or said step of forming to produce only the second electrostatic latent image on the dielec-tric member, or said steps of recording, transferring and forming to produce both the first electrostatic latent image and the second electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member.
9. A method as recited in Claim 8, further including the step of moistening the dielectric member to increase the conductivity of the dielec-tric member prior to said step of depositing particles thereon.
10. A method as recited in Claim 8, wherein said step of recording includes the steps of:
irradiating the charged portion of the photoconductive member with a beam of radiation to record the first electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member.
irradiating the charged portion of the photoconductive member with a beam of radiation to record the first electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member.
11. A method as recited in Claim 10, wherein said step of irradiating includes the step of energizing a cathode ray tube to project a light image of the original document through a lens which focuses the light image onto the charged portion of the photoconductive member to record the first electro-static latent image thereon.
12. A method as recited in Claim 10, wherein the step of irradiating includes the steps of:
supporting an original document;
illuminating the original document; and forming a light image of the original document and focusing the light image thereof onto the charged portion of the photoconductive member to record the first electrostatic latent image thereon.
supporting an original document;
illuminating the original document; and forming a light image of the original document and focusing the light image thereof onto the charged portion of the photoconductive member to record the first electrostatic latent image thereon.
13. A method as recited in Claim 8, wherein said step of depositing includes the steps of:
magnetically attracting the particles to the peripheral surface of a tubular member; and advancing the particles attracted to the peripheral surface of the tubular member into contact with the electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member.
magnetically attracting the particles to the peripheral surface of a tubular member; and advancing the particles attracted to the peripheral surface of the tubular member into contact with the electrostatic latent image on the dielectric member.
14. A method as recited in Claim 8, wherein said step of trans-ferring includings the steps of:
supporting the dielectric member on a conductive member posi-tioned closely adjacent to the photoconductive member; and applying an electrical field between the photoconductive member and the conductive member to transfer the first electrostatic latent image from the photoconductive member to the dielectric member.
supporting the dielectric member on a conductive member posi-tioned closely adjacent to the photoconductive member; and applying an electrical field between the photoconductive member and the conductive member to transfer the first electrostatic latent image from the photoconductive member to the dielectric member.
15. A multi-mode printing process for generating an image of selected information creatable from different multiple information sources on a dielectric member comprising the steps of:
a) forming a first latent image on a photoconductor; said first latent image generated from a first information source using a means to impose a light pattern on said photoconductor;
b) transferring said first latent image from said photoconductor to said dielectric member;
c) forming a second latent image on said dielectric member from information generated by selectively energizing a number of individually energizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
d) depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon lo produce a powder image and affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and e) selecting said steps of forming said first and second images to produce only the first latent image on the dielectric member, or only the second latent image on the dielectric member, or both first and second latent images on the dielectric member.
a) forming a first latent image on a photoconductor; said first latent image generated from a first information source using a means to impose a light pattern on said photoconductor;
b) transferring said first latent image from said photoconductor to said dielectric member;
c) forming a second latent image on said dielectric member from information generated by selectively energizing a number of individually energizable styli positioned in close proximity to said dielectric member;
d) depositing particles on the dielectric member to develop the electrostatic latent image thereon lo produce a powder image and affixing substantially permanently the powder image to the dielectric member; and e) selecting said steps of forming said first and second images to produce only the first latent image on the dielectric member, or only the second latent image on the dielectric member, or both first and second latent images on the dielectric member.
16. The process of Claim 15, wherein a third latent image is selectively formed on the dielectric member from information generated by a third information source; said third source operative to selectively impose an additional light pattern on said photoconductor.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2861679A | 1979-04-09 | 1979-04-09 | |
| US028,616 | 1979-04-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1140201A true CA1140201A (en) | 1983-01-25 |
Family
ID=21844447
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000345990A Expired CA1140201A (en) | 1979-04-09 | 1980-02-19 | Multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0021561B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS55135881A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1140201A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3063425D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06103422B2 (en) * | 1983-06-13 | 1994-12-14 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Copying device |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL279524A (en) * | 1961-06-08 | |||
| US3526191A (en) * | 1966-10-24 | 1970-09-01 | Xerox Corp | Duplicating process employing magnetic developer material |
| JPS5129022B1 (en) * | 1967-12-26 | 1976-08-23 | ||
| DE2223802A1 (en) * | 1971-05-17 | 1972-12-07 | Eastman Kodak Co | Device for reproducing or reverse reproducing the image of a positive or negative original |
| US3776634A (en) * | 1972-11-22 | 1973-12-04 | Rca Corp | Apparatus for and method of reproducing an electrostatic charge pattern |
| JPS49119630A (en) * | 1973-03-15 | 1974-11-15 | ||
| JPS515924A (en) * | 1974-07-03 | 1976-01-19 | Fujitsu Ltd | |
| DE2445543A1 (en) * | 1974-09-24 | 1976-04-01 | Agfa Gevaert Ag | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAKING COPIES |
| JPS52426A (en) * | 1975-06-23 | 1977-01-05 | Copyer Co Ltd | Transfer device for electrostatic copying machine |
| JPS5841514B2 (en) * | 1975-12-30 | 1983-09-12 | 富士通株式会社 | Denshiyashinouchi |
-
1980
- 1980-02-19 CA CA000345990A patent/CA1140201A/en not_active Expired
- 1980-04-02 JP JP4342980A patent/JPS55135881A/en active Pending
- 1980-04-09 EP EP19800301141 patent/EP0021561B1/en not_active Expired
- 1980-04-09 DE DE8080301141T patent/DE3063425D1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3063425D1 (en) | 1983-07-07 |
| EP0021561A3 (en) | 1981-02-18 |
| JPS55135881A (en) | 1980-10-23 |
| EP0021561B1 (en) | 1983-05-25 |
| EP0021561A2 (en) | 1981-01-07 |
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