EP0018742A1 - Verfahren zur Verbesserung der maximalen Dichte und des Tonumfangs elektrographischer Bilder und elektrographisches Kopiergerät zur Durchführung des Verfahrens - Google Patents
Verfahren zur Verbesserung der maximalen Dichte und des Tonumfangs elektrographischer Bilder und elektrographisches Kopiergerät zur Durchführung des Verfahrens Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0018742A1 EP0018742A1 EP80301189A EP80301189A EP0018742A1 EP 0018742 A1 EP0018742 A1 EP 0018742A1 EP 80301189 A EP80301189 A EP 80301189A EP 80301189 A EP80301189 A EP 80301189A EP 0018742 A1 EP0018742 A1 EP 0018742A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- image
- layer
- photoconductive
- halftone screen
- photoconductive layer
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 53
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 5
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N tin dioxide Chemical compound O=[Sn]=O XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QPLDLSVMHZLSFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper oxide Chemical compound [Cu]=O QPLDLSVMHZLSFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- UPWOEMHINGJHOB-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxo(oxocobaltiooxy)cobalt Chemical compound O=[Co]O[Co]=O UPWOEMHINGJHOB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000033458 reproduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- NJVOHKFLBKQLIZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (2-ethenylphenyl) prop-2-enoate Chemical compound C=CC(=O)OC1=CC=CC=C1C=C NJVOHKFLBKQLIZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PLXMOAALOJOTIY-FPTXNFDTSA-N Aesculin Natural products OC[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H]1Oc2cc3C=CC(=O)Oc3cc2O PLXMOAALOJOTIY-FPTXNFDTSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- BUGBHKTXTAQXES-UHFFFAOYSA-N Selenium Chemical compound [Se] BUGBHKTXTAQXES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FMRLDPWIRHBCCC-UHFFFAOYSA-L Zinc carbonate Chemical compound [Zn+2].[O-]C([O-])=O FMRLDPWIRHBCCC-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium Chemical compound [Zr] QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011195 cermet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002482 conductive additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940116318 copper carbonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229910000009 copper(II) carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GEZOTWYUIKXWOA-UHFFFAOYSA-L copper;carbonate Chemical compound [Cu+2].[O-]C([O-])=O GEZOTWYUIKXWOA-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- GBRBMTNGQBKBQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L copper;diiodide Chemical compound I[Cu]I GBRBMTNGQBKBQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 235000019854 cupric carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011646 cupric carbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229960004643 cupric oxide Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001739 density measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005686 electrostatic field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000002573 ethenylidene group Chemical group [*]=C=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 229920001038 ethylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001747 exhibiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007687 exposure technique Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940046892 lead acetate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000001459 lithography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940093474 manganese carbonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 235000006748 manganese carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011656 manganese carbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000016 manganese(II) carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XMWCXZJXESXBBY-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(ii) carbonate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[O-]C([O-])=O XMWCXZJXESXBBY-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 230000000873 masking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000008 nickel(II) carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ZULUUIKRFGGGTL-UHFFFAOYSA-L nickel(ii) carbonate Chemical compound [Ni+2].[O-]C([O-])=O ZULUUIKRFGGGTL-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052711 selenium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011669 selenium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001887 tin oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001131 transforming effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009827 uniform distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000004416 zinc carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011667 zinc carbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000010 zinc carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229940043825 zinc carbonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- G03G15/04—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material
- G03G15/04027—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material and forming half-tone image
Definitions
- This invention relates to the production of electrographic images and particularly to an electrophotographic method for forming improved copies of originals which contain a wide range of image densities.
- Electrographic copying methods commonly produce images having high contrast. These methods are very useful for producing good line copy reproductions. However, such methods have not been particularly useful in reproducing originals that contain a wide range of image densities or relatively large areas of uniform density. Frequently, adjunct means such as halftone screens are used to improve the reproduction of such images which are so difficult to reproduce. Haltohe tint screens have opaque dots of uniform density.
- Typical techniques for producing half-tone copies of continuous tone images or of large image areas of uniform density involve transforming the image into a plurality of dots or lines which can then be developed.
- discrete charge-bearing zones discrete charge-bearing zones (dots, lines or other shapes) are formed on the surface of the element, which zpnes are separated by areas that bear little or no electrical charge relative to that of the discrete charge-bearing zones.
- Such discrete charge-bearing zones are referred to herein as "charge islands”.
- Latent electrostatic images comprising charge islands can be created by initially charging the electrographic surface in a screen pattern, by masking the original image with a halftone screen during exposure, or by uniformly exposing a charged photoconductive surface through a haltone screen before, during or after image exposure, but before development.
- a typical method is disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,598,732.
- the range of densities of the original which can be faithfully reproduced is referred to hereinafter as the tonal range.
- an electrographic copying method for producing copies having increased maximum density and tonal range which method comprises:
- Copies produced according to the present invention have greater than expected maximum densities and greatly improved tonal ranges as compared with images produced by prior art electrographic methods in which halftone screens are used. Continuous tone originals, as well as originals having alphanumeric line copy and relatively large areas of uniform density, are reproduced with greater fidelity to the original than has been obtainable with such prior art electrographic methods.
- the method of the present invention can be used to produce continuous tone images, which method comprises:-
- the charge islands are produced on a photoconductive layer by exposure through a halftone screen which is an integral part of the photoconductive 'element.
- This embodiment of the invention offers several advantages including 1) registration problems are minimised, 2) simple continuous exposure techniques can be used since the screen moves with the photoconductive layer, 3) a fixed space is maintained between the screen pattern and the photoconductive layer and 4) high frequency screen patterns may be used without significant resolution loss.
- Figs. 1 and 2 show the results of developing charge islands with two kinds of developer; a non-conductive developer having been used in the case of Fig. 1 and a conductive developer, as required for the method of this invention, having been used for Fig. 2.
- the developed charge islands are discrete and faithfully retain the size and shape of the transparent areas of the halftone screen.
- the developed charge islands do not retain the dimensions of the transparent areas of the halftone screen.
- the developed charge islands of Fig. 2 appear to have expanded, making the open spaces between the islands smaller.
- This surprising expansion causes the maximum density of the image to be increased.
- the maximum density obtained using the method of the present invention is more than three times the predicted density.
- This effect, referred to herein as dot enlargement is entirely unexpected.
- the improvement of the tonal range of images reproduced by the method of this invention is one result of dot enlargement.
- the present invention is broadly applicable to any electrographic method for reproducing an image which method provides a'modulated latent electrostatic image, e.g., a latent electrostatic image having a range of charge intensities.
- the photoconductive element 11 contains a transparent support 12.
- the support provides mechanical strength to the element and makes it suitable for use in electrophotographic copying machines.
- the support can be fabricated of almost any transparent material, and may be selected from such diverse materials as glass and plastics of various types.
- the support can be rigid as in the case of a plate or cylinder of glass or polymethylmethacrylate, or it can be flexible as with the case of a plastic such as polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate.
- a transparent support is shown in Fig. 3, other types of supports can be used, especially in circumstances where the photoconductive layer is to be exposed other than through the support.
- a halftone screen 13 made up of a number of finely divided, alternating, opaque and transparent areas. This screen is used to form charge islands on the photoconductive layer.
- the screen pattern of opaque and transparent areas can be a conventional dot pattern or line pattern of the type used for the fabrication of halftone plates for newspaper printing.
- the alternating opaque and transparent areas of the screen pattern may be of almost any shape, including round dots, elliptical dots and lines.
- the spacings of the pattern can also vary so that the pattern is regular, irregular, or random.
- the pattern can also be varied in size from dot-to-dot or line-to-line. Since the screen is utilized only for forming charge islands, it can be either electrically conducting or insulating.
- the halftone screen should be oriented such that after exposure through the screen, the resultant halftone pattern is at an angle of from 30° to 10° to any halftone pattern that may be present in the original which is to be copied.
- the halftone screen When the halftone screen is used, it can be located in the film base as disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,310,401 and 3,335,003. It can be integral with the conductive layer as disclosed in Canadian Patent 577,137. It can be in the barrier layer as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,341,326. It can be present as an overcoat layer over the photoconductive layer as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,627,526 and it can be integral with the photoconductive layer-as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,681,071.
- Methods for producing electrophotographic images using halftone screens are well known. Such methods are disclosed in the aforementioned patents.
- the halftone screens can'have almost any frequency. Particularly useful results are obtained with halftone screens having a frequency of 32 to 80 dots/cm and a percent tint i.e. percent opaque areas of 10 to 90%.
- a halftone screen is not the only means for forming charge islands on the electrophotographic element.
- Other means can also be used for this purpose.
- charge islands can be formed by corona charge or discharge through a screen such as a grid-controlled screen or insulator.screen, or by a pulsed corona charge through a longitudinal screen. They can also be formed using a patterned array of pulsed styli or wires, by discharging the photoconductive layer with a textured conducting roller, or by discharging in a voltage contrast pattern in a layer beneath the photoconductive layer.
- Latent electrostatic images composed of charge islands according to the present invention can also be formed with a single exposure by using a scanning type exposure device such as a computer addressed light emitting diode array, cathode ray tube or laser.
- the continuous tone image can be momentarily or permanently stored in binary form in a computer memory.
- the proper output transducer circuits between the conputer's memory and the exposure means are engaged.
- the computer's logic controls the transducer circuits in a way to cause the cathode ray tube, laser or light emitting diode array to modulate and/or pulse on and off according to the tonal range of the continuous tome image, while scanning and thus exposing a photoconductive layer.
- a very thin transparent conductive layer 14 which can be composed of tin oxide, nickel, cermet, or copper iodide. Methods for forming such conductive layers are well known.
- an electrical or chemical barrier layer can be used in combination with the conducting layer 14 and the halftone screen 13.
- the photoconductive layer 16 can be any of the photoconductive insulating layers generally used in electrophotography, and can include layers of vitreous selenium, aggregate photoconductive layers of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,615,414 or any one of many other organic photoconductive layers including multi-layer photoconductive elements having separate charge generating and charge transport functions.
- the photoconductive element is first charged in darkness so that the photoconductive layer is sensitized with a generally uniform electrostatic field.
- photoconductive layer 16 of the element is exposed to an original containing a continuous tone image by projector means 17 thereby forming on said layer 16, a latent electrostatic image of the original. Formation of the plurality of charge islands within the latent electrostatic image is effected in this mode by a second uniform exposure of the photoconductive layer 16 through the rear of the element, and thus through the halftone screen 13.
- the rear exposure is carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or after exposure of the photoconductive layer to the image, the only requirement being that this rear exposure be carried - out after the charging step and prior to the development step.
- This uniform exposure step is illustrated by arrows 18 in Fig. 3.
- the uniform rear exposure of the charged photoconductive layer through screen 13 serves to discharge at least partially all areas of the photoconductive layer 16 directly opposite transparent areas of the screen. This exposure thus forms a plurality of charge islands on photoconductive layer 16.
- the amount of exposure used to form these charge islands will vary according to a variety of factors, including the nature of the photoconductive layer, type of developer, and mode of development.
- the number and size of the charge islands is governed by the frequency and percent tint of the halftone screen used. Assuming image exposure after rear exposure through the screen, the charge islands opposite white areas of the original image being copied are substantially completely discharged by the exposure to the original. Charge islands opposite grays in the original are partially discharged. And charge islands opposite blacks in the original retain their original charge level.
- the charge islands are formed first and then modulated by the exposure to the original. If both front and rear exposures are made simultaneously, modulated charge islands are formed in a single step. If the image exposure is made prior to the rear exposure, the level of charge across the whole element is first modulated according to the light received from the image exposure to the subject. The resulting latent electrostatic image is then divided into charge islands by the subsequent rear exposure through the halftone screen. Regardless of which sequence is employed, the resulting charge pattern on the element is modulated by the uniform exposure through a halftone screen.
- a photoconductive surface was used in the above described method. However, such charge islands could be formed by other means on a dielectric surface. Information about the original could be received from a computer or other data source and recorded by computer-addressed styli on a dielectric surface.
- the charge island image is contacted with a developer which is'conductive either intrinsically or as a result of electrical breakdown.
- the resistance of an intrinsically conductive developer should be less than 10 9 ohms (fL), preferably less than 10 6 ohms, when measured as described below.
- Resistance can be measured using a General Radio DC electrometer type 1230-A, 6-9 Volts (or comparable equipment) in accordance with the following procedure. For each measurement, a 15 gram quantity of developer material was used. A cylindrical bar magnet (560 Gauss North Pole) having a circular end of about 6.25 sq.cm. was used to attract the developer and hold it in the form of a brush. After formation of the brush, the bar magnet was positioned with the brush carrying end approximately parallel to and about 0.5 cm. from a burnished copper plate. The resistance of the particles in the magnetic brush was then measured between the magnet and the copper plate at 21°C and 40% relative humidity.
- a cylindrical bar magnet (560 Gauss North Pole) having a circular end of about 6.25 sq.cm. was used to attract the developer and hold it in the form of a brush. After formation of the brush, the bar magnet was positioned with the brush carrying end approximately parallel to and about 0.5 cm. from a burnished copper plate. The resistance of the particles in the magnetic brush was then measured between the magnet and the copper
- Typical conductive developers comprise a toner and a carrier and are non-liquid.
- the carrier may be conductive.
- a conductive additive may be present to improve the conductivity of the developer.
- Typical conductive developers include carriers such as iron, cobaltic oxide, stannic oxide, zinc and ferromagnesium, cupric carbonate, zinc carbonate, manganese carbonate, cupric oxide, lead acetate, zirconium, and nickel carbonate. Single component conductive developers can be used.
- This electrical breakdown phenomenon exhibited by developers manifests itself when the resistance of the developer material is measured as a function of the electrical field across the developer.
- the resistance is conveniently measured by 1) placing a metal electrode in the plane of the photoconductive element above an operating magnetic brush, 2) applying a known potential to the electrode, and 3) measuring the current passing through the magnetic brush. Resistance is calculated by dividing the voltage by the current. At a certain level of the applied field, called the electrical breakdown value, for a small increase in field there is a large drop in the resistance of the developer material. The developer then acts as though it has a higher conductivity.
- Development by using the electrical breakdown phenomenon can be carried out by a) contacting a latent electrostatic image with a developer composition and b) establishing across such developer an electrical field greater than the electrical breakdown value of the developer, thereby causing the developer to undergo electrical breakdown.
- Development by the electrical breakdown mode can be influenced by a number of factors such as: the composition of the carrier particles; the concentration of toner particles in the developer; the strength of the electric field between the surface bearing the electrostatic charge pattern and the electrode; the thickness of the developer (i.e., the distance between the surface bearing the electrostatic charge pattern and the electrode); initial photoconductor charge or charge on the support; voltage on the electrode and the choice of photoconductor thickness to govern the surface potential per unit charge. Development is accomplished by selecting one or more of the aforementioned factors such that the electric field which forms across the developer during development is greater than the electrical breakdown value of the developer under the conditions of development. Development by the electrical breakdown mode can be accomplished using liquid developers or dry developers.
- Preferred developers are those which have relatively low electrical breakdown values. Less than 25 volts/mm is typical. Also, in order to prevent discharging of the latent electrostatic image, preferred developers are those which exhibit relatively high resistivity prior to electrical breakdown, i.e., when subjected to a low strength electrical field. A low field resistivity of at least 10 5 ohm-cm is preferred. By the term “low field resistivity” and “measured under low fields” as used herein, we mean resistance measurements made in accordance with the procedure previously described.
- the latent image can be transferred to another support before it is developed.
- the transfer can be made before or after the latent image is made into a charge island image.
- any of the methods for electrostatic image transfer described in the prior art can be used. If the latent electrostatic image is transferred before the charge islands are formed, the charge islands can be formed on an insulated receiving element before, during or after the transfer. Development is carried out on the transferred latent charge island image in the same manner as described for development on photoconductive layers.
- Development with conductive developers or via the electrical breakdown mode can be carried out using any of the conventional electrographic developing means, including cascade and magnetic brush technique.
- a particularly useful magnetic brush technique comprises 1) moving a member bearing an electrostatic image past a development zone and 2) transporting such developer a) through a first development zone in a direction generally countercurrent to the moving member and b) through a second development zone in the same direction as the moving member.
- the development apparatus 30 comprises two magentic brushes 31, 32 mounted at a development station along the path of an electrographic member 33.
- the electrographic member can be a photoconductive insulating layer 34, an electrically conductive backing layer 35 and a film support 36.
- Each of the magnetic brushes 31, 32 comprises an array of strip magnets, denoted N and S, arranged as shown around the periphery of inner cores 38 and 39, which are stationary within developer reservoir 40.
- Each brush also includes an electrically conductive outer cylinder 41 and 42 respectively, which is non-magnetic and rotatable around the core to transport developer mixture, attracted by the magnets N and S, from the reservoir 40 into contact with the image member 33 and back into the reservoir to be replenished.
- augers 48, 49 can be provided in the reservoir as shown.
- the augers have a pitch which varies longitudinally to equalize the quantity of developer supplied.
- the cylinders 41 and 42 of brushes 31 and 32 are rotated in different directions, as indicated, by drive means 43, 44 respectively, and that each cylinder has a separate electrical voltage from respective potential sources Vb 1 and Vb 2 .
- the image member 33 is moved as shown across the development apparatus as the magnetic brushes 31 and 32 are rotated in the directions described and shown.
- Any electrographic apparatus which includes an image recording member having an image recording area and means for forming an electrostatic image on said area can be adapted to perform the method of the present invention.
- Such apparatus can be modified to include means for forming, in the image recording areas of the image recording member, a plurality of charge islands and development means which includes a supply of conductive ' developer for applying the developer to the resulting electrostatic image.
- Image-forming stations of a representative electrographic apparatus are presented schematically in Fig. 7.
- the electrographic apparatus as presented, comprises a photoconductive image recording element 70 which includes the halftone screen described in Fig. 3.
- the apparatus also includes charging means 71, imaging exposure means 72, and means 73 for uniformly exposing the imaging area of the photoconductive layer through the halftone screen. The uniform exposure through the halftone screen can be made before, during or after formation of an electrostatic image or an original.
- development means 74 which includes a conductive developer composition as required by the present invention.
- the method of the present invention can be used to form both monochrome and polychrome copies. Suitable colorants can be incorporated into toners according to known methods.
- a transparent aggregate photoconductive element of the type described in Example 1 of U.S. Patent 3,615,414 was charged and exposed to a step tablet having neutral density areas of 0.09, 0.41, 0.75 and 1.05.
- the element was given a second uniform exposure from the front side through a halftone screen having a frequency of 60 dots/cm, and a percent tint of 50 percent of its area.
- the resulting latent charge island image was then developed with a magnetic brush and a developer composition like that of Example 7 herein having a resistance of 1.5 x 10 6 ⁇ measured as described hereinbefore.
- the reflection densities of the developed image of the step tablet were compared graphically with the densities one would ordinarily expect from the use of a 50 percent tint halftone screen.
- the expected densities were calculated assuming that the dots on each step of the step tablet were faithfully reproduced as in Fig. 1. The calculation was carried out in the following manner.
- the density (D) of a particular image area is given by the formula
- D 1 represents the density of the solid area.
- D 2 represents the density of the paper base.
- Fig. 4 The graphic comparison of the actual reflection densities and the expected densities is shown in Fig. 4.
- the graph of Fig. 4 shows that the expected output Dmax (0.38) is about 1/3 of the actual output Dmax (1.2).
- the tonal range of this example is also greater than that expected. More steps of the step stablet were faithfully reproduced than expected.
- Example 1 prints were made as in Example 1 with two different developers: a dry partially conductive developer, with a resistance of a 1.5 x 10 6 ⁇ (a developer like that of Example 7 herein) and a dry developer with a resistance of 4.4 x 10 9 ⁇ .
- Example 2 Each element was imagewise exposed substantially as in Example 1 except that the uniform screen exposure was through the halftone screen from the rear of the film.
- a reflection original document was used as a test with areas having neutral densities of 0.09, 0.41, 0.75 and 1.05 respectively.
- the prints were developed as in Example 1 with a conductive developer having a resistance of 1.5 x 10 6 ⁇ . Density measurements were made and plotted as in Example 2.
- the prints showed-smooth, uniform, neutral tones with very little mottle and edge defects.
- the graphs describing density input vs. density output showed high Dmax, lowered image contrast and extended tonal range as in Example 1.
- the developers used in Examples 4-8 contained toner particles comprising carbon black in a styrene- acrylate polymeric matrix and magnetic carrier particles coated with a vinylidene fluoride-fluoro-ethylene- copolymer.
- Various carrier particle cores were used (see list below) to produce developers exhibiting a range of resistances that were measured as previously described.
- integral screen photoconductive element was prepared containing, in the following order: a transparent film support of poly(ethylene terephthalate), a magenta halftone screen of 60 dots/cm, 50% tint, printed by offset lithography onto the film support, an evaporated nickel conducting layer, and an aggregate photoconductive layer of the type described in Example 1 of U.S. Patent 3,615,414.
- This example illustrates the use of a developer that is made conductive by the breakdown development mode.
- the developer was similar to the developer described in Example 8 with the exception that the mean particles size of the toner was smaller (6.8 millimicrons).
- the toner concentration was 3.1%.
- An integral screen photoconductive element was used similar to the element described in Examples 4-8 with.the exception that the halftone screen had a frequency of 52 dots/cm. and a 40% tint.
- the developer was run in a two-roller magnetic brush development station for 1 hour to allow the developer to come to equilibrium.
- the photoconductive element was charged to -500 volts, exposed such that the film voltage corresponding to a 0.15 neutral density grey scale step was -150 volts, uniformly rear exposed through the screen and developed in a breakdown development mode in a two roller magnetic brush development device with 7.6 cm diameter rollers operating at brush speeds of 160 and 180 RPM.
- the film velocity was 25 cm/second and the magnetic brush spacing from the film surface was 1.9 millimeters with a development brush bias of -140 volts.
- the breakdown value for this developer, as measured according to the procedure described hereinbefore was 13.6 volts per millimeter.
- the present invention is also useful in forming reversal images.
- Image tone reversal can be obtained by developing the discharge areas of the images (instead of the charge islands) using a highly biased magnetic brush, and then developing with a toner having the same polarity as the brush bias.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electrophotography Using Other Than Carlson'S Method (AREA)
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Combination Of More Than One Step In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Magnetic Brush Developing In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
- Silver Salt Photography Or Processing Solution Therefor (AREA)
- Photoreceptors In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Liquid Crystal (AREA)
- Paper (AREA)
- Compounds Of Alkaline-Earth Elements, Aluminum Or Rare-Earth Metals (AREA)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT80301189T ATE4435T1 (de) | 1979-04-16 | 1980-04-15 | Verfahren zur verbesserung der maximalen dichte und des tonumfangs elektrographischer bilder und elektrographisches kopiergeraet zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US3066879A | 1979-04-16 | 1979-04-16 | |
US30668 | 1979-04-16 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0018742A1 true EP0018742A1 (de) | 1980-11-12 |
EP0018742B1 EP0018742B1 (de) | 1983-08-10 |
EP0018742B2 EP0018742B2 (de) | 1988-08-24 |
Family
ID=21855368
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP80301189A Expired EP0018742B2 (de) | 1979-04-16 | 1980-04-15 | Verfahren zur Verbesserung der maximalen Dichte und des Tonumfangs elektrographischer Bilder und elektrographisches Kopiergerät zur Durchführung des Verfahrens |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0018742B2 (de) |
JP (1) | JPS5619067A (de) |
AT (1) | ATE4435T1 (de) |
AU (1) | AU536674B2 (de) |
BR (1) | BR8002337A (de) |
DE (2) | DE3014449C2 (de) |
FR (1) | FR2454646A1 (de) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0158384A1 (de) * | 1984-03-23 | 1985-10-16 | Océ-Nederland B.V. | Kopierverfahren |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3335003A (en) * | 1963-10-09 | 1967-08-08 | Xerox Corp | Reflex xerographic process |
US3341326A (en) * | 1962-10-01 | 1967-09-12 | Xerox Corp | Dark decay controlled xerography |
US3627526A (en) * | 1969-12-29 | 1971-12-14 | Rca Corp | Electrophotographic recording elements with half-tone screen coatings thereon |
US3681071A (en) * | 1970-01-02 | 1972-08-01 | Rca Corp | Method of pressure treating electrophotographic recording elements to change their sensitivity to light |
US4076857A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1978-02-28 | Eastman Kodak Company | Process for developing electrographic images by causing electrical breakdown in the developer |
US4083632A (en) * | 1976-04-05 | 1978-04-11 | Xerox Corporation | Multi-frequency screen |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2598732A (en) * | 1949-03-09 | 1952-06-03 | Haloid Co | Electrophotography |
DE1175985B (de) * | 1959-11-05 | 1964-08-13 | Agfa Ag | Verfahren zur Herstellung elektro-photographischer Bilder |
US3337339A (en) * | 1962-10-01 | 1967-08-22 | Xerox Corp | Screen xerography |
ZA73911B (en) * | 1972-03-15 | 1973-11-28 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Electrographic development process |
US3905822A (en) * | 1973-10-23 | 1975-09-16 | Xerox Corp | Compound screen for object screening |
US4051536A (en) * | 1975-03-14 | 1977-09-27 | Xerox Corporation | Electronic halftone imaging system |
JPS52143826A (en) * | 1976-05-26 | 1977-11-30 | Mita Industrial Co Ltd | Electric recording method |
-
1980
- 1980-04-15 EP EP80301189A patent/EP0018742B2/de not_active Expired
- 1980-04-15 AT AT80301189T patent/ATE4435T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-04-15 FR FR8008381A patent/FR2454646A1/fr active Granted
- 1980-04-15 DE DE3014449A patent/DE3014449C2/de not_active Expired
- 1980-04-15 DE DE8080301189T patent/DE3064518D1/de not_active Expired
- 1980-04-15 BR BR8002337A patent/BR8002337A/pt unknown
- 1980-04-16 JP JP4924380A patent/JPS5619067A/ja active Granted
- 1980-04-16 AU AU57518/80A patent/AU536674B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3341326A (en) * | 1962-10-01 | 1967-09-12 | Xerox Corp | Dark decay controlled xerography |
US3335003A (en) * | 1963-10-09 | 1967-08-08 | Xerox Corp | Reflex xerographic process |
US3627526A (en) * | 1969-12-29 | 1971-12-14 | Rca Corp | Electrophotographic recording elements with half-tone screen coatings thereon |
US3681071A (en) * | 1970-01-02 | 1972-08-01 | Rca Corp | Method of pressure treating electrophotographic recording elements to change their sensitivity to light |
US4083632A (en) * | 1976-04-05 | 1978-04-11 | Xerox Corporation | Multi-frequency screen |
US4076857A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1978-02-28 | Eastman Kodak Company | Process for developing electrographic images by causing electrical breakdown in the developer |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0158384A1 (de) * | 1984-03-23 | 1985-10-16 | Océ-Nederland B.V. | Kopierverfahren |
US4587193A (en) * | 1984-03-23 | 1986-05-06 | Oce-Nederland, B.V. | Copying process with patterned charge injection into charge transport layer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS5619067A (en) | 1981-02-23 |
EP0018742B2 (de) | 1988-08-24 |
FR2454646B1 (de) | 1983-12-09 |
DE3014449A1 (de) | 1980-10-30 |
FR2454646A1 (fr) | 1980-11-14 |
BR8002337A (pt) | 1980-12-02 |
AU5751880A (en) | 1980-10-23 |
JPH0210954B2 (de) | 1990-03-12 |
DE3014449C2 (de) | 1986-03-27 |
EP0018742B1 (de) | 1983-08-10 |
ATE4435T1 (de) | 1983-08-15 |
AU536674B2 (en) | 1984-05-17 |
DE3064518D1 (en) | 1983-09-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4385823A (en) | Method and means for improving maximum density and tonal range of electrographic images | |
US4078929A (en) | Method for two-color development of a xerographic charge pattern | |
EP0010375B1 (de) | Elektrostatographisches Gerät | |
US3607258A (en) | Electrophotographic plate and process | |
US3702483A (en) | Color rendition method | |
US4251152A (en) | Electrostatic apparatus for multi-image formation | |
CA1332117C (en) | Imaging system | |
US3778841A (en) | Induction imaging system | |
US3817748A (en) | Contrast control in electrostatic copying utilizing liquid development | |
US3816115A (en) | Method for forming a plurality of electrostatic latent images on an electrophotographic plate | |
US3881921A (en) | Electrophotographic process employing image and control grid means | |
US3703376A (en) | Induction imaging system | |
US3719481A (en) | Electrostatographic imaging process | |
US4021106A (en) | Apparatus for electrostatic reproduction using plural charges | |
KR910002442B1 (ko) | 컬러전자사진방법 및 장치 | |
US3337339A (en) | Screen xerography | |
JPH04304475A (ja) | 2レベル静電画像の選択的カラー化装置 | |
EP0406414A1 (de) | Elektrofotografisches farbverfahren und gerät | |
US4509850A (en) | Two-color electrophotographic printing machine | |
EP0018742B1 (de) | Verfahren zur Verbesserung der maximalen Dichte und des Tonumfangs elektrographischer Bilder und elektrographisches Kopiergerät zur Durchführung des Verfahrens | |
USRE32259E (en) | Method and means for improving maximum density and tonal range of electrographic images | |
US3794418A (en) | Imaging system | |
US5008707A (en) | Simultaneous charging and exposure for pictorial quality | |
US3341326A (en) | Dark decay controlled xerography | |
US5101216A (en) | Xeroprinting using a corona charge injection modifying material |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT NL SE |
|
DET | De: translation of patent claims | ||
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19810402 |
|
ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed | ||
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 4435 Country of ref document: AT Date of ref document: 19830815 Kind code of ref document: T |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 3064518 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19830915 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBI | Opposition filed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260 |
|
26 | Opposition filed |
Opponent name: OCE-NEDERLAND B.V. Effective date: 19840508 |
|
PUAH | Patent maintained in amended form |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009272 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDED |
|
27A | Patent maintained in amended form |
Effective date: 19880824 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT NL SE |
|
NLR2 | Nl: decision of opposition | ||
ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed | ||
NLR3 | Nl: receipt of modified translations in the netherlands language after an opposition procedure | ||
ET3 | Fr: translation filed ** decision concerning opposition | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Payment date: 19910412 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 19910417 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
ITTA | It: last paid annual fee | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 19910430 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 19910507 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 19910514 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Effective date: 19920415 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Effective date: 19920416 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Effective date: 19920430 Ref country code: CH Effective date: 19920430 Ref country code: BE Effective date: 19920430 |
|
BERE | Be: lapsed |
Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK CY Effective date: 19920430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Effective date: 19921101 |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19940318 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19940402 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19940415 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
EUG | Se: european patent has lapsed |
Ref document number: 80301189.9 Effective date: 19921108 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Effective date: 19950415 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19950415 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Effective date: 19951229 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Effective date: 19960103 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |