GB783732A - Improvements in and relating to methods of and apparatus for reproducing, recording or portraying information - Google Patents

Abstract

783,732. Copying-telegraphy. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. July 29, 1955 [July 30, 1954], No. 22017/55. Class 40 (3). [Also in Groups XVI and XXXV] In an apparatus for reproducing information, a magnetic image is produced on an endless ferromagnetic member by an impressing member moving relatively thereto, a developer including minute magnetic particles is applied to the image carrier to adhere to it in the image areas, the pattern of particles is transferred on to a removable support such as a paper strip for permanently carrying the information, and the magnetic image is removed by an eraser head, the particles being applied to the ferromagnetic carrier while in the apparatus and excess particles being conveyed to a reservoir. An electromagnetic stylus 11 supported on a carriage 12 is energized from a conventional facsimile transceiver, and the carriage 12 is moved by a scanning assembly 13 axially along a drum 17 carrying a ferromagnetic member 10, which drum is rotated slowly clockwise. The carriage is moved by a chain 42 so as to follow an endless path defined by guide channels in plates 38, 40 so as to traverse the drum during part of its path. A magnetic image is thereby formed on the member 10 line by line. Magnetic particles in suspension in a liquid in a reservoir 19 are forced by a pump 21 through a control valve 27 to an axial distributer pipe 26 having a slot through which the liquid is forced upwardly against the member 10 so as to run down it to the point 30 and return to the reservoir, a bypass pipe to the reservoir also being provided. The liquid adheres to the member 10 where the magnetic image is, and to a greater degree the more intense the image. The liquid then evaporates and the now-visible particle image passes in contact with a paper web 32 coated on its outer surface with a temperature-sensitive adhesive and passed round a roller 34 incorporating a heater 35, so that the particles are embedded in the coating to form a permanent image. The magnetic image is removed by an eraser head 37. For continuous operation, three carriages 11 each with a stylus are mounted on the assembly 13 and the drum is longer. For making several copies, the head 37 and stylus are rendered inoperative. The member 10 may be of an alloy of 29 per cent cobalt, 21 per cent nickel and 50 per cent copper, and the drum 17 of low carbon content steel. The particles may be magnetite suspended in alcohol. The paper web may have a titanium dioxide undercoat and adhesive coating, or a translucent paper may be used. The pressure exerted by the roller 34 is 8-10 lb. per lineal inch, and the roller is coated with rubber or neoprene. The stylus comprises a core of 49 per cent nickel and 51 per cent iron, with a tip of iron or silicon steel of diameter 6- 10 mils., being surrounded by an insulating plastic sheath. 96 lines are printed per inch of drum circumference. Specifications 686,009 and 733,484 are referred to.