US3658687A - Apparatus for forming images with applicator, shearing, smoothing and cleaning means - Google Patents

Apparatus for forming images with applicator, shearing, smoothing and cleaning means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3658687A
US3658687A US876641A US3658687DA US3658687A US 3658687 A US3658687 A US 3658687A US 876641 A US876641 A US 876641A US 3658687D A US3658687D A US 3658687DA US 3658687 A US3658687 A US 3658687A
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electrode
imaging
suspension
tank
smoothing
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Raymond K Egnaczak
Gino F Squassoni
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Xerox Corp
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Xerox Corp
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G17/00—Electrographic processes using patterns other than charge patterns, e.g. an electric conductivity pattern; Processes involving a migration, e.g. photoelectrophoresis, photoelectrosolography; Processes involving a selective transfer, e.g. electrophoto-adhesive processes; Apparatus essentially involving a single such process
    • G03G17/04—Electrographic processes using patterns other than charge patterns, e.g. an electric conductivity pattern; Processes involving a migration, e.g. photoelectrophoresis, photoelectrosolography; Processes involving a selective transfer, e.g. electrophoto-adhesive processes; Apparatus essentially involving a single such process using photoelectrophoresis

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An imaging electrode assembly for forming photoelectrophoretic images in automated machines. Various components surrounding the electrodes prepare them to aid in image formation. One roller electrode is driven past an imaging suspension applying and leveling apparatus, a suspension shearing apparatus and suitable surface wipers. Another roller electrode passes cleaning brushes and wetting apparatus to remove materials picked up on its surface during its action in the photoelectrophoretic imaging machine cycle.
  • This invention relates to imaging systems and more specifically to an improved imaging electrode assembly.
  • Particles in these mixes may have overlapping or separate spectral response curves and are usable in subtractive color synthesis.
  • the particles will migrate from one of the electrodes under the influence of an electric field when struck with energy of a wavelength within the spectral response of the colored particles.
  • Another object of this invention is to automatically provide imaging suspension at the imaging member under the proper electrophoretic conditions.
  • Another object of this invention is to ink and clean electrodes for use in automated photoelectrophoretic imaging systems.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to supply imaging suspension ready for imaging between electrodes of a photoelectrophoretic imaging system.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a machine for forming photoelectrophoretic images
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view partially broken away to show hidden parts of the imaging electrode assembly
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a side view, with hidden parts dotted, of the imaging electrode module
  • FIG. 5 is a side view, with hidden parts dotted, of the imaging electrode module as viewed from the side opposite FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.
  • the imaging system therein described and which can be employed in the apparatus described herein operates by producing electromagnetic radiation in image configuration to which the individual photoelectrophoretic particles within the suspension are sensitive.
  • the activating radiation and an electric field across the imaging suspension combine between two electrodes in the imaging area.
  • An electrode referred to as the transparent injecting electrode is maintained electrically positive relative to imaging electrodes interfacing with it at the imaging area across the photosensitive suspension. Therefore, particles within the suspension that are negatively charged will be attracted to the relatively positive, transparent injecting electrode.
  • the injecting electrode is so named because it is thought to inject electrical charges into activated photosensitive particles during imaging.
  • photosensitive for the purposes of this invention refers to the property of a particle which, once attracted to the injecting electrode, will alter its polarity and migrate away from the electrode under the influence of an applied electric field when exposed to activating electromagnetic radiation.
  • suspension may be defined as a system having solid particles dispersed in a solid, liquid or gas. Nevertheless, the suspension used in the embodiment of this invention described herein is of the general type having a solid suspended in a liquid carrier.
  • imaging electrode is used to describe that electrode which interfaces with the injecting electrode through the suspension and which once contacted by activated photosensitive particles will not inject sufficient charge into them to cause them to migrate from the imaging electrode surface.
  • the imaging zone" or imaging area is that zone between two electrodes where photoelectrophoretic imaging occurs.
  • the particles within the suspension are generally insulating when not struck by activating radiation within their spectral response curve.
  • the negative particles come into contact with or are closely adjacent to the injecting electrode and remain in that position under the influence of the applied electric field until they are exposed to activating electromagnetic radiation.
  • the particles near the surface of the injecting electrode make up the potential imaging particles for the final image to be reproduced thereon. When activating radiation strikes the particles, it makes them conductive creating an electrical junction of charge carriers which may be considered mobile in nature.
  • the negative charge carriers of the electrical junction orient themselves toward the positive injecting electrode while the positive charge carriers move toward the imaging electrode.
  • the negative charge carriers near the particle-electrode interface at the injecting electrode can move across the short distance between the particle and the surface of the electrode leaving the particle with a net positive charge.
  • the system may be operated with dispersions of particles which initially take on a net positive charge or a net negative charge.
  • the imaging suspension may contain one, two, three or more different particles of various colors having various ranges of spectral response.
  • the particles includedin the suspension may be of any color and produce any color and the particle spectral response is relatively immaterial as long as there is a response in some region of the spectrum which can be matched by a convenient radiation exposure source.
  • the particles may be selected so that particles of different colors respond to different wavelengths.
  • the electrode may be brought into interface with a transfer member which has a charge polarity opposite to that of the imaging electrode.
  • the injecting electrode is now maintained negative relative to the transfer member.
  • the particles having a net negative charge will be attracted to the relatively positive transfer member. If a support material is interposed between the transfer member and the particle image, the particles will be attracted to the support material. Therefore, a photographically positive image can be formed on any support material.
  • THE MACHINE COMPONENTS a layer of optically transparent glass 4 overcoated with a thin optically transparent layer 5 of tin oxide or other electrically conducting material.
  • a particular material suitable for this electrode is available under the name of NESA glass manufactured by Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Pittsburgh, Pa.
  • the injecting electrode 1 is formed as a portion of a cylinder housed within the metal housing frame 2.
  • the machine shown schematically in FIG. 1 is positioned where the injecting electrode cylinder portion is about to be rotated in a predetermined path to a cleaning station labeled A whereat a plurality of cleaning members such as belts 6, 7 and 8 contact the conductive surface 5 of the injecting electrode.
  • a plurality of cleaning members such as belts 6, 7 and 8 contact the conductive surface 5 of the injecting electrode.
  • Each of the belts are activated by one of the cylinders l2, l3 and 14 to contact the injecting electrode 1. These cylinders operate to press the belts against the conductive surface of the injecting electrode in order to clean it.
  • the next station in the path of movement of the injecting electrode is the imaging station B.
  • the imaging electrode 16 interfaces with the conductive surface 5 of the injecting electrode 1.
  • the optical system at station'C projects an image to the imaging zone between the electrodes 1 and 16 at station 8.
  • the optical system has a lamp carriage l7 journaled at an axis 18 to oscillate in a path indicated by the arrows.
  • a document 20 is positioned at the platen 19.
  • the lamps are shown at the start of scan position and as the injecting electrode 1 passes through the imaging area at station B the lamps move across the platen l9 projecting an image at station B through suitable mirrors 21-23, a lens 24 and the transparent electrode 1.
  • the imaging electrode roller 16 moves in rolling interface relation with the conductive surface 5 of the injecting elec trode '1 and functions both to supply suspension to the inject ing electrode and to image that suspension between the injecting electrode surface 5 and the surface of the electrode 16.
  • the injecting electrode continues to rotate at a constant velocity through a complete rotation of the predetermined path. It travels without interacting with any elements located around the periphery of the path until it again reaches station B at the imaging zone. Now, however, the injecting electrode 16 has been moved out of its interfacing position by operation of a cylinder 25 which lowers the electrode 16 and the housing 26 supporting it. Further, a cylinder 27 moves a carriage 28 along a horizontal path carrying with it the housing 26 which supports the imaging electrode 16. Also moved in the carriage 28 is a second imaging member, the imaging electrode 29 within a housing 30 maintaining it. A cylinder 31 operates through aneccentric 32 to raise the housing 30 and the second imaging electrode 29 at the imaging zone at the imaging station B of the machine.
  • the second imaging electrode 29 moves in rolling interface with the injecting electrode surface 5 as that surface passes through the imaging station B.
  • the original 20 on the platen l9- is again illuminated by the scanning lamps 33 at the optical system station C.
  • the scan is synchronized with the movement of the injecting electrode to project a flowing image in registration with the first projection and moving at the same rate as is the surface 5 at the imaging zone.
  • the injecting electrode 1 then passes into the transfer station D.
  • a transfer roller 40 At station D is a transfer roller 40.
  • a sheet of support material held in the supply tray 41 is lifted therefrom and is carried through a vacuum transport 42 to the transfer roller 40. It is gripped by a gripper mechanism 43 on the transfer roller 40 and rotated to the injecting electrode 1 passing at station D.
  • a gripper mechanism 43 On the transfer roller 40 and rotated to the injecting electrode 1 passing at station D.
  • Before the sheet '44 contacts the surface 5 of the injecting electrode 1 it is moistened with a liquid that will aid in transferring the particles of the suspension on the surface 5.
  • the wetting is accomplished by a wetting bar 45 rotated in a pool of suitable wetting material held within a tank 46.
  • the transfermember 40 rotates the support material 44 in rolling contact with the surface 5 of the injecting electrode 1 under the influence of a suitable electric field causing the particles forming the image on the injecting electrode to be transferred to the support material.
  • the support material is removed from the transfer member by picker fingers 47 and a release mechanism on the grippers. Next it is carried on a vacuum transport 48 to a fixing station E where it is heated or otherwise fixed to form a permanently bonded image on the support material which is then deposited in some suitable receptacle.
  • the image forming process occurs in the imaging zone at station B at the interfacing between the injecting electrode 1 and an imaging electrode. It is at this interface that the photoelectrophoretic pigments are brought between the injecting and the imaging electrodes for processing under an applied field and image radiation coming from the optical system at station C.
  • the imaging electrode module fits between two machine frames 100 and 101.
  • the unit slides along a set of guide rails 102 and 103 by nylon or other low friction material rollers 104 and 105 mounted on the module carriage 28 to permit easy shuttling of the carriage back and forth along the rails 102 and 103.
  • Other guide rollers 106 and 107 fit into rails along the bottom machine frame 108 and are fastened along the bottom of the carriage 28 to aid in the movement of the carriage relative to the machine frames 'and the injecting electrode.
  • the entire carriage 28 is shuttled back and forth by a cylinder 27 mounted through a clevis mount 109 to the machine bottom frame 108.
  • the extreme position of the cylinder 27 movement is determined by an adjustable carriage return stop 111 which interacts with a flange 112 on the carriage bracket 113.
  • the carriage side walls 114 and 115 are the module boundaries of the imaging electrode unit and have the guide rollers 104 and 105 protruding therefrom.
  • Mounted on and actually formed as part of the carriage are the first and second electrode imaging tanks 26 and 30 respectively.
  • the first imaging electrode tank Within the first imaging electrode tank is the imaging electrode 16 mounted on its shaft 116 fastened at each end of the imaging tank through end caps 117 and 118 fitted into the tank side walls 119 and 120 respectively.
  • the first imaging tank 26 itself is broken into two sections.
  • the first is the suspension applicator section which houses the first imaging electrode 16 and mechanisms to apply and treat imaging suspension to it.
  • the tank is composed of an end and middle wall 121 and 122 respectively and a bottom plate 123.
  • the second section of the first imaging electrode tank is the mount section which is open at its end and adapted for maintaining various connections motors and the like used in the function of the invention.
  • a suspension supplying brush 125 which is adapted to supply imaging suspension to the roller 16 from a supply thereof held within the first imaging tank.
  • the imaging suspension supply brush 125 brings the suspension from the bottom of the applicator portion of the tank 26 to the surface of the first imaging electrode 16.
  • the brush is mounted on a shaft 126 which is supported through bearings in the first imaging tank walls 119 and 120.
  • a smoothing rod such as a wound wire rod 127 is made to move into interface with the imaging electrode 16.
  • the rod can be grooved, smooth, knurled or have any surface for pressing a uniform thin layer of suspension.
  • the smoothing rod is mounted by two support arms 128 and 129 to a pivot shaft 130 which protrudes through the arms 128 and 129 into the side walls 119 and 120 of the first imaging electrode tank.
  • the pivot shaft 130 is preferably a torque tube which aids in applying uniform force across the smoothing rod functioning with the surface of the first imaging electrode 16.
  • the torque tube passes through suitable bearings extending through the tank wall 119 and joins with a crank arm 131 pressed onto it.
  • the roller is mounted on a shear roll shaft 135 which in turn is held through a bearing to crank arm 137 and through a similar bearing to a similar crank arm on the opposite end of the shaft. Greater detail for this mechanism is shown in FIG. 6. Also mounted through to the crank arm 137 is the torque tube 138.
  • the drive shaft 140 of the torque tube 138 slips through the bearing 139 in the crank arm 137.
  • the torque tube 138 is wedded to the crank arm 137 and that is the driving mechanism to rotate the crank arm and the shear roll into a position of contact with the first imaging electrode.
  • the torque tube shaft passes through the tank wall through an Oilite bearing.
  • the shaft mounts to a timing belt pulley 142 which is driven by a timing belt 143.
  • the pulley 142 is separated from the torque tube shaft 138 by a bearing 144. That bearing functions with bearing 145 to turn the sprocket 146 for rapidly rotating the shear roll 134 through a chain 147 and a driven sprocket 148 mounted on the shaft of the shear roll 134.
  • the shaft of the torque tube is prevented from moving relative to the pulley sprocket combination (142,146) by a collar 149 mounted on the extreme outboard side ot the torque tube shaft.
  • the shear roll is electrically biased relative to the first imaging electrode 16 in order to create better shearing effects as described in the above mentioned copending application Ser. No. 764,721 but is not shown in the drawings.
  • a knife edge blade 150 is next in the path of movement of the first imaging electrode 16. This contacts the first imaging electrode when the electrode is out of imaging position.
  • the blade 150 functions to prevent imaging suspension from traveling around the path of travel of the surface of the imagining electrode when there is no need for imaging suspension in the machine cycle.
  • the blade is fitted in acrank arm 151 which is normally positioned to keep the blade out of contact with the first imaging electrode.
  • the crank arm 151 is formed with two flanges 152 and 153 which contact a torque tube 154 used for moving the knife edge blade 150 against the surface of the first imaging electrode uniformly.
  • the torque tube shaft 155 passes through suitable bearings through the side walls 119 and 120 of the first imaging electrode tank and at one end of the crank arm 156 which rotates the torque tube.
  • the knife blade edge 150 is brought into and out of contact with the first imaging electrode surface through these connections in an operation described below.
  • the remaining section of the first imaging electrode tank 26 maintains the shear roll drive motor 157 mounted to the bottom plate 123 of the first imaging electrode tank and connected through a drive sprocket 158 to the timing belt 143 used to drive the shear roller 134.
  • the last component interacting with'the surface of the first imaging electrode 116 is a squeegee blade 159 held in a block 160 that functions to scrape off unused pigment and suspension from the first imaging electrode 16.
  • the block is machined down to an eccentric shaft end 161 which is held in a setting arm 162 adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a screw 163 passing through a threaded receptacle in the setting arm 162 and resting against a stop 164 mounted to the tank wall 119.
  • a tension spring 165 maintains the setting arm 162 in the proper position.
  • the surface 166 is formed of a material having a resistivity of 10 ohms-cm. or greater that is necessary to maintain the proper electrical field conditions for imaging at the imaging zone.
  • the surface 166 is formed of such blocking material as Tedlar, a polyvinylfluoride film, available from 15.1. DuPont de Nemours & Co. or baryta paper or the like.
  • the backing for the surface material 166 is an electrically conductive rubber-like material 167 that is capable of being deformed when contacting the injecting electrode in the imaging zone.
  • the second imaging roller 29 which has a high resistivity surface 168 and a deformable inner core 169. Therefore, the second imaging roller 29 has an outer covering 168 of the same blocking material as the outer covering 166 of the first imaging electrode.
  • the second imaging electrode is mounted on a shaft 170 which passes through the side wall 171 at end cap 172 and through the side wall 173 at the end cap 174.
  • Each of the end caps maintaining the imaging electrodes are constructed with bearings so that the shafts and the electrodes thereon may be rotated freely in the end caps.
  • the function of the second imaging electrode is to remove unwanted background particles from the image formed on the injecting electrode and to generally improve the image on the injecting electrode. It has no suspension addition function as does the first imaging electrode.
  • the brushes 175 and 176 function to remove liquid from the outer surface of the second imaging electrode.
  • the liquid is maintained in the bottom of the second imaging electrode tank 30.
  • a wiper blade 177 is held'in a mounting block 178 in contact with the surface 168 to remove the liquid therefrom. This prevents contaminated liquid from entering the imaging zone.
  • Each of the cleaning brushes 175 and 176 have shafts 179 and 180, respectively, that pass through the side walls of the second imaging electrode cleaning tank 30.
  • Mounted on the bottom plate 181 of the tank is a motor bracket 182 housing a motor 183 which operates to turn the cleaning brushes 175 and 176.
  • One of the tank walls 184 has a liquid dispenser near the top thereof.
  • the liquid used to coat the surface 168 of the second imaging electrode is squirted through a slot 185 running across the entire length of the wall 184. This permits fresh liquid to be added to the system for use with the second imaging electrode.
  • the liquid enters the slot from the inlet.187 shown in FIG. 4.
  • the carriage 28 is shuttled back and forth beneath the injecting electrode. Either the first imaging electrode 16 or the second imaging electrode 29 is thereby positioned for interfacing with the injecting electrode at station 8 where light rays from the object are projected. This is done by raising either the first or second imaging electrode tanks will all of the associated components therein. As shown in the figures, the tanks are shuttled by the cylinder 27 to a position where the first imaging electrode will interface with the injecting electrode when the latter is at station B along its path. The first imaging electrode tank 26 is raised up from its neutral downward position. This is accomplished by means of the cylinder 25 connected through a clevis mount to a crank arm 190 which is fixably attached to a shaft 191 maintaining an eccentric 192 thereon.
  • the first imaging electrode tank 26 being moved by the operation of the cylinder 25 in cooperation with the eccentric 192 is maintained for balance on a second eccentric fastened on a shaft 193 also located under the first imaging electrode tank 26.
  • the cylinder 25 When the cylinder 25 is operated it rotates the shaft 191 through the crank arm 190.
  • a chain 194 over a sprocket 195 mounted on the shaft 191 drives another sprocket 196 rotating the shaft 193 with an eccentric thereon.
  • This double shaft-eccentric arrangement is beneficial since the tank contains heavy equipment at the one end, namely, the first imaging electrode and its associated apparatus, and heavy equipment on the other end including the shear roller motor 157. It is important to keep the tank balanced to prevent spillage of materials held within the tank and to ensure proper positioning between the first imaging electrode and the injecting electrode.
  • the first imaging electrode 16 is positioned under the imaging zone ready for operative interfacing with the injecting electrode 1.
  • the cylinder 25 is actuated pulling the crank arm 190 therewith and moving the eccentrics 191 and 193 to a position where the first imaging tank 26 rests on the rise of the eccentrics.
  • the entire tank moves upward a predetermined amount to give the proper interfacing positioning between the injecting electrode surface and the imaging electrode 16.
  • the imaging suspension is continually supplied to the surface 166 of the first imaging electrode and the smoothing rod sends a metered amount of imaging suspension to the shear roll 134.
  • the smoothing rod 127 is held at a predetermined pressure contact through the suspension to the electrode surface 166 by setting the torque tube shaft 131 from a crank arm 250 held in position by a spring 251.
  • the shear roll mechanism is actuated by bringing the roll 134 into contact with the suspension on the surface 166 of the first imaging electrode.
  • the shear torque tube 138 is mounted on the crank arm 252 which, through the clevis mount 253 which secures it to a cylinder 254.
  • the cylinder 254 When the cylinder 254 is actuated it causes the shear roller 134 to swing into contact with the first imaging electrode 16 through the linkages described.
  • the knife blade edge is removed from surface contact with the imaging electrode 16 and the now applied metered and sheared suspension is moved into the imaging zone to selectively be deposited on the injecting electrode 1 in image configuration.
  • the suspension not forming part of the image transported away on the injecting electrode 1 moves with the imaging electrode 16 into contact with the squeegee 159 held in the block 160. Here it is removed from the surface 166 before new imaging suspension is applied by the application brush 125.
  • the cylinder 25 is de-energized, lowering the first image electrode tank 26.
  • the carriage shuttling cylinder 27 is now energized pulling the carriage 28 and both the imaging tanks 26 and 30 to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3.
  • the cylinder stops this movement when the second imaging electrode tank 30 is positioned to have the second imaging electrode 29 directly under the imaging zone.
  • the second imaging electrode tank 30 is moved upward by actuating the cylinder 31 and rotating the eccentric 211 to raise the second imaging tank on the high position of that eccentric.
  • the second imaging electrode 29 moves in the imaging zone it has been sprayed with a fluid that is either similar to, or exactly the same as, the liquid carrier of the imaging suspension. This helps to loosen the particles that should be removed from the image held on the injecting electrode 1. Since the movement is under the same imaging conditions as existed with the first imaging electrode 16 interface, the image on the injecting electrode surface 3 is reinforced by removing the particles struck by the activating radiation from the flowing image projected from the optical system at station C.
  • the surface 168 is cleaned of all residual suspension by the action of the cleaning brushes and 176.
  • the surface is wiped clean and relatively dry by the action of the squeegee blade 177 held within the squeegee block 178.
  • the contaminated liquid removed from the surface 168 of the second imaging electrode 29 is removed (by means not shown) from the second imaging electrode tank 30 to be filtered or in other ways processed for return through the spray system in the wall 184 of the second imaging electrode tank.
  • the second electrode tank 30 is dropped to its rest position by de-activation of the cylinder 31.
  • the cylinder 27 is once again actuated so that the tanks shuttle back to their original position where the imaging cycle may be restarted.
  • the knife blade edge 150 is moved to contact the surface 166 of the first imaging electrode. This is done by activating the cylinder 255 moving the crank arm 156 to the right as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the cylinders referred to herein may be hydraulic or pneumatic or may be replaced by electrical means such as solenoids or mechanical means such as cams. Even combinations of the above may be used for achieving the functions required to fulfill the description given herein.
  • the required electric potential is supplied through an electrical connector 215 and electrical contact brushes 216 which contact the shaft 116 of the first imaging electrode.
  • the electrical source is not shown but should be sufficient to generate between approximately 300 v. and 5,000 v. at the surface of the imaging electrodes when contacting the injecting electrode).
  • the apparatus around the second imaging electrode 29 is not cammed or moved in and out of contact with the second imaging electrode 29 nor is it cycle dependent as are some of the components around the first imaging electrode 16.
  • Both cleaning brushes 175 and 176 maintain continual contact with the surface 169 of the second imaging electrode 29.
  • the squeegee 177 maintains a continuous pressure contact with the surface 169 of the second imaging electrode and that pressure is predetermined by adjustment of the squeegee mount 178.
  • the desired pressure contact setting is achieved by positioning a crank arm 220 by turning a set screw 221 and maintaining the proper position by a tension spring 222.
  • the crank arm 220 is connected to the eccentric shaft 223 of the squeegee mount 178.
  • the shaft 179 of the cleaning brush 175 and shaft 180 of the cleaning brush 176 are mounted through bearings in each of the side walls of the second imaging tank 30.
  • An electrical potential is supplied to the shaft 170 of the second imaging electrode by an electrical connector 225 through electrical contact brushes 226.
  • the cleaning brushes are driven by the motor 183 through a driving sprocket 230 which moves the chain 231 and the driven sprocket 232 connected to the shaft 179 of the cleaning brush 175.
  • a driving sprocket 230 which moves the chain 231 and the driven sprocket 232 connected to the shaft 179 of the cleaning brush 175.
  • a chain 233 which drives the sprocket 234 turning the shaft 180 of the other cleaning brush 176.
  • An idler 235 maintains the chain 233 on the sprockets.
  • Both the imaging rollers are driven by a single chain coming off the main drive system of the machine.
  • the chain 240 drives sprocket 241 on the first imaging electrode and sprocket 242 on the second imaging electrode such that the electrodes move in synchronism with the injecting electrode when there is contact between the two.
  • An idler 243 maintained on the idler arm 244 ensures that the chain 240 will not slip off the sprockets 241 and 242. Since the sprockets, like the imaging electrodes which they rotate move relative to each, this idler is beneficial in maintaining the chain over suffrcient teeth of the sprocket to prevent the chain from slipping off the sprockets they drive.
  • an apparatus for forming images by means of electrophoretic particle suspensions including means to present activating electromagnetic radiation to the particle suspension and first and second electrodes for forming an image on one of said electrodes by exposure of suspension particles at an interface position therebetween to electromagnetic radiation and an electric field, the improvement in combination therewith including;
  • said second electrode being partially electrically conductive and having the surface thereof being movable through a predetermined path including the interface position with said first electrode; a tank in which said second electrode is mounted for movement of its surface through the interface position;
  • applicator means for supplying the electrophoretic suspension to the second electrode surface along the predetermined path prior to the interface position
  • the apparatus of claim 1 further including drive means capable of moving the surface of said second electrode past said applicator means and the interface position.
  • said cleaning means includes a squeegee blade for contacting said second electrode surface.
  • the apparatus of claim 4 further including a block having said squeegee blade fitted therein and means attached to said block to move said squeegee blade relative to the surface of said second electrode surface.
  • the apparatus of claim 6 including a torque tube to apply substantially uniform pressure between the knife blade and the second electrode surface during contact therebetween.
  • the apparatus of claim 6 further including means to move said knife blade into and out of contact with said second electrode.
  • the apparatus of claim 9 including means to periodically move said shearing means into and out of operable interfacing with said second electrode surface.
  • the apparatus of claim 9 including means to drive said shearing means independently of the movement of the second electrode.
  • the apparatus of claim 9 including means to apply substantially uniform pressure between said second electrode surface and said shearing means during contact therebetween.
  • the apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means to apply substantially uniform pressure includes a torque tube.
  • said applicator means includes rotatable means in virtual contact with the second electrode surface to coat electrophoretic suspension materials thereon, and smoothing means to meter the materials passing between the smoothing means and the second electrode surface, said smoothing means positioned downstream from said applicator means relative to the movement of the second electrode surface.
  • the apparatus of claim 14 further including means to rotate said smoothing means into and out of operative interfacing with said second electrode surface.
  • the apparatus of claim 17 including means to adjust the uniform pressure between said smoothing means and said second electrode.
  • an electrode being partially electrically conductive and having the surface thereof being movable through a predetermined path adpated to interface with a member at an imaging zone;
  • the apparatus of claim 20 including drive means to move said electrode.
  • said means to clean includes at least one cleaning member positioned within said tank to contact the surface of said electrode.
  • the apparatus of claim 22 further including a squeegee adjustably positioned within said tank to contact the surface of said electrode downstream from said cleaning member.

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US876641A 1969-11-14 1969-11-14 Apparatus for forming images with applicator, shearing, smoothing and cleaning means Expired - Lifetime US3658687A (en)

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US4170542A (en) * 1975-04-25 1979-10-09 Agence Nationale De Valorisation De La Recherche (Anvar) Method and machine for manufacturing a plate-like material made from agglomerated particles and in particular ceramic products obtained thereby
US6131005A (en) * 1997-09-11 2000-10-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Structure member and image forming apparatus using such structure member

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5154250U (enExample) * 1974-10-23 1976-04-24
JPS5225963A (en) * 1975-08-22 1977-02-26 Canon Inc Shaft supporting device of revolution element
JPS5566250U (enExample) * 1978-10-31 1980-05-07

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US2560572A (en) * 1946-06-25 1951-07-17 West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co Method of coating paper
US2987660A (en) * 1955-06-06 1961-06-06 Haloid Xerox Inc Xerographic charging
GB938349A (en) * 1961-06-23 1963-10-02 Ozalid Co Ltd Apparatus for developing electrophotographic material
US3468248A (en) * 1963-12-06 1969-09-23 Gualtiero Giori Apparatus for removing ink from the surface of wiping cylinders used in direct steel plate printing

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1082586A (en) * 1910-10-08 1913-12-30 Henri Georges Apparatus for wiping intaglio printing-plates.
US1169096A (en) * 1913-05-09 1916-01-18 John Owden O Brien Apparatus for developing and finishing cinematograph color-films.
US2381712A (en) * 1943-04-29 1945-08-07 Babicz George Device for regulating pressure in machine rollers
US2560572A (en) * 1946-06-25 1951-07-17 West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co Method of coating paper
US2987660A (en) * 1955-06-06 1961-06-06 Haloid Xerox Inc Xerographic charging
GB938349A (en) * 1961-06-23 1963-10-02 Ozalid Co Ltd Apparatus for developing electrophotographic material
US3468248A (en) * 1963-12-06 1969-09-23 Gualtiero Giori Apparatus for removing ink from the surface of wiping cylinders used in direct steel plate printing

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4170542A (en) * 1975-04-25 1979-10-09 Agence Nationale De Valorisation De La Recherche (Anvar) Method and machine for manufacturing a plate-like material made from agglomerated particles and in particular ceramic products obtained thereby
US6131005A (en) * 1997-09-11 2000-10-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Structure member and image forming apparatus using such structure member

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2055992A1 (de) 1971-05-27
GB1337149A (en) 1973-11-14
JPS4913341B1 (enExample) 1974-03-30

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