Patent ID: 6181902
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A method for operating an electrographic printer or copier, comprising the steps of:depositing toner particles of different colors on a toner image carrier by at least two developer units,selectively switching one of the two developer units into a transfer state in which toner particles are deposited onto the toner image carrier,providing the other of the two developer units in a resting state in which no toner particles are deposited onto the toner image carrier,in the transfer state of the developer unit, applying a force field to at least one segment of the transport path of the toner particles from a toner container to the toner image carrier, said force field effecting transport of the toner particles in a direction of the toner image carrier,and in the resting state of the developer unit, interrupting the transport of the toner particles at the at least one segment by altering of the force field,providing the force field so that it acts in one of the region of a toner particle stock contained in the toner container andin the region of a transfer gap of a transport mechanism which transports the toner particles to be applied subsequent to removal from the toner container to a development gap between the toner image carrier and a delivery element for delivering toner particles from the developer unit.