Patent ID: 6621998
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A toner cake layer formation apparatus for creation of a toner cake layer having a high solids content, the apparatus being operable in an electrostatic printing engine, comprising:a supply of liquid developing material, the liquid developing material being a mixture of marking particles in a liquid carrier medium, the mixture exhibiting a percentage level of solids content that is less than the percentage level of solids content in the desired toner cake layer; a liquid developing material applicator connected to the supply of liquid developing material and operable for receiving a quantity of liquid developing material and for providing therefrom an aggregation of liquid developing material; first and second movable members aligned with the liquid developing material applicator, the first movable member having a respective first member surface and the second movable member having a respective second member surface, the first member surface and second member surface defining a process nip having a process nip entrance and a process nip exit, the process nip entrance being located with respect to the applicator so as to receive therein the aggregation of liquid developing material, and the first and second members being movable for: (1) transporting, into the process nip entrance, a controlled amount of the liquid developing material present in the aggregation, (2) subjecting the controlled amount of liquid developing material to compression to increase the percentage level of solids content in the liquid developing material amount present in the process nip, whereby the controlled amount of liquid developing material is transformed into the desired toner cake layer, and (3) delivering the toner cake layer to the nip exit.