Patent ID: 6781612
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B41J,G03G

Abstract:
An apparatus for the printing of functional toners on a flat glass plate, said apparatus comprising:an electrostatic printing plate including a polymer layer bonded to an electrically conducting substrate that is electrically grounded; a first corona unit means for electrically charging said electrostatic printing plate with ions from a corona discharge thereby sensitizing said electrostatic printing plate and defining charged and uncharged areas on said electrostatic printing plate; a liquid development unit which is electrically biased to deposit liquid functional toner having toner particles on said uncharged areas of said electrostatic printing plate; a transfer station in which said flat glass plate is moved into close proximity to said electrostatic printing plate, but not touching, forming a mechanical gap; a filling means for filling the mechanical gap between said electrostatic printing plate and said glass plate with a clear toner diluent; and, a second corona unit means located near said glass plate but away from said electrostatic printing plate and which is electrically connected to a high voltage power supply for creating a corona discharge which sprays free charges on said glass plate and which creates an electrical field that causes said toner particles to transfer across the diluent filled mechanical gap in an orderly manner.