Patent ID: 6219501
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A toner cake layer delivery apparatus for delivery of a toner cake layer having a high solids content to a receiving surface on a receiving member, comprising:a supply of high solids content liquid developing material;a liquid developing material applicator connected to the supply of high solids content liquid developing material and operable for receiving a quantity of such liquid developing material and for providing therefrom a layer of liquid developing material;a movable coating member aligned with the liquid developing material applicator and the receiving member, the coating member having a donor surface for receiving thereon the layer of liquid developing material so as to form a primary toner cake layer;first charge inducing means for inducing in at least one of the high solids content liquid developing material and the primary toner cake layer a first induced charge at a first polarity, such that the primary toner cake layer exhibits a uniform charge at the first polarity;electrical means for inducing, to a selectable depth, a second induced charge of a second opposing polarity in the primary toner cake layer and for inducing a selectable bias differential between the donor surface and the receiving surface, whereby an inner layer of the primary toner cake layer is made subject to the first polarity charge and an outer layer of the primary toner cake layer is made subject to the second polarity charge; andwherein the movable coating member is operable for presenting at least a portion of the primary toner cake layer to the receiving surface and wherein the selectable bias differential causes the inner and outer layers to be respectively attracted to the donor surface and receiving surface, such that subsequent separation of the donor surface and the receiving surface causes the outer layer to be transferred to the receiving surface while the inner layer remains on the donor surface.