Patent ID: 6185399
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A multicolor image-on-image reproduction machine comprising:(a) a main assembly including a controller and a movable image bearing member having a path of movement;(b) a plurality of air breakdown charge and development (ABCD) imaging units mounted along said path of movement for forming color separation toner images, each (ABCD) imaging unit of said plurality thereof including:(i) a photoreceptor including an photoconductive surface forming a toner image separation development nip with said movable image bearing member;(ii) a toner supply apparatus for applying a layer of toner particles having a particular color onto said photoconductive surface of said photoreceptor;(iii) a charging device for uniformly charging said photoreceptor; and(iv) an exposure device connected to said controller and mounted downstream of said first charging device for image-wise exposing said photoconductive surface and said layer of toner to form therein image areas and background areas of a desired color separation image; and(c) a bias source for biasing said image bearing member at said toner image separation development nip to a potential sufficient to cause air breakdown selective recharging of said background areas of said layer of toner, thereby enabling said image areas of said layer of toner to be separated and developed as a color separation toner image onto said movable image bearing member, and said background areas thereof to remain on said photoreceptor.