A method of forming toner images in register on a charge retentive medium and an image-forming apparatus adapted to perform the method

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and image-forming apparatus for forming at least two toner images in register on a rotatable charge retentive medium. To that end, the method comprises the following in one revolution of the charge retentive medium: applying a first charge image in accordance with a first image thereon, developing for a first time a first toner image in accordance with the first charge image on the charge retentive medium by applying unary electrically conductive and magnetisable toner by means of a magnetic brush, applying at least a second time a second charge image in accordance with a second image thereon and developing at least a second time at least a second toner image in accordance with the second charge image on the charge retentive medium by applying unary and electrically conductive and magnetisable toner by means of a magnetic brush. Toner having an electrical conductivity of between 1 and 10 -7 (ohm.cm) -1 is preferably used. In the case of a charge retentive medium constructed in the form of a photoconductor, the method comprises charging the photoconductive medium and application of the first and the at least second charge image comprises exposing the photoconductive medium in accordance with the first and the at least second image respectively.

Description: The invention relates to a method of forming at least two toner images in register on a rotatable charge retentive medium, the method comprising successively in one revolution of the charge retentive medium: applying for a first time to the charge retentive medium a first charge image in accordance with a first image, developing for a first time a first toner image in accordance with the first charge image on the charge retentive medium by applying magnetisable toner by means of a magnetic brush, applying to the charge retentive medium at least a second time a second charge image in accordance with a second image, developing at least a second time at least a second toner image in accordance with the second charge image on the charge retentive medium by applying magnetisable toner by means of a magnetic brush. The invention also relates to an image-forming apparatus adapted to performing the above method, wherein the apparatus is provided with a rotatable charge retentive medium and, successively, in a direction of advance of, and disposed near, the charge retentive medium: first charge writing means adapted to apply charge image-element-wise in accordance with the first image in order to produce the first charge image, first developing means for applying toner in accordance with the first charge image, at least second charge writing means adapted to apply charge image-element-wise in accordance with the at least second image in order to produce the at least second charge image and at least second developing means for applying toner in accordance with the second charge image. A method and image-forming apparatus of this kind can be used, for example, to apply to a print not only a black toner but a toner having an accentuating colour. In the case of more than two developing means it can also be used to apply more colours in order to produce a full-colour print. Since instead of being collected on an extra collecting medium or on the print material, the various toner images are now collected in register on a charge retentive medium Itself, a compact and relatively inexpensive apparatus is obtained. Furthermore, better register is possible since there is no transfer of the separate toner images to a collecting intermediate medium of this kind. The problem in collecting a plurality of toner images on a charge retentive medium, however, is that the toner applied by the developing means must pass the second developing means. The first toner layer applied may be disturbed by the second developing means. To obviate this as far as possible, special additional steps are necessary. One of the steps is usually contactless "scavengeless" development of toner by disposing a wire having an AC voltage applied thereto, for example next to a developing roller. This causes a toner cloud. The disadvantage of this is that it is complicated to perform in the case of wide formats. US Patent 4 847 655, for example, describes a tri-level xerographic developing system for developing a plurality of toner images on a charge retentive medium constructed as a photoconductor. The photoconductor in this case is first charged uniformly, preferably negatively, by a corona, whereafter three separate charge levels are obtained on the photoconductor by tri-level laser exposure. The non-discharged areas, corresponding to a maximum negative charge, are intended for development of positively charged black toner (Charged Area Development) while the maximum discharged areas are intended for development of negatively charged colour toner (Discharged Area Development). The half-discharged areas are not intended for toner development. Black and colour toner respectively are developed in a first developing station and a second developing station situated downstream, respectively, by means of a pair of magnetic rollers. In this case the toner is charged tribo-electrically by suitable carrier particles. It is stated in the said patent that development with an insulating magnetic brush has really not been found suitable for tri-level development since charge fields occur at the edges of a first developed image so that toner intended for a second image is developed here. On the other hand, it is stated in the said patent that thin lines are however developed less satisfactorily with a (more) conductive magnetic brush. In the embodiment described, therefore, by the use of adapted toner concentrations, charge levels of the toner and developing distances, development is carried out as well as possible with relatively more conductive magnetic brushes. The said electrical conductivity of the toner as measured in a Gutman conductivity cell is in the range from 1.10 -9 to 1.10 -13 (ohm.cm) -1 . In order to limit the disturbance of the first developed image by the second developed image, the two magnetic rollers in the second developing station have magnetic fields which are specially designed to differ from one another. The special construction of the second developing station, however, increases costs, while the use of toner which is relatively somewhat less insulating necessitates extra and hence limiting development settings. US Patent 5 061 969 describes another embodiment of a tri-level xerographic developing system with a charge retentive medium again in the form of a photoconductor. In this case, instead of two developing stations both having an insulating magnetic brush or, as in the embodiment in the above-described US Patent 4 847 655, with two relatively less insulating magnetic brushes, a combination of an insulating magnetic brush and a relatively less insulating magnetic brush is used. In this case, the term less insulating denotes a conductivity of less than 1.10 -13 (ohm.cm) -1 and insulating denotes a conductivity between 1.10 -13 and 1.10 -15 (ohm.cm) -1 . The developer (toner and carrier) is again of the binary type. In this case colour is first developed with the less insulating magnetic brush and then black with the insulating brush. In the developed colour image, there will be less large electrical edge fields than is the case when developing with an insulating magnetic brush. This reduces the risk of unwanted development of black at colour edges. On the other hand, thin lines and sharp edges can be obtained in the case of black, by development thereof with an insulating magnetic brush. The said patent also describes an optional charge device in the form of a scorotron corona situated between the two developing stations. This serves to bring the developed colour image to the same potential as the background level for white. Unwanted electrical edge fields are also reduced further here. The disturbance of the first developed colour image by the second developing station is admittedly reduced, but it is still present, as is evident from the described extra step of the charge device between the two developing stations. US Patent 5 367 327 describes for example a tandem device of a tri-level xerographic developing system with a quad-level xerographic developing system. With the quad-level developing system, four charge levels are produced on a photoconductor, so that blue, yellow and black toner can be developed. With the tri-level system, magenta and cyan toner are then developed. Since the developing station for tri-level development arranged as the second developing station uses an exposure in the red or infrared wavelength range, the photoconductor may also be exposed at those places where yellow toner is present that has already been developed by the quad-level developing station arranged as the first station. The yellow toner is in fact the only one transparent to this wavelength. By depositing magenta toner on the insulating yellow toner with the tri-level developing station, red is obtained, and by depositing cyan toner on the yellow toner green is obtained. In this way a full-colour print can be obtained. For full-colour, therefore, as regards wavelength, a different exposure must be chosen for a developing station compared with laser exposure. The method according to the invention partially or completely obviates the above disadvantages and is characterised by the application of a unary i.e., one-component electrically conductive and magnetisable toner to the charge retentive medium during the first and the at least second-time development. The toners used for collecting on a charge retentive medium constructed as a photoconductor in accordance with the above-mentioned prior art are of the binary or two-component type. Carrier particles are present in this case to ensure tribo-electric charging of the insulating toner particles. The invention is now based on the realisation that these "hard" iron-containing conductive carrier particles are responsible for mechanical disturbance of a toner layer previously applied to a photoconductor. The invention is also based on the realisation that it is precisely by the use of insulating toner used in such binary systems that there is a risk of unwanted development of new toner taking place on a previously applied first layer. The charge induced In the first layer by a second layer leaks away less rapidly in the case of insulating toner than in the case of conductive toner. The most that is present in the case of conductive toner is a charge at the contact surface of the toner on the photoconductor but not, or to a much reduced degree, at the side of the toner facing a developing station. Toner from a following developing station will accordingly adhere either not at all or less rapidly to toner that has already been applied, since the charge induced by the new toner in the side of the already-present layer of toner facing the developing station leaks away rapidly. Thus a unary or one-component electrically conductive toner not only gives a "softer" toner brush, but also a development of, in principle, a one-layer toner. Any edge field in the case of edges of a developed first layer of toner will also disappear more quickly with unary electrically conductive toner. It should be noted here that although the above-mentioned American Patents refer to conductive toner, this must be interpreted rather as a less insulating toner. US Patent 4 847 655 already refers to a toner as conductive if it has a cell conductivity between 10 -9 and 10 -13 (ohm.cm) -1 . However, this is not sufficient to be able to operate with unary toner since unary toner must be capable of being sufficiently inductively charged by means of an applied developing voltage. The method according to the invention is accordingly characterised further by the application of unary electrically conductive toner having an electrical conductivity of between 1 and 1.10 -7 (ohm.cm) -1 . Unary electrically conductive toner is preferably applied with an electrical conductivity of between 1.10 -3 and 1.10 -4 (ohm.cm) -1 . Application of the charge images can be effected in various ways. For example, it can be effected ionographically by means of charge writing means in the form of an array of writing electrodes on a charge retentive medium constructed as a dielectric. In the case of a charge retentive medium constructed as a photoconductor, the method according to the invention is characterised in that the application of the first charge image for the first time comprises successively charging the photoconductive medium a first time to a first charging level and exposing the photoconductive medium a first time in accordance with a first image in order to obtain the first charge image thereon and the application of the second charge image for the at least second time successively comprises the successive exposure of the photoconductive medium in accordance with the second image in order to obtain the second charge image thereon. A first embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between first developing means and the photoconductive medium, thereafter charging the photoconductive medium for a second time to approximately the first charging level, exposing, during the second-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level and applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between second developing means and the photoconductive medium. By charging a second time it is possible to develop two toner images in register in one revolution of a photoconductor on non-exposed charged parts of a photoconductor. In the terms of the American Patent 4 847 655 this is known as Charged Area Development. This method of development will in this description be referred to as "white writing" in order to indicate that exposure is effected at places where there is no development. The advantage of white writing is that it can be founded on current analogue (as compared with digital) processes, which often write white. Another advantage of white writing is that a relatively uneven charge is often adequate. A second embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to a second level situated between the first charging level and approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the second level between first developing means and the photoconductive medium, exposing, during the second-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the second level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level and applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between second developing means and the photoconductive medium. Although this second embodiment again makes use of white writing twice, no re-charging of the photoconductor is necessary. The reason for this is that since the charging level of the photoconductor is exposed to two instead of one exposure level, second charging means, such as are present in the first embodiment, are unnecessary. Also, the possible detachment of toner as a result of a second charging is avoided. The above methods follow on from the methods most used in practice on the basis of white writing such as are conventional in modem digital and former analogue processes. Although the above-mentioned further first and second embodiment according to the invention do of themselves lead to usable results, an optimum result is obtained particularly in a third embodiment of the method. The third embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the first charging level between the first developing means and the photoconductive medium, exposing, during the second-time exposure, those areas of the photoconductive medium where toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the second charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level and applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the first charging level between the second developing means and the photoconductive medium. In this case, in the terms of the US Patent 4 847 655, development is in accordance with Discharged Area Development. Hereinafter this will be referred to as "black writing", since the exposure is made where toner is subsequently also developed. Although "black writing" poses high requirements in respect of the uniformity of the charge and hence is not without problems, "black writing" appears in practice to result in the least disturbance to a first toner image in combination with the development of the said unary conductive toner. A fourth embodiment according to the invention is characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the first charging level between the first developing means and the photoconductive medium, exposing, during the second-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately the zero level, applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between the second developing means and the photoconductive medium. In this case, the first toner image is obtained preferably by "black writing" and the second toner image by "white writing". This is advantageous in existing apparatus, most of which in practice is of the white writing type, and which is to be made suitable for a second colour or more colours. By applying coloured toner as the first toner image and black toner as the second toner image there is less risk of the generally weaker magnetic colour toner being absorbed by the second developing means. In general, methods in which development is via "black writing" are particularly preferable, despite the higher requirements in respect of the uniformity of the charge, in the above-mentioned application with unary conductive toner. The apparatus according to the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagram of an image-forming apparatus in which toner images are collected in register on an intermediate medium. Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates an image-forming apparatus in which toner images are collected in register on a copy sheet. Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates an image-forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 diagrammatically illustrates an image-forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 diagrammatically illustrates an image-forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 diagrammatically illustrates an image-forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates an image-forming apparatus in accordance with the prior art for collecting toner images in register on an intermediate medium 101. In this case the latter is constructed as a cylindrical body of revolution. A first photoconductor 102, also constructed as a cylindrical body of revolution, is charged, by first charging means 103, for example a corona wire, to a first charging level. Suitable first exposure means 104, for example a laser or an LED bar, disposed further on in the direction of rotation, expose the photoconductor 102 in accordance with a first image. Either the areas where toner is to be developed or the areas where no toner is to be developed are exposed and thus discharged. In the former case we refer to black writing and in the latter case white writing. It should be noted here that in the case of a charge retentive medium constructed as a dielectric, the charge image can be applied thereto pixel-wise directly ionographically, for example by means of an array of electrodes. The toner for development is then applied to the exposed or non-exposed areas by first developing means 105 situated further on in the direction of rotation. In the case of black writing, in which the areas for development are discharged, the developing means 105 will apply charged toner to these areas, which are of the same polarity as the photoconductor. In the case of white writing, on the other hand, the developing means 105 of opposite polarity will apply toner to the areas for developing. The developing means 105 can in this case be adapted to develop binary or two-component toner consisting of a mixture or developer of conductive carrier particles and insulating toner particles. Charging of the toner particles takes place by friction tribo-electrically. The developing means 105 can also be adapted to develop unary or one-component toner of the conductive type. Charging then takes place by creating a charging current via the toner itself. The first toner Image thus developed on the photoconductor 102 is then transferred by electric force or pressure to the intermediate medium 101. The toner may also be magnetisable so that it can be applied by suitable magnetic rollers. A second photoconductor 106, second charging means 107, second exposure means 108 and second developing means 109 then develop a second toner image on the photoconductor 106. This is then also transferred to the intermediate medium 101 by electric force or by pressure, in register with the previously transferred first toner image already present thereon. The final two toner images collected on the intermediate medium 101 are then jointly transferred by suitable means to a final image support, such as a paper sheet 110. It should be clear that the apparatus is complex and bulky because of the intermediate medium 101 and also because of the second photoconductor. Fig. 2 shows an image-forming apparatus according to the prior art in which the toner images are simultaneously collected in register on the final copy support. To this end, a copy support (not shown in detail) is trained over a cylindrical copy support body 201. The image-forming apparatus also comprises charging means 202, exposure means 203, first and second developing means 204 and 205, and a cylindrical photoconductor 206. In this case a first toner image is developed by the developing means 204 in a first revolution of the photoconductor 206. In these conditions the second developing means 205 are in an inoperative state, so that no disturbance of the first developed toner image can take place. The first developed toner image is then transferred via a cylindrical intermediate medium 207 to the copy support trained over the copy support body 201. The second toner image is then developed on the photoconductor 206 during a second revolution thereof, by the second developing means 205, and is then transferred to the copy support in register with the first toner image by the intermediate medium 207. The first developing means 204 are now in an inoperative state during this. With respect to the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 there is in this case only one photoconductor, but as a result two revolutions are required to collect two toner images in register and there is therefore also a loss of productivity. The collecting of toner images on the copy support also has the disadvantage of poorer registration because of the less rigidly defined properties of a copy support and the necessary transfer steps. Developing means 204 and 205 must also be switchable to an operative or inoperative mode. Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates an image-forming apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Here, a photoconductor 301 constructed as a cylindrical body of revolution is provided, and can be charged to a charging level of -200 V over the entire width uniformly by suitable charging means 302, such as a scorotron. First exposure means 303, such as an LED printhead of 300 dpi, then illuminate those areas where no toner has to be developed (white writing). Those parts of the photoconductor 301 which are exposed by the exposure means 303 are charged to a zero level, at which no more toner can be developed. In this embodiment, the photoconductor 301 is practically completely discharged on those areas. The zero level then corresponds to approximately 0 volt. First developing means 304 situated further on in the direction of rotation, such as, for example, a cylinder having in the direction of the length a number of magnets surrounded by a sleeve rotating around the cylinder, are suitable for applying a unary or a one-component conductive magnetic toner to the non-exposed areas of the photoconductor 301 by maintaining a first developing voltage U1 equal to the zero level with respect to the photoconductor, and hence in this case 0 volt. In this context, the term conductive toner denotes toner having a cell conductivity greater than 1.10 -7 (ohm.cm) -1 . An operative embodiment was obtained with toner having a cell conductivity between 1.10 -4 and 1.10 -3 (ohm.cm) -1 , a particle size distribution between 7 and 35 mm, and a magnetic volume percentage between 0.25 and 2.5%. The toner conductivity was measured as follows: a cylindrical container having an inside diameter of 17.2 mm, a copper base 1.5 mm thick and a wall having an internal height of 22.9 mm, consisting of Teflon in a thickness of 9 mm, was filled with an excess of toner. The filling was then tamped ten times with a tamper manufactured by Engelsman A.G. of Ludwigshafen, Germany. This filling procedure was carried out twice. The excess toner was then stripped off with a ruler. A copper lid having a diameter of 17.2 mm and a mass of 55 g was then placed on the column of toner. The filled container was then placed In a Faraday cage and a 10 volt DC was applied between the base and the lid. The current density was measured for 20 seconds. The measuring procedure (filling the container and the current measurement) was repeated three times, whereupon the average current density was calculated. The toner resistance is given by the following formula: ρ = (U/lg) * (A/h) where U = the applied voltage (10 volts) A = the contact area of the lid with the column of toner (2.32 10 -4 m 2 ) h = the height of the column of toner (2.29 10 -2 m) lg = the average current intensity (A) Preferably, the attempt will be made to keep the magnetic volume percentage of toners for colours and certainly for light colours as low as possible in order to keep the colour saturation as high as possible. As a compensation, stronger magnetic fields must be used in the developing means for toners having a low magnetic volume percentage. In practice, the magnetic poles used in the magnetic brush have a radial magnetic field strength in the developing nip on the sleeve surface for colour toner of about 2900 Gauss and for black and dark colour toner a magnetic field strength of about 650 Gauss. It is in this context advantageous first to develop colour toner and only then black toner since the weak magnetic colour toner will not be rapidly taken up by a weak magnetic developing roller for black toner. In order to place a second toner image in register over the developed first toner image during the same revolution of the photoconductor 301, charging, exposure and developing for the second toner image must take place before a revolution is completed. To this end, there are disposed successively in the direction of rotation after the first developing means 304: second charging means 305, second exposure means 306 and second developing means 307. The developing means comprise for this purpose a scorotron in order again to charge the photoconductor uniformly to -200 volts. The exposure means 306 comprise an LED printhead of 300 dpi for exposure of those areas where no toner of the second toner image is to be developed. In this case the exposure is such that the second toner image in principle always comes to lie next to and not over the first toner image. The exposed areas of the photoconductor are in this case again discharged to approximately a zero level, in this case approximately 0 volt. By maintaining a second developing voltage U2 of 0 volt between the second developing means 307 and the photoconductor 301, toner is developed only on the non-exposed areas of the photoconductor 310. Since use is made of conductive toner, there is no charge build-up in that part of the first developed toner layer which faces the developing means 307. In this first layer there is only a mirror image charge in that part of the toner which contacts the photoconductor. The finally collected toner image therefore consists in principle of just one layer of toner. The toner of the second developing means which comes into contact with the already developed first layer of toner will - since the charge induced as a result in the first layer rapidly leaks away - also quickly no longer experience any electric force therefrom. As already stated, preferably, black toner is developed in the second developing means 307. The final one-layer multi-colour toner image is then transferred in one operation, by pressure and heat, in a first transfer step to an intermediate roller 308. The toner image collected on the intermediate roller 308 is finally transferred by a second transfer step to a final copy support 309. One advantage of the embodiment described in Fig. 3 is that the entire charge range of the photoconductor 301 is utilised. As already stated, the method and apparatus according to the invention can also be used in the case of direct ionographic pixel-wise application of the charge images to a charge retentive medium in the form of a dielectric, by means of an array of electrodes. In Fig. 4, however, a second embodiment of the invention is described wherein the photoconductor 401 provided is exposed to two exposure levels. In this case, the photoconductor 401 is again charged up to the maximum charging level of -200 volts first of all by charging means 402. First exposure means 403, on the other hand, now discharge those areas of the photoconductor 401 when no toner is to be developed by the first developing means 404, to half the maximum charging level of -200 volts and the zero level of 0 volt, in this case approximately -100 volts. By now maintaining the first developing voltage U1 between the first developing means 404 and the photoconductor at 100 volts, only toner of the first toner image is developed on the non-exposed and charged areas. This therefore is again a case of white writing. The second exposure means 405 then expose the photoconductor 401 at those places where no toner is to be developed by the second developing means 406. In this case the exposed parts of the photoconductor 401 are discharged to the zero level, in this case 0 volt. By maintaining the second developing voltage U2 between these second developing means 406 and the photoconductor 401 at the zero level, toner is only developed at those areas where there is still a charge level of -100 volts (white writing). As already stated previously, no second layer is developed on the first layer which has already been developed. One advantage of the second embodiment described here is the absence of second charging means. Also, in the second embodiment, there is less risk of the first toner layer detaching in the event of renewed interim complete charging as is the case in the first embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment according to the invention in which charging is again carried out just once but without using a division of the charging level of the photoconductor 501. Charging means 501 again charge the photoconductor 501 uniformly to the maximum charging level, in this case -200 volts. The first exposure means 503, on the other hand, now expose those areas of the photoconductor 501 where toner is to be developed by the first developing means 504. The exposed areas are in this case discharged to a zero level of, in this case, approximately 0 volts. By now maintaining the first developing voltage U1 between the first developing means 504 and the photoconductor 501 at approximately -200 volts, toner is developed only on the exposed and discharged areas of the photoconductor 501 (black writing). Those areas of the photoconductor 501 where toner is to be developed by the second developing means 506 are then exposed by second exposure means 505. By maintaining a second developing voltage U2 of -200 volts between the second developing means 506 and the photoconductor 501, the second toner is developed only on the discharged areas of the photoconductor 501 (black writing). One advantage of black writing is that an intermediate charging or division of the charging level as described in the previous embodiments is unnecessary. On the other hand, black writing poses higher requirements in respect of the uniformity of the charge in order to counteract any background development. Fig. 6 therefore shows a fourth embodiment of the invention in which black and white writing are combined in one embodiment. This embodiment is particularly suitable for expanding existing one-colour white-writing toner systems with one or more extra toners of different colour. In this case the second toner is developed via black writing in first developing means 604 situated In the direction of rotation of a photoconductor 601. The toner is preferably developed with relatively the weakest magnetisation in this case, as is the toner for colour in most cases, using the first developing means 604. The photoconductor 601 is uniformly charged by charging means 602 to a maximum charging level of -200 volts in this case. Exposure means 603 then expose those areas of the photoconductor 601 on which toner is to be developed by the first developing means 604. In this case these areas are again discharged to a zero level of, in this case, approximately 0 volt. By keeping the first developing voltage U1 between the first developing means 604 and the photoconductor 601 at the level of approximately 200 volts, toner is developed only on the exposed and discharged areas (black writing). Those parts of the photoconductor where no toner may be developed by the second developing means are then exposed with second exposure means 605. In this case the exposure discharges the photoconductor again to the zero level of 0 volt. By maintaining the developing voltage U2 between the second developing means 606 and the photoconductor at approximately 0 volt, the second toner is developed only on those areas of the photoconductor 601 which have not been exposed by the exposure means 605. In this case good multi-colour registration is obtained without disturbing and unwanted black toner development in coloured areas or without affecting coloured areas. It should finally be noted that although the invention has been illustrated with reference to embodiments in which two different toners are used, the invention is not limited thereto. Even if the risk of disturbance increases when more than two developing means are used, multi-colour systems and even full-colour systems are possible with a development of a photoconductor in one revolution with unary, conductive and magnetic toner. Also, the polarities and levels of the developing voltages and charging levels referred to in the examples are just an example. Other values can be selected for these depending on the properties of the photoconductors and toners. Of course this is possible without appreciably affecting the character of white or black writing.

Claims: A method of forming at least two toner images in register on a rotatable charge retentive medium, the method comprising successively in one revolution of the charge retentive medium: applying for a first time to the charge retentive medium a first charge image in accordance with a first image, developing for a first time a first toner image in accordance with the first charge image on the charge retentive medium by applying magnetisable toner by means of a magnetic brush, applying to the charge retentive medium at least a second time a second charge image in accordance with a second image, developing at least a second time at least a second toner image in accordance with the second charge image on the charge retentive medium by applying magnetisable toner by means of a magnetic brush, characterised by the application of a unary electrically conductive and magnetisable toner to the charge retentive medium during the first-time and the at least second-time development, said toner having an electrical conductivity greater than 1.10 -7 (ohm.cm) -1 . A method according to claim 1, characterised by the application of a unary electrically conductive and magnetisable toner the electrical conductivity of which is between 1 and 1.10 -7 (ohm.cm) -1 . A method according to claim 1, characterised by the application of a unary electrically conductive and magnetisable toner the electrical conductivity of which is between 1.10 -3 and 1.10 -4 (ohm.cm) -1 . A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charge retentive medium is a photoconductive medium, the application of the first charge image for the first time comprises successively charging the photoconductive medium a first time to a first charging level and exposing the photoconductive medium a first time in accordance with a first image in order to obtain the first charge image thereon and the application of the second charge image for the at least second time successively comprises the successive exposure of the photoconductive medium in accordance with the second image in order to obtain the second charge image thereon. A method according to claim 4, characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between first developing means and the photoconductive medium, thereafter charging the photoconductive medium for a second time to approximately the first charging level, exposing, during the second-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level and applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between second developing means and the photoconductive medium. A method according to claim 4, characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to a second level situated between the first charging level and approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the second level between first developing means and the photoconductive medium, exposing, during the second-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the second level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level and applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between second developing means and the photoconductive medium. A method according to claim 4, characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the first charging level between the first developing means and the photoconductive medium, exposing, during the second-time exposure, those areas of the photoconductive medium where toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the second charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level and applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the first charging level between the second developing means and the photoconductive medium. A method according to claim 4, characterised by exposing, during the first-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where toner is to be applied in accordance with the first image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately a zero level, applying toner, during the first-time development of the first toner image, to the exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the first charging level between the first developing means and the photoconductive medium, exposing, during the second-time exposure, only those areas of the photoconductive medium where no toner is to be applied in accordance with the second image and wherein the first charging level is reduced locally to approximately the zero level, applying toner, during the second-time development of the second toner image, to the non-exposed parts of the photoconductive medium by maintaining a developing voltage corresponding approximately to the zero level between the second developing means and the photoconductive medium. An image-forming apparatus adapted to performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus is provided with a rotatable charge retentive medium and successively in a direction of advance of, and disposed near, the charge retentive medium: first charge writing means adapted to apply charge image-element-wise in accordance with the first image in order to produce the first charge image, first developing means for applying toner in accordance with the first charge image, at least second charge writing means adapted to apply charge image-element-wise in accordance with the at least second image in order to produce the at least second charge image and at least second developing means for applying toner in accordance with the second charge image, characterised in that the first and the at least second developing means comprise a magnetic brush arranged to apply unary electrically conductive magnetisable toner. An image-forming apparatus adapted to performing the method according to any one of claim 4, 6 to 8 wherein the apparatus is provided with a rotatable photoconductive medium and successively in a direction of advance of, and disposed near, the photoconductive medium: first charging means for charging the photoconductive medium to the first charging level, first exposure means for exposing the photoconductive medium in accordance with the first image in order to produce the first charge image thereon, first developing means for applying toner in accordance with the first charge image, at least second exposure means for exposing the photoconductive medium in accordance with the second image in order to produce the second charge image thereon, at least second developing means for applying toner in accordance with the second charge image, characterised in that the first and the at least second developing means comprise a magnetic brush arranged to apply unary electrically conductive magnetisable toner. An image-forming apparatus according to claim 10, adapted to performing the method according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus is further provided with second charging means arranged between the second charging means and the second exposure means and adapted to re-charging the photoconductive medium to the first charging level.

Inventors: DE LA ROSETTE JOHANNES PAUL MA, GEERKEN THEODOOR HERMAN, VAN HEIJST CORNELIS PETRUS MAR, DE LA ROSETTE, JOHANNES PAUL MARIE, GEERKEN, THEODOOR HERMAN, VAN HEIJST, CORNELIS PETRUS MARIA
Applicants: OCE TECH BV, OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G13, G03G15