Abstract: A prototyping method and apparatus incorporating the invention enables rapid fabrication of heterogeneous parts with non-planar and/or layer-by-layer printing. An electronically addressable array of micro-electrodes is employed as a "printing" panel, A processor controls the printing panel through use of two dimensional planar slice data. Such slice data is used to address electrodes that correspond to points in the slice image. When the printing panel is brought close to a flat powder bed, a static electrical field at each addressed electrode attracts particles to the electrode's surface. The powder image on the printing panel electrodes is then placed over a substrate and the powder image is released to the substrate by applying a reverse polarity voltage to the electrodes. Multiple applications of powder image layers, with intervening fixing of each image layer, enables a three dimensional object to be rapidly constructed.

Abstract: The present invention aims at satisfactorily printing such as labels by electrophotographic process onto a surface to be printed of an object such as synthetic resin plates such as optical disks. When printing the surface to be printed of the object by transference of charged toner on a transfer medium onto the surface to be printed, an electric charge is supplied to the surface to be printed, by contacting an electrode connected to a power supply device with the surface to be printed, in the vicinity of a transfer position where the toner on the transfer medium is transferred onto the surface to be printed. The surface electric resistance of the surface to be printed of the object is adjusted to be equal to or less than 1.times.10.sup.14 .OMEGA., in advance of the transfer of the toner.

Abstract: An image revealing squeegee device for an electrocoagulation printing apparatus including a positive cylindrical electrode having a central longitudinal axis and a passivated surface on which dots of colored, coagulated colloid representative of a desired image are formed by electrocoagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid present in a colloidal dispersion containing a coloring agent, the positive electrode having a predetermined radius and being rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An electrostatic method for producing a master image for decorating ceramic, enamel or glass objects comprising the steps of:providing a temporary support having a surface with release properties,image-wise depositing charged toner particles, having a volume average particle size d.sub.v50t, such that 5 .mu.m<d.sub.v50t <15 .mu.m and including particles of a ceramic pigment, CP, having a volumetric particle size distribution such that 90% of the particles have a diameter lower than 2/3 times d.sub.v50t andproviding particles of glazing material, having a volumetric particle size distribution such that 90% of the particles have a diameter lower than d.sub.v50t, in the master image. Preferably the glazing material is formed in the master image by image-wise depositing toner particles comprising both a ceramic pigment and glazing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing head system for an electrocoagulation printing apparatus. The printing head system of the invention comprises an electrode carrier, a linear array of electrolytically inert electrodes electrically insulated from one another and mounted to the electrode carrier, the array of electrodes being arranged into a plurality of groups each having a predetermined number of closely spaced electrodes, and a driver circuit for addressing the electrodes of selected groups. The driver circuit is responsive to a graphical data input signal to cause simultaneous passage of electric current through at least a major portion of the electrodes in a selected one of the groups, the major portion of electrodes including electrodes that are contiguous with one another. Such a printing head system is capable of improving the quality of the image reproduced by electrocoagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid.

Abstract: An image revealing squeegee device for an electrocoagulation printing apparatus including a positive cylindrical electrode having a central longitudinal axis and a passivated surface on which dots of colored, coagulated colloid representative of a desired image are formed by electrocoagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid present in a colloidal dispersion containing a coloring agent, the positive electrode having a predetermined radius and being rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A polychromic image is reproduced and transferred onto a substrate by (a) providing a positive electrode moving at substantially constant speed along a predetermined path, the electrode having a passivated surface defining a positive electrode active surface; (b) forming on the positive electrode active surface a plurality of dots of colored, coagulated colloid representative of a desired image, by electrocoagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid present in an electrocoagulation printing ink containing a coloring agent; and (c) bringing an endless belt moving at the same speed as the positive electrode and having on one side thereof a colloid retaining surface adapted to releasably retain dots of electrocoagulated colloid, into contact with the positive electrode active surface to cause transfer of the dots of colored, coagulated colloid from the positive electrode active surface onto the colloid retaining surface of the belt and to thereby imprint same with the image.

Abstract: Electrographic printing apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium, includes: a magnetic brush having a rotatable magnetic core and a stationary outer shell; a developer supply for supplying a magnetic developer powder including toner to the magnetic brush. A print head on the outer shell forms a plurality of parallel lines of developer. Toner is selectively transferred from a plurality of electrodes within each line to a receiver. A receiver electrode is arranged in spaced relation to the print head to define a recording region through which the receiver can be moved.

Abstract: A method for printing information on a substrate having security features includes the steps of: applying a DC potential difference (DC.sub.TB) between a back electrode and a toner delivery means to create a flow of toner particles from the toner delivery means to the back electrode; interposing a printhead structure, the printhead structure having printing apertures and control electrodes around the printing apertures, between the toner delivery means and the back electrode so as to create a spacing having a width L between the printhead structure and the back electrode and to imagewise control the flow of toner particles; passing the substrate having a thickness T in .mu.m through the spacing; adjusting the spacing between the printhead structure and the back electrode such that the width of the spacing L is greater than or equal to 1.5 T; adjusting the DC potential difference (DC.sub.TB) such that the relationship .vertline.DC.sub.TB .vertline./L, expressed in volts per micrometer (V/.mu.

Abstract: A ferroelectric ceramic material, for the storage of information in electrostatic printing processes, which ferroelectric ceramic material has a coercive force of less than 200 V/mm. The ferroelectric ceramic material consists of a ceramic perovskitic mixed crystal, which contains one or more components from each of Groups 1 and 2, whereby Group 1 contains the components PbTiO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3, Pb(Fe.sub.1/2 Nb.sub.1/2)O.sub.3 and Pb(Zn.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 and Group 2 contains the components Pb(Mg.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3, Pb(Ni.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3, Pb(Fe.sub.2/3 W.sub.1/3)O.sub.3 and Pb(Mn.sub.1/2 Nb.sub.1/2)O.sub.3. The proportions of the components from the two groups in the mixed crystal are determined according to the following equation: ##EQU1## where X.sub.i is the mole fraction of the i-component, T.sub.ci is the Curie point of the i-component and T.sub.cM is the Curie point of the mixture between 50.degree. C. and 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for direct electrostatic printing with reduced banding, which comprising the steps of creating a potential difference between a back electrode and a magnetic brush assembly having a stationary mounted core and a sleeve rotatably mounted around the core, and rotating the sleeve at a rotational speed V.sub.rot which is higher than 100 rotations per minute; applying a developer with toner particles and magnetically attractable carrier particles on the magnetic brush assembly; creating a flow of toner particles directly from the magnetic brush assembly to the back electrode; interposing a printhead structure, having printing apertures and control electrodes around the printing apertures, between the magnetic brush assembly and the back electrode, for image wise controlling the flow of toner particles; passing a substrate at a speed V.sub.

Abstract: A method of developing an electrostatic latent image produced on a surface of a movable intermediate carrier by electrically-charged dielectric color particles which are transported through a gap between the surface of the intermediate carrier and a surface of a developing device includes loosely filling most of the gap with color particles, and successively producing, along the transport path of the color particles through the gap, the following voltage differences between the surface of the developing device and non-image regions on the surface of the intermediate carrier: a first voltage difference substantially equal to zero, so that the color particles are not electrostatically attracted or repelled, in substance, by the surface of the developing device and by the non-image regions, respectively; a second voltage difference providing an electric field between the surface of the developing device and the non-image regions, the color particles in the non-image regions being completely separated from the su

Abstract: A polychromic image is reproduced and transferred onto a substrate by (a) providing a single support member having a continuous surface moving at substantially constant speed along a predetermined path; (b) forming on the surface a colored image from variable printing data with a printing ink containing a coloring agent; and (c) bringing a substrate into contact with the colored image to cause transfer of the image from the surface onto the substrate and thereby imprint the substrate with the image. Steps (b) and (c) are repeated several times to define a corresponding number of printing stages arranged at predetermined locations along the aforesaid path and each using a coloring agent of different color, and to thereby produce several differently colored images which are transferred at respective transfer positions onto the substrate in superimposed relation to provide the desired polychromic image.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation printing apparatus comprises a positive cylindrical electrode having a central longitudinal axis extending horizontally and a passivated surface defining a positive electrode active surface, the positive electrode being formed of an electrolytically inert metal; a drive mechanism for rotating the positive electrode about the longitudinal axis thereof at a substantially constant speed; a coating device for coating the positive electrode active surface with an olefinic substance and a metal oxide to form on the surface micro-droplets of olefinic substance containing the metal oxide; and a printing head for forming on the olefin and metal oxide-coated positive electrode active surface a plurality of dots of colored, coagulated colloid by electrocoagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid in the presence of a coloring agent, the dots of colored, coagulated colloid being representative of a desired image.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for printing with a press at least one image by transfer of an electrostatic colorant vehicle between an intermediate transfer element and a printing carrier, including the steps of making the intermediate transfer element in the press by magnetically developing zones on a substrate, depositing a magnetic, insulating, and hardenable material on the substrate to constitute the zones, hardening the hardenable material, subjecting the hardenable material to an electrostatic charge in order to lend the zones an affinity for the colorant vehicle, and transferring the colorant vehicle to the printing carrier by directly contacting the intermediate transfer element to the printing carrier.

Abstract: An aqueous ink for ink jet recording comprises a dye and a polymeric compound which can undergo a decarboxylation reaction. In an ink jet recording method, a recording operation is carried out by jetting a liquid droplet of the ink from a nozzle to a recording medium by using thermal energy.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for printing on polymer film while electrically polarizing the film or, in the case where the film has been polarized prior to printing, maintaining the film's electrostatic charge. The apparatus is incorporated into a printer and includes an ink applicator which applies the ink according to selected designs and colors and a heater for drying the ink. The improvement in the apparatus comprises a charging station which forms an electrostatic charge on the printed polymer film, immediately after the polymer film passes through the ink curing station. The method of printing on polymer film comprises applying a selected pattern of ink to the polymer film, heating the polymer film to a sufficient temperature to dry the ink of said pattern and to render the film electrically polarizable, and generating a net surface charge on the film.

Abstract: An electrostatic printer employing a photoconductive belt wrapped around multiple rollers. A motor drives a first roller. An elastic belt is wrapped around the first roller and a second roller, allowing the first roller to drive the second roller.

Abstract: An imaging system (12) for a printing press (10) having an imaging cylinder (44) having an outer surface (46) mobile to movement of charged particles, a device (52) for inducing a charge on the surface of the cylinder (44) of a first polarity, a film (48), a device (50) for passing the film (48) over at least a portion of the outer surface (46) of the imaging cylinder (44), a device (53) for passing charged particles of a second opposite polarity in a pattern through the film (48) onto the outer surface (46) of the imaging cylinder (44), a device (56) for passing a charged particulate material of the second polarity opposite the first polarity onto the film (48) over the pattern information on the cylinder (44) to form an image (80) of the particulate material (58) on the film (48), a device (62) for bonding the particulate material (58) onto the film (48), a print cylinder (36 or 38) having an outer surface (66), and a device (70) for placing a segment of the film (48) over the outer surface (66) of the prin

Abstract: Electrostatic image recording apparatus employing multi-apertured particle modulator is disclosed. The image recording apparatus receives digital electric image signals from an external device, such as a host computer, at a plurality of levels representative of the gradational values of the image to be formed. The image signals are distributed to a plurality of control electrodes which control the flow of toner particles to an image receiving member. The distributed digital image signals are converted to analog signals and a potential is applied to each control electrode based on the analog signal. The amount of toner particles passing through an aperture is controlled at a plurality of values by controlling the potential of a control electrode in a plurality of values based on image signals. As a result of the controls, a gradational dot can be formed. The resulting gradational image has high resolution.

Abstract: The improvement of a complex machine comprises a host computer, a duplicator, a laser printer, and a sheet supply unit. In a first sheet supply mode a sheet is supplied from the sheet supply unit to the duplicator; and in a second sheet supply mode a sheet is supplied from the sheet supply unit to the printer. The complex machine further comprises sheet transfer mode selecting means for selecting one of an interruption mode wherein the sheet supply mode currently set up is interrupted to proceed to a selected sheet supply mode, a wait mode wherein the selected sheet supply mode is effected after completing the process of the sheet supply mode currently set, and a rejection mode wherein proceeding to the selected sheet supply mode is rejected when either one of the first and second sheet supply modes is currently set up and the other one of the two sheet supply modes is selected concurrently.

Abstract: An impression roller for an electostatic printing assist system consists of a metal roller core, a relatively thick insulating layer of substantially uniform thickness covering the main body of the core, a relatively thin intermediate conductive layer covering the insulating layer and a relatively thick semiconductive layer covering the intermediate layer. The relatively thin conductive layer is exposed at one end of the roller so it can make contact with a rotary transformer. In a first embodiment of the invention the roller core is tapered at one end and the slope of the tapered end built up with semiconductive material. In a second embodiment there is an annular groove which is cut into the conductive layer to provide improved contact with a transformer. A method of preparing rollers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for transferring a viscous substance, including the steps of: providing a viscous substance capable of changing its adhesiveness corresponding to the polarity of a voltage applied thereto; disposing the viscous substance between a first electrode and a second electrode; and applying a voltage to the viscous substance plural times, thereby to reduce the adhesiveness of the viscous substance to the first electrode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method for forming an image includes a recording material which changes its adhesiveness in response to the polarity of the voltage applied thereto. Such a recording material can include negatively or positively changeable or inorganic particles, gas-generating solvents, a substance having a gel or sol state, and a dissociative electrolyte. The recording material is positioned between a pair of electrodes. At least one of the electrodes includes an electroconductive member and a pattern comprising an insulating material disposed on the electroconductive member. A voltage is then applied between the pair of electrodes to attach the recording material to one of the electrodes. Also provided is a pressure applicator for transferring to a transfer-receiving medium the recording material attached to the electrode.

Abstract: A method for supplying a viscous substance includes providing a viscous substance capable of changing its adhesiveness corresponding to the polarity of a voltage to be applied thereto; supplying the viscous substance between a pair of electrodes; and applying a pulse voltage between the pair of electrodes thereby to attach to at least one of the pair of electrodes the viscous substance of which amount corresponds to the effective duration factor of the pulse voltage.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for forming an image which includes providing a recording composition capable of changing its adhesivity corresponding to the polarity of a voltage applied thereto between a pair of electrodes. The recording composition has a transfer characteristic having a tendency to change by loss of at least one component of the recording composition. A voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes to attach the recording composition to one of the pair of electrodes to attach the recording composition to one of the pair of electrodes. Any such change in the transfer characteristic of the recording composition is detected during the process. In response to any change in the transfer characteristic additional component is added to the recording composition to compensate for that change.

Abstract: A recording apparatus which realizes attraction of ink with a low recording voltage, includes a thin plate member (2) having many fine holes (3). An ink reserving member (4) is provided closely in the one side of the thin plate member (2) and is impregnated with conductive ink (8). An electrode member (1) is provided interposing a recording medium (100) on the other side of the thin plate member (2) and effectuates the electrostatic force to attract the conductive ink (8) in the one side through the holes (3).

Abstract: The picture image processing system disclosed in the present invention comprises a control number assigning means, a job reservation means, a control information storing means, and an output means, which yields the output of paper with at least some part of the control information printed thereon together with the control number, and this system may further comprise a reservation result recognizing means and an output means constructed in such a manner as to be capable of producing the output of the status of the reserved jobs printed thereon together with the control number, the information thus printed out being at least either one of the two types, characters and geometrical patterns, which may be made selectable by either a difference in the input equipment or the result of a processing job or both of these, with the possible addition of the capability of controlling the printing position for the characters or geometrical patterns.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for enhancing resolution of a xerographic process by submodulation of each individual pixel. The submodulation is achieved by anamorphically reducing the square pixel presentation of light rays to a rectangle having a number of controllable segments within each square pixel scan line. By controlling the presentation of light rays to selected segments within each pixel gray scale an enhanced resolution can be achieved.

Abstract: A photoconductive or magnetic filler allows a single thin belt to serve as the imaging element, i.e., as the latent and developed image carrier, as well as the element which transfers and fuses toner to a print. The transport member moves in a cyclic path to carry material from a first location to a second location maintained at a higher temperature, and counter-moving portions of the member are positioned to exchange heat with each other along an intermediate portion of the path, so that minimum energy is lost to the environment. In one embodiment as a printing apparatus, a belt transports a heat-fusible toner to a heated location where it is transferred and fused, i.e., transfused, as a print image to a sheet. Effective powder pick up and release is obtained in the printing apparatus with a transport member having an elastomeric layer of a softness which conforms to a receiving member of characteristic surface roughness, and a non-tacky outer coating which is harder than the elastomeric layer.

Abstract: A xeroprinting master is formed by depositing a corona charge injection modifying material on a master substrate which includes a charge transport layer. The material can block the injection of charge that would otherwise inject into the charge transport layer or it can inject charge that would otherwise remain on the surface of the master. Preferably, the deposit is made by a conventional printer such as an ink jet, impact or thermal printer and the resulting deposit is not fused before use in xeroprinting.

Abstract: Within the impression cylinder of a rotogravure press and within the roll shell thereof there are provided over the width of the impression cylinder a number of layer packages which can be separately supplied with electrical charge in order to apply electrostatic charges to the impression cylinder surface for the purpose of augmenting printing of a material web. By differently controlling segments of the impression cylinder, there can be accommodated different widths of the material web to be processed. In order to concentrate the electric charge at the actually used region of the impression cylinder and for protecting the zones of the impression cylinder which are not currently being used, there are provided internally of the roll jacket, in axial direction thereof, a number of support elements arranged adjacent one another and braced against a central carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replenishing depleted portions of an ink sheet including a conductive ink layer on a dielectric layer wherein portions of ink have been transferred to a transfer medium. Conductive replacement ink material is supplied to the ink sheet and an electric charge is induced in the replacement ink and opposite charges are induced at an electrode on the opposite side of the dielectric layer. Replacement ink contacting the dielectric layer at the voids will adhere to the ink sheet, but charges in the replacement ink contacting the non-transcribed ink regions will flow to the conductive ink layer and will not adhere to the ink sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus to perform the electrostatic transfer of a developed image from a master having a permanent latent image therein to a receiving surface in which the master is moved between a first position remote from said receiving surface to a second position in overlying relation with said receiving surface for image transfer. A wicking station is moveable between a first position and a second position to deposit an insulating solvent on said receiving surface and return to its first position at a slower speed than the speed of the master returning to its first position. Gap spacer strips are provided which are played out over the receiving surface as the wicking station moves to its second position. The gap spacer strips in combination with a drive motor serve to return the wicking station to its first position.

Abstract: A counter pressure cylinder including an electrostatic printing assist system, with the counter pressure cylinder including an insulating jacket having a conductive coating thereof over which a further coating is arranged having limited conductivity. A primary winding, concentric to an electrically grounded axle or shaft of the counter pressure cylinder, is disposed beside the counter pressure cylinder in a fixed fashion with respect to the printing unit, and a secondary winding is mounted concentrically to the electrically grounded shaft of the counter pressure cylinder at one end face of the counter pressure cylinder in a fixed fashion with respect to the counter pressure cylinder. An electrical connection of the secondary winding is connected to the axle of shaft of the counter pressure cylinder and another electrical connection is connected to the coating by way of a rectifier circuit.

Abstract: A job processing site having plural electronic printers and document scanners, a job input station with electronic job ticket for entering printing instructions for a job with a job number to a job program file, a copier to provide a hard copy of the electronic job ticket with job number in machine readable form for assembly with the documents that comprise the job so that when the job is processed at the job site, the job number is obtained to retrieve the printing instructions for the job from the job program file.

Abstract: A form feeding control device includes a sensor provided at an inlet mouth of a printer to sense whether or not a continuous form exists in the inlet mouth. A control unit feeds the continuous for transfer thereto of a printed image corresponding to one page of the continuous form. The printed image is then fixed on the continuous form. The control unit also feeds the continuous form to fix the printed image on one page when the sensor senses that the end of the continuous form has passed through the inlet mouth and that a printed image has been transferred to the continuous form.

Abstract: A copying and printing apparatus comprises a copying system and a printing system. In the copying and printing apparatus, the copying system produces a copy of a document in an electrophotographic process. On the other hand, in the printing system, an image reader reads an image of the document so as to generate image data according to the read image, a master forming section forms a printing master according to the image data generated by the image reader, and a printing section prints using the printing master formed by the master forming section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for intermittently applying particles of a powdered developer to the recording surface of a magnetographic printer. This device includes a reservoir (17) containing developer particles, a transport element (23) for placing these particles in the vicinity of the surface of a magnetic drum (11), a deflector (24) disposed between this transport element and the drum to apply the particles to the drum surface, and a squeegee (45) disposed between the deflector and the transfer station (H), and actuated by an electromagnet (EA) for selectively pulling away the particles that have been deposited on the drum surface. The invention is applicable to magnetographic printers.

Abstract: A plurality of switched voltage sources (10, 10', 10") apply charge to a sheet of paper (16) by way of respective sets of styli (12, 12', 12"). To print a dot when toner is subsequently applied to the paper, the voltage source (10) deposits charge on the paper (16) by applying a high voltage, and its voltage returns to ground when it is to avoid leaving a mark. In order to avoid the image degradation that results from the proximity of an unenergized stylus to an energized one, a zener diode (14) is interposed between the switched voltage source (10) and its respective styli (12). By virtue of stray capacitance (C.sub.s) between the styli (12) and ground, the potential of the styli does not return completely to ground when their respective voltage source is switched off. Instead, it returns only to the zener voltage, and this reduces the image degradation that the presence that the unenergized styli would otherwise cause.

Abstract: A form feeding control device includes a sensor provided at an inlet mouth of a printer to sense whether or not a continuous form exists in the inlet mouth. A control unit feeds the continuous for transfer thereto of a printed image corresponding to one page of the continuous form. The printed image is then fixed on the continuous form. The control unit also feeds the continuous form to fix the printed image on one page when the sensor senses that the end of the continuous form has passed through the inlet mouth and that a printed image has been transferred to the continuous form.