Patent · US Expired

Automatic cleaning method for image development apparatus

US4895103A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
7References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 22, 1988
Grant dateJan 23, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 22, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/104
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of cleaning a circulation path of an image developing apparatus using liquid toners. Liquid dispersant is continuously circulated from its supply tank by a pump along lines to a toner applicator then back to the supply tank. Color concentrates containing charge bearing solid pigment particles are selectively injected and mixed with the dispersant by means of pumps or valves to form liquid toner only when developing a latent image is desired. When toner application is completed, the injection of color concentrate into the dispersant is stopped, and the liquid dispersant then automatically rinses the liquid toner out of the circulation path.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.