Electrode-based post nip field conditioning method and apparatus

US7965953B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard Gordon Boyatt, III · Lexington, US
• Alexander Johannes Geyling · Lexington, US
• Brandon Alden Kemp · Lexington, US
• Niko Jay Murrell · Lexington, US
• Gregory Lawrence Ream · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 16, 2009
• Grant date: Jun 21, 2011
• Expiry date: Aug 16, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2215/00649
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An image-forming device includes a media path extending through the image-forming device, and at least one image transfer nip positioned along the media path. An electrode is positioned subsequent to the nip with respect to the media path and is coupled to a voltage source. An electric field produced by the electrode and voltage source limits the degree of post-nip toner scattering by applying an electrostatic force to toner particles on media sheets passing along the media path. The image-forming device further includes a processor for monitoring a plurality of ambient conditions, for adjusting the voltage applied to the electrode, and optionally, for repositioning the electrode with respect to the media path.