Apparatus and methods for altering charge on a dielectric material

US8605406B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Richard M. Jendrejack · Hudson, US
• Robert A. Yapel · Oakdale, US
• Mitchelle A. F. Johnson · Maplewood, US
• Mikhail L. Pekurovsky · Bloomington, US
• Peter T. Benson · North St. Paul, US
• Joan M. Noyola · Maplewood, US
• William Blake Kolb · Windom, US
• Matthew S. Stay · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 16, 2008
• Grant date: Dec 10, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 9, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2215/00455
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods of altering charge on a dielectric material involve application of an at least weakly conductive liquid to at least a portion of the dielectric material. The liquid is then at least partially removed from the dielectric material leaving a substantially uniform electrostatic charge on at least the portion of the dielectric material. Some methods provide a dielectric material that is both net neutral and completely neutral. Other methods generate a charge pattern that is used for subsequent processing.