Apparatus and method for removing carrier liquid from a photoreceptor surface or from a toned image on a photoreceptor

摘要

A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying sheet for removing excess carrier liquid in a liquid toner toned latent image on a photoconductor surface. The drying sheet comprises a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface; at least one oleophilic carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and the first surface of the flexible substrate facing said photoconductor surface, latent image or liquid toned latent image. The apparatus may perform a process of providing a toned image on the photoconductor with a liquid toner; contacting an absorbent drying sheet from the supply container to the toned image on the photoconductor or to the photoconductor itself after the image is transferred away; absorbing liquid carrier with the drying sheet, the drying sheet then becoming a used drying sheet; determining whether the used drying sheet is suitable for reuse as an absorbent drying sheet; and placing the used drying sheet in a container.