Apparatus and method for removing carrier liquid from an intermediate transfer member surface or from a toned image on an intermediate transfer member

摘要

A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying element for removing excess carrier liquid in a liquid toner toned latent image on an intermediate transfer member surface or from the intermediate transfer member surface itself. 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 intermediate transfer member surface, latent image or liquid toned latent image. A method of using this apparatus comprises providing at least one absorbent drying sheet; providing an electrophotographic apparatus comprising at least an intermediate transfer member; at least one supply container and at least one discard container for the at least one absorbent drying sheet; providing a toned image on the intermediate transfer member with a liquid toner; contacting an absorbent drying sheet from the supply container to the toned image on the intermediate transfer member or to the intermediate transfer member 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.