APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF BACK-PLATED DEVELOPER

摘要

An apparatus and method for removing back-plated developer from a development device (10) in a liquid electrographic imaging system make use of a blade (30) disposed to remove back-plated developer from the development device (10) and a brush (36) disposed to remove the back-plated developer from the blade (30) and redisperse the back-plated developer into a developer liquid supply. The brush (36) includes a shaft and bristles (40) disposed about the shaft. The shaft preferably is rotated to drive the bristles (40) against the blade (30). In this manner, the bristles (40) remove the back-plated developer from the blade (30) and redisperse the back-plated developer within the developer liquid supply. The bristles (40) can be formed from a substantially resilient material to generate a flicking action upon deflection and recovery. This flicking action facilitates redispersion of the back-plated developer into the developer liquid supply. The brush (36) preferably is submerged in the developer liquid residing in the developer liquid supply, thereby avoiding significant drying of the developer liquid on the brush (36) and significant splattering of the developer liquid by the brush (36).