Laminar flow toning station having conductive and nonconductive elements therein.

摘要

Apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on the image bearing surface (18) of an imaging member (16) using a liquid toner is characterized by a toning station (12) having a toning member (46) therein. The toning member (46) has a conductive (50) and a nonconductive (48) element thereon. The nonconductive element (48) is disposed upstream of the conductive element (50) in the direction of movement along the path of travel of the image bearing surface (18) through the toning station (12). The conductive element (50) is connected to a bias voltage so that the image is toned first in the absence of a bias followed by toning in the presence of a bias voltage. Laminar toner flow is maintained in the direction of movement of the image bearing surface (18) during the contact of the surface with the toner