METODO Y APARATO PARA APLICAR PARTICULAS PIGMENTADAS A UNA IMAGEN LATENTE FORMADA SOBRE EL EXTERIOR DE UNA CORREA ELECTROFOTOGRAFICA

摘要

An apparatus and method for making copies of an original pattern through the use of electrostatic techniques in which there is a looped belt (12) having an exterior photoconductive layer (15). The exterior of the belt (15) passes through a charging station (24) and is imaged by a projected pattern of light thereafter in darkness to acquire a latent image progressively as the belt (12) moves in one direction. The belt (12) passes a toning station (28) where a toning roller (36) dipping into a sump of toner (32) picks up toner particulate matter and rolls the toner matter onto the latent image to develop the same as the belt (12) passes through the toning station (28). The toning roller (36) engages the belt (12) and protrudes into the loop formed by the belt (12) thereby requiring the belt (12) to be wrapped around a peripheral segment of the toning roller (36). There is a stretched portion of the belt (12) extending between the peripheral segment and each of a pair of guide rollers (16, 18) so that the toning roller (36) is restrained only by the tension of the belt (12).