US3689935A - Electrostatic line printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrostatic line printer incorporating a multilayered particle modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a continuous layer of conducting material on one side of the insulating layer and a segmented layer of conducting material on the other side of the insulating layer. At least one row of apertures is formed through the multilayered particle modulator. Each segment of the segmented layer of conductive material is formed around a portion of an aperture and is insulatively isolated from every other segment of the segmented conductive layer. Selected potentials are applied to each of the segments of the segmented conductive layer while a fixed potential is applied to the continuous conductive layer. An overall applied field projects charged particles through the row of apertures of the particle modulator and the density of the particle stream is modulated according to the pattern of potentials applied to the segments of the segmented conductive layer. The modulated stream of charged particles impinge upon a print-receiving medium interposed in the modulated particle stream and translated relative to the particle modulator to provide line-by-line scan printing.

Description

United States Patent Pressman et al.

[ 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] ELECTROSTATIC LINE PRINTER [72] Inventors: Gerald L. Pressman, San Jose, Calif.; John V. Casanova, Racine,

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Electroprint, Inc., Palo Alto,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 6, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 864,022

[52] US. Cl. ..346/74 ES, lOl/DIG. 13, 178/66 A Primary Examiner-Howard W. Britton Attorney-Townsend and Townsend [5 7] ABSTRACT An electrostatic line printer incorporating 'a multilayered particle modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a continuous layer of conducting material on one side of the insulating layer and a segmented layer of conducting material on the other side of the insulating layer. At least one row of apertures is formed through the multilayered particle modulator. Each segment of the segmented layer of conductive material is formed around a portion of an aperture and is insulatively isolated from every other segment of the segmented conductive layer. Selected potentials are applied to each of the segments of the segmented conductive layer while a fixed potential is applied to the continuous conductive layer. An overall applied field projects charged particles through the row of apertures of the particle modulator and the density of the particle stream is modulated according to the pattern of potentials applied to the segments of the segmented conductive layer. The modulated stream of charged particles impinge upon a print-receiving medium interposed in the modulated particle stream and translated relative to the particle modulator to provide line-by-line scan printing.

22 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures TO ADDRESSING SOURCE EDZEDZFDQ (@5619 74 it f t 3 I l 98 I i PATENTEDSEP 5:912 3.689.935

-sum 2 or 2 FA/Y 5? V k? YR) FIG-8 FIG 9 V FlG 9A I l' 9 y r r r r I as 83F IG 1 1 INVENTORS GERALD L. PRESSMAN BY JOHN V. CASANOVA ATTORNEYS new and improved non-contact electrostatic line printer capable of producing continuous grey scale and capable of operating noiselessly at rates faster than mechanical printers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a noncontactelectrostatic line printer suitable not only for facsimile reproduction, copying, and printing, but also as a computer output for computer readout and computer graphics.

i In order to accomplish these results the present invention in its preferred embodiment contemplates providing a multilayered particle modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a continuous layerof conductive material coated on one side of the insulating layer, and a segmented layer of conductive material coated on the other side of the insulating layer. Each segment of the segmented conductive layer is insulatively isolated from each other segment in the layer. At least one row of apertures is formed through the multilayered modulator so that a segment of the segmented conductive layer surrounds-each aperture.

According to the invention, selected electrical potentials are applied to each of the segments of the segmented conductive layer according to the pattern of lines to be reproduced, while a fixed-potential is applied to the continuous conductive layer. Anoverall electrical field is established between electrodes for projecting charged particles from a particle source through the apertures of the particle modulator, and the density of the particle stream is modulated accordingto the pattern of potentials applied-to the segments of the segmented conductive layer. A print-receiving medium is interposed in the modulated particle stream and translated relative to the particle modulator for continuous or sequential line-by-line or line scanning reproduction as a function of the potentials applied to the segments of the segmented conductive layer on the particle modulator.

According to one aspect of theinvention, electric potentials are applied to each of the segments of the segmented conductive layer along aplurality of electrical lead wires connected respectively to the segments and controlled, for example, by logic circuitry for computer print-ut or computer graphics. I

According to another embodiment of the invention, each segment of the segmented conductive layer is connected by means of an electrical lead through a photoconductor element to ground potential, or to some other fixed potential. At the same time an electrical power supply is connected to each segment through a resistance. Thus, the electrical potential applied to each segment is a function of and proportional to the light falling on the photoconductor connected in the electrical circuit with the conductive segment. In this manner, an image to be reproduced can be scanned line-by-line along the row of photoconductors or, each of the apertures and corresponding photoconductors can be individually addressed by, for example, fibers optics. Such arrangements permit image intensity to be effective at one line or field'of location and, simultaneously therewith, projection or printing may take place at a different location, even remote from the exposure or intensity determining station. This feature enables reduction or enlargement of printing areas compared to image areas.

The multilayered particle modulator contemplated by the present invention selectively regulates and modulates the flow of toner particles through the apertures by means of fringing blocking and enhancing electrical fields established within the apertures of the particle modulator. In this respect, the invention incorporates to its unique combination techniques disclosed in'the electrostatic printing systems and methods set forth in United States patent applications 'Ser. Nos.

673,499, now US. Pat. No. 3,625,604, and 776,146, Y

assigned to the assignee of the present case. According to these disclosures there is provided a multilayered apertured screen including in at least certain embodiments a conductive layer and an insulative layer on which an electrostatic latent image is formed for. modulating the flow of charged toner particles or other printing particles through the apertures of the screen. .The

screen, comprising preferably at least an insulative layer and a conductive layer, permits the development of a double layer charge on the opposite sides of the insulative layer for selectively producing fringing blocking and enhancing fields negative through zero to positive) within theapertures of the screen. Thus, the double layer charge can be selectively developed to substantially completely block the passage of charged particles through certain apertures, enhance and accelerate the passage of charged particles through other apertures, and control the density of the particle stream through other apertures along a continuous range'in between, thus providing a modulated flow of toner particles corresponding with the image to be reproduced. The modulated stream of toner particles or other charged particlesis transferred by means of an overall appliedelectrostatic projection field across an air gap to a print-receiving medium. The image may thereafter be fixed according to known techniques.

The present invention differs from the subject matter of these patent applications in that an electrostatic latent image is not established on a screen. The present invention contemplates an electrostatic line printer in which selected fields are individually established within the apertures of one or more rows of apertures in a multilayered particle modulator as heretofore described. The invention thus contemplates sequential or continuous line-by-line printing or printing by line scanning utilizing selected potentials applied directly to conductive segments surrounding a row of apertures in the particle modulator. An electrostatic latent image is not formed on the modulator. Rather fringing blocking and enhancing fields within the apertures are established between the continuous conductive layer and the segmented conductive layer at each side of the apertures.

In operating the electrostatic line printer, selected potentials are applied to the segments surrounding the row of apertures in a pattern according to the lines to be printed. At the same time, the continuous conductive layer on the opposite side of the particle modulator is maintained at a substantially fixed potential. The consequent double layer charge establishes fringing This double layer charge can be used to provide not only blocking fields at the apertures of the modulator but also enhancing fields to actively project particles through the aperture. By means of enhancing fields as well as blocking fields, the quality and control of continuous tone grey scale non-contact printing is increased. The enhancing field electrically enlarges the apertures beyond their physical dimension by funnelling particles through each aperture with an enhancing field in a streamwhich expands in cross section on the output side of the modulator. Enhancing fields are generated by establishing within an aperture, fields of direction and polarity opposite that of the fields within a blocking aperture. White to gray to black printing is therefore possible by varying the electrical potential applied to the conductive segments from negative to positive with respect to the fixed potential applied to the continuous conductive layer, and vice versa according to the charge of the particles. Positive or negative printing can be accomplished by reversing the applied voltages. An overall electrical field is applied between electrodes for propulsion of charged particles through the apertures of the particle modulator and the overall applied field is adjusted so that it is insufficient to overcome fringing electrical fields established within apertures intended to completely block the flow of charged particles. In this respect, the thickness of the insulating layer and the diameter of the apertures are selected to provide a satisfactory thickness to diameter ratio to produce a substantially completely blocking field within the aperture. The conductive layers serve the additional purpose of shielding the fields established within apertures and tend to dissipate the charge of particles deposited on the conductor portion of the particle modulator.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is that continuous and sequential non-contact line printing can be accomplished by projecting ink particles such as toner particles or aerosols directly through the particle modulator onto a print receiving medium continuously translated relative to the particle modulator. Thus, printing on irregular surfaces is possible.

Another feature of the invention, however, is that instead of directly passing ink or toner particles through the particle modulator, a stream of charged particles such as ions can first be modulated by the apertures in accordance with the pattern to be reproduced for impingement upon the print receiving medium to establish an electrostatic latent image which can thereafter be dusted and developed according to known techniques. According to this aspect of the invention, a plurality of corona discharge points are aligned in a row with the apertures of the particle modulator, or, a corona wire can be aligned with the row of apertures to generate a stream of ions projected by an overall applied electrical field through the apertures for density modulation in accordance with a pattern to be reproduced. In this embodiment of the invention, the print receiving medium must include a dielectric or insulator layer capable of supporting the electrostatic latent image created by the modulated stream of ions. The image is then developed by dry or liquid electrostatic toner methods which are well known. An advantage of the user of ions for image formation rather than the direct use of ink particles is that it eliminates the problem of toner accumulation upon the particle modulator.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS- FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a particle modulator embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows on line 2-2 of the particle modulator illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a'diagrammatic presentation of the electrostatic line printer;

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic presentation of another electrostatic line printer utilizing corona discharge points;

' FIG. 4B is a plan view of the particle modulato showing the position of the corona points;

FIG. 5A is a diagrammatic presentation of another electrostatic line printer utilizing a corona discharge wire;

: FIG. 5B is a plan showing the positioning of the corona wire;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of an optically addressable particle modulator for electrostatic line printing;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the layout of another particle modulator using parallel offset rows of apertures to provide full coverage;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of a particle modulator formed with an elongate slot.

FIGS. 9 and 9A are perspective views respectively of particle modulators using electrode rings or rims for controlling the stream of particles through a row of holes; and

FIGS. 10 and 1 1 are diagrammatic views respectively of two different optically addressable particle modulators.

Themultilayered particle modulator 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a central insulative layer 11 made from a dielectric material such as plastic, ceramic, or glass. Coated on one side of the insulative layer 11 is a continuousconductive layer 12 consisting of a thin layer of metal or other good conductor. Coated on the opposite side of insulative layer 11 is a segmentedconductive layer 14 consisting of a plurality of insulatively isolated conductive segments also referred to by the numeral 14. A row of apertures or holes 15 is formed through the multilayered modulator l0 and the apertures andconductive layer segments 14 are formed so that aconductive segment 14 surrounds eachaperture 15. To reduce arcing between conductive segments, the dielectric material of the insulative layer can be projected between the segments, or a layer of insulating material can be formed over the entire segmented layer of conductive material lining theinterstices 16 between segments.

For general application in facsimile reproduction, copying, printing and computer readout, a resolution of as low as 50 to lines per inch thereby requiring 50 to 70 apertures per inch in the particle modulator may be acceptable. In forming a particular modulator of this resolution, the multilayered screen can first be formed view of the particle modulator.

thickness of the thin films is not critical. At these dimensions, a few hundred volts potential between the conductive layers is sufficient tov establish the fringing blocking and enhancing fields necessary for modulating a flow of particles through the apertures. As a general rule, the-larger the aperture, the greater the potential required. Thus, an aperture'having a diameter of 1 mil may require approximately a 50 .volt differential between the continuous and segmented conducting layers while a mil diameter hole may require approximately 300 volts difference, for establishing satisfactory fringing blocking and enhancing fields. In each of these examples, an overall applied electrical field for propelling the charged particles through the modulator of approximately. for example 5,000volts per inch is contemplated. When using ink particles directly, whether dry-or liquid, a particle size of approximately one-eighth the aperture diameter is desirable'but satisfactory results are range of particle size.

The electrostatic line printing system utilizing the particle modulator illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is set forth diagrammatically in FIG. 3. According to this system, anelongate toner supply 20 provides charged toner particles according to well known techniques and an overall electrical field is applied between thetoner supply 20 and aback electrode 21, having a polarity suitable for projecting charged toner particles in the direction of theelectrode 21. Interposed in the path of the toner stream is aparticle modulator 10 as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality oflead wires 22 in number equal to the number of segments in the segmentedconductive layer 14 are connected respectively to each of thesegments 14 of the segmented layer. Asingle lead wire 23 is connected to the continuousconductive layer 12 for applying a fixed potential such as, for example, a ground potential to theconductive layer 12. The plurality ofleads 22 are connected to the addressing source which may be, for example, logic switching circuitry for providing computer readout or computer graphic p int-out.

Theelongate toner supply 20 has a length commensurate with the length of the particle modulator and the lines to be printed. Charged particles emitting from the slit opening 24 in thetoner supply 20 are accelerated in achieved over awide ments 14 along the row of apertures in the particle modulator by means of thelead wires 22 at a rate correlated with the speed of relative translation ofprint medium 25 so that density modulated linear arrays of toner particles are applied continuously or sequentially to the print-receiving medium according to the lines to be printedThe toner particles which impinge and rest upon theprint medium 25 are thereafter fixed as, for example, by heating according to well-known techniques.

Addressing of theapertures 15 of the particle modulator by means of thelead wire 22 can be accomplished by direct parallel connection to a line at a time output device, or sequential-addressing may be accom-. plished by attaching each lead wire to a tapped delay the particle modulator. Alternatively, a ring or sleeve with lead affixed) may bound a portion of each aperture internally or externally to comprise the segments, thereby permitting even closer, spacing of apertures.

. Further, the apertures maycomprise ring capped insuthe direction ofelectrode 21. The linear stream of particles is density modulated upon passage through the row ofholes 15 formed in the particle modulator and the density modulated stream thereafter continues in the direction ofelectrode 21. interposed in the path of the modulated stream of. particles is a print-receiving lative sleeves spaced in proximity in or on a conductive plate, mesh or matrix because it is the sandwiched insulator construction which enables the double layer charge to be established in selected magnitudes and polarities, in turn to produce the fringing fields.

Instead of directly modulating a stream of inked particles, whether dry or liquid, the particle modulator can be utilized to modulate a stream of ions for impingement 'on a dielectric print-receiving medium or a substrate having an insulative layer capableof supporting an electrostatic latent image. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 48, a row of corona discharge points 30 is aligned with the particle modulator so that eachcorona discharge point 30 is aligned with anaperture 15 of the'particle modulator 10. An overall applied field between thecorona discharge point 30 andelectrode 31 generates an ion stream in the direction ofelectrode 31 which is modulated according to the potentials applied to the segments of the segmented conductive layer of the particle modulator as heretofore described. The modulated ion stream continues in the direction ofelectrode 31 and impinges upon a printing medium orsubstrate 32 translated relative to the particle stream.,

The print medium orsubstrate 32 must be a dielectric material or include a dielectric layer upon which the ions may impinge to establish an electrostatic latent image. The 'line-by-line electrostatic latent images established on aprint medium 32 are thereafter developed by dusting or other known techniques and fixed. The electrostatic line printer system illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B is similar except that acorona discharge wire 35 is substituted for the row of corona points 30. Advantages of the use of ions as the imageforrning particles are that it affords simplicity of construction and eliminates the problem of toner accumulation on the particle modulator. Other aspects of electrostatic. printing by means of modulating an ion stream are set forth in United States patent applications Ser. Nos. 709,578 and 709,660, both assigned to the assignee of the present case.

For printing on non-dielectric materials, for printing on irregular surfaces, and for multiple overprinting without inten'nediate fixing and drying, direct marking toners such as dry powder toners or aerosols are used.

The multilayered apertured'particle modulator is addressed optically by the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6. According to this arrangement, each of theconductive segments 14 of the segmented conductive layer ofparticle modulator 10 is connected by an electrical lead through a photoconductor cell 40 to a ground potential 41 or other fixed potential .as hereinafter described. At the same time, an electrical power supply is connected by way oflead 42 throughresistances 43 to each of thesegments 14 of the segmented conductive layer.

The photoconductor cells 40 can be addressed by sweeping an image continuously across the row of photoconductor cells or sweeping an imageline-by-line across the row photoconductor cells. Sequential scanning by a single modulated light source along the row of photoconductors can also be used.. In any of these examples the image or light source can be swept relative to the modulator, or the modulator can be moved relative to the image or light source. As another example, fiber optic tubes can be used to individually address each photoconductor cells 40. The electrical potential applied to a particular segment is thus a function of and proportional to the light falling on the photoconductor associated with the segment. Other arrangements optically responsive for applying selected potentials to the segments can also be used.

- In order to provide within theapertures 15 of the al and a continuous conductive layer coated on one particle modulator l0, fringing enhancing fields for accelerating and broadening the stream of particles passing through the apertures in addition to fringing blocking fields for preventing the passage of particles therethrough, fields of opposite direction and polarity must be established within the apertures. In order to accomplish this in the electrostatic line printing system illustrated in FIG. 3, the continuousconductive layer 12 can be maintained at ground potential while electrical potentials varying from negative to positive are applied to thelead wires 22 depending upon whether blocking or enhancing fields are required. In addition,.the continuousconductive layer 12 can be maintained at a fixed potential other than a zero potential and the electrical potential supplied bylead wires 22 to the conductive segments of the segmented conductive layer varied on either side of the potential at theconductive layer 12. In order to provide both blocking and enhancing fields for the optically addressable particle modulator illustrated in FIG. 6, thelead wire 41 from the photoconductor cells is connected to an electrical potential of polarity opposite the voltage source applied to lead 42. As another example the potential applied to the continuous conductive layer can be adjusted. By this expedient, both the direction of polarity and the strength of the field can be varied according to the light falling upon the photoconductor elements 40. Reversal of polarity and. field direction with the apertures permits switching from positive to negative printing and vice versa.

In order to provide closer spacing of the apertures of the particle modulator for accomplishing better control of full marking coverage, a pair of rows of apertures can be provided in the multilayered particle modulator, offset with respect to each other as illustrated in FIG. 7. A fragmentary portion of a particle modulator is side thereof as heretofore described. On the opposite side of the insulator layer from the continuous conductive layer, two rows ofconductive segments 51 and 52 are provided forming a segmented conductive layer. The two rows ofsegments 51 and 52 correspond to two rows ofapertures 53 and 54 formed through the multilayered particle modulator. Each of thesesegments 51 and 52 is insulatively isolated from every other segment. Furthermore, each of the segments 51 is formed around anaperture 53 while each of thesegments 52 is formed around anaperture 54. The rows ofaperture 53 and 54 are formed 180 at a phase so that the edges of onehole 53 coincide withor overlap the edges of the nearest holes 54. By means of the offset rows ofapertures 53 and 54, complete coverage of the area behind the particle modulator and control of printing on the printing medium or substrate translating relative to the particle modulator is provided. The multilayered particle modulator contemplated by the present invention can be embodied in forms other than the examples set forth above. Thus, the conductive layers on either side of the insulating layer can both be segmented with selected potentials as a function of material to be printed applied to the segments of the segmented layer on one side and generally fixed potentials applied to the segmented layer on the other side. And, each segment need not necessarily surround an aperture but can partially surround an aperture or be formed in separate parts which abut against opposite edges of an aperture.

As another example, illustrated in FIG. 8, instead of a row of apertures, an elongate opening orslot 60 can be formed through themultilayered particle modulator 61 for passage of particles therethrough. At least one of the conductive layers on one side of the modulator is segmented with parts of eachsegment 62 abutting against opposite edges of the slot in rows along the slotforestablishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within the slot. As in the previous example, a generally fixed potential is applied to the conductive layer on the other side of the particle modulator while selected potentials as a function of an image to be reproduced are applied to the rows ofconductive segments 62 along the slot. By this construction, a row or linear array of separately controllable electrical fields can be established within the slot for modulating a linear stream of charged particles passing through the elongate opening. The conductive layer on both sides of the particle modulator can be segmented in rows along the slot, or one layer can be segmented and the other continuous.

FIG. 9 shows a particle modulator formed of alayer 71 of insulative materialand a layer 72 of conductive material such as a metal layer formed on one side thereof. A row ofholes 73 is formed through thelayers 71 and 72 by, for example, drilling. Within eachhole 73 is fitted in insulatingsleeve 74 which extends through the hole with arim 75 of metal or other conductive material retained at'one end of thesleeve 74 against theinsulative layer 71 of the particle modulaparticle modulator while a ground or common potential is applied to the metal layer 72 'for selectively modulating a stream of toner particles passing through the row ofholes 73. Positive and negative printing can be accomplished by varying the potentials applied to each of the metal rims 75 from plus to minus with reference to the common potential applied to metal layer 70.

In the modulator shown in FIG. 9A, each insulatingsleeve 74 with therim 75 of metal or other conductive material affixed at one end is attached at its other end to a'metal plate 77 having a'row ofholes 78 formed therethrough. Eachinsulative sleeve 74 is affixed over ahole 78 to form an aperture through which toner passes. A stream of toner particles is modulated by the application of selected potentials atlead wires 76 attached to the conductive rims or rings 75 while a common orground potential is applied to themetal plate 77. Y The embodiment of the inventionillustrated in FIG. is similar to that shown in FIG. 6 .providing aparticle modulator 80 having aninsulative layer 81 with a row ofholes 82 formed therethrough. On one side ofinsulative layer 81 eachof theholes 82 is surrounded by a conductive segment 38 insulatively isolated from each of theother segments 83, and each of thesegments 83 is connected to aphotoconductive element 84. In themodulator 80 of FIG. 10, however, each of thesegments 83 is connected through aphotoconductive element 84 to avoltage supply line 85. Each of thephotoconductive elements 84 functions as a resistance in series with the voltage source to'thereby supply a selected potential to each of the segments as a function of the light falling on the respectivephotoconductive elements 84. A common or ground potential is applied to a layer of metal or other conductive material on the opposite side of theinsulative layer 81.

' Another optically controlledparticle modulator 90, which permits positive to negative printing is illustrated in FIG. 11. As in the previous examples, the modulator 90- consists of aninsulative layer 91 having formed therethroughv a row ofholes 92, each hole surrounded on one side of theinsulative layer 91 with asegment 93 of metal or other conductive material insulatively isolated from everyother segment 93. In this embodiment, however, each of thesegments 93 is connected through a first photoconductive element 94 to afirstvoltage supply line 95 and a secondphotoconductive element 96 to a secondvoltage supply line 97. Thephotoconductive elements 94 and 96 connected to eachsegment 93 are optically isolated from each other bylight baffles 98. The opposite side ofinsulative layer 91 is coated with a layer of metal or other conductive material to which is applied a common or ground potential.Voltage supply line 95 can be connected to a voltage source which is, for example, positive with respect to the common potential, whilevoltage supply line 97 can be connected to a voltage source which is negative relative to the common potential applied to the metal layer on the opposite side of theinsulative layer 91. A blocking field or an enhancing field can be established within each of theapertures 92 depending upon whether light is incident uponphotoconductive element 94 or 96 corresponding to eachrespective segment 93. Thus, both strength and polarity of the fields established withinapertures 92 are optically controllable.

As used herein and in the following claims the phrase formed around with reference to the conductive layers is intended to include the configurations of surrounding, partially surrounding, and abutting against portions of the edge of the aperture or other opening in the particle modulator. Furthermore, the phrases relaa multilayered particle flow modulator comprising a I layer of insulating material, a first layer of conductive material on one side of said insulative layer and a segmented second layer of conductive material coated on the other side of said insulative layer,'.each segment of the segmented conductive layer being isolated from each other segment, said multilayered modulator having at least one row of apertures therethrough, a segment of the segmented conductive layer being disposed around each aperture;

means for selectively applying electric potentials between said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the insulative layer and the first layer of conductive material on the other side;

means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby flow of particles therethrough is modulated according to the potentials applied between the segments of the segmented conductive layer and the first layer of conductive material;

and means for positioning a print-receiving medium in the path of flow of particles and for providing relative translation between said print-receiving medium and the particle modulator.

2. An electrostatic printer as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the means for selectively applying comprises a plurality of leads respectively connected to the segments and further comprising a plurality of photoconductor cell means whereby the potential at each segment of the segmented layer is a function of the light falling on the photoconductor cell corresponding to the respective segment.

3. An electrostatic line printer comprising:

a multilayered particle flow modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a continuous layer of conductive material coated on one side of said insulative layer and a segmented layer of conductive material coated on the other side of said insulative layer, each segment of the segmented conductive layer being insulatively isolated from each other segment, said multilayered modulator having at least one row of apertures formed therethrough, a segment of the segmented conductive layer being formed around a portion of each aperture;

means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material and the continuous layer of conductive material whereby a plurality of potential differences of selected magnitude and orientation are established in the apertures of the particle modulator between the segments of the segmented layer and the continuous layer;

means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby the density of the particle stream is modulated according to g the pattern of potentials applied to the segments of the segmented conductive layer;

and means for positioning a print-receiving medium in the-modulated particle stream.

4. An electrostatic line printer comprising:

a multilayered particle flow modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a first layer of conductive material coated on one side of said insulating layer, said layers having at least one row or apertures formed therethrough, and a segmented second layer of conductive material coated'on the 1 other sideof said insulating layer, each segment of said second conductive layer formed around an aperture through the modulator, each segment being non-continguous with any other segment;

means for applying selected potentials individually to each of said segments of the segmented second conductive layer on the one side of the particle modulator and means for establishing a substantially fixed potential at the first layer of conductive material on the other side of the particle modulator whereby electric fields of selected magnitude and orientation are established within the apertures between the segments of the segmented layer and the first conductive layer;

means for projecting charged particles through selected apertures of the particle modulator according to the pattern of potential differences applied between said segments of the segmented conductive layer and the first conductive layer;

and means for positioning a print-receiving medium in the particle stream passing through the particle modulator, and further means for translating said print-receiving medium relative to the particle modulator.

5. an electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for applying selected potentials individually to each of the segments of the segmented second conductive layer comprises a plurality of photoconductor elements, one corresponding to each segment, a plurality of electrical lead means connecting each segment through a photoconductor element to ground potential, electrical power supply means and resistance means connected through the power supply means and each said segment.

6. An electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for applying selected potentials individually to each of the segments of the segmented second conductive layer comprises a plurality of electrical lead wires connected respectively to the segments for applying potentials respectively thereto and a single electrical lead wire connected to the first layer of conducting material for applying a fixed potential thereto.

7. An electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of photoconductor cell means each of said segments of said second conductive layer being connected through a separate one of said photoconductor cell means to ground potential, a plurality of resistance means, and each of said plurality of lead wires being connected'through a separate one of said resistance means to electrical power supply means.

8. An electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator comprises a particle source forming a first electrode on one side of the particle modulator, and a second electrode in circuit therewith via a power source and at a polarity opposite the first electrode on the other side of and spaced from said particle modulator.

9. A multilayered particle modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a first layer of conducting material on one side of. said insulating layer, said layers having at least one row of apertures therethr'ough and a segmented second layer of conducting material on the tive layer of the particle modulator and the first layer of conducting material whereby electric fields of selected magnitude and orientation are established within the modulator apertures.

10. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth in claim 9 further comprising photoconductor cell means,

and-separate circuits, each of the segments of the segmented layer of conductive material being connected in a separate circuit with photoconductor cell means whereby the potential at each segment of the segmented layer is a function of the light falling on the photoconductor cell corresponding to the respective segment.

11. A multilayered particle modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a continuous layer of conductive material coated on one side of said insulative layer and a segmented layer of conductive material coated on the other side of said insulative layer, each segment of the segmented conductive layer being insulatively isolated from each other segment, s'aid mul-, tilayered modulator having at least one row of apertures formed therethrough, a segment of the segmented conductive layer being formed around each aperture and means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material and the continuous layer whereby electric fields of selected magnitude and orientation are established within the aperture of the modulator between the segment of the segmented layer and the continuous layer.

12. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth in claim 11 wherein is provided means for optically varyfields within said at least one opening for modulating a stream of charged particles passing through said opening; 1 means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the modulator and the layer of conductive material on the other side; means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby the density of the particle stream is modulated according to the pattern of potentials applied between the segments of the segmented conductive layer on the one side ofthe insulative layer and the conductive layer on the other side; and means for positioning a print-receiving'medium in the modulated particle stream, and for providing relative translation between'said print-receiving medium and the particle modulator. 14. An electrostatic line printer comprising: a multilayered particle modulator comprising an in- 'sulative layer and conductive layers coated on each side of the insulative layer, said modulator having an elongate opening forming a line for passage of particles therethrough, at least one of the conductive layers on one side of the modulator segmented with parts of each segment abutting against opposite edges of the elongate opening in rows along the opening for establishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within the opening;

means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side;

means for projectingcharged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby the density of the particle stream is modulated according to the pattern of potentials applied between the segments of the segmented conductive layer on the one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side;

and means for positioning a print receiving medium in the modulated particle stream, and for provid-' ing relative translation between said print receiving medium and the particle modulator. 15. A multilayered particle modulator comprising: an insulative layer having at least one opening forming an elongate line for passage of particles therethrough and layers of conductive material coated on each side of the insulative layer along said line at least one conductive layersegmented into insulatively isolated segments for establishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within said at least one opening between the segmented conductive layer on the one side of the modulator and theconductive layer onthe other side for modulating a stream of charged particles passing through said opening.

16. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth inclaim 15 wherein is provided means for applying electric potentials between each of the segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side and means for optically varying the potentials apsegment abutting against oppositeedges of the elongate opening in rows along the opening for establishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within the opening between the segments of the segmented layeron one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side.

18. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth in claim 17 wherein is provided means for applying electric potentials betweeneach of the segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side and means for optically varying the potentials applied to said segments.

19. An electrostatic printer comprising in combination,'a particle flow modulator comprising spaced apart conductive means and insulative means spacing the conductive means defining an array of apertures each aperture bounded by said spaced apart conductive means, addressing means for individually and selectively establishing fringing fields between said spaced apart conductive means in said apertures, means for projecting charged particles through apertures of the particle flow modulator whereby flow of particles therethrough is modulated in accordance with the magnitude and orientation of said fringing fields, and means establishing relative movement between the particle modulator and a print-receiving medium for receiving the flow of particles through the modulator.

20. The printer of claim 19 wherein one of the conductive means comprises a plurality of separate conductive segments each conductive segment disposed substantially around an aperture of the array defined by said spaced apart conductive means.

21. The printer ofclaim 20 wherein the addressing means comprises individual leads connected to the segments.

22. The printer ofclaim 21 wherein the addressing means comprises a plurality of optically responsive resistance devices connected respectively in said leads.

Claims (22)

1. An electrostatic printer comprising: a multilayered particle flow modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a first layer of conductive material on one side of said insulative layer and a segmented second layer of conductive material coated on the other side of said insulative layer, each segment of the segmented conductive layer being isolated from each other segment, said multilayered modulator having at least one row of apertures therethrough, a segment of the segmented conductive layer being disposed around each aperture; means for selectively applying electric potentials between said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the insulative layer and the first layer of conductive material on the other side; means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby flow of particles therethrough is modulated according to the potentials applied between the segments of the segmented conductive layer and the first layer of conductive material; and means for positioning a print-receiving medium in the path of flow of particles and for providing relative translation between said print-receiving medium and the particle modulator.

2. An electrostatic printer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively applying comprises a plurality of leads respectively connected to the segments and further comprising a plurality of photoconductor cell means whereby the potential at each segment of the segmented layer is a function of the light falling on the photoconductor cell corresponding to the respective segment.

3. An electrostatic line printer comprising: a multilayered particle flow modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a continuous layer of conductive material coated on one side of said insulative layer and a segmented layer of conductive material coated on the other side of said insulative layer, each segment of the segmented conductive layer being insulatively isolated from each other segment, said multilayered modulator having at least one row of apertures formed therethrough, a segment of the segmented conductive layer being formed around a portion of each aperture; means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material and the continuous layer of conductive material whereby a plurality of potential differences of selected magnitude and orientation are established in the apertures of the particle modulator between the segments of the segmented layer and the continuous layer; means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby the density of the particle stream is modulated according to the pattern of potentials applied to the segments of the segmented conductive layer; and means for positioning a print-receiving medium in the modulated particle stream.

4. An electrostatic line printer comprising: a multilayered particle flow modulator comprising a layer of insulating maTerial, a first layer of conductive material coated on one side of said insulating layer, said layers having at least one row or apertures formed therethrough, and a segmented second layer of conductive material coated on the other side of said insulating layer, each segment of said second conductive layer formed around an aperture through the modulator, each segment being non-continguous with any other segment; means for applying selected potentials individually to each of said segments of the segmented second conductive layer on the one side of the particle modulator and means for establishing a substantially fixed potential at the first layer of conductive material on the other side of the particle modulator whereby electric fields of selected magnitude and orientation are established within the apertures between the segments of the segmented layer and the first conductive layer; means for projecting charged particles through selected apertures of the particle modulator according to the pattern of potential differences applied between said segments of the segmented conductive layer and the first conductive layer; and means for positioning a print-receiving medium in the particle stream passing through the particle modulator, and further means for translating said print-receiving medium relative to the particle modulator.

5. an electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for applying selected potentials individually to each of the segments of the segmented second conductive layer comprises a plurality of photoconductor elements, one corresponding to each segment, a plurality of electrical lead means connecting each segment through a photoconductor element to ground potential, electrical power supply means and resistance means connected through the power supply means and each said segment.

6. An electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for applying selected potentials individually to each of the segments of the segmented second conductive layer comprises a plurality of electrical lead wires connected respectively to the segments for applying potentials respectively thereto and a single electrical lead wire connected to the first layer of conducting material for applying a fixed potential thereto.

7. An electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of photoconductor cell means each of said segments of said second conductive layer being connected through a separate one of said photoconductor cell means to ground potential, a plurality of resistance means, and each of said plurality of lead wires being connected through a separate one of said resistance means to electrical power supply means.

8. An electrostatic line printer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator comprises a particle source forming a first electrode on one side of the particle modulator, and a second electrode in circuit therewith via a power source and at a polarity opposite the first electrode on the other side of and spaced from said particle modulator.

9. A multilayered particle modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a first layer of conducting material on one side of said insulating layer, said layers having at least one row of apertures therethrough and a segmented second layer of conducting material on the other side of said insulating layer, each segment of said second conductive layer disposed around at least a portion of an aperture through the modulator and being non-contiguous with any other segment, and means for applying selected potentials individually between to each of said segments of the segmented second conductive layer of the particle modulator and the first layer of conducting material whereby electric fields of selected magnitude and orientation are established within the modulator apertures.

10. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth in claim 9 further comprising photoconductor Cell means, and separate circuits, each of the segments of the segmented layer of conductive material being connected in a separate circuit with photoconductor cell means whereby the potential at each segment of the segmented layer is a function of the light falling on the photoconductor cell corresponding to the respective segment.

11. A multilayered particle modulator comprising a layer of insulating material, a continuous layer of conductive material coated on one side of said insulative layer and a segmented layer of conductive material coated on the other side of said insulative layer, each segment of the segmented conductive layer being insulatively isolated from each other segment, said multilayered modulator having at least one row of apertures formed therethrough, a segment of the segmented conductive layer being formed around each aperture and means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material and the continuous layer whereby electric fields of selected magnitude and orientation are established within the aperture of the modulator between the segment of the segmented layer and the continuous layer.

12. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth in claim 11 wherein is provided means for optically varying the potentials applied to the segments of the segmented conductive layer.

13. An electrostatic line printer comprising: a multilayered particle modulator comprising an insulative layer having at least one opening forming an elongate line for passage of particles therethrough and layers of conductive material coated on each side of the insulative layer along said line at least one conductive layer segmented into insulatively isolated segments for establishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within said at least one opening for modulating a stream of charged particles passing through said opening; means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the modulator and the layer of conductive material on the other side; means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby the density of the particle stream is modulated according to the pattern of potentials applied between the segments of the segmented conductive layer on the one side of the insulative layer and the conductive layer on the other side; and means for positioning a print-receiving medium in the modulated particle stream, and for providing relative translation between said print-receiving medium and the particle modulator.

14. An electrostatic line printer comprising: a multilayered particle modulator comprising an insulative layer and conductive layers coated on each side of the insulative layer, said modulator having an elongate opening forming a line for passage of particles therethrough, at least one of the conductive layers on one side of the modulator segmented with parts of each segment abutting against opposite edges of the elongate opening in rows along the opening for establishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within the opening; means for applying electric potentials between each of said segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side; means for projecting charged particles through the particle modulator apertures whereby the density of the particle stream is modulated according to the pattern of potentials applied between the segments of the segmented conductive layer on the one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side; and means for positioning a print receiving medium in the modulated particle stream, and for providing relative translation between said print receiving medium and the particle modulator.

15. A multilayered particle modulator comprising: an insulative layer having at least one opening forming an elongate line for passage of particles therethrough and layers of conductive material coated on each side of the insulative layer along said line at least one conductive layer segmented into insulatively isolated segments for establishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within said at least one opening between the segmented conductive layer on the one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side for modulating a stream of charged particles passing through said opening.

16. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth in claim 15 wherein is provided means for applying electric potentials between each of the segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side and means for optically varying the potentials applied to said segments.

17. A multilayered particle modulator comprising an insulative layer and conductive layers coated on each side of the insulative layer, said modulator having an elongate opening forming a line for passage of particles therethrough, at least one of the conductive layers on one side of the modulator segmented with parts of each segment abutting against opposite edges of the elongate opening in rows along the opening for establishing a plurality of separately controllable electrical fields within the opening between the segments of the segmented layer on one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side.

18. A multilayered particle modulator as set forth in claim 17 wherein is provided means for applying electric potentials between each of the segments of the segmented layer of conductive material on the one side of the modulator and the conductive layer on the other side and means for optically varying the potentials applied to said segments.

19. An electrostatic printer comprising in combination, a particle flow modulator comprising spaced apart conductive means and insulative means spacing the conductive means defining an array of apertures each aperture bounded by said spaced apart conductive means, addressing means for individually and selectively establishing fringing fields between said spaced apart conductive means in said apertures, means for projecting charged particles through apertures of the particle flow modulator whereby flow of particles therethrough is modulated in accordance with the magnitude and orientation of said fringing fields, and means establishing relative movement between the particle modulator and a print-receiving medium for receiving the flow of particles through the modulator.

20. The printer of claim 19 wherein one of the conductive means comprises a plurality of separate conductive segments each conductive segment disposed substantially around an aperture of the array defined by said spaced apart conductive means.

21. The printer of claim 20 wherein the addressing means comprises individual leads connected to the segments.

22. The printer of claim 21 wherein the addressing means comprises a plurality of optically responsive resistance devices connected respectively in said leads.

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