Method and system for thermal transfer printing are disclosed. The system comprises a transfer member having an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of particles made of, or coated with, a thermoplastic polymer is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which electromagnetic radiation (EM) is applied via the rear side of the transfer member to selected regions of the particles-coated imaging surface to render the particles thereon tacky within the selected regions, and a transfer station at which only the regions of the particles coating that have been rendered tacky are transferred to a substrate. The transfer member includes on its rear side a body transparent to EM radiation and on its front side an EM radiation absorbing layer, the imaging surface being formed on, or as part of, the absorbing layer.

Some examples relate to printing apparatuses and methods. In an example, a roller transfers printing fluid to a substrate. In some examples an electrically grounded roller is positioned proximate the electrically charged roller and guides the substrate. In some examples, the roller is an electrically charged roller. In some examples an electric field is applied and its strength is varied based on a dielectric coefficient of the substrate and/or a thickness of the substrate.

The disclosure relates to a coating apparatus for applying a layer of particles to a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pressurized air source, an application chamber partially bounded by the receiving surface into which an air stream is delivered by the air source, an air return path for returning air from the application chamber to an intake of the air source to form an air circulation loop, a dosing device for introducing particles to be coated onto the receiving surface into the air circulation loop, and a controller serving to regulate the dosing device so as to maintain the particle concentration within predetermined limits. A method of applying a layer of particles is also provided, as well as printing systems benefiting from the present coating apparatus.

Some examples relate to printing apparatuses and methods. In an example, a roller transfers printing fluid to a substrate. In some examples an electrically grounded roller is positioned proximate the electrically charged roller and guides the substrate. In some examples, the roller is an electrically charged roller. In some examples an electric field is applied and its strength is varied based on a dielectric coefficient of the substrate and/or a thickness of the substrate.

Methods for producing, from hydrophilic carbon black particles and at least one curable hydrophobic silicone pre-polymer, elastomeric compositions comprising dispersed carbon black particles, as well as their corresponding cured products. Once the curing process has taken place, such compositions can be used for the preparation of numerous articles of wide industrial applicability.

There is disclosed a layered article that can be used in indirect printing, in analog or digital processes. The layered article, when configured as a transfer member, may serve to receive an ink in any form, allow the ink to be treated so as to form an ink image, and permit the application of the ink image on a substrate. The transfer member comprises a support layer and an imaging layer, which may be formed of a silicon matrix including dispersed carbon black particles. Methods for preparing the same are also disclosed.

A light-emitting-device head includes a first light-emitting-device arrangement including light emitting devices arranged in lines extending in a first scanning direction; a second light-emitting-device arrangement including light emitting devices arranged in lines extending in a first scanning direction, the second light-emitting-device arrangement overlapping the first light-emitting-device arrangement in a second scanning direction at least in part; an optical device that forms an electrostatic latent image by focusing light emitted from the light emitting devices on a photoconductor and exposing the photoconductor to the light; and a switching unit that switches the light-emitting-device arrangement to be lit up between the first light-emitting-device arrangement and the second light-emitting-device arrangement at a switching position defined at any position in an overlapping portion where the first light-emitting-device arrangement and the second light-emitting-device arrangement overlap each other. The electrostatic latent image is composed of dots formed by a screening process performed with a screen having a predetermined screen angle. The switching unit defines the switching position such that when points in the electrostatic latent image that coincide with the switching position are connected to one another by a line, the line forms a zigzag shape while overlapping some of the dots, the zigzag shape including a line segment extending at the screen angle.

Method and system for thermal transfer printing are disclosed. The system includes a transfer member having an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of particles made of, or coated with, a thermoplastic polymer is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which electromagnetic radiation (EM) is applied via the rear side of the transfer member to selected regions of the particles-coated imaging surface to render the particles thereon tacky within the selected regions, and a transfer station at which only the regions of the particles coating that have been rendered tacky are transferred to a substrate. The transfer member includes on its rear side a body transparent to EM radiation and on its front side an EM radiation absorbing layer, the imaging surface being formed on, or as part of, the absorbing layer.

An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a photo-interrupter, and a separation mechanism. The developing roller is movable between a contact position and a separated position. The photo-interrupter includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The separation mechanism includes a cam configured to move the developing roller between the contact position and the separated position. The cam includes a phase detection wall extending in a circumference direction. The phase detection wall has a first slit and a second slit. The first slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the separated position. The second slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the contact position. A size of the first slit in the circumferential direction is different from that of the second slit.

A method and apparatus for thermal transfer printing onto selected regions of a substrate are disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing a transfer member having an imaging surface; b) coating the imaging surface with particles formed of, or coated with, a thermoplastic polymer; c) removing substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the imaging surface to leave a uniform monolayer particle coating on the imaging surface; d) applying energy to selected regions of the imaging surface to heat and render tacky particles of corresponding regions of the monolayer coating; and e) pressing at least portions of the imaging surface and the substrate surface against one another, either during and/or after application of energy, to cause transfer to the surface of the substrate of the particles of the corresponding regions that have been rendered tacky. The monolayer coating can be replenished with new particles and the cycle repeated.