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EP0427499A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Belt type image forming unit

Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1990-11-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-11-05
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Abstract

Abstract The invention provides a photoreceptor belt (1) for forming a latent image on its imaging surface. The photoreceptor belt (1) is stretched in the form of a loop around a plurality of rollers (3) so as to be rotated for carrying a formed image. Both ends (E1, E2) of the photoreceptor belt (1) are bonded in the manner that the leading end (E1) in relation to the rotation direction is positioned inside than the trailing end (E2) in relation to the form of loop and the inner surface of the trailing end (E2) is superimposed on the outer surface of the leading end (E1). Cleaning device (13) for cleaning the imaging surface of the photoreceptor belt (1) is disposed to have a cleaning direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photoreceptor belt (1). The developing units are provided with developing sleeves which are kept at a fixed distance from the photoreceptor belt (1) and develop the latent image by a non-contact method.

Inventors

  • 👤 Satoshi Haneda
  • 👤 Shizuo Morita
  • 👤 Masakazu Fukuchi
  • 👤 Shunji Matsuo

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 11:29
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/75; G03G15/754; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0896; G03G15/22; G03G15/28; G03G15/283; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1807; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 132 words
An apparatus for forming an image, comprising: a photoreceptor belt for forming a latent image on its imaging surface, the photoreceptor belt stretched in the form of a loop around a plurality of rollers so as to be rotated for carrying a formed image, both ends of the photoreceptor belt bonded in the manner that the leading end in relation to the rotation direction is positioned inside that the trailing end in relation to the form of loop and the inner surface of the trailing end is superimposed on the outer surface of the leading end; means for developing a latent image to a toner image; and cleaning means for cleaning the imaging surface, the cleaning means disposed to have a cleaning direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photoreceptor belt.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 132 words
An apparatus for forming an image, comprising: a photoreceptor belt for forming a latent image on its imaging surface, the photoreceptor belt stretched in the form of a loop around a plurality of rollers so as to be rotated for carrying a formed image, both ends of the photoreceptor belt bonded in the manner that the leading end in relation to the rotation direction is positioned inside that the trailing end in relation to the form of loop and the inner surface of the trailing end is superimposed on the outer surface of the leading end; means for developing a latent image to a toner image; and cleaning means for cleaning the imaging surface, the cleaning means disposed to have a cleaning direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photoreceptor belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning means is an elastic plate whose the cleaning tip end is positioned upstream side than the fixed base end thereof in relation to the rotation direction of the photoreceptor belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 66 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the developing means comprises a plurality of developing devices differing in colors so that plural colors of toner are superimposed on the photoreceptor belt to form a color image by rotating the photoreceptor belt plural times, and wherein the cleaning means includes actuating means for bringing the cleaning means in contact with or out of contact with the photoreceptor belt.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 101 words
An apparatus for forming an image, comprising: a photoreceptor belt for forming a latent image on its imaging surface, the photoreceptor belt stretched in the form of a loop around a plurality of rollers so as to be rotated for carrying a formed image, both ends of the photoreceptor belt bonded in the manner that the leading end and the trailing end are superimposed, wherein the developing means conveys a developer containing toner in the form of layer to the imaging surface, and wherein the developing means is disposed to provide a space between the imaging surface and the developer layer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 101 words
An apparatus for forming an image, comprising: a photoreceptor belt for forming a latent image on its imaging surface, the photoreceptor belt stretched in the form of a loop around a plurality of rollers so as to be rotated for carrying a formed image, both ends of the photoreceptor belt bonded in the manner that the leading end and the trailing end are superimposed, wherein the developing means conveys a developer containing toner in the form of layer to the imaging surface, and wherein the developing means is disposed to provide a space between the imaging surface and the developer layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 66 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the developing means comprises a plurality of developing devices differing in colors so that plural colors of toner are superimposed on the photoreceptor belt to form a color image by rotating the photoreceptor belt plural times, and wherein the cleaning means includes actuating means for bringing the cleaning means in contact with or out of contact with the photoreceptor belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the space (D) is made larger than the thickness (t) of the photoreceptor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the developlng means is dlsposed to satisfy the following relation; D > 2 X t
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 83 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising position control means for controlling the stop position of the bonded ends of the photoreceptor belt to locate at one of the following positions; (i) position close to a tension roller which is one of the plurality of rollers and provides the tension onto the photoreceptor belt, (ii) Position close to a fixing part for fixing a toner image, (iii) Position on or close to the cleaning means, and (iv) position close to corona charging device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stop position is controlled to satisfy at least two positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stop position is controlled to selectively locate at one of the positions.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of c|aim 4, wherein the photoreceptor belt is made in the form of cartridge together with the cleaning means, and the cartridge is made detachably mountable in the apparatus.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of c|aim 4, wherein the photoreceptor belt is made in the form of cartridge together with the cleaning means, and the cartridge is made detachably mountable in the apparatus.

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