US3617124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrographic copying machine
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1969-10-20
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A system for handling and transporting the intermediate web in an electrographic copying machine which utilizes an intermediate web to produce copies of graphic intelligence. The system comprises a cartridge formed of two molded shells which contain a supply of intermediate web wound between two rollers. The rollers extend beyond the sides of the cartridge and a section of the web between the rollers is disposed externally to the cartridge. The cartridge is removably mounted on a movable carriage having a flat conductive peripheral support area supporting said external web section. Means is provided to transport the carriage thus moving the supported section of web in proper sequence from an imaging system or exposure station to a development and a transfer station on the copying machine and to then return the carriage to the imaging station in order to produce the desired copies. Drive means is provided on the machine to change the section of web disposed externally to the cartridge as is needed in producing subsequent copies. The web change is accomplished by winding the web from one roller onto the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Orville C Haugen
- 👤 Emil J Kvaal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:27
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/75; G03G15/754
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A copying machine adapted to produce a copy of graphic intelligence via an intermediate web material, said machine comprising imaging means for exposing a said intermediate web material, developing means for developing an image of said graphic intelligence on said web material, and transfer means for transferring the image on the web material to a sheet to produce a visible image of said graphic intelligence on said sheet, the improvement comprising: a carriage assembly mounted on said machine, a cartridge assembly removably mounted on said carriage assembly for storing a supply of web material, said cartridge assembly comprising: a shell, a first roller mounted rotatably in said shell, a second roller rotatably mounted in said shell parallel to said first roller, and a strip of web material being attached at its respective ends to, and extending between, said first roller and said second roller with respective portions of said web being wound on said first roller and on said second roller, and with a section of at least one surface of said web material extending between said wound portions being exposed externally to said shell, means mounted on said carriage assembly for moving said web material between said first roller and said second roller thereby changing the section of web material exposed externally to said cartridge, and moving means mounted on said machine for providing relative movement between said exposed section of web material on said cartridge and at least said developing means and said transfer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A copying machine adapted to produce a copy of graphic intelligence via an intermediate web material, said machine comprising imaging means for exposing a said intermediate web material, developing means for developing an image of said graphic intelligence on said web material, and transfer means for transferring the image on the web material to a sheet to produce a visible image of said graphic intelligence on said sheet, the improvement comprising: a carriage assembly mounted on said machine, a cartridge assembly removably mounted on said carriage assembly for storing a supply of web material, said cartridge assembly comprising: a shell, a first roller mounted rotatably in said shell, a second roller rotatably mounted in said shell parallel to said first roller, and a strip of web material being attached at its respective ends to, and extending between, said first roller and said second roller with respective portions of said web being wound on said first roller and on said second roller, and with a section of at least one surface of said web material extending between said wound portions being exposed externally to said shell, means mounted on said carriage assembly for moving said web material between said first roller and said second roller thereby changing the section of web material exposed externally to said cartridge, and moving means mounted on said machine for providing relative movement between said exposed section of web material on said cartridge and at least said developing means and said transfer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A copying machine according to claim 1 wherein said imaging means, said developing means and said transfer means are attached in fixed relationship to said machine and said moving means comprises fixed guides and means for mounting said carriage assembly for movement along said fixed guides so that a said section of intermediate web material exposed externally to said cartridge is brought in proper sequential disposure with said imaging means, said developing means and said transfer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A copying machine according to claim 2 wherein said fixed guides and said means mounting said carriage assembly afford straight line reciprocal movement along a path which when traversed places the section of web material exposed externally to said cartridge in sequential disposure with said imaging means, said developing means and said transfer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A copying machine according to claim 3 wherein said fixed guides are a pair of parallel rails mounted on said copying machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
204 words
A copying machine according to claim 3 wherein said moving means comprises: an endless tracking member, a track attached to said machine, said track having two legs positioned essentially parallel to the path traversed by said carriage assembly with the adjacent ends of said two legs of said track joined by an arc shaped track section having a radius equal to one-half the separating distance of said two legs, said track supporting and restraining said endless tracking member along said track, a link rotatably attached between one point on said tracking member and said carriage assembly, the point of attachment between said link and said carriage assembly being positioned at a point essentially half the distance between said track legs, and a driving means for moving said tracking member along said track thereby moving said carriage assembly along the straight line path traversed by said carriage assembly, said arcuate track being traveled by said link attaching point on said tracking member in changing directions, thus serving to minimize the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the carriage assembly in the direction parallel with the line of travel of said carriage assembly during the time the direction of travel of said carriage assembly is reversed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A copying machine according to claim 3 wherein said web moving means mounted on said carriage assembly for moving said web material between said first roller and said second roller comprises a motor attached to said copying machine which drives a coupling which couples with said web moving means on said carriage assembly when said carriage assembly is positioned under said imaging means to move said web material between said first roller and said second roller as required in the operation of said copying machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A copying machine according to claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly comprises a frame member, said frame member comprising a planar web support for positioning a section of said web material extending between said rollers, a main rectangular support wall supporting said web support, a movable gate opposite said support wall affording insertion of said cartridge assembly, and support means affording movement of said carriage assembly relative to said developing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3432231A
Cited
US3490844A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |