Patent US3672326A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3672326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for applying liquid developer to copy sheets
Assignee: AB Dick Co
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Filing: 1970-10-13
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-10-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for developing electrostatically imaged copy sheets by the application of a liquid developer to the imaged surface thereof includes a cylinder mounted for rotation in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed while being dipped into a supply of developer liquid. A copy sheet is passed over the cylinder in the direction of rotation of the latter with the imaged surface of the copy sheet in contacting relation with the liquid coated surface of the cylinder. A sensor downstream of the cylinder along the copy sheet path detects the leading edge of the copy sheet and in response thereto reverses the direction of rotation of the cylinder until such time as the trailing edge of the sheet passes the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder includes an internal auger which stirs the supply of developer liquid during rotation of the cylinder to maintain toner particles in the developer liquid in suspension. The outer surface of the cylinder includes a plurality of glass beads, each having a diameter in the range of 0.002 to 0.010 inches for carrying a predetermined quantity of developer liquid for application to the copy sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 John J Schulze
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for developing electrostatic images on sheets of copy material by the application of a liquid developer, comprising: a reservoir of liquid developer containing toner particles dispersed throughout a liquid carrier; a cylinder rotatably mounted to dip into said reservoir of developer liquid, said cylinder having an outer surface for retaining a quantity of developer liquid for application to said copy sheets; means for transporting a copy sheet having an image to be developed on one surface thereof, along a predetermined path over said cylinder in a first direction with the imaged surface of said copy sheet in contacting relation with said cylinder; and means for rotating said cylinder to raise liquid developer from said reservoir onto the surface of said cylinder, said cylinder being rotated in the same direction of movement as said copy sheet until a first portion of said copy sheet moves past said cylinder and thereafter reversing the direction of rotation of said cylinder while the remaining portion of said copy sheet is transported across said cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for developing electrostatic images on sheets of copy material by the application of a liquid developer, comprising: a reservoir of liquid developer containing toner particles dispersed throughout a liquid carrier; a cylinder rotatably mounted to dip into said reservoir of developer liquid, said cylinder having an outer surface for retaining a quantity of developer liquid for application to said copy sheets; means for transporting a copy sheet having an image to be developed on one surface thereof, along a predetermined path over said cylinder in a first direction with the imaged surface of said copy sheet in contacting relation with said cylinder; and means for rotating said cylinder to raise liquid developer from said reservoir onto the surface of said cylinder, said cylinder being rotated in the same direction of movement as said copy sheet until a first portion of said copy sheet moves past said cylinder and thereafter reversing the direction of rotation of said cylinder while the remaining portion of said copy sheet is transported across said cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including sensing means located along the path of movement of said copy sheet, said sensing means detecting the passage of the leading edge of said copy sheet and in response thereto causing said means for rotating said cylinder to reverse the direction of rotation of said cylinder so that the latter is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said copy sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said copy sheet transport means includes a first pair of feed rollers positioned upstream of said liquid applicator cylinder for feeding copy sheets along said copy sheet path toward said rotating cylinder, a second pair of feed rollers downstream of said cylinder for feeding copy sheets along said copy sheet path away from said cylinder and a guide member between said second roller pair and said cylinder positioned adjacent said path for deflecting copy sheets tending to leave said path after passing over said cylinder, toward said copy sheet path. 4, Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said guide member includes a roller member mounted for positive rotation in the direction of movement of said copy sheets along said copy sheet path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said cylinder includes a plurality of spherical members mounted thereon, the diameter of said spheres falling in the range of from 0.002 to 0.010 inches, said spheres being mounted closely adjacent to each other so that minute reservoirs are formed therebetween, each said reservoir carrying a quantity of developer liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said spheres include glass beads, and wherein said glass beads are bonded to the surface of said rotating cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cylinder is formed of a conductive material and wherein said glass beads maintain said electrostatically imaged copy sheet at a distance from said cylinder sufficient to produce a field control effect.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for developing electrostatic images on sheets of copy material by the application of a liquid developer comprising: a reservoir of liquid developer containing toner particles dispersed throughout a liquid carrier; a hollow drum rotatably mounted along a central axis being partially immersed in said liquid developer in said reservoir; said drum having an outer surface for retaining a quantity of developer liquid for application to said copy sheets; liquid ingress and egress means at the open ends of said drum; means for rotating said drum to raise liquid developer from said developer on the surface of said drum; means to rotate said drum alternately in opposite directions; liquid propelling means inside said drum for moving liquid through said drum as it turns first in one direction and then in the opposite direction whereby said toner particles are maintained in suspension.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for developing electrostatic images on sheets of copy material by the application of a liquid developer comprising: a reservoir of liquid developer containing toner particles dispersed throughout a liquid carrier; a hollow drum rotatably mounted along a central axis being partially immersed in said liquid developer in said reservoir; said drum having an outer surface for retaining a quantity of developer liquid for application to said copy sheets; liquid ingress and egress means at the open ends of said drum; means for rotating said drum to raise liquid developer from said developer on the surface of said drum; means to rotate said drum alternately in opposite directions; liquid propelling means inside said drum for moving liquid through said drum as it turns first in one direction and then in the opposite direction whereby said toner particles are maintained in suspension.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said liquid propelling means includes an auger member positioned concentrically with the central axis of said drum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |