US3682543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for detecting the end of a roll of copy paper in a photocopying machine or the like
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1970-01-21
•
Granted: 1972-08-08
•
Expires: 1990-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A photocopy paper feed device control circuit contains a phototransducer which measures the intensity of light reflected from the surface of a roll of stored photocopy paper and thereby detects the trailing end of a strip of paper coiled on the storage roll. Said control circuit actuates a photocopy paper feed device only when a predetermined amount of paper remains to be fed. The distance between the measuring point of the phototransducer element and a paper cutting device is greater then that between two pairs of feed rollers disposed in a section following said cutting device so that the feeding of undersized pieces of photocopy paper is prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Iwamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6517; G03G15/6523; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/587; G03B27/588; G03G15/6588; G03G15/6594; G03G15/6597; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00443; G03G2215/00518; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/444; Y10T83/4443; Y10T83/4458; Y10T83/446; Y10T83/525; Y10T83/531; Y10T83/533; Y10T83/889; Y10T83/896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
A photocopying paper detecting device for use with copying machines having a passage for the feeding of photocopying paper comprising photocopying paper supply means including a first point area located thereon from which the paper is led therefrom; drive means for feeding said paper along a feed path for said driven paper having a plurality of stations therealong comprising in sequence: a cutter station, a charger station, an exposure station, and a developing station; said cutter station defining a second point area along said feed path; said developing station having third and fourth point areas located therein along said feed path defining a first predetermined length within which the paper is developed; said cutter station second point area spaced from said first point area so that a second predetermined length exists therebetween that is greater than said first predetermined area; detecting means located adjacent said first point area, said detecting means including a light source for detecting the presence of paper at said first point area and thereby generating an electrical signal; electrical circuit means for said drive means including a first normally-closed switch located between said exposure station and said developing station, said normally-closed switch opened by the passage of a leading end of paper previously cut at said cutter station whereby the feed is temporarily interrupted for cutting the paper at said cutter station; said circuit means further including: a first normally-open switch that prevents actuation of said drive means in its open position, a second normally-open switch that is closed by application of said electrical signal thereby closing said first normallyopen switch to actuate said drive means; and a second normally-closed switch connected in circuit relationship with said light source, said second normallyclosed switch being opened when said second normally-open switch closes to thereby de-actuate said light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
301 words
A photocopying paper detecting device for use with copying machines having a passage for the feeding of photocopying paper comprising photocopying paper supply means including a first point area located thereon from which the paper is led therefrom; drive means for feeding said paper along a feed path for said driven paper having a plurality of stations therealong comprising in sequence: a cutter station, a charger station, an exposure station, and a developing station; said cutter station defining a second point area along said feed path; said developing station having third and fourth point areas located therein along said feed path defining a first predetermined length within which the paper is developed; said cutter station second point area spaced from said first point area so that a second predetermined length exists therebetween that is greater than said first predetermined area; detecting means located adjacent said first point area, said detecting means including a light source for detecting the presence of paper at said first point area and thereby generating an electrical signal; electrical circuit means for said drive means including a first normally-closed switch located between said exposure station and said developing station, said normally-closed switch opened by the passage of a leading end of paper previously cut at said cutter station whereby the feed is temporarily interrupted for cutting the paper at said cutter station; said circuit means further including: a first normally-open switch that prevents actuation of said drive means in its open position, a second normally-open switch that is closed by application of said electrical signal thereby closing said first normallyopen switch to actuate said drive means; and a second normally-closed switch connected in circuit relationship with said light source, said second normallyclosed switch being opened when said second normally-open switch closes to thereby de-actuate said light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A photocopying paper detecting device according to claim 1 in which said circuit means includes activatable means that is electrically conductive when the paper is present at said first point area, and non-conductive when the paper is not present at said first point area, and said circuit means further includes an electrical relay that is actuated when said activatable means is conductive to cause closing of both said first and second normally-open switches and opening of said second normally-closed switch, said relay becoming self-holding when conductive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A photocopying paper detecting device according to claim 1 in which said third and fourth point areas are defined by spaced roller means located within said developing station, and the paper positioned between said roller means having a length at least as long as said second predetermined distance.
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) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |