US3683852A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophotographic developing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-03-15
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-03-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for developing an electrophotographic film carrying an electrostatic latent image, wherein said film is supported by film supporting means in a substantially vertical plane, and is opposed to an aperture of a developing chamber which has an outlet formed at a lower portion thereof and an air introducing opening formed at an upper portion thereof. Engaging means causes the film to be engaged over and close to said aperture by relative movement between the chamber and the film so as to form a space within the chamber capable of receiving a predetermined volume of liquid developer from a developer supply means. After the liquid developer is kept in the space for a predetermined time for development of the film, developer discharge means discharges the developer from the space through the outlet under the control of control means, and air is introduced into said space from said air introducing opening as the level of the liquid developer falls as the developer is discharged from the space.
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Yamaguchi
- 👤 Toshiharu Sasaki
- 👤 Yasutaka Nakajima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
An apparatus for developing an electrophotographic film carrying an electrostatic latent image, said apparatus comprising; a. film supporting means for supporting the film to be developed in a substantially vertical plane; b. a developing chamber having a vertical wall with an aperture therein, an air iNtroducing opening in an upper portion of the chamber above said aperture, and a developer outlet in a lower portion of the chamber below said aperture, said aperture being opposed to the vertical plane in which the film is held by said film supporting means; c. engaging means coupled between said developing chamber and said film supporting means moving said chamber and said film supporting means relative to each other to bring the film and the edge of the developing chamber around said aperture into engagement so as to form a space within said chamber for receiving a predetermined volume of liquid developer; d. developer supply means adjacent said chamber for supplying a predetermined volume of developer to said space; e. developer discharge means operatively associated with said chamber for discharging the developer from said space through said outlet; f. control means coupled to said developer supply means for controlling said developer supply means to supply the developer to said space up to a predetermined level in said space, said control means also being coupled to said developer discharge means for controlling said developer discharge means to hold said developer in the space for a predetermined time and to discharge the developer from said space after termination of developing of said film; whereby air is introduced into said space through said air introducing opening as the level of the liquid developer in said space falls during discharge of the developer so as to quickly evaporate the developer which remains on the surface of the film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
300 words
An apparatus for developing an electrophotographic film carrying an electrostatic latent image, said apparatus comprising; a. film supporting means for supporting the film to be developed in a substantially vertical plane; b. a developing chamber having a vertical wall with an aperture therein, an air iNtroducing opening in an upper portion of the chamber above said aperture, and a developer outlet in a lower portion of the chamber below said aperture, said aperture being opposed to the vertical plane in which the film is held by said film supporting means; c. engaging means coupled between said developing chamber and said film supporting means moving said chamber and said film supporting means relative to each other to bring the film and the edge of the developing chamber around said aperture into engagement so as to form a space within said chamber for receiving a predetermined volume of liquid developer; d. developer supply means adjacent said chamber for supplying a predetermined volume of developer to said space; e. developer discharge means operatively associated with said chamber for discharging the developer from said space through said outlet; f. control means coupled to said developer supply means for controlling said developer supply means to supply the developer to said space up to a predetermined level in said space, said control means also being coupled to said developer discharge means for controlling said developer discharge means to hold said developer in the space for a predetermined time and to discharge the developer from said space after termination of developing of said film; whereby air is introduced into said space through said air introducing opening as the level of the liquid developer in said space falls during discharge of the developer so as to quickly evaporate the developer which remains on the surface of the film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outlet of the developing chamber has a size such that the developer is discharged from the space without any ripples at the surface of the developer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a potential source coupled to said developing chamber for applying an electric potential to said developing chamber, said developing chamber being insulated from a body of the apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said apparatus further comprises, a mesh electrode mounted in said developing chamber at a position adjacent to said aperture, the electrode potential source being connected to said mesh electrode, whereby said mesh electrode serves for a realignment of the electrostatic field surrounding the film, and also serves to prevent occurrence of ripples at a surface of the developer during discharging of the developer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mesh electrode has a shape and is positioned in such a manner that the distance between said mesh electrode and the edge of said aperture is substantially equal to a distance between said mesh electrode and the surface of said film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said potential source is connected to said mesh electrode and said chamber so that they are at the same electric potential in comparison with the film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said film has a base film, a conductive layer overlaying said base film, and a photoconductive layer overlaying said conductive layer, the conductive layer being partially exposed, and said apparatus further comprises, contact means which is in contact with said exposed conductive layer when said film is in said film supporting means and is connected to a terminal of said potential source having the opposite polarity of the terminal of the potential source which is connected to said mesh electrode and said chamber, whereby said mesh electrode and said conductive layer of the film are at a potential difference equal to the potential of the potential source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |