Sheet stripping apparatus

Claim 2

In a reproducing system including a xerographic drum structure capable of having a powder image formed thereon which can be subsequently transferred to a record medium brought into contact with the drum structure, the powder image and the record medium being maintained on the xerographic drum structure by electrostatic forces, the improvement comprising: a depression in said xerographic drum structure, said depression being co-extensive with the circumference of said xerographic drum structure adjacent one end thereof, and means for intermittently discharging aeriform fluid, said discharge means being disposed adjacent said xerographic drum structure such that discharge aeriform fluid is directed into said depression whereby aeriform fluid is interposed between the record medium and the xerographic drum structure.

Claim 3

Xerographic apparatus including a rotatable drum structure, said apparatus comprising: means for transferring a powder image from said rotatable drum structure to a record medium by bringing the record medium into contact with the rotatable drum structure; a source of compressed aeriform fluid; a discharge manifold having a linear array of discharge orifices operatively connected to said source; cyclically operative means to discharge said compressed aeriform fluid through said discharge manifold; mounting means connected to said discharge manifold to permit said manifold to be mounted adjacent to said xerographic drum whereby jets of compressed aeriform fluid may be directed by said discharge orifices against said xerographic drum in advance of the leading edge of said record medium which is electrostatically held to the drum as a result of transferring the image; a recess coextensive with the circumference of said drum structure adjacent one end thereof, said recess providing a space between said record medium and said rotatable drum structure, said space permitting introduction of aeriform fluid discharged from said manifold between said record medium and said rotatable drum structure; and timing means connected to said cyclically operative means to limit the duration of the jets of compressed aeriform fluid from said discharge orifices so that the particles forming the powder image electrostatically adhering to said xerographic drum structure and to said record medium are not disturbed.

Claim 4

Xerographic apparatus including a rotatable drum structure, said apparatus comprising: means for transferring a powder image from said rotatable drum structure to a record medium by bringing the record medium into contact with the rotatable drum structure; a source of compressed aeriform fluid; a discharge manifold having a linear array of discharge orifices operatively connected to said source; cyclically operative means to discharge said compressed aeriform fluid through said discharge manifold; mounting means connected to said discharge manifold to permit said manifold to be mounted adjacent to said xerographic drum whereby jets of compressed aeriform fluid may be directed by said discharge orifices against said xerographic drum in advance of the leading edge of said record medium which is electrostatically held to the drum as a result of transferring the image; a recess coextensive with the circumference of said drum structure adjacent one end thereof, said recess providing a space between said record medium and said rotatable drum structure, said space permitting introduction of aeriform fluid discharged from said manifold between said record medium and said rotatable drum structure; and timing means connected to said cyclically operative means to limit the duration of the jets of compressed aeriform fluid from said discharge orifices so that the particles forming the powder image electrostatically adhering to said xerographic drum structure and to said record medium are not disturbed.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said mounting means connected to said discharge manifold to permit said manifold to be mounted adjacent said xerographic drum permits mounting of said manifold in a non-parallel orientation with respect to the axis of rotation of said xerographic drum structure to sequentially, along the longitudinal axis of the drum structure, separate the leading edge of the record medium therefrom.