US3700218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophotographic fusing apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1971-02-05
•
Granted: 1972-10-24
•
Expires: 1991-02-05
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for preventing toner and other particulate material from contaminating the fusing station in an electrophotographic apparatus. Means are provided for forming a protective air curtain between the fusing station and the path along which a toner-bearing support travels during the fusing operation, whereby toner and other particulate material separated from the support are intercepted before contacting and thereby contaminating the fusing station. The invention is particularly adapted for use in electrophotographic apparatus of the type in which fusing of the toner image to a receiving sheet is accomplished by passing the receiving sheet with its toner image facing downward overtop a source of thermal energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexis D Laisney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:27
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for fusing a resinous powder image onto a movable support surface on which the image has been formed, said apparatus comprising a source of thermal energy, means defining a path along which the support is guideable, at least a portion of said path being spaced from and positioned over said source so as to intersect a plane extending upwardly from said source, and means for displacing from said energy source particulate material, falling from the support under the force of gravity toward said energy source, whereby contamination of said energy source is avoided.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for fusing a resinous powder image onto a movable support surface on which the image has been formed, said apparatus comprising a source of thermal energy, means defining a path along which the support is guideable, at least a portion of said path being spaced from and positioned over said source so as to intersect a plane extending upwardly from said source, and means for displacing from said energy source particulate material, falling from the support under the force of gravity toward said energy source, whereby contamination of said energy source is avoided.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said displacing means is positioned intermediate said path defining means and said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said displacing means comprises means for producing a curtain of fluid extending substantially parallel to said path at the line said path intersects said plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said fluid is essentially air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said fluid curtain producing means comprises a source of fluid pressure, means defining a first aperture on one side of said plane, first conduit means operatively connecting said fluid source with said first aperture, means defining a second aperture opposite said first aperture on the other side of said plane, means for producing a negative pressure having an absolute value substantially equal to said positive pressure, and second conduit means operatively connecting said second aperture with said negative pressure producing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 5 further comprising filtering means disposed in said second conduit means for entrapping the particulate material carried by the fluid in said second conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for fusing theRmoplastic particles to a supporting surface while such surface moves along a predefined path, said apparatus comprising means for liquifying the thermoplastic particles and means for generating a protective gas-curtain between said path and said liquifying means, said gas-curtain generating means comprising a first plenum chamber containing gas under a predetermined positive pressure and means defining an aperture in said first chamber for directing a curtain of gas substantially parallel to said path, whereby particulate material given off by said surface in a direction toward said liquifying means is displaced from the vicinity of said liquifying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for fusing theRmoplastic particles to a supporting surface while such surface moves along a predefined path, said apparatus comprising means for liquifying the thermoplastic particles and means for generating a protective gas-curtain between said path and said liquifying means, said gas-curtain generating means comprising a first plenum chamber containing gas under a predetermined positive pressure and means defining an aperture in said first chamber for directing a curtain of gas substantially parallel to said path, whereby particulate material given off by said surface in a direction toward said liquifying means is displaced from the vicinity of said liquifying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention according to claim 7 further comprising a second plenum chamber containing gas under a negative pressure substantially equal in magnitude to said predetermined positive pressure, and means defining an aperture in said second chamber for receiving said curtain of gas, said first and second chambers being positioned on opposite sides of said liquifying means, between said liquifying means and said predetermined path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3448970A
Cited
US3498592A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |