Copying and duplicating apparatus

Claim 2

An electrographic copying machine adapted to produce a copy of graphic intelligence on a photoconductive web material, said copying machine comprising a. a pod assembly including internal means for storing a supply of web material, an external peripheral imaging section and an external peripheral electrically conductive developing section spaced from said imaging section, and means for moving said web material from said storing means over said imaging section and from said imaging section to said electrically conductive developing section of said assembly. b. imaging means for registering graphic intelligence on a said web material when disposed on said imaging section, c. developing means including a conductive distributor means for applying conductive powder to the web material on said developinG section, and means connected to said distributor means and to said developing section for applying an electric field between said conductive distributor means and said developing section to carry said powder to said web, and d. means for moving said pod assembly to move said external electrically conductive developing section containing said web material thereon from an initial position past said developing means whereby a visible pattern of such graphic intelligence is produced on said web material and to return said developing section to said initial position.

Claim 3

An electrographic copying machine adapted to produce a copy of graphic intelligence on a radiation responsive web material utilizing the electropowder process, said copying machine comprising a. a generally cylindrical pod assembly mounted for rotative movement about its axis, including

Claim 4

An electrographic copying machine adapted to produce a copy of graphic intelligence on a radiation responsive web material utilizing the electropowder process, said copying machine comprising a. a generally cylindrical pod assembly mounted for rotative movement about its axis, including

Claim 5

support means defining an external surface over which a said web material is moved from said internal means, said external surface including an imaging section and a developing section,

Claim 6

support means defining an external surface over which a said web material is moved from said internal means, said external surface including an imaging section and a developing section,

Claim 7

distributor means for carrying pigmented conductive material to a said section of web material on said developing section in conductive contact with said web, and

Claim 8

distributor means for carrying pigmented conductive material to a said section of web material on said developing section in conductive contact with said web, and

Claim 9

a second electrical field producing means for subsequently establishing an electrical field between said means for bringing a receptor into contact with said web material and said semi-cylindrical surface for transferring the conductive material from said web material to said receptor.

Claim 10

a second electrical field producing means for subsequently establishing an electrical field between said means for bringing a receptor into contact with said web material and said semi-cylindrical surface for transferring the conductive material from said web material to said receptor.

Claim 11

electrical field producing means for concurrently establishing an electrical field between said roller and said semi-cylindrical surface of said pod assembly to deposit conductive material onto said web material, and e. means for rotating said pod assembly from said reference position to said developing means for developing said image pattern imparted to said photoconductive web material.

Claim 12

electrical field producing means for concurrently establishing an electrical field between said roller and said semi-cylindrical surface of said pod assembly to deposit conductive material onto said web material, and e. means for rotating said pod assembly from said reference position to said developing means for developing said image pattern imparted to said photoconductive web material.

Claim 13

means extending parallel to the axis of said pod assembly rotatably supporting said supply roll,

Claim 14

means extending parallel to the axis of said pod assembly rotatably supporting said supply roll,

Claim 15

means defining an external peripheral surface for said pod assembly including a planar surface and a semi-cylindrical surface defining a path of movement for said web material about said pod assembly, and

Claim 16

means defining an external peripheral surface for said pod assembly including a planar surface and a semi-cylindrical surface defining a path of movement for said web material about said pod assembly, and

Claim 17

conductor means connected to said distributor means for establishing an electric field between said distributor means and a said web section to form a visible pattern of such graphic intelligence on said section of web material by depositing some of said conductive material on insulative areas of said web material as the same is advanced on said developing section of said pod assembly to said developing means, d. driving means for said driven means to move said web material about said imaging and developing sections of said pod assembly, and e. means for rotating said pod assembly to move said developing section from an initial position to said developing means to produce a visible pattern of the graphic intelligence on a said section of web material and returning said developing section to said initial position.

Claim 18

conductor means connected to said distributor means for establishing an electric field between said distributor means and a said web section to form a visible pattern of such graphic intelligence on said section of web material by depositing some of said conductive material on insulative areas of said web material as the same is advanced on said developing section of said pod assembly to said developing means, d. driving means for said driven means to move said web material about said imaging and developing sections of said pod assembly, and e. means for rotating said pod assembly to move said developing section from an initial position to said developing means to produce a visible pattern of the graphic intelligence on a said section of web material and returning said developing section to said initial position.

Claim 19

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 2 wherein a transfer station is disposed adjacent the periphery of said pod assembly, said transfer station comprising means for bringing a receptor into intimate contact with a said section of said web material disposed on said developing section, and means for imparting an electrical field between said developing section and said transfer station when a said receptor is placed in contact with said web material to transfer the image formed by said conductive material to said receptor.

Claim 20

internal restoring means for said web material after movement thereof over said support means, and

Claim 21

internal restoring means for said web material after movement thereof over said support means, and

Claim 22

driven means for moving the web to position successive sections of said web on said imaging section and for advancing said sections of said web onto said developing section of said pod assembly, b. imaging means for projecting an image bearing graphic intelligence onto a said section of web material when disposed on the imaging section of said pod assembly, c. developing means including

Claim 23

driven means for moving the web to position successive sections of said web on said imaging section and for advancing said sections of said web onto said developing section of said pod assembly, b. imaging means for projecting an image bearing graphic intelligence onto a said section of web material when disposed on the imaging section of said pod assembly, c. developing means including

Claim 24

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 2 wherein said imaging section of said support means is a planar surface.

Claim 25

means supporting said pod assembly for rotation about the axis of said semi-cylindrical surface, b. means for advancing a predetermined length of said web from said supply roll and advancing the web over said peripheral surface of said pod assembly, c. imaging means for projecting an image bearing graphic intelligence onto said web material when said pod assembly is at rest with sAid planar surface disposed at a reference position, d. developing means including

Claim 26

means supporting said pod assembly for rotation about the axis of said semi-cylindrical surface, b. means for advancing a predetermined length of said web from said supply roll and advancing the web over said peripheral surface of said pod assembly, c. imaging means for projecting an image bearing graphic intelligence onto said web material when said pod assembly is at rest with sAid planar surface disposed at a reference position, d. developing means including

Claim 27

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 2 wherein said external surface of said support means includes a planar imaging surface and two circumferentially spaced semi-cylindrical developing surfaces defining said developing section, each said semi-cylindrical surface having an area to receive an imaged section of web material and each said semi-cylindrical surface being conductive and electrically isolated.

Claim 28

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 2 wherein said internal means comprises a rotatable spindle asseMbly, said internal restoring means comprises a driven take-up spindle assembly, and said driven means comprises a driven capstan for drawing a said web material from a roll supported on said rotatable spindle assembly and drive means for said internal restoring means, said capstan being disposed in adjacent relation to said imaging section of said support means, said spindle assemblies and said capstan being disposed parallel to the axis of said pod assembly and being mounted at their ends in end walls of said pod assembly.

Claim 29

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 6 wherein said means for driving said driven means comprises a drive system supported adjacent an end wall of said pod assembly, said drive system comprising drive shafts supported by said pod assembly and connected to said capstan and driven take-up spindle assembly, coupling means affording releasable driving engagement with said drive shafts when said pod assembly is in its initial position, motor means for driving said coupling means, and means for moving said coupling means into and out of driving engagement with said drive shafts as desired to advance a said web material.

Claim 30

An electrographic duplicating machine adapted to reproduce one or more copies of a graphic original from a photoresponsive web onto a receptor, said duplicating machine comprising a. a pod assembly including a planar imaging surface and a part cylindrical surface, internal means for storing said photoresponsive web, means mounting said assembly for rotation about an axis coaxial with said cylindrical surface, and means for indexing a section of said web from said internal means over said imaging surface and said cylindrical surface of said pod assembly, b. imaging means for projecting a light image of a said graphic original on a said web overlying said imaging surface to form a differentially conductive image pattern on said web when said pod assembly is in an initial position, c. developing means including conductive roller means for applying a pigmented conductive developer powder against said web in conductive contact with said roller means and said web during movement of the cylindrical surface past said developing means, d. means for concurrently applying an electrical field in the region between said roller means and said cylindrical surface to develop a visible image of such graphic original on said web, e. transfer means including an electrically conductive member affording intimate contact between the resulting imaged web and a said receptor, f. means for establishing a second electrical field between said cylindrical surface and said conductive member for transferring said developer powder forming said visible image on said web to a said receptor when in said intimate contact, and g. means for producing relative sequential movement of said pod assembly from said initial position past said developing means and said transfer means whereby an image of such graphic original is reproduced on a said receptor.

Claim 31

An electrographic duplicating machine adapted to reproduce one or more copies of a graphic original from a photoresponsive web onto a receptor, said duplicating machine comprising a. a pod assembly including a planar imaging surface and a part cylindrical surface, internal means for storing said photoresponsive web, means mounting said assembly for rotation about an axis coaxial with said cylindrical surface, and means for indexing a section of said web from said internal means over said imaging surface and said cylindrical surface of said pod assembly, b. imaging means for projecting a light image of a said graphic original on a said web overlying said imaging surface to form a differentially conductive image pattern on said web when said pod assembly is in an initial position, c. developing means including conductive roller means for applying a pigmented conductive developer powder against said web in conductive contact with said roller means and said web during movement of the cylindrical surface past said developing means, d. means for concurrently applying an electrical field in the region between said roller means and said cylindrical surface to develop a visible image of such graphic original on said web, e. transfer means including an electrically conductive member affording intimate contact between the resulting imaged web and a said receptor, f. means for establishing a second electrical field between said cylindrical surface and said conductive member for transferring said developer powder forming said visible image on said web to a said receptor when in said intimate contact, and g. means for producing relative sequential movement of said pod assembly from said initial position past said developing means and said transfer means whereby an image of such graphic original is reproduced on a said receptor.

Claim 32

An electrographic copying machine adapted to produce a copy of a graphic original on a receptor, said copying machine comprising a. a pod assembly comprising

Claim 33

An electrographic copying machine adapted to produce a copy of a graphic original on a receptor, said copying machine comprising a. a pod assembly comprising

Claim 34

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 9 wherein f. transfer means are provided including

Claim 35

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 10 wherein said semi-cylindrical surface is electrically conductive to define a field electrode for said developing means and said transfer means.

Claim 36

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 10 wherein said web material has a conductive backing forming a field electrode cooperating with said applicating roller and means for bringing a receptor into contact with said web material to form said electrical fields.

Claim 37

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 10 including fusing means for fusing said conductive material to said receptor, and means for directing said receptor to said fusing means from said transfer means.

Claim 38

An electrographic copying machine according to claim 5 including control means for operating said imaging means, said driving means and said means for rotating said pod assembly to afford exposure of a section of a said web material on said imaging section, advance said section to one said semi-cylindrical developing surface, exposing the subsequent section of web material on said imaging section, advancing said web material to move the first section to the other semi-cylindrical developing surface and said subsequent section to said one semi-cylindrical developing surface, and then rotate said pod assembly to move said developing surfaces and web sections past said developing means and said transfer station to produce the desired copies of said graphic intelligence.

Claim 39

An electrographic duplicating machine adapted to produce a plurality of copies of a graphic original, said copying machine comprising a generally cylindrical rotatable pod assembly, said assembly comprising means for supporting a supply of web material comprising a coating of photoconductive material on a nonconductive support layer, rotatable means for rewinding used portions of said web material, said means supporting said supply and said rewinding means being positioned within the peripheral extent of said assembly, the periphery of said assembly being defined by a planar member disposed within the periphery of axially spaced circular end walls and by a pair of spaced semi-cylindrical electrically conductive pads about which said web material may be moved from a supply and said rewinding means, means for maintaining said assembly in a fixed position, imaging means for projecting an image onto said planar portion of the periphery of said assembly while said assembly is in said fixed position, means for advancing said web material to move the exposed section of said material disposed on said planar member to a position in register with oNe of said arcuate pads, control means for again exposing a new section of said web material disposed on said planar member and for again advancing said second exposed section to registry with one of said pads, means for rotating said assembly, means adjacent the rotational path of said pads for first depositing a pigmented powder material on said web material and then transferring said powder to a copy sheet, said means for depositing and transferring said powder material including means for establishing an electrical field during said depositing and transferring, and means for feeding copy sheets into register with the imaged sections of said web material disposed on said pads.

Claim 40

An electrographic duplicating machine adapted to produce a plurality of copies of a graphic original, said copying machine comprising a generally cylindrical rotatable pod assembly, said assembly comprising means for supporting a supply of web material comprising a coating of photoconductive material on a nonconductive support layer, rotatable means for rewinding used portions of said web material, said means supporting said supply and said rewinding means being positioned within the peripheral extent of said assembly, the periphery of said assembly being defined by a planar member disposed within the periphery of axially spaced circular end walls and by a pair of spaced semi-cylindrical electrically conductive pads about which said web material may be moved from a supply and said rewinding means, means for maintaining said assembly in a fixed position, imaging means for projecting an image onto said planar portion of the periphery of said assembly while said assembly is in said fixed position, means for advancing said web material to move the exposed section of said material disposed on said planar member to a position in register with oNe of said arcuate pads, control means for again exposing a new section of said web material disposed on said planar member and for again advancing said second exposed section to registry with one of said pads, means for rotating said assembly, means adjacent the rotational path of said pads for first depositing a pigmented powder material on said web material and then transferring said powder to a copy sheet, said means for depositing and transferring said powder material including means for establishing an electrical field during said depositing and transferring, and means for feeding copy sheets into register with the imaged sections of said web material disposed on said pads.