Sheet guide apparatus

Claim 2

In a direct contact copying machine for making a copy of an original document on a copy sheet, including an exposure station whereat a superimposed original and copy sheet are illuminated to create an image of the former on the latter, a separating station whereat the original and copy sheet are separated, and a developing station including a developer unit comprising an entrance and an exit and having therebetween an applicator roller, the surface of which is wetted with a liquid developer solution for application to the surface of a copy sheet transported thereover in contact therewith, and a pressure roller mounted in driving engagement with said applicator roller, sheet guiding means for guiding sheet material including said copy sheet and original documents which have failed to be separated from said copy sheet, safely over said applicator roller while preventing the wrapping of said sheet material about said wetted applicator roller, said sheet guiding means including a plurality of fine guide wires strung taut between the entrance and the exit of said developer unit over and in contact with said roller member and between said applicator and pressure rollers, said wires further being spaced from each other axially along said applicator roller over the length thereof so as to accommodate sheets of varying widths, wherein each of said guide wires is of a diameter of less than 0.004 inches.

Claim 3

In a direct contact copying machine for making a copy of an original document on a copy sheet, including an exposure station whereat a superimposed original and copy sheet are illuminated to create an image of the original on the copy sheet, and a developing station including a liquid developer unit comprising an entrance and an exit through which said copy sheet is passed for development, having a supply of liquid developer solution, an applicator roller for use in applying a predetermined amount of developer liquid to said copy sheet passing through said unit, and metering means for metering a predetermined quantity of developer liquid from said supply to said applicator roller, said roller applying less than 3.0 grams per square meter of liquid to said copy sheet, wherein the improvement comprises sheet guiding means for guiding the original document and the copy sheet safely through said developer unit in contacting relation with said appLicator roller while preventing the wrapping of either or both of said document and copy sheet about said roller, said sheet guiding means including a plurality of fine, filament-like guide members extending between the entrance and exit of said developer unit, over and in contact with said roller member, said guide members comprising wires, each having a diameter less than 0.004 inches, strung taut between the entrance and the exit of said developer unit, wherein each said wire is held at one end by a spring member to provide a tension to said wire while avoiding breakage thereof due to forces applied thereagainst.

Claim 4

In a direct contact copying machine for making a copy of an original document on a copy sheet, including an exposure station whereat a superimposed original and copy sheet are illuminated to create an image of the original on the copy sheet, and a developing station including a liquid developer unit comprising an entrance and an exit through which said copy sheet is passed for development, having a supply of liquid developer solution, an applicator roller for use in applying a predetermined amount of developer liquid to said copy sheet passing through said unit, and metering means for metering a predetermined quantity of developer liquid from said supply to said applicator roller, said roller applying less than 3.0 grams per square meter of liquid to said copy sheet, wherein the improvement comprises sheet guiding means for guiding the original document and the copy sheet safely through said developer unit in contacting relation with said appLicator roller while preventing the wrapping of either or both of said document and copy sheet about said roller, said sheet guiding means including a plurality of fine, filament-like guide members extending between the entrance and exit of said developer unit, over and in contact with said roller member, said guide members comprising wires, each having a diameter less than 0.004 inches, strung taut between the entrance and the exit of said developer unit, wherein each said wire is held at one end by a spring member to provide a tension to said wire while avoiding breakage thereof due to forces applied thereagainst.