US3724019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wiper blade cleaning apparatus for xerographic machines
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1971-05-13
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-05-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for cleaning dry residual toner from the photoconductive surface of a xerographic type copying machine for reuse. The apparatus comprises a wiper blade disposed across the path of operating movement of the photoconductive surface with the wiping edge thereof in physical contact therewith. The wiper blade is supported on a carriage movable in a direction generally longitudinal of the blade. A driver is provided to slowly oscillate the carriage together with the wiper blade back and forth to improve blade cleaning action and wear, and reduce the tendency for toner and other foreign matter to become trapped under the blade. A control means is provided to operate the carriage driver while the photoconductive surface is moving and thereafter up to a short interval.
Inventors
- 👤 A Shanly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0011; G03G21/0029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
As a means to restore cleaning effectiveness to a wiper blade cleaning apparatus used for cleaning a repetitively movable xerographic surface said cleaning apparatus including at least one blade-like element having a wiping edge disposed to bear against said xerographic surface, said blade being of sufficient length to enable said wiping edge to bridge substantially the entire imaging width of said xerographic surface; drive means for said blade adapted when actuated to slowly oscillate said blade back and forth across said xerographic surface in a direction generally normal to the direction of movement of said xerographic surface whereby the opposing surface portions between said blade wiping edge and said xerographic surface shift to thereby facilitate cleaning of said xerographic surface by said blade wiping edge; and operating means for said drive means adapted to actuate said drive means and oscillate said blade during movement of said xerographic surface and on stopping of said xerographic surface to render said drive means inoperative and stop said blade, the improvement comprising: control means adapted on random occasions to intervene and override said operating means to continue operation of said drive means and oscillation of said wiper blade after said xerographic surface is stopped; and timing means adapted to limit such additional operation of said drive means and oscillation of said wiper blade by said control means to no more than a predetermined maximum interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
As a means to restore cleaning effectiveness to a wiper blade cleaning apparatus used for cleaning a repetitively movable xerographic surface said cleaning apparatus including at least one blade-like element having a wiping edge disposed to bear against said xerographic surface, said blade being of sufficient length to enable said wiping edge to bridge substantially the entire imaging width of said xerographic surface; drive means for said blade adapted when actuated to slowly oscillate said blade back and forth across said xerographic surface in a direction generally normal to the direction of movement of said xerographic surface whereby the opposing surface portions between said blade wiping edge and said xerographic surface shift to thereby facilitate cleaning of said xerographic surface by said blade wiping edge; and operating means for said drive means adapted to actuate said drive means and oscillate said blade during movement of said xerographic surface and on stopping of said xerographic surface to render said drive means inoperative and stop said blade, the improvement comprising: control means adapted on random occasions to intervene and override said operating means to continue operation of said drive means and oscillation of said wiper blade after said xerographic surface is stopped; and timing means adapted to limit such additional operation of said drive means and oscillation of said wiper blade by said control means to no more than a predetermined maximum interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
136 words
The cleaning effectiveness restoring means according to claim 1 in which said drive means includes a motor together with at least two energizing circuits for said motor; said operating means being adapted during movement of said xerographic surface to complete one of said energizing circuits whereby to operate said motor and oscillate said blade, said control means being adapted on oscillation of said blade to make the other of said circuits so that with opening of said one circuit by said operating means on stopping of said xerographic surface, said other circuit may maintain energization of said motor and oscillation of said blade; said timing means being adapted to periodically break said other circuit whereby energization of said motor and oscillation of said wiper blade continues until said other circuit is broken by said timing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
The cleaning effectiveness restoring means according to claim 2 in which said timing means includes a control switch for said other circuit a cam operator for opening said switch in predetermined timed sequence on rotation thereof; and means to drivingly connect said cam operator with said motor whereby energization of said motor turns said cam to periodically open said control switch and interrupt said other circuit whereby to establish said predetermined maximum timed interval beyOnd which said other circuit is interrupted to deenergize said motor and stop said wiper blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a wiper blade apparatus for removing leftover toner from a recycling photoconductive surface subsequent to use of said surface, said apparatus including means to slowly oscillate the apparatus wiper blade back and forth across said photoconductive surface during operating movement of said surface to enhance cleaning of said photoconductive surface by said wiper blade, the improvement comprising: means adapted to continue oscillation of said wiper blade for up to a predetermined maximum interval following stopping of said photoconductive surface, the rubbing contact between said oscillating wiper blade and the stationary photoconductive surface aiding clearing of any material trapped by the blade and enhancing subsequent cleaning contact between the blade and the photoconductive surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a wiper blade apparatus for removing leftover toner from a recycling photoconductive surface subsequent to use of said surface, said apparatus including means to slowly oscillate the apparatus wiper blade back and forth across said photoconductive surface during operating movement of said surface to enhance cleaning of said photoconductive surface by said wiper blade, the improvement comprising: means adapted to continue oscillation of said wiper blade for up to a predetermined maximum interval following stopping of said photoconductive surface, the rubbing contact between said oscillating wiper blade and the stationary photoconductive surface aiding clearing of any material trapped by the blade and enhancing subsequent cleaning contact between the blade and the photoconductive surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The wiper blade apparatus according to claim 4 in which said last mentioned means includes timing means operative in response to oscillation of said blade to periodically render said last mentioned means inoperative whereby on stopping of said photoconductive surface, oscillation of said wiper blade is continued until said timing means intervenes.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |