Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
Apparatus for drying an electrophotographic support element containing on its front surface a latent electrostatic image which has been toned and rendered visible by immersion of said support element in a develoPing solution comprising a mixture of charged toner particles in a carrier liquid, comprising wall means defining a drying chamber, air pervious means for supporting said support element in a downwardly inclined position in said drying chamber so as to divide said drying chamber into at least two compartments with at least one end of said support element being spaced from said wall means to leave a communicating passageway between said two compartments, said air pervious means being adapted to support said support element so as to permit contact of air with both surfaces of said support element, air inlet means and air outlet means disposed on opposite sides of said support element when supported by said air pervious means and arranged so that the air will pass from said air inlet means across one entire surface of said support element, through said communicating passageway, across the opposite surface of said support element in reverse direction, and through the air outlet means, and circulating means for creating a flow of air from said air inlet means to said air outlet means through said drying chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
Apparatus for drying an electrophotographic support element containing on its front surface a latent electrostatic image which has been toned and rendered visible by immersion of said support element in a develoPing solution comprising a mixture of charged toner particles in a carrier liquid, comprising wall means defining a drying chamber, air pervious means for supporting said support element in a downwardly inclined position in said drying chamber so as to divide said drying chamber into at least two compartments with at least one end of said support element being spaced from said wall means to leave a communicating passageway between said two compartments, said air pervious means being adapted to support said support element so as to permit contact of air with both surfaces of said support element, air inlet means and air outlet means disposed on opposite sides of said support element when supported by said air pervious means and arranged so that the air will pass from said air inlet means across one entire surface of said support element, through said communicating passageway, across the opposite surface of said support element in reverse direction, and through the air outlet means, and circulating means for creating a flow of air from said air inlet means to said air outlet means through said drying chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said air pervious means comprise a foraminous member upon which said support element is disposed so that its back surface contacts said foraminous member and said front surface is directed away from said foraminous member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support element when supported by said air pervious means is spaced from the wall means defining the bottom of said drying chamber to form said communicating passageway between said two compartments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said air inlet means emits air adjacent said front surface of said support element, and said air outlet means removes air from adjacent the back surface of said support element.