US3729255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photodevelopment apparatus including tray assembly and retaining means therefor
Assignee: Sunbeam Business Equipment Co
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Filing: 1970-08-11
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1990-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A liquid developer tray is arranged to be supported to receive copy sheets to be developed from feed rollers and has a removable insert cooperating to guide the sheets through developer in the tray and to take-off and squeeze rollers. The guide insert also limits the volume of toner in the tray, improves circulation thereof and reduces the toner surface exposed to evaporation. Cooperating with the insert guide structure are means for positioning and retaining the tray properly oriented with respect to the rollers but enabling ready sliding of the support for the tray assembly into and out of position in a photocopy machine.
Inventors
- 👤 K Reick
- 👤 E Tiger
- 👤 D Wolff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:41
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described, including a cabinet having a photodevelopment chamber area with an opening thereinto, in-feed rollers for transporting exposed copy sheets into said area, out-feed rollers spaced from said infeed rollers and operative to squeeze and move developed copy sheets from said area toward a collection point: an upwardly opening developer tray assembly including a liquid developer tray adapted to support a body of liquid developer therein and having a removable guide insert defining with the tray a development path for the copy sheets from the in-feed rollers into an inlet and down through the body of liquid developer and then from an outlet into the nip of out-feed rollers; and means operative to releasably engage upstanding portions of the tray to hold the tray assembly in said area with said inlet aligned with said in-feed rollers and said outlet aligned with said out-feed rollers and against unintentional displacement in any direction relative to said rollers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described, including a cabinet having a photodevelopment chamber area with an opening thereinto, in-feed rollers for transporting exposed copy sheets into said area, out-feed rollers spaced from said infeed rollers and operative to squeeze and move developed copy sheets from said area toward a collection point: an upwardly opening developer tray assembly including a liquid developer tray adapted to support a body of liquid developer therein and having a removable guide insert defining with the tray a development path for the copy sheets from the in-feed rollers into an inlet and down through the body of liquid developer and then from an outlet into the nip of out-feed rollers; and means operative to releasably engage upstanding portions of the tray to hold the tray assembly in said area with said inlet aligned with said in-feed rollers and said outlet aligned with said out-feed rollers and against unintentional displacement in any direction relative to said rollers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A combination according to claim 1, in which said guide insert comprises an upwardly opening downwardly projecting shell member partially submerged in the liquid developer and having opposite edge portions located relatively closely to said in-feed and out-feed rollers, and means releasably retaining said insert shell against tendency to displace buoyantly from said liquid developer toward the rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination according to claim 2, said retaining means comprising clip structure cooperatively interengaging with said tray and said insert and projecting upwardly therefrom between said rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination according to claim 1, said tray and said shell having confronting spaced arcuate path-defining surfaces, and complementary sheet contact limiting ribs on said surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination according to claim 1, in which said releasable retaining means for the tray assembly comprise stop means and upward movement limiting means supported by the cabinet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination according to claim 1, said means releasably retaining the tray assembly comprising friction gripping structure with which a portion of the tray assembly is slidably engageable when the assembly is moved into position relative to said rollers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described: a cabinet having walls defining a photodevelopment apparatus area with an opening thereinto receptive of a development tray assembly including a base portion having side surfaces; and respective frictional gripping means to engage the opposite side surfaces of said base portion and including at least one resiliently yieldable spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described: a cabinet having walls defining a photodevelopment apparatus area with an opening thereinto receptive of a development tray assembly including a base portion having side surfaces; and respective frictional gripping means to engage the opposite side surfaces of said base portion and including at least one resiliently yieldable spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A combination according to claim 7, in which said spring comprises a generally inverted U-shaped wire spring member having legs provided with terminals, means securing the terminals to the cabinet and leaving the remainder of the spring free, and a spring body connecting upper portions of said legs and arched toward the opposite frictional gripping means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination according to claim 8, in which said arched body portion has a central substantially straight arch crest portion to enhance frictional contact with the side of said base portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination according to claim 7, the remaining of said means comprising a rigid friction plate confronting the spring in spaced relation to receive said base portion therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described: a photodevelopment tray assembly including a trough for a body of liquid developer into which exposed copy sheets are to be delivered from in-feed rollers in a copymaking machine and from which developed copy sheets are removed by out-feed squeeze rollers, end walls at the opposite ends of said trough, and a guide insert mounted in said trough to assure full immersion of copy sheets passing through the trough; means releasably connecting said insert to said end walls; said end walls having sloping edges; means supporting said guide insert on said edges; and means spacing the guide insert relative to the trough against tendency of the guide insert supporting means to displace down the sloping edges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described: a photodevelopment tray assembly including a trough for a body of liquid developer into which exposed copy sheets are to be delivered from in-feed rollers in a copymaking machine and from which developed copy sheets are removed by out-feed squeeze rollers, end walls at the opposite ends of said trough, and a guide insert mounted in said trough to assure full immersion of copy sheets passing through the trough; means releasably connecting said insert to said end walls; said end walls having sloping edges; means supporting said guide insert on said edges; and means spacing the guide insert relative to the trough against tendency of the guide insert supporting means to displace down the sloping edges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, said guide insert comprising a molded plastic shell member, said supporting means comprising integral flange means providing downwardly opening receiving slots within said wall edges are engaged, and said spacing means comprising integral spacer flanges projecting from said shell member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
In combination in apparatus of the characters described: a photodevelopment tray assembly including a trough for a body of liquid developer into which exposed copy sheets are to be delivered from in-feed rollers in a copymaking machine and from which developed copy sheets are removed by out-feed squeeze rollers, end walls at the opposite ends of said trough, and a guide insert mounted in said trough to assure full immersion of copy sheets passing through the trough; and retaining clip means interengaging with said walls and said insert to retain the insert in place.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
In combination in apparatus of the characters described: a photodevelopment tray assembly including a trough for a body of liquid developer into which exposed copy sheets are to be delivered from in-feed rollers in a copymaking machine and from which developed copy sheets are removed by out-feed squeeze rollers, end walls at the opposite ends of said trough, and a guide insert mounted in said trough to assure full immersion of copy sheets passing through the trough; and retaining clip means interengaging with said walls and said insert to retain the insert in place.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination according to claim 13, said insert having hanger flange structure thereon receptive of the walls therein and provided with notches exposing portions of the walls therethrough, said clips engaging said walls through said notches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
159 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described: a photodevelopment tray assembly including a trough for a body of liquid developer into which exposed copy sheets are to be delivered from in-feed rollers in a copymaking machine and from which developed copy sheets are removed by out-feed squeeze rollers, end walls at the opposite ends of said trough, and a guide insert mounted in said trough to assure full immersion of copy sheets passing through the trough; means for supporting and spacing the guide insert relative to the trough comprising integral flange means on the insert engaging on upper edges of said end walls, to provide a clear path for movement of the copy sheets between the trough and the insert; and means releasably connecting said insert to said end walls comprising releasable clips to hold the insert against upward displacement by the developer or copy sheets but enabling release and removal of the insert for cleaning the tray.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
159 words
In combination in apparatus of the character described: a photodevelopment tray assembly including a trough for a body of liquid developer into which exposed copy sheets are to be delivered from in-feed rollers in a copymaking machine and from which developed copy sheets are removed by out-feed squeeze rollers, end walls at the opposite ends of said trough, and a guide insert mounted in said trough to assure full immersion of copy sheets passing through the trough; means for supporting and spacing the guide insert relative to the trough comprising integral flange means on the insert engaging on upper edges of said end walls, to provide a clear path for movement of the copy sheets between the trough and the insert; and means releasably connecting said insert to said end walls comprising releasable clips to hold the insert against upward displacement by the developer or copy sheets but enabling release and removal of the insert for cleaning the tray.
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) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |