Patent US3741643A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3741643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic assembly for removing excess developer liquid from photoconductive surfaces
Assignee: Savin Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-19
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-11-19
Abstract
Abstract Our invention contemplates a pneumatic assembly for removing excess developer liquid from photoconductive surfaces. Electrophotographic apparatus for exposing an electrostatically charged photoconductive surface to a pattern of light and shade to produce a latent electrostatic image and then toning that image with a liquid toner is known to the art. In order that such electrophotographic apparatus may operate over extended periods of time and produce copy without soiled background, it is necessary to remove excess liquid toner from the photoconductive surface. It has been suggested that the excess toner be removed with an elongated jet of air or air knife. We have discovered that the angle of incidence of the air jet is significant and that advantageous results are obtained by positioning the air knife so that the air jet is substantially normal to the moving photoconductive surface. We have provided means for removing an accumulation of toner contained in the developer liquid from the air knife nozzle and from the photoconductive surface adjacent the nozzle. The removal of excess toner liquid evaporates the light components of the liquid, such as light hydrocarbon liquids, and creates some air pollution. We have provided means for preventing the discharge of evaporated hydrocarbon vapors into the atmosphere. We accomplish this by a hood around the air knife assembly into which sufficient air is bled. An amount of polluted air, equivalent to that bled into the system, is passed into a filter such as one formed of activated charcoal before being discharged into the atmosphere to remove the light hydrocarbon vapors from the discharged air.
Inventors
- 👤 M Vermeulen
- 👤 I Smith
- 👤 P Hastwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:48
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/107; G03G15/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In an electrophotographic machine, a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing a latent electrostatic image on said surface, means for applying liquid developer to said surface, an air knife for removing excess developer from said surface, means for moving said member in a direction to carry said image sequentially past said developer applying means and said air knife, said air knife being formed with an elongated air nozzle slot defining a pair of side walls, means for positioning said air knife normal to said photoconductive surface, one of said walls terminating in an outwardly extending lip adjacent to the edge of said nozzle outlet which is leading with respect to said direction of movement, said lip being positioned below the terminus of the other nozzle side wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an electrophotographic machine, a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing a latent electrostatic image on said surface, means for applying liquid developer to said surface, an air knife for removing excess developer from said surface, means for moving said member in a direction to carry said image sequentially past said developer applying means and said air knife, said air knife being formed with an elongated air nozzle slot defining a pair of side walls, means for positioning said air knife normal to said photoconductive surface, one of said walls terminating in an outwardly extending lip adjacent to the edge of said nozzle outlet which is leading with respect to said direction of movement, said lip being positioned below the terminus of the other nozzle side wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrophotographic machine as in claim 1 in which said lip carries a porous metal overlay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
In an electrophotographic machine as in claim 2, a baffle carried by said overlay and extending into said nozzle slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
In an electrophotographic machine as in claim 1, a baffle, and means for positioning said baffle in said nozzle slot, said baffle being provided with a portion spaced from and extending in the direction of said lip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
In an electrophotographic machine, a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing an electrostatic latent image upon said surface, a liquid developing station for developing said image, an air knife for removing excess developer liquid from said surface, means for moving said image first past said developing station and then past said air knife, a metering roller positioned between said developing station and said air knife closely adjacent said photoconductive surface, means for rotating said roller, and means for wiping developing liquid from the surface of the roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
In an electrophotographic machine, a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing an electrostatic latent image upon said surface, a liquid developing station for developing said image, an air knife for removing excess developer liquid from said surface, means for moving said image first past said developing station and then past said air knife, a metering roller positioned between said developing station and said air knife closely adjacent said photoconductive surface, means for rotating said roller, and means for wiping developing liquid from the surface of the roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrostatic photographic machine as in claim 5 in which said air knife is positioned to direct a sheet of air normal to said photoconductive surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrostatic photographic machine including in combination a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing an electrostatic latent image upon said surface, a developing station for developing said latent image, an air knife for removing excess developer from said surface, means for moving said image first past said developing station and then past said air knife, a hood surrounding said air knife and said developing station, a blower, a first duct taking suction from inside said hood communicating with the inlet of said blower, and a second duct providing communication between the outlet of said blower and said air knife.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrostatic photographic machine including in combination a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing an electrostatic latent image upon said surface, a developing station for developing said latent image, an air knife for removing excess developer from said surface, means for moving said image first past said developing station and then past said air knife, a hood surrounding said air knife and said developing station, a blower, a first duct taking suction from inside said hood communicating with the inlet of said blower, and a second duct providing communication between the outlet of said blower and said air knife.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A machine as in claim 7 in which said hood is spaced from said photoconductive surface and a bleeder duct providing communication between the atmosphere and said second duct, the construction being such that some circumambient air is drawn into the hood by the blower and some air drawn from the hood is discharged to the atmosphere.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine as in claim 8 including means for controlling the flow of air through said second duct and through said bleeder duct.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine as in claim 8 including absorption means positioned to absorb vaporized liquid passing through the atmosphere through said bleeder duct.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electrostatic photographic machine including in combination a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing an electrostatic latent image upon said surface, a liquid developing station for developing said latent image, an air knife, means for moving said image first past said developing station and then past said air knife, means for positioning said air knife normal to said photoconductive surface to cause said air knife to remove excess developer from said surface, a hood, means for positioning Said hood about said air knife, and means for reducing the air pressure within the hood to remove vaporized developer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electrostatic photographic machine including in combination a member having a photoconductive surface, means for producing an electrostatic latent image upon said surface, a liquid developing station for developing said latent image, an air knife, means for moving said image first past said developing station and then past said air knife, means for positioning said air knife normal to said photoconductive surface to cause said air knife to remove excess developer from said surface, a hood, means for positioning Said hood about said air knife, and means for reducing the air pressure within the hood to remove vaporized developer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |