Paper feed and exposure synchronizer

Claim 2

In electrophotographic apparatus having an electrophotosensitive web, means for charging a plurality of spaced image receiving portions of the web and adapted to have a plurality of electrostatic images of an original formed thereon respectively, the web being movable along a first predetermined path, and means adapted to transfer information contained in each such electrophotostatic image to receiver sheets in image transferring relation therewith respectively, the combination comprising: a. a plurality of work stations disposed adjacent said first path including means for charging a portion of the web, an actuable exposure station operative when actuated for exposing such charged portion of the photosensitive web to a light image to form an electrostatic image on the web, a developing station for contacting such electrostatic image with a medium which adheres to the web in a configuration defined by such electrostatic image to form a toner image and an actuable sheet feeder movable through a predetermined sheet feeding cycle and operative when actuated for feeding a receiver sheet into an image transfering relation with respect to toner image on the web for permitting the transfer of at least a portion of the medium in an image configuration to such receiver sheet; b. means defining a second predetermined path; c. means coupled to said web moving means and movable along said second path for sequentially (1) providing a first signal when a charged portion of the web moves to a position wherein it is capable of being exposed in said exposure station, and (2) actuating said sheet feeder, in timed relation to movement of the web past predetermined positions along said first path; and d. exposure station actuating means comprising: i. means coupled to said sheet feeder for providing a second signal in response to said sheet feeder being in a predetermined position in said sheet feeding cycle; and ii. means responsive to said first and second signals for actuating said exposure station causing said exposure station to expose a charged portion of the web to an image, whereby image exposure on the web is synchronized with the operation of said sheet feeder.

Claim 3

The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein sequential means includes: means for producing a third signal indicative that a charged portion of the web has entered said exposure station; and exposure arming means effective in a first condition in response to said third signal to provide said first signal and in a second condition to prevent said exposure arming means for producing said first signal.

Claim 4

The improvement claimed in claim 1 wherein: said third signal providing means is an AND gate.

Claim 5

The invention as claimed in claim 1 further including: a flash trigger circuit responsive to said third signal from said AND gate to expose an image of an original on the web and to produce a further signal to said arming means causing it to be in said second condition.

Claim 6

In electrophotographic apparatus having an electrophotosensitive member having a plurality of discrete electrostatic images of an original formed thereon in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to each other, and means adapted to transfer information contained in such electrostatic images to receiver sheets, the combination comprising: a. a plurality of work stations including a charging station for charging a portion of the member, an actuable exposure station operative when actuated for exposing a charged portion of the member to a light image of an original for forming an electrostatic image of such original on the member, a developing station for contacting such electrostatic image with a medium which adheres to the member in a configuration defined by such electrostatic image, and an actuable sheet feeder movable through a predetermined sheet feeding cycle and operative when actuated for feeding a receiver sheet into an image transferring relationship with respect to an electrostatic image on the member for permitting the transfer of at least a portion of the medium in an image configuration to such receiver sheet; b. means coupled to said sheet feeder and the member for moving the electrophotosensitive member along a first endless path relative to said pluraLity of actuable work stations; c. means defining a second predetermined path; d. means coupled to the member moving means and movable along said second path for sequentially (1) providing a first signal when a charged portion of the member moves to a position wherein it is capable of being exposed to a light image at said exposure station, and (2) actuating said sheet feeder, in timed relation to movement of the member past predetermined positions along said first path; and e. exposure station actuating means comprising: i. means defining a third predetermined path; ii. means coupled to said sheet feeder and movable along said third path for providing a second signal in response to said sheet feeder moving through a predetermined position in said sheet feeding cycle; and iii. means responsive to said first and second signals for actuating said exposure station causing said exposure station to expose a light image on the member, whereby image exposure on the member is synchronized with the operation of said sheet feeder.

Claim 7

In electrophotographic apparatus having an electrophotosensitive member having a plurality of discrete electrostatic images of an original formed thereon in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to each other, and means adapted to transfer information contained in such electrostatic images to receiver sheets, the combination comprising: a. a plurality of work stations including a charging station for charging a portion of the member, an actuable exposure station operative when actuated for exposing a charged portion of the member to a light image of an original for forming an electrostatic image of such original on the member, a developing station for contacting such electrostatic image with a medium which adheres to the member in a configuration defined by such electrostatic image, and an actuable sheet feeder movable through a predetermined sheet feeding cycle and operative when actuated for feeding a receiver sheet into an image transferring relationship with respect to an electrostatic image on the member for permitting the transfer of at least a portion of the medium in an image configuration to such receiver sheet; b. means coupled to said sheet feeder and the member for moving the electrophotosensitive member along a first endless path relative to said pluraLity of actuable work stations; c. means defining a second predetermined path; d. means coupled to the member moving means and movable along said second path for sequentially (1) providing a first signal when a charged portion of the member moves to a position wherein it is capable of being exposed to a light image at said exposure station, and (2) actuating said sheet feeder, in timed relation to movement of the member past predetermined positions along said first path; and e. exposure station actuating means comprising: i. means defining a third predetermined path; ii. means coupled to said sheet feeder and movable along said third path for providing a second signal in response to said sheet feeder moving through a predetermined position in said sheet feeding cycle; and iii. means responsive to said first and second signals for actuating said exposure station causing said exposure station to expose a light image on the member, whereby image exposure on the member is synchronized with the operation of said sheet feeder.

Claim 8

The invention as claimed in claim 5 wherein sequential means includes: means for producing a third signal indicative that a charged portion of the member has entered said exposure station; and exposure arming means effective in a first condition in response to said third signal to provide said first signal and in a second condition to prevent said exposure arming means from producing said first signal.

Claim 9

The improvement claimed in claim 6 wherein: said third signal providing means is an AND gate.

Claim 10

The improvement as claimed in claim 6 further including: a flash trigger circuit responsive to said third signal from said AND gate to expose an image of an original on the web and to produce a further signal to said arming means causing it to be in said second condition.