US3784190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet removing apparatus
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1971-12-27
•
Granted: 1974-01-08
•
Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is provided for separating a copy sheet bearing an unfused toner image from a moving electrophotographic surface to which the copy sheet is electrostatically attracted during the image transfer operation. The separating apparatus utilizes a nozzle assembly having a plurality of nozzles mounted near the electrophotographic surface. A high velocity flow of pressurized fluid from the nozzles for a predetermined time is sufficient to detact the leading edge of the sheet and a lower velocity flow of pressurized fluid from the nozzles is sufficient to hold the copy sheet closely adjacent to the nozzle assembly and permit movement of the copy sheet across the nozzle assembly to a sheet transport toward a fusing station.
Inventors
- 👤 R Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6532
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for separating a transfer sheet having image forming toner particles loosely adhered to one surface thereof from a moving image forming member to which the transfer sheet is electrostatically attracted comprising: a first transport means to convey the transfer sheet to a transfer area; nozzle assembly means mounted adjacent the path of travel of the non-image surface of the transfer sheet, said nozzle assembly means producing a first direction of flow of pressurized fluid against the direction of movement of the transfer sheet and a second direction of flow of pressurized fluid in the direction of movement of the transfer sheet; means for producing a high velocity flow of pressurized fluid from said nozzle assembly means as each sheet approaches for a predetermined time to detach the leading edge of the transfer sheet from the first transport means; second transport means operative on the non-image surface of the transfer sheet to convey the transfer sheet away from the transfer area; and means for producing a relatively low velocity flow of pressurized fluid from said nozzle assembly means to hold the non-image surface of the transfer sheet closely adjacent to said nozzle assembly means to guide the sheet away from the transfer area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for separating a transfer sheet having image forming toner particles loosely adhered to one surface thereof from a moving image forming member to which the transfer sheet is electrostatically attracted comprising: a first transport means to convey the transfer sheet to a transfer area; nozzle assembly means mounted adjacent the path of travel of the non-image surface of the transfer sheet, said nozzle assembly means producing a first direction of flow of pressurized fluid against the direction of movement of the transfer sheet and a second direction of flow of pressurized fluid in the direction of movement of the transfer sheet; means for producing a high velocity flow of pressurized fluid from said nozzle assembly means as each sheet approaches for a predetermined time to detach the leading edge of the transfer sheet from the first transport means; second transport means operative on the non-image surface of the transfer sheet to convey the transfer sheet away from the transfer area; and means for producing a relatively low velocity flow of pressurized fluid from said nozzle assembly means to hold the non-image surface of the transfer sheet closely adjacent to said nozzle assembly means to guide the sheet away from the transfer area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly means comprises a plurality of annular converging nozzles spaced across the transfer sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly means comprises a plurality of rows of individual nozzles spaced across the transfer sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle assembly means comprises a first and second nozzle means spaced in the direction of movement of the transfer sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for separating a transfer sheet having image-forming toner particles loosely adhered to one surface thereof from a moving image-forming member to which the transfer sheet is electrostatically attracted comprising: a first transport means to convey the transfer sheet to a transfer area; nozzle assembly means mounted adjacent the path of travel of the non-image surface of the transfer sheet, said nozzle assembly means producing a first direction of flow of pressurized fluid against the direction of movement of the transfer sheet and a second direction of flow of pressurized fluid in the direction of movement of the transfer sheet; means for coupling a source of high pressure fluid to said nozzle assembly means for a first time period to detach the leading edge of the sheet from the first transport means; second transport means operative on the non-image surface of the transfer sheet to convey the sheet away from the transfer area; and means for coupling a relatively low pressure fluid to said nozzle assembly means for a second time period to hold the non-image surface of the sheet closely adjacent to the nozzle assembly means to guide the sheet from the transfer area to the second transport means without disturbing the image-forming toner particles on the image surface of the sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for separating a transfer sheet having image-forming toner particles loosely adhered to one surface thereof from a moving image-forming member to which the transfer sheet is electrostatically attracted comprising: a first transport means to convey the transfer sheet to a transfer area; nozzle assembly means mounted adjacent the path of travel of the non-image surface of the transfer sheet, said nozzle assembly means producing a first direction of flow of pressurized fluid against the direction of movement of the transfer sheet and a second direction of flow of pressurized fluid in the direction of movement of the transfer sheet; means for coupling a source of high pressure fluid to said nozzle assembly means for a first time period to detach the leading edge of the sheet from the first transport means; second transport means operative on the non-image surface of the transfer sheet to convey the sheet away from the transfer area; and means for coupling a relatively low pressure fluid to said nozzle assembly means for a second time period to hold the non-image surface of the sheet closely adjacent to the nozzle assembly means to guide the sheet from the transfer area to the second transport means without disturbing the image-forming toner particles on the image surface of the sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said nozzle assembly means comprises a first nozzle means for producing said first direction of flow and a second nozzle means for producing said second direction of flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said nozzle assembly means comprises a plurality of annular converging nozzles spaced across the transfer sheeT.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said nozzle assembly means comprises a plurality of rows of individual nozzles spaced across the transver sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said high pressure fluid source is coupled to said first nozzle means to detach the leading edge of the sheet and said relatively low pressure fluid is coupled to said second nozzle means to guide the sheet to the second transport means.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |