US3797127A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuitous passageway for drying copy sheets
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-09-21
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-09-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus forming a circuitous passageway in a copying device comprising a large diameter squeeze roller and a plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers of a smaller width pressing against the large diameter squeeze roller. Copy sheets released from the developing liquid tank are introduced one after another into this circuitous passageway to squeeze out the developing liquid from the copy sheets for drying the same and to change the direction of movement of the sheets. The small diameter squeeze rollers are arranged such that one of them or a center squeeze roller is disposed on the center peripheral line of the large diameter squeeze roller near the inlet of the circuitous passageway and the remainder are disposed in two rows symmetrical with respect to the center peripheral line of the large diameter squeeze roller, the two rows of rollers being spaced apart a greater distance toward the opposite edges of the periphery of the large diameter squeeze roller in going from the center squeeze roller in the direction of movement of the copy sheets along the circuitous passageway.
Inventors
- 👤 H Yamada
- 👤 H Hirose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/02; G03D15/027; G03D13/00; G03D13/003; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
Apparatus forming a circuitous passageway for drying copy sheets for an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the wet developing type comprising a large diameter squeeze roller disposed on one side of a path of copy sheets released from a developing liquid tank; and a plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers being arranged such that one of them is disposed on the center peripheral line of the large diameter squeeze roller near the inlet of the circuitous passageway and the remainder are disposed in two rows symmetrical with respect to the center peripheral line of the large diameter squeeze roller, the two rows of rollers being spaced apart a greater distance toward the opposite edges of the periphery of the large diameter squeeze roller in going from the center line squeeze roller in the direction of movement of the copy sheets along the circuitous passageway, whereby the copy sheets can be dried and the direction of their movement can be changed while passing through the passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus forming a circuitous passageway for drying copy sheets for an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the wet developing type comprising a large diameter squeeze roller disposed on one side of a path of copy sheets released from a developing liquid tank; and a plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers being arranged such that one of them is disposed on the center peripheral line of the large diameter squeeze roller near the inlet of the circuitous passageway and the remainder are disposed in two rows symmetrical with respect to the center peripheral line of the large diameter squeeze roller, the two rows of rollers being spaced apart a greater distance toward the opposite edges of the periphery of the large diameter squeeze roller in going from the center line squeeze roller in the direction of movement of the copy sheets along the circuitous passageway, whereby the copy sheets can be dried and the direction of their movement can be changed while passing through the passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers arranged in two rows are inclined with respect to the axis of the large diameter squeeze roller toward the opposite edges of the periphery thereof whereby the copy sheet moving through the circuitous passageway can be stretched transversely.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Appparatus as in claim 1 wherein adjacent ones of said plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers are disposed on common shafts on the peripheral surface of the large diameter squeeze roller and the spacing between shafts supporting the small diameter squeeze rollers is gradually reduced in going from the inlet of the circuitous passageway toward the outlet thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said large diameter squeeze roller is made of a hard material and said plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers are made of a hygroscopic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said large diameter squeeze roller is made of a hygroscopic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said large diameter squeeze roller is in the form of a cylinder having a built-in heater.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers are inclined with respect to the axis of the large diameter squeeze roller by bending the shafts supporting said rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of smaller diameter squeeze rollers are supported by support arms of the U-shape attached to the underside of a curved support plate mounted along the peripheral surface of the large diameter squeeze roller in covering relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a blower for supplying a stream of air for drying copy sheets moving the circuitous passageway is mounted near the circuitous passageway.
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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |