US3879124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing remnants of powder images in electrophotographic copying machines
Assignee: SCHRECKE HANS#JOACHIM
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Filing: 1973-12-05
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-12-05
Abstract
Abstract An electrophotographic copying machine wherein the surplus toner which remains on the photoconductive layer of the copying cylinder subsequent to transfer of powder images onto a carrier is removed by rotary brush having radially extending bristles consisting of artificial fur or the like. The bristles are deformed on contact with the photoconductive layer and propel particles of toner against a travelling toner-retaining band which is collected by a rotary takeup reel and is guided by a wall of an expendable plastic casing for the brush and takeup reel in such a way that an unsupported stretch thereof extends from a point close to the photoconductive layer to a projection of the wall which maintains the band in contact with and causes the band to deform the bristles. The casing carries a supply reel for the band and is installed in a receptacle extending radially of the copying cylinder. The open end of the receptacle can be closed by a lid which thereby causes two clutches to engage the shafts of the brush and takeup reel with the output shafts of two discrete motors.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolf Eppe
- 👤 Georg Fryda
- 👤 Ludwig Mullritter
- 👤 Gunther Schnall
- 👤 Hans-Joachim Schrecke
- 👤 Josef Pfeifer
- 👤 Gunther Abbe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0035; G03G21/0041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
In an electrophotographic copying machine, a combination comprising a photoconductive layer movable in a predetermined direction along an endless path to thereby receive toner-containing powder images in a first portion of said path and to be relieved of powder images in a second portion of said path whereby at least some toner particles normally adhere to said layer in a third portion of said path along which said layer advances toward said first portion; and apparatus for removing toner from said layer in said third portion of said path, comprising a substantially cylindrical brush including a rotary core and flexible toner-removing bristles surrounding said core and arranged to contact successive increments of said layer whereby said bristles undergo deformation in response to movement into contact with said layer and reassume their undeformed positions relative to said core in response to termination of contact with said layer, a source of band-like toner-collecting material, rotary takeup means for drawing said band-like material from said source, and guide means having a projecting portion for urging said band-like material against said bristles downstream of the locus where said bristles move away from contact with said layer and a second portion adjacent to said layer, said band-like material being arranged to travel from said second portion of said guide means toward said projecting portion of said guide means so that a stretch thereof between said portions of said guide means intercepts toner particles which leave said brush as a result of termination of deformation of said bristles and/or under the action of centrifugal force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an electrophotographic copying machine, a combination comprising a photoconductive layer movable in a predetermined direction along an endless path to thereby receive toner-containing powder images in a first portion of said path and to be relieved of powder images in a second portion of said path whereby at least some toner particles normally adhere to said layer in a third portion of said path along which said layer advances toward said first portion; and apparatus for removing toner from said layer in said third portion of said path, comprising a substantially cylindrical brush including a rotary core and flexible toner-removing bristles surrounding said core and arranged to contact successive increments of said layer whereby said bristles undergo deformation in response to movement into contact with said layer and reassume their undeformed positions relative to said core in response to termination of contact with said layer, a source of band-like toner-collecting material, rotary takeup means for drawing said band-like material from said source, and guide means having a projecting portion for urging said band-like material against said bristles downstream of the locus where said bristles move away from contact with said layer and a second portion adjacent to said layer, said band-like material being arranged to travel from said second portion of said guide means toward said projecting portion of said guide means so that a stretch thereof between said portions of said guide means intercepts toner particles which leave said brush as a result of termination of deformation of said bristles and/or under the action of centrifugal force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an electrophotographic copying machine, a combination comprising a photoconductive layer movable in a predetermined direction along an endless path to thereby receive tonercontaining powder images in a first portion of said path and to be relieved of powder images in a second portion of said path whereby at least some toner particles normally adhere to said layer in a third portion of said path along which said layer advances toward said first portion; and apparatus for removing toner from said layer in said third portion of said path, comprising a substantially cylindrical brush including a rotary core and flexible toner-removing bristles surrounding said core and arranged to contact successive increments of said layer whereby said bristles undergo deformation in response to movement into contact with said layer and reassume their undeformed positions relative to said core in response to termination of contact with said layer, a source of band-like toner-collecting material, rotary takeup means for drawing said band-like material from said source, and guide means having a projecting portion for urging said band-like material against said bristles downstream of the locus where said bristles move away from contact with said layer and a second portion adjacent to said layer, said band-like material being arranged to travel from said second portion of said guide means toward said projecting portion of said guide means so that a stretch thereof between said portions of said guide means intercepts toner particles which leave said brush as a result of termination of deformation of said bristles and/or under the action of centrifugal force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an electrophotographic copying machine, a combination comprising a photoconductive layer movable in a predetermined direction along an endless path to thereby receive tonercontaining powder images in a first portion of said path and to be relieved of powder images in a second portion of said path whereby at least some toner particles normally adhere to said layer in a third portion of said path along which said layer advances toward said first portion; and apparatus for removing toner from said layer in said third portion of said path, comprising a substantially cylindrical brush including a rotary core and flexible toner-removing bristles surrounding said core and arranged to contact successive increments of said layer whereby said bristles undergo deformation in response to movement into contact with said layer and reassume their undeformed positions relative to said core in response to termination of contact with said layer, a source of band-like toner-collecting material, rotary takeup means for drawing said band-like material from said source, and guide means having a projecting portion for urging said band-like material against said bristles downstream of the locus where said bristles move away from contact with said layer and a second portion adjacent to said layer, said band-like material being arranged to travel from said second portion of said guide means toward said projecting portion of said guide means so that a stretch thereof between said portions of said guide means intercepts toner particles which leave said brush as a result of termination of deformation of said bristles and/or under the action of centrifugal force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said source comprises a rotary supply reel for band-like material and said projecting portion of said guide means is spaced apart from said locus and extends into the path of movement of said bristles so that the bristles are flexed by the band-like material in the region of said projecting portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a wall member having a first surface facing away from said brush and a second surface facing said brush, said band-like material being arranged to travel from said source toward said second portion of said guide means along said first surface and to travel from said second portion of said guide means toward said projecting portion of said guide means along said second surface of said wall member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of said stretch contacts said bristles in a region located ahead of said projecting portion, as considered in the direction of movement of said band-like material from said secOnd portion of said guide means toward said projecting portion of said guide means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said band-like material is spaced apart from said guide means between said second portion of said guide means and said projecting portion of said guide means so that said stretch of said band-like material is unsupported.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said guide means has a recess extending between said second portion of said guide means and said projecting portion thereof to provide room for the flexing of said stretch by the bristles of said brush.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion of said guide means defines with said layer a narrow gap of substantially constant width through which said band-like material advances from said source toward said projecting portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said second portion of said guide means constitutes a deflector which changes the direction of movement of said band-like material through an obtuse angle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said layer is a cylindrical layer and the axis of said brush is parallel to the axis of said layer, said second portion of said guide means being elongated and parallel to the axis of said layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a casing including said guide means and having an open end adjacent to said layer in the region of said third portion of said path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said brush and said takeup means are rotatably mounted in said casing and said casing comprises external bearing means for said source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said source comprises a rotary supply reel for said band-like material and said bearing means comprises means for braking said supply reel while said takeup means rotates to collect said band-like material so that the band-like material is tensioned between said supply reel and said takeup means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said casing includes a portion adjacent to said layer and located in the region of the locus where said bristles move into contact with said layer, and further comprising elastic sealing means provided on said portion of said casing and engaging said layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said sealing means comprises a flexible lip making an acute angle with the adjacent portion of said layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said sealing means contacts said bristles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said casing is expendable and consists of synthetic thermoplastic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said casing comprises integral bearing means for said source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said brush and said takeup means are rotatably mounted in said casing and further comprising a receptacle for said casing, said casing being movable in said receptacle toward and away from said third portion of said path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said layer is a cylindrical layer and said receptacle extends substantially radially of said layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising wall means for supporting said brush and said takeup means and means for centering said brush and said takeup means in said wall means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said core of said brush comprises first shaft means and said takeup means comprises second shaft means, and further comprising drive means for said shaft means and clutch means actuable to connect said shaft means with said drive means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
A combination as defined in claim 21, further comprising a receptacle for said brush and said takeup means, said receptacle having an open end and further comprising means for actuating said clutcH means including cover means for the open end of said receptacle, said cover means being movable between open and closed positions to thereby respectively disengage and engage said clutch means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
68 words
A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said clutch means comprises reciprocable first and second clutch elements which are respectively coaxial with the shaft means of said core and said take-up means, said actuating means further comprising motion transmitting means for effecting the movement of said clutch elements into engagement with the respective shaft means in response to movement of said cover means to said closed position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as defined in claim 23, wherein said shaft means are provided with sockets for the respective clutch elements and further comprising means for biasing said clutch elements against the respective shaft 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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |