Reversible screen for electrophotographic printing

Claim 3

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate member further includes a third translucent layer interposed between and contacting the first and second layers thereof.

Claim 4

An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said plate member is positioned to have the first layer in contact with said support member and the second layer in contact with the document creating a focused light image thereof.

Claim 5

An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said plate member is positioned to have the second layer in contact with said support member and the first layer in contact with the document creating a de-focused light image.

Claim 6

An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further including means for moving automatically said plate member from a first position wherein the first layer contacts said support member and the second layer contacts the document to a second position wherein the second layer contacts said support member and the first layer contacts the document.

Claim 7

An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the screen pattern of the second layer of said plate member includes a plurality of substantially equally spaced linEs.

Claim 8

An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the screen pattern of the second layer of said plate member includes a plurality of substantially equally spaced dots.

Claim 9

An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further including a cover member mounted movably in said housing to secure the document on said support member in the closed position while permitting the placement of the document on said support member in the opened position.

Claim 10

An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said support member includes: a substantially rigid frame member having an aperture therein mounted on said housing; resilient means secured to said frame member on the periphery of the aperture therein; and a transparent member having a generally planar surface for holding the document thereon, said transparent member being mounted on said resilient means in the aperture of said frame member permitting light rays to be transmitted therethrough.

Claim 11

An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said cover member includes: a substantially rigid outer shell having one end region thereof mounted pivotably on said housing; and a resilient sheet member secured to the inner surface of said outer shell so as to engage the document with said cover member being in the closed position.

Claim 12

An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a device for charging a photoconductive surface to a substantially uniform potential and an exposure mechanism for creating a light image of an original document arranged to be recorded on the photoconductive surface, wherein the improvement includes: a support member mounted on the printing machine, said support member being arranged to hold the original document in a light receiving relationship with the exposure mechanism; and a plate member interposed between said support member and the original document so that the light image thereof passes through said plate member, said plate member comprising a substantially transparent portion and a screen portion mounted on one surface of the transparent portion.

Claim 13

An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a device for charging a photoconductive surface to a substantially uniform potential and an exposure mechanism for creating a light image of an original document arranged to be recorded on the photoconductive surface, wherein the improvement includes: a support member mounted on the printing machine, said support member being arranged to hold the original document in a light receiving relationship with the exposure mechanism; and a plate member interposed between said support member and the original document so that the light image thereof passes through said plate member, said plate member comprising a substantially transparent portion and a screen portion mounted on one surface of the transparent portion.

Claim 14

A printing machine as recited in claim 11, wherein said plate member includes a translucent portion interposed between the screen portion and the transparent portion of said plate member.

Claim 15

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said plate member is positioned with the screen portion thereof being adjacent the original document to form a focused light image.

Claim 16

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said plate member is positioned with the screen portion thereof being adjacent said support member to form a de-focused light image.

Claim 17

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, further including means for automatically moving said plate member from a first position wherein the screen portion of said plate member is adjacent the original document to a second position wherein the screen portion of said plate member is adjacent said support member, said moving means being adapted to return said plate member from the second position to the first position.

Claim 18

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, wherein the screen portion of said plate member includes a plurality of substantially equally spaced dots.

Claim 19

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, wherein the screen portion of said plate member includes a plurality of substantially equally spaced lines.

Claim 20

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, further including a cover member operatively associated with said support member, said cover member being movable from an opened position permitting the original document to be placed in the housing apparatus to a closed position securing the original document releasably therein.

Claim 21

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said support member includes: a substantially rigid frame member having an aperture therein; resilient means secured to said frame member on the periphery of the aperture therein; and a transparent member having a genErally planar surface, said transparent member being mounted on said resilient means in the aperture of said frame member permitting the light rays to be transmitted therethrough.

Claim 22

A printing machine as recited in claim 19, wherein said cover member includes: a substantially rigid outer shell; and a resilient sheet member secured to said outer shell and being adapted to engage the original document when said cover member is in the closed position.