US3955533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Squeegee roller system for removing excess developer liquid from photoconductive surfaces
Assignee: Spectrum Sciences BV
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Filing: 1974-09-03
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Granted: 1976-05-11
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Expires: 1994-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A squeegee roller system for removing excess developer liquid from the developed-image-bearing photoconductive surface of a drum or the like in which a freely rotatable squeegee roller having a covering of predetermined hardness is biased against the drum to cause excess developer to flow into a receptacle having a weir over which the liquid flows back to the supply tank and in which a fur or pile-covered cleaning roller contacting the squeegee roller is driven in the opposite direction from and at a speed slightly greater than that at which the drum drives the squeegee roller with lower portions of both rollers passing through developer liquid retained by the weir and in which a cleaning blade is biased into engagement with the cleaning roller.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian E. Smith
- 👤 Dennis I. Scroggs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In an electrostatic copying machine having a member provided with a photoconductive surface adapted to receive a latent electrostatic image and a developer system adapted to apply liquid developer to said surface at a developing location and means for moving said surface relative to said developer system to carry said image past said developing location, apparatus including a squeegee roller, means mounting said squeegee roller for freely rotatable movement in engagement with said surface at a location spaced beyond said developing location whereby said squeegee roller is driven by said member independently of any other drive means, a cleaning roller, means mounting said cleaning roller for rotary movement in operative relationship with the surface of said squeegee roller, a receptacle for receiving liquid removed from said surface by said squeegee roller, means for retaining removed liquid in said receptacle to a certain level, said roller mounting means mounting said rollers in said receptacle with portions of the rollers immersed in said retained liquid and means for driving said cleaning roller in a direction opposite to and at a speed slightly greater than the direction and speed at which said squeegee roller is driven by said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In an electrostatic copying machine having a member provided with a photoconductive surface adapted to receive a latent electrostatic image and a developer system adapted to apply liquid developer to said surface at a developing location and means for moving said surface relative to said developer system to carry said image past said developing location, apparatus including a squeegee roller, means mounting said squeegee roller for freely rotatable movement in engagement with said surface at a location spaced beyond said developing location whereby said squeegee roller is driven by said member independently of any other drive means, a cleaning roller, means mounting said cleaning roller for rotary movement in operative relationship with the surface of said squeegee roller, a receptacle for receiving liquid removed from said surface by said squeegee roller, means for retaining removed liquid in said receptacle to a certain level, said roller mounting means mounting said rollers in said receptacle with portions of the rollers immersed in said retained liquid and means for driving said cleaning roller in a direction opposite to and at a speed slightly greater than the direction and speed at which said squeegee roller is driven by said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said squeegee roller mounting means mounts said squeegee roller for movement toward and away from said surface and means biasing said squeegee roller into engagement with said surface with a predetermined force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said cleaning roller mounting means comprises a shaft and in which said squeegee roller mounting means comprises a pair of arms carried by said shaft for rotation relative thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said squeegee roller comprises an elastomeric covering of a predetermined hardness and in which said cleaning roller comprises a pile-like covering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 including a cleaning blade in engagement with the surface of said cleaning roller.
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) | 1979-05-11 | 1979-11-10 | 1980-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-11 | 1983-11-10 | 1984-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-11 | 1987-11-10 | 1988-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |