US3984241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photocopying process in which photoconductor belt is incrementally replaced
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-05
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Granted: 1976-10-05
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Expires: 1994-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for making photocopies is disclosed with a photoconductor belt adapted to move around a roller assembly with a cartridge which contains belt replacement segments. The roller assembly meshes with the cartridge to enable rapid continuous movement of the photoconductor which passes a flat region where the belt receives a flash exposure of an object. A mechanism and method for continually replacing the photoconductor belt with incremental fresh segments from the cartridge is described to provide gradual replacement thereof with a long effective usable lifetime for the photoconductor belt and cartridge assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst Schrempp
- 👤 Henry S. Hazelton, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/75; G03G15/754; G03G15/22; G03G15/26; G03G15/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor belt used in a photocopy machine comprising the steps of: moving the photoconductor belt around a belt path for the exposure to an image of an object followed by the development of the image on a sheet of paper; storing a supply of fresh photoconductor material in connected relationship with the photoconductor belt and movable therewith around the entire circumference of the belt path; and incrementally replacing the photoconductor belt with fresh segments from the supply of fresh photoconductor material to gradually replace the photoconductor belt around the belt path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor belt used in a photocopy machine comprising the steps of: moving the photoconductor belt around a belt path for the exposure to an image of an object followed by the development of the image on a sheet of paper; storing a supply of fresh photoconductor material in connected relationship with the photoconductor belt and movable therewith around the entire circumference of the belt path; and incrementally replacing the photoconductor belt with fresh segments from the supply of fresh photoconductor material to gradually replace the photoconductor belt around the belt path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the incremental replacing step consists of replacing the photoconductor belt with segments which are small in relation with the photoconductor belt path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the replacing step consists of replacing the photoconductor belt during its movement around the path with increments of the order of a fraction of an inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor belt used in a photocopy machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the incremental replacing step is selected in size commensurate with a desired number of copies and the type of photoconductor belt material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor belt used in a photocopy machine as claimed in claim 1 and further including the step of storing incremental used photoconductor segments in correspondence with the incremental replacement thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor belt used in a photocopy machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the incremental replacing step is carried out each time the photoconductor belt has moved a predetermined number of times around the belt path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method for effectively extending the lifetime of a photoconductor belt used in a photocopy machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein the incremental replacing step is carried out each time the photoconductor belt has moved around the belt path.
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) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |