Patent US4089683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4089683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid developer cleaning means
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1975-10-29
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Granted: 1978-05-16
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Expires: 1995-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus and method for the conditioning of reusable imaging surfaces after the liquid development thereon of a charge pattern and the transfer therefrom of the developed image to eliminate subsequent transfer of residual liquid developer from the imaging surface cleaned by conventional methods, is described. The imaging surface is prepared for a subsequent cycle by bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with the advancing, transversely-oriented foam belt having a pattern of raised and depressed areas redistributing streaks and deposits of liquid developer remaining on an imaging surface after bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with conventional cleaning means.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Knieser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for improved conditioning of reusable imaging surfaces after the liquid development thereon of a charge pattern and the transfer therefrom of the developed image, said method comprising: (a) bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with a cleaning means; and thereafter (b) bringing the imaging surface into substantially transverse moving contact with a moving compressible, resilient belt having a pattern of raised and depressed portions on the substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for redistributing irregular deposits of liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface after cleaning to those areas of the imaging surface bearing lesser or no residual liquid developer, the redistributed liquid developer being present on the imaging surface in thicknesses which are non-transferable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for improved conditioning of reusable imaging surfaces after the liquid development thereon of a charge pattern and the transfer therefrom of the developed image, said method comprising: (a) bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with a cleaning means; and thereafter (b) bringing the imaging surface into substantially transverse moving contact with a moving compressible, resilient belt having a pattern of raised and depressed portions on the substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for redistributing irregular deposits of liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface after cleaning to those areas of the imaging surface bearing lesser or no residual liquid developer, the redistributed liquid developer being present on the imaging surface in thicknesses which are non-transferable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the compressible, resilient belt comprises a substantially non-absorbing working surface laminated to a compressible foam backing material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the resilient belt is laminated to a timing belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the compressible, resilient belt is a polyurethane foam having thereon a substantially non-absorbent, non-porous, solid working surface with oblique parallel ridges engaging a moving cylindrical imaging surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the working surface has a surface pattern of parallel grooves and ridges which are about 45° from normal (relative to the direction of motion of the imaging surface).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the raised and depressed portions are parallel ridges and grooves which are arranged at angles less than or greater than 90° from normal (relative to the direction of motion of the surface to be cleaned).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 comprising moving the compressible, resilient belt in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the surface to be cleaned.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for the improved conditioning of reusable surfaces to be cleaned after the liquid development thereon of a charge pattern and the transfer therefrom of the developed pattern comprising: (a) a cleaning means which is brought into moving contact with the surfaces to be cleaned; and downstream therefrom in the direction of motion of the surface to be cleaned; (b) a movable, compressible resilient belt having a pattern of raised and depressed portions on the substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for redistributing transferable deposits of liquid developer remaining on the surface to be cleaned to other areas of said surface, the resilient belt being movable in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the surface to be cleaned, whereby the liquid developer is non-transferable after redistribution.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for the improved conditioning of reusable surfaces to be cleaned after the liquid development thereon of a charge pattern and the transfer therefrom of the developed pattern comprising: (a) a cleaning means which is brought into moving contact with the surfaces to be cleaned; and downstream therefrom in the direction of motion of the surface to be cleaned; (b) a movable, compressible resilient belt having a pattern of raised and depressed portions on the substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for redistributing transferable deposits of liquid developer remaining on the surface to be cleaned to other areas of said surface, the resilient belt being movable in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the surface to be cleaned, whereby the liquid developer is non-transferable after redistribution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the compressible resilient belt comprises a substantially non-absorbing working surface laminated to a compressible foam backing material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the resilient belt is laminated to a timing belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the compressible, resilient belt is a polyurethane foam having thereon a substantially non-absorbent, non-porous, solid working surface with oblique ridges being held against a moving cylindrical imaging surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the working surface has a surface pattern of parallel grooves and ridges which are about 45° from normal (relative to the direction of motion of the imaging surface).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the raised and depressed portions are parallel ridges and grooves which are arranged at angles less than or greater than 90° from normal (relative to the direction of motion of the imaging surface).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the compressible, resilient belt is movable in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the surface to be cleaned.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the belt means is skewed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the belt means is movable in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the surface to be cleaned.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cleaning means is a resilient elastomeric blade.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
Electrostatographic reproduction method comprising forming a latent electrostatic image on a moving imaging surface, developing the latent image with liquid developer, transferring the developed image to a support material and cleaning the liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface by bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with a cleaning means for removing liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface and thereafter bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with a moving redistribution means movable in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the imaging surface, said redistribution means being a compressible, resilient belt having a substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for depositing transferable residues remaining on the imaging surface after cleaning to other areas of the imaging surface in thicknesses which are non-transferable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
128 words
Electrostatographic reproduction method comprising forming a latent electrostatic image on a moving imaging surface, developing the latent image with liquid developer, transferring the developed image to a support material and cleaning the liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface by bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with a cleaning means for removing liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface and thereafter bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with a moving redistribution means movable in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the imaging surface, said redistribution means being a compressible, resilient belt having a substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for depositing transferable residues remaining on the imaging surface after cleaning to other areas of the imaging surface in thicknesses which are non-transferable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
Electrostatographic reproduction apparatus comprising a movable imaging surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on said surface, means for applying liquid developer to said latent image to develop the image, means to transfer the developed image to a sheet of support-material and improved cleaning means to clean liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface after transfer comprising a cleaning blade for removing substantial quantities of liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface after transfer and movable, resilient belt means having a pattern of raised and depressed portions on the substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for redistributing irregular deposits of liquid developer in contact with the imaging surface to redistribute transferable quantities of liquid developer to other areas of the imaging surface in thicknesses which are non-transferable, and a drive mechanism to move said resilient belt means in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the imaging surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
Electrostatographic reproduction apparatus comprising a movable imaging surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on said surface, means for applying liquid developer to said latent image to develop the image, means to transfer the developed image to a sheet of support-material and improved cleaning means to clean liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface after transfer comprising a cleaning blade for removing substantial quantities of liquid developer remaining on the imaging surface after transfer and movable, resilient belt means having a pattern of raised and depressed portions on the substantially non-absorbing, non-porous, solid working surface for redistributing irregular deposits of liquid developer in contact with the imaging surface to redistribute transferable quantities of liquid developer to other areas of the imaging surface in thicknesses which are non-transferable, and a drive mechanism to move said resilient belt means in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the imaging surface.
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) | 1981-05-15 | 1981-11-14 | 1982-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-15 | 1985-11-14 | 1986-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-15 | 1989-11-14 | 1990-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |