Patent US4101215A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4101215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cleaning device for an electrostatic copier
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
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Filing: 1976-12-15
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1996-12-15
Abstract
Abstract An electrostatic copier has a travelling endless carrier on the photoconductive surface of which an electrostatic image pattern can be formed. Toner particles are electrostatically attracted to this pattern so as to form a visible image on the surface and are thereupon transferred to an image carrier. The photosensitive surface is then cleaned of residual toner particles in preparation for the next image formation. For the cleaning operation a mechanical wiper is in contact with the photosensitive surface and wipes the residual toner particles off the same; most of these particles adhere to the wiper and are then dislodged from their positions on the same and thereupon accelerated through space toward a container by the action of an electric field which is established intermediate the wiper and the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunther Fottner
- 👤 Gottfried Waibel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:05
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0058; G03G21/10; G03G21/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In an electrostatic copier wherein an electrostatic image pattern is formed on the photoconductive surface of a travelling endless carrier, toner particles are electrostatically attracted to said pattern to form a visible image and are thereupon transferred to an image carrier, and cleaning means subsequently cleans incremental portions of the photoconductive surface to remove residual toner particles therefrom which then become lodged on said cleaning means, the improvement comprising means for dislodging toner particles from said cleaning means; a receptacle spaced from said dislodging means; a grid-electrode intermediate said receptacle and said dislodging means and spaced from the latter, said grid-electrode being provided with a plurality of interstices so as to be readily permeable to toner particles; and means connected to said grid-electrode for generating between the same and said dislodging means an electric field which impels dislodged particles from said dislodging means towards and through said grid-electrode for eventual deposition in said receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In an electrostatic copier wherein an electrostatic image pattern is formed on the photoconductive surface of a travelling endless carrier, toner particles are electrostatically attracted to said pattern to form a visible image and are thereupon transferred to an image carrier, and cleaning means subsequently cleans incremental portions of the photoconductive surface to remove residual toner particles therefrom which then become lodged on said cleaning means, the improvement comprising means for dislodging toner particles from said cleaning means; a receptacle spaced from said dislodging means; a grid-electrode intermediate said receptacle and said dislodging means and spaced from the latter, said grid-electrode being provided with a plurality of interstices so as to be readily permeable to toner particles; and means connected to said grid-electrode for generating between the same and said dislodging means an electric field which impels dislodged particles from said dislodging means towards and through said grid-electrode for eventual deposition in said receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein said cleaning means comprises a cleaning roller having an axis of rotation extending parallel to said photoconductive surface transverse to the direction of travel thereof, and a circumferential face in wiping contact with said photoconductive surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein said dislodging means comprises an element for mechanically dislodging toner particles from said cleaning roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein said dislodging means comprises an element in mechanical engagement with said circumferential face of said cleaning roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein said dislodging means comprises a grid-shaped element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein said dislodging means comprises a grid-shaped element surrounding said circumferential face over a portion of arc in mechanical engagement therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement defined in claim 6, wherein said grid-shaped element is arcuately curved on a radius of curvature which is greater than the radius of curvature of said circumferential face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement defined in claim 1; further comprising a source of constant voltage; and means connecting said source with said dislodging means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement defined in claim 1; further comprising a source of constant voltage; and wherein said cleaning means comprises a cleaning roller having an electrically conductive core which is conductively connected with said source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The improvement defined in claim 9, wherein said core is metallic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement defined in claim 10, wherein said grid-electrode has a radius of curvature larger than and concentric to said cleaning roller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement defined in claim 1, said plurality of interstices having a combined surface area which constitutes a predominant portion of the surface of said grid-electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement defined in claim 1; and further comprising an endless conveyor extending in part beneath said cleaning means and said grid-electrode for intercepting toner particles dropping off said cleaning means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement defined in claim 13, said conveyor having a discharge station located above said receptacle so as to discharge into the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement defined in claim 13, wherein said conveyor comprises an endless belt, and a plurality of rolls about which said belt is trained.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement defined in claim 15, said conveyor having a portion located closely adjacent to said photoconductive surface and defining a gap with the same.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement defined in claim 13, said conveyor comprising a belt and having a discharge station positioned to discharge into said receptacle; and further comprising at least one doctor blade engaging said belt at said discharge station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement defined in claim 17; and further comprising means connecting said doctor blade to ground potential.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
The improvement defined in claim 1, said cleaning means comprising a cleaning roller having an axis of rotation parallel to said surface and extending transverse to the direction of travel thereto; and further comprising an electrically conductive contact element connected to ground potential and engaging said cleaning roller at a location intermediate said photoconductive surface and said grid-electrode, as considered in the direction of rotation of said cleaning roller.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement defined in claim 19, wherein said contact element engages said cleaning roller over substantially the axial length thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement defined in claim 1; and further comprising a conveyor extending from the vicinity of the photoconductive surface to said receptacle and positioned to intercept the dislodged residual toner particles and convey them to said receptacle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
The improvement defined in claim 21, said conveyor comprising a belt having a working run extending from the vicinity of said surface to said receptacle, and a return run extending from said receptacle to said vicinity; and further comprising an electrically conductive contact member connected to a constant electrical potential and engaging said return run over substantially the entire width of said belt.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |