Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
In an apparatus for developing latent electrostatic images on carrier sheets, the combination of means for conveying carrier sheets in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; electrode means adjacent to and defining with a carrier sheet in said path an elongated gap, said electrode means having at least one fluid-admitting first orifice communicating with said gap and at least two fluid-evacuating second orifices communicating with said gap, one of said second orifices being located ahead of and the other of said second orifices being located behind said first orifice, as considered in said direction, and said one second orifice being nearer to said first orifice than said other second orifice; a source of pressurized developing fluid; and means for connecting said source with said first orifice so that the fluid issuing from said first orifice forms first and second streams flowing in and counter to said direction to respectively enter said other and said one second orifice whereby the speed of said first stream exceeds the speed of said second stream as a result of movement of the carrier sheet in said direction, the distances between said first orifice and said second orifices being such that the interval of dwell of each increment of said first stream in said gap at least approximates the interval of dwell of each increment of said second stream in said gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
In an apparatus for developing latent electrostatic images on carrier sheets, the combination of means for conveying carrier sheets in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path; electrode means adjacent to and defining with a carrier sheet in said path an elongated gap, said electrode means having at least one fluid-admitting first orifice communicating with said gap and at least two fluid-evacuating second orifices communicating with said gap, one of said second orifices being located ahead of and the other of said second orifices being located behind said first orifice, as considered in said direction, and said one second orifice being nearer to said first orifice than said other second orifice; a source of pressurized developing fluid; and means for connecting said source with said first orifice so that the fluid issuing from said first orifice forms first and second streams flowing in and counter to said direction to respectively enter said other and said one second orifice whereby the speed of said first stream exceeds the speed of said second stream as a result of movement of the carrier sheet in said direction, the distances between said first orifice and said second orifices being such that the interval of dwell of each increment of said first stream in said gap at least approximates the interval of dwell of each increment of said second stream in said gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said orifices are elongated slits extending transversely of said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein the width of said second orifices exceeds the width of said first orifice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said electrode means is located at a level below said path, and further comprising means for receiving evacuated fluid from said second orifices by gravity flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cmbination of claim 1, further comprising distancing means provided on said electrode means and abutting against carrier sheets in said path to thereby determine the width of said gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The constitution of claim 5, wherein said distancing means comprises a pair of shoes flanking said path, said orifices being disposed between said shoes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 5, further comprising means for adjustably securing said distancing means to said electrode means so as to permit for changes in the width of said gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the maximum width of said gap is 0.5 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the width of said gap decreases gradually, as considered in said direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for biasing said electrode means toward the carrier sheets in said path so as to reduce the width of said gap to zero in the absence of developing fluid between said electrode means and a carrier sheet in said path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said conveyor means includes a cylindrical sheet-supporting peripheral surface and said electrode means has a complementary convex surface adjacent to said gap.