US4252435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning subsystem for a xerographic reproduction machine
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1979-07-16
•
Granted: 1981-02-24
•
Expires: 1999-07-16
Abstract
Abstract To clean toner, particularly magnetic toner, from a photoreceptor, an improved cleaning subsystem includes a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor. The foam roll cleaner is mounted within a housing, and a baffle extends upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and the cleaner in extremely close proximity to both the photoreceptor and to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner. This arrangement generates a positive pressure within the housing and to relieve this positive pressure without expelling any toner from the housing, filtered openings are provided in the housing. To discharge or release toner from the foam roll cleaner during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the cleaner is vibrated. Any magnetic toner accumulating on the interior surfaces of the housing are moved or conveyed downwardly into the bottom portion of the housing by magnetic conveyors located on the exterior of the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Arjan T. Manghirmalani, deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0058; G03G21/10; G03G21/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle pivotally mounted to the housing and extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) spacer means for keeping the baffle to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches from the photoreceptor, and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle pivotally mounted to the housing and extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) spacer means for keeping the baffle to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches from the photoreceptor, and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved cleaning subsystem as set forth in claim 1 which further includes means for vibrating the foam cleaner during rotation of the latter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
204 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning magnetic toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle pivotally mounted to the housing and extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) spacer means for keeping the baffle to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches from the photoreceptor; (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing; and (e) means for conveying any of the magnetic toner which has accumulated on a vertical wall of the housing to the bottom portion of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
204 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning magnetic toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle pivotally mounted to the housing and extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) spacer means for keeping the baffle to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches from the photoreceptor; (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing; and (e) means for conveying any of the magnetic toner which has accumulated on a vertical wall of the housing to the bottom portion of the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved cleaning subsystem as set forth in claim 3 which further includes means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means including a foam roll cleaner for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means including a foam roll cleaner for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner in extremely close proximity to both the photoreceptor and to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner in extremely close proximity to both the photoreceptor and to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
178 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from the photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches of the photoreceptor and to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
178 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from the photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches of the photoreceptor and to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; and (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
205 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning magnetic toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches of the photoreceptor and to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing; and (e) means for conveying any of the magnetic toner which has accumulated on a vertical wall of the housing to the bottom portion of the housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
205 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning magnetic toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending upwardly at an angle from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches of the photoreceptor and to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; (c) means for vibrating the foam roll cleaner during rotation of the latter; (d) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing; and (e) means for conveying any of the magnetic toner which has accumulated on a vertical wall of the housing to the bottom portion of the housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
162 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within approximately 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches of the photoreceptor and to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; and (c) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
162 words
An improved cleaning subsystem for cleaning toner from a photoreceptor without the use of a vacuum exhaust mechanism comprising: (a) a housing located adjacent to the photoreceptor; (b) means for creating a positive pressure within the housing during operation of the cleaning subsystem, the pressure creating means including a foam roll cleaner in contact with and mounted to rotate in a tangential direction opposite to that of the photoreceptor, and a baffle extending from the housing into the pre-nip zone between the photoreceptor and cleaner to where the cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner, the baffle extending to within approximately 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches of the photoreceptor and to within approximately 0.020 inches of where the foam roll cleaner initially contacts the photoreceptor during rotation of the cleaner; and (c) means for relieving the positive pressure from within the housing while simultaneously preventing any of the toner cleaned from the photoreceptor from escaping from within the housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improved cleaning subsystem as set forth in claim 9 wherein the toner is magnetic and further including magnetic means for conveying any magnetic toner which has accumulated on a vertical wall of the housing to the bottom portion of the housing.
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) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-08-25 | 1985-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-08-25 | 1989-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-08-25 | 1993-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |