Patent US4323306A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4323306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developer cleaning device for electrophotography
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1979-11-05
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Granted: 1982-04-06
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Expires: 1999-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A cleaning device for removing developer from the surface of a reusable and movable image bearing member comprises a cleaning member which extends transversely of the movement direction of the image bearing member, a device for transporting the removed developer along the transverse direction, a passageway for leading the transported developer to a collecting element, and a rotatable helical member for preventing the deposition of the removed developer on the passageway.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Ito
- 👤 Katuhiko Yamada
- 👤 Tadayuki Kitajima
- 👤 Koichi Miyamoto
- 👤 Hiroo Kobayashi
- 👤 Yoshikuni Mohvama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0011; G03G21/10; G03G21/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A cleaning device for use with an electrophotographic machine having a movable image bearing member for bearing a developed image formed in accordance with an electrostatic image, the image bearing member being reusable after the developed image is used and the image bearing member is cleaned, said device comprising: cleaning means for removing developer from a surface of the image bearing member, said means including a cleaning member which extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the image bearing member; means for transporting the developer removed by said cleaning means away from the image bearing member along said transverse direction thereof; means defining a passage for leading the developer transported by said transporting means to means for collecting developer; and means for preventing the deposition of the removed developer on said passage means, said preventing means including a helical member rotatable about an axis extending substantially along said passage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A cleaning device for use with an electrophotographic machine having a movable image bearing member for bearing a developed image formed in accordance with an electrostatic image, the image bearing member being reusable after the developed image is used and the image bearing member is cleaned, said device comprising: cleaning means for removing developer from a surface of the image bearing member, said means including a cleaning member which extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the image bearing member; means for transporting the developer removed by said cleaning means away from the image bearing member along said transverse direction thereof; means defining a passage for leading the developer transported by said transporting means to means for collecting developer; and means for preventing the deposition of the removed developer on said passage means, said preventing means including a helical member rotatable about an axis extending substantially along said passage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said passage means includes a duct.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said helical member is rotated for deposition prevention by a driving force derived from means for driving the image bearing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning member includes a resilient cleaning blade.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said transporting means transports the removed developer along said resilient cleaning blade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said passage means is engageable with and disengageable from said transporting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said transporting means is driven by means for driving the image bearing member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said transporting means is driven by means for driving the image bearing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
A cleaning device for use with an electrophotographic machine having a movable image bearing member for bearing a developed image formed in accordance with an electrostatic image, the image bearing member being reusable after the developed image is used and the image bearing member is cleaned, said device comprising: cleaning means for removing developer from a surface of the image bearing member, said means including a cleaning member which extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the image bearing member; means for sealing an end of said cleaning member; means for transporting the developer removed by said cleaning means away from the image bearing member in the transverse direction thereof; means defining a passage for leading the developer transported by said transporting means to means for collecting developer; and means for preventing the deposition of the removed developer on said passage means, said preventing means including a helical member rotatable about an axis extending substantially along said passage means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
A cleaning device for use with an electrophotographic machine having a movable image bearing member for bearing a developed image formed in accordance with an electrostatic image, the image bearing member being reusable after the developed image is used and the image bearing member is cleaned, said device comprising: cleaning means for removing developer from a surface of the image bearing member, said means including a cleaning member which extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the image bearing member; means for sealing an end of said cleaning member; means for transporting the developer removed by said cleaning means away from the image bearing member in the transverse direction thereof; means defining a passage for leading the developer transported by said transporting means to means for collecting developer; and means for preventing the deposition of the removed developer on said passage means, said preventing means including a helical member rotatable about an axis extending substantially along said passage means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said cleaning member is movably supported.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said sealing means comprises a soft cylindrical member which encloses said transporting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
179 words
A cleaning device for use with an electrophotographic machine having a movable image bearing member for bearing a developed image formed in accordance with an electrostatic image, the image bearing member being reusable after the developed image is used and the image bearing member is cleaned, said device comprising: cleaning means for removing developer from a surface of the image bearing member, said means including a resilient cleaning blade which extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the image bearing member; a guide member which cooperates with said resilient cleaning blade to form a slit opening; means for sealing a lateral end of said slit opening; means for transporting the developer removed by said cleaning means away from the image bearing member in the transverse direction thereof; means defining a passage for leading the developer transported by said transport means to means for collecting developer; and means for preventing the deposition of the removed developer on said passage means, said preventing means including a helical member rotatable about an axis extending substantially along said passage means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
179 words
A cleaning device for use with an electrophotographic machine having a movable image bearing member for bearing a developed image formed in accordance with an electrostatic image, the image bearing member being reusable after the developed image is used and the image bearing member is cleaned, said device comprising: cleaning means for removing developer from a surface of the image bearing member, said means including a resilient cleaning blade which extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the image bearing member; a guide member which cooperates with said resilient cleaning blade to form a slit opening; means for sealing a lateral end of said slit opening; means for transporting the developer removed by said cleaning means away from the image bearing member in the transverse direction thereof; means defining a passage for leading the developer transported by said transport means to means for collecting developer; and means for preventing the deposition of the removed developer on said passage means, said preventing means including a helical member rotatable about an axis extending substantially along said passage means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said passage means includes a duct.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said helical member is rotated for deposition prevention by a driving force derived from means for driving the image bearing member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said transporting means transports the removed developer along said resilient cleaning blade.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said passage means is engageable with and disengageable from said transporting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said transporting means is driven by means for driving the image bearing member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein said transporting means is driven by means for driving the image bearing member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 12 or 17, wherein said resilient cleaning blade is movably supported.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 12 or 17, wherein said guide member is movably supported.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 12 or 17, wherein said transporting means transports the removed developer substantially along the slit opening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 12 or 17, wherein said sealing means comprises a soft cylindrical member which encloses said transporting means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 21, wherein said sealing means comprises a soft cylindrical member which encloses said transporting means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, 9 or 12, wherein said collecting means is a reservoir for the developer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, 9 or 12 wherein said preventing means is interrelated with said transporting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, 9 or 12, wherein said helical member is a coil spring provided in said passage means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1, 9 or 12, wherein said passage means is located adjacent to a lateral end of the image bearing member.
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) | 1985-04-05 | 1985-10-05 | 1986-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-05 | 1989-10-05 | 1990-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-05 | 1993-10-05 | 1994-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |