US4394086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Particle containment apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-24
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Granted: 1983-07-19
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Expires: 2002-03-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which controls air flowing into and out of a chamber in a housing to minimize the escape of particles therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Hoffman, Jr.
- 👤 Richard A. Lux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/007; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0896; G03G15/0898
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for preventing particle contamination, including a moving member; a housing defining a chamber for storing the particles; and means, operatively associated with said housing, for defining a surface area extending in a direction substantially parallel to and spaced from said member with the length of the surface area parallel to said member being much greater than the space between the surface area of said defining means and said member so as to minimize air flow into and out of the chamber in said housing, thereby preventing the escape of particles from the chamber of said housing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for preventing particle contamination, including a moving member; a housing defining a chamber for storing the particles; and means, operatively associated with said housing, for defining a surface area extending in a direction substantially parallel to and spaced from said member with the length of the surface area parallel to said member being much greater than the space between the surface area of said defining means and said member so as to minimize air flow into and out of the chamber in said housing, thereby preventing the escape of particles from the chamber of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the surface area of said defining means to the space between the surface area of said defining means and said member ranges from about 10 to about 35.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the length of the surface area of said defining means is preferably about 60 millimeters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the space between the surface area of said defining means and said moving means is preferably about 2 millimeters.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claims 1 and 4, wherein said defining means includes a plate secured to said housing and arranged to extend in a direction outwardly from the chamber of said housing substantially parallel to and spaced from said member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having marking particles deposited on a moving photoconductive member in image configuration, wherein the improvement includes: a housing defining a chamber for storing at least the marking particles therein; and means, operatively associated with said housing, for defining a surface area extending in the direction substantially parallel to and spaced from the photoconductive member with the length of the surface parallel to the photoconductive member being much greater than the space between the surface area of said defining means and the photoconductive member so as to minimize air flow into and out of the chamber in said housing, thereby preventing the escape of marking particles from the chamber of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having marking particles deposited on a moving photoconductive member in image configuration, wherein the improvement includes: a housing defining a chamber for storing at least the marking particles therein; and means, operatively associated with said housing, for defining a surface area extending in the direction substantially parallel to and spaced from the photoconductive member with the length of the surface parallel to the photoconductive member being much greater than the space between the surface area of said defining means and the photoconductive member so as to minimize air flow into and out of the chamber in said housing, thereby preventing the escape of marking particles from the chamber of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A printing machine according to claim 6, wherein the ratio of the length of the surface area of said defining means to the space between the surface area of said defining means and the photoconductive member ranges from about 10 to about 35.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A printing machine according to claim 7, wherein the length of the surface area of said defining means is preferably about 60 millimeters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A printing machine according to claim 8, wherein the space between the surface area of said defining means and the photoconductive member is preferably about 2 millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A printing machine according to claims 6 and 9, wherein said defining means includes a plate secured to said housing and arranging to extend in a direction outwardly from the chamber of said housing substantially parallel to and spaced from the photoconductive member.
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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) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-01-17 | 1987-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-18 | 1991-01-17 | 1991-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-18 | 1995-01-17 | 1995-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |