US4470689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus and process unit
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1982-05-25
•
Granted: 1984-09-11
•
Expires: 2002-05-25
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a process kit removably mountable on the main body of an image formation apparatus and integrally having an image bearing member and a part or the whole of process device acting on the image bearing member, and an image formation apparatus using such kit. The image formation apparatus having an image bearing member, process device acting on the image bearing member, a process kit removably mountable on the main body of the apparatus and integrally having the image bearing member and the process device, and a cover movable to a first position for covering the surface of the image bearing member provided in the process kit and a second position retracted away from the first position. This specification also discloses a process kit removably mountable on the main body of the image formation apparatus and having an image bearing member, a cover movable to a first position for covering the surface of the image bearing member and a second position retracted away from the first position, and process device acting on the image bearing member.
Inventors
- 👤 Akihiro Nomura
- 👤 Shigeyoshi Onoda
- 👤 Fumio Nishino
- 👤 Shinji Kanemitsu
- 👤 Morikazu Mizutani
- 👤 Hiroshi Nitanda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:51
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1828; G03G21/1832; G03G15/00; G03G15/75; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1606; G03G2221/1609; G03G2221/1612; G03G2221/1648; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1669; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image receiving member, comprising: a main assembly; means forming a process unit, detachably mountable to said main assembly at a predetermined operating position thereof, for use in forming a said image on said receiving member, said process unit means including an image bearing member, processing means for acting on the image bearing member to form an image, a protection cover for protecting said image bearing member, and supporting means for supporting said cover for movement between a closed position wherein said protection cover covers said image bearing member and an open position wherein said protection cover is retracted from the closed position; said main assembly including operative means for cooperating with said processing means to complete a said image on the image receiving material; and actuating means for moving said protection cover to the closed position in association with separation of said process unit from said operative position on the main assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image receiving member, comprising: a main assembly; means forming a process unit, detachably mountable to said main assembly at a predetermined operating position thereof, for use in forming a said image on said receiving member, said process unit means including an image bearing member, processing means for acting on the image bearing member to form an image, a protection cover for protecting said image bearing member, and supporting means for supporting said cover for movement between a closed position wherein said protection cover covers said image bearing member and an open position wherein said protection cover is retracted from the closed position; said main assembly including operative means for cooperating with said processing means to complete a said image on the image receiving material; and actuating means for moving said protection cover to the closed position in association with separation of said process unit from said operative position on the main assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main assembly includes an upper part and a lower part, and said separation occurs between said process unit means and said lower part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main assembly includes in upper part and a lower part, and said separation is caused by lowering the lower part of the process unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said separation is caused by drawing the process unit means from the main assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said protection cover is biased by a spring provided in the process unit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said protection cover is biased by a spring provided in the process unit means, said spring rotationally biasing said cooperative member of said process unit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cooperative member is engageable with an arm provided in the main assembly usable with the process unit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cooperative member is engageable with a slot provided in a lever provided in the main assembly usable with the process unit means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes swingable arms,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means for said cover comprises rails.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer corona discharger disposed adjacent said process unit means at said predetermined position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image fixing means disposed adjacent said process unit means at said predetermined position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising roller means disposed adjacent said process unit means at said predetermined position for transporting the image receiving member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising dowels for moving when said process unit means is moved from said predetermined position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pin for moving when said process unit means is moved from said predetermined position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from mechanical damage to said image bearing member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from stain.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from receiving external light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
180 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image receiving member, comprising: a main assembly; means forming a process unit, detachably mountable to said main assembly at a predetermined operating position thereof, for use in forming a said image on said receiving member, said process unit means including an image bearing member, processing means for acting on the image bearing member to form an image, a protection cover for protecting said image bearing member, and supporting means for supporting said cover for movement between a closed position wherein said protection cover covers said image bearing member and an open position wherein said protection cover is retracted from the closed position; said main assembly including operative means for cooperating with said processing means to complete a said image on the image receiving material; and means for releasably preventing said process unit from being separated from said predetermined operating position; and means interrelated with said preventing means and said protection cover to move said protection cover to the closed position upon release of the preventing action by said preventing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
180 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image receiving member, comprising: a main assembly; means forming a process unit, detachably mountable to said main assembly at a predetermined operating position thereof, for use in forming a said image on said receiving member, said process unit means including an image bearing member, processing means for acting on the image bearing member to form an image, a protection cover for protecting said image bearing member, and supporting means for supporting said cover for movement between a closed position wherein said protection cover covers said image bearing member and an open position wherein said protection cover is retracted from the closed position; said main assembly including operative means for cooperating with said processing means to complete a said image on the image receiving material; and means for releasably preventing said process unit from being separated from said predetermined operating position; and means interrelated with said preventing means and said protection cover to move said protection cover to the closed position upon release of the preventing action by said preventing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said preventing means includes a lever.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a pair of actuating arms for moving when said process unit means is moved from said predetermined position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said supporting means includes swingable arms.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said supporting means for said cover includes rails.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a transfer corona discharger disposed adjacent said process unit means at said predetermined position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising image fixing means disposed adjacent said process unit means at said predetermined position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising roller means disposed adjacent said process unit means at said predetermined position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from mechanical damage to said image bearing member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from stain.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from receiving external light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus at a predetermined position thereof to enable image formation on an image receiving material, comprising: an image bearing member; processing means for acting on the image bearing member to form an image thereon in accordance with image information; a protection cover for protecting the image bearing member; supporting means for supporting said protection cover for movement between a closed position wherein said protection cover covers said image bearing member and an open position wherein said protection cover is retracted from the closed position; and actuating means for moving said protection cover to the closed position upon separation between said process unit and operative means of the main assembly.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus at a predetermined position thereof to enable image formation on an image receiving material, comprising: an image bearing member; processing means for acting on the image bearing member to form an image thereon in accordance with image information; a protection cover for protecting the image bearing member; supporting means for supporting said protection cover for movement between a closed position wherein said protection cover covers said image bearing member and an open position wherein said protection cover is retracted from the closed position; and actuating means for moving said protection cover to the closed position upon separation between said process unit and operative means of the main assembly.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein the main assembly of the image forming apparatus includes an upper part and a lower part and said separation occurs between said process unit and said lower part.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein said main assembly includes an upper part and a lower part, and said separation is caused by lowering the lower part of the process unit.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein said separation is caused by drawing the process unit out of the main assembly.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein said supporting means includes swingable arms.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein the supporting means for said cover includes rails.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process unit according to claim 30, further comprising dowels for moving when said process unit means is moved from said predetermined position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process unit according to claim 30, further comprising a pin for moving when said process unit means is moved from said predetermined position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from mechanical damage to said image bearing member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from stain.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process unit according to claim 30, wherein said protection cover protects said image bearing member from receiving external light.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image formation apparatus or the process unit according to claims 1, 19 and 30, wherein said cover is a protective cover for preventing the surface of said image bearing member from being injured.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image formation apparatus or the process unit according to claims 1, 19 and 30, wherein said cover is a light-intercepting cover for intercepting light to the surface of said image bearing member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3883242A
Cited
US3985436A
Cited
US3966316A
Cited
US4166692A
Cited
US4114998A
Cited
US4254202A
Cited
US4376577A
Cited
US4376579A
Cited
US4357095A
Cited
US4335950A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-11 | 1988-03-12 | 1988-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-11 | 1992-03-12 | 1992-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-11 | 1996-03-12 | 1996-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |