US4609276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image formation apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1985-01-10
•
Granted: 1986-09-02
•
Expires: 2005-01-10
Abstract
Abstract An image formation apparatus includes an image bearing member, process device acting on the image bearing member, a process unit having the image bearing member and the process device integrally and removably mountable on the body of the apparatus, guide for guiding a sheet toward the image bearing member, and a support for supporting the guide so as to position the guide in relation to the process unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Morikazu Mitzutani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6555; G03G15/6558; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1628; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1814; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1606; G03G2221/1609; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1672; G03G2221/1675; G03G2221/1678; G03G2221/1687; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An image formation apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit including said image bearing member and said process means and removable and totally separable from a body of said apparatus; movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member; and support means for supporting said movable guide means so as to position said guide means in relation to said process unit when said process unit is mounted in an operative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image formation apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit including said image bearing member and said process means and removable and totally separable from a body of said apparatus; movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member; and support means for supporting said movable guide means so as to position said guide means in relation to said process unit when said process unit is mounted in an operative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means has a spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movable guide means is disposed on the body of said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means is disposed on the body of said apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide means is urged by an elastic member to contact said process unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
An image formation apparatus having a body dividable into a first support and a second support adapted to be opened and closed relation to one another, said first support being provided with an image bearing member, process means for acting on said image bearing member, and a contacting portion adjacent said image bearing member, said second support being provided with guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member, and support means for movably supporting said guide means, said guide means provided in said second support being positioned by said contacting portion provided in said first support when said first support and said second support are closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
An image formation apparatus having a body dividable into a first support and a second support adapted to be opened and closed relation to one another, said first support being provided with an image bearing member, process means for acting on said image bearing member, and a contacting portion adjacent said image bearing member, said second support being provided with guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member, and support means for movably supporting said guide means, said guide means provided in said second support being positioned by said contacting portion provided in said first support when said first support and said second support are closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said contacting portion is the frame member of said process unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image formation apparatus having a body dividable into a first support and a second support adapted to be opened and closed relative to one another, said apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit having said image bearing member and said process means, and removably mountable on the body of said apparatus; and locking means for positioning said process unit with respect to said body so that the lock of said process unit with respect to said body is released when said first support and said second support are opened.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image formation apparatus having a body dividable into a first support and a second support adapted to be opened and closed relative to one another, said apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit having said image bearing member and said process means, and removably mountable on the body of said apparatus; and locking means for positioning said process unit with respect to said body so that the lock of said process unit with respect to said body is released when said first support and said second support are opened.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said locking means has a riser portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image formation apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit having said image bearing member and said process means removably mountable on a body of said apparatus; movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member when in an operative position; and operating means for effecting the locking of said process unit to its mounted position in the body of said apparatus and the setting of said guide means to its operative position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image formation apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit having said image bearing member and said process means removably mountable on a body of said apparatus; movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member when in an operative position; and operating means for effecting the locking of said process unit to its mounted position in the body of said apparatus and the setting of said guide means to its operative position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said operating means has a lever.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said operating means has a cam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 6, 8 or 10, wherein said process means has a developing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 6, 8 or 10, wherein said process means has a short-focus small-diameter imaging element array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 6, 8 or 10, wherein said process means has a charger.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 6, 8 or 10, wherein said process means has a cleaner.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 6, 8 or 10, wherein said process means has separator means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 6, 8 or 10, wherein said process means has a transfer discharger.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 8 or 10, wherein said process unit has the image bearing member, a developing device, a cleaner and a charger.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 8 or 10, wherein said process unit has the image bearing member, a developing device, a cleaner, a charger and an array.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 8 or 10, wherein said process unit has the image bearing member, a developing device, separator means, a cleaner and a charger.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 8 or 10, wherein said process unit has the image bearing member and a developing device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 9 or 10, wherein said process unit has the image bearing member and a cleaner.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 8 or 10, wherein said process unit has the image bearing member, a developing device and a charger.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 1, 8 or 10, wherein said process unit has the image bearing member, a cleaner and a charger.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member: process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; and a contacting portion for contacting a positioning portion of movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet, said movable guide means being disposed on the body of the apparatus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member: process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; and a contacting portion for contacting a positioning portion of movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet, said movable guide means being disposed on the body of the apparatus.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process unit according to claim 26, wherein said process means has a developing device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process unit according to claim 26, wherein said process means has a charger.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process unit according to claim 26, wherein said process means has a short-focus small-diameter imaging element array.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process unit according to claim 26, wherein said process means has a cleaner.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process unit according to claim 26, wherein said process means has separator means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process unit according to claim 26, wherein said process means has a transfer discharger.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process unit according to claim 26, wherein said contacting portion is a portion of said support means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: (a) a process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, having an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; and a contacting portion; and (b) guide means movably disposed on the body of the apparatus for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit when said guide means is set in a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus: said contacting portion of the process unit contacting a positioning portion of said guide means so as to position said guide means in the predetermined setting position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: (a) a process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, having an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; and a contacting portion; and (b) guide means movably disposed on the body of the apparatus for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit when said guide means is set in a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus: said contacting portion of the process unit contacting a positioning portion of said guide means so as to position said guide means in the predetermined setting position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process unit removably mountable to a body of an image foramtion apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; and a transfer sheet guiding portion for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the image bearing member of the process unit, said guide portion being set in a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus when the process unit is set in the body of the apparatus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process unit removably mountable to a body of an image foramtion apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; and a transfer sheet guiding portion for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the image bearing member of the process unit, said guide portion being set in a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus when the process unit is set in the body of the apparatus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; a contacting portion for contacting a positioning portion of movable guide means disposed on the body of said apparatus; a transfer sheet guiding portion for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit when said guide portion is set in a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; a contacting portion for contacting a positioning portion of movable guide means disposed on the body of said apparatus; a transfer sheet guiding portion for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit when said guide portion is set in a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process unit according to claim 36, wherein said contacting portion and said transfer sheet guiding portion are disposed on the support means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process unit according to claim 36, wherein said guide means is urged by an elastic member to contact said contacting portion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
162 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: (a) a process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, having: an image bearing member: process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; a contacting portion; and a transfer sheet guiding portion for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit when said guiding portion is at a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus; and (b) guide means movably disposed on the body of the apparatus for guiding the transfer sheet to the transfer portion of the image bearing member of the process unit when said guide means is set in the predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus; said contacting portion of the process unit contacting a positioning portion of said guide means so as to position the guide means in the predetermined setting position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
162 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: (a) a process unit removably mountable to a body of an image formation apparatus, having: an image bearing member: process means for acting on said image bearing member; support means for supporting said image bearing member and said process means; a contacting portion; and a transfer sheet guiding portion for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit when said guiding portion is at a predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus; and (b) guide means movably disposed on the body of the apparatus for guiding the transfer sheet to the transfer portion of the image bearing member of the process unit when said guide means is set in the predetermined setting position in the body of the apparatus; said contacting portion of the process unit contacting a positioning portion of said guide means so as to position the guide means in the predetermined setting position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said contacting portion and said transfer sheet guiding portion are disposed on the support means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
172 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a body device having a first housing for supporting the whole apparatus; a second housing openable and closeable relative to the first housing and holding a process unit detachably; and guide means movably disposed on a body of the apparatus for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit which is set in a predetermined setting in the body of the apparatus; and the process unit having the image bearing member; process means for acting on the surface of the image bearing member; support means for supporting the image bearing member and the process means; and a contacting portion for contacting a positioning portion of movable guide means disposed on the body of said apparatus; said contacting portion of the process unit contacting the positioning portion of the guide means movably disposed on the body of the apparatus when both housings are closed relative to each other so as to position the guide means in a predetermined position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
172 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a body device having a first housing for supporting the whole apparatus; a second housing openable and closeable relative to the first housing and holding a process unit detachably; and guide means movably disposed on a body of the apparatus for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit which is set in a predetermined setting in the body of the apparatus; and the process unit having the image bearing member; process means for acting on the surface of the image bearing member; support means for supporting the image bearing member and the process means; and a contacting portion for contacting a positioning portion of movable guide means disposed on the body of said apparatus; said contacting portion of the process unit contacting the positioning portion of the guide means movably disposed on the body of the apparatus when both housings are closed relative to each other so as to position the guide means in a predetermined position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said guide means is disposed on the first housing and said process unit is removably mounted on the second housing.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
136 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a first housing for supporting the whole apparatus; a second housing openable and closable relative to the first housing; an image bearing member; process means for acting on the surface of the image bearing member; guide means movably disposed for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion at which the image is transferred from the image bearing member to a transfer sheet when said guide means is set in a predetermined setting position in a body of the apparatus; and a contacting portion disposed to contact a positioning portion of said guide means; said contacting portion contacting the positioning portion of the guide means when both housings are closed relative to each other so as to position the guide means in the predetermined setting position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
136 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a first housing for supporting the whole apparatus; a second housing openable and closable relative to the first housing; an image bearing member; process means for acting on the surface of the image bearing member; guide means movably disposed for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion at which the image is transferred from the image bearing member to a transfer sheet when said guide means is set in a predetermined setting position in a body of the apparatus; and a contacting portion disposed to contact a positioning portion of said guide means; said contacting portion contacting the positioning portion of the guide means when both housings are closed relative to each other so as to position the guide means in the predetermined setting position for guiding the transfer sheet.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said guide means is disposed on the first housing and said contacting portion is disposed on the second housing.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image formation apparatus according to claim 34 or 43, wherein said guide means is urged by an elastic member to contact said contacting portion.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a process unit setting portion disposed at a predetermined position in the apparatus body for removably supporting a process unit comprising an image bearing member, process means for acting on said image bearing member, and support means for supporting the image bearing member and the process means; and a transfer sheet guide movably mounted on the apparatus body for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit; a transfer sheet guiding portion disposed on said process unit for guiding the transfer sheet to the transfer portion of the process unit cooperating with said transfer sheet guide disposed on the apparatus body to guide the transfer sheet to the transfer portion of the process unit.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a process unit setting portion disposed at a predetermined position in the apparatus body for removably supporting a process unit comprising an image bearing member, process means for acting on said image bearing member, and support means for supporting the image bearing member and the process means; and a transfer sheet guide movably mounted on the apparatus body for guiding a transfer sheet to a transfer portion of the process unit; a transfer sheet guiding portion disposed on said process unit for guiding the transfer sheet to the transfer portion of the process unit cooperating with said transfer sheet guide disposed on the apparatus body to guide the transfer sheet to the transfer portion of the process unit.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
145 words
An image formation apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit including said image bearing member and said process means removable and totally separable from a process unit setting portion disposed inside of the apparatus body; movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member; support means for supporting said movable guide means so as to position said guide means in relation to said process unit when said process unit is mounted in an operative position; image forming means for forming on said image bearing member an image corresponding to image information; transfer means for transferring the image formed by means of said image forming means on the image bearing member onto a sheet; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred onto the sheet by means of said transfer means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
145 words
An image formation apparatus having: an image bearing member; process means for acting on said image bearing member; a process unit including said image bearing member and said process means removable and totally separable from a process unit setting portion disposed inside of the apparatus body; movable guide means for guiding a transported sheet toward said image bearing member; support means for supporting said movable guide means so as to position said guide means in relation to said process unit when said process unit is mounted in an operative position; image forming means for forming on said image bearing member an image corresponding to image information; transfer means for transferring the image formed by means of said image forming means on the image bearing member onto a sheet; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred onto the sheet by means of said transfer means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3666363A
Cited
US3985436A
Cited
US4254202A
Cited
JPS5519936A
Cited
US4376579A
Cited
US4386838A
Cited
US4378154A
Cited
US4327992A
Cited
US4335950A
Cited
JPS57189166A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |