US4641948A — Method of and device for preventing disturbance o…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of preventing disturbance of an unfixed visible image in an image formation process wherein an electrostatic image on an electrostatic image bearing member is developed into a visible image with a developer, thereafter the developed visible image is electrostatically transferred to a transfer medium in contact therewith at a transfer station and then the transfer medium is mechanically separated from and conveyed away from the image bearing member, said method comprising the steps of disposing charge removing means having a plurality of distinct discharging portions so that the plurality of distinct discharging portions are adjacent to but spaced from the transfer medium as the transfer medium is conveyed away from the image bearing member and past the charge removing means, and maintaining the plurality of district discharging portions at a potential such that an electric field is created across the space between the transfer medium and the plurality of distinct discharging portions to electrically discharge the transfer medium and thereby prevent disturbance of the unfixed image on the transfer medium.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of preventing disturbance of an unfixed visible image in an image formation process wherein an electrostatic image on an electrostatic image bearing member is developed into a visible image with a developer, thereafter the developed visible image is electrostatically transferred to a transfer medium in contact therewith at a transfer station and then the transfer medium is mechanically separated from and conveyed away from the image bearing member, said method comprising the steps of disposing charge removing means having a plurality of distinct discharging portions so that the plurality of distinct discharging portions are adjacent to but spaced from the transfer medium as the transfer medium is conveyed away from the image bearing member and past the charge removing means, and maintaining the plurality of district discharging portions at a potential such that an electric field is created across the space between the transfer medium and the plurality of distinct discharging portions to electrically discharge the transfer medium and thereby prevent disturbance of the unfixed image on the transfer medium.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method according to claim 1, wherein said charge removing means includes a grounded electrode so that the charge on the surface of the transfer medium is discharged to said electrode.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said electrode has a toothed portion in which pointed tooth-like projections are arranged at predetermined intervals.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method according to claim 2, wherein said electrode has thin wires arranged thereon at predetermined intervals.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 165 words

A device for preventing disturbance of an unfixed visible image in an image formation apparatus wherein an electrostatic image on an electrostatic image bearing member is developed into a visible image with a developer, thereafter the developed visible image is electrostatically transferred to a transfer medium in contact therewith at a transfer station and then the transfer medium is mechanically separated from and conveyed away from the image bearing member, said device comprising: charge removing means having a plurality of distinct discharging portions which portions are disposed adjacent to but spaced from the transfer medium as the transfer medium is conveyed away from the image bearing member and past the charge removing means; and means for maintaining said plurality of distinct discharging portions at a potential such as to create an electric field across the space between the transfer medium and said plurality of distinct discharging portions to electrically discharge the transfer medium and thereby prevent disturbance of the unfixed image on the transfer medium.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 165 words

A device for preventing disturbance of an unfixed visible image in an image formation apparatus wherein an electrostatic image on an electrostatic image bearing member is developed into a visible image with a developer, thereafter the developed visible image is electrostatically transferred to a transfer medium in contact therewith at a transfer station and then the transfer medium is mechanically separated from and conveyed away from the image bearing member, said device comprising: charge removing means having a plurality of distinct discharging portions which portions are disposed adjacent to but spaced from the transfer medium as the transfer medium is conveyed away from the image bearing member and past the charge removing means; and means for maintaining said plurality of distinct discharging portions at a potential such as to create an electric field across the space between the transfer medium and said plurality of distinct discharging portions to electrically discharge the transfer medium and thereby prevent disturbance of the unfixed image on the transfer medium.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

A device according to claim 5, wherein said charge removing means includes a grounded electrode.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

A device according to claim 6, wherein said electrode of said charge removing means includes a plurality of discharging portions having a predetermined pitch.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 19 words

A device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of discharging portions of said electrode are each tooth shaped.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

A device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of discharging portions of said electrode are each a thin wire.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device according to claim 7, wherein the pitch of each of said plurality of discharging portions of said electrode is 15 mm or less.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device according to claim 8, wherein the tip angle of each of said plurality of discharging portions of said electrode is 110° or less.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

A device according to claim 5, wherein said charge removing means includes a plurality of grounded electrodes.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

A device according to claim 5, further comprising a guide member provided between said charge removing means and the transfer medium.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

A device according to claim 13, wherein said guide member is in a screen-like form.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 12 words

A device according to claim 13, wherein said guide member is insulative.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 19 words

A device according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of grounded electrodes are disposed adjacent to the transfer medium.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

A device according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of grounded electrodes are disposed such that the transfer medium is conveyed therebetween.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

A device according to claim 12, wherein the discharging portions of said plurality of electrodes have different contours, respectively.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

A device according to claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of grounded electrodes includes a plurality of discharging portions having a predetermined pitch.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-02-09	1990-08-11	1991-02-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-02-09	1994-08-11	1995-02-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-02-09	1998-08-11	1999-02-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of and device for preventing disturbance of unfixed visible image

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