US4705388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining when a layer of tacky material present on a cleaning member needs to be rejuvenated
Assignee: Canon Production Printing Netherlands BV
•
Filing: 1986-05-08
•
Granted: 1987-11-10
•
Expires: 2006-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and a device are provided for determining the moment that a layer of tacky material needs to be rejuvenated. Typically, the layer is present on a cleaning member for removing contaminants such as paper dust and softened toner material from a fusing surface. The method includes measuring the light reflection value of the layer of tacky material, comparing the measured light reflection value with a reference value and rejuvenating the layer of tacky material as soon as the measured light reflection value differs by a predetermined value from the reference value. The device implements the method of the present invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. J. E. Huntjens
- 👤 Henricus G. J. M. Kockelmans
- 👤 Jozef J. A. Pleyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2017; G03G15/2025; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/16; G03G2215/1647; G03G2215/1657; G03G2215/1676; G03G2215/1695
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for determining when a layer of tacky material present on a cleaning member for removing contaminants needs to be rejuvenated comprising the steps of: (a) repeatedly measuring light reflected by the layer of tacky material; (b) generating a final value from the measured values; (c) comparing the final value with a reference value to determine whether the layer of tacky material requires rejuvenation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for determining when a layer of tacky material present on a cleaning member for removing contaminants needs to be rejuvenated comprising the steps of: (a) repeatedly measuring light reflected by the layer of tacky material; (b) generating a final value from the measured values; (c) comparing the final value with a reference value to determine whether the layer of tacky material requires rejuvenation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of repeatedly measuring the light reflected by the layer of tacky material comprises measuring the light reflected a fixed number of times so that the measurements occur at different areas of the surface of the layer of tacky material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising using the final value from a fresh layer of tacky material as a reference value and activating the rejuvenator if the difference between the final value and the reference value is equal to or greater than a predetermined fixed value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising using the final value from a previous determination as a reference value in the next determination and activating the rejuvenator if the difference between the final value and the reference value is smaller than or equal to a predetermined fixed value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising using the final value from a fresh layer of tacky material as a reference value and activating the rejuvenator if the difference between the final value and the reference value is equal to or greater than a predetermined fixed value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising using the final value from a previous determination as a reference value in the next determination and activating the rejuvenator if the difference between the final value and the reference value is smaller than or equal to a predetermined fixed value.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for cleaning a surface that has been put into contact with a softened thermoplastic material, comprising: (a) a cleaning member contacting the surface to be cleaned and being covered with a layer of tacky material for removing contaminants from the surface to be cleaned; (b) a rejuvenator for applying a fresh layer of tacky material onto the cleaning member; (c) a means for repeatedly measuring light reflected by the layer of tacky material present on the cleaning member; (d) a means for comparing the measured light reflection with a reference value and emitting a signal as soon as the difference between the measured value and the reference value is in a predetermined range to activate the rejuvenator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for cleaning a surface that has been put into contact with a softened thermoplastic material, comprising: (a) a cleaning member contacting the surface to be cleaned and being covered with a layer of tacky material for removing contaminants from the surface to be cleaned; (b) a rejuvenator for applying a fresh layer of tacky material onto the cleaning member; (c) a means for repeatedly measuring light reflected by the layer of tacky material present on the cleaning member; (d) a means for comparing the measured light reflection with a reference value and emitting a signal as soon as the difference between the measured value and the reference value is in a predetermined range to activate the rejuvenator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein the means for measuring the light reflected by the layer of tacky material comprises a light source connected to a current source and a switching means to interrupt the current to the light source between two successive measurements.
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) | 1990-11-09 | 1991-05-11 | 1991-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-09 | 1995-05-11 | 1995-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-09 | 1999-05-11 | 1999-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |