US4728982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-21
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Granted: 1988-03-01
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Expires: 2005-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus provided with a blank exposure device. The blank exposure device includes a plurality of light sources, each of which exhibits a light directivity. The light emitted from the directive portion is effective to electrically discharge the non-imaging area of the image bearing surface. Only adjacent to that side of each of the light emitting sources, such as light emitting diodes, which is nearer to the imaging area of the image bearing member, there is provided a light blocking member to block the light emitted from the marginal portion of the light-directive portion of the light emitting element.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukio Takemura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:24
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G03G15/045; G03G15/047; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/04; G03G2215/0429; G03G2215/0431; G03G2215/0434; G03G2215/0436; G03G2215/0439; G03G2215/0443; G03G2215/0446; G03G2215/0448; G03G2215/0451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An illumination device for use with an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member having an imaging area and a non-imaging area, comprising: a plurality of light sources disposed opposed to a surface of the image bearing member for removing electric charge from the non-imaging area of the image bearing member, said light sources each having a portion exhibiting a light directivity; a plurality of light blocking members, each disposed adjacent that side of said light source which is near the imaging area of the image bearing member, for blocking the light emitted from a marginal zone of the light directive portion of the light source but allowing the light emitted from the light directive portion away from the light blocking member to pass, each of said light blocking members having an inclined portion which extends in a direction crossing with a direction perpendicular to the image bearing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An illumination device for use with an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member having an imaging area and a non-imaging area, comprising: a plurality of light sources disposed opposed to a surface of the image bearing member for removing electric charge from the non-imaging area of the image bearing member, said light sources each having a portion exhibiting a light directivity; a plurality of light blocking members, each disposed adjacent that side of said light source which is near the imaging area of the image bearing member, for blocking the light emitted from a marginal zone of the light directive portion of the light source but allowing the light emitted from the light directive portion away from the light blocking member to pass, each of said light blocking members having an inclined portion which extends in a direction crossing with a direction perpendicular to the image bearing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said light sources includes light emitting diodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein a distance D 3 measured in a direction perpendicular to the image bearing member between a light emitting source of the light emitting diode and a free end of the light blocking member, and a distance D 4 between the free end of the light blocking member and the image bearing member, satisfy D 3 >D 4 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the light blocking member is disposed adjacent a boundary between the imaging area and the non-imaging area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said light blocking member has a mirrored surface facing the light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 2, further comprising a member for supporting the light emitting diodes which are integral with the supporting member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said light blocking member extends perpendicularly to the image bearing member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said light sources includes a single light emitting element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said light sources includes a plurality of light emitting elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
An image forming device, comprising: an image bearing member having an imaging area and a non-imaging area; a plurality of light sources disposed opposed to a surface of the image bearing member for removing electric charge from the non-imaging area of the image bearing member, said light sources each having a portion exhibiting a light directivity; a plurality of light blocking members, each disposed adjacent that side of said light source which is near the imaging area of the image bearing member, for blocking the light emitted from a marginal zone of the light directive portion of the light source but allowing the light emitted from the light directive portion away from the light blocking member to pass, each of said light blocking members having an inclined portion which extends in a direction crossing with a direction perpendicular to the image bearing member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
143 words
An image forming device, comprising: an image bearing member having an imaging area and a non-imaging area; a plurality of light sources disposed opposed to a surface of the image bearing member for removing electric charge from the non-imaging area of the image bearing member, said light sources each having a portion exhibiting a light directivity; a plurality of light blocking members, each disposed adjacent that side of said light source which is near the imaging area of the image bearing member, for blocking the light emitted from a marginal zone of the light directive portion of the light source but allowing the light emitted from the light directive portion away from the light blocking member to pass, each of said light blocking members having an inclined portion which extends in a direction crossing with a direction perpendicular to the image bearing member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said light sources includes light emitting diodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein a distance D 3 measured in a direction perpendicular to the image bearing member between a light emitting source of the light emitting diode and a free end of the light blocking member, and a distance D 4 between the free end of the light blocking member and the image bearing member, satisfy D 3 >D 4 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein the light blocking member is disposed adjacent a boundary between the imaging area and the non-imaging area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said light blocking member has a mirrored surface facing the light source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 11, further comprising a member for supporting the light emitting diodes which are integral with the supporting member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said light blocking member extends perpendicularly to the image bearing member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein each of said light sources includes a single light emitting element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device aocording to claim 10, wherein each of said light sources includes a plurality of light emitting elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
124 words
An illuminating device for illuminating an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus comprising: a base plate; an array of light emitting diodes mounted on said base plate at regular intervals; and a rectangular box-shaped member fixed to said base plate and having a frame and plural light blocking members extending from the frame at the regular intervals, the frame and the light blocking members defining cavities, each cavity containing one of said light emitting diodes, wherein a distance between a light emitting portion of one of said light emitting diodes and an end of an associated light blocking member nearest the image bearing member is larger than a distance between said end of said light blocking member and the image bearing member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
124 words
An illuminating device for illuminating an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus comprising: a base plate; an array of light emitting diodes mounted on said base plate at regular intervals; and a rectangular box-shaped member fixed to said base plate and having a frame and plural light blocking members extending from the frame at the regular intervals, the frame and the light blocking members defining cavities, each cavity containing one of said light emitting diodes, wherein a distance between a light emitting portion of one of said light emitting diodes and an end of an associated light blocking member nearest the image bearing member is larger than a distance between said end of said light blocking member and the image bearing member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein said light blocking member has portions inclined from normal to the image bearing 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) | 1991-03-01 | 1991-08-31 | 1992-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-01 | 1995-08-31 | 1996-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-01 | 1999-08-31 | 2000-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |