US4761668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Highlight color printer
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1986-09-29
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Granted: 1988-08-02
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Expires: 2006-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for minimizing the contamination of one dry toner or developer by another dry toner or developer used for rendering visible latent electrostatic images formed on a charge retentive surface such as a photoconductive imaging member. The apparatus causes the otherwise contaminating dry toner or developer to be attracted to the charge retentive surface in its inter-document and outboard areas. The dry toner or developer so attracted is subsequently removed from the imaging member at the cleaning station.
Inventors
- 👤 Delmer G. Parker
- 👤 Howard M. Stark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0126; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0844; G03G15/0887
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Method of removing one of a plurality of dry toners from a developer housing used to render visible latent images contained on a charge retentive surface, said method including the steps of: moving said charge retentive surface with latent electrostatic images thereon past a plurality of developer housings; and placing electrostatic charges on non-image areas of said charge retentive surface and electrically biasing one of said developer housings to create an electrostatic field between said developer housing and said charge retentive surface for causing said one of said plurality of dry toners to be attracted to said charge retentive surface in said non-image areas while causing repulsion of another of said plurality of dry toners from said detoning member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Method of removing one of a plurality of dry toners from a developer housing used to render visible latent images contained on a charge retentive surface, said method including the steps of: moving said charge retentive surface with latent electrostatic images thereon past a plurality of developer housings; and placing electrostatic charges on non-image areas of said charge retentive surface and electrically biasing one of said developer housings to create an electrostatic field between said developer housing and said charge retentive surface for causing said one of said plurality of dry toners to be attracted to said charge retentive surface in said non-image areas while causing repulsion of another of said plurality of dry toners from said detoning member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 including the steps of moving the dry toner attracted to the non-image areas to a cleaning station and removing thereat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for removing one of a plurality of dry toners from one of a plurality of developer housings used to render visible latent images contained on a charge retentive surface, said apparatus comprising: a detoning member positioned adjacent and outside of said developer housing; means for creating an electrostatic field between one of said developer housings and said detoning member for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member; and means for moving said detoning member past said one of a plurality of developer housings for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member and transporting said one of a plurality of dry toners to a cleaning station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for removing one of a plurality of dry toners from one of a plurality of developer housings used to render visible latent images contained on a charge retentive surface, said apparatus comprising: a detoning member positioned adjacent and outside of said developer housing; means for creating an electrostatic field between one of said developer housings and said detoning member for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member; and means for moving said detoning member past said one of a plurality of developer housings for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member and transporting said one of a plurality of dry toners to a cleaning station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said detoning member comprises a charge retentive surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for creating an electrostatic field comprises means for varying the electrostatic charge on non-image areas of said charge retentive surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said electrostatic charge varying means comprises an electrostatic discharge device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein electrostatic charge varying means comprises a light source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
Image creation apparatus including structure for uniformly charging a charge retentive surface, discharging said surface to form latent images thereon and rendering said images visible through the application of dry toner contained in a plurality of developer housings, the improvement comprising: a detoning member positioned adjacent and outside of said developer housing; means for creating an electrostatic field between said developer housing and said detoning member for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member; and means for moving said detoning member past said one of a plurality of developer housings for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member and transporting said one of a plurality of dry toners to a cleaning station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
Image creation apparatus including structure for uniformly charging a charge retentive surface, discharging said surface to form latent images thereon and rendering said images visible through the application of dry toner contained in a plurality of developer housings, the improvement comprising: a detoning member positioned adjacent and outside of said developer housing; means for creating an electrostatic field between said developer housing and said detoning member for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member; and means for moving said detoning member past said one of a plurality of developer housings for causing said one of said plurality of toners to be attracted to said detoning member and causing repulsion of another of said plurality of toners from said detoning member and transporting said one of a plurality of dry toners to a cleaning station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said detoning member comprises a charge retentive surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for creating an electrostatic field comprises means for varying the electrostatic charge on non-image areas of said charge retentive surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said electrostatic charge varying means is positioned intermediate said developer housings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said electrostatic charge varying means comprises an electrostatic discharge device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein electrostatic charge varying means comprises a light source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for creating an electrostatic field comprises means for varying the electrical bias on said developer housing.
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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) | 1991-08-02 | 1992-02-01 | 1992-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-02 | 1996-02-01 | 1996-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-02 | 2000-02-01 | 2000-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |