US4788573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1987-05-15
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2007-05-15
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a corona discharging device having a cleaner for cleaning a corona discharging wire and is removably mountable in an operative position. Further, an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge containing therein at least a corona discharging device functioning as image formation processor is provided with a cleaner for cleaning a corona discharging wire removably mountable therein. When the corona discharging device or the cartridge is to be mounted in the image forming apparatus, and when the cleaner is not positioned at a predetermined position in the corona discharging device or at a predetermined position in the cartridge, a stopper provided on the image forming apparatus side is brought into engagement with the cleaner to thereby relatively move the cleaner to the predetermined position in the corona discharging device or the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaki Nakaoka
- 👤 Tadashi Yagi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:33
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G15/00; G03G15/02; G03G15/0258; G03G15/0291; G03G21/20; G03G21/206; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1606; G03G2221/1609; G03G2221/1669; G03G2221/1693; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a removably mountable corona discharging device having a corona discharging electrode and cleaning means for cleaning said corona discharging electrode; guide means for guiding said corona discharging device when said corona discharging device is removably mounted in an operative position; and stopper means adapted to be engaged with said cleaning means and to move said cleaning means relative to said corona discharging electrode in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of said corona discharging device when said corona discharging device is mounted in said operative position and when said cleaning means is not positioned at a predetermined position in said corona discharging device, thereby to move said cleaning means to said predetermined position, said stopper means being disposed inside of a containing portion for containing said corona discharging device therein; wherein said cleaning means is contained in said containing portion when said corona discharging device is mounted at said operative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a removably mountable corona discharging device having a corona discharging electrode and cleaning means for cleaning said corona discharging electrode; guide means for guiding said corona discharging device when said corona discharging device is removably mounted in an operative position; and stopper means adapted to be engaged with said cleaning means and to move said cleaning means relative to said corona discharging electrode in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of said corona discharging device when said corona discharging device is mounted in said operative position and when said cleaning means is not positioned at a predetermined position in said corona discharging device, thereby to move said cleaning means to said predetermined position, said stopper means being disposed inside of a containing portion for containing said corona discharging device therein; wherein said cleaning means is contained in said containing portion when said corona discharging device is mounted at said operative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning means of said corona discharging device is movable lengthwise relative to said corona discharging electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further including spacing means for spacing the cleaning portion of said cleaning means apart from said corona discharging electrode when said cleaning means of said corona discharging device is positioned at said predetermined position in said corona discharging device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further having a movable image bearing member subjected to a corona discharging process and wherein said guide means supports said corona discharging device for movement in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement of said image bearing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when said cleaning means is not positioned at said predetermined position, said stopper means is engaged with said cleaning means in the course of movement of said corona discharging device toward said operative position to thereby stop and hold said cleaning means at said predetermined position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a removably mountable cartridge having image formation process means provided with at least corona discharging means with a corona discharge electrode and cleaning means for cleaning said corona discharging electrode; guide means for guiding said cartridge when said cartridge is mounted and dismounted with respect to said image forming apparatus; and stopper means adapted to be engaged with said cleaning means and to move said cleaning means relative to said corona discharging electrode in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of said cartridge when said cartridge is mounted in said image forming apparatus when said cleaning means is not positioned at a predetermined position in said cartridge, thereby to move said cleaning means to said predetermined position, said stopper means being disposed inside of a containing portion for containing said cartridge therein; wherein said cleaning means is contained in said containing portion when said cartridge is mounted in said image forming apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a removably mountable cartridge having image formation process means provided with at least corona discharging means with a corona discharge electrode and cleaning means for cleaning said corona discharging electrode; guide means for guiding said cartridge when said cartridge is mounted and dismounted with respect to said image forming apparatus; and stopper means adapted to be engaged with said cleaning means and to move said cleaning means relative to said corona discharging electrode in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of said cartridge when said cartridge is mounted in said image forming apparatus when said cleaning means is not positioned at a predetermined position in said cartridge, thereby to move said cleaning means to said predetermined position, said stopper means being disposed inside of a containing portion for containing said cartridge therein; wherein said cleaning means is contained in said containing portion when said cartridge is mounted in said image forming apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said cartridge has a slit-like opening parallel to said corona discharging electrode, and said cleaning means is supported by said cartridge for movement along said slit-like opening lengthwise relative to said corona discharging electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said cartridge has a light-intercepting sheet member along said slit-like opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further including spacing means for spacing the cleaning portion of said cleaning means apart from said corona discharging electrode when said cleaning means is positioned at said predetermined position in said cartridge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein said guide means supports said cartridge for movement relative to said image forming apparatus lengthwise relative to said corona discharging electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when said cleaning means is not positioned at said predetermined position, said stopper means is engaged with said cleaning means in the course of insertion of said cartridge into said image forming apparatus to thereby stop and hold said cleaning means at said predetermined position.
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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) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |