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US4827308A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process unit for an imaging apparatus

Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1987-12-10
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Granted: 1989-05-02
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Expires: 2007-12-10
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Abstract

Abstract A process unit which can be removably mounted in a main assembly of an electrostatographic copying machine. The unit comprises a housing enclosing an imaging member and, optionally, other processing means such as a development device, a cleaner, and a charge corotron. The transfer corotron, for transferring a toner image from the photoreceptor to a copy sheet is incorporated in the cassette housing, thus avoiding the need to provide a separate movable cover to protect the imaging member from contamination, physical damage, and light exposure when the cassette is removed from the main assembly of the copier.

Inventors

  • 👤 Alan C. R. Howard
  • 👤 David M. Newbury

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 18:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1828; G03G21/1832; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1638; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1606; G03G2221/1609; G03G2221/1615; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1693; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 52 words
A process unit adapted to be removably mounted in a main assembly of an electrostatographic reproducing the unit comprising a housing, an imaging member inside the housing, and a charging device for transferring an image from the imaging member to a copy sheet, the transfer charging device forming part of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 52 words
A process unit adapted to be removably mounted in a main assembly of an electrostatographic reproducing the unit comprising a housing, an imaging member inside the housing, and a charging device for transferring an image from the imaging member to a copy sheet, the transfer charging device forming part of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 46 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has an aperture adjacent the transfer charging device through which aperture a copy sheet may enter the process unit, the housing further comprising an integral guide member for guiding the copy sheet to the aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging device shields and protects the imaging member when the unit is removed from the main assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the charging device is a corotron comprising a shield, the guide member being formed integrally with said shield.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 57 words
An electrostatographic reproducing machine comprising a main assembly, and a process unit adapted to be removably mounted in said main assembly, said unit comprising a housing, an imaging member inside the housing, and a charging device for transferring an image from the imaging member to a copy sheet, the transfer charging device forming part of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 57 words
An electrostatographic reproducing machine comprising a main assembly, and a process unit adapted to be removably mounted in said main assembly, said unit comprising a housing, an imaging member inside the housing, and a charging device for transferring an image from the imaging member to a copy sheet, the transfer charging device forming part of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 46 words
A reproducing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing has an aperture adjacent the transfer charging device through which aperture a copy sheet may enter the process unit, the housing further comprising an integral guide member for guiding the copy sheet to the aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
A reproducing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the charging device is a corotron comprising a shield, the guide member being formed integrally with said shield.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
A reproducing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the charging device shields and protects the imaging member when the unit is removed from the main assembly.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3985436A Cited
US4470689A Cited
US4462677A Cited
US4609276A Cited
US4511237A Cited
US4530588A Cited
US4607941A Cited
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JPS61251868A Cited
JPH06197663A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-05-01 1992-10-31 1993-05-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-05-01 1996-10-31 1997-05-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-05-01 2000-10-31 2001-05-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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