US4914482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet transport system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1989-02-06
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Granted: 1990-04-03
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Expires: 2009-02-06
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which transports a sheet through a transfer station to transfer an image from an image receiving member thereto. A stationary member has at least a portion thereof positioned closely adjacent the image receiving member to define a transfer zone therebetween. A substantial portion of the sheet is vacuum tacked to the transfer member. The sheet is moved relative to the transfer member to advance through the transfer zone so that the image is transferred from the image receiving member to the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert H. Ammenheuser
- 👤 Joseph Fantuzzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1665; G03G15/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for transporting a sheet through a transfer station to transfer an image from an image receiving member thereto, including: a stationary transfer member having at least a portion thereof positioned closely adjacent the image receiving member to define a transfer zone therebetween; means for vacuum tacking a substantial portion of the sheet to said transfer member; and means for moving the sheet relative to said transfer member to advance the sheet through the transfer zone to transfer the image from the receiving member to the sheet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for transporting a sheet through a transfer station to transfer an image from an image receiving member thereto, including: a stationary transfer member having at least a portion thereof positioned closely adjacent the image receiving member to define a transfer zone therebetween; means for vacuum tacking a substantial portion of the sheet to said transfer member; and means for moving the sheet relative to said transfer member to advance the sheet through the transfer zone to transfer the image from the receiving member to the sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further including means, associated with said moving means, for placing the sheet in registration with the image on the image receiving member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said placing means detachably couples said moving means to the image receiving member with said moving means being decoupled from the image receiving member over a portion of the path of movement to move independently thereof and being coupled thereto over a portion of the the path of movement thereof to place the sheet in registration with image on the image receiving member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said transfer member includes a drum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which the image receiving member is a photoconductive drum, wherein the diameter of the photoconductive drum is substantially equal to the diameter of said transfer drum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said moving means includes: a sheet gripper; and means for advancing the sheet gripper about the exterior surface of said transfer drum in a recirculating path of movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said placing means includes: a protuberance extending outwardly from said sheet gripper; and an aperture in the photoconductive drum adapted to mesh with the protuberance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further including means for transferring the image from the photoconductive drum to the sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said transferring means includes at least one electrically biased roller mounted on said transfer drum in the transfer zone to establish an electrical transfer field for transferring the image from the photoconductive drum to the sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said sheet gripper transports the sheet through a recirculating path to transfer a plurality of images, in superimposed registration with one another, from the photoconductive drum to the sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a toner image developed on a moving photoconductive member with a sheet being advanced into registration with the toner image developed on the photoconductive member, including: a stationary transfer member having at least a portion thereof positioned closely adjacent the photoconductive member to define a transfer zone therebetween; means for vacuum tacking a substantial portion of the sheet to said transfer member; and means for moving the sheet relative to said transfer member to advance the sheet through the transfer zone to transfer the toner image from the photoconductive member to the sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a toner image developed on a moving photoconductive member with a sheet being advanced into registration with the toner image developed on the photoconductive member, including: a stationary transfer member having at least a portion thereof positioned closely adjacent the photoconductive member to define a transfer zone therebetween; means for vacuum tacking a substantial portion of the sheet to said transfer member; and means for moving the sheet relative to said transfer member to advance the sheet through the transfer zone to transfer the toner image from the photoconductive member to the sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A printing machine according to claim 11, further including means, associated with said moving means, for placing the sheet in registration with the toner image on the photoconductive member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A printing machine according to claim 12, wherein said placing means detachably couples said moving means to the photoconductive member with said moving means being decoupled from the photoconductive member over a portion of the path of movement to move independently thereof and being coupled thereto over a portion of the path of movement thereof to place the sheet in registration with the toner image on the photoconductive member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said transfer member includes a drum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A printing machine according to claim 14 in which the photoconductive member is a photoconductive drum, wherein the diameter of the photoconductive drum is substantially equal to the diameter of said transfer drum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A printing machine according to claim 15, wherein said moving means includes: a sheet gripper; and means for advancing the sheet gripper about the exterior surface of said transfer drum in a recirculating path of movement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A printing machine according to claim 16, wherein said placing means includes: a protuberance extending outwardly from said sheet gripper; and an aperture in the photoconductive drum adapted to mesh with said protuberance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A printing machine according to claim 17, further including means for transferring the toner image from the photoconductive drum to the sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A printing machine according to claim 18, wherein said transferring means includes at least one electrically biased roller mounted on said transfer drum in the transfer zone to establish an electrical transfer field for transferring the toner image from the photoconductive drum to the sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
A printing machine according to claim 19, wherein said sheet gripper transports the sheet through a recirculating path to transfer a plurality of toner images, in superimposed registration with one another, from the photoconductive drum to the sheet.
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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) | 1993-04-02 | 1993-10-02 | 1994-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-02 | 1997-10-02 | 1998-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-02 | 2001-10-02 | 2002-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |