US4918482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-23
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Granted: 1990-04-17
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Expires: 2008-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus superposes an image receiving sheet on a light receiving sheet and presses them together such that a selectively hardened image formed on the light receiving sheet is transferred to the image receiving sheet to form a visible image. The used portion of the light receiving sheet is wound up around a take-up shaft after separated from the image receiving sheet by means of a separator. A retracting mechanism is provided to the separator such that the separator is retracted from the normal position on the travel path of the light receiving sheet when the front end of the light receiving sheet is initially wound around the take-up shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuru Ogura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/587; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/002; G03F7/0022; G03B2227/00; G03B2227/32; G03B2227/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In an image forming apparatus for forming a visible image by superposing an image receiving sheet on a light receiving sheet, said light receiving sheet having a selectively hardened image formed thereon and pressing said sheets together to transfer said selectively hardened image onto said image receiving sheet, said apparatus including take-up means for causing said light receiving sheet to travel along a take-up path to be wound up around a take-up shaft, the improvement wherein said image forming apparatus further includes a separator disposed normally on said take-up path for separating said image receiving sheet from said light receiving sheet after said image is transferred, retracting means for retracting said separator from said take-up path, and a control unit which activates said retracting means after ascertaining that a new cartridge containing unused light receiving sheet has been inserted into said apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an image forming apparatus for forming a visible image by superposing an image receiving sheet on a light receiving sheet, said light receiving sheet having a selectively hardened image formed thereon and pressing said sheets together to transfer said selectively hardened image onto said image receiving sheet, said apparatus including take-up means for causing said light receiving sheet to travel along a take-up path to be wound up around a take-up shaft, the improvement wherein said image forming apparatus further includes a separator disposed normally on said take-up path for separating said image receiving sheet from said light receiving sheet after said image is transferred, retracting means for retracting said separator from said take-up path, and a control unit which activates said retracting means after ascertaining that a new cartridge containing unused light receiving sheet has been inserted into said apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said separator has a wedge-like front end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus of claim 2 wherein said separator is rotatably supported and is attached to a biasing means which tends to normally keep said wedge-like front end of said separator on said take-up path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus of claim 3 wherein said retracting means include a solenoid which, when activated, serves to rotate said separator against said biasing means to thereby retract said separator away from said take-up path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an image forming apparatus for forming a visible image by superposing an image receiving sheet on a light receiving sheet, said light receiving sheet having a selectively hardened image formed thereon and pressing said sheets together to transfer said selectively hardened image onto said image receiving sheet, said apparatus including take-up means for causing said light receiving sheet to travel along a take-up path to be wound up around a take-up shaft, the improvement wherein said image forming apparatus further includes a separator having a wedge-like front end and being rotatably supported around a fixed axis, a biasing means for normally keeping said separator in a sheet-separating position on said take-up path for separating said image receiving sheet from said light receiving sheet after said image is transferred, and retracting means for retracting said separator from said take-up path when said front end is not serving to separate said sheets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an image forming apparatus for forming a visible image by superposing an image receiving sheet on a light receiving sheet, said light receiving sheet having a selectively hardened image formed thereon and pressing said sheets together to transfer said selectively hardened image onto said image receiving sheet, said apparatus including take-up means for causing said light receiving sheet to travel along a take-up path to be wound up around a take-up shaft, the improvement wherein said image forming apparatus further includes a separator having a wedge-like front end and being rotatably supported around a fixed axis, a biasing means for normally keeping said separator in a sheet-separating position on said take-up path for separating said image receiving sheet from said light receiving sheet after said image is transferred, and retracting means for retracting said separator from said take-up path when said front end is not serving to separate said sheets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image forming apparatus of claim 5 further including a control unit which activates said retracting means after ascertaining that a new cartridge containing unused light receiving sheet has been inserted into said apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus of claim 5 wherein said retracting means include a solenoid which, when activated, serves to rotate said separator against said biasing means to thereby retract said separator away from said take-up path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-16 | 1993-10-16 | 1994-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-16 | 1997-10-16 | 1998-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-16 | 2001-10-16 | 2002-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |