Vacuum coupling arrangement for applying vibratory motion to a flexible planar member

Claim 2

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface, moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet in contact with said charge retentive surface, and means for enhancing transfer of said developed image to said copy sheet, said transfer enhancing means including: a resonator, producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the non-rigid member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof; a vacuum source; a vacuum box, substantially enclosing said resonator portion, having an opening adjacent the non-rigid member through which said resonator portion may contact the non-rigid member, upstream and downstream enclosure walls adapted for contact across the non-rigid member generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, and an outlet port for connecting said vacuum box to said vacuum source; said upstream and downstream enclosure walls and said resonator portion extending to approximately a common plane; said vacuum source providing sufficient force at said vacuum box opening to draw the non-rigid member into engagement with said upstream and downstream enclosure walls and said resonator portion; and means for driving the resonator to produce relatively high frequency vibratory energy.

Claim 3

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the non-rigid member has an exterior charge retentive surface, upon which a developed toner image is supported, and an interior surface, on the opposite side thereof, and said resonator is arranged for coupling to said interior surface of said charge retentive surface.

Claim 4

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said resonator includes a piezoelectric device.

Claim 5

The device as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for driving the resonator to produce relatively high frequency vibratory energy includes an A.C. voltage supply is driven at a frequency in the range of 20 kHz to 200 kHz.

Claim 6

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet includes a transfer corotron, and said resonator is positioned within an electrostatic transfer field created at said corotron.

Claim 9

The device as defined in claim 6 wherein the member has an exterior charge retentive surface, and an interior surface, on the opposite side thereof, and said resonator is arranged for contact with said interior surface of the member.

Claim 10

The device as defined in claim 6 wherein said resonator includes a piezoelectric device.

Claim 11

The device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for driving the resonator to produce relatively high frequency vibratory energy includes an A.C. voltage supply is driven at a frequency in the range of 20 kHz to 200 kHz.

Claim 12

The device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet includes a transfer corotron, and said resonator is positioned within an electrostatic transfer field created at said corotron.

Claim 13

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface, moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet in contact with said charge retentive surface, and means for enhancing transfer of said developed image to said copy sheet, said transfer enhancing means including: a vibratory energy source; a horn for transmitting vibratory energy from said source to said flexible member, including a horn portion adapted for contact with therewith; a vacuum source; means for substantially enclosing said horn portion, said enclosing means having an opening adjacent the non-rigid member, said enclosure having at least one wall adapted for contact across the non-rigid member generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, and an outlet port for connecting said enclosure to said vacuum source; said at least one enclosure wall and said resonator portion extending to approximately a common plane; said vacuum source providing sufficient force at said enclosure means to draw the non-rigid member into engagement with said at least one enclosure wall and said horn portion.

Claim 14

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface, moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet in contact with said charge retentive surface, and means for enhancing transfer of said developed image to said copy sheet, said transfer enhancing means including: a vibratory energy source; a horn for transmitting vibratory energy from said source to said flexible member, including a horn portion adapted for contact with therewith; a vacuum source; means for substantially enclosing said horn portion, said enclosing means having an opening adjacent the non-rigid member, said enclosure having at least one wall adapted for contact across the non-rigid member generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, and an outlet port for connecting said enclosure to said vacuum source; said at least one enclosure wall and said resonator portion extending to approximately a common plane; said vacuum source providing sufficient force at said enclosure means to draw the non-rigid member into engagement with said at least one enclosure wall and said horn portion.

Claim 15

The device as defined in claim 11 wherein the non-rigid member has an exterior charge retentive surface, and an interior surface, on the opposite side thereof, and said horn is arranged for contact with said interior surface of the non-rigid member.

Claim 16

The device as defined in claim 11 wherein said vibratory energy source includes a piezoelectric device.

Claim 17

The device as defined in claim 11 wherein said vibratory energy source includes an A.C. voltage supply is driven at a frequency in the range of 50 kHz to 120 kHz.

Claim 18

The device as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet includes a transfer corotron, and said resonator is positioned within an electrostatic transfer field created at said corotron.

Claim 19

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet in contact with said charge retentive surface, means for cleaning residual toner remaining after transfer from the charge retentive surface, and means for applying vibratory energy to the non-rigid member to cause mechanical release of toner therefrom, including: a resonator, producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the non-rigid member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof; a vacuum source; a vacuum box, substantially enclosing said resonator portion, having an opening adjacent the non-rigid member through which said resonator portion may contact the non-rigid member, upstream and downstream enclosure walls adapted for contact across the non-rigid member generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, and an outlet port for connecting said vacuum box to said vacuum source; said upstream and downstream enclosure walls and said resonator portion extending to approximately a common plane; said vacuum source providing sufficient force at said vacuum box opening to draw the non-rigid member into engagement with said upstream and downstream enclosure walls and said resonator portion; and means for driving the resonator to produce relatively high frequency vibratory energy.

Claim 20

In an imaging device having a non-rigid member with a charge retentive surface moving along an endless path, means for creating a latent image on the charge retentive surface, means for imagewise developing the latent image with toner, means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet in contact with said charge retentive surface, means for cleaning residual toner remaining after transfer from the charge retentive surface, and means for applying vibratory energy to the non-rigid member to cause mechanical release of toner therefrom, including: a resonator, producing relatively high frequency vibratory energy, and having a portion thereof adapted for contact across the non-rigid member, generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof; a vacuum source; a vacuum box, substantially enclosing said resonator portion, having an opening adjacent the non-rigid member through which said resonator portion may contact the non-rigid member, upstream and downstream enclosure walls adapted for contact across the non-rigid member generally transverse to the direction of movement thereof, and an outlet port for connecting said vacuum box to said vacuum source; said upstream and downstream enclosure walls and said resonator portion extending to approximately a common plane; said vacuum source providing sufficient force at said vacuum box opening to draw the non-rigid member into engagement with said upstream and downstream enclosure walls and said resonator portion; and means for driving the resonator to produce relatively high frequency vibratory energy.

Claim 21

The device as defined in claim 16 wherein said resonator includes a piezoelectric device.

Claim 22

The device as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for driving the resonator to produce relatively high frequency vibratory energy includes an A.C. voltage supply is driven at a frequency in the range of 50 kHz to 120 kHz.

Claim 23

The device as defined in claim 16 wherein said non-rigid member charge retentive surface, upon which a developed toner image is supported, and an interior surface, on the opposite side thereof, and said resonator is arranged for coupling to said interior surface of said non-rigid member.

Claim 24

The device as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for electrostatically transferring the developed toner image to a copy sheet includes a transfer corotron, and said resonator is positioned for contact with said flexible member within an electrostatic transfer field created at said corotron.

Claim 25

The device as defined in claim 16 wherein said resonator is positioned closely adjacent and preceding the means for cleaning residual toner remaining after transfer from the charge retentive surface.