US5012290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Increased transference of a toner image on to a copy sheet by using a zero tension loop applied after corotron transfer
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1990-08-01
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2010-08-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a printing machine of the type having a toner image interposed between a flexible member and a sheet. Specifically, the printer has a device for transferring the toner image from the flexible member to the sheet, an apparatus separating the sheet from the flexible member, and a device, located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means, for providing a relative motion between the sheet and flexible member so as to reduce electrostatic forces between the toner and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency. Specifically, the device for providing relative motion incorporates a device for creating a substantially non-tensioned condition in the flexible member and sheet. More particularly, the invention has apparatus for forming a non-tensioned buckle in the portion of the flexible member located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means so as to form the non-tensioned condition in the buckle portion of the flexible member and a tensioned condition in the remainder of the flexible member. More specifically, the non-tensioned buckle comprises a gripping device to hold the flexible member on the outside edges so as to maintain the non-tensioned buckle thus improving transfer efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Berkes
- 👤 Frank J. Bonsignore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6532; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0103; G03G2215/0119; G03G2215/0122; G03G2215/0135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A printing machine of a type having a toner image interposed between a flexible member and a sheet, including: means for transferring the toner image from the flexible member to the sheet; means for separating the sheet from the flexible member; and means, located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means, for providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printing machine of a type having a toner image interposed between a flexible member and a sheet, including: means for transferring the toner image from the flexible member to the sheet; means for separating the sheet from the flexible member; and means, located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means, for providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A printing machine according to claim 1, wherein said providing means comprises a means for creating a substantially non-tensioned condition in the flexible member and sheet so as to reduce electrostatic forces between the toner image and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A printing machine according to claim 2, wherein the creating means includes: means for forming a non-tensioned buckle in a portion of the flexible member located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means so as to form the non-tensioned condition in the buckle portion of the flexible member and a tensioned condition in a remainder of the flexible member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A printing machine according to claim 3, wherein the forming means further comprises means for gripping the flexible member on outside edges so as to maintain the non-tensioned buckle thus improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A printing machine according to claim 4, wherein said gripping means is at least one set of toothed gears, engaging perforations in the outside edges of the flexible member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A printing machine according to claim 4, wherein said gripping means is at least one set of pinch rollers engaging the outside edges of said flexible member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A printing machine according to claim 2, wherein said flexible member and sheet move through said transferring means in unison.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A printing machine according to claim 2, wherein said transferring means includes a corona generating device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A printing machine according to claim 2, wherein said transferring means includes an electrically biased transfer roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A printing machine according to claim 2, wherein said flexible member is a photoreceptor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of transferring a toner image from a flexible member to a sheet, comprising the steps of: placing a toner image onto the flexible member; bringing the sheet into contact with the flexible member; transferring the toner image from the flexible member to the sheet in contact therewith; and providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member while the sheet is in contact with the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency by reducing electrostatic charges between the toner image and flexible member.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of transferring a toner image from a flexible member to a sheet, comprising the steps of: placing a toner image onto the flexible member; bringing the sheet into contact with the flexible member; transferring the toner image from the flexible member to the sheet in contact therewith; and providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member while the sheet is in contact with the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency by reducing electrostatic charges between the toner image and flexible member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of transferring a toner image according to claim 11, wherein said providing step includes creating a substantially non-tensioned condition in the flexible member and sheet so as to reduce electrostatic forces between the toner and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency and enhancing conformance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of transferring a toner image according to claim 11, further comprising the step of separating the sheet from the flexible member after the step of creating the non-tensioned condition.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of transferring a toner image from a flexible member to a sheet, comprising the steps of: placing a toner image onto the flexible member; bringing the sheet into contact with the flexible member; transferring the toner image from the flexible member to the sheet in contact therewith; and providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency by reducing electrostatic charges between the sheet and flexible member, wherein the step of providing includes creating a substantially non-tensioned condition in the flexible member and sheet so as to reduce electrostatic charges between the toner and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency, wherein the step of creating comprises the step of forming a buckle in the portion of the flexible member located intermediate the step of transferring and the step of separating.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of transferring a toner image from a flexible member to a sheet, comprising the steps of: placing a toner image onto the flexible member; bringing the sheet into contact with the flexible member; transferring the toner image from the flexible member to the sheet in contact therewith; and providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency by reducing electrostatic charges between the sheet and flexible member, wherein the step of providing includes creating a substantially non-tensioned condition in the flexible member and sheet so as to reduce electrostatic charges between the toner and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency, wherein the step of creating comprises the step of forming a buckle in the portion of the flexible member located intermediate the step of transferring and the step of separating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of transferring a toner image according to claim 14, wherein the step of forming a buckle further comprises gripping the flexible member on outside edges so as to allow a non-tensioned buckle in one portion of the flexible member and a tensioned condition in a remainder of the flexible member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of transferring a toner image according to claim 15, wherein the step of gripping the flexible member further comprises meshing at least one set of toothed gears into perforations on the outside edges of the flexible member so as to provide the buckle for the forming step which provides the non-tensioned condition in the creating step.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of transferring a toner image according to claim 15, wherein the step of gripping the flexible member further comprises pressing at least one pair of resilient rollers onto the outside edges of the flexible member so as to provide the buckle for the forming step which provides the non-tensioned condition in the creating step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A color printing machine of a type having a plurality of different color toner images on a flexible member, including: means for transferring the color toner images from the flexible member to a sheet in contact therewith; means for separating the sheet from the flexible member; and means, located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means, for providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
A color printing machine of a type having a plurality of different color toner images on a flexible member, including: means for transferring the color toner images from the flexible member to a sheet in contact therewith; means for separating the sheet from the flexible member; and means, located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means, for providing relative motion between the sheet and the flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
A printing machine according to claim 18, wherein said providing means comprises a means, located intermediate the transferring means and separating means, for creating a substantially non-tensioned condition in the flexible member and sheet so as to reduce electrostatic charges between the toner image and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A printing machine according to claim 19, wherein the creating means includes: means for forming a non-tensioned buckle in a portion of the flexible member located intermediate the transferring means and the separating means so as to form the non-tensioned condition in the buckle portion of a flexible member and a tensioned condition in the remainder of the flexible member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A printing machine according to claim 20, wherein the forming means further comprises means for gripping the flexible member on outside edges for maintaining the buckle creating means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
A printing machine according to claim 21, wherein said gripping means is at least one set of toothed gears, engaging perforations in the outside edges of the flexible member, so as to maintain said buckle in said flexible member thus creating a non-tensioned condition between the toner image and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
A printing machine according to claim 21, wherein said gripping means is at least one set of pinch rollers engaging the outside edges of said flexible member so as to maintain said buckle in said flexible member thus creating a non-tensioned condition between the sheet and flexible member for improving transfer efficiency.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A printing machine according to claim 18, wherein said flexible member and sheet move through said transferring means in unison.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A printing machine according to claim 18, wherein said transferring means includes a corona generating device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A printing machine according to claim 18, wherein said transferring means includes an electrically biased transfer roller.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
A printing machine according to claim 18, wherein said flexible member is a photoreceptor.
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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) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |