US5028959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum collection system for dirt management
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1988-12-22
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Granted: 1991-07-02
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Expires: 2008-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A copier/printer having a transfer station for transferring images from an imaging member to copy sheets includes the improvement of removing debris from within the copier/printer by locating baffles and vacuum ports within the copier/printer to cause deposition, collection and removal of debris and other contaminants in specified locations. An electrical bias is selectively applied to at least some of the baffles to electrostatically attract the contaminants thereon. The vacuum ports are connected to a vacuum source that could operate continuously or intermittently at start-up or shutdown.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur M. Gooray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1695; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; G03G21/00; G03G21/20; G03G21/206; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00367; G03G2215/00405; G03G2215/00409; G03G2215/00413; G03G2215/00535; G03G2215/00607; G03G2215/00649
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
In a copier/printer having a transfer station for transferring images from an imaging member to copy sheets, the improvement of removing contaminants from predetermined locations within the copier/printer including the paper path before the copy sheets reach a transfer station of the copier/printer, characterized by: a plurality of selectively biased baffle means placed at said predetermined locations for collecting contaminants electrostatically thereon; and contaminant removal means for removing contaminants from said baffle means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a copier/printer having a transfer station for transferring images from an imaging member to copy sheets, the improvement of removing contaminants from predetermined locations within the copier/printer including the paper path before the copy sheets reach a transfer station of the copier/printer, characterized by: a plurality of selectively biased baffle means placed at said predetermined locations for collecting contaminants electrostatically thereon; and contaminant removal means for removing contaminants from said baffle means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said contaminant removal means includes a vacuum source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement of claim 2, wherein said vacuum source is ON continuously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement of claim 2, wherein said vacuum source is ON intermittently.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 4, wherein said vacuum source is turned ON when the copier/printer is turned ON.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein said baffle means is configured to cause deposition to airborne contaminants at vacuum parts of said contaminant removal means just beyond the entrance of said baffle means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a printer apparatus having a transfer station for transferring images from a imaging member to copy sheets, the improvement of removing copy sheet debris before the copy sheets reach the transfer station and removing other contaminants from the environment of the printer apparatus, characterized by: a plurality of selectively biased baffle means positioned at different locations within the printer to attract debris and other contaminants, and vacuum pick-up means placed at said plurality of baffle means locations, said vacuum pick-up means being adapted to be actuated at predetermined times to remove debris from said baffle means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a printer apparatus having a transfer station for transferring images from a imaging member to copy sheets, the improvement of removing copy sheet debris before the copy sheets reach the transfer station and removing other contaminants from the environment of the printer apparatus, characterized by: a plurality of selectively biased baffle means positioned at different locations within the printer to attract debris and other contaminants, and vacuum pick-up means placed at said plurality of baffle means locations, said vacuum pick-up means being adapted to be actuated at predetermined times to remove debris from said baffle means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The printer apparatus of claim 7, wherein said vacuum pick-up means is actuated during machine warm-up.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printer apparatus of claim 7, wherein said vacuum pick-up means is actuated periodically while the printer is not making copies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The printer apparatus of claim 7, wherein said vacuum pick-up means is actuated when the copier/printing apparatus is turned ON.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The printer apparatus of claim 10, wherein said vacuum pick-up means is actuated after a copying sequence has been completed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a printer apparatus having a plurality of component stations for transferring images from a imaging member to copy sheets, the improvement of removing contaminants from the environment of the printer apparatus, characterized by: a plurality of selectively biased baffle means positioned at different locations within the printer to attract debris and other contaminants, and vacuum pick-up means placed at said plurality of baffle means locations, said vacuum pick-up means being adapted to be actuated at predetermined times to remove debris from said baffle means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a printer apparatus having a plurality of component stations for transferring images from a imaging member to copy sheets, the improvement of removing contaminants from the environment of the printer apparatus, characterized by: a plurality of selectively biased baffle means positioned at different locations within the printer to attract debris and other contaminants, and vacuum pick-up means placed at said plurality of baffle means locations, said vacuum pick-up means being adapted to be actuated at predetermined times to remove debris from said baffle means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The printer apparatus of claim 12, wherein said vacuum pick-up means is connected to the plurality of component stations of the printer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The printer apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of component stations are selectively biased.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The printer apparatus of claim 12, wherein said baffle means are biased when the printer is in a run mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The printer apparatus of claim 12, wherein said baffle means is configured to cause deposition of airbone contaminants at vaccuum parts of said vacuum pick-up means just beyond the entrance of said baffle means.
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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) | 1994-07-01 | 1994-12-31 | 1995-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-01 | 1998-12-31 | 1999-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-01 | 2002-12-31 | 2003-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |