Patent US5034779A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5034779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fibre traps in electrostatographic machines
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1990-12-03
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Granted: 1991-07-23
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Expires: 2010-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An electrostatographic printer has a transfer zone at which a toner image is transferred from a moving photoreceptor to a copy sheet, and a cleaner blade for removing residual toner from the photoreceptor after image transfer. A trap is provided to collect paper fibres and other debris from the photoreceptor after the transfer zone and before reaching the blade. This debris would otherwise impair the ability of the blade to remove toner. The trap comprises a strip of compliant material such as a velour fabric which is suspended by its ends above the photoreceptor so as to hand under its own weight and to brush lightly against the photorecptor. The fibre trap may be included in a removable xerographic unit incorporating the photoreceptor and other process means and adapted to be removable mounted in the main assembly of the copier.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Newbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:51
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An electrostatographic printing machine having a transfer zone at which a developed toner image is transferred from a moving image retaining member to a copy sheet, and comprising means for cleaning residual toner material from the image retaining member after image transfer, and a fibre trap adjacent the image retaining member between the transfer zone and the cleaning means to trap paper fibres and other debris present on the surface of the image retaining member while permitting the residual toner to pass by, the fibre trap comprising a strip extending transversely to the direction of motion of the image retaining member and having a napped surface arranged to brush lightly against the surface of the image retaining member, the strip being suspended by its ends above the image retaining member and urged into engagement with the image retaining member only by its own weight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrostatographic printing machine having a transfer zone at which a developed toner image is transferred from a moving image retaining member to a copy sheet, and comprising means for cleaning residual toner material from the image retaining member after image transfer, and a fibre trap adjacent the image retaining member between the transfer zone and the cleaning means to trap paper fibres and other debris present on the surface of the image retaining member while permitting the residual toner to pass by, the fibre trap comprising a strip extending transversely to the direction of motion of the image retaining member and having a napped surface arranged to brush lightly against the surface of the image retaining member, the strip being suspended by its ends above the image retaining member and urged into engagement with the image retaining member only by its own weight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrostatographic printing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strip is of a flexible material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrostatographic printing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strip comprises a velour fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrostatographic printing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image retaining member is a flexible photoreceptor belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrostatographic printing machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the strip comprises a velour fabric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrostatographic printing machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the image retaining member is a flexible photoreceptor belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrostatographic printing machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the image retaining member is a flexible photoreceptor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
A process unit adapted to be removably mounted in a main assembly of an electrostatographic printing machine comprising a housing means for cleaning residual toner material from the image retaining member after image transfer, and a fibre trap adjacent the image retaining member between the transfer zone and the cleaning means to trap paper fibres and other debris present on the surface of the image retaining member while permitting the residual toner to pass by, the fibre trap comprising a strip extending transversely to the direction of motion of the image retaining member and having a napped surface arranged to brush lightly against the surface of the image retaining member, the strip being suspended by its ends above the image retaining member and urged into engagement with the image retaining member only by its own weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
A process unit adapted to be removably mounted in a main assembly of an electrostatographic printing machine comprising a housing means for cleaning residual toner material from the image retaining member after image transfer, and a fibre trap adjacent the image retaining member between the transfer zone and the cleaning means to trap paper fibres and other debris present on the surface of the image retaining member while permitting the residual toner to pass by, the fibre trap comprising a strip extending transversely to the direction of motion of the image retaining member and having a napped surface arranged to brush lightly against the surface of the image retaining member, the strip being suspended by its ends above the image retaining member and urged into engagement with the image retaining member only by its own weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strip is of a flexible material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strip comprises a velour fabric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein the image retaining member is a flexible photoreceptor belt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fabric strip is suspended from an internal wall of the unit housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the strip comprises a velour fabric.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the image retaining member is a flexible photoreceptor belt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the image retaining member is a flexible photoreceptor belt.
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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) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |