US5049924A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1990-11-19
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Granted: 1991-09-17
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Expires: 2010-11-19
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus provided with a sensor for detecting a sheet transport problem. When a sheet transport problem occurs before a sheet reaches an image forming section, the sheet is returned to a sheet feeding section, and when a transport problem occurs at or after the image forming section, the sheet is forwarded to a sheet receiving section. When the problem sheet is either returned to the feeding section or forwarded to the receiving section, the apparatus is set to an operational condition. When the problem sheet can be neither returned to the feeding section nor forwarded to the receiving section, further operation of the apparatus is inhibited.
Inventors
- 👤 Fuminori Moro
- 👤 Yukiyoshi Yamakoshi
- 👤 Hiroshi Tomita
- 👤 Hajime Takei
- 👤 Naoyuki Matsuda
- 👤 Homare Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:10
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/585; B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/08; B65H3/0808; B65H3/0816; B65H3/0833; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6555; G03G15/6558; G03G15/6561; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00367; G03G2215/00371; G03G2215/00396; G03G2215/00405; G03G2215/00409; G03G2215/00535; G03G2215/00548; G03G2215/00552
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a photosensitive sheet, comprising: means for storing the photosensitive sheet in a manner to shield the sheet from light; means for transporting the sheet stored in the sheet storing means to an exposure station; means for detecting whether a problem occurs while the sheet is being transported by the sheet transporting means; and control means responsive to the problem detecting means for reversing the sheet transporting means in order to return the sheet to the sheet storing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a photosensitive sheet, comprising: means for storing the photosensitive sheet in a manner to shield the sheet from light; means for transporting the sheet stored in the sheet storing means to an exposure station; means for detecting whether a problem occurs while the sheet is being transported by the sheet transporting means; and control means responsive to the problem detecting means for reversing the sheet transporting means in order to return the sheet to the sheet storing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet storing means is detachable from the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: means for feeding the sheet; means for forming an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding means; means for receiving the sheet on which an image has been formed; means for detecting whether a problem occurs in a sheet path extending between the sheet feeding means and the sheet receiving means; means responsive to the problem detecting means for settling the problem by taking the sheet out of the sheet path; and means for inhibiting the apparatus from operating when the problem settling means has failed in taking the sheet out of the sheet path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: means for feeding the sheet; means for forming an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding means; means for receiving the sheet on which an image has been formed; means for detecting whether a problem occurs in a sheet path extending between the sheet feeding means and the sheet receiving means; means responsive to the problem detecting means for settling the problem by taking the sheet out of the sheet path; and means for inhibiting the apparatus from operating when the problem settling means has failed in taking the sheet out of the sheet path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means for setting the apparatus to an operational condition when the problem settling means has succeeded in taking the sheet out of the sheet path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising means for starting an image forming operation automatically when the setting means has set the apparatus to an operational condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising means for inhibiting the apparatus from operating when the problem settling means is activated a specified number of times in succession.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, when a problem has occurred before a sheet reaches the image forming means, the problem settling means returns the sheet to the sheet feeding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, when a problem has occurred after a sheet had reached the image forming means, the problem settling means transports the sheet to the sheet receiving means.
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) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-03-18 | 1995-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-16 | 1999-03-18 | 1999-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-16 | 2003-03-18 | 2003-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |