Patent US5070370A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5070370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image-forming apparatus having a replaceable cartridge and a transfer member cleaning device
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1990-12-24
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Granted: 1991-12-03
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Expires: 2010-12-24
Abstract
Abstract An image-forming apparatus, for example, electrophotographic printer has a replaceable cartridge which includes an image member, for example, a rotatable photoconductive drum. The drum cooperates with a transfer member, for example, a transfer drum which transfer member must be cleaned. The cartridge includes a chamber for receiving toner cleaned from the transfer member. Preferably, the image-forming apparatus creates a series of color toner images which are transferred to the surface of the transfer member in registration to create a multicolor image. The multicolor image is transferred in turn to a receiving sheet. The residual toner on the transfer member can be cleaned either by a cleaning device permanently located in the apparatus or a cleaning device in the cartridge. In either instance, the toner is collected in the cartidge and therefore does not require separate maintenance beyond replacement of the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Edson F. Bellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1605; G03G15/161; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0131; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0167; G03G2215/0174; G03G2215/018; G03G2215/16; G03G2215/1647; G03G2215/1657; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1603; G03G2221/1618; G03G2221/1642; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An image-forming apparatus including: an image member, a transfer member having a peripheral surface for receiving a toner image from said image member, means for creating an electrostatic image on said image member, means for toning said electrostatic image to create a toner image, means for transferring said toner image to said peripheral surface of said transfer member, means for transferring a toner image from said peripheral surface to a receiving sheet, means for cleaning said transfer member of toner, a single replaceable cartridge, which includes both said image member and means for receiving toner cleaned from said transfer member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An image-forming apparatus including: an image member, a transfer member having a peripheral surface for receiving a toner image from said image member, means for creating an electrostatic image on said image member, means for toning said electrostatic image to create a toner image, means for transferring said toner image to said peripheral surface of said transfer member, means for transferring a toner image from said peripheral surface to a receiving sheet, means for cleaning said transfer member of toner, a single replaceable cartridge, which includes both said image member and means for receiving toner cleaned from said transfer member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image-forming apparatus including an image member, a transfer member, means for forming a series of electrostatic images on said image member and means for toning each of said series of electrostatic images with toners of a different color to create a series of toner images, means for transferring said toner images in registration to a surface associated with said transfer member to create a multicolor image, means for cleaning said transfer member of toner, and a single replaceable cartridge, which includes both said image member and means for receiving toner cleaned from said transfer member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image-forming apparatus including an image member, a transfer member, means for forming a series of electrostatic images on said image member and means for toning each of said series of electrostatic images with toners of a different color to create a series of toner images, means for transferring said toner images in registration to a surface associated with said transfer member to create a multicolor image, means for cleaning said transfer member of toner, and a single replaceable cartridge, which includes both said image member and means for receiving toner cleaned from said transfer member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for creating an electrostatic image includes means for creating a series of electrostatic images and said means for toning said electrostatic images includes means for applying toner of different colors to each of said images of said series, and said means for transferring includes means for transferring said different color toner images to the surface of said transfer member to create a multicolor toner image on the surface of said transfer member and wherein said image-forming apparatus further includes means for transferring said multicolor image to a receiving sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an image-forming apparatus including: a photoconductive drum, a rotatable transfer drum having a peripheral cylindrical surface mounted in transfer relation with said photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging the periphery of said photoconductive drum, means for imagewise exposing said photoconductive drum to form a series of electrostatic images thereon, means for applying different color toner to each of said images to form a series of different color toner images, means for transferring said different color toner images to the peripheral surface of said transfer drum in registration to form a multicolor image, means for transferring said multicolor image from said transfer drum to a receiving sheet, means for cleaning untransferred toner from said transfer drum, the improvement including a single replaceable cartridge including said photoconductive drum and a chamber with an opening for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said cleaning means which cleaning means is a permanent part of said image-forming apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an image-forming apparatus including: a photoconductive drum, a rotatable transfer drum having a peripheral cylindrical surface mounted in transfer relation with said photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging the periphery of said photoconductive drum, means for imagewise exposing said photoconductive drum to form a series of electrostatic images thereon, means for applying different color toner to each of said images to form a series of different color toner images, means for transferring said different color toner images to the peripheral surface of said transfer drum in registration to form a multicolor image, means for transferring said multicolor image from said transfer drum to a receiving sheet, means for cleaning untransferred toner from said transfer drum, the improvement including a single replaceable cartridge including said photoconductive drum and a chamber with an opening for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said cleaning means which cleaning means is a permanent part of said image-forming apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
An image-forming apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cleaning means includes a cleaning roller, movable into rolling engagement with said transfer drum and a cleaning blade engaging said roller for cleaning toner from said cleaning roller, and wherein said opening is directly below the position of engagement of said blade and said cleaning roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an image-forming apparatus including: a photoconductive drum, a rotatable transfer drum having a peripheral cylindrical surface mounted in transfer relation with said photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging the periphery of said photoconductive drum, means for imagewise exposing said photoconductive drum to form a series of electrostatic images thereon, means for applying different color toner to each of said images to form a series of different color toner images, means for transferring said different color toner images to the peripheral surface of said transfer drum in registration to form a multicolor image, means for transferring said multicolor image from said transfer drum to a receiving sheet, means for cleaning untransferred toner from said transfer drum, the improvement including a single replaceable cartridge including said photoconductive drum, said means for cleaning untransferred toner from said transfer drum, and means for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said cleaning means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an image-forming apparatus including: a photoconductive drum, a rotatable transfer drum having a peripheral cylindrical surface mounted in transfer relation with said photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging the periphery of said photoconductive drum, means for imagewise exposing said photoconductive drum to form a series of electrostatic images thereon, means for applying different color toner to each of said images to form a series of different color toner images, means for transferring said different color toner images to the peripheral surface of said transfer drum in registration to form a multicolor image, means for transferring said multicolor image from said transfer drum to a receiving sheet, means for cleaning untransferred toner from said transfer drum, the improvement including a single replaceable cartridge including said photoconductive drum, said means for cleaning untransferred toner from said transfer drum, and means for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said cleaning means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The image-forming apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said cleaning means is a cleaning roller, mounted on a shaft, which shaft extends outside said cartridge and wherein said image-forming apparatus includes means for moving said shaft to move said roller between positions in and out of engagement with said transfer drum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image-forming apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said cleaning means is a cleaning web mounted in said cartridge and movable in and out of engagement with said transfer drum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image-forming apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said cleaning means is a cleaning web and said cartridge includes a supply and take-up means for said web, and wherein said cartridge further includes means associated with said photoconductive drum for indexing said take-up means in response to rotation of said photoconductive drum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum and means for cleaning said transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and a chamber having an opening for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said cleaning means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum and means for cleaning said transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and a chamber having an opening for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said cleaning means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum and means for cleaning said transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means for uniformly charging said image member, means for cleaning said image member, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and means for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said transfer drum cleaning means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum and means for cleaning said transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means for uniformly charging said image member, means for cleaning said image member, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and means for receiving toner cleaned off said transfer drum by said transfer drum cleaning means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cartridge according to claim 11 wherein said means for receiving toner is a chamber having an opening in its top.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and a cleaning roller which is movable into and out of engagement with said transfer drum for cleaning said transfer drum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and a cleaning roller which is movable into and out of engagement with said transfer drum for cleaning said transfer drum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cartridge according to claim 13 wherein said cleaning roller includes a shaft which extends outside of said cartridge which shaft is movable away from a transfer drum when said cartridge is in an image-forming apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and an indexable cleaning web for cleaning said transfer drum.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, which image-forming apparatus includes a transfer drum, said cartridge including: an image member having a surface upon which toner images are formable, means defining an opening in said cartridge through which said images are transferable to said transfer drum, and an indexable cleaning web for cleaning said transfer drum.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cartridge according to claim 15 further including means for indexing said web in response to rotation of said image member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, said cartridge comprising: a rotatable photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging said photoconductive drum, an opening through which said photoconductive drum can be exposed to create a series of electrostatic images, an opening through which said electrostatic images can be toned with a plurality of different colored toners, an opening through which said toner images can be transferred to a receiving surface associated with a transfer member, means for cleaning said photoconductive drum, and a chamber having an opening for receiving toner cleaned off a transfer member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, said cartridge comprising: a rotatable photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging said photoconductive drum, an opening through which said photoconductive drum can be exposed to create a series of electrostatic images, an opening through which said electrostatic images can be toned with a plurality of different colored toners, an opening through which said toner images can be transferred to a receiving surface associated with a transfer member, means for cleaning said photoconductive drum, and a chamber having an opening for receiving toner cleaned off a transfer member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
101 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, said cartridge comprising: a rotatable photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging said photoconductive drum, an opening through which said photoconductive drum can be exposed to create a series of electrostatic images, an opening through which said electrostatic images can be toned with a plurality of different colored toners, an opening through which said toner images can be transferred to a receiving surface associated with a transfer member, means for cleaning toner off a surface of a transfer member, means for cleaning said photoconductive drum, and means for receiving toner cleaned off the transfer member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
101 words
A cartridge insertable in an image-forming apparatus, said cartridge comprising: a rotatable photoconductive drum, means for uniformly charging said photoconductive drum, an opening through which said photoconductive drum can be exposed to create a series of electrostatic images, an opening through which said electrostatic images can be toned with a plurality of different colored toners, an opening through which said toner images can be transferred to a receiving surface associated with a transfer member, means for cleaning toner off a surface of a transfer member, means for cleaning said photoconductive drum, and means for receiving toner cleaned off the transfer member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cartridge according to claim 18 wherein said cleaning means is a cleaning roller movable into and out of engagement with a surface of a transfer member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cartridge according to claim 18 wherein said cleaning means is an indexable cleaning web which web is movable into and out of engagement with a surface of a transfer member.
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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) | 1994-12-02 | 1995-06-03 | 1995-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-06-03 | 1999-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-02 | 2003-06-03 | 2003-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |