US5084736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1990-03-05
•
Granted: 1992-01-28
•
Expires: 2010-03-05
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus including a transfer material supporting device. An elastic member, a movable supporting member, a deformation preventing member or a friction member is provided between a transfer material supporting sheet and a frame constituting the transfer material supporting means or adjacent to the mounting position of the transfer material supporting sheet on the frame. By doing so, the transfer material supporting sheet is prevented from twisting or the like, so that images having good quality can be provided stably.
Inventors
- 👤 Hajime Suzuki
- 👤 Kouji Kimura
- 👤 Yoshifumi Takehara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/163; G03G15/1635; G03G15/165; G03G15/1655
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 88
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, and a frame having ring portions at longitudinal opposite ends of the transfer material supporting means and a connecting portion for partially connecting the ring portions to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and the connecting portion, said transfer material supporting means further including an elastic member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet, wherein the frame supports the transfer material supporting sheet covering the opening, and the transfer material supporting sheet is at least partly unfixed to the ring portions, and wherein the elastic member extends along a longitudinal direction of said transfer material supporting means, wherein said transfer material supporting means includes between the elastic member and the frame a supporting member for supporting the elastic member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, and a frame having ring portions at longitudinal opposite ends of the transfer material supporting means and a connecting portion for partially connecting the ring portions to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and the connecting portion, said transfer material supporting means further including an elastic member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet, wherein the frame supports the transfer material supporting sheet covering the opening, and the transfer material supporting sheet is at least partly unfixed to the ring portions, and wherein the elastic member extends along a longitudinal direction of said transfer material supporting means, wherein said transfer material supporting means includes between the elastic member and the frame a supporting member for supporting the elastic member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer material supporting sheet rotates in contact with said image bearing member at the transfer position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image transfer means inside the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein plural color images are transferred from said image bearing member to the transfer material to provide a full-color image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising attracting means for electrostatically attracting the transfer material onto the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising stretching means, disposed in contact with the transfer material supporting sheet at a side thereof remote from said image bearing member, for stretching the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said stretching means is effective to increase a contact width between said image bearing member and the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the leading and trailing ends of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means is fixed to the frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said at least one of the ends is fixed to the connecting portion of the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member is effective to prevent deformation of the elastic member and the transfer material supporting sheet supported thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is detachably mountable to said frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a combination of the transfer material supporting sheet, the elastic member and the supporting member for the elastic member is detachably mountable to the frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the transfer material supporting sheet is unfixed to the frame at opposite longitudinal ends of the transfer material supporting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is provided at least at one of the leading and trailing ends of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is of urethane foam or rubber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frame supports for movement a trailing end of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is supported on the connecting portion together with the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is elongated extending a longitudinal direction of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer material supporting means includes a stretching member for stretching the transfer material supporting sheet relative to the frame in a circumferential direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said stretching member connects an end of the transfer material supporting sheet and the frame to apply tension to the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the transfer material is separated from the transfer material supporting sheet, the supporting sheet is deformed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
165 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet, and a movable supporting member for supporting for movement the transfer material supporting sheet relative to the frame; wherein said movable supporting member is disposed adjacent to an end of the transfer material supporting sheet in a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means, and is movable relatively to the frame; and further comprising stretching means, disposed in contact with the transfer material supporting sheet at a side thereof remote from said image bearing member, for stretching the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
165 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet, and a movable supporting member for supporting for movement the transfer material supporting sheet relative to the frame; wherein said movable supporting member is disposed adjacent to an end of the transfer material supporting sheet in a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means, and is movable relatively to the frame; and further comprising stretching means, disposed in contact with the transfer material supporting sheet at a side thereof remote from said image bearing member, for stretching the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the end is a leading end of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to the rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said transfer material supporting sheet rotates in contact with said image bearing member at the transfer position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising image transfer means inside the frame.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein plural color images are transferred from said image bearing member to the transfer material to provide a fullcolor image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said transfer material supporting means is generally in the form of a drum.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising attracting means for electrostatically attracting the transfer material onto the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said stretching means is effective to increase a contact width between said image bearing member and the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said frame includes ring portions at its longitudinal ends and a connecting portion for connecting the rings to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and the connecting portion, wherein the opening is covered by the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said at least one of the leading and trailing ends of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to the rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means is fixed to the frame.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said at least one of the ends is fixed to the connecting portion of the frame.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is detachably mountable to the frame.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein at least a part of the transfer material supporting sheet is unfixed to the frame at opposite longitudinal ends of the transfer material supporting means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
174 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, and a frame having ring portions at longitudinal opposite ends of said transfer material supporting means and a connecting portion for partly connecting the ring portions to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and the connecting portion, wherein the frame mounts thereon the transfer material supporting sheet to cover the opening; wherein said transfer material supporting means further including a member for preventing deformation of the transfer material supporting sheet, said deformation preventing member extending along a longitudinal direction of said transfer material supporting means and being mounted on the transfer material supporting sheet close to the connecting portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
174 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, and a frame having ring portions at longitudinal opposite ends of said transfer material supporting means and a connecting portion for partly connecting the ring portions to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and the connecting portion, wherein the frame mounts thereon the transfer material supporting sheet to cover the opening; wherein said transfer material supporting means further including a member for preventing deformation of the transfer material supporting sheet, said deformation preventing member extending along a longitudinal direction of said transfer material supporting means and being mounted on the transfer material supporting sheet close to the connecting portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said transfer material supporting means includes a first elastic member between the transfer material supporting sheet and the deformation preventing member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is provided with a second elastic member close to the deformation preventing member across the connecting portion from the deformation preventing member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the first elastic member is longer than the deformation preventing member in a circumferential direction of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said transfer material supporting sheet rotates in contact with said image bearing member at the transfer position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising image transfer means inside the frame.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein plural color images are transferred from said image bearing member to the transfer material to provide a fullcolor image.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising attracting means for electrostatically attracting the transfer material onto the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising stretching means, disposed in contact with the transfer material supporting sheet at a side thereof remote from said image bearing member, for stretching the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said stretching means is effective to increase a contact width between said image bearing member and the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein at least one of the leading and trailing ends of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means is fixed to the frame.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said at least one of the ends is fixed to the connecting portion of the frame.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is detachably mountable to said frame.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein at least a part of the transfer material supporting sheet is unfixed to the frame at opposite longitudinal ends of the transfer material supporting means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting a transfer material supporting sheet, and a stretching member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet while stretching it; wherein the stretching member applies tension to the transfer material supporting sheet by its urging force.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting a transfer material supporting sheet, and a stretching member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet while stretching it; wherein the stretching member applies tension to the transfer material supporting sheet by its urging force.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said transfer material supporting sheet rotates in contact with said image bearing member at the transfer position.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, further comprising image transfer means inside the frame.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein plural color images are transferred from said image bearing member to the transfer material to provide a full-color image.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said transfer material supporting means is generally in the form of a drum.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, further comprising attracting means for electrostatically attracting the transfer material onto the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, further comprising stretching means, disposed in contact with the transfer material supporting sheet at a side thereof remote from said image bearing member, for stretching the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said stretching means is effective to increase a contact width between said image bearing member and the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the frame includes ring portions at opposite ends and a connecting portion for partly connecting the ring portions to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and connecting portion, said opening being covered by the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 57, wherein at least one of the leading and trailing ends of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means is fixed to the frame.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said at least one of the ends is fixed to the connecting portion of the frame.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 57, wherein at least a part of the transfer material supporting sheet is unfixed to the frame at opposite longitudinal ends of the transfer material supporting means.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is detachably mountable to said frame.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein at least a part of the transfer material supporting sheet is unfixed to the frame at opposite longitudinal ends of the transfer material supporting means.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said stretching means is a spring.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting a transfer material supporting sheet, and a stretching member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet while stretching it; wherein the stretching member applies tension to the transfer material supporting sheet by its urging force, and wherein said stretching member connects the frame with the transfer material supporting sheet adjacent a circumferential end thereof.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting a transfer material supporting sheet, and a stretching member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet while stretching it; wherein the stretching member applies tension to the transfer material supporting sheet by its urging force, and wherein said stretching member connects the frame with the transfer material supporting sheet adjacent a circumferential end thereof.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
142 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer station, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting a transfer material supporting sheet, and a stretching member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet while stretching it; wherein the stretching member applies tension to the transfer material supporting sheet by its urging force, and wherein said transfer material supporting means includes a supporting member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet, and wherein said stretching member connects the supporting member and the frame.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
142 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer station, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, a frame for supporting a transfer material supporting sheet, and a stretching member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet while stretching it; wherein the stretching member applies tension to the transfer material supporting sheet by its urging force, and wherein said transfer material supporting means includes a supporting member for supporting the transfer material supporting sheet, and wherein said stretching member connects the supporting member and the frame.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 65, wherein said transfer material supporting means includes an elastic member between the transfer material supporting sheet and said supporting member.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, and a frame having ring portions at longitudinal opposite ends of said transfer material supporting means and a connecting portion for partly connecting the ring portions to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and the connecting portion, wherein the frame supports the transfer material supporting sheet to cover the opening; wherein a friction coefficient between the transfer material supporting sheet and the ring portions is different depending on a circumferential position of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; means for transferring the image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material at a transfer position; a rotatable transfer material supporting means for supporting the transfer material to bring it to the transfer position, said transfer material supporting means including a transfer material supporting sheet for supporting the transfer material, and a frame having ring portions at longitudinal opposite ends of said transfer material supporting means and a connecting portion for partly connecting the ring portions to provide an opening defined by the ring portions and the connecting portion, wherein the frame supports the transfer material supporting sheet to cover the opening; wherein a friction coefficient between the transfer material supporting sheet and the ring portions is different depending on a circumferential position of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the friction coefficient is larger at a leading side than at a trailing side with respect to a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, further comprising a member for providing the friction coefficient different depending on the circumferential position.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said transfer material supporting sheet rotates in contact with said image bearing member at the transfer position.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, further comprising image transfer means inside the frame.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein color images are transferred from said image bearing member to the transfer material to provide a full-color image.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, further comprising attracting means for electrostatically attracting the transfer material onto the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, further comprising stretching means, disposed in contact with the transfer material supporting sheet at a side thereof remote from said image bearing member, for urging the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said urging means is effective to increase a contact width between said image bearing member and the transfer material supporting sheet.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein at least one of the leading and trailing ends of the transfer material supporting sheet with respect to a rotational direction of said transfer material supporting means is fixed to the frame.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said at least one of the ends is fixed to the connecting portion of the frame.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is detachably mountable to said frame.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is unfixed to the frame at opposite longitudinal ends thereof.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claims 1, 22, 35, 49 or 67, further comprising cleaning means contactable to the transfer material supporting sheet to clean it.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 22, 35, 49 or 67, wherein the transfer material supporting sheet is of dielectric material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5334468A
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JPS5419751A
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JPS5419752A
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JPS57201272A
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JPS5917572A
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JPS5953872A
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JPS59149157A
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JPS59195675A
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EP0281138A2
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EP0296334A1
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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) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |