US5121285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for eliminating residual charge on plastic sheets having an image formed thereon by a photocopier
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1991-02-11
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Granted: 1992-06-09
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Expires: 2011-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of, and apparatus for, applying charge to a plastic, electrically conductive sheet having an image formed thereon by a photocopier, to neutralize the buildup of electrostatic charge on the plastic sheet. The amount of charge applied to the plastic sheet, to prevent electrostatic adhesion, is determined as a function of the amount of toner forming the image on the plastic sheet. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of toner forming the image is determined as a function of the average transparency of the plastic sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. McClure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6588; G03G15/6591; H; H05; H05F; H05F3/00; H05F3/04; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00367; G03G2215/00417; G03G2215/00421; G03G2215/00443; G03G2215/00493; G03G2215/00497; G03G2215/00535; G03G2215/00611; G03G2215/00654; G03G2215/00717; G03G2215/00755
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for neutralizing buildup of electrostatic charge on a plastic, electrically conductive sheet having a toner image formed thereon by a photocopier which deposits charged toner during an electrostatic imaging process, the method comprising: measuring an amount of toner forming the image on the plastic sheet; determining an uncompensated charge of the toner forming the image on the plastic sheet as a function of the amount of toner forming the image; and applying a charge to the plastic sheet that is equal to and opposite in polarity to the uncompensated charge of the toner, to prevent electrostatic adhesion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for neutralizing buildup of electrostatic charge on a plastic, electrically conductive sheet having a toner image formed thereon by a photocopier which deposits charged toner during an electrostatic imaging process, the method comprising: measuring an amount of toner forming the image on the plastic sheet; determining an uncompensated charge of the toner forming the image on the plastic sheet as a function of the amount of toner forming the image; and applying a charge to the plastic sheet that is equal to and opposite in polarity to the uncompensated charge of the toner, to prevent electrostatic adhesion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring step comprises: determining an average transparency of the plastic sheet with the image; and determining the amount of toner forming the image as a function of the average transparency of the plastic sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of determining the average transparency of the sheet comprises: illuminating the plastic sheet with radiant energy; and sensing radiant energy transmission through the plastic sheet to determine the average transparency thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said illuminating step comprises illuminating an entire width of the plastic sheet as the sheet is transported past a first given location after the toner image has been fixed
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said step of determining the uncompensated charge of the toner comprises: calculating the uncompensated charge of the toner by multiplying the amount of toner forming the image on the plastic sheet times a predetermined charge per unit amount of toner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said step of determining the uncompensated charge of the toner deposited on the plastic sheet is performed continuously as the plastic sheet is transported past said first given location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said step of applying charge to the plastic sheet is performed continuously as the plastic sheet is transported past a second given location.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for neutralizing buildup of electrostatic charge on a plastic, electrically conductive sheet having a toner image formed thereon by a photocopier which deposits charged toner during an electrostatic imaging process, said method comprising the steps of: measuring an average transparency of the plastic sheet with the image; determining an uncompensated charge of the toner forming the image on the plastic sheet as a function of the average transparency of the plastic sheet; and applying a charge to the plastic sheet that is equal to and opposite in polarity to the uncompensated charge of the toner, to prevent electrostatic adhesion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for neutralizing buildup of electrostatic charge on a plastic, electrically conductive sheet having a toner image formed thereon by a photocopier which deposits charged toner during an electrostatic imaging process, said method comprising the steps of: measuring an average transparency of the plastic sheet with the image; determining an uncompensated charge of the toner forming the image on the plastic sheet as a function of the average transparency of the plastic sheet; and applying a charge to the plastic sheet that is equal to and opposite in polarity to the uncompensated charge of the toner, to prevent electrostatic adhesion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said measuring step comprises: illuminating the plastic sheet with radiant energy; and sensing radiant energy transmission through the plastic sheet using a photoconductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said step of determining the uncompensated charge of the toner comprises the step of: calculating the uncompensated charge of the toner as a function of an output of the photoconductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said illuminating step comprises illuminating an entire width of the plastic sheet as the sheet is transported past a given location after the toner has been fixed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said step of determining the uncompensated charge of the toner is performed continuously as the plastic sheet is transported.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of applying charge to the plastic sheet is performed continuously as the plastic sheet is transported.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for neutralizing buildup of electrostatic charge on a plastic, electrically conductive sheet having a toner image formed thereon by a photocopier which deposits charged toner during an electrostatic imaging process, said apparatus comprising: measuring means for measuring an average transparency of the plastic sheet with the image; charge determining means for determining an uncompensated charge of the toner forming the toner image on the plastic sheet as a function of the average transparency of the plastic sheet; and charge applying means for applying to the plastic sheet a charge which is equal to and opposite in polarity to the uncompensated charge of the toner, to prevent electrostatic adhesion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for neutralizing buildup of electrostatic charge on a plastic, electrically conductive sheet having a toner image formed thereon by a photocopier which deposits charged toner during an electrostatic imaging process, said apparatus comprising: measuring means for measuring an average transparency of the plastic sheet with the image; charge determining means for determining an uncompensated charge of the toner forming the toner image on the plastic sheet as a function of the average transparency of the plastic sheet; and charge applying means for applying to the plastic sheet a charge which is equal to and opposite in polarity to the uncompensated charge of the toner, to prevent electrostatic adhesion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said measuring means comprises: illuminating means for illuminating the plastic sheet with radiant energy; and sensing means for sensing radiant energy transmission through the plastic sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said charge determining means comprises: means for determining the uncompensated charge of the toner as a function of an output of the sensing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said illuminating means includes means for illuminating an entire width of the plastic sheet as the sheet is transported past a first given location after the toner has been fixed, and said sensing means comprises means for sensing light transmission through the entire width of the sheet illuminated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said charge determining means continuously determines the uncompensated charge of the sheet as the plastic sheet is transported past said first given location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said charge applying means applies charge to the plastic sheet continuously as the plastic sheet is transported past a second given location in proportion to a current uncompensated charge of the sheet as continuously determined by said determining means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said charge determining means is a look-up table for stored values relating the measured transparency of the sheet to the uncompensated charge of the toner corresponding to the measured transparency.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |