Patent US5146279A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5146279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Active airflow system for development apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1991-09-10
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Granted: 1992-09-08
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Expires: 2011-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A development apparatus having an active airflow system for generating negative air pressure to create an airflow out of a developer housing, drawing airborne contaminants from the developer housing. A developer system includes a plurality of developer housings being selectively moved into operative and inoperative poitions for development of a latent image on a photoconductive surface. As each developer housing is moved into and out of its operative position, an air duct is rotated in response to this movement for interfacing with, or sealing off, airflow through the housing, as appropriate. An apparatus of this type is used in a multi-color electrostatographic printing machine where succesive latent images are developed with different color developer material, thus preventing respective color developer materials from intermingling during the development process.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Seyfried
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:42
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0896; G03G15/0898; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a member, comprising: means for developing a latent image with toner, said developing means being movable between a nonoperative position remote from the member and an operative position adjacent the member; and means, responsive to said movement of said developing means from said non-operative position, to said operative position, for generating air pressure less than atmospheric pressure in said developing means to effect transport of airborne particles therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a member, comprising: means for developing a latent image with toner, said developing means being movable between a nonoperative position remote from the member and an operative position adjacent the member; and means, responsive to said movement of said developing means from said non-operative position, to said operative position, for generating air pressure less than atmospheric pressure in said developing means to effect transport of airborne particles therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for moving said developing means between said operative position and said nonoperative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including: at least one housing defining a chamber for storing a supply of toner therein, said at least one housing being mounted for rotation about a pivot point; and means for translating said housing about said pivot point for moving said housing through an angle of rotation to selectively translate said housing between said nonoperative position remote from said electrostatic latent image and said operative position adjacent said electrostatic latent image;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said translating means includes: a pinion wheel mounted exterior to said housing; and a cam disposed in abutment with said pinion wheel for exerting a force to thereon to translate said housing about said pivot point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air pressure generating means includes: at least one air duct including an air inlet port for directing airflow away from said developing means; and an air plenum coupled to said air duct, including an exhaust port for providing an enclosed passageway through which the airflow travels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least one air duct further includes a valve member disposed adjacent said air plenum for switchably permitting the airflow through said air duct when said housing is in the operative position and preventing the airflow through said air duct when said housing is in the nonoperative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said valve member includes an aperture and a seal member disposed adjacent one another for switchably providing an open passageway between said air plenum and said air duct with said housing in the operative position and providing a closed passageway between said air plenum and said air duct with said housing in the nonoperative position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said air plenum further includes filter means coupled to said exhausts port for seperating airborne contaminants from the airflow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said air plenum further includes an exhaust fan coupled to said exhaust port for inducing the airflow from said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said air plenum includes a stationary air inlet port for providing a constant supply of air to said exhaust fan.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said air plenum further includes at least one air channel for coupling said air plenum to said air duct, said air channel having an aperture for forming an air passageway between said air channel and said air duct.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said air pressure generating means further includes a gasket member disposed between said air plenum and said air duct, surrounding said aperture in said air channel, for providing an airtight seal between said air plenum and said air duct.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
An electrostatographic printing machine wherein an electrostatic latent image is recoreded on a photoconductive member for development to create an output document, comprising: means for developing the latent image with toner, said developing means being movable between a nonoperative position remote from the member and an operative position adjacent the member; and means, responsive to said movement of said developing means from said non-operative position, to said operative position, for generating air pressure less than atmospheric pressure in said developing means to effect transport of airborne particles therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
An electrostatographic printing machine wherein an electrostatic latent image is recoreded on a photoconductive member for development to create an output document, comprising: means for developing the latent image with toner, said developing means being movable between a nonoperative position remote from the member and an operative position adjacent the member; and means, responsive to said movement of said developing means from said non-operative position, to said operative position, for generating air pressure less than atmospheric pressure in said developing means to effect transport of airborne particles therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 13, further including means for moving said developing means between said operative positon and said nonoperative position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 13 wherein the developing means includes: a plurality of developer housings each defining a chamber for storing a supply of toner therein, each of said plurality of developer housings being mounted for rotation about a respective pivot point; and means for translating each of said plurality of housings about said respective pivot point for moving said housing through an angle of rotation, said housing being selectively translated between said nonoperative position spaced away from said photoconductive member and said operative position adjacent said photoconductive member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 15, wherein said translating means includes: a pinion wheel mounted on the exterior of said housing; and a cam disposed in abutment with said pinion wheel for exerting a force thereon to translate said housing about said pivot point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 13, wherein said air pressure generating means includes: a plurality of air ducts, each mounted on a respective developer housing and including an air inlet port for directing airflow away from said housing; and an air plenum coupled to said plurality of air ducts, including an exhaust port for providing an enclosed passageway through which the airflow travels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of air ducts further includes a valve member disposed adjacent said air plenum for switchably permitting the airflow between said air plenum and said air duct when said housing is in the operative position and preventing the airflow between said air plenum and said air duct when said housing is in the nonoperative position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 18, wherein said valve member includes an aperture and a seal member disposed adjacent one another for switchably providing an open passageway between said air plenum and said air duct with said housing in the operative position and providing a closed passageway between said air plenum and said air duct with said housing in the nonoperative position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 17, wherein said air plenum further includes filter means coupled to said exhaust port for seperating airborne contaminants from the airflow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of 17, wherein said air plenum further includes an exhaust fan coupled to said exhaust port including the airflow from said chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of 17, wherein said air plenum further includes an exhaust fan coupled to said exhaust port including the airflow from said chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of 21, wherein said air plenum includes a stationary air inlet port for providing a constant supply of air to said exhaust fan.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of 21, wherein said air plenum includes a stationary air inlet port for providing a constant supply of air to said exhaust fan.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 17, wherein said air plenum further includes a plurality of air channels for coupling said air plenum to each of said plurality of air ducts, each of said plurality of air channels having an aperture for forming an air passageway between said plurality of air channels and said plurality of air ducts.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electrostatographic printing machine of claim 23, wherein said airflow providing means further includes a plurality of gasket members, each disposed between said air plenum and said air duct surrounding said aperture in each of said plurality of air channels for providing an airtight seal between said air plenum and each of said plurality of air ducts.
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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) | 1995-09-08 | 1996-03-09 | 1996-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-08 | 2000-03-09 | 2000-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-03-09 | 2004-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |