US5153642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber cleaning system for a development system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1991-07-29
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2011-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus in which an elecrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed with developer material stored in a developer housing. The developer material advances along a path of travel to a development zone closely adjacent to the latent image. A cleaner, positioned in the path of the developer material and spaced from the photoconductive member, cleans contaminants from the developer material without impeding the flow thereof. The cleaner has a multiplicity of fibers disposed in the path of travel of the developer material.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Folkins
- 👤 Don B. Jugle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0887
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with developer material including: a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material; means for advancing the developer material along a path of travel to a development zone so as to develop the latent image recorded on the surface; means, spaced from the surface and located in the chamber of said housing, for cleaning contaminants from the developer material without substantially impeding the advancing developer material, said cleaning means comprising a plurality of elongated fibers disposed in the path of travel of the developer material with each of the elongated fibers of said cleaning means including a hook.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with developer material including: a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material; means for advancing the developer material along a path of travel to a development zone so as to develop the latent image recorded on the surface; means, spaced from the surface and located in the chamber of said housing, for cleaning contaminants from the developer material without substantially impeding the advancing developer material, said cleaning means comprising a plurality of elongated fibers disposed in the path of travel of the developer material with each of the elongated fibers of said cleaning means including a hook.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning means is located after the development zone in the path of travel of the advancing developer material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning means is operator removable from the chamber of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said advancing means includes: a donor member spaced from the surface and adapted to transport developer material to the development zone adjacent the surface; means for transporting developer material to said donor member; and an electrode member positioned in the development zone between the surface and said donor member, said electrode member being electrically biased to detach toner from said donor member so as to form a toner cloud in the development zone with detached toner from the toner cloud developing the latent image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said donor member includes a roll.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electrode member includes a plurality of small diameter wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed to form a visible image thereof, wherein the improvement includes: a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material; means for advancing the developer material along a path of travel to a development zone so as to develop the latent image recorded on the photoconductive member; and means, spaced from the photoconductive member and located in the chamber of said housing, for cleaning contaminants from the developer material without substantially impeding the advancing developer material, said cleaning means comprising a plurality of elongated fibers disposed in the path of travel of the developer material with each of the elongated fibers of said cleaning means including a hook.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed to form a visible image thereof, wherein the improvement includes: a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material; means for advancing the developer material along a path of travel to a development zone so as to develop the latent image recorded on the photoconductive member; and means, spaced from the photoconductive member and located in the chamber of said housing, for cleaning contaminants from the developer material without substantially impeding the advancing developer material, said cleaning means comprising a plurality of elongated fibers disposed in the path of travel of the developer material with each of the elongated fibers of said cleaning means including a hook.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A printing machine according to claim 7, wherein said cleaning means is located after the development zone in the path of travel of the advancing developer material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A printing machine according to claim 7, wherein said cleaning means is operator removable from the chamber of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
A printing machine according to claim 7, wherein said advancing means includes: a donor member spaced from the photoconductive member and adapted to transport developer material to the development zone adjacent the photoconductive member; means for transporting developer material to said donor member; and an electrode member positioned in the development zone between the photoconductive member and said donor member, said electrode member being electrically biased to detach toner from said donor member so as to form a toner cloud in the development zone with detached toner from the toner cloud developing the latent image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A printing machine according to claim 10, wherein said donor member includes a roll.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A printing machine according to claim 11, wherein said electrode member includes a plurality of small diameter wires.
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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) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |