US5164782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophotographic copying apparatus
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1991-10-10
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2011-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An electrophotographic copying apparatus comprises a photosensitive member (4) exposed by light reflected from an original to form an image of the original thereon, mechanism (13) for developing the image on the photosensitive member with toner (9, 10, 11, 12) to produce a toner image corresponding the image mechanism (24) for transferring the toner image onto a transfer material, mechanism (26) for fixing the toner image transferred on the transfer material, mechanism (27) for producing a signal which represents that high surface glossiness of the image copy is required, and mechanism (31, 32) for feeding the transfer material in a first path when the signal is produced, the transfer material being fixed fully, and for feeding the transfer material in a second path shorter than the first path when the signal is not produced.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuhiro Nagayama
- 👤 Yasutaka Maeda
- 👤 Hideyuki Nishimura
- 👤 Yoichi Shimazawa
- 👤 Koichi Moriyama
- 👤 Hideo Matsuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:19
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2017; G03G15/2021; G03G15/2064; G03G15/65; G03G15/6582; G03G15/6585; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/2003; G03G2215/2016; G03G2215/207; G03G2215/2074; G03G2215/208; G03G2215/209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus for reproducing a image copy of an original on a transfer material, comprising: a photosensitive member exposed by light reflected from said original to form an image of said original thereon; means for developing the image of said original on said photosensitive member with toner to produce a toner image corresponding to the image; means for transferring said toner image onto said transfer material; means for fixing said toner image transferred on said transfer material; means for producing a signal which represents that high surface glossiness of said image copy is required; means for feeding said transfer material in a path when said signal is produced, said transfer material being fixed fully, and for feeding said transfer material in a part of the path when said signal is not produced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus for reproducing a image copy of an original on a transfer material, comprising: a photosensitive member exposed by light reflected from said original to form an image of said original thereon; means for developing the image of said original on said photosensitive member with toner to produce a toner image corresponding to the image; means for transferring said toner image onto said transfer material; means for fixing said toner image transferred on said transfer material; means for producing a signal which represents that high surface glossiness of said image copy is required; means for feeding said transfer material in a path when said signal is produced, said transfer material being fixed fully, and for feeding said transfer material in a part of the path when said signal is not produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal producing means is actuated automatically when the original is colored.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means include a film member on which the surface of said toner image on said transfer material abuts, a heat roller for driving rotationally said film member, and a heat source contained in said heat roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said feeding means include a first roller disposed at a certain distance from said heat roller and a second roller disposed between said heat roller and said first roller in the way of said film member conveying from said heat roller in a loop of said film member, said film member being stretched between said heat roller and said first roller and being driven to convey by said heat roller, said transfer material being adhered and fed by said film member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said path corresponds the distance from said heat roller to said first roller and said part of the path corresponds to the distance from said heat roller to said second roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said apparatus comprises means for shifting a position of said first roller toward a vertical direction against feeding direction of said transfer material so that said film member is bent at said second roller in response to said signal from said producing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said shifting means include a spring connected to said first roller for maintaining tension of said film member, a movable member connected to the other end of said spring, a guide for guiding said movable member, and a controller connected electrically to said movable member for controlling the position of said movable member in said guide in response to said signal from said transmitting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said apparatus further comprises a third roller disposed adjacent to said heat roller outside the loop of said film member for maintaining tension of said film member stretched between said heat roller and said first roller when the position of said first roller is shifted by said shifting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said apparatus further comprises a fourth roller disposed below said film member, a fifth roller disposed below said film member and at a certain distance from said fourth roller, and a conveyor belt stretched between said fourth roller and said fifth roller for feeding said transfer material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said apparatus further comprises a guide disposed under said film material for guiding said transfer material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said apparatus further comprises a fan disposed under said first roller at said first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said fixing means further include a second heat roller disposed below said first heat roller at a certain distance so that said transfer material with said toner image is pressed between said first heat roller and said second heat roller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said signal producing means include means for sensing color of said original.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |