US5202735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method to control housing air inlet gap and means therefor
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1992-06-25
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Granted: 1993-04-13
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Expires: 2012-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling air inlet flow through a cleaner housing arranged downstream of a toner transfer area and adjacent an image forming surface of a photoreceptor in an electrophotographic machine. An adjustable air inlet baffle, with attached film seal, is mounted on the cleaner housing such that an air inlet gap is formed. The size of the gap and direction of air flow can be varied by the structure of the baffle. Additionally, the attached film seal extends laterally across, contacts and rests upon the image forming surface of the photoreceptor, thus allowing the photoreceptor to pass under the film seal unobstructed while the film seal acts in sealing engagement with the photoreceptor to prevent emissions of residual toner from the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce E. Thayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
In an electrophotographic apparatus, an improved cleaning means for removing residual toner from the image forming surface of a moving photoreceptor, said cleaning means employing an air current, comprising: a cleaner housing arranged adjacent said image forming surface of said photoreceptor; a means for controlling air inlet flow volume and direction through said cleaner housing including: an air inlet baffle removably attached to said housing; and a film seal fixedly attached to said air inlet baffle which extends laterally across, contacts and rests upon said image forming surface, allowing said image forming surface to pass unobstructed beneath said film seal while acting in sealing engagement with said image forming surface to prevent emissions of said residual toner from said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
In an electrophotographic apparatus, an improved cleaning means for removing residual toner from the image forming surface of a moving photoreceptor, said cleaning means employing an air current, comprising: a cleaner housing arranged adjacent said image forming surface of said photoreceptor; a means for controlling air inlet flow volume and direction through said cleaner housing including: an air inlet baffle removably attached to said housing; and a film seal fixedly attached to said air inlet baffle which extends laterally across, contacts and rests upon said image forming surface, allowing said image forming surface to pass unobstructed beneath said film seal while acting in sealing engagement with said image forming surface to prevent emissions of said residual toner from said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air inlet baffle is removably attached to said cleaner housing by mounting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air inlet baffle further comprises two mounting sections molded to a main body of said baffle and disposed at opposite ends of said baffle main body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an air inlet gap is formed between said housing and a main body of said air inlet baffle when said air inlet baffle is attached to said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said gap is varied by the structure of said air inlet baffle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air inlet baffle further comprises an air inlet gap which is disposed in a central portion of said air inlet baffle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said air inlet baffle is made of a resin material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said film seal is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises an electrostatic brush cleaner assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a blade cleaning assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a multiple-blade cleaner assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a combined cleaner assembly comprising both a plurality of blades and an upstream disturber brush.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of controlling air inlet flow through a cleaner housing located adjacent an image forming surface of a photoreceptor in an electrophotographic apparatus which comprises the steps of: regulating air flow volume and force by providing an air inlet gap by attaching an air inlet baffle removably to said housing; and sealingly engaging said image forming surface to prevent emissions of residual toner from said housing by attaching a film seal fixedly to said baffle which extends laterally across, contacts and rests upon said image forming surface, allowing said image forming surface to pass unobstructed beneath said film seal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of controlling air inlet flow through a cleaner housing located adjacent an image forming surface of a photoreceptor in an electrophotographic apparatus which comprises the steps of: regulating air flow volume and force by providing an air inlet gap by attaching an air inlet baffle removably to said housing; and sealingly engaging said image forming surface to prevent emissions of residual toner from said housing by attaching a film seal fixedly to said baffle which extends laterally across, contacts and rests upon said image forming surface, allowing said image forming surface to pass unobstructed beneath said film seal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said air inlet baffle is removably attached to said cleaner housing by mounting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said air inlet baffle comprises two mounting sections molded to a main body of said baffle and disposed at opposite ends of said baffle main body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein said air inlet gap is formed between said housing and said baffle main body when said baffle is attached to said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of varying a size of the air inlet gap by placing spacers between said mounting sections and the cleaner housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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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) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |