US5250994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus having transfer member supporting member
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-23
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Granted: 1993-10-05
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Expires: 2012-10-23
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus capable of performing a suitable transport that is free from the occurrence of an inner blank, and is free from image or color misalignment. A transfer member supporting member, for supporting a transfer member at a transfer position at which the toner image on the image carrier is transferred to the transfer member, has a dielectric layer defining its outer surface and an elastic layer provided inside the dielectric layer. The elastic layer preferably has a compression range between about 0 to 2 mm at the transfer position, and the total pressure of this compression is about 1 kg/mm in this compression range.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Ito
- 👤 Mitsugu Inomata
- 👤 Yasuo Ito
- 👤 Hisayoshi Kojima
- 👤 Tatsuya Kobayashi
- 👤 Toshiaki Miyashiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:16
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1665; G03G15/167; G03G15/1685
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; image forming means for forming a toner image on said image carrier; and a transfer member at a transfer position at which the toner image on said image carrier is transferred to the transfer member, said transfer member supporting member having a dielectric layer defining its outer surface and an elastic layer provided inside the dielectric layer, wherein said elastic layer has a compression range between about 0 to 2 mm at the transfer position, the total pressure of said compression is about 1 kg/mm in said compression range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; image forming means for forming a toner image on said image carrier; and a transfer member at a transfer position at which the toner image on said image carrier is transferred to the transfer member, said transfer member supporting member having a dielectric layer defining its outer surface and an elastic layer provided inside the dielectric layer, wherein said elastic layer has a compression range between about 0 to 2 mm at the transfer position, the total pressure of said compression is about 1 kg/mm in said compression range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said elastic layer comprises an elastic foam material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said elastic layer comprises a urethane foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the density of said elastic layer is in the range between about 20 to 150 kg/m 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the density of said elastic layer is in the range between about 20 to 150 kg/m 3 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the density of said elastic layer is in the range between about 20 to 150 kg/m 3 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer member supporting member further comprises an electroconductive layer that is inside said dielectric layer, whereby electric power to said image forming apparatus is supplied through said electroconductive layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said electroconductive layer is provided between said dielectric layer and said elastic layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said electroconductive layer is provided inside said elastic layer as a support for said elastic layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said transfer member supporting member is rotatable and has a slide contact means for supplying electric power to said electroconductive layer, said slide contact means being disposed inside of said transfer member supporting member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a member for supplying electric power to said electroconductive layer is disposed inside of a rotating shaft of said transfer member supporting member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein toner images in a plurality of colors are capable of being formed on said image carrier, and said toner images are successively transferred to the transfer member supported on said transfer member supporting member by being superposed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus is capable of forming a full-color image on the transfer member.
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) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-04-05 | 1997-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-04 | 2001-04-05 | 2001-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-04-05 | 2005-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |