Patent US5369477A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5369477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid electrophotography fluid containment and belt tracking device
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1993-12-07
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2013-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A liquid electrophotography fluid containment and belt tracking device has a rubber or other elastomeric profile fixed to both edges of a photoconducting belt to provide both belt tracking control and fluid edge effects control. The part of the profile that extends from the inside surface of the belt is used as a tracking rail. A mating profile is machined into the belt rollers to provide tracking control. The part of the profile that extends from the outside surface of the belt is used to seal the edge to the squeegee roller to prevent fluid from moving around the end of the squeegee roller.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne E. Foote
- 👤 Paul L. Jeran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/75; G03G15/754; B; B65; B65G; B65G15/00; B65G15/30; B65G15/56; B65G15/60; B65G15/64; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/11; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A liquid toner image forming device for printing which comprises: exposure means for forming a charge pattern on a photoconductor; a photoconductor including a continuous belt for holding the charge pattern, the belt having an inside surface, an outside surface and two marginal edges; developing means for applying liquid toner to the charge pattern, the developing means including a squeegee roller, having marginal edges, for removing excess toner from the belt and aiding affixing of the toner to the charge pattern; a pair of resilient profiles, each being attached to a marginal edge of the belt, the profiles each having a tracking rail portion extending from the inside surface of the belt and a containment ridge portion extending from the outside surface of the belt, the containment ridge portions being positioned and configured to seal against the marginal edges of the squeegee roller; and image transfer means for transferring an image affixed to the belt from the belt to a print medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A liquid toner image forming device for printing which comprises: exposure means for forming a charge pattern on a photoconductor; a photoconductor including a continuous belt for holding the charge pattern, the belt having an inside surface, an outside surface and two marginal edges; developing means for applying liquid toner to the charge pattern, the developing means including a squeegee roller, having marginal edges, for removing excess toner from the belt and aiding affixing of the toner to the charge pattern; a pair of resilient profiles, each being attached to a marginal edge of the belt, the profiles each having a tracking rail portion extending from the inside surface of the belt and a containment ridge portion extending from the outside surface of the belt, the containment ridge portions being positioned and configured to seal against the marginal edges of the squeegee roller; and image transfer means for transferring an image affixed to the belt from the belt to a print medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image forming device of claim 1 further comprising a sealing flange being attached to and extending inwardly from distal edges of the containment ridge portions to form a sealing mechanism which operates against the squeegee roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image forming device of claim 1 wherein the resilient profiles have a circular shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image forming device of claim 1 wherein the resilient profiles have a rectangular shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming device of claim 1 wherein the tracking rail portions are each shaped as a semi-circle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image forming device of claim 5 further comprising a sealing flange being attached to and extending inwardly from distal edges of the containment ridge portions to form a sealing mechanism which operates against the squeegee roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image forming device of claim 5 wherein the containment ridge portions include a cove shaped portion contoured to receive the squeegee roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image forming device of claim 2 wherein the containment ridge portions include a cove shaped portion contoured to receive the squeegee roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image forming device of claim 1 wherein the containment ridge portions include a cove shaped portion contoured to receive the squeegee roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
A liquid toner image forming device for printing which comprises: exposure means for forming a charge pattern on a photoconductor; a photoconductor including a continuous belt for holding the charge pattern, the belt having an inside surface, an outside surface and two marginal edges; developing means for applying liquid toner to the charge pattern, the developing means including a squeegee roller, having marginal edges, for removing excess toner from the belt and aiding affixing of the toner to the charge pattern; a pair of resilient profiles, each being attached to a marginal edge of the belt, the profiles each having a containment ridge portion extending from the outside surface of the belt, the containment ridge portions being positioned and configured to seal against the marginal edges of the squeegee roller; and image transfer means for transferring an image affixed to the belt from the belt to a print medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
A liquid toner image forming device for printing which comprises: exposure means for forming a charge pattern on a photoconductor; a photoconductor including a continuous belt for holding the charge pattern, the belt having an inside surface, an outside surface and two marginal edges; developing means for applying liquid toner to the charge pattern, the developing means including a squeegee roller, having marginal edges, for removing excess toner from the belt and aiding affixing of the toner to the charge pattern; a pair of resilient profiles, each being attached to a marginal edge of the belt, the profiles each having a containment ridge portion extending from the outside surface of the belt, the containment ridge portions being positioned and configured to seal against the marginal edges of the squeegee roller; and image transfer means for transferring an image affixed to the belt from the belt to a print medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image forming device of claim 10 further comprising a sealing flange being attached to and extending inwardly from distal edges of the containment ridge portions to form a sealing mechanism which operates against the squeegee roller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image forming device of claim 10 wherein the containment ridge portions include a cove shaped portion contoured to receive the squeegee roller.
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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) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |