Patent US5371575A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5371575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus with detachable imaging cartridge
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-07-30
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Granted: 1994-12-06
•
Expires: 2012-07-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising a main assembly and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly. The imaging cartridge includes a first unit and a second unit, both of which are separable form each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, and a charging device provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, wherein the charging device includes a charging roller. The present invention also provides an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The imaging cartridge comprises a first unit and a second unit wherein the second unit is separable from the first unit, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, and a charging device provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Hitoshi Sekino
- 👤 Satoshi Yoshida
- 👤 Narutaka Yoshida
- 👤 Takashi Akazawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1817; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1628; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/16; G03G2215/1647; G03G2215/1652; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1618; G03G2221/1642; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1693; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183; G03G2221/1853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly and including a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, and a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet conveyed without being wound around the charging roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly and including a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, and a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet conveyed without being wound around the charging roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein a path for a copy sheet is formed between the first unit and the second unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 1, the image forming apparatus further comprising: operating means installed in the main assembly for separating the second unit from the first unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 3, the image forming apparatus further comprising: copy sheet detecting means for detecting the presence of a copy sheet in the imaging cartridge, and wherein the operating means is operated in accordance with a detecting result of the copy sheet detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 3, the image forming apparatus further comprising: jamming detection means for detecting occurrence of a jamming of a copy sheet, and wherein the operating means is operated in accordance with detecting result of the jamming detection means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 3, the image forming apparatus further comprising; life end detecting means for detecting life end of the imaging cartridge, and wherein the operating means is operated in accordance with a detecting result of the life end detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging cartridge further includes cleaning means for removing residual toner particles on the charging roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging cartridge further includes erasing means for removing a charge on a copy sheet, the erasing means being located downstream of the copy sheet flow with respect to the charging roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first unit and the second unit are separated from each other when the imaging cartridge is removed from the main assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit and a second unit, the second unit being separable from the first unit; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; and a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet conveyed without being wound around the charging roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit and a second unit, the second unit being separable from the first unit; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; and a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet conveyed without being wound around the charging roller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 10, wherein a path for a copy sheet is formed between the first unit and the second unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 10, the imaging cartridge further comprising: cleaning means installed in the second unit for removing residual toner particles on the charging roller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 10, the imaging cartridge further comprising: a cleaning blade installed so that it contacts the charging roller for removing residual toner particles on the charging roller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 10, the imaging cartridge further comprising: erasing means for removing a charge on a copy sheet, the erasing means being located downstream of a copy sheet flow with respect to the charging roller.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, connecting means for connecting the first unit and the second unit, and releasing means for releasing connection of the first unit and the second unit by the connecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, connecting means for connecting the first unit and the second unit, and releasing means for releasing connection of the first unit and the second unit by the connecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 15, wherein the connecting means is pivotable and is installed in the first unit, and includes a lever, one end of which engages with the second unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 15, the image forming apparatus further comprising: operating means installed in the main assembly for operating the releasing means of the imaging cartridge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 17, the image forming apparatus further comprising: copy sheet detecting means for detecting the presence of a copy sheet in the imaging cartridge, and wherein the operating means is operated in accordance with a detecting result of the copy sheet detecting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 17, the image forming apparatus further comprising: jamming detecting means for detecting occurrence of a jamming of a copy sheet, and wherein the operating means is operated in accordance with a detecting result of the jamming detection means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 17, the image forming apparatus further comprising: life end detecting means for detecting life end of the imaging cartridge, and wherein the operating means is operated in accordance with a detecting result of the life end detecting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 15, wherein the imaging cartridge includes cleaning means for removing residual toner particles on the charging roller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus of claim 15, wherein the imaging cartridge includes erasing means for removing a charge on a copy sheet, the erasing means being located downstream of the copy sheet flow with respect to the charging roller.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
87 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; connecting means for connecting the first unit and the second unit; and releasing means for releasing connection of the first unit and the second unit by the connecting means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
87 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; connecting means for connecting the first unit and the second unit; and releasing means for releasing connection of the first unit and the second unit by the connecting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 23, wherein a path for a copy sheet is formed between the first unit and the second unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 23, the imaging cartridge further comprising: a cleaning blade installed so that it contacts said charging roller for removing residual toner particles on the charging roller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 23, the imaging cartridge further comprising: erasing means for removing a charge on a copy sheet, the erasing means being located downstream of the copy sheet path with respect to the charging device roller.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 23, wherein the connecting means is pivotable and is installed in the first unit, and includes a lever, one end of which engages with the second unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly dividable into an upper unit and a lower unit; and a first unit and a second unit both being releasable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and releasing means for releasing the first unit and the second unit in relation with separation of the upper unit and the lower unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly dividable into an upper unit and a lower unit; and a first unit and a second unit both being releasable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and releasing means for releasing the first unit and the second unit in relation with separation of the upper unit and the lower unit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit and a second unit both being releasable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and releasing means for releasing the first unit and the second unit in relation with an operation of removing the imaging cartridge from the main assembly.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit and a second unit both being releasable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and releasing means for releasing the first unit and the second unit in relation with an operation of removing the imaging cartridge from the main assembly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said detachable imaging cartridge comprising: a housing; a toner image carrier provided in the housing; a charging roller provided in the housing for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; and cleaning means provided in the housing for removing residual toner particles on the charging roller.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
65 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said detachable imaging cartridge comprising: a housing; a toner image carrier provided in the housing; a charging roller provided in the housing for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; and cleaning means provided in the housing for removing residual toner particles on the charging roller.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 30, wherein the housing includes a releasable first unit and a releasable second unit, the toner image carrier is installed in the first unit, and the charging roller and the cleaning means are installed in the second unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 31, wherein a sealing member is formed in a space between the second unit of the housing and the charging roller so as to seal the space therebetween.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 30, wherein the cleaning means includes a cleaning blade contacting the charging roller.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 30, the imaging cartridge further comprising: a used toner tank installed in the housing for storing residual toner particles removed by the cleaning means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
145 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a housing, a toner image carrier provided in the housing; copy sheet guiding means installed in the housing for guiding a copy sheet passing through the housing; erasing means installed at a position where it opposes a copy sheet upon having a toner image transferred thereon from the toner image carrier for removing a charge on the copy sheet; and a charging device provided in the housing for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, wherein the housing includes a releasable first unit and a releasable second unit, the toner image carrier is provided in the first unit, and the charging device, the copy sheet guiding means, and the erasing means are provided in the second unit, wherein the charging device includes a charging roller.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
145 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a housing, a toner image carrier provided in the housing; copy sheet guiding means installed in the housing for guiding a copy sheet passing through the housing; erasing means installed at a position where it opposes a copy sheet upon having a toner image transferred thereon from the toner image carrier for removing a charge on the copy sheet; and a charging device provided in the housing for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, wherein the housing includes a releasable first unit and a releasable second unit, the toner image carrier is provided in the first unit, and the charging device, the copy sheet guiding means, and the erasing means are provided in the second unit, wherein the charging device includes a charging roller.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
An imaging cartridge of claim 35, wherein the erasing means includes tapering conductive members which oppose a copy sheet.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
74 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit, a second unit separate from the first unit, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and a lock member for locking the first unit and the second unit together.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
74 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit, a second unit separate from the first unit, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and a lock member for locking the first unit and the second unit together.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit and a second unit both being separate from each other; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; and a lock member for locking the first unit and the second unit together.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit and a second unit both being separate from each other; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; and a lock member for locking the first unit and the second unit together.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit, a second unit, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and connecting means for connecting the first unit to the second unit as the charging roller is movable away from the toner image carrier.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit, a second unit, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and connecting means for connecting the first unit to the second unit as the charging roller is movable away from the toner image carrier.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
75 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit; a second unit; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; and connecting means for connecting the first unit to the second unit as the charging roller is movable away from the toner image carrier.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
75 words
An imaging cartridge detachable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising: a first unit; a second unit; a toner image carrier provided in the first unit; a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet; and connecting means for connecting the first unit to the second unit as the charging roller is movable away from the toner image carrier.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and a guiding member arranged on said first unit or on said second unit for guiding the copy sheet.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit and a second unit both being separable from each other, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, and a guiding member arranged on said first unit or on said second unit for guiding the copy sheet.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit, a second unit positioned by a horizontal side of the first unit and being separable from the first unit, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, and a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, wherein the copy sheet is conveyed vertically upward between said toner image carrier and said charging roller.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly; and an imaging cartridge detachable from the main assembly including a first unit, a second unit positioned by a horizontal side of the first unit and being separable from the first unit, a toner image carrier provided in the first unit, and a charging roller provided in the second unit for transferring a toner image on the toner image carrier onto a copy sheet, wherein the copy sheet is conveyed vertically upward between said toner image carrier and said charging roller.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-05 | 1998-06-06 | 1998-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-05 | 2002-06-06 | 2002-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-05 | 2006-06-06 | 2006-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |