US5515145A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color image forming apparatus having integral multiple length belt
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1993-11-29
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Granted: 1996-05-07
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Expires: 2013-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A color image forming apparatus of the type having a photoconductive belt for forming a latent image thereon electrostatically. The latent image is developed to turn out a corresponding toner image. The toner image is transferred from the photoconductive belt to an intermediate transfer belt. Such a procedure is repeated to form a composite color image on the intermediate belt. The color image is transferred from the intermediate belt to a recording medium. Any point on the intermediate belt in the direction of rotation and any points on drive rollers assigned to the two belts, respectively, in the direction of rotation are held in the same positional relation to a stationary member every time the intermediate belt completes one rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 Eiichi Sasaki
- 👤 Koichi Noguchi
- 👤 Minoru Suzuki
- 👤 Koji Sakamoto
- 👤 Hiroyuki Matsushiro
- 👤 Tsuyoshi Deki
- 👤 Noriyuki Kimura
- 👤 Takatsugu Fujishiro
- 👤 Chiyako Hatsuyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0131; G03G15/0121; G03G15/0142; G03G15/0147; G03G15/0152; G03G15/0173; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0151; G03G2215/0154; G03G2215/0167; G03G2215/0174; G03G2215/0177
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A color image forming apparatus comprising: a photoconductive belt; latent image forming means for forming latent images each being representative of an image of particular color electrostatically on said photoconductive belt; developing means for developing each of the latent images with a developer of particular color to thereby produce a corresponding visible image; an intermediate transfer belt to which the visible images of respective colors are transferred from said photoconductive belt one above the other; and a drive transmission system comprising a first drive roller for driving said photoconductive belt, and a second drive roller for driving said intermediate transfer belt; said intermediate transfer belt having a circumferential length which is an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said second drive roller, said circumferential length of said second drive roller being an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said first drive roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A color image forming apparatus comprising: a photoconductive belt; latent image forming means for forming latent images each being representative of an image of particular color electrostatically on said photoconductive belt; developing means for developing each of the latent images with a developer of particular color to thereby produce a corresponding visible image; an intermediate transfer belt to which the visible images of respective colors are transferred from said photoconductive belt one above the other; and a drive transmission system comprising a first drive roller for driving said photoconductive belt, and a second drive roller for driving said intermediate transfer belt; said intermediate transfer belt having a circumferential length which is an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said second drive roller, said circumferential length of said second drive roller being an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said first drive roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visible images are transferred from said photoconductive belt to said intermediate transfer belt at a first transfer position and from said intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium at a second transfer position, a distance from said first transfer position to said second transfer position as measured on said intermediate transfer belt being greater than a maximum print size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said intermediate transfer belt is provided with position information means for determining a time for forming the latent image on said photoconductive belt, said apparatus further comprising position information detecting means for detecting said position information means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said position information means comprises a plurality of marks provided on a part of said intermediate transfer belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said time for forming the latent image is a time when one of said plurality of marks is sensed after a print enable state has been set up in said apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: storing means for storing a number of said marks beforehand when the visible images are to be superposed one above the other on said intermediate transfer belt; counting means for counting said marks until said intermediate transfer belt completes one rotation; and mark discriminating means for discriminating said marks detected by said counting means for the first time from the others; the latent image being again formed on said photoconductive belt on the basis of said marks detected for the first time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a distance between nearby ones of said marks is less than the maximum print size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
A color image forming apparatus comprising: a photoconductive belt; latent image forming means for forming latent images each being representative of an image of particular color electrostatically on said photoconductive belt; developing means for developing each of the latent images with a developer of particular color to thereby produce a corresponding visible image; an intermediate transfer belt to which the visible images of respective colors are transferred from said photoconductive belt one above the other; and a drive transmission system comprising a first drive roller for driving said photoconductive belt, and a second drive roller for driving said intermediate transfer belt; said intermediate transfer belt having a circumferential length which is an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said second drive roller, said circumferential length of said second drive roller being an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said first drive roller; said intermediate transfer belt being provided with position information means for determining a time for forming the latent image on said photoconductive belt, said apparatus further comprising position information detecting means for detecting said position information means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
181 words
A color image forming apparatus comprising: a photoconductive belt; latent image forming means for forming latent images each being representative of an image of particular color electrostatically on said photoconductive belt; developing means for developing each of the latent images with a developer of particular color to thereby produce a corresponding visible image; an intermediate transfer belt to which the visible images of respective colors are transferred from said photoconductive belt one above the other; and a drive transmission system comprising a first drive roller for driving said photoconductive belt, and a second drive roller for driving said intermediate transfer belt; said intermediate transfer belt having a circumferential length which is an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said second drive roller, said circumferential length of said second drive roller being an integral multiple of a circumferential length of said first drive roller; said intermediate transfer belt being provided with position information means for determining a time for forming the latent image on said photoconductive belt, said apparatus further comprising position information detecting means for detecting said position information means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-07 | 1999-11-06 | 2000-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-07 | 2003-11-06 | 2004-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-07 | 2007-11-06 | 2008-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |