Patent US5689766A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5689766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for controlling air flow in a printing machine
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1995-10-25
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2015-10-25
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for maintaining an ambient condition about a marking module. The apparatus includes a substantially air impervious enclosure defining a chamber having the marking module disposed therein. An air flow source supplies air to the chamber, and sensors respond to the amount of air flow to control the air flowing from the air source.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. Hollar
- 👤 Karl B. Ayash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:21
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/20; G03G21/206; B; B41; B41J; B41J29/00; B41J29/377
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for maintaining an ambient condition about a marking module, including: a substantially air impervious enclosure defining a chamber having the marking module mounted therein; an air source, coupled to said enclosure, for supplying air to the chamber; means for sensing the air flow in the chamber of said enclosure to control the air flowing from said air source to the chamber; and an air dispersion device, coupled to said air source and said sensing means, for controlling the air flow to the chamber of said enclosure, said dispersion device includes a plurality of diffusers, and a plurality of valves coupled to said plurality of diffusers, said valves being responsive to said sensing means for controlling air flow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for maintaining an ambient condition about a marking module, including: a substantially air impervious enclosure defining a chamber having the marking module mounted therein; an air source, coupled to said enclosure, for supplying air to the chamber; means for sensing the air flow in the chamber of said enclosure to control the air flowing from said air source to the chamber; and an air dispersion device, coupled to said air source and said sensing means, for controlling the air flow to the chamber of said enclosure, said dispersion device includes a plurality of diffusers, and a plurality of valves coupled to said plurality of diffusers, said valves being responsive to said sensing means for controlling air flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dispersion device includes a plurality of air flow tubes, each of said tubes comprising an external tube and an internal tube mounted in said external tube; said internal tubes and said external tubes having apertures therein, said internal tube and said external tube being rotatable relative to each other to vary the air flow through the apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of said internal tubes are stationary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, further including means for rotating each of said external tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sensing means senses air flow from each of the internal tubes to control air flow to locations adjacent to the tubes in the chamber of said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of said external tubes are stationary.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further including means for rotating each of said internal tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said sensing means senses air flow from each of the internal tubes to control air flow to locations adjacent to the tubes in the chamber of said enclosure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A printing machine of the type having a printing module associated with non-printing modules, including: a substantially air impervious enclosure defining a chamber having the printing module mounted therein; an air source, coupled to said enclosure, for supplying air to the chamber; means for sensing the air flow in the chamber of said enclosure to control the air flowing from said air source to said chamber; an air dispersion device, coupled to said air source and said sensing means, for controlling air flow to the chamber of said enclosure, said dispersion device includes a plurality of diffusers, and a plurality of valves coupled to said plurality of diffusers, said valves being responsive to said sensing means for controlling air flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A printing machine of the type having a printing module associated with non-printing modules, including: a substantially air impervious enclosure defining a chamber having the printing module mounted therein; an air source, coupled to said enclosure, for supplying air to the chamber; means for sensing the air flow in the chamber of said enclosure to control the air flowing from said air source to said chamber; an air dispersion device, coupled to said air source and said sensing means, for controlling air flow to the chamber of said enclosure, said dispersion device includes a plurality of diffusers, and a plurality of valves coupled to said plurality of diffusers, said valves being responsive to said sensing means for controlling air flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
A printing machine according to claim 9, wherein said dispersion device includes a plurality of air flow tubes, each of said tubes comprising an external tube and an internal tube mounted in said external tube; said internal tubes and said external tubes having apertures therein, said internal tube and said external tube being rotatable relative to each other to vary the air flow through the apertures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A printing machine according to claim 10, wherein each of said internal tubes are stationary.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A printing machine according to claim 11, further including means for rotating each of said external tubes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A printing machine according to claim 12, wherein said sensing means senses air flow from each of the internal tubes to control air flow to locations adjacent to the tubes in the chamber of said enclosure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A printing machine according to claim 10, wherein each of said external tubes are stationary.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A printing machine according to claim 14, further including means for rotating each of said internal tubes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A printing machine according to claim 15, wherein said sensing means senses air flow from each of the internal tubes to control air flow to locations adjacent to the tubes in the chamber of said enclosure.
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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) | 2000-11-17 | 2001-05-19 | 2001-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | 2005-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-17 | 2009-05-19 | 2009-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |