USRE33633E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for charging or discharging a member
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1989-04-24
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Granted: 1991-07-09
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Expires: 2009-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of charging or discharging a member including the steps of, opposing to a member to be acted on, a discharging member having a dielectric member, an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density of the surface discharge area is changed in the direction of the width of the discharging electrode, and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to be subjected to a low charge density portion and then to a high charge density portion to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Inventors
- 👤 Nagao Hosono
- 👤 Yukio Nagase
- 👤 Tatsuo Takeuchi
- 👤 Hidemi Egami
- 👤 Hiroshi Satomura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/06; G03G15/00; G03G15/02; G03G15/0291; H; H01; H01T; H01T19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member, and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member parallel to a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is spaced away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to product a surface discharge area on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one of the lateral ends of the inducing electrode; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member, and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member parallel to a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is spaced away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to product a surface discharge area on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one of the lateral ends of the inducing electrode; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is spaced away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one of the lateral ends of the inducting electrode.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is spaced away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one of the lateral ends of the inducting electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said discharging electrode has plural rows of discharging electrode members, and wherein a distance between said one of the lateral ends of said dielectric member and a row of the discharging electrode members which is closest to said one lateral end is smaller than a distance between said other lateral end of said dielectric member and a row of the discharging electrode members which is closest to said other lateral end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein distances between adjacent rows of electrode members decreases toward said one of the lateral ends.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member, and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is spaced away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one of the lateral ends of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member, and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is spaced away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one of the lateral ends of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode and wherein the dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other lateral end thereof; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one lateral end of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode and wherein the dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other lateral end thereof; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one lateral end of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode and wherein the dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other lateral end thereof; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one lateral end of the inducing electrode; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of: opposing a discharging member to a member to be acted on, said discharging member having a dielectric member and having an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching the dielectric member so that the discharging electrode faces the member to be acted on, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode and wherein the dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other lateral end thereof; applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one lateral end of the inducing electrode; and moving the member to be acted on relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be acted on by the thus formed surface discharge.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
56 words
A method according to claims 1, 5, 6 or 7, further comprising the step of forming a bias electric field between the discharging electrode and said member to be acted on to move ions produced by the surface discharge, said field being formed with a predetermined polarity with respect to the member to be acted on.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member increases continuously.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
18 words
A method according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member increases in steps.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one lateral end of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode at such a position that the discharging electrode is away from one lateral end of the inducing electrode by a smaller distance than from the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one lateral end of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducting electrode and wherein said dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one lateral end of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducting electrode and wherein said dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other lateral end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein a charge density adjacent said one lateral end of the inducing electrode is higher than that adjacent said other end thereof.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode and wherein said dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one of the lateral ends of the inducting electrode.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for charging or discharging a member, comprising: a dielectric member; an inducing electrode and a discharging electrode sandwiching said dielectric member, wherein the discharging electrode extends on a surface of the dielectric member along a center line of the inducing electrode and wherein said dielectric member has a thickness increasing in a direction from one lateral end of the inducing electrode to the other end of the inducing electrode; and a power source for applying an alternating voltage between said inducing electrode and said discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on a surface of the dielectric member at the discharging electrode side, wherein one of the lateral ends of the surface discharge area is substantially coincident with said one of the lateral ends of the inducting electrode.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
53 words
A device according to claims 2, 11, 12 or 13, further comprising means for applying a bias electric field between the discharging electrode and the member to be acted on to move ions produced by the surface discharge, said field having a predetermined polarity with respect to the member to be acted on.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
17 words
A device according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member increases continuously.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
18 words
A device according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the thickness of the dielectric member increases in steps.
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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) | 1994-07-08 | 1995-01-07 | 1995-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-08 | 1999-01-07 | 1999-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-08 | 2003-01-07 | 2003-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |