Patents Examined by Christopher Horgan
  • Electrophotographic reproduction apparatus having improved fuser to prevent wrinkling of envelopes using intermittent pressure
    Patent number: 5268726
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printer (11) including a fuser (16, 17) for fusing a toned image onto an envelope (13) passing through a fuser nip (14). Wrinkling and treeing of the envelope (13) is substantially eliminated by removing the pressure on the envelope (13) in the fuser nip (14) for one or more brief intervals during the fusing process. To do this, a solenoid (21) is intermittently driven to remove the force of a spring (18) urging the fuser rolls (16, 17) together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Oleksa, Larry J. Rice, John O. Schaefer
  • Image forming apparatus with intermediate tray
    Patent number: 5268728
    Abstract: If a being conveyed on which the image of a preceding document of a specific document is formed is jammed on the way including the post-processing device for post-processing while a new paper is fed from a paper feeder for the specific document and being sent into the intermediate tray by conveyer,the controller stops the conveyance of the jamming paper by the conveyer, and allows the paper being towards the intermediate tray to be conveyed to the intermediate tray and stocked, while stopping feed of new paper by paper feeder, and when jamming is cleared, the paper stocked in the intermediate tray is discharged outsides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Sugiyama, Ken Yoshizuka
  • Cleaning unit with a cleaning member made of activated carbon fibers
    Patent number: 5264903
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for use in an image-formation apparatus including a photoconductor, provided with a cleaning member which can be brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor and is made of an activated carbon fiber as the main component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagame, Narihito Kojima
  • Image forming device
    Patent number: 5264902
    Abstract: The image forming device of the present invention relates to an image forming device having a moving member which moves while pressing a recording material against an image carrying member as the means of transferring the image on the image carrying member to the recording material. Further, the image forming device has a pair of moving members for fixing the image by conveying the recording material sandwiched therebetween, of which the moving member on the side not in contact with the unfixed image is a moving member having an elastic material layer and a resin surface layer. Further, the present invention has the surface of the moving member of the fixing member on the side not in contact with the unfixed image which is better mold releasability with that of the moving member of the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Suwa, Masahiro Goto, Takahiro Inoue, Koichi Hiroshima, Shinichi Tsukida, Junichi Kato, Hideyuki Yano, Manabu Takano
  • Image forming apparatus with auxiliary image forming mechanism
    Patent number: 5260760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising a main image forming mechanism for forming a toner image on a recording sheet based on image information and an auxiliary image forming mechanism for forming an auxiliary image on a recording sheet on which the main image is formed. The auxiliary image forming mechanism supplies charged toner to a substrate provided with a plurality of toner passage holes and selectively forms electric potential which allow or does not allow the charged toner to pass through each toner passage hole by a pair of electrodes. A predetermined image is formed with the toner passed through the toner passage holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Takemura, Eiji Nimura
  • Image forming system and process cartridge removably mountable on same
    Patent number: 5258811
    Abstract: An image forming system having an image bearing member and a developer bearing member. Developer bearing member is biased toward the image bearing member by using the weight of a developing device. A tension spring for reducing an urging force of the developer bearing member against the image forming member is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Miyake, Hiroo Kobayashi, Yoshiya Nomura
  • Photocopier with duplex tray save after jam
    Patent number: 5258818
    Abstract: A method of recovery from a machine paper jam with a plurality of sheets in a duplex tray of a machine operating in a pre-collation mode to provide multiple copy sets, including the steps of recycling the plurality of pre-collated or pre-ordered serial sheets in the duplex tray out of and back into the duplex tray to reorient the images on the sheets, reimaging the sheets that have exited the duplex tray but are still in process, stacking the reimaged sheets into the top of the duplex tray and recycling a second time the plurality of sheets originally in the duplex tray at time of jam into the duplex tray to reorient the images on the sheets for a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas F. Sundquist, Paul F. Schmitt, Charles E. Smith, Riley L. Warddrip, Thomas M. Spangenberg
  • Copier with automatic insert feed having an interrupt function
    Patent number: 5257082
    Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine capable of inserting an inter-sheet in a copy of a document. A width-detector is provided to detect the width of an inter-sheet contained in an inter-sheet tray. A judging circuit determines if the detected width of the inter-sheet is within an allowable width range. If the detected width is not within the allowable width range, the inter-sheet is inhibited from being fed and reminder information is displayed. If the inter-sheet is required to be blank with no image of the original recorded thereon, an automatic document feeder is controlled so as to stop feeding the original sheet while the inter-sheet is conveyed to be placed at the insert-page. The adjustment of copy image density, including scanning of the original sheet, is also stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Chiharu Kobayashi, Masaru Ushio, Tomoya Motoyoshi
  • Image forming apparatus with a first and second lid
    Patent number: 5255061
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which forms a predetermined image on each recording paper of a plurality of recording papers and ejects each recording paper therefrom through a feed path, includes a body and a first lid. The first lid is pivotably provided on the body so as to pivot from a closing position to an opening position, and the feed path is mostly exposed when the first lid is located at the opening position. The body includes photosensitive member, a latent image forming device, and a developing device, whereas the first lid includes merely a transfer device so that the first lid is light enough to be opened easily. In addition, a jammed paper can be removed easily from the feed path because the feed path is mostly exposed when the first lid is located at the opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yozo Matsuura, Shiroh Kondoh, Kazuhiro Yuasa
  • Color copying apparatus with improved start timing of a scanner
    Patent number: 5255063
    Abstract: A color copying apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes: a scanner for scanning an original to form a plurality of electrostatic latent images corresponding to color components of an image of the original; developing devices for converting the electrostatic latent images formed by the scanner to toner images of different colors; a rotating unit on which the toner images obtained by the conversion are superposed; a detector for detecting a rotating position of the rotating unit; a controller for controlling start timing of the scanner in response to a detection output of the detector; and a regulator for regulating the start timing for each of the toner images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ideyama, Tohru Fujiwara, Kenichi Muroki, Akito Wada
  • Fixing apparatus for electrographic recorder
    Patent number: 5255060
    Abstract: A heat roller type fixing apparatus which prevents forming of wrinkles on a material for printing and eliminates a jitter of a picture. The apparatus comprises a single fixing roller equipped with a heater, and two pressing rollers pressed to the fixing roller. The fixing roller and the two pressing rollers are arranged so that a collision angle, an angle in which the printing material ejected from a nip portion of a first pressing roller collides with a second pressing roller, is less than 67 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Chikano
  • Method of forming a reference pattern for adjusting image density in copying machines
    Patent number: 5253031
    Abstract: A copying machine capable of color copying includes a filter apparatus for color-separating scanning light for scanning original images, and the original images are copied by electrophotographic process. The filter apparatus includes mirror filters having color separation filters of blue, green and red, respectively deposited on mirror surfaces and a half mirror, and these mirrors are arranged apart from each other at an angle of 90.degree., so that the apparatus as a whole has a cylindrical shape. The light scanned the original images is reflected by the filter mirrors, and latent electrostatic images corresponding to respective colors are formed on a photoreceptor drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyoshi Kinoshita, Keiji Kusumoto, Katsuhiko Takeda, Hiroyuki Ideyama, Shizuo Yuge
  • Image forming apparatus including fixing means with variable fixing speed
    Patent number: 5249024
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording material carrying unit for carrying and conveying a recording material. The recording material carrying unit can simultaneously carry a first sheet of recording material and a second sheet of recording material at different positions thereon. The apparatus also includes an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording material carried on the recording material carrying unit, and a fixing unit with a variable fixing speed for fixing the image on the recording material separated from the recording material carrying unit. An interval between the entering times of the first sheet of recording material and the second sheet of recording material carried on the recording material carrying unit is variable in accordance with the fixing speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Menjo
  • Color image forming apparatus with translatable development apparatus having an integral wheel mount
    Patent number: 5247331
    Abstract: A development apparatus for applying toner of different colors to electrostatic images at a single development position, which moves translationally to align each of a series of development units with the development position. The development units are supported in a movable carriage which carriage includes a translation plate. The translation plate is supported on the floor or other similar surface by a set of wheels which wheels are secured to said translation plate by integrally molded mounts. The mount includes a surface for receiving an axle for the wheels, snaps for holding the axle against the surface and a retaining wall for preventing axial movement of the axle. The yoke also restricts movement of its wheel parallel to its axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: James G. Rydelek
  • Image forming apparatus which reduces noise generated therefrom
    Patent number: 5245385
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus reduces the level of noise escaping therefrom via an opening. The noise is generated from a motor which drives an image forming part in the image forming apparatus, from a radiator fan which radiates heat inside the apparatus to the outside via the opening, and from an exhaust fan which passes harmful air through a filter and then exhausts harmless air to the outside via the opening. The image forming apparatus generates a predetermined sound wave and collides it with the noise so that the predetermined sound wave and noise cancel each other out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Fukumizu, Hiroo Kitagawa, Fumihiko Ishikawa, Tadao Koike, Takaaki Yanagisawa, Satoshi Kanda
  • Image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 5245389
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus wherein the copying operation is performed not only in an automatic density specifying mode but also in a manual density specifying mode according to select by an operator. When the ratio of the frequency of select of the manual density specifying mode to the frequency of select of the automatic density specifying mode has exceeded a predetermined value, the image forming apparatus is adapted to execute an image adjustment process by detecting the state of components, for example, charge wires for the purpose of adjusting the density of copy images formed in the automatic density specifying mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsugihito Yoshiyama, Tadafumi Shimizu, Hiroyuki Ideyama, Yoshihiko Hatta, Masazumi Ito
  • Device for adjusting output of image density sensor incorporated in image forming equipment
    Patent number: 5245390
    Abstract: A device incorporated in image forming equipment for adjusting the output of an image density sensor which optically senses the density of a toner image formed on a photoconductive element and representative of a reference pattern. The density sensor is made up of a light emitting element and a light-sensitive element. Thresholds divide an output range wherein the output characteristic of the sensor does not change into a plurality of subranges having the optimal output associated with the background of the photoconductive element as the center value. The sensor senses the background of the photoconductive element at predetermined intervals. Whether or not to adjust the output of the sensor is determined on the combination of the subrange where the resulting output of the sensor lies and the number of times that the former lies in the latter. The sensor output, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishigaki, Yusuke Shimbo
  • Image forming apparatus with predictive electrostatic process control system
    Patent number: 5243383
    Abstract: An electrostatographic printing machine having a charge control system incorporated therein, wherein first and second surface voltage potentials on the imaging surface are measured to determine a dark decay rate model representative of surface voltage potential decay on the imaging surface with respect to time, and the dark decay rate model is used to determine the surface potential voltage at any point on the imaging surface corresponding to a given charge voltage. This information is used for providing a predictive model to determine the charge voltage required to produce a target surface voltage potential at a selected point on the imaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Parisi
  • Color image forming apparatus with developing unit moving means
    Patent number: 5243395
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a carriage carrying plural developing unit is movable along a rectilinear predetermined path to provide a desired developing unit adjacent a photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus. The developing unit is moved to a developing position by moving the unit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the carriage movement using the moving force used for moving the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michiro Koike, Masaki Nakaoka, Tadayuki Kitajima
  • System for cleaning the developer unit in an electronic reprographic printing system
    Patent number: 5243388
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and replenishing the developer unit of an electronic reprographic printing system. The developer units are mounted in a retractable drawer within the machine. A cover is placed over the developer unit, which is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. A vacuum machine is connected to the air outlet to create a wind flow within the developer unit for cleaning the unit. A tool is provided for turning the auger within the developer unit when it is being cleaned, and to similarly assist in the subsequent recharging of the developer unit with developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Berns, Frank R. Walsh, Kenneth J. Weaver, Michael E. Minadeo