Patents Examined by William A. Noe
  • Patent number: 6018637
    Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction machine including a movable photoconductive member having an image bearing surface; devices for forming a latent image electrostatically on the image bearing surface; a development unit including toner particles for developing the latent image to be transferred onto a sheet; a moving device for moving waste toner particles from the image bearing surface and from the development unit; and a waste developer material cartridge having a housing defining a surface area, a waste developer material chamber, and a waste developer material receiving opening for receiving waste developer material from the moving device, wherein the waste developer material cartridge housing has an accessible sealing device mounted over the receiving opening; and a label assembly reuseable as a sealing device for effectively resealing the accessibly-sealed waste developer material receiving opening during shipping of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy L. Huss, Paul M. Wegman
  • Patent number: 6016410
    Abstract: A fuser, for a reproduction apparatus, having at least one heated fuser roller operating at a setpoint temperature to permanently fix a marking particle image to a receiver member, and a mechanism for controlling temperature droop in the at least one heated fuser roller. The temperature droop controlling mechanism includes an external heat source movable to a position in operative relation with the heated fuser roller and a nonoperative position remote from the heated fuser roller. A logic and control unit regulates heat input to the heated fuser roller, during an idle period, to raise the setpoint temperature for the heated fuser roller a preselected amount relative to the operating temperature set point. At the actuation of the reproduction apparatus job run start, the control unit regulates heat input to the heated fuser roller by the fuser roller heater and the external heat source to raise the fuser operating temperature setpoint a preselected amount relative to the idle temperature setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Muhammed Aslam, Fangsheng Wu, Robert D. Bobo
  • Patent number: 6014541
    Abstract: A device for recovering toner in an image-forming machine includes a cleaning mechanism for removing the toner that remains on an image carrier, a toner conveyer mechanism for conveying the toner removed by said cleaning mechanism, and a toner recovery container for containing the toner conveyed by said toner conveyer mechanism. The toner conveyer mechanism includes a toner conveying pipe connected at its one end to said cleaning mechanism and having, at its other end, a toner discharge port that faces a toner reception port formed in said toner recovery container, a toner conveying member in the form of a coil arranged in said toner conveying pipe and is coupled at its one end to a rotary member, and a toner-scraping member mounted on the other end of said toner conveying member and rotates together with said toner conveying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisahiro Kato, Masahiro Hashizume, Akinobu Nakahata, Michio Uchida, Shinya Kawakami, Hiroshi Inui
  • Patent number: 6011938
    Abstract: To improve the fixing ability in the fixing device, and simultaneously prevent hot offset occurring during continuous fixing process. In the interior of a cored bar of a heat roll is mounted a heater lamp, and by controlling the power supplied to said heater lamp, heat roll is maintained at a first set temperature enabling heat fix. To this heater lamp is pressed a pressurization roll formed by covering a cover layer to a cored bar, which forms a fixing device. The heat roll is controlled and maintained at the first set temperature T.sub.1 at the initial fixing process, and when performing a continuous fixing process, it is switched and controlled to a second set temperature T.sub.2 lower than the first set temperature but enabling fixing. Thereby, the fixing ability could be maintained well, preventing hot offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Toizumi
  • Patent number: 6009286
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming unit to form a developer image on an image carrier, a transfer unit to transfer a developer image on an image receiving medium, a conveyor belt provided in contact with the transfer unit to carry and convey the image receiving medium with a developer image transferred by the transfer unit and a voltage applying portion to apply voltage to the transfer unit. This image forming apparatus further includes a controller to control voltage to be applied by the voltage applying portion to at least either one of the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion of the image receiving medium in the direction conveyed by the conveyor belt so that it becomes higher than voltage to be applied to the middle portion in the conveying direction of the image receiving medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Takao Izumi
  • Patent number: 6003988
    Abstract: An electronic printing system comprises a substrate supply for supplying a substrate along a paper path configured in an arc. The substrate is controllably transported through the electronic printing system past a plurality of printheads. The printheads are arranged above the paper path, in an arc configuration corresponding to the paper path configuration. As the substrate passes under each printhead, a printed image is generated on the substrate. A plurality of rollers are arranged to have at least one roller under the substrate at each location corresponding to a printhead location. Finally, a dryer is located after the last of the plurality of printheads for fixing the printed image to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Scitex Digital Printing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. McCann, David F. Tunmore
  • Patent number: 5999776
    Abstract: A roller-shaped contact charging member which is in contact with and electrically charges a photosensitive drum is provided on a center shaft, and includes a roller-shaped conductive foam material portion covering the shaft, and a tubular-shaped conductive resin material portion covering the foam portion. The foam portion has an electric resistance of 9.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA. or less, the resin portion includes conductive agents and has a surface electric resistance in a range from 1.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA./.quadrature. or more to 9.times.10.sup.7 .OMEGA./.quadrature. or less, and a hardness of the charging roller as a whole is Asker F 90.degree. or less. An image forming unit includes the charging member and the drum. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus supplies a recording paper to the unit, transfers an image from the drum to the paper, and discharges the image-transferred paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Abe, Masaki Kanasugi, Takao Yorifuji, Noriki Ono, Moriyuki Kouroku
  • Patent number: 5999777
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic latent image; a first developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member; a second developing device, faced to the image bearing member and having a movable developer carrying member for carrying toner and carrier, for effecting development after a first developed image provided by the first developing device passes through a position where the developer carrying member is faced to the image bearing member; and a preventing device for forming an alternating electric field between the developer carrying member and the image bearing member, while the second developing device is at reset to prevent the carrier of the second developing device from rubbing the first developed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Masuda, Yuji Sakemi, Takao Ogata, Kazuhiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5999769
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from the housing to the development zone; a means for conveying toner to the donor member; blower for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, the filter including filter material and spring blower, connected thereto, for oscillating the filter material to dislodge toner material collected in the filter when the generating means is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Anderson, Joseph Fantuzzo
  • Patent number: 5999790
    Abstract: A color marking machine which produces a composite color image in five cycles of a photoreceptive member, said color marking machine including a continuous photoreceptive member; a drive system rotating said photoreceptive member in a first direction; a charging station (R) for charging said photoreceptive member; an exposure station (E) for exposing said photoreceptive member so as to produce latent images on said photoreceptive member; a development station (D) for developing said latent images with toner to produce a toner image on said photoreceptive member; a transfer station (T) for transferring said toner image from said photoreceptive member onto a substrate; and a cleaning station (C) for removing residual toner particles from said photoreceptive member; and an camming assembly, operatively connected to said cleaning station and said transfer station, for engaging and disengaging said cleaning station and transfer station to and from said photoreceptive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Folkins
  • Patent number: 5995781
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an image bearing member which is capable of forming a latent electrostatic image thereon, a contact charging member which charges a surface of the image bearing member with the application of electric charges thereto, with the image bearing member and the charging member being in rotation contact, and a non-ozone-generating gas supply device for supplying a non-ozone-generating gas to a chargeable space which extends from a contact position of the contact charging member with the image bearing member and is positioned between (a) a surface of the contact charging memeber and (b) a surface of the image bearing member, with the surfaces facing each other, on an upstream side of the contact position with respect to a rotating direction of the contact charging member, the non-ozone-generating gas being capable of hindering the generation of ozone which is generated in the course of the application of electric charges to the surface of the image bearing member by the contact c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5995780
    Abstract: An electrostatic filtering system which allows a steady flow of air into a development housing and prevent toner emission therefrom. The system is used in an apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface includes the housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in the housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; and electrode for detaching toner from the donor member and produce a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with the housing, for generating a negative air stream in the housing, the air handling system including the electrostatic filtering system for removing the toner from the negative air stream. The electrostatic filtering system includes a baffle mounted in the housing in the negative air stream and a high voltage DC for applying a bias to the baffle thereby creating an electrostatic field between the baffle and the developer for collecting toner emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Wayman
  • Patent number: 5991581
    Abstract: A development roller cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning blade installed with an end contacting an outer surface of a development roller for removing an excess developer liquid therefrom, and a guide for guiding an excess developer liquid removed by a squeegee roller installed downstream from the development roller to the end of the cleaning blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-geun Kwak, Wan-ha Kim, Kee-son Chang
  • Patent number: 5991585
    Abstract: A developing device for an electrophotographic apparatus and a developing roller therefor are disclosed. Polarity identical throughout a range between a magnetic conveying pole and a magnetic depositing pole on a sleeve forms a repulsive magnetic field. Therefore, even when the diameter of the sleeve is reduced for the miniaturization of the developing device, a developer can be surely released from the sleeve despite a decrease in the width of a developer releasing portion in the direction of rotation of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5983061
    Abstract: A toner image onto a print form by pressing a photosensitive material belt against a transfer plate through movement of a transfer opposite roller. The photosensitive material belt running in a direction orthogonal to the supply direction of the print form on a transfer plate. The photosensitive material belt is stably maintained at a region completed for transfer in an attitude following the upper surface of the print form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanobu Matsuzoe, Kouji Migita, Shinichi Kizu, Yusuke Shiibara, Yasunori Sagara, Masashi Ogawa, Yukinori Hara
  • Patent number: 5983052
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from said housing to the development zone; means for conveying toner to the donor member; means for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, said filter including filter material and oscillation means, operational connected to said conveying means, for oscillating said filter material to dislodge toner material collected in said filter when said generating means is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Fantuzzo, David G. Anderson, Thomas J. Behe
  • Patent number: 5978613
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided in a printer to prevent wrapping of the paper web onto the printer's fixing roller which fixes the toner particles onto the paper web. The apparatus includes a sensor to monitor the speed and moving direction of the web at the output of the fixing station. The sensor is connected to a controller which operates to halt the operation of the fixing station or the printer when the sensor senses a reversal of the moving direction of the web. The controller may average the web moving speed and compare the average speed to a predetermined speed for halting printer operation if the average speed traverses the predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Oce Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Mendisch, Franz Hintler, Gerhard Lodermann
  • Patent number: 5978622
    Abstract: In a moving documents imaging system in which documents are separated and sequentially fed from a stack thereof to an imaging platen surface by a separator-feeder system comprising an elastomeric document feeding roller and a frictionally engaging retard member producing elastomeric wear particles optically contaminating the imaging platen surface, an electrostatically attractive shield member is closely spaced from and closely partially surrounding the elastomeric document feeding roller surface to attract and retain these elastomeric wear particles to the interior surface of the shield member so that these particles are not transported by documents to the imaging surface and may be removed by removal of the shield or the entire separator-feeder system. The same shield member may extend to be additionally closely spaced around an elastomeric nudger wheel upstream of the sheet feeding roller. The system may further include a simple triboelectric charging member engaging the document feeding roller surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Wenthe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5978625
    Abstract: A photosensitive belt receiving case is provided, which includes a sidewall having a predetermined shape and an outer wall which extends from the edge of the sidewall. A plurality of grooves are formed at opposing sides of a portion of the outer wall combined with the sidewall. An inner wall extending from the sidewall parallel to the outer wall is provided inside the outer wall, and has a plurality of grooves which face the grooves of the outer wall, so that a photosensitive belt is received between the outer and inner walls and the edge of the photosensitive belt is partially exposed through the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Geun-yong Park
  • Patent number: 5970278
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type capable of forming a plurality of images in separate areas of an intermediate transfer body is disclosed. When a paper or similar recording medium to which a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body should be transferred is absent, the transfer of a toner image from the image carrier to the intermediate transfer body is interrupted. At the same time, toner left on the intermediate transfer body is removed by a particular method different from a usual method and capable of enhancing a cleaning ability. The apparatus is therefore capable of fully removing the toner and thereby obviating defective images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Leo Munakata