Abstract: A contact member for controlling an electrostatic state of a surface of a chargeable member includes electrically conductive base members, and flame retardant material included in the base members.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillating circuit for the elimination or reduction of static electricity which is generated in material (1) of machines for treatment or handling or in electrical apparatuses, the oscillating circuit consisting of an electrical circuit, which together with a discharger (2) is included in a unit for discharging static electricity. The oscillating circuit includes a feedback looped inverter (4) consisting of one inverter unit or more inverter units connected in parallel or a feed-back looped series of inverters connected in series, each inverter consisting of either one inverter or a plurality of inverter units connected in parallel, each inverter including one or more transistors. The amplitude of the voltage of the potential oscillation which is transmitted to the discharging means (2), amounts to between 0.1 and 100 V and preferably to between 2 and 15 V.

Abstract: A spring-contact device which prevents the primary charge roller of a toner cartridge assembly from shifting back and forth and aids in providing the roller with an electrostatic charge. The device is made from a thin piece of electrically conductive material and comprises a long portion and a short portion bent from the long portion at an approximately right angle. The short portion has a hole in it for fitting over the hub on the charge roller mount in the toner cartridge assembly. The long portion presses against an endpost of the roller, maintaining a spring-contact. A spring-contact device is placed at each end of the charge roller such that the roller is held between the long portions of the spring-contact device by opposing forces.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a moving member to be charged includes a charging member for contact with the member to be charged to which a voltage is applied; wherein the charging member has a volume resistivity of not more than 1.times.10.sup.9 ohm.cm, and a surface resistivity at a surface contactable to the member to be charged not less than 5.times.10 ohm/.quadrature..

Abstract: Static eliminator device includes a nonmetallic pultruded composite member having a plurality of conductive carbon fibers provided within a polymer matrix of thermosetting resin, wherein the plurality of carbon fibers are oriented within the polymer matrix in a longitudinal direction of the pultruded composite member and extend continuously therethrough. The pultruded composite member has at least one laser fibrillated end including a brush-like structure of densely distributed filament contacts formed from an exposed length of the carbon fibers for contact with the surface. The brush-like structure has either a straight edge configuration or a shaped configuration. The static eliminator device may include a base member for holding the pultruded composite member, wherein the base member electrically communicates with the plurality of conductive fibers to permit the electrical charge to pass therefrom.

Abstract: A contact charger includes a photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer formed on a surface of an electrically conductive drum base and a fixed coil connected to the drum base and ground. The contact charger charges the photosensitive layer by making a charge roller in contact with the photosensitive layer while being applied thereto DC voltage from a power supply. With this arrangement, in the case where a pin hole exists on the photosensitive layer, there may have a continuity between the charge roller and the drum base which may results in a sudden increase in current flowing between the drum base and ground. When this happens, however, since self-induced electromotive force, having a direction opposite to the electromotive force of the power supply, is generated by the fixed coil in response to a sudden increase in current, excessive current will not flow between the drum base and ground, thereby eliminating the possibility of a large drop in voltage of the power supply.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier which is rotated in a predetermined direction, a brush charger which charges a surface of the carrier, an exposure unit which forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the carrier in accordance with image information supplied thereto, a developer which develops the electrostatic latent image with a toner, and a transfer unit which transfers a toner image from the surface of the carrier onto a transfer medium supplied thereto. The image carrier includes a conductive main body, an undercoat having a predetermined electric resistance higher than that of the main body, and a photosensitive layer, which is formed on the undercoat, and on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the exposure unit after charging is performed by the charger. The charger includes a main body constituted by bristles consisting of conductive fibers having electric resistance within the range from about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.9 .OMEGA.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for applying single polar electrostatic charges to a surface of a continuously travelling long web support before coating the support with a coating composition comprises a fine wire shaped corona discharging electrode connected to a electric source and a pass roller coated by a coating, the pass roller facing said corona discharging through the support.

Abstract: Carbon fiber mats are embedded in a coating by first rolling on a coating of e.g. epoxy on the floor or wall, then applying sheets of fine carbon fibers, (optionally) removing the carbon fiber which is not adherent after the coating has dried, then applying one or more additional top coats of coating to additionally embed the carbon fibers. The result is an electrically conductive floor and/or wall coating system useful in antistatic rooms such as clean rooms, operating rooms, etc. Coatings can be solvent based or waterborne urethanes, epoxies, alkyds, polyethylenes, acrylics, vinyls, vinyl acetates, esters, polyesters, sulfones, polysulfones, silicones, polysilicones and others. The preferred mats are carbon fiber "veils" or "paper" generally having a density of about 0.75 oz./square yard.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a charging member contactable to a member to be charged to charge the member to be charged; a power source for supplying a voltage between the charging member and the member to be charged; and a conductive member for covering a contact portion between the charging member and the member to be charged, the conductive member being electrically grounded.

Abstract: An electronic component for making electrical contact with another component comprising a nonmetallic pultruded composite member having a plurality of small generally circular cross section conductive fibers in a polymer matrix the plurality of fibers being oriented in the matrix in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the member and being continuous from one end of the member to the other to provide a plurality of electrical point contacts at each end of the member at least one end of the member having a fibrillated brush-like structure of said plurality of fibers providing a densely distributed filament contact wherein the terminating ends of the fibers in the brush-like structure defines an electrically contacting surface. In a preferred embodiment the brush-like member is a laser fibrillated structure.

Abstract: In a printer, in which a fixed brush charger charges a surface of a photosensitive drum to form a charged area to be converted into an electrostatic latent image by an optical system, fine particles having a volumetric mean particle diameter of 5 to 20 .mu.m are supplied to the brush charger, from upstream side, in a moving direction of surface of the photosensitive member, of the charger, the particles being adhered onto the surface of the photosensitive member with an adhesion density of 5 to 1000 pcs/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically cleaning shaft grounding devices in rotating machinery to reduce or eliminate the need for on-line servicing of the grounding devices. When a monitoring system for the grounding devices signals that an excessive electrical charge is present on the shaft, a cleansing material is sprayed at the interface of the grounding device with the shaft to remove any contaminants for the electrical insulating material between the bearings and the rotating shaft, and to re-establish the grounding path from the shaft. Voltage discharge from the shaft to the bearings through the bearing lubricating oil is thereby prevented. Alarm delay of the shaft ground monitoring device allows the apparatus to function automatically, obviating the need for on-servicing by plant personnel or unnecessary shut down of the machinery.

Abstract: A corotron assembly comprising a coronode for generating an electrostatic field and including an electrically nonconductive protective guard having a U-shaped base member forming a channel for receiving the coronode wherein a plurality of finger elements are provided, extending from the sidewalls such that the coronode is recessed between the finger elements. Each finger element is further provided with a spherical radii tip for reducing the attenuating effects of the finger elements on the electrostatic field generated by the coronode.

Abstract: A brush assembly for providing contact between a grounding brush and a rotating shaft, in which the noncontact time associated with brush bounce is reduced. A brush is provided which is fixed to a pivotable arm, with a bias force applied to the arm, such that when the brush is bounced from a shaft as a result of vibration or shaft wobbling, the bias force will reestablish contact between the brush and shaft. Rolling contact between a negator spring and the arm is also provided for reducing friction associated with contact between the spring and pivotable arm. Due to the reduced friction provided by the rolling contact, and more significantly by the pivotal mounting of the arm to which the brush is fixed, the response of the assembly in reestablishing contact with the shaft is greatly improved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier having a movable surface, and a stationary contact brush charger for electrostatically charging the surface of the latent image carrier in contact therewith during a movement of the carrier surface relative to the brush charger. In this apparatus, the contact time t, during which any arbitrarily chosen point on the carrier surface then moving in one direction is held in contact with the brush charger, and the electric resistance R of each of the brush bristles forming the brush charger are chosen such that the product of the contact time t multiplied by the common logarithm of the electric resistance R, i.e., (t.times.log.sub.10 R), is within the range of 0.9 to 4.6.

Abstract: An antistatic roll is provided for use in transferring and/or winding a continuous sheet of polymeric film. The roll comprises a cylindrical core made of an electrically conductive material which is provided with a pair of rotational shafts, each extending away from the opposite ends of the roll in an axial direction. A layer of dielectric material surrounds the core, which has a spiral groove formed on the outer circumference thereof at a substantially equal pitch. An elongate conductor is held within and extends along the spiral groove to gather static electricity from the roll and/or the polymeric film. Associated with the elongate conductor is a grounding arrangement to drain off the static electricity gathered therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically coupling a conductive layer of a photoreceptor to a reference potential, the photoreceptor being positionable between an operative position and a replacement position. The apparatus includes an electrically conductive brush which is electrically coupled to the reference potential. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the conductive brush into electrical contact with the conductive layer in response to the photoreceptor being moved to the operative position and out of electrical contact with the conductive layer in response to the photoreceptor being moved to the replacement position.

Abstract: A hair brush adapted to prevent charging of the bristles and hair, according to the invention, has a multiplicity of small holes (7) formed in a brush base (2) at each of widthwise opposite end portions thereof and arranged at a spacing in a row longitudinally of the base, and an antistatic member (9) is so provided as to project from the multiplicity of small holes (7) slightly beyond the base surface (2a), whereby the antistatic member (9) is made stiff and prevented from bending down, rendering the brush easy to draw through hair for smooth brushing.

Abstract: A device for removing dust, lint and static charge from film and plastic surfaces. The device uses an improved design of rotating brushes incorporating electrically conductive fiber tufts. These electrically conductive fiber tufts remove the static charge while the rotating brush produces a sweeping action as well as an air convective action to remove the dust and conduct it away.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heater; a film movable in contact with a recording material carrying an image, wherein the image is heated from the heater through the film; the film having an insulative heat resistive resin base layer at a side near the heater and a parting layer containing conductive material at a side near the recording material; a conductive member contacted or close to the base layer of the film; and a potential maintaining device for maintaining substantially the same potential of the parting layer and the conductive member.

Abstract: A device for assuring separation between a receiver member and a dielectric member in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus. The electrostatographic reproduction apparatus includes a dielectric member adapted to carry a developed image, the dielectric member being movable along a travel path in which at some point the direction of travel is changed. Upstream of the change of direction of travel of the dielectric member, a mechanism is provided for electrostatically transferring a developed image from the dielectric member to a receiver member movable into register with the dielectric member. The separation device comprises an electrically conductive member of sharp edge configuration.

Abstract: A device which electrically grounds a rotating shaft. A brush is mounted removably on the rotating shaft. The brush has conductive fibers extending outwardly over a portion thereof. As the shaft rotates, the conductive fibers of the brush periodically contact an electrically grounded member to electrically ground the shaft.

Abstract: A web electricity removing roller which removes static charge appearing on the surface of a web formed of paper, a plastic sheet or the like. The roller has a rotary cylindrical body as the main body thereof for guiding contact with the web. The rotary cylindrical body can be electrically connected to a power source or grounded. A plurality of through bores are formed in the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and a discharge electrode is disposed within the rotary cylindrical body. The electrically charged particles that are radiated from the discharge electrode by corona discharge form an electrically charged layer on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary cylindrical body which can remove the static charges from the surface of the web in surface contact with the roller.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a charge neutralizing system for neutralizing static charge on sheets of material fed therethrough. The charge neutralizing system includes a grounded wire (47) located in proximity to the sheets for neutralizing charge on the sheets. The charge neutralizing system further includes a grounded conductive brush (81) mounted on a sheet deflector (61) so that one end of the brush (77) contacts sheets as they traverse a first sheet feed path (71) and the other end of the brush (79) contacts sheets are they are routed by the deflector to a second alternative sheet feed path (63). The grounded brush (81) further serves to decelerate the sheet as it exits the printing machine over the second sheet feed path (63).

Abstract: A thin static dissipative tape construction for use as a rug or runner in static sensitive areas should have a thickness of less than 1.5 mm and preferably less than 1.02 mm and be adhesively coated for application direct to the floor. The tape comprises a static dissipative layer, a conductive layer laminated thereto and a continuous pressure sensitive adhesive coating. The static dissipative layer is textured. The tape may be perforated to apply wide webs to surfaces.

Abstract: A developing device effects desirable development when the amount of charging of toner, q (C/g), the amount of toner deposited on the surface of a developing roller per unit area, m (g/cm.sup.2), the speed of movement of the surface of the developing roller, v (cm/sec), the available length of the developing roller, l (cm), and the magnitude of electric resistance between the surface of the developing roller and a power source for developing bias, R (.OMEGA.), are adjusted so as to satisfy the formula, .vertline.q.vertline.m.ltoreq.100/vlR. The developing device produces a developed image desirable in quality and free from background fogging when the magnitude of a developing electric current, I (A), is adjusted so as to satisfy the formula, R.ltoreq.200/I.

Abstract: An electrical dissipator comprising a multiplicity of fine electrically conductive wires having their proximate ends fitted into a hole in an electrically conductive base member and secured therein by crimping to securely grip the ends of the wires. One embodiment of the base member comprises a hollow tube allowing connection over an existing traditional lightning rod. In another embodiment, the base member comprises a solid rod or hollow tube having its proximal end threaded to allow the traditional lightning rod to be unthreaded from its threaded base and replaced. In a third embodiment, the base member comprises an apertured flange for bolting to the structure to be protected from lightning.

Abstract: A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member such as a photosensitive member for use in an electrophotographic copying machine and the like using magnetic toner particles includes a rotatable sleeve, a magnet roll disposed inside of the sleeve and a doctor blade pressed against the sleeve for charging and forming a thin film of toner particles to be used in developing the latent image. In one form, the blade is provided movably in parallel with the rotating axis of the sleeve. In another form, an electrically conductive brush is provided to remove residual charges from the sleeve after each developing operation. In a further form, the tip end of the blade is disposed between the two adjacent magnetic poles of the magnet roll. In a still further form, the blade is constructed to have a two-part structure.

Abstract: Static neutralizer for a tape dispenser in which a roll of tape is rotatably supported for drawing off selected lengths in strips comprises first brush means in juxtaposition with a surface of a tape portion radially peeled from the roll, second brush means in juxtaposition with an outer surface of the tape which has just been bared by the tape portion previously peeled from the roll, and a conductive path electrically interconnecting the first and second brush means, whereby any charges developed on the peeled-away portions of the tape are neutralized prior to dispensing. The respective brush means may be made of carbon or stainless steel fibers whose ends can be adjacently spaced from the corresponding charged surface thereby acting as an induction ionizer with respect thereto or in actual contact with such surfaces and defining a passive static eliminator.

Abstract: A charge-removing device intended to eliminate electrostatic charge from a thin dielectric strip, and in particular a rolled dielectric film. The device comprises at least two electrically conductive rolls (4,5) forming electrodes which are subjected to a potential difference by a low frequency high tension source. These rolls are parallel and come into transverse contact at the same time with respective faces of a thin strip dielectric (1) passing therebetween. The invention is applicable, in particular, to electrostatic type printers.

Abstract: The maximum subcorona potential level to which a particular conductive bristle brush is able to regulate an electrostatic charge on charge-retaining material is substantially increased by limiting the electrical current available to said particular conductive bristle brush from a potential source coupled to said brush to a level that is less than a magnitude necessary for corona generation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a uniform electrostatic charge of selected magnitude and polarity on a randomly charged web. The method and apparatus include first and second uniform electrostatic fields of predetermined magnitudes and of opposite polarities spaced from one another. Apparatus is provided for mechanically vibrating each electrostatic field at a particular magnitude and frequency while alternately passing the randomly charged web through each such electrostatic field at a particular angle with respect to the direction of field vibration to thereby establish a uniform magnitude and polarity electrostatic charge on the randomly charged web.

Abstract: An anti-electrostatic brush comprising handle means (1,3:1', 3') leading to receiving means for bristle support means (2,2') with said support means being located in the receiving means and having bristles (21, 21') extending therefrom, characterized in that the bristle support means (2,2') is electrically conductive and has an extension portion (22') or extension portions (22) extending towards the handle means (1,3:1', 3') and to a region (23, 23') where said portion(s) will be contacted by the hand of a user during normal brushing operations.

Abstract: A conveyor roller comprises a steel roller tube fitted with end cap assemblies incorporating bearings for rotatably mounting the roller tube on a fixed shaft. Each end cap assembly comprises a rigid housing which supports the bearing, and a separate collar of resilient plastics material mounted on the housing. The axially inner end portion of the collar has an annular recess which receives a radial flange on the housing, and the axially outer end portion of the collar consists of inner and outer tubular walls which are spaced apart prior to fitting of the end cap assembly in the roller tube. The external surface of the inner tubular wall is curved radially inwards and axially outwards. Each end cap assembly is secured in position by swaging the end of the tube so as to force the outer wall of the collar against the inner wall along its length.

Abstract: A device which electrically grounds a component. The device includes a support member having a multiplicity of fibers mounted thereon. The support member has a plurality of spaced regions of reduced thickness to facilitate the breaking thereof. In this manner, a user may select a grounding device of any desired length.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fuser for fixing a toner image to a copy sheet in a xerographic copier has a heated fuser roll cooperating with a backup roll to form a nip through which the copy sheets are passed for fusing. In order to prevent toner offset the fuser roll is provided with a coating of silicone rubber or Viton (trademark) and the outer surface is supplied with a film of liquid release agent. The release agent is contained in a sump and fed to an applicator having a wick bearing against the fuser roll. Static buildup on the fuser roll is avoided because the wick is electrically conductive and is connected to earth potential via the copier frame providing a charge leakage path for the fuser roll. In a preferred form, the wick comprises a woven fabric in which the weft threads are electrically conductive, each such conductive thread comprising one or more stainless steel fibers entwined with a plurality of heat-resistive nylon, e.g. Nomex (trademark), fibers.

Abstract: To draw off electrostatic charges which build up on rubber blanket cylinders having a coating of insulating or semiconductive material thereon, the pad or underlay (4) beneath the rubber blanket (5) has an electrically conductive layer (6), for example by sprayed-on aluminum, applied thereon. The end portion (B) of the pad is drawn into the groove (2) of the cylinder (C) in a region which does not have an insulating coating (3) thereon, so that the electrically conductive layer (6) is electrically connected with the cylinder (C) in the region (A) of the cylinder groove. The cylinder, typically of steel, is connected to ground or chassis through its holding structure, frame and gearing.

Abstract: Electrostatographic apparatus comprising an imaging surface with an electrostatic transfer evice to transfer toner particles to a receiving sheet and an apparatus to detack the sheet from the drum comprising a plurality of conductive fibers extending cross the rear side of the receiving sheet which are spaced from the sheet and have applied thereto a low voltage direct current potential of a polarity opposite the polarity on the receiving sheet and sufficient to cause air breakdown between the receiving sheet and the end of the fibers to provie a controlled neutralization of charge on the receiving sheet to a potential level above zero and thereby separate the receiving sheet from the drum by virtue of its own weight and beam strength.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for establishing a uniform charge level on a randomly charged web having both positive and negative, bounded and/or free electrostatic charges. The method and apparatus include first and second uniform electrostatic fields of different magnitudes and of opposite polarities that are spaced from one another. Apparatus is provided for passing the randomly charged web through the first electrostatic field with a particular magnitude and polarity to either neutralize or change the polarity of either the positive or negative electrostatic web charges and then subsequently through the second electrostatic field with its different magnitude and its opposite polarity to either neutralize or change the polarity of the web charge present after exiting from the first electrostatic field to thereby adjust the electrostatic charge level to the desired uniform magnitude.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the uniformity of a wet coating applied on a charge-retaining base material, said apparatus comprising charging means for producing an electric field between said coating and said base material while said coating remains in an essentially wet state.

Abstract: A hair brush of antistatic plastic material comprises an apertured base plate in the form of a grid having bristles integrally moulded therewith. The base plate is convexly curved in the finished brush with the bristles on the convex side and the grid construction imparts to the brush sufficient resilience to allow the relatively stiff integrally moulded bristles to execute a comfortable brushing action.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging method comprises a first process for charging an electrically insulating layer formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum, and a second process for image-exposing the charged insulating layer to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. The first process includes a first step for bringing a pliable contactor having a specific electric resistance of 10.sup.8 .OMEGA..multidot.cm in contact with the insulating layer, and a second step for impressing a voltage on the contactor in contact with the insulating layer by means of an electrode having a specific resistance lower 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.7 .OMEGA..multidot.cm. Thus the insulating layer is charged.

Abstract: A printing machine includes at least two grounded carbon fiber brush static eliminators mounted in a molded plastic baffle assembly that optimizes discharge characteristics. The eliminators are mounted such that one brush contacts sheets moving through the machine while the other brush remains out of contact with the sheets in order to minimize fluctuations in static reduction over machine life.

Abstract: A charging device comprises a contact piled cloth which is formed of pliable material, has an electric resistance chosen to be 10.sup.8 .OMEGA..cm and contacts with a photosensitive layer of a photosensitive drum, an electrode which is electrically connected to the contact piled cloth and has an electric resistance lower than the predetermined electric resistance of the contact piled cloth, and D.C. power source and A.C. power source for supplying a voltage on the electrode to charge the photosensitive layer. The contact piled cloth is provided with a multitude of raised furs formed of artificial fibers with conductive particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: An improvement in an electrophotographic copying machine having a movable photoconductor web rotatably mounted on at least a pair of rollers, the web having an insulative support layer, an electrically conductive layer disposed on the support layer, and a photoconductive layer disposed on the electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A brush-like device having an array of conductive bristles is able to establish a relatively uniform dipole type electrostatic charge level on, for example, a moving web of charge-retaining material by passing said web through the relatively strong electrostatic field established by such a device when it is electrically connected to a relatively low potential DC source having the proper magnitude and polarity.

Abstract: A roller for transport and/or guidance of flexible webs or sheets of radiation-sensitive material has a grounded shaft and an antistatic cylindrical member which is coaxial with and surrounds the shaft and has a web- or sheet-contacting cylindrical peripheral surface. The cylindrical member consists of hard polyvinyl chloride, fine crystalline polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene or a mixture of two or more such plastic materials. Pulverized silver or another pulverulent metal is embedded in the material of the cylindrical member. If the roller is rather long, the cylindrical member surrounds a hollow cylindrical metallic core whose end portions confine inserts which surround the respective end portions of the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus including a brush-like device having an array of conductive filaments is able to neutralize electrostatic charges on, for example, a moving web of charge-retaining materials by passing said web through the alternating electrostatic field established by said device when it is electrically connected to a relatively low potential AC source having the proper magnitude and frequency.

Abstract: A photoconductive surface, a carbon loaded, elastomeric roller having two levels of impedance under two distinct loading conditions situated adjacent the photoconductive surface, and a device for generating two different loading conditions on the roller to thereby produce the two levels of impedance, wherein when the roller is subjected to the lower level of loading the roller is operable for charging the photoconductive surface and when the roller is subjected to the higher level of loading the roller is operable for transferring a developed image from the photoconductive surface to a receiver sheet.