US3743403A - Transport assembly - Google Patents

Transport assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3743403A
US3743403A US00213891A US3743403DA US3743403A US 3743403 A US3743403 A US 3743403A US 00213891 A US00213891 A US 00213891A US 3743403D A US3743403D A US 3743403DA US 3743403 A US3743403 A US 3743403A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
assembly
station
belt
wall
roller means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00213891A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
F Sanza
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Xerox Corp
Original Assignee
Xerox Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xerox Corp filed Critical Xerox Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3743403A publication Critical patent/US3743403A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6529—Transporting
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S271/00—Sheet feeding or delivering
    • Y10S271/90—Stripper

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A transport assembly for passing an image receiving member from a transfer station to a fuser assembly.
  • the transport assembly is comprised of a belt assembly and a plenum chamber disposed within the belt assembly.
  • An end section of the plenum chamber extends through one end of the belt assembly in juxtaposition to the nip of the fuser assembly to permit efficacious bridging of receiving members thereto.
  • This invention relates to electrostatography, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for transporting an image receiving member from the transfer station to the fuser assembly of an electrostatographic machine.
  • a xerographic surface comprising a layer of photoconductive insulating material affixed to a conductive backing is used to support electrostatic images.
  • the xerographic plate is electrostatically charged uniformly over its surface and then exposed to a light pattern of the image being reproduced to thereby discharge the charge in the areas where light strikes the layer.
  • the undischarged areas of the layer thus form an electrostatic charge pattern in conformity with the configuration of the original light pattern.
  • the latent electrostatic image may then be developed by contacting it with a finely divided electrostatically attractable material, such as a resinous powder.
  • a finely divided electrostatically attractable material such as a resinous powder.
  • the powder is held in the image areas by the electrostatic fields on the layer. Where the field is greatest, the greatest amount of material is deposited; and where the field is least, little or no material is deposited.
  • a powder image is produced in conformity with the light image of the copy being reproduced.
  • the powder is subsequently transferred to a sheet of paper or other surface and suitably affixed to thereby form a permanent print.
  • the toner may be fixed by passing the sheet of paper or other surface including the transferred image between a heated roller and a second roller in pressure contact therewith whereby the toner becomes fused to the sheet of paper.
  • the temperature to which the toner is generally raised is a temperature at which the toner particles coalesce or flow together and wet the paper surface to effect thereby a permanent bond.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a novel fuser transfer assembly.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for transporting a receiving member into a fuser assembly operating at elevated temperatures.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for transporting a receiving member from the transfer station of an electrostatographic machine to the fuser assembly thereof.
  • a transport assembly including a belt assembly and a plenum chamber disposed therein.
  • the plenum chamber is formed with an end section extending through the belt assembly in juxtaposition to the nip of the fuser assembly and provided with means for the efficacious bridging of receiving members.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an electrostatic reproduction machine embodying the principles of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view in cross-section of the transport assembly positioned between the transport station and the fuser assembly of such a reproduction machine, and includes a schematic flow diagram of the method of operation;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial plane view, greatly exaggerated of the end section of transport assembly adjacent the nip of the fuser assembly.
  • FIG. 4 is a top plane view (greatly simplified) of the plenum chamber.
  • FIG. 1 For a general understanding of the illustrated copier/reproduction machine in which the invention may be incorporated, reference is bad to FIG. 1 in which the various system components for the machine are schematically illustrated.
  • a document D to be copied is placed upon a transparent support platen P fixedly arranged in an illumination assembly, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, positioned at the left end of the machine.
  • Light rays from an illumination system are" flashed upon the document to'produce image rays corresponding to the informational areas.
  • the image rays are projected by means of an optical system onto the photosensitive surface of a xerographic plate in the form of a flexible photoconductive belt 12 arranged on a belt assembly, generally indicated by the reference numeral 14.
  • the belt 12 comprises a photoconductive layer of selenium which is the light receiving surface and imaging medium for the apparatus, on a conductive backing.
  • the surface of the photoconductive belt is made photosensitive by a previous step of uniformly charging the same by means of a corona generating device or corotron 13.
  • the belt is journaled for continuous movement upon three rollers 20, 21 and 22 positioned with their axes in parallel.
  • the photoconductive belt assembly 14 is slidably mounted upon two support shafts 23 and 24 with the roller 22 rotatably supported on the shaft 23 which is secured to the frame of the apparatus and is rotatably driven by a suitable motor and drive assembly (not shown) in the direction of the arrow at a constant rate.
  • a suitable motor and drive assembly (not shown) in the direction of the arrow at a constant rate.
  • the portion exposed is that portion of the belt running between rollers 20 and 21.
  • the reflected light image of such original document positioned on the platen is flashed on the surface of the belt to produce an electrostatic latent image thereon at exposure station A.
  • the electrostatic image passes through a developing station B in which there is positioned a developer assembly generally indicated by the reference numeral 15, and which provides development of the electrostatic image by means of multiple brushes 16 as the same moves through the development zone.
  • the developed electrostatic image is transported by the belt to a transfer station C whereat a sheet of copy paper is moved between a transfer roller and the belt at a speed in synchronism with the moving belt in order to accomplish transfer of the developed image solely by an electrical bias on the transfer roller.
  • a sheet transport mechanism generally indicated at 17 adapted to transport sheets of paper from a paper handling mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 18 to the developed image on the belt at the station C.
  • the sheet is stripped from the belt 12 and conveyed by the transport assembly of this invention, generally indicated as 29, into a fuser assembly, generally indicated by the reference numeral 19, wherein the developed and transferred xerographic powder image on the sheet material is permanently affixed thereto. After fusing, the finished copy is discharged from the apparatus at a suitable point for collection externally of the apparatus.
  • the transport assembly 29 is comprised of a plenum assembly, generally indicated as 30; a forward roller 32; a rear roller assembly, generally indicated as 34; and a plurality of endless belts 36.
  • the plenum assembly 30 is comprised of a molded top section, generally indicated as 38, suitably affixed to a bottom section 40 having orifices 42 provided therein, to form a plenum zone 41.
  • the top section 38 includes a top wall 44, side walls 46 and 48, a front wall 50 and a rear wall configuration, generally indicated as 52,
  • the top wall 44 of section 38 is formed with a conduit 58 which is in fluid communication through line 60 with the suction side of a fan 62, with the discharge side thereof being vented to the atmosphere through line 64, as more fully hereinafter described. it is understood that a plurality of such conduits may be formed in the top wall 44 of section 38 as required for proper operation of the machine.
  • the rear roller assembly 34 is comprised of a plurality of rollers 82, positioned on and affixed to a shaft 84 suitably driven by a drive means, schematically illustrated as 85.
  • Each roller 82 mounted on the shaft 84 is disposed between sections 54 of the plenum assembly 30 in a manner such that the ends of the sections 54 may be placed in closed juxtaposition to the nip of a fuser assembly, as hereinafter more fully discussed.
  • Each of the endless belts 36 is formed with open sections or orifices 86.
  • the configuration of the orifices 42 in the plenum assembly 30 corresponds to the areas over which the belts 34 course thereby placing the orifices 86 of the belts in intermittent fluid communication therewith.
  • the transport assembly 29 as hereinabove mentioned is disposed in the machine (FIG. 1) between the transfer station C and the fuser assembly 19.
  • the transfer station C includes a transfer roller 90 in contact with the photoconductive belt 12.
  • the fuser assembly 19 includes a fuser roller 92 suitably heated by an element 94 and in pressure contact with a roller 96.
  • the rear roller assembly 34 is caused to rotate clockwise by drive means 85 to effect movement of the belts 36 as shown by the arrow.
  • the conduit 58 of the plenum assembly 30 is placed in fluid communication with the fan 62 thereby lowering the pressure within the plenum zone 41 which results in a flow of the surrounding gaseous medium, such as air, through the orifices 42 into the plenum zone 41 to be vented via line 64 to the atmosphere.
  • the image receiving member Upon passage of an image receiving member through the transfer station C, the image receiving member is held against the belts 36 by the air flow hereinabove described, and is caused to move to the fuser assembly by the movement of the belts 36.
  • the close positioning of the rear end section 52 of the transport assembly 29 to the nip of the fuser assembly 19 ensures repetitive and positive bridging of receiving members thereinto.
  • the orifices 42 are described as being formed in the bottom section 40 in a configuration to correspond to the areas over which the belts 36 are positioned, other configurations are contemplated. It will be understood that the orifices 42 provided in the bottom section 40 will have a regular geometric configuration, e.g., evenly spaced along a line, etc. The number, spacing and size of the open sections 86 in the endless belts 36 are selected to achieve the desired result without sacrifice to belt integrity over extended periods of operation. Additionally, while it is contemplated that all belts are similarly formed, it is understood that one or more belts may be solid, and that the areas of the bottom section 40 over which any such belt would course may not be provided with orifices.
  • a transport assembly positioned within a machine for. passing a flexible receiving member from a first station to a second station therein which comprises:
  • a rear roller means disposed near said second station and comprised of a plurality of rollers mounted on a shaft;
  • a container positioned within said intermediate area extending between said rollers and forming a plenum zone, said container comprising: an outlet conduit means;
  • a drive means to effect rotation of said roller means to move said belt about said roller means.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Paper Feeding For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
US00213891A 1971-12-30 1971-12-30 Transport assembly Expired - Lifetime US3743403A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21389171A 1971-12-30 1971-12-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3743403A true US3743403A (en) 1973-07-03

Family

ID=22796907

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00213891A Expired - Lifetime US3743403A (en) 1971-12-30 1971-12-30 Transport assembly

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3743403A (de)
JP (1) JPS5718185B2 (de)
CA (1) CA978557A (de)
DE (1) DE2258486A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1417018A (de)
NL (1) NL7217787A (de)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3885785A (en) * 1973-12-20 1975-05-27 Xerox Corp Vacuum transport
US3895793A (en) * 1973-12-20 1975-07-22 Xerox Corp Vacuum sheet stripper
DE2506086A1 (de) * 1974-02-15 1975-09-04 Canon Kk Verfahren zur fixierung eines tonerbildes
US4116556A (en) * 1975-12-19 1978-09-26 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic copying apparatus
US4902194A (en) * 1988-06-27 1990-02-20 Dennison Manufacturing Company Collecting and stacking apparatus
US5012711A (en) * 1988-06-27 1991-05-07 Dennison Manufacturing Company High speed cutting and stacking apparatus
US5081502A (en) * 1987-07-15 1992-01-14 Hitachi, Ltd. Radiant heat fixing apparatus
US5461467A (en) * 1994-07-25 1995-10-24 Xerox Corporation Controlled air flow in a prefuser transport
US5467180A (en) * 1994-10-20 1995-11-14 Xerox Corporation High air flow low pressure prefuser transport
US5625444A (en) * 1994-01-21 1997-04-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with air blower to secure recording material to conveying device
US6213183B1 (en) 1998-08-13 2001-04-10 Eastman Kodak Company Laminator assembly having an endless belt
US6463981B1 (en) 1998-08-13 2002-10-15 Eastman Kodak Company Laminator assembly having a pressure roller with a deformable layer
US20100272472A1 (en) * 2009-04-22 2010-10-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4604791B2 (ja) * 2005-03-25 2011-01-05 富士ゼロックス株式会社 画像形成装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3282177A (en) * 1964-02-24 1966-11-01 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic apparatus
US3416860A (en) * 1965-06-11 1968-12-17 Scm Corp Electrostatic printer
US3536401A (en) * 1968-04-22 1970-10-27 Polaroid Corp Paper transport system
US3600082A (en) * 1969-04-30 1971-08-17 Singer Co Copying apparatus
US3642365A (en) * 1969-11-14 1972-02-15 Xerox Corp Automated imaging machine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3282177A (en) * 1964-02-24 1966-11-01 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic apparatus
US3416860A (en) * 1965-06-11 1968-12-17 Scm Corp Electrostatic printer
US3536401A (en) * 1968-04-22 1970-10-27 Polaroid Corp Paper transport system
US3600082A (en) * 1969-04-30 1971-08-17 Singer Co Copying apparatus
US3642365A (en) * 1969-11-14 1972-02-15 Xerox Corp Automated imaging machine

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3885785A (en) * 1973-12-20 1975-05-27 Xerox Corp Vacuum transport
US3895793A (en) * 1973-12-20 1975-07-22 Xerox Corp Vacuum sheet stripper
DE2506086A1 (de) * 1974-02-15 1975-09-04 Canon Kk Verfahren zur fixierung eines tonerbildes
US4116556A (en) * 1975-12-19 1978-09-26 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic copying apparatus
US5081502A (en) * 1987-07-15 1992-01-14 Hitachi, Ltd. Radiant heat fixing apparatus
US5012711A (en) * 1988-06-27 1991-05-07 Dennison Manufacturing Company High speed cutting and stacking apparatus
US4902194A (en) * 1988-06-27 1990-02-20 Dennison Manufacturing Company Collecting and stacking apparatus
US5625444A (en) * 1994-01-21 1997-04-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with air blower to secure recording material to conveying device
US5461467A (en) * 1994-07-25 1995-10-24 Xerox Corporation Controlled air flow in a prefuser transport
US5467180A (en) * 1994-10-20 1995-11-14 Xerox Corporation High air flow low pressure prefuser transport
US6213183B1 (en) 1998-08-13 2001-04-10 Eastman Kodak Company Laminator assembly having an endless belt
US6463981B1 (en) 1998-08-13 2002-10-15 Eastman Kodak Company Laminator assembly having a pressure roller with a deformable layer
US20100272472A1 (en) * 2009-04-22 2010-10-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1417018A (en) 1975-12-10
DE2258486A1 (de) 1973-07-05
NL7217787A (de) 1973-07-03
JPS5718185B2 (de) 1982-04-15
JPS4875041A (de) 1973-10-09
CA978557A (en) 1975-11-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3256002A (en) Xerographic fixing device
US3291466A (en) Xerographic fixing device
US3697171A (en) Simultaneous image transfer
US3809472A (en) Pre-development exposure assembly
US3689146A (en) Electrophotographic copying machine
US3754819A (en) Apparatus for placing rollers in contact in a pressure fuser assembly
US3999038A (en) Flared fuser roll
US3743403A (en) Transport assembly
US3671118A (en) Apparatus for creating duplex reproductions
US3726588A (en) Web tracking system
US3754822A (en) Scanning system
US4582416A (en) Low mass heat and pressure fuser
US4191465A (en) Apparatus for producing simplex of duplex copies
US4214831A (en) Apparatus for producing duplex copies
US3851966A (en) Reproduction apparatus
US3649115A (en) Pick off means for an electrostatic reproduction device
US4023894A (en) Transfer apparatus
US3917256A (en) Dual purpose sheet handling apparatus
US3847119A (en) Transfer roller assembly
US3993124A (en) Method and apparatus for fuser assembly cooling in an electrostatographic machine
US3751155A (en) Pre-development exposure assembly
US3795441A (en) Transfer roller
US3734015A (en) Single pass duplexing by sequential transfer
US3770346A (en) Method and apparatus for fuser assembly cooling in an electrostatographic machine
US4087169A (en) Transfer roller system