US3145635A - Photocopying device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1964 Filed Feb. 20, 1963 J. GUGELOT ETAL PHOTOCOPYING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n it [IE INVENTOP JOHANNES GUGELOT HANS SUKOPP mam Aug- 25, 1964 J. GUGELOT ETAL 3,145,635

PHOTOCOPYING DEVICE Filed Feb. 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVN7'0/P JOHAN NES GUGEL OT HANS SUKOPP BY W AGENT United States Patent Office 3,145,635 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 3,145,635 PHOTOCOPYIN G DEVICE Johannes Gugelot and Hans Sukopp, Neu-Ulm, Germany,

assignors to Lumoprint Zindler KG., Hamburg,

Germany Filed Feb. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 260,016 Claims priority, application Germany Mar. 31, 1962 Claims. (Cl. 95-75) The invention relates to a photocopying device comprising a treatment bath which has inlet openings for an at least partly exposed sheet of copy material and an outlet opening for this sheet above a squeezing and transport roller pair, drive means for at least the squeezing and transport roller pair and advantageously an exposure device whose light source is provided with current conductors and switching elements.

It is known to cover such devices when they are not in operation, e.g. by a flexible casing. The known coverings are in practice removed for the day, when the apparatus is first put into operation, and replaced in the evening, which is frequently forgotten.

In such devices there also exists the problem of keeping the oxidation of the treatment liquid low and above all of preventing contamination by the entry of dust into the openings of the apparatus. This is only insufficiently achieved by the flexible casings since the inlet and outlet openings are sometimes open for long periods of time. For reducing oxidation, it is known to provide a reserve container for the treatment liquid which is connected by means of a connecting pipe to the treatment bath and is equipped with a movable pressure element for effecting a compression to transfer the treatment liquid into the treatment bath. The pressure element is actuated by a movable lever extending to the exterior of the device. It has in addition previously been proposed to use such a lever for tensioning a spring whose force compresses the reserve container so that an increasing compression in accordance with the extent of the emptying of the reserve container is made possible. One disadvantage of this device lies in that it must be specially actuated, whereby either a release of the pressure element after the finish of an operation is necessary, which is frequently forgotten, or an automatic return after the expiry of the time required A further object of the present invention is to provide l a photocopying apparatus which when not in operation can readily act as a-support for any'oftice utensil.

' A still further object of the present invention is to provide a photocopying device which can be prepared for operation with a minimum of trouble and which when not w v in operation is particularly well protected.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide photocopying apparatus inwhich, without actuation of additional handgrips, the developerjliquid is moved in dependence on the operative or inoperative condition of the apparatus between a bath container and a closed supply container.

These objects are fulfilled by a cover movably. supported on the housing for covering and exposing at least the inlet and outlet openings of the developer device, this cover being connected with an actuating linkage for performing a conditioning operation, required in the normal use of the device, in dependence upon the position of the cover. I

According to a preferred construction,. the actuating linkage is arranged to control a device for moving the pressure element to press the treatment liquid into the treatment vessel in response to the opening of the cover.

The invention includes a construction in which the actuating linkage is arranged to actuate switches for energizing drive means and, if required, an exposure light source. The additional function of the cover as a switch element ensures that the cover is effectively closed when the apparatus is not in operation.

According to a further advantageous feature, the device for moving the pressure element comprises a spring which on opening of the cover operates the pressure element by tension to compress the reserve container and resiliently secures the cover in its end position by means of a movable linkage part. Thus, the spring fulfills two functions, i.e. the compression of the reserve container and the resilient locking of the lid by toggle action which makes another catch for the lid unnecessary.

The cover itself, because of its construction from a rigid material (advantageously from the same material as the housing of the apparatus) such as metal or plastic, effects a satisfactory covering of the upper side of the apparatus against the entry of dust, and is also light-proof so that oxidation residues of the treatment liquid, for example on the squeezing and transport roller pair, are completely avoided.

According to one particular construction, a swinging arm connected with the device for moving the pressure element is pivotally secured on the housing of the apparatus; This arm comprises a pressure member acting on the pressure element or plate for the reserve container. This plate can also be connected to the pressure member so that the pressure plate is raised on forced movement of the arm during closing of the cover and thus allows a load-free inflation of the reserve container by the treatment liquid.

The device for moving the pressure element advantageously comprises a bar secured at one end to a movable linkage part and at its other end to a lever arm of the pressure member pivotally mounted in the housing, this bar forming anchor means for one end of a spring which is secured at its other end to the housing and acts on the bar in a direction such as to effect compression of the reserve container.

According to. a particularly preferred construction the lid is a flap cover pivotally secured on the housing, this lid being pivoted in the vicinity of the rear wall of the housing of the apparatus and engaging by means of a pivot lug in a slot in an angle lever which is constructed as a pivotal plate and upon which the linkage part constructed as a swinging lever bears under the action of the spring. In this case there may be provided on the pivotal plate, between the'fulcrum of the angle lever and the point of engagement of the cover and the swinging lever, an arrangement giving rise to a suitable force for stressing the spring upon closing of the lid. According to a particularly advantageous construction, the treatment bath is arranged underneatha cover plate in which the outlet opening is provided, while the inlet opening 'is located in a step of the cover plate whichis set back with respect to the front 'wall of the housing, this wall being provided with an access opening for the exposure device. The cover thus extends over the whole of the top of the housing to the front wall; j

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a photocopying device embodying the invention taken in section along the line II of FIG. 3;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation taken in section along theline IIII of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation of the device with the cover closed and with the drive chamber shown in section along the line III-III of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating the operation of the device shown in FIGS. 1-3.

The device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a housing 1 divided by an intermediate wall 2. This intermediate wall 2, together with a side wall 3 of the device, serves to journal movable parts and to support other, stationary parts. Between the intermediate wall 2 and the side wall 3 there are arranged an exposure device 4 and a container 5 for treatment liquid provided with a squeezing and transport roller pair 6, 7, together with a collapsible reserve container 8 and associated elements; as seen in FIG. 3, a drive motor 9 and associated transmission elements, including a pair of belts 62, 63, lie to the left of the intermediate wall 2.

The exposure device 4- has a transparent exposure cylinder 11, supported by belts 10, an exposure light source 13 covered at one side by a screen 12 being disposed in the cylinder 10. The screen 12 is fixed at one end to the intermediate wall 2, for example on a mounting plate 73 secured to that wall, and at its other end to the side wall 3 of the housing. The mounting plate 73 also forms a connecting element for the exposure light source 13. The belts are guided over rollers 14, 15, 16 supported in the walls 2 and 3. One of the rollers, e.g. roller 14, is driven by motor 9. In the region between the rollers 14, there is disposed the front wall 30 of the housing having an access opening 17 for the exposure device. This device is shielded from the remainder of the housing interior by a partition 31.

The vessel 5 containing the treatment bath is supported by brackets 68, 69 which extend between the intermediate wall 2 and the side wall 3. The treatment vessel is provided with guide elements 2%), 21 above vertical bottom flanges 18, 19, the element 21) projecting into an opening 22 for defining a pair of inlet apertures and the element 21 serving to guide inserted sheet of copy material descending along element 20. The sheets passing between .the parts 13, 2t), 21 are guided by the shape of these parts and of element 19 to the squeezing and transport roller pair 6, 7 which are driven in the directions indicated by arrows. Above the roller pair 6, 7 there is disposed an outlet aperture 23. The outlet opening 23 and the inlet opening 22 are located in the housing top 24 which in its front region is depressed to form a step 25 accommodating the inlet opening 22 below the top of the apparatus; this step, in order to facilitate the operation of the device, rises inclinedly behind an extension 26 serving as a support table.

The reserve container 8, which can be constructed as a plastic bladder, is arranged in an upwardly open tray 27 below the treatment bath 5. A pressure plate 28 is guided between upwardly directed wall parts, the lower side of the plate 28 being supported on the reserve container 8; this plate is freely movable in a vertical direction while remaining substantially parallel to the bottom of the tray.

The reserve container 8 is connected, for example by a flexible hose line 29, with the lowermost point of the treatment bath 5. The hose line, as here shown, extends upwardly from the bladder 8 through an opening in the pressure plate 28.

The rear wall 32 0f the device can be provided, in the 'region of the screen between the walls 2 and 3, with an angle-shaped projection 37 on which a lug 38 is mounted. On the arms 36 there is fixed a canopy 39, eig. of

sheet metal, which extends from the pivotal end of the cover toward the front so as to envelop at least the step 25. A depression 40 is shown provided in the front section 71 of the cover to facilitate its removal into open position. The'canopy 39 has a rear section 41 which extends downwardly in the plane of the rear wall of the housing 32, preferably to the top edge of the closure plate 33. Downwardly closed channel members 70 are provided in the housing top 24 near the walls 2, 3 to accommodate the arms 36 so that the cover 34 can assume the closed position shown in FIG. 1. The front section 71 of the cover is shown extended so that it overlies the access opening 17 for the exposure device, though this cover section could also terminate just below the dimple 40.

The lug 33 on the cover 34 engages in a slot '42 in an angle lever 43 constructed as a swinging plate and pivotable about a pivot pin 44 on the intermediate wall 2. This angle lever 43 carries on one side an abutment lug 45 which projects through an arcuate slot 46 in the intermediate wall 2. The slot is concentric with the pivot pin 44.

It can be seen that the pivot pin 44 is offset to one side with respect to an imaginary line joining the abu*- ment lug 45 and the end of the slot 42. In this way there is provided a crank effect as described hereinafter. It can also be seen that the slot 42 is disposed so that a good force-transmission ratio between the lug 38 and the edge of the slot is provided on pivoting of the cover. The spacing between the pivot pin 44 and the slot 42 is greater than that between the pivot pin and the abutment lug 45.

A double-armed lever 52 supported on the intermediate wall 2 is swingable about a pivot pin 4'7 arranged on the intermediate wall 2. This lever is part of a linkage which includes a bar 48 coupled with a spring 49. The latter is connected in the illustrated construction as a tension spring secured at one end to an anchor member 50 on the bar 48 and at its other end to an anchor lug 51 arranged on the intermediate wall 2. The lever 52, shown formed with an offset bottom end, is pivotally connected by a lug 53 to the bar 50. The upper end of the lever 52, which as viewed in FIG. 3 is arranged at the left of the intermediate wall 2, is .urged by the tension spring 49 against the abutment lug 45. g

It can thus be seen that the actuating assembly 43, 48, 52 is biased by means of the spring 49 has a self-moving member so that this assembly upon the tensioning of the spring and its subsequent release carries out an individual movement independently of the cover by reason of the absence of a positive two-way connection. Thus, lug 45 and lever 52 bear upon each other in the manner of a thrust member and a follower, respectively.

The bar 48, at its end opposite pivot lug 53, is swingable in the same plane as lever 52 on a pivot arm 54 which .has a horizontal section 72 projecting through the interarm 54 (i.e. to the right thereof as viewed in FIG. 3) and above the pressure plate 28. The latter can be sus-f V pended from the section 57 as shown at 58 in FIG. 1.

When the cover 34 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1, the link 52 of the actuating assembly 43, 48, 52 is held in position upwardly inclined to the right so that the bar 48 isdisplaced to the left to tension the spring 49. The pivot arm 54 isthus rotated clockwise so that the lever-like pressure member 56 extends for example horizontally above the pressure plate 28. The reserve container E5 is inflated and contains the treatment liquid.

For proper coupling of the cover 34 with the actuating assembly, it is important that the spring 48 is tensioned on closing of the cover. In this way, a strong spring can be comparatively easily tensioned, since the cover forms a long lever arm and the tensioning is effected on depress ing the front end of the cover. For this cover movement a small force can thus be used, the direction of move ment being such that the assembly is positively displaced by it.

In this connection it is important that the slot 42 on closing of the cover extends substantially horizontally so thatin particular when the lug on closure of the cover lies substantially vertically beneath the shaft 35 a deflection of the lug 38 by the spring 49 is prevented. In this case, the edge of the slot 42 lies substantially perpendicularly to the biasing force exerted upon the lug, thereby resisting its displacement.

When the cover 34 is opened into the position shown in FIG. 2, the lug 38 moves the angle lever 43 clockwise into the position shown in that figure. The spring 4'9 is slackened by the shifting of the bar 48 and the pressure bar 56 is consequently pivoted so as to move the pressure plate 28 downwards. Simultaneously, the upper part of the lever 52 moves to the left until it abuts the lug 45, such movement taking place in accordance with the extent of the emptying of the reserve container 8 through the hose line 29 into the treatment bath 5.

The closing of the cover 34 reverses the lever 52, tensioning the spring 49 and raising the bar 56 back into the position shown in FIG. 1.

It can be seen that, in particular in the position of the cover 34 shown in FIG. 2, the force of the spring 49 opposes closing of the cover. A corresponding locking force is also present in the closed position by virtue of the geometric location of the lugs 38, 45 with respect to the pivot pin 44. From FIG. 1 it can be seen that the arrangement is chosen so that between the pivot pin 44 and the abutment lug 45 there is formed a crank arm including with the free, i.e. upper, arm of the lever 52 an angle which is normally acute and which is zero degrees in an intermediate position of the cover. In this way an advantageous force transmission for tensioning the spring 49 is obtained, the weight of the cover in a stable position of closure being sufficient to maintain this position in which clockwise rotation of lever 43 under spring pressure is blocked by the fact that the horizontal contact edge of slot 42 stands perpendicularly to the radius of swing of lug 38 so that the latter is in self-locking camming engagement with that edge.

FIG. 4 represents a circuit diagram. The drive motor 9 is connected to supply terminals 59 by conductors 60, 61. As shown in FIG. 3 the spindles '74, 75 of the squeezing and transport rollers 7 and the roller 14 extend through support means in the intermediate wall 2 and carry drive wheels engaged by the transmission belts 62, 63. In parallel with the drive motor 9 there is connected the exposure light source 13, which can be regulated for example by means of a resistor 64. A switch 67 with a movable contact element 65 is inserted in the conductor 61 and has an actuating lever 66 which, for example, lies in the path of the angle lever 43 as seen in FIG. 2 so that the circuit of the device is automatically switched on and off in dependence on the cover movement.

We claim:

1. A device for the production of copies, comprising a housing; a treatment vessel in said housing provided with guide means for directing sheets of copy material through a treatment bath therein; inlet means in said housing, said guide means extending from said inlet means into said vessel; outlet means in said housing; a

collapsible storage container for treatment liquid disposed below the level of said treatment bath in said housing; conduit means extending from a location at the bottom of said vessel to said container; a pressure element movably supported in said housing for effecting transfer of treatment liquid between said vessel and said container; a cover movably supported on said housing and extending in a position of closure over said inlet means and said outlet means; and link means operatively coupling said cover with said pressure element for delivering liquid from said container to said vessel in response to opening of said cover.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said container is a bladder of flexible material, further comprising a tray in said housing having said bladder horizontally disposed theron, said pressure element overlying said bladder and being guided by said tray for vertical movement.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said pressure element comprises a lever with a horizontal fulcrum and a horizontal plate suspended from an extremity of said lever.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has a top wall formed at a rearward location with said outlet means and at a forward location with a step accommodating said inlet means, said cover being hinged to said housing at the rear and overlying said top substantially entirely in said position of closure.

5. A device for the production of copies, comprising a housing; a treatment vessel in said housing provided with guide means for directing sheets of copy material through a treatment bath therein; inlet means in said housing, said guide means extending from said inlet into said vessel; outlet means in said housing; a squeezing and transport means for said sheets rotatably supported within said housing ahead of said outlet means beyond said guide means; drive means for operating said squeezing and transport means; switch means on said housing for actuating said drive means; a collapsible storage container for treatment liquid disposed below the level of said treatment bath in said housing; conduit means extending from a location at the bottom of said vessel to said container; a pressure element movably supported in said housing for effecting transfer of treatment liquid between said vessel and said container; a cover movably supported on said housing and extending in a position of closure over said inlet and said outlet means; and link means operatively coupling said cover with said pressure element and said switch means for actuating said drive means and delivering liquid from said container to said vessel in response to opening of said cover.

6. A deivce as defined in claim 5 wherein said link means comprises a thrust member coupled with said cover and a spring-loaded follower member displaceable by said thrust member against its spring force upon the closure of said cover.

7. A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said link means further comprises a self-locking camming connection between said cover and said thrust member, said cover being pivotally mounted on said housing and having an extension which forms part of said camming connection and is positioned and arranged to block the opening of said cover by said spring force in said position of closure.

8. A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said switch means is positioned for operation by said thrust member.

9. A device for the production of copies, comprising a housing with two inlet apertures and an outlet aperture; a treatment vessel in said housing provided with guide means for directing sheets of copy material through a treatment bath therein, said guide means extending from said inlet apertures; an exposure device in said housing; a pair of squeezing and transport rollers for said sheets rotatably supported within said housing ahead of said outlet aperture beyond said guide means; drive means for concurrently operating said squeezing and transport rollers and said exposure device; switch means on said treatment liquid; conduit means extending from a location at the bottom of said vessel to said container; a pres- 7 sure element movably supported in said housing for effecting transfer of treatment liquid between said vessel and said container; a cover movably supported on said housing and extending in a position of closure over said inlet and outlet apertures; and link means operatively coupling said cover with saidv pressure element and said switch means for actuating said drive means and delivering 8 liquid from said container to said vessel in response to opening of said cover.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said housing is provided with a front wall having an access opening for said exposure device, said cover obstructing said access opening in said position of closure.

No references cited.

Claims (1)

1. 9. A DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COPIES, COMPRISING A HOUSING WITH TWO INLET APERTURES AND AN OUTLET APERTURE; A TREATMENT VESSEL IN SAID HOUSING PROVIDED WITH GUIDE MEANS FOR DIRECTING SHEETS OF COPY MATERIAL THROUGH A TREATMETN BATH THEREIN, SAID GUIDE MEANS EXTENDING FROM SAID INLET APERTURES; AN EXPOSURE DEVICE IN SAID HOUSING; A PAIR OF SQUEEZING AND TRANSPORT ROLLERS FOR SAID SHEETS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING AHEAD OF SAID OUTLET APERTURE BEYOND SAID GUIDE MEANS; DRIVE MEANS FOR CONCURRENTLY OPERATING SAID SQUEEZING AND TRANSPORT ROLLERS AND SAID EXPOSURE DEVICE; SWITCH MEANS ON SAID HOUSING FOR ACTUATING SAID DRIVE MEANS; A COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE CONTAINER OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL DISPOSED BELOW THE LEVEL OF SAID TREATMENT BATH IN SAID HOUSING FOR THE STORAGE OF TREATMENT LIQUID; CONDUIT MEANS EXTENDING FROM A LOCATION AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID VESSEL TO SAID CONTAINER; A PRES-

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