US3702096A

US3702096A - Copy apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3702096A
Application number: US160618A
Authority: US
Inventors: John S Copeland
Original assignee: Multigraphics Inc
Current assignee: AB Dick Co
Priority date: 1971-07-08
Filing date: 1971-07-08
Publication date: 1972-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1989-11-07
Also published as: FR2144871A1; DE2233323B2; DE2233323C3; GB1396007A; FR2144871B1; JPS5343286B1; BR7204511D0; CA985089A; DE2233323A1; BE786023A

Abstract

A diazotype copy machine including a developer unit having an applicator roller for applying developer to a copy sheet and means for dispensing a substantially uniform coating of developer onto the surface of said applicator roller including means movable toward and away from contact with said applicator roller between an engaged and a released position. Control means is provided for moving said dispenser means between said engaged and said released position and drive means is provided for normally driving said roller in one direction to make copies. Said drive means includes slip clutch means permitting free rotation of said applicator roller in said one direction relative to said drive means, and means is provided for reversing said drive means whereby said applicator roller may be freely rotated in both directions to facilitate removal of a copy sheet jam around said roller.

Description

[451 Nov. 7, 1972 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorney-Richard D. Mason et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A diazotype copy machine including a developer unit having an applicator roller for applying developer to a copy sheet and means for dispensing a substantially uniform coating of developer onto the surface of said applicator roller including means movable toward and away from contact with said applicator roller between an engaged and a released position. Control means is provided for moving said dispenser means between said engaged and said released position and drive means is provided for normally driving said roller in one direction to make copies. Said drive means includes slip clutch means permitting free rotation of said applicator roller in said one direction relative to John S. Copeland, Buffalo Grove, 111. [73] Assignee Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Mt. Prospect, Ill.

July 8, 1971 .95/89 R, 95/89 A, 118/261, 35 5/ 1 06 .G03d 3/00, G03b 27/30 Field of Search....'.9 5/89 R, 89 A; 355/100, 106, 355/107; 118/261, 247, 248

References Cited- UNITED STATES PATENTS 71 8 AR X 1299 08 6 SOD/I12 5155 N/ 3.199 "00 u u nnumn mm m m n a L m t lnu numtau r at" hak 6 m wcmo B03300 GNNLGK 452005 645667 999999 111111 l/l/l/ 005002 2 111 524273 3100173 bow/0 9 3 5550006 4 70 22 ,36 .3 322333 United States Patent Copeland [s4] COPY APPARATUS [72] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

21] Appl.No.: 160,618

said drive means, and means is provided for reversing said drive means whereby said applicator roller may be freely rotated in both directions to facilitate removal of a copy sheet jam around said roller.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEnuuvmn 3.702.096

sum 2 M2 I 180 [J84 J86 v 209 JZQ COPY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to apparatus for developing diazotype copymaterial and more particularly to apparatus of the above-mentioned type which applies a liquid developing agent in metered quantities to exposed diazo sensitized copy material, thereby to produce dry-to-the-touch developed copies. The

present invention is an improvement on the diazotype copy apparatus disclosed in the copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 31,939, filed Apr. 27, 1970, and assigned to the same assignee asthis application.

In the copending application there is disclosed a diazotype copy device including developing apparatus therein comprising an applicator roller which has a uniquely prepared surface adapted to receive and carry a limited quantity of developer fluid.

Adjacent the surface of the applicator roller and extending the length of and parallel thereto, is a pressure applying blade mounted for tangential engagement with the roller surface, the area between the blade and roller surface forming a copy material developing zone.v A second, fluid metering blade is also mounted for tangential engagement with the surface of the applicator roller. The second blade is mounted 180 around the circumference of the applicator roller from the firstmentioned blade to equalize the forces applied to the roller. A fluid carrying member substantially equal in length to the applicator roller, is located in the area between the fluid applying blade and the applicator roller. A series of holes is formed in the member, from which fluid is pumped onto the metering blade member. The fluid is dispersed by the blade member over the surface of the roller, and the excess fluid wiped from the roller surface by the fluid metering blade is carried into a trough beneath the applicator roller.

To insure the uniform dispersion of developing fluid over the roller surface and to prevent fluid droplets from building up in the developing zone between the applicator roller surface and the pressure applying blade, provision is made to move the pressure applying blade into engagement with the roller surface a predetermined time after engagement of the wiper blade with the roller surface, sufficiently long to meter a uniform layer of fluid onto the roller surface. The latter is accomplished automatically by means of a novel electrical circuit and control-linkage arrangement upon energization of the power switch of the developer apparatus. The blades are likewise removed sequentially from contact with the roller surface upon de-energization of the apparatus. Removal of the blades from contact with the applicator roller surface when the developing apparatus in not in use prevents marking of the roller surface by the blades which could deterimentally afiect the quality of subsequent copies produced by the apparatus. v

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION does happen itis difficult to remove the wrapped up paperfrom the roller without extensive time and effort. It is desirable, and an object of the invention to provide a new and improved diazotype copy apparatus of the character described having selective means permitting the fluid application roller to rotate in both forward and reverse directions for the purpose of aidingin the removal of paper jams, and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an effective means for aiding in the removal of a wrapped up paper jam around the application roller which means permits clearing of a paper jam rapidly and easily. Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved diazotype copy developer of the character described having means for driving the roller in a reverse direction, thereby permitting free wheeling hand rotation of the roller in either direction to clear a paper jam therefrom.

Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the new and improved copying apparatus of the present invention employs an overrunning slip clutch inthe drive train between the applicator roller and its drive motor, which clutch normally drives the roller in one direction when the motor is energized in an operating mode. Means is provided for reversing the direction of driving torque applied to the roller, thereby permitting hand I rotation of the roller in either direction in order to relieve a paper jam thereon. The reversing means includes circuitry for insuring that the blades or other means for dispensing fluid to the roller and providing pressure contact for copying are moved out of engagement with the applicator roller before reverse torque is applied to the roller. The circuitry insures that the paper jam is easily and rapidly cleared up without the danger of tightening the jam by inadvertent reverse rotation of the roller with the. blades still engaged therewith. v

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention and its organization and construction may be had by referring to the description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a diazotype copying machine constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the metering and pressure applying blades of the developing apparatus and the applicator roller and drive therefor;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry for controlling the operation of the developer apparatus in accordance with the features of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view with portions in section and in phantom showing another embodiment of a diazotype copying machine constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings more in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a new and improved diazotype copying machine 10, including developing apparatus 12 according to the features of the present invention. The copying machine comprises a housing 14 including front and rear walls 16, 18, upper and

lower walls

20, 22, and sidewalls 24 interconnecting the upper, lower, front and rear walls. A lower section 28 of the housing en'- cases a .copy sheet exposure apparatus 30 for exposing a diazo-sensitized copy sheet to light while the copy sheet is in surface-to-surface contact with an original tracing, for the purpose of imaging the copy sheet.

The copy sheet exposure apparatus comprises a rotatable lamp 32 having an outer surface 34 on which is carried a sandwiched copy sheet and an original tracing (not shown) for exposure of the former. An endless belt 36 extends around a portion of the outer surface of the lamp 32 and is trained for movement around a path defined by

rollers

38, 40, and 42. A smaller roller 44 provides tension to the belt 36 to insure that the latter is in close contact with the lamp 32.-

The sandwiched original tracing and copy sheet are fed over 'a shelf 45 into an entrance 46 adjacent roller 42 between belt 36 and the outer surface 34 of lamp 32. The original and copy sheet are carried around the lamp 32 and are discharged at an exit 48 adjacent the roller 38. At this point, the copy sheet, has been exposed and is then separated from the original tracing, ready for development.

lnan upper section 50 of the copying machine housing 14, there is provided an embodiment of the developing apparatus 12 comprising an applicator roller 52 having a central shaft portion 54 of the metal and an outer or peripheral layer 56 of a smooth, nonporous, resilient material, such as rubber. The outer surface (indicated as 58) of the peripheral layer 56 is specially prepared to form a developer fluid carrier surface havingirregular depressions of varying depths and sizes, as described in the detailed description thereof in the aforementioned copending application, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The roller 52 is supported for rotation at opposite ends of the shaft 54 in suitable bearings (not shown) mounted on inner sidewalls 64 in the housing 14. A drive shaft extension 72 coaxially aligned with the roller shaft 54 is rotated through a sprocket wheel 74 and drive chain 75. A drive motor (not shown) provides the power for driving the applicator roller 52 in a clockwise direction through a suitable gear reducer (not shown) and the endless chain 75 connected to the aforementioned sprocket wheel 74 (FIG. 2). The sprocket wheel 84 and. shaft 72 are drivingly interconnected to the roller 52 through a one-way drive roller clutch 78.

The roller clutch provides positive driving engagement between the sprocket 74 and roller 52 when a clockwise differential torque exists between the sprocket and roller; however, if the roller rotates faster than the sprocket in a clockwise direction, the clutch permits low friction overrunning. The clutch also permits the roller to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction when reverse torque (counterclockwise) is applied to the shaft and sprocket by reversing the direction of the drive motor. If a paper jam occurs and a copy sheet becomes wound on the roller, reverse torque is applied by reversing the direction of rotation of the rotor, and this permits manual rotation of the roller in either direction to quickly and easily clear the am.

Positioned on opposite sides of roller 52 and spaced 180 circumferentially with respect to the roller is a pair of

blade members

86, 88, respectively. Each of the

blade members

86, 88 is mounted on a respective rotatable support taking the form of a

tubular shaft

90, 92, by means of a blade holder member 94, 96 attached thereto, respectively. The blades, each fabricated from a flat length of spring steel, or the like, material are fastened to a respective blade holder member by fasteners, such as bolts 98.

The

shafts

90, 92, which are also mounted between the inner sidewalls 64, are'rotatable in the direction of the arrows (FIG. 1) to cause

blade members

86, 88 to tangentially engage the-outer cylindrical surface 58 of the roller 52, as shown in FIG. 2. When in contact with theroller 52, the blade members are caused to be bowed slightly by the tangential contact with the outer roller surface 68, thereby insuring that continuous engagement between blade and roller is maintained without skipping. I

A tubularconduit-l00 is mounted on a Z-shaped bracket 102, securedto the blade holder member 94 in order to dispense developer liquid to the surface 58 of roller 52. Fluid is supplied through a flexible tube (not shown) coupled to' one end of the dispenser conduit 100. A developer fluid pump 108(FIG. 3) and fluid reservoir (not shown) are provided to supply the fluid developer to the tubular conduit l00under pressure, and the developer flows through spaced apertures 103 (FIG. 1) onto the blade 86. The developer liquid dispensed from the tube flows onto the upper surface of blade 86, and when the latter makes contact or engagement with the outer surface 58 of the rotating roller 52, the fluid is evenlyapplied or metered onto the roller surface. The contacting metering blade member 86, together with the roller 52 having the specially prepared outer surface 58, delivers a controlled amount of developer fluid to a copy sheet being developed by contact against the (roller. The blade member 86 wipes away excess developer fluid which in turn runs back into a trough 114 mounted beneath the applicator roller and metering blade. The excess fluid is channeled through an opening 116 in trough 114 (FIG. 1), and through a screenlike filter before being returned to the fluid reservoir for reuse. The filter screen serves to remove any minute paper particles which may have found their way into the developer fluid during the development process and which, if not removed, could eventually become lodged beneath the blade members, causing streaks along the surface of subsequently developed copy sheets. As previously mentioned, the surface 58 of the applicator roller 52 is of a specially prepared type of material for holding a predetermined quantity of developer liquid per unit area thereon in order to properly develop diazo sensitized copy sheets which are passed in contact against the roller.

The texture or finish of the applicator roller 52 is important in the operation of the developer apparatus 12. The amount of developer fluid retained on the roller surface 58 and carried to the copy sheet being developed is dependent, on the surface characteristics of the roller. It has been found that the surface best suited for carrying the proper amount of liquid for development of dry-to-the-touch copy sheets is one of The limits of fluid application provided by a-properly prepared roller surface reside between 0.5 grams and 3.0 grams per square meter of the copy material. The

' second blade member 88, when engaged with the outer roller surface 58, applies to the latter surface a predetermined contact pressure along a line of contact about 180 around the circumference of theroller and substantially equal to the force applied to the'roller by blade member 86. The pressure contact area'between the blade 88 and roller forms a developing zone 118 v(FIGQl) through which copy sheets are passedto be developed. 7 t y 3 I It is important that the forces applied to the roller surface are substantially equal. If they are not, a tendency for the roller to shift will be prevalent as well as a possible disfiguration of the surface of the roller. In

both of the last-mentioned cases, the ultimate quality of copies produced in the developer will be affected.

' A copy sheet to be developed is placed in the developing apparatus 12 at an entrance 120 and is manually urgedupwardly along curved guide member 122. The guide member is attached to a boxlike cross member 119 in the upper section 50"of the housing 14. The leading edge of the copy sheet is gripped between the pressure applying blade member 88 andthe roller 52 and is passed by the rotation of the roller 52 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The copy sheet is thus moved through the developing zone 118 and developer fluid is applied in printing fashion to the previously imaged copy sheet. The developed copy sheet emerges from the developing appratus 12 at an exit 124 in a dry-to-the-touch condition. y g

As mentioned heretofore, the blade members'86,'88 are each mounted on

members

90, 92 respectively, which can be rotated to cause simultaneous engagement or simultaneous disengagement of the respective blade members with. respect to the outer surface 58 of applicator roller 52 The physical movement of the blade members is controlled by a control-linkage and electrical contact assembly shown in detail in the aforementioned copending patent application incorporated herein by reference. The control-linkage and contact assembly includes a controHinkage member, preferably taking the form of a cam member having a generally circular shape and mounted for rotation in coaxial alignment with the shaft of an electrically operated control motor which is capable of being operated in a forward (engage) and reverse (release) direction by means of motor engage and release

coils

190 and 216, respectively (FIG. 3). Two pairs of

electrical contacts

136a and 136b are mounted adjacent the cam member, and on an opposite side thereof (180 about the circumference of the cam member) is mounted a second set comprising two pairs of contacts 138a and l38b. The contacts are operated by means of cam follower rollers connected to the contacts by means of leaf springs and each of the rollers rides along the external surface or edge of the rotary cam member.

The cam member is constructed to include three outer trackportions, each'having a different, predetermined distance measured along a radius of thecam member from the center of the latter, and along which the switch actuating follower rollers ride. As the cam member is rotated, the contact pairs are opened or closed; as the case may be,to' in turn'energize or deenergize the control motor.

As described in the aforementioned copending application,'a pair of arms are connectedto the ends of the respective rotatable tubular shafts" 90, 92,in order to translate the rotatable movement of the cam member into a driving force for movement of the blade members86,88 into and out of engagement with the roller 52. Movement ofthe armsby the cam causes the blades to be moved into or out of engagement with the vapplicator roller surface 58, depending upon the direction of rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise) of the cam member. Turningnow to FIG. 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated therein a preferred embodiment of the circuit for controlling the movement of the

blade members

86, 88 into and out of engagement with the .applicator roller 52.

The-circuit 170 is powered by a conventional 115 volt AC source (not shown) connected across. terminals 172,174, each terminal'being in turn connected to a

lead

176, 178, respectively. Lead 176 is connected flow via a lead 183 to operate pump motor 108,

thereby to begin pumping fluid to the tube member 100 (FIG. 1)., The movement of the switch armature into contact with theterminal 188 also provides current from the A.C. .power source for energizing the drive motor 76 for rotatin applicator roller 52 through

lines

209 and 178. o

The normally open pair of contacts 138a are connected to the terminal 184 of the on-off switch 182 via alead 186, and are in series with a cam motor release coil 190 which energizes the cam motor in adirection causing the blades 86 and '88 to move out of engagement with the applicator roller 52. The release coil is connected via leads 192 and 194 to the contacts 138a and line 178, respectively.

The line 192 and contact 138a are also connected to a secondarmature 198 of the manually operated on-off switch 182 via a lead 191. The second armature 198 is normally open with respect to a terminal 200 of the switch 182. The terminal 200 is connected via a lead wire 202 through a'pair of normally open switch contacts 136b of the first pair of cam operated contacts and via lead 204 to a normally'closed contact 206 of a three second time delay relay 208. The relay includes an armature 207 connected to the terminal 188 of the switch 182 via the lead 209. The relay 208 includes a contact 210 normally open with respect to the armature 207, and the terminal 210 is connected'via a lead motor in a direction to cause engagement with the blades 86 and88 andthe applicator roller 52. The normally closed pair of contacts 138b are connected also via a lead 218 through the normally closed pair of contacts 136a and the

leads

220 and 204 to the normally closed set of contacts 206 of time delay relay 208.

During normal copy making operation, the roller drive motor 76 is energized to rotate the applicator roller drive motor 76 is energized to rotate the applicator roller 52 in a clockwise direction through the clutch 78. in this mode, current is supplied to the motor through a pair of

leads

230 and 232 connected tothe

respective switch armatures

234 and 236 of a doublepole-double-throw manualreversing switch 238. In order to protect the drive motor from transient voltages, a thyrector transient suppressor 240 is connected in parallel across, the

leads

230 and 232.

As shown in FIGJS, the manual reversing switch is positioned in the normal operating position and themmatures 234 and 236 are in contact with

terminals

242 and 244, respectively, which are connected to negative and positive output leads 246 and 248, respectively, of a speed controller 250. The speed controller supplies DC. current to the motor at an adjustable voltage in order to drive the roller 52 at the desired speed and, for the purpose of selecting and adjusting the speed, a controlling device, such as a potentiometer having an adjusting knob 252, is provided. Alternating current is supplied to the input side of the speedcontroller 250 through supply leads 254 and 256 which areconnected to the

lines

209 and 178, respectively. When the manual on-off switch 182 is in the off position, as shown, the speed controller is not energized and, accordingly, operation of the motor in the normal clockwise direction is prevented.

In accordance with the invention, the drive motor ,76 may be operated 'in a reverse (counterclockwise) direction when the manual on-off'switch 182 is off, in order to clear a paper jam, or the like. For this purpose,

alternate terminals

258 and 260 of the manual reversing switch 238 are supplied with reverse polarity, low voltage DC. power through a first lead 262 connected to the terminal 184 through a rectifier 264, dropping resistor 266 and lead 186 and through a second lead 268 connected to the A.C. supply terminal 174 through the lead 178.

When the reversing switch 238 is moved to the alternate or reverse position, the motor leads 230 and 232 are connected to the

alternate terminals

258 and 260 which provide low voltage DC for rotation of the motor 76 in a counterclockwise or reverse direction at a relatively low speed (for example, rpm). When the shaft 72 is rotated in reverse the slip clutch 78 permits overrunning of the roller 52 because of the negative torque and, accordingly, the roller can be hand rotated in both directions to aid in rapidly clearing a paper jam.

The circuit 170, as it appears-in FIG. 3, is in the inoperative or off condition. When it is desired to operate the developer apparatus 10 of the invention, the manual on-off switch 182 is depressed, causing the armature 180 thereof to be moved from the terminal 184 to the terminal 188, opening the connection to lead 183 and closing operating circuits to pump motor 108 and the circuits powered through the lead 209 and the8 normally closed contact 206 of time delay relay 20 o 3 At this time, applicator roller 52 starts to rotate as current is supplied through the speed control device 250, and fluidis pumped from the reservoir to the tube for distribution onto the blade 86 and over the surface of the applicator roller.

Power is applied through the normally closed contacts of the time delay relay 108, via the lead 204 through the lead 220 and the normally closed contacts 136a and leads 218 and 214 to the-motor engage coil 216. When this occurs, rotation of the cam begins and after approximately 40 of rotation into an intermediate position, contacts 136a are opened. The opening of contacts 136a (Fl(i.4) de-energizes the engage coil 216 and stops the rotation of the cam. At thistime,

,both switchcontacts 136a, 136b are open and contact 138a isclosed. Both contacts 138a, 138!) are now in a closed condition and during the 40 rotation of the cam, developer fluid was supplied to the metering blade 86, which was brought into engagement with the applicator roller surface 58.

During the 3-second delay time of relay 208, developer fluid flowing from apertures 103 in feed tube 100 is metered over the surface 58 of roller 52. After the 3-second delay time is completed, relay armature 207 moves from normally closed contact 206 to normally open contact 210. Power from'the 1 15 volt A.C. source now is provided again through closed contacts l38b to motor engage coil 216, once again to cause the rotation of the cam member in the same direction. The cam rotates an additional 80 from its intermediate position, and during the 80 rotation, the switch contacts 138b are opened. The opening of the contacts 138b breaks the connection from the power source to the engage coil-216, de-energizing the cam motor and stopping the rotation of the cam.

During the lasfimentioned 809. rotation of the cam, no additional movement of blade member 86 was effected; however, the pressure applying blade member 88 was moved into engagement with the surface ofapplicator roller 52. Once both blades are in engagement with the rotating applicator roller, the developing apparatus is deemed to be in a running condition, and diazo copies may be fed through the developer section 50 of the diazo copying machine 10 for processing. 4

Upon completion of the developing process, the developing apparatus is restored to its normal unoperated state by operation of the manual on-otf switch 182 to its off position. In doing so, the. armature 1800f the switch is moved from engagement with the terminal 188 into engagement with the terminal 184, and the secondary armature 198 is moved out of engagement with the terminal 200. This makes a connection from the 1 15 volt A.C. source to motor release coil 190. The connection is from the A.C. source via leads 176, 186, and through contacts 138a which remain closed after cam rotation stopped. With motor release coil 190 energized, the cam motor (FIG. 1) is operated to rotate the cam in an opposite direction and the cam is rotated a full back to the home or normal position. During the last-described rotation, the

blade members

86, 88 are sequentially removed from engage- 9 ment with the applicator roller, blade member 88 being disengaged first, followed by blade member 86.

Once the cam is returned to the home position, the contacts 138a are opened to stop the motor 134. While the preferred means for moving the

blade members

86, 88 into and out of engagement with the applicator roller 52 is the cam andcircuit arrangement described above, it will be understood that such sequential movement could be obtained by other means, such as, for example, a series of gears arranged to control the movement of the blade members with a time delay arrangement operating the drive mechanism for the gears lt is therefore contemplated to cover by thepresentapplication any such equivalent means.

It has been explained that a preferred developing apparatus according to the invention includes means for moving the

blade members

86, 88 into and outof engagement with the applicator roller sequentially as described. Such sequential movement is important since it affords a uniform wetting of the applicator roller prior to bringing the pressure applying blade member into contact with the roller, thereby to allow for a faster starting time aswell as to prevent contact of the blade member against a relatively dry roller surface which might have a detrimental effect thereon.

While it ispreferred in the subject apparatus to move the pressure applying and wiper blade members toward and away from the applicator roller, the result achieved thereby can also be achieved through movement of the roller toward and away from the blade members, as well as through themovement of both the blade members and the roller toward and away from each other.

In the event that a paper jam should occur and -a piece of copy sheet becomes wound around the roller 52, the manual on-off switch 182 is returned to the off position wherein the armature of the switch is in engagement with the terminal 184. This causes the power supplied to the fluid pump 108 and speed controller 250 through the line 209 to become discontinued and the release coil 190 to effect movement of the

blades

86 and 88 to the disengaged or released position as previously described. v

a In order to clear the paper'from the roller 52, it is desirable to be able to rotate the roller manually in both directions. The manual reversing switch 238 is activated from the normal position (FIG. 3) to the reversing position, as described previously, wherein the motor 76 is driven in a reverse direction. When the motor is rotating in reverse direction, the roller 52 may be manipulated slowly in either direction because of the reverse drive and the action of the overruning slip clutch 78. The only limitation in this regard is that counterclockwise manual rotation of the roller 52 does not exceed the speed of reverse rotation of the shaft 72 so as to exert positive clockwise torque through the clutch. After the paper jam has been cleared by manipulation of the roller 52, the manual reversing switch is returned to the normal position.

. Referring to FIG. 4, therein is illustrated another embodiment of a developer apparatus 12A for use in a diazotype copy apparatus 10 as previously described. The developer 12A differs from the developer 12 ofthe previous embodiment in that a multiroller arrangement is utilized including the liquid applicator roll 52, a pres sure woll 53, and a wiper roll or rod 63.

.through a chain 75, sprocket 74, shaft 72, and one-way slip clutch 78,'as previously described, and the pressure roll 53 is rotated in a clockwise direction by frictional contact with the applicator roll when copy sheets are moved between the rolls from right to left, as indicated by'the arrow A. The pressure roll 53 is carried on a shaft 55 supported by suitable bearing arms 57 and is movable between an engaged and a released position toward and away from contact with the applicator roll 52 by the shaft 92. As in the prior embodiment, the tubular shaft 92 is rotated in opposite directions by the cam motor release and engages

coils

190 and 216, respectively, to move the pressure roll 53 into and out of pressure contact with the applicator roll 52.

The applicator roll 52 is mounted for rotation in a reservoir or pan 59 containing liquiddeveloper and the outer' surface ,58 of the roll picks up the liquid developer for application to the copy sheet moving between applicator roll and the pressure roll 53.

In order to insure a substantially uniform application of developer fluid over the outer surface 58 of the applicator roll 52, the developer includes a wiper assembly 61 disposed longitudinally of .the roll above the level of liquid in the reservoir. The wiper assembly ineludes the wiper rod or roll 63 which is urged into con tact against the applicator roll to wipe off or remove excess liquid developer from the roll surface 58 before contact with the copy sheet. The rod 63 may be driven by contact with the applicator roll 52 or may be positively driven by a pair of meshing gears 65 and 67. In the former case, the wiper rod is journaled for free rotation by suitable bearing means, ,while in the latter case the diameter ratio of the gears '65 and 67 is such that the rotational speed of the wiper'rod is in the range of approximately one to two thirds that of the applicator roll 52 (preferably about one half).

The wiper rod or roll 63 is seated in a longitudinal V-' shaped groove formed in the outerface of asupport bar 69 which is biased toward the applicator roll 52 by a plurality of springs 71. The support bar is slidable in a U-shaped bracket 73 which, in turn, is attached to the tubular control shaft 90. The shaft 90, like the shaft 92, is rotated by the cam motor engage and release

coils

190 and 216 to move the wiper roll into and out of wiping contact with the applicator roll 52 by pivotal movement, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4.

When the control shafts and 92 are rotated to the released position by the cam release motor and associated control circuitry (FIG. 3), the pressure roll 53 and wiper roll 63 are moved out of contact with the applicator roll 52 so that a paper jam may be readily cleared up, as previously described. The one-way clutch 78 and reversal of the drive motor permit manual rotation of the applicator roll 52 in either direction, as previously described.

While there has been illustrated and described several embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

. with a copy sheet and contact means movable toward and away from contact with said roller between an engaged and a released position, drive means normally rotatively driving said roller in one direction for copy making purposes and control means for moving said contact means between said positions, slip clutch means permitting free rotation of said roller in said one direction relative to said drive means and means for reversing said drive means whereby. said roller may be fully rotated in both directions to facilitate removal of a copy sheet therefrom.

2. The copy machine of claim 1 wherein said reversing means includes manual reversing switch means and reversing circuit means permitting energization of terminals of said reversing switch means when said control means is in an off position and said contact means is in said released position.

3. The copy machine of claim 2 wherein said control means includes manual on-ofi switch means and control circuit means operative to move said blade means to said disengaged position when said on-off switch means is moved to an off position.

' 4. The copy machine of claim 3 wherein said control circuit means is connected to supply power to said reversing means when said manual on-off switch means is in said off position.

5. The copy machine of claim 2 wherein said reversing switch means is movable between a normal position for supplying current of one polarity to energize said drive means in said one direction and a reverse position for supplying current of a reverse polarity to said drive means.

6. The copy machine of claim 1 wherein said contact means comprises at least one blade means movable toward and away from tangential line contact with said roller. I

7. The copy machine of claim 6 including a pair of said contact means spaced circumferentially apart around said roller on opposite sides thereof.

8. The copy machine of claim 1 wherein said contact means comprises pressure roll means for urging said copy sheet against said roller and movable toward and away from contact therewith betweensaid engaged and said released positions.

reservoir means for developer fluid, said roller mounted adjacent said reservoir whereby a portion of the outer surface thereof is wetted by said fluid, said contact means including wiper roll means between said reservoir and said pressure roll means for removing excess fluid from said roller surface.

10. The copy machine of claim 9 including means for positively driving said wiper roll means at a velocity less than said roller.

11. The copy machine of claim 9 including means for supporting said wiper roll means for free rotation in contact with said roller.

12. The copy machine of claim 9 wherein said conengaged and said released positions.

9. The copy machine of claim 8 including liquid- UNITED CSTATEJSQ PA-TENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE #OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,7 9 Dated November '7, 197 2 Invent0r(s) John opeland It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the drawings, Sheet 1, Fig. l, the reference numeral 103 should be applied to the aperture in the tubular conduit lOO; Fig.1, the reference numeral ll r should be applied to the trough mounted beneath the applicator roller 52 and the metering blade '86; Fig. l, the reference numeral 116 should be applied to the opening at the bottom of the trough 11M. Column 3 line 50, the referencenumeral 'f'su" should read n Column 5, line 12, after "Contact" there should be inserted spaced line 13, ."around should read on line 13, after "v'roller there should be inserted ---from--.

Column 8, line 1', the reference numeral @183" should read 186 --v.

. Column 9, line I, reference numeral "13M" should be deleted. Column 10, line #6, "engage and" should be deleted; line H6, after release there shouldbe inserted and engage line H7, after reference numeral "216". there should be inserted 9- respectively,

Signed and .seal ed' this 17th day of April 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.ELETCHER,JR I 7 ROBERT 'GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer 7 Commissioner of Patents ORM PO-10 0 (1 uscoMM-Dc scam-Pee I, Q U.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 0-;65-334 Patent No. 3,7 9 Dated November 7, 1972 Inventor(s) John p land It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the drawings, Sheet 1, Fig. l, the reference numeral 103 should be applied to the aperture in the tubular conduit lOO; Fig.1, the reference numeral 11H should be applied to the trough mounted beneath the applicator roller 52 and the metering blade 86; Fig. l, the reference numeral 116 should be applied to the opening at the bottom of the trough ll l. Column 3 line 50, the reference numeral "8 1" should read 7 Column 5, line 12, after "Contact" there should be inserted spaced line 13, "around" should read on line 13, after "roller" there should be inserted from". Column 8, line l, the reference numeral "183" should read 186 Column 9, line H, reference numeral "13M" should be deleted. Column 10, line 16, "engage and" should be deleted; line 6, after "release" there should be inserted and engage line 17, after referenc numeral "216" there should be inserted respectively,

Signed and sealed this 17th day of April 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.PLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM Po-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC scam-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I569 O366-334

Claims

1. In a copy machine employing a roller for contact with a copy sheet and contact means movable toward and away from contact with said roller between an engaged and a released position, drive means normally rotatively driving said roller in one direction for copy making purposes and control means for moving said contact means between said positions, slip clutch means permitting free rotation of said roller in said one direction relative to said drive means and means for reversing said drive means whereby said roller may be fully rotated in both directions to facilitate removal of a copy sheet therefrom.

3. The copy machine of claim 2 wherein said control means includes manual on-off switch means and control circuit means operative to move said blade means to said disengaged position when said on-off switch means is moved to an off position.

4. The copy machine of claim 3 wherein said control circuit means is connected to supply power to said reversing means when said manual on-off switch means is in said off position.

6. The copy machine of claim 1 wherein said contact means comprises at least one blade means movable toward and away from tangential line contact with said roller.

8. The copy machine of claim 1 wherein said contact means comprises pressure roll means for urging said copy sheet against said roller and movable toward and away from contact therewith between said engaged and said released positions.

9. The copy machine of claim 8 including liquid reservoir means for developer fluid, said roller mounted adjacent said reservoir whereby a portion of the outer surface thereof is wetted by said fluid, said contact means including wiper roll means between said reservoir and said pressure roll means for removing excess fluid from said roller surface.

12. The copy machine of claim 9 wherein said contact means includes means for moving said wiper roll means toward and away from said roller between said engaged and said released positions.