US3779639A - Color electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Color electrophotographic apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3779639A
US3779639A US00214242A US3779639DA US3779639A US 3779639 A US3779639 A US 3779639A US 00214242 A US00214242 A US 00214242A US 3779639D A US3779639D A US 3779639DA US 3779639 A US3779639 A US 3779639A
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United States
Prior art keywords
exposure
developing
electrophotographic
sheet
endless belts
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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
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US00214242A
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English (en)
Inventor
Y Tamai
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Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd
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    • 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
    • G03G15/01—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
    • G03G15/0142—Structure of complete machines
    • 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
    • G03G15/6597—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material the imaging being conformed directly on the copy material, e.g. using photosensitive copy material, dielectric copy material for electrostatic printing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00443—Copy medium
    • G03G2215/00518—Recording medium, e.g. photosensitive
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00953—Electrographic recording members
    • G03G2215/00962—Electrographic apparatus defined by the electrographic recording member
    • G03G2215/00966—Sheet type electrographic recording members from which a toner or charge image is transferred

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Color electrophotographic apparatus comprises a plurality of operation stations each of which has a charging section, an optical image exposure section and a developing section. Two sets of endless belts travel between the plurality of operation stations and convey a flexible electrophotographic material. The endless belts contact only the end or edge portions of the electrophotographic material.
  • An optical system is provided wherein the optical axis for exposing the electrophotographic material is maintained in the same position in all the optical image exposure sections, the surface of the photoconductive insulating layer is perpendicular to theoptical axis, and the optical images formed on the insulating layer are equal to each other in size during all exposures.
  • a color image is obtained by repeating an electrophotographic process wherein an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive insulating layer is developed using coloring particles (hereinafter referred to as toner).
  • This invention is directed to an improved electrophotographic apparatus for obtaining a color image by the electrofax system.
  • it is necessary to carry out at least the following operations:
  • the photoconductive insulating layer is subjected to first charging, first exposure (to an optical image of the original passed through a green color filter, for example), first developing (using a magentatoner), second charging, second exposure (using, e.g., a red color filter), second developing (using a cyan toner), third charging, third exposure (using, e.g., a blue color filter), and third developing (using a yellow toner) in the indicated order.
  • first charging to an optical image of the original passed through a green color filter, for example
  • first developing using a magentatoner
  • second charging using, e.g., a red color filter
  • second developing using a cyan toner
  • third charging using, e.g., a blue color filter
  • third developing using a yellow toner
  • One object of this invention is to provide a novel color electrophotographic apparatus which obviates the aforementioned disadvantages of convention apparatus.
  • Another object is to provide a color copier which is simple and involves no maintenance trouble.
  • an electrophotographic apparatus in which an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a photoconductive insulating layer provided on a support which is electrically charged and passed at least twice through different charging sections and developing sections, and in which color separation filters used for different operations of exposure to an optical image have difierent absorption wavelength ranges, and the colors of the toners in the developing agents used in different opera tion are complementary to the colors of such filters, characterized in that the photosensitive surface of the photoreceptor is disposed on and perpendicular to the same optical axis of an optical system for exposing the photosensitive surface to the optical image in different exposure operations, optical images formed on the photoreceptor in different exposure operations are of a substantially identical size, and the photoreceptor is supported in different positions in the electrophotographic apparatus during different exposure operations.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical side sectional view of electrophotographic apparatus according to this invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows, in a front view and a side view, a roller used in the apparatus according to this invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of essential portions of the apparatus according to this invention.
  • l 1 is a photoreceptor wound in roll form.
  • the photoreceptor may be wound such that the photosensitive layer thereof faces disposed inwardly. In the embodiment shown, however, the photoreceptor is wound such that the photosensitive layer faces outwardly.
  • the photoreceptor need not be wound in roll form but can be cut into predetermined lengths in sheet form.
  • the photoreceptor 11 is held between a pair of rollers 12, 12 and drawn out thereby to be delivered to a cutting section comprising a support table 13 and a cutter 14. A length of the photoreceptor is cut and conveyed by endless belts 15 and 16 while being held therebetween.
  • the endless belts l5 and 16 form a pair and support an end portion of the photosensitive layer.
  • the other end portion of the photosensitive layer is held by another pair of endless belts l5 and 16' (shown in FIG. 3 but not shown in FIG. 1).
  • the end portion of a sheet of the photoreceptor cut in a predetermined length by the cutter 14 is held by the endless belt 15 and 16 at the upper surface and underside of a portion designated 17.
  • undesirable background stain can be obviated by wetting the photoreceptor beforehand with an insulating liquid containing no toner therein.
  • a highly insulating liquid 19 for obviting background density is contained in a vessel 18.
  • Kerosene, mineral spirits, cyclohexane, decaline, isoparaffinic base solvents and silicone oil are known as liquids which serve this purpose.
  • the insulating liquid 19 is scooped up by a roller 20 from vessel 18 and transferred to roller 22 via roller 21.
  • Rollers 20, 21 and 22 are made of material which may be either hard or soft and either solid or porous.
  • Roller 22 is maintained in contact with the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor a length smaller than the distance between the two sets of endless belts, and applies the insulating liquid to the photosensitive layer surface to form a coating of the liquid thereon.
  • the coating of the liquid is formed prior to charging.
  • the coating of the liquid may be formed between charging and exposure to an optical image or between exposure to an optical image and developing.
  • the photoreceptor having the coating of the liquid formed thereon is conveyed to a first charging section which comprises a corona electrode 23 and a shield case 24 which is open on one side.
  • the corona electrode 23 may consist of either fine metal wires or metal needless.
  • a high voltage is impressed on the corona electrode 23 from an external power source (not shown).
  • the electrophotographic photoreceptor contains zinc oxide, a negative the high voltage of 6 KV, for example, is impressed.
  • the surface of the photoreceptor is negatively charged by the corona discharge from corona electrode 23.
  • Charging may be effected by the so-called double corona system whereby opposite surfaces of the photoreceptor are charged.
  • a sheet of photoreceptor being exposed to an optical image in the optical image exposure section is designated 25. Exposure of the photreceptor 25 to an optical image is not interfered with by the endless belts l and 16 and the set of endless belts (the endless belts l5 and 16' shown in FIG. 3)
  • the original is illuminated by a light source 27.
  • Light rays from the light source 27 are rendered uniform by a condenser lens 28 and a diffuser 29.
  • 30 designates a set of color separation filters comprising red, blue and green color filters which are placed in front of or at the back of an image forming lens 31, depending on the steps of the operation.
  • an optical system comprising the transparent positive picture 26, light source 27, condenser lens 28, diffuser 29, filters and lens 31 is firmly secured .on a table 32.
  • the table 32 is movable for causing an image to be formed on the surface of the photoreceptor in each step of exposure of the photoreceptor to an optical image for each color component.
  • the table 32 When the photoreceptor is disposed in the optical image exposure section designated 10, the table 32 is disposed in the rightmost position in FIG. 1.
  • the green filter is selected from among the set of filters 30 and the photoreceptor is exposed to an optical image through the green filter, it is necessary to place the photoreceptor perpendicular to the optical axis in order to prevent distortion of the image formed. Deviation from the perpendicular may be allowed, of course, if the deviation is negligible.
  • the photoreceptor 25 After being exposed to the optical image, the photoreceptor 25 is conveyed to a developing section.
  • a toner 33 used for developing a latent image formed through the green filter as aforementioned is a pigment of magneta color which is dispersed in a carrier liquid.
  • the developing section comprises a vessel 34 which is divided by partition plates 35 and 35 into portions for receiving three types of liquid developer.
  • the partition plates prevent the developer from mixing with each other.
  • the toner 33 used in the first developing section is of magenta color
  • toner 36 used in the second developing section is of cyan color
  • toner 37 used in the third developing section is yellow.
  • the colors of the color separation filters and the colors of the toners are complementary to each other.
  • the filters and toners available in an actual operation may deviate from this theoretical ideal. Therefore, the materials used may be as near the theoretical ideal as possible.
  • a black toner may be used in combination with the magenta, cyan and yellow toners.
  • each developing section 38, 38 and 38" are electrically conducting plates or wire-nettings which serve as developing electrodes.
  • the photosensitive layer faces outwardly in the developing sections and is juxtaposed to development electrodes 38, 38 and 38".
  • the toners adhere to the surface of the photosensitive layer by being attracted to or replulsed therefrom by the latent images formed by exposure to the optical images.
  • the photoreceptor having gone through the primary developing step is conveyed to a second charging portion 40 while being held at opposite end portions thereof by the endless belts.
  • the second charging station is constructed in the same manner as the first charging section.
  • the photoreceptor is conveyed to a second exposure section 41 after being charged again.
  • the table 32 on which the original rests moves leftwardly in the figure, so that an optical image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer in the second optical image exposure section 41.
  • the red color filter is selected from the filters 30 and moved to a position in which it is disposed in front of the image forming lens in this embodiment.
  • a latent image formed by exposing the photosensitive layer to the optical image is developed using cyan color toner 36. Following developing, the photoreceptor is squeezed by a squeeze roller 39'.
  • the photoreceptor After going through the second developing step, the photoreceptor then passes through a third charging section 42 to be conveyed to a third optical image exposure section 43 where a blue color filter is selected from among the set of filters 30.
  • the moving distance of the table 32 leftwardly in the figure is equal to the distance between the first optical -image exposure section 10 and the second optical image exposure section 41.
  • the photoreceptor which has been squeezed by a squeeze roller 39" is conveyed to a drying section 44 where it is exposed to an air current from a fan 45.
  • the air current is indicated by the arrow.
  • the drying section 44 the carrier liquid wetting the photoreceptor is removed.
  • the photoreceptor formed thereon with a color toner image after developing of the latent images in three colors is finished is stripped from the endless belt 16 by a guide plate 46 and placed on a plate 47.
  • rollers 48, 48' and 48" disposed in the respective charging sections are preferably electrically conducting and electrically grounded so as to provide an uniform charge.
  • the rollers 48, 48' and 48" and rollers 49, 49 and 49" of the respective developing sections have end portions 50 which are narrowed an amount corresponding to the width 51 of the endless belts as shown in FIG. 2. Its depth 52 is equal to the thickness of the endless belt 15. 53 and 53' are shafts. It is required that the three squeeze rollers 39, 39' and 39" be narrowed similarly at their end portions or slightly shorter than the distance between the two sets of endless belts.
  • FIG. 3 shows the first charging section and first optical image exposure section 32 and a portion of the optical system. All reference numerals are corresponding to those ofFIG. l.
  • the photoreceptor 25 has passed through the first charging section where it has been negatively charged by being subjected to a corona discharge from the corona electrode assembly 23, 24 on which a high voltage is impressed, before being disposed in the position shown in the figure.
  • the photoreceptor is held at opposite end portions thereof by the two sets of endless belts 15, 16 and 16'.
  • An'image of the transparent positive original 26 disposed on the right in the figure is formed on the photosensitive layer 25 by the image forming less 31, so that an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original is formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer 25.
  • a device may be provided for carrying out the opera tion of washing the surface of the photoreceptor with a highly insulating liquid containing no toner after the photoreceptor has passed through various developing sections.
  • the provision of this device is conductive to increasing the quality of the color image obtained in which background density is minimized.
  • the same type of carrier may be used within the different colors developer; the use of a carrier liquid of particularly high volatility facilitates drying.
  • the colors of the toners of the developer should be complementary with the colors of the color separation filters. Therefore, developing of the image in different colors may be carried out in any color's desired, so long as the colors of the toners are in a predetermined relation with the colors of the filters.
  • the table 32 on which the original and optical system rest moves along the same optical axis whenever the optical image exposure operation is carried out in different colors.
  • the lens along may have its position and focal length varied without moving the light source, con denser lens, diffuser and original as indicated in FIG. 3 at 65. Even in this case, the optical axis must remain in the same position and the images formed must be substantially equal in size.
  • a zoom lens of any type as desired which is commercially available can be used to attain the end.
  • duplicates of color printed matter or a color print may be made by using a reflection exposure system.
  • the use of an image forming lensand a reflector is essential when the reflection exposure system is employed. Even in this case, liquid images formed on the photoreceptor must register with one another and be substantially equal in size in the optical image exposure operation in different colors.
  • Exposure to an optical image may be in the form of either stationary exposure or scanning exposure. In transmission exposure and reflection exposure, different lenses may be used for the optical image exposure and operations in different colors. This process and the use of zoom lens best facilitate registration of images.
  • a microswitch or photocell is preferably used for detecting the movement of the photoreceptor supported by the endless belts. The position in which the photoreceptor is held must be kept constant with respect to the optical axis at all times.
  • 60 and 61 are units of lightsource, whose inward provide a light-source, a lens and a pin-hole like slit, and therein emit a minute light beam toward the direction of the arrow as shown in the drawing.
  • 62 and 63 are photo-cells which receive light from the units of light source.
  • the apparatus is provided with means to stop the endless belts when electrical resistance becomes identical in the two photo cells or a light electromotive force.
  • This stopping function occurs after leading edge of the photosensitive paper 25 passes said unit 60 and photo cell 62.
  • the distance between said unit 60 and unit 61 (or photo cell 62 and photo cell 63) is decided to be as long as the photosensitive cut paper 25 or less longer.
  • both elements 62 and 63 are equivalent in electric resistance or light electromotive force and the proceeding of a paper 25 is stopped.
  • the registration is performed as a photosensitive paper is in aveyance on a settled position.
  • said two light beams should be made to transit a portion near the endless belt, i.e., a portion near the side end of the photosensitive paper, since it is undesirable that the light beams project to the surface of the photosensitive paper charged electrically.
  • One of the features of the apparatus according to the present invention is that no malfunction occurs in moving the photoreceptor because the photoreceptor is coveyed while held by two sets (four in number) of endless belts at all times.
  • Developing is not confined to liquid developing in the apparatus according to this invention. That is, a cascade developing process, powder cloud developing process, magnetic brush developing process and similar processes may also be used.
  • the liquid developing process is particulary superior to other processes in faithfully reproducing tonal gradients.
  • negative to positive work is carried out, e.g., to obtain a color print from a negative color picture.
  • a bias voltage is impressed on developing electrodes 38, 38 and 38". These electrodes are grounded when positive to positive work is being carried out.
  • a color electrophotographic apparatus comprising conveying means for sequentially conveying a sheet of electrophotographic material to at least two exposure sections disposed a predetermined distance apart;
  • said image exposing means having an optical axis along which said two exposure sections are disposed and including means for making the optical images on the surface of the electrophotographic sheet equal to one another in size at each of the exposure sections to accommodate said predetermined distance therebetween;
  • said sheet being conveyed by said conveying means across said optical axis in a first direction at the first of said two exposure sections and in a second direction across said optical axis at the second of said two exposure sections.
  • Apparatus as in claim 1 where said means for making the optical images equal to one another includes means for moving said exposure means said predetermined distance between each of said sequential exposures.
  • said conveying means comprises two pairs of endless belts where one pair grips one side of said sheet and the other pair grips the other side, at least a portion of said endless belts traversing a path which respectively perpendicularly crosses the optical axis of said exposure means at said exposure sections.
  • Apparatus as in claim 3 including means for moving said two pairs of endless belts at the same speed.
  • each said pair of endless belts are separated at a point subsequent to the last developing means to permit the removal of the developed electrophotographic sheet therefrom.
  • said developing means includes means for developing said latent images with colored toners, the colors of which are respectively complementary to said color separation filters.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Color Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Combination Of More Than One Step In Electrophotography (AREA)
US00214242A 1970-12-30 1971-12-30 Color electrophotographic apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3779639A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP45123031A JPS4930460B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-12-30 1970-12-30

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US3779639A true US3779639A (en) 1973-12-18

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US00214242A Expired - Lifetime US3779639A (en) 1970-12-30 1971-12-30 Color electrophotographic apparatus

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US (1) US3779639A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4930460B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE777364A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2165078A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2121084A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1331870A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3910231A (en) * 1973-02-21 1975-10-07 Canon Kk Developing device for a polychromatic electrophotographic copier
FR2284911A1 (fr) * 1974-09-11 1976-04-09 Agfa Gevaert Ag Procede et appareil pour l'impression par lignes d'un support de copie avec des selections trichromes
US3958876A (en) * 1973-11-07 1976-05-25 Hitachi, Ltd. Multicolor reproducing apparatus
US4751549A (en) * 1985-12-28 1988-06-14 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Color copying machine
US5155534A (en) * 1989-09-29 1992-10-13 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Apparatus for forming and developing latent electrostatic images with liquid developer and release agent
US5325154A (en) * 1989-11-07 1994-06-28 Hitachi, Ltd. Color printer using circulation period to control registration of images

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4198155A (en) * 1978-10-30 1980-04-15 Xerox Corporation Photoconductive belt assembly
JPH0762771B2 (ja) * 1986-09-01 1995-07-05 株式会社日立製作所 電子写真方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3130655A (en) * 1963-01-21 1964-04-28 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Photographic apparatus
US3467468A (en) * 1967-03-30 1969-09-16 Rca Corp Automatic color electrophotographic apparatus
US3495903A (en) * 1966-05-06 1970-02-17 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic apparatus and method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3130655A (en) * 1963-01-21 1964-04-28 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Photographic apparatus
US3495903A (en) * 1966-05-06 1970-02-17 Harris Intertype Corp Electrophotographic apparatus and method
US3467468A (en) * 1967-03-30 1969-09-16 Rca Corp Automatic color electrophotographic apparatus

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3910231A (en) * 1973-02-21 1975-10-07 Canon Kk Developing device for a polychromatic electrophotographic copier
US3958876A (en) * 1973-11-07 1976-05-25 Hitachi, Ltd. Multicolor reproducing apparatus
FR2284911A1 (fr) * 1974-09-11 1976-04-09 Agfa Gevaert Ag Procede et appareil pour l'impression par lignes d'un support de copie avec des selections trichromes
US4751549A (en) * 1985-12-28 1988-06-14 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Color copying machine
US5155534A (en) * 1989-09-29 1992-10-13 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Apparatus for forming and developing latent electrostatic images with liquid developer and release agent
US5325154A (en) * 1989-11-07 1994-06-28 Hitachi, Ltd. Color printer using circulation period to control registration of images

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE777364A (fr) 1972-04-17
DE2165078A1 (de) 1972-09-07
FR2121084A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-08-18
GB1331870A (en) 1973-09-26
JPS4930460B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-08-13

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