US3910232A - Color reproduction device - Google Patents

Color reproduction device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3910232A
US3910232A US478317A US47831774A US3910232A US 3910232 A US3910232 A US 3910232A US 478317 A US478317 A US 478317A US 47831774 A US47831774 A US 47831774A US 3910232 A US3910232 A US 3910232A
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United States
Prior art keywords
color
developing
developing agent
agents
intermingled
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US478317A
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English (en)
Inventor
Eiichi Kondo
Shozo Inoue
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
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Publication of US3910232A publication Critical patent/US3910232A/en
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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
    • G03G15/0105—Details of unit
    • G03G15/0121—Details of unit for developing
    • 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
    • G03G15/0105—Details of unit

Definitions

  • This invention relates to color reproduction techniques in electrophotography using multi-color developing agents, and, more particularly, it is concerned with such color reproduction method and a device therefor, in which the developing agents are used'most effectively and sparingly.
  • the direct system is to obtain the color picture image by repeating three to four times the processes of electric changing, exposure through color resolution filters, development, and fixation
  • the transfer system is to obtain the color picture image by repeating the processes of cleaning of the photosensitive plate, electric changing, exposure through color resolution filters, development, and transferv
  • a method for color reproduction using multi-color developing agents which comprises recovering the multi-color developing agents which have been used for the image development and intermingled during the developing operation, and regenerating the recovered developing agents as the Waste for reuse as a black color developing agent.
  • a device for color reproduction of an original color image wherein an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrying member is developed with multi-color developing agents which comprises in combination: (a) a plurality of developing means, at least one of the developing means containing therein a black color developing agent, (b) means for recovering the been intermingled during the image developing process; and (c) means for transferring the intermingled multi-color developing agent from the recovering means to one of the developing means containing therein the black color developing agent.
  • the color reproduction device wherein the transfer means for the intermingled multi-color developing agents further includes means to detect a transfer quantity of the intermingled developing agent, and means to control the transfer operation.
  • the color reproduction device wherein the developing agent recovering means includes means for storing the recovered developing agents, and means to detect the color phase of the intermingled multi-color developing agents in storage.
  • the color reproduction device wherein the devoloping agent storing means further includes means for feeding and mixing an additional quantity of black color developing agent in accordance with a detection signal from the color phase detecting means.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view showing the general construction of the color reproduction device according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recovering means for the color developing agent provided at the cleaning section of the reproduction device
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram to explain one example for regenerating the intermingled developing agents for reuse.
  • FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram showing one actual example of the means for detecting concentration of the primary color developing agents in the black color developing agent which have been intermingled as the result of the developing operation.
  • the photosensitive drum is cleansed by a cleaning blade 24, is electrically charged by a primary charger II, and is discharged by the ac charger l2 simultaneously with light exposure.
  • the thus exposed photosensitive drum I2 is again subjected to the exposure overall its surface by another light source 13, and developed by one of the developing vessels 14, I5, 16 and 17.
  • a designated developing agent is supplied from each of developer tanks l4, l5, l6 and 17.
  • the developing vessels are so constructed that they may shift to and from the designated position for the development in synchronism with movement of any of the corresponding color resolution filters 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d set in the filter turret 7.
  • Surplus amount of the developing agent adhered onto the photosensitive drum 10 is squeezed out by an electric charger 18 for squeezing.
  • a transfer paper 19 is sent out by a roll 20 and held on an image transfer drum 21 positioned contriguous to the photosensitive drum 10.
  • the developed image on the photosensitive drum I0 is therefore transferred onto the transfer paper held on the drum 2] at the tangential point between the two drums.
  • the afore-mentioned process steps are repeated for three to four times, after which the transfer paper 19 is separated from the transfer drum 21 and carried by a conveyor belt 22 up to an image fixing device 23 where the transferred image is fixed to complete a reproduced copy.
  • the transfer roll 21 is cleansed by a movable cleaning blade so that no back surface of the subsequent transfer paper may become stained with any foreign matter remaining thereon.
  • a receptacle is provided on each of the developing vessels, the electric charger for squeezing, cleaning blade, etc. so as to receive thereinto the dropping liquid developer and to lead it to the developing vessel for black toner or the storage tanks for the corresponding developing agent through a conduit pipe. Further as will be explained hereinafter, it is of course possible to forward such collected developing agent into the desired vessel after the color phase and concentration of the color developing agent are properly adjusted.
  • a diluent for the developing agent may be caused to flow through a liquid feeding pipe 27 to prevent the recovered developing agent from adhering thereonto and to effectively recover the developer together with the diluent.
  • the toner which has been collected by the blade is caused to flow out with a colorless diluent for the developing agent and recovered so as not to stain the transfer paper held on the transfer drum.
  • the construction of the photosensitive body as described in detail in the specification of British Pat. No. 1,326,786(DAS 2,047,130), for example,
  • the recovered liquid is once stored in a collecting vessel and then subjected to adjustment for a definite concentration with a concentrated black color developing liquid for re-use, or the recovered liquid is directly introduced into vessel for the black color developing agent, and re-used by adding thereto concentrated black color developing agent depending on necessity.
  • FIG. 3 explains one example of a control mechanism for adjusting concentration of the developing agent.
  • the recovered developing agent is once stored in a collecting tank 31 and then sent into a mixing tank 35 through a valve 33.
  • the mixing tank 35 is provided with a terminal detector 351 of the control circuit to detect and control the color phase, and an agitator 352 to make concentration of the developing agent uniform.
  • FIG. 4 shows one example of the color phase detection and control mechanism, wherein the terminal detector 351 is provided with a plurality of photocells CdSl, CdS2 and CdS3 having red, blue and green filters fl, f2 and f3, respectively, and a single white light source LPl common to them.
  • the valve 33 or 34 in FIG. 3 are opened or closed in accordance with the detection output of this detector.
  • each photocell when the detection output of each photocell is substantially the same, for instance, the valve 33 is opened, and, when any one of the photocells has a different output, the valve 34 is opened. Otherwise, the valve 33 is constantly opened and an upper value for the latitude of each color tone is established, and when any one of the detection elements exceeds the upper limit of the established value, the valve 34 is opened to obtain the effective result of the color phase adjustment.
  • the example shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to this design, in which each established value can be arbitrarily set by regulating one of the input terminal potentials of each operational amplifier by each variable resistor VR,, VR or VR
  • the developing agent in the mixing tank 35 in FIG. 3 can always be kept in black color or in a color tone which may be recognized as the substantial black.
  • opening and closing of a valve 37 provided between the mixing tank 35 and a developing unit 38 is controlled by a detection output of another terminal detector 381 provided in the develolping unit 38, whereby concentration of the developing agent can be maintained at a constant level.
  • the recovering blades and so forth may be made in the same construction as shown in the drawing, although particular consideration should be given in designing the recovering and conveying devices for the developing agent which is in powder form. That is to say, as shown in FIG. 2, a screw 28 of a full length of the drum breadth is provided just in front of the cleaning blade 24 to transport the powdery developing agent scraped by the blade in the lateral direction. The powder developer thus transported sideways is then collected at a trough 29, through which it is conveyed to the developing unit.
  • the collected powder developer is led into the developing unit through a duct by means of a suction fan.
  • a hopper 291 for storing a a definite quantity of the transported developing agent is provided at the end of the trough or duct 29, and a valve is caused to open and close by operating a solenoid SOL open detection of a predetermined amount of the transported powder developer by means of a lamp LP and a photocell CdS.
  • Color developing agents of cyan, magenta, and yellow were prepared, and each of the developing agents was mixed with the black color developing agent in a definite quantity for each of the below-listed instances. Subsequently, by using the above-described reproduction device, a monochromatic reproduction was conducted to find out the critical mixing quantity of each primary color, at which the color tone of the reproduced picture image could not be recognized as real black. The results are as follows.
  • the reproduction device is capable of regenerating the mixed developing agents, hence there is no apprehension of wastes occuring after the development, and any loss of the developing agent can be reduced, which highly contributes to maintenance and operations of the reproduction machine in good economy.
  • the mixed developing agent can be used as it is without requiring any intricate control of the color phase, if the monochromatic reproduction does not pose a problem on the color tone of the reproduced image.
  • a device for color reproduction of an original color image wherein an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrying member is developed with multi-color developing agents which comprise in combination:
  • said means for transferring the intermingled multi-color developing agents includes means to detect a transfer quantity of said intermingled developing agents, and means to control the transfer operation.
  • said developing agent recovering means includes means for storing said recovered developing agents, and means to detect the color phase of said intermingled multi-color developing agents in storage.
  • said developing agent storing means further includes means for feeding and mixing an additional quantity of black color developing agent in accordance with a detection signal from said color phase detecting Patent No. 3 910 232 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION jci-nher 7, 1 97';

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Color Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
US478317A 1973-06-14 1974-06-11 Color reproduction device Expired - Lifetime US3910232A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP6704973A JPS544619B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-06-14 1973-06-14

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US3910232A true US3910232A (en) 1975-10-07

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US478317A Expired - Lifetime US3910232A (en) 1973-06-14 1974-06-11 Color reproduction device

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US (1) US3910232A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS544619B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2428732C3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4571071A (en) * 1984-04-13 1986-02-18 Eastman Kodak Company Cleaning apparatus and method for a polychromatic electrophotographic copier
DE3535182A1 (de) * 1984-10-02 1986-04-03 Ricoh Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo Einrichtung zum erzeugen mehrfarbiger bilder mit hilfe eines elektrophotographischen nasskopiergeraets
EP0208243A1 (en) * 1985-07-05 1987-01-14 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Copying machine comprising cleaning device and disposable developer box for copying machine
WO1988005562A1 (en) * 1987-01-14 1988-07-28 Malaita Pty. Ltd. Electrostatic colour copier
US5070368A (en) * 1989-02-15 1991-12-03 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Developing apparatus
US5306288A (en) * 1990-09-05 1994-04-26 United States Surgical Corporation Combined surgical needle-suture device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3149668A1 (de) * 1980-12-16 1982-07-15 Canon K.K., Tokyo "farbkopiergeraet"

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3253913A (en) * 1960-10-13 1966-05-31 Eastman Kodak Co Process for color electrophotography
US3420151A (en) * 1965-11-16 1969-01-07 Fairchild Camera Instr Co Apparatus for electrophotographic printing
US3494328A (en) * 1966-09-01 1970-02-10 Addressograph Multigraph Liquid photoelectrostatic developer unit
US3627410A (en) * 1968-02-08 1971-12-14 Xerox Corp Reproduction appratus with liquid developer
US3663100A (en) * 1968-06-07 1972-05-16 Canon Kk Electrophotographic apparatus
US3701337A (en) * 1969-12-29 1972-10-31 Honeywell Inc Printing apparatus
US3712203A (en) * 1969-11-15 1973-01-23 Iwatsu Electric Co Ltd Automatic control device for the toner concentration within a developer in an electrostatic copy machine
US3734607A (en) * 1969-06-04 1973-05-22 Xerox Corp Color reproduction apparatus
US3748125A (en) * 1970-12-09 1973-07-24 Ilford Ltd Color electrophotography using toners of the repellent type
US3797930A (en) * 1971-05-18 1974-03-19 Minolta Camera Kk Electrophotographic copier
US3807998A (en) * 1969-12-17 1974-04-30 Katsuragawa Denki Kk Method of colour electrophotography

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3253913A (en) * 1960-10-13 1966-05-31 Eastman Kodak Co Process for color electrophotography
US3420151A (en) * 1965-11-16 1969-01-07 Fairchild Camera Instr Co Apparatus for electrophotographic printing
US3494328A (en) * 1966-09-01 1970-02-10 Addressograph Multigraph Liquid photoelectrostatic developer unit
US3627410A (en) * 1968-02-08 1971-12-14 Xerox Corp Reproduction appratus with liquid developer
US3663100A (en) * 1968-06-07 1972-05-16 Canon Kk Electrophotographic apparatus
US3734607A (en) * 1969-06-04 1973-05-22 Xerox Corp Color reproduction apparatus
US3712203A (en) * 1969-11-15 1973-01-23 Iwatsu Electric Co Ltd Automatic control device for the toner concentration within a developer in an electrostatic copy machine
US3807998A (en) * 1969-12-17 1974-04-30 Katsuragawa Denki Kk Method of colour electrophotography
US3701337A (en) * 1969-12-29 1972-10-31 Honeywell Inc Printing apparatus
US3748125A (en) * 1970-12-09 1973-07-24 Ilford Ltd Color electrophotography using toners of the repellent type
US3797930A (en) * 1971-05-18 1974-03-19 Minolta Camera Kk Electrophotographic copier

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4571071A (en) * 1984-04-13 1986-02-18 Eastman Kodak Company Cleaning apparatus and method for a polychromatic electrophotographic copier
DE3535182A1 (de) * 1984-10-02 1986-04-03 Ricoh Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo Einrichtung zum erzeugen mehrfarbiger bilder mit hilfe eines elektrophotographischen nasskopiergeraets
EP0208243A1 (en) * 1985-07-05 1987-01-14 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Copying machine comprising cleaning device and disposable developer box for copying machine
US4696565A (en) * 1985-07-05 1987-09-29 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Cleaning device for a monochromatic copying machine
USRE33484E (en) * 1985-07-05 1990-12-11 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Cleaning device for a monochromatic copying machine
WO1988005562A1 (en) * 1987-01-14 1988-07-28 Malaita Pty. Ltd. Electrostatic colour copier
US5070368A (en) * 1989-02-15 1991-12-03 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Developing apparatus
US5306288A (en) * 1990-09-05 1994-04-26 United States Surgical Corporation Combined surgical needle-suture device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2428732C3 (de) 1978-08-10
JPS5017647A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-02-25
JPS544619B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1979-03-08
DE2428732A1 (de) 1975-01-02
DE2428732B2 (de) 1977-12-08

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