Edward W Mayer

US Patent:

46194509, Oct 28, 1986

Filed:

May 10, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/732608

Inventors:

Carl P. Anderson - Menlo Park CA
Edward F. Mayer - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Ricoh Systems, Inc. - San Jose CA
Ricoh Company, Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

B65H 304

US Classification:

271 35

Abstract:

A bottom feeder for copy paper feeding has means for imparting a curvature to the sheets, the curvature being in the direction the sheets will be withdrawn. The curvature provides transverse rigidity to permit lifting weight of stack off the bottom sheet. This facilitates withdrawing the sheets one at a time from the bottom of the stack. A curved paper tray imparts a curvature to the paper. A pair of holding clamps are provided, one on either side of the stack of paper, which are partially withdrawn from the sides of the paper stack so that paper may be added to the stack. When sheets are to be fed, the clamps which comprise a pair of plates having a friction material on the paper facing side thereof are moved in to engage the sides of the stack of paper. An arrangement is provided to thereafter lower the paper tray slightly from the bottom of the stack, or lift the clamps and the curved paper stack. In either event, the pressure of the stack weight is now removed from the bottom sheet.

US Patent:

45726558, Feb 25, 1986

Filed:

Jul 25, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/516954

Inventors:

Elden R. Morrison - Palo Alto CA
Edward F. Mayer - San Jose CA
Donald F. Pfeuffer - San Jose CA
Victor B. van Blerk - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Ricoh Systems, Inc. - Tokyo

International Classification:

G03G 2100

US Classification:

355 15

Abstract:

An electrophotographic copying apparatus utilizing a rotatable drum having a photosensitive outer circumferential surface is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. In making copies of a given sheet of information, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the information to be copied is formed on a circumferential segment of the drum surface and the image is developed by applying toner onto the image bearing segment of the drum surface. Thereafter, the applied toner is transferred to a blank sheet thereby forming the copy. Once one or more copies are made from a given electrostatic image, any applied but untransferred toner on the drum surface is moved onto a second circumferential segment, preferably by means of a pliant roller segment and preferably with the aid of electrostatic attraction. The toner accumulated on the second segment of the drum surface is then moved by the latter to a specific point and removed from the second surface segment. During this latter movement, the toner is electrostatically held in place on the second drum surface segment.